Author's Note:
I feel like I need to explain something. One of the reviewers of this fic had questioned Gaz's attitude as being "not her character" and stuff. I do admit this reviewer was right.
"Valen-Evil-Tine" was originally written after watching just three Invader Zim episodes. I took Gaz's attitude as the one you read in here. She is the dark girl and she also has a fear she needs to beat.
Since this fic is already finished (there's only one final chapter left), I didn't really want to change any of the plot. Considering episodes like "Game Slave 2", Gaz does act weaker, but she is the way I pictured her.
Please, accept my apologies in case you didn't really like Gaz's personality in this fic.
Now that I've bored you all with this little and pathetic speechy thing of...doom...you can read the current chapter.
-o-
- Chapter 5 -
Dance of Doom
Six o'clock in the city. The sun was going down slowly, announcing the oncoming night. Valentines Day was still in the air, and the Valentine Dance Party in the skool's cafeteria was getting more exciting as the time for the Valentines Dance approached.
-I quit...
Gaz walked to a wall, looking away from the happy crowd of kids, and leaned her forehead on the vertical surface.
-I quit... -she repeated-. Those morons don't want to talk to us... I am condemned to be a... a...
-A loser? -Zim said as he approached his date.
Gaz turned to look at Zim briefly.
-Gee... Thanks for the moral help -she said sarcastically. Then she turned away.
-Well, that is one of the main reasons I want to *squish* all this *filthy* hu-ma-ni-tee... -Zim protested-. They just can't see the superior being in front of their own eyes!!
-Squish the humans... -Gaz whispered- ... I'm in. Just tell me when and where.
Zim raised a non-existent eyebrow at his date. She wasn't looking at him, but at the wall.
-You *want* to destroy your OWN race??
Gaz sighed deeply, then looked at him once more, resting the side of her head against the wall.
-You do not understand sarcasm, right? -Zim didn't reply-. I guessed so...
Gaz returned her eyes to the wall.
-Why would a human like you hate all of this? If I must be honest, your attitude related to this pitiful event doesn't match the rest of your fellow earthnoid customs.
There was a moment of silence. Gaz slowly turned at him.
-Let me tell you a story... -she said, making Zim raise an 'eyebrow' again.
-o-
Dib and his date were talking to another couple of kids, next to a table with food.
-I can not believe YOU got a date -the other boy told Dib.
-Call it luck -Dib said, rolling his eyes.
While his date talked to the others, he spotted some sandwiches on the table at his side. He was about to grab one with his free hand (because the nerdy girl didn't want to release the other arm), when a small black paw snatched the entire dish and dragged it down the table. Dib stared at the empty space on the table for a few second, and then he turned to his date and other friends.
-Did you see that?! -he almost shouted.
-See what? -the other boy said in a deep voice.
-The sandwiches! -Dib pointed to the empty space-. They're gone!
-Maybe you ate them -the other guy said.
-I did not! Something under the table STOLE them!
The three remaining kids stared at him in skepticism, and then they resumed their chat. Dib gave another glance at the table. He saw Gir in its puppy disguise appearing from under the table, waving a short "Hi!" to him, took another dish, and dove under the table again.
-There's a ROBOT under the table! -Dib pointed, looking at his fellow humans.
-Aw, cut it out, Dib! -the guy said.
On the other side of the room, Gaz was finishing her story.
-... and now I've tried to beat Valentines Day -she whispered bitterly- ... and I've failed.
-I had *no* idea all this "valenines" thingy... eh... *thing* could be so... horrible -Zim said. Gaz had actually told him the reasons why she hated this day-. How is it that humans ALLOW this day to exist??
-Because they all just suck -the purple-haired girl whispered sadly-. I hate this day. I hate it and final. I'll go home now.
Zim gasped. Gaz finally released her forehead from the wall and began to walk to the door. The alien rushed and stood in her way.
-Wait! You can't go now!
-Tell Dib I went back home -Gaz said, managing a tiny glare-. And move away.
-But I need a human for the dance, or they all will think I'm un-human! -Zim said worriedly.
To his surprise, Zim noticed Gaz shudder at the mention of the "D" word.
-I don't dance -she stated.
-Huh?
Gaz pushed him away and went out. Zim hurried to go after her.
He caught several feet from the door, grabbing her shoulder with an alien hand.
-Zim... get away -she warned, scowling at nothing-. I want to go home.
-But... What happened to your wish of revenge? I do know of revenge! I know those things can't be forgotten so easily!
-I'll live with the pain. Let me go.
-At least stay for the dance!
-I do *not* dance, Zim -Gaz shivered.
-Why not??
Gaz took her time to answer... and she did, right after turning to scowl at him. Her voice was filled with fear.
-I... can't dance -Zim's 'eyebrows' shot up-. I never... learned -Gaz glanced at the street in front of her-. Valentines Day sucks too much already. I just... don't want to make it worse. This is not my day... it never was... It will never be, period. Now, Zim... Let. Me. Go.
But Zim did not.
-Maybe I can help you -he hissed. Gaz glanced at him and saw a strange gleam in his disguised eyes.
-o-
-I'm telling you! There's a ROBOT under the table!!
Dib kept pointing at the now almost empty table.
-Geez, Dib if you're hungry, then fine, but don't say such a lie to hide it! -the other guy said. Dib's date giggled.
-That's not a lie! I swear! There's...!
-Aw, I've had enough. Bye, freako. Stay with your date and your, heh, "robot".
The other couple left. Dib glanced at his own girl.
-I swear; there's a robot under the table!
-You're so funny! -his date just said, hugging him. They then separated-. I'll take some food from that table over there, heh, heh. I'll be right back.
-Yeah, okay... -Dib muttered. He was observing the table.
As soon as the girl was far enough away, Dib crouched and peeked under the table, raising the cloth. He saw Gir sitting on the floor ecstatically eating some of the food. The little SIR's eyes were almost closed in delight. Dib faintly noticed that it was holding a rubber piggy with its other hand.
-A-HA! -Dib said. Gir glanced at him.
-Hi! -it squeaked-. Meet the piggy!
Gir slammed the squeaky pink rubber nose of the piggy against Dib's lips. He chocked in surprise and pushed the rubber piggy away.
-I'll get ya! -Dib whispered. Gir smiled widely.
-Ooohh!! -the tiny robot smiled. Next it "honked" Dib's nose-. Tag, you're it!! Hee-hee-hee!!
Gir began to run, laughing and holding its "date" close to its little mechanical heart. Dib stood up, holding his hurt nose, and tracked his Nemesis' little helper.
-Somebody, stop that green dog!! -he yelled.
Most of the kids around glanced, astonished, at Dib, giving chase to a smiling, cute, little green pup holding a rubber piggy.
-Okay, now I'm sure... -another kid said as Dib raced by-. Dib's finally gone nuts.
-What do you mean 'finally'? -his date asked.
Gir ran along the entire length of the cafeteria laughing childishly, still being chased by Dib. It went under tables, around other kids, OVER the tables.... OVER the other kids... until it escaped though the cafeteria's door, closing it when exiting.
*SMACK!*
Dib collided against the closed door, unable to stop.
-Poor pathetic DOOMED kid... -Miss Bitters hissed as she slunk by.
Dib "unglued" from the door; falling backwards onto the tiled floor. The door opened and Gir jumped on his stomach.
-Kiss the piggy! -it happily squeaked, ramming the piggy's rubber nose against Dib's lips.
He reacted, flailing his hands wildly. Gir jumped off his belly and disappeared out of Dib's sight. It was still maintaining a death-grip on its "date".
Dib coughed, turned to face the floor, raised his body; managing to get on all fours. He looked up and searched for Gir everywhere. But he saw nothing. It seemed that Gir had hid under another table.
-Oh, did you lose something?
Dib looked up; his date was in front of him. Dib stood up, sweeping the dust off his clothes.
-Nah, there was this robot and... Aww... nevermind.
Scowling a little, Dib headed to another table with food. He was actually hungry after that short chase. His date rapidly hugged him by his arm. They reached the table and Dib served himself a cup of punch with his free hand.
-Oh, the dance'll start anytime now! -his date informed the boy paranormalist. Dib didn't mind.
-Right. Well, don't think I'm a great dancer. Aliens and hidden mysteries are my current business.
-I don't dance that much either -she giggled-. And besides, everybody will dance badly compared to... Richard.
-Richard? Who's that?
-He's in his final year here. A good dancer from what I've heard.
-Heh, heh... I already want the dance to start.
-You do?
-Of course I do -Dib said, and added to himself-, so I can finally unmask Zim. Yes... he will have to dance... and when THAT happens...
Dib smiled, patting his tie with the free hand.
*SPLASH!*
Some of the nearby kids stepped back, soaked. Gir had dived into the punch, splattering the drink everywhere, and especially on Dib and his date.
-Hey...! YOU! -Dib reacted, pointing at the green, smiling pup.
-Tag! -the robot squeaked, smiling and touching Dib's nose with the tip of a black paw. Then, it jumped out of the punch and ran out the cafeteria.
Dib, beyond mad, chased it one more time. The nerdy girl glanced at her drenched clothes... and smiled.
-And yet this is one of my best dates, heh, heh, heh... -she said.
Gir ran along the skool halls, laughing. Dib speeded up and approached his prey.
-Stop right there! I demand a justifiable revenge! -Dib yelled.
-Nah-naah!! You-Cannot-Catch-Meeeeeee!! -the small robot laughed as its escape was in progress.
They ran along the whole skool, entering several classrooms, halls and even the bathrooms. All of a sudden, Gir stopped with a loud screech.
-Uh-Ohhh...
A dead end. There was a solid wall in front of it. The small robot turned. Dib was blocking the hall about twelve feet away. He seemed tired from running, but the recent events made him smile.
-Finally... You're trapped...
Dib stepped ahead... Gir stepped back. Dib stepped again... Gir stepped a little bit back. One more step from Dib... Gir tried to go backwards, but the wall was there.
-You're trapped -Dib whispered-. Surrender now, and I might not disassemble you.
Gir gulped, held its rubber piggy closer to its small body, and shaked its head.
-Bad choice... -Dib smiled.
In a quick movement, the boy pressed the knot of his tie. This raised, revealing the sticky tip of the wire inside. Gir's eyes widened a little. The wire was released, expanding and launching at Gir, who was about to be hit by the sticky tip. Gir was doomed.
-TAKE COVER, PIGGY!! -the robot yelled, falling to the floor and over its piggy protectively. SIR unit and squeak toy avoided the sticky tip by inches. It collided against the wall and stuck there.
-Dang! -Dib complained.
Gir looked up at the wall. It stood up and waved at Dib.
-Bye!
Gir dashed out of sight, cradling its rubber piggy with both disguised hands.
-Wait! -Dib yelled-. Come back! I had you! I had you! You weren't supposed to CROUCH!
Dib pressed the knot of his tie to return it to normal.
-Eh...?! WHOA!!
*SMACK!*
Since the sticky tip was stuck to the wall, and the wall was an immovable object, Dib was helplessly yanked forward as the wire compressed. His smashed body slid down the wall seconds later. His back hit the ground a nanosecond after the front of his body separated from the wall.
-Once is bad... -his injured voice commented- ... but TWICE is way too embarrassing.
Back in the cafeteria, Gir rushed in at top speed and jumped under the first table it found. Seconds later, Dib entered the place, dizzy and with his glasses hanging by his left ear.
His date approached.
-Oh, there you are! -she smiled-. The dance is about to start!
-Daaance?- he repeated, clueless.
-Yes, come on!!
The girl hurriedly adjusted her date's glasses, and held both of his hands. Before Dib could react, the bracegirl had dragged him onto the dance floor in the center of the cafeteria.
-W-What am I doing here?? -Dib asked woozily, shaking his head.
The lights went down; the color lights and discoball hanging from the ceiling emitted bright, flashing rays of light; the music began to play: it was a twisting rock-n-roll.
Dib's eyes widened.
-The dance has *started*!! -he yelled.
-Yeah! -the nerdy girl nodded.
She adjusted her hold on Dib's hand and began to dance to the rhythm of the music, as were the rest of the kids.
Dib wasn't really dancing, but nobody noticed it. He was wondering HOW did he get into such an annoying situation. The nerdy girl seemed to enjoy it, but all those movements were going to crack his spine even worse than the previous two slams against the walls and doors.
-Yaay, this is funny! -the girl said.
-Not for *meeeeee*!!! -Dib complained, but the music was too loud for anyone to hear his laments.
Everybody danced, enjoying their time (except Dib). Even Gir cheered up and came out of its hideout, dancing near the wall with its rubber piggy.
-Wait! Look! That green dog is dancing with a rubber piggy!!! -Dib yelled.
-Yeah! Cool, isn't it? -the nearest kid yelled back.
Dib couldn't believe that, but the nerdy girl had him busy enough with the dance. After about five minutes of painful steps, a voice was heard.
-Oh, look, everybody! It's RICHARD! -a girl yelled over the music.
There was silence, all of a sudden. The kids scooted away from the center, where two people were spotted: the blonde *cool* girl... and Richard... her date.
Everyone glanced at them. The DJ started the music, and the couple began to dance. Richard, a big, handsome, blonde kid, did know how to move. The blonde girl didn't dance bad either.
Everyone around was looking at the movements of the smiling couple... except Dib, of course. His mind and eyes were focused on Gir, who was still dancing with the piggy on a far table.
The couple finished the dance with an impressive movement, ending with the last intense note of the song and placing the blonde girl, holding her head while being supported by Richard's hands. The kids clapped and some even whistled as the blondie straightened her body.
-Okay, as I can see, Richard and I are the best dancers here -the blondie said, running a hand through her hair-. If any of you *think* you can beat us (as if it was possible), then step forward with their date.
Sudden silence. Nobody moved.
-Juuuuust what *I* thought... -the blondie said, folding arms-. You all are pure lo...
*SLAM!*
All the heads turned to the cafeteria's door. It was closed... but it sounded as if something had slammed it.
*SLAM!*
They were sure, this time. SOMETHING had slammed it. Everybody was staring at the main double-door expectantly. All except Gir, who was still dancing with the piggy.
*WHAM!!*
The kids gasped as the double-door opened wide. Two feet from two different persons went down after having kicked the door. Two forms were spotted at the door frame, silhouetted by the intense light of the hallway. The bright light diminished as the eyes of everybody in the cafeteria got used to the lights outside.
-Zim! -Dib gasped.
Zim... and Gaz too. Both standing at the door, with statement of determination and rigid arms (plus closed fists) at each side of their bodies.
-We heard there was a *dance* here! -Zim announced.
-And we want to dance -Gaz hissed.
The kids in front of the door, one to one, began to move aside, forming a path from the door to the center of the hall, where the blondie and Richard were. Zim and Gaz began to walk at the same time. Dib observed his sister and his Nemesis going by... and he also noticed Gaz was also wearing the strange boots with small lights Zim had.
The odd couple stopped in front of the blondie. The path behind them closed.
-Oh, no... Look who's here -the blondie said-. Don't tell me you'll try dancing. I might die laughing.
Zim and Gaz both sent murderous looks at the girl.
-Move -Gaz slowly hissed. The blondie didn't mind the tone, but stepped back anyway, leaving them alone in the center of the hall.
-MUSIC! -Zim screamed, sending a trembling finger to the air.
The DJ obeyed. He inserted a new CD in the player. The music began to play. Another rock-n-roll twistin' tune.
-Don't let panic control you -Zim whispered to Gaz-. Just let it go.
-I'm not afraid -she whispered at him.
The music was being heard clearly... but they didn't move. Five seconds of music without dance... it was like five YEARS for both Zim and Gaz. Ten seconds... the blondie drew a disgusting smile of satisfaction. Fifteen seconds... a couple kids at the back began to chuckle at the motionless dancers.
-Be patient... -Zim whispered, sweating a little.
-I'm trying... -Gaz whispered, also sweating.
Twenty seconds... half of the kids were giggling. Zim's breath became hard. He could hear Gaz's too.
-What a bunch of LOSERS! -the blonde girl happily said, pointing with an accusing finger.
All the kids around were laughing at this point. Zim could see Gaz, sweating and trembling.
Thirty seconds... and something happened. A small *CLICK!* was heard. Zim looked down. His boots where blinking.
-NOW!!! -he screamed, stopping the laughs in all the cafeteria and calling the attention of everyone in the room.
What happened next was unexpected. Zim and Gaz, following every single note of the music, began to move their limbs. The laughs stopped at all, and the blonde girl dropped her jaw.
-What the...???
The boots were doing the job for Zim and Gaz, forcing their feet to follow the rhythms of the music. Even their hands followed the rhythms of music, moving along with the feet.
-Unbelievable! -Dib gasped, seeing how his sister was dancing.
The rock tune playing requested twists, turns and hops... and all of them were perfectly performed by the boots. Zim and Gaz were two in the same body in that coordinated dance. Finally, the last note requested a swing with the couple, so Zim held Gaz's back and "dropped" her, stopping her fall one miserable inch before her head hit the floor. They stayed there, *gazing* into each other's eyes. Gaz knew in that moment she had achieved her goal... She had beaten Valentines Day... at last.
The rest of the kids were living proof of that fact, clapping and howling hoorays at the couple, which soon straightened and greeted the compliments.
Gaz approached the blonde girl, drawing a tiny smile. The blonde girl was jaw-dropped.
-Oh, I'm sooooorry for having beaten you and Richy! -Gaz smiled-. But don't worry... It isn't *that* bad being a LOSER!
-I... am... NOT!! -the blonde girl screamed, suddenly running out the cafeteria with Richard after her.
-Revenge is sweet... and tasty too -Gaz smiled in satisfaction.
-Thanks! Thanks a lot! -Zim said, while bowing again and again-. Yes... Give me the respect I *do* deserve!
Dib made his way through the crowd, finally reaching the edge of the circle of kids, at Zim's back.
-There! -he said-. This is the chance I've been waiting for! Take this, Zim! The world will know the truth!!!
Dib "aimed" at Zim's wig, and then he pressed the knot of his tie. It raised for the third time in the day, and the wire launched at Zim. Too bad for Dib, Zim bent to greet another compliment and the sticky tip flew over him, continuing its trip until it hit the wall on the other side.
-Oh, no! -Dib gasped, extending his hands-. Please! Nobody touch the knot of my tie!
-What is this? -Gaz said, approaching-. Were you trying to ruin my date??
-No, no! I was not! -Dib said, scared-. I just wanted to...!! NO, GAZ, DON'T!!
She pressed Dib's tie knot. Zim bent to receive another compliment just in time to avoid Dib, who went by at top speed, screaming, then being thrown into the wall because of the wire attached to his tie.
*SLAM!!*
Zim started.
-What was that?!
-Nothing we should worry about -Gaz said, approaching.
Dib, on the other side of the room, slid down and fell on his back for the third time that night.
-I *hate* Valentines Day... -he whimpered.
-o-