Hello again! It is I, Chien. I am amazed that so many people like my Fan fiction! **Applauds faithful readers** Sadly from now on it will take me longer to write each chapter. Why you ask? Spring semester has started at my college. Fear not however! I will still write.
(Disclaimer): I do not own Invader Zim. I am not writing fan fiction for profit, unless Zim gets put back in production and I get hired as a writer (I would LOVE that!)
*
And for the first time in his entire life, Dib really saw his father's face. And he sort of wished he hadn't. Just below where the collar had covered, Prof. Membrane's skin hung in tatters like cloth. The skin below was green. He had neither nose nor ears.
He removed his glasses. His eyes were closed, but without the thick glasses Dib could see small tears in the skin around his father's eyes. Prof. Membrane tenderly pulled the tattered skin off his face like a mask, revealing a green face with antennae on top of his head.
Prof. Membrane exhaled. "I suppose I ought to start at the very beginning." He opened his eyes, which turned out to be the color of garnets. "You see son, I am not from this planet. I was born far away, on a planet my people call Irk." He paused, before continuing, "Since Irkens no longer breed naturally except on rare occasions, I do not know who my parents are. I don't even know who I was cloned from."
"Every Irken child is expected to do their duties from the moment of birth. After basic training, I went to the military academy for more specialized training. As I was good at flying, eventually I became a test pilot for the Irken military. It was my job to test the latest flyers for many things. I would usually fly maneuvers, land on a moon, test features such as disguise making and base building and the such, fly a few more maneuvers, report back to base and give a report. With my report the engineers would tweak out bugs, send the upgraded model back in for testing, and would produce the finished model for use by the military's elite fighters. But then there was an accident.
We were pressed for time. The new Voot-Runners were needed for the upcoming `Operation Impending Doom', a mass of invasions if you will. But a small error was overlooked during the launch sequence. There was an explosion during the second stage. My ship was hurtled through space like a stone from a slingshot. The blast had knocked out both communications and guidance systems. I couldn't control where I was going, or call for help." Dib asked cautiously "But what does this have to do with me?" "I'll get to that son."
"I had no control over the speeding spacecraft. It changed blindly into space for a few terrifying weeks. It finally stopped when it crashed into the side of a mountain here on earth. It was a miracle I survived. I waited by the wrecked craft for about two months, tending my wounds and hoping for rescue. It soon became apparent however that I would never go back. But I couldn't stay huddled in the wreckage forever. If hunger didn't kill me, than the weather would have.
Not too far from the mountain was a farm. I watched the people there work, observing how they behaved. I had been able to do some repairs to the disguise system, so I made myself look human. With my disguise I sort of looked a bit like you, now that I think about it. With my ship I salvaged what little I could, and I buried the rest. I was going to make a fresh start on this planet.
I migrated to the suburbs. Crowded enough to better learn the ways of my new home, yet not as congested as the city. Quite nice really. I made my home in a small abandoned house. The former occupants had left behind a broken old radio. After a few quick repairs I was able to learn quite a few things. Such as by the local calendar, the year was 1968. That was a war in a place called Vietnam. That vacationing in Canada was a popular thing for young American men to do. And that human children went to a place called `Skool' to learn how to survive this world. Now back then I was still relatively young, and was short (As is typical of my species.) With my disguise I resembled a human child. And Skool was the opportunity I needed to get my new life off to a good start. So I registered with a first name I thought was normal, `Professor'. For a surname I had kept the name from my old life. So I became Professor Membrane.
I had no idea how human children behaved. I tried to behave my best, be especially nice and courteous. But with a name like `Professor' I quickly became the butt of a lot of jokes. The fact that I was a good student didn't exactly help either. I had nicknames like `Mem-Brainy'. Those were dark days indeed. But one girl was different than the other kids. She showed me what human friendship was. She became the closest friend I had ever had. Once I even told her my secret. She wasn't scared or repulsed. She thought it was the grooviest thing in the world, and she never told a soul.
We grew up together. Yes even I grew as the years passed for I was still young enough to grow then and gravity is slightly lighter here. We stayed close friends through jr. high, even through High school. For a joke we even went to the prom together. However we were accepted into different colleges. After graduation we sort of lost contact with each other.
By then I had grown to love this planet. I had made the decision to use my knowledge of advanced technology to try to help mankind. I became one of the top scientists in the country. Of course I wasn't able to do everything, I had to improvise at times. But still I was able to give mankind many wonderful things. I introduced a few Irken technologies to earth. I even invented a new kind of blender. However, I never could improve upon the toaster. Goodness knows I have tried, but the toast conundrum puzzles me to this day. The deliciousness...
Forgive me son, I got a little sidetracked there. Anyway, a few years ago my career took me to live in New York. I arrived in New York, and when I wasn't working I would go for walks. My meanderings led me to central park, where I chanced to run into my old skool chum. We went to a little coffee shop to catch up with each other.
She had become a widowed artist. Her husband Alexei had been killed in an accident after they were married only a little over a year. She was raising their little daughter alone. I told her what had been going on in my life. As we chatted we grew close again. And there was a something that had not been there before. We fell in love.
After a few months of dating we were wed. We must have been the happiest couple in the galaxy. One can be happy in marriage if one's spouse is also one's best friend. Our new family moved to a house in the suburbs. We spent time with each other, going on dates, and doing fun things like going to the zoo with little Gazelle.
We had been married about a year and a half when the seemingly impossible happened. Since your mother and I were of different species, we didn't think it was possible for her to become pregnant. And yet she was with child. Scans showed that the child she carried was a unique blend of human and Irken blood. Dib, my son, that child was you." "Me?" Dib paused. "But that would mean that I.." "Yes son. You are part Irken. Half human, half alien."
Dib was shocked. And yet, it somewhat made sense. The arm control nerve in his belly, the bologna DNA being able to temporarily turn him into a sausage, his new knowledge could somewhat explain a lot of things.
"I delivered you in my lab. You were such a beautiful baby, but one look at you and one could tell you were not entirely human. Pale green skin, tiny antennae, though you were cute as a button you never would have survived in the human world with your semi-Irken features. I would have to make you look as human as possible. Unfortunately the repairs on my disguise device had not been able to stand the test of time. I was left with no other choice than to make one for you out of my own disguise. I cut pieces from my disguise, and designed one for you. It enlarged features like your ears. It gives you some family semblance to Gaz. It lets your hair grow, yes that is your own hair. I had to remove your antennae, and give you a hormone to prevent them from regenerating quickly. They will eventually grow back some day. Your human DNA gives you resistance to pure H20, but the skin I gave you gives you extra protection.
The entire disguise was designed to last until you reached puberty. The antennae regeneration inhibitor hormone will have completely worn off by then. The skin from my disguise will not be able to withstand the rapid growth experienced during that time. It will tear from the stress, revealing your real skin below. Your mother and I felt that by that time you would be mature enough to understand your heritage. And surely by that time I would figure out how be able to make a more durable disguise for you."
A sudden look of intense sadness came over Membrane's face. "But there were unforeseen consequences, that even I could not have imagined. A simple chemical enzyme is released in Irken children to protect their new systems during the stresses of birth. To most humans it is completely harmless, but your mother had an allergic reaction. A week after your birth she became seriously ill. The enzyme had poisoned her bloodstream. I did what I could to save her, but by that time it was too late. If I had only caught it 24 hours earlier she could have.." He sobbed. "She died in my arms. Her last words were `Look after our children..' I did love her you know. When she died, I think a part of me died with her."
Membrane stopped to collect himself. After a long pause he sighed. "I have tried to keep that promise to your mother. I'd say I've not been that bad of a father." "Yea, But most dads spend time with their kids. I'd say we kind of raised ourselves." Membrane retorted, "Don't blame me! We don't even HAVE parents where I'm from anymore." He sighed again. "I guess I just don't know much about how to be a parent. You know, I was kind of counting on your mother to teach me that stuff."
They sat together for a while. Even though it did make a little sense, Dib still had a hard time stomaching the information his father had shared. "I'm sorry you had to find out like this." Silence. "I'd better go talk to your sister. Will you be okay son?" Dib nodded absentmindedly. Membrane stood up. He picked his face off the coffee table. He stood up. "Are you sure you are okay?" "Fine dad." When his father left the room, Dib sighed. Here he was, the protector of the human race. And it turns out that the whole time he wasn't exactly human. The idea was going to need some getting used to.
*
So? Do you like it (if so tell me why!)? If it's any consolation whatsoever, this story ain't over yet.
(Disclaimer): I do not own Invader Zim. I am not writing fan fiction for profit, unless Zim gets put back in production and I get hired as a writer (I would LOVE that!)
*
And for the first time in his entire life, Dib really saw his father's face. And he sort of wished he hadn't. Just below where the collar had covered, Prof. Membrane's skin hung in tatters like cloth. The skin below was green. He had neither nose nor ears.
He removed his glasses. His eyes were closed, but without the thick glasses Dib could see small tears in the skin around his father's eyes. Prof. Membrane tenderly pulled the tattered skin off his face like a mask, revealing a green face with antennae on top of his head.
Prof. Membrane exhaled. "I suppose I ought to start at the very beginning." He opened his eyes, which turned out to be the color of garnets. "You see son, I am not from this planet. I was born far away, on a planet my people call Irk." He paused, before continuing, "Since Irkens no longer breed naturally except on rare occasions, I do not know who my parents are. I don't even know who I was cloned from."
"Every Irken child is expected to do their duties from the moment of birth. After basic training, I went to the military academy for more specialized training. As I was good at flying, eventually I became a test pilot for the Irken military. It was my job to test the latest flyers for many things. I would usually fly maneuvers, land on a moon, test features such as disguise making and base building and the such, fly a few more maneuvers, report back to base and give a report. With my report the engineers would tweak out bugs, send the upgraded model back in for testing, and would produce the finished model for use by the military's elite fighters. But then there was an accident.
We were pressed for time. The new Voot-Runners were needed for the upcoming `Operation Impending Doom', a mass of invasions if you will. But a small error was overlooked during the launch sequence. There was an explosion during the second stage. My ship was hurtled through space like a stone from a slingshot. The blast had knocked out both communications and guidance systems. I couldn't control where I was going, or call for help." Dib asked cautiously "But what does this have to do with me?" "I'll get to that son."
"I had no control over the speeding spacecraft. It changed blindly into space for a few terrifying weeks. It finally stopped when it crashed into the side of a mountain here on earth. It was a miracle I survived. I waited by the wrecked craft for about two months, tending my wounds and hoping for rescue. It soon became apparent however that I would never go back. But I couldn't stay huddled in the wreckage forever. If hunger didn't kill me, than the weather would have.
Not too far from the mountain was a farm. I watched the people there work, observing how they behaved. I had been able to do some repairs to the disguise system, so I made myself look human. With my disguise I sort of looked a bit like you, now that I think about it. With my ship I salvaged what little I could, and I buried the rest. I was going to make a fresh start on this planet.
I migrated to the suburbs. Crowded enough to better learn the ways of my new home, yet not as congested as the city. Quite nice really. I made my home in a small abandoned house. The former occupants had left behind a broken old radio. After a few quick repairs I was able to learn quite a few things. Such as by the local calendar, the year was 1968. That was a war in a place called Vietnam. That vacationing in Canada was a popular thing for young American men to do. And that human children went to a place called `Skool' to learn how to survive this world. Now back then I was still relatively young, and was short (As is typical of my species.) With my disguise I resembled a human child. And Skool was the opportunity I needed to get my new life off to a good start. So I registered with a first name I thought was normal, `Professor'. For a surname I had kept the name from my old life. So I became Professor Membrane.
I had no idea how human children behaved. I tried to behave my best, be especially nice and courteous. But with a name like `Professor' I quickly became the butt of a lot of jokes. The fact that I was a good student didn't exactly help either. I had nicknames like `Mem-Brainy'. Those were dark days indeed. But one girl was different than the other kids. She showed me what human friendship was. She became the closest friend I had ever had. Once I even told her my secret. She wasn't scared or repulsed. She thought it was the grooviest thing in the world, and she never told a soul.
We grew up together. Yes even I grew as the years passed for I was still young enough to grow then and gravity is slightly lighter here. We stayed close friends through jr. high, even through High school. For a joke we even went to the prom together. However we were accepted into different colleges. After graduation we sort of lost contact with each other.
By then I had grown to love this planet. I had made the decision to use my knowledge of advanced technology to try to help mankind. I became one of the top scientists in the country. Of course I wasn't able to do everything, I had to improvise at times. But still I was able to give mankind many wonderful things. I introduced a few Irken technologies to earth. I even invented a new kind of blender. However, I never could improve upon the toaster. Goodness knows I have tried, but the toast conundrum puzzles me to this day. The deliciousness...
Forgive me son, I got a little sidetracked there. Anyway, a few years ago my career took me to live in New York. I arrived in New York, and when I wasn't working I would go for walks. My meanderings led me to central park, where I chanced to run into my old skool chum. We went to a little coffee shop to catch up with each other.
She had become a widowed artist. Her husband Alexei had been killed in an accident after they were married only a little over a year. She was raising their little daughter alone. I told her what had been going on in my life. As we chatted we grew close again. And there was a something that had not been there before. We fell in love.
After a few months of dating we were wed. We must have been the happiest couple in the galaxy. One can be happy in marriage if one's spouse is also one's best friend. Our new family moved to a house in the suburbs. We spent time with each other, going on dates, and doing fun things like going to the zoo with little Gazelle.
We had been married about a year and a half when the seemingly impossible happened. Since your mother and I were of different species, we didn't think it was possible for her to become pregnant. And yet she was with child. Scans showed that the child she carried was a unique blend of human and Irken blood. Dib, my son, that child was you." "Me?" Dib paused. "But that would mean that I.." "Yes son. You are part Irken. Half human, half alien."
Dib was shocked. And yet, it somewhat made sense. The arm control nerve in his belly, the bologna DNA being able to temporarily turn him into a sausage, his new knowledge could somewhat explain a lot of things.
"I delivered you in my lab. You were such a beautiful baby, but one look at you and one could tell you were not entirely human. Pale green skin, tiny antennae, though you were cute as a button you never would have survived in the human world with your semi-Irken features. I would have to make you look as human as possible. Unfortunately the repairs on my disguise device had not been able to stand the test of time. I was left with no other choice than to make one for you out of my own disguise. I cut pieces from my disguise, and designed one for you. It enlarged features like your ears. It gives you some family semblance to Gaz. It lets your hair grow, yes that is your own hair. I had to remove your antennae, and give you a hormone to prevent them from regenerating quickly. They will eventually grow back some day. Your human DNA gives you resistance to pure H20, but the skin I gave you gives you extra protection.
The entire disguise was designed to last until you reached puberty. The antennae regeneration inhibitor hormone will have completely worn off by then. The skin from my disguise will not be able to withstand the rapid growth experienced during that time. It will tear from the stress, revealing your real skin below. Your mother and I felt that by that time you would be mature enough to understand your heritage. And surely by that time I would figure out how be able to make a more durable disguise for you."
A sudden look of intense sadness came over Membrane's face. "But there were unforeseen consequences, that even I could not have imagined. A simple chemical enzyme is released in Irken children to protect their new systems during the stresses of birth. To most humans it is completely harmless, but your mother had an allergic reaction. A week after your birth she became seriously ill. The enzyme had poisoned her bloodstream. I did what I could to save her, but by that time it was too late. If I had only caught it 24 hours earlier she could have.." He sobbed. "She died in my arms. Her last words were `Look after our children..' I did love her you know. When she died, I think a part of me died with her."
Membrane stopped to collect himself. After a long pause he sighed. "I have tried to keep that promise to your mother. I'd say I've not been that bad of a father." "Yea, But most dads spend time with their kids. I'd say we kind of raised ourselves." Membrane retorted, "Don't blame me! We don't even HAVE parents where I'm from anymore." He sighed again. "I guess I just don't know much about how to be a parent. You know, I was kind of counting on your mother to teach me that stuff."
They sat together for a while. Even though it did make a little sense, Dib still had a hard time stomaching the information his father had shared. "I'm sorry you had to find out like this." Silence. "I'd better go talk to your sister. Will you be okay son?" Dib nodded absentmindedly. Membrane stood up. He picked his face off the coffee table. He stood up. "Are you sure you are okay?" "Fine dad." When his father left the room, Dib sighed. Here he was, the protector of the human race. And it turns out that the whole time he wasn't exactly human. The idea was going to need some getting used to.
*
So? Do you like it (if so tell me why!)? If it's any consolation whatsoever, this story ain't over yet.