14. MANY FACES OF SOLITAIRE

Sitting on a branch of a pine tree, high above the ground (in my teddy bear form), I was observing two hideous, dirty men who were busy skinning a roe deer they caught and killed an hour or two ago. Grass around them turned red from dead animal's blood. I spotted a lower part of one of roe's leg, still stuck inside an old, rusty snare. ''Damn poachers'' - I cursed in thoughts. I could feel my bloodlust and urge to slaughter grow bigger and bigger with every second. When I was finally given the perfect moment to attack, I flew down from the sky with my claws unveiled, landed between those two motherfuckers and slashed them into bloody pieces. Just like I did earlier with the bear-wolf beasts. Once more, I took sticky, scarlet shower. It felt just wonderful, as if I was moose-headed-man from ''Wild Frontier'' by The Prodigy. I could have sworn I heard this cool song play in my memory. ''In the wild frontier, off the beaten track, in the wild frontier, better watch your back, where your dreams get real, or your blood get spilled, gotta face your fear, in the wild frontier (...)'' As soon as blood stopped squirting all around, the music in my head went silent. Much to my disappointment, my good mood haven't stayed with me for long. I wanted more. More hunting, more killing, more blood. MOOO-HO-HO-OOOORE!

A couple of hours I came back with my hunger for slaughter and blood-spilling fully satisfied. While no one was around, I sneaked into the room shared by queen Loo-mi-nah and her beloved daughter. I laid down on Loo-nah's little bed and stretched a little, content like never before. Few minutes later, automatic door opened, letting queen Loo-mi-nah in. I froze immediately, doing my best to imitate a regular teddy bear. The ruler of Formika looked around and then focused on me. She started walking towards me which made me feel uncomfortable.
I didn't move an inch though. ''What the hell...? Why is she coming my way?'' - I thought. Queen Loo-mi-nah put her hand on me, grabbed me and pulled me to her chest. '' What the fuck...? What the fuck is she doing!?'' She slowly left the room and went out to the hallway to walk through with no rush. It was not hard for me to notice her happiness. She held me even tighter before she started to hum. '' Oh come on! What do you think you're doing? I don't like it! I hate it! I hate being hugged! Stop hugging me! I don't like it! I don't like it at all! Come on! Let go of me! Now! Come on! I WANT MY BEER!'' She brought me to the living room where princess Loo-nah and three little Vortians were playing together. Onigiri and 777 were looking after them. Queen Loo-mi-nah entered the room and approached her little girl.
- Mommy! You got my toy for me! - princess of Formika reached fro me with her left hand. The other one was occupied with Loo-Loo.
- Sweetie, I'd like to ask you something.
- Yes, mom?
- Where did you get this stuffed animal?
Loo-nah looked away and made a typical, extended sound of ''bethinking''.
- I... I-I found her. - she answered unfirmly after a short while of searching for an appropiate answer. The little princess was obligated to keep my existance a secret, but - on the other hand - she didn't want to lie to her own mother. And what she said about '' finding'' me, technically was not a lie, only a cloaked truth.
- Oh, I see. The queen seemed to believe her daughter. Nonetheless, I could have sworn I caught her giving me a glance of mistrust. Or maybe I was just seeing things? I dunno. Anyhow, my cover was not blown and that's what I cared about at that moment. Whether I liked it or not, I had to stay there as a part of children's play. About half and hour later Dib joined the others. He, queen Loo-mi-nah, Onigiri and 777 (I've found out his real name's Pad Vaak) were sitting, drinking hot tea and talking about the plan of overthrowing the Irken Empire. With Pad Vaak's help, Dib managed to get more informations about the Irkne-conquered planets. I always knew there were many of these, but never supposed that Irkens would have taken over so much planets so far. 17664 with Formika being the most recently conquered one!
- ''Oh fuck! THAT MANY!?'' - I thought,shocked. Now I was certain about one thing - I needed support not only from my little treasures, but also from other toys. By that I mean toys from Zim's universe. I needed them for extension of my eyes, ears and hands too.

Another day passed by very quickly. It was quarter after 10 p.m. Princess Loo-nah was lying in her bed, wide awake. Unlike her mother who had fallen asleep about an hour ago. Seeing the little alien girl squirming and hearing her moaning quietly, I stood up and flew up over her head.
- What's wrong, little one? - I asked. - Why are you so sad? Ain't ya happy to have your mommy with you again, safe and sound?
- I am happy. - she assured me, but didn't sound convincing to me at all. - Well, your pretty little face says something completely different. Tell me what's wrong.
- I... I don't feel very well.
- Huh? Whatcha mean? Are ya sick or what?
- No, no, no. It's not the point. My mom and me... we are free and safe. But the rest of Formikans are not.
- I see... You are worried about your subjects.
- Yes, indeed. I feel sorry for my people. For them and for every other alien race either destroyed or enslaved by the Irken Empire.
'' Poor, sweet, innocent baby.'' - I sighed in thoughts. I said:
- Listen. You came into my world to give me these wonderful magical powers and change my life forever. As a human, I was nothing. Worthless, stinking, rowdy boozer. As a Witch, I can have anything I want, I can make all my dreams come true. And I owe it all to you. Everything I do for you is to show you my gratitude. I will keep up my efforts til my promise is finally fulfilled. - Thank you, Solitaire. Thank you so much. I wish I was as big, strong and brave as you are.
- Ugh! Don't cha worry! Someday you will grow up to become a queen as great as your mom. Til then - just stay the way you are.
- Solitaire... you don't understand. Everyone in this mansion has their place, their special abilities and I... I am just a tiny, weak little princess who can not do anything useful.
- It's not true.
- Yes, it is.
- You know what? I think I have a tale just perfect for your doubts.
And so, I shared with her my another favourite fable - '' The Lion And The Mouse''. Of course - since Loo-nah knows nothing about Earth, I had to visualize to her what a lion and a mouse look that I wanted to make her realize that size or strenght is not the most important thing in the world. - Everyone is special. Everyone can be helpful, when the place and the time is right. - I concluded.
I was astonished of what I was doing. It was totally out of my character. Normally I tended to be rowdy, rude, aggressive, unfriendly nad self-centered towards anyone. But with Loo-nah around I was a completely different woman - kind, caring and gentle. Well, I couldn't blame myself. Loo-nah was still a little child, with a heart of gold and a soul as pure as spring water. Snow White in space - that's what she was. I must admit - extraordinary for such dark and twisted world, full of morons and psychos. I imagined princess Loo-nah wearing clothes of Disney's Snow White and I found this image pretty funny. Just like I intended, I did it to cheer her up. I chafed her forehead with my nose. Loo-nah took a look behind me and gasped, widening her big, colorful eyes.
- Huh!? Mommy?
I turned around with a speed of light to see queen Loo-mi-nah sit on a bed and stare at the two of us.