pureVENOM: Well, I don't think I'll finish writing this today... Hm. I hope it turns out okay. Well, read and review, peoplez!! ^___^ See?? I am smiling so that you will be happy and read and review me!!
Invader Zim, JtHM, and Squee! are great. Watch, read, and worship! The two "w's" and "r".
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Chapter Nine: Say "Hello" to the Helmets!
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*** Fausta's Room on Earth
"That HORRIBLY ANNOYING Wing Mercenary!!" Fausta hissed through clenched, fang-like teeth. She flared her wings in anger, and brought a furious fist down upon her computer board panel.
"Hey! Please! Mistress, I would rather not be damaged, you know," the computer stated, miffed.
"Sorry, Compy." The Onyx Wing shook her head in frustration. "I'm just reflecting... Thinkin' of a way to get rid of her..."
The keyboard lights flickered a little, as if in confusion. " 'Compy'??"
Fausta smirked, baring off-white fangs. "What? You don't like it?? I think it's a cute name!"
"Whatever you say, Mistress Fausta."
The Wing Invader sighed and stretched her dark wings. "Have any ideas on how to off the mercenary?" she questioned, watching the sea-water critters glide by in the tubing above.
The computer had the main screen glowed to life, displaying a picture of Lilith, and various data on her. "Any known weaknesses?"
"Oh yeah. A weakness. By Styx, if I KNEW ANY of the woman's weaknesses, she'd be DEAD by now!!" Fausta snapped, losing her temper. She'd been through too many near-death incidents from the Steel Wing. "But that Lilith... Argh! She's too powerful! Too fast! Too many weapons!"
The screen blinked off. "Well, if the body is too strong, there's always the mind. Target her mind, hm??"
The Onyx Wing suddenly brightened. "Excellent idea, Compy!!" She spun round in the revolving chair, accidentally falling off in her excitement. "Oof! Ow." The Wing shot back to her feet, and brushed herself off, embarrassed.
She put on a malicious look. "I have just the thing!" There was a glint in her sepia eyes. "And just the people to help me!" She began to cackle maniacally.
"Mistress, tomorrow's skool day. Shouldn't you wait for the weekend to launch your little plan??" the computer advised.
Fausta's face fell. "You know, you REALLY spoil all my happy/evil vibes."
"Sorry."
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, this is too important to just put off until the weekend, Compy!! Can't you see!?" She drummed her fingers on an arm. "Well, I guess I'm off then. Gotta go get my buddies!!" She beamed and ran out of her chambers.
*** Up in the living room
"Hey, Faust," the younger Wing greeted unenthusiastically as she emerged from the fountain elevator.
"Wassup?" he replied, sipping at a Classic Poop, gazing at the fish-tank-wall.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" the Onyx Wing answered back, shaking the water from her hair and arms, getting some on her cousin.
"Hey, watch it..." Faust growled, annoyed. "Any droplet of water you get in the Poop might spoil the taste."
"Hardly..." Fausta hopped over to the living room phone and dialed up a number. She'd found them in one of the offices of the skool a couple of days ago.
After a few rings, the call was answered. "Hello? Future Lord-of-Humans and other such Earthen creatures here."
"Oh shut-up, Zim." The Wing rolled her eyes at the Irken's greeting.
"What!? Schizoid Wing-beast!? What are you doing, calling my base!?"
"Be quiet and make this a little easier for me, hm, Irken-mortal?? Come over to my base, down the street, or you'll do much regretting."
"You mean 'ruing'??" A sneery tone.
"Whatever. I'd like your help with something. Be here. NOW."
"Alright, Wing. But any strange and/or sudden action will result in your slow and painful demise."
The Wing Invader snorted in false amusement. "As if. You DREAM, Irken. You DREAM!!"
"Hah! You speak PITIFUL lies, Wing!! Huh?? Argh, HEY! Ooh! Who izzit!? GIR! No! Get aw-- stop!!" There was a sudden click sound as Zim hung up the phone.
Fausta raised a dark brow, and shrugged off the weirdness. She punched in another phone number.
"....Hello?" A cautious voice.
The Onyx Wing smiled. "Hiya, Dib-mortal! How was skool??"
"AHH!!! YOU!! You KNOW how my skool day was, you winged monster!! Those horrible acid cubes of Zim's!! Down my shirt!! AGH!! The burns!! They still BURN!! Grrr... Be QUIET, Dib! I'm on the last level!!"
"Oh yeah... Heh. That's right. The acid cubes... Say, what's your sister playing, mortal??"
"Look if you just called to gloat about the cubes, you-- Huh?? Game?? What do YOU care!?"
Fausta put on a thoughtful expression. "That's right! I called to tell you to get over to my base immediately. I need your help with something!"
"HAH! YOU need MY help!? What makes you think that I'd come??"
"Oh, you'll stop by, Human. One way or another."
"...And how would you force me to stop by??"
She smirked. "Ah, Wingen technology... Gotta love that stuff. Well, just use your imagination, mortal! Anyway, Zim's invited too! I dunno if you'll take that as a good or bad thing though."
"Hm? I guess it's a pretty good thing... Another chance at vengeance!! ...Zim doesn't know I'm coming, right??"
"I don't think so."
"Yes!" The Dib hung up.
Fausta left the phone, and headed to the door to wait for her guests.
A loud knocking promptly ensued.
The Wing opened it to reveal a scowling, disguised Irken.
"Greetings, Irken." She motioned to an empty couch. "Please, make yourself at home, while you still can."
Zim narrowed his lavender eyes and stood a bit aways from the door. "I think not, flappy schizoid."
"Uh huh." Fausta turned to watch the front door.
"Well? What are you waiting for?? What's the whole point of entering your DISGUSTING Wingen home??" the Irken glanced at the reclining Faust, from the corner of his lensed eyes.
"Hang on, Zim. I'm sure he'll be here soon." The Onyx Wing shrugged.
"WHO will be here soo--"
A stream of bubbly, pine-scented water jetted through the open door, hitting Zim full in the face. Soap water. In a few silent moments, the Irken was on the ground, screaming and twitching.
"Alright! Another point for the Humans of Earth!" Dib cried, as he leapt into the house, and tossed away his now empty water-gun.
Fausta frowned, and quickly pulled off her coat to dry off the shuddering alien before the soap water caused any serious burns. "Dib. I kinda don't want you guys to kill each other, you know. That's my job."
Dib pouted. "Well, you told him before, he should keep his guard up."
"Yeah, I know. Well, good job, anyway, I guess," she congratulated the Human.
Zim was livid, but said nothing, and went to perch himself upon the couch's arm. He was still trying to think of a new substance, that would repel both water and soap water. The piney-fresh soap water Dib owned cut through the paste like a blaster through ...something ...really soft.
"Wing-beast. What is our purpose here?"
The Onyx Wing turned on her heel and went to pick up a helmet-looking object from the nearby coffee table, that she had brought up for this. "Well, you know that Wing Mercenary."
The two paled.
"Lemme guess. You want US to help you destroy her," Dib stated dully.
"Exactly. Oh, how ever did you think of THAT??" she replied.
The Irken jerked his head to the helmet-device. "That isn't what I think it is, ...is it??" His scowl deepened.
Fausta held the bright-red helmet up a bit. "No, it probably is, Irken. Anyway, I want YOU to slip it onto Steel Wing Lilith's head, while the Dib-mortal distracts her--"
Dib took a step forward. "Hey, hey! SOME of us aren't very knowledgable on these alien mechanisms! What IS it!?"
The Onyx Wing frowned. "Dib, it was invented by the Wings, and so, ISN'T an alien device. And it's called a Mind Delver. This helmety-thing, when put on the head of someone, namely Lilith, will cause her to fall into a deep sleep. More like unconsciousness, really."
Dib didn't really like this. 'Mind Delver'?? NOT a nice name.
"And her mind will become vulnerable to the things in her dreams and subconsciousness," Zim added for the Wing, touching a water-burn on his green face gingerly.
Dib shook his head. "Really? But you could always just destroy Lilith after the Mind Delvy thingy is on her, yourself, right?"
Fausta frowned. "Yes, but that would be disgustingly cheap and un-fun! Also, I'd lose a LOT of Credits if I did that."
"Oh." The Human nodded.
"Anyhoo, when the Mind Delver helmety thingy is on someone's head, a little screen appears in front of their face, showing how that person's dream self is doing." The Onyx Wing placed the helmet back upon the table.
Dib put on a concerned look. "Wait. What if Lilith gets through her dream world all right?? Won't she wake up, and then kill us all for bothering her??"
Zim snorted. "It's not as easy to wake up from the Mind Delver device as you may think, Human-stink."
Dib scowled but said nothing.
Fausta smirked. "Hey, you rhymed, Irken!"
Zim blinked. " 'Ri-mmed'?? What is this 'ri-mmed'??"
She shook her head. "Um, never mind. Kil was starting to bubble up again. Phew! Er, anyways, Dib-mortal. To awaken from a sleep induced by the Mind Delver, you have to travel around the Dream World, until you find this thingy called Excitare."
Dib looked thoughtful. " 'To wake'?? What is it? What's this thing look like?"
Fausta sighed. "Infernoes, you're a curious one! Yes, Excitare. 'To wake.' It looks like a floaty... sphere of dark... darkness. You go through it, and your sleepy-time is over!"
"Hm..." The Human quickly jotted all this down on a tiny notebook, which Zim abruptly speared with a spider-leg, and began running, cackling evilly.
Dib eventually snatched it back, when the alien stopped, horrified at the many watery items about the house. The Human smoothed the pages out as best as he could and put it carefully away.
"Okaaay..." Fausta blinked. She put on a icy expression. "Alright, you two!" The Wing gave the helmet to a reluctant Dib. "You guys know what to do! Fail in your given mission, and you will both be immediately eliminated by me!" She gave them a supposedly moral-boosting salute and hurried them out of the door.
Faust looked over to his little cousin. "You invited THOSE two over?? The Human spy, and the Irken?? What's wrong with you?"
Fausta shook her head. "Nothing, Faust. I think things are actually going to get a lot better..."
He flicked his platinum-colored wings. "Hmph. I CAN'T believe you think that those two will actually be able to pull it off. You three are the STUPIDEST pieces of dead meat I've ever seen."
"Hey, I'm sure they can do it! How hard could it be?? The Steel Wing seems pretty mellow if I'm not around." She shrugged.
"Whatever you say. You're still a goner." Faust turned back to gaze at the fish and their watery habitat.
"Hey, aren't Wings supposed to be OPTImistic??" Fausta frowned at him.
"I'm just stating the facts."
*** Outside, on the street
Dib glared at his Irken ally. "Okay, Zim. You're familiar with this alien technology."
Zim snorted. "When will you get it through that abnormally thick stink-beast skull of yours, that the Mind Delver is NOT an alien object?"
The Human gave a dismissive wave of a hand. "Whatever. But HOW are we supposed to find that bomb-flicking Wing-lady??" He moved his arms about to emphasize his words. "What? Is she just going to come crashing out of the sky, or--"
"Fly into MY face, will you!?!? YOU LITTLE--!!"
The two rivals looked up, to see the Steel Wing leaping off a neighboring rooftop, slashing at some ...tiny,...flying,...singing,... yellow dot.
"The evil death-bee!!" cried the Irken, taking an involuntary step back. FEAR the bee!!
Dib shot Zim a strange look. "Uh, right. Anyways, Zim, I guess that 'evil death-bee' is providing you enough of a distraction, so, I'll just be going now! See ya!" The Human ran off and ducked behind a conveniently placed mailbox, to take notes on these not-so-everyday happenings.
"Cowardly weasil-pig-Human," the Irken grumbled. Zim stood up on his spider-legs, needing their speed and height, and took a quick jump.
The Wing paid no attention to the teenage boys. She was too busy slashing at the death-bee in her blind rage, while clutching a bleeding injury above her left eye. Zim was able to get close enough to shove the crimson helmet onto her head. Lilith had not noticed the alien until it was too late.
She immediately fell over, unconscious. A foot-long screen flickered on, but Zim wasn't worried about it at the moment. He retracted his four extra legs and reached for a wing to drag the unmoving form by.
"Agh!" Zim cried out, hopping back, sucking on his gloved hand. The steely feathers had sliced right through the material and skin. The Irken let out an annoyed growl.
Dib popped up. "Hey, good job, Zim!"
The Irken pointed an angry claw at the Human. "YOU! Don't even DARE think that you'll get any credit in all this, Dib-stink! *I* did all the work!"
The Dib waved his hands in a signal of peace. "Of course! Don't stress, Zim! Sheesh."
Zim smiled thinly at his little victory. It quickly turned into a frown as he grasped Lil's limp right arm and began to drag her over to Fausta's base. The woman was a lot heavier than she looked-- probably from all the weaponry, armor, and muscle.
A pair of large eyes watched the Irken and Human walking towards the dark house, from a large, shadowy bush. They narrowed, and the leafy plant seemed to erupt in an explosion of green as the owner of the beady oculars burst out.
"Hiiiiya, Master!!" GIR latched onto his green master's leg lovingly.
"Let GO of me, GIR!" Zim growled angrily, shaking his captive leg about in vain. "WHAT are you doing out here!? You may not be advanced, but you still have to guard the house!"
"I came out for a walk! The talky TV-people say it's good for your heart!! Wheee!! This's fuuun!!" the tiny robot squealed in joy.
"GIR, you HAVE no heart!! You're a robot!"
Dib chuckled at the two aliens' silliness.
Zim sighed. "GIR, if you want to stay here, help me move this dagger-wielding Wing-beast into the schizoid's base."
"Ooookie dokie!!" the SIR chirped. He started up his flight engines, zoomed under the sleeping Wing, and jetted her to the house looming ahead.
Faust was still in the same spot, drinking Poop and watching the water-filled wall.
Zim REALLY did NOT like this house. So... much... water... Everywhere...
Fausta looked through a large doorway at hearing the front door open, with two people arguing about something, and a high-pitched voice crying out in happiness through the droning of engines.
She sniffed a little at the thick, black exhaust fumes coming from the SIR and frowned.
"I don't appreciate the air pollution coming from your SIR's jets," she stated to Zim. "But anyways, bring the Wing here."
At reaching the room the Onyx Wing was in, the conscious three saw a bunch of high-tech-looking equipment, and many more of the same red helmets.
"Ooh! Lots of pretty red hats!!" GIR announced with glee, examining one.
"Yes, they are pretty, aren't they, GIR?" Fausta asked sweetly, patting the green puppy disguised-robot, then turned to the two mortals. "Hey, nice work, you two!"
Zim snorted. "The DIB-Human did nothing, but run away in terror, Wing-beast. I, however, valiantly stood up to the mercenary-beast and--"
Dib stepped forward. "Oh come on, Zim! I did NOT run in TERROR. You didn't need me! And you are just SO over-exaggerating--"
"Alright, alright. I've heard enough. Thanks and congrats to you two, okay??" the Onyx Wing sighed.
Anyhoo, while the three were arguing about this, they didn't notice how GIR was looking back and forth from the Mind Delvers, to them, and thinking about how PRETTIFUL they'd look in the red helmets.
Too bad for them, huh??
*** In a few seconds...
"Yaaay!! Everybody's wearing the pretty red hats and are all SLEEEEPY!!" the SIR cried happily, looking at the now unconscious Dib, Zim, and Fausta.
"Hm...!" GIR glanced at the small table in front of him. There were still three pretty red helmets there. He wanted the pretty hats to be worn by people!!
"Fausta, there's some mortal-girl here," came Faust's voice from the living room. "She's looking for some Dib-Human. Fausta, you there, cousin? Ah, whatever."
A violet-haired girl stormed into the room. She wore an ankle-length black dress with long sleeves reaching over her wrists. Her skull pendant shone under the dim, bluish light of the house.
"Dib! Get up! Dad's taking us out to lunch, and it's your turn to pick." She death-glared her brother when he refused to move, and continued to sleep. "...Dib!! Dib...?" The Human girl noticed the bright little screen in front of everyone's face. Her interest perked up.
"Some kind of new VR game??"
And... you can guess what she does. Yep, she puts on a helmet too! BAM! She hits the ground right afterwards.
And still, GIR wants someone to wear another. He runs outside, and sees lone Johnny walking down the street, hands entwined behind his back.
"Hi, nice neighbor guy!" the robot shouted, waving rapidly, holding a Mind Delver.
The thin man looked up to see the lime-green dog. "Hello."
GIR smiled. This neighbor was always so NICE! "Here! Can you wear the pretty red hat??" He held the crimson object up.
Nny glanced at the helmet. "Uh.. Sure, talking-puppy-neighbor." He took the item gently and placed it upon his head to humor the happy doggie, and promptly was knocked out by the Mind Delver.
He collapsed onto the sidewalk, back-first.
"Yay, only one left now! One for me!!" GIR said joyfully and ran back into the house to claim the last Mind Delver. He liked the nice pictures it made in front of their faces. It was weird they didn't open their eyes to look at them!
He put the last helmet onto his large, metallic head, and his eyes blacked out.
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pureVENOM: Okay, this was strange. But, the next chapter or so is going to be sheer insanity! See through the minds of your favorite... or not so very favorite characters! Much strangeness!! Very disturbing as well, to my opinion, anyway. But, it'll be fun to write! It was sure really interesting imagining!
Mwa hah! I need caffiene, peoples!! Buh byez for now! Skool's tomorrow!! Eek!!
Invader Zim, JtHM, and Squee! are great. Watch, read, and worship! The two "w's" and "r".
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Chapter Nine: Say "Hello" to the Helmets!
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*** Fausta's Room on Earth
"That HORRIBLY ANNOYING Wing Mercenary!!" Fausta hissed through clenched, fang-like teeth. She flared her wings in anger, and brought a furious fist down upon her computer board panel.
"Hey! Please! Mistress, I would rather not be damaged, you know," the computer stated, miffed.
"Sorry, Compy." The Onyx Wing shook her head in frustration. "I'm just reflecting... Thinkin' of a way to get rid of her..."
The keyboard lights flickered a little, as if in confusion. " 'Compy'??"
Fausta smirked, baring off-white fangs. "What? You don't like it?? I think it's a cute name!"
"Whatever you say, Mistress Fausta."
The Wing Invader sighed and stretched her dark wings. "Have any ideas on how to off the mercenary?" she questioned, watching the sea-water critters glide by in the tubing above.
The computer had the main screen glowed to life, displaying a picture of Lilith, and various data on her. "Any known weaknesses?"
"Oh yeah. A weakness. By Styx, if I KNEW ANY of the woman's weaknesses, she'd be DEAD by now!!" Fausta snapped, losing her temper. She'd been through too many near-death incidents from the Steel Wing. "But that Lilith... Argh! She's too powerful! Too fast! Too many weapons!"
The screen blinked off. "Well, if the body is too strong, there's always the mind. Target her mind, hm??"
The Onyx Wing suddenly brightened. "Excellent idea, Compy!!" She spun round in the revolving chair, accidentally falling off in her excitement. "Oof! Ow." The Wing shot back to her feet, and brushed herself off, embarrassed.
She put on a malicious look. "I have just the thing!" There was a glint in her sepia eyes. "And just the people to help me!" She began to cackle maniacally.
"Mistress, tomorrow's skool day. Shouldn't you wait for the weekend to launch your little plan??" the computer advised.
Fausta's face fell. "You know, you REALLY spoil all my happy/evil vibes."
"Sorry."
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, this is too important to just put off until the weekend, Compy!! Can't you see!?" She drummed her fingers on an arm. "Well, I guess I'm off then. Gotta go get my buddies!!" She beamed and ran out of her chambers.
*** Up in the living room
"Hey, Faust," the younger Wing greeted unenthusiastically as she emerged from the fountain elevator.
"Wassup?" he replied, sipping at a Classic Poop, gazing at the fish-tank-wall.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" the Onyx Wing answered back, shaking the water from her hair and arms, getting some on her cousin.
"Hey, watch it..." Faust growled, annoyed. "Any droplet of water you get in the Poop might spoil the taste."
"Hardly..." Fausta hopped over to the living room phone and dialed up a number. She'd found them in one of the offices of the skool a couple of days ago.
After a few rings, the call was answered. "Hello? Future Lord-of-Humans and other such Earthen creatures here."
"Oh shut-up, Zim." The Wing rolled her eyes at the Irken's greeting.
"What!? Schizoid Wing-beast!? What are you doing, calling my base!?"
"Be quiet and make this a little easier for me, hm, Irken-mortal?? Come over to my base, down the street, or you'll do much regretting."
"You mean 'ruing'??" A sneery tone.
"Whatever. I'd like your help with something. Be here. NOW."
"Alright, Wing. But any strange and/or sudden action will result in your slow and painful demise."
The Wing Invader snorted in false amusement. "As if. You DREAM, Irken. You DREAM!!"
"Hah! You speak PITIFUL lies, Wing!! Huh?? Argh, HEY! Ooh! Who izzit!? GIR! No! Get aw-- stop!!" There was a sudden click sound as Zim hung up the phone.
Fausta raised a dark brow, and shrugged off the weirdness. She punched in another phone number.
"....Hello?" A cautious voice.
The Onyx Wing smiled. "Hiya, Dib-mortal! How was skool??"
"AHH!!! YOU!! You KNOW how my skool day was, you winged monster!! Those horrible acid cubes of Zim's!! Down my shirt!! AGH!! The burns!! They still BURN!! Grrr... Be QUIET, Dib! I'm on the last level!!"
"Oh yeah... Heh. That's right. The acid cubes... Say, what's your sister playing, mortal??"
"Look if you just called to gloat about the cubes, you-- Huh?? Game?? What do YOU care!?"
Fausta put on a thoughtful expression. "That's right! I called to tell you to get over to my base immediately. I need your help with something!"
"HAH! YOU need MY help!? What makes you think that I'd come??"
"Oh, you'll stop by, Human. One way or another."
"...And how would you force me to stop by??"
She smirked. "Ah, Wingen technology... Gotta love that stuff. Well, just use your imagination, mortal! Anyway, Zim's invited too! I dunno if you'll take that as a good or bad thing though."
"Hm? I guess it's a pretty good thing... Another chance at vengeance!! ...Zim doesn't know I'm coming, right??"
"I don't think so."
"Yes!" The Dib hung up.
Fausta left the phone, and headed to the door to wait for her guests.
A loud knocking promptly ensued.
The Wing opened it to reveal a scowling, disguised Irken.
"Greetings, Irken." She motioned to an empty couch. "Please, make yourself at home, while you still can."
Zim narrowed his lavender eyes and stood a bit aways from the door. "I think not, flappy schizoid."
"Uh huh." Fausta turned to watch the front door.
"Well? What are you waiting for?? What's the whole point of entering your DISGUSTING Wingen home??" the Irken glanced at the reclining Faust, from the corner of his lensed eyes.
"Hang on, Zim. I'm sure he'll be here soon." The Onyx Wing shrugged.
"WHO will be here soo--"
A stream of bubbly, pine-scented water jetted through the open door, hitting Zim full in the face. Soap water. In a few silent moments, the Irken was on the ground, screaming and twitching.
"Alright! Another point for the Humans of Earth!" Dib cried, as he leapt into the house, and tossed away his now empty water-gun.
Fausta frowned, and quickly pulled off her coat to dry off the shuddering alien before the soap water caused any serious burns. "Dib. I kinda don't want you guys to kill each other, you know. That's my job."
Dib pouted. "Well, you told him before, he should keep his guard up."
"Yeah, I know. Well, good job, anyway, I guess," she congratulated the Human.
Zim was livid, but said nothing, and went to perch himself upon the couch's arm. He was still trying to think of a new substance, that would repel both water and soap water. The piney-fresh soap water Dib owned cut through the paste like a blaster through ...something ...really soft.
"Wing-beast. What is our purpose here?"
The Onyx Wing turned on her heel and went to pick up a helmet-looking object from the nearby coffee table, that she had brought up for this. "Well, you know that Wing Mercenary."
The two paled.
"Lemme guess. You want US to help you destroy her," Dib stated dully.
"Exactly. Oh, how ever did you think of THAT??" she replied.
The Irken jerked his head to the helmet-device. "That isn't what I think it is, ...is it??" His scowl deepened.
Fausta held the bright-red helmet up a bit. "No, it probably is, Irken. Anyway, I want YOU to slip it onto Steel Wing Lilith's head, while the Dib-mortal distracts her--"
Dib took a step forward. "Hey, hey! SOME of us aren't very knowledgable on these alien mechanisms! What IS it!?"
The Onyx Wing frowned. "Dib, it was invented by the Wings, and so, ISN'T an alien device. And it's called a Mind Delver. This helmety-thing, when put on the head of someone, namely Lilith, will cause her to fall into a deep sleep. More like unconsciousness, really."
Dib didn't really like this. 'Mind Delver'?? NOT a nice name.
"And her mind will become vulnerable to the things in her dreams and subconsciousness," Zim added for the Wing, touching a water-burn on his green face gingerly.
Dib shook his head. "Really? But you could always just destroy Lilith after the Mind Delvy thingy is on her, yourself, right?"
Fausta frowned. "Yes, but that would be disgustingly cheap and un-fun! Also, I'd lose a LOT of Credits if I did that."
"Oh." The Human nodded.
"Anyhoo, when the Mind Delver helmety thingy is on someone's head, a little screen appears in front of their face, showing how that person's dream self is doing." The Onyx Wing placed the helmet back upon the table.
Dib put on a concerned look. "Wait. What if Lilith gets through her dream world all right?? Won't she wake up, and then kill us all for bothering her??"
Zim snorted. "It's not as easy to wake up from the Mind Delver device as you may think, Human-stink."
Dib scowled but said nothing.
Fausta smirked. "Hey, you rhymed, Irken!"
Zim blinked. " 'Ri-mmed'?? What is this 'ri-mmed'??"
She shook her head. "Um, never mind. Kil was starting to bubble up again. Phew! Er, anyways, Dib-mortal. To awaken from a sleep induced by the Mind Delver, you have to travel around the Dream World, until you find this thingy called Excitare."
Dib looked thoughtful. " 'To wake'?? What is it? What's this thing look like?"
Fausta sighed. "Infernoes, you're a curious one! Yes, Excitare. 'To wake.' It looks like a floaty... sphere of dark... darkness. You go through it, and your sleepy-time is over!"
"Hm..." The Human quickly jotted all this down on a tiny notebook, which Zim abruptly speared with a spider-leg, and began running, cackling evilly.
Dib eventually snatched it back, when the alien stopped, horrified at the many watery items about the house. The Human smoothed the pages out as best as he could and put it carefully away.
"Okaaay..." Fausta blinked. She put on a icy expression. "Alright, you two!" The Wing gave the helmet to a reluctant Dib. "You guys know what to do! Fail in your given mission, and you will both be immediately eliminated by me!" She gave them a supposedly moral-boosting salute and hurried them out of the door.
Faust looked over to his little cousin. "You invited THOSE two over?? The Human spy, and the Irken?? What's wrong with you?"
Fausta shook her head. "Nothing, Faust. I think things are actually going to get a lot better..."
He flicked his platinum-colored wings. "Hmph. I CAN'T believe you think that those two will actually be able to pull it off. You three are the STUPIDEST pieces of dead meat I've ever seen."
"Hey, I'm sure they can do it! How hard could it be?? The Steel Wing seems pretty mellow if I'm not around." She shrugged.
"Whatever you say. You're still a goner." Faust turned back to gaze at the fish and their watery habitat.
"Hey, aren't Wings supposed to be OPTImistic??" Fausta frowned at him.
"I'm just stating the facts."
*** Outside, on the street
Dib glared at his Irken ally. "Okay, Zim. You're familiar with this alien technology."
Zim snorted. "When will you get it through that abnormally thick stink-beast skull of yours, that the Mind Delver is NOT an alien object?"
The Human gave a dismissive wave of a hand. "Whatever. But HOW are we supposed to find that bomb-flicking Wing-lady??" He moved his arms about to emphasize his words. "What? Is she just going to come crashing out of the sky, or--"
"Fly into MY face, will you!?!? YOU LITTLE--!!"
The two rivals looked up, to see the Steel Wing leaping off a neighboring rooftop, slashing at some ...tiny,...flying,...singing,... yellow dot.
"The evil death-bee!!" cried the Irken, taking an involuntary step back. FEAR the bee!!
Dib shot Zim a strange look. "Uh, right. Anyways, Zim, I guess that 'evil death-bee' is providing you enough of a distraction, so, I'll just be going now! See ya!" The Human ran off and ducked behind a conveniently placed mailbox, to take notes on these not-so-everyday happenings.
"Cowardly weasil-pig-Human," the Irken grumbled. Zim stood up on his spider-legs, needing their speed and height, and took a quick jump.
The Wing paid no attention to the teenage boys. She was too busy slashing at the death-bee in her blind rage, while clutching a bleeding injury above her left eye. Zim was able to get close enough to shove the crimson helmet onto her head. Lilith had not noticed the alien until it was too late.
She immediately fell over, unconscious. A foot-long screen flickered on, but Zim wasn't worried about it at the moment. He retracted his four extra legs and reached for a wing to drag the unmoving form by.
"Agh!" Zim cried out, hopping back, sucking on his gloved hand. The steely feathers had sliced right through the material and skin. The Irken let out an annoyed growl.
Dib popped up. "Hey, good job, Zim!"
The Irken pointed an angry claw at the Human. "YOU! Don't even DARE think that you'll get any credit in all this, Dib-stink! *I* did all the work!"
The Dib waved his hands in a signal of peace. "Of course! Don't stress, Zim! Sheesh."
Zim smiled thinly at his little victory. It quickly turned into a frown as he grasped Lil's limp right arm and began to drag her over to Fausta's base. The woman was a lot heavier than she looked-- probably from all the weaponry, armor, and muscle.
A pair of large eyes watched the Irken and Human walking towards the dark house, from a large, shadowy bush. They narrowed, and the leafy plant seemed to erupt in an explosion of green as the owner of the beady oculars burst out.
"Hiiiiya, Master!!" GIR latched onto his green master's leg lovingly.
"Let GO of me, GIR!" Zim growled angrily, shaking his captive leg about in vain. "WHAT are you doing out here!? You may not be advanced, but you still have to guard the house!"
"I came out for a walk! The talky TV-people say it's good for your heart!! Wheee!! This's fuuun!!" the tiny robot squealed in joy.
"GIR, you HAVE no heart!! You're a robot!"
Dib chuckled at the two aliens' silliness.
Zim sighed. "GIR, if you want to stay here, help me move this dagger-wielding Wing-beast into the schizoid's base."
"Ooookie dokie!!" the SIR chirped. He started up his flight engines, zoomed under the sleeping Wing, and jetted her to the house looming ahead.
Faust was still in the same spot, drinking Poop and watching the water-filled wall.
Zim REALLY did NOT like this house. So... much... water... Everywhere...
Fausta looked through a large doorway at hearing the front door open, with two people arguing about something, and a high-pitched voice crying out in happiness through the droning of engines.
She sniffed a little at the thick, black exhaust fumes coming from the SIR and frowned.
"I don't appreciate the air pollution coming from your SIR's jets," she stated to Zim. "But anyways, bring the Wing here."
At reaching the room the Onyx Wing was in, the conscious three saw a bunch of high-tech-looking equipment, and many more of the same red helmets.
"Ooh! Lots of pretty red hats!!" GIR announced with glee, examining one.
"Yes, they are pretty, aren't they, GIR?" Fausta asked sweetly, patting the green puppy disguised-robot, then turned to the two mortals. "Hey, nice work, you two!"
Zim snorted. "The DIB-Human did nothing, but run away in terror, Wing-beast. I, however, valiantly stood up to the mercenary-beast and--"
Dib stepped forward. "Oh come on, Zim! I did NOT run in TERROR. You didn't need me! And you are just SO over-exaggerating--"
"Alright, alright. I've heard enough. Thanks and congrats to you two, okay??" the Onyx Wing sighed.
Anyhoo, while the three were arguing about this, they didn't notice how GIR was looking back and forth from the Mind Delvers, to them, and thinking about how PRETTIFUL they'd look in the red helmets.
Too bad for them, huh??
*** In a few seconds...
"Yaaay!! Everybody's wearing the pretty red hats and are all SLEEEEPY!!" the SIR cried happily, looking at the now unconscious Dib, Zim, and Fausta.
"Hm...!" GIR glanced at the small table in front of him. There were still three pretty red helmets there. He wanted the pretty hats to be worn by people!!
"Fausta, there's some mortal-girl here," came Faust's voice from the living room. "She's looking for some Dib-Human. Fausta, you there, cousin? Ah, whatever."
A violet-haired girl stormed into the room. She wore an ankle-length black dress with long sleeves reaching over her wrists. Her skull pendant shone under the dim, bluish light of the house.
"Dib! Get up! Dad's taking us out to lunch, and it's your turn to pick." She death-glared her brother when he refused to move, and continued to sleep. "...Dib!! Dib...?" The Human girl noticed the bright little screen in front of everyone's face. Her interest perked up.
"Some kind of new VR game??"
And... you can guess what she does. Yep, she puts on a helmet too! BAM! She hits the ground right afterwards.
And still, GIR wants someone to wear another. He runs outside, and sees lone Johnny walking down the street, hands entwined behind his back.
"Hi, nice neighbor guy!" the robot shouted, waving rapidly, holding a Mind Delver.
The thin man looked up to see the lime-green dog. "Hello."
GIR smiled. This neighbor was always so NICE! "Here! Can you wear the pretty red hat??" He held the crimson object up.
Nny glanced at the helmet. "Uh.. Sure, talking-puppy-neighbor." He took the item gently and placed it upon his head to humor the happy doggie, and promptly was knocked out by the Mind Delver.
He collapsed onto the sidewalk, back-first.
"Yay, only one left now! One for me!!" GIR said joyfully and ran back into the house to claim the last Mind Delver. He liked the nice pictures it made in front of their faces. It was weird they didn't open their eyes to look at them!
He put the last helmet onto his large, metallic head, and his eyes blacked out.
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pureVENOM: Okay, this was strange. But, the next chapter or so is going to be sheer insanity! See through the minds of your favorite... or not so very favorite characters! Much strangeness!! Very disturbing as well, to my opinion, anyway. But, it'll be fun to write! It was sure really interesting imagining!
Mwa hah! I need caffiene, peoples!! Buh byez for now! Skool's tomorrow!! Eek!!