Spring Fever
An Invader Zim Fanfiction by KidKourage
Part 4—Darkest Before the DawnWanna know something? This story was supposed to be one chapter long. I think the only thing that will ever be able to make me write short stories again will be the removal of the bit of my brain that suddenly gets new ideas in the middle of carrying out a plan. This is the end, however. I'm writing this author note before I write the chapter, so I'm doing it less to inform you than to inform myself. Self, this is the final part and you're not going to come up with any more reasons to extend this story further. Stop torturing your friend and let him get back to plotting against the closet monster! You do want that closet monster gone, don't you? Well, then, get writing! And finish this story! Do it! Yes, ma'am.
The scene is Dib's house! Since returning after eating dinner, KidK has been having to battle the evil virus much harder, as it has now chosen to manifest itself in high fever form. For almost three hours now, she's been diligently watching over Dib, periodically refreshing his armor of cold, wet towels and always making sure he's breathing normally. He hasn't woken up in quite some time, and KidK's not sure if that's good or bad. So, now, she's trying to do the impossible. She's trying to get Zim to come and help her. In the hallway outside Dib's room…
KidK (into her wrist com): Yes!
Zim: No!
KidK: Come on!
Zim: No!
KidK: Please?
Zim: I have already told you—I'm not going to give aide to the Dib-monkey!
KidK: Don't think of it as helping him, think of it as helping me.
Zim: You already tried that one.
KidK: Oh. Right. Ummmm…you don't want some little virus to kill your nemesis, because you want to kill him yourself someday?
Zim: You tried that one too.
KidK: Well, then, how about this—it'll be a good way to try out your new healing capabilities on somebody you don't really care if they work on.
Zim (narrowing his eyes): Your meaning?
KidK: Well, if you wait until someone you like or need or something gets sick, you won't be sure yet if your virus…killing…data-stuff is right and then what if it isn't? You won't have time to fine-tune it!
Zim (pondering this): So I should experiment with the new technology on the Dib…so that if you get sick I'll know it works and can cure you.
KidK: Me? I didn't mean only me when I said—
Zim: You said 'someone you like or need or something.' You're the only one who fits that description.
KidK: …………………..
Zim: And you do have a point. Ugh…why are you always right?
KidK: I'm not always right. I wasn't right when I said you'd love orange creamsicles.
Zim: How were you supposed to know there'd be water in them? They were supposed to be made with orange juice! Filthy lying Minute Maid humans…
KidK: So you're coming over?
Zim: *sigh* Yes…
KidK (a bit of sarcasm): Well, don't sound so happy about it.
Zim: I'm not. To help my greatest enemy...
KidK: Hey, you're not helping your enemy—you're showing your enemy the power of mighty Irken technology! Nothing we pathetic humans have come up with has ever been able to cure flu or even a puny cold instantly the way you probably can. Now get over here and prove to Dib that the awesome power of Kami Zim's cure can succeed where his own biology and my poor human attempts at intervention have failed! (KidK has gotten good at pressing Zim's 'ego button,' hasn't she? ^.^)
Zim: Yes! For Zim is the scourge of filthy sickness everywhere! No germ or virus in the universe can stand in my way!
KidK: Yes, yes, you're right!
Zim: And soon the Dib-thing will know that I am right! I'll be there momentarily, KidK…and then—my moment of triumph!
KidK: See you in a bit! ^_^
She clicks off the communicator and goes back into Dib's room to wait. She gives Dib some new compresses, then sits down beside the bed.
KidK (quietly): Don't worry, Dibby…one of my evil plans is actually going to work for once, and then…(she reaches out and strokes his messy hair gently)…you'll come over and eat popcorn and watch 'Frankenstein' with me…and I'll show you how to make millions of paper cranes so this will never happen again…
Dib (without opening his eyes): But it wasn't…the cranes…that brought me…*cough*…good luck…
KidK (retracting her hand): You're awake? Oh, I'm sorry Dib, I must've—
Dib (ignoring this): It was…you…
KidK: I brought you good luck? But nothing I've done for you has done any good—you've actually gotten worse under my care.
Dib: No…(he opens his eyes a bit and turns his head toward her) When you were here…I…*coughcough*…got better…remember? It was only when…you weren't with me…that I…I…*achoo!* (he rolls back over) Augh…
KidK (worriedly): Bless you…
Dib (with a bit more vitality): Exactly! You did!
KidK: Shhh shhhh…don't waste that energy. (thinking) Why am I saying that? Zim should be here soon. Well, he doesn't know that yet…
Dib: The cranes might…might help…but without you here to…*cough*…give them more power…they're not…uh oh…*coughcoughhackcough*
KidK: Here, water. (she holds out a new water bottle for him) Better?
Dib: Yes…
KidK: So then…I'm good luck, and when I make and bless cranes I'm even more luck because I've got their luck too…but the cranes by themselves don't work for long if I'm not there?
Dib: Because you believe in them. I…I'm sorry…I couldn't. I didn't see. But your belief… Heh…some…*cough*…paranormal expert—I didn't even realize there was…power right near me…
KidK (slightly ironically): So I have magic powers now. Right. Spoken like a true paranormalist, Dib. (she smiles) We'll have you better in no time!
Dib: Only if…you stay with me………… You……I can………believe in.
With that, Dib drifts back off to sleep. Fever is like that. One minute you're asleep, the next you're awake, and the next you're dozing restlessly. And sometimes, if you're lucky, you start having delusions. Clearly, this is happening for our hero, since KidK certainly isn't magical in the least (it's her brother who's magical ^.^). Still, they say that people can get better from almost anything if only they believe they'll get better. So if having KidK beside him is what it takes to make Dib have that belief in his progression toward wellness, does it really matter if he also believes she's some kind of good luck fairy? KidK ponders this for a few more minutes, and then rises to get the door when her bestest friend Zim knocks—rather loudly. She doesn't get there first, however.
Gaz (throwing open the door): For the last time, I don't want a subscription to your newspaper!
Zim: Moronic Gaz-female! What are you screeching about?!
Gaz: Zim?! You're calling me a moron?!
Zim: …yes! (he waves a finger in her face) Now go away!
Gaz: This is my house! What are you doing here, anyway?!
Mike-the-Brother (yelling from downstairs): Hurry up, Gaz! If you don't come back soon all your high scores'll be gone!
Gaz (yelling back): Only if you cheat and erase them! (she turns back to Zim) If you're here to gloat at Dib, go ahead. He's upstairs. That's upstairs, not downstairs. You come downstairs…(she darts forward, gripping the front of Zim's uniform in one hand and clenching the other into a tiny fist)…you experience excruciating pain the like of which hasn't been seen since the days of medieval torture chambers. (she drops him and walks away, leaving the door open)
Zim: O_o………………………..(he waits until she's out of sight, then shakes his own fist in the direction of the stairs) No one insults an Irken Invader and gets away with it! This incident will be remembered when the Armada comes to doom your disgusting dirt-rock! And I'll make sure they doom your house extra good! Then you'll see! You'll be—
KidK (at the top of the stairs): Zim! (she starts down, and lowers her voice considerably) Dib's trying to sleep upstairs, so stop yelling like that.
Zim (he doesn't obey too good): Me?! (he points at the stairs) She yelled at me first! Here I am, coming over here to fix her stupid, bigheaded brother, and she starts shrieking about Earth periodicals! Well, I'll show her! I'm gonna—O.O
KidK (bending over to hold a fingertip to Zim's mouth): That's all well and good, Zimmy, but first you've gotta try out your new data on Dib. (she stands up and goes over to the stairs) Coming?
Zim: …………………….. (he follows her wordlessly up the stairs and into Dib's room)
KidK (whispering): You've gotta be quiet, 'cause he's asleep. Though if he didn't wake up for your screaming match with Gaz, he must be really out of it. Well? Go ahead and work your techno magic, o amazing Kami Zim.
Zim: You understand that I'm not doing this for the Dib, because I hate every molecule of his being. I'm not even doing it for you. u.u I'm doing it for the advancement of Irken science.
KidK: I get it. And that's why it's especially good that Dib's sleeping like a rock—he won't ever even have to know that it was you who saved him.
Zim: Hmmm…that's something to think about…to tell the horrible Dib-worm that he owes me his life and hold it over his head for the rest of eternity, or not to tell him and avoid the possible humiliation of having helped my rival…
KidK (matter-of-fact): He wouldn't believe you if you told him. He'll think my magic powers are responsible.
Zim: o_ô Magic powers?
KidK (nodding gravely): Yes. Dib believes I am his good luck charm. That's just how sick he is. Since he's all feverish, he probably won't remember any of this in any case. Now please hurry…
Zim (turning away from her to begin his work): Fine. But you're not his good luck charm. You're mine.
KidK (blush!): ………………………
Do you all remember the apparatus Zim used to mend his broken foot in 'Magical Pup Pretty Sammi?' Basically it's just a backpod cable that, when aimed toward an affected area of the body, will emit a blue glow and set to work fixing whatever might be wrong. I don't really know the specifics of how it works, because I'm afraid that if I ask the combined force of science and math assailing my brain in the explanation might just have the same effect on my head as 'Nny-kun once had on people's heads in Heaven. Ah, well. Anyway, Zim's 'Incredible Master Cure' takes mere moments to administer, since all he need do is to run the cable down the length of Dib's body, somehow driving out the virus with the light. The room is briefly illuminated in blue, and then goes dark once more.
Zim: There. It's done.
KidK: Eh? That's it?
Zim: You expected a big explosion, perhaps? Or maybe a musical number?
KidK: No, I just…wow…you guys really are advanced if you can heal yourselves that quickly…
Zim: It's the programming that takes the most skill and time—it wouldn't make sense to have a medical device that can't be used easily during battle.
KidK (snapping back into reality): Oh. Right. Military society. I forgot. 'Advanced'…huh. Well, now all we've gotta do is wait and see if it worked.
Zim: 'If?' What is this 'if?' Obviously it worked!
KidK: How can you tell? He's still asleep.
Zim: You can't tell? His breathing is better, and he's not as warm. This is what was supposed to happen, yes?
KidK: Yes, but…how could you…
Zim (folding his arms smugly): u.u Superior Irken perception, of course. Now praise me!
KidK (giving him a big hug): You're amazing, Zim! A mighty kami indeed. ^.^
Zim: Hey, hey, don't mess up my hair. I've still got to get home unnoticed, you know.
KidK (pulling away): Aw…you've gotta go…but tomorrow morning before I go back to skool for the week, I'll make you cookies for sure.
Zim: Double chocolate mint cookies, remember. You promised.
KidK: They'll be waiting for you when you get home from skool tomorrow. ^_^ When you go, take Mike with you.
Zim (resentfully): That Mike-beast…
KidK: Somebody's gotta remind him that he has to go. Mom'll be mad if he doesn't get home soon.
Zim: And you?
KidK: She'll be mad at me too. But I'm still gonna stay a bit longer just to make absolutely sure that Dib's fine.
Zim: But then you'll be home?
KidK: Yes. Then I'll be home with you. And speaking of staying home…do you know if Gir ever finished his—
Zim: Picture! That's right. I have that. (he extracts a scroll tube from his backpod and opens it, removing a sheet of paper) Here.
KidK (regarding Gir's artwork): Aw, that's so cute!
Zim: o.ô What is it?
KidK: Well, obviously it's Dib and Gir and me…having a picnic? See, there's the basket and some sandwiches and…cheez doodles. And we're so happy! ^_^
Zim: You can tell all that from a few scribbles of color?
KidK (smugly): u.u Superior human perception, of course. (she drops her imitation and pokes him in the arm) Now go home and sleep a bit. You deserve it.
Zim: I do, don't I? (he holds up a finger in admonition) Remember, no one is to know of this incident. I've decided that it wouldn't be good for my reputation for people to think I go around saving pathetic humans.
KidK: Oh, certainly. Don't worry. If Dib finds out, it won't be from me.
Zim: Good. Then I will see you tomorrow morning.
KidK: Yes. See you, Zimmy! ^_^
And thus, Dib was cured by the most unlikely person in the multiverse. Well, I couldn't just let him die, could I? Though…then I could have a chance to write dialogue for the Gateway Angel and Damned Elize and maybe even God…nah, even that isn't worth killing off one of my favorite people. Besides, if having a sick person in my head was bad, think how bad it'd be to have a dead person in there…*squee*… After Zim (and Mike, under protest and vowing retribution on Gaz for yet another defeat) makes his exit, KidK sets to work cleaning up Dib's room. She removes the now unnecessary towels and nearly incurs Gaz's wrath by asking where the laundry room is to put them in the dryer. Then she replaces the sheets on the bed carefully, so as not to wake her still sleeping friend. Finally, she picks all the paper cranes up off the floor and starts to arrange them in different places around the room. Soon, our newly recovered patient awakens to a huge surprise.
Dib: *snirk* Wha…
KidK (turning away from her crane-placement): Great! You're awake! How do you feel?
Dib (sitting up and stretching): Much, much better. In fact…O.O…my voice! (he touches a hand to his throat) I'm not all scratchy anymore! And my nose isn't running and my head doesn't hurt and I'm not hot and…(he turns to KidK, all smiles) You did it!
KidK: Did what?
Dib: You made me better!
KidK: Well, I guess the compresses and the water helped, and the pills did their job, but really it was your own body that—
Dib (shaking his head): No way. It's just not possible that normal human biology could've worked this quickly. (he starts feeling for his glasses on the bedside table)
KidK: Then what…(realization dawns) You don't really think…
Dib (pushing his glasses into place): You must have some kind of healing power.
KidK: I thought maybe that was just the fever talking, but…you really think that?
Dib: Well, either that or you're just good luck.
KidK: I'll believe that before I'll believe that I'm some kind of magical girl.
Dib: Okay. You're probably right. But still…you've got to recognize that the average person doesn't go from being seriously infected with flu to being perfectly fine in such a short time.
KidK: So why does that make me magic? Why wouldn't that mean that you're magic?
Dib: O.o…………maybe you're right. (he starts to get out of bed) We'll definitely have to do some tests on both of us down in the lab and—
KidK (stopping him): Oh, no. Not tonight. Do you know what time it is?
Dib: No.
KidK: Almost 11.
Dib: Oh…but I'm not tired! I just slept for practically two days straight! …but you're tired, aren't you? You…you did…
KidK (ready with the tissue box): You gonna sneeze?
Dib: No…I just don't know what to say…just…thank you. Whether there was some supernatural force at work or not, you helped me like…well…nobody's ever done that…for me…….
KidK: Well, never fear! I'll always be here for you when you need me. Only…right now I should probably sleep so I don't doze during my Government lecture tomorrow.
Dib (still a bit spaced-out): Right…
KidK: So I'll see you Friday afternoon?
Dib (snapping out of it): Right. And then we'll run some scans on you to see if you've got any abnormal power centers in your—
KidK (trying to derail this train of thought): I was thinking we could watch all those movies we didn't get to yesterday.
Dib: Oh, yeah! 'Frankenstein!' I'll be there, KidK—wouldn't miss it.
KidK: Okay! ^_^ Well, gotta be going. (she gets up from the chair and goes to the bedroom door) Now, just because you're well and all doesn't mean you don't need to sleep tonight. You've still got skool tomorrow.
Dib (ironically): KidK, you are a born mother.
KidK (embarrassed): Oh…um…hey! Gir made a picture for you! I left it on the bedside table, so make sure you look at it. Byebye, Dib! (she makes a hasty retreat)
Dib (calling after her): Bye! (after hearing the front door open and close, he picks up Gir's drawing off the table and stares at it) What in the world…? Well, I guess it could be me…and KidK…and that's probably Gir…having a party…in a garden? Heh…maybe she told him about her 'castle.' (he sets the paper back on the table and reclines back against his pillows) Too bad that'll never happen…(he notices the paper cranes perched over on his desk)…though after today…. Well, it can't hurt to at least believe…
And so, under the watchful protection of a flock of colorful paper birds, Dib falls asleep once more. This time, however, he does so with a smile.
The End!
Epilogue—Shinjitte Iru No?
Twenty years later…
KidK: Gir, can you please pass the cheez doodles?
Gir: Yeah yeah Missy! Oops…ah mean—
KidK: Oh, you don't have to call me that…
Gir: Lookit the fishies! They so happy swimmin'! I wanna play too! Missy, can I swim?
KidK: Just be careful…Zim had to go all the way to Japan for those koi, and he'd be mad if you squished 'em.
Gir: Where is Master?
KidK: Off helping the Tallest plan their vacation here. Honestly, you'd think the Ambassador to Earth would have more authority, especially since he's so close to—
Gir: Okay! I'm gonna go fly a kite now! Whee!
KidK: Have fun! ^_^
Guard Guy (appearing suddenly): There is someone here to see you.
KidK: Really? Who?
Guard Guy (stepping aside): May I present…the Head of the World Scientific Council and Chief Authority on Paranormal Studies, Professor—
KidK (gleefully): Dib! Dibby, it's you! (she runs forward to hug her old friend)
Dib (accepting her embrace—he's taller than her now ^_^): Of course it's me. Heh…you haven't changed a bit.
KidK: Nope. ^.^ And neither have you! (she steps back) Well, except for the obvious…being older thing…. I'm so happy for you—congratulations on your election!
Dib: o.ô You congratulate me? You're the one who deserves congratulations, KidK! Look at all you've accomplished!
KidK: Oh, that. Couldn't've done it without my friends…
Dib: That's why I came. To thank you for…well…
KidK: You don't still think that—
Dib: You must! You must have powers! How else could we all have been so lucky? Everyone close to you has pretty much exactly what they want! Well…except Zim, he wanted to rule the world, but—
KidK: No he didn't. Remember? He was just conquering us for the Tallest.
Dib: But he didn't succeed at that either. Though you do seem to have almost too good a relationship with those aliens…
KidK: All they want is to party down here…and Red wants an endless supply of corn chips, which was very hard to work out the deal for, actually.
Dib: See? See?! They've gotten what they wanted, too! Gaz has her own video game label and has pretty much destroyed all competition…Mike is a world famous psychiatrist by day and champion of justice by night…Gir has…(he stares over at Gir)…a monkey? Where'd he get…oh, it doesn't matter. What matters is that everyone—except Zim—that you care about has what we want most.
KidK: Oh…he has…*blush*
Dib (thankfully not noticing): So you've finally got to admit that you've got magic! I could prove it once and for all to you if you'd come to my laboratory and have some scans…
KidK: Nahhh…it doesn't matter whether I'm magical or not…I have a lot more paper cranes now, after all. ^_^
Dib: I noticed. They're all over the place!
KidK: I like them.
Dib: Me too.
KidK: Thanks. So…since you're here, wanna join Gir and I in our picnic?
Dib: Sure!
KidK: And then afterward we can go try to find some good movies in my collection!
Dib: Can we look for 'House of Dracula?' Your Dad cut off the ending on that one and I've always wondered about it.
KidK: Of course. And later we'll have a big feast to celebrate your election and commemorate your visit here.
Dib: Yeah. You'd have to be pretty snotty indeed not to receive the most respected paranormal expert on the planet with a banquet in my honor.
KidK: Awwww! You remembered all that?
Dib: I'm told I have a phenomenal memory inside this head of mine.
KidK: Which isn't big at all. ^_^ Now…let's go picnic. And…find out where Gir got that…Gir! Stop poking that monkey!
Gir: She's my friend! We's gonna bake a cake!
Dib: Oh, yeah. Gir has exactly what he wants, all right. (he turns to KidK and winks) And you have magic powers.
KidK: Well…so long as you believe in me……….maybe I do.
And so, full of fond memories of a time long past, the Head of the World Scientific Council and Chief Authority on Paranormal Studies walks arm in arm with his childhood friend KidK across the beautiful, Asian-styled courtyard of her wonderful, crane-filled castle. And later, his childhood nemesis Zim comes home and throws a fit in typical Zim fashion because 'the Empress of the World shouldn't be lowering herself to spend time with mere hyuuuumans.' Some things never change. Other things…well…it can't hurt to at least believe….^_^
I Believe That You Will Review. Oh, Please Let Me Be Right For Once! If You Do, I'll Make You Cookies! Double Chocolate Mint Cookies! Yay!