I am an idiot.
Zim, Dib and A.E.D: We agree.
-.-; Anyway, in the last installment of this story I gave a spoiler that said Dib would help fix Zim's Voot and explain how Zim got Micro in chapter four. Well, now that I've gotten over my writers' block I've realized I had been rushing things a bit, so I've slowed down. Micro's history will be on the next chappie.
Also, Dib won't be helping Zim fix the Voot. Why? When I was trying to type up that particular seen my head thingies looked over my shoulder and –
A.E.D: I don't think that should happen so early in the story.
Dib: Why would my past self help Zim fix the spaceship? They're only three!
Zim (nonchalantly): Besides, Voot Cruiser's can fix themselves.
I wish Zim had told me that earlier. He said that since the Voot hadn't been so badly damaged it could in fact repair itself…
But never mind. This chapter is now dedicated to some sweet interaction between the two kiddies =)
Maran Zelde: Thankyou for the CC =). I shall take out the apology in the last chapter since you feel so strongly against it (later though). Um, I've tried to make them act kiddy like but they're still a bit more mature than they should be…sorry o.o;
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"…Playing?" Zim repeated, looking at the robot in confusion. Micro was grinning goofily whilst the Dib looked even happier about something and was practically dancing on the spot with joy.
Zim, however, did not understand what all the emotion was about.
"What is this…playing?"
Dib started and stared at the Irken in shock, "You don't know how to play?"
"No. Am I meant to?" Zim widened his eyes.
They did not cover this topic in the data download. I knew that couldn't have been all the information!
To him, not knowing how to play was the most natural thing in the world. On Irk there was no such thing as playing.
Dib stared at him a bit more, before finally smiling kindly at him, "Don't worry! Playing is easy! I'll show you."
With that, the human scampered over to Zim and lightly tapped him on the arm, before running a few paces away and looking back once he realized the alien hadn't followed. Zim was still standing rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do and with an amusing look of puzzlement on his face.
"You're supposed to try and catch me!" Dib yelled.
"Why?"
"Cause den I'll be 'it' and I haveta try and catch you!"
"Why?"
"It's just for fun! It's playing!"
"Oh…ok." Zim shrugged and started running for Dib, who let out a squeal of happiness before streaking off.
What a strange concept, running around for no reason. It's almost like training except without the lasers and deathtraps…
…It's…
…more…
…fun?
Zim doggedly chased after Dib, who occasionally looked back to see whether Zim was following him and breaking out into face-splitting smiles when he saw that he was. Zim was also slightly aware of Micro laughing and running behind him. Apparently the MicroSir hadn't wanted to be left out.
However, Zim only had eyes for his target. Even though he knew this was for something called fun, basic instinct and military training had automatically taken over.
I'm going to catch the Dib! I'm going to catch the Dib! Cannot fail now…
Suddenly, Dib veered off and started ploughing through the strange white stuff. Zim screeched to a halt, almost falling face first into it when Micro crashed into him from behind. So far they had been sticking to the dirt path created when the Voot had crashed, and so a move like that had been completely unexpected. Zim stared apprehensively at the white ground.
"Giving up already?!"
Zim looked up at Dib's laugh. The human was standing only a few meters away, ankle deep in the white.
Zim scowled. This wasn't a fair advantage. He didn't trust the white, for some reason, and he was definitely not going to run straight through it without knowing what it was first. He pursed his lips in thought, before a devious smirk crossed his face.
He would be alright if he was above it. He wouldn't have to be near it at all.
At his mental command, thin metal spider-legs gracefully unfolded themselves from his Pak and lifted their wearer up high. With a small half cackle at his brilliance, Zim launched himself into the sallow area and began skittering towards Dib, leaving little pin prick marks in the slush behind him.
A few steps on his spider-legs later and Zim had lightly swatted the arm of the human, who for some reason had not moved.
…
"Aren't you meant to run before I hit you?"
Silence.
Zim looked down to see Dib's large brown eyes staring back at him in a mixture of fear and awe. Mostly awe. The two stared at each other, Zim towering over Dib on his spider-legs.
"What?" Zim questioned a bit irritably, the silence and staring finally getting to him.
"Wow…" Dib finally breathed. "I wish I could do dat."
"Do what?" Zim was confused.
"Dat! Dat t'ing you're doing now! Wid dose t'ings!"
Dib hung his arms in a poor attempt at imitating something, before finally pointing to Zim's mechanical appendages when the alien didn't get it.
"Ooh…wait, you mean you don't have these?! But nearly everyone where I come from does..."
Dib shook his head, the little scythe of hair flapping to and fro. A wistful look came into his eyes.
"I bet it's fun. Is it fun? I wanna do dat too…but I can't. I wish I could…"
Zim looked at Dib thoughtfully, a jumble of conflicting thoughts and…could it be? – Emotions dancing in his head.
These emotions…I cannot feel them! They said they were bad and not to and now I am breaking a rule! Irken code 394567, do not show emotions for they are a weakness the enemy can use. I cannot do it, I shouldn't do it…but…he looks so…
Sad.
"Maybe you can."
Zim said simply, and in one smooth motion bent down on his spider-legs and picked the startled human up. He almost toppled over with the extra weight, but such was his determination to do…something – he really didn't know what or why, that he quickly righted himself.
And, shouting, "Are you ready!?" he started to run.
And run he did. Through the white stuff and around, his spider-legs clumsily stabbing into the ground. He was aware of Dib screaming with delight and with his little arms outstretched as if he were flying. Zim felt Dib start to slip and tightened his hold around his friend's chest.
Digging one of his mechs' into the ground, Zim swung himself around and started scuttling back towards the Voot at a much slower pace, allowing the crisp, cool air to have full affect on his flush face. It had been thrilling! Even though it had been something he almost always did, having someone to share the experience with had been, for some reason, a lot better.
A lot clumsier and harder, but…
I dunno, this…fun…is nice. I like it.
When they had reached the Voot, Zim carefully dropped Dib onto the earth before retracting his spider-legs and landing himself. Together, the two sat in the dirt laughing and talking excitedly.
"Dat was so fun!"
"Did you see the way I ran?!"
"It was like I was flying!"
"It was good!"
"It was fun!!" The two chorused together, before looking at each other and grinning. Dib looked down at his boots and shuffled shyly.
"You're my bestest friend Zim."
Zim smiled, showing off his zipper like teeth, but said nothing. He wasn't so sure what a bestest friend was, but he could tell it was good.
There were a few moments of comfortable silence -
- then Zim realized something was missing. It was silent. There was no noise, no screams or laughs and no clanking of metal, which meant there was no -
"Micro!!" Zim yelled, jumping to his feet in comprehension. Dib started.
"Who's dat?"
"My MicroSir! My robot is gone!"
"Ohh de robot…" Dib suddenly gasped, "What if he got lost?"
"Lost?! How could he be lost he was right behind me when I was trying to catch you! He can't be lost…he can't…"
Large tears started gathering in the Irken's eyes, which he didn't even bother to wipe away despite the fact they were somehow slowly freezing to his skin. His MicroSir was gone, lost! Zim didn't want to admit it, but unlike other young smeety Irkens he had – against all judgment and regulation - developed a profound appreciation and attachment to his minion, even if it was a bit touched in the head. The thought of not having his MicroSir around, especially to help him cope on Irk, was devastating.
A hesitant touch on the arm brought his attention back to Dib.
"I once had a toy dat I lost," Dib said in a low voice, as if divulging some great secret, "it was my fav'rite. I was all sad but den my mommy and my sister helped me look for it and I found it – and cause you're my bestest friend, I'll help you!"
Zim wiped his eyes, "Really?"
"Uh huh. C'mon," Dib tugged on his red striped shirt and pointed out a direction, "let's look dat way first."
Together, the two set off to find the missing robot.
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Awww, Zim's all compassionate and thoughtful and stuff. I wonder what happened to make him what he is now? ~_0 *thinks*
Anyway, hopefully I won't be struck down with writer's block again and get my other chapters up soon. *sigh*
Please R/R and let me know what you think!