Disclaimer: After reviewing and reading my story, I found that this style of writing would be clearer to everyone. This takes place about 20 years after Zim is born (or created), and flashes into the past and into the future. Yes, this story does have an OC, Vonix, as a central character. It is based off of the events leading up to The Trial, an episode that never made it to the television screen. You can find a transcript on the Scary Monkey Show website. I do not own anything except the OC's. Everything else is Jhonen Vazquez and Viacom.
20 years ago from the present day, on the planet Judgementia
The only thing she saw from her damp, cramped cell was a bug crawling around on the ground. Its small legs skittered about, staying in the one beam of light. The prisoner tilted her head, and slowly guided her finger towards the bug. A beetle, to be more precise, with emerald wing cases that shielded delicate pink wings from the rest of the world. Its antennae picked up the movement, and it turned around to watch the finger. Swiftly, she picked up the beetle with her other hand, pinching it in-between her thumb and middle finger.
It almost put up a struggle as it wiggled around in her hand. A small chuckle came from the prisoner, and she let it go, watching it crawl around on the ground again. You have more rights than I do, little friend. The beetle shifted its position, and bent its body, the green wing cases separating, and the pink wings coming loose. It flew into the air, circled around her, and went through the small crack in the steel wall where a bolt had come loose. The cell became dark again as the light was cut off. The relatively young Irken shifted her position, and rested her arms on her crouched knees.
Today was the day that had never come. She had been stuck in this dirty cell with no light, minimal food and liquids, and with no other life forms. Even that damn blob would have been better company than anything. Except for the beetles. At least they had personality and wouldn't absorb her in a violent manner. She wanted to bathe. She wanted to see a star's light. She wanted her freedom more than anything; she wasn't programmed for this. How long will they take to get me out of here?
The bug finally cleared the hole, and the stream of light came back. It was the only reminder that there were many worlds that were still there. That there was still her home planet. That obviously didn't want me around, or the rest of my family. Whoever they are. The idea of family crossed her mind, and she tried to stifle a giggle. Family? We need no one! The giggle came out anyway, and crossed over to a laugh. That's the bluntest lie they told us! Steps started to come down the corridor outside her cell. They lied the entire time! Tears streamed down her face, and the steps came closer. Otherwise, they wouldn't punish with a year of solitary confinement!
A keycard was swiped, and the sound of a computer saying, "Authorization confirmed," reached her antennae. She paused from laughing, and waited silently. Another computer said the same thing after the ocular scan occurred. She smiled; it was time to see light again. The steel door hissed, and the panels separated, like that insect's wings. A train of court officials and guards in their purple armor stood outside the door in a pale light. They saw a tall, filthy female Irken with dark blue, almost purple eyes, sitting in a corner of a small cell. A male Irken and two guards stepped forward, the official with a tablet. "Name yourself."
She grinned, and said in a near whisper, "Vonix." The official crossed off something on his agenda, and proceeded on with the next question. "PAK number." Vonix coughed, and looked straight in his eyes. "You should know that." The guard next to her hit her with his electro-staff, the electric pulse moving in her body until it reached her PAK. Vonix keeled, and screeched; she had forgotten the sensation of physical pain. She closed her eyes, and slowly said, "I-0002851."
He whispered something to one of his colleagues, and waved his hand towards the guards. Two guards grabbed her by the shoulders, and one had his staff pressed against her back. He stepped up to her, and his foul breath clouded Vonix's face. "What are you being tried for?" Vonix looked him in the eyes and smiled barbarically. "For the death of Tallest Miyuki." As they walked out, she said a silent prayer: May it happen according to the People.
It took little time to get ready for her appearance at the High Court. The guards had escorted her to another small room; a cheap version of a cleaning chamber. Vonix was stripped of her tattered flight suit and black underbody armor. It was a suit that she had once taken pride in long ago. She was well aware, and quite embarrassed, that she was standing naked in front of the guards. The Change hadn't come to her yet, and so she wasn't as developed as other Irken females. Vonix blushed, and stepped inside the chamber. She pushed a button on the PVC liquid dispenser, and rubbed the slime on her pale green body. The substance quickly vanished after it was put on, and the guards pulled her back out.
One grunted, and handed her a black under-suit. She was surprised that it fit her perfectly. They must have been monitoring my height since I was in there. The form fitting material adjusted to her body temperature. The same guard reached into a side satchel, and pulled out a robe. It was of alternating colors; light blue like the glints in her eyes, to blue, and then to indigo, with a silver colored corset placed in the waist. Stapled to the robe were her old silver antennae tubes with black engraving.
She pulled the thin robe over her head, and asked in a muffled voice, "Where did this come from?" The guard shrugged, and replied, "The Court used your money for a robe for your appearance. They didn't want a murderer in a plain bodysuit to be shone all over the VisiCasts." Her eyes darkened as she put her tubes on her diamond shaped antennae. We take over entire world systems, and they don't even give enough money for clothes. As soon as the jewelry was in place, she was given slip on boots, and was escorted out of the chamber. Once again, that staff was placed against her back.
Vonix was led to a door, and the guard lifted the staff from her back. The guard at her left shoulder typed in a code at the key panel and the door opened. The sentry on her right shoulder pushed her into the door, and it closed behind her. She was in darkness again, saving for the computer screen in front of her. She went to the screen, and a metallic voice floated in the air. "Please insert a PAK cord into the slot below the screen." She raised one of her third fingers, sighed, and slowly put it back down. A cord from her back whipped around, and clamped onto the opening. No need to be special right now.
It registered on the screen, and the voice boomed again. "I-0002851, a tracking chip has been implanted onto the cord. Do not leave the Court, as it will self-destruct. Are you ready for Court?" The cord jerked out with an added weight, and Vonix understood. "Yes." I am ready for the worlds again. "Please step out into the room," the computer countered, and a door opened, and the room was filled with light.
