The Games We Play
Tak growled in frustration. She forcibly yanked her PAK free for the hundredth time.
"Useless pile of rubbish," she cursed, slamming it back down onto the workstation. It had been nearly a week since she'd cleared the honey out, and still Zim's stupid lockout mechanisms eluded her.
Rubbing her claws against her temple, she sighed in defeat. "I suppose it's a fool's errand anyway," she muttered, giving up the attempt. Irken PAKs were designed to be advanced pieces of machinery, critical tools needed to operate independently without the slightest bit of trouble. Such complexity was not meant to be tampered with, at least not without proper knowledge, and by doing so she could inadvertently trigger the base to corrode Mimi. Or worse, wipe out her memory drives entirely and leave her a mindless, drooling husk.
She decided that wasn't an option.
Flopping down onto the cushioned seat behind her, she let out a heavy sigh. Despite her best efforts, progress on obtaining the codes from Zim had been disappointingly sluggish. The male Irken still refused to give them to her, and even though she'd tried seducing him the past few weeks, nothing seemed to work. She'd come to the conclusion that he was either too stubborn or too stupid to pick up on it, and no matter how hard she tried, her plan was destined to fail.
She thought back to a moment when she thought she saw something in his eyes, some glimmer of hope that maybe she was getting somewhere. When they were both watching a boring Earth documentary together, he'd caught her eyeing a bag of flaming hot cheezos he was eating. She turned away of course, appearing to act uninterested, but what she had not expected was for him to offer her a whole unopened bag.
She remembered sitting there stunned, confused as to why someone like him, him out of all people, would do something nice for her. She had no doubt in her mind that there was some other master plan at work, some reason why he would be so eager to do her a favor. But it turned out he didn't have anything planned, and he didn't even ask her for anything in return.
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying force out the thought. There was something else about it that was bothering her, something that she knew she couldn't ignore. It was the same feeling in the medical bay, back when they had gotten twisted around caught up in one another's antennae. She'd felt it then, a lingering gurgling beneath the surface. It was something new, something she had no idea how to process, and as time went on, she found herself seeking it out more and more frequently.
She often caught herself watching him, unintentionally, when he was just going about his business in the lab. He would look up at her confused, and she would turn away, blushing, as if it wasn't important. Often times, she would gravitate toward his location in his base, even if she had no real reason to be there, and when he did question her about it, she would always with the same answer.
That she needed to be there to keep an eye on him.
She shut her eyes forcefully, trying to wish away the nightmarish memory. As much as she tried to deny it, she knew the real reason she was doing it, the real reason she was watching him. And that was what disturbed her to her very core.
No, please. Not him. Not after all he's done.
She shook her head, forcing away the thoughts. She began pacing the floor.
He's an idiot. An egotistical conceited moron. I would become a laughing stalk if anyone knew. No one would ever take me seriously again. No one. Especially The Tallest...
The negativity invaded her mind like slithering snakes through blades of grass. She knew her level of hatred toward him was dissipating, and ever since he saved her life, she was gradually becoming more tolerant of his behavior. When he acted egotistical, she would simply shrug it off, and when he would try to coerce her into fixing up his own issues around his base, she would protest less and less.
She held her fists firmly at her sides.
I need to end this before it's too late. I need to finish this before it gets out of hand.
She began pacing the floor, running through her options.
Poison? No, that would be too difficult. I would never get him to consume it. PAK separation? No, he'd never let me get close enough.
She continued to search for a solution.
A bomb? Yes, that might work. But how would I...
She tilted her chip up. "Computer! Where is Zim located now?"
"The master is currently working down in the Voot Cruiser repair bay. Would you like me to fetch him for you?"
She frowned in response. "No. That won't be necessary. I'll just take the elevator."
Down in the repair bay
Zim found himself tinkering away on his ship. After finishing up a long morning of regular chores, he worked diligently, the sparks in front of him emitting a bright, blinding white light. The pair of specialized goggles he wore around his head protected his vision, neutralizing the harmful rays and keeping his eyes safe from the vibrant wavelengths. He focused on the highlighted individual components as the laser guided him, making proper adjustments with pinpoint accuracy. He didn't even bother to look away from his limited field of view when he called out to his minion.
"Gir! The Gorgitwrench! Quickly!"
He waited for the little robot to obey, but his request went unfulfilled.
He waved his arm around impatiently. "Now Gir,"
Nothing happened.
Frustrated, Zim twisted his head around. He let out a irritated growl.
Where has that robot run off to?
He was about to rip off the goggles and search for his SIR unit, when the requested tool suddenly appeared in his hand.
"Ah, thank you Gir."
He only got through about two and half turns before dropping it with a clatter.
"T-tak?!"
She sneered as he turned around to face her. "Hmm, awfully jumpy today aren't we Zim?" she said, circling around him. "And why would that be? You weren't planning on leaving the planet were you?"
Still recovering from the shock, Zim tapped his claws together nervously. "N-no of course not! I was just...uh..."
"Just...what?" She stood in front of him provocatively while taking hold of the elastic of his goggles.
"I um..." He looked back at her nervously as she stretched them out, his maroon-colored panicked eyes shifting from side to side.
She smirked while holding him under her control. She knew she had made it clear he was not allowed to leave the planet without her permission, and now that she caught him working on the ship, there wasn't a single excuse in the word that could talk him out of it.
She let go of the elastic, causing the goggles to snap back against his forehead with painful force. He yelped in pain.
"I think we both know why I'm here Zim," she started, stepping around him presumptuously.
He felt his heart skip a beat as her deep purple eyes locked with his. He fidgeted as she moved in closer, beads of sweat dripping down his neck.
He checked nervously in his encyclopedia of excuses, but nothing came to mind.
Wearing a mischievous smirk, Tak approached him like a spider on an entangled fly. She brought a hand up and lightly placed it on the side of his cheek.
"It seems you might be nervous about something," she added. "What could that be I wonder?"
Watching her every move, Zim's mind screamed at him to back away. This was not right. Something was off. He knew it was headed somewhere painful, just like when she wacked him with the lead pipe.
As Tak continued to trace the side of his cheek, he remained where he stood. He remained frozen while her claws made their way down his jaw and to the base of his chin. He closed his eyes and felt the panic rise as she moved her hand from his chin up to his antennae.
No. Not there. Anywhere but there.
Tak grinned at her efforts. Like all Irkens, she knew the antennae were highly sensitive and could be subject to extreme pain if yanked or even twisted the wrong way. Any sudden moves and he could be seriously disfigured, or at least hurt for quite some time.
Still holding him under her siren-like spell, she repositioned her claws to move up further until they pinched the base of his antennae. When she got to the tip she felt his body stiffen. Smiling nefariously, she tactically positioned her thumb and index finger on either side.
Fool. You have no idea what you're in for.
Zim's fists remained firmly at his sides. He refused to move, not even to return an insult, carefully bracing himself for the worst pain to come since the lab creature escaped to eat his brain. He felt her twitch slightly, and then when he thought she was about to begin, she ran her fingers delicately along the sensitive appendage.
He popped his eyes open, his nerves firing off instantly under her touch. It wasn't pain, but a shock wave of pleasure, radiating from the tip of his head to the base of his toes. It causing every connection in his body to fire off in unison. His muscles melted and his worries faded away with every smooth and calculated stroke. He felt his senses heighten to a level he never know existed, and his body fell completely out of his control, like a puppet at the mercy of its master.
Tak smiled triumphantly as she gazed down on him with pleasure. He was quivering helplessly like an injured spider beneath her touch, completely vulnerable at her mercy. She took in what if felt like to be in control, relishing in what it was like to have him be totally reliant on her. It felt good, like she finally had some control over something in her life, and she liked that she was finally getting somewhere. Her plan was finally working.
Growing curious, she glanced down at him. She took in a quick scan of his facial features. His expression remained contorted, like he was struggling to get away while actively seeking more of her touch. His antennae, which were long and straight, gave him the false appearance of a zealous, confident leader, and his skin, which was ripening with a deeper shade of green, was exceptionally smooth and healthy. Specks of glistening sweat rolled down the base of his neck, coating it in a thin, glistening sheet. And somehow when it caught the light just right, she could see a faint blush forming in the corners of his cheeks.
She paused a moment, shaking her head when she realized what she was thinking.
No. This is Zim we're talking about! No one in their right mind would want to be with someone like him!
She glanced down at him, a mix of anger and confusion bubbling up inside her.
No. Not him. Not after he RUINED MY LIFE!
She readjusted her grip, her face twisting into a frown.
I can't let him be the one in control. I should have been in Operation Impending Doom I! He should never have even been an invader!
Her muscles tensed. She could feel him start to squirm under her grasp.
It's all just a trick! I don't feel anything for him! I've been the one leading him on this whole time!
She began twisting harder, purposely inflicting pain.
I need to end this before it's too late. He deserves to pay for what he's done! He deserves to-
Suddenly, a beeping notification caught her attention.
She turned away as a nearby monitor floated into view. It beeped a reminder that Zim was supposed to meet Dib in less than an hour.
Blood fuming, Tak ignored the message. She turned back around to face the tortured Irken.
What she saw made her freeze.
He was staring back up at her. Not out of fear. But out of sympathy.
Instinctively, and almost a little too quickly, she scrambled up from when where she sat. A bolt of panic surged through her.
She staggered back as a look of horrid realization flashed across her face. All her attempts at fraternization. All her strategies to get him to notice her. Her plan HAD been working. He HAD been falling for her. And now the poor bastard had no idea how to express it.
They stayed that way for a while, just the two of Irkens staring at one another in insurmountable silence. She knew what was going through his mind, but was more terrified of what was going through her own. It was her own feelings that were frightening her, her own realization that something about his expression was reaching deep into her consciousness and activating a cascade of emotion she never knew she had. There was the guilt that she was hurting him, that she knew he didn't want this all just to be another trick. He wanted this to be real. And deep down she knew he was gambling on the fate of the universe that she felt the same way.
A solid minute passed before one of them decided to speak up.
"I um. I have to go." Zim stated awkwardly. He fumbled to break free from her hold, squirming out from under her. He did his best to try and avoid any and all physical contact. Once clear, he paused a moment before scampering out of the repair bay.
The Next Day
Dib eyed his rival curiously. They were back in his father's lab, tinkering with a new engineering project. Normally there would be a ton of bickering between them, but today the Irken had hardly said a word.
"So did you find a way to tell her yet?" Dib asked, holding a flashlight steady.
Zim frowned. "I can't be around her right now. She does something to me. Something...tingly." He focused on his task finishing up the remaining components. "There. Done. Now this useless piece of junk should be able to do half of light speed."
Dib gave him a contemptuous look. "So, you haven't told her then?"
Zim looked back at him, feigning ignorance. "Told her what?" he asked.
Dib rolled his eyes. "Look I know it's not what you want to hear Zim, but this isn't something that you're going to be able to ignore. You'll have to come to terms with it sooner or later. You might as well tell her now."
There was a pause as the Irken seemed to tink the outcome over.
"By the way," Dib added, interrupting his thoughts, "you haven't said anything about my ship yet have you?"
Zim stepped back with a scornful look. "Don't be stupid Earth filth! I have no interest in repossessing Tak's ship at the moment. Despite her irksome behavior." He paused to think the scenario over. "Although now that I think about it, I don't see why I shouldn't take it from you. It would make a nice gift for Tak and spare me the headache of your gigantic head chasing me down every time I leave."
Dib frowned at the subtle jab. "Hey! If you didn't find ways to try and destroy Earth all the time, then I wouldn't have to chase you down!"
Zim shrugged in response. "Fear not pig beast. Returning Tak's ship would give her a dangerous advantage over me. And if there's one thing I do not wish to deal with, it's that horrible female having more control over my amazing greatness."
Dib raised an eyebrow. "So you mean she's keeping you grounded?" he asked, trying to piece the information together. "Then how are you getting the resources you need to repair your base?"
Zim remained silent as they stared at each other.
"Wait a minute," Dib added, shooting a finger at the alien. "That's the reason you've been helping me isn't? You need help from us to gather the supplies to take over the world don't you?"
Zim waved a hand in front of him. "Pft, don't be silly Earth beast. I simply came here to assist you pathetic creatures on your quest to harvest nearby planets. Yes, it would greatly benefit me as well, but that's not the poin-"
Dib interrupted him by taking a step closer. "I knew it! I knew I couldn't trust you Zim! You were just using me to gain access to my father's lab weren't you?! Tak cut you off from your base so now you need my help to defeat her." He smacked his hand against his forehead. "Geez, how could I be so stupid."
Zim threw his hand tools to the ground. "Insolent fool boy!" he shouted, clearly insulted. "I may have held some self interest in utilizing your resources, but that doesn't mean I won't hold up my end of the bargain. I will agree to help you long you resist your VILE urge to turn me over to the Earth authorities, and that's exactly what I have done! I have given you no reason to nullify our contract and do not approve of these outlandish accusations!"
Dib raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah Zim? And how do I know you won't just go off and just take our technology for yourself huh? Huh?"
"DO YOU HAVE BEAVERS IN YOUR EAR HOLES? THIS INFERIOR GARBAGE ISN'T WORTH THE DIRT IT'S BUILT ON!
"Then why are you helping us build it?! Huh? Huh?!"
The Irken was about to shoot off another insult when a nearby scientist interrupted them.
"Hey, so how you boys doin'?" he asked, trying to get them to calm down.
Zim grumbled. "This inferior equipment will never be able to handle long distances required for space travel," he complained, folding his arms unhappily. "The material is all wrong and the inside is too...squiggly. There are far too many wires crisscrossing every which way and even the most complex components are next to basic compared to what would be required for interstellar travel. It would be better suited for scrap metal."
Before the scientist could say anything, Dib stepped forward.
"I hate to say it, but he's right," he said, cringing. "You're missing a key component. A quantum energy power core. You're going to need one if you want to travel long distances."
Zim shot the boy a surprised look. He was legitimately impressed that the human had picked up on the logistics of interstellar travel so quickly. Sure, tinkering with Tak's ship would have given him SOME insight, but it shouldn't have been enough to bring the young worm baby fully up to speed. Perhaps he had underestimated his arch nemesis.
The scientist tapped his cheek roughly with his index figure. "Hmm. You boys may be right. I think we have something similar in the research department that may be useful, but it's still heavily in development. And highly unstable."
Dib's ears perked up. "Do you think we could have a look at it?"
The scientist looked at them a little uneasy. He glanced over at his partner, unsure if they wanted to let a twelve-year-old child handle one of their most complex inventions, but then eventually gave in.
"Hmm. I suppose we could allow you to SEE the generator," he responded, going against his better judgement, "but please try not to touch anything. We've been working on it for years and would really hate to start from scratch."
The boys were led to a different room where another group of researchers stood behind a large, thick plane of safety glass. On the other side of the glass was a massive, cylindrical machine, hollowed out with an empty space in the center. The machine was being fired up by the team of researchers and a loud reverberating sound shook the entire room as the engine raved up.
The scientist handed each of the boys a pair of protective noise cancellers. "Well this is it!" he shouted, trying to speak over the generator. "As you can see, it is still heavily in development, so it will be quite some time before we can make it fit inside a standard rocket engine. We've used some of the components from PEG to speed up the process, but that generator wasn't meant to be activated in the vacuum of space."
Zim shook his head and chuckled. "Poor incompetent fools," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "All you need is something to counteract the gravitational pull of the objects around it. EVERYONE knows that."
The scientist huffed. "Yeah? And where do you expect us to get something like that, kid? It's not like you can just wish it out of thin air."
Zim reached into his PAK and yanked out a piece of equipment. It was the size of a cell phone and shaped like a glass box with a mass of colorful, glowing energy rotating inside.
"Behold, filthy coat beast!" he shouted, holding up the device like a trophy. "An advanced nullifying unit. Only a true genius could appreciate such a marvel of modern engineering! DOES IT NOT AMAZE YOU!?"
Dib rolled his eyes. "Oh please. You probably don't even know how that thing works."
"I'll have you know Dib worm," said Zim, whipping around to face him, "I am well versed in the technology that my species-...uh...I mean I possess. This thing, that you so poorly described Dib, will be able to process one-thousand times the amount of energy needed to pilot the pathetic Earth vehicle. Of course you will still need directional drives and basic galactic map programming. And then there's orbital patterns and...hey!"
Before he could say anything further, the scientist snatched up the box.
"Wow! This is spectacular!" he exclaimed in fascination "A perfectly contained, self-regenerating ball of energy. How did you come up with this kid?"
Not really knowing how to answer, Zim just shrugged and made a strange, unsure noise.
The scientist studied the device carefully. "Oh man! This could really change the world kid! It's brilliant and perfect in every way! Where did you say you were from again?"
"I'm from uh..." Zim paused and tapped a claw against his neck. It suddenly occurred to him that he had never actually come up with an origin story to explain his background. With how easily it was to distract these mindless stink creatures, he never thought he'd need one.
Thinking quickly, he tapped into his limited knowledge of Earth geography.
"I'm a uh...FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT from ...GREENLAND! Yes!" he explained. "And the lack of sunlight there has turned my skin green."
Dib groaned at slapped his hand against his face.
The scientist nodded. "Ah I see. That's plausible I suppose."
"What? HOW is that plausible!?" Dib shouted, holding his hands out in disbelief.
Ignoring him, the man continued. "Hmm, but it still doesn't explain how you designed such a unique device. It looks very...alien. I've never seen anything like it."
Realizing they might have given away too much, Dib quickly shoved Zim aside. "Well, that was originally MY invention actually," he added, casting with a nervous grin. "Zim's kinda my sidekick who helps me sometimes. I came up with the idea while messing around in my dad's basement."
He could almost feel the Irken spontaneously combust beside him.
Out of all the insulting, unbelievable, MENACING-
"Oh I see," said the scientist, relaxing his posture. "That makes sense. I should have known the son of the great Professor Membrane would come up with such a revolutionary invention. Nice work kid. I'm going to go take this down to the analysts for a closer look."
The scientist walked away and just as Zim was about to unleash a world of fury toward the boy, Dib quickly yanked him off to the side. "Are you crazy? If they find out you were the one who constructed that device, they will know something's up! Are you trying to get yourself caught?"
The Irken turned his nose up. "Zim shall receive credit for all of ZIM'S hard work filthy Earth beast! Not some sniveling dirt monkey!"
"Hey! This dirt monkey just saved your galactic butt!" replied Dib.
Zim gave him a contemptuous look. "Don't be silly. I had the situation completely under control."
"You just handed that guy the key to interstellar travel! HOW is that under control!?"
The Irken shrugged. "Not to worry Dib-stink. It'll take YEARS for your pathetic minds to figure that device out. And besides..." He shoved the boy's grubby hands off of him. "What's more disgusting is how you stole Zim's credit for IRKEN technology, you SNIVELING LITTLE FILTH WEASEL! I should remove your nose and replace it with a Gorsmitz container full of dookie for such an offense!"
"Hey, I'm trying to help you!" returned Dib. "If they find out an alien built that device, they'll have you imprisoned within a week! Or are you stupid enough to forget you were in the middle of a state-of-the-art lab?"
Zim shot him a funny look. "Hmm, Interesting to hear that coming from you Dib stink. Are you not trying to lock ZIM up?"
"Well, I uh..." Dib turned his head away. "No, not right now anyway."
"And why not?" Zim questioned stiffly. "I must say your behavior has been rather stranger of late human. I demand to know why you have been so eager to assist Zim!"
Dib glanced away and bit the inside of his cheek. He tried to remain silent.
Zim took a few steps closer. "Tell me now human! Or your days of helping Zim will quickly come to an end!"
Deciding it was easiest just to come clean, Dib held his hands up defensively. "Okay, okay. It's just that, well...," He rubbed the back of his neck. "I guess I got used to experimenting with your technology and didn't want to give that up just yet. I mean, it's pretty amazing really, the level of tech your species possess. It's incredible! I was hoping to reverse engineer some of it to make it beneficial to the human race."
Zim's face slowly morphed into an angry frown. "You DARE steal Zim's precious technology you despicable little Earth weasel?!" He shot a claw out toward the boy. "I should annihilate you here and now for your thievery! No one takes Zim's inventions! NO ONE!"
Dib held his hnads up. "It wasn't stealing. I was just-"
"LIES!"
"Ok so maybe it was stealing. But if you would just listen-"
"NEVER!"
The human boy grunted and looked back at his rival. "Well look who's talking Zim. You were going to do the same thing with my dad's stuff and I didn't say anything then. I didn't mean for it to go this far. I just got carried away and-."
The Irken ignored him and turned away.
Dib frowned. "Fine. Go ahead and keep all your fancy tech then. Sure must be nice to see the stars whenever you want. Or land on any planet you please. The whole universe is just one big toilet bowl to you isn't it."
Zim gave him a confused look. "Stupid human. You can see the stars from your planet just fine."
"You know what I mean Zim," DIb scoffed.
The Irken stared at him confused. He was about to respond when he suddenly realized he DID know what the boy meant. He too had recently lost the privilege of freedom. With Tak guarding his ship, he was just as stranded as the human was.
"Hmm. I see," he responded, thinking the situation over carefully. "Perhaps my reaction may have been more agressive than necessary."
Dib rolled his eyes. "You think?"
Ignoring the remark, Zim brought a hand to his chin. "I think we may be able to come to an understanding Dib-stink. Regarding what you said earlier, does this mean you no longer plan on turning me over to the Earth authorities?"
Dib eyes fell to an unamused gaze. "Well let's not get carried away Zim. If you still try and take over Earth, I'm still going to stop you."
"Pfft. As if you could ever stop me Earth beast."
The boy crossed his arms impatiently. "Get to the point space jerk."
Zim continued. "Well, if I help you dirty apes perfect this...PATHETIC excuse for technology, then perhaps in return, you can continue to supply me with the materials I need to maintain by base. I am going to need them if I am to deal with Tak after all."
Dib thought the scenario over carefully. "And what about trying to take over the Earth?" he asked skeptically. "Are you still going to try and enslave mankind?"
Zim scoffed. "I have far bigger problems to deal with right now Dib meat."
Dib relaxed his posture and let his arms fall back to his sides. "Alright. As long as it's to take care of her and not us." He proceeded to stick out his hand in agreement as the Irken met him halfway. "Speaking of which," he added, recapturing the Irken's attention, "you never did answer my question."
"And what question was that, filthy stink beast?"
"Have talked to Tak yet?"
Zim remained silent.
Dib snickered, knowing the jab was just what he needed to get under the alien's skin.
Hours later, Zim finally returned to his base. Night had fallen on the quiet suburban neighborhood and the cold, dimly lit sidewalks were completely deserted, other than the occasional, melted slush pile. The Irken had walked at a brisk pace, grateful for the lack of human presence. He was far too emotionally drained to deal with any of his annoying neighbor beasts, and the incident with Tak earlier was still plaguing in his mind. It repeated itself over and over, like some horrible broken record. He knew it was all a trick, that she was only pretending to be interested in him to get what she wanted, but at the same time, he simply didn't care. He wanted to be closer to her. He wanted her to like him. And in the back of his mind he retained some irrational sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, if he tried hard enough, she would eventually come around.
After passing the line of garden gnomes lining his front yard, he reached the front door. He firmly took hold of the doorknob.
Perhaps I sould try doing something nice for her like the boy suggested, he thought. Maybe get her some sort of gift. Or...something.
He paused before turning the knob.
But what?
It posed a good question. What did you get someone who hated your guts?
He thought back to the conversation with Dib and remembered the boy telling him a gift had to be something significant. It had to convey some sort of underlying message, something meaningful. The medicine had been a pitiful attempt, and his sharing of snacks had been mediocre at best.
He hovered a moment, thinking on the matter. He supposed he could return Mimi. After all, Tak was just as attached to her SIR unit as he was to his. She would almost certainly be overjoyed to have it returned to her. But that posed another problem. Mimi was the only leverage he had over her. If he released it, he was as good as dead.
He sighed heavily.
It was a problem was no easy answer, and he certainly wasn't going to find one standing outside in the cold. Making up his mind, he twisted the doorknob and stepped inside.
After shaking off the thin layer of frost, he looked around. He expected the robo-parents to greet him like normal, but instead what he witnessed was a scene of complete chaos.
The mom-bot was running around the house, dusting off everything in sight with a 3-wood. She was moving frantically, leaving a hefty trail of broken glass and destruction everywhere she went. And the dad-bot, who could be seen off in the kitchen bent over, was patiently waiting for something to be done cooking in the oven.
"Gir!" Zim barked at his SIR unit.
Gir stopped dancing in the hallway and turned to face his master. "Master! You're back!" He ran up to the Irken with a cheerful grin.
"Of course I'm back Gir." Zim said, raising an eyebrow. "What's going on here?"
A loud *ding* was heard from the kitchen and suddenly the dad-bot rolled over to them with a fully cooked, golden brown turkey.
"Here you are son. A brand new pet to help you grow you big and strong!" He forcefully shoved the roasted bird into the invader's arms.
Looking confused, Zim ignored the gesture and cast the turkey aside. "Gir, have you been messing with the robot parents' programming again? They seem sort of...bad."
"Nooooo," replied Gir innocently.
"Are you sure? Because they're acting kind of-"
Suddenly, the mom-bot wheeled up to him and stood over him with her classic creepy smile. "Oh honey. You look exhausted. How about a nice warm bath?"
Without warning, she dumped a steaming hot mug of hot chocolate over his head. Zim screeched in pain as the boiling liquid scorched his skin. It soaked into his uniform, causing him to fail about trying to put out the imaginary fire.
Gir giggled as he watched his master struggle.
Still sizzling, Zim shouted to the ceiling in agony. "Computer! Send the robot parents down to the repair bay for diagnostics!"
A few beeps were heard. "Right away sir."
Within seconds, two large robotic spheres descended from the ceiling. With a flash of blue light, both robots were disabled with a stunning shock wave. It rendered them motionless, causing them to fall to the floor with a few twitching sparks.
Zim watched as the gaping hole that enclosed around them disappeared down to the repair bay. He took a moment to recollect himself before removing his ruined contacts and wig.
"Gir, I need you to stay up here and clean up this mess," he commanded, still shaking from the pain. "I'm going to go down to take care of the robo-parents."
Gir raised his arm in salute. "Okie dokie!"
Down in the lab, Tak was hard at work on her PAK when suddenly a massive explosion shook the room. It knocked her off her feet, causing her to wobble as she struggled to keep her balance.
She stood up shakily.
Finally, she smirked, knowing exactly what had happened. She rushed to reattach her PAK before dashing out of the room.
Author's note:
Let me know what you guys think of this one! I love hearing about everyone's favorite parts and appreciate all the great feedback! You guys are awesome! Till next time!
