7. FROM ZERO TO HERO

It's always been Dib's biggest dream to prove to the world that aliens, ghosts and cryptids of (almost) all kinds are real. He always wished to be taken seriously, to be respected, especially by his own father. Unfortunately, he never succedded at any of that. But I could change it. I've been given the magical power, suitable for altering one's fate. And I had a quite good plan too.I intended to make use of entire IZ fan knowledge I had to destroy the Irken Empire and yet make everyone think it was Dib who'd have saved the whole universe. He dreamed of becoming a hero and I could make this dream come true. I'd be Cyrano de Bergerac to his Christian de Neuvillete, The Fairy Godmother to his Cinderella or Edna Mode to his Mr. Incredible. When I presented my idea to Dib, he was more than happy to be a part of it. Of course, Onigiri had a completely different opinion.
- Why do you want this boy to be seen as a hero since you're doing all the work, not him? - he asked.
- I... I've got a good reason to do so. - - I answered evasively.
- And what is it?
- It is my secret.
- Oh, really? You know, I believe you are up to NO good.
- Excuse me!?
- I'm not falling for any of your cheap tricks, Witch. Now you're pretending to be on our side. But sooner or later, you're gonna get us harmed when we least expect it.
- Onigiri! - Loo-nah shouted in a scolding way.
- You've been treating me like nothing but a cruel, vicious monster, since the very first moment we met. WHY!? You know nothing of me. You have no idea what I...
- I DON'T CARE!
- STOP IT!
Princess Loo-nah's shriek worked like a spell. We stopped fighting and looked at her.
- Onigiri, why are you being so rude and awful? Solitaire has done nothing bad. She's such a nice person, and helpful and caring. She'd never harm any of us.
- Of course she would. She is a Witch!
- It doesn't matter to me if she's been turned into a Witch or not. She's not evil. I'm sure of that. I trust her.
Those words squeezed my heart like a soaked sponge, making my wrath go away completely.
- Uhm... I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation, but... could we, please, focus on some important business we've got to do?
- Oh, yes! That! - I said.
A FEW MOMENTS LATER...
We had a long, long,long consultation about our next steps. There were few thing we certainly needed for my plan: a new base, a new suit for Dib, more technology and several good answers, in case of uncomfortable questions that once asked would expose my plan and my existance. We needed those before freeing Vortian Prisoner 777. I didn't want anyone else than Loo-nah, Dib and Onigiri to find about about me, my powers and my plot.
- What are you going to do first? - asked Dib.
- I think... we need a new base. Something much better than an old, ruined wooden cabin in the woods.
- What exactly do you mean?
- Maybe... a mansion, for example?
- Well, I don't mind it. - Nor do I . - added Onigiri. -That, with no doubt, could make a more proper place for princess Loo-nah's to hide.
I gave him a brief, grumpy face expression.
- What about you, Solitaire? - asked Loo-nah. - You said you were going to keep helping us from the shadows. Can you, please, tell us how?
I took a look at Loo-Loo and turned myself back into a small, white teddy bear.
- Very simple. I approached alien princess and let her hold me in her other hand.
- I will be your stuffed animal. Or at least, I'll pretend to be one.
- Not bad idea, I must admit. - said Loo-nah.
- I like it too. - I giggled. - Now, let's get started with the pragmatic part!