A/N: Hello! I'm back! This chapter is over 8000 words, like the last one. I'm going back to my old ways again, writing lengthy chapters and a/n. If you find the length daunting, then leave now... just kidding. Come on, it's not that long. It is longer than my dissertation was, but this is fun writing. 5000 words on climate change would seem longer.
I should warn about Tak as she says some inappropriate things that are out of order at times. Not offensive, just inappropriate. But funny. If you share my sense of humour that is.
Now read away...
...
Tak ran far away from the carnival, holding onto her large rabbit with iron claws.
She didn't know what came over her. Just seeing Zim talking to that spirit so casually became too much for her, and then the reality of her situation hit home. One of those things was inside of her...
Zim assured her that not all spirits were bad, even that homicidal maniac he was talking to.
What about that legendary Molly spirit; she seemed too good to be true, but she had to put some faith in his claims. She had never grown to be too fond of Earth children. They were necessary for human procreation, but nothing more. It was hard to imagine Molly being anything other than a simple child.
She thought about the night at Dib's house again. She had absolutely no recollection of entering that baby's room, but would she have hurt the thing? She told herself that she wouldn't have cared, regardless, but it would have been highly unnecessary. It was a helpless baby. What would have been the point in killing it?
It was sick. She knew it was. Tak could be neutral to most things, but that was not one of them. A truly despicable act to perform on another living creature, Tak could feel that Green Eyes got a kick out of these things. There was a limit to how many lives you take, but it had to be quick. Wiping out a whole colony was fine if you did it right, but tracking down an individual as small and weak as that was not. What would she have to gain?
And now Green Eyes had warped her mind, causing her to fight in a war against her own species. Who was Green Eyes? What life did she live before she started haunting Tak?
Tak finally saw Zim's house in the distance. Had she grown accustomed to the place at last? There was something about it that she was drawn to. The occupant's maybe? They had been rather helpful in the last twenty-four hours. Besides, it wasn't like she had anywhere else to go. It was all she had left.
She stopped outside the door. She stared up at the toilet sign. The only toilet to be found was the one in the kitchen, which was actually a secret elevator. Zim was so incompetent and stupid. How could she trust someone with such bad taste?
Though she couldn't help but notice that he seemed more enlightened lately. It looks as if Zim got lucky with ghosts. They gave him clarity: something he needed his whole life. Yet he was still his rash, foolish self.
She heard panting coming up behind her next, then spun around. There was Zim in the gap of his fence, holding onto the wood to steady himself.
"Tak... you... you can't... you can't just keep running off like that! It's not safe. We need to be close as possible at all times!"
"I don't know what happened, I panicked. He looked so... normal. A little on the scary side, but very ordinary. It looked like he still had blood pumping around those veins of his. Flesh, or however you pronounce it."
"I think that was Molly's doing, making him bleed again, or whatever that means, but most of them are like that. Molly glimmers a little, just like how Green Eyes' eyes glow when you're possessed. Their form is to do with how they feel."
"Green Eyes is without feeling. She only wakes when I feed her with my emotions. But not for long... We're putting a stop to this. I want my PAK back!"
"Then we need to cooperate. Whenever I move to close to you, you flinch. It has to stop." Zim moved closer to her. "You just did it now!"
"I don't like you being too close to me; it's strange. And you ought to stop consuming too much Earth food. It lingers on your breath..."
"I don't eat Earth food! Okay, I've tried this and that, but you also ate cotton candy!"
"Yeah, you've got a little bit of that in your teeth too. Disgusting..."
Zim growled. "This has to stop! You need to come inside. We have to get to work straight away."
Tak rolled her eyes. "I know. You're the 'expert', after all."
"Yes, I sure am... Now get inside!"
Tak gave him a sharp look, and then glanced over at the fence. Skoodge was just approaching the house with Tenn.
"Look who's arrived: the other two. Well, I'll be inside. It's been a great day..." Tak disappeared through the door.
"Zim!" Skoodge yelled. "Did you get through to Tak? Is she okay?"
"Yes, she's fine. Just had a little scare. Johnny takes a lot of getting used to. I'm not even used to him yet."
"I think he's awesome, and such a nice guy."
"Who kills people, well, used to. I'm going inside. You two can join us whenever you feel like." Zim went through the door.
Tenn glanced at Skoodge's cheek next. "There's a mark on your cheek," she said.
Skoodge felt the mark. It hurt. Destiny could really pinch. "Yeah, I'll explain, I promise."
Tenn continued to stare for a few more moments, and then finally entered the house. What was her deal? Was she still mad at him?
Irken females stopped producing estrogen-like hormones thousands of years ago. It was hard to put it to Earth's timescale. So why was she so moody? It made no sense. Females all together didn't.
They voluntarily induced pain on themselves by curling their antennae. He was glad he was born with a Y chromosome. Of course, the fertility machines picked different zygotes at random, and switched their extra X chromosome to a 'Y' in order to keep the male to female ratio at a balance, but he still thanked his lucky stars...
...
It had been several days since they started investigating Green Eyes' hold on Tak through blood, sweat and tears. They were all Zim's fluids though. Tak didn't shed a tear.
They couldn't stop arguing. Zim was a little unfair, sticking her to all manner of machinery so he could read her PAK's data files, but it made no difference. Nothing showed up. He suspected her PAK would have something similar to a computer virus, but her firewall was fine. All peachy clean. Strange.
This was something that technology couldn't figure out, and he was at a loss. It was simple really what he had to do. He had to read her PAK's data from a different angle. He wasn't Mr. Clairvoyant for nothing.
Tak wouldn't be pleased; it would require his physical contact. She still said he smelled, and considering he was sweating a lot lately, he wouldn't be surprised. He'd take a shower later.
At least he could clean his stink away. Tak's attitude was the stinkiest he had ever come across. No cleansing chalk could clean that up.
How could he get her to warm to him? Zim wasn't too fond of the idea; he wasn't her biggest fan. It was weird talking with her, like their past was just some blank canvas that got erased. Well it didn't.
He knew what he had to do...
Zim sat in front of his giant monitor. He had just sent out a transmission to his Tallest, so they should pick up soon. They were taking their sweet time though. Probably eating donuts while the Massive's crew watched with hungry eyes.
The screen finally lit up, and there were his Tallest. They weren't pleased.
"What?" Red asked.
He took a deep breath. "My Tallest," he said. "I apologize about the intrusion; I'm sure you have better things to do with your time being the tallest Irkens alive and all, but I have a request to make."
Purple scoffed. "A request? Well we don't want to hear it. You just keep that crazy criminal locked away safe. That's a good Zim. Oh, and how's Tenn by the way? We know you took her!"
"She's okay, I guess. She's coming along nicely now, but she's too bossy!"
Red put a finger to his chin. "Hmm, that does sound like the old Tenn." He looked to Purple. "Maybe we should have reconsidered her Evaluation..."
"Hmm, maybe you're right, but who cares now. She's not our problem anymore. So, what is this request, Zim?" Purple asked, irritated.
Zim drew in another breath and let the words flow. "I would like all parts to Irken Tak's dismembered SIR sent to the base."
Purple's antennae twitched. "Why? What will you do with them?"
"I... uh... would... would taunt her of course. Show her the limbs!"
Purple looked genuinely shocked. "That's a little brutal, don't you think?"
"Geez, Zim, you really are sick in the head," Red said.
"Heh, yeah. So sick am I... So, would you send them?"
"Yes, as long as you stop calling us!" Purple yelled.
Zim saluted. "Yes, my Tallest. Can do!"
"We'll have the parts sent to you shortly. Look out for the door..." Red watched Zim closely. What was he really going to do with them? Certainly not something sick.
There was something more. He just couldn't place a finger on it. Of course he wouldn't understand. The complete opposite of Zim's lie never would have crossed his mind.
The transmission cut off. It wasn't long till the door knocked. Zim answered, and there was a box with an Irken insignia adorned across the front.
He breathed in fresh outside air and opened the box, expecting to find disturbing robot parts.
MiMi's face looked back up at him. He gulped. Next to her was her large claw...
There was a sheet of folded paper. Confused, Zim opened it. There was a picture of him with stink lines around his body. Childish writing in Irken said: "Stop calling us, stinky!" Tallest Purple was never much of an artist.
Zim ripped it up, defying his Tallest, and brought the box back inside the house. He placed it on the kitchen table. He just stared at it a while. Someone's head was inside, artificial or not.
"Oooooh, what's in the box?!" GIR shrieked.
"No, GIR, don't—!"
Zim was too late. GIR had opened the box. He screamed once he saw the decapitated SIR head.
"Aaaargh! Aaaargh! Aaaargh!" He ran to the door and pointed at Zim, almost in accusation. "Aaaaaaaargh!" he screamed one last time, and then he was gone.
"Well that escalated quickly..." Zim peered inside the box again. MiMi's eyes were grey and lifeless.
"What's with all the screaming?"
Zim flipped his head around. There was Tenn by the toilet. She was folding her arms.
"Why is it so noisy in this house? Get a better control of your SIR, Zim." Her eyes fell on the Irken insignia on the box. "Wait, what's in the box..."
"Nothing! You only see air!"
Tenn stared at him coolly. She never cared for Zim much, but he was just a pathetic liar right now. She walked over, and despite him holding the box away from her, she got a look inside. How did she do it? Zim would get her back.
Tenn never said anything for a while. She looked up at him next. "What are you up to, Zim?" she asked. Again, there was that accusing tone. He expected it from her at least, but not GIR.
"None of your business!"
"I live here now. There is a box with an insignia of the race that gave me up, so of course it's my business. Why do you have SIR parts?"
"Don't... don't tell anyone, okay? Not even Skoodge!"
"What is it?"
"It's Tak's SIR. Well, once. I got the Tallest to send me her parts."
"Why?"
He turned away, sheepish. "I have to connect with her somehow. A nice gesture might do the trick..."
She stared at him disbelievingly. Who knew he was even capable of something like that.
"Well then," she said, "I think I've heard all I need to know." She passed him the box. Before she left for her descent down the toilet, she turned to look at him again. "Good luck, Zim. Tak's not easy to get through to, but you may just have something here..."
"You're not so easy to get through to either. Don't take this the wrong way, but we both know you're not stupid. I know you see it too. Just take care with Skoodge. As his friend, I don't want to see him get hurt. His crying is infuriating..."
"What are you—?"
"You know what I'm talking about. He's in love with you! I see it all the time; these species catch it like a disease. I've tried talking with him, but—"
"Stay out of it! You don't know how Skoodge feels, or even how I feel!"
Zim stopped and stared. "You... share his feelings?"
Tenn turned away, hot and embarrassed. "I wish not to talk about this anymore, especially with you."
"Oh..." Zim looked ashamed now. "I guess I just didn't see it before. You've hidden it very well, like a true Irken soldier. Showing weakness makes you more vulnerable on the battlefield."
"I'm just confused about everything lately. Things are changing for me, I feel it growing inside. This planet is having a strange effect on me."
"I know. That's why I chose to stay here in the end..."
"Please, don't tell Skoodge about any of this."
"Fine, I promise."
Tenn watched him closely. He was genuine. It was just too much to take in; a new planet with new feelings.
As an Irken descended from an ancient race that turned to celibacy, and put aside all sexual desires, it was hard. Thus in the end they turned sterile. No Irken could produce offspring naturally anymore, so really nothing separated the sexes. Who played what role? Were they egg layers or live bearers of young? No one could remember.
There were certain traits that showed they were possibly oviviparous — an egg laying species. Smeets often imprinted on the robot arms that gave them life once they were hatched from their tubes, not unlike an Earth duckling. They were also precocial, having the ability to walk or stand as soon as they were spawned, like baby sea turtles on their way to the sea. What did it all matter? It was ancient history now.
Love was a different thing entirely. That of course disappeared as soon as the need to mate did. The two come hand in hand, as separate as they are they work in accordance for an intelligent species like humans or Irkens. Most animals just 'hooked up' for the purpose of procreation, as nature intended.
"Thank you," she said. Now she disappeared down the elevator.
Zim was alone with the box at last. The box... it sent a chill down his spine. He grabbed it and finally took it down to the lab. He needed somewhere private. Apparently, Skoodge, Tenn and Tak thought his lab was free for all, but it was not! They should get their own labs...
...
It had taken several hours, but Zim finally put MiMi back together. She lay on the table still as lifeless. He could press the activation button, but it was probably best to wait until Tak had seen her. Give her the honour.
Would MiMi still be herself? He had her old memory disc; it had been left in his lab since Tak the Hideous New Girl. Zim had no idea why he gave that time in his life a title. He often did. That's why a lot of the titles to his hypothetical cartoon show had the word doom. It was Zim's voice.
He put her away for now. Tak was due to arrive in five minutes. They agreed to meet at five thirty. Tak informed him that she needed to do some shopping. Skoodge had loaned her the money, since he's so nice. What would she need to go shopping for?
The door to the room knocked next. Zim trudged over and opened it up, reluctantly. He also shut down the electric generator. He'd needed the extra privacy.
There was Tak holding a slushy. She looked sick. "Well, that was the worst purchase I ever made. What was going through my mind? Now I smell like Earth food, like you. Lucky I bought some Earth breath mints." She tried one. "These aren't so bad. Here," she passed Zim the slushy next. "You may as well take one of these too," she gave him a mint.
Zim looked at the slushy appalled. Like he'd need the mint; he was perfect. "Why did you go shopping?"
"For maxi pads, dummy. You never ask a girl what she goes shopping for!"
"Will you just stop! You're disgusting."
"Well of course I was joking; Irken females don't bleed.
"Just get over to the table!" Zim pointed, looking sick. Tak just took it too far sometimes. She had more class back in the old days. This Green Eyes was messing up her mind, or was Tak always so sarcastic and vile?
"So, what are we going to do today?" she asked. "Are you going to attach me to more crudely-designed machines? I thought the one from the other day was going to crush me to death. But if that was your purpose, then the machine wouldn't have been so crude after all..."
"No, I'm going to try a new tactic now."
She widened her eyes with mock surprise. "Tell me more..."
"Very well," he said, disregarding her sarcasm. "In order to connect with Green Eyes and find what her exact hold is on you, I will have to employ psychic methods..."
Tak stared at him unsurprised. "You're going to have to touch me, aren't you? Great."
"Yes. It won't work otherwise. The connection is spiritual; it needs physical contact."
"All right... You get to work while I read this magazine."
Tak opened up a magazine as Zim got to work. He placed his hands on her head carefully while she flipped through the pages. He closed his eyes. They looked pretty stupid.
"Do these Earth women actually believe she looks like this?" Tak said, glancing over a page with a young model. "It's called photo-shopping."
"Quiet, you're breaking my concentration; I think I got something then."
"It's just as well; this is a load of tripe. Half of the content either teaches women to love themselves and the other to hate who they are..."
She scrunched up her magazine and threw it on the floor next.
"I hope you'll be picking that up!" Zim barked.
"No, I'll be wiping my arse with it later. Make some good use of it after all."
Zim let go of her. "I can't work with you like this! What is wrong with you? Saying things like that?! And it's ass, not arse."
"No, it's arse. Ass is a type of donkey. If you truly want to look and sound cultured, then you will pronounce it in the proper tongue..."
"But you sound awful! It doesn't matter how you pronounce it!"
"Should I have said anus? To spice it up, I could say Uranus."
"Shut up! You were never this vulgar before. Obnoxious, yes, but you were classier. This isn't you. Green Eyes is affecting your mood and making you say awful, disgusting things. She needs to be censored!"
"What will you do? Wash my mouth out with soap?"
"If that's what it takes to make you stop. Just try to resist her. She's doing it to distract me."
"I never knew you were such a prude, Zim. They're just manmade words; they mean nothing."
"Well I have to think about the poor children who watch my show!"
She looked at him, confused. "What?"
He shook his head. "Nothing... Just the next time you feel the need to say... things, keep your mouth shut."
"Sure thing. I'm just so bored. Winding you up is fun."
"Fine, have Green Eyes festering inside your PAK, as long as you're having fun!"
"PAK?" Tak said. Her eyes lit up. "Of course. She's inside my PAK, not my brain, moron. It does contain all my memories after all. It also functions the brain. That's how she's affecting my hormone levels; my poor hypothamalaus can't cope any longer..."
"Oh, yes, obviously. My bad." Zim scratched his neck, a little embarrassed. "Just in the past, all my spiritual connections with Molly were via the head."
"Molly. She still sounds too good to be true. I think I would have rather liked her. You say she brings joy to those around her. Why don't you have her visit so I can bask in her feel-good sunshine?"
"It's a good idea, but she's always busy with baby Johnny now."
"Forget that brat; get her here instead."
"She won't be so fond of you calling her nephew a brat. Be careful about what you say."
"Sorry. Green Eyes again..."
"Yeah, sure..." Zim watched her suspiciously. That wasn't Green Eyes that time.
"So, are you going to call her anytime soon? I don't have all night."
"It won't be easy, but I'll see what I can do. I have an old doll of hers; I can connect with her through that."
"Why don't you just use a mobile phone?"
"Spirits don't carry around phones! Well, there was one, but that was her phone's spirit. They don't possess material objects!"
"Fine, whatever. Call the little angel girl and let me get a good look at her. I'll give you my verdict later and let you know that you weren't exaggerating."
"Oh, I wasn't exaggerating. You'll see how wonderful she is."
"Blah, blah, blah, just call her."
Zim narrowed his eyes at her. So infuriating, she really ruffled his feathers. Maybe calling Molly was for the best. She could calm his nerves too.
...
Molly senior held onto her nephew's hand as he bounced in his seat. His feet dangled below as he hovered above the ground, but he seemed to be enjoying himself.
Sam sat in the living room watching cartoons. One was even a cartoon Molly could remember from her childhood, but with yet another new look. It was in 3D now. The anthropomorphic turtles looked as if they were in the room. Cartoons have changed since her time in the 90s. Why make something that is supposed to be a cartoon realistic? It just didn't work anymore. Especially with giant, talking turtles, and a rat. Shiver.
The baby seemed to like the images playing before him. He was very adorable as everything made him laugh.
"Are you having fun, Johnny?" Molly asked.
The baby babbled back up at her.
"Really? That's really interesting..."
"Sam, where is your sister?" Lily had come into the room, folding her arms. Sam didn't even look up. He was ten-years-old; he just wanted to watch cartoons.
"I don't know, and I don't care," he said.
Lily seemed to dismiss his rude reply. "That girl! She was supposed to be home for six to look after you and your little brother. I have to be in work for seven."
"So ground her then."
"Watch your tone, young man," Lily warned him. She walked back to the kitchen as the door opened. Her daughter had arrived at last.
"Kaylee, you're late!"
"I missed the bus, so get off my back, okay," Kaylee said.
"Well make sure you don't miss it in future. Now take the baby upstairs for his bath; I want him in bed by seven."
"All right, just let me put my bag down first."
Kaylee threw her bag down on the floor, and then took the baby out of his seat. "Come on you. It's bathtime."
She went upstairs with the baby. Molly followed them up. She always liked to keep an extra eye on Johnny during bathtimes; accidents can always happen.
Halfway up the stairs, she had a strange sensation. Was... was that Zim's voice? He hardly called her anymore. In fact, all ties between them were severed as soon as she entered the hereafter. How had he captured the spiritual connection?
Molly was curious to find out. What did he want? She looked at baby Johnny splashing in the bath, as Kaylee held him up safety. He seemed to be in safe enough hands. Kaylee wasn't an irresponsible teenager. Molly never got to be a teenager. If she had, she would have been one in the noughties, a typical emo chick with the heavy eye makeup and piercings. Sweet little girls always change...
Molly fazed out of the room and soon found herself outside of a familiar house. Those large gnomes were still as creepy as ever, but she was glad to be back. She missed spending time with Zim and the gang; she should visit more often.
Not wanting to intrude, she rang the doorbell. She remembered then that it had broken a while ago, so she gave the door a knock.
It opened, and there he was. The old alien seemed pleased to see her, but why was he acting nonchalant?
"Hello, Zim. It's nice to see you again," she said.
"You too, Molly. You never have to knock, just make your way through." Zim moved aside as Molly entered the house.
"Nothing has changed," she noted.
"Well, the Earth has only had one orbit around the sun since you were last here, but yeah, I guess it hasn't. My taste is impeccable; why would I change a thing?"
"Why did you call me?" she asked. "How did you call me?"
"Um... I used your old doll, the one with the scented head. You remember that?"
"Oh yeah. I thought Molly had it."
"She did, but she gave it to me. She hates dolls."
"I didn't even know you could do that..."
"Me neither, but it was the first thing that came to mind. It did belong to you; you should still be connected to it somehow. Your spiritual residue still lives inside its tiny fibers..."
"I guess so. It was how we first made contact."
"Right you are! I need you to do something for me today, Molly."
"What is it?"
"You remember that friend I told you about?"
"Tak? I saw her at the carnival the other day. She was talking to Nny."
"You were there? Why didn't you come over?"
"That green-eyed monster attached to her was really scary. I didn't want to cross it."
"Oh. Well then this is awkward..."
"Why?"
"I brought you here to calm down Tak. See, Green Eyes is affecting Tak's mood, making her say inappropriate things."
"Oh, okay. I'll see what I can do..."
"Are you sure? You said Green Eyes scared you."
"She did, but I've also faced a giant squid beast in a very scary tunnel. I can be brave again."
"You've faced more than that, Molly. You're amazing! I mean, you're friends with a homicidal maniac!"
"Ex homicidal maniac," she pointed out.
"Yeah, whatever," he said, rolling his eyes. "Let's go downstairs then. Tak is dying to meet you."
She followed him to the elevator, and down they went. He led her to a small room at the end of a tunnel. Another tunnel; this wouldn't be as easy as she thought.
"Tak is a little sharp tongued, so don't let her words upset you. She's stupid, anyway."
"Okay," Molly said.
Zim took a deep breath, and then entered the room. Molly's eyes fell upon an Irken sitting on a stool, reading a crumpled up magazine. Skoodge was on a stool beside her. She was asking him questions from one of the pages.
"Do you know what her favourite colour is?" she asked. She seemed bored, but happy to help out.
"Wait, I know this one... Red, no, green. Blue! Argh! I don't know," Skoodge covered his eyes.
She looked at the page again. "What is her favourite song?"
"Um... well, we don't have much music on Irk."
"We only have typical war music, or our national anthem. I never cared much for it."
"Oh! She heard one in the store the other day. She said the lyrics were very catchy."
"What was the song?"
"It went like this: "sugar pie honey bunch..."
"That was the Four Tops: a popular Motown group from the last century. Unless you were listening to a cover band's version."
"No, it was definitely the original, I'm sure of it. How do you know the song or the band?"
"I received a lot of Earth's music when I first travelled to this planet. The sixties were finally catching up to my position in space. The closer I got to the planet, the music changed. The eighties were really something. I'd been Rick-Rolled more times than I could count... Earth's music is complete trash now. That's why I wasn't so hesitant to destroy it in the end."
"I kinda like the music now. Who doesn't like a repetitive beat that gives you a headache!"
Tak gave him a long, cool stare. "Well, it looks like you're finally getting somewhere with Tenn. You at least know what music she likes."
"Thank you, Tak. I needed some guidance. I mean, you are a female..."
"I was the last time I checked... "
"Well I thought you could help me out, and let me in on how girls think."
Tak narrowed her eyes. "Yes, because us girls are all so in sync, but whatever it takes to help you. Good thing I had the magazine; it seems these Earth women are always giving out relationship advice." Tak held up the magazine. "May not be a load of tripe after all..."
"I think it's wonderful!" Skoodge took the magazine off her. "Thank you all mighty Earth magazine with your infinite knowledge!" He held it up to the light.
Tak stared at him for a while, and then shook her head. He really was gullible... Her eyes darted over to the door next. She froze. She knew her eyes saw that glowing, child-like form beside Zim. The hairs on her antennae stood up on end.
Skoodge followed her gaze. His face lit up. "Molly?! What are you doing here?"
"Hello, Skoodge," the spirit girl said.
Tak muttered something too, but she couldn't hear what she was saying. It was gobbledy goop anyway, but she couldn't even fathom what she was seeing. This one wasn't normal-looking...
Skoodge started shaking her shoulder. "Tak! It's okay. She won't harm you."
She pushed his hand away. "Stop shaking me so hard, you buffoon!"
"Sorry..." he said.
Tak met Zim's gaze next.
She didn't seem too comfortable, he noticed. Well, she wanted her over. This was her choice.
Zim came forward at last, as Molly followed. They stopped before them. Skoodge shook Molly's hand. He got an electric shock.
"Whoa! That was one heck of a shock!" he yelled.
Zim looked at Tak. "Tak, this is Molly. The spirit that you were so excited to meet."
"Uh... nice to make your acquaintance..." Tak said.
"You too, Tak," Molly replied, shyly. "I... I don't see Green Eyes right now. That's strange."
"I beg your pardon?" Tak asked.
"She's referring to the other day; she saw Green Eyes at the carnival, just like how Johnny could see her too," Zim told her.
"Oh yeah, right. That other one..." Tak started to feel sick again.
Zim watched her reaction. Should he go on? Why not; she could handle it. "There were also three other spirits at the carnival, but you ran off before they arrived. They saw you though, and Green Eyes."
"Is that so..." Tak looked at Molly next. She sighed. "Do you think you can calm me? Zim says you have a certain effect over people. Well work your magic, little girl."
Molly looked at Zim unsure. She did also have a name; how rude. Zim had warned her that Tak was rather sharp tongued.
"I will try, Tak," Molly started to say, "but I don't see her now. I don't know how to stop her upsetting you."
"You don't have to do much. All you have to do is stand close to Tak while I connect with Green Eyes. Tak just wants to bask in your sunshine. Do you think you could do that?" Zim asked.
"Yeah, I can do that. That's easy."
"She's certainly very eager. Then let's give this thing another try." Tak sat up straight. That was Zim's cue. He placed his hands on her PAK again.
"Oooh, this is so exciting," Skoodge chirped, clasping his hands. "We're finally going to stop Green Eyes!"
"Don't jinx it, Skoodge!" Zim yelled at him. "Hey, where's Ten anyway?" He remembered the conversation he and Tenn had earlier, and then he felt awful because he knew something that Skoodge didn't.
"Oh, she had to go for a walk. She said she had some things to think about. She wouldn't look me in the eye..." Skoodge sighed.
"You poor, gullible idiot," Tak said. "You don't see it, do you?"
"See... see what?" he asked, growing anxious.
Zim pushed the back of Tak's head. She growled.
"If you do that to me again, Zim, then you will no longer have a head!"
He only glared at her, teeth grinding. His eyes shone a deep crimson.
Tak seemed to understand his sentiment. "That she's a... a young, budding caterpillar waiting to spread her wings. Give her the space. She needs to grow."
"Oh," Skoodge said, rather confused. "I never noticed Tenn was budding. Is that why she was acting so glum before?"
"Yes, she was in the chrysalis faze. Now she's free, flying in the sky..." Tak waved her hand in the air.
Skoodge smiled now. "I'm glad Tenn has found her wings."
Zim groaned. "Is this conversation over yet? I'm trying to work here. Molly, you okay over there?"
"Yes, I'm just fine."
"Do you think you could shine that light a little brighter? I still feel like there's a stick up my... Uranus..." Tak said.
"How's this?" Molly spread out her wings. The light wafted further.
"Oh, look, another one sprouting wings. Goody." Tak was on the edge of her nerves. This was all too much. The light radiating off the child spirit was warm though. So she closed her eyes, feeling herself sink into a relaxing state.
Molly's magic was working at last.
...
Tenn arrived home at last. Zim's base was now home. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.
The first thing she noticed was how empty the house was. Where was everyone?
GIR was playing with a toy squid on the floor. Or was it a real one? It was hard to tell anymore.
She commanded his attention next. "SIR Unit."
"Yeeesss?"
"Where is your foolish master?"
"I dunno..."
"Yes you do." Tenn folded her arms.
GIR started to panic. How did she know? It was like she was a hypnotist or something, folding her arms of doom...
He caved in at last. It took him only five seconds. "Noooo! You're too smart for me, great and powerful mistress. He's in the toilet!"
"I should have known. I'm just trying to assert my dominance over you, little SIR. Go on, you just try and explode." Tenn's eyes bore right through his circuitry; it was faulty.
GIR started to shake. "No! Spolding's bad!"
"That it is." Tenn continued to stare as GIR hugged the squid to his chest. Now she turned towards the toilet.
Stupid SIR with his stupid squid. It was just too bad that there came the sound of explosions next in the living room, followed with GIR's insane laughter. Well, it was fun while it lasted.
She knew where they were: in the end room of the second floor. She made her way to the room and opened the door. What she found behind there was a strange sight.
Zim was silent as he seemed to be reading Tak's PAK. Tak seemed relaxed as her eyes were closed. The only thing out of place was Skoodge reading a magazine.
"What are you all doing?" she asked.
Skoodge looked up. "Tenn!" He threw the magazine to his left. "You're back early. Did you get to fly?"
Tak laughed. Even Zim supressed a snort. Skoodge was serious...
Tenn glared at them, and then noticed a strange warmth to the left of the room. "If by flying, you mean running so fast that my feet hardly touched the ground, then yes. I met the foulest beast. But I got my revenge in the end."
"What foul beast?" Skoodge asked.
"I think the humans also call it a dog..." she said.
Skoodge looked shocked. "You poor thing! Did the dog hurt you?"
"No, but I hurt him."
"You should never run away from a dog, Tenn. It activates their predatory instincts..." Skoodge wiggled his fingers for effect.
"I just panicked. Besides, I needed to get it somewhere safe where no one would see us..."
"Wait, did the dog have a large, spiked collar?" Zim asked now.
"Yes, and an ugly, flat nose," Tenn replied.
"That's just Dennis; he means well. Used to chase me every morning before Skool. I think he still tastes the baloney in me."
"You are a baloney, Zim," Tak told him.
"No, was a baloney..."
Tenn looked over to the left of the room again. What was that warmth?
"Have you installed a heating system over here? This part of the room is strangely warmer than the rest." Tenn put her hand out in the air. She almost touched Molly's nose.
The others turned quiet. Tak made a sound of amusement next. "She can't see her, can she? But somehow we all can."
"Well it's a no brainer, really," Zim said. "I'm a Clairvoyant, Skoodge has looked death in the eyes countless times, and you're possessed by a freakish, Irken spirit. Tenn technically is the only normal Irken left out of us all..."
"How boring," Tak remarked.
Tenn couldn't take it any longer. This had to stop. She was sick of living in the dark. Well not anymore. "That's it! Who's here? I demand an answer now!"
"I... I'm here..." Molly said. Tenn never heard her small voice.
Skoodge sighed. He grabbed a mirror off the table and walked over to Tenn.
"Why does he have a mirror?" Tak asked.
Zim never answered her. "Skoodge, what are you doing?" He let go of Tak and walked over to them.
"Look, Tenn deserves to see Molly. It's not fair that we see these spirits and she doesn't."
"And you think the mirror will help?"
"Yes, I have to try. Here, take this." Skoodge placed the mirror in Tenn's hand.
"Why are you giving me this?" she said.
Skoodge angled the mirror so that it caught Molly's reflection. And it did. Tenn was frozen.
"There, do you see her now?"
Tenn saw that unearthly child waving at her. She dropped the mirror as it smashed to the floor. Seven years bad luck straight up.
Skoodge looked at her surprised. "Are you okay?"
"I... I just need to sit down..."
Skoodge pulled her over to a stool as he sat her beside Tak.
Tak was smirking at her. "You're one of us now..."
Tenn gave her an evil look. "Excuse me?"
"You can't unsee it."
Tenn placed her head in her hands. "Ugh! I'm not even sure what is real anymore!"
"Well welcome to the club, Tenn," Zim told her next. "We all feel like that. Now silence! We've been at this for an hour now. I need to concentrate and find a loophole in Green Eyes' hold. You can both watch, but be quiet about it!"
"You didn't have to yell..." Skoodge muttered.
"I always have to yell!"
Skoodge never said another word. Tenn was still recovering from her encounter with the girl in the mirror...
This was it; Zim had had enough. He was going to get something from Green Eyes, and find a weakness.
He closed his eyes, and then took a deep breath. Now he took a hold of Tak's PAK and her head. Killing two birds with two hands.
Tak flinched as his claws were sharp. They needed a little trimming. She just tried to concentrate on Molly's glow now. It eased her frustration with having Zim so close. He smelled musty.
She felt herself disappearing into that peaceful light. So warm and sunny; no wonder it cleared Zim's head in the end. Molly was something special after all, though she would never tell a soul.
If it could have that effect on a moron like Zim, then what could it do for her? She had been more efficient than Zim in the past. Well, before...
"You won't ever be free of me..."
... she came.
Tak's eyes widened. Who had said that?
"Did you hear that?" she asked Zim.
"Hear what?" His eyes were still closed.
The voice continued. "You truly think there will be an end to your suffering? It never ends..."
"Oh, it will..."
Zim looked down at her confused. "What?" he said.
Tak remained defiant as she finally heard that voice for the first time. Her power must be dwindling at last. Tak could feel it. The spirit was separating from her now. It wasn't as attached to her mind as it was before.
"Who are you?" she asked the voice.
"I'm you..."
Tak rose to her feet. "No you are not!"
Zim watched her warily. "Tak... what are you—?"
"I'm talking with her!" she snapped. "She's inside me, but now apart from me somehow. I think the girl's power worked."
Zim peered over at Molly. She took a step back. Her eyes looked so frightened, it took him right back to when she was still a vulnerable ghost. Back when they found him at last... What was she seeing? Zim couldn't see anything. Were his powers diminishing?
"Zim, I don't like this..." Molly cried.
Molly stared at that horrifying vision as it held Tak with a tether. A long cord like a bright, glowing wire connected the creature to Tak. It turned its head in her direction next.
"My, you're a pretty one..." the spirit said.
Molly whimpered. She covered her eyes. Now her wings vanished, and her glow faded.
"Leave her alone! It's me you want!" Tak roared.
"Yes, there is nothing prettier than you, Tak... Your head is full of beautiful, dark things. She's too light for me anyway."
"What did you mean when you said "I'm you?" she asked.
"You have no idea, do you? Of who I am... of how you now came to be..."
"You're making no sense!"
Zim stared speechless as he finally saw that apparition. It held onto Tak with a tether. Spirits only had those tethers when they were still attached to their bodies. But how?That was Tak's body. Green Eyes died a long time ago; she shouldn't be attached to anything material anymore.
He was about to find out. With his eyes on Tak's PAK, he grabbed a hold of it, and found that his hands disappeared right through the metal. What was happening?
Green Eyes turned on him. "Get off!"
Zim stared back into those green eyes. She was inches from his face.
"No. I won't," he said. "Look at you. Why would I even be afraid of you? You should see these Earth ghosts at their worst. You're nothing."
"You will be afraid," Green Eyes hissed.
"Just tell me when, and I'll humor you until then."
Green Eyes screamed as she attached a limb to Zim's head. She gripped his brain, and looked deep into his thoughts.
"Oh, I see... I see now what you're afraid of. Don't worry. I promise her suffering will be over soon."
"What?" he said.
Green Eyes gripped Tak's mind now. The Irken froze, as her purple eyes locked onto Zim. He saw the fear in her eyes. He had to help, but he could only stand and watch.
She slithered into her mind and seized full control, pulling Tak with the strings of a puppet.
Tak was gone forever...
Her eyes shone with that green light, though ten times more powerful. Now it was blinding.
Tenn stared at Tak in horror, covering her eyes. Now she could see that green light again. She was hiding under the table, using her stool as a barricade. Skoodge wasn't too far from her. He was always close by.
"This is the final straw," Green Eyes said in Tak's voice. "I've been playing my time, curiously watching while you all tried to stop me. It was precious at first, but then it got boring. I couldn't wait any longer. I'm back. Tak's PAK is now mine once again."
"Again?" Zim asked.
"I think the term is recycled, Zim. Do you honestly think your PAK is brand new? So many lives hosted that PAK before you. So many memories gone like that, but not mine... It's ironic, as I always hated the need for a PAK. Only shows the true emptiness of our race. But it harboured my soul in the next life. Part machine once again. I'll admit, I do prefer Tak's body to the one that I had. So much stronger."
"So we're all just... recyclable?"
"Easily replaced. Congratulations, you just got 10% smarter..."
Zim looked on. He couldn't believe it. Of course, no wonder Green Eyes was haunting Tak all this time. She wanted her PAK back. How long had she been waiting? It was no surprise an Irken's soul would hold onto such an object; an object that sustained its life force and held its memories. Even though Green Eyes' had been erased, she still remained resilient in the end. All to defy her race. No one truly goes.
"It's no one's PAK anymore..." Tak said, coming through at last. She was inside of Green Eyes' mind now, but she remained strong.
Green Eyes was shocked to hear her speak, but she wouldn't let it sway her. After all, she was the one controlling the limbs now.
"What was that, my successor?" she purred.
Her arms flew up to her PAK next, and pressed a button. It came loose. That was not Green Eyes' doing. She shouldn't have relaxed her limbs so much as Tak would always come through...
There was a gaping hole left in Tak's spine. She buckled to her knees.
"What are you doing? No... we... we need it!" Tak's lips shouted.
Green Eyes was turning weak. Her hold on Tak severed once the PAK started counting down its life clock.
Ten minutes, and all would be over.
Green Eyes' soul tried to find a home inside of Tak's PAK, but it was too late. Without a life force to support it, it was just a useless shell now.
"Tak!" Zim grabbed her PAK, but it latched onto his chest once it found a new host. His eyes flooded with new data as he thrashed against the floor.
New memories flashed before his eyes; it was all too much. He passed out as those foreign emotions and feelings coursed through his body. Two sets of memories, and two sets of feelings.
Tak watched weakly as he slipped away. She held a frail hand out to him. Eight minutes left...
"Zim!" Skoodge ran to his side. His eyes fell on Tak. Who does he save? A tear fell from his eye.
Tenn ran to Tak and held her up. She met Skoodge's heartbroken gaze next.
"What... what do I do..." he cried.
Tenn was silent. She didn't know what to do either. Tak was growing cold.
Molly watched helplessly. Her bottom lip wiggled. "He... he won't... he can't die. He'll be okay, I know it."
"Molly, come away."
Molly looked up. There was Nny. He was looking at everything but her. When he finally glanced her way, his face sank. Her eyes were flooding with tears.
"I can't leave them, Nny..." she said.
"I received instructions to collect you; you had left your post for too long..."
"He needs help. They both do!"
"Well Her is his spirit guide. She says everything will be all right. So I'll take Her word for it. Just come away with me now."
Molly looked back at Zim and Tak. She was torn, but she had to go. This wasn't her fight after all. She already won hers.
"Will... will he really be okay?" Skoodge asked, sniffling.
Nny met his sad, piggy face. It was so pathetic to look at; he felt his heart wrench.
"Yes, just hold on tight. Remove that ladybug shell at the right, precise moment..."
"When will that be?"
"You'll know when. Well, we must be going. Molly has a baby to look after, and I have some sick kids to cheer up."
"Thank you, Johnny and Molly," Skoodge said.
Tenn stared at him confused. Who was he talking too?
Molly took Nny's hand, and gave Zim a longing look.
"I'm sorry, Zim..." she whispered.
The two spirits finally left the room.
Tak watched them leave. She had half a mind, literally, to tell them to wait, since she was on her way out too. But she was too weak.
Five minutes left...
How will she get out of this? Will Zim be okay? Only time will tell, but her time was slipping.
Wake up, Zim.
A/N: well this was a bit intense. I hope Tak makes it. I say "hope" because who knows. I haven't even written the next chapter yet. I tend to let these chapters write themselves now, and let the story take control. It's easier that way. So all on all, maybe Tak will die... I'll try and stop it if the story goes down that road, but it's taking on a life of it's own. I'm sure I will win though.
Zim got the idea to fix MiMi in the previous chapter. He was supposed to have done it by then, but the whole carnival theme took over. Why not? It was good to write. It was after they were talking in his lab, and he realised she was missing her. Too bad they both might die now. I kid. Or do I...
I think you will be seeing more of Molly and Johnny now. They just keep crawling back. They won't steal the show though, since they got six/seven chapters... no, it was ten chapters.
I'm kinda bashing my own gender at times in this chapter, with the estrogen and whatnot, but I know we're all not that stupid to believe the content in magazines. But some people do. I stopped reading them years ago. I just got to an age and thought "why am I taking fashion advice from someone else?" The content in women's magazines is complete BS these days.
Glad I got all that off my chest. Just if you're a young girl, or a guy even, don't buy into the BS in magazines and the media, just love yourselves.
I had a few friends who turned emo, or emo-like, in school. One used to be very girly and bought all the latest fashion, and then one day she dyed her hair black and started wearing heavy eye makeup. It suited her, but I noticed it was a trend back in the noughties. I never went there though. I was a bit of a lone wolf, and did my own thing. I like to think of Molly going emo or rock-like as a teen. I honestly can't think of a correct term. I'm an outsider see to the genre. It suits her, as I imagine her a bit like Taylor Momson in appearance. That's also Cindy Lou Who from the Grinch, or Jenny Humphrey in Gossip Girl (or Little J, you know you love me, xoxo... sorry, I was a fan of GG). She was a cute little kid, and then at sixteen she just... changed. Taylor did suit the look and the heavy eye makeup. Let's be honest, the world at that time didn't need another Hannah Montana, who has changed significantly now, but still. Sweet girls can change looks, but Molly will always be Molly.
I think I favoured Purple more here. He was more in character than Red was. I just can't get Red's personality right. If you notice, he's funnier in scenes without Zim and more stupid. "Giant space ship gang!" That is not a smart thing to say...
Are Irkens mammals or reptiles? Or birds even. My answer is neither. How could they be? We're talking about taxa that evolved on Earth. Whatever the environment the Earth was in at that time made way for those animals. There may be mammal-like creatures and reptiles out there, but not necessarily like what is on this planet. Though the planet would still need to be similar to ours. You can get viviparous reptiles, and oviviparous mammals. Platypus lay eggs, and some reptiles will carry their eggs inside of their bodies… Strange planet we live on. Maybe Irkens are just giant insects with feelings.
Nothing, nothing, you only see air! That is from the musical episode to Dexter's lab. Good memories. Though Zim only said "nothing" once.
I'll be honest, I liked Michael Bay's TMNT movie. It was a good watch. The turtles looked freaky, yes, but I still liked it. My nephew likes it too. Though I like to call it 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Terrapins, since they were terrapins in the lab accident. They're also called box turtles, but they were still terrapins. True turtles live in the sea, and not in brackish water. The TMNT always had toes and digits in the cartoon though. Oh no, my childhood is a lie. They've always been terrapins!
"Never Gonna Give You Up is a good song that I think the internet has killed. Not ashamed to admit it either. Cheesy 80s music rocks! Rick Astley is a northerner like me. He's from Lancashire England.
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch (I Can't Help Myself) is a classic Motown song by The Four Tops.
I finally gave Lily's daughter a name. It's also mine, as I wanted to see what it felt like giving a character the same name as me. It's weird, and kinda conceited. Unless you have a common name and have to go by a pool of statistics of popular baby names of the time of your birth, still... I feel like the other characters are talking to me. Though I spell mine Kayleigh. I spelled it Kaylee here. Though really the true spelling should be cèilidh, which is a type of social gathering. It's a Gaelic word.
Were you surprised by Green Eyes' origin? I'll be honest, I think it's obvious who she was all this time, but that's just me. I never really hinted at it either, but still kinda seems obvious. I read somewhere on Zim Wiki that PAKs are recycled after an Irken dies, or when they are erased after being put on trial. Makes sense really. Why make new PAKs when you can just use old, unused ones? But that got me thinking at the time, way back in Clairvoyance… If a PAK is such a personal thing, how can they just re-use it? Like the Irken was nothing… It would still have the essence of the person who last owned it. It shouldn't since their personalities are erased, but I just wondered if an Irken would hold on to their PAK, even after death, and then the idea came. I may have even gotten the idea before Clairvoyance. Just made sense I guess to write the sequel first.
There you are. One more chapter done. Who will survive? Who won't? I'll try and stop the story if it decides to kill them off.
But will it listen? Of course it will, because I'm the master. I just like to think my stories have a life of their own, but it's still me I guess. Though maybe its my hands… they just type away... No, hands, stop! Not Zi—
Stay tuned.