Chapter 20: The Culprit, and a Deal.

Gaz's PoV:

The gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze helped to ebb away my stress, I pretended I was in the woods behind our old Skool, back when I'd play my games in their solitude. Those woods were great, no Zim, no Dib, no any pest of the time. All around me was the smell of lilac bushes, ferns, and pine needles. I spent so much time alone, now, like this… Perhaps I should've at least spoken to some of my classmates…

A sudden snap of a branch brought me from my reflections, my eyes opening quickly, looking around like a cat stalks it prey. I almost said Gir's name, almost, until another step made it clear this was a larger being. I crept out of the clearing, behind two close together trees. The footsteps got louder, and sloppier, like the being was off balance or something. Green skin, Irken, stumbled out of the thick brush, there were easier paths to the area, however they continued to stumble, falling and laughing their way to the charred remains of the buggies stump. The laugh was deepish, male, and the Irken was clearly intoxicated… or the Irken version of that… 'Can they even drink our alcohol?

Seeing the Irken pull out an old bottle of Jack Daniels clarified my question… 'Should I just leave? I don't want to risk this getting back to Zim…' I put my foot down - crack - I stopped moving, the Irken was standing, gun out of his holster, and drunkenly pointed to the trees I was hiding behind. "This planet gives me the creeps, these furry, drooly, snarly things… heeeyy What's.. what's out there?" The Irken asked aloud. I refused to budge, I heard a click… the safety… In fear I jumped out from behind the trees, attempting to bolt out. Pain seared as a loud zapping sound erupted. I felt to weak all of a sudden, so faint, my vision began to blur, and I slid slowly down a tree…

Irken Soldier #3487 Snu's Pov:

A snapping sound made me freak out, I hate Earth creatures. "This planet gives me the creeps, these furry, drooly, snarly things… heeeyy What's.. what's out there?" I took the safety off of my gun, this animal wasn't eating me tonight. Just then, a flash of purple erupted from behind the trees, and I fired. "A HUMAN! A HUMAN in these woods?! How delightful, I slew a human, I'm sure to get high marks for this purple haired..." I approached their body, now lifelessly slumped at the base of the trees, brushing the hairs from their face. "female!... for this purple haired female… purple haired… PURLE HAIRED! I've killed lord Zim's human! NO no oh no oh Irk no no no no… I need to go, need to.." I shoved the body over in panic, running back towards my home city.

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Dib's PoV:

I was woken by the large door of my cell being thrown open, the light landing on my eyelids, but the sound was enough to jolt me awake. I was beaten very badly a few nights ago, so groggy, bruised and intolerant were close, but not quite exact to describe my current status. As the light began to dim as my eyes adjusted I was met face to face with the glaring, tear stained face of Zim, his glare held immense sadness. "Wake up Dib-human. We have a very pressing matter to attend to" "We?" I said softly, spitting through the bars. He simply stepped back, it hit the floor, and the stepped forward again. "Listen worm!... listen, Gaz.. Gaz has been killed." "You fucking MONSTER!" I collided with the bars so hard it was bound to leave more bruises as I reached for Zim's throat, missing again! "What have you done to her!" "Not I.. Dib-stink, a lowly, cowardly worm." I stopped grabbing at him, waiting for his explanation, it didn't come. "She needs us.. Dib-brother… this isn't about me, this is about her. She has been slain, but I knew of her location prior. I don't have the ability to save her alone, Dib-beast, we, with our combined knowledge do, however." "What are you on about lizard?" Zim sighed. "I have an incomplete machine, my scientists aren't up to snuff enough to complete my invention, I had to leave much work to others in order to rule, if completed, Dib-human, we can go back through the times, and prevent my Gaz's demise."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing… 'he wanted my help?! All these years, and it's my mortal enemy to be the first to realize my intellect… Gaz… Helping him with this is the only way… you're all I have left little sis.. I won't lose you too…'

His ungloved hand slid through the bars, and with a heavy heart, I shock it. His eyes gleamed a brighter shade, and he re-gloved his hand. "I'll send Ulm and Ker to unbind you, and send you to the dining hall. You'll be well fed, and bathed by Dee, and then escorted to the work chambers, where you'll be housed, and brought meals in intervals. Do work quickly Dib-human, it's little Gaz's life at stake." With that, he turned, and with the close of the door, I began to plot in the darkness.