MORE COMMENTS! I knew the whole "cannon" thing was going to result in a bunch of comments.
I RESPOND TO YOU ALL ANYWAYS!
cheddarbiscuit
Chapter 11
"YOU. WILL. NEVER. GUESS."?
Challenge accepted:
Guess one: Tak is a ghost. She is going to use her new ghostly form to spy on Zim and report back to Dib, (but she'll report it half wrong, therefore screwing them both over.)
Guess two: Tak is actually vacationing somewhere (inland, so as to avoid water) surrounded by exotic hotties, and dose not give a shit that Zim's taking over. She only get up in arms when Zim accidentally bombs her chaise lounge. Or Dib crash lands a fighter plane into the luxury hotel. Or both. Her (NOT REVENGE!) will be swift.
I'll think of more later. IN THE MEANTIME:
Cannon: What is true in any given series so far as the series is concerned. for IZ, cannon would be anything that happened in the show, or is officially stated to be true.
AND:
What are you talking about? That was the best proposal ever! It was on her birthday and everything! That was great, it shows how much Zim really cares about Gaz, and it shows a great deal of character growth. And planning. And obsessiveness.
Oh, and I totally want to see Dib flip out more. It's his natural element.
AHAHAHAHAHA, (*snicker*). I admire your efforts, but no. I don't know if Irkens COULD be ghosts, since theoretically they are machines and have no souls (WHICH I REFUSE TO BELIEVE). The vacationing thing was a good guess, but no, I never thought to introduce her like that.
And thanks for the cannon explanation.
Invader Johnny
Chapter 10
I'm surprised that Horvitz liked ZATR, according to the comentary of the TAK episode he ships ZAGR, All in all I find that piece of information amusing.
Heh, Zim's proposal was both traditional AND a bit homicidal, XD, typical.
And what's best is that Gaz said yes, um I wonder what an Irken wedding is like.
Invader Johnny Signing Off.
WHAT? Where is this commentary? I WANNA SEE! D:
It won't be an Irken wedding. In an explanation to what permanent ties to another being are (basically marriage but using the definition instead of the word, cause there's no marriage for Irkens) it's the reason this story is rated M.
:D
You're grinning. I know you are.
sanzo-forgetme-plz
Chapter 10
my god i love ur work ur trully talented am a huge fan of ur work and i cant belive u rated this story M it really took me by serprise but am cerious what made u decide this? and i love the proposal sene by the way «eh why not?» soooo gaz
The reason for M won't be up till chapter 22, I will warn you all this now (I'm on Chapter 23, 12 chapters ahead of you. NOBODY YELL AT ME FOR NOT POSTING THEM, I'M TRYING TO DELUDE THE FLOW A BIT SO AS NOT TO OVERWHELM YOU AND GIVE YOU LIKE A DAY OR SO TO READ MEH STORY!)
And thanks, nice to know I'm keeping these characters . . . in character, for lack of a better word.
Potatoes4Eva
Chapter 10
*blushes and waves hand bashfully* My comment was in the story! I feel like a celebrity! *gets out of limo to sign autographs* It was a pleasure to help! :D Taha!
The marriage proposal made me so happy! Zim may not be too romantic, but he can be adorable. :D Dang, these chapters just et better and better and better!
I just put this in here so you could be all happy again and I can laugh.
YOU ARE WELCOME.
xoAmaxi
Chapter
Weeeeeeewhh! That was good. VERY GOOD. Zim finally told Gaz he loves her. And THEY'RE ENGAGED? CAN THIS STORY GET ANY MORE INTERESTING? THIS MEANS THEY CAN FINALLY MAKE BABEHS!
I mean, love. Yes... love...
Haha. The proposal was sooo Zim-like, perfectly done, bahah. That little diamond is bond to cause some problems when/if Dibbers sees it.
You continue to write this story so well - it's descriptive, it's unique, it's still in-character enough and it's incredibly seductive.
AND RICHARD HORTIVS IS AMAZING FOR CHOOSING ZATR! I squealed with joy when I discovered that!
Thankyou for such a quick update! I can't wait to find out what happens next!
A little 411 on Zim's reproductive methods in meh story:
While he and Gaz are , eh, physically compatible (keeping it clean for now) Zim cannot get Gaz pregnant. Their systems just don't work like that and unless Zim scientifically fuses their genes together, they cannot have babehs.
Sorry if your bubble has been burst. :(
Also, NO SEX TILL MARRIAGE. I'm so adement about that in general and refuse to have unwed sex (for my main characters *wink* *hint*) in my story!
Just saying.
Thanks for the review!
Invader Shade
Chapter 10
EPIC AWESOMENESS! PLEZ HURRY ON THE NEXT ONE! I READ THIS WHOLE SERIES IN ONE DAY! THATS HOW MUCH I 3 IT!
O.o
Holy hell that's like, 188,276 words in this series (not including this chapter) and 44 chapters!
HOW THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT IN ONE DAY?
Congrats. I'm impressed.
ninjacookie101
Chapter 10
:P I loved this chapter! You are my favorite author and whenever i think of your story and how excited i am for you to update i squeal and jump up and down! That doesnt really go well in church but still! update soon!:D
AHAHAHAHAHA! Church. Good time, good times.
Translation: I'm not allowed in church because when I was a toddler in mass, someone turned to me and said "Peace be with you", holding their hand out. I stared at them, screamed "Stranger danger!" and ran, still screaming, at the top of my lungs from the church.
Yeah, didn't go well with the priests.
THANKS FOR YOUR ENTHUSIASM! KEEP INTERRUPTING MASS!
sikeokilla
Chapter 10
Dear raven follower actually more people should get ahead and only give a little over a short period of time... it would lead to less eternal hiatus and cut down on tardiness.
Canon is the term used to describe mainstreamness Ex: a canon relationship in twilight (I know groan all you like but that's all that comes to mind)is bella and edward.
Love the direction that this story is taking, please keep doing what you do best...killing people. Oh wait that was the other guy
Happily yours
The sikeokilla
EWC
Hehehe, Twilight. Good book, shitty mainstream movies.
Thanks for explaining cannon!
And no one can prove those murders! MWAHAHAHAHA
Lesson Here: The perfect murder is where your victim knows who killed them, and where you do not get caught.
Another give away chapter title.
Enjoy.
Chapter 11
"Necessary Allies"
"Nggh," Gaz groaned, sitting up and placing a hand on her forehead. She felt like crap. "Stupid Zim and his stupid drugs."
"So he drugged you then?"
Gaz whipped her head around, ignoring the spike of vertigo to glare at the scientist and doctors currently looking at her. Dib was nowhere to be seen, despite what Zim had said about only calling him. So maybe the idiot did bring the cavalry then.
"No, someone he hired did. Anonymously. They wouldn't know anything." She informed them, shaking her head to get the last of the fuzz out. "How did I get here?"
"Agent Moth-Man was caught leaving a National Park." The scientist said, eying her over his eyeglasses. "He was carrying you."
"Are you alright?" Another female doctor asked her, placing her hand on her forehead. "How do you feel?"
"Groggy," Gaz growled, leaning away from her touch. "And otherwise fine. How long have I been asleep?"
"Just a few hours," the same doctor replied, smiling at her. "Happy Birthday, by the way, Little Sister."
"Agent Moth-Man told us." Another male doctor added, not quite as friendly, writing down something on a clipboard. "You are 18 now, correct?"
"Yes," She replied, warily, eying the people in the room. Gaz was still in her dress and she pulled the sleeve on her shoulder up a little, self-consciously. It had been fine when Zim had been around but in a room full of medics treating her like a suspect of flirting with the enemy, she felt uncomfortable. "So it's still Friday then?"
"Correct." The scientist replied, adjusting his glasses. "Now, we'd like to ask you a few questions."
Gaz sighed and crossed her arms. "I figured. What do you want to know?"
"Were you aware you were going to be kidnapped?" Clipboard-man asked, stoic as always.
She gave him a look. "If it was, do you think that I'd have to be drugged?"
The scientist gave her an irritated look or her remark and wrote down the information on the paper. "What is that ring on your hand and why does it burn to touch it?"
Gaz had forgotten about the ring momentarily. At once her eyes diverted to her left hand, which she held up and examined in the light. It was like a rainbow spectrum, containing mainly a white glow mixed in with different colors.
"Oh, yeah," Gaz shrugged. "I'm not sure why it burns. Something about it being injected with moon or star matter or something. Anyways, unless you want a state to blow up, I'm not going to try to take it off. Zim said that the second it left my contact, a state would explode. He didn't tell me which one though, before you ask. He said it would be more fun that way if I got bored and decided a bunch of people needed to die to entertain me."
The people in the room stared at her in surprise before shaking their heads and writing things down again.
"It's not an engagement ring?" The lady continued, still kind.
Gaz nodded. "Actually, it is. He said he loved me."
"Did you return the sentiments?"
"No. I told him I was mad at him."
This was true, Gaz realized. She'd told Zim she had missed him, but had never said that she loved him. Truth be told, Gaz had figured out that she loved him when she'd panicked over his death so much. But she just figured Zim would realize that on his own. Hm. Well, next time, she'd have to tell him to make sure he knew. Zim could really be dense sometimes. Who was to say that he wasn't ignorant of her feelings?
The scientist's brow rose, probably at what he considered cruelty to Zim's feelings. "Oh?"
Gaz nodded, giving him a look. "Wouldn't you be mad if you were in my position?"
He said nothing to answer her, just continued with questioning. "Did he harm you while you were in his care?"
The very thought made her nearly gag. But she kept her composure. "No. He was very careful with me, nervous, because he knew I was mad at him on some level or another."
"Zim informed us he would be entrusting you in someone's care who he could trust with your safety. Are you aware of who he has 'given you to for safe keeping', so to speak?"
Gaz's eyes turned very focused as she tried to remember.
"I'll be entrusting you to Dib, since I obviously can't trust the government and the Swollen Eyeball with your care."
"I've got no idea," Gaz replied, looking him dead in the eye. "All he told me was that he loved me, that he wanted me to marry him, about the ring, and that if he was going to do anything, he was going to keep me safe." She snorted in mock disgust, gripping the table and adding. "And he wished me a happy birthday as well. But that's it. Everything else was spent drifting in and out of consciousness."
They shared looks before the female doctor ushered the rest of them out of the room, silently. At once Gaz's brow rose suspiciously, starting to feel more uncomfortable then she'd thought possible.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat, leaning in towards Gaz and speaking quietly. "So what you're saying is . . . Zim is probably the one that got you dressed and changed before he returned you to your brother, while you were unconscious?"
Gaz's eyes widened as she drew her legs away from the woman, in complete horror and shock. "No! That's not what I . . . ! I was awake for a little while and I didn't know how long I was going to be there, and I didn't know who kidnapped me yet, and the kidnappers who were humans gave me a suitcase that had stuff in it and I did that myself! Zim never touched me!"
"Right, of course not." The woman reassured her, but in a way that let Gaz know she didn't believe her at all. "Now, we're going to need to do a few examinations of your body, if you're comfortable with that."
"Are you trying to tell me you want to do a Rape Kit?" Gaz hissed, through gritted teeth, eyes narrowing at the woman, her long, sharp nails digging into the cushioned examiners table, probably making holes in it.
The woman placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. "Just to ensure he never touched you . . . down there, dear. It's just a precaution to-!"
"Do not touch me," Gaz growled, shrugging out from under her, getting to her feet. "I can't believe you people! First you threaten my life to get to Zim and now you're trying to tell me he raped me in my sleep? Ugh!"
"Did Zim tell you that?" The woman asked, a brow rising.
Gaz stilled, blinking at the memory.
"Your stupid country keeps stalling their takeover, and they continue to threaten your well-being."
"Little Sister?"
"I can't just leave you there!"
"Gaz?"
She snapped out of her numb stupor and turned to see Dib, standing in the doorway, looking at her with concern as a guard was frozen in the failed attempt to get Dib away from the room. She stared at him.
"Agent Moth-Man, this is a private evaluation." The female doctor scolded. "I'm going to have to ask you to le-."
Gaz raced forward and threw her arms around her brother, the sudden need to be with family the best excuse to get out of the room. She heard the lady sigh in irritation but it was clear she was being forced to do what seemed best for Gaz, which was to be with Dib for the time being.
". . . Rest for the day then, Little Sister." The nurse instructed reluctantly. "We'll continue this tomorrow."
"Come on, Gaz," Dib instructed gently, placing his arms around her shoulder and guiding her out of the room. "Let's go find some way to celebrate your birthday."
She nodded, saying nothing, leaning against him.
Thank God for Dib's perfect timing.
Zim bowed low to his leaders.
"All is going well, My Tallest." Zim informed, straightening into the soldier position. "By the end of today we should have a surrender from one of the seven continents, and the invasion only started yesterday."
"And your little female?" Purple asked. "How is she doing?"
Zim smiled. "Gaz is well. I saw her recently, despite the necessity to continue to stay apart, since her face has only brought headlines to her people, no opinionated ones yet."
"Oh?" Red's brow rose. "And how did that go?"
"Quite well. We are now something the Earthlings call 'engaged', meaning, legally, on her planet, she cannot be separated from me." Zim said, proud of his latest discovery and accomplishment.
The Tallest seemed impressed. "Well, that's good news."
"We can't wait to meet her when you eventually come to visit us, Zim," Red informed, smiling. "She seems like such a charm. An asset to your rule on the planet Earth."
Zim smiled, silently agreeing. "I'll be up as soon as possible with my sahlm, My Tallest. Invader Zim, out."
Gaz wasn't sure where Dib was leading her.
"Dib," She said in a warning tone.
He snickered, "Nuh-uh. No peaking, Gaz!"
"Is the blindfold necessary?"
"Would you rather me hold my hand over your eyes?"
"Point taken."
Gaz continued to be lead who knew where, crossing her arms and scowling all the while. Upon washing and dressing, Dib had asked his little sister to put a blindfold on for a surprise birthday present. Now she was being handled by Dib throughout the White House. Or, maybe for all she knew, she had been walked into a whole other building.
"Can I look now?" She demanded, in complaint.
"Almost!"
She let out an aggravated noise, hand brushing against her black pants.
Finally Gaz felt Dib stop her.
"Okay . . . Now!"
She reached up and pulled the blindfold off of her eyes, blinking hard at the change in lighting a moment. When they adjusted she was met with quite the sight and smirked.
"Happy Birthday!" Dib shouted, beaming at her. "What do you think?"
Gaz turned and smiled at her brother. "Thanks, Dib. It's great."
"I couldn't do much, on account of all that's been going on, but, I hope you like it."
"I do," She assured him, entering the room.
It wasn't particularly large but it was well-decorated, with a 'Happy Birthday Gaz!' banner right over the table where a small cake was. Surprisingly, there were two presents next to the cake instead of one.
"Dad wanted me to apologize for him, for not being able to be here," Dib said, as if knowing her train of thought. He jerked his chin towards the present with the silver wrapping paper. "He asked me to give you that for him."
"Alright," She replied, examining the 18 lit candles and smirking. "A lot of candles."
"Thought I'd do it the old fashioned way instead of just two numbered candles." He replied, shrugging. "Want me to sing to you?"
She laughed, shaking her head. "No."
He grinned.
Gaz gave him a warning look, "Dib-!"
"Happy Birthday to you!"
"Dib!"
"Happy Birthday to you!"
"Di-ib!"
"Happy Birthday to Gaz!"
"Stop it!"
"Happy Birthday to you!"
She gave him an irritated expression.
Dib gestured to her cake. "Go on, Birthday Girl, blow out the candles and make a wish!"
Sighing, Gaz turned back around and paused, staring at the flames with a smile. "You know, I could've lit these without a liter."
"Hey, Gaz? Shut up!"
Gaz snickered, leaned down, closed her eyes, and blew the candles out, as instructed.
Dib cheered and clapped. "Yay!"
She smirked at his enthusiasm, reminded of someone else who often appeared full of energy. "You sound like G-."
Gaz stopped, blinking. Had it already been a week since she'd seen that little spaz of a robot?
Dib placed a hand on her shoulder. "You miss that life, don't you?"
Instinctively her hand went to the ring on her left, rubbing it as she stared ahead. She didn't say anything.
Dib sighed and removed the hand. "He really asked you to marry him?"
"Yes."
"Do you love him?"
"Dib," Gaz swallowed harshly, looking at him. "Do you really want to know?"
They locked eyes with one another, Gaz unreadable and Dib staring, unsure, trying to decide if he did or not.
Finally, he shook his head. "No."
Gaz eyed him.
"Here," She replied, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a single, fingerless glove. Gaz placed it over her left hand and the fingers reached to her knuckles, hiding the ring from sight. "Now it's invisible."
Dib smiled. He was pretty sure he had his answer if Gaz was hiding the ring. "Thanks, Gaz."
"Sure." Gaz replied with a shrug. She then jerked her thumb towards the table. "Want to eat cake now?"
Dib beamed. "Yeah!"
There were the clicks of boot heals on the rock-paved sidewalk, the threat of rain filling the misty air. The sky was dark with heavy clouds, once something the owner of the boots would have cowered from.
Or maybe 'cower' wasn't the right word. Avoid, more likely.
It eyed the area.
They were close.
And then the lightning struck.
Gaz received a black-jeweled necklace from her father and, ironically, a new pair of gloves from Dib. The knuckles were reinforced with metal underneath the surface, cushioned to keep from harsh impact, and otherwise designed to pack a punch without the feel of impact. Gaz replaced this new pair, trying both of them on immediately. Dib had made them himself and was quite proud of them.
It was then Dib informed Gaz of his plan. Casually and cryptically.
"So, Zim told me who he was entrusting you with," he informed her quietly as they walked down the hallways.
Gaz nodded. "Me too."
"But you said-!"
"What's your point, Dib?" She interrupted, pausing to 'tie her shoe'. Louder she asked him, "Does this looked scuffed to you?"
Dib knelt beside her, pretending to examine an imaginary scuff mark. "We need to pack up and get out as soon as possible. By tomorrow."
"Where are we going?"
"I've got a friend." Dib informed her, shaking his head and standing. "No, it looks like a smudge, nothing to worry about with some cleaning."
Gaz did the same, nodding. Keeping her voice down again she continued her questioning slyly. "When do we leave?"
"As soon as we get moved again." Dib sighed. "We're not doing any good as informants. We need to form our own troops, since ours are destroying our cities. They're probably all going to come here in the end anyways."
"What do you mean 'moved again'?" Gaz hissed, eyes wide with surprise.
Dib didn't look at her, staring straight ahead. "Like I said, the zombified army seems to be heading here, after it hits all the rest of the areas to ensure controlled and complete submission and surrender. These guys don't think it's safe for us, so we'll be moving to the places they've already hit, since it's unlikely they'll be back-tracking."
"You thinking of going home?"
"Something along those lines, yes." Dib smiled at her. "You'll like this; we'll probably be jumping from an airplane."
Gaz smirked. "This is going to get interesting."
"When they figure out we've taken off, they'll demand our return, like property."
"I'm nobodies' property."
"Exactly. Legally, we have the right to not testify, so to speak. As soon as we take this to the press that the government is focusing on holding two innocent teenagers instead of the coming invasion, we're heroes. We'll get enough credit then, enough to attract potential rebels."
"We don't have the right to be vigilantes though, Dib. We don't have the right to take matters into our own hands."
"In the matter of self-defense, yes, we do. With the press on our side, we can do no wrong. And if we play our cards right, Zim is bound to come after you again, to take you away from me when he thinks I'm an 'unfit caretaker'. If we fight him, even if we don't win-."
"You're not fighting him, Dib." Gaz informed him, plainly.
Dib gave her a look of disbelief. "Of course I am! This is him versus me!"
"No, it's not." She growled, eyes narrowing. "This is between the Zim and I, not you. If anyone is going to fight him, it's going to be me, and me alone."
Dib crossed his arms, grumbling under his breath in complaint. It was clear he disagreed but it would be a matter to discuss at a later time. Gaz felt his plan was well thought out and was beneficial for his part in Phase 1, to get their face in the news in a positive manner. Gaz had never thought that her lifestyle would depend so much on what other people thought of her, but here she stood, plotting to become the next heroine to the United States.
She smiled. Soon enough she'd feel home again. Her real home.
Happy Birthday to her.
SO. FUCKING. SHORT.
That's what she said.
Sorry, I had to say that.
Ha.
Till the next chapter!
