And, to my reviews.
Mr. Mookenstein
Chapter 12
Correct me if im wrong, but if the tallest find her impressive enough wouldn't they just take Gaz and let Zim die or something of that sort?
Ew, no. The Tallest do NOT like Gaz like that. It's like seeing something shiny in someone's hand. You want to see what it is and why it's so shiny, because that's what caught your eye, but once they hold their hand out and you see it's just a coin it's not so coolanymore (because Gaz isn't Irken or they probably WOULD just take her from him, but she isn't, so she's just not too interesting).
sanzo-forgetme-plz
Chapter 12
ahahahahahahah I knew it! who in the world would Dib know! ahahahahahah (wipes tears) this was to be expected since he is a loser- i mean loner (wink) but what was not expected was that somewhere out thier someone dosent like Gaz!(ngrey651) didnt think it was posible. do u have a fav character?
YES. Zim, of course. It used to be Gir, and then Gaz, but after recent evaluation and finding this video on youtube that just shows how big of a badass Zim is, it has changed to him.
What can I saw? I'm a sucker for the underdog.
Cheddarbiscuit
Chapter 12
I noticed how you neglected to tell me 'no' for guess five, so I am assuming it hit *slighty* close to the mark, maybe to ricochet off and hit me in the face, but whatever. Still, just in case...
Guess six: Tak, who's father is still head of the Delishus Weenie Corperation, serves as a benefactor for Dib and the Swollen Eyeball.
Guess seven: Tak is going to show up for two more seconds and get shot. Fatally.
Nothing really to say about this chapter. I'm more interested in Tak showing up than giving you critisim. Action was well written, so on and so forth...
5. Irrelevant to the story. I really did just want to put lightning in there. :D
6. No. I was never quite clear on Tak's "father" in her episode. Is he a robot, or a real person?
7. :O That would be awful! No!
Lol. Tak shows up soon everyone! Be patient, she gets here!
ForceWalker
Chapter 12
Man, Gaz is so badass! The way she just destroyed those zombies like nothing was just awesome! And Zim had no doubts that she would do it! Just great! I really love this couple!
Might as well give my hand in guessing Tak's appearance.
As Dib and Gaz are building their rebellion, Tak suddenly appears before them, in human disguise as she introduced to them by other rebels, surprising them both. And when they're alone with her, she then claims that she wants to help them take down Zim for her own personal reasons, though Gaz and Dib are wary.
It's a long shot I know, but I've pictured Tak on Dib's side, and always considered for her to pop up to them in a unexpected manner.
Also, is Tak taller now, or is she still the same height as before?
I KNOW RIGHT? Geez, I wish I could do the stuff she does.
All of your guesses . . . and none of you have gotten it correct! :D
I feel like such a badass for this. Whenever Tak decides to show up (that's a figure of speech, I refuse to give anything away; Tak could very well come on her own or be found, but you do not know) you all are going to start yelling, I know it.
Truth be told, I like arguing with my readers. I feel like I'm involving people in the story in ways a book couldn't, because with books, you normally don't have the author glancing through your comments about each chapter and commenting on some of them. :D
Sikeokilla
Chapter 12
Hello once again I feel the need to congratulate you on a chapter well done
I do need to ask who the "four of us" is that Gaz speaks of.
This story has been blowing me away since chapter one and I must say that I am glad you decided to post here on
(Hands you a cookie) for all your hard work you deserve a reward
(glances over shoulder as you both hear a robotic squeal that sounds like it says "where's mah cookies")
(looks back at you) god speed
Conspiratorially yours
The sikeokilla
EWC
P.s. I really do enjoy your story I just didn't wanna get mauled by gir
Well, speaking of Gir, "the four of us" means; Dib, Gaz, Zim, and Gir.
And oh goody! I'm glad I please you all with meh imagination gone wild!
P.S.(in response to your P.S.) If worse comes to worse, I'll just make Gir go sit in the corner with Skoodge.
London Bai and Diane Hart
Chapter 12
I have spent the last day reading the first two stories and am finally finishing this one at 3:15 am and yet I am not the slightest bit tired. If anything I am sad that I have to wait for the next chapter. On with the Rebellion. On with the Invasion. On with... umm... Zim gaining a few inches and being taller than the Tallest. (lame, I know. I'm loopy from lack of sleep. Yay!)
More soon, please? :D
Seriously? Geez, the dedication you all have to this story is really astounding to me! I'm completely shocked at how popular this has become. I mean I've just passed 100 reviews and it's only been what, 12 chapters? You guys have no idea how happy and excited I am right now.
I adore you all! You make me so happy!
13, my favorite number.
My nails is red like Zim's eyes!
Yes, I went and was like, mm, what color? And what better then the blood red of Zim's eyes?
Am I weird?
Eh, oh well.
ENJOY!
Chapter 13
"Making An Example"
Gretchen said she was taking them to her cabin.
Gaz decided if this was just a 'cabin', then their home must have been an outhouse.
It was large, but it was made of wood, and in the forest. During the car ride, Gaz replaced her necklace, feeling uncomfortable without it on. She glared at Dib and Gretchen the whole time as she talked animatedly and Dib answered politely. Gaz couldn't deny a part of her was tempted to blow the car sky high but that would just get her in trouble.
But now, exiting the car, Gaz stared at the house before her.
"Sorry it's so old fashioned," Gretchen said apologetically. "Daddy and my uncle only just cleaned it up a month ago, since this house is part my cousins' and part mine. I asked for the one near the beach, but-."
"No, this is perfect," Dib assured her. "We don't really want to be seen around town, you know?"
"Oh, right," Gretchen giggled. "You two are 'undercover'. This is so cool! I feel like I'm in an action movie."
Gaz's brow rose. She shot Dib another irritated look, hissing next to his ear. "Are you kidding me?"
Dib just sighed and turned to Gretchen. "Hey, is there internet here? Gaz and I kind of lost our luggage, and we need to order some things online."
"Oh, sure! Of course! Do you need the address?" Gretchen asked, approaching the porch and pulling out her key.
Dib smiled gratefully at her. "Yeah. Thanks."
Gretchen blushed and giggled again, opening the door and gesturing them to go inside. "Sure!"
Gaz eyed the area around them, the finished wood, the architecture. A brow rose. It was impressive.
For a cabin.
"I'll show you to the nicest rooms in the house." Gretchen assured them. She clapped her hands. "Furniture!"
Gaz's brow rose as she gave Dib another look. "She's calling her furniture?"
Dib looked a bit unnerved when a maid and butler came into the room. They were still confused.
"Ah, there you are." Gretchen said, jerking a thumb towards Dib and Gaz. "Please show my guests to their rooms. Get them whatever they need. You'll have to excuse me, Dib. I've got to freshen up. Daddy wants me at a meeting tonight. Ta!"
Gaz noticed the abrupt change from the fawning fan to a spoiled, arrogant heiress. True, Gretchen's parents were wealthy, but they weren't anyone particularly important. Sure, they had friends in high places but they weren't in those places themselves.
"This way, please," the maid said to Gaz, her face passive and emotionless. It might've reminded Dib of Gaz's expression, if the girl had some sort of dark emotion or silent, unnamed threat about her.
Gaz eyed her, but followed up the staircase. The butler did the same to Dib, who also felt a bit uncomfortable at being led by someone so stoic. Why had Gretchen called them furniture? These were obviously people. This was hardly Beauty and the Beast, either.
They were taken to separate parts of the house, on opposite sides. Gaz guessed Gretchen's room was on the side Dib was on, and she wanted privacy in case something happened. Which was unlikely. But Gaz would let the girl dream, for now.
She continued to examine the maid. A girl breaking into a woman, probably around Dib and Gaz's age, 17 at the least, 21 at the oldest. Strange. They were hiring young here. She must be eye candy for the owner of the house then. She was probably pretty enough, but the way she carried herself, tired, but continuing her job as if she wasn't, made her less attractive.
Gaz nearly snorted. Who was she to judge attraction?
"She called you furniture." Gaz said, waiting until they were well out of earshot of everyone else and ignoring her previous thoughts. "Why?"
"We are a part of the house." The girl replied, still emotionless. "We serve our purpose, as furniture does. We are not people. We are simply furniture."
Gaz snorted in disbelief. "A unique idea. Who do you work for, Gretchen, or her cousin?"
"Her cousin's family." The girl said at once. "Miss Gretchen is almost as much of a guest here as you are."
"Do you know who I am?"
"A guest."
"That's not what I meant. Do you know of me?" Gaz demanded, eyes narrowing. If this girl knew that Gaz and Dib, two well-known (thanks to the media) friends of the invading alien, she could be a potential threat if word got out.
The girl looked at Gaz, blank eyes unreadable, before turning away. "You are someone who does not want to be known. You need not worry. I, nor my fellow furniture pieces never leave the house and do not communicate with the outside world, unless to retrieve supplies for the house."
Gaz believed her. "Good. As far as you're concerned, I, nor my brother exist."
"Very well, Miss."
"So whose Gretchen's cousin anyways?"
"A Master Tinsle."
"Can you tell me more about them?"
They reached a door, and the girl turned the knob, opening it for Gaz.
"Come in," Gaz ordered, "And shut the door behind you."
The girl did as she was told, speaking while Gaz eyed the quaint decor of the room. It was lavish and well-kept, but so long as it served it's purpose, she couldn't have cared less. Thankfully there was a computer in the room. She sighed in relief.
"Miss Gretchen's father and Master Tinsle do not get along, on most occasions, though it's not my place to judge."
"Different business ventures, I'm assuming." Gaz said, turning to glance at her. "Am I right?"
"You're very observant."
"I know. Tell me more."
From the little the maid concerned herself with, Gaz was able to deduce that Gretchen's cousins were probably in the criminal business, something like the people she was raised by (on the straight and narrow, probably even a bit skittish) wouldn't approve of. And Gretchen didn't seem to like her older cousin, who was around her age, but the rest of them she simply adored. Gretchen's aunt had died about a year ago but other than that, there family hadn't suffered from much tragedy, at least, from what the maid knew of (or cared to remember). At one point Gretchen's cousin had stayed up in the cabin, but he'd shunned himself to his room. The maid had cast it off as teen angst and hadn't bothered him, as ordered.
"Are you satisfied, Miss?" She said eventually.
Gaz nodded. "Yes. You can go now."
"Lunch will be provided and brought to your room, since I'm sure you have things to do."
"Thanks," Gaz muttered, not really paying attention as she booted up the computer.
She was aware of the maid's presence evaporating as she bowed respectfully, leaving the room without another word. Gaz was already opening the internet and surfing the web for replacements to her old clothes. She had specific things in mind, fighting clothes. Thankfully Gaz had been wearing anything actually important to her (she never trusted luggage, a policy that had obviously paid off in the end) and so nothing important was lost. However it was never a good day to realize you had no belongings but the clothes on your back and whatever else was on hand.
Everything was rush ordered, a whole new wardrobe would be delivered to Gretchen's doorsteps by tomorrow. As promised, lunch was delivered to her room by the strange (but sensible) maid, and Gaz ate without knowing what she was eating. For all she knew it could be poisoned, but thanks to the benefits of Zim's gift, it was a precaution she didn't have to worry about.
Hopefully though, Gretchen's psychotic break leading to the attempted murder of Gaz hadn't come quite yet.*
Gaz was met with another knock on her door at around 7pm, after she'd finished buying things that weren't clothes (new suitcases, weapons, etc.), and looked up curiously.
"Come in!" She called, monotonously.
The door opened to reveal a cautious Dib (cautious because he knew how Gaz was when it came to new environments; predatory and conniving), looking around her room before meeting eyes with his impatient sister.
"I didn't know the room inspections were so precise," Gaz informed him, sarcastically. "However, if you planned on investigating thoroughly, I'd suggest you actually enter the domain before writing up your evaluation."
Sheepishly, Dib did so, closing the door behind him. "Sorry, I just didn't want to invade your space."
"Technically, it's not my space, it's Hers." Gaz said, scowling at said unmentioned female.
Dib had expected this. He sighed, sitting on the bed. A potentially dangerous move, but one that gave him the advantage if she didn't immediately protest to it. "Aw come on, Gaz. It's not so bad. You can stay locked up in here all day, if you want. It's not like she's been trying to get you into bed with her for the past hour."
The last part had been a grumble under his breath. However, Gaz, being the ever-observant and conniving girl she was, heard it. Her downtrodden face immediately lifted into one of curiosity, sitting up straighter.
"She what?" Gaz demanded, eyes wide with surprise and intrigue.
Dib paled, realizing his bitter thoughts had been spoke aloud. "Uh, I didn't mean-!"
"I've got to hand it to the girl, she's doesn't beat around the bush." Gaz said teasingly, staring up at the sealing with a smirk as she pretended to contemplate the idea of it. "Gretchen Membrane."
"Ew!" Dib shouted, obviously disgusted. "Don't say that!"
"Why? She probably says it to herself non-stop, while looking at pictures of you."
"Gaz!"
"She's probably naked too."
"GAZ!"
Dib's voice squeaked in horror, face beat red and his body tense with discomfort. Gaz eyed her work with approval, smiling at Dib's obvious revulsion and disturbed attitude with satisfaction.
Served him right for trying to play 'peace-maker' between Gaz and a girl she was never going to like.
"What did you want again?" She finally asked, once she was done appraising his uncomfortable demeanor.
Dib scowled at her disregard to her cruelty towards him, but knowing it would get him nowhere to try to scold or reprimand her, he just continued with where he'd intended the conversation to go in the first place. "I wanted to make sure you'd bought something nice from online. Gretchen said her family is going to come down to see her, and since she can't very well hide us, she's going to introduce us to them."
Gaz snorted in a disgust that almost matched Dib's previous feeling. "First I have to tolerate her, and now her family? Yeah, Dib, this place is working out great."
"Well where would you have us go, Gaz?" Dib demanded, arms crossed as he glared at her. "It's not like we have much to choose from here! Would you rather be with the government, who was willing to sell you to Zim to keep the U.S. safe?"
At that moment, who should burst in but Gretchen, looking wide-eyed and panic stricken.
Gaz's eyes narrowed, but Dib's widened, jumping to his feet at once.
"What is it?" He demanded, taking in her disheveled and heavily breathing form. Obviously she had been running, so whatever the news, it had to be urgent.
"You . . . All over news!" She coughed out, between trying to catch her breath and fumbling for something in her pocket.
Just then the female maid came running, not looking even slightly winded, looking at Gretchen with concern.
"Mistress, please-!"
Unknown to everyone else, Gaz flinched at the word 'mistress'. How long had it been since she'd heard Gir call her that? But she shook the emotion off, favoring to eye Gretchen with distaste instead.
Gretchen waved her concerned nanny aside, leaning heavily against the door-frame as she fumbled with her pocket.
Gaz rolled her eyes. "Not to burst you're bubble or anything (not that I mind either), but we've been all over the news for a while now, Gretchen. It's not exactly anything new or exciting to us."
Gretchen finally found what she was looking for, pulling out her inhaler and taking a puff. After holding her breath to let the medication take effect, she sighed, releasing that breath, having regained most of her composure.
"No," she said, shaking her head as her eyes darted, frightened, between the two of them. "Zim just sent a broadcast to the world. The U.S. government has surrendered, and he says he's out looking for a fight."
"So?" Gaz continued, still patronizing. But the sinking feeling in both her and Dib's gut was undeniable. A flicker of meeting eyes between the two of them confirmed the mutual feeling of dread.
"He's looking for it with you." She said, pointing towards Dib. Then she quickly raced to the remote, turning on the TV and sitting tiredly on the bed, her maid trailing her all the while, as if waiting for her to drop. "Just watch for yourselves!"
As she sat, she took the second puff of her inhaler, leaning on her maid, but they were ignored as Dib and Gaz watched with complete focus.
Like Gretchen had said, Zim was there, looking pleased with himself. Incredibly smug. What Gaz wouldn't do to wipe that smirk off his face. Or, at least, that's what she had to make everyone else believe. In truth, if she was with him, she'd probably be every bit as smug as he was.
"So now that your despicable government now bows down to Invader Zim," He was saying, emphasizing his name and the power it now held. "I will seek the rest of this planet's continents and move forward with my plan for world conquest. However, it has come to my attention that a certain pair you should all be familiar with by now has gone missing. I'm sure you'll all be interested to know that the government was attempting to use one of that pair to strike a deal with me. Probably why your government's surrender came so swiftly after their disappearance."
From the television, as the camera filming his broadcast from his fortress was live, the crowd of onlookers began collectively muttering their surprise.
Zim laughed at their response. "Yes, disturbing, isn't it, that the people in charge of protecting their citizens wouldn't think twice about leveraging the life of a girl? Such honesty they claim to have and yet so many lies they tell. Now, you can always trust me to be honest. Cruelly so. You'll find in my future rule that Zim sugarcoats nothing."
Gaz snorted. He would act as though she was an innocent, helpless girl stuck in the trap of the government. As if she and even Dib hadn't played them from the start!
She also noticed he didn't mention the Swollen Eyeball's hand in the failed exchange and threats on her life. She figured it was because they weren't as well known as the government, an undercover operation from start to finish. Well, at least history wouldn't remember their hand in the downfall of the United States. It would just haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Oh, how that idea made Gaz almost smirk.
"Now, onwards to what I was previously speaking of," Zim continued, more diplomatically. "I'm looking for one of those pair, as I'm sure everyone is. I will find him soon, but anyone who gives Zim information on these two will . . . well, you'll get nothing, but your loyalty will be noted."
Dib snorted. Typical Zim.
An image of Dib appeared, his Skool photo actually. Dib wished Zim had picked a better photo, one that made him look dark and serious. In the photo he'd chosen, Dib was beaming like an idiot, smiling like the typical Hi-Skool kid, not at all the hero he was trying to be. Zim snickered, as if knowing of Dib's disapproval, and continued shortly after.
"This annoying little piece of filth is Dib Membrane, my arch-nemesis since the Dib-worm's childhood." Zim explained, pointing to the smaller picture in his projection with a sharp finger.
That was something Dib hadn't noticed before (but something Gaz definitely had, and she was currently shifting, somewhat uncomfortably, at the memory of those talons digging into her back and raking along other places at different times) but Zim had really sharp fingernails. He wondered if he'd been too busy to notice or just hadn't cared, but he realized, remembering the (humiliating) few times Zim had slapped him across his face, just how much it really stung! Sure, Dib had been slapped a few times before, and not so gently either (girls, who could deal with them getting the wrong impression?), but it had never stung like when Zim hit him. The pain was like bee-stings, but he'd figured it was just the alien strength.
Rubbing his cheek now, absentmindedly, he wondered if those sharp fingers had anything to do with the strange pain.
"He is a pest of mine I've been meaning to squash for some time now," Zim admitted, smugly, trailing a finger along the picture. It seemed to burn a trail where he traced, ripping the thing in half down the middle. Dib swallowed uncomfortable and Gretchen gave a gasp of surprise as with each slow run of his finger along the projection, Dib's picture (and in spirit, his face) was further ripped apart. With each assault, Zim's red eyes seemed to glitter just a bit more as he continued speaking.
"Asshole," Dib muttered, hiding his discomfort.
"A task I plan on doing personally, and as soon as possible. Anyone who wants to be the 'brown-noser' as you humans call it, and brings Dib to me harmed, dead, or at all, will be killed where they stand." Again, murmurs of surprise and alarm, but Zim waved it off with a hand, leaning his face against the other as he continued, sitting up. "I like to catch my prey, not have it brought to me. Where's the satisfaction in that?"
No one said anything and Zim smirked vindictively, leering at them all as he let out a wicked laugh to their united horror.
"Dib," Gretchen breathed, voice laced with fear, a hand reaching out towards him.
"WHAT ABOUT THE GIRL?" Someone shouted randomly. "HIS SISTER!"
Gaz's eyes widened considerably. She definitely hadn't expected to be brought up in this. Immediately she felt all eyes turn to her and her expression hardened, eyes narrowing as she ignored the stares and focused on the screen, to see the response.
"Invader Zim," some particularly bold news-caster shouted at his ginormous image on his fortress, microphone in hand. "Is it true that you were in a relationship with Gaz Membrane?"
Zim's eyes widened to impossible sizes. He had no way of knowing that a ways away from him, Gaz's expression was a mirror image of his. People all over the world would see this, she knew. His reaction was a death-wish on her. The best ransom target in the world, right now. What would the being about to own everything give to have his precious little spot back, safe and sound?
Then his eyes showed such hatred, such loathing and silent threats that it even stopped her racing mind in it's tracks, a brow rising with the faintest look of impressed respect on her face. Everyone turned back to the screen, curious. Dib felt bad for all those present, feeling terror as Zim's glare of death kept up on them all. If Gaz was looking like that, imagine how they felt. Especially the idiot that asked the question.
"I'll make this clear," Zim said, his voice matching his expression. It sent chills of fear into everyone who was able to hear it, stilling even Dib's heart for a moment. "Continue to harass Zim about the past, and I will kill you. Understood?"
Nobody said a word. Gaz was pretty sure no one was be able to.
"Nobody is to touch the Dib-monkey's sister," Zim continued, barking that order at them all.
Gaz's jaw dropped. Was he insane?
She felt like hitting herself for asking such as stupid question.
Of course he was!
"That business between she and I will be worked out publicly, though, since you are so curious." Zim added, nonchalantly, seeming bored as he rested his head against his arched fingers. "However, I find it strange you are more concerned with trying to create for Zim a love-life then a far more exciting battle between her disturbingly large-headed brother and I."
Gaz's brow rose. "Love-life?"
"Hey!" Dib shouted, defensively. "My heads not big!"
"Of course it's not," Gretchen assured him passionately, staring at him with adoring eyes. Uncomfortable, Dib just looked back towards the TV.
Zim sighed, "I suppose there are few humans I truly understand, not that I care to try to figure out anymore. I know enough to be able to predict your movements and enough to guess the handful of my case-studies' movements. Now that your society welcomes me as your new ruler, you shall expect swift action within the week. Until I decide you're worth speaking to again," he waved lazily, not bothering to finish his sentence, and the screen went back to the same Irken Symbol as before.
"Gaz," Dib said, gently, a hand reaching out towards her.
She held up a hand to stop the advance, leaning back and taking a deep breath. When she let out that shaky piece of air, she composed herself entirely, noticing the surprised expression on Gretchen's face and the concern on Dib's.
"I'm fine," she insisted, blankly. "Shouldn't we be . . . I don't know, calling someone who wants to join your stupid team? We're not going to get anything done with your jaw unhinged either."
This was directed towards Gretchen, who shut her mouth abruptly.
Dib gave her a disapproving look but it was clear with others around, he wasn't going to push the matter. Instead he stayed firm, serious, and nodded at her suggestion. "You're right. Did you have anyone in mind?"
Gaz contemplated a moment. Then she scowled at a few people she'd want nothing to do with, but were probably powerful by now.
But Gretchen was enough to deal with. She wasn't going to let anyone else in she didn't like.
"No. No one." She replied, eying him. "Did you?"
"A few," Dib admitted, but Gaz could tell he didn't like his ideas either.
There was a few minutes of contemplative silence.
"Um, I might know a few."
Immediately Gaz and Dib's eyes flew to Gretchen, who had spoken sheepishly. Under their looks she grew more nervous. The siblings shared a look before there eyes returned to her nervous figure.
"And just who did you have in mind?" Gaz asked, cynically.
*Cause Gretchen could never kill Gaz. Gaz would pretend to die, come back from the dead, kick her ass, torture her for a few years, and then let her loose on the city.
Its 3am. I'm tired.
LEAVE ME ALONE.
Haha. Just kidding, I'm not crazy. Yet.
Till the next chapter!
