OKAY BEFORE YOU ALL YELL AT ME FOR REVIEWS/DAILY QUOTE:
I was at my friends house and realized I'd forgotten to update before I got there and so NINJA-SNUCK into her computer room, logged in, updated, logged out and shut off the computer again before anyone noticed my absence. I DID THAT FOR YOU, taking time out of my social life because I love ya'll so much! ^_^
So don't be mad. It wasn't my fault (okay it was, but sssshhhh!).
Reviews now!
xoAmaxi
Chapter 29
Awww, I want a Gir and a Minimoose for children.
Waitwut.
.. Cute chapter, GAZ AND ZIM ARE FINALLY LEAVING TO MEET THE TALLEST.
This is bound to get interesting..
Ugh, man, you have me checking this site every hour for an update. I simply can't wait. o.o
LOL. NO, you don't!
You would end up being one of those tired parents that goes out in public with their bratty, over-excited children running amuck while you just kind of boredly sit there, not really caring anymore.
AND I WON'T WISH SUCH FATES UPON MY REVIEWERS.
Hehe, I do that refresh-thing a lot for stories. I check hourly. XD
KotaWingz
Chapter 29
Gaz could probably kick the Tallests' butts. The next chapter should be awesome!
And I am currently doing my best to convince a friend of mine to watch invader zim, but it is not going too well. She's too lazy to get on youtube to watch stuff.
OMG, MAKE HER! FORCE HER INTO SUBMISSION!
. . . Do it . . .
Invader Zim deserves the effort. Just spam her inbox with videos, that's what I do to my friends who won't watch things. Eventually they're like, "FINE!" and do it.
cheddarbiscuit
Chapter 29
...
Yeah, okay, some of this could have been put in with the previous chapter.
But I'm, like, the queen of filler, so I don't care.
Next chapter the story moves and that's all that matters.
Yeah, you see? Filler.
And NO. I like your story! It's like . . . . BAM . . . . BAM and so on. Like important thing, important thing, important thing MAGICAL NINJA FIGHT.
. . .
Okay maybe not a LITERAL magical ninja fight, which would be amazing (but have absolutely nothing to do with ANY IZ story) but it feels like it.
So yes! It moved! And now it's going to please you all, I hope!
ngrey651
Chapter 29
Hmm. Throughout the whole tale, the Tallest have been preoccupied with something previously not truly addressed. Now it seems you're about to address it. This intrigues me...and also worries me. Yes, Zim technically is ruling the world now, fulfilled his Invader duty, but if they decide for some reason that Gaz and Zim have to stay on Irk, or double-cross him (and I don't doubt they would), this would really throw a monkey wrench into EVERYONE'S plans.
The suspense is killing me! Softly! With this song! XD
. . . They're actually just running the Irken Empire. Nothing particularly important.
And you get bonus points for the song. It's well-known among my friends that me and my other friend know too many songs and can break into one for like, every sentence you say. (i.e. "It made sense in my head!" "In my head! I see you, all over me!" "SHUT UP!")
So you get points, if you didn't catch that. 367, to be exact.
Good for you.
QueenofDoomydoom
Chapter 29
Wow, Zim and Gaz's relationship has changed drastically since you started writing. At first they hated eachother, hissing insults to the other, now Zim is coddling her. ^^ You are such an awesome writer... why do I have a feeling this one will have a sad ending? I'm a wimp when it comes to stuff like character angst
I know, haven't they? I reread the first chapter of my old story and was like, grinning, screaming, "YOU LOVE EACH OTHER NOW YOU DEVIOUS SEX FIENDS! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
And then stopped and just began snickering to myself, re-reading the rest of it and being like, "Aw, I love you two."
Even if they couldn't hear me, of course, and they are subjects of my overstimulated imagination. I love my imagination then!
Anyways, the ending is . . . No, no, I won't ruin it! ^_^
Torrasque666
Chapter 30
Loled at the Snorgbeast bit. Sounds hilariously disgusting. All in all, I enjoyed this chapter. Not a lot of action(in either sense) but it wasn't filler either...very nice...
Haha, nope, not MUCH whoring around.
But this chapter is fully Zim/Gaz so you know SOMETHING happens.
ngrey651
Chapter 30
A few things, but no doubt important. Take your time. Also, saw your TVtropes page...NIIICE. I've got one for my own story, isn't it such a satisfying feeling knowing you made it to TVTropes? :D
It just makes me feel like I've gotten an award. ^_^
Invader Johnny
Chapte 30
Well Gaz's first meeting with the Tallest wasnt what I expect... I honestly hoped for some big argument of some sorts knowing Purple's stupidity and Gaz's foul temper.
But alas both characters kinda surprised me here.
Invader Tenn sure must have some resentment over Zim, I think she was only being kind because of his new stature nothing more.
Invader Johnny Signing Off.
I almost did that, but, Gaz didn't feel like embarrassing Zim.
Honestly. Sometimes it feels like these characters are just reacting to one another on their own and I'm just writing it down.
THIS IS A SONG TITLE TOO! :D
WOOOOOO! Thumbs up for Adam Lambert!
In this chapter, I write scenes I've been avoiding! Yay!
Enjoy.
Chapter 31
"For Your Entertainment"
Gaz woke up around what she guessed was morning, to Zim's nail tracing up and down her arm.
She sat up, looking at him. "What time is it?"
"Why are you so concerned with time?" He replied back, curiously, his head tilting to the side.
Gaz rolled her eyes. "Because I don't want to go home to have my sleep all screwed up."
Zim smiled at her, tucking a strand of her hair back into place. "It's only 6. Normally I would be worried but you fell asleep rather early last night."
Gaz nodded, sitting up. "And normally I would pretend to try to go back to sleep, but on a ship full of people waiting for me to entertain them who don't sleep, I think it's best I get up now."
He chuckled. "Probably. Although I'm sure they'd understand you sleeping a bit longer, if you are truly tired."
"I'm only tired after sex," She replied curtly, getting up and heading to the closet.
Zim smirked, pleased with himself. He sat up, folding his arms behind his head as he watched her naked form, completely content. "Good to know. But you'll probably be tired by the end of today, as well, what with the trials and what not."
"At least I'll be doing something interesting while I'm here," She muttered, digging through her wardrobe for some type of combat clothes. Eventually she settled on pants and a black, sleeveless shirt. Probably not the best protective clothing but if she was quick enough, she wouldn't need protection.
"Besides me," Zim quipped, pleased with himself for the remark.
Gaz shot him a look of disbelief before just shaking her head and ignoring the statement. "What do you think they want me to do?"
"Fight, most likely." He retrieved her necklace, getting up and draping it over her neck after she put her shirt on. "You'll probably want that, as a weapon. I doubt you'll get as much enjoyment from any of our toys."
Gaz grinned at the notion, despite the slightly displeased look Zim was giving her. She knew very well he would prefer it if she didn't have to fight at all but the reality was, she was going to fight and she was going to enjoy it. He made a face but walked off, getting dressed himself while she tended to her hygienic needs in the bathroom.
Today was going to be interesting.
"An army."
"What?"
Tak rolled her eyes, pointing to the picture in her hands, shoving it at Dib. "Zim's got an army training now. It was caught on tape."
"We already knew he had control of the army." Dib insisted, returning to his papers.
She glared at him. "I didn't! And they're on his grounds now. That means he's got security. The Swollen Eyeball was right, we shouldn't have just barged in there and hoped for the best."
"You're not helping." He muttered, bitterly.
Tak hissed at him. "I'm keeping your stupid hide alive long enough for you to be able to talk to your sister. I'm being practical, something you clearly have no experience with!"
Dib gave her another look of disdain. Then he sighed, shaking his irritation off as he looked back to his work again. "Sorry. I'm just . . . frustrated. I don't mean to take it out on you."
Tak's brow rose. She had expected him to continue fighting her on the subject. She peered at him a moment before sharing a look with MiMi, who seemed as equally confused.
"Are you . . . alright, Dib?" She finally questioned, somewhat reluctantly. Truth be told, Tak didn't give a damn how he was feeling a majority of the time. But she was not used to him acting so depressed and angry. Normally, Dib was a rather upbeat (if not somewhat annoyingly optimistic) character. If he wasn't acting like himself though, he could jeopardize the mission. And that would be going against a lesson Tak had carved into her very soul since she was a smeet.
The mission was everything.
He looked up at her, a brow rising back. "Since when do you care if I am or not?"
She bared her teeth at him, irritated at his tone, even if the statement did have grounds. "It was just a question! If you won't answer it, I won't bother you about it!"
He gave her a wary look before sighing again, pushing his chair away from the table they were working at. "I don't know what I'm expected to do here, Tak. The Swollen Eyeball expects me to just forget Gaz is my sister and only thing about Zim, my dad is all of the sudden giving me free reign on my decisions. If Gaz were here she'd just tell me the obvious answer I always overlook because I make things too complicated, but she's not, so-."
"So you have me to do it instead," Tak interrupted, pointedly. "You're stressing things that will be of no benefit to you to figure out. Right now all we need to do is figure out a way inside Zim's fortress when he returns."
"But he has two now." Dib insisted, aggravated with the situation at hand. "How do we know which one he's going to?"
"Obviously this second one," Tak replied, easily. "Otherwise Skoodge wouldn't be there. Zim wouldn't just leave Skoodge to finish up what he and your sister started."
"Good point." He admitted, touching his hand to his chin. "But that still leaves the question of how we're going to get inside. Knowing Zim has an army in there, whether they're defending him or not, the Swollen Eyeball isn't going to be willing to infiltrate."
"That depends," She corrected, thoughtfully. "Zim's army works in swarms. If we can condense them enough, it's possible they'd be useless. But that would require an immense amount of man-power to force the troops to delude enough so we stand a chance. Or at least last long enough for our purpose."
"It would take the whole organization," Dib agreed. "And they wouldn't do something like that unless we were forced to act, for whatever reason. Apparently, a full-scale invasion isn't enough for them to want to get off their asses."
Tak smirked at the last remark, but continued. "Or a 'last straw' of some sorts that needs to be pulled."
"So that's it then," Dib said, blinking his surprise. "We find out something Zim has done to piss off the Swollen Eyeball enough to the point where they'll attack, so we can get inside?"
"Precisely." She agreed, smirking. "There, now you're not so frustrated."
"Well we still need to find that motivational piece."
"Good morning, children! Glad to see youth up so early!"
They both turned to the door to find Dr. Membrane in it, looking as pleasant as ever (or at least, he sounded pleasant; you could never see enough of his face to know for sure).
Tak's lip curled back, automatically. Dib looked up, pleasantly surprised. Normally, Dib wasn't such a big fan of his absent father but considering the man was all he had left for the moment, he was willing to make an exception to his own rule.
"Hey, Dad," Dib said, smiling.
Dr. Membrane headed over, picking up a few files and skimming through them. "And what are you two up to?"
"We're just brainstorming." Dib explained, casually.
"Oh," he put the files down, glancing between the two of them. "And did you come up with anything?"
"No," Tak said, icily. Beside her, MiMi was especially tense. She stood up, "If you'll excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom."
She brushed past Dr. Membrane, her SIR unit following obediently after her, shooting a glare at Dr. Membrane before she darted off. Dib looked between his father and where Tak had disappeared to.
Alright now this just didn't make sense. It made sense when Tak hadn't met his father and the man was just a genius smarter then average, but now this was just getting kind of ridiculous. Dib was well aware Tak didn't like people in general, but around Dr. Membrane, she was just . . . vicious. Dib acted like he didn't notice but he'd seen the looks Tak had given his father any time he spoke, whether it was directed at her or not. She normally recoiled from people, not openly loathed them (with himself being the exception).
. . . What had gone on in that room when they'd been left alone together?
"Hey, Dad?" Dib questioned.
Dr. Membrane looked up from the files, "Yes, son?"
"Tak's been acting kind of strange, lately," Dib said, slowly, looking down at the folders, glancing up at his father from the corner of his eye. "Any advice?"
Dr. Membrane paused in his reading. Dib couldn't see it in his eyes, since they were covered, but he'd stilled. "Strange how?"
"I mean, I don't know if it's a female thing or an Irken thing . . ." Dib trailed of carefully, shrugging.
He eyed his father, who was flipping pages again. Dr. Membrane chuckled, picking up different pictures. "Well, if it's a female thing, son, I'm afraid no man can help you there."
Dib's brow rose. He hadn't answered the other question. "And an Irken thing?"
"You are the expert on them, are you not?" His father replied, easily. Too easily. "Shouldn't you be able to figure it out on your own?"
Dib continued to eye his father. Something was wrong. Dib had never been good at hiding things himself, but he was pretty good at reading people. And he'd always had a bit of a knack for reading his father, which was why he'd never been particularly fond of him. Dib wasn't able to delude himself into thinking his father always cared about them, while Gaz was. She was a master at reading people but, while Dib had never told her, she had a weak spot; their dad. Dib had never told her, because it would hurt her and the last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt his sister.
But Dib could see through his father's shield of ignorance now. He knew something.
And he was going to find out what.
"Dad, I . . . Can I . . . I need to tell you something." Dib finally said, sullenly. "Can you sit down?"
Dr. Membrane's brow rose, but he did. "You're little friend will be back soon, son."
"No, she takes forever in the bathroom." Dib assured him, looking down at his hands. "Dad, about Tak . . . there's . . . something that you need to know about her."
Dib glanced up. He saw his father still entirely, poised, waiting. "And what is that, son?" His father's eyes narrowed. "You aren't going to tell me that she's pregnant, are you?"
"What? No!" Dib insisted, shaking his head vigorously. But he'd heard the false accusation. Dr. Membrane didn't believe that, he just wanted a distraction. "Of course not. We're totally platonic, Dad."
"Oh, good." His father reached across, messing with Dib's hair fondly; something he'd never done before. "You're too young to be a father."
"Dad," Dib insisted, getting back to the subject. "This is important."
Dr. Membrane chuckled, "Of course it is, son."
"Dad," His voice lowered considerably as he took a deep breath, speaking quietly as he leaned over to tell his father. "Tak's . . . Irken."
His father remained unaffected. "We already know she was raised by Irkens, son."
Dib's eyes narrowed.
He knew.
"No, she's not human, Dad," Dib insisted, hissing the words. "I made up that story to keep her safe."
"Now son, that's just ridiculous. Really, where do you come up with these ideas of yours?"
He knew everything.
"Those marks." Dib insisted, his eyes narrowing at his father. "On her back; They're from her PAK. The Tallest hid it inside of her, so it wouldn't blow her cover."
Dr. Membrane's brow rose. "Are you sure she just wasn't tortured?"
And he'd lied about it.
"You knew already," Dib accused, getting to his feet and walking around the table. His father got to his feet, his face completely blank, even as Dib pointed an accusing finger at him. "You've been lying to me this whole time!"
"Now, Dib-." Dr. Membrane insisted calmly, holding up his hands in what was supposed to be a soothing manner.
It didn't work.
"You knew what Tak was!" Dib continued, furiously. "Did she tell you? Why didn't you tell anyone else, Dad?"
"Why didn't you?" Dr. Membrane retorted calmly, gripping Dib's shoulders. "Son, please, I can explain."
Dib recoiled, shoving his father away from him. "Then start talking, Dad! Tell me what you know about Tak right now!"
Dr. Membrane seemed about to say something when something caught his eyes (or so Dib guessed) and he looked past Dib, towards the doorway. Dib turned as well.
Tak stood in the doorway, her face stern. Her hand went to MiMi on her shoulder.
"Tak," Dib said, breathing heavily from the shouting as his body calmed. "What's going-?"
"It's," She glanced to his father, unmistakable hatred in her eyes. "Not for me to say, Dib."
"So it's true, then," Dib looked between both of them, darkly. "You both lied to me. When you said you didn't know each other, you lied."
"I made her do it," Dr. Membrane insisted. "I wanted to tell you myself."
Tak wanted to snort. So he really was keeping his promise about damning himself to make her look like an angel.
Anything for friendship, she thought bitterly.
Dib's eyes shot between them, wide and nervous. "I'm not about to hear Tak's my mother or something, am I?"*
This time Tak did snort; in disgust and amusement. "As if, Dib! Don't be ridiculous."
"Well then what the hell is going on?" Dib demanded, looking at his father expectantly. When he didn't say anything, Dib's eyes narrowed. "You have ten seconds to explain before I walk out that door and never speak to you again, Dad."
Tak's brow rose as she looked to MiMi, speaking too quietly for either of them to hear. "That's a threat?"
MiMi just shrugged.
"I should go," She said, loud enough for them to hear, turning to leave. "You should learn through your father, not me, since this is his fault and all."
And thus, with a last unhelpful remark, she turned and left, shutting the door behind her.
Dib turned back to Dr. Membrane. "Explain.
His father sighed.
3 Months Ago
"They found her in an ally, passed out on my property. They called me, because I'm a genius, well renound in identifying those when there's no hope and they also thought I'd like to know who was hanging around my lab, just in case."
Two scientists pushed the stretched in.
On it, a girl thrashed violently, cursing everyone in an unidentifiable language.
"They thought she might be some kind of terrorist or foreign spy. They ran her fingerprints and found nothing, no trace of her existence anywhere. Nobody recognized her uniform. No one knew who she was or where she came from. I was fascinated by the challenge and accepted her as my property."
"Let GO OF ME!" She demanded, twisting, aggravating her wounds and creating more. "MIMI!"
"She had an accent no ne could place. It might've been Russian, but no one could be sure. Another bit to the mystery."
In an indestructible cage created by Membrane himself, a cat slammed against the walls, making the scientist question just how 'indestructible' it was. With each hit it threatened to tear free and kill them all, but so far, it was still bound.
"She refused to give us a name. She refused to tell us where she was from. She refused to cooperate in any form, forcing us to bind her to prevent her from hurting herself or anyone else. I watched her be wheeled in and immediately believed the horror stories I'd already heard about this girl who we'd only had in our custody for a few hours. Twice, my doctors informed me, she had tried to kill herself with anything she could get her hands on. She was badly injured both times and had to be given emergency care to save her life. Quite the little viper, or so I'd heard."
Dr. Membrane went down, syringe in hand, ready to deliver anesthesia, should it prove necessary.
He cleared his throat. "I'm-."
She spat on him, growling and hissing at him in that unknown language of hers again. Dr. Membrane was handed a towel and he wiped it off, handing it back to the man before turning to her again.
"As I was saying," he continued, as if nothing had happened. "My name is Dr. Membrane."
She just glared at him, long hair completely disheveled from the struggling.
"She was a bloody, bruised, possibly beaten mess, as she wouldn't hold still long enough for my doctors to properly clean her. But I was informed she'd looked like hell from the start, which was why we thought she was attacked and weren't treating her hostilely."
"What's your name?"
"Shove it up your ass, ignorant human filth!" She shrieked, trying to kick out at him and failing to do so, thanks to the bonds.
"No one heard her wording, or noticed. They were too busy trying to keep her under control. But I told them to leave, just in case they started paying attention. I am, after all, perfectly fit. I could easily contain what two men could not."
They left, leaving the two of them in the room alone.
He spoke warningly and she began to struggle more, glaring defiantly all the while. "I'm a world renown scientist with enough money and power to make you disappear or use unjust methods without consequence. This would be much easier on both of us if you'd cooperate."
"I don't care who you are!" She hissed, unmistakable loathing and violence in her eyes. "Nothing you do is going to make me submit! I'd rather die then continue being here any longer and to be perfectly honest, Dr. Membrane, I intend to. You're wasting your time! You've got no right to keep me here! Now let me go!"
Dr. Membrane lowered his voice. "Right now, I'm the only one whose realized you aren't human."
She froze, opening her eyes (that had closed with frustration as she fought her restraints) and slowly locking eyes with him. They still held fury, but terror was written all across her face.
"So if you wish for it to stay that way, I suggest you cooperate and tell me what I want to know."
Her lip curled back, snorting disdainfully at him. "You said Dr. Membrane, right? You don't believe in aliens. Your son told me so."
At once his eyes narrowed, hands curling into fists. "How do you know my son?"
She sneered at him. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"What's your name?"
"Tak," She said, pridefully. "What do you want with me?"
"I would prefer if you weren't on my planet."
"You and me both," She muttered, glaring at her lap. Then she turned towards the cage. "MiMi, desist."
At once, her companion stopped, but it never relaxed, growling and hissing at Dr. Membrane and glaring through narrowed eyes.
His brow rose at her answer. "Will you tell me why you're here?"
She hissed, glaring down at her lap. "Do I have a choice?"
"She told me about what the Tallest did to her, in confidence. We made a deal; she'd tell me what I wanted to know about her past only and I wouldn't reveal what she was or hand her over to organizations like the Swollen Eyeball."
"And the scars on her back? Are those your fault too?"
"Yes. A few days after her arrival and a few suicide
attempts later, I proposed an idea to her."
"If I can get into your PAK," Dr. Membrane informed her, quietly, despite the fact there was no one in the room and he'd disabled all the security. Should she kill him, somehow, and escape no one would know until she was out in the open. "I can deactivate your memories. I can convince you that you're entirely human."
Tak snorted, on her side, incredibly weak. Once the initial adrenaline had worn off she'd felt the fully impact of her wounds. She was paying for it in energy and soreness now. "Stupid human. A PAK is like your primitive life-support. You touch it, you could kill me."
"Isn't that what you want?"
She sat up, despite the strain it put on her, a brow raising. "You would kill me?"
"I want you off my planet. You wish you were dead." Dr. Membrane said, casually. "It's the legal, easy way out."
"You tricked her."
"Yes."
Tak's eyes narrowed. "And what about MiMi?"
"You have my word she'll be destroyed. We won't touch her."
"So the marks?"
"Were mine. Her race is extremely advanced. There was nothing on her back before I operated."
"I performed the procedure, alone, in secret. I nearly lost her, several times, but I managed to figure out how to implant my bug without killing her. When she woke up, I diagnosed her with PTSD. I told her nothing and so she knew nothing. I knew the chance of recall was slim, even with her cat around."
"So me finding her?"
"A freak accident. Something I never anticipated."
"She asked you to kill her. It would've made your life a whole lot simpler. Why didn't you?"
". . ."
"Dad?"
"Because she said she knew you."
End Flashback
"A monster?" Gaz questioned, brow rising with intrigue. "I'm fighting a monster?"
"Yes. Put this on." Zim ordered, helping her into the vest. It was like a black steel, but flexible and light. It wouldn't prevent a full-on attack but it would prevent scratches. Not much, but it was something.
She snorted as he secured it in the back. "Not particularly creative."
"Irkens never are when it comes to entertainment," He stated bluntly. "Put the sleeves on while I do this."
Gaz reached down, grabbing the metal sleeves that looked similar to the ones on Zim's invader uniform, except gray. She was glad she'd worn a sleeveless shirt. "What kind of monster?"
"It's one used in events like this. It looks like a bull, except the size of an elephant. I don't know what color it will be though, it varies."
"So, I'm basically bull-fighting?"
"Correct." He agreed. He gripped the ends of the sleeves that she'd managed to get up to her forearms, pulling them the rest of the way up and connecting them to her vest. When it was properly fastened he turned her, hands on his shoulder as he locked eyes with her in a serious gaze. "This isn't a game, Gaz. It doesn't happen a lot, but Irkens get injured and, though rare, killed in these types of games. Promise me you'll be careful."
Gaz smirked, stepping up on her toes to kiss him. She could feel his apprehension in the kiss, like he wanted it to be tender but was too tense to do so. It annoyed her. She opened her mouth, moaning into his. It got a reaction out of him. Not as enthusiastic as she would have liked, but his tongue was soon entangling hers in its normal grasp, with a slightly irritated and affectionate hiss. Gaz was surprised at just how tense Zim was. Normally he was glad to change the subject with a kiss, but it seemed this time he was just a bit too wrapped up in worry.
She pulled away with a smirk, removing her necklace, surprise at how easily the metal moved. "I'll be fine, Zim. And careful."
"Good," He gave her a quick kiss before smirking back at her. "I will be rooting for your success."
Gaz looked towards the doors. "It's an arena kind of, isn't it."
"Yes, but try to ignore the cheering." Zim said, squeezing her shoulders. "I have to go. But if anything happens, I'll be right up where the Tallest are and have permission to intervene or stop the fight at any time."
"Psh," she slipped from his grasp with an arrogant, teasing shrug. "This is the only reason I agreed to come here. You really think I'm willing to lose?"
Zim laughed at her, "I would be careful if I were you. Someone once told me pride is the easiest way to fall."
Gaz rolled her eyes, "Just go sit and watch how it's done."
He bowed out, amusement and slight fear for her in his eyes. Gaz waited until he slipped through the door to go stand by the entrance to the stadium. She'd been instructed to wait until the doors opened before going out.
She was aware of the layout; the doors would open on a platform, about ten feet above the ground, an easy enough jump. She'd wait until the gates for the goat/elephant/bukk-thing or whatever was released, giving her a view of her opponent, the last opportunity to back out. Once she descended it would be an exception of the challenge and the match would go until the beast was killed (or, if Zim deemed it necessary, the match was stopped).
This fight would be public. According to Zim and the Tallest, the match was sold out and would be played live everywhere there was a transmitter. Irkens absolutely loved battles, especially when other species were involved. And a different-species mate hadn't been taken up by an Irken in a while. Needless to say, another battle like this probably wouldn't happen for another decade or so. After tomorrows fight anyways, which was also already sold out.
Gaz heard the speakers through the door, but hardly paid attention to what they were saying, holding her necklace tightly in her hands. She hadn't morphed it yet. She was going to wait until she saw what she was dealing with before choosing a weapon.
The door lifted slowly and immediately cheers bombarded her hearing. She flinched, grimacing at the intense noise, but the door had only lifted to her waist and so it went unseen. When it was fully opened she stepped out, completely focused on the task she was about to do. Gaz refused to embarrass herself in front of all these people by losing this fight. Her eyes narrowed on the gates, fingers curling tighter around her necklace with anticipation.
"AND NOW!" Whatever announcer shouted. "THE CHALLENGING CREATURE, THE SLONGOPLAX!"
"Who the hell comes up with names like the Slongoplax?" Gaz muttered, brow rising in disbelief.*
The ginormous gate below opened. Two piercing red eyes appeared from the dark before a roar bellowed out, making the watching crowd cheer with excitement while the more spineless shivered a bit. Gaz didn't even flinch as she waited.
Zim was right in saying it was about the size of an elephant, large to humans, ginormous to small Irkens. This one was purple and unlike a bull, its horns twisted in a strange way and there were patterns running across its sides. She wondered if that was just its fur color (assuming it was fur) or a type of Irken brand but either way, it was there, all in black. But she noted it was chained, held back to only be able to reveal itself and go no further.
Gaz brought both hands to the necklace, breaking it in two. It began morphing and she held her hands out while she waited for the change to complete. Eventually she had two small swords in her hands. One might call them daggers, but they were too big and so were not. Then approaching the edge she jumped easily, landing in a crouching position on the sand-colored dirt floor fo the arena. The surrounding Irkens shouted their approval.
"MATCH ACCEPTED."
The creature took note of her as she got to her feet, not moving any closer. It let out a noise, another roar, straining on the chains.
Zim was indeed sitting with the Tallest, in a booth with the perfect view. Guards stood on either side of the entrances, dutifully, but also watching the fight from the corner of their eyes.
"Woo!" Purple had popcorn which he was shoveling into his mouth, a soda in the other hand. "Man, this is gonna be awesome!"
"Zim," Red insisted, to the littler sitting to his left. Red, too, had snacks, but he wasn't eating them quite as sloppily as Purple was. "Are you sure you want to let her do this?"
Zim was the only one who didn't look excited. His face was dark, unreadable, solemn. He looked down at Gaz and while no one else might see it, even with the close-up the cameras were getting on her face that seemed bored to everyone else, he could tell just how truly she wanted to do this. How excited she was about finally doing something she considered worth her while. Gaz had been pretty stationary (besides their intimate times) for a while. Normally, before all of this taking over the world business got started, Gaz got herself into a fight at least once a week. But she hadn't really done anything in a little over a month. She was probably incredibly bored. Zim would have to see to that when they returned. He'd probably end up letting her train a few segmented members of the army.
But to answer Red, he replied, with an indifferent shrug, "It's what she wants. I have to let her have her fun every once in a while."
His leader smirked and nudged him with his elbow. "I gotta admit, Zim. Never would've thought you'd find a mate, let alone like this one."
"Neither did I," Zim said to himself, too quiet for Red to hear (and he wasn't paying attention anymore anyways).
"LET THE BATTLE BEGIN IN!"
Zim's hands curled into fists, gripping the chair with nerves.
And of course the crowd had to help with the count down.
"3!"
Gaz tensed as the bull let out another frustrated roar, pulling tighter on the chains that held him back.
"2!"
Zim's eyes narrowed, focusing entirely on Gaz (as if he wasn't already).
"1!"
A smirk broke out on Gaz's face.
"FIGHT!"
The roar of the crowd nearly drowned out the roar of the beast. The chains retracted and the creature went charging at her, shouting its anger and fully prepared to take out his frustration on her.
Gaz did not move, halfway facing the beast.
Zim's eyes widened as it got closer and she still did not move. "Gaz!"
Obviously, she had no hope of hearing him. But as if she did, she chose that moment to side-step the beast, as if this was a bull-fighting match. It didn't have time to change directions either as suddenly Gaz was engulfed in her own flames, burning the creature's side as if rushed past her. It howled with pain and anger and the cheers got louder, every Irken on the planet on the edge of their seats.
Zim let out a breath of relief, sitting back down in his chair, not realizing he'd gotten up to grip the railing.
Purple laughed at him. "Nervous, Zim?"
He smiled weakly, "Heh, just a bit, My Tallest."
"No Irken is fond of their mate going out into battle when they're from another species," Red informed him in what Zim assumed was supposed to be a comforting manner. "Relax, Zim! Just sit back and watch the show!"
Zim sat back, putting on a facade of relaxation, all the while wringing his hands in fear.
Gaz, on the other hand, was having a blast.
Of course, she was still fully focused, keeping her promise to Zim about being careful. If she got hurt she'd never hear the end of his guilty apologies and since she did not, under any circumstances, want to hear it, she was going to keep herself from harm. It would be easy enough with how temperamental this thing was. It had no control over itself, it was just blind with rage.
"Too easy," She muttered, but decided against chancing it.
Gaz put her fire out, stepping to face the thing again. It snarled at her, still sizzling from the burn that left no mark. She really did have to ask Zim about that but obviously, now was not the time.
It was wary as it got up, but it wanted revenge. She could see it in it's eyes, beadly little red things glaring at her. Gaz just remained stationary, waiting for it to attack.
Which it did.
The snorgle-whatever ran forward, it's entire weight ready to slam into her petite. Gaz did the same thing as before except this time, she dropped to the floor, on her back, making Zim nearly have a heart attack (if he had a heart). But she remained calm, putting up the swords and digging them into the things belly as it ran past her, once again unable to stop. She moved before it could attempt to trample her, rolling away quickly, onto her hands and knees as it let out a scream of pain.
Her brow rose, surprised to find the color of its blood was red. She'd expected purple or something.
Eh . . . oh well.
It stumbled, looking down at its wounds.
Big mistake.
Immediately, Gaz's sword was aflame as she raced towards the things at her maximum speed. Its head snapped up just as she jumped over it, landing on its back and stabbing into wher she assumed its spine was. It let out another howl, trying to buck her off but she had already withdrawn her weapon and leaped away, eying it carefully to see the damage.
She couldn't be sure of the anatomy, but it seemed she'd hit something painful. It was storming around, moving too much for her to try another attack. She had to wait until it calmed down. It charged at her, clumsily, but quickly. Rather then risk another hit Gaz jumped out of the way. However, the side of its horn clipped her leg, throwing her off balance as it skidded to a halt. Gaz landed on her hands and knees, grunting at the clumsy landing and jumping away just as the thing once again regained its footing as well. Before it could get the upper hand however Gaz threw her hand back and set it aflame (a task much easier then setting her whole body aflame) and shot a ball of fire directly into its eyes before backing up, giving the thing (and herself) space.
It began slamming its hooves on the ground, rocking the floor of the arena and sending shudders throughout the building. The crowd only cheered louder.
Gaz stood slowly, careful not to lose her footing in the unsteady ground. Up in the stands Zim could tell how badly she wanted to kill the thing not just to prove herself now, but for revenge for making her fall, even if it seemed she hadn't been hurt. Although that 'if' was making him squirm as he hoped she was alright and just miffed.
A roar erupted as the flames seared the creatures eyeballs, feet slamming harder on the ground. Gaz growled. Alright, now this was just getting stupid!
Deciding to take a chance with her aiming accuracy she launched one of her swords forward, directly towards where she figured its heart might be. It hit home and the beast wailed, gurgling. Blood (besides the little trickles from the belly-wound) began to spurt from the knife in it's chest as it heaved, seeming to try and steady itself for another charge. Gaz relaxed at its manners but only slightly. One was always surprised when it came to the will-power of the dying, especially with animals (assuming this thing was an animal . . . stupid alien creatures).
And as she had guessed it might, it began to set up for one last attempt to kill her; a death charge.
Zim's nerves were completely shot. It took all of his efforts to remain composed, so the Tallest wouldn't think him a buzz kill as they cheered enthusiastically beside him. The beast was going to lose, that much was clear. The only unsure outcome of the match was whether or not it would take Gaz (or some part of her) with it.
Gaz burst her body into flames in an attempt to intimidate the animal, make it submit, now that she only had one sword in hand. It recoiled, but was poised, preparing itself to launch at her. Gaz's eyes narrowed, aware that it wasn't going to back down.
Fine. Then neither was she.
It charged.
She didn't move.
People were cheering, drowning out any hope of hearing a single shout. Gaz's hands lifted up, holding the sword straight up in the air, keeping careful aim, completely focused.
This would need perfect timing.
"What's she doing?" Purple asked, a brow rising.
Red's shrugged and glanced at Zim, who seemed paralyzed. "Zim?"
An explosion erupted the building as beast met fire. Gaz was completely out of view, engulfed by her own flames. The crowd cheering was now shouting in surprise. There was silence.
Then more cheering as the smoke cleared away.
Zim's eyes widened as he jumped to his feet, for the second time. "GAZ!"
*Because I just felt like someone would assume something stupid like that.
AHAHAHHA, EVIL CLIFF-HANGER!
Oh, you all know that you love me, don't deny it.
I keep you in suspense. Otherwise, why would you be so interested in this story?
"What's the point of this game?"
"To have the LEAST debt by the end of the game (because it's nearly impossible to NOT have debt) and to have the most teeth."
"You're kidding me, right?"
"Psh, NO!"
-Redneck Life. Best. Board Game. EVER.
Till the next chapter!
