A/N: Hello, boys and girls (Mrs. Doubtfire voice).
Yeah, I've been pretty busy updating this story for the past few months. Remember how I said that there was one or two more chapters? Well, I lied! I didn't, but that was then, and things changed. But for the better? You should be the judge of that.
Anyhow, there have been other issues in my life going on, but never would I let them thwart this story's update. Third-year dissertations can wait!
My beloved childhood cat passed away in August, and this chapter was only half done. I had that cat since I was seven, and not having her around is hard. But luckily, her passing could help me reflect on grief better. It's like choking on a sob that refuses to budge, that's all I can say. Do you remember this sentence I had written in chapter three?
Zim understood a little more about these creatures of the Homo Genus. This feeling of loss was one major function of their survival. Without it, they were hardly human at all...
I was being too technical with the latin word for man (I'm a Zoologist, leave me alone), and one of you mentioned using less technical terms in a past review. You were very right, of course, but I just like how alien Zim's perception of humans was back then, as if he's watching a nature documentary about us. But it also helped me. My cat may not have been human (she's Felis silvestris), but I would never erase her memory or my grief. As much as you hate it, you love it all the same. It makes you human, and to forget a creature or person that you loved would be disloyal.
Disclaimer: I do not own Invader Zim, I do not own Invader Zim, I do not own Invader Zim!
...
The time had finally come. Zim had to say farewell...
He wasn't sure how to feel about it: happy, sad, relieved? After everything he had been through, it was safe to say it was the latter. But that wasn't to say he wasn't sad too. How could he not be? The child that had come into his life, and graced him with her presence, was now saying goodbye.
This was going to be hard, and this little Irken with his heart of stone had no idea how to handle sorrow. When you've never been given the chance to care, the pain can be ten times worse.
He wasn't alone, as he had his companions. Everyone who knew the little ghost had come to say their goodbyes, and Zim was grateful; no matter how much he hated to admit.
The only person in the room with a grudge was Dib. He had never been given the chance to form any kind of bond with the girl, and any he had been interested in was merely professional.
Zim wasn't too happy about his being there, but when he showed up at his house that evening, he simply moved aside, and let the boy through the door. He did promise after all that Dib could have his proof.
Molly's mother finally got her true goodbye. Such warmth had spread through the house that afternoon when Molly became visible to her eyes. Elizabeth didn't question, nor did she fear nor deny her, she just embraced her as she had done every night when she tucked her inside. Even when she told the rest of her family that Molly's spirit had never left, they simply cherished. Seeing the love rekindled in their mother's eyes meant a lot to them, and whether they knew it or not, they had Zim to thank.
The only member of the family who was aware, of course, was little Molly II. It was hard for Zim not to be smug, but he was, and it was more than he deserved. His first victory in his new mission.
Now they all gathered in Zim's living room, waiting for the inevitable. The wake had ended an hour ago, giving Molly enough time with her mother. But they never questioned what would come for Molly.
Would it be a light? A portal? A stairway leading right up to heaven? There were many variations of travelling from Earth to the afterlife, and it was likely different for everyone, sort of based off the person's beliefs.
The ones who doubt any kind of existence after death would be in for a surprise. Why shouldn't they be? There was a powerful essence that drove the body, and one day it will be set loose and freed like a dove from its cage...
Zim was anxious. He would glance around the room, meeting the eyes of Gaz, Molly, Dib, GIR, and Minimoose, but not the computer, considering he's a disembodied voice.
Zim would look away, trying to act natural, and not let the others know that he was dying inside. Such anticipation; he thought it would be simpler than this. Molly's unfinished business was over, so why was she still here? What was the delay? It was quicker in the movies (or so they have you believe).
Zim finally exploded. "What is the hold up? Molly reunited with her mother, so why are we still waiting?! I knew it! It was all a sham!"
"Shut up and have faith, you baboon! The time will come..." said the voice of Gaz.
She was sitting on the couch. Her brother sat on her left, remarkably patient. But it was only a matter of time till his patience runs out.
"Don't call me a baboon!"
"You're a baboon!" GIR said.
Zim kicked him to the wall. GIR laughed hysterically.
"It's not poor GIR's fault. You didn't have to be so mean," Molly cried, running to the bot's aid. He shouted for another kick.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't let my anger get the better of me. I thought it would be easier than this. Surely, you didn't expect to be lingering still after you finally reunited with your mother?"
"Well, I hoped I would see a light. I saw it once, but it disappeared, and I saw him. I saw my Daddy..."
The girl looked to the left with plain sorrow in her eyes. Minimoose sat on her head to give her comfort.
"That's it. I'm going to have to have a word with Her..."
"Her who?" Dib asked.
"None of your business! But if you must know she's of a higher power, beyond anything your mortal brain can muse."
"See? I told you God's a girl," Gaz said.
Dib looked at her sharply.
"I'm not talking about God. Well, she's similar to him… her… Oh, now you've got me at it!"
"I didn't even realize aliens believed in a god," Dib said.
"They don't. Well, not Irkens, anyhow. We may have had a mother of all life. Kind of like your Earth queen ants, spawning millions."
"Well, it's not really surprising, considering how you all destroy home worlds..."
Zim gave him a harsh look. "Your father is a Man of Science. What would you know of religion?"
"Hey, I may have a high IQ...
"No you don't," Gaz interrupted.
... but I still believe in something. There's got to be a reason behind this messed up life. Even dad has his motives. Why do you think he studies science? For answers! I'm a paranormal investigator. My whole career is based on finding and exposing the truth, and that's why I'm here today."
Gaz rolled her eyes. "You're not going philosophical again, are you, Dib? Don't make me put my foot in your mouth!"
"Oh, leave him to it," Zim said. "I find it rather amusing, seeing how his large head vein throbs when he's frustrated."
"I don't have a throbbing head vein!" Dib yelled.
"Ooh, there it is again. Aw, it looks just like a little Dib..."
"Stop it!"
GIR came to Zim's side. "Aw, it's cute. I'm gonna poke it!"
GIR was about to attack Dib's head in his classical fashion, until a voice interjected.
"May I interrupt this childish banter? Not only is it annoying, but it is disrespectful to Molly. She deserves to leave in peace... So please, all of you, SHUT UP!"
And sure enough silence ensued.
Zim raised a brow. "That's the first time I've ever heard you yell, or express any kind of emotion, computer. What's happened to you?"
"Molly happened. I think she may have changed us all in a way. GIR, however, he's the same happy idiot as always..."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Zim said, sadly.
"It's just a shame she has to go."
"I could always come back for a visit?" Molly suggested, but her voice drifted through the room. They knew it would never come to that.
"Whoa, so let me hear this straight. Has it only been me this entire time who hasn't seen Molly?" Dib asked.
No one answered his question, and then another awkward silence followed.
"Great! The only one in this room with any kind of specialized knowledge, and I get left in the dark! Why is it always me, huh, huh? When will I get my break...?"
Zim looked over at Molly, and gave her a nod. Dib continued.
"... years of ridicule from my peers, and this is what I get? I deserve respite—!"
"Dib?"
Dib froze after hearing that strange yet familiar voice. He spun around, meeting the eyes of a blue-eyed, blonde-haired child. She looked away shyly.
He stepped back, taking in the sight of her. "You... I... I see you... Molly!"
"It's nice to finally meet you. I'm sorry it took so long. I was just waiting for Zim to tell me it was okay."
"But... but you look so normal!"
"Well what did you expect?" Gaz said.
"I don't know. Less fleshy-looking and see through. You're so solid!"
"I would describe her more semi-solid," Zim intervened. "Look, Dib, I've bided my time with you. At first I didn't trust you due to your relentless, and, quite frankly, cruel, twisted fixation on capturing and exposing Molly. But you earned this. You're not bad, just confused and desperate. I almost..." he stopped, trying his hardest not to choke, "felt bad for you. You've never had an easy time: I'm still standing here! Sorry, too early for jokes..." he added, after that irritated look from Dib. "I think it's time we finally put our differences aside. I will no longer be a problem to you or the rest of your race."
Dib was flabbergasted. He almost tripped over his feet. "You're giving up on taking over the planet?!"
Zim reconsidered a second. "Yeahhh..." he said at last. He was smiling.
"But what about the rest of your people? I can't believe I'm saying this, but are you just going to turn your back on them? I did always admire your loyalty."
"I'm sure they won't miss me. You may find this baffling, Dib, but I'm not so popular on my home planet. I guess they can't handle my amazingness..."
"And your Tallest?"
"What about them? This is just a hunch, but I always thought they gave me this planet just to get rid of me. I was a food-service drone, and they all of a sudden had a change of heart, and gave me my old, respectful title as an Invader? I've looked. My PAK still has me encoded as a drone, though like I said, just a hunch."
"Your whole race hates you? Is that what you're telling me?"
"Yes. Shocking, isn't it? I only caused two blackouts, killed Tallest Miyuki and Spork, and ruined Operation Impending Doom I. Meh, it's their loss."
Dib watched him strangely. "Okaaay, this is the weirdest conversation I've had, but it's cool of you to reconsider taking over my home world. What made you change your mind?"
"I discovered there was more to your race, and something worth saving."
"Wow, I'm impressed."
Zim looked a little awkward. He turned to Molly.
"So, what are you waiting for, Dib? There she is. Get your proof."
Dib looked over at Molly, meeting that expectant gaze. He finally made his decision.
"Nah, I don't see what difference it would make now. Besides, she's too normal looking. I could always get my proof some other time. If you can do the right thing, Zim, then so can I."
Molly beamed. "I always knew you were good!" She ran up to Dib, and gave him a hug.
"A ghost is touching me, actually touching me! This is so cool, where's my camera? Sorry, just a habit."
Molly pulled his camera out from his pocket, and put it in his hands. "Go on, take a picture."
"But I already—"
"Oh, just take it, Dib!" Gaz yelled. "When will you ever get another chance?"
"Really? After everything I put you through?"
"Yeah. I really like you, Dib, and it's always nice to help a friend."
"You're... you're so cool." Dib almost had tears in his eyes.
He lifted the camera, and took several shots of Molly as she did various poses. She even posed in one shot with Dib, while GIR took the picture (and yes, they did look cute).
When the photos developed, she was hard to make out, but agent Darkbootie, as a specialist, and with the aid of the SEN, could confirm that they were genuine paranormal footage. The pictures were published a month later, giving Dib the greatest start to his career he could ever ask for, and thus gaining the respect of his peers at the Swollen Eyeball Network. Next stop was his father.
"Thanks," he said to Molly. "The SEN are gonna love these!"
Gaz grumbled, hating the sound of her brother's happiness, but Zim looked pleased. Finally, everyone could make their peace with Molly before she left this world for good.
That sinking feeling returned once again, and he knew it was time to say goodbye. He just couldn't bring himself to do it. Besides, there was no sign of Molly's leaving yet. Maybe...
"Zim? What's that light?" Molly said.
"What light?" he asked.
"Inside the doorway to the kitchen. There... there's something coming from the other side..." Her voice cracked in fear.
The whole room turned silent, and then there was a groan from the computer.
"Oh no..."
Zim looked around, frantically. "What is it? What is happening? What do you know, computer? Tell me!"
"It's best we say our goodbyes now. That's all I can say. I can't believe he's real…"
"Who is real?"
"Zim, your time is almost up. Ask questions later!" Gaz yelled.
Zim looked at Molly. It wasn't supposed to be this way. He needed more time, and whatever was coming out of that light wasn't going to wait. And then he felt it, a real tear falling from his eye. It was his grief, and not something that came from Molly this time.
"I... I can't do this. I can't say goodbye now."
Molly grabbed his shoulder, and wiped his tears. "You can. You're fearless and never afraid of anything."
"But this isn't fearing, Molly. This... I don't want to know what this is."
"You're feeling sad. It's okay. I told you that you had a heart."
"I'd rather rip it out right now if this is how it's going to make me feel. It's all right; I have spares in the lab..."
"No. You don't want that, Zim. Hearts sometimes have to be broken. My Mommy told me once."
"What cruel, sweet irony," Zim said. "My own grief. I never would have thought."
"Your heart is beautiful deep down. I feel that, Zim, and I know you will do amazing things with it."
Zim did the impossible next, and embraced Molly. The girl relished, and hugged him even tighter.
"Don't go. Stay with me instead. We can have so much fun together, you and I! We can paint the town red!"
"I can't. This is how it has to be, Zim. You know that. My time here is over. I have to go on."
"But... but I'll never see you again," he choked.
"Of course you will, I'll be waiting for you. And as long as you think about me, I'll always be with you."
The light was getting bigger, as that dark shadow edged closer and closer. Zim knew that much. He couldn't see it, but he could sure feel it.
Gaz approached Molly now. "Well, see ya. It was awesome meeting you. You're really cool, Molly. I imagine you'd be what having a little sister's like."
"You too, Gaz, you'd make the best big sister ever!"
A small smile curved Gaz's lips. Molly gave her a hug, as Gaz hugged her back. Why not? It was just this once.
Now Minimoose and GIR said their goodbyes.
A small, heartbroken peep came from the moose. "Squeak..."
"I'll miss you too, Minimoose."
Minimoose jumped in her arms, and nuzzled her cheek. There were tears in his eyes, destructive tears at that, but these ones were sweet, dousing away the deadliness inside.
GIR approached the ghost, and looked around, indifferently. "Sup," he said, trying to sound cool, but it didn't last, and he soon broke down.
"Why do you have to go, ghostie? I thought we had a good run? Don't you love me?"
"Of course I—"
GIR gripped her waist with iron claws, and it was a good thing she didn't have lungs.
"This is worse than cupcake…" he said.
Molly looked over at Zim, puzzled. He gave her a look as if to say "just go with it".
"It's okay, GIR. It was different meeting you, but so much fun. I couldn't meet a nicer robot."
"Even nicer than moosey?"
"Yeah," she said, giving Minimoose an apologetic look. The moose seemed fine though.
GIR let go of Molly. Minimoose went over to comfort GIR. The bot gripped the poor moose, and sobbed till his tears failed him.
Dib looked embarrassed, but he felt it best to say goodbye. After all, he owed her a lot.
"Goodbye, I guess. Have fun on the other side."
"Thank you, Dib, and always remember to be patient, and good things will happen for you."
"I think you're right. I can overdo it a little at times."
It was the understatement of the century, but Molly was grateful for his patience. It was more than he deserved.
She gave him another hug, and turned to the computer. Well, wherever his voice was.
"Aren't you going to say your goodbye too?" Molly asked.
"I was never good with expressing my emotions… but… I'll miss you, you sweet girl..."
He started crying. The sound was so distinctive on his interface, it almost seemed human. Zim was curious, remembering what Molly told him.
His arm stretched down from the ceiling, and wrapped around Molly. She gave it a pat.
"There, there, computer. It's okay. Remember what I told you: always hold on to this warm, fuzzy feeling. Sometimes happiness has to come with sadness."
"I will. If I were alive in another dimension, I would love you like you were my sister, daughter or niece."
"And I'd love you, like you were my brother, son or nephew."
"I have to tell you something, Molly. Do you remember how I never let you look at my drawings?"
"Yeah..."
"What drawings?" Zim asked.
"Just leave it, Zim," Gaz said.
The alien shrugged it off, never realising this was the third time Gaz told him off.
"You always said they were too gruesome for my young eyes to see."
"And they were... Please, promise me you will be careful once you go into that light. The entity coming for you is horrific, but he won't cause you any real, physical harm, since he only hurts those he deems most deserving. But as a precaution, when he arrives, make a small squee. He may just find it endearing enough to spare you any unpleasantry."
"Who... who is coming, computer?" she asked, terrified.
Zim was by Molly's side as he grabbed her hand. "You can do this, Molly. You faced the vilest monster in all existence, and you sure can face whatever comes out of that light and possibly the computer's imagination, which is questionable. Seriously, what do you do inside that little head of yours all day, computer?"
"I just like to doodle, and sometimes I create things that parody society's ugliest traits, along with delightful yet psychotic characters. They can be lovable at times, though that was because they were fictional. Now, if they were to come to life… well, not so lovable."
Zim growled, "I'll deal with you later, you disturbing machine! Right now I have to tend to Molly. I can't let her face this apparition alone."
Almost all the light was consumed by this shadow. Zim sensed this darkness didn't have quite the same oppressiveness as Ms. Bitters, but it wasn't exactly sunny either.
It existed between those fine lines, like the colour grey to black and white — a neutral force.
"I'll never forget you, Molly. Take care."
"You take care too, Zim."
"I... I love you, Molly, and you were always right. I can love. So, revel in the glorious victory of your superior knowledge!"
Molly kissed him on the cheek, leaving Zim flattered and bashful. Then they hugged for one last time, until the light finally went out.
Zim couldn't see the light, but he felt it put out like a burst bulb. Molly tensed up in his arms.
They looked up to see a dark, cloaked figure, staring at them from under its cowl. Its eyes were glowing.
"Come, child..." It reached out a skeletal hand.
It's voice was unnaturally deep, and Zim sensed something was off. He recognised him at once. He was the hooded man from the service, and Zim had the uncanny feeling he would see him again. No one else in the room could. Not even Gaz.
He didn't know whether to be wary of this creature. The reassuring look on his guardian's face came to mind.
Her hostility towards this cloaked figure was never hateful. It more or less resembled the irritation one might feel when an annoying stick figure turns up to a funeral uninvited, ruining the occasion with his insane twaddle.
Molly stepped closer. Zim put his arm in front of her.
"No. First, tell us who you are..." His eyes flashed red.
The apparition did not reply; it merely narrowed its glowing, white eyes with contempt.
"Don't worry, Zim. I-I'll be fine..." Molly said, trying to be brave.
She stepped up to the figure, and stood tall. Its eyes scanned her over, shining brighter as she gazed into its face. It was as black as the night, except for those shining orbs...
She lost all her courage again, as she released an involuntary squee. Despite what the computer warned her, she couldn't help but squeak.
Why did it have to look at her like that? It was so scary. If she could, she'd pee...
It smiled at her cute squee, flashing its white teeth like a crescent moon. Next, it reached out its skeletal hand, and grabbed a hold of her upper arm to take her into the light. Its touch was like ice.
"Bye, Zim," she whispered.
Zim grabbed her hand like she was hanging off a cliff. "No, I won't let you take her! Molly! Don't go in there! Please, don't go..."
The pull was too strong once the vortex reopened, dragging Molly and the apparition through like a black hole. The last Zim saw of Molly was that conflicting expression across her sweet face. Then the light vanished. Molly had left this world for good.
Zim stood there motionless, staring right through his empty doorway. His bottom lip trembled, and then a liquid sheen veiled his Irken eyes, reflecting the outer world like a carnival mirror.
He grabbed a hold of his side, and felt that lump inside his chest. He struggled to breathe as it rose up to his throat, and then fell back down into the blackest depths of his soul.
The room was dull and lifeless at having lost one of its sources of light, and Zim couldn't be any more aware. He could feel his blood rushing through his head, drowning out the sounds of someone's heavy breathing. It may never have occurred to him that they were his very breaths, trying to coax away the sobs that threatened to escape.
"Is... is she gone?" said a familiar voice that he couldn't place a name to. Even the voice of Dib was far away in a distant land.
No one in the room knew what to do as they watched Zim. The Irken sat on the floor, and laid his head in his hands. See, it was Molly's presence that brought out the good nature in everyone, and now that the little angel had left, they were simply clueless.
Minimoose floated towards Zim and hovered above his head. Then a tentative GIR followed his example, and sat on Zim's left.
"I... I can't... she's..." He couldn't say no more.
Minimoose, who was always good at these things, sat upon his head, and GIR put an arm around his shoulder.
Zim did the unspeakable. He didn't reject their compassion; he accepted it. He pulled them in closer, and held them tight in case they disappeared.
"Oh, what the heck."
The computer reached his arm down and patted Zim's head, making his antennae bob up and down like the branches of a tree. Then his arm wrapped around the three of them like it did several months ago, but with the exception of one less.
Now all that remained were Dib and Gaz, who couldn't look more uncomfortable. It was sad that not one such hug had ever been exchanged in their household (well, if your father had only referred to you as "daughter" or "son", or less occasionally "room mates", then it was hardly the surprise).
Dib was baffled to see these extra-terrestrial life forms hugging over the loss of a spirit girl.
He looked at his sister. She caught his gaze and turned away. He knew she was feeling something, but she didn't want him to know, of course.
"Gaz, look, it's okay to be upset..."
"Oh, be quiet. No one asked you," she said, bitterly.
Dib took note of her use of the words "be quiet," which simply was a more polite way of saying "shut up".
"I know you liked the girl too. What's wrong with you? Just express your grief."
"Just because I'm not a complete mess like Zim there doesn't mean I don't feel something!"
"That was a little insensitive, Membrane girl. Master is still in the process of his grief. Please keep negative comments to oneself."
Apparently, the computer cared about his master's feelings now.
"You know it's never good when an alien can show more emotion than you, Gaz. Think about that. Especially one like Zim..."
"Well, how do you feel, Dib? What's on your mind?" she asked.
"Well I'm a little worried. Whatever she left with obviously wasn't good. She was a great kid. She deserved better."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"No..." he choked.
"Here, hug my arm to make you feel better."
Dib looked at her strangely. He imagined this is what it would be like if a shark asked you to sit in its mouth to save you from drowning…
"Why?"
"Oh, just give it a hug, Dib. I am letting you touch me. Take the chance!"
He grabbed her arm and gave it a pat.
"You can do more than that, Dib. Where is your compassion?"
"Fine." He clutched her arm, though it was more like one would hold a sharp knife.
He was surprised to feel warmth emanating off his sister; he always had doubts whether she was warm-blooded. It was nice to make actual human contact, especially with a family member. He imagined this is what a family group hug would be like. He did have vague memories of his father letting him hug his leg one Christmas morning when he was three.
"Just so you know, Dib, I don't entirely hate you. Your presence can be... satisfying. I am always sure to have a punching bag when my anger eats away at my brain."
"Really? That's the nicest thing you've said to me, Gaz. Thank you."
Finally, they were like a normal family after all.
Dib tried to move in for a proper hug, but Gaz told him off. "Don't even think about it. Baby steps, Dib..."
He put his arms to his sides, and turned away sadly.
"Oh, just this once."
Dib made a happy squee and embraced his sister, lifting her off the ground. Her expression was deadpan, but she was smiling inside.
And so, the Membrane siblings hugged—well one hugged—while the Irken and his comrades took comfort in each other's company.
The world may have lost a shining star, but the love of her light still lingers, changing many for the better.
...
Molly found herself looking up a dark tunnel once the light spat her and her new 'friend' out like sour milk. And the smell was just as bad as she covered her nose.
She didn't think it would be this bad on the other side, and she wondered whether this cloaked person brought her here by mistake.
She looked up expectantly, but the ghoulish creature had the air of someone who liked to remain silent. It was the Grim Reaper appearance.
Then to her surprise, it lifted its hood down, and hung the cloak onto a hook that had vital pieces of head parts.
The flesh fell on the floor at her feet, as she stepped back warily. Propped against the right wall was a scythe. There was strawberry sauce dripping off the blade...
The creature revealed himself as a normal looking guy, save for his general creepiness, and his weird shaved hairdo with the horns pointed downwards. He wore a black-tailed shirt, and a pair of steel-toed, buckled boots.
He spun around next, as the tails of his shirt made a "whooshing" sound.
She jumped back against a grimy, wet wall once she got a good look at his face. His eyes and smile could only be described in one word: insane.
The caption on the front of his shirt said: "Smile, even though you are dead!" There was a smiley face beaming at the prospect. The captions on his shirt may be susceptible to change, like the panels of a comic...
Molly took note of his dark-ringed eyes. It looked as if he hadn't slept in a very, very long time. And she couldn't help but notice the strawberry sauce all over his clothes too. She hoped it was strawberry sauce.
He moved his mouth to speak, "Oh, my apologies for the delay. I was just returning from a tragic bus accident full of writhing, bloody cheerleaders, but they kept on resisting my lure. One even went so far as to impair my breathing, by thrusting her pom-poms down into my gloomy throat..."
He giggled next, reminiscing in some adventure involving a bus and cheerleaders. They were bad cheerleaders, so no harm done.
He composed himself once again, lest he looks too insane, and lowered to her eye level. It was too close for comfort. Molly was mortified; his insanity was even worse at close range.
She watched his features change into the gaunt face of a skeleton. It was probably a trick of the overhead lights, flickering on and off.
"But, alas, you can't kill death, can you?" he said.
He tipped his head to the side, wearing that permanent grin on his face. She shook like a leaf.
She continued to stare at him horrified. Her jaw dropped open with an audible pop, but it was her mind popping...
He scrutinized her a moment longer, until he stood to his full height again. Molly was delighted. Personal space at last.
"Yes, your gormless expression assures me that you agree..."
"What... who are you?" she asked.
"There are many terms when used in description of me: the Grim Reaper, Angel of Death, that skinny fag... um… guy. But I'm regularly known as Johnny C."
"I... I'm Molly," she replied.
"Oh, I know who you are. You've been on my list for a long time, but you kept evading my spooky calls. Stubborn little thing, aren't you?" he almost growled, eyes shining.
Molly's heart fell. She felt like a mouse that just met a deadly cat.
"I do understand that you had unfinished business to resolve, so there are no hard feelings."
He patted her head next, and her facial expressions were all mixed up.
A list then appeared in his hands. He had to unroll it due to its increasing length, since new names are added all the time. He found her soon enough.
Molly couldn't help noticing the red/brown stains on the ancient scroll, as it rolled past her like runaway toilet paper.
"Ooooh," he chirped, as his mouth stretched into a long 'O' shape, "it says here you died in the year 'one thousand, nine hundred and ninety seven'. How uncanny. My demise may have emerged at that date too, but it's hard to recall. It's all right. We only missed the 21st century. Humans are still the loathsome creatures they were back in our day... Hey, our day? We have much to discuss."
"Why did you remove your cloak?"
"It's just for show. Many expect a cloaked, skeletal form with a scythe to collect their souls, so I become just that. Human beings are known to create their own fears."
Molly nodded in agreement, though she may not have fully understood his logic.
"However, I never exercised my scythe for you. I'm still wondering why I was assigned to reap your soul; your soul radiates pure innocence." He kneeled down to her level again, since she's so short. "You see, I only take those most deserving, or who aggravate me. Cheerleaders are evil, and I don't trust the way they flail their limbs! But I digress."
He rose to his full height again. "Come, let me lead you to your impending... bliss? Hmm, doesn't have quite the same ring to it. I'm used to taking souls to their doom. It's nice to say doom..."
"What's that smell?" Molly asked, looking around the tunnel for telltale signs. There was brown stuff in the corner, and hanging off the ceiling...
"That's the smell of human waste, and I don't mean the bodily fluid they excrete, though some of that may be mixed in with the aroma. I mean the waste they leave behind from living flawed lives. Sickening, isn't it?"
"Are they all bad people?"
"Largely, yes, but there are many variations of the 'bad', though they don't hold a candle to that piece of... pooh... who took that small life of yours. Don't fret; I'll be there to collect his soul when his rotten body expires. You know, considering that you and I lived during the same time, we may have crossed paths. If I had seen what that beast was about to put you through, I could have spared you the suffering you endured. I had an extreme fascination of ridding the world of filth."
"You... you mean you killed people?" she squeaked.
"It was all necessary. I had to stop the monster from escaping behind my wall with the blood of my victims, but I flushed it into oblivion eventually. Now that I'm the reaper of souls, killing is a part of my profession. My mission was to have cold, unfeeling intellect, and my apathetic outlook made me a perfect candidate. Plus, neither hell nor heaven had interest in my soul, so there was no other choice; a compensation for the life of a waste-lock... Not that I'm saying I am the deserving type. I still did bad things... Do you hear that monkey?" He shifted his eyes.
The sound of a monkey echoed throughout the tunnel next. This guy was bananas.
"Did you like to kill those people?" her voice trembled.
He looked at her puzzled, hearing that dread in her tone. It was astonishing he noticed, being so detached from everything around him. Even the awful smell.
"Would this fact bother you?" he asked, curiously.
She nodded slowly, staring up all doe-eyed.
"I will spare you the gruesome details, and explain my past deeds to you in the best way possible. As a mortal, I sought to separate myself from those I perceived a sense to kill, like I already mentioned with the coldness. Modern humans are always slaves to something, whether it be materialism, vanity, admiration... I'll say 'the birds and the bees', since you're of a vulnerable mind. But these vices can be the cause of one's downfall... Oh, the monkey says your hair is really pretty."
"Um... tell him I said thank you." Molly could say no more.
He came back to himself "... Anyhow, to answer your question, I did enjoy killing those wretched people because I'm criminally insane. But I was just as corrupt as those I slaughtered. Maybe even more so... Nobody's perfect. I hope this has clarified things for you. I'd hate to put a damper on our meeting. You seem like a nice little spirit."
"It's okay. I've learned to forgive my enemies, because they didn't have anyone to love. Monsters aren't born, they're made..."
"How thoughtful of you to say. And it's true. Any happiness I had in life was always soon to be replaced with the same agonizing misery I'd always known. That word love eluded me. My life was a swirling vortex of clashing emotions. I may have suffered severe depression, and a touch of schizophrenia, but you're right, Molly... Say, did you ever know a little Squee? He must have been your age. You remind me of him. He had a talking bear?"
"I don't remember a Squee, I'm sorry."
"What a shame. You would have liked him."
Molly looked up the tunnel, and saw a bright light.
"J-Johnny?" she stammered.
"Please, call me Nny for short, since we shared that heart-to-heart."
His voice took on an unnatural, cheery tone, sounding soft and velvety. It was a striking contrast, since before it was harsh and raspy, as if he swallowed gravel.
"Oh, okay. Nny, what is that light at the end of the tunnel?"
"That's your impending bliss. I can only go so far. Heaven isn't a fan of mine. I made a horrible mess of things the last time I stayed."
"You've been to heaven?"
"By mistake, but they allowed me a tour. It was disappointing. All they did was sit on chairs all day, but I didn't feel the contentment."
"Chairs?"
"Though I did like the exploding heads..." Nny's thoughts wandered elsewhere, as he placed a hand on his chin, releasing a few giggles at some obscene memory.
Molly looked very disturbed, having no idea where his train of thought led him to now. Exploding heads? Yikes.
Nny looked at her again, surprised. "Sorry, almost forgot you were present. Would you like for me to impart with you a little enlightenment?" He grinned down at her, folding his arms behind his back.
"Uh... okay."
"Very well. Heaven is a subjective place. The experience I had may be different for you, and seeing as how we are two ends of an opposite spectrum, it's safe to say it's a yes. Don't let my bad experience reflect on yours. My sanity is debatable... okay, don't give me that look...
Molly looked innocent, since she didn't imply anything.
... but my tainted mind affected my understanding of heaven, and of the contentment it offers. Yes, it's all very sad, but they can have their floating angel bunnies. So long as I get to drag screaming souls to their doom for the rest of eternity, I'm satisfied. Though I wouldn't know, regarding as how I am so unfeeling..."
"Bunnies?"
"Yes, bunnies with wings, and people with exploding heads. I thought you needed some of my wisdom. I'm not so gracious towards everyone I meet, since I find people unpleasant. That bug-eyed alien obviously felt that 'charm' of yours too. Wow, that one has done some horrific stuff..."
Molly looked down at her shoes, feeling a spasm in her chest because she won't ever get to see her friends again.
"Please," she cried, "please don't send him to the bad place when he dies, he's good. He helped me out so much. If it weren't for him, I never would have had the courage to face my murderer again."
"I saw... Quite the little psychopath, aren't you?" He grinned, as if the thought of a baby maniac pleased him. "Personally, I would have ripped that defect's brain out of his skull for all the sickness it contains, but that's me. I don't forgive easily, and if you meet any of my old victims up there, they'll probably agree."
They remained quiet after that. Molly was still downcast.
"Will I ever be able to go back to Earth?"
"You have no place there anymore. All those people, aliens, robots, and the kid with the big-head, will remain on that decaying planet. Is that what troubles you?"
She nodded glumly, and it looked like she was about to cry since her bottom lip wiggled. This must have prompted Nny to his next utterance, since she looked so sad, and nobody likes a long face, not even a desensitized being like he...
"I don't run this entire operation by myself, but I'm still a representative of death. Therefore, I will grant you many visits back to Earth at your leisure."
"Really? Thank you!"
"You're welcome. You do make an agreeable change from the rot I usually drag up this tunnel. Granting wishes for you would be less distasteful in that matter."
"Don't you ever get lonely in your job?"
He thought a moment. "No," he said. "I don't feel the need for companionship. My days of wanting are gone. I've felt loneliness before, it's frightening."
"Why?"
"Removing my capacity for desire gave my mind the opportunity to function correctly, as a basic organism should."
"That... that sounds awful... and sad."
"To your warm perception it may. I'm a neutral force. Death cannot feel. It's a rule as old as time began. There is no good or bad in my sense of the world. Any remorse I felt in life was erased, removing the guilt like a black marker pen to a white board... Now proceed with the 'squeaking' sound effects... Oh, I said that out loud, didn't I? Well, my insanity has never left, so I still have some of the old me."
Molly looked grim. It was the last conversation you wanted to have before you moved on to a higher plane.
"Don't let my words affect your perfect mind. You still preserve the innocence of childhood. Never take that for granted. I died a damaged adult. I was, as you should know, given the chance of another life, but I declined. I couldn't live through that turmoil again, especially as the world is even messier today than it was back then. Did you notice the color of the sky? Pure human pollution, both the literal and figurative kind..."
"There is still some beauty to the world. You have to agree. The way the birds sing in spring? The sound of a baby's laugh? The feel of sunshine on your face?"
"I'm sorry, Molly, though they were lovely examples. Think of me as a lost cause. Any affection I had for that world is gone. I do envy your sweet conviction, but this is what I am now. The memories of my life are nothing but mere dreams."
Molly looked hopeless. It almost seemed that the light ahead dimmed in brightness.
"Don't look so glum; this grim conversation will soon be a mere memory to you, too, once you enter that light."
"This tunnel is getting longer. Why can't I reach it quick enough?"
"Are you finally growing tired of my company?" There was a hint of a smile in his tone, though he was still robotic in manner.
"No! I-I like..."
"You're not the first. Many souls I collect vomit after spending more than ten seconds in my gloomy presence. This one guy, heh, he vomited out of every orifice of his body. Mouth, nose, ears, anus... You had to have been there to see the funny side."
Molly's face was as green as Zim's now, and no more unpleasantries were exchanged for her sake.
Nny came to an abrupt halt at a bend in the tunnel, where the light illuminated on the wall. Molly looked up eagerly. He returned her gaze.
"I can't go any further than this, but your bliss is just around that corner."
"I... I have to go alone?"
He regarded her a moment there, wondering why this fact didn't please her so. She finally got to be rid of him. She just screamed innocence, and in most circumstances that would make him sick. Overly cute, sweet things can have that effect, yet she didn't on him. Strange.
"You're the first I truly regret saying this to, but yes. I have my afterlife, now go on and live yours."
"Will I see you again?"
Nny was confused now. There was no long, drawn out reply this time from that orifice of his.
"Would you... want that?"
"I mean to take me back to Earth for a visit..." Molly blushed. "I have to see Zim and everyone else again."
"Oh... oh yes, of course, our agreement..." He may have blushed himself, but it was hard to tell, because he's so cold and all.
Molly gazed up again. "But it would be nice to see you too. You're not so bad. Well, I don't think so."
The cogs of Nny's mind stopped turning. Everything he had known was compromised at that moment.
Next, he felt an old desire for acceptance flooding back to the surface, since it had finally been fulfilled. Not one person had ever enjoyed his company, and any whoever did he simply drove away. It was odd, yet comforting. But he tried to remove it before it spread through his system, disrupting his perfect programming.
"Now move along to your bliss." He pushed her forward. "Can you hear it beckoning to you?"
"N-no... Wait, what's that? Something is coming into the tunnel!"
A shadow bounced across the wall, and then a rabbit hopped into the tunnel from out of the light. It sat on its haunches and quivered its nose. It looked up at them then, fixing its eye on Nny.
"Hey, it's my old rabbit, Nailbunny! Well, before I nailed it to the wall. I always knew he went to a good place, and he got his body back. I miss that bunny's voice..."
"You should, you maniac," the rabbit said, sprouting wings.
It floated around the tunnel; its legs had disappeared now, for it had no need for them.
Nny grimaced at the floating angel bunny, but Molly squealed for joy.
"A talking bunny! Do all animals talk in heaven?"
"I'm not the best to answer that question, but according to this rabbit, I would have to say yes."
The rabbit floated around his head now. He sighed.
"Cool!"
"Molly?" a man's voice called out.
Molly looked up at Nny alarmed.
"Someone is waiting for you on the other side," he said.
Molly turned towards the light. She only made it a few steps, until she looked back at Nny.
The reaper had already made a move to condemn the next soul, but then he felt a tug at his tails. He looked down, raising a brow.
She hugged him, leaving a stunned yet disgusted Nny in the tunnel. Then she turned back towards the bend.
"Goodbye, Nny. Thank you for taking me to my eternal bliss."
"... Uh..." he blurted. Her warm, tiny arms offended his coldness.
She giggled, turning around the bend, and her face brightened up once she saw who was waiting.
"Daddy!" she called out, and disappeared into the light.
Now Nny stared into the beady eyes of a disappointed rabbit. "I always believed in you, Nny. There was a spark of hope for you, I could feel it."
"What are you talking about? Nailbunny was one of the voices in my head. You're just the rabbit I nailed to the wall! Go away, or I'll find more nails."
"Yes, and I died and went to heaven — your sense of reason. It was nice seeing you again, Nny. When we meet again."
He flew off into the light, leaving Nny alone in the dark tunnel.
"I'm going to reap a circus clown," he finally said, and went back to the world of the living.
...
Elizabeth was preparing drinks in her kitchen for the remaining house guests. The wake had ended a few hours ago as it was getting late. Her family was still gathered around; they had stayed, of course, after the wake finished.
There was a knock at the door. Confused, she stopped her task, and looked at the clock. She hoped it wasn't a nosey news reporter. Seriously, the girl had been put to rest, and people were still so insistent.
She walked towards the door; the rest of her family were in the back yard, celebrating per usual. She opened the door to reveal Zim. He was bowing his head. She was shocked but happy to see him again.
"Why, Zim. It's so good of you to come back. The house was a little crowded before, so it was hard to talk things through..." She stopped, noticing how quiet he was.
"Zim? Whatever is the matter, darling?"
He looked up at last, and Elizabeth's face fell. His eyes were swollen and bloodshot, and she felt her heart break. She had never seen anything as sad and helpless.
Whatever was the cause of his grief really took its toll. That confident, smug boy—a confidence that made her doubt his twelve years—was gone, replaced by this heartbreaking creature.
"She... she's gone. I just thought you ought to know, ma'am. Good day." He turned on his heels, and marched towards the gate.
"Wait, Zim. Don't leave just yet."
He turned back around, and watched her strangely.
"Come here," she said.
He walked up to her. She put her arms around him, and the next thing he knew, he was crying into her soft cardigan. She patted his back like he was a babe, and not some alien soldier from the planet Irk. Of course she didn't know that.
"I don't know what to do. She changed my life so much, and now she's gone."
"Would you like to come inside and talk?"
"Yes..."
She opened the door as he let himself through. He sat on her settee by the fireplace, and when the ginger tomcat jumped up onto his lap, he scooped him up and held him tight.
The cat looked alarmed at first, but then he made himself comfortable, and rested his head in the nook of Zim's arm.
He began to purr, and it soothed Zim, listening to his little sound of happiness.
He finally understood why humans have their pets, as he thought about getting a cat for himself, or maybe twelve, to help him forget Molly. Let's hope he doesn't go overboard. Heartbreak is awful, but he'll learn to move on.
Elizabeth sat on the chair across from him, as she waited until he got his small animal fix.
He looked up and sighed, trying to get his words out.
"I just needed someone to talk to. My... uh... dog and toy plane have consoled me, and I'm grateful for their help, but I can't shake this overwhelming despair. How do you humans... I mean people, like you, cope with such emotion? I feel like a part of me left this world with Molly. I am only but half the boy I was..."
"You just have to remain strong. Your life will go on, and new people will enter, as it had for me. Those children of mine weren't even alive when my life shattered that fateful day. A day will come when everything feels right with the world again. I promise. You will still always have your sadness, but it encourages you to grow stronger and tougher."
"Huh," Zim said. "I never thought that grief could make you tougher. Indestructible even... Kind of like a protective suit of armor."
"Yes, but don't hide it away. Never forget that it's inside you. Never forget Molly. You're only human, after all."
Zim raised a brow, hearing that word human echo in his mind. The scary part was that it seemed to fit in some sense. His perspective simply was changing, and he didn't scoff at her words, or deny them.
"Yes, you are right. It's the sadness that makes us humans... well... human."
She smiled and rose from her chair. "Would you like me to make you a drink? I was just about to prepare some drinks for everyone outside, but I'm afraid you're a little young for what they've requested."
Zim recollected hearing about humans drowning their sorrows with alcohol, but he declined. First, it was get a dozen cats, and now it was binge drinking. He was ready to accept human customs, but some he would rather do without.
"Bring me tea again. I mean, please," he added after that stern look on her face.
"Very well. Tea it is."
She left for the kitchen. Zim heard the laughter coming from outside. He couldn't help but feel jealous. They seemed so happy, even on the day they put their sister and aunt to rest. But Zim had something they will never have; his memory of Molly. Her family out there never had that chance. Well, with the exception of one less...
"Hiya, Zim!"
Zim startled, hearing a voice that brought him both pain and ease due to its similarity to a dear friend. He looked up, and there was Molly 2.0, or more respectfully the II.
"Oh, hello, Mol..."
Trying to say that name was hard, and he felt his chest swell up again.
"Are you okay?" she asked, leaning on the arm of the settee.
He glanced her way, and simply said, "No, I am not."
"You miss Molly, don't you?"
He didn't answer, and snuggled that cat like a toddler does its blanket.
"It's okay. I miss her too."
Zim was silent, staring ahead and patting that cat carefully. Too carefully.
She walked around in front of him, and waved her hand in his face. "Hello, Zim, are you in there? It's me, Molly!"
He rolled his eyes and put the cat to one side. He wiped the ginger fur off his uniform, and gazed up at the small girl irritably.
"Yes, I do miss her."
He tried his best not to look directly at her, since it hurt.
Her likeness of Molly was unbearable, and he may cry again. He didn't want this child of actual five years to see him that way. Molly only had the mentality of a five-year-old up until the end, where she matured to a degree.
She sat on the floor, and looked up at him with her head cocked to the side. Zim finally gave her the attention she so obviously craved.
"What is it you need, Molly?"
"Nothing..."
She played with the tip of his boot, and Zim pulled his legs up to the chair.
"Stop that!"
She giggled, "You're so funny, Zim."
"What did I do that's so amusing?"
"Just being you. I like you!"
"Thanks, I guess."
Molly was always a little more coherent than her niece.
"Would you like to come and play outside? My cousins never let me play their games. They're so mean."
"I wonder why?" he asked sarcastically. He regretted it once her smile turned upside down.
"Very well. I will come 'outside' and play your childish games."
Three children ran into the living room—a boy and twin girls—and chased each other up the stairs. The boy was the one Dib made friends with at the wake.
"Hey, can I play now?" Molly asked.
One of the twins looked down through the handrail, and gave Molly a dirty look.
"We already said no. Go away, Molly, and go and talk to your imaginary friends."
"Aunt Molly wasn't imaginary!"
"Whatever, weirdo. Talk to that green kid instead. That's where you belong, with the green weirdos."
Zim stood off the settee, and faced the little brat. "Oh, I'll assure you that Aunt Molly was very real. I saw her too!"
Little Molly looked up at Zim amazed.
The kids leaned against the handrail, giving Zim the strangest of looks.
"Whatever, you still can't play, Molly," the twin said again. They ran upstairs.
The little girl looked at the ground miserably. The expression reminded him so much of Molly. He found himself putting his hand on her shoulder, like he used to do with her Aunt.
Molly may have gone, but she lived on in her niece.
Maybe her other nieces didn't inherit her sweet personality, but this little girl certainly had. Zim couldn't be any more grateful.
"Let's go and have fun, and show those pigs-smellies what a real game looks like."
"Okay!"
She grabbed his hand, and led him into the yard to play.
He did have fun after all, and he knew that wherever Molly was, she was glad he made a new friend.
End of part 2.
A/N: OMG! It's Johnny! Fan-girl squeal!
I wasn't going to put him in this unless I could get hold of the comic(s) again. Well, I did, and one thing led to another. I got pretty obsessed with Nny, a serial killer... My days.
Did you guess it was him from Molly's funeral? Read it back if you must.
I don't mean to take it for granted that you've all read JtHM. I have, too much. Whether you've never come across it, or just haven't by personal choice, that's fine. I promise none of the references are too heavy from the comic, and any I include I'll write in the author's notes. Just means I'll be going on and on for longer than I usually do. Oh well.
I know, I know, Johnny has no place in an Invader Zim fanfiction, so this should be a crossover of sorts now (though there is Nightmare Nny, I could work with that). He was only going to have the cameo appearance here, but he becomes quite a fundamental part of the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Johnny the Homicidal Maniac (as a precaution).
Another thing I should note; I love Nny as he is, as flawed as a character he may be, I would never change that canon. I respect that dark satire too much, but that Nny would never work in this fanfiction, which I imagine live-action. Trying to dream up a relatively cute, cartoon serial killer in real life is no fun (you really don't want that image to fall asleep with). But I have a new love for portraying psychotic characters now. I hope you like my version of Nny...
I guess the computer was Jhonen all along... If anything, he's just a fandom Jhonen — the one he even portrays himself in his comics when he's fighting the devil and saving the pope, and whatnot.
Update: I imagine that the computer's personality is programmed like Jhonen's, but the fandom version, of how his fans perceive him to be. Look at how much the computer hates Zim. Apparently, people assume Jhonen hates Invader Zim, as I read on a blog he posted on Facebook or Twitter, I forget now (stalker alert ). The computer has some traits that I decided he should have for the purpose of this fanfiction, which have nothing to do with the man in question (like how he is always sad, and has never felt happiness). I've watched Youtube videos of JV at panels, and he seems like one of the funniest people ever. Not cold or robotic, and he jokes with his fans and messes with them a little.
The computer in this is his own person now, and he is finally developing a personality, a bit like the Dibship in a way. Though he doesn't actually think he is Jhonen; he may not even know who he is, though he still believes he is the creator of JtHM, because we, as a fandom, know Jhonen is, and the computer has that memory of creating him. All a little confusing, sorry. I had to clarify, because I feel uncomfortable about making assumptions about a guy I don't know from Adam. Put it this way, the Jhonen-like computer in this is just as fictious as Zim, Nny, Gaz, and Dib. He doesn't exist...
More stuff...
That is just one of my running theories on what the Irkens' God(s) may have been like. I guess ant societies are similar to Irkens, and they even have drones...
Whether God's a man or a woman doesn't really matter to me. That was just a joke from Gaz (she's not trying to sound like a feminist, she just at one time pointed out that god may be a women, since everyone assumes he's a guy. It wouldn't matter to her; she would probably prefer that he was a giant praying mantis, anyway).
I don't think the description of Zim's grief did the real thing any justice in this chapter. I just didn't… sigh.
Now on to the JtHM stuff... This will be long, as a warning. Leave now while you can!
I have several theories on how Nny became a reaper. I was always going to have a dark, brooding death character in this, and Nny filled that void. He wanted to desensitize himself, and I guess in the world of my fanfiction, he finally achieved that. Why? I don't really know... Like I said, grief is human. But death really can't feel; he has to be neutral.
1) He died, and heaven and hell rejected him so now he's a reaper... boohoo. That's the most obvious one. I hate to kill him off, but he wouldn't be a young man anymore, anyway.
2) He didn't die at all, and for some reason he turned less and less human, like Lord Voldie with the horcruxes in Harry Potter. But that would be stupid; Nny isn't a wizard. Maybe a little dark magic got involved.
3) Nny traded with the original death, or another soul, who just wanted to be human, so Nny's technically still 'living', but someone else is in his body... creepy. That's my favourite one, but I find myself not wanting to know. You have to leave yourself a little mystery as a writer.
If you've got your own theory, I'd love to hear it.
I should mention Nny's wall monster thing, and his being a 'waste-lock'. I'm going to use a source from Wikipedia, and cite with a URL: Johnny is a "flusher" or "waste lock", a creature chosen to concentrate the spiritual byproducts generated by humans into a specific object or point in space, in this case the wall in Johnny's house. As Johnny died, the wall unleashed the built-up negative energy, in the process destroying the universe, which was then restored. wiki/Johnny_the_Homicidal_Maniac#Issue_6
I'm not too sure how to elaborate, but this guy, or girl, described it nicely. He has technically died before, went to heaven and hell, and back again. That's my favourite issue of JtHM. I just love it! The exploding heads... Everyone's just sitting in chairs, because they only want to be 'content', but Nny disrupts all the peace. The citizens of heaven have powers of the mind now, and it cracks me up. A lot of blood though, but it's black blood.
There were floating angel bunnies in heaven, which was initially a 'Bad Art Collection' reference, one of Jhonen's other works. Nny looked very disturbed by them (they look like little marshmallows). Again, I couldn't have Molly going to Nny's version of heaven. She would see something else. It's never speculated whether the events that took place in the afterlife really happened in the comic, though I should note the devil is also Nny's little Neighbour Squee's friend's father (what a mouthful). So, did it happen? I hope not, because Nny's version of God sucks.
And yes, that stick figure sentence involving a funeral was about Happy Noodle Boy. He kind of scares me that Noodle thing, but he is Nny's creation.
Nny sounds a little boring in this chapter, and that's because I'm trying to portray that unfeelingness, or robotic-manner he's adopted. He doesn't hear voices anymore, not like he used to. I think what he hears now is just whispers or 'residual voices'. I wish I knew what the monkey thing was though (I kind of just write what comes into my head... I hear monkeys too).
I'm not sure how to picture his voice. I watched a dubbed video once of the comic, and he sounded a little like 'Ren' from the Ren and Stimpy Show. I like to think it changes a lot, due to his mood. The gravel description is just one voice I imagine, and it's kind of creepy. When he yells, I picture his voice all high and squeaky. It's harder when you don't have that auditory cue anymore.
His last sentence "I'm going to reap a circus clown" wasn't supposed to be based off something he said similar in the comic, about killing a party clown. I must have read it, forgotten, and never realised once I wrote it in. I decided to leave it as it was though. No harm in it.
I suppose Nailbunny was Nny's voice of reason; telling him not to kill himself and whatnot. But then the rabbit, though a ghost, or whatever, tells Nny to resist Reverend Meat (the one that holds up the burger) when he scolds Nny about casting off his humanity. Confusing. But I guess that was what made sense to Nny at that time. To desensitize himself.
So this may be another version of Nailbunny now. It may even be the rabbit's soul itself, but I really couldn't say for sure (these things just take form as I write). Take note that Molly could see it too, though it may have said something else to her ears: "I'm a cute wittle bunny wabbit."
I'm not sure if Nny suffered clinical depression. Maybe. It never specifies. He's just so insane... I have a close friend who suffers depression, and she's perfectly stable; just gets dark clouds, as she describes them. One thing he definitely suffered was schizophrenia. Again, that is quite the serious thing too.
I should mention that the sky in 'I Feel Sick' is red like in Invader Zim. That's a comic about Nny's love interest, Devi. I hadn't read the comic yet when I wrote that part in here, but I suppose Nny and Molly (and Devi, too, in this case) lived at the same time. I guess Molly still sees the sky blue, being innocent and all. Nny probably saw the same sky as Devi (though JtHM isn't in colour), but it's worse in the future. Just thought it would be interesting to point out. If you don't remember, from Molly's memory, before she was abducted, it mentions that the sky is blue and not red. Zim found it strange.
Was it mean making Molly meet Nny? I felt a bit sorry for her at first, especially since she's just a kid. I always felt bad for Squee too. Nny's really scary, but then Molly hugged him. No, dear, no. Would you hug a lion? I think Nny was too confused, anyway. He's not been human for a while... He was never a huggy person anyway, even though he could have done with a good hug.
And please excuse the word fag, though I never warned you about Bastard in the last chapter... my bad. You shouldn't be reading this if you are younger than thirteen, anyway. You're even younger than Invader Zim, which aired in 2001.
I'm going to stop here now. This went on for over a thousand words; almost as big as a dissertation itself.
Well, I'm going to be updating regularly now. The rest of the story is finished. This will be exciting! I had no idea this story would turn out this way, and I hope you enjoy it.
If you have read JtHM, then I apologise about telling you what you already know.
It's 3.00am... someone's questioning sleep.
Well, until next time, folks!