A/N: Hello again for the fifth time! It's the twentieth chapter. I just can't stop uploading, and I won't till this story ends, but you don't know when that will be. Surprises are fun...
I named this chapter from another song that plays in the movie Fluke. I don't know what it is about that movie, I've mentioned it before way back in chapter three, and that title was inspired by another song from the movie 'Memories of another life'. It really is a great movie, so sweet (despite it's bad reviews). The song is also called 'Bella and the Fireflies' , and I'll explain later.
As you can see, I've changed the cover photo. The old one, I don't think, really reflected the fanfic anymore. It's suppose to be a picture of a supernova, which is a dying star to my knowledge. I'm not gonna go Ms. Bitters on you, and give you a lecture about death in stars and planets (you remember that from chapter three?), but I wanted a picture of a bright light. Since clairvoyance means 'clear vision', you may say "I've seen the light" if you've finally seen something for the first time... I don't own the image.
Disclaimer: Hey, have you heard the news? I don't own Invader Zim or Johnny the Hamicidal Maniac… yeah, I wrote ham….
...
The monster was oozing gooey, yellow and egg-smelling blood from its many gashes and open wounds, yet they remained in that small section of tunnel. The rest of the tunnel gave away, luckily sparing them, even after the monster died.
Nny watched Molly very amused, as she still covered her eyes, humming something akin to 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' or maybe her 'ABCs'. They do have the same tune, after all.
"You can stop that humming now. It's dead," he said.
She looked up with red, swollen eyes, mumbling a small and simple "... 'kay..."
Nny passed his cloak to her, seeing that her acid-soaked dress was making her tremble. He could handle the chill of squid guts much longer than her.
"Here, wear this for a while."
Molly grabbed it and draped it around her shoulders. He reclaimed it once again, rather impatiently, and helped her into the sleeves, which were too big, but he managed.
"It suits you. You should consider becoming a reaper sometime. Maybe you could reap puppies?"
He lifted the hood up, and her eyes glowed beneath. "See? You even have the spooky, glowing eyes..."
She pushed the hood down irritably. Nny glanced away. "Fair enough. Reaping isn't for everyone."
He regarded her a little while longer. Maybe he should say what's on his mind?
"Well, you have two options. You could stay down here and mope, or hurry up to Earth. I do fancy an Earth bagel right now, so please choose the latter."
She just sat there shaking, and then he wondered if his coldness had seeped into the material of his cloak for wearing it for so long that it hardly contained any warmth now.
"Molly?"
"I... I can't think of nothing else..."
Nny scratched the back of his head, trying to think of something to say to take her mind off things. He looked around the tunnel next, and spotted a decapitated tentacle lying on the ground. An idea!
He scooped the tentacle up off the floor, wiggling it in his hands for good measure, as it made a delicious squirming sound. It was cold and slimy, but it hardly bothered Nny. You could see its suction discs, which helped it to navigate through the tunnels (weren't squids suppose to be sea animals?)
Nny faced the girl again with a bright, enthusiastic smile, pointing the tentacle like an extra arm.
"Hey," he said. "How many tickles does it take to make a squid laugh?"
She looked up confused. This really wasn't the right time.
"Huh?"
"Ten tickles! Hahaha!"
He approached her glum side and wiggled the tentacle in her face. She pushed it away.
"I don't get it."
"Ten tickles?" he repeated. "Tentacles!"
She was completely unmoved.
He held his smile for a few moments longer, until he finally gave it up.
"You're right, it's not that funny. Stupid joke."
An old victim told him that joke once, hoping it would spare him his life if it could make him laugh. Nny's easy to tickle, and it doesn't even take ten like with the squid.
The maniac threw the severed squid's limb across the tunnel next. It was followed by the sound of a cat cry (why is it always a cat?!)
Silence commenced between them now. Nny hoped for some sound to escape her mouth lest the voices came back, but his wish was short-lived.
Her eyes pooled with tears, and then he rubbed his temples. This was one of the reasons why he never had skids... kids. There was just too many tears and tantrums for his liking (kids and skids sound the same, as they're either a nuisance to your underwear or bank balance).
He was quite happy to be a genetic dead-end in the human gene pool, and just the thought of adding to that increasing, bacteria-like race was nauseating. Mankind won't miss his tiny, and possibly insane, progeny, anyway.
But a warm bundle of love does have a nice ring to it... What's happening to him?
Molly was well away with the waterworks now, and not knowing what else to do, he sat on a loose rock beside her. His long, spindly legs needed some adjusting; her doll-like feet hardly touched the ground.
He finally settled, keeping his knees together and feet apart. He did look adorable.
Nny drummed his fingers against his knees while she cried on his right. Such a small, pitiful sound it was, and then he felt that stabbing sensation in his chest again, like a knife to the heart.
So he squeezed his eyes shut, and finally formed the words.
"Molly, that... that wasn't her..." he said. It felt good to let it out. Those bleak thoughts were floating around inside his head for too long.
She spluttered next, as a thin thread of salvia dripped down her lips. There was a popping green snot bubble in one of her nostrils. The sight was too much for Nny. No one looks pretty when they cry...
"You do understand, don't you?"
She shook her head, and then wrapped that cloak tighter around her small frame.
"Well, regardless of what you think, it still wasn't her..."
"How... how do you know?"
"I think I'd know if I just killed a human. That egg rot is not the smell of human blood."
Her eyes widened, and then she bawled even louder.
Nny pulled on his collar. "I didn't mean to put that image inside your head. Just try to look on the brighter side. That bastard is dead; you can finally go to Earth after all, and be sure to get back home to bliss again."
"I can?"
"Well, who's going to stop you?"
"But what if there's more monsters when we get back here?"
"There... there are no more monsters, you silly little girl..." he said, nervously.
"You're just as unsure as I am!"
"No I'm not because I'm bigger than you!" He rose to his feet. "Okay, that was a little immature of me, but I know there are no more monsters."
"No, you just hope there isn't more."
"I don't think I like your tone. Give me back my cloak!"
She took it off and threw it at his face. He slipped it back on next, noticing how warm it was. It was like she was hugging him again.
"It looks better on me anyway..." he muttered.
She scowled at his comment.
He sat back on his rock, adjusting his legs once again. Another awkward silence passed between them. He was never much of a people person, anyway, but this was just too much. Those voices crept ever closer...
She wrapped her arms around her now, trying to stay warm. He noticed how yellow and smelly her dress was. Only a few sparkles shone off its heavenly fabric.
"I'm afraid you've ruined your lovely dress. What a pity. It looked good on you."
"I know. My Daddy gave it to me."
"That was kind of him. Say, how did he feel about you running off out of heaven with a gloomy reaper guy, anyway?"
"He never knew; we kept it a secret, remember?"
Nny guffawed, loosing his balance on his rock. She looked up at him startled. It weren't that funny.
"Yes, of course; we're nothing but rebels now. I may be the one influencing you, but lying to your dad? You won't be returning to heaven with as clean as a reputation now."
"I was prepared to take the risk. Zim's worth it."
"He's not, but I appreciate your devotion." He stood up off the rock. "Well, let's get going before another hundred years pass."
She looked up at him horrified.
He grinned down at her. "It was a joke, but I'm really not sure how long we've been inside this tunnel now. I lost my clarity along the way."
"I don't care. I just need to get out as soon as I can."
"Then let us depart on that account. I can create a door to Earth anytime I want. Heaven only allows access through one door, which was why I couldn't open one for you earlier."
"I knew that..." she said, embarrassed. She looked up next, and noticed a rift floating in the air.
"Nny, where does that door lead to?"
He looked up. "Oh, I built that as a means of evading that monster. I almost forgot. Whoops. Can't have anything from the other side escaping now."
"Why?"
"It's a portal to a random, alternative universe. I didn't think about where it may lead us to. You're not advised to meet your alternative self, see. It can drive you nuts."
"Nuts?"
"Well, you may never like what you find. I went into a universe once where all I did was sing. So much singing... They say that every action you make could have hundreds, thousands, maybe even a gazillion possibilities. An infinite number of universes. Makes you feel so small and insignificant, doesn't it?"
"I would like to see what's in there. Maybe I never died and grew up? What if I never rode my bike that day?"
"Yeah, and maybe I joined the circus, and balanced on top of a beach ball while juggling hot, flaming Chihuahuas instead of killing all those people! But that doesn't give you a reason to look. Though it would be interesting to see." He looked up at the rift again. "Hot, flaming Chihuahuas...?"
The blue, swirling lights enticed them both as they stared up like drooling babies, and before either of them made a huge mistake, Nny closed off the rift.
Well that settled that. Whatever was in that universe was gone now, and there may be another universe where they decided to go into that universe, and... (ow, head hurting now).
They blinked a few times from staring at the rift for too long.
Molly looked down at her dress aghast. "I can't see Zim again covered in that monster's icky guts!"
Her wet, greasy hair wasn't looking so good either. Nny looked just as bad; he had even been doused in that yellow, egg-smelling blood, but he was quite happy.
Nny contemplated her dress. "Personally, I think the guts add a nice touch — gives a person more character. Though if it really bothers you, the rift will suck you clean and dry better than any washing machine."
"Oh. Well, thank goodness. I stink," she said
"We both stink," he replied, patting her wet, greasy head.
Now en route to Earth — finally.
...
Meanwhile, in that other universe...
A maturing lady sat behind a desk, typing at a holographic computer. Her hair was white and thinning out at the roots, but it was coloured blonde. She looked remarkably well for her age, with only a few wrinkles.
Her piercing blue eyes stared out from behind smart glasses, while she opened up a file of the next patient.
There came a knock at the door, and she invited them inside.
A young nurse entered the room with natural blue hair, chewing gum like a camel. She looked rather pissed. There were prominent holes in her nostrils from her piercings; she must have taken them out for her job, though she was chewing gum... odd.
"Mr C.'s here to see you now, Dr. Mac."
"Thank you, Poofi. And please, call me Dr. McCormack."
"Sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect," she apologised in that silky voice, between chewing, of course.
"Thank you. Now go on, bring him inside," the doctor said, apprehensively.
Who was this patient?
The nurse returned, strolling in a vexed, elderly gent on a hovering wheelchair.
"Stop chewing like that, girl! And give me my walking stick. I can make it to the desk myself. I'm not that old!"
The nurse glanced towards the doctor. Her face said it all...
"Mr C.," the doctor said in that friendly, calming voice, "Poofi is only trying to help you; you're already twenty minutes late for your appointment."
The old man looked up at his doctor sadly, as if she was someone he'd really hate to disappoint.
"I'm sorry, Dr. McCormack. I know you have a tight schedule today..."
"Oh, I can always make time for you, Mr C., now come along," she directed her hand to the vacant seat in front of the desk.
The old man glared at the nurse. She rolled her eyes and pushed him along. He stood out of his hover-chair with the help of the nurse, and then sat in the seat.
The nurse was about to stroll out the room again, until Mr C. stopped her.
"My walking stick. I would like my walking stick, please..."
She reached her hand under the hover-chair, and pulled out an old-fashioned wooden walking stick with a rubber base.
He snatched it away with a wrinkled, shaky hand. The nurse made a beeline for the door.
"And what kind of name is 'Poofi'? What are you, a friggin' poodle? Leave my sight."
Poofi glared at old Mr C., and then looked up at the doctor again. "He's all yours now, Dr. Mac, I mean, McCormack."
She left at once, shutting the door in a hormonal display of anger (must be that time of month for her).
The old man relaxed in the nurse's absence, looking up to meet the stern face of the doctor.
"Oh, I don't mean the young girl any harm. She's nice enough, though she could do with wearing less of that intoxicating skunk musk she calls perfume."
"Well, yes, but she's the only student nurse willing enough to assist you, Mr. C, so do try to be kind to her. She's turning twenty-one this weekend. I'll have to put that in my diary..."
"Twenty one? I thought she was at least thirteen with that way she chews... and I told you to call me Nny."
"Why is it that you insist on that name when you're called Johnny, Mr C.?"
"It's just different. No one else is called that..."
The doctor rolled her eyes. "Of course they aren't."
"So, I guess you want to know what's been on my mind since we last met?" He said, looking like a pupil talking to their headmistress.
"Yes. How are your hallucinations? Those meds should have helped." She checked his file. "Last session, you stated that your "Styrofoam Pillsbury Boys were coming to life, and telling you to go kill or kill yourself". Why do you keep those ghoulish Styrofoam figures in your room if they only scare you, Mr C.?"
"I really don't know. They remind me of something that could have been. It's just silly nonsense."
"And what could have been?" she asked.
He looked up with old, glassy eyes. "Well, have you ever had the peculiar notion that your life could have taken a whole, three-hundred-and-sixty degree turn in another direction? That you could have, say, been the center-most point of the universe, so that you're holding the seams of this delicate fabric by mindlessly killing and painting walls with the blood of your victims, all just to stop some monster from escaping?" He had risen from his chair, grasping the air with his hands like an aging super villain.
She turned silent after that delightful story, and then gave a tired sigh. She must be used to this by now.
"You're having that dream again, aren't you? Where you're, dare I say, a very expressive young man?"
"You must think I'm insane."
"Now, now, I didn't say that. Don't put words in my mouth, Nny."
"I'm sorry, but I know you're thinking it. And... you finally called me Nny. Thank you."
"You're welcome. I thought it would cheer you up."
"It does very much. No one has called me Nny since my wife Devi died. I miss that creative woman..."
"We don't have to talk about her if it upsets you?"
"No, I must. Keeps her spirit alive for me."
"I know what it is to lose someone. My mother died just last week. She was eighty one-years-old, but she lived a good life. Had four children and eight grandchildren..."
"Eighty one? That's just... wait, how old am I? And I'm very sorry for your loss. Pardon my negligence."
"Your seventy-nine, Mr C., and thank you for your kind words."
He looked up aghast. "What? Seventy nine? How did I get so old? I still only feel twenty-three at times. I'll be joining your mother soon enough... The lass was just two years older than I."
"Don't be so morbid. You can't live your life wondering when you're going to die. Destiny has granted you with many more years..."
"More like borrowed time, and then death will show. I've seen him before, you know. He looks just like I did as a boy."
"Death isn't a person, and if he were, I'm sure the resemblance would just be a coincidence."
"Yes, probably..."
He fiddled with his aged hands, and the doctor noticed of course, being a psychiatrist. Body language is essential.
"Nny, is there something else on your mind?"
He glanced up at her timidly. "Well... I... What were you like as a small girl?"
"Me?" She looked surprised by his question, trying to remember her childhood days, way before she started wearing nose studs, heavy eye makeup and leather jackets. The teen years were always rough.
"The same as any other child I guess: lively and full of love. Why do you ask?"
"It's just... I've dreamed about you too, but you were smaller, and young, and I was taking you somewhere. I was young too. Not like you were, but I still had that boyish charm. Kind of an insane chap, though."
"You've dreamed about me? How did you know I was this child? Have I ever showed you a picture?"
"Just a look in her eyes. She had your kind, sweet disposition, and so adorable. She'd melt any frozen heart..."
"Where were you taking me, exactly?"
He put his hand against his head. "This may sound ridiculous, and downright insane, but I was leading you down a long, winding tunnel back to heaven... I think it was heaven. A monster was after us. It may have eaten you at one point, but don't worry, I saved you in time. You... you were also crying about your mother, and I wanted to give you a hug so bad, but I couldn't. I had a closed heart in this dream, see. So closed, as if it had been trudged, stepped on and ripped to shreds by anyone it could get close to. My poor, little heart..."
She stared, eyes shining. "That... that is quite the dream..." She didn't know why his peculiar claims made her emotional. Maybe it was the mere mention of her late mother.
"I know," he laughed, dryly. "I should write them down in a diary. I never saw the point of a diary. I had one when I was young, but I just never got down to writing anything."
"Don't worry, I'm recording this meeting. I will have it all written up later and uploaded into your file."
"Well aren't you an angel. I should probably say there's more to the dream, but I'm afraid it may make you call the mentally ill ward..."
"What is it?"
"I was taking you to see an alien on Earth, well, before I was taking you back to heaven. It's all a little far-fetched... You two had formed some interstellar relationship. You were a ghost, and he had helped you. You were an abducted child, and had been killed by the hands of your abductor. But I was there waiting to take you to the other side... That young, reaping man I saw was me."
She smiled. "You're quite the vivid dreamer, Mr C."
"Yes, but I don't think they're dreams. They're more like visions. Just before a rift in time opened up in my room, and noises were coming from the other side... That foolish nurse Poofball, or whatever her name is, couldn't even see it. Even when I showed her the tentacle that came out from the other side and hit me in the face, she still wouldn't believe me. Stupid girl. At least I'll be having calamari tonight..."
She put her hand over her face. It seemed she suppressed a laugh. Tentacles? My...
"What kind of noises?" she asked next, after she composed herself.
"The noises of a beast, and the cries of a child. She... she even called my name."
"And you think it's the same child from your dream?"
"Yes, the same child whom I think you may be..."
"But that's impossible. I'm sitting right here. I was never abducted or killed. I lived my life, went to medical skool and got my M.D. degree."
"Yes, that's all good and dandy, but they say there are alternative universes with a hundred, thousand, maybe even a gazillion possibilities. Did you like to ride a bike as a child, Doctor? Because that one fateful bike ride may have ended in disaster for you. In another universe, that is..."
"Well, it's funny you mention the bike, because one such occasion does spring to mind. I got a new bike for my fifth birthday from my late father. He had been saving it, but he died in a crash. My mother handed it over all the same. I rode it down the street, but then those nasty twins decided to pay me a visit, and taunt me over my father's death."
"Children can be so cruel. The little, rotten brats..." he spat, remembering his own childhood taunts. They called him 'Noodle Boy'. There was nothing noodly about him.
"Nonetheless, I headed straight home. I was wondering whether I should have continued on but I didn't. My mother was there to soothe my breaking, little heart. Later, she went to those twins' house. You didn't want to infuriate my mom, Mr. C. I felt sorry for their father when she turned... I still remember the Irish in her voice coming through. I was terrified; she always turned Irish when she was mad."
"Well, it's his fault for not putting a muzzle on those twins. If you'd been my child, I'd have done the same."
And maybe if he were a serial killer, he could have given those twins and their father their just deserts... But only in another universe.
"How are your boys, anyway?" she asked, trying to steer away from the subject. The memories were too painful; this was his psychotherapy session anyway.
He rolled his eyes, "Fine, I suppose. Don't have the time to visit their dear old papa anymore."
"I'm sure they're just busy. Why, your granddaughter just gave birth to a little girl, I believe. How precious."
"She really is. They called her Devi. I've only seen pictures online."
"How sweet, to honor her memory."
"I still want one of my grandchildren to call their sons Nny, but they seem hesitant. They said Johnny would do, but I said there were a million Johnnys. Nny is unique."
She smiled at his musings. "My younger sister Lily is due to give birth to her second son soon."
"Another one? Those siblings of yours seem to be popping them out every minute. Didn't your other sister just have a baby?"
"Yes, and he's nine-months-old now, but I do love my nieces and nephews. My little niece, Molly; she's my perfect star..."
"So is there anything else you need to hear from me? I do look forward to our meetings, but I think we are trailing off the subject now onto family matters. I do take full responsibility, however..."
All this talk of family was getting too much, but he was grateful to have one to call his own. Afterall, there are always alternatives. Albeit far-fetched (a murderer who feeds walls), but certain dreams lately have rendered him uncertain.
"If it puts you at ease, then I don't see what the trouble is."
"You always put me at ease, Molly... Sorry, Doctor McCormack."
"It's Molly if you wish, Nny," she said, sweetly.
"You're... you're still divorced, right?"
She watched him suspiciously. "Yes. Todd and I haven't been as close since he went back in time to warn his young self about something. He never told me what it was. He had a nice Squee suit, though."
He looked confused for a moment, until it came back to him. "Oh, right, yes. People called him Squee, I remember. We were neighbors, you know? His parents were such awful people."
"His mother was a piece of work. God bless her soul, or the devil... Why do you ask about my marriage?" There was that suspicious tone again.
He turned red. "It's just... I thought that you and I could go for dinner sometime. It's a shame about the age gap, but what are a few, significant years when you're seventy-nine and... How old are you? I remember you celebrated a birthday recently, but it goes past me."
"I've just turned sixty, but that's irrelevant. I can't date my patients, Mr C., though I am flattered. But you're old enough to be my father..." She gave him that stern, suspicious look again.
He was beetroot red now. "I know... I just get so lonely, and you're such a loving, sweet person who I couldn't help but want in my life." He looked down at her photographs, and saw the one of her as a young women. "I mean, you were a very handsome women in your youth..."
He picked up the frame. She was standing outside her mother's house, clad in a leather trench coat while smoking a cigarette. She gave up smoking thirty years ago now.
Her heavily shadowed eyes seemed to burn right off the photograph. It seemed the doc put this picture here to remind her patients of what she used to be like — terrifying. Don't mess with her...
Nny looked up again. "Not that you aren't a handsome women now... I had the same coat." He put the photograph back on the table, very embarrassed.
She shook her head, and gave a soft smile. "We can still establish a relationship as doctor and patient. Trust is very essential here."
"And I trust you dearly, as I hope you trust me."
"And that I do very much."
He looked over the other photographs of her nieces and nephews. "I hope you don't mind my asking, but you never mothered any children for yourself, did you? What a pity. Good people like you should procreate. But on the plus side, you don't look a day over forty-five. Kids simply suck the youth right outta you. Look at me..."
"No, though I shouldn't really share this information, I did suffer a miscarriage aged just twenty-three, but after that I put my head into my career. Todd really wanted children, as his parents were never there for him. He wanted to give that love he was denied as a child to one of his own."
"I'm very sorry to hear that. I'm sure you would have made fine parents."
"Thank you. I guess it was just never meant to be."
"How sad. My children are all I have left, really. I'm an old, retired painter now, yet sometimes I wonder if my life could have run a different course."
"It could have, but there's no point in wishful thinking. Always be grateful for the love your children give you... for the love Devi gave you..."
"I really do like these talks with you, Molly. They're the only things I have to look forward to all week."
"And you too, Nny; they brighten up my day. You still have twenty minutes left. Is there something else you would like to talk about?"
"No, that'll be all, Doctor. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure. I'll go and fetch Poofi to take you back to your room. Hopefully that rift has disappeared..."
"Oh, joy, the blue-haired poodle's returning."
Doctor McCormack laughed at his comment, and stood up from the desk to fetch Poofi.
"Hold on." The old man rose from his seat shakily, and plodded over to her — with the aid of his walking stick.
"What is it?" she asked.
He held his arms out and gave her a hug. His embrace was feeble but warm, and she almost shed a tear.
"I may never have had the guts to give you that hug in my dream, but I'm not afraid in this reality. I really am sorry about your mother, dear. If you ever need a friend to talk to, I'm here..."
"Thank you, Mr C., you're sweet, but I'm supposed to be your shrink," she laughed.
"Yes, but you really look like you need a hug. I almost saw that small girl in your eyes: lost and frightened. You will see your mother again, I promise. She's gone to a good place."
She smiled, and gave his shoulder a pat. Then she left the room, and the old man sat down again.
Nny looked at the photograph of a small girl. She was posing with a green-skinned youth, a floating moose, and a strange green dog.
Kids were strange these days...
The small girl was the exact image of the girl from his dream. He wrung his hands nervously.
Dr. Molly McCormack's little niece sure did resemble her as a child.
...
Zim couldn't believe it had already been a week since Elizabeth's departure. And he couldn't believe that in all that time Molly still hadn't arrived. He wondered whether she even knew her mother died. Did they get news in limbo?
He had a few words he'd like to impart with that gloomy Johnny person, despite the fact he terrified him a little.
How dare he stall. He just seemed to like holding time. Fashionably late as always.
A part of him wondered whether the ghoulish creature had detained Molly on purpose, keeping her hostage and away from those she loved.
He wouldn't be surprised by what that creature was capable of, though he did sense a touch of sincerity when he claimed he would never hurt someone so guiltless. But he had been so monotonous at the time, it was hard to tell whether he was lying or not. He just had to put his trust in him. What other choice was there.
Elizabeth's funeral was due that day. Zim wanted to attend out of respect for the old lady. He would go alone; no one else knew Elizabeth like him.
Skoodge seemed eager to attend; Zim never knew what the heck for, but he surrendered. At least it got him out the basement.
"So, what should I wear? I hear humans wear black on these occasions."
Skoodge was standing in front of a full-length mirror. He was placing a top hat on his head.
Zim sat at his work bench at the far end of the room, rolling a pencil back and forth.
"I think it's formal wear, Skoodge. The color doesn't really matter, unless it's bright yellow... I wore my uniform to Molly's funeral, so I think we should be fine as we are. I don't remember anyone in stark black at that service. Well, not anyone living anyhow, and I thank whatever god. Such a morbid, gloomy color..." He shivered.
"That reminds me. You say that you can see these 'Earth spirits' now, huh? Kind of ironic, seeing as how you and I put up that charade that time to tease that big-headed boy. You remember how I helped? I made such a great ghost expert!"
"You threw mud in my face and danced with GIR the rest of the night, while that puny TV host took me away for some horrible... testing," Zim trembled at the memory. "That was just one of my many failed attempts to sabotage Dib. Really, I should have been more preoccupied with annihilating the whole planet instead of just one boy. Meh, it's past now."
Zim balanced the pencil atop his vacant nose now. Skoodge came over to his side with a sad look on his face.
"Aw, you seem really down, Zim. You were close with this elderly human, weren't you?"
The pencil fell off his nose as it rattled against the bench. He slammed his hand on it to make it stop. "No. Well, maybe... She was just the last connection I had with Molly. Except maybe Molly II."
"Don't worry, buddy, you still have me to cheer you up; your oldest, bestest friend."
"... Yeah, why not," Zim said, humouring him.
"You really mean it?" Tears formed in Skoodge's eyes.
The shorter Irken, albeit by a quarter of an inch, scowled up at the larger.
"No! I do not!"
"Oh. I see."
"However, I do appreciate your accompanying me on this sad day..."
"Aw, Zim. I knew you appreciated me deep down. Come here, bud—"
The chubbster moved in for a hug. Zim grabbed him at once and pressed his face into the table, pointing his PAK legs at his skull.
"Don't ever try to hug me again, you fat, bumbling buffoon. Ever!" he spat in his face.
"I'm sorry. It was just a spur of the moment," Skoodge cried.
"Well bear it in mind next time. I may have erased certain boundaries for adorable Earth children, but never for you! Though you did make a charming smeet... so chubby," he reflected.
He withdrew his hold on the fat Irken's face, and left him there to sulk. Poor Skoodge.
He marched for the door next. "I will return in one hour, Skoodge, so be ready. I've left you a fool-proof disguise on the work bench."
Skoodge looked over at the bench. He saw a blond bouffant wig, and a pair of black sunglasses.
It seemed that Zim stole the look from Johnny Bravo...
"This is my disguise?" Skoodge asked, picking up the wig.
"Yes, the Earth ladies will be smitten with you in that getup."
"But Earth females scare me. Then again, all females do..."
"Well, you're going to be a babe-magnet now, Skoodge, so work with it! Rwahahahaha!" The shorter Irken finally left the larger alone.
Skoodge looked over his disguise again. He could really make this look work. An evil smirk grew on his face.
He started to cackle next, but stopped short to release a cough.
It only sounded cool when Zim did it.
...
Skoodge straggled along as they walked to the church, flirting with every pretty woman he saw (beauty is in the eyes of the beholder here).
The wig seemed to give him super ass-hole powers, making him think he's some kind of ladies' man, but really they just think he's a pig. And saying things like "My uniform would look better on your bedroom floor" was enough to make their stomachs churn.
Zim slapped his face when Skoodge stopped a young woman on the street.
"Hey, babe, you look like you could by my next girlfriend..." he said.
The women cringed away from him. "No... no thank you. I already have a boyfriend."
"Well, you look like the kind of girl who could use two..."
The girl slapped him across the face and stomped off in anger.
"Pig," she shouted.
Skoodge's wig fell off once she struck him, as he clung onto it nervously.
"Z-Zim? What did I just do?" he said.
"You just tried to encourage that delightful young lady to cheat on her boyfriend..." Zim replied.
"Oh no... This wig is turning me into a monster; a horrifying, womanizing monster!"
"I'm starting to regret making you that wig now. I thought it'd be funny, but we're going to a church. So please keep your inappropriate comments to yourself, lest God hears you..."
"But I can't help it. As soon as I put this wig on, it's like I'm possessed, believing that every pretty woman I see is a potential mate. What am I going to do?"
Zim considered what he said, and then pulled out a roll of duct tape from his PAK. He stuck a piece across Skoodge's mouth.
"There, at least now all your disgusting comments will be muted. You can't offend anyone if your voice is muffled."
He mumbled a "Thank you".
Zim raised a hand in peace. "No need to thank me, Skoodge. Now go on, put the wig back on," he said, smiling wickedly.
Skoodge put the wig on, and then all of a sudden, he transformed into that smug pig once again. He pulled out a mirror next, and mumbled "Man, I'm pretty."
Zim supressed a laugh. Skoodge just looked so ridiculous with the tape and whatnot, staring into his reflection's eyes.
He needed a reason to smile today.
...
Zim approached the church a little apprehensive. He had never been inside one before. Well, except for Molly's service, but that had been a new, modern building. This one was much older, and built at a more significant time. It was seeped in history.
He thought he would be struck by lightning before he entered the doors, being a demon from space, but all was well. He actually found the calming atmosphere soothing once he got inside, and the smell was delightful. Was it candle wax?
That was until Skoodge followed him in after, walking with some stupid swagger.
"This was a mistake. God is watching... " Zim thought.
"Uh, Skoodge?" he said.
"U-huh?" Skoodge muttered in a voice like Elvis.
"I think it's best you stay at the back. I can handle myself from here."
Skoodge ripped the tape off. "You go on, little man. I'll stay out here. I hear chicks love these churches."
"Yes, to pray, Skoodge. I think you should come with me after all."
He dragged the Irken along with him, and sat inside a pew in the middle. Not too near the front and not too far at the back. Perfect.
Hardly anyone was here. There were elderly people near the front, who must be friends of Elizabeth, but there wasn't that many in all.
How disheartening; Molly's funeral was packed to the core. The media had a huge part to play in that, but Elizabeth was an old lady. Most of her friends are dead now.
Elizabeth's family entered at last, walking in single file to the front row.
The procession was led by Lily, the eldest, and then Michael and Ruby. They were accompanied by their spouses.
Then all the grandchildren followed soon after with the oldest first, and at the end was little Molly. Her baby brother wasn't here, just like he weren't for Molly's funeral.
Molly met Zim's gaze, and her face brightened up at once, but then she looked at Skoodge, strangely.
She was wearing an adorable white dress, and Zim melted at the sight. She looked like a little angel, but Zim could tell she hated it, being the natural tomboy she was. She just wanted to be pretty for her grandma, regardless of the costs.
A young women sat in the pew in front of them. Skoodge was about to tap her shoulder and say something inappropriate, until Zim snapped his finger. It was just as well; her boyfriend was just sitting down at the front with the rest of Elizabeth's family.
Skoodge groaned theatrically, as the young woman turned around. Zim nearly had the fright of his life. That was a lot of makeup; she looked like a clown.
Elizabeth's grandson, as a twenty-year-old, must find this look attractive. He'll grow out of it one day, and hopefully she will too.
She pouted her over-glossed lips next, and faced the front again. The stink of her perfume reached Zim's invisible nostrils. Now he won't be able to breathe.
The priest emerged as the service began. Elizabeth's family had been Catholic, which was one aspect Zim never knew about her.
He had found out a lot about her in the last few days. She had been born and raised in Ireland, up until her family moved to the states in the late 70s.
So Molly was half Irish? Neat. Zim got to thinking; maybe he should explore more of this planet. He had been a little ignorant when he thought this city was the entire Earth when he first landed here. There were so many places to go. He hadn't even seen the rest of America yet. He could go and see Hollywood; he deserved a name on the Walk of Fame.
Maybe there were more ghosts around the world? Wherever there were people, there were lingering spirits, especially places filled with history like a castle or a pyramid. He might find the ghost of an old king.
Zim was far away in his musings, wondering if he would find the ghost of Elvis on his travels, when he suddenly realised he hadn't been paying attention. How rude of him.
There were many tears and snorts from the front pew. Zim saw that it was Lily; the pregnant daughter. Such a fragile thing. It was only then that her crying stopped.
Her husband looked over at her, and muttered something unintelligible. Zim could hear perfectly well, however, even from his far distance.
"I... I think I'm having the baby..." Lily said.
Her husband's face turned grey. "But you're still only twenty-four weeks. There's still another four months."
"I have to get to the hospital. I can't believe this; I haven't even buried my mother yet..."
Her husband stood up and dialled for an ambulance. He apologised to the priest, telling them they would have to leave. The priest nodded slowly, face grave and sympathetic.
"Mom, what's happening? Where you going?" Lily's sixteen-year-old daughter asked.
"It'll be all right, sweetie. Stay here for your grandma, okay?" she said.
"Are you having the baby right now, Aunt Lily?!" It was little Molly who spoke. The whole church went quiet.
Zim bit his lip. Out of the mouth of babes they say...
It was very urgent; she was still only five months pregnant. This baby was coming into the world premature.
Her husband ushered her out of the church, and the service continued as usual.
Zim's heart fell.
"Oh dear. That poor, wee baby..."
Hopefully, everything will turn out fine.
...
Madness the Chihuahua sat beside the curb of a busy city street. What poor, helpless creature could he torment today with his freakish, bulbous eyes?
This dog was a criminal mastermind, brainwashing citizens into doing horrific things.
There was the time he made that homeless man ride off on a police horse. And then the other time when he made that customer argue with the hotdog vendor, causing them both to fight and be arrested. The people of the city were denied hotdogs all day.
Such evil acts to befall upon humanity and the like. What a wicked, wicked dog.
Now where was that delightful green alien when you needed him? Madness knew the first time he saw him that he could warp his mind, making him do his evil biddings. Unfortunately, the alien was onto him straight away, but Madness will prevail.
He has reincarnated in many forms throughout the ages; he was even a Chihuahua in a past life. He still remembers an old victim of his: that skinny guy he followed one night in the late twentieth century. And he knew all along... He knew of all the evil, disgusting things he'd done...
A bright light emerged on the sidewalk. Madness rotated his ear around to listen.
The light disappeared next, and in it's place stood an ominous, cloaked form.
The form pulled back its hood to reveal a section of its horrific face. Its eyes burnt white, as if it wasn't too fussed to be back in this plane of existence.
A smaller form peeked out from behind its cloak, gazing around in wide-eyed wonder. It had the appearance of a human child.
This one was quite the sight. It radiated with a warm light; such a contrast to the taller form with its icy, bleak aura.
"This... this is Earth?" asked the child-like form. It's voice pealed like a bell.
"Yes," said the taller. It's voice was devoid of emotion.
"It's... it's so..."
"So what?" the taller form asked.
"Drab, boring, and... filthy..."
"Yeah, it really is. You went through all that trouble just to get back to this ugly place."
"It can't be all that bad. This is a city. I'm sure the countryside is still beautiful," the child said.
"It's not. Well, only when you compare it to the rural landscapes of heaven. Nothing could capture that beauty... I hear it looks like something from a fantasy world with all the mountains and the forests, though I wouldn't know. All I saw was people sitting in chairs..."
"You mean like Wonderland? That's a fantasy world. Hares drink tea, and flowers talk."
"Well I was thinking more along the lines of Middle-earth with hobbits and wizards, but yeah, Wonderland will do."
The dark, cloaked figure of Johnny C. looked to his right. There he saw that toy Chihuahua sitting by the curb. It met his gaze, staring up with those huge, bulbous eyes.
He knew... Nny could see it in his eyes. How could that dog still be alive after fifty years?
"We... we should go, Molly. That dog is freaking me out!"
"What dog?" Molly asked.
She looked to the curb, but it was dog-free.
"I don't see a doggie..." She looked up at him sympathetically. "Aw, don't worry, it's okay. You're just imagining things again. You poor, insane maniac."
"No, it was there, staring, and it knew! Dammit! How does it know?" he yelled, clenching his fists. "And don't call me a maniac!"
Nny breathed raggedly as he pointed a finger at her.
They stared daggers at each other. She smiled up at him next, exposing a row of precious milk teeth that it was hard to stay mad at her.
It was fun making insane people angry, though she was lucky she was young and cute enough.
He calmed down at last, feeling rash and silly. "Never mind," he said, pushing her along.
Two pigeons were scuffling above on a ledge, but the big, puffed-up one won out in the end.
The small pigeon flew down and landed on Nny's head (trying to give him head pigeons), but it died the second it made contact.
It fell onto the pavement with a feathery thud. Madness appeared again, and dragged the dead pigeon towards the opening of a sewer.
...
Molly felt so confused, looking around at the world she once knew as she followed the reaper. He seemed to know his way around.
It was so different now. She was sure he brought her to another universe. And why did it have to be so filthy? Granted it was dirty back in her former life, but it couldn't have been this bad.
All this human waste had accumulated over the years; everyone was just wading in their own filth now. Grose.
They stopped at a crossing next. There they found the ghost of a crying girl. She held a smashed phone in her hand.
They were unseen to her, being higher and elevated spirit forms. All she saw was her early millennial life, where everyone flaunted smartphones...
Molly looked concerned for her, wanting to help her out, but the girl was too lost in herself. She knew what it was to be Earthbound.
Nny, however, didn't care in the slightest. He passed her many times before, and each time he cared less and less. She reminded him of the souls he met in hell, dwelling on the mundane. In her case materialism.
A blue-haired girl approached the crossing, yelling down her phone as if she wanted the whole universe to know of her plans for Friday night. She had piercings in her nose, and three pigtails on her head. No, make that four. She looked like a cockatoo.
"... I mean, I could have taken up nursing three years ago, but I'm young. I don't wanna be tied down, and studying is so boring! And what would I get? A lifetime of washing old peoples' butts? Eww! It's like my dad is brain-damaged or something. Do you know what he said to me? "You can't party for the rest of your life, Poofi. You need a career, a plan!" I know, right? Hahahaha!" Her laugh was like a fork scraping a plate.
Nny's eyes twitched at the sound. He decided to make a special addition to his list, and add this annoying girl, despite the trouble he'd be in. She was that irritating. But Molly distracted him in time.
She started laughing for no reason, and he was curious.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Poofi sounds like poopy." She burst into a fit of giggles, like a child who ate too many Skittles.
Nny looked straight ahead. He held his mouth in a straight line, trying to suppress something he hadn't felt for a while — genuine laughter. It didn't even have to involve someone's pain this time.
Despite his best efforts, he burst out laughing, and joined the little girl in her fit of giggles. It was a good job no one else could see them, because they looked pretty insane, laughing at something so immature. Poopy? Seriously...
"What?" Poofi said. "What do you mean "who's laughing"? No one else is stood at this crossing! Whatever, weirdo. Just don't forget my party on Friday. There's going to be hot guys all over the place, so come prepared. What do you mean "why"? You don't want to end up pregnant, do you? That's almost as bad as studying to be a nurse!"
"We... we should leave now," Nny said, laughs dying as he pulled the giggling girl away. He didn't think the young woman's conversation was appropriate for her ears.
He walked right across the road, even before the light went green, but it was all right; all that busy traffic drove through them anyway. Nny just waited out of habit.
One passenger in a car shivered once they drove through them, feeling that gloomy chill of death.
"Did you feel that?" she asked the male driver.
"Feel what?" he said.
"Nothing... it just can't be a good omen. I suddenly felt cold, hopeless..."
The male driver gave a quick glance in her direction. "It'll be okay, Lily. The baby's going to be fine."
"We can only pray. I hope you're watching over us, mom." Lily looked up to the clouds.
"She is," her husband said, softly.
"It was bad enough you couldn't get hold of an ambulance. The signs aren't good."
"You're too suspicious sometimes, Lily. Besides, your contractions have just started. I'm sure there are more urgent—"
"This is urgent, Jack. This is our child!"
"I know... But you may not even have the baby; these contractions could just be another false alarm. It happened with Samuel."
"They're not. I feel it."
He shook his head, wishing she could be more hopeful, though a part of him felt it too. The odds weren't working in their favour.
Molly stopped in the middle of the road. Nny looked at her curiously.
"Why have you stopped?" he asked.
"I... I don't know. Something isn't right."
"Is it your family again?"
"I think so, but it's hard to tell. It's probably nothing," she said.
He watched her suspiciously, knowing he wasn't going to get a definite answer. He tried to take her word for it, and carried on.
They finally reached the sidewalk. Nny wondered what direction to take now. What was he even doing? Didn't he have souls to collect? Something caught his attention next.
Molly stared up at him, noticing how silent and grave he turned. It unsettled her.
"Nny?" she asked.
He didn't reply as he was elsewhere, watching a gang of teenage hooligans in an alley. One of them was his victim. His eyes burnt white hot.
They were definitely doing some bad stuff in there, but that's not what troubled Nny. Just seeing his victim alive while he was parading around the city, playing tour-guide to Molly, made him sick. He hated being sloppy in his work.
How many more of his victims were running around? It was bad for the cycle.
The more bad people who continued to live, then the more innocent lives will be taken as a bargain. The natural order was becoming unbalanced, compromised.
Death is a continuous cycle. New life needs to come into the world, as it needs to end all the same... So sacrifices will be made.
This kid was no saint. Despite his years, he had done some twisted stuff. Unless destiny shows up again, he had to act fast. He didn't want this kid to get his second chance. Not in this life, anyhow.
"Nny?" Molly asked again. "What's wrong? You're scaring me..."
Her voice brought him back from the grave, as he looked down at her.
"Um... look, I think it's best that you and I went our separate ways. I will come and find you at a later time. Right now, I have work to do."
"But I need to find Zim," she said.
"Well go and find him..."
"I don't know where to look. I thought you would take me to his house, but you brought me here instead. I don't like this city, it's scary."
"Well I did warn you Earth is even more frightening today. I can relate; our precious century wasn't so bleak. Besides, my scythe only takes me to where I need to go."
"Please, will you just help me find Zim for now? Then you can work later."
"No. I'm sorry, Molly. I've delayed too much time for you already. Apart from losing my job, there's a lot at stake here."
"Okay," she said, sad and defeated. "I understand."
"You don't, but I appreciate it all the same."
Nny left her there alone, and moved towards the gang, who were waiting for that woman walking down the street...
However, as determined as he was, he couldn't help but steal one more glance at Molly.
She had disappeared, and he stopped a moment, searching for her. An odd feeling welled up inside of him next. Was he worried?
But then he saw her sunny aura walking past a bagel place, though he couldn't help noticing how that glow of hers had dimmed.
Molly and bagels will have to wait, because he had a role to fulfil. Good job it was to, because that very same boy dragged the woman into the alley. He made his way over at once.
Finally, some deserved, human blood can be poured.
...
After the service, the family became rather restless. Some made their way to the hospital, but everyone else went back to Elizabeth's house, where they held a small wake in her memory.
There were varying discussions amongst the party; some hopeful, but others dismal. It was a distressing time.
It was the life of that helpless baby that lay ahead. One can only pray for a miracle.
Zim went back to the house, along with Molly and Skoodge. All three of them sat in silence in the living room. Everyone else was either upstairs, outside or in the kitchen.
Fortunately, the wig's powers had diminished by now, so Skoodge was back to his old, gullible self again.
The house was like a graveyard. The guests were so gloomy, dreading what the day would bring.
Molly wondered why everyone was so worried. A new baby is coming into the world. People should be happy, not sad.
"Zim?" she asked.
"Yes?" he replied.
"Why is everyone so worried? I don't understand. I get to have a new cousin, so I don't want to be sad. Is something bad going to happen?"
Zim stared into her young, innocent eyes. So blissfully unaware; it was precious, but heart-breaking.
He didn't know how to tell her, but he hated lying. None of the adults had explained the situation to her yet, as her own mother and father left for the hospital. The ones that remained were a little preoccupied at the moment.
"Maybe, but you just have to think positive, Molly. There's a seventy-five percent chance that..."
"That what?"
He couldn't finish. Luckily, Skoodge seemed to sense his discomfort, but he gave the most confusing advice ever.
"It's okay, little human girl. The smeet will come into the world happy and healthy. Then they'll upload his personality, and he can finally become a part of the human collective. He'll make a fine soldier one day."
"What's a smeet?" she asked, giggling. Such a funny word.
"A baby, like your newborn kin coming into the world right now. Maybe they'll start his combat training as soon as he's birthed!"
"They don't raise their soldiers from birth, Skoodge. This isn't Irk. Babies are given a choice here," Zim said.
"A choice? But how will they be better prepared for war if they're not trained? The success of intergalactic conquest is at a cost!"
Spoken like a true Irken...
"The humans don't have any interests in intergalactic conquest. Well, not yet, anyhow. They're not that evolved. I hear there's a colony on Mars, but that's something else. That planet was already empty. I never found the colony when I went for a visit, however."
"You've been to Mars?!" Molly peeped.
"Uh... yes, for my scientific research," he lied, remembering how he tried to ride the red rock into the Earth and crush all life. Such good times.
Lucky he managed to put the planet back into orbit (all those poor Aries with their ruling planet shifting around space. And then there are Geminis with Mercury...)
"Cool! I'd love to go to Mars and meet a Martian!"
"There are no more Marsoids; they went extinct. Though they do live on as floating heads."
"Well never mind. At least I got to meet you," she said.
Zim was taken aback by her comment, and then a big lump of guilt swelled inside his spooch. Why couldn't he just tell her something so simple?
"Zim, will the baby die?" she finally asked.
The alien felt it then: the dread sweeping through his body, and painting everything black. The cold, hard truth hit her at last.
Skoodge was wringing his hands. He had never felt so uncomfortable, hearing that small girl ask something so obvious. He hadn't formed a bond yet with any of the indigenous fauna, but her sad, little voice broke him inside. All his troubles seemed to pale in comparison now. Poor human smeet.
Zim finally looked up. "He may..." he said.
The little girl's face fell apart. She drooped her head and wrapped her hands around her arms.
Her eyes filled with tears as they dripped onto her dress. Zim was about to stand and give her comfort, but then the fat, bumbling buffoon that is Skoodge stole his limelight. He sat on the couch beside her.
"It's okay, human smeet. Skoodge is here, Skoodge will make you better..." He patted her shoulder, as the little girl held onto him.
Finally, someone needier than him, and she accepted his companionship. Forget that cat and butterfly; he's got a new buddy now.
Zim was a little jealous, watching him there drying tears that he ought to dry. He couldn't help but hate Skoodge at that moment, even though he was a huge help. His embrace seemed to pacify little Molly, and he tried to put his bitterness aside for her sake.
There was a small spark of gratitude for the Irken somewhere; an Irken whom he has known since smeethood.
...
Molly wandered aimlessly through the streets of the city, grateful that all these scary grownups couldn't see her.
She wasn't angry with Nny, but she just wished he didn't have to leave. But he was busy.
The people of this future were so weird, and the fashions scared her.
Though she did like that lady in the old-fashioned dress, and her horse-drawn carriage was beautiful.
How was she going to find Zim? It was impossible. This city was like something from an alien planet, and she was at a loss.
She remembered that sick feeling she had on the road, like something dreadful was on the way. It was also an urge to protect. What would she need to protect exactly?
By long she passed an alley, hearing that loud, racking cough. She gazed into its shadowy interior. It was frightening in there. Dare she go in? The coughing compelled her.
She made her first step inside. Halfway through, she saw a slumped figure on the ground, lying on a pile of old cardboard.
She approached it gingerly. It was an elderly man; that was his racking cough she just heard.
He looked up next, as his eyes widened in surprise. She took a step back.
He stared in awe at that halo surrounding her form, brightening up this cold, miserable alley. She was a sight to behold.
"Are you an angel?" he asked.
"You can see me, mister?"
"In plain sight... You're so... so beautiful. At last..." Tears streamed from his eyes.
"Why are you lying on the ground?"
"This is my home, child." He released a racking cough again.
"Are you alone?" Her voice was gentle and soft now.
"I am, but you're here now to give me comfort."
He raised his hand. Molly saw how weak and frail it was. His bones were showing, and she felt her heart wrench. Poor old man.
She grabbed his hand. He gripped it tightly, desperate for her warm touch.
Why was he out here? Surely he had people out there who cared for him?
"Thank you for being here with me. I didn't want to be alone."
"You'll never be alone..." she said, brushing his cheek.
He savoured her touch, and then closed his eyes.
She watched him fade away, knowing his spirit was no longer with him. She felt sad, even though she knew for a fact he was going to a good place. It was never pleasant watching a life end.
Next, she felt that warm glow to her left, and turned around. There stood a young, blonde lady with eyes of liquid blue.
Molly stared at her in awe. She gave a cute curtsy, grabbing her dress at the seams as if she just met a queen.
"That's a lovely bow you have there, Molly," the lady said.
She looked up at her surprised. "You know my name?"
"Of course. At last, we finally meet. I watched over your progress while you were Earthbound. You may be familiar with a little green chap named Zim..."
"You know Zim?!"
"Why yes. I was the one who guided him, helping him recover his heart to help you."
"I never realized Zim had help too. He never told me about you. I always thought it was just me and him."
"Well I was there: that little voice nagging him all the way, and it was a good job too. You may still be trapped here, or somewhere far worse..."
Molly shuddered, reflecting on that miserable life in the desert again. She was still at odds as to how Zim found her there. He had been a spirit too, and this pretty lady was there the whole time guiding him. That place brought her both pain and happiness, as it was there she and Zim first connected.
"I have so much to thank you for," Molly said.
She raised her hand. "I don't seek gratitude, Molly. I'm merely here to guide you too, but your thanks are well received. I saw what you just did for that old man..."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't save him."
"It was just his time. He's the reason I'm here, but there you were, stealing my thunder. He had a gift like Zim's. That's how he could see you."
"I didn't mean to take your thunder. He just looked so alone."
"I'm not mad at you, I'm impressed. Comforting him during his last moments? That is one of the qualities of a good guardian..."
"You mean like a guardian angel?"
"Maybe..."
"Could I ever become a guardian, like you?"
"Yes, if you work really hard for it. Though I'm afraid your spirit is at a vulnerable place right now."
Molly sighed. "I know. I never should have left heaven, but I had to. I had to see Zim again."
"Well you don't take full liability; you did have an accomplice. He should have known better. He has responsibilities too."
Molly looked at the ground, guiltily. "I didn't mean to get Nny into trouble. Please don't turn him into a cockroach..."
She cocked a brow. "Cockroach?"
"He said he would become one after he's stripped of his powers, and then me too! I don't want to be an icky cockroach."
She laughed. "You won't become a cockroach."
"But what about Nny?"
"I don't have any say in the matter, but I doubt the punishment will be that severe..."
"But I thought that all bad people turned into bugs in the next life, and he is... was bad."
"No, he became something far worse: a cold, unfeeling creature of a man. Sure, it was what granted him his title as 'reaper', but he took it too far, casting away anything that made him... well, him. Just because he's a form of death doesn't mean he has to imitate it. I don't know him personally, but he's kind of notorious in the after world... exploding heads and whatnot."
She giggled, "Oh yeah. That's a little joke between us... He's really not that bad."
"True. It seems you have placated him somewhat. You do have that effect on most."
Molly looked over at the old man, and then glanced back up at the lady again with shining eyes.
"I really do wish I could see Zim again. And I went through all this trouble..."
"Zim is doing fine. He's taken quite the shine to your niece."
"I knew those two would hit it off. I'm glad for them..." she smiled.
"Though I should warn you: there are tough times ahead. Always trust what your instincts tell you, Molly..."
"What do you mean...?" She stopped short, realising at last what that sensation was on the road. "Oh no..."
A warm hand touched her shoulder, and she looked up teary-eyed.
"Why? I don't understand."
She started to cry, as Zim's guardian wrapped her arms around her.
"Don't cry, my sweetheart. Sometimes these things have to happen."
"But he's just a baby. He should have a chance..."
"There's always a safe place for babies. I can assure you. They're in good hands until their parents can join them at last."
Molly wiped her tears, smiling as best as she could, but her heart was breaking.
She remembered what Nny warned her before, of the costs of slacking on the job.
"Is it because of Nny? Is it because he wasn't able to reap all those bad people? This is all my fault..."
"You can't think like that, Molly. There is no blame here."
"But I could have prevented this from happening..."
"Go and find Zim, Molly. And please, don't blame yourself."
"Okay. I promise..."
"I must be on my way; this man is waiting. I bid you farewell, Molly. Tell Zim I said hello."
"I... I will..."
The guardian waved her wrist, and then an orb like a firefly materialised in her hand. She set it free, and it formed into the shape of the old man.
He was healthy again, looking well for the first time in years.
He looked at his guardian. "It's you. Finally..."
She grabbed his hand and led him into that beautiful light.
Molly could see it perfectly. It was warm compared to the light that came for her, though that was due to Nny.
The authorities would find the old man's body, but it was just an empty shell now, devoid of life. Molly had no reason to stay at its side any longer.
Now she had two options: go and find Zim or protect her nephew...
She couldn't have him going into that world alone. She had to be there for him.
A/N: Would you believe I dreamt that alternative universe scene? I'll admit, it wasn't as accurate, and there may have been floating ham, as there is in dreams, but it was just as you wake up of a morning, and I went with it. Thank you dreamland, because I loved writing it. It gave a very interesting perspective into what Molly and Nny's lives may have been like... It appears Molly went to medical school too. Good for her, and she also married Squee (Yeah, I shipped them). That part where Squee went back in time is a reference to 'Squee'. Really funny stuff; the scene really has that classic IZ-like humour to it. Squee's parents were awful — his dad watches a video of his birth backwards, very wistful, and his mom never recognises him due to substance abuse.
I know Nny hitting on Molly was weird, but try not to think of them as you already know them in the other universe.
Originally, Nny and Molly were going to wander in that universe, but I decided it was best they never knew an alternative life. That would be too cruel, and plus it would have just added more length. I don't know much about physics, but all I can say to the best of my knowledge was that Nny and Molly were between a 'parallel three' universe, where every action in our universe creates alternative possibilities in others, ect. It's just a theory, or the 'multiverse'. It appears that our beloved characters are in a worst possible scenario universe... Remember that if you think your life sucks, it could suck even more elsewhere.
The scene also draws inspiration from Water for Elephants. I read the book this summer, as it helped writing that scene (the main character is an old man in a retirement home). It also resembles Nny's last scene in Squee, where he meets a Dr. L England (I think she's named after a friend of Jhonen's). He's talking about leaving some sleep study he's been involved in at the asylum, the one that Squee got dumped in. That's the scene, by the way, where I noticed his hair grew back...
Those Styrofoam Pillsbury boys are important characters in JtHM, yet I've never thought to mention them until now. But they are long gone, possibly tormenting some other victim, unless Devi still has her Sickness' little eyes locked away somewhere... They're actually based off real Styrofoam figures Jhonen had, which he painted also. To cut it short, Mr. Eff tells Nny to go and kill (though not directly), and Psycho Doughboy tells him to kill himself, all just to feed some monster behind his wall (the wall monster feeds them with energy).
Be grateful for the life you have...
I gave Nny an age here (I hate not knowing in the comic), so he was born in 1973 if he's seventy-nine in 2052, making him twenty-two when he did all his 'expressing' back in the 1990s. I read Jhonen stated he was in his early twenties, is five-foot nine and weighs 115 pounds (he's very skinny). Nny also kept a diary, which he called die-ary, but old man Nny from best possible scenario universe never kept one. There he and Devi apparently fell in love, and had kids. I always wondered where their 'almost kiss' could have led to. The only problem to that image is that I don't picture Devi as the kind of girl who'd wants kids, yet Nny put some inside her (I reckon she beat him up after). I think he could have made a great dad if he weren't so, well… insane! Nny in that other universe got himself fixed, so he's just fine…
I love how old man Nny tells grownup Molly how 'little girl' Molly was so adorable, and could melt any frozen heart. Try to consider whose frozen heart that may be... Gushy stuff, but it's sweet.
That tentacle joke was awful, I know, but I overheard some girl saying it on the train to her friends (though she said octopus, not squid), and she was laughing, but they just thought she was stupid. That was at seven in the morning (I'm bad at morning routines), yet when she uttered the joke, it inspired that line... I guess I was meant to be on that train (though I had to be, as I was going to watch bears at a zoo in the rain).
I like to think that the Chihuahua that followed Nny home is the same one in IZ. It makes sense. And Nny suspected that he knew, and he did... Also, sorry about those flaming Chihuahuas. Not cool, Nny.
Now IZ…
That's a reference to The Day of Da Spookies, one of the unaired episodes where Skoodge was a ghost professional. You can read transcripts online.
Yeah, I loved Johnny Bravo (I grew up with CN). I may as well say this now, a bit late: Molly's personality is modelled after Bubbles from the Powerpuff Girls. That show's my childhood, and she has the perfect personality for that cute little girl stereotype. Her talking about crayons was one inspiration, and her being a mini, baby titan.
Johnny Bravo had so many sexual innuendoes, and that line where Skoodge tells the lady she looks like a two-timing such and such, Johnny said something similar to a woman in the cartoon. I think he did, as I saw a captioned picture. Johnny also used to say "Man, I'm pretty" in the opening theme...
I have a Catholic background, which was why I gave Elizabeth one too.
I read that babies who are born at twenty-four weeks have a fifty percent chance of survival, and some have lived at younger (21 weeks). Lily is still in the second trimester, but because this story is based in the 2050s, I thought that percentage could go up.
They're sending a colony to Mars in the next decade. Zim was too busy to notice them, I guess...
And lastly, this title is named 'Fireflies' because in the movie 'Fluke', when the soul leaves the body, it looks like a firefly. Bella is the character of an old, homeless woman who the main character meets as a puppy in his new life (he was a man in his past life). She gets sick and passes away, but the puppy sees the soul going up to heaven. She obviously didn't need to reincarnate.
You can see where my inspiration comes from...
Well, see you next week.