Chapter 13: " Progress Already! "

Zim exited his underground base, and made his way to the door. He immediately opened it and stepped a foot out, however he got a full frontal view of rain when he opened it, and stopped in his tracks with a skip of his heart beat. His mind was drawing blanks; He didn't know what he was doing anymore, and he didn't want to think. Thinking upon that situation wouldn't bring anything beneficial. Blood ran through his veins like ice, but it wasn't cold; Anxiety? Illness? Terror? He wasn't sure.

He closed the door, and kept his hand on the knob. He blinked and tried to keep his mind from wavering, almost like persuasion.

Now he was beginning to reason with himself. Explain to his mind why he acted so. Why he felt this way. But he didn't know why. His mind couldn't wrap around that event. It didn't want to...Why? Too many questions.

" Dammit." Zim breathed, and gritted his teeth. He forced his legs to stop shaking, and he released his tightening grip on the door. He had been panicking; His body and mind willed him to do so in order to escape. Mentally and Physically. He couldn't process what it was that enforced these feelings; Why he questioned himself and why he tried to reason with his vacillating mind. Zim closed his eyes and felt a headache approaching, warming his forehead.

"...Sir?" Computer said.

He wasn't aware there was anyone talking, too focused upon the severed logic and the diluted information intake. Zim turned around and tried to clear his mind. He walked up the couch, and placed his hands against the armrest, leaning against it. His body and mind still in a state of tumult; muscles quivering.

"...Invader Zim?"

He finally looked up at him.

" Are you okay?" His computer asked, his voice tensed. Zim was aware now of his conditions, his self-conscious activating like a digital system. He was breathing shakily, his face probably in a form of fear, and his body shaking. Zim closed his eyes and tried to force his mind away from the image he'd seen. His stomach jumped; threatening to release another bout of bile. The embedded images were not so easily persuaded. A chill passed down his spine, and spread through his body through the channels of nerves.

" Sir?"

" Just—" Zim choked out. He didn't want to risk anything. Risk what? His mind reeled, and almost like an engine, rebooted. At least it tried; He was trying to forget. He was forcing thoughts into his mind of other things however he would draw back to his test subjects. Thinking about them...Knowing their presence was there, like a prick of a needle in the back of his neck. It scared him. It struck his nerves the wrong way.

He removed his weight against the couch, and tried pacing again. However, his moving body only jolted his upset stomach, and it rippled him like an ocean. He placed his back against the wall, the cold surface touching his back with exciting energy.

" Sir?" Computer was starting to get worried.

He slid down, until he was sitting. His breath was still uneven, his mind trying to regain stability. Appendages came out of the wall, seeking to aid their superior. They stopped a foot away from the shaking being. Computer was reluctant; he wanted to help in any way possible. But it was more about if that help was going to be received, and what that help was directed to was the problem. The appendages lingered around him, like people that were watching him. In the corner of his eyes, they appeared like gray, metallic faces, peering into his skin. He covered his own face.

They waited. They as in the arms, Zim himself, and the computer. He wasn't sure why he included the arms as if they were separate identities. But it didn't matter either way; They all waited for the same thing. Peace. Zim finally reached a point to where he could think properly. His body stopped trembling, and his breathing returned to slightly normal standards. His nerves were still on edge. His knees were brought up, and his elbows placed at the caps of them. His hands covered his brow, and he tried to live through his mortification. In the moment, he was sweating. He was more than embarrassed; He'd just gone through acting like a complete coward. Shaking even. He stammered and fidgeted. The image he portrayed was beyond disgusting. Zim closed his eyes and just wanted this day to end. Betraying his dignity, betraying his composure. Two strokes in one day.

"...Are you okay?" A voice asked. Computer was still trying to receive reassurance. He'd seen it; Zim knew. His reaction, all from the start. He watched the monitors, after all.

" Just stop." He said, lowly. He didn't need to act ignorant, and the only reason why he did was because there was no other way to address it. And also the fact that he tried to appear that he cared. And it annoyed him the fact that his Computer did. It brought up the similarities with Ms. Zoe and he mentally groaned. Weak, feeble-minded beings that were just too naive and foolish. Bestowing trust and a gross amount of affection to all and one. It always felt like they were trying to coddle him. Trying to tuck him in and tell him 'twas alright. Nothing substantial or even remotely good came from extensions of endearment and tender heart, with the desire to have a common passion to an individual. Zim wished everyone had these thoughts. That way, it'd be easier to hate this race a little less; Although it wouldn't really matter. Hatred was hatred.

Then again, Ms. Zoe was faking her kindness. It could possibly be easier to hate her now...

There was a silence. One that Zim had been looking for. One he could relish in, and muse away with thoughts that would bring him into worlds that didn't pertain to this one; in the moment. However there were no thoughts that had substance. There were no memories, or qualities he could imagine about. In this moment was all he had. The past was something he didn't want to concern himself with. At least the recent past...

One thing he failed to notice, was the fact that his mind was still trying to make him forget. And not just about the test subjects...

Zim stood up and lied upon the couch. He wanted to sleep. There, at least, his mind created dreams...Dreams to forget.

• • •

Dib counted the times he inhaled and exhaled through his nostrils. At this point of time, he was bored beyond comprehension. And exhausted. Sleeping didn't do much for him, and it also wasn't willing to try and do anymore; He'd tried to go to bed but was only able to stay dormant for two to three hours. After wards, his unsettled mind kept his body energized with his pensive thoughts and aftermath stress.

His eyelids were compellingly ready for closure, lying heavily upon his warm, itchy eyes. They'd gather water from all the times he yawned, staying up way past bed time. He searched the computer screen and soaked in the information with indifference; watching videos, or reading randomly unearthed PDF files and documents about obituaries, newspapers and research done on specific fields of interests that he'd looked up on Google. It helped kill time, and slowly kill a few brain cells; Many files of which he read always had grammatical, contextual errors and even ( one instance ) wrongfully plagiarizing one another. It didn't matter either way for him; Occupancy was what he wanted, and he wasn't going to complain now that he had it.

Dib checked the time on his desktop screen. It read '5:03'. Instinctual, he remembered that his father worked today at the evening, and would usually drive them to school; His usual alarm went off at 5:30. That brought heaviness on his shoulders, and ignited a deep seeded annoyance.

There wasn't even a spilling of light; not even a hint of blue for the upcoming sun, outside. Either way, Dib was going to get ready and leave before his Dad woke up. He didn't have the motivation to go through the crap that was going to be slung by his father. Apologies never made the situation any less awkward, and he wasn't in the mood for his father's unreasonable reasoning. He turned off the computer and lifted himself off the chair onto his tired legs. He was confident that this would be an exceptional reason to down a few energy drinks. He had a few spare dollars in his wallet and they were going to rot if he didn't use them otherwise.

Dib browsed lazily through his clothes, picked a black pair of jeans, thought temporarily he wore too much black all the time, chose another navy blue pair, and picked a gray t-shirt. Jackets were always an option. However now that his favorite one was no longer one, he grunted whenever he saw his selection. He, with dissatisfaction, chose a hoodie. It had been raining last night, not heavily, but enough for it to keep the cold.

He walked out of his room, and checked the time on his watch. It was nearly a minute before his dad woke up. He hurried out.

Dib cupped his hands and blew gusts of warm breath against them. It was dark; and cold. The world still had the remaining scent of earthy water; rain that still lingered in the air and on the surfaces of the earth. The event of him doing this actually brought a sense of excitement. Walking in the dark, practically still night, and doing what was technically illegal in the eyes of his father. He knew there would be a single whiplash of disapproval from his dad, however that would come in the future. Right now, in the moment, he felt he was at least peaceful.

The school didn't open until 6:00. He checked his watch and read the bright green light that displayed 5:34. It was enough time for a small detour; going to the small convenience store near around the school. It was a 'Wreckits' store, if he remembered correctly. Terrible name, but he believed it was intended for customer attraction. Apparently, that idea worked so well that schools even adapted the policy; copying it's idiotic trend as if the students who attended were all just 'suckers' giving away money.

Dib sometimes liked the think of the common people ( or rather, students ) as monkeys, ooking and eeking at him everyday as if they were actually trying to say something important, but came out as annoying outbursts of inaudible words of dumb. He didn't necessarily believe in evolution, however he liked to muse in his thoughts that it would make a bit of sense considering the inherited characteristics from amongst the people, albeit the only characteristic being extreme idiocy. In sequence, he also hated to think that he was the only sane person, as that would be self-absorbed fustian. It wasn't his intentions to think so, but it wasn't avoidable either.

Dib continued walking past the school, and stayed on the sidewalk. Occasionally bringing his pocketed hands to his mouth and trying to warm them up. The cold helped him stay awake, as well as moving. He turned down the side walk and continued following it's path as it lead to the main street. As he walked, the roads were vacant, and a few cars passed by here and there. Once he reached Wreckits, he bought himself two energy drinks and a small packet of Crownie's fudge brownies. He momentarily insulted the stupidly intended rhyme.

After wards, he made his way back, drinking occasionally from the riveting can of soda. He continued back down the route he'd taken and shivered in the cold. By the time he got back, the school lights were on. And as well as a few cars already in the parking lot. Dib hurried, and then immediately slowed down after wards. He was cold; shivering and freezing in the morning weather and there was obvious warmth in the building. However, nothing could make him so eager, not even the weather, to quicken the day to have another conversation with Zim.

However, he took a deep breath, and didn't allow any sort of emotion to pass. He'd practiced this for a long time, when Zim used to be more active on taking over the world. Though, after his sudden disappearance a while back, he completely forgot it all. He even learned to tolerate his annoying insults and even tolerate his presence. That was most likely on virtue of his disappearance, however Dib was trying to reapply it into the situation now. He was going to need it, and a whole lot more; that much he knew.

• • •

The day almost seemed to fast-forward. Beyond anyone's will, really. For some, it was a blessing; hurrying throughout the school hours to finally get back home and do the things they've been wanting to do since they've woken up; drawing, hanging out with friends, expressing the mind, reading. Or even just chatting with family. However, to a certain few, it could be considered a curse. One that only seemed to occur whenever it was least convenient. One that happened particularly this day, and this day only. Where the moments were no longer half-seconds, but twice smaller, and along with all of the generally used time expressions and expansions. And as the time seemingly jumped, it also, just as sporadically, halted, stopping all contents in it's jar. Frozen, in the moment of which their lives were at most tremendously atrocious. That; was getting to know each other.

Their eyes and gazes along were glued to the table. Mrs. Everett fixed her glasses, and stared at the contents of her guidance papers. However if that were to be removed, she could also be included into actively keeping away from any type of social contact, and staring blankly at the surface of the wooden table. It supported the weight of their arms, and whatever necessary materials that were brought, as if it were that interesting a subject.

Mrs. Everett broke the silence first, with a clearing of her throat. She attempted twice, as she faltered the first.

" Oh I almost forgot." She said, airily. Everett's eyes met up with faces that were turned from her. After a moment, however, their eyes met hers as she waited for their attention. " I've decided to bestow a blessing." She said smiling.

" I notice that these meetings aren't the best thing that has happened to you two. So in turn, These meetings will only be on Wednesdays and Thursdays. That way you have 5 days rest." Mrs. Everett said. They nodded passively, an act not completely out of enthusiasm, but obligation. They felt that if they didn't show any acknowledgment, it would be rude. Why would Zim think that? Dib wondered slightly. The eyes of the two students went back to the table. Her eyes met down with her papers, and she cleared her throat again.

" Let's start simple." She said, placing the papers down, accompanied with the usual grin, however no one looking up to notice the lightness of her smile. " An introduction...A little greeting will do." she said, casually. Too casually, as if she didn't know these two occupants in the room weren't sworn enemies. They proposed that she had to act that way, concerning she had to give them patience and time. However, neither of them would take the upper hand and greet one another. They'd rather wait it out until it began to wear on her tolerance.

It worked, when she sighed and looked at the two, who avoided any sort of eye contact, even from Mrs. Everett.

" Zim. Say hello to Dib." She said politely, like an eager request. He groaned in response, quietly, but irritated. His face then formed a grimace as he realized the situation of which he was in; expressing his attitude towards her command and to the fact that he was in the same room with that boy. His eyes remained unmoved, portraying his obstinacy and intentional refusal to Everett. She took note of this, as her small smile disappeared.

"...Zim..." She called, as if to wake him up. However, he remained in the same position. He obviously didn't care to listen, and Dib hated to think it, but he was glad about it too; any other way, he would have to converse. The longer it took for them to start, the more time they wasted, and the quicker this would be done and over with. He hated to admit, but he cheered the disobedience.

Then again, Dib began thinking it wasn't just anyone's time. It was her time, he realized, as her expression was forming a scowl. After another few moments, she removed her glasses. They'd tested her too far. The room was becoming eerily tight in air after another moment of Zim's stubbornness. Dib watched carefully.

" Let's get something clear." She said slowly, dark. Leaning forward, her facial expression became dauntingly solemn, and resentful. " I'm not doing this for my health. I expect your full cooperation, for this is what you both chose. Now is not the time to sulk in your grief, and complain.

" If I don't get an answer, or if you two don't listen to anything I say, then I have the full capability to file you both, right now, as I speak, to juvenile hall, and your parents will be fined a nice little payment of 900 $ to the state—"

" 900 $! From the both of us?" Dib nearly snapped. Mrs. Everett returned that with a look of slight impatient surprise. She obviously didn't like being interrupted, and it didn't even need to be explained from her wordless expression. She gained their full attention now. Eyes slightly widened, breathing quieted. Her aura, from before, a gentle, kind old woman to a daunting, spiteful and unsympathetic figure disquieted the both of them. Something must've been flipped inside of her, as she changed so drastically. They didn't know what, but they didn't want to find out any further what it was she was capable of. Even Zim was watching her with caution.

"...For the wasted food, past damages, and the bullying offense that will be included." She finished, keeping her eyes at Dib, as he shrunk back against the chair.

" Don't think that all of you two's endeavors were put aside to omission. Don't you remember the timed-out explosion in the city? Devastating half the population? And the little flood from your water balloon battles? Covering a quarter of the country?

" ...No? I remember." She emphasized. Now it made sense. Malevolence arriving from grudges. It shouldn't surprise them, considering the amount they'd done to the city and their people. She continued on.

"Plus, a hefty little order of community service will be issued as a bonus. These are the papers I have in hand. The past agreement will be disregarded and the charges will be enforced. Do not test me. I have better things to do than to sit here, and talk to walls."

" If I were you...I would choose to suck it up, grow a pair, and speak."

They both shifted uncomfortably in their chairs. Dib wondered why Zim was affected at all; He had no parents. He technically wasn't a citizen, let alone even a legal and notified occupant in the states. However, the system of this world was questionable, and for whatever abstract reason was given to allow him to abide amongst the humans, without the investigation of his antecedents or confidentiality, he still lived here. Either way, if this were to be the past, he would flip a finger, and walk out of the room, yelling incompetently that she was in no place to give them commands. This had no pertaining consequence to Zim; so why act so obedient now? Dib would've thought this to be interesting if it wasn't for the next few moments that were going to occur.

" Let's try this...again." She said, sighing deeply, her fury almost fleeing. Her eyes flitted back to the green boy sitting at her right side. " Zim..." She cleared her throat.

A smaller, less noticeable reaction came from him. His eyes furrowed more, acting more of a twitch rather than an actual facial expressionistic movement, however he wasn't willing to rebel any more than that. Dib willed his eyes to look away, as he saw his head begin coming up from the table. However he knew that Mrs. Everett was watching them both, and he'd rather not get on her nerves for trying to extend this another time. After a hefty mental coercion, He finally met his eyes with the one at the opposite side. Zim's mouth shivered. He was trying his best not to sneer.

"...Hello Dib." He said, quietly, deathly. His sore throat was gone now, after the few days it had been present.

A glance from Mrs. Everett landed at Dib. He returned the scowl to the person he was looking at.

" Hello Zim."

A small smile rose again. One of her light, delighted, ones.

" There we go. Progress already!" She hooted.

• • •

Gaz waited outside of the school. Kids poured out of the front doors like water. No pun intended. She groaned as she reminded herself of the rain, looking back at the mist that was falling from the sky. She was beginning to think that her brother ditched earlier today or that he was just dragging his feet. He was usually let out earlier than her class, and he would be the one waiting for her. Either way, it was effectively annoying. At least she thought it would've been.

Gaz hadn't spoken to him for a while now. Not that it was really that big of a deal, but from all of the things that were going on, she wanted to give him time. Especially because of the unexpected event of last night. He also seemed to be bothered before then, during school. She remembered that she approached him, and he didn't want to talk about anything. She also remembered that on the announcements, Dib and Zim were both called to the office. Do they have detention? It would make sense to why Dib is always late to lunch. And even late now.

Gaz glanced back at the school entrance. Her brother wasn't coming. He never stayed after school for anything, unless he had detention. And if he did have detention, then it was assumed he would want her to leave without him. Though from what she knew, he was the most advanced student in the school. He wouldn't need to, concerning he was the best student, nothing but an A-plus continued grade sheet.

And yours is F-minus continued. And yet you wonder why Dib is favorite?

Gaz grimaced. She was beginning to hate these thoughts with a passion.

" It's not about me. It's about Dib." She muttered, turning away from the entrance. She began walking home.

Are you sure? Or is this really about the Professor?

" What does it matter?"

To you? Apparently it matters to your worth.

Gaz realized the reality of her conversation; an argument with her own mind as if it were to be an individualized being. That had never happened before. Then again, the new found caring for her brother never occurred either. She would question the nature of that too, but she wasn't too inclined to find out the answer.

She realized as well the connection between her and her brother now; talking to themselves. If anybody wondered what their resemblance was, there was that to mention. If any conversation so happened to come to such a topic...

Gaz continued walking, and ignored the quiet chatter in the back of her mind. The rain helped some; keeping her ears occupied to the patter on her umbrella, rather than the negativity and pessimism in her own mind. She wondered curiously why her brother left so early; ditching was never his thing...not that it was hers, rather the opposite, however from a certain father's perspective, she would be more inclined to do so than the idol son.

She then realized, as she resurfaced from her daydreaming, a kid who was waiting at the bus stop; not the school bus, but the public transit stop. It was the new kid from before. He was taking shelter from the rain underneath the roof, shivering like if he was cold. He'd noticed her approaching. His eyes slightly widened, and Gaz made it an effort to appear she didn't notice him, or rather she was ignoring him.

" E-Excuse me? uh—Ma'am?" He called. Gaz momentarily thought he would be referencing to a woman behind her, one whom that title would be appropriately deemed. But when she turned her head to make sure, he was looking at her. She considered this to be one of the weirdest positions ever; why would anyone want to talk to her? Let alone even call out to her?

" Me?" She said, playing ignorant. However her tone of voice was more intimidating than she expected. His extended hand dropped to his side.

" Y-yes..." He replied. His voice was very frail, almost. Raspy, but naturally so. Like if there was a perpetual conjugation in his throat since birth.

" What?"

" U-Uh, you have a brother? Right?" He asked.

So it was just another situation of using her for access to her brother. Figures.

Why the hell does it matter?! She raged in her mind. It showed in her furrowed eyebrows.

" Yeah. You're the one who shot the pea at him." She remarked. His mouth pursed. Gaz could see a small sheen layer of sweat gathering at the top of his forehead. If that was the case, then she could conclude he was a shy kid. But it made her curious as to why he would betray his comfort zone to talk to her.

" I...I haven't seen him...and...I...I-I was wondering if you could...I don't know...you know, if you s-see him, I-If—"

Damn, kid, don't hurt your self.

" If I could say you apologize?" She helped him finished. He nodded gingerly. Gaz wondered how it was like to be shy. To be mortified simply by character interaction from social shortcomings. Many a people mistook her for being shy. One thing for sure, there was a difference between introverted and shy. She wished that she could enforce her knowledge unto people whenever they tried to be cautious with their speaking to her. (mainly teachers, Gaz didn't have any friends. ) It annoyed her slightly, however she didn't let it bother her too much.

She shrugged apathetically.

" Yeah, whatever." Gaz said, and continued walking. It was even more weird; she firmly believed there were no good people at that school. This kid is actually wanting to apologize for being rude. It explains why he wasn't in a group; probably after denying to do anymore of their machinations, they just dropped him. It hadn't happened before, so she wasn't too sure. It was also strange how that particular happening is unprecedented; it really explains a lot about a school if the usual and common behavior is filled with bad intention and indifference.

Maybe there is a little hope left for humanity...

Gaz then remembered Zim, and his entire mission to take over the earth.

Nope...never mind. We're doomed.

RNote: So it never occurred to me this particular story construct, 'Zim's decommission', if you will, was in a lot of other stories as well. This is my very first fanfic for IZ, and judging also my first time on this archive, snooty little me thought I was being creative.( The only thing I'd seen until now was ZADR this and ZADR that) Now that I know I'm being held at a much higher stake for using this overused topic, I'm going to try and be more...I suppose creative, is the word I'm looking for. ( Hopefully there aren't any similarities or cliches already that you've spotted in this from the other stories... If you've read them.) { Rnote means Random Note, btw}