Episode Summary: Just when we thought things couldn't get worse mind control rears its ugly head. Can the team with the help of the Blind bandit stop this disaster before it takes place? Or will their constant bickering threaten to cost us everything?
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Episode 8: Divide and Conquer (Part 1)
(146 years ago)
Self-doubt…
There was no room for any of that here.
Cadet Zim sighed deeply as he looked up at the stars glistening in the night sky.
He felt so small looking up at them, and he didn't like it; no, he didn't like it at all.
"Sir?"
Cadet Zim stiffened and pulled his gaze away from the stars; only to relax when he noticed it was just his friend Cadet Skoodge. "What do you want?" he snapped. "Can't you see I'm busy moping!"
Cadet Skoodge sat down beside him looking worried. "You come up here a lot lately." He said. "Is something wrong?"
It's silly really." Cadet Zim said, shaking his head. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me." Cadet Skoodge said.
Cadet Zim looked unsure, but he gave it a shot, after all it wasn't like keeping these feelings locked up inside was doing him any good. "Skoodge do you ever get the feeling that you were meant for something more?"
"What do you mean?" Cadet Skoodge asked.
"You know like you don't belong." Cadet Zim said. "Like this isn't what you're meant to do?"
Cadet Skoodge thought for a moment, and then answered. "I felt that way once." He admitted. "I was in the library reading during one of our breaks and I came across this book about our race's ancient history. And I was very intrigued to find out that we Irkens weren't always invaders."
"Really?" Cadet Zim was stunned. If the Irken race wasn't always invaders then what happened to change all that?
"According to the book I read we were inventors, and the most advance race in all the universe!" Cadet Skoodge explained. "Races all over the cosmos came to trade us things for our technology. We were a peaceful race that believed in brotherhood and the unity of all worlds."
Cadet Zim listen as his friend told his story all stary eyed, hanging off his every word.
"That is until one day one of our regular traders decided to use our technology for evil." Cadet Skoodge said gravely. "They attacked us demanding that we make them more so that they could continue their universal conquest. But we decided to have a little conquest of our own. We made the weapons they asked for, only to turn on them and use them ourselves." Cadet Skoodge explained. "We destroyed every last one of them, but we didn't stop there." he sighed deeply. "We turned around and attacked everyone who owned our technology, we wiped them off the face of their own planets, and started a little universal conquest of our own, because we were tired of being known as the weak feeble peace makers we were. We vowed that that day would be the last time anyone looked down on our race!"
"So, we were inventors before?" Cadet Zim whispered looking down at his hands. "I always wondered where my urge to create came from." He whispered.
"So why do you feel like you're meant for something more?" Cadet Skoodge suddenly asked, breaking him from his thoughts. "Being an Amon is what every Irken hopes for! Who would think there was something more than that?"
Cadet Zim looked back up at the stars with a deep sigh. "I don't know." He says. "I just get this feeling that there is something more out there for me." He says.
"Out where?" Cadet Skoodge asked.
"Out there!" Zim said pointing at a bright star far off in the distance.
Cadet Skoodge shakes his head, "Listen sir as your friend I have to tell you like it is. We Irkens aren't dreamers with our heads in the clouds. We're invaders, and that's what we always will be."
"But you said-" Cadet Zim began.
"Yes, we were something else at one time, and what happened?" Cadet Skoodge asked. "Everyone else walked all over us!" he snapped answering his own question. "If you want that be my guess, but not me!" he vowed. "I'm never going to let anyone walk all over me!" he turned and walked away than without another word.
Cadet Zim looked back up at that bright shining star more determined now than ever, despite Cadet Skoodge's words. "I know I'm meant for more." He whispered as the star reflected in his big pink eyes. "I can feel it!"
But no matter how sure he felt he could never know the true magnitude of his words.
For you see that little star shining bright in the distance was where Zim would finally find his true destiny!
And that star was planet Earth…
(Present Day)
This was perhaps the most stupid thing they had ever done…
Dib knew something bad was going to happen, he could feel it! It was like the very air around him was trying to warn him of what was to come.
It had been exactly twelve hours since they rescued the Blind Bandit from the school, and the underground refugee had led her new friends to the location of the weapons.
The old factory had once been used to melt down gold and silver; but now it was being used for more sinister means. What Dib didn't understand was why the Irkens weren't storing these things on Zec where they'd be safe from any attack?
Unfortunately Dib soon got his answer…
The factory had been set up like a testing facility, and the Irkens where using Humans as their test subjects.
Dib crouched down in his hiding place among the ceiling rafters feeling utter disgusted with the scene that played out before him.
The Irken scientist had placed a man in a collar, and proceeded to give him commands, if he followed these commands without question, he would be rewarded. If he refused however, the scientist would than turn the collar on causing the man to lose all sense of self-control.
Zim couldn't help but feel uncomfortable about the whole situation, and for good reason. It was already hard enough trying to win everyone's trust in the group, but now the other humans in the group could start to question his motives even more. This happened every time his fellow Irkens did something like this. They would do something stupid and abusive, and Zim would pay for it by having the humans look at him more closely; like looking at a single cell organism under a microscope!
In a word it was frustrating, and Zim already had enough frustrating things to worry about now. For example, his headache had returned with a vengeance. In fact, he dared say it was stronger than any of the others before; if that was even possible. Surely, most would have their head split open with this much pressure being applied to it, but to Zim's surprise his brain meats stayed intact.
Mark's eyes narrowed on the Irken to his left, suspiciously. 'That Irken Zim is acting weird again!'
Zim shook his head as his vision began to redden, it was happening again!
The Irken did his best not to panic, to just breathe; it was easier said than done. These little episodes of his were beginning to flare up more frequently, and he knew the final change would be upon him soon. Of course, this knowledge only made him panic all the more!
What if the change was too much for him to take?
What if he died…Or worse!
What if he went rogue?
Zim shivered at the thought, to become a mindless, beast bent on death and blood lust. It was every Amons Nightmare! Zim shook his head once more, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. They couldn't afford to screw this one up, the entire planet's free will and their cause was at risk.
Nothing could go wrong!
Crystal stretched all of her senses out before her, she knew anything could happen at the slightest moment. She and the five leaders of the resistance had studied her downloaded files of this factory for so long she was sure they could all recite all the data by heart. Unfortunately, there was one slip up, the Irkens boost up the security since the last time she broke in. And the fact that the others decide to leave the rookies out of it, only made her fell more tense.
Of course, she understood that they weren't ready, but a little more manpower would be nice. It was funny when she really thought about it, the whole world thought the rebels were this unstoppable army, but in all reality they were 24 kids, and one exiled Irken soldier. She was surprised that they had managed to make it this far, and maybe they were too.
Suddenly, Dib tapped her on the shoulder, signaling to her that it was time to move.
The six intruders crawled along the rafters, above the enemy, and made their way towards the control room. The plan was easy, get to the control room, which was in the center of the factory, set up the explosives, and get out! The damage would destroy the factory and any hope of a completed working product, but since the damage wouldn't engulf the entire factory; it would spare the human test subjects and their persecutors.
It was simple enough, but they all knew anything could go wrong, making their mission go from simple to complex in seconds. They made it past the main part of the factory without incident and jumped down to the floor.
"Okay the control room is that way!" James said. Following the map projecting from his communicator.
Zim nodded, and took the lead instinctively, he couldn't explain it; but he could feel it. There was something very wrong. The security was less back here when it should be more, and yet Zim could still feel the unmistakable danger.
They were not safe; they were not safe at all!
Suddenly a shadowy figure raced past them, Zim senses it, but turns too slowly. He stops; listening.
"Zim what are you doing?" Rachel whispered. "Keep moving."
"Something isn't right." Zim hissed. His eyes were burning red now, and Dib saw that his claws were fully extended.
"Come on Zim move!" Mark urged.
"No something it wrong." Dib agreed.
"You don't know that!" Mark whispered harshly.
"No, but I know Zim, he's only like this when things are about to get really bad." Dib argued.
Suddenly a loud hiss filled the hall, as two blue glowing eyes shined brightly in the darkness.
"Zim what is that?" Dib dared to ask.
Zim growled low in his throat. "All of you get out of here!" Zim warned.
"And leave you here without supervision? Fat chance!" Mark argued.
The hissing grew louder, as the blue eyes got closer.
"I'm serious it isn't safe here." Zim warned, his headache was getting stronger now. It was because of him! The other one was far too close, and he wasn't slowing down.
One final hiss filled the air, and then the owner of those glowing blue eyes struck.
Zim's instincts kicked immediately, he charged; tackling the enemy.
Dib and the others watched in horror as a green monstrous Irken looking beast with glowing blue eyes swat Zim away like a fly. Dib couldn't believe what he was seeing, it looked like an Irken, only it was as tall as the Tallest, with its uniform ripped halfway off its body. Saliva dripped from a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth, with claws as long as kitchen knives, and just as sharp.
It was a monster, and yet something was similar about it…
'It's eyes are glowing, like Zim's do.'
Zim let out a loud grunt as he was smacked into the wall hard; he feels his control slipping as his visions turns to nothing but red. "Get out of here now!" he screams at them, dodging the next blow.
The others back up several feet, but they do not leave him, of course they each have their own reasons for disobeying.
Crystal wasn't leaving in less this place was about to go up in smoke.
Mark didn't trust Zim to be alone for five seconds.
James, and Rachel didn't feel comfortable leaving Zim to fight this monster on his own.
And Dib, well Dib was too amazed by the creature before him to do much of anything besides look!
Zim did his best to keep his head on straight, as he continued to dodge blows. He wanted to fight back, to finally let the transformation take hold, but he was too afraid to do so. He couldn't lose control, not here, because he couldn't be sure that he wouldn't hurt his comrades. That side of him was still too unpredictable, and it was obvious that his enemy was in complete control of that side of himself.
Of course, he knew who he was dealing with the moment he saw those blue eyes.
"Koi!" Zim dodged doing his best not to harm him, he didn't want to hurt his old classmate and for good reason. General Kazar had a Shew as his pupil, and he would never chose a Shew over an Amon in less there were none left. Zim already had to kill the Tallest for their crimes, but Koi was still blameless, he could be saved. Besides their people would need a leader once the Tallest were gone. And Zim highly doubted he'd survive the final transformation, Koi on the other hand had done so already, and he must have control over it, otherwise the Irken wouldn't be around. "Koi!"
The monster stuck once more chuckling slightly, and to Dib's amazement he began to change. The beast before him morphed, and shifted into an Irken who was slightly taller than Zim. The glow in his eyes faded, as a big toothy smirk spread across his face.
"You're pathetic!" The Irken hissed. "You finally get what you've always wanted and you're too afraid to use it!"
'Use it?' Dib looked at Zim for an explanation, but his Irken comrade avoided his gaze; his full attention was on the other.
"Koi please." Zim urged. "It doesn't have to be this way."
"It was always going to be this way!" Koi hissed, the two Irkens began to circle one another as the tension grew. "We were always met to fight to the death, everyone knew it would be you and me!"
"Koi you don't need to kill me!" Zim argued. "I don't want it! All I want is the Tallest to pay for their crimes!"
"I can't let you do that!" Koi told him.
"You must, you know what they're doing is wrong!" Zim screamed. "Are you really going to risk the security of our people just so you can succeed the Tallest?"
That's when it clicked in Dib's mind. 'Succeed the Tallest! He's an Amon!' Dib shivered at the thought. Could all Amons turn into that monster like this one had? Of course, Dib already knew the answer to that.
'They're somethings about my people you just wouldn't understand.'
Those where Zim's words that he had told to them the day Tak informed him about how the Tallest were killing the Amons.
This is what Zim was trying to tell them, that the Amons were a monstrous breed. And if that was the case than everything Dib thought he knew about the Tallest was a lie. He thought they were in charge because they were simply taller than everyone else. But if every Amon was capable of this monstrous transformation, then it brought the fear of the subject into a totally new light.
No wonder they never dared step out of line, a monster like that would scare anyone straight, but what did that mean about Zim?
His eyes glowed too! And Dib never saw any of the other Irkens do this, is it possible that Zim was an Amon?
"You honestly think you can beat them?" Koi laughed, bringing Dib out of his thoughts. "They'd kill you at this rate. And to think they were actually afraid that you would go storming into Zec to put them down."
"I Am, and I Will!" Zim vowed. "What they have done is unforgiveable; to slaughter thousands of our race, and for what? Power?"
"It's called ensuring your place in society, maybe if you had done so than you would still be welcomed among the ranks." Koi scoffed.
"So, you're going to defend them?" Zim looked almost hurt. "You know what they're doing, and you're just going to let it happen?"
"It's called surviving!" Koi snapped.
"No, it's called being a coward!" Zim growled. "And if you won't stand with me, than I have no choice but to kill you too."
"Please you kill me? Ha!" Koi laughed. "I doubt it, especially since last time we went up against each other I left you bleeding in an alley."
Zim's eyes widen as his mind is immediately brought back to that day. Tak had told him about the Tallest, he and Dib went home, he ate dinner, and then the next thing he remembered was waking up in an alley covered in Irken blood.
Had that really been his blood?
He didn't remember any wounds, had they healed?
"You don't remember do you?" Koi teased. "Memory is the first challenge during the first few transformations."
"You're lying!" Zim hissed. "I haven't-"
"You have, which begs to wonder how many innocent lives have you hurt, and have no memory of it whatsoever?" Koi shook his head. "And you think you have the right to judge them, when you don't even know if you are innocent yourself!"
'He has to be lying.' Zim racked his mind searching for the memories. 'I haven't already transformed. I would know!' but that's just it, he knew full and well that he wouldn't remember the first hand full of transformations. So, it was entirely possible that he could have hurt an innocent Irken or human and not even know it!
Dib watched as Zim looked down at his hands, he was shaking; like he could actually see the innocent blood on his hand.
Sirens filled the air, along with loud shouts; and the stomping of running feet.
"Looks like your lucks finally ran our rebels." Koi chuckled,
It was then that Zim realized the truth, Koi was not there to kill him; he was there to assess him for the Tallest! To see how far he had gotten!
"Zim we have to go!" Dib wasn't sure how he managed to speak, but he did.
"Go?" Koi laughed. "There is no place to go worm."
"That's where you wrong!" Dib said as he reached for his communicator, the others did the same.
Koi watched as they all pressed a button and disappeared. "Portable teleportation?" he turned to Zim looking impressed. "Skoodge was right, you do have a knack for inventing, it's a shame we could never use that!"
Zim shook his head. "What happened to you Koi? When did you become a selfish jerk?"
"I was always this way!" Koi growled.
"No, you weren't!" Zim corrected him. "Sure, we had our differences, but there was a time when brotherhood meant more to you than power!"
"You better go!" Koi told him. "Before they get too close."
Zim grit his teeth. "There's nothing left of you is there?" he asked, realizing the truth. "They've broken you!"
Koi actually flinched at his words, but he quickly recovers. "If I were you I'd be more worried about myself. I wasn't lying, you know! You've already completed the final transformation Zim; the question is will you learn to control that part of you? Or will you too go rogue?"
Zim forced the panic not to show in his face, as he reached for his on communicator. "I really wish things could be different, we could have rebuild the Irken race together."
"With a defective like you?" Koi asked. "No thanks!"
Tears threatened to fall from Zim's eyes, but he just pressed the button on his communicator, and teleported away. Wondering what the Tallest could have done to break him so easily, and just how many other promising Irkens they planned to crush;
In hopes of reaching their goal…
-To Be Continued