Episode 8: Divide and Conquer (Part 3)
(145 Years ago)
"You are all without a doubt, the most worthless and pathetic excuses for soldiers that I have ever seen!"
Cadet Zim cringed and tried his best to stand taller as his new Instructor; Sargent Tus addressed him and the rest of the cadets around him.
"But some way, somehow I will turn you all into soldiers worthy of the Irken Empire." Sargent Tus continued as he paced back and forth in front of the cadets.
Cadet Zim stiffens slightly as the Sargent stops in front of him.
"Now you are perhaps the most pathetic of the lot!" Sargent Tus yelled, practically spitting in Cadet Zim's face.
Cadet Zim did his best to fight the urge to slap him in the face...
It wasn't easy!
'He is only treating you like this because he doesn't know you're an Amon.' Cadet Zim reminded himself. 'Remember this is what you wanted. You'll get his respect eventually, but this time it's not going to come easy; it has to be earned!'
"What is your name Cadet?!" Sargent Tus shouted.
"Sir Cadet Zim reporting for duty sir!" Cadet Zim answered, respectively.
"Zim uh? Well tell me Zim have you always been this short?" Sargent Tus asked with a look of distasted plastered on his face.
'Resist the urge.' Cadet Zim reminded himself. "Sir yes Sir!"
"Well you're going to have to work on that!" Sargent Tus shouted even louder. "Now all of you drop down in the push up position!"
Cadet Zim and the rest of his fellow cadets got down in the push up position; immediately at the ready.
"Now you will all continue to do pushups and you will not stop until you drop from exhaustion. Do you hear me?!"
"Sir yes Sir!" Cadet Zim and the cadets shouted as one.
"Begin!"
Cadet Zim began at a slow but steady pace; knowing all too well that this exercise was about endurance and not who could do more pushups. 'If Koi could see me now he's surely laugh.' Zim shook away the thought. At least that was one good thing about him leaving; he didn't have to deal with Cadet Koi ever again! Zim was more than grateful and for good reason, Koi had always made his life miserable and yet to his surprise his competition had been disappointed to see him go. In fact, Cadet Koi even seemed worried!
"General Kazar said you were leaving. Is it true?"
"Yeah so?"
"You should be careful Zim."
"Why what do you care? You hate my guts Koi!"
"My feelings towards you have nothing to do with this! I am serious Zim it's dangerous out there. They don't treat you the same way you're used to, and if you do something stupid no one will come to your rescue!"
"I know that! I'm not stupid Koi, and I certainly don't need anyone's protection!"
"The Irken Empire isn't exactly forgiving towards Shews, if you make one mistake you could be labeled as a defective."
"Again, I don't need your help or your advice!"
Just promise me you'll be careful Zim."
"You have nothing to worry about, I'll be careful I promise…"
Cadet Zim couldn't understand it, but he felt as if Cadet Koi was trying to warn him about something. He knew it was crazy to think such things, but he couldn't get the feeling to go away. He was constantly looking over his shoulder as if he expected someone to be watching him.
But what Zim didn't know was that someone was watching him and had been for some time.
"We should strike soon." Cadet Purple spoke nervously.
"Patience Purple we must be smart about this." Cadet Red urged.
"You heard what General Kazar said, Zim is going to be a powerful force of nature someday; he's a threat to our position!" Cadet Purple exclaimed.
"Which is why we must use caution." Cadet Red reminded him. "If Zim is as powerful as General Kazar said then we must be careful. Besides Koi tipped him off he's suspicious of everyone now; isn't that right Koi?"
Cadet Koi glared at Cadet Red fiercely "Sabotaging another Amon for your own personal gain is against Irken law!" He spoke as firmly as possible, but it wasn't easy.
"Irken law states that Amons are free to compete for the position of the Tallest." Cadet Red spoke calmly as if he had nothing to fear...
And he didn't! Cadet Koi on the other hand had everything to fear for Cadets Red and Purple were progressing much faster than he and Cadet Koi knew he wouldn't stand a chance against one of them, let alone both of them. But Cadet Koi didn't care the law was law! "The law also states that the Amons must be on even and fair playing fields and sabotage is neither fair nor even!"
"Koi it is unfortunate that you caught us ease dropping on general Kazar's and Zim's private conversation the other day, because of this we are willing to give you the benefit of the doubt." Cadet Purple cut in.
"The benefit of the doubt?" Cadet Koi asked suspiciously.
"Yes, we're not going to live forever; we know this and if General Kazar chose you that it must be for a good reason."
"So, what are you saying exactly?" Koi asked.
"He's saying if you keep that big mouth of yours shut than you will be greatly rewarded." Cadet Red hissed. "Turn the other cheek and one day you will succeed us and become the Tallest!"
"And if I don't choose to stay quiet?" Cadet Koi dared to ask.
"Then you won't leave this room alive!" Cadet Purple's growled.
"You do realize you're threatening to kill me!" Cadet Koi hissed trying his best to swallow down his fear.
"We will do whatever it takes to succeed General Spork!" Cadet Red yelled.
"The commander of Almighty Tallest Miyuki's private guard?!"
"Yes, he's undergoing the change right now Tallest Miyuki says he appears to be doing well." Cadet Purple smiled at this. "And we will succeed him!"
"General Kazar will not approve of this! Besides how are you going to cover up my death?" Koi asked
"You will take us up on our offer Koi, thank about it; you know you have no choice but to agree." Cadet Red hissed once more.
Cadet Koi knew they were right, he had no choice, and he knew it. He bowed his head in submission. "I am thankful that you chose to spare me you have my word I will not fell you."
"We know you won't" Cadet Red mused "After all your life does depend on it."
Cadet Koi looked down at Cadet Zim with a heavy sigh 'Sorry Zim but it's every Amon for himself, I have to look out for my own skin!'
General Kazar resisted the urge to reveal himself to the Cadets before him; he had been hiding in the far corner of the private room using his cloaking; tech staying completely invisible to the naked eye. He could stop this, and he knew that he should, but he had his own skin to think about. His position as the Commanding Officer of the Armada was being challenged and to be on the good side of the upcoming Tallest; whoever it may turn out to be, was crucial!
'Let's see how this plays out.' he told himself with a sly smile as he eyed Zim knowingly. 'After all I already know who's going to win…'
(Present Day…)
Danger...
He could feel it closing in on all sides!
What was he going to do?
Zim grimaced, he knew he was nowhere nears ready to face Koi; but at the same time, he knew he couldn't let Mark down. True the human boy was stupid to do this alone, however Zim could understand his mistrust. After all, could Mark, or any human for that matter really afford to trust an Irken? No, they could not! Their whole planet, and way of life was on the line; they could not afford to trust anyone. Hell, in some cases they couldn't even risk trusting their own fellow humans, for some had betrayed their own people in exchange for better living conditions.
So of course, Zim could understand Mark's feelings towards him, especially when all of this was his fault in the first place. If Zim had just stayed banished than the Tallest would have never discovered the location of Earth! Mark and the others would have normal lives, and more importantly; Gaz would be home safe and sound!
Zim shook his head, forcing himself to focus; now was not the time to drown himself in the "What If's"! No, he had to focus on the mission, no doubt Koi was already aware of his presence. Zim jumped down from the rafters, and into the hallway where he and the team had encounter Koi almost two hours before.
"I knew you'd come for him."
Zim whorled around to see Koi, the enemy was holding an unconscious Mark by the hair. "Let him go!" Zim demanded.
"What don't I get is why?" Koi asked. "Why come to this swine's rescue? Why come to any of their rescue? They'll never accept you!"
"Yes, well I'm quiet use to such treatment now aren't I?" Zim asked knowingly.
"You know you're going to die this time don't you?" Koi asked. "I made a mistake last time and left you to die slowly. I will not make the same mistake again." He vowed.
"I will not kill you." Zim said.
"Will not? More like cannot!" Koi snapped, throwing Mark aside.
The boy's unconscious body rolled against the far wall with a soft thump, the boy groaned; but made no effort to move.
'Well at least he's alive.' Zim thought, as he readied himself for battle.
"You won't kill me because you can't!" Kio hissed. "You just don't have it in you to do it."
"No, I do not wish to kill you because I am trying to preserve the future of our people." Zim snapped as they began to circle one another. "The Tallest have gone Rogue Koi! You and I both know the computer brains will not replicate rogue genes, nor will they replicate defective ones! Meaning if we are to ever restore the Amon population we need your genes!" Zim knew it was useless to try and reason with him.
Yes, the ex-invader could see it in his eyes; Koi was already gone! He was just as mindless, and power hungry as the Tallest were; but still he couldn't stop himself from trying. After all, if Koi was already gone, than who would lead their people when the Tallest were gone? If not Koi than no Amons would remain! His people would scatter without the order that a leader could provide.
"You just don't get it do you?" Koi snapped. "The Tallest Rule will go on; you will die tonight!"
"What did they do?!" Zim yelled. "What did they do to you to get you to ignore the duty that every Amon has to their people? As an Amon you are supposed to protect them and eliminate all fellow Amons that have lost their way! They are rogue Koi, surely you must see that! And as the next Amon in line it is your duty to put the Tallest down; not me!"
"Enough of your words!" Koi hissed. "There is nothing you can say to change my mind! I've already made my choice!"
Zim sighed. "So, my suspicions were correct they've broken you!"
"Soon it will be you who is broken!" Koi growled as he began to shift into his beastly form.
Mark groaned; his eyes opened slowly…
Only to widen at the beast before him.
It was Koi! He could never forget such a monstrous form!
But there was someone else there, someone just out of rage of his peripheral vision. Mark groaned in pain as he forced himself to turn his head slightly. "Zim..." No, he couldn't believe his eyes. Zim had come to his rescue! 'After everything I did he's still here!'
Zim hissed one final warning to his old classmate, even though he knew full well it would do him no good. 'We're going to have to fight!' he told himself. 'I won't survive in less I allow the change to take over!'
'But how?' he argued with himself. 'I can't even remember how I did it last time!'
Suddenly Koi abruptly launched into a run, right at him. Zim mouthed curses under his breath and barely leaped out of the way of Koi's massive claws.
Koi slashed his claws at nothing but air! However, he was quick to recover, turning back around to face Zim at the speed of light!
'This isn't good!' Zim thought. 'I have to let that side of me take over now or else we're both done for!' Zim struggled, but nothing happened!
No matter what he did the beast within did not reveal itself, and in moments Koi was charging again! Zim managed to dodge this blow too as he franticly looked around for something to use as a weapon as he did so! 'Come on there's got to be something I can use!' He screamed inwardly. He knew he could always pull out his lazar and shot Koi, but part of him was still holding out hope that they could both make it out of this alive.
Mark watched in horror as Koi scurried up the wall like a cockroach and began to stalk towards his prey! Thankfully Zim saw his approach and was able to dive out of the way seconds before he was bounced to the floor. It was at that moment that Zim saw his chance!
A rusty rod was nailed to the wall, and Zim knew that if he planned it just right he'd managed to get Koi to impale himself with it. The act wouldn't kill him, but it would slow him down long enough for Zim and Mark to run the rest of the way to the core, set the bombs; and teleport out of there just in time! Suddenly Koi growls with disapproval, and whorls around; striking once again! Zim turned, feet firmly planted this time, and bolted; running directly at the rod and as he had hoped, Koi charged after him craving the satisfaction of spilling his blood. Zim waited until nearly the last second, feeling Koi's hot breath on his neck as he ran. Finally, he dropped to his side as he had seen baseball players do when they were sliding into base. Allowing him to slide under the rusty, and sharp rod.
Koi watched him slide but does not change his direction. Zim then rolled rapidly to his left as Koi slammed into the point of the rusty rod. The impact was followed by a loud roar of unmistakable pain. Zim did his best to ignore it, and charged for Mark, shaking him awake as he reached his side.
Mark groaned as Zim shook him.
"Can you move?" he hissed loudly over Koi who continued to howl in pain!
Mark hissed in pain but managed to nod.
Zim grabbed him by the arm, and to his surprise the human allowed him to help him to his feet.
"We have to finish the mission!" Mark rasped.
Zim nodded. "You still got the bombs?" he asked.
Mark made a small gesture to his book bag. "He never took it off of me." He answered.
Zim grimaced; in all honesty he was surprise that Koi's rough housing with Mark earlier had not caused the bombs to go off. He shook the thought away and activated the teleportation option on his communicator.
The jump caused Mark's mind to swim into a sea of nausea, but he forced the vomit to stay down as Zim took his bag and began to place the bombs around the core.
A loud howl fills the room, and Zim turns just in time to see a large set of claws slash him in the face.
"Zim!" Mark screams as the force of the blow sends Zim flying across the room.
And that's what did it!
He couldn't explain it, but something snapped in Zim the moment he heard Mark scream! His head hit the wall with a loud thump, and he blacked out!
Only he didn't!
Mark watched in horror as the beastly Koi moved to slash him with his claws, only to be tackled seconds later by another Irken beast! 'There's two of them?' Mark was confused.
The second beast roared loudly, it's eyes glowing red in the dim lighting of the room as he rammed his enemy into the wall.
'You are weak!' Koi hissed!
'You are weaker!' the red eyed beast growled back and delivered the final blow!
Mark watched as the red eyed monster grabbed a hold of Koi and snapped his neck in one swell movement! Koi was dead before he even reached the floor.
'I knew him.' The red eyed beast thought, but he could not remember from where. Though he assumed it was another Amon from his class. This one had gone rogue, there was no doubt about it! There for killing him was his duty! He looked around puzzled, and realized in seconds that he wasn't on Irk! 'Where am I?' he asked himself. He wasn't surprised to draw up a blank when it came to an answer. His kind had trouble recalling memories during the first few changes. He would have no memory of his past while his beastly nature was in charge. And when he changed back to normal he would most likely have no recollection of this moment either.
It was the way of the Amon!
Mark forced himself to get up, dragging himself towards the bombs so he could finish setting them. Unfortunately, his movement caught the beast's eye, and he charged for him! It didn't make it far! For suddenly a dark small shadow came out of the darkness and attacked the beast! Mark watched in awe as Gir struck the beast in the temple, knocking it out before it reached him. "Gir?" Mark rasped.
"Threat is neutralized!" Gir said, his eyes also glowing red!
"Wow…thanks…" Mark said, and then suddenly passed out from exhaustion.
Gir walked over to the boy and examined him. He had a large bump on his head, but other than that he appeared to be fine. 'He most likely has a mild concussion.' The SIR unit told himself. Once he was sure the boy was fine he finished arming the bombs.
Zim groaned and opened his eyes to see, "Gir?"
Gir finishes his work, and the bombs start to count down. "Sir!" He says turning to his master. "Bombs are ready!"
"Gir did I…" Zim trailed off looking around, he freezes in shock as his eyes landed on. "KOI!" he rushes towards him, but it's too late to save him. "I didn't…please tell me I didn't."
"He was rogue Sir." Gir answered eyes blazing red. "He was bad for the empire, your instincts detected this, and you killed him! It was your duty to put him down, just as you must do when you face the Tallest!"
Tears spilled from Zim's eyes. "Who will lead our people now?" he asked.
"Master we must go!" Gir said, as he dragged Mark's unconscious body towards them.
Zim didn't answer, he simply allowed Gir to teleport them to safety, and seconds later they appear in the seward as a loud explosion rings out above them some distance away.
Gir than dials a number into his own systems and a projection screen appears.
"Gir is that you?" Dib asked as he appeared on the screen.
Gir saluted him. "Gir reporting in! The mission was successful! I am bringing the master and Mark home now!"
"Good going Gir!" Rachel praised.
"Yeah it's a good thing you decided to follow Zim hu?" Dib asked.
"How's Mark?" James cut in.
"He is unconscious, he has suffered a blow to the head!" Gir answered. "But he will be fine!"
"And Zim?" Dib asked hopefully.
"Master Zim had to kill the other in order to save Mark." Gir answered robotically.
"Oh no!" Rachel whispered.
Dib's eyes fell on Zim, who was sitting on his knees; staring at his hands. 'He looks so broken.' He thought.
"Master Zim will need some time-" Gir went on.
"NO!" Zim suddenly growled getting to his feet. "I'm fine!"
"But Zim-" Dib began.
"No buts, I did what had to be done; Koi's mind was long gone I had no choice but to put him out of his misery."
Dib grimaced at his words. 'Too far gone?' What did that mean? And more importantly what did those words say about Zim? 'His eyes were glowing too! Does that mean he's on the brick of madness as well?!' The boy shivered, and in all honesty he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.
"We will be arriving shortly!" Zim said cutting him from his thoughts.
"No go home the Irken police will no doubt start searching for those responsible." Rachel said.
"Yeah and if we are found missing we'll be on the top of the questioning list." James concluded.
"We'll get going too!" Dib agreed. "I'll meet you home okay Zim?"
"Fine." Zim answered bluntly causing Dib to flinch.
'He's not over this at all.' Dib realized. 'He's just pretending it doesn't bother him for our sake!'
"Zim out!" Zim ended the call then and threw the unconscious Mark over his shoulder. "Come Gir we have to get Mark home and get back home before we're spotted."
"Yes Master!" Gir saluted him and took the lead.
Zim followed his lead hoping that he would manage to get Mark home in time, but even the fear of being caught could not mask his true anxiety. 'I just killed the last hope of our people, there are no other blameless Amons left.'
It was a worthy thing to fear, and a serious one at that! For now, he's people's future was looking more bleaker by the second.
And it was all his fault…!
Episode 8: Divide and Conquer (Part 3) End!