Disclaimers: I do not own Invader Zim
Author's Notes: So, I know I have been absent from fanfiction for a while, but I've been helping my mom take care of my dad since he had his knee replacement surgery (he's doing much better by the way), and I just recently returned home.
With that said thank you for your patience, and please enjoy!
(Back with Zim...)
It didn't take him long to find the child known to him as Dib.
Zim sighed deeply as he stood in the entrance of room 108, Dib was just sitting there staring at the tabletop. The invader could tell the child had been crying, but he had stopped by now. He had been hopping that Dark Booty would join him, and he had planned to, but something came up.
Something about needing to instate a new member of their organization.
Unfortunately, this meant that Zim would have to do all the comforting himself, and well compassion was never his strong suite. No, that was a lie, there was one time that he allowed himself to feel for the enemy; and it had cost him greatly.
More than he ever let show…
Zim shook his head, reminding himself not to go there, no he couldn't allow himself to make a mistake like that again. He was an Irken, and more so he was an invader…Emotions were extra baggage to him. All they did was get in the way.
And yet in order to pass as a human he realized that he might have to allow his emotions to show; seeing how the earth monkeys tended to be so emotional themselves.
Zim shook his head again. NO! It was best to go into Auto pilot, after all he had already made this mistake before, and Zim was not known to make a mistake twice.
'Stop thinking about it!' He hissed to himself as he cleared his throat to make his presence known. "So, do you need me to punch him?" he asked jokingly.
Dib laughed as Miz joined him at the table. "No actually, I get it, he wanted to protect me."
"So, you know?" Zim asked.
"That some soldier is out for my blood?" Dib asked. "Yeah, I know."
Zim gives him a weird look. "So, if you're so understanding what's with the water works?"
Dib smiled, Miz had a strange way with words; a way that made him seem much wiser, and older than he really was. And for some reason Dib liked that about him, he liked that he could use big words around Miz, and not have to worry if he understood.
It was like they were two sides of the same coin, two peas in a pod.
"I just found out that I'm a clone of my dad." Dib said, finally letting himself say it out loud.
Zim lifted a brow, seriously that was all. His entire planet was nothing, but clones and Dib was bothered by it. Of course, he understood that it was different for Dib, heck it was probably likely that he was the only one on the planet.
Still, this didn't seem like a problem to him, so he shrugged. "You still look like a Dib to me." He said.
Dib's smile wavered. "But I'm different…"
Zim winced, this conversation was already getting to close for comfort; but he had a role to play; and the enemy might still suspect him. 'Irk why couldn't the humans be an emotionless race like the Kantars!' he cursed inwardly. He hated getting emotionally involved, but he decided it couldn't be helped.
"So, what you're different." He said. "At least you get to be different."
"What do you mean?" Dib asked.
"We American's are so spoiled." Zim answered. "We get to be whoever we want to be. Do what we want to do. But some people don't get that privilege."
'People like me…' he thought.
'STOP!' he warned himself, but it was already too late, the self-pity had already settled in.
"So, what you're saying is-" Dib began, but Zim stopped him.
"What I am saying is clone, or not you are still Dib." Zim told him. "You are you! And no one else can tell you how to be you, except you. Being a clone doesn't change who you are, you do."
Dib was completely poled by this sudden change in his friend, it was one thing to give wise advice, but he spoke as if he knew from experience. "I guess I never thought of it like that before." He admitted.
"So, are you cool are do I need to punch somebody?" Zim asked again.
Dib erupted into laughter. "No, I don't need you to punch my dad."
"Okay then." Zim smirked, but it looks almost forced. Damn him, why did he have to let this happen? Every time it was the same thing!
'NO DON'T GO THERE!'
"So, do you need to talk?" Dib asked.
'And damn this child for being able to read me so well! And curse me for being an open book!'
"I just found out that the Zim…" he didn't finish. He didn't need to.
"Same guy hu?" Dib asked.
Zim nodded.
"Guess the universe is smaller than we thought?" Dib asked.
"No kidding." Zim scoffed.
"Will you be, okay?" Dib asked.
"Of course." Zim said, his tone absolute.
"How can you be so sure?" Dib asked. "I mean last time…."
Zim smiled. "Cause this time I have you."
Dib blushed, despite himself, it was strange no one else ever got that kind of response out of him before.
Zim chewed the inside of his mouth, he could feel it building up inside of him, and the need to let it out was almost unbearable. When he was younger, he used to let the feelings flow, but now that he was older, he knew better. No, he could not get attached, not again; besides, he was pretty sure that his spooch wouldn't be able to bare it.
"So, I don't know about you, but I am starving!" Zim declared.
Dib snickered, Miz seemed to be back to his normal, loud self; this made him happy. "Well let's see what we can do about that." He decided.
Zim nodded and allowed Dib to lead them out of the room and about 10 minutes later he was enjoying a slice of Bloaty's pizza with Dib and his family in the cafeteria of the underground base.
Prof. Membrane and Gaz had planned to be home already, but her enrollment into the organization took a little longer than he had thought it would. However, it worked out well, because now they could have their first meal together in a long time.
"So, Gaz what's your code name?" Dib dared to ask.
"Vampire Piggy." Gaz answered simply.
"Vampire Piggy?" Zim asked. "As in the Vampire Piggy Hunter from Game Slave console?"
Gaz's eyes widen, and she seemed to look at Zim like he had grown another head. "You play?" She asked.
"Of course, I played the original Japanese version while I was in Japan." Zim bragged. "My favorite part is the alternate ending of the campaign mod where the Vampire Piggy Hunter gets swallowed whole by the Ultra vampire piggy Lord."
Now it was Dib's turn to look at him like he had grown a third head.
"I know I literally threw my game Slave 2 when that happened." Gaz admitted
"Same." Zim agreed. "I mean I love it when they pull the rug out from beneath you but killing off the main character is just taking it way too far."
"If it wasn't an alternate ending I'd sue." Gaz admitted.
"You and every other serious gamer on the planet." Zim added.
"Hey, I'm a serious gamer." Dib added, which earned a laugh from Gaz and Miz.
"No offense Dib but to be labeled a serious gamer you have to live, and breath the game." Miz told him.
"Yeah Dib." Gaz agreed. "That means playing it for days; none stop. No sleep, no decedent meals, and living off nothing but caffeine just to stay awake."
"So pretty much like what I do for Mysterious Mystery Marathons?" Dib asked.
"Exactly." Gaz and Miz said in unison.
Dib smiled, he liked that Miz could relate with his sister, it made their meetings with his family run more smoothly.
"Speaking of mysteries." Prof. Membrane said. "When do I get to meet your parents my boy?" he asked Miz.
"Oh well I'm sure we could all do something this weekend." Zim answered smoothly.
"Yes, that sounds perfect." Dark Booty agreed. "It will give us all a chance to get to know each other, and I can introduce myself as your fighting instructor."
"I think it's pretty cool that your parents let you out so late." Dib added.
"Yes, do they know where you really are?" Dark Botty asked.
"No." Zim admitted. "And I'd like it if it stayed that way. My parents are extremely overprotected, and I highly doubt they'd let me fight evil aliens bent on our destruction."
"Can't say I'd blame them." Prof. Membrane added.
"But you have our word that they'll be none the wiser." Dark Booty assured him.
Zim allowed himself to look relieved, as he took another bite of his cheese Pizza.
Pizza, it was a strange word, but the greasy food reminded him a lot about the snacks he frequently ate back on Irk. He enjoyed it to say the least, and it was obvious to him that it was a popular food on this planet.
"So how long have you been a vegetarian?" Dark Booty asked.
"My whole life." Zim admitted. "My parents were raised that way, and I adopted their ideals." He answered. "We just think it's cruel to see animals as less than us."
Dark Booty smiled; Wolf-Spider seemed to have the idea that everything had a right to be equal. He like that thought, how nice would it be if people thought this way about each other. "Well, I see nothing wrong with that."
Zim bit his lip that feeling was bubbling up to the surface again. Why was this happening?
Why could these humans bring these buried emotions up to the surface so easily? He knew in an instant.
It was the same atmosphere as last time.
He was immersed in a group of rebels desperate to revolt against his people. He didn't know why this happened, but rebellious people seemed to have a bad effect on him.
Yes, he wishes he could lie and say this was the first, but while Dib was the first enemy to match him so perfectly, there was enemy who had managed to worm his ideals into his mind. An enemy that managed to make their fake friendship into a real genuine felling of trust and loyalty.
Zim shook his head. "Well speaking of the time, I shouldn't keep them worrying much longer." He said.
Prof. Membrane nodded. "I'll drive you home that way Dark Booty can get some research done."
"Yes, I appreciate that." Dark Booty admitted. "We have much to do before our first encounter with this Zim."
With those final words Zim and the Membranes took their leave, and about ten minutes later Zim was shutting himself up behind the safety of his front door. Of course, he had promised Dib that he would let him know if his parents wanted to meet them tomorrow, or Sunday. However, he was half tempted to hold off for a week in hopes of making these feelings cease.
He wished he could allow himself to relax, but he still had to report in to the Tallest. So, without wasting anytime Zim had his double take his place upstairs to discuss this weekend's festivities with the robot parents, before heading down to the lab.
He knew he was no longer being watched by the Swollen Eyeball; however, people were paranoid and nosey by nature. Which is why Zim constantly played the role he was given even when he was behind closed doors. It was a method that had saved him more than once.
Once he was down in the lab Zim disabled his disguised. "Gir make yourself decent I'm calling the Tallest."
"Okeydokey." Gir declared as he emerged from a pile of mash potatoes.
Zim rolled his eyes. "Seriously?" He asked.
"Don't be mad." Gir said. "I made you some too!"
Zim shook his head, sometimes he wondered why he felt so sentimental towards this SIR unit. He shook the thought away, the Tallest would be expecting his call.
It was not his first report to them since he left, no he made a report ever seven days since his journey to Earth began. However, this report would be first about his time on Earth, and he wanted the Tallest to recognize him for how much he had already discovered.
"Computer call the Tallest." He ordered.
"Calling the Tallest." The computer stated.
Seconds later the Tallest appear on Zim's computer screen. "Greetings my Tallest." Zim said giving a respectful salute.
"Aw Zim, I trust the mission goes well." Red mused, as always, he is happy to see his old friend.
"Yes, please tell us everything." Purple agreed.
"Are you sure?" Zim asked. "It's a lot."
"Really already?" Purple was amazed.
Red however laughed. "Zim always so proactive, but yes tell us everything, besides Purple and I haven't had an interesting conversation all day. Tell him Purple."
"Oh yes we spent all day on Planet Vort and well you know how they are." Purple complained like it was nothing.
However, it wasn't nothing for Zim, in fact, he barley remembers to keep a stiff upper lip. How embracing would it to be to openly wince in front of them now? Oh, why did they have to mention the Vorts? Today of all days? It was like the universe was trying to get him to slip up and reveal his secret to his leaders.
"Awe yes, they are an annoying bunch, aren't they?" He asked. "So full of crazy ideas like equality and such."
"See I told you he'd get it." Red snapped at Purple. "I mean, where do people get the idea that all races are equal!"
"Oh, please tell me the humans are not like that!" Purple insisted.
"Oh, they are." Zim said. "Well actually some are."
"Wait you mean they can have their own opinion?" Red sounded outraged.
"Some can, but others have those decisions made for them." Zim answered. "The earthlings do not all reside under the same leader. The planet is like a galaxy of its own, and each country is its own planet."
"Wow a planet that's still divided?" Purple asked. "They are young."
"Yes, but they know they're not alone." Zim answered.
"Oh?" Red asked.
"Yes, they have their own secret organization that watches the stars waiting for people like me to strike." Zim informed them.
"And let me guess you're already a member." Purple joked.
Zim nodded.
"See now why can't the other Invaders work just as fast?" Red praised. "I beginning to wonder why we even have more than just the one."
Zim smiled; he couldn't help but bask in their praise. However, what they never noticed was how sour those praises became only seconds after they were spoken. He cursed inwardly. He was usually much better at ignoring the guilt, sometimes he wouldn't give it a thought.
Wouldn't give him a thought.
For a moment, his face flashes before his eyes, and Zim almost loses it, but he takes a deep breath and steadies himself.
"You're skipping sleep again; aren't you?" Red asked, catching him in the act.
Zim smiled uneasily, pretending to be had, even though the lack of sleep was only half of the equation. "You caught me."
"Keep it up and you'll die young." Red warned.
"Awe stop Red." Purple insisted. "Besides, I admire his tireless efforts."
Zim forced himself to get on with it. "We do have one small problem." He admitted.
"Problem?" Red asked.
"Yes, it would appear some old friends of ours have already informed the humans of us." Zim told them.
"And what friends would that be?" Red asked.
"Our Old AI's have made a civilization for themselves on the plant Zoran." Zim informed them. "And according to the humans they have Allies with them and are putting together their promising weapon as we speak."
"The AI's!" Purple looks worried. "They have dealings with the Earthlings, but why?"
"According to the humans the AI's believed the planet was well hidden from us, and it was until we found their probe." Zim explained. "However, before we knew of Earth, the AI's hid the pieces of their weapon here."
"Really what for?" Red asked.
"They never said." Zim answered. "However, my guess is they had begun building the weapon in a secondary location in fear that we would have a way of locating them or tracking their movements."
"Makes sense." Red seemed to agree. "The planet Zoran you say?"
Zim nodded.
"Then I guess we'll have to pay them a little visit." Red mused.
"Yes, if we are lucky, we can take their weapon for ourselves, then no one would ever stand up to us again." Purple said, his mood lightening up.
"Yes, and if they do, we'll blow them up!" Red laughed.
Zim visibly winces, but his leaders are too distracted to notice. "Well, that is all I have to report for now." He said trying to end the call.
"Going so soon?" Purple looks hurt. "I swear we never have enough time anymore."
Red shook his head. "Zim needs to sleep." He tells Purple. "And that's an order Mr.!"
"As you wish my Tallest." Zim answered. "I will have more to report next week."
"Good, and well-done Zim." Red praised once more. "You make us proud."
"Yes." Purple agreed.
"Thank you my Tallest." Zim answered and sighed in relief as they hung up.
"There right you know." The computer told him. "If you are thinking that way then you need sleep."
Zim nodded. "You're right." He agreed heading towards his sleeping chambers upstairs. He didn't want to sleep, he feared that if he did, he'd dream about him, but the computer was right; he needed sleep.
"Master?" Gir asked. "Do you still think about it?" he asked.
"No, Gir." Zim lied.
They both knew what "it" was, and "it" was a traitorous thought.
Yes, he'd like to pretend that he was loyal through and through, just like he'd like to pretend that Dib was the first to make him feel these feelings.
But that was a lie, the truth was Zim had, had doubts before. Yes, there was a time when he had thought highly of another race, so much to the point that he envied them.
Zim yawned as he reached his room before stripping to his pants and laying down on the soft bed. He tried to fight the sleep, but it came over him before his head touched his pillow.
"Good night, Master." Gir whispered before cuddling up beside him. "I hope you dream of the good parts." He added.
Zim groaned as his mind slips into a dream of past that he wished more than anything to forget!
End Notes: Oh no! Looks like Zim isn't as loyal as we thought! What secrets could he be hiding from his leaders? Find out Next Time!
Until then...
This is Emily signing off :)
-To Be Continued