Disclaimer: These characters belong to the Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Jhonen Vasquez.
(Based off of deviantart by Cosmixed)
May God bless you all.
"Alright let the games begin." Said Tallest Red as he and Purple and the crew of the Massive Command deck began watching the tournament.
Today was just the preliminaries. So Zim actually wouldn't be participating in the games as he and Gaz qualified for the actual event itself. Still perhaps they would catch him in the audience or maybe they would show the players or something.
"Taking all bets all bets…" Said Purple.
"What are you doing?" Asked Red.
"Taking all bets…" Purple repeated.
"It's the preliminaries, how can you bet when you don't even know who's going to make it?" Asked Red.
"That's what we are betting on." Said Purple.
"I have the Plookesians. Care to weigh in?"
Red sighed.
"Put me down for 100 monies on the screwheads."
"What are you doing?" Asked Dib.
"Practicing for tomorrow." Gaz answered.
"We're on another planet and you want to just do the same thing you do on Earth?" Asked Dib.
"This planet's name is Arcadikon." Gaz pointed out. "Trust me wherever you go you are most likely going to see video games of some kind."
"Still like don't you want to explore?" He asked.
"Nope…"
"What about checking out the possible competition?" Asked Dib.
"They are not playing any of the games we will be playing tomorrow, so no point in viewing their strategies." She replied.
Dib sighed.
"If you want to explore just get that A.I. Robot to give you a tour… who knows maybe you'll find your "friend."" Said Gaz.
"Okay… still kind of freaked out about that." Said Dib as he headed for the door.
"I'm more freaked out that you actually somehow made a friend." Said Gaz.
Dib ignored his sister's comment and headed out the door. At the lobby, he found the tour guide robots and activated one. He set it to places of interest and followed the little critter as it lead him through the city, and explained monuments, popular local activities, different restaurants, and historical figures.
Dib enjoyed learning more about different alien cultures. Though Gaz was right, almost everything had to do with different discoveries in gaming.
After about an hour he had the bot take him to one of the local restaurants and got some food that was safe for his species to eat.
The food was actually pretty good.
As he ate Dib thought more on the message. It was strange, how whoever it was went out of their way to remain anonymous. They were also pretty vague. "We'll be in touch?"
He was on an alien planet and yet somehow someone who knew him was able to send him a message.
"Eh…" Said Dib. Perhaps it was better not to overthink it.
"Shall we tour the halls of yesterday next?" The little robot asked Dib.
"Sure…" He said as he got up and put his food away.
However, as he turned he saw that his tour guide had disappeared.
"Hello? Little robot?" He asked.
"Sorry, about that sir." Said the bot as it reappeared next to him.
"Shall we go now?"
"Sure." He said again as he followed the little bot to what was essentially a museum about the planet's history.
"Oh, please honey this way." Said a family and green blobs as they took hold of Dib.
"Hey?" He asked.
"Alright everyone smile!" Said the dad.
Then came the face and Dib had to readjust his glasses.
"It's so good for the museum to actually get a live human today." Said the mother.
"I'm not with the museum I'm… a tourist." Dib corrected her.
"What?" She asked. "I thought you said Earthians' were so far back in technology that they couldn't achieve hyper speed in their ships." She told her husband.
"They can't… at least that's what I read on the primitive planets reports." Said the father.
"I'm with a… sort of acquaintance." Said Dib.
"Oh, well good for you." Said the father. "Let me guess Plookesians?"
"No… wait why would you guess that?" Asked Dib.
"Because the human we saw yesterday was with Plookesians… he said they picked him up on earth." Said the father.
"Wait…" Said Dib. "…Where did you see him?"
"Um… at that hotel… We thought he was like a standee or something until he spoke…" Said the father.
"He was taller than this one." Said one of their children (they had like maybe 10 smaller blobs with them).
"Robot, take me to that hotel pronto." Dib ordered his companion.
"Right away sir." Said the Robot.
"Wait…" The mother said.
"…We're coming too."
Gaz took a soda out of the minibar. The contents were automatically refilled and it was free for all contestants. Gaz was surprised, yes Arcadikon did prove that they had vast knowledge on earth and humans, but to get actual brand named Cola here…
…Gaz wondered if the irkens' weren't the only ones to send someone to her home planet.
knock* *knock*
"Gaz human!" Zim shouted.
"Coming." She said as she chugged the soda and tossed it in the trash before opening the door.
"Where is the Dib-Monkey?" He asked as he walked in.
"Taking a tour." She told Zim.
"Ah, good…" He said. "…We don't need him with us anyhow."
"With us?" She asked.
"For the team dinner of course, where Zim will completely bring fear to his competition prior to pulverizing them in the virtual arena!"
Gaz had actually forgotten about the dinner. All the people who made it to the actual rounds would be there.
"Yeah, just give me a moment to get ready." She said.
"Why? You look good as is." Zim replied quickly.
There was an awkward silence in the room as both seemed to take in what was just said.
"But… yes Zim will give you time… just don't take too long." He stated as he left her room.
Gaz took a deep breath. The awkwardness was still there but she couldn't think about that now. Had to focus.
knock* *knock*
"You said you'd give me time." Said Gaz as she began looking for what clothes to wear to the dinner.
"Message for Gazelene Membrane" A Robotic voice outside said.
Gaz answered the door and once again received a bracelet-like holographic message.
After scanning the room and verifying that it was indeed her and she was alone the message played.
In the hologram once again Gaz identified the figure instantly. It was the Coordinator, though she was still covered from head to toe.
"Good day Gaz…" Said the Voice. "…I wish to congratulate you on getting around that ban. Guess we'll be meeting face-to-face soon, but beforehand I just wanted to show you this.
Suddenly another image appeared, this time it was Dib, he was with these weird green blob things and was talking to… another human?
"What is this?" Gaz asked. "A threat, blackmail?"
"Cannot respond." The A.I. said.
"Now, I know what you're thinking a threat, blackmail?" Said the coordinator as though she had actually heard Gaz.
"However you are wrong on all counts. Now I could tell you why I'm revealing this, but I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise… so have fun with this."
Was all that was said before the message ended and the ring deactivated.
Gaz thought for a moment. This was all so strange. Dib getting a message. Him being watched? Like who would be doing this?
"Are you almost ready Gaz-human?" Asked Zim from the hallway.
Well, whatever it was she would have to think about that later. Once again she had to focus… yes focus.
Though, in all honesty it was hard for her to focus with all the possibilities of what this could mean running through her head.
"So, you here for the tournament too huh?" Asked Mr. Dwicky.
"Yeah, wow I just can't believe I'm seeing you again." Dib said.
"Me neither. It's good to hear you and the little green guy patched things up." Said his former guidance counselor.
"It's a truce…" Dib pointed out. "…Nothing more nothing less."
"So, then how did he end up partnered with you're sister here?" Asked Mr. Dwicky.
"It's complicated, Gaz really likes video games and Zim's simulations… well they're far more advanced than what we have down on earth." Replied Dib.
"Tell me about it." Dwicky responded. "I've been traveling space with these guys for a while now and just when I think I've got a lockdown on how things worth, there's something new on the horizon.
"So, you never came back to earth?" Asked Dib.
"Oh, I have… the Plookesians pass by there every now and again." He said.
"Oh… well why didn't you ever stop to say hi?" Dib inquired.
"I said I stopped by earth," Dwicky said. "Never said I went back to the city."
"Oh, yeah…" Said Dib.
"So where are the Plookesians anyway?" Said Dib.
"They went to that dinner for the contestants."
"Dinner?" Dib asked. "Gaz didn't say anything about a dinner."
"It's just for participants. No plus ones." Said Dwicky. "Or else I would probably be there."
Dib thought it strange that Gaz didn't mention it… but then again when did she ever tell him anything.
"Well then guess I have an empty hotel room to go back to." Said Dib. "Think I'll go take a nap."
"Cool." Said his former guidance counselor. "See you tomorrow God willing."
"Yeah… see ya." Said Dib. "Oh… I almost forgot."
"Yeah?" Asked Dwicky.
"Did you still have that camera you took with you?" He asked.
"Yeah, but it's back at our ship."
"You wouldn't happen to still have that video of Zim would you?" He asked.
"Maybe…" Dwicky replied. "…I'd have to check my things. I'll look and see if I can find it before the tournament begins tomorrow."
"Thanks." Said Dib as he headed back to the hotel room.
Yes, he had no interest in exposing Zim anymore, but… there was no harm in having the proof just in case.
Call it insurance.
The dinner was… alright. The food was pretty good and the competitors were actually rather friendly.
Well… most of them.
"Zim shall be destroying you all!" He shouted.
The others didn't pay him much mind. Neither did Gaz really.
As she looked at the end of the table. She noticed the tournament coordinator wasn't eating and was still completely covered.
Gaz was rather uneasy after the message she received just about an hour earlier. However, she wouldn't let any of that show. She still wasn't sure exactly what the coordinator was after.
"Well, now that everyone has gotten a chance to get to know each other." The said coordinator stated.
"I would like to officially welcome everyone to this year's tournament."
"Yes!" Zim shouted. "You could not keep I the mighty Zim! Out!"
"Apparently." She said. "In any case… This year we introduce something rather special, which I would like to share with everyone, so you may best prepare yourselves."
All attention went to the coordinator as she explained the changes.
"Well, this year we are going to have one video game from each realm represented by you… the top 10." She said.
The committee has randomly selected games that originate from each of your home planets." She went on.
"We won't reveal which games that will be played..." She went on. "…but the genres alongside their adjacent planet will be sent to each of you shortly."
Murmurs began around the table. This was a surprise. This tournament normally lasted about 2 days with 3 rounds a day. There were 6 planets currently represented at the table so that meant each round would most likely feature a game from a different planet.
"Well enjoy your time and get some rest." Advised the Coordinator.
With that, she got up and left.
Gaz wanted to ask her about the message but it was best not to do it in front of everyone. The group was still talking, some asking each other what games could it be. Gaz herself was wondering as there were so many Earth video games. Zim seemed to not care. Which seemed about right.
Despite wondering what game from Earth they could possibly be playing, she found her mind going right back to Dib. The coordinator didn't make any attempt to even talk to her… so it made the message all the more confusing. Then again… Gaz thought to herself.
Perhaps… just perhaps…
…That was her plan all along.
knock* *knock*
yawn* "Who is it?" Dib asked as he was awoken from his nap.
knock* *knock*
"Hold on I'm coming." He said despite only being about half awake.
"Hello?" He asked after opening the door… there was no one there. He looked around the hall but saw nothing.
"Hmmm." He said as he shut the door and turned around.
"That was weird." He said as he headed back to the bed.
"Hello, Dib."
"What?" Dib asked as he looked around the room.
He realized he had actually forgotten to put his glasses on so everything kind of looked a bit fuzzy. However, he could clearly see that someone was sitting on his bed.
"You look weird with these." Said the figure as Dib was handed his glasses.
"Who are you?" He asked before putting them on.
In front of him sat…
"Sorry, but I'm trying to avoid the cameras."
"Skoodge?" Dib asked. "What are you doing here?"
"Shs… No one not even Zim can know I'm here." He said.
"Okay?" Asked Dib.
"Listen, someone's tracking you…" He warned.
"What? What are you talking about?" Dib asked.
"I can't explain the whole thing, but I arrived here 3 days ago on… well don't worry about that. You see I'm let's say with a group of aliens that right now are kind of wanted… I suppose." Skoodge explained.
"Wanted? Like Criminals?" Dib asked.
"Kind of… Listen I don't have much time. I'm leaving tonight, but just wanted to warn someone put you on the list."
"The list?" Asked Dib.
"Yes… the VIB list for tomorrow." Said Skoodge.
"What?" Asked Dib now even more confused.
"You're on the Very Important Being list which is reserved usually for people who pay plenty of monies… which I guess you didn't" He said.
"Wait… so somehow I got VIP seating for tomorrow's tournament and this leads you to believe someone is tracking me?" Dib asked.
Just then there was a beep on Skoodge's communicator.
"Sorry, I have to go… Just keep an eye out." He warned as he escaped through the window.
"Wait, what do you mean?" Asked Dib, but it was no use. Skoodge was gone and the vague warning didn't really help all that much.
Dib sat on his bed. First he gets a message from a "friend" and now this. Just what was going on?
"Ah!" Dib jumped as his door opened and his sister walked through.
"What's with you?" She asked.
"Um…" At first, he wanted to tell her everything, but Skoodge had told him not to tell anyone.
"You… how was the dinner?" He asked.
"Alright." She said. "Apparently there will be an earth video game at the tournament this year."
"Really?" Asked Dib. "Which one, Let me guess zombie pigs of some kind?"
"Don't know, they only revealed the genre. RTS." Said Gaz.
"Oooh, that's bad." Said Dib.
"What? Why?" Gaz asked.
"Well, you were never really into those games." Dib pointed out.
"I played a little back in elementary school." She insisted as she entered the bathroom.
"You know you always got frustrated you couldn't build your army as fast as everyone else." Dib stated.
"Whatever." Gaz said as she exited the bathroom in her pajamas and went to her bed.
"So, how was your day?" Gaz asked. "Anything interesting happen?"
"Hmmm…" Said Dib. "…Well yeah I saw Mr. Dwicky… He had left earth with some Plookesians a few years ago."
"I know…"
"What? You know?" Dib asked.
"Um… Nevermind. So he was what a teacher?" Asked Gaz.
"Guidance counselor." Replied Dib.
"In any case I need some sleep so no snoring tonight." She told him before turning off the lights.
"I don't snore…" He said.
Gaz only gave a "hmph." In reply.
Dib turned in his bed. It was weird he came here to "chaperone" his baby sister. Technically he wasn't even supposed to be here, but somehow Skoodge, his mystery friend and Mr. Dwicky all in one day.
And apparently he had VIB seating tomorrow at an event he wasn't even actually invited to.
Really… What's going on? He thought.
However despite all this… he soon found himself falling asleep.
"Dib!"
For all of a few moments before being jolted awake.
"What what's wrong!?" He asked.
"I said no snoring!"
Thank you for all who made it to the end. Don't forget to leave a review.
May God bless you all.