The Fallen Invader

Chapter 8: Incoming Transmission

"Dib, wake up! They're here."

Half asleep, I rolled myself off the couch and pushed myself off the floor. Outside the window, I could see a small crowd starting to take form. Since all Swollen Eyeball agents typically keep their identities a secret, I didn't recognize anyone.

Well, except Agent Darkbootie.

I met him years ago at NASAPlace, back when Zim tried to destroy the Earth by piloting Mars. Last I saw him, he was a janitor. What he'd been up to since then, I had no idea.

"So, you wanna push the button, or should I?" Zim asked, holding out the remote.

"Yeah, I'll do it." I replied. When I took the remote, I could barely feel it in my own hands. My mind was hyper fixated on Agent Darkbootie. I didn't feel as guilty about wiping the brains of the other agents, but the connection I had with Darkbootie was personal. Sure, he didn't always believe me, but he did help me on more than one occasion.

I contemplated if maybe there could be some other way. Maybe we could just come clean and try to convince him not to tell anyone.

No. It was too risky. I couldn't do that to Zim. Not after that dream he had the previous night. I needed him to know he could trust me. There was no other way. It had to be done.

During that time of me just standing there, my thumb hovering over the button, I finally realized that Darkbootie was standing at the window, staring at me.

I couldn't read his expression. Confusion, shock, betrayal, it was something along those lines.

I tore my eyes away from his gaze and looked at the remote in my hand. With a heavy sigh, I faced my former ally one last time. "I'm sorry."

In a flash, the once determined agents now looked disoriented, wondering how they ended up on the lawn of Zim's "normal" house. After a few minutes, they all left.

"Heh. Glad that's over! Up for some video games, Dib-human?"

"Actually, I should head home. My dad's probably worried about me."

I couldn't really blame him for not picking up on my emotions, with him being an alien and all, but I definitely needed some time alone, and Zim's obliviousness to what I just went through would only make me feel more frustrated. I had to choose between my childhood hero and my childhood enemy, and though I felt like I made the right choice, I still felt terrible.

When I got home, Gaz was in her usual spot on the couch, not looking up from her game.

"You're back in one piece." She stated.

I ignored her and started to head for my room, but to my surprise, I heard the audio from her game come to a sudden stop. She never paused.

"Don't you have anything to say for yourself?"

I stopped and turned around to face her, her expression dead serious.

"You spent the night at Zim's, didn't you? What, are you stupid?"

I shrugged. "He needed my help with something."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, and you weren't at all concerned that he might, I don't know, rip your guts out in your sleep or something?"

My mind shifted back to the night before, when Zim's nightmare was transmitted to my dreams. That vulnerable look in his eyes would haunt me forever. It really made me question why I was so eager to dissect him as a kid. Sure, he was trying to destroy the Earth, but the way I tormented him in the dream was sickening. I didn't even put him out of his misery first.

"Things are different now, Gaz. Zim's not a threat to me anymore... and I'm not a threat to him."

Initially, she scowled, but when she spoke again, her tone softened.

"Look, Dib, you'd better know what you're getting yourself into. Zim's incompetent when it comes to actually taking over the planet, but he's not stupid. He could just be trying to gain your trust so it's easier to take you down later."

"Well, if you've been so worried about him betraying me, why wait until now to say something?" I asked.

"I wasn't worried! It's just... I didn't expect you guys to get this close this fast. It's weird, you've gotta admit that. Just... try not to get yourself killed. And if he hurts you, let me know so I can break his spine."

I chuckled to myself as I went to my room. Gaz had the weirdest way of showing that she cared about me. I guess that was why I was able to get along with Zim. He and Gaz are a lot alike. He's like an angry, violent little brother. Well, technically he's older, but whatever.

Out of curiosity, I decided to check in on the Swollen Eyeball Network, just to be sure that nobody remembered Zim. The chat forum was full of confused agents, wondering how they ended up outside that weird-looking green house, but nothing about aliens. Mission accomplished!

"Incoming transmission from Agent Ninjabat."

Ninjabat? That was a name I didn't recognize. They must have joined the network at some point after I stopped logging on. I had a bad feeling about this random agent contacting me, but I knew it would be more suspicious if I didn't answer. Taking a deep breath, I accepted their chat request.

"Agent Mothman, I know what you've done."

"Uh... What did I do?" Once again, I'm a horrible liar.

"Don't play dumb with me, Mothman! I know you did something to the other agents. I know you're working with the alien."

"W-What alien?"

"Zim!" They snapped, with a hiss in their tone. "I've followed your posts for a long time, Mothman. Everyone thought you were crazy, but I never did. I always knew there was something strange about that house. Then, Agent Darkbootie finally finds proof of the alien you've been chasing for so long, and you're a no show? I knew something was up, which was why I didn't show up this morning either. You thought you were so clever, making all the other agents forget everything you've ever told them. But you were sloppy. You underestimated me, and now, I will be your worst enemy."

"Worst enemy? I didn't even know you existed! Look, what can I do to make you look the other way and pretend this never happened?" I asked.

"It's too late for that now! Just know that you and that alien are going down, Dib!"

I froze. The Swollen Eyeball was supposed to be completely anonymous.

"How do you know my name!?"

Suddenly, the menacing facade Agent Ninjabat had put up completely shattered. "Uh, gotta go!"

The call ended, and I was left staring at the screen for a solid minute. All this time, another agent secretly believed in me, and now they had it out for me, and somehow, they knew who I was. Well, two could play at that game! All I had to do was figure out their identity, then Zim and I could wipe their brain, and it would all be over.

And I knew just the person to help me.