Ib (invader zim)

Ch.17

Chapter Seventeen

Dib's eyes widened in shock at the split second where Zim's old self had just flashed across his face. His jaw gaped as those words rung mercilessly through his head, and he could honestly admit to himself that those words were sincere. It was then that he had the sudden desire to help the suffering Irken rather than fight him and try to rid himself of him for good. A moment later, the boy grabbed hold of the Irken's arms and pulled him towards his chest before standing. "I'll... try, Zim.." He whispered before running downstairs and screaming at the computer. "Help me fix him!! There has to be some way to stop this!"

"Are you crazy??" The computer questioned. "That thing is vicious!!" It cautioned him, as if the boy wasn't already aware. Zim was already screeching and gurgling again from being restrained, thrashing back and forth in his arms.

Dib bit his lip, clutching the alien tighter as if trying to keep hold of the old Zim that had just shown himself moments before. He looked towards the wire-covered ceiling as if the computer's face were hidden within them. "Please!! There just has to be something you can do!"

"What are you talking about?? He went crazy!!! The only thing I might be able to do is completely restore his PAK back to it's original form, like wiping a computer, and the shock could kill him!" The computer replied frantically as Zim screamed and thrashed.

Dib closed his eyes as the alien thrashed and continued to hold him close, though it was probably making the situation worse. "Is there... really nothing else you can do?"

"Don't you think I would have done it by now??" The computer replied sharply, patience wearing thin. "He's irreversible!!"

With that, the boy leaned down and let Zim fall gently out of his arms and onto the dirty floor. He took a couple steps back and looked down at him, crossing his arms over his chest and trembling as he watched him attentively. "There just has to be another way.." He muttered to himself.

Zim growled as he looked back to him, holding one arm out to him. "IB....answer..." He sputtered, one lekku flat to his head as if damaged.

Dib shook his head and shuddered at those words. He backed himself against the wall now, sliding down slowly until he hit the floor. He brought his knees to his chest and shook his head again, looking back into the blank eyes of the Irken. "I.. I don't know what you want..."

Zim still looked distressed though, as if trying to fight at the same time. "ANSWER IB!!" He hissed, not breaking like he normally would. "KILL!!"

"I don't know what you fucking want!!" Dib screamed back, his hands reaching towards his head to grab a fistful of hair in each.

Zim suddenly fell to his knees, panting heavily as he seemed unable to go on anymore. "IB...." He spoke in a hushed voice. "Kills... Zim..."

Dib's eyes shot open now at Zim's words. His hands slowly released the hair in them as his head slowly rose to look back at the alien. "Ib.. Kills Zim?" He whispered quietly to himself as he tried to put them together. "Kill you?" He questioned in confusion.

Zim looked up at him at his question, looking frustrated as he wanted to communicate. "YES....NO...." He spoke forcefully. "ANSWER."

Of course, Dib was still unsure of what exactly Zim wanted, so he attempted to get a straight answer now. "You still want me killed?" he questioned, hoping to reach some kind of understanding.

"NO!!" Zim screamed, seeming angered by his confusion. He looked around shakily, scraping something off the table and letting it clatter onto the floor. He clawed it hard, making it skid across the floor to Dib. It was a gun, obviously too complicated for the Irken to figure out how to use himself. "IB...kills.."