Ancient Instincts

Chapter 1

The irken, now former invader, Zim sat on the couch with a cocoon of blankets wrapped around himself. He hasn't been feeling well the past couple days; his body was sore, his head throbbed, he was sweating, but felt cold. At his side taking care of the sick alien was Dib. He's grown much taller than Zim over the years, much to the irken's displeasure, and despite their differences, they've stuck together.

Zim felt lost when he discovered what his mission really was and Dib knew he'd never live up to his father's expectations. Over time, they've bonded through their pain and their confusion. They've long since called a truce and now find comfort in the other's presence. Zim, of course, took a while longer than the human to figure out this blissful, yet painful emotion that is love. But neither of them wanted to admit it.

When Dib found that Zim was sick, he rushed over to aid the irken. However, it has been two days now, going on three, and the alien's fever hasn't subsided, but hasn't gotten worse either. Nevertheless, this worried Dib. While Zim has been overdramatic about getting sick in the beginning, Dib started to believe he wasn't going to make it, but pushed the thought down before it could ever surface again. He kept his mouth shut and did his best to nurse the alien back to health. Currently, they absentmindedly watched tv, some show about the paranormal was on, but both were too deep in their own thoughts to care. Suddenly, Zim felt something surge inside of him and came to a horrifying realization.

Dib, who drifted from his mind long enough to notice the terror that painted the irken's face, worriedly asked, "What's wrong, Zim?"

All Zim could muster was a faint, "Leave."

"What? I didn't really hear you."

"You need to leave now," he spoke up, "please, for your pathetically short human life."

"But, Zim- I don't understand. Why-?"

"Just go!" Zim's voice sounded like a roar which frightened the human. The next thing he knew, the alien was nearly shrieking in pain as he curled in on himself. Instinct took over Dib's mind and he rushed to help Zim only to be swatted away by a thick muscular tail that wasn't there before. The human could only watch in horror as he finally realized his friend's body was changing with the sickening sounds of cracking bones and pained screams.

The poor irken's flat teeth grew sharp inside the elongated snout while a feathery mane, the same color of his magenta eyes, sprouted down along the back of the lengthened neck which grew thick scales down the sides. His body grew and grew, ripping through his clothes and even sent his PAK flying with a shower of sparks, until he towered over the human teen.

The beast that was Zim, growled deeply, standing on his hind legs, hunched over, and stared down at Dib with large sharp claws ready to tear apart his flesh. He would've stayed frozen in place if it wasn't for the screeching roar that resonated from deep within the beast's chest. The teen quickly stumbled to his feet and bolted out the door before Zim-beast had a chance to bite off his legs.

Their was a chill in the autumn night air that nipped at Dib's cheeks and nose, but it was nothing compared to the bone-chilling terror that gripped his chest. He ran as fast as he could, thankful of all the times he's had to make a quick escape from danger, mostly to or from Zim when they were younger. Although, Zim-beast was moving quick, galloping on all fours like a horse.

He found an alleyway and made a sharp turn into it, ducking behind a pile of empty boxes and other trash. Dib could hear the claws click against the concrete as Zim-beast walked and the rugged heavy breath as he panted. The human tried his best to calm his racing heart, fearing the sound of it thudding against his rib cage would give away his hiding spot. It felt like hours before the beast moved on, though it was merely a few seconds.