Dimensional Scope
part sixDib looked around uneasily. This was a part of the lab he'd never seen before. Unlike the others, it was missing the many computer screens and funky cables. It was rectangular, and a little more than half a basketball court in length. It was completely empty. Dib bit his lip. There would be no place to hide if he missed. Suddenly, a little robot pushed his way past in a hurry.
"I neeed to get these to my Master!" it said as it skipped off with two bright purple guns in its arms.
Zim turned towards the robot and patted it gently on the head. "Thank you, Gir. I just may buy you a burrito as well when this is over."
"BUUURRRIIITTTOOO!" It latched onto Zim's leg "I looove you!"
The Irkin waited until the robot let go, then walked towards Dib, holding out one of the guns. "I assume you know how to use one?"
Dib nodded. "It doesn't take a genius." The gun felt odd in his hand. And so very wrong. "Why do you want to do this, Zim?" he asked.
"Because it will finally end everything!"
"Are you sure you want everything to end?"
Zim blinked in surprise. "You know nothing. Let's begin." He motioned to a spot in the floor, marked off with an X in red, for them to begin their march. "We will start there. Do not cheat, filthy human. My SIR unit will destroy you immediately, if you do."
A short glance at the robot left Dib a little more than sure it posed no threat. "And how do I know you won't cheat?"
"It is not within Irkin Blood! We are honorable, unlike you!"
"Alright, fine then. I guess I'll just have to trust you," Dib stated, taking his place at the starting point.
"Same here," Zim muttered as he took his place as well, his back against Dib's. He felt so warm, he noticed. Even through the trench coat, Zim could feel the other's body heat soak into him. It was a comfortable reassurance. No one had ever gotten this close to him without of his disguise on, or even when it was on, aside from in his face, screaming and threatening.
"Ready?" came the robotic voice from the idiot sitting by the exit.
Zim swallowed hard, then nodded. One. Two. Zim began counting along with Gir in his head as he walked.
"I know this has something to do with yesterday, Zim," Dib shouted back.
Zim sighed. He'd lost his count. "This has everything to do with the past year, Dib."
Five. Six.
"So you're saying you went to sleep one night and woke up thinking, 'today I'm finally going to kill my adversary'?"
"Errrr...YES!"
Eight. Nine.
TEN!
Dib turned around as quickly as he could, his eyes shifting to catch Zim in his peripheral view before he made his full circle. The alien was turning slower than he was, which gave Dib a momentary smirk. But his eyes...he looked so sad.... Dib was facing completely forward, his gun aimed and held far away from his body. Zim looked at him as he made his own full circle and winced, expecting the blast at any moment.
"I don't believe you, Zim!"
He opened one of his ruby eyes experimentally, shocked to see Dib still holding his gun in his steady grasp.
"Why haven't you shot yet?" Zim asked.
"Do you WANT me to kill you?!" Dib nearly shrieked.
"I want NOTHING from you! You...YOU...!" Zim's eyes fell to the floor. It wasn't working. Dib was still as strong and beautiful as he'd always been in his mind. More so, even. He hadn't shot. He hadn't wanted to kill. Hopefulness rose in Zim's guts. Maybe Dib felt the same...
"Zim...are you alright?"
He looked up, finding Dib directly in front of him.
He pities me, Zim realized. He sees me as weak for letting my emotions get in the way. He's right; I am not the superior being as long as he lives. I cannot conquer this planet as long as he is around. It's all his fault. The Almighty Tallest will never trust me again if I let him win.
"It's all your fault!"
Battle instincts took over. His gun rose from his side, his finger pulling the trigger even before he realized his intent. Dib's shocked wide eyes grew impossibly wider as he was thrown backwards, falling to the floor and slipping across with a red arch blossoming from his chest.