Hey, just a heads up, ffn's privet messaging system doesn't seem to work for me? I can receive messages bit not send them. I don't think that's been an issue with you since you usually respond to comments in the author notes, but I figured I'd give you a heads up in case you've tried sending me anything (I don't think it's ever worked for me, and I've talked to one other person so far who has confirmed that they have the same issue so I'm just passing on the message in case it's site wide?) (so Tumblr would be the best way to reach me if you need to)
Now, on to the story! 8D!

"/Content warning: drunk Irkens/humans ahead./"
Oh, oh this will be /fuuuun/ *evil grin*

" This time, though, the universe decided to kick things up a notch. After all, what could be funnier than seeing Dib shoved in yet another jail cell? Ah! Seeing Dib shoved in yet another jail cell with the /one/ individual he wanted to see the least. "
XDD poor Dib, guy just cannot catch a break

*Thoughtful curiosity* wonder what these guards are talking about? Perhaps the war? The toxin?

"LIES!" Zim barked back, standing up. "The guards have no idea what they're doing! They can't fathom the relationship between me and the Tallest! The Tallest probably kept it secret from them! Yeah! Their brilliance is so… /brilliant/, even /I/ can't understand it sometimes!"
Oh...oh Zim...you're so far in denial, I don't even think you can see the sky through the water

*Fist pump* yes! Reluctant allies!

" He didn't even have his backpack—
Dib's brows popped up, followed by his chin as he looked out through the cell bars and immediately eyed his backpack, hung up on a hook in the doorway of the office the guards had emerged from. They hadn't even bothered to close the door. "
Ah! Finally! Some good luck 8D now, let's just hope Zim's PAK legs are long enough to reach it

" Dib was sure it was his way of shooting down the suggestion. Then, to his shock, a thin metal limb very slowly inched its way from Zim's top port. "
Awww! X3 Zim's helping!

" The laptop, with the flash drive still stuck in the USB port. "
*Pounding fists on table* SHOW. ZIM. THE. RECORDING! XD

XD I was wondering how the alcohol would be introduced from the author notes (I was thinking they escaped and somehow made it to a bar lol)...XD I completely forgot that Dib had vodka or why that's even /in/ his bag lol

*Snort* Zim's eating the doughnuts

"How is /that/ supposed to help us?"
"It's not," Dib said, not elaborating. He had all but forgotten what he'd originally been looking for, entranced by this discovery. "
XDD helpful Dib

" It was rather ironic that alcohol thievery gave him as much of a thrill as it did. After flying in a starship, walking among enemy alien races, and being stuck in prison, he still managed to feel the rush of good old-fashioned, dumb teenage rebellion. It was guilt-tinged and wrapped in senseless excitement. After all, he had stolen from his father's liquor cabinet. "
Oh, I like this! Makes sense and is very human lol

" Dib merely shrugged in response. "Suit yourself…" Then he paused for a second. "No shame in being afraid." "
XD Dib, I never pictured you as the peer pressurer type lol

*Evil snicker* Dib's pretty buzzed

*Evil grin* and now they're both drunk
Not exactly helpful to their situation, but definitely fun to watch XD

Naa-aw-aw! They're going down memory lane! XD love it X3

"I'd installed a tracking chip 'n your head three years ago."
!? Lol!

TuT Zim's letting his guard down

" Then, he squirmed slightly, and the uninjured antenna rose just a bit. "Y'know… I never properly expressed my gratitude. For… saving my life, I mean…"
ToT aaaah! *Hearts*

" He was quiet for a moment, pondering his last words thoughtfully. Then, in a very soft voice, "Thank you, human."
ToT! Emotions!

" Without thinking, he emulated the very same glance Skoodge had given his laptop after speaking those words. He knew showing Zim the recording would destroy him from the inside out. "
*Pounding fists on table* SHOW. THE. BUG. THE. EVIDENCE!

YEEESSSSSSS! HE'S SHOWING HIM! (*giggles* how's the laptop still charged :p?)
FINALLY XD

"Lies," came the nearly inaudible response. He hiccupped softly. "
T_T bug's broken

Aaaand now he's drunk and in denial and shouting and I'm sure guards are gonna show up too *sigh* but at least he knows the truth now even if he refuses it (side now: I like how you're writing the dialogue!)

" For a moment, it looked as if he were about to break into another coughing fit. Then, a queasy look passed over his face, and Dib swore he somehow went a few shades greener. "
Oh... he's going to throw up XD
Yup! Lol, well, at least he was able to make it to the other side of the cell first XD

Bwahaha Zim passed out!

X3 the boys are hung over

" No one came. "
Oh!? 8D what could this mean!?

" Dib listened closely for guards, somehow both relieved and skeptical when he didn't hear them. What was going on? Why had they been so agitated the night before? Enough so that they left their office door open? For guards that protected the most important building in Irk's capital, it was beyond strange for them to be so inattentive. "
Oh...oooooohhh what if Irk's been attacked!? *Evil grin* they're about to go out into a war zone!

*Malicious grin* oh yeah, the halls are completely abandoned

"I bid you farewell, Dib beast. I hope that when you die at the hands of the palace guards, it's a quick and painless death."
XD Zim! Don't you /dare/ leave Dib behind! Again! You take that boy with you! DX

Poor Dib, always kicked when he's down smh
Well, hopefully he'll be able to find the control brains

" A radio hummed from his belt; his superior officer on the other end. "Bring all guards to the perimeter of the building! Meekrobian forces have been detected on Irken grounds."
Haaaa! Called it! War. Zone. War. Zone. Yeah! 8D

I just spent the last day and a half binging your story, and it's so good! You do a wonderful job at world building, character development, etc. The story constantly keeps me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait to see how the rest of this plays out!

I had a feeling the alcohol was going to lead to that big reveal. I also think Zim remembers a lot more than he is letting on. It was nice to see them share some common ground while still retaining their rival-like attitudes toward one another! You did a nice job of capturing their character and describing what it would be like if they were required to share a cell together. Keep it up!

Drunk Zim is hilarious! Didn't expect that in this story, but it was appreciated. I wonder when/ if them memories from his drunken blackout will resurface, I don't know when or if Dib will get another opportunity to show Zim the recording. Hope it's not at an inconvenient time.

What a treat this was. I love the whole murder plot and how it exploded into a war. I also love how you wrote all the characters from Skooge to the Tallest. And the world building was excellent. Finally, you left us at a cliffhanger and Dib might not even have to speak to the control brains. XD

What an excellent fic. I can't wait for more of it.

Hiyo there! I've been EAGERLY anticipating this latest update since last chapter's setup, and it did NOT disappoint! Our boys finally have some time alone with each other, and it was a lot calmer of a talk than I actually expected! Dib's definitely right though; His luck is the WORST. It's gotta turn around for him at some point! Even more worrying is that Zim is having a really hard time with all of this... How humiliating must it feel to be cast in jail instead of trying to serve your own home? The walls are crumbling, little by little. It's good to see them work together for a time though; This is where their greatest strengths lay.

Awfully foolish of the guards to leave that backpack within reach... They really are stressing about what's going on, aren't they? At least this can be a good advantage to our boys. Anything to at least keep them safe for a short time-

Or Dib can go straight for that teenage rebellion LMAO. I mean, not much else to do but play the waiting game, and get drunk with your greatest enemy! Honestly, this is probably one of the few ways they both can be comfortable enough to talk with one another, though I can't imagine Mr. Membrane was too pleased if, or when he discovers that missing vodka... Typical that Zim would join him on a challenge though! Probably not too smart on his part, given the little guy's size.

It's really nice to see him laugh though after all this time! I realize it's been ages since we truly saw him smile and find his bond with Dib again, even if it's taking a while for the both of them to heal from this experience.

Ohhhhhh boy. This is it. The bomb has officially dropped, and as expected, Zim has NOT taken this news well. He can't deny it as quickly as he used to though, and I really do think we are closer than ever before to him finally getting it through his head, but man, even while drunk it's INSANELY difficult to get this Irken to accept things! Zim, just open your eyes dude! I feel like the passing out was almost more stress-related than drunken behavior there... His whole worldview is threatening to be shattered. It was nice while their peace lasted though, however?

Yeah Zim, just pretend none of that ever happened. Man I love him, but he's certainly got a way with burying his feelings!
Our boys are free though! And I have a feeling the battle has just begun. I hope Zim doesn't regret his decision to leave Dib on his own out there. Both of them need each other more than ever.

I AM EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT THE MEEKROB BEING ON IRKEN GROUNDS! OH GOD OH MAN OH GOD. Stuff is about to get even more real than it already was. The cliffhangers! They torment meee...

Love love, LOVE this chapter, and I'm REALLY looking forward to the action that's no doubt coming! I hope both of them can stay safe, especially Dib!

and once again, Zim runs off leaving Dib alone. That seems to be becoming a habit of his

It certainly seems like they are in for a surprise when they learn about what's going on outside

perhaps Dib will manage to save two worlds when (if) he manages to find the control brains

amazing chapter and I can't wait for more :D

Hahaha I mean I was expecting alcohol based off the title, but I was thoroughly confused on where it’d come from. Anyway, that was a pleasant chapter! I hope things don’t go wrong for Dib (again), but I have a feeling they will. He’s a little out of his element lmao

Awesome chapter again, eager to see more!

This whole chapter was just, *chef kiss*, perfection. They might be stuck with each other in jail, but hey, alchohol!

Well the drinking in a way helped Zim and Dib as it kinda calmed them in an uncertain time, not to mention Zim learned the truth but of course he would be in denial, can't exactly say I'm surprised but hopefully he'll see that Dib was telling the truth and the recording wasn't fake, wow.

Now they're free... But... For how long?

Invader Johnny Signing Off.

I really enjoyed the confrontation between Dib and Zim once the two of them break free of the prison. You did a nice job of getting Dib's emotions across and how all of that pent up anger and hopelessness had to come out eventually. And Zim reaction when he tells him his mission is a fake; with very few words you managed to capture his insulted pride and really show how he was in denial. I also like the way you describe the scene around them and build a world on a foreign planet that's very imaginable without dwelling on too much detail. It makes for a nice read and keeps the focus on what's happening between the characters. And of course they had to be thrown in the same cell together. Could they really have expected anything less?

Keep it up!

Lol, didn't take long for these two to be reunited again!

Now they are both on Irk. It's only a matter of time before they escape and expose the Tallests conspiracy to the Control Brains, since now all the evidence they need are all together in one place.

I can't wait to see them get their comeuppance!

Now that Dib has his backpack, and is on Irk, it's only going to be a matter of time until everyone finds out about the Tallests's conspiracy. And then, I imagine all hell will break loose.
Of course, I'm sure you're going to write some insane obstacle that keeps Dib from revealing the truth for another few chapters, that's just how it is in stories like this.
Really great just as always, I'm so glad I discovered this story!

Well at least they're on Irk together. If they can work together they might have a shot even if they're stuck in a cell. Dib needs to convince Zim that running into the Tallest would definitely NOT be a good thing though.
Can't wait to see what happens next!