The simplest way I can explain it is that Perfect Nothing is *Mopiness of Doom* with extra steps, after all the AU was born thanks to that episode. They miss the other, they actively supress the thought before giving in

Once Zim realizes what is really happening thanks to Gaz after she came to see him (to question his dissapearence, to explain him what has happend and then force him to help her with her brother), it becomes a situation where Zim is left with the "forced" task of reconnecting with Dib while Gaz searchs for an explanation by investigating the hospital, and a treatmeant for Dib if possible. Hence why Zim decides to infiltrate the Membrane Labs as an apprentice in order to live with Dib, decipher what goes through his head and an attempt to make up for the time lost

Little extra concept art that I did about this, Zim got sad that his previous attempts at trying to expose Dib didn't work out and at how Dib truly didn't want to aknowledge him ↓

I believe Zim feels both curiosity and guilt at knowing that his presence meant so much for Dib, after all Dib got depressed, went into an asylum and later realized that he had to be tortured so he could forget about him and move on, since otherwise he would refuse to do so.

As much as he tries to supress this feeling and convince himself that he's only doing this for Gaz, that he never cared this deep for his enemy, he can't deny that he misses him; Dib was the only constant in his life as an invader in earth, one that gave him a motive to conquer or even turn against the Irken system; a frienemy that understood him. Of course, Zim is unused to be treated with such peace and politeness from Dib, what is normal for him is fights or at least some form of friendly rivalry, so he spends his time trying to get a reaction out of Dib ("un-cooperative colleagues" doodle), get his attention by showing off or trying to help him in an obnoxious way; overall trying to de-brainwash him by doing things that the old Dib would have enjoyed or get angry at because he knows him that much. All in hopes that someday, he can get his Dib back, as rejects of society.

Dib on the other hand, is complicated. He first has to face the idea that his "childhood friend" didn't dissapear into thin air to never come back, he was already accepting a life where he would never see him return; the more quickly he forgot about him, the better. He's avoidant, he's polite yet not really wanting to tell Zim anything; he has this mess occurring inside him, like a scar that has been opened before it fully "healed". He reluctantly accepts his presence in the laboratories with a rather sanitized explanation from Zim and because he has no choice.

But he can't act like he doesn't know Zim so well. He keeps warning Zim about certain food options given in the cafeteria because of his specific tastes, he defends himself with memorized movements when fighting or arguing; it brings a weird sensation of normality when he is supposed to be normal already, and that slowly rediscovers those unresolved feelings he had for Zim (a friend, and it hurts).

They slowly re-build a weird form of friendship in the labs, going through horrible hours, heavy work, strict supervisors, and awkward social gatherings. They help each other with proyects, Zim learns some of Dib's health difficulties and how to aid them (at least as much as Dib will allow), Dib unconsciously searches for Zim's presence by glancing around; it's the heavy setting of lab work that makes their bond get stronger again.

This friendship grows in Dib, being the only thing that feels genuine in a life where the people that interact with him is out of pure interest or just coorporate bussines, and a job that although he does well, makes him feel deeply empty and unhappy. He realizes that he wants to keep Zim by his side, but not in the way he is. Speaking in weird ways, trying to convince him that he is indeed an alien and that their misadventures were real, no, he can't let Zim keep digging a hole of denial.

So, in an act of compasion towards him, and maybe even a love confession that is still surrounded by confused thoughts, he decides that he's going to cure Zim, so he can keep him by his side and live a healthy life as "perfect people of society". So you could say that Dib is the one to fall first, in a very twisted way. He doesn't want to risk losing Zim again because of him not fiting in society. ("Disaster date" drawing)

After that I'm still figuring out the following events to get through the disastrous climax and the healing arc, so this is all I can offer (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡ I hope my long yapping satisfied your curiosity

Also like the idea of Dib passing along his generational trauma to Zim.

The corpse

"Surely, tomorrow and all the days after, this hell will continue no matter where it is. So please, just for now, let me keep the feelings I had when I was but a child and be the naked me."

—Syudou, "Bitter Chocolate Decoration" song.

An hallucination caused by PTSD or a paranormal presence that disturbs those it believes to be guilty, the corpse is the embodiment of Dib's "death" in the asylum, his unresolved feelings toward Zim, Gaz's guilt, and his resentment toward his father. He usually makes his presence known in Dib's reflection, in his shadow and in the dreams of others. He is only perceived by those who know him on a personal level.

Dib knows about his existence, but he explains it as a bad trick created by medication or when facing a stressful situation. Membrane thinks the same, while Zim and Gaz believe it's the ghost of the Dib they once knew. Maybe a sign that the real Dib isn't completly dead after all.

Its existence plays quite a bit between the limits of reality and the metaphorical, heavily inspired by the magical entities of Umineko No Naku Koro Ni and the horrors of Silent Hill!

— I can imagine her joining Membrane Labs as an intern with a new human disguise, taking advantage of Dib's current state to form a friendship with him (much to Zim's annoyance and Gaz's suspicion) just to gain access to Membrane technology

I actually have some scraped concept art of her in the AU, I drew this during the early stages of the story

As you can see, I thought of her being the doctor that made sure that Dib got "cured" as some kind of revenge plan. Although it was fun to think about, I felt like it overcomplicated things for the story so I rejected It shortly after lol. I felt like a human commiting psychological cruelty onto another human was more meaningful and reinforced the idea of Dib being obligated into becoming "socially acceptable"

Your idea is a lot better for her to fit in the story, she could very well pretend as a leader of technology in Membrane's Labs that suggests to create a machine that would make the world better, but in reality is just something overly destructive. I'll keep it in mind if I get to decide if there's space for her to be in the AU

Responding to your question about her opinion: She would probably think that she returned in the right moment, and the sight of Zim running around like a disorientated animal behind a human that no longer recognizes him is fun

— I can imagine her joining Membrane Labs as an intern with a new human disguise, taking advantage of Dib's current state to form a friendship with him (much to Zim's annoyance and Gaz's suspicion) just to gain access to Membrane technology

I actually have some scraped concept art of her in the AU, I drew this during the early stages of the story

As you can see, I thought of her being the doctor that made sure that Dib got "cured" as some kind of revenge plan. Although it was fun to think about, I felt like it overcomplicated things for the story so I rejected It shortly after lol. I felt like a human commiting psychological cruelty onto another human was more meaningful and reinforced the idea of Dib being obligated into becoming "socially acceptable"

Your idea is a lot better for her to fit in the story, she could very well pretend as a leader of technology in Membrane's Labs that suggests to create a machine that would make the world better, but in reality is just something overly destructive. I'll keep it in mind if I get to decide if there's space for her to be in the AU

Responding to your question about her opinion: She would probably think that she returned in the right moment, and the sight of Zim running around like a disorientated animal behind a human that no longer recognizes him is fun

I haven't even read the IZ comics yet. Did I get their dynamic right?

In 2021, Swarovski (the company that makes the very sparkly crystals you see in certain jewelry, on figure-skaters' twinkliest outfits, on red carpet dresses), decided they didn't want the grubby fingers of small-time jewelers, clothing designers and costumers and crafters on their shiny beads and rhinestones anymore. They decided to limit their sales to "luxury" and couture creators, not girls who sell stuff on Etsy. The tenor of their press release on the subject was snide and insulting. Resellers (like your favorite bead shop) would no longer be allowed to carry their product; the average Jane on the street would not be able to purchase them. You could only get them if you had an authorized business agreement that bound you to very strict brand behavior. And those of us who still had good stock of the crystals would no longer be "permitted" to use the brand's name in our listings for sale.

Every bead shop and craft supply place and many, many small clothing makers--wedding shops, prom and dancing dress suppliers, the sort of salt of the Earth mom and pop time machines of shops that are the backbone of the field--scrambled to find something that could replace them. The last of the stock dwindled quickly, all of us grabbing what we could get while there was any chance of it, and then it was gone and we no longer had any access.

I was Big Pissed about it at the time. It was just so goddamn stuck-up, when wholesalers and indie jewelers had made them so much money, when some people I knew--when *I!*--had been brand-loyal for decades. But with no recourse, everyone pivoted fairly quickly, most of us to Preciosa Crystals. Those are Czech, quite sparkly, and considerably less expensive than Swarovski. The faceting method they use is different, but not worse; any differences are hardly noticeable when you're seeing them as a hundred pinpoints of light.

Well, out of nowhere, Swarovski just dropped this: https://www.harmanbeads.com/swarovski-brand-policy-update

"Effective June 1, 2026, Swarovski updated the distribution and brand usage policies introduced in 2021. Businesses may now purchase Swarovski Crystals without signing a Brand Control Agreement, and Authorized Distribution Partners may once again sell Swarovski Crystals to resellers, including bead stores and online retailers. Businesses may also use the Swarovski brand name when following Swarovski’s Proper Use Guidelines. Designers, manufacturers, artists, brands, retailers, and resellers are now eligible to purchase Swarovski Crystals through authorized distribution channels."

They want us back. A lot of the companies who could have kept a brand relationship with them also have swapped to Preciosa, over the last half-decade, in solidarity with indie creators and out of a sour awareness that it could be them, next. And it doesn't hurt that Preciosa was able to expand their line quite a bit now that everyone who wanted sparkle had no choice but to go to them.

And I'm not seeing nearly anyone who intends to return. The feeling is, "Y'all told us to fuck off! Off we fucked! And now, that's what you can do, too!" I'm seeing a lot of "How many of us did you stab in the back?" comments from the people whose money they're hoping to attract.