Years after a freaky green kid claiming to have a skin condition entered his classroom, Dib had finally done it. Zim was floating in a tube waiting to be tested on. Dib had only returned to him to gloat.
"How does it feel, scum, to be considered a freak?"
The alien simply chuckled at some unknown joke.
"What's so funny, space monster? Are you laughing because you know that your leaders are going to come and save you? That the human race you so despised will finally fall?"
Zim looked at the scythe-haired adult with sad, humor filled eyes. "The Armada? No, Dib-smell, they aren't coming. They never will. I found out the day you captured me. My mission was a fake. No one expected a planet to be out here. They sent me out in vain hopes that I would die. I was never an Invader from before the moment I set foot on your planet's soil."
Dib stared dumbfounded. He must be lying, some part of his mind said, the part that was unwilling to let go. Yet he knew that the alien wasn't. Years of watching him had taught the young man to know the difference between Zim's lies and Zim's truths.
Dib slammed his fist against the wall. "Years wasted, always believing that I was the soul savior of the human race and it all boils down to this. A lie?" Tears of frustration welled up in his eyes.
"At least now your people believe you and I know what I will do with the rest of my life. I was born and raised having people tell me what to do. I didn't know what was going to happen when I found out the truth. It may be horrible to be confined, but at least it's better than nothing at all."
Zim heard the sound of shattering glass and fell to the floor along with the liquid in the tube. He looked up puzzled to see Dib trembling with rage.
"Get out."
"I told you, Dib-human. I would rather stay here where I know my fate."
"Cut that bull-shit, Zim. Now go out there and find a purpose so that both our lives aren't wasted."