A/N: Thank you all for the kind words! ^^

So, I know it's a bit soon to be saying this but there is already a sequel in the works. ;; I actually didn't intend for that to happen, but as I was writing it, I was just like 'yeah, this needs a sequel asap'. So, seeing as how I've already finished this one, I'll be getting to work on that shortly!

Review Responses:

Guest: Thank you so much! And yes, that sort of slipped my mind. Which is weird, since I've read all of the comics. But thanks for the reminder!

And yeah, I'm not surprised. What can I say, I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers. :P But I'm very much a multishipper when it comes to Invader Zim and I'm open to (almost) any pairing.

Enjoy chapter two!

"Master, what is that thingy on yous head?"

Zim, realizing that he had forgotten to take off his disguise, tossed the hat and the wig onto the floor. "The humans called it a 'cap and gown'. Today was a very important human ceremony, Gir. They called it 'graduation'."

The little robot, still in his dog disguise, cocked his head to the side. "Ooohh! I don't get it."

"I don't either," Zim replied as he pulled the gown off, revealing his traditional Irken uniform. "But thanks to this 'dee-plo-ma', I am now free of that wretched school!"

"Oh, Master doesn't have school anymore?! Yay! That means Master can come play!"

"No Gir, it means that I now have more time to focus on my new plans!"

The dog disguise was gone now, and Zim found himself face to face with Gir's wide, unblinking eyes. "Master, are you sure you still wants to take over the world and stuff?"

Zim frowned. "You dare question our mission, Gir?!"

"N-No sir!"

"You must remember what we were put on this planet for," Zim told him, his tone stern. "We are invaders! Well, I am an invader, and you are my servant!"

Gir's eyes briefly flashed red as he saluted respectfully. "Yes Master, I obey!"

"Good. Now then, Gir, my next evil plan… next evil plan…" He hummed thoughtfully, tapping his chin.

His so-called servant clearly wasn't interested in listening. "Imma make taquitos! Does Master want some?"

"Silence Gir! I need quiet so I can concentrate!"

The robot giggled childishly and trotted into the kitchen. "Oooookay, then! I'll make quiet taquitos!"

Evil plan… evil plan… what exactly was his next evil plan?

What was with him? Usually he could come up with new plans nearly instantaneously. Perhaps he just needed some inspiration.

Or maybe…

He's had a stressful day, what with this whole "graduation" thing, not to mention that the Dib was acting strangely today. Actually, he'd been acting strangely for quite a while now. Perhaps he was just on edge. He couldn't blame him, as he was feeling rather jumpy himself as of late. He just needed to relax. Not for long, he was an Invader after all, and he wouldn't be caught lazing around. But even Irkens needed their rest, and he couldn't invade Earth if he wasn't in pique physical and mental condition.

A few minutes later, Zim was suddenly met with a lapful of taquitos and robot. "Here ya go Master!"

"Gir! You do not need to sit on me to eat taquitos! Get off me!"

"Sorry!" Gir immediately scooted over to the other side of the couch. "Is Master gonna watch TV with me?"

"I suppose. Pick something entertaining. And no Scary Monkey show."

Gir pouted, sniffling. "Okay…"

Gir eventually settled on what he thought was a 'comedy' film. Zim quickly discovered that it was intended to be a horror movie, but Gir was right. This movie was rather funny.

"Foolish humans and their need for sleep! If they weren't so weak, this Freddy Krueger would be unable to murder them in their dreams!"

"M-Master, I'm scared! I'm scared! Freddy's gonna get me! He's gonna get me Master! Don't let him get me!" Gir had once again leapt right onto Zim's lap, and although he didn't look it, he was rather heavy.

"Gir! It's just a movie!"

"B-But Master!" The robot was shaking, sniffling and crying hysterically. It was clear that he wasn't going to calm down until he was reassured somehow.

Gir was lucky that he was his servant. Sometimes he wondered if he did this on purpose.

"There there, Gir, I won't let Freddy Krueger get you."

"Y-You won't?"

"No. Now please get off me before you suffocate me."

He complied, clambering off of his master with a sniffle.

Zim couldn't help but feel a bit relieved. At least now with school out of the way, he would have a lot more free time to work on his plans. But this sudden time he had on his hands didn't mean he had an excuse to lie around. If anything, he had to work twice as hard now that his schedule was open.

Speaking of plans…

He tried to search his (genius, thank you very much) brain for something, anything to work with, but there was nothing, not a single noteworthy thing that he could come up with. His mind was far too muddled with Gir and the "graduation" events that had occurred today.

He shot a quick glance over at his robot servant, who was humming happily to himself while munching on a taquito. He guessed that he shouldn't worry too much, after all, he had all the time in the world. Okay, that wasn't exactly true- in fact, all of the other invaders had already succeeded. A long time ago, actually.

So what was holding him back?

"Computer!"

"Yes?"

"When did I first land on this filthy planet?"

"About seven years ago in Earth time, sir."

"How… there's no way that's true! Seven years… I should have this planet underneath my boot right now!"

"Well, you don't."

Zim huffed. "Yes, thank you computer. I am aware of that. But… why? Are you sure that estimate is correct?"

"Yes. I will also point out that Irk time moves differently than Earth time. To Irkens, seven years is nothing, but to humans, it's a very long time."

"So that is why the Dib has gotten so much taller in such a short amount of time… interesting. Then… if that's the case, then there's something I've been missing… something I've been doing wrong… but what is it? All of my plans so far have been brilliant, so why do they keep failing?"

"That would likely be because of the Dib human."

Zim felt that same rage bubble up inside him once more, the rage he felt every time he so much as thought of that miserable, insufferable, half-wit human. He hated all humans, but Dib Membrane was by far the worst.

"That impudent human… always ruining my plans..! Why haven't I killed him yet?!"

"All of your attempts to annihilate Dib have been unsuccessful."

"WHY?!"

"Probably because he's smarter than you."

Zim grumbled an Irken curse under his breath.

"I heard that."

"Yeah whatever. The problem is Dib. Always, always Dib. If it weren't for him..! Damn him!"

"Master, that's a bad word!"

"Silence Gir!"

"There is a plan that you constructed long ago, Master, but you never got to use it."

"Huh? I had a plan?"

"Yes, you asked me to record the details. Do you not remember?"

Zim shrugged. "Nah, guess not." He jumped to his feet. "Gir, come with me to the lab. We have work to do."

Gir leaped off the couch, landing behind his master. "Coming!"

"So, what are you gonna do now?"

Surprised by the sudden question, Dib dropped his pizza crust back onto his plate, looking up at his sister. "Huh?"

"I asked you a question. I asked what you're gonna do now that you're not in school anymore."

"Oh… I'm just surprised you asked. I didn't think you cared."

Gaz shrugged, taking a rather large bite out of her pizza slice. "I don't, but since dad isn't here and all, I figured that's the kind of question he'd ask."

Dib deadpanned. "Dad paid you to be here, didn't he?"

Gaz met his eyes, but said nothing, which Dib took as a "yes".

He sighed. Figures. It's not like she'd willingly care about anything related to her brother anyway. "Well, not that you really care, but I do have a few after high school plans."

She idly took a sip of her soda. "Are you still gonna keep fighting with Zim?"

"Well, I guess so. I mean if I don't, he might actually destroy the world."

"You really believe that? It's been seven years, just give it up already. Get a hobby, or a girlfriend or something."

"Saving the world is my hobby, Gaz. I don't really do much of anything else anymore."

Gaz waved him off. "Yeah yeah, well, if you wanna keep playing with him, then I'm not gonna stop you."

He was a little annoyed at his life's work being referred to as 'playing'. Just a little bit, however, because deep down, he was starting to come to the realization that his bitter rivalry with Zim was becoming more and more like a game every day. Still, he couldn't help but play it off as something serious and important. "It's serious business, actually. But if the day finally comes where I do expose Zim, I want to try and become a professional paranormal investigator."

This, shockingly, caught his sister's attention. "You really think you're gonna make money doing that?"

Dib shrugged. "It's worth a shot. If I get into the industry, it'll be my chance to prove to the world that I'm not insane!"

"Look, I get that Zim is an alien and all that, but I think fighting with him has made you crazy."

"Yeah, well, you'll see."

"Mmhm."

Silence fell between them again as Dib struggled to think of what to say to her, especially when Gaz really couldn't care less, and was only here for the free food.

"I was thinking that, since I'm gonna have more free time, I could start picking you up from school. I could pick you up before lunch on Friday's, and take you here. If you want."

She eyed him warily from beneath her bangs. "Do you want something out of me?"

"Wha- no! I'm just trying to be nice, really! But fine, if you don't want me to, then I won't." He grumbled something about "ungrateful sisters" under his breath, folding his arms over his chest.

"I… didn't say that."

Dib opened his mouth to thank her, but decided against it. He didn't need to say any more. That was one thing, probably the only thing that he adored about his little sister. She listened, even when it seemed like she didn't. And she understood without much being said.

"Just don't get me involved in your stupid alien hunting stuff. I don't want to have to come rescue you again."

He laughed sheepishly. "Sorry about that. Don't worry about me, I know Zim's base like the back of my hand now. If I get caught, I'll find my way out."

The silence was then broken by the sound of Dib's cellphone ringing. Strange. No one ever really called him.

"Hello?"

"Hello son, it's me! I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it to your graduation, really, I am. It's just that something came up and-"

"It's fine dad, I get it. You don't have to apologize."

"Oh, thank goodness. But really, congratulations. As a reward for all your hard work in school, I'll come home early tomorrow night, and we'll do some father-son things. How does that sound?"

"Oh… yeah, that sounds great! Um… I guess I'll see you then?"

"Yes! Until then, Gaz, don't let him out of your sight!"

"Uh, dad, you're not on speaker."

"Oh. Right. Well, I have to get back to the meeting! Bye!"

It should be "Dib, don't let Gaz out of your sight." How did it end up being the other way around?

Because you've been dedicating the past seven years of your life to killing an alien. Ah, right.

He heaved a deep, long sigh. How was he going to manage college and saving the world?

"Computer! I require my ingenious plan!"

The document appeared on the large monitor. It was right there, in bold print, every detail listed out in perfect order. As Zim read over it, he felt himself growing more and more excited. Why hadn't he done this sooner? This is genius! This is foolproof!

"You said that about your last one hundred and eighty seven plans, Master."

Had he said that out-loud? "Silence!" There was no doubt about it. This was the perfect plan. "Computer, why did I never follow through with such a flawless plan?"

"It was a plan that you forgot about, it seems."

Why was he forgetting so much lately? "Well, regardless, we have a new evil plan! Gir!"

Gir was at his side nearly instantaneously, saluting respectfully. "I made cake! LOOK!"

Zim cringed as the dessert was shoved in his face. He pushed it aside, causing it to splatter onto the floor. "Yes, that's nice Gir. You can eat cake later. I need you to establish a communication link with the almighty Tallest! Today is Probing Day yet again, and I have the ultimate presentation! This plan will not fail!"

Cyan eyes flashed red as Gir scurried over to the computer, giggling happily.

Now then, where did I put those mini-robots..?

"I love this show," Gir said with a happy sigh as he watched the static rolling across the monitor. After a couple moments, the image of his two Irken leaders suddenly appeared onscreen. They seemed to be in the middle of something, and had not yet taken notice to the incoming transmission.

"Looks like you've done well, Invader Larb," Tallest Red stated, typing away on a small tablet. "You pass inspection!"

"Thank you my Tallest, I will continue to do my best!"

Tallest Purple waved him off with a sigh. "Yes yes, that's wonderful. Next!"

"My Tallest, you have an incoming transmission from Earth."

"...Put it on hold for now."

"Yes sirs."

At the sound of his Tallest's voice, Zim's antennae perked up. He gathered the materials for the presentation into his arms before rushing across the lab. "M-My Tallest, you must forgive my lack of organization, but I just came up with this plan. I can assure you that despite how things may look, I am beyond ready for my inspection."

"Invader Skoodge is next on the list," said Tallest Red. "Should we even bother?"

Tallest Purple cringed a bit. "I don't want to, but considering that he did successfully conquer Blorch, he's owed a Probing Day inspection."

"Ugh," Tallest Red grumbled, "fine. Put him through."

Zim narrowed his eyes, confused. "Uh, my Tallest, can you hear me? It's me, Zim! Hey! I can hear you, why can't I see you anymore?"

No answer.

"Hello my Tallest! As you can see, I am more than prepared for my Probing Day inspection."

"Is that Invader Skoodge?" Zim asked with a scoff. "Please! He was pathetic in the academy, there's no way he actually conquered Blorch!"

"...Whoa," Tallest Red murmured, astounded. "You actually conquered planet Blorch."

"Yeah, I know," Skoodge replied, grinning proudly. "It was pretty awesome."

"...Right. Well… we'll have an inspector sent out to Blorch to analyze your progress shortly."

Zim didn't like being ignored this long, especially not for something pathetic like Invader Skoodge. "Gir, something's wrong." He frantically began pressing keys on the keyboard. "They can't seem to hear or see me. What did you do?"

"I called them just like you said!" Gir insisted.

"Well then why can't- oh."

"Oh?"

Zim chuckled as he relaxed, slumping back into his seat. "We're just on hold. Very well my Tallest, I shall wait!"

"Looks like Zim's last on the list," Tallest Purple mumbled with a disappointed sigh. "Do we really have to? We don't, right? He's not really an invader after all."

Zim froze. Had he… heard that correctly?

"Um, sirs, he's still on the line…"

"Uh… I suppose we don't really have to. But I kinda wanna see what stupid plan he's got up his sleeve this time." Tallest Red snorted with laughter. "Okay, p-put him through…"

The call was put through and the image of his Irken leaders finally appeared on the monitor once again. Tallest Purple had somehow managed to keep a straight face, but Tallest Red was snorting loudly with poorly concealed laughter, struggling to stay upright.

"Z-Zim," Tallest Purple began, and even Zim could see that he was trying his best not to laugh, "a-as you know, today is… Probing Day."

"Y-Yes," Zim cleared his throat, attempting to brush off what he had heard. The Tallest were funny like that, they often liked to make jokes. "A-As you can see, I'm prepared to present my latest plan to destroy the humans!" He unraveled a rolled up lab plan. "Behold, the microbots! As you can see, they'll be disguised as a vaccine for a 'new strain of influenza', a common human disease. These microbots are programmed to take control of their host at my command-"

The Tallest's raucous laughter interrupted him. The two clutched onto each other, giggling hysterically, tears leaking from the corners of their eyes. "O-Oh man, this is good!" Tallest Red wiped at the corner of his eye, his laughter finally dying down long enough to speak clearly.

"D-Did you see the tiny little robots-!" Tallest Purple jeered, rearing back into another fit of laughter.

Zim looked back and forth between the two of them, eyes wide, antennae perked. "Uh… my Tallest?"

Their laughter reverberated throughout the base, causing something indescribable to rise up in his squeedlyspooch. What was wrong with them? Sure, the Tallest liked to jest and joke and poke fun, but if Zim didn't know any better, then he'd almost think that they were laughing at…

"Jeez, how long have you been on that planet anyway Zim?" Tallest Red asked once he regained his bearings.

"S-Seven years Earth time, my Tallest," Zim admitted, cheeks burning with shame. He knew that the amount of time he'd wasted on this rock was abysmal, he should have had this planet taken care of a long time ago. The other invaders were already awaiting the Armada, meanwhile Zim hadn't even enslaved a single human yet!

Tallest Purple narrowed his eyes at Zim. "Seven years Earth time? Compared to the other invaders, that amount of time is… sad. You know Invader Skoodge was the first one to successfully conquer a planet? Invader Skoodge! Besides you, he's the shortest invader in the academy!"

"Y-Yes, but-"

Another fit of loud, noisy laughter echoed throughout the lab. Zim felt his cheeks burn further, his squeedlyspooch tying itself into knots.

"Th-The best part is…" Tallest Purple said through snickers, placing his arm around his co-leader's neck and pulling him closer. "He's not even an invader… and we still gave him a mission anyway… and the shortest Irken in the invader program conquered a planet before him!"

Tallest Red's laughter died instantly, leaving Tallest Purple laughing hysterically, falling backwards onto the couch. Tallest Red looked between Zim's flabbergasted expression and the other Irken leader giggling like a smeet on the couch, awkwardly clearing his throat in hopes that it would tip him off. The other Irken leader continued to laugh until finally Tallest Red roughly elbowed him in the side, hard, and yanked him up so that he was standing upright. Tallest Purple wiped his eyes and cleared his throat as well, attempting to act serious.

"Way to go," Tallest Red mumbled dejectedly. "Now he knows."

Tallest Purple, however, was not nearly as put off by the sudden revelation. "Oh please, he was gonna find out eventually, right?"

"No, actually, we talked about this. He wasn't supposed to find out for the next two hundred years!" Tallest Red snapped back.

Tallest Purple folded his arms over his chest. "Oh, so it's my fault, is it?"

"Yes, it is your fault!"

"No, it's your fault!" Tallest Purple jabbed a clawed finger at his armored chest. "I knew this was a bad idea from the start! You and your stupid plans! We should've told Zim that he was defective from the beginning, maybe then Operation Impending Doom One never would've failed!"

"Hey, don't act all innocent, you were in on it too!"

"Yeah, only cause I thought it'd be fun. But look at him," Tallest Purple gestured to where Zim stood, shell-shocked and silent. "You broke him!"

"No, you broke him! You spilled the beans!"

"This was your plan from the start!"

"Our plan, we do things together!"

"Quit trying to force me into taking some of the blame!"

"What blame? No one's blaming you!" Tallest Red sighed heavily. "Look, it's… a good thing. Zim, listen well."

Zim didn't do anything to acknowledge that he had heard his leader. His head was ducked low, his clouded eyes glued to the floor. His antennae fell limply on either side of his head, oddly still.

"We never intended for you to find out this soon, but since someone has a big mouth… ugh. Whatever. Point is, if you ever contact us again, we won't hesitate to kill you. From here on out, by order of the Almighty Tallest, you are exiled to planet Earth, never to return to Irk ever again."

"Yeah, what he said!" Tallest Purple added.

"Your crimes are worthy of execution," Tallest Red continued, "so be grateful that we've pardoned you. You are to live out the rest of your days on that pathetic rock. Even if you successfully invade it, it won't matter. Your 'mission' is over."

"Yeah, what he said! Again!"

Tallest Red glared pointedly at him. "Right… well, okay, are we done here? I think we're done here."

"Let's go get something to eat, I'm starving," Tallest Purple whined.

"You're always hungry. Anyways, see ya later Zim. Or not. Hopefully not."

And with that, the transmission feed died. The screen went black and Zim was left alone in the darkness of his base.

A/N: Yes, I know, the dreaded cliche 'the tallest tell zim' fic. but hear me out for a sec

1) I found that out AFTER I started writing this. I'm new to the fanbase so I had no idea that it was such a popular fic concept.

2) come on guys, he deserves to know the truth!

anyway... not the most original concept in the world, but I really hope you guys will still give it a chance, because I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!