Bittersweet Vengeance
Chapter One
Zim bowed deeply to the video screen. "My Tallest, this is Zim, reporting in." He paused for dramatic effect , and in his imagined glory he missed hearing the groans coming from the other end of the screen. "My Tallest," he repeated, "things are improving. I have recently terrorized my arch enemy, Dib, into avoiding my very glance." Zim thought of Dib with a wry smile. In truth, he suspected that Dib was simply losing interest in aliens. He had started poiting his camera at other things, like Bigfoot and Vampires. But it amounted to the same thing, and it just meant less annoyances for Invader Zim.
I have innovated new weapons and devices with which to enslave the humans more easily," Zim continued. "They think things are quiet now, but soon - oh so soon! - they will feel the power of the mighty Zim!" He began laughing in that maniacal fervor which drove his life's work.
"Very good, Zim," said the Red Tallest in a bored voice. "Carry on. We patiently await your success."
"Yes, my Tallest. Invader Zim, signing out." He reached for the button to close the link, but stopped when he heard their voices again, softer this time.
Purple was talking. "Hey, hasn't this been going on long enough? Why don't we just tell Zim the truth and then banish him again?
"You're kidding, right?" Red said. "Don't you get it? He's already banished. He won't leave Earth until the Armada comes, and the Armada will never come! Really, it's beautiful."
"But-"
'It's FINE, Purple. Besides, the planet jackers will pick up that planet anyway, and we'll be rid of Zim forever."
"If you say so." Purple slurped noisily on his chocolate shake. "As long as he stops bugging us."
Zim stared, horrified, at the screen, his antennae quivering, magenta eyes wide. In shock, all he could do was push the button to cut the link.
"It's not true," he breathed. "It can't be true. No! I can't... can't believe it." He'd made a career out of creating his own reality, despite what logic told him the truth was. He could do it again.
Except that he could not deny what his eyes and ears had witnessed.
"No, no, no no no no..." Zim curled up in his massive chair, hands pressed against his head. "My Tallest... They have betrayed me!" Saying the words made them seem even more real.
Zim cried out, a screaming lament, trying to channel his grief and outrage into the noise. All his work, his wins and losses - all for nothing!
For the first time in his entire life as an Invader, tears filled Zim's eyes. Feebly he tried to blink them away, but still they came.
Crushed and feeling too vulnerable to remain conscious, Zim curled up in an even tighter ball and slept.