CHAPTER TWO

Zim walked back into class with a HUGE grin on his face; a grin that he could not hide.

"What are you so happy about?" Dib asked him, suspiciously.

"Ooooooh nothing, pitiful earth scum. Instead of worrying about me, shouldn't you be studying?" Zim couldn't hold back a slight giggle. "Shouldn't you be studying MATH?" Zim burst out laughing as Dib's eyes widened slightly, and the amused alien walked back to his seat as Mrs. Bitters approached the front of the class.

"Class, earlier this morning, I wasn't able to introduce the newest appendage to the pool of WORTHLESS students. Sitting in the back of the room is Samantha, and she will be joining us for the remainder of the term. She doesn't talk during class. LEARN FROM HER. Now, today's lesson will be about the Judas Cradle. Does anyone know what that is?"

Dib raised his hand

"Dib?"

"Um . . . isn't that a torture device from the Middle Ages?"

". . . Yes. . ."

Thus, the lesson ensued. Zim had fallen asleep on his desk and was creating a puddle of drool on the desk top when the lunch bell rang. Zim eagerly walked into the cafeteria, not wanting to eat the . . . DISGUSTING human food, but glad to get out of class. He sat down, alone, at a table, when someone spun him around by the shoulders.

"How did you find out?"

It was Dib.

"Find . . . WHAT . . . out?" Zim asked, trying to be as mysterious as possible.

"About my math test. How did you find out?"

"You left the paper on the table. Perhaps I should show . . . THE WORLD! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!"

". . . Please Zim. . .I'll . . . Zim you don't understand. I haven't shown my father yet."

Zim began laughing again "You haven't shown your father! We took this test last WEEK! . . . I got an A." Zim bragged.

"Zim, my father would KILL me if he knew I failed a test. I'll make you a deal. If you hand me back my paper, I promise I won't bother you anymore. I swear I won't try to tell the world that you're a . . . you know. An alien."

Zim put a gloved hand to his chin in thought. . . "Well . . . ok then." He said, handing the piece of paper he was holding to Dib.

"Oh, and Zim. Thank you.". . . He began laughing hysterically "for being so easy! Now that I have my paper back, you don't have any blackmail on me! and I WILL tell the world that you're an alien!" Dib tore up his paper for assurance and let the many pieces fall to the floor.

Zim watched the papers fall to the floor, and with much calmness, spoke "Yeah. I guess your inferior brain isn't inferior . . . you really beat me this time. . ." he looked back up to meet Dib's eyes, and had a hint of laughter in them. "Too bad that wasn't your failed test, though."

"Huh?" Dib suddenly turned pale

"THOSE were the notes you took this morning in class that I snatched off your desk to copy. THIS," he pulled out a piece of folded paper from his pocket, just enough for Dib to see, and then shoved it back in "is your failed test. I figured you, being so INFERIOR, would try something STUPID like this. So I didn't give you your test. Just for assurance."

Dib glared at Zim, and hatred ran through his veins. "You . . . you TRICKED ME!"

Suddenly, there was a bunch of 'wow's and 'awsome's from around the room. Zim and Dib looked up to see a crowd around Samantha, who was holding some cards in her hand. Interested in what the importance of these . . . cards . . . were, Zim approached the table, walking past the infuriated Dib.

"What's going on?" he asked Torque, dumbfounded

"Samantha's showing us her duel monster's cards" he explained

"Duel . . . Monsters?" Zim repeated in question, causing Samantha to look up.

"You mean you've never heard of Duel Monsters?" she asked him, receiving a head shake of 'no'. "Dungeon Dice Monsters?" again, 'no'. "Do you even know who Yugi is?" he stared at her strangely.

"What is this . . . Dungeon Dueling Dice Monsters you speak of? And what's a . . . Yugi?"

The comment earned him looks from everyone in the crowd.

"YOU don't know about DUEL MONSTERS! OR Yugi!" one of the students asked him.

Suddenly, Zim realized his mistake. Apparently, these strange people and this . . . monster game were popular amongst his peers, and if he didn't think of something quick, his cover might be blown!

"Um . . . of course I know about them! I was just TESTING!"

They fell for it; they nodded and returned their attention to Samantha and her cards. He returned to his table where Dib was no longer glaring, but still present.

"She's the world champion. Crowned Queen of Games. Not that YOU'D know. I guess on YOUR planet, they don't have Duel Monsters." Dib was now glaring at him again.

Zim 'hmph'ed, and began walking outside. "Remember, Dib-human. I'M the one who has YOUR failed test. I wouldn't try my patience."

END!

Peggi: I don't own the Judas Cradle, and for those of you, who DON'T know what it is, and are interested, just ask. I'd be glad to explain it. I just thought it sounded like something Mrs. Bitters would talk about . . . it's so. . .morbid!

Samantha: Why was I hardly in this chapter!

Peggi: I'm gradually introducing your character, you twit.

Samantha: . . . oh yeah. . .

Dib: And WHY did you let Zim TRICK me like that!

Peggi: Part of the plot . . .Okies, reviews are greatly appreciated. I have low self-esteem for this fic.