(I finally stopped being lazy and wrote the next chapter. It explains some stuff, but it also leaves some more questions. But the next few chapters will have you looking back and trying to figure what the hell is going on. So, if you're more confused in a few chapters than you are now, I did my job properly. gwenandromeda, I'm glad you like my fic so much. You're so lucky! You get to play harp in your orchestra…we are very poor and stuff, so we don't have anything like that….yes! I'm trying to be as realistic as possible! And as I've said before, all events are based on actually happenings and people and stuff…so if something seems odd or out of the ordinary, trust me, it really happened. andalitebandit-6, I can't tell you that, sorry. True, Zim could have gotten smart, but lets be realistic here. It is Zim we're talking about….but yeah, I can't tell you anything….)

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Well, what ever they did, it worked, and they settled their little dispute. Zack and Dib worked on the music together during breaks and seemed to always to be around each other, plus, they weren't at each others throats. (Odd, had this person been Zim, he'd be trying to kill Dib. Fancy that…)

"Ok, freshman uniform fitting! Report to the band room!" said Connie cheerfully.

"Huh?" said Dib, who was working on a new rudiment. (Rudiments are simple drumming techniques that are built upon each other to make more difficult stuff. Like a parrididdle, is a simple exorcise that is left, right, left, left. Par I did le. And it can be paired with other hand to hand exorcises to make more complicated things….like parri parri cheese accent taps…or something…)

"Just go, you'll find out…" said Kat, lazily twirling one of her sticks.

Dib, Zack and all the other freshman headed for the band room. But when they got there, they all wanted to die.

"You will all be fitted for one of these lovely marching band uniforms! Made of dense cotton, these cute, two piece suits are hot in the summer and cold in the winter. And they smell of musk! Not to mention the various problems with every single one!" said one of the band moms happily. Dib and Zack just happened to be the first two dragged into the fitting room.

Both were first given medium suspender pants with small jackets. That was just fine for Dib, but Zack's pants were a bit long. Zack was given a small size and it fit.

"Ok, Zack, your number is 27 and Dib, 143." said another band mom, "Next!"

Zack and Dib were quickly pushed out of the room and told to go back to the practice field with everyone else. They did and on the way, they talked about the horrible uniforms.

"So ugly…could they find anything more dirty? I mean, come on!" said Dib.

"I know, plus, they do smell bad. Good ting we only have to wear them for football games and competition." said Zack.

"Yeah, really…" said Dib, "Geez, today is really gonna suck…it's nearly 105 degrees outside…"

"What are you talking about?" asked Zack.

"Oh, yeah, that's right, you weren't here on Monday. Marching Band pictures are today. They always take it outside on the hottest day of the week." said Dib, "So we have to wear those things for at least half an hour today…"

"Aw, shit…" said Zack, tilting his head back some and rolling his eyes. "I was burnin' up just standing there in the air conditioning…" They made their way out to the field and back to the drumline. They were on another break.

"And the love birds return…" commented Danny. Some of the line members snickered.

"Love birds?" said Zack, "That's a new one…"

"He's just jealous he didn't have a friend like you guys when he was a freshman." joked Kat, "Plus you two have been inseparable since yesterday. Guess what I said really got through to you guys."

"Yeah, you could say that." said Dib.

"Good, I'm glad you saw the light." laughed Kat.

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"Ok, picture time! Put all of your instruments by the bleachers and put on your uniforms!" said Mr. Burk over the loud speaker. No celebration was heard…The band and the drumline headed for the band room to get their uniforms. Zack and Dib got theirs and went to claim their corner of the band room.

Dib was able to get the suspenders on and the jacket. He was also able to get the bottom buttons, the zipper, the clip and one of the upper buttons. "Dammit…" he murmured, struggling with the last button. "Hey, Zack, can you help me here?"

"No problem." said Zack, getting the last button for Dib. Zack was able to get all of his done and Dib felt embarrassed. "Hey, everyone needs a little help sometimes."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." said Dib, still feeling embarrassed. Zack smiled at him and he felt a little better. "Thanks."

"Ah, don't worry about it, I'm sure I'll need your help one day." said Zack, patting Dib's shoulder. "Let's kick this picture's ass!"

They all headed out to the bleachers and sat in their respected rows. Everyone had their instruments and it made things somewhat crowded.

"Alright people, sit up strait and smile!" said the photographer/

"DRUMMERS DON'T SMILE!" shouted Beth, the photographer looked taken aback.

"Ok…everyone, except the drumline smile!" shouted the photographer. Everyone did so and the photo was shot. "Ok, thank you everyone! You can sign up for your picture here!"

"Eh, I'm gonna get a picture…I have no idea why…" said Dib, walking over to the table and filling out a form.

"Guess I will to, I mean, got nothin' better to do…" said Zack boredly.

When they were done, they put their uniforms away and returned to the field for more drill.

Friday, the last day of Hell Week, is always the pot-luck supper. Basically, everyone was given something to bring, like a side dish, main course, desert or drinks, then everyone just had a giant free for all. And of course, like the good percussionists that they were, they were up to no good and constantly caused trouble…

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It had been nearly four months since Zim last reported to the Tallest. It was several days till the end of the month, and Zim still hadn't sent anything. Zim was always prompt and never missed a beat. (Sorry, bad joke…) So, the Tallest decided to contact him. They appeared on the giant monitor to have Zim's back to them, pack and all.

"Stupid invert perri perri cheez flam tap reverse ghosting…" mumbled Zim, fiddling around with the piece of music.

"Zim? What is that racket?" asked Red, eyes twitching every time the drum was struck.

"Eh? Oh! My Tallest!" Zim spun around, drum and harness equipped.

"And what is that…thing attached to you?" asked Purple, pointing to the drum.

"Ah, yes…This is what's known as drum, and it creates what earth people consider music…Apparently it's somewhat like a game, a competition thing…I can send you some information on it if you like…" said Zim, sliding his sticks into the quiver.

"Yes…that would be interesting. And this music you speak of…it's not computer based?" asked Red, clearly interested for once.

Zim shook his head, "Not at all, the people here create the music themselves with the help of various instruments they blow into to create a sound. Only drums are struck with something to create a sound." he set the drum down on the floor. "I can also send some video files along with some sound chips."

"Yes…" said Purple, marveling at how determined Zim sounded about this…music thing. He didn't act like his normal, 'I'm better than you are' attitude…Had he been like this from the start, he would have made a pretty decent invader. "Have you…changed? You seem different…"

"I've undergone some rigorous training here as well…" said Zim, "If I were to choose the training from here or from Irk again, I'd choose Irk. The humans I deal with now have as much power over their race as you do with our own." He chuckled softly. "Some of the humans in this band program would give you a run for your monies."

"You're saying that these band humans have as much power and influence as we do?" said Purple, utterly shocked.

Zim nodded, "These human aren't even full grown and they have your power. Especially the drumline human, although full grown, the children scatter just at the sound of his voice!"

The Tallest stood there, mouths agape. They were amazed at what Zim was saying, and how he was acting. He was just so calm about everything, it was like he was a totally different person. Not the same ranting lunatic they tried to kill on trial, back a few years. Red was the first to come out of his trance.

"That's amazing, and they don't think anything of you?" Red remembered all the disguises Zim used to done.

Zim smiled. "Not a bit. Like the humans always say, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer." he said referring to a book my Machiavelli called 'The Prince' (More useless literature…)

"Yes…we look forward to those videos and music chips you'll be sending us. Thank you for your update." said Red.

"Thank you, Zim signing off." Red noticed that Zim didn't say 'invader' Zim signing off…another odd change for Zim. He looked at Purple.

"You ready for a vacation?" he asked.

"Sure, what are you plotting?" replied Purple.

"Just a little visit to a certain planet…" said Red with a sly smile.

"Can't wait. When do we leave?"

"Immediately…"

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(Yeah, ok, this chapter seems to be pretty strait forward, but remember, expect the unexpected! So what you might think it going on, will change in the next chapter! Hope you like it! Prepare for more….eventually….)