note:uggh. Severe writer's block going on here, so forgive any mistakes in this chapter.

Zim seemed to have been in high spirits since I'd accepted his offer to help him. But there was something that worried me more than anything: GIR was solemn and silent. But most of all, serious. There just had to be something going on if the little android wasn't screaming about tacos and/or waffles.

"Dib," Zim called from over an intercom. "I have a test you need to take." Oh, yeah. This should be fun. "Please go through that door," and at those words arrows flashed on the cieling towards the door on my left, even though it was the only door. I stepped through, not knowing what could happen. The room was a large dome, and Zim was sitting in a control room at the top. "Ever fought before?"

"You're making me fight GIR?" I asked, anger creeping into my voice. "Don't worry, Dib. The only way you could lose is if you did so on purpose." Oh. When he 'fixed' me he must have done a few other things, too. But before I could give any more thought to it, GIR sprang forward, eyes blazing red and fist raised.

To my surprise, I found his fist moving quite slow in my mind's eye. Then, seemingly of it's own accord, my brain calculated the speed at which the fist was traveling at and what the minimum force would be to stop it. I blinked, then stepped to the side. GIR missed completely, and fell over himself behind me. Before I could turn around, GIR was on his feet again and coming back at me, this time aiming to kick. Again my brain did those involountary calculations, and this time I blocked. GIR's leg fell away with a loud thunk and without hurting my arm at all. He then tried to counter with a punch, and this time I jumped high above his head. Twisting around with precision impossible to me before, I threw my leg out and crushed GIR's head with a kick. He flew back about three feet, and this time didn't get back up. Looking up towards the control room at the top of the white dome, I got the pleasure of seeing Zim's face. He expression was twisted in surprise, antennae both straight up in the air. Finally, he regained his composure, and said, "Very well done Dib. Far past expectations." I grinned, knowing our mission was going to be a success no matter what the Tallest's threw at us.

GIR got back up, smiling. "Wow, Dib. I didn' know you were so fast."

"I didn't know either."

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note: You better believe Dib's gonna kick some serious ass now!