A/N: This is the final chapter of Part 1. I know it wasn't that long, but this was just meant to be an intro of sorts. Part 2 will be longer.
Disclaimer: Why do I have to keep saying this? Zim does not belong to me.
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It was about a week after Zim had passed the duel with Zak. Since that time, he had grown stronger and better. He was still his same old self, of course, but now he was competent, and actually capable of reaching his full potential.
Over the past week, both Zim and Zak had had several encounters with Dib, each one ending up with Dib being defeated and/or humiliated. By now, Dib had given up on Zak for his own safety, and decided instead to focus on Zim.
Now, however, the two Irkens stood before Zim's transmission screen in his lab. Zak had determined that Zim's training was now complete, and it was time to report in to the Tallest.
"My Tallest," said Zak, "I have called you to report on my success. I have successfully trained Zim. He has passed my test."
The Tallest looked at each other. "Wow. I didn't expect this so soon." Red muttered quietly.
Purple nodded. "Well Zim, since you passed Zak's test I guess its time to hold up our end of the deal." Purple signaled to someone offscreen. A cable flew down from the ceiling and attached to Zim's PAK (just like the flashback in the Sizz-Lor episode). The electricity went down the cable, and the screen showing Zim's ranking changed from "Food Services" back to "Invader Class". The cable then retracted back into the ceiling.
"As for you, Zak," said Red, "You will receive your reward and recognition as the Perfect Invader upon your return to the Massive." Zak grinned and nodded as the Tallest cut the transmission.
Purple turned to Red. "I can't believe we're going to grant Zim a pardon."
Red groaned. "Yeah, but we did make a promise. Besides, he passed Zak's training, right?"
Purple shrugged. "I guess. Ah, I'm hungry let's go eat."
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Back on Earth, Dib was preparing for an assault on Zim's base. He looked over his infiltration materials one last time before setting off. "Stealth suit? Check. Non-flash camera? Check. Extra roll of film? Check. All right, I'm ready."
Dib left his house, ignoring Gaz who was watching a commercial for Bloaty's, and headed down the street. He activated the stealth suit a couple blocks from Zim's house, becoming a mere blur of the scenery (like at the beginning of "Zim eats Waffles").
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Zak stepped outside Zim's door. "Well, I'd best be on my way. The Tallest are waiting." A jet pack emerged from Zak's PAK. He and Zim saluted each other as Zak lifted off, rocketing out towards his ship which was hovering safely out of sight in the outer levels of Earth's atmosphere. He entered the cockpit, and blasted away. As he left the atmosphere, he again pressed the button to open the wormhole. As he entered it, he grinned to himself once more.
Zim watched Zak lift off, then turned to re-enter his house. Dib slipped in right after him, just before Zim closed the door. Dib followed Zim toward the entrance to the lab, making sure to remain completely silent. Zim was just about to enter the lab when he sensed something. His antennae twitched. Dib froze, noticing the twitch and hoping against all hope that he hadn't been noticed. Unfortunately for him, that is exactly what had happened. "Computer!" Zim shouted. "Destroy the Dib!"
The large, thick cables rushed down from the ceiling at Dib. He managed to dodge most of the cables but was struck a glancing blow by one of them. It damaged his suit, making him visible again, and caused him to drop the camera. Dib reached to grab the camera when Zim stomped on it, smashing it to pieces, and grinning sadistically.
Zim dragged Dib over to the door, opened it, and literally threw Dib out onto the lawn. Dib stood up and brushed himself off, only to get attacked by the lawn gnomes. Meanwhile, Zim watched, laughing the whole time, before walking back into his house and shutting the door.
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A/N: That's the end of Part 1. What do you think? Part 2 coming soon.