Author's Note's: So now we start getting to the good stuff, well no that's a lie. We are about to read the chapter that gets the ball rolling towards the good stuff? Yes that's better...I think? Anyway please enjoy :)

(Present day)

[Location: Earth, School]

School…

It was the place human adults sent the annoying children of Earth so they themselves wouldn't have to deal with them! Zim withheld a growl of utter fury as the bus pulled in onto the bus ramp and opened its doors. He wasn't even really sure why he still bothered with this place called school. He already knew everything this place could possibly teach him about this pathetic mud ball called Earth! He also learned that most of what the humans thought was right about the world, and space itself was wrong! Like how they thought it was impossible to move faster than the speed of light, or that the laws of physics were an unbreakable force. It was sad really how stupid the human race was, and Zim was really beginning to wonder how they had survived for so long. In fact the only human who showed much promise was the Dib.

Zim stopped along the bus ramp as he waited for his arch enemy to get off the bus. It was strange how much they had grown to tolerate each other… Zim remembered a time when Dib would watch his every move from afar, but now the boy watched him by his side. It was strange really, they were enemies; but somewhere along the years of fighting each other they had grown a sort of understanding for one another, and their current situation.

Why?

It was simple really, you see when Dib was younger; and had first met Zim at the age of ten his outbursts were tolerated by his teachers, because he was young. However, once the two graduated to middle school Dib's teachers became less tolerating of their fist fights, and constant bickering. And eventually a problem emerged; possible expulsion, and neither of them could afford getting expelled.

Why?

Well for one thing this school was the only one in town, and Zim had already set up base here; he was a part of the society. Everyone now knew and trusted him, well…all, but Dib who no one believed when he screamed "Zim was an alien." It was every Invaders' wish to blend in so easily, to start over now in a new town could risk everything he had worked for because Zim would have to start over…AGAIN!

Dib's reasoning was simpler, his father would kill him if he got expelled. That and if he was expelled, they'd have to move to another county so that Dib could continue his education. And if he moved away no one would be there to stop Zim!

So thus a sort of treaty was formed. When they were at school the two of them were at a cease fire, but that didn't stop Dib from watching Zim like a hawk! No, it only stopped him from screaming "HE'S AN ALIEN!" and disrupting class. And it didn't take long for Dib to learn that the school bus didn't count as being at school. No on the bus Dib was fair game as far as Zim was concerned, and the alien always took the time to torture him in some way. Doing so before they stepped foot off the bus and into the "Safe Zone."

However, the cease fire had its advantages too! Zim and Dib were both allowed to continue going to school. Zim used the free time from Dib's usual interference to absorb as much human knowledge as he could from his classes, and the school library. Meanwhile, Dib used the cease fire to study Zim at a closer angle; by his side! And since no fighting was allowed within the "Safe Zone." Zim could not object to Dib invading his personal space! It took some time, and effort on both of their parts, but eventually the treaty worked to both of their advantages.

In fact it worked so well that some thought that Zim and Dib had settled their petty differences and were now the best of friends. Zim laughed at the thought, he and Dib friends; now that was funny! The Irken's eyes narrowed as the boy walked off the bus, because even with the treaty in place Dib still got in his way. For during the hours after school and on the weekends the treaty was null and void! And that was Zim's current dilemma, he needed a way to neutralize the Dib completely. Sure, he could kill the boy. In fact, it would be very easy for him to do so and make it to where not even his ashes would remain. However, Zim decided a long time ago that he wanted the Dib to see the day his people took over his pathetic world. Yes, Zim wanted to see the look on Dib's face when he realized all his efforts had been for nothing! And it was this desire that allowed Dib to get away with ruining his every plan!

'I need to find a way to get the better of him.' The Irken thought. 'But how?'

'He's plotting something.' Dib thought as he walked towards his enemy. Yes, he was sure of it now, Zim always had that same look when he was plotting something. 'Well whatever it is I'm ready for you Zim!'

Zim could see the boy's mind mauling over something or another; the evidence of it was written all over his face! However, the alien was not worried, the Dib could do nothing while they were in the "Safe Zone", so the Irken simply shrugs and begins to walk up the bus ramp to the school's side entrance.

Dib hurried to close the gap in between him and Zim, and soon they were walking up the ramp alone together; that is until a certain nuisance came into the picture.

"So guys are you as excited as I am about today's trip?" Keef asked as he raced to catch up with them.

Neither Zim nor Dib actually liked Keef, but the kid just didn't know how to take a hint. So the two decided just to accept the fact that he'd never leave them alone and tolerated his presence. Zim and Dib both groaned at the mentioning of the trip in question. How could they have forgotten about the trip?

Today their Marine Biology class was taking a glass bottom boat field trip in order to observe marine animals in their natural habitat. Which meant their whole class would be crowded on a tiny little boat in the middle of the ocean all day, and they had to go because the trip was the research part of a report due later that week.

Zim cringed at the mere thought of being surrounded by the ocean, and smelly humans all day in closer quarters then he was used to.

Dib smiled at his obvious discomfort. "I hope you brought your glue otherwise that ocean spray is going to sting."

"Of course, I brought my glue you foolish worm." Zim hissed. "I never go anywhere without it, not with this planet's unpredictable weather!"

Dib frowned as Zim pulls some glue out of his PAK to prove his point. Of course, the lizard would remember to bring it, after all he was a trained enemy soldier. Dib sighed; his job was so much easier when Zim knew very little about Earth. Now Zim knew just as much as Dib did, and probably even more. Dib supposed he should have seen this coming. After all Zim was a soldier of an advanced species. His very life purpose was to blend in with an alien race and spill all their secrets to his leaders. So Dib could only assume the Irken was good at it, otherwise they wouldn't have chosen Zim for the job.

Still it had been a lot easier for Dib to keep up when the Irken was clueless, but now Dib found that Zim was becoming a more effective adversary. In fact, there were some schemes of his that Dib was barely able to stop in time. Yes, the truth was becoming very clear to him that he was winning out of pure luck! Of course, Dib would never admit that to Zim, no he had to make the alien think he was keeping up with him, instead of secretly drowning! Fortunately for Dib though, Zim's plans were no longer as frequent; giving the human some sort of break from the madness from time to time. However sooner or later Zim would figure out that his enemy was having a hard time keeping up with him.

Zim smiled at Dib's disappointment; in truth he was already well aware of the Dib's own dilemma. The filthy Earth child was having a hard time keeping up, but that was to be expected Zim was after all several decades older than the child. And yet, somehow, one way, or the other the child managed to keep his head above the water; so to speak. And the very fact that the child managed to pull it off again, and again without fail really amused him to say the least. Yes, he enjoyed watching the boy's fight to the death spirit in action. The way the child struggled against the impossible odds before him determined to overcome each impossible task that came his way.

It amused the Irken mostly because the majority of the humans would simply give up when things get too hard, but the Dib never did. He fought him tooth and nail no matter what the odds may be, and Zim had to admit he enjoyed the challenge that was Dib. Sure, the boy was annoying, but Zim found out a long time ago that without his adversary his mission would be far too easy; and easy meant boring in Zim's book.

No, he'd rather enjoy a challenge then have the humans just give him the planet, after all he became an invader for the thrills of being in the middle of battle. Not so he could take it easy while the enemy surrendered without much of a fight. Heck if that was the case than he'd might as well have stayed home on Irk!

"So anyways I was thinking we could hang out on the boat together." Keef went on.

"Uhhh…" Dib and Zim said in unison, both trying to find a way to escape Keef's company. After all one class with the guy was bad enough, but the whole day?! Zim would rather jump into the ocean itself than spend the whole day with Keef, and Dib was tempted to join him.

"Uhhh I get very sick on boats." Zim said. "Seasick, yes I wouldn't want to throw up all over you."

"Me too!" Dib agreed.

"Oh." Keef's face fell, and the two enemies decided to make a run for it before Keef offered to look after their sick selves while they were on the boat. "Okay see you guys later!" Keef yelled after them.

"I swear he's the most annoying human on this filthy mud ball." Zim swore once they made it to the safety of their lockers.

"Really?" Dib asked. "Even more annoying than me?"

"Irk no, you Dib, you are in a category of annoying all your own." Zim assured him. "I call it 'The Annoying Human with the Big Head' category." He said with a smile.

Dib's smile fell. "I hate you." He stated simply.

Zim snickered; Dib seemed to love to announce his hatred for him. It was something he did at least once daily, and sometimes even on an hourly bases. "I hate you more." He sneered.

Dib opens his mouth to start an argument, then stops as he remembers the rules of the treaty. No fighting of any kind; this included arguing! He closes his mouth realizing he has lost.

Zim's smile widens, this was one of the many advantages of the 'Safe Zone' he always won the small battles since Dib decided to be the bigger person; so to speak.

The bell sounds around them. It was time for the dreaded trip to begin! Zim stuffed most of his books in his locker, remembering to store the extra bottle of glue within it, inside his Pak with the first bottle for safe keeping; just in case the other one ran out. "Let's go worm the sooner we leave the sooner we can return."

Dib only nodded his agreement and followed Zim to their 7th period Marine Biology class where the students were meeting up for roll call. He wanted to say something clever, or at least call him lizard, or space boy, or something! But that was against the rules! No, Dib's name calling would only start a fight since Zim never allowed him to have the last word. Yes, as much as he hated it; Dib held his tongue for the sake of keeping the peace.

'Man I wish he'd just fall overboard or something.' He thought. 'Then he'd be out of my life forever, and the Earth would be safe.' If only life was simple, and yet as luck would have it, today fate would grant his wish.

However, while Zim might be going overboard, unfortunately Dib would be going with him!

Chapter End Notes

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