Disclaimers: I do not own Invader Zim
Author's Notes: Okay I just wanted to thank the Guest Reader who gave me all those Grammar corrections for the last Chapter. Thank you so much, and guys I'm not perfect so if you see an error, please let me know. I promise I won't get mad; in fact, I appreciate the feedback. Anything that makes my story better for my readers. Anyway, thanks again my mysterious Guest Reader I dedicate this next chapter to you.
(Back with Dib…)
He was beyond worried, and for good reason.
It was lunch time, and Dib had yet to see Miz. And rumors of a fight going on in the guy's bathroom; were not making him feel better about the situation. Dib sat down at his usual table with Gaz and Peg as he looked around franticly. "Where is he?" he asked.
"Dib I'm sure he's fine." Gaz snapped getting slightly annoyed by his frantic behavior, or perhaps it was the subject of Keef altogether. The guy always made Dib get this way, and it would take forever for him to settle back down.
"Yeah, maybe he got caught up with something else." Peg tried to assure him.
But Dib was not convinced. "He always ruins everything!" he snapped, beating his fist on the table, tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "I finally find the perfect guy and he ruins it!"
"I'd hardly call myself perfect." A familiar voice said behind him.
Dib turned tomato red as he turned around to see… "Miz you're okay."
Zim stiffens as the boy hugs him but returns the gesture after a moment.
"I heard about a fight during class, and I got worried." Dib startled his usual rambling as he pulled away.
"I'm fine." Zim told him as they sat down. "But there was a fight." He admitted.
"You didn't?" Gaz asked.
"Oh, I totally decked him." Miz admitted.
"MIZ!" Dib exclaimed, he wasn't trying to stand up for Keef, but fighting was not tolerated. Miz could be suspended for this.
"He bombarded me with pictures." Zim argued. "And jumped me for my phone, it was strictly self- defense." He argued. "You haven't seen him, have you?" he asked looking around him.
"No." Dib answered. "Not since this morning."
Miz looks relieved. "He was trying to find a way to get you to hate me before we went out tonight." He said. "But don't worry I'm pretty sure he won't be bothering you anymore."
"I wish it was that simple." Dib said. "But not even Gaz can scare him off."
"I busted him up pretty badly Dib." Zim admitted.
"MIZ!" Dib shouted again. "Are you crazy?"
"Hey don't lecture me!" Miz snapped. "That pig had it coming! Going on with the My Dib this, and my Dib that! He's lucky all he got was a busted lip, and nose."
Dib's blush deepened, at Miz's words. He looked genuinely frustrated with the way Keef spoke so possessively of him. It made Dib think that maybe there was hope for them. After all, the guy must care for him in some way if he was willing to fight for him.
Zim felt his spooch flip at Dib's blushed face, how the kid could make him so breathless from that scarlet tint in his skin was beyond him. No one ever looked at him this way before. 'And no one should.' His Irken Programing told him, 'No defective should think they have the right to be with an Irken of your caliber.'
"So, what, you got two punches in?" Gaz asked bringing him back to the moment at hand.
"Yeah and then he ran like a little baby." Miz went on. "Even had the nerve to call me a freak!" he shook his head. "He's the freak."
Dib was floored, he knew Miz could fight, but he never saw him as violent, but apparently, he could be.
Miz sighed, as he seemed to calm down. "I'm sorry I lost my temper." He admitted. "The way he talked about you like you were his property just made me blow up. It won't happen again." he said, looking him in the eye. "I promise."
Dib found a smile forming on his face, this guy, who he only knew for a little over a week had punched his tormentor for him. He had defended his honor, and here he was trying to lecture him. "It's okay." He told him. "I just…he always wins in the end. You'll be suspended for sure!"
Zim smiled. "I think I'll be fine." He assured the boy. "I just wanted you to hear the story from me and not Keef." He went on. "He said he was going to tell you I was one of those freaks you read about."
Dib laughed. "Seriously? If anything, Keef is the freak."
Zim smiled. "I thought so." He said, his plan was working perfectly, by being honest with Dib. The boy was more likely to believe him than any rumors Keef might had already started spreading.
"Would Norman Richards please report to the Principal's office? I repeat. Would Norman Richards please report to the Principal's office?" A voice said over the intercom.
A big chorus of Ohhhh filled the cafeteria, but Zim ignored them.
"Another one of Dib's latest victims." Zita said as he walked by here. "Well, we did warn him." She added.
Dib bit his lip as he watched him go, surely Miz wanted nothing to do with him now. After all there was no way Keef was going to let this go. And yet Miz looked so sure of himself.
"Don't worry he's still new." Peg said. "The principal will have to go easy on him."
Her words did little to calm his fears, in fact they enticed him to run to Miz's aid. Dib ran out of the lunchroom and down the hall eager to catch up with his friend and convince him to stay. Miz was the only thing he had that was remotely close to a long-term friend at this hell hole. And now he could lose him, thanks to Keef and his big mouth.
Little did he know that his new friend had a plan for Keef's big mouth. One that would work forever in his favor…
(Back with Zim…)
Zim walked to the principal's office in a calm manner. As if he was not in trouble at all, and at the moment he was not. The Swollen Eyeball was so busy keeping an eye on Dib that Miz was completely off their radar.
He knew this because his PAK was still wired into their mainframe, and all of the spy bugs they had posted at the school were currently on Dib. Which means no one was watching as he walked to the principal's office. And no one saw as he took a nicely wrapped present out of his locker on his way over.
The enemy was none the wiser, as Zim approached his targets.
Yes, he had two in mind, not just Keef, but the Principal too! The stupid red head didn't know it yet, but he had done a service for Zim. Zim entered the office to see a very angry principal Prickled and an even angrier Keef.
"Sit down Norman." Mr. Prickled was a scrawny man, with glasses, and an ugly sweater vest that made Zim cringe at the sight of him.
"That's him alright." Keef said. "That's the freak who did this to me." He snapped gesturing to his still busted up face, which was swelling now.
"Silence Keef!" Mr. Prickled said firmly.
'Scrawny but firm.' Zim thought with a smile… 'Excellent.'
"Now do you have anything to say for yourself Mr. Richards?" Mr. Prickled went on.
Zim shook his head, looking sorrowful. "Only that I am very sorry. I should have just let Keef borrow my phone." He said.
"What?" Keef said confused.
"And I was hoping I could apologies." He said placing the gift on Mr. Prickled's desk.
"What's that?" Keef snapped.
"It's an apology present." Zim said. "My friend Purple designed it."
"What kind of name is Purple?" Keef snapped.
"It's a nick name." Zim assured him. "Anyway, by giving you this gift I officially apologies, and surrender Dib to you."
Keef's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Zim smiled. He knew Dib would reel him in. "Of course, I will also accept any punishment you give me." He said to the Principal.
Mr. Prickled looks unsure, this whole experience feels off to him, making him feel uneasy, but he nodded none the less. "You can open it if you want to." He told Keef.
Keef took the present and slid it over in front of him, and with a victorious smile. He pulled the ribbon of the bow.
Zim watches in delight as his grin turns into a silent scream of horror, as two mechanical arms reach up from the gift and pull the boy's eyes out.
Mr. Prickled is struck from behind before he can let out so much as a warning yelp, and falls to the ground just as another pair of arms pull his eyes out as well.
Zim chuckled as the arms took the eyes and replaced them with ocular implants that matched their real ones. "You see gentlemen my friend Purple came up with an idea to turn enemy soldiers into little puppets at our control. He called it Code Purple, after himself, he likes naming things after him." He explained. "For now on, you two will do whatever I say, and report back to me what you see."
The two rose to their feet, both waiting for a command.
"Mr. Prickled you will give me the location to where you placed all of your new staff members." Zim stated. "They are enemies of the Irken Empire and must be watched."
"Yes, master Zim." Mr. Prickled answered and gave him a list of new staff and their positions in the school, before returning to his normal duties as if the boys were not there. He even called his secretary to confirm a meeting.
Zim turned to Keef then. "And you my annoying little pig will leave Dib alone because he is mine!" he hissed. "And you will stay out of my line of sight if you know what is good for you."
"Is that all Master Zim?" Keef asked.
"For now, go chase a squirrel or something." Zim ordered.
Keef salutes and opens Mr. Prickled office window and jumps out to go find a squirrel to chase. Zim smiles as the boy disappears from sight.
"Call the police on him for harassment." Zim tells the principal. "I never want to see his face again."
"As you wish." Mr. Prickled said and dialed 911.
Moments later Dib raced into the office as the bell rang for 5th period. "Mr. Prickled he's innocent! -" He stops to see Miz shaking the principal's hand.
"You can return to class Norman" he went on as Dib just stared. "Thank you for letting us know how much of a nuisance Keef was to Dib."
"Dib?" Zim exclaimed as he noticed him, of course all evidence of what had just occurred was gone, even the gift box had denigrated once its job was complete, taking the real eyes with it...
"Where's Keef?" Dib asked dumbly.
"Well Norman's parents threatened to sue him for attacking him in the restroom." Mr. Prickled answered. "And well Keef is still on probation from his incident with you. And since you were within 15 feet of him he's violated his restraining order, and attacked another student in the same day. I had no choice but to call the police, and then well…"
"He jumped out the window." Miz answered.
Dib was stunned. "You…he's…"
"Gone forever?" Miz asked as they left the office and began to walk to class. "Looks like it."
"You're my hero!" Dib exclaimed.
Miz shook his head. "My dad's a well-respected man, we may be new to the community but apparently we're more believable then that guy."
"I can't believe you did this!" Dib exclaimed as they reached their lockers, coincidently the boy's lockers were relatively close, just two apart to be exact. Dib never believed in any of that fate or destiny crap, but he was starting to. Miz was like his guardian angel sent down to rescue him from evil.
Zim smiled, it was strange to him, but he was glad Dib could breathe a little easier now that Keef was gone, besides, it helped his cause. Now he had Dib all to himself as his one and only enemy. Yes, that's what all of this had been about, Zim saved Dib for no other reason, especially not because he cared!
"Hey no one messes with me and my friends." Zim said. "I thought I made that clear last night?" he said as they left their lockers and walked to their 5th period class.
Dib smiled as he remembered how Miz had risked his life to save him, he should have known the guy would have had his back here too. "So, we still bowling tonight?" He asked hopefully.
Zim smiled. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." He assured him as he bell rang making them tardy for 5th period just as they reached the classroom door.
"Late!" Mrs. Bitter's said appearing out of nowhere.
"Oh, come on we already have detention!" Dib exclaimed.
"Rules are rules." Mrs. Bitters said passing out more pink slips.
"A hero's welcome." Zim teased as he took his slip. "I feel so appreciated."
"I appreciate it." Dib assured him as they took their place in the front row. Dib wasn't sure why Miz liked to be so close to the door. However, he did notice that this was his spot without fail no matter what class he was in.
"Hey where's the teacher?" Miz asked.
"Didn't you guys here?" Old Kid asked. "We got a new teacher today."
"Silence!" Mrs. Bitters screeched as she took her seat at the front desk causing the students to shake around her.
Dib and Zim could not help but cringe as reality set in, Mrs. Bitters the leader of the Swollen Eyeball was going to be their teacher. Zim couldn't help but smile as fate reared its ugly face. He always hated how the universe played jokes like this on him. It was as if it was saying, "Hey Zim you want a challenge how about this for a challenge." He laughed despite himself. 'Its official this planet hates me.' he though, not feeling surprised in the least bit.
"No, I can't do this." The kid behind Miz said. "One year was enough someone please…MERCY!"
Miz chuckled darkly. "Someone's got a reputation." He mused.
"Don't make eye contact!" Dib warned as he hid behind his opened text book. "She eats kids for breakfast!"
Miz laughed. "I am unworthy to be in her presence." He said.
"Miz you are so weird sometimes." Dib whispered back.
Miz gave him that famous smile, the one that made him blush slightly and feel all tingly inside. "You know you love it." He teased.
"You're never going to let me live it down are you?" Dib asked as Mrs. Bitters began to write on the board with her chalk, it made screeching sounds as she wrote.
Zim's smile grew. "Me use your feels for me to my advantage?" He scoffed. "Why I would never…"
Dib gave him a playful punch. "You're a real jerk you know that right?"
"Yeah but I'm your jerk." Miz reasoned.
Dib blushed and Zim chuckled, if he was being honest he'd admit that he was beginning to like that shade of red. Part of him wanted to keep making him turn into that shade of scarlet. However, the other part of him, the Irken part. It was warning him that he was poking a very dangerous beast with a stick.
He was getting in too deep when it came to Dib, however at the same time he could not seem to stop himself from giving in. It was Lard Nar all over again, and he knew it. And yet Zim liked being with Dib, and he liked being himself while doing it. And this is why being an invader was so beneficial for Zim. As a defective he was different from the other Irkens, but as an invader he spent most of his time being someone else. And he did so around other races that the Empire saw as defective.
This allowed him to be himself, because the other Irkens just thought he was really good at his job. None of them ever realized that he wasn't pretending, that being around defectives like the humans was so easy, because he was a defective too. It was the perfect cover, however said cover never lasted long.
Zim's longest mission had been ten years, and no matter how long it was it all ended the same way. In the end he won, the plant was either destroyed or conquered, and he had to go back to Irk, where he would pretend to be something he wasn't. It made him dread coming home, because he knew that going there meant he could not be himself.
Dib gave Miz a worried look, his friends face looked sad. "What's wrong Miz?" he asked.
"Oh, I was just thinking, about when I'm leaving." Zim answered honestly.
"What do you mean?" Dib asked as Mrs. Bitters started to drone on about space, and the big bang theory.
"My dad never stays in one place long." Miz explained. "He's a traveling Architect remember…one day I'll leave…"
Dib's breath hitched, because the thought had never occurred to him, he never thought he could lose Miz by the hands of his own father's job. "Hey don't worry." He assured him. "We'll be friends forever." He assured him.
"Friends forever?" Miz scoffed. "What are we ten?"
Dib gave him his famous scowl, his eyes peering harshly over his glasses. "You know what I mean." He told him.
Miz smiled, but it looks forced. "Yeah I know, sorry I just get in these ruts sometimes." He explained. "Don't let me ruin your mood."
Dib smiled. "Don't worry I'll be fine." He assured him. "Might even find a way to get you out of your rut." He boasted.
"Now that I would like to see." Miz mused. "But hey maybe if my head was as big as yours, I would have some room for positivity too."
"My head is not big!" Dib whined.
"Mr. Membrane!" Mrs. Bitters yelled. "Detention!"
"What!" Dib shouted. "But Miz!"
Miz snickered. "Busted." He teased.
"Richards detention!" Mrs. Bitters hissed.
"What come on?" Miz complained.
"Ha! Karma!" Dib teased back. "That's what you get for being a jerk."
"It's not my fault." Miz complained. "You make it so hard to resist."
"Both of you Detention for a week!" Mrs. Bitters went on, the two boys just smiled at each other.
"You know Miz I'm beginning to think you're a bad influence on me." Dib said.
"You think?" Miz asked.
"Yep you're nothing but bad news." Dib said.
Miz laughed darkly. "You have no idea." He teased.
No idea at all…
-To Be Continued
Chapter End Notes:
Okay I know it's short, but I hope you liked it all the same. Thanks for reading and please leave a comment. (If you want!) The Next update will be soon.
So, until then this is Emily Signing off…