Author's Notes: Thanks for reading! Here's the next chapter, please enjoy and review!
(Back to Zim and Dib…)
Yes, it was official…
Miz could totally kick Dib's butt!
Dib grunted as his friend Miz's blow barely grazes him.
It was 5:00pm on Thursday afternoon, and as promised Dib had taken Miz to his weekly training at the dojo located in the town mall. If you could even call it a mall, the place only had like 10 stores all together, and that included the food court and the dojo.
It was sad really, but to Dib's relief Miz didn't mind.
"I'm not a fan of big crowds." Miz had told him when they walked in.
"Oh good." Dib said relieved. "I didn't want you to think the class was a joke because it's so small. I mean I'm sure your class in Japan was huge."
"Well actually a class of 25 is pretty less than average as far as Japan is concerned." Miz had informed. He yawned despite himself, his full week of school was almost over, and pretending to be a naïve child was proving to be more exhausting than he thought. How Earth children did this everyday was beyond him, yes surely downloading the knowledge into your PAK saved time, lots, and lots of time!
However, knowing the information, and translating it in the human way was even more exhausting than learning it! Zim often had to remind himself to use smaller words before he spoke. humans were just too simple minded for him, we'll all but Dib who to his surprise knew a word or two that Zim himself didn't know the meaning of.
Yes, the boy beside him was a strange one, heck if he didn't know better Zim would say he was the alien.
"Man, we barely get 10; even on a good day." Dib admitted as they stepped into the class where Dib immediately introduced his friend to his instructor.
"Aw Membrane I see you finally recruited someone for the class." His instructor, Mr. Moto had said.
"Yep, this is Miz, and Darkbootie will be paying for his classes too." Dib informed him.
Mr. Moto's eyes widen for a moment, and then he nods. "Very well I will partner you two up for lessons." He said. "Miz is it."
"Yes." Miz answered.
"Got any fighting experience?" Mr. Moto asked.
Miz pulled out his phone and showed him a picture. "Well, I received my yellow belt before I left Japan." He informed him.
"Very Good." Mr. Moto said. "You two may begin sparring." And so, they did.
"I don't get it." Zim said, as he went for another attack, this time with a little more force. He hated that he had to pretend to only be a yellow belt. Especially, when he in fact knew fighting moves that would make black belts look like babies. However, it was necessary for his cover, so he dealt with it, but only just barely.
"Get what?" Dib asked his friend before receiving a foot in the gut. He manages to stay up right however and makes a move of his own.
"Why did Mr. Moto freak out when you mentioned Darkbootie?" He whispered. "And more importantly why are we training in a different room then everyone else?"
It was true, the boys were in a side room alone, while the other kids learned from Mr. Moto in the room outside.
"Because this is the room for private lessons." Dib explained, huffing as his foot misses Zim. 'Man, Miz is fast!' He realized. "Here private instructors can train their own students, and all they have to do is pay to use the classroom, and equipment."
"So, whose training us?" Zim asked.
"I am."
The boys turned to see an elderly man, possibly in his sixties, who is currently wearing a white robe with a black belt tied around his waist.
Dib looks unsure, he knows that voice. "Darkbootie?" He asked.
Darkbootie smiled. "Yes, I think our face to face is long overdue." He told his young partner.
Dib smiled, before today Darkbootie would show up as a robot karate instructor. He freaked the class out the first time he showed up, but once they realized he was a Membrane they relaxed. After all, Dib's family was one of the riches in town. Not only that, but Dib's dad was the greatest inventor the world had ever seen. So, of course his son would have his own ninja robot to teach him.
"It's great to finally meet you face to face." Dib admitted aloud.
Darkbootie smiled. "Like wise." He said before facing their newest partner. "Norman Welcome." He said, offering his hand.
"It's Miz." Zim said, accepting the handshake.
"Of course, how silly of me." Darkbootie says. "I saw your fighting just now." He added. "You have impeccable form."
"Thank you." Zim tells him, as their hands drop.
There's an awkward silence and for a moment Zim fears the man still suspects him, but that is not the case.
Darkbootie simply doesn't know how to interact with other people. He is an anti-sociable man who is used to working alone. He's stubborn, and likes everything just so, so much so that no one could ever stand working with him.
No one but Dib's mother.
"So, what are you doing here?" Dib asked, filling the silence. "I mean it's not like I'm not thrilled to finally meet you. It's just I thought you were swamped-"
"It's time Dib." Darkbootie interrupted.
"Time?" Zim asked. "Time for what?"
"It's time for you and Moth-Man to meet the rest of the Swollen Eyeball." Darkbootie answered, looking worried.
"Darkbootie did something happen?" Dib asked, catching on to his mood in an instant.
"Yes." Darkbootie admitted. "Just a couple of days ago I managed to intercept another transmission from space. From the same aliens you picked up six months ago. Not only that, but another fellow member just uncovered hidden research from another member who disappeared over 15 years ago."
"And it's somehow all connected." Dib asked.
"We believe so." Darkbootie said. He then turned to Zim. "Which brings me to ask you a favor." He said.
Zim's eyes widen, a favor. What could he need from him already?
"I have reason to believe that one of the voices I heard on the transmission was the same alien who attacked you in Egypt." Darkbootie said. "I know you said he only spoke in hisses, but I was wondering would you remember the sound of his voice."
Zim let out his breath in relief, of course he would have made the connection between the fake transmission and his story. He hadn't been figured out, he was being asked to help, to take an active role in this mission. He nodded. "I'd never be able to forget it." He said.
"I need you to listen to the transmission and tell me if you think it's him." Darkbootie said hopefully.
Zim took a noticeably shaken breath; the point is to come off as nervous and unsure. It works!
"I'll never leave your side." Dib promised him, placing his hand on his shoulder. "We're in this together."
Zim forced a smile. "Okay I'll do it."
"Good there will be a secret meeting tomorrow." Darkbootie informed them. "I will pick you up at seven and the three of us will go together."
Dib and Miz nodded.
"Right now, that's out of the way." Darkbootie cleared his throat. "Miz, can you tell me what's wrong with Dib's fighting technique?"
Dib's brow rose. "There's something wrong with my technique?" He asked.
"Yes." Darkbootie mused. "Miz?"
"You keep doing the same thing over and over again." Zim answered simply. "You strike, and miss, and repeat."
"Precisely." Darkbootie said.
Dib gives them both a confused look. "And that's wrong?" he asked.
Darkbootie sighed. "Dib there are three different kinds of fighters out there." He told him. "Miz what are they?"
"The Strong, The Quick, and The Brains." Zim answered easily. Of course, being a yellow belt Miz would know these things, Darkbootie was simply testing his knowledge as a teacher would naturally do. It was comforting to know that he seemed to have gained the old man's trust, but Zim didn't dare let his guard down.
No, to relax would be to welcome a mistake to come blowing through like a hurricane, and Zim simply did not make a mistake. He had a perfect record, getting it wrong was simply unheard of for him!
"Correct." Darkbootie praised, he couldn't help but smile, perhaps having Miz around would help in more ways than one. "Your strong fighters will use their brute strength against you. How do you stop him?"
"You try to our strength him?" Dib asked unsure.
"And if that doesn't work?" Darkbootie asked.
"You keep trying?" Dib asked, feeling rather stupid.
"And there lies your problem my boy." Darkbootie informed his partner. "You keep doing the same technique even after it fails over and over again. Miz if someone is stronger then you; what do you do?"
"Well, being a total lack of muscle myself." Zim admitted. "I usually depend on my speed to give me an edge over the enemy."
"Exactly." Darkbootie praised. "You see Dib fighting is not all about strength, or experience. It's about knowing your own body and what it is capable of."
"Okay I think I get it." Dib said.
"Alright that let's test that claim, shall we?" Darkbootie said. "Miz is not very strong, but he is stronger than you, he's also faster what do you do to overcome him?"
Dib opened his mouth to answer but stopped. After all what else was there? "If I can't out strength him or out maneuver him than he's gonna win every time." Dib complained.
"Wrong." Darkbootie said. "There are three kinds of fighters not two."
"You've got to use your brains." Zim cut in. "Out smart your opponents, which shouldn't be too hard with your big head."
Dib blushes tomato red. "My head is not big!" He shouted, lunging for his target.
Zim dodges with ease. "Are you kidding it's as big as an elephant's head." He teased.
Dib growls, he knows what his friend is doing, he's trying to make him angry, so he'll forget to use his head to outsmart him. It's working, and that fact alone shows Dib that he still had a lot to learn about fighting. It's not just a game of fist, it's a mental game too! And apparently since he was bad at the other two forms of fighting his real weapon must be his brain.
Dib forced himself to breathe, to tune out Miz's hurtful words, and try to find a way to use his intellect to turn the fight in his favor.
And that's when it hits him, fighting isn't about perfect form, or proper fighting techniques. In the middle of the fight, you won't be worrying about your foot placement, and you don't worry about using only official fighting moves either. No, you're worried about winning, about defending yourself and your planet at all costs.
Dib dodges Miz's next blow, and reaches down, pulling the training mat with all his might.
Zim yelps as the ground seems to be pulled from right under him, he lands on his butt completely thrown off. And it shows in his stunned expression, in fact only one thought seems to be able to process through his mind.
'Did I just get out done by a child? And by a simple rug pull no less?!'
"Miz you, okay?" Dib asked helping him.
"I'm guessing you've never been up against an opponent whocan out smart you. Am I right?" Darkbootie mused.
And just like that the tables had turned, and now it was Zim realizing that he himself had a lot to learn. 'It's just as I hoped.' He thought as he took Dib's hand and allowed him to help him up. 'Humans are so interesting.'
"Sorry about your butt." Dib said.
"Yeah, well I'm sorry about your head." Zim admitted. "I'll never make fun of it again; that's for sure."
Dib laughed. "It's cool, it's nothing I haven't heard before." Dib assured him.
Zim turned to Darkbootie. "Thank you." He said. "I look forwards to learning more."
Darkbootie couldn't help but smile, he could already tell he was going to like this kid. "Well, that's it for today, remember tomorrow, I will be arriving at Moth-Man's house at 7 sharp."
The boys nodded this was it, their first official meeting with their fellow Swollen Eyeball brothers, and sisters.
Dib could hardly contain his excitement, and he wasn't the only one.
Zim was looking at the boy before him with a new sense of admiration. 'Just when I think I've got you figured out you pull a fast one on me.' He thought to himself.
Was it possible?
Had Zim finally met his match?
Sure, the child was still learning, but the boy had just proved himself to be the perfect equal. The question was how?
Several had tried to outwit him, and they had failed…naturally of course. But Dib did it so easily.
Where had Zim gone wrong?
How was Dib able to outwit him?
"Oh, one more lesson before we go." Darkbootie said. "Dib, can you tell me where Miz went wrong?"
Dib smiled. "You're too confident." He told his friend. "If you're too sure of yourself you'll slip up and miss something important. Allowing the enemy to pull the rug out from under you."
"Literally." Darkbootie joked.
Now it's Zim's turn to blush, and he does. He knows it's beneath him, but he can't help it. 'Well would you look at that.' He said to himself. 'The Great Zim, Scourge of the universe; the one-man army. Schooled by a child.'
He had never been so embarrassed in his entire life!
'Thank Irk none of my fellow Irkens saw that.'
He could just imagine the look on the Tallest faces, they'd never let him live it down. "I'll try to keep that in mind." Zim assured them both.
"Alright I'll see you boys tomorrow." Darkbootie told them as they all departed.
"So, we cool?" Dib asked.
"Are you kidding?" Zim asked. "That was great." He admitted. "I've never had someone school me like that ever!"
"Really?" Dib asked.
"Yep, you Mr. are officially my new favorite sparring partner." Zim declared.
Dib smiled; it was like nothing he did could rub this guy off the wrong way.
Zim smiled back, never in all his years as an invader had his enemy made him lose his footing like that. And Zim had gone up against war heroes of several advanced alien races. Yes, this Dib was proving to be the perfect enemy.
Finally, a battle to look forward to, Zim was practically jumping out of his skin with excitement.
'I can hardly wait…'
-To Be Continued