Music Lessons
An Invader Zim Fanfiction by KidKourage
Part 4—ImpromptuYeeee! Script-form returns! Heh…no more of that 'lots of words crammed together' stuff. Man, Zim needs to learn to indent paragraphs. And to use commas better. And to stop putting rants in the middle of his descriptions. 9.9 Oh well. That last bit should at least have been an interesting change of pace, no? But now it's time for the culmination of all the musical fun—the Concert! …………I just hope KidK doesn't make a fool of herself. With her nervousness beforehand I am only slightly exaggerating. It's a good representation of my attitude prior to all public performances. 9.9* An 'impromptu' is a form that…has no specific form. That's why it's called an impromptu—each one is spontaneous and unique! ^.^
The scene is the auditorium at the skool! It's the night of the Year-End Concert, an event that exists wherever there are large public elementary skools. They almost always include the performances of a marching-style band with no strings that is usually populated by children who have only known how to play their instruments since January, and choral groups of various age or gender configurations (my skool had a girls' choir, a glee club for 7th and 8th graders, and a general chorus, for example). Sometimes, however, the Concert will also include solo acts by kids not affiliated with the skool's music program. And at this particular event, one of these musicians is currently engaging in her special 'pre-performance routine.'
KidK: O.O! I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!
'Nny: You're not going to die, Missy. You'll be fine. (he tentatively reaches out to pat her on the shoulder, looking worried that she might turn vicious and bite him ^.^)
KidK: Nooooo, no, this is bad. I didn't have enough time to get ready! I'm not ready at all! People are gonna point and laugh at me.
'Nny: o.ô Has that ever happened before?
KidK: Well…*sniff*…no. But usually I'm better prepared! O.O
'Nny (somewhat to himself): Okay…my turn to be the optimist. (to KidK) Missy, just calm down. There's nothing for you to worry about—I'm sure you'll play beautifully. But, even on the infinitesimal chance that you don't, what do you care? The audience is almost completely made up of people who have no musical experience whatsoever and are only here to see their own kids perform anyway.
KidK (smiling slightly): Heh…like you, right?
'Nny: o.o…well…I'm here to see Squeegee, yeah…and also you…
KidK: You know, you're right. I shouldn't be worrying for myself. I don't even go to this skool! I've got to concentrate on encouraging Zim and Todd!
'Nny: Right. So, where is Zim, anyway?
KidK (pointing): Over there, guarding his precious piano. Once he saw the skool's he refused to touch it. 9.9 Well, he had to bring some of his smaller speaker equipment anyway, so why not bring the piano too?
'Nny (deeply deeply confused): How…in the world…did you get all that here in your car?
KidK: Didn't. Maybe I shouldn't be telling…ah, you know about all that anyway. Since the whole Spring Break incident, Zim built another teleporter—a portable one so the Tallest will always have a second way back home if they ever break the stationary one again. I don't think he likes them much, but that's beside the point. We just brought the 'porter down here, let Gir distract everyone with his cuteness, and popped everything in like that. (she snaps her fingers) Simple.
'Nny: Why am I not surprised that no one else is even in the least bit suspicious? ¬.¬
KidK: Zim is one lucky little Irken. I just hope he gets to do his show like he wants. I threatened Dib with his life, so it should be fine, but still…o.o…
'Nny: Hey, hey now. Don't get all upset again. It's scary.
KidK: -.-* I always freak like this…and then I play fine. ^_^ No more worries! (she looks around) Hey! Where's our offspring? I want to wish him good luck.
'Nny: O_O…o…off…-.-…right, Squee. He should be with the band kids up at the stage…(he cranes to look through the growing crowd, and spots Squee) Over there, see?
KidK: Yep! (she waves) Hey, Todd!
Squee (turning to look): Missy! (he runs over at top speed, darting through the legs of spectators, and throws himself at KidK, who kneels to receive him) I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!
KidK (stroking his head soothingly): Shhh…no you won't…
'Nny (looking down at them, bemused): Like mother, like son, eh? Heh…
KidK (after flashing 'Nny an ironic smile): I'm sure you'll play just fine.
Squee: No, no, that's not it! I mean I'm gonna die! (he points back at the stage frantically) The band teacher is an alien! *squee!*
KidK: Who, Mr. Horn? He's not an alien. He's creepy as all get out, but he's not an alien.
Squee: How do you know?
KidK: Well, his mother plays the accompaniment piano for the chorus, right?
Squee: …yeah…
KidK: And she's a really nice old lady and certainly not a bloodthirsty alien, right?
Squee: I guesso…and they look alike so he must really be her kid…O.O…but it could be like that 'Men in Black' movie and he stole her real son's skin! (he buries his face in KidK's shoulder)
KidK: Hey, there's no need to worry.
'Nny: Yeah, even if he is an alien, you're an oboe.
Squee (looking up, confuzzled): What?
'Nny (matter-of-fact): Meaning that you sit near the back of the group. (he kneels down, puts a hand on Squee's shoulder and locks gazes with him) He'll have to get through all the flutes and trumpets before he gets to you.
Squee: *squee!!!*
KidK (mother voice): Now, now, don't listen to Johnny. u.u That teacher isn't an alien and he knows it.
'Nny: Hey, I'm just trying to reassure the kid…don't worry about that, Squeegee. You just get up there and…oboe.
Squee (smiling): Heehee! Is that really a verb? Anyway, the only reason I can play at all is 'cause you guys signed my permission slip and gave me money for the oboe…
KidK: Well, it was your birthday! ^.^
Squee: But you still didn't have to…yeah. (he gets a determined look in his eyes) I'm gonna do my best and make you proud. Thanks, Missy. (he hugs KidK)
KidK (hugging back): No problem, Todd. ^-^
Squee (turning to look nervously at 'Nny): And…umm…(he reaches his decision, and hugs 'Nny too) Thanks, Johnny.
'Nny: 6.6…O.o…9.9*…
Mr. Horn (calling from the stage): Todd? Todd Casil! Is Todd here?
Squee: I gotta go.
KidK: Good luck!
'Nny (still a bit unnerved): Yes.
Squee (waving as he runs off to the stage): See you later, Mom and Dad!
'Nny: o.o
KidK (standing up and brushing off her pants): He's such a sweet kid, isn't he? And so…well, even though he's deathly afraid of his shadow, he's got a mature attitude for his age. u.u We raised him good, eh…'honey?' ^.^
'Nny: O.O! Um…um…look, here's Zim! (he jumps to his feet) Er…I'm gonna go get a seat, okay?!
KidK: Okeedokee. See you after the show, right?
'Nny (nodding violently): Yes, yes! Ah…good luck! (in an instant, he's gone)
KidK: ^_^….o.o…wait, Zim? (she looks down to see her best friend scowling up at her)
Zim: What are you doing over here? Don't you know I need you?
KidK (laughing a bit at Zim's impatience): I'm coming, I'm coming. Take me to your piano, oh fearless leader mine.
Zim: u.u Right. (he takes her hand and turns to walk to the front of the auditorium, but then stops) ¬.¬…¬.O…(raising his voice) As you can see, she is coming with me now. Not with you. u.u (he resumes leading KidK to the front row of seats)
KidK: Do I even want to ask what that was about?
Zim: Just making sure certain humans know certain things. u.u
KidK: 9.9 And speaking of maturity…
Zim: What?
KidK: Nothing, nothing. So you got us some seats up here?
Zim (airily): Oh, the planning humans for this event have reserved a seat in the front row for their most amazing act of the evening.
KidK: o.ô Just one?
Zim: Yes. But if anyone tries to stop you sitting in the seat next to that, they will face my wrath. u.u
KidK (smirking): Right. Your wrath. I forgot. (she sits down in one of the blue plastic chairs nearest to Zim's piano)
Zim (sitting too): I'm told that we're scheduled to perform right after the band finishes its hideous mutilations of music…and that they are to begin after the singing children are finished.
KidK: Oooo, we're last?
Zim: Yesssss…it couldn't have been planned better if I were planning it…wait, yes it could. Of course I could plan it better than those filthy stink-things.
KidK: You're in a really domineering mood tonight, aren'cha?
Zim: ¬.¬ And?
KidK: It's cute! ^.^ Just don't try to dominate the music you play, or you'll ruin its feeling.
Zim: I understand. You told me that last night.
KidK: Hm? Um…no I didn't. I was too busy panicking and practicing my own song again and again to give you any advice.
Zim: Oh, you didn't tell me. But it was you that told me nevertheless. u.u
KidK: O…kay.
Zim (oblivious to her confusion): This will be the night of my spectacular triumph over the human race!
Everyone Seated in the Vicinity: *blink blink* o.o?
KidK (whispering): 6.6 Probably best not to yell about that, though.
Zim: It's not a problem. When I am through tonight they won't remember a thing other than that I am their Master. Eheh…ahahahahahaaaa!
KidK: O.O…9.9…
And just as Zim is freaking out all the people around him with his declarations of evil (though they will likely forget ever having heard anything of the like in a few minutes, because they are mindless), his arch-nemesis is entering the building. Along with his sister and his enemy's best friend's brother. They come in the front door of the skool and walk through the halls toward the auditorium.
Gaz: Why are you dragging me here, again?
Mike-the-Brother: You came because I came! ^_^
Gaz: ¬.¬…
Dib: You came, Gaz, because you have to be here to witness my victory over the alien menace. u.u When that monster plays his stupid piano everyone's going to notice that he doesn't play like a normal human. And when his plan to enslave us all inevitably doesn't work, he'll probably get all confused—because he's stupid and thinks he can actually win, ha—and I'll be ready to step in, capture him, and get the credit I deserve as the protector of mankind.
Gaz: ¬.O…
Dib: And after tonight, the field of paranormal studies will be respected as a legitimate and crucial branch of science! ^-^ (he is mighty pleased with himself)
Mike-the-Brother (fulla sarcasm): Yeah, I can just see the headlines now—'Elementary Skool Concert Saved by Raving Pirate in a Trenchcoat.'
Dib: That's right. u.u …what? 'Pirate?!'
Mike-the-Brother: You've got a bird. (points at Cobalt) See? Or didn't you notice?
Cobalt (asleep on Dib's shoulder): Cooooo…
Gaz: Why didn't you leave that thing at home? Or didn't you think your enormous head was enough to embarrass yourself and me?
Dib: I couldn't leave her at home!
Mike-the-Brother: Heheh…a boy and his birdie…it's your beloved companion now, is it?
Dib: No…I literally couldn't leave her. When I tried to she just followed and perched on me again.
Mike-the-Brother: Did you try…oh, I don't know…putting her in a cage?
Dib: o.o She escaped. And bit my ear afterward.
Mike-the-Brother: You know what? I think that parakeet is in love with you!
Cobalt: Chirrr…(she nuzzles Dib's cheek in her sleep)
Dib: ¬.¬* At least my pet doesn't drool all over everything.
Mike-the-Brother: Hey! Sammi's a better dog than your stupid bird will ever be! …wait.
Gaz: Shut up, both of you, and look for seats.
They enter the now rather crowded auditorium and begin the search for three empty seats together. There don't seem to be many possibilities, as the most rabid of band-parents have taken up the entire front and center section and the slightly-less-rabid-but-still-enthusiastic chorus-parents have settled behind and around them. Nevertheless, the trio does spot a rather empty section toward the back of the room. They're lucky they know someone who gives off a practically tangible aura of 'don't come near me,' huh? ^.^
Dib (poking Mike): Look, over there. It's…Johnny? What's he doing here?
Mike-the-Brother: Oh, he's probably here to see my sister. Meheheh…
Gaz: Who cares? (she pushes past them and heads off toward 'Nny's row) At least now I know there's someone here that isn't as stupid as you two.
Mike-the-Brother (following her): Yeah, right. ……….hey! I'm not stupid!
Gaz: .9 (she decides that her friend doesn't deserve a reply, and instead shoves some people out of her way and stalks down the row of seats toward 'Nny)
'Nny (staring off into space ^.^): O.O…………
Gaz: Hey, Johnny. (matter-of-fact) I'm sitting with you.
'Nny: o.ô Eh? (he realizes there's someone talking to him) Oh, hello, Gaz. Nice to see you. Of course you can sit.
Gaz: I know. (she hops up into the seat next to 'Nny, then glares at her two companions) You! Why're you just standing there?
Mike-the-Brother: I'm sitting, I'm sitting! (he sits down by Gaz, then leans forward to grin insanely at Johnny) So, did KidK invite you or something? Heh…
'Nny: ¬.ô I knew she would be here…but no. I was coming anyway to see Squeegee and just happened to run into Missy. O.O I wasn't doing anything!
Mike-the-Brother: Suuuuuuuuuuure…^________^
Gaz: Mike, shut up.
Mike-the-Brother: Okay! (he glances at Dib, who is still not seated) What's up, Dib?
Dib: I just don't know if this is the best place to sit…it's kind of far away and I want to be able to see if anything's going on…(under his breath as he scans the audience) Where are you, you filthy alien…?
Gaz: Fine. Then go away.
Dib: Hey! Yeah, there's a seat up in the fifth row right on the aisle! Perfect! I'll be able to see him but he won't even know I'm there! See ya, guys! (he dashes off to secure his new surveillance point)
Mike-the-Brother: Can we all say 'obsessed?' 9.9
Gaz: Can you say 'I'm going to shut up now like Gaz told me to?'
'Nny: O.O……………what? Did you say something?
Mike-the-Brother: . Some fun this is gonna be…
Wow, Gaz is really in a bad mood, huh? Well…maybe not so different from normal, actually. 9.9 A few more minutes pass as people struggle to find their seats. They keep chattering away and saying hello to people who may or may not be the parents of their children's friends, until a nervous-looking man in glasses comes to the front of the auditorium with a microphone. Behind him, a large group of children is filing up onto choir risers (the stage proper has been set up for the band kids to sit on later). The man clears his throat and tries to get the attention of the crowd. This guy is based on the chorus teacher at my elementary skool. He wasn't named Horn but he did have an instrument for a name! ^_^
Mr. Horn: Um…if I could have your attention, please? Ahem. Please? Okay. As you know, tonight our music programs will be presenting the results of months of work. Our kids are really talented, and we here at the Skool are very happy that all you parents are encouraging them to broaden their horizons and participate in one of our groups.
Rabid Band-parent: One? My Daphne belongs to every music group at this skool. u.u
Mr. Horn: Ahaha…and she's quite the musician, I'm sure. (he pulls at his collar nervously) As are all the children who will be performing tonight. Now…first off, we'll have a recital by our lovely Junior Chorus! Please give them a hand.
All the Chorus-parents: Yaaaaaaaaaaay!
They go nuts with the applause. Once that's died down, Mrs. Horn, who is indeed Mr. Horn's mother, begins her piano introduction (not on Zim's piano, of course u.u), and the chorus starts singing the usual medley of popular songs that usually involves many cute accompanying hand gestures. Aw! I used to love watching those lil' guys sing. ^.^ Meanwhile, in the audience…
Dib: Eh…too bad we didn't get here in time to get a program. Stupid Mike, walking so slow. .o Now I don't know when Zim's scheduled to play!
Chorus-mom (elbowing Dib in the ribs): Shhhhhhh! Can't you see our Pamela is singing now?
Dib: Ow! (he rubs his side irritably and mutters) Feh…not even as though they're singing well…
Chorus-mom: ¬_ô What was that?
Dib: Er…yeah…she's really good. ^_^*
Random Spectator (tapping Dib on the shoulder and hissing): Hey, boy, move your big head. I can't see Robert!
Dib: ò.ó…my head's not big!
Random Spectator: Uh, yeah it is. And did you know you have a bird on your arm?
Dib: -.- Ignore them, ignore them, you're here to stop the alien…(he does ignore the complaining parents, and instead cranes his neck to look for Zim) There you are…heh, don't think you can get away with anything as long as I'm around. I'll let KidK play her song, sure, but if you try anything funny I'll be there to—. Ow!
Chorus-mom: Quiet!
A few rows up, KidK is having a good time indeed. The kids finish their first song to another rousing round of applause.
KidK (clapping wildly): ^.^ Yeah! You rock, guys! Bring the sound!
Zim: ¬.¬ They've got nothing on me.
KidK: No, no, you're the Kami of Music for sure, but I've gotta root for these guys cuz they might be the future artists of tomorrow—maybe followers of yours, you know!
Zim: All will follow Zim. u.u They should hurry up and finish so I can make them follow.
KidK: Yay! Sing more! ^_^
Zim: Feh.
The rest of the choral program finishes without event, and the singers walk off the risers beaming with pride. Several of them simply stand off to the side while the others exit. Then this group takes the steps onto the stage to sit in their places for the band recital. As the rest of the musicians emerge from the wings to file into place, Mr. Horn takes up his mic again.
Mr. Horn: Wasn't that great? We're very proud of our chorus, which has performed beautifully at all their competitions this year. ^-^ I'm proud to have conducted them. (aw, he's so cute!)
Chorus-parents: Woooooo! Yeeeeeeah! Etcetera!
Mr. Horn: Now we'll be hearing from our award-winning band! This group of talented students has been particularly successful this year with the addition of many new members.
Band-father (interrupting loudly): Yeah! Like my Eric!
Band-mom (equally loud): And our Gretchen!
KidK (unable to resist): And my Todd! ^.^
Zim (horrified): KidK! (he grabs her arm) Control yourself. You must be my dignified teacher tonight.
KidK: So? I can cheer my son on if I want. u.u
Zim: …and you also must stop saying things like that.
Up on stage, Squee and the other named kids are blushing furiously. This kind of thing always used to happen at my skool's band concerts. Man I loved those things. Too bad I'm a pianist and not a band…instrument…player. 9.9*
Mr. Horn: For this season, the band has prepared selections from several of your favorite Disney movies, beginning with the ever popular 'Lion King,' and continuing through 'Pocahontas,' 'Aladdin,' and 'Beauty and the Beast.' Now, without further ado, please put your hands together for the Skool band! (he replaces his microphone and heads up to the stage to take his place as conductor)
The crowd goes wild as the band does that obligatory 'tuning' thing where one kid plays an F note and holds it while everyone else gradually joins in until the sound fills the room completely. Then, after a moment of silence, Mr. Horn begins waving his hands wildly like conductors everywhere, and the students start playing. In the back of the audience…
Mike-the-Brother: 'I Just Can't Wait to Be King?' This is the same stuff they played back when I went here. Probably even the same as when KidK did! 9.9 Well, what can you expect from a skool band?
'Nny: ¬.¬ Who cares what they're playing? It's music.
Mike-the-Brother (deathwish): Is it? Sounds pretty awful to—
Gaz (maybe she really does care about Mike): So, Johnny, Squee's in band? I didn't know that. What does he play?
'Nny: Oboe. He's the only one, but that's what he wanted to play, so that's what Missy and I signed the slip for. He smiled so much…
Gaz: The only one, huh? (she tilts her head and listens hard) .9…yeah, I can hear him. He sounds pretty good.
'Nny: ^_^ I'm glad he had this chance.
Mike-the-Brother: I guess this band isn't so bad. It's a lot better than the one we had last year. All the snotty eighth graders graduated with me so they're not clogging up the band with their stupid so…
Mr. Horn (turning slightly to address the crowd while continuing to conduct): The opening to 'Colors of the Wind' will now be played by our one and only oboe, Todd Casil!
Mike-the-Brother: …los. -.-*
'Nny: o.o I didn't know he had a solo…^.^
In the front row, KidK is enraptured.
KidK: -.- Mmm…it's so pretty…
Zim: 9.9
The solo finishes and the rest of the band joins the song, but as is normal after solos the audience applauds and cheers a bit after the performer sits down again. As can be expected, Squee's 'mother' joins in enthusiastically.
KidK: Yeah Todd! (she whistles her appreciation and thrusts a fist into the air)
Squee (carefully playing, now with accompaniment, up on stage): 6.6*
In the fifth row…
Chorus-mom: Huh. Showoff.
Dib: ¬.¬ Everyone clapped when 'your Clarice' or whatever sang her little solo.
Chorus-mom (waving an angry finger at Dib): It's Pamela, you ignorant little boy, and if you don't be quiet I'm going to—
Cobalt (irritated): Chirp? (she flutters over onto Dib's other shoulder and pecks at the woman's finger) Cheep!
Chorus-mom: O.O Oh my God…(she raises her voice a bit) There's a boy with a killer bird in here!
Dib: o.o Shh! Shh!
Zim: A boy with a—the Dib! (he jerks his head around, scanning for his nemesis) Where is he, the little worm…
Dib: Uh oh! (he manages to duck just as Zim's eyes come to rest on him, thus avoiding detection by the patently oblivious little Irken)
Zim: ¬.¬ Not here, I see. Must be some other monkey with a wing-beast. (he turns back around) He's too afraid of my amazingness to show up. u.u
Dib (raising his head to make sure the coast is clear): Phew! Can't let him know I'm here until it's too late…
Chorus-mom: I'm gonna sue you if my finger falls off!
Random Spectator: You should! You should! That thing's dangerous!
Dib: 9.9 It's a parakeet. (he looks down at Cobalt) A very clingy parakeet.
Cobalt (looking quite pleased with herself): Chirrup! ^-^
I luv Cobalt. ^.^ She reminds me of Blueberry, my blue parakeet, who may or may not have been killed by the evil Snowy-the-White parakeet. What an interesting childhood I had… Anyway, Squee continues to play his wonderful oboe, and the rest of the kids play well too. They are rewarded with a huge amount of applause at the end of their final song, 'Be Our Guest,' and some of the more happy and insane children practically dance off the stage.
KidK (happily clapping): Hey, now! That rocked! (she catches Squee's eye and flashes him a thumbs-up as he passes in the rush of kids) Todd, you were great!
Squee (being jostled along): Missy? Oh! ^.^ (he returns her thumbs-up, but then disappears from view as the rest of the band kids surge into the section of seats designated for them) o.o
Zim (rubbing his hands together fiendishly): And now, the monkeys will really see something worth cheering for…
KidK: I thought you wanted them dumbfounded and hypnotized.
Zim: While they are under my spell I will order them to applaud me as they have never applauded before. u.u
KidK: Good thing they'll be entranced. Maybe they won't hear…O.O…good gods, I forgot. I have to play soon, too.
Zim: Don't worry. Your talent will astound them all as well.
KidK: O.O!! (her hands start shaking nervously)
Zim: You'll be great as befits my amazing teacher. (he takes one of her hands and squeezes it) Now stop being upset or you'll mess up the…music…energy…stuff.
KidK: 6.6*…I'll try.
After the excitement of the band dies down, Mr. Horn descends from the stage and takes the microphone once more.
Mr. Horn: Have all you kids found seats? Good. Now, normally, this would be where the concert ends, but tonight we have what promises to be a special treat for you! The coordinators of this event asked the Skool's teachers to poll their classrooms to find out if there were any students who weren't in band or chorus but who wanted to put on a musical performance. Sadly, we usually don't get any responses, but this year one young man in the seventh grade has volunteered to favor us with a piano recital! So…would you please welcome Zim…uh…(he looks down at a little card in his hand)…Zim!
Zim (jumping from his seat all dramatically): u.u My servants await my genius.
KidK: Good luck, love. ^.^
Zim marches in typical puffed-up fashion over to Mr. Horn and takes the mic rather ungraciously, then fixes his audience with a sinister glare.
Zim: Thank you, teacher-stink. Now, all of you, prepare to be amaaaaazed. You have no doubt made note of the stunningly advanced piano currently gracing this otherwise mundane room of yours. It is mine, and I will now use it to dazzle you.
Angry Band-dad: Hey, you think you're something? You're not even in the band!
Woman-With-a-Digital-Camera: Yeah! What, you're too good for the rest of the kids?
Zim (thinking): Grrr, stupid humans…but I can't anger them now or they might leave and thus elude my plan… Ahaha, of course not. I obviously cannot play my piano at the same level as your offspring. (thinking again) Ha, as if I'd want to sink so low. I only want to perform some songs for you, so that…um…you'll be happy? Right. Now. (he looks at the mic in his hand and then simply tosses it to the ground and struts over to the sound system he's set up) I will play. My first selection will be the composer Mozart's 'Fantasy in D Minor.' You probably don't know what that is, but you will love it all the same.
He turns on the stereo and flicks some switches on it, then takes his place at the piano. He flexes his fingers dramatically, waiting for his cue note. A low D sounds from the speakers to let him know his bass part is about to begin, and then, at exactly the right second, he lowers his hands over the keys and begins to play. The sweeping arpeggios of the introduction give way to the haunting tones of the main melody, and then the sad sound turns almost manic. Chords flash through the air, and tension builds and then…the calmness returns. As the cycle of the song continues…
Zim (thinking): Yesssss…this was a good choice to begin with. How can the monkeys help but be hypnotized by this melody? If I were not so incredibly strong and clear-headed, I might even find myself falling to it. So surely the humans are entranced! Wait…I can't be thinking about this! I…(he nearly loses his place in the song, but manages to keep his fingers moving swiftly enough that no one notices) . I haven't properly given up, like she showed me! Rrrrr…but how can I when I have to be focused enough to make sure that the plan is going according to…plan? The point is to hypnotize the humans, not to go into a trance myself! But if I don't then they may not, and—oh, new movement.
The second section of the piece begins; this part is much happier-sounding and playful. It's not exactly what you'd call 'hypnotic,' not in the same sense that the first movement is, but yet it does have its own effect. Well…it has an effect on at least one member of the audience, that is. 9.9
KidK (thinking): ^.^ I'm so proud of yoooou…this part always makes me smile, but when you play it I want to dance! Heh…if it's having this effect on me, I wonder what it's doing to the others. (she looks around at her audience-mates, looking for signs of glassy eyes and slack jaws) Hmmm…they look like they're enjoying it…but they don't look really entranced or anything…well, nothing to worry about yet. O.O Why would I worry that my fellow humans aren't falling to Zim's evil will?!
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
Gaz: Man, where'd Zim learn to play like that?
Mike-the-Brother: My sister. ^-^ She's got skills, so she taught him how to read music and stuff.
'Nny: He is good, but….9…there's something missing, here.
Mike-the-Brother: I don't get it.
'Nny: I can't explain it, but…. I can't explain it.
Mike-the-Brother: That's okay. Anyway, song's over. And you know what that means!
Gaz: What?
Mike-the-Brother: KidK's gonna play now!
Mike is right, for once. The song does come to an end, with a series of dramatic and joyful chords. The audience applauds appreciatively—it was indeed a great rendition. Zim turns on his seat and stares, quite put off. See, he'd expected the crowd to be enchanted by his music and thus quite unable to act on their own and do something like clap their hands. This doesn't bother him for long, however, as he has always been something of a spotlight addict. ^.^
Zim: Yes, yes! Praise me! (he stands up on his bench and bows regally) You have never heard a better virtuoso than I! u.u And yet, tonight, you just might! Now you will slap your digits together as I introduce to you my illustrious teacher of music. (he beckons to KidK) Come.
KidK: 9.9*
She gets up and walks over to the bench, trying not to be noticed even though she knows all eyes are on her. The audience claps politely, as they try to figure out what's going on here.
Random Woman: Hey, I remember her! She did the accompaniment piano for the chorus a couple years ago, didn't she?
Band-father: Yeah, I think so. Melissa…something-or-other.
Meanwhile, the members of the crowd who do know KidK and know what's coming up are doing their best to encourage her. ^.^
Mike-the-Brother: Yeah sis! You can do it!
Gaz (poking Mike): Don't yell so much or you'll embarrass her. Just clap.
'Nny (under his breath as he applauds): Please let her be fine…
Squee (off with the other band kids): Yay Missy! ^_^
Flute Girl: Hey, Squee, isn't that your mom?
Tuba Boy: Yeah, it is, huh?
Squee (nervously): Yes…
Flute Girl: And you call her by her first name?
Squee: O.o Oops…
Tuba Boy: That's cool!
Trombone Boy: But they don't look alike, you know?
Squee: O.O*
Flute Girl: Yeah, no…but its obvious she's his mom cuz she taught that green kid piano and you're in band, Squee.
Trombone Boy: Yeah, I guess that's pretty cool. ¬.¬ That doesn't mean you're cool, though, Squeek. We still don't like you.
Tuba Boy: Right, of course not. You've got a stupid oboe.
Squee: *sigh* 6.6
Dib (clapping even as he plots evil): Go for it, KidK! (quietly) Right, go for it, and get it done, because after you're finished there's no more reason for me to wait. There hasn't been anything weird so far, but he's probably just luring us into a false sense of security.
Cobalt: ¬.¬…9.9…*whistle*
Zim (look how dramatic he is!): She is the one you must all thank for your being able to experience my greatness tonight. She's asked me to allow her to play a song for you as well, and I can hardly turn down a request from the one who made this all possible. (he turns to KidK) Please, favor us with your music.
KidK: 6.6…at your piano? Don't you want me to use the—
Zim: Of course not. Sit. Play. I'll go sit over there and await your song's completion.
KidK: All right…(as Zim walks away, she turns to stare at the audience) o.o…um…um…I'm just going to play now. -.-* It's Pachabel's 'Canon in D Major.'
She sits down on the polished black bench and takes a minute to gaze at the keyboard in front of her, positioning her fingers and right pedal foot without touching anything, to familiarize herself with the new instrument. Then, deciding that she's stalled enough and that it's time to—haha—face the music, she begins her piece. The 'Canon in D' is something you've probably heard at some point in your life if you've ever listened to classical music. There's a somewhat lesser chance, however, that you've heard it played on solo piano. No, the better-known version is orchestrated and the main melody is always played on violins. It's the same tune, nevertheless—a repetition of the same basic pattern over and over but with various…er…variations. It's one of my favorites (even though in real life I've only recently learned to play it), so it's not surprising that KidK should choose it as her performance piece.
As she starts the song, establishing the main theme, in a flash she completely loses all her fear of taunting or making mistakes. Once she really gets going, she shuts her eyes and lets her spirit play in the land of music, forgetting the keys under her fingers and just allowing the notes to come of their own volition. By the time she hits the fourth or so variation, she's utterly gone from the world of the living. This is what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls 'flow,' and I'll tell you right now that you need to go out and experience it for yourself. Doesn't have to be through music; flow can come from anything you can lose yourself in. It's absolutely the best feeling in the world. ^.^ There's no point now in trying to spy on KidK's thoughts as we did with Zim's while he was playing, because they would be written in notes on endless staves of music. So, instead, we'll see what everyone else thinks about all this, shall we?
Zim: -.-……..just like the dream…-.o…only without the glowing-ness. Though…(he squints a bit)…she still does shine…-.-……………..
And in the back…
Mike-the-Brother: Wow, she really fixed up this song good. Last time I heard her play it she was all over the place with weird country-sounding stuff. She says that helps her learn it, but I think she was just trying to be annoying.
Gaz: You're being annoying. I'm trying to hear this.
Mike-the-Brother (not taking the hint): Heh…wonder what Zim's thinking? (he stretches in an attempt to see to the front row) Oh, yeah, he's gone. She's good at hypnotizing that little creep, of course.
Gaz: Not only him.
Mike-the-Brother: Hm?
Gaz: ¬.¬ (she jerks her thumb toward 'Nny)
Mike-the-Brother (grinning evilly): Ohhhhhhh….heheheheheh…
'Nny: -.-……..this is it…this is what was missing…
Mike-the-Brother: I still don't get it. ^_^
Aaaaand up in the fifth row…
Dib (thinking): This is…odd…why do I feel like I want to…sing? O.O Don't tell me—KidK's in on Zim's plan? She's the one who can hypnotize people, and he was just using the ruse of his own playing to get her here so she could…nahhh, that's too out there even for Zim. KidK wouldn't agree to anything like that. Anyway, I can still think, which means I'm not hypnotized, which means…the music…the song… . Snap out of it!
Cobalt: o.o…chirr?
The last variation rises to a climax, and then slowly dies until the last chord vanishes from the air. There is a pause, and then the applause begins anew. It takes KidK several seconds to return from whatever world she was flying in, but when she does she stands, bows gracefully, and strides away to her seat. She sits down and prods Zim with her finger.
KidK: Hey, Zimmy, you're on again.
Zim: What? Oh, yes. Yes I am. You played just as fabulously as I believed you would.
KidK: Thanks…o.o…I did just play, didn't I. 9.9* It's always so weird. But good luck with the rest of the show! ^.^
Zim: Thank you. u.u (he takes the microphone again, and makes a very abbreviated speech) This next song is Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata.' As before, you will love it.
He starts his recording once more, sits, and without any fanfare at all begins the song. It ever there was a peaceful, bewitching song, 'Moonlight Sonata' is it. But will Zim finally succeed? Well, let's see!
Zim (thinking): This time…this time I'm going to do it properly. Even if it takes hold of me along with the stink-beasts, I'll certainly be able to get myself out before they do. And when I do…but that's not important now. Now…the only thing is the song. So…let it come…
Like KidK before him, Zim closes his mind to all outside forces and slowly slips into that musical trance we're now familiar with. There's a marked difference in his playing before and after the change, if you know where to look. Where before the music sounded technically brilliant but dynamically forced, now it seems to have been infused with a new energy. And this is hardly lost on the audience. In fact, to look at them, one might think they're almost…hypnotized…? Zim takes no notice of this, as he is currently under the spell as well. In fact, currently there is only one being in the room who is not ensnared in the melody's grasp. Of course, one can make all the difference…
Dib: -.-………………
Cobalt: ¬.¬ Coo? (she moves sideways to get closer to Dib's ear) Chirp? o.o *whistle?* Chirrup? O.O! (she bobs her head, cooing nervously and clicking her beak in worry, then looks at Dib and does the only thing she can think of to do) Chirp! (she bites Dib's ear, hard)
Dib: . Ow! (he swats at his ear, nearly hitting Cobalt, who flutters out of the way to perch on his head) Stupid bir—hey! What happened?
He looks around, and sees that everyone but him is pretty much comatose and staring off into space. He decides to take action.
Dib (springing from his seat): Zim! (he strides up the aisle to the piano) You may have gotten all the other people here in your evil trap, but that doesn't matter because you don't have me—the only one who can stop you! ……are you listening?
Zim (continuing to play): -.-………….
Dib: Zim? (he waves a hand in front of Zim's face) Helloooo…hmmm…he's as gone as the rest of them. (diabolical grin) Now's my chance to—
The song ends, taking with it the feeling of peace from the room. This is enough even to quiet Dib, who seems to be the picture of a non-musical person. ¬.¬ Still, no one in the crowd stirs in the silence, and neither does Zim. At least for a moment or so, anyway.
Zim: -.-…….-.o………o.o! Whazzapnin? Wha'd I…(he turns in his seat to see the assembled ranks of zombie-humans) Ha! Sweet, sweet victory is miiiiiiiine! Wahahahahaaaaaaaa! (he stands up and poses atop the bench) Now that you belong to me, filth-slaves, my first command is for you to go out and—
Dib: Not on your life, Zim! (he jumps up and tackles Zim to the floor) No way are you gonna start telling people what to do. Mankind doesn't have to obey alien scum like you!
Cobalt: o.o (she flies to the safety of the stereo system)
Zim: Grrrrrrrr…Dib-thing! How did you escape my power?
Dib: I don't know, but one minute you were playing that horrible piano and the next Cobalt bit me and I looked around and everyone was…(he waves his hands in an attempt to find the word)…not…thinking…no more. .
Zim: That's right! They are mine now! They have succumbed to my amazing might as well they should. u.u Ha.
Dib: Yeah, well, you were all zoned out too, you know.
Zim: u.u* That is of no consequence. What matters is that you have been defeated! The humans are my servants to order as I see fit. And I will order them to tell all the other humans they know that I am the best pianist they have ever seen, and those people will flock to hear me perform and thus will also submit to me. And so on! And so forth! Until all the world belongs to me! Zim! Ahahahahaaaaaaa!
Dib: ¬.¬ You're forgetting something, oh 'mighty' one. Not all the people on this planet communicate with each other. How's your message of domination gonna spread to China or Nigeria or anywhere if there's nobody here who knows anybody from there?
Zim: That…(he smiles wickedly)…is what your human media is for. People all over this dirt-rock clamor for the latest music personalities—though theirs is hardly true music—and so it shall be for me! You think you've thought of things, Dib, but I've thought even more…better-er things!
Dib: But if I wake them up you'll never get in motion! Watch me go! (he darts off into the crowd, poking people left and right to get them to snap out of their daze) Hey! Everybody! Open your eyes and see the truth!
Zim: Geh! You can't—you won't stop me, foul Dib-beast! I should've killed you before…but I'll see you dead for this!
He runs a few steps after Dib, but doesn't get very far because he suddenly finds himself blinded by the beating of blue wings in his face.
Cobalt (flapping ferociously): Cheepcheepcheep! *angry trill*
Zim: O. Filthy bird! (he waves his hands at Cobalt to try and bat her away) Get out of my face! I must stop the Dib!
Cobalt: ò.ó Chirp! (she stops flapping and lands on Zim's head…and starts pecking him mercilessly)
Dib (turning from his poking to cheer his pet): Yeah Cobalt! I knew you were a good parakeet! Keep on distracting him while I save mankind! Maybe they'll give you a bird-sized medal, too! (he resumes yelling at the top of his voice and slapping people upside their heads) Hey! Hey! Zim couldn't have been that hypnotic! Snap out of it!
Cobalt (stopping her torment at the sound of her name): ^.^ Chirrup! 6.6…¬.O…(she starts pecking again)
Zim: Aargh! The flying parakeet-y pain! .
Zim starts swatting at the bird even more frantically, and does what I like to call the 'Angry Panic Zim Hopping Dance.' ^_^ He is hardly able to look where he's going, and there are so many cords around from his equipment and the Skool's that it's inevitable that he should trip over one eventually. Unfortunately for him, the one he stumbles over happens to be one of the ones nearest his stereo system. Yelling in typical Zim-type style, he falls over backward into the disc player and knocks it from its stand onto the floor…where it, of course, breaks with a quite startling 'thwack!' sound.
Zim: 9.6……
Dib (just about to prod Gaz): You've got to—what was that?! (he pauses, finger in mid-poke, and swivels to see Zim sprawled on the floor amidst the wreckage) Yeah!! Now he can't play anymore! Hahahaha! Victory for Earth! ^-^
Cobalt (perched on a speaker): Trrrrrrreeeeee! ^.^
Gaz: @.@….…o.o…¬.¬…you'd better not be thinking of touching me, Dib, because if you do you're gonna walk away with one less finger, one less eye, and one less life.
Dib (turning back to his sister): O.O Gaz! You're awake!
Gaz: .o What are you talking about now?
Dib: You were hypnotized by Zim and his piano of doom. But I saved you. u.u
Mike-the-Brother: *snirk* o.o…who saved what? With magical powers?
Dib: No, no magic. Just sheer brains and skill.
Gaz: Then it sure wasn't you who, eh, 'saved' us.
Dib: 6.6 Yeah it was…well, me and Cobalt…
'Nny: O.o! Have I been….O…sleeping again? Quick—what day is it?!
Dib: Still the same day… hey, other people are waking up too! And with the stereo broken there's no chance of this happening again!
Well, he is right about one thing at least. All around the auditorium, people are starting to awaken from their trance-like state. They rub their eyes, exchange questioning looks, and then stare at the unexpected and unexplained sight of their one-time entertainer looking all battered among the broken pieces of his recording equipment. They look stunned for several more seconds, then start pointing and chattering to one another about what could possibly have happened. When it starts looking like Zim's not getting up to play anymore, and they realize that he was the last act on the program, many get up and start leaving the auditorium altogether. One of the last to come back to reality is a very musically-attuned girl sitting in the front row.
KidK: @.@…………..O.O! Huh? (she looks around, puzzled) What in the—Zim! (she rushes to her fallen friend's side and gently tries to shake him awake) Zim…Zim! Oh, what's happened to…oh, no, the stereo! . Zim! Come on, come back!
Zim: 9.6 Wha—?
KidK: Oh, thank goodness! (she pulls him to a sitting position and hugs him tight) You're okay!
Zim: O'course I'mfine…¬.¬…O.O…the Dib! He sabotaged me!
KidK: Dib did this?
Zim: He somehow remained free of the song's grasp and attacked me! Then he started running around trying to pull you others out of your stupor and then…(he points at Cobalt) That…thing starting biting me!
Cobalt: ¬.¬ Chir.
KidK: 9.9 Well if you were fighting back against Dib it's no wonder that parakeet got upset. I think she thinks she's his girlfriend or something.
Cobalt: u.u
Zim (staggering to his feet): Normally I would…geh…laugh at such a stupid thing…but…this is no time for merriment. Grrr, my disc player is broken beyond repair! (he clenches his fists) I succeeded in my plan only to have my success ripped away from me by that horrible Dib! And now I won't be able to attempt it again until I order another player…or even then because there won't be another concert until next year…or even then because now the humans will be expecting it! Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…Dib! .
KidK: Well…your song was beautiful…
Zim: Heh?
KidK: It was! I don't know…exactly what happened, but it felt like I could see the moonlight on the lake as Beethoven did…like I could feel the water…-.-…human languages need more words. But it was beautiful, Zim. And, hey! You did succeed in your goal for a little while! ^.^ (she hugs him reassuringly)
Zim: 6.6…yes…I did…well, of course I did. I am the greatest Kami of Music this rock-heap has ever seen. u.u And if the Dib hadn't had his evil bird-monster with him, I would now be master of all I survey. Proving once again that I am superior to him in every possible way.
KidK: Um…yeaaaah…well, I'll talk to him about this, that's for sure. ¬.¬ He didn't technically break our agreement because the two of us did get to play, but he needs to keep a rein on that parakeet of his.
Cobalt: 6.6 *whistle?*
KidK: Well…everyone seems to be leaving, so…let's clean up this mess. (she starts picking up the bits of the recorder)
Zim: *sigh* Right. ……………O.o! I didn't even get to play the 'Passionate Impromptu!' That was going to be my grande finale!
KidK: Aw, I was looking forward to that, too. But maybe you shouldn't've left it for last—if we were all going to be under your spell by then, we wouldn't've heard it anyway. (she stands up and carries the wrecked pieces over to the giant auditorium trash cans)
Zim (calling after her): But…but…it was going to be my song for you!
KidK (halting abruptly and turning her head): o.o…for me?
Zim: ……….yes. You…gave it to me, that first day, when I asked you to play for me…and I wanted to give it back.
KidK: -.- You stay right where you are and don't move. (she continues on to the trash cans and dumps her armload of machinery, then makes her way back to Zim, kneels, and squeezes him with a happy-death-hug) Thank you. You've already given me enough, just by taking the bit of knowledge I may have taught you and turning it into…that sound…that music…I never would have gotten the chance to hear it from the outside without you…
Zim: I couldn't have called the music without you…-.-…
KidK: I love you…
Zim: I love you, too…
Mike-the-Brother (suddenly standing over them): Well isn't that sweet. Heheheh…
Zim: O.O!
KidK: o.o…*bluuuuuuush*
Zim (breaking away from KidK and pointing angrily at Mike): I don't care what you think you heard, Mike-fiend! You heard nothing!
Mike-the-Brother: Oh, nooooo…of course not…
Gaz: Are we going or what?
KidK: …………..not yet. Gotta…'port this stuff home after everybody else leaves…
Zim: You may go. I would be all too glad to see you gone.
Mike-the-Brother: You would, wouldn't you…so you two can be…heheheh…^________^
Gaz: Good. We're going. Come on. (she grabs Mike by the arm and drags him away)
Zim (screaming after them): You will tell no one about what you have…not seen!
Mike-the-Brother: Bwahahahaha!
Gaz: Shut up, I said! You don't learn, do you?!
They exit, but still the place isn't empty of friends…
'Nny (cautiously stepping up): Um…Missy?
KidK (looking up from scooping up more debris): Oh, yeah, 'Nny-kun?
'Nny: I can't say much because I have to go drive Squeegee home, and anyway I don't have the words, but…you…and it….
KidK: Thank you. ^.^
'Nny: Er…yeah. -.-*
Zim: Are you done yet? ¬.¬
'Nny: Oh, Zim. Your playing was…the same way, at least the second time. Congratulations.
Zim: u.u Right. (he marches off to get the teleporter from its hiding place in a broom closet down the hall)
KidK: He appreciates it, really.
'Nny: o.ô Does he?
KidK: Yes. He's just stubborn. ^_^ Now you go ahead. You've got to drive Todd.
'Nny: Yes. I'll see you later, okay? (he turns to make his way across the emptying room)
KidK: Yep! Make sure you see that our son wears his seatbelt!
'Nny: O.O! Yeah, uh-huh! (he exits even more quickly ^-^)
KidK: Aw, I'm picking on him today. Well, I'll make up for it tomorrow with Cherry 'freezy. ^_^
Cobalt: *trill?*
KidK: You're still here, Cobalt? Where's Dib?
Dib (behind her, looking slightly nervous): Um…right here…
KidK: Well you'd better get your bird and get out of here quick, cuz you can bet Zim's got a bounty on your head after this fiasco. 9.9
Cobalt: Chirp! (she flies down from the speaker and nestles in Dib's hair) ^.^
Dib: Yeah…um…you know it's not really my fault the stereo got broken, right? That was all Cobalt—I was just trying to wake people up from whatever Zim did to them with that piano.
KidK: That's what Zim said too…and anyway I can hardly be really angry with you because I did get to do my song and anyway…you did protect our species, I suppose.
Dib: o.o…I never expected to hear something like that from you, KidK. I thought Zim had you brainwashed into being his follower.
KidK: Oh, I'm not brainwashed. And I'm not loyal to him because I want him to rule Earth, I'm loyal to him for the same reason I'm loyal to you—he's my friend. u.u
Dib: 9.9 Oh, yeah. Brainwashed, all right.
KidK: No, really! And you're my friend too, so that's why I'm happy that you were able to stop Zim. He succeeded in entrancing us all, and then you succeeded in making sure we wouldn't all be enslaved. So it's balanced….9…I guess.
Zim (calling from the hall): KidK! This thing is heavier than I remembered! Come and aide your kami!
KidK (yelling back): Be right there! (to Dib) And you'd better not be here when we get back, okay? Don't want another fight on our hands…Cobalt looks pretty tired, after all. ^_~
Cobalt: -.-……chirrrrrrrr…coooo….
Dib: 9.9* She's some weird bird. Well, I'll see you later, KidK. (he begins walking away) Oh, and by the way—I don't really like music much, but your song was really good!
He edges his way out of the auditorium, careful to make sure that Zim's not going to ambush him with lasers, and KidK goes out to the hall to meet Zim and take over with carrying the teleporter. She heaves the contraption up into her arms and, with Zim strutting along by her side, reenters the vacant auditorium.
Zim: Good. The Dib is no longer here, is he? ¬.O
KidK (setting the 'porter down): Phew! No, he's gone. Nobody here but us chickens. ^_^
Zim: What?
KidK: Human saying.
Zim: Oh. (he looks a bit preoccupied) So…there's no spying humans around? No one in the building but us?
KidK: Yes…
They lock gazes and stare at each other for a moment, and must have some kind of creepy telepathic communication, because suddenly and without a word they go over to the polished black piano and stare at it next.
KidK: Do you really think we could…?
Zim: No one else but you and I are qualified to. u.u
Having come to this conclusion, they both sit down at the bench. They raise their hands, wait a few seconds in silence to coordinate themselves, and then begin to play. You can probably guess the song—Mussorgsky's 'Passionate Impromptu.' Somehow, though neither has ever done anything like this before, the two pianists manage to keep time with each other perfectly, Zim's two hands performing the bass while KidK's right does the treble (she makes up for this by being in charge of pedal, too ^_^). The first section of the song seems nothing special at the outset, but as Beltov and Lyuba become more comfortable with each other in their dance, so too do Zim and KidK become more and more in tune with each other. By the time the melody begins to repeat—which in reality happens after only a half-minute's time—the two are playing as one, their fingers dancing across the keys as they spin the song out of the air. With the introduction of 'the usurper' to the equation, the sound takes on a tone of genuine distress; what could be more wrenching than something getting between the dancers, the rhythm and the singing melody? The musical showdown occurs and passes, and again we find our two tones meshing together to resume their waltz across the keyboard. KidK and Zim are deeply in flow by now, thoughts of nothing but the song and each other entering their combined consciousness. Beltov makes his confession of love with the rising of the bass…and then comes the beautiful penultimate phrase. Zim crosses his left hand over KidK's right, and they lean into each other in a kind of half embrace to reach their respective notes. Lyuba returns her partner's feelings, and the song ends with the sparkle of true love's kiss. Zim's final bass note is permitted to hang in the air for quite some time, and then fades. It takes a bit longer for the two players to separate themselves from each other and the rapture of the flow than usual, but eventually they awaken to find themselves sitting rather stunned in front of an alien-looking piano in the middle of the Skool auditorium. Even though they never left the room, they look a bit surprised to be there. A moment ago, they were dancing together in a ballroom, y'see. 9.9 Once again, the amazing Lynne has lent her artistic gift to illustrating the story! Go look, if you like! http://www.side7.com/cgi-bin/S7SDB/DisplayImg.pl?INO=235757 Also, she has made a really cool midi of 'Passionate Impromptu' that you can download and listen to here: http://kaijugirl.topcities.com/passionateimpromptu1.mid
Zim: -.-…….o.o……….eh?
KidK: Where's the—oh. Right. Skool.
Zim: Huh. Right.
KidK: …………….did we just…?
Zim: I think we did…
KidK: It was wonderful…
Zim: Yes…
Still not quite all there, they manage to get up from the piano's bench and resume the work of returning all the equipment to the house.
Zim (speaking into his wrist-com): Gir? Are you paying very close attention?
Gir ('dancing like a giraffe' on the other end of the connection): 'Course I am, Master!
Zim: Good. Now I want you to turn on the teleporter. Notice that I did not say 'destroy the teleporter.' Can you do that?
Gir: Yep yep! Fly like a rocket sled! (he wooshes over to the stationary 'porter in the lab and hits the switch) Lookee! The light turns red! Mah homie da Rap Masta likes it!
Zim: ¬.¬ I'm sure he does. We're sending some things over, so move them off the field as they come and don't destroy them either.
Gir: Hokie dokie. Hey, you an' Missy comin' home now?
KidK: Yes, Gir. We're coming home. ^_^
Gir (excitedly): You gonna play pee-nanner when you get here?!
KidK: Are Mom and Dad and Mike all going to hear us if we do?
Gir: If'n ya play in da livie-room!
KidK: Then sure. Of course we will.
Zim: o.o…KidK…you want them to…
KidK: I don't see why not. ^.^
Zim: Then I don't either. ^_^
They push the first speaker onto the teleporter's platform, and in turn each item is warped back home in a flash of special effects to rival Mike-the-Awesome. The piano goes, and then finally KidK and Zim make their high-tech exit from the Skool, leaving the auditorium completely empty of all life.
But music always leaves its imprint wherever it has been called into being. Even though the tangible sound of the 'Passionate Impromptu' is gone from the level of direct perception, its echo remains in the form of a vague sensation of a feeling of an aura of harmony. The memory of two spirits dancing to a soaring melody, of two essences mingling with one another to form one exultant symphony.
The memory of two souls sharing the beauty of the music.
Though The Song Of Life Never Ends…This Is One Final Chord