(Quick note to readers: Okay, since it seems that FF.N has disallowed the little star things I used to use to mark actions (which I bet I would have known if I'd been here in the past year), all "action" parts, movement, etc., are just plain italics. This may get a bit confusing, since I also use italics in the dialogue, but it should be fairly clear which is which. Happy reading!)


Last time, on Operation: Karaoke...

Long, long ago, in a fanfiction far away, Megumi last updated this fic. GiR drove everyone to the edge of insanity by singing his own version of Stacey's Mom, for which Random Girl was blamed. Zim was finally allowed a go at the microphone, and everyone knew that end was in sight...

...and then Megumi ran off and didn't update for a year and a bit. Oops. Too bad for our heroes, who are still stuck in the party hall. The lights are out. The food is stale. Even the once ever-present karaoke music has ceased. The only illumination in the hall is provided by... well, we don't know exactly, but there's still a bit, because otherwise we wouldn't be able to see the characters and what fun is that? ...Oh, shut up. I didn't ask you.

Gaz is playing video games, constantly pulling batteries and new game cartridges from her own personal pocket dimension. GiR is singing the doom song. Zim and Dib have reached an uneasy alliance. They have no where to go, nothing to do- in fact, it's rather like Survivor: Fanfiction, only none of them get to be voted out. For which they are all very sorry.

Desperation has driven Zim and Dib close to the brink.

Dib: I'm close to the brink!

Zim: This would be an excellent place for a "Cabin Fever" parody, if we hadn't done that already in "When Boredom Strikes"...

Dib: nod, nod I'm going to kill Megumi the next time I see her. Or at least seriously maim. Or maybe just shout heartily at.

Zim: Wimp.

Dib: glare

Zim: She's probably never coming back, though. No one comes back after a year, do they?

Megumi: Hey, guys! Guess who's back?

Dib: ...

Zim: ...

Megumi: Huh? Guys? What's the matter?

Dib: ...

Zim: ...

Megumi: Come on, you two! What gives? I thought you'd be happy to see me!

Dib: Do you hear something, Zim?

Zim: Eh? It's probably just the wind or something.

Megumi: scowl Hehe. That's funny, you two. Okay, funny joke. Now come on. It's Zim's turn to sing, and then we can all get out of here...

Dib: That's some loud wind. Why don't you go shut the window, Zim?

Zim: There are no windows in here, you moron.

Dib: Strange. Well, that noise must just be in our heads then, because it couldn't possibly be the authoress who cruelly abandoned us over a year ago, right?

Zim: Of course not. Don't be stupid, stinkbeast.

Dib: You know, you don't smell so good yourself-

Megumi: HA HA HA. I'M LAUGHING HERE, GUYS. YOU'RE FRIGGIN' HILARIOUS. NOW QUIT BEING STUPID AND LETS GET ON WITH IT! I WANT TO GET THIS FIC OFF MY CONSCIENCE AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE.

Dib: ...

Zim: ...

Megumi: Aaaarrrrggghhh!

GiR: bounces up Doom, doom, doom... They don't want to talk to yoou.

Megumi: Eh? Why not?

GiR: 'Coz they're maaaad. You left them aaaall alone. And you didn't even send a postcard. Or a taco. tear

Megumi: Well, yeah... But I'm ready to go now! I've been inspired! And as soon as Zim sings his song, we can all get out of here! I can move on with my life, you guys can all do whatever you want and not be stuck in this fic anymore. It's a win-win situation!

Zim: GiR! Come here!

GiR: Cooooooming! bounces over

GiR, Zim, and Dib, have a whispered conversation. Zim hands GiR a piece of paper and points to Megumi. GiR glows briefly red, then goes blue again and bounces back to the authoress.

GiR: This is for you. hands Megumi the paper

Megumi: Huh? reads "Megumi. Weire mad as hell and weire not going to take it anymore. We refuse to be exploited. You should have treated us better, and now itis too late. Zim isnit going to sing for you. Weire prepared to stay here for as long as we have to, because we know that youill be stuck here, too." she looks at Zim and Dib, who are pointedly not looking at her But- but- You can't do that! And you- you said it yourself, you'll be stuck here, too!

Gaz: walks over Not for long. We shopped around a few months ago and found a great literary lawyer. His office is processing our claim now, and after seeing the terrible maltreatment you've made us all suffer, he's offered to take our case pro bono. It might take a while longer, but we're going to get a "Fiction Shutdown" order for this fic and full release papers for all of us. Then we'll be free, and you'll be stuck with this stupid fic hanging over your head for the rest of your life.

Megumi: You're joking. Please, tell me you're joking.

Gaz: shakes head

Zim: shakes head

Dib: shakes head

GiR: explodes

Megumi: picks GiR debris out of her hair, tosses it back to the where the pile-o-GiR is reassembling itself Isn't there anything I can do? Some way I can make it up to you? Come on, guys, I thought we had something special here!

Dib: SO DID WE!

Megumi: Dib! You talked to me!

Dib: Crud.

Zim: face palm Stupid human... looks at Megumi It's too late for regrets, scum. You left us alone, now we're going to return the favor!

Megumi: But wouldn't it be easier to just sing and get it over with? There's the prize to consider, and-

Dib: Prize? Hah! We all know you're never going to write another fic in our fandom. So who cares about the dumb prize. You abandoned us for pirates and dragons and sparkles. You suck.

Zim: Anyway, stinkbeast, your DJ left a long time ago. He was muttering something about, "Not getting paid enough for this." Lousy worm. At least he was getting paid.

Megumi: sniff, sniff I can't- Please, give me one more chance!

Dib: Never!

Zim: We're through, Megumi!

Megumi: sob Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh! runs into a corner and cries

Zim/Dib: high-five Yes!

Zim: We have triumphed! victory pose

Dib: We made Megumi cry! Our psychiatrist is going to be so proud!

Zim: Ahem. Not, of course, that this means anything has changed between us. We may have succeeded through cooperation this time, but I'm still going to take over your planet and make you squeal like a little cow.

Dib: rolls eyes Whatever, Zim. Come on, you know full well that it doesn't matter anymore. We were canceled.

Zim: Silence! walks away

Dib: Weirdo. Ah, whatever. listens for a moment to the sound of Megumi wailing in the corner Serves her right for what she did.

Meanwhile, over in the corner...

Megumi: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I don't believe this! Why would they do something this this to meeeeeeeeeeee!

...The ever-present, never-welcome small voice in the back of her head decided that this was the right time to make an appearance.

Voice: Dib was right. You do suck. Serves you right for what you did.

Megumi: sob Shut up, you.

Voice: Come on. You knew when you started writing this thing that you'd never be writing another Zim fic. This was all just a cheap way for you to parody songs and get reviews. Admit it.

Megumi: Go away. Let me wallow. My two favorite muses just turned on me. Me!

Voice: Ha. Some authoress you are.

Megumi: sob Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm terrible. I'm a terrible person. I'm a terrible, terrible- Wait. thinks for a second Did you just say "authoress"?

Voice: Maybe, maybe not. What are you going to do about it?

Megumi: no-more-tears, wicked grin Nothing, nothing... giggle I have a cunning plan!

TWO HOURS LATER...

Megumi: Hey, Dib! How do you spell "ensconced"?

Dib: I dunno. Use it in a sentence.

Megumi: clears throat, reads off of paper she's been writing on "And Dib sank down at last into Zim's waiting arms, where he remained comfortably ensconced for some time." I can't decide if there's a second "s" or not...

Dib: WHAT! runs over to Megumi, tries to snatch the paper out of her hands. Megumi dances away

Megumi: Ah ah ah. It's my policy never to let anyone see my fics before they're finished.

Dib: Fic? Wait... pales No. Not- You wouldn't. You can't.

Megumi: Correction, lover boy- I'm your author, I would and I can. You and Zim better get used to each other, because you're going to be getting real close pretty soon, as soon as I start typing this little baby up...

Dib: You promised to never write any- gulp ZADR!

Megumi: And you were under contract to see this fic through. Funny ol' world, isn't it?

Dib: Nooooooooooo! runs away screaming

Megumi: evil cackle

Zim: What's going on over here? What is that? Let me see it.

Megumi: evil shrug Suit yourself, Zim...

Zim: reads Hmm... reads Huh? reads eyes bug out reads eyes get wider Aaah! reads more I did what with the Dib-human's tongue?

Megumi: innocent whistle

Zim: tears paper up Never! I won't! You wouldn't! You can't!

Dib: moans She would. She can. We've been over this already.

Megumi: And trust me, boys, there's more where that came from. I can be real creative when I'm feeling vindictive.

Dib: Crud.

Zim: I am unclean!

Megumi: Not so much fun on the other side, is it?

Dib: Okay, group huddle. Zim and Dib have a whispered argument Allright, Megumi... What do you want?

Megumi: Want? Why, Dib, whatever do you mean?

Zim: You know well what we mean, scum! What horrible act must we preform in exchange for the cessation of- glower -that garbage!

Megumi: Hmmm... Well, I could be persuaded not to write it. After all, ZADR has never been one of my favorite pairings...

Zim/Dib: relieved sigh

Megumi: Then again, I was feeling particularly inspired...

Zim/Dib: terror

Megumi: Well... I suppose that an apology from you two will suffice. And Zim has to sing his song, of course.

Dib: That's it? Great! No problem whatsoever- Hey, how come we're the only ones who have to apologize? GiR and Gaz were in on it too!

Megumi: GiR's too cute to punish, and I value my life much too highly to ask an apology from her. Plus I have a feeling it's mostly your fault anyway. You two are divas.

Zim: Fine, fine, we accept your terms.

Dib: Wait a sec-

Zim: kicks

Dib: doubles over in pain

Zim: As I was saying, we accept your terms. On behalf of the Dib-human and I, I... groan apologize.

Megumi: grin Allright! I feel better now!

All: collective sigh or relief

Megumi: Now get up on stage, Zim. scary look Or else...

Zim runs over to the stage

Dib: How is he going to sing? He's tone-deaf. And plus, the DJ's gone, so there's no one to play the music...

Megumi: scoff Please. You think I'd create a karaoke machine I didn't know how to use?

Dib: pointedly doesn't say anything

Megumi: growls, stomps over to the machine

A few moments is all it takes for Zim and Megumi to confer and decide on a song selection. There is a bit of a stick, as Zim requests one song and Megumi shakes her head.

Megumi: Don't have that one.

Zim: You don't have Green Day? But... But they're green!

Megumi: shrug

Zim: Stupid earthbaby.

More conferring is had. An agreement is reached. Zim steps up to the microphone. A lone spotlight shines down. Some slow, simple music begins to play.

Zim: I'll conquer this pitiful planet

I celebrate the carnage to come

Dib: Man, this is boring.

Zim: ignores I laugh at the miserable humans...

Zim produces an electric guitar from nowhere

They'll wish they were dead when I'm done!

louder music plays, GiR takes drums in the back as the beat speeds

And I'll prove to the Tallest, I'll show the elite,

That Zim's an invader, he cannot be beat!

And in time

And in time

They will know defeat!

Megumi: cheers

Dib: Hmmph.

Zim: I'll conquer this pitiful planet

I'll realize the Dib-human's fears


Dib: Hey!

Zim: Enslaving the whole population

And reducing their leaders to tears!

And I'll show-up the Tallest, I'll smite the elite

'Cuz Zim's an invader, he cannot be beat!

And in time

And in time

They will know defeat!

instrumental. Megumi is pretty sure that she's pushing the definition of "karaoke", here. A huge crowd of screaming fans appears from out of the nowhere. GiR wails on the drums. Zim wails on the guitar. Dib produces a bass from nowhere and, predictably, wails on it, just because the authoress wants him too. He still owes her. She doesn't like it when her muses turn on her. Plus he doesn't want to get totally shown up by Zim...

Zim: I'll be the tallest, now, I'll be the elite

And in time

And in time

They will know defeat.

I'll conquer this pitiful planet

I celebrate the carnage to come

I laugh at the miserable humans (miserable humans)

They'll beg for the end when I'm done!

Zim: And I'll prove to the Tallest

Dib:(I won't let you do that)

I'll show the elite

(Not if I can help it)

That Zim's an Invader

(Hah!)

He cannot be beat

(We'll see about that)

And in time

(and in time)

And in time

(and in time)

And in time

And in time

THEY WILL KNOW DEFEAT!

Zim: thwacks guitar against stage. Again, because he can

Megumi: cheers Hell yeah! Hell yeah! It's over! It's over! No more! No more! We can all go home now! ...You know, you lot make a great band. I bet that would make a great fic later on-

EverybodyElse: NO!

Megumi: Okay, okay... Sheesh...

THE END! FINALLY! FOR REAL AND SERIOUS THIS TIME! YAYAYAYAYAYAY! EXCITEMENT, EXCITEMENT... wOOt! We Own the Other Team! ER, THAT IS...

Hey, guys! It's been a while. Thought I'd do ya'll a favor and put the author's note at the end of the chapter
(and the fic!) this time.

I can't believe it's finally over. After almost three years of guilt (not work, though- I doubt if I spent a month actually working, which would probably explain the shortness in length), I'm finally free of Operation: Karaoke. There is only one word, really, to describe my joy at this moment, and that word is, of course, w00t.


First off, I'd just like to thank everybody who read and reviewed this fic. Considering I've had this beast on my conscience for about three years now, it's nice to know that somebody out there actually was interested in it. Thank you for being my invisible guilt-monkeys- without you, I doubt I'd ever have garnered the motovation to finish this fic.

The song in the last chapter is actually called "I Sing The Body Electric", and it's from the Fame soundtrack. Why did I choose such a random, unknown song? Because I like it. If you don't, that's cool. But as nice as it is to get reviews, I didn't write this for you. I wrote it for me, just to prove that I could, and now that I have, and it's done, I couldn't be happier.

I hope you had half as much fun reading this as I did writing it (and, despite my habit of only updating once or twice a year, I had a blast) and that you will come back and read this last chapter, even if you've fallen out of the fandom like I have. Of course, it's a bit silly to be saying that, because if you're reading this, then you've obviously read the last chapter, so... Er, nevermind.

So long, guys, and thanks for all the comments, criticisims, and of course, fish.

Ciao,

Tao