A Story Just for Me

Pure Mel S1 was 10/10 would binge again. Nothing beats the OG! Like episode 13?! I'm still shooketh.

The writer Zoey's script is deep on so many levels, for every age of viewer... I feel like it hits me differently every time I watch it!

BTW, Melo-twin, can you share the deets for that volunteer thing you told me about?

Oops! Totally forgot. Let's meet up at...

*yawn* So...tired... Why does my recommended feed always show me clickbait I can't resist right when I'm about to sleep! It's too good at its job...

Anyone seen any crying gods?! I'm looking for crying gods...

...Gods?

Oof! Sorry about that, tiny human. Are you okay?

No bruises! That's good...but could you repeat what you just said? Did you say you were looking for crying gods?! That would be an amazing story opener!

Umm...

S-Sorry to interrupt... Would you happen to be MarshMeloMochi?

*whistles* Cosplay of that quality could be none other than my Melo-twin! I'd recognize your work anywhere! I mean there's also the whole "we look identical in every way" part, but it was the cosplay that tipped me off first!

Y-You really do look exactly like me...

I explained in my messages that I'm the you of a parallel world, but I get the feeling that maybe you didn't believe me...

N-No! It's not like that! It was actually easy to believe because... B-Because...

(I-I can't mention the harem in another world fanfic I wrote myself into...or the Phantom Pure Melody Zero dream I had!) (Ahhhhh! Wh-What do I say?! I want to cry... and delete my memory...)

...Kill me...

Uhm...

Dr. Moyna, is she the artist you told us about whose drawings are god tears?

G-God-tier, not god t, don't worry about it! Yes, she is! Meet the incredibly talented comic book legend, MarshMeloMochi!

And, err... These are kids admitted to the hospital ward I visit as part of my med school rotations.

They're also our audience for tomorrow's Pure Mel show!

Right! I knew it was a fun-filled event for inpatients, but it's for you kids, huh? Well it's a pleasure to meet you!

I read your comics all the time! Princess White Rose is my favorite! She's so cool!

Thanks, little buddy! Flattery like that keeps me going! Are you all excited for tomorrow? I, Mochi, artist extraordinaire, alongside Dr. Melody will be handing out happily ever afters, so you'd better bring your smiles!

Happily ever after...

What about kids who can't stay strong... Will they get one too?

Uh...

It's always the strong characters that end up smiling, the ones who beat the bad guys and don't give up.

Kids who can't fight...wh-who can't be brave... They don't get a happy ending!

D-Don't leave without me!

She has a surgery coming up next week... Her smile has been fading little by little every day it draws closer.

Ahh... So that's why you called me up for the pediatrics show, to write her a prescription, AKA a story.

Stories are the kind of medicine that gives us courage... Even for me, whenever I make a mistake and feel down, watching Pure Mel can make my world feel sparkly and bright again!

For me, it's the friends in those stories. No matter what you're going through, you're never alone; they'll always have your back.

Yes! Exactly! I was hoping we would be able to introduce an ally just like that to them in our performance!

Easy-peasy, mochi-squeezy! I wrote a script specially for the event that includes just the right dosage of everything they need!

On that note, we should go somewhere else for a table read! The Garden of IDA might be a good spot?

Before we start, did you get a chance to read through it yet?

...I read it at least a million times! Your ability to grasp the depth of each character is unmatched... Every detail paid so much love and respect to the original!

You implemented elements from the movie adaptation and even snuck in some easter eggs. I just...CAN'T! IT'S SO PERFECT!

Ah! Sorry! That was way too much! I got a little bit too into it...

Too much?! My hunger for praise can never be sated! But actually, any feedback you have is good! A life is on the line, after all.

I-In that case, later tonight I'll send you a disgustingly long essay I wrote on my first, second, and twelfth impressions of it...

I-I got sidetracked...but I really do think it's wonderful and the kids will absolutely, two- hundred percent love every second of it!

In that case, we'd better work hard as Pure Mel ambassadors to do it justice!

Holographic Stylus, bring my imagination, to life!

W-Wow... The hologram still manages to stay together...even in such a well-lit space? I've seen videos of 3D-projected drawings, but seeing it in person is such a different experience... Look how amazing the...

...N-No! I need to get into character, focus!

My own shadow, severed by the power of darkness... You've played your harmony of dread for long enough... Now it's time for you to come inside, back where you belong!

Pure Mel! Magicaaaaaal Flash!

...W-Was that okay?

Hmm... Your movements, expressions, even the emotion in your voice was perfect, yet something still feels off...

Maybe it's a limitation of this tech, but it just feels like it isn't able to match you exactly. It's just kind of...floating there?

Match me...exactly?

Maybe I could have the color tones shift as it moves... Agh, but that would be hard to pull off at a live event...

...W-Wait! Melo-me! I-I might...um...have an idea?

I-If I prepared the costume...w-would you go on stage with me as Pure Mel?!

Wha, me?! As Pure Mel?! That should be illegal! A crime! You'd need to click a consent box on the internet to see that, and still need eye bleach after!

Oh... I-I think I understand... *deep inhale*

You're worried about not being able to properly represent Pure Mel because you feel she is too amazing and above you...

...And I also felt that before when I first started but then I realized that it is about representing the soul more than the visual...

...So as long as you have Pure Mel in your heart then it doesn't matter what gender, age, or race you are, you can be Pure Mel!

I've never experienced a "but thou must" event in real life before...

Oh, Ah! I-I'm sorry! I wasn't trying to preach at you or anything... I just think that anyone should be allowed to feel closer in their hearts to the person or character they admire most...

...I can't argue with that. I think you're right. But if I'm going to do this, can I be Dark Melody instead? She feels a lot edgier, so it'll be easier for me to get into character.

R-Really?! S-Sure!

Hmm... Where should we put the tablet? We can move to match the timing on our end, but we still need to decide where and how to project it...

I-In that case, maybe Mel-mel could help?

Mel...mel?

I...taught myself how to make it, hoping it would bring my cosplay to an even higher level of perfection.

Make...it...

Even when Pure...fell to d-darkness *sniffle* Mel-mel still stayed by her side... Their bond always brings tears to my...

Darkness...

You......Moyna...... you won......contest...... autonomous......Mel-mel...... Good......we......on behalf...... private......company called...... The truth......"share"...... technology......design...... mascot......

Ngh... No!!!

M-Melo-me?!

I was too weak... I'm...so...sorry...

H-Hospital! I-I'll bring you to the hospital!

...The hospital?

Right... I passed out... My poor Melo-twin must've had to drag me all the way here...

Guh... I need some fresh air.

Well, your test results are back, but they don't show any signs of...

...Not being here? Where'd she go?!

Ah, and she left her tablet out in the open. I should probably throw that in a security box, just to be safe.

Wh-Why did it unlock? Th-The fingerprint sensor?! But I'm not her, well, I am her, but I'm not HER her!

Hm... This comic's main character looks just like her... And has my real name?! Moyna...

Th-This is...heavy... I can't let her be alone after seeing this! I need to find her!

*sigh* Welp, there goes my entire persona. Fainting after seeing a traumatic flashback is so out of character for MarshMeloMochi. My mask slipped off and broke the facade...

It's amazing how different this world is from mine.

...has been a terrorist attack on Elzion Medical University... ...dressed in black, but no more is known... ...target of the attack appears to have been a KMS Corp executive named... ...death toll continues to rise...

Another attack? It must be a day that ends in day...

(In this world, there always seems to be an act of terror going on; like "it's five o'clock somewhere," but for terrorism.) (Seriously, since when did hearing about the deaths of yet more people become part of our daily routine?)

I'm coming! Who is it?

You must be Moyna. We heard about how you won that engineering contest the other day with your autonomous mascot, Mel-mel.

...That was just a little DIY project. Y'know, just trying to make something that didn't exist yet. I'm not really up for an interview...

Good, neither are we. We're here on behalf of a private military company called Lapras. The truth is, we would like you to "share" the technology you used to design your mascot...

They churn inside of me, anger, regret... If I were any of the characters I admire so much, I would fight and stop the scientists... Pure Mel wouldn't even hesitate.

So then, why? Why am I such a loser? I lost to them, no, to my own weakness...

I hate myself. Nobody needs a weakling like me. Why can't I just...be strong? I want to be strong like them...

*sigh*

I'm pathetic...

Huh?!

I saw you earlier with my Melo-tw, I mean Dr. Melody, right? The girl with the surgery coming up?

What makes you think you're pathetic? ...If you don't mind me asking.

The surgery... I-It's too scary! I can't do it! I promised the doctor I'd be strong, I even pinky promised. I was brave before, but it slowly went away, and now when I think about it alone, I lose to my fear because I'm weak... I-I don't want to lose, but I can't help it...

I know how you feel. I wish we had more control too, but we don't usually lose because we want to.

......

"Just because the little bird is hurt and can't fly right now, doesn't mean it's given up!" "It fell to the ground when it aimed for the sky, and that try does not represent failure!"

...That's the famous line from Pure Mel, season one, episode thirteen, "Spread Your Wings! Glide into Tomorrow!" part two...

Exactly! The child looked at the injured little bird and saw themself. Pure Mel said those words of encouragement to cheer them up!

(She's right... Why do I keep saying "lose"? Life isn't some game, and even if it were, I haven't reached game over...) (We use our own subjective criteria to judge whether we win or lose at life...but how can one fail be a loss if we can still play again?)

(In my case, my dream is to save someone using the power of my stories. How? That part remains to be seen...) (But if that's what "winning" is...how could I have lost if it's still possible to achieve? My criteria was wrong. It's not game over!)

*sigh*

PLAY AGAIN!

Wh-Why are you yelling all of a sudden?!

A-Ahem. Err... Melo-me, I-I'm really sorry...

Wha? Why the heckle are you apologizing?

I accidentally unlocked your terminal with our identical fingerprints...and accidentally saw your comic on the tab that was open!

...Oh. Well, judging by your reaction, you definitely saw the Moyna comic. If you already saw it, I might as well explain...

The protag, Moyna, looks up to all of her friends, but try as she might, she isn't able to truly be like them. So, even if she can't find her own, she helps others find their happy ending, those who, like her, lost to something stronger.

Melo-me...

I haven't added to it in a long time. I kept thinking, "What kind of message is this even giving? 'Here's a loser, the end'?" But I finally feel like I know what direction it's meant to go in...

I want to help that girl find the motivation to fly again, or at least to try. That's the kind of story it's meant to be. Inspired, of course, by both her and you.

B-By me?! I-I inspired THE god of artistry herself, MarshMeloMochi?!

I-I'm just a mortal! I-I'm unworthy!

You have great taste in gods. I'll bless you for your faithfulness with an autographed drawing of Pure Mel later! But first, my Melo-twin, there's a favor I need to ask of you.

Yes, that's an amazing idea! I-I mean I think. I-In my humble opinion that bears no weight as a mortal!

You know you're me, right? You don't have to speak with so much reverence. Though, I also won't ever get tired of it...

S-Such would be blasphemy!

Actually, who am I to be giving advice on that. Without this pen name persona, I have no idea how to talk to people either.

Well, that's neither here nor there. Let's get our eyes back on the prize!

Tune in next time for a Pure Mel special: Embracing the Light and Dark! The Garden of IDA Showdown!

These parties are always so much fun! Aren't you excited?

I guess so... I might as well enjoy it, since it's probably the last one I'll be around for...

Gahhh... I feel so nervous my heart's in my throat.

Th-That just means you'll be able to speak from the heart more easily! A-And if Pure Mel's forever in your heart, that means she'll be able to speak through you! You can rely on her completely!

Fair play! My metaphor has been defeated by nerd logic that I approve of. (Thanks, Twin. Relying on Pure Mel might help me fake it 'til I make it, but having you here is what makes me feel confident.)

Don't fail me now, Stylus, let's give them all a twinkle in their eyes!

P-Pure Mel! Here she comes!

Isn't that just...Dr. Melody?

Wait... No way!

...Goth Pure Mel?

You don't know Dark Melody?! That's the form Pure Mel took on after her enemy's master plan sent her spiraling into darkness!

I found you, at last!

Well, well, well. Look what the sparkly cat dragged in, it's the me who kicked me to the curb. Did you come here to gloat?

Or maybe you're here to get rid of me for good...

(I know I have the acting chops of a grilled cheese sandwich, but this is me just sharing how I truly feel. I'm not acting. I can do this!)

That's not it... I'm only here to stop you.

A likely story...that I won't be falling for. I won't let you just wipe me from history!

Y-You threw me away, just because you didn't like what you saw! You think I'd just welcome you back with open arms?!

You're right. You're right about it all. I don't blame you for feeling the way you do.

Which is why...even if you decide that you want to hurt me, I won't fight back.

Need proof?

Huh? Pure Mel ended her transformation...

Wh-Why would she do that?!

(It's showtime, Melo-twin!)

Hah! Hahaha! Well then, let's see how long you can last in that form...without screaming!

Why, ? Why won't you just transform?

(I can see her, my past self, the little girl I tried to scrub free from my slate to pretend that all of me was strong...)

(Come on, Melo-me. Bring it home!)

I meant what I said. I don't want to hurt you.

(The device I designed for them never did end up getting used in the end.) (But knowing that hasn't erased the trauma of being threatened, or of letting my fear stop me from doing the right thing...) (I have regrets. I feel weak, I feel pathetic, and yet...)

You are me. Being covered to pretend you don't exist, or being told that imperfections or weaknesses aren't allowed, all of that must've hurt...

...More than you could possibly know. Weaknesses are every bit as much a part of us as our strengths...so why is it that I was singled out and treated like I'm worthless?! Do you have any idea how lonely it feels for me when we pretend like I don't exist?

I didn't, but I do now. And I promise that I won't split us up again.

From now on, I'll embrace every part, good and bad, strong and weak, and live as me, not as the forgery I dressed up in masks. Even if the world doesn't like what they see, I'll choose to love myself anyway, all of me!

...Don't let me go.

Embrace all of me... Both strong and weak...

Doctor? I'll go through with the surgery... B-But I'm gonna be saying how scared I am the whole time! I am brave, but being super scared is part of me too!

Phew... I'm really glad that little girl was able to look forward to her future again.

A-Also, I think your AU exploring "What if Pure Mel and Dark Melody split apart?" was so i-incredibly, amazingly awesome!

The way you wrote each character-gabble- gabble-respect to the writers-gabble-not to mention-gabble-gabble-don't you think?!

Oh, sweet nectar of the gods, I can feel my lifespan extending with each massage of my ego! I could survive an entire year on a deserted island sipping on that juicy praise alone...

On a more serious note... Thank you, Melody, for inviting me to the hospital event.

Wh-Why is a literal god thanking me of all people?!

Hmm, yes, while it is undeniable, dare I say factual, that I am a god, sometimes gods are the ones saved by their people.

By being able to help this little girl...I was able to save the little girl in my past at the same time. That's why I'm thankful.

Don'tcha just love happily ever afters?! With my power as a god, I'll keep writing stories that make my readers feel warm and fuzzy!

I think you should! That sounds like a great idea!

And to do that, I need my comics to spread to everyone everywhere, like butter! Don't question it! I need to become number one!

I've been missing the ME factor. I need to market my story to give my pen name more value!

It's time to take my mask off and show the world my life growing up. I can't afford to spare a single detail!

...Growing up? E-Every detail?!

Thanks for supporting me! I'll get started on a rough draft right away!

W-Wait! Th-That means you're sharing that part where... B-BUT WE HAVE THE SAME HISTORY.

N-Not that part! Y-You can omit some details! S-STOP!!!