Pure Mel Darkness!

All ready for the event, then?

Yup! Thanks for helping me shop for all this stuff, couldn't have done it without you!

And I believe it! You were hiding in the back of the store the whole time I was talking to the salesperson.

I just don't get it, you're preparing for an event with a bunch of people, and you can't talk to one guy?

I know it makes no sense, but I...yeah...

Remember the boy that asked to be my apprentice? Well, thanks to him I've slowly but surely gotten more used to the idea of meeting other Pure Mel fans offline!

Aaand sooo... I figured since I've been so good at going to events and all that stuff, I'd put on one of my own!

Huh. I see.

You don't think I'm ready for it, do you. I knew it! Oh gosh...

I couldn't even talk to a shop attendant! What was I thinking?! I should cancel the event.

Hold on, I was just kind of impressed by your initiative is all! If you need any help just call on me.

Thank you SO MUCH! You're a saint, Aldo. I bow unto thee.

Ah, right. Sorry. One more thing.

What's that?

This event is also gonna be a photoshoot for my cosplay...

I got this amazing new outfit and I wanna do something big! But I'm having problems getting everything together...

Oh, just so you know, the outfit is from Pure Mel's 4th full length feature film, and it's the one from the second act where Pure Melody...

Oh right, you've never seen it! So it begins with...oh man the first scene is so awesome.

And, and...The other thing you gotta know is that this movie stars ALL of the Pure Melody from movies 1-3! It's so freaking epic!

(I'm...gonna be here for a while aren't I.)

Hey Melody? Like, it sounds SUPER awesome and I'd love to hear more, but don't you have someone you gotta meet up with soon?

AAAAAAH! You're right! I gotta go!

I've got tickets to see the new Pure Mel movie with some other Pure Mel fans!

Wanna come with?

Aw, thanks for the invite, but I'm okay.

Whaaat? Why...

I...I guess it'd be a good opportunity to get used to meeting new people without you around! Yeah!

I feel bad leaving you on a cliffhanger, but I'll tell you the rest of the story later. Gotta go blow out my vocal cords!

Hm. Do something big, huh. I wouldn't even know where to start with regards to making Pure Melody fans happy...

Then you have come to the right place...

Who said that?

You can leave your Pure Melody problems to me!

I didn't know you were a Pure Melody fan?

I am! I once had the pleasure of helping a Pure Melody fan with a problem... So I loaded the whole series into my database! I've seen it all!

Oh, perfect!

Don't worry, I have just the thing that will surprise and delight a Pure Melody fan such as Melody! It's a recreation of one of the most well-known scenes in the whole series...

Oh, right! You probably haven't seen it, so I should give you a little context first. It had been a full fortnight since the Battle of Spring Break...

(Here we go again...)

Almost at the meetup spot! Looks like I'm gonna make it, but just barely!

Oh gosh, I've never met these people before. I wonder what th-th-they're l-like?!

B-B-Breathe, Melody! Hoooo, Haaaa. You're gonna be fine! It's gonna be fine! You're a big girl now! You can do this!

(Don't freak out. Don't freak out! You got this Melody! But also, oh my gosh, I am SO nervous.)

(But like, using Route 99 as a meet up spot is weird, right?) (Maybe they're like me and get nervous around a bunch of people so they picked a place where there is literally no people?!)

Sorry for being late, Melody.

Heh! You're...fine! No...problem!

WHAAAAAAA?

Y-You're a s-synth h-human?!

AAAAAAAH!

Huh? Suddenly...feel...slee...py...

Where...am I?

Finally awake, I see.

EEP!

Heh. Don't even think about running. The detainment field we have you in can withstand just about anything. Accept your fate, my little test subject! The better you cooperate, the easier this will be for all of us.

......

Know what that thing on your head is? It emulates a human's brainwaves, allowing me to not only control you, but overwrite your memories with anything I want. It's called "the Brainwashitron."

...Hngh...

Hah! Too afraid to speak, is it?

...Ah...Aah...

Ah, yes... The test subject makes a futile attempt to defiantly speak to her captor! But fear has gripped her vocal chords, and all she can muster is a pathetic whimper. Oh, the horror! Geha geha!

N-No! S-sorrry! It's just...

I-I g-get r-really n-nervous around s-strangers!

Hm? No matter. With this we can now use humans to do our bidding. No longer do we use our weapons to kill, no. This new weapon will turn all humans into our slaves!

A new phase in the war against humans will soon be upon us! ...But first we must test the device, and you are test subject #1. You should feel honored.

R-Really?! Thank...

No, no. Not thank you. Why did you pick me, of all people?!

Seeing as you are already under our control, I might as well tell you. You see, two weeks ago, I sent a drone out to Elzion on a reconnaissance mission. That's when I found you surrounded by humans, all bowing to you...

Those humans, they called you a goddess!

Uhm...

That's when we realized you have influence over the humans, making you the perfect test subject.

(Are they talking about my photo shoot?) (The photographer kept calling me the goddess of Pure Melody to try and calm my nerves, buuut...)

Geha, geha. Right on the nose, am I? Now, "Goddess" let me tell you what I plan to do with the human race! I will broadcast the new brainwashed you to all your little "believers", and as they wallow in despair... I will brainwash them all!

How could you! I-I-I won't let you get away with this!

Too late for that. Weren't you planning some kind of event? I've already contacted everyone on the guest list and told them I changed the location... TO ROUTE 99! Geha geha!

You...pretended to be me? People are gonna know it's not me just by reading the message, you know that right?!

Heh. Simple human. I used all the data on your phone to train an AI to sound just like you. No one will know! Not even your close relatives!

Hmmm...

When you say "all the data" what do you mean?

(Cause like, oh gosh. There's some really embarrassing stuff on there...) (Like the time I spent five days trying to decide if I wanted to send this message to someone from college only to just leave it in my drafts...)

(Or like the one where I was in my feelings so I posted this really lame poem but then deleted it 10 seconds later?)

(OH GOSH DID THEY TRAIN THE AI ON MY PM FANFIC?!)

Ohhh no. Ooooohhhh nooonononono. Please no. Anything but that...

ANYTHING! Anything but that! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!

HNGGGGGHH MMMMMMMMM NAHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhuh...

This isn't brainwashing! You're trying to...

Enough. I've had enough of your yapping. You belong to me now. End of story.

Turn on the Brainwashitron.

Ah! Uhhhh, w-what is h-happ-ppening t-to m-meeee?

Now, I must take my leave, as I have business to attend to. By the time we meet again you'll be nothing but a husk ready to obey my every command!

Forget all you know, and become the instrument of my anger!

Nooooooooo!

Huh?

Free...to go?

Ooookayyy? Thaaaank yooou?

This isn't...a trap is it?

It's just that there's this scene in Pure... Ah, you know what, never mind. I've just heard that's what people do sometimes!

Huh?

Yeah! It was the first episode directed by Gami after his hiatus!

People always talk about how crazy his action scenes are, but no one does SD designs the way he does 'em!

...Wait. How come you guys know all that?!

Really?!

Good point...

But, like why?! You're synth humans!

They really are amazing right? And oh my gosh the story! There's NO filler! None!

Fun for all ages right?! Not just kids and their parents, but for adults too! It's like, the show grows with you, you know?

Oh yeah, I definitely feel that.

Which season is your favorite?

TOTALLY!

......

Uh... Yeah!

NOPE!

T-Thank you!

......

Sorry if I'm speaking out of place... But have you two ever just thought about... quitting?

You don't want to fight humans anymore, right? ...You're even helping me escape!

And like, if I run away won't you two get in trouble and stuff?!

Run away with me! Come on, let's leave! Together!

Nuh uh!

But...

But I...

Huff... Puff... Finally...back...in Elzion..

But... AAAHH! What do I do now?! Maybe start with calming down. Yeah. Good idea. Breathe in...

I've already contacted everyone on the guest list and told them I changed the location... TO ROUTE 99! Geha geha!

Right! I need to tell everyone not to go to Route 99!

...AAAH! My phone! That synth human still has it!

This is bad. All my contacts were in there, and I mean, who memorizes phone numbers these days?!

Maybe I just wait by Route 99, and when everyone shows up, I tell 'em it's a trap?

If I do that though I'll probably just get kidnapped again, and boy would that be bad!

There's gotta be something I can do to save everyone...

...Everyone, huh...

Should I really have left those two back there?

Pure Mel RULES!

What a wonderful movie that was!

(Jealousss... I've only seen it 12 times!)

(I should go get tickets for my 13th and 14th viewing! And then I'll do the fan participation showing for the 15th!)

(...Get it together Melody! People are in danger! Now's not the time!

I wanna be Pure Melody when I grow up!

...I can, can't I?

(Of course you can!)

Of course! Remember what she said?

If you're brave enough... If you're...strong? What was it again?

(The line from timecode 01:14:26!) (If you have the strength of will. If you have the boldness of bravery...)

(That's it! That's the answer!)

...You think a young Pure Melody could help her mother make dinner?

You bet!

I'm gonna save everyone, and I mean everyone! Pure Melody is on the case!

I need to pick up some things from the house, and then off to the Industrial Ruins...

But before I do that!

ALDOOOO!!

Huff...Huff... So...glad...I found you...

Perfect timing, Melody. We were just doing the preparations for your big reveal.

Even long-time fans will love it!

Oh gosh. Well now I've gotta know what it is!

Buuut... I gotta pass for now! I got this emergency, do you think you could help me out Aldo?

Emergency? Uh...sure? What's the problem?

Well, you see...

That's too dangerous!

I know! That's why I need your help, Aldo!

Hmm...

If things start to turn south, I'm gonna step in and put an end to it, got it?

I wouldn't expect any less from St. Aldo!

Okay, I'm heading back to the industrial ruins!

Huff... Huff...

Melody?! Why are you here?!

Because I have a favor to ask!

Could you...

...Brainwash me?

Looks like we all got the message about the new venue, but why here?

Probably makes for a better photo shoot, right?

......

Right, but where is Melody?

Haha... So nice of you to come, you pathetic humans!

All hope is gone, for you are now in the presence of the PRINCESS of DARKNESS!

Sing for me! The melody of despair!

Oh wow! Would you look at that!

No...way...

Heh heh... Shocked because your pure little princess has turned to the dark side?

That outfit belongs to the Diva of Despair herself!

DARK MELODY!

From the movie where Pure Melody turns to the dark side! Even the lines are perfect!

Hmmm... I thought they would be more...frightened? Perhaps the gravity of the situation hasn't caught up with them yet...

Geha geha... Pathetic humans. A shock to the system is all it takes to confuse their senses!

Hey look! A synth human! What're you doin' here!

After we're done, it won't matter if I'm a synth human or the president of Elzion. YOU will be brainwashed, and YOU will do MY bidding!

JUST LIKE YOUR GODDESS!

Hngh!

Brainwash? You don't mean...

Geha geha...

You had me going there at first! He's a horribro, right? I don't remember those lines, though...

Oh. I think I know! It was from the novelization of...

This isn't quite the response I expected...

Remind these idiots the danger they're in!

It is done.

Take the light with SHADOW DESIRE!

ACK!

Melody! This is getting to be a little too real, don't you think?!

What was that? You want more?!

Hey!

Feel the despair, and experience the anger of your new synth lords!

Melody, if you hit me with one of those explosions, I'm calling my lawyer.

Guys...I don't think this is an act...

(I know Melody told me to take a back seat, but this is getting to be too much...)

OKAY! That's enough. Event's over. I'll handle Melody, you guys run...

I think not.

You really think I'd let my little experiment run away? Make one wrong move and the girls in back will die.

We're surrounded!

This...is bad...

Seems you pathetic humans have finally realized the situation you are in.

Mwaha! MWAHAHAHA!

GEHA GEHA GEHA!

STOP!

Who said that?! Show yourself!

Horri..bros? What in the world are you two talking about? I command you to tie these people up!

I don't know what any of that means, but have you forgotten about the fact you must obey all of my commands?!

Heh. See?

BUT HOW?!

Is this a betrayal arc or something? What's going on?

I'm not entirely sure, but I think they're here to protect us?

Try as you might, but you are nothing in the face of pure despair!

(Good work guys! Everything's going to plan!)

Exactly! We'll have everyone come to Route 99...

And I'll attack them like I've actually been brainwashed by your boss...

And what I mean is, I'll make sure I miss everybody! Don't want anyone getting hurt, you know!

Anyway, you gotta wait till everyone has given up all hope...and then you two show up!

I've got a plan for that!

I made a signal jammer that should be good enough to allow you to disobey his orders at least once!

Seriously?!

I guess it's to be expected from someone who made their own custom Mel-Mel robot!

To think someone's love for Pure Melody could result in technology on the bleeding edge of engineering... Pure Melody truly is the best.

Oh! I also got a little outfit together to really sell the whole being brainwashed thing.

Wanna see? I mean it's cool if you...

Ahh, the sweet sound of despair...

...So, uhhh... What do you think?

......

Ummm...?

Oh gosh. This was a mistake. I am SO sorry you guys. I just got so into the moment, and like this outfit and... Is it the silhouette? Did I get the cinch wrong? This is so embarrassing.

Apologies, I was just so in awe, my positronic brain overloaded for a second and had to restart...

So this is what humans mean when they say "speechless."

Really?! You like it?! Oh what a RELIEF!

Sorry, it's just when I get started, I just kinda talk and talk and talk and I forget other people are in the conversation and... When we're talking about Pure Melody I just hyperfocus on it and it's like the whole world disappears around me, you know?

Come on, guys! Remember what Pure Melody says! If you have the strength of will. If you have the boldness of bravery. Then there's a pure melody inside of you!

You are NOT horribros!

You are Pure Melody, full of just as much bold bravery and strength of will as anyone! Doesn't matter if you're human or synth, young or old! All that matters is what's in your heart!

Grrr... Stop dodging my attacks!

Hey, wasn't that from...

It WAS! I don't know who these two synths are, but I can tell you one thing...

These two, are PURISTS!

And you know what that means! Okay everyone, you know what to do!

YOU GOT THIS PURE ANDROID!

TAKE 'EM DOWN, PURE IRON!

YOU GOTTA SAVE PURE MELODY!

As if... (This is perfect! Okay now for me to...)

GRRrrrr... SHUT UP! StOP thIS inCESsanT...

I've been to 500 fan participation showings, these lungs are built to shout! YOU GOT THIS PURE MELODY!

SHOW US YOUR SMILE!

Grrrr....

Urk...

Hnggh...

...Huh?

We did it! Pure Melody...I mean Melody is back to normal!

What was I...

You were being controlled by that synth human! Until these two brave Purists saved the day!

No way, this was all you guys!

Yeah! You totally saved the day!

(That's a relief... It looks like I was right about everyone accepting those two!)

(Now all that's left is to take care of that jerk that made them do bad stuff, and then trained an AI on my drafts folder!)

Sorry everyone...I feel much better now...

Now we've gotta punish the horribro that brainwashed me!

PURE PURE SHINING MODE MELODY CHANGE!

MELODY CHANGE!

I AM THE LIGHT THAT SHINES FOR MILES...

A HAPPY SOUND OF HOPE AND SMILES!

Urk!

AAAAH!

You okay, Melody?!

I-I'm...fine...

What in the world is wrong with you people?

What did you do to Melody?!

I have no use for her if the brainwashing has lost its effect.

YEAH, but you CAN'T interrupt a morph-in-progress. THAT's against the rules! Even the worst of the bad guys know that!

Seriously! Unbelievable!

What? I could kill each and every one of you if I wanted, you know that? But this is just too weird for me. I gotta get out of here. Come on guys, we're going.

It may have worked once, but don't think you can disobey me twice!

We're going.

WAIT!

Melody! You've done enough!

Yeah, you're in no shape to go after them!

I know...but...I've got to save them...

I promised to save everyone... and I mean everyone! Pure Melody wouldn't leave those two to be bullied by that other synth human, and neither will I!

There's...so much more I want to talk to them about!

All right. Riica, let's go with her.

Indeed!

Let us come, too! We can take care of ourselves, don't worry!

Yeah! Those two are with us now, and Purists gotta protect Purists!

If you can't protect a friend in a pinch, what kind of Purist are you?!

Thank you, everyone...

Okay everyone!

Let's go save our friends!

STOP RIGHT THERE, HORRIBROS!

Okay, seriously. What is a horribro? You know what, never mind. I don't care. You two, make yourselves useful and take care of this nuisance.

YES SIR!

No...you can't!

Don't let him boss you around! Remember the love of Pure Melody that resides in your hearts!

Hngh!

(She's still not fully healed, I might have to step in here...)

The love of Pure Melody...

Aldo. I do believe now would be the perfect chance to run the program we created!

Really? Now?

If we can manage to remind those two synth humans how much they love Pure Melody... We may be able to interrupt the processes that force them to obey commands long enough to make a move on their superior.

It's worth a shot! Okay, here goes nothing!

(Urgh, just when I thought everything was going to plan, I had to drop the ball.) (Just like I always do...)

You can't give up now! Your magic is the magic of bravery!

...Huh?

No matter how bad it gets, even when you're on the brink and all seems lost. Your magic is the magic of hope!

What?

Hey! Isn't this...

So you've noticed...

Pure Melody, in her darkest hour is visited by all the past Pure Series MCs in one of the most famous scenes from the feature films! So we created a holographic version of it for the show.

Your magic is the light that shines upon the whole world!

This. Is. EPIC!

You did a great job with recording these, Riica.

To replicate the original I made sure to find people from varying eras, and also made sure they came from different parts of the world. It appears it was worth the effort!

I'm shocked everyone was okay saying the lines.

"Now unleash the magic of miracles." Sorry, why am I reading this crap, again?

Unfortunately not everyone was okay with the lines they were given.

You gotta believe! In yourself and everyone else! Because... Because you're PURE MELODY!

You gotta believe, Melody! In yourself and everyone else! Because... Because you're not just Melody, you're PURE MELODY!

Cifer...

It's up to Melody now.

......

You okay, Melody?

(What...is happening.)

(This is SO FREAKING COOL!) (WHY DON'T I HAVE MY CAMERA?! Oh gosh, I hope someone's recording this. I NEED that data!)

(Okay Melody calm down. You got this.)

You...re right... I can't give up! Because... If you have the strength of will. If you have the boldness of bravery. Then there's a pure melody inside of all of us!

I AM THE MIRACLE BOUNCING TO THE BEAT OF BRAVERY!

ZOOMING RIGHT TO YOUR HEART IN A MAGICAL KEY...

I AM THE ONE AND ONLY PURE MELODY!

YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

GOOSEBUMPS!

Right?! Pure Melody doing her intro lines into the Dark Melody outfit? It doesn't get any better than this!

It's one of my favorite scenes! She takes on the power of shadow, and then creates a new light from it! Amazing!

Exactly, man!

Wait, how'd you get back there?

You guys back to normal?

We were so taken by the reenactment...

By the time we knew what we were doing, we had already joined the church of Pure Melody!

I didn't expect it to work this well...

Pure Melody won over their programming!

What is this nonsense?

Pure Melody is justice.

What does that even mean?! You guys are weird. This whole thing is weird!

But I know if I don't do something about it, it'll mean trouble. So I'm going to kill every last one of you.

Not on my watch! Riica! Melody!

You got it, Aldo. Watch out evil, because you're about to get PURIFIED!

Damn...Why! This isn't over yet...not by a long shot!

Phew...

We probably won't be hearing from him for a while.

We bid you all farewell.

Where do you think you're goin', huh?

Huh?

The meet and greet hasn't even started yet! Right guys?!

Yeah, we wanna hear all about how you guys planned something so faithful to the source material!

Oh... Of course!

Melody, you truly are Pure Melody in the flesh. There's no one else in the world that could bless us with a miracle as magical as this.

What?! Oh gosh it was nothing!

Besides!

It wasn't my magic, it was everyone's magic! That means you two, and everyone else here! We all cast that spell together!

Heh. "There's a pure melody inside of all of us" indeed!

Hey Melody, why don't we take this event some place a little less...abandoned?

Ah, right. Good idea!

Before we go, though. Go on Melody, do the thing!

Yes, Melody, we can't end the episode without you!

I dunno guys...Me? Really? It's embarrassing...

You won't do it?

I didn't say that! It's just...

Okay. Give me a second to get into character!

A pure heart needs everyone's magic! Come back next week for mooooore...

PURE MAGICAL!

I can't believe I was beaten by those weirdos...

There you are, sir.

Come to finish the job, have you?

Just because we gave up on fighting humans, doesn't mean we've turned our back on our synth brothers.

Then why are you...

Because we're here to... Make sure you watch every episode of the Pure Series. Starting from episode one.

WHAT?!

We were made from your AI. And if WE love Pure Melody, that means there is a pure melody burning in your engine. Just like there is in ours.

So you've come to brainwash me, is it?!

Brainwash? Nothing of the sort. We're here to "purify" you. 894 episodes and 17 feature films may sound like a lot, but it will be over before you know it. Welcome to the world of Pure Melody, sir! Let her love wash over you like rain!

STOP IT! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

What we watchin' next? So this is Pure Rose, huh? Awesome! She's the strongest one yet! Huh... What is this feeling? Why is my heart beating so fast!

A Rose fan, eh... That's unfortunate.

Looks like we're going to have to take matters into our own hands!

ROSE! ROSE! ROSE! ROSE! Come back next week for more... PUUUUURE MAGICAAAAAAL!