Discordant Melody
[We open the scene on a shot of the valley located near the Pine Railway. Up on the narrow gauge line, Duke can be seen pulling four blue and cream coaches with a guard's van at the back. Stepney then comes into the frame with two red branch line coaches in two on the standard gauge line. The two engines whistle each other a greeting as they pass by in opposite directions]
[Transition to the town of Amber as Timmy, Cosmo, and Wanda can be seen snoozing on a bench while Spongebob suddenly drives past in his car, Patrick and Sandy in the backseat. In the background, Pinocchio, Dumbo, and Bambi can be seen along the sidewalk]
[The scene transitions to Toon City as we pan down to a music studio labeled "Songs of the Heart" in bold magenta letters. Honest John and Gideon pass by the studio heading to the left while Bugs, Daffy, and Porky pass by heading to the right]
[Cut to the interior of the studio as several musicians or singers can be seen practicing in their respective rooms; Vinyl Scratch, or DJ Pon-3, is giving her boom boxes a workout as she jams out to the tune. In another room, Octavia Melody is practicing on her cello to the tune of the William Tell Overture. In another room, to anyone's surprise if they saw it, Squidward is practing a rendition of Rhapsody in Blue on the clarinet. In one room to the right, Dorothy Gale is singing her signature solo from the '39 film while Toto is watching her from the basket]
Dorothy: Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high…
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby…
[We move away from Dorothy's performance to show another room where Musa is behind a boom microphone singing her own composition]
Musa: There's an emptiness you left
No one else can ever fill
Now you're gone and in my heart
There's a pain that just won't heal…
[As Musa is singing, Riven is on the other side adjusting the volume on the control panel. He nods as the background music is cranked to what he believes to be the right volume, but just as it happens, Musa suddenly stops singing]
Riven: Huh?!
Musa: Cut! Cut the music!
Riven: Oh, for crying out loud…
[Riven pauses the soundtrack and crosses his arms]
Riven: What is it now?
Musa: The track is drowning out my vocals, I need you to pan the music and audio at the correct balance.
Riven: Last time you said I put too much emphasis on your voice, and now it's the music? You need to make up your mind.
Musa: A song needs to have the balance to flow just right. If it's thrown off, it'll sound like a mess.
Riven: [murmurs] A little meticulous on the details, aren't you?
Musa: You know I can still hear you, right?
Riven: HMM!
[Riven blinks and his face flushes, cut to Musa giving a smirk]
Musa: You're adorable when you get all flustered.
Riven: [sighs] You're a jerk sometimes, ya' know that?
Musa: Well, I used to date one, so maybe it rubbed off on me.
[Riven scowls with a roll of his eyes. He then closes his eyes…and opens them with a coy grin]
Riven: You know what? I'll let you have that one.
Musa: [sighs] Okay, I think it's a good time to take five.
[Musa heads over to the door to come out of the recording room into the control room]
Musa: I hope this hasn't been too taxing for you.
Riven: What? This? Naaaaaah. I simply love having to constantly adjust and re-adjust the stereo to get that perfect sound.
Musa: Well, being the Fairy of Music, can ya' really blame me for striving for perfection?
Riven: I suppose I should expect it by this point. Your talent speaks for itself.
[Musa playfully nudges Riven on his side]
Musa: Ya' big doof. You're goin' soft on me.
Riven: Strange, I thought my role was to be the big tough bad boy.
Musa: Heheheh, you know, when you're not driving me crazy, you're pretty fun to hang out with.
Riven: Well, glad I can appeal to both sides. Anyway, ya' ready to pack it up? I reckon it's practically dinnertime.
Musa: Yeah, suppose I can't stay here all night, wouldn't want us both to starve.
Riven: Sounds good to me, now, let's get goin'.
[Musa and Riven open the door to exit out of the recording studio and pass by several other rooms in the hallway, one of which causes Musa's attention as she looks to her left]
[Inside the room is the Pink Panther practicing his signature theme on the saxophone. Musa pauses and Riven stops beside her]
Riven: What's up?
Musa: Ya' know, to think that we attended that guy's party a long while back.
Riven: Oh yeah, you filled me in on that. How'd that whole burglary or whatever even go down?
Musa: I'm still not sure of the full details, the police couldn't follow up on any of the leads, so it's a mystery. Either way, at least Pink's bounced back at it.
Riven: Hmmm…well, at least that's good, I guess.
[Cut to Riven and Musa exiting the studio as Jasmine and Mulan pass by to the right while Thomas O'Malley and Scat Scat pass by to the left]
Musa: PHEW! Man, I could go for a whole combo right about now.
Riven: Sounds like someone's a little big hungry.
Musa: Now, tell me, where would we be dining this evening?
Riven: I don't suppose Mary's Lighthouse sounds like a good option?
Musa: …If this was some time during '04 or '05, I would have scoffed at the idea, but honestly, I could go for any place right about now.
Riven: Actually, around that time, I probably woulda been the one scoffing.
Musa: Huh, lookit that, you did learn something from back then.
Riven: [rolls his eyes] Har-har, you're a comedian, Muse.
Musa: I try. Now, are we just gonna stand here, or are we gonna fill up?
Riven: Yeah, I'd rather not be kept waiting, let's go.
[The duo begin to make their way down to port by Cedar, passing by the Top Cat gang]
[We cut to the two having sat down at the restaurant in a booth, on one side to the viewer's left; Dylan, Dolly, Hansel, and Fergus are sat by one another, to the viewer's right, the Danger Rangers; Sully, Kitty, Squeaky, Burble, Burt, and Gabriela are sat down in the order just described]
[Musa and Riven's plates consist of an array of chicken wings with celery and carrot sticks, along with a dipping of bleu cheese with a basket of french fries in the middle]
Musa: I tell you one thing, these are far better quality than some of those other joints in town. Like, someone seriously told me Devil's Bayou is the top dog of wings.
Riven: Isn't that the place where most of the baddies hang out? I'd hardly take their word for it.
Musa: I'll be honest, I heard the likes of Mordecai and Rigby tried to sample some…they went through another episode like they did last time.
[Brief cut to the aforementioned blue jay and raccoon sat next to one another with a meal of deep dish pizza]
Riven: Hmmm…those poor poor fools. I hardly pity them. I swear, those wings are always laced with those two.
Musa: Yeah, who knows with them, but either way, nice to see ya' treated me for a change.
Riven: I mean, you could say it was long overdue, what with your busy schedule and all that.
Musa: Well, I knew what I was getting myself into when I signed up for it. This career is important to me.
Riven: Guess it took me a while for me to realize that, considering…AHEM…
Musa: You really like to act as a knight in shining armor, don't you?
Riven: What? No, I…okay, perhaps I do a little bit…a lot.
Musa: I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm flattered, but sometimes, you did take it a little too far.
Riven: I just didn't wanna see you get hurt. Plus, as a specialist, I felt like it was my duty to protect…then again, perhaps I took it to the next level…
Musa: Yeah…I understand you wanted to prove yourself, but back then, there were times when I felt you were acting…you know, possessive.
Riven: [sighs] I get it. I was a real jerk back then, I just didn't know how to express myself. Truth be told…you deserved better…
Musa: Hey…
[Musa extends a hand out to Riven's shoulder]
Musa: There's nothing wrong with showing vulnerability. We can't be brave and strong all the time, we're capable of a wide range of emotions. We don't need to conceal them.
Riven: Wish I had learned that sooner…
Musa: You did mention something about a hard time growing up…
Riven: Yeah…the whole issue with my mother…I barely knew her since she left when I was very young…and my father was…very much an image of masculinity. It's part of the reason I was enlisted into Red Fountain to begin with, to be one with the boys, to eventually become a man…well, we see where that got me.
Musa: Well…at least to me, you've made some improvement. Hmmm…it's almost like it were yesterday…when we were young and foolish, with the on again, off again nonsense…
Riven: Suppose it was better in the long run that we put a stop to it…
Musa: Yeah, for the better of both of us…
[Musa and Riven smile at each other as they continue to eat. Transition to outside of the restaurant as Ed, Edd, and Eddy pass by to the left. The Fairy of Music and the violet-haired specialist depart from the restaurant before stopping to look at each other]
Musa: That was a good time.
Riven: Yeah…I would say it was…
Musa: Well, I'd better get home and hit the hay, gotta finish that album sooner than later.
Riven: Alright, call me if you need anything. See ya', Musa…
Musa: Yeah…catch ya' soon, Riven…
[On that note, Musa and Riven go their separate ways as they head towards their respective homes. Musa is shown walking down the street when the scent of smoke catches her nose. She quirks a brow and peers into a nearby alley…a large buff Doberman in a white tank top, piercing red eyes, and a collar with the initials MD, short for Mad Dog, is smoking a joint up against a wall. He turns in Musa's direction and growls]
[Musa looks the other way so as not to humor the canine's threatening aura, even she could take him herself. Another instance comes in the form of Katz slinking past the navy blue-haired woman as he narrows his eyes suspiciously]
Musa: Man, this place is full of creeps tonight…
?: I wouldn't say all of them.
Musa: Huh?
[Musa looks to her left and we pan over to Selina, propped up against a wall with her headphones in her ears]
Selina: You're that music fairy, aren't you?
Musa: Uh…yeah? Who wants to know?
Selina: Oh, just someone with a curious mind. I don't suppose I could get your opinion on something?
Musa: Sure, what is it?
Selina: I wanted to know if I had a good taste in music. Coming from you, maybe I'll understand it better.
Musa: Alright then, lemme have a listen then.
[Selina hands Musa her headset and the latter listens to the music playing, a somber, orchestral melody plays as an operatic voice sings the track]
When there's no one…
There is darkness…
All the light has used to shine, that once was mine…
No longer glows…
And there is no sun…
When there's no one…
[Musa's expression turns to one of concern as the track continues before pulling the headset off]
Musa: That's…a very sad song…
Selina: Fitting, isn't it…?
Musa: What?
Selina: Anyway, I appreciate the feedback, I shan't disturb you any longer…
[Selina slips away into the darkness, leaving Musa rather confused]
Musa: What the…? Oh, never mind, let's just get home…
[Trying to soothe herself, Musa continues on her way. Cut to the interior of her apartment, specifically in the bedroom where the Asian woman slumps onto the mattress with a loud sigh]
Musa: Hooooooo…what a day…at the very least, it's over and I can finally relax…
[As Musa says this, she flips over on the bed, a pan-out shot reveals several records on a shelf nearby, coupled with a musical note lamp on the desk with the clock next to it. On Musa's desk is a laptop with a microphone off to the side while several spreadsheets of music are scattered on the desk. On top of the drawer is a picture of Musa's mother and father when they were younger]
[Musa stands up and ponders for a moment]
Musa: That song…what's the gist of it…yet, I'm curious…hmmmm…
[Musa goes over to her desk and pulls up the browser. She types in the first verse that she heard of the song. Upon pulling up a page with the lyrics, she decides to listen to the song in full, and the music plays over the scene]
When there's no one…
There is darkness…
All the light has used to shine, that once was mine…
No longer glows…
And there is no sun…
When there's no one…
[Transition to the ending verse of the song, by this point, Musa's expression has turned to being on the verge of tears, her wide eyes looking straight ahead]
There is no sun…
When there's no one…
[As the song finally ends, a tear trickles down Musa's face…she puts her hand to her cheek. She slowly turns over to the picture of her parents, focusing particularly on her mother; Matlin. Musa extends her arm out]
Musa: [weakly] Mom…
[We transition to a flashback of Musa when she was merely a toddler, walking up to her mother's open arms as she laughs]
[A sudden flash takes us to a recreation of Matlin lying on her deathbed as Ho-Boe and Musa mourn over her. Musa appears purely shattered while Ho-Boe places a hand down on Matlin while using the other to wipe the tears on his face]
[Another flash takes us back to Musa in the present day as she clutches the picture frame to her chest]
Musa: I just wish…you could have seen me now…how far I've come…in another life, we could have been a duet…
[Musa puts the frame back on the shelf with a heavy heart before deciding to retire to bed. She sighs as she slips under the covers and flicks off the lights with a sparkle of magic, closing her eyes as she drifts off to sleep…]
[We transition to a crowd cheering for the start of a concert. Musa can be seen among the crowd as she cheers in anticipation. The spotlight shines on the singer, revealing it to be Matlin. Musa's cheering subsides as her mother begins to sing with a beautifully soothing voice]
Sometimes secretly…
We'd all like to know
Of somewhere safe in dreams
Where no one else can go…
[Before she can even sing another verse, Matlin collapses on the stage, much to everyone's shock and to Musa's horror]
Musa: MOM!
[The crowd vanishes around Musa as she rushes to the stage, but before she can set a single foot on it, the ground begins to crack beneath her feet, Just as Musa reaches her hand out to Matlin's, the floor breaks away into large empty spaces, separating the mother and daughter even further. Musa gasps as she falls backwards, watching as her mother has barely enough strength to lift her arm as she starts to slant to the right]
Musa: NO!
[Musa jumps to the platform just in time to reach her mother's hand, as the two fall into the crumbling abyss, Musa clings onto Matlin for dear life]
Musa: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH-UH!
[Musa turns her head around…the stage is gone, the crowd is gone, her mother is gone, but she's still intact, back in her bedroom]
Musa: What…that was…mom…oh…
[Musa rests back on the pillow and turns around, uneasily going back to sleep]
[Transition to the next day as Musa is shown walking down to the studio, her head hanging low and a downcast expression on her face…]
Musa: [sighs] What a way to feel inspired…
[Musa's depression is then distracted by the sound of something melodic in the distance. The Fairy of Music pauses and listens closely, cut to Pocahontas and Lupe sitting next to one another on a bench, making a tune through a set of panpipes, a sense of majesty and relaxation through the wistful sound of the pipes]
[Musa walks over to the two and sighs from behind the bench. The Native warriors recognize her presence and look over at the Fairy of Music]
Musa: That's very beautiful…
Pocahontas: Thank you, it's nice to see someone recognize the majesty of natural music.
Lupe: On the other hand, it appears not all is well with you?
Musa: Huh?
Pocahontas: Your tone is rather…downcast, shall we say.
Lupe: I take it something is troubling you.
Musa: It's just…a vision of my past came back to me…a rather sad one…
Pocahontas: I see…from personal experience, while it's human to hold onto those less pleasant memories, it mustn't consume you.
Lupe: Hmmm…perhaps there's an alternative outlet for those feelings…whenever I'm feeling that way, I tend to express it through music, or simply howling like the wolves before me…it brings me peace…
Musa: That…that might be something…I do have to let something out. But…not merely through talk…
[Musa walks away from the two as they glance at one another. We cut to Riven waiting outside of the music studio. Renaldo and Johnny P. pass by him]
Riven: What's keeping her up?
[No sooner does Riven say this that Musa appears before him]
Riven: Ah, there you are. Ready for today's session?
Musa: That depends, I had a…thought that I wanted to get out, but…
Riven: Yeah?
Musa: …I think I'd better show you.
[Musa leads Riven into the studio before it cuts to the two in an open room. Musa inserts a track to be played, much to Riven's confusion]
Riven: What's this? We're continuing Moon and Stars, aren't we?
Musa: Actually, this is a different composition. You'll understand in a bit…
[Riven shrugs as Musa enters the room to record her song. Riven adjusts the volume on the speakers and when Musa gives the signal to start, he presses the record button along with the accompanying track. To his further confusion, the music is of a rather somber tone with harps and flute. Musa begins to sing herself]
When there's no one…
There is darkness…
All the light has used to shine, that once was mine…
No longer glows…
And there is no sun…
When there's no one…
[Riven initially shows himself to be impressed by Musa's performance, but as he leans in, he starts to show a bit more…concern]
When the song dies
There is silence
When the tune that filled my days
No longer plays...
The room is still
And I hear long sighs...
When the song dies...
[As Musa continues to sing, she appears to be on the verge of tears, cut to Riven as his expression has dropped to one of sadness]
Was I so foolish to think I could pray
When there was no way I could save you?
You gave me life, while yours was taken away
As the shadows descend like a knife
But when I am all alone...
Will I cry "Mother..."
Oh, dear mother…
[By this point, Musa hasn't bothered to hide her tears as she sings]
Who will hold me
When there's no one?
When the smiles I used to see
Are not for me
What will I do?
Nobody's told me…
Who will hold me…
[Musa extends her arms out before bringing them back to her chest. At this point, Riven has covered his eyes for presumably whatever reason]
There is no sun…
When there's nooooooooo one…
[The track finally ends as Musa puts her head down, wiping her eyes as she exits the room, noticing Riven's current position]
Musa: So, what did you think…Riven?
[Riven finally turns to look at Musa, uncovering his eyes to reveal that he had been crying]
Riven: [weakly] Beautiful…
Musa: Oh…
[Musa wraps her arms around Riven in support and gives him a gentle pat on the back]
[Unbeknowst to the duo, Selina has been listening in from a distance in the hallway, her face solemn…she looks down before turning away…]
[Cut to black]
Character Guide:
Musa, Riven, Selina, Matlin, Ho-Boe - Winx Club
Dorothy Gale, Toto - The Wizard of Oz
Lupe the Wolf - Sonic the Hedgehog
Pocahontas - Pocahontas (1995)
Mordecai, Rigby - Regular Show
Pink Panther - Pink Panther
Bambi - Bambi (1942)
Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig - Looney Tunes
Dumbo - Dumbo (1941)
Dylan Dalmatian, Dolly Dalmatian, Fergus Fox, Hansel Husky - 101 Dalmatian Street
Ed, Edd, Eddy - Ed, Edd N' Eddy
Jasmine - Aladdin (1992)
Katz, Mad Dog - Courage the Cowardly Dog
Mulan - Mulan (1998)
Pinocchio, Honest John, Gideon - Pinocchio (1940)
Renaldo Raccoon, Johnny Pew - Tiny Toons Adventures / Looniversity
Spongebob Squarepants, Patrick Star, Squidward Tentacles, Sandy Cheeks - Spongebob Squarepants
Sully, Kitty, Squeaky, Burble, Burt, Gabriela - Danger Rangers
Thomas O'Malley, Scat Cat - The Aristocats (1970)
Timmy Turner, Cosmo, Wanda - The Fairy Oddparents
Top Cat, Benny, Choo-Choo, Fancy-Fancy, Spook, Brain - Top Cat
Vinyl Scratch, Octavia Melody - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Stepney, Duke - Thomas and Friends