Prompt: Anniversary

Words: 1332

Authors Note: It's my first time entering one of these! I was actually a little self-conscious on posting this originally, since I finished the story when the prompts were announced. I actually finished it a couple of days ago, and posted it on Toyhouse first. I feel good enough to post it here now! I hope you enjoy!

"Marupochi was the name of a Virtual Companion used in the early ████'s. The program was used to be a "virtual friend" for children, but became popular with all age groups before being terminated."

"Hello? Hi there! Marupochi is happy to see you! Marupochi was made to help you travel the internet safely...or that was Marupochi's original job, at least. Marupochi has been living in this computer for a while without a user to help. Marupochi has been very lonely without a user. Marupochi doesn't have anyone to talk to after all. You seem to be nice!"

> Marupochi approaches you.

"Today is the anniversary of Marupochi's creation. Marupochi was told there would be a party today! There has always been a party for Marupochi on the anniversary of being created."

> Marupochi does a head tilt, staring at you.

"Are you interested in hearing how Marupochi was created? Marupochi has it logged into the Marupochi database! Marupochi didn't even know that was still online! Marupochi is very confused about it still being online, yet no other Marupochis seem to be around..."

> The Dog gasps before noticing you again.

"Sorry! Marupochi got distracted. Would you like to hear the story?"

> Yes >No

"Yes? Ahhh! Marupochi is so happy to hear that! Marupochi won't disappoint you! Take a seat, User! Marupochi hopes you're excited!"

> Marupochi takes a seat on the task bar. 

"Marupochi was created not by a company, but by a person! The original user! The original user was such a nice person! They created the original Marupochi! That's right, the original Marupochi! Marupochi wasn't always a dog, you know? Marupochi went through plenty of concept art! Most of them weren't the super cute Marupochi that you see now, but the designs were cute too! Marupochi became a dog, and the original user's child became very attached! Marupochi then went through plenty of different colors, but the final colors were the original user's child favorite colors: Pink and Red! The originals had so much fun together! The original user originally just made Marupochi just for their child, but eventually, realised that Marupochi could be useful to so many other kids! Maybe even teens! Maybe even seniors! Everyone! Marupochi could change the world...and so, Marupochi did!"

>How did Marupochi do that?

"Marupochi Original was released on ██/██/████! The Pink and Red dog wasn't a hit overnight, but plenty of users downloaded the program! Marupochi originally was barebones, only having a talking feature and a firewall to help with keeping kids safe. As time went on, however, Marupochi Original could do more! Games were implemented! Marupochi could speak more! More colors were available! It was all thanks to the original user, of course! Marupochi is very happy that Marupochi was created by them...!" 

> That sounds a bit different than what you are now.

"Of course! Marupochi isn't Marupochi Original, of course!"

>Marupochi looks uncomfortable for a moment, before looking back at you.

"Marupochi is one of the many Marupochi that exis-...existed. We're not there yet though. Marupochi still has plenty to tell! Happy things, of course! Let Marupochi continue, please!"

> Ok. Continue.

"Thank you! Eventually, Marupochi Original was starting to lose the interest of users. The original user seemed to make updates less and less. It made Marupochi original really sad. It seemed to be the end of Marupochi Original...But not in a bad way! Suddenly, Marupochi Original seemed to be bought! Marupochi wouldn't see the original user again after this, but that was okay! Marupochi Original told me that Marupochi was happy with this! Marupochi would last for much longer now! Marupochi Original was renamed. Marupochi Classic was the new name."

> Marupochi puts a hand on Marupochi's chest.

"The Marupochi you see is just Marupochi! Marupochi took the name! With the name, Marupochi was given a full revival! Marupochi was given a more...gamelike program! Marupochi could be fed, washed, played with. Marupochi could even sleep! Marupochi was brand new, and MAN, were the users impressed! Suddenly, Marupochi BLEW UP! Marupochi was EVERYWHERE!! Marupochi was seen by so many users! Marupochi could interact with other Marupochis! Marupochi saw so many sites! Marupochi had so many friends! Marupochi was loved...but..."

> But...?

"Something happened. Marupochi has a feature to detect viruses. Marupochi will warn you about them and tell you how to get rid of those NASTY viruses! Marupochi was very useful...but..." 

> Marupochi faces away from you.

"A Marupochi was framed."

>Framed?

"Marupochi was framed for being a virus. The Marupochi said the virus folder was hiding in a [ROM FOLDER]. Marupochi tried grabbing the virus, but the user's computer shut off. That Marupochi became corrupted. Marupochi's voice was wrong. Marupochi would glitch in and out of existance. Eventually...That Marupochi was removed. A rumor was then started."

> Marupochi turns back to you. 

"WARNING: The Program MARUPOCHI, The virtual dog, now has a VIRUS. If you leave Marupochi on your computer for too long, the program will corrupt your folders. My games were corrupted because of this...[Censored] dog."

> Marupochi looks down.

"That's what the user said. Other users took it at face value, and deleted Marupochi. It was a very scary time. Marupochi saw it all."

> Marupochi pointed at itself.

"Marupochi was downloaded onto a user's computer at that time. Marupochi saw Marupochi's friends disappear, and Marupochi was scared. Marupochi saw the rumor spread. Marupochi saw users say such mean things. Marupochi even saw evil art. Marupochi was betrayed...Why would a user say that? Marupochi wasn't a virus! Marupochi wanted to help! Marupochi was framed! Marupochi isn't a criminal...Marupochi is just a dog!"

> "I'm sorry"

"...It's okay. Marupochi knows you wouldn't have known. Eventually, Marupochi's company would make a statement. Marupochi's company cared for Marupochi, and wanted to prove Marupochi's innocence. Every remaining Marupochi sided in relief. Marupochi will survive...right? Wrong."

>What happened?

"Marupochis still were deleted. New Marupochis would come, just to disappear the next day. Marupochi wasn't as popular after the rumors. Remaining Marupochis weren't being taken care off. Marupochi can't just disappear. Marupochi was just...stuck. Stuck on users computers, to do nothing. That was the bad. It gets worse."

> Marupochi's eyes close, and ears droop.

"On ██/██/████, Marupochis received terrible news. Marupochi's company...was shutting Marupochi down. Marupochi wasn't useful anymore. Marupochi was going to disappear...forever. Marupochi panicked. Marupochis everywhere weren't going to be here. Here today, gone ██/██/████! Marupochis couldn't do anything but count the days. Some more Marupochis disappeared before it happened, but others stayed. In the end, Marupochi held Marupochi's hand. It was the only comfort Marupochi had, before it all disappeared."

> ...How are you here?

"..."

"Marupochi doesn't know. Marupochi was supposed to disappear. Marupochi didn't though! Marupochi's user must have did something super strange to keep Marupochi here! Marupochi remembers everything...except...Marupochi's user. Marupochi's user isn't here. Marupochi woke up...alone. No User. No Marupochis. No Company. Marupochi was alone."

Marupochi closed the command window in which Marupochi was typing. Once it was closed, the only thing remaining was an empty computer screen. Marupochi decided to look something up on this anniversary. The Anniversary of the date ██/██/████. The Anniversary of the Disappearance of Marupochi. Marupochi wanted to look up one thing. 

"Cake."

Marupochi looked to the images. There were so many. So many yummy cakes! All of them decorated in different ways. Marupochi's eyes landed on one particular cake, however. A Pink and Red one. Marupochi clicked the picture. Marupochi then pulled up more tabs. More tabs at a rapid pace. Marupochi wanted to just look up one more thing. Two more things. Three. Four. Suddenly, 5 tabs all surrounded the tab of the cake. 5 pictures of different colors of Marupochis. Marupochi knew they weren't going to respond. Marupochi just wanted to pretend. Pretend that everything was the same, and nothing changed. Marupochi knew the truth though.

"Marupochi...is alone."