The movies she knew by heart

I hear explosions nearby and people are running in all directions. The witch's shadow approaches in menacingly slow steps.

And here I am with a bunny in my hands. That, dear folks, was supposed to be the nation's hero. The unbeatable magician, the protagonist with multiple powers, and also my favorite character from the movies I knew every line of by heart. The one destined to protect everyone and save the world…

Now transformed into a harmless little bunny.

By my fault. In the middle of an attack to the kingdom.

How the heck did I get myself into this mess?

(…)

"Welcome, one and all! Prepare your eyes, cause you’re about to witness the most incredible tricks you will ever see in your lives!" I announced loudly in my high-pitched voice, preparing to pull a deck of cards from my oversized hat to impress my family in the living room. It was definitely not an enthusiastic crowd, but it was the audience I had.

Ah, yes, this scene happened ten years ago. I remember it all perfectly, like a fancy black-and-white movie…

I was completely fascinated by magicians as a child. Crazy, right? I tried to replicate every magic trick I came across. Not trying to brag, but I think I was pretty good at it!

"How cute! You're so talented, Mika!" my mother praised from the couch, clapping for my little performance.

"This is just the beginning!" I replied with the utmost pride. "I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve... literally. No, wait, I wasn't supposed to say that! Please pretend you didn't hear that last part!" I added quickly, gesturing with my arms and accidentally dropping a wild card from my jacket.

"Selena... When will this obsession with magicians fade? Isn't it going a bit too far?" my aunt whispered to my mother thinking I was distracted retrieving the joker from the floor. "She's not a baby anymore and needs to focus on her studies. Don’t you agree?"

"I don't need to," I interrupted suddenly. "I'll be a great magician when I grow up, just like Charles!"

My aunt just stared at me blankly as if I'd spoken Greek.

"Who?"

"Charles!" I repeated, excited for another opportunity to talk about him as my mother rolled her eyes, knowing what was about to come. "The magician hero destined to save all nations with his intelligence and agility! He saves the sorrowful and defenseless princess from the clutches of the most powerful witch along with Lion, his sarcastic and loyal clown sidekick! Oh, and he still makes time to entertain the audience with magic—he's the best!"

A moment of silence.

"It's the character from her favorite animation movie," my mother kindly translated.

"Well, I think it's time to grow up and drop this nonsense. It's her studies that will guarantee her a future," my aunt replied matter-of-factly.

And that was the first time I got a bitter reality check.

I stare absently at the photo from that day, in which I'm smiling like a fool in that magician costume, my light red hair messy in that enormous hat and a stuffed bunny in hands. Wow, it has really been ten years…

"Mika, the moving truck will be here soon!" I hear my mother's voice urging me to hurry.

"I- I'm almost done!" I reply, totally clumsy.

I knew I shouldn't have left packing my closet stuff until the last minute, but I couldn't have guessed I had so many things in here!

What I was least expecting to find was my old magic box. It felt like it was filled with happy memories: a hat with a red bow delicately tied around the crown, a black wand with white ends, a notebook of tricks, that photo and a bunch of Charles stickers.

"Wow, I miss all of this so much…" I murmur to myself, smiling without noticing. Of course, I still had a lot of affection for that character. I used to keep up with all the movie sequels, theories, fan fiction… but I had decided to put my passion for magic aside and throw myself into my studies to hopefully be accepted into a good law school.

I shake my head. I can't keep these things forever. I look at the box full of serious books and then at the trash can.

Charles stares back at me from that holographic sticker. Suddenly a note falls out of my notebook.

"Words that transport to Rideat."

"Huh? I wrote that?" I mumble a bit, confused as I recognize my handwriting in red ink, but no memory comes to mind. I read it out loud: "Where time flows slowly and every space is safe, the mystery of tangible dreams appears right before me now..."

And suddenly everything goes white.

When I open my eyes, I immediately see the blue sky, but it looks different (how can the sky look different anyway?). I'm lying on the grass when I see a village nearby with simple, humble houses. The scenery feels strange and familiar at the same time, but it all seems to fall into place when I see HIM. The nation's hero. The protagonist I've spent years admiring.

“One more time, I’m sure I’ll get it right!” I hear him say.

I approach slowly and hide behind a cart to get a better look at the scene before me. His hair is the same shade of brown, his hat has small shiny details just like in the movies, his white shirt wrinkled from so many adventures, the exact same magic wand in his hand as he practices tricks for his next show… Yes, it's him, the one and only. Charles, the magician. But somehow he's more real. A lot more so.

I can hardly believe it. It’s as if my eyes sparkle like they used to. I'm dreaming, surely. It's impossible.

“Make sure you won’t accidentally hit me with your wand again,” another unmistakable voice says.

Of course he was accompanied by Lion, his faithful friend! From here I have a clear vision of his clown makeup, nothing too exaggerated, just some purple and red designs around his eyes and cheeks, plus the highlighted streaks contrasting with his slightly curly black hair.

Yeah, I must be hallucinating.

I suddenly remember that the moving truck should be arriving at my house any moment now. I can’t put my responsibilities aside because of a silly dream, of course not! I rub my face then pinch myself to try to wake me up.

"OUCH!!!”

…Why did it hurt? Wasn't it supposed to be a dream?

When I look up, I see Charles and Lion looking in my direction.

"Everything okay over there, miss?"

Wow, his voice really sounds exactly like his voice actor.

"I don't think so," Lion comments sarcastically, noticing my shook expression.

"I- I’m fine! I just…" I stutter over my words as I emerge from my hiding place, finally blurting everything out. "I'm your biggest fan!! I've watched all your movies so many times that I memorized every line and the smallest details of it! I read theories and fan fiction online, I even know the lore of the background characters—”

"Wait, hold on! Movies? Characters??" Charles tilts his head in confusion.

"Hey," Lion murmurs to his friend a little worried this time. "Why is she talking like we don't exist?"

"Because, well, you're fictional characters. You don't actually exist in real life. We're just in a dream that will probably end soon," I say convinced, but immediately become aware of how it all feels a bit too realistic.

I try to pinch myself again, a little more lightly this time, and the pain is still there. I pull a strand of hair, the same result. My legs feel wobbly. Oh no.

"HAVE I BEEN ISEKAID??!!"