Imagination Overdrive

by Shirley Ann Burton

When I'm getting confused in my writing, I get a visit from The Magician himself for help. Please R & R.

Imagination Overdrive
by: Shirley Ann Burton

It was a Sunday afternoon, and I was sitting in my room, writing the next fanfic story I had been working on, but I kept running into stumbling blocks. "Oh, man, why am I suddenly having writer's block?"

I was trying to remember where I had been in the story. "Okay, Ashley's now in Electro City with a tour being given to her by Mona and Angie. The problem I have right now is how to put Faceless into the picture, since I need her to kidnap Ashley and later Angie to lure Ace. What should I do?"

I started tapping the pen against the notebook. "I've got to get going on this. I'm so far behind in trying to get this story up, I've still got 'The Magician Meets Sailor Moon' to work on, and I only have two of the Diamond Duo's seven stories up right now. With a full-time job, how am I going to manage, especially when Mom needs to use the phone? I feel like it's impossible for me to handle all this."

Suddenly, out of the blue, a male voice said, "Just take your time, Shirley. After all, do you think it's easy to do all this while you have that job at the yearbook plant?"

I looked at the opened doorway and noticed someone who really shouldn't be there: A man with blue eyes and jet-black hair with a streak of white around the sides and a tuft of white hair on top of his head. He wore an outfit I was used to seeing on the videotapes and in my mind: Dark-colored sportcoat, dark-colored pants with yellow stripes down the sides, black shoes, and white dress shirt. He was only missing the cloak and white gloves.

"Ace Cooper, here? This must be my imagination going crazy. Either that, or I seriously need help."

"Don't be silly. I'm here for you, my friend. I know you're one of my biggest admirers, and you've been writing fanfic stories like crazy after you started watching me on TV, not to sound like I'm bragging about it."

"Oh, no, you're not bragging at all. It's just that . . . you've become a special part of me, and I've never felt anything like this before."

"Explain this feeling you have."

"Let me put it to you this way, Ace. Over the course of the last twelve years, since I lost my father to lung cancer, I've watched plenty of special characters and admired them, particularly Aquaman, Captain Scarlet, Scott Tracy, Sailor Moon, and The Shadow. The one thing I notice on all of them is their blue eyes. They all remind me of my father because he had blue eyes, too."

Looking around the room, the Magician was surprised at everything I had. "My heavens. Sailor Moon figures, Thunderbirds photos, Shadow posters, and even a picture of me next to the door?"

"Yeah. I made that picture with a little help from a computer program at a copier shop."

He looked at it and noticed almost every pic had him in it. "The only ones I'm not in are the one in the top right-hand corner with Cosmo and the bottom left-hand corner with Black Jack, Spade, and Diamond. Do you really admire me that much?"

"Sure. Just look at all the screen captures I printed down at that copier shop." I handed the more than 100 printouts to Ace.

"Wow! I never expected one person to take admiration of a cartoon character to this kind of level."

"Yeah, and some of those captures are from episodes that haven't aired here in the U.S."

"You mean, they haven't shown everything here yet? Why not?"

"Because of the safety standards and practices here. I know for a fact, according to one e-pal's episode guide, you're drugged by Captain Friedrichs to be prevented from using your magic or to call on the Magic Force. You see, most countries around the world will allow violent content to be shown, but not here. 13 of your episodes never made it, and I would love more than anything to see them, especially 'Croesus Crisis.'"

"You know what happens in that one, don't you?"

"Yes, and it would solve the mystery of what exactly happened between you and Black Jack."

Ace suddenly noticed we were way off the main subject. "Let's get back to the first part of this conversation. You said I became a special part of you. How?"

"You're the first character to hit the bullseye in my heart. You have the same blue eyes and incredible spirit, just like my father. I've never felt so alive in all my life. For some strange reason, I can understand you so clearly. I have this knack for understanding things not too many other people can figure out. Your magic, although it is animated, is the best I've ever seen, and I feel some comfort in my heart."

"You mean, my magic actually gives you a sense of warmth and understanding."

"Right. There was one episode when you said, 'I have to master this trick for my new show.' You had to challenge yourself, which inspired me to challenge myself. I went to Atlanta last year for four days, something I had never done before in my life. I hadn't returned to Atlanta for more than one day since I went to Six Flags six years ago."

"Really?"

"Yes. I was afraid at first because I suffered heat exhaustion when I went to the amusement park. However, I said to myself the only way I can overcome my fear is to face it. So, I went with four friends on the trip, and I was able to conquer my fear of being away from home for so long. As a result, I ended up having the most fun four days of my life. The only regret was not being able to tape the episode 'Professor Cosmo' at the time at home, but I did have my VCR timer set properly, so I had no problems."

"Interesting."

"Yes, but you also inspired me to try something else. I had begun figuring out a story in my head, about a second Magician, someone who would only use her powers when someone was in danger. In fact, I had actually done a part of the story on the computer at work. I then started writing the whole story in this notebook." I then handed the purple notebook to Ace.

Looking through it, he was very surprised at how thorough my details were. "You obviously like to write to the degree you can put a mental picture into someone's head."

"I've been a detail freak just about my whole life, so it's something I just can't help. Also, I like to start in a notebook first because it helps me formulate the ideas, and I can always change it before I type it up for my website."

"You have a website about me?"

"Absolutely. It's not the 'official' website, but I've been doing pretty good on it. Follow me and I'll show you what it looks like."

Ace and I then went to Mom's room, where the computer was, and then, I turned on the system. "It takes a couple of minutes to warm up."

"In that case, tell me how you came to hear about me."

"Okay, the truth is I knew absolutely nothing about you until three weeks after the show had premiered. I didn't know the series had even started because I was working so much overtime at the yearbook plant during peak season, so I basically didn't have a clue.

"Then, on a Friday afternoon in March 1999, at almost 5:00 p.m., I noticed something on the left side of the screen: Someone jumping onto a moving train while yelling something. I didn't know what was going on, but it looked so interesting I wanted to tape it. I thought I had set the VCR correctly, but for only the second time, I messed up. I completely missed it, and I struggled desperately for the entire week to remember what that person had yelled out.

"Somehow, the only word that came to my mind was 'within.' I didn't know if it were the last word in the phrase or what. I did know that word was a part of the phrase, whatever it was."

"So, you still didn't know about me yet?"

"Nope. Fortunately, I did remember about the Fox website, so after bowling on a Wednesday night, I stopped by the Gateway Country store and asked if I could get on the computer to find out for sure. They gave me the opportunity, and I took advantage of it. I started learning bits and pieces of information about you, Cosmo, Mona, Zina, Vega, and Black Jack. The problem was, it didn't get me any closer to finding out the crazy phrase which nearly drove me to insanity."

"Wait a second. You mean this one?" Ace went into a crazy spin and yelled, "Magic Force, reveal the power within!" Seconds later he was in his dark-grey, form-fitting costume with the red half-face and yellow eye insignia without the cape.

"That very one, Ace. When I got the next episode taped correctly, I finally saw the way-cool opening sequence, heard the awesome music, and finally heard that phrase. Somewhere in my heart, I knew this was the right show for me."

When the picture of Ace appeared on the screen, I said, "Oh, it's up now."

Ace's eyes widened at what he saw. "Only you would use me as the background when your system comes on."

"Yeah, I know, I'm crazy."

"No, you're just being yourself. You are an extremely unique individual with a child's imagination."

"I'm just a big kid-at-heart. Some people at work think I'm a little crazy because I'd rather have fun watching cartoons than being out on a date."

"Well, you have a right to live your own life in your own way. If you don't feel comfortable about having a boyfriend right now, that's your decision. Don't worry about what other people think, just remember how you feel."

"That's exactly what you said to my original character, Angie."

"That's right," said a young lady with green eyes and light brown hair. She stood at the door at the end of Mom's room. As she walked up she added, "Shirley created me thanks to you."

"You must be Angie," Ace said happily.

"Yes, I am." She shook hands with the Magician himself. "I was created to be a second 'Magician,' except for one big difference. Whereas the focus of your magic is in your mind, mine comes from my heart. Shirley brought me to life because you were able to inspire her into creating a character able to show a lot of emotion. I started out shy and quiet, but with your help, I was able to come out of my own cocoon and become a butterfly."

"Exactly," I said. "I created Angie as a way to express myself and my feelings at times. I gave her magical powers because it's something I've always wanted to have, the unique ability to make magic. I also gave her the chance to create a bond with you because I feel a bond between us just as much."

"Angie, you have a bond with me?"

Closing her eyes, she sent a telepathic message. "Ace, are you able to hear my thoughts right now?"

Ace gasped in shock. "Yes, I just heard you, or your mind."

"Now, take my hands, close your eyes, and concentrate on my heart."

Ace did so, and a feeling of warmth developed within his soul. "I don't know how, but I can feel your love reaching out to me."

"Yes, because Shirley created me to have magic which represents love, kindness, and hope. She's given me a chance to love you, but not in the same way you love Mona. The love I have is 'friendship' love, for I care about you like a big brother. I know you've had a dark past, and I can feel the pain and guilt you have over what you did to Black Jack, but Shirley has given you a chance to help heal yourself and your emotional wounds. In fact, all the fanfic writers are contributing to giving you a chance to express your sensitive side. Look at her website, and see for yourself."

Ace looked at me and said, "Open up your website, okay?"

"With pleasure, Magician."

Going through the process, I opened up the "Magic Party 2000" website, and Ace was blown away. "You mean you did this all by yourself?"

"That's right. Since July 1999, I've regularly maintained this website to prove just how devoted I am to you, or at least to the show. I started out at Gateway Country and did this for about nine months. In fact, I typed three complete fanfic stories there before I got this computer. Now that I do have it, though, I can finally get time to get things done and updated, but I've still got a long way to go before I can be complete with the Diamond Duo's stories."

"Who?" asked a curious Ace.

"The Diamond Duo," Angie replied. "Shirley refers to two writers, Laurie Petrotta and Shawna LaDelpha, as the 'Diamond Duo' because they've given Diamond a chance to shine in the spotlight."

"How intriguing," Ace said. "One of Black Jack's henchmen has his own set of stories?"

"Yes," I said happily. "They both think Diamond is the cutest henchman around, so they developed their own set of stories with him. Laurie invented a girl named Alexis Diamante, who is Diamond's little sister. Shawna created Diamond's girlfriend Kay Carson. As for Diamond himself, they gave him the real name of Matthew Diamante. Believe me, the stories are very intriguing, but I only have two of them up right now. All that, and I'm still working on 'Sisters Reunited' and 'The Magician Meets Sailor Moon.'

"Time is just not on my side right now, especially considering I have this full-time job, and I still have to take Mom places, since she doesn't drive."

"It's okay, Shirley," Angie said to me. "Both Laurie and Shawna understand. Remember, you have a full-time job, and they're both in high school. As for your mother, I know you do love her, although at times your behavior does worry me."

"Yes, I've noticed that myself," agreed Ace. "You and your mother can get into some big fights at times, but you still love her deep down."

"It's true. The differences Mom and I have are basically cases of one generation to another, the generation gap. I can't blame her for hating the computer, though. One time, when she had a doctor's appointment, the information had her listed as 14 months old instead of 53 years old."

We all laughed about that, knowing it was the error of the person who typed it up in the first place.

Going to Ace's Fan Fiction Department, Ace, Angie, and I clicked on Frances Marshall's story, "A Special Easter Magician Story."

About ten minutes later, after Ace had finished reading the story, he was pleasantly surprised. "It's nice to know there are people out there who are letting me have some emotions."

"You see, Ace," Angie noted, "your impact goes far beyond the cartoon. There are others out there with great imaginations, and you've got plenty of support from fans not only here in America, but practically around the world. There are four other Magician-related websites, and you can go to any of them from here."

"Yeah," I agreed. "In fact, one of them has a message board where you can leave a message for all fans to see."

"Can we go there?" Ace asked.

"Sure, hang on." Going back to the Magic Party homepage, I clicked at "Greywolf Lupous's Magician Page," and then clicked at the message board.

Ace asked, "May I type this message in there?"

"Okay, but I'm not so sure anybody's going to believe this one."

He sat at the keyboard and typed this message:

To all my fans,

I thank you for the love and support you have given me. I never realized I had become such an inspiration to people who can add so much to what has already been done. It's nice to know there is such a thing as a great imagination. Please continue to write, for you are all very talented. Who knows, maybe I can really ask Mark du Pontavice if you can all become writers for the show, since there are more than enough stories to make it work. Keep those imaginations in overdrive, for they really do make a difference!

Thanks,
Ace Cooper, The Magician

Noticing the time, I knew it was getting late, so I told both Ace and Angie, "I hope I'll see you two again, and thanks for your help."

"No, Shirley," said Ace. "Thank you, for making sure some of us cartoon characters don't get left behind and lost in the mix." He then took a hold of my two hands. "There is a bond between you and me, Shirley," he said to me in thought. "Although I live in an animated world, and you live in the real world, we can share thoughts and feelings, and you do it very well through what you write."

"Believe me, Ace," I responded, "you will always have a special place in my heart. I will never forget what you have done for me, Magician."

"You and your friends are all fantastic writers, and I hope you will all continue doing your good work."

"That is a promise."

Angie then said, "Keep writing, Shirley, because as Albert Einstein once said, 'Imagination is greater than knowledge.'"

"Don't worry, I know that to be the truth."

Ace and Angie then disappeared into nothingness as they walked towards the door.

As for me, I just smiled, knowing full well that even though Ace Cooper was just a cartoon character, in my heart he was just about as real as the bright sun itself.

The End