Hi Themusicmaniac here!

I have been working on this story ever since I had a headcannon about Hiram having an alchemist brother. Then as I am looking at name meanings, I find that his name means "benevolent brother!" It was meant to be!

This movie is my childhood, so I am glad that I get to share it with others who love this movie too, and maybe some of you who are new to it.

I also love writing OC stuff, so I'm glad to explore Lilia too:)

Enjoy!

Ephraim studied his notebook as he looked up at the gigantic, metal, glass, and chemical filled contraption that loomed over him.

He spent his whole life preparing for this.

Twenty long years of study had all led to this moment.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"It'll be alright Hiram. It always is." He glanced at a picture of his brother, his sister-in-law, and his niece that was set nicely above his desk. "I've messed up a couple of times, but nothing dangerous…" He paused, "I mean, life threatening."

Ephraim had a passion for alchemy. As kids, he and his brother both excelled in engineering. They were fascinated by everything mechanical they found: clocks, cars, toys, you name it. However, as they grew older, they grew apart. Hiram stuck to toy making and became a master in it: he was known throughout England for his toys, and owned a small shop in London.

Meanwhile, Ephraim found a passion for Alchemy.

It wasn't the idea of turning lead to gold that led him to it. The transformation of materials into other materials, the combination of engineering and science, the constant experimentation and possibilities that Alchemy presented-this was what led him to move to the country and make his experiments bigger.

Hiram...struggled with this. He considered alchemy to be dangerous, and after being in the room during a particularly bad explosion that left shards of glass in Ephraim's hands, he told Ephraim to quit.

Ephraim did not take too kindly to this, and fought with his brother. The two became so distant that Ephriam only met his niece a handful of times. He focused instead on his experiments, convincing himself that they would make the world a better place. Then, he would show his brother.

He would prove him wrong.

Ephraim pulled a lever as the machine whirred to life. He pressed the buttons in a sequence, holding his breath as a light appeared in the center glowing brighter and brighter until it blinded him.

He heard a scream, and, realizing that it was not his own, opened his eyes.

A startled young mouse sat on top of his machine, staring at him with wide eyes.

"Where…. Where… where..." She breathed, gaze darting around the room.

Ephraim stared at his notebook glancing from it back to her.

"...I did it…" He said, in disbelief, running his hand through his hair, "...I can't believe it!" He jumped into the air, "I did it!"

"Did. What!" The mouse in front of him said, rather rudely, struggling to stand up. "Who are you? What is this place? WHY am I a MOUSE?" She said, grabbing a part of the machine for support.

"Wait wait wait not that!" Ephraim yelled, as he reached forward and carefully helped her out of the machine. The mouse yanked her hands away from him as soon as his feet touched the ground. The girl had a little trouble standing up still, so he led her to his desk where he had a chair.

They both stared at each other.

This new mouse was a light, almost chocolate color. She had blue green eyes, and was wearing the strangest clothes he had ever seen. It was some kind of bicycling outfit, the trousers were made of something weird though. She also was American, her accent gave that away.

It didn't take long before the new mouse spoke.

Well, more coughed.

"Ahem-hem." She said, eyes narrowed.

"Oh- um, how rude of me." He started, closing his book and fiddling with his apron, "My name is Ephraim Flaversham."

The girl's eyes widened visibly, but that reaction went away as quickly as it appeared. She narrowed her eyes again. "Where am I?"

"In my workshop. In Rochester."

"I'm in England!" She nearly screeched.

"Yes. I'm so sorry to have taken you from your bicycle ride, but-"

"Bicycle ride?" A confused expression crossed her countenance.

"Well with an outfit like that I would assume that you were riding a bicycle-"

"You mean my pants?"

"Is that what you call them?" Ephraim asked, "And for your last question, were you something else before?"

"I was HUMAN! And I should ask you the same question: is this the civil war or something, what on earth are YOU wearing?"

"It is 1897 and I am wearing sensible clothes that any mouse would wear." Ephraim said smugly, "And an apron."

"1897?" The girl looked up at him, eyes wide. "I'm in 1897?"

"Well, where else would you be?"

"In 2020?" She said slowly. "Where women can vote, and I can wear pants and not have ankle socks without being judged."

"Oh," Ephraim said, looking a little nauseous, "Oh my."

"What? The shock of women being able to vote a little too much for you?" She said sarcastically, playing with the fur on her hand.

"No no, it's not that, it's just- 2020." He said in amazement, sitting on the floor. "What is it like?"

"Not. great."

"What do you mean?" He looked up at her in confusion.

"I'm just gonna leave it at that."

"Well, seeing as you don't wish to speak about that matter, may I at least get your name?"

"My name is Lilia Grisham." She finally stood up, with a fire in her eyes. "And I would like to go home."

As I was rewatching this movie, I realized that so many of the characters were so sassy.

I can't wait to write the sass.

Anyway, have a wonderful week, and take care!

See ya next time!