Chapter Text
„Are you ready to give up your birthright to help your family?“ a young Mirabel still had the words stuck in her head while standing before her glowing door.
It was her fifth birthday and it should be one of the happiest moments of her live but as she looked at her family surrounding her, her heart hurt seeing their sad and broken faces.
The memories of the fateful day that took Dolores from them still on everyone’s minds.
Especially tía Pepa and tío Félix showed how much it hurt them, even when they had tried to put on a smile. For Camilo and themselves.
And Camilo, her happy and funny primo was hurting too but Mirabel knew that he didn’t wanted to talk about it now.
Isabela, her oldest sister, wasn’t the same after that day, had she lost her best friend and closet person in this family.
And her other family members were sad too, Mirabel could tell.
But even so, they all tried their best to be happy for Mirabel on her birthday, even though the girl just wanted to cry and hug her parents.
With one big and deep breath she looked at the glowing door and made up her mind.
„I want to help my family and see her happy again!“ she thought with much confidence as she grabbed the doorknob.
For a second nothing happened, but without warning the door glowed as bright as possible before dissolving.
As everyone looked confused and tried to process what was happening, the Magic slowly creeped up at Mirabel’s arm and did envelope the young girl completely.
Than without warning the magic flew back to the candle, glowing brighter as ever.
„Mirabel Madrigal, I see your resolve is pretty strong. Your wish will be granted, not now but sometime in the future.“
Everyone heard these words and left them more confused than ever.
That has never happened before! Everyone was thinking at the same time when they looked at Mirabel.
These words where the last thing she heard before she lost consciousness.
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(Into the present time)
It was the next morning as Mirabel slowly opened her eyes before sitting up in her bed.
„Again this dream…“ she thought to herself before rubbing her eyes and putting on glasses.
Than she looked over to the second bed in her room where Antonio sleeps in.
The poor boy wasn’t able to sleep alone in the Nursery and came to her in the night.
And Mirabel couldn’t deny him his wish, after all he would get his own special room this afternoon and she had wanted to cuddle with him one last time.
She slowly stood up and took her things and went to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Like the most day’s, Mirabel was one of the earliest awake, only beaten by her Mom Julieta, who stood already in the kitchen, preparing Breakfast.
„Good Morning Mamá!“ the girl greeted her mother with a quick kiss on the cheek before starting to set up the coffee.
Julieta smiled at her daughter before looking away from the stove and looking at her.
„Good Morning Corazón. Had a good night?“ Julieta asked while whipping her hands at her blue apron she wore.
Mirabel hummed something before answering.
„I slept good. Antonio visited because he felt to nervous about today.“ Mirabel smiled while shaking her head slightly.
„He’s a sweet child.“ mused her Mom while thinking over her youngest Sobrino.
„And i Hope he stays this way for a lot longer…“ the teen started, eyes unfocused as she thought back to her childhood and how she and Camilo had to grow up faster after Dolores vanished, for their sakes and their parents. It took some years for them to finally be able to laugh again.
„Mirabel, look at me.“ her mother pulled her out of her thoughts with her soft voice while putting her hands on her daughters shoulders.
Her brown eyes full with motherly love and understanding.
„I’m so proud of you and how you had grown up mi vida. You and Camilo had it not easy but I’m sure you will be good help to Antonio.“ Julieta said with a big and proud smile that warmed Mirabel’s heart and she smiled back at her mother who cupped her cheeks for a bit before returning to the stove.
„Could you set up the table? I will be finished in a bit so we can start soon.“
„Sure Mamá.“
With many years of practice, Mirabel set all eleven plates on the table, each decorated with symbols that reflected their personality’s and gift.
Mirabel had some small memories of Dolores plate but she hadn’t seen it in years.
As more time passed, the rest of their family came down into the kitchen.
Her father, Agustín was the next one to arrive. Standing next to his wife with a cup of coffee and a proud smile on his face.
Next were her older sisters, Isabela and Luisa, who were talking about something. Both greeted their family with bright faces and Isabela patted Mirabel’s head which got her a annoyed glare from the girl, which only sent the older one laughing.
After Dolores went missing Isabela changed the most. She experimented more with her powers and stopped wearing pink. Today she wore a dark blue dress with yellow flower designs on it. Her long dark had streaks of color in it and she had a yellow flower behind her left ear.
Luisa wore her usual white shirt and purple skirt with small dumbbells and donkeys embroidered on it. Her hair was pulled up into a bun with a red bow.
Abuela and tío Bruno both came at the same time, both didn’t looked like they had much sleep. They gave their family a small nod before getting coffee.
Camilo sprinted into the kitchen and was able to steal a Arepa before standing next to Mirabel with a smile. Mirabel elbowed him into the side while shaking her head.
„Full of energy like always.“ she started but stopped as she noticed how tía Pepa and tío Félix joined them. Both didn’t looked like they had gotten much sleep and a dark cloud floated above Pepas head.
The worst part was that both adults looked like they had cried before.
„Probably the same nightmare again…“ Mirabel thought to herself.
The happy mood in the kitchen died off a little and everyone was quit.
With a nod, Abuela pointed too the the dining table and slowly everyone took their place.
Abuela sat at the head of the table with Julieta and Pepa on the heads on both sides, their families sitting next to them.
Bruno sat on Pepa’s family side at the end. Antonio’s place was between him and Camilo who sat next to Félix.
On Julieta‘s side Agustín sat next to her while Isabela was next to him, Luisa and Mirabel next to her. Like always Isabela and Camilo were caught into a starring match.
„As we all know is today Antonio’s fifth birthday, and with that his gift ceremony is in the evening. I want from all of you that you give your best while decorating Casita today. But don’t overdo it.“ the last part was directed more to Julieta and Luisa, who looked onto their plates. Both were the usually culprits for overworking themselves.
With a bright smile to her understanding family members, Abuela continued.
„So please don’t be shy to ask for help. Oh and Pepa,“
„Yes Mamá?“ the mentioned woman looked up, eyes full of unshead tears, trying her best to be calm.
„When you want someone to speak to, I’m free whenever you want. The same goes to you too Félix.“ the man looked at her and nodded at her with a small smile.
After that the older woman set back down on her chair.
„So where’s Antonio?“
Before someone could answer they heard small and fast steps and within the next few seconds a yelllow whirlwind came running into the room and threw himself into Pepa‘s lap while laughing.
To say Pepa was surprised was underestimated, the woman nearly fell out of her chair because of the force her youngest son was.
„Good Morning Mamá! Sorry I’m late.“ the boy laughed while hugging Pepa and she laughed with him and stroke his dark hair.
„Ay Toñito! Happy Birthday my small ball of Sunshine.“ Pepa kissed her Son all over the face, which got him giggling like mad before she gave him to Félix who did the same.
With this a bright sun appeared over Pepa’s head and the mood shifted again to a happier one.
„Happy Birthday Antonio!“ the whole family said as the boy got seated on his chair while smiling brightly. Bruno shortly ruffled his hair while one black rat shortly peeked out from under his hair. Antonio smiled at that.
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At the same time but outside of the save and peaceful Encanto, at one old abandoned building, a man with dark leather clothes went outside.
With quick eye movements he scanned his surroundings before inhaling.
„Lola! It is time to move!“ he shouts and waits a bit.
Nothing moves or makes a sound but his senses told him something was wrong in his close surroundings.
While moving quickly one step ahead, he looked behind him into the shadows and looked at his younger Student, who looked back at him with a emotionless stare in her big brown eyes.
Like him she wore only dark clothes, the only brighter piece of clothing was a red bow that kept her hair up in a bun, so that they didn’t cover her eyes. Much to his dislike were sound waves embroidered onto the bow. Something she had fight for whenever someone was against that detail.
„Get ready.“ he said loudly to test her reaction.
At this she only nodded, her face emotionless.
„Yes Master.“ the words were a mere whisper to his ears but to her it must be like some firecrackers exploding.