Disclaimer: I don't own Coco

Hi! So I promised you guys two chapters, so here's Chapter Numero Dos. Also I am borrowing some elements of the Book of Life, yes...not everything though just two characters I'm putting my own spin on.


" Is that why you treated me the way you did?"

Ernesto and Ignacio paused, before turning to see Isabella standing there. Ernesto looked to the window, where he saw Hector flashing a huge grin and two thumbs up. Well, that explained it. Still, his mother ad her arms firmly over her ribcage, and she had that same proud and angry look Imelda usually had on her face. Ignacio took a sip of his drink, whilst Ernesto stepped forward and cleared his throat.

" Hola mama, I-"

"You sit back down, I will get to you in a moment." Said Isabella, causing Ernesto to sit back down. She glanced over to Ignacio and shook her head. " You hurt me, you were a tyrant in our home, you treated our son like he didn't matter...treated me like I didn't matter. And now, you expect us to forgive you? Why? Because you feel sorry now? Because you learned from your mistakes? "

"Isabella, I was wrong to treat you the way I did, and I'm sorry I was not the husband you deserved. But...I changed...really." Said Ignacio, Isabella took a deep breath and turned away from him. Skeletons didn't cry, but she wanted to in that moment. So instead she turned to her son.

" Y tu, what do you have to say for yourself?" She asked.

" Mama, I...I have no excuse, only reasons that I hope you can understand. I was wrong, in my actions...I know that now. I understand if you want nothing more to do with me, even after everything. But I am working hard to change that, and make up for it. I'm even working at the Rivera family's zapateria. " Said Ernesto, his mother gently placed a hand on his cheek and her features softened. Gone was the anger and left with only compassion and love, as she tilted her head to the side.

" Ernesto, mijo...I'm not proud of what you did, but I'm glad you're trying...and even after everything, I love you more than anything." Said his mother, before gently kissing his forehead after standing on her tiptoes. " Just, promise me you won't do anything like that again."

" Si, I promise mama." He replied with a smile, and he sincerely meant it. She smiled and hugged him, to which he hugged her back tighter. " Mama, why did you never come to visit me?"

" I didn't think you'd want me there." She replied, to his horror.

" Of course I would, you're my madre...why wouldn't I invite you to my home?" He asked softly. He replied, making er smile. From the window, Hector smiled glad he could help. Truthfully, he had brought Ernesto not just to reunite their family but in the hopes that they could tear down the massive wall he'd built around himself and maybe finally they could make some progress. He looked up, when he heard someone beckoning him over. Curious, he made his way over to a darkened alleyway, where he saw Antonio there.

" Hola Chorizo." Said Antonio with a small chuckle.

" What do you want now and..how did you know I was here?" Asked Hector.

" I saw you flying on the giant Alebrije, so you did Ernesto a big kindness by reuniting him with his family. How big and noble of you, you truly are a better man than he is Hector." Said Antonio, before taking a drink from a small flask. Hector winced and backed away from him making Antonio chuckle. " Don't worry Chorizo, it's not poison and even if it was, we're already dead! What harm can I possibly do to you? "

" What did you do to Ernesto?" Asked Hector.

" Perdon?" Asked Antonio, making Hector scoff.

" You know what I mean, you gave him a drink and suddenly he became a fantasma. You did something to him." Said Hector, making Antonio laugh.

" Can you prove I did?" Hector straightened up, because no he couldn't. Which made Antonio grin at him. " Exactly, why do you care anyway?"

" Why do you hate Ernesto so badly? I know he isn't the easiest person to get along with, but I don't understand why you hate him so badly." Said Hector in confusion. Because yes, Ernesto murdered him, tried to murder Miguel, and has a warped sort of crush on Victoria but well..now that he knew what Ernesto's motivation was and he saw a little of his old friend returning. Even if it was only the second day, that was progress! " People can change."

" That doesn't make the bad things go away Hector." Said Antonio. "Aren't you angry?"

" What good will anger do? I'm already dead, I'm reunited with my family...I'm home, that's all I ever wanted." Said Hector, because i the end all he really wanted was to go back home...and he got that.

" Well to answer your question, Ernesto has never cared about people like you and me. He's only ever cared about himself." Said Antonio, " Do you really think, Ernesto ever had a shred of care or decency or you?"

" Yes, he did. Nothing you say or do will convince me to turn my back on my friend. Now what did you do." Asked Hector, Antonio shrugged oh well..he'd hoped Hector would be on his side but that appeared to not be the case. Still, it did give Antonio some small insight. He turned and walked away, leaving Hector to stew about it. When one of the drunk men chuckled.

" Hombre, you are a saint. Forgiving the man who murdered you? That takes some big cojones." Said the man, " Pero, I heard what you said about fantasmas."

" You know about them?" Asked Hector curiously.

" Si, and I'll tell you..for a price." Said the man.

"What kind of price?" Asked Hector suspiciously, folding his arms over his chest.

" 50% Off my next purchase of Rivera boots. I need new ones." He replied, motioning to his worn out looking boots.

" I'll do you one better, next pair of boots are free." Hector replied, with a smile. " Consider it a gift from Primo Hector."

" Chicharron didn't say you were this generous." Said the man through his laughter. " Diego."

" You knew Chich?" Asked Hector wistfully, recalling his dearly departed friend. Diego smiled and nodded, before holding out the bottle of beer towards the sky, before taking a swig.

" Si, I did. He even told me about you a few times, the young skeleton who tried to cross the bridge. I'm glad to see it all worked out, he would have been glad too." Said Diego, before coughing. Hector smiled softly, because he hoped so. He wished that Chicharron had gotten the chance to meet his family, but alas. " Now, about fantasmas. Everyone knows how the Land of the Dead works, this place runs on memories. You die, you live here and on Dia de Muertos if your picture is up on an Ofrenda you can cross over and see your family, the more people who remember you and pass on your stories the better. Those who are forgotten eventually cross over to the final death. Pero, there are those who can cross over into the Land of the Living even without it being Dia de Muertos. "

" Ghosts?" Asked Hector.

" Si muchacho, ghosts. They are spirits, who find themselves in the Land of the Living, and who become trapped there. They wander the Earth, and begin to forget themselves and everything else, only repeating how they died over and over in the vain hopes it will allow them to pass on. Eventually, they forget even that...losing their memories and themselves. Little more than shells of what they once were. Of course, this is for spirits who've just died and who feel they have unfinished business so they return through the gateway, and then regret that decision...but once you've gone to either world there's no coming or going back." Explained Diego, solemnly and Hector wonders if he's speaking from experience.

" Can a soul whose been here a long time become a fantasma?" Asked Hector curiously.

" I've never heard of such a thing but, if a boy can come here from the Land of the Living...then anything is possible." Said Diego, and that still didn't answer Hector's questions.

"How do you know all this?" Asked Hector.

" My wife, when she died...she went back to the Land of the Living and became a fantasma, all I could do was watch her leave because she did not want to leave our daughter...the people at the gate they tried to explain it to me, but I did not listen. I even begged La Catrina." Said Diego, which caught Hector's attention. La Catrina was the creator of the Land of the Dead, and she was someone no skeleton had ever met before.

"You met La Catrina?" Asked Hector in shock.

" Long ago, but she made it very clear. The dead can only leave on Dia de Muertos but they must return, and if they stay in the Land of the Living then they can never return." Explained Diego, before taking a swig of his drink and looking up at the sky. " I wonder what she thinks of your great-great grandson. The boy who came here from the Land of the Living."

Hector paused at that, no one had ever seen or met La Catrina, she was a being who had created the Land of the Dead, she was death itself..and well, he had a feeling she wouldn't be happy with the whole ordeal with Miguel. After all, those in the Land of the Dead and the Land of the Living were supposed to be kept separate until she could reunite them in death. But well, Miguel was back home where he belonged wasn't he? There was no harm and no foul done right? Oh he hoped so. Though a small part of him kind of wanted to ask why falsifying a unibrow was illegal. He gasped, as Diego began to glow and he groaned before nearly doubling over.

"Are you ok Amigo?" Asked Hector in concern, but he knew that probably wasn't the case. Diego was experiencing the Final death.

" I suppose it's time for me to go, be careful muchacho. La Catrina, does not like to be tested." He replied, before walking away.

"What was that about?" Asked Ernesto, startling him and causing him to jump back.

" Don't scare me like that! Are you done already? " Asked Hector incredulously.

" They wanted a moment alone." Said Ernesto, motioning to his parents in the bar, Hector nodded when his friend smiled at him. " Gracias."

" De nada, um Ernesto you remember how you used to have your parties and everything?" Asked Hector curiously, did you ever say...invite La Catrina by any chance?"

At that Ernesto laughed, and doubled over clutching his ribcage as he did so and patted Hector's shoulder.

" Did I ever, Oh my..Hector, I know I was a great, talented, and handsome musician but why would La Catrina herself even think of coming to my gathering? I am just one of millions of people to her, barely above her notice. My friend, you give me too much credit." Said Ernesto with a chuckle, "...She made that very clear in her message"

" You tried?" Asked Hector in surprise.

" Yes I tried, once and then I got one of those guards from the bridge come to my house, and read to me a very long letter explaining why she couldn't come and to not bother her again. Which, considering this is La Catrina we're talking about, of course I did. Why?" Asked Ernesto curiously.

" Because I have a feeling, what happened to you has something to do with Antonio, and...I need her help. Because my friend, I'm afraid to tell you this, but I and Imelda think you're becoming a ghost." Explained Hector, causing Ernesto to look at him strangely. " Look, it sounds dumb I know, pero I think that drink that Antonio gave you had something in it that turned you into a ghost. If we're not careful you could be stuck in the Land of the Living as one, and end up far worse. But we also need Miguel's help."

" Miguel? Why?" Asked Ernesto.

" He's the only human we know of whose talked to the dead, he may be able to help you if you cross over if you do become a ghost. " Said Hector, though even Ernesto was unsure about that. " But first follow me."

Ernesto did so, and after Hector called Pepita over, they got on and flew to the station at the gates, the gates themselves wouldn't be open for another three days for Dia de Muertos so there weren't guards there. Most of the worker were most likely still inside, and ignoring the dirty looks that Ernesto was getting, most of the guards were looking at Hector strangely.

" Getting your Dia de Muertos off to an early start?" Asked one of the guards, passing through at the sight of Hector with a knowing smile.

" Uh, not exactly. Besides, I happen to know that my picture is on an Ofrenda this year so no falsifying eyebrows for me again." Said Hector proudly, as Ernesto rolled his eyes.

" Right, " Said the guard with a chuckle before noticing Ernesto. "Anyway, why did you bring...him? How did he even get out from under the bell?" Asked the guard motioning to Ernesto, who gave a small wave.

" I uh it's a long story...look I know the guards here at the train station work for La Catrina, and I need to find her it's important." Said Hector.

" She's busy, and even if she wasn't you really think she would want to talk to you? No offense." Said the guard with a chuckle.

" How was that not offensive?" Asked Hector, flabbergasted.

"Hector listen, we work here at the train station, and the department of Family reunions they're very hard at work. They're the ones with contact to La Catrina, she sends people here to the Land of the Dead sends Family Reunions a list of family if there's any here, they get reunited. The week leading up to Dia de Muertos is hectic, because not only are people coming in every day, we also have to enter in people into the database and get everything ready for Dia de Muertos, which is a very hectic day here. If you really want to talk to her, ask them. But I wouldn't only because Dia de Muertos is three days away and we're all busy preparing." Explained the guard before walking away.

" Now what?" Asked Ernesto, Hector sighed and rubbed his goatee. He'd been hoping to ask her how to lift Ernesto's ghost status and help him...but well the guard was right. Dia de Muertos was coming up soon and everyone was getting ready for that. Now however, he had a different idea.

" Now we ask Miguel." Said Hector, motioning for Ernesto to come follow him.

" Miguel? Seriously?" Asked Ernesto.

" He saw you didn't he? If you're becoming a ghost, he can help you cross over to the Land of the Dead again. Maybe we can even find out, just what that thing was that turned you into one." Said Hector, Ernesto however didn't look so certain because well...he wasn't sure Miguel would agree to this whole thing. Once they exited the building, Hector saw the sun was about to set. Imelda would get worried if he wasn't back, " Ok we're going home first."

" Uh Hector?"

Hector looked over, and he gasped as Ernesto glowed with an almost greenish glow before becoming almost transluscent before getting back to normal. He looked up at Hector unsure of what to make of it, it wasn't the Final death. Was it him becoming a fantasma? He had no idea. Still, he put on a brave face.

" Don't worry my friend, I'll help you." Said Hector placing a hand on his shoulder.

" Why?" Asked Ernesto curiously.

" Because, you are my best friend...and even after what you did, even after everything I don't forgive you, but I will help you." Said Hector, Ernesto smiled softly at him. Once they were home, Imelda immediately hugged Hector tightly greeting him with a kiss. Hector chuckled and hugged his wife back.

" I told you I'd be back this time, and look! All in one piece!" Exclaimed Hector enthusiastically.

"Papa, welcome home." Said Coco, Hector smiled and greeted his daughter with a hug and kiss.

Victoria helped Ernesto off of Pepita, he wasn't in any state to be falling off of her right now. He looked up, as Hector was explaining everything to Imelda, before slicking back some of his dark hair. Well, damn it appeared he'd really gone and messed this up hadn't he? Imelda looked at Ernesto with pity in those brown eyes. A look he actually wasn't accustomed to seeing on her.

" I suppose you believe I deserve this?" Asked Ernesto.

" No, I do not." Said Imelda, shocking everyone. Though really Imelda didn't, he'd hurt her family yes but not even she would wish for someone else to become a ghost. To lose a part of ones self and only be left as a shell of what they once were. She wouldn't wish that even on Ernesto. " Before you try to contact Miguel, perhaps you could join us for dinner."

" Me?" Asked Ernesto,

" Well, you have been working for us for two days and, berrinche this morning aside you've been doing a fairly good job...a subpar good job. " Said Imelda.

"It would be an honor Imelda." Said Ernesto, Imelda nodded and once the others left Victoria looked over at him. " I saw my mother and father again...you were right. A mother never stops loving her child."

" Well, usually, we Rivera women are right about things. Not always, but usually." Said Victoria with a small smile, as Ernesto walked with her to the dining area.