The family stood gathered in the barn staring at Mirabel holding the candle with a grin. They could all feel the tension. Mirabel has got the candle and was now summoning them all like a Queen summoning her army. This was not going to end well for someone.
"My dear family, as you can see at last I have the candle in my possession, and it went even better than I planned." Mirabel chuckled "I have a lot of plans for this little flame, and all of you are going to help me." Mirabel's tone told them that she wasn't making a request, she was making a demand.
Salomé purred from her spot draped around Mirabel's shoulders and nuzzled her mistress's cheek flicking her tail as if in agreement.
Dolores was standing at Mirabel's side "You see, Mirabel and I are sick and tired of having to live in this barn. So we're moving."
"Moving…to where?" Luisa asked rubbing her hands together nervously.
"Casita of course!" Mirabel beamed "I will be taking Casita from Alma by force."
"F-f-force?"
"Either Alma surrenders and leaves or…" Mirabel tipped the candle so a drop of wax fell onto her hand sending a glow of magic to run up her arm "I'll make her."
"Mirabel listen." Bruno gulped "You…you don't have to do any of this! You can just destroy the candle and be done with it…we…we can leave for that city-"
Mirabel shot a glare at him "I already told you, I'm making this town pay! Now I have the power to do so…they won't be calling me the Giftless Madrigal anymore!"
"Technically you still don't have a gift so you're still giftless-" Camilo tried to joke only to cut himself off when Mirabel's glare turned to him.
"What did you just say?!"
"Nothing!" Camilo gave a nervous chuckle "Long live the candleholder! Hooray!"
Mirabel passed the candle to Dolores and paced back and forth hands behind her back "Here's the plan, we all go up to Casita and demand for Alma to come down to meet us. We all unite to drive her out and I take her place as leader of the Encanto."
Dolores tipped the candle allowing the wax to drop onto her hand feeling the familiar warm sensation from her gift ceremony running up her arm in a golden glow as Mirabel returned to a standstill taking the candle back. Dolores noticed something off, Mirabel's eyes were….glowing?
The rest of the family were staring as Mirabel stared back, blinded eyes now glowing with a golden light. When Dolores turned to face them they found her eyes were now full of the same golden glow, but as quick as it appeared it disappeared returning the duo's eyes to normal.
No one said anything each of them thinking they were seeing things.
"Right." Mirabel grinned "Any questions?"
Agustín raised his hand "Umm, I have one. Why do you insist on doing this?"
"Because I want to, and I can. I have the power to do anything I want." Mirabel laughed "I'm going to have so much fun!"
"But, Mariposa…" Julieta forced a smile "Wouldn't you be happier just destroying it? We can all go Bogotá and -"
Something dark took over Mirabel's expression "No." she glanced from family member to family member "Are you all going to gang up and betray me?!"
"No one is betraying you Mirabel." Isabela was growing more and more fearful with each second I made a mistake…a terrible mistake by giving her the candle. I thought she was just going to destroy it not takeover the Encanto!
"Good, good." Mirabel began walking forward Dolores staying right at her side "Let's go."
"Anyone else getting a really bad feeling?" Pepa whispered stroking her braid.
"Ay, this is not good." Félix said "Not good at all…."
Antonio didn't understand what was going on. Taking Casita? Making his Abuela leave? Why was his prima suddenly so scary?
"Are you all going to stand there lollygagging or are you coming with me?" Mirabel growled "Come on!"
Julieta shook her head "Just…go with what she says….just….go with it for now…she's not actually hurting anyone right now so just…go with it." she took a deep breath "Besides, I finally get a catch to unleash myself upon Mamá. She abused my daughter! She's the reason Mirabel is…"
"Mentally insane?" Camilo offered.
"Camilo!" Félix scolded.
"What?"
"Shh!" Félix pressed a finger to Camilo's lips.
"We all know it."
"We know but quiet."
Julieta sighed and let a look of determination spread across her face "No, this ends today. It's been going on for ten goddamn years. Let's go, she can't throw all of us out."
Mirabel didn't hear the exchange too focused on the task she had assigned herself, today Alma would get a taste of her own medicine.
Dolores had a small smile on her face as she walked toward Casita, Mirabel and her had been planning for months and finally they were making their move. A new sense of determination had filled her, ever since she touched that candle she felt a small change in her. She couldn't explain it she just felt…different.
Mirabel looked over her shoulder grinning at the sight, here she was at last leading her family towards Casita with the candle in her hand. Oh, she was so happy, with dear loyal Dolores at her side she was finally going to get her justice.
Casita came into view and Mirabel could barely contain herself, she felt like a giddy little child on Christmas Eve. Coming to a stop in front of the door she turned around "Alright, are you all ready to show Alma her gig is up? Show her she can't control any of you anymore?" her eyes flicked to Isabela "Isabela? You ready to show her she can shove her 'perfection' up her ass?"
Isabela nodded slowly "I am so…tired of being perfect. I just want to be free…"
"Oh, you will be." Mirabel chuckled as she turned to Dolores "Dolores, are we ready?"
"Oh, we're ready hermanita." Dolores smirked "Let's take our casa back."
Mirabel grinned wider as Casita swung the doors open letting the united group in, standing at the top of the stairs was Alma eyes widening in horror when she saw what Mirabel was holding. Mirabel laughed "Ooh, Alma." she held up the candle "Look what I got, I got your precious candle."
Alma stormed down the stairs "GIVE THAT BACK!"
"No."
"That does not belong to you, only a Madrigal can hold it."
"I'm a Madrigal." Mirabel chuckled.
"No, you're not!"
Mirabel sighed and pointed over her shoulder to the rest of the family "Well, they all disagree and if you ask me they like me better. They all turned against you and are following me. Even your perfect Isabela has joined me, she was even so kind as to bring me the candle. Bet you didn't see that one coming."
Alma really didn't see it coming, Isabela had betrayed her after everything she had done to give Isabela the perfect life. Mirabel was the one who ruined Isabela's proposal and caused the whole thing to be called off and yet Isabela was still siding with her. "Isabela, why?"
"Because Mirabel isn't breaking this family you are." Isabela stepped forward "For ten years I did everything you told me to. I bullied my own sister because YOU told me to! I neglected her because YOU told me to! I looked the other way as she was suffering living on the streets BECAUSE YOU TOLD ME TO!"
Alma took a step back "I did it to protect you."
"Protect me from what?! Everything I did was for you and the family's image!"
"Mirabel ruined your proposal! She ruined any chance you had of marrying Mariano!"
"I NEVER WANTED TO MARRY HIM! I WAS DOING IT FOR YOU!"
Alma's eyes rose in shock "You…you didn't want to marry Mariano? But you love him!"
"No, Dolores loves him. To me he is just a friend, I'm not interested in any romantic relationships right now but when I decide to do so it'll be with someone I choose not someone you pick for me on my fifteenth Birthday. Seriously Abuela? You just walk up with him and tell me we are betrothed?"
Julieta stepped forward "She told me this, and if I knew before she never wanted this I would have never agreed to an arranged marriage. I never did approve of arranged marriage but I kept quiet about it because I truly thought Isabela wanted to be with him. I am glad it fell through otherwise my daughter would've been trapped in a marriage with a man she didn't love just to please you."
"Isabela, why didn't you say anything?" Alma questioned "I wouldn't have forced you to marry him if you didn't want to."
Mirabel laughed "Use you would, you would guilt trip her into going through with it saying if she cared about the family and the Encanto she would unite the Madrigals and the Guzmáns."
"Stay out of this! It is none of your business!"
"Oh, I believe it is very much my business. I'm the candleholder."
"I am candleholder!"
"Funny, tell me Alma. Who is the one holding the handle right now? I am, and Casita has done nothing to stop me."
Dolores pointed up "Besides look at your door, I think even the miracle is agreeing your time is up. Mirabel is the chosen head of La Familia Madrigal and there is nothing you can do about it."
It was only then did the rest of the family noticed the glow was gone from Alma's door, muttering was heard amongst them as they all wondered what this meant. Was Mirabel truly the candle holder now?"
Chuckling again Mirabel looked down at the candle "Oh, Alma. Alma Alma Alma you are so stupid, your answer to seeing the vision of me destroying the miracle was to ensure I will grow to hate and want to destroy the miracle? Didn't think that through too good did you?"
Alma looked desperately at the rest of the family "Please…please…don't do this to me….Pedro…he wouldn't want this…."
"Of course, he wouldn't want this! Two of his granddaughters are living in exile!" Pepa thundered as she stepped forward to stand at Julieta's side "You think he died for this? I never got to really meet him but from what you told us Papá would be horrified seeing what has become of his sacrifice!"
"But Mirabel-"
"Is just like you." Bruno stepped forward joining his siblings "Did you ever think of why Mirabel didn't get a gift?"
"Well yes…"
"Think of it, Mamá. You're the guardian of the candle and the Encanto as a whole. You didn't get a gift, your focus was to be on protecting us, protecting the community, protecting our miracle. Along comes Mirabel, born sickly and weak but survived. But she did not get a gift, why? You're not going to be around forever Mamá one day someone will need to take your place, Mirabel didn't get a gift as she is the one the miracle chose as the next guardian. She is the miracle personified. Don't you get it Mamá? MIRABEL IS YOU!"
Alma was stunned into silence. Mirabel being the next guardian? No….impossible she tried to destroy it. "That…that can't be…she tried to destroy it…."
"I would want to destroy it too if I were her, I wanted to destroy it that night it blinded my baby." Julieta let out a low growl "By the way, she told me about what you did to her all those years. You hit her with a goddamn cane?!"
"No…"
"LIAR!" Mirabel shouted "You're a liar and you know it! You would hit me all the time over the smallest thing or sometimes nothing at all! You would force me to eat to heal the injuries, you had me convinced I deserved it. You told me it was because I failed my family. You told me if Abeulo Pedro were here he would agree with you. But now I think if Abuelo Pedro was here he would've taken that cane and beat you with it instead."
"YOU HIT MY SISTER!" Isabela screamed "I TRUSTED YOU! YOU TOLD ME MIRABEL WAS A MONSTER BUT YOU'RE A MONSTER!"
"Isabela, calm down." Alma snapped.
"No!"
Mirabel watched as a crack ran along the floor "Hmm, Isabela now calm down I just got this house I'll rather it not falling it apart before I even get to sleep in it."
"Get out." Alma spat.
"No, Alma I don't think I will." a sinister grin spread across Mirabel's face as the candle began glowing "Your family, your magic and your Encanto are now MINE."
Dolores grinned as she watched Alma's door begin fading "Hmm, anyone else getting a sense of déjà vu?"
"What….?" Alma turned just in time to see the last of her door disappearing leaving the blank wall "How…no…no…."
Mirabel let out a crazed giggle "Did I do that? Whoops."
Alma spun back around "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
"Well Alma, it would appear I somehow took your door away." Mirabel chuckled again as Salomé purred from her perch on her shoulder.
"Abuela…we've all had enough." Luisa spoke up calmly "We're all tired…tired of this never-ending fight. Mirabel is my sister…Dolores is my cousin. I love both of them. I love you Abuela, despite what you have done part of me still loves you but if following you means sacrificing my hermanita and prima then…I can't follow you any longer. I'll rather give up my gift than lose my baby sister again."
"Agreed." Camilo added.
"She's…she's…brainwashed you all…" Alma muttered.
"Alma, maybe you do have a gift. The gift of being in denial. They are all telling you exactly how they feel, you screwed up. You lost and I have won." Mirabel walked forward and looked up "Now…what is this?"
Dolores looked up to see a new door appearing where Alma's door was "A new door?" she hummed to herself pushing past Alma and making her way up the stairs to inspect it, the doorknob had a letter engraved on it just like all the others, but this was not an A no it was M. M for Mirabel "Hey, Mirabel. I believe this is for you."
"For me?" curiosity ate at Mirabel as she made her way up the stairs, Casita aiding her until she reached the top and approached the door "It's for me?"
"Well it says M on the doorknob, and no one else's name starts with M."
"A d-d-door?" Alma stammered "Why would you get a door?"
"Open it Mirabel!" Antonio exclaimed "You can do it!"
Mirabel turned to Dolores "Dolores?"
Dolores nodded with a smirk as she leaned in to whisper "Go on hermanita, show them all. Take what is yours."
Mirabel nodded passing the candle to Dolores and reaching her head out to brush against the doorknob, she was not expecting this at all.
"Go on Mirabel, open it."
"Right, surely I can't screw this up twice…right?" Mirabel placed her hand over the doorknob and a golden glow emitted from the door. Mirabel held her breath expecting it to disappear but it didn't. The glow faded to show the image of Mirabel, scarred face and a cat sitting at her feet but the most notable thing was what she was holding-the candle. The name at the top-Mirabel.
"Gee if only that thing appeared ten damn years ago." Dolores chuckled "I knew you could do it hermanita." she passed the candle back "I believe this belongs to you, candleholder."
Mirabel stared at her door for a moment before bursting into laughter, it was not the laughter of joy, however. No, it was the laughter of insanity "I'm candleholder! I'm actually candleholder! Oh, talk about promotion am I right? Why just this morning I was nothing more than an exiled outcast." she turned around to look down on the stunned family standing at the bottom of the stairs "You all see? Aren't you all proud of your precious Mirabel now? Aren't you proud of how far I've come?"
Augustin looked from Mirabel, the door and Alma and back to Mirabel trying to piece together what was going on "Mirabel…is candleholder now?"
"She…she can't be." Alma's eyes were fixed on the door "This…this can't be happening."
"You lost Alma." Mirabel smiled "You lost and I have won. I have taken everything from you, and I am very pleased with myself for that." she laughed "Oh this is the best day of my life, it almost makes living in a barn for five years worth it…almost."
The candle glowed once more and engulfed Dolores, once the glow faded Dolores froze for a moment then her hands flew up to her ears "Why is it so loud all of a sudden?"
"Dolores! Your door!" Félix cried out and pointed.
Everyone turned to look at the door that was flickered then the door lit up completely with the same glow as the others.
"I….I…got my gift back.." Dolores whispered to herself "I don't want it! Take it back!" she collapsed to the floor overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of noise, she had gotten far too used to not having it the sudden return of enhanced hearing was overwhelming. You can use this to your advantage you know? her own voice rang in her head now you can know if anyone plans to betray you and Mirabel, they can't hide anything from you, Mirabel and you have unlimited power now. Mirabel is the leader of the Encanto, and you are her loyal companion. Seize the power, it's your turn.
Mirabel watched Dolores for a moment before her own voice interrupted her in her mind. You've done it! All the power is YOURS! They said you would never amount to anything and here you are-leader of the Encanto. Show them all it's your turn! They have hurt you for the last time!
The rest of the family glanced at each with frightened expressions as the glow returned to Mirabel and Dolores's eyes. Just what was going on?
Just like in the barn the glow vanished as quickly as it appeared leaving ten very confused Madrigals wondering what the hell just happened.
I knew it, they're demons! Alma thought to herself oh Pedro I'm sorry…I never meant for this to happen…is it true Pedro? Did you choose Mirabel to take my place one day? But the vision…it showed her destroying it she turned to Bruno "Bruno! What about the vision?"
"Oh…the vision…." Bruno ran his hand through his hair "W-w-what about it?"
"If Mirabel was meant to be candleholder, why didn't the vision show it? Why did it show her destroying it?"
"Oh, you didn't know?" Dolores chuckled "There were two sides to the vision."
"T-t-two sides?"
"Bruno." Mirabel called out "Get that vision."
"Are you sure, Mirabel?" Bruno asked nervously.
"Yes, go get it."
"O-o-okay…" Bruno gulped and made his way up the stairs and into his room muttering under his breath "Goddamnit…goddamnit…"
Mirabel's eyes scanned over the family "Oh by the way, since I'm the matriarch now I'll be making some…changes around here. Don't worry, they are good changes…glorious changes…but I'll get to that later for now I'll rather just…gloat."
"You can't do this!" Alma was really desperate now.
"Oh but I already have, don't worry Alma I will be making special arrangements for you." Mirabel chuckled.
Bruno exited his room clutching the glowing green slab in his hands. Taking a deep breath he stopped in from of Alma and held up the vision "So here you see, Mirabel in front of the ruined Casita…but.." he shifted the vision showing Mirabel and Alma embracing "There were two possible paths. One of destruction and one of…not destruction."
Camilo stepped forward and took the vision laughing to himself as he shifted it back and forth "Evil Mirabel, good Mirabel, evil Mirabel, good Mirabel, evil Mirabel-" the vision was snatched out of his hands by Alma.
Alma shifted the vision back to the 'good' side and stared down at it in shock "Why…why didn't you show me this that night?! This….this changes everything…"
"I only noticed a few months ago!" Bruno cried "But now you see, Mirabel's future was undecided she could have either taken a good path or a dark path. What path she would take would depend on our actions towards her, because of the fear and neglect she was sent down the dark path. If you treated her as an equal to the rest of us then she was going to follow in your footsteps, and represent a new generation. All this…is all your fault."
Alma turned around to be met with angry looks from the rest of the family "This…this isn't my fault! I was trying to save us! Save our home! Save our miracle!"
"Like Mirabel said, your idea of stopping her from destroying the miracle was to make her loathe it and want to destroy it?" Julieta scoffed "Oh great job, your 'protection' has just created what you were trying to stop! Oh, I just want to hit you for what you did to her. I should hit you but I will not sink to your level. I will be an example to my daughters."
"You have gone and fucked up, Alma." Dolores huffed "Just face it, Mirabel is a monster you say but you made her that way. You needed a monster to justify yourself so you made Mirabel into one."
"I…didn't mean…I'm sorry…" Alma didn't know what to say.
"It's too late for apologies!" Mirabel snarled "You're only sorry now you know I am your precious heir, well ironically both sides of the vision were right in a way. I have taken your place as candleholder and I will be one that causes the miracle to fall. And all of this could've been avoided if you just treated me like a member of the family rather than someone you didn't even see as a human. I didn't even care about being candleholder I just wanted to be treated like part of the family. But no, you couldn't even give me that."
Dolores smiled "Mirabel, are you going to do…you know what now? I've been looking forward to it."
"Oh, of course, of course, I was about to get right on that." Mirabel had a crazed look in her eyes as she stared at Alma "My first order as the new matriarch of La Familia Madrigal will be the following, from this moment forth Alma is stripped from her status as a Madrigal she is no longer considered one of us."
Any regret Alma felt towards Mirabel vanished "You…you can't do that! I have been head of this family for fifty years! This family wouldn't even exist if not for me! You can't kick me out of my own family!"
"Mirabel is head of the family and leader of the Encanto now, her word is final. Or did that rule only apply to you?" Dolores snickered "Besides, your door went bye bye where on earth would you stay here? In the nursery? Wouldn't that be something?"
"Give me my door back!"
"No." Mirabel said simply as she started walking down the stairs supported by Dolores "In fact, everyone please follow me into the dining room."
With confused glances, everyone followed the duo into the dining room where Mirabel and Dolores stood in front of the family tree. Looking at the family tree and then the smile on Mirabel and Dolores's faces it all started to click."
"Casita…." Mirabel placed a hand on the family tree "Would you so kind as to get rid of it? Just to really bring the point home, you know?"
After a brief pause, there was a small flash and Alma was forced to watch as her image was wiped from the family tree "No….no….this can not be happening to me! This can not be happening!"
"Hmm, now why does this seem so familiar." Mirabel moved the candle to one hand using her free hand to tap her chin in thought "Let's see…stripping of status as a member of the family….having image wiped from the family tree…where have I seen all of this before….oh yes, now I remember" Mirabel chuckled "This is exactly what you did to me all those years ago, my my Alma how the tables have turned."
"Doesn't feel too good when you're the one it's happening to, does it?" Dolores smirked
Alma turned to the family "Please…you can't let her do this. You're seriously just going to let her waltz in and take over Casita? To throw me out?"
"Yes." Pepa deadpanned "Clearly this is the only way you'll learn what really matters to you. Sorry, it had to be this way."
"Isabela." Alma turned desperately to her eldest grandchildren "Come with me, if the rest of them want to believe Mirabel that's their own stupidity. I know you have her the candle but…she tricked you didn't she? She made you do it."
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Isabela snapped "Didn't you hear one word I said earlier? I'm done with being your perfect little trophy. You abused my baby sister, you pushed my cousin away, you worked Luisa to exhaustion, Mamá slaved around in the kitchen, Tía Pepa couldn't express her emotions, no one was ever happy with the visions Tío Bruno gave them, Camilo doesn't even know who he is…only one who is truly happy is Antonio. Mirabel was right you don't see us, just our gifts."
"That's my girl!" Julieta beamed with pride.
"It's over Mamá." Bruno shook slightly as he made eye contact "It's over, you have no control over us anymore."
"Now for the next order of business." Mirabel grinned "As head of La Familia Madrigal, guardian of the candle and leader of the Encanto I have come to a decision on Alma's judgement. For what she has done I can only think of one suitable outcome." Mirabel paused for dramatic effect "EXILE!"
"WHAT?!" Alma cried "Where am I supposed to go?!"
"Well, a certain donkey barn just had a vacancy open up." Dolores laughed.
"Hate to say it Alma, but you brought this upon yourself." Agustín folded his arms "All of this only happened because of you and your pride."
"Also with this new development, I would like to establish a new family rule as well as revoke two others." Mirabel cleared her throat "First of all the two rules they are being scrapped are 'we don't talk about Mirabel' and 'we don't talk about Dolores' and from now…we don't talk about Alma."
"We don't talk Alma." Dolores mocked in a singsong voice "We don't talk about Alma."
"You're….you're…evil…." Alma stammered.
"Tell me, Alma, at what point did I ever claim to be the good guy? I know what I am, but at least now my family is free from you. Now get out of my house. Maybe if I'm feeling nice I'll send a food basket out for you later." Mirabel chuckled "I never thought victory would be so much fun, but of course, this is just the start."
"W-w-what do you mean?"
Mirabel grinned "Oh, you think I was going to let everything this town did to me slide? Oh no no no, though I may show mercy provided people do exactly as I say….but for some…well karma is coming after them. They will know my wrath, they aided in the creation of their own monster…funny isn't it? Had they left me alone I would've done the same, but nope. They just had to make my life hell just because they held that power on me, well look who holds the power now."
"We've been tripped, pushed, had things thrown at us, beaten until we bled, insulted, told to go die." Dolores's hand curled and uncurled "And if you ask me that's not very…polite. So, Mirabel and I figured we'll reach them some manners."
"They will have a choice, either they accept me as the new leader of the Encanto or they will be considered enemies. And I ensure you, they won't want to be considered enemies." Mirabel chuckled.
Julieta glanced at her family, they all made a vow to stop Mirabel and Dolores if they had to. They would all just keep quiet for now and hopes once the thrill of getting the candle wore off Mirabel would go on with her original plan of destroying the candle and leaving. This talk of getting revenge on the town scared them, and Mirabel was already showing the signs of the power getting to her head.
Mirabel faked a yawn "I'm getting bored of you now, Alma, Have fun in exile, I'll be sure to drop by the Pérez house later and tell them you'll be living in their barn from now on." she let out a mad giggle "Now bye bye."
The floor began to move under Alma's feet "Wait! Stop this!"
Dolores just grinned and gave a cheerful little wave goodbye.
Alma was forced out the front door before it slammed shut behind her. Her family betrayed her, and despite all her efforts Mirabel had gotten her way, she had failed her vow to Pedro to protect what his sacrifice created for them. She failed. She lost her home and family.
No, this was not over. Alma would get them back. It was just a matter of time until Mirabel showed what she really was, already she was dropping her mask. She just wanted control, she admitted it herself either the town obeys her or she'll bring them harm.
Alma took a deep breath as she walked away from her home, she still had her loyal supporters who would take her in, like hell she was sleeping in that damn barn. She had sent Mirabel to the barn to ensure she wouldn't bring a bad omen to anyone else in the community. She told everyone that she had asked around if anyone would take Mirabel in, but in reality, she didn't ask anyone. She went straight to the Pérezs to make arrangements for Mirabel in the barn, the Pérezs were in no position to turn her down so they agreed.
The story she told however was different, she had told everyone the barn was a punishment for going for the candle when in reality Alma was planning to send Mirabel there wherever she went for the candle or not. Julieta eventually found out the truth. That was not a pretty night.
As Alma walked through town she noticed the looks some of them were giving her, looks of suspicion and a little bit of disgust. On the contrary, others approach her with wide grins asking how her day was going, upon telling them what had happened they were offering her a room to stay in.
Alma could hear scattered laughter behind her and whispers, loud whispers as if the speaker wanted her to hear them.
"A blind fifteen-year-old managed to overthrow her, maybe she isn't the strong leader she used to be,"
Alma wanted to turn around and shout but kept her composure as she nodded her thanks to those gathered around her.
"You're more than welcome to stay as long as you need, Alma." Señora Díaz smiled. She knew Mirabel and Dolores were demons, they had tormented her daily until they just suddenly disappeared. She felt relieved when she found out they were missing, and when she heard they were back safe and sound she couldn't help but feel disappointed. Now Alma is telling her Mirabel and Dolores had stolen the candle and had overthrown her.
"Thank you, my dear friend." Alma smiled "I do appreciate it, hopefully soon my family will realise the true nature of those two and we can sort this whole mess.
"From what you say, they seem pretty supportive of Mirabel. They didn't even try to defend you when Mirabel exiled you, even Isabela turned against you."
"Mirabel did something…brainwashed them all or something. That girl is evil…she had this grin on her face…a grin like Satan himself…" Alma didn't want to say anything about Mirabel and Dolores's eyes glowing she wasn't even sure what that was about herself.
Alma took one last glance back at Casita before following the other woman, Mirabel and Dolores have won for now but Alma wasn't going to surrender and admit defeat. She'll get her family back, she'll get her home back and she'll get her miracle back. Growling under her breath she uttered a vow.
"Mirabel….Dolores….enjoy your victory while it lasts…this is NOT over."
-V-
Mirabel opened the door to her new bedroom and stepped inside "Now…this is so much better than that smelly barn, wouldn't you agree, Salomé?"
Salomé meowed loudly in response as she rubbed her head against Mirabel's cheek a low purr rumbling from her throat.
Mirabel walked over to the windowsill and placed the candle down as Dolores came up behind her "We did it, hermana. They won't be treating me as a joke anymore, I'm more than the giftless Madrigal now. I'm the most powerful Madrigal of them all."
Dolores nodded "You have the candle, you can do anything. You even gave me my gift back…somehow…"
"I did that?"
"You might have, I lost my gift when I was thrown from the family…I get it back when you bring me back. Kinda disappointed it's back if I'm honest…but it's fine. At least I can listen out for Alma and know what she is planning."
"Helpful indeed." Mirabel mused as she looked around her room "Dolores? Can you describe this room to me? I'm afraid my vision is preventing me from truly appreciating it."
"Of course." Dolores smiled "Well, you got purple walls, a purple bed, some lovely furniture…the floor is purple…overall I would describe your room as…well…purple." Dolores walked over to a bookshelf and picked up a book opening it "Oh, Casita even gave you braille books. How sweet."
"So I finally get a room and all you can tell me about it is that it's purple?"
Dolores chuckled "What else can I say? It's nice and open so you don't bump into everything trying to move around, it suits you perfectly. The perfect room for the new leader of the Encanto."
"Hmm."
"What's wrong? I thought this is what you wanted?"
"I'm just going to miss us being roommates, that's all."
Dolores put the book back "Well, I am just down the hall but I can still stay with you until you get used to your new room if you want. As long as I wear my earmuffs I'll be fine." she joined Mirabel in looking out the window and down to the courtyard. New cracks had appeared and Dolores knew each day they drew closer and closer to the inevitable fall.
Silence fell over the pair, both of them still not quite believing they actually overthrown Alma and have taken Casita.
Dolores turned her head to break the silence "So what now, oh mighty leader of the Encanto?"
"Ah, Dolores my loyal companion. Today we take the time to bask in glorious victory."
"And tomorrow?"
Mirabel chuckled "Tomorrow, we introduce this valley to their new leader." she turned around "But for now, we must address the family."
Dolores nodded "By the way Mira, do you feel…weird?"
"Weird? Whatever do you mean?"
"Ever since I touched that candle I've felt…weird…"
Mirabel shrugged "I feel fine, probably just in your head."
"Right…" Dolores followed Mirabel out of the room "All in my head…"
Mirabel stood at the top of the stairs the rest of the family gathered at the bottom "New room is lovely…very…purple. I do appreciate you all waiting out here."
Julieta smiled nervously "Of course, mija we are proud you got your door…now if we can talk about this revenge on the town thing-"
"Ah, yes. I'll get to that but first I'll like to make some changes to the way things work around here." Mirabel grinned as Salomé jumped down from her shoulder to sit at her feet "First thing that will be changing is the gifts. From now on no Madrigal will be required to use their gifts for the community. If you want to you may but it'll be on your terms, the town may no longer demand a Madrigal's assistance I will be making the announcement tomorrow."
Luisa let out a sigh of relief, she had been doing less and less lately joining the rest of the family in what the town had dubbed 'The Madrigal Rebellion' but still they kept on pushing and pushing until Luisa caved in just to get them to leave her alone. She couldn't stand up to them the way Pepa or even Julieta could. Julieta now only handed out food for serious injury, Pepa stopped her responsibilities altogether no longer caring what others think if she made it rain everyone can suck it up and deal with it.
"Secondly, I'll like to appoint Dolores as my second in command."
Dolores grinned "I always knew I was your favourite."
Camilo folded his arms with an amused chuckle "Love you too, Mirabel."
"Now I'm the leader you are all free to do whatever you want." there was a glint in Mirabel's eye.
"Abuela-I mean Alma won't be too happy you're throwing out her whole regime." Isabela pointed out.
"Alma is yesterday's message a clapped-out, distracted regime. Whose failings undoubtedly presage
the need for a different dream…" Mirabel's eyes briefly glowed as a wide grin returned to her face.
"What?-"
"Yes, mi familia times are a-changin', which means that we Madrigals must too. My vision is clear and wide-ranging and even encompasses you."
"Ironic, her talking about clear vision." Camilo chuckled, no one responded to him all too busy staring up at Mirabel and Dolores.
"So prepare for the coup of the century, prepare as I unleash my plan!"
Félix glanced at Pepa seeing his fear reflected on her face, gulped he pulled Antonio closer to him as Mirabel became more and more deranged,
Mirabel made her way down the stairs, Dolores right at her side "Meticulous planning, tenacity spanning! A decade of denial is simply why I'll-"
Agustín glanced at Bruno as the two took a step backwards, Agustín hated to admit it but he was terrified of his own daughter at that moment.
"Be leader undisputed! Respected! Saluted! And seen for the WONDER I am!" Mirabel growled under her breath, Alma called her a wonder a long time ago, and now the whole town was going to see just what she could be "Yes, it's finally time for revenge…"
"And, what do you want us to do?" Luisa rose her hand as she spoke.
Mirabel simply chuckled "Be prepared."
-V-
Pedro sighed, he watched everything unfold powerless to do anything about it. He knew this was the lesson Alma needed but it still pained him to see.
Alma's relationship with Mirabel and Dolores was shattered beyond repair and had brewed into outright war.
Mirabel's mind was gone, he knew that his nieta was now a prisoner of her own mind. What concerned him the most however was the glowing eyes, Pedro had no idea what this could mean it was the same glow that emitted from the doors and the candle. He was concerned for his granddaughters with all this talk of revenge he knew eventually insanity would claim them both completely. It was no longer a case of saving them from the dangers the community posed to them, it was now a case of saving Mirabel and Dolores from themselves.
Pedro had tried many times throughout the years to appear to Alma, to make her see reason but he just couldn't get through to her. Alma was firm on the problem being Mirabel, she was blind and deaf to Pedro's cries for her to open her eyes and see past the gifts and see the real miracle.
He never wanted any of this, all he wanted was for his family to be safe and happy. Alma was just so…misguided. She had enslaved their family to the community, exploiting those she was supposed to love.
When he sent her Mirabel he had hoped it would help Alma open her eyes but it backfired horribly, Alma only saw Mirabel's lack of a gift.
He couldn't blame Bruno, he just misunderstood the message the vision was sending. His poor son felt guilty enough as it was. He couldn't blame the rest of his family either, all of this was just a huge misunderstanding.
Seeing the path Mirabel had taken pained him to see, he wanted nothing more than to take Mirabel's hand and guide her off the dark path and onto a different one. If only he could try and reason with Mirabel, convince her to turn back before she goes so far down the path she'll be lost down it forever.
Wait, why didn't he think of that before? He couldn't get through to Alma no matter how hard he tried but maybe…maybe Mirabel would be different.
Yes, that was what he was going to do, the chances of failing were high and there was no guarantee Mirabel would even listen to him but he had to at least try.
He was going to try making contact with Mirabel.
-V-
Bruno knocked on the walls as he entered the kitchen where his sisters and their husbands were waiting. He covered his mouth as he yawned, it was midnight but Pepa and Julieta had called a meeting in the dining room "Couldn't this wait until morning?"
"No." Pepa deadpanned "We have to discuss this now, while Mirabel and Dolores are asleep."
"Why?"
"Because they're what the meeting is about."
"Oh."
Julieta tapped her fingers on the table "I so want to pummel Mamá."
Bruno took a seat "What happened to not sinking to her level and setting a good example to your daughters?"
"I just said that in front of them, I'm so tearing Mamá a new one."
"Violent." Félix commented.
"She abused Mirabel, she should be grateful I let her walk out of here."
Pepa snorted in agreement.
"Right right…what exactly are we here to talk about?" Bruno yawned again.
"What are we going to do about Mirabel? She's gone mad, she's not happy with just getting the candle she wants to go after the whole town!" Pepa was doing her best to keep the cloud at bay so she didn't wake those sleeping upstairs.
"Mamá and the town believed Mirabel to be a villain and now Mirabel herself believes she is indeed a villain." Julieta sighed "She has proven them right."
"If we say anything, she'll think we're trying to betray her." Agustín said "So what can we do?"
"We can't just let her destroy the town! We have to somehow convince her to destroy the candle but let her think it was her idea." Julieta looked at the family tree "Then we can all leave, go to Bogotá."
"With Mamá?" Bruno questioned.
"Ha!" Pepa laughed "Mirabel and Mamá would never be able to live together peacefully. They hate each other's guts. They are not grandmother and granddaughter, they're enemies."
Julieta shook her head "I wouldn't expect Mirabel to live with her abuser anyway, her healing journey will be hard enough as it is. I'm afraid she will never be able to live a fully independent life, I'm sure with time she'll be able to manage some tasks on her own…but living fully independently is out of the question she'll always need some sort of caretaker."
"Dolores has already willingly taken up that role."
"Yeah but if Dolores loses her mind…then what?" Bruno asked.
Félix firmly shook his head "No, I won't let that happen to Dolores. She seems….fine…well not fine but stable-minded at least… except for the glowing eyes thing the hell is that about?"
"I noticed when their eyes glow the candle will also glow brighter…it has to do with the candle it just has to…but what does it mean? Their eyes glow like those butt light bugs."
"...butt light bugs?" Pepa rose an eyebrow.
"You know those bugs whose butts glow?"
"...are you talking about fireflies?"
"Yeah, fireflies. I forgot what they were called for a moment."
"Oh my God….butt light bugs…"
"Bruno, do you think the glowing eyes could have something to do with what you saw in your vision?" Julieta asked.
Bruno shrugged "Could be, I really don't see Dolores just completely losing her mind like that without some other…influence."
"How would the candle make Dolores go mad?" Agustín questioned.
"Power." Pepa answered "Mirabel appointed her as second in command, the power could very well get to her head, she has been vocal in her support of justice for the town. Now Mirabel has the power to do just that and Dolores is right at her side, power can drive even the most reasonable person into madness."
"How do we stop them?"
"I…don't….know."
Julieta sighed heavily "I am so worried they'll do something they'll live to regret."
"In Mirabel's mind, everything she is doing is justified." Pepa shook her head
"The title of candleholder is her birthright if our theory about that is true…even if she took that title in…a different way. She is the rightful leader of the Encanto now…what she is going to do with that power…well…"
"As long as people follow what she says, she won't hurt them. As long as she feels like she has control over them she'll be satisfied…but the moment they show signs of conspiring against her…" Pepa trailed off.
"They might want to find that way out of the valley and fast." Félix finished.
"Well, I wasn't going to phrase it like that, but yes."
Agustín adjusted his glasses "So tomorrow she is going to introduce the town to their new leader, what do we do?"
"Just keep an eye on the pair of them." Julieta said quickly "I doubt Mirabel would harm anyone in front of the whole town…at least I hope so…but just keep an eye on her. Many people are already on her side. They see what Mamá is like now…besides we're all on Mirabel's side and therefore going against Mirabel would be going against us…I highly doubt they would risk angering us…with the expectation of a stubborn few."
"Mamá has her loyal supporters." Pepa scoffed "Why they still follow her I don't know why."
"Easy, they hate Mirabel for one reason or another." Bruno leaned back in his chair "Dolores said Señora Díaz invited Mamá to stay with her and her husband, I know the Señora hates Mirabel and Dolores."
Pepa chuckled "Mirabel looked so disappointed when she heard Mamá was in a house and not the barn."
Julieta gave a small smile "I heard her on her way out muttering her breath."
"What did she say?"
"She said 'I wanted Alma to stay in the barn with the rest of the asses'"
Pepa cackled "That's my sobrina! She got the sass from me."
"Pepa don't encourage it."
"Oh please, you agree with her."
Julieta ignored that and stood up "Listen, we don't know what's coming but I think we can all agree that we will do our best to save Mirabel and Dolores from…whatever is going to happen right?" she got four nods in response "We won't let them destroy their own futures. Now let's all get some sleep..tomorrow is going to be….interesting…"
"Interesting is putting it lightly." Agustín yawned "Wonder how they are all going to react.."
-V-
Alma entered Casita alongside Señor and Señora Díaz, the whole town had been asked to come to Casita for a 'special announcement.' she could see her family gathered at the bottom of the stairs, she looked around the courtyard but there was no sign of either Mirabel or Dolores.
She could hear the mutters as people looked up at Mirabel's door replacing her own, she could hear the snickers aimed at her for losing to a blind child. Mirabel had made a joke out of her.
Mirabel's door opened and Dolores emerged ruana was replaced by a red dress, hair still hanging loose around her shoulders but that big red bow was back on her head. Dolores stopped at the top of the stairs and cleared her throat waiting until silence fell over the crowd before speaking "People of the Encanto. As you see by the door behind me Alma is no longer your leader, she is no longer the guardian of the candle…and as of yesterday is no longer a member of La Familia Madrigal and has been exiled from our casa."
No need to rub it in Alma thought as one by one the townspeople turned to face her. Once the respected leader she was now outcasted by her own family.
"As you may have all noticed from the door behind me, there is a new head of La Familia Madrigal, a new guardian of the candle, a new leader." Dolores chuckled "And it's time you were all formally introduced to her…well you have all met her but we wanted to make it all official you know?"
The door opened again and Mirabel emerged now wearing a purple dress, Salomé sprawled around her shoulders and holding the candle a grin on her face.
"Presenting your new leader-Mirabel Madrigal."
"Thank you for all that, Dolores." Mirabel chuckled as she scanned the crowd "And you all thought I would never make it huh? Well, I guess I proved you all wrong. You all treated me like a total joke like I was lower than the dirt you walked upon and now….I lead you all. Funny how life works out sometimes." she gestured to Dolores "You already know my second in command here. Wave to the people Dolores."
Dolores rolled her eyes but gave a cheery little wave anyway.
"Anyway, there will be some changes around here. From now on my family will no longer be required to use their gifts, they may help you if they so please but you may not demand it from them. Luisa will not be rerouting the river anymore…that was ridiculous to begin it."
"But…we depend on the gifts!" someone from the crowd called out Mirabel wasn't sure exactly who.
"Well, stop depending on them."
"But what if we need something done?"
"You got arms and legs don't you?" MIrabel snarled "Do it yourself."
Dolores scanned the crowd meeting eyes with Mariano who was on looking on in surprise she glanced around frantically before mouthing 'I'll explain later' thankfully though confused Mariano nodded.
Mariano was just staring from Dolores to Mirabel to the door and back again. He was confused, Mirabel was now candleholder…Alma was exiled….Dolores was the second in command. He supported Dolores fully he was just so…confused. Was this what was bothering her the other day? He wished she told him but he also understood, how does one causally mention that they and their hermanita/prima were going to overthrow the leader of the whole valley? He shook his head realising he was missing Mirabel's speech, whatever she was saying was sending looks of fear over the gathered crowd.
"Provided you all agree to these new…arrangements no harm will come to you. Well, most of you, now I'm not naming names but there is some people here that well…I have special plans. They know who they are."
Someone in the crowd Alejandro and Rafael glanced at each other, they knew Mirabel was talking about them but they were not afraid of her, nor were they going to accept her as the leader. They were part of what the town called 'Alma's supporters' but as Mirabel spoke more people moved away from Mirabel with the magical family in clear support of Mirabel's claim to the title of candeholder they didn't want to get on their bad side. But they had no plans to join Mirabel's side, nope quite the opposite actually.
Alma's fury grew as Mirabel took all the rules she had established and rid of them, establishing her own. Mirabel had taken everything she had worked so had to establish and trampled all over it.
Mirabel continued speaking "And while we're all gathered here we have some more news…"
Dolores nodded "You thought you knew Alma, well you don't."
"What are you doing?!" Alma cried out speaking for the first time.
Mirabel chuckled "What does it look like, Alma? Your gig is up, it's time you are exposed."
Alma goes bye bye.
And yes Mirabel did accidentally give Dolores her gift back, she doesn't know how she did it.
This will be the only update this month as next week I have to start packing everything in my house in preparation for a move...then unpack everything when I get there.
Hope you all enjoyed it.