Colombia was still not ready to talk the following day as they finally escaped Brazilian territory and entered her own area. Philippines ventured a question.
"Shouldn't we be going southwards? Peru has a direct border with Brazil"
"We're not going to Peru" Colombia replied.
"Juanita? What's going on?" Maria asked.
Colombia shook her head. "Peru has gone missing. We presume destabilization is taking its toll on us"
"Or worse, the Hegemony had him killed," Alfred pointed out.
"Either way, he can't help you on your quest now" said Colombia, but I know someone who can.
They scaled high mountains and impossible jungle terrain for hours. Alfred's legs were soon covered with bites from dozens of bloodsucking microfauna. Maria kept track of how many leeches she'd had to pull from him while Kiku had wisely put on repellant lotion (which Alfred hated for its sticky feel).
"Are we there yet?" Alfred asked.
"If you think I'm falling for that Shrek joke, you've got another thing coming" Maria replied.
"I feel as if we're taping The Ten Commandments" muttered Kiku.
"I'd rather have the Ark of the Covenant, thank you," said Alfred. "I heard that thing was actually a nuclear weapon"
"So what weapon of mass destruction awaits us at the top, Anna?" asked Maria.
"It's not a weapon, and it's not at the top of the mountain. Quite the exact opposite, actually"
"What do you mean?" Alfred then gaped at the sight that greeted them on top of the mountain.
"Not a weapon of war, but a family of peace, at the bottom of this hidden valley. Welcome to the Madrigal Sanctuary"
The descent was much faster as they made their way towards the village. Whistles of children playing could be heard as the wild animals called back, a cacophony of peaceful existence. The three were completely flabbergasted by what they were seeing.
"So Disney is all real now" Maria muttered. "Now I have to compete with the princesses"
"How did all this stay hidden for so long?" asked Japan.
"Well, the Mist is pretty good at fooling cameras, and there are other magics keeping this place hidden. This place is my heart, in a physical sense, and my sanctuary. I can shield it and shelter it from the outside world with my own life force. I learned this kind of magic long ago, from my ancient ancestor. She herself sacrificed her heart to protect humanity long ago." Colombia paused. "That's them coming to meet us now"
A young woman ran to meet them. She had dark, curly hair, glasses and a beautiful casual dress not unlike what Maria herself would wear in the provinces. "I came as soon as Lady Colombia gave the call. So you guys are like spirits, or something? Oh, and the name's Mirabel, by the way, Mirabel Madrigal"
"Or something," said Alfred. "Good God, you're all real. Just when I think things can't get crazier, this week keeps saying 'bet'"
"Mira-chan," Japan started, "we came here under Colombia's guidance because she says your family can help us. Peru has fallen and he cannot dispense his prophecies or healings to help us find the missing nations and avert World War 3"
Mirabel stiffened. "Yikes, I did not think it was that serious"
"I didn't want you guys to worry. You know my magic will always hold here" said Colombia.
"Well, if it's healing and prophecy, then we have that in spades. Mom's getting lunch ready, and her cooking always heals minds, bodies and maybe souls, I'm not sure, and after that, you can go see Tio Bruno"
Maria began. "We don't talk abo-"
"Stop" said Japan.
The house was indeed an encanto, thought Maria. It had a life and mind of its own and responded to the needs and wants of those within. Mirabel gave them an introduction to her family, from the regal matron Abuela to their youngest member, little Antonio, who spoke to animals.
"They tell me you are very important people" Antonio chirped to them.
"I speak seven dialects of tropical bird, myself" said Maria. They settled down in the living room, much to Abuela's insistence.
"Please, feel right at home. I cannot imagine how great a crisis looms over us all at the moment, but I believe you came because you needed our particular gifts"
"Indeed, we do, Abuela," Maria impressed the old woman with her courtesy. Alfred recalled it all had to do with Colombia and Philippines' common cultural ancestry. "We must heal America's amnesia and get a prophecy for finding our missing brethren if we are to avert the war."
"We would be honored to do whatever we can to help save the world. Indeed, my grandchildren have been reading these books from abroad, and have begun fancying themselves "superheroes" or whatever that term was. They've really gotten zestful in helping the community. Such a task would enthrall them for sure, but I think that lunch is now ready."
The entire family was there, and the four guests were interspersed among them. Maria was between Mirabel and Isabella, Alfred sat between Camilo and Dolores, while Kiku and Anna sat among the elder Madrigals. Abuela herself sat in the head seat. Mirabel gave the family the short version.
"The bad news is, the world's falling apart. The good news is, it's not my fault"
Camilo snorted, while Pepa and Bruno exchanged worried looks. Julieta made sure Alfred's plate remained filled.
"I'll bet two more helpings ought to do it," said Julieta. "I have never had to heal amnesia before, but I trust in the magic".
"Yes, ma'am," said Alfred between bites.
Kiku was telling Dolores about the UA and the possibility of getting the children scholarships to train in Musutafu during the summers. "Your gifts would put you in the hero classes. Isabela could even be in the top classes and thrive there. Yet it's your gift I see a lot of potential in, Dolores. We are looking for just exactly your kind of powers for the Counter-terrorism division."
Maria explained the nature of nation-tans to Abuela and the older Madrigals. "All nations are really one big family, when you think about it. Sadly, we often lose sight of that, and because what we do is largely a reflection of what individual humans do, there is little we can do but hope that our people will choose to be better, to choose peace"
Abuela sighed. "And now, a group of nations has decided to rise against the current order and wage a bloody war. Truly tragic. I hope we can avert this crisis in time." Turning to Bruno, she asked. "Would you be willing to give them a séance, mijo? It would mean everything to them"
"Oh, of course, mother, let me just get my stuff, ah-." He reached into his pockets, got up, and ran upstairs. Moments later, he came down, an army of mice behind him, and began to assemble little trinkets and such, particularly a slate of green crystal.
Alfred felt his forehead getting feverish, and at the same time more memories came back. "Thanks, Tia. I can feel the memories coming back!"
The three of them gathered around Bruno, who instructed them on how the séance would proceed. "Try to ask one, specific question. That way, the resulting prophecy is a bit clearer. Nothing screws people up more than a big misunderstanding." He exchanged a warm glance with Mirabel.
"Alright," said Maria. "Where are Arthur and Antonio? How can we save them?"