Chapter one
" You can open your eyes now,' Abuela Alma said.
" Wow, is that the candle that gives us our magic?" Mirabel asked.
" Yes."
Abuela turned to the crowd that showed up for Mirabel's gift ceremony.
" Forty years ago, my town outside of the Encanto was invaded. Soldiers were destroying everything and everyone in their way. I had just had triplets and Pedro wanted to protect them at all cost. So he confronted these soldiers, who killed him. In his place, a candle appeared. A magic wave made all the soldiers disappear. However,my town was completely destroyed. So, the candle led me here and gave us a home, and most importantly, a miracle. My children got gifts, then their children got gifts. The miracle grows stronger every year," Abuela explained.
She turned back to Mirabel.
" Do you, Mirabel, promise to use your gift to help serve this community."
" I promise, Abuela."
" Very well, touch the candle and reach for the doorknob in front of you," Abuela commanded.
Mirabel did so. Everyone waited to find out what Mirabel's gift was. However, after a few minutes, nothing had happened. Mirabel looked at Abuela in confusion. Abuela's eyes were full of fear. She turned back to the audience.
" I would like everyone who's not family leave while I figure this out," Abuela demanded.
Everybody groaned but left anyway. Abuela took Mirabel back to the nursery. Julieta and Pepa followed them.
" Did I do something wrong?" Mirabel asked.
Abuela ignored her, slamming the door. She then stormed towards Bruno's room. Nobody wanted Bruno at the ceremony, so Abuela ordered him to stay in his room. Pepa and Julieta struggled to keep up. Bruno, who heard Abuela coming, told his rats to hide. Abuela didn't like rats and didn't want them in the house. Bruno hurriedly hid glowing green pieces of a puzzle. He had just had a vision nobody could ever see. When Abuela barged into Bruno's room, Bruno was gone. However, she spotted a piece of the vision Bruno had tried to hide. Abuela breathed heavily in and out.
" BRUNOOOO!"
Encanto
Ten years later
Casita pushed Mirabel out of bed.
" Alright, alright, I'm up!"
Mirabel quickly got dressed. Today was a big day. She could not mess it up. She took a deep breath in.
" Phew, make my family proud."
She hurried down the stairs.
" Morning, abuelo!"
Three little kids came running towards Casita. Mirabel and Casita were preparing breakfast. Mirabel saw the kids out of the corner of her eyes.
" Is what they're saying true? Is Antonio's gift ceremony today?" the kid with the coffee cup asked.
" Indeed," Mirabel confirmed.
" What's his gift?" asked the other boy
" We shall find out tonight," Mirabel told him.
" What's your gift?" the girl asked.
" Who's asking?"
" Us!"
" Well, " us", I can't just talk about myself. I'm only part of the Family Madrigal."
" Who's all in the Family Madrigal?"
" Ah, you're not going to leave me alone are you? Okay, then, Casita, help me out!
Drawers
Floors
Doors
Let's go
This is our home
We've got every generation
So full of music
A rhythm of its own design
This is my family
A perfect constellation
So many stars and everybody gets to shine
Whoa
But let's be clear, Abuela runs this show, whoa
She led us here so many years ago, whoa
And every year our family blessings grow
There's just a lot you've simply got to know, so
Welcome to the Family Madrigal
The home of the Family Madrigal (we're on our way)
Where all the people are fantastical and magical
I'm part of the Family Madrigal
Oh my gosh, it's them
What are the gifts? (I can't remember all the gifts!)
But I don't know who is who
Alright, alright, relax
It is physically impossible to relax
Tell us everything, what are your powers?
Just tell us what everyone can do
And that's why coffee's for grown-ups
My tía Pepa
Her mood affects the weather
When she's unhappy
Well, the temperature gets weird
My tío Bruno
We don't talk about Bruno
They say he saw the future, one day he disappeared
Oh! And that's my mom Julieta, here's her deal, whoa
The truth is, she can heal you with a meal, whoa
Her recipes are remedies for real
If you're impressed, imagine how I feel, Mom!
Welcome to the Family Madrigal
The home of the Family Madrigal
(Hey, coming through)
I know it sounds a bit fantastical and magical
But I'm part of the Family Madrigal
Two guys fell in love with Family Madrigal
And now they're part of the Family Madrigal
So yeah, Tío Félix married Pepa
And my dad married Julieta
That's how Abuela became an Abuela Madrigal
(Let's go, let's go!)
We swear to always
Help those around us
And earn the miracle
That somehow found us
The town keeps growing
The world keeps turning
But work and dedication will keep the miracle burning
And each new generation must keep the miracle burning
Wait, who's a sister and who's a cousin?
There's so many people
How do you keep them all straight?
Okay, okay, okay, okay
So many kids in our house
So, let's turn the sound up, you know why?
I think it's time for a grandkid round up
(Grandkid round up)
Cousin Dolores can hear a pin drop
Camilo shapeshifts
Antonio gets his gift today
My older sisters
Isabela and Luisa
One strong, one graceful
Perfect in every way
Grows a flower, the town goes wild
(Isabela)
She's a perfect golden child
(Luisa! Luisa! Luisa! Luisa!)
And Luisa's super strong
The beauty and the brawn do no wrong
That's life in the Family Madrigal (whoa)
Now you know the Family Madrigal (whoa)
Where all the people are fantastical and magical (whoa)
That's who we are in the Family Madrigal, adiós!
Ooh (but what's your gift?)
Ha
Well, I gotta go, the life of a Madrigal (whoa)
But now you all know the Family Madrigal (whoa)
I never meant this to get autobiographical (whoa)
So just to review the Family Madrigal
Let's go
It starts with Abuela
And then Tía Pepa, she handles the weather (but what about Mirabel?)
My mom Julieta can make you feel better with just one arepa (but what about Mirabel?)
My dad Agustín, well
He's accident-prone but he means well (but what about Mirabel?)
Hey, you said you wanna know what everyone does
I got sisters and cousins and (Mirabel)
My primo Camilo won't stop until he makes you smile today (Mirabel)
My cousin Dolores can hear this whole chorus a mile away (Mirabel)
Look, it's Mister Mariano, hey
You can marry my sister if you wanna but (Mirabel)
Between you and me, she's kind of a prima donna
Yo, I've said too much and thank you but I really gotta go (Mirabel)
My family's amazing (Mirabel)
And I'm in my family, so (Mirabel)
Well…
" Mirabel!" Abuela hollered.
Mirabel turned around nervously.
" Uh, yes, abuela?"
" What are you doing?" Abuela asked.
" Well, these kids were asking about the gifts and I just-"
" She was about to tell us about her super cool gift!"
" Oh, Mirabel didn't get one," Dolores blurted. " Hm!" she squeaked.
Abuela left, leaving Mirabel dumbstruck. The three kids slowly turned to Mirabel.
" You didn't get a gift?" the girl asked.
" Nope, but I'm still just as special as the others," Mirabel said.
The four of them watched as Luisa lifted buildings, Camilo shapeshifted into other people, Isabela grew flowers, Pepa watered plants, and Julieta healed people with food. Mirabel's eyes twitched.
" Maybe, your gift is being in denial," the girl said.
With that, the kids left, losing all interest in Mirabel.
The guy with the gut walked over to Mirabel.
" Hello, Mirabel. I bought you some supplies to help you. You know, because you're giftless.'
" Thanks, I-"
" I call it the non-special, special!"
The gut guy left, leaving Mirabel fuming. Mirabel went inside to help set up for Antonio's ceremony. When she went inside, there was a hurricane. Pepa was panicking and Felix was trying to calm her down.
" We have no flowers, we have no flowers. The ceremony is ruined."
" No, it's not, mi vida, it'll be okay."
" But, the flowers. The flo-"
" Did someone say flowers?"
Isabela landed gracefully next to Pepa. She magically made several bouquets of flowers appear. The hurricane went away. Felix sighed with relief.
" Oh, thank you, Isa, you're a lifesaver," Pepa said.
" No problem, Tia," Isabela replied.
She flipped her hair, causing it to smack into Mirabel's face. Mirabel grunted before slipping on her feet. Isabela caught her before she could hit the floor.
" Umph, you should be more careful, Mira. You could have gotten hurt," Isabela stated.
" Uh, y-yeah, of- c-course," Mirabel stutted.
Isabela winked at her before walking away. Mirabel just stood there in shock. The sound of people chit-chatting snapped her out of the trance. She went into the kitchen and began decorating.
" You know Casita can do that herself, right?" Julieta asked.
" Yeah, but I want to help," Mirabel replied.
" You can help me cook," Julieta suggested.
" Okay!" Mirabel agreed.
Julieta chuckled. Mirabel got out the ingredients Julieta needed. Julieta did the rest. After her help was no longer needed, Mirabel went to go make a gift for Antonio. On her way, she bumped into Abuela.
" Sorry," Mirabel apologized.
" You really should watch where you're going," Abuela scolded.
" I know and I'm sorry."
" Just stay out of the way!"
Abuela stormed off. Mirabel held back tears. Abuela treated her like dirt ever since she didn't get a gift and Bruno ran away. It took about an hour for her to finish Antonio's gift. She rushed out of the private room Casita made for her. She ran right into a storm.
" Pepa, you have a cloud," Abuela complained.
" Well, I can't find Antonio, what do you want from me!?" Pepa snapped.
Mirabel smirked. She knew exactly where Antonio was. She went into the nursery shaking her gift which was now wrapped up tightly.
" They're waiting for you. Your ceremony starts soon," Mirabel said.
No answer. Mirabel sat on the bed. She shook the gift again.
" I have something for you."
Still no answer.
" It's going to explode in 3…2…1"
Once again, there was no answer.
" Well, since you don't want it, I guess I'll give it to someone else."
Mirabel started to leave, but Antonio snatched the gift. Mirabel chuckled and joined Antonio under the bed. She smiled at Antonio, but he didn't smile back. She nudged him gently.
" What's wrong?"
" What if I don't get a gift?"
" Ah, well, I guess, you'd be stuck in the nursery with me huh?"
" Really? That'd be awesome!" Antonio exclaimed.
" Ha! No, you'll get a gift. And it'll be just as awesome as you," Mirabel told him. " Now, let's go, everyone's looking for you."
Mirabel and Antonio went to the others.
" There you are!" Pepa exclaimed.
" Abuela, says it's time," Dolores announced.
" Oh, my baby is so cute!" Pepa cried.
" Aw, mi vida, you're going to get us all wet," Felix complained, trying to shoo away the clouds.
Camilo transformed into a tiny Felix.
" You're going to get us all wet."
" I don't sound like that."
" I don't sound like that."
" You know what? Let's just go. Vamous. Vamous. Vamous."
" Vamous, vamous, vamous. Alright, alright, I'm done. Oof!"
Antonio and Mirabel smiled at each other. Antonio followed Pepa into the ceremony. Mirabel decided to hide out of plain sight. She was sure no one wanted her there after her gift ceremony. Everyone was tense, including the family. Abuela cleared her throat.
" As you all know, fifty years ago, my town outside of the Encanto was invaded. Soldiers were destroying everything and everyone in their way. I had just had triplets and Pedro wanted to protect them at all cost. So he confronted these soldiers, who killed him. In his place, a candle appeared. A magic wave made all the soldiers disappear. However,my town was completely destroyed. So, the candle led me here and gave us a home, and most importantly, a miracle. My children got gifts, then their children got gifts. Well… almost everyone," Abuela said, making Mirabel glad she hid.
" Now, Antonio, do you promise to use your gift to help the community?" Abuela asked.
" Yes, I promise," Antonio answered.
" Great! Touch the candle and then the doorknob to your new door," Abuela commanded.
Antonio did so. Everyone was holding their breath. Mirabel watched intensely. A parrot appeared on Antonio's shoulder.
" Yeah, I can understand you," Antonio said.
Everyone gasped. Antonio's new door glowed brightly. Mirabel laughed in relief.
" The miracle is strong!" Abuela announced.
Everyone went into Antonio's room. Mirabel couldn't help herself. She just hoped she wouldn't be noticed. There were animals everywhere. Each of them were saying something to Antonio. Antonio's room was like a zoo.
" You wanna go where?" Antonio asked.
Everyone whispered and hollered as Antonio rode on a jaguar. Camilo snapped his fingers. The jaguar ran Antonio up to a waterfall. Mirabel watched in amazement.
" Let's take a family picture!" Abuela hollered.
All the family members gathered around. Mirabel tried to join, but everyone pushed her out of the way. The family posed as a camera got ready to take their picture.
" Wait-" Mirabel started.
" La Family Madrigal!"
SNAP!
Mirabel's eyes were wide open. Her family just took a picture without her. And they didn't even notice. Mirabel choked back a sob before running out of the bedroom.
Don't be upset or mad at all
Don't feel regret or sad at all
Hey, I'm still a part of the family Madrigal
And I'm fine, I am totally fine
I will stand on the side as you shine
I'm not fine, I'm not fine
I can't move the mountains
I can't make the flowers bloom
I can't take another night up in my room
Waiting on a miracle
I can't heal what's broken
Can't control the morning rain or a hurricane
Can't keep down the unspoken invisible pain
Always waiting on a miracle, a miracle
Always walking alone
Always wanting for more
Like I'm still at that door longing to shine
Like all of you shine
All I need is a change
All I need is a chance
All I know is I can't stay on the side
Open your eyes, open your eyes, open your eyes
I would move the mountains
Make new trees and flowers grow
Someone please just let me know, where do I go?
I am waiting on a miracle, a miracle
I would heal what's broken
Show this family something new
Who I am inside, so what can I do?
I'm sick of waiting on a miracle, so here I go
I am ready, come on, I'm ready
I've been patient, and steadfast, and steady
Bless me now as you blessed us all those years ago
When you gave us a miracle
Am I too late for a miracle?
Mirabel sighed. She began crying. Perhaps she should just accept that she was nothing. Suddenly, she heard a cracking noise. She looked up and saw Casita crumbling.
" Oh, my, god!"
Mirabel ran back into Antonio's room.
" CRACKS! THERE ARE CRACKS IN CASITA!" Mirabel screamed.
Everyone stopped dancing. All eyes were on her. Abuela slowly walked towards her.
" Show me," she demanded.
Mirabel led them downstairs. The cracks began to disappear but not before everyone saw them. There was murmuring. Mirabel looked at Abuela. She had finally done something good! Apparently Abuela didn't agree because she grabbed Mirabel aggressively by the arm then dragged her into the nursery.
" Casita, lock Mirabel up and don't let her out!"
Bars appeared around the door and windows of the nursery.
" NO!" Mirabel shouted.
" Mama, what are you doing?" Julieta questioned.
" Bruno hid a vision from us and I guarantee it was of Mirabel! That's why he ran away. He was trying to protect a monster!"
" Abuela… please," Mirabel pleaded.
" Shut up, you stupid girl," Abuela snarled.
She stormed off. Mirabel looked at her mama. Julieta looked at her with guilt before walking away. Mirabel threw herself on her bed and cried her heart out. Was it true? Was she really in one of Bruno's visions? Suddenly darkness filled her heart. If Abuela thought she was a monster…then maybe she should start playing the part.
…