Mirabel's Pov

Hearing more about my lost cousins was great and answered many questions but still a lot unanswered. Everyone seems to be enjoying reminiscing. And I'm going to regret ruining this family moment when I asked "So if they were here when I was born why don't I remember-" I stopped when Mama hugged me. "Oh Mirabel, you were so little when it happened,"

"Yeah sis," said Isa, "We were all kids when Tía Mica vanished and we never really talked that much about her before so..."

"That's not... never mind. What happened to her?" I also want to know why Señora Apuch didn't mention her.

"We don't know. Everything was going normally but some time after the triplet's quince she was gone."

"We searched everywhere but all we found was her shawl by the mountain path,"

"So she-,"

"We don't know her body was never found and Bruno's visions didn't have any answers,"

"What about Doña Apuch? Did she know why or how her niece-?"

"No she knew no more than we did but she did give us letters that Mica made in case she disappeared,"

"I knew there was something off about her. I always made my suspicions known despite Doña Apuch's assurance," Abuela stated "But I couldn't dwell on it. Your primos mayor had lost their mother so we had to be there for them."

"That must have been so hard. I can't imagine not having both of you in my life let alone one," I said to my parents, they held my hand along with my sisters. In the corner of my eye, I saw Antonio doing the same with his. I turned to Tío Bruno and Abuela comforting each other along with Tíos rats. The rat moved the page of the album to show a picture of baby Camilo in the arms of a teenage girl I assumed was Angelina, who was between her brothers, baby me in Ignácio's, and toddler Luisa in Javier's who was on the left of his sister with young Isa and Dolores standing in front of them.

"Is this all of us together?" I asked looking at the picture trying to remember anything.

"Oh yes, this photo was taken a week after you were born," Julieta said, smiling at how little her girls were.

"Ay Félix, look at how small our bebes were," cried tía Pepa as she hugged her eldest children. "Mom you're choking us."

"Mica had insisted on taking pictures of you kids any chance she got," Agustin said

"I'm guessing we spent a lot of time with her," I asked.

"Yup she and tío Bruno would take their kids for a picnic and when we came along we joined them," Dolores said turning a page of them on a picnic blanket.

"You know something sis, I was jealous of you when you came and Luisa, for a while," Isa admitted. This is leading to another question.

"Really? Why? Were we that cute?" I couldn't resist teasing her. It made her laugh though.

"Yup, you were adorable but that's not why I was jealous." she opened one of the albums with photos of her as a baby with the triplets around 7-8. The next pictures include baby Dolores. "As far back as we could remember they were always there playing with us, telling stories, singing songs and I loved feeling like a little sister occasionally," She turned to another picture of a newborn Luisa, "When I first heard about getting a sibling I was happy but scared at the same time,"

"But they always played with us together," remembered Luisa. "And I was a baby when I arrived so they couldn't play with me yet."

"They did but I was little, I was used to sharing them with Dolores. When Luisa came that attention was divided. I was upset she got carried more than I did. But she was mostly with our parents. When Mira was born, I started to worry," Isa confessed. Learning a lot of factors in the dysfunction that is our sisterhood.

"What about me?" asked Camilo. Oh yeah, he came before me.

"I wasn't that threatened nor was your sister," She answered but addressed the triplets' affection for him, "You were the baby brother they never had. You were cute and they loved hugging you. But you tried to suckle Angie," Isa giggled.

Omg, he didn't. That's hilarious and creepy but his face is priceless.

"I what?!" Camilo shouted in horror.

"Calm down Camilo, you were a newborn you had a habit of suckling any skin near you. Hands, cheeks, and shirts," said Félix.

"Anyway, embarrassing moment aside. When you were born I was scared they would like you more than me but now I see that it was silly. They didn't stop hanging out with me or Dolores. It was less than before but we still had fun,"

"Did we keep doing picnics after Tía Mica left?"

"Not for a while. They stayed in their rooms for weeks and then only went out to do chores or food."


Flashback

Fifteen-year-old Angelina was sitting by the piano sulking. Her brothers were also near in their worlds filled with dread. On a blanket were Mirabel and Camilio playing unaware of the sad atmosphere. Luisa, Dolores, and I tried to cheer them up.

"Is there something we can do to help?" I asked and Javiar kneeled to us and hugged us while Ignácio picked up Luisa in his arms. "Gracias for your concern primas, but there are just some things that can't be fixed over time," we were starting to give up hope till Luisa shouted, "Look!"

We turn to see Mirabel crawling on all fours toward Angelina and what happens next changes everything.

Angie's pov

When I saw Mirabel moving towards me I was about to put her back but then she stopped and started to stand up.

"Do you see what I see?" said Javier with his arms around Dolores and Isa.

"She's standing on her own" exclaimed Ignácio holding Luisa who was just as excited. none of us took our eyes off Mirabel. As the toddler started to move her feet she got closer and closer to me till she lost balance and I grabbed her and swung her around in glee. I stopped to kiss the giggling baby "Mira! You finally took your first steps! I'm so proud of you!" I kissed her cheeks and held her looking at her face my brothers were also happy and gave their congrats too then we heard Camilo crying running toward me wanting attention too. We laughed at how cute he was. I lifted him in my arms as well. "Oh Camilo, it's okay now you have someone else to run and cause trouble with," I said smiling and I couldn't stop smiling.

Flashback end


Isabela's P.O.V.

"After witnessing your first steps you brought our cousins out of the darkness and they moved forward. You helped them when we couldn't."

"I can't believe I didn't know that."

"Well you were a baby and we didn't talk about it much and ever since-"

"It's not just that Isa," moment of truth, "I don't have any memories of them."

"What? But that's impossible."

Mirabel's P.O.V.

"You were only five when they disappeared," said Luisa. "You couldn't have forgotten that much."

"Yeah remember they left after your ceremony went downhill," said Camilo we all gave him a blank look. "What?"

"We were all in your room comforting you. They sang us one last lullaby before they left," said Dolores.

I rub my head, "This is just great. Not only did I lose my uncle and three primos. I also lost my memories of them,"

"It's not your fault mi mariposa, it's mine," Abuela said.

"What do you mean?"

"Things with your primos were getting tense as time went on. They never liked how the town treated their father and when their mother was no longer here. It got even worse," Alma sighed recalling all those one-sided talks, "They still did their chores but I would still get complaints about their behavior. They took their babysitting seriously and were polite with the children but the grownups and some of their peers they would get so defensive."

"What did you do?"

"What I always did? What I always thought was right? I told them they needed to stop being so childish and think of the family, our community, and forced them to apologize for their behavior," Alma said in shame wishing she had listened to them more.

"How did that go?"

"They said they would do it when those spoiled idiots take the sticks out of their..." said Isabela.

"ISA!"

"What? They did and Casita couldn't move them for her to lecture them because they would fly off to avoid Abuela."

"Yeesh, I'm surprised they didn't leave sooner."

"They wanted to. Javier would read about lands beyond the mountains, Ignácio wanted to see what other kinds of music there was, and Angelina wanted to see how high she could fly till she touched a star."

"So why choose that night to finally go for it? And why did my memories of them go to?"

We turned our heads to the slammed doors.

"WHAT NOW?!"

"Doña Madrigal! A creature has been spotted circling the town!"

"I'm sure that you can manage to handle-"

"No, you don't understand it's a jaguar with WINGS!"

"Are you drunk?"

"No, come see-"

AHHHHHHH!! We heard the screams of the town folk and rushed outside. The town is in a panic and we spotted the jaguar with wings flying above us.

"Is everyone indoors?"

"Yes!"

"Luisa, Isa get the-"

"On it!"

"Julieta get the medical supplies!"

"Sí," she said getting her remedies. "The rest of you inside we don't-"

The creature came barreling towards Casita and crash-landed into one of the rooms. "Well, that was easy, which room was that?" As Camilo said that, the realization just hit me, "That was my room!" I ran to my room ignoring the calls of my family. I know it's stupid but that room means a lot to me and that is where Dolores' dress is. I reached my room and pushed the door open. Let's just say I was not expecting what was behind it.


September 195X in a room located in San Angel Mexico.

In every culture, there are stories about magic and the supernatural. When science started to have more breakthroughs magic became a thing of the past, especially during the war. Who could blame them it's hard to keep that kind of childlike faith. Unless you're my family.

"Zano! Wake up! or you'll be late for school!" Shouted the loudest of my sisters. As if it's not loud enough with 29 people living here.

"Alright, Cia! I'm coming!" I answered scouring through my things and putting my uniform on. Put my books in my bag and headed downstairs.

As Zano rushed downstairs he was greeted by the boarders and his family. Mateó Mondragón, Ignácio, and his brother Alejo with his wife Rosita getting Layla, Miguel, Jorge, Raúl, and Gabriela ready for school. While his sister Zita and her husband Chico along with Grandpapi General Posada feed the Babies in highchairs, Joy, the twins Michelangelo and Manny. Zano's 9-year-old sister Lulu is all packed up and ready to go and is currently eating grits.

"Buenos Días Zano," greeted Manolo Sanchez, Zano's father.

"Good Morning Zano," said one of the tenants Mr. Hyunh, a middle age man of Vietnamese origin.

"Hey Zano, can you talk to your mother? She's gone into "character" again and the rest of breakfast isn't even ready," said Ernesto Potts another tenant.

"Zano!" Said his sister Acacia with his homework in her hands, "I went over your homework."

"What is the problem now? I finished it."

"Yes, and most of it is correct but your grammar needs improvement,"

"What are you, my Teacher?"

"No, but Chico was?"

"Hey, I'm feeding your babies don't drag me into this!"

"Look Hermana I gotta go see ya," Zano shoved the homework into his backpack and rushed to the door till he was stopped by Acacia's snakes.

"Zano, do us one favor, stay out of trouble."

"All right." I agreed as I rushed out, "Tell Mom I said good morning!"


As I left the boarding house that is connected to the hotel. I get on my bike and ride to school. So my family, as you can see is not the typical normal traditional family. My parents Maria and Manolo Sanchez run the boarding house. Mí Hermano Mayor Alejo runs the old bullfighting arena that is now used for sports, plays, and concerts. My sisters Acacia and Zita are twins they run the hotel but it's mostly Zita and her husband who is a history teacher. Our brother Luis is also a partner in both the arena and hotel but is mostly the lawyer who deals with the legal work of the businesses. Acacia works at the Museum along with her husband Ignácio. Another thing about my sisters is that their supers.

Now, what are supers you ask well apparently during the war people with powers started showing up to fight the bad guys and save people however some supers used their powers for evil. Better known as heroes and villains. Of course, anyone can be those without powers. Anyway, my sisters were once a crime-fighting duo. Acacia's powers are tattoo generation, she can make weapons out of her tattoos. Zita can do illusions that can change her appearance helped a lot in keeping their secret identity but she mostly used them to confuse and blind her opponents. Chico was a super called Machu Pichu he was super strong, can handle any impact, and jumped great lengths. Angelina was a Hero called Águila, along with her brothers Ignácio was Fuego, and Javier was known as Dr. Levitando. Now unlike my sisters, they weren't born with these powers they were gifted them when they were five at their hidden magic village. Mateó was called El Soldado because while he was strong he also had no powers. Blanca was known as Arquera a skilled archer who could hit anything faster than a speeding bullet. Now you would think that being in a family of supers, soldiers, and Magos would be fun right? Wrong! Ever since the last superhero disaster which caused millions in taxpayer money superheroes and villains have been made illegal.

Fortunately, San Angel is tolerant of people using their powers since they once had dead people protect them. Now they are retired living normal lives with normal jobs, being parents with normal kids, except that there is no such thing as normal, especially our pets. There's Chapa a winged black jaguar, Pancho, and Cleo, two chihuahuas, and also Boots the black cat. As a teenager, I usually get stuck babysitting which isn't so bad except when it clashes with my social life but now I'm prohibited from bringing girls home. I see school coming up and my crew so I went inside to start my day of hell.

"Hey, Zano ¿Qué pasa man? Where you've been all weekend?" greeted Ernie my best friend forever.

"Sup Ernie, been on lockdown for that last stunt."

"Oh yeah," he acknowledge "So did you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"About the students being transferred"

"What about them?"

"They were supers."

"You're kidding me."

"No lie most of them lost control over the weekend and had to be sent to a special school to train."

"Anyone we know."

"None so far but it's not just our school there have been kids in elementary, middle, and daycare."

"Daycare?"

"Yup not all bad some of those age groups go home after school depending on the kids' progress or living arrangements."

"How would you know?"

"My cousin Carlo is in that school I visited him and got a tour."

"Carl has powers."

"Yeah he can generate electricity and he's getting better at control but he's scared to go back to regular school."

"Can't say I blame him."

"So what about you?"

"I still have control."

"Oh no not that have you got a date and maybe one for me."

I chuckled at his question Ernie is a good friend but needs help in his love life. The bell rings "Come on lady killer let's go."


Third Pov

Meanwhile, when school is over we see four-year-old Miguel sitting with his primas, Layla and Gaby, in the back. "Did you have a nice day at school?" Asked Acacia, Layla's mother.

"Sí, Mommy we got to color!"

"And cut out shapes and glue them!"

"That sounds like fun," She said gleefully at the girls' response but noticed how her nephew was quiet, "Miguel, sweetie what about you, how was your day?"

"It was okay we got new puzzles and the slide was nice."

He looks out the window of his Tía's car heading home because today is the day he is going to meet his Abuelo and together they'll find his parents. They got home had dinner and then went to bed. After he is left alone in his room he packs his bag filled with photos to prove his relationship and other supplies. His cousins Gabi, Layla, Jorge, Raúl, and Tía Lulu promised to cover for him with the adults so they won't worry so much or stop him. As he quietly heads downstairs to see Chapa he sees Grandpapi Posada sleeping on the couch with the tv on. So he sneaks out quickly heading to Chapa's stable.

"Chapa, are you awake?" He whispered. Chapa responded by licking the boy affectionately and snuggling him.

"I missed you too, Now come on we have to be quiet. It's time to find the rest of our family."

Chapa helped Miguel climb onto him and start to prowl quietly to take off somewhere away from the house. That was when they heard a window open and saw Zano climbing down from his bedroom into the streets.

"What do you think he's up to Chapa?" The jaguar growled annoyed at the teenager's horrible timing.

"Should we follow him?" Chapa knew how much the boy wanted to see his parents but he also knew if Zano got caught their plan would backfire. So they followed Zano till they were far away from the house and that's when Chapa flew down and grabbed him into the sky.

"WHAT THE HELL? CHAPA?! Who let you out?"

"Hi, Zano."

"Miguel? What are you doing out of bed?!"

"What are you doing?"

"None of your business squirt. Now put me down and go home!"

"I can't do that."

"Why?!"

"Chapa is in charge," Miguel stated innocently.

Zano gave him a mad 'Are you serious look. "Okay, Chapa put me down and take Miguel home. NOW!"

Chapa ignored him and flew faster in the direction of Columbia to find Bruno. Not sure how long they have been flying or how far though Zano tried to stop them it caused them all to crash into a room.