How did my life become this crazy? One day I'm just an ordinary student and the next thing I know I'm in-laws with a damn brujo. Not only that but the fire witch brought his twins with him and blessed our family with three kids. Then assigned me and my little sister as defacto babysitters which was not bad since they are sweet and we got paid. Except when they wander off on their own, get in trouble, wreck my bike, and shave my head. But nothing compares to this recent debacle courtesy of Miguel! Don't let his, big brown eyes and shy demeanor fool you. He always has to go off and explore how things work. It would be nice if he didn't keep walking into danger. And now the little explorer, with no thanks to his trusty pigeon Chapa has landed us who knows where!
Miguel's P.o.v.
"You crazy birdbrained disgrace of a jungle cat! YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN US KILLED! I SWEAR IF THERE IS ONE SCRATCH ON HIM I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU INTO A RUG!" Zano yelled at Chapa
"But Tío Zano, Chapa was just helping me find-"
"I'll deal with you later Miguel do you have any idea-" Then Zano was knocked out by a pretty lady, with curly hair, and glasses, holding a heavy book. When Zano went down she looked at me and Chapa in surprise.
POV
"Oh hola, I didn't see you there," Mirabel said hiding the book behind her.
"Hello, I'm Miguel, and this Chapa he's a flying jaguar"
"So he's your pet" she guessed.
"Friend."
"Right sorry, so who did I just-" she gestured to the unconscious white-haired teen.
"Oh that's my Tía Cia's brother Zano, but we call him Tío."
"Okay, so what are you doing here?"
"Well, we crashed landed because tío and Chapa were arguing and-"
"Not that sweetie, I mean-"
"Mirabel!" Said her mother.
"Mama, I'm-"
"Oh for goodness sake you could've been- Jaguar!!" She said putting Mirabel behind her but then notices Miguel who couldn't have been no older than four. Then the rest of the family followed and wanted to see how Mirabel was and saw the scene before them in shock.
"A little boy! Hugging the Jaguar?" Agustin pointed out shocked and confused.
"New friend!" Cried Antonio in joy rushing up to hug the creature who snuggled the boy back.
"Their name is Chapa," said Miguel.
"Nice to meet you, Chapa, oh, and nice to meet you too," he said shaking the other boy's hand. They started talking with each other.
"So yeah the cat's his friend and the guy on my floor is his tío that caused them to crash land," Mirabel explained to her family.
"Oh, so where-?"
"Ugh," groaned the guy on the floor, I think his name is Zano.
"Okay, who's the wise guy?" Said Zano.
"Your awake!" Cheered Miguel.
"Miguel I swear if you, You-" Zano stopped as soon as he looked up and saw Mirabel looking down at him still holding the book in her hand.
They gazed into their eyes silently before, "You knocked me out!" he pointed a finger at her.
"You were the one that broke into my room!" Mirabel said in defense.
"That was not by choice! I was trying to get this gato loco to turn around but he wouldn't listen," He exclaims.
"Maybe you should be nicer?" Antonio suggested sweetly.
"Whose kid this is?" Zano asked not in the mood for suggestions from little kids.
"He's ours. Touch him and I'll shock you!" Threatened Pepa.
"Don't you mean shank?" He asked.
"No, shock. What's a shank?"
"Okay now that everyone is safe. Youngman who are you and where did you come from?" asked Alma.
"My name is Zano Sánchez, the munchkin is my nephew and the bird is his pet," Chapa growled at the teen's bird comment.
"He doesn't like that."
"I didn't ask you," The teen said.
"Youngman do you know where you are?"
"Central America," Zano guessed. "Which I'm guessing is not visitor friendly?"
"We don't usually get that many visitors so how did you find us?"
"That would be the cat's fault" he pointed, "You can keep him if you want?"
"Young man as the eldest human of your group it is your responsibility to watch them."
"Hey, I didn't plan for this trip that was all them. And who are you to tell me what do to anyway?"
"I am Alma Madrigal the matriarch of this house and one of the village leaders."
"And that's supposed to mean something to me?" Zano not caring since he already had enough women that rule his life.
"Listen here," getting annoyed at his disrespectful attitude.
"Wait is this place the Encantó? The one that came to life after Pedro Madrigal sacrificed himself to save his family?" said Miguel.
"Miguel this is not the time for your family stories."
"But Zano,-"
"Wait where did you hear that name?" Asked a shocked Alma.
"My Papi told me," Miguel answered. But that left more questions.
"Hey, what's happening? I can't see," Bruno said tripping into the room and trying to see the commotion when he got up he saw a little boy close to Antonio's age looking at him with wide eyes. "Uh hello," he was knocked down by the little boy tackling him in an embrace.
"Bruno!"
"MIGUEL! GET OFF HIM! WE DON'T HUG STRANGERS!"
"It's you! It's really you! your still alive!" cheered Miguel still hugging the confused 50-year-old.
"Uh yes I am and you are?"
"Miguel Madrigal you let go of that old man right now!"
"Wait did you just say, Madrigal?" Mirabel asked. "Yeah, what of it?"
"The family tree!" Mirabel said as she rushed to the kitchen. Everyone left the room into the dining room. As soon we got there Miguel saw a family tree with all of their faces.
"Zano look there's Papí and Mamí. I'm there too," Miguel pointed to the image of him and his parents on a tapestry.
"Wait who is?"
"There. That's my papa," Miguel said pointing to Javier.
"Holy crap! It is Javier and Blanca," said Zano shocked to see them.
"Language!"
"If you're on here then that means you're a Madrigal" Bruno processed looking between the tree and Miguel.
"Hermano he's your Nieto!"
"Yes, and I finally found you," Miguel said hugging Bruno's leg. All the surprised fortune teller could do was pat the boy's head.
"Unbelievable."
"I have so many questions. But right now I just want to hug this little sweetie," said Isabela hugging Miguel and soon all the Madrigals joined in to greet their newest family member In excitement and joy.
"Okay hold a second, we still need to discuss what to do next," said Zano.
"That is true, however right now it's late and we should be heading to bed now, we can talk more once we've all had a good night's rest," Said Alma as she put Miguel down rubbing his head.
"That's probably for the best. Miguel, Antonio would you two like to have a sleepover in Toñito's room?" said Pepa.
"I'm fine with it, you and Chapa can meet my animal friends," said Antonio holding Miguel's hand and heading to his room.
"Bruno, why don't you go and tuck them in? I'm sure Miguel would love to talk more with you," suggested Alma.
"Sure Mama," he said still dazed at meeting his grandson.
"Oh, and Zano you'll be staying with Camilo."
"Okay but I feel I should warn him I sleep naked," Camilo said but he wasn't joking.
"Oh, Camilo."
"He can sleep in my room for tonight," Luisa offered.
"Are you sure Luisa?" Asked Julieta, "There is always the nursery."
"I'm sure. Besides we were planning on having a girls' sleepover to celebrate Dolores' engagement."
"If you say so Luisa, Zano-"
"Night," he said closing the door to Luisa's room.
"Well, he's charming." Joked Mirabel.
"It's been a long day. Buenas Noches."
Everyone headed to their rooms to sleep leaving the four cousins.
"So whose room should we stay in?" Asked Luisa.
"Well I was hoping we could use my room to go over dress ideas but it's not exactly guest ready. Anymore." Said Mirabel.
"Well, my room is a bit messy too," Isa added, "Dolores, it's still your day so why don't you decide?"
"I think we should use Mirabel's room, that way it can be cleaned up sooner and we can go over the dresses."
"You sure prima?"
"Yeah, besides I want to thank you for making my dress."
In the youngest Madrigal granddaughter's room after cleaning up they start to talk about what happened.
"Okay, so not only does Tío Bruno have children. He now has grandchildren," said Luisa still in surprise that there is a fourth generation of Madrigals not in the Encanto.
"That's one way to put it," said Mirabel.
"I think we need to talk about how Bruno's kids are married and not once did they send us an invitation," huffed Isa with her arms crossed.
"Isa, you saw how Abuela acted they probably left for the same reasons we were breaking," said Luisa.
"Well it still would have been nice to be kept in their lives," She argued still a bit hurt.
"Isa, I know when they left you felt hurt; believe me, we all did. But you know how trapped they felt with Abuela the way she was then." Dolores explains, "Besides don't you think if they could they would have messaged us before?" Isa sighs knowing full well that they would have.
"Except me for some reason. I just straight up forgot and I don't even know why?" Mirabel says quietly but impactfully.
"Mira..."
"At least you still have memories of them, not one thing has come back from talking about them," Mirabel sighs.
"Don't worry prima, tomorrow we'll ask Tío to look and see how we can restore your memory," Dolores suggested.
"Are you sure, I don't want to interrupt his time with his Nieto, I want to give them space," Mirabel said.
"I know but this is something that shouldn't be put off." Dolores counters.
"Dolores is right Sis, I might have been jealous back then but I want you to remember all the fun times we had together." Said Isa.
"All right, but only if Bruno is on board and he picks when he can do it," Mirabel added.
"Now that we have a plan for Mirabel's memory. What are we going to do for Dolores?" Suggested Luisa.
"Oh, that's right your dress. C'mon, I'll show you what I've done so far, luckily it didn't get ruined from the crash."
They laughed and when Mirabel shows them the dress, "Oh Mira, it's beautiful," she said in Awe.
"Thanks, now Dolores I'm going to need you to model it with the jewelry Abuela bought for you," The bespectacled Madrigal asked the bride-to-be.
After a few minutes of helping her put it on, "Okay, so how does it feel?"
"Feels great! I love the designs on it," Dolores said admiring the details.
"The necklace brings it together," commented Luisa.
Isabela nodded in agreement, "Yeah."
"Great, What about the sleeves, I still don't know which season you want to have your wedding on?" Mirabel asked.
"We have our hearts set on a spring wedding. It's the season of new beginnings,"
"Aw, that's sweet,"
"Okay so keep it medium?"
"Or short, thanks to Mama I'm used to any temperature,"
"Noted but it's your dress and I want you to be comfortable in it,"
"Well, right now it's perfect how about we go over the bridesmaids' dresses," she said as she changed into her nightgown.
"Alright, you change while I get my sketchbook," Mirabel finds the book and heads over to her sisters.
"Okay so here are some ideas I got from seeing other wedding photos that had bridesmaids," she said as they look through the choices, "Traditionally they have to be designed not to divert attention from the bride, but I'm not one to make ridiculous outfits unless asked directly by the person who is going to wear it," Mirabel explained, "Now Luisa, I was thinking of a simple design that compliments your chest..." she shows her sketches.
"This is interesting," she said intrigued.
In Antonio's room. Miguel is amazed by how big it is and how it's made like a jungle. "This is amazing and all these animals live with you?"
"Yeah, well sometimes, they like to live in the jungle so they don't overwork the miracle."
"I understand. It must be so cool to talk to animals,"
"It is. I love animals and I'm glad I was gifted to talk to them however I never meet a jaguar like you Chapa," he said to the magical cat.
"Chapa's a jaquin. A creature with the body of a jaguar and the wings of a bird."
"Woah. What other animals are there?"
"I don't know if they exist but there are many creatures that look like a combination of different animals," Miguel says as both boys look through the book.
"Wow!"
"Looks like you two are getting along,"
"Tío Bruno, did you know that there are animals called hybrids?"
"I have heard stories of such creatures but have never seen them,"
"That's okay neither have I. Except for Chapa, but he was given to my parents."
"I see. So Miguel, your my Nieto."
"Sí and these are my parents," Miguel pulls out a photo of Javier and Blanca and gives it to Bruno. "This is a copy of their wedding photo. Papa wanted you to have one."
"Gracias... This is a wonderful gift." he smiled at the image seeing his son all grown up and glad that he made this sweet little boy his grandson, "I'm glad to have met you, Miguel. You made this old omen something special."
Miguel was happy that his estranged grandfather was happy with his arrival but he couldn't help but tell him the truth. "Abeulo Bruno, I didn't just come here to deliver this photo."
"Oh, what is it then Miguel?"
"I need you to- to come back home with me,"
"Miguel I would love to"
"So you'll do it!"
"I would, but I can't leave now I just returned to my family,"
"But tío Ignácio and tía Angelina are your family. And Lala, and Gaby. They want to meet you. And Papi,"
"I understand Miguel. I miss my children every day and I'm sure your primas are just as wonderful as you but I need time to think about this,"
"Okay Abuelo," he sighed.
"In the meantime how about I tell you a story I use to tell your father and tíos when they were your age?"
"Yeah!!" Both boys were excited to listen to this story especially when the rats came to act out the scenes.
Meanwhile, back in Mirabel's room, the girls were startled when they heard a male voice. They turn to see Zano standing in the doorway bag in hand.
"What are you doing here?" Asked Mirabel.
"Relax Annabel, I just came to deliver your sister's stuff from her room that she might want." He says.
"It's Mirabel," she corrected.
"Right, my bad," dismissed Zanoa as he walked past her.
"Dolores, why didn't you say anything?" Isabela quietly asked her observant cousin.
"I didn't hear him," she said surprised with herself at how he was able to bypass her hearing.
"Wait you went through my stuff?" Accused Luisa.
"No, your casa managed to move some of your stuff into a bag. Sorry for not stopping them but I don't know your rules for this kind of thing," the platinum-haired teen explained.
"Oh okay if it was Casita, then no harm done," The strong woman replied calmly as she grabbed her stuff.
"Anyway thank you, Luisa, for lending me your room, and I promise to leave it clean when we leave tomorrow," Zano said as he gave Luisa her stuff.
"What do you mean by tomorrow?" Asked Mirabel, finding the boy's news a bit hasty.
"Look you've all been nice. Despite how you greet your guests," he threw at her.
"You crashed into my room," she defensively noted.
"Whatever. The fact is I still have a life and so does Miguel," he explained.
"But Miguel is a Madrigal and he looked so happy to see his grandpa,"
"Look I know how important meeting the old man is for him. But coming here was a mistake, and leaving with no word was a huge mistake. We need to head back home or I'm grounded," Zano says hoping they get the hint.
"I think that's up to Miguel" Argued the curly-haired teen. Zano retorted, "Miguel still wears Pampers," which made Maribel squint in confusion, "¿Que?"
"Forget it. We're heading back in the morning and after breakfast, I'm getting a map. Good night," Zano left the room, leaving the girls to think over his words.
"So what are we going to do?"
"As much as I hate to say it they can't stay here. They have a family that's outside the Encanto and we can't keep them here with no way of communicating," Mirabel says not liking that the boy had a point.
"Well, whatever happens, we won't find out till tomorrow maybe we can work something out?"
