Apparently, Zano's performance was overheard from the town and started an impromptu farewell party, fortunately, it was done in the morning to wish the traveling Madrigals luck on their journey.
"You all have everything, passports, money, essentials, and enough arepas cause your mother made plenty?" Agustín checked frantically.
"Sí, Papa. We have everything we need," said Luisa.
"Yeah, so don't worry, we'll be sure to stay together," said Isa.
They all formed a group hug. "Oh mí vidas, good luck! We'll be with you soon, whenever that is," said Julieta.
Pepa and Félix had the same conversation with their children but with more tears. Dolores and Mariano hugged and kissed goodbye. Parce is also joining the group since he lived in the jungle. Alma hugged each of her grandchildren and bisnieto. Wishing all of them luck and love. When she reached to hug Mirabel and Bruno she had a different message. "Bruno, I am so happy to have you back and I'm glad you're going to have the same chance," She hugged him and then turned to Mirabel. "Mirabel, I know you can't remember them and I'm sorry I don't know why. I do know that they love you so much and will be so proud of how much you've grown," she cupped her cheek. "I just wished I had done better by you. All of you."
"Gracias Abuela, and don't worry you'll have your chance to talk with them too."
Alma hugged her youngest granddaughter and son. Then when all the Madrigals said their goodbyes to their friends and townsfolk the group left.
As they departed the group rode on burros while Luisa spent most of the trip walking; however, she did sit in the cart when she got tired.
"I can't believe it!" exclaimed Milo as he gets further from the town.
"We're doing this!" said Isa just as excited.
"We are heading out of the Encanto," said Dolores a little more timid the her brother and cousin.
"I know right I always wanted to see the outside world," said Luisa, "Papa always told us about his hometown."
"And we're not only going there were going to another country," said Antonio.
"I just can't believe that our guide is Señora Ah-Puch," said Camilo, amazed that the old woman was leading them.
"Well I have been traveling for many years," she said.
"Is that why we hardly see you around the village?" asked Isabela.
"Mm-hmm, that's how I'm able to get all my jewelry," she explains.
"So Zano what can we expect from your hometown?" asked Mirabel.
He shrugged, "Just that the Town is shaped like a guitar from a birds-eye view."
"Cool anything else?" asked Milo.
"Just to stay close till we reach our house. Miguel is enough of a headache to watch over when he wanders off, I don't need any more headaches," he explains dismissing the looks of offense from the younger Madrigals aside from Dolores, Miguel, and Antonio.
"Hey, how about some travel music to make the time go faster," said Miguel.
"Not now Miguel," Zano said since they're on a schedule.
"Please, we're getting bored," pleaded Antonio.
"Read your books."
"We can't read through by ourselves," he countered.
"C'mon Zano we all know you can sing why not give it a go," Commented Camilo.
"Hey, I have a song. But it's been a while," offered Bruno.
"Well let's hear it Tío," encouraged Dolores.
Ah-Puch pulled out a guitar to start.
"Tell everybody I'm on my way
New friends and new places to see
With blue skies ahead, yes
I'm on my way
And there's nowhere else That I'd rather be
Tell everybody I'm on my way
And I'm loving every step I take
With the sun beating down, yes I'm on my way
And I can't keep this smile off my face
The group heads further into the jungle and it starts to rain a bit but they manage to make it threw.
'Cause there's nothing like seeing
Each other again
No matter what the distance between
And the stories that we tell
Will make you smile
Oh it lifts my heart
So tell 'em all I'm on my way
New friends and new places to see
And to sleep under the stars
Who could ask for more
With the moon keeping watch over me
Not the snow, not the rain
Can change my mind
The sun will come out, wait and see
And the feeling of the wind on your face
Can lift your heart
Oh there's nowhere I would rather be
Antonio and Miguel climbed on Chapa to fly the rest of the way.
'Cause I'm on my way now
Well and truly
I'm on my way now
Tell everybody I'm on my way
And I just can't wait to be there
With blue skies ahead, yes
I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to share
So tell everybody I'm on my way
And I just can't wait to be home
With the sun beating down, yes
I'm on my way
And nothing but good times to show
I'm on my way
As they get closer to the town Miguel still on Chapa's back is smiling cause he's so close.
"Yes, I'm on my way"
Train Station 12:29 pm
We finally made it to the town and we were able to find Tío Carlos. I always wanted to see Papa's old home but right now we need to get Antonio's passport down asap. Maybe when we reunite the family we can visit Papa's in their home since they always made the effort to visit our home.
"Vamos Mirabel, our train is coming up," My sister says pushing me forward.
"Sorry, it's just that I'm so excited this is my first time here."
"I know what you mean but this isn't just a visit, it's a mission," Luisa says in determination.
"I know and maybe meeting them in person will help me remember them?"
As the sisters boarded the train with the rest of their travel group. They were escorted to their cars to unload, "So how are Chapa and Parce doing in their crates?"
"They are managing. Hopefully, they'll fall asleep during the ride so they won't cause trouble," replied Antonio.
"Attention ladies and gentlemen, these are your cars." Open the door for them, "You can put your luggage on those racks or under your seats. Also, these are where your beds are and this is how you unfold them," shows how it's done.
"Where do we go to the bathroom?"
"There is a communal lavatory over there however if you need to freshen up I must advise you there is only a sink," they explained.
"Gracias Señora, I'm sure well managed till then," Mirabel said politely.
"I'll leave you to yourselves and return with your meals in an hour," they said as they walked, "and dinner will be served at six."
As she left, the group fell into the seats exhausted. "Oh I can't believe how tired I am," said Camilo, "and it's only noon."
"We did get up pretty early," said Bruno.
"Yeah, but we had transportation. Why are my feet so tired," said Isabela rubbing her sore feet.
"Maybe because we are not used to traveling," said Luisa. "And it was a bumpy trip through the jungle and we had to go over the mountains."
"Plus we also had to go through all that paperwork for Toñito's passport," said Dolores.
"Don't forget we had to keep up with the other trains to get to this one. By the way Dolores how are your ears?" said Mirabel.
"They're better now," she says as she rubs her head.
"Well, at least now we can relax until we get there. Right?" said Camilo.
"Right, Tío Carlos said that this train is scheduled for San Angel so we won't need to make any more detours," said Mirabel.
"Great," said Zano.
"So now that we're here. Does anyone know what they're going say?"
"Say what?"
"To Angelina, Ignacio, and Javier."
"Oh,"
"Well, I know the first thing I'm going to say," Isa said with her arms crossed.
"Isa," Luisa pleaded.
"Look I miss them and I want to see them. I do. But when they left things just got worse," she said with hurt in her voice, "Luisa had more work to do. You and Camilo had to take over babysitting. Mama got more tired and Tía was a mess of nerves," she listed causing everyone to look down and recall all the pressure put on them. "I tried so hard to make sure we wouldn't fall apart by being perfect. That I ended up pushing every one of you away," she said looking at her youngest sister with tears in her eyes. "They would be disgusted with me."
Luis and Mirabel moved to assure they forgave their older sister, "It's alright you were still a kid too," she comforted and hugged her. "And look at you now. You're being your true self they would be happy with how much you've grown," this seemed to cheer Isa up but she still felt bad for how she neglected her sisters.
"She's right kid it wasn't your fault it was mine," Bruno said remembering the past that lead up to that night.
~Flashback~
About two years after Angelina Quince's, Mama had arranged for her to meet with the old town matchmaker to help determine a list of possible suitors for her to settle down with.
"Papa, why do I have to I have to entertain this nonsense," Angelina complained, "Ignacio and Javier aren't going."
"Elenita, your grandmother only wants you to be happy," he said cupping his daughter's cheeks. "Besides your brothers are next."
"Pero Papi, this is marriage we're talking about." His headstrong daughter explained.
"I know but not for a while now." He assures her.
"I just don't get why she can't let me find my partner?"
"Maybe because you don't get along with most of your peers."
"Not my fault they all became ignorant Bobos." She said in defense, "Maybe Abuela should teach them to be grown-ups first."
"Mí vida, you know how my mother is, and even if she did she can't control other people's actions."
"Yeah, even with her being on the council she can't be everywhere at once."
"Exactly."
"Doesn't stop her from acting like she can control our powers," Angelina added annoyed at her grandmother's behavior.
"Sigh,"
"Is this the same matchmaker you went to?"
"Yes, and she led me to your mama," Bruno says fondly.
"I thought you and Mama meet after coming back from a bad date," she smirked.
"I did. The person from that date was from the matchmaker and if I didn't go I wouldn't have met your mother."
"I miss her," she says softly.
"I know I do too but she is still here," he points to his heart and head then does the same to Angie, "And here. When you love someone they stay right here in your heart," He says making her smile.
"I just wish she could've stayed longer," she adds.
They heard the clock ring telling them it was time.
"It's time for you to go,"
"Wish me luck, I love you, papa," she ran out the door to meet up with Abuela.
At the Matchmakers house, an old lady is examining Angelina with measuring tape and a notepad. Angie is standing there trying not to be weirded out by this whole process. "Hmm, quite tall for a girl. Very beautiful though."
"She prefers to wear heeled boots," excused Alma.
"Have some muscles. Quite handy when chasing around those kids," The matchmaker noted.
"Thanks?"
"Hips are a bit small but still very good for child-rearing," the old lady notes.
"I'm sorry what?"
"Asks a lot of questions," she wrote down and gestures them to sit at the table, "Now tell me dear do you cook?"
"Sí, I cover for my tía at our house so she won't have to exhaust herself," Angelina says.
"Hmm," she jotted down more on the paper. "What do you like to do when you're done with your chores?"
"I love reading books and playing music. I also enjoy flying around the sky just to see how fast I can go especially when I race against mís hermanos."
"Angelina your gifts are not to be used for such things," Alma scolded her softly as the young woman rolled her eyes.
"I see. Do you have any idea about the kind of man you'd like to marry?"
"I haven't thought of it. I would hope that they are nice, hardworking, smart, funny, and honest."
"Any physical traits?"
"Looks don't matter to me. As long as they have a good heart plus hygiene we'll get along fine," she says.
"Well, that makes it easy I think. There are a few that-"
"And that they listen to me like my father did for my mother, plus respect my papa."
"I see. I'll be right back I just need to go over my charts," the matchmaker said leaving the grandmother and granddaughter.
"Angelina, I can't believe you're still doing those silly races. You're a young lady now," scoffed Alma.
"Abuela, I'm just exercising my wings," she says.
"You need to be here on the ground with your family helping the town,"
"I still do my chores. I just refused some tasks if they're unnecessary,"
"Angelina,"
"Abuela the person still got it delivered," she says, "just not by me."
"And that's another thing. Your birds-"
"Okay so some people are allergic to feathers I'll remember to keep a list-"
Alma sighs, "Mí Ángel, Your father has a hard time finding his place in the Encanto and I already have Ignacio to worry about." She states, "Por favor I implore you to take your duties as a Madrigal seriously."
"Alright Ama," she said and Alma kissed her cheek in thanks. Then the matchmaker came back.
"So who do we have on the list?"
"Well, Doña Madrigal there are a couple of possibilities for your nieta."
"That's great!"
"However I'm not sure if they'll be a successful match."
"What do you mean?" The matchmaker took Alma to the other room to explain, "Señora your granddaughter is a beautiful young woman, she's smart, talented, kind, loyal, and strong. She would make an excellent wife and mother."
"Then what is the problem?"
After coming back Angelina sees her father and baby prima waiting to greet her. She quickly hugs them and leaves to check on her chihuahua. Alma appears greeting her youngest Neita with a hug but she had bad news for her son. "Mama, what happened?"
"Everything was fine. The matchmaker said she would make the perfect wife for any young man. An excellent mother and we have a list of possible suitors," Alma says trying not to hide the worry she feels.
"Pero?" he asked sensing something was wrong. "She also said that Angelina would have a better chance with someone outside the Encanto."
"Well, that's not so bad."
"Brunito, Angelina wants to use this as an excuse to leave the Encanto,"
"Angie is leaving?" asked baby Mirabel.
"No, Mí mariposa," Alma assured her grandchild, "Go get ready for dinner, I need to talk with your tío."
"Yes, Abuela," Mirabel said obediently. Alma watched her little granddaughter and remembered how Angelina used to be so easy.
"I wish things were as simple with Angie. Bruñito please I can't handle seeing my babies leave and I'm not there to protect them. The world is dangerous and I can't handle seeing her fly into it."
"Okay Mama, just tell me what happened?"
Village road:
Angelina is walking Poncho trying to take her mind off things, "Poncho, what am I going to do?"
"I know Abuela loves us but sometimes it feels like she sees us as gifts and not people," she laments before mocking what Alma said to her and her primas. "She always points out 'it's not ladylike' Well how would she know she never meet any other magical people," she was starting to get even more angry. "She acts like our powers are hers when they most certainly are not!" she sighed looking into the water stream trying to find an answer, "Poncho, I hate that she's right that we should share our gift and not scare the villagers. I just wish people didn't give Papa a hard time even when we behave, it makes it hard," Pocho looks at his owner trying to remind her that her father would take any ire as long as you're happy. "I know Papa would. If only that was enough for Abuela," she says as she looks into her reflection.
Mírame
Puedes pensar que ves Quien realmente soy
Pero nunca me conocerás
Cada día
Es como si jugara un papel
Ahora veo
Que si uso una máscara
Puedo engañar al mundo
Pero no puedo engañar a mi corazón
¿Quién es esa chica que veo
Mirando directo a mí?
¿Cuándo mostrará mi reflejo
Quién soy en verdad?
Estoy ahora en un mundo donde tengo que ocultar mi corazón
Y en todo lo que creo
Pero de alguna forma le mostraré al mundo
Lo que está dentro de mi corazón
Y seré a
mada por quien soy
¿Quién es esa chica que veo
Mirando directo a mí?
¿Por qué es mi reflejo alguien que no conozco?
¿Debo fingir todo el tiempo que soy alguien diferente?
¿Cuándo mostrará mi reflejo
Quién soy en verdad?
Hay un corazón que debe estar libre para volar
Que se quema con la necesidad de saber la razón de por qué
¿Por qué debemos ocultar todo
Lo que pensamos
Lo que sentimos?
¿Debe haber un secreto
Al cual estoy obligada a ocultar?
No fingiré todo el tiempo que soy alguien diferente
¿Cuándo mostrará mi reflejo
Quién soy en verdad?
¿Cuándo mostrará mi reflejo
Quién soy en Verdad
She hugged Poncho for listening to her and being her most loyal friend.
After Bruno finishes talking with his mother he went to find his daughter and found them sitting on the bench under the tree he and Mica used to sit in. He joined her but she just looked down not saying a word.
"My what beautiful stars we have tonight, always shining and burning but they never stay in one place. That's alright when they come back they'll be brighter and more beautiful than ever," he said as he placed a marigold in her hair causing her to smile at his words.
"Papa, I wouldn't leave without coming back. My home is you and my brothers and la familia. I want to see the world but I don't want to leave you alone."
"Mí Elinita, do you remember the day I showed you three the tablet," she nodded remembering that it was a changing tablet. "When I saw it I thought you three would leave me but when it changed I realized that you would come back into my arms full of love and joy."
"But Papi what if we're gone for years and something happens? What then?"
"Since the day you three were born, you were special. You became strong, brave, and kind. Everything your mother and I hoped you would be."
"I just wish Abuela wasn't so controlling. When did she get so tyrannical?" she asked but got no answer, "I know she loves us, but lately, it feels limited. I don't get why she had to stop being my Abuela."
"Aye, chica. My mother has been grieving for my father for years. That pain changes people. When we lost your mother, Mama stepped in"
"Took over," she corrected.
"Right. Mama loves you kids so much, but she is afraid that if you leave the Encanto she won't be able to protect you," this caused Angelina to think about her Abuela when she was little. How sweet she was to them and how she had to appear that nothing was wrong to keep everything together. She was about to speak up till a loud grumbling noise interrupted her but caused Bruno to chuckle, "I think it's time we head back for dinner."
"Oh, dinner! Tía is going to be so mad."
"Don't worry I'm sure she'll understand today was a lot," the father-daughter duo started heading back home with Poncho following them back to Casita.
~End flashback~
As he finished his story everyone had received their meals even Bruno but he still told it. "You see, they were always going to leave the Encanto no matter what. We just didn't know when. So they focused on spending time with you kids," he said finishing his story and seeing his sobrinos' faces. "They wanted to stay by your sides so much and I know that if they could they would have come back."
"Then why didn't they?" asked Camilo wanting to know why they never came back. "Because there was a war," answered Zano.
"War?" asked Mirabel.
"During the September of 193X, a war started and the whole world got involved," stated Zano.
"Why was the world at war?"
"Because of one evil man who wanted to take over the world," Miguel said.
At his grandson's words, Bruno couldn't help but worry his children had gone into a world at war. "My children were they?"
Sensing the old man's distress Zano told him, "They were saved by your daughter's husband," he said remembering the story he was told when he was younger.
Flashback 193X
After we finally reached a town to settle down for the night we saw so many people looking distressed like at any moment something bad is going to happen "Angelina, we have to keep moving my friend is just around this corner,"
"Sí, Señora Ah-Puch," I followed her along with my brothers to her friend's house. It's weird when we left Ah-Puch managed to find us saying she knew someone to help us adapt to the outside world so we would be prepared.
"So," started Ignacio, "Your certain your friend will be able to help us blend in?"
"Of course and don't worry you're not the only ones with powers."
"What do you-?"
We heard a loud crash that came from the house and see a talk black-haired teen holding what looked like two broken wooden dummies but they were unusually shiny. "Oh, uh this isn't what it looks like," he tried to explain then an old man appeared "Ah Señora, you're finally here."
"Hello Andreas it's good to see you and I see your grandson has grown as well."
"Abuelo who are these people?"
"Mateo these children are going to be staying with us for a while," he goes to greet each of us making Mateo do the same thing as well.
"Ignacio," shaking his hand as they move to, "Javier," and shook his hand and, "Angelina," he kissed my hand and just as Mateo grabbed it he froze, he had a strange look in his eyes and flushed cheeks, "Uh hi," he stammered awkwardly shaking my hand. We started training and learned about the world being at war. When we heard, we decided to do our part and help. I guess some habits are just too hard to break. But this time it's our choice.
End of flashback
"Mateo's father was no stranger to magic but he knew that people have a habit of fearing what they don't understand or fail to," Zano said trying to sum up the story. "So they joined the Military, trained, and then fought. When it was over they went to San Ángel. Then went to college, joined a humanitarian group, got married, and started their own families," he pointed at Miguel and turned to Bruno.
The rest of the group was stunned by what they heard about the triplets and yet it was not that surprising.
"It's just a lot to process," said Mirabel the only war she ever knew of was the one where her Abuelo died.
"Look I don't know what else to tell you. I was just a kid," said Zano trying to end the tension among the Madrigals. "Any questions you have? You're gonna have to wait till we see them."
"Zano?" Mirabel asked, "What's your family like?"
This was something he scold answer, "Loud and bossy. But they'll make you feel welcome and treated fairly."
"Mama Maria is so funny she knows karate and wears costumes," said Miguel.
"She sounds nice," said Bruno.
"My mother is eccentric," Zano commented remembering how his mother likes to act eccentric.
"Okay," said Mirabel.
"She means well. She just likes to act crazy sometimes," Zano explains further.
"Oh," Mirabel realizes, "and the rest of your family?"
"Well, my father is a musician but very strict. My brother Alejo is married and has a son, Jorge. My Sister Zita has a son Raul and a baby girl named Joy. My other sister Acacia is married to your primo Ignacio. They have a daughter Layla and two boys."
"¿Dos?"
"Boys?"
"Twins. Manuel and Michelangelo their 18 months," he says.
"Why didn't we see them on the tree?"
"Maybe cause their babies?" he guessed "My Grandpapí lives with us and my little sister Lulu is like any other sister a massive pain in the hide."
"Do you want to?" Mirabel hinted as the teen waves it off.
"No. We get along fine, just like most siblings. Besides, I'm tired and I'm not the only one," he pointed to Miguel and Antonio who were both falling asleep with a book in their laps. The two teens picked up the sleeping duo as Zano got the beds ready for them. "Here they are, ready."
Mirabel placed Miguel on one bed while Camilo placed Antonio on the other. Seeing this Zano went to get his bed ready "Buenas Noches."
The rest of the group went to sleep as well wondering what tomorrow will bring for them. Some with fear others with questions. But one Madrigal was still awake wondering if they'll even remember.
