I do not own Encanto

Ten years ago:

" Abre los ojos," Alma whispered. " Open your eyes," she translated.

Mirabel did so. " Is that the thing that gives us our miracle?" she inquired.

" Indeed," Alma confirmed. " 40 years ago, my home outside of the Encanto was invaded. Many people died. Your Abuelo Pedro was one of them. He tried to reason with the invaders. They weren't listening. They killed him. I don't know what happened to the invaders. I just know that in our darkest moment, we were given a miracle."

" Woah! Am I going to get a special ability too?" Mirabel inquired.

" It's called a gift dear. And yes," Abuela told her.

" What will it be?"

" I don't know, but I'm sure whatever it is, it'll be just as special as you. Now, ready to make your family proud?"

" Mm hm."

" Let's go then."

Abuela led Mirabel to where her door was going to be. Everyone was watching her. Mirabel smiled nervously. Alma held the candle in her hand. Mirabel's family looked at Mira proudly. Isabela waved and gave her a thumbs up. Mirabel smiled brightly at her.

" Do you promise to use your gift to always help the community?" Alma asked.

" I promise," Mirabel answered.

She touched the candle. She reached for her doorknob. Everybody leaned forward eagerly. What was her gift going to be? Everyone gasped. Mirabel's door glowed brighter than any of the others. However, Mirabel didn't appear to be able to do anything. She looked over at Alma, who had a worried look on her face.

Alma sent Mirabel to her new room. She commanded for everyone to leave. She wouldn't let Mirabel ask any questions. The family followed them. Alma forced Mirabel into her room and slammed the door.

" Mama, what happened?" Julieta questioned.

" I don't know, Julieta. But I'm going to find out," Alma answered.

Isabela snuck into Mirabel's room while no one was looking. Mirabel was crying on her new bed. Isabela sat next to her.

" You okay?" she asked.

Mirabel shook her head.

" You wanna talk about it?"

Mirabel shook her head again.

Alma went into Bruno's room. Bruno had not been at the ceremony. The townspeople didn't want him to be there. So Alma forced him to stay in his room. Bruno heard Alma coming and quickly hid his rats.

" Hey, mama," he awkwardly greeted.

" I need you to have a version," Alma said.

" Oh, okay. Of who?"

" Mirabel."

" Mirabel?"

" Mirabel."

" Um, okay, let me get ready."

Alma waited impatiently. Bruno did his ritual stuff. He sat down criss- cross applesauce. He breathed in deeply. The room began to glow green. A vision of Mirabel appeared. Bruno and Alma gasped. Mirabel was standing in front of a cracked Casita.

Alma stormed out of the room. From that day forward, no one was to have anything to do with Mirabel. They ignored her at the dinner table. They practically pretended she didn't exist. Mirabel was hurt and confused. What did she do wrong? Isabela acted like she didn't like her. What everyone didn't know was she would always sneak into Mirabel's room at night. She sang to her. She had to tell her that there was nothing wrong with her. She had been comforting her ever since her gift ceremony turned out to be a disaster.

Four years later, Alma had enough. She had to prove that the magic was fine. That Mirabel was the problem.

" No way, mama! I'm way too old to be giving birth!" Pepa yelled.

" I need you to try!" Alma yelled back.

After arguing back and forth, Pepa agreed. She and Felix had sex, which they hadn't done in a long time. Pepa's screams could be heard from ten miles away. One month later, Pepa was announced pregnant. In nine months, she would have a new baby.

Alma was praising Bruno. She was thanking him for showing her that vision. She believed Bruno had saved her and everybody else. After that, Bruno kind of became a braggart. He was always saying how he was the best. Julieta was pissed at him and everyone else. She didn't see anything wrong with her daughter. Even Augustin was treating Mirabel horribly.

Nine months later had finally came. Pepa and Felix had a baby boy. They named him Antonio. Everyone took turns holding the baby. Alma stopped Pepa from giving the baby to Mirabel. Pepa tried to argue, but it was no good.

Antonio loved animals. He had a collection of stuffed animals. He was also the sweetest little guy. He seemed to really like Mirabel. Alma had warned him to stay away from her. The little guy didn't listen. He thought Mirabel was the best person in the world ( Besides Pepa and Felix of course). He was a mama's boy. Pepa was really happy she agreed to have another baby. She fell in love with Antonio as soon as her eyes landed on him. Finally, came the night of his gift ceremony.

After Mirabel sings Family Madrigal:

" Mirabel, what are you doing?" Alma inquired.

" Oh, I was just- see, I- the kids were wondering about the family Madrig-"

" She was about to tell us about her super exciting gift!"

" Oh, Mirabel didn't get one. Hmph!" said Dolores.

Alma awkwardly walked away. Mirabel looked shocked. The kids looked up at her.

" You didn't get a gift?"

" No, but I'm still as special as the rest of them."

Luisa picked up the church and moved it. Isabela grew flowers for people who wanted them. Camilo shapeshifted while babysitting. Dolores reported people who needed help.

" Maybe your gift is being in denial," Celia remarked.

At Breakfast:

" What do you think my gift will be?" Antonio asked.

" Probably something with animals," Dolores answered.

" We'll find out tonight," Pepa added.

Alma made the announcements.

" So, Isabela, you will be decorating the place," Alma commanded. " And what will you be doing, Mirabel?"

" Not saying a word and staying out of the way," Mirabel muttered.

" Good. Luisa, you will move stuff around if need be." And what about you, Mirabel?"

" Not saying a word and staying out of the way."

" Excellent. Dolores, you will be listening for my signal that the ceremony is about to start. And you, Mirabel?"

" Not saying a word and staying out of the way."

" Right. Camilo, you shall greet the guests when they come. The rest of you shall do what you normally do. Except for you, Mirabel. And why's that?"

" Because I will be not saying a word and staying out of the way."

" Great, now let's eat."

Mirabel took a deep breath in and out. A rainbow aura surrounded her. It caught everyone's attention. The aura hit all the Madrigals. They instantly felt weak. A blast shot at them. They all groaned. When the shock was over, Alma's eyes landed on Mirabel, who looked guilty and nervous.

" Well… I guess I did get a gift after all."

" UP TO YOUR ROOM! NOW!"

" But, I-"

" NOW!"

" Yes, Abuela."

Mirabel slumped. She trudged back into the house. Isabela watched her leave. Alma took a deep breath in and out as she sat down. She held up her cup.

" La Familia Madrigal!"

" LA FAMILIA MADRIGAL!"

They all ate their breakfast. After that, they began their duties. It was a busy day. They were pressured for the ceremony to be perfect.

Mirabel sat in her room. She cried silently to herself. She didn't get it? What did she do wrong? Her Abuela used to love her so much. What happened? There was a knock on her door.

" Isa?"

" Actually, it's Bruno."

" Oh, ugh."

Mirabel didn't like Bruno. He used to be shy, friendly, and weird. Now, he was nothing but an a-hole. Alma's praise changed him. And not in a good way.

" Go away," Mirabel demanded.

" Why?" Bruno asked.

" Because I'm supposed to be not saying a word and staying out of the way," Mirabel answered.

" Oh, so why don't you stop talking to me and do what you were told to do?"

Mirabel snarled. Bruno laughed wickedly. Mirabel heard him walk away.

Later that evening:

" Pepa, you have a cloud!" Alma scolded.

" I know, but I can't find Antonio. What do you want from me?!"

Mirabel snuck into the nursery. She held a tiny box wrapped and had a bow on it. She sat on the bed that was now Antonio's.

" They're looking for you, you know."

No response.

" I have a gift for you. If you don't take it in 3 seconds, it'll explode. I, 2, 3."

Nothing.

" Okay, I guess I'll give it- woah!"

The gift was snatched out of her hands. She smirked. She crawled under the bed where Antonio was hiding.

" Go on, open it," she commanded.

Antonio did so. Inside was a stuffed jaguar. Antonio smiled.

" I made it with my own two hands," Mirabel told him.

" What if I don't get a gift?" Antonio asked.

He was there when Mirabel's gift was discovered. Nothing happened to him, though. He thought it was because he had no magic in him.

" Oh, of course you'll get a gift. And it won't even be worthy of you," Mirabel assured him.

Antonio smiled. Casita brought out an alarm clock. Mirabel chuckled.

" Alright, Casita, we're coming. Wait, I just need one more squeeze. Mm! Okay! Okay! We're going! We're going!"

" Oh, look at you," Pepa sniffled.

" Pepa, mi amor, you're going to get him all wet," Felix said.

Camilo transformed into an Antonio sized Felix.

" You are making your papa proud."

" I don't sound like that," Felix said.

" I don't sound like that," Camilo mimicked.

" Abuela, says it's time," Dolores announced.

" Okay. Vamous. Vamous. Vamous."

" Okay. Vamous. Vamous. Vamous," Camilo mimicked.

Felix grabbed him and picked him up.

" Okay, okay! I'm done!" Camilo shouted.

The whole town was gathered around. Word had spread about Mirabel's gift. Bruno had told everybody. Mirabel hid in the corner. She couldn't show herself. Not after what happened ten years ago.

Antonio entered the room. The spotlight was on him. Everyone cheered and clapped. Antonio looked around until he finally found Mirabel. He held out his hand. Mirabel groaned. She had forgotten. She had promised Antonio she would walk him up the aisle.

" I can't," she whispered.

" I need you," Antonio whispered back.

Mirabel saw the desperation in his eyes. She couldn't say no to him. She joined him in the spotlight. Everyone gasped and murmured. Isabela smiled. Abuela gave Mirabel dirty looks. Mirabel went back to hiding once Antonio was next to Abuela.

" 50 years ago, invaders invaded our home. Pedro was lost. In our darkest moment, we were given this! A miracle!"

Everyone cheered and clapped.

" Do you, Antonio, promise to use your gift to always help the community?" Alma asked.

" Yes," Antonio answered.

He touched the candle. He approached his door. Everyone watched nervously and eagerly. A toucan flew and landed on Antonio's hand.

" Uh, huh. I can understand you. Of course you can bring your other animal friends."

Casita was crowded by different kinds of animals. Antonio's door opened. Inside was a jungle. A jaguar scooped Antonio up and ran into the room. Everyone else followed.

" You wanna go where!?" Antonio yelled.

The jaguar jumped and climbed on the trees. He went down a water slide. He did a flip in the air. Antonio whooped. He and the jaguar landed on the ground. Everyone cheered. Camilo whistled loudly, causing Dolors to cover her ears. The jaguar purred and snuggled against Augustin's leg.

" That was amazing, Tonito!" Pepa exclaimed.

" Let's take a family picture!" Alma commanded.

All the family members gathered around. Mirabel tried to do the same, but the crowd pushed her out of the way. She tried to push past them, but they wouldn't let her. Casita pushed a camera in the middle of the room.

" Everyone say La familia Madrigal!" Alma commanded.

" LA FAMILIA MADRIGAL!"

SNAP!

Mirabel stood there in shock. Her family just took a picture without her. They forgot about her. She ran out of the room.

After she sing Waiting on a miracle:

A roof tile fell down. It bonked her on the head. She tried to touch it, but it cut her. She gasped. Cracks spread across Casita. Mirabel panicked and ran back into the room. Everyone was dancing.

" CRACKS! THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE HOUSE!" Mirabel screamed.

That got everyone's attention. They all stopped dancing. Alma slowly approached Mirabel.

" Show me," she demanded.

Mirabel took them to where she saw the cracks. However, there was any. The crowd murmured. Alma looked pissed. Mirabel looked around in shock.

" What? But they were just there. Abuela… I swear-"

" Enough!" Alma demanded. " The magic is strong! And so are the drinks!"

Everyone cheered. Suddenly, a rainbow aura surrounded Mirabel again. Once again, it hit the family, only this time, Antonio got hit too. A blast knocked the crowd and the family down. This one was more powerful than the other. It took a little longer for everyone to recover. Alma looked pissed.

" GO UP TO YOUR ROOM AND DON'T COME OUT UNTIL I SAY SO!" she screamed.

Casita created a new step of stairs. Mirabel ran as fast as she could. Everyone gave her dirty looks. Antonio, Julieta, and Isabela were the only ones who showed empathy. The ceremony was cut short. Mirabel sobbed up in her room. It wasn't fair. Why was this happening to her? Her eyes widened as she realized something. The candle did this to her. It was not a miracle. It was a curse.

To be continued.