The training with the Na'vi was a lot trickier than Mirabel expected. But her teachers: Sylwanin and Neytiri, have done their best to be great teachers for her and still act like sisters to her. The jumping, climbing, and other obstacles were tough for the human child, but Mirabel never gave up on stopping. To her wonders, the princesses have shown her the forest and the animals. This is something that Mirabel was so fascinated with Pandora. But there was something that Mirabel was so amazed with.
The ikran. Or as the scientists call them the banshees. She had watched them as they soar into the sky and saw some Na'vi riding on them. Mirabel asked the sisters when she'll be riding them, but the oldest answered when she is ready once she becomes a Dream Walker. Mirabel understood that she needs to be patient and decided to wait while she was training.
Through some days, besides Grace's schooling and Mirabel's learning of science, Mirabel was allowed to be with the princesses by going through the forests at night and return home or even go to the home tree to learn more about the ways. She even has met Tsu'tey, Sylwanin's mate-to-be. He did come to Grace's school to learn, and fast on learning English. He did get along with Grace a little and so did Mirabel. Of course, Sylwanin told him to be nice to her. After all, she is a child. For the warrior, he is alright for Mirabel.
One day, on a sunny day, the three girls were in the forest, lying down on the grass and watch the light shining bright through the trees. Sylwanin smiled as she turned to face the sky child, who still looking at the trees.
"I have to say MirabelAugustine. You're learning fast as we were teaching you." she spoke in native tongue.
"Learned from the best from you two." Mirabel answered in Na'vi tongue.
Neytiri smiled to hear that compliment. Surely, she didn't like the teachings, but she gotten used to it since she and her sister have been hanging around with Mirabel. But as the three continued relaxing, something came to the young princess's mind.
"Mirabel? Have you imagined what you'll look like as a Dream Walker?" she asked.
"At times." she answered as she looked at Neytiri. "But I was so focused on work and training. I even imagine what the clothes I be wearing when I'm an avatar. Especially like your clothing."
"Well, you're not anything like the People just yet. For Na'vi, when children learned the ways and develop they're skills, they wear fine clothing." said Sylwanin.
"Interesting." said Mirabel as she looked at the oldest, "I'll have to remember that. But I'm also concern about how you two will recognize me once I'm in my avatar body."
"She has a point, sister." said Neytiri.
"I'm sure we'll recognize her. We'll be with her the whole time." said Sylwanin.
Mirabel was now in thought. The Na'vi can't be with her the whole time, especially not with the RDA around and she doesn't want her friends to get hurt. But then smile appeared on her face and her eyes beamed wide as she thought of an idea.
"I think I know a way for you two to recognize me." she spoke as she got the princesses' attentions. "What if I told you a word that you two could learn and recognize what I said to you."
"What kind of word?" Neytiri asked as she looked curious.
"It's actually a different language from where I'm from back at home and what I remember when I was little."
The sisters got closer to young human as she starts whispering to them what the word is.
2 Years Later...
Back at the lab, Mirabel was now thirteen, a teenager, but also smart, strong, and a lovely young lady. Grace did well on raising her, especially teaching her science while the Na'vi have trained her. But for now, in her lab, she was on her computer as she was working on something.
Suddenly, a knock came to her door, and it was open. Mirabel turned to see that it was Grace at the doorway with a bag over the shoulder.
"Hey, I'm heading to camp. Care to come?" she asked.
"Can't mom." Mirabel answered, "I need to finish the test on this. Max is counting me to work this problem on the plants that we've been brought. I promise, once I've finish it, I'll meet you at the camp or the school."
"Alright." Grace grinned. "I'll tell Kyle about it. He'll be ready once he comes after dropping off." Grace walked closer to her adopted daughter and place a kiss on her head. "Good luck on the test."
"I will and be careful out there."
"Don't I always." Grace smirked and left the room.
Hours went by, Mirabel was still working on her computer. Thankfully, she did take some breaks and snacking but when back to work to continue the test. But minutes and a few seconds later, a smile appeared on her face, and she let out a stretch. She was finally done with the test.
"Finished. Now I need to print these up, pick them up from lab, hand it to Max, and then I'll..."
But before she could finish, a few shouts and the sound of feet were running that it was coming from the hall. Mirabel looked confused and wondering what was going on but as she opened her door, a bunch of scientists were running and shouting like an angry mob.
Mirabel wasn't so sure what was happening, but inside of her, she felt like something is happening. And it's really bad. Mirabel quickly left her bedroom and starts following the scientists. Running as fast as she could, she finally made it to the lab, but to her shock, the SecOps were surrounding them. They were pushing and shouting to the lab gang, which made Mirabel scared, and her heart was pounding. Suddenly, she saw Max and ran straight towards him.
"Max! Max!" she shouted.
Max turned as he heard Mirabel's shout and saw.
"Mirabel!"
"Max, what is going on?"
"The SecOps are out of their minds. That new colonel who just arrived here, gave command to invade part of Pandora. Destroying half of what is left of nature and killed some of the Na'vi."
Mirabel's eyes grew wide in horror. How are they allowing to do that? They have no right to destroy part of Pandora. It was probably Selfridge who was behind it was well. But as she heard that some Na'vi were killed, Mirabel became worried about her friends including her mom. She prayed to God and Eywa for their safety until she felt a hand touched her shoulder. The young teenager flinched to think it was one of the soldiers, but the hand was more calm and not firm. She turned around and saw it was Grace.
"Mom!" she spoke as she embraces Grace with tears in her eyes. "Are you okay? What happen? Did anyone make it from the rampage?"
Grace looked at her adopted daughter with sad look, which Mirabel looked more horrified as she knew what her mom has to say.
At Encanto...
Rosa was in her room as she got herself dressed and exit her bedroom. She felt the warmth of the temperature on a sunny day and went straight outside to see a table, chairs, and set of food on another table. The family were setting everything down on the table while some were getting food but also... the family became a little different.
Rosa getting her plate of food and sat down in her seat. She wanted to speak up but was nervous as she looked at her family once more. Ever since they've watched Mirabel's video diaries from Rosa's mirror, the whole family has changed. Isabela was more spirited and freer from being perfect. After seeing photos of the forests and plants that Mirabel took and showed it in her video, Isabela felt like she wanted to something more and something new.
The dreamer smiled at her older cousin, seeing that she was free in some ways. Expressing herself more with her gift, seeing she was more than just flowers. Rosa remembered Isabela's dream catcher as she feels that her cousin's dream was coming true. She then looked at Luisa to see that she was more relaxed and not in a lot of pressure from hard work she's been doing with her gift. And the best part is that her eye is not twitching anymore.
Rosa smiled even more as she noticed all these changes. Looking up she noticed her father and aunts were close like they were before. It took a little while for Bruno to open up and eventually started to open up. But then she turned to her abuela. Rosa couldn't put her thought when she spotted Abuela. She looked so sad almost hurt but she hides it in front of the family. Rosa could tell that Abuela must've been feeling more guilt and regret for her actions but hides it to continue on her day.
Suddenly, she felt a tug on her sleeve. Rosa looked down and smile to see three-year-old Antonio holding a plush toy of a viperwolf. The family have made it special for him since he saw different animals in Pandora from Mirabel's video.
"Si, Antonio?" she spoke.
"When we get to see Mirabel again in the mirror?" he asked.
"Soon Primo, pretty soon." she answered and ruffled his head.
Antonio giggled and back to his seat next to his mother. The youngest Madrigal have grown to like Mirabel's videos and was more amazed of Pandora including the animals they have in that planet.
"Seriously, did you have to call me 'skxawng' every time I did one little prank?" Camilo spoke in an argument as he was looking at Isabela.
"Yes, we do. Because you are a skxawng, and that was not a little prank."
"What prank? What happened?" Rosa questioned as she looked at her cousins.
"Nothing happened." Camilo answered as he looks guilty.
Rosa and Felix shifted their eyes to each other before turning back knowing Camilo had done something yet again.
"What prank did he pull this time Isabela?" she asked as she looked at her.
"Apparently, Camilo shapeshift into me and fool some of my friends. Including mama and her cooking."
"Really, Camilo?" Rosa questioned as she looked at him and Camilo stammered.
"Please can we not have an argument during our meal."
Camilo and Rosa looked at their Tia and then looked at guilty.
"Lo siento, tia." they spoke unison.
"Gracias." said Julieta.
As the family continued eating, Alma looked at everyone until she sighed and starts getting up. The Madrigals noticed the elder getting up as she was about to say something.
"Now before the day begins for us, I would like to say a few things." she spoke and then turned to face Dolores. "But first, Dolores, I just received a word from the tailors that your dress is finished for your date night with Mariano."
"I heard him saying he's excited for the night as I am." said Dolores as smiled but also her cheeks were blushed.
"Big date tonight, Dolores." Camilo teased as he turns into Mariano.
Dolores squeaked and trying hard to glare at her brother. Isabela rolled her eyes and used her gift making flowers appear to give Camilo the message to stop or else.
"Skxawng." Isabela muttered under her breath.
"Now..." Alma spoke as she continued, "As I was saying..."
Suddenly, Casita interrupts as the shutters were opening and closing and the roof was shaking the tiles.
"Casita?" Rosa spoke as she looked at the house.
She shot out of her seat to look at Casita. Bruno getting up to stand beside her, both looking at the house as it was telling them something.
"The mirror...Looks like we get to see Mirabel again!"
Antonio heard her and ran out of his seat before taking his cousin's hand as they both ran inside. The family got out of their seats and went inside the house leaving Alma alone. The elder sadly looked at them and sigh.
"Maybe I'll tell them later after this." she spoke and the went inside to catch up with the family.
Rosa and Antonio ran through the house hand in hand, running up the stairs until they made it to Rosa's door. Rosa opened her door to her room. Antonio walked in admiring more dreamcatchers hanging about the room until he stood in front of Rosa's mirror. It was still shining like always which makes the young boy more exciting and tries reaching to the frame.
"Hold on primo pequeño." Rosa chuckled as she stops him. "Let's wait til the rest of the family comes in."
"Oh, we're already here Rosa!" Luisa's voice spoke.
Rosa and Antonio turned to see the family gathered together. Bruno making his way o his daughter and nephew.
"Then I guess we can get started. Care to help me do the honors." she said as she held up her hand.
Antonio smiled at his cousin and held her hand. As the two touched the silver frame, the glow burns brighter until it fades. Alma came to the room just in time to see but as the glow faded, they saw Mirabel again only her face looks sad.
"Hold on..." Rosa spoke as she looked at Mirabel, "Something's not right."
"Something wrong Mija?" Bruno questioned as he looked at his daughter who was still staring at Mirabel for a moment to realize.
"Papi...something must've happened..."
"Okay, where do I even begin..."
The Madrigals turned to hear Mirabel, and from the way she's talking they knew something must've happen.
"I don't have time to count what video number this is, but a lot has happened. I was staying at home, working on a test that Max and I were working while mom was heading to the camp to teach the kids at school. But when I was done... I heard shouting... and running." she said as she continued, "I-I just knew something was wrong in the pit of my stomach…"
Rosa and Antonio watched as Mirabel raised a hand to her face as she was trying to continue her story.
"So, I followed the scientists that were running down the hall, but when I reached to the lab... the SecOps were surrounding the scientists. Pushing and shouting at them. Then I saw Max and quickly ran to him, asking him what was happening. He said..." Mirabel wiped a tear from her eye and continued, "The new colonel commanded half of the RDA members to invade part of Pandora. Some of the forests were destroyed and... some of the Na'vi got killed."
Hearing this, Rosa covered her mouth in shock. The family all stood frozen by this news.
"I was getting worried about mom and my friends, even prayed to God and Eywa for them to be alright... How could those people do such a thing. And I'm pretty sure Selfridge agree to this. He doesn't care about the life of Pandora. He only cares about money. But then mom came to me. I was relieved that she alright but when I asked her questions, I saw a devastating look on her face."
The Madrigals still shocked by this new information were becoming more worried to what has happened. Knowing that more news wasn't going to be good.
"The school was permanently closed. Some of the kids survived including Neytiri and Nowu survived... but some were killed. They even killed Sylwanin. My God... it's like... like I lost a sister. She was... the kindest and good hearted Na'vi that I always looked up to. She was also a great teacher when she was teaching me the way of her people. And now she's gone."
This was more shocking to hear for the Madrigals. Alma who had been silent looked shocked the most to hear from Mirabel. Isabela and Luisa looked at each other to hear the words from their sister. The eldest looked down to hear about Sylwanin being a sister to her youngest. She wouldn't blame her because she now imagined Sylwanin has been a great sister Mirabel and not herself.
"Now the humans are exiled from going to the clan's territory including mom. And me of course, because I am human. I don't know what's going to happen next. But the avatar program is still going but only to this prisoned area. The people... human people now decided to call this base: Hell's Gate. Which sounds fitting because my home is now a prison. Nothing excited to see and nowhere else to go."
Mirabel stopped to take a breath, looking like if she wants to continue or not.
"But I have to say, it's just seeming so unfair. Life is unfair. I also don't know if I'll continue with the video diaries or not. Unless something exciting if that ever happens. Probably say more on the scientific work and what news be happening.
Rosa looked up hearing this. Thinking this would either be the last she would see her cousin's dairies. But hearing her say about talking about scientific work, then at least she can get to see her still. Rosa looked at Mirabel in mirror as she was still staying silent, feeling like it was getting too much for her.
"I better end this video now and rest. Hopefully, pray for tomorrow to know what is happening next and be strong. This is Mirabel... signing off."
The mirror faded to black and only show the family's reflection. The Madrigals all just stood in silence still and speechless. Having no idea what to say and do.
"Okay." Camilo spoke as he broke the silence, "I will just say something... what just happened?"
"I can't believe what we just heard from Mira. Some of the Na'vi from the clan were killed." said Rosa.
"By some humans." said Luisa.
"I guess... we won't be seeing more of the nature in Pandora." said Isabela, "Or see more of Mirabel's time with the Na'vi."
"No, looks like we won't..." said Rosa.
Antonio was still young, but seeing his family sad he knows he should be sad too. Looking up to Rosa taking her hand and whispered.
"Why would they want to do that to the Na'vi? They didn't do anything wrong to them. Why are people so cruel to one another?" he asked.
Rosa just smiled a little, wishing she would say something to her cousin.
"So... what do we do now? We might not be seeing Mirabel unless something exciting happens." Dolores questioned.
"We won't…" Rosa spoke, "but I know something special will happen to Mirabel. And whether it's good or bad news, we can still see Mirabel growing into something special."
Bruno smile at his daughter and pulled her closer to him as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"And we'll even pray for her to be strong and have faith." said Julieta.
"We all will." Rosa smiled to her family until she cleared her throat, "Now come on, let's not be sad today. Our meal is getting cold right now. And Dolores's special date tonight."
The family smiled and nod their heads and exit the room to head for their breakfast but Alma stayed behind. She took one look at the mirror and looked at the sky as she held onto her locket around her neck.
"Pedro..." she spoke in a soft tone. "I know I have made so many mistakes and I have been hurting my family but all I want to say is, please... watch over Mirabel. Give her strength and not lose hope. I know I haven't been the best since you were gone and kicked Mirabel out, but I do want to make things right."
Alma walks over to the mirror and places her hand on the mirror's surface. Closing her eyes and continues to pray.
"Please...watch over our Mirabel...she truly was the Miracle...let her continue to be that Miracle...
To Be Continued...
