Back in Encanto...
It has been two years since the family has changed and Alma allowed them to be who they are. She even lowered the chores, giving them breaks and day offs, but also let everything be different and not believe in perfection. Rosa was now opened up as she the courage of showing dreams or nightmares to the citizens of Encanto. No need to force on seeing or having the pressure. The Dreamer felt relieved and happy, but in her room, she always looked at the mirror.
For two years, the family barely see Mirabel's videos. Nothing was exciting but Camilo felt boring on that scientific research that her twin cousin and the scientists have gone through. The family felt worried for their long distant relative ever since the school tragic. They were relieved that she was alright, but what they are more worried about was that she felt heartbroken and almost lost her spirit.
One day, at the living room, the family have invited Mariano over as they were planning a wedding for him and Dolores.
"My, my there's so much to do so much to prepare. Now Dolores have you and your husband to be decide on a day?" Alma asked.
"We're still deciding on that. We're just too excited that we don't know what the date be." Dolores answered.
"It will be a wonderful day." said Mariano as he held Dolores's hand which she blushed but smiled to him.
"I know you can count on me with wonderful and wild plant arrangements. And I promise to watch out where they sprout, so that they won't hit Mariano in the nose again... like the last two times." Isabela spoke as her turned to face Mariano with a guilty look. "Sorry about that."
"None taken." the young man replied as he touched his nose as he remembered.
"Good thing Juliet helped you with that nose." said Pepa.
"Speaking of Julieta, where is she?" Alma questioned as she looked around the room.
The room went silence and the family looked at each other with concern and looked back at Alma.
"She's still in her room." Luisa spoke. "After all, yesterday was Mirabel's..."
All became silent and looked down with sad looks.
"Right... Her birthday." Alma spoke.
"She would've been 15. And you know, if she was here, I think she would've been proud to attend Dolores and Mariano's wedding." said Pepa as a grey cloud appeared on her head.
"I remember when she was still here, she would always make these cute little drawings. No doubt she would've been creative." said Felix.
"I wonder how's she's doing now." Antoinio wondered.
Everyone heard the youngest and all thought that too.
"I may haven't remembered anything from Mirabel when she was young, but from what Dolores have told me, she must be doing something good on that strange planet." said Mariano.
"I hope so. Hope she's doing alright ever since we heard about the school tragic." said Isabela.
"That was probably the last we've heard from her." said Camilo.
"What about that mirror you mentioned, have it been acting out lately?" Mariano questioned.
"No, and Rosa will inform us if it has."
"Speaking of Rosa, wonder how she's doing? She hasn't been out of her room much." he said until everyone went silent as well.
Dolores tilts her head down. Her young cousin hasn't been out of her and always looking at the mirror. Of course, she did eat much since Julieta handed her some food and her uncle, Bruno, have been with her a lot. Suddenly, her ears picked up a sound that sounds like running. She turned her head to look at the direction and saw Rosa at the entrance of the living room, catching her breath.
"...come..." Rosa tries to speak as she was out of breath.
"Rosa, deep breaths." Alma spoke and Rosa took a few breaths. "Now, what is the matter Soñadora?"
"All of you need to come upstairs. It's the mirror." she answered.
From hearing those words, the entire family looked surprised. Antonio smiled and quickly grabbed Rosa's hand as they ran back.
"Wait it's acting up again?!" Camilo shouted as he along with the others follow them.
"Luisa, get your mother. Quickly!" said Alma.
"On it!" the strong girl replied as she went up the stairs.
Dolores smiled and grabbed Mariano's hand.
"Come, you must see this!" she said to him.
"This will be the first I get to see Mirabel in the mirror." he said as he and Dolores quickly followed them.
A moment later, everyone has gathered in Rosa's room as they saw the mirror was glowing. Mariano was fascinated and amazed as he was looking at it. Luisa brought her parents in as they heard the news.
"We came as soon as we heard." said Agustin.
"It's been too long." said Julieta.
Rosa looked around to see if everyone is all here. She nods to herself knowing everyone is the room and went closer to the mirror.
"Okay Mirabel…." she said to herself, "What do you have to record for us to see?"
With one touch of the silver frame, the mirror starts glowing and everyone stood back from it a little. As the glow faded, they saw Mirabel in front of the camera but in a different room.
"This is Mirabel Agustine, and this is a new video diary. It has been a while I've done this since well... since the school tragic. Anyways, today has been exciting for me because it's my birthday. Fifteen years old. I was really happy because mom and the scientists throw a party for me."
All the Madrigals and Mariano, who was both in shock and awe, were happy and smiled to hear how they celebrated her birthday. Julieta smiled sadly to see that her baby girl has grown but had a guilty look in her eyes on how much she regrets on not standing up for her.
"The party was great. Though my mom tried to make it look big since she heard that from where I'm from about ever girls' fifteen birthday parties are supposed to be big and grand, but I don't care. Just happy for how my mom does it for me. I don't know what I do without her. There wasn't many presents but... there is one big present that they have done for me." said Mirabel as she starts moving her camera.
The family watched her move the camera to the side until they all gasped and looked surprise what they saw.
"My own avatar." Mirabel pointed at the Na'vi body that was in the tank.
"She got her avatar." Julieta spoke with a smile.
Camilo whistled. "Gotta say, capture her likeness."
"So that's what a Na'vi looks like." said Mariano.
Rosa stood by the mirror and noticed someone else standing beside her. Turning her head, she saw her abuela walking up to her side. Rosa smiled to see some joy and happiness on Abuela Alma's face.
"I am also very excited that I get to try my avatar body. The scientists got the link bed ready; they'll be coming up to get the avatar out of the tank and clean up once they bring it to the lab. It's so exciting. So, my plans for today are that I will be asking one of my friends to record the video while I'm experiencing my avatar body."
"Wait! Am I the only one that heard her?" Luisa questioned.
"No, we all heard. We may get to see Mirabel being in her avatar body.
Antonio smiled with excitement that he gets to see his cousin becoming an avatar until the entire people saw some scientists behind her.
"That's my cue to leave. Stay tuned for part two." said Mirabel until she turned the camera off.
A second later, the image of Mirabel appeared again only in her bedroom.
"This part two of my video log and I have to say that yesterday... has been absolutely incredible to me. I finally got to experience my avatar body and thankfully some of the scientist recorded the video of me in my avatar form. Let me just change the video and you will see..."
All the Madrigals and Mariano waited until finally showed of a new video.
"Behold." Mirabel smiled and changed the video.
All stood in silent, holding in their breaths, as they watched the new video playing. They first saw Mirabel getting on the link bed until video change as they saw a different lab but with Avatar Mirabel waking up and testing her body movements.
"Ay dios mío…." the only words that Alma could say.
"That's really her avatar..." said Rosa.
"Sure is..." said Bruno.
Another scene changes as Avatar Mirabel, wearing a different attire, was trying out a few obstacles of climbing, running, and jumping.
"Look at her go!" Antonio spoke with glee.
"Now that is some strength and agility!" said Luisa.
Everyone agreed as they kept watching the video until it ended and was changed back to Mirabel's vlog.
"So, there you have it. It was absolutely amazing, and I have the best day of my life. Of course, mom did say that we're still doing some tests on the avatar and all." she said until she sadly sighs. "If Sylwanin was alive, she would be so thrilled to see me like that. She would be proud. I still miss my friends but... I fear that their family may have taught them to hate humans. If only there was a miracle or something."
"A miracle..." Rosa spoke softly to herself.
"Anyways, I also been hearing some news that more people will be coming here to Pandora. More soldiers that's my obvious guess, but... I did hear that two people will be joining the Avatar Program. Two men actually. One's name is Norm Spellman and the other is Tom Sully. I hope they're nice and not like the RDA."
All listen as Mirabel continue. However, one of the names as Mirabel mentioned seemed to spark something rather familiar to Rosa.
"Although sadly, I won't be seeing Carlos again until another five years. So, I may be 19 or 20 when he arrives. It may take a long time, but I will be busy working on my avatar. I bet he still looks good even that he looks the same age with all the cyrosleep."
The Madrigals continued watching and listen. They've always wondered if they meet this Carlos person or not.
"Well, that is all for today. Right now, my mom and I will be working more on my avatar body but hopefully something excited may happen or not. This is Mirabel, signing off." she said and turned the camera off.
The mirror's magic died down, leaving the family and future husband standing there looking astonished.
"So that was Mirabel's video blog? From what I have seen and gathered; she must be loving the life there. You all should feel proud." said Mariano.
Rosa smiled as she knew that she was proud of her cousin. Bruno held his daughter's shoulder, both father and daughter smiled.
"She's come so far. In a way, we all have. Mirabel may not be here, but she still inspires us to be the Madrigals we are today."
Everyone smiled at Bruno's words, all looking to each other to see they have changed in a good way because of Mirabel. Alma walking over and stood with Rosa and Bruno, turning back to her family with a smile.
"She has changed all of us." she said to them.
"Now I wish there was some way we could contact her. I wish she would be here to see us get married." said Dolores as she looked at Mariano.
"If only there was a way. But none of us have the gift of communicating from the beyond or anything." said Isabela.
"And there's still a big mystery why Rosa received the mirror." said Camilo until everyone looked at him. "What?"
"Camilo, we spoke about this." said Felix as he looked at him.
"Yeah, yeah. I know, I know."
"Do you think we'll might see her again this time?" Antonio questioned.
"All depends, Hombrecito." Rosa answered, "But i got a feeling we might from what she spoke of the new recruits coming. So, we might."
The young Madrigal smiled with excitement. The Dreamer smiled at her cousin and then turned to face Mariano.
"So, Mariano, now that you will be in the Madrigal family, I hope you don't mind coming to have a look in the mirror and see what Mirabel is up to."
"Not at all. I see she's important to all of you, even though she's not here, she's still important to the family. And she's now part of my family too." he said.
"She is important to all of us." said Julieta.
"She is." said Alma and everyone remained silent for a show moment.
"Hey, let's think of her in spirit. You know if she was here, she would be thrilled you and Mariano are getting married Dolores. Why I would know deep down she would also help out make the perfect dress for you." said Rosa.
"She would have." Dolores smiled. "I remember that Mirabel has such a creative mind when she draws, and I would imagine her being a designer when Abuela taught her how to sew and embordered."
Alma hearing this smiled sadly. If there was any way to contact her granddaughter and apologize, or even go back in time and stopped herself for kicking Mirabel out, she would've been here. Maybe things would have been different if she was around. And if anything, she would see Mirabel being the creative girl everyone says.
"Right! Anyways!" Pepa interrupted, "We still have some wedding planning to do, but also... Tonito's birthday is coming soon."
"Yes, yes. So much to do. Now let's us talk about the wedding day you two, there's still so much to prepare for." Alma spoke and ushers both Dolores and Mariano out.
So, all Madrigals followed out of Rosa's room one by one, all that remained were Rosa, Bruno and Antonio.
Antonio was still staring at the mirror, but in his mind was about his birthday gift ceremony. Rosa stood behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders. Bending down to his level.
"You excited for your birthday coming up?" Rosa asked as she looked at him, but Antonio didn't respond.
The Dreamer realized he looked nervous and gave him a soft smile.
"You have nothing to worry about. Your gift is going to be amazing and you're going to have an awesome room."
"But what if it doesn't work?" he questioned.
Rosa and Bruno looked up to each other and back down to the youngest.
"You know, when I was about to turn 5, I often wonder as well...and when I touched the doorknob and my room appeared I was happy. But at the same time, I was also sad. I didn't have my Papi there to share the moment."
"Or Mirabel?"
"...Yeah. And Mirabel as well."
"But you know... since the cracks aren't there anymore and the family is healed and not broken, you will have an amazing gift." said Bruno.
"How can you be so sure?"
"We just know." said Rosa as both she and Bruno smiled down at the youngest. "Plus, you could say…. we both sort of have seen our dreams and visions telling us a tiny bit of what your gift will be like. But…it's a secret" she said as placed her finger to her lips and winks at him.
Antonio smiled and then giggled a little.
"Besides, we both have a feeling you will have the coolest room in all of Casita. Plus, if you feel a tad lonely, you can always sneak back into my room…and I will have you all to myself!" said Rosa as she grabbed her cousin in for a hug which Antonio giggled. "So, when your big day comes, we'll be there for you if you get nervous, okay?"
"Okay." said Antonio as he was about to move but Rosa didn't let him go.
"…just gotta get one more squeeze." she said as she hugged and the two laugh while Bruno smiles at them.
To Be Continued...
