Here it is. After all this time, the next chapter of Encanto 2 is up. I am so sorry it didn't come at the weekend. I had computer problems but it's here now and I will finish it before the end of February. If I have made any character or story plot mistakes, please let me know as I have updated this in a very long time. I hope you all enjoy it.
The Dark Source:
Balthasar and his friends searched the jungle. "Find the Sanchez family," he ordered. "They cannot get into the cave!".
Alma was sitting alone, unable to get the image of her heartbroken granddaughter's face from her mind.
"Are you alright?" a voice asked. She twisted her head and saw it was the same grandfather who had been accompanying her family.
"I'm fine," Alma tried to avoid facial contact.
"I know very well when someone is hiding feelings. It is not good to hide them. If you will not share them with your family, I am more than happy to offer to listen. Would you at least like company?"
Alma wanted to be alone. But his kind gentle nature reminded her of her husband. "Thank you,".
Isandra went dashing through the village following Pedro to the house where Juano lay. They burst through the doors seeing Mirabel tearfully clutching his pale hand. Her best friend turned around and saw her worried face. "Oh, Mira…" Mirabel threw her arms around her. "It's okay," she patted her back. "Everything's gonna be okay,".
Pedro was scared seeing Juano like this. "Look away," his father begged. "Go to your brother and sister," he sent him over to another room to keep watch so he wouldn't have to be in this room. "Julieta should be here with the herbs soon,".
Right after he said that Julieta came bursting in through the door, Agustin by her side. She carried a basket full of the best herbs she could use. "How is he?".
"He's very weak," said Gabriella, tears staining her face too. "I fear it grows every moment that candle is corrupted,".
"Let me see to him," Julieta knelt beside and she and Gabriella started mixing herbs to make a medicine to help him.
Mirabel sobbed and sobbed. Agustin took her from Isandra whom Bruno gave a hug to. "There. There. We're here. We'll save him," he tried his best to sound promising.
Bruno noticed a worried look in his niece's eyes. "What is wrong?".
Gabriella didn't want to speak but she couldn't ignore that gut feeling that what she had heard had something to do with Juano's illness.
"Carlos has entered the cave of dark magic," said Isandra. Everyone was shocked. "There were people tied outside and his children were sneaking around. Balthasar is searching for them as we speak,".
"This is all our fault," Julieta cursed herself.
"We should have known better than to bring him here," her husband agreed with equivalent guilt. "After all he did to Juano, we allowed him to tag along,".
"No. That was not your doing," their daughter said.
"We must stop him," said the determined uncle.
"Balthasar and some men are already trying to find the children," Isandra informed. "And some have already entered the cave. I dread to think of what lies inside it,".
"We must hurry," Mirabel said.
"Mirabel!" Agustin grabbed his daughter's hand. "You cannot go in there,".
"He needs to be stopped or our city will fall,".
"You stay here with Juano. I will go," her father insisted. "I'll fetch Felix and we'll join your friends,".
"I'm coming too," Bruno announced.
"Be careful, Papi and Tio," Mirabel begged.
Agustin kissed her cheek and her mother's too before fleeing outside with Bruno who kissed his worried wife. Isandra helped Gabriella and Julietta with the preparations whilst Mirabel continued to hold Juano's hand, not caring that it was blackened.
"Stay with me, Juano," Mirabel cried. "I need you,".
Juano's eyes opened slightly and they met hers. He pulled up a small smile. "Just stay with me," he begged.
"I will. I am not going to lose you,". Mirabel kissed his hand.
Mr and Mrs Lopez were outraged when they learnt Natalia and Sofia failed to bring Isandra to them. "It wasn't our fault!" the latter sister complained.
"Isandra's boyfriend threatened us," Natalia explained. "And the villagers really looked like they wanted to rile on us for trying to take her by force,".
"What are we supposed to do?" their father lamented.
"Neither she nor Tia Gabriella will accept us into their family unless we apologise to Mirabel and Bruno for being horrible to them. They had a child behind our backs because we judged him only by his gift. And in doing so we were horrible to Gabriella as well,". Sofia's acknowledgement seemed to appease the father but his wife remained stubborn as ever.
"No. It's their magic. It's twisted their minds. We'll march right up to that house and drag them away if we have to,". Already Mrs. Lopez and two rough men were making their way towards the large house. It was no longer protected by an illusion due to Juano's weakening state. The father and sisters followed after her.
Alma and the grandfather had seen them. She was horrified. "This is not going to end well. I must warn the others,". She and her friend made their way back to the camp as fast as their legs could carry them. "Familia! Familia!".
Isabella, Luisa and Dolores saw her. "Abeula?" they cried out.
Camilo and his parents overheard too. "What is wrong, mama?" Pepa asked.
"The Lopezs are marching up to the Casita to take Isandra away by force," Alma's news horrified them. Instantly, Camilo sped off.
"Camilo!" Felix bounded after him.
"I'm going to," Isabella dashed off with Luisa and Dolores in tow. Pepa wanted to go to but she didn't want to leave her mother.
"Go," her mother urged. "I will be fine,".
"We'll look after her," the grandfather said, his grandchildren coming over to give Alma some fruit for her kindness towards them. And with that Pepa joined in and pursued her family.
Alejandro and Mariana were waiting at the cave, keeping a firm eye out. "Mariana," her brother implored. "Father has lost his mind. Him fooling with magic …,".
"Don't tell me you're taking that wretched girl's side," she complained bitterly. "She and Juano are a danger to everyone,".
"But all they've ever done is helped people out,".
"Stop right there!" Balthasar emerged from the trees, shocked at seeing the knocked-out people. "What have you done?".
"Relax flower boy, they're not hurt," Mariana lied.
"Stand aside," he ordered. "You have no idea what you are meddling with,".
Before Mariana could complain again, Bruno and Agustin appeared. "Step away from that cave," Bruno ordered.
"No can do," she retorted back. "Our father is already investigating this cave and when he does, it's bye-bye magic,".
"Your father has no idea what he's tampering with," Balthasar shouted. "That magic is killing Juano!". As he ranted, Alejandro's eyes widened a little but Mariana was not the slightest bit moved.
"Messing with what lies in that cave could destroy everything and everyone too," Bruno said desperately. "Is that really something you want on your conscience?".
Alejandro saw the desperation in his eyes. And he bit his lips. "Perhaps we should listen to them," he implored his sister.
Smack! "You dare listen to that bad luck bringer over our own father. He is trying to stop this!" she retorted back.
"Can't you see Bruno is just trying to protect his family and children?".
"Yes. That's exactly what he, my daughter, and Juano are trying to do!" Agustin supported him. "But your dad is crazy! It is not they who are a danger but what lies in there!".
"No! You will not enter that cave!" Mariana kicked her brother to the floor and before anyone could stop her, she entered the cave and pulled on a rope. The cave floor came down trapping them out.
"No!" Bruno cried out.
"Help me move these rocks!" Balthasar got to work straight away trying to move some boulders but they were so huge. "We need horses to pull them open! We must hurry!".
"Go tell Mirabel and Isandra!". Bruno instructed. "Everyone else! Get some horses and tell the city to leave now! An immediate evacuation is imminent,".
"Lift his head," Julieta instructed. Mirabel obeyed her mother's instructions and with Gabriella's help raised Juano's weak head and her mother poured the herbal brother down his throat. They lied him down gently.
"Come on, mi amor," Mirabel begged.
Suddenly the door burst open revealing the Lopezs and a bunch of goonies. Isandra gasped. Mirabel embraced her tightly. "How dare you enter this house!" she snapped.
"Give us back our daughter and Gabriella," Mrs. Lopez threatened.
"How dare you threaten my daughter," Julieta stood in front of her daughter.
"We are not keeping Isandra or Gabriella prisoner," Mirabel retorted, fed up with the Lopez for their unending loathing towards her. "They chose to leave with us,".
"You used your magic to make them come with you,". Natalia accused.
"Now release them from your witchcraft!" Sofia ordered. The goonies marched on Mirabel and her mother.
"Leave them alone!" Camillo charged into the room through an open window, pushing one of the goons away before they could harm his cousin or anyone. "Don't hurt them,". The door burst open, and his parents, sister and cousins formed a barrier around everyone else. Mirabel was touched by their protective nature.
"If you wanna hurt Mirabel, you'll gonna have to go through us," Felix held up his fists. And so did Luisa.
"Guys, don't," Mirabel begged.
"Your family is here for you," Luisa told back to her.
Mr. Lopez snarled. "How dare you all defend this …,".
"Watch your mouth!" Pepa warned.
"Isandra and Gabriella didn't leave because of Mirabel. They left because of all of you,". Isabella berated, glaring especially at her two former friends.
"We have been nothing but loving to them,".
"You call yourselves a loving family?". Gabriella stepped in. "First you all loath Bruno for his gift and get between us, then you all bully and despise Mirabel who has been nothing but a loyal friend to Isandra, then you march into our home, threatening her when it is you lot who drove us away into leaving with her,".
"Whether you all see it or not, you all have been horrible to your loved ones," Isabella eyed her former friends. "I was so blinded by my friendship with you two that I never really thought how truly selfish you were. And you two ..," she retorted to Mirabel. "Like us, you judged Mirabel unfairly and accused her of destroying our miracle when all she wanted to do was to save it. Despite everything we all put her through,".
Mirabel was touched by Isabella defending her.
"Isandra isn't like that," Camillo stepped up. "She's better than that. She's the sweetest most lovely girl aside from Mirabel to have ever lived. And if you are still intent on taking her and her tia by force, then you'll have to find a way through me first,". He marched up, daring anyone to come forward and face him. Isandra blinked tears. And for the first time in her life, she felt her heart torn in two parts, each half-yearning for someone different.
"And me also," Dolores stepped in.
"And us,". Luisa said protectively.
Everything was silent. The Lopezes wouldn't leave and yet Natalia and Sofia had reacted slowly to Isabella's words.
"Mama!" cried three voices. Pedro came running into the room, and so did Angelo and Harmony. Gabriella's nieces eyed their prima and primos with affection and her brother and sister-in-law felt their distain disappearing from their faces. They watched Pedro as he embraced his mother's side before she lifted Harmony into her arms.
"It's alright, darlings,". She soothed. "Everything's going to be okay,".
"We're leaving," Mr. Lopez said. "This is not what families do,". His daughters obeyed and the gang of goonies backed down at once. "Come,". He escorted his two self-ashamed daughters away and Mrs. Lopez was the last to leave, sending one look of self-hate at everyone else.
"Thank you," Isandra said gratefully.
"No. It is we who should be thanking you," Camillo said to her.
Pepa eyed Gabriella and the latter's children became bewitched by the former's sunny-coloured beauty. "Bruno is so lucky to have married a special woman like you. And we're so sorry for the hardships you both went through. But we promise you, they will not happen again,".
"Are these our family?". Angelo asked curiously.
"Angelo, Harmony, meet you Tia Pepa and Tio Felix,". Mirabel said happily. Gabriella allowed her little ones to meet her husband's sister and brother-in-law.
Meanwhile, Mirabel was wrapped in a warm hug by her sisters and cousins. "I like this," she cried happily. Isandra smiled and Camillo awkwardly pulled her into a tight hug.
Suddenly Balthasar came rushing inside. "Mirabel!" he panted, falling to his knees, his face bleeding out sweat.
"Balthasar!" Isandra fell before Balthasar. Camillo saw them together and his sister and cousins saw his heartbroken face.
"It's The Sanchezes. They're inside that cave. Carlos is going for the dark magic,". The news shocked everyone but Mirabel was the most petrified. Gabriella cuddled her children close.
"This is not good,". Luisa was whimpering with fear.
"What's not good?" Juano was awake again. "This can't be happening,". He tried to sit up.
Instantly Julieta went to his side, helping him sit up. "Take it easy, Juano," she soothed.
"Mi Amor!" Mirabel fell before him too.
"He's okay," Isabella breathed in relief.
"Thank goodness," Balthasar praised hugging Isandra tightly, Camillo eying them every second. Pepa and Felix touched his shoulders.
"What happened?" Juano asked.
"Your siblings knocked out the people guarding the cave and Carlos went inside. But Alejandro tried to reason with Mariana before she pulled a rope and blocked the entrance. Bruno and Agustin are trying to get the boulders moved out of the way but Bruno has ordered an immediate evacuation of the valley,".
Mirabel narrowed her eyes. "Then we must do that at once," she eyed all her loved ones who had defended her from the Lopezes. "You have to get the villagers away from here at once. The city must be evacuated,".
"You got it," Felix saluted.
"Will you get Juano to somewhere safe too?".
"No! I have to stop him,". Ignoring the straining of his heart and muscles, Juano put in all his effort to stand up again.
"No, no, no!" Mirabel gently pushed him down. "You need to stay here and rest,".
"I have to Mirabel," he panted. "Carlos is doing this because of me. He thinks the dark side of my magic has bewitched everyone so I have to face him,".
"Not alone you're not," his beloved said.
"We're doing this together," Isandra came to his other side.
"But Juano, your sickness …,". Julieta said worriedly.
"I won't let that stop me from saving our home and our miracle," his stubborn nature was not to be messed with. He turned around and saw the candle now almost completely black. "As long as there is still light in that candle, I will not rest until our home is saved once and for all,".
Carlos walked deep into the dark caverns under the mountains. Mariana had caught up to him and when she told him of Alejandro's betrayal, he roared so loud it scared the bats off the walls. "Now Juano has corrupted your brother. The sooner we find the source of his magic, the sooner we can destroy it and save everyone in it,". His loathing for magic had destroyed his heart and soul.
"Once we destroy this source of magic, what do we do?". Mariana asked.
"He will need to be neutralised. And so will that Madrigal girl,". His eyes glowed green as they became attracted to the source of that ghastly light. They followed a stone pathway down, finding themselves inside a giant underground chamber where stalactites and stalagmites poking out of the ceilings and floors.
And there, floating high above a pool of dark water was a glowing orb of powerful energy. The father and daughter could hear voices echoing off the walls. "What is that?". Mariana shivered a little.
"Nothing to worry about," Carlos said ignorantly.
"You're really certain this is what we're looking for?".
"Yes. Juano and Mirabel thought they could keep it hidden here, but they couldn't,". As Carlos's hatred for magic deepened and his consciousness became blinded by arrogance, the orb glowed brighter and brighter. And before he could even react, a beam of powerful light stretched out and touched him, stealing the light from his eyes till they were nothing but bits of black.
Mariana watched her father's arm reach out. Then he began walking towards the pool in a deep sleeping trance. His shoes touched the surface but he didn't sink. She watched as the light drew him closer and closer till another shocking thing happened. His feet left the surface and he was consumed by the vast dark power. The cave creaked. The earth shook.
Juano carried the candle, Mirabel and the others pacing quickly beside him, Sinfonia and Esperanza too.
Bruno and Agustin with Alejandro's help had just pulled the final boulder out of place when they suddenly noticed a tree dying out. And the grass below them was withering, the life being sucked away from the face of the earth.
"What is happening?" the father screamed.
"He's done it," Alejandro breathed hoarsely.
Juano fell and dropped the candle. "Juano!" Mirabel caught him again. Her beloved choked. Black veins grew out of his eyes.
The people screamed as they saw the clouds blocking away all the light till everything was ghostly green around them. Alma shivered. So did the grandfather who huddled his children close.
"What's happening?" Dolores cried out loud.
"It's Carlos," Mirabel realised. "He's found the dark magic. It's gonna destroy everything,".
"It's already begun,". Balthasar pointed to the distance. They saw forests withering away, the rivers drying up, the land dying. "We need to get the people out of here. Now!".
OH no, so Carlos has found the source of dark magic and now it has corrupted him. I hope you all enjoyed this. Please let me know if I made any mistakes. Also sorry if any of wanted Alejandro to remain a villain but there's got to be some redeeming villains in this story. I hope you all enjoyed it and please let me know what you think. See you all much, much, much sooner on this story. Should be able to get another one up this week or next week. See you all later.