Hello everyone. So a couple years ago I stumbled upon Dungeons and Dragons/Encanto crossover called Plus Five to Charisma. And I loved it (and you should read it, both because it's good and because I will be spoiling it in this fic. Here's the link to the TvTropes page: /Fanfic/PlusFiveToCharisma) And I was reading it, I started thinking about some of my own ideas for possible adventures Mirabel, Bruno and their party could have. And since the authors already implied it's a crossover universe, that only made things MORE fun for me. So now, I'm finally getting around to writing it!
As the Madrigals and the Party all worked together to combat the monstrous Hollow Dragon that Alma had become, most knew that the valley, both figuratively and literally, would be forever changed. Between Alma's spell revealing that many were not even human and the damage done to both the village as well as what was left of Casita, everyone, from the combatants to the villagers to even possibly Alma herself, knew that nothing would ever be the same. However, in the midst of battle, none had truly thought about how the veil of ignorance being gone would affect the outside world. Sure, it caused a bit of panic once everyone realized that anyone could now likely just enter the village as they pleased, but everyone was focused on the battle at hand even following it.
But, as many would tell the story years later, the right person happened to stumble upon the aftermath…and with him, many new stories would be shared and ideas would blossom to create what many would consider to be as close to paradise as possible.
Striker liked to consider himself an adventurous type.
Even back in his youth, the call of adventure and danger drew him in like a siren's call, spurring him on to take whatever job he could to help himself and his impoverished mother, to join the first adventuring party that would take him, up to continuing life as a bounty hunter and assassin even with two kids and a husband.
But then why did it feel like it had been so long since his last adventure?
He'd still be on plenty of hunts, both by himself (well, not so much. Bombproof was always good to help) and with his family (which he had a feeling would be getting bigger sooner than later. At least officially) but for some reason, nothing seemed to scratch the itch of adventure he'd been seeking.
"Heh. Probably because nothin'll ever top the adventure Mirabel managed to convince us to do, huh?" Striker said aloud ,as he cracked a fond grin as he remembered the young girl. When she wanted him and his family to finally stand up to Chris McLean and his stupid court, Striker had considered her an idiot. Yes, everyone hated him (and Striker, considering everything Chris had either directly or indirectly done to him and his family, was no exception), but that didn't mean that they were willing to try and actually kill him! Of course, Striker had considered it and had snuffed a few of his court members out, but believed the man was too closely guarded and had too many hired goons to actually get close to him. Too much of a risk for him and his family. Still, money was money and this wouldn't be the first time he'd taken the money and run when things got too dicey.
But Mirabel proved that her enthusiasm wasn't stupidity. She had actual plans. She was a planner. And a damn good one at that. Once they managed to round up enough allies (and convince Chaz to get his head out of his ass enough to apologize to his exes), they actually managed to carve through most of Chris' men like butter, if they didn't just run.
That girl…she was something else.
Striker was snapped out of his reminiscing by a very loud crack, startling both him and Bombproof, causing the horse to begin to buck wildly in a panic.
"Steady boy!" Striker called out as he gripped the reins tightly, trying to sooth his panicking steed. He'd been bucked off Bombproof before and he wouldn't deny that it was painful. Almost made him decide to try hunting down a halfway decent cleric. Once Bombproof had been settled, Striker finally took notice of what had made the noise.
A whole freaking mountain was cracked in half.
"...You really think you've seen it all after a while," He couldn't help but note to himself. Still, a mountain cracking in half sounded like, if not an adventure, then something worth checking out. "What do you say, Bomber? Wanna check that out so we can spice up our stories back home?" Bombproof let out a whinny, which Striker could tell was an agreement. With a smirk, he flicked the reins and he and his trusty horse set off in the direction of the cracked mountain.
Mirabel was tired.
She was very, very tired.
Everyone was! And how could they not be!? Alma had just tried to expose that she was a demon, gotten turned into a Hollow Dragon because of that, which, in turn, resulting in pretty much everyone having to fight her and Mirabel nearly getting burnt to death (granted, she insisted she knew her abuela would react like that, but that did not change that fact). Oh, and then there was the fact that almost half the valley wasn't even human! They were all manner of various other creatures, cursed to believe themselves human due to Alma, who was also the one who gave the Warforged their freedom (because today couldn't get any weirder!), accidentally inflicting her own will to forget the magical world outside the valley on everyone.
So, yeah, today was exhausting.
"I don't even care that the ground is wet and muddy," Camilo commented. "I could pass out right here."
"That makes two of us," Mirabel agreed. She was ready to sit down when-
"Hey! Someone's coming through the mountain!"
This prompted everyone to turn towards the mountain, which most of them only noticed was cracked now that everything had finally calmed down. A few of them were worried that it would be some malevolent warrior or warlord, but it turned out to be a lone horseback rider. Some of the villagers were hopeful that he would be simple, but it was clear from his appearance he would be anything but. His horse, for starters, seemed normal, yet its underbelly and entire mane were the colors of flame, as were its eyes. The rider was even stranger. His skin was a paleish tan, but he still had horns and a tail of the same color. He had a small, black mustache, yet his head was covered in snow white hair. His outfit consisted of a strange looking hat that his horns poked out of, a red bandanna worn around his neck, a light gray jacket with black tassels hanging off it with a black turtleneck under a dark gray vest under it, black fingerless gloves, ivory colored pants that were torn around his knees, and strange looking boots. Many eyes found themselves drawn to the knife that was holstered at his waist. The unknown man(?), for his part, barely seemed to notice all the eyes on him, instead having his horse walk over to the Madrigals and the party.
"Well, Mirabel, seems like you always seem to manage the impossible, eh?" He finally spoke, instantly removing any doubts Mirabel and the party had of the figure's identity.
"Striker?" Bruno questioned.
"Heh. Glad to see all our time to get means you didn't forget me," Striker flashed a grin, exposing his golden fang as he hopped off Bombproof. "Seems like I missed the excitement."
"You have no idea," Saharah dryly responded, prompting Striker to chuckle yet again.
"Mirabel?" Julieta spoke up, causing all eyes to turn to her. "Who is this?"
"Mirabel, I'm hurt," Striker jokingly chastised the younger girl. "You really didn't tell them anything about me?"
"Look, we had a lot of stories to get through," Bruno chimed in as he walked over. "I'm sure you and your family came up in at least a couple letters."
"They better have," Striker replied, his playful(?) smile having yet to fully leave his face. "You really think Julia or Chaz will let you live down never talking about them to your family? But I guess I'm getting ahead of myself." Striker then extended a hand in the direction of Mirabel and Bruno's still very confused family as he tipped his hat. "Name's Striker. Mirabel and Bruno helped me and my family get some revenge on an a-" Striker had to pause once he took notice of the very young looking boy who was looking up at Bombproof in awe. "...a horrible baron who'd been causing our city a lot of trouble. I'd tell the story, but Duncan…and Blitzø would never let me tell the story without them there. But I think you all have a story for me."
"You may want to sit down," Bruno warned him. "Because this is…very complicated."
"Seems like it," Striker said before finally turning to the young boy. "You like Bombproof, kid?"
"Yeah…he looks really cool," Antonio said as he kept looking over the horse.
"Bombproof is one of a kind, that's for sure," Striker agreed. Not a lie. Not many Nightmare/Horse hybrids were seen, even in Fiend heavy areas. And a non-fiendish rider was even rarer. "I'd let you ride on 'em, but your family looks tried…and it seems like you've already got a mount." On cue, the jaguar Antonio was riding on posed pridefully, causing Bombproof to snort in seeming anger.
"Mama? What's a motherfucker?" Antonio asked. Almost instantly, Pepa and Felix turned bright red.
"...How did he-?" Striker began to ask, only for Mirabel to beat him to the punch.
"It's his Gift. He can understand animals," She explained.
"...Guess Duncan was right that you have as dirty of a mouth as the rest of us," Striker grunted to his horse, who merely snorted in seeming amusement this time. Shaking his head, Striker turned back to the Party. "So you mind filling me in on what happened here? Looks like a Hollow Dragon came through here."
"...About that…"
One story later
Striker blinked a couple times as he tried to process the utter insanity that was just explained to him.
"...Are…are you all okay?" Was all Striker could say. He felt stupid the second those words left his mouth. Of course they weren't! After everything that just happened?! Striker was impressed they all hadn't completely and utterly lost it!
"Okay emotionally, physically, mentally or none of the above?" Anton snarked and Striker couldn't even bring himself to be mad.
"...I might not be the best at helping out with that, but I still feel like I can't just leave," Striker admitted. "After everything you did for us. I owe you at least this."
"You don't have to-" Alma began, but Striker merely held up his hand.
"Yes. I do," He replied. "The Party…they helped us realize we could stand up to someone who'd been tormenting us for years. Hell, I'll go get Duncan, MK, Chaz, all of them! We should be able to at least help rebuild your home. Or at least bring supplies."
"...Wait. Everyone we've helped…that's it!" Mirabel realized as she snapped her fingers. "How did I not think of this before!?"
"Mirabel?" Luisa asked.
"I've told you! All the adventures we've been on! We've helped so many people!" Mirabel exclaimed. "Surely at least some of them would be willing to help us rebuild!"
"Well, I can tell you a solid group of people that would," Striker chimed in. "It's been three years, but we haven't forgotten anything you did for us."
"Gahoole, how quickly would we be able to get messages out to the places we've journeyed too?" Ernesto asked. Considering what he'd seen of the local "craftsmen" of the Encanto, any extra hands would be helpful.
"I believe I know of a fast mail system rather close," Gahoole revealed, a smile on her face. Mirabel's heart was continuing to have advantages one wouldn't expect.
"Some may be unavailable to assist," Nocci pointed out. "As fond of Mirabel as many of them were, most of them have responsibilities to attend too."
"Even if we just get some, that would still be a massive help," Gahoole reminded them.
"Tell me where the mail system is and who the messages need to get too," Striker chimed back in. "Bombproof can have them out by dawn."
"Mirabel?" Isabela had to ask. "What did Nocci mean by some of them having responsibilities?"
"Well…" Mirabel trailed off. "The Arendelle royal sisters and Kings Triton and Eric aren't the only royalty we know, for one."
As promised, as soon as the messages were complete, Striker hopped right back on Bombproof and rode off, swiftly having them mailed out. He then managed to return home as fast as possible, paying off some local wizards for a teleportation circle.
"Dad?" Duncan asked once he noticed his father riding in. "What's going on? You said you weren't going to be back for a while!"
"Go get everyone out of the house," Striker replied. "Mirabel and the party need our help and it's time we repay the favor!" Duncan didn't need to be told twice, swiftly rushing back towards the house. Striker, for his part, headed towards the city to go get another group who had helped in defeating Baron McLean and who would likely be just as interested in helping Mirabel's family.
All across the lands, various people of all shapes of sizes began to get the messages and, almost instantly, they all packed up and set out of the Encanto. They all came from different walks of life, but one thing they all shared was that, in one way or another, the Party had helped them. Whether it was something minor or something major, it didn't matter. What mattered was that the Party had helped them.
And it was time to repay the favor.
So fun way to start right? I wanted something more unorthodox to start the story off and I thought "hey, why not start with a Helluva Boss character" was a fun way to get that! But next time, everyone arrives...and the people who put Mirabel and Bruno on the paths they took will be revealed. See you all next time.