Abuela stands before you, looking more than disappointed. The courtyard is a mess, full of beautiful flowers. If you absolutely love it, it doesn't seem like Alma does.
Mirabel jumps on her feet, smiling as she approaches her grandmother. You bite your lip in anticipation, knowing by the woman's expression it won't go as well as Mirabel thinks.
"Abuela ! It's okay, everything's... We're gonna save the miracle, the magic..."
Alma frowns, stopping Mirabel. "What are you talking about ? Look at our home ! Look at your sister ! (Y/n), I thought you were a responsible young woman ! Don't you care about this family ?"
Well, you were not a responsible young woman.
Getting scolded by Alma was actually terrifying. But it made you angry, to; she didn't know you that well and had no right to tell you how much you care about her family. You look at Isabela, who was staring at the floor in guilt. You take her hand, squeezing it gently. She tightens the grip, shaking slightly.
"Please," Mirabel tries. "just... Isabela wasn't happy, and-"
"Of course she isn't happy, you ruined her proposal-"
"No, no, she needed me to ruin her proposal, and then we did all of this and the candle burned brighter and the cracks-"
"Mirabel-"
"That's why I'm in the vision, I'm saving the miracle !"
"You have to stop, Mirabel !" Alma shouts, making the three of you flinch. Luisa enters the courtyard, concerned, and stands behind you and Isabela protectively.
"The cracks started with you." Alma continues, accusingly pointing at her. "Bruno left because of you. Luisa's losing her powers, Isabela's out of control, because of you. You even got (Y/n) to help you ? I don't know why you weren't given a gift, but it is not a reason for you to hurt this family !"
The house started to shake again, and you widened your eyes as a few cracks showed under your feet, sprouting from the grandmother.
"No..." you whisper. "We had fixed it."
Mirabel stares at her Abuela, heartbroken. Julieta and Agustín enter the house, alarmed by the argument.
"I will never be good enough for you, will I ? No matter how hard I try." You and Isabela worriedly make eye contact, watching the cracks grow larger. You all probably should get out of the house to continue this lovely discussion. The whole family was now present, watching the scene unfold, not daring to interfere. Dolores stares at you, anxious. You wished you could tell her everything was okay.
"No matter how hard any of us tries. Luisa will never be strong enough. Isabela won't be perfect enough... Bruno left our family because you only saw the worst in him-"
"Bruno didn't care about this family !"
"He loves his family ! I love this family ! We all love this family ! Even (Y/n) cares about us more than you do !"
You were starting to get a bit too involved in this. Mirabel was popping off, though.
"You're the one that doesn't care ! You're the one breaking our home !"
A crack makes you lose your balance and gently bump into Luisa. You look up to see her on the verge of tears. You take her hand with your free one, trying to reassure her.
"Don't you ever-" Abuela threatens, but Mirabel didn't listen anymore.
"The miracle is dying because of you !"
A huge crack spreads in between them towards the candle, making everyone panic.
"No, no, no-" Pepa shouts.
"The candle !" Félix exclaims as it starts to quickly melt, threatening to fall into the gap the crack had created.
"That's not the main problem ! The house is collapsing, get out !" you scream, making everyone snap out of their trances. They all finally react.
Not how you'd have liked they did, though.
Mirabel races to the candle, asking the house for help despite you desperately calling her name. "Casita, get me up there !"
The house gives the young girl a railing from the balcony, which she uses as a ladder, already out of reach from you.
"Mirabel !"
Isabela tries to reach for Mirabel and the candle, using vines, but her door's light slowly fades. The vines disappear and she falls to the ground, next to you. You rush to her side, checking if she's okay.
"I'm fine..." she mumbles, still wincing when she tries to get up.
"Camilo !"
It was the first time you heard Dolores scream.
You turn to see her brother shapeshift to reach the roof, but fall as his gift fades. Luckily, Casita helps him and he grabs a hanging railing to stop his fall. It breaks, and he tumbles on the floor. You run to him, wrapping a protective arm around his shoulder as he looks at his hands sadly.
"Are you hurt ?"
"My gift..."
"Are you hurt, Camilo ?!"
"No !" he snaps, eyes softening when he looks at your panicked face. "Sorry. I don't think so."
"Then get out of there, mijo."
You push him softly and run back to Isabela, trying to see where Mirabel was in the process and calling her name once again. She was already standing up, the hurt from the fall fading quickly.
Mirabel was before the candle, turning around as a loud tumbling is heard. The mountains protecting the Encanto had cracked open.
"Mirabel !" You and Isabela cry out, along with Julieta as Félix grabs Antonio and tells everyone to leave.
You beg the house to help you up, but instead, its tiles push you out. Isabela pleads Casita, but you both get thrown outside onto the floor, next to Luisa. The door slams shut, keeping you from trying to get back in.
You twist your arm badly, groaning as a sore pain invades your shoulder.
"Mirabel !" Your voice breaks as you yell, your call getting lost amongst the others'.
Mirabel climbs the roof to try and grab the candle.
"Mirabel ?!" Julieta pleads. "Mirabel, leave it !"
She doesn't hear, or rather, doesn't listen, and extends her arm to reach it, but falters. Casita helps her back up.
"The house is gonna fall !" Félix yells.
"Mirabel ! Get out !" Pepa anxiously grabs Dolores' hand for support.
"Mirabel !" Agustín throws himself against the door, but it won't budge.
She finally grabs the candle as Bruno's tower breaks, falling towards her. She slides away from it, falling out of sight in the courtyard.
Everyone lets out a terrified cry as the house starts to collapse on Mirabel. Isabela throws herself in your arms, not wanting to see Casita fall, potentially hurting her sister.
You try your best to hug her, your injured arm hurting like hell. You rock her back and forth, letting a tear come out as everyone starts searching the house's remain.
"Come on." you say softly, stroking her hair. "Mirabel is somewhere in there."
Isabela nods and lets go of you. Her mother calls for Mirabel, vague relief piercing through her voice. She found her !
You see Julieta run towards a shaken up Mirabel, holding the dead candle.
You were about to go talk to Dolores, who was helping Abuela sit down, when Camilo tapped your shoulder.
"You're hurt." He states, looking at your wounded arm.
"I am. But don't worry, it's nothing."
He gives you an unfazed look, not convinced.
"Mamááá !" He calls, grabbing your hand and dragging you behind him. "(Y/n)'s arm is hurt. What do we do ?"
Pepa grabs your face, looking into your wide eyes for any trace of tears. "Uh," you start. "It's my arm that's hurt, not my head, Tía."
She suddenly hugs you tightly, hurting your arm in the process.
"(Y/n), mija. Thank you for helping Camilo."
"Má !" The boy protests, embarrassed. "Let her go. You're hurting her."
"Oh, sorry, sorry." She pulls away, hands on your shoulders, checking your arm. Her face grows worried.
"Julieta !" She calls. "Come quick ! Julieta !"
You see Julieta say something to Mirabel before heading your way.
Everyone is still shocked from the falling of Casita and the disappearance of the magic. Abuela looks shaken up, her shawl tightly wrapped around her vulnerable figure. You're still angry at her for causing all of this, but you know eventually you'll forgive her. The magic is gone now, anyway. The only thing she has left to protect is her family.
Agustín asks if everyone is okay.
Luisa and Isabela are searching through the remains for things they could use.
You spin around, searching for a hint of a certain someone. There it is. Bruno's green ruana is distinguishable between the trees around the ruin. He waves at you with a sad smile before disappearing again.
Félix is trying to confort a crying Antonio. "Don't cry, Tonito, don't cry."
"I couldn't hold it up."
"The Encanto is broken."
"What do we do now ?"
"My powers..." Camilo sighs as Julieta winces when she tears your sleeve to see your bruise. "They're gone. What about Antonio, what is he gonna do ?"
"Is Mirabel okay ?" You ask Julieta as she handles your arm carefully. She gives you a small smile.
"I don't know." she mutters. "Your arm is sprained. You should apply ice as soon as possible and keep it in tight bandages. Do you have this at home ?"
"Yes, thank you. You should go back to Mirabel, Señora."
She squeezes your good shoulder with thankful eyes. "Julieta. Call me Tía."
As she heads back to where Mirabel was, she starts running when she sees the spot empty.
"Mirabel ? Where's Mirabel ?! Where is she ? Mirabel !"
She was gone.
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words : 1582
note : the amount of time I have written Mirabel's name in this chapter is insane. she isn't the main character for nothing.
as usual, I hope you enjoyed!