The Mariposa Multiverse - Encanto Oneshots

by galexikoo

Summary:

There are different universes, a multi-verse if you will, with infinite possibilities. Time bends to the same rule no matter the differences. What does fate have in store for the Madrigal family, especially Mirabel? Anything and everything can be different in more ways than one.

Chapter 1: *1

Welcome to my Encanto oneshots! It's been so long since I've attempted oneshots, but I think this will be more fun than writing an elaborate story.

Lately, I've been reading so many Encanto fanfics and I've been wanting to write so many stories. So as to not let these ideas go to waste and actually do something with them I have decided to make one-shots! Most of these are going to be Mirabel-centric, and I will have the necessary warning for the one-shots. Some might become multiple parts, some are going to stay completely stand-alone. I'll add tags as I go.

A lot of what I write here will be my own oneshot ideas, but I also accept requests! If you would like to request something please comment on this chapter please. I don't really have limitations for what I'm willing to write with a few extreme exceptions such as incest.

Also, if anyone would like to take some of these ideas and create their own stories, please let me know first!

Chapter 2: Golden Butterflies

Summary:

It is the day of Mirabel's gift ceremony, and she gets a gift unlike any other. Golden butterflies become the miracle itself, but how will the family react to her new, powerful, and unique gift?

Mirabel felt the warmth of magic spread throughout her body as she touched her door. It glowed so brightly it was almost blinding while the candle's flame grew in healing. Bursting from the flames were golden butterflies that stunned everyone into silence. They flew elegantly as if dancing in the wind surrounding Mirabel. She giggled with the brightest smile as they picked her up to fly. Mirabel could only feel the warmth that made her feel safe.

Cheers erupted with fireworks backing them up as instrumentals. The Madrigal family cheered the loudest as the youngest Madrigal danced in the air with the golden butterflies. No one could quite understand what her gift was supposed to be, but it was a spectacle nonetheless. The butterflies were elegantly beautiful as they danced around the youngest Madrigal.

"This is amazing!" Mirabel cheered. The butterflies calmed down and lowered her gently to the ground where she runs up to her loving abuela. "Abuela! Did you see that?!"

"I did. So wonderful, Mirabel," Alma said with pure fondness and excitement for her nieta. Mirabel hugged her and Alma placed her free hand on her head. The candle's flame grew slightly once more, and she couldn't be happier at this moment. "You are truly a wonder!"

Mirabel only giggled as she moved on to running over to her parents. "Mama! Papa! I have butterflies!" She held up her palm with her arm extended as a butterfly flew from it to surround her proud parents. They both felt the same warmth radiate from the golden creatures as they too danced around them.

"We're so proud of you!" Julieta exclaimed, crouching down to sit on her knees to be eye level with her daughter with Agustin following. She gave her youngest daughter a hug with her husband joining in. It didn't take long for two smaller pairs of arms to join the hug. It was her other daughters who ran up the stairs to greet and congratulate their hermanita. The rest of the Madrigal family followed the young girls up the stairs to celebrate this moment.

"So wonderful, Miraboo!"

"I like the butterflies, Mira!"

"So amazing!"

Mirabel, loving the attention from her family as a result of a new gift just for her, opens her palms once again until butterflies dance around everyone. The magic can be felt in the delicate insects, and the grandchildren were enjoying their presence the most. Isabella threw up rose petals to join the butterflies in their flights, the petals turning the same color of gold which surprises the eldest grandchild. Luisa let them land on her finger which she held out gently, and the butterfly that decided to land allowed Luisa to look closer and examine it with pure awe and joy until it disappeared. Camilo kept trying to catch them, pouting when they flew away from him until his mother appeared and quietly told him to be gentle. Dolores did the same thing as Luisa, holding out her finger to let one land on it, but she doesn't give the same reaction.

When Dolores let the butterfly land on her, the world immediately became quieter. It scared her as she tried covering her ears and uncovering them with her hands as if she has finally gone deaf from all of the noise. It scared her as the butterfly simply dissolved into thin air after touching it. She couldn't dwell on the thought for long because Mirabel immediately looked scared and overwhelmed out of seemingly nowhere. Mirabel has her hands pressing hard against her ears while tears welled up in her ears. Her eyes were closed shut in pure pain, crouching as if that would be of any help. She started crying.

"Mirabel, what's wrong?"

"Miraboo?"

"What's wrong with her?"

Everything and everyone was overwhelming the poor girl who couldn't stop crying while Pepa's clouds drizzled down on them all. "I-It's too l-loud..." she says in a surprisingly quiet voice too quiet for anyone to hear her. "Make it s-stop..."

"Make what stop, Mira?" her abuela asks, only hearing the last part. "Mirabel?"

"T-Too loud..."

No one knew what to say.

Dolores understood how Mirabel was feeling at this moment, and it made her feel bad seeing her baby prima in such pain. With confidence in the quieter world, less of a sensory overload, she decides to try telling everyone to be quiet without shouting because she understood the pain Mirabel was in at the moment. She was as confused as everyone else because Why does Mirabel have her gift? Her parents help convince everyone in casita to be quiet while Mirabel adjusts to the overload of new sensory information.

"Why does she have Dolores' gift?" Pepa asks Alma. Everyone was confused.

"Dolores, do you still have your gift?" her abuela asks, almost ignoring Pepa. Dolores looked a little frightened as she simply shakes her head along with her squeaking. "You don't have a gift?"

"Why?" Dolores tries asking, her voice at a regular pitch that she or anyone else wasn't used to ever since her gift ceremony. She was worried like everyone else as she walked up to Mirabel herself. "Mirabel, does it hurt?" she tries asking in a whisper. Mirabel finally opens her eyes and tries to nod feeling miserable at the moment. Dolores reaches to slowly pull Mirabel's hands away from her ears. "Focus on my heartbeat."

Mirabel was scared as she looked around at everyone before closing her eyes and tilting her head. It felt as if she was filtering the sounds until she heard Dolores' heartbeat and enhanced the sound to drown out the others. Her heart was beating a little fast, but not too much, and it was comforting. Dolores smiled slightly before whispering to her once again to focus on the other heartbeats of their family. Mirabel does so as she hears her abuela ending the party and getting the villagers to leave while they help Mirabel calm down.

"Thank you, Lola," Mirabel says quietly to Dolores who smiles at her. "I like the heartbeats."

Dolores nods. "It's soothing enough to almost silence the rest of the world. I like hearing everyone's heartbeats because it means everyone is okay," she whispers. Mirabel smiled back at Dolores.

"Mirabel," Alma says a bit sternly, her voice almost startling the poor girl. She realizes and gets quieter before continuing to speak. "How did you steal Dolores' gift?"

"Mama, she didn't steal it," Julieta immediately responded in defense. "She didn't mean to."

"Was it the butterflies?" Bruno asks, and everyone curiously at him before turning their attention to Mirabel who moved to put her hands back over her ears while Dolores hugged her. "I think it's Mirabel's gift."

"Taking our gifts is Mirabel's gift?" Pepa questions.

"Does that mean she can take my gift too?" Luisa hesitantly asks, walking over to Mirabel and Dolores with Isabela and Camilo following.

"Mira," Julieta starts quietly, kneeling in front of her daughter. "Can you make a butterfly for Dolores?"

Mirabel tries holding out her palm again as another butterfly flew from her palm. Mirabel tried to focus on directing the butterfly to Dolores. She notices her look upset for a moment before taking a breath and reaching out to touch the golden butterfly. Dolores couldn't help but immediately place her hands around her ears while Mirabel sighs at the quietness of the world once more. Everyone watched the pair as Mirabel goes to hug Dolores this time, understanding her painful gift.

"Listen to my heartbeat, Lola," she tries to say seriously in the same soft tone as before, and Dolores can only laugh fondly at her serious expression. "Can you hear it?"

"Thank you, Mirabel," she answers. Everyone sighs in relief at the resolution.

"I wonder if that's all Mirabel's gift can do," abuela says, interrupting the moment. "Certainly a unique gift."

"She hasn't opened her door yet!" Camilo shouts suddenly after Alma speaks. Dolores flinches from his voice. "Sorry."

"Do you want to open your door?" Agustin asks Mirabel. She nods, the excitement coming back to her as she stands up and races to her door. The family can't help but laugh at her with fondness and care.

As Mirabel touches the doorknob, butterflies appear and push open the door for her with more moving her into the magical room. The butterflies grow in numbers as they form the room. It starts as pitch darkness, but the golden glow of the butterflies creates the landscape of the room that ends in the distance on all sides with fog. The main feature is the golden river that forms in the middle of the room, the colors reflecting into the gentle waves that lap down from the waterfall. Mirabel was excited watching the room form with a strange type of familiarity. Everyone took in the beauty of Mirabel's room except for Alma who gasped and clutched the locket around her neck with Pedro's picture. The family looked over at her as she reacted in such a concerning way. The triplets were immediately at her side while her breathing picked up and a look of shock etched into her face. There was a sadness no one understood exactly as she gradually took steps backward.

"Abuela?" Mirabel asks with hesitation. "Abuela, what's wrong?"

"I-" Alma starts, looking traumatized with pure grief and horror striking her. "This is..." she breathes, "the river..."

"What?"

"W-Where we were given our... our miracle..."

The adults all gasped at the revelation leaving the grandchildren confused at the reactions, mostly Camilo and Mirabel. Alma felt like she was back at the moment watching her beloved Pedro sacrifice his life and create their miracle. The mountains grew taller and the marauders were cast away while she saw the river become red until she couldn't see it anymore. As she held the triplets tightly in her arms she would pick up the candle and discover the home Pedro left for their family. The trauma of that day never left her and being reminded too harshly felt like she was reliving every moment. Everything from the fire to the running away to Pedro being murdered in cold blood to the creation of their miracle flashed before her eyes, and it felt like she was dying.

"M-Mama..."

"There's no way..."

"Mama, are you... sure?"

"M-My Pedro..." She felt like crying, but all of the tears dried up hardening herself and her heart to be the leader everyone needed her to be in a time of despair and confusion. Alma can't cry, but she wants to let out every emotion. "N-No..."

"Abuela?" Mirabel starts, walking up to her grieving abuela with a strange air of determination about her. "Take my hand."

"What?"

"I want to show you something."

Alma didn't know what to do, but she let her nieta take her hand and guide her to the edge of the river while the rest of the family followed in silence. Golden butterflies flew from Mirabel's hand and one particular one landed on their hands. It didn't move or dissolve, but Alma could feel the warmth block out everything from the world and comfort in a way that's indescribable to her current feeling. The butterfly blocked everything out and she felt hopeful and calm, forgetting everything and feeling that air of joy and youthfulness wash over her. She didn't realize she closed her eyes until the butterfly flew away and Mirabel let go of her hand, but she didn't want to let go.

"How did you do that?"

"The butterfly made me do it. It felt your sadness" Mirabel says with her own feelings of sadness dripping in her tone that seemed too wise for someone so young. "The butterfly took your sadness away." She points to the fluttering insect which turned a dark shade of blue after the encounter.

Alma took a second to take in what Mirabel said and smiled fondly. "Gracias, Mirabel."

"That was so cool!" Camilo exclaims.

Julieta worriedly walks towards the pair, leading their family over to them. "What happened this time?"

"I took her sadness away!" Mirabel answers with a shout, feeling pride that trembles upon seeing the adults look between her and abuela with serious looks. She started looking a little frantic. "Did I do bad?! I'm sorry, abuela!"

“No, it’s okay,” Alma reassures before looking at her eldest daughter. “I don’t know what that was exactly, but it’s not bad at all.” Mirabel just smiled proudly while her abuela placed a gentle hand on her head while looking around at the whole family. “Mirabel’s gift is a miracle itself. You make this family so proud, mi mariposita.”

 

𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥, 𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘭.

Notes:

There's definitely going to be a second part to this (and maybe more)

Chapter 3: The Eldest Great-Grandchild

Summary:

It's been years since casita has fallen, and it's been years since the Madrigals began healing and growing like never before. The grandchildren grow up, and that means there's a new generation of Madrigals.

Dolores is living her best life.

When she first realized she loved Mariano she felt heartbroken because he wasn't hers, but thankfully her cousin didn't love him like that and vice versa with him. They saw each other more as siblings than partners, so the feeling was mutual. Dolores took her shot during the reconstruction of casita to confess her feelings to him, and he accepted! She felt overjoyed as he started writing love poems dedicated to her and she loved going on dates with him. He was such a romantic, and she was too. They became perfectly matching puzzle pieces that fit each other perfectly. It didn't take long for Mariano to take her on the most extravagant date he has ever taken her on to propose to her. The wedding planning came, and so did the wedding. Her mother almost stormed up the church during the ceremony, and that made her wedding feel ever more special and perfect.

One morning, she wakes up and opens her eyes only to close them again in confusion. She often searched for Mariano's heartbeat first thing in the morning, so it shocked her immensely when she realizes she hears two. The second heartbeat was faint yet more close, and it didn't take long for her to realize that the heartbeat came from her. This brought the biggest smile to her face.

She was pregnant!

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She first planned on telling Mariano about the pregnancy news before telling anyone else. When they were alone later that night getting ready for bed, she hugged him extra tight and gave him gentle kisses on his collarbone. It confused him, but he didn't mind it at all.

"Is something going on?" he whispers.

"Mhm," she mumbles while continuing to kiss him until she made it up to his lips and pulled away from him. "I have a secret to tell you."

"Mm, what is it?" he whispers again, the weight of sleep taking over him.

"I'm pregnant."

That wakes him up, and Dolores can only laugh while he sits up feeling startled.

"What?!"

"We're pregnant! I heard their heartbeat when I woke up," she says quietly sitting up and putting a hand on her belly.

Mariano smiles and immediately shares a quick loving kiss with her before placing his own hands on her belly to caress it. Dolores felt content watching and feeling him do so. He was ecstatic and no longer felt sleepy in any way after hearing the news. Mariano has always wanted kids of his own, and the final part of his dream life is finally coming true! He notices his face feels wet and he knows it's happy tears.

"I'm so happy!"

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She waits a few months before telling anyone else in the slightest fear that something could go wrong. The heartbeat of her baby soothes her more than anything, and it reminds her of when her mamá was pregnant both times with her precious hermanos. Listening to the heartbeats of her family easily became one of her favorite sounds to focus on and listen to, and a new one joining in filled her with unimaginable comfort and pride. She will always know what her baby's heartbeat sounds like, and it will always be one of her favorite sounds.

When she reached her second trimester without anyone finding out, except for her tía who suspected something was up with her through her symptoms of being extra tired and throwing up occasionally. Dolores decides to tell everyone at dinner so they could all find out together.

"I have an announcement," she says with a bit of a louder tone than she's used to, and everyone looks over to her and quiets down. "I found out a while ago, but I wanted to wait just to be safe. I'm... I'm pregnant!"

Of course, she is immediately soaked from her mamá's cloud as Pepa jumped up to hug her daughter. It was gentle rain with a rainbow that Dolores knew meant she was happy to the point of crying. Her mamá's raindrops are another sound she finds soothing, and she feels safe and comforted in her mamá's hold as she exclaims over and over that she's going to be an abuela.

"I'm going to be an abuela!"

"Mi hija is growing up so fast!"

Dolores loves her family.

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Giving birth is a BITCH.

But, Dolores realizes why it feels worth it as her new bundle of joy rests in her arms. She spent agonizing hours through unimaginable and undescribable pain only to be met with the most gorgeous newborn face she has ever seen. This was her daughter, and her heartbeat was more prominent outside of the womb. Mariano snuggled close to her to admire their precious daughter as she slept her first nap since coming into the world. It was her mamá, tía, and abuela who all worked to help her through the birthing process while she cursed at everything and everyone during the entire labor process.

"Have you decided on a name?"

"Gabriela. Gabriela Madrigal."

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Alma Madrigal grew older until she was spending the end of her life in a wheelchair, but she wasn't upset about that. She got to watch her family grow from her children to her grandchildren, and now her great-grandchildren that fill her heart with love and contentment. Nothing can compare to the happiness of her life which felt so full and perfect. She still felt guilt for her actions all those years ago that broke her family, and she still doesn't feel worthy of the forgiveness she was shown so easily. It shouldn't have taken casita falling and watching her beloved nieta, Mirabel, almost lose her life for a stupid candle to realize the damage she has done, but time has moved on and so has her family.

Today is significant because it is the day of the first gift ceremony since Antonio's, and she was elated to see her eldest great-grandchild get her gift, or not get one at all. Alma would be just as proud of her if she didn't get a gift, but she was highly sure she would receive one.

Usually, the candle would play a role in the gift ceremony as tradition, but the candle didn't exist anymore. It represented the miracle they were given in her darkest moment, but now she knows the miracle is the family itself. She wasn't even going to be the one in charge of this ceremony or any future one anymore because she stepped down from being the family's matriarch ever since Mirabel became an adult. Alma couldn't be any prouder than she was of her youngest nieta for being the strongest and bravest of them all, and she took on the role as the next leader of Encanto and the family's matriarch like it was nothing.

"Abuela," she heard quietly, and she looked over to see Mirabel opening her door quietly after knocking. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling wonderful, mi mariposa," Alma says with a fond smile as Mirabel greeted her with a hug.

Mirabel has always taken on the task of waking everyone up in the morning and preparing for breakfast ever since she was a child, and she loves her daily routine of being the family's alarm clock. Ever since Alma started needing a wheelchair, she is always greeted by Mirabel first thing in the morning ready to help her move around when she didn't have the strength to push herself. She is quick to grab onto the handles of her wheelchair and begins wheeling her out of her room with casita's help by opening the door for them. They are greeted with the sounds of children's laughter and cheerful chattering.

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The tradition of inviting the whole of Encanto to watch the gift ceremony for each Madrigal ended after Antonio's. Mirabel made that final decision because she felt the ceremony should be a private event for family and close friends only, and the family agreed with her decision. The time comes as the family all stand around the staircase with Dolores and Mariano standing on the second story. The red curtain pulls apart and casita forms a red walkway for their daughter to walk down with Mirabel holding his hand. She was nervous beforehand but mostly excited as they walked up the stairs in front of her door. She ran over to her parents and they held each of her hands while Mirabel turned to face the family.

"It's been a while since there has been a gift ceremony," Mirabel starts, smiling over at Antonio. "We have grown from that moment to better understand each other. Gifts, or a lack of one, will never define your worth in this family. Gabby," she addresses separately, "You are making this family proud, today. Not that you haven't already just by being you. You are becoming a big girl, right?" She giggled and nodded. "You can touch your door now."

Mirabel steps away while Gabriela is quick to let go of her parents' hands to reach out and touch her door. It glowed a heavenly gold as a picture of her appeared on the door. The image on the door depicted her with her mouth open and music notes coming out of her to surround her. She heard everyone clapping and cheering for her, and she could only laugh in pride and confidence.

"Singing! Her gift has something to do with singing!" Mirabel announces to them all. "Gabriela, can you please sing for us?"

She nodded excitedly before singing a familiar lullaby that has been sung to everyone when they were all young children. Physical images of golden music notes began to form all around her and danced peacefully. They form images that go along with the lyrics she sings, telling the story in a visual form about the two butterflies. It was soothing to hear her golden voice create beauty that danced around each member of the family. When the butterflies got to Mirabel they became a swarm that reminded her and abuela of when they hugged in the river. By the time she finishes singing everyone immediately cheers for her and praises her beautiful voice.

"Did you see that?! That was amazing!"

"Such a perfect gift, mi hermosa canción [beautiful song]!" Alma exclaims happily from her wheelchair. "I'm so proud of you!"

She was given the gift of creating images and telling stories through song. Her gift fit her so well as she loved to perform for her family, especially her mamá who loved to hear her sing. Everything about her was music to Dolores's sensitive ears, and this gift only amplified those feelings towards her eldest daughter. When Gabriela was a baby, Dolores would sing gentle lullabies to soothe her to sleep, and as she grew up singing became her whole life. Looks like singing is literally going to stick with her. Dolores just hopes that she doesn't ever grow to hate it or fear it.

Chapter 4: "Did you hurt the magic?!"

Summary:

Request by: ForeverEvanescent

Abuela is confused and scared when she watches Mirabel's door disappear and the candle flickers in her hands, and she unintentionally takes it out on Mirabel who is just as confused as she was. Will she be able to apologize and make amends with her nieta who is afraid of her?

It was unheard of for a Madrigal to not receive a gift, so watching Mirabel's door disappear instead of glow was not a sight anyone could prepare for. Mirabel was sad, scared, and confused as she looked toward her loving abuela to see if she knew why the door didn't glow when she touched it. All she saw was what looked like horror on her abuela's face, and it scared Mirabel even more because she was starting to believe she didn't make her family proud of her. She wanted her abuela to reassure her, but instead, she only saw her abuela look at her with that same look on her face.

"Did you hurt the magic?!" she snaps. "What did you do?!"

Mirabel flinches and cowers away from her abuela with tears in her eyes. She quickly runs over to her mamí and papí with tears in her eyes seeking comfort as they scoop her up and hug her. She buried her face in her mamí's shoulder while her abuela made everyone leave casita since there is nothing to celebrate but her door going away and not receiving a gift to make her family proud.

"Mamá!" Julieta shouts at her with clear anger in her tone.

"She didn't do anything wrong!" Agustín adds to defend his daughter.

"M-Mamí, is t-there something w-wrong with m-me?!" she asks amidst her sobbing, and Julieta could only shoosh her while trying to calm her down.

Julieta glares at her mother before focusing on her daughter who is more important at the moment. "Mija, you're okay. Nothing is wrong with you," she says while trying to soothe a sobbing Mirabel.

Alma immediately felt bad seeing her nieta be so upset, especially after what she just said to her. She was scared and worried about the magic, but she was a grown woman who should not take it out on her five-year-old nieta. Something hurt the magic, and she is rational enough to know that Mirabel didn't do anything. She wanted to apologize, but Agustín also glared at her to silently make her go away and leave them alone before she could make it worse.

Julieta is also scared and worried, but mostly for her daughter. She doesn't believe at all that her daughter is broken, and she will make sure everyone in Encanto will understand that because she is a confused and scared child that didn't do anything wrong. Looking up, she spots her other daughters running up to her with their own worry for their hermanita.

"Can... Can she sleep in my room?" Isabela asks, wanting to stay close to Mirabel. She sounded concerned, and Julieta could only smile gently at her eldest. "We can have a sleepover!"

"I-Isa..." Mirabel cries out, and Isabela immediately joins in on the hug while her sister moves to attach herself to her instead of their mom. Isabela hugs her tightly with Luisa joining in on the hug. "Sleepover?"

As much as Julieta wanted to keep Mirabel close to her for the night because of her own feelings of worry, she couldn't deny her daughters from taking care of Mirabel. She knows how much they adore their baby sister so she trusts them. Still, the worried mother inside of her almost wants to be selfish. Almost.

"I think a sleepover is a wonderful idea, mija," she tells Isabela who smiles brightly at her.

"You and papí should join too," Luisa adds. "A family sleepover!"

Julieta was about to decline until she saw Mirabel look over at her with pleading eyes that she could never say no to. It didn't help that all three- four of them had the same expression.

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Mirabel was clingy to her parents and siblings the next day. At least one of them had to be with her at all times or else she would start freaking out.

While her mamí went downstairs in the morning to make breakfast she was playing with her sisters and papí. They were all doing their best to distract her from the previous day, and she just loved the attention she was given. Isabela made her the prettiest flower crown while Luisa tossed her up into the air and caught her over and over again. Mirabel was a happy mess of giggles that spread to her hermanas easily. She also got amusement out of Isabela decorating their papí with a wild assortment of flowers that seriously complimented him.

Breakfast made Mirabel upset because she was scared of her abuela and didn't want to get yelled at again. Alma wanted to apologize, but Mirabel wouldn't hear it as she clung to her mamí's side. Julieta just shook her head which made abuela drop the topic. Alma also wondered where her son was since he didn't show up to breakfast, but she assumed that he preferred to stay in his tower. No one else seemed to question it aside from the sad mood Dolores was in today.

Mirabel ran off with her sisters immediately after breakfast, followed by Dolores and Camilo, leaving her unable to apologize to her nieta once again. Instead, her hija and son in-law confront her first once the family goes off on their separate ways for the day.

"Mamá, why did you say that to Mirabel?" Julieta asks right away. "She was scared and confused, and you made it worse."

"I know," Alma says while sighing, showing her guilt. "I shouldn't have said that."

"You really shouldn't have," Agustín comments, and Julieta just looks at him and silently makes him back off.

"You can try apologizing to her later, but leave her alone for a while, okay?" Julieta finally says after a moment of pause.

"Okay."

"I know you didn't mean it, mamá, but she doesn't."

Julieta understood her mother fairly well, which means she knows how complicated she can be at times. Her mother wasn't cruel and awful at all, but sometimes she says or does stuff that Julieta doesn't agree with. She remembers arguing with her mother growing up, less than her siblings, and defending them both if she made certain comments or didn't support them at times. Her mamá does love them, but it's hard for her to show it sometimes.

As the sun began to set she began cooking dinner. She smiled as she heard the laughter of her daughters gradually getting louder as they approached the kitchen. Julieta paused what she was doing to greet them. "Mijas! Come help me in the kitchen!"

She always enjoys whenever she is able to cook with her daughters and teach them. It's a fun bonding experience that she knows they enjoy as well. After calling out for them, they rush into the kitchen and give her hugs.

"Mamá, I missed you!"

"I missed you too, mi mariposita." Julieta decided that now would be a good time to talk to Mirabel about her abuela. "Isa, Lu-Lu, can you please go set the table for me?" Both of them nod and run over to the dining room. They love helping their mamá out.

"What can I do mamá?" Mirabel asks excitedly in anticipation. "I wanna help too!"

"I want to talk to you, mija," Julieta calmly starts, Mirabel getting confused and she started worrying. "You're not in trouble, don't worry. I just wanted to talk to you about your abuela." Mirabel looked frightened at that and went to cling to her mother. "She didn't mean what she said. I promise she isn't upset with you. She was scared too."

"She was?"

"Yes. Adults get scared too."

"Oh."

"When abuela comes to talk to you, please don't be afraid. I'll be nearby, but you don't need me."

Mirabel was silent for a moment. "Okay..."

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At dinner, Mirabel clung to Isabela who didn't mind her presence. She refused to look at her abuela because she didn't want to see that same look she gave her last night. It scared her and she didn't want to get yelled at again. She doesn't know what she did wrong, but she didn't want to know what. Mirabel was afraid of her abuela no longer loved her because she didn't get a gift and make her family proud like she promised she would. Abuela didn't hate her, did she?

When dinner is over her abuela calls her over to follow her, and she reluctantly does so after seeing her mamá reassure her with a smile. Isabela almost didn't want to let her go, but she did so after also looking at their mamá. Her abuela leads her to her room and gently closes the door behind them. She felt terrified at the moment and stayed standing by the door while her abuela moved to sit down on her bed.

"Mirabel, I am sorry." Mirabel was quiet still stayed away from her in case she lashed out again. Alma looked hurt, but she hid it. "I should not have said what I said to you. You didn't hurt the magic." Mirabel was in tears again, and Alma's guilt was prevalent.

"I-I didn't?"

"No. Something hurt it, but it wasn't you," Alma quickly reassures. "Don't be afraid of me. You're not in trouble."

"I'm not?"

"No, mija. I am."

"I didn't know adults could get in trouble."

"I messed up, and I am sorry."

Mirabel was silent again. Alma held her arms out, and that made Mirabel walk forever until she was in her abuela's embrace. It calmed her down as she hugged her back all in silence. Mirabel laid her head on her chest while her abuela gently laid a hand on her head. She was about to break the hug until she heard her abuela start to sing a lullaby to her which helped her feel more comfortable. Alma sang for her nieta until she was sure she wouldn't be so afraid of her anymore. When she stopped singing Mirabel looked up at her with tears brimming her eyes.

"Why didn't I get a gift?"

Alma didn't have an answer.

Chapter 5: *2

Sorry this isn't an actual update. I was on a writing streak the day I posted this. I felt a boost of energy to write, so I did. I kinda lost it after waking up the next day, but I am still writing the requests! Give me a couple of days and I should have a least 1 new one posted!

Chapter 6: *3

Not an update!

I just wanted to say sorry that I haven't posted in a little while, especially for "encantober". I'm a full-time college student living on my own now and October was a crazy month.

I don't want to abandon this, so just know that I will try to pick this up again within the next few months. To make up for it I'll try writing a spooky/horror type of oneshot (possibly in parts?) next. If you want, please help give me the best scary ideas for that!

Chapter 7: the death of the real miracle

Summary:

Their little butterfly, their miracle, is dead.

Notes:

TW: DEATH

“The miracle is dying because of you!”

Those words rang endlessly in Alma's ears as she watched her beloved grandchildren go after the candle as casita began collapsing from the cracks.

She couldn't believe her eyes as she watched Camilo fall after his gift failed him followed by Isabela, but the relief of them safely landing on the ground couldn't compare to the guilt and fear that ran through everyone's veins as they watched Mirabel continue to climb and reach for the candle.

Everyone was forced out of casita and thrown outside of its doors while helping Mirabel reach a little higher for the candle almost out of her reach. Mirabel ignored the family's pleas to leave the candle be and escape, and the horror was amplified when Bruno's tower began to collapse as she finally grabbed the candle. Casita tried to protect her, but everything was too much as the magic and life inside of its walls died with the candle.

When the dust settled and the debris stopped falling, Mirabel was found.

Her arm bloodied and broken weekly held the dead candle while she vaguely felt herself being impaled with unimaginable and numbing pain killing her. She couldn't hear anything with a buzzing swarming her pounding eardrums, and her vision was blurry as black flooded the edge of her vision.

Mirabel thought she was living a nightmare, and the only escape was to close her eyes and fall asleep. She didn't want to feel the pain anymore that felt uncomfortable and warm, and she could just wake up and have one of her mamá's arepas heal her and go on about her day. Her head felt too heavy to acknowledge the figure in front of her, let alone listen to what the figure was saying.

"...heal..." is all she could make out through the mumbling and the muttering voices. "...e-eat..."

"...m-ma- mamá?"

"...spea-..."

"...h-hurts... p-plea-" It was hard for Mirabel to speak as she involuntarily coughed, and she was left with a metallic taste in her mouth as a liquid dripped down her chin. Her chest hurt beyond imagination.

Mirabel was the family’s true miracle, and they are watching her die right before their eyes.

Their miracle, their mariposa preciosa, is leaving them because they pushed her too far over the edge.

She sacrificed herself for a candle that meant nothing when it’s costing her life.

Everyone was crying and sobbing while watching Julieta desperately try to push away the debris off of her youngest daughter with the help of her other daughters and husband. She felt grief, guilt, fear, and utter pain that couldn't compare to anything else, but that doesn't describe and do justice to how she truly feels in this moment as a useless and weak mother. Her daughter, her bebé, who has the brightest smiles, purest laugh, the best personality, and extraordinary talents, was hurt, and she couldn't heal her. What kind of an awful mother was she if she couldn't even help her daughter heal? She screamed desperately for Mirabel to wake up and for help, but she would get neither.

“NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!”

Agustín was horrified and paralyzed with grief as he held Julieta. He felt like he wasn't good enough because he thought Mirabel would understand that she was worth more than that damn candle. It hurt him to realize that she was willing to sacrifice her life to save it, but in the end, she only killed herself. He felt broken and lost, but someone needed to be strong so he did his best to hide his pain to comfort his wife and his older daughters. He was also screaming out for Mirabel, his precious youngest daughter, who he wouldn’t be able to see smile or hear laugh ever again, or he won’t ever see her grow up and live a fulfilling future.

Luisa was sobbing, feeling useless and worthless because she couldn't even push these rocks away to save her hermanita, and she couldn't do anything but try to push and lift the debris away with Isabela's help. She was weak and useless, and she wanted nothing more than to have her strength back to pick up these rocks and get her baby sister out of this. Luisa hated herself and felt so guilty that she couldn't do anything but push herself against the heavy debris. She felt her worth lied in her physical strength, and she can’t even lift a single brick as sobs hold her back and make her feel small and fragile.

Isabela felt guilty and angry while screaming nonsense words directed at Mirabel, everyone else, and herself. She hated everything about herself because the moment she finally started bonding with Mirabel and had hoped that their awful relationship thanks to her could finally get better. They could bond and Isabela can be herself the most around Mirabel, and she would be her biggest supporter while she grew the most exotic and dangerous plants that felt so her. Isabela wanted to be a better sister to her hermanita, but that was ripped out of her hands because of their stubborn abuela. She has never hated Mirabel, and the guilt turned into anger as she desperately and slowly began moving the rubble away with her other hermanita's help. She ignored any injuries to her hands and fought her way through every piece of debris until she can get to Mirabel and see her baby sister.

Bruno, who came back unceremoniously, cried a lot because even he didn’t, or couldn’t, perceive that one vision resulting in Mirabel’s death, and he felt unprepared. He also couldn’t help but break down at the thought of his sobrina going so far as to save a candle that died despite her efforts that also killed her in the end. The sight of her made him physically too sick to see. He awaited the day she would help him integrate back into the family that shunned him away because she was a black sheep herself who didn’t judge him. It felt like he lost an anchor, a light that awaited him in the darkness of the walls he cowardly hid in for ten years for her. Perhaps he failed her by being such a coward.

Felíx and Pepa walked away with a sobbing Antonio who was scared and confused because he didn't understand what was going on. They both felt horrible, but Antonio was their number one priority at the moment. He tried fighting his way out of their arms and screamed at them, but they ignored his cries as best as they could while walking into the forest away from it all. Antonio himself was angry because his parents wouldn't let him go and see Mirabel, and he hated them for keeping him away from her. He just wanted to run up to her and hug her because she promised she would never leave him.

“She can’t be gone! She promised me! Let me go! LET ME GO!”

Dolores and Camilo stayed with Alma. Dolores wasn't showing anything but a blank face as she sat abuela down while she shut down. Camilo was angry, but he remained silent at his hermana's side. He wanted to yell at his abuela for being the reason Mirabel was as good as dead right now, but he held himself back with immense strength.

Alma shut down because she felt like she was reliving the night Pedro was killed. Instead of watching him getting attacked by the mauraders it was her making casita, created from the miracle of a tragedy, collapse and kill her nieta. She has never stopped loving Mirabel, she was her nieta after all, but she had a hard time showing it in the face of preserving the gift her late husband left behind. It meant that she pushed Mirabel to the side and focused on the others to earn their miracle. She didn't deserve to be a grandmother when she killed her own nieta, and it should have never taken Mirabel dying right in front of her to realize how much she has torn apart this family and broke it.

It’s a different kind of pain carrying regret and guilt after losing the person who didn’t deserve the hurt inflicted on them. Mirabel loved her family to literal death no matter how much she was pushed away.

Her love killed her.

She’s dead.

Mirabel Madrigal is dead.

.
.
.

The funeral for Mirabel is to be held the following Friday.

The entire Encanto mourned the loss of one of the most beautiful souls to grace their lives. The Madrigals were a broken mess of grieving family members after losing their home and one of their own.

It is taking place outside because there isn’t enough space in the church for everyone to attend the funeral. Only the family and close friends would be allowed in the church prior to laying Mirabel to rest six feet underground.

Standing in front of the church made time feel like it was frozen for the Madigals who still couldn’t believe such a tragic event happened only a week ago.

Julietta felt numb and paralyzed, unable to speak or do anything with zero motivation.

Agustín also felt numb, but he did his best to mask his emotions to try and comfort his wife and other daughters.

Isabela was angry like a firecracker with an unstable fuse where anything could set her off on a rampage.

Luisa couldn’t stop crying and tried distracting herself by doing any random task she was able to get her hands on despite protests and rejections to her efforts from everyone she helped.

Dolores cried only when she was alone to comfort her brothers, especially Antonio, as silent rock.

Camilo was in pure denial that she would just wake up, but he was also angry like Isabela and would often fight with her over anything.

Pepa only cried with Felix, and she felt bittersweet that the weather mocked her sour mood with sunny skies instead of a fatal weather storm that would destroy the town if she still had her gift.

Poor Antonio was emotionally unstable, screaming and crying, refusing to listen to or believe anyone telling him that Mirabel won’t come back, so he tries to run away and hide when he can, trying to find her to come back to him.

And, finally, Abuela.

There were fifty years of guilt and grief that weighed impossibly on her shoulders as she kept reliving the fall of casita and her final words to her nieta who didn’t deserve it. She was guilty for hurting Mirabel and the family, and there’s nothing she can do to reverse the damage she has infinitely caused.

The family was broken beyond repair, and it has nothing to do with the pressures and stresses of their gifts. They lost Mirabel, the purest and brightest soul that held them together more than they could ever think. Every family member was hurting, and there wasn’t any miracle that could heal them because no miracle can bring Mirabel back.

They walk into the church, and it’s hard to move forward once they spot the open casket at the end of the aisle by the altar. It was carefully decorated with the prettiest flowers Isabela and the town could provide, and she made sure they were as colorful and unique as possible just like her sister.

The family all sat down toward the front in various stages of breaking down or disassociation. Close friends of the Madrigal family and Mirabel sat behind the family followed by the priest. He gave a speech through his own tears. Barely anyone was strong enough to give a speech, but the first person to do so was Isabela who rushed to the front with an expression contorted by distraught.

“I’m Mirabel’s sister. Her oldest sister,” she starts, taking a shaky breath and wiping away her tears. There’s no script to read from, just words pulled straight out of her heart. “It is said… it is said that the prettiest flowers get picked first. Mirabel is- was… Mirabel was the most beautiful flower in the garden. I could never grow a flower worthy of her beauty no matter how… how cruel of a sister I was to her.”

Now that she started, she can’t stop until every thought has been laid bare.

“I didn’t deserve to be her sister… and I will always hate and regret that I realized too late. When we finally had a chance to bond beyond petty and meaningless arguments, that day she pushed and pushed me until I finally showed my real colors. She helped me see the real me no one else knew. I never wanted to be a perfect princess. I wanted to go crazy and be wild, and she helped me see that I can be that. That I already am. She made me want to embrace this real me. I thought… I thought I would have enough time to make up for every missed opportunity to make it up to Mirabel for how I treated her… and I am going to spend the rest of my life living with this guilt. I just hope she would be happy. It’s going to be hard… so hard… living without her, but one day I will be the person she saw that day. I want to live life being the most real me that I trust she would be proud of. I hope I would make her proud and earn forgiveness one day.”

Not a single person had dry eyes. As Isabela finished her speech with such a strongly forced smile she can’t help but break down and almost fall to her knees. Her father runs up and catches her in an embrace where she buries her face into his shoulder.

“I know that I’m proud of you, Isa, and I know your sister would be too,” he whispers, taking a moment to wipe his own eyes.

“I m-m-miss her..”

Everything about this scene was heartbreaking for anyone to watch.

It’s the hardest day to get through, and no one else was able to give a speech after Isabela’s. Once she calms down just enough to stand up and move is when everyone is given a moment to each see Mirabel one last time, maybe say some final words, and offer a flower or small gift she would keep for eternity in the afterlife.

Julieta, who spent this whole time in a dissociative state, started breaking down into sobs not believing that the peaceful body laying in the casket is her own precious daughter. No amount of healing with her gift could reverse what has been done. Her husband holds her close while he also cries. He takes his glasses off to hide his face in his free hand. No parent should be in their position looking at the dead body of their child.

After them was Isabela and Luisa. Both sisters hated seeing Mirabel so still and unmoving. Luisa couldn’t help but to try and gently touch her face, but she recoiled feeling how cold it was. Isabela noticed and placed a hand on her sister’s arm. In her other hand, Isabella placed a bouquet of the most colorful assortment of flowers fitting for her baby sister.

“I-I’m sorry I-I was so- so w-weak…” Luisa manages to mumble out.

“I’m the weak one…” Isabela deflects. “I was the worst big sister. You were so much better than- than me.”

“May-maybe we both… f-failed her…?”

Isabela looks sadly at Luisa. They stay for a moment longer before walking away.

Pepa and Felix approach next with Antonio being held by Felix. He is holding the jaguar plushie Mirabel gifted him for his birthday close to him. They set him down as he silently stares in shock at Mirabel lying in the casket.

“Y-you broke your promise,” Antonio starts with tears forming in his eyes, his voice so shaky and sad. “I know… I know you can’t come back. And I know you’ll miss me too. I-I wanted to give you this.” He holds up the plush and reaches in to place it next to her face. “It will keep you safe. A-And it’s a reminder of me! Don’t forget me, okay?”

Pepa and Felix were absolutely crushed watching Antonio speak to Mirabel. Once Antonio steps away and starts sobbing again is when Felix picks him back up. Pepa also leaves a little gift.

“I should’ve been a better aunt to you. You were the rainbow after the rainiest days, mi sol. I hope you rest easy on the fluffiest clouds.”

“You deserve all the peace we couldn’t give you,” Felix adds before they both eventually walk away.

Dolores and Camilo walk up next holding each other’s hands. Camilo holds her hand with a tight grip she doesn’t comment on. Neither of them could hold back a gasp seeing Mirabel.

“I-I can’t believe it… This can’t be it…”

“It is…” Dolores replies with a whisper. “It’s too real.”

“S-She was my twin! We were twins…”

They both leave a little gift before walking away together.

Next to walk up to Mirabel was Bruno. He cried silent tears and only stared helplessly at his sobrina.

“I wish I never had that vision, mi sobrina. May-maybe you wouldn’t have… wouldn’t have tried so hard. Su-such a t-terrible way to g-go. I’m sorry I-I did-didn’t foresee this. I-I hope… I hope you’re not hurting anymore.”

Abuela was the last one to walk up to Mirabel’s casket.

“I can never be sorry enough for every single thing. I’ve only caused hurt, and I destroyed this family. I- I’m the reason you-re… you’re gone. I never hated you, mi mariposa. I was blind for too long, and I opened my eyes too late,” she pauses to take a breath. “I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgave me for how much I… I hurt you. I killed you. I will carry this guilt with me for eternity, a-and I will do my best in life to earn forgiveness I will never, ever deserve. Pedro, please take care of our nieta. Be a better grandparent than I ever could. I-I failed her. I failed you…”

She eventually walked away, feeling too ashamed to look at any of her family members who she failed. She didn’t deserve any sympathy from them after being the reason Mirabel is dead and their home being destroyed.

After a few more people offer words and gifts for Mirabel, who is now surrounded in her casket with love she didn’t get enough of when she was alive. These gifts were a heavy reminder of how much everyone truly failed her.

She should’ve been shown this love and more when she was still alive.

Maybe, just maybe, if she received the love she worked so hard for she wouldn’t have been so willing to sacrifice herself over a dying candle.

Eventually, the service continues Mariano and four other guys take initiative to pick up and move Mirabel’s casket and walk it out of the church toward the graveyard. Everyone follows them to the grave already prepared for Mirabel with an intricate gravestone that stands out amongst the others she will be buried alongside.

Once everyone settles around Mirabel’s grave is when it is time to lower her into the ground, never to be seen again. Many Madrigals cry out in grieving protest, refusing to believe this will genuinely be the last time they will ever see Mirabel ever again. As she slowly gets buried by dirt, everyone tosses in as many flowers as they can to offer and honor her death. Flowers and other gifts surround the gravestone, almost making it impossible to see the actual stone itself hidden amongst the loving abundance of gifts.

Everyone silently grieves the girl who was the real miracle all along. No amount of magic can bring back the color and life she brought to their world. She is gone forever, only to be a memory relived and stories retold by the community mourning her no matter how many years pass.

It’s hard and impossible to ever truly heal, especially for the Madrigal family. Even if casita gets reconstructed, there’s no magic of life in her walls because Mirabel isn’t there anymore. Life will go on, and time will keep moving forward, but she will remain a memory of a broken family.

Their little butterfly, their miracle, is dead.

.
.
.

Mirabel Madrigal
The Real Miracle
19xx-19xx

Notes:

Heyyyyyy, so I'm not dead.

I just lost motivation to write literally anything for the longest time alongside the occasional life events thrown my way. Nothing too crazy like other authors are infamous for on AO3, thankfully. I've always struggled with writing in general because of how distracted I get until I forget about it entirely and lose motivation, but recently I have been able to gain enough to start writing one of my infinite writing projects I started in my Google Docs. I have so many unwritten or unfinished stories from different fandoms and such, which didn't help me.

I hope you like it, and I hope I will be able to continue writing more instead of letting this, or my other writing projects, die.