Chapter Text
Never been Isabela in her whole life that she will be able to be free, to be her true self once more, to act wild and free exactly how she likes. Learning her true potential of her gift, the one thing she is very grateful about is to be able to reunite and to be together with her hermanita again after talking heart to heart with her.
She truly missed the times where they used to get along so much without arguing and fighting with each other every single time they came across each other. She hates her facade self, no she loathes it from the deepest part of her heart. She can't believe that everything she had done didn't do anything to protect Mirabel from Abuela wrath or festering, the only thing it does is pushing her away even farther than it already is. As if building a harsh truth of invisible wall between them to the point Mirabel misunderstood her and thought she hates her for being giftless and unable to be useful for the family.
She regrets it so much, that's why she is thinking of trying to heal their strained relationship and cleared up all the misunderstanding between them. She also owe a lot of apologies and things to make up with her hermana too, Luisa doesn't deserves to be treated like an full time working donkey by the townsfolk. She can't believe that she can't even protect both her hermanas from Abuela's toxic viewpoint of purpose.
Both of them are still young yet they're already have so much in their plate, she doesn't need forgiveness. She just wants to apologies for everything and appreciate their hardworks for the whole dedicated years they deserves for their selfless yet kindness act, acknowledging them and giving them the love and support they need. Just what kind of hermana she is..? She should be the one who is the most mature even oldest out of them, be responsible, and be the good model example to her hermanas. So that her younger sisters enjoyed the time of their life not the opposite.
Which why she plans to have a private conversation with them, just them to make up for her mistakes and for failing being their older sister. However, that time never came..perhaps fate didn't want to give her the chance to at least getting know her hermanas better—not this time.
**
Both her and Mirabel lying on the flowers bed, giggling and enjoying themselves like how at the past when they're kids being playful and mischievous little rebels they were without anymore lies or facade of hers. Both of them smiling in pure bliss from the fun they had, from being able to let out and convey what she is feeling at the moment and sharing it with her stubborn hermanita that she's owed alot for going such length wanting to understand her perspective and the pressure she has to carry even though she was such an irritating jerk with sharp tounge toward Mirabel before all this.
“You're such an bad influence, Hermanita. But, thank you really. I really appreciate you alot for this, Mira.” Isabela looked at Mirabel fondly, showing her gratitude for willing to give her second chance to redeem herself as Mirabel's sister again.
“Isa..” Mirabel's eyes widened as she felt the long lost warmth of her sister, finally coming back. Perhaps, it was worth it after all. She finally able to get her Isa back, her once caring and loving sister is back. The person she always awaits for it's presence and that Señorita perfecta facade of hers to finally breaking down and give her back the old Isa she once knew.
But, their moments had to be cut short because their mess and ruckus have caused a big deal of havoc in the town. The growing exotic plants covering almost all the streets and buildings of the townsfolk especially Abuela's wrath and fear for the worst outcome, she's certainly ain't happy of this because not only the dinner with the Guzman was a total chaos and now this. Just when will they ever cut her a slack for a day?
Abuela came back with an bubbling exhaustion and wavering confusion of this nonsense, what happened to Isabela for her to cover the entire town with exotic plants?! The only person she could think of to influence such thing is only Mirabel, because last time she is the cause of Luisa being unable to use her gift and that she is on Bruno's vision too. She doesn't want everything to fall apart and it all crumble down, she doesn't want Bruno's vision about Mirabel to come true. She had to stop it, for the family and in the name of her husband—Pedro who sacrificed himself and granting them the Miracle.
“What is going on..!? Why are there wild plants everywhere, not only on our home Casita but also the whole town..!” Abuela's voice was very harsh, clearly displeased by what both Isabela and Mirabel have done. The mess and the problem they have caused cannot be cover up, how is she supposed to protect their image now that is came down to this?
Isabela and Mirabel immediately get up as Mirabel can see how Isabela's body stiffen and straighten up in reflex as if she is triggered by the anger tone from their Abuela, is not like she doesn't too but she wasn't as badly as her hermana who's eyes widened and panicking. She takes Isabela's hand hoping to calm her down, gripping it tightly as she can felt how herself not in the better situation. Both of them fear of failure, she understand that even without having Isabela herself admitted it.
“Everything is going to be okay, Abuela. We're going to save the Miracle, the Magic and everything!” She try to tell with more cold head, because the situation itself far than calm. The only way to convince her Abuela is by not being too pushy though she knew already that it is already too late since she did act too reckless before this, sooner or later she would has to confront their matriarch her Abuela regarding the other side possibility end of her vision.
“What are you talking about Mirabel..-” Abuela looked disbelief as if she is talking nonsense, that she is out of her mind saying that. It stings her, why won't their Abuela believe Mirabel's words? Can't she listen for just a moment and don't went on assuming the worst? But knowing her, she is too strict and stubborn to even heard every word they said.
Especially towards Mirabel because of her ruining her hermana's engagement and found to be in one of Bruno's vision but also how much she tell her off to stay away and even not letting her help an single task for the family. They're just so alike to each other in some ways but they just don't noticed it, maybe Mirabel does but she wasn't certain of Abuela's stubbornness way or rather ambiguous act of protecting her family and the Encanto.
Isabela looked at their Abuela with a mix expression of wary and hurt, she fears that Abuela going to scold her hermanita again. She doesn't want Mirabel to be the one to blame, it is her gift then she should be the one who is blamed not her little sister. She didn't do anything, all the things she did was listening and encouraging her to be herself. She is the one who should be mad at, the one who went too far too invested in exploring her true power.
She was about to defend her when Mirabel didn't let her do so, keep on convincing their Abuela—pursuing through words but she doubt it went through to Abuela's head at all. “Please, Abuela..-” Mirabel plead as she doesn't want everything to be all vain, she truly love this family which why she will save it no matter what.
“Isabela wasn't happy at all, she doesn't want to marry Mariano. She doesn't love him..-” She can felt her words stammered slightly from her desperation despite her trying to look tough as if the situation didn't bother her or pressure her all, she doesn't want to ruin this and she will keep going. Her grip on her older sister became too tight, too scared that if she let go that she might unable to remain sane without sounding like an crazy lunatic. Sadly, her words still won't work on her Abuela who she's desperately wanted to be noticed and accepted by.
“This need to stop, Mirabel-! ” that same voice who always tell her to stop being the burden of the family, to refrain herself from held back their family members doing their chores—the voice that won't hesitate to tell her to stay out of the way and keep herself away from causing trouble. It taken both Isabela and Mirabel aback as that tone in Abuela's voice was too harsh than intended.
The loud yelling from Abuela caused the whole family to gathered up at where the source of voice came from, all of them were worried and concerned of what's going on that causing their matriarch to have to yell in such harsh and loud volume. This just added up to Mirabel's anxiety of being the center of attention and the bubbling bottled up emotions inside her, “Of course Isabela isn't happy! You ruined her engagement, they got along so well—just what nonsense did you heard for thinking that they're not in love with each other, Mirabel..?!”
It hurts
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it hurts..(everything is so loud)
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why..?
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Why can't her Abuela understand her at all..? She can't believe that Abuela accused her of being naive and that she believes some rumors, she's not! It is the truth! Isabela herself who tell her, why won't her Abuela open her eyes and finally realized the truth? Why, why, why!? “No, No- She needs me to ruin her proposal..! And then we did all this, make up our misunderstanding which make the candle to burn brighter and the cracks start to disappearing..! T-That's why I'm in the vision, I'm saving the miracle..-” her voice cracks from the relentless stammering in her words, she knows that she probably sounded crazy especially from how much she stammer from one word to another.
“Mirabel Valentina Rojas Madrigal..! ” Mirabel flinched upon hearing her Abuela snapped at her and calling her by her full name, Isabela too grimaced upon hearing it. Abuela looked like she is near her breaking point and Mirabel seem to be pushing it too hard, she can felt Abuela's gaze stabbing her with anger and rage that keep on building up the more she stare it back as it breaking down her tough facade. She can felt her once profound confident vanished the moment that gaze land it's eyes on her, cold sweat trickle down.
She is too focused to even noticed her Tiá Pepa already have an dark cloud on her head as thunder flashing in anger, she can't believe her ears that there will came the day where her mother gone too far gone. Who is in the right mind to yell at fifteen years old girl, an literal fifteen years old only child who is the same age as her son!?
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“The crack started with you, Bruno's left because of you-”
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“Mamá?! That is too far-”
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“I do not tolerate such accusation against mi sobrina, Mamá..-!”
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Everything is a chaos, the thundering cloud getting worse and worse almost causing an hurricane. Isabela can see how hurtful Abuela's words are that it leave such an bad impact to the others, her mother is visibly in disbelief hearing such words leaving from her own mother's mouth about her youngest daughter.
On another hand, Pepa trying to held herself back from going feral upon hearing her hermanito's name which worsen by Abuela blaming Bruno's disappearance to her sobrina. The urges to struck an lightning at her mother is just so tempting to do from the way her mother treating Mirabel as if she is her hermano, Brunito. It makes her heart dropped slightly at the similaration between the two, the thought of Mirabel ended up disappearing just like him is just too much. at last..let her protect her sobrina, one of her own family member that's the least she can do and she's aware that she is supposed to do more than that.
Félix is trying his best to calm down Pepa from going too far, but he understand well that his wife's actions and reaction is very much reasonable. He can't believe that his mother in-laws would go such length, is just unfair. He truly aware of how neglectful they've been and barely there for his sobrina, which why he felt bitter when Abuela rub the wound with salt. Just as much he try to understand Abuela, he cannot longer attempt to especially when it involves Mirabel in it.
The tension was heavy far too heavy, Isabela grimanced at the tense confrontation between their Abuela and Mirabel. Is suffocating, it truly is. She can't even do anything other than stay quiet watching the scene in front of her, all the things she wants to say always cutted off by Mirabel who only wanted her silent support rather than being defended right now. She can only respect her hermana's wishes.
But, her face immediately turn sour and darkened with an unsettling anguish when she hears the next sentences from Abuela. “Luisa is losing her powers, Isabela out of control because of you..! I don't know why you weren't giving a gift but it is not an excuse for you to ruin this family, Mirabel..-!” Isabela can't hide her scowl as she gritted her teeth at the wronged blame, it is not Mirabel fault at all that she's going overboard with experimenting her own gift capabilities. In fact, Mirabel opened her eyes on her own issues and being solved from her blindness perhaps she is selfish for thinking that she is protecting her..only to be proven wrong.
Isabela had enough, just as much she wants to respect her sister's wishes. She can no longer turn blind eyes to this ever, who is she to blame everything to her sister who didn't do anything. “Don't you dare talk to my sister like that, Abuela..!” her voice echoes as this is the first time she ever raised her voice in such volume, Dolores has few experience of it so does Mirabel but so far this is the highest and loudest voice she ever let out aside than yelling and ranting the usual insults or mean remarks to Mirabel.
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“I-Isabela..? ”
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Abuela was taken aback, this is the first time her sweet perfect nieta ever raised her voice against her. She expected it to be her mija, Pepa or at least someone like Agustín to go as far because they have quite the temper. But Isabela? What could possibly changed her flower girl to go such extend? She knew that her gut is trying to tell her to stop but her fear is getting worsen, what if their home became fall apart because of this changes? What if Pedro's sacrifice was all vain once the Miracle's light vanished and die? She wasn't ready, she's not ready to lose her home twice and the family..Oh, Pedro..why is this happening...?
Isabela continued as her anger bubbling up. “I had enough of this! I won't let you push aside Mirabel even more, she doesn't deserves this. None of us really did, Abuela..I hope you understand that all the things you said are absurd.”
“Can't you see? Do you even realize just how much all of us suffer because of your expectations standar? Mirabel had to chase after your approveness so that she can be accepted..!” Mirabel's breath hitches as she didn't expect her sister to went all out, but there is a slight relief in her part as she's touched that her sister wouldn't back down despite her wanting to confront their Abuela on her own but it is good to know that her sister would defend her like this just like when they're kids.
“I was trying my best to please you, to be what you think is ‘perfect’ and full obedience to every wishes and demand you've put me into. Luisa had to work herself off so hard that she barely have any time for herself! Even Mirabel had to put up a smile to every words you said that'd hurt her. You will never had enough or really proud with any of us, do you..?” there was sharp bitterness in her voice when she finally voice out her true feelings, her own thoughts of the whole burden everyone had to carry because of somebody.
“..Mi flor..” Abuela left speechless from the confrontation, she thought she was protecting them. Protecting the miracle that bestowed to them and their home, she failed to realize that her action only make her own families fall apart to be this badly strained. “..Don't.., don't call me that..after all this, Abuela.” Mirabel startled to hear the vulnerability and dread in Isabela's voice as she didn't expect such downfall and bitterness from the former Señorita Perfecta, perhaps she always been feeling uncomfortable deep down despite it was associated with her wonderful gift—or rather that's the reason why she dislike it.
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— Kkkkrrraaakkk!
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It start with subtle yet small cracks covering up some parts of Casita.
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— KRRIIIEEEEKK
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Casita desperately try to warn the families of the danger that start to befall and tearing down the house, Casita trying it's best to keep up it's foundation to protect it's residents—it's loved ones.
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— KKKKRRRAAAKKK!
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The cracks getting worse that it finally catch the attention of the house beloved Madrigal. “Casita..? No, no, no...-!” Mirabel panicked as the cracks immediately split the floor into half almost spreading across the town and mountains that were protecting the place, the families gasp as they were startled by the turning tragedy befallen them.
‘The Miracle..!’ Mirabel first instinct wasn't to run and get to safety but to save the candle—their miracle. Ignoring every screams and plead from her parents that desperately try to reach her to get her out, scared to lose their young fifteen years only daughter.
“Casita help me out..!!” Casita obeyed her as the house working itself to help Mirabel get up to reach the candle, admist of the chaos both Camilo and Isabela quickly try to reach the higher ground—to get Mirabel out is their priority. Unfortunately, their door soon breaking down causing them to lose their gift the second they're trying to reach the edges of second floor.
Camilo fall off because he didn't managed to grab the edges as Casita try to catch him using fences of the house to slow the falling and avoiding him from getting fatal injuries, immediately being pushed out of the house using the tiles. “Wait- No!” Casita didn't listen to him at all.
On the other hand, Isabela grabbing the edges of flooring trying to get up as she goes to the ladder that Mirabel climbed before. Mirabel struggle to reach the candle because of the roof she is standing continue to shake and the candle only seemed to add it more from rolling over to the corner.
“Come on...” she snarled as she grow impatient and paranoid from the devastating situation, she felt herself being lifted up slightly as she is taken aback to find Isabela helping her getting the candle. “Get the candle, QUICKLY..!!” Isabela struggle to keep herself steady not when everything around you is anything but a mess and life threatening.
Mirabel finally managed to retrieve the candle as she held it close to her, she turn to see Bruno's tower start to crumble down towards them. “ISA-!” Isabela immediately grab Mirabel as she run for her life down the ladder only to slip and fall hard to the cracking tiles—using her body to protect her younger sister from the impact. Her eyes shot up in horror seeing the tower's rubbles.
“DUCK, MIRABEL!!” Mirabel startled as Isabela pin her down and shield her using her body for the second time, ignoring the agonizing pain she had suffer from the fall. Casita using it's last magic to protect them as it used chairs, closet, and doors to shield them. Every rubbles and tiles including scrapped wood planks hit the furnitures hard as Isabela can feel every forces that the furnitures held back from hitting them.
The forces never end as she try to hold it off, Casita's protection start to tearing down and the scraps start to make their way past the barrier. Some of the wood planks scrapped Isabela's skin, even worse implanted past through her right arm. Blood start to bleed from the wounds and staining her already messy dress and the plank that was implanted deep, she hisses in pain from the wounds and injuries she had bring upon herself but it was worth it if it was for her younger sister.
She startled when she felt one that stabbed through her ribs, tearing her left lungs causing her to struggle to breathe. Mirabel watches in horror as she can smell the metallic fresh blood that was stinging her nostrils with it's awful smell as it stains her colorful embroidered white blouse with red. All of the terrifying disaster finally came to a stop but Mirabel continue to cries endlessly as every shed of tears won't stop the moment the furnitures that was protecting them start to crash down as if saying last farewell from their dear Casita—so does Isabela's body that fall limp into her arms, she no longer cares about the candle not when her sister is dying in front of her from protecting her.
Her breath was shallow as Mirabel plead and beg desperately and hopefully for the florist to stay awake. “Please, Please...Isa..stay with me..please don't...not when everything start to get nicer between us..” her breath hitches and eyes red from the amount of tears falling down endlessly.
The older sister can only give a fragile smile to comfort her but in Mirabel eyes, it send chills down her spine to watch her sister slowly dying in her arms. Who would have thought that today will be Isabela's last day in the world, no one said it would end up like this..not even Bruno told her that there's another detail in future or perhaps they never seen what's the outcome of it. She can't even blame anyone especially not Bruno, she declares herself that she will save the Miracle but yet..
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Why?
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She can't even save it
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It makes her felt worse with her sister's death, why can't she makes anything right? Just when she thinks everything about to turn alright and better..
**
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Isabela awakes only to find herself in a dark empty space, no lights, nothing at all. Just where is this? Is she dead? Aren't she supposed to be in hell? The only place that she deserves to be placed at, she is anything but good itself. She remembers..everything that she done to her poor little sister.
From the snarky remarks and even snapping at her so many times with mean comments, she didn't even do anything..Mirabel doesn't deserve a terrible sister like her. She doesn't deserve Luisa's concern who always look out for her and worries about herself being, she doesn't deserve the love and affection that both of them shower her with.
“I'm such an disappointment..I'm a monster, how could I do such things to Mirabel? Why did I became so ignorant and brush off Luisa as if she annoys me? Why..why...WHY?! WHY AM I LIKE THIS..-!!” She felt frustrated with herself—with her facade, why did she do all that in the past? What makes her think it was the best decision?
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Envy?
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Jealous?
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Jealous of what?
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Her freedom?
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Is she even free from the burden of being Madrigal?
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No...
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Then what are you jealous of?
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No answer, there's no rational answer to it. Nothing can justified her terrible actions, even if the reason is reasonable and acceptable to any rational person..it's still not an good thing to treat your sister like that. If her parents were to found out then would they disowned her? Of course they would, no parents would want a daughter like her who harm and tormented their precious youngest daughter.
It sends shivers down her spine from being reminded of Mirabel's cries and plead, she doesn't remember clearly what happened after her lungs being implanted by the plank. Oh hey, she traumatized from the treatment she give to young Mirabel not her own death..ironic..she's aware of it yet the first thing she felt is guilt and regret of her past mistakes but here she is being the result of her inexcusable and unforgivable actions to that poor child.
She wish she can changes how things were in the past, perhaps she was fated to be the bad guy—the one who hurt her sister and always been selfish, never cared of what the others feeling. Just what makes her turn into this? Into a mold of her facade, her ignorant and selfish self. She never want to admit and will always be, only then she regrets it all after dying without giving a proper apologize to those she wronged—those she hurt with her stupid meaningless gift and heartless words.
**
“Isa..-”
“Isa..-! ”
“Isabe-”
“Isabela..-!! ”
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Suddenly she felt a tang of pain across her ears—no, that doesn't felt right. Wasn't she supposed to be dead? She find herself gasping for air, it felt sick and suffocating deep inside her to even breathe. The clothes on her felt very uncomfortable and sweaty, she doesn't even notice that'd she is covered in sweats and the warmth of her body is anything but actual warm. She hates the coldness, just how much it reminds her of her loneliness and the bitter memories.
Her hands gripping the sheet of her bed—Wait..what? She immediately get up as she finally came to a realization, why is she in her bedroom...? Was it all a dream? No, no, that felt too real to call it a nightmare. She needs to get a glass of water to calm herself, her body felt weak and dehydrated after she wake up. She tries getting off from her bed only to almost fall from it, she was confused.
Since when the distance from her bed to the floor became so high?
What makes the matter worse is when she finally noticed her small body, she immediately rush over to see her reflection on the mirror. Only to see her younger self, roughly around the age of 11 to 12 if she correctly remembered. Just what is going on actually? Sure, she knows well that her family is magical but she didn't know it will be as far to this extend..
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Time Travel..
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Just what kind of sick joke is this...?!