Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The police arrived with an ambulance for the people who fainted.

"It's the most darn thing principal Moreno, no one saw anything or anyone that might have done this," The chief tells her.

"Ah, excuse me, chief, but one of the boys found some wood on the floor, and it may require some experts." The officer shows them a piece of rotten wood. "We think it might be the reason for the hole in the building."

"Oh, my word. That looks so- Officers, I swear I always have the buildings up to code, I..."

"I wouldn't worry so much, ma'am. Sometimes, molds and termites have a way of getting in without anyone noticing."

"Indeed, I had a buddy incubating a mold in his house for 13 years with no notice until it screwed with the plumbing. Good thing the plumber came when they did."

"Yeah, you'd have to have X-ray vision just to spot it."

"Or super hearing."

Ernie overhears the officers with his friends and turns to Zano and Lao Shi. "Why didn't you say something, man?"

"Because I don't have echolocation and no one can hear mold," Zano retorts in a low tone. "And last I checked, my job included helping the new dragon to keep the peace in the San Angel's Magic community, not school maintenance."

"At least no one was hurt and the choir will be heading back next week," Mirabel pointed out, behind them, a chunk of the building fell, making the hole wider. "Though something tells me Miss Dunbar will need to find a new place to hold her plays."

"The school year is almost ending, I doubt she'd put on anything with so little time." Another crash was heard.

“Oh! I hope the school is insured for this?” Nell pondered.

[Location: San Angel Arts Academy staff room: Midday]

"What do you mean, the academy’s bankrupt?" One of the teachers exclaimed.

"How could that happen?" The music teacher asked.

"Due to the unexpected mold damaging the theater, I had to get a thorough inspection done, which led to mold extraction. While the insurance covers the repairs, the mold removal was more than expected for our budget. We may need to cut losses to departments, faculty, and staff just to stay afloat." The teachers cried in outrage at the idea.

"Why not start with mythology?! That class is no place for education."

"I'll have you know myths provide great lessons to learn and are key to glimpsing into the past of histories where paranoia ruled!"

"You speak of leprechauns and vampires!"

"Vampires have been rumored to be-” 

"Enough! Unless someone comes up with 90,000 pesos, this academy will be shut down!"

"But shouldn't we get a chance to raise the money?" asked Zano’s grandmother, Donna Rivera.

"Fine. I'll give you five days."

"For 90,000 pesos? We need at least a month or two." She retorts.

"ONE week." The principal bargains.

"3 Weeks.” Donna bids.

"Two and a half weeks."

"Deal!” Donna and the principal shake hands.

"Fine. Unless you raise 90,000 pesos in two days, San Angel Arts Academy will be shut down and we’ll all be out of a job!”

“Should we get the students involved?”

“It’s their education on the line. So yes. I already sent their parents a letter.”

[Location: San Angel, Mexico: Sock hop: 3:00 p.m.]

After the students got the word from their parents about the school, some were worried, and others saw it as an early vacation. “No more school? Cool beans!” Ernie changes out of his school outfit and into his surfer outfit, “I'm Free!” he tries to run, but Nell holds him back. "Not so fast, Nature Boy!” she pulls him back into the booth.

“No School now means Summer School later. Summer School later means no summer vacation.” Nell explains.

"Uh-oh. That means no more sleeping past 10, no more TV shows, and no more beach parties."

“Exactly, we've got to come up with a way to raise that money,” Zano said. “Otherwise, our summer of fun is history.”

“How can we raise 90,000 pesos in two weeks?”

“We can get jobs?” Ernie suggested

“Good plan, but I think we need something quicker, man?” Lao Shi said. “Why not a fundraiser? It worked for Ernie’s grandad at the church.”

“That’s true, but what can we do to get people to donate to our cause aside from the goodness of their heart?” Mirabel concludes.

“A car wash?” Xander suggested.

“Pet wash?” Ernie suggested.

The scene changes to the students washing cars. The turnout was good, but some ended up washing donkeys instead, which led to Ernie’s idea of a pet wash. Which soon turns into a circus. In the next scene, the students are having a bake sale with help from their parents and teachers, but it turns ugly when two moms criticize each other's baked goods. The students tried to break it up, but chaos ensued again.

[Location: Sock hop]

“Well, that was a disaster,” Zano comments, removing an ice pack from his face, revealing a black eye.

"I can't believe Nana Carter packed such a nasty punch," Ernie said, bewildered.

"Neither did I," Nell added, surprised at her grandmother. 

"And I thought the car/pet wash was a disaster," Daniela stated.

“Good thing Antonio was able to calm the pets down,” Camilo said. "Otherwise, some of us would be in the hospital."

"Speak for yourself," Zano said, removing the ice pack to reveal a black eye.

“So how much did we and the other students make to save the school?” Mirabel asks Xander who counts the cash.

“Pretty good, but we’re still 78,500 pesos short of our goal.” Everyone groans at the news.

“Don’t worry, guys, we still have two weeks left, and I’m sure the teachers have come up with a third of the money by now,” Mirabel said.

“Uh, not so much Miraboo after a bit of a disagreement, the teachers have been at odds. They only manage to collect 2000 pesos.” A red-haired waitress who attended their school, named Martha, told them as she handed over the money.

“Okay, so we now have 13,500 pesos.”

“Make that 13,700. I put in my tips this week to help.”

“Thank you, Martha. And the teachers may be out, but we can still raise the rest in 14 days.”

“Mirabel to reach our goal, we’d have to make 5,450 pesos a day.”

“We barely made half that amount in three,” Zano pointed out, losing hope. 

“We'd better come up with something else. Fast, or we're all transferring to different schools or summer school."

"Or both?"

“Man, I’m telling you we had better luck raising money with the choir than this,” Camilo stated.  

{Marching Band starts playing a sad tune}

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. No, no, no, no, no. Stop the music!" Zano said, making the band stop. "This is not some musical theater production where people break out into corny songs and phony dances and everything works out in the end."

"That's it! That's how we can raise the money! You, me, all our friends, the whole school! We'll put on a musical!" Mirabel says making the students perk up in the hope.

“Mirabel, who would pay to see us put on a musical?” Zano questions.

“Well, last Sunday the pastor did say the donation bin was full after our last performances with you guys in our youth choir,” Nell said, pointing to Mirabel, Zano, and the band kids.

“Most of the people there are our parents, and I’m pretty sure Principal Derceto asked them for help already,” He said. “Besides, what would we know about putting on a musical that’s Miss Dunbar’s and Mr. Ascendo’s department?”

“Then let’s ask them.”

“Uh, that might be hard, Hun. Both are the ones that are mad at each other,” Martha informed her.

“Well then, maybe we can do a showcase instead where all the students show off their talents.”

“Like a benefit concert!” Kelsi concluded.

“Exactly and once Miss Dunbar hears our idea, I’m sure she’ll be willing to…”

[Location: Academy Theatre Department]

“No.”

“But Señora Dunbar, we need all the teachers on board to get this show on track.”

“I understand, but I am not in a good headspace to be working with those divas at the moment. The children always, them? No.”

“Okay, how about when students from each department come to audition for timeslots, you come for yours without interacting with the other two.” The drama teacher thinks for a moment.

“Do we have your support on this?”

“Very well, Ms. Madrigal, sign me up.”

“Great!”

Mirabel, Zano, Camilo, and Kelsi are sitting at a table in front of the stage with the teachers, waiting for the auditions to start.

"So who's up first?"

"The twins," Kelsi read.

[UP-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING]

♪ WE ARE YOU TWO SINGING TO YOU ♪

♪ WHAT SHALL WE DO? ♪

[COMPUTERIZED VOICE]
♪ YOU TWO ♪

♪ YOU TWO ♪

Zano: Next.
Mirabel: Next

Martha comes on stage wearing an escaramuza outfit.
♪ IT'S CREAMER FOR YOUR COFFEE ♪
♪ AND YOUR PIG FEET STEW ♪

♪ I MAY JUST BE A WAITRESS, BUT I GOT A TIP FOR YOU ♪
♪ I'M GONNA BE A STAR! ♪

Mirabel: Thank you, NEXT.

Zano: NEXT.

♪ THIS SONG'S ABOUT KUZCO ♪

♪ AND HERE'S THE BIG NEWS-CO ♪

♪ IF EVER I HAD TO CHOOSE-CO ♪

♪ I'D ALWAYS CHOOSE KUZCO ♪

"NEXT."

A student dressed as a flamenco dancer plays the guitar.

♪ OUR LOVE IS LIKE A WET VULTURE DROWNING
IN ITS OWN TEARS ♪

♪ OUR LOVE IS LIKE A SPICY DINNER SPECIAL ♪

♪ AT THE CLEAN BUT MODERATELY PRICED DINER ♪

Two girls blow the trumpets as he strums his guitar.

♪ OUR LOVE IS LIKE A POORLY-WRITTEN LOVE SONG ♪

♪ SCRAWLED ON A WET NAPKIN MINUTES BEFORE GOING ONSTAGE ♪

Mirabel and Kelsi just look shocked.
Zano: "AH, NEXT!"

♪ YOU SEE ME IN THE CLASSROOM

♪ WHERE I'M TEACHING BRATS
ALL DAY ♪

[BLAAT]

♪ BUT I TAKE OFF MY SUIT AS SOON AS I CAN GET AWAY ♪

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

♪ 'CAUSE DRESSING LIKE A MONKEY ♪

EEP EEP!

♪ IS THE WAY I LIKE TO PLAY ♪

Mirabel and Zano cover their faces, "OH! NEXT!"

“UGH. PLEASE, NEXT.” Camilo adds.

♪ LA LA LA
LA LA LA ♪

♪ LA LA LA
LA LA LA ♪

 All: NEXT.

“Aww. Everybody stinks.” Kelsi facepalms.

“How can students from a performing arts school have low singing skills?” Lao Shi asked.

“Most of the vocal majors got laryngitis, and half the theatre kids who can carry a tune are still recovering their voices from the last school musical,” Xavier explained.

“No wonder we had a low turnout at auditions,” Mirabel concluded. “I thought they were all coming up with a group act.”

“And the decent ones that were approved aren’t long enough to be considered a concert.” Daniela pointed out.

“We're doomed.”

“If by "doomed," you mean "saved," yes. I've got it all figured out. You be the hottie hot lead girl.” Lao Shi points to Daniela.

“Me? Ohh. That's so sweet.”

“And then I will play the romantic manly man lead. You, me, a big final kiss— People will pay to see that. And... a star is born!”

“We're doomed.”

“I think we should have Mirabel and Zano perform with their family. You guys killed it at the holiday concert.” Nell said to her friends.

“No thanks, I’ve had enough singing and dancing this year to last a lifetime,” Zano declines.

“Besides, our families are busy with wedding preparations and dealing with family revelations,” Mirabel says.

“Then we’ll have you and Camilo since Zano is resolved to sit out,” Xander points to him, but Zano waves him off.

“Again, we’re doomed.”

“No, we're not, y'all. I was talking to Cuxi, who was talking to Rica — she had just dumped her honey — but he knows a guy who gives haircuts to the stars. They're actually super cute."

“Get to the point!” Nell demanded Martha.

“I found our headliner!”

“Who?”

The crowd buzzes with anticipation, the atmosphere electric as the voice on the P.A. crackles to life. “Now arriving at corral 3, the voice of cool himself, the teen megastar of all teen megastars, Dirk Brock!” The moment his name is said, the crowd erupts in a wave of cheers and applause, a frenzied chorus of excitement.

“SING FOR US, DIRK!”

“Oh. Um, this is so unexpected, I'm not prepared,” Dirk stammers. A guitar is tossed toward him, and he instinctively catches it, his fingers poised over the strings. “Are you ready?” the crowd roars, girls squealing in delight, their hearts syncing with the rhythm of the event. “Come on!” he pleads, his charisma lighting up the stage. “LET'S BROCK!”

With a dramatic flourish, he flings the guitar aside and begins to dance, the pulse of the music radiating through him. " I won’t take her to Granite, m y Heart is not a Stone. If I can get A little Bolder, I might hold her as my own." The crowd sways as Dirk’s voice fills the air, powerful and magnetic. "Like a Parrot and a Falcon, the ripple burned my soul. So, listen to my sentimental, Hollow Rock And Roll!" he sang. " Everybody, Let's Brock!"

♪ Everybody, Let's Brock ♪

A choir of girls chimes in, "Young rockers!"

A choir of girls chimes in, their voices lifting higher and higher: ♪ HE LIKES TO BROCK! ♪ 

“Whoa!” Dirk shouts, feeding off their energy. 

♪ SHE LIKES TO BROCK! ♪ 

“She’s BROCKING!” he counters playfully, and the harmony envelopes them. 

♪ I LIKE TO BROCK! ♪ 

“Yeah, I do!” he throws back with a wink. 

The crowd can’t get enough, and together they roar: ♪ WE LIKE TO BROCK, LET'S BROCK! ♪ 

“STOP!” Dirk commands, and the music comes to a halt. He gestures towards three girls at the front of the stage—Daniela, Nell Kelsi, and Mirabel, their eyes wide with disbelief and excitement. 

♪ Don't Brock the Boat Now, Baby ♪

♪ We're solid as a Brock ♪

♪ So Get On Out Of That Rocking Chair ♪

♪ And, Everybody, Let's Brock ♪

Whoo!

The crowd bursts back into action, and Dirk’s infectious smile amplifies their exhilaration. 

“Yeah, Baby! Yeah, Baby!” he cheers, and the playful energy spirals around the arena. 

♪ Llamas Like Too! ♪ 

“Baa!” one enthusiastic llama bleats, 

♪ Squirrels Like To! ♪ 

Giggles erupt from the audience, the joy palpable. ♪ Mamas Like To! ♪ 

“I can dig it,” said Donna.

♪ Girls Like To! ♪

Girls squeal in excitement.

“Break It Down Now!” 

As he shimmies lower, the crowd mimics his moves, a mass of young energy cascading into one shared moment. 

♪ Go Lower ♪ 

♪ Go Lower ♪ 

♪ We Hit Rock Bottom! ♪ 

The audience chimes in, unified as they raise the roof: ♪ Everybody, Let's Brock! ♪ 

“Come On, Baby!” 

“Yeah, Girl!” Dirk’s charm resonates, and the excitement swells as the beat builds again. 

♪ All The Girls, Say Brock! ♪ 

♪ Brock! ♪ 

♪ All the Guys Say Roll! ♪ 

♪ Roll! ♪ 

Brock leans into the mic, voice smooth as silk. 

♪ He Likes to Brock ♪ 

“Bam!” 

♪ She Likes to Brock ♪ 

“Bam!” 

♪ I Like to Brock! ♪ 

“Whoo-Hoo!” 

♪ We Like To ♪ 

♪ BROCK! ♪

“Yeah, is it just me, or were there only, like, three lyrics in that song?” Camilo points out.

“It’s not just you,” Zano replies. "But I got to hand it to him, it's catchy."

“He's perfect! With Dirk Brock, the academy is as good as saved. He's just so dreamy,” Nell says with a sigh.

“Dreamy does sell tickets,” Ernie states.

“Which we don’t have yet,” Lao Shi points out.

“But we will,” Nell added.

“Yeah, is it just me, or were there only, like, three lyrics in that song?” Camilo points out.

“It’s not just you,” Zano replies. "But I got to hand it to him, it's catchy."

“He's perfect! With Dirk Brock, the academy is as good as saved. He's just so dreamy,” Nell says with a sigh.

“Dreamy does sell tickets,” Ernie states.

“Which we don’t have yet,” Lao Shi points out.

“But we will,” Nell added.

The students are getting everything set up. Mirabel and the design students are working on everyone's outfits for the showcase. Camilo and Xander are helping Ms. Dunbar with the drama kids' acts. Kelsi is the acting liaison for the Music and Drama teacher. Nell is with the stage crew, getting everything set up. Lao Shi and Ernie are on ticket sales, which turns into a blowout. Lucky for them, Dirk Brock gave the boys his bodyguards for crowd control. Zano is helping his grandmother with the dance routines and helping with Music and tech. Everything is going well, except Zano had to leave early.

"Zano, where are you going?" Mirabel asked as the white-haired boy began to pack up his stuff.

"Practice. I had to bail out a lot and had to catch up solo, but the team is giving me one last chance to prove I'm ready for the big game." He explains.

"Okay, but you're still going to help us with the play, right?"

"Of course," He looks at the time, "I've got to now! See ya later! Come on, E! Nell!"

"On it!" Both friends rush out alongside him.

"Okay, so what just happened with those three?" Camilo asked, pointing at the exiting trio. "Zano, Nell, and Ernie are on the same team and had to leave for practice," Mirabel replies.

"What team is that for?" Lao Shi asks.

"I don't know."

"I do. They are prepping for the annual academic decathlon. Students form a team, join the USAD International Program, and prepare to compete! International participation is based on the USAD curriculum and standards." Xander explains.

"So has Zano, Nell, and Ernie's team ever won?" Inquired Mirabel.

"They've come close, but this year was supposed to be the year, but since one of them has been flaking off, it looks like they'll be down eight members," Kelsi mentions.

"Unless Zano can prove his head is still in the game, the team may need to find a replacement."

"And Zano's academic career in science will hit a snag."

As everyone returns to work, Mirabel looks down with guilt in her eyes, "I hope they'll be okay."

The science teacher enters the room with the students. He turns to see Zano and gives an unimpressed look as he hands over a sheet to the trio to fill out.

Zano and his friends are now seen writing on their papers as the teacher looks at a stopwatch.

"Done!"

"Done!" 

The teacher collects their papers, and the seven team members help him grade them quickly. “Carter and Montez, you're still on. Señor Sanchez, despite having missed practice, you still qualify to compete with us this year again.”

“I promise I won’t let the team down.”

“Then I suggest we go over our notes and prep.”

The team runs drills. The players pass the notes to each other. They shoot questions. Two players rotate around each other as they pull out textbooks and quick steps. A player snatches a spinning globe off another's finger. Zano takes the lead as the team continues to practice. The team gathers around Zano to join the song. They break apart, continuing to throw questions across the room and sing. Ernie shoots a basket.

Chapter Text

'So many voices so little time I wonder which one will it be?’ The mysterious figure thought from an alleyway. 

“You should have seen it! Here in our village, Dirk Brock!” [girls scream] “He was all singing and everything! People were screaming. I think he looked at me. I blacked out, but I'm sure that he ended with his signature move, boom, bam, boom!”

“Ohh. Those kids may actually raise 90,000 pesos to save the school!"

“More like 90 million!”

Hearing the adult's conversation, the figure grows intrigued, “Mm interesting…”

Dirk: ♪ Everybody, Let's Brock ♪

♪ Everybody, Let's Brock ♪

♪ Don't Just Stand And Gawk ♪

♪ No Gawkers ♪

♪ Everybody ♪

♪ Let's Brock! ♪

♪ He Likes To Brock! ♪
♪ Whoa ♪

♪ She Likes To Brock ♪

Yeah!

We like to Brock! Let's Brock!

Daniela, Mirabel, and Kelsi clapped for the star and the students performing with him, “That was amazing, guys!”

“We want to thank you again for doing this, Señor Brock,” Mirabel says to him.

“Please call me Brock, it is my actual first name, and there's no need to thank me, I'm always down to support the arts. That's probably why our friend Marisol was the one who gave me the call.”

“Wait, Marisol? As in Marisol Espanola?” Nell asked him.

“Yeah, when she heard about the school’s situation, she wanted to go home to help, but she was overbooked. So, I volunteered.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, from all the stories she told me about San Angel and your school. It sounded like a quaint yet magical place to be after a long tour,” he replied.

“Yeah, magical... Excuse us,” Mirabel, Nell, and Daniela went to the empty bathroom to talk.

Nell spoke first, “Okay, so Marisol sent Dirk Brock to help us. Does that make him a potential hunter?”

“If he has the dragon birthmark? Yes,” Daniela replied.

“We'd better tell Sensei and the others,” Mirabel sighed, not liking where this would lead.

“Let’s hope Zany is in a good listening mood.” 

Inside Kaiba's shop, the girls had just finished telling the boys about Dirk Brock. "SHE WHAT?!" Zano exclaimed loudly.

"Cool it, Z. We don't know if Dirk Brock is a huntsman like Marisol," Nell pointed out.

"At least not without any proof."

Zano headed for the door. "Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go and-"

"No!" Kaiba said, blocking his path, "This matter is to be handled by the new dragon apprentice and Master." 

"But, Sensei, he could-"

"As long as you are vigilant and together, you'll be fine. Now that you six have been great at holding up the mantle, you should now worry about other things, such as your showcase and upcoming decathlons. Promise me you'll let others handle the investigation of Dirk Brock until we are asked for assistance."

"Hai Sensei." They all agreed, but Zano still had his reservations.

The next day at the theater, things took an unexpected turn for the school.

“Lost his voice?! But he's Dirk Brock. Without the voice of cool, we'll never save the school. Huh. Sort of rhymes." Nell pointed out.

"Maybe no one will find out?" 

"Um, y'all, everybody found out. Guess one of the hundreds of people I told must have spilled the beans."

"How did this even happen? His voice was fine yesterday." Mirabel inquired.

"No one knows. Not even Dirk. One minute he was signing an autograph and the next his voice disappeared."

"Hmm? What did the person who asked for an autograph say?" Camilo asked.

"Nothing, he left before we even noticed Dirk lost his voice," Kelsi replied as Dirk Brock started scribbling on a piece of paper. "Well, did you try to contact him outside of work?"

"That's the thing no one knows who he was, or if he was a local." Martha pointed out.

"Can you all describe him? Maybe he's still around.”

"He had Red hair in braids and very tan skin."

"and sunglasses."

Once they were done, Dirk Brock gave Mirabel a picture he had drawn of the random guy, wearing sunglasses and a shell necklace, along with his name. 

"Hope you get answers with that, but we better take Dirk to the teachers and see if we can try to salvage this mess," Kelsi said as she and the others left with Dirk.

Xander, Nell, Lao Shi, Camilo, and Daniela look at the picture closely over Mirabel's shoulders. 

"What's up, Dee?" Camilo asked the focused sirena. "There's something familiar about this guy’s bling." 

Later the group, headed to the computer lab with Zano and Ernie to look into Daniela's hunch and try to find a cure for Dirk's voice, "Bingo! The voice stealing conch." Ernie told the team.

"Oh, I heard of this one. It belonged to Ursula, the sea witch." Mushu said from the communicator.

"Sea witch like the one from the Little Mermaid Story?" Zano questions.

"Oh, it was no story. Ursula was the sister of Triton and daughter of Poseidon." Daniela signals Xander to project an image of the Little Mermaid story. "Triton received the trident while Ursula received the magic Nautilus shell. Though the two meant to rule the seas together, Ursula's greed and use of dark magic to usurp Triton led to her banishment, but her power plans remained. She made a deal with Triton's youngest daughter and used her to take the throne. She almost succeeded but was stopped by the princess and her boyfriend." Daniela told them, "Anyone in the seven seas knows that story by heart, but the shell was believed to be lost for centuries, like Taranushi's Chalice."

"Well, someone found it and used it to take Dirk Brock's voice," Xander concluded, "Which means it can only be returned with the shell."

"Okay, so we find the guy, switch the necklace, and give Dirk his voice back," Camilo said.

"And take it back if Dirk is on Marisol's hunting party," Zano said.

"Focus Z, saving the school, and preventing a magic disaster takes precedence over a maybe hunter any day," Mirabel pointed out.

"And lucky for us, the EMF device works for all magical energies; we'll be done in no time." Lao Shi adds.

Mushu clears his throat to catch their attention, "Uh, guys, I just got a call from your family and..." 

[Sanchez residence: kitchen 3:30 pm]

"Luna lost her voice?!" Mirabel and Zano exclaimed.

"Yes, one minute she was playing with her friends and the next she couldn't speak. I took her to the doctor, but he said her throat was healthy and could not figure out why she couldn't speak," Maria explained.

"Same with Dirk Brock." Mirabel pointed out. Zano nodded and turned to his sister, "Luna, can you tell us what you were doing before you lost your voice, and if a guy with a shell necklace was around when it happened?" Luna nodded and signed that she was singing a silly song with her friends, and there were a lot of grown-ups walking by, but they didn't notice their jewelry. "Well, can you confirm if this guy looks familiar?" He showed her the drawing, and she nodded, and she said, "Wow! That's the redheaded man who walked past us playing. How did you know?"

"Because this guy did the same to Dirk Brock and now he's made it personal by dragging you in," Zano replied. "I'm not going to rest until I find that guy and..."

"Zano, I know you're upset and have a right to be, but we have to be logical about this. If we come magic guns blazing, we may cause more problems than necessary," Mirabel tells him. “The guy could be clueless about what this shell is doing to people, and we’d be risking the magical community.

"and get chewed out by the dragon council," Camilo added. "Plus, you wouldn't want to accuse an innocent person of something out of their control, right?"

"Right, but we also don't know if this guy is innocently obvious about his actions; he could have still been after Dirk's voice and got Luna by accident."

Bruno stopped eating, and his eyes glowed. “Uh oh.”

“Uncle Bruno, did you just get a vision?” Camilo asked.

“Yes, and it’s about the Merman you’re looking for.”

“Merman?!”

“Yup, and from what I saw, he isn't going to make getting the shell any easier.”

“Great, so not only is our thief a merman, but he knows what he was doing with it and how to use it,” Zano concluded.

“You know most people would be happy about being right,” Camilo said.

“Most people don't have to deal with two aquatic villains in one year, and with that shell, he's going to be a bigger pain to stop than Vicki.”

“At least we'll be able to find this guy with the EMF device." Mirabel turns to her uncle, "Uncle, did you see anything else in your vision that we should be wary of?”

“Just keep your voices covered. Oh, and check for any music venues with female acts I saw him by those but it was out in the open I think.”

"You think?"

"Well, the stage appeared to be outdoors, but shops surrounded it..."

"I think we know where to look, thanks to Tîo." Mirabel hugs him as she and the boys head out to join the rest of their team.

"Be back by dinner or call to tell us you're going to be late!" Maria shouted to them.

[ Shopping Plaza]

After reconvening with Lao Shi, Dani, Xavier, Nell, and Ernie, to inform Kiba, Thrall's mentor and the dragon master, of what they learned and knew, they headed to the plaza first.

Lao Shi looks at his EMF meter, which is blinking. "Looks like your Uncle was right, we got some mondo sea magic readings around here," he says into a walkie-talkie.

"So now what do we do wait for the merman to show up during the performance or do we go after him before?" Camilo asked.

"The merman is looking for a female voice, right? So, we'll give him exactly that."

Cam, Lao Shi, Sensei, and Ernie looked at the glasses-wearing Madrigal, all of them confused. "Huh?"

"She means we use Daniela singing as bait," Zano replied. "What?!" Daniel exclaimed.

"Not alone. I'd be singing too, and if anyone should run the risk of losing their voice, it might as well be one of us since we'd know what's up and how to get it back."

"Besides, you're a Sirena, your voice is like gold to a voice thief," Ernie told her. "I assume."

"Yeah, but what if the figures out what I am and uses the conch to escape?"

"Which brings up another thought why don't you use your powers to get him to surrender?" Zano asked. "Less risk of him doing that."

"Because it doesn't work on mermaids," Daniela sighed.

"Really? Even the males?"

"Yes, mermaids are one of several sea creatures who were immune to our songs."

"Then let's hope he likes mine or Miraboo's more because we'll be singing with you," Nell assures the girl.

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's like Sensei said, we have to work together, and it gives you a 2/3 chance of not losing your voice," Mirabel added.

"Then we should get you signed up," Kaiba said.

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a last-minute sign-in, give it up for the girls of MND!”

Zano starts playing the guitar as Daniela sings.

Daniela stepped forward, her voice clear and melodic, captivating everyone around her.  “You can breathe in the music the city makes,” she sang, the passion evident in her tone. 

Mirabel joined in, her voice a perfect blend, “Move to the rhythm the mariachis play.” 

Nell's voice floated in next, bringing a surge of energy. “Deep inside, it comes alive.” 

There was a magnetic presence in their performance—every word felt like it painted the vivid essence of San Angel. 

“There is a whisper that feeds your soul,” Mirabel sang, her eyes twinkling as she connected with the audience. 

“Words so beautiful like a Spanish rose,” Daniela added, her passion simmering just below the surface. 

“'Til you’re hypnotized, that’s when you've arrived,” Nell finished, each note wrapped in confidence.

With invigorating rhythm, Daniela led them all, “You’ve got to strut like you mean it! Free your mind! It's not enough to dream it! Come on, come on, get up!” 

The crowd erupted in cheers, some even dancing along to the infectious energy. 

“When you feel it, it’s your chance to shine!” they sang collectively, their voices merging in a harmonious blend. 

“Strut like you mean it! Come on, come on, come on!” 

As Zano ripped through an exhilarating guitar solo, Nell stepped front and center, her voice echoing through the plaza. “Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, yeah!” she sang, weaving magic into the air. The audience swayed, fully immersed in the performance. 

“Pounding the pavement, kicking through the streets,” Nell continued, her energy electrifying. 

“Wander like Picasso in the San Angelic heat,” Daniela chimed in, her rhythm in perfect sync with the pulsating heart of the city. 

“Passion is the fashion, and life is poetry,” Mirabel sang, commanding the stage with her radiant presence. “Welcome to another world where every heart can beat, oh!” 

As they surged into the chorus, the crowd became part of the performance itself, their voices an echoing backdrop. 

“Get a different tempo, there’s never a wrong one! Building to a crescendo, you know the journey’s just begun!” Their voices soared, inviting everyone to join in the celebration of life and music.

“You’ve got to strut like you mean it! Free your mind! It’s not enough to dream it! Come on, come on, get up!” 

The performance reached its peak, and the unity of sound and spirit enveloped the entire audience. 

“Hey, feel the flow,” Nell urged, her eyes shining with the thrill of the moment. 

“When you just can’t move no more, the city wants to show you something,” Mirabel beckoned, their passion igniting the hearts around them. 

“Something good is coming!” they sang, their harmony intoxicating. 

As the last notes faded, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause, each person caught in the spell of the girls’ performance. 

As the girls sing the final chorus, Zano joins in.

“¡Bienvenidos! Esto es mi sueño!” Zano exclaimed, his voice ringing victorious. “¡Siganme y descubran mi Ciudad!”

The crowd cheers once the girls are done, and they head off stage. "That was amazing!"

"Yeah!" 

"Any sign of the MIT?"

"MI-What?"

'"Merman in trouble." Ernie explained.

"Oh. No, we didn't see him, and we walked by every row in the crowd," Mirabel informed.

"Maybe he found someone, hey!" Camilo points to a hooded figure, but before the group can approach, they are surrounded by their new fans, who are asking for autographs.   

In the chaos, the merman cast the spell and stole one of the girl’s voices. "Hey!" Zano exclaimed that the merman had run away. "Whose voice did he steal?" Camilo asked.

"Check later, right now we need to lose the crowd and go after him!" Lao Shi. Pointed out.

"I got this!" Daniela uses her magic and has the crowd leave them alone and chase after the rogue merman.

"That's useful," Camilo commented as he and the others ran to join the dazed crowd in chasing the merman.

"I thought you weren't supposed to use your powers on humans?" Zano asked the sirena as they made their way outside the plaza.

"There's an exception for magical emergencies and the nautilus shell counts!" Daniela replied as they reached the waterfront, "There he is!"

The eight teens surrounded the merman, who was blocked from the waterfront by the controlled mob. "Go away. You have no idea what you're dealing with!" the redhead merman pleaded.

"He sounds like Dirk Brock," Ernie commented.

"Dude you used a magical artifact to steal my little sister's voice I think you're the one who's clueless," Zano commented as Lao Shi and Camilo transformed.

"Dragons?!"

"Yeah, and we don't appreciate it when someone messes with our friends and family," Camilo declared.

“If you are a dragon, you’d understand why I had to do this,” the merman said, a flicker of regret in his tone. "But then again, why bother when you ally with a Mermaid!"

"Sirena!" Daniela corrected.

"Spare me the technicalities, you're just a mermaid with pointy ears and the ability to control people. I'm just lucky I'm one of the few races that are immune to your tricks!"

"Wait a sec, aren’t you a merman?" Nell asked.

In an instant, the thief dropped his disguise; his skin turned purple, and his hair turned white. The teens were shocked, but what got their attention most was that his lower half had transformed into writhing tentacles.

“An Octopian!” a voice suddenly declared as a net shot out, ensnaring the Octopian man. “A half-man, half-cephalopod! Incredible!”

“Professor Van Helsing! What are you doing here?” Zano exclaimed.

"Same as you, it seems. I came to get Dirk Brock's voice back, though I was expecting someone in the siren or fish category, this is a nice change, too. Wait, are those Dragons?" he asked, pointing to dragon Camilo and Lao Shi.

With his back turned, the Octopian used his tentacles to capture the Professor, using him as leverage. "Ahh!"

"Hey! Let him go, he's just a teacher who needs a hobby!" Ernie pleads.

"I know about the Van Helsings, so don't even try! Or else!" he tightens his grip around the man.

"No deal!" Lao Shi charges for attacking, but the Octopian dodges and uses the Chinese dragon's claws to break the net. Once ready to strike again, Lao Shi noticed his mistake. "Thanks for the help, Dragon." The tentacled man then used the shell to summon the water around them to blast at the team, causing Daniela's legs to turn into a fin. Kaiba and the other mentors arrived, but the Octopian hit them with a toxin that rendered them immobile. Lao Shi, Ernie, and Camilo turned stiff with them.

"NO!" Xander cries out in distress at his mentor's state. "You Monster!" Daniel holds him back from attacking.

“If I have to steal voices to protect my family, then so be it!” the Octopian insisted vehemently.

"What does stealing voices have to do with your family's safety? You have the shell!" Camilo pointed out. Daniela used this distraction to tell Xander to use a spell to get the necklace from the Octopian.

"I wouldn't expect a big mouth like you to understand!" He threw Van Hellsing to the teens, "NO!" Zano catches the professor amidst the distraction of the octopian field and throws it into the ocean. The others try to stop him, but Mirabel, Nell, and Xander lose him at sea. 

Daniela goes further, "I'm going after him!"

"Daniela, no, we need to stick together, remember!" Nell said.

"And find an antidote for the others." Ernie pointed out.

"But by that time, he could be halfway across the world, and we may never hear Dirk Brock, Luna, or Mirabel's voices again."

"Wait, Mirabel lost her voice?" Zano asked, stepping away from an unconscious Van Helsing to stand next to her.

"Considering Nell and I can still talk, yeah, he took hers, and now we need to get it back, otherwise the others won't be able to move for a while," Daniela replies as Mirabel nods.

"At least we know why he took the voices now. He needs them to protect his family." Camilo commented, still frozen in place.

"Why he needs voices instead of the shell alone is beyond me, but he seemed sincere in his rant," Xander said. "For a cold-blooded thief."

"Well, we can ask him when we catch up to him," Daniela said impatiently.

"Hold your fins, superfish, we don't even know how to catch an Octopian, let alone where to find them?" Zano argued.

"I do, and all we need is in the ocean."

"But what about the others? We can't just leave them like this," Nell pointed out.

"That's true, and Daniela, you still have the masses at your command."

"Oh, right, I better release them," Daniela says.

"After Nell helps Mirabel move the stiffs into the transporter to Sensei's shop," Zano added.

"What?! But Zany, Mirabel's voice was taken, shouldn't she be the one to go with you to get it?" Mirabel nodded at Nell's inquiry.

"Nell, we need someone to inform our parents and cover for us at school, and Mirabel, you wouldn't be able to communicate underwater with us. We gave up the mind reader helmet, and I don't recall you being fluent in ASL or SSL."

Mirabel looked down and nodded, understanding that right now she needed to be somewhere else. "Look, if I had to go deep-sea diving for a squid, man, you'd be the first one on my list."

She perked up at his words. "Enough! Are we going or not? Because Xavier and I can handle this just fine on our own."

"I'm coming, but we’re going to need a boat and some diving gear," Zano tells her.

"Leave that to me," Xander said, conjuring a small boat.

[Location: San Angel Theater]

Thanks to Julieta’s cooking, Kaiba and Mr. Thrall are unfrozen, along with Lao Shi, Camilo, and Ernie, who are with Nell and Mirabel, looking for temporary replacements for Dirk Brock until they can return his voice. At the same time, the mentors leave to inform the order about the octopian.

Nell’s grandma walks in, “Nell, honey, I got a replacement for Dirt Rock.”

“Dirk Brock, grandma.”

“Whatever, anyway, the replacement I have in mind is your Aunt Kitty.”

“Aunt Kitty isn’t as well known to the town as Dirk, and isn’t she a bit busy with her career?” Nell rubs her neck.

“She’s stopping by, she can sing, and she’s family. You can either have a show with a small celebrity or no celebrity.”

Nell, Kelsi, and Mirabel all shared a look.

They made arrangements to change the opening act. "Filling in for Dirk Brock, Miss Kitty? Who?" asked Kesi.

"Ugh. Let's go. Who wants to hear some random lady singing?" said a random classmate.

“Quieter than a library in a graveyard,” said Martha from the ticket booth.

Lao Shi sighs, “So much for saving the school. Let's hope they get the voices back in time.”

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

Back with Zano, Daniela, and Xander, they tried to find the Octopian but then got caught up with the Mermaid City Police Department and had to spend the night being questioned. Once they informed the Chief, they sent out an APB for the individual; however, they wouldn’t let the trio leave, as this was their jurisdiction. But that didn’t stop them.

“I can’t believe we spent the night at an underwater police department. The Octopian’s probably gone by now,” Zano groaned as Daniela and Xander rode seahorses in haste.

“Not to worry, according to the EMF, our misnamed friend is still around,” Xander informs them.

“Misnamed?”

“Well, yes, Octopuses have eight tentacles, and that fellow only had six.”

“I think the arms are supposed to count as eight limbs, Xander.”

“But Tentacles don’t have bones, so surely they can’t…”

“Quite!” Zano shushed them into silence.  “You hear something?”

“Maybe?”

“Did you want us to stop talking?”

“Definitely. But listen.” The duo heard something, but it wasn't clear. However, Zano heard voices, and one of them was familiar. “Mirabel…” he whispered before he shouted, “Mareada!” making the seahorse move fast in the direction of the sounds.

Back with Zano, Daniela, and Xander, they tried to find the Octopian but found themselves entangled with the Mermaid City Police Department and had to spend the night being questioned. After informing the Chief, he issued an APB for the theif; however, the cops wouldn’t let the trio leave, as this was within their jurisdiction. But that didn’t stop them.

“I can’t believe we spent the night at an underwater police department. The Octopian’s probably gone by now,” Zano groaned as Daniela and Xander rode seahorses in haste.

“Not to worry, according to the EMF, our misnamed friend is still around,” Xander informs them.

“Misnamed?”

“Well, yes, Octopuses have eight tentacles, and that fellow only had six.”

“I think the arms are supposed to count as eight limbs, Xander.”

“But Tentacles don’t have bones, so surely they can’t–”

“Shh!” Zano interrupted, urging silence. “You hear something?”

“Maybe?”

“Did you want us to stop talking?”

“Definitely. But listen.” The duo heard something, but it wasn't clear. However, Zano heard voices, and one of them was familiar. “Mirabel,” he whispered before he yelled, “ Mareada!” making the seahorse move fast in the direction of the sounds.

They hear Dirk Brock’s voice speaking to someone, “Penelope, we have to leave before the guards catch us,” said Ari.

“We shouldn’t have done this, Ari. We have too much to lose,” a female voice argued. 

Daniela glanced at the boys and mouthed, “Mirabel.” They swam in closer, eager for a better view, discovering the Octopian conversing with a mermaid cradling a bundle in her arms.

“That’s why I stole voices from humans that have no connection to the magic world! It'd have taken them weeks to figure out, and by then, we’d be gone. Without fear of the orcas! But those meddling land walkers had to get involved, and now—errgh! Since when do dragons get involved in human affairs?”

“Almost never, aside from when magic is at stake. Ari, I know you did this to protect us, and you kept your promise not to go too far. I just hope we can find a peaceful solution,” She kissed him on the cheek and swam into another room.

Ari glanced into the mirror, lost in memories, unaware of Zano, Xander, and Daniela’s presence.

“How has everything been turned against us? How did suffering become so endless? How am I to reunite with my estranged? Do I need to change?”

Haunted by the faces of loved ones lost, Ari reflected, “I’m surrounded by the souls I couldn’t save. I’m the only one who hasn’t crossed the line. What if the greatest threat across the sea is me?”

What if I'm the monster?
What if I'm in the wrong?
What if I'm the problem that's been hiding all along?
What if I'm the one who killed you, every time I caved to guilt?
What if I've been far too kind to foes, but a monster to ourselves?
What if I'm the monster?

He conjured images of villains from the tales of his youth, examining their choices. “ Is the Cyclops struck with guilt when he kills? Is he up in the middle of the night? Or does he end those men to avenge his friend and sleep knowing he has done right? When the witch turns men into pigs to protect her nymphs, is she going insane? Or did she learn to be colder when she got older, and now she saves them the pain? When a god comes down to make a fleet drown, is he scared that he's doing something wrong? Or does he keep us in check so we must respect him, and now no one dares to piss him off? Does a soldier use a wooden horse to kill sleeping Trojans because he is vile? Or does he throw away his remorse and save more lives with guile?” Ari sang.

If I became the monster, and cast that guilt away? Would that make us stronger? Would it keep our foes at bay? If I became the monster to everyone but us and ensured we got home again, who would care if we were unjust? If I became the monster!” Ari sings, “Oh, ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves!”

Dead Octopian SOLDIERS: Monster

[Ari]
Oh, ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves
And deep down I know this well
I lost my best friend
I lost my mentor, my mom
500 men gone, this can't go on. I must protect my sweet Penelope and Telemachus. So if we must swim through dangerous oceans and beaches, I'll go where Poseidon won't reach us.
And if I got to swipe another voice from an infant in an instant, so we all don't die?” 

“Then I'll become the Monster! He bellowed with the chorus, causing the glowing sand to swarm around dramatically. “I will deal the blow! And I'll become the Monster! Like none they've ever known! So what if I'm the Monster Lurking deep below! I must become the Monster, and then we'll make it home!

[SOLDIERS]
Monster!

“Oh, ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves! But what cost would it entail? If I brought us home again, ensuring we prevailed. Would I still have you there with me when I become the monster?” He held his head in conflict, torn between the pain of his choices and the hope for his family’s survival.

Zano swims behind him, and Ari turns, eyes wide with disbelief. “I’m not here to hurt you! I promise!” Zano raises his hands in surrender, trying to ease the tension as Ari's eyes glow. “But you may want to reconsider your methods.” 

Ari glances where Zano points, his heart dropping when he sees Penelope being escorted by Daniela and Xander, their children safely in the sirenas arms. “Penelope!”

“I’m fine, Ari, they didn’t hurt us,” Penelope reassures him, “but I don’t appreciate being separated from my children.”

Xander speaks, “Sorry, love, but we have a deadline to meet and that shell is not meant to be used by civilians.”

“How dare you!” Ari snaps.

“Hey, we don’t like this any more than you, but the MPD is looking for you! If you want to escape with your family, you’re going to have to give us the shell,” Zano bargains.

“We promise to keep the others away if you do,” Daniela assures him.

Ari’s heart races as he weighs the decision before him. “I can’t do that! My family needs them!”

“Why? What's wrong with your voices?” Xander asks.

“We didn’t have voices,” Penelope replied. The revelation leaves the three teens in shock.

In the boat, the trio listens to Ari’s explanation as they head to shore.

“You have to understand why I did this. The giant orca is a formidable creature to both mermaid and Octopian, and our daughter is mute like my wife and me.”

“What do you mean by that?” Zano asks.

Ari points to the faint scars on his neck, “I lost my voice in battle. I can fight, but no longer perform spells. During my rehabilitation, I met Penelope, and we fell in love. When I found Ursula’s once destroyed shell, it was an opportunity to give my wife and child a chance to defend themselves in case I failed. If we perished, so would our children,” He gazes down at his infant son as his wife and daughter hug him.

Zano, Daniela, and Xander exchange a solemn look of understanding.

"Ahh. I'm finally home. It's been a long and bumpy road to get here, and if you'll indulge me, it all began when I was 3 years old." Miss Kitty said to the small crowd.

Backstage, Mirabel is pacing around, but then she notices the sound of her voice and sees it floating over to her. Once returned, she gasped in joy. "Zano, you found it!"

“Yeah, and just in time, too.” Zano heads over to the mute Rockstar with the shell, “TA-DA!” Dirk Brock hides behind a chair, “No, no. This one is to help your voice. Come on. You've got to get out there. Fans are waiting to cheer and applaud. Well, not really. It's pretty much a ghost town. But look. This school holds a special place in our hearts. And it took a lot of work, but my friends came through for the school and me. And please."

Dirk Brock looks at the shell doubtfully but considers the white-haired boy’s words.

“Which, 20-some years later, brought me here today. It's hard to put into words the feelings I'm experiencing right now. But maybe this song will help.” She begins playing the bass in a jazz tempo.

♪ It's Great To Be Here
In The Spotlight Tonight ♪

♪ It's Great To See You
All Here To See Me ♪

♪ I'd Like To Thank You
For The Limelight Invite ♪

♪ By Singing A Melody
In The Key Of Me ♪

♪ A One, A Two, A Three ♪

A guitar riff cuts off the jazz tempo. Dirk Brock slides in with a Guitar and plays Rock Music
♪ I Say This Spotlight's a Brock light ♪

♪ I Feel The Breeze of My Fans To See Me ♪

♪ And Without The Laryngitis, I Got A Touch Of Midas ♪

♪ So Take A Listen To Me! WHOO! COME ON!" Dirk sings.

"DIRK BROCK!" the fans cheered.

[Location: Sock hop 8:00 pm]

"Did you hear?" one girl asked her friend, who turned to ask the girl on her left. "Did you hear?" the third girl asked the boy on her left, "Did you hear?" 

All: ♪ Brock is Back, it's Music to My Ears ♪

♪ You Know This Spotlight's not Big Enough For Two ♪

♪ Pretty lady, with that, I agree ♪

♪ But Like A Library Book My Solo Is Due ♪

♪ But The Brock's Not Done! ♪

♪ Just Step Aside, Son, this Is R&B Territory ♪
“Yaaa, Ha Ha-Ha!”

♪ Give me one ♪

♪ Give me two ♪

♪ Give me three ♪

♪ I Think We're Going to Save The Academy ♪

"This Stage Is Mine, This Is My Dream!" Kitty sings.

♪ Wake Me Up When The Nightmare Is Through ♪. He pulls a lever down to change the backdrop to a scary one.

"You're A Flash In The Pan from the Teenbopper Scene!" she retorted.

"Well, Your Reasoning's Whack. Let me show you the facts," he hip-bumps her, "Bam, Boom!" WHOO!"

[GIRLS SCREAMING]

♪ Yeah, Yeah, Yeah ♪

♪ Three More, Two More, One More!♪

♪ Everybody Shout! ♪

♪ WE'RE ALL SOLD OUT! ♪

"Zano, look. It's a full house! The school is saved!" Mirabel informs him.

"Sorry, I made you and Nell stay behind Mirabel. But I knew out of all of us, you two would be able to save the show before we got back. You are one of the most creative, passionate, and determined girls I’ve ever met. Thanks for sticking up for the school and for me. It means a lot." Mirabel hugs him and he returns it.

♪ Those Kids Want Me ♪
♪ Can't You Hear Them Roar? ♪

♪ Sounds More Like A Snore, I Would Say ♪

♪ I've Had Enough of You, You Old Dinosaur ♪

♪ You Want To Play Rough? ♪

♪ I'll Show You Who's Tough ♪

♪ This Means War ♪

Both: ♪ Shut Up and Play! ♪

The two start getting into a solo battle, but then the power sparks and causes the lights to crash down.
[MUSIC STOPS]

“What? No. It's ruined.” Daniela exclaims.

"Not if I can help it. Watch this," Zano heads on stage. "Okay, guys, give it up for Dirk and Ms. Kitty for being our openers now onto the."

"They already did the student's acts!" someone calls out.

"What I thought they were the opener?"

“We had to change it to a closer!” Nell whispered.

"Off the stage, Kid, this is not about you," said Kitty.

"It's not about you, either, lady," Dirk argues.

"Hey divas, it's not about you or you. It's about us.” Everyone looks at him, confused, “Our Academy. Can't believe I'm doing this."

"Our Academy And You And You," he begins to sing. "Our Academy And You And You. Our Academy, It's Us And You And Me"

Dirk Brock joins in, "Our Academy"

Kitty chimes in, "And You And You, Our Academy."

♪ And You And You ♪

Both: ♪ Our Academy, It's Us And You And Me ♪

♪ Our Academy ♪

Both Twins: ♪ And You And Tu ♪

♪ Our Academy ♪

♪ You, Me, and You And You ♪

♪ Our Academy, It's Us And You And Me ♪

“Hey, Where's the Kiss? Every musical has to end with A Kiss. Heh!” Camilo asked, causing the spotlight to fall on Zano and Mirabel. “Ok, but this is not a date,” Zano kissed her, “Wow!” she said breathlessly.

All: ♪ Our Academy and You and Me ♪

♪ Our Academy and You And You ♪

♪ Our Academy, It's Us And You And Me ♪

♪ Together ♪

♪ Together! ♪

♪ Forever ♪

♪ Our Academy! ♪

The teens celebrate their success by having a toast. “Nice job Kids!”

“Not only did you save the school but you helped recover an ancient artifact thought to be lost,” Acacia told her brother and his friends in pride.

“Confirmed that Dirk Brock wasn’t a hunter as speculated and helped him return his voice along with Luna and Mirabel’s,” Agustin added.

“Not only that, but you helped a misunderstood family in need,” Kaiba tells them.

“So, what’s going to happen to Ari and his family?” Mirabel asked.

“Thanks to you, Master Chen has asked for Ari and his family to have new voices and be given community service to make up for their discrepancies.” Everyone smiled at the news and went back to the party.

Mushu goes to Kaiba’s shoulder, “You know, Fang, you should be proud of yourself, you’ve trained a pretty amazing group of teens.”

“I can’t take credit for Lao Shi, Daniela, and Xander, but Mirabel and Zano have come to be a most formidable duo and leaders to their group.”

“So, you think they’ll stop getting involved in magic issues because a new dragon has taken over?”

“I wouldn’t bet money on it.”

“So, guys, are we all in agreement?” Mirabel asked.

“Yup, from this day on, we’ll be solving mysteries too weird for the human police and too small for the magical protectors.” They all put their hands together.

"All for one," Mirabel started.

"And one for all!"

Chapter Text

"Another mystery bites the dust!"

"Way to go, gang!"

"Let's celebrate!"

"Yeah. Celebrate!"

"This is going to look great in the school paper!"

The San Angel Mystery Gang had just solved another case. After we defeated the Dark Dragon, we were relieved of our duties as guardians since a new dragon and their dragon master had been assigned to San Angel. Zano and I still need to train our powers, but beyond that, we continue to contribute to the magical community wherever we can. Edna introduced us to her nephew, Webster Mode, who helped us set up a website that allows people with supernatural or super abilities to request our assistance. We’ve been doing some amateur sleuthing on the side in case of any supernatural occurrences, but so far, it’s mostly just been people in costumes. For example, Ms. Garcia had been stealing jewels from her store to collect insurance money. But we caught her, maybe in a less orthodox way than the law would prefer...

"Better idea," said Sheriff Stone, the authoritative hot head who hated us. 'Us' being: Ernie Jr., the son of the mayor of San Angel, and Student Co-President; Daniella Pescaro, the captain of the swim team with model-like looks, and head of the newspaper club; Nellie May Carter, the smartest girl in school and co-president, Xander Thrall exchange student from London, thespian, and wizard trainee; Zano Sanchez the youngest son of the Sanchez clan, grandson of the legendary hero Justice Jaguar and Dr. Werner Dracula, but that’s a secret. He’s also a member of the Academic Decathlon team and the VP of the dance club. Camilo Madrigal, a jokester who sometimes thinks with his stomach, Lao Shi, an exchange student from China, and a dragon, who is staying till summer, but has been a great help to our team. Chapa, our loyal jaquin and the only other being that can rival Angelina’s need for speed, and I, Mirabel Madrigal. I’m the youngest Madrigal granddaughter. I’m in the dance club and fashion club at San Angel Arts Academy.

"Aw, come on, Sheriff!" Daniella pleaded, leaning against the bars Stone had slammed behind us.

"Just cork it. Do you see this badge? Y'know why it's here?" he asked, pointing to his badge.

"It came with the shirt?" Zano asked dryly.

Stone huffed. "It's here because if there's a crime, I solve it."

He started walking away, but turned back to us. "Oh, and by the way... I've called all your parents, who, by now, I have on speed dial. Oh, are you in trouble?" he cackled. "Especially you, Ernie. Say hi to Mom Mayor, for me!" he laughed as he left.

"Just once, it would be nice if someone thanked us for solving a mystery," Daniella lamented. We all leaned on the bars with her, my arm resting on Chapa’s head while Zano put a friendly arm around my shoulders.

"Good thing we're not in this to be liked," Camilo tried to lighten the mood. We all looked at him blankly. He chuckled nervously. "Maybe that didn't come out quite right."

“No worries, mate, I got this." Xander cast a spell on the sheriff that caused him to fall asleep.

“What did you do to him?” I asked the wizard in training as he summoned the keys to his hand.

“Sleep spell. Makes the person forget what you want and think it was a memory lapse,” he explained as he freed us from the cell. “Now let’s get going before he wakes up.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something, Vato?” Zano asked while pointing at a security camera on the wall.

Xander used his magic to grab the footage inside. “There. Happy?”

“Ask me after we report back to Sensei and our families.”

At Zano’s words, we all slumped our shoulders, not looking forward to the lectures.

[Location: Classroom 2:45 p.m]

“Water. It covers two-thirds of the Earth's surface. Does it, therefore, hold two-thirds of the world's magical creatures in its depths? We can draw but one conclusion…” Professor Van Hellsing lectured on the sea and explained the magical creatures that inhabit it.

Mirabel and Daniela smile at each other, knowing the truth.

“Now, who can tell me what sea creatures most likely reside in Mexico’s-?!” He turns to the class and finds they are not only ignoring his lecture but are watching Nell and Ernie trying to wake up Zano Sanchez. “What is the meaning of this?!”

Zano jerks up at the noise and curses. He sees Professor Van Hellsing's angry expression. “Uh? Playa de Angel,” he replies, but the teacher is not amused.

In the principal’s office, Principal Moreno lectures Zano about his behavior in the past year, “This is your 20th trip to my office in the year I've been here, Señor Sanchez. I see my secretary less than you.”

”And you still keep her?” he joked

“This is no joking matter! Not only are your grades slightly slipping, but there's been a huge uptick in absences and tardies...” She puts the file down. “I've read your permanent record, Zachariah. You weren't always like this, and when you were, it was usually due to a family emergency. What's happened to you this past year?”

“…a lot…” he chuckles nervously. “It's, uh, been, you know, uh, lots of... changes and practice for the decathlon took up my time, but hey, we won.”

“Well, it's high time you changed back. I'm afraid I'm going to have to talk to your parents about how to do just that.”

“My parents? You can't I...” Zano then saw Mushu in the window, telling him to go downstairs. “What the heck? Mu?”

“Excuse me?”

“I was just saying, "Phew!" What the heck took us so long to have this talk?"

“No, you said, "Mu." There was no 'yuh' sound in the middle.”

“Uh, I think there's a problem I may need to...”

“We're not done here, Mr. Sanchez. Your parents need to know...”

“Yeah, well, I'm sure they'd love to chat, but my parents are out of town at some junior genius convention for my little sister.”

She crosses her arms.

“It's just me and Abuelo at the house, and... I have to go. Sorry, Señora Moreno.” Zano left immediately, and the principal started to wonder about Zano.

Outside, Zano, Nell, Ernie, Camilo, and Mirabel head over to the dock with Kaiba, Lao Shi, Mushu, and Luisa. “You can't just pull me out of Moreno's office like that, Sensei. I get enough hassle from you and my family. I don't need any more from school.” Zano informs his mentor.

“I am sorry, Zano, but sometimes the needs of others must come before our own.” Kaiba stated, “I received a most distressing message from Mermaid City.”

“There's a Mermaid City?” Camilo asked.

“Could the bedtime stories my beloved Nana had told me be true? Could there be such a magical place?” Ernie gushed.

“Considering we’ve battled a petty siren, befriended a nice sirena, and helped a mute misunderstood octopian/mermaid family, I’d say yes,” Nell said.

“What do they want with us? Isn’t the point of a New Mexican dragon supposed to mean we don’t get called in as often by the magic realm?” Zano asked.

“All will be answered,” Kaiba informs them. “Our transport to the Mermaid City will arrive shortly.”

“They're probably stuck in squidlock.”

Below them, the water bubbles, and a submarine appears. “Cool.”

“Follow me.”

Ernie gasps, “Oh, Nana, dreams do come true!" He sees everyone looking at him, perplexed, "What? You and your Gramps never had dreams?" Ernie tells his friends.

"Not about going to hidden cities underwater, man," said Zano.

They go to an underwater place where mermaids are moving around. Luisa laughs in excitement, “It's as beautiful as I always dreamed it would be!” She gushed.

Soon, the group is taken to an office. There, they see Penelope, the mute mermaid who almost ruined their benefit showcase with her husband.

“Hey, Penny!” Greeted Mirabel.

“Zano, Mirabel! I'm delighted to see you again.”

“How's it going with you and the new voice?” Zano asked.

“Mm, yeah. Not so good. I had a bit of a relapse last month. But I've got a good job in mermaid-dry lander relations now. Ooh, that's why they sent me to tell you about our Kelpie problem.”

“Aww, "Kelpie." That sounds cute.” Nell gushed. “Wait till you see what it looks like,” Mirabel tells her, recalling the keplie statue at the summit.

Penny turned on the screen, revealing grainy security footage that sent a chill down everyone’s spine. “This is the moment the Kelpie broke free from our prison a year ago,” she explained, her voice steady but her eyes wide with concern.

The video flickered to life, and the monstrous creature let out a piercing screech that echoed through the room, making everyone jump.

“Yikes! That thing really needs to work on its singing skills,” Lao Shi quipped, attempting to lighten the mood despite the tension hanging in the air.

“As you'll see here, it's a shapeshifter of the order Vampiri-morphus, able to absorb the form and power of any magical creature on which it feeds.” The video shows the kelpie doing precisely that to a merman guard.

“That poor guard,” Luisa says in sympathy.

“Yeesh, and I thought my metabolism was intense,” Camilo commented.

“Many of our best mermaid detectives have spent the past year tracking the Kelpie down, but...”

“Now that it’s in the surface world, you need me and Mirabel to capture it,” Zano concluded.

“And us! Don’t forget we’re in this as a team now, Zany,” Nell corrected and reminded him of their new team dynamic.

“No, we called you down here to warn you,” She turns to Zano, Nell, and Ernie, “There's been a flurry of Kelpie attacks around your neighborhood recently. We think it may have found out what you and Mirabel are, and it's looking to feed on your celestial powers.”

“What?!” They exclaimed.

“I’m sorry we should have informed you sooner, but we had no idea if the kelpie knew who you were a year ago when you didn’t even have those powers or were officially brought into the magical community.”

“Whoa, rewind and remix. This thing wants to eat them so it can be them?” Luisa asked.

“He won't eat them. He'll just slowly drain your sister and Zano’s essence with his icy cold bites, sending their souls into eternal darkness and leaving their lifeless husks behind." She catches herself. "Oh. That's not much better, is it?”

“Well, I guess it's nice that you get to keep your husk,” Camilo said to his cousin and Zano.

“This is terrible!” Luisa cries.

“What about me, Luisa, and Camilo? We also have magical powers, wouldn’t that make us a target?” Lao Shi asked.

“That’s right, both our families have people with magical abilities,” Mirabel panicked. 

“Yes, but his main target is you and Zano. He’ll only go after them as a way to get close to you two, but now that you’re all made aware of his presence, you’ll be more vigilant than you were yesterday.”

“And we’ll be prepared for when he attacks,” Kaiba said, assuring the worried teens.

After a while, the group returned to the surface to inform the Madrigals and Sanchez households of the kelpie.

Later in the shop, they discuss what they learned in the mermaid city with Xander and Daniela, while also completing their training.

ERNIE: “And did you know that in Mermopolis, you can fall asleep every night to the songs of passing dolphins?”

“That sounds nice,” Camilo says

“Wait for it,” Daniela warns him.

“Look, I found a recording.” Ernie plays the recording, but it's just DOLPHINS SCREECHING. Everyone covers their ears in pain. “It's like music that only my heart understands.” He starts IMITATING DOLPHIN SCREECHING.

Upstairs, Kaiba yells in Japanese. “Why am I hearing dolphin songs? It is the Kelpie we are after!”

“We're on it, Fang!” Lao Shi turns off the dolphin call.

“Tch! I'm getting punked here. My folks are out of town, we should be relaxing and catching up on school, not studying on the vampire of mermaids," Zano groaned.

“How do you think I feel? I’m living without my parents in another country till summer, and yet I’m stuck babysitting and shopkeeping by the big Dad wolf," Lao Shi complains, "We should be out all night partying, playing video games, whatever.”

“Why is he still so strict? We defeated the number one threat,” Camilo said.

“There’s still the Huntsclan to worry about, Camilo. We need to be ready for whatever tries to claim the number one spot. But I’ll admit Sensei has been more strict than usual," Mirabel noted. "You'd think he'd ease up now that San Angel has a new dragon protector.”

“A dragon who’s only 13,” Daniela pointed out.

“He does have a dragon mentor, and from what I've seen, he's more than capable of handling any situation you three have faced.” Xander pointed out.

“Not to Sensei’s standards,” Zano added.

“What that man needs is a hobby,” Nell claims, referring to Kaiba.

“I hear that. Then he'd have no time to be stealing away my time,” said Lao Shi.

Zano: “Too bad there's nothing we can do.”

Grandpapi Posada laughs, “Sorry, ladies. There's only so much of the general to go around.” He PURRS SEDUCTIVELY. He paused and noticed his grandson and his friends looking at him, perplexed and creeped out. “Check it out,” he says, showing them the computer screen.

"The World's Only Online Magical Dating Service?" Zano read.

“Mushu helped me set it up.”

“I gotta tell ya, it's way easier than dating was in the old days,” Mushu commented. “You just put in a little something about yourself...”

"Five-star retired general and estate mogul with vacation homes in Paris and Colombia?" Nell gives him a doubtful look.

The general CHUCKLES, "Look at all those typos in my bio. You try typing with aching digits!"

“Anyway, you tell them what kind of date you're looking for, and bam! Instant love connection,” Mushu finished.

Lao Shi gets an idea of finding Kaiba a date, “So, if I were to say, for example, "A widowed manly hunk of Japanese Okami,” Lao Shi typed as he spoke, "Looking for a little spicy yakisoba to noodle around with..."

“Why would you...” Mushu's eyes widened and turns to warn the young dragon, “Oh, no. Hold on. I don't know if Kaiba wants to get back into the dating scene.”

“Hey, I'm just doing what he told me. Taking care of other people's needs." Lao Shi makes the profile.

"This won't end well, will it?" Mirabel asked Zano. "No, it won't."

In the Living room, Lao Shi, Mirabel, Zano, and Camilo are studying as the doorbell rings. “Lao Shi, kids! Aren't you going to answer that?” Kaiba asks from upstairs.

Mirabel was about to, but Camilo stopped her.

“You know I'd love to, Uncle, but we've got to study up on that Kelpie!” The Chinese dragon teen replies.

“And it might not be wise for any of us to answer the door first!” Zano added with a smirk.

Kaiba grunts and reluctantly goes to answer the door, with Akito in his arms. He sees a witch on his porch. “Yes?”

“Well? Are you going to give me some flowers or what?" She asked.

He gives her a confused look, “Uh, excuse me?”

“I got to walk all the way to your doorstep for a date, I expect at least some posies for my troubles.”

“Date?”

“Eh, forget it.” She BLOWS her NOSE, and BELCHES, “I can see you got no class.” She walks away.

Kaiba closed the door. “That was certainly strange," he said, looking at Akito, then the doorbell rang again.

Lao Shi, Zano, and Camilo SNICKER. Mirabel gives them a disapproving glare.

With Kaiba at the front door, a lady werewolf greets him, “Hi there. I like long walks in the full moonlight and...” She growls.

Akito cries in his father's arms.

The next day, more female magical creatures come, one a two-headed woman, the last a shark woman. None of them seems to interest him, and Kaiba finds out that it is Lao Shi behind these strange visits, so he gets in trouble. “LAO SHI!”

In the bathroom, Zano and Lao Shi are mopping the floors while Camilo and Mirabel scrub the sink and tub.

“Whack old man, no sense of humor. Just trying to help a lonely, cranky, no-girlfriend-having brother out!”

“You did set him up on those dates without his permission, Lao Shi,” Mirabel pointed out.

“That’s right, so why are we being punished?” Camilo inquired.

“We didn’t stop him,” Zano replied as he rang out the mop, but stopped as he heard screams outside, “What the...”

“Kelpie?!”

“Dragon up!” Lao Shi and Camilo transformed. “You two stay and alert Uncle. Cam and I will go check it out.”

Mirabel and Zano nodded as the shapeshifters went out the window.

In the alley, Gnomes were running away from the monster, gnomes clamoring in a tizzy. A gnome was so blinded by fear that he didn't notice running into Camilo when the Madrigal boy picked him up.

“Easy, little guy. What's going on?” Camilo asked the frightened gnome.

“It attacked us out of nowhere. Please, save us!”

“From what? What's out there?”

The scared gnome stammers, “Kelpie!”

Camilo and Lao Shi head in the direction of the Kelpie’s location. They try to find it, but it is hiding.

“Ha! Hey, Kelpie! You want to throw down?”

“Bring it to the CamDrag, chump.” Taunted Camilo.

They heard it GROWL, but it remains hidden.

“So that's how we play it, huh? All right, then. When you want to bring it, we'll be waiting.” Lao Shi and Camilo take off.

KELPIE: "Soon, yes. Very soon. I build my power and find a way to strike from the inside.”

When the boys got back, Lao Shi heard Kaiba and a woman laughing. “What the... Uncle and...”

Camilo gasps, “He found himself a lady.”

Both boys rushed down, eager to see who it was.

 “Hey, Uncle. Who's the lucky... Principal Moreno?!” Lao Shi sees Principal Moreno and Kaiba talking on the couch across from Mirabel and Zano.

“Ah, Lao Shi, Camilo. We thought you had fallen asleep,” The sensei replied.

“How did the website... And you... And her, huh?” Lao Shi stammered in confusion.

“I came here to speak with Zano’s parents,” Principal Moreno told them. “I know you mentioned they were out of town, but honestly, I thought you were lying,” she said to Zano. “Sorry about that.”

“There’s no need to apologize. Boys like Zano and Lao Shi often struggle with honesty, not to mention discipline and focus...”

Both speak at the same time, “Study habits.” They both laughed.

“What’s going on here?” Camilo asked.

“Flirting,” Mirabel replied with a smirk.

“Perhaps you would like to discuss Zano's, Mirabel's, and Lao Shi’s issues with me instead—educator to educator—say, over dinner?” Kaiba suggested.

She giggles, “Oh! Well…” They hold hands and she replies, "It's a date.”

Lao Shi screams. “No!”

Later, Nell, Lao Shi, Mirabel, Camilo, and Zano talk about what happened after that night. “Don’t you guys think you’re overreacting?”

“Nell, our human principal is dating our Magic teacher, not exactly an ideal situation to be in.”

“Plus, isn't she a bit mature for him? He isn't even in his mid-twenties yet. He’s only 2 years older than our sisters,” said Camilo.

“Daniela mentioned that the school celebrated Dereceto's 27th this year.” Mirabel pointed out.

”Look, we all agree this is weird, but how bad can it really be?” said Nell.

"I'm telling you, Nell, it was awful."

Lao Shi is playing a video game with Camilo and Ernie until Kaiba pulls the plug. “LAO SHI! Serena tells me you failed another math quiz.”

“I got a C!” Lao Shi argued.

“Minus! Less games, more reviewing," He hands him a study book. "You two!” he tells Ernie and Camilo.

“Lao Shi, does your uncle prefer easy listening or smooth jazz?” Principal Moreno asked him.

When Zano enters the shop, he is stopped by Kaiba sitting with Moreno: “Zano, go rent us a romantic movie while we discuss your many problems.”

“Lao Shi, I believe your uncle sent something with you?” she asked.

Lao Shi sighs, “Yes, ma'am. "Till next we meet, a rose to remind you..." Oh... "You are my sweet," he recites, and once done, he gets laughed at by the student body.

[Present]

“All right, so it didn't work out exactly like you thought,” Nell says.

"At least Sensei has been more lenient with training drills," Mirabel pointed out with Akito in her lap. "Besides, it's nice that he's getting back out there; losing a spouse can be hard on a family."

"Then next time you can recite his poetry, Señorita Cupida." Lao Shi retorts.

“Look, I’m happy for Sensei and grossed out by his relationship too, but I think the main issue right now is that a kelpie was near us, and instead of having us run patrol, or do kelpie attack drills, he’s got us cooped up indoors,” said Camilo. “What's the plan when that thing comes back?”

“You mind keeping it down, kids? I found me a cute French granny named La Betty 42, and ooh-la-la, any woman who can make me L-O-L on my PC 24/7 is A-OK with M-E,” said Grandpapi Posada.

"Congratulations, Abuelo, you just invented slang that makes even less sense than ours," commented Zano.

The moment was interrupted by the distant screeching of a horse in distress. “Was that a horse?” Camilo asked.

“Yeah, and it sounds hurt,” said Mirabel.

“Let me check it out.” Zano goes to look for the creature after hearing screams of the attack in an alleyway. “Hello? Somebody out here?”

“Zano!”

He screams and turns, facing, “Mirabel? What are you doing here?”

Before she can explain, a unicorn gallops frantically in front of them, “Whoa!”

“Whoa, girl!” Mirabel calms her down—the unicorn whinnies and snorts.

“What's gotten into you?” Zano asked as he examined her, seeing glowing teeth marks, “Kelpie bite.”

Mirabel applies her mom's healing slaves on the unicorn's injury, “Come on, now. You're okay." Zano assures the unicorn.  “Looks like she got away before he finished feeding.”

“Let's get her somewhere safe and..." Horrible SCREECHING cuts her off, making the unicorn run away in fear.

“Wait!” Mirabel calls out.

The teens turn to the sound of METAL SQUEAKING, “Principal Moreno?”

“Oh. Zano. Mirabel, I didn't know you were...” she said in equal surprise. "I didn't mean to scare you. I think my chair rusted up a little."

“What are you doing back here?” Mirabel asked. “I thought you had a date with Sensei?”

"Uh, we just got back and I came to say good night." She explains, but then turns the question on them, "What are you two doing back here? Alone?”

“I... I was just...” he sees something in Moreno’s wheels. “Is that seaweed on your chair?"

Moreno removes the seaweed, “Oh, yes, we, uh, went to the beach,” she tells him, but Zano doesn’t buy it.

Kaiba called out from the store, “Serena, are you alright? I'm still waiting for my goodnight kiss!”

Ernie exclaimed, “Yuck!”

Nell added, “Hey, Fang! We’re still standing here.”

“I’d better go check on the others,” Mirabel said as she left to go inside.

“I'll see you in school on Monday,” Principal Moreno says to Zano as she leaves.

“Yeah,” He says, narrowing his eyes as she rolls away.

In the school late at night, Zano, Nell, and Ernie are trying to get into Principal Moreno's office. Zano thinks that she is the kelpie.

“Moreno?” Nell repeats, baffled by her friend's theory. “It all fits, Nell. The screeching, the seaweed, how she keeps turning up right after the Kelpie attacks, how she's always over at the shop, getting close to Sensei and us.”

Ernie scoffs, "Yeah, getting close enough to sneak a bite the second we let our guard down."

"Okay, maybe. But why are we here, busting into her office at too early o'clock in the morning instead of telling Sensei what you think is going on?"

"You think lover-boy is gonna listen to anything I say without some kind of proof?" the white-haired boy explained.

"If he’s like you were, then good point. But why isn't Mirabel or the rest of the team with us?"

"I wanted her to rest, Lao needs to stand guard, Cam's a dead sleeper, I don't have Thrall's number, and Daniela blocked mine," he listed.

"Okay, now I know what to do the next time you want to drag us to investigate before sunrise," she says.

As they head inside the room, Zano takes note of all the sea-inspired decor and paraphernalia in the office. "Fish tanks, blue walls, ocean murals. She definitely has an underwater theme going on."

"Doesn't mean she's a sea creature, Zee. Vicky the Siren was a total space enthusiast," Ernie pointed out. “With swimmer's ear, I might add.”

"True, but after our conversation in the alley, I can't shake the feeling that she's too invested in Mirabel and me," said Zano.

"Ooh, check it out," Nell finds rusty handcuffs that the monster had on when he was jailed, "Broken cuffs and chains."

"Pretty rusted. Lots of old sea junk on them," Zano noted.

Ernie runs his finger over them and tastes them. "East River." He smacks his lips, "Vintage from last year."

This provides Zano with more evidence that Principal Moreno is the Kelpie. "Looks like somebody wanted to keep a souvenir of her breakout." 

They hear someone coming, and Zano, Nell, and Ernie jump out of the window. Principal Moreno comes in and sees that the trash has been knocked down.

[Location: Li Fang's shop: night]

In the shop, Zano informs Lao Shi, Mirabel, Daniela, and Camilo that Principal Moreno is the "monster" that escaped, but Kaiba doesn't believe him.

"Don't say maybe. Say "yes" to Kaiba, baby," Kaiba sings.

"Cut the mic, Uncle. This is serious. Your girlfriend's a Kelpie!" Lao Shi exclaims.

"I'm sorry, Sensei, I know what it's like to find out your crush is your mortal enemy, but this proves it," Zano holds up the broken cuffs.

"A rusted old chain proves only that you are bound to your own biases. I know you must have issues with me dating your principal, but I think I would know if the administrator of my heart was a Kelpie." He told them.

“Okay, I’m going to refrain from calling out the hypocrisy because this is urgent, you love-sick puppy!” Zano exclaimed.

“Sensei, given our history, the odds of her being a kelpie are pretty high,” Mirabel concluded.

“Then until you discover any real leads to the Kelpie's whereabouts, I shall be burning a mix CD for tonight.” he walks away. ♪ I love you, you love me. Let's eat some snow peas, baby. ♪

Nell shakes her head, “Mmm-mmm-mmm. The things love will do to a man.”

“Okay, we lost Sensei, now what do we do?” Camilo asked.

Mirabel replies, “I guess Grandpapi and Mushu…” Zano turns her head to the mentioned Duo. “Oh…” she slumped.

“Alas, La Betty 42, my yacht is in the shop right now. Uh, no, you can't come over to the mansion ‘cause there was a terrible caviar spill in the pool house, and we're right in the middle of gold-plating the bars on the menagerie.”

“Looks like it's up to us,” said Lao Shi.

"Mmm-hmm," Nell nodded.

"Yeah!"

“Uh, to do what, exactly?” said Ernie

“We need to catch Moreno.”

The gang, minus Xander, who had training with his mentor, went to Principal Moreno's house to "trap" her. "Okay, a house by the water is not helping her case," Camilo points out.

"I just can't phantom the idea of Principal Moreno being a kelpie, she was always so helpful to me when I first came to San Angel. I felt a kindred spirit in her," Daniela says.

"Well, now you know why, she's a sea creature of deceit and you're a sea creature of manipulation," Zano says casually. "No offense."

"None taken, bat boy," She sneers, jabbing at his vampiric heritage.

"Enough with the bickering, we need to be in position." Mirabel reminded them. Everyone got into position, Nell and Ernie hid in the bushes, Mirabel and Zano took the roof with a net, and Daniela hid in the water with Camilo, who discovered he could give himself gills. 

Lao Shi knocks on the door until she opens it. “Principal M, what's up?”

“Lao Shi, this is definitely a surprise," she says.

"Yeah, I just wanted to apologize for giving you and my uncle such a hard time. So, you know, if you wanna come outside and talk," he offers, as Zano and Mirabel hold the net in place.

"It's a little cold outside. Why don't you come in here?"

"All right, let's cut the act." Lao Shi shows her the cuffs.

"Where did you get that?" she demanded.

"I know what you are, and what you're trying to do," he tells her.

"All right. This doesn't have to get ugly. Let's talk about it like..." she yells and leaps out of her wheelchair to tackle him to the ground. He GRUNTS. “Guys, drop it!” Zano and Mirabel drop the net, but Moreno leaps out of the way, causing the net to fall on Lao Shi.

Moreno hops away and jumps into the water, unaware of what awaits her. 

"Dragon up!" Lao Shi transforms and breaks out of the net. "No more running away, Kelpie!”

Daniela and Camilo bring a struggling Moreno above the water. "Let go of me, you don't understand!" she tells them.

"Enlighten us then."  

"Gotcha." Lao Shi throws a buoy at her. "And the catch of the day is a fresh, ugly Kelpie!"  

Zano and Mirabel arrive by the water.  

Straining against the trap, Moreno exclaims, "What are you talking about? He's the Kelpie!" She gestures to Zano.  

"Say what?"  

“You can't run forever! I'm not the only mermaid who's after you!" Moreno tells him.  

“Mermaid?”  

As she strains against the buoy, her tail is revealed.  

"Oh man, not again!" Zano facepalms.  

After freeing her from the trap, Principal Moreno reveals, “I am an undercover mermaid sent to capture the monster. I was one of the mermaid detectives tasked with finding the escaped Kelpie. I suspected it might be you.” She turns to Zano and continues, “The way I kept finding you at every location the beast attacked, along with the 'changes' you mentioned experiencing over the past year... I thought the real Zano Sanchez had been eaten and replaced by the Kelpie to get close to Mirabel Madrigal. It was the perfect cover.”

“And considering your vampiric background, Zano, the Kelpie would be able to avoid detection for a while,” Camilo pointed out.
"But what about those chains we found when we broke into your office?" Zano asked.

She huffed, “Evidence I collected on the…” She paused, “You broke into my office?!”

“You lied about being paralyzed!”

“I was undercover, and I can’t walk on land,” she explained. “That is nowhere near the same thing!”

“I thought you were trying to eat Mirabel and my soul. But if you're not, that means the Kelpie is still...” Zano and the others then began to worry about Sensei and Akito because they had left them alone.

“Sensei!”

"Aki!"

In the shop, Grandpapi is entertaining his date while Kaiba waits for Serena. 

"Where is she? Serena said she would be here by now. Akito is already tucked in," Kaiba says, looking worried.

"Hey, I hear you. Lies can ruin a relationship. Take it from me, a divorced decorated general and local celebrity," Grandpapi replies. "Ain't that right, La Betty 42?" 

"Go fetch me a drink," La Betty 42 responds curtly.

"Right away, babycakes," Grandpapi says, heading off to get her a drink.

“I should call Serena,” Kaiba thinks aloud as he starts to dial the phone. Suddenly, he hears a snarl. “Hmm? Oh, it's you, La Betty 42. The restroom is down the hall.” As he continues, the phone starts RINGING.

La Betty 42 snarls and mutters, “Do you mind, La Betty 42? I am trying to—” He gasps. With a screech, the old woman transforms into a kelpie, prompting Kaiba to prepare for a fight.

“I hope you like your tap water warm, baby, because... DIOS!” Grandpapi yells in fear of the kelpie. “When I said you could slip into something a little more comfortable, I didn't mean to— Ugh!” He groans as Kaiba is thrown against him.

The kelpie screeches and knocks them both out, exclaiming, "Excellent, and now I feast!" It absorbs the Okami’s powers just as Zano, Mirabel, and Lao Shi arrive with Moreno, but it is too late.

"SENSEI!"

“Yo! My uncle is not surf'n'turf.” Lao Shi growls, but before he can leap at the monster, Moreno stops him, “Lao Shi, no! He's absorbed your uncle’s power.”

The kelpie transforms into Kaiba and leaps at Zano, then shifts into a unicorn.

"I told you I would find a way inside, Dracule. Now your power and hers will be mine," he taunts as he holds Zano down with his hoof.

Distracted by the argument, Camilo jumps onto the creature's back like a cowboy. "Yo, yo, cowboy! Check me out riding bareback!" he exclaims.

Suddenly, the kelpie transforms into a gnome, causing Camilo to fall to the floor. Once he’s free, he charges at Mirabel.

“Mirabel, look out!” Principal Moreno warns as she flicks the kelpie away with her tail and into Lao Shi's hands.

Mirabel smiled, "Thanks." 

Moreno smiles back, "Don't let the wheelchair fool you."

The Kelpie tried to escape, SNARLING. "Gotcha! Ha!" said Lao Shi.

The Kelpie starts to enlarge, causing Lao Shi to let go of him. "Aw, man! When did he eat a troll?"

As the creature roars, it gets hit with a rock and turns to see Ernie, Nell, and Daniela armed, but only one in Armor.

ERNIE holds up a staff, "Back, scuzzbeast!"

"You mess with one sea creature, you mess with us all," Daniella proclaims.

“Sorry, we're late. Dani over here made us stop to get her mermaid outfit,” Nell said, holding a staff.

“Sea armour, Nell.” Dani corrected.

“You've got to chill it with the gill-hate,” said Ernie.

Nell scoffs, “Whatever, geeks.”

The kelpie screeched violently, echoing in the tense air as the group launched into battle against the formidable creature. However, despite their efforts, the kelpie proved to be an unmatched opponent. 

The Kelpie let out a blood-curdling SCREECH, echoing through the stormy night. The others stood their ground, GRUNTING in frustration and fear as they struggled against the relentless onslaught of the horrific shapeshifter. 

“Huh?” Zano exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise as he barely managed to dodge another ferocious swipe from the creature's massive tentacle, which crashed down onto the deck with a thunderous sound.

Groans of effort and despair filled the air as they rallied to fight back against the monstrous threat.

"We'll never defeat him if he keeps shifting forms like that!" Camilo shouted, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"Exactly! He's countering every move we make!" Daniella replied, sweat dripping down her brow as she narrowly avoided the kelpie's whip-like tendrils.

Zano, eyes glinting with determination, stepped forward. "Then I got to convince him to stay still for just a moment. Trust me, I have a plan!"

As Ernie and Daniella strained to hold back the kelpie, grunting with effort, they called out, "Nell, we could use your help!"

With a frantic demeanor, Nell shot back, "You try mixing a freeze potion when you're barely scraping a B-minus in chemistry!" Despite her protest, she rushed to assist Mushu, her hands flying as they worked together to concoct the crucial potion. 

The stakes had never been higher—would their combined efforts be enough to subdue the kelpie?

-(GROWLS)

ZANO: "Yo! Scared to take us on as yourself, chump?"

"Or are you as weak as you are ugly?" added Mirabel 

-(GROWLS)

“Yes. A meal like the celestials deserves to be consumed with my teeth,” it says, licking his lips. “I feed on young hybrids and witches for dessert.”

Zano grabbed a piece of a pole and put it in the kelpie's mouth, “Moreno, go!”

Principal Moreno then head-butted the Kelpie and knocked him out. (GRUNTS)

“Uh, so that you know, I'm going to need some extra credit for this.”

At the beach, the mermaid police take the kelpie away, and Grandpapi yells out to the kelpie about pretending to be his date. “La Betty 42? I'm disgusted with you. How could you so misrepresent yourself? When I was back in the Army before I made my fortune in ruby mining, we had a name for people like you!”

Moreno sighs, “I'm sorry I misjudged you, Zano, and underestimated you, Mirabel. And you as well, Lao Shi.”

“Us, too,” said Mirabel. “But I’m glad to be wrong.”

“Me too. You turned out to be pretty cool,” said Zano.

“Same, and I just want you to know, if you and uncle want to, you know, get serious, I'm cool with that.” Lao Shi added.

“Same,” said Mushu.

“Oh. I assumed you all knew...”

“Now that the Kelpie has been captured, Detective Moreno must take a new undercover assignment,” Kaiba added.

“What?” Mirabel exclaimed, “But that's not fair. They can't...”

“No, it isn't fair.”

“But sometimes the needs of others must come before our own, young Madrigal,” Moreno says to her.

Kaiba: “And so, I guess this is...”

“Good-bye.” She finshed.

“Farewell, my lotus blossom,” he says as she leaves with the mermaid police.

“Are you going to be okay, Sensei?”

“I will be. On our first date, she told me that she would be transferred to another school far away from San Angel. Despite the outcome, I was prepared for the end, granted it went differently than I thought."

“Then why did you two even go out?” Lao Shi asked, "Why bother?"

“Because sometimes it is better to try and live for the now than never try and live in regret.”

The students take into account the wisdom behind his words. "I'm sorry I tried to push you into dating Uncle, it wasn't right," said Lao Shi. "Especially since it was for my self-interest and not yours."

"No, it wasn't, but it did give me the push I needed to go for it. However, in the future, let me choose who I date or what to write on my dating profile!"

"Noted."

At school, Zano, Mirabel, Lao Shi, Nell, and Ernie discuss Principal Moreno's departure. Zano tells them it is now better because he gets a clean start with the new principal, whoever that is.

“Can you believe this? I managed to avoid Moreno talking to my parents. And now that there's going to be a new principal, I get a clean slate.”

“Students, I have the sad duty to inform you that due to the disorder caused by Ms. Moreno's sudden departure, I will no longer be able to serve as your teacher,” Professor Van Hellsing tells the class. Everyone screams in joy. “Instead, I have been chosen to be your new principal!”

“What?” Everyone then gets disappointed, and Zano sighs sadly, saying, "Aww, Man!"

"At least he won't be teaching," said Mirabel.

"And since I'll be busy during my transition. Mr. Verdugo will be covering my class for the rest of the school year, maybe even more."

"Never mind."

Chapter Text

Mirabel’s P.O.V.

It was just another rainy day in San Angel. I lounged about with my friends, creating different designs in my sketchbook, and Nell and Dani worked on ideas for the next issue of the school newspaper. Camilo and Ernie had just finished off all of Sensei’s leftovers and were currently in a food coma, while Zano worked on a trap at the front door with Mushu. I was fine, but Lao Shi had to go and complain.

"Oh, I am so bored. We haven't had a good mystery in “I don't know when!" he exclaimed, leaning on the couch. 

“I thought you would enjoy the free time since Kiba and Aki are visiting the in-laws,” Mushu commented.

“That was before nature literally rained on my parade. Not to mention I already played all the games we have here even the board ones because I am that bored!” he ranted. 

"He has a point Mushu, I think I've read every magazine in your house," Daniela joined in. She spotted something between the couch cushions. "What's that?" 

Mushu looked over, and panic took over him. "No, don't!" He jumped over the couch and crashed onto the floor in front of her, but it was too late.

"Traps Illustrated'? Mushu!" Daniela scolded him with a glare.

"I, uh, I read it for the articles. In fact, it's where I got the idea for this little beauty!" Mushu went from bashful to proud in about 0.25 seconds flat when he remembered the trap he had at the front door.

"Who do you expect to trap outside your front door?" I asked him, putting down my notepad. As if right on cue, there was a metallic sound and a scream from outside.

"Let's find out," Zano smirked and ran to the door. A delivery man hung upside down from the trap.

"I got a package for, uh, Luong-Li Fang aka Kiba," the delivery man said warily, obviously caught off guard. But I noticed he wasn't yelling, so either this is the biggest shock he's ever had, or he's encountered worse when ringing the doorbell.

"Hey, that's me," Lao Shi exclaimed happily and took the package. He closed the door, and I was about to ask about the delivery man, but Zano pulled a lever, and the man was free.

"What is it?" Daniela asked as Lao Shi sat in the chair and we all surrounded him. Even Camilo and Ernie joined us.

"I think it's a box," Camilo jokes. I snorted but everyone else just stared at him, unamused.

Nell picked up the box and looked it over. "It's from Sensei...”

She picked up a taped note. " 'Saved this for a rainy day. Enjoy.' "

"When he says stuff like that it usually means trouble,” said Daniela.

“Be careful Luong. Knowing Sensei, it could be a magic orb that lectures us on wasting time,” Nell warned, watching the box warily as Lao Shi opened it. He pulled out an alagator skin purse. "Ooh, strike that. Cute purse." 

"Check it out: '100% pure gator, made in Caimansville' ," Daniela read from the bottom part of the purse.

I blinked, confused. "Caimanville?” 

“But that's impossible. Caimansville hasn't manufactured gator products in decades. Not since the gator mines dried up, at least," Zano stated, crossing his arms.

"Gator mines?" Camilo echoed, confused.

Nell proceeded to explain. "Caimansville was founded in the 1800s when a group of prospectors searching for gold struck something much more valuable-- alligator. Caimansville had more alligators than anywhere in the world. Overnight, Caimansville became a boomtown. The town became famous for its gator skin products. Then the gator wells ran dry. Caimansville became a ghost town."

Zano clapped sarcastically. "Nice history lesson, Nell," He said with a laugh. She rolled her eyes dryly.

"But Nell, it says it was made in Caimansville," Camilo stated.

Mushu sniffed at it. "Ooh, and it smells new."

"Gang, we have a mystery on our hands," Ernie said enthusiastically, standing from the chair.

"Oh, sweet Christmas, finally!" Nell cheered, and we all rushed to the van... Only to get caught in Zano and Mushu’s trap. "Oh, boy," Camilo sighed. 

Zano cut us all down, and we got in the van. Caimansville was only ten minutes away, so we figured we wouldn't be gone long. when we arrived, I noticed Nell and Camilo next to each other and we all climbed out of the van.

"This is what happens when a civilization is founded on an entirely gator-based economy," Nell said after a quick look around.

"All right, gang, let's split up and look for clues," Ernie stated, and he and Daniela walked away.

"What do you say, Camilo? Want to go clue hunting with me?" Nell asked flirtatiously. "Nell! Come on, not in front of the others!" Camilo protested as I stood next to Zano, and Lao Shi, admiring the gator statue. The jaws of the gator suddenly snapped shut, making us all jump. "I didn't touch it!" Lao Shi announced as he scrambled away from it.

"How about we check out Hamburguesa de Caiman ?" Camilo asked us, putting an arm around me and Lao Shi. 

We all went inside to find a platter of burgers, “Hey cool!” Camilo and Lao Shi start eating it.

“Do you know how old these burgers are?” asked Zano. 

“Or what they’re made of?” added Nell

Both of them gulped, “It tastes better than most burger joints.” said Lao Shi. “Plus it tastes fresh. See?” He held one out. 

I grabbed it and sniffed it warily, “He’s right it does smell fresh, and it feels warm.”

“Which means that this town is not as abandoned as we thought.” zano concluded

“Well, that explains how the purse came to be but what does it have to do with the supernatural?” Camilo pondered.

“Don’t know but Sensei wouldn’t have sent us here if it wasn’t something major,” I said.

“Let’s regroup with the others and see what they found,” said Zano

After we compared notes with the rest of the gang, we had absolutely no new theories, turns out the only interesting thing we found in this town was the burgers.

"Let's go, guys, there's nothing to stop here! Looks like Sensei, sent us on a wild goose chase," Ernie announced as we all reconvened at the van.

"More like a fake gator chase!" Camilo laughed, and I chuckled at his bad humor. We all climbed into the van, and when Ernie turned the ignition, no sound came on, like the van was dead. Ernie sighed, he and Zano got out of the van, and opened the hood of the car. "Hmm, that's weird."

"Can you tell what the problem is, Ernie?" Daniela asked, getting out of the car to stand next to him. 

"You see that hole there? That should be an engine," said Zano.

Seeing as the only thing open in the town was a mechanic and a motel, Ernie called the mechanic shop for some assistance. A loud, rusty tow truck drove up to us and a large, beastly man with arms like tree trunks got out and walked up to us. "You kids are in some serious trouble! Care to tell me what you're doing in Caimansville?" he barked at us.

"Our van broke down. Maybe you could take a look at it? You look like you've got the hands for the job," Ernie rambled on.

"Why the heck should I help you?" the man snarled at him. "Because you're a mechanic?" Zano inquired dryly. He stared at him. "Touché."

He went to the hood and leaned in, fiddling with a few things in there before looking back at Ernie. "Here's your problem. Engine's missing," he started. 

“Really?” Zano snorted at him for stating the obvious. He ignored him and continued. "I'm gonna have to order a new one from the town over. Seeing as that's over three miles away, it won't arrive until morning."

"So, you're saying we're stuck in this super creepy ghost town all night long?" Camilo asked, earning a glare from the mechanic. We all picked up our phones and called our parents. Camilo called our parents, I called our primos, and Angelina picked up on the very last ring. "Hello Mirabel. Everything okay with your friends?" she asked, obviously distracted by the baby.

"Um, actually, I kind of need you to send someone to pick us up from Caimansville. We got a tip on something going on here and we followed it and there wasn't anything, and then we got stranded because someone stole the engine," I ranted to her.

"Okay, okay, honey. You know I would, but half of us are on baby duty, the cars are in the shop. Long story. And those with a non-expired driver’s license left for patrol an hour ago. If there's a hotel, stay there until morning. But if there isn't, call me again and I'll personally come get you. Okay?" she asked.

I sighed in relief. "Okay, Angie. Thanks."

The gang looked at me expectantly. "She said that if there's one available, stay in a hotel. If not, then she'd pick us up personally," I told them. 

“Probably for the best our folks are not happy with us,” said Camilo

“All our parents are on dates and Grandpapi’s car is in the shop right now, along with my sisters and your primo's cars. You do the math.” 

"Guess we're here for the whole night. Don't suppose you could recommend a hotel?" Ernie asked the man. 

"My sister Greta runs the best in town, “The Drowsy Gator ," he said, hooking the van up to his tow truck and driving us to the inn. He unhooked the van and looked at us.

"Oh, and a word of advice: don't leave your rooms," he said with a dark chuckle, before driving off into the night. We all walked up the old rickety steps, though Mushu came screaming behind us and jumped on Camilo, obviously frightened by something. By what? I don't know.

We entered the old building, and slow piano music played as we went to the front desk. Ernie rang the bell, and a dry, raspy voice came from one side of the room. "We ain't got no rooms," a woman with a large hairdo with an equally large pink dress was leaning on a doorway.

"But your sign in the window says, ' vacancy ,'" Nell argued. "Well, that sign's broken," she said, looking at us. I shivered at her eyes as they stared opposingly at each other. "But it's a painted sign," Nell continued, done with this woman and her antics.

"Gunther, we got guests!" she suddenly called. A tall, slender man slithered into the room from the piano. "Well! Hello!" he greeted airily, looking equally creepy as the woman next to him. "This is my son, Gunther Caiman. I'm Greta Caiman," the woman said, walking behind the front desk.

"Your last name is Caiman and you live in Caimansville? What a coincidence!" Camilo laughed, trying to diffuse the obvious tension. 

"Yeah, coincidence," she agreed, looking away briefly with a chuckle. She gathered a couple of keys and led us all up the stairs of the inn. "Uh, we don't get many guests here at the Drowsy Gator ," when she saw that we were looking all over the dirty place.

"Shocker," Zano remarked sarcastically.

"Um, are those claw marks?" Camilo whimpered. Greta leaned over him, looking at the obvious marks. "I don't see any marks."

“Shocker,” I whispered to Danila who giggled.

She continued up the stairs. "I got a few hotel rules. Rule number one-- boys and girls in separate rooms, no exceptions!"

"Then I guess I'm with you guys," Lao Shi said to the boys.

"I said, no exceptions!" Greta yelled at him. "But I'm a boy," Lao Shi said dryly, clearly offended.

"Oh, right. Rule number two: Stay in your rooms, no matter what you hear. That includes screams, moans, wails, pounding, clawing, scratching, and anything that sounds like a body being dragged across a hardwood floor," she continued. I shuddered and took a step closer to Camilo. We shared a concerned and slightly frightened look. "Okay, well, looks like you, me, and Mushu are in this room," Ernie said to the boys and Mushu.

"I almost forgot! Rule number three: no pets in the hotel!" Greta continued. "What?!" Mushu exclaimed and started whimpering.

"It's okay, Mushu. You can sleep in the Van," Ernie offered. 

"It's just one night, Mushu. We'll see you in the morning," I said sadly.

"I hope so! I'm not a pet," Mushu muttered as he walked down the stairs.

Daniela, Nell, and I went into the girls' room and got settled. Nell was messing with her hair and Daniela noticed.

"Is there something different about your bangs?" she asked the brassy girl. 

"I raised them a half centimeter to bring out my forehead. Tootles," Nell said, walking towards the room's door.

"Where are you going?" I asked, raising a brow, and staring into her eyes. "I, uh, forgot something," she stuttered, looking away from me.

"What?"

"I forget." And with that, she left the room.

"Hmm. Mirabel, is there something going on with Nell? She's been acting kind of weird," Daniela asked me. I sighed and looked at her. I didn't want to betray Camilo's trust or Nell’s, but Daniela and I have been getting along well these few weeks. When we made the team we promised to be honest with each other. "I do know something that's going on. I was told in confidence by Camilo, and I don't want to disclose exact information," I said in my best 'reporter' voice. She gasped. "They're dating, aren't they?" she guessed excitedly. "I can neither confirm nor deny anything," I said with a laugh.

"Well, I always thought they would be kind of cute together, so I'm going to guess that's what's happening. I just won't say anything. They'll tell soon enough," she said, before getting up and going to the door as well. I groaned. "You're leaving the room too?" I asked. "This could be the only chance I have of talking to Ernie alone!" she squealed.

“You know Zano and Lao Shi will be there too, right?”

“Eh, they're probably on the rooftop to fly back to San Angel,” she shrugged.

I sighed dramatically. "Fine! Just don't give me any nieces or nephews!" I exclaimed. She laughed and walked out the door. I sighed to myself and got out my sketch pad and some pencils. While I have enjoyed writing, I also missed drawing and sketching. I always have my sketchbook, notepad, pencils- including colored ones- and a camera in my bag, as well as a few flashlights and batteries. I started drawing some form, letting my hand take over. Pretty soon I realized I was drawing Zano and Chapa.

But not how they are now. I was drawing them as I had met them. Carefree and arguing, no fear in their veins. I was just finishing the sketch and about to color it in, when the lights went out. I sighed, packed everything in my bag and slung it over my shoulder, and looked outside the room. Suddenly, the floorboards beneath me cracked open, and a reptilian hand grabbed my ankle. I screamed and leaped forward. It kept yanking me through the floor, but I held on while yelling. "Help! Someone, help!"

Ernie, Lao Shi, Camilo, Zano, Daniela, and Nell raced out, with Zano and Lao Shi grabbing my hands and pulling me from the large reptile monster from behind me. They pulled me up, and Zano kept a grip on my wrist as we all raced out of the inn. We got to the van, and Ernie quickly started directing us on what to do.

"Mushu, get behind the wheel!"

"Huh? But the Van is broken!" Nell argued. "Which is why we're going to push it," he explained. Mushu got behind the wheel, and we all pushed with all our might to get the van moving. It finally got rolling down the hill and we climbed into the van. It came to a stop right by the Caimansville sign.

"Look! They're stopping," Daniela pointed out. Sure enough, the gator people had stopped and turned around to slither back into town.

"They weren't trying to eat us. They just want us out of town," Nell realized.

"Why?" I asked, looking at my friends. "I don't know. But if we're going to solve this mystery, we have to go back into Caimansville," Ernie answered.

We walked back into town and saw lights on at the dock. We raced over, making sure the gator people didn't see us. As we got closer, we saw them.

"It's them," Camilo pointed them out.

"Huh? ' 100% pure gator. ' This belt is just like the purse Sensei sent us," Ernie said, picking up a belt.

"Let me see that," Daniela said, taking the belt and wrapping it around her arm. She let out a cry and threw it off her.

"What happened?" Ernie asked. "I'm allergic to cheap imitation animal skin. Pleather, fake fur- it all makes me break out. That belt isn't 100% pure gator. It's a fake. They're all fakes!" she said, looking at all the crates.

"So, those fake gator people are selling fake gator products? Talk about irony!" Camilo stated with a nervous laugh.

"We have to stop them," Lao Shi declared. 

“Why? This isn't a magical problem.”

“Maybe but I don’t like it when people use reptile faces to commit crimes or chase me off. It’s dishonorable.”

“Then here’s what we do,” we all huddled as Zano told us his plan for the trap. Of course, Camilo and Ernie were bait.

"Oye, Gator freaks! You're the ugliest crocodiles I’ve ever seen!" Camilo called the gator people. "Who are you calling a crocodile?!" one of them cried airily. "Get them!" the female-like one cried, and they chased after Camilo and Ernie.

As they raced after them, each of their feet got caught in a rope, which slung them up and threw them into large fake alligator suitcases, which rolled through woven fake alligator belts. Daniela, Nell, and I each sat on one as they shook with angry fake gator people, "Got 'em!" Mushu cheered, sitting next to Daniela on one of the cases.

He pulled out a blue book and opened it up happily. "Old 45, gets 'em every time!" Daniela sighed in annoyance since there was a pretty girl dragon on it.

The police arrived after our parents called them, saying that they hadn't heard from us in a few hours. They arrested the gator people and sat them on the steps of the inn. "Time to find out who these greedy gators really are," Ernie stated. I had my camera at the ready.

One by one, we tried to take off their masks but we had trouble.

“It won’t come off!” Lao Shi said as he tried to unmask the big one. “Man that mask is on tight.”

“That’s because it’s not a mask you skinny fire breathing geko!” the gator man yelled.

“Wait a second. They’re not fake gator people, they're real gator people!” I stated.

“Of course we are! How do you think this town was able to ranch the gators like cattle?”

“You think 1800s humans had the resources or skill to do it! HA! It was all us.” the female added.

 Zano smirked, “Good thing I went with the chains instead of ropes, huh?”

The sheriff facepalmed, “Great. You two get the muzzles." his deputies went to the cars.

I went up to them, “Let me guess Grady Caiman, Greta Caiman, And Gunther Caiman?"

“How’d you know?”

"They're the only people here," I replied. “What I don’t get is why they would go through all this trouble for a human town that killed gators?”

“What your shortshited human folklore forgot to mention is that our kind is the apex predator for gators and crocodiles if they're near.”

“The bigger they are the better they taste.”

“Talk about “you are what you eat,” commented Camilo. 

Mushu's eyes widened in realization, “Of course! You’re all Cucas! And this town must have been the rumored cuca town.”

“Why rumored?”

“Because no one, magical or not, ever thought a cuca could make a town where our kind worked with humans. They assumed we would eat them because of that one old bat.” ranted Gunther

“Great, so second rate reptile pacifists that over hunted their product chased me off so much better.” Lao Shi said dryly. I elbowed him to be quiet.

“But we showed them! Our family had the best gator ranch around and humans loved our products but sadly our diet was our undoing.”

“We switched to crocodiles but that only held off the inevitable.”

"After we ran out of alligators and crocodiles, everybody, human and cuca, moved out of Caimansville. But not us," Grady explained. "This here is our home," Greta added. 

"So, with no alligators left, you decided to make imitation gator products and pass them off as real," Daniela explained, putting all the pieces together.

“Actually half are fake, the other half came from our old skins,” said Gunther

"Okay, nasty factoid aside, you couldn't have anyone snooping around Caimansville. So, you used your Cuca forms to scare people away. Then you could run your counterfeit gator ring without anyone knowing who you were or what you were up to," Nell continued.

"That's honestly the craziest plan I've ever heard," I said, taking one more picture.

"And you know what? We would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling juveniles and your unauthorized investigation of our synthetic gator accessories," Gunther hissed at me. I rolled my eyes.

“Careful or we will let the cops take you away to be experimented on.”

“What are you talking about Mirabel? They broke the law and tried to scare the burgers out of us!” exclaimed Camilo.

“Yeah! You do the crime you do the time,” said Ernie

“And they should, but they’re magical creatures. They have the right to a fair trial among their community,” I explained. “If we leave them to human law they’ll be locked up forever and experimented on. Can we really be okay with that?”

“They eat people! Children I might add.” 

“Not all of them, and besides we all are part of a species that is guilty of horrible things. No matter how noble a majority of them are,” I said directly to Lao Shi and Mushu.

“She has a point: they may be killer counterfeiters but they didn’t kill anyone. The most they deserve is to be punished by the magic council,” Zano added.

The rest of the group agreed but Lao Shi was the only one holding a grudge. “Lao…”

Lao Shi huffed, “Fine! But only because I know a human cell won’t be enough to hold them!”

Mushu pulled out a special powder and sprinkled it on the cops. “You know what, we can just bring them to their police department and hold them there until we find someone with jurisdiction to handle them,” he said with a goofy smile. His deputies nodded in agreement and they all drove away with the Caimans to do just that.

[Kiba’s shop]

“So after Mushu did his spell, we found your little present back in the van,” Zano said, explaining to Sensei what we went through. “Though you may want to talk to your helper elf friend on his prices, the little twerp wouldn’t let us go until we forked up our gas money.”

“Consider it done. I am glad to hear you all managed to handle the Caimanville mystery well despite not offering you more information,” said Kiba

“Why did you?”

“It was to make sure you can handle yourselves in a mission without me or the other grownups stepping in. Yes, you all have done it before but this was intentional and supposed to be a simple recon. I never would have thought the stories of a human-Cuca town would be true.”

“So what’s going to happen to the town now?” I asked.

“The council has decided to use the town as a place for magical creatures migrating from other countries.”

“That’s wonderful!” Daniella exclaimed.

“Yes, and when the new community has finally settled the Caimans can return home to serve the rest of their sentence after all they did reveal their forms to humans.”

“At least no one was hurt except for Lao Shi’s pride.”

“I was on the toilet!” he exclaimed, making us all laugh.

This mystery may have been crazy but it was more mild than our other missions. Of course, it was still a bit creepy but hey at least we were able to give magical creatures a chance for a new home in the end. I just hope that any Cucas that move in follow the same diet as the Caimans, but now I have to wonder what other creatures have been given a bad rap because of one bad egg?

Chapter Text

Mirabel and Zano were walking around the fairgrounds together after solving another mystery. “This was fun, Zano, but why did you want to come here just the two of us?" she asked.

A bit nervous, Zano replied, "I wanted to get you alone to talk about some things?"

"Like what?"

Zano leads her to the tunnel of love, and they board the boat. "Mirabel, remember at the play when we had to kiss?"

"Yeah, that was before we found out about you know who?" she said, looking down. "Zano, I'm so sorry about her."

"It's fine, I'm over it," he said unconvincingly, but it was true. "It's not like Marisol’s the only girl in the world. I have plenty of options."

"Oh?" she raised her eyebrow.

"That is to say, I'm ready to go on a date! Not that I haven't been on one before, but this time it'll be a real one."

"A real one?" she asked, confused.

"You know a real fate instead of a practice one like with Daniella," he explained, but then cringed. "That sounded less terrible in my mind."

Mirabel giggled, "Lucky for you, I was there that week, so I understand where you're going with this." Zano smiles at her. "I'm glad you want to get back in the dating game."

"Thank you Mariposita."

"So, is there anyone you have in mind?"

He rubs his neck, "Well, there is this girl I've known for a while who's been on my mind a lot." 

"Do I know her?"

"She's in this boat right now," Zano confessed as Mirabel's eyes widened. She turned her head to him, "Mirabel, ever since we met, I've been drawn to you like a moth to a flame. I never gave it more thought because we were still getting to know each other, and I was preoccupied with other things. But after the exposition, our second stage kiss, and the gala, I can't stop thinking about you."

"I've been thinking about you a lot, too, Zano. You're the first real friend I’ve made in ten years who didn’t pity me…” she said, looking down. “And when we shared that stage kiss, it felt almost right."

"Almost?"

"It was acting," Mirabel replied coyly. Zano smiled, getting the hint, and leaned closer to her. Mirabel leaned in too. Their eyes closed as their lips puckered to close the gap between them until an alarm went off.

BEEP! BEEP!

Zano shot up and hit his head on the ceiling, causing him to fall onto his bed. "Ow! What the heck?” he rubbed his head and looked up, confused. 'How did I get up there?' 

His thoughts were interrupted when his mother cried out. "Zano, hurry up or you'll be late for school!" cried Maria.

"I'm coming!" he called back. He got out of bed to get ready and noticed his bat, Diego, was staring at him in concern. "I take it I wasn't in my bed last night?"

The bat nodded. "Great! Just when I think I've got the hang of these mysterious powers. Oh well, at least I've gotten the rocks under control, right?"

Diego nodded and pulled out a picture of Mirabel. "Yes, I'm going to ask Mirabel today. So don't push it, you're worse than my mother," Zano said before he grabbed his backpack and headed out.

In San Angel High, all the students were getting hyped for the upcoming dance.  Especially Mirabel and Nell, because this year Nell is co-president and Mirabel is on the decorating committee. "I'm telling you, girl, this dance is going to be amazing!" Nell declared as she and Mirabel walked down the hall. "This year we got a real band to provide real music that people can dance to."

"I think the instrumental majors did a great job at the fundraiser," Mirabel stated.

"Yes, but now they can enjoy the dance with their friends. After all the crazy stuff we've been through, organizing a school dance at the pier is exactly what we need to unwind."

Soon, the girls spot Ernie and Zano at their lockers. Zano waved at them. Ernie held flyers.

“I can't believe spirit week is already here," said Ernie as he put up flyers for the event. 

"Yeah, and since we have a new dragon on the scene, we can all relax and have fun—unless we get an emergency on the website," Nell replied. "Right, Zany? Zany?"

Zano was staring off and smiled dreamily. "Zano? Zee? Zachariah Sánchez?" Ernie asked, trying to get his attention. 

Following Zano's gaze, Nell saw Mirabel at the end of the hall filling a 16-ounce canteen with water from the fountain. "Oh, Mirabel," Ernie said, smirking.

"Amp it down, Zany. Someone might discover that you're crushing on her." Nell turned to find that he was gone. "Huh? Zano?"

"I think our little bat has finally learned how to fly, Nelly," Ernie remarked as he watched Zano speaking with Mirabel.

Up ahead, Mirabel took a drink before noticing Zano in front of her. "Hey, Zano, is there a mission?" she asked.

Zano replied, "Oh, it's, uh, you know... I mean, no... Um..."

"OK, good, I'll see you in class," Mirabel smiled and left for class, as Zano gave a frustrated sigh while Nell and Ernie walked up.

"Wow, you got it bad, man. I don't think I saw you this upset when you struck out with-"

"We get the picture, Ernie."

"I can't even form a sentence around her now. How am I gonna ask her to Friday's dance?"

"Don't we go together every year?" Ernie asked as Zano looked at him.

"Yeah, but that's as a group of friends. And this time, I was thinking about lining up a, you know…"

"An enemy?"

"A date!" he sighed again as they walked down the hall.

"A date, right. Uh-huh, I can do that. The bring a date thing," Ernie smiled as he mirrored it.

"Great. So, who are you going to ask?"

"For me to get a date? Who am I not gonna ask?" Ernie asked. “Nell?”

“Sorry, Ernie, not this time, I got a real date,” Said Nell.

“Oh, cool, anyone we know?” Ernie asked.

“It’s a surprise, you’ll find out at the dance,” said Nell before her communicator went off.

Beep, Beep Ba-Beep!

"Hey, Web, Que Tal?" Zano asked, seeing Webster, Edna’s nephew, on a split screen with Camilo.

"Meet us at your locker." The trio walked down the hall to Zano’s locker, where Mirabel was walking to the other corner. Zano quickly opened his locker and turned on the computer. "You will not believe how many hits we're getting on this site. Everyone wants your help,” Said Web.

Paper printed out the requests as Ernie looked at them. "Mrs. Giltmore needs someone to feed her cats. For a week."

Nell reeled back in disgust at that. "Eurgh! Seven days, eight cats."

Ernie nodded at that. "One litter box. I know our website says we can do anything, but we have to draw the line... Hey, long distance. Tokyo! I love their tech."

"Funny, I know a few people who’d disagree," Zano sighed before Web typed on his computer.

"That one's an emergency. I'll stream the security camera," said Web.

A quick video of a toy factory came up before they saw someone punch it. "Whoa, rewind and freeze, Web," Mirabel said, and Web did so, freezing the screen to show Hugo on a rope mid-swing. "Dr. Hugo."

"Our arch-enemy," Ernie said, leaning a hand on the door.

"Well, Zano’s arch-enemy. Yeah, I don't think he knows our names," Camilo corrected.

"Come on, guys, let's jet.”

“Can’t one of us stay and organize the dance?” said Nell. 

“Looks like it's just the four of us,” said Zano.

"Oh, yeah! Going to Tokyo on a school night. How are we gonna get there?" Ernie asked as Mirabel shrugged.

"I'll phone a friend,” Said Web.

Air, Jet.

Camilo is in his mission gear, looking around the spacious private jet, in awe. “Cool, I didn’t know plans came with a kitchen.”

Zano and Ernie, in their mission gear, with Ernie wearing sunglasses, sat on the couch. "Thanks for the lift, Dory," Zano said to the girl beside him.

Dory has fair skin, long blonde hair in a ponytail, and is wearing a purple top and black skirt with matching shoes. Dory looked up from the magazine she was reading and smiled. “Zano, duh, it’s the least I could do as Webs' former babysitter, plus I owe you guys after you saved my Chicago show."

Zano waved her off. "Oh, the backstage fire was no big deal."

Dory dropped the magazine at that. "For you, maybe. Must be so awesome not to be afraid of anything."

"Hm, Fearless, I am not," he said.

Ernie looked over at that. "Oh, come on! I've seen you wrestle a shark with your bare hands."

"Yeah, what could scare you?" Dory asks.

"Mirabel..." he said with a sigh.

"Ooh! The Crush on a teammate story." Dory giggled.

Zano sighed at that. "I feel so ridiculous around her when I try to ask her out."

Dory shrugged with a smile. "Just go for it. What's the worst thing that could happen?"

Ernie smiled and turned to her. "So, Dory as a teenage superstar, I'll bet you miss out on stuff like school dances with, you know, normal, average guys?"

"True," she sighed.

"Friday. Dance. You. Me. Average guy."

Dory shook her head at that. "No."

Ernie then looked at Zano as Mirabel walked out of a door and up to them. "See? Was that so hard?"

Zano deadpanned at him. "Only to watch.”

Mirabel walked in wearing her mission gear. “Hey, we’re about to land soon.”

Nakasumi Factory.

The four teens stood in front of the factory, facing two people: a male and a female.

The man is short and stocky. He has black hair. His eyes are narrow and black, his brows thick with laugh lines and bags under his eyes. He's wearing a black suit.

The woman has long, black hair, gold earrings, and is wearing a red dress with black leggings.

"Thank you for coming, young heroes. I am Yoshiko, the translator for Nakasumi-san."

Ernie smiled and slicked back his hair. "You know, I'm looking for a lucky someone to go to a dance with me."

Yoshiko whispers to Mr. Nakasumi before he whispers into Yoshiko's ear. "Er, Nakasumi-san says he's very flattered, but given the current crisis, he feels it'd be inappropriate to go to the dance."

Ernie cringed, ”No! Ew, no! I meant-"

Mirabel pulled Ernie back at that. "So, what's the problem?"

"They have taken over our entire factory. The workers are trapped inside." She replied as Zano looked at the building.

"How many?"

"Two," Yoshiko replied.

"Hundred?"

Yoshiko shook her head at that. "No, just two. This is the most automated factory in the world."

They then went to the side of the factory, and Zano and Mirabel shot their grappling hooks, pulling themselves up. Camilo followed and had his pants pulled off as the rope was still connected to his belt. "Camilo, stop playing around!"

“Like I wanted this to happen!” Camilo yelled.

After getting up and dressed, Mirabel and Ernie looked through the window as Zano walked up, his goggles on his head. "What's Hugo doing in a video game factory?" She asks as they see Hugo passing by the two hostages while one of his henchmen tries to undo a large bolt.

"Duh! Do you know what this factory makes?" Ernie asks as Mirabel pulls a laser and starts cutting the glass.

"Video games?"

"The T board. Only the fastest graphics system ever."

"So? Video games." She said to him.

"System, not game. Studios handle games," Zano replied as she finished.

"It's not even coming out back home until Christmas. It's the must-have gift of the holiday season. Hugo’s gonna steal Christmas," Ernie said as Zano brought the goggles down over his eyes.

"Ernie, I know villains. Trust me, Hugo wants to take over the world." Zano deadpanned as they started climbing down.

"He wants to steal Christmas!" Ernie argued.

"Take over the world!"

"Steal Christmas."

"Take over the world."

"Steal Christmas."

"Take over the world."

"Steal Christmas."

Zano sighed as they got to the floor before he walked off. Turning his goggles on, he started knocking out the men. As he reached the last man, he heard a noise and turned to see the device in the middle of the factory being lifted into the air. He then ran over, his goggles raised on his forehead. As he arrived at the others, he saw Ernie and Camilo pinned to a wall by a forklift, and Mirabel looking up at Hugo and Esmeralda escaping.

"Quick, where's our helicopter?" Ernie asks as Mirabel sighs.

"We don't have one."

"Ooh, too bad."

Morning, Sanchez Household.

"I do not believe it. That Dr. Hugo fellow stole a factory. It seems that two employees were rescued by the world-famous, yet unknown, vigilantes... Hey. Nice work, mijo,” Manolo said as he read the paper before looking at his son, who was stirring his oatmeal. 

"Sure, until I let Franken-Freak get away. I've gotta figure out his plan before he tries to take over the world. Oh, and then there's the Mirabel thing."

"Mirabel? Did she get hurt?"

Zano shook his head at that. "No. I'm trying to ask Mirabel to the dance."

"Oh. Don't you kids usually go with your friend group?"

"Yeah, but Mirabel is a Mami Chula I want to take as a date," Zano smiled as Manolo cleared his throat.

"I wouldn't just give up without a fight. With Hugo, I mean. Better get back on that case as soon as possible. And Zano, let's not talk about Chula’s at breakfast anymore. Especially those who are family members."

“One, I’m adopted, and two, Mirabel is an in-law.”

“But practically, Ignacio’s baby sister, so be cautious on who you call a hottie.”

Maria walked in at that, holding a cup of coffee. "Who's a hottie?"

"We are not talking about it."

"Mirabel-Ah!" Zano jumped as his sister and niece ran up to him.

"Zano’s got a girlfriend!/Zano got a girlfriend!"

Zano crossed his arms and glared. "Don't make me hurt you."

"Eat your cereal, girls," Maria said, having the two sit at the table. "So, you're finally asking Mirabel out?"

"Mirabel is caring, brave, clever, and really-" Zano stopped as Luna burped. "Excuse you!"

"Wanna know what I think?" Luna asks as he narrows his eyes.

"No."

"Send an anonymous e-mail."

"I couldn't do that," he said as Layla smiled.

"Yes, you can. Route it through Sweden or someplace, and it can't be traced."

Manolo looked up from his paper at his granddaughter. "Hmm. Your principal's been getting anonymous e-mails from Sweden."

"Humm... gotta go!"

The two ran off as Maria looked at her son. "Cariño, telling a girl you like her is like getting into a cold pool. Deep breath, then take the plunge."

San Angel High.

Mirabel walked to the school, stopped, looked up at the sign, and blinked.

NEED A DATE? CALL ERNIE

Mirabel giggles, “I hope Daniela gets back in time for the dance,” said Mirabel

Inside, Zano was pacing in the hall. "Before this day is over, I am going to ask Mirabel to the dance."

Ernie walked up to her and smiled. "And I'm gonna ask... somebody."

Zano smiled at that. "Your standards are so high."

"Flexibility is key, Zee," Ernie smiled before they saw Mirabel at the other end of the hall.

He walked over, only to stop as the bell rang and a crowd of students rushed to class.

Later, in the gym, Mirabel was working on a sign for the dance as Zano watched from the door in his gym outfit. "Deep breath, then take the plunge. Here goes."

Only to stop as Xander walked up and closed the door. "Hi, Zachariach."

"Thrall."

Xander smiled at him. "Don't mind if I watch, do you?"

"Watch what?"

"You. Zano. It's so obvious that you're crushing on her." Xander replied.

"It is not."

"Oh, yeah? Gonna ask her to the dance?"

Zano narrowed his eyes at that. "Why?"

"I think it's great."

Zano blinked at that. "Really?"

Xander nodded and crossed his arms. "Naturally, I get to see you crash and burn."

"Maybe she'll say yes."

"Go for it."

Zano went to the door as Xander opened it. "I will... After practice."

Later, as the squad practiced while Mirabel hung the sign and sat at the bleachers, Ernie ran in with a megaphone. "Attention, ladies! It is I, Ernie Potts. There is a rare hole in my social calendar for this Friday. Please note. I am a bon-diggity dancer. Thank you."

He went to sit down as several of the girls giggled. "OK, everybody, doghouse pyramid," Nell said, and as soon as they did the pyramid, her communicator went off before Ernie yelled through the megaphone.

"Guys, it's for you!"

Zano missed the basket, and the ball ended up hitting Mirabel. “Ow!” before Ernie handed him the device. "Hot tip from the Nakasumi heist. Can you cut practice?" Web asked as Zano sighed, seeing Mirabel rub her head.

Alps.

"OK, kids, we're here."

The Alp man said to the teens in their winter clothes as they stopped the machine that drove them to the top of the mountain.

"Thanks for the lift, Heinrich," Mirabel said as they got out, and Zano and Mirabel held snowboards.

"Oh, Miss M, you're silly. It's the least I could do after you saved our village from that avalanche last year," Heinrich said to her.

"No big," Mirabel waved him off as Ernie looked up.

"So, Heinrich, got any teenage daughters who might wanna go to a big fiesta in Mexico?” Heinrich glared as he threw Ernie his snowboard. "Nein! (No!)"

"Nine? One's plenty."

"Nein means no!" He replied, then closed the door and left them.

"Hey, wait a minute! I helped with that avalanche!"

Zano got on his board and said, "You almost started it. Come on."

He and Mirabel then began to descend the mountain. "Right behind ya!" Ernie tried but fell on his back.

Down below, Zano and Mirabel stop at the edge of a cliff overlooking a lair on the side of the next mountain. She then pulled out binoculars and looked through them. "Talk to me, Web."

"This is unquestionably Hugo’s latest lair. I've hacked into the security system, but it's tight. (Sigh), I can't shut down the sensor beams. But I could boost the frequency so you can see them," Webs replied as she smiled before they started to see the lasers below them, above the ground.

"Please and thank you."

Suddenly, Ernie slammed into them, having the three snowboard around, under, or over the beams before coming to a stop under the lair by the last laser. And had Diego slowly slide into it. "Uh-oh."

An alarm sounded before metal walls rose around them.

Later, the three are inside in their mission clothes, surrounded by henchmen holding shock staffs. "I have never been captured that fast, Ernie,” Mirabel sighed at Ernie, who shrugged.

"Embarrassing? Perhaps, but it did get us inside the bad man's lair."

"Don't mind me, I just wanna watch."

They looked up to see that Esmerelda was up on a catwalk. Mirabel ran over, jumped over the men, then vaulted up to start fighting Esmeralda.

"So I guess we gotta handle them…" Zano cracked his neck as the men readied their weapons.

He then reached behind his back and pulled out a red billy club. Twisting it, it disconnects into two pieces. He then threw it at one man, hitting him in the head and having the club bounce back into his hand. The men all ran at Zano, who dashed forward. Zano ran at one man and hit him in the back of the head with the club before ducking under a swipe, then punched the man, causing him to lose his footing.

Zano kicked the man in the side of the head, forcing him to the floor. He then ran and hit a man to his left with the club he was holding in his left hand before hitting one on his right with the other. He then punches one in front of him before dropping to duck under a staff swing and then uppercuts him. Falling to the floor, Zano kicks him away, and he falls on his head and shoulders.

He then grabs a staff and punches the man in the face, then hits the bottom of the staff with his knee, shocking the man as it hits his chin. Turning, Zano brings his club down on top of another man's head, forcing him to the floor. He jumped back to dodge one thrown at him, throwing his clubs in the air, then handsprings back to land on one guard, trying to get up.

Rolling to his knees, Zano caught his clubs and threw one, hitting a henchman in the face. Running to get both, Zano then blocks a punch before hitting the man in the arm several times, then spins to hit him in the head before dropping down to sweep and kick him off his feet. Getting up, Zano punches another man several times before hitting him in the throat, then Roundhouse kicks him to the floor.

"Nice work, boys. Now, where's...?"

Turning, Zano saw Mirabel dropping down before she looked around. Hugo then came down on a lift. "Ah, my teenaged foe and the buffoons."

"Oh, go fu-!”

Smack!

"Ow!"

"Language Zano!" Esmerelda scolded after throwing a shoe upside Zano’s head.

Ernie grabbed the gaming device from the conveyor belt and looked at Hugo. "Well, this buffoon knows your secret plan. You wanna steal Christmas!"

"Not even close."

Mirabel crossed her arms and stared at Ernie. "So, this is a take-over-the-world thing, Ernie!"

Hugo was then moved to be put in a robot body that the factory devices all formed into. "Watch, as this state-of-the-art assembly line becomes the ultimate robot warrior!"

"Konnichiwa. (Hello.)" A TV of the factory's mascot came up on the chest.

"That'd be so cool if it wasn't gonna hurt us. Don't freak out, Mirabel!" Ernie said as Mirabel sighed while they ran and hid.

"I'm not."

"Well, that makes one of us," Ernie said before Mirabel called Ernie as the three dodged the robot swipes.

“You call Webs, we’ll handle the bot,” Zano said as he and Mirabel kept the bot away from Ernie.

“Webs, we're up against a giant robot warrior,” Ernie said to him. “Which used to be a robot assembly line.” 

“Hmm? According to this schematic, Nakasumi-san installed an override module,” Webs replied as the slogan from the factory repeated on the TV screen.

Zano vaulted over a box as Mirabel used her cheerleader skills to dodge blasts. As they ran, Mirabel was climbing on the back before Hugo scraped above her, trying to get Mirabel off, showing a slot. 

“I think I see it! Zano! Think fast!” Ernie threw the communicator, and Zano caught it. Putting it in the slot, Webs then started hacking before figuring out the password by listening to the robot and stopping it by controlling it himself.

San Angel High.

“Why so glum, Zee Hugo was stopped and the world is safe,” said Ernie, covered in rose petals.

“Hey guys, what’s up? Ernie, what happened to you?”

“I struck out, if only Daniela, Thrall, and Lao Shi were here, at least I’d have some people to hand with at the dance.”

Nell noticed Zano looking at Mirabel and knew what to do.  "Uh, Ernie? We need to go over some last-minute presidential stuff for the dance."

"But I thought we got all that done before-" Nell dragged him around the hall. "Would you just come over here!" she ordered. "See you two later," she said to them sweetly.

Now alone, Zano cleared his throat before turning to Mirabel, who began putting her books away.

"Hey."

Mirabel greeted Zano as Nell and Ernie left. "Hey. Um… Er, guess I'll see you there at the dance."

"I thought we were all going," She says as he blushes slightly.

"Yes, but I was thinking of taking a date this year.”

“Oh?” She said, not looking up at him. "Who are you going to ask?"

"I was thinking of taking you as my date. Seeing as this will be your first dance at San Angel. You might want an expert to show you how it's done," he said, internally kicking himself for how condescending he sounded.

She paused and looked up at him, "That's sweet, but I thought you wanted to take a real date?" 

"Well, that depends, are you up for making it real?" he asked suavely.

Mirabel blinked at the implication and began to stand up to his eye level, "Are you asking me out for real?" She asks as he nods.

"Yes, yes, I am."

Mirabel paused for a moment and admitted that she had felt some attraction to Zano for a while. However, she attributed it to infatuation since they didn’t know each other that well yet. The idea of going on a romantic date with him was tempting, but she couldn’t help but think about his past romantic relationships. “Are you sure you’re ready to take that step? I’ve heard stories about friends who tried dating, but it didn’t work out for half of them.”

"I've been ready since we kissed at the benefit concert," he said wistfully.

Mirabel hums, "OK. Meet me at the pier at six. I'll be there after school for last-minute decorations."

"I'll do you one better, how about I come to help you finish setting up?" Zano offered.

"See you at three then." She said, 'The bell rang,' and she grabbed his arm, walking off to their next class, passing a smug Nell and a weeping Ernie.

Nell smiled, "It's about time." Ernie wipes his eyes. "They grow up so fast."

At Zano's house, Zano was in his room, counting the hours to the dance. "Diego, my friend, you're looking at a hombre who's got a date with an Angel!" he said, smiling the biggest smile he's had since… well, ever!

Luna walked up to his room, surprised, "Mirabel said yes? Even with that big zit on your forehead."

"Ahh!" Zano said in surprise and turned to see Luna. "How did you get in here?"

"How do you think?" She holds up an extra copy of his room key. "Give me that!" He demands, taking the key from his sister. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I saw you come home smiling and thought you had been mind-controlled again. Turns out you're just high on love~" She cooed mockingly.

"Goodbye, Luna," he says, directing her out the door. "OK, I'll go, but I wasn't kidding about that zit on your forehead. It looks like it's moved to your nose... You might want to look into that." 

Once his sister left, Zano went to the mirror and gasped, seeing that she was telling the truth, but what was worse was that there was another zit on his cheek. "Are you kidding me?!" he exclaimed, reaching for his phone. He dialed Nell's number. "Emergency!"

After an hour, Nell, Ernie, and Zano went to Kiba's shop to ask Mushu for help regarding his skin issue. "You know a lot of teens use concealers to hide their blemishes," The small dragon pointed out.

"Most teens only have one zit to deal with before a big date! These are popping out in places I've never even had zits before!” Said Zano.

Mushu was intrigued, “Hmm? Sounds like the beginning of a dragon molting cycle."

"Molting cycle?"

"Yeah, a dragon sheds its skin every ten years or so," Mushu pulls out the magic book that projects a diagram of a young dragon going through molting, "It starts with a zit, then it turns into a hundred zits and before they know it their skin turns grayer and lumpier than a big ole mess of expired oatmeal!"

"That is nasty!" Ernie cried. 

"Agreed! Now I know why Lao Shi had to leave, but Zany isn't a dragon, he's a dhampir," said Nell.

"Maybe vampires have a weird skin cycle too?" Ernie theorized. "It would explain the rapid breakout."

Mushu looks through the pages, "Nothing much about dhampirs and zits, but I did find something interesting."

"What?"

"Cucas, Lamias, and Culebras' molting cycles are similar to dragons, but each occurs at a different pace. It also says that Culebras and Lamias are classified as different types of vampires."

"What are you getting at, Mushu?" Zano asked.

"It's just a theory, but Zany, do you know if both your grandparents are bat-like vampires or the scaly kind?" he asked.

"Last I checked, the bat kind. And if not, I'm pretty sure I would have remembered my cousin and sister going through this!” Said Zano.

"But you only saw them a couple of times out of the year," Nell pointed out. "They could have gone through this before you came to visit."

At her observation, Zano dials the phone and hears a female voice answer. "Hello?"

"Adrianna, I have a question for you," he said.

"Zano! Hey, little brother, it's been a while."

"Yeah, nice to hear from you, too. Now, tell me, did you ever go through a molting cycle?"

"You're going through yours now, aren't you?"

"You mean it's true!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah, turns out Abuela Esmerelda was a Culebra. A semi-reptilian species of immortal and feral creatures that feed on blood."

"I can't believe this!"

"Relax, we're only a quarter reptile, and thanks to our human heritage, you're skin should be ready to shed by this weekend, depending on when the zits began sprouting."

"Is there a way to speed it up so I shed the day before Friday?"

"He's got a date with Mirabel," Nell yelled out.

"Sorry, little brother, but you can't rush or stop nature. All you can do is let it happen, but I suggest you try staying out of public view because the process is very noticeable."

"Thanks, Adrianna, you've been a big help," he said, dejected and not happy.

"I know you're being sarcastic, but I'll let it go because I know you're feeling blue," she teased. “Later, Romeo.”

Zano hung up the phone. "Sisters! Blood or not, they're all annoying."

"So I guess you'll have to postpone your date with Mirabel."

"Or I'd better call her and give her the bad news,” Said Zano.

"Hold up, you can't just call and tell her you need a raincheck over the phone. You need to explain this to her face-to-face,” Said Nell.

"Nell, I just found out that I'm part vampire lizard and that my skin is turning into gray oatmeal! I don't think I should be face-to-face with anyone!"

"It hasn't gotten that bad yet, and Mirabel isn't anybody; she's your teammate," Nell assures him. "She's seen you go bat before. Right?”

Speak of the devil, Mirabel walks into the shop to see her friends gather around the book. "Hey guys."

"Hey Mirabel, we were just talking about you," Nell said as Zano pulled his hood over his head to hide his face. "What's up?"

"I came by your house to talk about the dance, but your grandma said you went to Zano's place, and Señora Maria said you guys came here,” Mirabel explained to Nell.

"Yeah, Zano needed our help regarding the dance, too. Isn't that right, Zany?" Nell said, pushing the shy Dhampir boy in front of Mirabel.

"You're dead to me, Carter," He muttered to her. 

"Zano, why are you wearing a hoodie when it's over 80 degrees today?"

"Just forgot my sunscreen today. Don't want to get sunburned before our big date."

"Right about that..." she rubbed her arm. "We might need to reschedule."

"What? Why?" the trio exclaimed.

 "Look at this," Mirabel showed them a picture of a zombie girl with strange marks on her arms, "This girl came in and started trashing all the machines."

"Are you alright?" Zano asked.

"I'm fine, and no one was hurt, but the dance is postponed for repairs, and the girl had to be taken by the B.P.R.D. for examination.”

“The BPRD?”

"The Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, my sisters ran into them a couple of times. They're all for protecting the innocent people from things that go bump in the night, but they aren't people I'd consider open-minded to people like me," said Zano. 

"I thought they only went after worldwide supernatural threats," said Ernie. 

"They normally do, but if they get a call from a civilian about something paranormal attacking in broad daylight, they have to investigate."

"Good to know because before they left, I overheard them say that she matched the description of a missing girl named Hannah. I looked her up and found her poster and saw that she attended St. Lucy's school for girls."

"That's more than an hour's drive away from here," Ernie pointed out. "No wonder she looked so dehydrated."

"Try drained, when she pulled out those power cables, it looked like she was absorbing the power."

"Any idea on what we're dealing with here, Mushu?" Zano asked.

"Sorry, no luck."

"Looks like we got another mystery."

After calling Camilo to join, the group drives off in Ernie's van to speak to Hannah's parents. "So, what do you think we'll find out?"

"Maybe we'll discover a new breed of energy vampire?" Camilo asked, making Zano glare at him. "What?" 

"Nothing."

"There's already a breed like that, Camilo, they're called Jiangshi's. They feed off people's life energy or Chi," Mirabel stated, "But Hannah didn't have fangs or tried to attack anyone until the BPRD came to take her away."

"Well, whatever turned Hannah into that has to be around here. We need to find the source, stop it, and free Hannah."

"Ah life it's full of things we can't control but if I learned one thing it's that when one ventures into the unknown one shouldn't let something as insignificant as a blemish stop them from finding out what it could be," Nell said directly at the dhampir boy sitting in front trying to hide his face from Mirabel.

"Oh, for crying out loud," groaned Zano.

"Are you guys fighting?" asked Mirabel.

A girl was walking irritably on the sidewalk before she started to walk into the street. A semi-truck swirled out of the way and hit a pillar, causing the bridge to break apart. The gang got out of the car and saw the accident. Camilo started to race down to the truck. Then a car began to fall off the bridge.

"Zano!" Zano ran and used his magic rocks to make a ramp. So the car landed safely on the ground. The bridge began to crumble, and the people started to abandon their vehicles. It started to break apart again. Both Nell and Ernie pulled out inflatable slides for people to slide down. Mirabel went around helping passengers stuck in their cars. Zano jumped off the bridge and went under it to summon a huge rock to stabilize it. Camilo used his dragon claws to rip the roof of the truck off. "Get everyone down. I can't hold this together much longer," Zano called out.

Nell then noticed the girl was about to get hit. "The girl!"

"I got her!" said Mirabel as she was about to sweep in, but before she could do anything. A figure came out of the sky and grabbed her. Camilo pulled the man from the truck.

"Everyone's OK!"

Zano let the bridge fall and then returned it to its normal state. They ran over to the girl and the mystery man who saved her.

"I-I have to get out of here. I was running, and I..." said the girl before she blacked out.

"It's OK, Trina. You're safe now. These Guys saved you," said the man.

"Your friend's the one who saved you," said Mirabel.

“Well, whoever you guys are, whatever you are, thanks. Something strange has been happening to the girls at our school lately," said the boy.

"Are you talking about Hannah?" Mirabel said.

"You know Hannah?" the guy exclaimed. “Where is she? Is she alright?"

"She came by our town and started trashing our pier," Zano said. "She got taken in by the B.P.R.D.”

"Oh, no, I was afraid of that. Those government goons have no idea what's going on."

"Care to explain?"

"It's a long story, but I'll be sure to tell you after I get Trina home. By the way, my name is Mike Morningstar.”

“Like the Archangels?” Asked Ernie.

Mike laughed, “Ironically, no, my Mom just liked the name,” he said.

"I'm Mirabel. This is Ernie, Nell, Zano, and my cousin Camilo," said Mirabel.

"Wait. Mirabel, as in Mirabel and Zano? The ones who defeated the Dark Dragon! I'm a huge fan of your work!" he said as he shook hands with the team. Once he reached Zano, he noticed the spots on his hand. "Let me guess, Culebra?"

Zano pulled his hand away, glaring at him. "Sorry, that was insensitive."

"Save it."

Then Mike walked over to Mirabel to shake her hand, but sparks came out.

"Whoa!" said Mirabel

"Wow! That's never happened before," said Mike

"Maybe it's because we both have powers?"

"That's a theory."

"Anyway, now that we've all met," Zano was trying to get back on track.

"Right, we'll get right to that, but I need to make sure Trina gets home OK. But after that, why don't we talk at my place?"

"Sure," said Ernie

"OK," said Mirabel

"Sounds good," said Nell

"Can't wait," said Zano. Mike picked up Trina and flew off.

"Anyone else think it's weird that guy knew who we were?" said Zano.

"He's probably a wizard, like Xander," Mirabel pointed out.

"For real, I'd be surprised if someone from the magical world didn't hear about you two by now,” Said Nell.

“Dosen’t mean we shouldn’t be careful, a flying guy with a name that’s a combination of two famous archangels, is too ironic to ignore. And with our luck, we better hope he’s more Michael than Moringstar,” said Ernie.

”I don't care if he’s more super than magic, I don’t trust him," Zano said. 

"We don't need to trust him, yet, we just need to hear what he has to say," Mirabel suggests getting closer to the boy. “If what you’ve told me about the BPRD is true, then those girls don’t have a lot of time to be saved.”

"Fine..." he stuttered, moving away from her and heading inside the van. "But if he tries anything, he's history."

Mirabel watches him go, hurt by how quickly he moved away from her.

In the van, Zano is in front with Ernie. Leaving Camilo and Nell in the back with a sad Mirabel. Nell approaches her, "You OK, Miri?" 

"Not really," she sighed.

"Look, I know Zany is being an idiot, but if you were there at the shop a few minutes earlier, you'd see why?"

"I overheard Mike say something about a Culebra to Zano. Is that why he's acting so distant?"

Nell leaned in close to whisper to Mirabel, ”Before you came in, Zany found out his vampire grandmother is a Culebra."

Zano wanted to yell at her, but noticed he would give away that he was eavesdropping.

“Culebra, I read about them, they’re a breed of vampire that’s closer to reptiles than mammals. Is that why he's been so reclusive?"

"A little but enough about him. What about that, Mike Morningstar? Hottie or what?" Nell asked the girl, aware that Zano could hear them.

"He's OK, I guess. I'm more worried about his friend Trina, she had the same marks on her arms as Hannah did."

"You think that's what turned her into the Walking Dead?" Camilo asked.

"I wouldn't rule it out, hopefully Mike can give us a clue on what's going on?"

Zano smirked, happy to hear Mirabel wasn't attracted to Mike, but sad because he was making her think he was pushing her away. "You know all you have to do is tell her about it," said Ernie.

"I know. I'll tell after we're done, but keep Nell from opening her big mouth, alright?"

"Miracles are Mirabel's and Cam's family crest, not mine.” Said Ernie.

Soon, the team met Mike Morningstar at his house.

"Mom and her new husband live in the main house. They leave me alone, let me do what I want," said Mike.

"Cool," said Ernie.

"After you," Mike said, letting them in. Camilo, Nell, and Mirabel came in, but Mike shut the door on Zano.

"Nice," said Zano, a little angry as he opened the door.

"What is all this stuff?" asked Ernie

"Some of my dad's police gear. I brought it over from his office. I could take you there later if you want," Mike offered to Mirabel.

"We'd all like to see it," said Camilo.

"It'd make my day," said Zano.

"Here - let me show you something," said Mike, leading Mirabel somewhere. "I'm patched into the central MC's monitoring network. It's connected to everything. Global and interplanetary internet, as well as Earth-bound law enforcement frequencies. Oh, and of course, the super communicator channel."

“Super Communicator channel?" asked Zano.

"Yeah! You... did know about the super private channel, didn't you?"

Zano said nothing.

“I take it this channel was used primarily by superheroes to communicate around the globe,” guessed Mirabel.

“Yeah, it was rumored to be shut down along with the Hero embargo, but the government kept it open in case supers needed help relocating.” Said Mike.

"So, you keep an eye on things with this stuff and use your power to help people. You're like your neighborhood's very own guardian angel," said Mirabel.

"Never thought of it that way, but... I guess so."

"You know what I'm thinking?" asked Nell

"I know what I'm thinking," said Zano

"You should join our team."

"Don't you think we should - I don't know - get to know this guy a little more?” Zano asked.

"What's to know? He's got the powers. He's got the gear."

"He's got a sparkly trail when he flies,” Zano added.

"And we need all the help we can get figuring out what's up with the girls around here before the BPRD decides to dispose of them before we find a cure."

"If you have any leads, we'll be happy to help you.” Said Nell.

"I'd love to," said Mike

The lights started to flicker on and off. "OK, that's a bit weird," said Mirabel softly, noticing something in her hand.

"Forgot to pay your electric bill?" Zano commented.

"The electricity's been a little unreliable lately. No worries. My backup generator kicked in," said Mike

"This isn't a brownout. Look at this spike in power usage at the local power substation," said Ernie, heading to the computer. "The energy drain is enormous."

"Really?"

Mirabel speaks up, "You mentioned something unusual was occurring in town. If this is anything like my encounter with Hannah, we need to investigate."

"I'll lead the way," Michael said as everyone started to follow him out.

As the guys left, Nell noticed a mark on her arm. "Are you OK?" Mirabel asked.

"I don't know."

Soon, they found themselves at the power plant.

Zano noticed the chain was unlocked. "Stay sharp. We've got company."

The five entered and started to hear electricity buzzing. "Sounds like that buzzing sound you always hear in old monster movies," said Mike

"Any time you hear a sound and your only reference is monster movies, it's a good idea to walk the other way," said Ernie

"Good rule of thumb," said Zano. "Keep quiet until we find out what we're up against."

Soon after, they saw a girl with gray skin absorbing electricity. She picked up something and threw it at them. Mike made a shield and blocked it. Then four more girls showed up, and all five were moaning.

"They're wearing uniforms from my school, but I don't recognize them," said Mike. Then one of the girls pulled out a steel bar. Mike fired a blast at their feet.

"Energy bolts - nice!” Said Camilo.

"Try not to hurt them! Maybe we can reverse this... whatever this is."

The girls started to charge again. "Try not to hurt them?" asked Zano as he dodged an attack from a steel bar. Mike flew up, Camilo and Mirabel dodged away from a girl, and Nell used a shield to block a girl's attack. Zano kept dodging the steel bar but grabbed it to knock the girl back. A girl tried to attack Ernie, but he dodged the attack. The girl pulled off a cover and an electrical wire.

Zano activated his powers and engulfed himself in rock armor. The girl hit him with the wire. "That's not going to work. I'm a conductor,” he grabbed the girl and shocked her. 

Mirabel dodged a swipe, blinded the girl with a flash from her powers, then roundhouse kicked her. Mike fired a few blasts at the last two girls but missed. Mirabel then lifted them, but her arms began to wobble, and she lost her grip. They knocked her back. Mike flew down and stopped her from hitting the ground.

"Are you all right?" asked Mike.

"I don't know. I-I felt weak for a second. I feel better now." Mirabel said, trying to stand up on her own.

"Here - hold my hand. Use my energy." Mike offered as he grabbed Mirabel's hand. Mirabel then fired two orbs at the two girls, knocking them back. Mike then fired, making the pipes fall. Then all the girls got away.

"Aw, nice going. They're getting away," said Zano

"Sorry."

Nell and Camilo joined the group. "It's OK. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we stopped them from doing whatever it was they were doing. We'll get better as we work together," said Nell

"We do make a good team."

"Uh-huh," said Mirabel

"What happened just now? You looked like you were gonna faint," said Zano

"I can't thank you enough for helping me," Mirabel said to Mike.

"You could if you had dinner with me," said Mike

"Right now?" she perked.

"I'm hungry now. How about you?"

"I was just gonna suggest the same thing."

Zano started to get angry. "OK, what is up with you? You've been ignoring me since we got here, you were lousy in the fight, and now you're just acting goofy."

"Why are you pretending to care?" Mirabel said before leaving with Mike.

Zano turns to the others, "Are you three just gonna stand there?" 

"No, I was going to go sit in the car," said Camilo.

"And you know where we stand," Nell said.

The four started to walk back to the car. "I don't trust this guy, and I don't think you should have been so quick to make him one of the team," said Zano to Nell.

"Chill out, Zany, I suggested a team-up to get this case wrapped up before the dance. Mirabel accepting his offer for dinner is all on you boo," Nell told him.

"Talk about irony, the guy has flawless skin while your bad skin made you push her away."

"Bad skin?" asked Camilo. 

Zano shows Camilo his face. “Wow, and I thought I had annoying acne,” Camilo said.

"Zano is going through a Molting cycle. Turns out his grandma was a vampire reptile.” Said Nell.

"Oh, but why didn't you just say that to Mirabel? She would have understood."

"Because shut up!"

"Oh my gosh, are you Mr. Cool Lady's man embarrassed by how you'll look to my cousin? That's adorable!" Camilo gushed.

"You know what? It's fine," said Zano as he walked to the car.

Later at Mike Morningstar's place.

Zano uses his powers to form a lockpick to unlock the front door.

"This is why you changed your mind about Mike going off with Mirabel. So we could spy on him?" Camilo asked.

"Yep," said Zano

"I knew it was too good to be true," said Nell.

"Well... just stop!"

"He ain't right, Cam. If you're not gonna check him out, I am."

"You're doing the wrong thing, Zano - the Uncle Zano thing. Step away from the door!” Ernie said before grabbing Zano's hand.

"You want to fight me over some new guy?" Zano asked before he opened the door. "Looks like the bum taught me something useful after all."

"Is Mike home?" asked a voice. The four looked and saw a girl walk up. "He hasn't called me back since you and that other girl showed up."

"Uh, Trina, right? Yeah, Morningstar ain't here right now. We're just... picking up some stuff for him."

"Then you know where he is. Can you take me?" Trina asked desperately as she came closer.

"No! I mean... he's busy," said Zano.

"I need to see him. Why won't he see me?"

"Where did you get those marks on your arm?" asked Nell. Trina shrugged. Nell pulled the boys in close so they could whisper to each other. "I saw those same marks on that zombie girl that tried to tenderize me."

"I just want to see Mike," said Trina

"Yeah, I'm getting that," Nell said to Trina before whispering to the guys. "Call me crazy or Zany, but it is possible Mike could be the one making these girls this way?"

"OK, what happened to 'Zano is just being jealous?’ What makes you think it's him?"

"'Scuse us," said Nell as they moved away from Trina. 

"Look, it didn't hit me till just now, but before we left for the plant. I noticed this weird mark on my arm. Look!" She held her arm out next to Trina's and proved they were a match. 

"It's a match!" Camilo exclaimed.

"I didn't know how I got it, but I do know that it wasn't there when the bridge was breaking."

"Which happens to be when we meet the golden boy himself."

"It gets worse, I noticed Mirabel was wearing her sleeves lower than usual, like she was hiding something." She and the boys looked at the marks on Trina's arm.

"You're saying Mirabel has a mark like that on her arms?" asked Camilo as Trina went into Mike's house.

"I didn't see them for sure, but it makes sense."

"Come to think of it, Trina was all weak and wobbly when we saw her on the highway. Mirabel was the same way at the power plant. Whatever affected her must also be affecting Trina and the other girls."

"Yeah, and it's name is Mike Morningstar," said Zano, eyes glowing red.

At a building near a river.

"I'm happy we met, Mirabel," said Mike

"Me too."

"I knew there was something special about you the first time we met."

"I felt it, too."

"And now... all those other girls mean nothing," Mike grabbed Mirabel. "Your energy is like nothing I've ever felt before. When it flows into me, I feel invincible. From the moment I touched you, Mirabel, I knew I'd found the only girl I'd ever need," he said as his eyes glowed. But paused when he noticed something missing. 

"Sorry, but this buffet is closed," she said as her helmet covered her head and she headbutted Morningstar in the face before kicking him into the wall.

"But how?" he asked weakly.

"When you said the girls at your school were acting weird, I knew something was wrong. Hannah and Trina attend the same school, an all-girls school. I knew you were lying." 

Mike blasted at her, but Mirabel dodged. She hid behind some crates, pulling out her bo-staff. "By the way, thanks for giving Nell and me those love bites. They helped narrow you down as a suspect," she taunted as Morningstar drew closer.

"Ha! Do you think I'm afraid? You're not the first girl who tried to expose me! I'll do to you what I did to them."

"Good luck because with this super suit and helmet, you're going to have a hard time!" she claimed, but soon found herself tied up by Morningstar's beams. "Let's see about that," he said, reaching for her helmet.

The Four were driving in Ernie's car.

"So, Mirabel has been suspicious of Morningstar ever since we met him," said Camilo. 

"Yup, and when the marks appeared on my arm, Mirabel was able to link the zombie girls to him,” said Nell.

“But if Mike is turning those girls into zombies, why isn't Trina one?” Camilo asked.

"I don't know! Maybe it takes a while before they go full-zombie," Nell said, breaking out of her stupor.

"But Mike's been helping us ever since we got here. Why did he fight them with us?"

"Ah, he didn't, remember? He told us not to hurt them. Then he "accidentally" blasted the pipes to let them get away."

“Good point,” said Camilo. “It’s not looking good for my cousin.”

"Why didn't you tell us?!" Zano asked.

"Because you had it out for him because he's a freaky combination of Marisol and Xander Thrall!"

"No, it was because he was an arrogant, rich kid who kept eyeballing my girl!”

"Who left with him to fight and confront him alone?" Ernie added. “Why?”

"Because Nell’s too stuck on butting into my business!” Zano said to Nell.

"Oh, hold up! If anyone is stuck on something, it's you! If you had trusted Mirabel in the first place, maybe we would have included you in our plan. But no! You want to assume the worst in life because of one bump!"

"Shut up!" Ernie exclaimed. "You're both in the wrong because right now Mirabel is in danger of getting her powers drained by a psycho-energy vampire! Now drop your crap and help us come up with a plan to save her!"

“Yeah!" Camilo added. “Wait, we don't know where they went for dinner. How are we supposed to find them?"

"Easy - we find her," said Zano as he activated the map on his watch, showing Mirabel's tracker. "Remind me to send Edna a fruit basket." 

Later, they found themselves outside the building where they had first encountered Trina. 

"The highway where we found Trina is that way," Zano said, pointing down the road. "She didn't just wander out there by chance; she was trying to escape from Morningstar."

"Let's take a break from him and focus on making sure Mirabel is OK," said Camilo.

They entered the room and saw Michael Morningstar holding Mirabel in her damaged mission suit, her helmet broken. Her skin had turned gray, and her hair had lost most of its color due to Michael draining her energy.

"Mirabel!" shouted Zano as Mike's skin turned golden. Ernie, Nell, Camilo, and Zano rushed down the stairs toward Mike. He fired at Camilo, knocking him to the ground. "Get away from her!" Zano yelled, drawing his sword to attack. Mike fired a blast that knocked Zano back when he tried to block it.

Camilo transformed into his dragon form and began attacking Mike from above. Nell and Ernie armed themselves with laser blasters and started shooting at him.

"Stay back!" Mike demanded, firing a blast that struck Camilo, returning him to his original state. Looming over Camilo, Mike declared, "Mirabel's mine now."

Just then, Nell fired a few blasts, knocking Mike away from Camilo. She charged at Mike, firing more energy blasts as he skillfully dodged them. Nell attempted to kick him, but he grabbed her leg and yanked her down to the ground, seizing her arm. 

"Hey!" Zano shouted as he rushed in to pull Mike off Nell. He tried to punch Mike, but Mike dodged and quickly grabbed Zano, lifting him into the air before slamming him down onto the floor. 

Camilo and Nell joined forces to attack Mike, but he dodged their strikes effortlessly. In a swift move, Mike punched Ernie, sending him sprawling to the ground, and a crystal tumbled out of Ernie's bag. Zano tried to keep fighting, but Mike unleashed a flurry of punches followed by a powerful blast that sent Zano reeling.

"You're out of your league," said Mike.

As Zano tried to get up. "I'm not letting you keep her," stated Zano.

"I've already gotten all I need from her," he said as he floated away. "But your powers are something that interests me a great deal."

He closed his hand and started to absorb Zano's power. "AH!" Zano screamed, trying to claw Mike's hand off him.

"ZANO!/ZANY!"

"Why use your powers to help people when you can use them to get whatever you want?" Then the other girls appeared. "All I ever wanted was power. And then you brought me the sun and moon drops." 

Mirabel started to wake up.

"Guess I should thank you. I know the perfect thing." He aimed for a large object above Nell, Ernie, and Camilo, then fired at it. But Mirabel grabbed his arm, and the beam disappeared. Then Mirabel grabbed his other arm. "What are you doing?"

"Putting an end to this," said Mirabel. Her skin and hair color started to return to normal as his gold skin chipped away.

"Stop this!" A beam came out of Mike's hands. He screamed right before he hit the ground.

Mirabel smirked at her victory before turning around to see her friends. "Zano!" Mirabel ran over to him. The boy smiled up at her as she helped him to his feet.

Camilo got up and looked around. "Nell!" said Camilo, noticing Nell on the ground trying to get up. "Ugh! Did we win?" asked Ernie, rubbing his head.

Mike's skin turned all gray as he looked at his victims. "Girls... Come here to me. Please give me your power. Help me. Feed me!” The girls began to surround him and then launched an attack. "What? Wait! No!" He screamed, then a light appeared, and the girls returned to normal, while Mike looked even worse.

Nell, Camilo, and Ernie got up. Zano walked up to Mike. Then took off the police badge from his belt. "You don't deserve this." Said Zano as he crushed the badge and dropped it to the ground.

Later, as they drove away.

"Mirabel, I am so sorry I wasn't watching your back or your back, Nell," said Camilo.

"Cam, we made the call not to tell you boys about our plan. If anyone owes Mirabel an apology for not watching her back, it's me," said Nell.

"No, I was the one who confronted Morningstar alone. Not only did I put myself at risk, but you guys almost got drained trying to save me.”

“That’s what teammates do, we look out for each other.”

“At least with Morningstar locked up. The girls are back to normal and home safe and sound."

“Yeah, but why didn't you tell me?" Zano asked her. "We've been doing this hero stuff from day one. Why couldn't you give me a hint at what you were up to?"

"I wanted to, but you didn't seem eager to be that close to me," Mirabel said. Zano looked down, ashamed. “Mirabel, I have something I should have shown you before all this." Zano takes off his hood and shows Mirabel his bumpy, gray skin. 

Mirabel blinks, "What am I looking at?"

"My skin,” said Zano.

"What about it?" He pulls it and shows how its texture has developed a gross elasticity. 

"OK, now I see why you've been acting so weird." She grabbed his hand. "Hey, chin up, we can ditch the dance and hang out on the rides. The lighting will keep anyone from noticing."

"Adrianna said my skin will start to shed over this weekend. I need to stay indoors when that happens."

"Oh, I see. Whose Adrianna?"

"My sister. My biological sister."

"OK, putting a pin on your secret sister. Why didn't you tell me about your molting thing before you know I'm used to weird stuff like this by now?"

"I didn't want to let you down. You worked so hard on the dance, and I wanted to make our first date perfect."

Mirabel holds his chin up, "Perfect is overrated. Imperfections are where the excitement is." 

Zano smiled at her, but when Mirabel tried to remove her hand, it got stuck. "Uh-oh."

"OK, we need to do something about that right now! Cause that is just plain nasty!" Nell cried.

"Why don't we ask Edna Mode for help? She probably dealt with supers who shed," Ernie suggested. 

Everyone blinked at Ernie's suggestion, but Zano faceplammed, "I'll see if she's available?" Mirabel started dialing her number.

[Edna Mode’s abode]

Zano was hit with a glob of what looked like moisturizer. "What is that stuff?"

"A combination of all known skin products in the world, darling. Plus a couple of specially made-for-supers with reptile and rhino-like features. Now pay close attention."

Zano emerges from the globe, and his old skin starts to peel off his body. "Holy smokes!" he said, removing the rest of it.

"It worked!"

"Edna, I don't know how I can repay you."

Edna collects his old skin. "No need, just make sure to send me a copy of your dance photo."

"Deal!"

That Night.

Zano held Mirabel as they danced, and he saw Ernie sitting at a table, his arms crossed.

"He couldn’t find a date," Zano admitted with frustration at the shallow girls who rejected his best friend.

"You know, everyone should experience the joy of dancing at events like this," she replied, a playful glimmer in her eye as he arched an eyebrow in surprise. 

"Are you suggesting…?" he began, his curiosity piqued.

"Just trying to be nice," she said with a casual shrug, a warm smile gracing her lips before kissing his cheek gently. 

"That's one of the reasons I wanted to date you," he confessed, his heart racing with the intimate yet straightforward gesture.

Mirabel turned with a radiant smile and walked over to Ernie, "Wanna dance—!"

“Hey, sorry I’m late! Practice ran long!” Daniela chimed in, her voice cheerful as she sidled up next to Ernie. “Oh, hey Mirabel! I love your dress; it’s stunning!”

“Thanks!” Mirabel beamed, her face glowing. “So, are you two going to join us on the dance floor, or should I leave you two alone to continue your little tête-à-tête?” she teased, a playful twinkle in her eye.

“Does Zano have an obvious crush on you?” Daniela teased, glancing between the two with a knowing smirk.

“We get it!” Zano interjected, his cheeks flushing as laughter erupted from the friend group. 

The vibrant energy of the night wrapped around them as they surrendered to the rhythm, dancing and enjoying each other's company, the music weaving memories that would last long after the evening faded away.

At the pier, all the students are enjoying the festivities. "Wow, Nell, this place looks amazing!" Exclaimed Camilo, wearing a tux, who revealed himself to be Nell's mystery date.

"Thanks to Mirabel, she went all out for it," Nell said.

"Where is she anyway? I wanted to thank her for getting me that amazing lotion," said Lao Shi, who is no longer molting.

"Oh, she and Zany are enjoying the view," she said, giggling as she pointed up to the Ferris wheel.

On top of the Ferris wheel, Mirabel and Zano gaze down at the dance. "You did a wonderful job, Mariposita."

"Thanks, it feels great to see all my ideas come to life and be enjoyed by everyone."

"You sure you don't want to go back down?"

"Nah, I'm happy right here," She leaned back and placed her head on his shoulder. Zano looked down and put his arm around her. They look up and see the stars shining bright.

Dr. Trevor Bruttenholm, also known as Professor Broom in the B.P.R.D., observes the agents as they take a restrained Mike Moringstar into the van.

“Michael Morningstar, son of a human cop and a Lebensauger mother. Lebensauger are a leech-like species similar to vampires, minus their weaknesses, and can control their need for blood through high-protein and iron-rich diets. Sadly, Young Mr. Morningstar didn’t inherit his mother’s desire for a peaceful life among humans,” explained Dr. Broom.

“Never met a monster who did. And Agent Morningstar’s kid at that. I can’t believe he retired to play house with a blood sucking leech.”

“Don’t forget it was his widow who called us about her son’s activities,” Said Broom. “If not, we would have killed an innocent girl for nothing. And I hate to point out, but Agent Morningstar died working as a policeman. No monster marks on him.”

“Yeah, but this whole situation is weird for me,” said Mann. 

“Indeed, still I’m glad that I got to live and see a mission where lives weren’t taken,” said Broom

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Doc. According to Michael, a culebra was working with a group of human witches to take him down.”

“The girl Trina confirmed there was a group snooping around, but she claimed they were trying to save them from Mike, but only three of them had powers. We checked the names she gave us through our computer and…. Well, you may want to take a look at this.”

Broom looks at the file and his eyes widen, “No wonder they were targeted.”

“What professor?”

“It looks like the Lobster’s old pal Justice Jaugar's family legacy had more problems than a few bad seeds,” Broom showed them photos of Zano as a baby and current, who matches the description of the Culebra from their reports.

“Doc, you don’t think?”

“Not many children are born with white hair. Regardless, I think it’s time I introduced my son to the grayer aspects of this job.”

Chapter Text

Posters are put up for the Challenge of the Brave. A couple of citizens gaze at them while Isabela Madrigal walks by with laundry. "Challenge of the Brave? Looks like some tournament," the woman comments with a smile. "Not just any tournament," the mustached man corrects, "I hear the fiercest fighters from all over the world are going to compete!" 

“Yeah, and any beginner who wants to join has to complete a rigorous training course to qualify,” adds the woman. "Let me tell ya, whoever walks away champ will have earned the respect of every warrior in the seven realms." 

Isabela sees the posters, smirking at what they say. Since Mateo and his father, Joaquin, still haven’t assigned her to patrol duty, and she’s finished her night classes. She could compete, show everyone that she's not just Luisa’s big sister or Angelina’s cousin! She jumps onto a log and lands on the grass. Isabela scrubs clothes in the courtyard, bubbles everywhere. Suddenly, Camilo brings her even more clothes. She vaults over a sheet, climbs up trees, and zips down a zipline, smirking. Next, Isabela has to carefully thread the needle as she helps Mirabel mend some clothes. She glances outside as her cousin-in-law Mateo stands in front of a line of patrol guards. She sighs wearily, fixing the hole in the dress. 

Maria throws a sword up into the air. Isabela jumps over a fence gracefully, catching the sword and slicing the head off a scarecrow. She stabs it as a few kids watch. "Whoa… It's Mirabel!" 

“And the moon boy!” 

Isabela looks confused, glancing behind her to see that her little sister and Zano are definitely behind her. The kids run up to the teens, Mirabel hugging two of them. Zano Sanchez takes one of the boys into his arms, shaping a piece of moonrock into a crescent moon in front of him. "Whoa..." The little boy murmurs in awe as it turns into a full moon, spinning around them. "Cool!" 

Isabela frowns a little. She thought they were admiring her... "Wow, Isa. What is all this?" Mirabel gestures toward the obstacle course.

"Nothing," Isabela waved it off. "I'm just warming up for the Challenge of the Brave. It's a competition to find the toughest warrior in the land," she said, sheathing her sword with a dismissive shrug. "No big deal."

"Ooh! Sounds exciting! Where can I sign up?" Mirabel asks eagerly, but Isabela doesn't grasp it immediately.

"Yeah, like I said, no big—I'm sorry, what?!" 

"I wanna sign up!" Mirabel repeats, gesturing enthusiastically to herself. 

"You mean compete?!" Isabela gasps in shock. The Challenge of the Brave is… not exactly Mirabel’s usual environment. Or at least, it wasn’t until Bat Boy crashed into their lives.

"Let's do it together!" Mirabel beams at her. "Oh, maybe Luisa would like to join? Sister time!"

"That could be fun..." Isabela glances away, a flutter of uncertainty in her chest. As much as she adored her sisters, they might complicate her true ambitions for the competition. "But I'm not so sure it's the best idea."

"Why not? I'm brave," Mirabel insists, gesturing to herself. There were plenty of times she'd exhibited her courage without having to prove it. "And I'm always up for a challenge!"

"The thing is," Isabela quickly interjects, "the challenge is this week, and you mentioned at dinner that you were going camping with your friends and Kaiba." Isabela felt a pang of guilt for the little lie. If Mirabel ever found out the truth, Isa hoped she would understand why she had to hide her intentions. She was tired of being underestimated because of her past reputation as a diva. "And Luisa has that outing with her book club. Ugh, this is such bad timing."

Zano narrowed his eyes at Isabela, sensing her deception. "Aw," Mirabel clicked her teeth in disappointment. “That’s right, we do have plans. Oh well, maybe we’ll be back in time to see you compete.”

"That would be great! And hey, we can have some sister time when you get back,” Isabela said, trying to sound cheerful. Mirabel smiled, and a little boy eagerly tugged her toward the obstacle course, leading her away to join the other kids, leaving Isabela alone with the Sánchez woman and her son.

“Please don’t start,” Isabela murmured.

Zano held up his hands defensively. “I didn’t say anything out loud,” he replied, before racing off to catch up with Mirabel and the other children.

Maria stepped in front of Isabela. “Isabela, why did you lie to your sister?” 

“Look, I love my sisters. Any other time, I’d be all for some bonding time, but this challenge is something I need to face on my own.” 

“I understand, but Mirabel was the one who helped you find the courage to explore your powers and your individuality. I’m sure she would understand your reasons if you were honest with her.” 

“I know, but right now, I need to do this without them. I’ll never know how capable I am if I rely on others.” Maria nodded and allowed Isabela to continue her training.

The next morning, Isabela boards a bus to the training camp. When she arrives, she begins to walk toward the camp but pauses when she sees her little sister, Mirabel, and her cousin, Camilo, talking to their friends Zano, Ernie, and Nell. 

“Isa!” Mirabel waves once their eyes meet.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were going to a training camp with your Sensei,” Isabela asks as Mirabel hugs her.

“I am! Sensei thought it would be good for us to train alongside warriors from every magic class on how to handle magical threats, like the Hunts clan,” Mirabel replies.

Isabela's eyes widen in surprise. “You mean everyone here is from the magic realm?” 

“Yeah! And you’ll never guess who the instructor is,” Nell adds eagerly.

“Come on, let's go get you registered,” Mirabel says, pulling Isabela along. “Maybe you'll be in the same bunk as me and Nell!”

“Yeah…” Isa smiled weakly. She realized she was in trouble the moment she walked into the camp. It wasn’t just that Mirabel would see through her lie; it was also that everyone around her was so masculine—and gross. They were spitting, picking their noses, and doing other disgusting things. Even the female warriors were acting in an inappropriate manner.

“What’s wrong?” Mirabel asked.

“I wasn’t expecting the women to be so… wild,” Isa replied, trying not to sound rude as they passed a couple of female fighters working out.

“What? You’ve never seen people sweat before?” Nell chimed in.

“Oh no, that’s normal. I meant the whole belching thing,” Isa explained.

“Well, they’re not like us. Their standards for good hygiene are different from ours. I’m sure some of them find bathing strange,” Mirabel said.

“Whatever, I didn’t come here to trade beauty tips,” Isa reassured herself.

“You sure? Because I think some of these ladies could offer you an upgrade, princess,” Zano joked.

“Same goes for you, bat boy,” Isa shot back. “What do you see in him?” she whispered to Mirabel.

Fighters crowded the area, forming a circle around a man clad in red, his muscular upper body adorned with an intricate dragon tattoo. “It’s for protection,” he boasted, puffing out his chest. “No hunter can take me down.”

A ruggedly handsome man in dark green leaned in, studying the tattoo with interest. “What about other creatures?” he asked, a blade of grass casually stuck between his teeth.

"No problem," the man in red grinned.

“Hmm,” the handsome man mused, then suddenly punched the tattooed warrior in the gut, sending him sprawling. A hearty laugh erupted from Lao Shi. “Nice one, Jet!” he called, delivering a friendly punch to Jet’s arm.

“How sweet! Lao Shi is finally back with his old crony,” Zano quipped. 

“I take it you’re the chucho who pranked Lao Shi at the dragon retreat. Zito, right?”

“Zano and I’m part vampire, not part wolf.”

“No, but you are part human.” ​​Jet retorted. Zano’s eyes widened, then narrowed at the jab.

“Uh, Jet met the girls,” Lao Shi said, trying to diffuse the tension, “This is Nell, Mirabel, and… Mirabel’s older sister.”

‘Great, even my sister’s friends don’t respect me enough to remember my name.’ Isabela sighed.

“Nice to meet you,” Mirabel greeted as the boy shook her and Nell’s hands. “Pleasure’s all mine, cutie. Nice to see Lao Shi maintains some standards with whom he socializes,” he winked. Zano bristled but was halted by Mirabel.

Jet’s gaze landed on Isabela, and he smirked. “See something you like, beautiful?” 

“No,” she replied bluntly, earning laughter from the boys. Jet shot them a stern glare before turning back to Isabela with a smirk. “Feisty, I respect that. After all, if one wants a rose bad enough, they have to be willing to face their thorns.”

“Oh, trust me, you wouldn’t want to feel my thorns,” she retorted, unimpressed. 

“Why’s that? Hey!” His playful banter was interrupted as a tall woman joined them. “Nala! What’s the big idea?”

“Take a good, long whiff of her, Jet! Something’s off!” Nala growled, her eyes glowing a fierce red. 

Confused, Jet obeyed and focused his senses, his eyes widening in alarm. “You’re a human?!” 

“Not just her; those four reek of humans, too!” Nala shouted, glaring at Mirabel, Nell, Ernie, and Camilo. “Even the shapeshifter smells human!” 

“Hey!” Camilo protested.

“What the heck, Lao? You said your uncle was teaching witches, changelings, and mermaids,” Jet accused, disbelief etched on his face.

“He is! Some of them happen to be human witches and changelings,” Lao Shi defended.

“That’s not a thing!” said Nala.

“Don’t sweat it, Nala. One bite and these girls will fit right in,” Jet said, his eyes glowing as he bared his fangs.

“Back off, creep!” Isabela yelled, pushing Jet harder than she intended, sending him sprawling backward with a loud grunt.

"Oh no," Mirabel whispered.

"You!" Jet shouted, jumping to his feet and brandishing twin hook swords. He aimed one at Isa’s face.

Isabela instinctively backed away, and a small bald boy in monk attire approached. "Now, Jet, calm down," he said gently.

"Not now, Shang," Jet snapped, still glaring at Isabela. "I'm busy."

Shang stepped forward and placed his hands on Jet's shoulders, causing him to wince. "Jet, relax, and chant with me," he urged. The young monk began to chant softly.

"I don't want to," Jet scowled, shrugging off Shang’s grip.

"Jet," Shang insisted, standing firm between him and Isabela, looking him directly in the eye. "Chant."

"Fine," Jet relented, joining the monk in the chant. Gradually, he began to relax, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Feel better?" the boy asked, a bright smile on his face.

"Yeah," Jet replied, turning away to stand beside the Amazon girl. "These putas aren’t worth my time."

“Putas?!" Nell gasped, ready to slap this creep. But Zano stopped her. “Easy, Nell. No sense getting worked up over a culo spouting caca!” Zano commented. “It's just nature.”

“That’s it!” Jet shouted before charging with his swords, but Zano was quicker. Zano darted to a nearby barrel and flung sand into Jet’s face.

"Ah!" Jet cried, stumbling backward and landing right on top of Shang. In a panic, he punched up at who he thought was Zano.

"Ow!" the blue dragon boy yelped, clutching his face in shock.

Jet blinked in realization. "Oh, sorry, Lao Shi!"

"You!" Lao Shi roared, transforming into a dragon and lunging at Jet. Jet instinctively backed away, narrowly dodging the dragon's sharp claws, only to be smacked in the back of the head by Lao Shi’s tail.

"You guys!" Nala shouted, bonking each of them on the head with her staff. "Stop it!"

Meanwhile, Mirabel and Isabela had just begun to lead the others in a sneaky getaway, but Jet spotted her. "There they go!" he exclaimed. The three of them sprang into pursuit, darting through the dining area. A crowd of warriors lined up to get their soup, while the angry Amazon and vampire cornered Zano.

Just then, Isabela spotted the giant bowl of soup and tipped it over, splattering Jet, Nala, and the little monk boy.

The soup cascaded everywhere, drenching everyone in the tent. Isabela looked around nervously and grinned sheepishly. "Um… hey, guys."

"There have been reports of Hunters striking here, here, and here," Chen said, indicating several locations on the large provincial map. "Councilman Mauricio and his men will corner them in Serpent's Pass and crush their forces."

Chen stood proudly, regarding his godson. "You will stay and train the troops. You understand how these humans think, and you can teach them to protect their homes."

Kaiba's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You mean—?"

"Yes, Kaiba," Chen replied, resting a hand on the young Okami's shoulder. "You are now a Grand Master. When you are ready, you and your comrades will join us at Serpent's Pass. Congratulations."

"But—" Zhao interjected from the corner, his voice faltering. "Master Kaiba can't command a troop. He’s just a boy."

"No younger than you were when you confronted the trials of war, Zhao," Chen countered. “Kaiba taught the children who defeated the Dark Dragon—a feat no Dragon Master and his pupil have accomplished before.” 

“I understand, but I worry he may struggle with this responsibility, especially bringing along his son. A baby demands so much attention.”

“Mushu has promised to care for Akito while I’m on duty. I can focus on both my soldiers and my son,” Kaiba assured him.

“I believe you, young wolf,” Chen said, retrieving a set of twin broadswords. "These were mine at your age. Use them wisely."

"I will, Goddofāzā," Kaiba replied, bowing in respect, whispering, "Master Kaiba."

As they exited the war tent, chaos erupted around them. Warriors engaged in intense combat—punching, kicking, and grappling. Kaiba flinched, feeling overwhelmed; he knew no one could contain this frenzy, least of all him.

His Goddofāzā looked at him with a blend of sympathy and resolve. "Good luck, Master," he said, mounting his horse to join the prepared troops.

"Good luck, Goddofāzā," Kaiba called back, his voice drowned by the clamor. Zhao shot him a knowing smile.

"Day one," he remarked, a mixture of concern and encouragement in his tone.

Isabela dodged in and out of the punches, holding her breath and cringing. All of the warriors around her were going crazy. With this much hostility in one place, she doubted that she could make it through one day, let alone this whole competition, if she were busy worrying about her sisters. Granted, Mirabel and her friends were fairing fine, but they were still outnumbered.

Amid the frenzy, Isabela weaved through the brawls, holding her breath and wincing at the rising hostility. She felt immense pressure, unsure how she’d survive this competition while worrying about her sisters. Mirabel and her friends were managing, but they remained vastly outnumbered.

"Soldiers!" a voice shouted, causing all the warriors to stop.

Jet pointed an accusatory finger at Isabela. “Hey, it’s her fault!” 

 Mirabel and Camilo tried to explain to Kaiba that it was a lie, but they were dismissed.

The teacher marched toward her, anger radiating from him. Isabela gasped as she felt the weight of his gaze. She had rarely interacted with him before, but now, standing so close, she was struck by his fierce beauty. Despite his intimidating wolf-like fangs, his eyes sparkled like liquid blue stars, and his shaggy black hair framed a muscular figure. She fought to suppress a blush.

“I don’t want trouble in my camp,” he growled, his blue eyes igniting with intensity. “Especially on the first day!”

“I’m sorry,” she stammered. “But you know how it is sometimes, you need to teach unruly dogs a lesson.” She shot a glare at Nala and her crew, then quickly registered who she was talking to. “I’m sorry! I meant—”

Zhao eyed her curiously. “What’s your name?” 

“Isabela Madrigal.” 

“Madrigal? Isn’t that the name of one of your students?”  Zhao inquired of the okami. 

“She’s her older sister,” Kaiba replied before turning back to Isabela. “You can summon plants, right?”

She nodded, "Yes."

“And you helped cause all this?” he motioned to the overturned soup and disheveled camp.

“Um, yeah,” she admitted, feeling the heat of anxiety rise in her cheeks. “I’ll clean it up.”

He smiled. "Good, you and the rest of the warriors here will spend the night cleaning the camp. And tomorrow, we train at dawn!"

Everyone glared at Isabela, rolling their sleeves and making menacing faces. She winced, retreating slightly. 

"You all heard Master Kaiba!" Zhao barked. "Now get to work!"

Sighing, Isabela propped the enormous bowl upright and faced the hostile warriors. Ignoring their murderous glares, she assumed a fighting stance, summoning plants to absorb the spilled soup and restore all the furniture to order.

As she glanced around, she noticed the area wasn’t as chaotic as it had been before. Though some tents were askew and needed patching, everything else seemed manageable. Dusting her hands off, she turned to the warriors.

"You're welcome," she said to the troops who stared at her in awe.

When Isabela met with her sister and her friends at a secluded spot far from the other campers to set up their campsite, after they set up their tents, Mushu climbed up on Mirabel’s shoulder.

“I take it you heard what happened?” Mirabel asked the tiny dragon.

“Oh, definitely. Kaiba stormed into the tent, furious, and Zhao started ranting about how some humans shouldn’t even be here,” Mushu said, rolling his eyes.

“I wonder who he meant,” Camilo chimed in, sarcastically.

“Please! The dragon council invited us. I'd like to see him try to kick us out,” Nell replied with a smirk.

 “Isa, why did you come to this camp?” Mirabel asked, “I thought you had that competition?”

“Well, I may have forgotten to mention that I need to finish the course here to qualify for the competition,” Isabela confessed nervously. Mirabel crosses her arms. “I didn’t mean to lie, Mirabel. I wanted to do this on my own.”

“Too bad for you it turned out to be a magical camp,” Nell said, a teasing smile creeping onto her face.

“Funny how karma works,” said Mushu.

“But why lie? I thought you wanted us to be more honest with each other?” Mirabel asked.

“I do, it’s just complicated. I love how close we’ve become as sisters, but sometimes I want to tackle things on my own.”

“I don’t like that you felt the need to hide anything, but I get it. You didn’t want the tournament to feel like a family event,” Mirabel replied softly.

“I know I should have been honest, but lately I’ve been feeling that everyone has proven their potential, and I feel like I haven’t yet,” Isabela admitted, frustration seeping into her voice. 

“But you've stopped a cult member from stealing that artifact,” Mirabel reminded her. 

“True, but our family interfered and almost cost me that bust. I appreciate your help, but I still felt…” 

“Underestimated.”

“Yes, I want to see where I stand as a fighter, so please, when we start training, don’t try to help me.”

Mirabel asked, concern etched on her face. 

“Mama packed meals for the trip. If I break a leg, I’ll eat one if the medical tent can’t fix it,” Isabela joked lightly.

“What happened to self-reliance?” Zano asked.

“I’m in it for the long haul, but I’m not going to let anything keep me from competing. I’m just sorry I got you in trouble with the other campers and your sensei,” said Isabela.

“Sadly, Isa, I don’t think it would have been any different if you hadn’t spilled that soup. It’s clear these guys don’t think highly of humans,” said Camilo.

“And I’m sure Lao Shi told them we defeated that dark dragon,” Ernie added. 

“More like boasting, but who cares? We’re not here to make friends; we’re here to train,” Zano said confidently.

“Remember, Sensei brought us here to learn how to outsmart the huntsman and work with other magical creatures,” Mirabel pointed out. “One finger alone cannot win a battle, but together we form a mighty fist.”

“You’ve been sipping the same tea as Sensei, haven’t you?” Zano asked.

“I hate to say it, but Bat Boy has a point. I doubt anyone here is keen on working with a couple of humans,” Isabela said, her voice tinged with resignation.

“Hey, don’t feel bad. My girl had a rough first day at camp, too. She pretended to be a man, and I gave her some bad advice, but she overcame it all and earned everyone’s respect,” Mushu chimed in, trying to lift their spirits.

“Thanks, Mushu, but I’m not here to win over people I won’t see again. I just want to get through this course and prove what I’m capable of at the tournament,” Isabela declared, her determination rising.

“As one of only two Madrigals who have survived both our cousins and Sensei's training, I can assure you that you’ll wish you’d stuck with Angie’s course,” Camilo said, a smirk on his face. 

“Is he that strict?” Isabela questioned, her resolve wavering slightly. 

“Let’s just say there’s a reason he dated our principal,” said Ernie.

After they set up the rest of their campsite, everyone went to sleep. Isabela shared a tent with her sister and Nell. Zano was paired with Ernie and Camilo, while Chapa slept outside by the tents. The sun rose the next morning over a peaceful Isabela, sleeping in her PJs. Diego, Zano’s pet bat, slept on Mirabel’s head. Mushu grabbed a horn and played it loudly, making the girls groan. 

"Alright!" Mushu called to wake them up. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauties! Come on, up, up, up!"

"Good, you're awake," Mirabel said proudly, her hands on her hips and a smile plastered on her face. "Now get going, today's the first day of training." She got behind Isabela and put her hair into a bun.

"What?" Isabela asked sleepily.

"Why are we doing this again?" Nell grunted as she got dressed.

“Aren’t you supposed to be watching Aki?” Diego squeaked at the Dragon.

“What kind of caregiver do you think I am? Aki is waiting outside with the big bird,” Mushu replied, referring to Chapa. "Look, you get porridge!" Mushu presented a bowl of porridge with eggs and bacon, eliciting a smile from Mirabel. "And it's happy to see you!"

“That’s sweet, Mushu,” Mirabel said gratefully, taking the bowl from the small dragon.

“Oh, no problem, honey. Now, excuse me while I go over there…” Mushu said, turning away so the girls don’t see him tear up. 

"Are we late?" Nell asked.

"No time to talk," Mushu said, stuffing her breakfast in her mouth. "Now remember, it's your first day of training, so listen to your teacher and no fighting, play nice with the other kids, unless of course, if the other kids wanna fight, then you gotta kick their butts."

"But I don't wanna kick the other kids' butts," Mirabel replied, muffling.

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Mushu scolded. "That goes for you two as well," he said, looking at Isa and Nell as they ate their breakfast, ready to go. "Now, let's see your war face."

The girls stared at him, unsure of what to do.

"Oh, I think my bunny slippers just ran for cover," Mushu snorted. "Come on, scare me, girls!"

Isa growled, looking aggressive enough to make Mushu bounce back into the bowl.

"That's my tough-looking warrior! That's what I'm talking about!" Mushu cheered. "Now, get out there and make me proud!" He tied up Mirabel’s hair together to look professional.

Akito came waddling into the tent with Chapa roaring and warning them about something. "What do you mean the boys just left?" Mushu asked.

"THEY WHAT!?" Nell gasped.

Mirabel, Isabela, and Nell quickly dashed outside to catch up with the others.

"Wait, you forgot your staff!" Mushu called, running after them, then stopped and sniffled. "My babies, all grown up to destroy people…" Akito patted him on the back. 

At the camp, it would take a while for Kaiba to arrive, so the other fighters fooled around like college students on Spring Break.

"Order!" Zhao called as the girls were on their way. "People, order!"

"I'd like fried noodles!" one guy said.

"Sweet and pungent shrimp!" Camilo added, making everyone laugh.

"That's not funny!" Zhao hissed, walking off, not enjoying being their punch line.

The men laughed, and then Ernie, Zano, and Camilo noticed the girls, "Hey, you're up.”

“No thanks to you three. Why didn’t you wake us?” Mirabel asked her boyfriend.

“We didn’t want to wake the sleeping Isa. I hear they can be quite nasty when disturbed,” he joked.

“My sister is not a bear, Zano,” said Mirabel.

“Too bad, at least then she’d be able to survive this week," Nala said, waltzing up to Isabela. "Looks like the humans are late this morning. Catching up on a little beauty sleep?" she asked them, grinning.

Isabela ignored her. But then one of Nala’s cronies, Jet, wraps his arm around her, Nell, and Mirabel. “Come on, Nala, at least they’re easier to look at than their teammates.” Before the girls can react, Jet is pulled away from them by Zano.

“Unless you want to lose your hands, I suggest you keep them to yourself,” Zano threatened. “Which shouldn’t be hard for you,” Causing everyone around them to laugh. 

Jet got out of the dhampir’s hold and growled at him. "That’s it!" Jet said menacingly, holding up a fist to Zano’s face. "Say goodbye to your face, pretty boy."

"Soldiers!"

Everyone turned to see Kaiba, shirtless, walking up to them. Isabela gasped. His frame was small compared to Luisa’s, but his muscles were impressive. Then she remembered what she was doing here and looked away. Still, she couldn't help thinking that this young okami was attractive.

The group stood in straight lines to await orders as Jet released Zano.

"You will assemble swiftly and silently every morning," the Okami instructed. "Anyone who does otherwise will answer to me."

"Ooh, tough guy," Jet mocked.

"Jet..." one of the men murmured.

Kaiba took out his bow and arrow. Setting the end on fire, the other troops stepped back as he pointed the flaming arrow at Jet. He looked worried for his life until Kaiba aimed the arrow at a large wooden pole in the center of the camp. Kaiba let the arrow go, and it embedded itself right at the top. "Get the arrow," he said.

"Isa, what're you looking at?" Mirabel whispered. Isa looked around at the captain in a daze, as he was shirtless. 

"Hello!" Mirabel called her attention. "Huh?" Isa looked at Mirabel and Nell. "Sorry, I guess I didn't notice you guys there..."

Nell had a goofy smile. "You want him~"

"What?!" Isa hiccuped.

"You do!" Nell teased. “Isa?” Mirabel said, smiling at her sister.

Isa rubbed her head and groaned. "I don't like your teacher in that way!" she whispered so the others wouldn't hear their private conversation.

Mirabel and Nell laughed a little bit.

"Fine, wolf boy," Isabela heard Jet mutter. "I'll get that arrow. And I'll do it with my shirt on."

He marched forward and pulled out his hook swords, using them to climb a small way up the pole. "But wait!" Kaiba called. Jet glared at him and let go of his swords, expertly landing on his feet and pulling the twin swords back out of the pole.

"You need these," Kaiba said, as Mushu brought a box. Kaiba takes out two large golden weights with dragons on them. "You cannot get the arrow without these."

"What?" Jet asked, throwing his hands up. But while they were in the air, Kaiba quickly wrapped each disk around Jet's wrists. "This represents discipline, and this represents strength. You need both to reach the arrow.” Jet fell forward, losing his balance a little, and then stood up. "Oh wow," he said, lifting the weight with extreme effort.

"Now go," Kaiba said, pointing to the arrow that was still smoking.

Jet groaned and threw the weights up, unsuccessfully trying to get to the top. He fell instantly, and Kaiba frowned at him. "Ernie!"

"Yes!" the human boy shrieked, jumping a little.

"Your turn," he said, handing the golden weights over to Ernie. The boy pulled out his boomerang.

"Can't I just- " he started.

"No!" Kaiba stated firmly, turning to look at everyone. His eyes glowed with anger. "What happens if an opponent takes away your weapons and captures you? You all need to be able to handle these situations with your own hands and mind. Understand?"

"Yes, sir!" everyone echoed back to him, standing straighter and taller than before.

Ernie made a sad face and handed over his boomerang. Revving up his strength, he threw the weights into the air and tried to climb up, failing as Jet had. Kaiba's frown deepened. "Zano, you're next!”

“Pray for me,” he whispered. Once the weights were on, he began climbing up the pole. He came close to the arrow, but once he reached out, the weights caused him to lose his balance. “CRUD!” he fell, landing on his back, which caused a dent in the ground.

Kaiba sighed at their failures. “Camilo, your turn!"

The boy smiled. He changed his hands and feet into dragon claws. His grin widened at everyone's surprise, and he stood on it, shooting himself upwards.

"No!" Kaiba shouted, sending a fireball that narrowly missed Camilo by a hair. "No shapeshifting either. No powers whatsoever!" Then he turned to the very scared-looking Isabela and loomed over her. "Understand?"

"Uh…" she whimpered and then nodded slightly. "Yes."

"Yes, sir," he corrected her loudly.

She tore her gaze from his perfectly toned chest and upper body. "Yes, sir," she said. He held out the weights for her, and she took them.

"Oh!" she shouted, falling to the ground. She groaned, trying to lift them, but couldn't even get them to budge. This wasn't working. She dragged them to the pole and managed to wrap the disks together, but she fell on her butt and grunted, walking off the pain and rubbing it. Mirabel landed flat on her stomach, and Nell landed on top of her.

"We've got a long way to go," Kaiba said, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his fingers. He threw thin wooden staffs at the group, and everyone caught them. Nell nearly dropped hers, but Mirabel saw it for her and handed it to her. Jet grabbed the one meant for Isabela and knocked her over with it.

"Opps," he said, smiling and dropping her staff to the ground.

"Let's get down to business," Kaiba said, throwing two pots in the air with his pole and breaking them into bits as they came down. "To defeat the Hunts ."

"HA!" the troops called back, holding their staff like he did.

Everyone in the group tried mimicking his moves to no avail. They were all pretty terrible, Isabelaa was pleased to see. At least she wouldn't be the only one. Behind her, Nala tossed her boomerang forward, hitting her in the back.

"Ah!" she yelled, falling forward and knocking everyone over in the process. Zano and Mirabel glared at him, seeing what he had done. 

"Did they send us daughters when they asked for sons?" Kaiba shouted, jumping over the others and bearing down on Isabela. "You're the saddest bunch I've ever met. And you can bet before we're through." Kaiba was hit in the stomach by Isa, but it was an accident. Mirabel and the others tried to explain, but he wouldn't listen to them. 

Before Isabela knew it, Kaiba had grabbed her by the shirt and held her directly in front of his face. His gaze was stern and angry, but she could tell that her mouth had formed a circle of surprise. Isabela didn't want to think about it, but a part of her enjoyed being this close to Kaiba.

"Sister, I'll make a fighter out of you," he muttered. he let go of her, and she dropped to the ground.

For the rest of the training, Kaiba put them through grueling tests. First was archery. 

Tranquil as a forest

But a fire within

He threw three apples into the air and hit three targets with three arrows. The others tried to shoot, but Mirabel, remembering her archery practice, could only get one apple into the target. Zano had a good aim but kept hitting other parts of the tree. Nell, Ernie, and Camilo weren’t that lucky.

Isabela tried to use her powers, but nothing got past Kaiba's eyes. Every time she’d try to force the apple to let the arrow hit it, Kaiba was there and ready to stop any cheating. His golden eyes bore down on Isabela every time, making her nervous.

Once you find your center

You are sure to win

At the next training course, Kaiba was in the water, holding a bucket of water on his head for balance and a pole in his hands. The warriors threw pebbles at him, and Kaiba hit the pebbles swiftly without spilling the bucket. 

Isa was next, but it didn't go as well as the yokai eagerly threw against her and made her fall. She got mad and used her powers to throw them into the lake, much to Kaiba's displeasure.

"You're a spineless, pale, pathetic lot," he said to them. "And you haven't got a clue~" He turned to Isabela as he said this.

"Somehow I'll make a warrior out of you~ "

All of the other fighters at the amp were having similar problems. Aside from the fact that all three of them were Yokai, Jet, Nala, and Lao Shi all struggled to keep up with Kaiba and his training.

"I'm never gonna catch my breath," Lao Shi lamented that night, as the fighters did their best to dash from flaming arrows and other obstacles, including strenuous training such as hitting concrete blocks. 

Jet nodded in agreement. "Say goodbye to those who knew me."

Camilo sighed and shook his head. "Boy, was I a fool back home for goofing off."

Isabela was grinning at the boys' conversation. She wasn't the only one with problems. Suddenly, Kaiba entered the dining tent. "You," he said, pointing to Isabela. "We're going to spar next. Get ready."

"This guy's got 'em scared to death, " Nell muttered to Isabela as she headed for the river to start her fight with the Okami.

She sighed and shook her head at Nell. "Hope he doesn't see right through me."

Isabela stood by the river in a fighting stance. She was so nervous.

"Are you ready?" Isabela jumped, even though she should be used to that voice always sneaking up on her. She turned around to see him standing there, shirtless, and utterly oblivious to what he was doing to her.

"Yes," she muttered. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nell meet up with her sister and the others. She paid them no mind as they came to watch the fight.

"Then let's go," he said, punching his fist forward and shooting out a jet of flames. Isabela quickly got the vines in the water to douse out the fire in a wave. The heat dissipated into steam, and Kaiba came in for another hit.

He threw himself toward her, sending a flaming kick at her side. She jumped out of the way and conjured a vine whip. Wrapping it around his ankles, she tied him to the ground and backed away. He bent over and set his hands on fire, burning the vines instantly.

"Why aren't you fighting?" he asked, sending another kick of flames that she dodged.

"Why are you?" she shrieked. Kaiba gave her a strange look, but moved forward, giving her a good hit to the face. She flew backward and slumped into the river.

Jet, Nala, and Lao Shi had all come to watch the fight. After seeing Isabela splash into the water like she had, Lao Shi shuddered. "Now I wish that I knew how to swim." At a disapproving glance from Kaiba, Isabela knew that their fight was over. As the captain left, so did the small group of soldiers who had come to watch the exchange. When Isabela was alone again, Mirabel jumped down and helped her sister out of the river.

"Come on, champ," Mirabel said to Isabelaa after a long moment of silence. "We'd better catch up. They're going out running today."

"That's right," Isabela groaned, pulling herself to her feet.

We must be swift as a coursing river

With all the force of a great typhoon

With all the strength of a raging fire

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

On the run, each fighter had to carry bags of grain attached to poles on their backs as they came up the mountains. Isabela stayed in the back, unable to catch up with Mirabel and her friends. She panted and slowed her walk, barely getting one foot in front of the other. Kaiba noticed that she was behind.

He had been giving the warriors a little speech, encouraging them to keep going. "Time is racing toward us till the hunts arrive. Heed my every order, and you might survive."

Isabela had fallen to the ground, unable to go any farther. "Isa!" Mirabel yelled, dropping her bag to help her older sister, but was stopped by Kaiba. “Sensei I-” 

“Don’t stop.” He ordered her to keep going, but she was about to argue. “Mirabel, just go!” Isa yelled out with the last of her strength.

Mirabel was frozen by her words, but complied as she picked up the weight and ran off. Zano and Nell ran after her. “Mirabel, wait!”

“Damn, when did she get so fast?” Camilo groaned as he and Ernie tried to catch up.

Kaiba leaned down and helped Isabela to her feet. "Thank you, Kaiba," she breathed, still feeling faint.

"Go home," he said firmly.

"What?" she asked, her breath coming back to her in a rush. "You can't send me home! I have to"

"You're not suited for the rage of war," he said again, louder this time. "So pack up, go home, you're through. How could I make a Zhanshi out of you?" His face was firm, but his eyes burned with sadness as Isabela looked at him pleadingly.

Isabela trudged back down the mountain, Mushu and Akito following behind her on Chapa’s back. Once she was back at the camp alone, she fell to her knees in the center and screamed.

"Aw, sweetness, it's okay," said Mushu, softly brushing his tiny hand against Isabela's cheek. "You did better than Mulan did on her first day."

"But it wasn't good enough!" Isabela yelled, her voice reverberating through the empty camp. "No matter how hard I try to prove I’m not delicate, that I can do more as myself, it's never enough to change their minds."

Isabela glanced up and spotted the arrow still perched on the pole, untouched. The golden weights glimmered in the moonlight, a testament to the challenge no one had yet conquered. 

She couldn't understand what the point of it was—no one could reach the arrow. The weights were too heavy, toppling even the strongest warriors before they got halfway. Unless, of course, someone could swing the weights high enough to launch themselves over the pole… then maybe—  "That's it!" Isabela whispered, rising to her feet and striding purposefully toward the weights.

We must be swift as a coursing river 

With all the force of a great typhoon.

She secured the weights around her wrists, gritted her teeth, intertwined them, and pulled herself up the pole. She nearly slipped, but she wasn't going to give up. As the sun rose, the troops returned, all stunned to see the failed fighter almost on her way to the top.

“Is that…?” Zano asked, squinting to get a better look.

“Isabela,” Mirabel said, pride swelling in her voice.

With all the strength of a raging fire,  

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon!

Suddenly, Camilo got the whole crowd chanting, "Be a Zhàn! Be a Zhàn!" Isabela's face was covered in sweat, and though she felt like giving up, she still managed to laugh at the irony.

"Come on, girl, woman up!" Nell cheered.

With one final pull, Isabela reached the top. The soldiers erupted into cheers and celebratory dances, joyfully reveling in her achievement. "Bel! Bel! Bel! Bel!" they all chanted. Isabela hoisted herself onto the smooth edge of the pole, beaming, and threw the weights over her shoulder.

Hearing the commotion, Kaiba stepped out of his tent holding Akito. His son giggled as he pointed at the sky. Kaiba looked up, his eyes widening when he saw Isabela sitting on the giant pole. She smirked and threw the arrow at the ground next to him. She waved and laughed. There was no turning back now.

She grabbed the golden weights and used them to slide down the pole. The whole crowd cheered. Mirabel ran up to hug her, and Kaiba looked at her, impressed. "Not bad, Isa," he said, nodding approvingly.

"So do I get to stay?" she asked, panting slightly from her rigorous climb. She leaned on Mirabel for support, looking up at Kaiba in hope.

"No," he said, then walked away with his son.

The camp fell silent, surprise etched on Isabela's face as she processed his words. Anger ignited within her, and she marched after him.

"What do you mean, 'no'?" she demanded, her frustration palpable. Kaiba refused to meet her gaze, but Isabela grabbed his shirt, forcing him to face her. "I got the arrow down! Everyone saw!" she yelled, her voice cutting through the camp. The spectators stared at her in shock, but she was too fired up to notice.

"You may have hit the target, but you’re not suited for my training," Kaiba replied, his eyes locked onto hers. Anger and attraction surged within her as they held each other's gaze.

"I'm not? But my little sister and her friends are?!" Isabela exclaimed, disbelief washing over her. “Half of them don’t even have powers, and yet they get to stay! How is that fair?”

Unlike you, Isabela Madrigal, they understand that this camp isn’t about being the center of attention. They are here to improve their skills to protect their families and innocent people from the hunters, not to compete in a ridiculous spectacle,” Kaiba said, shaking his head. “A pity really, your sister said you have potential, but it seems that no matter what growth you go through, you’ll never be anything more than a selfish show-off,” He pushed her hands away and turned, cradling his son in his arms.

Isabela felt the crowd's stares burning into her back. The soldiers whispered among themselves, but she clenched her fists in determination. Kaiba wasn’t getting rid of her that easily.

"Then fight me!" she yelled.

Her demand echoed off the mountains, freezing Kaiba in place, his shoulders tense. The group fell silent, awaiting their captain’s reaction. After a moment of stillness, he silently passed Akito to Mushu, who quickly took the baby into the tent. Then, with a swift motion, Kaiba lunged forward.

“No!” Mirabel shouted, trying to stop them, but Nell held her back. “Nah-uh, girl, let her have this.”

Kicking a blast of fire at Isabela, she yelped and backed up. The crowd gasped and watched in awe as Isabela fought back. She ran over to the river and created a huge water whip, hitting Kaiba in the side and sending him crashing into the river. She splashed the waves around, making him noticeably uncomfortable, but not hurting him.

Cheers from the soldiers reached Isabela's ears, and she heard some of them egging her on. "Yeah! Get him, Isa!" shouted Camilo, pumping a fist into the air. 

“Where’s the loyalty?” said Mushu.

“Sorry, Mushu, she’s a pain, but she’s family.”

Isabela grinned and turned back to her opponent before sending him soaring through the sky with a tower of plants trapping him in the arch, which contained Kaiba. She then sent it crashing down to earth. Shards of petals flew everywhere, and the crowd gasped once more, covering their faces from the probably poisonous minuscule daggers. Kaiba hit the ground with a thud, hitting his head hard.

He got up quickly and went back to Isabela. Sending more flames her way and getting close enough for hand-to-hand fighting, one of his jets of fire grazed her.

"Ah!" Isabela cringed and sank a little, holding her arm. The skin was slightly burned, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. Angrier now more than ever, Isabela threw out her fist, hitting Kaiba in the shoulder and sending him backward, waves crashing over him in the process.

She slowly walked over to where he lay sputtering and leaned over him. Isabela decided that she liked this new role reversal. "Can I stay now, Sensei?" she growled, standing over him while holding a vine in her left hand like a whip.

He pulled himself up to a sitting position and looked her over, nodding. "Yes," he said.

Isabela breathed out and let her plants return to the ground as they were. Still clutching her arm, she began to walk away, towards her tent. Kaiba got to his feet and followed her.

"Wait," he said, reaching for her burned arm. "Did I hurt you?"

Isabela shook her head. "No," but she winced loudly when he touched it.

"Are you going to be okay?" he asked, his blue eyes concerned. "Should I get some help?"

"No," Isabela shook her head again. "I can heal it. Just get me some aloe vera."

Kaiba ran to the medical tent and got some. He brought it back to her and watched as she used her powers to make a new aloe plant to heal her wound. The crowd of warriors had disappeared now that the fight was over. Isabela and Kaiba were incredibly alone except for Isa’s sister and their students, who watched them in awe.

Kaiba watched in wonder as Isabela's aloe vera began to heal the burn mark away as quickly as it had come. Kaiba was impressed. He looked up at her and smiled. "Maybe you do have what it takes," he said, almost to himself.

Isabela wanted to look away. She knew that she should, but Kaiba's electric blue eyes held her gaze, and it seemed like the whole world was melting around them. "Kaiba, I-" she began, but stopped, unsure what to say next. “I may be here to enter the tournament, but I am doing it to improve myself and test my limits as a fighter. No matter what anyone thinks.”

Kaiba hands her a staff. “Then let’s get started.” She smiled at him.

[everyone] BE A Zhansi

They resumed training, and it went well. Isa got to stay and train with Mirabel, and they all performed significantly better than before, as did the other fighters. 

We must be swift as a coursing river

BE A Zhansi

All the apples were hit on target. Isa, Nell, and Camilo could fight back, even topping Kaiba; they could catch the fish, and they could jump over the racing waters. 

With all the force of a great typhoon

BE A Zhansi

It was a great time. They felt like they could win that tournament and defeat the Hunts. The girls grabbed their staffs and looked like real karate masters, their training nearly complete. 

With all the strength of a raging fire

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

Hoo-ah!

That night, the girls took a much-deserved bath in the hot springs. Before they entered the bathhouse, they saw Nala waiting by the entrance.

"Nala? Are you done using this?" Isabela asked.

"I wanted to talk to you," Nala replied.

"About what?"

"Starting over. When I first heard about the Dark Dragon's defeat at the hands of someone who wasn't a dragon, I was happy because it proved that anyone could be a magical protector. However, when I learned that a group of humans had done it, I felt insulted. It seemed unfair that pure creatures of magic like us weren't allowed to be guardians, while the race that forced us into hiding was given that chance. However, after watching how tough you all were during training, I began to understand why Lao Shi spoke so highly of your sister."

"Except for me, he barely even recalled my name," Isabela said.

"Yeah, but he did mention that Mirabel has a scary older sister you wouldn't want to cross," Nala responded. "And I don't think this Lusica girl can control plants, can she?"

Isabela smiled. "So does this mean that your friends are going to back off as well?"

"Yeah. After you went toe-to-toe against Kaiba Li, my previous notions about you were completely changed."

"Honestly, I don't think even Zano is bold enough to challenge Sensei like you did," Nell added.

"I'm just glad you two didn't end up killing each other," Mirabel said.

"I admit I could have advocated for myself better, but it was interesting to fight someone with no limits finally," Isabela said with a smile.

Mirabel and Nell exchanged a small giggle. 

"What?" Isabel asked. 

"Nothing," they replied, still smiling.

After their bath, they got dressed and walked to their tent. Then they overheard Zhao ranting inside a tent and decided to eavesdrop. 

"You think your troops are ready to fight? HA! They wouldn't last a minute against the Hunts Clan!" Zhao mocked.

Nala growled, shaking her fists, wanting to beat the man up. Mirabel held her arms and shook her head.

Nala pouted. "Don't feel bad, she never lets me have any fun either..." Nell grumbled at her.

Isabela shushed them so she could hear what was going on.

"They completed their training," Kaiba defended.

"Those children are no more fit to be soldiers than you are, Captain," Zhao continued. "Once the councilmen read my report, your troops will never see battle!"

"I'm not finished!"

"Be careful, Captain. The councilman may be your godfather, but I am the emperor's councilor. And, by the way, I got that job on my own," Zhao opened the tent, making the girls back up. "You are dismissed."

Kaiba walked out and passed by them.

Isabela came up to him. "Hey, I'll hold him and you punch!" she laughed, then got nervous. "Or not... Um... For what it's worth, I think you're a great captain!"

Kaiba looked back at her and smiled a bit. He then continued to walk back to his tent.

"I saw that," Mirabel smirked once they were alone.

"What?" Isabela looked at her sister, nearly blushing.

"You like him, don't you?" Mirabel teased.

"No!" Isa denied.

"Yeah, right sure, go to your tent!" she said in a stern tone, but with a joking manner.

Isabela sighed and walked back to her tent. 

"She so likes him," Mirabel says.

"Who wouldn't? Did you see his abs?" said Nell.

"That's physical attraction. The real question is if she likes him in mind and heart?" Nala said, earning looks from the human girls. "What, I can't be romantic and a warrior?"

They all shared a laugh as they retired to their tents.

In the middle of the night, Mirabel sneaks out to meet up with Zano at the lake to tell him about her day.

Zano: "So Nala also apologized?"

"Yes, and I'm happy to hear that Lao Shi's other friends did the same with you guys."

"Yeah, but don't expect us to go out for pizza, Mariposita, after all, we're going to be leaving soon."

"Right, but I am happy to see we changed their minds about us. Feels good," she said, placing her head on his shoulder. "But?" he asked with his head on hers. 

"They were jerks to us at first; however, they worked hard and should be considered to join the battle."

"What battle?"

"I overheard Zhao and Sensei. Zhao doesn't think anyone here is fit to join the dragons in a fight against the Hunts clan," Mirabel explained.

Zano's eyes widened at the news.

At Kaiba's Tent, Zano brings Mirabel and the others to confront their Sensei about this battle.

"It's true, despite completing the training, no one here will be called to join the dragons in defeating the Hunts clan."

"Why didn't you tell us that there was a battle going on? We could have helped out."

"The council felt the troops of dragons would be enough to handle them. The people here are only meant to hold down the fort until the dragons of their regions return from battle."

"But, Sensei, you know more than anyone that it takes all kinds of warriors to defeat a threat. The Dark Dragon is proof of that."

"Sadly, not everyone agrees to that, Mirabel. I hoped that by bringing you all here, Zhao would see that as well, but I was wrong. It seems that no matter what, dragons will never accept the fact that some creatures can do the same job as them."

Mushu chimes in, "Which is why I decided to send Chen a daily update on everything that happened this week," he said while brushing Aki's hair.

"You what?"

"And he sent me a letter, I think you're gonna wanna see," Mushu says, handing Kaiba the letter and reading it.

"What does it say?" Mirabel asked.

"Pack your bags, kids, we're going on a trip."

Welcome to the Challenge of the Brave, where you will see skilled combatants from all the lands compete in a series of death-defying challenges that culminate in the main event! The ultimate melee!" The crowd cheers as the announcer continues. "Only one will walk away with the respect of the seven realms! Today's favorite is the world's most renowned warrior. Some say he's the meanest, most ruthless fighter the world has ever seen!"

Giant footsteps walk into the warriors' area. "Wreck Marauder!"

The crowd erupts in cheers as another challenger's teeth fall off. The bees from one of the female competitors fly away, and everyone runs in fright as a giant man stands there. An usher runs into him and gets stared down by a man with sideburns.

"Boo."

The man runs away screaming, going so far as to jump into the bleachers. "Whose house is this? This is Wreck's house!" He throws away the boar that was on his head, and it lands on Jet.

"Whoa, that guy is hardcore," Mirabel cringes from the front.

"I heard that he's gotten challengers to surrender just by looking at him," Zano explains, and then they hear a yell right next to them. Unfortunately for them, they got stuck with...

"Whoo!" Mushu holds up a foam finger. "Yeah! That's my boy right there! Wreck Marauder!" He gets a couple of annoyed glares from the people surrounding him. "I have seen that guy fight all over the world. He's undefeated! Challenge of the Brave!" He claps, and Akito starts bouncing. "Challenge of the Brave!"

Nell facepalms, groaning a little as Mirabel shakes her head at him. Zano covers his face with both hands, sighing. "Everybody, come on!" He jumps from his seat, holding out a hand. "Alright, the beard of the bees lady!" One of the bees is eaten by Diego, which flies around in his mouth before flying out.

"Oh yeah!" Ernie hugs Zano with one arm, who pushes him away slightly. "How bout these seats, huh, guys? If we were any closer to the action, they'd be scraping me off of Wreck Marauder's knuckles!" He places the foam finger on a kid and blows a loud horn. The two teens cover their ears in pain as Camilo turns into multiple patterns. Even Mushu covers his ears!

"Uh, sir?" The usher who ran into Wreck walks up to him. "Some of the competitors are requesting we move you to a new seat."

"Oh, you see that?" Mushu brags to everyone around him. "Moving this superfan to the superfan section. Ha! I wish I could say this has been fun, but I respect you all too much to lie to your faces!" He starts walking up the stairs. The usher glances at the teens, wondering if they are with him.

"We've never seen him before in our lives," Zano quickly denies.

"But, don't we-"

"Nope, don't know him," Nell replies with a straight face, and he leaves.

"I wish we got a warning before we sat down," Zano rubs the back of his neck as they're now technically on babysitting detail.

"Yeah, I've never seen him like… that," Mirabel chuckles, leaning back a bit. "I'm surprised Sensei let us come here."

He turns his head to stare at her as she looks out at the arena. "Considering Mushu’s display of fanaticism, I think Aki is safer than before.”

Isa fires three arrows, getting another triple bullseye. She places the bow around her neck with a smug look.

"She's just here 'cause her little sister imprisoned the dark dragon," One of the competitors sneers, the others laughing. She frowns towards them.

"You do realize when they put the call up for the strongest warriors, they weren't talking about breath," She waves a hand in front of her face. "Right?"

He breathes his nasty breath in front of her, and she recoils in disgust, almost gagging. "Why don't you go tend to your plants, flower girl?" He laughs as he walks past her, but is stopped by the mysterious Wreck Maurader.

“I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss this one dragon breath. With powers like hers, she could make us inhale poisonous fumes to weaken us before the contest starts.”

Isa remains still as she stares into Wreck’s eyes, “Maybe that’s what you goons need to win, but I can do this contest without relying on cheap tricks.”

“You got that right!” said Mushu as he popped on top of her head.

“Mushu, what are you doing here?” 

“It’s the craziest thing, first I was cheering from the stands, and the next thing I know I’m standing smack dab in the middle of all the action!” he cheered.

Wreck walks them with a growl, and Mushu turns around, seeing his hairy chest. "Whoa! Look at you! You're a big guy, aren't ya?" He snarls at him, and Isa comes over.

"Come on, Mushu," She grabs him so that the dragon can leave.

"What do we have here?" Wreck calls out, causing Isa to grit her teeth. "No one told me they were letting table scraps compete."

"Scraps?!" Mushu whips around to him, clenching a fist. "You're one to talk chicken legs!” he glares up at the man.

"Mushu," Isa hisses for him to stop.

"I’ve known warriors without powers to defeat whole armies using only their wits! This girl can wipe all your butts with one hair flip?" The dragon continues, protectively holding her head.

"Aww," Wreck teases, clasping his hands. "And if she bats her eyelashes, she could make us fall," He snickers while Isa looks away in embarrassment.

"Oh, you should be so-"

"Okay!" Isabela grabs his snout. "That'll do, Mushu." She pulls the little dragon away while the competitors all laugh at her, much to her dismay. She rubs her temple with a sigh once they're far away from their earshot. "Listen. I have to warm up, so..." One look at the other competitors tells her that she needs to re-establish her formidable reputation. Then she sees Mirabel and Zano in the front seats, smiling, laughing at their ongoing conversation while Akito is on Nell’s lap with Camilo eating a hot dog. "Why don't you bring Zano and Mirabel some snacks and join Kaiba? You can cheer me on from there...way back there."

"Yeah… yeah, sure. Okay, I got it. I got it. You need to focus. No distractions," he waves as he goes over to the food stands. “Oh! Before I forget,” he places a hairpin on the left side of her hair. “This clip is for good luck!” he pats her on the head.

The laughter continues, and Isabela bites her lip as she watches the tiny dragon leave this time. The competitors walk away, and she gives a dejected look. Hopefully, the competition itself would ‘change people's minds.

"I hope Isabela gets into the final round. Ever since camp, she’s been acting like she has to prove something to people like that," Mirabel tells Zano.

"Well, you and Isa have different dispositions when it comes to dealing with small-minded idiots," Zano replies as they watch people getting ready. 

"That's true. I was misjudged, but so was Isa, and she used that to create this perfect image to make everyone happy.”

“Except herself. Now that the mask is gone, she’s able to express her true emotions,” said Camilo

“Yeah, a brash, artistic, bossy diva with a green thumb,” said Zano. “And I mean that in the nicest way because something tells me I would have found Señorita Perfecta annoying.”

“You have no idea," Mirabel giggles a bit before suddenly, popcorn, meat, and cotton candy are shoved into their arms by Mushu.

"Just making sure that you don't go hungry!" He smiles at them, leaning in. "So, is everything okay here?"

"Yes," They answer in unison, and then he jumps in between them, hugging the two.

"Has anything happened?" he asks eagerly, his smile widening.

"You mean besides us waiting for the Challenge of the Brave to start?" Mirabel raises a brow, Zano pinching his nose.

"Well, you two should be getting to know each other! Like, what you like about each other, your interests, your guilty pleasures! Ooh! Stories! This one time, Aki was playing with a goat, and I didn't know it could do that, but-"

"Mushu!" Nell exclaims, "Don't talk about what the goat did!"

"Oops!" he smiles sheepishly.

"Um, maybe you should join Lao Shi before the usher comes to move you again. He's up there," Zano points upwards towards Lao Shi.

"Are you sure? You don't need an-"

"Nope, we are all good," Mirabel pushes him away slightly. "Thank you for the food!"

"Alright," Mushu shrugs before he gets up, waving as he leaves them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats!" The announcer booms, "It's time to meet today's contestants! Give it up for Razor Blade McDoom!" He points to the woman with the razor-sharp teeth as she lets out a roar.

"The Razor's gonna carve ya… like a turkey!"

"Yikes! And I thought skelkie teeth were scary,” said Camilo.

Meanwhile, Zano’s bat Diego nudged Zano’s ear to speak to Mirabel, but the boy shook him off. The bat jumps off Zano’s shoulder and then hops on Mirabel’s back, reaching her hair to claw at it.

"Ah, Diego," She tries to remove the bat, but he's too fast for her hands. "Stop that."

"What are you doing?" Zano notices her struggle, quickly grabbing his pet. "Diego, no."

Akito throws his cotton candy at Zano’s face. The two high-five each other before Diego leaves. Mirabel sees Zano's nose and giggles, pointing at him. He notices why she's laughing and joins in, Diego pumping a fist in triumph.

"So am I the first friend you've had since you were five?" Zano couldn't help but wonder. 

"Well, the first one was my age, so yeah, in a sense," She nods, taking a bite out of popcorn. "I lost touch with the friends I had left when I was forced to stay home after I tried to find my cousins.”

“Oh yeah, you came down with a nasty head cold and had to eat Tía’s food every hour just to elevate the symptoms,” said Camilo.

“Yeah, and to make sure it didn’t spread, I was put under quarantine with Casita as my nurse. I got so lonely and bored cooped up in the nursery that I made up someone to play with.” 

“At least you were at home and didn’t have to go to the doctor wearing a bubble,” said Zano.

“You were under quarantine, too?” Mirabel pondered.

“Yup, I don’t recall much, but I had to wear a full-body suit when I had to go to the doctors for constant checkups.” 

“Oh yeah, in kindergarten you had to be homeschooled the rest of the year because of that,” Ernie said, recalling when their kindergarten teacher announced Zano wouldn’t be coming to school the rest of the year.

“Wow, so when were you able to go back?” Nell asked.

“In time for first grade, but let’s get back to your imaginary friend Mirabel, they sound pretty cool.”

"Oh, sure, her imaginary friend, you're interested in, but when I introduced mine, you couldn't care less," said Ernie.

"You made me give up my chair for him," said Zano.

“Mirabel did the same to me. You know that I’m hearing about it again. Are you sure you're not talking about Tío Bruno, Mirabel? He was hiding in the house walls at the time,” said Camilo.

“No, this friend was my height, and he had these red eyes and wore this weird black armor."

"Still more interesting than my story. Do you remember anything else about him?" Zano asks, wondering how that might've looked when she was younger.

"Barely, I was young, and my memory was fuzzy. He just… appeared out of nowhere. We'd spend hours playing games, sharing stories about places far and wide, and people with amazing powers. Eventually, he brought a cute little mouse with wings to our playdates. Whenever I felt lonely, I could always count on him to make me smile.”

 "Huh… fascinating," Zano murmurs under his breath. "And he didn't have a name?"

"He did, I just can't remember it. It's weird; I can remember that he talked about his family and superheroes a lot, even though I didn't know about superheroes till I met you.”

“Well, maybe your uncle Bruno told you about them before he disappeared? He did get visions of the outside world, right?”

“Maybe, either way, I wasn’t old enough to understand or remember what either of them said. I was dealing with a lot back then, not to mention I had amnesia.”

“So what happened to him?”

“I grew up, Camilo. I don’t recall when I stopped imagining him, but I know that at some point I had to stop living in a fantasy and face the real world to make real friends.”

“A.k.a. Abuela said you were too old to have imaginary friends,” said her cousin.

“Most likely.”

“I think it’s nice that you remember someone being there for you, even if they weren’t real, how they made you feel was. Heck, I don’t even recall if that little girl I met during that time was real or imaginary, but she helped me feel less lonely.” 

Mirabel: “Really?” 

“Yeah, I don’t remember much about her, but I swear I think she was the reason I got better so fast.”

“Do you think she was a magical creature?” she asked.

“Maybe? With all the crazy things we’ve seen, anything is possible.”

“Well, if we ever happen to come across her, I want to thank her for helping you get better,” Mirabel said, making him smile. “I don’t know where we would be now if you hadn’t.”

“Probably dealing with a grumpier version of him,” joked Nell. The Madrigal cousins giggled while Zano glared at her.

"Next up, the unstoppable Wreck Marauder!" The announcer gestures to the large man, who flexes his muscles, his hair growing wild as he does so. "Wreck has three words for you! You're gonna get wrecked!"

Isa rolls her eyes, not even bothering to correct him.

"Hey..." Ernie eyes her, "If I didn't know any better, I'd swear that guy down there looks just like Isabela...?"

"That is Isabela!" Mirabel shakes his arm in excitement. "Wow, I've never seen Isa so serious."

“I’m sure underneath, she’s nervous,” Camilo says, looking down as Isa cracks her neck. "Ooh… Maybe not," Camilo says. 

“Looks like 10 years of hiding your emotions is paying off for her; if she showed any fear in front of these guys, she’d be a target for them,” said Zano.

“I guess I can't blame her. She worked hard to qualify for this competition, I wish she didn’t have to put up some tough girl act.” 

“I’m sure once this is over, she’ll be back to normal, whatever that means.”

"And finally, the Rose’s Thorn, Isa- Hey!"

The announcer’s voice is cut off and replaced by the familiar voice of Mushu,  "Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to correct my previous statement! Please welcome the Fearsome Flora, the Herbalist with the Hair, ISABELA LA TUNDA!" Mushu shouts out to the arena, to the shock of Isabela and the rest of their friends. Camilo spits out his drink.

,

Though irritated at Mushu’s interference, Isabela shrugs it off to wave to the crowd. "Yay, Isa!" A little girl cheers for her.

"Oh, Mushu, what have you done?" Lao Shi slowly shakes his head while sitting next to a Viking with long blonde hair.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the first event: The Gauntlet!" The announcer gestures to six swinging hammers. Skull Kicker takes one jump and is sent flying, his boots falling off as he screams. The two women cringe at the sound of the crash.

"This is not good," Zano places his cheek in his hand.

"If she could deal with escaping a pirate camp, then this shouldn't be a challenge… right?" Mirabel smiles nervously.

"Next up for the gauntlet, Isabela!" The announcer gestures to the obstacle, and Camilo nudges past the people in the crowd.

"Excuse me, coming through, emergency. Pardon me."

Isa walks up the steps, only to be blocked by Wreck. He bends a pipe to make it look like an 8.

"What's that supposed to be?" Isabela asks in confusion.

"It's a knot, as in you're knot going to win," He laughs at his joke. She pays him no mind and walks past him. "It's a thinker."

"Jerk," Nell narrows her eyes at him.

"Isabela could beat him any day," Ernie waves it off.

She stands in front of the first hammer. "Whoo! Go, Isa!" Mirabel cheers her on. She ducks, rolls, and jumps on the hammers, landing safely on the other side.

"Way to go, Isabela!" She opens an eye to see the little girl hollering.

"Yeah!" Zano pumps a fist as Mirabel claps.

Even the competitors cheer her on, causing Isa to drop her smile. Skull Kicker writes Isabela on his arm, smiling.

"Nice dance," Wreck scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"Uh, thanks?" The flower-powered Madrigal was confused by the sudden tone.

"Not sure that routine will do much good against me in the Dead Man's Circle," Wreck walks through the obstacle, breaking hammers without even touching them. "But hey, maybe you'll get lucky again.”

“What is this guy made of?”

Isabela takes her place between Wreck and Razorblade McDoom. "Challengers! Prepare for the next event!"

Both of them stand in determination. Wreck fires bullseyes on every single target, pumping a fist. "Yes!"

Isabela struggles to use her bow, so she replaces it with a violin and fires. One of the targets breaks, and the two look up in shock at Wreck. Ernie blows the horn, causing him to be moved again. Mirabel facepalms while Zano takes a bite out of his popcorn.

Skull Kicker and Isabela jump over for the long jump. Wreck jumps over, slamming onto the ground.

Wreck holds up a bag of rocks with no effort, Isa holding it up above her head, and with a pulley, giving her second place. The crowd starts a wave, but then has to cover their ears again as Mushu gets too excited.

Isabela runs on a log with a short competitor in armor and Skull Kicker. The two men slip, deeming Isabela the winner.

"Time for the final event! The Dead Man's Circle!"

Isabela places her sword down in the cart of weapons. "Each warrior will battle to the finish, using the weapon of their choice!"

Camilo is now outside with Mushu. “Okay, you know what to do?”

“Yup, did my part when I was in the announcer booth.” Mushu hands him the ID card. “Do you know how many wrappers were in there?”

“Nope!” Camilo said as he transformed into the announcer. “Anyway, we need to hurry before the real guy wakes up,” Mushu hides in his coat as he heads back inside to a secret entrance.

All the remaining competitors stand in front of the circle, with the weapons at its center. Mirabel takes a slow bite out of her popcorn.

"Who do you think is gonna win?" She asks Zano.

"Well, given the size, weight, and durability of each contestant, I'd say…" He rubs his chin, and they give each other a knowing look.

"Wreck," The two say in unison. Diego suddenly appears on Zano's shoulder wearing an Isabela flower crown.

"Where'd he get that?" Mirabel couldn't help but wonder.

"I think Nell was selling them," Zano shrugs a little.

"Well, she's gonna miss the Dead Man's Circle. Where everyone battles it out until one remains standing." Mirabel gestures to the arena. Isa glances at Mirabel, looking back towards the circle. Mirabel looks at her and slumps her shoulders. She didn't want them to fight...

"It's now time for the no-holds-barred elimination round! Remember, folks, once someone steps outside the ring, they are out! The last one standing is our champion!"

"Are you ready for this? It's gonna get ugly in here..."

Isabela narrows her eyes at him, clenching her fists.

"Ready...set...battle!"

Everyone runs towards the weapons. Wreck grabs a club and immediately hits someone out of the ring. Isabela holds a spear and clashes with Skull Kicker.

Wreck leaps towards Isabela. Isabela ducks out of the way into the sand, but isn't out of the ring yet. "Ha ha!" Skull Kicker laughs at her, "Looks like I got the drop on you."

He's suddenly pushed by Wreck and hits the wall, eliminating him from the competition. The large man turns his attention back to Isabela, who grips her hair and runs forward.

Isabela disarms a competitor and throws him out of the ring. Three competitors jump on Wreck, but he knocks them away. "Is that all you got?" All three of them land outside the circle. "You fools take on Wreck!"

Isabela clears her throat, and he turns to her. Growling, he grips his club as they circle each other. The crowd gasps in anticipation as they're about to strike each other...

When they see Mushu and Camilo being chased by a group of hunters into the arena.

“Camilo?!”

“Isabela, I’m sorry, but these games are a trap!” Camilo yelled.

“What?!”

Soon, more huntsmen were revealed, some as staff members, others as spectators. They began to take some of the fans hostage.

“NOW!” Wreck ordered. Soon Mirabel, Zano, and their team start fighting the hunters to free the innocent people.  It was also quickly revealed that everyone at the training camp was present and fighting the hidden horde of Huntsmen. Isabela was confused at what was transpiring, but as she spotted Wreck Maurader summon a blue flame, she soon snapped back to reality. Angry Isabela used her powers to entrap every huntsman with her vines, putting an end to the fight.

“All right, Isa!” Camilo cheered. 

Isabela fires three arrows, getting Wreck's shirt stuck on the pole. "Hey, Wreck, stick around."

“Isa, what are you doing? Wreck’s the good guy,” said Camilo

“Is he? Last I checked, good guys don’t keep secrets from their friends! Isn’t that right, Sensei!”

Wreck sighed, he transformed into his human form, and removed his helmet. “Please understand the Hunts clan had been using this competition to sneak into unsuspected villages to capture its magical citizens for months.”

“Let me guess by 'we' you mean…” She turns to her little sister.

“Isa, I wanted to tell you, but Sensei said we had to be careful what we say, and by then you were already on your way here.”

“Right, it’s not like it would have made a difference if I were told. After all, you guys had it completely under control.”

An arrow is fired near Isabela, who looks up in confusion to see a hunter aiming another one right towards her. "Well, that was close."

Kaiba breaks free from the arrows and shoots a flame at the hunter's weapon. “I could have taken care of it!” Isa yelled as she spotted more hunters coming into the Arena. 

“I suggest we argue after we defeat an army of zealot hunters,” Camilo suggested as he dodged another attack..

Soon, everyone had to fight back against a hunter. Meanwhile, Isabela and Kaiba were fighting near each other, much to Isabela’s annoyance.

“You're angry, good! Use it-” Isabela roared as she shot thorns at the hunters and Kaiba, almost hitting the okami. “I know you’re upset, but your sister and cousin were only following my orders,” Kaiba explained.

“No duh!” Isabela starts, "You have no idea what this contest meant to me, Mr. Hypocrite! I mean, you've won this competition for years, and your peers and my older cousins respect you! You've got nothing to prove. To you, this was just a way to defeat your enemy, but to me, it was a chance to show myself that I am more than just a former diva. And when I thought I might get even the slightest bit of real respect. Never mind," she squeezes her eyes shut.

"Isabela, you do have respect. You certainly have mine. I’m sorry for not considering your feelings. When I received this mission, I swore to ensure that no civilians would get hurt in the crossfire. You’re not a soldier or a random civilian, you’re a trusted friend and ally. I’d go into battle with you any day.”

“Thanks, I just… felt undervalued because everyone wants to paint me in one box or assume how I’d feel about things.”

"Isabela," Mirabel starts cheering, gesturing for the crowd to do the same.

"Isabela. Isabela! Isabela!"

The two glance around at the audience, smiling. Suddenly, a growl is heard, and they see a big hunter charging towards them. He raises his club above Kaiba.

"Look out!" Isabela pushes him out of the way. The man snarls at her, and she slides underneath him, jumping into the air and kicking him in the head. She then sweeps her leg and manages to throw him over her, and he lands outside the ring and into the seats.

"Congratulations," Kaiba said as he pointed down for her to look.

She does and sees that his foot is out of the ring. Kaiba lifts her arm to the crowd, “You're new champion!” He proclaimed. Everyone cheered while Mirabel and Zano’s team finished tying up the rest of the Huntsclan.

After they captured the Hunts clan, the group was brought before the dragon council. "It seems that once again your students have surprised us with their bravery, Kaiba," Chen said. "I'm sure each of them will make great protectors for their homes."

"Thank you, Counselor Chen."

"However, I also heard there was some infighting during the mission as well," he said, looking at Isabela.

"Sir, she didn't know-"

Chen held his hand up. "Step forward," Isa did, looking up at him. "What is your name?"

"Isabela Madrigal, Señor."

"Ah, yes, Mirabel's older sister. The one who can control plants. You know, in the right hands, this power can be used for good, but it can also cause great harm if not used well. But from what I've seen, you're doing more than just providing food and medicine, aren't you?"

"Sir?"

"Nature is not just beauty, it is also dangerous and should be respected, a yin and yang. For those with your gifts, I'm pleased to see you are trying to find that same balance," said the old dragon master.

"Thank you," said Isabela.

"Kaiba, I think it would be best if you gave Miss Madrigal some meditation lessons, lord knows how temperamental elemental Madrigals can be?" Chen whispered to him as he left the room with Zhao.

"What did he mean by that?" Mirabel asked her sensei quietly as she heard the old dragon master's comment.

"I'm not naming names, but when your cousins get into a disagreement with the council, it doesn't end well," said Mushu.

The next day, Isabela hangs up the Maurader champion belt on the wall next to Luisa's signed Lucha Libre belt.

“I don’t get it, you won, so why not hang it up in your room?” Camilo asked.

“Because it wasn’t a real win. If that guy hadn't attacked, Kaiba wouldn't have lost his footing, but don't worry, I plan to find out who would've won,” said Isabela. 

On the rooftop, Isabela and Kaiba get into a fighting stance. “You know you don’t have to do this!” he said as he stretched.

“I know, but I want to! So don’t hold back Wreck Muarader!” she teased.

When Mushu hit the gong to start to spar, Isabela and Kaiba ran towards each other and kicked midair.

Chapter Text

In the land of the remembered, a gathering of various gods from different cultures took place. They were all arguing and asking questions about the recent discovery of Lady Micte.

“This is an outrage!” one exclaimed.

“She should have stayed dead!” El Camacho

“What’s worse, she made more half-breeds! This time with an oracle!” someone else shouted.

“A human oracle!” another added.

“The nerve!”

“How could you have allowed such an injustice to remain at large?”

“We didn’t know that she reincarnated,” said La Muerte.

Xilbalba interjected, “Not until we found my mother's enchanted summer home.”

“Ah, yes, the lady Apuch. Pray tell, why has she not been punished for her involvement?”

“Micte’s revival was out of her hands, as it was ours. There was no way to know if she would even—”

“But your mother was the first to find out, and instead of telling us, she hid her away and lived among humans!” another god accused.

“What would you have her do? Kill a baby? The child was innocent and ignorant of her past life as my sister.”

“Ah, but what about when she awakens?” The concern spread among the rulers.

They fell silent.

“My sister did many things I disagreed with, especially when it cost so many innocents to suffer for her ambition,” La Muerte continued.

“Perhaps we should hold a trial to see just how dormant she is?” Xilbalba suggested.

“We cannot interfere with mortals,” another reminded them.

“Considering these mortals are part of our family, I think we can bend the rules a little bit. After all, who knows what will happen if we leave this unchecked?” La Muerte argued.

“Send an emissary.”

The vibrant sounds of laughter and music echoed throughout Encanto as friends and family gathered to celebrate Doña Rivera's birthday. Colorful decorations adorned every corner, and the joyous atmosphere of the guests was infused with the delicious aromas wafting from the feast laid out on long tables. 

“Happy birthday, Abuela!” Zano shouted, a wide grin stretching across his face as he approached his grandmother. Doña Rivera beamed with joy, her heart swelling at the sight of her grandchildren.

“I hope you like your present.” Adrianna gave her a photo album.

Doña Rivera flipped through a photo album, and she found a picture of baby Adrianna on Werner's lap, with her parents standing proudly behind them. "This photo was taken the day after I was born. I managed to get it copied for you, along with a copy of my parents' wedding photo," Adrianna pointed out, her eyes filled with nostalgia. "I know Papa wanted you to be there."

"Thank you, mija," Doña Rivera said, pulling her estranged granddaughter in for a warm hug. "I am so glad you could be here. A year is too long to go without seeing family."

"At least she has a valid reason," Zano noted, casting a playful glance at his sister.

The party continued with food, dancing, and laughter. Mirabel joined her family in conversation. "So what's the story with Bat Boy's sister?" Isabela asked.

"Zano said she’s studying abroad in Europe, which is why she hasn't been able to visit in over a year."

"And?" Isabela pressed, her curiosity piqued.

"Look, it's not my place to say," Mirabel replied, shrugging slightly. "And Zano didn't share much."

"Which means we should be respectful and let them be," said Dolores wisely.

"You can't hear what they're saying, can you?" Camilo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Only Doña. She's definitely his sister," Dolores replied with a knowing look.

"Let's focus on what's happening with our family for now," Luisa suggested, a bright smile on her face. "I know someone's birthday is coming up."

"Yeah, it’ll be one year today since our little brother got his gift," Camilo grinned.

"And one year since Dolores and Mariano became a couple," added Isabela, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Looking forward to the wedding, prima."

"Thanks," Dolores said, but then she stiffened.

"Is something wrong?" Mirabel asked, concern etched on her face.

"There's someone at the door," Dolores squeaked.

"Who?" Luisa inquired, glancing around the room.

"I'm not sure, but he sounds sketchy," Dolores confessed, her voice low.

"I better tell the others," Mirabel said, but just as she turned, Dolores chimed in, "Too late—Angelina is answering it."

"He's dead," Camilo remarked casually, sipping his drink, a grin playing on his lips.

Angelina Madrigal opened the door and saw a young man with slick black hair leaning casually against the doorframe. "Hello, can I help you?" she asked, then murmured under her breath, "Oh no."

“Hey, Angie! Miss me?” Jorge Rivera asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“How did you get here?” she demanded, narrowing her gaze.

"Tío Jorge?!" Adrianna exclaimed, disbelief etched on her face as she stepped into the room.

“Adrianna! Perfect timing,” Jorge replied, flashing a charismatic smile.

“Which is more than I can say for you,” she shot back, irritation coloring her tone. “You were supposed to meet us at the airport.”

"I was held up," he shrugged nonchalantly. "Not my fault, the airport staff can't appreciate a grand entrance. At least our cousin Manolo's tenants pointed me in the right direction."

"Adrianna, what on earth is going on? Jorge?!" Doña Rivera asked, confusion lacing her voice.

"Hola, Mama," Jorge said warmly, enveloping her in a heartfelt embrace, relishing the family connection.

Spotting his white-haired nephew, he called out, "Zachariah."

At the sound of his real name, Zano shot Jorge a dark glare. "Culo."

Jorge laughed, unfazed, and strolled confidently into the courtyard. "Wow, looks like you’ve got quite the fiesta here," he remarked, spotting Isabela, Dolores, and Luisa Madrigal. "Señoritas," he greeted flirtatiously.

"Who are you?" Isabela asked, suspicion sharpening her tone.

"I'm—"

"Leaving," Zano interrupted. "Which should be soon, right?"

"Shouldn't you be getting ready for that little dance you used to do for Abuela?" Jorge teased, a playful smirk on his face.

"What dance?" Mirabel inquired, curiosity piqued.

"Now is not the time to discuss the dance!" Zano snapped, frustration simmering beneath the surface.

Hearing the raised voices, Manolo approached his son. "Zano, what’s with all the yelling?" Zano directed him to the commotion, and Manolo's eyes widened at the sight. "Jorge?!"

"Hey, cousin! How's the wife doing?" Jorge asked, grinning broadly.

"What is he doing here?" Manolo asked, glancing between his aunt and Adrianna.

"I invited him," Adrianna explained, her tone steady. "Ran into him and thought it’d be nice for Abuela if he came.”

"But I missed the plane," Jorge added casually. “Don’t ask.”

"How did you even find us?" Zano questioned, brows furrowing in suspicion.

"I used the tracker on Adrianna. There were a couple of glitches, but I made it work," he said, making a plate for himself like a pro at a party.

"Um, who are you?" Mirabel chimed in, trying to untangle the confusion.

"Oh, how rude of me!" Jorge exclaimed, taking her hand and giving it a smooth squeeze. "Jorge Rivera, Count Twinkle Toes' uncle. And you are?"

Zano stood protectively behind her. "Careful, Mariposita; the moment you give out your name, he gets a new alias."

"What are you talking about?" she asked, only to realize something was missing. "Hey, where are my glasses?"

Zano glanced over and caught Jorge holding Mirabel’s glasses with an impish grin. "Jorge!" his mother scolded.

"What? If she can't see his face, maybe she'll dance with him," he teased. But at his mother's glare, he handed them back. "Hope she's into inner beauty."

Zano snatched the glasses and led Mirabel away from his uncle.

"That kid has zero sense of fun," Jorge muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Maybe because the last time you took us out for 'fun,' we ended up in the middle of a police raid," Adrianna remarked, shaking her head.

"Hey, you wanted boxing; I needed to work. It's called multitasking, baby," Jorge defended himself.

"And breaking your mother's heart is called what?" Alma interjected, raising an eyebrow.

"You must be Angelina's mother?" Jorge asked, feigning innocence.

"Grandmother," Angelina corrected, hands on her hips, not in the mood for his antics.

"Of course," he replied, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"What are you really doing here, Jorge?" questioned Manolo’s daughter Acacia, her purple eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Well..." Jorge began, his voice trailing off as he weighed his words carefully. The tension in the room thickened, and everyone leaned in, waiting for his explanation.

Zano and Mirabel strolled through the lively streets of Encanto, the warm sun casting playful shadows as they made their way to Apuch's quaint shop. 

"So that's your Uncle Jorge, huh?" Mirabel asked, her tone skeptical, as she recalled Zano's colorful descriptions of Jorge Rivera.

"Yeah, he’s not one of my favorite relatives," Zano replied, his expression darkening at the thought of their past outings.

"I figured, but I'm surprised to see how young he looks," she said. "Didn't you say he had a mustache?"

"Probably shaved it off to stay under the radar," Zano speculated, his voice low. 

"Do you think he's up to something?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Definitely," he said, "But considering he's never set foot here before, and your cousins distrust him as much as I do, I don't think we have much to worry about. Well—except maybe your sisters."

"He's a creep. Noted," she replied firmly, dismissing any lingering doubts. "But I’m not worried; my sisters can handle themselves."

"Luisa is strong, but she can be too polite for her own good," Zano conceded. "And Isa might just send him to the hospital," he said with a smirk.

"You know, I never thought I’d hear a boy get excited about Isabela beating someone up," Mirabel teased, her eyebrow arched playfully.

"That’s because no one here was left tied to a tree until suppertime," he replied, angry at the memory of Jorge babysitting him but left him to go on a date.

 Mirabel couldn't help but giggle, “Oh, poor baby,” she cooed, while gently rubbing his arm in consolation. 

"How tall can your sister make trees grow?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Mirabel rolled her eyes with a smile as they approached the shop hand in hand, the door framed by vibrant flowers that fluttered in the breeze. "Señora Apuch?" she called out, knocking gently on the door. "It's me, Mirabel, and I've brought Zano!" 

Silence met them, and she frowned slightly. "She’s probably on one of her trips," Zano suggested, shrugging slightly. "Tough break, Mariposita."

"Let's head-" Just as he was about to propose they leave, the door creaked open, revealing the warm, inviting interior of the shop.

[Casita]  

"What do you mean by she's gone to a family meeting?" Acacia asked, her brows furrowing in confusion as she turned to her dad’s cousin, a hint of worry lacing her voice.  

"I mean that your husband's Ignacio's great-aunt from his mother's side, the one with the vibrant stories and a penchant for collecting vintage trinkets, told me to inform you all that she was heading off to meet with her relatives," Jorge explained. "I figured you might have some insight into who she was talking about, but based on your startled reaction, I'm beginning to suspect it's someone you either don’t know about or who’s still missing in action."  

Acacia glanced around the room, taking in the Madrigals present, her expression shifting from concern to a contemplative frown.  "Well, as you can see," she gestured with a sweep of her hand, "Everyone is accounted for, even my father-in-law, Bruno Madriga, is here."  

"Didn’t you once mention something about Ignacio’s mother being missing?" Jorge pressed, sensing the undercurrent of tension that swirled between them.

Inside the dimly lit shop, Mirabel and Zano carefully examined the cluttered shelves and nooks, searching for any signs of trouble. "It looks like there’s no evidence of a break-in," Mirabel remarked, her brow furrowed.

Zano nodded, glancing around. "And nothing appears to be missing. Maybe she just forgot to lock the door before heading out to allow a stray to wander in."

Suddenly, the door to the back room swung open with a loud bang, causing both teens to jump in surprise. A hooded figure stormed into the room, her voice sharp and accusatory. "You ill-mannered brats! How dare you break into my Aunt's home!" she screeched, her eyes blazing with indignation.

Mirabel instinctively opened her mouth to apologize, while Zano stood, ready to defend their honor. However, they both froze as the woman's words echoed in their minds. "Your Aunt's home?" Zano asked.

"That's right!" the woman snapped, but her expression shifted abruptly as she got a clearer look at Mirabel. Her outraged tone turned to shock. "Mirabel?"

"Tía Mica?" Mirabel exclaimed, recognition flooding her as she recalled the middle-aged woman from the faded family photos that adorned her uncle’s walls.

"Holy cow," Zano muttered in disbelief, as the air suddenly felt heavier with the weight of unexpected family ties.

"I can't believe it's you!" Mirabel said, getting a better look at her Uncle’s missing wife.  "Where've you been all this time?"

"That's a long, complicated story. For now, let's enjoy the moment," Mica said, tenderly cupping Mirabel's cheek. "Oh, Miri, you've blossomed into such a healthy and beautiful young woman."

"Thanks! And you still look just like you did in your wedding photo—minus the dress, of course," said Mirabel.

Mica chuckled, a warm smile gracing her lips. "You can say it, I’ve aged and greyed."

"You look good, though," Mirabel replied earnestly.

"I look great, but thank you," Mica said with a smile. "Oh, Mirabel, I'm so happy to be able to speak with you. The last time I saw you, you could barely babble."

Zano chimes in, "You think that's impressive? You should hear her sing." 

"And you are...?" Mica tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

"Ignacio's brother-in-law. You know, one of the three  kids you had with Bruno Madrigal."

"Charmed," Mica said, her gaze returning to her niece. Leaning in closer, she lowered her voice. "He’s not your boyfriend, is he?"

"We're dating," Mirabel admitted, her cheeks blushing. 

“Well, you’re young,” Mica remarked.

“He’s not that bad. Besides, your grandchildren like him," She proudly held out a picture revealing the smiling faces of Angelina, Igancio, and Javier’s children. 

"Oh, they're beautiful! I love them already," Mica gushed.

"Then why don't you go meet them? They're here in Encanto," suggested Zano.

"He's right! They're all in Casita, and you can share your story," Mirabel urged her aunt. 

However, Mica’s expression dimmed."I don't think that's a good idea, Mirabel. I promised Auntie I would watch the house until she gets back."

"I'm sure the shop will be fine if we lock up for just a bit,” Mirabel countered, noticing the worry etched on Mica's face. “Tía, your family deserves to know you’re alive."

"I agree, but I can't step outside until Apuch returns. It might be easier if they came here," Mica explained, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Why are you magically bound to this place?" Zano joked, but his demeanor softened when he noticed her somber expression. "Oh my ghost, you are."

"What?" Mirabel exclaimed.

"It's another long story, but trust me—if I leave this shop before Apuch returns, something bad will happen."

Mirabel’s mind churned, a sense of déjà vu washing over her. 'She is Bruno's wife,' she thought.

"Uh, Mariposita, can I talk to you for a second?" Zano interjected.

"Sure, just one moment, Tía," Mirabel said, going with Zano into another room. "What is it?"

"Did you forget all the lessons Sensei taught us?" he asked in a grave expression.

"Excuse me?"

"Mariposita, you haven’t seen your Aunt since you were a baby, and now she shows up just as my uncle emerges and Apuch disappears. Am I the only one whose alarms are going off?"

"I know the timing of her reappearance is suspicious, but I don’t think she’s an imposter, Zano."

"Maybe not, but we can’t rule out that there's something off about her. Perhaps we should hold off on telling everyone about her until Apuch returns."

"But who knows how long that will be? I can’t keep something this big from my family. Believe me, I’ve tried," she said, recalling a certain dinner.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a loud knock on the door. "Open up!" a voice called from the other side. 

"It's Angie!" Mirabel whispered, but she quickly noticed someone was missing from the room. "Where's Tía Mica?"

"I hear voices in there. Come on out!" Angelina pressed impatiently.

"Relax, sis. They’re probably just some critters that Apuch takes in," Javier rationalized.

"Unless there are parrots in there, Javi, I think we should see who’s inside!" Ignacio insisted.

"And Ignacio makes three," Zano whispered, glancing at Mirabel.

"It’s just us, Angie," Mirabel called out, moving to open the door. Angelina stepped inside and froze, taken aback by the sight of the two teens. "Zano? I didn’t expect to find you here with Mirabel. You know you’ve been gone too long, right?"

"Not compared to 14 years," he replied under his breath.

"What?" Angelina raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"Uh, is something wrong, Angie?" Mirabel asked, eager to shift the conversation away from Zano's remark.

"Your uncle Jorge said he ran into Apuch, and she told him something that caught our attention," Angelina revealed, her tone serious.

"Did he?" Zano responded, exchanging a knowing glance with Mirabel. "How ironic."

"What did he say?" Mirabel pressed, her curiosity piqued.

"That Apuch left to meet with some family," Javier explained. "Knowing her, that could mean anyone we’ve encountered on our travels, but considering the source, we felt we had to check that everything was alright in the shop."

"Of course," Mirabel nodded, understanding the precaution.

As Angelina scanned the area, she noticed the back door slightly ajar. "Were you in the back room?"

"Oh yeah," Zano replied. "We saw Apuch had left the front door open, so we came to make sure nothing was taken."

"That’s sweet, but you should have come to tell us," Angelina remarked, a smile breaking through her concern.

"We didn’t want to drag you away from the party," Mirabel explained, glancing back at the kitchen.

Angelina’s smile faded as she noticed smoke coming from the kitchen door. "Mirabel, what’s that in the kitchen?"

Mirabel spun around, her heart racing. "Uh..."

The triplets brushed past her and headed straight for the kitchen, but Mica emerged from the room, a tray of freshly baked Pan Dulce in her hands. "Who wants some? Angelina?"

"Mama?"

"Javier? Ignacio?" 

"MAMA?!"

"Oh yeah, your mom finally came back, and she can’t leave the shop until Apuch returns—some kind of magical protection spell," Zano explained, a hint of unease lacing his words.

After a brief moment to gather their thoughts, Angelina picked up her phone and dialed Mateo, eager to inform him about their unexpected guest. At the same time, her brothers engaged in a heartfelt conversation with their missing mother. 

Javier’s voice broke the tension, his eyes wide with disbelief. “We thought you were dead!” he exclaimed.

“I thought you were dead!” She gazed at him, her hand clutching a faded San Angel newspaper article that detailed Javier’s disappearance.

"Oh, I got sick and the others came to cure me," he briefly explained.

"Thank goodness," His mother's voice trembled with emotion, her heart swelled with pride, “Oh, Javier, I'm so glad that you're safe and with your family. You boys have grown into such handsome young men.”

“I can’t believe you’re here!” Ignacio chimed in, his excitement palpable. “Dad said you vanished without a trace, Tía Apuch was so vague, and Abuela declared you dead to us, convinced you had abandoned your duties to our family.”

“Oh, my poor babies,” Mica said sorrowfully, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. “You must have been so heartbroken. But I suppose Alma has her reasons for believing such things.” 

“She’s still alive, Mom,” Angelina interjected, her eyes shining with amusement. 

Mica responded gently, “Your grandma loves you deeply but knows nothing,” her voice laced with a mix of irritation and understanding.

"Then come back to Casita with us, Mama," Javier pleaded, earnestness etched on his face. "We want to hear your story. We need to know!"

“I can’t risk it,” Mica said firmly, her heart heavy with worry. “I don’t fully understand the spell, but I know that breaking it could endanger everyone.”

“No need,” Angelina replied, her expression shifting as she hung up the phone. “They’re coming here.”

Once Acacia, Mateo, and Blanca arrived with Layla, Gaby, and Miguel, they waited in the living room alongside Zano and Mirabel. Ignacio appeared and announced, “Okay, everybody! We've got a big surprise for you! Presenting our mother!”

Mica walked in with Javier and Angelina at her side. "Hi." Everyone dropped their food and spoke incredulously.

Ignacio: “Mama, this is my daughter Layla and my wife Acacia. The boys are back in Casita with their other grandparents.”

Angelina: “And this is my husband, Mateo, and our daughter Gabriela.”

Javier: “And this is my wife, Blanca, and our son Miguel.”

Mica greeted them awkwardly, "Hello."

Layla remarked, "This is so weird. It's like something out of Dickens or a soap opera."

Miguel nodded, “Yeah.”

Gaby asked, "Where have you been, Granny? Did they freeze you or something?"

"Oh, my, such clever children. So full of questions and bright, shiny eyes," Mica replied with a warm smile.

Acacia laughed nervously, “I don't know what to say: I finally have a mother-in-law.”

"Don't worry, I don't bite much," Mica said with a playful wink.

“Mama, what happened to you? Why were you gone for so long?” asked Angelina. “And why have you decided to come back now?”

"It's hard to explain, but one day a mysterious man came and—"

Suddenly, Alma burst through the door with Bruno trailing behind her. "I knew something didn't feel right when I saw you all leave for Apuch's shop. What has she done this time?"

“Alma?” Mica exclaimed, taken aback.

"Now, here's a piece of bad news," Alma responded, her brow furrowing in concern.

Bruno looked surprised. "Mica?"

"Oh, Bruno..." she said, gazing at her husband. "You look more exhausted than before." She reached to cup his face, but Alma stopped her.

"What did you expect? You left my son to raise three babies alone!" Alma retorted, her voice steady yet filled with emotion.

“We were fifteen!” Ignacio interjected, but Javier hushed him.

"Oh, please, you've always tried to undermine how we raised our children," Mica shot back, crossing her arms defensively.

"For good reason, you were a lousy daughter-in-law and set a bad example for your children. At least my son stayed in Encanto," Alma said pointedly, her gaze unwavering.

"I hid in the walls for ten years, Mama," Bruno replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It still counts!" Alma insisted, her frustration palpable.

"Excuse me, Ama, but we were about to hear why Mama Mica left," Miguel interjected. "Can you wait until after the story to beat her up?"

"Miguelito, Abuela is not going to hit Mama," Javier told his son, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Don't lie to your son," Alma said sharply.

"Said the kettle," Mica remarked, earning a glare from the Madrigal matriarch.

"Please, can we save the battle of the grandmothers until after we hear the reason our mother has been absent for almost half our lives?" Angelina pleaded, her voice calm and steady.

"Of course, mí ángel. You and your brothers do deserve to know the truth. She owes you that much and more!" Alma said, taking a seat but keeping her eyes fixed on Mica.

"So what happened?" Mirabel asked, breaking the heavy silence.

Mica took a deep breath and began, "When I was gathering materials with Tía for the triplets' quinceañera gifts, an old man approached us. He started ranting about how we were running out of time and that we'd need to leave the Encanto."

"Why?" Mirabel asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I don't know, but Apuch did. Whatever she told me must have been enough to convince me to leave by myself; otherwise, I would have either stayed here or brought you all with me."

"How can you not remember what she said to you that day?" Alma pressed, concern etched on her face.

"I think the magic had something to do with it. My memory from that time is foggy. When I left, I forgot where the town was, which only made it harder when I wanted to go back." Mica looked at her children, seeing the troubled expressions on their faces. "Mis vidas, I may not recall the reason I had to leave, but I do remember the pain I felt when I did." She recalled how she had visited her triplets as they slept, kissing them goodnight one last time and tearfully leaving a note for her husband. "I'm sorry, my loves."

"I thought I dreamed that kiss," Javier said, his voice filled with emotion.

"When I made it over the mountains, I headed to the nearest town. Outside, I kept a brave face, but inside, I was terrified—my first time outside the Encanto alone, and I had no idea who was friendly and who was not. Fortunately, I met a nun who was gracious enough to help me get settled, or at least give me a safe place to stay until I heard from my aunt."

Flashback: Past Mica enters a pew and knells, "After work, I would pray each day that I would be able to see my family someday." An explosion is heard outside, and chaos ensues. "But the universe had more pressing matters to attend to." 

Mica is now seen helping a group of villagers get to safety with the nuns. "Everywhere I turned, there was terror all around. Luckily, my aunt told me how to find hidden exits in towns." They head underground and find a pathway to a different town, but the same chaos ensues. "Eventually, we found solace and worked in a new church, but the army was getting hasty with recruitment and had drafted boys the age of 17 to men in their 60s. Soon they began enlisting female soldiers to stand guard while the men were at war."  

Mica is seen wearing a nurse's outfit, handing out blankets. "Years went by, and I had not heard from Apuch. I tried to head back to the first village, hoping that would spark my memory, but there was so much going on." Mica steps outside and sees the townsfolk staring at a group of strangely dressed individuals fighting in the air without the aid of a plane. One of the individuals falls to the ground but is caught by a winged woman wearing an eagle mask. The battle was over, and the mysterious fighters landed next to the Girl and boy.

"I know you have a lot of questions, but you need to vacate this place now!" The eagle masked girl said. "Angelina?" Mica questioned after hearing the girl's voice.

"Wait a second!"

Angelina: "You were at the town where we had to divert all those missiles."

"Missiles?!" shouted Alma, her eyes wide with shock.

"Yes, I was. When I heard your voice, it became easy to recognize Javier and Ignacio under their costumes. I was so happy to see you, scared considering what you were doing, but also proud of how much you've grown."

"Why didn't you try to talk to us after the missiles were handled? We were right there," Ignacio said, frustration lacing his voice.

"I wanted to, I tried to, but by the time we were allowed out of hiding, you were long gone. I tried to follow you, but the closest I got was newspapers and a glimpse of you on TV."

"Did you ever run into Apuch when you did?" asked Mirabel.

"Sometimes, but it wasn't for long," Mica replied with a distant look in her eyes.

Acacia speaks, "I'm sorry you felt that you had to leave to protect your family, Mother Mica, but your story is just so—"

"Caca," Alma interrupted, shaking her head. "You left your family because some old crackpot said something bad would happen if you stayed."

"Bruno is not the only seer in the world, Alma. Many exist, and many wander from town to town," Mica defended.

"She has a point, Abuela. Remember the twin oracles I brought over that time?" Mirabel added.

"Yes, but regardless, you should have told us so we could have handled it as a family," said Alma, her voice firm.

"I wanted to, but Apuch said it would just add more problems to a crumbling foundation. Having magic doesn't make you an expert."

"But your aunt is?" Alma questioned.

"She certainly knew more than you. At least, that's how I feel," Mica retorted.

In the corner, Estefan, the magic staff, informed Javier about the spell on the shop. "Mama, you said there was some spell in the shop preventing you from leaving until Apuch comes back, right?"

"Yes," Mica answered, her brow furrowed.

"How was she able to do that?" Javier asked, intrigued.

"I don't know," Mica admitted. "She's always been able to do things that defy logic. Why do you ask?"

"Because Estefan is sensing another spell, and it's not coming from the shop," Javier said, pointing to his mother's forehead.

"Hold on, bro! Are you saying that Apuch cast a spell on Mama to prevent her from leaving the shop?" Ignacio asked, disbelief creeping into his voice.

"I'm saying that Apuch cast a spell to block out Mama's memories," Javier clarified.

"But why would she do that?" Angelina pondered, her brow furrowed in thought.

"How can she do that?" Alma echoed, shaking her head.

"Well, based on our experience, I'd say our dear aunt is indeed a witch. Now, as for why she did it, it’s probably because she’s trying to hide something majorly bad," Javier concluded, crossing his arms.

"Can you break it?" asked Layla, concern in her voice.

"The question is: Should I break it?" Javier replied, his tone serious. "Memory magic is delicate stuff, and the wrong move can lead to disastrous results."

"What if Mirabel uses her healing powers to break the spell?" Layla suggested hopefully.

"Layla, I don't think my powers can do that," Mirabel responded, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"I hate to interrupt this compelling reunion," said a mysterious old man, causing Mateo and Zano to exchange worried glances. "You?! What are you doing here?!" they exclaimed simultaneously.

"He's the old man I met on the train back home," said Zano, recalling their brief encounter.

"He's the old man who gave me the medal!" Mateo chimed in excitedly.

"Medal? Xilbabla's Medal!" said Mirabel, her eyes lighting up with recognition.

"Oh, you are a bright one. I can see why you were chosen," the old man said, snapping his fingers and teleporting them to a courtroom, leaving Bruno, Alma, and the young kids alone in Apuch's shop.

"What just happened?" Bruno asked, bewildered.

"We need to talk to the Sánchez family!" Alma insisted, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the events unfolding around them.

In a courtroom setting, Zano asked, "Where are we?" 

Mirabel added, "What's going on?"

The old man soon revealed himself to be Xilbaba, standing before the group. 

"Xilbaba!" exclaimed Zano.

"Dios mío," Camilo muttered in disbelief.

"Ladies and gentlemen, gods and goddesses, I present to you Mica and the Madrigals!" declared the death god. 

"Xibalba, you were only supposed to bring Mica's family and the celestial vessels, not their extended family!" La Muerte said, pointing to Mateo and Blanca.

"What can I say, my dear? They were in the wrong place at the wrong time," Xilbaba replied with a smirk. "Plus, look at them! Don't they remind you of anyone?" He gestured toward Acacia, Mateo, and Blanca.

"They are not on trial," La Muerte stated firmly.

"Why did you bring us here?" Mirabel asked, her confusion deepening.

"Oh, you are evidence in a case against Lady Micte and Apuch for crimes against... humanity?" said Xilbaba, his tone mocking.

"The natural order," Angelina retorted, crossing her arms.

Apuch then appeared in the room, her presence looming. "Apuch, what are you doing here?" Angelina demanded.

"I think it's time you told your great-niece what you've been up to, Mama," Xilbaba said, his voice dripping with mischief.

"Mama?!"

"That's right! The sweet old lady you've known your whole life is the Mayan goddess of death, darkness, and disaster—Ah Puch. She is also the ruler of the underworld, Mitnal, and the patron of the day sign Cimi."

"Tía?" Mica asked, her voice trembling with shock.

"It's true; I'm sorry for not saying it sooner, but you all had so much to deal with," Apuch confessed, avoiding their gazes.

"Well, that explains how she’s able to do all that bizarre stuff, but why would a death goddess raise a human baby in a human town?" Camilo questioned. "Weren't you gods banned from getting involved in human affairs?"

"I think that was only Xilbaba," Javier interjected, a knowing look on his face.

"It's more complicated than that," the Candlemaker explained solemnly. "For centuries, we have removed ourselves from the mortal realm, only appearing before those who hold special traits."

"So, Apuch decided to live among humans because she made a bet like these two did?" Zano concluded, glaring at El Camacho and Xilbaba.

"Oh, if only that were the case! But sadly, no. Our mother has done something even the most audacious of gods would dare not do in these modern times."

"What crime could Ah Puch possibly have committed to earn your ire? Aside from raising a human baby and lying to us?" Angelina asked, her eyes narrowing.

"She interfered with fate to save the life of a traitor—her!" El Camacho pointed an accusing finger at Mica.

"Me?" she echoed, taken aback.

"Tía, what did you do?" Camilo pressed, concern etched on his face.

"I don't know! I never even knew these guys were real until today, or that the woman I thought was my aunt was a death god!" Mica exclaimed. "Though that does explain why I have a spell blocking certain memories."

"I believe we are getting off track," La Noche said, trying to regain control.

"Indeed, my love," El Camacho nodded, and with a snap of his fingers, the Madrigals and Zano were placed in the witness columns while Mica was transported to the witness stand. A bailiff walked up, holding the Book of Life.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, universe?" he asked.

"Yes," Mica agreed, though confusion still clouded her mind.

"Please tell us who you are and what your relation to Apuch and Lady Micte is?" La Muerte inquired.

"My first name is Mica. My last name was Apuch before I married Bruno Madrigal. I was an orphan from the Thousand Days War, raised in a town called Encanto by a woman I thought was my aunt," she stated, glaring at Apuch, who looked down in shame.

"And what about Lady Micte?" La Muerte pressed, her tone sharp.

"I have no idea who that is," Mica replied honestly.

A candle burned green. "She speaks the truth," a voice echoed.

"Impossible! There’s no way she doesn’t know about her!" someone protested.

La Muerte exclaimed, "Lady Micte was the goddess of death and ruler of the underworld, Mictlan."

"I thought that was Mictēcacihuātl," Mica replied, a furrow forming on her brow.

"Micte was the nickname we used to address her," La Noche clarified gently. "She was our sister."

"Was?" Mica's voice trembled with uncertainty.

"She died," was the somber reply.

"Oh, I’m sorry to hear that," Mica offered, her heart heavy with newfound knowledge.

"I didn’t know gods could die?" Mirabel whispered.

"Maybe not by old age, but they can be killed by other gods," said Zano.

"So who killed her then?" Camilo wondered.

"I think we're looking at her," Zano said, directing their attention to Apuch.

"She was killed by her husband, the god of war, Lord Mictlantecuhtli, who also happened to be our brother," Xibalba said.

"Some god of war he was, destroyed by his wife's illegitimate human daughter!" the lava god laughed.

"Never mind," Zano said.

"That's awful!" Mica said.

"I know, but it was for the best. Otherwise, we'd end up with our hearts cut out."

"Back to the matter at hand, what is your connection to Lady Micte?" Xibalba asked.

"I was raised unknowingly by her mother-in-law," Mica replied truthfully, but this did not please the gods.

"Hold on," Angelina spoke up. "If Lady Micte is dead along with her murderer, why are you holding a trial regarding her actions?"

"What do you know about reincarnation?" La Noche asked the winged Madrigal.

"Isn't that when an old soul is reborn in a new body?"

"Correct. It is also what happens to a soul when they no longer have anyone alive to remember them," said Xibalba.

"Fascinating, but what does that have to do with our mother?" Ignacio asked. 

Soon, Mirabel's eyes widened. "They think Tía is Lady Micte!"

"Bingo!" cheered the Candlemaker. "Sorry, but yes, that is what we're saying."

"How?"

"That's what we'd like to know," said La Noche, glaring at Apuch.

"I already told you, I had nothing to do with her being brought back; that was out of my control!"

"Hold on, what makes you so sure that our mother is the reincarnation of your sister?" Ignacio asked.

"We rule the realms of the departed, and thanks to the Candlemaker, we can sense when a soul is reborn."

"Although sometimes they do slip by, particularly when reborn as a different species."

"I didn't even think gods had souls," said Zano. "But I thought you said a soul had to be forgotten to be reborn."

"For certain souls, yes, but for a goddess's soul, it should be impossible."

"Micte had died, but her soul was supposed to remain in Mictlan, never to venture into the mortal realm again."

"But it seems she was not done," said El Camacho, looking disappointed at his mother.

"El Camacho, I know Micte's ambitions ruined our family, but Mica is nothing like her!" Apuch pleaded.

"Forgive us if we don't believe you, Mama, but the similarities in their lives are too hard to ignore."

"What similarities?" Angelina asked.

"Exhibit A: Bruno Madrigal!" 

Bruno appeared in the courtroom, dazed and confused. "What now?" 

"Dad!" 

"Bruno!" 

"Bruno Madrigal, based on your family history and our scouts, you and your sisters were the only ones in your generation to receive magic." 

"Yes," he replied. 

"Yet, since you were part of a family that used its gifts to help others, you were the most feared, correct?" 

"Well, I wouldn't say the villagers feared me. They just didn't like it when I told them bad news." 

"Jerks," Mica muttered. "That woman had no business owning a pet fish." 

"Now, while it's obvious that you are not the strongest, do you acknowledge that with your clairvoyance, you could foresee when an army would come to attack?" 

"I suppose." 

"You see! Even as a human, she goes for men with power!" El Camacho called out. 

"What?" 

"First Michlan, then a human warrior king," he listed. “Now another human.” 

"I'm not a king! I lived with rats in a wall," said Bruno.

"But you are a human seer! True, you're not physically powerful, but you come from a high-ranking family and have god-like powers! Not to mention your children—one can control fire! That's my domain!" yelled El Camacho. 

"Don't get mad at me; I didn't give them those gifts," Mica defended. "We didn't even know it was hereditary back then." 

"So you admit you married Bruno for power!" 

"NO!" 

The fire glowed green. "Truth!" 

"Oh, come on! You mean to say you married a skinny mama's boy for love!" 

"HEY!" 

"Yes, I did. Believe it or not, I wasn't looking to be the next Alma Madrigal when we started dating. I chose Bruno because he was my friend, and he made me feel like I belonged somewhere. I loved him, and I still do." 

La Muerte smiled at the answer. 

"Was that before or after he got you pregnant?" Xibalba asked. 

"Before you overgrown crow," Mica shot back. 

"CROW!" 

"TRUTH!" 

"Why do we even have that flame?!" Before anyone could blink, Bruno was sent home. 

"Bruno!" 

"Don't worry; he is safely back home with the rest of your family," La Muerte told them in a gentle tone. "Balby, I believe we are getting off track," she said.

"Perhaps you should take over then, my love," he replied, holding her hand.

She nodded. "I know when Micte married Mitchlan, it led to so much pain for everyone, and she caused it. I could never forget the agony I felt when I heard what they had done. Those poor children shouldn't have had to go through that."

"They weren't children, hermana; they were soldiers who pledged their loyalty to Mitchlan, and it cost them their lives," La Noche said. "While tragic, the real issue was why they did it."

"What kind of things did I do? What kind of goddess was I? Was I kind and caring like you, or was I cold and skeptical of mortals' decency?" Mica asked, looking at her two sisters.

"As we said, you were our sister. Like us, you were a goddess of death. But you were a different kind of god in your own right," La Muerte explained. Images of Micte and Mitchlan's wedding day flashed before them. "Ambitious and power-hungry in your youth, you married Lord Mictlan to elevate your status."

Then the image changed, revealing more moments from Micte's life. "After hearing a rumor that sacrificing a demigod child would grant the god who did so almost infinite power, you had Mictlan kill all of his demigod soldiers."

"I was a goddess who ate the hearts of children, based on a rumor?" Mica said, dread creeping into her voice.

"Mictlan's demigods were fully grown, but yes, you did, and the results proved true. When we heard what occurred, we stripped those powers away from you, yet it didn't stop you."

"You went to have a baby with a human king to regain that power once again," Xibalba asserted.

"You mean I was planning to kill my baby to regain the power I lost," Mica said, feeling sick. "Power I shouldn't have had in the first place. Why didn’t you kill them before or imprison them in their realms to never re-enter the human world again?!"

“They would have fought back with their war council of gods, and it would have ended in a war that would kill all life on Earth. Besides, we thought it fitting that Mitchlan’s inability to have children with her was punishment enough. We believed they would never dream of attempting to regain that power after what they lost,” said Xibalba.

“But you underestimated Mitce.”

"Yes, however, you did not go through with it. You grew to love your daughter, and did everything to protect her, even at the cost of your own life.” Images showed how Micte cared for Maya up to the moment when Lady Micte revealed herself to Maya after she escaped from the Underworld and fought against Mictlan on her behalf. Micte was later poisoned by Mictlan and died during the final battle. “You might have caused all this pain, but you died for an honorable cause, your daughter.”

"Yes, but then you went and broke the rules again," El Camacho added.

"What are you talking about?"

"When you died, you became a spirit, but you were punished for all the destruction your indiscretion caused in the mortal realm. We imprisoned your soul in the Underworld, allowing only one day each year for you to visit the earth: The Day of the Dead. You willingly accepted the consequences of your actions, and for eons, we had peace. But then you didn't return. We sent scouts to hunt you down; we came close, but then you vanished. You were never to be seen again... until today."

"If you were hunting me down, why did you wait twelve years to bring me in?" she demanded.

"We had planned to do so right after your children's birthday, but then Apuch came up with a different idea," Xibalba explained. "You see, I approached you that day, fully aware of how devastated your family would be. So I thought, why not turn it into a game?"

"Balby, you promised!"

"I promised not to meddle in human affairs; this was strictly a divine matter. The game was to see how long you could survive in the outside world on your own until your first grandchild turned five."

"What?!"

"Are you saying the reason we couldn't be with our mother is that we didn't have children five years earlier?" 

"Your words, not mine, but yes, that was the deal. To keep it interesting, I made sure to erase any mention of the wager and my divinity from your mind."

"That explains why I don't remember what the old man said. But how was I supposed to know I could see my children?"

"That's where my mother came in," said Xibalba.

"Of course," Mica replied, a hint of bitterness lacing her voice.

“Mica,” Apuch said softly, searching for the right words. 

“Don’t ‘Mica’ me,” she shot back. “For twelve long years, I struggled, not knowing why I had to leave my family to suffer in a town drowning in ignorance. All that time, I sensed you were hiding something from me. I ignored my instincts because I trusted you to know best. But now, after all this, I finally understand the truth. Congratulations, you've gotten your payback. It’s just a shame I can’t recall what I did to deserve your ire, but from what I’ve heard, I certainly earned it, didn’t I?”

“No, Mica. While I was angry over what Micte had turned my son into,” Aphuch confessed, her voice heavy with regret, “deep down, I knew where his path was leading. Yet I held onto the hope that her love could help him change for the better. But my blind faith cost me my grandchildren. The only reason I helped you with Micte's daughter, Maya, is that she was innocent; she did not deserve my hatred as Micte had. Maya was the reason Micte became better.”

“If you still disliked Micte after she died, why did you save me as a baby? If I broke the sacred rule as Micte, there would have been consequences for helping me. Why risk it for a goddess who hurt your family?”

“Because you weren’t the Micte I knew. You were not the selfish goddess blinded by ambition, nor the goddess who risked everything to save her daughter. You were Mica, an innocent human who lost everything to war. Your only desire was to have a family to fill the void left by those you never knew. As for why I raised you, I wanted to experience raising a girl—just once.”

At that moment, the flame turned a vibrant green, casting an ethereal glow around them. “True.”

“Hold on! If this is all true, does that mean our cousins could kill all of you?” Camilo asked, glancing at Angelina, Javier, and Ignacio.

“No, if there’s any truth to their claims about our mother, she’s not a goddess anymore—she’s human, just like our father. She bore human children,” Javier replied, trying to make sense of it all.

"Biologically, yes," Xibalba clarified. "But spiritually, your souls resemble those of demigods. Have you three ever wondered why you possess abilities that exceed your family's limits? How Javier was able to master various forms of magic? How Ignacio tamed a volcano? Or how Angelina had the strength to prevent that plane crash? Did you really think an aging magic candle could bestow such abilities in one power alone?"

“Watch it! Our grandfather made that candle,” Angelina shot back defensively. “But then again, what do you know about sentiment or family, you gambling death god?”

“More than you think. After all, I was the one who returned your husband’s family amulet,” Xibalba retorted.

“This amulet isn’t my family heirloom; it’s our curse! No thanks to you and your brother!” Mateo yelled.

“If you recall, you were the one who requested it,” Xibalba reminded her coolly.

The heroes recalled their first adventure in El Dorado, where they learned that Mateo was the reincarnation of a demigod of Mitchlan. “That was a different life!” Mateo protested. “And even with these revelations, I do not accept your gift. My real family suffered enough because of it.”

“Your father, uncle, and grandfather were overzealous mortals; the power of the gods held no influence over them. Thanks to your past life as a demigod, your soul allows you and your children to enjoy the amulet's benefits without consequence,” La Noche explained.

“Yeah, that’s why Chakal’s ghost was able to possess me—such a wonderful benefit!” Mateo retorted bitterly.

“Chakal possessed you because you made a deal with him; that possession was your own doing, not ours,” La Noche replied, unfazed.

“If not for us offering you the amulet, you wouldn’t even exist! Your children wouldn’t be born,” El Camacho interjected. “Granted, had we known our adopted nephew would be reborn, perhaps we would have considered other options.”

“You think?!” Mateo exclaimed.

“Enough! Mica Madrigal, based on the evidence and inferences regarding our family, it is clear that you do not remember your life as Lady Micte,” La Muerte said firmly.

“Therefore, we will not prosecute you for now.”

“What does that mean?” Mica asked, confusion etched across her face.

“You may not have awakened yet, but given your son-in-law’s predicament, it’s clear that you could awaken. When that time comes, you will have to face your past actions,” La Noche warned.

“So, can she come home with us?” Mirabel interjected.

“Unfortunately, since we don't know when she will awaken or what that might entail for those on Earth, we can’t risk it,” Xibalba explained. “You understand the complexities of the magical world you’ve been navigating.”

“Yes, which is why I'd like Mica to stay in the Encanto with us,” Mirabel insisted.

“Pardon?” La Noche replied, astonished.

“Look, I may be new to all of this, but I’ve been hearing stories about my cousins’ adventures and Zano’s family. I have a feeling there's a reason Apuch brought Mica to the Encanto and sent Zano’s uncle,” Mirabel argued.

“She wanted us to find Mica,” Zano concluded, his brow furrowed in thought. “Because we are the vessels for the Sun and Moon drops, which means we can handle her awakening just as Angelina, Javier, and Ignacio did for Mateo, right?”

“Yeah, but my past life was as an orphan who was granted powers by the gods, making me a demigod,” Mateo reminded them.

“Indeed, when Mica awakens as Micte, she will be a full goddess. While you may be resourceful, I doubt mortals can handle a full god,” La Noche cautioned.

“Even if we encased her in amber,” Mirabel argued, her determination unwavering. “I know the dark dragon wasn’t a god, but he was an ancient magical creature. And if I recall my mythology correctly, there are gods of the moon and the sun, right?”

“I like the way this girl thinks,” El Camacho chimed in, nodding in approval.

“Yes, she makes a compelling case,” La Noche admitted, “but the question remains—will it work?”

“You wouldn’t happen to have a god that’s an oracle, do you?” Zano asked.

“No, but you do.”

Bruno Madrigal reappeared and was informed of what they wanted from him. “I can look into it,” Bruno said.

“Ah, yes. You can, but do you think you're capable of seeing the future of a god? After all, you were unable to foresee this, right?” 

“Right. But I can at least try to see what will happen now. I won’t know if I don’t give it a shot,” said Bruno.

“Hmm, I guess you're not completely spineless,” said Xibalba. “Alright, but if we do this, we use celestial sand and leaves.”

“AND MY FIRE!” El Camacho said, laughing.

“After all, we gods get curious too.”

“Let’s do it.”

Mica, Mirabel, and Zano gathered around Bruno as he drew a circle in the divine sand, burned the leaves, and allowed his eyes to glow a green hue. A sand dome formed, revealing images of potential futures. 

“Incredible,” said La Muerte.

“El Camacho, I think it’s your cue,” said Xibalba.

El Camacho shot fire at the dome, and instead of a tablet, green statues of Lady Micte, encased in amber, appeared, but she wasn’t the only one.

“See? Mirabel and Zano can handle her awakening,” said Angelina.

“No! It can’t be?” La Noche exclaimed, holding her husband in fear.

“Who is that?” Mirabel asked, seeing a terrifying glass figure behind Lady Micte.

“Remember when we told you about our brother? Well, it looks like he made a comeback, too,” Xibalba said.

“Oh, but he’s trapped, too. Which is good, right?” Javier added.

“As long as you don’t try to free your mother from the amber, it will be,” La Noche warned.

“We can’t do that!” Ignacio shouted. “If you think we’d let our mother stay encased in amber with a monster, you’re mistaken!”

“Perhaps if they did it in our realms, then maybe it would be safer,” La Muerte suggested.

“No! Mithclan made his choice the day he ate our brethren’s hearts. He is not to be freed!” La Noche insisted.

“And he won’t be if you cooperate with us!” Mateo stated firmly.

Bruno, Mica, Mirabel, and Zano spoke in unison. “Mirabel and Zano will be able to handle it,” said Bruno.

“How?” asked La Noche.

“I can’t explain it, but I can assure you that Mithclan will kill no one, god or mortal, when he awakens,” said Bruno.

“You wouldn’t happen to know where he is, do you?” El Camacho pressed.

“No,” said Bruno.

“Great. I’m starting to see why your town disliked you,” El Camacho remarked.

“Why you volcanic son of a—” Angelina raised her fist, but was held back by Mateo. “Angie, we have children back home. I don’t think they would want to see you in God's jail for murder.”

“I’d like to see her try,” El Camacho challenged with a smirk.

“Enough! We have our answers and a contingency plan in place. We need not drag this on any longer,” La Noche declared.

“Speaking of answers, mind telling us why the sun and moon drops returned?” Zano asked, curiosity piqued.

“We’d love to explain, but that’s all the time we have for today. If you linger any longer, you might just become permanent residents of our realms,” Xibalba warned.

“What?” 

“Bye!”

“Wait!”

With a snap of his fingers, everyone was transported back to Apuch’s shop, where the rest of their family had been searching for clues regarding their mysterious absence for over an hour.

“What just happened?” Julieta asked, pulling her husband and three daughters into a tight embrace.

“I think we just met Mica’s family,” Pepa said, hugging Felix along with Antonio and Camilo.

Mica and Bruno shared a warm embrace as Alma approached. “Mama?”

“I always sensed something unusual about you,” Alma said, her tone serious. “I felt my son was meant for greater things. His powers spoke of potential. I considered you a threat, and now I see my instincts were correct.”

Mica speaks, “Alma.”

“But despite my suspicions, you, Mica, were able to do what I could not. You helped my son embrace his gift, you helped him become a father, and most importantly, you gave him a home where he could be happy.”

“Figures that only a goddess could perform those miracles for someone seen as bad luck, Bruno,” he joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

“Not the time, Dad,” said Javier, shaking his head. 

“Alma, during my absence, I’ve learned a great deal. Progress has unfolded on both sides, for good and evil. It has helped me understand why you were so adamant about preserving the miracle. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to pretend everything is okay just because you’ve finally recognized your mistakes.”

“I know, and just because it turns out you didn’t abandon your family by choice doesn’t mean I believe you’re good enough for my son,” said Alma. “But that never stopped you two before.”

Mica smiled softly at Bruno.

“So, what do we do now?” Camilo asked, looking at everyone.

“I think we should head back to the party; it’s Doña Rivera’s birthday,” Mirabel suggested, trying to redirect their focus.

“Thank you, Mirabel, but I think we should take it easy. It seems you all have been through quite an ordeal,” Donna said with concern.

“Abuela, you don’t know the half of it,” Zano replied, glancing around. “By the way, where’s Apuch?”

“Oh no, she must have stayed back,” Javier realized with a worried frown.

“Should we go back for her?” asked Acacia.

“I think she’ll be alright,” Angelina reassured. “You don’t reach that age by accident.” 

“Still, how crazy is it that Apuch is a goddess. Holy smokes, we’ve been living with a goddess!” said Camilo. “Does this mean that the miracle in the candle came from Apuch?”

“I don’t think so, Apuch may have been there, but she tends not to intervene even when it would have been needed,” said Mica.  “Also, if anyone blessed your candle, I’d bet on the Candlemaker.”

“I can see that.”

With that, the family gathered themselves, ready to return to the celebration, knowing that their adventure was far from over.

Chapter Text

In the park at night, Kaiba led the young mystery solvers in a session of spiritual training. “Meditation is vital for many reasons, especially for those connected to the magical community. It helps us tap into the energy surrounding us. Now, close your eyes and focus on your breathing.”

They all followed his guidance, the sounds of the city fading into a distant hum. “Ignore the chaos of urban life; concentrate on the sounds around us in the park—the rustling leaves, the gentle stream, and even the unicorns galloping through the meadow.”

“I think I feel it,” Mirabel Madrigal said, as her body began to float off the ground. However, her moment of serenity was abruptly disrupted when a unicorn screeched in alarm. Startled, she snapped her eyes open, revealing that her friends had vanished. Panic surged within her. “Guys? Sensei?!” she called out, scanning the dimly lit park for any sign of them.

“Where did they go?” she whispered, her heart pounding, as her gaze fell upon a shadowy figure standing by the bridge. “Hey, you!” Mirabel exclaimed, sprinting towards them.

The figure darted beneath the bridge. “Espera! Wait, I just need to talk to you!” Mirabel called after her, sensing the urgency in her voice.

“Mirabel, listen! The Hunts clan is planning something significant. You must warn the others to stay in San Angel!” Marisol said, her tone grave and frantic.

“What are they planning?” Mirabel pressed, a mix of curiosity and concern swirling within her as she struggled to maintain her composure.

“Let go!” Marisol demanded, tugging her arm away.

“Not until you tell me the truth!” Mirabel insisted, her resolve strengthening as she peeled off Marisol’s mask. “When and where is your attack in San Angel?”

“I’m not going to attack my childhood home!” Marisol protested vehemently. “I may be a monster hunter, but I would never harm the people I consider family.”

Mirabel searched Marisol’s eyes for sincerity, feeling a flicker of trust but grappling with lingering skepticism. “Even with one of them being what you swore to hunt?”

“Unlike other factions of the Hunts clan, my group only targets monsters that are too dangerous to be left alone. Thankfully for Zano, he wasn’t on our list.” 

“What do you mean?” Mirabel pressed, desperation tinging her voice, yearning for clarity.

Before Marisol could elaborate, a blinding white light enveloped them, rendering all thoughts and questions meaningless.

Mirabel jolted awake from her bed, gasping for breath. As she blinked and took in the familiar surroundings of her room, a sudden realization washed over her: it had all been a dream.

The door creaked open, and Dolores Madrigal entered, her voice filled with concern. “Mirabel, are you okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, I had a strange dream,” Mirabel replied sheepishly, rubbing her head. “Sorry for waking you.”

“Oh, you didn’t wake me,” Dolores pointed to the clock, which read 6:30 a.m. “Good morning, by the way!” she giggled, trying to lighten the mood.

“At least the dream woke me up before my alarm,” Mirabel said with a small laugh, hitting the snooze button.

“What was it about?” Dolores asked, genuinely curious.

“It started with Sensei giving us a meditation lesson in the park, and then I ended up confronting,” Mirabel lifted her right hand, staring in shock at Marisol’s mask, which had somehow found its way to her. “Marisol!” she whispered, a mix of awe and confusion washing over her.

[Location: Kaiba’s Shop]

Mirabel shared her unsettling dream with her friends at Kaiba’s Shop, while her older cousins searched her room for any signs of a break-in. “If this mask weren’t in my hand, I’d think it was just a strange dream,” she said, glancing at Thrall and Mushu as they examined it closely, confirming it was indeed Marisol’s.

“Wouldn’t surprise me if your celestial powers gave you prophetic dreams,” Nell mused, intrigue sparking in her eyes.

“But that doesn’t explain how the mask ended up here,” Ernie interjected, crossing his arms skeptically.

“Are you sure you weren’t sleep-knitting and accidentally made a copy of Marisol’s mask?” Camilo teased, prompting raised brows and disbelieving glances from the group. “Hey, it could happen,” he shrugged, a playful grin spreading across his face.

“Or Marisol could’ve used some magic to sneak into your room undetected, planting a bug in your dreams instead,” Zano suggested, his tone serious yet mischief glinting in his eyes.

“We asked Casita to check for any unusual activity that night,” Ignacio replied over a video call.

“What did they find?” Mirabel asked, her voice tinged with tension.

“The good news is, there are no signs of a break-in—magical or otherwise,” Javier replied, his arms crossed tightly, concern etched on his brow. “The bad news is, we may have to confront our deepest fear if that mask turns out to be real.”

“After extensive testing, we can confirm this is the huntress’s mask,” Xander stated, his tone grave.

Just then, Javier Madrigal entered the shop. “And after a thorough sweep of the Encanto, there are no signs of a break-in—magical or otherwise,” he added, unease evident on his face.

Mirabel was perplexed. “But if she wasn’t in my room, how did her mask end up in my hand?”

Lao Shi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "If I had to guess, I'd say it came from your dream.”

Zano shot him a glare. “This isn’t the time for jokes, Lao Shi. Encanto and San Angel could be in danger!”

“Can someone tell the teen Dracula that I was serious?” the dragon teen retorted.

“Relax, boys. Lao Shi might be onto something,” Mushu interjected, stepping between them. “There are spells that enable individuals to enter others’ dreams,” he explained, flipping through a magic encyclopedia. “They can be useful for maintaining contact with loved ones across the globe. Now, can someone pass me the—”

Mirabel handed him the *Encyclopedia Magica*. “Thanks. Back to Lao Shi’s point: some spells allow entry into others’ dreams.”

“Or to gather information, but they require a lot of energy,” Kaiba added. “Most people prefer charms to conserve power.”

“It’s how many of us connected during the war,” he reminded them, evoking memories of the past.

“Is that how you managed to stay in touch with your siblings, Javi?” Mirabel asked her cousin.

“Exactly, but it takes a lot of energy,” Javier said, a furrow creasing his brow. “I’ve never heard of objects being pulled from dreams.”

“Depending on the method, inanimate objects possessed by the caster can be drawn into reality from the subspace,” Kaiba explained, placing a reassuring hand on Mirabel’s shoulder. “Fortunately, Marisol didn’t think to tamper with her mask when you took it, or your home location would be at risk.”

“Great. Just what we need—hunters invading our dreams,” Lao Shi exclaimed dramatically, throwing his hands up in frustration.

“Not just our secrets are at stake here,” Camilo said, raking a hand through his untamed hair, frustration evident in his voice. “What if we wake up with a bomb in hand? That’s a delightful thought.”

“Not necessarily,” Mushu chimed in. “The Hunters may have a strong disdain for magical beings, but they’re intelligent enough not to provoke the guardians of sleep. Anger them, and it’s a permanent nap for those Hunters.”

“Now it makes sense why Marisol looked terrified when you wouldn’t let her leave,” Nell said, connecting the dots. “She wasn’t afraid of her clan catching her; she was worried about being apprehended by the dream police!”

“But she wasn’t trying to attack me; she was warning me about the Huntsclan’s master plan,” Mirabel concluded.

“Regardless of her intentions, we can’t allow this to happen again,” Kaiba said firmly, his brow furrowed with concern. “I wouldn’t put it past the Huntsclan to exploit our vulnerabilities to gather intel. It’s a tactic they may very well use.” He turned to the rest of his students, his expression grave. “Did any of you have dreams about the Huntress, like Mirabel?”

All the teens shook their heads, exchanging wary glances, except for Zano, whose gaze remained distant as if he were lost in thought. The room fell silent, the tension palpable among the group.

“Zano?” Kaiba called, sensing something was off. “Is there something you’d like to share?”

After exhaling deeply, Zano admitted, “Marisol did show up in my dreams.” The team gasped collectively, their eyes widening in surprise, while Kaiba narrowed his gaze further. “When did this happen?” he demanded.

“During the student elections,” Zano murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Right when we were figuring out who you are, Thrall,” 

Xander smirked knowingly. “That explains your paranoia back then.”

“Why didn’t you ever mention it?” Mirabel asked, leaning even closer.

“I thought it was just a weird dream,” Zano sighed, scratching his head. “Honestly, I didn’t think she—or anyone—could invade dreams like that.”

“What did she say to you, Zano?” She leaned in, her curiosity piqued.

“Not much; she ambushed us in the park and mocked our skills,” Zano replied, keeping his voice steady but vague. Uncertainty crept into his tone as he added, “Back then, I thought it was just a strange dream. Now, with all this new information, I still doubt it was her.”

“Well, at least her appearance in your dream makes sense,” Ernie remarked, crossing his arms. “No offense, Mirabel, but considering our past experiences, we assumed she’d address us first.”

“None taken. But aside from your personal history, why would Marisol warn us about her clan’s plans? She’s still one of them,” Mirabel interjected.

“Maybe it’s all a ruse to distract us while she probes our minds for secrets,” Lao Shi added dramatically. “Duh!”

“Back off and focus!” Zano shot back, arms crossed defiantly. “We need to ensure that Marisol or any Hunter doesn’t infiltrate our dreams again. Whatever her intentions, we must make sure she can’t do so again.”

“Mushu, can you cast a dream protection spell?” Ernie asked hopefully.

“Sorry, that’s a bit beyond my expertise,” the red dragon replied, looking mildly embarrassed as he scratched his head. “But I know someone who can help.”

Mushu’s contact agreed to meet them at the Magic Bazaar to discuss spells. “Anyone can craft sleeping charms, but they should only be in the hands of those worthy. My friend can assist us with the process,” Mushu explained, his tone earnest.

“If he can provide us with the protection we need, I’m open to anything,” Zano replied, urgency lacing his voice. “Who knows how long they’ve been lurking in our heads?”

“Zano, relax. You heard Mushu; they wouldn’t risk getting caught by the dream police,” Mirabel reassured him, attempting to ease his anxiety.

“That may be true, but they would definitely exploit any loopholes to gain the upper hand on their targets,” Zano countered, frustration creeping into his tone.

“Just because you dated a hunter doesn’t make you an expert,” Lao Shi chimed in, rolling his eyes.

“Zip it, dragon breath,” Zano sneered, his temper flaring.

Mirabel stepped in to keep the peace. “Cool it, you two. We’re here to focus.”

As they approached a stall occupied by a talking Tapir, the creature perked up upon spotting Mushu. “Mushu! Good to see ya!”

“Back at you! Listen, I’d love to catch up, but we’ve got business with Sandy,” Mushu replied eagerly.

“Of course, he’s in the back,” the Tapir responded, stepping aside to let them through.

“I’ll go first; you kids wait until I call you,” Mushu instructed before darting inside.

“Sandy?” Camilo asked, glancing around as the other teens shrugged and followed Mushu into the shop.

Once inside, they were enveloped in soft clouds and surrounded by shimmering golden sand. “Wow, this place reminds me of our uncle Bruno’s old room,” Camilo remarked in awe, soaking in the serene atmosphere.

“But it’s more peaceful and less scary,” Mirabel added, observing the tranquil surroundings.

“Depends on whose perspective,” Lao Shi pointed out with a smirk.

“Kids, I’d like you to meet Sandy, also known as the Sandman. He’s one of the guardians I mentioned. Sandy, these are the teens that Tooth and I spoke of,” Mushu introduced.

The golden man waved enthusiastically. “He’s thrilled to meet you and has agreed to help us with our dream problem as a thank you for helping Tooth,” Mushu translated.

“You look a lot friendlier than I imagined the Sandman would be,” Zano said skeptically. “No offense, but you don’t seem like someone the Huntsclan would fear.”

Sandy smiled and animatedly signed with his sand while Mushu translated, “He says, ‘None taken. I would rather be respected for giving people good dreams and fostering kindness than feared for my powers or appearance.’ Amen to that, Sandy.”

“Wow, what is this golden stuff?” Ernie asked, reaching out to touch the glowing sand.

Mushu replied, “That’s dream sand, but be careful—it can make you sleepy.”

The group settled around a table as Sandy began serving tea. Mirabel looked at him curiously. “Señor Sandy, do you know how Marisol was able to travel into my dreams?”

Sandy responded, “Based on your story, he believes she used a dream charm. It allows its user to enter anyone’s dream, but only while they are sleeping.”

Nell interjected, “Is there a way to prevent her from entering anyone’s dreams? Since you’re the guardian of dreams, can’t you provide us with a dream shield or a lock?”

Sandy gestured to Mushu. “He can, but it will take some time.”

“So, what do we do until then?” Camilo asked, glancing around the comforting room.

Sandy handed them charms. “With these, you’ll be able to control your dreams and navigate the dreamscape. This should help you stay vigilant and connected in case anyone is in trouble.”

Zano examined his charm closely. “Can this help us find Marisol? Will it alert us if another charm is nearby?”

“It won’t help you locate a specific person or hunters, but yes, it will help you find each other without getting lost. The dream world is like a maze,” Sandy said, gesturing animatedly.

He began miming something, and Mushu added, “Oh, and one more thing: try not to enter civilians’ dreams if you can help it. You have the Sandman’s permission because of the circumstances, but he encourages you to respect civilians’ privacy and keep the charms hidden when not in use.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll be respectful and careful,” Mirabel promised, determination shining in her eyes.

With the weight of their mission now fully clear, the group stood ready to navigate not only the dreamscape but also the challenges that awaited them.

At that moment, the oracle twins burst in. “Guys!” Kyle called out, panting. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Kyle? Katie? What’s going on?” Camilo asked, concern etched on his face.

“The Huntsclan is up to something bad,” warned Kyle, glancing around nervously.

“And it involves your teacher and a certain stone that shouldn’t be in the wrong hands,” added Katie.

The oracles began sharing their visions with the team, while Isabela, who had come to Kaiba for a training session in fighting, listened intently. Meanwhile, Mushu and Sandy worked diligently on charms in their cozy nook, the atmosphere charged with a sense of urgency.

“It’s not very specific,” Kyle said, troubled. “I can’t tell you when it’ll happen, but I saw a circle of skulls and cryptids screaming in agony. I do remember the words ‘hunter’s moon.’”

“Okay, but what about our teacher and the stone?” Zano pressed, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

The twins exchanged serious glances. “Not just any stone, man. The Bloodstone,” Kyle stated gravely. Gasps rippled through the room at the mention of its name.

“The Bloodstone?” Kaiba echoed, eyes widening in disbelief.

“The gem held by Ulysses Bloodstone?” Lao Shi remarked, his voice awed and dread mingling.

“You mean that Bloodstone?” Thrall asked, shaking his cup nervously.

“Can someone please fill us in on why this stone is so terrifying?” Nell asked, raising her hand. “And please, spare us the gory details.”

“The Bloodstone is an ancient gem of immense power,” Kaiba explained somberly. “Unfortunately, monster hunters like the Huntsmen have wielded it in their vile crusade against magical beings.”

“We’re not just talking about creatures like Krylocks or the Jersey Devil. They hunt sentient beings—mermaids, yetis, fairies, dragons,” Kyle added grimly.

“If it’s not human, they kill it,” Katie concluded. “Even if it’s peaceful.”

“The only mitigating factor was that the Bloodstone family traditionally wielded the gem and generally avoided hunting in Hunts-clan territories. This limited our worries to one group,” Mushu elaborated.

“But that seems to have changed,” Katie noted, her voice filled with dread.

“That must be what Marisol warned me about in my dream. Her clan must have invited the Bloodstone members here to seize the gem,” Mirabel murmured, lost in thought.

“This is bad. If that gem comes to San Angel, all hidden magical creatures are doomed!” Xander exclaimed, panic rising in his voice.

“What about you, Katie? You’re supposed to see the bright side,” Nell said, desperate for hope. “Is there a silver lining?”

“Let me see,” Katie said, closing her eyes in concentration. “I see you guys successfully setting a trap for a member of the Hunts clan. Whoopee!” she added in a deadpan tone.

“Catch a member of the Hunts clan? Can we do that?” Mirabel asked, brows furrowing in uncertainty.

“Hmm. The Hunts clan can teleport. Theoretically, we could intercept their beams and capture one, but the beams are encrypted with a code unique to the Hunts clan. The Dragon Council has been deciphering it for centuries,” Kaiba explained, his voice steady yet laced with concern.

“Perhaps we can use the dream charms to locate and crack the code,” Ernie suggested.

“That would take too long. We need an alternative approach,” Kaiba replied, clearly focused. “While you engage in this, I must inform the Dragon Council of the Hunts clan's plans during the Blood Moon.”

“So, what do we do until then?” Camilo asked.

“I have an idea,” Mushu said.

Sandy provided them with charms. “With these, you’ll be able to control your dreams and navigate the dreamscape. It’ll help you stay connected in case any of you are in trouble.”

Zano scrutinized his charm. “Can this aid us in our search for Marisol? Specifically, will it detect the presence of another charm?”

“For the Huntress, no, but for all of you, yes. This way, you can find each other without getting lost. The dream world is like a labyrinth,” Sandy explained.

As she resumed miming, Mushu added, “Oh, and one more thing. When you use these charms, you’ll have to pass the Boogeyman’s test to access the paths.”

Zano exclaimed, “Boogeyman? You mean Pitch Black?!”

Nell interjected, “I thought we’d seen the last of him after he attempted to abduct Zany’s cousins.”

Mushu replied, “I wish that were true, but as long as the dream realm exists, Pitch will never be vanquished.”

“That doesn’t explain why we must undergo a test from him,” Camilo pointed out.

“Because while Sandy is the guardian of pleasant dreams, Pitch is the guardian of nightmares. They are two halves of a whole, so you need permission from both to traverse the realm.”

“But Pitch despises us! There’s no way he’ll grant us a fair trial,” Zano argued.

“Can’t rule out that he might see this as an opportunity to eliminate us,” Mirabel added.

“Don’t worry; Pitch may feed on the fear of children, but he respects the rules of the dream world. He wouldn’t attempt to kill you there,” Mushu reassured them.

“However, tormenting us with nightmares is still within his remit,” Nell countered.

“Yes, but if that were the case, wouldn’t he have done so already?” Mirabel pointed out. “It’s been months since then, and none of us have experienced significant nightmares.”

“I suppose we’ll have to find out,” Zano said thoughtfully as he donned his charm.

-

At B.P.R.D. Headquarters, Dr. Broom leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against the aged wood as he scanned a file. Hellboy's contemplative voice broke the silence, skepticism woven through his tone. 

“Something wrong, my son?” Broom inquired, glancing over his glasses. 

“Father,” Hellboy replied, leaning forward, “what Morningstar mentioned about 'curing' vampires—at first, I thought it was just another wild rumor.” His doubt hung heavy in the air. 

Broom sighed, setting the file aside. “Unfortunately, it’s more than a rumor. That so-called cure is a concoction created by vampire scientists to allow them to walk in the sun, blending into human society, which makes our job exponentially harder.” 

Hellboy's gaze sharpened with purpose. “If it’s real, why haven’t we researched it more thoroughly? If there's even a sliver of hope, we owe it to people to try.” 

The corners of Broom’s mouth tightened, a shadow of regret crossing his face. “We’ve tried, son. It’s a dead end. I grapple with memories of lives lost to these monsters every day. But hope doesn’t always yield results.” 

Hellboy hesitated, his brow furrowing as he shifted the topic. “What did Leach mean when he said a Dhampir stopped him? Aren’t they just myths?” 

Broom rubbed his temples, a hint of weariness in his voice. “Our records suggest they’re mostly myths—children of humans and vampires, rarely surviving long. However, Morningstar claims this Dhampir is alive and part Culebra.” 

“Culebras? The vampire reptiles we've been hunting down in Mexico?” Hellboy's eyes lit up with intrigue. 

Broom nodded, concern knitting his brow. “Yes, and that serum they have makes it nearly impossible to track them.” 

“Could this Dhampir help?” Hellboy mused, hope flickering. “He managed to stop Pretty Boy from turning those girls into zombies.” 

“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Broom replied gravely. “Thirteen years ago, Justice Jaguar’s son and daughter-in-law died under suspicious circumstances, leaving only their child behind.” 

Sounds like a setup, Hellboy thought, darkly. “What happened to them?” 

“Our suspicion is they were targeted. We found a weapon linked to a cult that’s been a thorn in our side for years. The case was transferred out of our jurisdiction, thanks to superhero involvement.” 

“Did they discover what really happened?” 

“Nothing concrete,” Broom admitted, sliding a photo across the table. “But recent discoveries might finally illuminate the mystery.” 

Hellboy picked up the photo, studying the faces of Zano and his sister, Adrianna. “So, the supers created their own Hellboy and Girl, huh?” he quipped, his tone laced with irony. 

Broom’s expression remained serious. “We’re about to uncover just how deep this rabbit hole goes.” 

In the majestic Dragon Hall, the World Dragon Council convened, filled with urgency and concern—representatives from various magical realms gathered to discuss significant issues that threatened their very existence. At the forefront, Kaiba and Isabela whispered, their faces etched with worry over Mirabel’s unsettling dream and the oracle's foreboding visions.

“This is truly troubling, Kaiba,” a council member voiced, his tone heavy with concern.

“Rest assured, we will uncover the truth of this matter,” another assured, determination evident in his voice.

“Do you have any theories about their intentions?” a shadowy figure inquired, his demeanor cautious yet alert.

“Other than that horrific monster hunt the Bloodstones are orchestrating, we’re at a loss to decipher their new plot against us,” Kaiba replied, frustration evident.

“Are you sure the Sun Vessel shared everything?” a councilman pressed, his brows knitted in worry.

“Yes, but Zano was only briefly mentioned by the huntress, who claimed she wouldn’t pursue him,” Kaiba confirmed.

“After all, next to the dark dragon and evil deities, Zano is merely a minor threat,” Isabela added, scanning the room for reactions.

“Not surprising, considering he’s half-human and not a dragon,” a vampire council member interjected, his fangs gleaming ominously in the ambient light. The tallest member of the council spoke up, offering a different angle.

“Yet he is a hybrid with the powers of the moon; there’s no way the huntress would keep that under wraps.”

“If that were true, the hunters we faced during the challenge wouldn’t have tried to capture both Mirabel and Zano,” Isabela countered, determination filling her voice.

“After interrogating those hunters, it seems they’re oblivious to your sister and her partner’s abilities. Still, we lack clarity on the huntress Marisol’s knowledge,” a council elder chimed in, concerned.

“What else was revealed regarding the boy?”

“The huntress claimed that, while Zano isn’t her typical target, he might soon become one,” Kaiba explained, his expression grave.

A tall man with a noticeable scar beneath his left eye interjected, “She could be alluding to the Bloodstone effects on our kind. Rumor has it that it reveals a monster’s true nature.”

The Atlantean councilman nodded solemnly, recognizing the implications of such a revelation. “That could push even the noblest of dragons and werewolves into a feral frenzy, making it easier for hunters to track us.”

As the discussion deepened, tension thickened in the air, hinting that their worlds stood on the brink of chaos. “I doubt it would affect a hybrid,” Chen advised cautiously. “But given Zano’s powers linked to the Moon Opel, it would be wise to keep him as far away from this situation as possible.”

“And any other magical beings in hiding,” added a councilwoman, her face etched in worry.

“Indeed. For the first time, we may need to rely on our non-magical allies and those in the human-locked community to handle this threat,” Kaiba concluded, a firm nod signifying his resolve.

“I will inform the Eight immediately,” Isabela stated, acknowledging the seriousness of their plight. “Perhaps their friend Agent Dicker can get someone from the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense to assist us. Unless you suspect they are hunters as well.”

“The Bureau’s methods are questionable at best, but given the gravity of the situation, their expertise and resources might be our best shot at thwarting this vile cult.”

“Then it’s settled.”

“Meeting adjourned. May the heavens protect us all,” murmured the council, a palpable sense of dread filling the grand hall as they braced for the unknown challenges that lay ahead.

[Dreamscape]

Back with the team of teens, they wielded the Sandman’s charms to cross into the dream realm, where they were met by the big bad himself. 

Pitch smiled at them, “Ah, I was thrilled to hear that you lot wanted to explore the dream world. It’s the perfect opportunity to put your meddlesome brats through the wringer.”

Nell scoffed, “Yeah, we figured.”

“And I see your little group has grown since our last encounter.” He turned his gaze to Xander, Daniella, and Lao Shi. “A wizard, a sirena, and a dragon! All led by a vampire and a human—how amusing.”

Lao Shi interjected, “We don’t follow their leads; we follow my uncle’s.”

“Ah, yes, the wolf who breathes fire. Tell me, little dragon, how does it feel to know your grandfather prefers to train his adopted child over his own grandson?”

“It wasn’t his choice; it was tradition!” Daniella held her angry friend back. “Easy, Lao Shi. He just wants to get a rise out of you.”

“Enough games. We know why we’re here, so let’s get it over with,” Zano demanded firmly.

“So impatient! But fine.” Pitch snapped his fingers, and the test began.

In an instant, the San Angel group found themselves in a vast, desolate desert, the only sign of civilization a lonely, winding road stretching out before them.

“Where are we?” Camilo asked, squinting against the harsh glare of the sun.

“No idea, but this place feels strangely familiar,” Daniella mused, glancing at Nell, Ernie, and Zano. “Maybe we're in one of your dreams,” she suggested, a hint of intrigue in her voice.

“Maybe, but I’ve never ventured this far outside the city,” Nell asserted, her brow furrowing in contemplation.

“Well, standing here won’t reveal anything,” Zano replied, his voice steady as they set off down the road. “If I've learned anything from our adventures, it’s that nothing stays peaceful for long.”

Suddenly, Mirabel perked up, pointing at a flickering light in the distance. “Look over there!”

“La Tetilla del Diablo?” Nell read aloud, wrinkling her nose at the name.

“Sounds ominous and a bit crude,” Xander remarked, raising a quizzical eyebrow. “Does that ring any bells for you guys?”

Ernie shook his head, glancing at Zano. “Not for me, but…?”

Zano stared intently at the sign, his expression shifting from confusion to recognition. “That name belongs to the bar where my grandparents met,” he revealed, his voice trailing off.

Lao Shi raised an eyebrow. “Which grandparents? The super ones, the adopted ones, or the vampire pair?”

Without hesitation, Zano answered. “The vampire ones.”

“So we’re in your dream zone, Zano?” Mirabel asked, her curiosity piqued.

“I suppose,” he replied, uncertainty creeping into his tone. “But I’ve never been to this place. My uncle Pepe told me about it.”

“Maybe—” Nell started, but Camilo interrupted, his eyes widening.

“Someone’s coming,” he warned. They slipped swiftly into the shadows as a car pulled up beside the bar.

Zano's heart sank as he recognized the occupants. “Those are my parents,” he whispered, watching intently as the red-haired woman, Sunita Rivera, moved toward the back to pick up baby Zano while the man, Raphael Rivera, helped a little girl out of her booster seat.

“Who’s the little girl?” Xander asked, intrigued.

“My older sister, Adrianna,” Zano replied, his voice a mix of nostalgia and confusion.

“The one who went to live with your uncle in Cuba?” Ernie probed further. “I thought you said she was with them when your parents passed away.”

“I thought so too,” Zano responded, brow furrowed in thought.

“Maybe this was before the accident?” Nell suggested gently. “You were just a baby when it happened.”

“Let’s watch and see what happens with your family,” Mirabel offered, her tone comforting. Zano nodded in agreement, a swirl of sorrow and curiosity in his eyes.

As they peered into the bar, Zano saw his family enter. “Welcome back, Sunshine,” greeted Mauricio Verdugo with a warm smile. “I see you’ve brought another one,” he added, gesturing to baby Zano.

“Mauricio, nice to see your sweet face,” Sunita replied playfully, just as a woman dressed in black, wearing a black veil, approached her.

“Sunita?” The woman’s voice was soft and warm.

“Hola, mamá,” Sunita replied, enveloping her in a heartfelt hug.

“Oh, this must be the night your mom reunited with her mother,” Ernie guessed, “but what’s so scary about that?”

“I don’t know, but something tells me it doesn’t end well,” Zano said, a sense of unease washing over him. Mirabel placed her hand gently over his, a silent gesture of support that he gratefully accepted.

After the meeting, Kaiba and Isabela sat in thoughtful silence on the train back to San Angel, each contemplating how to explain the day’s events to their friends and students. The rhythmic sound of the train wheels against the tracks created a calming backdrop as Kaiba replayed the conversations in his mind, considering the implications of their encounters.

His moment of reflection was interrupted when Mauricio Verdugo, a member of the vampire council, approached them, his expression serious and intent.

“Ah, Mauricio, what brings you here?” Kaiba asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

“Forgive my intrusion, but I need to discuss one of your students,” Mauricio replied, glancing around before leaning in closer, as if sharing a secret.

Kaiba narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping in. “You’re talking about Zano, aren’t you?” he said, noticing the burly vampire tense at the mention of the boy’s name.

Isabela interjected, a hint of annoyance in her tone.

“Sorry, Mauricio, this is Isabela Madrigal. Isabela, this is Mauricio Verdugo, a member of the vampire council. He’s been sent by the Dragon Order to watch over your sister and Zano,” said Kaiba.

"Is that why you gave my sister detention for being late three times, just to maintain cover?” Isabela teased.

“As wonderful as Mirabel is, Señorita Madrigal, rules are rules. I pride myself on being tough but fair,” Mauricio responded, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

"I’ve heard the stories from your former students—funny how they left out the whole vampire part,” said Isabela.

“As they have their secrets to keep, I have mine, but it seems I may need to reveal myself sooner than I planned,” Mauricio said, his expression turning grave.

Kaiba tilted his head, intrigued. “You’ve known Zano’s family since he was a baby. This was bound to come up. But why Zano? You never paid attention to Acacia and Zita, or even Chico and Blanca, despite their royal status from El Dorado.”

“I know,” Mauricio replied, the weight of his words heavy. “The council feels indebted to Zano’s grandfather for the tragedy that befell his family. Dr. Werner Von Dracula was an unconventional but honorable vampire who dedicated himself to helping others, even those who sought peace in the sunlight.”

Kaiba’s interest was piqued, “You were familiar with the late Dr. Von Dracula?”

Mauricio nodded, nostalgia thick in the air. “He married my sire, who offered me up as a subject for his experiments. It’s a complicated history.”

Kaiba blinked, caught off guard. “I… see.”

“Don’t feel sorry for me,” Mauricio interjected, suddenly dismissive. “I was not exactly a beacon of virtue even before I was turned.”

Hellboy leaned in, his usual smirk replaced by a serious glint in his eye. “I can believe that,” he said, his voice low. “So, Mauricio Verdugo—the Hangman himself. You’re known for being a ruthless executioner back in 1800s Mexico. Heard you vanished while chasing after your daughter, who ran off with that bandit Johnny Madrid, didn’t she? You were supposed to take him out, but thanks to Catherine Reece, he slipped through your fingers, and your kid went with him. Funny how both of them—and you—just disappeared like that. For someone who’s supposed to be dead, you’re looking pretty damn good. Bet those scars of yours lead to some interesting stories, huh?”

“Who are you?” Isabela asked, eyeing Hellboy suspiciously.

“Hellboy, I work for the B.P.R.D.,” he explained, offering a brief introduction.

“Oh, you’re the demon baby summoned during the war. Funny, I thought you’d be shorter,” Isabela quipped, a smirk breaking through her earlier tension.

Hellboy raised an eyebrow at the woman's calm demeanor. “Demons tend to age quickly.”

“Yes, but most can live for centuries,” Mauricio replied, shifting his focus. “What brings you here? You can’t possibly have heard about the Bloodstone already.”

“Funny you mention that,” Hellboy said, crossing his arms. “I’m here to investigate a cold case your super friends took over regarding that gem. From what we've pieced together, Professor Scarface is at the center of it.”

“What do you want to know?” Mauricio asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Well, let’s start with why you’re defending the grandson of the Culebra who turned you into a monster, and the vampire scientist who experimented on you,” Hellboy said skeptically. “Sure, Count Dorkula gave you a sunscreen that lets you walk in sunlight, but I doubt it was worth the pain you went through.”

Kaiba chimed in, intrigued. “That revelation surprises me, too. When Count Dracula tried that formula, he burned in the Bolivian sun despite his rank. Yet somehow, it worked for you.”

Mauricio's expression shifted to one of seriousness. “What many failed to understand was that Werner’s formula worked for vampires who were once human or from different breeds. After the incident, Werner theorized that since I’m a culebra and used to be human, my DNA helped make the formula effective for us. His excitement about its success blinded him to the need for proper testing on his own kind.”

“An oversight that cost him dearly,” Isabela added. “Zano and his cousins shared that story. I never met Werner, but his formula did help others like you regain their humanity.”

“Exactly. Not only could I walk in sunlight, but I could eat normal food and feel full. I wasn’t a slave to my hunger anymore. All thanks to Werner’s daughter, Sunita, and his nephew Pepe, who shared the formula over the radio,” Mauricio explained.

“Okay, now I get it. You’re not protecting the dhampir because of his grandparents, but because of his mother,” Hellboy said.

“That’s part of it,” Mauricio replied, his expression growing somber. “My relationship with Sunita was complicated. She reminded me too much of my daughter, Esmeralda.”

“She was born to two people who made your life hell,” Hellboy pointed out. “And she was the first child of two different vampire breeds. Who’s to say she wouldn’t have tried to eat you in your sleep?”

“Her appetite was different. Sure, she drank blood, but she also ate raw meat,” Mauricio clarified.

“No lemon?” Isabela teased, lightening the mood. “Okay, not the right time for jokes. But she never bit anyone, right?”

“No. After Werner came looking for ingredients for his formula, he helped Santanico connect with a medical center that catered to creatures like her without endangering humans. She never needed to hunt,” Mauricio explained.

“And with Daddy’s special sun cocktail, she and her cousin Pepe were almost human—no need for blood,” Hellboy added.

“Exactly,” Mauricio said. “But even before that, Sunita ignited something in me I hadn’t felt since becoming a vampire.”

“What’s that?” Hellboy asked, intrigued.

“Hope. Many don’t understand this, but hope can be a double-edged sword—especially for someone like me who has lost touch with his humanity.”

“And Sunita sparked that hope?” Hellboy pressed.

“She wasn’t alone. Werner sparked it first with his anti-sun serum.”

“And both of them lived up to that hope, didn’t they? Werner’s formula worked, Sunita shared it with you, and you didn’t have to feed on blood as often,” Hellboy remarked.

“Yes, my hope for being human again was fulfilled. But my hope for Esmeralda died with Sunita,” Mauricio said, his voice heavy with sorrow.

“I remember when they told his wife she wouldn’t see her family again until he made amends with the council,” Mauricio added, his gaze darkening with the weight of the memory.

“Knowing the group that betrayed them would lead to his downfall must have been devastating for her,” Kaiba said, sympathy washing over him.

“You have no idea,” Mauricio replied, rubbing his temples as he recalled the anguish etched on Sunita’s face. “She was heartbroken over Werner. But when she heard Sunita and Joseph spreading news of his formula, it gave her hope. Yet, she struggled to accept who Sunita chose to love.”

Flashback/Zano’s Memory

“How can you possibly be content living like this? Look at you! Two children, and you look twice the age I was when I had you!” Santanico exclaimed, her voice thick with anguish.

“Mama, I look the age that I am,” Sunita replied, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

“It’s not normal for vampires to age like mortals! I don’t understand why you insist on breaking my heart!”

“Mama, we didn’t come here to have this debate again. We came so you could meet your grandson.”

“My dhampir grandson,” Santanico corrected, her tone sharp. “The poor boy is doomed to be caught between worlds like his sister unless someone lets me perform the ritual.”

“Mama, they are too young for that,” Sunita insisted. “Even then, it has to be their choice.”

“But your husband isn’t! He’s agreed to it. What did your parents say when you told them?”

Raphael stepped in, "They were stunned by the news, but I know they love our children, Señora. They just don’t understand yet."

Sunita turned to her mother earnestly. “But we hoped you would.”

“I do, but Sunita, I suffered because I was a dhampir, right, Mauricio?”

Mauricio hung his head. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” he murmured.

“The council is gone, but their followers remain. We have a chance to lead our kind better, but we can’t do that if your family has blood in their veins. They will use that to undermine us.”

“I don’t want to rule the vampires,” Sunita replied firmly. “I am not my grandfather, and neither is Pepe.”

“That won’t be up to you. A Dracula must assume the throne, and you—my dear—you are the best of me and Werner. Those traits make you perfect to lead.”

“No, they wouldn’t accept a hunter as a leader.”

“You were hunting rogues who squandered the gift your father gave them. They had no place in the new council."

“Then there is no point in this discussion.”

“Sunita.”

“Mama, just because your parents didn’t fully accept you or consider what you wanted for your life, doesn’t mean we will do the same for our kids. They are of two worlds and will remain so until they’re old enough to choose their path. Whatever they decide, they will have our support. That is final!” 

Back to the present on the train

Mauricio’s POV

Back in the present on the train, Isabela piped up, “It sounds like the Riveras and Sunita’s mother weren’t the first to express their disapproval.” 

“No,” I replied, recalling the strained history. “Werner wanted Sunita to marry someone from her kind. He was aware of how much she despised their family’s rejection, so he tried to find a compromise. On the other hand, Raphael Rivera wanted to be turned, but Sunita hesitated—she wanted her father to perfect the formula first.” 

“Understandable,” Hellboy chimed in.

“Yes, but then their daughter was born, Werner passed away, and everything shifted.”

“Sunita didn’t turn him?” Isabela asked.

“She believed it wasn’t necessary. She loved Raphael because he was unique, but her mother had her plans, and I unwittingly played a role in that.”

Zano’s POV

I stood outside with my friends, watching the scene unfold like a movie playing in slow motion. A family reunion that felt foreign and painful, my eyes glued to the chaos. 

“Dang, Zee, I had no idea things were this intense with your grandma,” Nell remarked, squinting as she tried to process the emotional whirlwind before us. “I get your dad’s family, but this takes it to a whole other level.”

“Right? And I thought we had issues,” Camilo chimed in, his voice dripping with bitterness as he thought of his own family drama with Mirabel. I could feel the tension hanging thick in the air like an electric charge, and it made my insides twist.

Zano took a deep breath, memories swirling in my mind like shadows. I remembered bits and pieces of what my family truly felt about my parents’ marriage. My abuelo, Werner, had never approved. He’d only given his blessing with a catch: my dad needed to become a vampire. 

Mirabel’s curiosity piqued—and honestly, I was surprised by it too. “Did he?”

“He intended to, after perfecting the formula, but… he died before he could complete it.” The sadness in my voice surprised even me, the weight of unfulfilled promises settling heavily on my heart.

Then, Lao Shi’s voice broke through the tension, a splash of reality in the dreamlike haze. “They’re coming out!”

We ducked behind a nearby car as my family emerged, led by Sunita, whose visibly upset demeanor sliced through me. After Raphael and Sunita settled the kids, Mauricio approached with a box in his hands.

“What do you want, Mauricio?” Sunita snapped, her frustration palpable.

“To give you this box from your father and my condolences," he said softly, extending the package. "I know it means little coming from me, but I want you to know how wrong I was about you.”

Sunita hesitated, her expression softening for a fleeting moment as she took the box. “I had a good father.”

“Yes, you did,” Mauricio replied, his voice heavy with regret.

As the car drove away, I felt the bittersweet moment rip through the silence, leaving me to confront my own tangled emotions alone. 

“Was that our teacher, Mr. Verdugo?” Daniella asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“Can’t be—he smiled,” I shrugged, grappling with the unresolved tension that lingered like an uninvited guest. Moments passed, awkward and heavy, as we watched my family vanish from view.

“So, what are we supposed to be doing?” Camilo finally asked, breaking the silence. “So far, we’ve just been spectators.”

“This is Pitch we’re talking about,” I replied, the weight of dread settling into my chest. “He might just want to torture me by dragging up the night I lost my parents.”

“How are you holding up?” Ernie asked, concern etched on his face.

“Not good, but at least I get to see them one last time,” I said, a bittersweet smile flickering on my lips.

Before I could finish, an explosion erupted, throwing us across the road. Panic coursed through me as Xander quickly levitated us to safety. Hearts racing, we gaped in horror at the devastation that lay before us. 

“Oh my goodness…” a whisper broke the silence, the destruction too overwhelming to process.

Third POV

Back on the train, tension filled the air as Hellboy turned to the hangman. “What was in the box?”

"As a wedding present, Count Dracula had gifted Werner a crimson gem, one rumored to bestow immense strength upon its wearer. Yet Werner couldn’t shake the unsettling aura that surrounded it. To protect his beloved bride, he had securely stashed it away, ensuring it was out of reach for anyone but her."

“The gem belonged to the Bloodstones, didn’t it?” Isabela’s voice broke through the heavy silence, curiosity evident in her tone.

“Yes,” he replied quietly, lost in memories of that fateful night. “During a brutal raid, Dracula fought Ulysses Bloodstone himself to seize it. We were lucky to escape with our lives, and Dracula took the gem with him.”

“So that explains why they vanished for two decades,” Hellboy mused, a shadow of realization crossing his face. “But they didn’t stay hidden for long, did they?”

“The night Zano’s parents died in that car crash,” Isabela’s voice dropped to a whisper, the weight of the truth settling heavily between them.

“It wasn’t merely an accident,” Mauricio interjected grimly, darkness clouding his eyes. “A spy working for the Bloodstones  had scouted us the moment they left; they sent an army to kill us; little did we know it was a distraction.”

Zano’s POV

I stood paralyzed, flames flickering ominously before me, the world around me drowned in a high-pitched screech. Only Mirabel's desperate cries broke through the haze enveloping my mind.

“Zano? Zano!” Mirabel shouted, shaking my shoulders, pulling me back from the edge of despair. “Can you hear me?”

“I was in the car,” I murmured, my eyes fixated on the ruins of what once was my life.

“What?” Confusion laced her voice, cutting cleanly through the fog.

“I was in the car when it happened,” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper, still locked on the charred wreckage. “I should be...”

“Look!” Mirabel yelled, pointing frantically.

A man—the last one to speak with my parents—came barreling toward us, hesitating as he neared the flames. But then he dashed away, drawn by the piercing sound of a baby crying.

Mauricio's face darkened with memories as he cradled the little girl. “I searched for survivors, but Adrianna was the only one I could find.” His grip tightened. “I would have stayed longer, but the hunters spotted me.” Just then, a man clutching a glowing red gem pointed in his direction. Instinctively, Mauricio took off, adrenaline coursing through him as he sprinted with Adrianna in his arms, desperate to escape the shadows of their past.

Back on the Train

“So, Adrianna was there, and you brought her back to Cuba without the gem?” Isabela’s brows knitted together in disbelief, her voice rising with frustration.

“No, just Adrianna,” he replied, shaking his head. “Someone else had taken the gem. I didn’t have time to find out if Zano had survived; I needed to get Adrianna to safety.”

“Why not take her to her grandparents or the Riveras?” Isabela pressed, worry for her family evident. “They could’ve handled the hunters.”

“Not with that stone around. It was far too dangerous,” he explained, the weight of his choices clear.

Isabela hesitated, considering his words. “If you had brought her to the Riveras, they could’ve protected her. Santanico would have surely come for them to fight the hunters.”

“Exactly,” he said, regret tinging his voice. “If I had taken her to the Riveras, Santanico would have slaughtered them to retrieve Adrianna. I may not have been a good man, but I wanted her to grow up surrounded by love, not vengeance. If it meant dying, I was prepared for it.”

“But you’re still here,” Hellboy pointed out, the gravity of his words hanging in the air like a storm cloud.

“At the time, Santanico had no idea her grandchildren were alive. The hunters responsible had vanished, and I had a brief reprieve. She didn’t care. But after I left, I learned a vampire had tried to snatch Zano from his grandmother. He failed, but more soon followed. It became clear that Santanico had uncovered Zano and Adrianna's survival and sent others to collect them. Most who came after met dire fates or ended up in your care.”

“So, you’ve been hiding in San Angel as a teacher just to protect a boy who doesn’t know your true identity?” Hellboy asked, his brow furrowing.

“I couldn’t give Esmeralda a normal life. I’d be damned if I let another dhampir share her grim fate,” Mauricio said, his voice heavy with secrets.

The air was thick with unspoken memories, a tapestry of past choices that had led them to this moment. Finally, Hellboy broke the silence, his tone blending seriousness and kindness. “It’s tragic that her unwillingness to accept her daughter’s choices led to her death. But surely, she couldn’t have foreseen this outcome.”

“No,” Mauricio interjected, regret lining his features. “But she chose to ignore the risks when she handed over the stone. I had to get Adrianna out of Mexico; I couldn’t allow her to fall into those hands.”

“Then why didn’t you ask the Riveras for help first?” Kaiba pressed, skepticism threading through his words. “Why trust the woman leading the Hunts clan here?”

“I feared they wouldn’t have accepted her the same way I should have accepted my daughter,” Mauricio replied, sadness creeping into his voice. “At least with the huntress, I knew where we stood. I was prepared to let her slay me if it meant getting Adrianna to Joseph in Cuba.”

“And yet, here you are, still alive,” Hellboy remarked, glancing at Mauricio with curiosity and respect.

“It seems some hunters are more honorable than others,” Mauricio mused, weighing his choices. “After all, Adrianna was half-human. That probably made it easier for the huntress to help me, and it seemed she held a dislike for the Bloodstones.”

As the train chugged along, a shared understanding settled among them, the complexities of love, sacrifice, and the shadows they had navigated intertwining like the branches of an old, sprawling tree.

Flashback

Meanwhile, far away, baby Zano was wailing beneath a car door. Darkness surrounded him until someone lifted the door off. “Hey, guys, I found something!” yelled the masked man.

A teen, Acacia, and Zita, in their costumes, rushed over to investigate. “What is it?” 

“It’s a baby,” Chico said as he carefully lifted the soot-covered infant.

“Are they hurt?” Zita asked, concern etched in her features.

“We’ll get him checked out by the medics right now. We need to search for more survivors and suspects. An explosion that big can't be a mere accident,” Acacia stated, her voice steady with determination.

Back with the group, an uncomfortable silence settled in until Zano finally broke it. “I was in the car,” he said.

“What do you mean?” Mirabel asked.

“I was in the car when it exploded. Only my parents died. Why?” His voice trembled, confusion overtaking him.

“They likely used their powers to shield you and your sister from the flames, Zee,” Ernie responded gently.

“But not each other? My parents could escape anything, but this... why couldn’t they—”

“Zano, no one could have avoided it. It was a planned attack. Those monsters wanted to ensure there were no survivors,” Lao Shi interjected firmly. “It’s a miracle you didn’t come out disfigured.”

“But who are they?” Zano demanded, grappling with this new reality.

“Employees of the Bloodstone family,” a familiar voice chimed in.

“Marisol!” Zano exclaimed, relief and anger battling within him. 

“What are you doing here?” Mirabel asked, eyes narrowed.

“I’m not here to fight; this is my test for Pitch that I need to complete to roam the dreamscape.”

“And what does that entail?” 

“I need to face you and tell you the truth that’s been keeping me up at night.”

“This should be interesting,” Zano muttered, crossing his arms as the tension in the air thickened.

“Look, I understand that the Hunts clan is led by bigots who bear grudges against magical creatures cause of their own biases, but I assure you my sector isn’t like that, my mom made sure of it.”

Zano shot back, skepticism etched on his face. “I’m sure the yeti would disagree.”

“I wasn’t going to skin him, just shave his hair,” Marisol retorted. “We had to keep up appearances.”

“Right.”

As the tension simmered between them, Marisol spoke urgently, trying to convey the complexities of their world. “Unlike those cowards who prey on the weak, we fight real monsters—those who take pleasure in the slaughter of innocents for sport. Like—”

“Vampires,” Zano finished, his eyes narrowing. “Or were you thinking of something else?”

“Zano, I know you’re not like the ones we’ve faced before your grandfather made his formula. My mother sees it too. You and everyone here aren’t threats, even with your magic. But your grandmother—the vampire—is a different story. If you ever find out who she is, you’d realize she won’t stop at anything to get what she wants.”

“And what exactly does she want, huh?” Zano's frustration bubbled over, woven tightly into his words.

“To turn you and your sister into full vampires,” Marisol replied, her voice steady but resolute.

“How could you possibly know that?” he challenged, suspicion flickering across his features.

“Because my mom helped your great-grandfather keep you and your sister out of her delusional hands,” she answered, determination glimmering in her eyes.

Zano’s anguish resurfaced, his voice rising. “You expect us to believe this after witnessing firsthand what your kind did to my family?”

“The Hunts clan had nothing to do with this!” Marisol retorted, her tone fierce. “Those hunters went after your parents to reclaim the bloodstone your grandmother had given them, all so your mother could turn your father.”

“It doesn’t change who pulled the trigger,” Zano shot back, his eyes blazing.

“No, but my mother was the one who saved your sister. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Señora Rivera. I have no reason to lie to you any longer.”

Mirabel chimed in, her voice steady but probing. “Marisol, you also warned me in my dream that the Hunts’ clan is up to something big. What did you mean by that?”

“I don’t have all the details, but my mom learned that a Hunts clan from the U.S. is planning to meet with the head of the Bloodstone family. I can’t say if it’s for an alliance or inviting them into their awful hunting cabal, it’ll be the first one they had since they lost the Bloodstone, but it won’t bode well for anyone involved.” 

“We’ll make sure to inform the council,” Mirabel asserted. "Anything else?"

Just as Marisol was about to say more, Pitch Black interrupted them with an air of levity. “Sorry to interrupt this riveting conversation, but this part of the test is done. Please prepare for the next phase.”

“What? But she hasn’t even—” Zano protested, his frustration palpable.

“Run along now; there will be plenty of revelations after you finish this last part. Trust me; you’ll want to see this,” Pitch said, amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.

“What are you going to make me relive? The day my grandfather Simon died?” Zano guessed hesitantly.

“Or something equally twisted?” Lao Shi added, brows raised.

“See for yourself,” Pitch replied, his voice echoing as the surroundings shifted from a dark, desolate desert to a bright, vibrant jungle.

Nell spoke up first, scanning the lively flora. “Where are we now?”

“Don’t know, but it’s definitely a lot brighter than the last place we visited,” she observed.

“Zano, are you alright?” someone asked, noticing his distant gaze.

“This jungle… it looks familiar,” Zano murmured, a frown knitting his brow as he tried to piece together the fragments of his past.

After a long chat with Mauricio, Isabela, and the mysterious Kaiba, Hellboy turned to his adoptive father, Dr. Broom, his curiosity palpable. “So, what’s your take, pop?”

Dr. Broom adjusted his glasses, deep in thought. “We need to dig into that formula more. With Pepin’s notes, we might actually figure out the cure for vampirism.”

Hellboy crossed his arms, the mood shifting. “Yeah, but I’m talking about that Dhampir kid and his family.”

Dr. Broom’s expression softened. “The boy is not a problem. All things considered, he’s managed to create a peaceful life for himself. I don’t know if Simon would have approved, but I think he’d be glad to know his grandchildren are happy.”

“Good friends, a decent family, and a cute girlfriend—what’s not to like?” Hellboy chuckled.

“Sadly, not all of his family sees it that way,” Dr. Broom warned. “Santanico is hell-bent on dragging her grandkids into her chaos just as her mother and grandmother did for her.”

“Figures,” Hellboy said, his frustration bubbling up. “So should I go down and bust up the joint before she makes her move?”

Dr. Broom sighed, regret in his eyes. “I’m afraid this matter is complicated, my boy, and I fear the solution is more unorthodox than I wanted.”

As they stared into the dim room, the weight of their conversation hung heavy, reflecting the ongoing battle between love and darkness, and the hope that someday, the cycle could finally be broken.

To be continued...

Chapter Text

In the latest episode of "That’s Life of a Madrigal," Mirabel received a warning from Zano's former friend, Marisol, prompting her and the team to seek help from the Sandman. The Oracle twins then informed them about a hunting gala hosted by the dangerous Bloodstone clan. Meanwhile, Kaiba and Isabela alerted the council after encountering BPRD Agent Hellboy and Mirabel's teacher, Mr. Verdugo, who revealed his vampire connection to Zano's mother. The teenagers decided to use dream charms to locate Marisol, but had to pass a test from Pitch Black first. This led them into Zano's painful memory of losing his parents, where they uncovered new revelations linked to the Bloodstone gem. The episode leaves viewers wondering what further plans Pitch has for the young heroes.

Location: Dreamscape

Mirabel’s Point of View

We were walking through the Colombian jungle—Zano, Camilo, Daniela, Lao Shi, Xander, Nell, Ernie, and me. It was hot, humid, and absolutely crawling with insects.

"I can't believe we have to walk in a jungle. I thought the dream world would be more dreamy," Nell groaned.

"Considering this is part of a test administered by Pitch Black, walking in a jungle is the least worrisome aspect," Xander muttered.

"So are we going to talk about Mairsol's mom helping this mysterious vampire, great-grandfather of yours, save your sister, Zano, or just ignore it?" Camilo asked.

Zano didn’t answer him. He kept cutting through the vines like he was chasing something, or running from it.

Zano said. nothing as he cuts down more leaves, "Zano?" Ernie asked.

"Zano, are you okay?" I asked softly.

Still no response. Not even a look. My chest tightened."After we finish Pitch's test, I'll talk about it," he finally muttered. "Preferably with the individuals involved. For now, can we please focus on getting out of this dense jungle?"

"Okay," I said, letting it go for now.

"Thank you.”

Eventually, we reached the river, the first real landmark. "The town path should be just ahead," I told them.

Then Camilo posed the question I’d been secretly dreading: "I wonder whose memory Pitch brought us in, mine or yours, Mirabel."

"I don't know," I admitted to my cousin, "but I'm not looking forward to finding out."

Once Zano cuts down another part, we see the town path in front of us. "Hey, we're there."

The moment Zano cut down another patch of bush, we stepped onto the path. Encanto shimmered in the distance, a nostalgic and haunting vision. As we walked its familiar streets, everything felt just a little... off, like a picture frame tilted slightly askew.

"Great, let's go."

As we walked down the cobblestone street, familiar sights came into view: the vibrant colors of the houses, the hustle and bustle of the townsfolk, and the fragrant smell of fresh arepas wafting from a nearby stall. It was as if time had rewound to a moment in Camilo and mine’s past.

Xander smiled. “Your town is nice, guys. I’d be surprised to find a bad memory here.”

Camilo scoffed. “You’d be surprised. After all we've been through, it feels like a lifetime ago.”

“Do you think we’ll see anyone we currently know?” Daniela asked, her curiosity piqued. 

“Aside from the other Madrigals, I doubt it,” said Zano, scanning the streets. “But we have to remember—this is Mirabel or Camilo’s memory. Things might not be as they seem.”

“Maybe we’ll see Angelina, Javier, and Ignacio,” Camilo added. “They did live here until we turned five.”

“Great, nothing like seeing how I forgot the people who were brave enough to stand up against Abuela's overbearing expectations,” I muttered bitterly.

“I would not put it past Pitch to select a painful memory,” said Nell.

Soon, the memory shifted.

I saw myself walking a trail into the jungle by myself. I was five. This... this was it. The moment I lost my memories of my cousins, Angelina, Javier, and Ignacio.

“Is this when you tried to find your cousins and uncle?” Zano asked.

“Looks like it,” I replied.

Third Person POV

As little Mirabel Madrigal wandered along the riverbank, her curiosity was sparked by a shadowy figure flitting through the trees. Intrigued, she decided to follow it but stumbled, plummeting into the water with a loud splash.

“Oh no!” cried Nell, panic rising in her voice.

In an instant, a small figure clad in a black suit and helmet — Zano, though she didn’t know his name at that moment — leaped into the water alongside her, reaching out to pull Mirabel to safety on a nearby branch.

“Thank you,” she coughed, water spilling from her mouth. Just as they were finding their footing, a branch snapped, sending both kids tumbling back into the river.

The six-year-old Zano quickly produced an inflatable boat, and with determination, they climbed aboard, floating downstream and seeking refuge from the chaotic currents.

Before long, a larger figure appeared, expertly using a lasso to pull the children from the rushing water. They found themselves in the warm embrace of a tree hut, wrapped in a blanket while the chill of the river clung to them. Mirabel, still coughing, felt a wave of relief as the larger figure gently tended to their needs.

 Mirabel’s POV

“They saved her,” Ernie sighed in relief. “Or you, Mirabel.”

“But who are the people in the suits?” Xander asked

With a puzzled expression, I turned to Camilo, but he was just as unsure.

Back with my younger self and my rescuers, I sat covered in a blanket by a crackling fire. 

“Where is your family, girl?” the man in the helmet asked gently.

“I’m not supposed to talk to strangers,” little me replied cautiously.

The man turned to the boy beside him. “Zachariah?” he asked, his tone softening.

The boy nodded and removed his helmet, revealing himself to be Zano, five going on six years old. “Hi, I’m Zachariah, but everyone calls me Zano. The man is my great-grandfather, Mauricio.” 

“Wow! He must be ancient,” I exclaimed, before sneezing.

“Where do you live?” Zano asked, a glimmer of concern in his eyes.

“Encanto, it’s a mountain town in Colombia,” I whispered.

“I think I know someone who can help,” the mysterious man said, rising to his feet.

He guided the kids to Apuch’s hut by the river. “Aphuch?” he called, knocking at the door.

“Mauricio, what a pleasant surprise,” Apuch’s voice echoed from within. “Mirabel?”

“You know this child?” the man in the helmet asked, glancing at Mirabel.

“Yes, she is Bruno’s niece from his sister Julieta.”

“Great! You can take her back to the village. We’ll take those arepas and go.”

“About that…” Apuch began, a sheepish look crossing her face.

“You ate them, didn’t you?” Mauricio replied, a knowing smirk forming.

“Sorry,” Apuch admitted, slightly embarrassed.

“Do you have a map?” Mauricio asked.

Eventually, we were brought back to Encanto. My parents ran towards me, a mix of terror and relief on their faces. Mauricio held Zano tightly; he was about to leave when Isabela stopped them with her vines.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

“Mauricio, now let me leave with my great-grandson, and I’ll be on my way.”

“I’m sorry, but we can’t let you leave,” said Alma Madrigal.

Abuela tried to intervene, but Mauricio responded, “Ask Apuch. The only thing I want is to make sure my grandson is healthy—something you should be doing, Doña.” Then, he soared into the sky, leaving behind a chorus of gasps from the villagers.

“So Zano and Mauricio were the ones who brought you back,” Nell said to me afterward.

“Zano… I don’t remember any of this,” I whispered, feeling a pang of confusion.

“Neither do I,” Zano said, then pulled me into a hug.

Another memory flickered into view, and I found myself back in the nursery, sick in bed. 

“Is this when you were sick, Mirabel?” Ernie asked, leaning into the scene with curiosity.

“Looks like it,” I replied, my gaze settling on the younger version of myself. 

“You were so cute, Mirabel,” Daniela added, a teasing smile on her face.

“Thanks,” I chuckled, though it felt more like a distant memory. “But I didn’t feel cute at the time.”

Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room, and little me turned to find a strange door on the wall that hadn’t been there before. With a tentative hand, I turned the knob and stepped into a bright white hospital room. There, snug in bed with a book, was little Zano. He glanced up and smiled warmly at me.

“Hi,” he said.

The scene shifted, and I found myself in a playroom alongside Zano and a young Camilo. 

“Hey, I know this room,” Camilo said, his eyes wide with recognition.

“You do?” I asked, surprised. 

“I thought it was a dream, but Casita did create a playroom for you and your imaginary friend, Mirabel.”

“Yeah, for me and Zany.” Realization washed over me. “Zano, you were my imaginary friend!” 

“And you were my angel who comforted me,” Zano replied softly, his eyes shining with nostalgia.

We had spent countless hours playing in that hidden room, a secret sanctuary only Casita knew about. To everyone else, Zano was just a figment of my imagination. All those years, we had truly believed that.

“You met before you even knew you met!” Ernie exclaimed, a playful grin on his face. “That’s romantic.”

“I wonder how you were able to meet all those times?” Xander pondered aloud.

“Casita must have made a portal room for us kids,” I guessed, the magic of it all sparking a familiar warmth inside me. “Like with Miguel, Gabriel, and Layla’s birthdays.”

“Cool, but I wonder why you two stopped hanging out?” Lao Shi asked, tilting his head.

“That’s what I’d like to know,” said Zano.

“Maybe the magic stopped helping you two with your long-distance friendship to save power,” Camilo suggested thoughtfully. “The magic was fading at the time, and until our family matters were resolved, it didn't come back at full power, right?”

“That’s a good theory,” I said, nodding, feeling the weight of our shared history. “Considering it’s what happened.”

“Hey, I’m not just a pretty face, you know,” Camilo joked, and the familiar laughter we shared broke through the tension hanging in the air. It was moments like these that made me smile, evoking memories that felt so real yet somehow distant.

Suddenly, the memory shifted, pulling us back to the town plaza in Encanto.

I blinked as we all turned to see everyone in Encanto bustling around, preparing for what appeared to be a music festival, but what caught my attention were the magical creatures fluttering about, lending a helping hand. 

“Is this a recent memory?” Ernie asked, his brows furrowing in curiosity.

“I don’t think so,” I replied, my eyes drawn to a thirteen-year-old Luisa, her strength still evident even back then.

In the town square, the Madrigal family and other founding families mingled under the warm afternoon sun, joining in the jubilant preparations for the music festival. Fairies and dragon-council creatures flitted through the crowd, arranging decorations and tuning instruments. I caught sight of Dolores as she nudged Isabela, her eyes sparkling excitedly. “Look at him, he’s so handsome,” she whispered, clearly smitten with Mariano.

Isabela rolled her eyes but flashed a teasing smile at Dolores, clearly enjoying the moment. Then the crowd hushed as a familiar red dragon came flying in carrying six people on its back. As Mushu landed, the people disembarked. As Mushu reverts to his small form, the teens stepped forward, and the teasing in Isabela's smile faltered when she caught sight of a striking dark-haired boy approaching the plaza. 

And the team was gobsmacked; there, among the teens, was our Sensei Kaiba, but younger, standing there with five young people.

Kaiba Loung‑Li stepped forward with graceful composure. “Greetings! I am Loung‑Li Kaiba, son of both the okami and dragon clans. I bring you salutations from my mentor, the Dragon of China.” His warm voice rang with pride as he revealed a dazzling music box—an ancient artifact that sparkled in the golden sunlight, a testament to his dual heritage. “This is my sister Ty Lee.”

“It’s an honor to meet you. These are Anya, Samar, Humbelani, and Lagoona. They will be competing in the festival with my brother.” Ty Lee said.

Abuela Alma, ever the welcoming matriarch, approached with a vibrant bouquet in hand. “We have something for you, too,” she said warmly, extending the flowers toward him and Ty Lee. But just as she handed them over, a cloud of pollen burst forth, and Kaiba let out an unexpected sneeze. Laughter rippled through the kids, including young me.

Kaiba brushed the pollen from his sleeve, a playful smirk sneaking onto his lips. “Is it customary to laugh at a visitor’s first sneeze in Encanto, or am I just special?”

“It is not customary,” Alma replied firmly, casting a pointed look at the giggling children. “Please accept our apologies, Señor Kaiba, and forgive their mischief.”

Kaiba's smile softened, a gracious look settling on his face as he shook his head. “No need for apologies. My Goddofāzā always taught me that a leader who fears mockery isn’t fit for leadership.”

I could see Alma’s expression warm with approval. "Your godfather is indeed a wise mentor," she replied, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

“That’s how a leader carries,” Alma declared proudly, her gaze drifting toward Isabela, whose cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

As Luisa moved to carry the luggage, Anya raised her hand. With a flick of her wrist, the bags began to levitate. Luisa hesitated for a moment, but Anya insisted, “Allow me,” sending the bags floating effortlessly through the air.

“Wow!” gasped the younger Madrigals, their eyes wide with wonder and amazement.

Alma turned to Isabela, “Since the bags are handled, why don’t you take them on that tour of Encanto you and Doloress have been working on, Isa? I’m sure they would appreciate it on your way back home.” 

With that, Isabela prepared to show them around, Dolores and Mariano by her side, excitement palpable in the air.

“Bienvenidos a Encanto!” Isabela called out cheerfully. “Hidden in the embrace of the Colombian mountains.”

“Where magic whispers on every breeze,” Dolores added softly, her voice filled with affection.

With a flourish, Isabela continued, “Look at the mountains rising high—like palm trees painted in the azure sky. Our town blooms in every hue, and Casita’s candle keeps our magic warm.”

Dolores gently concluded, “I hear the plaza—bells, laughter, music rise. Vendors, songs, and stories swirl beneath open skies. The rhythms of Colombia drift down every street… This is Encanto—where life and magic meet.” 

All the Cousins chimed in together: 

“Welcome to Encanto—where enchantment’s real! Magic in the mountains, you can see and feel. Our town’s alive with tradition, rhythm, song—We’re here to show where visitors belong!”

Camilo, with a playful grin, added, “Turn a corner—see the mural in the square, Cousins’ faces tell stories everywhere. Markets full of colors, music on the breeze—Come explore our carvings, murals, and melodies!”

Luisa spoke with steady pride, “See homegrown food and faith—all come alive, Our school, our church, our strong sustaining drive. We built a town that's full, self-sufficient too—Where magic helps us see what family can do.” 

Little me, warmly, sang, “Casa Madrigal stands at the plaza heart—Doors open wide to welcome every part. Below its roof, our family grows and thrives—Where the Miracle’s light has shaped all of our lives.”

Dolores leaned closer, whispering, “I sense the memories humming in each room, Echoes of laughter, joy, and faith that bloom. This town is held in stories, magic, and care—And I hear each soft secret in the air.”

Isabela chimed in, “Look at how the flowers line each street!” 

Camilo added, “See colonial colors where tradition meets style!” 

Luisa remarked, “Strength and kindness make this town stand true—” 

All Together: “Encanto’s magic lives in me and you!”

“Welcome to Encanto—where wonders abound! A town of color, rhythm, joy that’s all around. Let us show you every corner bright— In our beloved Encanto—valley of light!”

As the song ended, my friends clapped. But Camilo and I were frozen. 

I don’t remember dreaming this. It doesn’t feel like a dream—it feels real. Too real. Like I’m watching something that actually happened, but I forgot. Or someone made me forget.

Just then, little me tiptoed along the path, my heart racing with excitement. I wanted to be quiet, invisible, just part of the scenery, but my foot caught a potted plant. With a soft crash, it tumbled over, shattering the silence I so desperately wanted to maintain.

“¡Ay! Mirabel!” Isabela snapped, her voice tight with frustration, though I caught the worry hidden underneath. 

“I’m sorry! I just wanted to help with the tour,” I—little me—confessed quickly, her eagerness bubbling over like the morning sun rising in the sky, hope spilling out of my voice as if I could talk my way into belonging.

“We told you to stay home,” Isabela said, a little gentler, but still firm.

Then Kaiba, ever calm and unreadable, chimed in, “It would be nice if Mirabel joined us; she might make the tour more interesting.”

My heart fluttered. He thought I could help Isabela improve.

I caught Isabela glancing nervously at the broken pot, and I felt a twinge of guilt. “What about that mess?” she asked.

Ty Lee laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Isn’t your house magic? Can’t it just move the broken pot somewhere safe?”

Casita, ever reliable, whisked the broken pieces away with a sweep of its tiles.

“Fascinating,” Kaiba said, clearly more intrigued by Casita’s magic than anything else.

Ty Lee let out a wide yawn, stretching as if she could hardly keep her eyes open. “Forgive me, but it was a long trip from Cathay. May I retire?”

“Well, considering Abuela said give the finalist a tour, I guess you can leave early,” said Isabela.

“In that case, thank you, I’ll see you at dinner,” she said before wandering off to her room.

Dolores and Isabela continued the tour of our home.

Little me spotted a nearby portrait of my grandfather, Pedro Madrigal, proudly exclaiming, “That’s my grandfather!” 

“He has the eyes of a gentle soul,” said Anya. 

“Thanks, we never met him, but Abuela talks about him with fondness, and sadness.”

“As expected, when you lose a loved one. Especially when they risked everything to protect you,” said Kaiba. “But by focusing on the good they brought to our lives, it makes the pain of losing them manageable.

“Which is why we should head toward the bakery! We have Special treats awaiting for you and an order for us!” said Isabela.

“Yay!” young me cheered. As everyone followed, Dolores Kaiba stayed behind. 

“Coming?” Isabela asked Kaiba.

Kaiba paused, glancing toward Isabela. “I apologize, but I’m sure the other can help you pick up dessert while I attend to more pressing matters”.

“Okay, first, Dolores and I are picking up the order; all you five have to do is eat a cookie,” said Isabela. “What kind of matters require you to miss out on that?” Isabela asked, curiosity in her voice.

“Helping my sister settle in. Practicing. Meditating. Preparing to win the contest,” he replied, massaging his temple thoughtfully.  

Isabela wasn’t having it. “Those are pressing, sure, but they seem okay with sparing a few minutes to explore.” Isabela gestured to the other finalists.

Kaiba’s gaze turned steely. “Their dedication isn’t mine.”

But little me wasn’t going to let that stand. I stepped between them, my spirit undeterred. “Your responsibilities are. Each of you represents your community,” Little me said. “And with your sister gone, it might look disrespectful if you leave too. Besides—” I grinned brightly—“these cookies are amazing! You have to bring some to Ty Lee!”

Kaiba chuckled softly, a spark of amusement in his eyes. “Well, when you put it that way, how can I refuse? I suppose Ty Lee can wait a little while longer for me.”

Little me grabbed his hand and pulled him along until Isabela called out. “The kitchen’s this way!”

At the bakery, excitement bubbled within me. “You’ve got to try Señor Ferdinand’s famous Epiliña cookies!” I declared, my mouth watering at the memory of their sweet, buttery goodness. 

Just then, Baker Ferdinand emerged from behind his stall, laughter in his eyes. “Well, we’re more ‘well-known’ than famous—but perhaps legendary?” he teased.

“I’ll take legendary!” Isabela replied with a grin, her enthusiasm infectious. Ferdinand handed out cookies, and we dove in, everyone except for Kaiba. He stood apart, savoring the memories rather than indulging in the treats.

“What do you think, Mr. Kaiba?” I asked, my eyes shining with hope.

“I’m afraid they’re not to my taste,” he said politely, causing Ferdinand's smile to falter slightly. “I’m sorry.”

“Would you like something else?” Ferdinand offered gently.

Kaiba smiled, but Isabela jumped in to ease the growing tension. “These are perfect, Ferdinand!” she assured him, giving Kaiba a sharp look. 

Before the moment could settle, Dolores broke through our dynamics. “Time to visit the town library!” she exclaimed, taking my hand.

As we walked away, Isabela leaned closer to Kaiba and whispered, “That was quite rude. You insulted Ferdinand.”

“If you had let me finish, you would have noticed I wasn’t trying to discredit him. I was merely explaining that my palate is sensitive to certain foods,” Kaiba responded, his calmness unwavering. “In my home, honesty is a prized virtue. Perhaps that’s not as valued here.”

“Honesty is very much valued here,” Isabela shot back, her voice tinged with defiance. “But manners matter too.”

Kaiba turned to her, his gaze steady. “If manners matter, you would have allowed me to reply. And speaking of which, why were you so quick to dismiss Miss Mirabel? She only wanted to help, as your family prides itself on doing.”

“My relationship with my little sister isn’t your concern,” Isabela replied, ice creeping into her voice.

He paused, then responded with calm resolve. “It may not be, but your cousins spoke highly of how you carry yourself. I expected more from someone preparing for her Quinceañera.” With that, Kaiba turned and walked away, leaving Isabela stunned. I felt a whirl of emotions—everything and nothing at once. This memory of Isabela was the reason I hesitated to hug her to save the miracle.

As the contestants retreated to their rooms, preparing for dinner and dessert beneath a sky full of scattered stars, I couldn't shake the feeling that something unusual was happening. My attention was drawn to young Kaiba, who quietly slipped from his room. With a mixture of curiosity and determination, I, at nine years old, decided to follow him.

Without hesitation, he vanished behind a familiar portrait, and I stepped into the dimly lit passage that lay hidden behind it. In that moment, a figure in shining armor emerged from the shadows and tugged at my sleeve. 

“Zany!” I whispered in surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you!”

“Sorry! Got held up,” he replied with a mischievous grin, his eyes sparkling. “What are you doing here?”

“I saw Kaiba sneak off, and I want to know what he’s up to!”

“Then let’s find out,” Zany said, leading the way down the shadowy corridor.

We followed the younger versions of myself and Zany as they crept through the secret passageway. Hushed voices drifted in from a nearby hole, overlooking the garden.

Teenage Isabela expressed her hope that Kaiba loses because she doesn’t want him at her quinceañera. Mariano defended Kaiba, suggesting he might be nice and different due to his background. Isabela was frustrated that our cousins Angelina, Javier, and Ignacio were friends with him, leading Mariano to joke about the value of honesty in his culture, which got a laugh from Dolores.

Continuing their journey, Mirabel and Zany stumbled upon Kaiba and Ty Lee, who were deeply engrossed in conversation with a cloaked figure draped in a hooded ruana.

“Hey, that’s your uncle Bruno,” Ernie said to me.

“Yeesh, glad we’re meeting him after you rebuilt your house, guys, because he looks terrible,” Nell remarked to Camilo and me, unable to hold back. “No offense.”

“None taken. I was the one who found him like that,” I said. “Though I definitely don’t remember this—it all feels like déjà vu.”

“Wouldn’t you have felt that when you snuck in the tunnels the second time?” Camilo asked, raising an eyebrow.

Before I could respond, the floor beneath little Zano and Mirabel gave way, causing them to fall. Until a sleek black humanoid wolf saves them from falling, revealing itself to be Kaiba once they are safe. They reunite with Bruno in a more secure room, where Kaiba shares his past and Ty Lee her reason for being in Encanto. 

“Two years ago, I was separated from my family. During my time in Paris, I rang the bells of Notre Dame, but had no way to contact home. Soon, I met your cousins and their friend Mateo. Together, we helped others who were trapped in Paris, too. When I finally returned home, I was happy at first. But then... I learned what had happened in my absence.”

Ty Lee stepped forward, her expression somber. “I was in love with a human artist named Shang. When our father found out, he was furious. He had a sorceress curse Shang, turning him into a dragon. He can only become human at sunrise and sunset.”

“That’s awful,” little me said.

“Mushu and I’ve tried everything to break the curse on Shang,” Ty Lee added, her voice shaking. “That’s why I came here. I hoped your family’s magic could help.”

Kaiba chimed in, a faint grin breaking through. “We fed Shang your mother’s cooking. It was delicious, but it he’s still cursed.”

Bruno hesitated, his eyes thoughtful. “I could try to see if there’s a solution, but all my supplies are in my room. Doing a ritual now would alert the family, and I’m not ready to talk to them.”

“What if you did it during the performances?” Mirabel suggested. “Everyone will be out of the house, and the music will muffle the noise.”

Kaiba pondered her idea. “That could work.”

“Nice thinking, little butterfly,” Ty Lee said, playfully nudging her with appreciation. 

As we sat in the dazzling theater, the buzz of excitement surrounded us. The Genie of the Lamp floated onto the stage, radiating an incredible glow that made the whole place feel magical. He announced himself as our MC and jokingly mentioned he didn’t grant wishes anymore—classic Genie humor! 

He spoke about celebrating love and light, and I felt a wave of anticipation wash over the crowd when he revealed that the winner of the festival would get the chance to sing the first dance at Isabela’s Quinceañera. 

The finals kicked off with the contestants. First up was Samar from the Indus Valley, rocking his vibrant outfit. Then Anya from Kievan Rus dazzled us with her graceful smile. Lagoona Lazuli came next, exuding an ocean charm that was almost hypnotic, and finally, the crowd gasped as Kaiba Loung‑Li took the stage—his entrance was breathtaking. I could hardly contain my excitement; this was going to be such an unforgettable show!

When the Genie introduced the judges, I could barely believe my eyes. The Fabulous Fairy Godmother floated in, followed by the wise old Merlin, who had his owl by him. 

“That’s Merlin, I thought he’d have a longer beard?” Ernie ponder.

“He changed with the times,” said Xander.

The Genie's voice made our attention return to the stage. “And finally,” the Genie intoned with warmth and authority, “our beloved local judge, not only the head of a household of thirteen but the leader of this town—give a round of applause for our wise and determined host Alma Madrigal!” 

The applause swelled, a wave of appreciation washing over the venue as the Genie raised his hands high, signaling the start of a magical evening destined to be remembered.

 “Let the festival begin! Please welcome Humbelani from Azania!” he declared with a flourish.

The scene unfolds with a vibrant safari backdrop and rhythmic drumming, creating an energetic atmosphere. Young me, sitting with Camilo and Luisa, is captivated as a sleek jungle cat transforms into Humbelani, a charismatic performer. His electrifying presence and powerful voice enchant the audience. He encourages everyone to join in the fun with an infectious song that calls for dancing and raising hands, inviting everyone to experience the joy and magic of the performance.

As Humbelani finished, the crowd roared in applause, swept away by the infectious rhythm that filled the air. 

Everyone quieted down to hear the judges. The Fairy Godmother was clearly mesmerized by the show. She stepped forward with a twinkle in her eye and said, “Dearest Humbelani, your performance moved me beyond measure. I sense we may hear more from you at the ball.”

 “Thank you,” Humbelani replied humbly, bowing graciously to her.

 Nearby, Merlin, the wise and whimsical wizard, watched with keen interest. “Your rhythm makes one feel alive, but tell me, can it lead the first dance? Alma?” he inquired, turning to the Madrigal matriarch who sat enthroned in her regal presence.

Alma considered his words, “Humbelani, while I have never heard music from anywhere other than Colombia, I must say your performance was thrilling! It sparked an energy within me that I didn’t know I had. However, I’ll have to see what the other contestants bring before I make my decision. Still, I do hope we get to see more of your dance steps at the big party.”

 With a warm smile, Humbelani bowed once more before he left the stage, waving to the audience. The crowd cheered again, their joyous sound resonating through the air, enveloping them like a warm embrace.

 To conclude the evening, each of the finalists took the stage, sharing their unique talents and pouring their hearts into performances that celebrated the rich tapestry of their diverse cultures. 

 “Now, that’s music,” Camilo exclaimed, nodding his head in rhythm. A radiant grin lit up his face as vibrant notes filled the air. The festival was alive with laughter and dancing, a celebration of culture and community.

“I’d be perfectly okay if Humbelani won.” Isabela cast a sly smirk toward Mariano and the others gathered around her. “Honestly, as long as that dog, Kaiba, doesn’t win, it’ll be great!” Her tone dripped with playful banter.

A collective gasp rose from the crowd, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. The comment hung in the air like a spark waiting for the inevitable reaction.

“Isabela!” came the sharp chorus of Agustín, Julieta, and Alma Madrigal, their voices echoing disapproval like a gentle reprimand.

Kaiba huffed indignantly and walked off the stage, his back turned as he left the festivities behind. 

Isabela blinked innocently, but her facade cracked slightly. “Oops,” she muttered, a hint of guilt flickering across her features as her mischievous smile faltered. 

 As the memory shifted, my friends spoke.

“Dang Mirabel, your sister was a prima donna,” said Nell. 

“Yeah, I understand now why she was like that, but it’s not easy to see it again,” I said.

“Is it wrong to hope we see Isabela Perfecta get chewed out by Abuela?” asked Camilo.

“No,” Zano said, smirking. 

In the bustling morning of the Encanto Marketplace, we watched as the vendors showcased their delicious arepas and beautiful crafts. The air was filled with the scent of flowers, and everywhere we looked, people were animatedly chatting and laughing. Above us, the fairy helpers from the dragon council flitted about, decorating the space with colorful lanterns and banners that danced in the gentle breeze.

As we walked down a flower-lined path, we spotted Isabela, her usual radiant smile in place, though I could sense a hint of longing in her eyes. She was handing out petals to the villagers, soaking in their admiration. Nearby, a puppet show captured the attention of children, their laughter ringing out like music, and for a moment,  we joined Isabela, humming along to her beautiful song about love and the sweetest sounds. I could see her eyes light up when a boy gave his sister a piggyback ride, yet a bittersweet ache crossed her face. When she transformed a single flower into a bouquet for a couple, I felt the magic of her gift and the underlying hope in her song. 

As Abuela called Isabela away, we glanced around the lively market, filled with vibrant carts and colorful sweets. Just then, we spotted Kaiba, singing as he moved through the crowd, unknowingly drawing Isabela's attention. His voice resonated with her emotions, and I could see a connection forming between them. 

When their paths finally crossed, I held my breath, sensing the electric tension in the air as they locked eyes. They began to sing together, their voices blending in a beautiful harmony. I realized that in this moment, both of them were discovering something profound—an enchanting connection filled with hope, love, and the promise of what might be.

“Isabela!” Young me came racing in, laughter echoing through the square as I dragged along a young Zano clad in shimmering armor. 

Isabela turned, “What do you want, Mirabel? And who’s the shrimp in the suit?”

Little me couldn't help but beam with pride as I introduced Zano to everyone. "He’s my friend, Zany!” I declared, my smile lighting up my face. 

Isabela chuckled, kneeling down to get a better look. “Right, your imaginary friend,” she smirked at Zano, “Nice try, Camilo, but black is so not your color.” 

Little Camilo, who peeked out from behind Isabel, replied. “That’s what I said, but Mama wants me to try new outfits for your quinceañera.” 

Suddenly, Isabela's playful demeanor shifted to seriousness. “Hold on! If you're Camilo, then who’s this?” She pointed at Zano standing beside me, confusion clear on her face. 

“Your sister told you already! I’m Zany!” he exclaimed, rolling his eyes playfully. “Yeesh, I thought my abuelo had trouble hearing.” 

Just as we were trying to make sense of everything, a panicked shout pierced through the air: “Watch out!” We turned just in time to see a stampede of donkeys barreling into the square, their hooves thundering against the cobblestones.

“Mirabel, look out!” Isabela called out as she pushed me away. Without thinking, Isabela sprang into action, and I watched in awe as vines blossomed from her fingertips, gracefully weaving through the chaos to guide people to safety. 

Then I noticed a donkey charging straight toward Isabela. My heart raced as Kaiba appeared out of nowhere, calm and collected, pulling her out of the way just in time. 

“Luisa!” Isabela panted, regaining her breath. “You might want to handle that!” 

I barely had time to process the whirlwind of events when Luisa sprang onto the scene, her powerful arms lifting the donkeys with ease. “Sorry, everyone! They got loose!” she said, glancing at her sisters. “Isabela, are you all right?” 

“I’m fine, Luisa.” Isabela quickly brushed herself off and turned to Kaiba.

His charming grin lit up his face, sunlight catching his dark hair. Isabela crossed her arms, pretending to be nonchalant. 

Kaiba leaned in closer, his eyes glinting with mischief.

We saw mine and Camilo’s parents rush toward us, worry etched on their faces. “Isa! Luisa!” they called, their voices filled with anxiety. 

“What's going on?” Abuela Alma’s voice followed, maternal concern evident. 

Kaiba pointed skyward, and our gaze shot up. There floated above everyone, Little me, Camilo, and Zany, effortlessly hovering above the square. 

“Hi, Abuela!” Little me chirped, feeling entirely at ease as if floating were the most normal thing in the world. 

Abuela stepped forward, her expression a mix of awe and confusion as Zano gently landed us softly on the ground. “What in the world is happening?” she asked, glancing around at the crowd gathering. 

Zano removed his helmet, revealing stark white hair and warm brown eyes. “I’m Zachariah Amoudus Ophelio Noa Sánchez Rivera,” he said with a shy smile. “But you can just call me Zano.” 

“Or Zany, if you’re a friend!” Little me added enthusiastically, my energy bubbling over as I looked around at everyone. Alma surveyed the crowd with cautious curiosity. “Do any of you know him?” 

Kaiba stepped forward, his expression polite. “I haven’t formally met him, but I’m friends with his sisters—Acaica and Zita Sánchez.” He nodded toward Zano. “I thought you were camping with your great-grandfather?” 

Before Zano could respond, a commanding voice interrupted, “He is.” 

It was Zano’s mysterious great-grandfather, Mauricio. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted; there was something profound about his presence. 

“Councilman Verdugo?” Kaiba asked, surprise evident in his voice. I could sense that more was about to unfold.

“Verdugo?” we all exclaimed.

“Mauricio Verdugo at your service,” he said, bowing slightly. Turning to Kaiba and Alma, he continued, “Loung Li.” 

“Councilman Verdugo?! You’re the one who delivered news about my grand triplets!” Alma exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement. “You serve the Dragon Council?” 

“Not directly,” he replied, maintaining his calm demeanor. “I belong to another order but occasionally assist the Council with smaller missions.” 

“I think this needs a proper conversation over tea,” Abuela suggested with a warm smile. She began to lead everyone toward our home, a sense of adventure swirling in the air.

As they settled around the long dining table, the warm scent of arepas mingling with the breeze, Zano leaned forward, his eyes glowing with a mixture of excitement and nostalgia.

“We’ve been training in the jungle to help me harness my powers,” he began, his voice alive with energy. “When I was four, I got sick. The doctors said my powers—one from my mom, one from my dad—started manifesting at the same time, and it overwhelmed my body.”

Mirabel, perched beside him with her usual spark, chimed in, “He had to stay inside for a long time while they figured things out. But he’s okay now!”

Zano smiled, though a flicker of sadness crossed his face. “For two whole years, I was homeschooled. My tutor, Ernie, came and went, but it was hard. I tried to make friends in the hospital, but most of the time… it didn’t work out. I wanted to run away more than once. Then I met Mirabel. She helped me feel like myself again.”

Julieta glanced at Mirabel, a soft crease of concern forming. “Sweetheart, I don’t mean to doubt you, but… that seems impossible. After you fell into the river, we made sure you didn’t wander far without us again.”

“Much to our inconvenience,” said Isabela.

Casita pushed Isabela out of the chair. “Hey!” she exclaimed.

“Isa, hush!” abuela ordered.

Zano raised his hand gently. “I can explain. This is a special suit that lets me travel even when I am weak. San Ángel—where I’m from—had some hospitals, but none equipped for someone like me. So, great-grandfather took me to clinics for check-ups and, later, deep into the jungle where no one could see us. That’s where I started training. But one night… I wandered off. He found me curled up next to a little girl no older than five.”

“That explains the pillows on the floor!” Agustín chuckled, recalling an odd moment from years past.

“Dolores?” Pepa turned to her daughter, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“I remember hearing something,” Dolores said slowly. “I thought it was Camilo and Mirabel sneaking around again.”

“Zano,” Isabela asked, leaning in, “where are you from?”

“My family’s from San Ángel, Mexico.”

“Mexico?” Dolores blinked. “How far is that from here?”

“Roughly between 1,069 and 1,702 miles,” Zano answered with matter-of-fact precision.

Mirabel looked to her parents, eyes shining. “Can Zano stay over?”

Julieta and Agustín glanced at Alma and Verdugo for guidance.

“Where are you staying?” Agustín asked.

Verdugo grinned slightly. “A treehouse.”

Alma blinked. “A treehouse?”

“It’s well fortified,” Verdugo shrugged.

“Zano can stay over,” Alma said, though her tone held its usual firmness, “but he must remove that mask when here. It’s a bit... unsettling.”

Zano didn’t hesitate. “Done.” He unlatched his helmet and pulled it off, revealing shock-white hair that caught the candlelight.

“Whoa!” Luisa gasped. “Your hair’s white! What do you look like without the helmet?”

Verdugo spoke calmly, “I have scars.”

Julieta’s gaze softened. “Would you like me to try healing them?”

Verdugo’s expression grew distant. “Thank you… But these are old wounds. Some things don’t go away.”

Agustín tried to lift the mood. “Still—if they’re healed, they probably aren’t that bad.”

Without a word, Verdugo lifted his own helmet.

A collective hush fell across the room. The scars were jagged, ancient, the kind left by claws. Even Alma’s stern demeanor softened.

“What happened?” Mirabel whispered.

“Mirabel,” Julieta cautioned, placing a gentle hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“It’s all right,” Verdugo’s gaze remained steady. “I was trying to save my daughter from a monster.”

“Was it El Cocoy?” Camilo asked, wide-eyed.

Verdugo gave a grim smile. “Worse. A Culebra.”

The tension snapped like a twig underfoot as laughter burst around the room, even Alma letting out a small chuckle.

After the shocking revelation that Mr. Verdugo was Zano’s maternal great-grandfather, the rest of us turned to Zano, who was frozen in place but clearly freaking out inside. “Zano?” I prompted gently.

“I’m going to vomit,” he replied, his voice shaky.

“Well, that’s not overdramatic at all,” Xander commented, rolling his eyes.

“Xander!” I scolded, giving him a disapproving look. Turning back to Zano, I continued, “I know you're feeling angry and confused, but we are all uncovering aspects of our past that we didn’t even realize we had lost.”

Camilo chimed in, “I’m freaked out too, but I’m more curious about how we forgot all this in the first place.”

“Isn’t it obvious? This whole conspiracy reeks of the Dragon Council!” Zano exclaimed, his voice rising with intensity.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lao Shi asked, brow furrowing in confusion.

“Your grandfather cursed your sister’s boyfriend because he was human. I’m sure it didn’t take much to convince him and the other dragons to wipe the memories of an entire town of humans,” Zano explained, his frustration bubbling to the surface.

“Zano, give him a chance to explain,” I interjected. “Lao Shi, I know you care deeply about your family, but given everything we’ve seen, it feels like there’s much more to them than we thought.”

Lao Shi sighed, running a hand through his hair. “All I remember from that time is that after Kaiba returned, he was preparing to compete in the competition. Ty Lee was escorting him along with Ru, our tutor, and Mushu. When they came back, Kaiba was declared the winner, and Shang was freed from his curse. Before anyone could ask about their trip, my grandfather announced that Shang and Ty Lee were to be married. You can imagine how that distracted the family from inquiring about a simple trip.”

“According to Mirabel’s memory genie, this music festival is shaping up to be the magical social event of the season,” Nell added, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“We should save this discussion for later, we have five more contestants to go,” I reminded everyone, trying to keep our focus on the task at hand.

In my memory, we could see young me, Zano, Camilo, and our eclectic group—Verdugo, Kaiba, and Ty Lee—all gathered around in Bruno's room. Ty Lee was fluttering nearby, her gaze darting between us and Shang, whose dragon-like eyes were filled with a peculiar mix of fear and trust.

Mushu, perched on the table, looked thoughtful. "Alright, listen up. There are several ways to break a curse like this—but none are easy."

Young Zano arched an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his features. "Tricky how?" 

Uncle Bruno raised his hand, speaking with calm assurance. "The classic method is a vow of everlasting love or an act of true love."

Ty Lee shrugged, her expression exasperated. "We tried that. It didn't work. Maybe we could make the vows with the miracle candle like your parents, Mr. Bruno."

Bruno hesitated, shaking his head. "I don’t think my mother would be comfortable with that approach. How about true love's kiss?"

"Plenty of that," Ty Lee nudged Shang, a playful spark in her eyes.

“What about when he’s in his dragon form?” I chimed in, hoping to inspire a breakthrough. “Like in 'The Princess and the Frog.'”

Ty Lee nodded vigorously. "Already tried that too."

Mushu, flicking through a dusty grimoire, announced, "Then it might be time for Plan B: potions."

At that moment, I heard my mom’s familiar voice coming from the hole in the wall. "Potions?"

Little me beamed with excitement. “Casita, open the wall for Mama!” 

“Bruno!” my mother exclaimed as she stepped through. 

“Hey, sis?” he replied, his voice tinged with nervousness.

“Mirabel, what is going on?”

"Mama, we need your help to make a potion with Mushu to break a curse on Ty Lee’s boyfriend,” little me explained, pointing at the dragon Shang.

“Have you tried my food?” she asked, looking at Shang with sympathy.

“Yes,” Ty Lee replied, a hint of exasperation in her tone.

“Mama’s with your healing gift and Mushu’s potion knowledge, we might just break the curse!" little me exclaimed.

"Yes!" Ty Lee affirmed, a newfound hope springing forth.

“I’ve never made a potion, but if they require a recipe...” Julieta rolled up her sleeves, determination radiating from her. “I guess I could give it a shot.”

Bruno clapped his hands, rallying us together. "Great! Let’s base the potion on one of your recipes—something comforting and strong."

"I have just the thing," my mom replied, enthusiasm lighting up the room.

Mushu opened his satchel with a dramatic flourish. "Let’s mix things up! I brought enough ingredients to wake a sleeping phoenix."

"We need a drop of dragon blood," Mushu said while scanning the grimoire, causing the atmosphere to shift instantly.

Everyone shared a moment of stunned silence.

“Uh... how?” Shang’s voice quavered with panic.

"Maybe we can use another fluid?" Mama suggested, her creativity shining through.

"Dragon tears!" little me exclaimed.

Bruno’s eyes lit up; renewed hope sparked within the room. "That’s a great idea."

"Risky," Mushu muttered, though I noticed a flicker of possibility in his expression. "But it might just work."

Ty Lee squeezed Shang's claw, fierce determination sparking in her eyes.

We moved on to see the second part of the musical competition. I couldn’t help but feel a rush of anticipation as the genie’s voice echoed, drawing us into the vibrant scene. 

“Please welcome, from Kievan Rus, Anya!” 

When Anya skated onto the stage, I could almost feel the grace in her movements as if I were there myself. Or I was, but I don’t remember. Until her voice took me back to that night, ringing out with a clear, crystalline beauty that captivated everyone in the audience—us included. 

As Anya finished her song, I could still hear the last notes hanging in the air, leaving us yearning for more.

After the show, we find ourselves transported into my mother’s room. We watch as Bruno, Mushu, my younger self, Camilo, Zano, Mama, Verdugo, and Ru are all gathered, and I can feel the energy crackling around us.

“You’re sure it’s safe?” Ty Lee asks, her brow furrowing as she glances at the preparations unfolding before us. I can’t help but feel a little concerned, too.

“I’m sure!” Mushu insists, his confidence blazing, despite the mishaps we've witnessed before. His adventurous spirit always brings a wild energy to our group.

Zano cuts in, trying to bring focus back to the task at hand. “It’s cool, trust me. They’ve got this. I’ll explain later!” 

“Better try again,” we hear Bruno say, his serious tone catching our attention as he adjusts the potion bubbling in the cauldron before us.

Suddenly, excitement fills the room as someone exclaims, “Hold on… got it!” and a cheer ripples through the group after an intricate spell.

“Quickly now!” Mushu urges, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, pushing us to act fast.

Then the room collectively groans as chaos unfolds—the potion begins to fizzle, spilling over the edges of the cauldron and exploding. 

As the dust clears, we glance at Shang, who is not cured.

“Was something wrong with the potion?” he asks, concern written all over his face as he takes a step back.

Mushu sniffs the cauldron, his brows knitting together as he examines the potion. “Hmm, I think those dried truffles might have passed their ‘enjoy by’ date,” he mutters, and I can feel a cloud of uncertainty creeping over us.

“Alright, kids!” Mushu declares, clapping his hands together, determination igniting his eyes. “It’s time I took a look at the actual spell!”

While Shang, Ru, Verdugo, Mushu, and Bruno huddle closely, diving into the intricacies of potion-making and discussing the elusive ingredients needed to reverse Shang’s predicament, we glance over and watch young me and my mother lead Ty Lee, Camilo, and Zano head toward the vibrant festival stage, filled with anticipation for the third week of the musical competition.

We see the next contest giving a vibrant performance at a competition, Lagoona captivates the audience with her infectious energy and unique blend of Latin flair. Stepping into the spotlight with confidence, she shares her captivating story through song, celebrating her sea monster heritage with charm and playfulness. The crowd is enchanted as she dances among waves of light, culminating in a spectacular finale that earns her thunderous applause. Merlin praises her talent, declaring she might be the best, while the Fairy Godmother expresses admiration. Abuela envisions Lagoona performing at Isabela’s quinceañera, intrigued by the possibilities of her talent.

As the applause began to fade, Genie stepped back up to the mic, flashing his signature grin. “And now, for a special treat, a musical performance from Encanto’s very own talented musicians, featuring the upcoming birthday girl herself, Isabela!”

“¡Presento Isabela!” Uncle Félix cheered, setting a lively beat on his drums. “Isabela canadece—¡vamos, vamos!”

 With a gentle confidence, Isabela emerged into the soft glow of the stage lights, radiating sheer joy. She began to sing, her voice weaving a tapestry of melody that drew upon the magic of the land around her:

“Deep in the forest of Encanto, 

Where the passion of life is born, 

I hear all nature as it calls, 

I feel a powerful force is coming, 

As the sun begins to greet the morn…”

The music rose in a vibrant crescendo, perfectly complementing the blossoming warmth of her voice as it filled the air, inviting everyone into her world.

“Listen to the magic of mi mundo all around you, 

Moving to the rhythm of la tierra, it surrounds you. 

Livin’ life like la cascada— 

Let the rhythm wash over you like rain. 

All of life’s problemas—no es nada, 

A canopy of light from night to day!”

“Like la cascada!” the audience echoed joyfully. 

“¡La cascada! 

¡Like la cascada! Isabela… 

Like la cascada!”

Ending with a graceful flourish, Isabela surrounded herself with vines of glowing flowers that unfurled in a stunning display, eliciting gasps and cheers from the enchanted crowd. The festival buzzed with excitement, the spirit of creativity and connection illuminating the night as they celebrated their unique talents and the magic of togetherness. 

As morning draped its soft glow over Casa Madrigal, we see Isabela wandering through the winding paths of the enchanted garden, where vibrant blossoms flourished in every corner. Each graceful step she took coaxed more colors from the earth, filling her heart with a newfound warmth and excitement. She felt as if she, too, was blooming alongside the flowers that surrounded her.

Suddenly, she collided gently with her father, Agustin, catching him by surprise. 

“Oh! Sorry, Papa!” she exclaimed, tucking a delicate flower into the pocket of his vest, her smile brightening the moment. With a playful flick of her wrist, she continued her stroll, slipping blossoms into her sisters’ hair as she danced past Luisa and Mirabel.

“She’s floating like a butterfly,” Mirabel whispered in awe, watching Isabela drift away, her own heart aflutter with admiration. “She’s got it bad.”

“Mirabel!” Agustin admonished playfully, a smile dancing in his eyes. “Where did you learn to talk like that?”

“Who has it bad?” Alma asked.

“Oh, no one, Mamá,” Julieta replied, hiding a smile as mischief twinkled in her eyes. “Isabela just has a little crush.”

“A crush? How cute,” Abuela Alma chimed in, arching a brow in lighthearted disbelief. “Is it Mariano?”

“I don’t think so, Abuela,” interjected Luisa, her tone revealing her amusement as they all watched Isabela flit among the flowers.

“Oh my goodness,” I said as I watched the scene. “Isabela had a crush!”

“No way!” chuckled Camilo. “I wonder who it was?” 

In the vibrant atmosphere of Encanto, my sister Isabela guided the finalists—Mariano, Dolores, Shang, Ty Lee, and Kaiba—to the Mirador de Encanto. I noticed Mariano’s somber demeanor, which concerned Dolores. Kaiba introduced the idea of a magical club for a secret dance party, reassuring everyone it would be safe despite Mariano’s worries.

Isabela lit up at the thought of the celebration, and as Kaiba gathered everyone, he expressed the importance of balancing conformity with self-expression through a captivating rhythm. The moment transitioned into laughter and song, as they sang about “dancing through life,” emphasizing fearlessness and enjoying the moment. Isabela’s joyful participation resonated with the group, and the music took over, creating an ambiance of carefree joy.

Encouraged by Humbelani, they invited the shy girls to join in, collectively singing about heading to the Pixiedust Club under the lanterns to dance until dawn. Mariano shared a hopeful moment with Isabela, asking for a dance, but she playfully suggested he invite Dolores instead. Surprised but inspired, Mariano asked Dolores to dance, to which she happily agreed.

Meanwhile, Isabela exchanged glances with Kaiba, hinting at their own shared connection. Their optimism fueled a duet, as they sang about discovering their bond amidst the joyful chaos of the night, celebrating the magic of the moment together.

My eyes widened at Isabela and Kaiba’s duet. “Oh my goodness, my sister and our sensei dated?”

“Now I’m feeling sick,” said Xander.

“Dang, I hope for Sensei’s sake he was mind wiped too because I’m pretty sure Isabela is going to be pissed when she finds out,” said Camilo.

We then see Dolores excitedly sharing with me and Luisa that Mariano Guzmán had asked her out, encouraged by Isabela. I was surprised to hear Isabela’s involvement. Dolores expressed her joy through song, feeling grateful to Isabela for helping her find the courage to approach Mariano. Luisa supported Dolores’s feelings, reinforcing the connection between her and Mariano.

The teens from Encanto buzzed with excitement as they stepped into the barnyard, transformed into a lively 1940s-themed club. Swing music filled the air, wrapping around us like a warm embrace, while magical decorations sparkled under the glow of fairy lights. We watched, grinning, as Mariano leaned in to whisper something to Dolores. My heart skipped a beat when he confessed that he had invited her because he thought she was beautiful. Their voices blended beautifully in a duet, and I couldn’t help but feel their joy as they danced together, lost in their little world. Isabela and Kaiba exchanged knowing glances before soon joining in on the fun, adding to the night’s magic.

But just as everyone was getting into the groove, the music seemed to fade, and everything came to a sudden stop. All eyes turned to the dance floor, where my sister, thirteen-year-old Luisa, stood looking uncertain. She twirled slowly, attempting to mimic the steps she’d seen others perform. I admired her bravery; each clumsy movement was a testament to her courage, though I could see the loneliness lurking in her courageous eyes. She has always tried so hard to be strong, but I realized that she needed to hear it was okay to lean on us sometimes.

I noticed Isabela’s expression soften as she watched Luisa, a fierce protectiveness growing within her. Young Camilo, Zano, and I made our way toward Luisa. We might not have been the best dancers, but we were there to support her, surrounding her with gentle encouragement.

Kaiba whispered something to Isabela, prompting a smile from her. However, Isabela's smile soon faded as she focused intently on Luisa, observing each of her stumbles and the nerves that danced behind her brave facade. Her lips curled into a soft smile as she approached Luisa on the dance floor.

Reaching out, Isabela steadied Luisa with a gentle hand on her shoulder, her tone warm and protective. Luisa hesitated but found comfort in Isabela’s presence. Taking her sister’s hand, they began to move, and as the music resumed, it felt like a heartbeat, ushering us into a moment of connection and celebration.

We watched as Isabela guided Luisa with graceful, flowing steps, her nervousness dissipating as they danced together. One by one, Dolores, Mariano, Kaiba, and the rest of the partygoers joined in, filling the dance floor with laughter and light. It was a beautiful reminder that we were all in this together.

Next, we found ourselves at the Encanto Plaza, where the atmosphere transformed into something magical. Flickering lanterns illuminated the space, and a hushed crowd buzzed with anticipation. The Genie stepped forward to introduce the final act, and the vibrant performer Samar took the stage, embodying the essence of starlight. Colorful silks cascaded from the rafters, and dancers twirled with enchanting veils, while the night sky sparkled with blossoms conjured by Isabela’s magic.

Samar's performance began with an irresistible song that encouraged everyone to show their colors and lose themselves in the rhythm. Villagers and children joined in the celebration, clapping and dancing along to the infectious beat. As sparks and confetti erupted around them, even the usually stoic Abuela Alma couldn't suppress a smile.

With an uplifting message about embracing one’s true self, Samar concluded with an explosive final chorus, showering the crowd with golden powder that glittered like fairy dust. The plaza erupted in applause, and compliments flowed from all sides, celebrating the dazzling spectacle that brought joy and unity to the community.

Amidst a lively setting filled with twinkling lights and delightful aromas, little me urged Zano to hurry as we navigated through the festive atmosphere. Under a moonlit tree, Dolores and Mariano shared a sweet kiss before continuing on their goal to reach Bruno’s dimly lit tower. Tensions ran high as Shang curled protectively around Ty Lee. At the same time, Kaiba, Mirabel, Mushu, and Ru stood watch, examining the surreal glyphs illuminating the sands before them, eager to uncover the mysteries they contained.

“Draw the line here—yes, just like that,” Mushu urged, his keen eyes fixed on Kaiba, who painstakingly inscribed the shimmering words that hung in the air like whispers of an ancient secret.

"That’s what you saw?” Kaiba asked, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

“Yes,” Mushu replied, his voice steady, laced with an urgency.

Ru narrowed his foxlike eyes in concentration, examining the intricate symbols with sharp intensity. “It matches,” he said, his tone firm. “It can only mean one thing.”

A heavy silence enveloped the room, thick with anticipation. “What is it?” little me pressed, curiosity mingling with concern as she shifted closer to her friends.

“I’m afraid there’s only one way to break the curse,” Ru continued, his voice a hushed whisper that sent chills down their spines. “The child of the dragon must surrender true love.”

Bruno sighed heavily, the weight of their mission settling over them.

Ty Lee stepped forward, her eyes shining with determination. “I can’t let you live the rest of your life like this,” she said to Shang. “I’ll do it. I’ll give up my love for Shang.”

Kaiba reached out, concern etched across his face. “Ty, maybe there’s another way—”

“No,” she insisted, her conviction rising like a tide, unwavering despite the fear pooling in her chest. “I surrender my true love. I do!” Her voice quivered with intensity, filled with both desperation and hope.

Yet, despite her heartfelt declaration, the spell remained unbroken, the air thick with despair.

Ru looked away, disappointment shadowing his gaze. “Because your heart won’t let go,” he murmured, the weight of truth hanging heavily in the air.

In that poignant moment, Shang rose, his golden eyes ablaze with fierce resolve, a warrior ready to face his fate.

“If you can’t, I will,” he said softly, the gravity of his words reverberating through the chamber, a promise that lingered.

“No…” Ty Lee gasped, panic twisting in her chest, flooding her veins with dread. “Shang, please don’t!”

“If you love me,” Shang said gently, his voice steady and full of love, laced with unyielding determination, “you’ll let me go and find someone new to love.” The sincerity in his eyes pierced her heart, a bittersweet reminder of their bond.

As the full moon rose high in the sky, Shang transformed into a magnificent dragon, his wings unfurling and scales shimmering like stars. With a bittersweet smile, he bid farewell to his beloved, expressing a mix of love and sorrow. As he soared into the night sky, his presence lingered, leaving an aching silence behind.

Ty Lee cried out for him, desperation palpable as her heart shattered despite Kaiba and Mushu's attempts to comfort her.

“Poor Ty Lee,” said Daniela.  

“Still think your grandfather is innocent, dragon breath?” Zano replied, glancing at Lao Shi.  

“He regretted it and gave Ty Lee and Shang his blessing after they broke the spell,” Lao Shi explained. “They forgave him.”  

“That doesn’t change the fact that your grandfather ordered it in the first place,” Xander exclaimed.  

“So you better hope he has a good reason for wiping our memories. Otherwise, I might end up doing something unforgivable to him,” Zano warned.

The memory changes to show Kaiba’s performance. As the curtain rose, Genie announced with flair, his voice a spark that ignited the crowd’s excitement, “And now, all the way from Cathay, Kaiba Loung Li!”

 The stage transformed into a mesmerizing landscape adorned with swirling cherry blossoms, their delicate petals fluttering in the spotlight. Stepping into the spotlight, with the first notes rising softly behind him, he began to sing, each word a brushstroke on the canvas of the night:

“Do I love you because you’re beautiful, 

Or are you beautiful because I love you? 

Am I making believe I see in you 

A girl too lovely to be really true?”

His voice flowed with emotion, capturing the hearts of the audience. Every note resonated deep within, as the music shifted seamlessly, and Kaiba poured his heart into the melody:

“Do I want you because you’re wonderful? 

Or are you wonderful because I want you? 

Are you the sweet invention of a lover’s dream? 

Or are you really as beautiful as you seem?”

With every note, the audience held its breath, spellbound by the depth of his passion. Kaiba's voice painted vivid images that lingered in the air, a testament to his love and longing:

“I have dreamed that your arms are lovely, 

I have dreamed of what a joy you’ll be. 

I have dreamed every word you’ll whisper 

When you’re close—close to me.”

Time seemed to stand still as he continued, filling the courtyard with the beauty of his emotions:

“How you look in the glow of evening, 

I have dreamed and enjoyed the view. 

In these dreams, I’ve loved you so, 

That by now I think I know 

What it’s like to be loved by you!”

As he reached the final notes, the air around him crackled with magic, and the last note lingered in perfect silence before a wave of applause erupted. It cascaded like a waterfall, showering him in admiration and awe.

 Isabela, seated in the front row, blinked back tears, her heart racing as the emotion from Kaiba's song struck her like lightning wrapped in silk, igniting a fire within her soul. 

The judges exchanged knowing glances, their hearts stirred by the raw purity and sincerity radiating from the performance. Merlin, his long, silver beard shimmering in the soft light, leaned forward, visibly moved. A single tear escaped as he whispered, “Such honesty… such beauty.” His voice, rich and resonant, wove through the hushed room like an incantation, carrying the weight of deep admiration, as if he were bestowing a blessing upon the moment.

The Fairy Godmother beamed brightly, her heart bursting with joy as she nodded enthusiastically. “Absolutely enchanting—simply magical!” she declared, her eyes twinkling with mischief and wonder.

 Alma Madrigal sat beside her, fighting back tears, clearly in awe of the talent unfolding before them. “Perfect,” she declared, her voice vibrant and full of life.

The air was electric with appreciation, as each judge felt the artistry weave a tapestry of dreams and hopes, leaving everyone spellbound in that moment.

“The judges have reached a unanimous decision,” As Genie stepped forward once more, excitement hung in the air, the anticipation palpable.“No matter the outcome, each of you reminded us what love can be,” he proclaimed, holding up the announcement card. The audience leaned forward, hearts pounding.

 “And the winner of this year’s Magical Music Festival…” The drumroll of silence echoed through the courtyard. “…Kaiba!”

 The cheers erupted, filling the night with joy and celebration as Kaiba took a bow. His heart soared with relief, knowing he had honored his sister while expressing his heart’s song. 

We all sniffed at Kaiba’s beautiful performance, except for Zano, who wrapped his arm around me and placed his head on my shoulder. I smiled, holding it in my hand.

Now that the festival is wrapped up, we see everyone putting together Isabela’s quinceañera and getting ready for Angelina, Javier, and Ignacio’s Madrigals' return.

In a serene clearing, the sun began to set, casting long shadows that danced across the forest floor. At the edge of this mystical place, Ty Lee paced nervously. Her bright eyes darted through the trees, searching and waiting for a familiar figure.

“Shang, where are you?” Ty Lee murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.  

Just then, Mirabel, Zano, Camilo, and Dolores joined her, sensing the tension and offering their unwavering support. 

“Shang?” Ty Lee called softly, her heart racing with each sound that filled the air. 

“Someone is flying towards us!” said Dolores, her excitement bubbling over.

“Shang!” Ty Lee exclaimed, her hope rising. But it quickly sank as the figure emerging from the horizon was not who she had been waiting for.

Instead, it was Angelina, Javier, and Ignacio Madrigal, their cheerful voices breaking the weight of anticipation. 

“We’re here!” they called out.

“Angie!” Mirabel and Camilo exclaimed in unison, rushing forward to embrace their cousin. “Oh my gosh, you guys have grown so much!” Angelina laughed as she scooped the nine and ten-year-olds into her arms.

“Dolores, you’ve grown so beautiful!” Javier said warmly, reaching out for a hug. “Thank you. I missed you,” she replied, hugging him tightly.

Ignacio chimed in, “Zano, what are you doing here?”

“I was training in the forest with Mauricio, and we decided to stay with Mirabel and her family,” Zano explained, grinning.

“Great, now your sisters are going to be double mad at us for not inviting them,” Ignacio sighed, pretending to worry. “Where’s the rest of our family?”

“I’ll go get them!” Dolores declared, her spirits lifting as she and the younger kids rushed inside the house.

 Meanwhile, the triplets spotted Ty Lee standing apart from them. 

“Oh, hello! We didn’t see you there,” Javier said, smiling warmly.

“It’s fine,” Ty Lee replied, introducing herself with a bright smile. “I’m Ty Lee Loung.”

“Kaiba’s sister?” Angelina inquired, recognition sparkling in her eyes.

“Yes, thank you for bringing him home,” she said, her voice laced with gratitude.

“It was our honor! So, who won the festival?” Ignacio asked, eager to hear the news.

“Kaiba did!” Ty Lee exclaimed, a proud smile lighting up her face.

“That’s great! How did he get along with our family?” the triplet pressed excitedly.

“Very well! Especially with your cousins,” she responded cheerfully.

“That’s good. Are you okay, Ty Lee?” they asked, noticing a hint of worry still etched on her face.

“I am just trying to find someone,” she explained, her gaze drifting toward the woods.

“Well, we can help after—”

“Kids!” a voice interrupted. They turned to see Abuela Alma approaching, her arms open wide.

“Abuela!” they all shouted in unison, rushing toward her for a heartfelt hug.

“Oh, I thought I’d never see you three again! Where is your father?” she asked, relief and concern mingling in her voice.

“He’s—” Dolores started to reply, but before she could finish, a figure emerged from the trees on a magic carpet.

“About to throw up!” Bruno exclaimed as the carpet landed awkwardly. Angelina and Javier rushed forward to steady him, their laughter mingling with surprise.

“Bruno!” Alma exclaimed joyfully, her heart swelling at the sight of her long-lost son. Family members who knew Bruno stood in awe, exchanging confused glances at this sudden arrival.

He waved weakly, a smile breaking through his earlier discomfort. 

“We better get him inside,” Javier suggested with concern.

“Good idea,” Mirabel chimed in as they all moved to help Bruno, excitement bubbling over as they prepared to celebrate this precious reunion.

As they gathered inside the warm embrace of Casita, laughter filled the air as the Madrigals handed Isabela her birthday present. Each of them took turns sharing the latest happenings in their lives, creating a tapestry of stories and updates.

“Okay, so your dad cursed your boyfriend because he was human,” Angelina said, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Yes,” Ty Lee nodded, her expression serious, the weight of the situation settling on her shoulders.

“And the only way to break the curse is by giving up on your love for Shang?” Ignacio asked, furrowing his brow with concern.

“Yes,” Isabela replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Alright, Isabela, honey, after your birthday, we are going to punch Counselor Chen in his stomach!” Angelina insisted, her spirit undeterred.

 “Angie!” Alma gasped.

 “Abuela, he put a curse on her boyfriend to ensure they would break up!” Angelina fired back.

“I know it’s wrong, but I don’t think it’d be wise to start a war with a member of the Dragon Council,” Abuela Alma said thoughtfully, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.

 “She’s right; they could wipe our memories if they wanted,” Javier added, concern evident in his voice, casting a shadow on their frantic spirits.

 “Fine, but I’m still pissed,” Angelina huffed, crossing her arms.

 “Are you sure you tried everything?” Felix asked.

 “Yes,” Ty Lee replied, a heavy sigh escaping her lips.

 “We even had Mama make a potion with Mushu,” Mirabel recalled.

 “And it didn’t work?” Alma inquired gently.

 “No, it just healed Shang’s cut,” explained Julieta, her frustration palpable. “I guess curse-breaking is something I can’t heal.”

 “Not unless it’s causing someone physical pain, Tìa,” Javier chimed in, a hint of optimism peeking through.

 “On the plus side, my teeth have never looked better,” Mushu added, trying to lighten the mood.

 “Papa, I hate to ask, but do you think you could look into this?” Ignacio inquired, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes.

 “Well, considering the circumstances, I could at least try. But I wouldn’t count on getting a good tablet if I were you. Sorry,” Bruno replied, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

 “It’s better than being in the dark,” Kaiba said, determination gleaming in his heart.

Inside Casita, vibrant with light and laughter…

Laughter echoed through the halls as Isabela’s birthday celebration bloomed near. Family gathered around, handing her a wrapped gift—an intricately carved locket from Angelina, Igncaio, and Javier, a journal from Javier.

Mirabel sat beside Zano and Dolores, watching Isabela and Kaiba exchange shy smiles over their shared slice of cake.

Julieta bustled in from the kitchen, wiping flour from her hands. “I added extra guava,” she said, setting down more pastries.

Later that evening, Shang observed the Madrigals connecting under the twilight, particularly noting Isabela and Kaiba sharing a peaceful moment. Meanwhile, Angelina's enchanting voice floated through the air as she sang to children in the nursery, weaving a heartfelt melody about love and connection. In the shadows, Ty Lee longed for Shang, calling out for him as emotions deepened with the song's lyrics.

In the nursery, Angelina sang softly to the younger children:

🎵 “If you hear a voice in the middle of the night,
Saying it'll be alright—
It will be me…” 🎵

Shang landed silently behind the trees, cloaked in shadow, afraid to draw near but unable to leave.

Ty Lee turned toward the woods, heart leaping. “Shang?”

“There is no mountain that I can't climb.
For you, I'd swim through the rivers of time…”

Inside, Mirabel looked up, sensing something—a tug in her chest. “Zano… did you feel that?”

Zano nodded slowly, eyes narrowing toward the window. “Shang’s not going to return.”

Back outside, Angelina’s song reached its gentle end:

🎵 “In the sun and the moon,
In the land and the sea,
Look all around you—
It will be me.” 🎵

And Shang, still hidden in the shadows, whispered, “I’ll never stop loving you.”

August 7, 1944- Isabela's Quinceañera

A vibrant courtyard, adorned with colorful decorations, is bathed in twinkling lights as the evening sky sets in. Today was no ordinary day; today she would blossom into womanhood at her beautiful Quinceañera. 

Isabela stepped outside, radiant in her exquisite gown. The fabric flowed around her like a dream as she twirled, feeling every bit like a princess. “It’s beautiful, Mamá!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. 

Juleita, Isabela’s mother, stood nearby, tears of joy glimmering in her eyes as she covered her mouth in delight, overwhelmed with pride and love for her daughter.

As her close friend, Angelina, approached with a gentle smile, she carefully placed a delicate necklace around Isabela’s neck. “You’re beautiful, Isa. Like a jungle rose,” Angelina said, her voice warm and full of admiration.

Meanwhile, the courtyard buzzed with excitement. The festival stage was adorned with vibrant flowers, creating a lively backdrop for the festivities. Nearby, Ty Lee stood with a proud heart. “He won the festival,” she said, beaming. “And tonight, he’ll sing at the ball.”

A group of friends gathered around, chatting excitedly about the night ahead. “Would you like to come and listen?” one of them suggested enthusiastically, eyes gleaming with anticipation. 

“I’ll catch up,” she replied, her smile radiant but sad.

As the sun dipped behind the lush green mountains, a warm golden glow enveloped the courtyard, transforming Isabela’s Quinceañera into a fairy tale of color, music, and love. 

Guests arrived to find stunning floral arrangements, crafted by Isabela’s own magic, adorning every corner. Bougainvillea danced in the gentle breeze, their vibrant hues perfectly complementing Isabela’s lovely gown, a luxurious blend of lavender and gold. Each frill of her skirt flowed like flower petals, framing her radiant smile.

The ceremony commenced with a heartfelt blessing from Abuela Alma, who spoke of tradition and the strength of family. Isabela, standing tall and graceful, felt enveloped in the warmth of her loved ones, their presence a comforting embrace. Her sisters, Mirabel and Luisa, stood by her side, each representing the different ways they contributed to the family’s magic.

As the music swelled, a lively trio of mariachis began to play, setting the stage for a traditional dance. With a confident twirl, Isabela took her first steps into womanhood. Friends and family joined her, creating a joyful whirlwind of laughter, their voices harmonizing with the festive music that filled the air.

The night became a beautiful tapestry of moments—cousins sharing stories and laughter echoing off the walls, while twinkling lights strung above created a celestial atmosphere. Plates piled high with delicious Colombian dishes were shared among the guests, each bite a flavorful tale of love and heritage.

When the clock struck eight, it was time for the father-daughter dance. Isabela's father, Agustin, took her hand, leading her to the center of the dance floor with pride glimmering in his eyes. The host took the stage, and the crowd hushed in anticipation. 

The crowd erupted into cheers as Alma stepped forward with grace. “I am so grateful for all the wonderful blessings that have been bestowed upon us this past summer. Not only is our family together to celebrate Isabela’s coming of age, but now, we are part of a larger community, and we hope to make many more memories together. Now to mark Isabela’s first dance, a final round of applause for our winner: Kaiba!”  

Kaiba, standing at the microphone, felt a rush of nervousness mixed with excitement. “Señora Madrigal, for tonight, I would like to sing a different song for Isabela’s dance with her father? Something special for the occasion,” he asked, hoping to create a lasting memory for Isabela.

The crowd held its breath, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Alma nodded. With that, Kaiba began to sing, and a profound silence settled over the room, each heartbeat echoing the significance of the moment. 

 Kaiba’s voice soared through the ballroom, weaving a tapestry of emotion:

Even if I had the strength 

Even if I could be brave 

I don't know how to let you go 

Oh, how I've tried  

'Cause living without you is like living a lie 

A world without color 

A lost lullaby 

And living without you is like gasping for air 

A day without sunlight, a night without prayer 

So hurry before I change my mind 

I give my heart! I give my life! 

So take my heart! 

Take my goodbye! 

I close my eyes, 

And let you fly 

Take my goodbye! 

Goodbye... 

In a moment filled with both joy and tension, Ty Lee is surprised to see her boyfriend, Shang, appear before her in human form after the final note of Kaiba’s performance. He embraces her, affirming that the spell is broken. 

“They broke the spell?” Xander said in amazement. 

“How? Lao shi asked.

“Your child must surrender true love,” Mirabel quoted, “Kaiba is the Dragon’ of China’s child, so if he gave up his true love then.

“The spell would break,” Zano concluded as we looked at the rest of the memory.

Kaiba receives praise from his godfather, Chen, but feels frustrated. He seeks out Isabela on the dance floor, where they share a tender moment one last time. Isabela tells Kaiba he did the right thing, and despite their impending memory wipe, Kaiba promises always to hold her in his heart. They express their love for each other and share a lingering kiss under the moonlight. As they say goodbye, Isabela refers to him as "my okami" while Kaiba calls her "my lotus blossom," conveying the deep emotional weight of their farewell.

The memory slipped away, leaving us to grapple with the unsettling truths we had just uncovered. 

"That’s why we don’t remember meeting each other. The dragon council wiped our memories," Zano explained, glancing at Camilo and me with a mix of urgency and despair. 

"But why? Why did we forget everything magical over these past three months? Was it because we helped Kaiba break the curse? Or was it because Angie tried to punch your grandfather?" I directed my question at Lao Shi, seeking answers. 

"I don’t know," he replied, his gaze falling to the ground, shrouded in shame.

"Isn’t this just delightful?" Pitch Black interjected, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Initially, I considered torturing you for ruining my plans, but then I realized it might be more entertaining to expose the truth about your so-called noble family."

"Oh, poor Dragon Boy," Pitch taunted, directing his malice at Zano. "Still holding on to the illusion that your grandfather had the magical community's best interests at heart. Wake up! He was only looking out for himself, worried about more kids hating him, so he altered Kaiba’s mind and wiped the memories of the rest of you to avoid collaborating with humans."

"What a pity for your family, Mirabel and Camilo Madrigal. Just when it seemed you were on the verge of resolving your issues, an ignorant elder ruins it all to save face,” Pitch smirked.

“Shut up!” Lao Shi yelled, anger flaring in his eyes.

“Oh, please, as if you’re grandfather is the first dragon to impose his views on others, after all, that’s how the drak dragon came to be. But that old news, Zano’s family history is much more complicated and interesting when it comes to human and magic relations. But let’s be clear, you know who the real enemy is, don’t you?” Pitch’s voice dripped with mockery.

“Why do you care?” Zano asked, frustrated. “You tried to take over the world and kill us!”

“Because the magical community is the only reason I still exist. If they’re wiped out by xenophobic, magically enhanced humans, I’ll fade away as well,” Pitch replied, his tone oddly sincere. “And while you might be tempted to let that happen, you know deep down that you can’t stand by while innocent creatures suffer for the sins of others.”

Sharing a brief, intense glance amongst ourselves, I spoke up, “Are we done here?”

"Just one last question. Answer truthfully, and not only will you pass my test, but your descendants will be free to roam the dream realm without any further challenges."

We nodded, the weight of the moment settling in. I stepped forward. “What’s your question?”

"When you return to the real world, what will you do with what I’ve revealed? Will you confront the dragon council before or after telling your families what you’ve learned? Or will you go after the Bloodstones for killing Zano’s parents?"

“We owe it to ourselves and our mentors to share what we’ve learned for our own closure,” I said, as Zano takes my hand in support. “But if the Bloodstone and Huntsclan get that gem, our families won’t matter. Our mission hasn’t changed since we arrived.”

“We're going to stop the Huntsclan from giving the Bloodstones that gem. After we succeed, we’ll have a serious discussion with the council about their methods,” Zano affirmed with determination. “This we swear.”

Pitch turned to my cousins, eyeing Camilo. “Though I’m angry about having my mind messed with, addressing this hunter problem takes precedence.”

“Congratulations, you’ve all passed. Now it’s time for you to wake up,” Pitch declared, snapping his fingers.

To be continued…

Chapter Text

After completing the test, Zano, Mirabel, and Camilo woke up alongside their friends Nell, Ernie, Xander, Lao Shi, and Daniela.

As Mirabel blinked awake, the sharp scent of sandalwood and oil filled the air, and the vivid memories of their dream slowly faded away. One by one, her teammates and cousin Camilo began to stir on the floor of Kaiba's artifact shop.

“Did anyone catch the name of that nightmare?” Ernie grumbled, rubbing his neck.

“We’re back,” Camilo said, looking around the crowded room. “I think?”

Lao Shi nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, we’re back. But things have changed.”

Zano sat up slowly, his eyes still unfocused. “We learned about the Bloodstone,” he whispered. “And what really happened to my parents?”

Mirabel placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We all saw it. And now, we all know how far these hunters are willing to go.”

The room fell silent, weighed down by the knowledge they shared—more heavy than any of them wished to admit.

"That's not all we learned," Lao Shi finally spoke, his voice low. “How do I tell Kaiba? How do I tell everyone that the Dragon Council erased your and his memories on Isabela’s fifteenth birthday?”

“We need to tell the truth,” Mirabel replied, her voice firm. “Even if it destroys their foundations.”

They returned to Casa Sanchez just as the sun was setting. They were greeted by Xander’s uncle, Mushu, who was feeding Akito. Mirabel’s parents, Agustin and Julieta, Camilo’s parents, Felix and Pepa, and Zano’s adoptive parents, Monolo and Maria.

The familiar sounds of dinner being prepared and the inviting aromas of arepas and stew only intensified the heaviness in their hearts.

“How long were we gone?” Mirabel asked as her mother handed her a warm plate of food.

“Four hours,” Julieta replied. “Just in time for dinner.”

“Where’s Sensei Kaiba?” Camilo inquired.

“He’s at the train station with Isabela,” Maria answered.

“Is everything okay?” Zano asked, concern etched on his face.

Manolo shared a worried look with his wife. “Zano, a government agent, visited your grandmother. They had questions about your parents’ accident, but really, I think that was an excuse because you kids interfered in their case.”

Zano’s expression turned serious. “Let me guess. They want to lock me up because I'm a dhampir.”

“No,” Maria said gently. “Thanks to your grandfather’s potion, they’ve determined that you and your sister are fine health-wise. Luckily, we had your old medical records to confirm.”

“But,” Manolo added carefully, “your grandmother did hit Dr. Broom. No charges were pressed, but it didn’t make things easier.”

“Fantastic,” Zano muttered. “Because nothing screams ‘We’re not a threat’ like our grandmother punching a federal agent.”

Everyone giggled.

“Mom, Dad, I-” Zano glanced at his girlfriend and teammates. “We have to tell you something? About what we saw in the dreamscape. About the night I lost my birth parents.”

“What is it, son?” Manolo asked.

“It wasn’t an accident,” Zano said. “A hunter from the Bloodstone clan fired a bazooka at the car just to get a relic my parents didn’t know they had.”

Gasps. Julieta set her bowl down with trembling hands. Félix sat back in stunned silence.

The adults were flabbergasted. Maria wanted to hug Zano, but he was fine holding Mirabel’s hand.

Xander’s uncle Max Thrall looked at him. “Is this true, Xander?”

Xander nodded. “The rumors about Dracula stealing the gem after battling Ulysses were true. He gave it to his son to study.”

“But when Grandfather Werner died, it went to his wife, my grandmother. Who gave it to my mother, the same night?” said Zano.

“Now the Huntsclan has it,” said Daniela.

“They plan to use the relic,” Mirabel said. “To unify the hunting clans. On the Hunter’s Moon.”

“So that’s what Marisol was trying to warn you in your dream,” said Mushu. “Why?”

“Most likely to lure our young heroes into a trap? What better way to celebrate a unification of hunting clans than by hunting down the magical group who defeated the dark dragon,” said Max Thrall.

“But the two of us aren’t magic,” said Ernie.

“They don’t care if we’re magical or not,” Nell added. “If we help a monster, to them, we’re prey. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if they wanted to use us as bait for them.

“Well,” Mushu said, stepping forward, “you kids don’t have to worry about that because the BPRD is handling the Bloodstone case with the Dragon Council,” said Mushu. “You kids can sit this one out.”

“There’s more,” Mirabel said, looking at Zano. “Marsiol’s mom—the current Huntsmaster—helped Zano’s great-grandfather protect his sister. She may be helping us, too.”

“Why would a hunter help a vampire protect a vampire?”

“Not sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Verdugo offered the gem to her in exchange for aid.”

“Verdugo? Your teacher who gave you detention?” Julieta repeated.

“Yeah, he’s Zano's great-grandfather,” said Mirabel. 

“Did you know about this?” Zano asked his adopted parents.

“We knew Adrianna was in the car that night. Your grandmother told us what Mauricio told her. But we didn’t know he was your teacher. He always wore a mask when we met,” said Maria.

“Yet you let him take me on camping trips to Colombia," Zano points out.

“He left out the Colombia part. Besides, you seemed so happy after you came back." 

“Well, since we’re on the subject, we also found out that I was Mirabel’s friend 'Zany' and Mirabel happened to be the angel that comforted me when I was alone in the hospital,” said Zano.

“Wait, you're Zany?!” Agustin said. “I thought you were imaginary.”

“Turns out I wasn’t so imaginary,” Zano said. “Our memories were altered.”

“This is a lot to process. Perhaps we should discuss this more when Isabela and Kaiba return,” Julieta said, her tone soft but firm. “Hopefully, soon. I’m getting worried.”

“I’m sure they’re fine, Mama,” Mirabel said quietly but with strength. “However, we can’t wait for them; we need to discuss this with the council.”

“Any chance we can find Verdugo?” said Zano. "Since he is working with them, he should have a way to contact them."

“That might be hard. He’s probably at that magic world council meeting with Isabela and Kaiba. It could be days till they come back.” Mushu said as he fed Akito. 

“You would be right?” said Dr. Broom, showing them his badge.

"What's a BPRD agent doing here?"

“Forgive my intrusion, but I feel the children should be made aware of their teacher's current predicament.”

“You're the agent my Abuela punched, aren’t you?” Zano asked.

“Yes, my condolences to your grandfather,” he joked. “May he rest in peace.”

Mirabel: “What happened?”

“My son and your older sister have convinced Kaiba to help them infiltrate the cabal with Mauricio. They have gone rogue.”

“Why?”

“Because my son thinks that our agents would not be willing to do right by the poor creature that was unfortunate to be used in that awful hunt,” said Dr. Broom.

On a storm-lit night, a secret cabal of monster hunters emerged from the shadows. Cloaked figures moved with silent purpose across the overgrown path leading to the Bloodstone Temple, summoned by a rare and morbid occasion—the union of the Huntsclan and Bloodstone clans, sealed with the return of a sacred Bloodstone relic.

Thunder cracked overhead as the train screeched to a halt near the temple’s private platform. The air smelled of ozone and secrets.

“Ready?” Kaiba asked, adjusting his trench coat.

“As I’ll ever be,” Isabela replied, wearing a sleek hunter’s jacket, her face painted in thorned vines that coiled around her cheekbones.

The Bloodstone Manor loomed ahead like a predator in the mist. Within its walls, torches flickered across scarred stone and ancient banners. Hunters from across the globe mingled or glared: Azarel, Barrasso, Liorn, and others whose names carried whispered warnings.

“Quite the turnout,” Kaiba muttered, watching a hunter polish a silver axe the length of his leg.

Isabela scanned the crowd, sharp-eyed. “Let’s hope we don’t end up on the menu.”

As they moved through the hall, Isabela passed Liorn, who gave her a mocking nod, and Azarel, who barely glanced up. Then came Barrasso, who scoffed, “Children shouldn’t play with knives.” She ignored him.

Near a broken statue of a manticore, a new hunter stepped forward—tall, charming, with a cruel smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Nice face paint,” he said. “You always dress for your own funeral?”

“Only when it's an open casket,” Isabela replied coolly. “And you are?”

“Joshua Jovan. Hope you’re better at hunting than banter.”

Before she could answer, a deeper voice rang out:

“Jovan. Back in line.”

The voice belonged to Professor Van Helsing, Mirabel’s school principal—and, as it turned out, Ulysses Bloodstone’s former protégé. His entrance drew both admiration and disdain.

“Ah, the renegade returns,” Ulysses joked as he approached from the far dais. “After thirty years, I hope you didn’t feel obliged to come.”

“When I got the invitation, I almost didn’t, but since I was unable to give my respects to Frances, I figured, why not?” 

“Really? You mean to say you're not here for the chance to have the bloodstone for a year.” Ulysses smiled.

“Not a lot of good would do me. I have a school to run,” he said.

“You were the most promising student Franny and I ever had; my sister would weep knowing you traded your blades for books.”

“Franny encouraged me to follow my own path, my heart broke when she died,” Helsing didn’t flinch. “She understood that teaching the next generation to survive monsters felt like a higher calling than hunting monsters for sport.”

“Nothing wrong with sports. Besides, it’s not like we wear and eat our kills’ skin like common poachers.”

“No, just mount and stuff them for decor.”

Ulysses ignored the interruption and raised his arms. “Welcome, hunters! Tonight, we celebrate not only the return of our precious relic but also the alliance between the Huntsclan and us. After years of serving the same cause, we are united and closer to finalizing our crusade. In the spirit of unity, we are reviving an old tradition—and we invite all hunters, not just those affiliated with us or the Huntsclan, to compete.”

With a wave of his hand, he signaled the butler, who unveiled a coffin at the center of the hall. Inside, the reanimated corpse of Frances Bloodstone sat upright, her lifeless face frozen in a grotesque smile, animated by dark magic.

Gasps filled the chamber. Even the most hardened killers recoiled at the sight, except for Helsing. 

“Frances always said she’d come back as a zombie. Didn’t think she’d go with animatronics,” Helsing commented. 

“You know how my sister was. Per her wishes, if she didn’t return as a zombie within a year of her death, we would orchestrate her presence in other ways.”

“I hope you’re not planning to charge us freelancers admission to play in your haunted castle,” Helsing quipped.

“Clever. Let’s hope your skills are as sharp as your wit, Professor,” Ulysses replied.

The corpse began to speak: “Good evening. For this hunt, the rules are simple: One relic. One beast. One victor. In the maze, weapons are scattered to assist you. The Bloodstone has been embedded in the creature’s flesh. Slay the beast, and you gain the right to bear the stone for one year. Good luck, and see you all back at my place.”

“Any questions?” 

Barrasso barked from the side, “The stone is finally up for grabs, and we all earned the right to hunt, but these outsiders get to roll in here. Not to mention, how old are you, princess?”

“Too old for you,” Isabela shot back.

“My point remains,” he replied, pointing to Helsing and Isabela. “I thought there was an age requirement for this,” he said.

“Every hunter has a right to compete,” Ulysses stated. “Especially one descended from Helsing’s line and another as beautiful and deadly as a rose with thorns.”

His gaze lingered on Isabela a moment too long. She didn’t flinch, but Kaiba’s hand tightened near his holster.

“Regardless, we all know that age does not matter to monsters when they kill. Therefore, it is essential for every age group to learn how to defend themselves and others,” said Huntmaster Espanola, her tone stern. “But remember, the rules remain unchanged: no hunter will receive special treatment; everyone is fair game.”

“Those who do not survive will be honored appropriately. For tonight, it is every hunter for themselves,” Ulysses added. 

The hunters filed out of the building. As they each received their tokens from the skull, they glanced at one another, but only Kaiba found the token with marks. 

“Lucky,” Jovan remarked. 

The crowd parted as the maze doors opened. 

“You shall go first; the others will follow,” a voice declared. 

They all gazed down the rows of trees through a stone archway. Kaiba stepped forward, following a man playing a flaming tuba. 

“We pledge to spill all blood for the hunt for stone and create for those who forged our blade, to rid this land of its abominations. There is no peace without blood, and so it shall be. Let the hunt begin.” 

The horn blared across the grounds. The hunt had officially started. 

Kaiba moved swiftly through the maze, melting into the shadows with a grace that made his trench coat flare dramatically with each stride. Isabela trailed closely behind, the gravel crunching beneath her boots as she fought to keep up. Green tendrils curled and writhed along her exposed arms, responding to her heartbeat. Moments later, Helsing emerged from a side corridor, his crossbow slung across his back yet ready for action. Their paths converged in the thickening fog.

“Helsing,” Kaiba acknowledged with a curt nod.

“I’m not here to interfere with BPRD business,” Helsing replied coolly. “Just passing through.”

The brief moment of stillness was shattered as Joshua Jovan lunged from a concealed passage, crashing into Isabela and pinning her against a wall slick with moss.

“Sorry, gorgeous, but victory comes before pleasure,” he growled, a predatory grin on his face.

Isabela hissed through clenched teeth, then quickly spun, her foot sweeping in a low arc. A vine lashed forward, wrapping tightly around Jovan’s calf. He stumbled and hit the ground hard. Seizing the momentum, Isabela vanished into the next corridor, ignoring the sharp sting radiating from her shoulder.

She spotted a ceremonial ax hanging from a cracked stone. Ripping it free, she moved forward cautiously, her senses heightened. From a hidden slit in the wall, the soft click of a trigger echoed ominously. Liorn emerged, his gauntlet glinting with wrist-mounted arrows in the dim torchlight. He aimed and fired. 

Isabela twisted into a mid-roll, the bolt narrowly skipping past her arm. With a quick surge of determination, she launched the ax, striking the mechanism on Liorn's gauntlet. As he staggered back, she braced herself, planted her foot against the cracked wall, and drove her hand against it. The vines responded to her command, erupting outward and entangling his limbs and torso like a living net, slamming him against a nearby pillar.

“Stay rooted,” she whispered coldly, a fierce glint in her eyes.

Just then, Jovan's voice echoed through the chamber again. Isabela ducked behind a nearby ditch, flattening herself beneath a mess of fallen leaves and loose soil. Jovan entered, scanning the chamber briefly, then his gaze landed on the abandoned ax. He picked it up, the weight of it bringing a satisfied smirk to his face, and then he left, unaware of Isabela's hidden presence. 

Elsewhere in the labyrinth, Kaiba and Helsing navigated tight corridors, their path winding deeper toward the containment cell.

A low growl echoed through the leafy hedge.

Chains clinked softly.

There he was—Russoff.

The wolfman knelt in a clearing just beyond the thorns, his wrists and ankles shackled with silver-lined restraints. His breathing was ragged, but his yellow eyes gleamed with faint recognition.

“He’s still in there,” Kaiba whispered. He scanned Russoff’s chest, frowning. “No Bloodstone. Guess our hosts are keeping it close.”

“Figures,” Helsing muttered. “But these chains are enchanted. We’ll need to work fast.”

Kaiba gestured to the shadows. “For now, we hide. There’s backup on the way—but until then, staying quiet is our best move.”

Helsing crouched by the edge of the hedge. “Russoff, it’s me. Stay hidden, understand? When we give the signal, you run.”

The creature whimpered low but didn’t resist.

Before they could act, Azarel dropped from the rafters above, daggers gleaming.

“Ambush!” Helsing shouted.

Kaiba barely blocked the first blow, twisting aside. Together, they retreated down a narrow path, hearts racing, Azarel in pursuit.

They turned a corner and shoved into a vast circular chamber. Kaiba slammed the heavy door behind them.

“Wait!” Helsing called out. “Don’t—”

Click.

Kaiba exhaled. “It's locked.”

The room smelled of dust and old iron. Dozens of coffins lined the walls, stone faces staring into nothing.

“Seriously?” Isabela stepped from the shadows, arms crossed. “You locked us in?”

“Not on purpose,” Kaiba muttered.

Isabela’s eyes narrowed as she glanced between them. “Care to explain why one of my sister’s teachers is working with you?”

“Trust me, I’m as surprised as you are,” Kaiba replied.

Helsing sighed. “I came here because the 'monster' my old mentor wants us to hunt was once my student. Russoff comes from a bloodline cursed to transform under the full moon. He loses control, but only around strangers who pose a threat. Those he trusts? They’re the ones he helps.”

“But he has killed before,” Isabela said softly.

“Self-defense,” Helsing insisted. “He’s not evil; he’s just a scared youth with animal tendencies who has been used as a target for forces beyond his control.”

“How did a decent hunter like you end up with the Bloodstones?” Kaiba asked.

“Ulysses' sister was a professor at my university. She watched me hunt and introduced me to her brother. We formed a team that was unbeatable, but over time, I began to notice the darker aspects of the Bloodstones' practices. I wasn’t fully aware of their true nature until my first cabal. But you’ve seen the aftermath; you don’t need me to paint the gory details.”

Kaiba and Isabela exchanged glances. “We thought the wolfman would be the only one in danger. Turns out this cult is even more deranged than the Huntsclan.”

“Now we understand why none of them were participating,” Isabela muttered.

“Since then, I’ve left the Bloodstones and become a BPRD agent to learn all I could about the supernatural,” Helsing continued. “I’ve discovered aspects of it that aren't dangerous but can actually be helpful—especially when I encounter more students like Russoff, who want to rise above what their bloodlines dictate.”

“I can relate,” Isabela said, gazing at the tombs. “Still, I’m fortunate. I don’t think I could tolerate being part of a family like the Bloodstones. No offense.”

“None taken,” Helsing replied. “But all families, mortal and magical, share something in common. They follow us—good or bad, they create an atmosphere where we exist. We often think that by choosing a specific path, we can change everything and not end up like them. Or sometimes, they become a burden we have to save constantly. It’s complicated.”

Isabela conjured a bush to help Russoff hide.

“It’s good to see that the Bureau has hired supers as agents since my retirement. Hellboy is skilled, but he can’t do it all alone.”

Isabela nodded. “Any chance you can educate us on how to get out of here, Professor?”

“This was Frances’s tomb,” Helsing replied, inspecting the engravings. “She believed she’d be resurrected and left herself a key to escape.”

He opened one lid. Inside, there was a crumbling bouquet, a dagger, and a brass key sealed in wax.

Isabela took the key, broke the seal, and slid it into the wall panel. The gears groaned, and the door creaked open. 

“We’re out,” she said. 

Kaiba hesitated. “We need to set up the implosions you take Russoff to find Hellboy to escape. Helsing and I will meet up with you later to get the stone.”

Isabela nodded. Helsing turned to her. “Miss Isa, call him Russ. He’ll trust you more easily that way. But if he panics, use this to calm him down.” He handed her a small vial of wolfsbane. “But not too much, it can be lethal.”

Isabela examined it before tucking it into her pocket. “I’ll try to be gentle with him,” she promised.

In the dim light of the outer wall of the tomb, Russoff gnawed at his chains, a low growl rumbling deep in his throat as he waited. 

Suddenly—BOOM!—with a single punch, the stone wall of the maze cracked and buckled. Debris scattered across the corridor as Hellboy stepped through the wreckage, his massive Right Hand of Doom raised like a battering ram. “Knock, knock. You’re not Kaiba?” 

Russoff growled, shifting into a defensive stance.

Hellboy smirked, “You better not bite me in the ass, wolf-man, or I’ll be spanking you with a rolled-up newspaper.” 

Russoff snarled, turning sharply to face Hellboy, but froze when Isabela stepped into view, hands raised in a gesture of peace. 

“Russoff, it’s okay. We’re with Professor Helsing,” she said softly. “Please, Russ. He said you’d understand that we want to help you.”

The wolfman paused, his snarl fading to an uncertain whine. He backed down, eyes shifting between Isabela and Hellboy.

“Smart dog,” Hellboy muttered under his breath. Isabela shot him a glare as he pulled a small detonator from his coat and tossed it to her. “Kaiba should be finishing setting up the implosions. You know how to use this, right?”

Isabela blinked, frowning. “Which button is—”

Click. A soft beep began; red lights flashed ominously.

“Oops,” Hellboy said with a hint of sarcasm. 

“We need to move. Now!” he snapped. Isabela grabbed Russoff’s wrist and sprinted toward the breach, urgency propelling them forward. 

Deeper in the maze, Kaiba struggled to plant the last explosive.

Shouts rang out behind him—Jovan was closing in again.

“Too late for subtlety,” Hellboy grunted. He charged forward, smashing through a second wall as rubble cascaded down. Light poured in from a shattered skylight, illuminating the chaos.

Just then, Kaiba dove through the breach, narrowly escaping as the charge exploded behind him with a thunderous boom.

On the far side, Isabela reached Russoff, who was now partially freed. She approached cautiously, her arm extended, with help from aloe vera, and her firm tug wrenched the cuffs from his wrists. He let out a pained cry but refrained from striking.

“Hope that helps,” she murmured, her voice filled with urgency. “You better go.”

A gunshot rang out—a bullet clipped the wall beside her. Isabela spun, lashing out with her vines. The hunter aiming at her dropped his weapon with a startled yell, the Bloodstone slipping from his grip and clattering to the ground. 

“RUN!”

Kaiba staggered forward, his eyes locking onto the glowing relic.

“Kaiba, no—!” Isabela shouted, panic rising in her voice. But it was too late. The moment Kaiba’s fingers brushed the Bloodstone, a searing pulse of crimson energy surged through his body. He screamed, convulsing violently before he was hurled backward across the stone floor.

“Kaiba!” Isabela cried, horror etched across her face.

From the swirling haze of smoke and fire, Ulysses Bloodstone emerged, flanked by guards, his eyes sparkling with cruel amusement.

“Well, well,” he said softly, gazing down at the boy still twitching on the ground. “Looks like we’ve still got a wolf in the maze tonight.”

The dungeon smelled of blood, iron, and old stone.

Kaiba groaned as he awoke, his body aching. Cold bars surrounded him. “Oh no,” he muttered, recognizing their dire situation. Across the chamber, Isabela stirred in a separate cell. Helsing sat against the wall, his hands bound, his only choice being to watch everything unfold with grim clarity.

“They got us,” Kaiba said softly. “They didn’t even give me a chance to explain.”

“You were burning and growling,” Isabela replied gently. “Not exactly an easy sell.”

“Are you two okay?” Kaiba asked, concern lacing his voice.

“After they tased us, they tried to use the Bloodstone to force me to reveal my monster form. Luckily for me, the stone doesn’t work on supers, so they just locked us up.” 

“Until they come to force you to kill us,” Kaiba added grimly.

Leaning against the bars, he sighed. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this. Again.”

Isabela looked at him, her eyes fierce. “I walked into the maze on my own, remember?”

Helsing cut in, “You’re not the first to be locked up by Bloodstones for doing the right thing.”

Kaiba glanced between them. “There’s something you need to know about me. I’m not a BPRD agent. I'm not even human." He inhaled deeply, scenting the air that flowed between the bars. His eyes shimmered blue. “I’m an okami—a type of werewolf that breathes fire. But I have control when I change, and I can talk when I’m in my wolf form."

“The Bloodstone will strip your sentience away; it doesn’t just weaken magical creatures, it makes them feral,” Helsing said knowingly.

Isabela frowned, a knot forming in her stomach. “How bad is it?”

“I'll become something wild. Dangerous.” Kaiba stepped closer to the bars, urgency lacing his voice. “I’m trying to hold onto your scent, your heartbeat, your voice—so if I change, if I lose myself, I might still remember you.”

He inhaled her scent slowly, trembling with the weight of his words.

Isabela swallowed hard, her heart racing. “That’s either deeply romantic or utterly terrifying.”

“Probably both,” Kaiba admitted, casting a reluctant glance toward Helsing. “Your turn.”

“Fantastic,” Helsing muttered, clearly unimpressed with the emotional exchange.

Before Kaiba could throw another comment, heavy boots echoed down the corridor, and Ulysses Bloodstone strode in, flanked by a pair of guards. He wore the Bloodstone around his neck, its red glow pulsating ominously like a heartbeat.

“Well,” he drawled with a smirk, “I hoped to study your transformation, Okami. But it seems sometimes nature must be forced.”

“Nature, my foot! Nothing about this hunt has been natural!” Helsing shot back, anger sparking in his eyes.

"You are a disgrace, Helsing. If your ancestors were alive–" Ulysses began, venom in his tone.

“They would hunt you down like the monster you’ve become!” Helsing retorted, fire in his voice.

Ulysses's fist connected with Helsing’s jaw, causing him to spit blood.

“Tell me, in what way does pitting hunters against each other help your crusade to rid the world of the evil forces you claim to oppose?” Helsing asked his voice steady despite the blood dripping from his lip.

“In our profession, only the strongest survive,” Ulysses replied, “One must compromise their morals to defeat evil. This cabal weeds out the weak links. It's not out of malice as you think, better they die human than suffer at the hands of his kind!” he points to Kaiba.

“Most werewolves don’t hunt humans. They prefer animals,” Helsing countered. "But you wouldn't care to know."

“I’m not just talking about killing. I’m talking about monsters turning humans into vampires, wolves, zombies, mermaids, and witches!” Ulysses shot back, his passion palpable. "Not to mention humans breeding with monsters. At this rate, humanity will become extinct!"

“Of course, you would take a hybrid as a sign of extinction rather than evolution. Yet you’ve never stopped to think that by reducing your dwindling numbers with this hunt, you’re allowing your group to be overwhelmed by the hordes of monsters that will come for your head!” Helsing challenged, his eyes narrowing.

“With the Bloodstone back where it belongs and the huntsmen at our side, we more than outmatch them in skill and numbers,” Ulysses replied, confidence brimming in his tone.

“Unless it gets stolen again!” Helsing retorted. “I just hope whoever takes it sends it back into a black hole where it belongs!”

“To think my sister died hoping you would return,” Ulysses sneered. “Thankfully, she didn’t live to see you become a sentimental old fool! But don’t worry; I’ll make sure you have a nice place beside her.”

“You better pray I don’t malfunction and end up killing you!” Helsing warned, his voice laced with malice.

With a menacing glint in his eyes, Ulysses raised the Bloodstone, chanting incantations in Latin, the air thick with tension and the promise of chaos.

Kaiba's body seized, and he dropped to his knees, snarling as light enveloped him.

“Stop it!” Isabela screamed, rattling the bars. “You’ll kill him!”

But it was too late. Kaiba's muscles convulsed, bones cracked, and fur erupted across his arms as claws extended. His blue eyes burned red.

Kaiba stood, fully transformed, breathing heavily, snarling, and confused.

Ulysses sneered and turned the relic toward Isabela—but nothing happened. “Hm,” he murmured. “Still human, I see. Shame; if you were a witch, it would be easy to let the wolf tear you to shreds for helping our prey escape. You would have made a flawless huntress.”

Isabela glared at him. “Oh, and let my life be dictated by some domineering elder with delusions of control, who allows their life to be ruled by a magic family heirloom? I’d rather have Kaiba ravage me than deal with your clan dysfunction.”

“I see you’ve learned to be witty like Helsing,” Ulysses said, stepping closer to Kaiba’s cage. “Let’s see if Helsing taught the beast to obey.” 

Kaiba lunged—his clawed hand lashed out and caught Ulysses by the collar. Guards rushed in, attacking through the bars, forcing Kaiba to release him. Sparks flew. The lights went out.

Then—CRASH.

The cage bars snapped.

When the light returned, Kaiba was gone.

Kaiba tore through the hall, a blazing blur of teeth, claws, and fire. Blue flames rippled from his body, licking at the stone walls, scorching banners and torches alike.

Guards dove out of his path.

Barrasso wasn’t fast enough.

Kaiba’s claws raked across his face with a crackling hiss, sending the veteran hunter sprawling, screaming, his mask half-torn away.

Kaiba didn’t stop.

He vaulted through a doorway into the inner hall, slamming the heavy oak doors shut behind him. Trapped guards inside panicked, blades drawn.

Kaiba launched into them with acrobatic precision—flipping, rolling, slashing in a blur of rage. His blue fire flared with every strike, disarming them with explosive heat. They tried to corner him.

The doors slammed shut.

Kaiba turned—trapped. He snarled and clawed at the reinforced wood, trying to break free, rage mounting.

Then came a voice—cold and composed.

“Enough.”

From the shadows emerged Mrs. Espanola, the Huntsmaster. She raised the Bloodstone. Its crimson pulse met Kaiba’s fury.

A shockwave erupted.

Kaiba flew backward, crashing through columns and rolling across the stone. He staggered to his feet, disoriented.

But the Huntsmaster was already gone—vanished down a corridor toward Frances Bloodstone’s cybertronic corpse.

Meanwhile, Isabela and Helsing free themselves. The hallway beyond was quiet—too quiet.

Then came the scrape of boots.

Barrasso emerged from the shadows, face scarred, mask cracked, defiance smoldering in his one good eye.

“You’re too late,” he snarled.

Isabela raised her hand. Thorns curled along her wrist.

“I’m tired of being late.”

With a flick, a vine snapped forward, taking his sword away. He recoiled. Helsing swept his legs, and Isabela followed with a swift punch to the ribs. Barrasso crumpled.

A snarl echoed from the stairwell—Azarel, teeth bared, claws gleaming.

“Take him,” Isabela ordered.

Helsing nodded. Together, they fought Azarel back step by step. The hunter hissed, but stumbled into a containment cell. Helsing slammed the gate, locking it with a flick of his wrist. “That should hold,” he said.

They turned.

Kaiba’s howls shook the floor beneath them.

They ran.

The corridor trembled as Kaiba charged, blue fire trailing his form like a comet’s tail. He turned a corner, muscles tight, teeth bared—

And stopped.

Isabela stood alone.

No weapons. No vines raised—just her heartbeat and her voice.

“Kaiba,” she said gently. “It’s me.”

He hesitated, the beast warring with memory. Step by slow step, he approached. His breath steamed. His hands trembled.

Then—he pounced.

They crashed into the floor. She didn’t flinch.

His teeth barred.

She looked into his blue eyes, calm and steady, and reached up to touch his cheek.

“Come back.”

The fire sputtered. His rage faltered.

He collapsed beside her, body shaking.

The fur retracted. The claws faded. The red in his eyes bled back to blue. Kaiba blinked up at her, breath ragged.

“I remembered you,” he whispered.

Across the room, Ulysses Bloodstone stepped forward, ceremonial spear raised high.

“Fools,” he spat. “You don’t deserve peace.” 

He leveled the weapon at Kaiba and Isabela, his eyes gleaming with hate.

Helsing shoots his arrow at Ulysses. 

A low moan echoed through the stone walls.

From the far end of the manor, Frances Bloodstone’s corpse walked towards them.

Her eyes blazed a molten red. The Bloodstone was embedded in her back, glowing like a cursed crown.

Ulysses froze.

“Frances?” he whispered.

The corpse turned to him, her bones creaking, dress fluttering like torn sails.

“Told you I'd be back,” she rasped—voice ancient and electric.

Then she lunged.

Ulysses screamed as her skeletal hand clawed at his chest. The spear clattered to the floor. Frances dragged him backward, her grip unrelenting, toward the shadows.

Their silhouettes vanished behind crumbling stone.

Silence fell.

And then—the Bloodstone dropped from Frances’s hand, landing between Kaiba and Isabela with a final, echoing thud.

Helsing picks it up and puts it in a bag. 

"We should go." 

"Why-"

The manor exploded.

After the explosion, the trio emerged inside a shimmering moonrock bubble — Zano Sánchez’s doing — with Mauricio and Mirabel flanking him. The pale light of the moon dropped pulsed faintly in Zano’s eyes, his shadow magic curling protectively around the group like smoke.

"Isabela! Sensei! Professor Helsing?"

"Miss Mirabel, Mr. Sanchez, I take it Verdugo caught you up to speed."

"No, he did. " Zano glared at the culebra.

Kaiba stood amid the ruins of Bloodstone Manor, his shirt shredded, hands still trembling. Isabela knelt beside him, steadying his shoulders as he blinked away the last traces of the wolf.

“You remembered me,” she whispered, disbelief soft in her voice.

“Thank goodness,” Kaiba rasped, still catching his breath. “If not for your scent, I might’ve done something I couldn’t take back.”

From the rubble, Ulysses Bloodstone groaned, bruised but far from beaten. Hellboy advanced through the dust, his trench coat trailing ash, the Right Hand of Doom glowing like cooling magma.
“This wasn’t just an attack,” Hellboy growled, looming over the hunter. “It’s a warning — to you, and to every zealot who thinks monsters are just prey.”

Ulysses smirked, pulling the Bloodstone into view. A burst of crimson energy lanced toward Hellboy, sizzling through the air.
“I knew it was only a matter of time before you showed up, Anung Un Rama!”

Before the blast could hit, Mirabel stepped forward, golden light flaring from her hands — the sun drop’s radiance forming a blinding shield. The beam shattered harmlessly against it, showering sparks.
“You’ll have to get through me first,” she said, voice steady.

Zano’s shadow magic surged outward, forming jagged tendrils that anchored into the ground. He bared his fangs in a humorless grin.
“Moonlight says you’re done here.”

Ulysses’ gaze snapped to him, eyes narrowing.
“How? How does the great-grandson of Dracula still live?”

“Apparently, dhampirs don’t burn as easily as their parents,” Zano said, stepping into a crouch, twin obsidian blades catching both moonlight and flame from Mirabel’s glow.

“Well then…” Ulysses’ smirk widened, Bloodstone pulsing in his palm. “Let’s see how durable you are.”

The clash of energies rattled the manor’s foundations — gold flaring from Mirabel, silver and shadow twisting from Zano, and the jagged crimson fury of the Bloodstone feeding Ulysses’ relentless assault.

Ulysses moved like a man possessed, each swing of his sword trailing scarlet fire. “You can’t kill what’s eternal!” he shouted, meeting Zano’s twin blades in a shower of sparks.

“Good thing I’m not planning to kill you,” Zano shot back, driving him a step closer to the altar. “Just knock you off your throne!”

Mirabel planted herself between Ulysses and Hellboy, her sunlit barrier flickering but unbroken. “Kaiba, Isabela — stay back!” she called. With a deep breath, she pushed her power higher, the sun-drop’s warmth erupting into a wave that washed across the battlefield, forcing Ulysses’ spectral minions to evaporate into ash.

Hellboy used the opening, charging through the golden haze. The Right Hand of Doom met Ulysses’ guard with a shattering BOOM. Stone cracked, blood sang in the hunter’s ears, and the Bloodgem’s crimson glow wavered.

Ulysses snarled and wrenched himself free — only to find Zano right in front of him. The dhampir moved faster than the eye could follow, disarming Ulysses with a brutal twist of his blade. The Bloodgem tumbled from the hunter’s hand, skittering across the scorched floor.

Without hesitation, Zano reached down and picked it up. The gem pulsed, testing him — and then… nothing. No surge of power. No searing pain. It lay cold and inert in his palm.
“Guess being half-human has its perks,” he said with a smirk, tossing it to Hellboy.

“Nice trick,” Hellboy grunted, catching it and tucking it into a lead-lined pouch. “Let’s end this.”

Mirabel unleashed a final burst of the sun drop, her light blazing against the Bloodstone’s fading magic. Zano’s shadows coiled around Ulysses, pinning him in place. Hellboy stepped forward and, with one earth-splitting punch, drove the hunter to the ground. The manor groaned, a beam of moonlight slicing through the roof to spotlight the defeated Ulysses.

Sirens wailed in the distance as armored BPRD transports rolled up the broken driveway. Agents swarmed the ruins, weapons drawn and ready. Ulysses and his battered companions were shackled with iron manacles and hauled toward the waiting vans.

“You monsters think this is over! I am Ulysses Bloodstone!” he snarled.

“Save your speeches,” Hellboy growled. “You’ll have plenty of time to talk in a cell.”

Ulysses said nothing—only stared past them all, a faint smirk lingering on his lips.

That’s when Zano noticed.

“They’re gone,” he said, scanning the treeline.

Mirabel turned, eyes wide. “Who?”

“The Huntsclan,” Zano said quietly, his voice low, almost a growl. “They slipped away in the chaos.”

A cold wind swept through the ruins, carrying the faintest echo of laughter from somewhere far away.

Hellboy lit a fresh cigar. “Figures. Guess this isn’t over.”

Helsing stepped beside Kaiba and Isabela, offering a weary nod.

“Your bravery today saved more than just a werewolf,” he said quietly. “It put a stop to this travesty.”

“But not for good,” Kaiba replied grimly. “The Huntsclan got away.”

“Sadly, yes. But the Bloodstone is in the right hands now. I’m sure the Dragon Council will handle them more easily.”

Isabela and Kaiba exchanged hopeful smiles.

From a shadowed corridor, Mirabel and Zano emerged quietly, unnoticed by most. They locked eyes with Mauricio Verdugo, standing by a broken pillar with a grim expression. For a long moment, no one spoke.

“I take it your trial with the Boogeyman went well,” Mauricio said, tone measured but sharp.

Zano stepped forward, eyes hard. “Oh yeah, great-grandfather. We learned a lot.”

“So now you know,” Mauricio replied, unwavering.

“Oh yeah,” Zano shot back, bitterness lingering in his voice. “Turns out it wasn’t just a dream — it was a memory.”

“Are you referring to your parents’ death or the summer we went to Encanto in 1944?” Mauricio asked, expression unreadable.

“Both,” Zano said tightly.

Mirabel, standing beside him, added softly, “So you do remember.”

“Yes,” Mauricio acknowledged, a flicker of regret—or something more profound—passing through his eyes.

“We swore after we stopped the hunters, we would confront you with the truth,” Mirabel said firmly.

Mauricio’s mouth twitched into the faintest smile. “Then maybe you’re finally ready to understand what it means to carry the Sun and the Moon,” he said cryptically.

“We’re not done with you,” Zano muttered, fists clenched at his sides.

“Neither is the Council,” Mauricio replied—and with a final glance, vanished into the smoke.

San Angel — Rivera Family Cemetery

The sun hung low over the hillside, casting long shadows between the rows of weathered headstones. Zano knelt before two graves, placing a bouquet of fresh marigolds between them. He lingered there in silence, fingertips brushing the engraved names, before a familiar voice spoke behind him.

“It’s been a while since you came here on your own,” said his grandmother, Doña Rivera, her tone gentle but watchful.

Zano didn’t turn. “I can understand why you held off on telling me Mr. Verdugo is my great-grandfather,” he said, voice low. “But were you ever planning to tell me the truth about my parents?”

Doña Rivera stepped closer, her shawl fluttering in the breeze. “Zano… we were so angry when we discovered the truth. We wanted revenge. But Mauricio reminded us we had too much to lose if we went down that path.” She sighed, the weight of years heavy in her eyes. “You were only a baby. We wanted you to grow up with love, not revenge. That’s why we allowed Manolo and his wife to adopt you — so you’d have a stable home.”

“Okay,” Zano said, finally glancing up at her, “but why didn’t you tell the BPRD? They could have taken down the Bloodstones for you — brought justice.”

Her expression tightened. “We were afraid they’d take you, your sister, Pepe, and his family away for being part vampire. And we didn’t want them to treat you the way they treated Hellboy.” She rested a hand on his shoulder. “I’m glad to see that’s no longer the case. But I swear, mijo, we only did what we did because we thought it was best for you.”

Zano exhaled slowly. “I understand, Nana. I wish I hadn’t found out from Pitch… but at least now I can rest easy knowing my parents have justice.”

Doña Rivera smiled faintly. “I may not have known your mother or her parents, but I know they would be proud of you — just as your father would be proud of the man you’re becoming. I love you.” She pulled him into a warm embrace.

“I love you, too,” Zano murmured, hugging her back.

When they pulled apart, she gave him a sly look. “Now… what’s this I hear about you and Mirabel being childhood sweethearts?”

Zano groaned. “I’m going to get Nell for snitching,” he muttered.

Doña Rivera’s chuckle followed Zano as he left the cemetery gates, hands in his pockets. The late afternoon air was warm, carrying the scent of marigolds and street food from the plaza.

He didn’t get far before he spotted Mirabel, leaning casually against a lamppost, her satchel slung over one shoulder. The faint shimmer of the sun drop’s magic seemed to dance in the air around her, catching the light when she smiled.

“So…” she said, pushing her glasses up her nose. “Childhood sweethearts, huh?”

Zano groaned. “You’ve been talking to my grandmother, haven’t you?”

“Not exactly,” Mirabel said, feigning innocence. “But Ernie told me this morning you used to sing my praises as if I were a guardian angel."

“That is a gross exaggeration,” Zano protested, falling into step beside her. “If I recall correctly, you were the one who needed rescuing when we first met.”

She grinned. “Only because you could actually climb the tree without falling off. Perks of being a half-vampire.”

Zano shot her a look. “You’re not embarrassed?”

Her smile softened. “No. I think it’s… sweet. Even back then, you always had my back, and I always have yours.”

They walked for a moment in easy silence, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the cobblestones.

“Besides,” Mirabel added with a playful glint in her eye, “now that I’m officially your childhood sweetheart, I can use that as leverage whenever I want.”

Zano groaned again. “I’m never going to live this down, am I?”

“Nope,” she said cheerfully, looping her arm through his.

For the first time in days, Zano felt the weight on his shoulders lighten. The Huntsclan was still out there, the Council’s schemes far from over — but for now, he let himself hold onto this small, bright moment.

In the cold chambers of the Dragon Council’s mountain sanctum, seven lanterns flickered beneath stained glass windows. One by one, ancient scrolls unfurled.

Names inked in gold shimmered in the torchlight: Madrigal. Rivera. Culebra. Okami. Sundrop Vessel. Moon Opal Heir. Bloodstone. Eclipse.

The time had come to choose a side—not between good and evil, but between the forgotten past and the future no one dared to imagine.

Chapter Text

At Kaiba's Shop

Mirabel Madrigal and Zano Sánchez sat at the counter while Lao Shi restocked a shelf behind them. Nell Carter and Ernie Santorini listened in disbelief.

Nell said, "I can't believe you two went to Paris—Paris—and had to seal up an evil entity."

"Yeah, though it wasn't the one we were expecting," Zano said.

"At least we managed to stop it before things got worse," Mirabel added.

"I still can't believe you told everyone what happened six years ago—without us!" Ernie protested. "I thought we agreed to tell them together when the time was right."

Lao Shi chimed in, "We did. But clearly, this was one secret that couldn't wait any longer."

Nell eyed them curiously. "How'd they take it?"

Mirabel replied, "They're... not happy. They understand why the Council did it, and that it was Isabela and Kaiba's choice. But they think some memories shouldn't have been erased."

"Like you and Zano being friends?" Nell asked.

"That's one of them," Mirabel admitted.

"At least Dolores and Mariano are still enjoying their honeymoon, traveling the world," Camilo called from the back.

"After everything that went down in Paris, I don't blame them," Ernie said. "Still, it's nice—they ended up together despite losing six years."

"Same for Isabela and Kaiba. Speaking of, how's the happy couple?" Nell asked.

Mirabel hesitated. "Well..."

Flashback

"I'm staying to help Edna get the circus in order," Isabela said.

Agustín studied his eldest daughter. "Are you sure about that, mija?"

"Yes," Isabela answered. "I need time to process everything we've learned... about the past, about us. I love Encanto, but right now, I need distance."

Julieta spoke gently to her daughter. "But you'll be alone."

"Not necessarily," Kaiba said, holding Akito. "I've spoken with the Council—they've granted me a sabbatical. I may not be family, but I still care for your eldest. Even if... I once chose to let her go."

Isabela smiled softly. "You did it for your sister and your best friend."

"She's right," Bruno Madrigal said. "I would've done the same. At least you crazy kids found your way back to each other."

"And for the record, Kaiba—you've always been family," Angelina Madrigal added.

"Sensei, I get that you need space," Zano said, "but isn't traveling the world a little impulsive? What about Akito? Or Lao Shi?"

"Lao Shi will stay here to run the shop with Mushu and finish the school year," Kaiba explained. "Akito isn't starting school yet, and I feel this trip will help us bond."

"Twenty-four years I gave you nothing but my love!" Mushu wailed.

Kaiba sighed. "Mushu, we talked about this. You said I need to be a father first, and you promised to look after Lao Shi and the students."

"Doesn't mean I can't miss my boys!" Mushu sniffled.

Isabela slipped her arm through Kaiba’s and smiled. "Don't worry, Mushu. I'll keep them safe."

Back to the Present

"So... what does that mean for the team?" Ernie asked. "Mushu's great with magic, but combat's not his thing."

Mirabel sighed. "The Council requested a new combat instructor, but no one's been assigned yet. For now, we're training with the Wonders like before."

"Oh yeah—that's what your cousin and Zano's sisters named their team, right?" Nell asked Mirabel.

"Yeah," Mirabel said. "Still weird they had different names before teaming up."

"That's the superhero life for you," Nell said.

"You know what bugs me?" Ernie added. "Supers are still illegal—yet the world keeps throwing supernatural disasters at us. The B.P.R.D. has a demon as their top agent!"

"Agent Dicker said as long as the magic world stays hidden, we're not technically breaking laws," Mirabel reminded him.

"Now that the Council's secret is out, what about Verdugo and your powers, Zano?" Camilo asked.

"Haven't heard from him," Zano replied.

"Sorry, man," Ernie said.

"It's fine," Zano answered. "We found a Keeper's journal at the Spire—the one who met Rapunzel and Cassandra. But it didn't explain what caused the sun and moon drops’ separation—or if it's even happening again."

"We checked other journals too, but no leads," Mirabel added.

"What about that Moon Knight guy your sister worked with? Professor Cortez—any mention of him?" Nell asked.

"Different vessel," Zano said. "And he's been impossible to track down."

"So what now?" Ernie asked.

"We train. We live our lives," Mirabel said. "Knowing more about our past doesn't change our overall mission."

"Any word on Mictlan? Weaknesses?" Xander asked.

"He was killed once—Princess Maya stabbed him with a blade made from god-blood," Mirabel said.

"So we use that?" Camilo suggested.

"Tío's vision showed us imprisoning him in amber, not killing him," Mirabel replied.

"Yeah, but visions aren't absolute. We should have a backup plan," Camilo insisted.

"Maybe. But remember—Aunt Mica was a goddess once, too, and she's mortal now."

"So Mictlan could be mortal too?" Zano asked.

"It's possible. But mortal or not, we don't let our guard down," Mirabel said.

Lao Shi leaned against the counter. "You two sound like seasoned agents already."

Mirabel grinned. "Maybe we are."

"Good," Lao Shi said. "Because the Council isn't the only one paying attention. Word is, Global Justice wants to meet with San Ángel's magic team."

"Wait, Global Justice? As in the spy agency?" Nell asked.

"No way," Ernie said. "I thought they were disbanded after the Super Ban."

"Apparently not," Lao Shi replied. "They've been keeping tabs on metahuman activity. And now that your powers are public—sort of—they want to talk."

"Oh, great, we're on a government list again," Zano muttered.

"Relax, maybe they just want to hire us," Nell said.

"Or recruit us," Ernie added.

Mirabel sighed. "Either way... looks like vacation's over."

Outside the shop, the bell jingled as a shadow passed across the windows—a sleek, black transport hovering just above the street, the Global Justice insignia glowing faintly on its hull.

"Guess they're not big on subtlety," Mirabel said.

"Nope," Nell replied. "And something tells me we're not either."

The doors hissed open. A woman in a dark coat stepped out, her voice calm but commanding.

"Mirabel Madrigal. Zano Sánchez. The Global Justice Network has summoned you. We have much to discuss," Agent Minerva Probable announced.

Zano and Mirabel exchanged a knowing glance.

"Déjà vu?" Mirabel murmured.

"More like level two," Zano replied.

They followed her into the transport as the others watched from the sidewalk, the ship lifting into the sunset.

The transport glided through a curtain of clouds before descending into the Atlantic, revealing a hidden island base rising from the mist. Steel platforms gleamed under floodlights, and the faint hum of engines echoed across the water.

Inside, Mirabel, Zano, Camilo, Nell, Ernie, and Lao Shi sat strapped into cushioned seats as Agent Minerva Probable briefed them in clipped tones.

"Welcome to the Global Justice Network's Atlantic Command," Minerva said. "Please refrain from touching anything labeled experimental. That includes the pilot."

"You mean the guy with six arms?" Ernie asked.

"Exactly," Minerva replied.

The craft docked in a hangar lined with advanced aircraft. As the doors opened, two figures waited—one in a sleek black suit and eyepatch, the other in a white lab coat over tactical gear.

"Agents, meet our directors," Minerva said.

"At ease, kids. No need for formalities," said Dr. Director.

"I'm Deputy Director Gem," the other added. "Welcome to GJ Headquarters. You're here because you've proven yourselves capable in the field—La Sombra's empire, the dark dragon, the Bloodstone Cabal, and, recently, Paris. We've been watching closely."

Mirabel and Zano exchanged wary looks.

"You've been watching us?" Mirabel asked.

Gem smiled faintly. "Global Justice keeps tabs on extraordinary activity—particularly those operating outside official jurisdiction."

"Translation: we're on their weird-people list," Nell muttered.

"Not inaccurate," Dr. Director said.

The group followed the directors into a massive control room—rows of holographic screens projected global maps, energy readings, and files marked CLASSIFIED. Agents in gray uniforms moved briskly between consoles.

Gem gestured to a large display that flickered to life, showing an older man in a brown suit and glasses.

"This is Professor Sylvan—one of the original genetic consultants during the rise of the Super Age," Gem said. "Before heroes went underground, he helped identify the meta-gene that allowed humans to develop powers."

"My grandfather worked with him," Zano realized aloud. "He studied my family's shadow powers."

"Correct," Dr. Director said. "Sylvan retired quietly when the Super Ban took effect. Since then, he's operated a small clinic in Florida, offering medical help to people in hiding who have trouble staying hidden. Three weeks ago—he vanished."

The screen shifted to a still frame of a ransacked lab: overturned chairs, broken glass, and traces of green residue glowing faintly under ultraviolet light.

"So what, he was kidnapped?" Camilo asked.

"Most likely," Minerva said. "His research resurfaced on black-market channels two days ago."

"Research on what, exactly?" Ernie asked.

"Something called Project Green Horizon," Gem replied. "A botanical catalyst that accelerates regeneration—and potentially, mutation."

Mirabel frowned. "Sounds like something a villain would drool over."

Minerva tapped her wrist display. A 3D projection appeared: Dr. Aurora Killigan, a woman in plaid golf attire, swinging a club over a glowing crater of grass.

"Your instincts are correct, Madrigal," Minerva said. "This is Dr. Killigan, a former eco-scientist turned radical eco-terrorist. She was last seen with Leroy Levin, alias The Absorber. Together, they attacked Sylvan's lab and stole his formula."

"Let me guess, she's planning to 'save the planet' by destroying half of it?" Nell asked.

"Closer to all of it," Minerva replied. "If her modifications are accurate, her strain could spread across the biosphere within seventy-two hours."

"And you want us to stop her," Zano said.

"Precisely," Dr. Director answered. "But understand this: GJ operates under international authority. You'll follow our lead, and Agent Probable will act as your liaison."

"So she's babysitting us," Mirabel said.

"Correction," Minerva replied flatly. "I'm ensuring you don't compromise another international incident."

"Oh, she's definitely the unfun one," Ernie muttered.

Camilo snorted, earning Minerva's sharp glare.

Gem turned back to the large map, zooming in on a cluster of islands near Bermuda.

"Killigan's signal was last tracked to this location—an artificial island converted into a private golf course," Gem explained. "Recon drones confirm unusual vegetation growth and magnetic interference."

"Magnetic interference? So she's using the Absorber as her power source," Zano said.

"Exactly," Gem replied. "If you're spotted, expect enhanced resistance. This won't be a sparring match—it's a full-scale infiltration."

Mirabel folded her arms, her voice steady but serious. "Then we'll do what we always do—work together and make it count."

"If you follow my orders, you might even make it home in one piece," Minerva said.

"You're just a ray of sunshine, aren't you?" Nell muttered.

Gem suppressed a smile. "You'll depart at dawn. Your mission: recover Professor Sylvan, secure the formula, and stop Killigan before she initiates the spread."

Dr. Director placed a hand on the console and locked eyes with the young heroes.

"You're not just kids with powers anymore," she said. "The world's changing fast—and Global Justice needs new allies who can adapt. Prove you can handle this, and we'll talk about a permanent partnership."

The screen flickered off. Silence filled the room for a beat.

The Next Day

The next day, the team left San Ángel Arts High with their heads held high. Mirabel joined her friends as they walked out the front door, flipping through a small blue handbook.

"Man, I thought adjusting back to school would be tough, but it was easy," Ernie said.

"I guess with Van Hellsing and Verdugo running the office, things are smoother," Nell added.

"Still hard to believe two of the most disliked teachers are now our allies," Mirabel said.

"Except one of them still hasn't explained himself," Zano muttered.

"I'm sure he'll come around," Mirabel replied.

"Ms. Carter, Ms. Madrigal, Mr. Madrigal, Mr. Sánchez, Mr. Santorini," Minerva Probable said, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. "Are you ready to assist me in my investigation?"

"Assist you? No," Nell said. "Work with you as an equal, yeah."

"Really, dudette, if you're working alongside us, you'd better drop the whole 'better-than-thou' attitude," Ernie added. "We've fought more than our fair share of supervillains."

"And monsters," Mirabel chimed in.

"Yeah, want to see—" Zano started, right before getting tased by Minerva via a minor charge from her watch.

"What did you do to him?!" Mirabel shouted, staring at her stunned friend.

"Stopwatch. Temporary paralysis," Minerva replied. "Standard procedure for anyone who comes within one meter of my person."

"Dude, Zano isn't dangerous. He was just blowing smoke," Camilo protested. "Seriously, don't be so hostile."

"Oh, poor Diego," Mirabel said, pulling a small bat out of Zano's backpack. Like Zano, Diego was unconscious.

Minerva pressed a button on her watch. "Note: dhampir subject appears to keep a winged rodent in his backpack."

"His name's Diego, you ding-dong. He's a fruit bat," Nell informed her.

"Ah. Pteropus scapulatus," Minerva said.

"Latin. Oi," Nell groaned.

Zano finally woke and stood as if nothing had happened. "You're dead."

Minerva dropped back into a stance, but Zano only raised a fist in mock threat.

"Come on, you two," Mirabel sighed, depositing Diego into Zano's hand.

A sudden shadow swept over them. An advanced jet descended, landing right in front of the group.

"The Quinjet. Standard issue for top agents," Minerva said.

"Okay, Agent Smug, no need to rub it in," Mirabel shot back. "Let's just find Professor Sylvan and stop Killigan and Levin."

Later

Hours later, the Quinjet landed on a lush green island dominated by a colossal statue at its center. The rest of the island had been cleared and sculpted into a massive golf course. The team slipped into the castle at its heart, moving carefully.

"Killigan and Levin must have wanted Sylvan to build some kind of mutagen to give Killigan the ability to control grass," Camilo guessed.

"I don't think so," Minerva said. "Sylvan's green thumb is the key here and only that."

"Yeah, okay, now see that door?" Ernie pointed at a large, weathered door. "That's screaming 'dungeon.'"

They descended a winding stairway and emerged into a sprawling underground lab, where the walls, floor, and even the equipment were completely overgrown with thick grass.

"Uh, this is too much green, even for Isabela," Camilo muttered.

"GJ did say Sylvan was working on a botanical formula," Mirabel said.

"Yes, but it wasn't for any government agency; it was to improve his lawn," Minerva clarified.

"Maybe Sylvan's still here," Mirabel said.

"There he is," Nell said, pointing to a human-sized cocoon of grass in the corner.

Zano—Murciélago—grabbed the cocoon with both hands and ripped it apart. The old scientist tumbled out, but the kids caught him and helped him to his feet.

"Oh, thank you," Professor Sylvan said, brushing off bits of grass. "Killigan and Leroy trapped me in my own super-fast-growing grass."

"Super grass? Huh, really?" Nell asked, shooting a smug grin at Camilo.

"Professor Sylvan, I'm Agent Minerva Probable of Global Justice," Minerva said crisply. "We need to debrief you on any weapons secrets Killigan and Leroy may have acquired."

"Based on my work?" Sylvan snorted. "Those loons can find anything they want about my weapons and Supers projects in a public library."

"Told you," Murciélago muttered.

"But not all your research on metahumans made it to the public, did it?" Mirabel pressed.

"Well, no," Sylvan admitted. "Due to the ban on superheroes, I had to stop. But the government has those files. They're restricted."

"Bonus question," Ernie chimed in. "What do Killigan and Leroy want with the super grass?"

"Ooh, ooh!" Killigan's voice rang from the top of the stairs. She leaned over the railing like a gleeful schoolkid while the Absorber slouched against the wall behind her. "I know! I know!"

"Dr. Killigan is planning on covering the world in grass to create one giant golf course," Nell guessed.

"Think bigger, lassie," Killigan corrected. "I'm going to cover the world in grass to offset the damage the wars have caused!"

"That's... not so bad," Camilo murmured.

"And the best part," Killigan went on, "is that some of these plants are going to destroy some big-time polluters. Starting with—"

"Now that's insane," Minerva cut in.

"Ooh, just see if you get a tee time," Killigan shot back.

"That's a really stupid plan," Murciélago said, turning to Leroy. "And you're actually helping her with this?"

"Hey, I agree it's stupid," the Absorber said. "But a job's a job. And that includes helping this hot chick with her plan."

"Hey! Don't call me a chicken!" Killigan barked. "Anyway, I'm getting my private golf course-slash-nature reserve!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Minerva shouted, charging up the stairs.

Killigan casually swung a club, tripping him and sending him face-first into the floor.

"Let me handle this. I've got a very special key," Murciélago said, cracking his knuckles. He punched the door hard enough to splinter it into pieces, then stepped out with the others. "How's that for—LOOK OUT!"

They dove aside just before a giant wrecking ball slammed down where they'd been standing. The Absorber reeled it back, his body morphing into the same metal as the chain.

"Killigan likes her clubs. I prefer something a bit bigger," he said.

He swung the wrecking ball overhead, then hurled it at Murciélago. It slammed into him, forcing him back, but Murciélago dug in, caught it, and with a hard twist, sent the Absorber crashing through the wall.

Everyone turned to Killigan, who lounged against a golf bag full of clubs.

"I knew you were good, laddie," Killigan said.

Minerva sprinted past the girls toward the rogue golfer, but Killigan hooked her club around his ankle, sending him sprawling.

"Him, I'm not so sure about," she added.

Nell faced Dr. Killigan squarely. "Dr. Killigan, put down the golf clubs."

"You'll have to pry them out of my cold, dead hands, you will," Killigan snapped.

She whipped out a club and launched a barrage of golf balls at Nell. Mirabel leapt in, grabbing two crossed clubs from the wall to block the onslaught.

"You're ruining my coat of arms!" Killigan protested.

"Oh, don't worry, Doc. I got a pair of better arms for you right here!" Murciélago called—just before the Absorber tackled him from behind, dragging him face-first across the floor.

Murciélago shoved himself up and delivered a sharp kick that sent the Absorber flying to the upper floor. He sprang up after him.

Meanwhile, Mirabel and Killigan clashed in a furious golf-club duel. Mirabel shattered Killigan's first two clubs, forcing her to grab another pair—only for Mirabel to disarm her again.

"I'd love to play a round of sudden death," Killigan quipped, "but I can't let the grass grow beneath my feet... yet."

A trapdoor yawned open beneath her, and she dropped out of sight.

The Absorber crashed back down, groaning as Murciélago landed over him.

"Had enough, Leroy?" Murciélago asked.

"Nowhere even close," Leroy grunted.

He hurled his wrecking ball, knocking Murciélago off his feet. Another trapdoor swallowed Murciélago before anyone could react.

"Suddenly, the whole world is full of holes people just vanish into," Ernie muttered.

"Come on! They're getting away!" Nell barked.

They sprinted outside just in time to see Killigan's plaid-patterned blimp lifting off. Minerva was halfway to the Quinjet when Nell stopped him.

"Minerva, wait! Killigan probably booby-trapped the place."

"Or sand-trapped," Ernie said, glancing down—just as everyone began sinking into quicksand. Within seconds, they were buried to their waists.

"Oh, come on!" Murciélago groaned. "Why can't I break out of this? And what's with this trap? Quicksand shouldn't be this quick!"

"We need a plan," Ernie urged.

"What are you talking about?" Minerva asked.

"You two always argue about whose plan is better—so start arguing already."

"Your Quinjet," Nell cut in. "It must have a remote control module."

"Right—the RCM!" Minerva said. Then his face fell. "Uh... I left it on the Quinjet."

"What about Diego?" Murciélago suggested. "He can fly."

Diego nodded and flew across the trap, retrieved the RCM, and returned within a minute. Minerva activated it with his teeth, summoning the Quinjet, which lowered a rescue rope.

"Ladies first," Nell said, climbing up.

"Why must she constantly irk me?" Minerva muttered.

"You make it too easy," Murciélago replied.

Once aboard, Minerva steered the Quinjet after the blimp.

"So, Prof," Ernie asked Sylvan, "any clue where Killigan's headed?"

"Oh yes," Sylvan said. "She's going after the first country that banned her from a golf course—Japan."

In Japan

Already, people were scrambling and screaming at the sight of grass rapidly growing over their streets, buildings, cars—basically everything. Among the crowd, Doc Killigan was planting her super-grass seeds and watering them to sprout and blanket all of Japan. She laughed maniacally as the grass did its work.

"It's pure dead brilliant!" Killigan yelled. She turned to the Absorber. "Eh, Leroy, you want a piece of the fun?"

The Absorber shook his head. "No. I won't encourage this ridiculous plan any further. Just remember that after this, you owe the Power Broker a lot."

"Aye. He doesn't need to worry about me owing him anything," Killigan said. "Once I cover the world in super grass, I'll be sure to lend some of my territory to him as collateral."

"Well, just... OOF!" Leroy grunted as Zano tackled him yet again.

Killigan gasped as the Quinjet landed in front of her, and Mirabel, Nell, Ernie, Camilo, and Minerva charged out, dashing through the growing greenery.

"Killigan, stop!" Mirabel shouted.

"Nay!" Killigan laughed, throwing more super-grass seeds and watering them.

A wave of grass surged toward them, but Nell leapt and twisted, narrowly dodging the vines. The grass rose higher, attempting to ensnare the Quinjet, but Minerva deployed the jet's thrusters to lift it slightly, giving the team a moment to maneuver.

Ernie used his acrobatic skills to grab a nearby fire hydrant, tearing it free and redirecting a stream of water at the advancing grass, slowing it down.

Mirabel vaulted onto a rooftop, grabbing a stack of weighted seed bags and tossing them back toward Killigan's spread. "Stop planting!" she yelled, trying to crush the remaining seeds before they could take root.

Camilo, shifting rapidly between different forms for maximum agility, darted past Killigan and snatched her watering can mid-swing. Killigan hissed and swung a nearby golf club at him, but Camilo morphed into a sleek panther, dodging the club and leaving Killigan off-balance.

The Absorber, recovering, attempted to help by bending nearby metal street signs into makeshift barriers. Zano intercepted him, grabbing him midair and hurling him toward a clear patch to prevent further interference.

Furious, Killigan stomped the ground and unleashed a concentrated burst of rapidly growing grass directly at the Quinjet.

"Everyone, brace yourselves!" Mirabel yelled. The team barely managed to pull the craft out of the spread as roots and shoots lashed against it.

Minerva activated his tracking device, pinpointing Killigan's location amidst the chaos. "We need to cut off her supply of seeds and water!" he shouted.

Ernie nodded and, with a running leap, crashed through a nearby storefront, knocking over shelves of seed packets and water containers. The spread slowed almost immediately as Killigan's resources were disrupted.

"No! You can't do this!" Killigan screamed, spinning around with a golf club in hand.

Mirabel and Nell charged simultaneously, weaving through the remaining grass, and tackled her to the ground.

Camilo transformed into a big, burly guy, pinning Killigan to prevent her escape, while Zano quickly activated a restraining device from the Quinjet, securing her wrists and ankles.

Panting and defeated, Killigan glared at the team. "This isn't over! The earth will be saved."

"Not like this," Mirabel said, tightening the straps. "And you're going to be in a lot of trouble."

With Killigan captured and the Absorber neutralized, the team surveyed the damage. The streets were a tangled mess of green, but the worst was contained. Professor Sylvan arrived moments later, assessed the residual supergrass, and began neutralization.

"Good work, everyone," he said.

"Thanks," Nell replied. "I've got to get one of those stopwatches."

"Ms. Carter, Ms. Madrigal," Minerva said, "I owe you and your team an apology."

"I'm glad you're a big enough person to admit it," Nell said.

"So what does this mean for us now?" Mirabel asked.

The Next Day at San Ángel High

The next day at San Ángel High, the group exchanged excited looks as they stood in Principal Van Hellsing’s office.

"Freelance heroes? That sounds awesome!" Mirabel said.

"Guess our training really paid off," Zano added, flexing his arms dramatically.

"Just remember," Principal Van Hellsing said, "with this role comes responsibility. You'll be tasked with missions that challenge your abilities, your teamwork, and your judgment. GJ has high expectations."

"We can handle it," Nell said confidently.

"And no more spontaneous magical mayhem, please," Van Hellsing added with a grin.

"We'll try," Mirabel said, laughing.

The principal stood up and handed them a sleek set of identification badges. "These will allow you access to GJ communications and databases. Use them wisely."

Ernie took the badge and turned it over in his hands. "Wow. This is really happening."

"You all did an excellent job on your first official mission," Van Hellsing continued. "But remember, the world of freelance heroics can be unpredictable. Expect the unexpected, and trust your instincts."

Mirabel exchanged a glance with Zano and Nell, all three silently agreeing that they were ready for the challenge ahead.

As they left the office, Nell muttered, "I can't believe we're actual heroes now. Freelance heroes undercover, but heroes no less."

"It's only the beginning," Mirabel said, smiling as the sun streamed through the windows, lighting up their path.

And so, with new badges, new responsibilities, and the bond of teamwork stronger than ever, the group set off into a world full of adventures, ready to face whatever the Power Broker—or anyone else—could throw at them next.

Chapter Text

San Angel Arts High – Hallway

"Guys, this isn't just a big deal, it's a big, hairy deal!" Ernie said.

"It's driver's education, Ernie," Mirabel said as she, Ernie, and Zano walked into the school. She was wearing an aqua-green sweater, a black choker, and black pants.

"This isn't any old class, Miri; this is a rite of passage! Today, we get behind the wheel of Detroit steel!"

"One: we're in Mexico. Two: he has a point—learning to drive is a major teen milestone," Nell said.

"Still no reason to make it into a big deal."

"Oh, really, Zano? Need I remind you of Russell Needlemeyer? He flunked Driver's Ed, and now he lives in his parents' basement and takes the bus to his job as a taxidermist!"

"Russell has a lot of issues," Zano deadpanned as they walked to the classroom for Driver's Ed.

"Yes, and they all started in Driver's Ed."

"Ernie, why are you even stressing? You already know how to drive," Mirabel pointed out.

"Yeah, but my parents are going to let me upgrade from the van to a car. I need to take a refresher," Ernie said.

Zano was the last to enter and saw Mr. Verdugo at the desk. I swear it feels like he's the only teacher here sometimes, he thought before sitting in the front beside Mirabel, with Ernie on her left, just as Mauricio Verdugo spoke.

"People, today is the most important day of your young lives. Today, you pass through the doorway to adulthood. Today... you drive." The teens cheered at that before Verdugo pulled down a screen. "But first, a film. Lights!"

The lights dimmed as a black-and-white 1950s educational film appeared, featuring a teenage girl beside a new car.

"This used to be Judy's car, and what a swell car it was. Downright nifty for going to sock hops and soda parlors," the narrator said, as Mirabel glanced at her friends.

"What's a sock hop?" Mirabel asked.

"What's a soda parlor?" Daniela asked.

"That's what they call fast-food places and a place to dance in America," Zano explained when the two turned to him. "Fast food is tiny burgers and/or just ice cream–dessert shops. A soda parlor is like that, since people still cook at home 99.9% of the time. A sock hop is like going to a skating rink or a dance club."

"But that was all before Judy's keen little coupe became... the Ghost Car!" the narrator said as the clip cut to a totaled car beside it.

"You can imagine what that carnage would look like in color. Don't look away, people!" Verdugo said as every teen turned green at what was shown next.

The movie ended, and Verdugo stood. "Okay, who's ready to roll?!" he asked before Ernie fainted.

"Still think driving isn't a big deal?" Mirabel asked Zano.

"If Russell Needlemeyer saw this movie, it's no wonder he takes the bus."

Parking Lot

Zano got in the car with Mauricio Verdugo, and the silence was tense.

"So are you going to pretend we're not related or ignore telling me why you let the council mess with my mind?" he asked.

"I know heroes are banned, but maintaining cover is not. Focus on the test, Sánchez," Verdugo said.

"Whatever," Zano sighed. After completing the basic checkups, he started the test.

Once Zano parked the car, Verdugo wrote Zano's grade. "Here you go, Sánchez."

Zano got out of the red car holding a paper with his grade on it.

A+

Later, Zano watched most of the kids fail by hitting some cones—or all of them—before seeing Ernie hit the gym. Standing beside Mirabel, he watched a tire roll across the lot as Verdugo and Ernie walked over.

"Er, the school's insurance will cover the damage, right?" Ernie asked.

"Looks like you and old Russ Needlemeyer are gonna spend quality time at the bus stop. Madrigal, break the string of spirit-crushing failures," Verdugo said, walking to another Driver's Ed car.

Mirabel got into the car.

"This should be a cinch for you, Madrigal."

"Right," Mirabel replied, reaching for the gear shift.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Getting familiar with the car before starting it?"

"Without your seat belt?" Verdugo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, yeah, right," Mirabel replied, putting it on before reaching for the gear shift again.

"Now what are you doin'?!"

"Er, driving."

"Not without checking your mirrors, you're not, missy!"

"Mirrors. Gotcha." Mirabel fixed her side mirrors before reaching for her rearview mirror, recalling Ernie's concerns about Driver's Ed and getting their licenses.

"Put it in gear... put it in gear, Madrigal!" Verdugo barked as Mirabel spaced out.

"Oh, yeah, right. Sorry," Mirabel chuckled before speeding out.

And failed, like the others, except for Zano, Nell, and Marisol.

Night – Bueno Nacho

Mushu was riding a toy car that Ernie drove through an obstacle course mirroring the school.

"Yeah, hey!"

"So, as you can see from this very conclusive demonstration, it's not so much that I lost control of the car as that they built the gym too close to the parking lot," Ernie said as Mushu hit a sugar canister.

Zano rolled his eyes and turned to Mirabel. "Chin up, you did better than Ernie."

"I just can't get over it. I've been able to handle anything that school or sensei has thrown at me, and I've managed to do fine," Mirabel groaned as she sat at a booth. "I even passed the written part of the test."

"Right, but you still failed in some areas. See the logic?" Ernie asked before Zano looked over.

"Most people fail the driver's course the first time... you gotta get used to being behind the wheel of a vehicle."

"You didn't," Mirabel pointed out. "And your dirt bike doesn't count, it's got two wheels."

"You got me. I have a cousin who owns a ranch. When I visit, I help with the work, and that means driving the truck to put hay bales on," Zano said, as Mirabel spaced out, picturing a shirtless Zano working on a farm in the hot sun. "Also, I've been Grandpapi's designated driver whenever he gets too lucid."

"Great, you broke a law and passed, while I ran over some cones and failed. How does that work?"

"If you'd been in a remote-control car today, Mirabel, you might have passed—as long as Crash Santorini wasn't at the controls," Betty said with a smirk as she walked up with Tara and Hope.

"Hey, I have had a license and a car longer than you," Ernie said.

"Yet you choked on a refresher course! Ha! Oh, and by the way, your mom's van doesn't count as a car," Betty said as she walked away with her friends.

"Is she even in our class?" Mirabel asked her friends.

"No, so don't let her get to you. You can always retake the road test," Nell said.

"I am so over cars. There's nothing wrong with walking," Mirabel said before they walked away.

"Driving a car is not only quicker, but it's good for certain occasions," Zano said.

"Like what, rain? I have rain gear."

"No, honey, he means driving to make-out spots," Nell said.

"Oh." Mirabel and Zano both blushed, looking away from each other as they held hands.

As they walked, they missed a Volkswagen Beetle turning its lights on to follow.

"Yeah. Yeah, I think this whole driving thing is way overrated. Did Thomas Jefferson drive a car? Did George Washington? I mean, sure, the Wright brothers flew airplanes, but did they drive?" Ernie asked as the car crept up, and Zano and Mirabel glanced back. "Actually, I don't know, but the point is—"

"Ernie, we're being followed," Mirabel said as they kept walking.

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Only one way to find out."

The group ran through several yards before stopping as Ernie climbed over the last fence.

"I'd just like to point out that was two fences in a row, and I didn't rip my pants!" Ernie smiled, hands on his hips.

"Let no one doubt your fence-jumping skills, Ernie. Now move," Mirabel said as she and Zano turned to run—just as Ernie hit a bush and ripped his pants.

Rrriipp!

"I think we lost the car," Mirabel said, before the car jumped over them and landed in front of them. A male voice spoke as the top rolled down.

"Mirabel Madrigal?"

Mirabel looked up before slowly walking over. "Yes."

Then it became clear that no one was inside, as the car spoke while opening the door.

"I've come for you."

"Ghost car! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Gah! Gah! Gah! Gah!" Ernie screamed as the car spoke again.

"Does he do this often?"

"Almost daily," Zano sighed before walking over to calm Ernie down. "Ernie, chill. I highly doubt spirits possess this Beetle. Right?"

"I'm a Highly Efficient Resilient Buggy Intelligent Explorer, but my passengers call me H.E.R.B.I.E.," the car replied.

"No ghosts?" Ernie asked as the three walked up to the car.

"No ghosts. I am equipped with ejector seats and a disintegrator ray, and I come in a variety of colors," H.E.R.B.I.E. said, changing colors.

"Cool!" Mirabel said as EZMN appeared on the door in yellow and green.

"What about the monogram? Too much?" H.E.R.B.I.E. asked as Mirabel smiled.

"I like it."

"Wow! That drink holder could hold a king-sized Slurpster!" Ernie yelled, seeing the large cup holders.

"Okay, I'm impressed, but what do you want from us?" Mirabel asked H.E.R.B.I.E. as she looked inside.

"Some freaks snatched my inventor, Dr. Gustav Stumpfel, a German engineer."

"Did you try the police?"

"Can't involve the local authorities. My creator has a confidential agreement with the government. So I went looking for some secret help and found your team."

"Wow, we've never had a car ask for help before."

"Can you really do anything?" H.E.R.B.I.E. asked as Zano smiled.

"Oh, yeah, you know, except a K-turn."

Smack!

"Ow!"

"Any clue who did it?" Mirabel asked after smacking Zano upside the head for his remark.

"Clueless. But the blender might know something."

"Did you say blender?" Ernie asked, raising an eyebrow.

Thirty Minutes Later – Stumpfel's House

The four teens stood in the kitchen as the blender came to life.

"I–I–It was all so chaotic," it stammered.

"Yep, that's a talking blender, all right," Ernie said, crossing his arms.

"I've seen just about everything... if I see a house fly, I will," Zano said before Mirabel walked over to speak to the appliance.

"Just tell us whatever you can about the people who took Doctor Stumpfel."

"Well, one of them was roguish, and the other was petulant, I guess I would say."

"Roguish and petulant? Erm, okay, can you be a little more descriptive?" Nell asked, crossing her arms as well.

"Height, weight, anything that might be a tiny bit explicatory?!" Ernie asked, walking over.

"Look, I wasn't built with eyes."

"Any cameras here, or a microphone?" Zano asked before hearing the radio.

"I recorded the whole thing, baby," it said.

"You wait until Blender and I are about to mix it up to mention this?!" Ernie asked, looking back before they heard Hugo's voice.

"Good morning, Doctor Stumpfel. You're coming with me..."

"Hugo!"

"So you know this creep?"

"Unfortunately," Zano said. "However, we won't be able to search for him until tomorrow."

"Web has a curfew," Mirabel added. "And so do we."

After dropping off Nell and Ernie, Zano and Mirabel parked H.E.R.B.I.E. in Zano's garage.

Hugo's Lair

A handcuffed Stumpfel looked at the large, muscular-looking robots being made on an assembly line.

"Hm, some sort of manufacturing facility."

"Very observant, Doctor Stumpfel," Hugo said, walking in with Esmeralda. "This factory once manufactured family station wagons, but I've twisted it to a grander purpose, a far more insidious threat, a much deadlier—"

"He's building an army of robots," Esmeralda said, angering Hugo.

"Why do you do that? The evil rant is one of the best perks of the job!"

"Yeah, well, it's tedious!"

"Bring in the Destructo-bots!" Hugo yelled as a large group of robots walked in.

"You've already built your robot army, so why do you need me?" Stumpfel asked.

"Destructo-bots, attack!" Esmeralda ordered.

The bots immediately destroyed each other before she yelled again, "Destructo-bots, switch off!"

"As you can see, my Destructo-bots are stupid! Your creations, on the other hand, are smart," Hugo groaned.

"Smart and funny. My toaster, by the way, is always good for when you—"

"I just want the smart," Hugo cut in, and Stumpfel glared.

"Forget it! I'll never help you!"

"Yep, just like I thought. This guy won't help us because he can't help us," Esmeralda said, walking over.

"Esmeralda, what did you say? The man's a genius!"

"The world's leading expert on computerized automation."

"If he really knew his stuff, he would fix your robots and be on his merry way. Right, Dr. Hugo?" she asked, winking, and Hugo blinked before smiling.

"Oh, I see. Yes, you're right. This Stumpfel clearly is a poser."

"What?"

"Yeah, we should grab another scientist," she said, turning around.

"Yes, perhaps somebody from Lowerton Community College."

"Those hacks? I can program circles around those buffoons!" Stumpfel said before catching one of the robots' heads.

"You talk the talk. Prove it."

Stumpfel then got to work on fixing the robots. "Can't even program a VCR at that place," he muttered.

Morning – Madrigal House, Mirabel's Room

"Pop quiz, guys. Hugo plus an expert on computerized intelligence equals..." Mirabel trailed off, talking to Ernie, Nell, Web, and Zano, who was now wearing a white peasant top, a pair of turquoise jean-style pants, and white shoes.

"An evil robot army?" Ernie asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Has to be."

"I'll cross-reference abandoned factories with shipments of robotic parts and microprocessor orders," Web said.

Mirabel smiled. "You techno-rock, Web."

"I try. But this is a needle–haystack scenario. It might take time."

"We'll check in after school," she said, running out to the kitchen, where her father and sisters sat at the booth. "Later, Mom, Dad."

"Ernie is taking you and Zano to school, Mirabel?" Agustín asked.

"No, we got a new ride," she said as she put books in her backpack.

"From who?"

"A self-driving computerized Volkswagen Beetle. His name is Herbie."

"That's new."

"We got a living house and a magic staff. A talking car was only a matter of time."

Later, the three were riding in H.E.R.B.I.E., with Zano and Nell in the back, as Ernie picked up a giant cup.

"The moment of truth is here... yes, it fits! The king-sized Slurpster fits!" he cheered as Mushu popped out to sip what he could from the large drink.

"All right, all right. Put a lid on it. You look like a spiller," H.E.R.B.I.E. said as Mushu pulled back and held his head.

"Brain freeze!"

"What's wrong, Mirabel?" Zano asked, leaning forward as he saw her downtrodden look.

"It's Driver's Ed that's got me baffled."

"Oh yeah. Forgot about that," Ernie said before H.E.R.B.I.E. spoke up.

"Excuse me? Driver's education?"

"Yeah, Mr. Verdugo's test course is ruthless. Zano's one of only three to pass it," Ernie said, looking forward.

"Hello? What am I missing here?! Self-driving car. I was made for this," H.E.R.B.I.E. said as Ernie smiled.

"Right! We take Verdugo's test in Herbie, and we ace it perfectly!"

"No, Ernie, I'm not gonna cheat."

"Is using a calculator in algebra cheating?" Ernie asked, looking over.

"I don't use a calculator."

"Okay. Well, is cutting and pasting photos from the internet and calling it a report cheating if you do the writing?"

Mirabel raised an eyebrow. "You are kidding, right?"

"What? I'm not plagiarizing, and I cite the sources," Ernie said.

"Well, using a Herbie to pass a driving test is still cheating," Nell said.

"She's right, and I can pass this test on my own. I know I can."

Later, Verdugo was walking away from another Ernie crash.

"You know what they say, Mr. V: any crash you can walk away from—"

"Santorini, I've got two words for you: public transportation," Verdugo barked before going to get another clipboard.

Mirabel walked to a car before it disintegrated, and H.E.R.B.I.E. pulled up in its place.

"What are you doing?" Mirabel hissed as H.E.R.B.I.E. reshaped himself into the vehicle he had just destroyed, and Verdugo walked up.

Later, Mirabel and the others walked the halls as Zano looked outside at the school sign:

MIRABEL MADRIGAL – STUDENT DRIVER OF THE YEAR

"You aced it! I knew you could. Say, you'll give me pointers, right? Because the Russell Needlemeyer thing really freaks me out," Ernie said as Mirabel sighed at the giant "A++" on her grade slip.

"Can we not talk about cars, please?" she asked, stopping at her locker, just as Betty walked up.

"Hey, Mirabel, I heard you passed. Congratulations. But I can still drive circles around you."

"Any time, any place—as long as it's before dark and I have a licensed driver in the car," Mirabel said, nervously rubbing her arm.

"Sounds like fun," Betty smiled, then left.

"You know, you seem a little agitated for a girl who just aced her driver's test," Ernie said as Mirabel stared down at her books.

"I cheated. Well, Herbie cheated for me, but the guilt is still there."

"You cheated?/You cheated?" the two boys asked at the same time.

"He just did it!" Mirabel sighed as she turned to leave before Ernie spoke up.

"I'm sorry, let me rephrase. You cheated? And you didn't let me cheat too?"

"I didn't cheat, Ernie! I mean, is it cheating if I let the cheating happen, but I didn't mean to cheat?"

"What?" Ernie asked, before the communicator went off.

Beep beep ba-beep!

"What's up, Web?" Mirabel asked, pulling it out of her pocket.

"Hugo's lair. Found it."

Hugo's Lair

Hugo and Gustav were dancing with party hats on before H.E.R.B.I.E. crashed through the wall, and the teens, now in their mission suits with masks and cowls, jumped out.

"Hugo, release Dr. Stumpfel! Are they partying?" Mirabel asked as she saw the two dance.

"I told you I could do it."

"I know I told you you could. I never doubted you," Hugo said before Gustav noticed H.E.R.B.I.E.

"H.E.R.B.I.E., you came! It was quite exciting! Dr. Hugo had a programming glitch in his Destructo-bots that he was sure I couldn't fix. Well, I showed him."

Mirabel popped up at that to shake his hand. "Hi, Mirabel Madrigal. Came to save you. Did you say you fixed Hugo's Destructo-bots?"

Gustav nodded and motioned to the repaired robots. "Yes! They work perfectly now..." He trailed off as they powered on. "Which might not be a good thing."

"You think?!"

"Uh-oh."

"Destructo-bots, vaporize them all—but start with Mirabel and Zano!" Hugo yelled as he pointed at Mirabel.

Zano and Mirabel dodged blasts before H.E.R.B.I.E. drove through a group.

"Ooh, that's gonna scratch the paint," Ernie said, as Gustav shook his head.

"No, scratch-proof paint."

"Nice!" Ernie smiled before a robot came toward them, forcing Ernie to push the scientist down. "Duck!" Ernie leaned up as Zano kicked one robot's head off, then threw a Slurpster at another, shorting it out.

"Brain freeze! Never underestimate the power of the Slurpster!"

"Esmeralda, Mirabel Madrigal, her sidekicks, and that sporty utility vehicle are destroying my robots!" Hugo yelled as Zano attacked several more robots alongside Mirabel and the car.

"And that's why you have me around. Really nice," Esmeralda muttered, then shot H.E.R.B.I.E. with a laser rifle, flipping the car and knocking one of his mirrors off.

Esmeralda then shot a tank, causing a glowing blue acid paste to spill out, before she and Hugo escaped in a hover car.

"Farewell, Mirabel Madrigal! We won't meet again!" Hugo shouted.

"Anybody see a way out of here?" Mirabel asked, looking around.

Ernie shook his head as the acid crept closer. "No, and it's not for lack of trying."

"I can get us out," H.E.R.B.I.E. beeped, driving over.

"Herbie, you're still alive!"

"Yeah, but his voice chip is totaled, and his automated guidance systems are fried. Someone's gonna have to drive us out of here," Dr. Stumpfel said.

"No problem, Doc Stumpfel. You can take the wheel," Ernie smiled, but the doctor shook his head.

"Oh, sorry. I can't drive."

"You can't drive?" Mirabel asked, surprised, as Gustav shrugged.

"Why else build a self-driving car?"

"I could do it," Zano sighed before getting in and buckling up with the others. He drove, avoiding the acid and bouncing over various pipes before coming to a T-junction with no exit.

Mirabel hit a button, launching missiles that created a hole, allowing them to jump out and land in the parking lot.

"Damn, those TV shows made jumping in a car seem like fun," Zano groaned, cursing at the pain from the landing.

"Language, Zano!" Mirabel scolded before H.E.R.B.I.E. honked.

"Want the cherry on top, Mirabel? Just press the red button," Dr. Stumpfel said.

Mirabel hit the button, and a missile shot out, targeting Hugo's hover car.

Later, Hugo and Esmeralda were being loaded into the back of a police van.

"Mirabel Madrigal, you think your car's all that, but it's not!" Hugo shouted.

San Angel Arts High

Zano watched as Mirabel retook her test. She pulled up and stopped beside him as Verdugo handed her a grade slip with a big B– on it. Mirabel cheered.

"I'll never understand teenagers," Verdugo muttered.

"If you did, you would have seen this coming," Mirabel said, locking the doors and driving them off campus.

"What are you doing?!"

"Driving to Zano's house."

"I wonder if I can tuck and roll without causing suspicion?"

Years Ago

Mauricio Verdugo told Donna Rivera about Zano's vampire grandparents—specifically Zano's grandmother.

"I was always warned to be vigilant against temptation..." A young Mauricio entered a bar and saw a beautiful woman dancing on stage with a snake. "Sadly, I was never one to turn down a request from a pretty woman; unfortunately, it came with a terrible price."

Mauricio was then seen running away from the bar holding a bundle. His face was bleeding from what appeared to be claw marks.

"When I realized what they were, I tried to escape. Luckily for me, the sun rose before the scouts caught up to us." He returned to the village and was greeted by an old woman who tended to his wounds and to the baby girl he brought with him.

"I didn't know the first thing about raising a child, but I did the best I could to keep her from becoming the blood-sucking monster her mother wanted her to be. But I had failed because of the cunning of a stupid pendejo!"

"You didn't give her much reason to stay," Donna added with disgust, looking at the Culebra in front of her.

"Which is why she kept me alive after she took over her mother's group. I was forced to stay and watch my daughter be a cold-hearted monster like her mother—whom I should have killed before I escaped."

Donna merely crossed her arms.

"Anyway, we had no idea there were other vampires outside of Mexico, let alone that there was a vampire council. Santanico was intrigued by Werner's offer to help them integrate into vampire society and permitted him refuge at the bar to perfect his formula."

"And offered you as a test subject."

"Not surprising, considering how I was to her as a human. Regardless, Werner not only gained her trust but somehow managed to win her affections."

"He was the son of Dracula and well-connected."

"He was a nerdy Nosferatu."

"Love is blind, Mauricio."

"Whatever. Despite their odd coupling, he was the only one to give her what she never knew she needed... a family."

He recalled the day Sunita was born and how sad he felt, thinking about how happy their small family was compared to his own.

"She loved being a mother and was excited when she heard they'd be raising Werner's orphaned nephew. But happiness never lasts long; the separation devastated her, but his death nearly broke her. It wasn't until she heard Sunita and Pepe on the radio that her hope came back... until she met your son, Raphael."

"She didn't approve of their union," Donna said.

"She didn't support Sunita's choice to keep him human—and their children—as they were, away from the vampire code and the super one. You can probably guess how she took it."

"Probably as well as Simón had, but for different reasons. My son would never do what you did as a parent."

"Sadly, Sunita did not want to take a chance," Mauricio said.

"Well, thanks to her, my son and her daughter were killed, and their murderers have the stone. And if Simón doesn't want to get involved, fine, but El Tigre will," Donna said as she donned the legendary belt of the Rivera family.

"Revenge won't bring them back, señora," Mauricio said.

"No, but it will ensure that my granddaughter will be safe from these zealots," Donna replied.

Present – Sánchez Living Room

Zano sat alone on the couch, processing everything his abuela and Mauricio had told him about his family.

"Mijo, please say something," Donna implored.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were my sweet but strict grandmother. Or are you just another Marisol who's been lying to me my whole life?"

"Watch what you say, boy! Your grandmother used the belt to avenge your parents' killers. After you were found alive, she never wore it again," Mauricio said.

Zano looked away. "Why didn't you tell me? You told me everything else about both my grandfathers, so why omit this?"

"You and your sister were safe and with people who loved you for all you are. The people who tried to kill you were gone. We felt it wasn't important how the monsters who took your parents were defeated. Because they weren't important. But you are, Zano. Our family had so much turmoil in it, we didn't want to add more hate to your upbringing. I didn't want it to influence how you felt about being a vampire and a human."

"Okay. But I meant, why didn't you tell me that you wore the belt?" Zano asked.

Donna looked down. "I wanted to put that night behind me. As for the amnesia, we had no idea the council was involved. We wanted to tell you, but..."

"I asked them not to," Mauricio admitted. "You were a child who had so many revelations to deal with. I felt it would be better to wait before dumping more on you until you were old enough to comprehend. You deserved to have some peace."

"I wouldn't call being a dhampir who sheds his skin peaceful," Zano said.

"Don't be smart. You had a roof over your head, loving parents, and an education, which is more than most people have in this world," Mauricio said.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be ungrateful, but all these secrets and lies... they kind of taint everything I thought I knew," Zano said.

"Me too. How can you trust anything to be true if you can't even rely on your memories?" Mirabel added.

"You two may have forgotten your friendship with each other, but when you reunited, did you notice how in sync you were when you got here?" Mauricio asked.

"You mean when Zano and I danced for the first time," Mirabel concluded.

"Yes. Mentally, you two were strangers, but emotionally, you remembered how you moved and thought," Donna said. "It explains why you two are a formidable team on missions despite knowing each other for a short time."

"I just wish we didn't have to forget everything that night. My family was healing, and I had my memories of my older cousins," Mirabel said.

"In this world of ours, sacrifices must be made for the greater good. Kaiba and Isabela understood this, which is why they surrendered their love and memories of each other," Mauricio said.

"But now they have a chance to be together again, and they aren't the only ones," said Donna.

"So what happens now? Are you still going to be our teacher, or are you going to transfer?" Zano asked his great-grandfather.

"I'm staying at your school," Mauricio said. "As for us, I thought you were educated enough on vampires, but now I see there are a few things you still need to learn."

"Let me guess—after school."

"You bet."

Chapter Text

Mirabel Madrigal and Zano Sanchez were on patrol in Miracle City on Friday night. Global Justice got a tip about suspicious activity and wanted Mirabel and Zano on it.

"Everything appears to be in order," Mariposa mumbled, looking down as they flew upon.

"It would be nice to have a quiet evening out... for once," Murciélago mumbled with a sigh. They hadn't seen trouble so far.

"Now, throw a dinner in and I call it the perfect night out," she said, smiling.

"Is that an offer?" Murciélago asked, grinning.

"How about keeping your heads in the game, you two?" Mauricio Verdugo asked, and they both grimaced, realizing he was listening. They had forgotten that. "And there is no such thing as a peaceful evening, especially in Miracle City," he warned them.

"Yeah, yeah, we know. Such a killjoy," he mumbled.

"Sam, get back! Uhh!" a voice was heard, and their eyes widened as they flew in that direction. They both spotted Zano's brother, Luis Sanchez, pinned to the tree with knives at his sleeves and a blue-painted woman with a sword threatening him and District Attorney Sam Young.

"Oh, no!" Mariposa muttered as she flew faster and closer, without waiting for the Dark Knight to join her. The white-dressed woman walked closer, but before she had time to do anything, Mariposa kicked her away, and together they rolled away, allowing the lawyer to recover.

"This way," Luis said, grabbing his friend's hand, and they started running. "The DA is under attack. Shots fired. Miracle Lake, central drive. Repeat-Miracle Lake," he called for backup as they ran.

"What's your deal, Smurf?" Mariposa asked the blue-painted woman as she tried to keep her down, but somehow, she managed to shake it off and immediately took off.

"I have her," Murciélago said, running past Mariposa and after the blue woman. Mariposa groaned in frustration as she stood up, before chasing after them, trying to catch up.

Though they tried to outrun her, they failed. Sam tripped, and Luis wanted to help him back up, but the woman caught up. She jumped at them, ready to slash them, but Murciélago kicked her away, just in time, as he hung from a tree branch. They started fighting with Murciélago using his equipment to defend, while she tried to slash him in half. However, out of nowhere, a rope came and wrapped around the woman. "You're a sight for sore eyes," Murciélago said with a smile, looking in that direction to see Mariposa nodding to him. However, the woman cut the ropes with her sword and went to attack Mariposa, who immediately started avoiding the blade. She ducked at a sudden movement, and the blade cut the pillar from behind her, causing her eyes to widen.

"Our blades don't do that," she mumbled, and Murciélago ran and kicked away the blue woman.

"Maybe not yours," he said, unsheathing his moon sword, his eyes locked on the woman. However, it was too late.

"This is the police," the police said as they arrived in the scenery, through the loudspeaker. "Put your weapon down and step back. This is your last warning. Put your weapon down - now!" he said before they started firing.

"Okay, time to go," Mariposa said as she grabbed Murciélago's hand and ran behind her tree, taking cover.

"Forget the vigilantes. Stop the woman," Luis ordered them. And they did. They turned their attacks on the woman. However, in the end, she managed to escape.

San Angel Kaiba's shop

"That's her," Mirabel said as Web Mode searched through the files of the computer, the two males watching them from behind. They returned only a few minutes ago, and they immediately got to work.

"Kind of blurry," Zano said, observing the photo on the computer screen.

"It's the only photo INTERPOL and GJ has. It was taken at the airport assassination in Berlin," Mauricio said with Mirabel raising an eyebrow.

"Who is she?" Zano asked, curious.

"Curaré. She's as lethal as her name. A member of the society of assassins," He explained.

"No one knows her original name anymore - or her face." Web added.

"What about the sword?" Zano asked, still impressed.

"A scimitar. Sharpened by lasers to an edge no thicker than a molecule," Mauricio explained.

"Guess you'll want us to keep an eye on my brother," Zano said with a smile.

"No. Luis is not the target." Mauricio said, and they gave him a look, confused.

"His partner is," a voice said from behind, and they all tensed as they turned and looked to the cave's entrance to find Luis looking at them as he walked closer.

"How did you - man, we need to upgrade security," Zano exclaimed in frustration.

"Hello, Luis." Mauricio greeted casually, sitting up. And with that, Mirabel knew that Luis was familiar with the place.

"Long time, Verdugo," Luis greeted him back.

"How's Sam?" the old vampire asked, frowning.

"Holdin' up. He's scheduled to testify on Wednesday at the trial of Fyodor Davich, the international arms dealer. Without the testimony, Davich will walk, so he's arranged for my partner to be hit before the deposition," he explained, walking closer to the glass cases where the Lucha costumes were. "I see you sewed up the bullet holes," the man said, observing a particular costume.

"No way! You were El Torito!" Zano exclaimed in realization, looking at Mirabel. "He is El Torito!" he shouted in disbelief.

"You mean your sisters weren't the only superheroes?" Mirabel asked.

"Was El Torito. That brand of costume justice went out with the Tommy gun, kids," he said, walking closer to them. "I appreciate what you did tonight, but I want you two to stay out of police business. Of course, maybe I'm talking to the wrong person," he said, before turning to Mauricio. "Hard to believe you're encouraging this after all the effort you put into keeping Zano at a distance," Luis said, glancing at Zano.

"I'm filling in for Kaiba on behalf of the council," Mauricio said calmly. Their recent costume changes were from Global Justice themselves."

"Yes, I'm sure recruiting underage supers will go over well with the public and NSA."

"Dicker already knows, and the NSA gave their approval."

"You know nobody forced us, Luis," said Mirabel.

"It's what I - both of us - wanted," Zano said, making a stand, speaking for himself and Mirabel.

"That's what we all thought - at the beginning. I've looked the other way so far, but I'm not our parents. I don't want to have to come back here again. Capisce?" he said, turning to walk away.

"Does this mean you don't want the information Webster acquired on Curaré?" Mauricio asked him, smugly holding out the data disc. Luis frowned but took it.

"I mean it, Mauricio. Stay out of it," he warned them before walking away.

"Mauricio, everything okay?" Mirabel asked him as soon as the lawyer left the cave.

"Old history. Leave it be," the man said, walking away. But Mirabel merely looked at him sympathetically. That answer was getting old itself. Especially, since it came from a man who indeed had lived through so many things.

Safe House

"I'm telling you, Verdugo, the president should have this much protection," Murciélago whispered, surveying the area. They were hiding outside the house where Sam Young was. Though they were warned not to get involved, the next night they did so again.

"I am amazed. The place is as tight as a coffin." Mariposa said, counting down the many officers.

"Don't even joke about that." Mauricio scolded her, and she frowned.

"It's a figure of speech," she said, knowing something was wrong. Her bad jokes never earned her a scold from him before.

"Hey, she's leaving," Murciélago said, catching their attention. She turned and looked at the car outside the house.

"Who?" Mauricio asked them, confused.

"Luis," Mariposa said, troubled. Would he risk leaving his partner alone?

"He's got to know Curaré's going to be there," Mauricio said, also troubled.

"Nobody'd be crazy enough to take on all these –" Murciélago started, but stopped when he saw one of the guards getting attacked. His partners followed soon after. "Whoa!" he mumbled.

"Hello, Murciélago!" Mariposa said, slapping him on the back of his head before she jumped off the tree.

"Eh? Wait for me," her partner called as he jumped after her. They turned their customs to camouflage mode and ran to the house, ready to set their trap for the assassin.

Curaré easily evaded or incapacitated the guards and made it into the house. She climbed the stairs and went to the room. However, when she went to open the door, she was punched right in the face. She stumbled a little but gained her composure. Mariposa smirked as she turned off the mod and ran to her, catching her by the waist and pushing her over the rail, and both of them fell on the table, breaking it in the process. "Are you ok?" Murciélago asked, running to the house.

"Not one of my best ideas," she muttered, groaning as she looked at her hand to see she was holding a white mask. Her eyes widened as she looked at Curaré to find that she was dizzy from the fall, but now unmasked. "Santa Maria," she whispered, observing her face. It wasn't how badly she had aged that shocked her, but how disfigured she was. Curaré glared at her and kicked her in the head, sending her away as she grabbed the mask and wore it once more, covering her face.

She stood up and made a run for the stairs, followed by Mariposa. However, she turned and threw the sword, causing her to duck to avoid it. However, it was a trap as the sword cut the ropes of the huge light above, and it fell on her, trapping her. She went for the target just before Murciélago finally caught up, only to see Mariposa trapped beneath the light, trying to get it off. "Hey!" he called, running to her.

"Forget about me! She's up there!" she yelled at him, causing him to look up to see the assassin in front of the room. His eyes widened as he flew up to the higher floor. Curaré hurled her sword and impaled Sam Young.

Murciélago worried for the man, went to his aid, but was surprised when he realized what had been impaled was nothing more than a dummy. "A fake," he mumbled. The whole thing was a trap, but unfortunately for him, he was the one who was caught in it. It was an electric field that trapped him. The alarm went off, but only Curaré escaped into the night.

"She escaped?" Mariposa asked as she entered the room, closing the door behind her, running to Murciélago, who was trapped in the field, grunting in pain. "Don't move, you trigger it," she warned him, looking around for the console.

"I am trying," he mumbled in pain.

"Upstairs! Quickly!" she heard Luis, and her eyes widened. They were here. And then guns were heard. They saw her. However, as she looked at the door, she spotted what she was looking for. Usually, hacking was in order, but she had no time. She threw a batarang at the console, turning off the field. He fell to the ground with a groan, exhausted and in pain.

"Not now, come on," she said as she helped him, and together they walked to the window, jumped out, and escaped. The mission was a failure.

Sanchez House

"We should be out there, searching for her," Mirabel said as they walked to Zano's house, right after school.

"Searching aimlessly is a waste of time and energy. Mauricio will call when we're needed. Besides, are you prepared for tomorrow's history test?" Zano asked, giving her a look.

"Yes, well, about that... with the assassin and all I-" she paused when both of them noticed that outside the building, where Zano's house was, Luis Sanchez was waiting for them. "How do you feel about studying in the library?" he asked, but it was too late as the lawyer noticed them and approached. "It wasn't us who set off the alarm," Zano said in a panic.

"Smooth," Mirabel whispered before she turned and looked at Luis. "We apologize for last night. We were only trying to help," she explained, defending their failure last night.

"The best we could," Zano added as if that would help their case.

"This is the last warning you two get. If I see so much as a pointy-eared shadow anywhere near police business, I'll drag you and Mauricio to jail. You've got me?" Luis warned them before he turned around to leave.

"Why do you hate him so much?" Mirabel asked, noticing a certain tension between him and the former vampire.

"Ancient history, Madrigal," Luis said, turning to look at her.

"History's my favorite subject," Zano said, grinning.

"Bull science is your favorite, followed by art, English, and math. History puts you to sleep," said Luis.

"Well, I find some parts of it interesting."

"He is terrible at it, though," Mirabel said with a shrug.

"Hey!" Zano said with a frown. Luis grinned, watching them.

Cafe

"So, you and Alejo were a dynamic duo?" Mirabel concluded after she and Zano heard his story. He had taken them to a lovely café to talk. He even bought them cookies, which Mirabel found a cute gesture.

"Senior year of high school. Then, freshmen year in college. Money was tight when Dad returned home injured from the war. So Alejo and I got into underground wrestling to earn some money. Before we knew it, we ended up fighting crime. It wasn't long before we were outmatched. Later on, we just never talked about it." Luis said, taking a sip of his coffee.

"People should communicate more," Mirabel said, smiling as she ate her cookie.

"Getting back to Mauricio, he coached you and Alejo when you started wrestling. But how come Abuelo didn't train you when your career turned into heroics?" Zano asked his adoptive brother.

"To Tío Simon, training us to be heroes would be disrespecting his sister's wishes. Or so we thought until he showed Acacia and Zita the ropes to superheroing."

"Oh," Zano and Mirabel nodded.

"Alejo finally got fed up living in their shadow. He decided to leave. He was worried when I chose to stay behind to train under Mauricio," Luis explained, and Mirabel tilted her head at this.

"Gross, bro," said Zano, cringing at the implications.

"Not like that. When I put on that mask, it was like another world; no longer was I bookworm Luis. I was El Torito. But for some supers like Uncle Simon, there was only one thing to make a superhero. You either needed a magical artifact or powers. Eventually, that gets old. There comes a time when you gotta hang up the cape. So I left and never looked back," he said as he took out his bag, the credit card, paying before he sat up. "Sadly, not all of us could move on."

"Yeah, I know," Zano looked down, remembering how his grandfather had died.

"I thought Maurico had moved on when he began teaching in a school, but I guess men like him never change," he said. "No, I don't hate him. I hate what he's become—A remarkable man yet so alone," he said. "Coffee's on me, kids," he said as he walked to the door and left the coffee shop.

"Wow, so what do you think?" Mirabel asked.

"I think my brother needs better taste in men," said Zano.

"You know what I mean," Mirabel said.

"Luis just said stuff I was saying before I got into this secret agent business with you. Sure, it's close to super heroing, but unlike past Riveras, I'm part of a team. More than that, I have a partner who's been by my side since we got these celestial powers, and I'm glad I met you."

"Me too," said Mirabel. "Now about that history test?"

"Oh come on, Mariposita, we're alone in a cafe, and all you can think about is studying?"

"If I want to continue spending time with you alone, then yes. I need to keep my grade up."

"Okay," Zano starts helping her study.

Batcave

"The 6:15 Metro takes the most direct route and makes the fewest stops. Good for security. I'm betting Sam will be on that one. There are several points where you could jump aboard." Mauricio said, showing the map on the computer. They learned when Sam would be moved to the court, and now they were forming their plan.

"Yeah, on my one-way trip back to juvie," Zano said, displeased with the whole thing.

"I'm figuring your best bet would be this juncture," Mauricio said, ignoring him.

"Come on. I told you what Luis said." Zano said with a frown. "What are you trying to prove?" he asked him.

"I'm just trying to protect him. Like I would for anyone in your family. It's what I've been doing since your parents died," Mauricio said, speaking honestly.

"Ok. But this is my brother's collar. I like him, Mauricio. Ironically, I respect him. I'm not gonna cross him." Zano said, looking at Mirabel, who was observing the map. "You are not going either," he said, and she turned to look at him. "Last time I found you trapped and hurt, and that's because you rushed in ahead of me," he said.

"Who was trapped in the field?" she said smugly. Zano parted his lips to answer, but quickly closed them again. 

"Jokes aside, tell me, do you know what happens when a member of the society of assassins fails to kill his target?" Mauricio asked.

"No, but I bet it's not pretty." Mirabel said.

"He becomes the target," Verdugo said, now speaking.

"You mean they kill their own?" he asked in disbelief.

"Except they've never had to. Not one of them has ever failed. And Curaré is the best they have." Mauricio explained the reason why he was so into this mission.

Meat processing plant

"We're in deep trouble, aren't we, hon?" Sam asked, hugging himself tight. It was cold since they were inside a freezer full of meat.

"We've got to hold her off," Luis said as he cocked his gun. "Officer in need of assistance. Anyone respond," he called, but nothing was heard, only static. "So much for help," he said, a bit disappointed now. His plan was failing.

Suddenly, Curaré's sword cut through the steel door with ease, so they ran for it. She caught up with them easily, though, as they had no place to run. Luis started shooting at her, but she blocked everything, and eventually, he ran out of shots. Their eyes widened as the assassin walked closer, ready to kill them, but was stopped. "Not today," a voice said, and soon she was kicked in the face, sending her a couple of feet away. Murciélago and Mariposa arrived at the scene. Both of them landed on the higher levels, watching her.

Curaré took out several knives and threw them at the two heroes, who avoided them or tried to as Mariposa was stabbed in the leg. However, some of them hit the meat grinder and activated the factory. Mariposa groaned as she pulled out the small knife from her leg, throwing the small blade away with a grimace. "Watch it!" he warned her, and she barely had time to move away before the sword of the assassin cut her.

Curaré then started intently trying to slash her, but Mariposa dodged every swipe and avoided it. She made a full round house kick and hit her in the stomach, causing the assassin to almost to lose her balance and fall off, but she regained it. Curare then raised her sword and blinded the heroine. Mariposa immediately kicked the assassin to the stomach once more, listening to her footsteps, which were loud and clear to her. She smirked. Mauricio was a tough instructor, but the best.

Murciélago threw three of his throwing stars, but the assassin saw them and moved to the side, avoiding them. However, they were right for the couple. "Down!" Luis ordered as he caught his partner and forced him to fall on the ground. Protecting from getting hit by them. Eventually, the assassin turned her attention to Murciélago, and their fight carried them over the meat grinder. With a few kicks and punches, the assassin had Murciélago at her mercy as he hung, trying not to fall.

"No!" Mariposa called as she made her way to them. However, when Curaré prepared to slash Murciélago with her sword one last time, a ninja star, thrown by Luis, knocked her sword from her hand and into the grinder. "N-nice shot," she mumbled in shock as she threw a rope to Curaré, catching her. Before she could do anything, Mariposa knocked her to the head and threw her off, holding her so she would fall into the grinder. She was left upside down there.

"Thanks," Murciélago said with a smile as he climbed up once more.

"It wasn't me," she whispered, tying the rope so the assassin wouldn't fall. Both of them jumped down and went to Luis, who looked at them with a grin. "Thank you," she whispered, grateful Murciélago was alright. Luis just grinned at her.

"I guess you never lose touch. How'd it feel?" he asked her with a smirk.

"Like old times," he said, smiling, closing his eyes. "You'd better go. It wouldn't look good if-" he started, but when she looked over, they were both missing. "Like old times, all right," he said, smiling.

Sanchez House

As it was late at night and both of them were exhausted from the fight they had earlier, they decided it was time to rest. Zano invited Mirabel to stay the night with him, which she accepted, as she was too tired to return home. His mother had no problem with it, as is often the case nowadays. Also, if Mirabel were here, they would be on time for school tomorrow. "I hear that Sam's deposition is sure to convict Davich," Mauricio said on the phone, which was on the speaker. "Luis must be pleased," he added.

"You should've seen him, Mauricio. He sure throws a mean ninja star," she said, brushing her hair as Zano walked out of the bathroom with his shorts, a towel wrapped around his shoulders, just now finished. Being the gentleman, he allowed her to bathe first.

"He always did," Mauricio said, and for some reason, Mirabel knew he was smiling. He did sound happy. "Kid got his mother's arm."

"Yeah, he kind of reminded me of you, Zano," Mirabel said with a grin, and he just shrugged, too tired to play along with her teasing.

"Hold on," Zano said as he picked up the phone and brought it closer to the TV.

"The unnamed woman, believed to be a hired assassin, escaped from police custody. Her whereabouts are unknown," the reporter on the TV said, causing both of the teens to tense.

"Did you hear that?" Zano asked in worry.

"It's all right. Curaré won't be going after Sam anymore. She has other concerns now." Mauricio said, with no hint of worry in his voice. Both of them looked at each other and smiled, trusting their mentor. It was over.

Chapter Text

It's dark as an old man rubs a box lid.

"You're late," a deep voice growls as Isabela approaches him. "Did you find it?"

"Remember, lass, heed the warnings."

"Yeah, warnings." She takes the box. "Totally got it."

He grips her arm. "Pay heed! For once you open this box, your life will never be the same..."

"Sure thing. It's not for me, though." She walks off. "It's for someone very special." She smiles over her shoulder.

"Happy Mother’s Day, Mom," Luisa tells her mother as they're having breakfast together with the family.

Julieta opens the gift from Luisa to see a small telescope. "Oh, a telescope!"

"Yeah, we can use it to watch all the falling stars during the Empyrean Shower tonight!"

"Oh, such a good idea, dear! Thank you." She smiles at Luisa happily.

Mirabel stands up as she sees someone in the distance. "Wait right here, Mom. Zano’s coming with your gift! But don't look."

"Alright, sweetheart." She smiles a little as Mirabel runs up to Zano and hugs him.

"Hi." He smiles bashfully, hugging her waist. She smiles back in the same manner since they're in public. "How's your day been?"

"Better now." She giggles a bit.

"Same here..." He glances at the onlookers and then at her. They mutually agree to kiss later, primarily because of Alma and the others watching. So he settles for the top of her head, planting a kiss there.

"Oh." She laughs up at him. "Do you have it?"

"I have it." He chuckles a little, putting it into her hands.

"Great." She takes it from him and slides to a stop next to her mother. "Alright… open your eyes."

Julieta opens her eyes to see a custom-made bo staff. "My very own bo staff?" She gasps a bit. She can see the tips of the staff engraved with her initials.

"You always said you wanted us to do something together," Mirabel smiles a bit. "I thought maybe you could have your own staff to practice with and join us in training."

"Or meditation."

"Thank you, Mirabel. I love it," Julieta says, smiling happily at her daughters. "Both of your gifts."

"Happy Mother’s Day, Señora Madrigal," Zano bows to her.

"Please, join us, Zano. It'd be an honor," Julieta says, gesturing to the table.

"Thank you, but I have to get back to my mother and grandmother. We’ll see you at the Empyrean Shower later," he says as he heads back home.

Camilo laughs as he holds out a box. "Open mine next, Ma!"

"Camilo." Pepa takes it into her hands. "You didn't need to get me a—" She opens it. Inside is a tent in her favorite color with her name embroidered on it. "A tent… thank you so much."

"It's for camping!" says Antonio.

"Dad, Tonito, and I planned a whole overnight campout for the shower," says Camilo.

"It’ll be great, mi amor," says Félix.

"A sleepover under the stars with my three favorite men does sound nice," says Pepa.

"Well, we'd better pack for our big night at Mount Saison. Right, Mom? Come on, guys."

The three stand up, the kids kissing their mothers on the cheeks and hugging their grandmother.

"They're certainly excited for your trip," Bruno says, smiling.

"Not as much as I am. My first Mother’s Day with all my children and grandchildren, and it just happens to coincide with a star shower that only comes once every nine years? It's too perfect," Alma grins happily, taking her tea into her hands. "But mostly, this is our first trip together that we planned. Everything's been so hectic since we came back from San Lorenzo, and I'm looking forward to some nice, quiet, mother/daughter time..."

"Incoming!" A loud voice booms, causing Pepa to spill some of her tea.

Dolores and Mariano jump out of the plane and skydive safely into the courtyard. Flowers cascade around them as Dolores lands gracefully—Mariano, not so much, which is why she conjures a mushroom to break his fall.

"Dolores!" Pepa and Félix exclaim as they run to hug their daughter.

"Hola, Mamá, Papá. Happy Mother’s Day."

"We’re so happy to see you! We thought you wouldn’t be able to come till tomorrow."

"Not by normal means, so we had to get creative and also travel without some friends. Oh, Miss Edna says hi and to give you these," Dolores says, handing each mother a box.

"How lovely."

"I’m so glad to see you two and Mariano. I know your mother will be thrilled. But where is…?"

"I'm here!" Isabela announces as she dives from the sky onto a mushroom, then jumps and somersaults into the air, landing gracefully on the ground.

It had been a while since the Madrigals saw them. Dolores and Mariano look the same, except for the rings that mark their union and the new clothes they wear. Isabela, however, has cut her hair to her shoulders. She wears a puffy-sleeved indigo top, an orange corset, and knee-length pants. She wears numerous bracelets on both her arms and on her right ankle. Around her neck are two necklaces, one with four blue dangling pearls and an emerald gem in the middle. She travels with sandals and carries a blue handbag.

Everyone stares at her in shock. "Isa?"

She squeals upon seeing her family, giving her mother a bear hug and spinning her around. "I’m so glad to see you!"

"Oh, Isa, I had no idea you were coming," Julieta says in a strained voice from the tight hug.

"And miss Mother’s Day?" She releases her mother.

"Well, you have been too busy since April to write, but who's counting?"

"Huh... has it really been that long?" She then notices Agustín. "Hey, Dad!" She hugs him, squeezing him a bit.

"Isa!" He chuckles at her, feeling a bit of pain. "What a delightful surprise. You look different."

"Yeah, I got a haircut. You like?"

Julieta says, "It looks nice, but I thought you liked having long hair?"

"I do, but I had to shorten it, and I gotta say, it’s been great not having to worry about it getting caught in the gears all the time."

"So where’s Sensei Kaiba?" Camilo asks.

"He’s visiting Aki’s grandmother with Mushu. He’ll be by the shop later to see how you’ve been doing since he’s been gone," she replies.

Alma can't help but feel a little bothered by Isa’s reply.

"Mamá, I got you a book that is similar to your favorite genre, and I thought you might enjoy it. If not, I’ll spend the day doing whatever you wish."

Julieta says, "Thank you, Isa, I love it, and it looks so interesting."

"Abuela," Isabela says, holding up the box she got, "I got you something very special."

"Oh, Isabela," Alma smiles up at her. "You shouldn't have—" She opens it and exclaims in surprise as she sees a tiny creature holding a rattle in its little hands. Alma catches it and cringes. "Uh...it's...uh..."

"It's an Uumlaut," Isabela explains to her grandmother. "And she's extremely rare. I found her on my travels."

The creature starts shaking the rattle in its hands.

"And what's this?" Alma raises a brow in confusion.

"Her rattle. Oh, the guy who sold it to me said to make sure that she has it on her at all times. I don't know. Must be a comfort thing."

The Uumlaut coos, jumping onto Alma’s shoulders.

"Well, this is very..." It suddenly drops a hairball on her hand. "Oh...thoughtful..." she finishes in disgust.

"Isa, remember that story Layla told on Halloween about buying an unknown animal from a sketchy shop?" Camilo asks his older cousin.

"Please, that was about a chupacabra. Uumlauts are harmless. I even checked with Kaiba."

"What did he say?"

"Not much is known about Uumlauts, but while they seem peaceful so far, remain vigilant and make sure not to lose their bell," says Dolores.

"Now..." Isabela glances at a picture of the family. "Where are my sisters?"

Isabela’s room

"You went barefoot?" Luisa asks in surprise.

"I've always felt, how can you know where you stand in the world if you can't feel the ground beneath your feet?"

Luisa smiles happily as Mirabel knocks lightly on the open door. "Hey, Luisa, Mom told me to come over, said I needed to see som—"

"Mirabel!" Isabela gasps, pulling her into a hug.

"Isa?!" Mirabel blinks in shock, Camilo leaning against the wall next to her. "I haven't seen you since April! What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for Mother’s Day! But I also did want to see my family," she says.

"So, how’s everything with Sensei?"

"It’s been good," Isa replies humbly.

"Just good?"

"Well, I don’t want to go into details because he’s your teacher, but I’ve been really enjoying the time we’ve spent together since joining the circus," Isabela says, sighing as she recalls her relationship with Kaiba.

"I’m glad. Now, about your gift to Abuela…"

"Camilo already asked about it. The Uumlaut is harmless."

"Okay, but why did you give it to Abuela? No offense, but wouldn’t giving a cute furry companion to Tía Pepa make more sense, since Antonio would love to help her take care of it?"

"Yeah, but Abuela doesn’t have a husband or a child to tend to. I figured the Uumlaut would be great company for her, since I didn’t know if she liked cats or dogs. Plus, she can dress it up any way she wants, and it won’t do anything to object—as long as it has its rattle, it’s happy."

"Yeah, I still think you should have done more research. I mean, what happens if it loses its rattle?"

"Nothing good, I bet," says Luisa.

"Come on, we’ve faced scarier things than an angry pet. Besides, I’ve got the Moss Men on standby to make sure the Uumlaut is secure."

"And to make sure Abuela doesn’t freak when Tío tells her who’s coming with us."

The rattle is still ringing as Alma sits at her vanity. "I'm not angry..." She takes a scroll, squeezing it tightly. "I'm irritated." She turns around to Bruno. "I love you, Bruno, and I know your wife is important to you. And given recent discoveries, Mica has her reasons, but I can’t help but find her presence a bad influence on the kids."

"Mama, she had nothing to do with Isabela’s new look."

"I know, but the girls always looked up to Mica. I know that’s partly my fault because I had your sister's work all the time, but still. Does she always have to be so…"

Pepa is packing and talking to Félix in her room. "Nice. Mica is nice. She's fun, she's silly, she's really outgoing. But she can be..."

Julieta is venting to Agustín in her room while she packs. "Loud, inconsiderate, and a little—"

Alma has accidentally placed the Uumlaut in her bag, and it squeaks loudly. Alma opens the bag and offers her arm; the creature jumps back onto her shoulder.

"Obnoxious..." She gets back onto her feet.

"Mama, she was the first person who made me feel special, and after everything we’ve learned about our connection to the underworld, don’t you think you could cut her some slack?"

"I just wish I knew she was coming. I-I could have mentally prepared," she says, walking up to the portrait of her and Pedro with their babies, then looking to the one next to it of Alma with all her grandchildren together when Mirabel was born. "At least I'll get a little break from her tonight. Mica will have to understand that we made these plans to watch the Empyrean Shower together a long time ago. She’ll just have to wait here till we…"

Layla and Gaby burst into the room. "Abuela! Guess who wants to come to Mount Saison with us?" They gesture to Mica, who appears in the doorway with a wink and thumbs up. Alma gives a look of horror, the Uumlaut ringing the rattle again. She grits her teeth in annoyance.

"Bye, Zano," Mirabel says, calling him from her communicator.

"I'll see you later, Miri. Though… I think you should talk to your mother." He pulls back, giving a look of concern. "She didn't look too happy while you and your sisters were talking to your aunt."

"I'll try my best," she sighs, glancing over her shoulder. "It's just been so long since I've seen Aunt Mica… I almost thought she wouldn't remember me," she chuckles a little, giving him one final wave before following after the three.

The four walk down the path that leads to Mount Saison. Angelina looks over the map, then puts it down to see the mountain not too far away.

"So the best place to view the shower is the southern ridge at the peak of Mount Saison," she tells Isabela and Dolores.

"Then the southern ridge it is!"

Antonio is playing with the Uumlaut. "Who's a good Uumlaut? Who's a good Uumlaut?"

Acacia giggles at them. "I thought we'd take this trail. Girls, oh my goodness, the view is breathtaking!"

"I can't wait!" Mirabel clasps her hands together.

"Now, I timed it out so we should get there just before the shower begins." She squeezes her eyes shut at the cooing, looking over her shoulder. "Kids!" She sighs, placing a hand on her forehead. "Are you ready to go?"

"Always. Uh, Alma...look who you left behind." She holds out the Uumlaut.

"Uumy!" She hands it back to Alma, who rings the rattle.

"Thank you, Mica..." Alma glances at the creature. "I almost forgot..."

"Oh my gosh! I didn't realize we were so close!" Mica looks at the map with a smile.

"To where?" Isa asks.

"One of my favorite places in the world!" she cheers, running off. Julieta slowly follows after them, gritting her teeth at the ringing.

"You okay, Mom?" Mirabel asks her in concern.

"I'm fine, sweetie," Julieta says, hiding her frustration with a small smile. "No need to worry about me."

She can't help but feel that her mother is lying, though, just to save face and let everyone enjoy it...

Zano is packing for their trip with his parents and sister Luna. Grandpapi is also coming along with Señora Rivera and Maria’s mother, Dora Ramirez. But unexpectedly, Zano’s uncle Jorge and his great-grandfather Mauricio Verdugo are joining as well.

"So, Señor Verdugo, not only did you give my older grandchildren detention, but you also happen to be Zano’s great-grandfather from his mother’s side?" Dora Ramirez asks.

"Yes," Verdugo replies. "I did not want to reveal myself sooner because I wanted to give him a normal life as long as possible."

"But it was only a matter of time before my vampire side awakened," says Zano. "So here we are again."

"I just can’t believe you're a superhero, Zano," Dora Ramirez tells her grandson. "You seemed so adamant not to be one after your poor grandfather died."

"Technically, I’m not a superhero, Abuelita. I’m a secret agent keeping the balance between our world and the supernatural world... in secret."

"I’m just going to say you're a secret magic agent; it’s easier to remember. But I’m glad to see you're not in a biker gang."

"No, trust me, the gang he’s a part of prefers cars with windows instead of getting bugs in their teeth."

"So, this group of friends Zano has, are any of them single?"

"Abuela..."

"He’s dating a girl named Mirabel."

Zano turns to his great-grandfather, his eyes wide with quiet anger. "I liked you better quiet and distant."

"So, I looked at Julieta and said to the guy, 'You keep the monkey, I'll keep the fez!'" Mica is telling the guys stories, and they all laugh… well, everyone except for Julieta. She just stares at them blankly. "But the most ridiculous thing that ever happened to us?"

"Oh, man, I know this one," says Bruno.

"When we were kids, I had this idea for this giant cape-slash-kite I could use to fly. Mirabel, you should have Edna build this someday."

"Oh, Mica!" Julieta steps up. "We should probably be on our way."

"She was ninety-eight percent sure it was gonna work!" Pepa ignores her sister as she continues the story.

"What about the other two percent?" Camilo asks curiously, and Mirabel facepalms.

"That's what big sisters are for. Am I right?" Mica chuckles a little. "Back then, I called her Dare-ieta, because she was so eager to impress, she'd do anything I dared! Long story short, Dare-ieta tried it… but crashed into a carriage!"

They laugh as Mirabel winces a little, glancing up at her mother. "So much for my cape-kite."

"Ha ha ha. Just another one of Mica’s harebrained failures, huh?" Everything stops as she looks around to see everyone staring at her.

"Awkward..." Camilo sings a little. Pepa nudges him. Mica looks a little upset at the remark, while the Uumlaut rings the rattle, its futile attempt to break the tense silence. Mica just stares at her older sister-in-law, looking a bit annoyed now.

She didn't mean to say it. She's just... disgruntled that Mica barged in on her day with Mirabel, Luisa, and Isabela.

"Uhh, we should get going. We don't wanna miss that shower," Isabela says, walking off with Mirabel.

It's now nighttime as they're just about to reach the southern side, and Julieta looks up toward her daughters with Mica.

Mica says, "I mean, don't get me wrong. I missed Encanto."

"What's not to miss?" Angelina smiles a little, then cringes as she remembers her cousins had been stuck there their whole lives. "Ooh, sorry, cuz. I didn't mean..."

"Hey, I'm fine, cuz," Mirabel smirks a bit. "I mean, I did end up sneaking out a few times here and there… no offense taken."

"It's just, once you've seen so much of the world, it's hard to settle down in a place like this. It's too… predictable," Mica leans in towards the two. "I don't see how anyone could."

"Yeah, I can relate," says Isabela.

"Okay!" Julieta pushes the two apart, pulling Mirabel to stand next to Isabela. "We're coming up on the southern ridge."

"Woohoo!" Isabela, Luisa, and Mirabel all cheer. "The Empyrean Shower, here we come!"

"We're gonna go scope out a good spot!" Mirabel runs off with her sisters. Julieta sees their happy smiles as the two look toward each other. She, Pepa, and Mica used to be like that... until it all went sour during her recent visit.

"Southern ridge, huh?" Mica replies slyly.

"Yes," Julieta says, narrowing her eyes and clenching her fists. "Why?"

"Well, if you really want them to see the shower, you ought to go—"

"I oughta do what, Micte?!" Julieta suddenly exclaims. She thought she'd be able to keep her feelings in for the sake of her children, but she can no longer help herself. Mica turns to her in confusion. "Please...enlighten us. How can we best view the shower? Should we travel to the Mystic Cliffs of Gushombai?!"

"Julie..." She starts off slowly. "Is something wrong?"

"You know what? Yes! As a matter of fact, something is wrong, Mica. You roll in like a cyclone, causing all kinds of problems with my mother after you vanished without a trace for fifteen years, and want to act as if nothing happened!"

"Forgive me for being happy to be back with people I thought were my family," says Mica.

"Mica, when you left without a trace, I was so mad at you, we didn’t know what to think. If you died or ran away, it didn’t matter because you were gone. It was easier not to talk about you anymore."

"Well, it turned out to be neither. However, I thought you two would have given me the benefit of the doubt. You know how much I love Bruno and our kids. You think I would have left with no reason?" Mica says to her sisters-in-law.

Pepa says, "We know, but it’s just annoying that everyone was fine welcoming you back so soon."

"I wasn't," says Alma.

"Well, you were fine forgiving Alma for putting your well-being over a house. Sorry if I thought it’d be easy for you to forgive someone who only ever saw who you are, not what you could do. Excuse me."

Mica walks ahead to join Bruno and their children.

Julieta and Pepa walk with their mother, while their children follow.

"So much for having a peaceful outing for Mother’s Day," says Camilo.

"In our family, this does constitute peaceful," says Dolores.

"At least they talked about it instead of keeping it in," says Luisa.

"Yeah, just wish it could have happened before or after," says Isabela.

Mirabel sighs. I hope the others are having a better trip than we are.

Zano is helping his dad set up the telescope as the mothers share stories about their children.

"Then Maria put the cat in his sock!" Dora laughs.

"Dang, Mom, isn’t there a story of you as a kid where you didn’t bring home a stray?" Zano asks.

"None before I left for boarding school. Chuy was the last animal I saved but the first I kept."

"Okay, we shared our stories, now it’s time to hear from the Riveras," says Dora.

"You're in luck, I have many tales of motherhood's past," says Donna.

"Yes, we’ve heard all about Jorge’s schemes, but I don’t think I ever heard stories about Raphael when he was a child," says Dora. "Was he that good?"

"Ha! That boy had me chasing him across the ranch, trying to put clothes on him," she laughs. "Raphie was just as spirited and impish as Jorge. In fact, Manolo, do you remember the day you first met Raphael?"

"How could I forget? Maria and I were just married, and I was trying to decide what to do with the arena. Then out of nowhere, the locks to the bulls' cages were opened, and a stampede of bulls ran around town."

"It was like déjà vu but worse!" says General Grandpapi. "You never forget being trampled by bulls while a white-haired brat is riding one of them!"

"Or seeing a masked man ride into town on a horse looking for said boy," says Maria. "It was the first time any of us had ever seen a superhero in our town."

"Because San Angel was protected by real heroes who trained in military combat and didn’t hide behind masks," says the general. "I don’t care what people say, Simon was a loose cannon with no respect for authority! Donna, you have my sympathies."

"Being married to a Rivera hero was not easy. When I wasn’t worried about his safety, I was tending to his ego and all the emotional damage his parents and siblings did to him. Then add a child with shadow powers into the mix—that created a whole new set of problems."

Dora says, "Wow, and I thought my marriage with Ramiro was bumpy."

"Yeah," says Donna. "Thankfully, there was enough good to make me stay to deal with the bad, and I had low expectations, so that helped a lot. But I never expected to be the first Rivera mother to bear two sons, or be the first to outlive one of them…"

Zano holds her hand.

"There were many things I didn’t expect when marrying a Rivera, but some of those unexpected moments turned out to be my most precious memories," says Donna. "Because I got to see you and Adrianna grow up into wonderful people, thanks to Carmen’s family. I didn’t know her, but she raised a good man to be your second father," she says to Zano.

"And Uncle Simon chose a good woman to raise his boys," says Zano. "Although I’m still mad at Jorge for tying me to a lemon tree!"

"I had to! You kept breaking stuff before I could even fix it!"

"Jorge, don’t lie—you tied him up because you had a girl over!"

"Both things can be true."

Everyone shares a laugh.

How are Mirabel and her family doing?

The Uumlaut looks up at the queen as she sits on the path by herself. The Madrigal families have reached the top, looking up towards the sky.

Mirabel turns to her mother. "Mama, are you okay?"

"I’m sorry, girls, it’s just that Mica always had this way about her, and while enduring it could be a bit infuriating."

"Oh..."

"She was always the confident one, the daring one, the one who could act however she wanted with no one to scold her."

"Except for Apuch, but she was her cool aunt."

"Oh, so you were jealous that Tía Mica could do anything that popped into her head without a care in the world and with support from her aunt when she messed up, while you two and Tío Bruno had to be careful with how you presented yourselves to the village because you couldn’t handle disappointing Abuela," says Isabela.

The two women blink.

"I felt the same way with Mirabel," says Isabela. "But unlike Tía, Mirabel didn’t have the courage to use her freedom until much later."

"Mica was never afraid to speak up to our mother, the elders, and our peers. We admired her, but we also envied her. Then, when we became parents, some of that envy grew because she got to spend time with you while we worked," says Pepa. "We know it was for our sake, so we knew you were taken care of, but then she left and…"

"And all the negative feelings we kept inside festered, but we didn’t want to upset Bruno and your cousins, so we chose not to talk about her," says Julieta.

–

"My sisters were distraught when you disappeared; they just didn’t say anything," says Bruno.

"I get that. I also get that, growing up, your mother was strict, which made you jealous of those who weren’t expected to be perfect Madrigals. But at least you three had a mother and each other. I don’t even remember mine, or if I even have parents. Can gods even be birthed?" Mica asks.

"According to Xibalba, his family was human once, so you probably were too, or something," says Acacia, trying to comfort her mother-in-law.

"Well, either way, I grew up an orphan with only my elderly aunt. Yes, I grew up not afraid to test my limits, but I still had limits. I had chores, I had responsibilities, and I did them without any magic or siblings to help," says Mica.

"But you guys never talked about it because our aunts never brought it up to you," says Angelina.

"Yes, and looking back, my disappearing before we could talk it out didn’t help."

"After the search party failed, no one talked about you again, Mama," says Ignacio.

"I knew everyone would be mad that I left, that I had much to answer for, but I just wanted to have one more night being with the family I gained, reminiscing about old times and joking. But I guess not everyone was so happy."

"Well, maybe tonight isn’t about looking at the past, but talking about a new future," says Javier.

"Look!" says Miguel, pointing to the sky.

A star passes by, and they look up at the sky as the shower starts. Everyone is amazed by the sight.

Her husband and their three daughters surround Julieta, while Pepa is surrounded by her sons and daughter. Félix is there rubbing her shoulder.

Alma is between the two families, amazed by the stars, but then she notices Aunt Mica wrapping her arms around her grandkids, next to Bruno. Alma frowns and sits back down. That was supposed to be her moment with her triplets, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She tries not to cry as the Uumlaut rings the rattle again.

"Ugh! Would you give it a rest?!" She takes the rattle and throws it away. It rolls down the stairs and out of sight onto a tree branch. Alma hugs herself, not noticing the upset creature. The Uumlaut starts to twitch, growing angry.

"Mama!" Julieta and Pepa rush to her. Bruno runs down the steps, followed by Mica and the kids.

"We're so sorry you missed watching the shower with us!"

"And I'm sorry I didn't ask you about how you felt," Julieta says, hugging her, the matriarch returning it numbly.

"And I’m sorry for causing so much chaos. Believe me, I never wanted to take anything away from anyone," says Mica.

Alma glares up at her, remembering the moment she shared with them. "Can I please have a moment alone with Mica?"

Rapunzel takes Mirabel's hand and walks off with her, looking back at them with concern. Mica notices Julieta's face, and that it's still not happy.

"I said sorry. What else do you want?" She rolls her eyes.

"Mica, our whole lives, you've done whatever you could to show me up, and honestly… I've come to accept that. But you know what?! Not when it comes to my daughters!"

The two overhear this and step down further, feeling a bit guilty themselves. As they walk farther down, they notice the Uumlaut all by itself, shaking.

Mica, at this point, is turned away, arms crossed with a scrunched-up nose. "Tonight was supposed to be special!"

"Uh, it was special," Mica points out. "I'm not the one who decided to confront me about their hang-ups seconds before the shower."

"You're one to talk, you would always confront Mama with issues before a big event."

"Because I didn’t want her to make the event about looking good to the town! Family events should be about having a good time with family! And you agreed with me!" says Mica.

"Yeah, well, it would have been nice to have been asked. It’s annoying having someone be your voice," says Pepa.

"Besides, tonight was about being with our family, Mica!" says Julieta.

Antonio looks down and sees the Uumlaut distressed. "What's wrong?" Isabela bends down to the creature. "Where's your rattle?"

The Uumlaut growls, turning to them while still shaking.

"Uh-oh," Blanca's eyes widen. "Ahh, Antonio, you might wanna stand back."

"Why?" Mirabel asks.

"I read about this. When a Uumlaut loses its rattle, it'll—"

The Uumlaut pops out a second one.

"Oh," Mirabel recoils at the sight. "I see what you mean..." They both step back a bit.

"We had a specific plan for tonight!" Alma glares at Mica.

"Of course you did!" Mica whips around in annoyance. "You've got to plan for everything! You know, you think just because you're old, that everyone has to do whatever you say!"

The Uumlauts keep multiplying.

"First of all, I only did that because, without plans, there would be chaos. Not that you care, because even if I did, you'd ignore it and do whatever you feel like anyway!"

More and more appear, running back up the stairs.

"You don't think we would have loved to have that kind of freedom?" Pepa snaps at her sister-in-law.

"Abuela? Mom? Uh, Aunt Mica?" the three sisters call out.

"What?!" They turn to the three in annoyance as they arrive.

"We have a problem!" Mirabel looks over her shoulder, and they see a whole stampede of Uumlauts, multiplying more and more.

"Isa, what's happening?" Julieta looks at them nervously.

"I can answer that," Blanca says nervously, holding up a finger. "If Uumlauts don't have their rattles, then they continually reproduce by the mouth with no saliva. And without the rattle, there's no other way to stop them..."

"You know what? I'm gonna take the blame on this one," Isabela raises a hand.

"I'm the one who threw the rattle. I can't let you take all the blame..." Alma says sadly.

"Not the time," Mirabel replies quickly as she points to the creatures still duplicating.

"We have to get her rattle back to her," Julieta says, looking at the others.

"Where is it?"

Mirabel pulls out the telescope she gave her mother and uses it. "I see it!"

"Great! Can we get it?" Mica asks her.

"Shouldn't be a problem," Angelina smirks a little.

Javier smiles and uses his powers to bring the rattle back to them. "Got it!"

"Let’s hope this works," says Mirabel.

Once she has the rattle, they jump over a small hole and run to the mass of Uumlauts running down the path. Julieta looks at her daughters, all three of them smiling at each other. She holds up the rattle and rings it, but it's not loud enough for the creatures to hear. She cringes nervously as she tries again, but it does nothing.

"It's not working!"

"They can't hear it from here," Mirabel says, worried.

"We have a Plan B… right?" Isabela glances at all of them.

Zano has just finished fixing up the tent with Col’s help. The others are sitting around saying nothing when a Uumlaut appears behind Luna. She yelps in surprise before smiling down at it.

"Well, hello there, look at you! Little, cute—"

It suddenly goes crazy, and she exclaims in fear. Then comes a scream as trees get knocked down up ahead by all of the Uumlauts. Zano lets out another high-pitched scream as the others stand up, backing away in shock.

"Mama, come on!" Maria leads Dora away.

"Uumlauts!" Verdugo exclaims as he snatches Ramiro and follows after the two. "The original must not have her rattle."

Ramiro yelps as Verdugo jumps away, running down the path. The Uumlauts are merely specks now as they're still multiplying.

"Dora, I want you to know, I will stop being so overwhelmingly ill-mannered."

"No, no!" Dora looks at him. "I need to yell at you less when you think you're being endearing!"

"And I will try not to be upset with you when you are yelling at me for thinking I'm being endearing!"

Verdugo glances at Donna, Zano, and his family. "This trip was a mistake," he says quickly. "This way!" He takes the lead, jumping up to a rock and climbing up it. "Quickly, up here!" The king loses his grip a little, the three looking back as the creatures stampede closer. They rush to the rock, helping Verdugo up when they get to the top. The Uumlauts jump past them, leaving the tent behind...

"Yeah. I think this is the worst camping trip ever."

"Mom! Dad!" Acacia comes out of hiding from a bush at the top. "Thank goodness you're okay!" She hugs them tightly.

"Acacia, what is going on?" Manolo asks his daughter.

"Mirabel!" Zano rushes forward, and they hug as well.

"Me? What about you? A bunch of Uumlauts didn't chase me," she says, looking up at him.

"I'm fine," he says, closing his eyes and hugging her close to his chest.

"The Uumlaut! I took her rattle away," Alma says, glancing to her left.

"Mom, uh, we might not have time for explanations right now," Pepa says, stepping forward, and they all see that the creatures are heading towards a village!

"Oh no...if they get to that village, they could destroy everything!" Zano points forward. "Within minutes, at the rate they're exponentially multiplying!"

"So what do we do? We tried to give her the rattle back," Mica speaks up.

"No, we tried to give a copy back the rattle," Angelina looks up at her. "Guys?" She turns to Mirabel and Zano.

"We need to give the original Uumlaut the rattle back. The one that Abuela had all day," she gestures to Alma.

"Once it has the rattle back, she'll swallow the duplicates back into a hammerspace belly until only the original remains," Zano explains.

"How are we gonna find that cute, fuzzy little thing? It could be anywhere," Luisa exclaims.

"We have to get above them to find the original. And trust me, she'll stand out," Mirabel says, looking back to the horde. Julieta takes one look at Mica, then turns away and crosses her arms. Zano notices this and leans in towards Mirabel.

"Talking didn't work?"

"Nope," she shakes her head slowly.

"Are you sure you are up for this?" Mica asks.

"Zano and Dolores are the only ones who can pinpoint where the original is among those fuzzballs," Angelina says to her mother.

"Besides, it’s not the first time my sister dangled me in front of dangerous animals," says Zano.

"I was rescuing you!" says Acacia.

"Enough bickering. Just be careful out there."

Angelina secures Dolores to her harness. Dolores holds up the rattle, shaking it a little. "I just hope we can get her to hear it..."

"Here," Mirabel hands her the telescope. "Zano and I made this." Dolores places the rattle at the end, amplifying its sound.

"That'll work!"

"Heh...we owe you one birthday gift."

"Or two," Zano says, handing Blanca a crossbow with some sap on the arrow. "I modified it so that we can catch the Uumlaut… but we only get one shot."

Blanca smiles at the two before giving a determined look. "Okay."

Angelina and Acacia manage to take off, followed by Ignacio and Javier carrying Blanca. Dolores, Zano, and Blanca look over the edge.

"Oh, come on, where are you?"

"There!" Dolores points ahead, and both of them notice the large army. She holds up the telescope and rings the rattle. The original jumps up and down into the air as the others come to a stop.

"There she is!" Zano calls. "Take us in low!"

Javier does so, getting closer. "Okay, honey… now it's all on you. No pressure."

"Thanks," she smiles, aiming the crossbow. Firing it, she catches the original Uumlaut, the arrow sliding back to bring her over. Dolores hands her the rattle, all of them flying away.

"Did they catch it?" Mica wonders as she sees them drop away from the swarm. The group looks over their shoulders to see Blanca still holding the Uumlaut. The families all cheer for them.

"Nice one, Dolores!" Mica grins a little as they head back to the others.

"We should start calling you Dare-lores!" says Camilo.

"Would you look at that?"

Just like Zano said, the original sucks up all the duplicates, leaving only one. She shakes her rattle.

—

The next day, the bell rings in Encanto, and it's time for Isabela to leave.

"Are you sure you don’t want to stay in your room? Verdugo has been keeping a good watch on Kaiba’s shop," Mirabel asks.

"I know, but I’m heading back to the circus after Antonio’s birthday anyway, so being there instead of here makes it easier. Plus, after everything, I don’t feel like staying at home right now."

"Isa, what happened wasn’t your fault."

"No, but I can’t help but think that my leaving stirred up some lingering emotions Mom and Tía Pepa had concerning Tía Mica. And I should have done more research on that Uumlaut before giving it to Abuela. Especially since she did the same with your rattle, Luisa."

"Somehow I’m not surprised the woman took my glasses when I was two to exercise my eyes," says Mirabel.

"I guess some things will never change with Abuela, but at least we can all talk about it together."

Dolores says, "Yeah, but who knew our moms felt that way about Aunt Mica?"

"Yeah, but we weren’t exactly happy with our cousins when we reunited afterwards. We had so much to say," adds Luisa.

"I hope they do as well," says Mirabel.

—

Pepa and Julieta walk up to Mica.

"Mica, can we talk?"

"It’s your kitchen," says Mica.

"Mica, we’re sorry for how we blew up at you. We didn’t mean to say those things in anger."

"But we did, and it wasn’t fair to you, because most of those feelings were redirected at ourselves. And Mama, too."

"Yeah, but why didn’t you ever say anything to me? Alma, I get it, but I was your friend. I took all the disdain from Alma just so your husbands could shine in her eyes," Mica says.

"Which is why we couldn’t confront you. You were always doing everything to make us feel better—we didn’t want to be ungrateful to you with our petty feelings."

"Your feelings are not petty; they are valid, and you have a right to voice them. Next time, I vote that we talk about it before any more big events, because I feel so bad we watched the shower separately."

"There is always next time."

"And I promise not to interfere without permission," Mica adds.

Isa holds the Uumlaut, who shakes her rattle.

"Goodbye, my fancy pants," Alma nuzzles her cheek with her finger.

Isabela gets onto her horse. "Now off to drop this cutie somewhere safe! I’ll be back to help plan Antonio’s party. Ta-ta for now!" The horse rears up on its hind legs, then takes off with the woman.

"I'm sorry Mother’s Day didn't happen the way you wanted it to..." Dolores tells her mother.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry for not talking to you further about it..." Mirabel rubs the back of her neck.

"Well, when are we ever gonna get a chance to clean up my mother’s messes?" says Julieta.

"Which was amazing, by the way," Pepa smiles up at Dolores.

"So are you and Aunt Mica okay?" Camilo asks.

"Yes, but there is one person we owe an apology to," Julieta says as Mica joins her and Pepa to speak to Alma.

"Alma, I’m sorry for ruining your Mother’s Day plan," Mica says. "I should have at least given you the benefit of the doubt that you had changed and that this outing was just for the family."

"We’re sorry too, Mama. We should have spoken to Mica about our feelings beforehand. We just didn’t want to disrupt the moment."

"But it came out wrong anyway."

"It happens. Still, I didn’t handle myself any better. I guess I’m still adjusting to all the changes that have come our way since Casita fell. Some I’m grateful for," Alma says, holding Jacob lovingly. "And some changes have left me pensive, and I wish I could have done better in the past. But all I can do is make better memories with my family, who were gracious enough to give me a second chance."

"I think that’s something we can all stand behind," says Mica as she shakes Alma’s hand.

"So, Abuela, since Isa had to take back your gift, what do you want to do today?" asks Javier.

"Stay home, watch my stories, and cuddle the babies. After that horde, I need to be around something tiny and cute without fur," says Alma, making everyone laugh.

They stop laughing, eyes widening as they hear the ringing of the rattle. Looking at the ground, they see the very creature in front of them, which spits up a hairball on the ground.

"ISABELA!" they call out, and Angelina flies after Isabela.

"Don't worry, I'll bring it back to her! Dang it, Isa! You did this last time with that goat, Milton!"

Chapter Text

May 21 195X

Casa Madrigal – Morning Antonio slept in his bed, surrounded by his animal friends.

Dolores entered, carefully balancing a tray of food. "Happy birthday~"

"To you," she sang softly as she set the tray down.

"It's your birthday, Antonio," she added.

"To me...?" He blinked awake, then smiled as he saw his cousin Mirabel, his parents, his older siblings, and Abuela Alma gathered around his bed.

"Happy birthday, baby!" Pepa said, kissing her youngest son.

"It's my birthday!" Antonio cheered.

"Yes, and we spoke to your teacher, and she agreed on a fun class trip to the zoo in San Ángel," said Félix.

"Where they've got that restaurant for kids filled with games and a jungle gym," added Camilo.

"Alright!" Antonio cheered. "Mirabel, are you going to be there?"

"Of course, Tonito. As soon as school lets out, I'll be there!" Mirabel promised.

"Promise?"

"Promise," she said, hugging him.

San Ángel – Night, Rooftops

"Nice of you to join me," Zano Sánchez said, eyebrows raised, his mission suit glinting under the city lights.

"I'm here, aren't I?" Mirabel Madrigal, also in her mission suit, elbowed him playfully before giving him a quick kiss. "So what's going on?"

Web Mode's voice patched in over their comms. "Break-in at Casemore Tribal Arts Gallery."

"We're on it," Mirabel replied.

San Ángel – The Gallery Rooftop

They landed on the gallery roof and found a smashed light dome. Zano hopped down through the opening, but Mirabel hesitated at the edge, a chill crawling up her spine.

"Well, someone wants to be noticed," Zano muttered as he dropped through the hole.

Mirabel stepped forward to follow, but her instincts screamed, Don't. She thumbed her radio. "Web, you there?"

"I hear you. Why aren't you following Zano?"

"Something's off. Can you scan the building?" she asked.

A pause, then the sound of rapid typing. "Yeah... you might be onto something. I've got your heat signature, I've got Zano's... and—hold up. There's a third. It's following him."

The sharp twang of something cutting the air crackled over the comms. "Mirabel—get in there, now!"

She didn't need to be told twice. She dropped through the hole, landing in a crouch. "Murciélago! Are you—"

"Mariposa! Look out!" Zano shouted.

An arrow whistled past her, and before she could react, a powerful force slammed her across the room. Pain flared in her ribs. She skidded, then pushed herself up, finding herself face-to-face with a tall, panther-like cryptid wielding a spear.

Before she could move, Zano charged—but the creature knocked him flat with bone-crushing force. The furred figure thrust his spear down, and Zano barely rolled clear.

Mirabel leapt onto the attacker's back, but an unseen force hurled her away like a rag doll.

"Is that all you have to offer?" the man-beast said, voice deep, accented, almost amused.

Zano attacked again, suit servos whining—but even with the armor, the hunter overpowered him.

Mirabel made a call. She sprinted forward, dropped low, and hammered both heels into his knees. He stumbled—but instead of slowing, his grin widened.

"And who is this? I thought only Murciélago ruled this concrete jungle."

Mirabel straightened, fists ready. "Mariposa. Pleased to meet you."

The hunter lunged. She flipped aside, but Zano wasn't as fast—the man hurled a small orb into his face. It burst in a cloud of yellow dust.

"Murciélago!" she shouted as the hunter vaulted up through the hole and vanished into the night.

Web's voice crackled in their ears. "Zano, you okay?"

"Yeah," he coughed, "but our guest's gone."

"Report back to Verdugo," Web said. "Over and out."

The Shop

They sat down, and Mirabel finally let herself breathe. No fight had ever felt that close.

Verdugo barely looked up from the computer. "First things first—Zano, you jumped into that room without knowing what was down there. Mirabel, on the other hand, had the sense to ask for a scan." He turned to her.

Mirabel's chest warmed at the rare praise, but Zano's expression soured.

"Sorry," he muttered.

"Don't do it again," Verdugo warned. "You almost got her killed. You don't want that, do you?"

Mirabel froze, pulse spiking. Oh no... he knows. She met Zano's eyes—he had the same look.

"Eh... no," Zano said, rubbing the back of his neck. He glanced at his watch. "We've gotta go. We promised to be there for Antonio's birthday. Call us if anything comes up."

They escaped the awkwardness of the shop as quickly as they could and ran to meet the family at Danny Queso.

The place was exactly what the name promised—bright, loud, and dripping with cheese. It was also popular with kids, and since Antonio had never been to one, it was the perfect place to have his sixth birthday party. Kids darted between arcade machines and booths, shrieking with laughter, while the heavy scent of pizza and nachos clung to the air.

Thankfully, Mirabel and Zano made it in time to sing "Happy Birthday."

"Mirabel!" Antonio shouted, rushing into her arms.

"Hey, Tonito. Having fun?" she asked, smiling.

"Yeah!"

"Come on, you guys, it's time for cake!" said Camilo.

After cake, games, and presents, the party finally started to wind down.

The teens turned to face the adults, who were juggling babies and tired kids. Manolo Sánchez stepped forward.

"Okay, you two, we're going to drop off the guests from Encanto at home. You sure you can handle watching the kids till we come back?"