Outside the Encanto

The Final Gift Of The Generation

Maria had been out looking for Y/n, as most of the family was doing. She came across a candy stand, and saw her absolute favorite, Cocoselles. All she had done was envision the bar in her hand, and it flew over to her. It was as if she knew how to do this her whole life. She began flying it around, until the man who sold the candies came to scold her. Maria simply gave him a tight hug.

"I got my gift!" She squealed.

The man seemed to soften. This was Maria's real gift- everyone loved her. Not even I could be mad at her.

"Alright kiddo, keep the Cocoselles, alright? Just go home, and don't cause any trouble." He joked, heading back to his stand.

Maria ran home, shouting the whole time.

"Papi! Abuela! Brothers!" She screeched, until Marco finally ran out to grab her. When she told him the news, he ran her inside, and rounded up the family members. The family celebrated, but the excitement was short lived. Y/n was still missing. Joshua volunteered to stay home with Maria and practice her gift, while the rest of the family continued searching.

Maria got her gift? When? You can't believe you missed it, she must be so disappointed. You have to go back home immediately.

"Your family has its own miracle candle, how can it affect it so greatly?" Alma questions.

"Our candle fuels our powers, yes, but ours powers are triggered by your kin." Abuela says.

"Mirabel didn't get a gift, but Y/n has one. How is that possible?" Alma interjects.

"Simple. I believe Y/n was given two gifts. Mirabels and her own." Abuela states matter-of-factly.

Alma was silent.

"So.. your granddaughter.. stole Mirabels gift?" Alma gets out. "How dare she!"

"I believe it was by the candles choice, not hers." Abuela defends. "It is simply that Mirabel was not fit for either of the gifts, so the candle matched both of them to Y/n. What the second gift is, I don't know. I do know, however, Y/n is not to blame."

"I've heard enough. Please, join me for some coffee. We can discuss this over an arepa, shall we?" Alma offers.

"It would be an honor, thank you."

Both women exit the room, sending a flurry of petals everywhere. Isabella crosses over to you, and helps you up.

"Thanks." You groan. Several thorns had latched onto you and cut your skin, popping out little beads of blood. You now rip them from your skin, rubbing the spots until the blood is nonexistent.

Isabella relaxes, and you wipe some sweat off of your brow.

"So.. is there anything else you wanted to discuss?" You ask. "Or ask me about?"

"No, I think that's good enough. I'm actually really happy. Oh, do tell Maria congratulations for me. Gifts.. well.. I love my gift." Isabella subconsciously grows orange and yellow roses in the shape of a sun. She seems surprised by it, but has her vines hang it up on the walls nonetheless.

"You know, my Tia and Mama cannot have more children." Isabella suddenly whispers, her face contorted in surprise.

"My Tia can't either.. something went wrong with the twins. My Tia and Tio tried, but they couldn't have any more children. Tia hit menopause at 37. It's  strange but true." You remember. Why does she look so strange?

"That means Maria is the last. Until one of us marries, well, she's the last gift holder. The last first-generation grandchild." Isabella realized.

"D-does that really mean anything?" You ask, nervous as if something to hurt Maria.

"No, I guess not, but.. wow. I was the first of course, but Maria was the last. There must've been so much stress on her.. on Antonio!" She gasps, making dramatic movements all around.

"Okay, okay, listen I really have to go!" You say.

"Right! Right, and hey." She looks me dead in the eye. "I don't have many friends. So do me a favor and visit sometime, alright?"

You nod my head, and she grins. You rush out of there immediately, trampling the roses under your feet. You hear several pops, and know Isabella had replaced them already. You close the door quietly, and immediately duck down.

Below you is your Abuela and Señora Alma, talking in hushed whispers. You can't hear them, but you would assume they're in the dining room.

"Y/n!" Camilo shouts from below, and you freeze.

He caught me!

"Ugh. Mirab-" Camilo is caught off guard by a sudden transformation, giving him the same baby head as he had at dinner. "Mirabel!" He squeaks in a high pitched voice, walking off.

So he didn't see you. You almost sigh, before remembering you must be quiet. You glance upwards and see Mirabel, climbing out of.. the walls?

She plops down, then turns around to help someone else out. Mirabel extends her hand as you see Antonio hop out, his jump made easily with the help of Mirabel. You grin, only imagining what they were up to. You start towards them, when another figure climbs out.

Who could that be? Dolores? No.. that's definitely male. Augustine? No.. he's taller than that, and doesn't wear a green ruana.

Then it hits you. You stop dead in your tracks, a risky but uncontrollable move. You sensed the danger, and as drawn to it as you were, you forced your feet to stay planted. The effort was futile. Your feet carried your unwilling body towards him, towards the man wearing green.

"Y/n!" Mirabel prances over and gives me a tight squeeze, but you don't hug her back. You're aware of your mouth dropping, your hands moving to cover the large gap.

He doesn't look sinister. Just tired, like he hasn't seen the sunlight for years. His hair is messy, his sandals are old and worn, and a layer of dust has settled onto his entire body, not willing to leave.

You try to say something. Something fierce.

The words never come. Instead you simply say a weak statement, one you know will never amount to anything.

"I'm sorry, Bruno."