Chapter Text

Chapter 1: The Crash and the Unexpected Bond

The air in the Encanto jungle was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming orchids, a symphony of buzzing insects and chirping birds filling the humid morning. Mirabel hummed a little tune, her fingers tracing the embroidered patterns on her skirt as she walked. Beside her, little Antonio, barely five years old and brimming with quiet wonder, peered into the undergrowth.

"Did you hear that, Mirabel?" Antonio whispered, stopping abruptly and tilting his head. His eyes, wide and curious, darted towards a denser patch of trees.

Mirabel paused, listening. All she heard was the usual rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of the river. "Hear what, Toñito? Just the jungle waking up." She smiled, but Antonio shook his head, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"No, something... big. Like a really loud thunder, but from far away. And then a whoosh." He made a sweeping motion with his small hand.

Suddenly, a faint, almost imperceptible tremor ran through the ground beneath their feet. It was gone as quickly as it came, but it sent a shiver up Mirabel's spine. Antonio's eyes grew even wider. "There! Did you feel that?"

"Okay, okay," Mirabel conceded, a new kind of curiosity overriding her usual caution. "That was definitely something. Let's just go a little way and see."

Pushing aside thick, leafy ferns, they ventured deeper off the familiar path, following an instinct, or perhaps just Antonio's unwavering certainty. The sounds of the normal jungle began to recede, replaced by an eerie stillness. The air grew heavier, thick with an unfamiliar, metallic scent, almost like ozone after a storm. Ahead, through the dense foliage, Mirabel caught a glimpse of something unnatural – disturbed trees, branches splintered and snapped, as if a giant invisible hand had torn through them.

As they pushed through the last barrier of tangled vines, they stumbled into a small clearing, strangely circular and flattened. In the very center, half-buried in the churned earth, lay something that looked utterly alien. It was a pod, sleek and dark, with scorch marks streaking its metallic surface. It radiated a faint hum, and a wisp of vapor still curled from a fissure in its side.

Antonio gasped, clutching Mirabel's skirt. "What is it?" he breathed, his voice barely a whisper.

Mirabel could only stare, her mind racing. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. Not from Encanto. Not from anywhere she knew. Her eyes, drawn by an inexplicable pull, landed on a small, round device that had been flung from the pod. It lay nestled in the dirt, gleaming faintly. Its faceplate was a dark, unadorned circle, with what looked like the green hourglass symbol at its center, glowing with a soft, pulsing light.

She felt an irresistible urge to pick it up. Tentatively, Mirabel reached out a hand, her fingers trembling slightly as she touched the cool, smooth metal of the strange watch.

Tentatively, Mirabel reached out a hand, her fingers trembling slightly as she touched the cool, smooth metal of the strange watch. The moment her skin brushed against its surface, the device sprang to life. With an audible snap, it latched onto her left wrist, fitting snugly as if custom-made. A jolt, like static electricity, shot up her arm.

Mirabel yelped, startled, trying to pull her hand away, but it wouldn't budge. The watch was fused to her, the green hourglass symbol on its dark faceplate glowing brighter. "Ay, what is this?!" she whispered, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs. She tugged harder, twisting her wrist, but the watch clung fast.

Antonio, wide-eyed, took a step back. "Mirabel? Are you okay?"

Mirabel took a deep, shaky breath, forcing herself to calm down. Panic wouldn't help. She examined the device, her fingers brushing over the green hourglass symbol. It felt like a part of her now, alien yet strangely… powerful. She noticed a small, circular button on the side. Curiosity, mixed with a healthy dose of fear, urged her to press it.

With a soft click, the faceplate popped up, revealing a shadowy silhouette of a creature within. Mirabel's brow furrowed. What was that? She pressed the button again, and the silhouette shifted. Again, and again, until it landed on a form that looked... wild. Furred, with powerful limbs. It reminded her vaguely of the jaguars Antonio loved.

"What if...?" Mirabel whispered, a strange idea forming in her mind. Her gaze flickered to Antonio, whose eyes were still fixed on the watch, a mixture of fear and fascination warring on his face. She thought about his quiet wish, his soft whispers about talking to the jungle's creatures, about his upcoming gift ceremony. A fierce wave of protectiveness, a desire to understand and protect his pure wonder, washed over her.

Taking another deep breath, she slammed the faceplate down.

A blinding flash of green light erupted from the watch, engulfing Mirabel. Antonio cried out, shielding his eyes. The light pulsed, warping and stretching, and when it receded, Mirabel was gone. In her place stood a large, powerfully built creature, covered in shaggy, rust-colored fur. It stood on all fours, its muscles rippling, and it let out a guttural growl, sniffing the air with an alien intensity. It had no eyes, but two gill-like nostrils flared on its neck. This was Bestia (Wildmutt).

Antonio whimpered, his initial fear overwhelming him. This was not Mirabel. This was... an animal. A big, powerful one. He almost bolted, but then his eyes caught something on the creature's massive, furred right shoulder.

There, woven into the coarse fur, were small, embroidered patterns in vibrant yellow and blue thread – a tiny, familiar barbell, a half-finished floral design, and a small, delicate butterfly. They were unmistakably parts of Mirabel's dress, somehow transferred onto the alien form.

The growl softened, becoming less menacing, more... inquisitive. The creature nudged his hand gently with its muzzle, then let out a soft whine, its head tilting as if trying to communicate. Antonio swallowed, his fear slowly giving way to awe.

"Mirabel?" he whispered, reaching out a tentative hand to touch the familiar embroidery.

The creature nuzzled his palm, letting out another soft, rumbling sound that, somehow, felt like an affirmation. It was Mirabel. She was here, and she was... this.

"So what is that you turned into, Mirabel?" Antonio asked, his voice still a little shaky, but his eyes wide with an undeniable fascination. He patted the rough fur on Bestia's shoulder, marveling at the familiar thread patterns.

Bestia let out another soft, rumbling whine, a sound of frustration. Mirabel tried to answer, really she did. She tried to form words, to explain what had just happened, but all that emerged was a series of guttural growls and snuffles. It was like her mouth simply wasn't built for human speech anymore. Panic, a cold tendril, began to coil in her stomach. How was she going to explain this to Antonio? To anyone?

Then, an idea, sharp and clear despite the alien instincts buzzing in her mind, sparked through her. Her paws, large and surprisingly dextrous, began to scuff at the damp earth. She pushed aside loose leaves and twigs, carving a rough, circular space in the clearing. Antonio watched, bewildered, as she began to dig her powerful claws into the soft soil.

With surprising precision for such a large creature, Bestia began to "draw." First, she etched a rough circle, then inside it, a smaller shape that resembled the watch. Then, moving deliberately, she scraped out a silhouette of her own human form, small and distinct next to the etched watch. Finally, with a nudge of her muzzle, she pointed from the watch to the human shape, and then, slowly, deliberately, to her current large, furry form, before pointing at Antonio and then back to herself.

It was crude, but the message was clear. Antonio's eyes, bright with understanding, connected the dots. "The watch... it did this? It made you... This animal?" he asked, pointing from the crude drawing of the watch to Bestia's form, then up at her.

Bestia rumbled affirmatively, a huff of warm air escaping her nostrils. She nudged the ground again, then let out a series of short, inquisitive whines, trying to convey the strangeness, the confusion, and the overwhelming newness of it all.

Antonio, no longer afraid, leaned against her massive side. "It's a gift, Mirabel," he whispered, stroking her fur. "Just like... like the gifts Casita gives us. But different." He looked up at her, a pure, innocent wonder in his gaze. "What kind of animal are you, Mirabel?"

As if on cue, a sudden, sharp beep-beep-beep emanated from Bestia's chest, where the watch was embedded beneath the fur. A bright flash of red light erupted, pulsating rapidly. The ground beneath them began to rumble softly, and the scent of ozone intensified.

The red light pulsed faster and faster, and then, with another brilliant flash, it vanished. Mirabel gasped, stumbling slightly. For a disorienting few seconds, everything was a blur. She felt the lingering sensation of fur against her skin, the strange weight of a muzzle. She knew Antonio was there, could sense his presence, but couldn't see him. It was as if the transformation still clung to her, a phantom echo of Bestia's senses. Her hearing was sharper, her sense of smell heightened, but her vision was a swirling mess.

Then, slowly, her sight returned, focusing on Antonio's concerned face. The last vestiges of the alien senses faded, replaced by the familiar feeling of her own skin, her own clothes. She blinked, her hand instinctively going to her left wrist. The watch was still there, fused to her skin, but the green hourglass symbol was gone. In its place, emblazoned across the faceplate, was a glowing yellow butterfly design, its wings spread wide, mirroring the patterns on her dress. It pulsed with a soft, inner light.

"Antonio?" she whispered, her voice a little rough, as if unused. "What... what was that?"

Antonio, his initial fear completely replaced by awe, stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the butterfly symbol. "You... you changed back," he breathed, reaching out a tentative finger to touch the watch. "And look! A butterfly! Just like on your dress!" He looked up at Mirabel, his expression a mixture of excitement and concern. "Are you okay, Mirabel? What happened?"

"I don't know, Antonio," Mirabel said, her voice still a little shaky, her eyes fixed on the glowing butterfly on her wrist. "It felt like I was something else, but yet still me. Like I was one with an animal. I'm calling that one Bestia." She shivered slightly at the memory of the raw, wild senses. "But I know this watch attacked me, and I think it's stuck on me. Like, Luisa couldn't even pull it off me." She tugged experimentally at the band, but it remained firmly in place.

Antonio, however, didn't seem scared anymore. His gaze was fixed on the butterfly, then on his cousin. "It's pretty," he said simply, reaching out to touch the yellow design. "Do you think... do you think it's a gift, Mirabel? Like from Casita, but a different kind?"

Mirabel looked at the watch, then at Antonio's earnest face. A gift? Her mind replayed the blinding flash, the terrifying transformation, the strange senses. It didn't feel like any gift she'd ever heard of. But then, it had been exciting, hadn't it? And she'd only thought of protecting Antonio.

"I... I don't know, Toñito," she admitted, a new kind of wonder starting to mix with her confusion. "But if it is... what do we do with it?"

"So how will we explain it, Mirabel, the sudden new arm wear and the creature?" Antonio asked, looking between her wrist and the spot where Bestia had stood.

"Right now, Dolores probably knows by now," Mirabel said, a flicker of worry crossing her face. She knew her prima's gift missed nothing. "But hopefully she's helping us with a background story." She knelt, looking Antonio straight in the eye, her voice firm but gentle. "But for that creature I turned into, we don't tell anyone about it unless absolutely necessary. Got it, Antonio?"

Antonio nodded, his small face serious. "Got it, Mirabel. It's our secret."

Mirabel gave him a grateful, if still slightly bewildered, smile. "Good. Now... let's try and find a way back to Casita. And maybe figure out what this thing even is." She looked down at the glowing yellow butterfly on her wrist, a heavy mix of awe and trepidation settling in. Their quiet morning walk had just become anything but.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2: A Quiet Journey and a Whispered Warning

The journey back to Casita felt longer than the walk out. Mirabel kept her left arm tucked close to her side, the yellow butterfly on the watch's faceplate glowing softly beneath her sleeve. Antonio, usually skipping, now walked a little closer to her, his small hand occasionally brushing her arm as if to reassure himself she was still there, Mirabel.

"Do you think... do you think I can change again?" Mirabel whispered as they navigated a particularly dense patch of ferns.

Antonio shrugged. "Maybe. The light was red before you changed back."

"Right. And green when I picked it." Mirabel chewed on her lip, a thousand questions buzzing in her mind. What if she accidentally changed into something else? What if she couldn't change back?

The jungle around them seemed to intensify its usual noises – the chirps, the rustles, the distant calls. But now, Mirabel found herself straining to hear a different kind of sound, a new layer of sound, as if the experience as Bestia had awakened something in her.

Suddenly, Antonio stopped, pulling on her skirt. "Mirabel, look!" he whispered, pointing up.

Mirabel followed his gaze. High above the canopy, almost lost against the bright morning sky, was a tiny, metallic gleam. It moved with a strange, unnatural precision, not like a bird, not like an insect. It was silent, yet Mirabel felt a prickle of unease, a cold certainty that it didn't belong. It was too sleek, too unnatural for the vibrant, organic world of the Encanto.

It looked... like nothing she'd ever seen.

"What is that?" Mirabel murmured, her brow furrowing. It seemed to be observing them, or perhaps the clearing they had just left. A scout? For what?

The watch on her wrist suddenly gave a soft, almost imperceptible hum. Mirabel instinctively lifted her arm, the yellow butterfly brightening slightly. She quickly tried to cycle through the forms again, hoping to find something that might help them understand, or perhaps hide. With a silent click, the faceplate popped up. She quickly pressed the side button, skipping past the familiar silhouette of Bestia. She landed on a new one: a tiny, almost comical figure with a massive head.

"This one looks... smart," she mumbled, a strange intuition guiding her. She thought about Agustín, about his quiet intelligence often hidden behind his clumsiness. She needed to think.

"Wait, Mirabel!" Antonio said, grabbing her hand. He seemed to sense her intention. "What if... what if it's not a good one?"

Mirabel hesitated, but the metallic gleam above was still there, unwavering. "We need to know what that thing is, Toñito," she said, her voice determined. Taking a breath, she slammed the faceplate down.

Another blinding flash of green light enveloped her, smaller this time, contained. Antonio blinked, and when the light cleared, a tiny, grey creature stood where Mirabel had been. It was no bigger than Antonio's hand, with a disproportionately large head, smooth skin, and massive, intelligent eyes. This was Sabio (Grey Matter).

Antonio gasped, not in fear, but in astonishment. He crouched down, peering at the tiny alien. "Mirabel? You're so small!"

Sabio twitched her oversized head, her new senses immediately overwhelmed by the jungle. Every scent, every tiny vibration, every rustle of a leaf was magnified. But more importantly, her mind, already racing at an impossible speed, locked onto the metallic object above. It wasn't just a gleam; it was a sophisticated piece of reconnaissance technology, far beyond anything in Encanto. Its energy signature was alien, unmistakable. It was a drone, broadcasting data, clearly looking for something. Or someone.

Her tiny voice, high-pitched and surprisingly clear, echoed in the jungle silence. "Antonio, that is not a bird. It's a... a scout. It's looking for something. We need to hide. Now." She pointed a small, three-fingered hand towards a thick tangle of roots and vines that formed a natural alcove.

Antonio, startled by her new voice and sudden urgency, didn't hesitate. "Okay, Mirabel! Come on!" He gently scooped up the tiny Sabio in his hands and scurried towards the hiding spot.

From their new vantage point, Sabio peered through a gap in the foliage. The drone above seemed to hover for another moment, then, as if receiving new instructions, it turned and zipped away, disappearing into the sky as quickly as it had appeared.

Sabio let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. This watch... it wasn't just about changing. It was about purpose. And that drone meant trouble.

A sudden, familiar series of beeps emitted from Sabio's chest, the red light beginning to flash.

"Same time as last, Mirabel," Antonio piped up, a surprising calm in his voice as he looked at the tiny, glowing alien in his hands. "Maybe five to ten minutes, just guessing."

Before Mirabel could process his words, the green flash consumed her once more. When it faded, she stood, dazed, back in her own skin, the watch on her wrist once again displaying the yellow butterfly. A faint, lingering echo of Sabio's vast intellect hummed at the edges of her mind – the precise calculations of the drone's trajectory, the complex data streams it was emitting. It was like a snippet of an impossibly long song, still playing in her head before fading completely.

She shook her head, trying to clear the mental residue. "Five to ten minutes," she murmured, more to herself than to Antonio. "That's... good to know." She looked down at the watch, then back at the spot where the drone had been. The jungle felt normal again, but the unsettling image of the metallic scout remained burned into her memory.

"It was looking for something, Mirabel," Antonio said, a touch of solemnity in his young voice. "Like you said."

Mirabel nodded, her eyes narrowing. "Yes. And I don't think it was looking for a misplaced parrot." The cold dread she'd felt as Sabio, the chilling certainty that the drone's purpose was to hunt, lingered. She'd been lucky; her tiny size had kept her hidden. But it had been headed directly for the crash site, for the pod, and by extension, for the watch that now adorned her wrist. It hadn't seen her, not truly, but it was after this. She knew, with chilling clarity, that it would be back.

"Come on, Toñito," she said, her voice firm, taking his hand. "We need to get back to Casita. And we need to talk to Dolores. Now."

Their journey back was filled with a new tension. Every rustle of leaves, every distant bird call, made Mirabel glance nervously upwards, half-expecting the metallic glint to reappear. Antonio, sensing her unease, gripped her hand tighter but remained silent, his usual boundless energy subdued. He understood the gravity of their secret.

As they finally emerged from the dense jungle and saw the vibrant, familiar colors of Casita through the trees, a wave of relief washed over Mirabel. But it was quickly replaced by a fresh surge of anxiety. How would she explain this?

They slipped in through the side entrance, hoping to avoid drawing immediate attention. The house, ever watchful, gave a gentle creak of welcome, and a floorboard tapped lightly near Mirabel's feet, as if asking about her new accessory.

"Hola, sobrina! Antonio!" Agustín's cheerful, if often clumsy, voice boomed from the kitchen. "You're just in time! I was attempting to make some arepas con queso, but I seem to have... misinterpreted the recipe." A clatter of pots followed.

Mirabel forced a smile. "Hola, Papá! We just got back." She tried to keep her left arm discreetly behind her back.

Before she could even take another step, a whisper, soft as a passing breeze, drifted from the hallway. "Mirabel... the hum. It's... very loud."

Dolores stood by a potted plant, seemingly inspecting a leaf. Her eyes, usually darting, were fixed on Mirabel, a knowing, almost urgent look in them. She wasn't loud, but her meaning was clear. She knew. She had heard everything. The crash, the transformations, the drone.

Agustín, however, seemed oblivious, stumbling out of the kitchen with flour on his nose. "Ah, Dolores! Just the person! Can you hear if I've burnt anything beyond saving in here?" He gestured vaguely towards the kitchen, narrowly avoiding tripping over a rug.

Dolores's gaze remained on Mirabel, then shifted to Agustín, a flicker of exasperation, quickly masked, crossing her face. She then turned to Agustín, her voice only a little louder than a normal whisper, meant only for him. "No, tío, not yet. But I did hear a rather... unusual humming sound from the jungle earlier. Quite unlike anything I've heard before." She paused, then added, "And a sudden... clatter... outside Mirabel's window. Perhaps she tripped?"

Agustín's eyes widened. "A clatter? Oh, dear! Mirabel, are you alright?" He hurried over, his gaze sweeping over her, and then, inevitably, landed on the subtle lump under her sleeve.

Mirabel instinctively moved her arm, but it was too late. Agustín's eyes, though usually distracted, caught the odd shape beneath Mirabel's sleeve. His usual cheerful demeanor faltered, replaced by a sudden, unnerving stillness. His gaze sharpened, focusing directly on her left wrist. Dolores, seeing the shift in her uncle's expression, subtly nudged Antonio towards her room, giving Mirabel a firm look that brooked no argument.

"Papá, I..." Mirabel started, but Agustín's hand, no longer clumsy, gently but firmly took her arm. His fingers brushed against the watch, and a flash of something unreadable crossed his face before he composed himself.

"Inside," he said, his voice low and steady, entirely devoid of his usual bumbling affect. "All of us. Now."

The four of them – Mirabel, Antonio, Dolores, and Agustín – slipped into Dolores’s room. The space, usually filled with the soft hum of distant conversations and the quiet rustle of secrets, felt heavy with unspoken tension. Dolores closed the door, a silent click echoing in the sudden quiet.

Agustín released Mirabel's arm, but his gaze remained fixed on the yellow butterfly watch. He took a deep breath, and the act of clumsiness he usually wore like a second skin completely vanished. His posture straightened, his eyes became intensely focused, and the air around him hummed with an unfamiliar authority. He was a different man.

"Mirabel," he began, his voice quiet, serious. "Where did you find this?"

Mirabel, still reeling from the shift in her father, pointed vaguely. "In the jungle. Near... near a crashed pod."

Agustín nodded slowly, his jaw tight. "Just as I feared." He turned to Antonio, who was looking up at him with wide, astonished eyes. "Antonio, what did you see?"

Antonio, sensing the gravity, recounted their discovery, the pod, and Mirabel's transformation into Bestia, then Sabio, and the strange drone they'd seen. Dolores remained silent, but her gaze, first on Mirabel's watch, then on her uncle, confirmed she had heard every word of their jungle adventure.

Agustín listened intently, his expression grim. When Antonio finished, he looked at Mirabel, then at the watch. "This device... It's called an Omnitrix. And the pod it came from... I know where it's from. And what it means." He ran a hand over his face. "I had hoped... I had hoped this life was truly behind me."

Mirabel frowned. "What life, Papá? What are you talking about?"

Agustín sighed, a deep, weary sound. "Before I came to Encanto, before I met your mamá... I was a Plumber." He paused, letting the strange word hang in the air. "Not the kind that fixes pipes. A different kind. An intergalactic organization dedicated to maintaining peace and order across the galaxy, protecting planets from dangerous alien threats."

Antonio gasped. Dolores remained stoic, but her eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Mirabel stared, utterly bewildered. This was her Papá, the sweet, accident-prone Agustín?

"My clumsiness, Mirabel," Agustín continued, his voice laced with a bitter irony, "has always been... a performance. A very convincing one, it seems. A way to avoid drawing attention, to live a quiet life here, away from all that. I thought I had left it all behind." He looked at the watch on Mirabel's wrist. "The symbol you saw on the watch before it latched onto you, the green hourglass? That's the Plumber's symbol."

He turned to Dolores. "Dolores, you heard the crash. You heard the transformations. And you heard that drone?"

"Yes, tío," Dolores whispered, her usually bustling mind now fully focused on the dire implications. "It sounded like nothing earthly. It was searching."

"It was," Agustín confirmed, his voice chillingly serious. "That drone is from Vilgax. A conqueror. One of the most dangerous beings in the galaxy. He hunts down Omnitrix wielders to take the watch for himself, and if he knows the Omnitrix is here, on Encanto... then this entire valley is in grave danger." He looked directly at Mirabel, his gaze intense. "Right now, Mirabel, you are the only one who can stop him. You have the Omnitrix."

He took a slow breath, surveying his children. "This is not a game. This is not a gift like anyone else's. It's a weapon, and a responsibility. And if we want to protect Mamá, Pepa, Julieta, Bruno... everyone in this family, everyone in this village... we need to train you. In secret. No one else can know. Not Abuela, not your tías, not your primas. Especially not them." His eyes briefly darted to Dolores, then to Antonio. "Do you understand? All of you?"

Antonio nodded, wide-eyed. Dolores gave a tight, determined nod. Mirabel, still processing the shock of her father's revelation, looked down at the yellow butterfly on her wrist. The warmth she'd felt earlier was now replaced by a chilling weight. A weapon. A responsibility. And the fate of Encanto now rested on her shoulders.

Agustín placed a hand on Mirabel's shoulder, his gaze earnest. "But it should be known," he added, his voice softening slightly, "this Omnitrix wasn't meant to be a weapon. Its intended use was to walk a mile in other people's shoes, so to speak, but said people are aliens. It's a tool for understanding, for peace, for connection across the cosmos." He paused, his expression hardening once more. "But Vilgax, he intends to make it into a weapon. A tool for conquest. That's why he hunts it."

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: Whispers, Diversions, and First Lessons

The air in Dolores's room still thrummed with the weight of Agustín's revelation. The sweet, clumsy father/uncle they knew was gone, replaced by a man whose eyes held the weary wisdom of a soldier, a Plumber. Antonio sat quietly, absorbing every word, while Dolores, ever the keen observer, already seemed to be formulating strategies. Mirabel, still reeling, clutched her left arm, the yellow butterfly on the watch feeling less like a curiosity and more like a ticking bomb.

"So, what do we do?" Mirabel finally asked, her voice small.

Agustín looked at his two eldest children, then at Antonio. "First, we maintain the illusion," he said, the words crisp and deliberate. "My... 'clumsiness' will be more pronounced when Mirabel needs a distraction. Dolores," he turned to his niece "your gift will be invaluable. You'll hear if anyone approaches, if suspicion arises, if Mirabel's transformations cause any... undue attention."

Dolores nodded, her eyes sharp. "I can steer conversations, too. Redirect curiosity. And if the watch makes noise, I can cover it with a timely cough, or the sound of Casita creaking."

"Exactly," Agustín affirmed. "Mirabel, you'll need to be even more discreet than usual. Avoid crowded areas when you're experimenting. And if you feel a transformation coming on unexpectedly, find a secluded spot immediately. No matter what."

Mirabel swallowed hard, the enormity of the secret pressing down on her. Her family's safety now hinged on her ability to master an alien device and keep it hidden from the very people they lived with.

The next few days were a tense dance of normalcy. Mirabel tried to act as she always did, but every interaction felt different. She'd catch Agustín's subtle glances, his hand hovering ready to "accidentally" knock over a vase if she fumbled with her watch. She'd hear Dolores's soft coughs, perfectly timed to mask a faint hum from her wrist, or a sudden gust of wind that didn't quite make sense. Antonio, bless his heart, would sometimes grab her hand just a little too tightly, his small gesture a silent reminder of their shared burden.

During the daytime, Mirabel kept the watch covered, trying to learn its functions by feel. She discovered that by pressing the side button, she could cycle through the ten different alien forms, their shadowy silhouettes appearing on the yellow butterfly faceplate before receding when she released the pressure. She felt the subtle vibrations each form gave off, a distinct pulse for Fuego (Heatblast), a whirring for Veloz (XLR8), a heavy thrum for Hércules (Four Arms).

It was during these quiet, secret moments that Agustín began the true training. After dinner, when the family settled into their routines and Casita was lulled into a sleepy hum, he would discreetly signal Mirabel. Under the guise of a "late-night walk" for fresh air, or "checking on the garden," they would slip out. Their destination: a small, forgotten grove of thick-trunked trees at the edge of the jungle, just far enough from Casita that sounds wouldn't carry, but close enough for Dolores to act as a lookout.

The first evening, Agustín brought only a small, sturdy lantern. The air was cool, filled with the croaking of frogs and the rustling of unseen creatures.

"Alright, Mirabel," Agustín said, his voice low but firm. "Tonight, we focus on control. We start slow. You've seen two forms already, Bestia and Sabio. Let's try for a third. Remember, think about the ability you need. Focus on the silhouette."

Mirabel nodded, her heart hammering with a mixture of fear and excitement. She held out her left arm, the yellow butterfly on the watch glowing faintly in the dim light. She pressed the side button, watching the silhouettes cycle. Bestia, Sabio. Fuego. Gema (Diamondhead). Veloz. Hércules… She hesitated, thinking. She'd been so small as Sabio, so wild as Bestia. What about something... different? Something that could help her understand the watch itself, or its limits? Her finger landed on a silhouette that looked sleek, almost liquid. It was Actualizar (Upgrade).

"This one," she whispered, pointing at the glowing shape. "Actualizar."

Agustín's brow furrowed slightly. "Actualizar, a Galvanic Mechamorph. Typically, it merges with technology and enhances it. A bit limited here in Encanto, perhaps, but useful for analysis. Good choice for learning." He watched, curious. "Focus, Mirabel. Think of the form, and slam it down."

Taking a deep breath, Mirabel focused on the sleek, liquid silhouette, picturing herself merging, becoming one with something. She slammed the faceplate down.

A familiar green flash erupted, washing over her. Antonio, watching from behind Agustín, blinked. When the light faded, Mirabel was gone. In her place, a fluid, metallic-looking being pulsed with a soft, yellow glow. It seemed to be made of liquid chrome, with circuits tracing across its form like glowing veins. This was Actualizar.

"Okay, Mirabel," Agustín began, assessing the alien form. "Try to... move. See how you feel."

Actualizar shifted, its form rippling. Mirabel felt... connected. Not to the earth, like Bestia, or to pure thought, like Sabio, but to the function of things. She looked around the clearing. A large, gnarled tree root snaked out of the ground, almost like a piece of rough, natural machinery. Driven by an instinct she didn't understand, Actualizar flowed towards it.

Agustín watched, puzzled. "Mirabel, what are you doing? It only works on technology."

"I... I feel like it can connect to this, Papá," Actualizar's voice hummed, synthesized and low, but unmistakably Mirabel's. "It feels like a system, like circuits, but... organic."

Agustín's eyes widened, his jaw dropping slightly. "By the stars..." he breathed, stepping closer. "That's... that's not how Galvanic Mechamorphs work! Not with organic matter like that! They only integrate with technology, mechanics, circuitry..." He knelt, running a hand over the glowing root. It wasn't just superficial; the very essence of the wood felt invigorated, optimized. Sap, which had been slowly oozing from a crack, suddenly surged with renewed vigor. The gnarled root itself straightened slightly, looking somehow... more like a root.

Actualizar separated from the root with a soft plink, leaving the part she had touched visibly healthier, stronger, more vibrant. "It's like... It's like I helped it remember how to be its best version of itself," Actualizar explained, her voice humming with a newfound wonder.

"This is... unprecedented," Agustín murmured, shaking his head. "The Omnitrix... It's adapting. Or perhaps the magic of Encanto is affecting its transformations. If it can upgrade natural, organic structures... this changes everything." He looked at Mirabel, a new layer of awe mixing with his concern. "This is far more powerful than I thought possible. And far more dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands."

A soft beep-beep-beep began to emanate from Actualizar's chest, the familiar red glow beginning to pulse.

The soft beeping intensified, and then, with a flash of green light, Mirabel stood once more in her human form. She swayed slightly, a faint hum still vibrating through her, the lingering sensation of liquid metal across her skin. The yellow butterfly on her wrist pulsed softly.

"It's incredible, Papá!" Mirabel exclaimed, her voice still a little breathless with awe. "I felt... I felt like I was part of it, like I could see its life, its strength! And it made it... better!" She looked at the now subtly gleaming root, its vibrant new health evident even in the lantern's glow. "It's like what I felt as Bestia, but different."

She then turned to Agustín, her brow furrowed in thought. "When I change back, there's... there's a few seconds where some of the alien's senses or abilities kind of linger. Like with Bestia, I couldn't see anything at first, but I knew exactly where Antonio was. My other senses, like hearing and smell, felt incredibly strong, amplified, even though my vision was just... gone. It takes a moment for my normal senses to come back completely." She paused, then added, "And just now, with Actualizar, I felt a little of that... connection. Like I could still understand how things fit together, for a brief moment."

Agustín nodded slowly, his expression serious. "That's common with Omnitrix transformations, Mirabel. The residual effects. It's your body adjusting back to its natural form after being completely reconfigured. The duration and type of lingering effect vary with each alien. It sounds like you're particularly sensitive to the changes, which might be a good thing – it means you're really experiencing and learning from each form."

He looked at the watch on her wrist, then back at the enhanced root."This new ability of Actualizar... It's a game-changer," Agustín repeated, shaking his head slightly as he stared at the still-glowing root. He turned to Mirabel, his gaze intense. "Mirabel, this is far more powerful than I thought possible. And far more dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands."

He paused, then continued, "Given what we just saw with Actualizar, my knowledge of these aliens might be... incomplete, or simply different now. I need to see the others when you're ready. We need to understand what each of your forms can truly do in this Encanto."

Mirabel, still buzzing with the excitement of Actualizar's unique capabilities, nodded eagerly. "Okay, Papá. I can try."

Over the next several nights, under the cloak of darkness and with Dolores's vigilant ears serving as their early warning system, Mirabel systematically began to explore the rest of her alien forms. Each transformation was a burst of green light, a moment of disorientation, and then a thrilling rush of new senses and abilities.

She soared through the canopy as Mosca (Stinkfly), buzzing quietly above the trees, her sticky goo surprisingly effective at snagging errant branches that could trip a clumsy Agustín. She felt the raw power of Hércules. Effortlessly lifting boulders that even Luisa might struggle with, the embroidered barbells on her bicep-like muscles are a bold nod to her dress. She blazed brightly as Fuego, the jungle air around her shimmering with intense heat, yet somehow the plants around her remained untouched, only warmed. She felt the exhilarating rush of Veloz, zipping through the grove in a blur, the world slowing around her as her speed increased. As Gema, she could create and manipulate crystalline structures, turning a pile of dirt into gleaming shards, the embroidered patterns on her crystalline skin catching the moonlight. Even Espectro (Ghostfreak), initially terrifying in its intangibility and chilling presence, was met with Agustín's steady guidance, teaching her to phase through solid objects and master the unsettling ability to become unseen. And, of course, the quiet strength and amplified senses of Mandíbulas (Ripjaws) when Agustín set up a large basin of water for her to test.

Agustín watched each transformation with a mixture of awe and concern, taking mental notes, constantly surprised by the subtle, and sometimes not-so-subtle differences in Mirabel's versions of the aliens. They were all more... organic, somehow. More connected to the natural world than he remembered.

One evening, after mastering Espectro, Mirabel decided to push it further. She cycled through the familiar ten, then, with a new surge of confidence, pressed the button again, revealing the silhouettes of the additional aliens she felt within the watch.

"Papá," she said, her voice filled with wonder, pointing to a new silhouette that resembled a walking plant. "This one. I think this is Jardín (Wildvine)."

Agustín's eyes widened. "A Florauna? That's... a later acquisition for the Omnitrix. Fascinating."

Mirabel slammed the faceplate down. With a flash, she transformed into Jardín, a tall, agile plant-like alien. Her limbs were strong, vine-like, and tiny versions of the embroidered flowers from her dress seemed to bloom across her green, leafy skin. She felt an immediate, profound connection to the earth around her, able to manipulate small vines with a thought, feeling the roots beneath her feet.

Next, she quickly shifted again, landing on another new silhouette: Duplicado (Ditto). The transformation was startling. In a burst of green light, Mirabel split into three identical, small, blue-and-white aliens. Each Duplicado chattered excitedly, giggling as they ran around the clearing, their movements perfectly synchronized, yet each with a distinct spark of Mirabel's personality. Tiny embroidered butterflies adorned their shoulders, marking them as hers.

Agustín watched, utterly captivated. "Incredible," he murmured. "These... These were not part of the standard initial Omnitrix loadout for a newly activated watch. Your watch truly is unique." His mind raced, cataloging the forms: Fuego for Pepa's heat, Hércules for Luisa's strength, Jardín for Isabela's flora, Sabio for Julieta's intuitive wisdom, Duplicado for Camilo's shifting, Bestia for Antonio's bond with animals. He even remembered a few of the others, like Veloz for speed, and the defensive Gema. And then there was the locked one...

Mirabel shifted back to human form, slightly breathless. "They're amazing, Papá! But there's... there's one more." She pointed to the final silhouette, which remained dark, its features indistinct, almost shrouded. "I can feel it. It's in there. But the watch... it won't let me select it. It just skips over it, or shows an error."

Agustín leaned closer, peering at the unselectable silhouette. He recognized it. His expression turned grim. "That one, Mirabel... that's Futuro (Clockwork). A Chronosapien. Its power is to manipulate time itself. It's one of the most powerful, and potentially dangerous, transformations in the Omnitrix. It's probably locked, either because you're not ready, or because its powers are too volatile for an inexperienced wielder." He looked at her, his voice solemn. "It's a good thing. That power... it should only be used when absolutely necessary. And it will be, one day."

A thought struck Agustín, chilling and profound. Futuro for Bruno's visions of the future. It couldn't be a coincidence. He had seen four Omnitrixes in his time as a Plumber, but he had never encountered one whose selection of initial aliens so perfectly mirrored the inherent powers of a single family. It was almost as if this Omnitrix had sensed the Madrigal gifts, choosing the optimal forms to complement them. This wasn't just a randomly generated set of ten, plus a few extras. This was... tailored. It felt deliberate.

"This Omnitrix," Agustín murmured, more to himself than Mirabel, a new theory forming in his mind, "it's not just a piece of alien technology. It's... sensing something about this family. About you. It's not on accident, Mirabel. It seems your family's gifts are directly represented, almost enhanced, by the forms you've been given." His eyes met hers, a flicker of something almost like destiny in their depths.

Mirabel looked at the locked alien, a flicker of disappointment mixing with relief. She had so much to learn already. But a tiny, dangerous part of her wondered what kind of power was so great, the watch wouldn't even let her touch it. And the idea that the watch, a random alien device, might somehow be connected to her family's miracle... that was a thought she'd need time to process.

Agustín looked at the sky, the first faint hint of dawn painting the horizon. "Alright, Mirabel. That's enough for tonight. You've made incredible progress. We'll continue this tomorrow. I need to do some thinking about what this all means." He patted her shoulder, a thoughtful expression on his face. "If my theory is true, this changes everything about how we approach your training. We'll see."

The next morning dawned bright and bustling, as every morning did in the Encanto. The Madrigal family moved through Casita with their usual rhythm, a symphony of gifts and duties. Mirabel tried to maintain her calm, but the new knowledge about her Omnitrix – its deliberate connection to her family – hummed beneath her skin.

She was helping Julieta prepare breakfast, kneading dough with a newfound focus, when a frantic creak from Casita announced Luisa's approach. Luisa entered the kitchen, her shoulders slumped, a rare look of exhaustion on her face.

"Ay, Luisa, what is it, mija?" Julieta asked, immediately concerned.

Luisa sighed, running a hand through her hair. "The donkeys... they got spooked last night, ran all the way to the farthest pasture. And the gate... it's stuck. A huge tree branch fell right across it. I've been trying all morning, but it's just too heavy, even for me." A rare tremor ran through her usually unshakable frame. "I don't know if I can move it."

Mirabel's heart went out to her prima. Luisa rarely admitted to struggling. This was her chance. She caught Agustín's eye across the room. He gave a subtle, almost imperceptible nod.

"I can help!" Mirabel blurted out, before she could second-guess herself. "I'll... I'll go with you, Luisa."

Luisa managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Mirabel, but this is a two-Luisa job, at least."

"Just... trust me," Mirabel insisted. She quickly excused herself, darting out the back door towards the path to the pasture, with Agustín giving her a quick, encouraging glance. Antonio, too, slipped away to follow her, his curiosity winning out. Dolores, from her vantage point in the courtyard, seemed to casually lean against a pillar, her ears subtly tracking Mirabel's hurried footsteps.

Mirabel reached the pasture ahead of Luisa, finding the enormous, gnarled branch indeed lodged firmly across the heavy wooden gate. She glanced around; no one else was nearby. Perfect. She pulled up her sleeve, revealing the yellow butterfly watch. She cycled quickly, landing on the silhouette of Hércules, picturing her immense strength, her raw power, her ability to lift the impossible.

She slammed the faceplate down.

A thunderous flash of green light erupted, startling a flock of birds from the nearby trees. Antonio, peeking from behind a bush, shielded his eyes. When the light faded, Mirabel was gone, replaced by a towering, crimson-skinned figure with four powerful arms, its bulk rippling with muscle. Hércules let out a deep, resonant growl, feeling the sheer, unbridled strength surge through her new form. On the two lower arms, embroidered into the alien's bicep-like muscles, were subtle, familiar barbell designs from Mirabel's dress, glowing faintly with the transformation's power.

Luisa, who had just arrived at the edge of the pasture, stopped dead in her tracks, her mouth agape. Her eyes, usually so strong and resolute, widened in utter disbelief. She had never seen anything like this. This… this thing was radiating power that dwarfed even her own considerable strength.

Hércules didn't hesitate. She strode purposefully towards the fallen branch, her four powerful hands gripping the massive trunk. With a grunt that vibrated through the very ground, she lifted. The branch, previously an insurmountable obstacle even for Luisa, groaned and scraped, then rose clear of the gate. Hércules effortlessly tossed it aside, sending it crashing into the undergrowth a good twenty feet away.

She turned to face Luisa, her glowing red eyes meeting the strong woman's stunned gaze.

Luisa, for once, was speechless. Her jaw worked, but no words came out. The sheer, overwhelming power she had just witnessed was beyond anything she could have imagined. Her own gift, the bedrock of her identity, suddenly felt... small. But then, a slow smile spread across her face, not of defeat, but of pure, unadulterated awe and excitement. Her eyes fixed on the barbell embroidery on Hércules's arms.

"Wow," Luisa finally managed, her voice filled with a reverence Mirabel had never heard from her before. She took a step closer, looking up at the imposing alien form. "You are… incredible. I didn't know anything could be... that strong." She paused, then a glint of challenge sparked in her eyes. "Hey, when you're not busy saving the day," she said, her voice now filled with a newfound, almost childlike enthusiasm, "do you think you and I could... arm wrestle sometime?"

Hércules gave Luisa a mighty nod, a pleased rumble emanating from her chest. The sense of raw power was exhilarating, but Mirabel also felt the familiar warmth of the Omnitrix signaling its nearing timeout. She couldn't risk detransforming here, not with Luisa so close.

"I... I have to go," Hércules rumbled, her voice deep and powerful. She gave Luisa one last affirming nod, then turned and lumbered quickly towards the dense tree line at the edge of the pasture, disappearing into the foliage.

Luisa watched her go, a wide, excited grin plastered across her face, completely forgetting about the donkeys and the gate. Her mind was already buzzing with the promise of a future arm-wrestling match.

Mirabel, as Hércules, crashed through the jungle for a short distance until she found a small, overgrown hollow, completely hidden from the pasture. The rapid beep-beep-beep from the Omnitrix was growing more insistent. She braced herself, determined to observe the lingering effect.

The green flash enveloped her. When it cleared, Mirabel stood, slightly disoriented, back in her normal form, the yellow butterfly watch now softly glowing on her wrist. The powerful sensation of Hércules's strength still hummed through her, a phantom echo in her muscles. Her arms felt unnaturally heavy, yet capable.

She immediately spotted a large, jagged rock embedded in the ground nearby. It was too heavy for her to lift normally; she'd tried once during a game with Luisa and failed spectacularly. Taking a deep breath, Mirabel bent down, wrapping her hands around the rough surface of the rock. With a grunt, she pulled.

To her astonishment, the rock lifted, grudgingly at first, then with more ease, pulling free from the damp earth. It was still heavy, but manageable. She staggered slightly under its weight, her muscles straining, but she held it aloft for a few seconds. A wave of exhilaration, mixed with a touch of fear, washed over her. The lingering effect was real.

She watched her hands, feeling the sensation slowly recede, like a tide pulling back from the shore. The weight of the rock began to press down more severely, her arms started to tremble uncontrollably.

Approximately thirty seconds after her transformation, the superhuman strength vanished entirely, leaving her with her usual, normal strength. The rock became impossibly heavy, forcing her to drop it with a heavy thud, her arms aching from the effort.

Mirabel rubbed her sore wrists, looking at the rock, then at the watch. This was another crucial piece of information. Thirty seconds of lingering power. It could be useful. Or dangerous, if she wasn't careful.

She pushed herself up, a new resolve settling over her. Luisa's awe, her genuine excitement, had sparked something within Mirabel. For once, her lack of a traditional gift didn't matter. She had found a unique way to connect with her family, to contribute, to truly help. The responsibility of the Omnitrix still weighed on her, especially with Vilgax on their trail, but it also felt like a pathway. A pathway to be truly special, in her own way.

Later that evening, under the shroud of darkness in their secluded grove, Mirabel recounted her experience to Agustín and Dolores, who listened intently.

"So, about thirty seconds for Hércules," Agustín mused, stroking his chin. "That's consistent with some residual energy discharge. Useful to know."

"And Luisa," Mirabel added, a grin spreading across her face. "She was completely amazed. She even asked for an arm-wrestling match!"

Dolores allowed herself a small, knowing smile. "I heard that part. It was... unexpected. But she sounds happy."

Mirabel's grin softened, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "Papá," she began, looking at Agustín, "you said the watch might be connected to our family's gifts. That it chose aliens to match them."

Agustín nodded, his gaze serious. "It's a strong possibility, Mirabel. I've never seen an Omnitrix behave quite like yours."

"Then," Mirabel continued, her idea gaining momentum, "what better way to learn these alien gifts than with the gifts themselves? If Hércules matches Luisa, I should train with Luisa. Or with Jardín and Isabela. Or Fuego and Tía Pepa." Her eyes shone with a new excitement, a practical solution to her immense challenge. "If the aliens are meant to complement our family's gifts, then the person with that gift is the perfect teacher for that alien. They understand the power, the feeling."

Agustín paused, considering her words. His training as a Plumber had always focused on isolated mastery, on understanding each alien in a vacuum. But this was Encanto. This was Mirabel. And her watch was clearly different. The sheer brilliance of the idea struck him. It wasn't just about Mirabel mastering the aliens; it was about the aliens integrating with the Madrigal magic, enhancing it.

"Mirabel," Agustín said slowly, a look of profound realization on his face. "That's... that's genius. And incredibly dangerous." He looked at Dolores. "Dolores, if she's training with them, they would have to see her transform. It means risking the secret with more of the family."

Dolores's brow furrowed in thought. "It would be a tremendous risk, tío. Especially with Abuela. And Mamá. They would have so many questions." She glanced at Mirabel, then back at Agustín. "But... it would also be the fastest way for Mirabel to master these powers. To truly understand them. And if Vilgax is coming..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the unspoken threat hanging in the air.

Agustín ran a hand through his hair. "We cannot tell them about Vilgax. That would cause mass panic. But to explain Mirabel's abilities... We'd need a very, very convincing story." He looked at Mirabel, whose eyes were filled with hopeful determination. "If we do this, it will be a tightrope walk. Every move must be calculated. And only a select few. We cannot reveal it to everyone."

"If my theory is true, this changes everything about how we approach your training. We'll see." Agustín thought for a moment, then a plan began to form in his mind, incorporating both the urgent need for training and the absolute necessity of maintaining the secret. "Alright, Mirabel. We will consider this. But first, there is something else we need to address. The drone." He turned, his gaze sharp. "It was looking for the crash site. It will be back. We need to secure the area, and more importantly, we need to be ready for its return."

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: The Vanishing Pod and Agustín's Bold Deception

The first rays of sunlight were just painting the peaks of the mountains when Agustín, Mirabel, and Antonio, with Dolores keeping a watchful ear from her window, made their way back to the secluded jungle clearing. The humid air was still cool, and the jungle seemed to hold its breath.

As they pushed through the last tangle of vines, they found the clearing exactly as Mirabel had described – churned earth, splintered trees. But the dark, metallic escape pod was gone. The only evidence it had ever been there was a wider, fresher drag mark leading deeper into the jungle, as if something massive had been pulled away.

Agustín knelt, examining the marks. His brow furrowed deeply. "It's been moved. Cleared out." He ran a hand over a scorched patch of earth. "No immediate drone in sight, but that doesn't mean it's not watching. Or that it hasn't already reported back." He stood, his gaze sweeping the empty clearing. "Vilgax will have retrieved his pod. He knows the Omnitrix wasn't there."

A cold certainty settled over him, the kind he knew from his Plumber days. "This changes our timeline. He knows it landed. He knows it wasn't destroyed. He'll be processing data, running scans, pinpointing the signature. We don't have much time." He glanced at the sky, then back at Mirabel, a grim determination in his eyes. "At most, two Earth days. Before he finds you, Mirabel. Before he comes for the Omnitrix himself."

Mirabel’s breath hitched. Two days. That was all they had?

"Then my idea," Mirabel said, her voice surprisingly steady despite the fear prickling at her skin. "About training with the family. It has to happen now."

Agustín nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. "It does. And I have a plan to introduce it. A... a carefully crafted truth." He turned to Antonio. "Antonio, you mentioned it looked like a 'gift.' We will lean on that." He looked at Mirabel, then at Dolores, who had subtly appeared by the edge of the grove, seemingly "stumbling upon" them.

"We will tell them," Agustín began, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "that the miracle has bestowed new protectors upon our family, upon Encanto. Entities, perhaps even spirits of the land, who have chosen to aid us directly. Each of them with a unique gift, just like ours, designed to assist a specific Madrigal gift and strengthen the community. And each will have a name. Your alien names, Mirabel."

Mirabel's eyes widened. "You mean... they'll see me transform?"

"Not you, Mirabel. They will see them. A new entity, stepping forth when needed. We will say that this... being, this protector, can take many forms, and thus has many names for each of its forms. And all of them are here to help." Agustín’s eyes hardened. "This is a deception, a necessary one. It will prevent panic, protect your identity, and give us a cover for your training. When 'Hércules' appears, it will be to aid Luisa. When 'Jardín' appears, it will be to assist Isabela. This will not only allow you to practice, but it will directly, visibly, complement their gifts, making them accept it."

Dolores stepped fully into the clearing, her expression serious. "It's audacious, tío. But it might work. People believe in the miracle here. A new blessing, a new helper..." She trailed off, then nodded. "I can help weave the narrative. Drop hints. Ensure the right ears hear the right stories."

"Precisely," Agustín affirmed. "We will start small. A 'random' appearance to assist. Then, with careful prompting, suggest that this 'protector' needs to learn to control its new forms, and who better to guide it than the Madrigal whose gift it complements?" He looked at Mirabel, a flicker of his usual warmth returning. "What better way to learn these alien abilities, Mirabel, than to truly walk a mile in the shoes of your family's gifts, side-by-side with them?"

Mirabel looked at the empty clearing where the pod had been, then at her watch. Two days. The weight felt crushing, but Agustín's plan, audacious as it was, ignited a spark of hope. This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about leveraging this strange gift to protect her family, to enhance their miracle, and perhaps, to finally find her own undeniable place within it.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5: Hércules Returns, and Luisa's New Friend

The tension in Casita, for Mirabel, Agustín, and Dolores, was a constant, almost palpable hum beneath the usual cheerful chaos. Two days. That's all they had, a ticking clock invisible to everyone but them. Agustín had spent the morning mapping out strategies, whispering scenarios with Dolores, who nodded thoughtfully, her subtle shifts in posture betraying the complex narratives she was weaving into the family's unconscious ear.

Mirabel, meanwhile, found herself glancing at her watch, the yellow butterfly a constant reminder of the secret pulsing on her wrist. Her initial awe had settled into a quiet determination. She had to master these forms. And if Agustín's theory was true – if the Omnitrix was truly connected to their gifts – then the family was the key.

The opportunity came that afternoon. The annual river clean-up was underway, a monumental task that always fell heavily on Luisa’s shoulders. A large, ancient tree had fallen across the main tributary far upstream, diverting water and causing minor flooding in some of the lower fields. It was a job for pure strength, and even Luisa had been looking particularly strained as she left that morning.

"Ay, that tree is a stubborn one," Abuela Alma mused at lunch, looking out towards the mountains. "Luisa has been at it since dawn. I hope she's taking enough breaks."

Agustín caught Mirabel's eye, a subtle nod passing between them. This was it.

"Perhaps," Agustín began, raising his voice slightly, "the miracle might send her some... unexpected assistance." He then 'accidentally' knocked over a glass of water, drawing a collective gasp and a rush to clean up. In the ensuing distraction, Mirabel slipped away, Antonio right on her heels. Dolores, meanwhile, subtly shifted her position, ensuring she could monitor conversations around Abuela and her Tías.

Mirabel ran, the jungle blurring past, the watch on her wrist warm. She knew the location well; Luisa always grumbled about this particular bend in the river. She found her hermana there, muscles straining, sweat beading on her forehead, as she wrestled with an immense, waterlogged tree trunk. Luisa grunted, pushing with all her might, but the trunk barely budged. Her shoulders were slumped in frustration.

Mirabel quickly found a secluded spot behind a cluster of giant bromeliads, far enough that Luisa wouldn't see the flash, but close enough to witness the result. She pulled up her sleeve, her finger hovering over the dial. Hércules. The silhouette glowed. She took a deep breath, picturing Luisa's struggle, her frustration, and slammed the faceplate down.

A brilliant green flash, accompanied by a muffled thump as she grew, lit up the hidden grove. Antonio, who had just caught up, pressed himself against a tree, his eyes wide. When the light receded, Hércules stood tall, four powerful arms rippling, the familiar barbell embroidery prominent on her lower biceps. She let out a soft, powerful growl, feeling the surge of strength.

She burst from the trees, emerging onto the riverbank. Luisa, startled by the sudden sound, spun around, her eyes widening to impossible saucers at the sight of the towering, red-skinned figure.

"You!" Luisa gasped, a mixture of disbelief and sheer delight on her face. "You came back!"

Hércules gave a confident nod, then lumbered towards the massive tree trunk. With two of her arms, she expertly gripped the immense log, while the other two braced against the riverbed. With a mighty roar that echoed through the valley, she strained, her powerful muscles bulging, and slowly, inexorably, the waterlogged tree trunk began to lift. It scraped against the river stones, tearing free from its muddy bed, and then, with a final surge, Hércules hoisted it completely out of the water, onto the bank, as if it were a mere twig.

Luisa stared, her mouth hanging open. The sheer effortless power was breathtaking. She could hear the rushing water immediately begin to flow freely again.

Hércules turned, looking at Luisa, and then, her deep, resonating voice, almost like thunder, rumbled, "Luisa... the river... is free."

Luisa blinked, then a joyful, relieved laugh bubbled up from her chest. "It is! You did it! You actually did it!" She walked closer, circling the powerful alien, her eyes full of undisguised admiration. "You are... incredible. Thank you. Thank you so much." She then remembered her request from the previous day. "So, about that arm-wrestling match? Are you busy now?"

Hércules let out a deep, amused chuckle that vibrated through the air. "Perhaps... later." She knew her time was running short. She gave Luisa a final, reassuring nod, then turned and plunged back into the trees, seeking her secluded spot as the familiar beeping from the Omnitrix began.

Luisa watched her disappear, a wide, genuine smile on her face. She felt a lightness she hadn't felt in years. The impossible had been made possible. And she had a new, incredibly strong, friend.

Mirabel burst into the secluded hollow, the familiar green flash engulfing her just as the red light on the watch intensified. She stood, slightly dizzy, back in her own skin, the yellow butterfly watch now softly inert on her wrist. The lingering strength from Hércules buzzed in her muscles for a full thirty seconds, making the simple act of leaning against a tree feel almost too easy. She waited, flexing her hands until the last echoes of alien power faded, leaving her own familiar strength. Taking a few deep breaths, she smoothed down her skirt and walked back towards the river, a triumphant smile blooming on her face.

Luisa arrived back at Casita a short while later, not looking strained or tired as she had that morning, but practically vibrating with energy. She strode into the courtyard, where Julieta was laying out the finishing touches for a late lunch, and Abuela sat calmly, observing the household.

"Mamá! Abuela! You won't believe what just happened!" Luisa exclaimed, her voice booming with an infectious excitement. She rarely showed this much exuberance unless she'd single-handedly rerouted a landslide.

Julieta hurried over, concern immediately evident. "Mi vida, are you alright? Did you move the tree?"

"Oh, the tree's moved alright!" Luisa declared, throwing her arms wide. "But not just by me! There was... There was someone else!"

Pepa, who had just entered, paused mid-stride, a small cloud forming over her head. "Someone else? Who?"

Luisa's eyes shone with unadulterated awe. "A lady! She was... amazing! So strong! She had... four arms! And she was red! And so incredibly, unbelievably strong, Mamá! Like my gift, but even more! She just... lifted the entire tree out of the river like it was nothing!"

Isabela, leaning elegantly by a floral archway, raised an eyebrow. "Four arms? You're certain, Luisa?

"Absolutely certain! And she was so polite! And strong! It was incredible to watch her!" Luisa continued, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "It was like her gift was pure strength, just like mine, but even... bigger! It was amazing." She clasped her hands together, a dreamy look on her face. "And I talked to her! She was very nice, even though she didn't say much. I'm calling her... Hércules!"

Agustín, who had been discreetly 'tripping' over a broom near the doorway, now stepped forward, wiping flour from his spectacles. "A new... helper, you say, Luisa? How... miraculous." He caught Dolores's eye, who gave a subtle, almost imperceptible nod.

Abuela Alma, ever the stoic and watchful matriarch, watched Luisa's excited recounting, a thoughtful expression on her face. Her eyes, however, seemed to linger on Agustín for a moment longer than usual. "A new helper, sent by the miracle, perhaps?" she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else. The Madrigals had always believed in blessings from their Casita and the Encanto itself. A new, powerful entity appearing to aid them certainly fits the narrative of their enchanted home.

"And she said... maybe later!" Luisa added, her voice full of hope. "I asked her for an arm-wrestling match! When she's not busy, she said! Oh, I really hope Hércules isn't too busy. I think she might be the only one who could give me a real challenge!" She flexed her biceps with a wide grin, the tension that had plagued her for weeks seemingly evaporated by the awe of the encounter.

Mirabel watched her hermana, a quiet warmth spreading through her chest. Luisa, so often burdened, looked genuinely happy. And Mirabel, through Hércules, had done that. It was the first true test of Agustín's plan. And it seemed to be working.

Agustín cleared his throat, subtly drawing the family's attention. "Luisa is right," he stated, his voice calm and reassuring, yet carrying an unusual weight. "This isn't the first time an... unexpected blessing has manifested. Dolores, Antonio, and I saw something similar just a few days ago in the jungle." He glanced at Mirabel and Antonio, who gave subtle, nervous nods.

"It appears," Agustín continued, stepping fully into the center of the courtyard, "that the Miracle, in its infinite wisdom, has chosen to send us new forms of assistance. Not just one, but several. Beings, perhaps even ancient spirits of the valley given new form, who come forth to lend their aid when the community truly needs it." He looked at Luisa, then back at the others. "Like this magnificent Hércules, who helped Luisa with the river."

"And the ones we saw," Antonio piped up, excited by the story. "One was like a little, little brainy one! And another was like a big, big furry cat!" He jumped, mimicking Bestia.

"Indeed, Antonio," Agustín confirmed smoothly. "These are various aspects of a singular benevolent force, taking different forms for different purposes. This protector, as we might call it, appears to be able to take many forms, and thus, has many names for each of its forms, describing what it does, or what it represents. All of them here to help our community, to enhance the gifts we already have."

He looked at Pepa, then Isabela, then Julieta. "They are... complements to our own gifts, allowing us to serve the Encanto with even greater efficiency and care. We are merely facilitators for these new blessings. Just as Casita has always provided what we need, so too does this presence provide what is needed to strengthen our family and our village."

Abuela Alma listened, her expression unreadable. She walked slowly towards Agustín, her gaze unwavering. "And what does this 'protector' ask in return?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.

Agustín met her gaze directly. "Only to learn, Mamá. To learn to control its vast capabilities, and to understand how best to integrate its aid into our lives. It seems... it learns by working alongside us, by helping us with our gifts." He gestured vaguely towards Mirabel. "Perhaps it will seek out each of us, to understand our roles, to train its forms by helping with our individual gifts."

A collective murmur went through the family. New helpers? Entities that complemented their powers? It was a grand, almost unbelievable story, but within the context of their magical lives, it was just outlandish enough to be plausible. It tapped into their belief in the Miracle, in the idea that Encanto always provided.

Julieta's eyes softened. "So, a new blessing, then. To help us help the Encanto."

"Exactly, Julieta," Agustín said, relief flooding him. "A new way to strengthen our beloved home." He risked a glance at Mirabel, whose face was a mix of awe at her father's masterful deception, and intense relief that the first hurdle was cleared. The stage was set. The family now had a framework to understand these strange new appearances. Now, Mirabel just had to deliver.

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: The Wisdom of Sabio and The Expanding Miracle

The family accepted Agustín's explanation with remarkable ease, a testament to their deep-seated belief in Encanto's magic. Luisa's enthusiastic recounting of Hércules certainly helped. The very idea of the Miracle sending specialized helpers to aid their gifts was simply another layer of the extraordinary world they inhabited. This bought Mirabel crucial time, a fleeting reprieve from the impending threat of Vilgax.

Mirabel spent the next day observing, waiting for the opportune moment. She knew her next target: Julieta. Her Mamá's gift was the heart of the family, healing them with her cooking. A powerful alien like Sabio, with its unparalleled intellect, felt like the perfect complement.

The chance arrived late afternoon. Julieta was in the kitchen, a worried frown on her face as she tended to a simmering pot of sancocho. A few villagers had come in with a stubborn flu that wasn't responding as quickly as usual to her healing arepas. The ingredients were fresh, the recipe followed precisely, yet the potency seemed... off.

Mirabel, feigning a need for a glass of water, slipped into the kitchen. She glanced around; only Julieta was present. Perfect. She quickly ducked behind a large cupboard, out of sight. With a deep breath, she focused on Sabio's silhouette, picturing precise measurements, molecular structures, the subtle balance of flavors, and healing properties. She slammed the faceplate down.

A soft flash of green light, expertly muffled by the cupboard, and Mirabel was gone. In her place stood the tiny, grey-skinned Sabio, no bigger than a teacup, with massive, intelligent eyes that took in every detail of the kitchen in an instant.

Julieta sighed, stirring the pot. "Ay, these ingredients are good, but something isn't quite... connecting."

Sabio hopped onto a nearby stool, her small, high-pitched voice, surprisingly clear, breaking the silence. "Perhaps the sequencing of the herbs, Julieta. The cilantro should be added after the bay leaf, to preserve its full aromatic volatile compounds. And the heat should be reduced by precisely two degrees at this stage for optimal nutrient retention."

Julieta gasped, spinning around. Her eyes, wide with surprise, darted around the kitchen until they landed on the tiny, grey creature on the stool. "Oh! Well... hello there, little one!" She blinked. "Are you... one of the new helpers Agustín mentioned?"

Sabio nodded, her large head bobbing. "Indeed. You may call me Sabio. And your gift, Julieta, is remarkable. But even remarkable things can be refined." She hopped onto the counter, carefully pointing a tiny finger at the pot. "The starches in the yucca are not fully gelatinizing with the fats. A pinch more lime zest, just so, will aid in the emulsification, allowing the medicinal properties of the herbs to bind more effectively."

Julieta stared, fascinated. The creature spoke with such certainty, such precise, logical advice. It wasn't the kind of advice one usually got about cooking. Intrigued, she added the zest, adjusted the heat, and stirred. A subtle aroma, richer and more complex, filled the air.

"And when you serve," Sabio continued, moving to a bowl of prepared arepas, "a very thin glaze of honey before healing. The glucose acts as a fast delivery system for the active compounds to the bloodstream, improving absorption."

Julieta, following Sabio's every instruction, felt a new understanding bloom within her. It wasn't just about the ingredients, but the science of their interaction. The magic was there, but it could be amplified, guided by precision. As she finished, the scent of the arepas was more vibrant, more deeply healing than ever before.

"It smells... incredible," Julieta whispered, completely awestruck. She picked up one of the arepas. It felt warm, almost humming with latent restorative power. "You... you helped me make my gift even stronger!" She beamed at the tiny alien. "You truly are a little frog lady of wisdom! My Sabio!"

A soft beep-beep-beep emanated from Sabio's chest, the red light beginning to flash.

"I must go," Sabio chirped, before zipping behind the cupboard just as the green light engulfed her.

Moments later, Mirabel emerged, a faint scientific buzz still lingering in her mind. She found Julieta humming happily, already packaging the newly potent arepas.

During a particularly tense family dinner where Pepa's emotions threatened a downpour, a burst of intense, calming heat from Fuego subtly dried the air, turning a looming storm cloud into a rainbow. Pepa later excitedly described a "walking sun spirit" named Fuego who helped her temper her clouds and find balance.

While Isabela was struggling to make a stubborn patch of desert bloom for a new project, a surge of vibrant, organic energy from Jardín infused the soil, causing flowers to burst forth in impossibly intricate patterns. Isabela, fascinated, later spoke of a "plant-man spirit" named Jardín who showed her new ways to shape flora, hinting at control beyond her previous capabilities.

During a lively village festival where Camilo was entertaining with his shapeshifting, a playful, mischievous group of small, identical beings (Mirabel as Duplicado) joined his act, multiplying and dancing in perfect unison, creating a spectacle that left everyone roaring with laughter. Camilo, delighted, told tales of his new "mirror-image friends" named Duplicado who helped him expand his performance, hinting at more complex shapeshifting possibilities.

Antonio, found his "big furry cat" friend, Bestia, waiting for him by his bed one night. Bestia then led him into the jungle, not on a panicked flight, but on a sensory journey, teaching Antonio how to hear the whispered language of the jungle animals more clearly, deepening his bond with the creatures around them, further solidifying his own yet-to-be-revealed gift.

Each Madrigal, in their own way, was invigorated, their gifts seemingly enhanced or expanded by these mysterious, named "protectors." The stories spread through the family, fueling the narrative Agustín had created. The Encanto was indeed blessed, even more than they knew. But beneath the facade of new miracles, the two-day deadline was rapidly approaching. Vilgax was coming.

Chapter Text

Chapter 7: The Star-Seeker and the Protector's Fight

The air in Encanto was thick with an unusual stillness. The birds seemed quieter, and the wind rustled with an unseen tension. The two Earth days Agustín had warned them about were almost up. Mirabel, Agustín, and Dolores could feel it in their bones. Antonio, too, seemed to sense the shift, clinging closer to Mirabel.

That evening, as the Madrigals gathered for their usual nightly meal, Agustín cleared his throat, a sound that, for once, cut through the usual lively chatter. His face was solemn, his gaze sweeping over each family member, lingering briefly on Alma.

"Family," he began, his voice resonating with an authority that silenced the room completely. It was the same voice he used when speaking of his hidden Plumber past, devoid of his characteristic clumsiness. "I have something important to share. Something about our new... helper."

He took a deep breath. "The benevolent spirit, the protector that has recently come among us, taking many forms like Hércules, Sabio, Fuego, Jardín, and the others... it has come here for a reason. A grave reason."

Pepa’s cloud darkened instinctively, a soft patter of rain beginning to fall. Julieta instinctively reached for Agustín’s hand, a silent offer of comfort.

"It has become apparent," Agustín continued, his voice steady, "that the very thing that allows this protector to take its many forms, the essence of its power, is being sought by another." He paused, letting the words sink in. "An entity from the stars. A formidable foe that wishes to twist this power to its own dark purposes."

Abuela Alma's eyes narrowed, a flicker of understanding passing through them. "An enemy, from beyond our valley?"

"Indeed, Mamá," Agustín confirmed, meeting her gaze. "And because the protector is here, amongst us, seeking to help and learn, Encanto has become a target. The protector has to fight. It has to defend itself, and by extension, all of us."

Camilo's shape flickered nervously. Luisa clenched her fists, ready for action. Isabela’s roses seemed to droop slightly.

"This is why," Agustín pressed on, his voice gaining an urgent edge, "the protector has been seeking your aid. Why has it been appearing in its different forms, to learn and to grow with your gifts. It needed our help to train. To understand its powers, so it could be ready to fight this aggressor from the stars. So it could be able to defend this miracle, and our family, and our home." He looked at each of them, his voice filled with sincere conviction. "You have all played a vital part in preparing it for what is to come. Every shared moment, every act of assistance, every lesson given – it was all crucial training for this battle."

He concluded, his voice ringing with a deep, unwavering belief. "We must trust in the miracle. We must trust in this protector that has been sent to us. And we must be ready to support it, in any way we can, when this fight begins."

As if on cue, a low, guttural growl vibrated through the very foundations of Casita. It wasn't the rumble of a friendly animal, or the groan of an old house. It was a deep, resonant hum, alien and malevolent, that seemed to shake the air itself. Then, a colossal shadow fell over the courtyard, blotting out the last vestiges of the sunset.

The Madrigals gasped, turning to look up. Above them, descending slowly from the darkening sky, was an enormous, hulking ship, unlike anything ever seen in Encanto. Its metallic hull glinted ominously, and from its underside, a single, terrifying figure began to lower itself. It was massive, green-skinned, with glowing red eyes and powerful, clawed hands. Vilgax had arrived. And he was here for the Omnitrix.

Mirabel felt the watch on her wrist pulse with an almost frantic energy, the yellow butterfly symbol glowing with an intensity she hadn't seen before. This was it. The moment they had been preparing for, the enemy Agustín had warned them about, was here. And it was up to her.

Chapter Text

Chapter 8: The Challenger and The Crystal Protector

Vilgax, a mountainous figure of pure intimidation, touched down in the center of the courtyard, his heavy boots cracking the ancient flagstones. The ground trembled with his presence. His glowing red eyes swept over the stunned Madrigal family, who huddled together, a mixture of fear and bewilderment etched on their faces. Casita itself seemed to shudder, tiles rattling, windows creaking nervously.

His voice, a guttural rasp amplified by unseen technology, boomed through the valley, echoing off the surrounding mountains. It was a voice that promised only destruction.

"Mortals," Vilgax rasped, his gaze settling on Abuela Alma, who stood at the forefront, unflinching despite the sheer terror radiating from the alien. "I have not come for your petty resources, nor your quaint 'miracle.' I have come for the Omnitrix. I know it is here. I have tracked its signature to this very dwelling."

His red eyes glowed brighter, fixing on Casita. "Surrender the wielder of the Omnitrix to me now, and this... house... and this insignificant settlement will be spared. Refuse, and I will tear this structure apart stone by stone, and then lay waste to every living thing within this valley, until the device is mine."

A collective gasp went through the Madrigals. This wasn't a metaphor. This wasn't a misunderstanding. This was a direct, terrifying threat from an impossible, alien being. Fear gripped them, paralyzing their usual quick reactions.

Mirabel felt the watch on her wrist pulse with an almost frantic energy, the yellow butterfly symbol glowing with an intensity she hadn't seen before. Vilgax's words had cut through her fear, igniting a fierce blaze of defiance. He wanted her house, her family destroyed? Not on her watch.

Agustín took a hesitant step forward, his clumsy facade completely gone, replaced by a steely resolve he hadn't shown since his days as a Plumber. "You will not harm my family, Vilgax."

"Foolish insect!" Vilgax roared, taking a step towards Agustín. "You challenge me?"

Before Vilgax could make another move, Mirabel burst from the huddled family, her heart pounding, her resolve solidifying with every step. She pulled up her left sleeve, revealing the glowing yellow butterfly of the Omnitrix to the horrified gasp of her family.

"I'm the one you're looking for!" Mirabel shouted, her voice trembling slightly but firm. "Leave my family alone!"

Vilgax stopped, his red eyes narrowing on the watch. A dark, triumphant smile stretched across his hideous face. "Ah, the wielder reveals herself. A mere child. How... underwhelming. Surrender the device, girl, and your suffering will be brief."

Mirabel ignored him. Her eyes darted over the faces of her family – Julieta’s shocked horror, Pepa’s storm brewing, Luisa’s ready stance, Isabela’s wide-eyed disbelief, Camilo’s frozen flicker, Antonio clutching Félix’s leg. She thought of Casita, groaning under Vilgax’s shadow. She thought of Encanto.

She knew exactly which alien she needed. She didn't want to just fight; she needed to protect, to defend, to build an unbreakable shield. She spun the dial, the silhouettes a blur, until her finger slammed down on the one she needed: Gema (Diamondhead).

A blinding, emerald green flash erupted from Mirabel, pushing back the oppressive shadow of Vilgax for a moment. A shockwave rippled through the courtyard. The Madrigals cried out, shielding their eyes, but Agustín, Dolores, and Antonio watched, a desperate hope in their gaze.

When the light receded, Mirabel was gone. In her place stood a magnificent, crystalline being, shimmering with facets of hard, green, iridescent material. Her body was a living jewel, capable of withstanding immense force. On her chest, etched into her diamond-like skin, was a glowing yellow butterfly symbol, larger and more prominent than ever. This was Gema.

"Vilgax," Gema's voice resonated, clear and strong, like crystal bells chiming, "you will not harm my family. You will not destroy my home."

Vilgax roared, enraged by her defiance. "Insolent wretch! You will surrender the Omnitrix, or perish!" He lunged forward, his massive clawed hand raised to strike.

Gema stood her ground, raising a crystalline arm. She wouldn't yield.

The entire Madrigal family stood frozen, mouths agape, realizing with a horrifying jolt that the shimmering alien before them, the "protector" they had welcomed, was their Mirabel. Julieta gasped, hands flying to her mouth. Pepa's cloud unleashed a torrential downpour. Luisa tensed, ready to rush forward, but Agustín held her back, his eyes wide with a mix of shock and a dawning understanding.

Vilgax's fist, a blur of green and brute force, smashed into Gema's raised arm. A deafening CRACK reverberated through the courtyard, sending shivers down everyone's spines. Dust and fragmented stone exploded outwards from the impact.

But Gema did not shatter. She did not even flinch. She absorbed the blow, dispersing the energy through her molecular structure. The impact left not even a scratch on her. Vilgax recoiled, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Impossible!" he rasped, staring at the intact crystal alien.

Mirabel, as Gema, felt the impact, a tremendous force, but her body had absorbed it flawlessly. Her crystalline form was holding. A surge of fierce satisfaction, then pure, protective rage, ignited within her. She was stronger than he thought. She was stronger than she thought.

At that exact moment, the very heart of Casita seemed to beat. A vibrant, golden light, emanating from deep within the house, pulsed outwards. It wasn't the usual warm glow of the Miracle. This was a direct, surging current of pure, ancient magic, rushing towards Mirabel.

The magic candle, burning steadily in its protected alcove, flared. Its golden flame stretched, reaching out, not towards the family members directly, but towards Mirabel, towards the Omnitrix on her crystalline chest.

A powerful surge coursed through Gema. The yellow butterfly symbol on her chest exploded with blinding golden light, merging with the green glow of the Omnitrix. Mirabel felt an instantaneous, profound connection to the device. The dial spun wildly, then locked, no longer requiring her touch. She felt the forms, all of them, simultaneously. She could feel their power, their essence, accessible in an instant, without thought. Master Control.

But the surge didn't stop there. The golden energy intensified, flowing into her, transforming the very forms within the Omnitrix. The silhouettes on the dial pulsed, shifting, becoming more defined, more powerful, more... ultimate.

Mirabel's voice, as Gema, now resonated with an echo of ancient power. "You want to destroy my home? You want my family? Not while I stand!"

Her crystalline form shimmered, not just with her natural iridescence, but with golden veins of light, crackling with raw power. She raised her now glowing crystalline arm, not bothering to cycle the dial. She had no time to explain, no time for her family's shock. There was only the threat.

Vilgax, recovering from his initial shock, lunged again. "Then perish, wielder!"

But before he could connect, Gema flickered. The golden light intensified, and in a blink, the crystalline form dissolved and reformed with impossible speed. Where Gema stood a moment ago, a new being now stood: It was a more fearsome, more battle-hardened version of Hércules, now larger, with hardened, sharper spikes protruding from her shoulders and elbows, and an even more formidable, muscular build. Her skin was a deeper, more menacing red, and her four eyes glowed with raw power. The barbell symbols on her arms were now etched in fiery gold. This was Hércules Suprema (Ultimate Four Arms).

The sudden transformation, instantaneous and without interaction with the watch, left the Madrigals gasping again. Vilgax paused, his eyes widening as he recognized the terrifying leap in power.

Hércules Suprema let out a guttural roar that shook the very foundations of Casita, a roar of challenge, of defiance, of raw, untamed strength. The time for talk was over. It was time to fight.

Vilgax, despite his immense size and power, felt a chill of genuine surprise. He was prepared for the standard ten forms of the Omnitrix, having meticulously studied and even fought against them on countless worlds. But this... this was different. The raw, untamed power radiating from the female Tetramand was far beyond anything he had anticipated.

"This shouldn't be possible!" Vilgax bellowed, his voice laced with uncharacteristic alarm. His red eyes darted to the glowing butterfly on Hércules Suprema's chest, recognizing the symbol of the Omnitrix, yet the form was... evolved. "Ultimate forms! Only one Omnitrix has the ultimate forms, and this one isn't that Omnitrix! I know, as I made sure that one was locked up!" His voice grew even more enraged. "The ultimate forms were powerful, yes, but ultimately unwieldy to use! And you also have Master Control! Unacceptable! I will not be humiliated by a girl who doesn't know the Omnitrix's true power or how to use the Ultimates!"

His roar ended in a frustrated snarl, and he charged, abandoning all pretense of negotiation.

Hércules Suprema met his charge head-on. She didn't bother with intricate tactics, only overwhelming force. Her four powerful arms shot out, not in a clumsy flail, but with coordinated, devastating precision. Two arms locked onto Vilgax's massive forearms, halting his charge cold. The other two, fueled by the Candle's magic and the Omnitrix's unleashed power, slammed into Vilgax's armored chest with bone-jarring force.

CRUUUUNCH!

The sound of cracking chitin and groaning metal filled the air. Vilgax roared in pain, a sound that sent tremors through Casita. He was thrown backward, skidding across the courtyard stones, leaving deep gouges in their wake. He slammed into the fountain, cracking its stone basin.

The Madrigal family watched, utterly speechless. Luisa's jaw was practically on the floor. Her own strength, while immense, couldn't have achieved such a feat without a great deal of effort and risk of injury. Isabela gasped, clutching her chest. Camilo flickered rapidly between his family members, unable to settle on a single form. Pepa's cloud above them, miraculously, cleared, revealing the twinkling stars, as her shock temporarily overcame her anxiety.

Vilgax scrambled to his feet, a fresh wave of fury contorting his features. He felt the sting of humiliation, but also a growing, terrifying realization. This child, this untrained wielder, now commanded power that could genuinely threaten him. Her Omnitrix was not just active; it was unleashed.

"You will regret this, wielder!" Vilgax snarled, energy crackling around his hands.

Mirabel, as Hércules Suprema, merely tightened her fists, her four eyes glowing with unyielding defiance. She was Mirabel, and she was home. And no alien warlord was going to take that from her.

Her voice, deep and resonant, now echoed with a new kind of power, a challenge that reverberated through the courtyard. "You want my family's gifts, Vilgax? Then I'll unleash every one of them onto you!"

With that declaration, Hércules Suprema moved. She didn't bother with a wind-up, didn't hesitate. The golden light flared on her chest, and in an instant, her form shimmered, dissolved, and reformed with bewildering speed.

Where the mighty Tetramand stood, a whirlwind of emerald fire now erupted. This was Fuego Suprema (Ultimate Heatblast). Larger, more intensely hot than her base form, her body was now a vortex of magma and crackling flames, with dark, obsidian-like plates forming a natural armor. Her hands pulsed with blinding, concentrated heat.

The courtyard erupted in a wave of unbearable warmth, pushing the Madrigals back. Pepa, instead of summoning rain, stared in utter fascination as the sheer, contained heat from Mirabel's new form seemed to scorch the very air, turning the humidity into shimmering heatwaves. This was what her emotions could truly command, unbridled and focused!

Fuego Suprema didn't wait. With a roar of pure thermal energy, she unleashed torrents of concentrated plasma from her hands, not chaotic fire, but controlled, focused blasts that hammered against Vilgax. The ground beneath Vilgax's feet began to crack and melt. He roared in pain as the intense heat seared his armored hide, the air around him shimmering violently.

He tried to retaliate, but Fuego Suprema was already gone, dissolving and reforming again.

Next, a blur of iridescent chrome surged forward. This was Actualizar Suprema (Ultimate Upgrade). Sleeker, faster, and more intensely glowing than her base form, with sharper, more defined circuitry patterns. She wasn't just liquid metal; she was a living, adaptable weapon.

Actualizar Suprema flowed, not over technology, but directly onto Vilgax's arm. Instead of simply merging, she began to rapidly reconfigure his arm's outer plating, twisting and reshaping the alien metal with impossible speed, turning his own armor against him. Vilgax cried out in fury and pain as his limb began to warp, becoming momentarily useless, then painfully reverting to normal as Actualizar Suprema flowed away, leaving behind shimmering, destabilized metal.

The Madrigals watched, a mixture of terror and overwhelming pride battling on their faces. They had seen these "protectors" before, but never with such speed, such power, such purpose. This was more than just a helper; this was a force of nature, a living embodiment of their miracle, fighting for them.

Luisa, seeing the sheer power of Hércules Suprema, found her eyes shining with something akin to reverence. Julieta, witnessing Sabio's underlying brilliance in the transformations, felt a surge of scientific awe mixed with maternal fear. Isabela, watching Jardín Suprema would see a terrifyingly beautiful, destructive control over nature. Each alien was a direct, amplified reflection of their own gift, now unleashed in battle.

Vilgax, battered and enraged, staggered backward. This was not the untrained child he had expected. This was a force adapting at speeds he had never seen, fueled by something he didn't understand. "Impossible... how can she wield such power?!" he bellowed, still trying to comprehend the rapid-fire, perfect transformations, the impossible power of the Ultimates, and the sheer audacity of this "girl" who commanded them.

Mirabel didn't give him a moment to recover. "You want to understand the gifts of Encanto, Vilgax?" Her voice, now resonating with the crisp, almost inhuman speed of her next form, echoed across the courtyard. "Then feel them!"

Actualizar Suprema shimmered into Veloz Suprema (Ultimate XLR8). Her form was a blur of emerald green and sharp, metallic lines, radiating pure kinetic energy. She was no longer just fast; she was a living vortex of speed, creating sonic booms with every impossibly swift movement. Camilo gasped, watching her streak past Vilgax. This was what transformation could truly be! Not just a change of form, but an absolute mastery of motion!

Veloz Suprema was everywhere at once, delivering impossible, rapid-fire strikes, a flurry of precise, powerful blows that Vilgax couldn't even track, let alone defend against. Each hit resonated with the force of a battering ram, forcing him back, disorienting him.

Before he could react, she shimmered again. This time, the courtyard seemed to deepen, to become more fertile. Jardín Suprema (Ultimate Wildvine) rose, taller, more imposing, her vines thicker and tipped with hardened, almost thorn-like organic spikes. Her body glowed with an intense, vibrant green, and the delicate embroidered flowers on her now tougher hide seemed to pulse with life. Isabela watched, mesmerized. This was what creation could truly become! Not just beauty, but a living, unyielding force of growth and defense!

Jardín Suprema lashed out, her powerful vines wrapping around Vilgax, not just binding him, but drawing nutrient and vitality from his alien form, leaving his armor looking duller, weaker. She threw him, a massive, screaming projectile, towards the edge of the courtyard.

He crashed near the well, but before he could even regain his footing, the air grew heavy with the scent of saltwater, despite being miles from the ocean. A torrent of purified river water, summoned and manipulated by Mirabel's will, rose and formed a churning vortex around him. And within it, a terrifying, aquatic hunter.

This was Mandíbulas Suprema (Ultimate Ripjaws). Her previously sleek body was now armored with hardened, dark scales, her teeth longer, sharper, glowing with a bioluminescent green. Her limbs were powerful fins, capable of propelling her through the air as if it were water, and her eyes burned with predatory focus. Antonio, clutching his toucan, watched with wide-eyed awe. This was the raw, primal essence of the jungle's hunters, untamed and absolute!

Mandíbulas Suprema surged through the air, propelled by the water vortex, her immense jaws snapping at Vilgax, tearing at his armor with terrifying ease. He roared, swiping wildly, but the alien was too swift, too fluid.

Vilgax finally managed to bat Mandíbulas Suprema away, sending her sprawling, but he was bruised, his armor cracked, his pride shattered. "Impossible!" he roared again, spitting out alien ichor. "No wielder has ever shown such mastery, such power, without years of training! This is not just the Omnitrix! Something else empowers you, girl!"

Mirabel, as Mandíbulas Suprema, shimmered once more. She would give him the answer to his question. The golden light from the Candle surged through her one last time, an overwhelming cascade of pure Madrigal magic, flowing directly into the yellow butterfly symbol.

Her form began to shift, not into another Ultimate alien of the original ten, nor even the new three. This was the final, impossible transformation, unlocked only by the unyielding power of Encanto itself. The dark, veiled silhouette that had always been locked, now flared with overwhelming golden energy.

The transformation was slower, grander, pulling the very fabric of time and space. Gold gears and clockwork mechanisms materialized around Mirabel, intricate and glowing, shimmering in the night. The light wasn't just green; it was a swirling vortex of emerald and pure, radiant gold.

When the transformation was complete, a towering figure stood before Vilgax. It was composed of interlocking brass, bronze, and copper gears, its body a complex, living clockwork mechanism. Golden light pulsed from within its joints and eyes, and on its chest, the yellow butterfly symbol spun with miniature, glowing gears. This was Futuro Suprema (Ultimate Clockwork), the Chronosapien, unleashed not by experience, but by the raw magic of the Candle flowing through Mirabel.

"You ask what empowers me, Vilgax?" Futuro Suprema's voice resonated, not just through the courtyard, but through the very air, layered with the echoes of ticking seconds and timeless aeons. It was Mirabel's voice, yes, but infinitely vast, infinitely ancient.

"It is my family. It is our miracle. And it is the love that binds us!"

With that declaration, Futuro Suprema raised her massive, clockwork hand. The golden gears on her chest spun with terrifying speed, and the air around Vilgax shimmered, distorting. Time itself seemed to bend to her will, contracting, expanding, warping around him. He felt himself caught in a temporal eddy, slowing, freezing, then speeding up uncontrollably, utterly disoriented and helpless against a power he couldn't even begin to comprehend.

Vilgax clawed at the air, his movements becoming jerky and fragmented, like an ancient, malfunctioning automaton. He was screaming, but the sounds were stretched, distorted, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, completely robbed of their menace. He was utterly at her mercy. Futuro Suprema tightened her grip on time, compressing it around him, making every agonizing second feel like an eternity, every flailing movement a frustrating crawl. She wasn't just hurting him; she was tormenting him with the very fabric of reality.

Finally, with a tremendous, almost painful effort, Vilgax managed to force out a fragmented, gurgling sound that stretched and compressed with the temporal distortions. His eyes, fixed on the glowing figure of Futuro Suprema, widened not just in agony, but in grudging recognition.

"I... yield..." the word dragged out, a horrifyingly stretched whisper. The temporal field around him lessened just enough for him to speak with a semblance of coherence, though his movements remained disjointed. His voice was hoarse, filled with a raw, undeniable defeat. "I had... underestimated you... Mirabel."

The mention of her name, from the mouth of such a terrifying foe, sent a fresh wave of shock through the Madrigals.

Vilgax glared at her, defiance still burning in his red eyes despite his utter helplessness. "But note this. This battle between us won't be over. It might be over for now... for the next decade. But know this, child. I will be back to have that Omnitrix. Mark my words, Mirabel!"

With that declaration, a portal, dark and jagged, tore open in the sky above Vilgax's ship. He was already staggering back towards it, a broken, humiliated wretch. Futuro Suprema released her temporal hold, allowing him to accelerate, but she maintained a subtle distortion, ensuring his retreat was panicked and undignified.

Vilgax stumbled aboard his ship, which immediately began to ascend, listing badly, its metallic skin scorched and dented. With a final, agonizing groan, the monstrous vessel vanished through the portal, leaving only a lingering hum in the night sky and the scent of ozone.

The silence that descended upon the Madrigal courtyard was deafening, broken only by the gentle pitter-patter of Pepa's tears of relief and Julieta's quiet sobs. Casita, bruised but not broken, creaked softly, settling back into itself.

Mirabel, as Futuro Suprema, stood motionless, her vast, glowing form shimmering. She had won. She had saved them. But Vilgax's parting words echoed in her timeless mind: ten years. A decade. A decade to prepare.

A soft beep-beep-beep began to emanate from Futuro Suprema's chest, the golden glow dimming, the ultimate power receding as the Candle's raw magical surge began to normalize. With a final, magnificent shimmer of light and gears, Mirabel returned to her human form, collapsing onto the cracked courtyard stones, utterly exhausted but triumphant. The yellow butterfly on her wrist was now faintly glowing, a silent promise.

The Madrigals stared, still reeling from the impossible battle, from Vilgax's threats, and from the revelation of Mirabel's true identity and power. Then, as one, they rushed forward, not with questions or fear, but with an overwhelming surge of love and relief.

Julieta was the first to reach her, dropping to her knees, her healing hands immediately cradling Mirabel's head. Agustín was right behind her, his face etched with concern and profound pride. Luisa, Pepa, Isabela, Camilo, Dolores, Félix, Agustín – they all surrounded her, a protective circle formed by their concern and gratitude. Antonio, quieter than usual, simply reached out a small hand and gently placed it on Mirabel’s arm.

Mirabel blinked, her vision swimming. The world was spinning. Her body felt like it had been stretched and compressed a thousand times, then put back together with rubber bands. Every muscle ached, and her brain felt like a humming beehive. She looked up at their faces, a blur of worried eyes and silent questions.

"I... I'll explain later," Mirabel mumbled, her voice raspy, a weak smile touching her lips. "Right now... I'm gonna need a nap. Or a triple espresso. Maybe both."

Julieta's hands immediately went to work, gently checking Mirabel over. "A nap, mi vida. A very long nap. And then... we will talk. Everything." Her eyes, though still tear-filled, held a newfound admiration and fierce protection.

Agustín knelt beside them, placing a reassuring hand on Julieta's shoulder. He looked at his youngest niña, now their undisputed hero, and a profound sense of awe filled him. She had faced down a galactic conqueror and won, armed with a power no one believed she could wield, a power forged in the very heart of their miracle.

The rest of the family slowly began to process the impossible truth. Mirabel, their seemingly "ungifted" Mirabel, was the protector. The incredible beings who had enhanced their gifts, who had fought for their home, were all hers. And she had just saved them all. The silence in the courtyard was no longer fearful, but heavy with wonder and a million unspoken questions. They would wait. They would listen. For now, their little hero needed to rest.

Luisa, with her immense strength, gently but carefully scooped Mirabel up from the courtyard floor. Mirabel was surprisingly light in her arms, a stark contrast to the colossal power she had just wielded. Luisa carried her directly to her bed, her movements slow and tender, as if carrying the most fragile of precious cargo.

Julieta immediately took over, bringing a cool cloth for Mirabel's forehead and a light, easily digestible meal. But Mirabel barely stirred. The sheer exertion of battling Vilgax with newly acquired Master Control and Ultimate forms, fueled by the direct power of the Candle, had completely drained her. She was out cold, sinking into a deep, restorative slumber. She only woke briefly for sips of water or a few bites of soup, her eyelids heavy, before drifting back into unconsciousness.

Days blurred into a hazy pattern of sleep and quiet recovery. The family moved around her with hushed reverence, their usual boisterous activities toned down, Casita seeming to enforce the calm itself. The aftermath of Vilgax's attack was slowly being tended to; cracks in the courtyard mended themselves, and the scarred earth softened, but the memory of the immense battle lingered in the air. The Madrigals exchanged knowing glances, their conversations quieter, punctuated by speculative whispers about Mirabel and the "protector."

Then, a familiar buzz of anticipation began to weave its way through Casita. Antonio's gift ceremony was approaching. The decorations started to appear, the music rehearsals resumed, and the excited chatter of the villagers began to fill the town. As the day drew nearer, Mirabel's sleep grew lighter, the residual exhaustion slowly receding.

On the morning of Antonio's fifth birthday, Mirabel finally woke, truly, completely awake. The grogginess was gone, replaced by a deep, almost serene calm. She felt revitalized, every cell humming with latent energy. The yellow butterfly on her wrist was cool against her skin, no longer glowing.

She stretched, then sat up, a soft ray of morning sun falling on her face. She looked at her hands, then at the watch. The memory of the battle, of the overwhelming power, was vivid. She had so much to explain.

As if summoned by her thoughts, a soft knock came from her door. Antonio's small, eager face peeked around the corner. His eyes were wide with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

"Mirabel! You're awake!" he whispered, then grinned, a gap-toothed smile. "It's time. For my gift!"

Mirabel smiled, a warmth spreading through her chest. This was it. Antonio's day. She swung her legs out of bed, feeling remarkably steady.

She walked with him, hand-in-hand, towards the brightly lit courtyard where the family gathered. As they reached the center, standing before his magical door, Antonio took a deep breath, and the world seemed to hold its breath with him.

The golden doorknob pulsed. Antonio tentatively reached out, and as his fingers touched the knob, the door glowed with an explosion of vibrant, golden magic. Animals from all corners of the Encanto seemed to appear as if from nowhere – a toucan landing on his arm, jaguars purring at his feet, capybaras chattering.

Antonio's eyes, wide with wonder, met Mirabel's. "I... I can understand them!" he whispered, tears welling in his eyes. He turned to the toucan on his arm, and its squawk was suddenly clear as day in his mind. "They talk to me, Mirabel! All of them!"

Mirabel's heart swelled. Antonio's gift. It was exactly as Agustín had surmised, yet more profound than they could have imagined. She remembered her very first, terrifying transformation into Bestia, unable to see, but intuitively knowing Antonio's presence, feeling their bond. It was an echoing validation of the connection between the Omnitrix and the Madrigal gifts.

Antonio, now surrounded by a menagerie of creatures, then looked at Mirabel's wrist, at the watch. He glanced at the family, then back at Mirabel, a curious, innocent question in his eyes. He lowered his voice, almost too quiet for anyone else to hear. "Does that mean... I can talk to the big furry cat, too? The one from the jungle?"

Mirabel smiled, a secret understanding passing between them. "Yes, Toñito," she whispered back, a profound relief washing over her. "Yes, you can. All of them."

The ceremony continued, a joyous celebration of Antonio's new gift. Casita shimmered, animals flitted and scurried, and the air buzzed with newfound understanding. Antonio, beaming, chatted effortlessly with his new animal companions, directing them with a wave of his hand.

Later, during the lively fiesta in the courtyard, Mirabel caught Antonio's eye. He nodded, a mischievous glint in his eye. She slipped away, finding a quiet corner near the fountain where only Antonio and Agustín seemed to notice her absence.

With a deep breath, Mirabel pulled up her sleeve. The yellow butterfly symbol pulsed. She focused on the familiar, powerful silhouette of the furry, quadrupedal alien. She slammed the faceplate down.

WHOOSH! A familiar green flash erupted, briefly startling a flock of pigeons perched on the rooftops. When the light cleared, Bestia (Wildmutt) stood in the courtyard. Larger and more powerful than the first time Antonio had seen her, her muscular form rippled, and her powerful limbs ended in sharp claws. The embroidered butterfly from Mirabel's dress was subtly woven into her fur, near her shoulder. She let out a guttural growl, sniffing the air with her powerful sense of smell.

A ripple of nervous gasps went through the villagers. The Madrigals, however, having seen Hércules Suprema and the others, simply stared in awestruck wonder.

Antonio, undeterred, ran straight up to Bestia, his face alight with excitement. "Bestia! It's you!" he exclaimed. He reached out, gently patting her snout.

Bestia rumbled, a deep, resonant sound. To the other villagers, it was a powerful, intimidating growl. To the Madrigals, who had seen her previous appearances, it was a familiar sound of the "protector." But to Antonio, it was a voice.

"You really can understand me?" Bestia Growl, her growls projecting the words directly into Antonio's. Her blind eyes or lack thereof, as she perceived through other senses turned towards the boy, a new kind of awareness dawning. She was surprised, yes, but also... not entirely. Antonio's connection to animals had always been profound, even before his gift. It made a strange kind of sense that it extended to all animals.

Antonio giggled, patting her again. "Yes! You're talking to me! It's amazing! You're saying hello, and that you're happy I can understand you, and that you missed me!"

Bestia let out a pleased rumble that Antonio interpreted as a purr. She nudged him gently with her head, then sniffed the air around the other animals, her senses soaking in their own unique forms of communication, their individual 'languages' now being filtered through Antonio's perception. It was a fascinating, new sensation, allowing her to truly "talk" to them, not just instinctively understand their intent.

The family watched the interaction, their hearts swelling. Luisa grinned, nodding approvingly at the raw power of Bestia. Julieta and Agustín exchanged a look, confirming their theory. Antonio's gift truly did extend to all animals.

Suddenly, a familiar beep-beep-beep began to emanate from Bestia's chest, the red light glowing. She gave Antonio a final, affectionate nudge. The green flash erupted, brief and brilliant.

When the light faded, Mirabel stood there, slightly disoriented, but with a wide, joyful grin. The yellow butterfly on her wrist was prominently visible, now pointing upward, like a symbol of flight or ascension.

Just as the flash faded, Félix, who had been trying to organize a family portrait, seized the opportunity. "Now! Everyone! Quickly, for the portrait! Before anyone moves!"

Before anyone could fully process the transformation, the Madrigals instinctively gathered, pulling Mirabel into the center. She found herself squeezed between Julieta and Agustín, Antonio clinging to her hand, a triumphant Bestia-purr still echoing in his ears.

The camera clicked.

For the first time in her life, Mirabel was unequivocally, visibly, undeniably in the family picture. Her arm, bearing the Omnitrix with its yellow butterfly facing proudly upward, was clear for all to see. She wasn't just in it; she was a central, powerful, and deeply loved part of it. The "ungifted" girl had literally saved their miracle, and now, the universe itself was part of their family.

Chapter Text

Chapter 9: The Truth Revealed and A Decade's Promise

The grand celebration for Antonio’s gift wound down as the sun set, leaving Casita humming with a quieter, but no less potent, magic. The Madrigals gathered in the family dining room, a room usually filled with boisterous laughter and the clatter of plates. Tonight, however, an almost reverent silence hung in the air. The long-awaited conversation, the explanation of Mirabel and the "protector," was about to begin.

As the family settled around the large wooden table, a figure emerged from the shadows of the hallway. It was Bruno. He looked hesitant, his eyes darting around the room, but he walked with a newfound, if still nervous, resolve. His appearance surprised everyone, drawing gasps and hushed whispers. He hadn't been to a family gathering like this in a decade.

Bruno's eyes immediately found Mirabel. He saw her, not just as his niece, but as a shimmering, intricate clockwork being, vast and ancient, her hand raised, manipulating the very fabric of time. He’d seen a glimpse of it in his visions, a flash of gold and gears, a figure wielding time with absolute control. And in that vision, he hadn't seen dread or despair, but hope. A future where his own gift, the visions of time, might not be a burden, but a piece of a larger, interconnected design.

He offered Mirabel a small, shy smile, a flicker of understanding passing between them. Then, he quietly took a seat at the table, a comfortable distance from Alma, but undeniably present.

The Madrigals sat, their gazes fixed on Mirabel, Antonio, Agustín, and Dolores, who had arranged themselves together at one end of the table. Agustín, despite the grave topic, seemed to have reverted to his more familiar self, fidgeting slightly with his spectacles, a faint stain of coffee on his shirt. He was the same clumsy, endearing man, yet his presence tonight held a new, quiet authority that transcended spilled drinks.

"Alright, familia," Agustín began, his voice calm, if a little nervous. "I know you all have many, many questions. And it's time we answered them. All of them." He gestured to Mirabel. "It starts with Mirabel. And this." He gently touched the Omnitrix on Mirabel's wrist.

"This is called the Omnitrix," Agustín explained, his voice gaining confidence as he delved into familiar territory. "It's an alien device. I... I know about it because I used to be part of an intergalactic peacekeeping organization called the Plumbers. My job was to track and contain dangerous alien technology, like this, and dangerous individuals, like Vilgax."

Gasps rippled through the family. "You were a... a Plumber?" Julieta whispered, her eyes wide.

Agustín nodded. "Yes, mi vida. I retired when I met your Mamá. This... this watch, it crash-landed near Encanto recently. Mirabel found it, and it bonded to her." He then launched into a detailed explanation, describing Vilgax, his obsession with the Omnitrix, and the impending threat. He explained the concept of DNA transformation, the vast database of alien species contained within the device.

"Normally," Agustín continued, "a newly activated Omnitrix has ten basic alien forms. And you saw them, as I explained to them. Hércules, Fuego, Sabio, and the rest." He paused. "But Mirabel's Omnitrix... It's special. It has three additional forms that shouldn't have been there in an initial activation: Duplicado, Jardín, and... Futuro." He glanced at Bruno, who nodded slowly, his eyes thoughtful.

"And," Agustín continued, his voice lowering in awe, "during the fight with Vilgax, when the Miracle's power surged through Casita, it... It unlocked something more. Mirabel gained Master Control, allowing her to switch between forms instantaneously, without touching the dial." He paused for dramatic effect. "And she gained access to the Ultimate Forms of her aliens. More powerful, more evolved versions of each."

"Which Vilgax was not prepared for," Mirabel chimed in, a tired but triumphant glint in her eye. "He said only one Omnitrix was supposed to have Ultimate forms, and he had that one locked up."

"And that wasn't all," Dolores added, her voice soft but clear. "Agustín and I suspected, but we didn't know why. Now we do." She looked at her family. "The Omnitrix... it didn't just give Mirabel random aliens. It gave her aliens that directly reflect, and even amplify, our own gifts."

Antonio, sitting beside Mirabel, piped up. "Like Bestia! She's the big furry cat, and I can talk to all the animals, even her!" He grinned, proud of his connection.

Mirabel picked up. "Exactly! Hércules for Luisa's strength, Fuego for Tía Pepa's emotions, Sabio for Mamá's wisdom in healing, Jardín for Isabela's plants, Duplicado for Camilo's shapeshifting, and even Futuro for Tío Bruno's visions." She looked at Bruno directly, a warm smile on her face. "The Candle didn't just give me the forms, it made them Ultimate and gave me Master Control. It felt like... like the Miracle was saying, 'This is our family's power, in a new way, to protect our home.'"

Agustín continued, "Vilgax will be back. He said in a decade. He's powerful, dangerous, but he underestimated Mirabel's spirit, and the power of our Miracle." He looked at Mirabel with immense pride. "You saved us, Mirabel. You saved Encanto."

The family was silent for a long moment, processing the enormity of what they had just heard. The galactic threat, Agustín's secret past, Mirabel's incredible power, and the profound, undeniable connection between the Omnitrix and their very own gifts. It was overwhelming, terrifying, and utterly miraculous.

Then, Abuela Alma, who had listened intently, her face a mask of complex emotions, finally spoke. Her voice was filled with a new reverence, a deeper understanding of the Miracle she had always guarded so fiercely.

"Mirabel," she said, her eyes softened with tears. "My brave Mirabel. You truly are a gift. Our brightest star."

The dam broke. Julieta embraced Mirabel fiercely, tears streaming down her face, murmuring words of love and apology for ever doubting her. Pepa's cloud, now bright and shimmering, released a gentle, golden mist. Camilo shapeshifted rapidly between different versions of Mirabel, a bewildered but adoring smile on his face. Dolores, her usual quiet composure softened, gave Mirabel a rare, tight hug. Even Isabela, her initial shock now replaced by a fierce pride, offered a genuine, heartfelt squeeze. Bruno, still somewhat in the shadows, gave Mirabel a thumbs-up, a silent promise of future conversations.

After the torrent of emotions, as the family slowly began to process the implications of a "decade to prepare," Mirabel, though still tired, felt a warmth spreading through her that dwarfed any exhaustion. She was seen. She was understood. She was, more than ever, a Madrigal.

She looked at Luisa, who had been quietly beaming throughout the explanations, her eyes still holding that hopeful, challenging glint. A familiar promise surfaced in Mirabel's mind.

"Luisa?" Mirabel said, her voice still a little hoarse from the transformations. "You remember what you asked Hércules?"

Luisa's eyes lit up, her broad smile returning. "The arm-wrestling match?!"

Mirabel grinned. "Go get the sturdiest table you can find, Prima. The one that can handle a proper challenge."

A thrill went through Luisa. "Oh, it's on!" she declared, and with a powerful stride, she went to retrieve a massive, thick-cut dining table usually reserved for feasts, hauling it effortlessly into the center of the courtyard.

The rest of the family, sensing another spectacle, quickly cleared the area, settling into excited anticipation. Agustín gave Mirabel a knowing wink.

Mirabel walked up to the table, taking a deep breath. Her wrist pulsed gently. She focused on the familiar, powerful shape of the four-armed protector, not the ultimate, but the one Luisa knew. She slammed the dial.

WHOOSH! A brilliant green flash engulfed her, the Madrigals gasping once more, though this time with cheers and encouragement. When the light cleared, Hércules stood there, proud and strong, her four muscular arms rippling, the barbell symbols on her lower arms now seeming to pulse with a playful energy. She let out a deep, friendly rumble.

Luisa, her face glowing with pure joy, took her place opposite Hércules at the table. She flexed her own powerful arm, a grin stretching across her face. "Ready, Hércules?"

Hércules nodded, meeting Luisa's gaze with all four of her eyes. She extended her lower right arm, allowing Luisa to grasp her hand. The two strongest women in Encanto locked grips, a silent understanding passing between them.

"One... two... three... Go!" Camilo shouted, unable to resist getting involved.

Muscles bunched. Veins popped. Both Hércules and Luisa strained, their arms locked in a perfect, unmoving deadlock. The table groaned, its thick wood bowing slightly under the immense, concentrated force. Neither gave an inch. It was a testament to Luisa's incredible natural strength, and to Mirabel's growing mastery of Hércules's power.

A full minute passed, then two, the air crackling with friendly competition. The family cheered, shouted encouragement, and bet quietly on the outcome. This wasn't about saving the world, but about connection, about understanding, about a promise kept.

Finally, with a tremendous, simultaneous grunt, both Hércules and Luisa pushed with everything they had. The table creaked ominously. And, with a dramatic, perfectly synchronized lean, both arms slammed down to the table at the exact same moment.

It was a tie. A perfect, joyous draw.

Luisa burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking with mirth. "Ha! A tie! I knew it! You're amazing, Hércules!"

Hércules laughed too, a deep, resonating chuckle, and squeezed Luisa's hand in a powerful, affectionate grip. The air was filled with cheers, and the sheer, unadulterated joy of the moment, a new beginning for their incredible family. The decade ahead would be challenging, but they would face it, together, with Mirabel at their side, their ultimate protector.

-End of Season 1-

Chapter Text

Bonus content 

Hey, this is bonus content for Mirabel 10ish, but it isn't necessary, just things that did get glossed over.

So first off, bonus content will appear at the end of each story I finish, so you will know if the story is done when it has one of these.

Second, let's address some problems, first it might be tabue but I mostly use AI to help me get my ideas off my mind and on paper or Internet if I didn't these stories wouldn't be as good or it would take me years to actually write what I what to wright and AI for the most part accelerated my writing as I'm good with ideas but bad a putting it down, but do note that even with the use of AI every idea came from me all it did was to putting it into the right order. So, 99% of my ideas 1% AI, just wanted this point to be clear. I only use AI to put it out of my mind, like a notepad, but clearer and neater.

And third, now onto the actual Mirabel 10ish.

On the topic of Mirabel's Omnitrix:

• Mirabel's Omnitrix is more Sentient than the original
• It never misses a transformation in season one because it was still finding a way to integrate with Mirabel and her life but don't worry it will miss a transformation at least in season 3
• It has 13 aliens for 2 reasons:

1. 10 is okay but I wanted more
2. Each alien would have a dedicated Madrigal gift to train with. As each alien will eventually have a madrigal tied to it, even the ones that don't have one yet. In essence Time Travel into future for 2-3 chapters
3. Each alien has a different name because of why not, and wanted Spanish named alien transformations.

• Mirabel's Omnitrix aliens (season 1-3)

1. Bestia (Wildmutt): related gift; Antonio and Dolores
2. Sabio (Grey Matter): related gift; Julieta
3. Hércules (Four Arms): Related gift; Luisa
4. Fuego (Heatblast): Related gift; Pepa
5. Veloz (XLR8)
6. Gema (Diamondhead)
7. Actualizar (Upgrade)
8. Mosca (Stinkfly)
9. Espectro (Ghostfreak)
10. Mandíbulas (Ripjaws)
11. Jardín (Wildvine): Related gift; Isabela
12. Duplicado (Ditto): related gift; Camilo
13. Futuro (Clockwork): related gift; Bruno

• Each alien in the Omnitrix is meant to be female because of Mirabel is a female human, but if you want to be fancy technically this Omnitrix hold both male and female DNA, or in the cases of potentially like big chill later in season 4 or season 5 which is neither only has one DNA, so in the case of humans it has Mirabel's and Antonio's DNA as they are the human DNA stored in the watch as Mirabel was the first and Antonio was the second hence longer time with it having green hourglass faceplate, before being the yellow butterfly faceplate.
• The yellow butterfly faceplate is linked to the madrigal's candle and gifts, which is another reason for more than 10 aliens
• Their is technically 3 functional Omnitrixes: Mirabel's Omnitrix, Albedo's Ultimatix, and Nematrix, the fourth mention is technically Mirabel's Omnitrix ultimate gift mode, but also there are thousands of Omnitrixes most dismantled or not functioning and destroyed to the point they couldn't be fixed to their full potential of changing at most 2 forms based, and a random alien transformation if somehow did get fixed.

On the fight with Vilgax:

• Castia and the candle gave each a boost to Mirabel's Omnitrix temporarily, so when season 2 starts she won't have Master control or Ultimate gift mode.

On the part of Augustin being a plumber:

• That was the prompt given but also don't worry Augustin will give their backstory fully later on just hints until at least season 3

On the part of future parts to look forward to:

• Season 2: more Ben 10 characters like Keven Eleven and Azmith appear
• Season 3: Augustin's full plumber backstory; first missed transformation from Mirabel's Omnitrix; And full backstory reason for Mirabel not receiving a gift at age five.
• Season 4: recalibrated Omnitrix; Alien Force
• Season 5: Alien Force part 2; Albedo appears; Ultimatix given to Mirabel
• Season 6: Ultimate Alien
• Season 7: return of Vilgax and end

On the topic of Albedo:

• In the original show, Albedo's being stuck as Ben's doppelganger. In this one because Albedo is male he happens to still be stuck in a human form. But instead of being Mirabel, Albedo will be stuck as Antonio because of the quirks of Mirabel's Omnitrix

Chapter Text

*Intro*

"Welcome to Encanto where the magical Madrigal's and 13 aliens work together, where 8 human gifts and 14 alien gifts work together.."

(A scene of encanto, and shots of each family member focusing on each one and gift related power and alien)

"There's Luisa who's Super Strong, and so is Hércules"

(A scene of Luisa and a four armed lady with a yellow butterfly faceplate and barbells embroidery on the upper right shoulder both lifting a huge falling tree with ease)

"Juiletia who's food that heals every injury with the help of Sabio making it heal better"

(Scene of Juiletia and a frog lady cooking food, the frog lady also has a yellow butterfly faceplate with an arpa embroidery on its chest)

"Pepa who's whole emotions changes the weather and Fuego who dry the rain"

(Scene of Pepa and a magma fire lady also has a yellow butterfly faceplate on the left shoulder with clouds and rainbows embroidery working together with weather changes)

"Camilo who shapeshift and Duplicado who duplicates the fun"

(Scene of Camilo shapeshifting with 3 ladies duplicates aliens each on their head the yellow butterfly faceplate and the embroideries were a chameleon nearby it)

"Dolores who can hear a mile away,  Bestia an alien dog who can't see with eyes but through smell and can't talk without Antonio who can speak with all animals including alien animals"

(Scene of Dolores hearing something from the distance and jump cuts through sound waves to reach Antonio talking to jungle cats toucans and Bestia an a alien female dog with no eyes but gills, and on her front leg is a yellow butterfly faceplate with the embroideries of two symbols one of sound waves and another of a jaguar looking like it can talk)

"There's Isabella who's plants are perfect, while Jardin helps her with wild plants"

(Scene of Isabella making flowers while a plant lady with a yellow butterfly faceplate on her chest and the embroidery of a flower next to it)

"There's two more humans gifts although one we wouldn't want to talk about same with the alien gifts related to it, and finally the other one wouldn't be a human gift persay just a human with 1 alien gift that turns her into 13 gifted aliens though 1 is taboo because of human gift with it"

(Scene of a person in the walls of a house next to a green slab and a clockwork lady reversing and versing time she has a yellow butterfly faceplate and the embroidery a hourglass slowly fades away)

(a shot of 5 year old Mirabel, looking like she disappointed, but flash forward to Mirabel 15 years old now, and zooming in her wrist a strange watch on her arm, and the face plate a yellow butterfly she gathered the whole family and turn a dial on the watch it viewed 13 aliens some we already have seen but there was 6 not shown, a Sentient glob of mechanical electrical wires, a fish lady who can't breathe on land for too long, a raptor lady that looks it's made for one thing speed, a gem lady, bug lady who looked like a fusion of mosquito, butterfly, and other minor bugs, and a ghost lady who can terrify you with what's underneath her cloak with Castia In background with the tiles in the courtyard slowly saying Mirabel 10ish and in the sky in the background was a shadowing figure looking like a human squid one are reaching for the watch Mirabel had)

"Mirabel 10ish"

Intro over