The madrigal kids meet some Disney villains

To Be Heard

(Dolores meets Ursula one night at the beach)

The night enveloped the beach in a cloak of tranquility, a stark contrast to the revelry spilling from the House of Mouse. The distant laughter and music felt like a world apart, one that Ursula had no desire to return to. As she glided through the cool water, the moon's silvery light painted her scales in gleaming shades of deep blue. Flotsam and Jetsam, her loyal companions, flitted about her, their playful antics providing all the company she needed.

Yet, the stillness of the night was momentarily broken when the two eels abruptly stopped their frolicking, their beady eyes gazing intently toward the shore. Curiosity piqued, Ursula approached and asked them what had captured their attention. With a flick of their tails, they directed her gaze to a solitary figure on the sand: it was Dolores Madrigal, staring longingly at the stars above.

A twinge of intrigue ignited within Ursula. The girl looked so small and lost under the vastness of the night sky. "What's wrong with her?" she murmured, more to herself than to her companions. Impulsively, she instructed Flotsam and Jetsam to use their charm to approach Dolores and inquire about her sorrow.

The eels agreed, gliding toward the shore where they performed their usual dance-whirling and teasing-until they caught Dolores's attention. Startled, she turned, her eyes wide with panic as she considered fleeing. But Flotsam and Jetsam's gentle, shimmering movements soothed her anxious heart. They communicated a simple truth: they just wanted to see if she was okay.

With a heavy heart, Dolores took a deep breath, her shoulders trembling as she began to speak. Her words spilled out in a torrent of emotion, revealing her isolation and pain. "I'm so sick of pretending," she admitted, tears shimmering in the moonlight. "I feel invisible, overshadowed by Isabela... the one everyone loves. I've been cursed with this gift, the burden of hearing everything-the fireworks in the distance, the hushed whispers that stab like daggers. I just want to be seen... to be heard... to be free."

As her sorrow filled the air, Ursula felt a stirring within her, a blend of empathy and intrigue. With a graceful glide, she emerged from the water, her presence commanding the attention of Dolores. The ocean's waves shimmered around her, and her voice flowed like silk, enveloping the girl in a hypnotic embrace.

"I can give you all that you seek, Dolores," Ursula purred, her eyes shimmering with promise. "Your hopes and dreams can be yours, if you're willing to make a deal with me."

Dolores stared at the sea witch, a mixture of fear and temptation swirling in her heart. Ursula's offer hung in the air like the scent of saltwater, enticing and dangerous. The thought danced in her mind-freedom from her burdens, the chance to truly be seen, to break free from the shadows that had trapped her for so long.

But at what cost?

Ursula sensed the conflict within Dolores and pressed on, her voice silky smooth. "With a simple pact, you could gain a voice loud enough to make the stars listen. You can create a world where you are not just a shadow, but a beacon. All I ask in return is a piece of your heart-a token of your desire."

The stars twinkled faintly overhead, as if watching the unfolding drama. Dolores could feel the weight of her loneliness crashing down upon her like waves against the shore. Here was an opportunity to break the cycle of silence, a chance to step into the light.

But as she gazed into Ursula's eyes, the darkness lurking beneath her charm sent shivers skittering down Dolores's spine. The price of freedom loomed larger than the promise. Would she be trading one prison for another, shackling herself to a fate unseen?

In the stillness of the night, she pondered her choices. The laughter from the House of Mouse faded into the background, replaced by the cacophony of her tumultuous thoughts. Freedom was alluring, but what would she lose in the process?

With a deep resolve, Dolores shook her head. "I don't need to drown in darkness to be seen. I would rather be who I am and find my voice without losing myself in a bargain."

Ursula's expression soured slightly, but there was a flicker of respect in her eyes. "Then find your freedom, Dolores Madrigal. Do not forget that the light you seek lies within, even when it feels shrouded in darkness."

With that, Ursula slipped silently back into the depths of the ocean, leaving Dolores alone on the shore, but no longer feeling invisible. She took a deep breath, the salty air mingling with her tears. The night sky glittered, and for the first time, she felt the weight of her heart lift just a little. She would find her way, not through dark deals, but by embracing her truth. And in that choice, she began to feel truly free.