Chapter Text
To this day, King Magnifico could still remember the day he met the little dog in the sock sweater. It started out as an enchanted evening in the city of Rosas. The Kingdom was thriving, his people were safe and happy, and he had just finished granting his fourteenth wish this year which was a high percent! As always, the Wishing Ceremony ended with the receiver ecstatic with having their wish granted, and the people cheering for them. Normally, the evening would end with Magnifico bidding his citizens goodnight before retiring to his chambers.
But on that night, Magnifico decided to do something different. He had been working at the castle for far too long, and it had been a while since he's taken time for himself. So rather than going to bed, Magnifico decided that he would slip out into the night and walk amongst the few who were still awake. He put on a simple royal blue hooded cloak that covered his head and body, and quietly snuck out.
It was a beautiful night for a stroll. The only noises that were made were the slight murmurs of passerby's, the flutter of wings from a bird flying off, the occasional clip clop of a horse or a goat. As he walked out of the city and towards the woods the sounds faded until the noise of the kingdom was replaced with the sound of the nightlife. Crickets were chirping, an owl was hooting, a squirrel chattered as it scurried amongst the trees, and everyone once in a while Magnifico would hear a twig snap which would immediately put him on the defensive. Magnifico was a very powerful sorcerer and he had his magic to protect him, but the thought of there being a threat in Rosas was enough to put him on edge.
So every once in a while whenever he heard the snapping of twigs or the rustle from the trees or bushes, he'd pause and look around with his hands poised and ready to strike. After a couple of minutes, when he saw no threat, he would resume his walk through the woods but still kept a wary eye out for danger. At the very worst, it could be a wild animal like a vicious wolf or bear. But Magnifico wasn't taking any chances on his safety. His people needed him.
His people... The thought of them gave him pause.
Magnifico stopped walking to look up at the stars. They were shining so bright in the night sky. Magnifico could recall so many stories, myths, legends, and fairy tales regarding the stars, like how if you wish upon a star, your wish will come true. A simple, yet beautiful thought. Magnifico could remember how he, as a young peasant boy, would look up at the stars, dream of what he wanted, and make a wish. It sounded so easy.
But life wasn't easy. Life was never mean't to be easy.
Staring up a the many lights brightening up the dark sky, Magnifico wondered if they ever felt burdened by the wishes. The expectations from humanity. Because he sure did.
There was no denying that he was the best at what he did. He commanded great magic, possessed vast knowledge of potions and spells, he could wow a crowd with his charisma, and he led a kingdom that he had built up himself. Yes, his talents were renowned far and wide. But when it came to people, and trying to make genuine connections with them... He failed at that. He tried to, really he did but unfortunately it ended with someone wanting something from him. If anything, he was certain that he was more like a genie from a magic lamp than an actual human being with their own wants, needs, and desires.
After dealing with so many disappointments, Magnifico just gave up. He gave up on his social life, and his expectations of companionship... Especially the romantic kind. Magnifico wasn't dumb or oblivious, he knew he was still very handsome at his age, and he had a ton of admirers who would back this up. But their love wasn't the love he wanted. The love that was more of a mere crush, infatuation, obsession, or lust. It wasn't the real thing he craved. He had once thought he had found that true love a long time ago back in his youth. But it had only been a dream... The deception of someone he had walked with once upon a dream...
...But despite all of that, it didn't stop the longing. The ever growing emptiness in his heart and bones that calls out for something or someone unknown. Nothing could console him these days. Not the fame or the praise and adulation that still came year after year. They did nothing for the empty tears he shed when he was away from prying eyes.
The only way he could find himself an honest friend was if he encountered someone who didn't have a wish. But that was proposterous! For who in this kingdom, heck, this whole wide world, didn't have a wish for themselves?
Magnifico sighed as he sat down on a log. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "How can such a person exist?"
That question of course, was meant to be rhetorical. But little did he know that he would receive an answer...
And he was answered in quite an unexpected way...
"Espérenme amiguitos!"
Startled, Magnifico looked up and was greeted with a rather unusual sight.
Down in the glen in front of him was a little dog chasing after a small group of fireflies. He couldn't tell if he was a puppy or just a small dog but he could see that he was wearing a sweater of some kind. Due to the distance between them, Magnifico couldn't be certain of what breed he was, but from what he could tell the little canine was a mixed breed. Clearly the little guy possessed boundless energy as he pursued the fireflies jumping, yipping, and even shouting for joy, all the while his tongue was lolling out!
But what had shocked Magnifico was that the dog was talking! Talking in clear human speech! Both English and Spanish! Magnifico had heard many stories and rumors regarding animals who could walk, talk, and even act like people, but he never thought they were true! Now there was one right in front of him, paying no mind to the man who was watching him in fascination.
The King of Rosas sat there watching the dog as he switched from playing with the fireflies to chasing after small woodland animals like the squirrels and rabbits. He didn't act hostile to the small creatures and when he caught one, they even started to chase after him like children did when they were playing tag. Magnifico didn't know how long he sat there as the canine laughed, barked, yipped, pounced, and rolled as he played with his little friends. You wouldn't think that a mighty sorcerer like Magnifico would take an interest in watching a dog playing happily in the woods, even if it was a talking one. But there was just something simply pure about watching an innocent dog taking immense joy in the simple things in life.
But the fun soon came to an abrupt end when the dog pounced into the air trying to catch a squirrel only for the bushy-tailed creature to swiftly dodge the unsuspecting canine whom inadvertently launched himself into the small knothole of a tree.
Magnifico's eyes widened while many of the animals chittered animatedly, almost as if they were laughing. "Oh no." Magnifico immediately jumped up and quickly made his way over to the trapped dog. The poor puppy in question was already wriggling trying to free himself. The man quickly knelt behind the animal and then placed both hands securely underneath the small canine's chest.
The little dog jolted, clearly startled by the pair of hands that suddenly grabbed hold of him. "Easy boy," Magnifico called out hoping the dog could hear him. "I'm going to get you out of there alright?" He wasn't expecting a response, but he did think he heard a muffled "Okay!" coming from within the tree. Magnifico took a deep breath before he started pulling. And pulling. But nothing he did helped loosen the dog from the tree. Magnifico growled in frustration, but stopped upon hearing a small whine emitted from the puppy.
Magnifico's expression grew contrite as he realized he was hurting the dog with his harsh pulling. "Sorry little buddy." He slowly released the dog who whined once more from the lack of contact. "It's okay boy," the sorcerer spoke softly giving him a gentle pat, reassuring him that he was not abandoning him. He slowly took a step back before turning from him as he began pacing. How could he free him without hurting him? Then the answer clicked inside his head and he facepalmed himself for not thinking of it before.
Magnifico turned back to the tree and placed both hands up as he moved them recalling one of the first spells he learned in his youth. Soon a magical pair of hands came out of nowhere and grabbed the edges of the knothole before pulling it apart, widening the hole. The little dog tumbled backwards finally free from his tree bark prison. The King stepped over to the dog chuckling in relief. "Looks like Winnie the Pooch is out of the tree." The Little guy said nothing as he got up on all fours disoriented and shook his head rapidly.
He gave a startled yelp as the man picked him up and turned him to face him. Although taken aback at first, the little one gave a huge smile as his big blue eyes met the king's own blue eyes. "Muchas gracias Señor!"
Now that they were face to face with each other, Magnifico finally had a proper look at him.
He appeared to be a chihuahua or perhaps a chihuahua mix. He had a small body, a big head, huge blue eyes, and his fur was a... Merle? Yes! It's been while since King Magnifico had a dog but he was sure he was a merle with splotches of brown, white, and black. The dog also had an underbite, and a snaggle tooth. For clothing, he was wearing what appeared to be a sock as a sweater.
The sorcerer frowned wondering if this was one of those poor dogs with health problems because of genetics. As he took in every part of the animal's appearance, Magnifico assessed that while the dog wasn't glamorous or outright beautiful, this dog was still very much adorable.
"Who are you perrito?"