When they run into Ernesto, Imelda slaps him with her shoe twice, one for murdering the love of her life and the other for trying to murder her great-great-grandson. Together, Miguel, HГ©ctor, and the rest of the Riveras sneak in to the backstage of the Sunrise Spectacular concert to get HГ©ctor's photo back. In the cenote, Miguel and HГ©ctor discover the truth about their heritage, and are later rescued by the other Riveras.

While being taken away by Ernesto's guards, Miguel protests they are family to which Ernesto coldly notes that HГ©ctor was his best friend his callous words allow Miguel to see HГ©ctor was telling the truth and Ernesto reminds Miguel that he needed to do whatever it took to achieve glory or in his own words: вЂвЂ™seize his momentвЂ™вЂ™ before leaving. Miguel denies it, but Ernesto sees that Miguel does and has him thrown in the cenote as he confiscates HГ©ctor's photograph. To test Miguel's loyalty, Ernesto asks Miguel if he believes HГ©ctor's story. Enraged, HГ©ctor tries to attack Ernesto, but he is thrown into a cenote pit by Ernesto's guards.

Looking at the film, HГ©ctor realizes his partner caused his death by poisoning him. It is then that Miguel notices the similarity of that statement with a quote uttered in one of ErnestoвЂ™s films, where the film's villain said the same thing while poisoning Ernesto's character. Ernesto tries to be civil until HГ©ctor reminds Ernesto that he would have moved 'heaven and earth' for him. HГ©ctor reveals to Miguel that he wrote the songs Ernesto was famous for, and accuses Ernesto of leaving HГ©ctor to be forgotten. Ernesto agrees, but before he can bless the marigold petal, a bitter HГ©ctor shows up. Miguel explains that he needs Ernesto's blessing to return to the Land of the Living. Ernesto is elated and the two of them start bonding.ДЄfter the party settles down, Miguel asks Ernesto how he felt about leaving his family behind hesitating, Ernesto answers that he had to make the decision to pursue his own dreams of becoming a musician, and suggests Miguel do the same if he desires. Miguel declares himself as de la Cruz's great great-grandson. Upon reaching the surface, Ernesto discovers he is the human boy he had been hearing about. Suddenly, he falls into a pool, prompting Ernesto to dive into it to rescue him. Miguel tries to get his attention by singing an improvised song. During the Day of the Dead, he is hosting a party exclusive to Mexico's high-class celebrities. Ernesto de la Cruz first appears at his mansion in the Land of the Dead.

Ernesto de la cruz