Chapter Four: Taking Chances

"Zip? Zip! Open up!"

The eleven-year-old stared at herself in the mirror, her deep purple eyes scanning the long pink hair that stopped just below her shoulders. There hadn't been a time in her life where she had felt overly bothered by her appearance. In growing up alongside a multitude of beings, she never felt like she stood out. Now, however, she felt exposed. Exposed and annoyed at the fact that she had been so easily noticed when the mask and hat came off.

"Come on, you promised."

"Rose, is that you?"

The memory of the events from the previous day had remained Zip's constant companion. It was hard to forget the looks the crew had given her, especially Glimmer. That one struck her the most.

"Don't go! Rose!"

"Open the door!"

"Ahh!"

She punched the wall with a scream. All she wanted to do was be alone.

"Zip!"

She scowled before heaving a sigh. Without looking from her reflection, she magically turned the door lock. She knew using her magic right now wasn't smart, even for minute actions, but she was too worked up to mind her exhaustion.

"I have been worried about you all night."

Cal had finally entered the room. When he shut the door once more, he walked over and stood beside her.

"You look terrible. You used some of your magic yesterday, didn't you? I can tell. You know you have to be careful. It takes you a long while to naturally recover."

"I care very little about my current state," she hissed.

"Well, I care a lot!" Zip turned to find a worried Cal staring back, a pang of guilt filling her. "The last time you used too much magic, you were asleep for three days!"

The girl forced herself to take the attitude down a notch. It wasn't fair to be mean to one of the few people who had only ever shown her kindness during her underground life.

"I'm sorry. Yesterday didn't go well, and I hardly slept last night."

"What happened?" Cal asked. "After returning from the guild, you ran into here and never came back out."

Zip sat and leaned back in her wooden chair. She wasn't up for talking about it, but she didn't want to worry Cal more than she already had.

"Saber told us about the ship. It belonged to these people called the Horde. Glimmer got all excited and wanted to check the crash site to see if there were any clues about her sister."

"You mean clues about you?"

Zip clenched her fists.

"You know there was never any real proof that I came from that ship, so she can't pin this search on me."

"You were found the same day the ship was discovered though."

"Yeah, but at this tree, not at the site."

She flicked a piece of dirt from her pants.

"Anyways, Saber told me to lead them to the entrance so they could leave and investigate, and well, that didn't quite go as planned."

"Why?" Cal asked. "Did she accidentally blow your cover before you could?"

"No. She kept that a secret. It was a stupid Giga Worm that ruined everything."

She peered at the broken mask on her bed.

"Bow just had to touch it, and I got hit because of his stupidity, resulting in both my hat flying off and my mask breaking. So, I got pissed, used my powers to defeat the worm, and then got to deal with their stupid stares when they realized what I looked like."

She groaned and leaned forward, hiding her face in her hands.

"What did you do after that?"

"I ran away and locked them outside."

Zip looked back up to see Cal staring back incredulously.

"You did what? You ran and left them out there?"

"Uh, duh."

"Why?" He asked. "You should have stayed!"

"I didn't want to."

"But they- "

"She called me by my real name!" Zip stood as she shouted this. "Not just casually, but directly to me. Do you have any idea how it felt to hear that from a complete stranger!?"

She turned her back towards him, her irate gaze slipping into a slightly saddened one.

"You didn't see the recognition in Glimmer's eyes. You didn't see her pain. She knew me, Cal, and it was

frightening. I couldn't stay."

Cal reached over and pulled her into a hug. She didn't welcome it as she wasn't one for affection, but she didn't push it away either.

"I understand. I can't imagine how scary this is for you, but you can't run forever. You know this."

He pulled away and knelt in front of her.

"Why can't I?" Zip asked. "It's easier to stay hidden."

"If Glimmer and her friends are looking for you, that means you have a home and a family you belong with."

Zip's look turned angry again.

"You can't say that with certainty. I belong to no one. I'm not going to fall for this stupid long lost family thing. You know how I feel. Families are useless and anyone who believes in them is weak."

A hurt glance passed through Cal's crimson gaze, guilt wracking her heart again.

"I-I'm sorry. You know what I mean. Ugh!"

She turned and kicked her chair.

"This is so irritating!"

Cal reached out and squeezed her shoulder.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay. I know you claim to not like the idea of families, but once upon a time, you wished wholeheartedly that your old one would find you. I know that wish didn't just disappear, no matter how many times you say it has."

"I can't immediately accept them as family!" She spat. "You know that! I can't just go along with the first person who claims it!"

"That's why you need to speak," Cal told her. "Find them and tell them your story. Tell them the truth."

"I don't want to! What's the point now anyways? They're probably long gone by now."

"Glimmer said that as soon as they found out you were living, they went looking for you," he pointed out. "So I highly doubt they've disappeared."

"Gah! Well I'm not ready!"

"I know," Cal spoke comfortingly. "I know you're not, but you have to be. Listen, it's no secret that you're not a fan of living here. I know you prefer the surface more than being underground."

He wasn't wrong about that. Zip took some comfort in living within Briar Glen, but in her heart, she wanted to be elsewhere. She didn't know where that place was, but she knew it was out there somewhere.

"If you go with them, you'll be able to get out of here. You'll get to see the world, and you'll reunite with a family that cares about you."

"I don't see how they could still care," Zip said back. "Even if I did meet their qualifications, I'm sure not the girl they remember."

Cal shook his head.

"I believe they care whether you like it or not. Look, I'm not saying that you need to make some final decision right now. You need more information before doing that, but that's why talking to them is your best bet. Just try Zip. Try. What's the worst that can happen?"

She turned and began pacing the room in a huffed manner. She had an answer to this question, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. The fear she carried was so deeply rooted that she could barely admit the reasoning behind it to herself let alone to Cal.

"If you don't do something though, he'll never leave you alone. You know that."

Even though they weren't blood-related, Cal had always cared about her, and the one thing he always said was that if anyone ever came along claiming to be her family, he would do everything he could to reunite them. She knew he wouldn't let this go.

"And you want to know, too. You want answers about your past, you just…"

Her hand clenched over her heart. There was so much confusion, yearning, and pain swimming inside. It was overwhelming to handle.

"Dammit! Look. I refuse to go anywhere with them until I have the answers I'm looking for. Glimmer assumes we're related, but I want actual proof. I need it. I'll go and talk to her, okay? I'll do it, but if I'm not convinced, then I never want to see them again, and you will not get in my way of staying here. Do I make myself clear?"

Cal sighed and shook his head.

"You're so stubborn. I'll accept these terms for now because of your situation, but you really need to try Zip. Tell them your secret and learn what you can."

"Whatever, just give me a few hours and I'll go find them."

Cal stood and hugged her once more.

"Good. I'm sorry for pushing, but I just care. I want you happy and where you belong. You deserve it, even if you don't think you do. See them soon, Zip."

After that, he left her to her thoughts. Whatever pissed off gaze she sported dropped the moment she was alone. Walking to her desk, she pulled out her pendant and held it in her hand. She was scared, astonishingly scared, and beyond confused. It was hard to accept the situation when she had nothing in her mind to go on. She wanted the truth, she did, but what if the truth broke her heart? What if it brought more heartache in the future?

"Cal's right. I have to try something. I know there's a tug between her and I, but it's not enough. I need more.

She slipped the necklace into her pocket.

"I have to be sure, or everything that follows will be meaningless."

Zip had to build up a lot of courage before she could step outside again. Camilla didn't make it easy either as she kept purposely getting in the way all while putting her down. Why the woman hated her was something she had never figured out. Thankfully, Cal had been there to shut Camilla up, allowing Zip to leave. She chose the back way this time, however, just in case Glimmer and the squad were still waiting by the entrance.

After walking up the stairs she exited the tree, climbing over a few of the enlarged roots that surrounded it.

"The possibility of them being there is slim. I'll most likely have to expand my search. How inconvenient."

As she rounded closer to the front, she wondered what she'd say when she found them.

"I mean, what do you say in this situation? I wouldn't know where to start. I just hope they don't- "

Before she could finish that thought, she gasped and took a few steps back before slowly peeking around the trunk. There, right where she had left them, was the crew.

"Seriously? What did they do, sleep there?"

"Hey Glimmer, come here. It's going to be okay."

Zip's mind quieted as she watched Bow comfort the sitting girl. Those red, puffy eyes told her she had been crying.

"How do you know that?" Glimmer asked. "There's no way to get back inside unless someone lets us in."

"I'm sure she'll come back up." Bow held her tight. "I mean, she's got to."

"She'll will for sure," Adora told her. "She's your sister, isn't she?"

Glimmer nodded.

"I'd know that face anywhere, and you guys saw her powers. They're just like I said! I just don't understand why she lied to us the entire time."

Glimmer sniffled and rubbed her eyes.

"Why'd she do that, and why did she run away when I called for her. She knows who I am!"

Zip took a few steps back as she listened, her confidence beginning to wane. There was a part of her that felt bad, but another part that felt doubtful and unsure.

"I don't know if I can do this now," she thought as her heart raced. "I can't- "

"Do you often like to eavesdrop on other people's conversations?"

"Nyaa!"

Zip let out an uncharacteristic squeak when a voice came from behind, forcing her from her hiding spot. Swinging around, she found Catra standing there, her tail swinging carelessly.

"It's about time you showed up," Catra continued. "Everyone's been waiting for your slow self."

Zip turned again and tried to run, but stopped in her tracks when she found that Glimmer had moved and was now a few feet from her.

"Rose."

The girl froze when she heard the name again. It was filled with the same recognition she'd heard the day before.

"Rose, it's okay. It's me!"

Zip still said nothing, provoking Glimmer to take a step forward.

"Rose please, I – ahh!"

Out of fear, Zip sent Glimmer flying back, the princess hitting the ground.

"Hey!" Adora called a little angrily. "Take it easy! You could hurt her!"

Adora walked towards Zip now, but then stopped abruptly as if she had walked into something invisible.

"What in the- what is this?"

Catra reached out and poked at the air, her hand only able to go so far.

"Hmm. Interesting."

"I think it's a force field of some kind," Bow suggested as he felt around. "She can move things with her mind, right? She must be able to make some kind of shield with that energy, too. Wait, wasn't Rose able to do that as a kid as well?"

Glimmer nodded as she stood back up.

"She did, but she never used it to keep us away unless she was playing around. Rose, why are you doing this?"

Zip finally spoke.

"Stop calling me that!"

"It is your name, isn't it?" Adora asked.

"It's one I stopped going by a long time ago. I stopped wanting to hear it then and I don't want to hear it now."

"But Rose- "

"I said stop!" She cut off Glimmer before the sentence could be finished. "Listen to me very carefully. I came here to talk, but if you keep calling me by that name, I'll go back inside and never come out. Got it?"

The squad looked on with both worry and frustration, but Zip was adamant about her choice. Constantly being called Rose bothered her too much.

"Okay," Adora told her. "We won't, but calm down. Don't throw anyone else."

The child allowed herself to ease up just a bit, but she refused to let her shield disappear.

"Zip," Glimmer spoke again. "Why are you pushing away?"

The girl didn't speak. She wasn't sure how to respond.

"We've been looking for you. We've come to take you home."

Zip shook her head, prompting another response from the desperate female.

"Yes, we have! Look, mom and I never meant to stop searching. We thought you were dead!"

"I…I c-can't do it," Zip muttered out. She was starting to feel more scared.

"Of course you can!" Adora told her. "She's your sister, and both she and your mom want you back!"

"Stop."

"No," Bow said. "It's okay to be upset, but you have to believe Glimmer. Everyone thought you had perished."

"Stop!"

"Ugh, you're being a baby about this," Catra told her. "Just drop your shield so we can get going already."
"Please, Zip," Glimmer begged. "Come back."

"I said stop!"

Zip snapped at the constant pleading she was subjected to.

"But why?" Glimmer asked. "Why should we stop?"

"I don't want to hear it. You don't know what you're talking about," she said back.

"Of course I do! You're my sister, I'd know you anywhere! Please, remember how close we were?"

Zip's heart clenched.

"Remember the fun we used to have? Remember mom?"

"That's the problem!" She screamed, tears burning her eyes. "I don't remember! I don't remember anything about my past, so shut up!"

The truth spilled out in overloading panic and anger. This was why she couldn't stand hearing her name with such recognition. This was why she couldn't handle that natural, family-like tug she felt when she was around Glimmer. She had all of these exceedingly overwhelming familiar feelings, but had no idea why.

"Stop telling me to remember things when I don't even know who I am!"

Everyone went silent after that outburst, each person looking at her with a mix of confusion and shock.

"You don't remember anything?" Glimmer's voice cracked. "You don't remember me, or mom, or anything about home?"

Zip sighed and backed against the tree, her arms folded over her chest. This was the one most frustrating thing about her life. Her memory only went so far back. She didn't know anything about herself or where she came from. It's why she never felt like she belonged.

"Hey, talk to us." Glimmer stood as close as she could to the shield, the others following suit. "Why can't you remember anything?"

Zip rubbed the bridge of her nose. The timid part of her wanted to say nothing, but the curious part wanted answers. The curious part wanted to know where all the feelings of familiarity came from.

"I'm only doing this because Cal will never leave me alone unless I do," she half lied. "And I'm only going to say this once, so you better listen."

Her eyes fell to the ground as she recalled her earliest memories.

"As you know, six years ago a Horde ship crashed into this forest. No one knows how or why, and the only thing found on that ship was a dead pilot. However, on the same day, I was found here by this tree, unconscious. I had suffered from a head wound and a few other things. Cal's and Camilla's mother was the one who found me. She was a hunter, and she brought me inside to safety. I was told that when I came to, I wouldn't talk. A whole week passed before I said my first word. That word was my real name, Rose. A week later I was able to remember my birthday. After that, I couldn't recall anything prior to the night I was found. Everything before that moment is just a blur of darkness."

Zip felt her heart ache as she told that story. She had always felt out of place in Briar Glen, even with the occasional kindness. She stayed because she had no place else to go, but even as a child she knew something wasn't right. She had always found herself yearning and missing something she couldn't remember.

"Six years ago," Glimmer murmured. "Were you five when it happened?"

She nodded.

"Which would make you eleven now," Catra confirmed. Zip watched as the four all looked at each other.

"That must have been so hard on you," Bow said sadly. "Being raised in a place where you knew no one, and then not being able to remember where you came from."

She shrugged.

"It was whatever. There wasn't anything I could do. I was taken in by Cal's mom for good once I recovered, but she died a year later in an accident while hunting. Cal took care of me after that while Camilla wanted nothing to do with me. He used to tell me that my family would come for me someday, and I believed him, but the longer I was down there, the more I realized I'd never be found. Eventually, I concluded that I was merely abandoned, that I was unwanted and unloved by the ones who had me before. I became bitter and swore off families all together. I still don't believe in them."

Zip clenched her fists as she remembered the day she told Cal she never wanted to have a family again. She and Camilla had just gotten into an argument, and sometime during it, the sister screamed that she was an unwanted urchin who was worth nothing. She was told that her real family would never come because she was never loved in the first place, that she was purposely abandoned because she was too much of a pain. Zip had tried to ignore those words, but Camilla's speech only echoed what she had already started to feel. Hearing it said to her face fueled her already growing doubts. Cal tried to calm her down after Camilla left, but she wouldn't listen. She was too hurt, and too tired to keep believing. Although Cal was right when he said that she still held some small flicker of hope despite her hate for family, but that hope was so far buried under pain and doubt that it hardly ever surfaced.

"Zip, you have to listen to me." Glimmer's voice shook, her eyes full of tears. "You weren't unloved or unwanted. You still aren't. You have a home and a family who wants you back. You belong with us."

"Take it from me, kid," Catra added. "Don't let the words of some bitter woman demean your self-worth. Ever since Sparkles here figured out you were alive, you're all she ever talks about. It's always Rose this and Rose that. It's kind of irritating, but I can't blame her. I can safely tell you that Camilla is a grade A ass and that you're more than wanted by your family."

"I know what it's like to feel out of place, too" Adora spoke. "I know how uncomfortable and scary it is, but those feelings are so much easier to deal with when you have people around who care."

"And we super care!" Bow exclaimed as he threw his arm around Glimmer. "You've got us to help you through this, and I know your mom will help you, too."

Zip shuffled uncomfortably in her spot. She surprisingly found the words comforting. They tugged at the heartstrings that still wished for a home.

"They want you, and you have a mother waiting for you, too. You've always wanted a mother."

The idea of finally being where she belonged seemed so perfect, and yet it was too perfect. It was too good to be true. There was no way that life would get so easy for her. There were still many things she was uncertain of, many things she feared.

"Are you guys honestly that dense?"

The four of them seemed confused at her words.

"What are you- "

"You think I'm going to willingly believe what you're saying?" Zip eyed Glimmer as she spoke. "Did you not hear a word I said? I don't remember my past, so what makes you think I can follow you blindly? Where's the proof that I'm actually your si- "

She cut herself off before finishing that word.

"Where's the proof that we're related?"

"What do you mean proof?" Glimmer asked. "Look at us! We have the same eye color and hair color."

"So? I'm sure other people in this world share these traits. For all I know, you could be out to hurt me."

"We're not though!" Glimmer insisted. "We've been telling the truth. You're my sister and we've been searching for you to bring you home!"

Zip wanted to believe in those words, but wouldn't allow herself to fall for them so easily.

"Prove it then! Prove that you're family!"

"Ugh! I don't have any physical proof to show you, but if you come back with me to Bright Moon, then you'll see, especially when you meet mom. You look just like her!"

"I can't go with you unless you prove it to me now!"

"Zip! Stop being so hard-headed."

All five of them turned to see both Saber and Cal coming from behind the tree.

"They're trying to help you," Cal continued. "Not hurt you."

"Were you two listening this whole- oomph!"

Cal tossed over what looked to be a brand new backpack. Inside it she found her belongings, a few drinks, and some snacks.

"What, were you planning to kick me out?" Zip asked with frustration.

"No one is kicking you out," Saber replied. "Not for good anyways. You are to travel back with them and learn more about your past."

"And if I don't want to?"

"You must," Saber said back.

"I don't need to do anything! Cal, I told you that if they didn't have proof, then I'd come back inside and never leave again."

"You're not giving them a chance to give you any," he told her as he walked closer. She allowed her shield down for this. When he was close enough, he placed his hand on her head. "If proof is within Bright Moon, then that's where you should go."

"What if I travel all that way for nothing? What if they're wrong?"

"Then you'll at least know your answer," Saber answered. "Go with them, Zip, or you'll end up living with regrets."

The girl scowled at both adults. She clearly wasn't being given a choice. She then rounded on the squad with a heated gaze.

"You listen, and you listen well. I'll go with you, but once we're there, you have twenty-four hours to prove to me that Bright Moon is my home. If you fail to do so, then I leave, and you will never bother me again. Do you understand?"

The four looked at each other as if wondering what to do. It was Catra who answered.

"Fine then, Zippy. We'll agree to those terms, but you need to agree to ours. If we prove to you that you belong with the queen and Glimmer, then you need to stay in Bright Moon for good. No running away, no trying to escape, nothing. You're to stay and be with your family."

Zip made no reply, unsure of what to say.

"Agree to it," Saber called. "It's only fair."

She growled in reply.

"Fine. You have a deal."

Glimmer breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay. We should head back now then. I want to get home as soon as possible."

Zip reluctantly threw her backpack on before looking back at Saber and Cal. It was Cal who was smiling, his eyes glazed up with tears.

"Promise to try, Zip. You'll always have a place to go here, but you need to learn about your past. You need your real family. Promise you'll give it your all?"

The girl looked away. She wouldn't show it, but she would secretly miss him. She'd miss both Saber and Cal.

At her silent reply, he ruffled her hair with a smile.

"Go on then, and guys? Please take care of her."

"We will," Bow replied. "You won't have to worry about anything. Come on, Zip. I promise everything's going to go just fine."

Zip's heart felt hesitant, lost, and heavy. She had no idea what to expect, but she had no choice but to find out, and with one final look at the only home she ever knew, she turned and walked away.

"So she has no memory?" Bow asked. "About anything? I never even thought that was a possibility."

"Me either," Adora replied. "That has to be rough on her. I can't blame her for being so off-putting though. If I were in her situation and someone approached me with claims of being related, I'd be hesitant, too."

"I still can't believe we went hunting for clues and came back with her," Catra yawned. "That was unexpected. Ugh, I hate that we're walking all the way back to the ship. It'd be so much easier for Glimmer to teleport us."

"She offered to, but Zip won't have it," Adora answered. "She doesn't trust anyone."

"We could just do it without her consent," Catra suggested. "I mean, at least we'll move quicker."

"True, but we want to show her that she can trust us without any issues," Bow replied. "If we can get her to do that, then she might be more open."

Even though Zip was walking a little behind, she could hear everything they were saying. She wanted to argue, but she didn't have it in her. Using the shield for so long earlier had left her weakened.

"Zip? Are you all right?"

Much to her dismay, Glimmer was by her side. She so desperately wanted to bring back up her shield, but she hardly had any energy left.

"I'm fine."

She could feel Glimmer's eyes on her, and when the princess spoke again, there was a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Wait a minute, you're tired. I can see it, but it's a different kind of tired. You feel drained for using your powers both yesterday and today, aren't you?"

"Ugh!" Zip groaned. "Get out of my head!"

"You have to be careful!" Glimmer worried. "Until you can recharge, you need to take it easy!"

"It takes me days to recharge."

"It won't if you use the Moon Stone. I used to have to recharge, too, so I know how you feel. If you let me teleport everyone, then we can- "

"Woah, chill out for a second," she told the babbling female. "The moon what? And no, I said no teleporting. I don't trust you yet."

"The Moon Stone. It's the runestone that my mother and I are connected to. As a princess of Bright Moon, you're connected to it, too."

"Oh jeeze, please don't use that term in reference to me ever again. I am not some sparkly little blah."

"You are a princess, though!" Glimmer told her. "You were born one. Come on, let's just teleport and- "

"What part of no do you not comprehend?" Zip shouted. "I don't want to teleport!"

"Hey, is everything okay back there?" Adora asked.

"It's fine!" Zip didn't feel like arguing. "Let's just keep moving."

"Well," Catra said as she slinked behind Adora. "If you'd let Glimmer teleport everyone…"

"I swear, if someone says the word teleport one more time, I'm gonna- "

Snap!

The five of them came to a standstill.

"Did you guys hear something?" Glimmer asked.

Snap!

The sound came again, and it was instantly followed by the sound of something moving.

"Oh no," Bow have squealed. "It's not one of those Giga Worms again, is it?"

Catra's ears twitched as she sniffed the air.

"I don't know, but something doesn't smell right."

Zip eyed the forest carefully. That's when she saw something move right behind Glimmer.

"Get down!"

Zip tackled Glimmer to the ground right as the head of a giant grey snake came flying out from some bushes.

"What the heck is that?" Adora asked.

"Venom Snakes! They're incredibly deadly! Ahh!"

The snake shot in her direction, but she managed to hold it still with her gift.

"We need to run! These are not beasts you want to fight! Watch out! There's more!"

Right as she said that, two more came popping out of the forest. Catra and Adora dodged one as Bow shot arrows at the other.

"Bow!"

Glimmer went after her boyfriend and shot her magic at the beast.

"I said don't fight them!" Zip yelled. "Just run!"

The snake she held back tried snapping its head to bite at her again, but her magic kept it at bay.

"Ahh!"

She cursed the situation. She didn't have any power left to keep going.

"Come on, guys!" Glimmered called. "We're getting out of here!"

Zip watched as Glimmer teleported around to reach everyone. It was a good thing too because it was right when Glimmer reached her did she lose her hold on the snake. When the world became clear again, she found herself near a ship she had never seen before.

"Is everyone okay?" Bow asked.

"I am," Adora answered. "Catra?"

"I didn't die, so I guess I'm good."

"I'm all right, too," Glimmer told them. "That was kind of close. Zip?"

The eleven-year-old stood up with a wobble.

"Zip!"

Glimmer ran over and held her steady. The girl fought back though and pushed her aside.

"Get off of me you idiot! I don't need your – nnnn."

The world began to spin and Zip found herself on the ground again.

"Zip!"

She looked up when her name was called, and Glimmer's panic-stricken face was the last thing she saw before everything went black.