Chapter Seven: The Mysteries of Magic
"I can't believe Zip's been here for almost a month and a half and she's just now ready to meet your aunt."
It was an early September morning. Usually, Glimmer was all for sleeping in, but today she was wide awake and ready to go. She was excited about the event that would soon take place, especially since it had taken so long for her sister to agree to it.
"We didn't want to push her," Glimmer replied to Catra as she looked over her outfit in the bedroom mirror. "She's still apprehensive about things. I mean, she talks to us, but it's never about how she feels. She hasn't done that since the night she properly met mom. Zip doesn't lock herself away anymore though, and just the other night she started sleeping in her own room instead of the spare one."
"Which is awesome," Bow added. "She's adjusting slowly but surely."
"I've seen old ladies move faster than she does," Catra retorted.
"Oh be nice," Adora giggled before hugging the girl from behind. "You adore her, and you know it."
"Ugh!" Catra bopped her girlfriend's face with her tail. "Why would I adore that little snot? She's always snarky with me."
"You're both snarky," Adora replied. "And you like her because she reminds you of yourself."
"She does not! I'm offended."
Glimmer could see the blush forming on her feline friend's face from the mirror. Even though Catra wouldn't admit it, the girl had indeed developed a fondness for Zip and had worked on pulling her little sister out of her comfort zone in her own Catra way.
"So you convincing Zip to take that family walk with me and mom the other day had nothing to do with you adoring her?"
"No way!" Catra's blush grew deeper. "I just wanted her out of my hair!"
Knock, knock.
Glimmer turned when she heard the sound.
"Come in."
The door opened and in walked a very sleepy Zip, her heart melting at the sight. She was dressed in her typical Briar Glen wear. Glimmer tried getting her some newer clothing, but Zip was still attached to her old belongings.
"The poor thing."
The girl didn't look functional or ready to go anywhere at all. Her eyes were still half shut, and her hair shot in out in multiple different directions.
"Aww, someone's not awake yet."
Zip murred while rubbing her sleep away before mumbling out a series of tired jumbled words that most ears wouldn't be able to comprehend.
"Uh, did she just ask for a towel to crush?" Bow asked.
"No," chuckled Glimmer. "She asked to borrow a hairbrush."
"Yeah that's totally not what came out of her mouth," Catra said flatly.
Glimmer picked up the black brush from her table and held it out to Zip.
"You want me to do it for you?"
The little girl shook her head before taking the item and working her hair.
"Brush it good," Catra commented. "You look like you got electrocuted. It's- oomph!"
Glimmer watched as a pillow flew from her bed to Catra's face.
"H-hey!"
A second one now floated in the air before zooming right into the side of the cat woman's head, Catra scowling from the magical attack.
"Zip!"
"See what happens when you tease little kids?" Adora teased.
Glimmer smirked and turned her attention back to her sister.
"You sleep okay?"
"Eh."
"Was everything comfortable?"
"Too early for questions."
"Girls?"
It was Angella's turn to enter the room, a small look of relief in her eyes when she found the two sisters together.
"Oh good, you're both here. Good morning, everyone."
A series of good mornings followed as Glimmer returned to her mirror to double-check that everything was in place.
"You girls almost ready?" Angella asked.
"I am!" Glitter answered. "I think Zip's just about ready, too."
Zip mumbled something in reply and was in the process of returning the brush to Glimmer's vanity when Angella plucked the floating object from the air.
"Rose, darling," she giggled. "You missed a spot."
Zip let her mother brush out an area on the back of her head without much fight. While this happened, Adora moved beside Glimmer and whispered out a question.
"Angella can call her Rose, but you can't?"
"No. She only let's mom do it. That's all right though because my big thing right now is trying to hug her. It's like a game, really."
"What do you mean?"
Glimmer faced Adora with a wink.
"Watch this."
She then teleported from her spot. Her plan was to glomp the other in a hug, but as soon as she landed in front of Zip, the invisible shield went up and she bounced back.
"Glimmer!"
"Aww," she teased. "You mean I can't hug my little Zip?"
"Of course you can't! You know that!"
"But you're just so cute and huggable!"
"Grawr!"
"Glimmer." Angella had just finished brushing out Zip's hair. "Don't pick on your sister."
"Yeah, don't pick me on me," the girl repeated.
The elder sister only smirked, leaving the younger slightly confused. That's when Zip turned to find Angella trying to sneak in her own hug. She almost succeeded, but Zip threw her shield up just before it could happen.
"Ugh! Angella!"
The woman could only laugh.
"I'm sorry dear, can you blame me? Anyway, we should get going. Your aunt will throw a fit if we show up late."
"You sure you guys don't want to join?" Glimmer asked her friends. "You could get some serious relaxing in. We don't mind at all."
"No, it's okay," Bow answered. "You guys should have some family time. We can hang out tomorrow instead!"
"If you're sure." Glimmer ran over to give him a quick kiss before waving at the three of them. "All right, then. We'll make plans to go another day."
"Have fun!" Adora called.
"Don't fall off a cliff, Zip," Catra added. Zip stuck out her tongue in reply.
Glimmer ran back to her family and placed a hand on each of them.
"See you guys later!"
Then after another little wave, she teleported the three of them out of the room.
"Welcome to Mystacor."
Zip had just arrived at the new place with her mother and sister, her eyes unable to stop staring at the scenery around her while Glimmer spoke. Large golden archways towered over pathway entrances like giants, and a mix of waterfalls and grassy fields filled the many different layers of the mountain that spiraled upwards. At the very top stood a building decorated with intricate designs.
"Mystacor," Zip repeated. "So, this is where sorcerers come to train?"
"Yes," Angella answered. "Both your father and your aunt used to train here as children."
Zip had seen pictures of her father back at the castle, but he wasn't as recognizable as Glimmer and her mom because he died not long after Angella found out she was pregnant with her.
"It's also a great place to relax," Glimmer added. "It's got tranquil gardens, beautiful beaches, and healing springs! It's the perfect place to let your worries fade away."
"Uh-huh. And you say that this Castaspella is the head sorceress here?"
"Mhm! Just be wary though, Aunt Casta can be a little much sometimes, but in a good way."
Zip raised a brow.
"Define much."
"Well, she's very excitable," Glimmer answered.
"Excitable is an understatement," Angella muttered.
"Oh, so she's like Glimmer times ten?"
"Hey!" She was playfully poked in the forehead by her sister. "So I'm a little excitable, what can I say? Still, mom's kind of right. That word doesn't do Aunt Casta enough justice."
Zip thought about the woman as they walked up the path. She was hesitant to meet her for the longest time because she was still getting used to the presence of her mother and Glimmer, plus the idea of some quality family time made her nervous. However, after hearing how desperately she wanted to be seen, and because curiosity did eventually get the best of her, she finally relented.
"Oh jeeze, she's not a hugger like you two are, is she?"
Glimmer snickered.
"She is definitely a hugger, sorry about that."
"Uuuugh."
Zip groaned at this thought, though it was only halfheartedly. During her stay, Glimmer had started a little game that involved sneak hugs, something that drove the young girl crazy. She always had to be on guard. To make matter worse, her mother would also take part in the activity once in a while. Most of the time she was able to get her shield up, but there were the few occasions where her mother and Glimmer would get her good. She acted as if she hated the hugs with every fiber of her being, but secretly she began to like them. There was something lovely about how they felt, something that gave her warm feelings, and lately, she found herself craving them more often than not. However, she was still too nervous to ask.
"So overall, she's crazy."
"Just a little," Glimmer giggled. "She- "
"Rose?"
The three of them stopped to see a tall, slender woman with dark hair staring at them from the top of the path. Once Zip and the figure locked gazes, the visitor's eyes grew huge.
"Rose! It is you!"
The woman came barreling down the path at such a speed that Zip didn't have any time to process what was going on. By the time she did figure out what was happening, it was much too late, and soon she found herself wrapped in an embrace that nearly squeezed the air out of her.
"Rose! My sweet! I'm so excited to see you, and you've gotten so big! You're so beautiful and wonderful and I'm just so happy you finally came to visit! I nearly died when Angie told me you returned. My baby Rosie!"
"Uh, I think you're squishing her," Glimmer said meekly.
"I'm what?"
"Castaspella, my daughter can't breathe."
"Oh!"
The woman pulled back, allowing Zip to get the air she had been gasping for. Her shield would've usually been up at this point, but she was left so shocked by the crazed attack that she didn't get the chance to pop it.
"They weren't kidding. Excitable isn't enough to describe her."
She took this momentarily quiet moment to get a good look at her aunt. Just like with her mother and sister, there was a warm little tug in her chest. Castaspella was definitely familiar, and she could feel the cogs in her mind turning in thought, but no matter how hard she tried, her memory could not recall.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to squish you! I was told you didn't like hugs, or to be called Rose for that matter, but I had to get at least one hug in because I haven't seen you since…"
Casta's voice trailed off, Zip having to look away out of guilt. Her aunt was so excited to see her, and yet that excitement couldn't be reciprocated on the same level because of her lack of knowledge.
"I'm s-sorry," Zip managed to stutter out. "Um, I don't mean to be bland, I just- "
Castaspella lifted her chin and placed a kiss on her forehead, her eyes understanding and warm with love.
"You don't remember. I know. You're still you though, and you're home. That's all that matters. Oh, Angie, she looks just like you."
Zip looked up at her mom to see her smiling as well, a blush now forming on her cheeks at all the loving gazes she was getting.
"And you, my sweet Glimmer." Her aunt reached out and cupped Glimmer's cheek. "To see all three of you together makes me so happy."
Casta placed another kiss on her head, did the same to her sibling, and then stood up.
"All right then, shall we proceed?"
Zip followed the three up the path, her eyes still scanning the scenery. Her mind, however, was elsewhere as she hadn't quite recovered from the previously given affection.
"She was happy to see me, just like mom and Glimmer were. I don't know how to feel about it though. I mean, I do feel happiness, but it's confusing."
"Hey, you okay, Zip?"
She looked to find Glimmer walking beside her.
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
Zip shrugged. She honestly wasn't sure about anything, and still felt a little nervous being alone with them. It's not like she didn't want to be, but she wasn't confident in how to act and often wished that there was some kind of book to show her how to function as a family member. She had been doing her best with coming out more by spending time with Glimmer and the gang, and even with her mother at times, but it was so hard to build up the courage to do so and even harder to be alone with them for long periods.
"Hey."
She looked over to see Glimmer reach out and touch her shoulder.
"It's gonna be all right, I promise."
Although Zip didn't have it in her to share her thoughts, she did find herself comforted by Glimmer's words. Maybe today would be okay.
"So your mother and I need to have a little meeting this morning, but after I thought we could do lunch and then spend time together doing other things. Does that sound good?'
"Yeah!" Glimmer replied happily. "While you guys do that, I thought I'd give Zip a little tour before taking her to the beach."
"That sounds perfect!" Castaspella replied. "Will you guys practice some magic after? You two used to do that a lot. I'd see sparkles everywhere. Pink ones from you and purple ones from Zip."
Zip, who had gotten slightly distracted by a flock of birds that flew overhead, stopped suddenly in her tracks when she heard this.
"Come again?"
"Oh, I was saying that you and Glimmer used to run around and use your magic everywhere when you were kids," her aunt answered.
"Uh, the only magic thing I have is the ability to move objects." Zip lifted a small pebble from the ground and moved it to her open hand. "That's it, but you just said something about sparkles everywhere, pink ones from Glimmer and purples ones from me."
"Yeah!" She replied. "You and Glimmer both share that power. It's similar to the light magic your mother has."
"I don't have that power though." She felt all sorts of confused. Her gift of moving things came to light when she first remembered her name five years before, but that was the only magic she had ever used. There was no way she had other powers, and to confirm it, she looked at both Glimmer and her mom. "I don't, do I?"
She watched as the two peered at each other and then back at her, Angella breaking the silence.
"You did when you were younger. Can you not use them now?"
Zip shook her head. She couldn't think of a single time where she had used any type of sparkle light magic.
"We thought you knew," Glimmer said, a small bit of panic in her eyes. "We just assumed you weren't using it for some reason or just didn't want to use it, so we never said anything."
"No, I'm not using it because I don't have it. At least not to my knowledge."
She looked down at her hands. Zip was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. How could she have a power she didn't even know about? And if she used to have it, what happened?
"Is something wrong with me?"
"No, no not at all," Angella told her. "It's not uncommon for magic to stop working sometimes."
Zip eyed her a little skeptically, assuming she was saying that just to make her feel better.
"Sometimes? Five years is an awfully long time for magic to not function."
"It's true though," Castaspella added. "Magic can shut down for any length of time, even for those who are born with their gifts. I wouldn't be surprised if it were tied in with your memory loss honestly."
Zip clenched her hands and crossed her arms over her chest. She was already feeling nervous about coming here, now she felt even more awkward knowing she apparently had other powers she was not aware of.
"I know it kind of makes sense for me to have them, but why can't use them? Why is one power functional and the other is not? What else do I not know about myself?"
Then another thought crossed her mind, one that pushed out the awkward feeling and brought in one of worry.
"What if it's not working because I'm not really part of this family after all?"
Logically it sounded silly, but something inside always worried that this life and family were too good to be true for someone like her. Even though all the signs pointed to Angella and Glimmer, she still had a feeling that she couldn't possibly be lucky enough to have them. She was afraid that any minute, the rug would be pulled out from beneath her and she'd wake back up in Briar Glen.
"Zip."
The girl looked up. Her worry must have been apparent because Glimmer now stood in front of her with a comforting smile.
"It's okay. Like Aunt Casta said, it's probably related to the fact that you've lost your memories. There's no need to worry. We'll figure things out, all right?"
Zip shuffled a little, appreciating but not fulling accepting those words, so instead of thanking her, she pushed past her and continued up the path.
"Are we doing this thing or what?"
She looked back enough to see worried glances but ignored them for the time being.
"Zip, wait!" Glimmer called before turning to the two adults. "I'll go ahead and start showing her around. See you guys at lunch?"
Angella nodded.
"Go on. We will see you then. Please be careful."
"I feel terrible."
Angella took a small sip of the chamomile tea in front of her. She and Castaspella had spent the morning reviewing a list of applicants from Bright Moon that wanted to study at Mystacor. Now the two were taking a small tea break in the garden, Angella's eyes full of worry as she spoke.
"I wanted this day to run smoothly for her, but I saw that look on her face when she learned she had another power. She was worried, increasingly so when she realized that it has not worked for the last five years."
"That's not your fault," Casta replied. "I was the one who mentioned it. When you wrote that she still retained her gifts, I assumed you meant both of them."
"I assumed she had both myself. She's so hesitant about things that show she's part of the family that I thought she wasn't using her sparkle magic purposely. I know that magic can go dormant, but do you really think it's tied in with her memory loss?"
"It's a possibility. You said that she had a head injury when she was found all those years ago, correct?"
Angella nodded.
"Yes. She told me that she was found by Briar Glen the same day the ship crashed into the Frightening Wilds, and that when she was found, she had a head wound along with other small injuries."
Castaspella sat back in her chair in thought.
"Her head injury could be why she has no memory, and her lack of memory could be the reason some of her powers aren't working. Hmm, on top of that, there could be another factor as well. I noticed that when I met her, she was very cautious. I could see it in her eyes and in the way she tensed up with affection. She still like this at home?"
"She is," Angella replied. "She doesn't let anyone touch her if she can help it, and she never talks about what she's feeling. She doesn't call me mother either. She had gotten better at getting around more though. She'll spend a little time with Glimmer and her friends, and sometimes she'll spend time with me, too, but she's always so tense during those moments."
"You know that resistance could have something to do with her magic then, right?"
"Yes, that thought has occurred to me. I wish I knew what to do."
She placed her cup down with a sigh.
"Sometimes I feel like a terrible mother because I can't get through to her. All I want to do is help, but I don't want to push too hard either. She gets scared, and I can't blame her for it. This is a like a whole new world for her, and according to Glimmer, she grew up with a female figure who did nothing but break her down and hurt her, forcing her to disbelieve in the idea of families and in the idea that she had one out there who wanted her. Knowing that makes me feel even more like a bad parent. I'm supposed to protect her, and yet I wasn't there to save her that night. I wasn't there to…"
Angella choked back her words and hid her teary gaze in her hands. Despite being told otherwise, she still couldn't help but blame herself for her daughter's disappearance, and also felt that everything that had happened to Rose after it was also her fault because she had given her up for dead. She thought that if she had just kept looking, then maybe she would have spared Rose all the pain.
"Angella."
She lifted her head to see a teary-eyed but smiling Castaspella looking back, the woman's hand rubbing her arm.
"It's not your fault. It never was. You are an amazing mother and you've done nothing but love those girls with all your heart. I know things seem rough now, but they'll get better. After all, she's got you and Glimmer. You two will be the reason she comes out of her shell."
Angella grinned at the warm words.
"Thank you, but don't count yourself out. She has you, too. I remember how close the two of you were. Every time we'd visit, she'd always run up to you yelling 'Aunt Casta, Aunt Casta! Come play!' It was the cutest thing."
"I remember," Casta giggled. "She'd give me the biggest hug and start dragging me away for some adventure. Oh Angie, it means so much to see her today. Thank you for bringing her."
"Of course. You missed her just as much."
Castaspella nodded and squeezed her hand.
"Also, please take me seriously when I say that you're not a bad mother. There's no point in dwelling on the past anymore, so no more blaming yourself or wishing you had done something differently. None of it was your fault. All you can do now is just keeping loving her as you have been, even if it means pushing a little more. That will eventually give Rose the courage to open up. I know it."
Angella smiled wider squeezed the woman's hand in return.
"Thank you, Castaspella. All I'll ever give her is love."
Casta nodded and pulled away before wiping away a few of her own stray tears.
"Anyway, we should finish with those applications. It's almost lunchtime, and I want to get to those girls as soon as possible."
Angella giggled and stood.
"All right then, let's go."
"They say my inability to use sparkle magic might be because of my memory loss, but is that really true? How can they prove that?"
"Hey, Zip?"
"I've thought through all the times I've used my magic in Briar Glen, and not once did anything sparkle. If I did ever use that other power, I'm sure Cal would have told me. Can magic really go dormant for five whole years?"
"Zip, can you hear me?"
"Maybe it doesn't work for me because it's not really there. Maybe it doesn't work because I'm not who they think I am. I mean, sure I look like Angella, and anyone could tell that Glimmer and I are possibly related, but what if that's all a coincidence? They're both so nice, and I'm such a mess. I still struggle and all I do is cause trouble, so how could I honestly be lucky enough to have them as family?"
"Zip!"
The girl snapped from her thoughts with a slight jump, a concerned Glimmer staring back.
"Yes?"
"Are you all right?"
"Y-yeah," she replied. "I was just, uh, thinking. Anyways, what were we doing?"
She could tell Glimmer didn't quite accept that answer, but her sister didn't push it.
"I was just telling you that we've entered the Hall of Sorcerers."
"Oh."
She looked around at the large white statues that surrounded her. She had been so distracted that she barely remembered walking in here.
"Each of them have done great things for Mystacor. And look over here. This is our dad, Micah."
Zip followed Glimmer to a statue of a man. She recognized it instantly from the pictures back at home.
"He was a great sorcerer, and he helped my mom start the original Princess Alliance back when the Horde was still causing issues for Etheria."
Zip poked at the statue with her hand.
"Even if I had my memory, I wouldn't be able to recall him, right?"
"No," Glimmer replied sadly. "He died before you were born."
The girl cocked her head a little and sighed. Even though she couldn't remember him, she could still feel a small sadness in her heart. After a few moments though, she turned away and glanced at the other stone figures. There was one in particular, a darkened one, that caught her eye.
"Who is that?"
Glimmer looked to where Zip pointed, the child instantly noticing a change in her facial expression.
"Her name was Light Spinner. She was also one of the greats here until she fell into dark magic. Do you happen to remember anything about the events of Horde Prime?"
"Vaguely. There was talk, but only the Hunter's Guild dealt with it. When I say that Briar Glen wants nothing to do with the outside world, I mean it. Even when things go bad."
"Well," Glimmer continued. "Light Spinner also went by another name. Shadow Weaver, and during the events of Horde Prime, she sacrificed herself to save Adora and Catra."
Zip looked at her sister with confusion.
"So she was bad, but also saved the two of them? What happened with that?"
Glimmer shook her head.
"Honestly, that's not my story to tell. I think it's more appropriate for Catra and Adora to share that with you."
Zip looked back at the statue with curiosity. She wanted to know more, but Glimmer's voice was serious, so she knew she'd get no more information.
"Anyways, are you ready to go to the beaches?"
Zip turned and leaned back against the wall.
"I guess."
Glimmer approached her with that same concerned gaze she was sporting earlier.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Zip, come on. I can tell something's up. You've been off ever since you heard Aunt Casta talk about your magic. Is that what's bothering you?"
She groaned at the question, half wanting to talk about it and half wanting to ignore it altogether.
"Zip."
"What? Don't look at me like that. I'm fine, okay? So I used to have some dumb purple sparkle magic and now I don't. It's not a big deal. It's not like it's ever gonna come back anyway so why should I be concerned about it?"
"You don't know that! I'm sure it'll come back."
"Really? Why hasn't it after all this time then, huh?"
"I don't know," Glimmer replied. "Aunt Casta's said it's probably tied to your memory loss."
"Which means it won't ever come back unless I can remember things again, something that is also doubtful."
"No, it's, not at all, especially since you're home and around us again. Things may start coming back to you naturally over time."
Zip merely shrugged at the words. She didn't know what to believe.
"Hey, I know I can't do anything to help with the memories, but I might be able to help with the magic a little. After all, I was the one that helped you use your sparkle magic in the first place."
She turned her gaze from the floor and up to her sister.
"You did?"
"Mhm!" Glimmer smiled. "You had just turned five and were starting to show signs of that power, so during a visit to Aunt Casta, I brought you out to a field and helped you create your first little light ball. Maybe if we practice a little now, we might get it to work again!"
Zip's eyes widened a little. Could Glimmer really help wake that magic up?
"You think so?"
"It's a possibility." She held out her hand. "Want to give it a go?"
Zip eyed the hand a little skeptically. She was nervous to try because she still had that fear of not belonging here, but she was also curious to see if she could truly make it work. So, after a bit of thought, she reached out and slipped her hand into Glimmer's. Almost instantly the world disappeared, and soon she found herself standing in a small field on one of the many cliff spirals.
"This is where we used to practice," Glimmer told her. "Come on."
Zip was pulled a little farther out before her sister stopped and stood in front of her.
"Okay, now, listen carefully. Hold out your hands just a bit and cup them like you're holding water. There you go. Okay, good. Now, close your eyes."
She did as she was told and shut them.
"I feel weird."
"You're all right," Glimmer chuckled. "Remember, this may or may not work. We're just gonna try it and see, okay?"
"Murr."
"Goober. Anyway, with your eyes closed, I want you to take in your surroundings. Slow your breathing, feel the air, take in the smells, everything."
Zip slowly took a breath, working to relax as she tried to sense what was going on around her. She could hear birds flying overhead. She could smell the sweet perfume of nearby flowers. She could feel a cool breeze against her cheek. It was honestly quite relaxing.
"Maybe I can do this."
"There you go," Glimmer continued. "Try to feel connected with the world. Now, I want you to look back and try to find the happiest memory you can. Something that makes you feel really good."
Zip scanned through her memories of Briar Glen. There were some decent ones from her time there, but nothing that gave her strong feelings. When thoughts turned to her mother and Glimmer, however, the strongest warm feelings she had ever felt filled her heart.
"When you find that memory, hold onto it. Feel it."
She thought about both her sister and her mom carefully. Although being with them tended to make her nervous, it also made her feel good. The happy like feelings came naturally with them. Yes it was frightening because she couldn't remember and families scared her, but the warmth was there, nonetheless.
"When you feel it, let it flow through you. Let that happiness fill every part of you."
She focused on the two of them even more. She thought about the time she finally opened up to Glimmer a little bit, she thought about the very first time Angella hugged her, and she thought about the time the three of them took a family walk around the castle grounds. She liked being around them, she really did. She just didn't know how to act. Maybe she didn't have to fight them off so much. Maybe she could just be normal and happy with them.
"Why can't you be normal, Zip? Why do you always have to be such a thorn in my side? You have caused me aggravation from the moment my mother took you in."
Camilla's words suddenly began ensnaring her mind like poison, filling the happy feelings she was trying to focus on with doubt.
"You can do it, Zip. There you go. I believe in you."
She tried focusing harder on thoughts of her mother and Glimmer, but Camilla's voice kept ringing in her ears.
"You have no family out there. No one wants you, and if for some reason a family does exist, they don't want you anymore. They got rid of you for a reason. You were worthless to them. Useless."
"Keep it going, keep it going. Focus hard Zip."
It was a process to keep those happy feelings in check. It was like the harder she tried, the more Camilla's words taunted her mind in an unending whirl of grief.
"You're not wanted, Zip. You're not wanted, and you're not loved. Remember that. I don't care what Cal says, you deserve to be alone forever."
"Okay Zip, now- "
"No!"
She opened her eyes and pushed herself away from the other heatedly.
"Stop it!"
"What? Zip, I- "
"I said stop! It's not gonna work!"
"It's okay if it doesn't!" Glimmer told her. "We just have to keep practicing."
"Liar! You don't know anything! The magic is gone and it's never coming back!"
"Girls? What's going on?"
They both turned to see that Castaspella and Angella had joined them.
"Zip?" Angella asked. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
"What happened?" Castaspella asked. "You're upset, I can tell."
"I'm not upset!"
"Honey, you- "
"I said I'm fine! I don't want to talk about it!"
She hid her face behind her hands, tears burning as she fought to hold them back. When Casta saw this, she sighed and turned to the other.
"Angella? Glimmer? Will you give Zip and I a minute?"
Angella nodded and held out her hand, Glimmer taking it before the two walked off. Castaspella then knelt in front of the upset child.
"Zip? I need you to look at me."
Zip felt her hands gently being pulled away, her face turning the moment it was exposed. She didn't want to look at anybody.
"Hey, talk to me."
"I don't want to."
"I can see that, but you need to. It's okay to be angry, but it's not okay to stay that way when someone is trying to help."
"But we just met today. I can't just tell you things. There's nothing to talk about."
"There is, and yes this may be your first meeting with me since the incident, but I have known you since you were born, and I care. I want to help."
"No one can help me," Zip replied. "It's hopeless."
"Nothing is ever hopeless," her aunt said back. "Before you started yelling, I saw what Glimmer was trying to help you do. She was trying to help with your magic, correct?'
Zip sniffled.
"What of it? It was a stupid idea. I should have never let her talk me into it."
"And why's that?"
"Because it was never going to work in the first place."
"You knew that how?" Casta questioned.
"I just did!"
The woman shook her head.
"Dearie, we have many powerful people within our family, but none of them are mind readers. Truthfully, you had no clue what was going to happen. For all you know, your magic might have worked."
"Well, it didn't." Zip retorted.
"And that's okay. Magic can be tricky. It might take a while to come back, it might take a short time. Who knows, but you can't get angry when something doesn't work for you on the first try."
"I wasn't angry about that!" Zip shouted. "I wasn't even angry I was just…ugh!"
Zip turned to walk away, but Casta held her by the wrist.
"No, no. Talk to me," she said firmly. "If you weren't angry then what were you feeling?"
"I don't know! I was just feeling…Grawr! It's already frustrating enough that I can't remember anything about my past. Now it turns out I used to have some weird sparkly power that doesn't want to work anymore! How is that even a thing? What if it has nothing to do with my stupid memory? What if it never comes back because…because- "
"Because what, Zip?"
"Because I'm not really part of the family! What if the magic never happens because I'm the wrong girl? Then I'd have to leave them behind and never come back."
All her emotions were out at once. She hadn't met to let them, but Casta had kept pushing her until she couldn't hold them back anymore.
"Zip, don't you think for a second that you are the wrong girl. You are very much Angella's daughter."
"How do you know? What if this is all fake and I have to go away again?"
Castaspella shook her head and tucked a piece of Zip's hair behind her ear.
"How do I know? Have you looked in a mirror lately? You're a near spitting image of Angie, and it's not hard to tell that you and Glimmer are sisters. You and I may not look too much alike, but I would know you anywhere. I was there when you were born. I know who my little Rosie is, and she's you, even without the memories."
Zip wiped away a few tears that had escaped. She was trying so hard not to cry.
"You are part of this family. Believe me, and if you can't then believe Angella. A mother knows her child."
"I don't feel like I belong though. I feel out of place because I don't know how to be around them. I don't know how to be someone's sister or someone's daughter."
"What are you talking about?" Casta asked. "All you have to do is be you. Be you and let them love you."
"But I'm scared!"
Castaspella rubbed her hand.
"I know. I know you're scared, but if you let them take care of you and just be yourself, then you won't be so scared anymore. Your magic might even come back quicker, too."
Zip looked at her curiously.
"What does any of that have anything to do with my magic?"
"Oh honey, it has everything to do with it. Do you know where magic comes from?"
She shrugged at the question.
"I guess people are born with it, or they can create it like you do."
"That is all true, yes, but I'm talking about the source of magic, how it starts inside you. Do you know where that is?"
Zip shook her head.
"Magic comes from the heart. It thrives there, and it flourishes when a heart is open, but when the heart closes up, the magic can become weaker. I bet if you start opening up to your family more, then your magic will slowly start to come back, too."
The eleven-year-old furrowed her brows as she listened.
"That's really where real magic comes from?"
"I swear it," Casta smiled.
Zip scrunched her nose a bit in thought.
"I, well I wanna open up a little, but it's hard and scary."
"Understandable. It's okay to be frightened. Very okay, but you have to move past those fears. You have to fight them. Once you do, then you'll see that there's nothing to be afraid of."
"How can I do that? I don't know how to make those fears stop."
Casta leaned in a little bit closer.
"I can help you with that. You wanna know a secret? I get scared, too. More often than you think."
"You do?"
"Mhm, and you know what I do when I feel that way?"
Zip shook her head.
"I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and I tell myself that I'm stronger than my fears, and that I'm brave enough to face anything that scares me."
"And that works for you?' The girl asked. "Would it work for me, too?"
"I bet it would!"
Zip turned to the side and looked to where her mother and Glimmer were standing at the edge of the field. Would doing something like that really help her be less scared, and would being more open help her magic?
"Do you wanna try it?"
Zip looked back at her and gave a shy nod.
"All right then. Close your eyes. Good girl, now take in a deep breath and let it out slowly."
She followed the directions, telling herself to relax.
"Now, repeat after me. I am stronger than my fears, and I'm brave enough to face anything that scares me. With this family is where I'm meant to be, and everything is going to be okay. You can say it quietly to yourself if you need to."
Zip squeezed her eyes tighter and silently repeated the words.
"I am stronger than my fears, and I'm brave enough to face anything that scares me. With this family is where I'm meant to be, and everything is going to be okay."
She opened her eyes when she finished, Casta smiling back at her.
"Feel a little better?"
Zip nodded in reply. She was actually feeling a lot more at ease. Not completely, but better than before.
"That's my girl." She ruffled the girl's hair. "Just remember what I said. It's okay to be scared, but keep trying to open up little by little. Soon enough, you won't be afraid anymore. Just be you, okay?"
"I'll try."
"Good. Now then, ready for some lunch?"
She nodded as Casta stood back up, the woman extending her hand. She slipped her own into Casta's with a little blush.
"Oh, wait a second. One more thing."
Casta pulled her close and spoke softly.
"Whenever you feel like you don't belong, I know one place you can go to change that."
"Where?"
Her aunt pointed at Angella.
"Right in her arms. If you ever feel out of place, let her hold you and I guarantee you won't feel that way anymore."
She flashed the child a wink.
"Come on, let's go."
Zip continued to follow, her cheeks redder than before. Would falling into Angella's embrace really help her feel like she belonged? She never thought about that. She always feared affection because it left her feeling vulnerable.
"But if Aunt Casta is right, then affection is what's going to fix everything."
To be affectionate though, or to at least allow it, she'd have to be brave. She wanted to take their hugs and such but never dared to do so. If she used Castaspella's words though, maybe she'd be less afraid when the time came for some loving.
"Just do what she told you and maybe things will get easier. What's the worst thing that could happen?"
She swallowed that answer with a gulp. No, she wouldn't let that bug her today. It was tiring, being afraid all the time, and it couldn't hurt just to give it a try. She wanted those hugs. She wanted that affection, and for once, she was going to try to be brave. If this was really where she belonged, then she had to try.
The rest of the day seemed to run a lot easier for Zip once she had spoken to Casta. She wasn't overly out there with her family, but she allowed herself to have a little fun. The lunch was amazing, and it included foods she had never tasted before. There was even one particular sweet she had become smitten with. Once that had finished, they visited the beach, and then the healing springs came after that! She loved the springs the most. Sitting in them seemed to make all of her tenseness melt away. She had quietly enjoyed the trip so much that she found it a struggle to say bye to her aunt.
"Did you have fun?"
Night had fallen and they had just arrived home, the three of them standing outside of Glimmer's room. Zip herself was a little tired, merely shrugging when the question came her way.
"It was okay."
Truth be told it was one of the best trips she had ever experienced. It also left her a lot to think about, Aunt Casta's words still floating around in her mind.
"She said that opening up will help me be less afraid, but doing that requires me to be vulnerable. That itself is a scary thing. Why is all this so complicated?"
"Okay?" Glimmer asked. "If I recall correctly, you had the time of your life in those springs. You kept hip-hopping to different ones."
Zip blushed.
"I was looking for the perfect place! Plus, I was trying to get away from you crazed people!"
Both her sister and her mother giggled at this.
"Whatever you say, goober."
She then felt a hand on her shoulder, her mom giving it a gentle squeeze.
"I'm glad you came and that you had fun. Your aunt was thrilled to see you, and it was nice to have some quality family time."
The girl let off another shrug.
"I suppose it was tolerable. I guess I wouldn't mind visiting again."
"Always the stubborn one," Glimmer gently teased before her tone softened. "Also, about today on the field. I'm sorry it didn't work out. I didn't mean to make you upset."
Zip picked at her sleeve nonchalantly. She felt a bit bad for getting that worked up with the other.
"It's fine. You didn't do anything. I was just…blah."
She wasn't ready to go into details.
"Well, are you okay now?" Angella asked.
"Okay enough."
Glimmer smiled with a nod.
"Okay then. I'm gonna get some sleep. Good night, mom."
Glimmer hugged Angella tight.
"Good night, my darling. I'll see you in the morning. Love you."
"Love you, too," she replied before pulling away. "Good night to you as well, Zip. Sleep tight, okay?"
Zip had prepared herself for the nightly hug attack out of habit but was taken off guard when Glimmer simply waved and began walking away.
"Wait, what? Where's my hug?"
"Oh, don't forget, we're going to visit Princess Scorpiatomorrow afternoon," Glimmer added. "You'll like her. She's also a hugger, so watch out."
"Hugs. Yes. Come give me one. I'll pretend to not put my shield up on time."
Zip wiggled in place, panicking slightly as Glimmer began making her way to her room. If her sister wasn't going to try the attack, it meant she'd wouldn't get one unless she asked for it.
"Just do it. Remember what Aunt Casta said? If it's scary, just say those special words. Is it okay to ask though? Will she find it weird?'
She felt stupid for asking herself that. Of course, it wouldn't be weird if Glimmer was already trying to give them all the time. She just felt awkward and didn't know how to do these kinds of things.
"If you don't hurry and say something now, you're not gonna get anything."
"All right, night night!"
Glimmer turned to open her door, but right before she could, Zip shouted.
"G-grawr! Glimmer wait!"
The words fell from Zip's mouth before she could stop them, both her sister and her mother now staring with slight surprise.
"What's wrong?" Glimmer asked.
"I…you d-didn't…and you, murr."
Zip's left eye began to twitch as she stuttered out random words. Now she had done it. She could either say something snarky to save her from the situation, or she could actually pursue what she wanted. The longer she thought about it, the faster the fear grew, leaving her more confused by the second.
"Just do what Casta told you. Try it once, and if it goes terrible, then you never have to do it again."
After making up her mind, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could do this. All she had to do was repeat the words and try.
"I am stronger than my fears, and I'm brave enough to face anything that scares me. With this family is where I'm meant to be, and everything is going to be okay."
When she opened her eyes again. She folded her arms across her chest and stared at the floor.
"Are you forgetting something?"
"Forgetting? What?"
"You know, the thing you always do."
Zip peeked back up to see a highly confused Glimmer. She wasn't getting the message.
"Ugh." She facepalmed her forehead in exasperation. "What you just did to Angella. The thing you try to do to me before bed every night. The thing you tried to give me this morning!"
Zip could now see the realization growing in Glimmer's gaze, her eyes sparkling as they widened. Then, with a huge grin, she squealed out her name.
"Zip!"
"What have I done?"
Glimmer dashed to her side and glomped her in a happy hug, her sisters face nuzzling into her own.
"Aww Zip! You're the best little sister ever!"
Her cheeks were all sorts of dark red and she could feel her vulnerability rising. She wanted to tug away, but she managed to keep herself in place.
"See? It's not that bad. You're not dying, and it feels nice, doesn't it?"
"I just love you so much!"
Okay, no. That did it for the little girl.
"Bah!"
She pushed Glimmer back with a huff.
"Shush. Don't think I did it because I like you. I just wanted to get you off my back."
As Zip turned away with a pout, she found her mother looking down with a smiling, bright, and hopeful gaze.
"Oh jeeze…"
She tried to ignore it, but Angella wasn't to let it go.
"Damnit all," the girl said as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I knew you guys were gonna be weird about this. Okay fine, just once, got it? And don't- oomph!"
She didn't even have the chance to finish her sentence before Angella scooped her in a hug, lifting her from the ground with a spin before embracing her a little tighter, her mother's wings curling around the two of them.
"Oh…I forgot how good this felt."
Zip could remember the first time Angella hugged her. It was the safest she ever felt, and even now she could feel that same warmth, so much that she found herself sinking into the embrace.
"Angella…" She whispered.
Her mother kissed her head.
"I love you. I love you, love you, love you."
Zip felt her heart skip with a fiery burst. Out of habit, she pulled away, hand over her heart.
"You're both weirdos."
She spoke those words to retain some toughness, but she was so touched by all the love she had gotten that, for the first time since her arrival, a smile appeared on her face.
"Eek!"
Zip spun to see Glimmer's eyes all big and watery.
"Mom, did you see that! She smiled!"
"Wh-what? No, I didn't!"
"Hmm, no, that was definitely a smile," Angella teased. "Someone is happy!"
"Am not!"
"You are!" Glimmer said. "So cuuuuute!"
"Curse you!"
Zip scowled at the actions of both women before stamping off towards her room. Her mother and sister, however, were not giving up that easily.
"Don't be shy, my little Rose," Angella called. "It was a beautiful smile!"
"Shut it!"
"That was the best smile ever!" Glimmer squeaked. "Do it again, please?"
"No!"
"Pleaaaaseeee little sister?"
"I said no!
I'm going to bed before I catch whatever crazy sickness you two have."
"Good night, Rose. It was a pleasure seeing that adorable smile," Angella teased.
"Do it again tomorrow!" Glimmer told her. "Please, please, please?"
"Goodbye!"
Finally reaching her room, Zip slammed the door shut, leaning back against it once she did.
"What is their malfunction? I mean…they just…"
Leaning her head back against the door, she sighed, and then, quite unexpectedly even to herself, she smiled lightly again. Although she didn't admit it, she had found the whole event to be quite amusing and touching at the same time.
"They really are nuts," she thought, placing her hand over her heart. Her chest was full-on warm now, and no amount of fighting was pushing it back The hugs were so perfect, and despite feeling vulnerable, she also felt good.
"This is so weird. Can I really be happy here?"
She had never been this happy anywhere.
"Maybe things can be okay if I just try."
She thought back to the conversation she and Casta had.
"Whenever you feel like you don't belong, I know one place you can go to change that. Right in her arms. If you ever feel out of place, let her hold you and I guarantee you won't feel that way anymore."
"Let her hold me," she whispered.
Her heart gave another little flutter.
"Perhaps Camilla was wrong this whole time. Maybe I am loved, and maybe I deserve this family after all."