"So if there is anyone who knows what you're going through, it's us," Sunset said with a warm smile as she gestured to herself and Twilight. "If you ever want to talk, we'll listen."
Gloriosa slowly got up, then walked away. This was far too much for her to deal with right now. She needed some time to herself. To gather her thoughts. She resisted the sudden urge to look back and inwardly cringed as she imagined their disappointed, hurt, and confused expressions.
Gloriosa hated feeling like she let people down, even if she knew she didn't. The worst part about that feeling now, however, was that she felt she had let herself down. She had let her anger and frustration get the better of herself, and that led her down a dark path that endangered everyone, including Timber!
Gloriosa slowly shook her head. There was nobody to blame for this fiasco but herself. Not Timber. Not Filthy Rich. Just... herself.
Gloriosa put a hand to her head and sighed heavily. She needed peace of mind badly, and the Crystal Cave was being redecorated for the ball tomorrow night! She had one other option, but now was most certainly not the time for it. She would have to wait until very early tomorrow morning.
Gloriosa grit her teeth and grunted in frustration as she clenched her hands. Guilt began to nibble at her resolve bit by bit, and it was an alien feeling. Aside from the incident with the boat and the dock, she couldn't remember the last time she felt this way!
Gloriosa walked into the forest and closed her eyes as a small gust of wind caused the leaves in the trees around her to rustle. As calming as the sound was, however, it wasn't enough. Her mind began to swim as an image surfaced in her mind.
"I have an announcement to make," Gloriosa said. "Filthy Rich wants this to be the last session of Camp Everfree... but don't worry. I've got this!" She clawed into the ground, and brambles sprouted out of the ground and enclosed the camp, destroying the dock in the process.
Gloriosa shuddered. She still couldn't believe she had destroyed the dock! All of the campers' hard work, ruined!
Time seemed to slow down as Gloriosa gazed coldly at Timber. She remained silent and still for a moment, then threw his axe off to the side. Her cold stare slowly morphed into a sinister grin as she slowly ensnared his hands in vines.
How could Gloriosa have done that?! Timber was worried about her, and she... she...
Rarity laughed nervously. "Gloriosa... let's just think about this for a moment, shall we? I mean, I think Camp Everfree is absolutely delightful, but I just don't know that I'm quite ready to give up my weekly trips to the spa."
"'To the spa..." Gloriosa shook with fury. "To the spa?!" She summoned roots and sent them after the girls.
Gloriosa grit her teeth, and her pace slowed.
"Gloriosa! This isn't the way!"
"I appreciate your concern, Timber, but I've got this!" Gloriosa summoned large roots to ensnare Timber.
Gloriosa stopped in her tracks.
"Whoever you are, you have to let my sister go!" Tears ran down Timber's cheeks. "Please, Gloriosa, come back! I need you!"
Gloriosa shuddered again. "...Oh, god..."
"Gloriosa!"
Gloriosa's knees buckled, and she fell to a kneeling position. Timber needed her. Timber needed her... and she was too goddamn lost in herself to care.
A wave of anxiety nearly caused Gloriosa to empty the contents of her stomach. How could she have fallen so low?! This walk was supposed to make her feel better, but instead she felt worse. Far, far worse. It was becoming difficult for her to bear!
"Glory!" Timber grabbed Gloriosa, getting her attention. "That wasn't you!"
Tears began to fall down Gloriosa's cheeks. She knew Timber, Twilight and Sunset were just being nice to her because they felt sorry for her. And yet...
"So if there is anyone who knows what you're going through, it's us," Sunset said with a warm smile as she gestured to herself and Twilight. "If you ever want to talk, we'll listen."
Gloriosa wiped the tears from her face and slowly stood upright. Regardless of whether or not Twilight and Sunset were being sincere, they offered to help... and by the Universe, did she need help! She began to walk forward, then an old memory returned...
Gloriosa and Timber's parents were at the door that led to the garage at home. The siblings stood at attention as their father spoke.
"All right, listen up." He faced Timber. "You're the man of the house now, son. Be responsible, you hear?"
Timber nodded. "'Course, dad!"
Their mother leaned into Gloriosa and whispered. "He's just saying that to boost Timber's ego."
Gloriosa giggled.
"Gloriosa," her father said. "As the oldest, you're in charge."
Gloriosa nodded. "I won't let you down! I've got this!"
Timber and Gloriosa's parents smiled warmly as they headed for the door.
"We'll be back in about a week," Their mom said. "You know, standard business trip stuff."
"We love you," Their father said.
"Love you too," Gloriosa and Timber said in unison as the door closed.
It would be the last time they ever saw their parents.
"As the oldest, you're in charge."
"You're in charge."
Gloriosa's heart shattered. Everything became clear to her. She let down the campers. She let herself down. She let Timber down...
She let her parents down.
Emptiness filled Gloriosa, and all she could do was walk around aimlessly. No destination in mind. She would just walk, and walk, and walk until her feet and legs gave out.
Time didn't matter to Gloriosa anymore. She could have been walking for several hours, and it wouldn't have made a difference to her. Off in the distance, she thought she heard something. She decided to pay it no mind, as nothing could help or hinder her in any way, shape or form.
Gloriosa saw two people standing in a clearing in the direction from which the noise came. She neared the pair, and she began to feel something in her throat. Her walking speed increased as the emptiness within slowly dissipated. Tears began to fall again, and she sniffled.
Gloriosa's walking became running as the pair heard her coming, and she grabbed hold of Timber as tightly as she could, then broke.
"Glory?"
"I'm so sorry," Gloriosa wailed out between sobs. "I-I'm so sorry!"
Timber returned Gloriosa's hug as Twilight gave him a confused look. He answered her with as good a shrug as he could muster.
Twilight began to walk away.
"Twilight," Gloriosa said shakily. "P... P-Please d-don't l-leave..."
Twilight blinked in surprise, then stood still.
It had taken several minutes for Gloriosa Daisy to calm down. She took a deep breath, then shuddered and broke her hug with Timber. "Twilight... I want to talk now."