Finally, I will be able to complete this story and write down Gumball's final journey to save his beloved town.

Music Used (in order):

Valkyrie Profile 2 OST - Unrestrained Struggle - Extended

Mission 10: A Mother's Love

*Everything that Grunt loved was now in the form of a beast. His heart ached as he dodged what used to be his mother's swipes. The creature was rather agile and quick. It even had the ability to teleport around them.

'Just what kind of power are we dealing with?' Grunt asked as he helped Kit up. She was already badly bruised.

"Dammit! We need to get in a counter attack!" Kit growled. She picked up her SMG and fired at the creature. A clear white sphere formed around the creature and the bullets slowed. The sphere closed in and the creature vanished. The bullets hit the wall.

"Team, keep your wits about you!" Blitz ordered as he peeked out from behind cover. The pillars proved to be an advantage in the fight that had transpired for hours. Everyone was badly wounded, yet they continue to fight. But the movement of the creature was beginning to wear them down. Blitz glanced around the room. Grunt and Kit hid behind a pillar opposite them.

"Jake." Grunt said into his ear piece. "You and Foxy keep an eye out. I am going to be using myself as bait."

"That's a one way trip. There has to be another way!" Jake replied through the ear piece.

"Trust me." Grunt said.

Jake hid on top of the room the fight mainly took place. They used the guard rails as a way to avoid being spotted by the creature. Jake sighed.

'Trust me', he says. I remember the last time he said that and it almost got us killed. But what the hell.' Jake peeked out. He saw Foxy on the other side. The throne room was big and enclosed so it was enough to get moving around. Foxy nodded to him. Their eyes glanced around the room as they watched Grunt step into the middle of the room. Jake saw it. A blurry image appearing to Grunt's blind spot.

"Roll!" Jake said in his ear piece.

Grunt heard it appear to his side and he rolled forward. The creature brought down a claw and it shook the ground. Grunt fired from the ground. His AK103 bullets hitting the monster. The impact trailed up the creature's side and one knicked it in the green eye.

'Finally, I hit it!' Grunt thought as he smiled. The creature thrashed around and began wiping its' eye. Grunt had no idea what to do from here. The team's main target was the eye, but they had no idea what to do after hitting it. Grunt then felt his heart throb. He winced and clutched his chest.

It is time for you to awake now...

Grunt looked up. He couldn't hear anything now. He looked over to Blitz who was shouting something. Grunt looked at the creature who was still thrashing.

Only the key can save your mother... Awake now...

Grunt's heart began pounding. Who was talking to him? What is happening to him? Grunt fell to a knee and used his hand to keep himself from falling to the floor. He was gasping for air now.

Can you hear her...

In the back of his mind, he knew exactly what the voice was telling him. He looked over to the creature who had now regained its' bearings it. It turned to him and he could see the eye tearing. He could definitely here her. His mother crying out for him. Begging for him.

'Mother...' Grunt said in his mind. 'Is it really what you want?' He heard a soothing voice reply to him.

Please do so... I can longer bear reality... I have already lost myself in darkness... I cannot go back to who I used to be... Do it, Alek... I also want you to know... that Drake and I are proud of you...

Grunt felt a tear slide down his cheek. He can hear everything now. He turned to Blitz.

"Blitz..." Grunt said. Blitz looked at him after noticing the creature hesitating in attacking them. "I forgive you..." he smiled. Blitz was rather taken aback. He had never seen Grunt smile. When he did, he saw how calm and understanding Grunt is. This smile... this is who Grunt truly is.

"Grunt, are you okay?" Blitz asked worriedly as he put a hand on his shoulder. Grunt shooed it away and nodded.

"I understand now. What I truly am." Grunt took a step forward. The team had now assembled with Blitz. They watched as Grunt took a small step forward toward the creature.

"What's he doing?" Brute asked. Blitz held out his arm to stop Brute from advancing.

"Let him go." Blitz said.

"What are you talking about?" Foxy asked. Jake pushed past everyone sprinted to Grunt.

"Grunt, Wait!" Jake slid in front of him. "Just what the hell do you think you are doing!" Grunt walked past him, but stopped and patted Jake's shoulder.

"It's time we sent you back to where you really belong."* Grunt said. Jake stood frozen in place.

'This voice...' Jake thought. It wasn't Grunt's. Jake wanted to turn around and stop him. But something compelled him not too. Grunt turned to his team.

"Everyone. The boy known as Alek has decided. The first sage has awaken. It is time to send you all home. Do not fear, however. I will deal with this matter personally." Grunt said. But something was off about it. The team is seeing Grunt, but it isn't him who is talking.

"Where's Grunt!" Kit spoke up.

"Why, I am him. Now please, leave at once. Jake, was it?" Grunt turned to the young alligator. "Your friends need you. I will open to a portal in the park. Head through it and you will be reunited with your friends."

"Wha-? Hey wait!" Jake stepped forward. "I want answers!" Grunt nodded.

"In due time. Now, leave." Grunt held up his hand and the team found themselves suspended in the air. They watched as Grunt smiled. Jake held out his hand.

"Al-!" Jake was cut off as he was sent spiraling into a void.

Jake felt his head spin as he and his team flew through a white void. He closed his eyes, hoping that what he was going through was all just a dream. He then opened them and everything was steady now. It was night. The park stood empty. A swing creaked as the gentle breeze blew through the air. Jake fell to his knees.

"Grunt..." he said. He felt something pat him on the back.

"It's best we not interfere." a voice said. He looked up and saw Blitz and Brute standing over him. Kit and Foxy were unconscious and were slung over Brute's shoulder.

"Don't worry about them. All that spinning made them dizzy. Their head couldn't take it." Brute said gently. Jake was dumbfounded. The three looked over and saw a swirling portal hum in the night air.

"Time for you to head home." Blitz said. Jake turned to him sharply.

"We have to go back for him!" Jake said as he walked by them. He was suddenly lifted off the ground. His arms tied to his side. Brute had him in a bear hug. He felt his arms going numb. "Put me down!" Jake struggled.

"Sorry kid. But you have your own purpose to fulfill." Blitz said. "Before we got teleported, Grunt said something to me." He leaned in. "He told me to tell you to awake the sage in your dimension." Jake stopped struggling.

'Awake the sage?' Jake thought. Blitz walked to the portal.

"Come on Brute. Toss him in." Blitz said.

"Wait! What does he mean?" Jake asked as Brute walked over to the portal and Jake's feet dangled helplessly.

"I don't really know." Blitz said. "But all I can say is that when you go through this portal, your memories from this dimension will be altered. You won't have any recollection about the E.S.S. or Grunt. I am sure the memory will be just you helping the life of a citizen and then giving a sad farewell hug." Blitz motioned toward the portal. Jake wasn't ready to leave yet. He had to know more about this. But it was too late. Brute pushed him into the portal and it closed on him. Jake felt himself falling. Falling deeper as the darkness became darker. Jake had a smile.

'Heh, I may forget. But I'll always remember the name. Alek.' Then he closed his eyes and felt himself hit something hard. The portal closed behind him and he got up in a dazed state. "Man, that was some adventure." Jake said.

"Jake!" a voice cried out. He looked over and saw Cal running towards him. He looked past him quickly and saw a blue cat sitting on a park bench.

Blitz leaned against a tree and sighed. Brute tossed up a grenade and caught it.

"So what should we tell them?" Brute asked. Blitz looked over to the two girls who were sitting on the bench, both unconscious.

"I'll tell them. You guys are my responsibility after all." Blitz said. Brute then became sad.

"I already miss him..." Brute said.

"I do too, big guy." Blitz looked up into the starry night sky, the breeze blowing their fur in the direction of the wind. "I do too..."

Sorry about the long wait! I was in California for my aunt's wedding last week and when we got back, I had a ton of make up work to do at school, so I didn't have time to write a chapter. But now with my work done and one last chapter, I will be able to release my fourth story. Tune in tomorrow to read the last chapter. :)