AN: I really apologize for not updating this in months. Honestly, I feel bad I don't update this as often as I want. It's not that I don't want to do this story, I just have other priorities higher than it as well as real life. Ugh, I really am trying to keep this updated once every month at least, but I'll try to work out something better.

This is the final chapter of the Web of Darkness arc. This chapter is also not very long and I realize now I should have just added it to the previous chapter. I apologize for that. We're not going to get any serious multi-part chapters going forward after this. I'll do my best to improve all of this going forward.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Amazing World of Gumball, nor do I own Alaska who is the character of Amethyst Wereraven. This story is adopted from her own "Dragon Rider" story.

While Gumball could admit he found it flattering that Penny wanted to avenge him by turning into a giant kickass griffin, the bigger part of him was worried she was going to get herself hurt doing so. She could be a dangerous fighter when given the chance, but this thing wasn't like dealing with someone like Tina or Rob. It was actually much worse if what he learned from E-4. Not to mention that turning into bigger creatures was always a drain for Penny as they difficult to maintain in form for long amounts of time. Even when she cracked open her shell and revealed her true form, going into all those crazy different animal like appearances, was she only able to maintain them due to adrenaline and high emotions. By the time Gumball found her that night after she fled, she was barely keeping that monstrous form up.

Holding onto Alaska with E-4 right next to him, Gumball watched as Griffin Penny continued to fly in the air while keeping a firm grip on the spider Evacuatur that struggled to get loose. Penny let out a angry cry before diving for some trees while hitting the spider creature against them hard over and over again. She then went low to the ground and started dragging it across the ground, leaving a trail mark of broken up dirt and some black pus like blood in its wake.

"Your girlfriend seriously has anger issues!" Alaska told Gumball as she kept up with the cawing griffin.

"She gets it from her father! Just keep flying!" Gumball shouted as he pointed at the flying bird.

Deciding it had enough, Penny came to a stop and lifted the giant spider to her face, ready to tear it apart with her beak. However, the Spider Evacuatur spat webbing into her face causing her to flare out in shock and pain which dropped the Evacuatur towards the ground where it landed without any harm. Meanwhile, Penny was already slowly changing into her fairy form and losing consciousness. Cursing, Gumball prepared to jump down. "Grab her! I'll deal with the bug!" He flipped off of Alaska and made a dive for the hissing spider.

Alaska made a beeline for Penny and gently caught her in her claws as E-4 quickly did a scan on her. "Doesn't seem to be too damaged. Just tired."

"Good, let's get her somewhere safe before helping Gumball out," Alaska said before flying down to the ground

At the same time, Gumball was aiming himself at the spider like a missile set for utter destruction. He growled at the creature that had not only kidnapped his girlfriend and dozens of others, but devoured them like they were just flies for it to eat. The fact that it was going to do the same thing to Penny that it did to all those victims in the sewers only made Gumball want to smash it even more. Come on, auto fighting system thing! Give me something!

His wish was granted as images began filtering in from the Automatic Combat System. Grinning, Gumball crossed his arms and started to flip a few times in the air as golden energy began gathering around his left leg. From down below, it was like looking at a golden star falling from the heavens. Everyone in Elmore from the Watersons driving towards the battle to a homeless alligator sleeping in a cardboard box under a billboard could see the shining light in awe.

When he was close enough, Gumball roared and shot his foot out. "Rider Kick!"

The golden foot smashed into the face of the shrieking Evacuatur as a burst of golden energy burst out of the foot, knocking the screaming spider sailing into the air. It smashed through three different trees before rolling to a halt. Black pus liquid that, Gumball guessed to be blood, was seeping out of its pours.

Sensing Alaska was above and making for the spider Evacuatur, Gumball quickly pressed the side buttons on his Draconizer three times as it glowed and a voice cried out, "Final Roar."

Gathering as much energy as she could, Alaska breathed fire from above that came down like a tornado of hellfire that consumed the shrieking Evacuatur. It stood there paralyzed with its flesh burning apart as Gumball prepared to finish it off. Gathering energy into his paws, Gumball's power soon made a ball just like when he was facing off against the first Evacuatur. With both hands, he screamed and shot it out as it connected face first with the dark invader.

The Evacuatur didn't even get a chance to yell as it was torn apart from the explosion of the blast and its remains cooked to cinders. It's form broke apart and was soon nothing more than ashes on the burned grass. Alaska, shrinking back to her tiny form, landed on Gumball as he soon depowered and looked at the charred corpse with a smirk. "I think I'm getting the hang of this."

"Yeah, but I'm kinda hungry now. Is that just me or the fact that it smells so good?" Alaska asked.

Gumball gagged upon sniffing the air. "Ugh, seriously? Smells like burned peanut butter and tuna fish mixed with BBQ sauce that's been in quarantine for six decades." His eyes then widened. "Wait, peanut?! Shoot! Penny! Where is she!"

"Relax, she's over there," Alaska said, nodding to a nearby tree where the fairy was resting on.

Gumball quickly rushed over to her side and sighed in relief upon seeing that she was okay. He smiled while caressing her cheek and whispered, "I'm glad I got here in time. I'm sorry you got involved in this."

"Ugh, Gumball?" Penny groaned as she slowly opened her eyes as Gumball's mind froze upon realizing one critical thing. He was supposed to be dead. Gasping, Penny's eyes began to start to tear up as she stared at the frozen cat and slowly held her hands out to touch his face. "Y-You're here? Am I dead? No, I feel...alive...then is this...is this real?"

Sighing, Gumball slowly reached his arms around Penny and hugged her close to his chest. She gasped upon feeling his heart beating against her own and began to sob as she realized that this was no dream. He was here. And he was alive. She quickly pressed her lips against his and Gumball nearly melted at the touch, having missed her kiss for so long.

After a few moments of lip to lip contact, Penny wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her boyfriend in disbelief. "H-How? You died! That monster from the theater killed you!"

"Um," Gumball bit his lip before glancing behind him to see no sign of Alaska or E-4. He debated telling her the truth, but a light bulb went off in his head as he quickly turned back to her and smiled. "I wasn't dead! I was captured! Just like you!" Penny tilted her head as Gumball continued to lie. "During the battle between the Dragon Rider and that monster, the spider thing took me when everyone's attention was on them. I've been in the sewers just like you until the Dragon Rider saved us."

He gave a nervous smile and hoped that was good enough to convince Penny. Her reaction was just one of relief and another strong hug as she nuzzled his cheek. "I don't care. Just as long as your alive...I love you so much, Gumball."

Smiling, Gumball slowly hugged her back. "I love you too, Penny."

And I promise I will protect you.

Um, what should we do now, bro? Alaska asked in his mind thanks to their mental link.

Find our family and tell them what's happened. That way they can act just as shock upon seeing me alive without making Penny suspicious. You and E-4 then hide in the car and wait until we get home, Gumball ordered

Got it! Alaska said.

Before she could go, Gumball then said, Oh, and Alaska? Ask the others to take their time?

Why?

Gumball smirked as she kissed Penny on the cheek. Because I want a little private time with my girl.

Naturally, when the rest of the family arrived, they all pretended to be happy that Gumball was alive with hugs, kisses and tears. Penny rarely left Gumball's side, even when the authorities and rescue services arrived. Those who had been captive by the giant spider had been gathered up and were being attended to while others were going into the sewers to see what remained of the lair as well as gather the bodies of the deceased for their loved ones.

Currently, Gumball was bored and grumbling as two EMT's, a giant band-aid and a red cross with eyes and mouths, were checking up on him. He gazed to his left where he saw Penny being taken care of by her own set of medics while her family was hugging her over and over again, relieved that she was okay. Their eyes met as she smiled at him tearfully and waved which made him wave back.

"Seems to be okay," The red cross EMT said as he finished checking his heart rate. "You sure you don't want to go to a hospital, kid?"

"No thanks, I'm fine," Gumball said quickly as he put his shirt back on. "Can I go to my family now?"

"Sure, I bet they miss you too, kid," he said with a warm smile.

Gumball smiled before walking over to his family near their car nearby save for his father for some reason. "Where's Dad?"

"Distracting the press over there," Nicole said as she pointed to the large media group that had been recording everything since they got word of what happened. "He's doing his stomach-mouth act."

"The one where he moves the flaps of his stomach like a mouth and draws circles over his nipples like eyes and pretends its a talking face?" Gumball asked, eyebrows raised.

"That's the one," Nicole answered.

Gumball shivered for a bit before shaking his head. "So are Alaska and E-4 okay?"

"See for yourself," Anais said as she motioned to the window. Looking inside, Gumball saw the two in the back of the car, under a blanket, with the little dragon waving at him. After waving back, Gumball turned to his family. "Well, I guess all's well that ends well, right? Monster is dead. Penny is safe, as well as the others. Everyone thinks I was captured as well so I can stop pretending to be dead. And best of all, nobody knows that I'm the Dragon Rider!"

Gumball's the Dragon Rider?! Carrie thought in her head as she looked at the cauldron in her house. She had spent the last few hours gathering the proper ingredients for a soul searching spell and to her surprise she had found Gumball, alive and well, living with his family until they all got in a car. She was relieved that he was alive at first, but then furious that Darwin lied to her until she saw them going into the sewers for some reason.

That's when she saw the dragon and the robot which made her nearly go double the pale. She continued to watch in stunned silence as Gumball turned into the Dragon Rider, fought that giant spider demon, and saved Penny and the others. She always watched as that tiny dragon turned super big too.

Carrie had no idea what was going on here, but one thing was for certain. She was going to get some answers.