The prize
Elmore's comic book store was full of customer.
"I can't believe this. It's a boom of customers. Your comic book has been sold out in less of thirty minutes!" said Mr. Larry when Gumball and Darwin entered in to the store.
"Hey look, the creators are here!" yelled a customer watching them.
Soon, Gumball and Darwin had to sign every single copy for their fans.
"You're great!" said a fan showing his copy.
"Alpha Studios presents: The greatest adventures of Billy Bunny. By Gumball and Darwin Watterson" was written on the comic book's cover.
"I have to admit: Lâne made a great job!" said the blue cat signing his first copy to his fan.
"Yep. Our comic book couldn't be better!" said his brother signing for his fan as well.
Days later, other issues of their comic book were a big commercial success too.
One day, after their homework, Gumball and Darwin were playing their videogames when Lâne knocked at their door.
"Your manager is here!" said Nicole opening the door.
"Merci madame!" said the donkey when Nicole accompanied him to the two kids.
"What are you playing?" asked James watching the videogame on the TV screen.
"It's one of our favorite videogames: "Daggers & Wizards"!" answered Gumball while Darwin was about to defeat a dragon in a dungeon.
"Oh yes, yes. Is also my favorite videogame series. I play them since I was a child!" said James.
"Yep, it's a cool game!" said Darwin, this time he was fighting an army of slimes.
"I love those slimes. They are so cute!" said James but both Gumball and Darwin couldn't understand how a guy could find "cute" a disgusting slime.
"So, why are you here? It's about the sales of our comic book?" asked the blue cat.
"No, not really. I just found this letter inside my mailbox!" said James showing an opened enveloped.
"What is it?" asked the blue cat.
"Is an invitation for the Enny Awards ceremony. Your comic book got three nominations: best comic book series, best writing and outstanding visual designs!"
"Really? Did you heard Darwin?" said Gumball.
"What?" asked the fish.
"Our comic book can win an international prize!"
Another "Game Over" screen appeared on the TV screen.
"Really?"
The ceremony was great; of the three nomination, "The greatest adventures of Billy Bunny" won a prize: "Outstanding visual design".
"Wow it looks so cool!" said Gumball grabbing the golden statue from the presenter.
"This is a great achievement for such two young boys!" said the presenter.
"That's right!" said Darwin.
"We would like to thank James and his studios!" said Gumball.
After the ceremony, James snatched the statuette from the two boys who were lovingly stroking.
"Thanks. Now they are fifteen, with this!" he said.
"What are you doing?" said Gumball annoyed.
"What am I doing? I'm taking my prize!" explained the donkey.
"But it's our comic book!" objected Darwin.
"Are you guys silly? Did you read the label on the trophy? It says "Outstanding visual design"!"
"So?" said Gumball puzzled.
"Who made these amazing visual designs? The Alpha Studios or rather, me! So this prize goes to me, not to you!"
Gumball and Darwin couldn't argue. James was right after all.
"You wrote and created the characters, when you'll win an Enny for "Best writing" "Best story" or "Outstanding character" you can keep it!"
"Right" said Gumball. Darwin couldn't say anything else.
At school, during playtime, Gumball and Darwin were sitting on the swings.
"How can we win a prize like "Best character"?" asked the fish to his brother.
"I don't know but, to be honest, I don't care. That donkey can win all the prizes in the world for all I care. We don't make comics in order to win prizes, right?" said the blue cat.
"Yes but that would be cool! Awwww…. never mind. We should go further. What was the last issue?"
"The number 9? It was where Billy loose itself in a forest during a school trip!"
"Good. So what issue number 10 will be?" asked Darwin.
"Wow, already ten issues. That's a nice achievement. Oh, well….. it will be about….huh…..gosh…..I don't have any idea!" said Gumball a little embarrassed.
"Gee….me too!" said Darwin also embarrassed.
"But we can't be out of ideas after nine issues!"
"Maybe we need to introduce something new!" said the blue cat.
"What? A new character? We already introduced "Peter Puppy" Billy's sidekick and best friend in the 5th issue!"
"Maybe we have to introduce another one!" said Gumball.
"Yes but who and how? Billy has already a friend!"
"Maybe another friend, a different one!"
"Hmmm….." mumbled the cat.
"I got it!" said after a while.
"What?" asked Darwin intrigued.
"How about a girlfriend?"
"Girlfriend?"
"Yes…we'll make Billy fall in love with a girl. We'll create a nice love story!"
"That's a great idea!" said Darwin excited.
The bell rang.
"We have only to contact James!" said the fish.