Hi folks, unfortunately Gumball's not done just yet with his pain. You'll see.. But don't worry, it'll get better.

Enjoy the chapter!

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A few days had passed since the breakdown he had.

Gumball had not left the cave much yet. He only had done so in order to find food, however he couldn't bring himself to use his fire powers to kill any animals. So instead, he had stalked for any leftover campfire sites that had been ruined in the beast's wake, and taken whatever supplies were left.

Seeing the damage done to the woods after what had happened was hard to take in. He hated it so much. The cat didn't see a whole lot of people, even creatures around. He could only assume most had fled during the event.

He was now currently sitting against the cave's walls, hugging his knees. The cave was not much better than the woods now, as it was covered with soot, scratches in some parts where he had walked or touched something. As he sat, he couldn't help but get lost in his thoughts. It was really the one thing he could do in here.

Fear was constantly on his mind. He hated the idea of being alone here, with nobody to keep him company besides the beast that showed up every once in a while. What could he do however? The thought of returning home was worse. The mere idea would be death awaiting him. Quite literally. He hadn't forgotten about his father, the way he died. What would his family say or do if he randomly turned up for the funeral? Surely they wouldn't thank him for coming and they all share grief together. No, he couldn't have that.

He would be yelled at, ridiculed, hurt, or worse yet, sent to execution for what had happened. He knew getting locked away was out of the question by now. He had pretty much proved how dangerous he was, didn't he? Monsters never live when caught.

It didn't help that he had this new form either. Gumball hated even glancing down at it. The charred material was somewhat itchy, and he was well aware of all the annoying scratching his clawed limbs would make as he walked or did anything. He was grateful that his clothing had remained safe at least, that it wasn't covered over. It was his only evidence that he wasn't a complete destructive creature roaming around.

As tears appeared in his flame filled eyes, he couldn't help but think.

Was this all he had now?

Before he could dwell on it any further, faint voices started to come into earshot. As they came closer, the tone sounded that of stern anger. Gumball's flamed eyes widened in fear. They were out to kill him.

Loud gunshots rang out, confirming his fears. Gumball was quick to get up on his feet and exit the cave in panic, going as fast as he could away from the area. As he glanced back, he could make out two figures chasing him, who looked rather ragged looking in appearance. Unfortunately, the cat had not noticed the rocky wall in front of him, slamming into it painfully.

Gumball felt his head, relieved that he was alright, though it turned to fear, seeing the pair of people had caught up. He was trapped now. The cat let out terrified screeches, as he backed away, bumping into the wall. It couldn't end this way, could it?

One of the people suddenly grabbed him by the head, as the other kept him from fighting. The cat couldn't help but continuing screeching frantically, tears in his eyes as he struggled in their grip, which began to hurt the more he was in it.

Everyone pauses however, hearing footsteps approaching.

"Gumball honey are you out here?.."

Recognizing who it was, the people made sure to cover Gumball's mouth, keeping him from calling out to her. He cried, trying to escape. He could feel the oxygen slowly being taken from him, only able to watch as his captors smirked at his misery. His lungs were giving out by now, as he grew weaker by the second. Was this how he was going to die? Slow, painful, inescapable?

Meanwhile, Nicole had been calling for him, walking around the area of the forest. Hearing no answer, she soon sighed, as her mind panicked at the implications. She decided to finally speak directly. "I know.. You're still upset.. You have every right to be.. We shouldn't have pushed you that far... I shouldn't have pushed you that far... It's.. my fault.. If you ever want to come back home, you'll be safe, I promise.."

She clenched her fists, desperately trying to keep from sobbing again. A few tears managed to pour down her face. "..I-I'm sorry..."

The second person pulled out a gun, loading it quickly. Noticing this, with the remainder of strength he had, Gumball managed to pull the first person's hands away from his mouth, as he let out a loud piercing, yet frightened screech.

Nicole's eyes widened, as she searched desperately for the source. She soon ran left, stopping to a halt, as she looked upon the sight with shock.

The two people were holding her eldest son, and had a small gun pointed at his head, in a position where he couldn't move. Gumball looked at her with utter fear, as tears streamed down his face. He didn't dare say a word, less he conclude his fate right then and there.

Her sorrow morphed quickly into a deep rage. Before the people knew it, fists came flying down onto them. The gun was slammed into their heads each, before being tossed away, as punches were landed onto each individual left and right.

"Get your filthy hands away from my son you heartless monsters!" Nicole let go, towering over the currently wounded people who were crumpled onto the ground. They screamed, as they got up and ran off into a section of the woods, scared out of their minds.

The older cat let out a huff, as she watched them go. However, her attention soon turned to Gumball.

He was sitting on his knees, coughing horribly after being deprived of air. Seeing her approaching, he grew frightened, almost shaking as he screeched, though he couldn't find the energy to move. Before he knew it however, he was hugged tightly.

"Are you alright? Did they hurt you badly?.." Nicole was carefully checking him over, worry in her eyes. She soon noticed the rather large elephant in the room, that being his current appearance, though she decided not to question it just yet. Her current worry was just on him right now.

Gumball tried to wriggle out of the hug, however, he soon settled, feeling his fear lessening. Good memories played in his mind. All the fun times, all the happy times, the times he shared with people. Helping his friends out, protecting his siblings, all the hugs and all the laughs..

He couldn't keep running away anymore.

The cat slowly hugged back, beginning to sob, as his throat finally was opening up. "I-I'm sorry... I-I'm so sorry.."

"It's alright sweetheart, you're safe now.." Nicole did her best to comfort him, not breaking from the hug just yet. She noticed bits of the charred material were falling off onto the grass. "..Were you hiding?.."

He nodded, continuing to talk as he cried. "..I-I was too scared to come home.. E-Everybody was trying to hurt me a-and I-I couldn't stop the beast and-"

"You couldn't control what was happening.." Nicole replied, as her sorrow returned. "Everyone in town was acting out of hatred and anger.. And I can't sugarcoat it, but I did too at one point.. It was wrong of me, wrong of everyone to do that.."

Gumball thought for a moment, before hesitantly speaking. "...Can I come home?..."

"Of course," She said without a second of pausing. "you're always welcome to come home.."

"..Can.. Can I have time to process everything for a minute?... I can walk back myself..."

Nicole carefully stands up, as she nods. "I understand, take all the time you need.. There's no rush.."

She then made her way out quietly, as Gumball watched her go. For a moment, after the sounds of the crunching leaves stopped, he sat there, taking in the quiet scenery.

Through the burned greenery, he could find a beauty to it somehow. The way some trees had twisted crumbled limbs, the rocks covered with a light coat of soot, as if they were from a furnace. The way that plants left behind, were still as bright and healthy as ever, almost a reminder that.. Everything would heal in time. Destruction couldn't last forever.

Letting out a sharp exhale, Gumball observed his surroundings just a few more seconds, before finally walking the path his mother had took. He was going home.