Hey folks! I bring you another chapter of course. I won't tell you when the epilogue will be, but know that it's coming soon. Anyways, enjoy the chapter! ^^

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Crunching of leaves was all that echoed throughout the area, besides the occasional wind that blew in the forest. Gumball had been taking his time getting to town, as it felt like if he gone any faster the knots in his stomach would explode.

He couldn't deny how nervous, no, absolutely terrified he was of coming back. Last he had been there, he had been causing accidental destruction. What would they say if he randomly showed up on the streets? Surely not good things. They would probably be angrier than they were before.

As one of Elmore's welcome signs appeared in the distance, he couldn't help but hesitate. For a moment, he observed the faded letters of the sign and its splintered cracks, likely the result of being here for so many years. He could only assume that due to the lack of care to it, not many took this way into town. At least nobody would spot him right away.

Gumball quietly muttered to himself, as he pushed himself to continue on, no matter how much his brain was screaming at him to avoid it. As he saw buildings come into view, he prepared himself for the inevitable.

It was silent. Wait, that couldn't be right.

The cat raised an eyebrow, glancing around at his surroundings, as he cautiously walked the streets. No swarms of angry mobs out to kill him, no police there to suddenly capture him, it was surprisingly peaceful. As he walked further, he soon stumbled upon citizens in their lawns, and once friends hanging out where they pleased.

In instinct he quickly cowered, and braced for whatever harsh hatred would come. They do not attack. No words are said. Confused, he relaxed his posture, watching them for a moment, as they did the same. The people looked rather sympathetic, as they were paused from their activity. It was like they were silently saying, we understand.

Gumball stood there a few seconds longer, before continuing on his way. As he saw more people, some giving the same look as the others before, and the peaceful scenery that surrounded him, he could hear the charred material on him crumble away, leaving nothing but red dust in the pavement. He did feel sort of bad that he was making a pile of dust there, but there wasn't much he could do.

As he walked toward the street of his home, the material crumbled unexpectedly at his legs, leaving him to face plant onto the ground. Annoyed, he carefully stood back up, though stumbled against a wooden fence. His leg now felt like Jello when he attempted to stand on it.

"Dagnabbit, why couldn't that at least stay?.." He uttered to himself. With the lack of crutches to help him out, he was left to slowly step along the fence, gripping onto it for support. A couple minutes went by, painfully slow even, as he hardly made a dent in his progress to get to his destination.

A car slowly pulled up along the curb. Gumball turned his head, and his eyes slightly widened at the surprise. "Oh uh, hi Mr. Robinson."

The puppet had the same look as almost every other citizen the cat had come across, though slightly more grumpy. It was pretty uncharacteristic, but it was best not to question it. "Do you need a ride?"

"Um.." Gumball paused, unsure of this offer given to him. "I dunno... That car gets some form of damage whenever I even touch it.. You might get mad.."

Mr. Robinson didn't show much facial reaction to that response. "Kid, you won't get to your house any faster than that. At least take a rest."

Reluctantly, the cat nodded, as he carefully made his way into the car, slipping a few times as he did. He strapped into the vehicle, though hardly touched a thing, in fear of accidentally breaking a mirror or ripping a seat. Luckily, nothing of the sort occurred, allowing him to relax for a moment.

The puppet then drove down the road, though after a few minutes, he suddenly spoke up, his voice gruff as it always is. "You don't need to stress kid, most of town cooled off after what happened."

"..What?" Gumball turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow. It was somewhat difficult to digest that sudden information. "..They aren't mad?.."

"No." Mr. Robinson stared ahead, not willing to meet eyes. "Just startled. Was quite a day, anyways."

"So.. You saw it." The cat frowned, for a moment fixing his gaze onto his lap. He had to stop himself from unconsciously gripping onto his jeans. "..I didn't mean for what happened.. I.. I couldn't control it. Not with all those people yelling at me and screaming.. Or being chased.. Or being shot at.."

"A lot on your plate then." Mr. Robinson replied. "You said it yourself, no control."

"..Yeah." Gumball started to pick up something off about the puppet. His voice seemed slightly softer under all the gruffness, and his expression had stayed as it did when he offered the ride. Was he.. Concerned for him? He knew better than to point it out, it would probably take away that mood, so he stayed quiet about it, turning to look at the scenery outside his side of the car.

Unbeknownst to him, Mr. Robinson turned his head for a brief moment, smiling at him. He turned back to the front before the cat could see.

The car was now parked near the home now, in its usual spot. Gumball felt an utter fear as he looked at it, practically scared out of his mind. He hadn't exactly thought completely of what he was going to say when he arrived.

"Come on." The puppet had stepped out, opening the passenger door, as he helped the cat across the lawn, both getting to the porch.

Gumball did his best to balance himself, leaning onto the blue walls. "Thanks Mr. Robinson."

The old man simply nodded, taking his leave to his own door.

Now, it was the moment of truth. The cat shakily exhaled, mustering the courage to ring the doorbell. As it rang out, he couldn't help but fall to his knees, breaking down right then and there. Most of the charred material by now was gone, all that remained being on his face, but that didn't change his fears. The thought of seeing his siblings again after all that that was done in the woods was terrifying. Would they even look at him the same way again? Would they only recognize him for killing their father? For all the destruction he had caused?

The door swung open, and before he knew it, his mother had brought him to his feet and took him inside, carefully helping him onto the old couch. He was still very much sobbing, shaking as he held his arms.

"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.. I don't wanna die.. I'm sorry.." The cat repeated this, almost to himself, his voice shaking along with him.

"Sweetie it's okay, you won't die, you're safe.." Nicole hugged him, doing her best to gently calm him down. As he slowly stopped shaking, she stood up. "Here, let me go make some hot chocolate, and then we'll talk, okay?.."

He nodded, sniffling a bit. The older cat then went into the kitchen, coming back a few minutes later with the drinks, placed in two mugs that had steam coming out of them. She gave him one, to which he accepted, quietly uttering a thank you.

As she sat down beside him with her respective drink, for a moment all was silence.

Gumball took a long sip from his mug, unphased by how hot it was. He soon looked up at his mother, fear and utter remorse on his face. "...Dad's still dead, isn't he?.."

Nicole hesitated, before nodding, taking a sip of her hot cocoa. "..The funeral was a few days ago.. He's.. Buried now."

"...I'm sorry..." Tears fell into his cup, as he stared at it, unable to bring himself to look her in the eye. He couldn't forget how upset she was when Richard was killed, the way she held the large bunny in her arms. The thought of it was devastating.

"It wasn't your fault.. You had no control over what was going on.."

"..But I killed him.. That fire beast is mine, and I was so angry I didn't stop to think for one minute that I was hurting him.." Gumball let out a slightly choked sob, as he covered his mouth with one hand.

Nicole set down her mug on the coffee table, as she lifted his head up. "Gumball, you were under a lot of emotions at that point.. People act irrationally when they're upset.. Look, I thought it over, and.. I understand what had been going on. Do you?"

"...Well.. I guess I know that.." He paused, for a moment taking another sip. It had been a while since he had actual food, it was comforting drinking something hot again. "...I don't entirely... Control the um.. beast.."

"You don't?" She raised an eyebrow, allowing him to continue. She hadn't expected to hear that.

"..I don't." Gumball spoke. "..Whenever I'm.. Really, really, really upset.. It comes out. To.. Protect me in a way. It's sort of.. its own being."

"So, all the times it appeared, it was out of its protection?"

"..Yeah." He glanced away. The topic was uncomfortable to discuss, but they both knew it had to be talked about. "..But.. In a way I do sorta control it.. It knows what I say sort of.. Not yet.. But.. Kinda."

The cat sighed, as he scratched at the fur of his head. The charred material there was very much still itchy. "..I don't know why this all happened.. These weird fire power thingies never happened before that incident.. At least.. I don't think they have?.. I can't remember.. But it's unfair. I didn't.. I didn't choose that day to happen.. I didn't choose for Tobias to say those horrible words about me.."

He could feel his voice break. The memories were painful to remember. "..And now, I gotta live with this for the rest of my life.. All those killed people.. Those hurt people.. My leg.. And it hurts that I can't fix it.. I can't make anybody feel any safer.. The last time I tried I almost got killed.."

Nicole hugged him, as he began to sob once more. "Nobody knew that was going to happen sweetheart.. Even I didn't know what was going on when I went to the school that day.. I know there isn't much one can do now after all that.. But.. It'll be harder being stuck thinking about it all the time.."

"..I don't know what to do.." Gumball uttered. "I can't even be regular upset without some sort of fire showing up.. How am I going to prevent something like this from happening again?..."

The two froze, hearing creaks from the stairs.

Nicole looked over, her expression softening. "..It's okay, you two can come out. I know you were listening."

Slowly, Darwin and Anais entered the room. They each shared a look of sorrow.

Gumball watched, unsure what to make of it, as he wiped a few of his tears. Before he knew it, his little sister was in front of him, about ready to cry herself.

"...I'm sorry for what I said to you.." She couldn't hide the utter devastation on her face, as she continued. "...I wasn't thinking... And I hurt you as result... I didn't mean to..."

The cat for a moment looked at her, taking in the words. He then hunched over, pulling her into a hug. "..It's okay.."

Anais hugged back, tears falling down her face. The hug is soon joined by Darwin, equally crying, as all three siblings said no more, crying out all the pain they felt. All the struggles, all the fears, all of what had been unsaid for a while.

"Gumball?"

He looked up, seeing their mother watching, her expression just as sad.

"You won't be alone anymore.. We'll be here for you.. Even with controlling your powers, we're gonna get through it together, no matter what.. No matter how long it takes.." She soon joined the hug, careful to not bother his leg.

He smiled through his tears, letting the moment last longer. "..Thank you.."