Last chapter was rather a show, wasn't it? Well, it only goes from here! Enjoy the chapter! :)

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Seven years later...

It seemed to be a rather nice day, sunlight streaming through as the birds chirped, flowers bloomed, and all the fun a summer could offer. Well, for everyone else that was.

The cell was dark and dreary this morning, barely any sun going through. As officers laughed in their breakrooms from the hall, the sound of coffee being churned in a machine, the cell's prisoner sat on the cold cement floor.

He had not said much words in a while, besides quietly muttering thank yous when he was given his single meal in the day. The prisoner only sat in silence at the moment, bearing his bright orange jumpsuit and slightly bigger cuffed chains. His fur was an unkept mess, though he had no facial hair, as that always seemed to burn off when the fire erupted. Soot covered him head to toe.

Some may not have recognized Gumball Watterson in this state, understandable enough. He looked more like a washed up dollar store version of himself than a happy go-lucky kid with stars in his eyes. But he had his reasons to be like this. Though he was miserable, he hadn't changed much. He still clung to the little hope and determination he had left from his younger years, yearning to use it at some point.

As the minutes dragged on, he only gazed at the floor.

Silence.

"Watterson." An older policeman walked up to the cell, though kept his distance. He only retained a stern expression, one that the older cat knew all too well. "You can quit sulking in there. You've been given parole, and the court has decided to let you go."

"Wait.. What?" Gumball looked up, raising one eyebrow. "..Who gave me one? You said I'd be stuck in here forever.."

"Yeah well, that's how law works in some cases." The officer muttered bitterly, hating such idea. "Your mother wanted you on parole since you're able to now."

The cat's eyes practically lit up, as he tried to stand to his feet, only to promptly fall back down painfully. "Dagnabbit. Stupid leg." His mood was quick to switch back, as he was practically squealing in his place. He was right to cling to his remaining hope. "I haven't seen real life in ages! Is there flying cars yet? Do you guys have hoverboards?"

"Just get out of your cell kid." The officer grumbled, swinging the door open and unlocking the chains. "Go see Mike there, he has your clothes ready for you."

"But I can't fit in my sweater anymo-" Gumball paused, as another officer came over, holding items that the cat couldn't recognize. "Oh, yeah that makes more sense."

He quickly took the clothes and limped to the nearest bathroom, a slight bounce in his step. After several minutes, slightly annoying the officers with how long it took, Gumball came back out. His visible fur had been scrubbed clean of the soot, and he now wore the new outfit, consisting of a black t-shirt with a green zip-up hoodie, as well as some mute-blue jeans.

"Here," The officer gave him a pair of crutches. "You'll need to have these if you're planning on actually getting anywhere."

"Seriously? I'm fine, it's just one leg." Annoyed, Gumball began to walk out himself. His crippled leg had other plans however, as he slipped on his first step, faceplanting to the floor. He raised his arm and pointed up, managing to cut off the officer before he could make a smug comment. "Don't. Just give them to me."

Gumball now breathed the fresh morning air in, sitting by the curb of the police station, his crutches placed beside him. He never knew he could find himself so utterly grateful for the outdoors. It was so peaceful, the wind gently blowing through the trees, laughter of others enjoying a nice walk, and neighborhood dogs barking from their yards.

As he sat patiently, he could hardly contain his excitement. What things were different now? He already knew everybody had gotten older, there was no point wondering that. He had himself too, though it slightly soured him realizing it. 19 years old.

So much of his childhood years wasted in a cell.

Could he even drive? Probably not considering his foot. The thought of it made him frown, as he sighed, picking at the grass sticking from the pavement. He knew better to dream of what adult things he could do. The cat was practically a walking fire hazard, it wasn't like he could really be doing what every other person his age was doing.

A car horn interrupted his thoughts. Startled, Gumball looked up, smiling when he saw the familiar yellow station wagon awaiting him. He watched, as his mother came out from the driver's side, sharing the same expression.

"Mom!" The feline jumped up and hugged her, though with his leg he slightly stumbled in his place. It felt nice actually interacting with a person again. "It's been so long! Wait do I still have to do my chores?"

He let go, only to pause. "..Mom? Are you okay?.."

Nicole had aged since the last time Gumball had seen her. Her eyes were slightly sagged and tired looking, and she hadn't hugged back as fast and strong like she used to, her fur seeming a bit duller. Her scars however still remained, a rather haunting reminder.

"It's okay sweetie, it's just old age." She said, smiling as she waved it off. "Come on, let's get you home."

Home. Oh how he wanted to be home so badly.

Gumball was slightly hesitant following her to the car, considering what he had noticed, but ignored the nagging thoughts, getting comfortably seated in the passenger's side as he stuck his crutches next to his feet, leaning against the window slightly.

It felt like a rather slow ride, as if time was deliberately trying to torture him. The surroundings of the neighborhood thankfully felt the same, though with slight tweaks. Some houses were painted differently, others had aged poorly and looked like the verge of falling over. Soon, the car swerved to the familiar York street.

The house could be seen from the distance, looking just as how Gumball remembered. As Nicole stopped in front of it, she let him gaze at it a few more minutes, even looking upon it herself.

"Yeah, we hadn't really done anything special, not that it needs it really." She said with a smile, stepping out and walking over to the other side of the vehicle, helping Gumball out. She soon peered a little closer at the home in thought. "Though it does need a fresh coat of paint. Maybe a few tiles to replace too. Oh right the windows are-"

"Mom, it's okay." The other feline slightly laughed, as he slowly wobbled his way to the door, careful not to get his crutches stuck on anything. "I think it's pretty much fin-"

As he entered the house, the feline paused on his words, quietly taking in the sudden atmosphere.

The old couch could be seen with a few bits of duct tape on its back, looking nostalgic and inviting, though old and bittersweet. Some things were missing from their places, the TV now replaced with a slightly better quality one, the wrestling tape placed neatly on a shelf. New photos could be seen hanging on the walls, such as school things and small little trips to places. He wasn't in any of them. It was as if he hadn't even existed here besides a few small mentions.

Gumball only stood there, the home's air feeling suffocating. Did he even belong here anymore? Would it even be the same?

His disappointment slightly shifted to nervousness, as he heard shuffling from upstairs. Soon, his siblings had finally arrived, making their way over. He couldn't help but smile. "Hi guys."

Anais didn't return the gesture, as she stood from a distance, crossing her arms. Obviously, she wasn't a toddler anymore, slightly taller and wearing a simple purple shirt with blue jeans. "Don't think I'm accepting of this so fast."

"Sorry about her," Nicole appeared next to the other feline, slightly startling him. "It's just been a few years, so it'll take time to adjust."

"Oh um.. Okay.." Gumball turned to face his other sibling, unsure of what to do now. "...Hey Darwin."

"Gumball!" Darwin gave no hesitation to hug him, smiling with glee. He wasn't no stranger to change either, though his height didn't reach to his brother's. His shoes were now green lace-up hightop sneakers, retaining some form of his original pair as white circles were sewn onto the sides. "You have no idea how much I missed you dude!"

The cat hugged back, his nervousness slightly melting away now. However, he knew his brother well enough by now. He was worried too. "I missed you too buddy!"

"C'mon, I gotta catch you up on everything." The goldfish took him by the hand and helped him up the stairs to the bedroom, each rather happy and excited.

Gumball felt slightly uncomfortable, unsure of what state the room would be in. He stiffened, taking in the environment. Posters he once knew were now replaced with what seemed to be newer ones he couldn't recognize. The desk seemed to be crammed with more paperwork, probably from Anais, and the old fish bowl was gone, replaced with a bigger roomier tank. Few relics remained, such as the bunk beds, however it felt more otherworldly. It didn't feel like their bedroom anymore.

"A lot to take in, huh?"

The cat flinched, startled by Darwin suddenly next to him. He sighed, relaxing in his place. "Yeah.. It just.. Feels so different now.."

"Mm.. It has been seven years.." His brother sat onto the desk stool, turning it to face him. "So.. What do you want to know?"

Gumball carefully sat on his old bunk, feeling it sag slightly with his weight. He could tell it hadn't been used for a long while, but it felt good finally being on it again. He could feel his mood picking back up even. "Hm.. Well I guess I'm a bit curious about a lot of things. What's high school like? Does Larry still work at a bajillion jobs? Is Miss Simian retired yet or whatever? Oh! Is that arcade still there-"

"Woah buddy, let me answer at least!" Darwin replied, laughing at the sight.

"Ah right, sorry. I'm just kinda confused. Excited? A mixture of both." Gumball placed his hands on his knees, looking over at him with anticipation. His crutches now rested by the bed.

Darwin sighed, fixing his posture slightly. "Well, high school isn't all that bad. It's pretty boring though, a lot of work. But nothin' that off."

"Aw really? Sounds worse than 8th grade."

"Heh, yeah true. As for the other stuff, yeah Larry's still here and tired as ever, unfortunately no Miss Simian never retired if anything she's still mean as ever even though I don't have her anymore she still gives me gruff in public, and.. Nah, the arcade closed like 5 years ago."

Gumball sat there for a moment, hesitating to continue. "..Is everyone still at school?..."

Darwin paused, sensing his rather worried expression. His mood dropped as well, as he quietly shuffled in place. "..Well.. Some. Our old class mostly graduated last year. I didn't get to yet, I kinda accidently flunked a class so they held me back another year. I think they're alright though? Carmen and Alan are still dating and all mushy, Masami went to some fancy college somewhere in another state-"

As his brother went on, the cat couldn't help his frown growing deeper and deeper the more he listened. His claws dug into his jeans ever so slightly.

"..Gumball?"

He quickly snapped out of his thoughts, looking back at Darwin. "..Um.. Yeah?"

"Is.. Something wrong?"

Gumball fixed his eyes to the carpet, unconsciously digging into his jeans again. "..Everyone moved on without me.. It's like they're happier because.. I wasn't here.. I.. I don't think I even belong here anymore.. It's like.. It's like I'm an outsider..."

He could feel a few tears falling from his face, but he didn't bother wiping them.

Darwin slowly got up, and approached the bed, sitting beside him as he began to hug. "..I admit.. I never moved on.. It felt hard knowing you weren't here and.. It felt.. Empty without you. Our adventures only ever really happened with the two of us together doing it somehow, y'know?.. I.. I couldn't just forget you.."

The cat hugged back, deep in regret. Guilt. Shame. He soon sighs, letting go. "..This won't happen again. I'm gonna set things right.. Nobody's ever gonna get hurt again.."

Darwin raised an eyebrow slightly, but began to follow what he meant.

"..Yeah. I'm gonna change for the better." Gumball looked up at him, hope beginning to appear in his eyes. "For you, for me, for all of us. I promise."