The blue cat and glitchy humanoid were stunned to see one another, especially in such a long duration of time.
The crowd below the stage were dead silent, a pin drop could be heard across the resort town.
Suddenly, Rob extended a hand.
"How are you doing my old nemesis? Or should I say...friend?"
Rob said, giving a warm smile to the feline; as Gumball accepted the gesture of help.
"Rob! How?! I thought you sacrificed yourself to save Elmore when the void was about to tear everything apart! How did you manage to survive dude?!"
Gumball asked, as Rob let out a sigh and a soft smile.
"I was as baffled as you are right now. I guess...the void no longer viewed me as a mistake from Elmore, but instead something that was integral to its survival...when I fell into the abyss of the void there was a white light, and then when I regained my consciousness, I was here!"
Rob explained, as Gumball slowly dusted some dirt off of his clothes.
"So...are you the leader of this place?"
Gumball asked, as Rob snapped back to reality after a momentary spell of memories and daydreaming.
"Oh! I guess you've found our little secret, huh? Well...let me introduce you to paradise my friend!"
Rob stated, as he once again got on the microphone and pulled Gumball closer to him by his shoulder.
"Ladies and gentleman! Let's give my good friend and former adversary Gumball Watterson a warm welcome to our humble abode!"
Rob announced, as the crowd began to cheer loudly and enthusiastically.
"He and I have a history, one that is filled with challenges, quarrels, and eventual friendship! I want you all to treat him as one of our own, he deserves that much at the very least!"
Rob announced, as Gumball turned and tapped Rob on the shoulder.
"Uh...Rob? I'm not the only one who arrived on this island."
Gumball stated, as he pointed his claw towards the cliff where the Watterson family, along with the rest of the passengers and crew from the cruise ship, were waving and smiling awkwardly.
Rob smiled, as he waved to the Elmore passengers above.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Watterson! Darwin, Anais, Carrie, Penny! It's all so wonderful to see so many familiar faces from Elmore...actually it seems everyone is from the town of Elmore up there!"
Rob then directed his attention to the Watterson kids, who were all next to Richard and Nicole.
Rob smiled, and then turned to Gumball.
"I never took you for the family man, Gumball! Congratulations!"
Rob remarked, as he placed a hand on Gumball's shoulder.
"I never really saw myself as being one either, Rob."
Gumball said, as Rob turned back to the Elmore passengers.
"Well, just to let you all know there is a trail just a few feet from where you all are standing that should lead to down to our little resort! Just be sure to watch your step, there are a few spiders who are a little scary, but are completely harmless!"
Rob warned, as Gumball let out a little shiver and whispered to himself.
"You can say THAT again..."
Residents of the island and the Elmore passengers conversed, sharing laughter and exchanging stories from their lives. The resort town of "Little Elmore" was bustling now more than ever, as Rob was walking with the Watterson family; giving them a tour of the sights and sounds.
"So...you were the founder of this place?"
Gumball asked, as Rob nodded.
"Yes sir! The town grew as more and more people from the void were brought back to our reality and given a second chance at purpose and redemption. We knew we had to keep this place a secret from the rest of the world, they would never understand why an uncharted civilization was thriving on its own; hence, why we hold this festival annually to thank Elmore and the void for its gift!"
Rob explained, as Gumball was curious at Rob's last statement.
"Gift? What sort of gift?"
Gumball asked, as Rob soon lifted his hand and a small present materialized out of thin air into his glitched palm.
This prompted awe and wonder from the entire Watterson family, their eyes were filled with amazement. The Watterson kids were soon pleading for the glitched humanoid to continue performing his magic.
"Can you create a video game console?"
Tristan asked.
"What about a nice doll?"
Penelope asked.
"Or- or a stuffed animal?!"
Anastasia shyly requested.
"A potion set for me to practice my pranks?!"
Vlad Jr. asked with a devilish grin, which resembled his mother Carrie heavily.
Rob was laughing at the adorable requests of the Watterson children.
"You all share the youthful spirit your parents possessed at your age! Of course I can conjure up those gifts, but only one at a time!"
Rob stated, as the Watterson children cheered.
"So...Rob? How are you able to make things appear out of thin air? It seems rather interesting, albeit scientifically improbable!"
Anais asked, as the Watterson family watched the glitch humanoid continue to conjure items for the kids.
"Well, I really don't understand the process myself to be completely honest! I guess a part of me and the residents who live in Little Elmore still have a connection to the void and we have been bestowed by this gift! It certainly has helped with the supply issues on the island, and we have been able to keep ourselves isolated from the prying eyes of the world."
Rob explained, as Anais kept a contemplative and perplexed expression across her face.
"Fascinating..."
Anais continued to watch intently as she said this, before Carrie stepped in.
"Well, this doesn't sound COMPLETELY abnormal! I mean, little Vlad and I are always testing out black magic in our experiments and we're conjuring items for spells constantly. Perhaps Rob and the rest of the residents here have a gift that's similar, but with the void!"
Carrie stated enthusiastically, as the Watterson family all nodded in agreement.
Richard suddenly could be seen salivating with Nicole holding his arm.
"Richard? Richard, what's wrong honey?"
Richard was surveying an array of food stands across the street that were preparing their dishes for local residents to try. Nicole quickly deduced what he had been salivating over, as she saw the various preparers conjuring food at the snap of their fingers at their food stands.
"Oh! I see now...well it has been a while since we ate...Rob is it? Do you mind if we take a quick break to grab some grub?"
Nicole asked, as the glitchy humanoid smiled.
"Of course Mrs. Watterson! I was just about to suggest something similar!"
As Rob finished his statement, they quickly maneuvered as a group to the food stands.
"As you can probably tell, this is the food market of Little Elmore! Here you can find just about any type of cuisine your heart desires, all free of charge! Please, make yourselves at home, it practically is our little slice of Elmore after all!"
Rob announced to the Watterson family, as they began to move to the various stations together. The older, more elderly components of the Watterson family moved together with Nicole and Richard leading the group, meanwhile the younger adults and Watterson children stuck together with Gumball and Penny leading them respectively, with Rob accompanying them close behind.
They walked for a few moments, as Gumball turned to face Rob, also having Penny's hand in his paw.
"So..."
Gumball awkwardly tried to initiate conversation once again, as Rob turned with a slight smile and confused expression.
"So, what?"
"It just seems...weird how you never wanted to return to Elmore if you weren't dead! You could have returned back home with us! I could have been your friend instead of your mortal enemy that you tried to destroy for so long! It...just seems peculiar that you would start a new life here instead of returning back home to California where you could have redeemed who you once were...we would have accepted you as a member of the Elmore family again, Rob."
Gumball finished speaking, as the humanoid gave a slightly warm smile before staring at the ground as they walked through the bustling food market.
"That's just it Gumball...I didn't want to have that awkward reputation after all I had done before...sure, we saved Elmore from being thrown into the void, but you and I still had a shaky past as enemies. I tried to destroy you and everyone you had ever loved! That's not just something that is immediately forgotten and suddenly reconciled with a hug and "I'm sorry". I decided that the best thing to do was to honor the memory of you and Elmore with something that could be created from the generosity and good of my heart. So, with the help of some good friends from the Void, I was able to honor the memory of Elmore and the little blue cat who was by my side at the final battle for Elmore's existence...by building this little patch of home: Little Elmore. I have found a family Gumball, you certainly showed me the meaning of that when I was with you in the Void...if it means anything to you, and please don't let this inflate your ego further, you...really were a big part of my redemption Gumball Watterson...thank you."
As Rob finished speaking, a playful grin grew over the face of the blue feline next to him, as Gumball lifted a paw.
"Ah, ha! So you finally admitted to yourself that you did care about me as your friend!"
Gumball's stubborn tone was annoyingly starting to flood back into the memory of Rob, as Penny giggled as the two former adversaries began to talk to one another passive aggressively.
"What? Well, I mean I guess...but I meant it in the sense of helping me see what I had been missing all along in fighting you as your nemesis, instead of seeing what value I had in you helping me as a friend."
Rob finished, as Gumball kept his grin and teasing nature going.
"Uh huh, see? I knew you viewed me as a friend!"
Gumball teased, as Rob rolled his eyes and smiled at the blue feline. His childish nature still shining through in his adult years.
"I guess I do Gumball Watterson..."
Rob stated in a calm tone, as Gumball playfully nudged the glitchy humanoid with his free shoulder away from his wife Penny.
"Well, it's good to finally see you again, Rob. Who knows? Perhaps I'll be sooooo annoying, that you will want to return to Elmore with us when our ship gets repaired!"
Gumball offered, as Rob quickly came to the realization of what the blue cat had just said.
"Oh right! I forgot that you were actually stranded here for a bit! Say...Would your family mind staying for a few nights at our resort hotel? We...heh, RARELY get visitors and you'd be the first guests that we actually have to serve from the outside world! Plus, it would be a great opportunity for us to catch up on lost time and to repay the favor of what happened all those years ago! What do you say, Gumball Watterson?"
Rob finished speaking, as Penny, Darwin, Carrie, and the Watterson kids looked to the two friends. Gumball smiled as he turned to face his family once again, their smiles of anticipation of the offer made by Rob could be clearly seen on their expressions.
"Well guys...we did say we were coming for a fun vacation, right? Do you want to take up on Rob's kind offer?"
The small portion of the family behind him were jubilant in their cheers, as Gumball turned and smiled at Rob, who had his hand extended for a handshake with the blue feline's paw.
"Well Rob..."
Gumball accepted the handshake with his paw.
"The Elmore passengers of the S.S Venture humbly accept your offer to be your first guests to your wonderful town and resort island!"
Rob smiled as Gumball finished his statement, patting the feline on the shoulder.
"We're glad to have you here my friend! Now let's grab some grub, shall we?"
The Watterson family followed the glitchy humanoid to one of the food stands, as Gumball and Rob were glad to be reunited as friends...after so long being enemies in the past.
After a lengthy food break, the Elmore passengers made the trek back to the ship to collect their luggage to bring it to the Little Elmore hotel on the island. Captain Blubber and the rest of the crew continued to stay on the ship to repair the damaged navigation systems, as Rob was waiting in the main lobby for his new guests to arrive. As Mayor of Little Elmore, this was a foreign to him, he was always content with micro managing his isolated island and making sure the residents of the community were content and satisfied with their way of life. This, however, was going to be a challenge that was foreign territory for him. He was dealing with not only the residents of Elmore doubling his community population, but ensuring their safety long enough to see them safely return to Elmore when their ship was repaired. Rob always hated surprises, and seeing his former nemesis arrive so abruptly and coincidentally? Well, to say the least; Rob was definitely trying to adjust to this new experience.
Rob quietly surveyed the Elmore guests streaming through the lobby. Many of whom, were his former peers from Elmore Junior High. Masami, Tobias, Teri, Sarah G. Lato... so many familiar faces that had once viewed him with scorn and disdain were now smiling at the generosity of the glitched figure offering refuge and an improvisation to their previous vacation plans.
Rob went to situate himself in one of the chairs in the lobby, before he once again heard the sliding doors of the lobby open up once again.
(If "Your Love by The Outfield is compatible with your device, please press play now)
A tall blue feline was leading a family, and Rob immediately recognized who it was and arose from his chair to greet him.
Gumball slowly removed his aviators and gently placed his luggage on the ground, as the Watterson family was gathered behind him.
"Well it was certainly a workout getting our stuff here, but we made it! Thank you so much for the opportunity to allow us to stay in your town, Rob! It really is generous and kind of you!"
Gumball stated, as Rob waved his hand.
"Don't mention it Gumball, it's the least I can do for a friend! Now, you and your family can make your reservation at the front of the reception. I take it that you will be staying in separate rooms considering your large posse?"
Rob asked, as Gumball and the rest of the Watterson family nodded in agreement.
"That would be optimal Rob, yes."
Gumball said, as Rob turned and pointed to the receptionist.
"Excellent, be sure to sign your name in our ledger once you are done with the reservation and you should be given a keycard for each of your rooms!"
Rob said with a smile, as Gumball lead the rest of the Watterson's to the reception desk where each group was given a keycard to a specific room. Rob stayed in the front lobby to assist any of the Elmore residents that were just arriving to the hotel.
The Watterson family filed down the numerous halls of the beautiful hotel, its architecture and décor truly befitting of an island paradise. Nicole and Richard were the first to reach their room out of the group, which was situated the closest to the main lobby. Nicole was quite pleased by this, as it allowed her to gain easy access to the main lobby to reach the beachfront and ocean in the front of the hotel, and for Richard to of course be the first of the Watterson family to access the food market across the street from their hotel.
Eventually, it was just Penny and Gumball along with their kids to be the last ones to reach their respective room.
"Well everyone...ready to see our new room?"
Gumball asked, as Tristan and Penelope were almost exploding with anticipation, promptly jumping up and down.
Penny turned to Gumball with a smile.
"I think that answers your question, honey."
Gumball smiled at Penny, before turning the door knob to reveal an absolutely sunning sight.
Their room was situated facing the ocean and the bustling town below them, all four were awe at the beauty in front of them. The beautiful layout of their room was not to be underestimated either, as it was draped in tropical decorations and the room appeared to be brand new in its design.
Tristan and Penelope wasted no time in choosing their beds, as Gumball and Penelope placed the family's luggage onto the nearby chairs situated in the room.
Penny immediately noticed the walk in shower, along with the mini kitchen and living room. It really became more and more reminiscent to a cottage rather than a hotel room, its sheer size was overwhelming the family.
"Honey...this is absolutely amazing! It's like we're back home in Elmore with how beautiful this place is!"
Penny remarked, as she gave a warm hug to Gumball.
"Oh, honey! This vacation is going to be absolutely wonderful! The kids are going to love the beach, the sights, sounds, activities, not to mention the memories! Oh Gumball, aren't you excited?!"
Penny asked, as Gumball smiled and held the yellow fairy close.
"The vacation wouldn't be nearly as fun as it's going to be, without my family here to enjoy it alongside me."
Gumball said, as Penny blushed and let a few tears of joy slip down here cheek, as she quickly embraced the blue cat.
"Oh Gumball! That's so sweet of you!"
Penny stated, as the two Watterson kids rushed over to join in on the hug with their parents, happiness and joy soon swelling amongst the four of them.
This continued for a few moments, before a public announcer inside the room began to prepare itself for a PSA from Rob.
"Pardon the interruption citizens Little Elmore, I just would like to thank you all for your continued hospitality for our new guests, and welcoming them with open arms into our little ton and island. I know that the journey they have all endured in being stranded couldn't have been easy for the passengers aboard the S.S Venture, and certainly being so far from home must feel dreadful. But I can assure you, that we here in Little Elmore will do everything within our very being to ensure the best visit possible for all of our new guests while you are here! We are in the good graces of the legendary Gumball Watterson, so I know from experience that these are some great folks! Enjoy the rest of your day everyone and be safe!"
The PA soon cut out the transmission that was relayed to the entire town, as Gumball had a smile on his face with his family surrounding him.
"Maybe we are going to have a fantastic vacation after all!"
*END OF CHAPTER*