Anais, Tristan, Nicole, and Gumball continued to push forward along the quiet and vacuous streets of the Void. Surprisingly to Gumball's amazement, the Void was a lot more...structured than when he was an adolescent feline. There was a notable decrease in the amount of parkour traversal, as opposed to when he was last here with Darwin so many years ago; which was extremely welcoming considering the exorbitant amount of walking the four had done since they left the park.
Gumball had been carrying Tristan on his shoulders to alleviate the pain the kitten had felt in his feet earlier, and the last thing Gumball wanted was for his son was to endure calluses on his paws.
"Keep an eye out for any anomalies or portals, the more we find of our lost family members; the faster we can get out of here."
Anais stated, as the four continued to walk towards another intersection, that had flashing traffic lights that were in obvious disrepair.
"Huh...this reminds me of a horror game Darwin and I used to play on the Polystation when we were kids...it was a rather spooky game..."Quiet Incline", I believe it was called."
Gumball remarked, as Nicole's ears perked up.
"Ahhhh, so THAT'S why you two were so scared to venture out on foggy nights! I knew it wasn't a great idea when I read the parental warnings on the packaging...you silly troublemakers..."
Nicole remarked with a warm grin, as she gave a slight nudge to Gumball on the arm.
"Yeah...but hey! We finally beat the game...like...3 years later...and when we actually mustered the courage to get through that one weird scythe carrying enemy..."
Gumball and Nicole chuckled, as Tristan pointed ahead of them; drawing the attention of the two felines and pink rabbit.
"It...looks like one of those portals again Dad!"
Tristan exclaimed, as Gumball gestured his paw for a high five; to which Tristan obliged with his much smaller paw.
"Indeed it is little man! You're certainly more diligent than us adults, that's for sure!"
Gumball stated, as he gently set his son down onto the pavement once again.
Tristan commenced a stretch, which was accompanied by an adorable purr; as his joints and muscles were once again rested.
The four Watterson's then cautiously moved towards the portal, the margins of which were projecting a solid pink aura around them.
Nicole inched forward to inspect, as she began to hear subtle noises originating just beyond the entrance to the portal itself.
"Hmmmmm...this seems to be Richard's portal...the sights and sounds seem to recollect back to me of our earlier years together."
Nicole's ear continued to remain perked upwards, trying to confirm if this was indeed Richard's portal.
Gumball soon stepped forward, and stood beside his mother.
"Mom? Are you sure this isn't Granny Jojo's portal? I mean...she's a pink rabbit as well."
Instantaneously, just as Gumball had uttered this question posed to Nicole, the sound of disembodied voices of a younger Nicole and Richard could be heard echoing beyond the portal entrance.
Nicole then turned with a slight smirk on his face, reaffirming her speculations.
"Well...I believe that answers your question little man."
Nicole then swung her tail in a gloating fashion, as she entered the portal.
Anais could be heard chuckling with Tristan by his aunt's side, as Gumball rolled his eyes with a defeated smile.
Soon Anais regained her composure to speak.
"You have got to admit Gumball, Mom's intuition was always right!"
Gumball then turned around slowly, still maintaining the defeated smile from before.
"Yeah...I guess it's my stubborn nature that wants to prove her wrong?"
Anais then nodded.
"Well...you know what they say about the definition of insanity."
Gumball chuckled.
"Fair point little sis...fair point...now, we better follow Mom; we don't know what memory she has entered and we have to find Dad!"
The three Watterson's nodded in unison, as Gumball led the way through the portal entrance.
Upon entering, Gumball, Anais, and Tristan were immediately dragged to what appeared to be a set of older lockers within a school.
Nicole pressed one of her claws to her lips, as she surveyed the area just beyond the wall she was taking cover by.
"It seems like we're in mine and your father's junior high school days once again...the early nineties to be exact."
Gumball and Anais soon stared at their surroundings as well, the initial shock of their mother grabbing them from the portal entrance; soon dissipating.
"Woah..."
Anais stated in awe, as she was amazed to see her older school captured in another period in time.
"I know...They seriously haven't changed this school in decades! I mean, that water fountain STILL is not suitable nor potable to drink from 4 decades later!"
Gumball stated, as Anais and Nicole both rolled their eyes and giggled.
"Theeeere's the Gumball we know and love..."
Nicole stated, as she quickly motioned with her paw to the rest to move forward.
"Okay, if we're finished making remarks about how severely underfunded this school still is, I suggest we try to find your father."
Anais and Gumball nodded, as Gumball turned to face Tristan.
"Stay right beside us little man, alright?"
Gumball gestured with a warm smile, as Tristan nodded.
"No worries Dad, I'm not going anywhere!"
With that said, Gumball knelt down to give Tristan a warm embrace; before standing once again.
"Let's go find your grandpa."
Tristan grabbed his father's paw, as the four Watterson's walked down the hallway; with Nicole taking the lead. Being a master of stealth, leadership, and directional awareness of her surroundings; she was the optimal solution to the task of finding someone...let alone the husband she had loved for so many years...
Minutes passed, as Nicole communicated when the group should move and avoid the students that walked past them. Hiding in ventilation shafts, lockers, empty classrooms, it was a formidable task; but the four Watterson's were stepping up to the plate to find one of their own.
Suddenly, a commotion could be heard down the hallway just a few feet away from where Nicole was leading the small group.
Nicole perked her ears upwards, listening intently to anything that would give her and the others a clue as to what they were all hearing.
The origin of the sound and commotion could soon be heard: It was her younger self and Richard together, with Richard wearing his cottontail cavalier cape and uniform that he had in his possession since he was a young bunny.
(If the Superman theme by John Williams is compatible with your device, please press play now)
"Look Nicole! It is I, the Cottontail Cavalier! Here to save the day! WOOOOOOSH!"
The younger pink bunny circled around the younger blue feline, causing her to break into an abundance of laughter and giggles next to him.
Meanwhile, the older Nicole was attempting to maintain an inconspicuous eavesdrop on her and Richard. It was a fond memory she had of her childhood...one that saw her relieved of the stress she had with her parents and her life; even if it was momentary with accompanying Richard. Despite his near juvenile and goofy behavior...she truly loved and thanked the husband she married for providing a bit of light and joy in her life in some moments, when it was seldom seen in others.
Nicole, who was still recollecting and reminiscing on her past memories, didn't notice the younger Nicole looking eye to eye at her; and quickly retreated to the locker her and the rest of the family were hiding behind.
The younger Nicole soon squinted and rubbed her eyes.
"Hey...Richard? I swear I just saw an older woman that looked just like me over there..."
The younger Nicole gestured to the corner the four Watterson's were hiding behind with her claw, as a younger Richard turned to look as well.
"Hmmmmm...did you want to check it out? It sounds like a job for...THE COTTONTAIL CAVALIER! And his trusty feline sidekick..."
The younger Nicole rolled her eyes, as she took the lead to inspect what she had seen.
Behind the lockers, Nicole knew she had messed up big time.
"Ahhhhhh shoot! It looks like we're going to have to create fake names everyone!"
Nicole stated, as Gumball perched off the locker he was leaning on, to look at his mother with a confused expression.
"Why would we have to create fake names?! Wait...did someone see-"
"See me? Yep...my younger self saw me...and there's no nearby hiding spots we can escape to...sorry everyone..."
Gumball nodded with affirmation, and smiled.
"No worries Mom, we can handle fake personas it's what we do best!"
The younger Nicole and Richard approached closer and closer, until finally; they reached the corner of the lockers leading into the next hallway.
The younger Nicole soon raised a paw in a karate style and fashion.
She pressed her claw to her lips to tell Richard to be quiet, before she began a mental countdown to strike.
"Alright...1...2...3!"
The younger Nicole whipped across the corner with lightning efficiency and precision, before her wrist was grabbed by another blue paw...her older self.
"HEY LADY, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE-"
The younger Nicole stopped herself from finishing her sentence, as she was greeted by an older blue cat, much like herself; who had a warm smile on her face along with a headscarf.
"Oh goodness child! You truly frightened me! My goodness, I didn't know children these days were so assertive in their actions!"
Nicole stated in a Russian accent, desperately attempting to mask who she truly was to her younger self.
The younger Nicole soon took a step back, as Nicole released her grasp on the smaller blue feline's wrists.
"I'm...I'm SO sorry madam! I just didn't know who you were and...you frightened me as well!"
The younger Nicole was scratching the back of her neck and fixing her hair behind her ear in embarrassment.
Nicole, then stepped forward with a reassuring smile.
"Oh it is quite alright sweetie! I probably shouldn't have been so evasive of greeting you and your boyfriend!"
Nicole stated, as the younger Nicole and Richard began to blush at the remark.
"Well...it's okay too ma'am, apology accepted."
The younger Nicole soon turned her gaze to the back of Nicole, where she saw Gumball, Anais, and Tristan standing.
"Oh! Is this your grandson?"
The younger Nicole was now pointing towards Tristan, who was standing next to Gumball and Anais.
"Why, yes he is! He's a new student who is just arriving to Elmore Junior High, and we were looking for my husband to meet him at the principal's office. Would you happen to know where his is? He strikingly resembles your boyfriend there! We must be doppelgangers to one another! Haha!"
The younger Nicole and Richard chuckled, along with the four Watterson's standing adjacent to them.
"Well Richard...we DID see a rather tall pink bunny down at the cafeteria during lunch period didn't we?"
The pink bunny soon adopted an expression of deep thought, as he tried to remember what the younger Nicole had spoken of.
"Well...I do remember my lunch mysteriously disappearing from my lunch tray when I came back to sit down with you...and this guy having spaghetti sauce covering his face...hey that's the guy who stole my lunch!"
The younger Nicole soon rolled her eyes, and smiled at the pink bunny.
"Well Richard...considering how much you ate at breakfast, I'm PRETTY sure you'll survive skipping one lunch meal huh?"
Soon, everyone burst into spontaneous fits of laughter, ESPECIALLY the older Watterson's who knew all too well what the younger blue feline was alluding to.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, I forgot to even introduce myself to the parents! The taller one must be your son right?!"
Gumball, who at first was going to correct the younger Nicole, was soon stopped by his mother, who whispered in a stern tone.
"JUST. PLAY. THE. PART."
Nicole then transitioned back to a warm smile to the boyfriend and girlfriend, slightly nudging Gumball to speak.
"Well...uh, yes! Yes I am! My Mother originates from Moscow, but she moved here a long time ago; and I actually attended this school with my lovely wife who is standing next to me today with our beautiful son!"
Gumball was practically sweating with nervousness, along with Anais and Tristan, hoping that their act was convincing enough for their younger mother from the past.
The younger Nicole then smiled.
"Awwww that's so sweet and heartwarming! I always thought of what it would be like to have a family one day..."
Nicole then interjected with a smile, while placing a paw on the shoulder of her younger self.
"Well...perhaps one day you will sweetie."
The group of Watterson's soon were about to depart before the younger Nicole stopped them.
"Wait! What's...what's your name? You seem like a very nice lady and it would be nice to know your name if we meet again..."
Nicole stopped, before slowly turning back around, contemplating of what fake name she should use.
"Nicoleta...my name is Nicoleta."
The younger Nicole's eyes soon beamed with surprise.
"Wow! Ha, your name is SO similar to mine! I'm Nicole!"
Nicole soon entered her thoughts again, as she shook hands with her younger self.
"Oh sweetie...if you only knew..."
Nicole soon abandoned her inner psyche, and returned to the task at hand.
"Well...we better get going, I'm not sure this school has enough food stored in their cafeteria to satiate my husband's appetite!"
The younger Nicole chuckled in unison with her older self.
"Ha! I could say the same for Richard here...honestly I don't think he EVER stops thinking of food, or eating it for that matter!"
The two Nicole's shared a brief bout of laughter, before Nicole stepped forward to whisper something in the younger Nicole's ear.
"I'll keep that in mind ma'am...thank you so much!"
Soon afterwards the two parties bid farewell, and as the party of four Watterson's were walking down towards the cafeteria entrance, Gumball looked towards his mother, who was unwrapping the headscarf she had over her head to sell the Russian Babushka act.
"Hey Mom? You mind if I ask what you whispered to her? Well...yourself?"
Nicole then turned with a smiling expression on her face towards her son, and then looked down the hallway once again; before opening her mouth to speak.
"I told her to keep a close eye on your father...well her "boyfriend" and to always cherish the moments that he can bring...because despite the goofiness of boys...I told her there was something special about hers...anyway, I pretty much told her that she would make a wonderful mother if she chose to be one day."
Gumball's reaction was one of heart warming happiness.
"Did she say anything else besides saying goodbye to you?"
Nicole thought for a moment, before looking back to her son.
"Yes there was...she asked me, how I knew all of this..."
Gumball curiously inquired further.
"And what did you say?"
Nicole's smile returned, as they reached the cafeteria entrance.
"I know...because I walked a similar road to the one she is currently on."
Nicole gently opened the cafeteria doors, to see Richard sitting in the middle of the cafeteria alone eating the remaining scraps of the food he was eating.
"Nicole?! Gumball!? Anais?! Tristan!? You're here!"
Richard wiped away the mess of crumbs he had on his face, and quickly rushed over to hug his family.
"I was so worried I would never see you all ever again! I resorted to stress eating once again!"
Nicole chuckled as she gave Richard a loving kiss.
"Well, we're here now honey...and that's all that matters."
Richard then smiled and hugged his wife, the couple embracing for a few more moments; before Nicole pulled away for a moment to speak.
"You'll never believe who led us here to you too!"
Richard dawned a confused expression.
"Who honey?"
"Our past selves Richard! You and me in our teenage years! Heh...you were even wearing your Cottontail Cavalier outfit that you used to dawn every Friday!"
Richard blushed at these remarks from Nicole.
"Re-really?! That's wonderful honey! I think I still have that outfit back home in the attic!"
Nicole chuckled.
"Well...it was certainly nice to see how far we had come together as a family...from humble beginnings of two lovebirds...to one big happy family..."
Gumball, Anais, and Tristan were having their hearts swell with emotion, before a portal appeared next to them; which led back to the abandoned general store in the Void.
"Well, it looks like this memory is complete guys! Let's head back."
Anais said, as she stepped forth into the portal once again, with everyone else soon following in her footsteps.
Back in the General Store, Gumball sat in the chair he slept the first night in. He knew that the family could defeat the Void, and they were making great progress, with him and Tristan finding Nicole, Anais, and Richard; along with defeating Kenneth...but there was still this uncertain aura that encompassed his thoughts.
Suddenly, Tristan hopped up into Gumball's lap, snapping the blue feline back to reality.
"Well Dad, that was pretty cool how we went back in time to see your Mom's and Dad's memory huh?!"
Gumball looked down to see his son's face beaming with optimism and joy. He was beyond glad to see his son remain optimistic, even in times of peril and uncertainty that are imperative to the preservation of life as they know it.
"Indeed it was little man! Your grandma looked quite different to what she does now huh?"
Gumball asked, as Tristan nodded.
"Yeah...grandpa was pretty silly too, did he really wear that outfit when he was in school?"
Gumball smiled, as he ruffled the fur on top of the smaller kittens head.
"Well, who do you think I derived my humor and charm from little guy? Your grandfather was the master of having fun; much like your old man!"
Tristan chuckled at his father's words.
"I guess you're right...hey Dad?"
Gumball soon perked his ears up to the curious tone his son shifted to in his voice and demeanor.
"Yes Tristan?"
"We'll...we'll find the rest of our family right? Mom, Penelope, Uncle Darwin, Aunt Carrie, Vlad, Anastasia, and the rest of the Watterson's?"
Gumball shifted to a slight smile, to keep reassurance in the small kittens mind that everything was going to be alright. But he would be lying to himself if he knew truly what the real outcome of all of this would be for his family.
"Of course we will little buddy! Look at how much we have overcome as a family! The stories from the past I have told you, your grandparents have told you, and of course; what YOU have experienced already in your young life! We're the Watterson's kiddo, remember? We can see through anything as a family!"
Tristan smiled, and soon wrapped his arms around his father's neck for a hug.
"Thanks Dad..."
Tristan softly said, as Gumball wrapped his two arms around the small blue kitten.
"No problem...son."
As Gumball held his son in his arms, he pondered upon what he just said; and then came to a definitive conclusion...one he was not certain of before, but now was confident he and the rest of his family would see it through to the end.
"We will find them all and return home...I know it."
*END OF CHAPTER*