Hey folks, here's a new chapter! I'll be honest, we're getting close to the end. I'm not sure when exactly the epilogue will be, likely next chapter or the chapter after that. But until then however, enjoy chapter 13!

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This was weird.

Just days ago, he had been having one of the worst emotional breakdowns of his life. Now, here he was walking alongside his mother to the entrance of her friend's rather expensive looking mansion, as the sunshine was practically blinding his eyes. Was it true that his life was somewhat back on track?

Nicole pressed the doorbell, which chimed loudly in response. She noticed Gumball's very worried expression, him standing awkwardly behind her bearing his crutches. "It's alright sweetheart, this will help control your fire thing."

Before he could respond, the front door opened with a click. He couldn't deny how terrified he was, especially in this setting. The last thing he wanted was to spend the rest of his life trying to pay off damage bills if he accidentally set something to flames.

"Nicole!" Yuki beamed, as she stood at the entrance. She was wearing that one red fighting bodysuit, with her hair pulled back into a cloudy ponytail, her high heels replaced with comfortable and fashionable, yet fast sneakers. "Welcome to my home, please come in!"

She stepped aside, allowing the two to enter, as they all stood in a grand room, with large stairs in the center and several corridors on both sides of the walls. The cats couldn't help but marvel at the sight, Gumball especially, as it occurred to him he hadn't really been in the house before.

Yuki turned her attention to the younger feline. "Ah, and your son. It's been a while since we've met hasn't it?"

"...Uh.. Yeah.. I was kinda sitting in jail for a while.." Gumball sheepishly scratched the back of his head, careful to keep balance. "..So.. How exactly are we gonna control my fire thingy per say?.."

"Follow me," The cloud woman lead the two cats out into a court yard. As they walked a bit, they soon came across a gymnasium looking building, with hoses scattered around it. "For our exercises we'll be using my training gym. Don't worry, I have a backup one across the yard."

She opened the double doors, and the three stepped inside. It looked pretty standard, almost like a school gym if the mascot artwork was missing. "If the fire spreads outside the building, I have hoses on standby with some firefighters I hired."

"Uh.. Mrs. Yoshida?" Gumball frowned, feeling an immense shame in having to bring it up. He didn't want to annoy her, but he couldn't let something dangerous happen. "...I don't think my fire is like regular fire. Last I checked water doesn't put it out.."

"I have faith in you, it's unlikely that the hoses will need to be used regardless. It's just there for backup." Yuki stepped over to the center of the gym, motioning the younger cat to follow. "Come now, let's see what you can do."

"We aren't fighting or anything right?.." Gumball hesitantly hobbled over, as Nicole stood at the sidelines of the room. "I really don't wanna have to fight anybody.."

"No no, no fighting. This outfit is accustomed for heat resistance, in preparation." Yuki replied. "Now, let's start with something. I want you to try and think of bad memories, but to resist letting your emotions get a hold of you."

"...Okay.." The cat stood there for a moment, quietly thinking to himself. Fire was haunting his recollections. He could remember the screams of agony, the crying of his family, the screeching of the beast, his own screams as he turned into that wretched form... Even then, he still bared the form's face, and knowing it made him feel worse. Stressed and frightened, he clutched his head, struggling to control himself, but it was no use.

Flames shoot out of him and hit a nearby wall, crackling as it nearly burned off the foam padding. Gumball looked up, eyes wide with panic, as Nicole and Yuki shared looks of surprise. "I-I'm so sorry! D-Dagnabbit I-I'm so stupid! T-That probably costs l-like a ton of money right? I-I didn't mean to-"

Yuki gives an expression of puzzlement, which in turn causes the cat to fall silent. "What have you done wrong? There's nothing to be apologetic for."

"I-I can't do this.." Gumball's gaze fell to the floor, as guilt riddled him. Everything was screaming at him inside to stop. "Even if I try it's just gonna get out of control again.. How am I supposed to keep it in check when I can't even fix my emotions?.."

"Listen, don't doubt yourself. Learning takes time, you cannot rush it and expect results immediately, you must be patient, especially with all the emotions you have gone through." The cloud frowned, feeling sympathy. She knew he had been suffering the most from the incident all those years ago. It was very much apparent that it wouldn't go away so quickly for anyone, let alone him.

"But I have to! What if someone gets hurt again or.." His voice broke slightly, struggling to say the word. "..Worse?.."

Nicole felt utter sorrow, ready to come over. "Sweetie-"

"It's okay Nicole, let me handle this." Yuki lightly prevented her friend from getting closer, to which the other obeyed hesitantly. She then placed a hand on Gumball's shoulder, the younger cat flinching at the touch. "Gumball, if I may ask, do you know how this came to be?"

He frowned, shaking his head. "..No.. Seven years ago it just.. Happened when Tobias said all those things.. I guess.. After how cruddy my day was, it just kinda made something.. Snap."

"What did you think of the fire beast at that time?"

Gumball paused, deep in thought. "...I didn't really think about it until after it happened... And.. I was really scared seeing everything on fire and... People hurt.. After that I.. Was really scared of what I could do.. Everyone was.."

"It wasn't your fault, you were under pressure," Yuki replied, sympathy in her eyes. "Nicole has told me that you have said the beast has a mind of its own, is that true?"

"..Yeah." He awkwardly rubbed his arm, careful with how he worded it. "..It.. Comes out to protect me when I'm under really, really, really bad emotions.."

"Gumball, I want to try something." The cloud sat down onto the floor, motioning the cat to do the same. "Now, take calm, steady breaths. No negative thoughts, okay?"

He nods, closing his eyes as he took a deep exhale. It felt a little nice, as the bad memories were washing away, at least for a while.

"Try to relax, but think of the beast. What does it look like to you?"

The cat was hesitant, but followed through. He trusted this. "..Really big. Angry, sorta.. Scary."

"That's what you perceive. Think of it in a different angle, try to imagine it in a nicer light."

"..Well.. It's kinda like a.. Big goofy cat on fire... He likes to help me feel better any way he can.." Gumball's face scrunched up a bit, as he concentrated. He could remember those times in the cave, feeling alone, yet the beast was very much company to him.

Yuki nodded. "Stay calm, and summon him."

"What?!" The cat's eyes did not open yet, but panic was visible in his voice. Horrible memories were beginning to surface in his head. "But-"

"It's okay, keep focused on what you have told me just now, and summon him."

Gumball sighed, relaxing as he held his hands together. He wasn't super sure how to summon the beast. Perhaps he could somehow communicate internally? It was worth a shot.

...Beast? Are.. Are you there?.. If you want.. I'd like you to come on out.. Preferably not mad.. Nobody's hurting me.. I just want to see you..

He waited, for a moment feeling disappointed as not a hint of the beast appeared when he opened his eyes. "..I guess he doesn't want to-"

Before he could finish his sentence, flames rose up around him, as a familiar screech was heard. However, instead of being trapped inside the center of him like he always was, the fire separated from him, as the beast formed in front of him. Gumball looked up at the creature with shock, unable to comprehend the moment.

The beast looked at him with wide eyes as well, sitting just like a regular housecat would. Studying the smaller cat for a moment, he then laid down, peering closer at his vessel, as a smaller screech was made.

"..Hi?.." Gumball waved to him nervously, unsure of what exactly to say, as he stood to his feet. It felt strange finally getting to see the creature that he had been hiding inside face-to-face. In a way, it was almost closure. He didn't know what else to do, haphazardly deciding to hold out his paw, careful to keep balance on his crutches. "..I'm Gumball. You probably know that though, don't you?"

The beast smiled in response, sliding one paw carefully to the other, sort of returning the handshake.

"Heh, yeah, you know." The cat smiled as well, patting the beast's hand. This wasn't so bad. "Do you have a name?.."

A confused screech answered his question. He could've sworn the beast raised an eyebrow, but it was hard to tell thanks to the fire. "Okay, so you don't. I can give you one, if you want?"

The creature nodded, as he watched the other with curiosity, as well as excitement.

Gumball thought for a moment, careful with his decision. He wasn't going to name him something goofy like Gumball Jr, but he wasn't going to name him something boring like Jeff either. After a moment, one came to mind. "How about.. Inferno? Do you like it?"

Hearing the beast let out a screech of agreement, a smile appeared back onto his face. "Inferno it is then."

Noticing how bewildered his mother looked at the moment, Gumball decided to come over to her side on his crutches, to which the now named Inferno swerved around slightly to observe. "You remember my mom right?"

Inferno nodded, glancing over at her with interest.

"..Hello Inferno," Nicole got over her initial shock, giving a little wave of her own. She soon frowned, remembering what the beast had seen prior. It was hard to deny the guilt she felt at the moment. "..I'm sorry for what happened to you when you were protecting my son.."

The creature let out a whine, as he lowered his head to the floor, nuzzling against her gently.

"I think he forgives you.." Gumball said, as his mother smiled at the beast's gesture. He soon paused, the realization dawning on him, as he gave a look of concern. "Wait.. How come you aren't getting burned?"

"Inferno must be in a docile state," Yuki walked over, smiling herself as she looked up at the creature. "When he's calm, no fire is spread or burned."

Inferno screeched happily in reply, before disappearing back into simple flames, which swirled back into the younger cat. No trace of burns besides the wall were present, the gym looking practically as clean as the three arrived. It was kind of weird seeing the fire leave no damage for the first time in years, it had been an unfortunately regular thing, yet.. It wasn't now. Though, that wasn't completely on the younger feline's mind at the moment.

"..Where did he go?" Gumball raised an eyebrow, feeling rather sad for the short visit. It was ironic, how a beast he feared so much, he ended up feeling so disappointed to see leave.

"Back inside you," The cloud woman replied, as the three began making their way back to the gym's entrance. "It seems that you have a bit of time before he can be completely summoned at will."

Nicole patted her son's shoulder, her expression that of encouraging proudness. "You did good for the first day sweetie, I'd say this is huge progress."

"..Thanks for the help today Mrs. Yoshida, I really appreciate it." Gumball gave a small smile, as he leaned against the doorway. "And I'm sure Inferno really appreciates it too."

Yuki smiled back, as she led the two back to the mansion's front door. "Of course, I'm happy to help in whatever way I can. Are you two able to come in two weeks for the next practice?"

"I'll make sure to save room in my schedule, we should make it." Nicole replied, as she waved goodbye to her friend. "See you later Yuki!"

Gumball followed her to the station wagon, feeling a lot better than he when he arrived. He carefully strapped himself into the passenger seat, setting his crutches to the side. "Hey mom?.. Thanks for bringing me here, I think it was a good idea."

"It's no problem, we'll be here to help you every step of the way sweetie." She drove back down the rather long driveway, as everything felt at peace.

For Gumball, it wasn't too peaceful yet, but it was close. He was pretty alright with that.

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Once again this is your reminder that this is not the end yet! Just so everybody's aware if they hadn't read the author's notes at the beginning!