The Gun

The first thing Penny and Gumball did upon returning to Elmore was head to the warehouse where the pest controller conducts business. Penny had managed to infiltrate the place, managing to shift to her mouse form, despite her lack of control over her abilities, and was currently at work plundering boxes containing tranquilizer darts. She had remembered that, during the incident she was coming to terms with the real her, Gumball's mom had intercepted a dart meant for her and had been deeply affected by the contents, despite only getting hit with slightly more than a glancing blow. It was Penny's hope that the darts would be equally effective on Gumball when he transforms, especially if she managed to hit a more vital spot than the palm of his hand.

Sure, stealing is wrong, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

After collecting as many small boxes of darts as she could Penny next set about finding the tranq gun, which, miraculously enough, Gumball had managed to spot through a window whilst he patrolled the perimeter on the lookout for any bystanders that might inadvertently witness their actions. Retrieving it proved to be tricky however, for the pest controller was currently occupying the room housing the tranq gun, which also seemed to double as his living space. There was a TV, a couch, and a small area that seemed to function as an improvised kitchen. The tranq gun currently sat on a table opposite the room, Mouse-Penny casually tiptoeing towards it.

It was a mere stroke of luck that the pest controller( several of his arms in slings, no doubt from the helicopter crash) currently had his back to her as he sat on his couch, focused solely on the TV. It was a little tricky with her diminutive size, but Penny managed to get to the tranq gun by stampering on top of a chair near the table and gradually lifting it onto her small shoulders. She staggered slightly but managed to stabilize her stance, grinning victoriously as she looked out a nearby window, where Gumball had been watching her progress, congratulating her with a thumbs up.

"Heeheehee!"

The light chuckling brought Penny's attention to the pest controller, Gumball following suit from outside, both seeing what he was currently watching. On the TV screen a cockroach was caught in a spider's web and was currently being wrapped up in webbing by said spider; a black widow.

"Heeheehee!" the pest controller chuckled lightly again, obviously taking great delight in the scene.

Penny and Gumball exchanged looks of unease before directing the same look at the disturbing scene, then Penny decided to hightail it out of there with their prize.

Their next stop was the Elmore Wrecking Yard.

Under the circumstances Penny had concluded that it would be a bad idea for Gumball to just up announce his return, for afterwards there would be a lot to deal with, like police reports and hospital visits, and if Gumball were to change during any of that it could be disastrous, especially after that first incident at Elmore Mall. If anyone were to learn Gumball was the thing that had caused such destruction it could really get him in trouble, so they'd both decided Gumball should lay low for the time being, and since Tina and her father weren't currently occupying the wrecking yard; for obvious reasons, they'd deduced it was the perfect spot for Gumball to take refuge until the matter is resolved.

Though how it could be resolved they didn't know.

"So, Penny, I've been meaning to ask," said Gumball, him and Penny walking side by side as they made their way to the wrecking yard, Penny holding onto the tranq gun, the darts in a backpack on her back. "How did you find out I didn't do it?"

"Oh, that," said Penny, suppressing a surge of lingering guilt. "I…huh…got a package in the mail the day you disappeared. It was one of Banana Barbra's paintings. It depicted Rob stealing Mr. Cuddles."

"Really?" inquired Gumball, slightly perplexed. "That's a stretch, even when Barbara is involved."

"Now I have a question for you, Gumball," said Penny. "If you really don't remember anything when you change into the abyssalis cat, how come you never attack me? Three times I've come face to face with you while you are like that, yet you didn't attack me. Why?"

"Oh, uh! That's a bit difficult to explain, Penny," said Gumball with a nervous chuckle. "And…you may find it a little embarrassing."

That gave Penny pause, but only for a moment before she gave him a reassuring smile. "Trust in me, Gumball, whatever explanation you can give me, I promise I will do my best to accept it."

"Um, okay," said Gumball. "It's true I don't remember anything about myself as the abyssalis cat, but, whenever I see you, I instinctively feel like I am in the presence of my mate. It must have something to do with how much I love you."

A bit of a blush spread over Penny's face upon hearing the word "mate", though she did her best not to show it. She'd given her word to accept the explanation, after all. Besides, she had to remind herself that when Gumball was the abyssalis cat he was no more than a wild animal and in the animal world such concepts such as love and relationship didn't have an equivalent, the only thing even remotely close was the instinct for a mate.

"I…I see," said Penny, though unable to suppress all of her embarrassment.

"Told you it would be embarrassing," said Gumball, slightly blushing himself.

"No! No! Really, I'm fine with it, Gumball," she insisted. "Besides, it's…kinda flattering. That, even when robbed of all your sentience and relying solely on instinct, you have feelings for me."

"Uh, thanks," said Gumball, then his expression turned serious as he remembered something. "But please try to remember, Penny, that it only applies to your natural form. None of your other forms instill those feelings in the abyssalis cat."

"Yeah, no kidding," said Penny with slight sarcasm, rubbing the back of her neck, remembering the feeling of Gumball sinking his teeth into her neck while she was unbeknowingly confronting him in her dragon form.

In what appeared to be no time at all, Penny and Gumball were at the wrecking yard, and just as the sun was beginning to set.

"You really think this is for the best, Penny?" Gumball asked as he stood upon Tina's nest of scrap metal.

"I…actually don't know, Gumball," Penny admitted at the base of the clutter, but then her face hardened with resolve. "But what I do know is that this is a good way to keep you safe, as well as everyone else."

"Keep me safe?" Gumball repeated curiously with an arced eyebrow.

"Think about it, Gumball. What would happen if anyone were to ever find you turn into that thing?" said Penny, clear worry in her voice.

Gumball saw her meaning clearly and had a moment of realization as he looked over his surroundings, remembering what happened the last time he was here.

"Uh, Penny…it might be too late for that," he said nervously.

Penny became concerned at his words, "What do you mean?"

"I…well…I…didn't exactly just stumble into Tina and fight her "after" I became the abyssalis cat that first night," he admitted, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "I…kinda changed in front of her."

Now Penny was really concerned. Tina, of all people, knew Gumball's secret. She figuratively and literally had the biggest mouth in school and Penny was pretty sure the only reason she hadn't blabbed yet was because of her current condition. Namely the fact she and her father were currently in a coma; the result of Gumball thoroughly trouncing both of them.

"Alright, don't panic," she said to both herself as well as Gumball. "All this means is we have a shorter time frame than we initially thought. After all, Tina is in no condition to tell anyone at the moment so we can be grateful for that. Though she will wake up eventually, it still gives us time to resolve this."

Gumball found himself slightly torn on that subject. He was grateful Tina wasn't capable of telling anyone just yet, but at the same time, he was the reason Tina was in a coma.

Penny, for her part, now looked at the tranq gun she had locked and loaded at her feet, suddenly feeling slightly hesitant. She was about to shoot her boyfriend with a flipping tranquilizer dart. Could this situation get any crazier?

"Actually, are you sure you don't want to at least have something to eat first, Gumball?" she asked, looking through the open doors at the sun as it crept further beneath the horizon. "We might just have enough time for something quick."

She was mostly being honest, genuinely wanting Gumball to have something to eat before this happens. He'd been in the forest for a while, after all. However, she was genuinely hoping to postpone her next course of action for as long as she could.

Gumball facepalmed. Penny had been requesting he eat something on and off as soon as they got back to town and he'd tried to decline every time, under the guise that there were more important matters, but it looks like he'd have to hit her with the actual truth. "Penny, now you're stalling. For the last time, I am not hungry. And if you must know, it's because I already had plenty to eat last night."

"What are you talking about? You were lost in the forest for almost a week, Gumball," Penny said with genuine concern. "You should be starving!"

"Yeah, but I wasn't exactly not eating anything while I was out there, Penny," said Gumball with a bit of hint in his voice. "Remember?"

Penny gasped, remembering what Gumball had done to the deer and wolf. It had slipped her mind until now that she had indeed seen him ripping into the carcasses of animals whilst she searched for him and feeding on their meat. She could see his point, however. He had been eating quite "well" while out in the forest. However, the thought of Gumball eating the raw meat of wild animals was a bit…unsettling for Penny.

"Yeah, not a pretty thought," commented Gumball with a deadpan expression, reading her look. "At least it means I haven't gone hungry." He paused and thought for a minute. "Though we haven't really discussed what I am going to eat while hiding out here. It's probably a bad idea to leave this place even while not reverted."

"Oh, don't worry about that, Gumball. I'll take care of that," said Penny supportively, finally retrieving the tranq gun from the floor.

It was almost time. Any minute now Gumball would change. It was now that she had to prove how dedicated she was to him and do what is best, for everyone, Gumball included.

"Penny…it's starting…I can feel it!" said Gumball, trembling, clutching his head as his voice grew more guttural.

"Okay," said Penny, lifting the tranq gun. "I'm ready. Gumball…I love you."

"I…love you too, Penny," Gumball stammered out just as the sun vanished.

Again, Gumball was draped in black smoke that exploded outward in an immense cloud, and before long it dissipated, leaving the huge form of the abyssalis cat in his place. Again, it was difficult for Penny to see her boyfriend change into such a foreboding creature but knew she couldn't hesitate now. Taking aim, Penny fired. A crimson dart flew from the barrel of the gun, which impacted the abyssalis cat in the nape of the neck just as he threw his head up to no doubt roar in announcement of his arrival. Thankfully, it would appear Penny's idea held merit, for the abyssalis cat halted mid roar as the dart landed, went silent, then just keeled over amongst the metal with a massive clatter…

…out cold.

Penny cautiously approached, finding the dart embedded in the abyssalis cat's neck as he let out light growls, his eyes closed as he slept, clearly under the influence of the tranquilizer. Sniffling and wiping away a slight tear of guilt at what she'd had to do Penny knelt down, removed the dart and kissed him on the forehead. She couldn't help but notice that, without the aggressive snarl, he was kinda cute, like a really huge sleeping kitten.

"I'll be back, I promise," said Penny with a sad, but supportive smile, standing up and making her way to the door.

She knew she was going to have her own dilemma to deal with when she got home, for she herself had been missing now for almost a good three days. She had a cover story she'd concocted in mind that she hoped would dissuade anyone from finding out the truth, though hopefully she could convince her would-be coconspirator to play along. On her way out she retrieved her cell phone from a nearby table made of scrap metal (most likely Tina's equivalent to a desk) that had been recording a video. They were planning on keeping what was happening under stricted wraps, but there were a few people that needed to be informed of the situation.

A certain family.

—

From his dark realm Green watched on with a snarl.

"Ooh! I don't think so!"

—

It was Tuesday at Elmore Junior High, and everything was going according to Penny's plan. Of course, she had been in for major backlash when she got home, her family having been worried sick about her for the last couple days, but she'd managed to dissuade their fears. Not by telling them what really happened, no, she couldn't risk that, so instead she'd made the excuse that she'd been with a friend.

Molly Collins.

Penny had contacted her via text on her way home from Elmore Wrecking Yard last night and it hadn't been difficult to convince her to be Penny's false alibi. After all, the young Sauropod, while a bit awkward, was loyal to those close to her, and since she had no apparent family to speak of to discredit Penny's claim it wasn't difficult for Penny to convince her family that she had been staying in Molly's treehouse while she looked for Gumball over the weekend. Sure, they weren't any less happy with her for being out of contact for so long, not to mention missing school on Monday, but the main thing was she was back, and apparently unharmed. And they didn't even have the heart to ground her, for it wasn't like she was out doing things she wasn't supposed to, but had been frantically looking for the boy she loves.

And the fact that she apparently hadn't been successful melted her family's hearts even more.

At least that's what Penny told them.

During class, Penny had slipped Carrie a note to meet her outside after school, which the morose ghost did.

"You wanted to see me, Penny?" asked Carrie in a deadpan tone as they boarded the school bus together.

"Yes," said Penny, her and Carrie sitting next to each other. "I need your help."

Amazingly, Carrie's frown became even more prominent. "If you mean assisting in trying to find Gumball, I've already done all I can. I've tried every scrying."

"Carrie, I'll explain later. Please. We'll talk about it when we get off at the Watterson's stop," Penny said. "They need to be made aware of what is going on as well. Then you will understand. I promise.

"The Watterson's stop?" Carrie repeated, her expression annoyed. "You expect me to get off there instead of going home?"

"Carrie please, I really need your help with this. In fact, I'm pretty sure you are the only one who can help," said Penny pleadingly, looking over to where Darwin and Anais sat, looking as downtrodden as ever. "And they need to hear what I have to say as well."

Carrie followed Penny's gaze, her ghostly eyes landing on Darwin. Carrie wasn't usually one to get emotional but seeing the poor fish boy looking so defeated tugged on her semi transparent heartstrings.

"Very well, l will help however I can," she agreed. Besides, she had no real reason to refuse; for what reason did she have to rush home anyway?

"Thanks, Carrie," said Penny with appreciation. "I'd hug you, but…you know."

At their stop, Darwin and Anais were surprised when Penny and Carrie disembarked with them.

"What are you guys doing here?" asked Darwin as Penny walked past him.

"I need to show something to you guys and your parents," said Penny, already making her way to the door of the Watterson's house.

"And apparently I need to be involved too for some reason," Carrie droned, hovering next to Penny.

Darwin and Anais exchange a look before following their unexpected guests to the front door of their house. Penny arrived and knocked. Nicole answered the door.

"Penny?" she asked, stepping aside to allow Penny, Carrie, Darwin and Anais entry into the house, and Penny could detect the unwavering depression and worry all the Watterson's had harbored since Gumball's disappearance. "What brings you here?"

"I need to show you guys something," said Penny resolutely. "Can everyone please meet me in the living room?"

It didn't take long for the Watterson's to comply, as well as Carrie; who hovered above the fully occupied couch, though none of them had any clue what this was all about.

Penny, sitting in the middle of the seated gathering, was setting up her laptop on the coffee table in front of the couch. She was slightly nervous about what she was about to show her boyfriend's family, but knew it had to be done. They needed this, regardless of circumstances, if just for clarity. Whatever happens afterwards is inconsequential, not to mention their choice. Once the laptop started up Penny opened a video she'd sent to herself from her phone the previous evening.

They were all startled upon seeing who was displayed in the video within the first second.

"GUMBALL!" the Watterson's all declared with equal parts shock, worry and longing.

They would have jumped at Penny and bombard her with questions, but then the Gumball in the video began to speak: "Hey everyone. I'm sure you have been worried sick about me these last couple days, but don't worry, I'm doing fine…well, as fine as can be expected. And, if everything is going according to Penny's plan, I'm currently still at Elmore Wrecking Yard …"

" ELMORE WRECKING YARD?!" shouted the Watterson's all at once.

"What's he doing there?" asked Darwin.

"Yeah, isn't that where that monster first showed up?" said Anais.

"We need to go and get him, right now!" said Nicole as she made to get up.

"Yes, pronto!" said Richard in agreement.

"Everyone, please calm down!" declared Penny, pausing the video at their outburst and standing up as well. "You all need to see what's on the video first!"

"You can't expect us to just stay here and just watch whatever is on that video, Penny!" said Nicole. "Gumball has been missing for days, and now that we know where he is we need to make sure he's alright!"

"I understand how you feel!" said Penny with a hint of desperation in her voice. "But you need to see this. The situation with Gumball is dire, and for you all to fully understand you need to know what's happening with him! Especially before you see him!"

"What do you mean? What's been happening with him?" asked Darwin worriedly.

Penny indicated to the paused video on her laptop. "Finish watching this and you'll understand at least somewhat. Don't worry, it won't take long."

With some bit of reluctance, the Watterson's retook their seats and waited for Penny to restart the video.

Carrie was still floating amongst them, unsure of what her role in all this was going to be. Though she herself wondered what the video was about. She may not have been as worried for Gumball as his family and girlfriend had been but he was a friend of hers and she'd been concerned for his well-being.

Penny pushed play on the video again: "Now, I'm sure you all have been wondering where I have been for the past few days. Well, I don't really have time to explain things in full detail so we'll get to that later. But first, guys need to see something." Gumball made to turn around, but stopped and turned back to the camera. "Oh, and just in advance, Darwin, buddy, I'm sorry I tried to eat ya."

"Huh? What's he talking about?" asked Darwin.

They continued to watch the video play out, Anais and Darwin noticing Gumball climbed up Tina's nest of scrap metal, confirming that he was indeed at the Elmore Wrecking Yard. Gumball and Penny, who'd appeared in the video, exchanged a few words, but they were apparently too far away for the audio to be recorded. However, at one point, the Penny in the video looked at something behind her, bent down, and then picked up an object they all recognized as a tranquilizer gun. They watched on in stunned silence as the Penny in the video aimed the gun.

At Gumball.

"Wait!" Nicole suddenly declared. "You're not actually going to shoot him with a…!"

But her words were cut off when the Gumball in the video suddenly clutched his head, swayed for a bit, then…exploded outward in a cloud of black smoke. Then, out of the cloud, emerged a creature that only Darwin, Anais and Carrie had encountered prior in person. They, along with Nicole and Richard, looked on in shock. Had…they just seen what they thought they saw?

Even Carrie looked shocked.

The video concluded with Penny shooting the abyssalis cat in the nape of the neck with a dart, which dropped it to the ground with a clatter.