Chapter Text
What happened last time:
After his latest plan to save Elmore failed, Rob was falling into the Void again as it seemingly began to suck the town in.
He made himself a human disguise and tried to turn everyone else into one as well, starting with Elmore Junior High. But of course, it was Gumball and Darwin who ruined everything again.
After Tina knocked him unconscious and he only woke up in the middle of the night, it seemed like the show had ended. The Void worked its magic and started to spread in the hallways of the school. Rob was trying to hang on, but he fell inside and landed back where he was all those months ago.
This is it, he thought. I failed.
As he landed on the ground and slowly dusted himself off as he stood up, he was greeted with a voice he would rather never have heard again.
"So, we meet again. Guess your plans didn't work out like you thought they would, did they?", The Void mocked him.
Rob looked down in frustration, knowing that it's too late now.
"You won. So this is it, huh? You're going to suck all of Elmore inside here and then have your stupid movie?", Rob asked.
"Actually, there has been a change of plans.", The Void answered, as Rob lifted his head in confusion and curiosity.
...
And now it continues:
...
"A change of plans? What do you mean? Will there be a movie or not!?", Rob asked in frustration.
"Yes. And No.", The Void answered.
"Okay, just because you're a mysterious concept doesn't mean you have to give such cryptic answers all the time. That doesn't make you cooler just so you know.", Rob reprimanded the entity while crossing his arms.
"Alright, allow me to explain. We still want to do the movie with everyone in the Void but we can't do that right now.", the static world started.
Rob raised his eyebrows... ahem, single eyebrow... as it continued talking.
"The show has grown more powerful than expected. Sucking the whole thing here in one go won't work anymore at this point.", it admitted.
"So the town will survive?", Rob asked hopefully.
"HA! In your face!" he taunted with a smug smile. "Or whatever the thing is your voice comes out of I suppose."
"Not so fast. I said I can't do it as things are right now. Not that it's impossible in general. I still brought you here again. Why do you think I did that?", The Void asked.
Rob stopped for a moment, wondering what its plan was then. Although he couldn't think of anything he didn't like the implication, knowing that the whole plot of him becoming a villain was only because of this thing so it's clearly very scheming and plans ahead.
"I'm still going to suck Elmore in. But I'll have to weaken it first. But for that I need time. And I can't risk someone like you running around and talking about or predicting the end of the world there. That'll just be further trouble if anyone else finds out too early.", The Void explained.
"And why did you send me back there last time in the first place then!? You know I wanted to tell everyone and find a way to stop it!", Rob wondered.
"Because that side-plot made some more nice episodes for the show as long as you wouldn't succeed. But now, the show is finished, meaning you have no reason to continue living amongst them except to be a liability for my plans."
"So what? I'm going to be here alone with you again until your plan is complete and you weakened Elmore enough?", Rob asked sarcastically, although that was exactly what it had planned.
"Yes. Don't worry, I'll keep you entertained. I must admit, it's nice having someone to talk to in the meantime.", The Void admitted.
"The feeling is not mutual. I can tell you that much.", Rob grunted.
"Alright, I'll bite. How are you going to weaken Elmore?", he asked.
"Easy, I'm going to unleash someone on it who has the power to damage it beyond repair.", The Void calmly stated.
That statement got Rob to laugh.
"Oh, that was a good one.", he chuckled.
"I'm not sure if you ever noticed but this freaking town is indestructible! Any damage to it, no matter how severe, is repaired over the course of 11 minutes."
"Ah, yeah. A side effect of the show. But those aren't going to be working anymore. Plot Armor is officially off I'm afraid." The Void answered, full well knowing what that would eventually result in.
"Okay, not sure what that means but even then, individuals like Gumball cause havoc almost every day and we got used to it. So who is supposed to be so powerful that they can make a difference?", Rob asked, not believing that anyone could be significantly worse than what the town has already experienced in the past.
"Child, if you think Gumball is the epitome of destruction you have seen nothing yet.", The Void answered condescendingly.
"Especially considering this specific individual has some unfinished business with the Wattersons. And I don't think he will tread lightly there.
The only thing he still needs is a host to provide a body. And luckily I still haven't made use of one of my biggest trump cards yet.", The Void finished while a recording of Darwin opened in the static sky.
"Darwin?", Rob asked, almost wanting to laugh again.
"What is he supposed to do? He's clearly the harmless one and usually only a part of the chaos because of Gumball."
"So it would seem from a distance. And maybe even within. But there's more to him. His origin.", The Void explained.
"Alright, I'm getting pretty sick of your cryptic nonsense. Why is he your chosen one host for destruction?", Rob asked impatiently.
"I don't want to ruin every surprise or else you'll have no reason to be excited for what comes next.", The Void addressed Rob and maybe the reader too.
"Let's just put it this way: Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. And there's a reason why Darwin ended up where he did.", The Void teased.
...
About a half a day later it was calm in the Watterson residence as Anais was having a tea party with Daisy the Donkey in her room, which she mostly used for stuff like this.
Suddenly, Darwin walked inside.
"Hey, Anais. Are you doing anything fun?", he asked.
"Well, that depends on your definition of fun. I am, but I'm not sure you would enjoy it too much.", she answered, while filling Daisy's cup with some imaginary tea.
"Better than nothing. I'm bored right now.", Darwin replied before walking over and sitting aside from her on the floor.
"I take it Gumball is still busy with his anniversary for him and Penny?", Anais concluded.
"Yeah, can't believe it's already been one year since they got together now. Especially since none of us aged a single day in that time.", Darwin explained, still being confused about how that even worked.
"I can see that, but I know you well enough to see there's something else bothering you.", Anais theorized with a curious look.
"It's just... I know it's stupid. Forget about it.", Darwin quickly brushed it off.
"Come on, you can tell me. You know I won't judge you for being stupid. I'm used to it.", Anais reassured him while placing her hand on his fin and being both sincere and a little joking.
"Ouch.", Darwin replied jokingly himself before taking a deep breath and opening up.
"I know I shouldn't be jealous of their relationship anymore, especially since I have one myself now and Gumball more than reassured me that we would still be the same.
And I know he's focusing his time on her now so everything is perfect for their anniversary, but...", he trailed off.
"But what?", Anais asked in a worried tone.
"But I just can't help it! It's like there's this voice in the back of my head that gives me bad thoughts about him really abandoning me for her. And I know it makes no logical sense, but it's there anyway! It's like there's this part of me that is a different person and wants me to think negatively and I don't know what to do about it!", Darwin ranted.
Anais saw how much this was getting to Darwin. She wasn't the best at these pep talks since she's better at being rational than emotional but maybe with her own reasoning, she could get him to see that he's just worrying too much.
"Darwin, it's alright. This is a feeling not a thought. And feelings aren't logical, they're emotional. So it would only make sense that you feel this way with how much you care about your bond with Gumball. Even if your brain knows deep down that it will never happen.", Anais explained in an attempt to reassure him.
Darwin wiped a tear off his face before facing her.
"Y-You really think so? It's not my fault?", he asked hopefully.
"Not one bit. Besides, it's only temporary. Once their anniversary is over, he'll spend more than enough time with you again. Just remember that you always have people who love you and who you can open up to if you ever feel like this.", Anais finished.
After taking her words in for a second, Darwin reached over to hug her.
"Thanks, sis. I needed to hear that. You're the best!"
"And don't you forget it!", Anais responded while hugging him back.
Darwin trusted Anais. Both as his sister and someone who is smart enough to know what she's talking about, so he was glad that she thought it wasn't a problem.
Especially since he often felt like this whenever it seemed like a loved one was neglecting him. Something that fills his head with negative things. It was what pushed him to be so cruel to Penny back when she and Gumball started dating.
After everything was sorted out though, he felt awful about it and didn't understand how he could've pushed things so far. That was completely unlike him.
As nice as Darwin usually was, it was like this part of him wasn't in sync with the rest of his personality and sometimes brought out the worst in him. Suggesting stuff such as kidnapping Tobias' mother to force him to give their game back or to basically enslave Elmore to ensure its safety.
But there was usually always someone who got him to realize that this wasn't the way to do things. Whether it was Gumball or somebody else.
It scared Darwin sometimes, but he supposed it wasn't a big deal. Nobody is perfect, right? Everyone has a dark side to some degree. But as long as you don't let it take control of yourself, everything is fine.
"Mom is also busy with preparing this special dinner for her and Dad.", Anais suddenly commented.
"Really? But their anniversary has just been a few months ago. And there's no way they forgot that again after what happened last time.", Darwin responded.
"Nah, she just wanted to take advantage of finally having saved enough money for them to eat at the fanciest restaurant in town for once before some event of destruction will take it out of her pocket.
Right now she would be especially angry if that got messed up by some disaster somehow. So better be careful.", Anais warned.
"Hey, you should tell Gumball that! Not me.", Darwin argued.
"Yeah, I know. I'm just saying.", Anais chuckled.
As silence settled in for a few moments, Darwin's gaze wandered over to Daisy for a moment.
"So, you have no problem with Daisy... considering what happened?", he asked uneasily.
"Not really. It wasn't Daisy that was the problem but this evil tyrant. And he's gone now. Far away from us without ever coming back.", Anais casually answered.
"Yeah but... isn't it really creepy in hindsight? That he was in there the entire time while you thought it was just a normal doll? Listening, learning, scheming-"
"I'M TRYING NOT TO THINK ABOUT THAT, OKAY!?", Anais suddenly jumped up, scaring Darwin.
"Sorry, sorry! I was just... worried about you, you know?", Darwin tried to ease the tension.
"*sigh* Yeah, I know. Sorry for lashing out at you.", Anais apologized.
"Nah, it's alright. I shouldn't have brought it up. Let's just change the topic, maybe?", the fish offered.
"Good idea.", Anais agreed. "So, anything weird that happened in school today after that whole um- thing yesterday?"
"Not really. No sight of Rob today. I guess he gave up on his weird plan after Tina beat him to a pulp.", Darwin concluded.
"Oh, is that what the deep hole in the hallway was from?", Anais asked, remembering how she saw a big, bottomless hole randomly being in the middle of the hallways at school today that everyone noticed and walked around without understanding where it came from.
"Not sure. It was exactly at the point where Tina pounded Rob into the ground, but there was no hole afterwards. Unless she came back later and finished the job even more thoroughly. Who knows?
But Rob left us alone today. He usually doesn't do two schemes in two days. He fails once and then he comes back with something new a few weeks later.", Darwin explained.
"I can't believe I still haven't met him. Why is it always that Gumball and you are involved whenever he is causing trouble and never me?", Anais asked in frustration.
"Honestly, might be better this way.", Darwin added with a concerned look.
"Some of the stuff he has done wasn't exactly harmless. I wouldn't want you to be involved there."
"That's exactly why I should be there! What if he ever does something to Gumball or you and I can't help it!?", she wondered.
Darwin shook his head for a second in amusement before answering.
"Anais, it's not your job to worry about us. We're your big brothers. We have to keep you safe, not the other way around.", he said while leaning forward.
"But you know I can help! I also saved you before-", she began but Darwin cut her off.
"I know you can but that doesn't mean you should. You're already helping us enough otherwise and shouldn't bother yourself with everything. Gumball and I can handle ourselves.", he reassured her.
"I know. But if there ever is anything you need me for-"
"Then you will find out first. Now let's relax a little, sis. Enough talk about dangerous stuff. Let's just enjoy the day.", Darwin advised with a carefreeness Anais wished she had sometimes.
"Alright. Let's do that.", she agreed before her conversation with her adopted brother shifted to lighter topics.
What neither of them knew is that their conversation was watched by someone.
Someone from a different reality who had access to what they were doing without being physically there, so they had no chance of seeing them.
"With that I already have everything I need. Enjoy the day with your loving family, Darwin Watterson.
For it will be your last opportunity to do that. Starting tomorrow, I'll rewrite everything."