G5 Adventures in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run

by ponydog127

Rating: everyone
Tags: Original Character, Comedy, My Little Pony: A New Generation, Dragons, Adventure, Mane 5, Crossover, Allura, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Misty
Length: 37829

Our heroes journey back to Bikini Bottom, where they must join with SpongeBob, Patrick and all their friends, old and new, to rescue Gary from King Poseidon and Allura, who is using the king to find the star she desperately desires.

After finding out the map they were given at the end of their last adventure will lead them to the Dragon Lands, the Mane 6 head there to let the dragons know that Opaline isn't a danger to them anymore. But while they are convincing the dragons they mean no harm, they are called on another Unity Quest... this time, it may be their biggest adventure yet.

When SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary is snail-napped, a trail of clues lead him, Patrick, their sea-unicorn companions and the Mane 6 to the powerful King Poseidon, who is keeping Gary in the Lost City of Atlantic City. 

But… he’s not the only villain in this story that our heroes will have to deal with. Allura and her minion Twitch are here as well, looking for a fragment of a very powerful star that will lead Allura to other realms, and Sunny and her friends already have one of those pieces in their possession already. If she gets the rest of those pieces and combines them, she will be unstoppable.

On the mission to save Gary (and unknowingly, the entire ocean from Allura), the Mane 6 team up with Bikini Bottom friends, old and new, on a hilarious and heartwarming journey where they discover nothing is more powerful than family and true friendship.

(S3E3 of G5 Adventures)

Published 2024-01-11 20:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-01-19 04:45:58 UTC

Journey to the Isle of Scaly

It was a few days after the last Unity Quest had ended, and the Mane 6 made a remarkable discovery-- the map they had been given was a map to the Isle of Scaly, aka… the Dragon Lands!

And since Opaline was no longer a threat, they decided to take a little sky trip (basically the same thing as a road trip, but in the Marestream) to the Isle of Scaly to let the dragons know that they were no longer in danger.

It took a few days to get all the materials they needed (extra food, blankets, entertainment), and once they had everything they needed, they said goodbye to their friends and families before setting off on their journey.

XXXXXXXX

Only a few hours after setting off, the Mane 6 and Sparky were flying high in the sky in the Marestream with music loudly playing while Pipp is singing to pass the time. “Can you turn that down, Pipp?” Zipp asked her singing sister with an annoyed tone. “I can barely hear myself navigate!”

“What?” Pipp called out. “I can't hear you over this intense music for our ‘Trip to the Dragonlands’ playlist I made!”

Luckily, Sunny turned off the radio, much to Zipp’s relief. “Thank you.”

“Hey!” Pipp pouted. “I was just trying to keep the mood light. It’s so tense in here…”

“That’s because none of us have ever been to the Isle of Scaly,” Hitch pointed out. “Who knows what we’ll find when we’re there.”

“But we have to let the dragons know about Opaline’s defeat,” Misty said. “They’ve been hiding for so long, and now they can repopulate the world again!”

Zipp sighed worriedly. “At least… let’s hope they aren’t too hostile.”

Soon the Marestream came through some clouds and were approaching a cliffside with a large hole in the middle. The ponies gasped at seeing this, but Zipp steered the Marestream through the whole where everyone saw a huge tunnel filled with multi-colored lights.

As the group gazed around in wonder, Zipp saw the map Sparky restored fading as the dragon fire magic wore off. “Spark-alert! We have a map situation again!”

“Step back! Step back! Dragon magic incoming!” Izzy called with a smile as Sparky burped dragon fire into the map, restoring it as it showed the path to the Dragon Lands again. But then, the Marestream was coming up on an intersection, which made them panic. “Whoops!” Zipp exclaimed with wide eyes. “It’s gonna be a hard left!”

“Hold onto your cutie marks!!” Sunny cried out as Zipp made the turn, making Sunny and Misty slam into each other as the group screamed. Moving through the tunnels, the Mane 6 finally came out in the Dragon Lands, making them gasp. “We made it!” Izzy cheered with her cheeks on the windshield. “All right, Zipp, let’s land this thing!” Sunny smiled. “We have some dragons to see!”

Zipp did as she asked and landed the Marestream on the ground, allowing the group, except for Sparky, who was sleepy and wanted to take a nap, to hop out. “Let’s not pat ourselves on the back too much,” Hitch spoke up. “These dragons have been asleep for ages. They still could be.”

That’s when Izzy got an idea, a cheerful grin on her face. “Let’s wake ‘em up!”

”We’re heeeeeeeeeeeeeeere, yeah!!!!” Pipp sang cheerfully, flying up into the air a good ways, but... the group was then met with a rather unfriendly voice.

”But why… are you here?”

The voice belonged to a large female dragon who was indeed four-legged with hot pink tinted horns, underbelly and scales, and a short aquamarine mane, with orange and aquamarine in her wings.

A yellow dragon, an orangish-colored dragon, a white dragon, a red dragon, a blue dragon and a green dragon were behind the pink one, just as the pink dragon spread her wings as she advanced towards Sunny, and the earth pony mare backed away a bit. “You are trespassing on the Isle of Scaly,” the dragon said suspiciously. “Who are you?”

“I’m Sunny,” Sunny started nervously. “This is Hitch… Izzy… Pipp…”

Pipp waved nervously. “Hi.”

“Zipp…”

Zipp tried to smile. “Hi.”

“...and Misty.”

Misty let through a nervous squeak, ears pinned. But even with these introductions, the pink dragon still gave a firm suspicious look. “Okay. Why are you here?”

“We… uh…” Sunny tried to find her wording. “We have a message for all of you.”

But before she could explain, Izzy stepped forward to all the dragons. “Hi, nice to meet you! I’m Izzy. We flew over here in the Marestream, which might be broken. I wanted to make a good first impression so I made these charms for you. They have our names so you can remember your new friends,” Izzy revealed the friendship bracelets, putting them on the dragons’ paws before she gasped, realizing she had not let them say their names. “What are your names?”

“I’m Luxxe,” the yellow dragon with the purple, orange, and yellow tinted wings and membranes smiled. “You made this? I love it!”

“Hoof to heart, Luxxe!” Izzy offered her hoof. The yellow dragon accepted the gesture, but ended up pushing Izzy away by accident.

The other dragon next to Luxxe, a green one, licked the bracelet out of curiosity before letting out a 'bleh' in disgust. “Leaf, be nice to them. They brought presents,” said the orange dragon with blue tinted horns and white and blue wing membranes advised. “I want a good one. Are they all the same, Tumble?” Leaf addressed Tumble before Luxxe happily jumped onto him before flying off with his bracelet. “Hey!”

The blue dragon came near Pipp, landing on the Marestream. “I'm Fountain. What are you doing?”

“Hi, I’m Pipp,” Pipp greeted quickly before she looked back at her phone. “I'm just trying to find a signal. Ugh! My phone is really acting up.”

“Um, signal?” Fountain asked in confusion before giving an uncertain look. “Uh… I don’t know if we have that here. Also, what is a phone?”

Pipp gasped multiple times, making several shocked expressions before finally responding. “What did you just say to me?!”

The dragon just stood there in place, having no idea what all of that was.

At the same time, Misty carefully approached the remaining three dragons. “Uh… hi there. I’m Misty. What are your names?”

“I’m Jade,” the white dragon smiled. “The red dragon is Lava, and that’s Blaize.”

“Jade, I don’t think we need to be talking to them,” Lava spoke with uncertainty. “What if they’re with the evil pony who tried to take our fire all those moons ago?”

“You mean Opaline?” Sunny asked. “That’s why we wanted to talk to you.”

Just then, the group heard babbling sounds as they all turned to the Marestream as the door opened as the dragons gasped in shock when they saw Sparky coming out with a yawn, having just woken up from his nap as he walked up to Hitch and climbed on his back. “A hatchling?!” Luxxe cooed landing on Blaize before said dragon tossed her off. “If you aren't with the dragon-napper pony,” Blaize started in anger, “then why do you have a baby dragon?!”

Izzy then decided to clear the air. “That’s Sparky. Hitch found his egg back in Equestria and took care of him! He’s sort of Sparky’s dad now.”

Blaize stomped her foot in front of Hitch and glared at him dangerously as she snorted at him while Hitch flinched and gave a nervous look. “His pony dad!” he quickly corrected. “But really he’s my best friend and little deputy and… so much more!”

“Fry my tail! There hasn't been any baby dragons here in a volcano's age!” Tumble exclaimed. “What?!”

“It’s like a miracle!” Leaf said as he shook Tumble. “The Dragon Lord told us that a hatchling being born within the world of ponies would let us know that it was safe to go back into the world again!”

“Do you think we can talk to the Dragon Lord?” Zipp asked. “We have something really important to tell him... tell all of you, actually.”

The dragons seemed unsure, looking at one another for a moment… until Luxxe looked over at Blaize with a gentle smile. “I don’t think these ponies are our enemies.”

Blaize sighed with the shake of her head. “You’re too quick to trust, Luxxe. I still don't understand why they came all the way out here.”

“Well… the best way to find out would be to take them to the Dragon Lord… right?” Jade asked. “That way, they can tell all of us at the same time.”

Eventually, Blaize sighed, relenting. “...fine. Follow us little ponies. We will lead you to our ancient, much larger, much wiser and much more secretive leader.”

The ponies and Sparky eagerly followed the dragons away, and Sunny found herself walking between Fountain and Blaize. “I really appreciate this,” Sunny said to Blaize with a smile. “I know it can be difficult to trust newcomers, but I want to assure you that we are on your team.”

Blaize gave a chuckle from that. “And we will see when we meet the leader, if we are on yours.”

“I hope you are, because I just know we’ll be better together. I can feel it!”

Fountain then leaned down to Sunny, “So what are you, the leader of the ponies?”

“No, um… I just like to plan what we do and support my friends and be an ally for anypony who needs it!” Sunny explained with a smile. “Whatever,” Blaize said as she shook her head. “Here’s the thing: When we meet the leader of dragons, you are the leader of ponies. Got it?”

Sunny nodded at this, and the three continued to follow their friends, old and new. “So all dragons have different kinds of magic?” Hitch asked Tumble, who nodded. “That's right. Watch this dude!”

Tumble blasted out his blue fire, which revealed to create wind magic as it made branches swirl around in a sphere. “Whoa-ho-ho-ho! Is that why they call you--” Hitch tried to ask with Tumble interjected. “Tumble? Ha-ha! You got it!” he said with a smile. “Luxxe can illuminate with her light magic. Fountain can bend and spray water with her fire! Oh! It's so cool!”

They soon walked up to a clearing where they saw a cave with two green flames on the side and a huge, medieval horn in front of it. “This must be where the Dragon Lord lives?” Sunny asked. “Where he hibernates,” Fountain clarified before Blaire blew into the horn, which made them all cringe from the loud sound as the group looked in curiosity and soon a roar sounded before a very familiar-looking dragon came out with a yawn.

The dragons and Zipp bowed immediately, and Zipp turned to look at the others. “It's probably a good time to bow.”

The others did so, but as she did, Sunny looked up while looking at the dragon in wonder. “Hmm… he looks familiar. Right?”

“Ponies of Equestria, our exulted leader of Dragons. Dragon Lord Spike!” Blaize introduced as Spike yawned again, and Sunny's eyes went wide in surprise. “SPIKE?!”

Spike looked at the ponies and creatures for a moment before he flew down to them and gave another yawn, which released his familiar green flames before he chuckled. “Whoa, heh. Excuse my breath. Just woke up.”

“We are honored to meet such a legend as ‘the’ Spike!” Sunny squeaked in excitement. “Is it okay if I call you Spike?”

“It would be weird if you called me Fred or something, because that’s not my name!” Spike laughed while nudging Blaire, who raised a brow at this. “I just want you to know that I’m a big fan,” Sunny said with a huge smile. “When I was a foal, my father told me stories of you, of legends of Equestria’s past!”

“Legend, huh?” Spike asked with an interesting smirk. “I don’t know about that. Seriously, I don’t know about that. My memory is a little foggy after all these centuries of magical hibernation. What moon is this?”

“I know how that is,” Hitch said with a small smile. “I can’t remember anything when I wake up. It’s a miracle I can remember to put my badge on in the morning.”

“You're not wearing a badge,” Jade pointed out. Hitch looked down only to look back up to see Sparky giggling while holding his badge. “Your Spike-ness, they have...a hatchling!” Tumble informed. Spike lowered his head down to get closer to Sparky, who hugged him in response. “So this is why you came to find us.”

“Well... not entirely,” Zipp then spoke. “You know how there was this evil alicorn named Opaline that tried to strip you all of your dragon fire?”

“Yes… her insatiable thirst for magic is why I had to part ways with Twilight and my friends,” Spike growled. “Why do you ask?”

“Well… it took quite a long time,” said Misty, “but… she’s defeated now! The Together Trees in the mortal world imprisoned her in their roots, and she won’t be bothering anyone else again!”

The dragons gasped at this, some of them smiling… while Blaize just looked more skeptical than ever. “Do you really expect us to believe that and walk right into your trap?”

“Well… if that’s not enough to convince you,” said Hitch as Sunny got the dragonstone out from her bag, “will this convince you?”

Spike gasped at this. “The dragonstone! It was stolen from us, and… I-I thought that it was gone forever! You got it back?”

“We did, and we wanted to bring it back where it belongs,” said Sunny. “And… we’re hoping that you could accept this as a friendship offering? I have a feeling that whatever threats come our way, we could handle it together.”

“...your Spikeness, I think we should trust them,” Luxxe said. “They wouldn’t have come all this way if they didn’t care.”

“...I’m still not sure,” Blaize sighed. “How can we be sure that they can be trusted? We don’t know anything about ponies.”

Spike turned to her with a firm look. “Well I do, Blaize. My whole life was centered with my pony friends, and I would be happy to be friends with ponies again.”

But before anything else could be said, the ponies' cutie marks began to glow brightly, and the magic from them formed a portal not too far away. “Wow,” Fountain gasped. “What is that?”

“A Unity Quest portal!” Sunny exclaimed. “Somepony must need our help!”

“But do we really have to go?” Zipp asked. “I feel like we’re finally making some progress!”

“We do, Zipp. Spike, we should be back soon,” said Sunny. “You and your dragons can discuss about us once we’re gone.”

“Be back soon!” Izzy promised as the ponies went through the portal, letting it close behind them. “Uh…” Leaf blinked. “Did that just happen?”

“Apparently, we missed out on more than I realized…” Spike said to himself. “Dragons, I want to hear from all of you… this is going to be a discussion that could effect our future, and it isn’t to be taken lightly.”

Author's Note

(I did use some scenes from the Chapter 6 episode 'The Isle of Scaly' to make this chapter, if you guys were wondering.)

Returning to Bikini Bottom/The Story of the Ocean Spirits

All was still in the midst of the ocean... at least, until a large amount of bubbles exploded through the water, just before a swirling portal opened. Out from this portal swam the Mane 6 and Sparky, now in their underwater forms (sea-ponies and a tropical fish), causing them to look around. “Aww yeah!” Hitch said as he looked at his tail. “We’re sea-ponies again!”

“And that means one thing and one thing only!” Sunny smiled. “We’re back near Bikini Bottom!”

“Do you think SpongeBob and the others need our help with Plankton again?” Misty wondered. “I mean… I don’t think Plankton is ALL bad.”

“Maybe,” Zipp said. “We better get to the Krusty Krab and find out, though.”

“Hey, look!” Pipp pointed down the hill to see the Krusty Krab not too far away. “There it is, just down that hill! And it looks busy, like always.”

The group swam down to the building and looked inside through the windows. While the customers seemed normal, there was something kind of different in the restaurant.

Queen Skygrace, the famed queen of the hippogriffs/sea-ponies, was sitting in a corner of the restaurant, reading to several sea-pony foals and some fish kids, and all were very interested...

...until one of the foals, SpongeBob's little sea-unicorn companion Tropic Dancer saw them and burst out the door. “PONIES!!!”

The ponies groaned as they tumbled to the ground at the impact of Tropic’s hug, but hugged her back nonetheless. “I can’t believe you’re really here!” she squealed. “I was worried you were never gonna come back!”

“Of course we would come back,” Zipp said as they got up. “We just weren’t sure when yet.”

“Tropic!” SpongeBob cried as he and Arctic Pearl, Tropic’s twin sister, came to the door. “Are you okay? I… oh, hi, Sunny! Hi, everypony!”

“SpongeBob! Oh, it’s so good to see you again! You too, Arctic!” Sunny said as she gave them a hug. “We’re back for another Unity Quest, and we thought we would come by and see you.”

“You came on the perfect day! Queen Skygrace and Princess Riverstream are getting ready to tell us a story!” Arctic spoke. “Come and sit with us! SpongeBob’s gonna make us all some lunch later.”

“Hey, I’m always down for a story if it means I get to rest my hooves and fins,” Hitch said. “And if Sparky is occupied.”

“We could learn a few things as to what our Unity Quest is,” Zipp shrugged, “so yeah-- we’d love to.”

The twins and SpongeBob led their friends inside, where Skygrace and Riverstream swam over upon seeing their friends. “My, it’s good to see you ponies again!” Skygrace smiled. “A Unity Quest brought you, I assume?”

“You bet your glitter it did!” Izzy chirped. “But we wanted to come see you and listen to your story!”

“And even better,” said Arctic, pushing two more foals over to them, “you can meet our new best friends!”

Sunny and the the Mane 6 looked at one another in surprise before glancing down at the foals that were brought before them.

The first was a purple filly, a few shades darker than Izzy, with green eyes, a light and dark pink mane and tail with dark blue streaks, darker purple hooves and a cutie mark of a storm cloud on her back fin.

And the other young sea-pony was a colt with a short orange and blue mane, the same colors on his fin, blue eyes, darker red hooves and a cutie mark of a volcano on his back fin.

After the ponies looked at the two for a minute, SpongeBob stepped in to make introductions. “Guys, this is India Stormchaser and Volcano Spark. They’re staying with Sandy and Mr. Krabs for a little while, cause… well…”

“We were taken from our homes,” Volcano scoffed with a sneer. “It isn’t that hard to say.”

“Volcano!” India whispered scoldingly. “You don’t need to be rude!”

“...sorry…” Volcano apologized. “I just… I hate being in foster care! Ponies look at you in different ways when the truth comes out!”

“Hey… it’s okay,” Sunny said gently. “We won’t judge. We promise.”

“...wow, thanks,” India smiled. “Your Highness, are you and Riverstream gonna start the story now?”

“We certainly are,” Skygrace smiled. “Come on, ponies!” Riverstream said, tugging Izzy and Misty forward. “You can sit next to me!”

The ponies followed their friends to the circle and sat down on the floor while SpongeBob got ready to serve the Krabby Patties he was fixing.

At the same time, Skygrace sat down in her makeshift throne before she cleared her throat and began the story. “Back when I was little, my mother would tell me the story of the fabled ocean spirits-- mystical beings who had the power of the elements; plants, ice, storms and fire. There could be more, but only these four are known to us. These spirits would need to choose their new host every 50 years or so, cause no mortal can hold the power of the spirits forever. The spirits would choose those who are worthy, and kind at heart, to take command of their powers and protect their homes if they would need to, because if someone had malevolent intentions and used the spirits’ powers, bad things would happen.”

India gulped nervously at this. “So… no pressure or anything, choosing a random stranger who seems worthy.”

“So… has anyone from Bikini Bottom ever been chosen?” Tropic asked curiously. “Not that I’ve ever heard of, no,” Skygrace shook her head. “But… there is always a chance that it could happen someday.”

“Wow…”

“Uh… sis?” Riverstream whispered. “I hate to put a damper on the party, but we gotta go-- we have to head to the Sea-Pony Summit before sundown!”

“Oh… you’re right!” Skygrace looked at the clock. “Sorry, my little ones. We have to be on our way now.”

Needless to say… no one was really happy.

“Aww, no fair!”

“You just got here!”

“We wanna hear more of the story!”

That’s when Zipp and Sunny swam forward to calm the kids down. “Hey, don’t worry, kiddos,” said Zipp. “Me and my friends can always tell you about one of our adventures up in the surface world. I’m sure it can be just as fun as Queen Skygrace’s story about the spirits.”

“Trust me, they’re really cool!” Tropic vouched for the ponies. “They’re literal heroes!”

Slowly, the other kids began to agree, and Skygrace sighed and looked at the Mane 6 with a smile. “Thank you all so much. I hope to see you again soon, but we have to get to the summit and make sure all the sea-ponies in the ocean colonies aren’t going to go to war.”

“You girls go on ahead,” said Sunny. “Have a safe trip!”

The royal sea-pony sisters took their leave, leaving Sunny to sit on the throne while SpongeBob served everybody some Krabby Patties. “Now… I think a good story to start is with how we met SpongeBob and the others. It all started one day in Equestria, trying to figure out a way to defeat an evil fire alicorn…”

XXXXXXXX

Needless to say, all the kids loved the story that Sunny and her friends told, and after storytime was over, the parents and Sandy came to pick up Volcano and the other kids, leaving India looking after the Krusty Krab for a while.

That left SpongeBob to take Arctic home, and Tropic and the Mane 6 decided to accompany them. “Thanks for taking me home, guys,” Arctic smiled. “I hope you guys find your Unity Quest… and I really hope it isn’t anything dangerous like last time.”

“You and us both, sister,” Pipp spoke up. “I am NOT in the mood for anything dangerous right now.”

“Arctic! You’re home!” Patrick said, running to hug her, but quickly changing direction once he saw the Mane 6. “SUNNY!!”

Sunny squeaked as Patrick enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug, and chuckled after catching her breath. “Those hugs are never gonna change, are they, Patrick?” she asked with a chuckle. “Anyway, it’s good to see you too.”

“Can you guys come stay at my house?” Patrick asked. “There’s plenty of room aside from Arctic and me!”

“Uh… Patrick, sweetie? I love you dearly, but I am not staying underneath a rock,” Pipp spoke gently. “Living under rocks and being a pop-star princess just don’t mix.”

“But don’t worry!” Hitch reassured. “We’ll be here for a little while, so we can definitely come over one time.”

“Great!” Arctic chirped before yawning. “We better get inside for bedtime, Patrick… I spent all day helping set up for Queen Skygrace’s visit, and I am absolutely beat! Will we see you guys tomorrow?”

“Sure,” Tropic nodded. “Surprisingly, Mr. Krabs is giving us the day off for his ‘money counting day’, so we’ll have plenty of time to hang out and catch up.”

“Well, then I guess we’ll see you both tomorrow!” Misty waved goodbye before the groups set off to their homes/temporary resting places.

XXXXXXXX

Soon, night was falling, and SpongeBob and Tropic were getting ready for bed, as well as setting up some sleeping bags for the ponies. “So, Tropic, you seem to have really come out of your shell since we last saw you,” Zipp smiled. “What changed?”

“Well, after you guys left from helping us get King Neptune’s crown back,” said Tropic, “I realized that the past was the past, and I couldn’t change anything about Grandpa’s abuse. So… I decided to embrace this new life to the fullest, and me and Arctic and the rest of our friends are really happy being together.”

“We’re glad things are turning out well for you,” Sunny smiled. “Things just keep getting crazier and crazier for us… even leading us to the Dragon Lands and defeating an evil snow leopard.”

“Whoa… that sounds a little crazy, even for me,” SpongeBob commented. “Hey… has anyone seen Gary?”

“Here he is!” Izzy swam up the stairs with Gary in her hooves. “Little guy was sleeping downstairs, and I thought he should be up with SpongeBob for the night.”

Gary meowed as he was sat down before he crawled up to SpongeBob and laid on the bed with him, while Tropic got in her little bed right beside SpongeBob's. “Well… we’ll see you ponies in the morning,” SpongeBob yawned. “Then we can help you find whatever your Unity Quest is about…”

“Good night…”

“Sleep tight, SpongeBob!”

“Night, Tropic!”

“Night, everypony.”

And so, everyone settled down for a pleasant night's rest and an upcoming day of fun... unaware of the dangers and tasks they would have to face within a few days' time.

Morning at the Krusty Krab

The night was still... a dark blanket covering the underwater world with a few white dots providing light for all those below them.

Everyone down in Bikini Bottom was pleasantly sleeping in their homes... well... all except one.

XXXXXXXX

Sunny was walking around in a snowy landscape, surrounded by the stars above. It looked a lot like Starlight Ridge, but... nopony else was around. “Hello?!” she called, looking around. “Is anypony out there?! Pipp?! Misty?! Izzy?! Hitch?! Zipp?!”

“Well well well… we meet again… ALICORN.”

Sunny froze immediately at this voice. She knew that voice, even though she only heard it briefly, but… that was impossible!

When she turned to face the voice, she was stunned to meet with a familiar foe... a winged snow leopard with purple fur and lavender spots with indigo lines and lavender floof, especially under her tail, claws and paws. Her wings had purple, blue, and green feathers, plus she had a short mane that swept to her right which is blue with stripes of purple, cyan, and pink. Allura also had golden slitted eyes and a symbol on her side consisting of a pink star with purple lights in front of cyan spiral.

Sunny backed up a few steps when this snow leopard landed on the ground. “Allura?! How… how-- how are you here? We left you back in Starlight Ridge!”

“Oh, you’re mistaken, my little pony,” Allura said in a sinister tone, carefully taking a few steps toward her. “I am free now… and I am going to make sure that you are out of the way so I can get… my… STAR!!!”

With a vengeful roar, Allura leapt right at Sunny and would have tackled her to the ground if Sunny hadn’t activated her alicorn form and flown out of harm’s way. A thin layer of ice covered the ground as soon as Allura landed, and unfortunately, Allura wasn’t prone to giving up so easily.

She flapped her wings and took to the air after Sunny, who easily tried to dodge her hypnotic purrs, and Sunny was able to avoid her for a while... until Allura suddenly appeared in front of Sunny, tackling her to the ground.

While she was pinned by Allura, Sunny could now see the evil intent within the snow leopard's eyes. “Now… where was I…?”

“NO!!” Sunny pleaded, ears pinned with terror. “PLEASE!!!”

XXXXXXXX

Sunny immediately woke up after this, eyes wide as she panted.

That nightmare was way too real... but... dreams weren't real... were they?

No... they weren't.

...unless they weren't dreams at all, but visions of the future.

“Sunny…?”

A quiet voice brought Sunny out of her thoughts, and looked to see Izzy looking at her in concern. “Are you okay?”

“Oh… yeah, sorry, Izzy,” Sunny apologized. “I just… had a bad dream about Allura.”

“That evil snow leopard?” Izzy swam over to her. “Why did you dream about her?”

“I’m not sure, exactly,” Sunny sighed shakingly. “She said that she was free from the boundaries in Starlight Ridge, and she was going to stop us from stopping her and her quest to find the star she wanted. I’m not exactly sure if it was a dream or a vision, but whatever it was… it was scary.”

“Hmmm… I think Elder Flower might be able to help you figure that out once we get back to Equestria,” Izzy said after a moment of thought. “She really is a pony who’s good at figuring things out… even if you don’t really understand what she’s trying to say.”

“I hope so,” Sunny sighed. “We’ve already dealt with a lot… Opaline’s first AND second defeats and bringing Paradise to the side of good. If we have to deal with Allura on top of these things…”

“Hey, don’t worry, Sunny-Bunny!” Izzy reassured. “If she is back, we’ll stop her just like we always do… together! Right?”

“...right. Thanks, Izzy.”

“No problem! Now let’s get back to bed-- we have a whole day of fun planned for tomorrow and I don’t wanna miss a second of it!”

Izzy immediately swam back to her sleeping bag and fell asleep instantly, and Sunny prayed that she wouldn't have that dream again before she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

XXXXXXXX

The rest of that night passed, and Sunny didn't have another nightmare (to her relief). And soon, the sun began to rise over Bikini Bottom, leading many to begin to start their day.

For Sandy, that meant getting up early with Volcano, who formed an immediate attachment to her, and working on a top-secret robotic project.

For Mr. Krabs, it meant getting up just as early and counting his money (every coin and every dollar) while India read her favorite stories in the living room.

And for SpongeBob and Tropic... well, since they didn't have a day off very often, they decided to sleep in, prompting the Mane 6 and Sparky to do the same.

But for one, namely Gary, SpongeBob's beloved pet snail, letting SpongeBob sleep late wasn't part of the equation, so he climbed up onto SpongeBob, using Tropic and her bed as an extra step and smeering his snail slime all over the two in an attempt to try to wake them up.

Eventually, this worked, and SpongeBob eventually sat up, Gary’s snail slime all over his face. “Oh, heh… morning, Gary.”

“...yeah, morning,” Tropic yawned, rubbing her eyes before feeling Gary’s slime dripping down her back. “Ewww, snail slime! Yucky!!”

“But you have to admit,” SpongeBob said, rubbing in the substance on his face, “it is oddly soothing.”

“For you maybe, but for me… no way,” Tropic shook off the slime. “Now… I believe we have some friends to wake.”

That’s when she plugged in her karaoke machine and cleared her throat before singing at the top of her lungs. “GOOOOOOOOOD MOOOOOORNING EVERYPOOOOOONYYYYYYYYYYYYY, WHOO!!!”

The Mane 6 screamed in panic, waking up with a start. “Kill it with fire!!” Hitch shrieked before realizing what happened. “Tropic… what time is it?” Zipp asked the green sea-unicorn filly as she rubbed her eyes. “Only a little bit past eight,” Tropic said, “but we gotta get going! We only have one day off and I don’t wanna waste it!”

“She may be right, ponies,” Sunny said as she got up. “We might be able to find our Unity Quest while we’re out today, so… what do we do first?”

“First things first,” SpongeBob said, wiping the slime off his face before opening the window and sticking his head out. “Good moooorning, Patriiiiiiiick!!!”

Suddenly, Patrick’s rock home flipped open, and he was sticking on the bottom of it while Arctic was trying to get some shuteye herself. “Goooooood morniiiiiiing, SpongeBoooooooobb!!!”

“Good moooorning, Patriiiiiiiick!!!”

“Goooooood morniiiiiiing, SpongeBoooooooobb!!!”

However, in the middle of their houses was Squidward's house, and Tropic knew that Squidward usually practiced his clarinet this time of morning when he wasn't at work. So... he wouldn't be happy with all the interruptions going on.

And her theory was proven when Squidward opened up his window in apparent rage. “Would you two knuckleheads keep it down out here?!”

SpongeBob and Patrick were indeed quiet for a few seconds, but then they both shouted in unison. “Gooooooooood morniiiiiiiing, Squidwaaaaaaaard!!!”

At this remark, Squidward slammed his window angrily and accidentally closed it on his nose, making him scream in pain and causing Sunny to rush to the window. “Sorry, Squidward! We had no idea he was gonna disturb you!” she called. “Want us to come over and patch up your nose?”

“No no… it’s fine! Don’t worry about me, Sunny!” Squidward groaned in pain. “Just… keep the yellow boob out of trouble, alright?!”

“Yeah, will do!” Sunny promised as she shut the window. “Phew… that was a disaster narrowly avoided…”

“We better get downstairs,” Tropic smiled. “We gotta get our day started with some breakfast!”

“Good idea,” Hitch smiled. “Lead the way!”

XXXXXXXX

Tropic was actually a big help in the kitchen, and Sunny was able to prepare a smoothie for every pony in the group, especially their favorite flavors.

Now, it was time for SpongeBob and Gary’s meal. “Come on, Gary! Breakfast!”

Gary slowly trudged into the kitchen where SpongeBob raked a can of snail food into Gary’s bowl… before putting ANOTHER can of snail food into his own bowl, much to the ponies’ confusion. “Does he do this all the time?” Misty asked. “Sorta. I think it’s sorta disgusting,” whispered Tropic, “but I do respect his choices, so…”

SpongeBob and Gary each took one bite of their meal, prompting Gary to burp and for SpongeBob to giggle. “You’re welcome.”

Gary immediately turned over for a belly scratch, causing Misty to coo, seeing such a sweet gesture. “Who wants a belly scratch?” she asked, rubbing Gary’s belly with her hoof. “You know, Gary, you are one cute little snail… and I am SO glad that SpongeBob has a pet like you.”

At this compliment, Gary meowed with his eyes growing wide. “Okay, playtime!” Tropic said, getting a toy out of Gary’s bin and holding it high in her magic. “Gary… what’s this? What’s this?”

Gary immediately jumped up and ate the toy whole, leaving nothing behind. “...okay,” Tropic grimaced just like her friends, “that’ll come out later. Now, we need to take Gary on a walk.”

“Good idea…” Pipp shuddered. “Anything to get that image out of my mind.”

XXXXXXXX

SpongeBob had snapped on Gary's leash, and after everyone was done with their breakfast, they set out into the streets as a song played from Pipp's 'Bikini Bottom Visits' soundtrack.

Oh, yeah
Oh, yeah

Livin' like I'm on the edge of surreality
But I know everything is gonna be cool, as long as you’re here with me

While the group was on their walk, someone's pet clam growls and snaps at Gary and he growls and snaps right back at it, prompting the ponies to pull Gary away.

Then, SpongeBob stopped to let Gary use the bathroom before moving onto their next activity-- a bike and skateboard rental so they could cross the city in style.

Once stopping at the beach, Gary and SpongeBob wowed everyone with an eye-smacking/bongo performance before moving onto the beach, showing the Mane 6 and Tropic how to surf, Bikini Bottom style.

And we're gonna lighten up each other's load
When bumps and curves come on the road
'Cause we are all in it together
And that's forever

After they were done at the beach, everyone went to the roller-skating rink (cause that's something Sunny always enjoyed, even with a fish tail)... but SpongeBob wasn't as skilled as he said he was, crashing out on the second lap.

When they were done at the rink, it was time to head to Gary's comedy show at the comedy club. And even though he was only meowing, SpongeBob, Hitch and Tropic seemed to get the humor, since they seemed to be the only ones who could understand the sea snail.

It's always Summer in Bikini Bottom
Even in December, we're singin' la-di-da-da!

After the comedy club, Gary had to get the nachos out of his system, so he went to use the bathroom behind the fire hydrant again. But, when SpongeBob and the ponies turned, it was revealed to be Patrick on the other end of SpongeBob’s leash, much to the disgust and surprise of our heroes.

Once getting that image of Patrick out of their minds, they all went out for dinner at an Italian restaurant a good distance away from the Krusty Krab, where Gary and SpongeBob shared a nice pasta dinner. SpongeBob went back for another noodle but struggled to slurp it up... only for Zipp to point out that he mistakenly started to slurp Gary's eye up by accident, causing a laugh from the group.

Then, to end the day, SpongeBob and Tropic took everyone to their favorite lookout spot, to where they could observe the stars in the night sky... a truly amazing end to an amazingly fun day.

It's always Summer in Bikini-
In Bikini Bottom (It's always summer)
It doesn't get better than that

But... things wouldn't be this peaceful for long.

XXXXXXX

By the time the crew woke up the next morning and got dressed for the day, it was already 7:30, and SpongeBob liked to get there by 7:45 in order to be fully ready for the day.

As the ponies were finishing up, a Krabby Patty cuckoo clock sprung out from the wall, talking and laughing in Mr. Krabs’ voice. “Money...money...money! Ack ack ack ack ack!!”

“Oh, come on, guys!” SpongeBob grabbed his hat and opened the door for the ponies to follow. “We’re late if we wanna be early!”

But before they could leave, Sunny looked back and saw poor Gary meowing in disappointment, wanting to go with them. “I’m sorry, buddy… you know that SpongeBob can’t take you with us. It’s against Krusty Krab policy.”

“Trust me… we’ve looked,” Zipp said. “But we’ll be back later… promise!”

“Yeah, they’re right! Don’t worry, Gare-Bear,” SpongeBob smiled. “We’ll be back before you can say, ‘Why did he cruelly abandon me like that?’. Ha ha ha! Come on, guys.”

“Bye, Gary!” Tropic kissed his shell. “We’ll see you tonight!”

And so, the door shut, leaving poor Gary on his own for another boring day.

XXXXXXXX

Only a few minutes down the road, Squidward was walking into the bare and lifeless Krusty Krab a little while before opening time, only to see India reading at one of the tables. “Another day… another migraine.”

“Oh… morning, Squidward,” India smiled. “Don’t worry, SpongeBob isn’t here yet. You have a few minutes of peace and quiet before he and Tropic get here.”

“Good, good,” Squidward sighed, patting her head as he went to his position behind the register boat. “At least Kelpy G and I can get a little peace and quiet before that little…”

“Good morning, Squidward!”

Squidward and India screamed as SpongeBob randomly popped up beside the register boat, not having a care in the world. “Isn't it a lovely morning?”

“Nope, not talking to you.”

“Uh… SpongeBob?” Hitch called as the other ponies, Sparky and Tropic swam through the door. “Why didn’t you just swim through the door like the rest of us?”

“Uh, duh. Hitch, don’t you know me by now? I like to do the entrance a new way every day!” SpongeBob scoffed. “It helps broaden my horizons.”

Squidward sighed, setting his magazine down and turning to the group. “Look, you all, I’m especially not getting involved in any of your nonsense today! I always end up with the wrong end of the stick! Now, Sunny and her Equestrian friends are fine, and so are the foals. I can handle them. It’s just you, SpongeBob, I can’t seem to stand. And if you wanna help, you and Sunny can go start cooking and the rest of you can tidy up around here.”

“Oh. Okay, sure, Squidward,” SpongeBob said before getting Sunny to follow him toward the kitchen. “But you should know that Old Gertrude is getting pretty finicky these days.”

That’s when India’s eyebrows shot up. “Old Gertrude?” she questioned. “Who the kelp is that?”

“SpongeBob and Squidward have worked with her for years,” said Sunny with a shrug. “Apparently, she’s the 8-burner grill in the kitchen.”

As SpongeBob and Sunny disappeared into the kitchen and Hitch, Pipp, Zipp, Misty and Izzy helped Tropic with the cleaning, Squidward growled and turned back to his magazine. “It never ends...”

“Anyway, to fire her up, you've gotta spark the flames manually…” SpongeBob explained, doing such before moving to the gas jets. “Then jiggle the gas jets just a little. And then read her favorite story. Sunny, can you hand me that little book behind you?”

“Oh, sure. Heads up!” Sunny tossed him the book before he sat down in front of the grill and began reading, much to Squidward’s annoyance. “The Little Griddle Who Could. Chapter 2. But we are fresh from the freezer, said the patties, and we’re co-co-co-cold’.”

Sunny couldn’t help but giggle at the fact that SpongeBob was reading to the grill… it defined the childlike wonders of his personality. “Don’t worry,” SpongeBob continued to read, “I’ll get you nice and warm, said the little griddle.”

That seemed to be Squidward’s breaking point for the day. “What did I just say? I am not interested!” he said, turning to the kitchen window. “Do not involve me!”

But before anything else could be said, the grill started to flame up and then exploded right in Squidward's face, making him fall limp to the side, much to the ponies' concern. “Squidward, Squidward!” Zipp rushed to him. “Speak to me! Are you alive?!”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Tropic brushed off. “He’s suffered worse.”

“Whatcha say Squidward? Squidward?” SpongeBob obliviously looked around, but shrugged after not seeing his co-worker. “Ok, Squidward doesn't matter. I'll always be here anyway.”

“Unfortunately…” Squidward groaned from being in Zipp’s hooves. That’s when Mr. Krabs burst from his office and into the open to give his employees and part-time pony employees the first orders of the day. “Stop yer loafin', Mr. Squidward! There's work do be done around here!” he said, reaching the middle of the room. “Attention, Krusty Krew! All hands on deck, front and center!”

SpongeBob and Tropic darted to his side first, saluting as the former spoke in a military fashion. “Aye, aye, Cap'n Krabs, sir!”

“Uh, sir, yes sir!” Misty said, saluting alongside her friends as Squidward and India joined SpongeBob and Tropic. “Whatever you say!”

“Very good! I know some good employees when I see them!” Mr. Krabs smiled at the Mane 6. “Now, who’s ready to set sail on another adventure of making me money?!”

However, instead of responding, Squidward just walked back to the register boat and sat down, his eyes focused on his magazine. “Uh… I think that’s a yes?” Hitch spoke as he tilted his head at the same time as Sparky did. “It’s hard to tell with Squidward.”

“It’s a yes whether he likes it or not,” India whispered. “Don’t worry, you’ll learn to read him after a little while.”

“Get moving, sailors!” Mr. Krabs barked, and everyone rushed off in different directions, causing him to look up at Pipp and Zipp. “Raise the colors!”

Zipp and Pipp grabbed a rope and pulled on it, revealing five international maritime signal flags above the front door.

That's when Mr. Krabs gave the unicorns their sets of orders. “Hoist the mainsail!”

“You heard him, girls!” Izzy cried. “Pull!”

She, Misty and Tropic pulled the rope from the large clam-shaped sign, opening it up to show its sign.

Mr. Krabs gave Squidward his set of orders immediately afterwards. “Deploy smokestacks!”

At the register boat, Squidward flicked the lever on a nearby engine order telegraph with a pencil, setting it to FULL while reading his magazine. Outside, the smokestack rose up on the roof. Inside, in the kitchen, Sunny sniffed the grill while smoke from it came up through the smokestack and spread over Bikini Bottom.

Mr. Krabs then waled to the door with Sparky and Hitch, turning on the open sign, and opened the doors, leading a herd of hungry customers to run over Krabs flat while Hitch and Sparky bolted out of harms way.

Although he was flattened, Mr. Krabs still chuckled. “Ahh... never gets old.”

XXXXXXXX

But… no one realized that a sinister plot was being crafted on the other end of the street.

Plankton was watching the busy scene with envy from the Chum Bucket, chuckling to himself. “Enjoy it while you can, Mr. Eugene Krabs.”

Suddenly, his telescope demanded a quarter for him to keep using it, and he entered one into the slot before he continued to spy on the Krusty Krab. “Tonight I launch Evil Plan Number 3,087,” he said before getting on the elevator and back inside the Chum Bucket, “and finally take possession of the Krabby Patty secret formula!”

“Great,” Karen, his computer wife, groaned. “Another plan.”

“What's wrong with another evil plan?”

“Oh, nothing, it's just we're running out of room on The Wall of Failure.”

“The Wall of Fail…?”

That’s when Plankton noticed countless photos of his failed attempts on the nearby wall. “Karen, why do you keep collecting these?”

“Heh… memories.”

“Hmm! Well, tonight… is gonna be different,” Plankton said as they walked into another room. “You see Karen, my computer wife, every time I've tried to steal that formula, Krabs has tried to thwart me.”

“Mmm-mmm,” Karen shook her head. “Not Mr. Krabs.”

“But tonight, that all… what?” Plankton looked at her, confused, leading Karen to explain. “It's not Mr. Krabs, sweetheart. I've checked the data. It's SpongeBob who's the problem.”

“Oh, fishsticks. What could that boob have to do with it?”

“Boob savant, you mean. SpongeBob is the one who keeps foiling your plans. Not Mr. Krabs. And those Equestrians who sometimes pop up from nowhere help him too.”

“Oh nonsense, It's Krabs, Karen! I know it is. And tonight, I will finally extract my revenge!” Plankton said with a cackle, causing Karen to ask a retorical question out of boredom. “Will you be late?”

“You can't put a clock on genius, Karen.”

But, Plankton was about to realize that his wife was indeed right, and that SpongeBob and his pony pals really were the hindrance to his plans.

Automation Situation/Plankton's New Plan

“Order up! Move it, let’s go!” SpongeBob cried to his friends. “We have a whole bunch of Krabby Patties to serve and not a lot of time to serve ‘em in!”

“You got it, chef!” Hitch cried. “Sparky, tray!”

The baby dragon/pufferfish cooed and hit a tray toward Hitch with his tail, causing him to catch it and a Krabby Patty that Sunny tossed his way. That’s when Zipp swam into the kitchen with more order tickets within hoof. “Three more Krabby Patties, deluxe edition, Sunny!”

“Coming up! Let’s see… how did that order go?” Sunny muttered to herself. “First, bun… then patty… followed by cheese, ketchup, mustard, lettuce tomato, extra onions, pickles and… bun!”

Sunny repeated the process a few more times before she rang the bell. “Three deluxe Krabby Patties, order up!”

Izzy, Tropic and Misty took the Krabby Patties in their auras and began to serve them out to the customers, while Pipp was refilling everyone on drinks and India was cleaning tables for new customers.

With all of them working together, they were getting three times as work done as if Tropic and SpongeBob were doing it alone.

Squidward sighed under his breath, just before Volcano and Sandy walked in, wheeling in some sort of large wooden box. “Hiya, SpongeBob!” Sandy spoke with a smile. “Howdy, Sunny and friends!”

“Hey, Sandy!” Zipp greeted her friend with a smile. “Good to see you again, Volcano!”

“Uh… yeah,” Volcano said uneasily before smiling. “Good to see you too.”

“Oooh, whatcha got in there?” Izzy asked, inspecting the box. “Is it a bouncy castle that you can fly in?!”

“Uh… no,” Sandy broke it to her before she turned back to the group. “Did you know in the future everything will be automated?”

“Really?” SpongeBob asked obliviously. “Does that include stomachaches?”

“Ha! You’re hilarious,” Volcano rolled his eyes with a chuckle. “Sandy wanted to drop by and see if Mr. Krabs wants to be an early adopter of this new technology we’ve been working on.”

“Oooh, a new technology?” Tropic asked, poking the box. “What is it?”

“It’s just for Mr. Krabs’ eyes only, Warm Water,” Volcano chuckled, calling her by the nickname India created. “But Sandy has a feeling it’ll make his days a lot less stressful.”

Suddenly, SpongeBob came to a frightening conclusion, grabbing onto the box to prevent them from going anywhere. “Wait, what?! You're gonna replace me with a robot?! Don't do it!!”

“SpongeBob, don’t be ridiculous,” Pipp said, grabbing SpongeBob and forcing him off the box. “Sandy wouldn’t give Mr. Krabs something to replace you… right?”

“No, of course not,” Sandy agreed. “Replacing you is gonna happen a long time from now. This is something much more innovative and start-uppy.”

“See? That ought to make you feel better,” Pipp said before blinking. “I think…”

“India, help us push this in,” Volcano said. “We’ll see you guys for our lunch in a few minutes.”

“Good luck!” Misty waved, and the three went into Mr. Krabs’ office before the door shut.

XXXXXXXX

After India presented a case as to why Mr. Krabs should listen to Sandy and Volcano's proposal, Mr. Krabs decided to let them speak, turning on a timer. “All righty then... you got 60 seconds.”

“It’s name... is Otto!” Sandy pressed a button her remote, making a makeshift robot roll out of the box, much to India and Mr. Krabs' surprise. And then... it spoke! “My name is Otto. How may I serve you?”

“Wow... that is pretty impressive,” India said, swimming around the robot to inspect it. “Oh-ho, it's more than that!” Volcano said enthusiastically. “Otto here is an automated restaurant owner!”

“Hmm... automated?” Mr. Krabs asked before he turned away. “Sounds expensive, not interested.”

“Otto doesn’t require a salary,” Sandy explained, making Mr. Krabs stop immediately and turn around. “And it can make cold, heartless decisions like firing people because it doesn't have a heart.”

“Yeah! See?” Volcano punched Otto with his hoof to showcase such a fact. “Ow!” Otto groaned, but Mr. Krabs pretended he didn’t hear such. “You don't say.”

“You’re fired!” Otto spoke harshly, and even though it was strange to hear it coming from a robot, India was honestly impressed with the technology added on. “This is amazing, Volcano! You really have inventor vibes going on in that brain of yours!”

“Well, it's all thanks to Sandy,” Volcano looked up at his friend. “She is my biggest inspiration, you know.”

“I love money,” Otto repeated, “I love money.”

“For once, I agree with the little lass!” Mr. Krabs said with a smile. “A cold, unfeeling mechanical robot after me own cold, unfeeling crustacean heart. I'll take it and nurture it and i will love Otto like he was me own son.”

“I love you, Daddy,” Otto spoke up as Mr. Krabs hugged him. “Yippee!” Sandy cheered. “You won’t regret this, Mr. Krabs!” Volcano spoke. “Hey, Sandy, why don’t we get a Krabby Patty to celebrate?”

“Good idea! And this time, I’m paying!”

The two of them immediately set off, letting the door shut behind them. “You’re fired!” Otto said, wheeling around the office. “Uh… isn’t that a little disturbing when you hear it all the time?” India asked, a little unsure. “I mean… shouldn’t it only say, ‘You’re fired’ when a person really NEEDS firing?”

“Ah, it doesn’t bother me that much,” Mr. Krabs sighed. “I could listen to that music all day!”

“No, seriously,” said Otto, moving behind Mr. Krabs’ desk. “We decided to go in a different direction. You're fired!”

Mr. Krabs chuckled, but then realized that Otto might be serious. “...what?”

“Don’t make me call security.”

India gulped at this, knowing good and well that this was not going to work out well. “Uh… I just remembered, Sunny wanted some extra help making the food!” she said quickly. “You’re on your own, Mr. Krabs!”

With that, the purple sea-pony left, leaving Mr. Krabs alone to do the dirty work.

XXXXXXXX

Within the next few seconds, Mr. Krabs was already shoving Otto out the back door.

“You’re fired!”

“No,” Mr. Krabs shouted, “you’re fired!”

“You’re fired!”

“Yer fired, ye infernal machine!”

“I’m not fired, you’re fired!”

Mr. Krabs was about to throw Otto in the garbage, but he stopped, surprised that there is a fee for recycling electronics and would be fined $5. Mr. Krabs then kicked Otto into the other garbage bin… the one belonging to the Chum Bucket. “Robot abuse!” Otto cried. “Robot abuse!”

Everypony except Tropic, SpongeBob and Sunny watched this with wide eyes, and Izzy being the first to speak. “He just… threw that little cute thing away?!”

“He was tormenting Mr. Krabs with the words ‘You’re fired’ and tried to take over the business,” India said as she swam over. “While I do admit that he’s a little… brash sometimes, he is a really sweet guy once you get to know him.”

“We know,” Zipp told her. “I just wish he wasn’t so money-obsessed sometimes.”

“What do you think is gonna happen to that robot he threw out?” Hitch wondered. “No idea,” Misty frowned. “But I sure hope he gets a good home.”

XXXXXXXX

Only a few minutes after Mr. Krabs had dumped Otto into the trash, Karen and Plankton heard the commotion and came outside before seeing Otto in the garbage bin. “You're fired, you're fired...”

Immediately, Plankton knew that he wanted nothing to do with this... metal monstrosity. “What the heck is that thing?”

“I don't know, but I'm taking it home,” Karen said sweetly, taking Otto out of the trash. “It’s so cute!”

“What?!” Plankton cried out, immediately not liking the idea. “Come on, little robot. Let's get you some supper,” Karen said, getting Otto inside the Chum Bucket. “I love you, Mom.”

Plankton sighed before following suit… he had no time for this!

He had a plan to get over with tonight, and he wasn’t gonna stop until the formula was his.

XXXXXXXX

It was later that night when everyone had left the Krusty Krab, and Mr. Krabs and India were just about to leave when Mr. Krabs gave SpongeBob, Tropic and their friends a new set of orders. “SpongeBob! Be sure this kitchen's in shipshape shape before ye and your friends head out, boy.”

“Oui, Oui, Monsieur Boss Man Krabs,” SpongeBob spoke in a French accent. “Once I am done here, zees kitchen shall be completely spotless.”

“Whatever,” Mr. Krabs rolled his eyes. “Oh! I found this uneaten Krabby Patty on table six. You know what to do with it.”

“You got it, Mr. K!” Misty said, taking it in her aura. “We’ll make sure it’s disposed of properly.”

“Who said anything about disposing of?!” Mr. Krabs shrieked, immediately grabbing the patty from Misty before putting it under a glass lid. “We'll sell it again tomorrow on our legacy artisanal vintage throwback menu.”

“...isn’t that kind of unsanitary?” blinked Zipp. “I wouldn’t protest against it, Zipp,” Tropic whispered. “Unless you wanna get fired.”

“Good night, Mr. Krabs! Good night, India!” Izzy waved to them as they left the building. That’s when SpongeBob put his hands on his hips. “Well, guys, we better get cleaning!”

The first task to get the place cleaned was the mopping. But instead of how the ponies were doing it, with a normal mop, SpongeBob started mopping by himself with liquid inside of his body and squeezing it out. Then, he lands on a wall 5 times, leaving it completely spotless before moving onto the floor.

Once the cleaning was done, Sunny put up a wet floor sign not too far away from the door. “Just so people know this floor is wet and nopony gets hurt.”

“Good thinking,” Tropic smiled. “We don’t want anyone filing a complaint against us.”

That’s when SpongeBob began bidding everything in the kitchen good night. “Well, good night, Gertrude! Good night, Fryer. Good night, Patty. Good night, pickles.”

SpongeBob kissed the pickle jar, before he turned the lights off and closes the door, leading Tropic, Sparky and the Mane 6 out of the kitchen. Meanwhile, Plankton was hidden in a pickle jar with his scuba suit and opened the lid, taking off everything except his bag. “Good night, SpongeBob… hello, Krabby Patty!” Plankton chuckled, just before he pressed a button on his bag before he sprung up to the counter trying to get the Krabby Patty. “And now…”

That’s when Plankton activated a claw to lift the lid off the patty. “Just got to get it…”

Finally, after a couple attempts, the lid was lifted, much to Plankton’s joy… before the claw demanded a quarter, causing Plankton to quickly shove it into the slot before the lid was finally open. “Oh! Bingo! Come to papa.”

After making sure no one else was around, Plankton snuck inside and took a small fragment of the Krabby Patty before inserting it into another device. “In just a few minutes, the formula will be mine!”

After a few moments, the analyzation was complete, and the formula was printed out, which Plankton immediately grabbed. “Yes! Krab's fast-food empire will fail, and I will rule Bikini Bottom, as it's new slop king! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!”

“I knew it!”

Plankton immediately yelped when he heard SpongeBob’s voice, and fell and landed on the wet floor, with the formula floating just above him. “The formula!”

“I knew I left my keys in here,” said SpongeBob, entering the kitchen with Sunny in tow. “Silly me.”

“I’m glad we came back for them,” smiled Sunny while SpongeBob quietly tried to dash around and get the formula. “But I can’t help but feel like something’s off.”

“You’re right! You forgot to get your to-go bag for Sparky!” SpongeBob handed it to the mare. “That little pufferfish is always hungry, huh?”

“You have NO idea.”

“Huh… no keys,” SpongeBob hummed at not seeing the keys on his rack. “That’s weird,” Sunny hummed. “Where could they be?”

That’s when the two began to search the kitchen a bit. SpongeBob opened the cabinet door, letting Plankton hit it head on, which caused him to bang into a tub, which caused the tub to roll forward and turn on the grease fryers. “ Keys, where are you?” SpongeBob called. “Come on, show me keys!”

Plankton slipped on another patch of water and flew right off of the wet floor sign, flying into the air and grabbing the formula, just as he landed in the fryer basket. “Ha ha!”

But unfortunately, the fryer pushed against Plankton, causing him to get sliced before falling into the oil, causing him to scream in agony. “What was that?!” Sunny cried, looking around. “I thought I heard a scream!”

“Oh, it’s probably just Fred saying ‘My leg’ again. He does that a lot,” SpongeBob brushed off before feeling himself and pulling his keys out of his pocket. “They were in my pocket the whole time! Ha ha ha! Come on, Sunny, let’s go.”

Suddenly, as SpongeBob and Sunny left the room, the latter sparing one cautious glance behind her, Plankton suddenly realized about what Karen said (SpongeBob being the real problem) was true. “I get it...!!”

Now he knew what he needed to do... in order to get the secret formula he desired, he needed to get SpongeBob and his pony pals out of the way.

The only question was... how?

The Journey to Find Gary Begins

By the time lunch came around the next day, the restaurant was already busy, and the ponies decided to take SpongeBob, Tropic and India out on a picnic while they were on their 30 minute lunch break.

They settled in behind the Krusty Krab with Krabby Patties and other tasty treats, and they began to talk about the Mane 6’s earlier adventures… one of which being the tale of Starlight Ridge. “Seriously?” India asked with wide eyes. “Allura could use her hypnotic purr to make the auroricorns pretend to be happy so they could steal stars for her?”

“Jeez…” SpongeBob shuddered. “Not only is that scary, but that’s wrong!”

“I know… everypony deserves to be happy,” Hitch said, “but they can’t be forced to act that way.”

“So… have you had to deal with her more than once?” Tropic asked. “Like how you had to deal with Opaline all those times?”

“No, thank goodness,” Misty sighed. “She’s still trapped in Starlight Ridge’s borders… at least, that’s the last thing we heard.”

Tropic gulped nervously when she heard this. “I hope she doesn’t come to Bikini Bottom and make us go all-smiley…”

“Hey, don’t worry. A, she’s a snow leopard. She can’t breathe underwater unless she has some sort of magic to do that,” Zipp reassured. “And second… well, I don’t really have a second reason, but… I do know what we would protect you if she ever WAS around.”

“Phew… that’s relieving to think about,” SpongeBob said with a laugh. “Well, we better get back to our picnic and back to work. Mr. Krabs won’t be happy if we take too long to wrap it up. Heh heh… get it?”

Izzy burst into laughter at this. “Wrap it up! Cause we wrap up a picnic blanket! You’re hilarious, SpongeBob!”

“But either way,” Tropic said, “it’s back to work for us, and then after work, we get to play with Gary some more!”

XXXXXXXX

It only took a couple more hours for SpongeBob and the ponies to wrap up their weekend shift, and SpongeBob opened the door and let everyone pile inside. “Gary, we’re home!”

But, as he opened his arms for a hug from his favorite snail, he noticed that Gary was no longer in sight. “Gare-Bear? Hey, where are you, buddy?”

“Huh… that’s weird,” Pipp observed. “Where is he?”

“Yeah,” Misty nodded. “He’s usually here by the time we get home.”

“I think we better spread out and look for him,” Zipp said. “Maybe he’s just playing hide and seek.”

Nodding, the ponies spread out to search for the snail. “Gary?” Tropic reached into his scratching post, but only pulled out a bunch of snail slime. “Not here!”

“Gary?” Zipp lifted the cover off of Gary’s litter box, only to be met with the smell of stinky litter. “Ugh… not here either!”

“You must be in the--!” cried SpongeBob, looking in the cabinet, but only to be met with disappointment. “No…”

That’s when the search for SpongeBob became more desperate. “Gary? Gary?! Garr-ry!!”

He wasn’t in the fridge, the bedroom, the bathroom or inside the couch, and with each attempt, SpongeBob was growing more and more frantic. “Gary, Gary, Gary! Gary! Gary! Where’s Gary?! GAAAAAAARRRYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!”

“SpongeBob, SpongeBob, calm down!” Sunny tried to calm her friend down. “Maybe he’s… uh… I’m not sure where he is, but we’ll find him. Maybe we can ask the neighbors to see if they’ve--”

But before she could finish, SpongeBob was already out the door, making Hitch blink in surprise. “Is this how I acted when Sparky went missing those few times?”

“...yep.”

“Absolutely.”

“Definitely.”

“You acted sorta like that.”

“Maybe?”

Hitch sighed with his head lowered. “That’s what I thought…”

XXXXXXXX

Immediately after leaving the ponies and Tropic to clean up the mess he left behind at the house, SpongeBob started putting many "Lost Pet" Posters at the Electronics, the supermarket, all over a brick wall, and at the bakery. SpongeBob then turns into a roller to put many posters in a bakery. Then, he puts his poster on an old lady's face. “GARY!!! WHERE ARE YOU?!!”

After the last poster was put up, SpongeBob ran back home, completely out of breath. “SpongeBob… take a deep breath. Maybe there’s something we can use here to find… and he’s not listening, is he?” Zipp sighed as SpongeBob continued to pant out of tiredness and worry. “Then why am I even trying…?”

True to Zipp’s word, SpongeBob wasn’t listening. Instead he found a picture of a younger version of him and a younger version of Gary, letting his eyes fill with tears. “Ohhh… Gary…!!” he sobbed. “I loved you since the first day we met…”

“...and when was that, SpongeBob?” Pipp asked gently as the ponies and Tropic surrounded their friend. “...Camp Coral,” Tropic answered. “When SpongeBob was just a little older than me.”

XXXXXXXX

Camp Coral was a very popular summer camp for kids under the ocean, and on this particular day, a young SpongeBob was eating his sandwich from the cafeteria on a little log when a little meow caught his attention.

To his right was a little snail, a younger Gary, peeking over the side of the log. “Hello, little snail.”

Young SpongeBob took the pickles pickles out of his Krabby Patty and gave it to the snail, which he ate immediately. SpongeBob then giggled as Gary meowed at him, with the snail’s eyes going up and down before SpongeBob let the snail climb on him. “What’s your name?”

The snail meowed as he climbed onto SpongeBob’s head. “Gary, huh? Well, hi, Gary. Gary, do you want to be friends?”

Gary meowed again, and SpongeBob seemed to understand what he was saying. “Me too…”

XXXXXXXX

“Awww… that is such a sweet story,” Sunny smiled. “I can’t believe you never told us that story, SpongeBob.”

But when she looked at SpongeBob, he was just staring at the photo with blank eyes. “S-SpongeBob?”

As Sunny laid a hoof on her friend’s shoulder, SpongeBob burst into tears, causing the ponies to reel back in surprise. “Ponies, grab the buckets and move out!” Hitch cried. “I feel bad for SpongeBob, I really do, but we gotta scoop out these tears before SpongeBob floods his house!”

XXXXXXXX

Later on through the day, Patrick and Arctic were racing to SpongeBob house with a missing poster in hand. “SpongeBob! SpongeBob!” Patrick yelled, flinging the door open. “Hey, SpongeBob! I found this flyer,” Patrick said “Gary's missing!”

The sea star and sea pony looked to see SpongeBob sobbing on the ground with the others trying their best to comfort him. “I know, Patrick...”

“...SpongeBob?” Patrick gently called as he and Arctic came inside. “Oh, Patrick, if something were to happen to Gary, I, well... I don't know what I'd do,” SpongeBob flopped onto his back, his teary, bloodshot conveying all the pain and heartbreak within him.

“We know, SpongeBob,” Zipp laid a fin on his side. “We'll do everything we can to make sure Gary is safe and sound.”

“I’m sorry too, buddy,” Patrick frowned before getting an idea. “Hey... maybe he left a clue!”

Patrick didn't get to walk too far-- a second later, he stepped on a chew toy, tripped, and face-planted into Gary's litterbox. “Hry, uh... you okay there, Patrick?” Hitch asked. Without answering Hitch’s question, Patrick lifted himself up and noticed a large note stuck to his face. "Look! A clue!"

Swiftly taking the note, SpongeBob and Tropic (the former reading over his shoulder) quickly read through it and the latter let out a screech. “Gary's been snailnapped!”

“And taken to the Lost City of Atlantic City!” SpongeBob continued. Patrick lifted his head from the litterbox, now with a mouthful of litter. “Really?” he asked as he munched on the litter. “That's awesome!”

“Ewwww, Patrick!” Pipp cried. “What are you doing?!”

“You know that's Gary's litter box, right?” Misty asked her face went green. Patrick nodded, still chewing the litter before he spat some out. "Now we know where he is."

But then, Patrick eyed the clump he had chewed on and put it back into his mouth, causing the Mane 6 to almost puke... but Sparky looked on in interest. “Not really that awesome, Patrick,” SpongeBob stated as he looked through his ‘Nimrod’s Guide to Lost Cities’ book. “Listen to this. Made famous by the glitzy palace Poseidon calls home, The Lost City of Atlantic City is a scary, vice-ridden cesspool of moral depravity.”

“That sounds horrible,” Sunny spoke. “Especially with ‘scary’ and ‘vice-ridden’ in the same sentence.”

“Wow,” Patrick commented. “All that, and it’s lost too?”

SpongeBob continued to read while Tropic rested at the top of his chair. “King Poseidon has proven himself a whimsical tyrant, known for executing his subjects by beheading them in a flamboyant floor show extravaganza. Our advice for those traveling here is…”

SpongeBob turned the page and only a single word was written on it. “...don’t.”

At this remark, Pipp gulped, ears pinning in fear. “T-This King Poseidon sounds like a tough customer.”

“Oh, yeah. Tough,” Patrick said as he fervently munched on the leftover litter. “Arctic and I used to hear all sorts of legends about that place. Many people visit the Lost City of Atlantic City, thinking it's the perfect vacation spot,” Tropic explained with a shudder. “Some never returned.”

“And…” Arctic hunkered down behind Patrick. “Who knows what me might do to us…”

“Aww, so what?” SpongeBob threw the book down on the floor. “This is about friends. And friends don't let friends become somebody else's face cream!”

“He’s right, guys,” Sunny said, turning to face the others. “Gary's just as much as a friend to us as he is to SpongeBob.”

“And letting a friend get taken,” said Patrick, “is not what friends do.”

“So what if it's dangerous and scary?” SpongeBob rhetorically asked, causing Patrick to cross his arms. “So what?”

“What is stopping me right now from going there, rescuing Gary, and standing up to this King Poseidon, huh?”

Patrick then got in SpongeBob’s face. “I don’t know!”

“Well, I do!”

“What is it?”

“Uh… yeah,” Zipp agreed. “What is the thing that’s stopping you?”

“I...don't...have...the...courage…” SpongeBob began to tear up, sniffled and then cried out geysers of tears that sent him up through the roof and crashing back down. “Ohhhh… Gary…!!!”

“...does anypony know how to repair a roof?” Hitch looked up at the sky in the ceiling as Sparky burped out some litter. “We should be more worried about SpongeBob right now,” Zipp told her friend with a scolding look. “Tartar sauce!” Patrick turned to SpongeBob. “What's the next best thing to courage?”

The sponge sniffled before he decided to answer. “Resolve?”

“No?”

Then, it was Arctic’s turn. “Fortitude?”

“Nah.”

Now, it was Tropic’s turn. “Commitment?”

“Nope?”

“Wherewithal?”

“Mm-mm.”

“Bravery?”

“No.”

“Valor?”

“What?”

“Grit?”

“No.”

“Heroism?”

“Uh-uh.”

“Gallantry?”

“Nah.”

“Moxie.”

“A buddy! A wingman!” Patrick finally answered his own question, putting an arm around SpongeBob, who blinked. “A wingman…?”

“A friend,” Patrick answered. “Ohhhh right! Never mind that vocabulary trivia and Patrick has a point, SpongeBob,” Sunny realized. “All you need are your friends to be by your side.”

“Totally,” Misty nodded. “We’ll all go with you and save Gary from the king.”

“Together-- as a team!” Izzy chirped. “Really, guys?” SpongeBob asked. “You’ll go with me?”

“Yeah, right behind you!” Patrick lifted SpongeBob back up on his feet, just as Tropic began to get excited. “Do I smell a road trip?!”

That’s when Patrick immediately covered his mouth. “That could be my breath.”

XXXXXXXX

A few minutes earlier, SpongeBob had been sobbing like crazy, but now, he and Patrick were leading the Mane 6, Sparky and the sea-unicorn twins out of the house, laughing. “Okie-dokie!” SpongeBob then declared. “Now let’s drill down on the plan.”

“Arctic and I, alongside Sunny and the others, will be the moral support/combat/navigational specialists. Pat, you’ll be in charge of the transpo,” Tropic said. “Just remember, we don’t drive, and you don’t have a car.”

“So… huh? Wait, hang on a second,” Zipp said as she sped in front of them. “If we don’t have a car, how are we going to get there before Gary’s slime is depleted to unknown levels?”

Before anyone could answer the question, a horn caught them off-guard, and a long boat, the size of a limo with enough room for all of them drove in front of the house, with Otto at the wheel and Plankton sitting on the hood. “Hey, boys! Talking ponies,” Plankton greeted casually. “Don't know if you have any use for this old thing if you're going on any tips or journeys or quests or rescue missions. But if you are, Otto is your ticket.”

While the ponies seemed a little unsure and suspicious, SpongeBob and Patrick seemed taken with the idea. “Otto…!”

“Just tell ol' Otto where you want to go,” said Plankton, “and it will take you there!”

“All aboard,” Otto declared. “You’re fired.”

“Wow!” Patrick spoke up, getting in the back of the car. “A self-driving boat.”

“I wouldn’t call it self-driving since there is SOMEONE at the wheel,” Sunny said as the ponies got in with him, SpongeBob and the twins, “but I do appreciate the enthusiasm.”

“Thanks, Plankton!” Arctic said as they all buckled up. “You don’t know how much we appreciate this!”

“I know, I know. Bye-bye,” Plankton hopped down from the hood and went to the side of the road so they could get going. “Otto,” Patrick tapped the robot. “Find… Gary.”

“You got it!”

Otto sped forward, spinning on the side of the road before crashing smack-dab into an anchor not too far away. “Ugh… no, Patrick,” Zipp shook her head to clear it. “I think you need to be a little more specific.”

“Here, watch me,” SpongeBob said before turning back to Otto. “Otto, find Gary the snail.”

“Recalculating.”

The car immediately sped backwards and took another spin before crashing its rear end back into the anchor again. “Ugh… you know what I think, guys?” Misty groaned, putting a hoof to the side of her head. “Maybe this isn’t such a good mode of transportation after all.”

“Nah, sure he is, Misty! He just needs the right commands. Let me try,” Plankton hopped up onto the hood again. “Take them to The Lost City of Atlantic City and DON’T EVER COME BACK!!!”

This caused the group to stare at Plankton rather strangely, but Plankton only smiled and shrugged. “Never hurts to employ a little hyperbole.”

“Wait just a second,” Zipp began to say suspiciously. “How did you of all people know we needed to go--?”

“It is my pleasure to serve you.”

Before Zipp could finish her question, the car sped down the road at a lightning-fast speed and causing the gang to scream as the car zoomed from sight. “Bon voyage, SpongeBob, Patrick and horses!” Plankton bid farewell before he began to skip down the road. “ I'm ready, I'm ready. They're dead…”

XXXXXXXX

Back on the road, Zipp couldn’t help but feel that something was off about Plankton’s behavior. “Guys, how did he know that we needed to go to the Lost City of Atlantic City? I mean, was he listening in on us? Did he have something to do with Gary’s abduction?”

“I’m not sure, sis, but it doesn’t really matter at the moment,” Pipp told her. “Right now, we’re on the move and we can’t slow down.”

“Ugh, but these questions are driving me crazy!” Zipp groaned in frustration. “And we're no closer to figuring out how to win over the hesitant dragons or figuring out the mysteries of Allura's past!!”

Sunny shuddered at the mention of Allura's name... something that everyone seemed to notice. “Hey, you okay, Sunny?” SpongeBob asked her gently. “You look as stressed as an unhappy customer on Black Friday.”

“...I had a nightmare about Allura the other night,” Sunny admitted. “She said she escaped from Starlight Ridge, and she was looking for the star she needed. And... she was gonna stop at nothing to stop us from stopping her.”

“W-Who's Allura?” Arctic asked, a little worried. “An evil snow leopard that Sunny told me, SpongeBob and India about earlier,” Tropic explained to her sister. “But... I thought she had been stopped.”

Zipp pulled out her Flypad for recording some information. “Did she say or do anything else that caught you off-guard?”

“...when she tried to pounce on me and I flew out of the way, ice formed under her paws when she landed,” Sunny recalled. “She never did that before.”

“Eek... but, don't worry, Sunny. I'm sure it was just a dream,” said Misty. “She’s still probably back in Starlight Ridge. But if she is around, we'll be ready for her.”

Sunny sighed at this, looking at the surroundings around them, hoping that her friends were indeed right.

Where's SpongeBob?/Into Goner Gulch

It's been a few hours since Otto had started driving the Mane 6, Sparky, Patrick, SpongeBob and the sea-unicorn twins toward the Lost City of Atlantic City so that way they could rescue Gary from King Poseidon...

...and unknowingly, stopping Allura's evil plan.

The ride had been pretty smooth so far, and the group had been keeping busy with car games and lively conversations.

Then, after a little while of silence, Patrick made an interesting observation about the circumstances of their journey. “This is gonna be like one of those buddy movies. We're the buddies!”

“Huh... you know, I never really thought about that before, but... I think you might be right!” Pipp said. “We could document the whole adventure on film and have our very own buddy movie to share with the world!”

“Heh heh...” SpongeBob chuckled a bit. “Not sure that really applies, you guys, but--”

“But what? Think about it. We're a group of buddies setting out with a common goal,” Patrick agreed. “We'll argue about something dumb, fight and breakup, only to come back when we realize neither could do it without the other. It's simple... yet magical.”

SpongeBob still wasn't really sure about the idea, kicking back and putting his feet up while explaining his reasoning. “Yeah. It feels more to me like the journey of a singular hero who, against all odds, triumphs over adversity.”

“...do any of you understand a word of what he just said?” Tropic asked the others, but her sister, Izzy, Sparky and Hitch shrugged, having no idea. Patrick paid no attention to the ponies’ confusion as he snorted at SpongeBob’s answer. “I say buddy movie and you say, oh, whatever that dumb thing you said.”

“Patrick!” Zipp scolded. “That’s not nice!”

“Oh, really? Dumb thing? I’m dumb?” SpongeBob said, pushing Zipp off to the side. “Oh, I love your sense of irony, Patrick.”

“Thank you…” Patrick said, ironing a sweater before putting it on and throwing his ironing board out of the car. “I love my sense of ironing, too. Maybe if your head wasn't packed full of sand, you could have ironing!”

“Well, better a head full of sand than a head full of rocks, like yours!” SpongeBob cried in response. “SpongeBob, Patrick, that’s enough!” Sunny tried to get between them. “Stop before someone gets hurt!”

“That’s a good idea!” Patrick cried, ripping his sweater. “Stop the car!”

“Yeah!” SpongeBob agreed. “Stop the car, Otto!”

“SpongeBob!” Arctic cried. “Patrick, wait!”

Otto immediately slammed on the brakes, sending everyone flying out of the car and onto the ground… or if you were SpongeBob and Patrick, right smack through a billboard promoting a lawyer’s office with manatees wearing "I Love (Heart shaped) Manatees" t-shirts.

After a moment, SpongeBob and Patrick freed themselves from the billboard, and his earlier actions guilted SpongeBob, so he sighed in remorse. “Sorry, Patrick, really. I shouldn't have said you have rocks in your head.”

“I shouldn't have said your brain is made of sand,” Patrick apologized as well. “That was mean… and dumb.”

“Phew… I’m sure glad you two made up,” Tropic said as she and her sister swam over. “Seeing you two fighting is… not a happy sight.”

“Yeah, sorry about that, girls,” SpongeBob frowned. “Let’s just forget that argument, huh, Patrick?”

“Yeah. Never even happened.”

SpongeBob and Patrick pulled the girls into a hug and causing everypony except Hitch and Zipp to coo at the sight. “As much as I hate to break up the happy moment, guys,” said Zipp, “we still have a mission to get through, right?”

“You’re right!” Sunny recalled. “Everypony, back aboard!”

As they followed their pony friends to the car, SpongeBob patted out sand in his head, and Patrick took out the rocks in his head. That’s when Otto began to drive forward more and more, prompting the group to chase after him so they could get in and begin their journey again.

XXXXXXXX

By the time the next morning arrived, Mr. Krabs and India were on their way into work when they noticed a large crowd angrily demanding Krabby Patties… and Squidward was just sitting there doing nothing! “One at a time, people. One at a time!” India said, trying to calm the crowd while Mr. Krabs approached Squidward. “Squidward, why ain't I seeing Krabby Patties rolling out the service windows? Where's SpongeBob and the ponies?”

“How should I know? And, frankly, you won't find me complaining,” Squidward said with a chuckle, just as Mr. Krabs went into the kitchen to find them. “SpongeBob! What's with yer lollygaggin' boy? SpongeBob? SpongeBob? SpongeBob? Get out here this instant! That's an direct order!”

But with each call, silence rang back at them, and honestly, Mr. Krabs was getting concerned. “ I don't get it. He has never missed a workday.”

“I can’t get ahold of Tropic or Arctic either!” India said, swimming into the kitchen and holding up her phone. “Something’s bad wrong…”

The two of them were about to open the door and head back out when a jar flew in their direction, causing them to scream and duck. “Hey! Where are my Krabby Patties?!” a fish asked, shaking Squidward. “How should I know?”

“It’s coming, sir!” India said, saving Squidward from his fate. “It’s coming!”

“Squidward, get in the kitchen and whip up some Krabby Patties!” Mr. Krabs whispered to Squidward, and India guided him over to the kitchen to get started. “All right… what did SpongeBob say to get Gertrude started?” Squidward asked. “Oh, I remember!” said India. “We have to spark her flints manually!”

So, she grabbed a nearby pole and turned it just enough to get the flints sparked up. “And uh uh… oh yeah! Jiggle her jets!”

Squidward did so, and then grabbed the book from the nearby table. “The Little Griddle Who Could. ‘We're fresh from the freezer’, said the little--”

But all of a sudden, the grill exploded before he could finish, flying out through the roof of the restaurant and out of sight, much to India's panic. “Uh… Mr. Krabs?!” she cried. “We’ve got a problem!”

But Mr. Krabs was unable to respond, as he was being thrown into the walls of the Krusty Krab with great force. “Squidward!” Mr. Krabs cried out. “We wouldn't be in this mess if SpongeBob was around!”

But that left the very important question… where was SpongeBob?

XXXXXXXX

Everyone on the Gary rescue team had been sleeping ever since they got back into the boat the previous night, hoping that they would be in the Lost City of Atlantic City by the time they woke up the next morning.

Thankfully, Sunny didn’t have that nightmare of Allura again... but that could have been because their main focus was now on Gary, not the evil snow leopard.

But, no one would be expecting what they saw when they woke from their slumber.

As Otto hit a bump in the road, the car jumped a bit, prompting everyone to wake up and look around. However, it was revealed to them that they were no longer in the underwater world, but on the surface and in the hot desert... not to mention that Sparky was back to dragon form, and the sea-unicorn twins and the Mane 6 had their tails transformed into back legs.

Hitch was first to speak out of shock. “Where in Equestria are we?”

“I'm not sure,” Zipp said, looking at the map she had found that could lead them to their destination. “It looks like we're back on the surface, but... how in the world are we here? And how are SpongeBob and Patrick breathing?”

“We must be dreaming!” SpongeBob realized. “You amuse me, SpongeBob,” Patrick said, cleaning a pair of glasses he got from who knows where. “More than one person can't have the same dream, let alone be in that same dream at the same time. That would be philosophically untenable.”

But when the ponies turned to look at SpongeBob, he was holding a book and a pipe within his grasp. “Indeed. You proffer a metaphysical conundrum.”

“Hold it hold it hold it,” Arctic said, stopping the surprising and strange conversation. “You guys are talking like smart people-- this MUST be a dream!”

“Plus, we're on the surface, Sparky is a dragon again, us sea-ponies are now ponies and we're breathing air,” Pipp added, “so... yeah.”

Patrick sniffed the air and immediately realized that they were right, leading him and SpongeBob to start laughing hysterically just before Izzy saw a town coming up. “Hey! Maybe we can stop there!”

“Goner Gulch, huh...? What a weird name...” Zipp hummed in thought. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to stretch our back legs as long as we have them.”

But as they pulled into the town, they stopped in front of a larger-than-life saloon and Patrick read the sign. “The Inferno Saloon. Ye who enter here abandon all hope. Guess that's another way of saying 'no public restrooms'.”

“Still... something about this feels a little off,” Tropic said as they got out of the car. “Otto, might wanna keep it close.”

“Yeah,” Patrick nodded. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“Going anywhere. It is my pleasure to serve. You're fired!”

And within seconds, Otto had already drove out of sight. “Oh no no no!!” Tropic blurt out in panic. “How are we going to find Gary now?!”

“I'm sure he'll come right back,” Misty tried to reassure the filly. “Maybe he wanted to go park the car.”

But while they were talking, a tumbleweed smacked into them, sending SpongeBob and Patrick to the ground, prompting the ponies to help them get up just before a glow began to envelope the tumbleweed from within.

SpongeBob and Patrick clung to each other, Sparky and the twins in panic while the Mane 6 prepared to fight back against whatever this was... just before a human head, a male, appeared in the tumbleweed and spoke to them. “Hello.”

The ponies all shrieked when this happened, and after a second, SpongeBob was able to find his voice. “Who are you?”

“I am a simple tumbleweed. Call me Sage,” the tumbleweed then introduced. “Hey, Sage,” Patrick waved. “Good name.”

“Thanks. I'm made out of sage and I am a sage. So it works out pretty well.”

“I'm Patrick,” said the starfish. “My name means toaster in Celtic.”

“...yeah, I think we all know that it doesn’t,” Zipp deadpanned before turning to Sage with her Flypad in hoof. “So, Sage? What is this whole thing about? Why are we here?”

“A very investigative question, young pegasus pony... and one I will happily answer,” Sage responded. “This dream you share has a hidden purpose, young seekers.”

This led Tropic to gasp in surprise. “So we are in a dream! So cool...”

“And I, friend, am the dream weaver.”

Pipp suddenly shook her head to clear it, a question suddenly forming. “Does this mean you're in all our minds right now?”

“Yes, Pipp Petals.”

“Wow!” Sparky gasped in surprise just as Sage turned to SpongeBob. “I am here to help you on your journey, SpongeBob. But first, you and your friends must accept a challenge.”

SpongeBob's expression immediately fell at this. “But... we just wanna find Gary and bring him home.”

“Let me as you and Tropic this... do you love Gary?”

Tropic answered immediately with a nod. “More than anything!”

“And, young sea-unicorn, once you meet this challenge you may pass on to find your precious Gary.”

Sunny then caught onto what he was saying. “So thus whole thing is a test to prepare us for what might come next! That's actually kind of brilliant.”

As the others were agreeing with this statement, Sage spit a blue and gold coin onto the ground, much to the slight disgust of the Equestrians. “Take this challenge coin. It will give you courage when bravery is in short supply.”

Everyone seemed really amazed with this... except Zipp and Sunny.

Both of them knew that courage could easily be found within, not inside a coin, but... they had a feeling that Sage was just trying to help, so they decided to not to say anything.

As SpongeBob put the challenge coin in his pocket, Sage gave the group their next set of instructions. “Now, your challenge lies behind these saloon doors.”

“All right! What are we waiting for?!” Arctic declared excitedly. “Let’s kill this challenge!”

“I'm all for that!”

“Let’s do this!”

“Challenge and Gary, here we come!”

“This is gonna be fun!”

“Wait! I didn't give you your challenge!” Sage tried to call after them, but they had already disappeared inside the saloon. “Patience, Sage, patience.”

XXXXXXXX

When the group entered the saloon, it was extremely abandoned and empty, and was about to go investigate elsewhere when a piano began to play all by itself.

However, Patrick smiled at the strange sight. “Oh, cool. One of those old player pianos.”

Suddenly, a zombie appeared out of thin air, playing the piano and causing Zipp to gulp as the fillies and Sparky ducked behind SpongeBob, Patrick and Hitch. “I-I actually think that’s more of an old piano player than an old player piano-- and he's not alone either!”

True to her word, there was a lot more zombies appearing in the saloon, and this was enough to cause SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins to hide behind a nearby barrel. “Scary people!!”

That's when Sage rolled in and rejoined the group. “Flesh-eating cowboy pirate zombies, to be precise.”

Misty could feel all the hair on her neck stand at this. “Flesh-eating cowboy pirate z-z-zombies?!”

“This is your challenge,” Sage explained. “Free these zombies from their earthly binds and release their souls.”

“...don’t panic, everypony. This is just like our adventure on Zombie Island,” Sunny smiled. “The zombies may be real, but they need our help too.”

“But if this weren’t a dream,” said Patrick, “I’d be freaking out right now!”

Suddenly, SpongeBob remembered that Patrick was right. “Oh yeah! We are in a dream!” he chuckled. “Lead the way, guys!”

“Gotcha. All right then, everypony!” Pipp announced as the group walked out into the open, causing the zombies to look down at them. “We're here to release your imprisoned souls!”

“I think my friend means, uh…” Misty gulped. “...we'll release your souls if you’ll let us.”

Suddenly, a clap of thunder from out of nowhere, caused everyone to jump at least a foot in the air. “What was that?!” Tropic shrieked. “Ahhh…” Sage recognized this as a sign. “El Diablo the Wicked approaches.”

“El Diablo?” SpongeBob spared his friends a nervous glance. “Master of this zombie crew,” Sage explained, “and one you must defeat in order to release these imprisoned souls.”

“Uh-oh…” Sparky whimpered. “He doesn’t sound good,” Izzy gulped. “But don’t worry, Sage,” Sunny then reassured. “I’m sure me and my friends can handle him.”

“That’s good to hear. Good luck… you’re gonna need it.”

And just like that, Sage rolled out of the saloon.

“Okay, guys. We need to be mentally ready to face El Diablo when he walks through those doors,” Zipp said. “So, let’s keep nice and calm until he gets here.”

But before anyone could respond to this, the zombies began to close the curtains and get rid of the chairs and tables around them. “Forget calm, Zipp!” SpongeBob cried. “The zombies are swarming!”

“They’re gonna eat our brains!!” Patrick wailed, and he and SpongeBob and the twins pulled the Mane 6 and Sparky into hiding just before something very strange happened…

…the zombies started dancing, and the gambler in the saloon began rapping!

Gambler: Boss Dogg
Even when I'm on,
I'm off, y'all
Lookin' for the King,
It'll cost y'all
You better leave now, are you lost, dawg?

The Zombie King,
Yeah, I hear him coming
OG ghoul with a thirst for the run-in

You in the wrong bar, wrong town
Got a spot to fill
The real deal coming down that hill

During the midst of the song, the group came out of hiding and suddenly… they began to dance along with the music, a little surprised and a little excited all at once.

Gambler: Your brains for breakfast,
Soul on the menu, major checklist
Ghouls, goblins, guard the exit
The fire in his eyes, ain't hard to catch it

El Diablo, the haunting taunting veterano
It's scary, I know
The Goner Gulch, where the drama is
But don't hate the game, we in the zombie biz

Then, a few boy zombies started to sing a perfect harmony while standing and dancing on top of the bar.

Choir: We feel the love when we all dance together (What, what, what?)

Gambler: Together!

Choir: We made it, we made it
Up all life long,
We won't stop (we won't stop)…

El Diablo is here!

But unfortunately, while they were singing, El Diablo showed up outside in his horse-drawn carriage, fire burning on the bottom of his boots.

Choir: Dance! We the baddest crew!
Hands high! What's eating you?
Us! We comin' through
Killing it is how we do!

El Diablo's on his way
Smell the odor of decay
Dance, we came to slay
'Cause killing it is how we do!

By the time El Diablo walked in, the song ended, and the previously dancing zombies, ponies, SpongeBob and Patrick froze in their tracks. “What did I tell you about dancing when I'm not here?!” El Diablo shrieked to the zombies, leading one to protest out of fear. “But, boss, It's Freestyle Friday!”

“...oh. Okay, my bad.”

As the zombies turned back to mind their own business, the gambler approached the group on one of the tables. “Hey. Yo, SpongeBob? I got to dip. Y'all got this.”

“...anyone have any idea what he just said?” SpongeBob whispered to the ponies, but Hitch shrugged in response. “No idea… we don’t speak rap.”

“Bring the prisoners to my office!” El Diablo told the other zombies before he walked off. That left Patrick confused and full of questions. ‘What'd that guy mean by prisoners?”

A zombie then used his sword to slice a chain holding a cage above them, and by the time it had slammed down on them, the group gasped in horror.

They were trapped!

XXXXXXXX

No matter how hard the ponies tried, they couldn't use their powers to escape the cage, and the twins, SpongeBob and Patrick were really scared...

...so now what were they supposed to do?

Right now, they were currently hanging in front of El Diablo, who was questioning the group as he sharpened some long, dangerous-looking knives. “So…” he began, “...you dare to enter the ghost town of Goner Gulch. You barged into my demon's lair telling my zombies that you’re gonna free their souls. Heh heh heh… like it ain’t nothing!!”

“...you’re holding these zombies against their will when they just want to be free,” Misty tried to point out. “That isn’t right! I’m sure if you just let them go now, you’ll be happy with that decision… and may even free your own soul in the process.”

“...you seriously thought that drip was gonna work on me?” El Diablo asked the blue unicorn, making her squeak in terror. “Well, guess what, pipsqueak? IT WON’T DO A THING ON ME!!!”

As the ponies flinched back in terror, SpongeBob finally found the nerve to speak on their behalf. “Well, uh, Mr. Diablo, the good thing is we're in a dream.”

“A shared dream,” Patrick added. “Right, a shared dream,” SpongeBob continued. “So there's no need to get all bent out of shape about it. It's not real.”

“Cause it’s a dream,” Patrick finished. “Who told you that?” El Diablo asked. “The crazy bush guy?”

Hitch glanced at his friends nervously at this. “Uh…”

Arctic shrugged in order to respond. “Maybe?”

“What he should've told you was… it's not a dream!”

Fiery lasers then came out of El Diablo’s eyes and these lasers zapped the gang’s cage, scorching it. “...h-he may be right, ponies,” Pipp stammered after a moment. “That felt pretty real.”

“Yeah!” Patrick nodded out of fear. “And it really hurt!”

Suddenly, the cage bottom collapsed, leaving the group to fall right on El Diablo’s desk, and Zipp could only think of one way out. “RUN!!”

SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins wasted no time in running while the Mane 6 tried to hold El Dialbo and his fiery knives off. The group eventually reached the curtains on the far side of the room, but with El Diablo’s size, they were easily cornered.

As El Diablo lurked closer, SpongeBob suddenly got an idea. “Hang on, guys!” he said, getting out the challenge coin. “Foul demon, be gone!”

However… El Diablo’s reaction was not what the sponge was expecting. “What the heck is that? What do I look like, a parking meter?”

“I-It didn’t work…?” Tropic said, ears folding. “But… Sage said…”

“Coin laundry's right down the street,” El Diablo continued. “That’s pathetic!”

“Everypony, stand your ground!” cried Sunny, shifting into alicorn form. “Keep our friends out of his path!”

The Mane 6 kept SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins behind them, but they were so scared, they backed right into the curtains, opening them slightly. The sunlight coming through seemed to burn El Diablo's hand, causing him to drop his knife before he could stab them again. “GET AWAY FROM THOSE CURTAINS!!!”

“Curtains…?” Zipp muttered before gasping. “Of course! El Diablo can’t handle the sunlight! That’s why all these curtains are closed!”

“So in order to defeat him,” Pipp realized, “these curtains need to be wide open!”

“Everypony, spread out!” Sunny commanded. “When I give the word, get those curtains open as wide as you can get ‘em!”

The ponies then spread out, with Arctic and Tropic mocking El Diablo until they were all in position. When El Diablo was getting ready to strike, Sunny gave the signal. “Now, guys! Now!”

Everyone opened their curtains at the exact same time, causing El Diablo’s body to burn and him to scream in pain. After a moment of being in the sunlight, his body disintegrated into nothing but fiery ash… not to be a bother to anyone again. “We did it! Nice work, guys!” Tropic exclaimed, high-hoofing her sister. “But uh… should we get out of here before something else happens?”

“That’s a good idea,” Izzy said quickly, “let’s go!!”

The Window of Meanwhile/Mr. Krabs Surrenders

El Diablo had just been defeated, with everyone opening their curtains and letting him be exposed to the sunlight.

Now, all they had to do was free the zombies from their earthly binds and get out of Goner Gulch before something worse occured that could delay their mission any further.

Everyone immediately ran out from El Diablo's office and into the main part of the saloon again, where they cautiously entered, just in case the zombies were to attack. Once they were in there, SpongeBob cleared his throat and began to speak. “Hey, everybody! El Diablo says he doesn't want to be disturbed.”

“Uh… yeah,” Arctic nodded quickly. “Needless to say, he’s feeling a little bit… burnt out.”

“So, uh… we’re just gonna be on our way,” Misty said politely. “It was nice to meet all of you!”

“Bye…”

“Toodles!”

“See ya…”

“Take care!”

Suddenly, one of the zombies suddenly stood up. “Thank ye and yer friends, SpongeBob! We’re finally free!”

“Huh?” the group turned around in surprise. And as the zombies continued to thank them, they disintegrated into wisps of light that flew into the cloudless sky. And after a moment of staring, SpongeBob spoke up with a gasp of delight. “Do you know what that means? We passed the challenge!”

“And now,” Sunny added, “we can keep going to find Gary!”

The group cheered in celebration, but their cheering was cut short when they realized that El Diablo had returned in a cloud of ash, causing Tropic to push them out of the saloon. “We gotta go! Move move move!!”

Everyone rushed outside, and were surprised and relieved all at once to see Otto waiting for them outside. “Otto!”

“You came back!” Misty cried. “Howdy, partners,” Otto greeted, and SpongeBob pulled out the challenge coin as soon as they got in the car. “Wait! Can't forget the courage!”

Suddenly, the doors of the saloon flew open, revealing El Diablo’s ash form coming for them at lightning speed. “Go, Otto, go!” Zipp cried. “Floor it!”

“Hurry!” Arctic shrieked as they got moving. “He’s coming!”

“Faster!!”

“GO OTTO!!”

“RUN!!!”

“GO GO GO GO GO GO!!”

This yelling continued until the group was far out of El Diablo’s sight and far out of Goner Gulch.

XXXXXXXX

“Wake up. Your dream has been fired.”

Upon hearing Otto’s voice, the group opened their eyes and found themselves underwater once more, and the ponies were sea-ponies once again. “Oh! Phew! We're back on the bottom,” SpongeBob said in relief. “See, Patrick? It must been a dream.”

“More like a vision, really.”

Upon hearing the familiar voice, the ponies turned to see Sage in the front seat with Otto, surprising them. “Sage?!”

“Oh,” Patrick waved. “Hi, Sage.”

“Hello.”

“You are real!” Misty gasped in surprise. “As real as you desire to see that which you cannot,” Sage responded. “Yeah, well, that which I cannot see is Gary,” SpongeBob said, getting teary-eyed once more. “I got to know what's happening.”

“I know, SpongeBob,” Zipp tried to comfort. “But… I don’t know how our pony magic can grant that wish.”

“Actually… this wish is something I can grant you,” Sage said, turning to face the group. “This wish I grant you. Through the mystical fabric of the fourth dimension, you may now view what's happening at the same time as things are happening to you.”

Suddenly, a window magically began to appear in the boat in front of the group. “Behold... the Window of Meanwhile.”

“The Window of Meanwhile?” Patrick pressed his face into the window. “What’s it do?”

“It's like a Video on Demand service of parallel action,” said Sage. “Have a look.”

“Hey, uh... Patrick? We kinda wanna see the window too,” said Pipp, tapping on Patrick's back, “so... down in front.”

Patrick sat down as soon as an image of Gary sitting in the king's palace began to form in the window's reflection. “Look, Patrick!” SpongeBob said upon seeing Gary. “There he is!”

“Yeah, he looks all right!” Patrick said in relief. “Hey, Gary!”

“Phew... that’s such a relief,” sighed Sunny with a smile. “At least we know now that he isn't being harmed.”

But then, the window showed the chancellor bringing Gary to King Poseidon on a satin pillow. “Look what I found. Snail time.”

King Poseidon smiled immediately and scooped Gary up into his hands. “Hello, precious...”

“G-Gary?” Tropic’s ears pinned with worry, wondering what he was doing. The king proceeded to look Gary over with a confident smile. “I hope you don't ran out of juice or you'll end up like the others.”

“Others?” Zipp blinked. “What do you think he means by that?”

XXXXXXXX

During the king's first meet and greet with Allura and Twitch, the cancellor put one of the snails in the disposer and sent the poor thing to a torture chamber for snails with a hooded punk guy whipping them with no end...

...but no one else would know of such a fate for now.

XXXXXXXX

The king immediately smacked Gary onto his face, rubbing the slime in. “Oh yes...”

“GARY!!!” Arctic screamed, just as SpongeBob began to shake the window. “Gary! Hello?!”

“Okay,” said Sage. “The Window of Meanwhile doesn't really work that way.”

“Gary, run!” SpongeBob continued to bang on the window. “Get out of there!!”

“Gary, run!”

Sage cleared his throat to get their attention again. “It's not a video chat app like Skype or Facetime or anything.”

“Guys, this keeps going from bad to worse!” Sunny said with worry laced in her voice. “If we wanna save Gary, we have to hurry!”

“Otto, step on it!” Zipp said as SpongeBob and Patrick continued to shout Gary's name. “We gotta get to the Lost City of Atlantic City pronto!”

XXXXXXXX

A few hours later, back in Bikini Bottom, the Krusty Krab was in shambles by the time that night had fallen... the restaurant looked like a tornado... make that THREE tornadoes, swept through without warning.

Mr. Krabs was the sorriest sight you could ever see in that restaurant... without SpongeBob, nothing seemed right. He sent India to Squidward's house for a day or so, that way she didn’t have to see him suffer like this.

But... what was the point of any of this?

Suddenly, the door opened a bit, and Plankton walked into the Krusty Krab with a smug look on his face. “Hello, Eugene, old friend. How's business? Bad?” he asked, even though he already knew the answer, not giving Mr. Krabs a single second to respond. “Good. Well, that's restaurant for you, huh? Feast or famine. But I digress. Why don't you be a good little loser and hand over the secret formula?”

Mr. Krabs sighed heavily... there was really nothing else he could do at that moment. So, he decided to the world smallest key to open his belt and handed the smallest formula to Plankton, who was overjoyed that his plan actually worked. “Take it. It's yours. Take it all.”

Suddenly, Plankton realized that there was something different about his enemy's reaction that he didn’t expect. “Wait... you're giving up?”

“Oh, Plankton. I wouldn't expect you to understand,” Mr. Krabs sighed as he approached the window. “But somehow, without SpongeBob, Sunny and her little friends or those little fillies... this whole thing, just doesn't make sense anymore! Sunny told me that once that bein' with those you care about was better than any dollar amount, but... I never believed the lass. At least... not until now. So... what is the formula worth when those little ponies and my little boy-o aren't here to reep in the reward?”

“You can't do that!” Plankton protested. “ I've spent my entire career waiting for this moment and you roll over like a harpooned whale?! I WON'T LET YOU ROB ME OF MY VENGEANCE!!!!”

However, the once-proud owner of the Krusty Krab sadly trudged to his office, a sadness that Plankton had never heard before laced in his tone. “Give my regards to your lovely wife.”

And just like that, the door was closed, leaving Plankton a little confused and... feeling somewhat guilty of what he had done. “Huh. This doesn't, uh, feel quite good as, uh... yay, I won.”

Plankton slowly trudged out of the Krusty Krab, trying to figure out why he felt this twinge of guilt... and how he could be rid of it.

Then he wondered... what was SpongeBob, Patrick and their crew enduring right now?

Problems in the Lost City of Atlantic City

At the same time that Mr. Krabs had fallen into a depression and had given the secret formula to Plankton as a result, the others had continued on their journey to find Gary, with only a couple of hours to go until they reached their destination.

Soon, as the stars began to appear in the night sky, Otto made an announcement to the group in the back seats. “Congratulations. You have arrived at your destination.”

When the group looked ahead, they were stunned to see a very bright city with tall buildings and twinkling lights around every corner.

SpongeBob was the first to speak after a stunned moment of silence. “The Lost City of Atlantic City!”

“It's pretty...!!” Patrick said in awe. “Sweet sauce horseshoe toss! It sure is!” Arctic agreed, using Izzy’s catchphrase before she turned to her sister. “Are you sure this is the right place?”

“I think so... but it doesn’t look anything like the way Grandpa described it in his stories or in the book,” Tropic answered with surprise in her voice. “I guess people have their own opinions.”

“Well, if Gary is in there, we need to get in there too!” Zipp pointed out. “Who knows how long he can handle being in the king's personal hygiene routine!”

“Beware, young seekers,” Sage warned the group before they could get out of the car. “All is distortion. If you aren't careful, the Lost City will draw you into her fickle embrace, blind you with her dazzling distractions and tempt you with her fleeting games of chance. Whatever you do, don't be led astray, don't lose focus, and don't forget why you came here.”

The Mane 6, Sparky and the sea-unicorn twins nodded sincerely, taking this advice to heart. However... SpongeBob and Patrick didn’t seem all that concerned with the warning as they got out of the car. “Don't forget. Good one,” Patrick treated the warning like it was a joke. “I think we got this.”

“Yeah, Sage. I mean, you've been pretty good up until now, but I love Gary more than anything in the whooooole world!” SpongeBob spoke. “And,” Tropic added, “we did come here to get him back, so I think that would be a little hard to forget.”

Sage sighed worriedly at this as they walked toward the door. “Oh boy…”

“But… what if Sage is right in a way?” Misty asked. “Sometimes we can be laser-focused on something and it goes away in an instant.”

“Please,” SpongeBob scoffed. “We got focus to burn, baby--”

But the second they stepped inside, SpongeBob and Patrick’s eyes went wide as saucers, along with the ponies’ eyes, as they looked around at the casino-like environment around them. “Whoaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

But… the casino wasn’t the only thing to get SpongeBob and Patrick distracted.

“Cotton candy!”

“Ice cream!”

“Churrrrrros!!!”

SpongeBob and Patrick howled with excitement, pulling out wads of cash from their pockets, making the ponies realize that they had already forgotten what they came here for.

“Oh, boy,” Tropic rolled her eyes. “Guys, let's not go crazy now...”

But it was already too late. SpongeBob and Patrick took the twins and dragged them along to their ecstatic endeavors. “Great. Now we've got to find them,” Zipp groaned. “Arctic! Tropic! Try to talk some sense into them!” Hitch called out, but they were already gone.

XXXXXXXX

And so, SpongeBob and Patrick had the time of their lives, riding the rides and pigging out on the local food. Arctic and Tropic held resistance... at first. “SpongeBob! Patrick! We have to stay focused! Remember what Sage said?” Tropic tried to convince them. “Aww, come on!” Patrick spoke out of boredom. “Where’s your sense of fun?”

The four of them rode rollercoasters, bumper cars, and carousels-- basically, every ride the city had to offer.

SpongeBob and Patrick were screaming with excitement while Tropic and Arctic were mostly trying to stay quiet for their sake. But, though they didn't admit at first, they were enjoying themselves. “Come on, girls, isn't this fun?” SpongeBob said.

“No... well, I mean... I guess,” Arctic feebly licked her ice cream. The fun continued and, slowly, Arctic and Tropic gave in. It was more carnival rides and treats for them as the night bore on.

XXXXXXXX

Next was the casinos. At this point, the twins were all in for the fun. “Isn't it cool how they let you trade in your real money for these little plastic circles?” SpongeBob said, causing Tropic to nod. “Casinos are totally magical!”

“Would you mind if I put this down, sir?” SpongeBob asked the roulette table supervisor. “Place it wherever you like,” the supervisor responded.

"So, what do you say, guys?” Arctic asked. “What number should we pick?”

“Just put it on L,” Patrick pointed to the symbol on the table. “Patrick, that's not an L, that's a seven,” SpongeBob pointed out. “Seven starts with L? That's weird.”

SpongeBob placed the chip down on the seven, and this caused the supervisor to spin the roulette wheel. The four watched it spin and slowly came to a stop, watching the ball land right on the seven. "Seven!"

Upon saying such, the supervisor shoved a pile of more casino chips in front of SpongeBob, Patrick, and the twins. “More plastic circles!” SpongeBob gasped. “And do you know what this means?” Arctic asked, practically drunk on fun and sugar. “More roulettes!”

Out of nowhere, a group of other fish had surrounded the four. “Who are you guys?” SpongeBob asked. “We're your entourage,” They answered, causing SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins to smirk.

This was gonna be fun.

XXXXXXXX

The entourage followed SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins to the crappy tables, where Patrick placed a bet on the seven again. The dice bounced back and landed with the three and four faces were upright. "Lucky seven! Winner!"

They sang and danced as the traveled from one casino to another. Patrick began chanting the number seven as they went around, even in the bathrooms.

After they gor done at the casinos, they took a boat ride and played in the wave pool. “Hey, Patrick!” SpongeBob called from his surfboard. “What's up, Spongey-Dawg?” Patrick asked, upside-down on his surfboard.

“I lost all my money!”

"Me too!"

“So have we!” the twins cried as they jumped around in the pool. The entourage groaned in disappointment and dispersed.

But, it wasn't over... not by a long shor.

A few hours later, we find the four friends on a dance floor, dancing the night away. "I can do this forever!" Tropic screamed, prompting the crowd to cheer alongside her.

XXXXXXXX

By the next morning, the city had grown quiet as an octopus was busily sweeping up the walkways, passing by a sea star and two sea-unicorns who were passed out. When he went to empty his dustpan, he found a sea sponge stuffed in the garbage can, but instead of being concerned, the octopus rolled his eyes and went on with his job. SpongeBob’s weight quickly tipped the can over, which woke Patrick and the twins. “Party people!” Patrick looked around and spotted his friends. “Where is everybody?”

“Ugh. What happened last night?” Arctic asked, clutching her head. “I... I feel like I swallowed a sea urchin,” SpongeBob wheezed.

“Me too...” Patrick spoke before he spat out an actual sea urchin. “Hey, I did swallow a sea urchin!”

Tropic squeaked and hid behind her sister at the sight of the urchin, and as the urchin scurried away, Sage and the Mane 6 quickly approached, not happy in the slightest. “Well, well, well...” Sage said condescendingly. “Where have you guys been?” Sunny asked angrily. “We’ve been searching for you all night!”

“Sagester! Sunny! Good to see ya, pals!” SpongeBob said drunkenly. “Nice work, boys. Way to make my pearls of wisdom and flush them down the toilet,” Sage reprimanded them.

“You two especially, Arctic and Tropic,” Pipp added. “I thought you two were better than this.”

Tropic and Arctic's ears pinned as they looked down at the ground. “I-I guess we DID kinda get carried away...” Arctic mumbled. “That's putting it mildly!“ Hitch said. “Though I don't blame you for getting dragged along for this, but you shouldn't put a stop to it while you could.”

“Oh, no. Wait, did we...” SpongeBob coughed.

“Lose focus like I told you not to?” Sage finished in a rhetoric matter.

“Focus?” Patrick stared blankly. “Huh.”

“We're extremely disappointed in all four of you,” Sunny scolded. “You did what Sage specifically told you not to.”

“We're sorry, guys! We made a horrible mistake,” Arctic whimpered. “Do you even remember what we came here for?” Misty asked. The four tried to came up with an answer, but their minds were too clouded to think straight. “Let me jangle your minds,” Sage said. “You came here to get back something you lost.”

SpongeBob racked his brain, trying to remember, but he was still drawing a blank as Sage spoke up again. “Something you love.”

That's when it suddenly hit SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins dead on. “GARY!!”

“Yeah, Gary,” Sage said. “Seriously, it's hard enough being stuck in a tumbleweed... but dealing with you two makes me want to light myself on fire.”

That's when SpongeBob turned to Sage in a pleading manner. “Sage, buddy. Can we please look into the Window of Meanwhile one more time to see where Gary is?”

“No, it's not an on-demand service. And especially not for people who pass out and sleep in their own vomit all night.”

“Ohh... we did that...?” Tropic winced, more disgusted and ashamed with herself. Patrick put a finger to the puddle on the ground and put it in his mouth. "It's not vomit. It's drool."

“That doesn't make it better!” Pipp shrieked in disgust, just as Sage let out a frustrated sigh. “Fortunately for you, you woke up right here, on the steps of Poseidon's palace.”

The others turned to see a large building that read "Poseidon's Palace" in neon lettering, striking the group as a positive coincidence just before Sage turned to them again. “Now get it together. Go!”

“All right, Gary! We're coming for ya!“ SpongeBob ran to the building and began climbing the stairs. Though, after about 15 minutes, it became apparent that he was exhausted and could barely make it up the stairs. “Boy, oh, boy. Hey. Almost there, Gary!”

“...how about me and my friends go in and find him for you?” Sunny offered as she and her friends swam past. “You look a little bit out of breath.”

“No! I'm not giving up now!” SpongeBob heaved his body forward. Suddenly, Patrick came up, riding a motorized cart up the palace stairs. “Hey, hop on! They're just giving these things away at the grocery store!”

“Good call, buddy...” SpongeBob wheezed.

“Agreed. My fins are killing me,” Tropic and Arctic clambered on the cart just before the cart drove into the palace. But before the Mane 6 and Sparky could follow, Zipp saw some fish acting very strangely...

...like they were smiling all the time and searching for something.

That immediately caused the pegasus princess to hum in thought. “Hitch and Misty? Take Sparky and go after the others. The rest of you, come with me. I think I have another mystery in the works.”

“Wait for us, Zipperdoodle!” Izzy called, and the group separated in order to cover both their friends and Zipp’s new mystery... hoping neither would lead them into trouble.

XXXXXXXX

Misty, Sparky and Hitch swam after SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins as fast as they could go, and eventually caught up with them at a receptionist’s desk. “Hello,” SpongeBob said to the employee at the desk. “We would like an audience with his majesty King Poseidon.”

“And, we’d like it to be as early as he can,” Arctic added. “It’s kinda urgent.”

The hotel employee nodded at this and checked the schedule. “Oh, sure. Let me check. Two rubes and their horse friends to see Poseidon. No.”

Instantly, he pressed the reverse button on the cart, sending SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins backward at an alarming speed. “Oh, brother… here we go again!” Hitch cried, and he and Misty darted after them with Sparky under his hooves.

XXXXXXXX

At the same time, a band was checking in to perform for the king. “Hey, dude. We're the Blue Fin Group.”

“Right this…”

But before the security guard could finish, SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins slammed into the band, allowing the real band to fall into an elevator. “The Blue Fin Group, no!” the guard cried before turning to the group. “Hey!”

“Uh-oh!” Tropic yelped. By the time the cart drove off, Misty and Hitch had lost their friends, panting tiredly. “Where’d they go?!” Misty wondered. “Split up and check the whole area!” Hitch told her. “They couldn’t have gotten far!”

XXXXXXXX

“So, you’re sure you saw those citizens enter through here?” Pipp asked as they swam around the backside of the palace, careful not to alert any guards. “Sure, I did, and they were acting so strangely,” Zipp nodded. “I think we need to ask them what’s going on.”

“Whoaoaoaoaoaoa!!” Izzy yelped as she slipped on a patch of ice. “Along with this icy patch.”

“Hmmm… whatever caused this,” said Sunny, inspecting the ice, “has to be some really powerful magic.”

Suddenly they heard crackling, causing the group to gasp and stand side-by-side as they looked at their surroundings. And then, they heard grunting sounds as they turned and saw a bag being drug into the forest behind the castle as ZIpp turned to her friends. “All of you, stay down and follow my lead.”

The mares swam as low as they could go toward the forest, following the bag through the bushes.

And on the other side of the bushes was Twitch, dragging the heavy bag before tossing it, which caused some things like berries, some flowers, fruit, a pillow, a mirror, and a rubber ducky to fall out of the bag. Zipp hummed in thought as the four peeked over the bushes to watch him. “What are you up to, bunny boy…?”

Suddenly, a bush in front of them began to freeze over, and two purple paws stepped onto the ground, freezing the entire area. That’s when Pipp spotted something coming from the bushes… something VERY familiar. “Uh… girls?”

She pointed her hoof to it, and everyone turned in surprise to see that it was none other than the evil snow leopard, Allura, who was giving a sinister smile as she looked down at Twitch. “Allura?!” Izzy, Sunny and Pipp whispered in shock as Zipp took a picture of her and Twitch to show the others.

Unfortunately, Allura heard the camera clicking sounds. “What was that?”

But when she and Twitch turned, the mares had already hid. “Oh my hoofness…” Pipp panted. “This is bad!”

“Yeah!” Sunny agreed, fearing that her nightmare was coming true. “How did she escape Starlight Ridge?!”

“Doesn’t matter!” Zipp whispered. “Let’s send her back while we have the upper hoof!”

“No! With all those fish and sea-ponies around? It’s way too risky, especially without the magic snow we used last time to defeat her,” Sunny said. “Plus, we don’t know what she’s planning. Maybe she…”

Suddenly, Sunny stepped on a frozen twig, which caused it to break. Allura heard the crack as she turned with a growl and then roared loudly with her wing-like fins spread. “RUN!!” the mares cried, swimming away with their lives.

One thing was for sure… they had to find their friends and warn them of this threat.

XXXXXXXX

While the others were finding out that Allura had escaped from Starlight Ridge, a show was beginning in the palace, starting with a fish swinging on a golden platform. “Hey, hey, hey! I'm Tiffany Haddock and I'm here just for the halibut. Ha-ha-ha,” she said, landing on the stage. “All right then. Our next performers are gonna knock--”

Suddenly, she was knocked over when SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins (on their cart) rammed into her with the spotlight shining on them. Luckily, everyone seemed to think this was part of the act, and cheered for them.

That’s when SpongeBob noticed Poseidon sitting on his throne. “Poseidon?!”

“We are getting an audience with the king!” Patrick said as the four bowed, and the king looked at them expectantly. “Well, let's have it. Perform, please!”

That’s when SpongeBob and Patrick got the same idea… to perform the same rhyme and routine they had done at summer camp when they were kids.

SpongeBob and Patrick: Hey! Aka Waka Maka Mia
Was a puffer fish (armpit fart)

Tropic and Arctic weren’t really sure how to contribute in that moment, so they decided to prance a little bit to the beat and tried not to make themselves look too stupid.

SpongeBob and Patrick: Being bigger than a puffer
Was his only wish
And so he huffed, he puffed
He billowed and he blew

Suddenly, halfway during the act, the king began to smear some of Gary’s slime onto his face, and this caused the four friends to stop in delight upon seeing him. “GARY!!”

Gary lit up instantly upon seeing them, meowing in delight. “Gary!” Tropic cried. “We’re coming, buddy!”

As she and Arctic swam toward the throne, SpongeBob and Patrick hopped from table to table until they got to where the twins were, and the twins struggled to lift SpongeBob and Patrick up to the king’s balcony where SpongeBob could talk to the king personally. “ Excuse me, King Poseidon, sire. There's been a misunderstanding about Gary.”

However, the king was confused. “Gary?”

“Gary.”

“Gary?”

“The snail you're rubbing all over your face right now,” Arctic added nervously while trying to sustain the weight of Patrick on her back while Patrick held SpongeBob on his shoulders. “Nonsense!” the king declared. “Besides, the snail's name is Fred.”

“Fred?” SpongeBob was appalled at this. “You renamed Gary?!”

“Fred.”

“Gary!”

This prompted a tug-of-war fight between SpongeBob and the king, and this went on for a moment… at least until Arctic and Tropic couldn’t hold Patrick anymore, causing all four of them to collapse on the ground, with SpongeBob losing his grip on Gary as well.

Angered that someone would try to take HIS snail, King Poseidon immediately summoned the guards. “Seize them!”

“GARY!!” SpongeBob shrieked as the girls screamed as they were taken away to who knows where. “But Gary loves me! And I love him!”

The king placed Gary under a glass covering, causing the snail to meow sorrowfully, tears filling his eyes.

He was almost able to escape and go home… and now, his friends were gone.

XXXXXXXX

“Misty, haven’t we already searched this hallway?” Hitch asked. “Or do all of them look exactly the same?”

“They do look similar, but we have to keep looking,” Misty said. “Who knows what trouble our friends could be in by now?”

“Let me go, you big tin cans!”

Misty, Hitch and Sparky dove into hiding just in time to see SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins being drug away from the king's throne room, much to their horror. “You don’t understand! Gary is our snail!” Tropic said as they disappeared down the hallway. “There's been a huge misunderstanding!”

“Guys, where's SpongeBob and the others?” Sunny asked once she and the other mare swam closer to their friends. “There’s this crazy thing that we have to earn them and you guys about!”

“They just got drug away!” Misty cried. “And we have no idea what to do! Wait... what's your news?”

Zipp shuddered as she felt the words rising to her throat. “It's a long story. Let's find a place to lay low and we'll tell you everything. Then... we have a rescue mission to formulate.”

Author's Note

I totally owe Indywriter Productions with help on some of these scenes-- I don’t know how else to thank you. You rock, buddy!

Friends to the Rescue!

The worst possible events had occured.

Allura and Twitch had somehow gotten to the Lost City of Atlantic City, and now, SpongeBob, Patrick and the sea-unicorn twins had been captured and locked away in the dungeons.

And worst of all... Sunny and her friends weren’t sure how to get rid of Allura without the magic snow and they weren’t sure on how to save their friends either.

As the group hid away in a large storage closet and struggled to think, Sunny got an idea. “If anyone can convince the king to spare our friends, it’s another royal!”

“But, King Poseidon doesn’t know us,” Zipp pointed out. “If Pipp and I went in there…”

“I’m not thinking you and Pipp,” clarified Sunny. “I have another royal in mind… Queen Skygrace! I better text her and Riverstream to tell her what’s going on.”

“What about the others?” Misty asked. “They need to know about SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins too!”

“Good idea, Misty. While they’re there,” said Sunny, “they can pick up the others, and we’ll meet them outside the palace. I just hope we’re not too late…”

XXXXXXXX

By the time the next morning arrived, Sandy and Volcano were rocking through town, a sleigh being pulled by two rocket engines, all the way to SpongeBob and Tropic’s house.

Volcano enjoyed the high-speed activities that Bikini Bottom had to offer, and this was by far one of his favorites, as shown by the fact that he was cheering and hollering the entire way.

Once getting to SpongeBob’s street, Sandy pulled on the reins to slow the engines down. “Yeehaw! Incoming! Whoa!” she said, and the rockets stopped, letting the sleigh slowly descend. “Good rockets.”

“SpongeBob! Tropic!” Volcano called as he and Sandy entered the house. “Get your co-pilot goggles, guys, cause we're goin' sleddin'! I know Sunny and the others are gonna love it as much as you will!”

But, as he and Sandy searched through the house, it looked like the entire place had been ransacked and thrown apart. “You in here? Sunny? SpongeBob?” Volcano called before Sandy accidentally kicked the flipped-over litter box. “Huh, that's weird. Something's fishy around here, Volcano, and we’re gonna find out what.”

“How are we gonna do that?” asked Volcano with a raised eyebrow. “By questioning potential witnesses,” Sandy answered. “Let’s get to the Krusty Krab, and hopefully, we can get some answers.”

XXXXXXXX

Sandy and Volcano arrived at the Krusty Krab to find it completely in ruins since the customers went wild on it the previous day.

And like Volcano and Sandy feared, SpongeBob and the Equestrians weren’t there… and neither were the twins.

When they arrived, Mr. Krabs and India were laying around, wondering where their friends were while Squidward read his Kelpy G magazine, and Sandy spoke first, obviously upset. “All right, what'd y'all do with SpongeBob? And the twins and Equestrians for that matter?”

“We don’t know where they are, Sandy,” Squidward shrugged. “They haven’t been here in days.”

Squidward yelped as soon as Sandy leapt upon him, demanding more honest answers. “Don't you play coy with me, cephalopod. And you, arthropod,” she said, turning to Mr. Krabs, causing him and India to shriek. “Start talking, where are they? Tied up in the basement? Stuffed in your trunk?”

“Sandy, you got it all wrong!” India pleaded. “They’ve been gone for days. I checked SpongeBob’s house yesterday, and it was like they completely disappeared!”

“Plus, we could never harm the lad and those ponies,” Mr. Krabs said as he turned away. “Their absence has taught me that much. And I'm not just talking about the money I'm losing with them gone.”

This caused the two foals, Sandy and Squidward to look at each other, and Mr. Krabs honestly corrected himself. “Okay, fifty percent talking about the money and fifty percent talking about I truly miss the boy and his friends!!”

“Awwww…” Sandy groaned, feeling bad for being so hard on the boys. “He’s right in a way. Sunny and her friends do have a way of making people around here feel better about themselves,” Squidward admitted. “And I hate to say admit this about SpongeBob, but things aren't the same without him.”

“Then there’s no denying it,” India said. “We need SpongeBob and the ponies… more than ever!”

“This is just me spit-balling,” said Volcano, “but did anypony ever stop to think that they might need us?”

“We did.”

Everyone turned to see Queen Skygrace and Riverstream swimming into the room, looking very worried. “Your highnesses, what are you doing here?” Sandy asked. “I thought the summit wasn’t supposed to be over until tomorrow.”

“We were supposed to stay till the end, until we got distressing news that made us swim back here as fast as we could,” Queen Skygrace frowned. “Sunny text and told us it was an emergency and to fetch you all.”

“And… take us where?” Squidward raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?” Riverstream snatched the TV remote and turned on the TV. “Have none of you been watching the news?”

“Why? What’s so important?” Volcano asked, and his question was answered when Perch Perkins came on screen. “This is Perch Perkins coming to you from The Lost City of Atlantic City. I'm standing on the strip outside Poseidon's Palace and Casino, where two suspects have been taken into custody tonight, following an attempt on the royal snail.”

Then, much to the group’s horror, SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins’ mugshots appeared on the screen, causing India and Sandy to gasp in horror as Perch continued. “The sea-unicorns, sponge and sea star were impersonating a lounge act when they made an attempt on Poseidon's prized mollusk.”

When a shot of Gary meowing appeared onscreen, everyone except the royal sisters gasped in horror. “It’s Gary!!”

“The suspect's vehicle was apprehended after a high-speed chase,” Perch continued, showing Otto evading the police and making Sandy highly suspicious. “Mr. Krabs… what happened to Otto…?”

“Well, he took an automated vacation.”

“Shh, quiet, you two!” Riverstream scolded. “I wanna hear more! They’re saying something about their sentence!”

True to her word, Perch continued to tell the public what he knew. “In a related story, Poseidon's Palace presents a command performance, featuring the execution of the suspects in the Aqua Room this Friday night.”

“Execution of the suspects?!” Mr. Krabs blurt out. “What happened to habeas swordfish?”

“Messing with the royal snail IS a serious offense,” said Queen Skygrace, “but that’s SpongeBob’s pet snail! There has to be some sort of leniency!”

Unfortunately, there was no leniency in their future as Perch finished his report. “It’s a fun-filled family event, with opening act, Kelpy G. One performance only, tickets still available.”

As Squidward began to get excited about Kelpy G, India suddenly knew what the group had to do. “If Sunny and the others managed to text you, then she and the others must be free! We have to go help them save our friends!”

“We embark immediately!” Mr. Krabs agreed. “Aw yeah!!” Volcano pumped a hoof. “Rescue mission central, here we come!”

Suddenly, the door opened a little bit, and the group watched as Plankton came through the door sheepishly. “Excuse me. Uh… can I tag along?”

“Plankton?” Queen Skygrace raised an eyebrow. “Forgive me for being blunt, but what do you have to do with this?”

Plankton gulped upon realizing he had to face the queen of the hippogriffs, and tried to explain in a way where he wouldn’t get in trouble immediately. “I-I-I-I might have a teensy-weensy hand in a very…”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Mr. Krabs dismissed, “we'll hear about it in the car. Mr. Squidward, are you coming?”

“Ha! Fat chance…” Squidward began before popping up between Volcano and Riverstream, dressed in Kelpy G fan merchandise. “Fat chance I'd miss a Kelpy G performance. I'm in!”

“...well, he’s coming with us in some form,” Riverstream sighed. “Come on! There isn’t a moment to lose!”

“To the Patty-Mobile!” Mr. Krabs declared. Sandy, Mr. Krabs, Squidward and Plankton slid down a pole into a secret room below the Krusty Krab while the sea-ponies just dove after them. Once reaching the secret room, Mr. Krabs pulled the tarp off the Patty-Mobile… but it was revealed to be the Patty Wagon from one of the earlier adventures.

Squidward was immediately unamused. “What? This old tub?”

“Never judge a Patty-Mobile by it's bun, Squidward,” Sandy said, and pressed a button to allow the Patty-Mobile to upgrade into a long patty with tomatoes and Ketchup and Mustard as speed boosters. “All right! This is what I’m talking about!” Volcano exclaimed as they got into the Patty-Mobile. “I say, let’s light this puppy up!!”

Sandy immediately rolled down the window and fired up the boosters, prompting the car to go turbo all the way down the runway. “YEEEEEE-HAWWWW!!!”

“MOOOOOOOOMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!” Squidward screamed while the others cheered/screamed, and the Patty-Mobile burst from the ground and down the road, in an effort to reach their friends before it became too late to save their friends from this horrible fate.

SpongeBob and Patrick's Argument/Meeting Allura

While the rest of their friends, let by Queen Skygrace and Riverstream, were on their way to the Lost City of Atlantic City for the ultimate rescue mission, the Mane 6 were still in hiding, trying to piece together how Allura and Twitch escaped Starlight Ridge.

Sunny hummed in thought. “Violet Frost told us before that there was some sort of barrier keeping Allura in Starlight Ridge, right?”

“Yeah,” Hitch nodded. “And we didn’t see her again after we defeated her… at least, until now.”

“So… what if there was some sort of tear in the barrier?” Zipp said. “A tear big enough for Allura and Twitch to slip through?”

“Or… what if something opened the barrier? Like… maybe… us leaving Starlight Ridge with Rudolph and the others while we were searching for Happy?” Sunny said, her voice beginning to get fearful. “Oh no… this is OUR fault!”

“Sunny, we couldn’t have known that leaving Starlight Ridge would open the barrier and let Allura get out,” Misty tried to comfort her friend. “I’m not sure the auroricorns knew either. They were just celebrating their victory over Allura, after all.”

“But… if Allura and Twitch were here, then why was Twitch bringing all that stuff to her?” Pipp asked. “Maybe she thought the piece of the star was in them,” Zipp pointed out, “and she must have enchanted those fish with her hypnotic purr in order to help her search for it!”

“So… she could be in a rally with King Poseidon, and this could put the entire ocean in danger!” Hitch realized, causing Sparky to gasp. “And if she finds the star piece,” Sunny gulped, “she could have just enough power to leap to other realms!”

“But we’re not gonna let that happen, right, Sunny?” Izzy asked. “...no, of course not,” Sunny shook her head. “But… we have to help our friends first. Come on… we better sneak outside and wait for the others to arrive.”

XXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, in the dungeons, SpongeBob was an emotionless mess… since they had moved into the dungeon, he hadn’t said a word or moved a muscle, and it honestly worried the twins, who were trying to come up with a way out on their own.

Patrick, however, was too focused on the little keyboard toy that he had found in the cell a few minutes earlier. However, as Patrick was playing with his new toy, SpongeBob fell onto his side, still showing no emotion on his face. “SpongeBob?” Arctic called in concern. “You okay?”

SpongeBob said nothing, but offered a sniffle in response, causing Patrick to frown. “Hey, buddy… sorry about this.”

“It… it’s not your fault, Patrick. And it isn’t your fault either, girls,” SpongeBob said, curling up as tears began to enter his eyes. “You guys, along with Sunny and the ponies, have been true friends this whole time. Never wavered, never flauntered. It's just... I failed, that's all! And I'll never see innocent little Gary again… oh, my heart is… broken! Eehhhhhh…”

“Oh, come on now. Buck up,” Patrick tried to be reassuring. “Hey, yeah! Patrick’s right!” Tropic realized. “It's not over yet, SpongeBob. Sunny and the others are still out there, and I know they’re gonna come and rescue us!”

“It sure feels over, though,” SpongeBob rubbed his bottom as he sat up. “And crappy…”

Patrick shrugged as he turned back to his keyboard toy. “Just saying there's two sides to every coin.”

“Oh, Patrick. What does a coin have to…?” SpongeBob immediately stopped speaking once Patrick’s words registered in his mind. “Wait, did you just say coin?”

“Me? Uh, don't think so.”

The cow sound on the keyboard caused Patrick to chuckle a bit. “You did!” SpongeBob said. “You said ‘coin’.”

“Not remembering that exactly,” Patrick said, just before a telephone sound caused Patrick to pick up the keyboard. “Hello?”

“The challenge coin!” Arctic suddenly realized. “Of course! Oh, don't you see, Patrick? We're saved!”

However, Patrick was still trying to answer his ‘phone call’, and wasn’t paying any attention. “I said hello!”

SpongeBob reached into his pocket to get the challenge coin and earn them a bus ticket to freedom (so to speak), but immediately froze when he realized that the challenge coin was no longer in his pockets. “Patrick, it’s gone!!”

“Meh. Was the challenge coin really that useful? Hello?!!” Patrick called into the keyboard again before throwing it on the ground. “Stupid prank callers…”

That’s when SpongeBob suddenly remembered something about where the challenge coin was. “Hey, wait a sec. I gave it to you, remember?” he said to Patrick. “For safekeeping.”

“...no.”

“Come on, it was last night! We were at the crappie tables.”

XXXXXXXX

“Place your bets!” said the attendant at the crappie tables. “Come on, seven! Come on, seven! Come on, seven!” Patrick cried and placed a coin on the table… not realizing that it was the challenge coin that he had set down.

XXXXXXXX

Upon realizing what had happened, SpongeBob turned to Patrick, burning with fury, much to the fear of the twins. “You…!! You gambled away my challenge coin! You wrecked our entire mission with one stupid bet?!”

Patrick scoffed in response. “Well, only after you kept saying…”

XXXXXXXX

“What?!” Tropic cried before groaning. “There goes our ride to freedom!”

“Let it ride, Patrick! LET IT RIDE!!!” SpongeBob told Patrick as the girls ate some ice cream, causing him to rip his pants. “WHOO!!!”

“AGH!! MY EYES!!!” Arctic wailed, covering her eyes with her hooves as Patrick held up the challenge coin. “But SpongeBob, what if you need the challenge coin tomorrow to help you summon your courage?”

“Tomorrow is for weenies!! WHOO!!” SpongeBob said, rolling around on the table, laughing like a maniac.

XXXXXXXX

“Ohhhh yeah…” Tropic recalled. “I remember that now! Seeing SpongeBob’s underwear is something I will never forget… even if I wanted to…”

“And guess what?” Patrick asked the twins, glaring at SpongeBob. “It’s tomorrow, and guess who’s the weenie?”

As Patrick turned away from SpongeBob with a huff, the twins kept their eyes locked on their friends, waiting for someone to blow up…

…but they weren’t expecting it to be SpongeBob, however. “I… can’t… believe you!!”

“You can't believe me? Are you serious right now?” Patrick yelled. “Blame the twins! They’re the ones who were SUPPOSED to keep an eye on us, like Sunny told them to!”

“Leave them out of this!” SpongeBob defended, stepping in front of the twins. “They were just being kids!”

“Besides, we… we tried to keep an eye on you!” Arctic tried to plead. “I guess we just got wrapped up in the fun!”

“But because you were SO obsessed with betting,” SpongeBob growled at Patrick, “we lost our only chance at saving Gary! I can't believe you would be so SELFISH!!!”

“Oh-ho, well, I think you can believe THIS!!!” Patrick said, opening the cell door, grabbing Arctic by the hoof and dragging her out of the cell. “Arctic and I are out of here!”

“Tropic!” Arctic tried to reach out to her sister, but Patrick shoved her into another cell before anything else could be done.

But even when they were separated, SpongeBob and Patrick were STILL yelling at each other.

“And don't come back!”

“Oh, don’t worry, we won’t!”

“Good!”

“EVER!!”

“Fine!”

“Super!”

Suddenly, a soft crying sound caught SpongeBob’s attention, causing him to turn to see Tropic sobbing. “How could you let me and my sister be seperated…?” she whimpered. “You know we promised each other we wouldn’t be apart anymore… no matter if you and Patrick were fighting or not...”

SpongeBob wasn’t sure what to tell the filly… but she was right.

He promised Tropic that he and Patrick would never separate the fillies and look what they just did.

But before anyone could say anything, Sage rolled into the dungeons to speak with them. “Hey, losers.”

“Oh,” Patrick waved. “Hey, Sage.”

“Sage!” Tropic cried in relief. “We’re so happy you’re here!”

“Yeah… and guess who gambled away my challenge coin?” SpongeBob asked, pointing at Patrick, who scoffed in response. “Guess who blames everyone else for his troubles?”

“Well, guess who grabbed Arctic and pulled her away from her sister?!”

“STOP!!!” Arctic finally screamed. “I can’t take this arguing anymore! It’s getting old and I just wanna get Gary and go home!!”

Both fillies crying was enough to get Patrick and SpongeBob to finally silence themselves, realizing what they had done to the fillies mentally. This realization caused Sage to grumble in frustration. “Did I mention you are the worst epic heroes for whom I've ever been a spirit guide?”

“Um, I think we went over that this morning.”

“I believe we did, yeah.”

Sage sighed in response, and turned toward SpongeBob again. “SpongeBob, the coin was just a symbol. The courage you seek is inside you, not in the coin. And it will come to you in your hour of need.”

However, SpongeBob grew confused to this statement. “But, isn't this my hour of need?”

Sage laughed in response. “No… it gets way worse,” he said before rolling out of the room. “Bye!”

“...worse?” SpongeBob gulped nervously, causing Tropic to scoff and mutter with teary eyes. “He said ‘way worse’.”

The twins were silent for a few more minutes before Patrick approached the little blue filly and patted her back. “I’m sorry for splitting you and Tropic up, Arctic.”

“Me too,” SpongeBob sighed, sitting next to Tropic and putting a hand on her back to comfort her. “I should have done a better job at keeping my promise… and you guys shouldn’t have to look after me and Patrick. We should be old enough to look after ourselves and be serious enough to handle a mission like this. And we were depending on you guys and the Equestrians way too much.”

“...can you forgive us?” Patrick asked. “...I think we can,” Arctic said with a mutter, finally looking up at him, “but… will you guys promise us to not break your promises this time?”

“Definitely,” SpongeBob nodded, and in their separate cells, the twins hugged their friends warmly, happy that they were one step closer to making up…

…when a sinister voice spoke outside their cells. “Well well well… isn’t this a touching moment?”

Upon hearing this voice, the four friends turned to see Allura smirking in front of their cells. “Wait… I know who you are!” Tropic said in panic. “You’re Allura! The evil snow leopard Sunny told us about!”

“Uh-oh…” Arctic gulped and hid behind Patrick. “I'm happy that I am finally getting noticed,” Allura said with a smirk as SpongeBob got in front of Tropic to protect her if necessary. “Plus, I had to see those little ponies’ friends for myself… and give you a message for those little pests.”

“What message?” SpongeBob asked with slight nervousness. “And would you like it to be a voice message or a written one?”

“Quiet!” Allura snapped before smirking and slowly pacing in front of their cells. “I want you to tell those pony pests that I am so close to finding the star piece, I can taste it… and once I find all the pieces and increase my power, their little realm of Equestria won’t be the only one in trouble… and by the look of those guards coming, you’re in trouble as well. Ta-ta… and give dear King Poseidon my regards. Him letting me and Twitch stay here is what got us this far.”

With a sinister chuckle, Allura and Twitch swam out of the room, letting Tropic try to process what Allura had just said. “King Poseidon was helping her? And… what did she mean by us being in trouble?”

Suddenly, the chancellor and several other guards came into the dungeon. “Prepare the prisoners!” said the chancellors, but SpongeBob immediately brushed it off. “Oh, that couldn't be for us.”

“It's your time to fry, I mean, shine,” the chancellor continued, and this caused Tropic to immediately panic. “SpongeBob, I think those guards ARE here for us! We’re gonna die!!”

“Not if Sunny and her friends formulate a plan in time!” cried Arctic before looking out the cell window. “Oh… I just hope they have one worked out by now…”

The Aqua Room Trial

“Okay, so let me get this straight,” Riverstream said as the Patty-Mobile zoomed down the road and after Plankton told them the entire story. “You actually thought you would get to the Krabby Patty secret formula by getting rid of Gary, thus getting rid of SpongeBob, Tropic, Arctic and the Equestrians in the process?”

“Uh… yeah, actually,” Plankton blinked in surprise. “You sure got that quickly from what little information I gave you.”

“Eh, princess wit and charm gets you a long way.”

“That… that plan is just monstrous!” Mr. Krabs exclaimed. “Wait,” said Squidward. “That actually sounds like a pretty solid plan.”

“What do you expect?” Plankton asked them. “I’m evil.”

“Let's just focus on the plan!” Sandy redirected their focus. “Sandy is right,” Queen Skygrace nodded. “We have a mission to handle and friends’ lives at stake!”

“Approaching the Lost City of Atlantic City,” Mr. Krabs said as they pulled into the bustling city of lights, weaving through traffic at top speed in order to reach Poseidon’s palace. “Make way there, make way!”

Finally, they reached the palace, screeching to a halt, and allowing a tomato to fly from the Patty-Mobile onto the face of a nearby woman. “Eww…”

Sunny and her friends burst through the doors as soon as they saw their friends arrive, relief all over their faces. “There you guys are!” Sunny said, hugging Riverstream. “We were getting worried!”

“Hey… what’s he doing here?” Zipp narrowed her gaze at Plankton. “I don’t remember you saying to bring HIM along.”

“Hey, what were we supposed to do? Leave him when he was asking to come along and fix a huge mistake he made?” Volcano asked, earning a questioning look from Zipp that made him chuckle. “Story for another time.”

“Speaking of, how are things holding up here?” Sandy asked. “Well… we thought things were okay, despite the circumstances,” said Misty before pointing up at a nearby billboard, “but… that changed when THAT was put up.”

Squidward looked up at the sign and read it with wide eyes. “Sponge, Sea-Unicorn and Star Execution Extravaganza?!”

“Yeah, and we heard from our hiding spot that they have a professional executioner to do the job right!” Pipp added. “Not to mention Allura’s here!”

“The evil snow leopard you guys told me about?!” India shrieked. “That’s really not good!”

“We’ll explain everything, but we have show you the way!” Zipp said as the Mane 6 swam ahead. “Right! No time to lose!” cried Mr. Krabs, and the groups bolted inside in an effort to save their friends.

XXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, Tiffany Haddock was getting the Execution Extravaganza off the only way she knew how... with flair. “Woop, woop, woop. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Aqua Room, y'all. The greatest show underwater!!”

“I love you, Tiffany!” cried one fish from the crowd. “Yeah, holler at you, girl! Are you ready to be entertained?” Tiffany asked the crowd, and as they cheered, Tiffany pretended that it wasn’t enough. “Hmm? I can't hear you? Are you ready to be entertained?!”

This time, the cheering was much louder. “All right then… let's meet the contestants. First up, we have a sponge, two sea-unicorn twins and a star. Four of the ocean's most notorious criminals.”

A desk turned around, revealing SpongeBob and Patrick sitting behind it, and Tropic and Arctic floated next to it, ropes tied around their necks to prevent them from escaping. And upon seeing them, the crowd booed in protest, making the twins that much more terrified just before Tiffany continued the introductions. “And in this corner, representing his majesty the king, Poseidon's very own chancellor!”

The chancellor was revealed at the other desk across from them, and the crowd burst into cheers at the sight. “Now, drumroll, maestro,” Tiffany told the conductor of the band as a steady drumroll began to play. “Put your fins together for the duke of the dirty deed, the earl of execution, that ax-wielding maniac, oh yeah, Lemont!”

As the crowd cheered, a hooded fish wielding an ax appeared from the darkness, prompting the crowd to cheer and Tiffany to swoon over him. “Ooh, I love me some Lemont. Mm, mm, mm. He's so strong.”

SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins nervously gulped at this, and the others snuck their way into the room, but stopped as Tiffany got another announcement to read. “One more important player, y’all. Please, give it up for the leader of Starlight Ridge, the mistress with the most-ess… Allura!!”

Many fish began to murmur until Allura sat and took her place beside of the king, a smug look on her face. Back on the ground, the others looked up at the balcony with fear and slight nervousness. “That’s Allura?” Volcano asked before gulping. “She’s a LOT more intimidating than I thought…”

“More importantly, she’s been helping the king with this whole scheme!” Zipp said with a growl. “She’s more dangerous than we thought.”

“Just remember the plan,” Sunny whispered to her friends. “Keep moving, get up onstage, and you guys get ready to defend SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins while we do our part.”

They soon began moving again as Tiffany overlooked the crowd again. “Ladies and gentlemen, with a moment of smooth jazz in memory of the soon-to-be-goners, I give you… Kelpy G.”

Kelpy G came onstage and began to perform a beautiful song on his clarinet, and Squidward eagerly popped his head up to get a good look. “Squidward, get down!” whispered Hitch as he and Zipp pushed his head down. “Do you want our plan to get ruined?”

“Fine, fine…” Squidward muttered as they continued to sneak around. But as Kelpy G’s music continued, SpongeBob felt a huge mass of guilt entering his chest. “Oh, Patrick. I feel terrible. I dragged you and the twins into this whole mess.”

“It’s gonna be okay, SpongeBob,” Arctic reassured. “Patrick already has a plan!”

“Oh yeah!” Patrick nodded. “I made a plea deal with the prosecution!”

Patrick and the chancellor made a thumbs-up sign at each other, making SpongeBob sigh in relief for a moment. “Oh, that's good-- wait, you did what?!”

Patrick nodded and took the chance to explain. “All I had to do is, uh, oh yeah, ‘Bring incriminating evidence against the defendant’.”

“Patrick… SpongeBob is the defendant!” Tropic said in frustration. “He is?” Patrick asked stupidly. “Oh…”

Soon, Kelpy G finished his song. “Allura, would you do the honor and start this trial?” the king invited. “It would be my honor,” Allura said with a smirk before spreading her fin-like wings. “Let the proceedings begin!”

The chancellor cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses before speaking. “Your honors, I would like to enter into evidence one sea snail. Name: Fred.”

Gary meowed as he was brought next to the king by one of Allura's brainwashed servants, causing Tropic to gasp in panic, seeing him trapped under a glass dome. “Gary!!”

“How dare you?” the chancellor asked, getting in her and SpongeBob’s faces. “That's about all I can say. How dare you come here to the sanctuary of our reversed sovereign, to rob him of very lifeblood? His adorable good looks!”

Allura rolled her eyes as the king and Twitch laughed. “Go on,” said the king. “How indeed dare you!” said the chancellor, prompting the crowd to start booing. Then… Poseidon delivered his verdict. “GUILTY!!!”

“Lemont! Lemont! Lemont!” the crowd cheered, and Lemont used his ax to chop straight through a pile of wood. SpongeBob, Patrick and the twins screamed and clung to each other in terror, and Sunny knew that their plan had to go into effect now. “Zipp, Skygrace! Now!”

Zipp and Skygrace swam to the wall and flicked the huge light switch, causing the entire room to go dark.

While everyone began to mutter and move around in the darkness, everyone else grabbed the chancellor, Tiffany and Lemont, tying them up, gagging them and hiding them behind the curtains behind the stage. When the lights came back on, Sandy was already at the microphone. “Hold it! If It please the court, I'd like to say something in SpongeBob's defense.”

“In fact…” said Sunny as the rest of the group came out of hiding, “we ALL would.”

“Sunny!” Arctic cried in delight. “You guys came back for us!”

“Of course we did,” Pipp told her. “You guys okay?”

“For the moment,” Tropic admitted, “but we sure would like to get out of here…”

“And you will, don’t worry,” Skygrace whispered before turning to the king. “Your highness? Allura? Do you agree to our request?”

“...as a matter of fact, we don’t,” Allura snarled. “Sit down, or things won’t end well for you.”

“I agree with Lady Allura!” the king agreed. “It does NOT please the court!”

“But, sire, a strong defense makes for a better show. Isn't that right, audience?” Sandy asked the audience, who cheered in response. Allura turned to look at the king, who was contemplating before he eventually relented. “All right. All right!! I’ll allow it.”

Allura snarled at this, but eventually relented once she eyed the king’s crown. “Fine…” she said before leaning in to whisper to Twitch. “Once they give us a reason to, we grab the star piece and get out of here.”

“Thank you, your honors,” Riverstream said as she bowed, trying not to sound nervous. “Uh… Sandy? Why don’t you go first? I mean… since you’re already at the podium.”

“I’d be happy to, princess,” Sandy said, stepping forward before clearing her throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, SpongeBob has always been there for me. Even going all the way back to summer camp. In fact, that's where we all met.”

XXXXXXXX

The bus to Camp Coral, the famed underwater summer camp, had finally arrived to the camp, and a bunch of eager campers hopped off the bus and rushed to the activities...

...one of them being a young SpongeBob Squarepants, a heavy backpack on his back. “I-I-I-I'm…”

But as he was getting off the bus, he slipped and tumbled right into a puddle, causing him to soak up all the water before spitting it right back out. “...ready!”

As soon as he got his footing, Young SpongeBob ran toward the camp, excitement overflowing. “Look at the cool activities! Camping, canoeing, seahorse back riding! Tug-of-war, whale watching! Juggling contest, shrink-wrap soccer and more!”

“WHOOOOO-HOOOO!!!”

Young SpongeBob looked to see a creature wearing a space suit descending from the highest point of the ocean, hanging onto a jellyfish like a parachute. “Whoa…”

“Hey, y'all critters of the sea. Look out below!” said the creature, and this was revealed, as she landed, to be a young Sandy Cheeks, coming underwater for the very first time and greeting SpongeBob with a smile. “I'm Sandy Cheeks from Texas.”

“Hi, Sandy!” Young SpongeBob smiled. “I’m SpongeBob!”

“Pleased to meet ya!” Young Sandy shook Young SpongeBob’s hand as he began to walk around her. “Does everybody wear space suits in Texas?”

“They do if they want to visit you underwater creatures,” Young Sandy explained. “We all breathe air on the surface. It's just our way of synthesizing oxygen. Same as you do with water.”

Young SpongeBob had no idea what she was talking about, but it fascinated him greatly. “Whoa… are you a scientist?”

“Nah, I'm just a squirrel,” Young Sandy sighed. “I can't be a scientist. Even though, It's kind of my dream.”

But, Young SpongeBob frowned immediately upon hearing this remark. “Sandy Cheeks, you take that back! I bet you can do anything.”

“Really?” Young Sandy asked with wonder, thoughts of being a scientist filling her head. “Me as a scientist!”

After shaking her head to clear it, Young Sandy turned back to Young SpongeBob with a wide grin. “You're a hoot, little one. I'd be just as likely to live down here in a glass dome with a tree in it. Ha-ha!”

“You never know.”

Young SpongeBob and Young Sandy took turns laughing and punching each other on the arms before walking off toward the camp, a life-long friendship beginning to form.

XXXXXXXX

Back in the present, Sandy was finishing up her story with a fond smile. “He's the one that told me, no matter who I was or where I came from. I should follow my dream. That's a friend, people. Tropic is lucky to be able to look up to him as a foster figure... but she won't be able to if SpongeBob is executed. That's another reason for people to see that... SpongeBob is no criminal, in my eyes or in anyone else's eyes. He's the best little fella that ever walked the sea bottom and that's, that's just how I feel about it. So please, don't hurt him.”

“Awwww…” Pipp cooed as Sandy and SpongeBob hugged, and Hitch wiped a tear or two from his eyes at the sweet sentiment of the story. Suddenly, an outburst from Patrick caused all attention to turn to him in shock. “This man broke the law!”

Everyone gasped at this-- SpongeBob, the twins and the ponies especially. “What Patrick means is, the law that says ‘you should stay home and accept the fact that somebody stole your snail.’ The law of ‘There's probably nothing I can do about it’.”

“Well, in this sea star’s opinion,” Patrick continued, “those laws should be broken and SpongeBob is proof of it! All he's guilty of is having the fortitude to try and rescue a friend.”

Gary meowed sadly from his prison, just before Izzy tapped Patrick’s shoulder. “Patrick, is this gonna lead to another story?”

“Uh-huh,” Patrick nodded before turning to the crowd. “How do I know, you may be wondering? Oh, I was just a lonely bump on a log when I first met him.”

“Ohhh, I remember Patrick telling me this story!” Arctic whispered to her sister, sitting on the ground. “This is gonna be good.”

XXXXXXXX

Many years ago, at Camp Coral, a young Patrick was sitting on a log far away from camp, crying to himself about how much he missed home.

By this time, a young SpongeBob found Patrick sitting by himself, and decided to go up and talk to him. “Hi. My name is…”

However, Patrick kept crying louder, causing young SpongeBob to clear his throat and speak again. “Hi, my name is…”

However, Patrick kept blowing his tears right at SpongeBob, making him realize that he needed another approach to talk to Patrick. “Hello, my name is SpongeBob,” the yellow sponge said quickly. “What’s your name?”

Finally, Patrick was able to stop crying long enough to answer the question. “m Pa-Pa-Patrick. WAAH!!!!”

“Why are you crying, Pa-Pa-Patrick?” SpongeBob asked in concern. “I’m… homesick…!!” Patrick sniffled, and SpongeBob knew exactly how he felt… to be homesick, I mean. “Well… that’s a pretty good reason,” he said sympathetically before sitting beside Patrick. “Maybe all you need is a friend.”

However, this caused Patrick to break down into sobs again. “I don’t have any friends!!!”

“Well,” said young SpongeBob, “you got one now!”

“Really?” asked Young Patrick, picking the sponge up to look underneath. “Who is it?”

“It’s me!” Young SpongeBob chirped. “You mean it?” Young Patrick asked in surprise. “Of course!” Young SpongeBob offered him a jellyfishing net. “Come on!”

That’s when the two happily ran out into the Jellyfish Fields, swatting and trying to catch every jellyfish in their way.

XXXXXXXX

“That sweet little sponge rescued this miserable little sea star,” Patrick said, finishing up his story. “And things haven't changed that much today, your honor.”

Then, Patrick turned toward SpongeBob, making a heart with his hands. “My heart, buddy.”

“Aww…” SpongeBob cooed, and Tropic sniffled back tears. “You’re right, sis… that WAS a good story.”

“Told ya.”

“Um… if it’s okay,” Volcano looked toward Queen Skygrace, Sunny and her friends, “we’d like to say something on SpongeBob’s behalf too. Me, India, Tropic and Arctic.”

“It’s no problem at all,” Skygrace smiled. “In fact… Riverstream and I would like to say something with you.”

With that, the queen cleared her throat and swam forward. “Some of you may not recognize me, but I am Queen Skygrace, ruler of the hippogriffs, and beside me is my younger sister, Princess Riverstream.”

“This crew from Bikini Bottom and this other crew from Equestria are close to our hearts,” Riverstream added, “and so are these four sea-pony foals… and they have something they want to say. Guys?”

“...thank you,” Tropic nodded before clearing her throat. “Before my sister and I met SpongeBob and Patrick, we were two little fillies, growing up in a dangerous situation… but once the queen found out about us, she took us to Bikini Bottom and asked the townsfolk if anyone wanted to foster us.”

“We were worried that no one would want to, but then… SpongeBob and Patrick offered almost immediately,” Arctic continued. “We were nervous and scared that they were gonna do us the way our grandpa did us, but… they never did. They actually treated us like we were… normal.”

“And when Volcano and I were welcomed to town over 4 months ago, we felt the same way, but SpongeBob and Patrick have that way of making you feel right at home, even though we got placed with different families,” India added. “And… we’re begging you now,” Volcano pleaded. “Don’t let SpongeBob and Patrick die… they’re family to us, and… well… family is the most important thing… you know?”

SpongeBob sniffled and wiped his eyes at the sweet sentiment and the Mane 6 smiled at their little friends as they swam closer. “Wow, guys… that was beautiful,” Misty smiled. “I don’t think we could have done any better.”

“Well… we might have to, if Squidward talks smack about SpongeBob in his story,” Pipp whispered. “But, you didn’t hear it from me.”

Zipp shushed her sister just in time for everybody to look up and see Squidward being lowered down by Tiffany’s gold swing. “I don't like SpongeBob. In fact, I revile him,” he said, letting go of the chains as the swing began to wobble. “Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa!!”

“I got him, I got him, I got him, I got him!” Izzy and Hitch scrambled to catch him, only for the two of them to slam into each other… and just before Squidward fell on top of them. “Anyway,” Squidward continued, getting up and helping Hitch and Izzy back up, “I, too, met this nabob in summer camp. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was my big night. The Annual Camp Coral Talent Show, and first prize was the coveted Campy Award.”

XXXXXXXX

The Camp Coral Talent show was in full swing, and a young Larry the Lobster was just finishing his hardcore accordion act when Mrs. Puff, the head counselor, came onto the stage. “Thank you, Larry. Remember, people, don’t forget to vote.”

As campers eagerly put down their votes for the Campy Award, Young SpongeBob and Young Patrick were backstage, vocalizing for their act when a confident and arrogant young Squidward came backstage to get his own act ready. “Hey, Squidward!” Young SpongeBob tried to make conversation, but Young Squidward immediately silenced him as he put together his clarinet. “Quiet. I’m in pregame right now,” he said as he moved his tentacles across the clarinet. I’ve got an award to win.”

Young SpongeBob and Young Patrick shrugged before leaving Squidward alone for his last minute practice.

XXXXXXXX

Another round of acts performed while Squidward was backstage practicing:

Young Sandy decided to juggle chainsaws

One fish decided it was a good idea to try and swallow a sword

Another fish was whistling a sea-worthy tune

A third fish did a ballet routine

And Patrick and SpongeBob? Well, they had been perfecting a hand-clapping and rhyme routine for weeks now, and they were just now finishing it up. “Aka Waka Maka Mia was a puffer fish!”

The campers in the audience immediately cheered, but Squidward only laughed mockingly. “That Campy is as good as mine.”

Young SpongeBob and Young Patrick came down to the audience just in time to see Young Squidward perform a song on his clarinet… which was… INTERESTING, to say the least (and by interesting, I mean totally off-key). The campers managed not to say anything until Mrs. Puff came and shooed Squidward off the stage when his song was done. “Thank you, Squidward. Just lovely. Thank you, thank you,” she said before getting out a slip of paper. “And the Campy goes to…”

Young Squidward immediately reached for the trophy. “I’ll take that…”

“...SpongeBob and Patrick!”

Young Squidward was immediately caught offguard by the announcement, and as everyone, including Young SpongeBob and Young Patrick, began to cheer, Young Squidward could feel his heart cracking into smithereens. “No! No! No!!!!” he wailed, causing all cheering to stop. “This isn't happening! No! Mommy!!!”

And just like that, Squidward slung his clarinet off to the side and ran to his cabin to be alone.

Young SpongeBob and Young Patrick felt sorry for their fellow camper, and they knew that they had to do something to console him.

Suddenly… they thought of the perfect idea.

XXXXXXXX

Young Squidward was sniffling under the covers in his cabin when the door creaked open, and Young SpongeBob and Young Patrick walked inside. “Squidward?” Young SpongeBob called, causing Young Squidward to turn away from them. “Go away!”

The two best friends spared each other a look before Young SpongeBob spoke up again. “Patrick and I were, um, talking to one of the counselors and guess what? There was a big mistake and you actually won the Campy Award!”

When Young Squidward turned to face them, Young SpongeBob was offering him the trophy, causing him much surprise. “I-I did?”

“In a landslide,” Young SpongeBob fibbed to make his fellow camper feel better. “That’s right,” Young Patrick nodded. “Yep.”

Young Squidward hummed in thought. “So weird they would've miscounted like that. But I guess it's possible…”

“YAY!!” the young best friends cheered. “Nice work, Squidward!” Young SpongeBob congratulated, causing Patrick to nod. “No one deserves it more.”

“Wow…”

Then, young SpongeBob reached for something behind his back. “And don't ever stop playing this.”

“My clarinet!” Young Squidward exclaimed, taking his beloved instrument. “Look at me. I really did it!”

“YAY!!!”

XXXXXXXX

“Which is why,” Squidward said as he finished up his story, moving toward SpongeBob at the table, “even though I can't stand SpongeBob… but at the same time, well… I love him.”

SpongeBob immediately let out a gasp of joy… just before Squidward continued. “I love him… and I hate him!”

“Oh…”

“Dude,” Zipp muttered. “Seriously?”

“He's like ice cream with salt on it, because he's sweet and super annoying,” Squidward said, walking away from the table a bit. “He's nice and nails-on-chalkboard annoying! Okay, fine, he's mostly super freaking annoying.”

But, by the time that Squidward turned to face SpongeBob again, his voice turned from annoyed to… really sincere. “But, this little nattering noodge… is my friend. And he doesn't deserve to die.”

Kelpy G played a heartfelt tune during this moment, and Queen Skygrace smiled and put a fin on his shoulder. “That was a sweet story, Squidward. I knew there was a side of you that cared about SpongeBob… it just needed to come out.”

“Uh, yeah, well… Sunny and her friends still have to make their statements,” Squidward said after clearing his throat. “Right?”

“Right,” Sunny said, trying to ignore the piercing glare that Allura was giving her, and the fact that Twitch was trying to calm her. “Friends… can come from all sorts of places. My adventures with my friends taught me that.”

“When we first arrived in Bikini Bottom on a Unity Quest, we were scared and confused sea-ponies,” Zipp agreed. “We weren’t sure where this adventure was going to lead us, but… when we were struggling on what to do and where to go… SpongeBob stepped in and made us feel at home.”

“There’s a hugely warm side of him that some people refuse to see,” said Hitch, “but we see it. He and the rest of our Bikini Bottom friends even helped us defeat an evil fire alicorn to save Sparky! Which… makes them heroes in my eyes.”

Sparky babbled and cuddled SpongeBob as a sign of thanks. “Then, how do people treat him? Badly… horribly, even. He makes mistakes, sure, but he always tries his best to fix them,” Pipp continued. “SpongeBob is no criminal by any means necessary… and we hope you all will see that before it’s too late.”

“Please… we beg you,” Izzy whimpered. “Don’t take him away from us.”

“Because if you do,” Misty concluded, “and evil wins… the light of friendship in this world will get dimmer. And trust me… nopony wants that.”

This last bit, Misty was looking dead at Allura, who snarled and tried to pounce, if not for Twitch and some brainwashed servants holding her back.

Finally… it was time for Mr. Krabs to make the final statement. “I'll be saying my piece now, if it be pleasing the court,” he said before clearing his throat. “But, I won't. I might even speak about how he inspired me when I was just a small-time vendor with a broken-down luncheonette. But I won't. Heck, I'd probably mention how he encouraged me to start up me own restaurant. The Krusty Krab, made famous by me delicious Krabby Patties!”

He then handed some coupons out to some fish, just before India cleared her throat. “Mr. Krabs? Your speech?”

“Oh, right! I could tell you about all that,” said Mr. Krabs, “But, I won't. Nay, you'll hear none such praise from me. Because it wouldn't do him full justice. It wouldn't begin to describe the size of the lad's heart. Which, like the ponies said… is huge.”

Everyone on that stage smiled at this, and Mr. Krabs continued to touch the hearts of… nearly everyone in the room. “And he puts that heart into everything he does. The cooking… cleaning… serving up the delicious Krabby Patties. But that's the funny thing. I used to think me secret Krabby Patty formula was also the secret to me success.”

He then turned to some fish next to him and made a side comment. “We serve breakfast till 11, by the way, 12 on weekends.”

“Ahem…?” the ponies chorused, making Mr. Krabs clear his own throat and resume his speech. “It wasn't until SpongeBob came to work for me that I realized the formula is more than just a list of ingredients and flavor-capturing methods. It's more than a jealously guarded recipe.”

Mr. Krabs smiled toward his employee with the most sincerity that the ponies had ever seen… and his next few words were some of the sweetest they had ever heard, too. “The real secret formula is sitting right here… SpongeBob Squarepants.”

SpongeBob blubbered in tears, and many of his friends gathered around to smile at him… just before Riverstream whispered in his ear. “Get ready, you guys,” she whispered. “Time for Phase 2!”

Mr. Krabs cleared his throat and turned to the band. “Maestro?”

The band then began to play a peppy tune, prompting many members of the group to sing in their efforts to clear SpongeBob of his charges for good… and it was surprisingly catchy as well.

Plankton: A formula is something like a recipe
A recipe is something like a plan

Sunny: With elements and measurements
All mixed together by a steady hand

Mr. Krabs: But careful you must be or you’ll be sad, you see
If somehow in the mix, it has no soul

Pipp, Zipp and Squidward: So what's the one ingredient
That turns this awesome sauce to liquid gold?

Squidward: I’ll tell ya!

Then, all members of the group, excluding SpongeBob and Patrick (the latter would join later on), began to sing, dance and swim to the beat of the music.

All: The secret to the formula is you, you (You, you)
The honey in my tea, you know, is you, you (You, you)
The bubbles in the boil, the one essential oil, it's true.
The secret to the formula is you, you

Sandy: (SpongeBob!)

All: You, you

Sandy: What in the wide watery world
Would it be like without you?

Then, as the crowd’s cheering got to its loudest, every member of the group began to dance as the song got to its second chorus.

All: The secret to the formula is you, you (You, you)
The honey in my tea, you know, is you, you (You, you)
The bubbles in the boil, the one essential oil, it's true.
The secret to the formula is you, you

Sandy: (SpongeBob!)

All: You, you

Then, the group swam up to the king's balcony, kicking Allura, Twitch and some guards aside as they continued their song and dance routine.

All: The secret to the formula is you, you

Sandy: (SpongeBob!)

All: You, you

The king laughed as he watched them depart, not noticing that Allura and Twitch were on the ground in pain and that something was… off about his snail. “So entertaining!”

All: The secret to the formula is you, you
You, you!

Pipp: Whoo-hoo!

By the time the song ended, the two combined groups (the Mane 6 and their Bikini Bottom friends) had retreated out the door, leaving the crowd to cheer. Squidward came back and bowed for them, but India swam back quickly and pushed him out the door before the king caught on.

Thank goodness for them, the king was still oblivious as he went to rub more snail slime on his face. “Hilarious!”

But as he rubbed, he noticed something off about Gary, and when he looked again... the cardboard decoy of Gary fell apart. “My snail!!”

But when he looked around him again, he released that the criminals and their accomplices had escaped the trial right under his nose. “Halt! It's a trick! Allura, take the guards and go after them!”

“Oh, of course I will, your majesty...” Allura smirked as she swam up to the king's level again. “Right after I take this!”

With one paw swipe, she took the king's crown right off his head, much to the king's shock. “My crown!”

“Your crown that holds my star fragment!” Allura took the star out of the crown, and after tossing the king back his crown, held the star in her paws letting it form a golden chain around her neck. “Finally... after all this time... the piece of power I deserve is MINE!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!”

Many civilians screamed at seeing the snow leopard in her wickedness, and Allura turned and hypnotized several guards before giving them her orders. “Now... obey your new queen! Seize those fools and don't let them escape!”

“Yes... Allura...” the guards droned on before following Allura and her purple bunny companion out of the Aqua Room to pursue the criminals and make sure they were punished.

Two Rounds of Underwater Battle

The Mane 6 and all their underwater friends couldn’t believe their luck… their song, dance and moving speeches actually helped them escape!

But, they knew that it wouldn’t be long before the guards were after them, so they started to make a run for it when Allura, Twitch and the guards gave them chase through the castle hallways.

SpongeBob held Gary protectively under his arm as he ran, desperate not to lose his pet again. “Gary! You’re with me now!” he reassured. “I’ll never let anyone take you again!”

Gary meowed fearfully, and the group kept going down the hall at top speed. “Come on, guys!” Zipp cried. “Flick your fins!”

“FASTER!!!” Riverstream squealed. But, as Patrick was trailing behind the group, a huge buffet table lined with chicken wings caught his sight, causing him to halt immediately. “Wow…”

Arctic, Tropic and SpongeBob immediately halted upon seeing Patrick eating the food, with the guards and Allura getting closer. “Patrick!” Arctic cried. “What are you doing?!”

“Look, Arctic! Free food!”

SpongeBob and the twins screamed as they saw Allura and the guards coming, and Patrick screamed and stuffed an entire bucket full of food before Arctic and Tropic pulled him away, leaving Allura to pounce and land on her face.

But, upon seeing a window nearby, she gave her next orders to the guards. “Keep following those criminals! Twitch and I have another plan!”

Twitch mumbled in confusion before Allura dragged him out the window and down toward the ground to set their next plan in motion.

XXXXXXXX

“Come on, come on!” Plankton cried as the group swam/ran toward a large set of double doors. “In here!”

Everyone swam/ran inside the room, allowing SpongeBob to slam the doors shut before the guards could reach them. “What are we gonna do?!” India cried. “They’ll be in here in no time!”

Queen Skygrace glanced around for a moment before noticing that there were a lot of available hiding spots and weapons available, and this gave her an idea. “Everyone, hide! Quickly! And grab anything that might be good for a weapon!”

So, everyone scattered, hiding in different areas, including the Bikini Bottom gang hiding inside a large suit of armor (that Plankton had to push Patrick into). And by the time that they were all in hiding, the guards were able to break through the door.

But, since they didn’t see anyone right away, they crept inside to look.

Everyone stood as still as they could, trying to prevent any sudden movements that could give them away. One guard approached a suit of armor, and thinking the Bikini Bottom crew or one of the ponies might have been hiding inside, he sliced it right in the middle, letting the top half fall to the ground.

Sunny’s breathing hitched as soon as she saw the slicing happen, but to her relief, their underwater friends weren’t in that particular one.

But if they weren’t in that one, where were they?

Suddenly, a suit of armor tapped a guard on the shoulder, and when the guard turned to look, a powerful punch knocked him into the wall.

As the guards turned in shock, they were stunned to see Plankton in the helmet part of the armor, and the rest of the Bikini Bottom gang were inside with him. “Peekaboo!” he said with a chuckle. “ATTACK!!”

As the Bikini Bottom gang moved their individual parts, the foals in the middle to help their friends, the ponies and the royal hippogriff sisters popped out of hiding, with Sunny sporting her sea-pony/alicorn form.

The guards ran forward to attack, and while the Equestrians and the sisters battled with kicks, sword blocks, plants and slaps to the face, Plankton directed the others on how to move. “Whoa! Watch your left flank, people! Thrust! Now parry! Now pirouette. Turn around. Pivot! Pull harder. Faster! To the right!”

As a sword was being thrust at the leg Sandy was operating, she gave it a swift kick, sending the guard into a stack of cannonballs. But unfortunately, this was enough to slip many members of the group, including the Bikini Bottom gang, and the armor slammed into a wall. “SpongeBob! Guys!” Sunny cried. “NO!!”

When the battle resumed between the ponies and the guards, two other guards came closer to get a closer look, suddenly, the armor began to crawl toward them on all fours, causing the guards to shriek and run away.

Turns out, everyone except Squidward had gotten out of the armor and were now in hiding, causing Zipp to sigh in relief. “Phew… that was way too close!”

“Are you all okay?” Riverstream asked as she slapped a guard away with her tail. “We’re fine,” Arctic said, “but do you think we should have stayed in there with Squidward?”

“Nah,” Patrick reassured. “He’s got it.”

“Where is everybody?!” Squidward cried from inside the armor, causing all the guards to charge, slapping the ponies aside and focusing on Squidward. But, during the shoving, the armor fell right on top of a fiery pit, causing Squidward to scream and shoot up, knocking guards aside before falling right out the window. “AHH!!! SQUIDWARD!!” India shrieked. “Come on, ponies!” Pipp cried. “We gotta catch him before he hits the ground!”

That’s when everyone raced down the stairs as Squidward continued to fall from a great height. Once everyone else got to the ground, Izzy found a large tarp that they could unicycle into a net, and they all stood, moving from side to side in order to figure out where Squidward was going to land.

And unfortunately... they were just off on their landing position, letting Squidward fall face first into the ground. “Man down,” Patrick said rather calmly, just as Squidward groaned and rose to his feet. “Great… catch…”

“Glad you’re, uh… somewhat okay, Squidward,” Zipp said as she helped him back up. “But right now, I think we better get out of here before somepony catches us!”

“Someone like me?”

Everyone gasped/yelped, turning around to see Allura standing behind them, and the Mane 6 and the royal sisters took on fighting stances. “So… you’re the evil snow leopard Sunny mentioned,” Queen Skygrace sneered. “Leave this realm at once!”

“Well, I would,” said Allura, fiddling with the star piece around her neck, “but… I sort of like having ALL this power to myself.”

“Oh no, she has the star!” Sunny cried. “We’re too late!”

“That’s one thing you have right,” Allura said, floating up a good distance and letting her paws glow with a supernatural light. “And now, all I have to do is eliminate you, and NO ONE will be able to stand in my way!”

Allura then began to fire blasts of ice at the group, causing them to scream and scatter. “She can throw ice balls?!” Plankton cried, looking down at Misty. “Why didn’t you tell us THAT?!”

“Well, we didn’t know about that until now!” Misty said, swimming out of the way of an ice blast. “But, either way, we have to--”

While Misty was distracted, Allura fired an ice blast right at her tail, causing her to be pinned to the ground with a shriek. “Sunny, help! I’m stuck!”

“We gotcha, Misty!” Pipp cried as she and Zipp tried to help her get free, but Allura managed to strike them down to the ground as well. In fact… she did that to the rest of the Mane 6 as well as the royal sisters, and that’s when her focus turned back to the Bikini Bottom crew, leaving Twitch to make sure the Mane 6 and the sisters didn't escape their icy binds. “Now… be a good little bunch of sea creatures and give me the snail… or you can join your friends and be frozen for eternity.”

Gary meowed fearfully, and as SpongeBob clung to Gary for dear life, Tropic suddenly felt something within her snap, swimming forward with a furious expression. “I would rather eat Plankton’s disgusting chum than bow down to you, you old catfish!”

Everyone else gasped in shock at what Tropic said, and Allura’s gaze narrowed as she spread her fins and approached her. “What did you just say to me?”

“You heard her!” Volcano quickly said, swimming to Tropic’s side. “We’ve been through way too much to give up now!”

“Sunny’s told us this before, but nothing is more powerful than the magic of friendship!” Arctic agreed, swimming to her sister’s other side. “And we’re lucky to have these friends that have protected us and nurtured us like we were their flesh and blood!”

“And we’re gonna use that magic,” said India, swimming next to Volcano, “to make sure you never hurt us again!”

Allura merely chuckled at this, letting another ice blast form in her paws as the foals held hooves. “Suit yourselves…”

But before she could toss the blast, however, the foals’ cutie marks began to glow with a bright light, and magic began to envelope the four before they were lifted higher into the air. “Whoa whoa whoa!!” Tropic shrieked, looking around. “What’s happening?!”

Suddenly, those swirls of magic entered the foals, causing their eyes to gleam with a white light, their hooves and horns glowing with different colors as beautiful pearl necklaces began to wrap around their necks. As Allura stared at this magic in shock, a voice other than her own spoke from Tropic’s body. “Ocean Spirits… ATTACK!!”

“Uh… ocean what?!” Hitch cried as the foals dove for Allura, causing her to stagger back and avoid them. But while she was distracted, India’s hooves glowed purple just before she shot a lightning bolt right at Allura’s back, causing her to roar out in pain. “WHY YOU….!!!!”

Volcano shot fire right at Twitch, causing him to shriek and swim away and causing Patrick and SpongeBob to approach Sunny, still trying to get herself free from those binds. “Sunny! Are you okay?” SpongeBob asked. “What’s happening to the foals?”

“I don’t know!” Sunny shook her head. “I can try and help them, but I need to get out of this ice first!”

“We can handle that!” Patrick said before he and SpongeBob began to kick at the ice, breaking it slowly, but surely. Tropic, in her possessed state, seemed to notice their distress and got an idea. “Citizens of the sea, stand aside and I will free your friend!”

“Uh, freaked out by your new voice, Tropic, but I trust you!” SpongeBob said as he and Patrick gave Tropic some room. Then, with the swift blast from her horn, Tropic was able to break the ice apart and free Sunny from her binds. “Yeah-heh! Thanks!” Sunny smiled. “Now, to take care of Allura!”

As Arctic, India and Volcano continued to blast lightning bolts, ice balls and fire balls at Allura, Sunny slammed into the snow leopard, causing both of them to hurtle toward the ground, with Sunny pinned on top of the snow leopard, a fierce look of anger pinned on her face. “It’s over, Allura! Surrender the star piece now, and we may just let you go!”

Allura snarled at this, roaring and sending Sunny flying back toward her friends. “I… will NEVER surrender!!” she snarled. “You ponies haven’t seen the last of Allura!”

With that, she swam off with Twitch and out of the city, her anger for the ponies growing further as her second plan at domination was ruined.

But… she still had the star piece.

And to her, that’s all that mattered.

Gaining Courage and a New Royal Friend

Allura and Twitch had cornered the two combined groups outside of the palace, and as she took down the Mane 6 and the royal hippogriff sisters, leaving the gang from Bikini Bottom defenseless, all four sea-pony foals decided that it was time to stand up to Allura and proclaimed she wouldn't be hurting them anymore.

But, this remark seemed to trigger some sort of magic inside them, causing them to be possessed by the ocean spirits themselves, and thanks to the foals, SpongeBob and Patrick, Sunny was able to break free from her binds and tried to get Allura to surrender.

However, Allura and Twitch were able to escape with a piece of the star, but that wasn't what mattered. All that mattered now was that they were all safe and sound.

Since Allura was now gone, the ice she had created to bind the sea-ponies to the ground melted, freeing them. “That was something else,” Hitch frowned. “And not in the best way.”

“Hey… are they okay?” Sandy pointed up at the foals, still possessed by the ocean spirits. “They’ve been staring out into the distance for a while.”

“The ocean spirits still must be possessing their bodies… and how and when the ocean spirits chose them, I don’t know. Let me see if I handle this,” Skygrace swam up to the foals, clearing her throat before speaking. “We thank you, ocean spirits, for giving these brave foals the powers they needed. You may go back to your dormant state, and the foals will let you know when they need you again.”

The ocean spirits within the foals’ bodies seem to nod. “As you wish, oh great queen of the hippogriffs.”

Swirls of magic left the foals’ chest and into their new pearl necklaces, and as they left, the white glow left the foals’ eyes, causing them to groan and fall toward the ground. “Whoa! Tropic!” SpongeBob cried, rushing to catch her. “Quick, guys!” Sunny cried to the others. “Don’t let the foals hit the ground!”

Sunny swam with SpongeBob to catch Tropic, and Zipp caught Arctic and flew her down to Patrick. Hitch created a soft landing pad of bushes for India and Sandy leapt off Izzy’s back to catch Volcano.

And after a moment, Tropic groaned before looking up at Sunny and SpongeBob with tired eyes. “SpongeBob…? Sunny…?” she asked quietly. “What happened?”

“Yeah… I don’t remember much after standing up to Allura,” Volcano agreed as he shook his head. “To put it bluntly,” said Pipp, “you guys got those pretty pearl necklaces, not to mention you were possessed by the ocean spirits, and it helped us take down Allura… until she got away, that is.”

“Wait… the ocean spirits chose us?!” Arctic cried out. “I don’t know whether to be honored, or terrified.”

“These powers will take a lot of concentration and practice to master,” Skygrace told the foals. “But, I’m afraid we don’t have time to discuss all that now.”

“You’re right!” Misty realized. “We need to get out of here before the guards catch up to us!”

Suddenly, Otto pulled up on the strip not too far away, acting as if nothing had happened. “Yo, what’s up?”

“OTTO!!” everyone cheered. “I have a gambling problem,” Otto said cheerfully… just before a guard noticed them. “There they are! Get ‘em!”

“Everyone, get to the boat now!” Sunny urged everyone to keep moving. “Otto!” Plankton cried. “To Bikini Bottom! And step on it!”

“Stepping on it…” Otto began to say just as they began to leap into the boat. “You’re all fired!”

And before the group could realize what happened, Otto had sped off without them, and the group all landed on their rear ends and tails. “Uh-oh… I think the chaos of the casino scrambled Otto’s programming!” Volcano realized. “Uh… among other things.”

“Quick! To the valet!” Mr. Krabs said as the group began to run again, only to be cornered by about 50 guards and about 200 citizens. As the ponies and royal sisters leapt in front of their friends to protect them, everyone witnessed King Poseidon swimming closer to them. “Leaving so soon, kids?”

Gary anxiously meowed, worried that the king was gonna take him again, but Tropic stood in front of him and SpongeBob reassuringly. “Hang on, Gary… we won’t let you go!”

“Tsk, tsk,” scolded King Poseidon. “Rather impolite, don't you think?”

“It was all their idea, sire!” Mr. Krabs pointed toward Sandy and Squidward, causing him to get glared at by those two. “And I…” the king said seriously before he smiled. “...loved it!”

“Wait a second,” Queen Skygrace spoke. “So… you’re not mad at us?”

“No,” King Poseidon chuckled. “ It's been a while since I've enjoyed such toe-tapping entertainment. All is forgiven! And all charges are dropped.”

“HOORAY!!!” everyone began to cheer until King Poseidon stopped them. “On one condition. SpongeBob will return my snail to me without any more shilly-shally.”

However… SpongeBob was immediately confused. “Wait, what?”

“Just hand over the snail,” said the king, “and you can all go free.”

“What? No!” Zipp cried in anger. “Gary belongs with SpongeBob! You can’t separate them!”

“But… something HAS to be done,” India muttered. “And SpongeBob has to make the final call.”

“It’s okay, SpongeBob,” Sunny put her hoof on his shoulder. “Whatever you decide, we’ll be here to support you.”

SpongeBob was in a rock and a hard place situation, as you can probably tell.

He couldn’t give up Gary… he would miss the little guy too much!

But then again… he couldn’t let himself and his friends suffer in a dungeon either.

What was a yellow sponge in this situation supposed to do?

Suddenly, Sage’s earlier advice rang in SpongeBob’s mind, clear as a bell. “SpongeBob… remember… the courage you seek is inside you. And it will come to you in your hour of need.”

And then... after hearing this advice, SpongeBob realized what Sage was saying-- the courage was inside of him all along... and this was the perfect chance to unleash it. “The courage is inside me!” SpongeBob muttered to himself before bravely stepping forward. “Mr. Poseidon, no. I'm sorry, but I won't do it.”

“Huh?” the others were surprised by SpongeBob standing up to the king, while the king laughed for a second before realizing what SpongeBob said. “What?”

“I love Gary too much, and he loves me,” SpongeBob explained. “If we didn't have each other, we'd be so sad, and well… It wouldn't really matter what you'd do to us.”

Gary meowed and purred against SpongeBob’s side just before turning to all his friends behind him, a grateful smile on his face. “And look. Today, thanks to these amazing friends, my heart feels twice as big as it ever did.”

“SpongeBob, we just helped steer you in the right direction,” Misty said modestly. “It was you who was the real hero.”

“But you guys did help in some way… especially how much you all risked for me, Patrick and the twins,” SpongeBob added. “Flouting the law and defying the mighty king of the sea.”

Angrily, King Poseidon lit his trident and aimed it right at the gang. “Defying… really?”

“I-I wouldn’t say defying the king,” Sandy said nervously, but SpongeBob didn’t seem to be catching on. “Humiliating such king in front of his subjects.”

“Do go on,” said the king, and many voices began to protest and try and clear up what SpongeBob was saying.

“More like… admiring!”

“And totally agreeing!”

“I just came to see Kelpy G!”

“And… ponies?” SpongeBob invited them all forward, where they all stacked their hooves on his hand. “I can’t thank you guys enough for sticking with me all this time… even though I do admit, I did act pretty stupid, and I'm sure you all can find some way to agree.”

“Hey, we weren’t thinking that… all that much,” Pipp said, causing Zipp to nudge her. “But… of course we would stick with you. You’re one of our closest friends.”

“Yeah!” Izzy nodded. “You took Tropic in without a second of doubt! It takes someone with a pretty big heart to welcome a complete stranger into their home.”

“And like Misty said, we just helped you along. You’re the one who’s inspiring all of us right now… just like we helped to inspire you to have the courage to stand up to the legendary King Poseidon,” Hitch nodded. “And know this…” Sunny said, moving a hoof to his heart. “Nothing, and I mean nothing, can take that courage away from you, as long as your friends are nearby.”

SpongeBob smiled and hugged the Mane 6 close, and the others happily watched this. “Poseidon, now you see why no matter what you decide to do, we’re going to be together, and that’s all that matters,” Queen Skygrace spoke up, and Tropic nodded and agreed with the queen's statement. “We’re sure you'd understand if you had friends like these.”

“Friends like these? Wait, what?” King Poseidon lowered his trident in complete surprise. “Of course I have friends like these. I have all kinds of friends! I have buddies, I have besties. I have home-slices, palsy-walsies. It's infinite!”

“What about Allura?” Zipp crossed her hooves. “Was she your friend before she up and left you?”

“Well, uh… s-she… she was more of an acquaintance,” the king said before clearing his throat. “Chancellor! Give us an exact number. The friend count, if you will.”

The chancellor quickly pulled out a clipboard and adjusted his glasses. “Uh, okay, according to your latest polling data, we should get more polling data.”

“What? Give me that!” Poseidon swiped the clipboard, reading the poll results and becoming stunned with how bad they were. “Huh? What about my adoring fans?”

The chancellor shook his head. “Nope.”

“My elite palace guards?”

“Mmm-mmm.”

“What about my personal trainer?”

“Mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm.”

“My therapist?”

“Nada.”

“My tattoo artist?”

“Uh… nope.”

“My tattoo removal artist?”

“No dice.”

In a desperate tone, Poseidon turned to his chancellor, almost pleading. “B-But surely you, my chancellor, my loyal, faithful…?”

However... the chancellor just looked away. “Sorry.”

The Mane 6 gasped at this and looked at one another, just as the sea-pony foals’ ears flattened.

Hearing such a thing crushed them… but not as much as it crushed the king’s heart.

The poor king of the sea began to blubber and sob, his tears raining down on the ground. “Apollo, take me now!!!” he wailed. “I don't have any friends!!!!”

As Sunny and the Mane 6 were about to step forward and console the king, a certain sponge beat them to it, smiling warmly. “Well, you got one now!”

“R-Really…?” the king sniffled. “Who is it?”

“It’s me!” SpongeBob said. “I’ll be your friend!”

“And me too!” Tropic excitedly agreed. “I’ve never had a king for a friend before.”

“...and hey, if SpongeBob wants you as a friend, we want you as a friend too,” Sunny added. “Right, ponies?”

“Right!”

“You know it…”

“Sure!”

“Absolutely!”

“Why not?”

Hearing this caused the king to sniffle again. “Do you all mean it?”

“Yes,” SpongeBob said before holding Gary close. “But friends don't kidnap friends' pet snails.”

Gary meowed in agreement just before the king leaned down to show them the wrinkle on his face. “But I need that snail. Look, I have a horrible, disgusting wrinkle.”

“Jumping jellyfish!!” Pipp shrieked. “It’s the size of the Mariana Trench!”

“Huh, really?” Hitch turned to Pipp in surprise, leading SpongeBob to laugh and elbow Pipp’s side. “Pipp is just kidding,” he reassured the king. “Looks don't matter. We don't care about little imperfections. Or even big ones! Just look at Squidward.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Squidward demanded to know, causing Volcano to try and stifle his laughter. “Nothin’ dude… you look great…”

SpongeBob decided to ignore the comments and continued to speak. “What's important is what's inside,” he said. “And I'm sure that Sunny, her friends, the foals and the sisters can agree with me that we know that you can be a fair and kind king to all the creatures of the sea.”

“He's right. We know you have it in you, sir,” Tropic agreed with a soft smile. “If you'd just let your hair down a little.”

“Huh? My hair?” Poseidon questioned before suddenly reaching a thought. “Are you suggesting that I don't need this gorgeous mane of wavy locks?”

“Huh?” Misty blinked. “What’s that supposed to…?”

But before she could finish, the king removed his wig, causing many eyes to widen and many members of the crowd to cheer. “That I don't require this neck clip?”

By removing his neck clip, much of his skin began to sag, prompting more members of the crowd to cheer loudly. “Be gone, perfect shiny teeth!”

The king removed the false teeth from his mouth and threw them right at Squidward, causing Squidward to catch them in his mouth with a growl, and causing Volcano and Izzy to try and cover their laughter with their hooves. “This is so freeing!” King Poseidon declared. “To heck with this chest plate and girdle.”

And then, much to the shock of the crowd, the king revealed his large, bloated belly. “Oh…” Arctic blinked in surprise. “...wow.”

“Too far?” asked the king. “No!” SpongeBob quickly spoke. “Not at all!”

“No,” many guards agreed. “You look great!”

“Oh, thank you! I find this so exhilarating. So… age appropriate,” King Poseidon said before kneeling down to SpongeBob’s level. “SpongeBob, few possess the courage to stand up to a powerful king. You, sir, alongside your friends, are among those few. I salute you.”

That's when Sunny noticed that Sage was watching them from nearby, smiling at how SpongeBob was doing before he rolled out of sight. “You may keep Gary,” the king continued speaking to SpongeBob. “And I wish you many happy years together.”

“Thank you!” Tropic squealed in delight. “Oh, did you hear that, Gare-Bear?” SpongeBob asked his snail, hugging him close, and prompting Gary to meow. That’s when the chancellor approached the king with a golden fur robe. “Uh, your royal robe, Your Highness. It's getting cold out here.”

“Nonsense, chancellor,” said the king joyously. “I’m free!”

“Oh, heh heh…” gulped Riverstream, trying to sound supportive. “You certainly are…”

“And free the snails!”

With the clap of his hands, the king opened the doors to let the snails out of the torture chamber, much to the snails’ happiness. But upon seeing his fellow snails being released, Gary meowed an idea to SpongeBob. “Huh? What’s that?” SpongeBob asked, and Gary repeated the idea. “You wanna take all of the snails home with us?”

Gary meowed again, a smile forming on his face. “That’s actually a great idea!” Sunny realized. “We can throw an adoption party back in Bikini Bottom to get these snails some good homes!”

“We can have snacks, games and music! Which reminds me… Pipp?” Tropic tapped Pipp’s shoulder. “Do you think you can help me and my friends write a song for the party? We want it to be something about friendship… or fin-ship. Get it? Since we’re underwater?”

Pipp giggled at this. “I think we can do that.”

“Well then, what are we waiting for?” SpongeBob asked. “We have an adoption party to plan!”

Allura Enters the Picture/Plankton's (Other) New Plan

While Plankton was beginning a new plan to get SpongeBob and his pony pals out of his way, we shift locations from Bikini Bottom all the way to the Lost City of Atlantic City, home to King Poseidon... and where things really start to get intense.

It is a very bright city, with lots of bright lights, and it has many casinos, hotels, shops, skyscapers and amusement park rides, such as a roller coaster and a Ferris wheel.

But one very popular place in this city of fantasy mixed with reality was Poseidon's Palace, which doubled as a casino and a lounge. And... it would be the temporary resting place of a very powerful villain.

XXXXXXXX

Inside the palace, the chancellor (also the second in command to the king) was meeting with an out-of-town guest who claimed to be royalty… royalty who was stripped of her self-appointed title, that is. “I apologize for the wait, Miss… uh…”

“Allura,” spoke a sinister voice. “Call me Allura.”

The purple winged snow leopard still had her steely gaze and her short mane, along with all her powers, but she now had a spotted tail in the place of her back legs, and her mark was on her fin.

And instead of a fish tail, her rabbit minion Twitch was wearing a scuba suit with as much as air as he needed.

The chancellor chuckled and bowed to the snow leopard. “Well, we’re happy to have you here, Miss Allura, as well as your little assistant,” he spoke smoothly. “King Poseidon should be expecting you now. If you guys could just follow me, and--”

“CHANCELLOR!!” cried a voice. “CHANCELLOR, COME HERE AT ONCE!!”

Allura rolled her eyes at this. “I take it that’s his royal highness now?”

“...fraid so,” the chancellor sighed. “You might as well come with me-- the king will probably meet with you after our little meeting.”

“CHANCELLOR!!”

The Chancellor, hauling a cart of papers, powerwalked down the hall with Allura and Twitch immediately swimming behind. “Finally, my dear Twitch,” said Allura sinisterly. “We’ll get an audience with King Posideon himself!”

“Yes. But, don't get too excited. He hates over-stimulating visitors,” the chancellor warned as Twitch squeaked and nodded to answer. “Chancellor!” the king called out again just as they neared a door. “All right then,” the chancellor turned to Allura and Twitch. “Just leave most of the talkin’ to me.”

Allura and Twitch nodded just before the Chancellor cleared his throat and opened the door. “Yo, what’s up, sire?” the chancellor asked. “You sent for me?”

As the three stepped/swam into the room, they got a good look of the god of the sea himself, lounging on chair with mirrors surrounding it. “Chancellor, look. Look at me!” King Poseidon said. “3,000 years old and check out my skin. It's like a baby's butt.”

“Ageless, sire,” said the chancellor. “Looking fresh.”

“I owe it to my subjects to look fabulous, don't you think?” Poseidon got up from his seat, only to sit back down on a rotating chair. “Uh… there are other obligations, sire. Like ruling and stuff,’ the Chancellor pointed out, sifting through the cart. “Let's see. I need your signature on these taxes, decrees, this here declaration of war and my paycheck.”

The Chancellor held out a large paycheck with a expectant grin. That's when Allura cleared her throat to get his attention. “Oh, right. And these two,” the chancellor remembered. “Allow me to present Allura, ruler of… somewhere called Starlight Ridge, and she’s looking for a "special artifact" that may or may not be here.”

Posideon sat up at this. “Is that right?”

“Yes, sire. It’s… very important to us,” Allura shot Twitch a knowing look. The king and chancellor shared a quick chuckle. “Very good,” said the king. “Oh. Chancellor, when will you learn to focus on what really matters? A monarch's regime is only as powerful as his skin care regime.”

“Word,” the Chancellor grumbled, tossing the check away. Twitch squeaked to Allura, saying that this wasn’t getting them anywhere, causing Allura to shush him. “He’ll do us good whether he means to or not. We just need to be patient…”

“You know, some say I have a face of a Greek god,” Poseidon looked at himself in the mirror. “Well,” said the chancellor, “you ARE a Greek god, so…”

Suddenly, the king let out a shout of surprise. “Wait… is that a wrinkle?!”

“Where?”

“It is! It's a wrinkle!” Poseidon wailed. “I look like an old avocado that's been left and forgotten in the fridge!”

Allura and Twitch looked back at each other. This time their expression conveyed more incredulousness and disappointment. “Be prepared,” he said, handing the two some earmuffs. “Here it comes.”

“I’M UGLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

But, even with the earmuffs over their ears, the three bystanders still heard the sound. One of the king's portraits detached from the wall and crashed to the floor. “Now, where is it?” the king eagerly sifted through the many skincare products on the table. “The crawly thing with the round shell and the eyes.”

At this, the chancellor clapped twice, and two heralds blew their trumpets and a servant raced into the room with a sea snail. “Here you go, sire,” said the chancellor. “Your royal snail.”

“Oh, thank you!” said the king, taking the snail into his hands. “This mollusk has the rejuvenating power of a thousand facials.”

The snailed meowed fearfully and backed up, obviously frightened of what was coming next. Poseidon mashed the snail's foot against his face and started rubbing it all around. He stopped, realizing something was wrong. “What?! Is it empty?!”

After he shook the snail, the sea snail coughed, which was all the confirmation the king needed. “Take it away!” Poseidon ordered. “Bring me another sea snail at once!”

The servant took the snail and placed it in a vacuumed chute. She pressed the button and the capsule sent the snail down into the lower levels of the palace. The servant came up to the chancellor and whispered something in his ear. “Uh-oh…

“Chancellor!”

As the servant stepped back, she turned and was face-to-face with Allura, and the servant was stunned into silence. Using her hypnotic purr, she hypnotized the servant, making her smile wide as the snow leopard turned to Twitch. “Keep an eye on them.”

Twitch immediately nodded, and Allura turned to the servant. “Find me the star piece I desire. It glows with an ethereal light, you can’t miss it. Now… go!”

“Yes, Allura…” the servant said droningly before walking off, with Allura accompanying her to the door and watching her walk off. “Okay. Full disclosure, man. We're out of snails,” the chancellor informed. “WHAT?!” Poseidon pointed his trident at the chancellor and Twitch. However, the chancellor seemed pretty calm in this circumstance. “In fact, the entire snail population has been...What's the word? Oh, yeah. Depleted.”

The king raised an eyebrow at this. “You're telling me there are no more snails?”

“There are no more snails.”

“And you're confident of that?”

“Relatively confident.”

Poseidon yelled angrily and threw his trident, which destroyed a seahorse sculpture, making Twitch scream and hide behind Allura’s wing-like fins.

“Chancellor, for the love of Hermes, my kingdom for a snail!” Poseidon put his hands on his face. “No, no, no, no. I'm being hasty. Half my kingdom for a snail! No, no, no, a boon. Yes. I'll grant a boon to whomever shall bring me a snail.”

“Gotcha. I’ll write up the decree, sire,” the chancellor said, and was about to pull up the decree when he realized that Allura was gone. “Where’s your feline friend?”

Twitch squeaked and sniffed, saying that Allura went to go take a look inside the castle in order to get accustomed for their stay. “She's not allowed to do that without supervision,” the chancellor pointed out. “Who knows what she could do. Intentionally or otherwise.”

“Don’t worry…” Allura smirked as she swam back. “I asked the servant for permission.”

She wasn't entirely wrong. Allura was with a servant, but the snow leopard didn't exactly clarify that it was against her will. “...if you say so…” the chancellor said and began writing up the decree while Twitch and Allura smirked at each other.

Things were going just as they predicted and more. Soon, the star piece would be theirs… and NOTHING would be able to stop them.

XXXXXXXX

Only a few hours later, the chancellor had dropped the king's new decree in every town south of the Lost City of Atlantic City...

...one of those towns being Bikini Bottom.

Once the chancellor had dropped it off and rode away, Plankton found it and read it aloud. “A Royal Decree from King Poseidon?” he muttered. “To all citizens of the sea, The king requires a snail at once. Blah blah blah skin care, blah bla… wait a minute.”

Plankton immediately snatched the decree, getting an idea. “A snail…? No, it's too perfect. Get rid of Gary, get rid of SpongeBob.”

Plankton began to cackle at this… this was too perfect!

And the ponies would go with him no matter where they were, so they would be out of the picture as well!

So, it was decided. As soon as the ponies and SpongeBob were at work, he would sneak to his house, kidnap Gary and make sure King Poseidon gets his snail…

…no matter who it might hurt.

Author's Note

Indywriter Productions really helped me out with this scene, even though I did edit it a little bit. So I give them a round of applause and some credit!

Nothing's Gonna Beat Our Fin-Ship/Returning to the Dragons

It only took a day or so to get back to Bikini Bottom with all the snails in tow, and when they got back, Queen Skygrace gave everyone a different dask.

Sunny and SpongeBob would focus on the food, since the party was going to be held right near the Krusty Krab.

Pipp was going to help Tropic, Arctic, India and Volcano rehearse their song for the party.

Izzy, Misty, Squidward and Patrick decided to work on the games and activities, since Squidward had a good eye for location and Patrick knew what games were fun.

That left the others to set up the tents and booths for the event, as well as getting all the snails ready for adoption.

Finally... the big day of the adoption party arrived, and now, all the group had to do was pray that it went well.

XXXXXXXX

Pipp was just finishing her latest smash single, Bestie Life, while the foals were getting ready to go onstage for their own performance.

Pipp: Bestie life
When I got you by my side
Nothin' that we cannot do
All I really need is you

The bestie life, the bestie life
Oh-ohhh, ohhh, ohhh-ohhhh!!!!

By the time that the song ended, the crowd erupted into cheers as fireworks lit up the sky. “Thank you, Princess Pipp Petals!” said Queen Skygrace as she swam onstage and Pipp swam offstage to join her friends. “That was surely an event that got everyone pumped up! And while you’re pumped up, please enjoy the Krabby Patties at the Krusty Krab, enjoy the games, enjoy everything! And please, go by and see about adopting a snail for your family! We’ll be back in five minutes for our next performance!”

“That was a great song, Pipp!” Misty smiled. “Do you think the foals are ready for theirs?”

“Oh, yeah. Tropic and Arctic wrote the lyrics, and they spent all day rehearsing,” Pipp said as they swam to check on the foals. “I’m sure they’re fine.”

XXXXXXXX

“WE ARE NOT FINE!!!”

The Mane 6 arrived at the tent where the foals were supposed to be getting ready, but instead… they found the little guys panicking about their first ever performance. “SpongeBob, I-I feel like I can't breathe!” cried Tropic in between panting fits. “The queen and Riverstream are gonna be watching us out there! Along with several hundred spectators!”

“Tropic’s right! What if we mess up?” Volcano agreed. “Or... what if we do something really embarrassing when we try to dance?!”

“Uh... Pipp? A little help?” SpongeBob turned to look at the pop star princess. “Totally,” Pipp said before whistling, causing the foals to turn to her with wide eyes. “Guys, you have no reason to be nervous-- you've all been practicing for a long time, and your dance moves are perfection! As long as you have confidence in yourselves, you can totally crush this.”

“Do you have to remind yourself of that before you have to perform?” India asked curiously. “Yeah,” Pipp clarified with a nod. “It's okay to feel nervous, but as long you know we're right here, I think you're going to do great.”

“So... what do you guys think?” Hitch asked the foals. “You guys ready to go and knock their fins off?”

As the foals looked at SpongeBob and Patrick’s supportive looks, they realized that Pipp was right, causing them to nod. “We’re in!”

“All right!” Pipp pumped a hoof. “Here we go in your rise to stardom!”

XXXXXXXX

Once Queen Skygrace learned from Sunny and Pipp that the foals were ready to perform their song, she swam onstage and spoke to the large crowd. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, kids and snails, I give you our next act… Tropic Dancer, India Stormchaser, Arctic Pearl and Volcano Spark in their debut performance!”

Everyone cheered wildly as Pipp turned on a song from the radio, and the foals began to swim onstage and sing.

Foals: Na-na-na-na-na-na

Tropic: Yeah! Listen up!

Foals: Na-na-na-na-na-na

Volcano: Ha-ha! Let’s go!

Arctic: Yeah, we got that harmony like sunshine

Foals: Na-na-na-na-na

India: Lighting every shadow up with each rhyme

Foals: Na-na-na-na-na

Tropic: I think it’s it's about time we turned the tide
And show the whole sea that I
I got you (Got your dorsal fin)

Arctic and Tropic: You got me (Never sink, just swim)

Foals: No matter how it’s flowing
We’re going fishy fierce, you’ll see!

And as the main chorus of the song began, and as the foals urged SpongeBob and Patrick onto the stage with them, the Mane 6 swam high above the crowd, carrying banners of the Unity Crystals and the Bikini Bottom emblem high above the crowd.

Foals, SpongeBob and Patrick: Nothing’s gonna beat our fin-ship
Love is all we need to win it, yeah
Singing side by side
Winning every time
Nothing's gonna beat our--
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship

Na-na-na-na-na!
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship
Na-na-na-na-na!
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship

India: With the whole band drumming
Anything you face, we can overcome it

Volcano: The whole wide water won’t know what’s comin’

Tropic: Cuz that's ba-ba bubbling

Arctic and Tropic: Fill the dark with all our heart
That’s who we are

Foals: Sing na-na-na-na-na-na

Volcano: Show the whole sea that I
I got you (Got your dorsal fin)

India: You got me (Never sink, just swim)

Foals: No matter how it’s flowing
We’re going fishy fierce, you’ll see!

Foals, SpongeBob and Patrick: Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship
Love is all we need to win it, yeah
Singing side by side
Limit is the sky
Nothing's gonna beat our--
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship

Na-na-na-na-na!
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship
Na-na-na-na-na!
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship

Then, just before the bridge, SpongeBob and Patrick urged the rest of their friends to come onstage with them, while the foals convinced the Mane 6 and the royal hippogriff sisters.

All: Nothing, nothing, nothing
Can swim in our way
Nothing, nothing, nothing
Is crashing this way

Nothing, nothing, nothing
Can swim in our way
We have something, something, something
More powerful than anything!

Just before the final chorus began, all the cutie marks began to glow and shoot fireworks into the sky, prompting all friends, no matter who they were or where they came from, to start singing and dancing with those onstage.

All: Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship
Love is all we need to win it, yeah
Singing side by side
Winning every time
Nothing's gonna beat our--
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship

Na-na-na-na-na!
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship (Nothing's gonna beat)
Na-na-na-na-na!
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship (Ooooooh...)

Na-na-na-na-na!
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship (Got that harmony...)

Na-na-na-na-na!
Nothing's gonna beat our fin-ship!

By the time the song ended, everyone was cheering at the top of their lungs... and as the group took a bow, Hitch noticed a familiar portal opening up nearby. “Well, ponies… I guess that’s our cue. We have to get back to the dragons and see what their decision about trusting us is.”

“I know Spike will believe us,” said Sunny, “but… I’m just not sure about the others.”

“We know you can do it, Sunny!” SpongeBob smiled. “We have faith in it.”

Sunny smiled and hugged SpongeBob tenderly. “Thanks, SpongeBob,” she said before turning to the twins. “Keep him and Patrick out of trouble, okay?”

“You can count on it,” Arctic winked. “And we’ll keep an eye out for Plankton too.”

“Hey!” Plankton pouted. “Sitting right here on your head!”

Everyone laughed and exchanged a final farewell before setting off through the portal, everyone in Bikini Bottom watching as it closed.

XXXXXXXX

The portal opened up back in the dragon lands, and the dragons watched as Sunny and the rest of her friends walked out of it. “Wow, that sure was fast!” Luxxe commented. “You were only gone for about 5 minutes!”

“Unity Quests slow down time wherever we are,” Zipp explained, “so ponies won’t worry that we’re away from home for long periods of time.”

“Was this quest serious?” Spike tilted his head. “In ways, yes, but… we helped some friends rediscover just how powerful friendship can be, and we hope you guys can establish a friendship with us,” Sunny said respectfully. “So… have you made your decision?”

“...we have, and…” Spike hesitated for a few moments, letting the anxiety build before he smiled. “...we have decided to accept your friendship proposal,” Blaize interrupted. “Especially… me. Maybe I was a little too judgy about you ponies before. I’m sorry.”

Sunny sighed in relief at this. “Thank you… you have no idea how much this means to us.”

“Especially with Allura out there on the loose,” said Misty, “we need all the help we can get.”

“Huh?” Jade looked over at Leaf and Lava. “Who’s Allura?”

The Mane 6 turned to look at each other before sighing… the dragons had to know about this in case Allura found her way here with the star piece.

So, Sunny cleared her throat first and looked up at the dragon lord. “You guys might wanna take a seat, Spike. This… could take a while to explain.”

Author's Note

Here's the link for the song:

Nothin's Gonna Beat Our Fin-ship - YouTube