//------------------------------// // On the Trail // Story: Cinematic Adventures: The Spongebob Squarepants Movie // by extremeenigma02 //------------------------------// As SpongeBob SquarePants, along with Patrick Star, the Mane Six, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders raced toward Shell City, neither one knew something horrible was taking place in Bikini Bottom. At this moment, inside the Krusty Krab 2, poor Mr. Krabs stood frozen in place, retaining that same expression of fear. Above the restaurant’s front door, the bells chimed as two sinister figures stepped into the restaurant: Plankton and Cozy Glow. “Ding-a-ling!” Plankton said, marching with an evil grin. The Chum Bucket’s owner approached Mr. Krabs, Cozy Glow following close behind. “Hey, there, old buddy – Freeze!” He cried. “Urgh… Puns!” Cozy Glow groaned, slapping a hoof to her face. Chuckling at his own bad joke, Plankton sat down at the table across from Mr. Krabs. “I’d like one secret formula to go,” He told his rival. “And I’ll take a large drink,” Cozy Glow added, jokingly. When Mr. Krabs didn’t move, Plankton laughed. “No, no,” He said. “Don’t trouble yourself, Krabs. I’ll get it.” Plankton ran into the kitchen, practically tearing the place apart. A few minutes later, he emerged as his stubby arms gripped a little bottle, the label reading ‘SECRET FORMULA’. Plankton walks right past the Krab-cube and approaches the front door. “Hey!” Cozy Glow called out. “Where’s my—” Before Cozy Glow could finish, Plankton hands her a large drink which she proceeds to sip. But then her eyes went wide, and she spit the beverage out. “Hey, what gives?! This is Diet soda!” “You weren’t specific on the details, kid,” Plankton called out. “Hmph… Jerk!” “Well, I’d like to hang around, but I’ve got Krabby Patties to make… Over at the Chum Bucket!” Plankton laughed manically. “Plan Z, I love ya!” “Okay, we got the formula,” Cozy Glow spoke. “What happens now?” “Now… Bikini Bottom is ours!” Still laughing, Plankton leads Cozy Glow as they leave the restaurant behind. Inside his block of ice, a single frozen tear rolls down Mr. Krabs’ cheek before it hits the ground. Everything he worked for snatched away from him and nothing he can do… He can only hope SpongeBob and the others retrieve that crown… And fast! <> The engine sizzled like a Krabby Patty frying on the grill, as the Patty Wagon rolls up one side of the hill and down another. The headlights lit up along a sign directly in front of them, which read: ‘COUNTY LINE’. “Check it out girls,” SpongeBob said. “We’re almost there; you know what that means?!” While driving, the boys, the CMC, and even Pinkie Pie started singing the Goofy Goober song, which they’ve done over and over… And over again. “I’m a Goofy Goober, yeah! You’re a Goofy Goober, yeah! We’re all Goofy Goobers, yeah! Goofy, goofy, goober, goober, yeah!” The rest of the ponies, especially Spike, groan while holding their ears shut trying to block the annoying song out of their brains. “Two hours…” Rainbow moaned. “They’ve been singing… That song… For TWO HOURS!!!” “Any idea how we get ‘em tah stop?” Applejack asked. “Maybe not,” Twilight shook her head. “But I know the next best thing.” Twilight’s horn glowed with its mystical purple aura, as she cast her spell. Within a moment, there was complete and utter silence for the rest of them. They all sigh in blissful relief that they no longer had to hear that annoying song for another hour. Eventually, SpongeBob spied a gas station just up ahead of the county line. Past the county line, Bikini Bottom’s beautiful landscape is replaced by barren locations. SpongeBob pulls up toward the pump and hons his horn to wake up the two hick gas station attendants. One of them wore overalls with FLOYD on the pocket, while the other fellow’s name tag read LLOYD. They gawked at the Patty Wagon and it’s driver, a little sponge wearing an aviator’s outfit for some reason. “Fill ‘er up, please,” SpongeBob requested. “What’ll it be, fellas?” Floyd asked. “Mustard… Or ketchup?!” Floyd and Lloyd slap their knees and crack up laughing, rocking in their chairs. “Are they laughing at us?” Patrick asked. “More like laughing next to us, heh-heh!” Pinkie giggled. “Well they’re bein’ downright rude is what they’re doin’!” Apple Bloom pouted. “Don’t worry, girls,” SpongeBob raised a hand. “I know how to handle the rural folk.” SpongeBob steps out of the car, facing the two gas station attendants. “I assure you gentlemen that this vehicle runs on high octane unleaded,” SpongeBob informed, coolly. “The mustard goes in the windshield washer.” The gas station attendants watch as SpongeBob proceeds to demonstrate. He carefully lifts the mustard nozzle and filled up the windshield waster container. When it was full, he closed the container and hung the nozzle back in its place. But the two hicks just laugh harder. “You see that Lloyd?” Floyd cackled. “The mustardgoes in the windshield washer!” SpongeBob was not amused as the two men approached. “Where’re you dumb kids heading, anyway?” Floyd added. “Kids?” Patrick said angrily. “Easy big guy,” Spike held him back. “Don’t stoop to his level!” “For your information, we are not kids,” SpongeBob replied, matter-of-factly. “We are men and we are on our way to Shell City.” “Shell City?” Floyd asked, wide-eyed. “Ain’t that the place guarded by a killer Cyclops?” “That’s right,” SpongeBob replied. Floyd and Lloyd suddenly stopped laughing; a serious expression spread across their faces. “Lloyd, take off your hat in respect,” Floyd said grimly. “Respect for the dead!” They both laughed again, while the girls glared at the two attendants. “You buncha dipsticks ain’t gonna last ten seconds over the county line!” Floyd said. “Dipsticks?!” Rarity gasped. “Why I never!” “Look buddies, I can clear a whole sky in ten seconds flat!” Rainbow bragged. “Right, because we only heard that the first dozen times you said that!” Twilight replied, sarcastically. “Oh yeah?” SpongeBob asked. “We’ll just see about that!” SpongeBob and Patrick hop back into the car gunning the engine. They drove across the county line… When an armed thug, with a crowbar, stops them. “Out of the car, everyone,” The thug said. “Oh, sorry,” Fluttershy apologized softly. The entire group climbed out of the Patty Wagon and the thug hopped in. He guns the engine, driving away in a cloud of bubbles. “How many seconds was that?” SpongeBob asked. The gas station attendants check their watches. “Twelve,” Lloyd answered. “In your face!” SpongeBob, Patrick, and the CMC cried. They all slapped their knees and laugh just like Lloyd and Floyd. Patrick starts making a loud noise with a blow horn. “That’s what I’m talking about,” SpongeBob gloated. “Yeah!” “Twelve is two whole seconds more than ten!” Scootaloo gloated. “Yeah!” Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom cried. “Who’s the kid now?” Patrick asked. Laughing, SpongeBob, Patrick, and the ponies walk away deep into the country line. SpongeBob runs around Patrick, flapping his arms like chicken wings as Patrick continues to honk the aerosol can. As they disappear around the corner, Floyd looks at his friend. “They’re dead,” Floyd said. The group continues to laugh as they walk down the road, the CMC gives each other a high-five, while Patrick honks his can once more. The rest of the group follows close behind. <> Back in Bikini Bottom, The Chum Bucket was suddenly the most popular restaurant in town! Customers lined up around the block to get into the now new eatery. As a matter of fact, Plankton had done a brilliant job with the redecorating. The walls had been freshly painted, the floors redone, and the furniture was brand-new. But the biggest draw of all was that the food was… Delicious. Once again, reporting on T.V., Perch Perkins stands in front of the restaurant while a crowd enters the Chum Bucket. “Perch Perkins here with an incredible news flash,” Per Perkins announces. “Plankton is selling Krabby Patties at the Chum Bucket. How is this possible? Let’s find out.” As Perkins steps inside, Plankton draws a crowd with a bullhorn welcoming the new customers. “That’s right folks, step right up!” Plankton shouted, through a bullhorn. “The Chum Bucket is serving Krabby Patties; get ‘em while they’re hot and delicious! Plenty for everybody!” Just then, reporter Perch Perkins sauntered into the Chum Bucket and approached Plankton. “Excuse me, Plankton,” He said. “Perch Perkins, Bikini Bottom News. Can I get a minute?” “Anything for you, Perch,” Plankton answered, with a phony smile. “All of Bikini Bottom wants to know, how did you get the Krabby Patty?” Perch Perkins asked. With the microphone shoved under his nose, Plankton proceeds to offer his story. “Well, Perch, before my dear friend Eugene Krabs was frozen by King Neptune,” Plankton said, wiping a phony tear. “I’m sorry. He confided in me a secret wish. ‘Sell the Krabby Patty in my absence at the Chum Bucket,’ he said. ‘Don’t let the flame die out’!” Plankton sobbed, as Perch Perkins seemed touch. “By the way, act now and you get a free Chum Bucket helmet with every purchase!” Plankton added brightly. “Here you go, Perch.” Plankton proceeds to plant a bucket helmet on Perch’s head, the words ‘Chum Bucket’ written on it. “Thanks,” The newsman said. “Bucket helmets for everyone!” Plankton announced. Plankton starts throwing bucket helmets to all the customers in the Chum Bucket. “My helmet!” A male fish cried happily. “Here you go mister,” Plankton said to another fish. “Thanks!” A fish said. “Here’s yours, ma’am,” Plankton offers a helmet to Mrs. Puff. “Why, thank you,” Mrs. Puff said. “Helmets for the whole family!” Plankton cried out. He circles a big table, placing a bucket helmet on everyone sitting there. “Thanks Plankton!” The newly bucket-helmet-headed family said. With a wave to all his new customers, Plankton ran into the kitchen where Cozy Glow and Karen were conducting some form of experiment. Plankton hoots and hollers at his success, which drew the attention of the little filly and his computer wife. “What’s got you so pumped?” Cozy Glow asked. “Well thanks to that secret formula,” Plankton smiled victoriously. “My restaurant has become the most popular eating establishment in the entire ocean!” “Well then, I suppose you got what you wanted,” Cozy Glow said. “But what about what I want? We had a deal!” “I told you before, kid. In helping me get what I want, we’ll find a way to get exactly what you want.” Cozy Glow gave a wicked smile, as she turned back to her experiments. “You know, I’m actually really glad you mention that because with all these materials I found in your lab, I may be on my way to finding exactly what I need.” “Oh… And what would that be?” Plankton asked curiously. “Hey, if getting that secret formula was your business, what I want is my business alone,” Cozy Glow smirked evilly. “You cheeky little… Oh alright, you can use whatever materials you need,” Plankton said. “You just finish helping me with my devices, then the rest is yours.” Plankton then turns to Karen. “Karen, baby, I haven’t felt this giddy since the day you agreed to be my wife.” “I never agreed,” Karen replied. Plankton merely ignored her, as he continued on with his evil ways. “Evil Plan Z is working perfectly,” Plankton said. “Nothing can stop me now!” “Yeah… I hate to be the one to say this,” Cozy said. “But while you were busy cooking your Krabby Patties, I’ve actually been keeping track of that meddling Twilight Sparkle and her little band of misfits. Apparently, they, along with that SpongeBob guy and his pink friend are going after the crown.” “What are you talking about?” Plankton asked. “The little sea pony is right,” Karen explained, displaying her screen. “My sensors indicate that they’re going after the crown. If they make it back, Neptune might discover some fingerprints.” “Guess that means I’m off the hook,” Cozy Glow chuckled. “Not to mention a tiny set of hoof prints,” Karen added. Karen stared at Plankton’s stubby hands and Cozy’s tiny hooves. “Tiny fingerprints and hoof prints,” She added. “Stubby, tiny fingerprints and hoof prints.” “Okay, okay, we get it!” Cozy Glow snapped. Plankton stared down at his hands, frowning as Cozy Glow did the same with her hooves… Then Plankton put them in his pockets. But how could Plankton have…? Don’t ask… Just don’t… “Any more brilliant ideas, genius?” Cozy Glow asked, sarcastically. “Evil Plan Z is way ahead of you, kiddo,” Plankton assured. “I’ve already hired someone to take of those two and the pony friends. He’s a vicious, cold-blooded predator. The biggest, scariest dude who rides a huge motorcycle! And his name is… Dennis.” <> Miles away, a hitman wearing sunglasses travels on his motorcycle down the road. On the front, his license plate reads I KILL U and the bottom of boot reads YOUR HEAD HERE. Approaching the gas station just near the county line, the huge motorcycle pulls up to the pump. Cutting the engine to a rumble, the big scary dude, Dennis by name, spied a spot along the concrete. He removes his sunglasses, revealing another pair as he crouched down and picks up a tiny speck on the ground. “Sesame seed,” He murmured. “Hey, mister!” Lloyd hooted. “Does that hat take ten gallons?” The gas station attendants smack their knees and laugh some more. Dennis, very annoyed, stomps up to them and tears their lips off. The hillbillies look at each other before falling flat on their backs. Dennis then looks over the county line, toward the barren wastelands. He proceeds to sniff the air. “Mustard…” Hopping back on his bike, Dennis revs up the engines and drives away in pursuit of our unsuspecting heroes. Floyd and Lloyd look on timidly, seeing that this was no laughing matter, that those two boys and their friends were in real trouble now.