Chapter 1: The Funeral
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Date - November 26, 2018
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SpongeBob SquarePants woke up, fixed a nice cup of French toast, and prepared himself for another glorious day at The Krusty Krab.
On the way there, he passed by Squidward's house as he always did, but something didn't seem right. The bright blue cephalopod seemed to have all the blue drained out of him, and a forlorn expression SpongeBob had never seen before.
Squidward usually seemed gloomy, but that was due to his failure to be recognized as a member of society. Painting, horrible clarinet playing, simply acknowledging SpongeBob existed, business as usual.
But this time, the sponge knew something hit his friend hard. Something traumatic.
SpongeBob knocked on the Easter Island head's door. Squidward simply said through tears, "TV. Tu-turn on the TV."
He did as he was told. Elaine, the realistic male fish-head anchor, delivered the news very differently.
He usually spoke in an over-the-top news voice, but today all he could do was keep it real in a much lower voice.
"We have been informed that our creator Stephen Hillenburg has died today at age 57. He was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2017, and unfortunately has lost the battle. The Bikini Bottom Funeral Home has already made arrangements for the 28th. Even though he is gone, he will continue to live on in every one of us."
SpongeBob then found himself in a complete state of shock. He, of course, had been with Hillenburg since day one, and now could only hope that he was on the right path in the end.
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Two days later, the Bikini Bottom Funeral Home held a mass tribute.
The visitation was nothing short of packed. Everybody who was anybody was there, from Patrick Star to the shortest one-lined character.
SpongeBob usually wasn't one to brag about his show, but he felt he had to because of Steve's involvement in the first few seasons. He noticed the show had gone rather downhill since his departure, and was excited to hear that he reappeared for his second movie in 2015. He was always optimistic in seeing everyone leaving the show on a high note, especially in lieu of numerous inner and outer battles. Now that Steve was gone, he needed that moment more than ever.
Patrick Star also noticed a slight change in his intelligence levels. At times, he was shown an overly-exaggerated dummy or a completely selfish jerk, especially in seasons 5-9. The second movie had him go back to his subtle, more friendly self. Not completely stupid, but clueless nonetheless. Because of these multiple personalities, Patrick feared the worst and he wouldn't even realize it when the time came.
Eugene Krabs also remembered when he wasn't always a "twisted, blackened, money-grubber", as Plankton once referred to him. He started out as a rich, money-loving crustacean. Sure he had his moments in the first few seasons i.e. Krabby Land, where he was shown that way, but then he also remembered that he truly loved SpongeBob as a son in episodes like Welcome to the Chum Bucket. All he could now do was reflect and wonder what was in store for him and his business.
Even Plankton, who had even tried to kill Mr. Krabs in the first movie, could only hold back tears as he was reminded of his childhood friendship with the crustacean. He even knew that at some point in the future, he would go right back to his evil ways, but at this point Neptune's spirit seemed to get a hold of him.
After the funeral, everyone went home where a week-long marathon of some of their best episodes played to celebrate the life of the man who gave the same to them.