Here's the latest chapter. Just to let you know, Squidward and Squilliam will go through character-developement in the story. I've come a long way as a writer and have really improved my writing skills over the years. I also have belonged to a lot of fandoms along the way so some readers might remember some old stories of mine from long ago. Even for those who don't ship Squidiam, they still like reading the story just for fun. And that's what it's all about for me. To write stories based on my favorite characters or ships. Something that all readers can love and enjoy. So have fun reading!
Once they left Coral Town behind, Squidward and Squilliam walked together among a field of coral reefs. With a little luck, they would reach Sea Sanctuary by late afternoon. Coral Kingdom was filled with many unique sea critters in this part of the ocean. The coral gardens were filled with horseshoe craps digging into the warm sand, beautifully bright sea slugs suntanned on the rocks, and a bunch of harmless garden eels poked their heads out from their little holes to take a good look around their environment. Squidward would have enjoyed the sceneries better if he wasn't constantly being picked on by a certain unibrow octopus.
"Flat tire, Squiddy," when not for the first time, Squilliam playfully stepped on the heel of Squidward's foot from behind.
And not for the first time, Squidward spun around to yell at him. "Will you knock it off?! I didn't agree to come with you just so you could keep on annoying me! Don't you ever act your age?"
"Well excuuuuse me, Squiddy. I'm just trying to have a little fun," Squilliam said apologetically. He walked beside Squidward with his hands casually tucked into his robe pockets. "So what's your deal? Are you always this uptight? Don't you ever lighten up?"
Squidward scoffs. "You can hardly blame me. You'd be crotchety too if you lived in between two immature morons and have a cheapskate for a boss." Squidward cast a sideways look at Squilliam as they walked. "So what about you? Any idea on how you're going to deal with the Supreme Society?"
"Nope," Squilliam said calmly. "Just gonna keep on moving forward. Pick up the pace, Squiddy."
"Wait a minute. That's not much of a plan," Squidward said, frowning at his rival. "You heard Lord Stripes back there. He won't rest until he captures you and use you to open the vault. Isn't there any way you can stop him?"
"Don't worry, I'll think of something. But until then, I'm just going to enjoy myself," Squilliam said in that still nonchalant manner of his. Squidward really had to admire Squilliam's unflappable manner. But after a while, the two walked on in silence. And Squidward realized how incredibly awkward he felt to be in Squilliam's presence. Squilliam eventually noticed it.
"You're awfully quiet, Squiddy. Nothing else to say?" Squilliam remarked. He flashed Squidward a friendly smile. This would be his chance to try bonding with his old high-school classmate.
Squidward hesitated and suddenly felt shy all of the sudden. This was his worst enemy, what was he supposed to say? "I've never expected this," Squidward confessed. "I really don't know what to say."
Squilliam was silent for a moment. "Did you see those new exhibits at the Bikini Bottom Museum last week?" Squilliam suddenly said. "Those Chinese paintings were absolutely divine but the Chinese porcelains were my personal favorites. What did you think about the Gem Box on display? I thought it was pretty, filled with all those black pearls, ivory rings, lapis lazuli, ancient bracelets. What's your opinion, Squiddy?"
Squidward hadn't been expecting a change of topic. "Hold up. Why are we talking about art?" he asked while giving Squilliam a weird look.
"You like art," Squilliam said simply. "You also like dancing, operas, clarinets, jazz, talk shows, and fancy-dining. Just like me…," The more he thought about it, Squilliam realized something. "It's funny. You and I have so much in common and yet we never got along. Maybe things would have been different if we tried to understand each other long ago. I regret that now… "
Squidward said nothing and only listened to the sincerity of Squilliam's words and wondered if there was any truth behind it. Squidward didn't know what to think anymore. For all he may know, this whole thing was nothing but one big prank cooked up by Squilliam. However seeing the bruises on Squilliam's cheek convinced Squidward that this wasn't a joke. Well whatever…Squidward had to keep reminding himself that he wasn't going to stick around for long. Once they reached Sea Sanctuary, he would be free to go home.
The two octopuses must have walked for a good hour and already their tentacles were starting to ache. Along the way, they saw ordinary ocean life, but luckily there was no sign of Lord Stripes' henchmen. They must be getting close to their destination because Squidward and Squilliam immediately noticed that their environment began to change. The ocean temperatures seem to lower and become colder; their watery world was changing to a deep shade of sapphire blue and looking up at the surface, they've noticed ice bergs floating at the top. The ice bergs sent a rain of snowflakes down on them and the shimmery white-colored sands.
"Terrific… I hate weather changes," Squidward said while wrapping arms around himself to keep warm. It wasn't easy on account of wearing a short-sleeved shirt and being used to living in warm tropical areas.
"The cold doesn't bother me," Squilliam said cheerfully.
"You're wearing a long-sleeved robe," Squidward pointed out. "Nothing ever fazes you, does it?" Squidward's irritability only grew as he could feel the snowflakes swirl around him, making him feel colder. "Can we please get a move on? I'd rather not freeze…"
Squilliam led the way with Squidward following closely behind. The further they went; the ocean around them seemed to get bluer and bluer. So much so that they stopped when they realized they couldn't see too far ahead of them. They had no idea how to reach Sea Sanctuary and they were lost out here in the open ocean with nothing but ice bergs and flowery coral bushes. There was no sign of any other life…at least not at first. That was when" they" started to appear… Rising up from the coral bushes were little sea angels that flapped their fins and swam to greet the two octopuses. Squidward and Squilliam watched in fascination as more and more sea angels rose up from the coral bushes swam through the ocean with grace.
"Amazing. I've never seen sea angels before," Squilliam said in wonder. "There are so many of them. They must make their homes around the coral reefs. Similar to jellyfishes…"
"How lovely," Squidward said uninterested. "Did I ever mention that we're lost? If we keep going straight ahead then we might reach…"
"Wow. They really seem to like me," Squilliam interrupted much to Squidward's annoyance. Squilliam held out his hand and sea angels trustingly flew onto Squilliam's hand, his arms and his maroon robe. "They're so cute! I wonder if I can snag a few and put them in my garden as pets."
"He's almost as bad as SpongeBob." Squidward thought while watching this light-hearted side of Squilliam Fancyson. But this was clearly getting them nowhere. "Well this is great! We're out here in the middle of nowhere, I'm freezing my tentacles off, and there's nothing around here except these stupid sea angels!" Squidward grumbled nonstop.
The sea angels flew right at Squidward who for a moment thought he was about to be attacked by them. Instead the sea angels used their tiny fins and gripped Squidward by his shirt and began to gently pull. Squidward was nonplussed by this and when he looked over to Squilliam, he saw that the sea angels were doing the exact same thing to his rival as well. Squidward started to swat the sea angels away but Squilliam reached out and grabbed his arm to stop him.
"No wait! I think the sea angels want us to follow them," Squilliam explained. "They live around here so maybe they know where we want to go. Let's just see where they lead us."
Now Squidward and Squilliam followed the swarm of sea angels which immediately glided gracefully through the ocean. They seemed to know where they were going. And sure enough, thirty minutes later the sea angels led Squidward and Squilliam straight to a large golden gate that seemed to be locked from the inside. Other than the big gate, there were also tall strong stone-brick walls surrounding it which was meant to keep intruders out. It appeared that Sea Sanctuary was well-protected. With the sea angels still clinging onto them, Squidward and Squilliam approached the gold gate and tried looking through it. But they didn't see anybody around. And the gate wouldn't open.
"Great. Any way we can climb the fence?" Squidward suggested sarcastically. "I can't take much of this. It's way too cold around here. If I'd known I would be walking around winter wonderland, I'd have brought a parka!"
As a shivering Squidward stood there hugging himself and watching his breath come out in puffs from the cold weather, suddenly he felt two hands on his shoulders. He turned to see that it was Squilliam. With a little smile, Squilliam brought their bodies closer together and he tried warming Squidward up. Squidward was tempted to yell at Squilliam to get off him but changed his mind and decided he was too cold to argue. It was a small victory for Squilliam who was determined to win Squidward's friendship. Together the two cephalopods stood keeping each other warm with body heat while watching the locked gate. Just as they were wondering what to do next, a voice on the other side caught their attention.
"For crying out loud! Where are all these annoying sea angels coming from? Why are they buzzing around here?" Squidward and Squilliam looked up in time to see someone appearing in front of the gate. A gatekeeper and a barracuda from the looks of it. The barracuda became suspicious when he noticed Squidward and Squilliam standing there.
"You two! Who are you? How did you find this place?" the gatekeeper demanded.
Squidward stepped forward first. "Finally! Thought we'd be stuck out here forever. Is this Sea Sanctuary? We really would like to come inside now."
But the gatekeeper crossed his arms and scowled warily at the both of them. "Why should I let you inside?" he said mockingly. "You never told me who you are. And why exactly are you here?"
"Listen here numbskull!" Squidward said angrily through the bars at the gatekeeper. "I didn't travel all this way just so you could give me grief! Either you open this gate or I'll climb it and wring your neck!"
"A tough guy, eh? I love those!" The barracuda flashed its sharp teeth dangerously at Squidward who still refused to back off. "Go ahead and climb the gate! I'd love to take a bite outta you!"
As much as Squilliam loved watching Squidward take on a barracuda, he decided to try ending this misunderstanding peacefully. Now he took Squidward aside and approached the gate. "You'll have to forgive my uncivilized friend here," Squilliam said while earning a glare from Squidward. "We're only visitors. We've come to Sea Sanctuary for shelter, that's all. So could you kindly open the gate?"
But this didn't solve the conflict. The barracuda was looking at Squilliam with undisguised disgust. "What have we here? A rich boy?" he said, snarling his teeth with hostility. "Sorry but your kind isn't welcome here. You power-hungry rich types are all the same. Getting fat from all those big bucks you've made from polluting the oceans, sucking the livelihood from hard-working lower-class citizens, forcing poor families out of their homes just to make way for building your posh buildings and factories. Go back to your luxury cushion you pampered sea-pooch!"
This time it was Squilliam's turn to be offended. "How dare you talk to me that way? Do you have any idea who I am? I ought to climb this gate and throttle you myself! Don't just stand there Squiddy! Help me climb this gate!" Squidward literally had to grab Squilliam by the back of the robe to keep him from climbing up the gate.
"Hello. Is there a problem here?" A blue fish dressed in respectful ceremonial robes appeared at the gate. "What's all the commotion, Butch?" he asked the barracuda.
"No problem here, Father," the barracuda said politely. "I'm just getting rid of some pesky unwanted intruders. Got me some real oddballs here."
"Hold up. Are you Father Benjy?" Squidward asked the blue fish at once. "Look, we just want to come inside. My name is Squidward Tentacles and that's Squilliam Fancyson."
"Fancyson?" Now the blue fish noticed Squilliam standing there and studied him with keen interest. He also noticed the sea angels hovering around the two octopuses. It was a sign… That meant only one thing. "Let them in, Butch," he said.
The barracuda named Butch wasn't happy about this. "With all due to respect, Father, if that's a Fancyson then we really shouldn't get involved. Haven't you heard the news from Coral Town?" he complained.
"I haven't forgotten. I know we're risking a lot by inviting them inside, but this is Sea Sanctuary. We accept all sea life here. And by the looks of it, they need help." He smiled compassionately at Squidward and Squilliam and seemed to already have come to a decision. "Let them come inside. There's nothing to fear."
"Nothing to fear?" Butch said doubtfully. "How do we know they're not dangerous? Better yet…how do we know that Fancyson isn't in league with the Supreme Society?" He pointed an accusing finger right at Squilliam. "You know how everybody feels about snobs around here, Father. Half the families living here have been victims of the Supreme Society because of people like "him!"
It hurt Squilliam to realize that there were some people who can be prejudice toward the wealthy class. This definitely wasn't Bikini Bottom… Here in Coral Kingdom, there was a big line between the rich and the poor. In other words, Squilliam wasn't going to find too many fans of his around these parts. Squidward saw Squilliam's upset reaction and strangely this angered him. Just who did that big-mouthed barracuda think he is? And then Squilliam looked over and caught Squidward balling his tentacles into fists and realized that his old high-school chum was getting defensive of him. Squilliam smiled appreciatively while Squidward quickly looked the other way out of embarrassment.
"You're wrong, Butch. I don't think Mr. Fancyson here is a threat in any way. Just look…," With that, he pointed to all the sea angels floating peacefully around Squilliam. "The sea angels are very trusting; they would never keep company with anyone evil. That's how I know they're not a threat. We can let them in. And besides, I want to have a talk with Mr. Fancyson."
Finally the gatekeeper reached into his black-leather jacket, took out the key and unlocked the gate. At last Squidward and Squilliam were able to enter, where Squilliam couldn't resist throwing a smug smirk at Butch who merely hissed through his sharp teeth at him. There they followed the blue fish who seemed to be the one in charge around here. He led them toward a large building that appeared to be a chapel of sorts. Once they've entered the building, Squidward and Squilliam looked around the chapel in awe.
The chapel was large but empty at the moment due to all the pews being empty. But right at the center of this sea chapel was a large grand statue of Neptune, god of the sea, earthquakes, hurricanes and horses. There were even beautiful stained-windows depicting the powerful seahorses who aid Neptune in battle. It was apparent that Neptune was worshipped here. Being here inside this sacred place made Squidward and Squilliam feel safe for the first time. Now they turned their attention to the blue fish who was clearly a priest here and who ran the chapel.
"Sorry about my gatekeeper, Butch. He may be a surly fellow but he means well," he explained to Squidward and Squilliam. "I'm Father Benjy. This chapel is a sanctuary for the poor families who have been victimized by the Supreme Society.
"So Butchy wasn't exaggerating back there. The Supreme Society has been forcing poor families from their homes, stealing their hard-earned money among other things," Squidward noted.
"Yes I'm afraid that's correct," Father Benjy admitted. "Sea Sanctuary is a place that welcomes all sea critters. After all, this is Neptune's ocean and he wants us all to live in harmony, wouldn't you agree?" Squidward and Squilliam agreed with him. Now Father Benjy turned to Squilliam. "Your surname is Fancyson? Then that would make Squilbert Fancyson your great-grandfather if I'm not mistaken."
Squilliam nodded while still busily admiring the colorful stained-windows around the chapel. "Yeah. It's funny how everyone around here seems more familiar with my family history than I do. But that's not why I came here." Squilliam told Father Benjy everything, about being kidnapped by Lord Ty Stripes, the tiger-shark's obsession with breaking into a family vault, Squidward unexpectedly coming to his rescue, and together their escape from the Supreme Society.
After Squilliam finished his story, Father Benjy took a moment to digest everything he's been told. He seemed to feel sorry for Squilliam but he kept looking over at Squidward with curiosity. He thought the two octopuses made for an interesting couple…one being born from a life of privilege while the other appeared to be middle-class. Two opposites and yet here they were together. But Father Benjy could see that Squidward and Squilliam were in serious trouble and he was willing to help them.
"It's my understanding that the Supreme Society are after you. And knowing Lord Stripes, he doesn't like to be crossed," Father Benjy said matter-of-factly. Now he gestures for Squidward and Squilliam to follow him. "Why don't you two come into my office? I'm going to tell you everything I know about the Supreme Society and your great grandfather."
Father Benjy led them through a side-door and down a corridor where Squidward and Squilliam could look out the window and see cottages in the distance where families were taking refuge in. There was also beautiful sea gardens filled with laughing and happy children racing around and playing hide-n-seek. It was a heart-warming sight and it put both Squidward and Squilliam at ease. Father Benjy brought the two of them into his office, a large comfortable room. They waited patiently as Father Benjy seated himself behind his desk where he could look at the two octopuses standing before him.
"Ah that's better. Well don't just stand there. Go ahead and have a seat, boys." Squidward and Squilliam sat down into two cushioned chairs and Father Benjy began speaking importantly to them. "Let me first say that the Supreme Society is like a criminal gang. They twist the laws until it fits their needs; they corrupt those with their greed and spoiled riches, and they'll murder anyone who gets in their way.
Squilliam gulped nervously. "Ruh-Really?" he said uneasily. "And here I was thinking they were nothing more but a bunch of snooty bullies."
"Oh they're bullies all right," Father Benjy agreed while adjusting the reading glasses on his face. "The leader of the Supreme Society is none other than Lord Ty Stripes. He rules Coral Town with an iron fist, and he's got many powerful allies on his side." Now he turned to address Squilliam personally. "Lord Stripes can be dangerous, especially if you get on his bad side."
"Well I've certainly rubbed him the wrong way," Squilliam exclaimed. "I was lucky to escape. But now that villain is after me. To be honest, I don't know what I'm going to do. I suppose I could go to the authorities and get them to help me."
But Father Benjy was sadly shaking his head at Squilliam's suggestion. "I'm afraid that won't be as simple as you'd think. It's like I've said before, Lord Stripes can be very persuasive. He's known to bribe, make deals, and he can buy anyone's loyalty. Lord Stripes is no common crook; he's cunning and knows perfectly well how to keep himself one step ahead of the law."
"Then what do you propose I do?" Squilliam said in agitation. He didn't mean to come off as snappish but he was becoming frustrated. "I'm in danger. I can't have some evil criminal hanging over me for the rest of my life. There has to be some way I can stop him. There's got to be a solution to this whole mess."
Try as he might, Squidward couldn't bring himself to stay out of it. He felt bad for Squilliam. "Father Benjy, can you tell us about the vault at Ancestor castle?" Squidward asked the priest. "The vault clearly had to have been built and designed by Squilbert Fancyson. Isn't there any way to open it?"
Father Benjy had to take a minute to think long and hard about it. Finally he answered Squidward. "Come to think of it, there might have once been blueprints on the vault. I'm afraid I don't have it on me. Maybe if you looked in the old section of our library, you might find old documents from back then. I will tell you this. The vault requires a certain item to open it. But unfortunately it's been way too many years. Nobody knows what the item is or what it looks like. A secret that your great-grandfather took to the grave it would seem."
"Then I'll look for it," Squilliam said so suddenly and with determination. Rising up from the chair, Squilliam looked seriously into Father Benjy's face. "I'll find a way to open that vault. At least that'll way Lord Stripes will stop coming after me. It's the only way. Whatever the item is, it's got to be here somewhere in Coral Kingdom. I just have to look for the clues."
Despite Squilliam's bold declaration, Squidward couldn't resist scoffing. "Easier said than done," he pointed out. "Coral Kingdom is a pretty big place. How are you gonna manage it?"
"I'll manage because I'll have you to help me. Right Squiddy?" Squilliam smiled sweetly at him.
"Absolutely not!" Squidward said at once. "If you want to go play find the needle in the haystack, kindly leave me out of it!"
Squilliam chuckled at Squidward's hot-headed outburst. Squidward frowns at Squilliam's mocking smirk. Father Benjy looked between the two octopuses and found their interaction rather interesting. Nevertheless he was still worried for Squilliam Fancyson's safety. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, Squilliam. The Supreme Society can be a serious threat. Surely you don't have to do this alone? Isn't there anyone who can help you? What about your family?"
At the mention of his family, Squilliam's demeanor suddenly changed. No longer looking so smug and confident, his expression was solemn. He cast his gaze downward and seemed to avoid eye-contact altogether. "I…I thought about it. But I doubt my family will be much help," Squilliam admitted.
This surprised both Squidward and Father Benjy. "What do you mean by that?" Father Benjy asked gently. "Where is your family? What about your mother and father?"
Squilliam let out a hollow laugh. "Let's see. Last time I heard, my father went on a business trip to the Mediterranean Sea so he won't be back anytime soon. He's never been there for me anyway."
"And where is your mother?" Squidward asked him.
Squilliam crossed his arms and didn't quite meet Squidward's eyes. "I don't know where my mother is. I've lost track of her." After a moment of thinking, Squilliam added. "Well there is my maternal-grandmother I can go to. But she's an old woman and I'd hate to bring this problem to her doorstep."
Squilliam knew how this must look. He couldn't bring himself to face Father Benjy, especially Squidward. With a smile that felt forced, Squilliam shrugged his shoulders and failed to sound nonchalant. "I guess I really am alone… There's no one I can turn to."
Squidward wasn't fooled. He could see that Squilliam was trying to put up a façade of indifference. It would seem that talking about family was a sore subject for Squilliam, something he preferred to avoid. So much for Squidward keeping his distance… He saw the hurt hidden behind Squilliam's eyes and realized for the first time that his unibrow-rival was lonely. It certainly would explain Squilliam's sudden interest in reconnecting with him. At this rate, Squidward didn't know what he was supposed to do. Why do I even feel this way? It's not like Squilliam is my friend. I don't owe any loyalty to him," Squidward stubbornly told himself.
Now Squilliam was heading for the door. "I'll handle this situation myself. You don't have to worry about me, Father Benjy." Before exiting the office, Squilliam looked over his shoulder and called back. "I'm going to go look in your library for those blueprints for the vault. It's not much but it's a start. Opening that vault is the only way I'll stop Lord Stripes from making any more attempts on my life."
With that, Squilliam disappeared out of sight, leaving Squidward in the cozy office with Father Benjy. There was silence at first until a low sigh from Father Benjy brought Squidward's attention to him. "Squilliam Fancyson is really going to need you…," When he saw Squidward looking confused, Father Benjy explained to him. "Squilliam Fancyson isn't at all what I expected. He may act uppity but he possesses a bold and kind nature. He's very lucky to have you as a friend."
"I'm afraid you've got it all wrong. I'm not Squilliam's friend," Squidward said firmly. "I'm not staying." There Squidward turned and started heading for the door too. "Well I'll be going now. Hopefully that gatekeeper of yours doesn't give me a hard time on the way out." There Squidward exited the office.
Just as Squidward was walking down the empty corridor, he heard somebody calling after him. He turned around to see Father Benjy hurrying after him. "May I have a word with you?" Squidward stopped and decided to hear what the good father had to say. "I don't know what your issue is with Squilliam Fancyson, but surely you don't have to leave now? Why not stay and rest up a bit? We can give you two a place to stay and provide food. Won't you reconsider?"
Squidward couldn't understand why Father Benjy was insisting on him sticking around. What was the point in staying? Squilliam Fancyson would be safe here in Sea Sanctuary. There was no reason for Squidward to stay…or was there? Come to think of it, why was he so eager to get back to Bikini Bottom? It's not like he was looking forward to living in between two annoying neighbors and being stuck at a dead-end job. Once again Squidward couldn't make up his mind on what to do. Father Benjy smiled paternally when he saw Squidward looking so unsure.
"It's okay. You can take time to think about it," he told Squidward understandably. "It's just that I feel sorry for Squilliam. He's all alone and has no one to be there for him. And I get the feeling you feel bad for him too. You weren't very good at hiding it back there in my office."
Chortling to himself, Father Benjy turned and left. If Squidward didn't know any better, Father Benjy most likely wanted him to stay for Squilliam's sake. Not only that, but the priest had been keeping a close eye on him and saw the compassion Squidward had been trying so hard to hide. Now he thought about Squilliam and remembered seeing the forlorn expression on his rival's face when talking about his family. He's never seen this vulnerable side to Squilliam before. Despite their constant feuding, it made Squidward remember that Squilliam was a person with thoughts and feelings too. With that in mind, Squidward finally decided to stay just for a little while.
"Why do I have to care so much?" Squidward muttered to himself and went to go search for Squilliam.
