Chapter 14: Switch Back

Meanwhile, Mr. Krabs was inside his office at the Krusty Krab, sitting at his desk as he did his favorite hobby: counting his money. Mr. Krabs took a whiff of the wave of dollars in his claws as the glass of water on the table next to him began to shake.

Mr. Krabs felt another impact tremor as he looked at the glass and noticed the water inside it began to shake again, the shaking getting heavier every second. Suddenly, he noticed the room itself began to shake as well and even heard the sound of footsteps.

Outside, SRPNT reached the Krusty Krab just as Mr. Krabs rushed out the front door, shocked to see the large robot.

"Evening, Krabs!" Plankton greeted from inside the robot. "How do you like my new toy? You could say I got it overseas!"

While in shock by the large monstrosity, Mr. Krabs immediately recognized it from the prince's story. "It's that Serpent machine that's powered by the diamond!"

With a laugh, Plankton shouted through the robot, "Now, Krabs, you will hand over the secret formula unless you wanna be as wrecked as your restaurant will be in a few minutes!"

Before Plankton can step on the button that will launch all of SRPNT's artillery, he suddenly heard the vent pop out and the sponge in the prince's outfit jumped out from the air ducts.

"What?!" Plankton shouted in shock to see the sponge no longer powering the robot. "But how did you-" but his eye soon spots the prince still in the power source and remembered there were two sponges, "Oh, right." He dully said.

"The real SpongeBob is right here, Plankton!" SpongeBob shouted in a bold tone, "Here to save the Krusty Krab and the Prince of Luau Bottom!"

"Oh, I'm really scared." Plankton sarcastically mocked. "The good twin is about to be rescued by the dumb twin."

But SpongeBob frowned and demanded, "No more games, Plankton. Release the prince right now and power down SRPNT."

"I stand by my 'dumb twin' comment."

Outside the machine, Mr. Krabs was still standing in front of the restaurant, seeing that Plankton has not made SRPNT move an inch since his threat.

"Uhhh…Hello?" Mr. Krabs asked in confusion. "Are ya gonna do anything?" but Plankton still did not make any response from inside SRPNT.

Back inside, Plankton has still not given in to SpongeBob's demands. "Come on, Plankton." SpongeBob urged. "The prince has been through so much and does not deserve to be a power source for this monstrosity. So I'm giving you one last chance to let him go and surrender this machine."

"Or what?" Plankton challenged. "You gonna tickle me to death?"

Without warning, SpongeBob takes out the sword from his back pocket and points the tip at Plankton, surprising him. He backs away, sweating nervously as he tried to reason with SpongeBob, "Whoa, hold on, buddy," he advised with a nervous grin, "I had no idea you were armed."

"Have at it, SpongeBob!" the prince cheered, "Cut him open and tear out his heart!"

SpongeBob cornered Plankton as the latter urged, "Have mercy, SpongeBob. Contrary to what a lot of people say, I need my heart to live."

"I'm sorry, Plankton," SpongeBob apologized with a remorseful expression, "I tried reasoning with you, but I cannot let you use SRPNT or the prince for your evil ways."

"Fine, fine. The ship is yours, just spare me, please." Plankton cried out, begging on his knees.

Without another word, SpongeBob pulled the sword back and flung it towards Plankton. The prince watched in astonishment while Plankton flinched, awaiting his doom. But to his surprise, the blade passed between his antennas and pierced the controls, causing them to spark and short-circuit.

The wave electricity travels all through the robot's walls, leading to the chamber holding the prince. He feels a shock of the electricity and he is blown from the chamber.

"Your Majesty!" SpongeBob calls as he rushes over to the prince and helps him up.

Plankton sees many of the SRPNT's controls and circuitry exploding. "She's gonna blow!"

"Really?" SpongeBob asked in surprise. "I didn't know SRPNT was a girl."

Watching from outside, Mr. Krabs recoils as the large robot known as SRPNT blows up and pieces of the robot rain from the sky. "Well, that was anticlimactic." he said until he runs into the restaurant to avoid the large falling pieces.

As soon as it was safe, the jeep carrying SpongeBob's friends stops as soon as they see the debris left by SRPNT. Squidward is the first to jump out and he immediately runs to the sponge in the prince outfit just as he was standing up, rubbing his aching head.

"SpongeBob?" Squidward asked, looking concerned. "SpongeBob, is that you?"

"Yes, Squidward, it's me." SpongeBob answered, regaining his senses as he weakly smiled. "But don't worry, I'll be-" but Squidward immediately shoved him aside and rushed past him. SpongeBob sat up from the ground and saw Squidward stop in front of the sponge in the square pants.

"Your Majesty," Squidward said in concern as he helped the prince to his feet. "Are you alright?"

"Fear not, Squidward." The prince assured in a calm manner. "As hysterical as that whole thing was, I am not injured."

"SpongeBob!" Sandy called as she, Patrick, and Wenston rushed over to him. "You took down this whole monstrosity all by your lonesome? But how?"

"Oh, Pssh!" SpongeBob scoffed. "It was just a bunch of wires and military parts. Patrick and I pretend to take down stuff like this all the time."

Then, Mr. Krabs walks over to him and asks, "So where's that diamond? Do you have that diamond?" he grabs SpongeBob and sniffs his stomach before pressing his ear against SpongeBob's stomach. "You're the prince, right?"

Suddenly, a piece of metal flips over and Plankton struggles to stand up while holding his head. "Ugh…" he sees all the damage that was done by the destruction of the robot. "I…better get out of here." But before he could get away, he heard the sound of guns cocking and sees himself surrounded by soldiers that were aiming rifles at him.

General Tubbs stood behind his men and stated to Plankton, "Not so fast! You're under arrest for betraying the royal army."

"Ahem," he turned around and saw Wenston, pointing SpongeBob's sword at his back. "Not so fast, General. In the name of the king, I hereby place you under arrest for betraying the royal family."

With no other option, the soldiers aim their rifles at the disgruntled general.

Soon the authorities arrived and Plankton and General Tubbs were arrested. Wenston was talking on a walkie-talkie. "You're certain?" he asked in surprise, and suddenly grew a smile. "That's perfect. Thank you!" he ran over to the prince who was standing next to SpongeBob. "Your Majesty! I-" but he was unable to determine which sponge was the prince. "Uh… which one is my prince."

Mr. Krabs also couldn't tell who was who. "Which one is me frycook."

"Meow," they suddenly see Gary slithering through the commotion and without stopping, he slithers over to the sponge in the prince's outfit and sticks on his head, licking his face affectionately.

SpongeBob giggles and hugs his pet, "Oh Gary, I guess there's no fooling you."

"Your Majesty," Wenston told the prince in a cheerful voice, "I've just received word that the king has made a full recovery."

The Prince's eyes glow in happiness. "Father!"

"You mean you're going back to Luau Bottom?" Squidward asked, looking upset by the news. "But I want you as my neighbor."

"My apologies, common folk." The Prince stated with a bow. "But I must return to my duties as the crowned prince of Luau Bottom. My father will also be pleased to have me back home and never have to send me away to keep me safe."

SpongeBob held the Prince's hands and said with a warm smile, "It's too bad we won't be able to see you again, Your Majesty, but we're happy that you won't be in danger ever again."

"I do suppose I owe you gratitude for rescuing me, SpongeBob." The Prince admitted. "And an apology for deceiving you the way I did."

"Don't worry. If I've learned anything from being in your shoes, it's that the royal life ain't all it's cracked up to be, and that I already have a royal life right here."

"And I've come to appreciate my life as well."

Wenston pointed at his watch. "Your Highness, we must be going."

"Just a minute," The prince responded in understanding and decided to start saying his goodbyes to the common friends he's made. He placed a hand on the starfish's shoulder, "Patrick, my friend, I've enjoyed the time we've spent together. I can see why you have the honor of being SpongeBob's best friend."

"You still talk fancy." Patrick responded.

The prince turned to Mr. Krabs and informed him. "Take good care of your business, Mr. Krabs. Your krabby patties still are delectable."

But Mr. Krabs frowned and muttered, "I still would've liked that diamond you have down your gullet."

"Squidward," the prince said, grasping his hands, "I will surely miss our time together."

"I will miss it the most," Squidward replied, close to tears as he kneeled down, "Your Excellency."

Then the prince walked over to Sandy and stood in front of her with a smile. "My dear Sandra, I shall give you one more chance to accept my proposal to come live with me in a life of luxury in exchange for your love."

But Sandy crossed her arms and frowned. "I…don't think so." She answered in an unamused tone.

Though disappointed, the prince simply shrugged while SpongeBob raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What was that about?" SpongeBob asked.

The prince smiled and placed a hand on SpongeBob's shoulder. "Something I consider you lucky for."

Suddenly, they hear a loud noise and feel a strong breeze. Looking up, they see a helicopter, hovering above them. Wenston turned to the prince and informed him, "It's time we left, Your Highness, your father's expecting you."

The prince nodded and walked over to the rope after Wenston gestured him to go first before climbing up the ladder himself. After the two were safely in the helicopter, the Bikini Bottom gang wave goodbye as it flies away and SpongeBob shouts, "Goodbye Your Majesty!"

As the helicopter flew away, Mr. Krabs looked around and wondered, "Hey, where's Squidward?"

Suddenly, they see Squidward running at fast speed toward the helicopter, "WAIT! I love you, Your Majesty! I want to live a life of luxury! I don't belong here!"

The End

And that's it for this fic. I hope you all enjoyed it and I thank those of you who had patience as I tried to get this thing out. I hope you leave a review and check out my other SpongeBob fics.