Chapter 9 – The Adventure Begins!

Back at the Wilson house, Alex is tapping on the UP button on the remote, flipping through channels on Mike's television set. They're trying to find the commercial for Happy's Toy Stadium, followed by a map where SpongeBob might be held captive. No matter how many times he flipped through, it doesn't seem to appear amid the number of changed channels.

"I can't find it! It doesn't seem to be on any of these stations!" Alex dreaded.

"Keep looking." Jimmy replied. "It'll show up somehow."

"Oh, you're going to slow. Let me take the wheel." Cody groaned indignantly, taking the remote from Alex. Cody rapidly began flipping through channels, images blurring past and audio jumbled throughout.

"It's too fast! How can you even tell what's on?" Alex asked.

"I can tell." Cody replied nonchalantly. The channel surfing continues until the commercial briefly comes into view. That was when the toys made an instant realization. "Go back! Back! Back! Back!" The toys shouted hastily.

"Too late, I'm in the 40s! Got to go around the horn! It's faster!' Cody said hastily.

The commercial comes into view among the channels. "WAIT! WAIT! WAIT! STOP!" Cody stopped his channel surfing, and Jimmy runs up closer to the screen. "And look for the giant quarterback!" Happy said on the TV. As the commercial begins to end, the map of the city and store appeared. The map is the final clue of where SpongeBob is being held hostage!

"Now, Etch!" Jimmy instructed. Etch, quick as a flash, draws the same map on the gray screen. The boy genius action figure walks over to Etch, and he knelt down beside Etch. Pointing to where the giant quarterback statue is marked, Jimmy reported. "THAT'S where I need to go."

"But you can't go, Jimmy." Alex protested worriedly. "You'll never make it there."

Jimmy sketched a diagram of the same map Etch made on a yellow sticky note. Jimmy explained in determination, "SpongeBob once risked his life to save me. I couldn't call myself his friend if I weren't willing to do the same." Jimmy motioned to his friends, "So, who's with me?"

Meanwhile, Grundgetta is packing some Grouch parts in Oscar's back compartment. "I'm packing you an extra set of feet, and your angry eyes, just in case." She replied, closing the hatch.

Abby walked up to Jimmy, wishing him good luck. "This is for SpongeBob when you find him." She said. Abby gave Jimmy a big kiss on the cheek. Jimmy's cheeks blush a bright red among the plastic and he cleared his throat. "All right, b-but I don't think it'll mean the same coming from me." Jimmy replied shyly.

"Mr. Jimmy Neutron..." Jimmy and Abby look down to see E.B. being supported by Kevin and Ralph."...you just gotta save my pal, SpongeBob." E.B. said. The young rabbit coughs in pity.

"I'll do my best, E.B." Jimmy assured with a nod. Grundgetta kisses Oscar, and Oscar declared, "OK, fellas. Let's roll." They're now off to find their friend.

Outside, Jimmy, Alex, Cody, Oscar, and Clifford walk out onto the house awning. Clifford stops short at the edge of the roof as Oscar grabs Clifford's other half as a bungee jump cord. "Geronimo!" As Oscar lands on the pavement, he lets go of Clifford's rear, sending it up to the roof. Cody seized it, and jumped down to join Oscar.

"You would think with all of my video game experience, I'd be feeling more prepared." Alex replied. The lion reaches out to grab Clifford's half, but instead gravity took over he lost balance and he fell. "W-Whoa!" The lion yelled out as Alex clung onto the rear for dear life as he bounced around like a spring.

"The idea...is to let go." Clifford grunted, feeling the substantial weight.

Once Alex was on the ground, Jimmy turns to face his friends, conviction laced in his eyes. Jimmy pressed the button, closing the helmet over his head. "We'll be back before Michael gets home." Jimmy said, determined to save his best friend.

As E.B., Ralph, Stuart, Abby, and Grungetta wave, Grungetta called out, "Don't talk to any toy you don't know!"

"To Happy's Toy Stadium...AND BEYOND!" Jimmy proclaimed determinedly, grabbing Clifford's lower half. The boy genius jumps down to the ground to join the group of volunteers. Finally, Clifford, the last to go, then grabs his own end and jumps down with the others

The search is now on. They're going to find SpongeBob and bring him home, no matter what. Even though the possibility of risks they'll face during their journey to the big city, they're still going to do whatever it takes!