Disclaimer: Spongebob Squarepants is the property of Nickelodeon/Viacom. This is just for fun, not for any profit.
Category: Humor/Gen
Rating: PG
Summary: Patrick does the forbidden. Spongebob panics. Hilarity ensues. (We hope.)

HOOKED!
Chapter Four

Suddenly, there was sky. And sunlight. And a boat.

Not to mention huge, weird, terrifying land creatures brandishing long poles with fishing line and hooks attached to them, standing on said boat. Spongebob squinted into the hot light, examining the new creatures closely, just as he did during his jellyfishing adventures, all in the name of science.

Boy, they sure were ugly.

"Christ, this thing sure is ugly," one of the creatures exclaimed, holding up poor Squidward by his tentacles. "Blech!"

"Look at what I got," another one grumbled, carefully holding Mr. Krabs claw-side down. "Not even enough for a decent crabcake."

"I'm declaring myself winner in the weird department," the one holding Spongebob said. "Do any of you even know what this thing is?"

"Um, guys," the fourth one said, sounding .... scared. "Uh, guys. I think I got a squirrel here."

"A squirrel?" they all exclaimed, turning around for a look.

"Yeah, and it's wearing a wet suit and oxygen tank and ... OW!" he cried, holding up his thumb which suddenly had two large red tooth marks in it. "It bit me and ran off! Jesus! A stupid squirrel in scuba gear bit me!"

The others shook their heads. "Told you he couldn't handle all that beer while in the sun," one of them whispered, rather loudly. He turned to his friend, who was still cursing and holding his thumb. "Come on, Lou. Let's get you downstairs for some coffee and a nap."

"But guys ... I swear! It was a squirrel! Wearing a full diving outfit. Come on, guys! I didn't drink that much beer ..."

"Uh-huh. And Joe, could you toss those creepy things in the chum chest? They'll be good for later."

"Sure." And with a click of plastic, a cooler was opened up and Mr. Krabs, Spongebob and Squidward were thrown inside. "Jeez," said the muffled voice, fading away. "I gotta wash my hands now. Deees-gusting."

A crack in the cooler's side let just enough light in for him to see and Spongebob peered around their prison, past a wary Mr. Krabs and a terrified Squidward. "Did you hear that guys? We're in the "chum chest"," he said happily. "That means we're their chums!"

"Um, I'm don't think that's what it means, Spongebob" replied Mr. Krabs, looking around nervously. He examined the floor. "It's a bit wet in here." He poked around experimentally with one claw. "It's a bit squishy too. What do you think this stuff is? It sort of looks like ..."

"DEAD FISH!" Squidward screamed, trying to climb the walls. "IT'S DEAD FISH!"

Mr. Krabs turned a sickly shade of green. "We've got a bad situation here, boys."

"Oh, ew." Spongebob didn't feel so good himself. "I hope there's nobody we know in here."

"We're all gonna diiiiiie!" Squidward wailed piteously. "And me without realizing my true potential!"

"Your true potential? What's that Squidward?" Spongebob asked politely, trying not to look a the pile of stiff gills he was standing on.

Squidward ticked off the list on his tentacles, one potential at a time. "Dancing for the Bikini Bottom Ballet, playing clarinet at Clamagie Hall, painting the next Mona Tuna and creating a new fast food sensation that will put the Krustry Krab out of business."

At the last one, Mr. Krabs eyes narrowed dangerously. "Oh-ho! A traitor, are ye? Trying to steal away me money?"

"No," Squidward snapped. "I just don't want to work there anymore."

"That can be arranged," Mr. Krabs snarled back, the cooler getting uncharacteristically hot ... for a cooler. "You little ..."

"Gentlemen!" Spongebob held up his hands, trying to stop a huge battle before it began. "I think we should try to figure a way to get out of here so we can save Patrick. Remember, we're supposed to come up, save Pat and jump down all before you can say 'Davy Jones Locker' and I think we're a little behind schedule."

Mr. Krabs turned on him furiously. "Spongebob, just in case you haven't noticed, this thing we're trapped in? This IS Davy Jones Locker!"

"It is?" Spongebob asked, surprised. He bit his lip and looked around with a more critical eye. "Gee, I was expecting something on the roomier side, maybe with some shelves and a mirror ..."

"We're gonna diiiiiiiiiiiiie," Squidward cried again, sobbing. "They'll find my body buried beneath a pair of dummies. Then I'll be nothing but hook meat for another dummy. I'm ... dummy bait!"

Mr. Krabs was just about to reply nastily, when a tap on the top of the cooler caught all their attention. "Pssst! Fellas!"

"Sandy?" Spongebob yelled excitedly. "Is that you?"

With a loud crack! of a squirrelish karate chop, the lock was busted open, and a slice of sunlight beamed inside. Sandy looked down at them triumphantly. "Yep! I've come to get you out of here. And even better, I think I know where Patrick is."

"Hurrah!" Spongebob cried, jumping up and down. "We're saved. And just in time too. I was getting nervous."

Squidward huffed. "That's because you're a chicken. I, on the other hand, was the epitome of calm, cool and collected. Why, if it weren't for me. ..."

"Come on," Sandy said hurriedly, waving them up. "We have to get out of here and onto the next boat over. Cuz we're going to The Aquarium!"

to be continued ...

The Aquarium! What wonders of the deep wait for them there? Do they have enough money for admittance? Will they allow a squirrel in a wet suit inside? Find out the answers to all these exciting questions in Chapter Five of "HOOKED!" That's right! Get yourself "HOOKED!" on "HOOKED!" Don't forget, that's "HOOKED!"

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