Author's Note: I am DEEPLY sorry for leaving all of you marvellous readers for so long. School has been EXTREAMLY heavy with the workload, and I find that I have hardly enough free time to go on the computer. Not to mention that I have not writer's block, but writer's WALL. It's been impossible to complete this chapter. Also, my computer monitor got screwed up for one day on the weekend, so that took away any possible time to write. AND I have been studying for test after test. However, I know I am loved by some of you out there, and I'm going to do the impossible for you. I AM GOING TO KEEP WRITING! Anyways, I bet you're tired of me talking, and I'll let you all read the chapter you have waited for. On with the story! P.S. I get really dark in this chapter...

P.P.S. 'Mhmhmhmhm' is supposed to be an evil laugh of some sorts...

WoRdLiFeCeNa4: Did I accidentally short-fuse your brain? Sorry. LOL! An international strike would be cool... but I don't think it's very likely. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!

C. Anon: Cliff-hangers are my life! I know I'm dark. It seems to come naturally, and that's weird seeing as I'm not a goth... Thanks for reviewing!

tootierulez: This isn't really about the review you gave me, but I just anted to tell you that I recommended you as a writer to a few of my friends! One friend especially likes random stories so she almost died when she read yours! LOL! Anyway, thanks for reviewing!

venusgal100: Have to love those cliff-hangers! LOL! Thanks for reviewing.

flaming-1251: I'm running out of things to say about cliff-hangers... Thanks for reviewing!

Anonymous critic: Thanks for reviewing!

Christopher Mason: Yes, I'm an evil genius put on this earth to torture you all with cliff-hangers! LOL! Thanks for reviewing!

A. Nonymous: Thanks for the correction. Yah, I really liked the dead home. Thanks for noticing the bit about the fog. I wish SO MUCH I could show you reader's what the Sickness looks like! I've drawn picture after picture of it! If you know any site where I can post it, please tell me! Thanks for reviewing! P.S. I wasn't able to see Corpse Bride! Sad face

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the Sickness and the plot. Some credit goes to Paper Mario Two: The Thousand Year Door for inspiring the possession result. The rest goes to Stephen Hillenburg. You can't sue me.

Chapter 9: Sickness at its Final Stage

Mindy turned around in shock as Spongebob came bursting out of the dome.

"Mindy! The monster! Sandy is..." But before Spongebob could say another word, the sickness approached him from behind... and then it attacked.

For minutes on end it seemed like time was stuck in slow motion. Mindy screamed when the Sickness lunged at Spongebob. Spongebob gave a short gasp as he felt the coldness of unwanted death attacking him. Everything, even sound, was smothered by the thick white fog.

Then the worst possible thing happened.

The Sickness was strong, and Spongebob was still very weak from the sight he witnessed in the treedome. The Sickness had found a victim for the last stage.

Mindy could do noting but watch in wide-eyed horror as the Sickness attacked. It surrounded Spongebob in a tight cloud of black. Mindy closed her eyes in fright. Minutes later she opened them and saw Spongebob lying on the ground, face to the floor. His clothes were tattered and he wasn't moving. Mindy rushed forward, hoping that Spongebob was alright.

Mindy reached out and was about to grasp Spongebob by the shoulder, when something horrific happened. Spongebob's white shirt turned a dark black. His pants drained of colour and turned a deep grey. His tattered shirt lengthened to a long cape and a suit. However the worst thing was that Spongebob's skin turned to a sickening, evil grey.

Mindy was perplexed and shocked at the sudden change. "Spongebob?"

Like a bolt of black lightning, Spongebob whipped around and knocked Mindy down. She was sent hurling to the ground. She raised her head and almost fainted at the spectacle of what she saw. Spongebob was hovering in mid-air. His skin looked dead against the fog, and his cape was fluttering behind him. The scariest part was that he was smiling.

"Mhmhmhmh. Silly girl. The stupid sponge you knew is well gone. This is the perfect vessel for my overtaking."

Of course, seeing and hearing these words sent Mindy's head toppling with questions and confusion.

"Who... what are you?" was the only question Mindy could release from her lips.

"I am black, I am fear, I am hate, but most of all... I am Sickness."

Then Mindy realised. The horrible monster of darkness had possessed Spongebob. Mindy felt light-headed, but she dared not faint.

"I don't understand... where did you come from? Why do you cause such pain? Why are you here?"

"Mhmhmhmhm... So many questions... I'll answer your last one, though. I have you to thank. If you had never shown yourself at that gosh-forsaken island, I would never have been able to follow you to this fine town of a feast."

"You did see me then! Why didn't you attack me?"

"Have you already forgotten what that leader said? I have great intellect... mhmhmhmhm..."

"Still, that gives you no excuse to do what you did..."

"I don't need an excuse. I'm evil. I feast on souls of the weak, and their fear. I eat the darkness, swallow hatred, and consume death. There is, really no other words to describe it."

The Sickness gave a smile and he showed a number of rotted teeth stained black. Mindy didn't want to know how they became like that.

"But... that's impossible..." Mindy said to herself.

"Silly child. Nothing is impossible for my unbearable glory," The Sickness mocked.

"Impossible..." The village leader said something else... what was it?

Then Mindy remembered.

"The hero would be invincible to the creature's powers. The monster would not be able to possess them..."

That is what the elder said... But then... how was it possible that Spongebob was possessed?

Then Mindy's eyes widened in realisation. She looked up at the monster. There was bravery in her eyes.

"I have told you too much already. It's time to do what I came here to do. Say goodnight, princess." The Sickness raised a hand. Mindy wasn't sure what he was about to do, but she wouldn't allow it. She quickly did the first thing that came to mind.

At the top of her voice she screamed.

"GARRUM HOZAC MAYOY!"

A white fire erupted from the scene. The last thing Mindy and The Sickness remembered was the vision of light conquering darkness.

A/N: Yes, believe it or not this is the end of chapter 9. I know it is incredibly short, and I know you all hate me for keeping you waiting so long for such a short chapter. Really, you must bear with me. It's impossible to write anything nowadays. I'll work my hardest at chapter ten. Until then, I hope this chapter will make do.