Last chapter before the epilogue!

Enjoy!

Chapter 16

Victory

"NO!"

Mr Krabs hooked the two boys with his arms and threw himself back into the water, just avoiding Plankton.

"WE HAD A DEAL!" Sheldon screamed as he grabbed the bollard, "THE BOY FOR THE FORMULA!"

Eugene, Patrick and SpongeBob kicked desperately against the current to try and get away from their enemy.

But all three were growing tired from the exertion.

Patrick had been up and running around town all the day and night before, he was only running on adrenaline and coffee. He glanced at the two, he wouldn't be able to go on much longer. He glanced round to see Plankton grab a sharp piece of metal debris.

"I DIDN'T GET THE FORMULA!" He screamed as he too, dove into the water, "YOU DON'T GET THE BOY!"

Patrick paled, he was going to kill SpongeBob!

Plankton was gaining on the tired three, he was reaching out to grab the boy to pull him closer.

Patrick took a deep breath and dove down, he allowed the current to wash him under the enemy. He surfaced and leapt his full body onto the skinnier, shorter man – he easily overpowered him and dunked him under water. His foot crushed the man's hand, forcing him to release the metal weapon.

Sheldon was washed away easily, Patrick was following him. He'd used the last of his energy to save his best friend, he smiled in satisfaction.

He closed his eyes and accepted his fate, knowing he did the right thing.

During the scuffle, Sandy and Squidward had worked together to make the debris into a makeshift bridge towards the edge. They finally caught up to Eugene and SpongeBob, dragging them out of the water.

Eugene gulped a breath as his eye caught Patrick throwing his weight onto Plankton, he realised what had been about to happen. He shuffled to the edge as Sandy and Squidward fussed over SpongeBob, who was spluttering tiredly. Eugene grit his teeth when Patrick didn't resurface.

He noticed a long pole.

"Stretch this out." He called to the three as he pointed to the pole. "Patrick's trying to sacrifice himself."

"WHAT!?" SpongeBob screeched as his boss leapt back into the water, he, Sandy and Squidward grabbed the pole and stretched it out as far as they could. Being very mindful to not hurt the two still in the water with it.

Patrick choked as he felt a hand grab the back of his shirt and pull. He coughed and gagged as he broke the surface to see Mr Krabs pulling him towards a pole. The man grabbed on, indicating for Patrick to do the same. He held on as the two were pulled to safety.

The minute he was on dry land he lay down, exhausted. SpongeBob threw himself on him as Mr Krabs sat down and panted next to him.

"That was brave." The older man panted with a stern frown. "Never do that again."

Patrick simply nodded as he patted his best friend's back reassuringly. Squidward and Sandy worked on moving their bridge piece by piece closer to the steps leading back to safety.

Everyone finally caught their breath, all of them were shivering from the wind on their wet skin. It was then Patrick realised it had stopped raining, he glanced up to see a break in the clouds.

"Hey look!" He called over gently, he pointed up at the sky. Everyone looked up as the sun's weak rays finally broke through the clouds, they all smiled at the warmth.

Patrick looked over at SpongeBob who was smiling, eyes closed soaking in the rays.

"I'm glad you're ok buddy." He smiled, SpongeBob looked over to him a grateful smile on his face.

"Well… I owe it all to you… all of you." He blushed, "Thanks for saving me… again…"

They chuckled, still shaky with relief.

Mr Krabs told SpongeBob all about how Patrick had ran around town by himself when he had discovered he was missing, he told him about the near stabbing that Patrick stopped and all the while SpongeBob clung to his childhood best friend.

"Why? Why would you do all that?" He breathed worriedly.

"Because." Patrick smiled, "You're my best friend, you're practically my little brother."

"Pat…" SpongeBob cooed as he hugged him. "I love you so much buddy!"

"I love you too." Patrick smiled as he hugged him back tightly.

"Oh my god!" Squidward complained from where he and Sandy were working. "I'm going to throw up you soppy idiots!"

The two blushed and laughed.

"You ruined the moment!" Sandy scolded with a smirk,

"Good!" Squidward rolled his eyes moodily. "I don't know if you noticed SpongeBob but Sandy and I are literally building a bridge to get you to safety! Not only that but we're the ones who untied you from that stupid chair! And Eugene's the one that was about to give up his whole damn career for you!"

SpongeBob giggled.

"I know! I'm very grateful!" He insisted happily, "I love you all!"

He leapt up and gave Mr Krabs a hug, then Sandy. He creeped over to Squidward who just glared at him.

"Don't you dare!" The moody neighbour warned. SpongeBob grinned mischievously as he threw his arms around the taller man and reached up to peck him on the cheek.

"Do you feel appreciated now?" The boy teased as Squidward blushed, the grump simply pushed him away and continued to help Sandy.

SpongeBob, Patrick and Mr Krabs came forward to help. It wasn't long before the five could step off the debris and onto the solid steps, they all sighed in relief and climbed up slowly.

They began the long trek home.

"I regret not driving to work today." Eugene sighed tiredly as they all shuffled along the road.

"I wish I hadn't lost my phone." SpongeBob sniffed, "Then we coulda called a cab."

The four stopped and looked at the injured boy, he frowned in confusion at their deadpan expressions.

"What?" He asked, glancing between them.

Squidward pulled out his phone and dialed for a cab. SpongeBob sat down as they waited, feeling exhausted and lightheaded.

Sandy knelt before him and examined the left side of his face. The others crowded around worriedly, eyes on the wounds.

SpongeBob whined in pain as Sandy's fingers stretched the skin, she sighed.

"We'd better get him to the hospital." She informed them, "The road rash isn't deep but that head wound is no joke, paired with these open cuts being submerged in dirty water for so long he's running the risk of infection."

"He'll be ok right?" Squidward asked in concern.

"Oh yeah, no permanent damage or anything. Worse comes to worse he gets sick, but he'll get better." Sandy shrugged, giving the boy a small smile. "Plus, I think those ropes left burns on him."

SpongeBob stuck out his wrists and looked at them. Sandy was right, his struggling had caused the ropes to rub them raw.

"Ouch." Patrick cringed, "That looks sore."

SpongeBob blinked numbly, still in shock over all that happened.

His friends sat with him, keeping him company as they waited. They could see he was tired and still out of it from the trauma, they watched him carefully keeping him safe.

SpongeBob was in and out of the hospital before his mind could even catch up. His wounds were cleaned, his head wound was stitched up and he was given pain killers. The doctor asked him a few questions about what happened but the boy stayed in a silent daze, he only answered simple questions and allowed his friends to take over the rest.

It was decided that while SpongeBob healed, the five would stay at Mr Krabs' house. Patrick, Sandy and Squidward were in charge of collecting everything they needed and bringing Gary to the home.

Eugene took a separate cab with his fry cook, opting to get him warm in bed as soon as possible.

"Were you really going to give up the formula for me?" SpongeBob asked in a quietly. Mr Krabs pulled the forgotten bottle out and handed it over.

"See for yourself." He nodded.

With trembling hands SpongeBob pulled out the cork and removed the paper, he unraveled it and gasped shakily.

"I don't understand." SpongeBob frowned in confusion, looking up at his boss. "Why would you give everything up just for me?"

Eugene chuckled and wrapped an arm around the boy fondly.

"The same reason we all came to rescue you." Mr Krabs smiled, "You're family."

SpongeBob sniffled and leaned into his boss' side, he smiled wetly.

"I really do love you all." He nodded, "And I really appreciate everything you've all done for me… Today and in the past…"

"I know boyo." Eugene soothed, "We all do."

He helped SpongeBob into the spare room's bed, he hurried to get a bottle of water to keep by the boy's bedside. He also left the painkillers with him, the boy fell asleep quickly. Eugene helped the other bring all their things in, Gary made a beeline for SpongeBob. He purred as he settled down next to his master.

Sandy revealed she had bought a new phone for her friend, they would surprise him with it when he felt better. They all settled into the home, finally relaxing knowing their friend was home safe and everything would be ok.

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