Chapter 3: Diesel Dreaming 2

As SpongeBob made his way to the first of the needed spare parts, he had to collect several fuel cans as well. After he stockpiled those on his personage, more ruffians appeared to beat SpongeBob up. One by one, he dealt with the attackers. He decided to pick off the easier guys before turning his attention to the shielded ones. For those, he thought it would be best to jump on top of them where their weak spots are exposed. Then, he would just beat their faces in to knock them out. From there, he was able to get a hold of the first spare part by turning another winch.

Mrs. Puff: "Turn that winch as fast as you can, boy! Work those crazy arms! *chuckle*"

SpongeBob: "Well, well, well... What do we have here? Actually, I have absolutely no idea."

Mrs. Puff: "Great, SpongeBob! Now, get the other spare parts for your hot rod."

SpongeBob: "Anything I should know about moving forward, Mrs. Puff? Like, any more of those ruthless fish?"

Mrs. Puff: "Yes, there will be more of them when you leave this area."

SpongeBob: "I should probably expect myself to be attacked constantly at this point... Seriously, what is up with those fish?"

SpongeBob left where the first spare part was and came outside where more of those fish waited to beat in his face. It was only one shielded fish, so SpongeBob wasn't worried in the slightest. He knocked that one out, but was then ambushed by more ruffians. He got smacked around before he was able to take care of them. With that, he was able to move forward again in search for the second part. He noticed the part above him and immediately went to work to obtain it.

SpongeBob: "Oh... One of these... These are very important... I guess."

Mrs. Puff: "SpongeBob, to get to that part, you need to smash up these fifty engine part crates that you see in front of you with your Sand Slap attack."

SpongeBob: "Well, I've made myself go this far, might as well finish collecting these spare parts…"

SpongeBob was exhausted by the time he smashed up all fifty crates. He had to take another break to catch his breath.

SpongeBob: "*pant* Mrs. Puff, have you ever had to do something like this before?"

Mrs. Puff: "Nope. I was more careful and lucky, SpongeBob. I didn't have to go through what you're going through right now."

SpongeBob: "Heh... I figured that you'd be more careful, unlike me…"

SpongeBob got up and another group of ruffians appeared below him, waiting to beat the sponge up.

SpongeBob: "Aw c'mon, I just recovered from being tired! *sigh* Fine... C'mere you jerks! Hyy-YAH! … ... *pant pant* Dear Neptune... this is so tiring…"

Mrs. Puff: "Everything will be much better after you get all the other needed spare parts, SpongeBob. Press that button on the ground and then climb back up to get that next part."

SpongeBob: "... Alright…"

SpongeBob pressed the button, climbed back up, and collected that room's part. He went back to where he came from and… there were more ruffians. He cursed in his breath before striking away at them. Then, another door opened for him to enter. This allowed him to get into yet another room where ruffians came to smack him. Even SpongeBob had to admit that this was getting tedious.

SpongeBob: "Hey, look over there guys! ... Drat. Well, it was worth a try. Hyah!"

SpongeBob proceeded to eliminate all of them and Mrs. Puff's voice came in to tell the sponge one more thing.

Mrs. Puff: "SpongeBob, collect their tools. They'll be very handy for helping you put in those spare parts."

SpongeBob: "I guess. I can't really use these parts otherwise, now can I? I guess you can call me SpongeBob SpareParts!"

Mrs. Puff: "... SpongeBob... that joke was HORRIBLE."

SpongeBob: "I regret nothing!"

The sponge proceeded to grab this last spare part, after going through some last-minute work to nab it. It involved pushing a big object out of the way of this rising platform, then pressing a button, as well as turning two more winches around. This was all so that he could create a bridge to the spare part.

SpongeBob: "Woo-hoo! I got them all! Now I can go and fix my hot rod! Time to get some revenge on Plankton for destroying my ride..."

He was hard at work to repair his hot rod before he finished it. Once he did, SpongeBob challenged Plankton to a race so that he could get his revenge. Plankton accepted, thinking that he'll easily beat the sponge in said race. Soon, the two prepared to get going and the sponge made his face intimidating once more. Rick and Dale returned to provide commentary for this upcoming race.

Rick: "Plankton's known for being a tough competitor, Dale."

Dale: "Absolutely, Rick. Better keep our eyes on this race."

Rick: "I never get distracted, Dale. ... Heeey, a pebble!"

Dale: "*sigh* Rick… what did I JUST say?"

Rick: "Oh-! Um... ... I suppose I have no excuse for that, Dale…"

Dale: "Nope, not a single one."

Rick: "Very well... I'll provide the leading commentary here, Dale."

Dale: "Great. I just wanna see how this race ends, Rick. I might still comment on a couple of things here and there."

Rick: "People: SpongeBob and Plankton are about to go head-to-head here! Who will come out on top? Will it be the cunning one-eyed beast that is Plankton? Or, will the new competitor shock us once again with his up and coming status?! A sponge, a starfish, and a plankton... who could ask for more than that?"

Dale: "I certainly couldn't, Rick. It's a classic line-up for a race."

SpongeBob and Plankton were being counted from three to one before going. The two were already getting things heated by bashing into one another.

Rick: "Look at this, Dale! They are already going at it and not even thirty seconds have passed!"

Dale: "And it seems like SpongeBob started the initial aggression before Plankton started to pay him in kind, Rick."

SpongeBob: "Watch out, SpongeBob comin' through!"

Plankton (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "Do you really think you're a match for me? In your dreams! I have calculated that I will beat you by over a minute and a half. Prepare to eat my mines, SpongeBlobby!"

Rick: "Plankton is speeding past SpongeBob and chucking those mines behind him in an attempt to slow our spongy friend down! How will the new competitor deal with this?"

SpongeBob: "Your mines don't scare me, Plankton!"

Plankton (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "Then dodge them… IF YOU CAN, THAT IS!"

SpongeBob: "I'll do more than just dodge 'em, take this!"

Dale: "*gasp* What is SpongeBob doing, Rick?!"

Rick: "It looks like he's trying to throw the mines back at Plankton, Dale! Now THIS, I wanna see!"

Plankton (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "What the-?! AAAAGH! Ugh! That hurt, you porous neanderthal!"

Dale: "Plankton's spinning, Rick!"

Rick: "Yeah, he's spinning like a top!"

SpongeBob: "Hooray! I'm ready! I'm ready! I'm ready to win this race!"

Rick: "SpongeBob is now taking the lead position while Plankton is still trying to recover and get himself back on track. Dale, who do YOU think will win this race?"

Dale: "It's still too early to know for sure, Rick. You said it yourself: Plankton's known for being a tough competitor."

Rick: "Well, right now... I think that the new competitor has more than a decent shot of winning this."

Plankton (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "You won't get the big w that easily, SpongeBoob...! Not when I shift this thing into maximum overdrive! Hy-yah!"

Plankton shifted his ride into maximum overdrive, allowing him to go at a higher top speed. Soon enough, he started to catch up to SpongeBob. This caught the attention of both Rick and Dale.

Rick: "Did Plankton just use his maximum overdrive, Dale?"

Dale: "I believe he did, Rick. This will allow Plankton to not only catch up with SpongeBob, but to also go past him as well."

Rick: "Yes, but it's quite a double-edged move to make. It does make him go faster... but if he uses it too much at one time, it'll cause serious internal damage to his motor."

Dale: "Yep, Plankton is treading on some thin ice here…"

SpongeBob: "... Huh...? ... Yikes! How is HE catching up?!"

Plankton (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "Bombs away!"

SpongeBob: "Holy fishpaste! ... Woah-! ... Wooaah!"

Plankton (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "You won't stay ahead for long! Take that!"

SpongeBob: "Not so fast, Plankton! Your mines will have to answer to my bubbles!"

Plankton (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "*gasp* Damn it! Blast you and your confounded bubbles, you porous freak!"

Rick: "SpongeBob used his bubbles to defend himself from Plankton's mines!"

Dale: "Rick, it goes to show that even the newcomers can be real tough competitors."

Rick: "And this is the very embodiment of that statement, Dale."

SpongeBob: "Now, if you'll excuse me… I'll go and win that vengeance for myself, Plankton. This is what you get for destroying MY ride!"

Plankton (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "NO! STOP! DAMN YOU!"

SpongeBob got himself to the second lap and Plankton's maximum overdrive began to backfire. Plankton knew that he had to refrain from using it more, lest he wanted his motor to sustain damage. All he could do was rely on the boost pads on the course. However, with SpongeBob also utilizing them to the fullest; there was just no way that Plankton could catch up. SpongeBob ended up getting to the third lap and won the race cleanly after the initial scuffle in the first lap.

Plankton (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "I knew I should've gotten the turbo…"

Rick: "SpongeBob has toppled the racing might of Plankton! This newcomer is really proving himself to be what looks to be the best racer here, Dale."

Dale: "Well, the sponge has been consistently using strategies to turn the tables on his fellow competitors, Rick. Like, we just saw him use one against Piston Patrick not too long ago."

Rick: "Very true, Dale!"

SpongeBob: "YEAH! This sponge is unstoppable! Who else dares to challenge me to a race?"

Gary (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "Meow!"

SpongeBob: "Huh… so my own pet wants to race me now? I say, bring it on!"

Gary (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "Pff. Meow, meow."

SpongeBob: "You're saying that I'll need all the turbo boosts from my own hot rod to hope I take ya down? Are you that confident you'll beat me?!"

Gary (SpongeBob's Dream Version): "Meeooooow."

SpongeBob: "Fine! If it makes you accept my challenge, I'll go modify my ride to have internal turbo boosts!"

Gary nodded to SpongeBob, then drove away to wait for the sponge to modify his hot rod. After seeing Gary drive away, SpongeBob rushed to work on modifying his vehicle for what could be his last race. Rick and Dale take note of what just transpired.

Rick: "He seems to be collecting turbos... could be tricky, Dale."

Dale: "Especially since The Great Turbo Drought of 04 happened not too long ago, Rick."

Rick: "Those were the days. HEHEHEH!"

Mrs. Puff: "What Gary said was NO joke, SpongeBob. You'll want to soup up your engine with a few special parts if you want to beat him. But, I'm sure there are some places around here that you haven't explored."

SpongeBob: "Well… wish me luck then, Mrs. Puff! I'll get those parts and show Gary that I'm the best racer there is here!"

Mrs. Puff: "That's the spirit, SpongeBob! I wish you luck on your exploration! ... Oh-! There is one more thing that I wanted to say to you, however... *sigh* Okay SpongeBob, I know I'm going to regret saying this… but you've also got the ability to… swing through the air with your arms. If you stand in the right place, you'll be able to cross gaps that you never knew you could."

SpongeBob: "Really?!"

Mrs. Puff: "But please... don't go overboard with this, SpongeBob."

SpongeBob: "Don't worry, Mrs. Puff! I got this under control as the soon-to-be racing champion!"

Mrs. Puff: "Then I will watch over you as you find those parts."

After Mrs. Puff's voice faded, SpongeBob went to go and find the first part as quickly as possible. He knocked out more ruffians on the way and used his newly obtained ability to get to certain areas. That's when he found the first special part. Of course, more of those bad fish patrolled the place near this part, so SpongeBob took care of them as well. After doing that, more things appeared for the sponge to use his new ability on. He swung through the air with them and got the special part.

SpongeBob: "Aaaalright Gary, prepare to give up your speed king crown!"

Soon, SpongeBob made progress on obtaining the other ones, utilizing all of his abilities to do so. He pressed buttons, turned winches, pushed spark blocks, defended himself from more ruffians, and swung through the air some more. One by one, he collected the special parts... until something was in his way.

SpongeBob: "Someone's tryin' to block me off, huh?! But, no one can stop Speedking SquarePants!"

Mrs. Puff: "SpongeBob, there are spark blocks over by your left, you can push them into those generators. That will allow you to pass and get over to where you wish to go."

SpongeBob: "Got it, Mrs. Puff!"

He pushed in all the spark blocks and the blocked off area was cleared. And, behind it was another special part. SpongeBob continued to collect the rest of the special parts until he got the last one that he needed.

SpongeBob: "It's almost time to dethrone Gary!

Mrs. Puff: "Marvelous, SpongeBob! Now you can integrate those parts into your vehicle with the tools that you got from your hot rod repair excursion."

With the turbo boost system in his hot rod, SpongeBob was able to beat Gary by using his strategies. And so, he pronounced himself as the champion racer of Bikini Bottom after continuing to drive past the finish line.

SpongeBob: "Yeah, this car's awesome! I love to feel the wind in my pores! We're an unbeatable team, baby!"

Rick: "Uh-oh, it looks like SpongeBob's not keeping his eyes on the road. He should really stop before he falls in that hole."

Dale: "I think it's too late, Rick. He's going too fast to stop."

SpongeBob: "We're number one! We're number one! We're number onnnnnnne! … Hey, where the heck did this hole come from?! Eyyaaaaaaaah! I'm falling! I'm faaaaaaaaaaliiiing! Oh well, I'll make the most out of this free-fall. ... Hey, there's Squidward's house! I wonder what it's doing down here... Squidward! Squidwaaaaard! Are you there?! … No? I hope nothing bad has happened to him. Oh, and here's an Alaskan Bull Worm. ... Wait... AN ALASKAN BULL WORM?! Aaaaaaaah!"

SpongeBob's falling body quickly approached the rising Alaskan Bull Worm. The sponge flinched as he found himself being devoured whole by the worm. The worm's esophagus made him go through its digestion system. Then, he landed on a solid, flat area. There, he noticed a familiar face standing nearby and he was glad to see him.

Author's Notes: SpongeBob overcame his racing-related trials, only to be thrusted into another issue... BEING EATEN ALIVE BY AN ALASKAN BULL WORM! He fell from a hole by driving into it, and encountered the godforsaken worm during his free-fall. Fortunately, after he goes through the worm's esophagus and whatnot, SpongeBob sees a familiar face stuck in the worm as well. But... with how the game was, we know that this retelling has to transition over to Patrick's dream now. I think Patrick's part of the story will be my favorite to adapt here in novel form. I've always been a fan of the antagonist of his dream, but wished that he had more to his own character in the game. Well, this baddie will certainly get a character overhaul here, because of added stuff to his character. Yay! I hope you guys will enjoy a bit of that, starting in the next chapter. Next chapter, Chapter 4: The Girth of a Hero!