Prompt 16: Roof
...
"Mermaid Man - will you wake up, you old coot!" Barnacle Boy shouted. It was 7PM and the citizens of Bikini Bottom paid no heed to what was once one of the ocean's greatest superheroes, in spite of his dire peril...
Except of course, for one SpongeBob SquarePants- one of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy's greatest fans, who was standing next to the retired sidekick with a look of worry and fear on his innocent, childish face.
"What are we going to do now, Barnacle Boy?" SpongeBob asked his friend/hero, tugging at his sleeve curiously in the hopes of an answer.
"I don't know, kid!" The retired hero snapped furiously. "For all I know, he could start sleepwalking again, and neither of us can rescue him from down here- or get up there quick enough to save him before he accidentally falls from that roof!"
However, the young sponge had an idea. "I can save Mermaid Man!" He exclaimed triumphantly.
"You- you haven't got what it takes to climb up a building at fast speeds!" Barnacle Boy protested, hoping to dissuade the kid from doing something inevitably stupid.
"I can't- but 'The Quickster' can!" And with those bold, cheerful words, SpongeBob ripped off his pants to reveal his underwear, which he then removed to reveal himself in his blue and white 'The Quickster' costume from the International Justice League of Super Acquaintances.
"I'm coming, Mermaid Man!" He shouted, racing off at his trademark speed- which was as quickly as quickly can be, and in a quick 10 seconds, 'The Quickster' had rescued Mermaid Man as quickly as possible, before making a quick exit off the rooftop and quickly stopped beside Barnacle Boy.
"Man that was a lot of quicks and quickly-s!" SpongeBob sighed in relief, before putting Mermaid Man down gently on his feet. "Aw, he looks cute when he's sleeping." The kindly poriferan added.
"Hmph-I don't think so!" Barnacle Boy huffed in annoyance. "And I wouldn't put endangering his life while asleep cute in the slightest."
"Oh, no, Barnacle Boy, sir- I didn't mean that!" SpongeBob protested
"I know. Now wake up, Mermaid Man!"
"EVIL!" Mermaid Man screamed loudly- which was a relief to the pair- before opening his eyes-only to find himself, his sidekick, and 'The Quickster' standing outside Shady Shoals Rest Home.
"Huh-what happened, Barnacle Boy? And why is The Quickster here?"
"You got on the roof again, old coot." Barnacle Boy sighed. "The Quickster saved you from falling off and hurting yourself."
"Hm- I don't remember going on the roof," Mused the hero. "Well, thanks, Quickster!"
"Don't mention it, Mermaid Man, sir!" The Quickster replied, ripping off his costume to reveal his underwear, and then he pulled that off to his usual attire.
"Huh- where did the Quickster go?" Mermaid Man asked in confusion, looking around. "He was right here, standing where the lad is."
The superannuated sidekick groaned in annoyance at his friend's confusion once again. "Well, back to square one- again."
"Goodbye, Mermaid Man! Goodbye, Barnacle Boy! I'll see you two around!" SpongeBob waved goodbye to his two heroes/friends, before starting to skip off home.
"Wait a moment, kid- I have something important to say to you!" Barnacle Boy called, causing SpongeBob to falter.
"Yes sir?" He asked politely, with his hands clasped in front of his chest.
"I just want to say...thanks, kid- you, um, did us a great service rescuing Mermaid Man from the roof." Barnacle Boy said, now feeling embarrassed at showing sentiment- something he didn't do a lot- especially to a kid he regarded as annoying half the time.
But SpongeBob only smiled warmly, causing the elderly man to immediately forget why he was embarrassed.
"You're welcome- you guys are my friends, after all. And even superheroes need a little super help- that's why the International Justice League of Super Acquaintances exists."
Barnacle Boy was about to correct his young friend- but reconsidered, and shook his head. "Well, I can't keep you waiting here any longer- you better head home, kiddo. I'll keep an eye on Mermaid Man."
"Okay, see you guys later!" SpongeBob called cheerfully, waving goodbye to his beloved heroes, before hurrying home to feed Gary and tell him about his day.