Hello, everybody, I'm back! I got the next chapter ready for you all! This chapter will be a more darker one, and to represent the stakes, the formatted setting will take place in the Empty Dimension, which will be in an artist-like black-and-white format! This chapter will focus on Patrick, and will feature the return of Wizard Krabs! Anyways, enjoy, and don't forget to comment, like, and review!

NOTE #1: This chapter contains some emotional material that may be intense towards younger viewers. Parental guidance is recommended.

NOTE #2: This chapter will only feature Patrick and Wizard Krabs, with some mentioning towards SpongeBob. The story will shift back to the others in the next chapter.

Chapter 16: The Empty Dimension

Patrick wakes up, still reeling in from the fall, and discovers that he is in the Empty Dimension, a black-and-white world where there is a lot of debris and damaged buildings. The world looks like a barren wasteland with any signs of life being impossible to locate. Having landed on the roof of a damaged building, he climbs down and sees the powerful glowing moon, which provides the only source of light in this world. He climbs down the stairs and runs out into the area, where he witnesses a light. He runs towards it, only for it to be a fake. He hears a monstrous noise, and hides, with the noise growing more louder. He grabs a metal pipe, and as an arm touches him, he whacks the figure. He turns to look at it, nervously, and discovers it to be Wizard Krabs.

Patrick: Mr. Krabs?

Wizard Krabs: (groans in pain from being hit by that pipe) That was my old name. I am Wizard Krabs, a mythical being whose goal is dedicated to the protection and safety of all magic in the multiverse. It's a lot to understand, so come with me, and I'll show you what I mean. And hurry; we don't have a lot of time.

The two of them walk past a damaged spider-robot, with the winds howling as they continue their journey. They reach an abandoned library, and the Wizard activates his magical, smaller staff before taking Patrick towards a giant cave built inside. There are lanterns hung all over the walls.

Wizard Krabs: I thought I was the only one here. How did you get here?

Patrick: That guy banished me here, and everything is not going well for me. I messed up badly, and now everybody hates me. They're better off without me, anyway, wherever they are.

Wizard Krabs: That's one way to look at it. But what happened?

Patrick: I faked SpongeBob's application letter to SCAR club because I didn't get in. He found out the truth, and our friendship died.

Wizard Krabs: (ashamed) I wish you wouldn't have done such a thing like that. Has he acted like a good friend to you?

Patrick: Yes...

Wizard Krabs: Have you acted like a good friend to him?

Patrick: (realization kicks in) No. I dragged my friend into big problems, and this, this he can't forgive.

Wizard Krabs: Don't be so sure. (they reach a bunch of cave paintings) I told Anti-SB about a prophecy that a chosen one would stop him. But the truth is, he's right; I made it up. But I know the history of the Portal Box.

Patrick: What?

Wizard Krabs: Let me tell you.

As he explains, black-and-white artist drawings show the events followed.

Wizard Krabs: (voiceover) A long time ago, around the earliest days of mankind, back when horses helped move carriages and people were in fancy clothes, there was a famous scientist, Thomas Smith, who was recording his thoughts about the concept of the universe. One day, after viewing the sky at night, he wondered, "What would it be like to view a different world? One like ours, but different." He began trying to create the Portal Box, but after multiple attempts, he failed. Over the years, he worked in vain to try to complete his greatest creation, but he grew weak. When the time came for him to leave our world, he bestowed the legacy upon his children and their descendants over the generations, so they can complete the great task he couldn't do. Around the 1900s, his twin siblings, Melody and Marcus, finally completed their job. They showed their creation to the public, which was amazing. Investors and fugitives, however, for malicious purposes; to control the greater world with it. They attacked the family, killed their parents, and separated the twins. Marcus launched his arrow at the Box, which exploded. The very fabric of reality nearly tore itself apart, until Smith's soul infused into the Box, and repaired the rifts, but his family's souls were sucked in as well, and the only remaining thing left was the Parallel Crystal, the catalyst needed to rebuild the box. It then teleported into the future, where it landed in your home. When the two of you rebuilt the Box, it reopened the ever-seeing world, but it altered an outcome. Another SpongeBob, who would've his dream accomplished, lost it, blamed his friend, and became the supervillain he is currently.

Back to the present, Wizard Krabs finishes telling his story as the two walk out of the cave and are on the roof of the library.

Patrick: (guilt-ridden) It's my fault. Because I forged my friend's letter, I let Anti-SB come into existence. He wants vengeance on me for what happened.

Wizard Krabs: Don't put so much blame on yourself. It's not me you should be apologizing to. It's SpongeBob. Anti-SB used to be like him, but the fallout turned him into the monster he is; I studied magic to stop him, but he grew too powerful. But your friendship is different. You can save SpongeBob.

Patrick: But I blew it. I lost him, and now, he'll never forgive me. He outright told me himself, then his threw his friendship ring at me.

Wizard Krabs: He doesn't have to forgive you, but you can't run away, because you'll never learn anything if you do so. To make a friend, you have to earn it, and you have to earn it right.

Patrick feels inspired, realizing that his friendship can be repaired. Wizard Krabs groans, realizing something is wrong.

Patrick: What's wrong?!

Wizard Krabs: It's your friend. I sensed something horrible has happened to him. I also sense a darker story on the horizon. An epic battle with laser guns and magic sticks, but first, the two of you in an intense fight with each other.

Patrick: I can't fight him! He's my friend!

Wizard Krabs: You can't run away forever. At some point in life, you're going to have to choose... between either wanting to do the right thing or losing everything you have for your own problems.

Patrick: You're right. I have to go back. But how?

Wizard Krabs: I don't know. This realm is closed, an outsider beyond the realms of space-time. Only a great force can allow exit. But I know one thing that can work. We need to do it quickly; the Empty Dimension is a dangerous area. In a matter of time, whatever stays in here for too long will fade from existence, and no magic or technology can save them. (takes out a spell book and scrolls through it) Realmus Escapus. A spell that can allow exit through an impossible space. Take my hands. (Patrick does so) "I transfer my life so I can.."

Patrick: What? You're giving up your life?

Wizard Krabs: Yes; I don't have a purpose anymore, and the spell requires a soul for it to work.

Patrick: I can't... not with you.

Wizard Krabs: You must. My time grows thin, but it's not too late for you. You can save everyone, including your best friend. You can only do so if you're ready to fight for it.

Patrick: (sees the light shining on the moon; now determined) I'm ready. (grabs the Wizard's hands)

Wizard Krabs: "I transfer my life so I can save another, with one of many who has a friend like a brother. I give up my life for them to be, one chance to set them free!" (a powerful light emerges and it shoots up into the sky, revealing a gateway back to Portal City) Now give them a good one, amigo. (fades away into dust and light as Patrick flies out of the Empty Dimension and back to the city)

Patrick lands on the ground, and looks at Anti-SB's fortress.

Patrick: I'm coming, buddy. (runs off to find his friends and save SpongeBob)

That's Chapter 16 completed! I know it's shorter, but I decided to use little words to express the emotional tone this chapter has! Anyways, we will return to the main story next chapter, where the stakes will be much higher than ever, and the two Disney Junior shows will be introduced! Here's a hint: it involves princesses! All right, everyone, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and don't forget to comment, like, and review!