The Sponge's Yearning

Chapter 3: Imperfection

Spongebob hopped to Percy, the boy was passed out. This whole journey he's been useless being the sponge out of water, waking up Percy was the least he could do to repay the demigod for his kindness. He pushed and tugged but his lightweight contributed to nothing. Spongebob was hopeless, for once he wished he could laugh everything off. He continued trying though, he knew it wouldn't change anything, he needed the demigod up not for himself, but the boy didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve to be pulled into this, he still had a whole life to live, what did Spongebob have? His friends were missing, he's nothing but a kitchen appliance, and the town he once knew wasn't here.

After what felt like a couple of hours he stopped trying. His will to keep going diminished. Around him the city was empty, the figure made everyone disappear except for him and Percy. The yellow sponge was left there with a lifeless body destined to spend the rest of eternity with nothing but his loss. He looked up, the sky turned grey with a storm incoming, the wind began to pick up and it got harder to stay near his demigod friend. The wind flew him closer to the sea. Spongebob had a choice, stay with Percy and his guilt or let himself into the sea. Before choosing he stopped himself. What was he thinking? He couldn't just leave Percy, I need to stay strong. Guilt overwhelmed him, how could he even think of that? He took a deep breath (if he could), the young sponge tried to hop back to Percy, however, it was too late. The tide already grabbed him and was pulling him closer to the ocean. The tiny sponge begrudgingly moved in the opposite direction, using all the force he had left in him, the tide wouldn't let go and pulled him in with an iron grip. Just as Spongebob got pulled away in the limitless ocean never to be seen again, a hand reached out and caught him at the last second. "I can't lose another person today."

Percy woke up in a daze. Around him felt cold, numb even. The wind never seemed to stop tossing him around. Percy shook his head trying to remember where he was. Spongebob. Annabeth. Evil Person. Beaten and tired Percy frantically looked for the little guy. His search ended when he looked out to the ocean, he could make out a tiny spot of yellow in the washed-out ocean. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as he scrambled to catch him. He willed the sea to stop and snatched Spongebob. "I can't lose another person today."

Spongebob felt relieved looking at the two familiar sea-green eyes that of course, belonged to a son of Poseidon. They both awkwardly stayed in the same position before Spongebob leaped onto Percy's shoulder. Percy stood up, "Hey buddy, sorry about making you worry," Spongebob nodded. "We should probably look for everyone right?" No response. The sponge leaned closer to Percy, scared to be alone again, scared Percy would disappear again.

The two ran through the now-defunct New York City. The Manhattan Percy knew was full of life, this, this wasn't it. It was like running around a dream with no way out, if this was a dream Percy would not hesitate to give a beating to the one responsible. The eerie calmness irked the duo. The kitchen appliance was feeling the same way when he found out about Bikini Bottom. Emptiness seemed to follow them through the streets. Percy still had a sliver of hope there was someone left. Eventually, the pair returned to the beach alone, both sitting on the sand.

"So much for finding other people, am I right?"

Again, the sponge didn't respond. It felt like it's been ages since they've had a proper conversation when in reality only a few hours passed. Percy and Spongebob continued to stay in awkward silence.
"How do you deal with imperfection?" Spongebob whispered. It's a question the yellow sponge wanted to ask for a while now. With everything that's ensued so far, today showed the sponge's flaw. His inability to deal with imperfection, unpredictability.

"Well, being a demigod doesn't give you the option for anything near perfect," the boy said while fiddling with his ballpen. "I mean you just kind of gotta go with things, when life gets unpredictable you have to adapt and change," Percy paused, Spongebob was looking at him quizzically, full attention.

"My life has never really been unpredictable," the sponge admitted, "My routine was perfect, everything in its place, I don't know how to be anything but perfect," The sponge's voice quivered. Percy quietly listened and sat next to the sponge.

"You can ask for help y'know, like for the prophecy I have Grover and Annabeth always looking out for me,"

Help. That's it. Spongebob felt as if his world has just changed. That's what he needed, he's always been afraid of asking something of others, instead, the sponge only gave help. Maybe it was time he asked for help.

"Thanks, Percy."

"No probl- you said my name!" The demigod rejoiced.

That was when the strangest thing happened. Everyone appeared out of nowhere.