My Mermaid Friend and Me

My Mermaid Friend and Me is Iago PUC's idea for a special episode in SpongeBob SquarePants.
== Synopsis ==
After sacrificing a rare magic pearl to stop a volcano and save Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob forms a new friendship with a pure-hearted child mermaid from his imagination named Fiona, who also wins the hearts of SpongeBob's friends, except Squidward, who becomes jealous.
== Introducing Character(s) ==
* Fiona the Mermaid (voiced by )
* Captain Tentaclebeard (voiced by )
== Returning Character(s) ==
* Princess Mindy (now voiced by Catherine Taber)
* Mini Squidward (voiced by Tom Kenny)
== Plot ==
=== Act 1 ===
In his home, SpongeBob SquarePants is with his pet snail Gary overseeing a box full of childhood items, including a drawn picture of his imaginary friend Fiona, a cute, and sweet-natured child mermaid, who is said to have the best and most positive qualities and aspects of SpongeBob and his friends, before a bottle containing a mysterious treasure map falls into his yard from a flying pirate ship, and he checks on it. Meanwhile, news about the apparent death of Squilliam Fancyson by a pirate assault disheartens the citizens of Bikini Bottom, except Squidward Tentacles, who is eager to take Squilliam's place as the final nominee at the Bikini Bottom City Award ceremony. However, he is told by the nomination administrators that he will not earn a nomination unless he performs an applaudable act like Squilliam did. Following the map's landmarks, SpongeBob stumbles across a cave, where he finds a massive amount of gold and jewels, as well as the Star of Atlantis, a rare pearl with magical energies, and takes it home after King Neptune (through an astral form) tells him that the Star will answer solely to SpongeBob, who is the first mortal in the sea to find the Star after it was hidden for centuries, with SpongeBob first using the Star's magic to send the rest of the treasure to the Krusty Krab, and then to perform selfless wonders in Bikini Bottom. Later, SpongeBob hears news about the city's formerly dormant volcano, which has become active again, and is predicted to erupt within four hours; the eruption is also predicted to cause twice the damage it did before, meaning it could destroy all of Bikini Bottom. The news causes panic for the citizens, except Squidward (who dismisses the news as "another excuse to sacrifice his house", as he is more concerned about getting his nomination in the ceremony), and Sheldon J. Plankton (who is seeking a new power source for his machines, and use it for his attempts to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula), much to his computer wife Karen's disgust.
Wondering about what to do, SpongeBob is advised by the ancient warrior dolphin that he can save the city and stop the eruption by sacrificing the Star of Atlantis. Agreeing, SpongeBob journeys to the volcano, while Squidward plans to earn his award nomination by finding the Star of Atlantis and giving it to his recent idol: the infamous pirate Captain Tentaclebeard (who is the one responsible for Squilliam's presumed death, and is the previous owner of the map SpongeBob followed). Plankton also goes search for the Star of Atlantis, which he plans to use as a battery for his machines; both are, however, oblivious that the pearl is already in SpongeBob's possession. Arriving at the top of the volcano minutes before its eruption begins, SpongeBob throws the Star of Atlantis into the lava pit, stopping the eruption. Performing a musical ritual alongside Princess Mindy, Mini Squidward, Karen, and the rest of his friends ("Sweet Victory"), SpongeBob completes the Star's sacrifice by transforming the volcano into a pearl-shaped castle, saving Bikini Bottom. The citizens rejoice and cheer on SpongeBob, prompting the administrators to reportedly name him Squilliam's successor as the third and final nominee for the City Award ceremony, leading Tentaclebeard (who had agreed to help Squidward become a nominee at the ceremony in exchange of the Star of Atlantis) to break off his deal with Squidward.
Seeing the map in SpongeBob's hands, and learning that he found the Star of Atlantis first, and used it to stop the volcano, the infuriated Squidward becomes more resentful of him, and hurts his feelings by telling him that he is not as important in his life as he thinks he is, while Plankton finds himself ready to give up his plans, and also becomes resentful of SpongeBob. As he is comforted by Mindy, Mini Squidward, and Karen, the depressed SpongeBob checks on his drawing of Fiona one more time, and tearfully wishes she was real. With its last remaining magic, the Star of Atlantis grants SpongeBob's wish, and Fiona is born from the heart of the pearl castle. Overjoyed, SpongeBob enjoys an idyllic afternoon with Fiona before the two are confronted by Tentaclebeard over the Star of Atlantis. SpongeBob and Tentaclebeard engage in a spatula/sword fight, with the former winning, and throwing him off a cliff. At night, Fiona is introduced to SpongeBob's friends, who congratulate him for saving Bikini Bottom, and also welcome Fiona in open arms. Next day, Squidward is walking around the city, angry at the countless people still cheering on SpongeBob, who he subsequently confronts over "stealing his glory". But this time, SpongeBob rebukes Squidward for his own selfishness and lack of care for others, which SpongeBob views as the main reason why Squidward could never be a nominee for the Bikini Bottom City Award. Also calling Squidward out is Fiona, who (in response to Squidward insulting SpongeBob) beats him up, calls him a "good-for-nothing joke", and sends him flying towards a garbage truck. Squidward later watches as SpongeBob and Fiona are well greeted by citizens, including (to his horror) Squidward's grandmother.
=== Act 2 ===
Horrified by what he saw happening, Squidward plans to get revenge on SpongeBob by getting his friends and acquaintances to scold him for "deserting them for a mermaid", but it quickly fails when he finds out that all of them have already been introduced to Fiona by SpongeBob, and all of them mutually treat her well like one of their own: Patrick Star is shown enjoying bubbles produced by Fiona with her unique bubble blowing abilities. Sandy Cheeks is impressed by Fiona's genius intellect and karate skills. Even Mr. Krabs and his daughter Pearl and mother Betsy are fond of Fiona (who impresses them with her cooking experience), and are shown enjoying a family dinner with her as well as SpongeBob and his family (including his parents Harold and Margaret, his grandmother, and cousins Stanley and Blackjack). To Squidward's even bigger dismay, Fiona also earns praise from the citizens (even King Neptune) for her talents in art and music, which Squidward was heavily criticized for previously.
Later on, while inaugurating the Proud Mary, a flying ship she and Sandy worked on, Fiona confesses herself afraid of Captain Tentaclebeard due to his infamous nature as a pirate, with SpongeBob and his friends assuring her they will fight him together. Now officially jealous of Fiona, Squidward plans for his one act of revenge: to give Fiona away to Tentaclebeard by convincing him that Fiona's soul is made of the Star of Atlantis. As SpongeBob and his friends begin suspecting how similar Tentaclebeard is to Squilliam, Squidward decides to join Tentaclebeard's crew as a member. Squidward's joy over incoming victory is short-lived when Tentaclebeard reveals himself to be in fact Squilliam in disguise; having faked his death during the sinking of his fancy ship, Squilliam adopted the alias of Tentaclebeard while planning to obtain the Star of Atlantis, and use its powers to usurp King Neptune, and become ruler of Bikini Bottom. After ordering the pirates to lock him in the ship's catacombs, Squilliam also mocks Squidward for having been serving his arch-rival all along, leaving Squidward to sob heavily in regret over how awful, cruel and ungrateful he was to SpongeBob, who had ironically delayed Squilliam's plans for the Star of Atlantis by sacrificing it to the volcano, and saved Squidward from initial humiliation.
Squilliam and his crew intercept and ambush the Proud Mary, but SpongeBob and his friends (having learned of Squilliam's deception and his role as Tentaclebeard) fight back while begrudgingly freeing the remorseful Squidward. Plankton (seeking to obtain the power source of Squilliam's ship) also arrives, and attacks both sides with his crew of robot pirates and a robot suit resembling Squilliam's Tentaclebeard disguise. With everyone distracted by the fight, Squilliam's ship loses control, and crashes on the rocks, but Fiona uses her bubbles to save everyone from sinking with Squilliam's ship, and flies them safely to the Proud Mary while Squilliam lands on a nearby island. Squilliam becomes overjoyed with the island's treasure, but only to discover it belongs to the Flying Dutchman, who then captures Squilliam, and forces him to endure eternal suffering in Davy Jones' Locker for his crimes and misdeeds, while SpongeBob, Fiona and their friends leave with Plankton, Squidward and Squilliam's crew to Bikini Bottom. As the defeated pirates of Squilliam's crew and Plankton (who is accused of being Tentaclebeard's true identity because of his robot suit) are taken to jail and Sandy confiscates Plankton's robots, Squidward reconciles with SpongeBob and his friends, and begins to make amends for his mistakes. At night, SpongeBob and his friends attend the Bikini Bottom City Award ceremony, on which SpongeBob is declared winner, and with Squidward (who is doing community service, just like he dreamt of SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs doing earlier) cheering for him.
== Foreshadowing ==
* Some moments in Act 1 and Act 2 foreshadow the revelation that Squilliam is the true identity of Captain Tentaclebeard in Act 2:
** As a running gag throughout both acts, Captain TentacleBeard will scold at anyone who accidentally hits his forehead by yelling: "Watch the unibrow, peasant!".
** While overhearing the song ("Sweet Victory") performed by SpongeBob and his friends to transform the volcano into a pearl-shaped castle, Tentaclebeard reacts in horror, moaning: "Not that song, again!".
** As the performance goes on, TentacleBeard gets a heart-attack, and collapses in the same pose Squilliam did in the episode "Band Geeks".
** When confronting SpongeBob at Act 1, TentacleBeard accuses him of many actions, including allowing Squidward to have his "three victories against [TentacleBeard]", referring to episodes "Band Geeks", "House Fancy" and "Keep Bikini Bottom Beautiful" (although the latter was unintended karma).
== Continuity ==
Events of several previous episodes of the series are mentioned:
* The episode mentions moments from "Sponge-Cano!".
** The ancient warrior returns in the episode.
** Squidward dismisses the warnings about the volcano since his house was once blasted away to stop the eruption.
* While convincing SpongeBob that Squidward is not worth being called a friend, Mindy and Karen mention the bad things Squidward did in SpongeBob's life, which happened in previous episodes. Those moments include:
** Reading SpongeBob's diary in "Little Yellow Book".
** Savagely criticizing SpongeBob's artistic talent, and trying to take credit for it in "Artist Unknown".
** Attempting to ruin SpongeBob's friendship with Patrick, three times; as depicted in "Naughty Nautical Neighbors", "Squidward's School for Grown-Ups" and "The Whole Tooth".
** Not feeding Gary while SpongeBob and Patrick were away for jellyfishing in a weekend in "I Was a Teenage Gary".
* The musicians performing the song "C'mon Get Happy" alongside Mini Squidward and Kelpy G are the same band members of the song "Ripped Pants" in the same name episode.
* After revealing himself to have masqueraded as Captain Tentaclebeard to manipulate Squidward into giving him the Star of Atlantis, Squilliam mocks Squidward by reminding him of the times when SpongeBob helped Squidward triumph over Squilliam. Those moments include:
** Getting Squilliam to get a ticket for littering by melting down his statue in "Keep Bikini Bottom Beautiful".
** Earning Squilliam's would-be place at the House Fancy program in "House Fancy".
** And the most notable of all: conducting Squidward's marching band at the Bubble Bowl in "Band Geeks".
* Members of Captain Tentaclebeard's (Squilliam's) crew are revealed to include some characters Squidward made enemies with:
** The Sea Bear from "The Camping Episode", who is still angry at Squidward for having done all the things which could attract and provoke a sea bear to prove sea bears do not exist.
** Mr. What Zit Tooya from "Good Ol' Whatshisname", who resents from Squidward for stealing his wallet just to know his name.
** The Stranger from "Squid Defense", who is angry at Squidward for using karate to assault him in the alley.
* During the fight against Squilliam's crew, Patrick gets in destructive tantrums to defeat the pirates he is fighting after SpongeBob squeaks the rubber ducky, which happened in the end of episode "Patrick's Tantrum".
== Music ==
 List is not quite complete yet
* "Age Of Discovery" - Sam Spence [The Bikini Bottom City Award ceremony/SpongeBob is nominated]
* "Sweet Victory" - David Glen Eisley [SpongeBob and friends perform the song to transform the volcano into a pearl-shaped castle]
* "Fancytale" - Gregor F. Narholz [Fiona is born from the pearl castle and embraces SpongeBob]
* "C'mon Get Happy" - David Cassidy [Montage of SpongeBob and Fiona enjoying themselves in Bikini Bottom]
* "Kung Fu Rock" - Eban Schletter [SpongeBob and Fiona dance the song on streets while Squidward is watching]
* "A Pirate's Life For Me (A)" - Ron Goodwin [Act 1: SpongeBob duels with TentacleBeard and defeats him; Act 2: SpongeBob and his friends battle Squilliam and his pirate crew]
==Trivia==
* The song which SpongeBob sings in the beginning of the episode to express his love for Fiona is a parody of the first lyrics of "Johanna" (Reprise sung by Jamie Campbell as Anthony Hope) from Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) and Bowser's song "Peaches" from The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).
* After Kelpy G and his band finish singing "C'mon Get Happy!", Squidward passes by and asks: "Why do you all look like you've just finished a musical number?". This scene is similar to a scene from the 2014 TV series Sonic Boom episode "Mister Eggman", on which the titular villain Dr. Eggman asked the same question to the villagers (including Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends), who were at the time singing a song (parody to "The Telephone Hour" from Bye Bye Birdie) to mock Eggman over the fact that he is "not a doctor".
==TV Tropes==
:See here
==Transcript==
:Read the transcript here
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