And here it is, the first of Wave Two of my NU stories! :D

...and I don't have much else to say. Here's hoping you like it!

Planktopolis Now

A Nicktoons Unite Story

Prologue

"So, how's it work?"

The Syndicate were standing in a large warehouse, looking over the strange machine. It was twice as tall as the tallest of them (Vlad) and shaped almost like a large drill. Electrical coils extended from the sides and the top – it was a very strange looking thing.

It was the Chronomancer, the stolen pride of the CIA. It's function – to erase an individual from the space-time continuum.

"Simple," replied Calamitous, gazing at the machine in smug satisfaction, "All we need is a visual record of the subject, which we then scan into the machine..."

He pointed to a console on the side of the machine.

"...and activate it."

"The power it would require is astronomical," noted Vlad, "Where exactly are we getting it from?"

Calamitous smirked, and pointed out the window. In the distance, two cooling towers could be seen smoking away, the grey smog mixing with the late-afternoon haze.

"Three Mile Island?" quizzed Crocker.

"Nuclear power is one of the only things powerful enough to fuel this machine," replied Calamitous, "Plus, it gives me an excuse to use this!"

He reached into his coat and pulled out a mug. Printed on the side of the mug was an inscription; 'I Heart Nuclear Power.'

"So?" quizzed Crocker, rubbing his hands together, "When are we going to erase Turner?"

"We aren't," snapped Calamitous, "If we get rid of Turner, then we have no way of capturing his quote-unquote 'fairies'..."

"Which would mean you'd ruin your own plans," finished Vlad, "Again."

"Furthermore, Vlad still desires Phantom as his son," continued Calamitous, "And I want the satisfaction of defeating Neutron, not simply wishing him away. Which leaves just one person..."

All eyes fell on Plankton.

"...we're going after the robot?" he asked.

"No, you ignoramus," grunted Vlad, "Spongebob Squarepants represents the lowest risk and the highest gain possible."

"Precisely," nodded Calamitous, "Without our enemies, we would be...um...uh..."

"Street performers?" quizzed Plankton.

"Nuns?" quizzed Crocker.

"Nothing," grunted Vlad.

"Right!" exclaimed Calamitous, "But Plankton's enemy isn't Squarepants..."

"It's Krabs," snarled Plankton, "And without Spongebob to help him...the formula would be mine!"

"And if your previous plans are any indication," added Calamitous, a nasty grin spreading across his face as he pulled out a tape recorder.

"It's evil...it's diabolical...it's lemon-scented! This Plan Z can't possibly fail!"

"No," sneered Plankton, "Not without Spongebob."

And then he started to laugh.

Evil laughing is fun laughing.