For days, Michael had been working up the courage to ask Belle out. Between battling foul-smelling villains and hiding his identity as Captain Gargle, he'd been avoiding the very real feelings he had for his sharp-witted colleague. But after their recent close calls—both with villains and her growing curiosity about Captain Gargle—he decided that if he didn't act soon, he might miss his chance.It was late in the afternoon at The Daily Tribune. The newsroom had quieted down for once, and Belle was sitting at her desk, focused on her notes from a recent investigation. Michael, who had been pretending to write an article, glanced over at her and swallowed hard. His heart raced, and for a moment, he considered backing out.Come on, Michael, he thought. You've faced alien invaders and giant swarms of flies. You can handle this.He stood up, taking a deep breath as he crossed the room. Belle didn't notice him at first, engrossed in her work, but as he stopped by her desk, she glanced up, raising an eyebrow."Hey, Michael," she said, her voice light but curious. "Need something?"Michael rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Uh, yeah, actually. I was wondering if, you know, you'd like to grab dinner with me tonight?"Belle blinked in surprise. For a second, her usual cool expression faltered, replaced by a flicker of amusement and something else—interest. "Dinner? Are you asking me on a date, Halloway?"Michael's face flushed. "I mean, if you're interested, yeah. I thought we could, uh, take a break from chasing stories for once."Belle's lips curved into a smirk, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know, I didn't think you had it in you." She paused, studying him for a moment before adding, "But yeah, I'd like that. Dinner sounds nice."Michael's heart soared. He managed a smile, despite the nerves jangling in his chest. "Great! I'll, uh, pick you up around seven?""Seven it is," Belle said, turning back to her notes, though Michael caught the small smile she tried to hide.As he walked back to his desk, Michael felt a mix of excitement and dread. He had finally asked her out, but now came the hard part—juggling a date with Belle while keeping his superhero duties under wraps. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was bound to go wrong.-----By the time seven o'clock rolled around, Michael found himself standing outside Belle's apartment building, his palms sweating despite the cool evening breeze. He had dressed a little nicer than usual—nothing too flashy, but enough to show he was putting in an effort.Belle appeared at the door, looking effortlessly stylish in a simple black dress and a jacket, her dark curls framing her face. She smiled as she approached, a playful glint in her eyes. "You clean up well, Halloway."Michael grinned, his nerves easing slightly. "Thanks. You look amazing.""Flattery will get you everywhere," she teased, linking her arm with his as they walked down the street toward the restaurant.They ended up at a cozy little bistro that Michael had picked out—a place that wasn't too fancy but still had a warm, intimate vibe. The conversation flowed easily as they sat down, talking about everything from their latest work assignments to their favorite films. Michael found himself relaxing more than he had expected, enjoying Belle's company in a way that wasn't tied to chasing stories or investigating strange occurrences.For a while, it felt normal. Just a simple night out. But deep down, Michael knew it wouldn't last.As they were finishing their appetizers, Michael's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced down at the screen, his stomach dropping when he saw the message from Commander Floss."Possible Cavity activity detected downtown. Could be a minor threat. Check it out ASAP."Michael's heart sank. Of course, a threat had to pop up now. He glanced at Belle, who was talking about an old story she had covered, completely unaware of the situation.For a brief moment, he considered ignoring the message. He could finish the date, let someone else handle the situation. But he knew better. If there was even a chance that Blaguda's forces were involved, he couldn't just sit back and enjoy dinner.Belle noticed his distracted look and paused, raising an eyebrow. "Everything okay?"Michael forced a smile, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just... a work thing.""On a Friday night?" Belle smirked. "You're worse than me."Michael chuckled, trying to keep up the facade, but his mind was already racing with excuses. "Yeah, well, sometimes the news doesn't sleep. I might need to step out for a minute."Belle studied him for a second, then nodded. "Alright, but don't leave me here too long. I didn't come out tonight to sit by myself.""I won't be long," Michael promised, his stomach twisting as he stood up. "I'll be right back."------As soon as he stepped outside the bistro, Michael ducked into a nearby alleyway. Pulling out the Magic Gargle vial from his jacket pocket, he quickly transformed into Captain Gargle, the familiar minty energy surging through him."Excuse me po!" he muttered through the gargle, and in seconds, his superhero form took over. He floated into the air, still sitting in his awkward hovering pose, scanning the streets for any sign of trouble.It didn't take long. Down the street, near the corner of a busy intersection, he spotted the culprit: a new villain, covered in grime and buzzing with malicious energy. This one was shorter than Boy Baktol or Boy Langaw, with a hunched posture and swarms of flies hovering around him."Oh, great," Captain Gargle muttered. "Another one."The villain spotted him and cackled, his voice high-pitched and buzzing like a swarm of insects. "So you're the one they call Captain Gargle! I'm Boy Langaw's cousin—Boy Alipunga! And I've come to spread my own special brand of stink!"Boy Alipunga swung his arms, and a wave of foul-smelling gas exploded from his body, filling the air with a stench that made Captain Gargle's eyes water."Seriously? Why do they always smell so bad?" Captain Gargle gagged, flying toward the villain. "Alright, Alipunga, let's clean this up."He unleashed a blast of minty fresh energy, cutting through the cloud of foul gas. Boy Alipunga stumbled back, trying to shield himself, but Captain Gargle was too fast. With a quick flick of his wrist, Michael summoned the Tornado of Tingle, enveloping the villain in a whirlwind of minty freshness.Boy Alipunga screamed as the minty tornado spun around him, neutralizing his stink and leaving him immobilized in a foam of whitening mint. "No! Not the fresh breath!"Captain Gargle hovered above him, shaking his head. "Maybe try a shower next time."With the villain subdued, Captain Gargle quickly contacted Commander Floss to send a containment team. He knew he had to get back to Belle before she got too suspicious. But as he flew back toward the bistro, he couldn't help but feel the strain of living two lives. Every battle pulled him further away from normalcy, and he wondered how long he could keep this up.-----Michael transformed back into his civilian clothes just outside the restaurant, taking a deep breath before stepping back inside. He found Belle still sitting at their table, looking at her phone, but when she saw him, she smiled."Back already?" she asked, her tone light but curious."Yeah, didn't take as long as I thought," Michael said, sitting down and trying to act normal. "Sorry about that."Belle leaned in slightly, her eyes narrowing playfully. "You know, for a guy who's supposed to be a reporter, you're pretty good at disappearing."Michael's stomach flipped. "What do you mean?"Belle shrugged, taking a sip of her drink. "Just saying. You've been acting kind of mysterious lately. You're either really busy or hiding something."Michael forced a laugh, though his heart pounded in his chest. "I'm just trying to keep up with work, I guess."Belle smiled, but there was a spark of suspicion behind her eyes. "Right. Well, let me know if you ever decide to fill me in."Michael relaxed a little as the conversation returned to normal, but inside, he knew this was only the beginning. Keeping his secret identity safe while being close to Belle was going to get harder, especially if she kept digging. And no matter how much he liked her, he couldn't risk putting her in danger.As the night wore on, they continued talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company, but Michael couldn't shake the feeling that juggling his dual life was becoming more complicated than he had ever imagined.----The next morning, Michael sat at his desk at The Daily Tribune, staring blankly at the computer screen in front of him. His mind wasn't on his article—far from it. Last night's date with Belle had been amazing in many ways, but it had also left him with an uneasy feeling. Juggling his life as Captain Gargle while maintaining his cover as Michael Halloway was becoming more complicated, and Belle's growing curiosity wasn't helping.He sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. As much as he wanted to open up to Belle, he knew it wasn't an option. Telling her the truth would only put her in danger. But how long could he keep this charade going? Belle was sharp—eventually, she'd figure it out. And then what?Just as Michael was about to lose himself in thought, his phone buzzed on the desk. It was a message from Commander Floss:"Blaguda's forces are stirring again. Stay alert. New intel suggests another lieutenant may appear soon."Michael's heart sank. Another battle loomed on the horizon, and he had no idea how to balance it with the everyday normalcy he was trying to maintain."Everything okay?" Belle's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.Michael blinked and looked up to see her standing by his desk, her sharp eyes studying him. She was dressed in her usual work attire, but there was something in her expression—concern mixed with suspicion—that made him shift uncomfortably."Yeah," Michael lied, forcing a smile. "Just a message from a source."Belle didn't look convinced. "You've been acting strange, you know that?"Michael swallowed, trying to sound casual. "Strange? I'm just tired, I guess."Belle crossed her arms, her lips curving into a faint smirk. "You're hiding something, Michael. And I'm going to find out what it is."Michael's stomach flipped. The way she said it made him feel like she was already too close to the truth. "I'm not hiding anything, Belle," he replied, keeping his tone light. "I think you're just too used to chasing mysteries.""Maybe," Belle said, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "But I've got good instincts. You're not telling me everything, and I'm going to figure it out sooner or later."Before Michael could respond, Chief Pipay's voice echoed across the newsroom, snapping them both out of the moment. "Halloway! I need that article on my desk in an hour. No excuses!"Michael winced, grateful for the distraction. "Better get to work," he said, flashing Belle a quick smile before turning back to his computer.Belle lingered for a second longer, her eyes still full of suspicion, before she walked away. As soon as she was gone, Michael let out a long breath. This is getting way too close for comfort.Scene 2: A New ThreatThat evening, Michael found himself patrolling the city as Captain Gargle, the cool night breeze doing little to calm his nerves. He hadn't been able to shake Belle's words from his mind all day. If she kept pushing, it was only a matter of time before she uncovered his secret. And then, not only would his identity be exposed, but she'd be dragged into a dangerous world of alien invaders and foul-smelling villains.As Captain Gargle floated above the rooftops, still in his signature seated position, his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden burst of noise from below—a loud crash followed by the sound of people screaming.He immediately swooped down to investigate, his heart racing as he landed in the middle of a street filled with chaos. Cars were overturned, storefront windows were shattered, and a thick, acrid smoke filled the air. And at the center of the destruction stood a hulking figure, his body covered in what looked like... garbage.Michael's eyes widened in disbelief. The creature was massive, towering over the street with a grotesque form made entirely of refuse. His eyes glowed red beneath a crown of twisted metal and plastic, and the stench that followed him was so overwhelming that Captain Gargle could feel his stomach churn."Who... what is that?" Michael muttered, taking a step back.The creature turned its glowing eyes toward Captain Gargle and let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "So, you're the fresh little superhero I've heard about. Pathetic. I am Boy Basura, and I've come to turn your precious city into a dump!"Captain Gargle gagged as the stench of rot and decay hit him full force. "Not another one," he groaned. "How many of you does Blaguda have?"Boy Basura stomped toward him, each step leaving a trail of garbage in his wake. "More than you can handle, minty boy. And unlike the others, I'm not going down without a fight."Michael raised his hand, summoning his minty energy as he prepared for the battle. "You're about to learn the hard way that trash belongs in the bin."With a quick burst of power, Captain Gargle launched a Fresh Breath Barrage toward Boy Basura, the cool minty air cutting through the foul stench. But to Michael's shock, the attack barely seemed to affect the towering garbage creature. Boy Basura swatted the minty blast away, laughing as the energy fizzled against his filthy exterior."Is that all you've got?" Boy Basura sneered. "I'm made of more than just filth—I am the embodiment of waste, and you're no match for me."Michael's confidence wavered as he realized this fight wasn't going to be as easy as the others. Boy Basura was different—stronger, more resilient, and far more dangerous.Captain Gargle quickly dodged a massive swing from Boy Basura, who sent a nearby car flying across the street with a single swipe of his hand. The situation was escalating fast, and Michael knew he needed to act quickly before the creature did even more damage.But even as he dodged and countered, his thoughts drifted to Belle. How could he keep this up—fighting these villains and keeping her safe—without her eventually finding out the truth? His mind raced with the weight of his dual life, but there was no time to dwell on it now. He had to focus."Alright, Basura," Captain Gargle muttered, his fists crackling with minty energy. "Time to take out the trash."With a deep breath, he summoned his strongest attack yet—the Tornado of Tingle. The minty vortex spiraled outward, enveloping Boy Basura in a powerful whirlwind of fresh air. The creature roared in fury as the tornado tore through his garbage exterior, peeling away layers of filth and grime.But even as the tornado spun faster, Boy Basura resisted, his body reforming from the waste around him. "You can't get rid of me that easily, Gargle Boy!" he snarled, swinging wildly as the tornado whipped around him.Michael gritted his teeth, pouring more energy into the attack. The minty whirlwind intensified, finally overwhelming Boy Basura's defenses. With one final roar, the massive garbage creature collapsed, his form disintegrating into a pile of trash that lay motionless in the middle of the street.Captain Gargle hovered above the wreckage, breathing hard as he surveyed the destruction. Another lieutenant down, but at what cost? The city was still in chaos, and the weight of his responsibilities felt heavier than ever.Scene 3: A Growing DistanceAfter the battle, Michael transformed back into his civilian clothes and walked through the quiet streets, his mind heavy with doubt. Every fight against Blaguda's forces was taking more out of him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that it was only a matter of time before something gave.As he reached his apartment, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Belle:"You disappeared again tonight. You really need to tell me what's going on."Michael stared at the message, his heart sinking. He wanted to tell her the truth, to open up about everything—but how could he? She'd be in danger if she knew, and that was something he couldn't live with.With a heavy sigh, Michael typed out a reply:"Sorry, Belle. Work stuff. I'll explain later."He hit send, knowing it wasn't enough. The distance between them was growing, and he had no idea how to bridge the gap while keeping his secret intact.As Michael lay in bed that night, staring up at the ceiling, he knew the weight of his dual life was only going to get heavier. And sooner or later, something—or someone—was bound to break.---The following day at The Daily Tribune, Michael walked into the newsroom with a heavy heart and an even heavier sense of dread. His fight with Boy Basura had left the city in shambles, and his phone hadn't stopped buzzing with notifications about the destruction. But even worse, Belle's text from the night before still weighed on his mind. She was getting closer to the truth, and he didn't know how much longer he could keep hiding his secret.As he sat down at his desk, trying to focus on the article he was supposed to be writing, Belle appeared beside him. Her expression was a mixture of concern and suspicion, and Michael's stomach twisted with anxiety."Michael, we need to talk," she said, her voice low but firm.Michael glanced around, hoping no one else in the office was paying attention. "Sure, what's up?"Belle pulled up a chair and sat down across from him, her eyes locked on his. "You've been acting really weird lately. You're always disappearing, you're constantly distracted, and every time something big happens in the city, you're nowhere to be found. I need to know what's going on."Michael's heart raced. He had been avoiding this conversation for as long as possible, but he knew Belle wouldn't let it go. Still, he couldn't tell her the truth—it would put her in too much danger. "Belle, I—""I know you're hiding something," she interrupted, her voice softening slightly. "And I get it if it's personal. But I thought we were friends—maybe more than friends. You can trust me, Michael."Michael swallowed hard. The guilt gnawed at him, but he still couldn't bring himself to tell her everything. "It's just... complicated, Belle. There's a lot going on right now, and I don't want to drag you into it."Belle's eyes narrowed. "So you're admitting there's something?"Michael hesitated, realizing he was cornered. He nodded slowly. "Yeah, there's something. But I can't talk about it—at least not yet."Belle leaned back in her chair, clearly frustrated. "Michael, I've been patient. But this secrecy is driving me crazy. Every time I think we're getting closer, you pull back. I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this."Michael looked down at his hands, the weight of his double life pressing on him. He cared about Belle more than he'd ever admit, but telling her the truth could put her directly in Blaguda's path. And he couldn't let that happen."I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I really am."Belle's eyes softened, but the hurt was still there. "Okay. But you have to know I'm not going to stop asking questions. Something's going on in this city—something big. And I'm not going to just let it go."Michael nodded, knowing that her determination wasn't something he could change. "I get it. Just... be careful, alright?"Belle stood up, her expression still unreadable. "You too, Halloway."As she walked away, Michael sighed heavily, his chest tightening. The distance between them was growing, and every moment he spent hiding his secret only made it worse.-----That evening, Michael found himself back in the skies, patrolling the city as Captain Gargle. His conversation with Belle weighed heavily on his mind, but he didn't have time to dwell on it—Commander Floss had warned him earlier that day about a new threat on the horizon."General Blaguda is making her move soon," Floss had said. "You've taken down her lieutenants, but she's far from done. She's preparing something big, and we need to be ready."As Captain Gargle hovered over the city, still in his awkward seated position, his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden flash of light from the west. A loud explosion echoed through the streets, and the ground shook beneath him. Michael's heart leaped into his throat as he quickly flew toward the source of the commotion.When he arrived, he was met with a scene of chaos. A group of civilians were running from a building that had been partially destroyed by the blast, and smoke billowed into the sky. At the center of the destruction stood a figure—tall, menacing, and radiating dark energy.Michael's eyes widened as he realized who it was. The figure was unlike any of the lieutenants he had fought before. This one was far more dangerous, more powerful."Blaguda," Captain Gargle muttered under his breath.General Blaguda turned slowly to face him, her cold eyes gleaming with malice. Her armor was dark and sleek, and she carried a massive staff, crackling with the same decaying energy he had seen in her lieutenants. But there was something about her presence that made the air around her feel heavy, oppressive."So, you're the little hero they've been talking about," Blaguda said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Captain Gargle, is it? You've been quite the nuisance."Michael hovered in the air, trying to steady his nerves. This was it—the leader of the Cavities. The source of all the chaos he'd been fighting against. "And you're Blaguda, I'm guessing. Not exactly a pleasure to meet you."Blaguda smirked. "I've watched you toy with my lieutenants, but I assure you, they were merely distractions. I've come to finish this myself."Michael's heart pounded in his chest, but he couldn't show fear now. "You're not going to rot this planet, Blaguda. Not while I'm here."Blaguda's eyes narrowed, her expression turning cold. "Such arrogance. You think a few minty blasts will stop me? You have no idea what you're dealing with."Before Michael could react, Blaguda raised her staff, sending a wave of dark energy crashing toward him. He barely had time to dodge as the blast hit the building behind him, disintegrating it into a cloud of dust and debris.Captain Gargle gritted his teeth, summoning his minty energy and launching a Fresh Breath Barrage in response. The cool, refreshing power shot toward Blaguda, but she raised a shield of decaying energy, effortlessly absorbing the attack.Michael's stomach dropped. This wasn't going to be like fighting Boy Baktol or Boy Langaw—Blaguda was on a completely different level.Blaguda laughed, her voice echoing through the streets. "Is that the best you can do? Pathetic."Michael narrowed his eyes, summoning every ounce of power he had. He couldn't afford to lose—not with so much at stake. But just as he prepared to launch another attack, his phone—tucked away in his utility belt—buzzed. He quickly glanced at it, his heart sinking when he saw the message from Belle."Michael, where are you? I'm following up on something big, and I think it's connected to those villains you've been covering. Call me."Panic gripped Michael. If Belle was tracking down the same lead, she could be heading right into Blaguda's path."I don't have time for this," Captain Gargle muttered, clenching his fists as he prepared to make his move. He needed to finish this fight—fast.With a determined shout, he unleashed his strongest attack—the Tornado of Tingle. The minty whirlwind spun faster than ever, growing into a massive vortex of fresh energy that tore through the air toward Blaguda.But Blaguda simply smiled, raising her staff as the tornado approached. With a wave of her hand, she dispersed the attack as if it were nothing more than a gentle breeze.Michael's heart sank. She was too powerful.Blaguda sneered, her eyes locked on him. "This world will decay, Captain Gargle. And there's nothing you can do to stop it."Michael floated back, his mind racing. He was outmatched, and Belle was in danger. But as much as he wanted to stay and fight, he knew he couldn't face Blaguda alone—not yet."I'll stop you," Captain Gargle growled, his voice steady despite his fear. "But not today."With a final burst of energy, Michael flew into the sky, retreating from the battle. Blaguda's laughter echoed behind him as he soared through the clouds, his thoughts consumed by one thing: finding Belle before it was too late.---Chapter End---