Chapter 4: Temptation

Soon, the news was on as Perch Perkins reported, "All of Bikini Bottom is abuzz over to arrival of a new masked superhero who assumes the identity of 'The Masked Sponge'. For the past week, he has been keeping peace and putting evildoers in their place."

It shows an earlier event where a robber fish runs out of the First Nautical Bank as he smirks evilly with two sacks of money, but then he stops when a black boot steps on the ground in front of him and reveals himself to be the Masked Sponge.

"Evil villains do not belong at good people banks." SpongeBob as the Masked Sponge stated as he pointed.

Then he jumped in the air while taking his jellyfish net from his utility belt, and netted the robber, making him drop the sacks of money as all the citizens cheered.

"It's easy to see that Bikini Bottom has taken great acceptance of the Masked Sponge, but just what are citizens really saying about this new superhero?"

A female fish, holding her baby, said happily, "He saved my baby."

A little boy fish blankly said, "He helps people…and he wears a mask…and…he helps people."

It cuts to the same robber, now in jail, growl angrily at the camera. "If I ever see the Masked Sponge again, I'll literally rip him apart and use his arms as-"

Then it suddenly cuts to Perch. "It seems that nearly everyone sees the Masked Sponge as Bikini Bottom's newest hero. We were even able to get a word with the Masked Sponge himself."

It cuts to SpongeBob dressed up as the Masked Sponge. "Tell us, Masked Sponge," the reporter said. "Tell us what drives you to do the right thing with your powers."

"Ha, ah, ah, ah, ah!" SpongeBob laughed and responded, "Well, I don't drive or have real powers. But what matters most to me is keeping everyone-"

"Masked Sponge!" Patrick shouted as he stepped into the camera's shot and grabbed a hold of SpongeBob's arm. "Come on, I want you to meet my best friend, SpongeBob!"

"Patrick," SpongeBob whispered loudly. "I'm kinda busy at the moment."

"Wow!" Patrick shouted in excitement. "The Masked Sponge actually said my name! Say it again!"

SpongeBob smiled and said, "Patrick."

Patrick laughed in enjoyment. "Say it again!"

"Patrick." SpongeBob repeated, making the starfish laugh.

"Say it-"

But then it suddenly switched off and revealed that Plankton was watching it on screen and was holding the remote.

"Curses." Plankton said in disappointment. "With that Masked Sponge guy around, my chances of world domination are at zero, especially after I've completed my newest invention." He said, pointing at a large object that was covered by a cloth.

"It seems like the Masked Sponge is now the only thing standing in your way." Karen stated. "But it would be a lot easier if he was on YOUR side."

Then Plankton's eye widens in realization as he smiles. "Wait, that's it! If I get the Masked Sponge to join my side, together we can rule the world!" he laughed evilly.

Meanwhile, inside the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob was cooking behind the grill while he was talking to Squidward.

"And did you hear about how the Masked Sponge stopped that robber or how he saved that baby that was stuck in a tree?" SpongeBob asked.

"Will you give it a rest already?!" Squidward yelled. "I don't wanna hear about your superhero life!"

"MY superhero life?" SpongeBob asked in an innocent tone. "What makes you think I'm the Masked Sponge?"

"Oh please," Squidward scoffed. "Any idiot can see you're the Masked Sponge, and if you were to choose any superhero name, at least pick one that doesn't have part of your name in it."

When Squidward looked away from SpongeBob, the sponge got a nervous look. "What if Squidward really does know who I am? Does that mean EVERYONE knows my secret?"

Suddenly, Mr. Krabs walked inside the kitchen. "SpongeBob!" he greeted with a grin, "Just the one I wanted to see."

"Oh, Mr. Krabs!" SpongeBob cried as he got on his knees and begged. "Please tell me you don't know my secret!"

"Your secret?" Mr. Krabs questioned. "Well, of course I know your secret. It's just too obvious."

"Oooohh!" SpongeBob continued to cry. "Squidward was right! It WAS too obvious!"

"Your secret is that you're wantin' some extra money in your paycheck! WELL, YOU'RE NOT GETTIN' ANY!"

SpongeBob suddenly stops crying and his eyes widen. "You mean that's it?"

"You heard me, boy." Mr. Krabs scolded, poking him in the chest with his claw. "You can forget about that secret!" But then an alarm started going off. "Great Neptune, he's at it again! Brace the foreyard!"

When Mr. Krabs ran out of the kitchen, SpongeBob narrows his eyes in determination, knowing he now has another job to do.

Outside the Krusty Krab, a krabby patty was hopping away on its own, which could only mean one thing…

The krabby patty bumped into a black boot that belonged to the Masked Sponge. He picked up the krabby patty as he stated, "Your reign of thievery is over, Plankton." But as he held up the krabby patty, it suddenly deflated like it was full of air. "Oh no," SpongeBob cried in panic, "He melted it!"

"It's not melted, you imbecile- I mean, masked hero." A voice called out, and SpongeBob looked down to see Plankton.

"Plankton!" SpongeBob shouted with an angered frown.

"Why, hello there, Masked Sponge, is it?" Plankton greeted in a casual tone.

SpongeBob got a nervous look as he tossed the deflated krabby patty away. "Uh…hi, good citizen." He greeted, hoping Plankton wouldn't recognize him, "Have you learned your lesson about not stealing krabby patties anymore?"

"Why yes, I have." Plankton lied as he smiled. "And I actually want to make you an offer you can't refuse."

"What offer?"

Plankton smirked as he answered, "I want you to join me."

"Join you?" SpongeBob questioned until he smiled in joy. "You mean you wanna be my sidekick?"

Plankton got a dumbfounded look until he glared. "No, you masked fool! I want you to join me in conquering the world!" SpongeBob had a bemused look until Plankton jumped on his nose and went on, "Join me, Masked Sponge, and together we can rule all over Bikini Bottom!"

The Masked Sponge shook his head and answered, "I'm sorry, Plankton, but I can't join you. I'm a hero, and us heroes must always keep mankind safe from evil. Whenever there's a little kid caught in traffic, I'll be there, whenever there's a restaurant in danger I'll be there, whenever there's a krabby patty-"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it already." Plankton interrupted. "But rest assure, Masked Sponge, you WILL join me eventually, and together we'll RULE THE WORLD!" he began to laugh evilly with SpongeBob staring. "But seriously, if you happen to change your mind, feel free to give me a call."

When Plankton jumped off of SpongeBob's nose and walked back to the Chum Bucket, the Masked Sponge was still standing there with a puzzled expression, wondering why Plankton would ask a superhero like him to assist him in taking over Bikini Bottom.