It was a cold, crisp December morning. A triangle headed boy named Phineas and his green haired brother Ferb sat at the kitchen table and ate breakfast with their family. Their sister Candace sat beside them and watched them like a hawk with certain determination. They chomped on cereal noisily while their dad was asking their mom for 'help' with the crossword puzzle in the newspaper. ('Help' meaning asking for all of the answers and then writing them down.) Phineas and Ferb talked about quantum physics and then things they'd done in the past. Of course, Phineas did almost all of the talking. Ferb put in a quote here or there.

"Such active imaginations." Their mom smiled to herself as she cleaned the dishes.

Under the table their pet platypus, Perry, ate his dry food and went to lie back down. A small beeping noise came from his wristwatch signaling it was time for work. He snuck out the back door and into the snowy white backyard. He stood on his hind webbed feet and put on his stylish brown fedora. He tapped on the siding of the house and a hatch opened up. Perry looked around suspiciously and stepped onto the small elevator. He was pulled downward and he gripped his hat tightly. Down, down, down he fell until finally arriving in his really clean and high-tech underground lair.

There was a huge monitor ahead. Perry sat down in his little chair and turned it on. Onscreen Perry's boss was rocking out to a MP3 Player, completely oblivious to the blue-green monotreme watching him. He began to play air guitar and did a split, much to Perry's surprise. In the background Carl applauded and commented.

"That was very good sir," Carl said. He was such a kiss-up.

Major Monogram smiled under his brush-like mustache and lapped up the 'glory' that was dulled out by the unpaid intern. He paused and began dancing again, this time clogging, and then he river-danced. Perry wasn't sure whether to be disturbed, or to applause. To be honest, it was a little unnerving. Major Monogram was doing the robot when he saw Perry in his seat with eyes wide open. He froze bent over and rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed.

"I-I'm not sure how much of that you saw…" he said looking at the floor.

Perry shook his head to say 'Let's just pretend that never happened. PLEASE.' Monogram cleared his throat and unplugged his ear buds.

"A-anyway Agent P…We didn't call you here for anything Doof did. We called you to tell you to come to the O.W.C.A. to see you in person for something very important." A sweaty Major Monogram said.

Perry left the seat and started to walk away. He turned around and looked at Monogram. He was still there, still sweaty. Perry tried to shrug it off and flew away in the tube that was labeled: To Main Headquarters. Most likely Carl's doing, he was so neat and organized.

Perry watched fossils and gems pass by as he was sucked through the small tube, things that scientists hadn't discovered because of the houses and non-approving property owners. Although most would be thrilled to see these wonders, he'd seen them many times.

He was pushed out the end of the tube and landed webbed-feet-first on the white tiled floor. He looked around the lobby and greeted a couple of fellow agents whom had happened to see him first. He walked into a maze of hallways that lead into a huge office area. There was a door on his right that said M. Monogram. Perry knocked on the door and stared at the huge wreathe that hung on the knob.

"Come in." Major Monogram's voice came from the other side.

Perry entered and closed the door behind him. Monogram sat at a large desk with Carl at his right and a strange penguin at his left. The penguin had a bowtie and cufflinks, and the feathers atop his head were a bit messy. Perry eyed the penguin suspiciously. The penguin smiled warmly and tipped his beak in a nod politely.

"Hello there, Agent P." Monogram said. "Take a seat."

Perry did as he was told and sat in a soft chair. Its interior was made of wood and had red velvet cushioning.

"Yep, another reason the budget is low…" Monogram frowned. "Anyway, Agent P, I'd like you to meet your new partner. This is James Penguin."

James nodded at the sound of his name and straightened his cufflinks. Perry looked at Monogram with an even more confusion then when he'd been dancing. Had he heard him right? Partners? With this penguin?

"I know it's confusing, Agent P, uh, here's a file for you to read." Perry took the file and wasted no time searching through the contents for an explanation.

He found a page with the penguin's picture paper clipped onto it and a whole bunch of notes. He read though the chicken scratch over and over again.

Dear O.W.C.A.,

I am pleased to say I have found an agent of my own that can survive the cold temperatures! But, it just so happens he needs a little more spy training. He knows technology and what's new in this day and age, but I'm afraid he just can't spy without it like a normal agent can. I know my good friends there at the Organization Without a Cool Acronym can help him touch up on his training and show him the ropes at being a real agent.

Your Holly-Jolly Old Friend,

Santa Clause

P.S. Could you do it before Christmas? It would really help!

Perry glanced up from the sheet of paper to the three across the room. It wasn't a partnership, it was training! Perry was a mentor. As exciting as it should have been, Perry was in shock. It hadn't been but a couple years ago since he was an apprentice in training, so what did he know about this sort of thing? He knew he was considered a skilled agent and all, but this wasn't something he'd expected. He saw the penguin shuffle uncomfortably and stare at the floor. Perry looked at Monogram with his still unsure look.

"I know, Agent P, but it's for Santa. I owed him big after he gave me that one special toy last Christmas." Monogram began to reminisce. "So, I expect you to get started with Agent JP's training immediately!"

Perry walked out of the room with James following at a distance. He felt the eyes of the young bird at the back of his head. Perry wasn't used to this, but tried to bear it. A sudden nasal voice came from behind the two.

"Here, Agent JP, a fedora so you match!" Carl said crowning the flightless bird.

James nodded gratefully and walked with Perry through the office building. Perry sighed. May the first day of training begin…