Heinz Doofenshmirtz hasn't been creating any grand inventions lately, aside from his constant struggle of finding a way to rid the town of their beloved mayor. It seems his brother cannot do anything wrong in the eyes of the citizens of Danville, or of their mother. Heinz's daughter Vanessa has even unfortunately witnessed the cruelty her uncle possesses. He has sold many of his old inators and is now well off enough to become landlord to his building. On the evil side of things, he hikes up the prices for the residents while paying nearly nothing for the top two floors: his lab and apartment.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Fletcher has arrived home with big news: he's got a promotion. The bad news, it is in another city halfway across the country. Phineas and Ferb, ten, are upset about leaving their friends - particularly Isabella, Buford and Baljeet. Candace, sixteen, doesn't want to leave because this is where she met her best friend Stacey and boyfriend Jeremy. Perry, seventeen, complains about his martial arts classes - which in reality is a cover story to fight Doofenshmirtz.
Unfortunately, the Flynn-Fletchers need the money, as evident by the boys' lack of extravagant creations. They have kept close to home lately, using simple methods to make a few fun games or home movies. Candace had run out of bustable events and gone on more outings with her friends. Perry had brought in extra cash, considering he is actually an agent, not a student. He simply had been sliding some into their individual accounts ever so often so the family wouldn't get suspicious.
The decision has been made and the kids are left to pack. Their friends - Isabella, Stacey, Pinky and such - offer assistance, obviously upset over the whole ordeal. Meanwhile, Heinz actually creates a skunk-inator, a ray that will make whatever it hits stink up a place. He sends his "son" Norm to his room after a while, getting angry about his 'nemesis' not arriving. After another hour, he calls OWCA for information.
"Hello, Major Monogram's office. Carl speaking."
"Ugh, the intern." Heinz groans. "Where is Perry the Platypus?"
"Doctor D!" He sounds surprised. "Err, uh, Agent P is uh,"
"Out with it." Heinz is greatly irritated and Carl really isn't helping.
"Agent P is moving."
"What!? Where?"
"I, uh, err." Carl hangs up.
Heinz glares at the phone for a moment longer, then lets out a yell and slams the phone down. Norm calls for him but Heinz demands he stay in his room. The man grabs his cell and keys, stopping by his daughter's bedroom only to leave her in charge of her "brother." He heads out the door, dialing a number he hasn't thought about in years.
++ EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO ++
Heinz is dating Charlene, not because he is in love with her, but because she is approved. Her parents don't like him. They don't mind him, but they don't like him. Roger likes Charlene though, which is the main reason Heinz wants to marry her - so his brother can't have her. Both Heinz and Charlene are in college, though different colleges. Though he is dating Charlene, he also has a crush on his best friend Linda.
Linda supports him through thick and thin and he strives to do the same for her. Heinz, Linda and Linda's neighbor Kylie are always hanging out together outside of class. They have so much in common with each other - like their tastes for adventure. Not to mention, they all excel at the sciences and love to build things out of nothing. They are eighteen and living life in the fast lane.
Heinz had a rough upbringing but he can put it away when with his friends. In fact, that is another thing they all have in common. Linda's family is dirt poor but they are slowly progressing. Kylie and her family have moved to America from a low point in Australia, so she can have a better life. Kylie is now with her boyfriend Perris, who treats her like a queen. Linda is single and often has Heinz as her plus one to social events.
A few months later, while Kylie is pregnant, she and her friends get word that Perris had been killed in a train wreck. Two trains had gotten hijacked and gone into a collision course, killing a dozen and seriously injuring many. Linda and Heinz had stepped in, helping her through the rest of her pregnancy. Less than a year later, Kylie gives birth to a baby boy. She names him Bartholomew (the name she and Perris had already agreed on) Perris Macala.
A few weeks later, it is Bartholomew's first Christmas. Linda and Heinz are with him and Kylie, while Charlene wants nothing to do with it. Yet, he sees Charlene the week after, and they have a "proper" Christmas celebration. She takes him out of the country to a skiing lodge somewhere in Europe. When he returns, Linda is waiting for him with impatient news: she is pregnant, and it is his kid. He isn't sure what to do, but assures her he will help look after the child.
Only a month later, near Valentine's Day, Charlene reveals she is also pregnant and they must marry at once. Heinz tries to explain the events to Linda. Luckily, she is patient and is willing to overcome the obstacles. When Heinz explains the circumstances to Charlene, she ups the wedding date and they are to be married in March. Come August, Linda gives birth to a baby girl and Heinz is there to share the experience. Heinz's only request is that the baby has a strong Latin name. As such, she is named Candace Gertrude Flynn..
Two months later, Charlene also gives birth to a baby girl. Heinz, once more is there, asking for the same assurance. Instead, Charlene is determined not to give in and would rather name her daughter after her favorite author, Vanessa Grant. Vanessa Igraine Doofenshmirtz. Unknown to Charlene, "Vanessa" actually is a Latin name. Heinz lives up to his word, and continues to shower both kids with affection, hardly seeing any of Bartholomew and Kylie - except for birthday parties.
When Vanessa is five, Charlene and Heinz get a divorce, unable to put up with the charade any longer. Heinz attempts to get back with Linda, and she winds up pregnant once more. Nine months later, Linda is in labor. Unfortunately, Bart and his mom are involved in a terrible accident by a railroad track. Kylie had been able to move her son out of the way and take the brunt of the incident. Heinz sticks by Kylie at the hospital, while Bart is taken by his grandma (Kylie's mother-in-law). Kylie doesn't make it and Bart is sent to live with his Gammy. Linda, on the other hand, has a son. She names him Phineas Clyde Flynn.
Bart no longer wants anyone to call him that, since his mom had been known to call him "Li'l Barty." He attempts to have his Gammy call him Perris, but it only causes her to cry and think of her own son. Instead, he develops the nickname Perry. She gives him a 1940's fedora his dad used to have as a teenager, and he wears it with pride. Charlene and Heinz have shared custody of six-year-old Vanessa, and she will stay with either parent every two weeks.
Heinz lives in the suburbs, just three houses down from the Flynns. While looking after the little tykes one afternoon, Candace had curiously toyed with some strange mechanical device in Heinz's broom closet, causing a chain reaction to go off around the house. Though no one had been hurt, Linda decides to set up a shared custody agreement, much like Charlene's. Heinz agrees to sign it, though with a bit of underhanded evil. Candace and Phineas will see Heinz every two weeks, alternating with Vanessa, as long as both parties remain in Danville. If one of them (meaning Heinz or Linda) should directly pack up and move to another state or country without any intention of returning (moving back) in over four years, the children (Candace and Phineas) will stay with the parent remaining in Danville.
Linda has no problem signing this and does so. Two years later, Charlene drops Vanessa off with Heinz to go be with her sister in a neighboring state, who is having a baby. Heinz obliges, happy to spend time with his growing eight-year-old daughter. Things aren't bright for too long, however, and trouble brews in Gimmelshtump. He regretfully leaves Vanessa with Linda and heads for Europe.
He returns three years later, after settling a large dispute his brother had unintentionally caused. Vanessa is now eleven, thinking her father's abandoned her. Charlene's sister had been the victim of a home invasion and Charlene is now in custody of three-year-old Norm - Vanessa's cousin-turned-brother. Defeated, Heinz tries for Linda, only to discover she's married a man last year. Lawrence Fletcher and his five-year-old son Ferb have joined the family. The contract remains intact, with an additional clause. Now, because of the recent marriage, Linda and Lawrence may take custody of the kids (Candace and Phineas), but only if she remains in Danville. Move away, and the kids will fall into Heinz's custody until her return.
The next year, Gammy has a heart attack and doesn't make it. Linda quickly acts in, adopting thirteen-year-old Perry as her own. Perry doesn't talk, as he is devastated. He barely recalls Linda and Candace from when they were toddlers. Unfortunately, with Candace getting older, she doesn't have time for her family. Linda works a lot, so the kids are left home with Lawrence. Perry doesn't necessarily trust them, so he usually either stays in his room or wanders around the neighborhood.
A year later, the family learns sign language, since Perry still refuses to talk. He continues to wear his dad's fedora. The closest he gets to speaking is a little chirr when he needs to gain someone's attention, and a soft purr he emits when satisfied. One summer day, while Candace is at the mall and the boys are building something in the backyard, Perry wanders into town. He runs into a seventeen-year-old redhead with glasses at the local arcade. He is stumped at a game and Perry signs if he can try.
Knowing sign language rather well, the teen hands Perry a quarter to try it out. Perry easily defeats the boss and a high score screen shows up. He signs back to the teen to type in his name. C-A-R-L. Leaving the arcade, the boys decide to try to get to know one another a little better.
Carl: How old are you?
Perry: Thirteen.
Carl: You look seven.
Perry: So I'm short. Still thirteen.
Carl: Your family signs?
Perry: Yeah, does yours?
Carl: My boss is my family. But yeah, he signs sometimes.
Perry: What do you do?
Carl: I'm an intern. You could maybe start training now if you meet my boss.
Perry: What's his name?
Carl: Major Monogram. What's your name?
Perry: P-E-R-R-Y.
Carl: Cool. Uh, are you a mute?
Perry: No. Are you?
Carl: No. People just can't understand me when I talk.
Perry: Why not?
Carl: My braces make me have the worst lisp known to man.
Perry: Try me.
Carl: I dunno.
Perry rolls his eyes and chirrs, startling the older boy. Perry's hand immediately flies to his mouth and he blushes a tad.
Perry: Sorry. That just happens sometimes.
Carl: You sounded like a platypus just then.
Perry: Weird. That's what my adoptive dad says.
Carl: That'd be a cool nickname.
Perry: What?
Carl: P-E-R-R-Y the Platypus. It's got a nice ring.
Perry: Right. (beat) You were gonna do the lisp?
Carl: Right.
"Ochy, hyr guh nochen. I nay crr crr, chlks her hekchink ee wick I gay."
Perry: Good night, I something something, no idea what you said.
Carl: Okay here goes. My name's C-A-R-L K-A-R-L, thanks for helping me with my game.
Perry: No problem. Maybe you should stick to signing.
"Carl! There you are!" A booming voice interrupts the teens.
Carl: Sorry, Sir. I made a new friend.
The man raises an eyebrow. "Do you talk?"
Perry shakes his head.
Perry: No, but I sign. You must be Major Monogram. C-A-R-L has told me about you.
Major: What has say C-A-R-L?
Perry: You're his boss, he's an intern and I can train if I meet you.
The major looks to Carl for assistance. The intern pulls a notepad and pen from his pocket, translating the younger teen. The man nods, looking at Perry.
Major: How old are you, six?
Perry: Thirteen.
Major: Alright. Get permission from your parents.
He hands Perry a pamphlet and slip of paper for "Major M's School of Defense and Dance". Perry raises a suspicious eyebrow toward the man, but Carl grins and signs.
Carl: It's a cover story.
Perry: Cool. When can I start?
Carl: When you bring it back to the address in the booklet.
Perry: Thanks.
After this, Perry starts training. He learns several forms of martial arts, and chirrs from excitement when he gets something accomplished. He becomes best friends with another thirteen-year-old kid from his neighborhood: Pinky Garcia-Shapiro. Pinky yips a lot, but is also fierce, earning the nickname "Pinky the Chihuahua", much like "Perry the Platypus." Pinky is shy around others and enjoys signing with Perry.
Three years later, Vanessa is fifteen. She is left to baby-sit seven-year-old Norm a lot when she comes over. Norm now lives with Heinz, since he works from his apartment. Heinz, try as Norm might, will never admit the tyke is his son. Heinz has becomes an "evil" scientist and is given his own nemesis: Perry the Platypus. Expecting a platypus, he is confused to instead find a teal-haired kid wearing a fedora.
"Who are you?"
Perry: P-E-R-R-Y.
"Hmm, I was expecting a platypus."
He chirrs and signs: It's a nickname.
"So, it's a nickname?" Heinz guesses.
Perry: You don't know sign language, do you?
In response, Heinz hands him a notepad and pen. Perry shakes his head in defeat and they begin a conversation. In a few months, Heinz starts trapping Perry and telling him backstories. Perry escapes and fights the scientist. Though they are supposed to be enemies, they seem to be becoming friends.
++ PRESENT DAY ++
Heinz is driving into the suburbs and has finally gotten an answer on the line. The woman sounds puzzled and tired.
"Heinz?"
Not bothering to stop for greetings, Heinz nearly growls. "What's this I hear about you moving?"
"Hold it, we broke up years ago, why does it"
"And had two kids together." He hisses, interrupting her. "Remember the contract?"
Her eyes widen and she drops the phone. Candace is upstairs; as is Lawrence. Perry sees that Linda dropped the phone and hands it to Phineas, while he goes to find Ferb to help Linda. Phineas looks up at his mom and then starts talking into the phone.
"Who is this?"
"Phineas, right?" Heinz groans, holding back his anger.
"Yeah. Who is"
"Tell your mother I'm five minutes away." Heinz hangs up the phone.
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