When I say soon, I mean soon.

The fight started out even.

Although the gang was outnumbered by the platypuses, the sheer determination of the kids and the efficient, destructive power of Ferb's Molecular Separator kept the platypuses at bay. But as time passed, the number of the robots never seemed to diminish, as new ones constantly joined in the fray, dropping down from the ceiling at intervals, always keeping the fight even. Ferb noticed that everyone was tiring, even Buford, who was pummeling away at the robots with bare fists. Ferb risked a moment to look up in the rafters of the lofty room, to look for the source of the platypus robots. He observed a platypus jump down from the rafters and deduced the general area where they were coming from, and proceeded to shoot multiple beams from the Molecular Separator in that direction. Chaos ensued as metal beams and sheets rained down, almost crushing the kids.

"What's going on?!" shouted Doofenshmirtz from over at the balcony, busily working on the new machine. "What the… What's happening to my ceiling?! You!" He pointed at Phineas. "Get him! Isabella works better than you!" Phineas lumbered off to face off Ferb. "I bet she's one of those Fireside Girls – she can do almost anything," continued Doof, muttering to himself.

Phineas slowly closed in on Ferb. Ferb gave a pleading look to Phineas, but Phineas's march to confront Ferb continued unfazed. Ferb's gaze hardened, and when Phineas launched himself at Ferb, he was ready. He used the momentum of Phineas's rush to catapult Phineas behind him. He smiled in contempt, and was promptly met by a tackle from Phineas, sending him sprawling through the mess of platypus robot parts.

The fight between kid and platypus-robot continued on around them.

"FOR ISABELLA!" cheered the Fireside Girls, whacking away at the robots with an assortment of hammers and wrenches.

"FOR HANUMAN MAN!" screamed Baljeet, tackling another robot.

"I'm just doin' this for fun," grinned Buford in response, kicking another platypus out of his way.

Meanwhile, Phineas took Ferb, who was on the ground groaning, by the shoulders and sent him flying into the closet of parts. Phineas quickly followed and leaped onto Ferb's chest, trapping him. He grabbed Ferb by the neck, and Ferb automatically burped, right into Phineas's face.

Phineas's face contorted, and he muttered, "Smells like peanut butter…"

And then, magically, his eyes focused. His green glow faded away.

Aw man, I can smell the peanut butter!

I know what we're gonna do today!

Ferb? He's more of a man of action.

Wow... Laser beam, magnet ray, cup holder. You really thought of everything, Ferb.

Well, a brother is a brother… but I couldn't ask for a better one than Ferb. You know what I mean?

Phineas jerked back and gasped.

"Phineas? Can you hear me?" coughed Ferb, still recovering from Phineas grabbing his neck.

"What the…" Phineas stared around in wonder. "What just happened?"

"Threw me into a closet… and almost choked me to death," managed Ferb in a weak voice.

"Oh man, I'm so sorry, dude," said Phineas, rushing over to Ferb and helping him up. Ferb motioned for him to go outside and help the others, that he was fine.

"Wait, Ferb. I need to ask you something," said Phineas in a determined voice.

Ferb shook his head, and slowly limped over to the door. Phineas beat him to it and slammed the door shut.

"Ferb, I need to ask you something. It's important." Ferb sighed. He knew that when Phineas was like this, nothing could stop him.

"Ferb… it's about Isabella." Ferb stiffened. "During the carpet ride a little while ago, I thought some stuff that… I never felt before. It occurred to me how cute she looked, and how smart and kind she is, and… I think I… l-like her. Like, more than a friend." Phineas sighed and sat down. "But I don't know if she likes me back, so I don't want to say anything to her."

When Ferb heard that, he tried to laugh, but his throat still hurt, so he awkwardly stopped. "Phineas, I advise you to go on with your plan. I think you should tell Isabella, assuming we can get out of this mess first—"

"But what if she thinks I'm weird? What if she doesn't like me back? What if she hates me forever and never wants to see me again?" asked Phineas rapid-fire, working himself into a frenzy. He looked up at Ferb, and from Ferb's furrowed brow, he knew Ferb was mad. But before he could say anything more, Ferb spoke.

"Phineas, I shouldn't be the one telling you this, but Isabella likes you. A lot more than you think. It's just that you—" he jabbed Phineas in the chest – "are TOO OBLIVIOUS to ever notice!"

"No I'm not—" started Phineas indignantly. That was when Ferb snapped.

"YES. Yes you are. Phineas, tell me, why do you think Isabella asked you to go to the Falling Stars Girls' Choice Dance, way back long ago?"

"Well, because she thinks we're her best friends—"

"No, Phineas. She asked only you. Because she thinks you're her best friend. And tell me, why do you think she wanted to go see the premiere of the Stumbleberry Finkbat movie with you?"

Phineas scratched his ear uncomfortably. "She probably liked that movie and wanted to—"

"No, Phineas! She really doesn't like that genre of movies. She asked you to go to that movie because she knew you liked it, and thought that it would be the movie you would be most willing to see. Why do you think it was so important to her that you would come with her?"

"Because she's scared of—?"

"Honestly, Phineas…" Ferb rolled his eyes in disdain. "Phineas, what kinds of people go to movies together?"

"Uh, friends… families… couples…" A light came on in Phineas's eyes as he realized something.

"Why did she think it was so important that you thought she was cute, when Meap came to Earth? Why was she so depressed when you didn't notice her in Paris, the city of love? Why did she blush when you offered to take her on a romantic cruise? Why was the phrase "our grandchildren" so important to her? Why—" Ferb took a deep, shuddering breath, and Phineas noticed, with shock, that he was tearing up, "—Why is it that every time she comes over, every day without fail, she says 'Hey Phineas, what'cha doin'?' Not Baljeet, not Buford, not Candace, not Ferb – PHINEAS!" Ferb shouted.

Phineas stared at him in shock. Ferb limped to the door again and started outside. He turned back, eyes filled with sadness, and said, "I'm sorry," and limped back into the fight.

More twists in this story than a bag of pretzels!