Perry's POV
So the three of us had finally made it to the city of Seattle, but now our biggest issue was actually finding Peter the Panda. And after that the big question was...would he actually help us? But we'd cross that bridge when we got to it. At the moment our biggest issue was actually finding the Asian agent in the huge, crowded city.
"How are we supposed to find Peter the Panda?" Doof asked.
"I know where he lives." Pinky said. "I'll drive."
I hurriedly pulled over so Pinky could switch seats with me, and he started leading us through the busy crowded city. He drove for about half an hour, until we were driving through a less busy part of the city. The streets became narrower, and the buildings were still huge, accept around here they looked older and long abandoned. It looked like the ghetto of Seattle. I looked around at the deserted buildings, and it didn't look to me like anyone lived here. Where are the houses? And people? It didn't look like there were houses for miles, how could Peter's host family live around here?
After a short while of driving down deserted streets and alleys, Pinky finally parked in front of this small dark alley between two huge old falling-apart buildings. Peter lives here? But his family couldn't live in an alley…
"What's a matter Perry?" Pinky said as the three of us climbed out of the car.
"Where does Peter the Panda's host family live?" I asked curiously. "They couldn't possibly live around here…could they?"
Pinky sighed. "Not all agents have host families Perry." he said. I gasped. No host family? Peter the Panda doesn't have any owners? I never knew that, that's terrible! He doesn't have a nemesis or a family! That just sounds sad and lonely…I know I could probably get by if I had at least one side of my double life, but he doesn't have either. No wonder he wanted my nemesis so bad…
"W-Wow, r-really?" I stuttered in astonishment. "Poor guy…"
"Yeah, I know how you feel. If I didn't have any owners I know I'd be pretty down. I couldn't imagine how he feels." Pinky agreed, hanging his head shamefully.
I suddenly felt a weird mix of sadness, anxiety, and loneliness well up inside me. I guessed just thinking about his pain made me feel sorry for Peter, and at the same time much more thankful for the wonderful life I had. I always took my double life for granted, not realizing how lucky I was to have such a wonderful, loving family. And I always though of my nemesis as just a nuisance that I had to put up with everyday. I couldn't believe that I never realized what a great best friend he was until he was on the brink of being destroyed forever. I guess I should never undervalue the great life I have ever again, especially when there are people like Peter the Panda who have nothing. But I shook off my varied feelings and tried to concentrate on the matter at hand. I could think more about this important life lesson later, we had a vital mission to accomplish here.
"Come on, we don't have much time to chat, let's go find him!" I ordered, marching towards the dark unfamiliar alley ahead of us. I took a few steps, and listened closely behind me. I heard Pinky's silent little Chihuahua feet prancing along behind me, but no sign of Doof's big clumsy feet following us. I spun around and gazed up at the doctor, who hadn't moved more than a few feet from the car, and he looked extremely nervous and uncertain about following us. I waved him over to signal my reluctant scardey-cat nemesis to come on, but he swiftly shook his head and didn't budge. I wondered what was up.
"I-I'll just wait here…and uh…watch the car, okay?" he said, backing up a few feet towards the damaged vehicle.
"Uh…okay." I said, not really certain why he felt so apprehensive about following us, but I didn't argue. We were short on time, and he was probably to big to squeeze through that small, narrow alley anyways.
Pinky and I marched on, and just managed to wedge ourselves through the slim opening without too much trouble. As we continued shimmying our way through the alley, I the opening suddenly got wider, and through the bleak but fairly bright sliver of daylight that somewhat flooded the place, I could see nothing ahead of us. Just a dim, desolate little area between two huge unwelcoming buildings, nothing but a normal barren inhospitable alleyway.
"Uh, Peter lives here?" I asked, uncertain and a little edgy about this whole place. Everything around me just felt so uninviting and hostile, I just didn't feel safe on this intimidating, depressing side of Seattle. I just wanted to get the heck out of there!
"Course not!" Pinky said, pushing a certain brick in the wall with precise accuracy. As soon as he did, a diminutive opening in the solid concrete wall opened up, revealing a small secret agent sized hole that opened up into a tiny chute. It reminded me of the one back at the Flynn-Fletcher house that I used often. The new, modern, clean look of the hidden passage looked so out of place in this dreary, heartless looking ghetto.
Without another word we slid down the chute, which was pretty dirty as you got farther down, signaling that it hadn't been used in quite a while. I even got a couple of cobwebs stuck in my mouth on the way down the dim slide. When the top of the chute closed back up automatically, we were suddenly shrouded in complete darkness. It was so dark in here I couldn't even tell where the slide ended! Then it hit me—literally hit me on the butt—and we landed without warning on the ground with a painful thud.
I rubbed my bruised behind and picked myself up, looking around and taking in all my new surroundings. It looked surprisingly, well, just like my base! Well not just like my base, but pretty much the same style, with all modern technology and advanced gadgets lining the walls. A huge monitor was the center piece of the massive room, complete with a large comfortable looking red chair in front of it. Wow, it was obviously bigger and nicer than my secret agent base, that's for sure! It was so neat and tidy and high tech, it was just so different than I imagined it would be. I figured he'd have the whole place done Asian-style, complete with bamboo furniture and wall paper. I was so astonished at how contemporary it looked, I couldn't help feeling a little jealous. Then I remembered the 'not having a host family' thing, and abruptly switched my feelings back to guilt and remorse for the panda once again.
Then I was distracted from my thoughts on the place when I felt another sharp flash of pain on my rear-end, probably from the harsh landing I had just encountered. Geez, all the high-tech technology and stuff and he can't even afford a throw pillow? I smirked a little at that thought. I was sounding more and more like my nemesis everyday, huh?
"Hey Peter!" I heard Pinky suddenly say as he ran over to the big red chair. The chair immediately turned around to reveal Peter the Panda, who had a bored expression on his face, but instantly gained a look of surprise and delight when his gaze fell on the eager little Chihuahua agent who ran over to greet him.
"Hi Pinky! What a nice surprise—" the Asian agent started to say, but he stopped cold when his gaze fell on me. Peter stared at me blankly for a few moments, a look of astonishment spread across his black and white face. After he got over his shock, he blinked his eyes a few times and turned back to Pinky.
"Y-you brought Perry here?" he stammered hesitantly.
"Yeah, you guys remember each other, right?" Pinky asked, sounding just as clueless about us as Phineas is about Isabella. I slapped my face into my palm and let out an aggravated sigh. How could we ever forgeteach other?
Peter didn't seem as annoyed at Pinky's oblivious comment as I was, and he hopped off of his chair and took a step towards me. "So, we meet again Perry the Platypus." he said casually, but with a hidden sharpness in his tone of voice. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Look, Peter." I started. "We didn't mean to disturb you or anything, but we come here to ask of your help."
"Help?" the panda replied, with more of an edge to his voice now. "Now why would the agent who has everything need my help all of a sudden?"
"Agent who has everything?" I repeated. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh come on Perry! You have everything!" Peter suddenly snapped at me. "You have a loving host family, your owners are the two greatest inventors this world has ever known for crying out loud! And on top of all that you have the absolute greatest nemesis ever! Plus to top it all off you're pretty much the head agent of the O.W.C.A.! Why would you need anything from me? All I am is a worthless little low-ranked agent without any friends or family…or a life for that matter." he said crossly, his expression quickly changing from a look of hatred to a look of unhappiness and gloom. I was stunned at his sudden mood swings, but couldn't help feeling sorry for the poor guy. He was right, I guess I do have everything compared to his miserable, empty life. A sudden sensation of depression and loneliness washed over me as I felt Peter's pain overwhelm all my other thoughts and emotions. I had to do something to make him feel better.
I cautiously made my way over to where Peter stood, and put a shaky hand on his shoulder. When he looked up, he still looked miserable, but he gazed at me curiously as if to say 'What do you want?'.
"Peter, I'm so sorry. I know you have no host family, no nemesis, and pretty much nothing to live for. I understand that." I started.
"How do you understand?" he said irritably. "You'll never know the feeling of emptiness I felt my whole life! You'd never understand the pain I've suffered!"
"Okay, maybe I can't understand completely…" I admitted. "But I don't know what it's like to lose somebody you love either. And I don't intend to know how that feels. That's why I need your help."
"No." Peter said quickly, pulling away. "I have enough problems of my own! I'm not going to get myself tangled up in yours!"
"Look, Peter. I know you're hurting right now, and I want to help. Actually, I will help!" I said, which made him turn around to face me again, a slight gleam of hope in his eyes.
"I assure you I'll do everything I can to help you get at least a host family, and a nemesis. No agent should have to suffer the emptiness and loneliness you've suffered all this time, so I'd be more than willing to help. I-I promise." I said sincerely.
Peter turned around fully to face me, tears of joy welling up in his eyes. It looked like all signs of the pain and suffering that was previously eating away at him had vanished, and hope filled his expression again. "You-you really mean that? You promise you'll help?" he asked, sounding dramatically more cheerful, but a hint of distrust and uncertainty still lingered in his eyes.
"I promise." I said. "But before I can help you, I really need you to help us."
"A-alright. I'll help. I guess…it depends on what you need help with." Peter said.
"Okay, now this may seem a little crazy and dangerous at first, but keep in mind my point of view and maybe you'll understand." I told him as I started to explain. He nodded, so I continued with my long, grueling tale of how and why we were here. I spilled just about everything that had happened to us. Starting from the big meeting at the O.W.C.A. and the terrible deed that Major Monogram had ordered us all to accomplish. I explained to him my point of view, and why I didn't want to destroy Doofenshmirtz. I informed him on every single part of our long, exhausting and exhilarating trip to Seattle, and ended at our reason for being here, and why we needed his help. When I finally finished with my lengthy story, Peter was absolutely speechless, and even dumbfounded from what he had just heard.
"So let me get this straight, you guys are being chased down by the entire O.W.C.A. because you didn't follow orders to destroy your nemesis, and now you're all wanted criminals and you came here for my support in bringing them to justice?" Peter confirmed, and I nodded in return. It was silent between us for a few moments, absolutely no sound echoing through the massive room. Peter blinked his eyes a couple times, taking in all this sudden information. When he finally recovered, to my surprise he broke out laughing! I was infuriated by the unordinary reaction. How in the world was any of this funny to him? I was being serious here!
"What are you laughing at?" I shouted, a strange mixture of irritation, rage, and confusion welling up in my voice. "I'm telling the truth here!"
"Oh, I believe you and everything." Peter said between chuckles. He paused for a moment to seize his laughter before continuing. "It's just so ridiculous! I mean, you can't fight the entire O.W.C.A. all by your self! No matter how unreasonably cruel and heartless Monogram's reasoning is, it's just not very bright to go rebellious against the entire agency! There's just no way you can win! Just give up!"
I was heartbroken that Peter was so doubtful about our efforts. We had made it this far and evaded the agents, haven't we? If we had made it all this way, didn't we at least have a fighting chance? I knew it wasn't the most intelligent of plans, but we were wanted criminals anyway. We couldn't just give up, since we didn't have anything left to lose. Our entire plan would have gone completely to waste if we were to give up now.
"Alright, I know it seems impossible, but at least I'm trying!" I said with more determination and confidence building up inside me. "I'm fighting for what I love, and as long as I believe in myself I know I'll be able to accomplish anything!" I said sternly.
"But Perry," he argued. "No matter how much assurance and confidence you have in yourself, no matter how determined you are to fight for it, you just can't battle such a big organization with just three people."
"True, but I might have just a slight sliver of a chance with four people." I pointed out.
"Wait, what?" Peter suddenly said. "Four people? Oh no no no no no no no NO! I am NOT helping! I did not agree to putting my life in danger just to help you get your stupid point across! I am not willing to get myself fired, or even killed just for you! I have a life of my own!" he snapped.
"But I thought you said you didn't have a life?" I argued. "I thought you said just a few moments ago that you didn't have anything left to live for, hmm?"
Peter looked hesitant for a moment, but gave in.
"Ugh! Fine! I guess I really don't have anything to risk by putting my life in danger." he confessed. "And you really do make a good point, I don't want any innocent people to get killed either…"
"Uh, innocent people already have died." Pinky abruptly chimed in. He had been so quiet, I had almost forgotten the little Chihuahua agent was even there. "Monogram already ordered all the other agents to kill their nemeses. And it's been quite a few days since then, so I'm sure they're already obliterated." Pinky pointed out.
"R-really?" Peter asked, more astonishment and symphony in his tone now. "Innocent evil scientists have already…died? That's terrible!"
"Yeah, Doofy's pretty much the only one of them left!" I added.
Peter was silent for a few moments, but soon a look of determination and willpower was spread across his face. "In that case, I-I have to help. The situation is too dire to stand here and argue about it! I have to help you guys, and Doofy!" he said confidently.
"Yeah Peter! That's the spirit!" I said cheerfully, overwhelmingly grateful for his assistance and support. I was so happy, it took me a couple of minutes to finally realize what he had just said.
"Wait a sec," I said, briefly recalling Peter's last few words. "What did you just call my nemesis?" I asked. I heard Pinky gulp. He knew as well as I did what was coming. This most likely wouldn't end well for Peter.
"Uh…I called him Doofy? So what? I heard you call him that…" the panda said warily.
"Uh-oh, here comes the lecture…" Pinky muttered, hiding his face.
I swiftly grabbed Peter by a chunk of fur on his collar, and dragged him over so that we were face to face. "OK! Let me get one thing straight here!" I scolded him sternly. "No one, I repeat NO ONE is ever under any circumstances ever allowed to call Doofenshmirtz by that nickname but ME! OKAY? To you and Pinky and everyone else, his name is Doofenshmirtz, Heinz, Doof, whatever else you want to call him! But he is my nemesis, and my nemesis ONLY! Which means that is my nickname for him, and my nickname for him ONLY! Got it? So I never EVER under any conditions EVER want to hear the word 'Doofy' coming from your mouth again!" I said, dropping Peter, whom I'd had somewhat suspended a couple inches off the ground whilst I was lecturing him. Once he stumbled to his feet, he looked severely stunned, and even quite a bit fearful of me now. His tiny stubby panda body was trembling all over when he glanced back at me, extreme fright sparking up in his huge eyes.
I stared down at my webbed toes in embarrassment. "Oh, hehe, I'm sorry for scaring you Peter." I said sheepishly. "I'm usually not that strict and sensitive about the nickname thing—"
"Yes he is!" Pinky added. I shot him a glare.
"No I'm not!" I argued before continuing. "Anyways, I'm sorry. I guess I'm just still—"
"A little mad about me trying to take him before." Peter finished for me, sighing in disappointment. "I'm sorry Perry. I really wish we could just put all that behind us…"
"Oh, no! You don't think I'm still mad about all that, do you? Of course not!" I said quickly. To tell the truth, I really was still a little bit peeved at him for all the depression and hurt I suffered through back through that—misfortunate episode. But I wasn't really angry with Peter in specific. Or Doofy either. I was just furious about the whole situation, it wasn't anyone's fault. But you couldn't blame me for feeling a little mad about it, right? I mean everything's okay now (well not right now, but you know what I mean) so the whole thing was kind of behind us, but just thinking back on the situation still made me a little on edge.
"I'm sorry, I am a little mad at what happened, but that's in the past right? It's not that I'm mad at you for it or anything, you just bring back…bad memories, that's all. I'm real sorry I snapped at you like that." I apologized, feeling a little guilty now.
"It's alright Perry." he said comfortingly. "I forgive you. I'm glad we can still be friends despite all that. And it was all Doof's fault anyway…"
"Oh boy…" Pinky said, realizing what was about to happen even before I did. I felt the rage and fury as I did before pulsing through my veins again, building up like molten lava inside a volcano. Soon I was bubbling hot with anger and ready to erupt.
"IT WAS NOT DOOFY'S FAULT!" I shouted, my bad temper taking over my emotions and sanity again.
I noticed Peter was shaking again, apparently frightened by my sudden behavior. Pinky ran over and immediately pulled Peter away. I didn't blame him. I would want to get as far away from me as possible if I was him right now, at least until I calmed down. I tried to breathe slowly, tried to gradually calm myself down back to the point where I could talk again without screaming. But I just couldn't get over my frustration that easily. I don't know what about that comment had gotten me so upset. Maybe because I was just so stressed to the brim and ready to boil over that I'm just taking it out on Peter and every little thing he says that gets on my nerves. Or maybe our whole situation had just gotten me so worked up and over protective of my nemesis that I'm snapping at every little thing against him right now. Whatever the reason, I still had to concentrate on mentally relaxing myself before thinking up an explanation—or more importantly an apology—for Peter.
"Don't feel bad Peter." I heard Pinky say calmly, trying to get the panda to settle down as well. "We shouldn't blame Perry for getting like this. For one thing he's just been so stressed out, it's understandable that he's letting all his anger out on us. And on another note he's been exceedingly defensive over Doof since his life had already been in jeopardy once." Pinky explained, gesturing towards the small cast on my arm as he finished. I really didn't need a reminder of that little incident.
"Oh! Speaking of Doofy—I mean Doof, sorry." Peter promptly corrected himself, not wanting a repeat of my last out lash. "Where is he? I thought you said he was with you guys?"
"Oh, he is!" Pinky said. "He's waiting outside. Come on! We should go see him and tell him what's going on before he gets mugged or something."
The two of them started scampering towards the door, when Pinky stopped briefly all of a sudden.
"Oh, wait!" Pinky suddenly said, halting and reaching into his hat for something. He pulled out the small animal-translating ray gun my nemesis had constructed earlier. "You'll probably need this so he can understand you too." Pinky said as he zapped Peter with the ray.
"What the—" Peter started to say, but he stopped himself quickly when he realized that a human voice was coming out of his mouth. "Wow! I-I can talk! Oh, so that's how you guys were talking? I was going to ask you about that, but it completely slipped my mind." Peter said, still looking completely astonished and taking in every aspect of his new found voice.
"Alright, now let's go!" Pinky announced, him and Peter bounding towards the exit once again. I didn't budge. I was too distracted in making sure I was calm and serene enough to move again. "Coming Perry?" I heard Pinky call after a few moments.
"Oh, right!" I said. "Coming!
I followed Peter and Pinky, and together we went up the exit chute, which sucked us up like a vacuum back up to the noisy city streets a few miles above. The three of us stealthily crawled back out through the slim alley way and back out into the broad, blinding daylight that flooded the narrow, twisting streets of Seattle on this bright, sunny day.