Summer belongs to you!
Summer belongs to you!
Summer belongs to everyone, so have some-
Oh, the readers are here. Sorry 'bout that! (*turns off music*)
Anyway, here's to the start of another awesome summer, and Carpe Diem to all! Can you believe this story's over already? I sure can't, but I know one thing: It was super fun!
And remember how last chapter was the longest yet? Well, this one is just over TWICE that long.
"Better take it all in," Phineas stated, "This may be all the summer we have left."
He and Ferb strolled up to the door of their house, and, finding the door unusually locked, Phineas knocked politely on it. A few seconds later, their mother answered.
"Phineas and Ferb, there you are," she started, stern, "I've been worried sick about you. Come in, I want to speak with you about something."
"Anything at all," her redhead son offered.
Candace met the rest of her family in the living room, the biggest of smiles plastered on her face. She gripped her completed homework assignment tightly. Today was the day! Phineas and Ferb were busted. She didn't have to worry about homework. Everything was finally working out. What a perfect way to end the summer!
Sitting, distraught, on the living room sofa, Linda placed a crisp brown hat on the side table. "Boys, I must say that I am-" she started to say, but was cut off almost immediately.
"Mom, where'd you get the fedora?" Phineas asked cautiously.
"It's... Uh..." His mother started. She couldn't tell them that it belonged to Perry. She couldn't tell them that their platypus had given it to her to keep. She couldn't tell them, even if it were allowed, that he had left for good after having his cover blown.
"Oh, that's mine," Ferb explained. He placed it on his head, and, after receiving strange looks from everyone in the room, continued, "Bastille Day."
"That's right," his brother remembered. He leaned in towards the hat and commented, "It smells like platypus. Speaking of which, where's-"
"Don't say it," Linda interrupted. "As I was saying, I am very disappointed in the both of you."
"For what?" Phineas asked, alarmed.
"What do you think? Take a wild guess."
After a few seconds of contemplating, Phineas did so. "Was it our turn to do the dishes? I thought we did it last week."
"If you're lucky, you'll be doing dishes for a long time. Don't think I didn't see what you've been up to. A rollercoaster? A giant maze? A molecular separator? Why on Earth would you do all this without my permission?"
"Well... We, uh, didn't and said we did with that last one."
"Answer the question."
"Wow," Phineas said, "Strict.
"And, how I hate to answer your question with my own question, but what do you mean by, 'without my permission'?"
"You never told me about this! Do you know how dangerous all of these projects are? You nearly gave me a heart attack today. And I don't want you making any more of these... These thingsagain until I say so. Understood?"
"Woah! Woah," Candace interjected, "No more building for you two? Are you going to be opkay?" She cleared her throat. "Okay?"
Phineas wasn't sure what the answer was, or even if there was one. "Ye-Yeah, we'll be fine..." The boy stammered, "But, uh, dare I ask if we can at least, you know, finish this one? A lot of people are counting on us. We couldn't do it ourselves, but maybe with your help, we can pull through! Please?"
"Phineas, no. What did I just say?"
At that moment, Phin's cell phone started ringing; the tone was none other than "Gitchee Gitchee Goo." He picked it up in two seconds. "Hello," he greeted, "This is Phineas Flynn, can I help you?"
Her son's sudden change from a pleading tone to a professional one surprised Linda. How was it that he seemed so experienced, so used to this?
"Yes, ma'am. That's us."
He was so respectful, yet still so cheerful. Linda had taught her son well, and she was proud.
"It-It did? How did that happen?"
Whatever could he be talking about? And to whom is he speaking so politely? Curiosity took his mother over.
"Well, that makes sense."
And what was this professional's business with her son? What had he done to be considered as important as the adult on the other line?
"Oh, that's wonderful news!"
And to succeed in the community of such people... Linda realized just how hard her son worked at whatever it was he did on a daily basis.
"I'll tell everyone as soon as I get the chance."
And his smile, which was so large it was almost disturbing, had shown her how much and how sincerely he cared. It touched her heart.
Phineas hung up. "Guys!" He said excitedly, "We're back in! The courts want to see us as soon as possible!"
One hour, sixteen minutes, and exactly forty-three phone calls later, Linda was still trying to get things straight. Pulling up to the District Court of the Tri-State Area after her sons dressed into a quite dapper pair of suits, she tried once again to summarize what she had heard.
"So, the mayor, Roger Doofenshmirtz, was hit with a blue beam."
"Yes," Phineas confirmed.
"And that made people want him impeached."
"Yup."
"But you two had another court case, which I did not know about."
"Right again." The family exited the car and started walking towards the building.
"And they couldn't be bothered to let you in, because of the mayor's case."
"That's what it sounded like."
"Well, that doesn't make very much sense."
"Believe it," Candace chirped, "Nothing that happened this summer makes any sense."
"Anyway," her mom continued, "Just as the decision was about to be made, the entire jury had a change of heart, and the case ended early?"
"According to Melanie."
"Who's Melanie?" Linda asked Phineas.
"The mayor's secretary. She was the one who called me."
"Okay. And one more thing: How did you manage to get a case in the District Court of the Tri-State Area, with a lawyer and everything, without my knowing?"
"Um... Very carefully?" Phineas's explanation was more of a question than an answer, but his mother decided not to push the subject.
"Anyway, do you know this person? What's the lawyer's name, and when are we supposed to meet him?"
"Well, actually, it's a 'her.' I've heard she is the best lawyer in Danville, and she should be here any - hey, look!"
As he said this, a short, white limousine pulled up an out of it stepped a very professionally dressed woman with dazzling green eyes (one might even call them "emerald") and brown hair tucked into a neat bun. She approached them, smiling warmly.
"Excuse me, but do you happen to be the Flynn-Fletchers?" She asked.
"Yes; I'm Phineas Flynn, and my brother here is Ferb Fletcher," explained the boy. He shook hands with the woman.
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Mr., uh, Flynn. I must say, aren't you a little young to be issuing a case here?"
"Yes. Yes I am."
"Alright, then. I am Brooke Winters, and I am to be your lawyer for today." (A/N: Thank you, Jet Engine!)
"Great!" Called Phineas, and the five started up the stairs of the courthouse, waiting for some other members of Operation: Carpe Diem to arrive.
"I have to go inside to set some things up," Brooke said, excusing herself. "See you in a few."
"Opkay," Phineas said on purpose. He received a glare from Candace, but only snickered.
Within ten more minutes, everyone expected to be present was. Isabella, some of the Fireside Girls, and Irving had brought the completed petitions, Vanessa showed up to appear as a witness, and Baljeet arrived claiming that he had a special point to make.
"Hey, Vanessa," Candace dared once they met at the front of the courthouse, "How'd your bust go?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, I think you would have interest in knowing that today, I busted my brothers." Candace examined her fingernails as she said this, "Right, Mom? Tell Vanessa what you told the boys."
In a difficult position, Linda saw no choice but to do so. "Well, I came home today and saw all of these dangerous things, and Candace told me that Phineas and Ferb made them."
"And..?" Candace prompted, still grinning smugly.
"And that everyone here was helping them. Vanessa, is this true?"
The teen found herself incapable of denying this. "Yes, it... It is."
"So you were helping my sons build dangerous contraptions, without my permission."
Oh, now Vanessa saw her mistake. "Uh, yeah..."
"Then," this was for Candace more than anyone else, "Consider yourself busted, young lady."
"Woo-hoo!" Candace sang in celebration in a teasing rhythm, "I busted Vanessa! I busted Vanessa!"
"Wait a minute, Candace," the aforementioned teen interrupted, "First of all, stop that; and second, if you're not helping your brothers, then what are you doing here at court with them? You do realize that everyone is expecting you to support their case."
"What? No... They are?" Candace asked, suddenly worried.
"Yeah. Totally. Ask anyone, they'll tell you."
"But-But I don't want them to - it's-it's not what I... I wasn't helping them, I was busting them."
"That's what you thought, huh? Then maybe we should take you off the list of witnesses. Look at this." Vanessa handed her a clipboard with the names of everyone there. She read down the paper.
"Jenny Brown, Vanessa Doofenshmirtz - Wow, you have a weird last name - Irving Du Bois, Ferb Fletcher, Candace Flynn, Phineas Flynn... Wait, Candace Flynn? Why am I on here?"
"Well, too late to change it now," Vanessa said, taking the paper back, "I guess you are helping them. Hypocrite."
Very worried now, Candace asked (or started to) in a hushed voice, "So, does that mean..?"
"Yup," Vanessa grinned somewhat evilly, "You're busted. See you on the podium."
"Ladies and gentlemen, quiet down now."
The judge did his best to restore order to allow the hearing to start. "Thank you. Now, Mr. Flynn, you are the plaintiff, correct? Please come up to the front of this courtroom and state your case."
Swallowing hard, Phineas balled his fists and walked unsteadily up to the microphone. I must be hungry, he thought. That would explain this weird feeling in my stomach. And my arms. And my legs.
Aw, who am I kidding? I have anxiety. But I can and have to do this! I'll do it for summer!
He cleared his throat, and started, "Thank you, your honor. I would like to address the problems with a recently signed law. According to Section 27, Article 6 of the Danville Accords, 'Any school district or public educational facility in the Tri-State Area must be in session for nine months of each year. The three remaining months are to be issued as vacation time; they must not be consecutive, however.' Therefore, I find it impossible for such a thing as summer vacation to exist, so in the name of every child in the entire Tri-State Area, I am going to challenge that legislation; and that, your honor, is why I am here today."
"Fair enough," the judge said, dismissing Phineas. "Defendant, it's your turn."
"You were great up there," Brooke praised Phineas quietly, "You might make a good lawyer someday."
"Thanks."
"Defendant!" The judge ordered. "That's you, Mr. Doyle."
A flustered, disorganized, and busy-looking man realized that he was needed and tried in vain to gather his belongings. He was partially bald on the top of his large head and had brown hair that came to a point in the sides, which went down to another point at his chin forming a small beard. He wore a pair of dark green glasses and a long, white shirt that minimally resembled a lab coat. Vanessa was sure she'd seen him from somewhere, but couldn't quite place his appearance.
Taking only what he decided he absolutely needed, the defendant cautiously approached the podium. "Uh, yes, I'm the one who... Who signed the law a week ago. I am a firm believer that students today must have a sufficient education, or they may not be successful. This summer vacation that has existed before is simply a distraction to every child in the otherwise wonderful Tri-State Area. Without it, I believe students will become much more intelligent, focused, and better prepared for their futures; and because one may only effectively lead a city for so long, they will be better prepared for our futures as the leaders of tomorrow. Should this case not be decided in my favor, then all that they will focus on are unnecessary things such as fun, creativity, and spontaneous musical numbers."
"Thank you, Mr. Doyle," the judge continued, "Now, I'd like to ask that the lawyers of both litigants come up and take oath. On the plaintiff's side, Miss Brooke Winters."
The woman stepped up to the podium and did so, having done this professionally several times.
"And on the defendant's side, Mr. Aloyse von Roddenstein."
Vanessa gasped sharply at this as the man was sworn in. Whether or not she knew this 'Mr. Doyle' from someplace, she definitely recognized Rodney. She suddenly knew what she was going to say on her turn.
One by one, the young witnesses took their turns contributing to the case. Irving, Isabella, Adyson and Gretchen provided the judge with the petitions - over 300 had signed them - and each of the children provided beautiful descriptions of how summer had affected them (Positively, of course). Isabella's nearly made the judge cry.
"N-Next..." The judge sniffed.
"I believe that is me," Baljeet volunteered from the side of the room where most of the witnesses sat. "Before I go, however, I want to request that Ginger comes up with me."
"Of course, Baljeet," the girl yipped happily.
"Baljeet Tjinder," the judge introduced, "And Ginger Hirano. Alright, you may begin."
"Yes, your honor," Baljeet said respectfully, "Thus far, I have yet to see a witness propose this point, one which I may hope to bring light to now. With the aid of my friend next to me, I have come upon the conclusion that students will in fact be better educated and more motivated if summer vacation is allowed. That is because with the removal of summer vacation comes the removal of summer school. Now, summer school is one of the most beneficial aspects of education and summer vacation alike, in my opinion; it is a combination of both and a wonderful experience for both those who need the extra learning as well as those, like me, who enjoy the opportunity. One who fails the school year that starts in September and ends in June may be able to meet the standards to be promoted to the next grade by attending summer school. One who already does well in the normal school year and for whatever reason chooses not to attend summer school has something to look forward to: When they are dismissed at the start of summer. I am sure you do not disagree with me on this statement.
"That being said, a year without summer vacation is a year without summer school and its many benefits. Should the months set aside as separate vacations be nonconsecutive, well, I would find it difficult to establish three separate programs to replace summer school, would you not?"
The commotion that followed Baljeet's speech was long and winded. As the clamor died down, the boy turned to Ginger and said, "Thank you once again for bringing this subject to light for me. If not for you, I would still be in favor of the opinions of that man." Baljeet pointed towards the Mr. Doyle, who was despite his age still trying to get his act (and possessions) together.
"Who do you think he is?" Ginger asked, "I mean, he must work for the government or something, but there is just something about him that is just..."
She didn't continue. "Just what?" Asked her partner, but she didn't get to answer.
"Order, order!" The judge shouted, "Tjinder, Hirano, you have a very good point that I'm sure will help the decision. Please take a seat to let another witness have their turn."
"Yes, your honor," Ginger said as they exited the podium.
"The next witness is Candace Flynn. Is she present?"
"No, your honor," Phineas explained, "She left for the bathroom a few minutes ago."
He thought back to the event. Man, Candace could be stubborn sometimes. As Baljeet and Ginger walked up to the front of the court together, he remembered telling her that she would probably be next.
"No!" She had responded a bit too loudly, "I mean, uh, I don't think I can - I mean, you know, want to. I can't, wouldn't, won't do it. I'm not going up there, Phineas."
Well, maybe it was Phineas's undying love for summer that was talking, or maybe he was especially tired, or maybe he had just had a long day, but Phineas felt something inside him give way and almost break completetly. "But, Candace. You're not going to help us? You-You came all this way just to turn your back on us like that? Why - how could you!?"
"I don't think you understand, Phineas," his sister testified, "This isn't my place. You're the ones who should be here, doing this, not me. I got what I wanted, now you have to finish your job, without me."
"Why, Candace?" The hurt in his eyes was unmistakable.
"I, uh, kind of made a bet, so to speak, with Vanessa, and if I go up there, I'll either have to take the defendant's side, or, you know, lose. You wouldn't understand. I don't have anything useful to contribute, anyway."
"Sure you do! Remember who you are, Candace. And, what's a silly little bet in comparison to saving summer for the whole Tri-State Area?"
"I don't know, I'm just not going up there. I... I think I'm just going to make a run to the bathroom."
"Candace, wait!" Phineas called as she started to get up, "Don't go now, we need you."
Candace leaned back. "Don't make me pull a Perry on you," she remarked.
"What does that even mean?"
Phineas's attention turned back to the hearing as the judge shouted, "Order, order!"
During the interruption, Candace took the opportunity to flee the scene; sighing, Phineas turned to see her already ten feet away and turning out a back door. I hope she knows where she's going, the boy thought, still hurt, but still optimistic.
"Okay, then; instead, Vanessa Doofenshmirtz will testify her side of the case. Is she present?"
"Yes," Vanessa said as she stepped up to the front of the courtroom, "Yes, I am. Swear me in."
"I wish you the best," Ferb admitted after her.
The dark-haired teen felt a ton and a half of pressure on her when she tapped twice on the microphone, making sure it was still functioning properly. She closed her eyes, sighed, and started, "Ladies and gentlemen. I come before this court today in the presence of an awesome group of people who I can't believe are younger than I am. Before I continue, I am going to define that word for you: 'awesome.' Many people use this word in slang language when they mean 'impressive,' 'beautiful,' or sometimes 'fortunate.' If I were to say that I have never used it in that sense, well, I would be lying. But now, when I say 'awesome,' I mean what I say; and these children are indeed some awesome people."
A short round of applause came from the jury, but stopped so that Vanessa could finish.
"These are the kids who built rollercoasters, who have time traveled twice, who have circumnavigated the globe in a single 40-hour day, and still came home in time for supper. These are the children that have changed the way we speak, who have met superheroes in person, who have been to outer space I don't know how many times. These are the people who will stand up and do anything for each other; they have even saved my life more than once. To be among them now is an honor so great it makes their young age a frivolous matter. If you wouldn't mind looking out the window, you will see my point."
Half of the people in the room rushed to the nearest window, cramming together to see what was meant by the teen.
"Everything you see out there - and I'm not talking about nature - those contraptions, the inventions, the out of the ordinary; would you like to take a guess as to who made it? Well, I'll tell you now: It was us, the children of Danville, who have brought you this technology. That being said, politely raise your hand if you have a child of your own."
The entirety of the jury, though it was a small entirety, did so. Vanessa didn't quite expect this reaction, but she liked it.
"Wonderful," she said, "Now, what if I were to tell you that your sons or daughters are capable of creating all of this? And while you wrap your brains around that, what if I were to tell you that all of this creativity, this freedom, exists because of the actuality of summer vacation? Take that away, and just how awesome can we be without what makes us who we are? The truth is, nonconsecutive breaks like the ones that are to be if school starts tomorrow are nothing short of unfair, taxing, and unremunerative. If that doesn't matter to you, then there is one word, in my experience, that stands out as the best representation of your kind."
Vanessa gripped the sides of the podium and leaned in close to the mic, saying in a monotone voice, "Evil."
Gasps. Especially from the defendant's side.
"Mr. von Roddenstein. Would you care to tell me why you have so far contributed nothing to your side of the case?" Vanessa asked in a slightly accusing voice.
"Yes, actually, I will," said Rodney, "Doyle, the papers, please?"
After two uneasy minutes of ruffling various documents around, the client finally found the right one.
"Thank you very much." It is unknown whether or not Rodney meant this. Slipping on a pair of glasses, the 'lawyer' (note the apostrophes) read, apparently from the law itself, "Section 9, Article 4. No one under the age of 18 or still attending educational facilities, no matter the age, may challenge this letter in a legal court under any circumstances. Should one attempt to do so, the decision will become invalidated and the law will still stand."
Dead silence overtook the courtroom. The jury was afraid to think too loudly.
"Then, I challenge this law."
Heads swiveled to face the speaker. Linda was standing to the side, her sons looking out from behind her.
"Today, I have seen what my children are capable of doing. The very fact that they have got this far on thier own has inspired me." She sighed and turned to Phineas and Ferb. "Please keep doing what you're doing. But promise to check safety on all of your inventions."
"That means we can build again?" Phineas asked, smiling hopefully.
"If I can win this case for you, then yes. That's what I said."
"Awesome!" Phineas said, nearly landing a high five with his brother, then awkwardly pulling away as they realized simultaneously what happened last time they did so.
Rodney stammered, realizing how badly he had set himself up. "Your honor, is-is that legal?"
"In your years of law school," Brooke started, "Have you learned that it is not?"
"Uh... Yes?"
"Okay... How long, exactly, did you even take law?"
"I... I don't-"
"You don't what, Mr. von Roddenstein? You don't want to answer the question? Afraid your friends at L.O.V.E.M.U.F.F.I.N. will make fun?"
"Vanessa!" Brooke scolded the witness, "Do you have any proof of his membership?"
"Well, not on me, but I know him, he's an evil scientist! Come on, none of you believe me?"
"You can't just make accusations without anything to back them up. How do you know this man, Vanessa? Be careful, and remember the oath."
The teen sighed. Everyone's eyes were on her, waiting for her to speak, but she couldn't. "My-My dad is... He's-"
"I believe Vanessa."
And suddenly, Ferb was there, silencing the court. Taking the teenager's hand, he claimed, "I have seen this man interacting with other members of L.O.V.E.C.U.P.C.A.K.E."
"L.O.V.E.M.U.F.F.I.N.," Vanessa corrected in a whisper.
"L.O.V.E.M.U.F.F.I.N." The boy repeated.
"And I believe Ferb," Phineas said, walking up with his brother and taking his other hand, "He wouldn't lie to me."
"I believe Phineas!" Isabella continued, adding herself to the chain. With this, Adyson, Gretchen, Ginger, Baljeet, Jenny, and Irving stepped forwards as well to announce their opinions. Soon, an army of children had walked up to the podium, each holding each other's hands.
"And there you have it," Vanessa concluded, finding that savoir-faire that seemed to have disappeared when she needed it the most. "Rodney, Doyle, do you object?"
It's funny how quickly pressure can shift from one person to another. Facing all odds (and all eyes), the evil scientist saw no choice, nowhere to run.
"Fine! I admit it. Mr. Doyle and I are members of the League Of Villainous Evildoers Maniacally United For Frightening Investments in Evil. Come, James, let's high-tail it out of here."
Rodney grabbed his client by the arm, giving him about a second to grab his belongings. "And don't think I won't have my revenge!" Rodney vowed before leaving the courthouse, "Maybe not today, but tomorrow, look out!"
Unfortunately, no one had made any attempt to stop them. Fortunately, however, the judge was left with one decision to make. "Brooke Winters," he started, "Please turn to Section 18, Article 7 of the Danville Accords."
"Yes, your honor. 'Section 18, Article 7. Should at any time either litigant or their respective lawyers run out of a court case vowing revenge, the case is automatically decided in the other litigant's favor.' So, does this mean we win?" The smile on Brooke's face was rivaled only by the one on Phineas's.
"Indeed it does. Mrs. Flynn-Fletcher, I find this case in your favor. Congratulations!"
Candace, having gotten slightly lost in the building, poked her head in the courtroom to see everyone in the room celebrating. "So, did you really see Rodney with L.O.V.E.M.U.F.F.I.N.?" Vanessa asked Ferb very quietly.
After a moment's hesitation, Ferb explained, "I was never sworn in."
Everyone was celebrating. People were cheering. Only one person was really upset. And as that person headed back into the courtroom through the throngs of people, no one really noticed her - that is, until she found her family at the back of the room.
"Candace," Phineas beamed, "We, uh, we won!"
"I can see that," the teen replied. "So, summer's not going to end tomorrow?"
"Not as far as I can tell," her brother said. "Isn't it great?"
"I guess so."
Phineas was typically oblivious to the feelings of others, particularly feelings of negativity. Call him a heartbreaker, call him naïve, but he's human, too, and sometimes when someone really needs him to pull through, he will; and now, the universe let him see something in Candace that he would normally dismiss. "You seem down," he observed, "Why?"
"Well, if you haven't noticed, I'm not too particularly excited to be so involved in this... Operation: Carpe Diem, you called it?"
"Yup. Candace, did something happen that you're not telling me? You're not yourself today."
"Phineas," his sister started, "I failed myself. Today would have been such a perfect last day, you know what I mean? And to think - I finally showed Mom what you did, but you're going to go on building stuff for the rest of the summer, right? With no punishment from Mom whatsoever?"
"Oh, Candace," Phineas tried to console her. "If that's a problem, we'll stop. Granted, we might not turn out opkay. But we'll manage, I'm sure!"
"That's not what I'm saying, Phin. What I'm saying is, this just proves that I can't do anything right; even when I accomplish my goals, it'll be like nothing happened. Remember this Fathers' Day? I might as well have just failed."
"No, no, no, dear sister, no one failed today." He thought back again to that dusk, when he and Ferb had a similar experience on the rollercoaster. "That's right. No one did, and that includes you."
Candace studied every word that her brother said. "If you say so," she muttered. "But I have to take care of something."
"Well, looks like you're going to have to run that over with someone else. Our lawyer is calling me."
"But-"
"Oh, check it out. It's someone else." Phineas left Candace to stand there in her thoughts while 'someone else' approached the sulking teen.
"Uh, hey, Candace," Vanessa greeted coolly. "It's fancy meeting you here."
"Alright, what do you want?" Candace snapped, "Aren't you finished humiliating me in front of the whole operation?"
"Actually, that's why I'm here," began Vanessa. "I just wanted to say I'm... I'm sorry about that, okay? I didn't mean to get you down, I was just going for the bust, you know how it is. I was wrapped up in the moment."
Now was the first time Candace actually met the eyes of her day-only rival. "You know, calling me a hypocrite isn't really a legitimate bust, is it?" She asked, faking hurt, "But I totally know how it is! Do you know how many times busting my brothers has gotten in the way of my life? But when a girl's gotta bust, a girl's gotta bust."
"You got that right," joked Vanessa. "Did I tell you about the time I was too busy trying to bust my dad, I didn't notice he was in the middle of a musical number?"
At this, Candace let out a snorty laugh and countered, "Did you hear about the time I tried to bust Phineas and Ferb in my sleep?"
"Wow, no I haven't. So, uh, there's no hard feelings then?"
"No hard feelings," Candace replied with a smile. "By the way, you have a really good singing voice."
"Thanks, you're not too bad either." Vanessa chuckled, "That was actually kind of fun. The song, I mean; we make a great team."
"Even when we're at each other's throats," specified Candace, "'Yeah, I'll school you how to do it right!'? How do you come up with that?"
"You say this like you haven't ever improvised a song."
"Eh, good point. We should do that more often." Candace wondered why, for a moment, the Ducky Momo theme song came into her head. Well, anything's possible.
"Yes," Vanessa agreed. "Yes, we should."
"For the last time, Agent Kitty. I told you, I have no idea what you're saying," Carl tried to get it through the tabby's head, "So you'll have to tell me why you and the other agents are here without your fedoras some other way. What happened?"
The cat tried again in vain to explain; while he did so, a certain platypus agent walked up to the gates surprised to see Carl there. He waved to the intern and joined his coworkers in sulking.
"Agent P, you too!?" Carl gasped, "What are you all doing here? Where's your hat?"
If Carl didn't figure out soon that there was no way of the animals providing him with the information, he wasn't ever going to. Luckily for them, they didn't have to try any longer. One phone call from Major Monogram himself and each of the agents met with O.W.C.A. staff for an important meeting.
"Is that everyone?" The major asked, sounding exhausted.
"I think so, sir," his intern responded, "Now, what was it you wanted to tell me that was so important?"
"Uh, yes. It seems as though the law that made summer end early has been repealed. So, first off, I want to take the opportunity to invite you back to the agency, Carl. It's your choice, but-"
"Yes!" He interrupted, "I'll do it. Sign me back up, and all that."
"Noted. Second, I would like to have a word with one of our agents. Yes, that's you, Agent P."
The platypus shifted in his chair uncomfortably. He knew it would come to this. Respectfully, he nodded to his superior.
"Agent P, I just received a call from the mother figure of your host family. I take it that your cover has been blown again?"
Perry chattered sadly, then nodded once more.
"Well, I am afraid you know the consequences. I am also aware that you are not the only agent that has experienced this today. Of course, relocating you all would be extremely costly, and that just isn't in the budget right now. The organization is in a very delicate position today, and we can't afford any more losses. We would use the Monkey Wrench, which as you know is the codename for the mind-erasing device, but we can't just go around asking people if they know their pet is a secret agent. Plus, sources, and by sources I mean Agent P's host mother, tell us that the one who signed the law was actually a L.O.V.E.M.U.F.F.I.N. member who infiltrated the Tri-State government. They meant to cause confusion, and they did so enough that O.W.C.A. is obligated to do something about it. I propose we erase the memories of the legislation - and everything they learned because of it - from the people who know your secret.
"That's why I want each of you who had your covers blown today to write down the names and roles of anyone in your host family who found out. There are index cards in the middle of the table."
Perry and the other animal agents each took one. In his best pawwriting, the platypus wrote:
Linda Flynn-Fletcher, Host mother.
Content with his slip, Perry slid the card back to the center of the table. Major Monogram read the roles out loud as he flipped through them.
"Let's see... Host father, Host mother, Host mother, Host stepfather, Host father, Host second-cousin twice removed (with a kid), Host father... I'm beginning to sense a pattern here."
"It looks like everyone here is a parent of some sort," Carl observed, "Say, what if we just set the Monkey Wrench to target all of the parents in the Tri-State Area? It would just save time, and besides, those who aren't raising children really weren't affected by the legislation all that much, right?"
"Hm, that's true... Carl, why don't you do that? Consider it your first mission back in the O.W.C.A."
"Okay, sir! I'll do that right now."
"Carl, wait!" Monogram called, and the enthusiastic intern turned.
"What is the problem, sir?"
"Could you, uh, make sure not to use it on me? I am technically in the 'parent' community."
"That's right, sir. I'll make the necessary adjustments."
Elevators. They were so much less tedious than stairs, and were easy on acrophobes (as long as they didn't have glass walls). Vanessa counted the floors until she arrived at her father's penthouse suite.
"It's already 11:45," she grumbled, "Well, I should hope to consider this day 'seized.'"
"Uh, Vanessa?" Dr. Doofenshmirtz asked, "What happened today? The last thing I remember was working on my Fail-Inator, then it felt like I got hit on the head with a monkey wrench of all things.
"Oh, that's right! My Fail-Inator, I have to finish it before Perry the Platypus gets here!" He got up and walked out to the balcony, startled to find that it was already dark out.
"Dad, are you feeling okay?" Vanessa asked for her father's sake, "It's been a long, long day. Maybe you should lie down."
"I just don't get it. What happened to the sun?"
"Nothing, Dad. Come on, let's get you to bed."
"But... But..."
"Come on."
"Okay..." The evil scientist finally agreed, "And, uh, thanks. Could you fill me in tomorrow?"
"Uh, I'm with Mom tomorrow."
"Oh. Alright, good night, Vanessa. I'll see you in the morning, I guess. Though I can't say I remember much since this morning... Don't forget to brush your teeth... And stuff... Yeah, maybe I should lay down."
Vanessa smiled. Her father went a little cooky when he got drowsy. "Good night, Dad," she said as she walked into her room, "Or as some might say, Carpe Noctam."
Latin's fun.
Phineas, Ferb, and Isabella, the only people still outside at that hour, sat under a certain tree in a certain backyard, doing nothing but loving summer.
"So, what do you want to do now?" Asked Phineas, "Well, not now, per se, but tomorrow. What can we do if the block party's off?"
"Anything, Phineas," Isabella prompted, "As long as we enjoy this summer together, you know, now that we can. As long as we're together, doesn't matter what we do. Look." She pointed up to the summer sky, and Phineas followed as she showed him what she meant. "That, up there, all the stars, the light, it's like... Magic. Isn't it all amazing?"
"Perhaps the word you're looking for is 'awesome'," Ferb referenced, keeping Vanessa's speech in mind.
"It's wonderful, isn't it?" Phineas contemplated. "Just like..."
"This morning," Isabella finished. "Oh, you don't know how happy that made me. And now..." She almost cried out of joy. "Now we can see this every day together. We can just... Be together in this summer." She closed her eyes and breathed the crisp, damp (but comfortable), almost warm summer evening air. And at that moment, slipping her hand into Phineas's, Isabella knew exactly what they had been working for all day. And she discovered that she would do anything for moments like this; she would do anything for summer. In fact, she would repeat today in a heartbeat. But she did have one question for Phineas.
"Nothing's going to take this from us, right? Promise we can do this every night, just you and me?"
"And Ferb," Phineas corrected, "and maybe Buford and Baljeet. Everyone should come. In fact... Everyone in the world should know about this! Isabella, that's it! I know what we're gonna do tomorrow."
"What's that?" She asked. "And what are we going to do about the block party?"
"Well, we can reschedule that," Phineas explained. "We should be celebrating. Summer. Tomorrow. The question is, how...?"
The children stared at the evening sky for a few quiet moments. "With a song," the girl suggested.
"A song?"
"Yeah," she winked at Phineas, "I figured it would be appropriate."
"Well," the boy smiled, "Does anything come to mind?"
"We can do the one from this morning," Isabella said quickly, "Or... Or 'Summer Belongs to You!' That was fun, right, Phineas?"
The memories of both were quite pleasant to the kids. Phineas was having different thoughts, though.
"No."
"No?"
"No. They're both kind of overused, don't you think?"
Isabella said, "Yeah," but it is unknown whether or not she meant it.
"We should write a new song. How about that? Make it just for the occasion."
Yes! Isabella could write a song about summer with Phineas? She was ecstatic. "Ooh, yeah!" She agreed enthusiastically, "Ooh, ooh, yeah!"
"Hm, you know, that's not too bad. I'll make a note." Phineas said. "Actually, for the title, how does 'Summer All Over the World' sound?"