I have had two requests for this chapter: 1.) Stop by the Philippines and 2.) Put Stacy in the story. So, since the Philippines are on the way to Indonesia anyway and since I haven't put Stacy in the series at all yet, I think it is more than appropriate. So, please enjoy this chapter and I hope I fulfilled the requests well enough :)

Chapter 13: Filipino Pit-Stop

Perry-On the sea

It was my turn to steer the small boat. I was glad to take it since there was a lull of depression that spread across the ship worse than the fog permeating the air. The air smelled rotten and the boat kept hitting huge bumps. I was beginning to wonder just what was in the water. I knew whatever it was, Penelope was trying to keep the kids as far away from looking as possible.

"Hey, Pen, how much farther is it?" I asked.

"It will be a while yet. I think we're actually closer to the Philippines than we are to Indonesia," replied Penelope.

I was saddened a moment before I got an idea. "Why don't we stop there then?" I asked.

"What? Perry, now's not the time for frivolity," Penelope said glumly.

"Oh, come on, all I'm asking for are a few hours. Besides... I hear it's a nice romantic getaway." I smiled slyly.

Penelope blushed deeply and giggled. "Perry, the kids are here, we have to behave."

"I was going to behave; I was just thinking that it might be a good break, you know? A little fun in the sun?"

"What sun? There isn't a break in this fog for miles!" said Buford.

Just then, a light appeared at the bow of the boat and I could both smell and see the fog clearing. It wasn't long before the fog cleared and there was nothing but sun. Seeing the crisp, blue water and the bright, yellow sun made the fog and this whole thing with the Enigma seem, for if even just a moment, like a dream. I couldn't contain my joy on seeing the bright colors and smelling the smells of island life. I took a deep breath and ran to the bow of the boat.

"I'll race you to the island!" I called out.

"Perry, wait!" Penelope called. I was about to jump in when she grabbed me from behind and hauled me back.

"What? It looks safe to me," I said.

"You haven't been seeing the water these past few miles, have you?" she asked.

"I saw them when the fog cleared for certain."

Penelope went to the edge of the boat and peered into the water. "Stuff like that doesn't just disappear."

"Pen, don't you think you might be a little on edge? Maybe we need this break to clear our heads."

"Perry, I'm not being paranoid, something is very wrong here. I feel a darkness near us."

"Pen..."

"Perry, think about the kids for a second."

I was suddenly seized with anger. "I am thinking about the kids! I'm thinking about how I'm tired of this ongoing chase after a man we can't catch! I'm tired of seeing people being slaughtered and lands devastated by evil. This is nothing any kids should be seeing and it was nothing I was ever trained to see. Look, Pen, if you want to continue, that's fine by me, but I think we all deserve a break."

Penelope picked me up by the scruff of my neck and my tail and tossed me onto the beach. "Fine, you want a taste of paradise, you can have it. Everyone off the boat, if no one's going to help me, then I am more than capable of doing this on my own."

"Fine! I don't need you anyway. Perhaps now I can get a little peace in my sleep, 'cause I never got any with you screaming and tossing about!"

"Well, it's not exactly easy to forgive the fact that you're always in my way!"

"Well, I guess I won't be in your way anymore!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!" Penelope turned the boat around, leaving the children and I on the beach alone. "Fine," I said stiffly. I turned my back on her and looked at the children. "What?"

Phineas was giving me an angry look of disappointment. "You just turned your back on your wife!"

"So what? She doesn't need me anyway! You heard her yourself, I'm in her way. I won't be any longer." I curled my fists in anger and determination.

"Father, stop!" Max said, tugging at my arm.

"What?!" I asked.

"Look at yourself! This is not like you, father. There is a darkness here. It is a dark magic that divided you and mother apart! Do you not see this?" asked Max.

"Stacy?!" came Candace's voice. I looked up and noticed Candace heading toward her friend who had been lying back in the sand further inland. Stacy got up and the two friends embraced. "How did you get here?"

"I'm on spring break, of course! What are you doing here? Everyone says you've gone missing," said Stacy.

Candace groaned, "Blame the secret agent platypus for that."

Stacy gasped, "Perry's a secret agent... yeah, I knew that."

"What you knew?! For how long?!"

"Oh, since two summers ago. I don't know where you guys have been since then."

"We have so much to catch up on, then!"

"Hey, I'd hate to break up the girly festivities, but we got a boat to catch," I said, walking up to the two girls.

"I didn't know Perry could talk though," said Stacy.

"Translator," I said, pointing to the collar around my neck. "Now, do you know anyone who has a boat?"

"Y- actually, I don't, you guys are on your own for this," said Stacy.

"Wait a minute, I just realized something... all of Asia is under the Time Blanket, so no one on the inside should remember anything about the real lives they led. How were you able to remember us?" asked Phineas.

"I... I'm sorry, Phineas... they have my little sister," said Stacy.

"Who?" asked Phineas.

"That would be me," came an Australian accent from behind us. "Say good night."

Penelope-On the sea

I scoffed. "Who does he think he is? He thinks he can just shout and act all unreasonable. Well, I suppose it's good that I left." I turned up my bill to the now invisible Perry. "There's nothing short of a monster that would make me turn back now." Just as I said that, I saw the dragon up in the sky and I screamed. The dragon swooped down and caught me in its talons and started roaring in speech I could finally recognize. "You... you want to help us?" The silver dragon screeched a reply. "Why would you want to help me after all you've done to me? Why would you even think about helping me after you've already made it clear where your allegiance lies?" The dragon screeched again and I noticed, for the first time, the cuts and gashes on the belly on the beast. "He's tortured you... and kidnapped Perry and the kids?" The dragon screeched again. "Then we have no time to lose, do we? Full speed ahead!" The dragon gave a loud roar and started flying faster. It was then that I felt the first glimmer of hope I had felt in many hours. Now that the tides had turned, there was a much greater chance of winning the war.

Hmm... again, who could the dragon be? Also, I'm not ignoring the request to head to Java, I think that'll be next chapter. Please keep reading and reviewing, thanks :)