That Shrinking Feeling

As Perry plummeted through the air, his mind raced, trying to come up with a plan to get him out if this. He didn't have time to panic before he landed with a jarring thump, in an outstretched palm.

The landing dazed him, but not too much to realized that teenage girl's hands aren't usually made of metal. He gave a tiny, alarmed chatter as the robot holding him slid him into some dark pouch.

The fabric jostled him about as he tried to escape, and the sounds of battle being joined between Candace and the robot made him frantic. He kicked and squirmed, but soon gave up even trying to stand up straight.

The robot carrying him started moving very rapidly. He gave a sigh of relief as Candace shouted, "Bring him back here, you rust bucket!"

His relief was replaced by apprehension as everything grew quiet, save the mechanical sounds of his captor. Candace was safe for the moment, but she was out there alone..

He tried again to stand up, only to fail, falling into the fabric once more. A lot of good I'm doing here. Sorry, Platyborg. They're on their own again…

The Hallway

Platyborg checked his wrist, and nodded. Their hour was up. He walked over to the door, and touched it with one finger. It swung open like it had never been latched.

With a deep breath, he led the way out of their prison. Of course it's not going to be that easy.

He scowled at the sight before him; a long table, surrounded by more locked doors. As he tried each one, he took note of the lack of decoration. The floor had the same, thick carpet, and the ceiling had a shimmering chandelier, but other than that, it was just four walls, a mahogany table, and a large, flat screen tv.

As if his look had activated it, the screen turned on. There wasn't much to see though. The screen remained black. As he squinted at it, Platyborg though he could make out the faint silhouette of a man's head and shoulders. His voice suddenly commanded, "Sit."

Doofenshmirtz refused to comply. He glanced at the two agents, who pointedly crossed their arms, and stood stalk still.

The black figure gave a tired sigh and moved slightly. Several machine guns deployed from the ceiling, and pointed at Platyborg. He scowled at them, but refused to move.

Beside him, AJ paled, and slid obediently into her chair.

All eyes turned to lock on the platypus, who stood in defiance against the weapons.

AJ's voice broke the silence, soft and pleading. "Perry… Doofenhsmirtz, just sit down."

The voice still sounded tired. "Don't play games with me, Platyborg. You can't hope to win." To prove his point, the guns turned to aim at the girl instead.

The fight washed out of him instantly. He hung his head in defeat, and climbed into a chair beside AJ.

All of a sudden, he was scared. He turned to look at Doofenshmirtz. The man had refused to move for him, and he didn't blame him, but, he wouldn't just stand there and let AJ be shot… would he?

Alt. Doof showed them all that he could give a tired yawn, too. "I get your point. Those two are hostages against each other. But you got nothing on me!"

The guns spun to point at Doofenshmirtz, who mutters, "Oh." and sat down.

"Now I think we'll all agree that that was more complicated than it need have been. Let me clarify the rules for you. If Doofenshmirtz tries anything, he'll be shot. But if either of you try anything, I'll gun down your partner before you have time to regret it. Got it?"

AJ and Platyborg nodded sullenly. I hope he realized that AJ's enough of a hostage. If he tries to bring my family into this….

"Good. Now then, welcome to my staff. As my minions, your duties will start out light. You will be delivering food to newer prisoners, and, depending on your behavior, your tasks will increase as I am convinced of your loyalty."

Platyborg scowled. You think I'm going to work for you? Keep dreaming! A growl started in his throat, but he stopped it as Annie touched his hand under the table.

"Where will we get the food to serve them?"

Platyborg blinked in shock, then glanced at her. What is she up too?

"Clever girl! Acceptance and initiative! You'll go far, I can tell. I've been watching you and your little pet, and I didn't think you'd want to see him blown away. To answer your question, the third door from the hall is unlocking now. It's a kitchen. You will prepare the food, and then cart it out the door next to it. We, as of now, have only one other prisoner, and he's in that room."

Without further instruction, the screen blanked out.

Doofenhmirtz sighed. "Cooks and waiters? That's all he can come up with?"

AJ shrugged. "Could be worse." She shot the man a dark look, then stood, and limped into the kitchen.

Doofenhmirtz caught her meaning as his cybernetic masterpiece gave him a similar look, and followed her into the kitchen.

He rolled his eye, then muttered, "That stupid platypus never protected me like that."

…

AJ tried hard to ignore the pain in her leg as she whipped up a meal in the somewhat over stocked kitchen.

Platyborg helped where he could, but cooking was more her thing.

She grabbed assorted ingredients, and threw them into the pot after testing them. She wasn't going to drug some unsuspecting prisoner if she could help it. Besides, there was no sense passing up a chance like this. She intended on making way more than one prisoner could eat.

She finished, then dished up four bowls of the delicious smelling soup. She put the fourth on the cart, and wheeled it into the next room, like she'd been told.

Her eyes darted around ,scanning for a prisoner, but the room was empty. At least, it was at first appearance. Over in the corner, trying to squeeze through the tiny air vent, was none other than Perry the platypus of the first dimension, shrunken to the size of her thumb.

He wasn't getting very far, in fact, from the way he was squirming, he was stuck fast.

She hurried over the best she could, and gently helped him out.

He blinked up at her in surprise. "What happened to you?"

At the sound of his tiny, answering chatter, Platyborg peeking into the room, then hurried over. He gave a questioning chatter.

Perry shrugged, and chattered back, then hung his head, and chattered what sounded like an apology.

Before AJ had time to wonder what they were saying, a voice from the hallway reminded them, "You're only to feed the prisoner, not visit with him."

AJ sighed, and set him down by the bowl she'd brought in. "Sorry, Perry. We don't have a choice right now."

He gave her a salute, and watched as they left.

Platyborg lingered, but followed her when she touched his shoulder.

The door closed behind them with a bang.

….

To be continued:

A/N: Well, it's up. Sorry about the wait! This one's kind of short, but it seems like it took me forever to write. Thanks for being so patient!

This chapter is dedicated to NattyMc, who's been one of my most dedicated reviewers, and an awesome friend. I hope I posted in time for you to read this! Good luck on your tests tomorrow!

And thanks for reading everyone!