Chapter 25: The Fake Doctor's Nightmare

They were sitting in the mess hall chatting while they waited for Doof to pack up what meager belongings he had on board.

"So, what happened, Ferb? I thought you were a part of the elite fleet." Vanessa commented, "You're even still wearing their uniform."

"My position was terminated several months ago. I'm not exactly at much liberty to talk about the incident."

Phineas frowned at that, but didn't press the matter. "Since we're on the run most of the time, we really didn't have a spare uniform to give him."

"I find it interesting how your father commented on virtually the same thing." Ferb said idly.

Vanessa made a rather disgruntled noise after that.

"Speaking of Doof," Nova began, "I hope you realize that your father is an idiot."

Isabella reprimanded her, "Nova," she hissed, "You ought to speak better of him. He did earn a doctorate in something."

The older young woman snorted. "Oh, that old thing? He didn't earn that. He bought it online for fifteen bucks."

"A well-spent fifteen bucks, I might add." Doofenshmirtz commented as he slid into the room.

She sighed. "Ready to go, Dad?"

"Is the ship warmed up, Vannie?"

She groaned, "Yes, Dad. You know I hate it when you call me that."

A rummaging sound had Ferb straining to listen. Putting a hand on her arm, he whispered, "Shhh. I think I hear something."

Standing, he walked toward the panel closest to the elevator. Prying it open, he let out a sigh. "Really, Nightshade? Why did you choose this panel of all places to go into hibernation?"

She turned her head to look at him from where she lay curled up against the soothing warmth of the heated panels. "What, am I in your way, Ferb? I never intended to be a bother." She blinked. "Wait. I'm awake. We haven't landed anywhere yet, have we?" Ferb shook his head, and she frowned. "Then why am I awake? And why is my belly full? Unless…does anyone have any irrational fears aboard?"

The elevator slid open now, and a flustered and out-of-breath Baljeet ran in, Buford behind him. "That…" He said trying to catch his breath, his face bright red and his uniform rumpled, the bully looking rather smugly at him from behind, "…would be me. That would also explain my increased fear in cauliflower recently."

"Don't forget me!" The self-proclaimed evil scientist exclaimed, "I have 'em too!"

"Yeah, that vending machine thing is ridiculous." Vanessa complained with a sigh.

"Uh-uh." He rolled his eyes, "Say that again when you run out of quarters to feed the snack food dictators."

"Well, I suppose that's that then." Nightshade decided happily, "I can't fall back into hibernation again. I suppose I'll just have to hang 'round here for now."

Ferb smiled weakly. "I suppose I won't mind that too much."

Nova narrowed her eyes at him. "Ferb, I thought you said that the only Nightmare talking to you was barely coherent."

Ferb jerked his head rather noncommittally in response. "Yes and no. That was Spike. He is incoherent. That was also before I met Nightshade."

"And you're bothering to converse with this Nightmare because…?" Odyssey asked rather incredulously.

"I understand why you find this uncomfortable," The yellow-eyed Nightmare began as she slid out of the panel, "but I mean you no harm. In fact, I don't mean anyone any harm. Ever, if I can help it."

"It's come to light that not all Nightmares are bad. They actually can be very helpful." Ferb supplied, hoping to win over his friends.

Nova frowned and gave him a pointful glare. "How can you of all people say that, Ferb?"

"Remember when we were younger? Those nightmares we had? Phineas, I distinctly recall you being afraid that there was a monster in the closet." He turned to Isabella. "It was under your bed for you, wasn't it?"

"So?" Isabella crossed her arms and glared at Nightshade. "What's your point, Ferb?"

"Those were Nightmares. As terrifying as they were, they had a purpose. Nightmares teach people morals, right from wrong. Most Nightmares take children as hosts for that reason."

Phineas looked confused. "So…some Nightmares are good?"

Nightshade nodded. "Yeah." She said with a smile, "Most of us aren't like the one that infected Ferb."

"And…what about the ones who are?" Isabella asked worriedly.

"Like humans, there are those who follow the code of moral conduct and there are those who don't." Nightshade explained to them, "The erroneous ones are ethically twisted, and more-often-than-not cause their hosts to go insane."

Nova frowned. "How do you keep the children from going insane, then?"

"Most of the nightmares we give them are mild. Sometimes we just feed of their natural healthy fears."

"I think I like the crazy ones better." Doof commented with a goofy grin, and Ferb smiled slightly when Vanessa rolled her eyes.

Nightshade snorted. "That would make sense, Heinz. Considering you've had one of the craziest and stupidest ones infecting you since before you were born."

Everyone excluding Nightshade looked shocked and stared rather wide-eyed at Doofenshmirtz.

Shrugging, he put his hands up in question, "What?"