Chapter 37: Split-siblings and Split Problems

Ferb began rebuilding the Freedom early the very next morning. Phineas had invited him to come along to the amusement park, but the British-born young man declined the invitation, deciding instead to begin repairing the ship.

Candace had agreed. "If Ferb doesn't start working on it soon, we'll never get back in the sky. And if I'm correct, there's a quest that needs to be completed and a platypus that needs to be saved."

So then it was decided. Ferb would stay back with the ship (Nightshade helpfully offered to assist in any way she could) while everyone else would head off to the amusement park to take a day off.

The green-haired young man found it difficult, however, to slip back into the routine he had once found both easy and comforting.

After only a few hours, he felt exhausted. Setting aside his tools, he let himself drift for a moment. His last thought before collapsing into sleep was, "I wonder why thisees was so much easier when Genderra was around."

"You called?" a voice replied, sing-song in tone. Genderra.

Ferb's body stiffened visibly. "No. No I most certainly did not."

"Ah. Well you did say my name. I was beginning to think you wouldn't miss me." The Nightmare almost seemed as if it were…pouting?

"How's it going, Ferb?" Nightshade came to join them. She looked at Genderra. "What're you doing here?"

Genderra frowned. "Nightshade. I see, so that's how it is."

"Genderra." Her eyes narrowed. "Good to put a face to the name. It's a shame it's a face I've seen before."

"Excuse me?" Ferb asked, utterly confused. "Is there something I'm missing here?"

Both Genderra's and Nightshade's gazes met his own. Genderra glanced at his fellow Nightmare. "Want to explain, or should I?" In that moment, he looked saner than Ferb could ever recall seeing him.

"I will." Nightshade decided. "He'll take it better, coming from me."

"I'm still waiting." The British-born man bit out irritably.

Nightshade took an audible deep breath and began, "Genderra and I split from the same Nightmare." Ferb looked puzzled, so she continued. "Because Nightmares can't die, we can't be born, either. Instead, when a Nightmare's genetic code becomes so worn after repeated dissipations, the Nightmare splits into multiple, individual entities. Thus, new Nightmares are created." She explained with a small smile. "That's how he and I know one another. We saw each other's faces after the split." She grimaced. "Trust me, if there were any way to disassociate myself from him completely, I would."

"Hey!" Genderra exclaimed indignantly. "Odium's far worse than I am! Even you have to admit that!" He pulled out his Lead Sprinkler and Pear of Anguish. This time, however, Ferb only heard one side of the conversation—Genderra's. It seemed as if the other half was completely in the Nightmare's head. As if he actually thought they were real.

Nightshade sighed, trying not to roll her eyes at the insanity of her split-sibling. "As much as I hate to admit it, Genderra is right. Odium is worse."

Ferb frowned deeply. "Are you telling me this as an attempt to comfort me or as an attempt to warn me?"

"A little bit of both, I suppose." She replied a little stiffly. "Because the chances of him showing up are extremely high now. And he's worse. Much, much worse…"

... … … … … … … … … … …

That was when Ferb woke up. "Oh thank goodness." He murmured a little groggily. "It was only a nightmare."

"Yep! Two of them!" Genderra called.

Nightshade, who had spoken simultaneously, sighed. "I'm afraid not."