"Isabella, are you sure you don't want to go visit the clubhouse?" Gretchen was getting a little nervous. They had stalled Isabella for a while, but the boys might not be ready yet.
"We've already went to visit the lodge, we don't need to hike all the way out into the woods."
Isabella knew they were stalling, but it been hours already and Phineas was probably done by now.
"Fair enough, let's head to your place."
The girls walked back towards Maple Street, chatting about this and that as they went. Ginger had slowed a bit, and she seemed to have a headache of some sort.
"I tell you, that's why I don't drink caffeinated drinks." Milly chided.
"It's also why you can't stay awake at times, no energy."
They all had a good laugh as they arrived as Isabella's house. Holly had slipped away unnoticed to go check that everything was ready. After giving the all clear to Gretchen, the group approached the door.
Perry landed his hovercar on Doofenshmirtz's terrace and made his way inside. It was quiet, which was immediately concerning. Though Doofenshmirtz had long given up evil, he was still a tinkerer and his home usually had all sorts of noises as he and Norm worked on something or other.
But now there was no sign of the scientist or the robot. Glancing around, Perry spotted a table set up in the corner with a tape recorder. Perry hit play and Doof's voice started talking.
"Hello Perry the Platypus. If you're hearing this, it's because I'm not home right now. I have gone the store to pick up some rice pudding. I really should hire a emp to do those sorts of things. Hey, remember that time you came to thwart me when you wore a emp disguise? Oh, those were the days. I think I still have the disguise you wore in my startle space. We should really go look for it. Anyway, I have to go, see you later Perry."
Perry stood for a moment, working over what Doofenshmirtz had said. Something wasn't right; Doofenshmirtz hated rice pudding. And why did he keep leaving the t out of temp? Wishing to shed some light on the matter, Perry headed for the heavy light switch lever on the floor. For some reason the lights didn't come on. Perry was about to assume Doof had just blown the wiring on some new project, when suddenly it made sense. Doofenshmirtz hadn't been saying temp, he had been saying EMP, as in an Electromagnetic Pulse weapon. That explained why the lights weren't working, and why the message was on an analog tape recorder. But why would an EMP go off in Doofenshmirtz's lab.
I think I still have the disguise you wore in my startle space. We should really go look for it.
Hoping that the key to this whole thing might be there, Perry headed for the startle door.
Isabella hadn't taken a full step through the door before the lights blazed on.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISABELLA!"
"Oh, thanks you guys." Isabella said, although she had kind of expected it.
Phineas stepped forward and led Isabella to the backyard.
"Oh Phineas, you really went all out for this didn't you?"
"Nothing less would do. Let's get our seats, Love Händel will do a few numbers before lunch. Then we have a full buffet set up with all your favorites, then some more music."
This is going to be a birthday to remember. Isabella thought to herself.
Perry stepped up to the door, hesitating at the knob. Obviously something bad had happened to Doofenshmirtz, possible having to do with L.O.V.E. M.U.F.F.I.N.'s mysterious reunification. Steeling himself for the worse, Perry opened the door.
The room seemed no different than it was on the one or two other times Perry had been inside. Almond Brittle and Kleptocracy games were stacked as high as the ceiling, a few lawn chairs were set up, everything looked perfectly normal.
Just as Perry was about to shut the door, a sound came from inside. It was a grinding sound, like metal scraping against tile. It didn't take long to find the source: Norm lay slumped against the wall. The robot couldn't seem to move much other than his right leg, but his eye lights were still on.
"Perry the Platypus, I'm so glad you're here." He said in his usual chipper voice.
"Since you can't talk, I'll just explain what happened. Father and I were working on his latest project when all the sudden the lights went off and I couldn't move. My squirrel generator kept my primary systems online, but my circuitry was completely blown. I couldn't really see what happened next, but there was a lot of shouting and sounds of a struggle. Then I got thrown in here. I heard Father saying something, then it got very quiet. I hope he's ok."
Perry felt sorry for Norm. Doofenshmirtz was Perry's friend, but Norm always say him as a father. After Vanessa moved out, Doofenshmirtz started treating Norm better, and even got used to be called father.
Perry patted Norm on the knee, trying to reassure the robot. He then turned and went back to the main lab. There had to be clues here somewhere, and Perry was going to find them.
Isabella couldn't help but grin. This had easily been the best birthday ever, and in a rare moment of calm she watched as the sky grew dim as evening drew near. The buffet was mostly exhausted, so Isabella wasn't sure just what Phineas had planned for the rest of the night.
"So, enjoying the party?"
Isabella almost jumped, Phineas was still good at moving silently.
"Immensely. I'm not sure how you're going to be able to top that grand finale. You even kept the power on."
"We took precautions this year. And as for what's next, that's just what I wanted to tell you. You and I are going to take a totally normal, invention-free, romantic walk around town."
Isabella could not contain her joy. They made their way down the street, nodding hello to Mrs. Ferguson the mail carrier, who was delivering the evening post.
Meanwhile and far away, a man sat in a dark room before a computer screen. He never really cared for light, and there wasn't much anyway since it was still pouring outside. He was working on about ten different projects on the computer screen when his phone rang.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Bravo Hotel." the voice on the other end spoke.
"Mike Tango." the man said, snapping to attention.
"205-4832."
"Copy."
The man hung up, and dialed the number he was given.
"Bravo Hotel." the voice repeated.
"Mike Tango."
"Good. I'll use this phone for about week unless something happens. How's everything on your end?"
"Still good, no word- hold on." a new notification popped up on the screen.
"What is it?" the caller asked.
"The Package. It's arrived."
"Praise be." relief was plain in the hooded man's voice.
"Now it's up to her."
"She'll come through, don't worry. I'm going to go scope out my new place. Call me if anything develops."
"Will do. Have a safe night."
"You know those don't exist anymore." the hooded man laughed mirthlessly.
"Wishful thinking. Good night."
"Good night."
The line went silent. The man sat still for a long while, until he slowly started feeling something he had not felt in a very long time. Hope.
