When the beep on Perry's wristwatch announced for him to depart for another mission, the platypus eagerly obliged. He wasted not a moment as he bolted for the nearest secret entrance, barely stopping to check if anyone was watching before he dived in.

"Greetings, Agent P," Monogram noted as the agent came bolting into his chair, fur prickling. The platypus wiped his paws down his pelt to settle it best he could so as to appear at least slightly presentable before his leader. Monogram didn't notice as he continued on.

"Anyway, Agent P, Doofenshmirtz is said to be up to some dastardly schemes. We've been keeping surveillance of him-"

I still don't understand why, Perry thought crossly as he held back the fierce desire to cross his arms over his chest in refusal, but common courtesy and manners held him back (as well as protocol). At last, a key word as Monogram droned on caught the attention of the agent.

Nuclear.

The agent started as he looked in fear at his leader. He stared in bafflement as Monogram continued on, oblivious to Perry's confused gaze. "-and we don't know what he plans to do, but you have to find out and stop him as soon as you can Agent P." Monogram paused halfway through talking (most likely for dramatic effect) and spoke out, "Agent, this might be the most important mission in your career. Don't fail us."

Perry continued to stare wide-eyed until he gave a two thumbs up. Monogram smiled confidentially. "How was that? Not too heavy?" At the platypus's shake of a head, the leader of the organization smiled again, "Well, thanks Agent P. I've been working on it for a while." He shook his head, "Now, go get Doofenshmirtz!"

At once, Perry headed right for the fastest mode of transportation, his giant wooden sling-shot. He pulled on the pack, adjusting it to the right settings as he settled onto the huge transportation device (home-made). He nudged himself into the enclosed, open space, pressing the button to activate it.

The machine started into a quick spinning sensation. Perry gripped the handles, gritting his bill together as he prepared. Finally, it came. He felt himself shoot out of the space into the open air. He held onto his hat as he opened his arms, releasing the strong fabric to let him glide forward. The momentum carried him on the breeze towards Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated.

The agent knew it would take about a minute to get him to the building, so he took these rare moments to look down over the fine, humble city of Danville. He made sure to ride the warm thermals of air, rocketing him up as he kept gliding at a steady pace and height. Far below, he could see Phineas and Ferb's newest activity, a huge slide going up dozens of stories. The platypus took great care to avoid it as he kept going to Doof's home.

At long last, it came in closer view. Adjusting his glide wings, the platypus tilted them back to slow just in time for him to hit the glass with a solid thud, allowing him to fall right into the apartment.

The agent rid of his wings, landing expertly in his fighting pose, tail erect for both poise and balance. At once a cage began to descend on him, alas, Perry jumped aside, only to fall in vain within a huge pit at least fifty feet down.

Okay. How did I not notice this? Perry wondered as he rubbed his head, feeling for any bad bumps. Finding none, he looked meekly upwards.

Right on cue, Doof's face appeared. He smiled, cackling evilly, causing a chill to crawl up Perry's spine. "Ah, Perry the Platypus! At last I have caught you!"

Perry growled back at him, not happy in this situation. How could he have fallen for such a scheme?

"I can't believe I caught you, actually. You're so hard to keep in. I figured a huge trap might do something, and I hope it does." Doof seemed embarrassed, flustered even. Perry narrowed his eyes distrustfully at his (hopefully temporary) nemesis. Awkwardly, Doof cleared his throat. "Actually, Perry the Platypus, you see, I have to talk to you."

Dread grew in Perry's chest; his shoulders slumped down a few degrees. No. No talking. Why couldn't they just fight and finish with the day? He hated every waking moment here. Why make that last longer?

Perry's spirits grew brighter when he heard the confidence grow in Doof's voice. "Actually, Perry, I've been thinking about our relationship, and I think there's a mistake."

The agent felt his eyebrows (if he had any) arched onto his forehead. He blinked in stunned shock, waiting for Doof to continue.

He did, "You see, Perry the Platypus, it's not that I don't hate you or anything, it's just that, well, I don't think we're right for each other, as nemesis. . . es." His eyes flashed in an almost hurt way, as if he were ashamed for not being able to get any real hate out of Perry. "And I didn't really buy a Handy-How-to-Build-Your-Own-Nuclear-Bomb-Kit. I-I just did that to distract and reel you in. I knew that would get your attention. Sorry for tricking you."

The scientist cleared his throat. "Anyway. I just wanted to tell you this so you know. I just called Monogram, and it's all arranged. I'm not your nemesis anymore." Doof met eyes with Perry; the evil scientist smiled, an offering of friendship. He held out a long, spindly hand, "So what do you say, Perry the Platypus? Friends?"

An unnameable, instant joy spiked in Perry as he nodded, using his claws to climb out of the strange pit. Doof tossed him a rope to climb with so he could grapple his way up, but Perry ignored him, just jumped out and bolted back to the window. Doof felt his insides wither as the platypus dived right out the window, not even taking the smallest moment to look back, salute, or nod goodbye.

All in all, Doof felt like a pretty rotten person.

~later that day~

Perry arched his back along the warm grassy ground, his boys' keeping him warm and content as they laid beneath the huge tree in the backyard. Phineas scratched Perry's arms with gentle and firm hands, eyes tenderly soft as he scratched behind Perry's ears. The monotreme purred in that strange way, heavy tail thumping like a drum upon the earth. Ferb watched on, silent as ever.

The agent could recall the confusion and near hesitation in Monogram's face when Perry returned. Perry knew his boss got the call from Doofenshmirtz, and he felt fully satisfied when he saw Monogram's expression.

Defeat. Confusion. Wear.

Though Perry felt a bit like a masochistic jerk when he felt proud, he found he could brush those feelings away when he relished in the fact knowing he was no longer Dr. Doofenshmirtz's nemesis.

A good day for me, he decided.

~Doofenshmirtz Evil Inc.~

A knock at the door. Doofenshmirtz looked up from his book in complete shock. Who would be seeing him? Nobody ever wanted to see him.

The scientist rose to his feet, steps thudding on the floor below as he made his way over.

Later while Perry was alone, his watch quickly beeped in alarm. Monogram's face appeared in front of him. An emergency.

"Agent P! You have to hurry to headquarters!"

Doofenshmirtz reached his hand to the doorknob. The door's hinges creaked as the door opened.

"It's Doofenshmirtz!" Monogram sputtered, eyes huge with alarm. Perry could make out small beads of sweat making their way down his leader's face. His own heart began to pick up. What was it? What was wrong with Doofenshmirtz?

"Hello? Who are you?"

"He's in trouble, Agent P. Huge trouble." Monogram looked terrified. "You need to get to him. Now."

"Wait. What are you doing here? Get out! No. No!"

Monogram looked at Agent P, eyes growing darker. "Agent P, Doofenshmirtz is going to be killed."

~!~

hey guys. sorry for going MIA. computer battery died so i had to wait a month or so before i was able to acquire my new laptop, Renaldo, who is nice enough to type this up for me :)

i feel awful for ditching you guys gah. it's been forever since i worked on this. but here is the third chapter. maybe a long fourth chapter will bring this small fanfic for a close. but i've broken my promises before when it comes to fanfiction updating, so bear with me and keep in touch. the next chapter might come up tomorrow, tonight, or even a month from now.

thank you for continuing to follow and read this story. my gratitude and thanks go with you until later! :D then i'll snatch them away for one chapter before returning them :)

3's to you all :D