Things I will Risk For You c.9

"Whoa!" Ferb exclaimed as he leaped out of the way of a spout of fire that had shot out from the wall. He flailed his arms in order to keep his balance before running after his brother. "First arrows, now fire? They've got fire for traps! Aside from the fact that they're all set up as though Egyptians or ancient tribes had built them, where do they get this stuff?"

"From a pawn shop, I couldn't care less," Phineas replied as he leaped passed the next fire spout and peered around the corner for any signs of cameras. "I only care about the one that will erase Perry's memories."

"We need to get there alive in order to stop it, Phin."

"I'm still alive."

"For now."

"Would you stop being so cynical? We're almost there, Ferb."

They darted in zigzags in the corridors, avoiding cameras, traps and even other agents. Once they had arrived on the floor they had to be on, they noticed that security seemed to get thicker. It became trickier to avoid being seen. Twice already they had nearly gotten themselves caught.

Phineas followed his map and Ferb kept an eye out for danger. Sometimes, Ferb had to trust Phineas' judgement on where they should go or step without being killed—a few of the traps that they had encountered were complicating puzzles or needed proper floor tiles pushed or a certain amount of steps to take. Ferb envied Phineas for having smaller feet than he did, because he often found it difficult to step on one tile without touching the other.

"This should be the last set of traps," Phineas announced as they turned a corner. They stared down the empty corridor until the tinkerer frowned in confusion and looked at the 3D map on his watch again. "Hm, that can't be right," he said. "There's supposed to be a trap along this entire hallway. But I don't see anything… Try the infra red glasses Perry packed for us, Ferb; tell me if you see anything."

Ferb did as he was told and put the glasses up over his eyes. Slowly, he scanned the area, but after a moment, he removed the glasses and shook his head.

"Hm," Phineas pondered. "Well, I guess it was a mistake on the map, I suppose." He took a step forward.

Ferb grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. "Uh-uh, I'm going first this time," he said with an amused grin. "I nearly got singed twice already. I'm first."

Phineas stuck out his tongue. "Poor Ferb tired of not being a leader?" he teased.

"No, I just don't want to get the dirty end of the stick."

"Muffin Man has leadership issues, yup."

Ferb narrowed his eyes and smiled shrewdly. "At least I haven't cracked," he replied.

Phineas paused here before shooting his brother a dirty glare. "Not funny," he hissed.

Ferb chuckled softly before taking a step into the hallway. "Let's run," he said. "Then, if there is a trap, we'll be able to escape it in time."

"That's the most elementary solution I have ever heard you utter," Phineas pointed out.

"Well what; you want to frolic across the scene?"

"Frolicking makes this place seem less spooky. Why don't we try that?"

"You're a dork, you know that?"

"I like poetry."

Ferb let out a laugh and slapped his forehead. "You're making this rescue mission completely lame," he teased.

Phineas bared his teeth in a toothy grin. "And random," he replied.

"Derp."

"Herp-a-derp!"

Ferb tried to hold in a laugh. "You're scared, aren't you?" he guessed.

"Why do you think I'm blabbing out nonsense?" Phineas replied. "Though I'm more worried for Perry, not me."

Ferb stared down the corridor again and became once more serious. "Alright; considering we have no idea if there is a trap down here, let's just run for the other end and then maybe take a look at the map again, Capiche?" When Phineas nodded his head, Ferb sprung forward. "Now!"

They ran down the hallway as fast as their legs could go. For the most part, Ferb noticed nothing odd about where they were running; in fact, everything seemed as normal as the corridors without any traps seemed. It felt odd, especially because of what Carl's map said—if there was supposed to be a trap in that hallway, then where was it?

A yelp broke out in the air behind him, causing the green-headed teenager to gasp and skid to a stop. He turned around, just in time to see his stepbrother tumble to the ground as a spout of white smoke burst out of the wall. "Phineas!" Ferb exclaimed as he turned on his heels and ran to his best friend.

The smoke had dissipated by the time he had reached him. Phineas coughed loudly while stirring the air with his arms. Ferb knelt down on one knee and placed his hands on his brother's shoulders. "Phineas, are you alright? Are you hurt? What was that stuff?"

Phineas shook his head about until his nose wrinkled in disgust. "Oh, gosh, that stuff smells horrible," he said in a tone that sounded as though he was about to throw up. "Like, not skunk gross, but… man, is it ever strong. Ugh, great, gotta take another shower when I get home."

"Do you feel any different than before?" Ferb asked hastily as he helped his best friend up. "Like, in a bad way?"

"Does stinky count?" Phineas replied as he smoothed out his hoodie. "What kind of trap was that?"

Just as he spoke, dozens of nozzles popped out of the walls and ceiling, all pointed directly at the teenagers. Phineas and Ferb looked about in shock. "Huh; movie déjà-vu much?" Ferb muttered curiously. "I know I've seen this happen before… slightly predictable—!"

Phineas grabbed his wrist and dashed off again. "Come on, Mister Wise-crack!" he exclaimed, just as the nozzles began shooting clouds of smoke at them. They had already made it more than half of the way through, so it did not take long for them to reach the other end of the corridor and dive around the corner before the last of the smoke shooters blasted white clouds at them. They had narrowly missed them.

The boys panted loudly around the corner, catching their breaths, before Phineas wiped his forehead before bringing up the map and looking at it quickly. "Sweetness; we made it through all of the traps, Ferb," he announced. "The chamber should be right next door. Let's motor—!"

A laser gun suddenly stopped them in their tracks, just as they were about to head off once more. Phineas recoiled in surprise before raising his head and looking up at the same four Base 41 agents they had met earlier that evening.

"Don't worry," the leader of the four said with a devious smile. "You'll motor. Along with us."

"Unfortunately, you're not through with traps," said another. "This one happens to be the last."

"And you just fell right in it."

Phineas and Ferb looked at them as they spoke before exchanging a worried look. "Oh, snap," the red-head muttered.

*****