#ferbstuck

Hal hadn't stopped typing on his Evv, either. If the alternate AI version of himself was as good at computers as Hal, and as evil as Hal's grandfather, then it seemed dangerous to keep him around, but Hal probably knew what he was doing.

Alicia still wasn't allowed to drink her serum, which she complained about every thirty seconds or so while she looked over everyone's shoulders, and Alton still hadn't started reading his letter. Xavier had asked Fred about it, and Fred had said something about Alton still being nervous, before running his finger down the page and mumbling to himself.

"Okay!" said uncle Phineas eventually. "Now we just have to bring back our old universe. Ferb made a slideshow about-- Oh. Never mind."

Uncle Ferb had indicated that he wanted to speak. "All you have to do is join hands, call up your aspect, and think of home."

Uncle Phineas frowned. "Really? That's kinda cheesy, don't you think?"

Uncle Ferb shrugged. "It's the most efficient way to do it."

Xavier gingerly took Fred's hand, and Alicia grabbed his other hand.

"I feel stupid," said Alton.

"Just concentrate on home and Heart like uncle Ferb said!" said Alicia.

Xavier thought about Mind and thoughts and decisions, then about his house. "Alton's right. This is stupid." Was it even going to work? He didn't feel any different.

"Xavier!" snapped Alicia, in the loudest, most Breath-amplified voice Xavier had ever heard.

"Alicia!" said uncle Phineas, clutching his ears. "Inside voice!"

Alicia hung her head. "Sorry, dad. But Alton and Xavier aren't doing it right!"

"Don't rush them, Alicia," said uncle Phineas sternly.

"Look, I think it's working!" said Xavier's mom. She pointed at Fred.

Xavier looked around, and jumped. Fred was glowing with a dark blue light that matched his outfit. His hands were glowing too, and the glow was spilling over onto Xavier and Alton's hands. It didn't feel like anything, but it was there.

If Fred could do it, so could Xavier. He concentrated again, more seriously this time. He thought about the confidence he'd gained since going god tier. Was that what Mind was about?

A concentrated flash of thought passed through him, and he opened his eyes, startled. There was a green glow around him too, though it was fading. There were coloured glows around all of them.

So it was working. He concentrated, and there was another flash. He grit his teeth and kept his thoughts on his aspect.

The amount of thoughts increased exponentially, until he could barely stand. He had to keep it up, or everyone would be mindless. Or something. He was always afraid of messing things up, and the collective IQ of the universe was the most important thing he could possibly ruin.

The flood subsided, and Xavier realised someone was yelling his name. "Huh?" It was his mom. She sounded scared.

"Are you okay, Xavier?" said uncle Phineas, looking at him with concern.

"You were groaning!" said Alicia.

"Yeah. I'm good," said Xavier, looking around at the others. Alton had collapsed against his dad, but Alicia, Hal and Fred seemed fine, if a bit tired. "What's wrong with Alton?"

"It takes a greater toll on a passive class's mind," said uncle Ferb. "He'll be fine when he wakes up."

Xavier didn't really know what that meant. He was just glad that they were all okay, and that Earth was finally back. If they'd done it right. They probably had.

.

Somehow the kids had even brought their homes back to where they were supposed to be. Candace had thought they needed them to complete the game, but now Phineas said they didn't. She wished they'd make up their minds.

Candace had to carry Fred inside when they got home. He'd always been a heavy sleeper.

"Hey, Candace!" called Phineas from the ship, which was parked on the front lawn. "Ferb and I wanted to give you this." Ferb unrolled a set of clothes. "It's a god tier outfit!"

"Uh..." Candace wasn't sure what to say. "Thanks..." She took them.

"We made new outfits for ourselves and Dr D, and we didn't wanna leave you out," added Phineas. "You're the one who saved us, just be being you! And... fully human."

Candace inspected the clothes. They included a hood and cap, were purple with some sort of stylised... face on them? They were really well-made for a set of clothes made during a half-hour trip on a spaceship without even a sewing machine.

She liked them, she decided. "Thanks, guys."

They hugged, and the ship took off again.

Candace had only just got the chance to try the clothes on when the door slammed open.

Sounded like Amanda was back.

"I can't believe you're watching TV, Xavier!" said Amanda from downstairs. "What did you get done today?"

"Saved the world," said Xavier, in a bored voice.

"Yeah, whatever you say," said Amanda. "And where's Fred?"

"Asleep," said Xavier. It sounded like he was concentrating on the sitcom he was watching. It was something about a wacky family going to a different wacky and exotic location every week. Candace didn't know how it stayed on the air.

Amanda raised her voice. "Mom, are you hearing this?"

Candace came down the stairs. "Amanda, I know what they're doing. How was the rehearsal?" She wanted to ask about that man who'd harassed her, but not while she was so upset about the boys.

Amanda glared. "You're just enabling them, you know... Hey, where did you get those new pajamas?"

"Became gods," said Xavier. "I'm the Rogue of Mind."