"Some of you watching right now who already know that … have pointy ears. Or horns, or wings, or three eyes, maybe. Some of you know that when you water your garden, if you sing a little song to the daisies, they'll grow up faster and prettier than any other flowers in the neighborhood. Some of you know how to talk to fairies, or how to read the stars. Some of you want to know – want to know how to ride a broomstick, or how to heal a broken arm with a wave of your hand. Some of you aren't scared of magic, because magic … is what you are. Right?"
A sniffle was heard, somewhere in the audience.
"So I'm just going to level with all you kids – because you're smart, and you deserve to know." Doofenschmirtz breathed in, as though gathering energy to force the words out. "I know what that feels like, feeling different from everything around you. Like you aren't where you're supposed to be, and – and where you are supposed to be doesn't even exist, outside of you. Like no matter what you do, like no matter where you go, even if you have food and family and friends, you're always going to be just a little bit apart from everybody else. It's just you, against this entire world, and you feel like you have to face it all alone, right?
"...well, you aren't alone."
Slowly, the clapping started.
"For you see, that is why we've made this school," Doofenschmirtz continued, "And why I hope, if you have magic in your heart, you'll come to call on the Fantasia School of Magecraft and Mysticism." His voice was quiet, yet, louder somehow, than the cheering, some strange paradox. "I promise you that if you do, we will give you a way to move forwards! We will give you a place to sleep at night! We will give you food, for both your belly and your mind! We will …"
The applause was too loud for him to be heard, for a while.
Doofenschmirtz smiled, through his tears, and once the applause began to die down, he said: "We will do our very best to make this school – to make all of Doofania – a place that you can call …"
It was there, and gone, so quickly, and yet – one could almost swear -a sob.
"...that you can call home."
Threefold, the applause returned, as Dr. Doofenschmirtz waved, and walked offstage, making way for the next speaker.
"Phenomenal," Xanatos murmured.
"Woah," Shego concurred, as Doofenschmirtz walked towards them.
. . . . . . . . . .
And then, looking him straight in the eye, with a voice absent any of his usual smug, high-class, highfalutin, faux-humble tones, Xanatos said to Doofenschmirtz,
"Thank you, Heinz."
"...I'm not quite sure what for," Doofenschmirtz murmured, before smiling. "But you're welcome! Always glad to help out! Now, if you'll excuse me?"
"Of course," Xanatos said, letting Doofenschmirtz go.
"Can't give up on family," Shego said, without particular inflection.
