Episode 50! It's time to celebrate!
ON WITH THE SHOW!
The Misadventures of Hyperdimension Peashy
Episode 50
by Derald Snyder
*Planeptune Basilicom, Ultradimension*
"Aww, but why nooot~?" Plutia whined.
"Because of my dad's wife- my step-mom," Peach stated. "She's still traumatized from what you did to her, and I'm not having another crisis on my hands! I know you have issues with her, but I don't bear ill will toward her like you do."
"But she married your dad after he ran out on you," Plutia shot back.
"And if she hadn't, I never would have met my brother A-Mac. You know I was good friends with him before I realized before we were related? And he didn't have a clue either, until I told him..." She heaved a sigh. "Look, you and I can go out together the day after tomorrow and do something, OK? But do you understand why I don't want you to show up for my birthday tomorrow?"
"...Okaaaay," Plutia sighed in resignation. "It's my Peashy's birthday tomorrow, too, so I guess I can just have a party for her here."
"See? There you go, it all works out," Peach nodded with a slight smile. "So I'll see you in two days, okay?" She and Plutia embraced briefly.
*Later that day, back in Hyperdimension...*
"Yeah, I didn't wanna be so harsh with her, but after what happened with Laura..." Peach sighed as she walked down the streets of Planeptune City, one other walking with her...
"Hey, it's coolsies," Neptune nodded. "So you said you wanted Big Nep's help to get back home zippity-zip?"
"Yeah, I got a few errands to take care of back in Leanbox," the blonde nodded. "A-Mac said there was gonna be a big package that needed to be delivered to his house tonight, and he didn't think Adrian would be able to handle it alone, so..."
"Right, so you gotta use your big, strong muscles to carry it. Makes sense," the CPU nodded. "Okay, if I know the grown-up me, she's probably here in the arcade..." Sure enough, the elder Neptune was inside, pounding away at an arcade fighting game, with another familiar face...
"How can I be losing?!" Uzume cried in disbelief. "I'm the bee's knees at this game!"
"Oh yeah?" Big Neptune shot back. "Well, if you're the bee's knees, then I'm the bug spray!" The screen suddenly lit up with a gigantic beam attack from her character, Uzume crying out in dismay!
HYPER COMBO FINIIIIIIISSH! K.O.!
"Awww!" The redhead smacked the buttons in frustration. "Screw this... in a real fight, I'd be the one pulling the hyper-awesome combos! With my two fists!"
"Ahem!"
"Oh, hey there, Nepsy, Peashy!" Uzume turned and greeted. "Either of you wanna try dethroning the new champ?"
"I'll give you a handicap," Big Neptune taunted.
"Rain check," the other Neptune deadpanned.
"Same here," Peach concurred. "I was just looking for you so I could get back home, Miss Neptuna..."
"Ugh, don't call me 'miss', I'm not that old... and why can't you get my name right?" Big Nep complained.
"Because it's more fun that way," Peashy said with a smirk. "Seriously though, just please zap me back home real quick, and then you can go back to dominating that fighting game."
"Alright, alright..." Big Neptune sighed as she pulled out her Nep-Note.
"Well, see you later, Peashy!" Uzume said.
"Bye..." Peach waved, before she and Big Nep vanished in a flash of light...
*That night, at Steve DeRommer's house...*
Adrian's Jeep turned off the road, Peach in the shotgun seat, using one arm to steady the large box sitting in the back seat as they rumbled down the driveway... "How come all the lights are out?" she asked as they approached the house.
"Maybe a blown fuse or something," Adrian guessed as they came to a stop, unbuckling their seatbelts and getting out, Peashy gently lifting out the large box, which had 'FRAGILE- HANDLE WITH CARE' clearly printed on its side. As they approached the front door, they saw A-Mac waiting for them... "Hey Arthur! Power go out?"
"Yeah, some kind of problem with the fuse box or whatever," the young man shrugged. "Dad's workin' on it right now... Just carry the box in and set it beside the door for now."
"Sure thing," Peashy nodded, carefully guiding the box through the door as A-Mac held it open, then setting it down to her left. "Geez, it's pitch black in here! Dad, you there?!"
"I'm here," Steve's voice called back.
"You gonna get the power back on soon?" A-Mac asked.
"Just about got it," his father affirmed. "OK, here we go, in one, two, THREE!"
"SURPRISE!"
Peach squealed in shock and threw up her hands as the lights came on, revealing Steve, Laura, iPad, iPhone, Vert, Chika, Uzume, Sergei... even her mother was there, the group standing amidst several balloons, a large banner reading 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' hung overhead! "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PEASHY!"
"Aw, you guys, you shouldn't have!" Peach gasped out as she doubled over in laughter, Adrian putting a hand on her back to steady her... only for him to get grabbed in a headlock a moment later. "You jerk, you were in on this, weren't you?!"
"Gkh... guilty as charged," her boyfriend grunted with a wide grin. "But it's not like you got covered in slime or something..."
"...True," Peach said as she loosened up. "Sheesh, I remember it taking forever to get all that gunk cleaned off my armor..."
"...Do I even want to know?" A-Mac asked.
"I'll tell you later," Adrian shrugged.
"Hey, wait a minute..." Peashy suddenly realized. "I'm not seeing a birthday cake anywhere..."
"Open the box," Steve replied. This the blonde did, and sure enough, there was a gigantic birthday cake inside.
"Oh, for- you made me carry my own cake to the party?!" Everyone burst into laughter at that...
"Don't worry, we took care of the rest of the food," Laura assured her stepdaughter. "Hot dogs, burgers, and brats... but we also got some vegetables and baked beans to balance it out."
"Of course, I made your favorite," Lisa cut Laura off, walking over to a crock-pot on the buffet table, using a hot pad to open the lid... "Fried eggplant!"
"YES!" Peach pumped her fists in excitement. "You're the best, Mom!"
"Blech," iPad stuck out her tongue.
"Blech? Blech?!" Peashy suddenly appeared in front of her half-sister as if she'd teleported. "Have you even tried eating eggplant?"
iPad recoiled in shock. "U-um, no..."
"Well then, don't knock it until you try it!" the blonde insisted, grabbing the teenager by the collar of her shirt and dragging her over to the buffet table. "My mom makes the best fried eggplant there is! One taste and you'll be in Celestia...!"
"Dad, help!" iPad cried as she tried to pry herself loose, to no avail.
"...I'm not getting dragged into this," Steve deferred. "If there's anything I've learned in my long life, it's not to cross Lisa."
"Hmph," the elder blonde snorted, turning away slightly.
"Oy, just remember to save some for the rest of us, hey?" Sergei said.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you and Adrian get some," Peach rolled her eyes as she grabbed two plates for herself and iPad...
A short time later, everyone had grabbed some food and sat down, chatting with each other in small groups. Peach herself was sitting with her mother, iPad and iPhone also sitting with them.
"So what do you think, iPad?" Peach prodded.
"Mmm... eh, it's tolerable, I guess," the spectacled teen mused. "At least it's not spinach..."
"I concur with that," iPhone agreed, having taken a nibble of eggplant herself out of curiosity.
"Spinach isn't that bad either," Peashy stated. "Then again, it used to be all Mom could afford, so I probably just got used to it..."
"At least it's healthy for you," Lisa pointed out.
"...So anyway, Miss Lisa," iPhone changed the subject, "While I understand why you hate Dad, I would hope that hatred doesn't extend to me or my sister..."
"...Well, it's not like any of what happened was your fault," Peach's mother said. "I guess my feelings toward you two would be neutral... you haven't been annoying Peach too much when she visits, I hope."
"Nah," Peach shook her head. "They tend to try and prank A-Mac more... Although a lot of stuff iPhone talks about goes over my head, so iPad has to try and translate for me..."
"I keep trying to tell her, 'Not everyone is a genius bookworm like you'..." iPad sighed.
"I kinda forget that when I get going," iPhone sweat-dropped. "But I promise I'm not TRYING to break Big Sis's brain... though I also admit I sometimes do the same thing to Arthur on purpose. He's kinda funny when he gets that confused look on his face..."
"I heard that!" A-Mac called from across the room. "You didn't fool me last time!"
"You cheated! iPad helped you!" the youngest sister retorted.
"I plead nolo contendere," iPad shrugged. "When you're the middle sibling, you have to learn how to play both sides..."
"No-low contender...?" Peashy muttered in confusion.
"It's a court term," iPhone explained. "It basically means that you're not going to contest the charges against you, but you won't admit guilt either."
"Oh, no contest, now I get it," Peach comprehended. "Why didn't you just say that, iPad?"
"Maybe I DID want to confuse you for once," the teen taunted, "after you made me eat eggplant. So there!" She blew a raspberry.
"Oh really?" Peach muttered, eating the last of her eggplant before standing up. "In that case, I think it's time for some... tickle torture!"
iPad's eyes went wide with terror as she jumped to her feet. "Oh no don't you dare!" she screamed as she took off as fast as her feet could carry her... unfortunately, Peashy was much larger and faster, catching her easily and lifting her by the waist, before laying her across her lap and whipping off her shoes!
"Here we go! Tickle tickle tickle!"
"EEEE-hee-hee-hee-hee! Ah-hahahahaha! Ha-ha-HELP ME-hee-he-he-hee!" iPad screamed as she flailed helplessly, everyone else just laughing at her, save Lisa and Vert, who just smiled and shook their heads...
*A short time later...*
Happy Birthday to you~
Happy Birthday to you~
Happy Birthday, Dear Peashy~
Happy Birthday to you!~
"Alright, make a wish!" Steve declared, holding up his myPhone to record the scene.
Because of the size of the birthday cake, Peach actually had to stand on a small stepladder in order to reach the '3-0' candles on top. She took a deep breath and blew, easily extinguishing both candles, leading to cheers and applause from the others.
"Oy, so what did you wish for, comrade?" Sergei inquired.
"Like I'd tell you," Peach shot back as she stepped down, causing a round of laughter among the partygoers.
"I bet it's something about Adrian~, isn't it?" iPad teased, causing her older sister to blush deeply. "Ah-ha! I knew it!"
"iPad, dear, that's enough," Laura gently chastised.
"No comment," Adrian muttered with his arms crossed, blushing a little himself.
"You're supposed to keep the wish secret anyway," Chika pointed out, "or else it doesn't come true..."
"Thank you, Chika," Peashy said with a roll of her eyes. "So anyway, Dad, where's the ice cream at?"
"Ice cream...?" Steve blinked a few times as realization dawned. "Ice cream?!"
"YOU FORGOT THE ICE CREAM?!" Lisa shouted. "How could you?! You of all people should know that Peach ALWAYS has ice cream with her cake! Shame on you, Steve!"
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Lisa!" Steve cried as he knelt and bowed down before his ex-wife, his head touching the floor. "I was busy with all the other party preparations, I completely forgot! Please forgive me...!"
"Did this happen a lot when they were still married?" Uzume whispered to Peach.
"I remember seeing it happen precisely twice," the blonde shrugged. "Mom, Dad, calm down! It's not that big a deal..."
Just then, the door slammed open, revealing a familiar figure with a long scarf. "Have no fear, NISA, Hero of Justice, is here!" The bluenette strode into the living room, carrying two frosty buckets in her hands. "I got strawberry and chocolate flavors!"
"You just HAD to wait to make a dramatic entrance, didn't you?" A-Mac snarked.
"Hah, thank you, Nicole," Steve heaved a sigh of relief as he rose back up. "You are a lifesaver..."
"Thank Arthur, it was his idea," Nisa said as she set the two buckets on the table next to the cake. "Anyone got an ice cream scoop?"
"I'll go get it, and some bowls," Laura said, walking over to the kitchen.
"Just be thankful your son was thoughtful enough to cover for you," Lisa said pointedly, turning and walking back over to where Vert was sitting.
"Let it go, Mom," Peashy sighed as she opened the strawberry ice cream.
"Just remember not to eat too much, everyone," Vert gently cautioned. "We don't need any prolonged bathroom episodes..."
"Aaaaand I just lost my appetite," A-Mac groaned.
*After the cake and ice cream...*
"Okay, present time!" Steve declared.
"Us first!" iPad and iPhone grabbed a small box, running up to Peach. "Here you go, Big Sis!"
"Thanks," Peach nodded as she took the present. "Just hope it's not something that goes over my head..." She tore off the wrapping, revealing... "A calculator?"
"Sorry, it was the only thing we could think of," iPhone lamented. "That wouldn't 'go over your head' as you said..."
"Well, I guess it could be useful on occasion," the blonde shrugged as she set it aside. "Who's next?"
"Me," A-Mac said, handing another small box to his sister, who promptly opened it.
"A gift card?"
"From the store I work at," he clarified. "You could also call it thanks for saving my hide at the mall the other night..."
"Well, thanks anyway," Peach nodded, giving her brother a brief hug. "Next?"
"Here you are, Peach," Lisa handed her something flat and rectangular. "You could say this one is from both Lady Vert and myself..." Peashy tore off the wrapping paper, revealing a framed picture of Steve, Laura, iPad, iPhone, and A-Mac in a group and smiling for the camera. Lisa stood off to one side, a smirk on her face as she gave her ex-husband 'bunny ears' fingers.
"Really, Mom?" Peach deadpanned.
"It was the only way I could get her to smile," Vert sighed. "Who do you think worked the camera?"
"A small price to pay for a family picture to hang in your apartment," Steve shrugged. "Besides, the kids got a laugh out of it..." iPad and iPhone promptly giggled.
"Compared to what I could have done, he got off easy," Lisa added.
"You really need to learn to put your hatred aside, Mom," Peach shook her head.
"I already have," her mother shot back, "at least as far as coming here for your birthday party... Besides, it's more like 'resentment' these days..."
"Anyway, next present?" Chika cut in, to try and get things back on track.
"Here you are, Peach," Steve handed his daughter a medium-sized box.
"Thanks, Dad," Peach nodded as she ripped off the wrapping paper. "Apples to Apples?"
"It's for four players," her father clarified. "Fun for all ages. You and Arthur and the others should have a lot of fun with that..."
"Aww, why didn't we think of that?" iPad pouted.
"Guess that's why he's the dad," iPhone observed. "But from what I've heard about that game, we'll probably all have fun with it..."
"OK, my turn now!" declared Uzume, handing Peach a smaller box.
"Alright..." the blonde opened the present without any further ado. "Are these... gloves?"
"Fighting gloves, kinda like mine," Uzume held up her hand. "So you don't bruise your knuckles if you get caught in a brawl out of your armor..."
"Yeah, that'll come in handy. Thanks, Uzume," Peashy smiled.
"All right, now it's my turn!" Sergei said, handing Peach a package which was clearly a DVD of some sort.
"You do realize, I don't have a DVD player at home," the blonde muttered as she began to rip off the wrapping paper...
"You can watch it at the Basilicom," Vert offered. "Oh, is that Leanbox Ninja Warrior?"
"Yes! The most recent competition we were in was finally published!" Sergei confirmed. "Now you can study the obstacles for next year!"
"Or relive Adrian winning the whole thing," Peashy pointed out.
"Yes, enrollment in the Army has ticked upward a ways, thanks to Adrian's feat," Vert said.
"I know, I've become something of a celebrity among the recruits," the soldier stated. "At least half of 'em ask for autographs... anyway, here's the last present." He handed his girlfriend a very small box.
"...really, Adrian?" Peach sweat-dropped.
"I had to work a miracle to pull this one off," Adrian half-joked.
"...well, it's the thought that counts," Peashy sighed as she pulled off the wrapping paper... opening the box, she blinked at what she saw inside... "A ring?"
"A diamond ring," Chika confirmed. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think it was an engagement ring..."
"Engagement ring?!" Peach gasped as realization dawned.
"Adrian Harold Johns!" Lisa demanded, "Are you proposing to my daughter?" Peashy locked eyes with her boyfriend, who simply nodded and grinned widely.
It was as if a sonic death ray had gone off, everyone present being forced to cover their ears as Peach emitted a high-pitched squeal that seemed to go on forever, as she ran up and lifted Adrian in a tight embrace, her expression one of pure ecstasy as she whirled around and around, swinging Adrian along with her, his legs narrowly missing several tables and chairs. Eventually she ran out of breath, collapsing onto her back with her fiancee atop her, her mouth still contorted in an open-mouthed smile...
"Oy, Oy! I was not expecting that!" Sergei grunted in disbelief.
"What was that?! I can't hear you!" Uzume complained as she shook her head to try and dissipate the ringing in her ears.
"Hey, Nicole?" A-Mac leaned in close so his girlfriend could understand him.
"Yeah, Arthur?"
"I'm not saying it's gonna happen, but *if* I happen to propose to you someday... please promise me you won't scream like that."
"Don't worry, Arthur, I won't," Nisa shook her head.
Meanwhile, Adrian had finally caught his breath, his skin turning back from blue to a more normal shade. "So..." he gasped out, "does that mean... you accept... my proposal?"
Peach lifted her head up to look Adrian in the eye, still grinning widely. "Best. Birthday. Ever!" With that, she promptly engaged her fiancee in a passionate kiss.
"Cheers for our newly-engaged couple!" Vert proclaimed, everyone present immediately bursting into cheers and applause.
But even as she clapped, Lisa thought to herself, (I know I should be happy for them... but I can't but think about how things fell apart between me and Steve...) She glanced over at her ex-husband briefly. (Then again, neither Peach or Adrian are drug junkies like we were back then, so maybe it'll work out this time... I surely hope it does.)
*Episode 50- End*
And with that, Peach and Adrian are now officially engaged! Hope you had fun reading this one! :D
