The Misadventures of Hyperdimension Peashy

Episode 40

by Derald Snyder

The crowds were going wild, cheering for the last man standing on the Mt. Nepdoriyama course, as he got into the harness for the final stage.

"We are in the midst of ninja history!" Kratt Wiseman declared enthusiastically. "First Class Petty Officer Adrian Harold Johns, a first-timer, has successfully conquered each and every obstacle set before him! And now he stands ready at the final obstacle between him and a million-credit prize payout! Will he be able to do what no Leanbox native has done before?"

"He has to climb 75 feet of rope in under 30 seconds!" Admiral explained. "Hopefully his Army training will help him out here!"

"Come on, comrade!" Sergei encouraged. "This should be nothing for you!"

"Gooooo Adrian!" Peach yelled.

"Do it for your girlfriend!" iPad added.

"I'm confident you can succeed!" iPhone said.

"Yeah, you got this!" A-Mac cheered.

Adrian waved to his companions, before taking his position, gripping the rope with both hands.

*beep, beep, beep, BOOP!*

"And there he goes!" cried Kratt as Adrian began climbing quickly. "35 years old and he's performing like he's still in his 20's!"

"He's got a chance to do it!" said Admiral. "Don't run outta steam now!"

Once Adrian got 2/3 of the way up, his pace began to slow, gritting his teeth as he tried to keep climbing. "Uh-oh, is Mr. Super-Soldier running outta gas?!" Admiral worried. The 10-second alarm began to blare as the soldier continued working his way up the rope...

"Five seconds! He's so close!" Kratt cried, the crowds holding their collective breath as Adrian reached the hole at the top...

-and hit the buzzer with 1.5 seconds remaining!

FINISH! TOTAL VICTORY!

"He did it! He did it!" Wiseman literally jumped up and down in joy. "Adrian Harold Johns goes where no Leanboxian has gone before- the very top of Mt. Nepdoriyama! Adrian is our first Leanbox Ninja Warrior!"

The crowd went nuts as Adrian stood tall atop the tower, raising his arms in triumph and relief, as a loudspeaker boomed "SUPREME VICTORY!"

"AADRIAAAAAAANNN!" Peach and co. all cheered.

"VICTORYYYYYY!" The petty officer answered back, before standing straight and saluting the crowds below...

*A short time later...*

"Congratulations!" exclaimed Sharon as Adrian finished his climb back down to the bottom. "How does it feel to have achieved Total Victory?"

"Unbelievable!" the soldier gasped out, still a little winded. "Never thought I'd actually do it, y'know?"

"Well, Lady Vert herself says you're one of the best in the army, and you've definitely proven that tonight!" Sharon declared. "So what are you gonna do with the prize money?"

"Donate it to charity," Adrian replied. "It was never really about the money, anyway... I don't need it, I've already got everything I want right here!" he wrapped his arm around Peach, who was standing nearby. "Isn't that right, Peashy?"

"Oh, Adrian, you wonderful man! I love you soooo much! Mmmmmmmmm-MWAH!" Peach gave her boyfriend a deep kiss on the lips, causing him to lose his balance and fall on his rear from shock, eliciting laughter from the NPC co-host.

"...How come you never kiss me like that, Arthur?" Nisa inquired her boyfriend.

"You never asked," A-Mac shrugged, before abruptly grabbing Nicole off her feet and swamping her with an intense kiss as well!

"Woo-hooooo! Go, Big Brother!" iPad cheered.

"Blech!" iPhone covered her eyes. "I think I'm too young to see this yet..."

"Arthur!" Laura chastised. "Must you do that in front of everyone?!" A-Mac promptly broke off the kiss, grinning and blushing sheepishly...

"I don't miiiind..." Nisa sighed with hearts in her eyes.

"Guess being a good kisser runs in the family, huh A-Mac?" Peach tittered, causing her half-brother's blush to deepen...

*Meanwhile, at Lisa's house...*

"...That's my girl," Lisa nodded with a smile as she watched her daughter and her boyfriend on the television.

"She's quite something, isn't she?" Vert concurred, sitting next to Peach's mother. "But Adrian is something else, indeed..."

"Yes he is," the elder woman nodded. "Peach is lucky to have found such an upright man like him..." She sighed. "Makes me wish Steve had been half as upright as Adrian is..."

"...Is that a hint of remorse I detect?" the goddess gently prodded.

"...Maybe just a smidgen," Lisa allowed. "But we can't change the past- we can only move forward. And I can safely say Peach has a bright future ahead of her..." She turned to Vert. "Honestly, Lady Vert, you didn't have to stay with me tonight... I got over my 'empty nest syndrome' a while back."

"Oh, that's not it," the CPU shook her head, "I just thought we should watch Peashy's performance together, that's all... She certainly did quite well, even if she didn't quite make it to the end..."

"Oh, I'm sure she'll want to try again next year," Lisa chuckled. "Just as long as she doesn't obsess with it, to the exclusion of everything else."

"I highly doubt that," Vert shrugged. "And if she thinks she's going to get me to try again next year, she has another thing coming..."

The two blondes chuckled together at this...

*Episode 40- End*