The Misadventures of Hyperdimension Peashy

Episode 49

by Derald Snyder

*The next morning...*

"I'm very disappointed in you, Arthur," Steve DeRommer stated sternly with his arms crossed. "I thought you would have known better than to try to play hero." Laura was standing to his left, while Peach was standing to A-Mac's right, across from them. "Do you have any idea how incredibly lucky you were that Peach and her friends just happened to be in the right place at the right time?!"

"I know, I know," A-Mac sighed, sitting with his head bowed. "I should've called the police first thing..."

"Yes, and then you should've stayed out of sight until they got there," his father appended. "And Peach, you're not off the hook either. While I appreciate you saving Arthur's life, what if those crooks had been armed?"

"IF and Neptuna were armed too," Peach countered. "Besides, those thugs were cowards- as soon as we confronted 'em, they scattered like roaches."

"Not surprising, if one of your friends was a dead ringer for Planeptune's CPU..." Laura muttered.

"...Anyway, Arthur," Steve turned back to his son. "I hope you understand what I'm getting at here. You could have been killed. Do you get that?!"

"Yeah, I get it," A-Mac agreed. "I'm sorry."

"Good," Steve nodded curtly. "Now, you know I only punish you like this because I love you, son, but... you're grounded for at least a week. That means you come right home after work. No practicing on your obstacle course, and no dates with Nisa."

The young man briefly tensed up and gritted his teeth upon hearing the conditions of his punishment, before sighing and nodding grimly. "Yes, Dad. I understand. But what if Nicole comes to visit?"

"Then she can play games with you in your room," Steve countered. "Now go to your room, and think about what you did." A-Mac said nothing in response, simply getting up and walking up the stairs to his bedroom.

Once he was safely out of earshot, Peach said, "To be fair, back when I was his age, I might've done the same thing. I only know better now thanks to what Adrian taught me..."

"...so did you ever try to play hero?" Steve inquired.

"Nah," Peashy shrugged. "Closest thing to that was when a couple of guys tried to mug or rape me not long after I graduated high school. They both wound up with black eyes. Needless to say, I never saw 'em again after that..."

"...So who is that Neptune look-alike, anyway? And the other two?" Laura inquired curiously.

"Well, that grown-up Neptune's from the same place as... Plutia." Peashy grimaced as her stepmother shuddered in fear. "*Ahem* The one in the blue trench-coat is IF, she's the official 'escort' of the three. Good friend of Neptuna's... The redhead's Uzume Tennouboshi. I dunno all the details, but used to be Planeptune's CPU herself, a while back. She makes a good sparring partner, though."

"Wait a minute, I thought Uranus was the CPU before Neptune," Laura spoke up.

"She was," Steve confirmed. "Maybe Uzume was the one before her... but anybody who'd remember her would have to be an octogenarian at least."

"Octo-what?!" Peach grunted in confusion.

"Over 80 years old."

"Oh. ...Wait, that means Neptuna- our CPU- isn't actually that old. Wonder if that's why she acts immature sometimes..." Peashy mused.

"I think all the CPUs have their moments, honestly," said Laura. "So why were they traveling with you, then? Because you and Uzume are friends?"

"That's part of it," Peach nodded. "Actually, Uzume and the other Neptuna wanted a tour of Leanbox City, and seeing as Lady Vert's busy with Quests and paperwork..." Checking her myPhone, she then said, "Actually, I gotta get going so I can show 'em around. Thanks for not going too hard on A-Mac." She turned to leave...

"By the way, did Lady Vert hear about last night yet?" her father asked.

"Yeah," the blonde nodded. "She was glad me and the others managed to foil the robbery, though she did chide me a little for just rushing in. But given my brother's life was in danger, she understood why I did... Anyway, I gotta go. Bye!" She waved as she jogged out the door.

"...Seems your daughter's got quite the colorful cast of friends," Laura observed.

"Gotta admit, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I'd see Peach again, let alone that she become friends with at least two of the CPUs," Steve admitted. "I have to say, I'm quite proud of my baby girl..."

"Baby girl? So what does that make iPhone?" Laura ribbed.

"Oh, stop," Steve turned to face his wife, lightly embracing her. "You know what I meant... though I'm sure she and iPad are destined for great things as well. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, after all..."

"Which tree, yours or mine?" Laura teased as she drew him in closer.

"...Yes," Steve responded after a moment, silencing his wife's retort with a kiss.

"EW! Get a room, you two!"

"iPAD! "iPHONE!"

The two sisters promptly scurried off, giggling madly...

*Episode 49- End*