The Misadventures of Hyperdimension Peashy

Episode 61

by Derald Snyder

*Overlord's Castle Dungeon*

Sweat beaded on MAGES.'s forehead as she worked as fast as she could, knowing a guard could show up at any moment. Fortunately the package she was working on had not stirred, as she could hear little cute snoring noises coming from within. Finally finishing, she went to connect the crude circuit. (Please work...)

There was a crackle of electricity, before the package suddenly vanished in a flash of green light, the Mad Magician sighing in relief. (Well, at least it went somewhere... but it's all in the hands of fate now...)

"Hey, what's going on?" MAGES. quickly turned, trying to appear innocent as a Majin came down the steps, peering through the metal bars. "What was that crackling sound I just heard?!"

"Well, as you can see," MAGES. gestured to the wiring on the floor, "I was attempting to re-route my power source to make it more efficient. Sadly, I have failed once again..."

The demon's eyes narrowed. "You weren't tryin' to make a portal to escape or somethin', were ya?"

"Of course not," the bluenette replied smoothly. "I know what the penalty is for attempting escape..."

"Good," the Majin nodded curtly. "Demon Lord Etna, and by extension, Prince Laharl own you now, human. Don't forget that." With that, he turned and marched back up the stairs...

*Leanbox Basilicom*

"Uuugghhnn..." Rayna groaned as she slowly roused, her head pounding from the hard impact with the asphalt. She became aware that her wings folded and bound tightly- almost painfully- with hard plastic. It then dawned on her that she was tied up in a crucifix position... "Oh for... seriously?!"

"Wakey wakey," A familiar face walked into the room, her blue hair and red scarf unmistakable. "Long time no see, Rayna..."

"Nisa," the fallen angel spat in disgust. "Just the person I didn't want to see..."

"You didn't really think the likes of you would triumph over justice, did you?" the bluenette taunted. "Not to mention, you failed to make sure that Peach was down for the count..."

"So that's who got me from behind," Rayna groaned. "Etna's gonna kill me for this... both literally and figuratively..."

"Sucks having her for your boss, doesn't it?" Nicole chuckled. "Makes me glad Laharl himself took charge of me, at least he never tortured me because he just felt like it..."

"The Prince is too soft sometimes, if you ask me," Rayna muttered in reply. "So what are you gonna do with me now?"

"Interrogate you, of course," Nisa answered. "First things first: Where is MAGES.? Blue hair, witch's hat-"

"I know who you mean," the brunette cut her off. "She's in the castle dungeon as far as I know. And it sounded like Etna was getting frustrated with her failed experiments... And you know how Etna is when she gets angry..."

"...All too well," the Hero of Justice conceded. "So was MAGES. the reason that Etna came to this world in the first place?"

"Bingo. Apparently that hapless witch was trying to summon someone else from the netherworld. Too bad she got more than she bargained for..."

"...it was me," Nisa admitted quietly. "I was the one she was trying to call from the netherworld... because it was her fault I wound up there in the first place..."

"Wait, you? She was trying to..." Rayna started cackling uncontrollably. "Ha ha ha ha... so this whole thing was your fault then! Ahahaha- AGGHH!" She cried out in pain as Nicole slugged her in her still-tender stomach.

"I'm not in a laughing mood right now, Rayna," the bluenette growled. "We patched you up enough so you wouldn't die, but I don't recommend pushing your luck!"

Just then, the door opened, revealing Vert. "Nisa, what is all that- Oh. She's awake."

"She is," Nisa nodded as she backed off a few steps. "Lady Vert, would you mind taking over questioning? Otherwise I fear I'll do something unbecoming of a Hero of Justice..."

"Certainly," the busty goddess agreed. "Why don't you get some warm milk and try to take a nap? I can tell you've been a little sleep-deprived lately..."

"I'll do that. Thanks, Lady Vert," Nicole nodded, before making her exit.

"...sleep-deprived, huh?" Rayna muttered. "Funny, I always remembered her being full of energy all the time..."

"Having to journey through multiple netherworlds in search of a way home is bound to take a bit out of your step," Vert pointed out. "She's certainly a bit more mellow than I remember from before... So then, shall we begin the interrogation?"

The fallen angel just snorted as she tugged at her bonds. "Like I'll tell you anything... besides, if you struggled with me, you have no chance against Master Etna. Believe me, I know from experience..." She shuddered slightly.

"You tried to rebel, and it ended badly for you?" Vert guessed.

"I thought she was just a piece of snarky jailbait," Rayna admitted. "Boy did she prove me wrong... I remember the Prinnies laughing at me as she tortured me until I swore unending loyalty to her... the Prinnies, of all people! Talk about utter humiliation, even if she did blow them up afterwards for slacking off..."

"...I see," the blonde CPU nodded. "Well, let me tell you something, Rayna: I did not use my strongest attack on you, nor was I fighting at full power... And I'm only one of four goddesses in this world. Even if you managed to triumph over me, the others would swiftly avenge my defeat..."

"You think that scares me?" the brunette deadpanned. "Master Etna's might is beyond anything you could conceive. If she ever got serious, she could level your entire nation and then some!"

"Not the first time we've faced an enemy with that level of power," Vert retorted. "And we've always found a way to win..."

*Some time later...*

Adrian sighed as he put a blanket over Nicole's slumbering form on the couch. (She finally fell asleep. Good, she needs it.) His thoughts turned to his fiancee, who was still recovering in the hospital... (Geez... I can never remember Peach getting hurt that badly before... At the worst, she'd have to take it easy at home for a few days...) He looked back at the sleeping Nisa. (I really hope your knowledge of the netherworld is enough to help us overcome Etna and her minions, Nicole...)

At that moment, the soldier heard a sound like a toilet being flushed in a thunderstorm. (The hell...?) Drawing his handgun, he glanced back at Nisa to confirm she was still asleep, before slowly making his way to the next room over... (Don't tell it's a demon trying a more direct attack...)

Guided by his Army experience, Adrian checked all the corners of the room as he entered, before allowing himself to relax slightly. "Clear," he muttered out of habit... then he saw a package on the table that clearly hadn't been there before. "Uh-oh." He approached cautiously, his ears picking the sound of something breathing inside... (Seems a little small to be a demon... maybe it's an attack animal?) Keeping the gun in his right hand pointed at the box, he slowly lifted off the lid...

"TA-DAAAA!" An adorable girl with light brown hair, two strands tied into loops, and wearing white and blue clothing popped out of the box. "I'm home, Big Bro... huh?!" The girl's red eyes shrank to circles as she took in her surroundings. "D-don't tell me I got the address wrong again...!"

"Wh-who are you?!" Adrian said as he backed off a few steps, keeping his firearm at the ready just in case. (She doesn't look like a demon...)

"Huh? Oh! Hello, I'm Sicily! It's nice to meet you," the little girl bowed politely. "Um... is the Overlord's Castle anywhere nearby? I really wanna see my big brother Laharl again!"

It took a supreme effort for Adrian to keep his jaw from dropping. (Laharl? As in Overlord Laharl?! He has a sister?!)

*To be continued...*