The primary inhabitants of Planet HeartStar looked like rabbits and had furry heart patches on their chests. They were also very good at multiplying thus HeartStar's population was great and as of late, it had come under new management. "Welcome to Planet HeartStar! Prime destination for newlyweds!" read an ornate sign greeting all new arrivals. "Under new management of the exhalted LORD HATER!" an even larger sign read just above it.
"Peepers!" Hater shouts while pacing about in a throne room on Planet HeartStar. "I told you, didn't I!?"
"What did you tell me?" Peepers asks.
"That Wander and Dominator would become more powerful than either you or I could ever imagine!" Hater says shoving a gossip magazine into Peepers's face.
"Galaxy's new power couple" Peepers reads. "Okay. What about this?"
"Hello. They're a power couple" Hater repeats. "That means they're powerful."
"No sir, that's not what that means. That just means they were both influential in their own right before marriage" Peepers explains. "Whatever the case, they're out of your way. Why keep worrying about those two?"
"Because they're more powerful now that they've joined powers! If they were to go after me, I'd be in serious trouble! Aren't you paying attention?" Hater questions.
"Yes I'm paying atten-"
"Whatever the case" Hater interrupts, "now that Wander is more powerful, I need to find a new nemesis."
"You do?"
"Yes, I do. All great men in history had a nemesis to keep them motivated. Keep them on edge, ready, and honed for battle: I had Wander, Malfeasant had Star Bella, Rubella e Vil had all those little spotted dogs that annoyed her."
"Those spotted dogs were hardly a threat" Peepers says.
"That's what they want you to think but those spots were deadly!.. Anyways, I need to replace Wander with a worthy foe" Hater says wielding posters seeking a new rival. "Operation 'find Hater a new nemesis' is a go!"
-=episode title=-
THE NEMESIS
-=episode title=-
Flying inside one of their mini-Domships, Wander sat snuggled comfortably on Dominator's lap while both relaxed on their way towards their honeymoon destination.
"I think they should be right next to our bedrooms" Wander suggests while reviewing a map of the Domship. "That way, we can quickly tend to the baby's needs if he or she starts crying."
"No, I think the baby's rooms should be a little further away" Dominator says. "I'd hate for our kid to hear us when we're enjoying bed time a little more than usual..."
"...Oh, good point. We'll need a baby monitor then" Wander concludes writing the item up on a paper list.
"So what's the hurry? Baby shouldn't be due until some months from now" Dominator predicts.
"How many months?"
"It takes eight months for a Nefai mother to carry a baby to full term but that's with two Nefai parents" Dominator explains thinking. "You're not Nefai though so maybe it'll take less time?"
Wander attempts to respond but he was too busy trying not to explode from excitement.
"You look raring to go" Dominator comments. "Looking forward to changing diapers, pushing the stroller around, warming up baby bottles, and burping this kid of ours?"
Wander nods without a hint of hesitation.
"...Now that I picture myself doing it, I guess it could be nice" Dominator says. She then looks around and then at Wander with affection. "Life is funny: I was destroying the galaxy for the longest time, now I'm having your kid."
Wander smiles wisely before saying "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."
"Heh!.. Well said... Did you see us happening back when I was up to no good?"
"Not at all" Wander says.
"Did I shock ya when I kissed ya for the first time?"
"Very much so" Wander says.
"Were you busy making other plans then?"
"Yes. I sort of thought it'd be you and Hater who'd end up together" Wander confesses.
"Me and Hater!?" Dominator asks quickly repulsed. "Eww, Hater's immature and selfish. No thanks."
"I guess he could be a bit of a pill at times."
"Then again, I was a handful back then too" Dominator accepts. "I totally gave you and Sylvia a hard time."
"Nooo, you weren't that bad" Wander tries to dismiss.
"Don't go easy on me. I could still be dangerous" Dominator warns. "I might do this when you least expect it" she says before her arms wrap around Wander and she assaults with kisses.
"Dee~!" Wander lets out amid giggles.
The mini-Domship would eventually approach HeartStar, a planet specially dedicated to serving couples on their honeymoon.
"Huh. I wonder where everyone could be going" Wander says as their ship flew above masses of HeartStar's inhabitants which seemed to be gravitating towards a large stadium.
"Should be obvious: Hater's taken over this planet and now makes the residents pay tribute" Dominator speculates noticing Hater's banners throughout city and countryside and Watchdogs marching about. "You wanna go check it out?"
"On our honeymoon?" Wander asks.
"Yes. It's still our honey moon if we do it together, right?" Dominator reasons.
"You're very right, Dee" Wander agrees.
Both made their way through throngs of HeartStar's residents, armed Watchdogs directing traffic, to have seats at a large stadium. At the center of the stadium was Peepers and Hater who were reviewing a long row of aliens.
"So what's this about?" Dominator asks with arms folded.
"Hater's looking for a new nemesis" Wander learns after reviewing a loose flier. "Ooh, hope the green one wins."
"Green Giant! You are disqualified" Hater directs at a candidate that looked like a giant broccoli with legs.
"I didn't want this job anyways" Green Giant spits back before being escorted away by Watchdogs.
"Big Cheese. You're out of here" Hater tells a large rat with three eyes, five tails, and eight ears.
"Very well" Big Cheese accepts. "Though a bit uncouth, you seem an adept at conquest. I wish you the be-."
"Oh yeah!? Well you're ugly and dumb too!" Hater growls back.
"Sir, he was complimenting you" Peepers clarifies.
"Uncalled for, Mr. Hater" Big Cheese says before being lead away by Watchdogs.
"Menacing Mime, you're out" Hater informs a mime dressed in black and white.
The mime says nothing while pressing his palms to an invisible wall before him.
"And this is my problem with you. You never talk!" Hater condemns. "Wander never knew when to shut up! How could you ever hope to replace him?"
The mime suddenly looks frustrated before finally speaking "I'm here against my will! You had your goons abduct me so that I'd participate in this farce!"
"Is this true?" Hater asks of Commander Peepers.
"Yes sir. Not enough candidates were applying so you ordered Watchdogs to force some to participate" Peepers confirms.
"Good work" Hater praises.
"See ya" the mime says walking away.
"Yeah, you're just bitter you weren't good enough" Hater accuses before turning to the remaining candidates.
"And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen" Peepers announces to the crowds. "Three candidates remain! Who will win? Will it be Bowler Kingpin?" Peepers asks walking up to a giant bowling ball with face, muscular arms, and thick legs.
"I'll roll over all opposition!" Bowler Kingpin shouts at the crowds.
"Will it be Wiseguy Weasel?" Peepers asks standing beside a weasel dressed in coat and fedora like a mafia gangster.
"Who wants to know!?" Wiseguy Weasel asks looking around suspiciously.
"Or will it be Superb Man?" Peepers asks walking up to an alien in cape and skin-tight outfit with an 'Su' on his chest.
"There's no time for copyright infringement when evil is afoot!" Superb Man exclaims. "Hater! I'm here to put a st-!"
"Yeah yeah yeah!" Hater interrupts. "You have to win first if you want to be my nemesis. And any nemesis of mine should be an excellent marksman like Wander was... Wander was a good marksman, right?"
"Uhh, sure. Why not?" Peepers responds shrugging before squads of Watchdogs rush about setting up targets with Wander's face on them on the field.
"All shall flatten before me!" Kingpin exclaims before rolling over the targets.
"Say hello to my noisy friend!" Wiseguy orders before pulling out a machine gun and firing away at the targets.
"Evildoing has no place in this galaxy!" Superb Man boasts before cutting the targets in half with laser vision.
"Hmmm, very good" Hater lauds. "Peepers, what say you?"
"Mr. Kingpin, targets are for hitting with projectiles" Peepers assesses. "That's going to result in points docked."
"Aww, man!" Kingpin dismays.
"Hey! I'd like to try" Wander announces before hopping down onto the field.
"Wander!? What are you doing here!?" Hater demands.
"Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon?" Peepers questions as well.
"We are" Dominator says from behind Peepers.
"Gah!" Peepers lets out spinning around.
"Howdy~" Dominator greets.
"What- do you- two- want?" Hater asks with gritted teeth.
"Just trying to have fun, buddy" Wander says picking up a harmless little pop gun and taking aim at the targets.
"I- am not- your buddy-" Hater gritted further.
"You almost are" Dominator contributes as she aimed bolts of green lightning at the targets.
"Shut up!" Hater shouts.
"Hey eyeballs, set up some more targets" Dominator commands some Watchdogs.
"R-right away ma'am" an intimidated Watchdog obeys.
"And they're MY Watchdogs! I order them around! Not you!" Hater shouts. "Peepers!"
"Yes sir."
"Summon our ship. We're moving operation away from the banes of my existence" Hater says.
The Skull Ship quickly arrives to hover above the stadium to beam Hater, Peepers, all immediate Watchdogs, and the three contestants up into the ship before flying a distance away.
"Hey Wander, you're not too bad at hitting these targets" Dominator compliments moments later.
"If it's in all good, safe fun, I can try my best" Wander says. "Allow me" he says setting up targets.
"I-is Hater finally gone?" a HeartStarian rabbit from the audience whispers Wander's way.
"Hello" Wander greets the whisperer. "Definitely looks like he's away."
"Oh, salvation!" the rabbit lets out.
"We need your help!" another HeartStarian jumps in.
"Our king and queen have been taken hostage" another in the audience alerts.
"You don't say!" Wander gasps as Dominator walks up beside him.
"We have heard of your heroism across the galaxy!" a flamingo-like HeartStarian says. "Will you help us?"
"Of course we will!" Wander says with chest out. "Won't we Dee?"
"Sure. Sounds fun" Dominator says with a shrug.
Fully armored, Dominator soared towards the Skull Ship, Wander riding her back. Inside of the Skull Ship meanwhile, the remaining three contestants were being given a tour.
"And this here is one of my many luxury rooms on my Skull Ship" Hater says standing at the door to one of his rooms. "Please come in" Hater says entering.
Superb Man and Wiseguy had no issue entering but Kingpin proved too large and round to fit through.
"Hey, a little help here guys?" Kingpin asks.
"Tsk tsk. What's the matter? You stuck?" Hater laments.
"Your doorways are too small!" Kingpin lashes out.
"They are aren't they?" Hater acknowledges. "Now what would a good nemesis do in a situation like this?"
"A good nemesis would FORCE their way through!" Kingpin exclaims crashing through the doorway.
"Very good" Hater approves.
"I suppose you want the Watchdogs to fix this?" Peepers asks of the doorway.
"Of course, Peepers. Who else?" Hater confirms. "So anyways, on with the tour. Welcome to one of my rooms. Got the king-sized bed, high-end home theater system, 198 inch widescreen!" Hater boasts as Kingpin, Wiseguy, and Superb all look around mildly impressed. "I also have a jewel-encrusted crystal ball for when the ladies are over."
"Which is never" Peepers adds under his breath.
"What was that!?"
"Nothing, sir" Peepers almost sings.
"I thought so" Hater says pressing a button on a remote only for no crystal ball to descend from the ceiling. "Peepers! Where's the crystal ball!?"
"I'm not sure, sir" Peepers says rubbing his chin. "Wiseguy, might you know?" he asks with narrowing eye.
"I didn't see nothin'" Wiseguy says quickly, his coat concealing something large.
"Aha! Thief!" Peepers condemns yanking out a crystal ball out of Wiseguy's coat.
"I was set up!" Wiseguy claims loudly.
"Wiseguy, if Lord Hater isn't the one stealing, we do NOT tolerate theft. I hereby declare you disquali-" Peepers says before being interrupted yet again.
"Way to go Wiseguy! I'd expect nothing less from my nemesis" Hater lauds patting Wiseguy's back.
"Sir! He tried to rob you!" Peepers points out.
"Yeah, he's my nemesis. That's what he's supposed to do" Hater explains.
Peepers makes to object but stops halfway. "Oh, whatever!" Peepers surrenders as Hater's pet arachnomorph, Captain Tim, wanders into Hater's room and begins to growl at the three strangers in the room.
"Captain Tim!" Hater exclaims happily.
"Gah! An arachnomorph!" Superb Man shouts in alarm.
"Gwroooaaarr!" Captain Tim screeches as it lunges at Superb Man.
"Stand back! I shall deal with this menace!" Super Man declares readying laser blasts from his eyes.
"Oh no you don't!" Hater objects blasting Superb Man with his green energy.
"Hey, what was that for!?" Superb Man asks after getting knocked down and away.
"No one messes with my Tim Tim!" Hater growls advancing and readying more green energy. "You're about to get disqualified!"
"Disqualified? But you're looking for a nemesis!" Superb Man points out. "Shouldn't a nemesis go after your 'Tim Tim' there? That means I'm a good nemesis!"
Hater is stopped in his tracks.
"...That's a good point actually" Hater accepts as Captain Tim hops up into his arms. "Argh! All three of you are good candidates but only one of you can become my nemesis. Peepers, shall we proceed with additional trials?"
"Well we gotta pare 'em down somehow" Peepers says with another shrug.
Meanwhile, on another part of the Skull Ship, Wander was showing Dominator around the place or was attempting to.
"This place is amazing!" Wander celebrates, "but it looks like the place has been remodeled since the last time Syl and I were last here" Wander observes walking down a hall beside Dominator. "If we are to rescue this planet's king and queen, we must find the jail room!"
"I'm sorta hoping we don't find it for a while" Dominator admits. "Kinda fun exploring bonehead's ship. Maybe we're about to stumble into something really embarrassing!" she tempts rubbing her palms.
"Bonehead?"
"Funny little nickname I made up for Hater just now" Dominator says. "Not terribly creative but definitely on point."
Both walk up to a door and open it to reveal a karaoke room.
"Ooh, karaoke! Sylvia would LOVE this room!" Wander remarks. "Shame she isn't here" he says closing the door as both advance to another room which contained many trophies in display cases and walls covered with flattering photos of Hater.
Wander and Dominator began to walk around this new room to get a closer look.
"Had no idea Hatey was so accomplished. Good for him!" Wander compliments.
"This trophy awarded to Lord Hater for most handsomest" Dominator reads on a trophy with eyebrow raised. "Most charitable trophy? Most beloved? Longest time at number 1 of the villain leaderboards?" she reads on. "I don't think that's true... Most beautiful skin trophy!? Okay, now I know these trophies are full of it..."
"Well if it helps make him feel good about himself, I think it's perfectly okay" Wander says looking at pictures of Hater lifting weights and looking at the camera suggestively.
"This Hater's really full of himself" Dominator condemns looking over the same pictures. "I've seen enough. Let's move on" she suggests and both resume their exploring. They enter a room that had flower petals strewn about, a heart-shaped bed with frilly pillows, and a very ornate chandelier.
"Oooh, how romantic" Wander praises before both approach the bed.
"Sort of dusty. Guess Hater never got much use out of this room" Dominator speculates.
"Hope one day, he can find that special someone and settle down" Wander adds pulling out a vacuum out of his hat and making quick work of tidying up.
"This bed does feel nice" Dominator says after having a seat, Wander sitting beside her.
"I think Hatey's mentioned a room like this before: smooching room" Wander recollects. "Yeah, that's what this room is."
"Smooching room, huh?"
"Yep. Smooching room" Wander confirms before Dominator grabs him and closes in.
"Not a lot of smooching going on. Let's fix that" Dominator tempts.
"But we gotta save the king and queen" Wander reminds.
"We'll get to it soon. Let's just take a little break" Dominator says closing the door to the room.
Ten minutes later, a cleaning crew approaches to enter the room intending to dust and maintain the interior.
"W-Wander!? Dominator!?" the head of the crew gasps at the sight of a Wander covered in kisses and Dominator readying to plaster many of the Watchdogs in magma rock.
"Run!" a Watchdog exclaims and the Watchdogs scatter.
Back with Hater, the skull-headed villain was having the candidates practice lines of dialogue.
"Hater, you're my best friend in the whole world" Kingpin reads from a script in hand.
"GGGrrrawwaaaahh!" Hater shouts in disgust. "Not bad. Not bad. Okay Wiseguy, your turn."
"Hater, you and me's a good pair of chums" Wiseguy directs at Hater.
"Gggrrraaaaaahhh!" Hater shouts once more. "Nicely done. Very irksome!"
"Hater, we are the best of friends!" Superb Man declares very upbeat.
"AAaaaaahhh! We are NOT friends!" Hater lashes out. "Wow. Best one yet!" he then assesses. "You three are pretty good!"
"I don't understand" Superb Man then comments. "This Wander guy doesn't seem so bad. He just wants to be your friend. Why not be his friend?"
"Because he's the worst!" Hater condemns.
"Superb Man, we'd be here all day if we listed all of Wander's transgressions" Peepers says before his watch starts to beep. "Oh my! Sir! We have intruders in smooching room 19!"
"What!?" Hater lets out and all rush towards the intrusion site.
Arriving, they all come across a number of Watchdogs, some stuck to magma and others frozen to ice.
"Watchdog, speak to me!" Hater demands approaching one. "Who did this!?"
"It was... Wander and Dominator..." the Watchdog struggles.
"What!? What are they doing here!?" Hater exclaims.
"Do-Dominator!? We're not taking on THE Dominator are we!?" Bowler Kingpin mutters trembling.
"Hey hey, I thoughts we was just taking on Wander!?" Wiseguy Weasel says also sounding scared.
"I-isn't she good now?" Superb Man questions, teeth almost chattering.
"Yes she's good which means she's actually bad now! Do not cower now!" Hater demands.
"N-no, of course not. We're right behind you" Superb Man assures shakily.
Then, at the first chance, all three remaining candidates vanish.
"AaAaaughh!" Hater howls with anger. "Cowards!"
"Finding good help is never easy" Peepers remarks readying his blaster.
"Where are they now?" Hater asks readying his green powers.
"P-prison room" another Watchdog struggles.
Suspecting the liberation of their prisoners, both Hater and Peepers rush towards the prison, Peepers pressing the open button at the same time Hater busts down the door.
"Sir! There's a button!"
Inside, both are quick to spot the jail cells empty and Wander and Dominator helping the last of the freed prisoners escape out a hole in the wall with the use of Orbble bubbles.
"How dare you!? Those are MY prisoners!" Hater shouts.
"Are? More like were" Dominator says smirking boastfully.
With a mighty roar, Hater unleashes strong beams of green, beams Dominator is quick to deflect. Peepers joins in with blasts from his blaster which Wander deflects with a large mirror.
"Later losers!" Dominator mocks deploying her armor, Wander hopping up on her back, and both blast out through the hole.
"Get back here!" Hater shouts giving chase, Peepers behind him with jetpack.
During this chase, Hater unleashes a flurry of green blasts which Dominator deflects with ease.
"AAAAAaaaaahh!" Hater lets out surrendering the chase.
"Too easy!" Dominator celebrates while Wander, picking up on a painful sadness in Hater's wail, moves to stay behind before slowly approaching an upset Hater.
"Hatey?" Wander says hoping to console a Hater who had his hands over his face.
"You were the best nemesis a villain could ever ask for" Hater says with suppressed sobs, "and now I'm losing you. I always dreamed I'd destroy you one day and now it'll never happen!" he cried.
Wander finds himself tearing up.
"D-don't be sad, buddy. I'm sure one day, you'll get me" Wander tries to assure. "And if not me, I'm sure you'll find a worthy foe to chase after and very nearly destroy only to be thwarted at the very last second. There's plenty of good candidates out there."
"D-do you really mean it?"
"Of course I do" Wander assures and Hater sniffles wiping away a tear. "C'mon. Let's remember the good times. The times you nearly destroyed me only to be thwarted at the very last second."
"There were a lot of those weren't there?"
"Sure was pal" Wander agrees.
"I'm not your -sob- buddy or pal or -sob- friend" Hater reminds and Wander laughs.
"Boy do I never get tired of hearing that" Wander says joyously.
A smile breaks through Hater's tearful face while Dominator and Peepers find themselves floating next to each other and side-eyeing each other in disbelief at what they were seeing.
"I give it a week" Peepers predicts.
"How's about one last blast for old times' sake?" Wander asks.
"You mean it?" Hater asks.
"Sure! And I promise to very nearly let it hit me" Wander offers. "Farewell buddy."
"Farewell, not-buddy" Hater sniffs loudly and readies his green powers as Wander warms his running legs up.
"Wanderrr!" Hater bellows rising to unleash a powerful beam of green electricity.
"YEEEEEHHHHAAAAWWWWW!" Wander lets out as he and Dominator fled, Hater's powerful beam seeing them off.
Soon, Wander and Dominator disappeared into the distance and Hater and Peepers were left behind to reflect.
"C'mon sir" Peepers says leading the way back to the Skull Ship. "Let's return to the ship and get back to finding a new nemesis. A better nemesis that'll put back that needed spring in your step."
Once back in, Hater headed straight to the ship telescope to spy on HeartStar which was holding lavish partying to celebrate the rescue of its king and queen and many other prisoners freed from Hater's jails. On the surface of the planet, he could see Wander and Dominator had been made king and queen for a day.
"You know Peepers, I once had a beautiful dream" Hater begins. "In this dream, it was just Wander and me in a field of flowers and peaceful wildlife. The kind of wildlife that walks up to you and eats out of your hand... Anyways, in this dream, I'd always say to Wander 'you know, we've known each other a long time'. 'We have' Wander would reply. I'd then continue by getting down on one knee, pulling out a little box, and popping the question: 'Wander, will you die by my hand?' I'd ask opening up the little box to reveal the name tag to his body bag. He'd gasp at this and say 'nothing would make me happier than dying by your hand, Lord Hater!'"
"How lovely!" Peepers acclaims.
"I'd then put both hands around Wander's neck and squeeze before thrashing him as the Skull Ship reduced the annoying nature around us into wasteland and the frolicking wildlife into skeletons where they stood."
"Where was I in this dream?" Peepers asks.
"In the ship or something, I don't know. Anyways, I don't dream that dream anymore..." Hater laments. "Now that my nemesis has been taken by another, he is nemesis no longer and that dream" he sniffs, "will never come true now..."
A quiet moment passes between the two. Wanting to get Hater away from a depressing sight, Peepers commands the Skull Ship to fly away from HeartStar.
"Aww, well. Sir, let's not dwell in the past. Let's always keep looking forward" Peepers urges. "There's an entire galaxy waiting for you and it's ripe for the taking with Wander out of the way!"
"Maybe you're right" Hater agrees as the ship disappeared into the cosmos.
Little did Peepers know that his words would prove prophetic for under a week later, the Skull Ship would spot Wander and Sylvia inside a bubble walking with a small bag of groceries in tow. "Hiya guys!" Wander greets the Skull Ship.
Inside the Skull Ship's command room, Hater was enjoying a carton of chocolate milk which he'd immediately spit out hitting Peepers in front of him leaving him soaked.
"Wander!?" Hater gasps.
"Funny running into you guys here! Small galaxy, huh!?"
"BLAST THEM!" Hater demands and a chase begins.
"Sir! I thought we were done with Wander!" Peepers exclaims. "What happened to nemesis no longer!?"
"Wander is nemesis no longer. Now he's an EX-nemesis!" Hater growls, "And that's worse!"
"YEEEEEHHHHAAAAWWWWW!"
"Blast him! BLAST HIM!" Hater demands.
Peepers shook his head while concluding "some things never change."
