Disclaimer: I do not own Ed, Edd, N' Eddy.

Chapter 1: Parting Ways

They weren't here. Things were about to begin and they still hadn't shown up. Given that he understood they were very busy individuals, but he was surprised they weren't going to be here for this, the hour he needed them most.

"Are you going to be alright, Eddward?"

The young teen's black eyes focused on his lawyer, or rather, his parent's lawyer. Mr. Johnson was his named. A nice man in his mid-thirties, very competent and successful, but the look on the man's face told Double D things were not going the way he'd like. The fact his own parents hadn't shown up left the impression this entire trial had already been determined. Perhaps they had already been decided out of court and this was merely a formality. Regardless, he knew things weren't going to end well.

The realization caused him to turn to the cause of his problems. The Sampson family, which would be Eddy's family. The shortest Ed sat between his mother and father. His mother was a short woman, likely where Eddy got his height, with short blonde hair, blue eyes, a face that left question as to whether or not she was really Eddy's mother, and wore a modest dress. Opposed to his mother was Eddy's father, a large man wearing a plaid that made Double D think of a brick wall. His facial structure was definitely where he contributed to Eddy's genes, having the same square head as both his son.

But it wasn't Eddy's parents that interested him, but his own friend. The neck brace and cast on his friend's arm made Double D wince. Eddy had been injured numerous times, all of the Cul-de-sac kids had, but never had they led to the pain Eddy was going through. And yet, despite this pain, Double D could see a smile on Eddy's face. Even though he knew quite well what this trial was going to do to Double D, he wanted what was going to be given to him at the end of the proceedings.

That was the trait that really seemed to be shared in the Sampson family. Greed. While Eddy was all for this trial apparently, it was his father who had taken things to court in the first place. He didn't care that this was his neighbor's kid. He didn't care that this was his son's friend. Double D even doubted that he cared about his son's suffering. All he wanted to reap the benefits of this trial.

"It would appear that Mr. and Mrs. Vincent will not be attending the proceedings, so we shall begin" the judged announced, bringing Double D out of his analysis of his friend's family. Double D could tell by the look on the judge's face that he did not want to do this to the boy. He had looked over Double D's records and knew that what had happened could be nothing more than an accident. However, he was but an instrument of the law and had a job to do. "Eddward Vincent, you are being sued for recklessly injuring Edward Sampson, causing his right arm to be broken and damaging his neck. Do you deny this?"

"I cannot lie your honor, it is my fault that Eddy is in the condition he is in right now" Double D acknowledged his guilt. Personally, he believed things had not be 'reckless', but pointing that out now wouldn't do anything but make him look uppity about his situation.

"I see. The Sampson family seeks reimbursement, not only for the medical expenses that they are forced to undergo, but for the psychological damage experienced by the entire family for Mr. Sampson's suffering" the judged announced.

At this time, Mr. Johnson rose from his seat, receiving acknowledgement from the judge. "My client's parents are willing to compensate the the Sampson family for the medical fees, but they are unwilling to pay for anything else"

Double D's heart sunk at the announcement. He knew he was in trouble, but he thought he'd have to deal with his parent's disappointment for causing them so much trouble. The fact they refused to help him out made him realize that things could only go south from here.

"I am sorry to say, but the court will have to rule in favor of the Sampson family. When the Sampson's initially filed their case, we sent a court appointed psychologist to assess Edward's condition. I don't wish to be rude here, but he said that Edward is quite disturbed" the judge declared. The statement didn't seem to insult the Sampson family at all, and Double D knew why. While hating to sound petty, Eddy's mindset hadn't changed at all from this situation. Yes, he was in pain, but he wasn't traumatized. He'd been through much worse. The only thing that psychologist had seen was the already depraved personality of his so called friend.

"My client's parents had been informed of this before the proceedings today and reluctantly decided that they could still not pay for the mental damages" Mr. Johnson reiterated, making it clear that Double D's parents had no intention of giving any more than they believed necessary to Eddy's family.

Angered by the lawyer's announcement, Mr. Sampson rose from his seat and shouted. "This is bullshit! My family has been grieving every second since our son's been injured. We're more than likely going to need some kind of therapist to get us through this!"

"Take a seat and be silent Mr. Sampson! This is still my court and I will not have you disrupt it!" the judge commanded, making it clear the outburst was not appreciated. After Mr. Sampson took at seat, the judge sighed and looked to Double D. "As I said, we must rule in favor the the plaintiff. If the defendant's legal guardians will not reimburse them for psychological damage that has been set upon the Sampson family, then I'm afraid we will have to punish Mr. Vincent here"

"As I said, my client's parents have made it clear they will not pay and are prepared for the consequences of this course of action" Mr. Johnson reluctantly replied. Double D knew this wasn't his choice. He didn't want to tell everyone that Double D would have to be punished for something that was only an accident, simply on the grounds that Eddy's family was filled with green-eyed monsters and his own parents could care less about his situation.

Giving another sigh, the judge wearily looked down at his desk, not even wanting to look at the poor boy as he gave his sentence. "Because Mr. Vincent's parents refuse to reimburse the Sampson's for psychological damage received, I will have to sentence him to no more than three years in Orange River Juvenile Correctional Facility"

"Th-three years?" Double D stuttered, shocked by the sentence he received.

"Your honor, I believe this sentence is unfair for psychological damage" Mr. Johnson protested.

"We must take into consideration the damage taken in not only by Edward Sampson, but by the entire Sampson family. Eddward may still get out early, but he will still have to spend time in the facility and must remain in good behavior during his stay" the judged explained.

While Mr. Johnson continued to argue against this sentence, with Mr. Sampson chipping in to declare how unfair he believed it to be for him to receive no additional compensation for the damage his family allegedly received, it was all background noise to Double D. His future, which he worked so hard for by being a good, smart, caring individual that did what was best for others, had disappeared in the matter of mere minutes because of an accident he had no control over. Yes, he took responsibility for his role, but to be punished so severely. Not only that, but the fact that his parents refused to lend a helping hand in this time of need struck him.

The combination of betrayal by one of his best friends and his own family caused something to break in Double D. That desire to keep hoping for the better just seemed to disappear in an instant. Rising from his seat, Double D interrupted the ongoing argument between his lawyer, his former friend's dad, and the judge. "I will accept the sentence as is"

The surprise of the acceptance caught the adults, who had no idea of the thoughts going on in the young teen's mind. At this point, going to some correctional facility was for the better. He could stay out of the way of his parents, as they apparently desired, and get away from the traitor of a friend. He had nothing left in Peach Creek to make him try to resist this, so it was better if he just quietly accept the sentence given to him and move on.

Some how understanding there was no more fight left in Double D, Mr. Johnson gave a nod surrendered his argument. With the instanteous willingness of the boy, Mr. Sampson knew there was nothing left he could argue against. He wasn't a well educated man, but even he could tell that by Double D accepting the sentence, they'd say the Sampson family was owed nothing more than the sound mind of the boy who injured their son being punished.

With nothing left, the judge finalized the decision and sadly watched Double D leave the courtroom. He had seen many guilty men go free and just as many innocent men get sentenced in his time as a judge. However, this boy, who had admitted his guilt, didn't deserve this. He could only pray that somewhere down the line, Double D could fix that broken spirit. That he could regain the strength he needed to still have the bright future he once held.

A/N: Yo. Just saying, I'm a Criminal Justice major, so anyone thinking about how the proceedings here aren't necessarily realistic, I'm just saying it makes it easier to write the story when you ignore some of the legitimate things in a trial.