Author's note: Back again, and after days (or was it weeks?) of wait here is Chapter two! Spring Break really helped with this. Here is finally an introduction of some of the bad guys; the intros are short, but to the point.

Chapter 2:

Evil's Face

"What's the story about?" Ed asked gleefully.

"It is a story of powerful wizards and sages, battling for the fate of the planet, if not the cosmos, itself!" Rolf said dramatically.

"As in, it's all fiction, correct?" Edd stated.

"Hold your tongue!" Rolf shouted.

"Now, allow Rolf to continue." He spoke. "Long ago, in the lands of Rolf's homeland, many practiced magic. Some lived, and battled, alongside the farmers of the land. Others just lived alone, studying new and strange parts of the art. But many led different lives…"

"What do you mean?" Sarah asked.

"Others used their magic to rule the world. The strongest of them declared himself king, and with his horde of magicians, monsters, and warriors, none could hope to oppose him and win."

"Like I said, it's fiction." Double D said.

"Until, that is, two mages, Alan and Rebecca, and their friend, Ralph, a warrior of great might, challenged his legions. They gathered great forces and battled their way to the Mage King himself. All thought the battle was over, and all hope lost.

"Then, the two magicians used a book, stolen from the king's own castle, and sealed the king in his tower, the very monument to his evil. Should the seal ever break, nothing may be able to stop him."

"What happen to the mages?" Jimmy asked dream-like.

"They married and live happily, traveling the world. And the one called Ralph created my village." He explained.

"But, what happened to the book?" Kevin asked. "I doubt they left something like that lying around."

"They gave the book to Ralph, and my family has protected it ever since." Rolf explained. "Though, its whereabouts, heck if I would know!"

"Your family?" Double D asked. "But that would mean Ralph-"

"Ralph is indeed my ancestor." said Rolf. "Well, my story is over. Who's next?"

Unknown to them, the Kankers continued to watch from the kitchen.

"Rolf is done with his story." Lee observed. "If were going to pull this off we need to get ready!"

They all huddled around a board. Unlike most boards it had four wheels. May stood atop it, while Lee taped a radio to her front. Marie got behind her and draped a large cloak over May, the board, and herself.

"Ok." Lee said, taking a radio from her pocket. "Marie, on my signal, push May out into the living room."

She took out a skull like mask. "Now, for the finishing touch." She placed the mask on May's face. Lee then continued her lookout.

"Oh man." Kevin groaned. "We're out of food!"

Nazz gasped. "How could that happen? There was a whole table of food!"

"I'll give ya three guesses, first two don't count." Kevin said, revealing Ed munching down on the last bag of chips.

"Ed, why now?" Double D said. "I'll run to the store, and buy some more food." He grabbed a jacket rush out side. "Sarah, Jimmy, try to keep everyone entertained. Ed, Eddy, try not to wreck the house."

"Again." Jonny said.

"Wait, I'll come too." Nazz said.

Double D didn't need someone to tell him that he was blushing. Nazz was the most popular girl in the cul-de-sac. Practically every guy wanted to date her. Not many guys at his school had Nazz wanting to walk with them, much less one of the three Eds. And surely this would rain terror from most of the general male population of the school.

"Oh man! The plan won't work if Double D isn't here!" Eddy thought as he looked toward the kitchen. A nod of Lee's head told him that she knew what was going on.

Meanwhile, Kevin looked very disturbed at her suggestion. "What, she wants to walk with him? Gotta think fast…" Kevin thought. Just when they were about to leave he ran after them. "Wait! Hold up a second!"

"What is it, Kevin?" Double D asked.

"I, uh, have a certain flavor of soda I like." He said, pulling out ten dollars. "Thought I'd buy some."

"Yeah, and you don't want him and Eddy to burn down your house, do ya!" Jonny said.

"True." Double D said. "Anyone else?"

"Rolf must tend to his animals." Rolf said. "I am still the Son of a Shepard."

Double D watched as Kevin and Rolf gathered up their coats. The four exited the house and began to walk down the sidewalk.

"Bring back some gravy Double D!" Ed called.

By now the sun had fully set, leaving only the street lights to illuminate the town. The gray clouds that threaten to bring rain had parted revealing the shine of a full moon. The surroundings were relatively silent, save for the occasional crickets, playing their nighttime tunes.

"So Rolf, you're story was very interesting." Double D said, trying not look at an obviously agitated Kevin, who stood between him and Nazz. "I'd like to hear more about that book."

"Such as?" Rolf questioned.

"How can a book seal up a king and stop an apocalyptic event from occurring!" Double D practically shouted. "It's unfeasible!"

"Nana did say that the book belong to the Mage King himself." Rolf said. "Ah, but here is my home! I shall tell you more later at the party, Sock-hat Edd-boy!" He turned and walked into his home. Around the time he moved here, Rolf had the backyard converted into a small farm.

"You know, come to think of it…" Edd pondered. "Rolf only moved here right after I did."

"Probably a coincidence." Kevin said still obviously trying to stop him from socializing with Nazz. They rounded the corner into the lane. Going this way to the store was not only faster, but more like a tradition for the kids.

Rolf closed the door to his home. He looked around the dark room. The lights were off, and the clock read 7:08.

"Good, Rolf hoped he wouldn't disturb Nana." He reached for the light switch…

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A voice called from the darkness.

"Who's is there!" Rolf shouted aimlessly around the room. "Who intrudes on the Son of a Shepard's home!" Rolf just about flipped the light on, but something caught his hand.

Rolf looked down his arm to see a black, wickedly carved knife restraining him. If Rolf did flip that switch, the knife would have sliced his wrist and he would bleed to death.

"They are not pulling any tomfoolery." He thought.

"Master," A second voice said. "Perhaps I should talk to him."

The first voice paused. "Fine. But you'd better get something out of him, or else."

"Yes, my lord." Then, as if made from the shadows it came out of, a man's arm, long and somewhat lanky, grabbed the knife holding Rolf to the wall, and pulled it back into the shadows.

"Sit." The man said. As if on cue, a nearby chair moved itself of its own accord. "Now, we know that you know about the location of Lost Book of the Mage King. Heck, you were telling a story about it a few minutes ago. Now if you tell us it would be worth your while…"

The man now fully pulled himself from the shadows. His top hat was as pitch black as the shadows he came from, as was his bow tie. A crimson vest was worn over a formal white shirt. He also wore fancy black pants.

In one hand he held a cane, topped with a ruby. In the other was a jawbreaker, which he gestured towards Rolf. "What do you say, kid?"

"Come on, Conrad, you can't bribe him with candy!" His master yelled.

"Please, I've watched this area for months; they're practically addicted to the stuff!" Conrad said. He turned back to Rolf. "So, what are you going to do?"

"You sicken Rolf." The foreigner raised his fist, readying to smash the man's face.

"That won't do." Conrad said, a grin appearing on his face. With a whimsy motion of his jeweled cane, the curtains ripped away from the windows and restrained Rolf.

The man pulled out another jawbreaker. "Now let's try this again."

Double D, Nazz, and Kevin walked through another cul-de-sac, much newer and smaller. The almost never present construction crew had apparently been working harder. And just outside it was the grocery store, formerly the candy store.

"Weird, how they got it done this fast." Kevin remarked.

"I heard there was a change in management." Double D said. He pointed to the house closest to there own cul-de-sac. It was already completed, with a "SOLD" sign in the yard. "Did you know that Eddy's brother bought that house?"

"He's moving back?" Kevin asked, with a small tone of fear. He silently got them walking again.

Kevin looked towards Nazz. "What's wrong? I thought you were crazy about the guy."

"I was…" Nazz said, with a slight blush. "But lately…"

Both Double D and Kevin turned away, also with a blush.

"Oh look, here's the store!" Double D said quickly, running into the building.

By now, Conrad held several more jawbreakers, balance on top of one another, or held by floating gloves.

And now, Conrad was frowning. "Come on, kid. Just tell us where the book is. You're spoiling my performance! Did you at least think about the offer?"

"Rolf thinks he should take those jawbreakers, and shove them up Conrad-evil-doer's-" Part of the curtains covered his mouth.

"That shut him up." Conrad said in creepy cheerfulness.

"Well, this apparently isn't working." Conrad's master said.

"That would seem to be the case." He responded.

"You will not pull the information out of the Son of a Shepard!" Rolf yelled, managing to free his mouth and struggling in his restraints.

Conrad opened the door to the house and threw the candy. A faint crash of glass could be heard.

"This is why I don't bring you along on stealthy missions."

"Why don't I just probe his mind?" Conrad chuckled.

His master heard faint footsteps coming up the sidewalk. "Why didn't- Oh, just hurry!"

Conrad pointed his cane, which glowed slightly. Rolf's eyes went blank. This continued for about five minutes, and then Conrad chuckled. "Got it. Not real far from here either."

He turned to the shadows. "Will you turn him into a Shadow, like the others who happened upon us?"

"No." The man said. He stepped out of the shadows. A pearl white cloak flowed behind him. His hood covered his eyes, and his skin appeared quiet pale. Oddly, each step he took sounded like he was wearing boots made of metal.

"With the book, why would there be any need? The whole world will be our Shadows!" He looked at Rolf, who still sat there and blankly stared forward. "I promise when we conquer the world, I'll make one of my honor guards." He said as he patted Rolf's head.

"Come." He ordered as he walked out the door. "Oh, and do remeber to tell Griff to get here. He must be anxious to get out of that limbo and get some excitement!"

"Yes sir!" Conrad said, running after him. "But before I go…" He pointed his cane at Rolf's house, where a cry of panic sounded.

"So you see…" Double D was explaining to Kevin exactly when Eddy's brother would be returning.

"Alright I-Oh. My. God." Kevin said. "What did they do?"

"What do you mean?" Double D said. He looked around the neighborhood. The neighborhood seemed alright. The street lamps were on, doors were closed, Rolf's animals were a bit louder than usual, and one of his windows was broken…

"What did they do!" He said running up to the door. He flung it open in his anger. "What happened to my window!"

He was greeted by a huge mess that used to be his living room. Glass shards littered the floor. The TV had been knocked off its stand, and laid in pieces. A game console was sliced in half. The Kankers under a heap of cloth, and were clearly dazed. Jimmy had several huge bumps on his head, Sarah tending him, and Ed, Eddy, and Jonny's cheeks were the size of bowling balls, sucking on jawbreakers.

"I repeat, WHAT HAPPENED!" Double D yelled.

The children all shook in fear. An eerie silence seemed to cast over them all. Then, Ed cracked.

"IbroughtalongmygameconsolesowecouldplayagameaboutplantanimalhybridsthentheKankerscameoutandscaredusallsoSarah-" He spoke quickly, sending the jawbreakers flying across the room.

"Slower Ed, please." Double D said.

Eddy spoke in Ed's steed. "Ed wanted to play a game, so he set up his console. The Kankers pulled their prank so I would win the bet we made. Sarah threw them against the TV because they hit Jimmy. One of their wheels sliced Ed's game thing in half. But then, and this is the best part, jawbreakers flew right through the window, and nailed Jimmy in head!"

"Did Eddy just use a complete paragraph?" Kevin asked.

"Did he just admit he was cheating?" Nazz asked, bewildered and angered.

Marie looked around the group, and looked clearly concerned. "Where's Rolf?"

"He isn't back?" Double D asked. "That's odd. He should have been back before us."

"I don't know." Jimmy said. "But the door to his house is open."

"What are waiting for? Let's go!" Marie yelled as she ran out the door.

"Hey, wait up sis!" Lee yelled as the last two-thirds of the Kanker sister ran after her.

"Rolf's our friend too!" Jonny said.

The rest of the kids followed suit, leaving only the Eds to star after them.

"Don't any of them think before they act?" Double D said. "We should call the police or our parents or somebody!"

"Oh, cone on, Double D!" Eddy said as Ed carried them both out the door. "The cops would steal all the fun any way."

The entered the door to Rolf's home. Everything seemed okay-

"Rolf, what in Sam Hill happened here!" Double D shouted.

Rolf was tied to a simple wooden chair by curtains that were once wall décor. The chair was somehow sticking to the ceiling as is gravity had reversed itself.

Rolf stared down at the rest of the children. "Well, what are you waiting for, Easter? Rolf has been assualted and wishes to be letdown!"

"With what?" Kevin asked looking around the room.

Double D looked around the room also. He saw something shine in the moonlight. "Just what we need!" He grabbed the black knife and began slicing the curtains, until Rolf fell down and landed with an "Oof!"

Rolf wasted now time in getting up and pulling out a set of keys. "We must hurry! Come! We must stop Conrad-evil-doer and Master-shadow-man from getting it!"

"What's 'it'?" Kevin asked.

"The Lost Book of Mages!" Rolf shouted, inserting one of the keys in a door lock. "Must I hold you're hand!"

Double D placed his hand on Rolf's shoulder. "Rolf, I fear that the fall may have warped your sense of reality-"

"Edd-boy, you just saw me hang with no suspension, yes?" Rolf said.

"Point taken." Double D said, using the curtain to make a make-shift sheath. "So why are you opening that door?"

"Nana and I built an underground area for the book. Rolf apologizes for lying to you about its location, but I need to keep the book safe." Rolf pulled out a withered, old battle hammer. The words "Ut contego nostra ascio" written on its head. "I hoped our family needn't use this, but the time has come."

"To protect our own?" Double D read. "The words are in Latin?"

"I didn't know you knew Latin." Nazz said, astonished.

"Yes. This hammer was used by my ancestor Ralph." Rolf replied. He rushed to the another door. He tossed Kevin a machete, Lee an axe, Eddy caught a lance that was meant for Sarah, Sarah instead caught a pair of brass Knuckles, and Ed ended the chain by getting knocked in the head with a mace, then getting up, unfazed.

Double D looked at the knife he picked up.

"That is the knife that the ones-who-do-evil restrained me with." Rolf said. He tacked a paper to the wall. "I've prepared an explanation to Nana." He motioned to the unarmed kids. "I want you all to return home. If were not back, call the authorities, what little good it might do."

"No way dude." Nazz said. "We're going with you."

Rolf thought in little time. "Fine, fine! But we must hurry!" And with that he lead them out of his house.

Author's notes: Sorry again for the long wait! Hope you guys liked it, because I plan to do more! Check back soon! Being Spring break I might be able to get the next one done fast!

P.S. I used an Latin online translator for the words on Rolf's hammer so the wording may no be exact.