Author's Notes: Unlike my other fanfic I'm going to make it be less about action, it's not about the fact that the Eds know kungfu and go to fight people but more about people's perception of the Eds who have changed over the years and how they handle situation using what they have learned from their time in China.
Chapter 2: What's New?
Edd's eyes opened, he had almost forgotten that he wasn't in the temple for a moment but quickly gathered his thoughts. A quick scan through his window revealed that it was so early the sun hadn't even rose yet, he turned to look at his clock, it was 5:30 on the mark but it quickly changed to 5:31. He removed the covers and neatly spread his bed, not bothering to take a shower he opened his suitcase and took out his wudang garb. It took him minutes to put it on and sneak outside where he prepared to do his morning Qigong exercise.
He thought of a lot of things out in his backyard, mainly how even after 5 years the neighborhood didn't seem different from how he remembered. The houses were painted the same, nothing new except for a few extra cars at the driveways probably belonging to some of the other kids. A smile crept on his face 'I wonder if I should apply for a learner's permit this year.' He thought as his hands began to glide about like wading water, soon his mind was completely focused on his exercise.
Eddy had also awoken early; the years at Tian Shan have caused him to wake up earlier as if routine. He opened his suitcase to find some clothing he had bought in China, just in case his parents botched his wardrobe. In the end he didn't need them because the clothes his mother bought suited his taste, but still they didn't think of everything. He took out a red hoodie and black sweat pants they still had their price tags on, he ripped them off and changed into them along with his slippers. He slid the glass pane aside and was met with the cold morning air; he closed his eyes and stretched to take it all in before doing some stretches to limber up. He pulled up the hoodie to reveal a black dragon on its back, Eddy then ran out jumping over his fence to do his jogging.
Ed was also awake but instead of morning exercise he decided to meditate. His master had discovered a cure for his ADHD which was deep meditation (instead of medication) to focus his mind. It took him three whole years of arduous training just to stay in a proper meditative position and up on till recently to calm his mind so he could focus properly. In Tian Shan Ed was able to focus his mind with this technique so that he could block out all distractions, his mind became clear reminiscing about his past and he started realizing things around him that he would have previously ignored. He realized how Sarah would abuse him for no reason when they were younger, even going so far as to 'throw him out' of the house because he was 'stupid,' he frowned at the unpleasant memory. He also took a look at himself and as if he had and as if he had an epiphany discarded his strange look by shaving his unibrow, taking regular baths and even going so far as to pay attention when his master thought them. He was still the lovable oaf his friends all love mind you and it's not like he was as smart as Double D but now he could at least hold a conversation without saying something stupid or shout some random outburst.
The minutes turned to hours as the sun peak through the horizon just then an alarm rings in a room. Jake stops it, he and Marian got out of bed still sleepy but get out of bed to do their morning routine, shower, brush teeth, eat breakfast then head out all within forty five minutes. They both exit the room to the bathroom but were stopped in their tracks surprise plastered over their face. Edd's face reflected theirs.
"Eddward what are you doing up so early..in that?" She gestured to his garb.
"Well mother I was doing my daily early morning exercise." Edd answered but his mother walked over to him to examine him.
"Why do you have to do it so early son?" Jake asked folding his arms and leaning against the wall. He was watching Marian but from his stand point Edd didn't have any of the symptoms which suggest a lack of sleep.
"In Tian Shan I was trained so that my body could function with 5 hours of sleep. I woke up exactly at 5:30, so I decided it would be the optimal time to do my exercise." Edd answered sheepishly since he was unsure how his parents would handle it.
Marian looked at Edd then embraced him in a hug "Its fine that you want to continue your new routine here but what if you catch a cold?"
The tension rose from him a little "don't worry mother the heat generated from my exercise keeps me warm."
"Well son" Jake leaned off the walls and dragged Marian off him. "We have to get ready for work but be careful outside okay. We just got you back the last thing we want is to lose you again to pneumonia." He said before heading to the bathroom, the little chat delayed their schedule by a few minutes.
"Yes father." Edd said somewhat dejectedly as he went inside his room.
A perfect corkscrew jump over his fence and Eddy was in his backyard again. He wiped the sweat off his brow has he entered his room. He entered the bathroom to shower then it dawned on him there was no shampoo. He grumbled something before going to his luggage and pull out a bottle in fact it was a set complete with conditioner and soap.
In Eds meditative state his senses were heightened to the point where he could hear his sister upstairs, she was making her way down stairs not that he needed heightened senses the was she was stomping down the stairs. Apparently the novelty of having her brother alive and well wore off when she no longer had her play room anymore. Ed winced a bit but his eyes were closed, he took a deep breath and prepared for what he knew was coming next. The door slammed open loudly, shaking the entire room
"ED WAKE UP MOM.." she trailed off when she saw Ed in his meditative position. He had his legs crossed and his fingers were together at the pit of his stomach. She shook of the initial shock and approached him thinking he was asleep, she attempted to shout again but he cut her off
"Hello baby sister." The next thing Ed saw was her fist, since he just finished meditating his awareness was in an heightened state and so to Ed, her fist came at him in slow motion. He groaned inward before allowing himself to be hit by his sister, her unnatural strength made him fall over the couch. She walked around and he looked up at her
"Don't ever call me that again." She angrily stated while pointing at him. "Me and Jimmy worked hard to be at the top of the social ladder at Peachcreek Junior High when you died, I even became captain of the cheerleading team. If you call me your baby sister especially in public I'll make you wish you died 5 years ago." That comment didn't sit well with Ed and at that moment he accepted the truth of what Eddy has always told him, that his sister was indeed a brat.
Ed had finally understood why Edd and Eddy thought he was insane to put up with Sarah for so long without so much as an argument. She had a smirk on her face, to her he was still that submissive idiot big brother 5 years ago. Right then and there he could have asserted his authority as her big brother but she would just use it as an excuse to make up some grandiose lie about him threatening her to their parents. They always took her side no matter what she says, well their mother Jill does, Jack their father didn't really do anything when a problem occurs preferring to stay out of it. Ed swears that he could be running some illegal operation in his room but all he would do is flip the channel on the T.V at that news.
Their mother spoils Sarah, after all she is her little princess leaving Ed to be the black sheep of the family. He sighed then stood up "okay Sarah." She smiled triumphantly before walking away;"Sarah" Ed called her to which she stopped and turned to him with an irritated look. Ed rubbed his cheeks "don't hit me like that again okay?" His voice was not threatening yet serious.
She scoffed before heading out the door "Or else what?" with that the door slammed shut shaking the room again. Ed gave a frown; obviously this is going to take some time. He took the moment to observe the room; it was unrecognizable even though it used to be his. It was re painted and clean, the only thing currently in it was the couch, his suitcase and some clothes his mother gave him. He shrugged and pulled out one of the clothes then went to take a shower. Ah yes a shower, it had been a long time since he did not want to bathe, he sometimes wondered why he never wanted to in the first place.
After breakfast, the Eds meet up in front of Ed's house; the thing on everyone's agenda today was getting stuff for school so they proceeded to walk to the general store. It was surprising that none of the cul-de-sac kids were out; as a matter of fact they didn't think anyone except their family knew they were back. That was actually a good thing after all they didn't really leave the town on the best of terms anyway.
If anything they hoped to lay low for the time being. Eddy wore a red shirt with a black dragon on its back (apparently it was a set with his hoodie) blue faded jeans with his chain wallet and white sneakers. Double D wore a white dress shirt, black pants and white sneakers, as a nostalgic notion he also wore his black beanie although it is now significantly smaller only covering the part of his head leaving the front partially exposed. Ed had on a red shirt inside a green jacket with purple pants and black sneakers. It would seem that Ed's parent's had a severe case of nostalgia or just couldn't see him in anything else not that Ed mind, the green jacket was like his trademark and he liked wearing it.
"Man I thought this place would change a lot more than this." Eddy scoffed with his hands in his pocket.
"I agree Eddy, with the exception of a few new buildings, there doesn't seem to be any significant changes."
The Eds were walking pass a starbucks when they all stopped and without looking back shuffled back to the front of it. They stared at it in disbelief before Ed broke the silence
"Oh no." His voice was trembling
"Double D does this mean what I think it means?" Eddy spoke in a low tone.
Edd gulped before answering "I'm afraid it does Eddy." He spoke in an equally low tone. Eddy's face dropped to the ground.
"Say it ain't so Double D!" Ed shouted in his over dramatic tone before sobbing on his shoulder.
"There, there Ed." Double patted the sobbing Ed on his head.
Eddy dropped to his knees and in his dramatic voice yelled "Noo. YOU MANIACS, YOU BLEW IT UP, YOU BLEW IT ALL TO HELL!"
"HOLY CRAP!" A nearby voice shouted making the Eds look behind them to see an African American youth pointing at them with the same face of disbelief they had earlier. He quickly ran across the street to meet them. Upon closer inspection, he was wearing a yellow polo shirt with dark blue jeans and sandals, he had neatly trimmed black hair. When he got closer Edd took a moment before uttering
"Johnny!?"
"Johnny?" Eddy said getting off the ground
"Man, aren't you guys a sight for soar eyes. We all thought you were dead." The youth casually said with a smile.
"Johnny!" Ed shouted before holding the youth in a bear hug.
Johnny laughed at this "Yep, same old Ed. Long time no see man."
Ed then put him down after noticing something. He looked him over as if searching for something. "Hey Johnny where's plank?"
Then it hit Double D and Eddy that he wasn't holding plank his childhood block of wood and friend.
"Oh that, I got rid of him years ago." He said fanning his wrist to express his point.
The Eds looked at each other then Johnny. He has changed almost as much as them, they remembered him being very attached to plank to the point of not even surviving 24 hours apart from it when he and Eddy made that bet.
"Well it's certainly a pleasure seeing you again Johnny." Edd extended his arm for a shake which was happily met with his arm.
"No problem Double D, say where have you guys been all this time?" Edd was hesitant to answer him luckily Eddy bailed him out
"That doesn't matter." Eddy interrupted, putting an arm around Johnny and bringing him in front of the starbucks to face it. "Now Johnny boy I need you to help me with a little problem." He used his smooth voice and sly smile. "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE CANDY STORE?" he practically screamed in his ears while pointing to the Starbucks.
Johnny took a moment, twisting his finger in his ear. "Geez Eddy you didn't have to shout like that but at least I know it's you." He let out a laugh and Edd actually chuckled a bit, much to Eddy's annoyance.
"Man the candy store closed down a few years ago." Johnny spoke as he put his hands behind his head looking at the starbucks sign.
"What. Why?" Eddy asked grabbing his collar.
"People weren't buying from the store much and after a while the owner went bankrupt and had to sell the store."
Ed started sobbing on Edd's shoulder again earning another head patting and words of comfort. Eddy let Johnny go and started cursing, that store to him would have to be one of the positives of coming back to Peachcreek, when he was younger he would create scams just so he could buy a jawbreaker from the store, his cravings have only increased for the large sugary sweet but not just that, the store itself was a part of their childhood and seeing it turned into this felt like a piece of him was gone as well.
"Where am I supposed to get jawbreakers now?" Eddy thought aloud.
Johnny tilted his head "Gee Eddy if you wanted a jawbreaker they sell those at the seven-eleven down the street but-"
At that moment Ed stopped crying and he and Eddy got up in Johnny's face and chorused "Really?" before he could reply they both dragged him away leaving Double D to think 'I thought we were supposed to be shopping for school supplies.' He sighed tiredly before running after them "Wait for me gentlemen."
Ten minutes later…..
"Johnny. What the hell is this?" Eddy asked holding up a whit orb between his fingers, a look of irritation on him.
"That's a jawbreaker Eddy." Johnny said somewhat guilty looking away while rubbing the back of his head.
"No. a jawbreaker is supposed to bigger THAN YOUR MELON SIZE HEAD." Eddy screamed the last part.
Johnny held up his hands in surrender "It's not my fault. Two years back some kid bit down on one and lost his teeth. His mom petitioned to have them smaller."
Edd raised his eyebrow in confusion "Why would someone bite a jawbreaker when they are clearly called jawbreakers for a reason?" he said observing his own small orb.
Ed wore a big smile as he had a brown bag full of them; he slurped his lips before emptying all of them in his mouth, shoving them to his Jaw so it would look like he had one of the original in his mouth. He slumped forward in bliss, starting to drool but then his head perked up his eyes in confusion. He spat all of them out like a semi automatic.
"Yuck" he said staring at the orbs on the street with disgust. He turned to his bewildered companions "They don't taste so good guys."
Eddy and Double D looked at each other then put the orbs in their mouths and began swishing it in between their jaws. Their heads perked up like Ed's was and Eddy spat his on the street the same time Double D simply took his out of his mouth.
"This does not taste good at all." Was Double D's response before tossing it over his shoulder into a trash can directly behind him.
"Nice shot Double D." Johnny commented.
"Argh, it takes a God damn soccer mom to ruin it for the rest of us. I mean come on what's next you're gonna tell me every other fun thing around this dump is gone!?" he shouted in frustration.
"Eddy, may I remind you of what we originally came out here for?" Edd said sternly while waving the list of school supplies around.
"Keep your panties on Sockhead, it's the middle of the morning. We could catch a early movie and be back to buy that stuff later." Eddy commented
"Sorry Eddy." Johnny countered causing Eddy to look back at him in confusion. "Some guy bought out the movie theatre and turned it into a church."
Time seemed to slow down for Eddy, then his earlier commented echoed in his mind. Not moving from his turning position he said
"Okay. We'll just go bowling."
"They turned that into a home depot."
Eddy completely turned now with an annoyed face "then fuck it we'll go go-karting."
"That burned down last year and they built a mall where it used to be."
"Then what fuck do you guys do for fun around here!" He exclaimed with his hands shot up.
Ed was sitting with a sad expression from all the news of his favorite places gone.
"I know that change is inherent but this much commercialization in such a short amount of time is unheard of." Edd commented.
Eddy was at a loss for words he covered his mouth and let out a long sigh, rubbed his hands pass his face to the back of his hair smoothing it out in the process. He glanced tiredly at Double D
"Let's just go get our stupid school stuff at the supply store." He paused to look at Johnny with a tired but lightened expression, "unless they turned it into a strip club?"
Johnny looked at him bewildered for a second "No, that's where it always was, although I think they expanded."
The lightness of Eddy's tired face dropped to disappointment. "Oh. C'mon guys let's go. See yah Johnny." He waved tiredly while his back was turned.
"Bye Johnny, see you at school tomorrow." Ed waved happily while following Eddy.
"Have a good day Johnny." Edd said before rushing to catch up is compatriots.
"Man those guys are still the same." He laughed to himself before going about their business.
The Eds made it all the way to the supply store and Johnny was right, they did expand it somewhat. Double D was elated, Eddy was disgusted and Ed's face was indifferent. They went inside and after nearly an hour they made it outside with new bags and plastic ones filled with school supplies: pens, pencils, book, etc. On their way back they passed a bob cut blonde, she stopped but the Eds didn't.
"Oh. My. Gosh. Double D? The girl exclaimed
The Eds turned around to meet her gaze, their mouths dropped at the sight. She had blond hair that was cut just above her shoulders; berets at either side of her head holding her bangs to the side of her face revealing her forehead. She looked athletic but her body was curved like an hourglass, she wore red lipstick that seemed to be pop out, when she smiles her pearly white teeth it could melt a boy's heart.
"N-Nazz?" Double D managed to stutter out. She ran towards them and embraced them in a hug before stepping back.
"I'm so glad that you guys are okay. What happened to you?" Nazz asked curiously losing her smile.
"W-well Nazz you see we..huh we were um." Double D couldn't find an excuse.
"We've been studying in China." Eddy quickly shot out. Ed and Double D glanced at him. With a wide grin on his face Eddy shoved his bags onto Ed who barely manage to not drop them. He then approached Nazz pushing Double D aside.
"You guys have been in China studying for 5 years?" Nazz asked genuinely confused.
"Yeah you know our parents wanted us to do some foreign exchange thing. Right Double D." They glanced at Double D but before could do anything Eddy spoke again. "So Nazz what's going on with you?"
As Nazz began talking about some stuff, Double D glanced at Eddy who is obviously attempting to flirt with the blonde bombshell. He glanced at Ed who gave him a frown, it was agreed that they would keep their time in China as vague as possible but Eddy could jeopardize that when trying to impress her. They know he always makes grandiose lies when he was younger but with what he has learned he could actually do some damage. No, before that happens he (Edd) has to shut it down now!
"Pardon me Nazz." She stopped to gaze at Edd. "How is Kevin doing?" Eddy gave Double D a nasty death glare for that.
Nazz's cheeks flushed a bit and Eddy noticed her change in demeanor. "Well he's doing fine Double D. We've been dating for a year now.."
And that was all Eddy needed to hear to be completely uninterested in her again. He felt even worse than before, he zoned her out completely but perked up when something she said caught his ears.
"What did you just say?" Eddy asked
"Oh I said that Kevin's dad got a promotion at the factory so he could afford a better place. He moved to Pine springs."
Eddy took a moment, Pine springs was a neighborhood of the wealthier families and it stung a bit that Kevin is now officially rich but that thought took a back seat to thought of Kevin not in Peachcreek anymore. Soon an impossibly wide smile ran across his face, Ed, Double D and Nazz were staring at him utterly confused.
"Hellooo. Is anybody hoooome." Ed said waving his arms in front but he was long gone.
"Ahem." Edd cleared his throat and turned his attention to Nazz. He placed his palm in his hand and with a light bow "It was nice seeing you Nazz. Have a pleasant day."
Nazz giggled at his strange foreign gesture before replying"sure, you too Double D. Bye Ed and Eddy. See you dudes later." She waved happily as she went out of view.
Edd turned to Eddy with furrowed brows but before he could get a word out.
"YES! He's gone Double D that hat wearing ginger fuck is finally gone." He exclaimed happily shaking him. He let him go and started jumping about.
"Language Eddy, we're in public." Double sternly reprimanded but fell on deaf ears as Eddy was in his own world.
"But Eddy he and Nazz are going out." Ed commented, shattering Eddy's thoughts.
Eddy seemed to freeze in mid air, he came down with his fingers resting on his chin while approached Ed. "Ah he can have her. She's way too preppy for me anyway." He grabbed his bags from the tall boy.
"Besides it's totally worth not having that prick bug us around in the cul-de-sac." Eddy commented happily.
"May I remind you Eddy, even though Kevin has moved from the cul-de-sac he still goes to Peachcreek High like us."
Eddy glared tiredly at Double D "Why the hell do you have to ruin everything sockhead?"
"Because you'll end up like Icarus Eddy." Ed commented in his usual dopey tone.
Double D was a little surprised by Ed's excellent analogy. While Eddy just let out a tired groan, passing it off as one of his usual comic book ramblings.
To Be continued…..
Author's Notes: Okay I did not expect it to be this long and for anyone who has a problem with Eddy's and Ed's personality change, I cannot stress this enough they had a near death experience where they were the only survivors of a horrific plane crash that killed a lot of people. Needless to say after their time in Tian Shan they have healed both physically and mentally, they have seen things and done things that would make a relationship or social class seem insignificant. They reassessed themselves after realizing how cruel the world can be, changing themselves because in order to survive they would need to be someone else they would have to be something else.
Yes I just played the arrow card bitches BAM! But seriously though I will be making some flashbacks just like that in specific circumstances to rebuff my earlier statement and just like before, this fic is not about the action but more drama, angst and romance. Thank You please Read and Review.