Eddy was unfortunately awake. Staring up at the ceiling, he hoped to fall back asleep. He groaned trying to force himself to sleep gaining nothing but boredom. He sighed and sat up, resigning himself to being awake. That's when his phone buzzed. Checking it, Eddy found a text from Double D in his usual wordy way. The gist being Edd was going to the junkyard. Having nothing else to do Eddy decided to join his friend.

Eddy took care of the basics first, teeth, hair, then deodorant, and cologne. Then he got dressed in his usual clothes. The last few minutes he spent, getting presentable. After finishing his grooming session, he smiled at himself in the mirror. Dressed and smelling fresh, Eddy rated himself 12/10. Wait wouldn't that be a 1.2. Eddy shook his head. Stupid math ruining his good mood. He looked good and felt good. Shame he would be wasted just on going to a junkyard, but such is the art form of looking flawless. Eddy grabbed his phone on the way out of his room as he headed for the kitchen.

His house was quiet as he moved through it, which wasn't unusual for the place. Once he reached the kitchen, Eddy looked for something to eat. He eyed the waffles as he examined the freezer but didn't want to bother with the prep time. So, he decided to eat light and grabbed an apple from the counter. He munched on it as he checked his phone, no new messages. He had expected a call from Sockhead or Ed but they were giving him space. Eddy smiled remembering his friends' embarrassing behavior last night.

As he finished his apple, he glanced at the countertop. On the center of the counter, a small photo rested. It was of him and his parents dressed in way too formal suits. Although Eddy and his father looked nothing alike, they shared uncomfortable looks of anguish in their respective suits. His mother smiled even with her dress looking uncomfortable. the photo.

His mom had wanted a good family photo after the brief time the Eds had tried to flee. It had been meant as a bonding moment to try and get along and bury the past. It didn't work not fully at least, but Eddy still looked back on the day and smiled. He complained sure but just like his friends, his parents loved him, in their unique way. Eddy knew that he could be a handful at times, but he really did appreciate 'The McGees' for adopting him. He didn't have many memories of his biological parents and from what he'd seen in news and online videos he was thankful for that fact. Marcus was a different story, however. Marcus had grown up with their biological parents before their arrest and deaths. He seemed to admire them. He talked about their cunning and power. That along with Marcus' general behavior got him in an incredible amount of trouble.

Eddy shook himself then. He didn't want to ruin his mood with thoughts of his brother or "father" so he thought about other things: money, women, and mostly his friends. Which then reminded him of Edd's text. He checked the text again to see the time his friend sent it,1:30. And the time now was 1:55. Eddy grabbed another apple for the road and left, making sure to lock up as he headed out.

Eddy thought about stopping by Ed's house but remembered, Ed was helping his brat of a sister. So with that realization, he headed for the junkyard. He moved at a stroll. He continually munched on his apple until he was left with a core. He dropped the core, letting nature take care of it.

Eventually, his relaxed pace got him to the junkyard. As he walked Eddy kept his eye out for his friend but couldn't see any sign of him. "Hey, Sockhead!" Eddy yelled out. "You here!"

"Yes, I am here by the vaaaaa!"

Eddy perked up instantly and rushed for the van's location. Navigating the maze-like junkpiles was easy. So in no time, he arrived just as Edd picked himself off the ground. "Sockhead are you alright?" Eddy.

"It's nothing," Edd replied as he got to his feet. Carefully, Edd slipped off the gloves and chuckled to himself. Eddy waited for an explanation. "Sorry, if I made you worry, Eddy," Edd apologized. "I accidentally shocked myself." Edd then launched into his explanation. " Last night, I tinkered with these gloves, and well they work, somewhat. I mean they were holding an electric charge; I partially charged my phone with them."

"No kidding,"

"Intriguing I know, so today after finishing with some of my chores I came here to test them out further," Edd said with a smile. "I haven't been able to launch any electric projectiles but I was able to charge some of my gadgets and a broken phone with them. I haven't yet quantified how much of a charge these hold but I thought they were getting low on a charge, but they still have enough juice to give me quite a surprise."

"You shocked yourself?" Eddy asked with a small smile.

Edd nodded. "When I heard you calling, I called back like this." Edd then cupped his hands, to pantomime a yell. "Then I suppose the electricity from the gloves tried to reach each other and my head was in the way."

Eddy let out a relieved chuckle. "I'm just glad you're okay Sockhead." Edd looked frazzled, but not hurt. Eddy then noticed the lanyard that Edd wore that held three red cards. Eddy nodded to the lanyard "What's with the lanyard and the cards, something important?"

"Yes, you see my father was in an- Ahem. My father wanted me to look after them until he returns." Edd stated. Eddy raised an eyebrow at the statement but that was all. There was more there but he would wait for Edd to explain it. Anyways with his curiosity satisfied, Eddy moved on to a different topic. "So, would you want an explanation on my powers to not shock yourself again? I'll even give it to you for free, no strings attached."

"How generous," Edd replied. "I'll accept your offer." He said while walking over to the van where a notepad and pencil waited. He placed the gloves in the van and took up a pencil and notebook.

"Alright, I'm ready."

Eddy raised his hands in front of him, making them about chest level, and held them about a foot or so apart. Then started up his electricity. "My electricity jumps to the nearest bit of contact it can reach." His electricity began to zap between his fingers and palms. In between his hands, a large amount of electricity passed through space. Eddy slowly moved his hands apart and the electric charges began to slow and decrease in number. When his hands got as far as he could spread them there was only a single strand of electricity connected his hands and it moved noticeably slower. He waved his arm and the connection disappeared, but his electricity still flowed between his fingers. His demonstration ended Eddy shut off his electricity.

Edd nodded. Then an idea hit him. "Eddy I was wondering if you would let me study your powers for a bit. It would help me understand the gloves a bit better. It could be a mini-training session."

Eddy shrugged. "Sure, why not? I've got nothing better to do." Training could be a drag at times but if he was with friends then it could be tolerable. If they got a handle on their powers maybe they could think up a business that utilized them and that's when the money would flow in and easy life would be theirs. "Shouldn't we wait for Ed though?" Eddy asked as he approached the van.

"He's probably with Sarah so it's fine. Also, I invited someone else-"

"Hiya guys," a cute somewhat shrill voice interrupted. Years ago, Eddy would be terrified, but now he smiled. It was "May Kanker called as she descended a trash pile. They turned to face her waving, Edd did so with a smile. May in Eddy's opinion was the most tolerable of the Kanker sisters and grew to be quite cute. May was a bit shorter than Double D, coming to about his shoulders. Her buckteeth were still around but she somehow made it work for her. She kept her long blonde hair and she even occasionally brushed it. She wore a holey red tracksuit with the pant legs rolled up

Her red tracksuit looked too big for her Far from Eddy's type, she lacked the height and the chest. Still, she would occasionally turn heads, heads that either her sisters or Ed scared away from her. She rushed over to them and looked around.

"Where's Ed at?" She asked as if somehow the tall teen was hiding behind his friends.

"He's helping his sister train right now. They're probably around the construction site." Edd answered. May nodded but didn't move.

She looked between Eddy and Edd, then at the open van. "So, what's you doin?"

Eddy tried to shoot Edd a look but he either ignored it or missed it. "Eddy and I were about to do a bit of training. I wanted to see a bit more of Eddy's powers. As I stated in my text you're free to join us." Edd explained.

"If your sister is okay with it of course."

May froze for a brief moment but then smiled awkwardly, showing off her buck teeth, and nodded. "Of course Lee is fine with it. She's a lot more mellow now."

Eddy raised an eyebrow at that but Edd seemed to buy it, somehow. Eddy could call her own the lie, but didn't have the heart, to reject her. May smiled, showing her buck teeth.

He threw in some minor details about the gloves and the problem they were having with them. Eddy knew what she wanted, but didn't have the heart, to reject her. May smiled, showing her buck teeth.

"What are we waiting for then? Let's go!" May ran off, coming back sheepishly when she didn't know to go. Edd just chuckled while Eddy rolled his eyes.

"Let me just grab a few things then we can go," Edd said as he grabbed the gloves, his notebook, and pencil with his hands while lifting the box for the can launcher with his power. Eddy simply shut the van behind his friend and pretended like he was helping. May just watched. Edd probably didn't want to give the excitable girl something to hold. When they started moving, May skipped after the Eds. Eddy kept an eye on May's hands, making sure no stray blast hit him.

0o0o00oo0o0

"Look out," May warned as another energy ball flew from her. The warning was unnecessary as both Eddy and Edd were already behind cover, still, Eddy did duck to be safe. The yellow energy ball hit a pile of junk beside their cover, creating a small explosion. Edd caught some of the pieces that flew into the. "That was better than last time," Edd said encouragingly. He set the junk back in the pile and pointed down the firing line. "You controlled your energy enough to fire down the line." Eddy glanced at the small targets, mostly random piles of junk and a few cans.

May smiled at the advice. "Alright, how's this then," May said as she whirled back at her targets. Her body glowed, as she quickly built up her energy. The energy gathered around her right palm. Seeing this, both Eddy and Edd hastily dived back into cover. May unleashed the energy and fired a small orb of yellow energy at the cans. However, a second energy ball launched from her elbow. The palm-fired blast missed its mark while the elbow shot struck the ground near the Eds' cover. May smiled awkwardly as Eddy and Edd stood back up.

May's glow slowly faded from her. "Sorry, I thought I had it that time," May said still with that smile of hers. He would complain but there was no need to crush the girl's spirits unnecessarily. So, he let Edd give his mini-lecture and waited. May had some potential. If she controlled them better, they could be used for stunning criminals or simply a light source.

While Eddy waited for them, he messed with his powers. He simply built up the electricity in his upper body. When he had a proper buildup of electricity, he let it flow to his arms then he stopped it at his fingers. Tiny sparks of electricity sparked from them. He focused and the tiny sparks danced across his palms. It tingled rather than sting or irritate. He had one of the gloves, on his right hand and tried to focus on the different sensations. It was hard to pinpoint but the gloved hand seemed sluggish compared to his free hand. They both built up electricity, but his free hand felt smoother and the electricity sparked easier. While the glove hand flowed slower and with more mental effort. Edd called to him.

Eddy smiled. He walked to the firing line. May stepped aside while Edd stood by his side. Eddy raised his gloved hand. And made a finger gun, his target a broken washing machine. He fired creating a small bolt and that small bolt missed entirely. Eddy grumbled and attempted the shot again. This one wasn't perfect as it disappeared before even reaching anything. Eddy half-expected mockery or condescension from the two onlookers but they were silent as he readied his next shot. He focused and charged this shot. For that reason, Eddy cleared his mind of most of his thoughts.

Oddly Eddy sensed a different connection with his electricity. His gloved hand sparked intensely. He called on it faster and the power he could use felt overwhelming. The glove's heat increased as well. Worse than last night as if he placed his hand in an oven. All of this made holding the power increasing frustrating. Eddy had to unleash it. He aimed and fired. A powerful streak of lighting erupted from his fingertip. He almost misfired from the surprise. Luckily, the blast didn't throw off his aim and the lightning struck the washing machine, leaving a scorch mark on it. The excess electricity sparked around it and took a bit longer to fade. Eddy just gawked at himself. That's the kinda power my brother had, the ability to shoot and blast lightning like it was nothing.

A small silence fell over the trio. Then May decided to break it. "Cool," she said.

"Quite," Edd agreed with a nod. He turned to Eddy. "Are you okay Eddy?"

"Fine just that glove feels a bit uncomfortable. Especially after that last shot." The glove's inside was heating up but Eddy ignored it. Edd looked worried but said nothing and Eddy focused back on the firing range. He built up and unleashing on the washing machine. This time he focused on creating something different. A small ball formed at his fingertips and it only increased in size. Before he realized it, it was a soccer ball size and still growing.

Edd stepped back hesitantly. He had to use both hands to control it. Instead of using finger guns, he cupped his hands. He forced the ball of electricity to stop growing but it became unstable. And Eddy felt his control slipping. He pictured the ball of energy blasting away from him. He shoved the ball away, right as he was about to lose all control over it.

The ball hit the washing machine and exploded. Electrifying everything near the broken machine. Making everything spark. Eddy panted as the electricity left him. He felt like he'd just run a marathon and the glove had gotten worse. He snatched it off and fanned his hand.

"Are you okay Eddy?" Edd asked rushing to him. May did the same and they both inspected his hand and himself. Eddy pushed them away a smile forming on his face. He had never done something like that before. It felt incredible aside from the heat from the glove and nearly losing control there. And the sudden wave of exhaustion. Okay, probably not that good. Edd continued to worry and May forced Eddy to sit on the sidelines. Eddy didn't have the energy to argue with both.

"You can go again I want to make sure I get the form right," Edd replied. Eddy nodded although he didn't agree with the idea. The form didn't necessarily matter, it was his thoughts that used the powers.

"Are you alright, Eddy?" Edd asked as he cautiously approached. May followed a bit behind him excitement in her eyes.

"Yeah," Eddy said still winded. "The glove works better, just a bit winded from that last attack."

"You look like Lee when she comes in from a job," May said. "You need to rest."

"I'm fine though," Eddy said. The two however didn't agree with him.

Eddy grumbled but stayed seated. Maybe a break wouldn't be so bad. Edd picked up Eddy's glove. Then looked Eddy over. "I'm good Sockhead, no injuries or burns." Edd still looked him over before moving on to write something in his notebook.

Edd went to test out the glove. Edd fiddled with it but so far, no spark came from the glove. He chuckled at his friend's frustration as he kept trying to get the lightning or a spark to shoot from the glove. Edd was even shouting out commands to the glove as if that's how the powers worked.

Eddy and May watched in silence, an awkward silence by Eddy's view. Then Eddy noticed May inching closer to him. He glanced at her hoping she wouldn't make the awkwardness even more awkward. "You sure you're okay?" May asked.

Eddy nodded in answer. A simple question not awkward at all.

"Does Ed, talk about me?" Well, there goes that hope.

Eddy wanted to pretend like he didn't hear her, but she turned to look at him. Her big eyes held him and prevented him from looking away. Of the three Kankers, May was the only one who still maintained her crush on her respective Ed. Both Marie and Lee had given up "the hunt" for their men. Sockhead never talked about Marie aside from saying that they had reached an agreement whatever that meant. Lee on the other hand… Lee had just given up on him. Eddy was at first ecstatic; he was free, and he could pursue any girl he chose without the threat of a Kanker ruining the relationship. However, it did always bother him that Lee never told him why she stopped chasing him.

He looked back at May who patiently waited for an answer. In truth, Ed did talk about May sometimes. He would read his comics and just tell them about May's recommendations. Heck, she managed to get him to read something besides monster comics a miracle not even Sockhead could manage. But was that love? Or just Ed's weirdness? And would telling May any of this violate Ed's trust. "He occasionally mentions you," Eddy said choosing his words carefully. He says you have good taste in comics and stuff."

"Oh," was the only reply from May. That did seem to satisfy her.

She smiled. Edd walked up before she could ask. The teen slouched as he approached his eyes still looking at the glove. "I cannot get this glove to work." Edd slipped the glove off and started turning the glove over. Eddy looked the glove over; it still had its charge to it so that wasn't the problem.

"Maybe, they just don't work like that," May suggested. They turned to her, Edd with an eyebrow raised.

"What do you mean May?" Edd asked

"Well," May said rubbing her chin. "Eddy's power seems like mine. It's mental. So maybe you don't have a mental link to the power." Eddy thought back to his explanation and realized that he may have forgotten to mention that detail.

Edd paused considering. Then he started pacing. Eddy watched his friend as the muttering began again. "That may be it," Edd said. He almost slapped his forehead. "That makes sense."

"Well that's neat," Eddy said. Edd nodded enthusiastically still looking as if he wanted to explain more but holding himself back.

"Thank you May," Edd stated turning to her. "I didn't realize the obvious."

"Maybe May should be the big brain around here from now on," Eddy suggested with a snicker. May laughed at his suggestion while Edd gave it a dry chuckle.

"I can't replace Edd," May said still smiling. "I think you need to get more sleep Double D, that's what you always tell me. Or maybe you need to eat, I think better after eating and sleeping well."

Edd nodded and didn't correct May's grammar. He chuckled as he wrote down in his notebook, muttering to himself all the while. "I will have to take my own advice I suppose. And I am getting a bit peckish. What time is it anyway?"

May got to her phone first. "3:00."

"3:00," Edd said then paused. It's 3:00 already!"

Eddy and May jumped a little at the outburst.

"Sorry, May," Edd hurriedly gathering his belongings. "I know this is a bit sudden, but I need to head into town for some chores." May too looked a bit crestfallen. "Oh, well could I come along?" She asked.

The two Eds shared a look and Double D shook his head. "Sorry, but not today, there some other things that I need my friends' help with.

"Oh," May said weakly.

Eddy cringed at his friend's choice of words and apparently, he caught his mistake as he started stammering out an apology. "My deepest apologies May, I didn't mean to insinuate that we aren't friends it's just…." Edd glanced to Eddy looking for some support. Eddy sighed but decided to help his friend out with a version of the truth.

"May what Edd's trying to say is, we got some personal stuff to talk about, and no offense but I just want the other Eds with me," Eddy admitted. May nodded at that and seemed to relax.

"That's okay Eddy. I understand."

A bit of awkward silence fell over the group until Edd spoke up again. "If you want, you can stay here and do a bit of training. I could leave the can launcher for you to practice your firing or you can work on your control like before." May just shook her head and seemed to recover some of her pep. Her smile returned and she waved off the concerns

"Thanks, but no thanks," May replied. "It wouldn't be as fun with you guys. And I don't think I would learn anything on my own." Edd seemed worried but again waved him off. "Go ahead and take care of your chores and personal stuff. I'll be fine. Just call or text me if you guys decide to come back here, alright?"

Edd promised and Eddy grunted his agreement. May smiled broader this time and left, probably headed home.

"Thank you, May for stating the obvious for me. Sometimes I can miss the forest through the parvoviral trees." Edd called after her May nodded. Once she had gone, Edd finished packing everything else up into their respective boxes. Edd still looked frazzled. It wasn't the gloves or his miscommunication with May that had done it either. Since Eddy couldn't read minds, he would have to go for the old-fashioned approach and ask a question. "You doin' okay there Sockhead? You seem off."

Edd nodded absently. "I'm fine, just my poor sleeping habits catching up with me."

Eddy nodded only half believing him. He would wait for Ed before pressing the issue. "So, we going to get Ed?"

"Correct."

"Well let's get the van and get monobrow and then some lunch," Eddy said as he grabbed a box to help his friend.

"What about my chores?" Edd asked.

"We can get to them after I get something more to eat." Surprisingly Edd didn't complain. as they walked, Edd still looked distant and kept glancing at his phone. Eddy filed that for later, right now he would get away from this place and get some proper food.

Author's Note

Well, another chapter down. This first introduction arc is almost over actually. There are probably about three more chapters to go before we get to the action. The next chapter will have a few more of the Cul-Da-Sac kids and their powers. Next chapter will be in late June or early July. Until then have a good day and thanks for reading.