The air still hung heavy up in the mountain at Kunugigaoka Junior High school's E-class.

A fierce and scary battle had just taken place.

A man that the classmates thought was like a father figure to them had turned out to be nothing but a monster and a scumbag.

He threatened to hurt the kids if they disrespected him. To some, its normal to discipline your kids for being naughty, but this man took it to the extreme over trivial things, such as not working hard enough. That alone made him want to pummel the kids into submission.

But his reign of tyranny came to an end when the man and a kid from the past had met again, face to face, and had a 1v1 brawl, with the kid coming out on top. That kid was Eric and the man he was facing as the man that ruined his life years ago, Akira Takaoka.

But it didn't stop there. When he knocked him to the ground, Eric had the intention and reason to kill Takaoka, to get his justice for what the man had done to his right eye. After all, it's what he took away from Eric. Its because of him that Eric was labeled a freak most of his life.

He wanted this.

He wanted to kill the man that had ruined his life. And yet...

.

.

.

.

He couldn't do it.

He couldn't bring himself to do the deed.

What could it have been?

Was it the thought that if he did kill him, he wouldn't be as any different as the man that ruined his life, or was it the expressions on his friends face that made him realize his mistake. Whatever it was, he couldn't do the deed and just told him to get lost.

But Akira didn't stop and just got more angry at Eric. He tried to attack him but Karasuma came in and put him down. But before Akira could even get back up, the principal came and told Akira to basically get out of his school. Even if it was E-class, he didn't like having such an evil man on his campus. This just made Akira more angry as he ran away, cursing up and down at such an embarrassing moment for him.

The class was happy now.

The bad man was gone and they had their old PE teacher, Karasuma, back. But everything wasn't finished yet.

While the class continued their cheering, Eric had begun to walk away from the others up the steps, but Yada stopped him as she, along with everyone, was concerned for him. She then asked the boy the one thing that everyone was wondering at the same time...

.

.

.

.

"Eric...what happened with you and Akira?"


(Cue Seishun Satsubatsuron by 3-nen E-gumi Utatan)

{Intrumental}

{Seishun...Satsubatsuron!}

'Young people's discourse on bloodthirst!'

(The opening starts with the crescent moon as it gradually change to Korosensei's head. Then Ed, Double D, Eddy and Eric appeared upside down with their names shown as they fall and tried to attack Korosensei as he panicked before dust picks up around them as the title appeared.)

Welcome Back, Mr. ED!

{Kuchi ni dasu no wa jikkō suru toki}

'We speak only of it when we're getting into action.'

{Sore ga kakkoī koto shitteru sa}

'Because we know it's cool that way.'

(The scene start with Eric waking up in bed as he gets up and gets ready for school. As he walk out of his room, Eddy and Double D were at the living room while the latter was preparing breakfast. He look around only to see that Ed's not up yet so he went to his room to wake him up, only to find that he was not here and saw his window was open.)

{TARGET, sagashite bokura wa satsubatsu}

'We'll find our target and unleash out bloodthirst.'

{Omoi wa mayou mayoedo susumu}

'We hesitate, but we proceed nevertheless.'

{Migite to migiashi issho ni de sōda}

'We can barely walk straight.'

(Eric panicked and ran out of his room to tell Eddy and Double D that Ed's gone. Eddy groaned in frustration while Double D worried about him, Eric ran back in to his room and came out with his uniform on and a toothbrush in his mouth. Double D quickly pack small breakfast along with their lunches before they head out to find Ed.)

{Nan nanda iraira no hadō wa}

'What is this wave of nervousness?'

{Bokura no sonzai no shōmei}

'Is it proof of our existence?'

{Tsuki wo miagetakamaru}

'It surges as we look up into the moon.'

{Sā sā! Satsu satsu sattō START!}

'Now, let's get this assassination started.'

(Scene changes to Eric opens a fridge of their neighbor's house and found Ed sleeping in his underwear and half eaten food. Eddy laughed while Eric took Ed out of the fridge and slaps him back and forth to wake him up. Double D look at the time and finds that they are going to be late for school, Eric and Double D panicked while Eddy groaned as Ed woke up from Eric's slapping before he was pulled by Eric and ran out the door along with Eddy and Double D.)

{Yari kittenaikara yarikirenai}

'We can't stand still because we're not done.'

{Yari kittenaikara yarikirenai}

'We can't stand still because we're not done.'

{Genjō daha wo chīsana koe de yagate zekkyō shitaku naru aa}

'We start off whispering about overthrowing the status quo but soon enough we'll feel like crying out, "ARGH!"'

(The Eds and Eric, with Ed now in his uniform, rushing to the train station but they missed the train. As Eric and Double D mope in depression, Eddy yelled at Ed before he had an idea as he grabbed Ed the the other two. They're now at a park as they sitting in a box with a tree that is cartoonishly pulled down like rubber below them while Ed was holding the tree down by sinking his teeth in another tree. Double D was calculating their trajectory while Eddy was getting impatient and Eric was starting to regret it. Double D conclude that they would land in the field behind the building but isn't sure about it. Eddy isn't surprised as he signals Ed to let go as they're launch in the air heading to towards school.)

{Yari kittenaikara yarikirenai (Yareba dekiru sa)}

'We can't stand still because we're not done. (We can do it if we try)'

{Yari kittenaikara yarikirenai (Kitto dekiru sa)}

'We can't stand still because we're not done .(Yes, we can)'

(Eddy, Double D and Eric screamed while Ed laugh as they flew through the sky. Then Eric saw Korosensei flying by as he pulled out his anti-sensei knife and tries to kill him but no avail as Korosensei sped up ahead of them.)

{Dōse, to iu no wa kantan dakedo}

'It's easy to say it's all futile to give up.'

{Ima wa agaite mitainda kimi to hajikete mitainda}

'But for now we want to fight it. We want to have a blast with you.'

(Meanwhile in E-Class, Yada was sitting by her desk and glance at Eric's desk in front of her as class was about to start. Korosensei arrives through the window and begun roll call, Yada asked him if he seen the Eds and Eric this morning making Rio teased her about it as she blushed in embarrassment. Korosensei answers as the Eds and Eric crashed through the roof and landed in the floor next to Korosensei, surprising the students.)

{Saredo seishun wa mirai he GO!}

'And we will still reach the future.

{Sā sā sā! Seishun satsubatsuron!}

'Let's go, young people's discourse on bloodthirst!'

(Ed recoiled from the floor as he pulled the other three out with him as the class aside from Korosensei look at them with white eyes and jaws dropped. Korosensei tells them to take their seats as Ed lets go of them and went to their designated desk as Korosensei turns around and writes the chapter's name on the board, thus begins class.)


EDventure #15 — "Before the Eds and Eric were formed"

The class and teachers were silent as they kept staring at Eric, who was still standing near the steps. He still had his back turned to everyone, as he secretly didn't want to face the others.

"Yada's right, Eric" said Double D with concern in his voice.

"Yea, we're concerned about you, Eric. What we just saw was... scary" said Fuwa with worry in her voice.

"Yea, we've never seen you act like that before. I mean yea you've tried to hit people for calling you freak and stuff but you've never tried to kill that person" said Eddy, worried for his friend. He had never seen him like this before. He never had the intent to kill. Sure, he would get angry if people called him freak, but he never saw him kill anyone like that.

Eric just tuned out their voices as he just wanted to leave and just disappear. He had had enough of today and just wanted to lay down in his bed and forget this day ever happened. He then began to walk forward and walked up the steps. Everyone saw that he was beginning to walk away.

Before anyone could tell him to stop leaving, a voice said, "Eric" and before the class could turn to the voice, a whoosh came in and Korosensei and appeared right behind Eric.

"Eric. I understand that whatever you've gone through was something traumatic and awful because of what Akira did to you, and its tearing you apart from the inside mentally and possibly physically" said Korosensei as the class and Karasuma just stood silent as they listened to their teacher.

"But I want you to please listen to what I have to say. Suppressing your emotions, whether it's anger, sadness, grief or frustration, can lead to physical stress on your body. Its not healthy thing to keep whatever pent up anger you had towards him and that couldn't be any more clearer than today" said Korosensei as his voice turned to his serious and grave voice.

"What are you talking about sir?" asked Nagisa.

"Today, I saw your suppressed emotions in full swing, Eric. I saw that you were hell bent on killing Akira. And it's made me very concerned that your violent nature could end up either affecting the class or could end up harm the class" said Korosensei, which made a few of the students gasp slightly.

Eric still stood back faced to them as he slightly flinched at Korosensei's words.

"You really think I would hurt anyone in the class? I don't have anything against them. Terasaka still hasn't apologized for the bomb, yes, but I don't want to kill him for that" he said angrily as he was shocked that his own teacher would think of him like that, as Terasaka simply looked away with bit of worried face.

"That maybe so, Eric, but your anger and irrational decisions have me worried about the safety of the rest of the class and faculty. Whether you have anger towards them or not, today has made me worried not just for your classmates, but you as well, Eric" said Korosensei as he pointed one of his tentacles at Eric, while using the other to extend towards the students.

But all while he said this, Eric simply clenched his fists in frustration. Korosensei could see how Eric was shaking in anger at his words as he could still see something was bothering him.

'Me. Trying to harm the others. I mean maybe I get rough with the Eds but that's just mainly for them to stop their silly antics and try to take thing seriously when they need to be, but for me to hurt the others?! It really hurt that my teacher would think of me like that. Even if I've been agree at people for calling me freak, I have my reasons. But now that I heard myself say that, I knew that he was right. What I had done today was something I had never done before. I was completely out of character but this was my chance to get revenge on the man that ruined my life. The one that's the reason... that...that...'

"So we ask you again, Eric...what happened with you and Akira?" asked Korosensei, trying to understand Eric's emotions.

Suddenly, little patters could be heard by Korosensei and some of the students as Korosensei saw that wet spots appeared on the steps. He immediately knew what they were.

Tears.

From Eric.

He was crying.

But soon, more and more droplets began to appear around him, and Korosensei felt some on his head as well. He soon looked up and saw that it had begun to rain. It started small but it soon started to grow.

The class and students felt the rain too and decided to run inside to not get anymore soaked in the rain. They all ran as fast as they could inside the classroom and closed the door and windows.

While everyone began drying off with towels, given by Korosensei, he looked over to the corner of the front of the room to see Eric, standing alone with a towel on his head.

Korosensei could see little movements with shoulders, and with his great hearing, heard a few sniffles coming from Eric.

Seeing this, Korosensei slithered his way to Eric, causing the students to look at him as he went over to Eric.

He then placed a tentacle on his shoulder, making him jump a little.

"Eric. I get that your angry at him for something he did in the past but its not healthy for you or your well being to hold that anger in. You need to release it but not in how you did with Akira. I mean, tell the truth about what happened between you two. You need to tell us what happened. Only then will your anger go away" said Korosensei trying to be sincere.

He couldn't tell but underneath the towel, Eric continued to shed tears but tried his hardest not to cry out in anger.

"But that's just it. I did nothing to him" whimpered Eric as he wiped his tears away with the towel but couldn't stop crying. This made the Eds very worried for him. Never had they seen him cry like this before

"What do you mean Eric?" asked Korosensei as he slithered back.

"Its like I said. I-I did nothing to him. Never yelled at him, never hit him, I didn't do anything bad but he still...hurt me" cried Eric as he tried to hold his whimpers but couldn't stop his tears.

Korosensei put a tentacle up to his supposed-jaw and began to ponder in thought. He could see Eric was hurting so he decided to say

"Eric. How long have you kept your anger towards him? How long has this been going on" asked Korosensei, wanting to know the state of his pain.

Eric sniffed and tried to calm down to answer his question.

"E-E-Eight years" said Eric, wiping his tears away.

The Eds and some of the others gasped that all that anger was 8 years of pent up fury. That's been longer than the Eds ever knew him. So does that mean, even when he was with them for 2 years, he still had that anger towards Akira. Well, they guessed that was true. He could still be pretty anger at people when they called him freak, so they figured that's where that anger was from. But seeing it all unleashed today was still scary in their minds.

"And how long have you wanted to tell someone about your trauma?" asked Korosensei.

Eric kept quiet for a while until he said "I've wanted to say it to someone ever since it happened. To let out all my anger but... but... I just couldn't" cried Eric as he remembered that looking back on his past was trauma for me.

Korosensei just hummed in understanding. But then he stepped back a few feet to where he was right close to the Eds and the students.

"Eric. Please turn around and look at us" asked Korosensei.

Eric didn't budge. He just kept looking outside the window as he didn't have the guts to face his classmate.

"Eric, listen to me. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the truth to others as we have a fear of being judged or opinions being thrown at us. Sometimes we even fear that the telling the truth will make matters worse then what they already are, but it is not a healthy decision for you to keep all your anger. Which is why telling someone your problems can be an easy way out of the all that anger. Because those that care about are the ones that won't let you suffer anymore" said Korosensei, in his teaching and caring manner.

'I knew, deep down inside, that he was right. All that 8 years of anger towards that monster wasn't good for me. I realized it all today and tried to kill him but if I did, I'd be no different than that man the ruined my life. But it still hurt. What he did to me.'

Eric wiped the last of his tears and as soon as he had the courage, he turned around slowly and faced the other students and teachers. But when he saw them, he could still see that they all had worried looks on their faces, even some that said they were scared.

And all these looks of worry and concern were because of him.

He felt guilt in his heart for doing that to them.

"We all get that you have been through something terrible, as we've that seen today, but you don't have to suffer anymore. You have your classmates, your friends, and most assuredly, your supportive teachers. So no more holding in your secrets Eric. You can tell us, cause we want to help you. You can believe in your fellow E-class students. Believe in us" said Korosensei as he stretched out his tentacles, gesturing to all of the people that were there.

Eric turned his gaze away from Korosensei and began looking at his classmates. He could see it in their eyes. They were worried about him. They saw him almost kill a person. Even though they're being trained to be assassins, they weren't ready for something like this. Eric then turned to the three best friends he had made in his whole life.

The Eds.

He could see that Eddy and Double D had looks of worry on their faces but he turned to see Ed had his usually whimpering face, with a pouty lip to add. He knew they were scared for him. After all, they had been friends for more than 2 years. And to see him act out of character, really spoke volumes about their concern.

'I knew I had no other choice. I was backed into a corner. Literally. If I had tried to leave now, it would just make things more complicated for me. I had no choice. I had to tell the truth. It was the only thing that would help me.'

Eric sighed as he wiped the last of his tears as he then gave slight smile as he looked at his classmates. They were the people no one knew what to do. They were outcasts, like just him and the Eds. Guess it explained why they fit in so well here. Guess that's why Eric began to feel somewhat better than before.

He then pulled up a chair, sat down on it, as he looked back at Korosensei and said "You're right sir. I have been holding in my anger for Takaoka, but I have every good reason to do it" said Eric as his voice changed to a grave one, while looking down.

"What exactly could those reasons be?" asked Korosensei.

Eric sighed as he said "I guess if you want to understand my reasons, then we would have to start before I met him. The day that would ruin my life" said Eric as he lifted his head only to see the students and teachers sitting on the ground in semi-circle while Korosensei was sitting in his usual lounge chair and had a tub of popcorn off to the side and was munching away on them.

"THIS IS THE MOST TRAGIC MOMENT IN MY WHOLE LIFE AND YOU GUYS ARE TREATING IT LIKE A MOVIE?! WHAT THE FUCK, GUYS" yelled Eric as he glared at everyone, which made them flinch in fear. Eric saw their expression and knew he screwed up again.

He then turned to Korosensei as he waved his tentacles side to side in front of him and said " . Sorry Eric" as he zipped away and took the lawn chair and popcorn away but then came right back.

"Sorry Eric. Please continue" said Korosensei as he was now "kneeling" on the floor.

Eric sighed at his teachers antics but then turned back to the class.

"I guess it all started 8 or 9 years ago, when I was a lot younger, and had two normal eyes...

"Oh goody. I love flashbacks."

"SHUT UP ED" yelled Eddy.


Flashback

"Before I had even met Akira, I was just your average kid. I was full of energy, hyperactive and loved the old action cartoons TV to where they didn't care about ratings and just made their own thing until they started to care and everything went to crap..."


"Where are you going with this?" asked Kayano, as she sweat dropped.

"Sorry. Getting off track." Eric said.


"Before Akira, my family and I had lived in a small town in Indianapolis. I was about 6 or 7 at the time, and I had two normal red eyes, but one thing stayed the same. I was born with the sharp teeth you've seen me with before. That has never changed" said Eric as he pulled out a photo from his pocket and held it out to the others.

In the photo was a young Eric, where he had two red eyes, his shark teeth, but instead of the clothes he had during his time at Peach Creek, he had a blue shirt with the Superman logo on it, dark grey shorts, and red shoes, and he was a lot shorter. Even shorter than Eddy.


"HEY" yelled an annoyed Eddy.

Yada just thought "SO CUTE"


"Anyway. I guess it all started back when my family had thanksgiving at my grandparents house. It was a good time because we rarely ever saw grandpa. He was always away on his "job" but he didn't even tell me what it was" as he recalled when his parents drove to his grandparents house and when he stepped in, it was crowded with all of his relatives.

Kids were running like crazy and there was constant noise happening. Yep. This was his family reunion. Not much different from any other family greetings, but he was happy there. His family were the only ones that didn't mind his shark teeth. His aunts and Uncles just thought of him as the cuteness thing that had ever seen and did the normal cheek pinching thing that no kid likes.

Even his grandma called him her "baby shark," and then did a little jingle to it.

At first, it made Eric laugh but when she kept singing it every time they met, he got tired of it and just ran away when she did it around him, to which his grandparents just laughed at. Sometimes she would even chase him around just to tease him cause she loved how annoyed he was getting and always tried to escape her song.

His cousins especially loved his teeth cause then they could play their own version of Mazes and Monsters. It was just your typical hide and seek, but Eric would mainly be the seeker since his teeth work with the whole monster. So I guess you could see it as them making fun of him, but at the time, Eric didn't mind. He was just having fun with his family.

"Anyway, while my family was talking to one another, I managed to see grandpa sitting at their dinner table all alone, so I thought it would be a good time to ask him what his job was? Seeing as I didn't know what his job was and he was never around. So I walked over to him and climbed up on his lap, which took him by surprise."

He smiled as he saw his favorite grandson and asked him about how his favorite grandson was.

"I'm good grandpa" said young Eric.

He then asked "Grandpa. Why is it you're always gone? What is your job that makes you stay away from us?" asked Eric.

His grandpa protested but like any old man, he was guilt tripped by a kid's sad puppy dog eyes.

"Pwease tell me Gwanpa. Pwetty pwease" begged Eric as he had the sad puppy dog eyes.

Curse you puppy dog eyes. Why must you be an old person's weakness.

His grandpa tried to resist but he couldn't. He loved his grandson like the second son he wish he had.

"My dad was the only child in the family so I guess you could say that he loved me cause I was the only grandson he ever will get. I was like his second son. But anyway, I kept begging until he finally cracked. He then looked around to make sure no one was looking and then he began to whisper that he was in the Special Forces. That he was their SS Commander, which was the highest rank you could get in the special forces."


"Wait. There is something I want to confirm here. You said your grandpa was in the special forces, right?" interrupted Karasuma, as everyone turned towards him.

"Yea that's true. He's retired but he was the commander of the special forces" said Eric, rubbing his arm.

Karasuma then stood up and walked over to Eric and then reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small photo.

"If that's true, then I have to know. This was you, wasn't it" said Karasuma as he held out the photo to Eric. Eric grabbed the photo and looked at what he was meaning. Immediately, tears began welling up again. He knew that photo.

It was a photo of a close up of a medical room with the bed with one of those medical monitors. The room was dimly light but he could see the photo clearly. There was a young boy laying in the bed, without a shirt, wrapped in bandages on his fore arm, fingers, and his torso and was hooked up to the medical monitors. On the boy's face was a few bandages but what really scared him was a blood soaked rag wrapped around his head, covering his right eye, but blood was leaking out of it and was soaking the bed sheets and the pillow case, but no one seemed to care. He also saw an old man, wearing a uniform, and was holding the boys hand while the photo showed his arm covering his face but below the arm were viable tears falling down, emphasizing that the old man was crying and could see a but of his jaw under his arm, showing that he was saying something. He knew what he was saying in that photo. After all, he was his grandpa, and the boy unconscious in bed...

.

.

.

.

.

...Was Eric. He was the boy in the bed.

"Yea, that's me" said Eric as he wiped his tears away and continued saying "How'd you know? And where did you get this photo?"

"Well, a while back, I had heard you say your grandpa was in the special forces but I wasn't sure if he was in mine or not. But what really made me think it was you, sorry for saying this, was the eyepatch on your right eye, and the faint image of pointy teeth on the kids mouth made me think it was you, but I wasn't sure until now. As for how, I found some hidden images of what he was secretly doing to soldiers and I found your photo there. I printed it out so I could show you and clarify if my thoughts were true or not" said Karasuma.

"Yea, that's me in the bed" said Eric as he sounded more depressed now.

"And I take it that's your grandpa?" asked Karasuma but he sounded more anxious to know this time. Eric continued to look at the photo then nodded at his question and said "Yea. He's my grandpa. I take it you've heard of him" said Eric.

"Heard of him? Kid, he was my commander in the special forces. He was the man in charge of us before he retired" said Karasuma, still amazed that his commander was Eric's grandpa.

"You're my old commander's grandson?" asked Karasuma, as he sounded amazed that his commander was Eric's grandpa, as well as everyone else that heard him.

Eric looked up from the photo and then nodded in response.

"Yep" was all Eric said.

He then handed the photo back but before Karasuma could take it, a hand reached out and grabbed it as a voice said "Let me see that" and they turned to see Eddy, as his arm was stretched out far since he was sitting away from them and then retracted his arm and looked at the photo.

BONK

"NO CARTOONY MOMENTS HERE. THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A SERIOUS MOMENT" yelled Eric as he clobbered Eddy on the head. Everyone just sweat dropped at Eric hitting Eddy, but also that he said something so random, yet made sense when it came to the Eds and Eric.

Eric sighed and went back to his seat and sat down again, while Eddy still held the picture. His eyes widen in surprise as some of the students walked over and looked at the photo. Yada took one look and just gasped that that was Eric in that bed. It was something scary to see. Seeing him bleeding like that and seeing his grandpa cry almost made her cry too, but she held her tears to try and be brave.


"Yea, that was me, but back to what I was saying before. My grandpa told me how he was in the Special Forces. That he was their commander, which was the highest rank you could get in the special forces. He then told me about how he went on missions, went out to fight the bad guys, and got paid a big salary to do so. It was like a mixture of a superhero and a spy."

"And being the young kid I was, I ate that all up like candy. I thought it sounded cool to be a hero and spy at the same time. You know how kids can be. We love adventure and action, hence why we grew up with action packed shows and just loved it all" said Eric as he began recollecting his memories of how he thought the special forces were.

"Anyways, he went on telling me his stories about being in the force and I found it awesome that that was grandpa's job. Being a special forces member sounded awesome, but he told me the job was not easy. He said training was awful. That they'd train you to your core and you'd be exhausted in the first few minutes of exercise. At first, I thought he could take me with him on one of his job but..." said Eric as he went on about how his mother eventually found them.

"She then heard grandpa began telling me his stories and then stormed over to him and pulled on his cheek, scolding him not to tell me these things cause then I'd begin to get ideas about being in the forces."

"She was very protective of me, as any mother would. She had always wanted me to get a nice normal job, find a wife, get married, which I just gagged at at the time, and live a happy normal life. That's the kind of mother she was. Protective, caring, loving, but could also be smothering at times. She cared about me so much that she wanted me to have a normal life. Not get a life that includes violence, guns, bombs, even death. But it was too late. I was already set on being like my grandpa" said Eric as he was trying to sound cheery but remembering his past still made him hurt.

"When people began to leave, I knew that this might be the last time I might see him, so before we left, I begged grandpa to take me with him to his job. Mom said no, and Grandpa agreed with her, since I was too young. But being the stubborn kid I was, I clung to his leg and begged him to take me with him. He protested and my parents tried to pry me off but I wouldn't let go until he would bring me along when he went to his base. It didn't work cause they had to use butter to make me lose my grip and get off of grandpa. It wasn't a very pleasant car ride home after that" said Eric as he remembered how his mother was lecturing him on how dangerous being in any form of military was.

"She then thought it would be fun to torture me by singing "grandma's baby shark song" as for acting like I did today. I plugged my ears to try and block it out but then dad joined in and it was hell the rest of the ride back."

"But that didn't stop me..." said Eric. He then began to remember how he would constantly send his grandpa emails and letters begging him to take me along with him.

"So I did it for a few weeks, then months...

...And months...

.

.

...And months...

.

.

...And months later, he finally gave up and tried to convince his superiors to try and give him a chance to allow me to come with him to their secret base just for a few days. They said it was a bad idea since I was still young but they thought that since my grandpa had done so much for the force, that he deserved something special. So they thought that him bringing me here was a good way for them to thank grandpa for being so helpful. But they told him that I was his responsibility. That he needed to keep an eye on me and whatever happened to me was on him.


"Oh how did I not know that that would come back to bite me..." said Eric as he began to shed a few tears. He wiped them away and continued on explaining.


"Anyway, after he had managed to talk to his superiors to get the ok, my mom began freaking out, saying how she didn't want her baby boy going to a dangerous place. But my dad tried to convince her that maybe this was a good thing. That going with grandpa would be a good way for us to bond. And that maybe I might like being in the special forces cause he reminded her that I was growing up and soon I would need to find a job."

"Mom was still reluctant but knew my dad had a point. After some much needed talk, she was finally ok with me going with Grandpa. I was excited. I was finally going to a real life military base. We got to the airport and grandpa was able to get one of the fancy parts of the airplane. The kind that had little rooms in them. I was so giddy with joy that since my grandpa was a part of the military, that he got special passes like these. But he told me that being in the Special forces isn't about having special passes like these, its about being a hero and saving people. I nodded as I knew he was right. But it was still cool."

"He then had told me that it was a long flight to the base, so he thought I should get some sleep. So I did. I don't know how long I was out but I must have been a heavy sleeper cause I was awoken to something I didn't see coming..."

Trumpet Blare

Eric had jolted from his sleep and ended up hitting his head on something hard. He groaned in pain as he held his sore spot and saw that there was another bed on top of him.

But then the loud trumpet stopped and said "Alright Soldiers. Attention!" as Eric heard noises and turned to see that there were other people there, jumping down or getting up from their bunkbeds. Wait. Bunkbeds?

He looked around to realize that he was in a large and long room, as there were multiply bunkbeds around him and saw that people were standing up tall. But Eric was still confused. Wasn't he on the plane with his grandpa? He was so lost in thought until a shadow loomed over him.

"Well. Well. Seems we have slacker on our team, boys" said a voice as Eric turned up to see a large man, wearing a uniform, and was staring at the boy.

"When I say attention, you stand up with the rest of the boys, maggot!" shouted the man, which freaked Eric out and made him stumble out of bed and fall to the floor.

He then stood up and joined the other men standing tall, but he was jittery as he was freaking out.

"What in the "Nations of the world brought to you by Yakko Warner" was going on here?! And more importantly, where was my grandpa."


"Hey. How come when I'm silly you get mad, but you say that and its ok?!" yelled Eddy.

"I'm telling my tragic story that I hate revisiting so shut up cause I'm not saying it again" yelled Eric as he cobbled Eddy on the head. Everyone just sweat dropped at the two.


"Anyways, I was so scared cause I was somewhere I had not seen before and my grandpa wasn't with me. But then that man walked forward and began shouting loud about army stuff, I think. But then I remember when the men were suppose to say something in unison, I didn't say it back, cause I didn't know what to say."

"Eventually the man must've caught on to my failures as he then walked over to me then glared down at me as he said "You haven't been keeping up with our codes, maggot! Do you not understand how to simply say "Yes sir" and "No sir"! Do you?!" shouted the large man at Eric as he was a stuttering mess as he didn't know how to respond to the man's questions.

But what he said next made Eric nearly pee his pants.

"Well if a few words is to impossible for you to say, son, do you know what we do with failures like you?" said the man in a strict and threatening voice. Eric fell to the floor in panic as he just shuttered in fear. Then the man tilted his head down more to where Eric couldn't see his face.

"We..." said the man in a slow way, which made Eric flinch as he covered his face with his arms.

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..."Welcome them with open arms" said the man, as Eric then heard people cheering and clapping. Eric was surprised by this and opened his eyes to see the man now had a bright, smiling, as well as everyone around him as Eric looked from side to side.

Eric was so confused. Just a few seconds ago, this place was quite and scary but now it was bustling with energy. Eric then saw the man hold out his hand and say "I'm sorry son. Here let me help you up" to which Eric reluctantly took his hand and then stood up. He then saw some of the soldiers around him patting him on the back and welcoming him here.

"Wait, what goings on?" asked Eric as he was so confused.

He then turned to see his grandpa walking down the isle as the large man in front of him said "It was all your grandpa's idea. He told us about how you wanted to be part of our service. So he thought he would give you an idea about how we wake up in the morning. So just to tell ya, that's how we wake up here, and its only...5 in the morning" said the man as he looked at his watch.

"5 in the morning" I thought as I then stomped over to Grandpa and began complaining how this was a dirty trick and that he should've woken me. Then he told me he almost did, but I looked too precious while sleeping that he didn't have the heart to wake me up. Then he thought it'd be fun to show me how things are here so I could get a feeling of what I was getting himself into."

"So he made everyone say hello to me and then I turned to the large man that seemed completely different now, walking in with what looked like lots of food and sweets. I dug in immediately and everyone just laughed at how much I was eating. Everyone was talking over one another as I just stuffed my face.

But for some reason, seeing me with the sweets made my grandpa give the man an annoyed look. I then saw my grandpa and the man walk away from us and being the curious child I was, I began walking after them. I saw that they had turned a corner and I had stopped to hear what they were doing. I don't remember much but I remember grandpa telling him that he was not enough and spoiling the soldiers like this isn't a good thing and how his partner got the job but he didn't."

"I didn't know what they were meaning but I heard them coming back so I quietly tip toed back the room and waited for them to come back. I saw the man and Grandpa come back as I saw that the man's face was one of worry and immediately changed it to a happy expression as I asked "Hey Grandpa, who's he?" as he pointed to the man next to him.

"My grandpa then explained that he was a drill manager here. He was the man that was in charge of getting the soldiers into shape, but what he said next was a name I would resent for the rest of my life...

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"Names Akira Takaoka. And I'm the man that's going to whip you into shape, young man" said Akira as just for brief moment, Eric thought he saw a sinister look in his eyes but then they were looked over by the sweet smile he was showing.


"Wait, you said this was 8 years ago and you said your Grandpa said that his partner got the job but not him?" stopped Karasuma as he asked a question.

Eric just looked at him and nodded yes but then he asked in a mumbled voice "Why? Does that mean something to you?"

Karasuma sighed and said "I'm afraid it does Eric." Hearing this made everyone look towards him even Eric as he asked "What do you mean?"

Karasuma sighed as he said "8 years ago, me and another person were trying to apply for your Grandpa's branch of the special forces but we weren't assigned to be in the same area so we were separated. I ended up going to one farther away but the other guy... ended up going to your grandpas base."

For a while, the class didn't understand what he me at but Eric knew as his eyes grew wide as he said "Wait, are you telling me..."

"Yes, Eric. I was with Takaoka's 8 years ago. I was the one that got in while he didn't" said Karasuma as he looked down.

The class gasped that he knew Takaoka from long ago. Eric also gasped but then began to hang his head down as he mumbled "I see" as he continued on.


"As I said, when I first met Takaoka, everyone seemed to have praised the guy. They said he was a good drill instructor, getting them to work hard, but he also had a sweet side to him. Like he was their father figure. He was nice to them and everyone seemed to enjoy him. I guess that's why, when he did the same thing here, it freaked me out. He was the same back then as he was know."

"Anyways, for the rest of the day, my grandpa showed me around the base. He showed me the medical ward, their ammunitions factory, their communications center, all the things you would see in an army base. It was so cool that I was seeing the real life thing. He seemed to be happy that I was happy. But that happiness wouldn't last forever..."


"What do you mean?" asked Meg.

Eric sighed and felt his stomach churn in disgust at the next words he said. "That happiness ended, the night the name "freak" would forever be what I was labeled as for the rest of my life."


"It was the third day at the base. In the second day, Grandpa had shown me how they flew their helicopters, but on the third day, grandpa said he was going to show me their shooting range. Where they did their target practice. He walked me over to a building that loud gun shots could be heard, as to be expected."

"He told me it would be loud so he gave me some big earmuffs that canceled noise and made things a lot better. When we made it in, I could see many men and women firing guns at targets down at the end of a shooting range, and I saw that Akira was in charge of this as well as training the soldiers. He then saw us walking towards them and told everyone to stand in attention. They did so and my grandpa relieved them."

"Grandpa then brought me over to the group and I saw all of the dummies they were shooting at and many of them were destroyed. Being the action junkie I was as a kid, I wanted to try and shoot a real gun, but my grandpa told me no. But then Akira said that I could try his old pellet pistol. He went and grabbed it and I began my first target practice. I wasn't perfect but grandpa showed me how to aim a gun or at least the pellet pistol. I sucked but the more I tried with Grandpa helping me, the more my grandpa could see me hitting the bullseye on the targets. He was proud that I was good with the pellet pistol, even on my first try, but I could see out of the corner of my eyes, that Akira seemed to have a look of anger at Grandpa and I didn't know why" said Eric as he looked down the ground in sadness.

"Little did I know that that moment with grandpa would be the last happy moment we ever had..."


"What happened?" asked Double D still feeling worried about where his story was going.

Eric sighed as he continued on.


"Just as I thought things were going good, a man came rushing in with a paper and gave it to my grandpa. I couldn't see what it said cause I was so short, but it must've been important because then my grandpa began barking orders and told all the soldiers to run to their stations and get ready to leave, I think. It was a long time ago and some things are a little fuzzy, but I do remember Akira pleading with my grandpa to take him with him but my grandpa refused because he needed someone to watch me and that he thought it would be good for him to teach me some of the training grounds that he did with the others. A decision he would regret for life" said Eric as he had recollections of his grandpa running towards the exit and only him and Akira were let in the building.

Eric turned and saw Akira walking over to him and kneeled down as he said "Well your grandpa has to go out on a mission but he told me show you how we train here. What do you say, champ? Wanna go train your heart out?" and being innocent kid I was, I said yes."


Timeskip

"We walked over to the training grounds and I could see a bunch of obstacles there. A climbing wall, ropes hanging from a beam, giant tires, and many other things that kids would think it was a jungle gym.

Akira just stood their smiling as he then told me "Ok kid. Now here's where the soldiers train their hearts out. Now if you want to be a good soldier, then you've got to train yourself to the very core. You ready, little buddy."

"Being the hyper kid I was, I thought that it would be fun. So I agreed with him and tried his training grounds or obstacles and they were exactly how you would think a 6 or 7 year old could do on them. They were impossible."

"I tried with all my might to get past them but I couldn't do them all the way. But Akira kept motivating me by saying how grandpa would be disappointed that his own grandson couldn't get past this. I still wanted to follow in my grandpas footsteps so I tried my hardest. And it was fine after that... for a while."


"This story is getting scary, Eddy" said Ed as he shivered in fear.

"Shut up, monobrow. Eric's still talking" said Eddy as he tied Ed's neck in a bow, shutting him up.


"Soon I couldn't take it anymore. I had collapsed on the ground from exhaustion. Akira walked over to me and asked why I was on the ground. I got back up and I had tried explaining to him that this whole thing was tough and that I needed a break to rest. Akira told me that this is normal training and told me to think of the payoff, that I'd love it. But I kept protesting saying I can't do this. But what came next made me realize something..."

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"I was so screwed"

"Akira laid his hand on my head...

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...then kneed me in the stomach, taking me by surprise and making me cry out in pain. I feel over in pain as I clenched my stomach. It was what he said next that made me fear for my life."

"Listen kid, one thing you need to know around here. We don't do can't in this service. Second, I am your commander and you are suppose to do as I say" as I then looked up and saw that he now had scary dead eyes that made me scared."

"He then reached down, grabbed my shirt, and began dragging me over to their climbing wall. He threw me to the ground while he pointed up."

"Get to climbing that wall and maybe you can have a break." He told me in a more aggressive way."

"I looked up and the wall was like 30 feet high. Maybe, I don't know. I was too short for it anyway so there was no way I could do it. I told him that I couldn't climb it. It was one of those walls that had nothing to grab onto as to climb up the wall, and he expected me to climb it? I thought he was nuts, which he was I saw then and there. But then, just as it told him that I couldn't do it, he slapped me across the face and made me slide to the ground."

"I told you kid. We don't do can't" as he walked over to me and then grabbed my hair as he dragged me back to the wall and told me to climb it now. When I couldn't, he kept beating me up to motivate me to get up the wall but I couldn't without anything to grab."

"He kept beating me and the more I didn't go higher, he began hitting me with a stick. For a kid, I didn't understand why this was happening. Was this how they were actually trained or what? I was so confused. I just wanted to be done. I couldn't take the pain anymore" said as Eric as he tried not to cry.

"I cried out for my grandpa to help me but that just made it worse since he told me that he wasn't here and thinking about his grandpa and not training made him very angry and he relentlessly beat me to a pulp. He forced me back to the wall and after much trying, I made it over. My fingers were sore and bleeding but I made it. But I didn't have a plan as to how to get down."

"I then thought that this was perfect. I could stay up here and wait for grandpa to save me, but I didn't even last a minute as Akira ran up the wall and shoved me off without a warning and soon and landed on my feet and sprained my ankle" as he remembered as he held his right ankle in grimace.

"But did Akira stop? NO. He dragged me to their running field and told me if that was too much then I should just do some running instead. But I told him my ankle hurt. He just shoved me to the ground and said "No back talking to me, kid. You're wanting to be a future soldier here then you need all the training you can get" as he then told me to get moving."

"I tried to run but I kept limping because of my ankle. I kept trying but I just kept falling to the ground. Eventually, he got tried of pushing me and he brought out a whip and he said "If you don't keep moving then I'll really whip you into shape."

"Finally I had had enough and yelled at him to "STOOOPPP" and asked him "Why are you doing this? What did I do to you?" I whimpered as I begged him to stop."

"Its cause of your grandpa kid. He told me I'm not good enough to be in his branch. That I'm not good talented enough. That being too nice to the others is not a good thing. That I need to be more strict and rough. He then told me that my partner had gotten the job over me. So I see it now. He wants me to be more rough with them. And if that's the case, then I'm going to get mean. And since that how he wants to play, then I'll show him what happens when you pick favorites when it comes to me" he shouted as he then threw the whip towards me and shouted at me to keep running."

"I didn't understand why he was doing this to me. This was something that was a problem with my grandpa, not me. He kept making my run laps but I just couldn't take it anymore. I collapsed on the field and soon I heard, what people would hear a footsteps, I heard as stomps like a giant. I looked up to see Akira with his crazy eyes looking at me.

He then said "So you continue to defy me, huh? Think its nice to be lazy of front of me? You thinks its a good idea to be lazy around me? If that's what you think, then you need a lesson" he yelled at me as he grabbed me by the hair and dragged me to a little wooden shed down the hill. But as he did so, it began to thunder loudly but there wasn't any rain at that time."

"He opened the door and threw me inside. I landed on something sharp which turned out to be a nail. I pulled it out and then turned to the door of the shed and saw something that still haunts me to this very day."

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"There he was standing front of the door, with a hammer in his hand as lighting flashed behind him, shadowing his whole body and making him even more scary. And what he said next was the exact same words he said to me today that he also said years ago..."

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"If you can't see that I am trying to make you a better soldier, then perhaps its time I fix your eyes" as he walked closer and closer to Eric as he held the hammer up high in the air.


End of Flashback

"And he to-to-took that hammer" stuttered Eric as he tried not to cry and then pointed to his bad eye as he finished saying "To my eye" and that was the last straw.

Eric couldn't hold it in anymore. He broke down into tears and cried very loud. Everyone was in complete shock, no more so than the Eds.

Eric had just told them the whole truth about him. About his eye and how he got it. They couldn't believe that that was what Eric had gone through. They knew that his eye was a touchy subject but now they understand how bad it was and no one blamed him for not saying anything.

Eric tried his best not to make his voice crack under the sadness but he failed as he whimpered saying "But my pain didn't end there. Oh, no. When I had gotten back, my mom was angry at grandpa for letting this happen to me. So angry, we moved to a new town and my pain only grew from there" as he wiped his tears away.

"When I went to the n-ne-new school, everyone gave me looks and just walked away when I tried to talk to them. No one wanted to be my friend just cause of how I-i LOOKED" screamed Eric as he went back to crying his eyes out as he began to remember the things people kept saying.


Eric then began to remember all the bullying he suffered through after his eye had healed.

"AHH. A MONSTER"

"Get out of here you freak."

"Eww. He's scary. Lets leave."

Having remembered several flashbacks of him getting bullied and beaten up at school for looking the way he did.

POW

PUNCH

KICK

PUNCH

And he also had the memories of him and his family moving from place to place and it always being the same thing he had to deal with over and over.


All of it came flooding back to Eric and that flood became his tears as he cried at how much Akira had ruined his life.

"So you think that being kneed in the stomach and getting sl-slapped across the face was bad? Oh pl-please. That was child's play compared to what he really would've done" whimpered Eric as he continued to cry.

The class had nothing to say.

They were all in a state of shock.

They all were shocked about how Eric got his black eye but they were even more shocked that what happened today wasn't as bad as what Eric went through. They thought what Akira did was bad enough but that was nothing compared to what he did to Eric. They had nothing to say except for this.

Akira Takaoka was a total scumbag.

"It was then that my anger towards him built up. It's because of him I had no one to turn to. No friends. Nothing but pain and suffering!" said Eric as he continued to cry.

"Why-why did it have to be me? I did nothing wrong. I didn't do anything to him. I had nothing to do with him being denied, so why am I being punished here?!" cried Eric as he just wept into the sleeves of his jacket.

Everyone's mood was now dampened that even though Karasuma just saved them from Akira's truth wrath, one person still wasn't free from that wrath. And that was Eric

Toka just began to light cry as she hated seeing Eric sad but she was more sad at how much Eric had suffered and she didn't know. She hated seeing her secret crush crying. She didn't like seeing him like this. She loved seeing him smile. Now he finally told the truth about what he went through and it was completely heart breaking.

But as she cried, she saw some people walking past her. She lifted her head to see who it was.

Eric just kept crying at remembering his past until he felt arms wrapping around him. He lifted his head and saw the only friend he had made that never ran away from him just because of his looks.

The Eds.

The only friends he had that didn't care about his looks and became the best of friends. Eric tried to hold back at what they were doing but it was futile as he just let loose and cried more as his friends hugged him close while they tried not to cry.

"I am so sorry Eric! I had no idea you were suffering so much for so long" said Double D as he tried his best not to cry as he kept his hug on Eric.

Ed just whimpered and then just broke down as he hugged Eric close but not in his bear grip and cried "Oh dear, Eric. I am so sorry. Such a tragic tale. I feel so bad for you" as he ripped his t-shirt off and blew his nose into it, covering it in snot.

But one person seemed to still be hugging him and it was Eddy. Eric dried his eyes as he was surprised the Eddy was still hugging him. He never was the hugging type.

"I am sorry that that was what you went through. And I'm sorry for all the times I gave you those nicknames after your eye. I had no idea that's how much you were suffering. I may be a jerk sometimes but I am sorry that I was rude to you. Forgive me" said Eddy as he tried not to cry.

Eric's eyes widened a bit as this was one of the few moments where Eddy was sincere about something. He kept seeing Eddy hiding his face in his jacket as he could tell he did feel bad for Eric.

Eddy kept hugging him, hoping that Eric might cheer up but then he felt Eric's arms hug him too as he said "It's ok Eddy. I forgive you."

Double D dried his eyes as Ed stopped sneezing in his shirt and Eddy let go of Eric and the three stood together as the sun began to shine into the room behind them as the rain had stopped and the sky started to clear up. Eric gazed up at them and just like before, he didn't know if it was the sun or their smiles but Eric felt happier seeing them.

"People may have called you names because of what you looked like" said Double D.

"But those jerks couldn't be more wrong. It's their loss that they didn't stick with you" said Eddy.

"Because you are so sweet. And you are our friend. And we love you soo much" said Ed, not having much to say.

'Such a simpleton. But it made me feel a bit more happy to hear them say these things.'

"Yea. What they said" said a voice behind them.

The Eds turned around, as Eric stood up, to see that the rest of the class was now standing and looking at them with supportive looking faces, to which they saw Isogai ahead of the class so they assumed it was him that spoke.

"Yea, Isogai is right, Eric" said Hara.

"You and the Eds have been here for a while and we've seen how much of a nice person you are Eric" said Kayano.

"You're kind, caring, and you always try and be the moral compass for the Eds, and you've been very helpful to us" said Yada in a sincere way.

"I couldn't agree more" said a voice beside them, which turned out to be Korosensei as he began slithering to the back of the group.

"Eric. Akira may have damaged your eye and brought you pain, and hearing what you said has also brought you trauma. I'm sure none of us will ever know what sort of pain you're feeling or have felt in the past but let this class, no, let your friends here be the ones to heal your wounds. It has been said that time heals all wounds. Well whoever said that was a fool. The wounds will always remain with you but a kind gesture can reach a wound only compassion can heal. So let your friends compassion for you be the thing to heal that broken eye and soul of yours. Your days of suffering ends today. Right here, in the Assassination Classroom" said Korosensei as he stretched out his arms out wide as long as the group was, gesturing to them.

Eric just kept wiping his tears away as he was happy at what he said. But as he stopped, he heard footsteps and saw the whole class walking over to them. They then had one big group hug, with Yada hugging Eric the most. Eric just couldn't help but smile as he couldn't cry anymore. His wells had dried up.

Karasuma was still speechless at what had happened but he grew a smile, seeing how the students were big there for Eric right now.

But he still had one more question for Eric so he then asked "There's still two more things I want to ask you Eric" which made the class look towards him at his question.

"Why did your grandpa retire? Was it after your... incident?" asked Karasuma.

Eric just sighed as the group let go and Eric as he tried to remember what happened.


Back to the Flashback

"I never saw it but my grandpa had told me that just before Akira attacked me, he saw Akira dragging me to the shed just as he got back from his mission. He got worried so he ran towards the shed, but just as he got into the shed, Akira already hit me in the face. When he saw what happened, he broke out into a fight with him. He never told me the details but he told me that he tried to convince his superiors that Akira was a bad man and that he should be thrown out but the whole thing went on forever and they told my grandpa that I was his responsibility and that since he wasn't watching me, there was nothing they could do. They warned him that bringing a kid to secret base was a bad idea but since grandpa didn't listen, this was on him" said Eric, feeling more down.

"After that, my grandpa retired because he thought that these people that he had worked with for so long were good people and his friends but after me, he saw their true colors and he wanted no part of that. He didn't want to be with people like them, so he retired and left the special forces."


End of Flashback

"And I gave up on my dream of being in the special forces. After what he did, why would I want to work with horrible people like them!" said Eric in an angry tone but also sad tone. The class let go of the group hug as Eric just hung his head.

"I see" said Karasuma as he began to lose himself in thought. "Another thing was why didn't you remember what he looked like when you met him?"

Eric face dropped as he said "From what I remember, my grandpa told me that the doctor who examined me said that when I was hit by the hammer, and since I was still young, when he hit me, it must've given me some form of amnesia to where I forgot what he looked like. I was only 7 at the time" as he was just still feeling sad.

"And that brings us to today" sighed Eric in a depressed tone.

Even after hearing what the class had said to him, he still was full of conflicting emotions and didn't want to make things harder for everyone else. He had had enough of today so he began turning around and walking away towards the door, past everyone.

"Wait Eric!" said Yada, trying to stop him.

But Eric just put a hand in front of her and said "I just... need some time alone. Just leave me be" he said as he continued to walk out the door and then left the building and disappeared from everyone's sight.

No one followed him cause they knew he was suffering but no one knew how to help some one that's been through hell like Eric did.

Karasuma was still in awe at what he was told. He only knew now how bad his old partner was but now, he knew that he needed to be dealt with.

"That poor boy" thought Karasuma.

He then saw Yada storming her way over to him and said "Sir, is there anyway you can put that monster in jail for what he did to Eric?!" she said in an angry and sad way.

Karasuma held up his hands in surrender at her anger as he said "I will talk with my superiors and tell them the truth about Takaoka. Trust me, after hearing what I heard, I'd be a fool not to tell the higher ups. That must not have been an easy thing for Eric. Revisting his past."

"Actually, I think it was a good thing for Eric to do so" said Korosensei until he was met with a knife that almost struck him, but he could see it happening from miles away and moved out of the way to see Yada holding an anti-sensei knife and said "You better elaborate on what you mean sir, or you will die today" as she glared at him with a killer intent.

"I understand your anger Yada. I've seen how you two interact with each other so I know your angry, but don't you remember what he almost did today? He almost killed Akira" said Korosensei in a slight grave sounding voice.

"He should have just done that to begin with. After all the pain and horrible things he did to Eric, he deserves to die. We're meant to be assassins after all" yelled Yada.

"True as it may seem, but with Eric, it was something he had been wanting to do for a long time. You kids didn't even think about assassinations in your life until I came into the picture, but for Eric, it was always there with him, lurking in the shadows, but he just never knew. He wanted to hurt the man that ruined his life, and that's why I think him telling us his past was a good thing" said Korosensei calmly as this has the classes full attention.

"What do you mean sir?" asked Nagisa as everyone was listening to their story.

"I meant it like I told Eric. Suppressing all negative emotions is not good for a person's well being. Its not healthy for them. It can keep building up over time if its not released, and it can cause problems. Think if it like a river and a dam. If the water isn't released a little, then it'll overflow and cause problems for everyone. Eric's anger is the same" informed Korosensei as the class paid attention.

"By suppressing his emotions for so long, he released it all into an anger fueled fury and almost took the life of a man. Even if it was the man that ruined his life, I could tell that if he did follow through, it wouldn't have solved anything for him. But by telling us what really went down, Eric was able to release the waters of his anger and it all came flowing through. It may have been a sad thing to remember what he went through, but realizing it all was a good thing. And sometimes to make that water flow, there has to be something or someone to make that flow happen. And this is where I give you kids a challenge" said Korosensei as he spoke in his teaching ways.

"What do you mean sir?" asked Maehara.

"Be that thing that makes the waters flow. In other words, be there for Eric" said Korosensei as that left the kids in thought.


From the other side of the school wall.

Standing tall and leaning on the other side of the wall was their school principle, Asuno.

He had planned on leaving the class but then the rain made him run back to the building to hide from the rain. But when he came back, he heard the students talking about Akira and what Eric knew about him, so he thought it might be interesting to see what was the truth with those two.

After hearing the whole thing, the principle was in utter gasp. Though he didn't show it on the outside, he was very shocked at what the poor boy. To have gone through so much as a kid, it must've been terrible to be bullied at such a young age. Just as he turned around and walked away, seeing as the rain had cleared up, he stopped and turned to the side of building and placed his hand on it as he gave a slight smile but with sadness hiding behind it.

"Guess you and him are almost alike, huh? Maybe this time, he can be saved" he said as he walked back to the school.

"Perhaps Korosensei could do better than I ever could."


The Eds and Eric's dorm rooms(Timeskip)

Eric had left the building still in his gym clothes and made it back to his and the Eds dorm rooms on his own. He rode the train back to their dorms alone because he wanted to be alone. He soon made it back to the dorms and went to his room and shut the door.

He laid in bed as he just wanted the night to end. He rolled over to his side and saw a picture of him and his grandpa, standing behind a sign of the Grand Canyon. It just made Eric even more sad. His dream of following in his grandpa's footsteps were crushed by the man he thought he could trust. Goes to show how much you can trust adults.

He simply sighed as he plumped his head on his pillow and groaned. Today was a day he didn't expect and just wanted to end. Not only did he come face to face with the man that ruined his life, but he also fought him and almost killed him, scaring his friends and classmates.

As he kept feeling sad, soon all of his crying and pent up emotion soon caught up to him as Eric soon fell asleep, lying in bed for so long he didn't know how long he was sleeping as he then awoken to a knock at his door.

"Um excuse me Eric? Would you like to join Eddy, Ed and me for dinner? We thought about going to that ramen place you like" said Double D from behind the door. Eric just rolled over away from the door.

"Come on, buddy. We get that you're going through something bad and we want to help you" he heard Eddy say.

"Yea, plus they have a special on their fish cakes. We have to go" chanted Ed, but he just got clonked on the head as Eddy said "Shut up Monobrow."

Eric heard their arguing and couldn't help but smile. Thats how they always were, even before he met them. They were complete opposites and yet they were inseparable. His smile dropped as he remembered his time before the Eds and Eric were formed. But as he did that, he saw his picture again then recalled what his grandpa had told him


Flashback

"...He remembered his grandpa telling him, that even though kids are scared of him, everyone is different in this world, and he knew that I'd make the best of friends. Ones that won't judge me based on your looks or run away because of my looks. And if they are out there, be the better man than them. To not be down and perhaps keep the things that happened to him away from them..."


End of Flashback

Eric then came back to here the Eds still arguing. He knew why they were doing this and he couldn't help but smile.

The Eds continued their arguing until a voice said "Will you guys stop shouting? You'll wake the neighbors then it'll be 5th time we've gotten a complaint" to which they turned to see Eric, now in different clothes, leaning against the door frame, but still had red puffy eyes from his crying.

The Eds stopped their arguing as Eric just sighed as he said "I'm sorry that you guys had to hear my story that way. They had been times at Peach Creek that I wanted to say something but I just kept worrying that saying something could make you lose interest in being my friends. That you'd judge me even more, and I didn't want to lose the only friends I had made in 6 years and I just kept pushing the truth, farther and farther away. So for that, I'm sorry" as he hung his head down in sadness.

But he was soon hugged by the Eds as they held him tight.

"We'd never do that to you, Eric" said Double D.

"We knew that your eye was a sore subject and knew that it was something bad for you to talk about but we had no idea how bad it was until now"said Eddy as he kept the hug.

"You are our pal and we'd never leave you" said Ed as he kept Eric and the other Eds in his bone crushing hug.

"He's right. We'd never leave you. You never left us back and Peach Creek and we won't do the same thing here" said Double D, as he smiled at Eric.

"But there is one thing we want you to do" said Eddy breaking the hug as the Eds stepped back.

"And whats that?" asked Eric.

"Never become that thing that almost killed Akira. We never want to see that side of you again" said Double D in a serious tone, making Eric's eyes widened a bit.

"We know that you hate being called a freak, but we talked it over and we never want you to end up like that again. You're not a killer. We may have bene assigned to be assassins to kill Korosensei but no one else. So promise us, Eric. That you won't do something like that again" said Ed, surprising everyone that he said a long sentence like that, but what he said was what they agreed with.

Eric simply sighed as he grew a somber look. Their words hit him at his heart. He was surprised at their request or demand but he understood why. What he did today was completely out of character for him. He had never done that before, but Akira brought out the anger he had stored inside him. And seeing it unleashed left them in a state of panic. They never saw him as a killer and they didn't want him to be.

He wasn't a killer. He was Eric. Of the Eds and Eric. He was the voice of reason and defender of the Eds and Eric. He'd never done something like that. Granted, he has gotten angry at people for calling him freak, but that was because that was he was labeled for many years that he hates that word.

But when he met the Eds, they never judged him based on his looks and accepted him. And through the two years that they were together, they became the best of friends. He was their friend and seeing him act out of character scared the Eds so they asked that he never end up like that again.

He then looked up at the Eds and said "I promise I won't end up like that again. I'm sorry that you guys had to see that. I just never thought that I would come face to face with the man that ruined my life, so I guess I didn't handle it right. I'm sorry you saw that bad side of me, but I promise that I won't do it again" as he held up his hand in honor as he gave them a small smile.

The Eds smiled at this as they were glad that their friend ws smiling again. They liked this Eric. The kind and caring one.

Eric then lowered his hand as he said "So, we going to get some ramen? I heard there's a special on their fish cakes" said Eric as Ed just jumped up and down for joy. This made the others laugh as they began to grab their stuff and headed down.


They made it to the exit door and as the Eds went out first, Eric came out second and was surprised.

There stood all of the students of E-class and their teachers, all wearing normal clothes. Well, as normal as they make Korosensei look normal but you get the picture.

Eric just looked back and forth between all the students and said "Why are you guys here?" as he looked at the class.

"Because Eddy told us to come here" said Nagisa.

Hearing this, Eric brought his attention to Eddy as he said "Why?"

Being put on the spot, Eddy tried to find the right words as he said "When you finally told us about what happened with Akira, we knew that you were still suffering and we had a feeling that it wouldn't be right if it was just us to help you out of this pit of pain you've been stuck in."

Hearing this surprised Eric as he hadn't heard Eddy sound this serious or concerned before.

"So I asked everyone to meet us here because it's not just us that are worried about you, Eric. Everyone here is worried about you" said Eddy as he extended his arm out to the class.

"He's right, Eric" said Yada, stepping forward.

"When we saw you fighting Akira, we knew that you were projecting a lot of anger at him, and it scared us. And after hearing what you've been through, we understand why. But he's gone, and we decided that its only right that we try to help you through this Eric. You're one of us, so we need to do our part to help us" said Yada, being as sincere and honest as she possibly could.

Eric was surprised by her words as he began to look around as he saw the class had grown some smiles on their faces to show that they were wanting to help him through this pain he was going through.

"She's right, Eric" said Isogai stepping forward.

"You're a part of E-class. You're one of us and its not right to just let the Eds help you through it. You've been a good person to be around that we want to help you too" said Kayano, stepping forward as well.

"Even if Eddy hadn't said something, we still would've come to help you" said Fuwa with a smile on her face.

He couldn't help but smile as he said "Thanks guys. I really needed this right now" as he wiped some tears away.

"We also came because I take responsibility for what happened today" said Karasuma as he stepped forward.

"Why?" asked Eric.

Karasuma sighed as he walked over to Eric and said "I know I haven't been the best teacher when it comes to your training and after hearing what Takaoka did to you, I figured you would need some support. I should've been there when you needed me. I know you might be angry, but let me, no, let us help you get through that pain. And I'll try and be a better teacher and trainer for you from now on" said Karasuma as he pointed to the students.

Eric followed his hand as he saw the students looking at Eric with faces that basically said that they hoped he would say yes. Eric couldn't help but smile at how much everyone was going to make him feel better.

He then said "Well, what are we standing around for? That ramen isn't going to eat itself" he said which made all the student cheer as they began walking towards the restaurant, while Hinano pulled Karasuma by the arm and said "Lets go, class dad."

Korosensei and Irina stood behind the class as they saw how cheery they were being as the group hung around Eric, trying to cheer him up.

"True friends are people that will be there for you when you are beaten down or are feeling down. Friends are the people that we trust like family. Even being there for someone we don't know is the mark of a true friend, and a true heart. More over, a strong friendship, whether together everyday or far apart for a while, as long as the relationship lives within the heart, that friendship will last forever. Eric has been through a lot and has suffered a lot. So its important that not just his friends be there for him, but also his new classmates" said Korosensei in his sincere voice.

"In other words, I'm proud that he has friends like that and that this class of outcasts are willing to be there for him in his time of need. Them and their "class dad" because I know they will always be together and will be there to help each other... even after I'm gone" said Korosensei as he muttered the last few words but just kept his smiling face at the students.

"Am I the class mom?" asked Irina in curiosity as she pointed at herself.

"Hmm. You're more of the class bitch" chuckled Korosensei as he smiled smugly as he adjusted his glasses.

This made Irina angry as she yelled "ASSHOLE" and pulled out an anti-sensei knife and tried stabbing him, but not even a blow could be landed. The class saw this and couldn't help but laugh.

Eddy continued walking with his friends until he felt a tap on his shoulders and turned to see Rio walking next to him as she then said "That was a very sweet thing you did back there. When did you become Mr. Sentimental?" in a teasing way.

Eddy grew a tick mark and yelled "Hey. I can be sentimental."

"Since when?" asked Eric in a mocking manner, which made Eddy mad and everyone giggle at him.

Eric continued walking with the Eds until he saw Yada walk closer to him as she asked "Hey. Are you ok?" as she was worried for him.

Eric sighed as he looked down and said "No, not really." This made Yada feel down as the class turned their heads toward him as they heard him say that.

Until he lifted his head and said "But I think this might be what I need to feel better" he said as Yada sighed in relief as everyone began walking towards dinner. With Karasuma paying for it all.

'It was a day I dreaded the most. I met the guy that ruined my life. The guy that made the name freak stick with me forever like glue and I wanted to kill him, to make him suffer like I did, but... I just couldn't do it. I guess I knew that if I did kill him, I'd be no different than him. It still hurts me but I'm glad to know that I gained more friends that are willing to help me through it. It still hurts in my heart but I'm glad that I have the Eds and E-class helping me through this hard time for me.'


{Playing Welcome Back by John Sebastian}

[Instrumentals] The opening fades into a scenery of Tokyo, Japan.

[Welcome back, your dreams were your ticket out] The scene then cuts to the Eds and Eric walking on a sidewalk. Eddy in front of Ed, who was in front of Double D, with Eric behind him. They didn't seek to each, as they went to school.

[Welcome back, to that same old place that you laughed about] The next scene cuts to them in class with the other students as Korosensei teaches the class. The camera was positioned in the back of the room, so all you saw was their back and Korosensei teaching them.

[Well the names have all changed since you hung around] Korosensei's attention was caught by the bell and his speed out and back in with an arm full of sweets and candies, making the students sweat-drop anime style at him.

[But those dreams have remained and they've turned around] The next scene shows the Eds and Eric gathered around Double D's decks, with the smart Ed boy discussing a new plan from assassination, pointing to a piece of paper in his hand as he talked.

[Who'd have thought they'd lead ya (Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)] Eddy points to paper and asks a question. Double D answers him with a smile.

[Back here where we need ya (Back here where we need ya)] With Korosensei out of the room, Double D was at the front of the class, stating the next plan for another assassination, as the class watched and listen.

[Yeah we tease him a lot 'cause we got him on the spot] The scene then cuts to Ed, Eric, Isogai, Kimura, Maehara, and Chiba outside in front of the open window of the classroom that Korosensei used to exit when he wants to go to a far off place, putting up a large sheet of plastic to cover the open window frame.

[Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back, welcome back] Double D, who was in the class as they worked, shows a description of the plan on the blackboard. Showing that when Korosensei came back, the sheet of paper would act as a trap to tangle him up, so they could jump him and kill him.

[Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back] The boys that were working outside came in through the classroom door, with Eric said they were done with a thumbs up. Everyone quickly sat down in their seats.

[Yeah we tease him a lot, welcome back, welcome back] Korosensei ripped through the sheet of plastic with his Mach 20 speed, and stood at the front of the class, shocking the students.

[Cause we got him on the spot, welcome back, welcome back] Korosensei then lectures them about their failed assassination attempt, as they all look down.

[Yeah we tease him a lot 'cause we got him on the spot] The camera cuts to a hand holding a small yellow notebook with the description of the assassination, and a number to indicate what attempt it was. It was crossed out by a red marker.

[Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back, welcome back] It is shown to be Eric who was holding the notebook, with the Eds around him. They signed in disappointment, as the sunsets.

[Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back] They look at each other and shrugged with a small in an 'Oh well' manner. Eric then flipped over to the next page and put down the next number for the next assassination plan.

[Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back] The Eds and Eric are then seen walking back home before everything fades to black.

Next time: EDventure #16 "When in doubt, ED-it out"