Edd x Marie - A Heart's True Desire

Chapter 1: Three Years Too Long

     The beginning of August just began in Peach Creek as Double D and Ed stood outside of Double D's house awaiting for Eddy's arrival. Three years have passed since the Kankers left Peach Creek to bare witness to what New Holden had to offer as its nickname, 'A City of Brighter Lights', seemed promising to their mother. From what everyone heard, she got married once again to someone who preferred her and her daughters to move to New Holden with him to have a "better life" as he put it. Everyone pondered whether the Kanker sisters would just sneak back but after all these years, they never did to the happiness of everyone, especially the Eds.

     After all these years, many things have remained untouched within the Cul-de-Sac. Though, with minimal modifications, almost each one had its own impact. The Eds were more fond of by the rest of the teens in the Cul-de-Sac after the altercations with Eddy's brother, albeit Eddy's attitude didn't change too much, he was still appreciated to a higher degree than prior to that experience. Their attires were not influenced overtime but Double D did take upon a lengthy, black trousers over his purple shorts. His hair grew longer but he kept his beanie through thick and thin while growing a soul patch at some points to other's delight. Ed decided to grow his hair a bit more to which sideburns complimented him to Ed's delight. Eddy was still the shortest of the trio but he did grow taller than some of the teens while sporting a little stubble  on his chin. Through all these years, the Eds grew stronger and closer, even to the point of helping Ed prevail through his learning abilities being minimum before they helped him to higher levels. They described their unit as, 'A Brotherhood that can never perish, one that'll stand above all'.

     "Ed, do you have any clue about Eddy's whereabouts? He was supposed to meet us here 10 minutes ago." Double D questioned as Ed spoke the wisdom only he can hold.

     "I don't know, Double D, but I had my buttered toast this morning so my body is happy and ready for what battles we may face today!"

     "Umm...yes Ed, of course." Double D couldn't help but smile about his friend's enthusiasm.

     Just ahead, Eddy was seen running towards the taller Eds just after they finished pondering Eddy's location. He stops panting for a moment to look around to notice that they were the only ones currently present. With this sudden realisation, he screamed those five fatal words...    

      "THE KANKERS ARE COMING BACK!!"

     Sudden flashbacks from his first teen years caused Ed to become frozen, not even muttering a sound. Whereas Double D's face spelled bewilderment rather than fear.

     "But...Eddy, they've been gone for the past 3 years and why would coming back here be under their consideration? I mean, they've moved onto a grander living environment, surely they have a glamorous life." Double D pointed out.

     "I'm telling ya, they're coming back! F-Fire up that old execution robot, sockhead...ya know to scare em off." Eddy suggested but his voice had more fear within it.

     "Oh dear. First off, it was an EDUCATION robot. Second of all, how are you so sure that they're coming back?" Double D questioned Eddy's knowledge of the situation as Ed finally broke silence.

     "I was put together, guys, but now I'm broken on the inside." Ed calmly stated this but the erupted with,

     "KANKERS NOT GOOD FOR ED!"

     Ed then placed his head on Double D's shoulder as he is comforted by his friend. Eddy slowly revealed a postcard as his face reeked of worry with his forehead dripping of sweat along with visibility of his shaking hands. Due to this, Double D slowly took the postcard for both himself and Ed to view without complications.
Double D began to read what was written within the postcard as a red lipstick mark could be seen at the bottom left corner of the paper.