It was nighttime when Eddy and Shade were back in Eddy's house. They, along with the rest of Eddy's family, were just about to open the box.
"Okay everyone, just remember," said Eddy's dad. "No matter what is in this box, we are still family."
"We are the Ydde's," said Eddy's mom.
Everyone watched with anticipation as Eddy's dad cut open the lock on the box with a pair of chain cutters.
"Oh my God, honey," said Eddy's mom. "You've still got it. You are so strong!"
Then they opened the box.
It was definitely a sight. The box was filled with gold and jewels, and many papers. But just as Eddy's parents and grandpa were about to see what they were . . .
"Wait a minute, guys!" said Eddy. "Before we do anything . . . " He paused and put his arm around Shade's shoulder. "I declare that half of whatever is in this box goes to my new friend Shadow the Hedgehog."
"Hold on," said Eddy's grandpa. "Shadow the Hedgehog, as in the creation of the late Gerald Robotnik?"
Shade, surprised that someone else knew his creator's name, nodded.
Eddy's grandpa smiled. "Boychick!" he exclaimed, reaching over and hugging Shade.
All Shade could do was exchange a confused look with Eddy.
Eddy's parents suddenly gasped. Eddy's dad was holding a paper in his hands.
"Oh my gosh," said Eddy's mom. "Is that really worth $100,000?"
"Well, check the date," said Eddy, taking the paper. He and Shade looked at the bottom of the paper. "1905. . ." Eddy read aloud.
"What's it worth, honey?" asked Eddy's mom.
"Well, a lot more now," said Eddy. "Millions."
"Millions?" Eddy's mom asked in disbelief.
"Millions . . . " said Eddy's dad, taking out a stack of papers. "One for us, one for Mr. Hedgehog, one for us, one for Mr. Hedgehog . . . "
Shade responded with a smile.
---
Right after they were done with the chest, Eddy and Shade cleaned up. Then they called Double D and Ed and told them the good news. They came right over.
Later, Eddy and Shade, along with Double D and Ed, were sitting outside on the curb, under the stars.
"It's so good to have you back, Eddy," said Double D.
"It's good to be back, Double D," said Eddy.
"It was so boring without you here, Eddy!" said Ed. "Say, was it really true that you guys survived on onions for a week?"
"Sure is, Monobrow," said Eddy.
"I'm amazed at this whole thing, Eddy!" said Double D. "Who would have thought that being sent to an illegal correctional facility would lead to unearthing a piece of your past?"
"Well, it's amazing how destiny can work," said Shade. "Right Eddy?"
"Right, dude," said Eddy.
"Bus!" said Ed.
"What?" asked Eddy.
"Bus!" Ed said again, pointing.
The other three boys turned. A few feet away, a bus was stopping.
"That's strange," said Double D. "The bus doesn't usually come by here this late. I wonder who it could be?"
They watched as the doors opened. A single person got off the bus.
Eddy's eyes widened. His jaw dropped. He knew who this man was. He wasn't expecting him to be here. He had been caught completely off-guard.
He turned to his friends for support. Ed looked as anxious as Eddy. Double D stared in amazement. And Shade just smiled.
Eddy knew what he had to do. He very slowly stood up and turned toward the other man.
And then Ed, Double D, and Shade watched as Eddy tearfully ran up and gave his older brother a hug.
---
A few months later, Eddy's family was living in a much bigger house, still in Peach Creek. Shade, or Shadow, as he was now known, was living in an equally big house next to him.
Camp Green Lake had been shut down. It was going to be reopened as a Girl Scout Camp. Luckily, they had nothing to worry about, as long as the girls ate plenty of onions.
All of the boys were sent to real counselors and put on probation. Soon, they were all living life happy and free again.
On a particular afternoon, Eddy and his family were having a party at their house. Ed, Double D, and Shadow were there. The even bigger surprise was that Hacker, Beast Boy, Brawler, Rubberman, Tiger, and Speedy were there as well. Even Mr. Nathan Ro, Blackie, and Eddy's brother were there. It was definitely a party to remember.
The boys were messing around by the Ydde's new pool. Eddy's dad was manning the grill. Suddenly, Eddy's mother ran out.
"Come on boys!" she called to the others. "Out of the pool! It's on!"
"Showtime!" said Eddy's dad as he and the other guests ran into the house and in front of the TV.
Everyone watched excitedly as a new commercial came on the TV. On the TV, the famous racer Captain Falcon was getting out of his race car.
"To my fans, I'm known as Sweet Feet," Captain Falcon was saying into the camera. As well as on TV, Captain Falcon was also sitting next to Eddy on the couch. "But to my pit crew, I was known as Stinky Feet. No one wanted to get near them during pit stops."
Some of the guests laughed.
"But then a friend told me about Sploosh," said the TV Captain Falcon, holding the bottle up to the camera. "I just spray a little on each foot every morning, and now I really do have sweet feet."
"Sploosh!" an announcer on the TV said. "A treat for your feet. Made from all-natural ingredients."
"Plus I like the tingle," said the TV Captain Falcon.
Everyone at the party applauded as the commercial ended.
Eddy smiled. For the first time in a long time, he was truthfully and honestly happy. Not just with the things around him, but more importantly, with himself.
---
And that is the story of how the great-great grandson of Anthon Ydde and the creation of the great grandson of the Wizard Robotnik became next door neighbors.
As for any other questions you may have . . . you'll just have to fill in the holes yourself.
Author's note: Wow, my creative juices were just flowing tonight, weren't they? Actually, I'm glad I finally got this story done. Now I can work on the many other ideas I have. But first, I'd like to say thank you to all the people out there who read this story and gave me so much praise for it. And I'm hoping that all of you will read my future stories and like them just as much as you liked this one. Keep an eye out for my new stories! But until then, peace out, and happy reading! ;) -AMX
Coming soon: Ed Edd n Eddy's Nightmare Before Christmas