1ST GEAR | VIDEO

[gearshifting]

[Richie is excited but nervous, unsure what to expect from this new world and all of the people in it. But mostly excited. He’s never gotten to dimension hop before! And people say that Virgil gets all the fun. Not that it doesn't completely suck that all of his tech is back home. Couldn't they have brought him when he was in costume? Of course not that would be too easy.

So he’s putting his best foot forward and trying to look as cheery as possible—while also trying to get as much data from the network as he can.]

Yo, man, this place is off the chain, but I’m pretty sure my mom is against me traveling out of town on my own, let alone to an alternate universe. I hope I get a note to take home that says “We apologize for taking your son on an interdimensional field trip without prior permission. Next time make sure to pack a lunch.” [He holds out his hand a bit like he’s reading something on it but then turns his eyes back to the screen.]

I’m sure the Justice League would have been all over this. Saving universes is their thing. Me? I have a math final to study for. But I’m here, so who else is a world-hopping newbie? I can’t be the only one around.

Comments

video | id reads "power girl"

[boobwindow]

[ A woman in a white costume and red cape appears on the screen, looking partly amused by Richie's comments. ]

At the very least it's not an entire universe here to stress about.

[ Or is it? Well, that's for her to worry about after all. ]

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[gearshifting]

[This woman looks pretty family, but the short hair, and other...characteristics, muddle it up a bit. He's never heard of a "Power Girl" either. If anything she looks a lot like Supergirl.

Too many blondes, thinks the guy who is a blond.]

I think trying to save the country from the Soviets is gonna be full job enough, but this would be a hundred times cooler if we were traveling through space like in Space Battles Episode IV.

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[boobwindow]

[ Don't mention that aloud or she might be making a face, Richie! ]

Trust me, there's nothing "cool" about fighting, especially in a war.

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[gearshifting]

[He holds up a hand as if to say he's not trying to make light of the situation, even though he kind of is.]

I'm just saying if I'm gonna be stuck anywhere expecting to fight crime and stop "evil Russians," I'd rather be doing it in space. But at least it's not a zombie apocalypse. That would really suck.

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[boobwindow]

Nice of you to want to help, but this isn't an easy job, you know.

[ Haha, zombies... ]

I think most of us are glad zombies are't involved.

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[gearshifting]

Not like I've got much of a choice, is it? [It's one of the few things he's said that maybe isn't as "nonchalant teenager" as he's been going so far.] I mean, if I say no, it's not like I'm going back home. Stuck for the duration.

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[boobwindow]

There's enough of one. Don't go running into burning buildings if it's not your specialty.

[ Unless he had water-based abilities, but still, we don't want to encourage teenagers to do something dangerous. ]

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[gearshifting]

[Been there, done that, but--]

Whoa, whoa, who said I'd be running into burning buildings? Don't you have like super interns or something?

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[boobwindow]

[ Super interns. ]

We don't do internships. At least, I don't.

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[gearshifting]

Well that sucks. If they're going to be throwing us in here with powers we didn't have before, wouldn't it be easier if we had people training us to use them?

[Then he gives a cheeky smile.] You know, and getting paid for it.

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[boobwindow]

There's a whole lot of it that doesn't make sense.

Luckily, there are imPorts who will offer to help if you need tips on how to use or control your powers.

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[gearshifting]

Yeah, everyone's been nice so far. It's not Dakota--probably a good thing--but it's been cool. And they hooked me up with a job at a candy store, so I hope they got good dental.

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[boobwindow]

North or South?

[ He's familiar with the Justice League, too, but she has to wonder when he's from or if he's from her world at all. ]

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[gearshifting]

North or South..? [He's not really sure what she's asking, but he's going to guess it's about where he lives since he hasn't really seen any cardinal directions mentioned about cities they get sent to besides the one in North Carolina.]

In Dakota? I guess you could say I live on the west side. Not like I live up on the docks or anything. Why?

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[boobwindow]

[ A beat before she shakes her head. ]

Nothing, just curious.

You said you know of the Justice League, right?

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[gearshifting]

[He's not going to forget the question, but he'll put it on the shelf for later.]

Yeah, I know of the Justice League. There's no one back home who doesn't. Superman saved my life once. Giant toy monkey tried to crush our school bus. He helped Static and Gear get rid of it.

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[boobwindow]

[ Static? It doesn't register as familiar, though she feels as if she may have heard it before... somewhere.

Gear, though? Definitely not ringing any bells. ]

I think Big Blue's helped everyone at some point. Static and Gear...?

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[gearshifting]

Homegrown heroes. They handle the bang babies and all the crazy that's been showing up in town the last few years.

[Trying not to toot his own horn is hard.]

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[boobwindow]

The bang babies?

[ Does he mean literal babies or... ]

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[gearshifting]

[She knows of a Dakota, but doesn't know bang babies? Definitely not from his world.]

Metahumans. Got their powers from a chemical explosion on the Dakota docks. Most of them are chill, but some of them like blowing things up.

No bang babies in your world?

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[boobwindow]

Can't say I have. I have been busy back home, so it's possible I've missed something, but... bang babies isn't your average descriptor, I'd say.

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[gearshifting]

Nothing's average about Dakota. [He says it a bit wryly.] But it's home. Doesn't look like it even exists here. That's a trip.

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[boobwindow]

I was thinking you meant the state at first — then maybe one of the cities named that.

[ Too many Dakotas. ]

Sorry kid, the multiverse is strange like that.

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[gearshifting]

...Oh man, I didn't even think of that. [He smacks his palm into his forehead. Hometown blindness and all.] Nah, Dakota City is on the Lakes. Not surprised if you don't even know who Static and Gear are. Bang babies are a big deal.

[In his tiny part of the world where the city is overrun by superhumans and most of heroes don't even stop by to say hello.]

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[boobwindow]

You know the Justice League, though. Does the JSA sound familiar? How about the Teen Titans?