Chapter 1: Play that again, because I messed it up
Josh woke slowly, wondering if he was dead or if the robbery was a dream. Inspecting his surroundings, he found that he was in a small house. He had never seen the place before but somehow it seemed familiar. He went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. He looked like he did back when he was a teenager. Feeling confused he found a note downstairs and read it:
Your were always a great friend Josh. Now you can live out your dream in this different world. You'll know what to do
Best, Q.
After Josh read the note, he looked around the room again but when he looked back the note was gone.
Josh was confused, but then he noticed a student ID for Dakota high with his picture on it on the table and saw a school bus coming down the street. Figuring he might as well go with the situation, he grabbed some money and school supplies that were placed around the house as if he had lived there previously and got on the bus. Once on board, he heard some of the local gossip. "Did you hear?" Static's gone wacko!" one student said. "Yeah, just like all the other bang babies replied another". Josh did a double take. "Static who?" He asked one student. She looked at him like he had 3 heads. "Sorry" Josh quickly added, "I just moved in". "Static used to be our superhero" said another student who sounded hurt, "but now he's just a crook!" Josh couldn't believe it. He pinched himself, but then it all made sense. This "Q" must have sent him to the world of static shock!
Josh made it to school half expecting to not know where to go, but fortunately the teachers knew he had just transferred. The day seemed to go normally until during lunch break he saw Richie staring off into space looking sad. Strangely, Virgil wasn't with him. "Hello" Josh said extending a hand in greeting, "I'm Josh Stein". "I'm Richard Foley, but you can call me Riche" Richie said back, hiding a smile. "What's funny?" asked Josh. "Your name sounds like you're from a horror movie" Richie replied, then he worried that he'd insulted Josh. Josh laughed back "I get that a lot". After they had gotten their food. They started taking. "What's wrong, and where's Virgil?" asked Josh. Josh had a good guess, but thought that he'd try to be friendly anyway. "I guess you've heard about how we used to be friends right? I don't want to talk about it" replied Richie in a frustrated tone. Josh momentarily forgot about his fandom knowledge and looked concerned. Richie noticed Josh was being nice and asked a question "I head you just transferred here, do you have anywhere to be after school?" "Nope" replied Josh. Riche smiled and said "Wanna come to my place then?" "Sure" replied Josh.
Josh and Richie spent the afternoon playing video games. Josh hadn't heard of most of them, but he was a quick learner and was soon giving Richie a run for his money. After sundown Riche told Josh he'd was going up to his room to find another game system. Josh planning on offering to help when he heard Riche scream. Josh was about to run in when he heard another voice that sounded like Virgil's say "Shh! What are you afraid of?" "You" replied Richie. Josh tried to step away quietly but tripped over a laundry basket. He steadied himself in time to hear a faint static noise and Richie sigh in relief. "That shouldn't of have happened" Josh thought to himself. "Now what have I done" was his next thought. He contemplated telling Richie what he knew, but then realized that Riche would probably suspect it was a plot by Static. Riche came out of the room and saw Josh looking like he saw a ghost. Josh quickly came up with an excuse. "My mom will freak if I'm not home soon!" he exclaimed, channeling his real fear into his voice. Riche stood aside as Josh ran out the door.