Chapter 3: My name is Port, Teleport
Josh woke up early the next morning and teleported downstairs just to be sure he had the hang of it. Then he called the Dakota school transportation system and explained that wouldn't need the school bus to get to school from now on. Finally he got ready and teleported to a shopping strip near Richie's house. Josh saw Richie was alone again, though he looked much happier this time. He walked up to Richie and greeted him. Richie happily told him that Static's name had been cleared and they never should have doubted him. Josh was about respond when they heard a news report from someone's radio. "Police are still looking for the suspect involved in the robbery of an Alva industries briefcase, believed to contain dangerous chemicals related to the big bang incident. Reports indicate that a teenager stole the case, stunned its owner, and then fled the scene. Anyone with information is urged to come forward". The news caster changed subjects after that.
Josh was worried. He wanted Virgil and Richie to know the truth, but telling them would be harder now that he was being painted as a criminal. Because he was thinking this, Josh barely registered Richie saying "I have to go make a phone call" and running into an alley. Josh did notice 3 heavyset thuggish guys point at Richie and start to follow him. Josh knew that the chances of static showing up were slim, since if Richie had called him, he must have been on patrol elsewhere or something. He was about to wonder what to do when he saw a costume shop across the street. Then he had an idea.
After teleporting closer to the costume shop. Josh took some money out of his pocket and teleported it onto the store's cash register. Then he started teleporting bits and pieces of different costumes from the store onto himself. He ended up with turquoise boots, blue jeans, a red shirt with a yellow "P" on it and a futuristic looking visor [like the one Antinomy wears in yu-gi-oh 5d's]. Then he turned his attention to the alley.
Richie had put away his shock box after telling static about the news he'd heard when he saw he was surrounded. Riche thought of calling Static but knew Static wouldn't be there before was too late. "Going somewhere?" one of the thugs asked cheekily. Richie was spared from trying to think up a response when he heard a voice above him say "He's not, but your pants are!". Standing on the fire escape was a teen dressed in turquoise boots, blue jeans, a red shirt with a yellow "P" on it with a futuristic looking visor over his face. The thugs started to reach into their pockets for weapons, only to have their pants vanish and reappear blowing away in the wind above the fire escape. "Who are you?" one of them asked angrily while trying to hide his boxers with his hands. "The name is Port, Teleport" was the hero's reply. He vanished and reappeared between them and Riche. The thugs looked angry. Port gave them the "Come and get some" gesture and they charged at him. The fight was over quickly. Not only was Port an excellent martial artist, but he could teleport to make his moves connect and to avoid attacks. Richie was amazed. After the three thugs ran off, he ran over to Port."Nice to make your acquaintance Teleport" he said, giving the fanboy idolization look. Then he looked at his watch and looked concerned. "Going to be late for school?" Port asked him and before Riche could answer added "Let me help" and held out his hand. Richie took it, and Port teleported them both to behind some bushes outside Dakota high. Richie quickly said "Thanks" before running off to his first class.
Since he had a free period first, Port teleported home and after hiding his costume in a notable location in his house, turned the TV to a live broadcast from NASA. Focusing on the Alva industries case from yesterday, Josh sent to the Stratosphere where it quickly burned up. Then he teleported back to Dakota high, just in time to see Virgil and Richie starting to talk in the hallway. Josh inched over in order to hear what they were saying, which wasn't hard since Richie was being so animated. "So here I was, surrounded by these three thugs, not knowing if anyone would come to save me and then..." Richie recounted his encounter with Port and Port's fight with the thugs. "...and one of those goons had smiley face boxers, it was hilarious" Virgil turned and noticed Josh was listening as if they were telling his favorite story. Virgil and Riche looked at Josh, who recovered his demeanor quickly and said "What? I just moved in, I don't hear this stuff every day." Richie quickly made introductions, and Virgil was quick to claim that Static was better, and so on. They all ate lunch together and agreed to meet after school.