Summary: Richie moves away from Dakota. But, before he leaves, he gives Virgil one of the two shock voxes that he had improved, so they could talk over long distances. But over time, their conversations had faded away. Now, 17 years later, Virgil's son and Richie's daughter meet. Using their own powers, inherited by their parents, they form the same team that Static and Gear once had.

Prolouge (It's really short, but still nesscary.)

"Richie, can't you talk to your folks about this?"

"I already tried. Nothing works with them."

Virgil sighed. Richie had informed him only last week that he was moving out of the state with his family. Richie said that it was because of his father's job. Not very original, but it was the truth. It wasn't fair. He and Richie had been best buds since they were seven or eight. Now, to be parting like this, it hurt. But there was no way out.

"What about Static?" Virgil placed an arm around Richie's shoulders "Static needs Gear."

Richie averted his gaze, "Static can fight on his own. Besides, Static was a solo act way before Gear came along."

Virgil winced as the last sentence pierced his heart. He recalled saying those same words once before, when he was part of that 'Heroes' show. Then, those words didn't seem like anything. But now...it hurt. And he never apologized for it.

Richie hung his head, his hair overshadowing his eyes, "V, I'm sorry."

Virgil said nothing.

They sat in silence for a few seconds, then Richie said, "Hey, I fixed up our shock voxes so we can still talk to each other. No matter how long the distance is. Plus, no long distance fees." He joked.

Virgil smiled.

"Richie?" Mr. Hawkins and Sharon walked into the room "Your dad's on the phone."

Richie frowned, got up, and disappeared out of the room.

Virgil hung his head. Mr. Hawkins frowned knowingly and patted his son on the back.

Richie reappeared, a sad frown plastered on his face. "My parents want me home. We're leaving early tomorrow."

Virgil's stomach wrenched. He knew that was coming sooner or later.

Mr. Hawkins stood up, "Come on, Richie. I'll take you home."

Richie would usually protest against Mr. Hawkins offer to drop him off, but this time he figured it was the last chance he'll ever get, so he nodded.

Sharon walked up to Richie and embraced him, trying to hold back tears, "Bye Richie. I'll miss you." She had never treated Richie any different than she treated Virgil, but to her, Richie was like a second brother.

Virgil slowly went up to Richie and embraced him tightly. He felt Richie hug back just as firmly. "I'll miss you, Rich."

Richie nodded, "I'll miss you too, V." He lowered his voice a little "But I'll talk to you on the shock vox."

Virgil nodded and pulled away, "We'll see each other again?" He held out his fist.

Richie smiled and knocked his fist with Virgil's, "I promise."

Richie and Mr. Hawkins headed out the front door. Just before Richie got into the car, Virgil came out, "Rich?" Richie looked up. Virgil smiled and held up his hand in a wave, "Peace."

Richie waved back, "And out."

With that, Mr. Haawkins and Richie drove away. Leaving Virgil and Sharon standing on the doorstep, still staring in the direction in which Richie had gone.

Days turned into months and months turned into years. For the first year, Virgil and Richie still talked to each other on the shock voxes. They did work for long distances, as Richie said. But over time, the connection began to fade, and they stopped talking to each other. Virgil thought that he would never see Richie again. Richie won't be coming back to Dakota.

To put it bluntly, he was wrong.

End Prolouge