The Blur’s Costume  

The celebratory costumes and pride on display stirred up Devon's own deep longing again. Not having a Coco Power identity of his own yet made the yearning to join his friend onstage even stronger. Someday he would reveal himself to Agent Fibre and the JHA for all the honour and opportunities. Patience remained essential, however difficult.

While the festivities inside continued, Devon broke away outside again feeling restless. He found a shaded garden alcove and sat rubbing his temples contemplatively. What would his own costume look like when the time came? Devon retrieved a pen and began absently sketching ideas onto a scrap paper. Vivid visions filled his mind awaiting future release.

"Devon? Everything alright?"

Startled from his creative zone, Devon glanced up to see Mei Wen approaching, still adorned in her green and white Jade Noodle outfit.

"Oh, hey. Yeah man, just needed some fresh air," Devon covered, slipping his sketch out of sight. "How's yuh hero costume treating you so far?"

Mei smiled down at her shimmering bodysuit and decorative noodles wrapped in her hair bun. "It's like a dream! I can't stop looking at myself." She did a playful twirl, making the ornamental ramen whip sway. "Do you like it?"

"Yeah, it really suits yuh," Devon admired. "The colours and style perfectly match yuh spunky energy."

Mei beamed happily at the flattering review. "Aww, you are too sweet! I wish you could have experienced the magic back there yourself." Her expression shifted to one of curiosity. "Will you get another chance to develop powers at all?"

Devon paused, thrown momentarily off guard. He regained composure quick, responding. "Maybe, but yuh never know how these tings manifest. I try focusing my energy on what I can control."

Mei nodded thoughtfully. "That is a mature perspective. My uncle teaches that true contentment stems from within, not without." She made her noodles wiggle. "But playing dress up is pretty fun too!"

They shared a laugh just as more students emerged from the hall. Devon spotted Principal Harrison conferring with mentors before approaching the podium microphone again.

"Attention students, this concludes our main festivities for today. Please store your new costumes securely in your assigned PTC lockers overnight..."

As the principal gave closing details, Devon realized he'd missed a critical opportunity. When would he ever have access to Agent Fibre again with no records of having powers? Impulse overcame reason in that pivotal moment. He needed a costume!

"Ah, just remembered something urgent," Devon told Mei Wen hastily as he stood up. "I'll catch yuh later, enjoy the rest of yuh day."

Before she could react, Devon hurried off, not towards the dispersing crowds, but around the side of the school building. Checking for any observers, he took a final surveying glance then held his breath.

The world decelerated into Hyper Rush as Devon burst forward in a streaking blur. Everything outside his speeding form slowed to statuesque stillness. He could run unfettered through the coagulated timestream like a phantom.

Zooming home in seconds, Devon rushed upstairs to his bedroom and hastily yanked his sketchbook from its hiding spot beneath the bed. He flipped the pages urgently, searching for the right concept.

There! The sleek but functional black, green and silver design he'd deemed perfect for his speed-based abilities. But Devon had only limited time in this breathless state to execute the reckless plan forming.

Grabbing his pencils, Devon chose a fresh page and began sketching furiously in a rushed cadence matched to his pounding heart. But his artistic skill remained focused despite the intense pressure. Bold sharp lines took shape, guided by Devon's motor memory and the vivid details already etched in his mind's eye.

In just over a minute, the drafted illustration was complete - a sleek bodysuit with angular patterns and lightning motifs accentuating his speedster physique. Slotted compartments on the arms and thighs could hold weapons or gadgets. A cowl and half-facemask offered identity protection.

This was the definitive costume Devon longed to manifest since discovering his powers. Since his power was depleted, Devon had a quick recharge that short-circuited the house electricity. With no time to waste, he tore the sketch free and used Hyper Rush again to carefully race back towards campus faster than eyes could perceive.

Arriving outside the Power Training Centre just as Agent Fibre and his team were loading equipment to depart, Devon gulped air and snapped back to normal speed. The world reanimated around him once more.

Striding urgently across the lawn, Devon reached Fibre right as the designer was boarding a hovering transport shuttle. "Excuse me, Mr. Fibre sir, wait up!" Devon called out.

The agent paused, glancing back curiously. "Yes?" Taking in Devon's civilian attire, he added "Apologies, but autographs will have to wait. I'm already running behind." Fibre turned to continue boarding.

Desperate, Devon rushed forward and pressed his illustration into Fibre's hands. "Please sir, it would mean everything to get this costume created right now." He summoned the most convincing plea possible. "You already made one for me earlier that I'm unsatisfied with. But this design here is absolutely perfect!" Total lies, but urgency demanded action.

Fibre looked uncertain being accosted by this random insistence. But glancing down at the detailed sketch of a sleek bodysuit, comprehension seemed to click.

"Aaahh, of course. My mistake, I remember you now." Fibre clearly didn't, but the style indicated a speedster theme he had experience with. Who was he to deprive an eager young hero his rightful image?

"Pardon my forgetfulness, dear boy. We'll remedy this straight away!" Fibre declared, stepping back down to the pavement. He set down his luggage while Devon held his breath nervously. Please work...

Stretching both palms over the illustration, Fibre concentrated as glittering threads manifested overtop the sketch. Devon watched in awe as, just like with the other students, Fibre carefully guided the swirling motes to envelop his arms and body loosely. The substance settled and took on solid form, matching the sketches until a finished costume emerged.

Unable to believe it worked, Devon accepted the hero uniform with shaky hands. "T-thank you sir... can't express how much this means," he sputtered sincerely.

Agent Fibre smiled kindly, waving off the gratitude. "I understand, believe me. Seeing your inner hero brought to life is profound." Glancing at the shuttle with waiting aides, he added "Do let me know if any modifications are needed. I'm always open to improvements!"

With that, Fibre bid Devon a swift farewell and hustled to rejoin his team. Devon watched in disbelief as the shuttle lifted off carrying the talented creator away. Only when it was a fading speck did he dare examine the costume clutched in his hands. He had actually succeeded!

Unable to contain his exhilaration, Devon had to resist the urge to try it on immediately outside. Better save that experience for somewhere ultra secure. He quickly stuffed the outfit into his backpack and zipped it safely away from prying eyes.

Casually making his way off campus before more staff or familiar faces emerged, Devon floated on a cloud of euphoria. Against all odds, he had seized the perfect chance to commission a custom costume without any papers or status. Maybe it had been reckless and risky, but fortune clearly favoured the bold. He couldn't wait to unveil himself at long last to Tanya. But first, he needed to see how this suit fit his identity.

Bursting through his front door, Devon found his mother brooding miserably. "Mama what's wrong?"

"This damn electric company is going to give mi a headache!" Norissa explained that the recent power outages had been damaging her electronics. Today she came home to a broken TV.

"They really do need to fix that." Devon pretended as if he wasn't the one responsible for the recent outages in the community. To calm down his mother's rage, he gave her a hug before rushing upstairs and locking his bedroom door securely. Perfect. The privacy gave him opportunity to indulge the burning desire.

Devon upended the backpack onto his bedspread. The sleek black and metallic green bodysuit spilt out in a heap. His heart pounded just beholding it.

Quick as a blink, Devon had stripped off his casual clothes and begun shimmying into the clingy but lightweight material. It slid over his skin sensually like a second layer of flesh. Devon took his time smoothing out every seam and angle to fit flawlessly contoured to his athletic frame. This was already pure magic.

Turning and posing before the mirror, Devon barely recognized himself. The striking superhero staring back left him breathless. He looked like a pro wrestler or comic book legend. But the awe went beyond appearances. Devon could sense destiny radiating from his very reflection in this garb. The costume wasn't just shaped to him physically but metaphysically. Fibre's power had entwined their shared vision deeper than fabric alone.

"Blur..." Devon spoke his alias aloud, embracing the rightness of it all. This was his true public identity awaiting unleashing upon the world.

Over the next hour, Devon lost himself to donning the costume repeatedly, melding deeper into 'Blur' each time. He tried out nimble parkour rolls and mimed bursts of super-speed that looked epic with the sleek outfit accentuating every motion. The crowning touch was an improvised eye-mask made from a bandana letting him preserve some anonymity.

By the time Devon finally, reluctantly peeled off the wondrous garment and stashed it safely away, he was choking back tears of fulfilment. He felt closer than ever to straddling his dual identities - ordinary student Devon, and the super-fast hero Blur who would inspire the people. All that was left was stepping forth from the shadows into living legend. Destiny awaited beside the patient friend who had helped nurture its seedling this whole journey.