bianca: prologue

CRASH!
Scrapyard’s fists pounded the sidewalk, sending Neuro and Howler back a few yards.  Behind the super powered thug, the gang members who were still standing, were cheering him on.
This is bad, thought Neuro.  He thought he and Howler could take these jerks all by themselves.  The Fourth Avenue Demons were terrorizing the neighborhood with violent attacks, burglaries, and other petty crimes.  Normally, the gang alone was nothing that they couldn’t handle.  Unfortunately, they didn’t know about this rogue meta, or Balrog as his team liked to call them.  This one, Scrapyard was a real troublemaker.  He came under the Alliance’s attention three months ago.  The teams of the city, including their team, the ‘In Crowd’ were required to be on the lookout, and approach with extreme caution if encountered.  So far, he had put six cops and four metas into traction.  Both he and Howler did NOT want to join them.

Nearby, a cloaked figure silently observed these events.  She was holding a small locket, and contemplated.  “It was time.” She thought to herself as she raised her hand, and concentrated…
     
“Call the rest of the team!  There’s no way we can handle this!”
“They’re tied up assisting emergency services in the east side.  We’re on our own!”
Suddenly, Scrapyard charged at them, flanked by gang members.  The two heroes started their retaliation.  Neuro would try to give Scraps a mental blast, while Howler took care of the gang members.  Unfortunately, they were vastly outnumbered.  
All of a sudden, Scrapyard and his gang crashed into what seemed to be an invisible barrier, mere feet in front of the heroes!  Before they could ponder this new development, there was a burst of  light down the street, capturing the attention of everyone involved.
A cloaked feminine figure wearing a wide brimmed hat and brandishing a staff, emerged from the glow.  The gang, who’s attention was shifted toward the new antagonist, started to attack.
Immediately, the young lady raised her staff to an angle, gave a brief chant, and spun around.  This action radiated a burst of energy from the staff,  which expanded, and struck all the gang members, sending them crashing against the invisible barrier.
All the Demons were down for the count.  Scrapyard, however, wasn’t defeated so easily.  He immediately got up, and charged towards the girl.
Immediately, she raised her staff, and chanted again.  At this, the sidewalk that Scrapyard was on shimmered, and seemed to come alive.  It immediately enveloped the criminal, rendering him helpless.
While the two young heroes watched this in astonishment, she approached them.
“Hello.” she said calmly.

Minutes later, The cops, along with the special meta squad, took all the gang members into custody.  Striker and the rest of the team finally arrived.
“Good job guys!  Sorry we couldn’t help.  We had to deal with a three alarm fire on the east side.”
“No problem.  Actually we had some help.  Let me introduce you.”
At that moment, the girl who assisted them earlier stepped forward.  “It was a pleasure to be of service.  I am Bianca.”
“It’s a pleasure Bianca” said Striker “are you registered, or do you plan to?”
Ah, the big question, thought Neuro.  Every up and coming meta who would choose to fight crime, had to register with the Alliance, who in turn would work with the city in certifying the newbies into assisting police and emergency services.
“I have just started out.  I hope I haven’t gotten anyone in trouble…”
“That’s okay.  Neuro and Howler have vouched for you.  The authorities normally let a few loose instances slide, but you would really need to register.”
“Um,” interjected Bianca “I don’t know if it matters, but I used magic.” She said sheepishly.
“Magic.” repeated Striker with a hint of concern.  Howler and Neuro looked at each other with sudden unease.  Although heroes with powers coming from mutations or chemical exposure were commonplace, those with otherworldly or unexplained powers were treated with suspicion by everyone, normal and super alike.      
“Um, I see.” Said Striker, And politely thanked her again.

As the team was heading back to the base,  Striker broke the ice.
“Did you even know she was a magic user?”
“We didn’t know!  And frankly we didn’t care!  She saved us from being pounded into dogmeat!”  said Neuro.
“But she’s a magic user!”
“What difference does that make?” interjected Howler.
“You know the Alliance’s stance towards mages!”
“Only because they’re following the government’s line!”
“What’s the big deal anyway?  It’s not as if she turned anyone into frogs.”
“I know.  But eventually, this is going to get out.  You know not everyone is comfortable with magic or magic users.”
“Only those who’s votes matter” interjected Windy, who finally joined in.  I mean, lets face it.   The only reason not everyone trusts them is because they don’t know anything about them.”
“But what they DO know concerns me.  You’ve heard the stories about their powers coming from demon worshiping cults…”
“That’s BULLSHIT and you know it!”
“Guys guys, lets cool it.  We’re supposed to be a team, lets act like one.
With that the argument ended.  A few minutes later, Stryker broke the ice.
“In any case, you two are going to have to answer a LOT of questions.”
At this, both Neuro and Howler moaned.

Hours later, Bianca was sitting on a rooftop, contemplating the earlier events.  As she pondered, a small black cat approached her.  Moments later, the cat spoke up.
“You know the Lady won’t approve.”
“You think?  Here I thought she’d be all open arms.”
“I don’t see how…”
“I was being sarcastic!” she said stroking the cat.
After a long silence, she continued.
“I couldn’t do nothing.  Plus you know I can’t remain hidden forever.”
“I know Bianca.  I’m just worried that the others won’t see us that way.”
“Well, in any case, it’s too late to turn back.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”