...As I see them

"Trance, you shouldn't be here, there is nothing you can do, get clear" Alchemica said with concern as she watched her fellow heroine cough. En-Trance shook her head stubbornly, "No , there are still people hiding in rooms and basements. I can get them moving" En-Trance coughed again.

Alchemica shook her head but a small smile played across her lips, she understood stubborn. "Okay, but here, let me at least give you a little help", En-Trance' body glove was made partially from Fae silk, the same as her own. It would hold a magical weave. She cast a spell, imbuing the glove with heat and smoke resistant properties.

 En-Trance put a hand on Alchemica's shoulder gratefully. "Thanks"

Alchemica nodded" It doesn't make you invulnerable T, but it will buy you more time to find the stragglers...hang on." Alchemica raised a hand to her ear, where Cassandra's voice was emanating from a small ear bud.

"Alchemica, the fire department are losing the fight a street over from your current position.  They have civilians and fire fighters caught above the flames. We need you honey".

"On our way Cassie" Alchemica responded. She and En-Trance made their way toward the building in question. Outside several fire crews were training hoses on the burning building, trying to bring the flames under control while over head Imperia Solaris and Valyn flew back and forth, ferrying people from the upper floors as fast as they could.

Alchemica looked about for an officer, tapped a fireman on the shoulder "Captain, Alchemica, where do you need me?"

The Captain looked about, his face grim and smoke streaked. "Not sure Ma'am, can you fly?"

"No...but I can give you some extra hose capacity" Alchemica replied.

The Captain rubbed his chin, "How much?"

"A lot, just tell me where to point" Alchemica told him.

He looked at her, then back at the building and nodded" Okay, I need you to put down as much flow as you can here, and here, got it?"

Alchemica nodded, "Got it...better stand back a bit" Words of magic tumbled past the small blond heroines lips, her dark green eyes glowed with the inner light of her sorcery. Two small portals formed around her hands and an instant later powerful streams of water jetted toward the flames.

The Captain nodded in appreciation, "Good, that's good. How long can you keep that up?"

"Until the Atlantic runs dry" Alchemica responded through gritted teeth, "Or I pass out from exhaustion" she thought to herself.

"Okay, thank you. Just keep the streams focused...ma'am, excuse me ma'am, where do you think you are going?" The Captain turned toward En-Trance who was making her way toward the building.

"To help?"

"No offence ma'am, but you are not equipped to go in there"

"No one's ever complained about my equipment before Captain" En-Trance winked. " But seriously, my friend gave me protection, I can help with the stragglers and the frightened, trust me Captain, I can help" En-Trance looked him in the eye, her face determined.

Reluctantly the Captain nodded, "Okay but at least take a breather"

En-Trance shook her head, "They need to be able to hear me clearly, don't worry, I don't plan on even getting a hair singed" . With another wink and a cheeky smile En-trance turned and plunged into the smoke.

"Damn...I hope your friend can look after herself" The Captain turned to Alchemica.

"So do I" Alchemica whispered...

****

"And you are live with Grace Holden at the scene of the down town fire that continues to rage through the lower east side of Verdant City. Fire fighters have worked tirelessly for hours now to try to bring the blaze under control. No one is sure how the fires started, but eye witnesses  are reporting that several building caught fire at more or less the same time, a claim which if true would indicate that this fire is no accident." Grace looked back at the inferno raging a block behind her, she struggled with what she was about to say next, then turned back to the camera.

"Just over an hour ago, the heroic efforts of the city's fire department was supplemented by the arrival of Cassandra Nerucci and several of the members of her Network, several heroines. The word flowing back from the emergency crews we have been able to talk to is that the efforts of these women is proving critical in bringing the fire under control, and in rescuing those people trapped and cut off by the flames.

There are reports of heroines summoning torrents of water to help fight the flames, plunging into burning buildings with no regard to their own safety to rescue people, at least one has had to receive treatment onsite for burns and smoke inhalation."

Grace licked her lips, then continued, " It has been no secret that in the past, this reporter has been critical of these women, and the lack of regulation that surrounds them and their powers. And, while I still have my concerns, this reporter is not above admitting when she has made a mistake. Standing here watching them fight to contain the inferno behind me, hearing first hand reports of their bravery, perhaps my eyes have been opened and I see them now from another perspective. Not as vigilantes, not as a danger, but as others see them. Tonight, I see them for what they truly are, tonight, I see them as Heroes. This is Grace Holden, at the scene of the down town fire in Verdant City, signing off for now".

Art by the magnificent

All characters are my oc's and may not be used without permission