Hey everyone one! Sorry for the gaps between updates! I'm really busy during weekends and can't write. This chapter is shorter than the other s, sorry. I also want to apologize for any typos or errors, it's really late and i'm tired.

Chapter 3: Practice

Ember stood alone in the darkness, "Come out and show yourself, coward!" She called into the black. Ember began to move forward. She lit her hands with fire, using them to admit light. Ember moved along in the darkness, when suddenly she was grabbed from behind. She suddenly turned her entire body into fire, then the figure let go and fell to the ground. Again, as if nothing had happened, Ember began to trek forward, body still engulfed in flames.

Ember rolled to her left side and yawned. That was a weird dream. She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed, remembering she was in the Titan Tower. Ember stood up looked around. There was a set of blue and black clothes folded on the dresser. She picked them, and examined them. The shirt was black with bright blue streaks on it and three quarter length sleeves. It had a bit of a collar and was cut into a point along her rib cage. There was tiny black skirt with a belt underneath it. In addition to the outfit, there was knee high boots and tall gloves with the palms cut out of them.

Ember went into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and put mascara on. She put on her outfit. It seemed a bit revealing, but fit fine. Ember made her way downstairs for breakfast.

She opened the door to the kitchen, Robin was sitting at the table, reading the paper,and eating waffles. He looked up and stared at her. "Good morning." Ember said, grabbing a plate of waffles and took a seat next the Boy Wonder.

Robin continued to gaze at her, "You look..." He swallowed his bite of waffles, "...Good in that outfit." Robin's face was pink.

"Thanks. You too." Ember face palmed. Why am I so socially awkward? She sighed and poured syrup all over her stack of waffles.

Ember pushed a bite around in a syrup lake absent mindedly.

"How'd you sleep last night?" Robin asked, attempting to make conversation. Ember shrugged, "I don't remember, I was sleeping". He turned a page in the paper. "So I'll take it you slept good?" "I guess." She cut a slice o waffle. "Where's everyone else? Are we up early?" Robin examined the sudoku, "Yeah. I usually get up early to train and stuff."

Cyborg opened up the door and made his way to the table, "Mornin' Rob. Mornin' Em." He sat down next to Ember, digging into his breakfast. "Morning." They said at the same time.

A short while after that, Starfire, Raven, finally and Beast Boy made their way down.

"Alright everyone!" Robin began. "Today we have training, the order will be obstacle courses and duels. Understood?" Everyone nodded except for Beast Boy. "Are you sure we have to train today?" He yawned, "Didn't we do that like a week ago?"

"Yes. But If we don't train, we won't get better, and we won't be able to defeat Slade." Robin frowned having to mention his name. Ember raised her hand, "Um, I have a question." "What?"

"What is a Slade?" She nervously twirled a strand of hair. Everyone remained silent. "Is he a bad guy or something?" She shifted her weight onto the other foot. "Slade was Robin's mentor." Raven said slowly. Thanks that was ever so helpful, Raven! "Go on, please." Ember urged. "He wants to destroy the city and take over the world!" Beast Boy interjected, flailing his arms around. "What are his motives?" She asked. "Who cares? He's an evil bastard who needs to be stopped!" Robin growled, looking away from his team. "Why would you think I would be associated with him?" Ember went on. "You and Slade have similar powers. He has control of fire as do you." Starfire explained, "We assumed you may of had shared powers". "Oh." Ember glanced around awkwardly, "So who's ready for practice?"

"Ok, so obstacle course. Pretty simple, you watched everyone else do it." Robin explained as Beast Boy struggled through the course. "Try and hit every target and avoid the missiles being shot at you." Beast Boy crawled onto the platform, "That thing...gets harder... Each time..." He rolled over to his back, breathing heavy. Robin stepped over him, "Ready Ember?" She nodded. "Ok, go!" He started the timer.

Ember leapt of the platform and landed gracefully. Several missiles were shot at her, but were deflected with a streak of blue flames. They exploded, leaving a scorched mark. Ember made her way through the course with ease. She shot some targets and they burst into flames. Several lasers were shot at Ember, but were stopped by a flame wall. She flew over a large trench of boiling oil, accidentally lighting it on fire. Ember dodged the robots attacking her. Too easy. She returned back to the platform with an impressive time of 1:45.

"How did I do?" Ember asked adjusting her gloves. Everyone stared at her, then at the course.

"What?" She turned around. The whole course was on fire. "I think you might need a new course." Ember laughed awkwardly.

All six of the Titans stood in the dueling room. It was a room with walls covered in slightly padded mats and floors. "Ember, would it be fine if we all fought against you? Just to toughen you up and see your skills." Robin asked. Toughen me up? "Sure." She raised her eyebrows. I could sweep all of you. "Ok, your first opponent will be-" "Oh me! I will duel Ember!" Starfire jumped up. "Ember and Starfire then." Robin continued. "Ok, you just need to say when you are done or when you stay on the ground for more than seven seconds, then the other person wins. Please, try not to kill each other girls." He backed up, onto a platform where he could see them. "Fighting positions!" Robin said. Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy stood behind him watching.

"My money that I don't have is on Star. She's gonna crush the newbie." Beast Boy whispered to Cyborg. Cyborg studied Ember for a moment, then looked at his arm. "I don't know. She has a pretty high amount of power and heat." He said.

Ember took her fighting pose.

"Duel!"

A star bolt was shot at Ember. She deflected it with a wall of fire. Ember took flight, shooting a jet of flames at Starfire. She managed to dodge it, but Ember continued to pursue her with it, knocking Starfire to the ground. Ember came towards Starfire and loomed over her. She lifted her head and shot from her glowing green eyes. Ember crouched to avoid the blow. Starfire shot more starbolts at her. Ember formed a jet of fire to push her back against the wall. She pushed Starfire back, inch by inch. Finally, Starfire stopped resisting and was slammed against the wall. Ember rushed over to the Alien Princess, who rose again. Prepare to lose, Starfire. Ember smirked. A starbolt was shot at her head. Ember ducked under Starfire's arm and grabbed her shoulder, then struck her under the ribs. Starfire fell over, not to stand again.

"You have won, Ember. I am unable to move or fight." Starfire said, breathlessly. Ember helped her stand up and walk to the platform. "Nice job, Ember. Ready to take on Beast Boy?" Robin helped Starfire sit down. Ember nodded.

Her and Beast Boy stood in the middle of the dueling room, fighting stance. Ember stood more confidently due to her past win.

"Duel!"

Ember brought her hands to her chest and released a jet of flames toward Beast Boy. He jumped up quickly and turned to a hawk. Beast Boy dove towards Ember, then shifted into a tiger and pounced at her. She created a flame barrier, and he bounced off of it quickly. Beast Boy turned back to his human form, "You almost burned me alive!" He cried. "Normally people don't pounce on top of fire!" Ember said back, running at him. She struck Beast Boy under the ribs, on the stomach, then landed a final blow between the middle of his forehead.

"Ow!" Ember gripped her fingers, "Your head is like a rock!" Beast Boy grinned and tipped over, "I know, right?" He laid on the ground, obviously not getting up. She slid an arm around him and set him on the platform.

"Impressive." Robin said, tossing Ember a water bottle. "Ready for Cyborg?"

Ember and Cyborg stood in the middle of the room, facing off. "Your little jabs can't hurt me." He taunted, beginning to circle her. Ember frowned. "Have you forgotten i have control of fire?" She lit a blaze in her palm. "Fire proof suit. Let's see how this goes down." Cyborg smiled.

"Duel!"

Ember shot a fireball at Cyborg, but he dodged it and shot back at her with his arm. She lept into the air and ignited a fire beneath her feet. Ember dodged the beams being shot at her thinking of a plan. She sent a jet of burning flames towards Cyborg, slamming him to a wall. She sank to the ground, still without a plan. Cyborg rushed at her, then nailed her in the chin. The force sent Ember backwards, and was knocked against the wall. She stood, shocked, catching her breath. "You can lose anytime!" Cyborg was coming towards her. Ember held him back with a jet of flames. Cyborg finally broke free of the flames and shot a beam at her. Ember was hit with the beam, and slammed to the ground. She stood up quickly, cursing. Cyborg landed another hit on her cheek, sending her backwards into the wall. Ember stood up again, full of rage. No one pushed her around. No one hit her. Besides her father, but that was a different case. She felt fire creep into her throat. Cyborg rushed her again, attempting to deliver a blow to her face and knock her down. Ember grabbed his arm and kicked him in the chest. Cyborg stumbled back a bit, catching him a bit off guard. Ember drew in power, when suddenly a strange, energetic feeling went through her body. She dropped to her knees, the feeling rushing through her.

"You ok?" Cyborg asked, confused.

Ember shook stood up, she felt sparks pricking her finger tips. What is happening!? Her mind screamed. Ember put one arm behind her and one in front, trying to balance the power. "I'll take that as a yes." Cyborg said, preparing his arm gun at his target. The power balanced out and shot from her fingertips as lightning. It struck Cyborg and he was sent to the ground, writhing in electricity. Ember stood there in disbelief. She grasped her hands, still tingling with sparks.

"What did I do?" She whispered to herself. Ember buried her face in her hands. My dad was right. I am a monster.

"Victory goes to Ember!" Robin called from the platform. Cyborg let out a groan and sat up. Ember want to offer him a hand, but they still felt conductive.

Robin came over to her with a water bottle. "I didn't know you could do that." He said quietly. "Neither did I truthfully." Ember admitted her face pink. "It just...happened. I'm sorry." She looked away from everyone.

"It's not a bad thing."

Ember looked back up. "Yes it is! I don't know my own strenght! I'm, I'm..." She paused. "I don't even know anymore." Ember snatched her water bottle from him and took a drink. She held it in her hand, and the plastic began to melt. "Did you want to continue?" Robin asked. "I guess so." Ember sighed and gave him the half melted water bottle. "Next up is... Raven."

Ember and Raven stood on opposite sides of the circle eyeing each other. Pillars appeared from the battle grounds."This is gonna be good!" Beast Boy whispered to Starfire and Cyborg.

"Duel!"

Ember inhaled deeply, looking for a sense of control. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven hissed. Several pillars lifted from the ground and came towards Ember. She sliced them in half with jets of fire, then went for Raven. Ember shot balls of fire at her. Raven dodged them then sent a black beam at her. Ember was hit with it, but still on her feet. I need her to come to me. Ember stood there, not moving, luring Raven. Going after her was too dangerous. Raven appeared in front of her, out if the shadows. A large shadowy fist grew behind her.

Ember moved quickly. She jabbed under her shoulder, rib cage, and stomach. The fist disappeared and Raven stumbled forward. Ember moved behind her, jabbed her spin, and shoved her down.

"I lost." Raven said bleakly, lying on the ground. Robin and Ember helped her up and sat her on the platform. "It was cool what you did with the shadows." Ember said, taking a drink of water. Raven ignored her. Ember set her water bottle down. "Who's next?"

"I am." Robin spun his staff around, and planted it in the ground. "Ready?" Ember asked as a smile crossed her lips. "Depends. Are you?" He leaned on his staff. She giggled. "Ugh, enough flirting, go fight each other!" Raven said.

"We weren't flirting!" They said in unison.

The Boy Wonder and The Flame Girl stood apart from each other.

"Ready. Duel..." Raven said unenthusiastic.

Robin jumped up, but Ember shot him down with a fire ball. He flipped in the air and landed on the ground easily. "Is that all you got?" He raised eyebrow. "No, what about you?" Ember smirked. Robin dove at her, and she stepped out of the way. Ember tried to grab his shoulder, but he smacked her hand with his staff. Robin went in for a kick, but Ember deflected him with a jet of fire. "I'm getting bored of fending you off, Robin." She tapped her foot impatiently. "Then why don't you come after me?" He taunted. Rage washed over Ember, but she couldn't let it show. "If you insist..." She lept into the air, flames igniting beneath her. Ember charged toward Robin, shooting flames at him. Robin dodged and rolled from the flames, "Why don't you stop admiring from afar and come after me?" He called to her. Ember felt her throat burn. She stopped her fire from holding her in the air, and fell towards the earth. Ember flipped in the air, gaining momentum, going straight for Robin. He pushed her feet away from his face, and she caught herself with her hands and did a back handspring. Robin rushed at her, attempting to land a hit on her. Ember grabbed his staff, and melted it between her hand. "What are you gonna- Oh!" Robin swept her feet out from underneath her. Ember rolled slightly and kicked his legs from under him. Robin landed on top of her in an awkward position. The two remained still for a moment, breathing heavy. "What are you doing? Boy Blunder!" Ember snarled, flipping over so she was on top of him. "Oh no you don't!" Robin turned her back over. "Hey! Just stay still- So I can- Watch it!" The two struggled and rolled around the battlefield, changing positions.

Cyborg walked over to them and picked The Boy Wonder and The Flame Girl up. "How many times do I have to tell you Rob? No love on the battlefield! You too, Em." He dropped them into their own feet. "It was a draw. Can we get some lunch now? I was thinking we could have grilled cheese or something like that." Cyborg began to walk away. "That was not a draw! I so won!" Robin called after him. Ember glared at him, "What?! You really think you won? Are you stupid? I won!" She huffed. "Fine. Whoever runs fastest to the kitchen is the winner. Go!" Robin and Ember took off.

"They seem pretty happy together." Raven commented. Starfire frowned, "Yes, they are becoming, ah-hem, friends, quickly." She crossed her arms. "Raven, I feel... Green." Starfire said. "Star, you can't feel green. It's a color." Raven rolled her eyes, "Unless you're Beast Boy. Then you are green". "No I do not feel like Beast Boy... I feel upset at Ember even though she has done nothing, but yet I am guilty because we are friends." Starfire sighed. "You're just jealous. Everyone feels that, Star. Lets go get some grilled cheese." Raven began to leave the dueling room.