A/N: 10.12.2021

Hello, all! Been a little busy with other projects and some writer's block. But, I'm back! And let's see what's going on with our heroes!

SYNOPSIS: Ember trains and is given a new costume. Post-"Iridescent."

Ember's Flame

The Machine Shop.

While still working on the trust issues they all knew Bruce would have, Terry, Basem, and Hayate were left with the unenviable, yet entertaining, task of training Michelle with her powers. One of the difficulties training Michelle came with finding a location where she could train and not be too concerned about collateral damage. Bruce reminded Terry and the others of a number of properties Bruce owned through Wayne Enterprises, dummy corporations, or false names; some locations Bruce owned through a mixture of two or all of the above. They took advantage of an empty warehouse outside of the Gotham city limits, away from all prying eyes. They dubbed it the Machine Shop as the building was exactly that once upon a time; it was a small plant that made various parts for vehicles, primarily cars. Bruce bought the plant after the original company went into bankruptcy, designating the building as a backup Batcave in case of emergencies. Since he had other backup sites throughout Gotham, Bruce decided the Machine Shop would be best for Michelle to train.

For the first six weeks after Michelle moved to Gotham, she went on patrols, sporadically and never alone, and her uniform was similar to what she wore in Task Force X while Bruce prepared her better suit for her. The primary task Michelle focused on during those six weeks were training, most of which involved her pushing her powers to the limit. During her training, Michelle learned how to use her fire to propel herself into flight. She even managed to control it enough to only sparsely burn the ground to achieve liftoff.

After a few hours of training one afternoon, Michelle landed on the floor, then slowly laid down on the ground, staring at the ceiling. "Can I not get up for… the next three days?" she asked, exhaustedly.

"Nnnnope!" Terry smiled.

"You can be a real jerk when you wanna be, Terry!"

"That's 95% of the time," Basem pointed out.

"Shut it!" Terry demanded. "Anyway! It's time for a promotion!"

Michelle lifted her head up and looked at Terry, suspiciously. "'Promotion'?"

Basem motioned over to a table where a large, silver briefcase sat.

Michelle stood up, slowly, then stared at the briefcase. "New threads?"

"Yup," Terry said. "We finally found something in your size. We had to go so many stores."

"Yeah, my boobs have made me hard to fit since junior year."

"Oh, my God!" Terry threw his head back while Hayate chuckled, softly.

"Told you that was the joke she'd make!" Basem said to Terry.

Michelle walked over and opened the case. She looked at the outfit, gazing at it in wonder. She lightly touched the fabric, tracing her fingers along it.

"I'm really about to be a superhero," Michelle whispered.

"Actually, you kinda already were," Terry corrected. "I mean… there's a lot of former metahuman prisoners the Moirai had who'd call you that."

"But… I'll be Ember. I'll be an actual hero this time."

"You became one as soon as you decided to Gotham," Hayate reminded. "This is just completing that transformation."

Michelle looked at him and smiled. "Thanks." She looked back at the uniform. "Okay." She looked at Basem and Terry, "Okay, where am I changing? And you two better not peak!" She motioned toward her body, "All this is for Hayate!"

"She's as bad as Sally," Terry rubbed his temple.

"And Max!" Basem declared. "Don't act like she isn't this bad!"

Michelle laughed and walked around a nearby corner, "It's funny how uncomfortable I can make you two. Terrorists, cyborgs, aliens, sorcerers, easy. But a horny chick with a nice rack takes you off your game."

Terry shrugged. "Considering I married one, it's not that surprising."

A few minutes after Michelle began to change, Basem called out, "Doing okay?"

"Actually, yeah," Michelle replied. "Surprised how… comfortable all of this fits. Our boss got my measurements to the letter. And I'm not gonna make another boob joke."

Terry, Basem, and Hayate chuckled.

"I'm still surprised he didn't just make me wear something skintight anyway. I mean, your outfit couldn't be any tighter if you tried, Terry."

"Fabric's different," Terry explained. "Plus, mine was made a while ago, by the original."

"Still doesn't leave a lot to the imagination."

"Look who's talking!"

"I'm just saying!" Michelle defended. "Guys wearing stuff that tight isn't that typical."

"Hey!" Terry said, offendedly. "I didn't design it!"

"But it is why he got married," Basem joked. "Max saw… something she liked. Can't imagine what." Basem immediately ducked to dodge a wrench Terry threw. "Besides, my dad made my suit and I'm 100% sure Hayate put his together."

"True," Hayate nodded.

"The boss just enhanced our suits after we came to Gotham." Basem smirked. "Still more stylish than Terry's."

"You wish." Terry looked back in Michelle's direction, "Anyway, we figured you'd appreciate the pants."

"You have no idea!" Michelle declared. "If I had to wear a skirt, all of you had to die."

"But if Hayate asks?" Basem joked, causing Hayate to blush.

"What he requests is our business!"

Terry and Basem laughed while Hayate looked away, bashfully.

Michelle let out a quick exhale. "Well… ready or not… here comes… Ember."

Michelle stepped back around the corner, her uniform on display. It was more overtly tactical than Batman's, making it closer design to Nightrunner's or Koutetsu's, and had a dark red color scheme. The uniform included boots, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt; gloves, a half-mask that covered the lower half of her face, and a hood were all attached to the shirt as well. On the chest of her shirt, was a white-colored symbol of a small flame. Instead of a traditional domino mask, like Koutetsu wore, Bruce opted to give Michelle special tactical goggles. As opposed to being tight, the outfit was form-fitting, giving Michelle plenty of room to move. All of her attire, similar to those of her teammates, was tested for extreme temperatures, but Bruce took extra measures, given Michelle's powerset. Special care was given to Michelle's goggles, gloves, and boots.

Michelle looked down at her attire then back at the guys. "So." She spread her arms out a bit and shrugged, "How do I look?"

"Nice!" Terry gave a thumbs-up.

Basem nodded, "Very cool."

Hayate just stared at her in amazement.

"Thanks!" Michelle motioned toward her face, "Why the mask?"

"We figure you'll be dealing with fire the most," Terry explained. "It'll help filter smoke, even more than our masks."

"That and it'll keep Hayate from being distracted by your lips," Basem sneered.

"Ha, ha," Michelle replied, sarcastically.

"You say that but notice he's been staring at you since you stepped around the corner."

Michelle looked at Hayate, noticed his gaze, and began to blush.

"I mean…" Michelle shifted, awkwardly, "G-Gimme a break, Hayate. I mean… I can't look that good! This isn't even… that revealing, ya know. Gotta leave that for you."

"I must disagree about you not looking 'that good'," Hayate countered.

"They are kinda cute," Terry smiled.

"Oh, do not help this!" Basem pleaded.

"Forgive me, Michelle," Hayate said. "I was just… taken aback."

Basem walked over and sat down in a chair. "Anyone got some popcorn? This might take a while."

"Why you hatin' so much?" Terry asked Basem.

"Do not ever say that again!"

Terry laughed.

Michelle laughed then walked over to a mirror and looked at herself. "Wow. This is… really me from now on."

Terry studied her, easily able to see her nervousness. "You sure you still want this?"

"I've spent my whole life running from things. I'm not running from this. I came here to be better. To be a hero. I want this."

"You can do it, Michelle," Hayate insisted. "I believe in you."

Michelle looked at him and smiled.

"We all do."

"Thanks." Michelle looked back at the mirror. "You guys really believe in me?"

"You don't know all of my past," Terry said. "If I was a metahuman, especially during my bad days… I probably wouldn't have even been worth taking down, letting alone becoming Batman."

Michelle turned and looked at Terry, surprised. "You were a trouble kid?"

"Spent some time in juvie."

Michelle blinked. "Why does that make me feel better?"

"Because you're not the only former criminal on the team," Basem smiled.

"You're a jackass!" Terry declared.

"Honestly, Terry…" Michelle said, nervously, "…that… really is the reason. I mean, I'm not trying to crap on you. I don't know your life like that but… you've been down that road. You… got out of it. It… kinda gives me hope."

Terry smiled. He walked up to Michelle. "Believe me, Michelle: you're already miles ahead of me in that department. You made this choice to be better. You want to be a hero. It's why we all wanted you to do this for you. Someone saw the potential in me. You've got that same potential."

Michelle stared at Terry and knew he meant every word. She felt tears forming. She lifted her goggles and wiped her eyes, "Damn, you can give a pep talk!"

"One of my many skills."

"That kid of yours is lucky to have you for a dad."

"That's got to be the one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me," Terry replied.

An alert went off in the Shop.

The computer screen activated, showing the Leaders gang fighting the police.

Terry nodded. "Time to go to work." He looked at Michelle, "Ready… Ember?"

Ember exhaled. "Hell, yeah!"

A/N: Sounds like Ember is ready to get in the game! Cool to see! We have a few more stories before we get to "So Far Away" and it's looking like might not get to "So Far Away" until 2022 but we'll see. It will be worth the wait though, I promise. There will be a couple of more "Chronicles" stories on the way. Be on the lookout! Thank you all!