Chapter 8: The Canary

At the clock tower apartment, we see Michael treated his wounds after Rocky and Francine patched him up. They also took his suit for cleaning and improvements like he told them after getting an ear pull from them from being reckless out there. He needs that and more later on.

Michael had told the pair about having his suit and armor upgraded, to be more durable, and flexible for the future. Now he was not done being patched up and getting stitched to his shoulder wound right now by a certain bird he knows very well.

"You are a reckless idiot! Going down alone in the middle of a criminal arena. That was completely reckless and stupid," A beautiful female voice, scolded the white-haired teen big time.

Michael sighed and know that he was getting another ear pull by his bird friend when she showed up. And Rocky had sent the information about what happened to her. Some would say being a traitor but the others not so much and mainly wanted her friend to get that scolding big time.

The said bird, was a young woman, possibly around 19 or 20 years old, with long, wavy blonde hair that looked like was made of pure gold, her eyes being a deep sky blue color, able to mesmerize any men that has the bad or good luck to look directly into them. Her skin showed to have a smooth look to it and her figure was one any woman would kill to have, with long and pretty muscular legs, leading to some wide hips and yet a thing and well-trained waist, along with a very large pair of breasts, almost unmatched by any ordinary female, as her arms also showed some muscles and yet still holding their smooth and feminine appearance.

Regarding her attire, she was dressed in a legless, black leather body, covering her abdomen and also chest, but leaving her upper side free along with her legs, which were covered by black see thought bet stockings, a pair of black fingerless gloves being seen on her hands with a pair of high heeled boots could be seen on her feet and also a black leather choker around her neck, finally, a black leather jacket with some yellow textures around it could be seen covering her upper area, or rather just her back and shoulders as her large cleavage was still revealed to the world, showing her more seductive side.

This was Dinah Laurel Lance, better known as Black Canary, and one that trained Michael to become the crime fighter he is today but is a friend helping him out big time.

"(sigh), I know it was reckless, Dinah. And I have already been planning on improving my suit," Michael said, turning around and going to work on his chest armor but getting kicked from the back by his blonde friend and causing him to fall onto the ground.

"You are getting away from your toys, Michael. You need to be prepared in skills, not only in tech," Dinah said, crossing her arms and fully set on getting her friend in shape.

Michael groaned from being kicked from behind but agree with the blonde beauty on that and said, "Yeah, I need more training, to improve my skills. Especially against faster and more agile enemies such as last night. I never expect nor thought about someone like Katana working with the likes of Penguin."

"No one would, Michael. I won't either but I won't go into a criminal hideout alone. You are not invincible or a man of iron. There are more challenges and risk out there that take more than mastery over technology to win," Dinah explained.

Yeah, Dinah was chewing Michael up but she was very worried and concerned about him. She wasn't going to allow him to be reckless or an idiot again when on the field. He needs rest but also more training as well.

Michael was quiet and knows that Dinah was right, in more ways than one. And like how they first meet. He struggled hard during the first time and so on as he was very new to this sort of life he was driving into too. He's not invincible nor an island that can defend everything to one. It takes more than just one person to change things but does start it up and our young hero would understand as his journey goes on.

"Yeah...you are right, Dinah. I still have a ways to go," Michael said, admitting that not many can admit to their mistakes and fear of that but is what it means to be Batman?

Overcoming your fears and become fear itself but also hope as well.

"Good and we got work to do for the rest of the day," Dinah said, as she, Michael, Rocky, and Francine have work to do today and tonight if they have to.

Small Time Skip

We later see Rocky, fixing up the damage on the Batsuit while removing the old armor and replaced with a much better one to make Michael much faster and also to withstand sword attacks and gunfire. She used had on her right hand, a shock glove that her friend grained and decided to test out. She punched a boxing bag, sending a powerful blast onto the said bag, and was quite effective. She nodded her head and took more notes down while removing the said glove. She was for sure adding those features for the new suit's gauntlets.

Nearby, Francine was seen taking out a grapple hook gun and firing the said hook outwards onto a target stone wall for testing. She then used a sword to cut the said cable, withstanding the blade and smirked at her work. She was working the grapple hooks system within the gauntlets. She was also seen testing new gadgets seen around the work table and the glue grenade project showed some improvements as well. She was also improving more claws that go with the gauntlets as well, not going to have her mate be de-clawed by his enemies.

On the training floor, which was above the workstation area of the base of operations, we see Michael and Dinah had finished their workout sparing and training sessions. The blonde was helping her friend with his training while kicking some sense into him every now and then while better improving his fighting abilities to handle enemies that would be faster and more agile like Katana or herself in this case.

We now see them rest, taking a break and some water.

"Not bad, more work we have to do but overall not bad," Dinah said, seeing that Michael was doing much better in his sparing and training.

"Yeah, still more work to come," Michael said, drinking some water down.

"Indeed but you are improving and admitting your mistakes. Not many can do that Michael," Dinah said, knowing a few prideful people who would never admit their mistakes and want things to go their way but not Michael as he was different.

"I have too, Dinah. As you said, I am reckless and need to better myself. My recklessness could lead me to hurt others around me. I can't have that happening," Michael said, finishing his water and knowing that he must be better for Gotham & her people.

Dinah frowned a bit and soon placed herself onto Michael, much to his surprise, and felt her up against his back. He felt himself relaxing and more as she tried to cover his wounds with her body & arms wrapped around his chest. Their heart was beating at a good beat and could feel it through the clothes.

"I know this job, this life is dangerous and most understand it. But...but I don't want you to see you getting hurt of all people, Michael," Dinah said, being honest with herself and not wanting her friend to lose himself on this path of wanting to fix this broken & corrupt city.

"Thank you, Dinah. I appreciate it," Michael said, feeling the need for some closure and at peace, feeling warm and safe as both kept quiet for who knows how long.

Down below, we see that Francine had heard the whole talk due to her superhearing due to being bat and all. She would be worried but relaxed and know that Dinah has a way to touch Michael's heart, comforting him when he needs it. Sure she wants to hug and be with her future bat but has to ease up and relax a bit.

However there was no way in hell, Francine was losing to that bitch, Samantha. No way in hell.

Time Skip

Sometime later and after a lot of work was done, it was now time for rest for the Bat & his allies. Rocky had finished with the upgrades on the Batsuit and its armor to some gadgets. Francine improved the equipment and later get something to fill her up while taking some phone calls to make sure no one is worried about the defense lawyer not popping his head up after his first trial.

In the bedroom that belongs to the bat, we see Michael sleeping and wasn't alone, as we see Dinah sleeping next to him. She wore a blue nightgown and cuddle against the white-haired teen, getting closer to him and enjoying the warmness between them. The blonde beauty was on top and in a seductive position as her hips were straddling her friend and her arms wrapped around him. He had his arms wrapped around her waist and held her close to him. The blonde decied and finally spend a night with her friend, in a way to make sure he remains home to rest as he heals and did not do something stupid, again.

The Bat would face the rising shadows and new challenges along the way but also gained a few something as well.

We will have to find out.