Over the next several weeks, Amber is put through a series of trials and intense training, but not just ordinary trials. These trials are made to break her, to push her past her limits, to make her embrace her true potential and welcome the other side. She reaches deep inside herself to find her real persona as images of the Thunderbird flashes before her eyes and it pushes her even harder. She becomes an expert in martial arts and hand to hand combat. Damian continues to push her even harder going as far to leave her out in the deadly cold and even tying her to a chair and dumping her into a pool to see how long she is able to hold her breath. At first, these tests break her, but the more she keeps going, the stronger she becomes. She is able to break the ropes that bind her hands behind her and swims to the surface and pulls herself out, she is able to learn basic survival tips while in the cold including building a fire and building her own shelter. She becomes a master of hunting and even finds that she has adapted to the cold while possessing superhuman speed, agility, stamina, endurance and even strength. Her senses have doubled and this is further exposed when she is approached by a pack of hungry grey wolves, whom she fends off despite suffering a few bites. She tends to her wounds, but as she makes her way back to her shelter, she collapses into the snow from the blood loss and is rescued by Damian.
Having mastered every form of test, trial and training, Damian finally passes her and sees her fitting to be worthy. This comes two years after the attack and Amber went from a shy, nervous reporter to a fearless, strong and powerful woman that fended off a pack of hungry and rabid wolves in the freezing cold. Opening the case, Damian hands the suit to Amber as she looks at it while holding it. She returns moments later and Damian is amazed at how she looks in the suit, seeing her as the perfect match for it. The symbol lights up and comes to life as the Thunderbird screeches and flies around the room then confronts Amber. The two lock eyes onto each other as the massive bird stands before her.
Thunderbird: Amber Strong, you have passed all the trials and tests set before you. You are worthy of carrying the powers of the Thunderbird. As of this moment, you will weld a power unlike anything you have ever witnessed. Take hold and do not be careless or wreck less, but responsible and caring. Protect those who seek your guidance and defeat the forces of evil.
Amber Strong: I swear.
The Thunderbird lets out another screech as thunder and lightning crashes loudly then the bird flies back onto the suit and returns to being the symbol as Amber levitates off the ground, surrounded by lightning as her eyes become white as snow and flashes. Thunder crackles violently as Damian smiles to see her transform into Lady Thunderbird and she returns to her normal state. She looks to Damian, the man who has taught her everything she needs and became the father she never had.
Damian Northstar: This concludes your training, Amber. It has been an honor.
Before she can react, a throwing star hurls and narrowly misses Amber as it pins to the wall. She turns to see a masked man in tactical clothing welding two katana swords.
Amber Strong: What is this?
Damian Northstar: Your final test.
The masked man displays extradentary martial arts skills and instantly goes on the attack, flipping and kicking Amber before she can even have time to defend herself. Jumping to her feet, Amber tries to fight back, but this masked man is far too good and well trained as he continues to overwhelm her. That is, until Amber discovers he is holding back on his punches and kicks and he's taking it easy on her.
Amber Strong: Don't hold back.
The two throw a punch at the same time and their fists smash into each other. The masked man continues to display martial arts as Amber tries her best to dodge and block them, but he is much too fast as he kicks her away. Refusing to stay down, she throws a punch only for the masked man to grab ahold of her and throws her down, but Amber throws her legs around his neck and throws him down. The two leap to their feet and Amber begins to turn the tables showing off her own martial arts skillset. Damian watches as the two are now even and are able to block, dodge and weave each blow they throw at each other. Using his batons, Damian tosses Amber his cane and is able to engage in a sword battle and again both are even. As they struggle to gain the upper hand, Damian finally ends the fight and the two break apart.
Damian Northstar: He had you at first, but you caught on as I expected.
Amber Strong: What the hell is going on, Damian?
Damian Northstar: I told you, your final test and you passed. This is Switchblade. An agent of H.O.U.S.E.
Amber Strong: H.O.U.S.E? What is that?
Damian Northstar: A non-government agency that provides protection and security to the entire world. They do things the government cannot. They have made their task to seek out metahumans or those who the ability to do what our militaries can't, with all due respect to them.
Amber Strong: I don't understand.
Damian Northstar: You know why I brought you here, Amber. You know why I put you through all those tests. I knew you were strong enough; I knew that the Thunderbird would choose you as its next champion. But I had to be sure and every test, every obstacle, every trial I put you through, you came out and passed them all.
Amber Strong: So, what am I like a superhero now or something?
Damian Northstar: Well, technically not yet since you haven't really done anything heroic. Except go through the most brutal and barbaric torture methods that only the strongest individuals can escape from.
Amber Strong: And what does that make you, Damian?
Damian smirks at her question as he stands back, closes his eyes and whispers a chant in his native language then begins to glow a bright orange. Switchblade hurls one of his throwing stars at him and it shatters on impact, not harming Damian in the slightest.
Damian Northstar: Nothing can harm me.
Amber challenges this and swings the cane at him, but upon striking him it does nothing to him as he grabs it and snatches it away as he returns to normal.
Damian Northstar: Shatterproof. It's what I have been called by my peers. I have been like this for the last 38 years, Amber.
Amber Strong: If you are this then why are you not out there? Helping those who need it?
Damian Northstar: That is a story for another time. Right now, it's getting late.