Returning home, she finds Shaina on the front porch, sitting on the porch swing when she is shocked at seeing Amber's condition.
Shaina Clemens: Amber?!
She runs over to her, but Amber hardly says a word appearing to be in a daze. Shaina tries to get her attention, but she doesn't acknowledge her.
Shaina Clemens: Hey! Amber! Hey! Come on, look at me, hey, look at me. Shit!
Helping her inside, she carries her up the steps to the bathroom and helps her take her battlesuit off. Carefully, she sits Amber into the bathtub and is shocked at the gruesome cuts and scrapes on her body.
Shaina Clemens: Who did this to you?
Amber still doesn't speak as she curls up and begins crying while Shaina cleans her with a sponge and rag gently. She does the best that she can to soothe her and holds her as Amber sobs softly. Amy walks by the bathroom, but stops as she peers inside and rushes over to them, also startled by Amber's condition and hugs both girls tightly as the three cry together.
Passed out from the previous night's events, Shaina and Amy remain by her side as Morgan returns home from her shift and calls to everyone as Amy shushes her. Walking to the bedroom, she notices Amber asleep and can see both Shaina and Amy's eyes puffy from crying.
Morgan Strong: What the hell is going on?
Shaina Clemens: We think she was attacked.
Morgan Strong: Attacked? By who??
Amy Strong: Shh! Morgan.
Shaina Clemens: I don't know. I was on the porch when she got home. She looked horrible, Morgan. She was all bloodied and banged up. I don't know what happened, but she looked like shit.
Morgan Strong: Was she -
Shaina Clemens: No. Not that I could see. I want to show you two something.
She gets off the bed, goes down the hall and returns moments later with the torn battlesuit and hands it to Morgan as she takes it and examines it.
Morgan Strong: She was wearing this?
Shaina nods to her as she gently strokes Amber's hair while she sleeps peacefully.
Morgan Strong: Is this like some sort of costume or-?
Shaina Clemens: I don't know. Whatever it is, she was wearing it and now it's torn up.
Amy Strong: Do you think we should wake her?
Shaina Clemens: No.
Morgan Strong: I'm going to bed. It's been a long night, I don't need this shit right now.
As the night moves on, a sudden nightmare wakes Amber out of her sleep as she sits up in bed. The commotion causes the door to open as Shaina rushes to her side.
Amber Strong: It was awful. It was awful. It was awful.
Shaina hugs her tightly as Morgan and Amy come into the room and sit down on her bed, hugging their sister to comfort her.
Amy Strong: What did you see?
Amber Strong: I saw - I saw the city and it was - burning and destroyed. I saw him standing in the streets, laughing. Blaming me for it's collapse.
Morgan Strong: Who is "him?"
Amber Strong: Mark Nelson.
Shaina Clemens: The rich asshole?
Amber Strong: Yes.
Morgan Strong: What does he want with you? And why does he blame you?
Amber Strong: Because, I could not stop him. He is taunting me.
Shaina Clemens: Amber, what happened to you in the years you were gone? What REALLY happened?
Amber Strong: I was saved by a generous older man that took me in, nursed me back to help and trained me in almost every form of martial arts and fighting tactics there is. Not only that, he showed me the true power that was inside of me. Put me through a series of extreme tests. Somehow, I was able to pass them all. No ordinary human could withstand what I endured.
Shaina gets up off the bed, goes down the hall and comes back moments later with Amber's battlesuit. The torn up suit lays before her as she rubs it.
Amber Strong: It was given to me and now it's destroyed.
Morgan Strong: A Thunderbird?
Amber Strong: You know the story, Morgan. We were told it so many times by grandma when we were kids.
Morgan Strong: I know, but why the thunderbird?
Amber Strong: Because of what it stands for, what it represents. No person can just carry the mantle, but are chosen to be it's champion. It chose me and I failed.
Amy Strong: No. You didn't.
Amber looks at Amy.
Amy Strong: The only thing that asshole did was awaken that badass warrior that I know you are. He did not win and he will never win. Not then, not now and not ever. He thinks he won, but that is only weakening his little ego. Mark Nelson will never be a winner, he will always be that asshole with a very, VERY small pecker that he has no clue what it is used for. And what will happen is you will rip that pecker off, beat him with every inch of his fucking life and shove it down his throat for him to choke on his failures and his own penis.
The three girls laugh at Amy's brutal yet honest speech as Amy hugs her sister tightly and thanks her. She thanks them all for not giving up on her. The four all sleep together and do so peacefully as the sun rises the next morning. Her conscious being more clear and what her objective is, Amber gains her strength back, working with Morgan and Amy while Shaina is able to repair her battlesuit. Picking herself back together, a sudden attack from Soul Taker changes everything as he slams into the house and annihilates it. The tremor from the impact is strong enough to damage other homes in the blast radius as Soul Taker thrusts Amber more than a hundred yards away from her house. She is able to catch herself and as Soul Taker flies towards her she meets him midair and they collide into each other. As their battle intensifies, the girls search the rubble that was once their house to find their parents buried underneath, wounded but alive.
Shaina Clemens: The gas line is leaking! We need to move them!
Recovering the parents, they all move away from the site as the gas catches fire from a spark and a fireball erupts into the air. Witnessing this, Amber attempts to fly to them only to be grabbed by Soul Taker and thrown more yards away towards the ocean. Using her force shield against Soul Taker's attack, she hurls him away and meets him in the air to send them both into the ocean. It is here that Soul Taker's power is stronger underwater and has the advantage as he overpowers and pummels Amber with full force. Struggling against his strength, Amber is unable to overcome him and begins to weaken, but Soul Taker lifts her out and throws her to shore. Gasping for air, a hard kick is delivered to her ribs that knocks the wind out of her. Crawling along the ground, Soul Taker yanks her head back by grabbing a hand full of her hair and delivers another hard blow to her face, but she blocks another blow and kicks him away, but cannot escape his grasp as he throws her at full force, causing her to slam through multiple smaller buildings and finally lays on the ground, beaten and defeated. Levitating above her, she looks up at the menacing figure looking down at not just her but the whole city. Blue lasers shoot from his eyes as he obliterates more buildings, people and destroys an approaching news helicopter and a convoy of police vehicles.
Soul Taker: All of this, all of you. You have searched for answers to your clues, to your questions and here I appear before you all. And this is the best you have? A kid believing she is above the laws of physics. I AM the law of physics. It bends at my will just like all of you will bow before me. I am your god, your idol, the one you have searched for. I can make this world a better one for all of you.
His speech is interrupted by an arrow fired into his shoulder that makes him let out a yell of agony. Lloyd stands a few yards away and is able to get his attention as Switchblade attacks and draws his two swords, challenging Soul Taker.
Soul Taker: How adorable. The ninja and the archer.
Shooting multiple fire balls, Switchblade avoids them as he throws one of his swords, but it's knocked away and gets kicked away just as Lloyd joins the fight, using his bow and turns it into a fighting stick. Struggling to her feet, Amber whimpers in pain as she watches Lloyd and Switchblade fight Soul Taker, yet both are no match against him. As she stands her to feet, Soul Taker suddenly appears, grabs her by the throat and lifts her off the ground.
Soul Taker: I told you before, you are messing with a power you have no clue about. I am everything you ever feared as a child. I am your boogeyman, Amber Strong and I am going to take your power.
His face morphs into a demonic form as he starts to suck her life force out, but is stopped by Lloyd as he stabs Soul Taker with one of his knives. Angered, Soul Taker punches him away as Switchblade continues fighting. Weakened, Amber closes her eyes and she awakens in a place she has never seen before, yet it is beautiful. No destruction, no chaos, no death. A green pasture that goes for miles, a clear blue sky, the sun shines upon her making her shine like diamond. A familiar voice catches her attention and when she turns around, she finds Damian standing before her, smiling at her. Overcome with emotions, she runs to him and hugs her mentor. He holds her close, informing her that he is very proud of her. Looking at him in the eyes, he wipes her tears away and informs her that her fight is only beginning, but she declares she is not strong enough to face Mark.
Damian Northstar: But, you are. You just have not used them to full power. The Thunderbird may be inside of you, but you have to awaken that power. You are it's champion, it will come when you summon it. Only then will you be a full power and nothing can stop you, not even the strongest forces in the universe.
Amber Strong: How can I summon it, sensei?
Damian Northstar: Remember everything that I taught you. The legend.
Amber Strong: What if I fail?
Damian Northstar: Then, I will be here. Waiting for you, my young pupil. Go now. Fulfill your destiny.
As he places his hand on her forehead, her eyes snap open to unveil flames behind them. The spirit of the Thunderbird awakens and Amber takes possession of it's power. A loud bird screech erupts that shakes the ground and catches the attention of Soul Taker. Levitating off the ground, her wounds all heal and she looks at her enemy with bitter anger and rage in her eyes. At full force, Amber has transformed into Lady Thunderbird. Lightning flashes across the sky and the spirit of the Thunderbird flaps it's wings with the sound of thunder and a force that sends Soul Taker crashing to the ground. Landing on the ground, Lady Thunderbird challenges him to fight her and as he goes for an attack, Lady Thunderbird stops him with her force shield then uses it to send him flying across the sky. He returns at full force, but Lady Thunderbird shakes off his attack and shoulder thrusts him with the collision sending a small shockwave. Their battle heats up once more and this time Lady Thunderbird begins to turn the tide and overpowers him. Moving the fight away from the city to avoid anymore innocent deaths and destruction, the two slam into Mount St. Velen, a dormant volcano that overlooks the city. Throwing a fireball, Lady Thunderbird avoids it as Soul Taker slams into her, but she hurls him away to the ground and fires lightning as Soul Taker moves and delivers a thunderous dropkick to her. The two continue trading blows and showing off their god-like abilities, it is Lady Thunderbird that appears to be stronger as anything Soul Taker uses does not seem to damage or slow her down. Battered and beaten, Soul Taker lays there a moment to re-collect himself as Lady Thunderbird stands there, waiting for his next move.
Soul Taker: So, what now, Amber Strong? We fight and we fight to the point neither of us can continue to the end of times? Hmm?
Lady Thunderbird: We both know how this ends.
Soul Taker: Yes, we do and it's ironic that we stand on this mountain and it would be a real shame if it were to erupt at this very moment.
An evil smirk comes across his face and knowing what he is planning to do, Lady Thunderbird kicks him away. Laughing, Soul Taker balls up his fist and prepares to deliver the blow to awaken the volcano as Lady Thunderbird strikes him with a force lightning that sends him tumbling down the mountain to the ground below. Instantly recovering, a fireball is hurled that strikes her in the face and Soul Taker takes control of the fight, using his abilities and tactics to pummel her, but just as he turns the tables, Lady Thunderbird lets out a sonic shriek and with all her strength, smashes the ground that takes him down. Standing to his feet once more, Soul Taker grunts with effort as he fires an energy blast but it's met midair by a blast from Lady Thunderbird. The two struggle to gain leverage until the blast combine to explode and the blast sends both crashing hard to the ground. Wounded and exhausted, Lady Thunderbird struggles to her feet only to find Soul Taker levitating in the air. His behavior has changed from cockiness to anger and frustration.
Soul Taker: Why won't you just fucking die?!
He sends another energy blast, but it misses as Lady Thunderbird shoots lightning that strikes him. However, she keeps it on him and amplifies the lightning able to hurt him. With each strike, she takes a step towards him and starts to deliver blow after blow after blow, pummeling his face and weakening him. Using her power to lift him up and slams him down with so much force the ground beneath becomes a massive hole. The sky darkens, her eyes turning white as snow, lightning flashes in them and thunder rumbles. Lady Thunderbird levitates into the air becoming one with the thunder and takes the massive form of the thunderbird. The sight terrifies Soul Taker and with one loud screech, Lady Thunderbird swoops down and crushes her enemy beneath her feet as bright flashes of lightning engulfs him. The two lock eyes for the final time.
Lady Thunderbird: For every innocent life you took, for every woman that is no longer here, for every ounce of blood you spilled. This is for them.
Screaming in agony and terror, Lady Thunderbird sends the final massive and painful streak of lightning that burns Soul Taker to a crisp and the life fades from his eyes. Transforming back to her normal form, Amber breathes heavy as she stands over her fallen enemy, victorious. Collapsing from exhaustion, she looks at the body that was once the most deranged, psychotic man in Oceancreek City, the man who brought her so much pain, misery, that took three years of her life, the man responsible for dozens of murders, the man that made her stronger and made her become what she is now. The sky clears away as a bright light shines through the clouds. Lloyd and Switchblade run to her side and help her to her feet. The three look at the charred body of Mark Nelson, his reign of terror finally over.
Lloyd Price: It's over, now?
Amber Strong: Is it ever over?
The two exchanged smiles as the two help Amber walk back to the city. Once there, Amber is greeted by Shaina, Morgan and Amy as the three rush over to hug her tightly. Emergency vehicles have already arrived to aid those in need while firefighters put the fires out. Being tended to for her wounds, a stretcher carrying Mark's body is placed into a coroner's van to the morgue.
Amber Strong: Is mom and dad-?
Morgan Strong: They are fine. Shaken, but they are fine.
Amber Strong: Where do we go now? I mean, we don't have a home.
Jonathan Musgrave: We can help with that.
Jonathan Musgrave and Jessica Lockett appear from the crowd, introducing themselves and showing them their H.O.U.S.E. badges.
Jonathan Musgrave: I understand this a difficult time for you all right now and we can assure you that you will have your home back in a matter of days. We have a crew working on it along with the other homes damaged as we speak.
Amber Strong: But?
Jonathan Musgrave: I'll cut to the chase, Ms. Strong. You have impressive skills. More impressive than you know and we believe it could really help not just this world, but the universe as well.
Jessica Lockett: Curtis has been secretly forming a team of superhuman individuals like yourself to protect and defend this planet.
Amber Strong: Defend this planet from what?
Jessica Lockett: Threats beyond the stars.
Lloyd Price: Wait, so you're telling me there is in fact more out there?
Jonathan Musgrave: More than you know, Mr. Price.
The Outlaw? He's already accepted. As well as Hybreed and your friend Switchblade here.
Amber looks at Switchblade as he nods to her silently. Standing to her feet, she approaches him as he takes his helmet off to look her in the eyes.
Amber Strong: Is that why you stuck by me so closely?
Switchblade: More than that. I care about you, Amber.
She pulls him in and hugs him tightly as Switchblade grabs Lloyd to pull him in as well. Once they break the hug, Amber accepts the offer and joins the Defenders of Earth project as does Lloyd.
Weeks after the battle, Oceancreek has repaired and the girls' new home has been finished and they all move in. Amber's powers have doubled since then and is able to control them more. Her family have grown closer than before while they have taken in both Lloyd and Switchblade. The city is now able to move on and heal following the death of Mark Nelson since he no longer holds the city hostage with his wrath. Amber, Lloyd and Switchblade are hailed as heroes and Amber is award the key to the city. Afterwards, Jonathan and Jessica wait outside the house for the trio. Before departing, Amber promises to be back and reminds her family to always look to the skies. They may just catch a glimpse of her. Hugs are exchanged, tears are shed and Amber reminds them that is not a goodbye, but a until next time. Lloyd and Switchblade give their farewells and the three get into a waiting car and the convoy departs to make the world a safer and better place.
Meanwhile, T-Bone and his gang are arrested for their involvement in aiding Nelson along with other various crimes that include murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, grand theft auto, terrorism, trafficking, extorsion, arson and many, many more. T-Bone sits in his prison cell alone and far away from his friends as a guard walks by, yelling for lights out. T-Bone sits in the dark but stands to his feet and goes to the cell door and just stands there.
Inmate: Do you fear the dark, inmate?
T-Bone: No. Not in the slightest.
Inmate: I once feared the dark. In fact, I was terrified of it, but the more I adapted to it, lived in it, I welcomed it with open arms. The dark is a mere vessel for us to hide our cowardice from our enemies.
T-Bone: What are you implying?
Inmate: You are afraid. You are scared of what lays beyond your cell, but rest assure, my friend, you will be safe here.
T-Bone: I don't even know you. How can you be so sure?
The inmate opens his cell door and approaches T-Bone's as he grabs his hands and pulls him closer as the inmate comes into the light, revealing himself to be Charlie Cooper, still badly scarred from his battle against The Outlaw.
Charlie Cooper: Let's just say I have the same agenda as you, T-Bone and together we will destroy the ones who put us here. One piece at a time. First, we will attack their hearts then we go in for the kill.
Charlie laughs maniacally as two guards rush over to find him out of his cell and as they go to put him back, Charlie is much quicker, having hid a handmade knife and shanks the two guards to death, gutting one to the point his intestines spill out. Charlie laughs uncontrollably while covered in blood, making T-Bone back away slowly in fear.