CHAPTER 4:
Flight of the Phoenix.
Danny

"Wait, they're calling me what?"

"The citizens of New York City have decided to rename you Phoenix. You had an old team, and now you've gone to a new one," Fury explained to Rachel, who felt unease about her new name.

"Of course, there are internet arguments about keeping your old name, but the vast majority has chosen Phoenix."

"I've always been Raven, that's my identity," She interjected.

"It's the peoples choice, Phoenix. Now get used to it," Fury shrugged, and she simply sat back for the rest of the meeting.

"Phoenix is so stupid."

"Phoenix is an awesome hero name! Why do you even like Raven so much?" Sam asked as we walked out of the meeting.

"It was my name before all of you. I was Raven, I wasn't Rachel," She revealed.

Sentimental attachment to that name.

It was like her only identity.

"Perhaps we can still call you Raven as a nickname? No one at school would suspect it with your illusion abilities," I suggested and her mood turned a bit brighter.

"Sure, I'd like that."

"What will we be doing for training today?" I asked.

"Oh! I got a thing I gotta do, so yeah I can't."

"Fury told me to. . .clean my room! Yeah, can't do anything else."

"I got homework."

And that left Raven and I.

"Meditation session?" I offered.

"Sure."

_________

Our current meditation time was reaching two hours, and I truly felt tranquility. My mind was completely clear, and the only presence I felt was Raven.

"IRON FIST, REPORT TO THE HANGAR."

With a sigh, I got up and bowed to Raven, who was still deep within her meditation state.

"Thank you."

Not expecting her to respond, I was quite surprised when she said,"Anytime."

She's growing kinder towards us each passing day.

Although I was just as curious as my fellow teammates, I didn't push Raven when it came to her past. Sam, however, didn't mind pushing her buttons to get the answers he wanted, despite the respect he gained for her.

"Why didn't you call Raven?" Ava asked as I approached them.

"Raven has family matters to attend to," Fury told us.

"So her family matters are more important than a mission?" Sam crossed his arms.

"They are," Sam grumbled, not getting the response he wanted.

"Sam, why your insistence on finding out about Ravens past?" I asked.

"She's weird. She used to be with the Titans, and now suddenly she's with us? No explanation? Come on, you guys have got to be curious," Sam exasperated.

"We are, but we need to respect her boundaries," Ava stood up for her.

"Yeah, let the girl talk when she's ready," Luke jumped in.

"She's not even human! She's half! How can we even trust someone who-?"

"Trust is built overtime, and you certainly haven't earned hers," I snapped.

I didn't know why I reacted like that, possibly my dwelling frustration with him finally releasing, but Luke and Ava were certainly surprised.

What has come over me?

This isn't how I was raised.

But, someone has to stand up for her.

She's just misunderstood.