PROLOGUE:
Great Responsibility.
Raven

"Azarath. . .Metrion. . .Zinthos. . . .Azarath. . .Metrion. . .Zinthos. . .Azara-"

"Yo! Raven! You in there?!" I flinched as Nova started pounding on my door and I teleported towards it.

"What?" I barely opened it and I immediately saw his stupid pouty frown.

"Furys' training some new guy without my permission. Isn't that insane?!"

More insane than you thinking you're the leader?

"Yeah, crazy," I rolled my eyes, not that he could even see with my hood up.

"Well come on, let's go!" He grabbed my arm, yanking me out of my room and picked me up bridal style before flying towards our teammates.

Just as he set me down with the others, I glared at him and he flinched away from me.

"What did I say about touching me?!" I burst out.

"N-not too."

And yet you call yourself the leader.

"Sorry about Nova. Just a few smacks on the head might teach him a lesson," White Tiger apologized in his stead.

"Is that a guarantee?" I crossed my arms.

"Depends on how hard you hit him," I cracked a small smile.

"Why is Fury testing a new candidate?! I didn't approve this!"

"Aw, look who thinks he's still in charge. That's so cute," White Tiger teased.

"If Fury thinks I'm going to lead that lame-o in battle-"

"In your dreams you're the team leader," Luke lightly shoves him as we step up to look closer.

"He is rough around the edges, but not without potential," Iron Fist critiques.

"Yeah but he named himself Spiderman, how sad is that?" White Tiger puts her hands on her hips.

"What was he supposed to call himself?"

"Something cool, that doesn't scream, "Hi I have low self-esteem and identify with bugs"."

In agreement there.

"You know what they say about a book and it's cover, dude," Iron Fist interjected.

"Uh, dude, I'll clean this helicarrier for a month if he makes it."

Oh no.

"Toilets too?"

"Toilets too."

They all high five on the deal, and then there's a silent pause as I feel their eyes on me.

Seriously?

"I guess," I joined in.

Well, I'm going back to my room now-

"Raven, come here," Fury called.

"What?"

"You'll need an alias for some possible missions."

"Like a fake name?" I questioned.

"A permanent, real name."

That's not really an alias.

What are you planning?

"I don't have a name. It's just Raven."

He just gave me a blank stare before I gave in.

"Rachel Roth," I knew that my last name, my real last name, would help him find more on me and my mother, but I couldn't stop him.

He already knew what he needed, and prying more wouldn't get him anywhere.

I teleported back to my room and went towards my dresser, grabbing my mirror and looking in it.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"

And inside I went.

"Raven! It's so good to see you!" Happy hugged me and I shivered from the physical affection.

"Oh, hey Rae! Didn't see you there!"

"Raven, are you here to see me? I mean, if you're not, that's fine. . ."

"Raven, I had a massive booger-!"

"Enough!"

"How is Trigon? Is he still contained?" I asked.

"According to my calculations, he's only made a few violent movements these past few months, so he is furious and ready to murder."

"As long as he's stuck, then I'll be going-"

"Wait! Raven!"

"What is it?" I turned to Love.

"I sense something coming to you in the near future. It's going to develop and take time, but in the end, it will bring you endless love and happiness."

"How is that possible?" I crossed my arms.

"Someone is growing curious about you. He wants to get to know you more, to understand you and your past."

"Then tell him he shouldn't be snooping," I snapped my fingers.

"No, Ra-!" And I was out of my mirror.

Curious about my past?

About everyone on this damn helicarrier wants to know about me.

Besides, I'm always going to stay hidden.

For the safety of everyone and myself, I will never get that close to someone.

_______

"So, we have to save him?"

"Ooh! I sense a little smirk!" Nova teased, but I quickly hid it.

"Whatever."

Nova dove down and picked up Spiderman just before him and his bike could explode from the impact, and Luke lifted up the truck so White Tiger could jump onto the bike at just the right time before Iron Fist stopped it.

"I appreciate a helping hand every now and then, but I really didn't need to be saved by-wait, who are you guys?" Spiderman asked as he dusted off his suit.

Iron Fist went first.

"Iron Fist. Namaste. Kung-fu master with fist of, well, iron."

"White Tiger. Acrobatic ninja with steel claws and cat powers, and he's Lu-"

"Powerman. If he gets to call himself Spiderman, then I'm calling myself Powerman. It's cool and doesn't scream "I have low self-esteem". Super strength and bulletproof skin."

"Raven, an Empath and I can do a lot of things." There was too much to just sum it up. If they ever get a hold of my file, then they'll know.

"And I've already met Captain Buckethead," He turned to Nova.

"Names Nova, creep!"

"Nova Creep, catchy."

"Nova, the Human Rocket," He went on and introduced himself anyway.

"Okaay. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get this back to HQ. You see, I'm with SHIELD."

"Small world," Powerman smirked, and I immediately felt Spidermans confidence plummet.

"Why can I already sense a temper tantrum?"

"One of the faults of being an Empath, I suppose?" Iron Fist replied in a teasing tone, and it drew a small smile to my lips.

And I was right. Once he figured out that this was a team, he was out and showed Colson just how much he didn't want to be in a "little league".

"Harsh," I shrugged, starting my way back to my room.

He's obviously the same age as us, but I do understand working alone.

That's what I wanted when Fury recruited me, but since I had been on a team before, he knew I would adjust to it.

Just. . .not as much as I'd hoped to.

"You seem troubled. Care to share?" Iron Fist appeared beside me.

"Are you an Empath now too?" He chuckled.

"Perhaps."

"It's nothing," I replied.

"I know you're still new to the team, but we want to get to know you. Fury hasn't told us much about you, even Nova practically begs him on his hands and knees."

That's because you don't need to know.

"It's just that. A team. We work together for training and missions, why can't it just be that?" I questioned as we arrived at my door.

"Then it's a stiff team. Teams work the best when we all know each other, go through the good and bad times together. Sharing is what strengthens us, and hiding it is not what trust is built on."

He is right.

But, I don't know if I'm ready yet.

"I had something like that. . .but it's complicated," He put his hand on my shoulder.

"I understand."

"TEAM, REPORT TO THE HANGER."

Furys' voice sounded on the intercoms.

"I'm guessing this has something to do with Spiderman again?"

I gave a small smile, "Perhaps."