A/N: So there are a few things I want to mention here. No, the video game mentioned in this chapter is not going to change what section this story is in, nor will it do anything more than borrow a word for Kirsty's hero alias.
Also, the hero alias Dark Split is the name I went with for Ian since it was the only one that was suggested, and it also has a nice ring to it in terms of the current story line.
The team was currently in the Ops room, the group present consisting of Beast Boy, Beast Girl, Terra Cyborg, Kirsty, Dubs, Robin, Starfire, Malgand'r, Catherine, Raven and Ian.
Ian sighed and stood from his position on the couch, "So are we really going to be the ones who have to speak or can we assume that someone is going to give an intro?"
Beast Boy raised a hand, "Uh, dude, what's with all the 'we' stuff like you're some kind of royalty?"
Ian looked at him. "Because we are both Ian and Scott, though we would prefer Ian from now on. Any other questions?"
Almost a minute passed with no one saying anything, and that was when Ian realized their mistake.
"We forgot to tell you, didn't we… this is awkward…" He rubbed the back of his head.
Raven stood and announced it for the dual minds to give him a moment to compose himself. "Ian and Scott have merged their consciousnesses. It happened this afternoon on the roof after some much needed apologizing." she explained, omitting the fact that they had time traveled to make things easier to understand.
Robin furrowed his eyebrows, "So they are not at odds in that head of his?"
"We never were." Ian frowned, "Raven was just ignoring one of us, and… Scott felt guilty about some stuff..."
"What sort of stuff?" Cyborg chimed in. Ian started to sweat as Raven looked just as curious as the rest of them.
Catherine answered for him. "I was kind of an accident..."
She was barely audible and Raven looked at Ian with a mix of shock, anger and amazement. It was clear as day Rage was winning that argument, since her cloak was slowly dyeing red as her four red eyes appeared.
"You're telling me we did… THAT... before he even proposed?" she seethed almost too calmly for the emotion that was the epitome of hatred. Ian flipped a switch in his mind and Scott stood there alone.
"I-I-I gotta get ou-…" Scott faltered, then he looked at his hands and balled them into fists, as though deciding something. With newfound determination, he looked Rage in the eyes. "No. I refuse to run away again. Never again. I accept my fate. I know that in my previous reality, the moment she found out was the moment I fled in fear. If I were to do so again, then I'd be running from two universes. If sending me to hell is what must be done, then so be it. That said, the Raven I knew gave into her rage and hatred and served her father, but you are much clearer of mind and purer of heart. You have control, so if there is an inkling of hope for me… Punish Me as Scott, but leave Ian out of it." Scott spoke resolutely.
Slowly, gradually, the hatred in those four red orbs was replaced with a look never before seen on Rage's face. She looked broken and lost, like she was trying so hard to be mad, yet couldn't bring herself to it, and she simply slowly approached Scott.
"Why? Why am I not allowed… to hate you?" she spoke as if torn by the very nature of her words. The room was silent as she reached out a hand and grabbed him, pulling him into an embrace. "If Rage itself does not exist… What am I?" she whispered.
Catherine broke the silence, "You're my mother." she said simply. When Rage looked over at Catherine, she seemed to be going through a mental crisis. On one hand, the current emoticlone in control was Rage incarnate. She hated everything and everyone. On the other, Catherine had made it sound like Rage herself was the one who was her mother and not Raven's collective emotions. Something snapped in her. She now had a family…
People to protect.
She had a new purpose. No longer was she going to despise everything, living or dead. No. She was going to despise anyone who took her family from her, and if they were taken from her, the world would BURN!
The robe of the Dark Titan reverted to not white, but blue. "well that was nice while it lasted..." she muttered.
Scott continued to hug her, and said, "Kinda early to hit a mid life crisis, but I'll allow it."
"At this point you'd laugh if I said anything about throwing you out the window." Raven said in her usual monotone and just enjoyed the feeling of the hug.
As they parted, Ian's mind returned to the duality which was his body, and sighed in relief, "For the record I almost wet myself." he said shakily.
Raven surprised everyone and asked, "Which one of you?"
The answer was embarrassing, but Ian didn't even hesitate and said, "Both of us."
Robin cleared his throat and it became painfully clear that things had definitely spiraled out of control. How they went from 'let's discuss names' to... whatever this was finally sunk in and Ian chuckled, "Uh… sorry about that. So anybody got any good hero alias name ideas for Kirsty or me?"
"Well we can't just call Kirsty Cyborg Number 2..." Beast boy shrugged.
Nobody laughed.
"What about something like those things from that online game? The one about the cyborg ninjas?" Dubs offered.
Kirsty arched a brow, "Warframe doesn't sound very heroic." she said.
Beast Girl raised a hand, "What about the other name for them… What was it? the Ten something?"
Kirsty nodded enthusiastically and said "The Tenno? I like the sound of that! We could even use the motherbox tech to modify my systems kinda like the custom content!"
Dubs was elated that she was interested in the motherbox tech possibilities rather than fearful of her new body. Before the two of them could leave the room, Robin grabbed them by the collars and said, "Ian still needs a name guys. I get that you are excited, but we have a job to d-"
Starfire interrupted him, "Boyfriend Robin, I am aware that you mean the wellness, but a naming celebration is not a job."
That calmed him down considering their new relationship had him rethinking things whenever she would offer her opinion.
Terra raised her rock limb. "Well since his powers hinge on both of him, shouldn't his name be something that reflects that?"
Beast Girl raised a hand like a schoolgirl in show and tell excitedly but spoke without being called on, making the gesture basically pointless. "Oooo! Oooo! Since he has demon powers we should add something to the name that says 'don't mess with me' too!"
Robin furrowed his brow. "We don't want to scare people or anything." he argued.
Cyborg offered his own opinion, "Man, there are supers out there that literally rhyme every time they speak and they are literally from hell, and you're afraid someone will go 'ooooh scary name, run'?"
"Didn't know you knew Etrigan." Ian chuckled. Ian was briefly considering if this was going to become the continuity where DARK was in the title, but he decided since he was staring at Robin who he KNEW was Dick Grayson instead of Damien Wayne it was illogical to think that was going to happen.
"Still, Cyborg has a point. There are heroes who have dangerous names, and villains with laughable ones. For example, even though it fits, Mumbo Jumbo is comical in name only. He is still a threat... even if only slightly." Malgand'r offered his own opinion.
Dubs was the next to offer his opinion. "Well it would be more on the angelic side if we were to mention his unity with the two halves… What about Split? Even if you are in harmony, there's a split line of thinking in that head of yours, correct? Then we can use that to both reference the fact and confuse the enemy!"
"Still needs a cool factor." Beast Boy said. Ian looked over at the only person who hadn't been voicing her opinion. Raven sighed, "Why are you asking me?"
"I value your opinion." Ian smiled like it was obvious. Raven blushed. "I'm not really good with social stuff." she said. "But if you want to know, adding the word Dark to the front of Split is kinda cool I guess?"
'Dark Split… I believe that you were worried about a certain version of the universe existing here with the title of Dark?' Scott thought to Ian without speaking. 'I am almost certain that is not this reality. If it was, not only would Robin be different, but we would have seen several heroes in a very different light. And to be honest referencing your memories, that Hellscape is a favorable reference for our new name. I approve.'
"Dark Split it is." Ian opened his eyes, not realizing he had closed them in thought at all. "Now who wants pizza?"
Cheers echoed out before a familiar blaring crime alert quieted the group down almost immediately.
"Who is it this time?" Terra spoke up.
Robin's fingers sped across the Ops computer as an image showed up on screen.
"Well this is bad." Catherine spoke up as they saw a plant borne catastrophe springing up from a section of the city.
"Great… Poison Ivy." Ian groaned.
Cyborg turned to Robin, "Isn't she another one of the villains that falls under the Bat's jurisdiction?"
"Come to think of it, first Joker, now her? Somethings not adding up." Raven said.
Malgand'r sighed, "We could always fight with the intent to capture and interrogate?" he offered his opinion. Robin didn't seem too pleased with that course of action, but it was likely this was no mere coincidence.
"They both may be after the same goal." Starfire said, "But unless we know what it is we will be ill prepared if this happens again, and-"
The crime alert suddenly went off again, and again, and again, and three new images appeared.
"Oh no… no… nonononono!" Ian looked at what was happening. In the moments that followed, he debated what to say. As the villains that popped up spread out over the city, he finally spoke up. "That's… not your Poison Ivy."
"What?" Robin looked over at him questioningly.
Ian didn't know exactly how to answer, so he pointed at the screen, "Captain Cold, Bane, Poison Ivy, Deadshot, and well… Robin… he's the key to this that confirms my suspicions."
"Wait… me?" Robin asked confused.
Ian sighed, "Not you. Damien Wayne." he revealed the reason for his concern, "We're facing the Injustice Universe's villains… and Robin, I don't care what you think at this point, Damien is a part of the opposition, and WILL NOT hesitate to kill, nor will seeing Starfire do anything to calm him. In all honesty it would make things worse."
"So we're going to have to fight to the death then?" Malgand'r asked more to clear things up than to oppose the idea.
Raven looked at Ian. He sighed, "Only if we can't send them back to where they came from. I'd prefer we find a way to detain them and send them back, but how exactly we do so is the issue."
Raven's calm exterior adapted a slight frown, "I'll look into it. You all focus on stopping them from doing damage to the city."
Robin nodded, "Titans, move out!"
A/N: I know Rage is Out of Character here a bit considering she is supposed to hate everything. That is both intentional and also plot worthy, due to her now having a family she wants to protect. This will be explored later, don't worry.
Also, welcome to Injustice continuity insert!
Read and review! It really helps me when people give me ideas or opinions of my stories. Constructive criticism only please! This doesn't mean no "this is wrong" opinions, simply that I would rather you give me a REASON or a "change this a bit" rather than just flat out telling me something is wrong.
See you next time readers!