A note on chronology: The timeline is relative (no dates), with the sign BB being the key "relative" date, representing the beginning of Batman Beyond in "Rebirth". For instance, BB + 15 is 15 years after the beginning of Batman Beyond, BB – 2 is two years before, and so on.

PART I: Just Another Dreg

Chapter 1: Welcome to Juvie Hall

BB + 15, Bruce Wayne's manor; Terry's imagination

Terry McGinnis took off the Batman mask and looked at his reflection in the grandfather clock. He hated what he saw. In anger and frustration he smashed it into smithereens. It wasn't the first time he felt this way…

BB – 2, Court

The trial was over quick. Terry had pleaded no contest and the judge was already overwhelmed with what seemed like a limitless number of youth and gang-related crimes. Compared to the many cases of manslaughter and assault committed by the self-declared "Jokerz", Terry's small-scale crimes were barely worth a second look. The judge sentenced him to three months and yelled "next". Terry was whisked out the door, catching one last glimpse of his grieving parents and a long list of kids his age ready to be tried. He wondered if he'd meet any of them where he was headed.

BB – 2, Juvenile Hall

The induction into Juvie was painless enough. After a change of clothing and a short uninspired speech by the warden, Terry started to get acquainted with the others already there. Just like on the outside, the hall was divided among various gangs, the Jokerz being the largest and most powerful. Still, Terry had a reputation as a tough fighter and had been part of Big Time's gang, so he was treated with respect. Only a few Jokerz tried to mix it up with him, and after he beat them, Terry was usually left alone.

There were others, too. They didn't belong to any particular gang or group. Some of them were hard-core sociopaths, the kind you'd expect to become serial killers or at least lifers once they became adults. Some of them reminded Terry of Sean Miller, a seriously disturbed classmate whom he'd fought on many an occasion.

The other inmates left the sociopaths alone for obvious reasons, but not the "fish", as they called them. These were the people who had nothing to protect them – a gang affiliation, a criminal reputation or mental insanity. They were runaways and petty thieves, kids who pulled a stunt too many or teenage rebels who went overboard and destroyed property. You could tell them by their hunted, fearful expression. They were the lowest on the food chain, either servants of gangs or victims of their random terror. Already on the first day, Terry saw one beaten up for not bringing a gang leader's lunch to him on the other side of the mess hall. Rumor had it others were treated worse; some just disappeared.

Terry didn't want to think about them or anyone else. He didn't want to think about his divorced parents, sitting at court, too ashamed to look at him. He didn't want to think about his friend Charlie "Big Time", serving a three-year prison term, while he got three months simply for being underage. Most of all, he didn't want to think about what he had done or why he was here. The past year had seemed like a whirlwind, starting with Mom and Dad breaking up, starting fights and roughing people up, to Charlie and the spree of B&Es.

Terry just wanted to get through the three months as quickly and as painlessly as possible. As he entered his cell and prepared to go to sleep, he got a glimpse of himself in the break-proof mirror on the wall. He quickly looked away, preferring sleep to any kind of self-reflection.

PART I: Just another Dreg

Chapter 2: Consequences

BB – 2, Juvenile Hall, Terry's cell, 1 month into his sentence

Terry sat on the hard bunk with his head in his hands, silently berating himself:

"Slag it! Three months. All you had to do was lay low and keep out of trouble for three damn months and everything would have been fine. Why did you have to get involved?"

BB – 2, Juvenile Hall, Exercise Yard, Earlier that day

Terry was pumping weights when the familiar sound of laughing Jokerz and the cracking bones of some poor fish broke his concentration. Up until now, he had been able to mind his own business, but for some reason he couldn't anymore.

Back on the outside, Terry could always run or hide from trouble, ignore the damage he did and move on. Besides, he'd never really hurt anyone. Charlie was always calling him "Tiny Terry" for thinking small time, but the truth was Terry didn't see himself as a potential hard criminal.

Terry was just an "angry kid" lashing out at the unfair world that allowed his parents to get divorced. Besides, it was also a lot of fun. The illegal cycling races and stunts on abandoned roads and against traffic, the thrill of street fights and destroying and stealing property; it gave him a real rush of excitement. It didn't take much for Charlie to bring him along for the botched heist. But he never stopped to think about any of it.

There was nowhere to avoid thinking about what was happening in the yard. The fish, no - the kid, was pleading for someone, anyone to intervene and end his suffering. "Someone…please…stop" was all he could articulate. Terry didn't know why, but he felt the plea was directed at him. Terry swore under his breath as he lay down the barbell, "Slag it! Why me? Isn't there anyone else?" He already knew the answer to the latter.

"Lay off him, dregs!", Terry yelled as he fought his way through the ring of Jokerz and shielded the kid.

"Aw, come on, McGinnis! We're just showing him a good time. Why do you have to go and spoil our fun?" asked one of the Jokerz.

"Yeah, unless you want to join h…unh"

The second Jokerz member hit the floor writhing in pain from Terry's right hook before he could finish his sentence. Soon two more were down. The other Jokerz recovered from their initial shock and were about to pile up on Terry when a low but commanding voice yelled "Leave them alone". As if by magic the Jokerz broke away from Terry with a fear he had never seen before in a gang.

Terry looked to see who it was that got the Jokerz to back off and cringed immediately. It wasn't one of the guards. It was Jokerz member Billy "Mad Dog" Madigan, a guy who lived up to his nickname and then some. Terry and the kid he was protecting had just been "rescued" by the worst sociopath in Juvie, maybe all of Gotham.

Things were getting better by the minute. So much for laying low.

PART I: Just Another Dreg

Chapter 3: A Heart-to-Heart

BB – 2, Juvie Hall, Terry's Cell, 10 minutes before lights out

There was a saying in Juvie - you don't kick a guy when he's down, you crush him. Terry couldn't think of a better description of what the powers that be had done to him today…

BB – 2, Juvie Hall, Visitor's Meeting Room

"Hi, Mom", Terry said in a sheepish, embarrassed tone.

"Hello, Terry", Mary replied.

The look on Mary McGinnis' face was a combination of deep disappointment mixed with concern.

"I heard about your latest brawl with a whole gang of Jokerz", Mary said sternly, "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"Mom, it's not like that. This was different."

"Really, how is this different from all the other times you've got into fights?"

"Mom, please listen to me"

"This better be good"

"Mom, you don't know what it's like down here."

"Really? Enlighten me", Mary interrupted, getting more impatient.

"Not everybody here's a tough guy. Some are just regular kids down on their luck who made stupid mistakes. They're the regular punching bags and cutting boards of the gangs who run the hall. Some of them end up dead. If I hadn't butted in two days ago, the kid the Jokerz were using as their piñata would have been killed."

"And what all the other fights I've been hearing about?"

"Hey, they attacked ME. I had to defend myself. It's a jungle in here, Mom"

Mary sighed. Even if what he said was true, it was still clear that Terry hadn't changed at all. He was still the same hot-tempered teenager, and Mary couldn't handle it anymore.

"Terry, I've been talking to your father regarding custody, and we've decided that it's best if you move in with him"

"What about Matt?"

"He stays with me. You're a bad influence on your brother, Terry. I won't let him grow up to be like you"

The blow came out of nowhere, hitting Terry in the gut harder than any kick he'd endured back on the outside. He would have preferred to be beaten up by every lowlife in the hall than hear what he just did. Suddenly feeling weak, Terry softened his tone considerably and pleaded with her:

"Mom…please, don't. I can change. Please don't break us up. Give me a second chance". Terry was on the verge of tears. It was hard to believe just a minute ago he had been so combative.

"Terry, I've given you plenty of second chances. You broke your promises to stay out of trouble almost as soon as you made them. I can't deal with it anymore. Maybe your father will have more success with you when you get out"

"Mom, please…"

"I'm sorry, Terry, but that's how it's going to be. It's past time you took a look at yourself and what you've become. Then maybe you'll understand."

There wasn't anything left to say. Terry got up and left the Visitor's Room escorted by one of the guards. He was taken directly to the exercise yard, where he found himself face to face with the Mad Dog and a dozen other Jokerz.

You don't kick the guy, you crush him. That was the motto of Juvie.

PART I: Just Another Dreg

Chapter 4: Reckoning

BB – 2, Exercise Yard

"Mad Dog" Madigan. Even Charlie, an adult and as fearless as they come, spoke about him in a hushed, fearful tone. All of the Jokerz had a destructive streak, but they were mostly just violent hooligans. Mad Dog was a different story. Though he'd never been caught for anything serious, there were persistent rumors; tales of mutilated bodies, of innocent people being tortured psychologically and physically. All Jokerz padded their life stories with exaggerated exploits of cruelty – but Madigan was the only one you'd believe capable of actually doing any of his rumored deeds.

A storm erupted outside, a violent turbulence mimicking what Terry felt inside. So this is how it ends, Terry thought, rejected by my own mother to be carved up by the Mad Dog and his group of thugs. Well, I'm not going to go down quietly, he thought. Terry took up an aggressive fighting stance and defiantly taunted the Jokerz surrounding him, "You want me, dregs, come get me!"

"Easy, McGinnis!", cautioned Mad Dog, "We're not here to kill you, fun though that might be. I just want to have a little chat."

"What could I possibly want to discuss with a whack job like you, Mad Dog?"

"You're not the least bit curious as to why I let you live two days ago?"

"No. The less I know about what goes on in that sick mind of yours, the better"

Terry couldn't believe how gutsy he was being with a known psychopath, but he figured showing weakness was an even worse option. Letting Mad Dog know how vulnerable he felt at the moment was a recipe for disaster.

"Well, I'll tell you anyway, since I'm in such a good mood. I let you live because I think you're better off being one of us than just another victim of ours. Letting a talented kid like you end up in the morgue seems like such a waste."

Terry let his guard down a little. "I'd say you're more than a few cards short of a full deck. I'm nothing like you, and the scars on your buddies here are exhibits A-D", Terry said with a sardonic smile.

"On the contrary, McGinnis, it proves just how much potential you've got. Sure you've only done small time stunts up until now, but give it time. We all started from the bottom. Don't sell yourself short."

The confident tone with which Madigan said those words touched a deeply buried nerve, which Mom had started to scratch at in the Visitor's Room. You're one of us, now. Even your Mom can't handle you anymore. Terry blocked it out as quickly as possible.

Trying to maintain what was left of his cocky demeanor, he retorted, "Last I checked I stopped you guys from killing a kid. I'd say saving someone's life is a no-no on a Jokerz' resume."

Mad Dog just smiled and then let out a laugh that chilled him to the core. Soon the other Jokerz joined in. Terry felt himself tense up. His defenses were gone and in their stead came a burning anger.

"What's so funny?", Terry growled through clenched teeth.

"Come on, McGinnis! You really think trying to save one fish suddenly changes what you are? Where was that conscience of yours when you went around terrorizing people and nearly running them off the road? How many times did you turn a blind eye to what was going on right here every day you were pumping weights? You can't suddenly make that go away with that stunt you pulled two days ago."

"Maybe I made some mistakes", Terry said, trying to restrain himself, "but I'm not you. I don't carve people up for kicks. You're right; I screwed up before letting you punks have fun with helpless kids. From now on, fish are off limits when I'm around."

"You know what, McGinnis?", Mad Dog said between laughs, "I'll even do you a favor. As long as you're here, less than two months, by the way, I'll even help you enforce that rule. As soon as you're gone, though, the fun returns."

"Why would you do that?"

"So you can see the pointlessness of your heroics. We owned this hall before you came, and we'll still own it after you leave"

"And you'll still be behind bars", Terry retorted.

The collective laugh of Mad Dog and the Jokerz now reached a fever pitch. Unable to control himself anymore, Terry dealt Mad Dog hard blows to the face and stomach and knocked him to the ground. For some reason, though, Mad Dog wasn't resisting, and the other Jokerz held back.

Still laughing in spite of the blood running from his wounds, Mad Dog continued:

"You know it isn't better on the outside. We own Gotham, McGinnis. There are almost 10,000 guys in our gang alone. That's not including other gangs and 'independent' guys such as yourself…"

Before he could continue, Terry pinned Mad Dog and slugged him again. "I'm not like you! I'll never be like you!", he yelled angrily.

"Keep telling yourself that, McGinnis."

Terry hit him again, but Mad Dog just shrugged it off as though he was being hit with a feather. Then he kicked Terry back across the room. Wiping the blood stream off his face, he tried to make Terry see reason,

"You know, it's been fun up until now, but it's time you faced reality, McGinnis. Nobody cares. People are too scared and they don't want to get involved. Not in the hall, not outside. The cops are overwhelmed. They barely bother to show up for long in most parts of town. The only other guy who might have been able to do something about us hasn't shown himself in almost 20 years. Why don't you play it smart and join the winning side?"

"Never"

"What a shame. You could have been a great Joker. Maybe your little brother will be smarter than y…"

Terry let loose with every bit of fury he could muster. "Leave! Matt! Alone!" Before he knew it, Mad Dog was knocked down underneath the barbells. Terry was holding one of the weights above his head, ready to smash in Madigan's skull.

Instead of pleading for his life, Mad Dog just smiled, "I knew you had potential".

Suddenly aware of what he was about to do, Terry froze, horrified. Then he threw the weight across the room as hard as he could. As the guards finally pulled Terry and Mad Dog away from each other, Terry tried to have the last word:

"I'll never be like you"

Mad Dog simply replied, "Give it time. You'll come round"

BB – 2, Terry's cell, 5 minutes before lights out

Terry slowly lifted his head from his hands to go to sleep, when he locked eyes with his reflection in the break-proof mirror. Try though he might, he couldn't look away. Not any more. He couldn't run away from seeing what he'd become, what he'd done to himself. What he was now.

A worthless dreg. A punk. A violent, uncontrollable teenager whose own mother couldn't handle him. A bad influence on his brother. A guy Mad Dog saw as a potential protégé. The sudden realization of all he had tried to ignore this past year now washed over him like an uncontrollable flood.

With the strength he had left, he repeatedly flailed at the mirror and the image it bore, to no avail. He punched it until his knuckles bled, but it was no use. Falling to the floor, Terry wept uncontrollably, his tears washing away the blood from his hands.

There was nowhere to run or hide from this. Even violence couldn't get Terry out of it. Never before had Terry McGinnis felt so worthless, so helpless, so…alone.

Lights out.

END: PART I: Just Another Dreg