Sorry this took so long to upload, guys. I'm finding less and less time to write this story than I had hoped. I'm trying my best, so please be patient. Hopefully this chapter will make up for the length it took to write it. And PS the big reveal is here!

Guest - Using force to bring peace is actually an idea that's been in our world history for quite a while. Lot's of the greatest empires (i.e. Roman, Mongol, etc.) had that mindset while conquering other countries. And you're right when you think it's strange that the people of Azarath would think of this. I wonder if there's a certain someone involved, possibly manipulating them?... Hmm...

Guest - And thus the Plot Hole is formed! Haha, that completely escaped my mind. Good eye you got there! I could make up an excuse and say she was a bit drunk, but I'd be lying to myself.

IshylovesGeorgeShelley - Then read on and find out who he is! It'll be a shocker, I'm sure!

RJay Fame - Thanks! Hope this chapter is just as awesome!

Bluedog197 - Interesting guess. Let's see if you're right or not! I'll remember that story and I'll check it out if I have time.

shugokage - Thanks. Hope you enjoy this one.

FireHippie - When will the other two find out, I wonder? Read on and see! :)

LurkingShadowWillow - He's just a character I can't seem to forget. And he does provide an interesting dynamic. Raven's childhood is so unexplored that it would only seem natural she has at least one important friend. And he might play an even bigger role in this story than he did before... Especially considering his past romance with Raven...

Kaarlinaa - Thanks! I'll dish out as many as I can! Expect a lot in the near future :)

koryandrs - I'd imagine a society like Azarath that wastes no time with wars would eventually find something to do like improve their technology. Plus, magic, right? What would that be called? Magitechnology? As for Professor Wintergreen, that really wasn't an intended reference to Slade's Wintergreen. Because Azarath's citizens are almost never mentioned at all in DCverse, I'll normally use names from other sources of literature. Quite nearly every Azarathean name I have comes from somewhere. I don't remember exactly how I got Wintergreen, but he's in no relation to the ACTUAL Wintergreen. And as for the sin and redemption thing, that's a pretty important part of Rift's backstory. More on that later.

Chapter VII - New Azarath

"Sorry guys," Beast Boy said to the others, "but Raphael and I need to talk in private." He looked at Raven and motioned her towards their guest. "Beast Boy, do you mind helping me lead Raphael somewhere else?"

"Sure thing, Raven," the sorceress nodded as she walked forward towards her childhood friend. Stopping for a moment to take in a good view of him, she realized how much he had grown since they've last met. Four years had gone by so fast, it seemed, and the nineteen year old Raphael now seems vastly different than the fifteen year old one. His hair was a bit longer and was still dark brown and unruly, but settled quite nicely. He had a noticeably larger frame—she suspected he still worked out often in his years of training as an officer—but his hands were still rough and strong due to years of being a poor farmer. A small stubble was visible just under his chin. He was wearing what she guessed was his lieutenant uniform—a blue and brown military uniform covered with a brown cloak.

"Follow me," she said to him as she turned around and walked into the hallway with Beast Boy. The three went into the weight room where Raven promptly said, "We need to talk, Raphael."

"You must be Beast Boy, right?" he said with a friendly smile. "I'm Raphael."

"Actually," the changeling interrupted, "that's kind of what we need to talk to you about." He took a deep breath and said, "I'm Beast Boy."

"Wait," Raphael smiled, believing it to be a joke. "What are you talking about, Raven? I—"

"I'm Raven," the green boy then said. "And we need your help, Raphael."

"Wait… what? What's going on?"

"We've been asking ourselves that for the past three days…" Beast Boy muttered.

Raven rolled her eyes and looked at her childhood friend in the eyes. "I'm Raven. Our bodies were switched a few days ago so I'm in his body," she motioned with her head at Beast Boy's direction. "And he's in mine."

"Switched bodies? How did that happen? I thought magic doesn't exist on Earth," he protested.

"Our magic doesn't exist on Earth. It might have been some other kind of magic but we have no idea how it had happened," Raven explained. "All we know is that three days ago, a man gave us this wine. For some reason, I wasn't able to sense its magical properties and we both drank it. The next morning, we woke up to find ourselves in each other's bodies. The others don't know yet besides the girl."

Raphael furrowed his eyebrows and rubbed his face. "Judging by that, it must have been some kind of body-switching potion."

She nodded in return. "That was what I think, too. I was never the master in potions but you told me you studied them a lot, right? Do you think you can help us?"

He slowly shook his head. "You know very well that body-switching potions are almost an urban legend. They aren't impossible but they might as well be. All potions are very abundant with magical properties. In many ways they're concentrated, latent magic. Body-switching spells themselves are very difficult to perform, but to take that magic and condense it into a potion with what I'm assuming is a permanent effect… it's extremely difficult."

"But there has to be a way. After all, I've seen it with my own eyes!"

"Hmmm… Do you remember Captain Etzel Giles? He's the leader of my division. He is a master in potions, studied them extensively. If I'm right, I think he was working on taking the properties of the body-switching spell and using them to create a potion. He told me he shelved that project a few years ago due to lack of time but he already has a couple untried experimental potion recipes. I'll go talk to him when I have time and see if there's anything he can do."

"Thank you, Raphael," Raven smiled. "It's good to see you again."

"You too, Raven," he replied. "You know, you have that same smile even with a different face."

"Um, helloooo?" Beast Boy interrupted, waving his arms frantically. "Aren't you forgetting someone here?"

Raven's smile broke into a frown as she remembered the green boy who was inhabiting her body. "Oh, that's right. We should be getting to New Azarath, shouldn't we? The others must be waiting."

Beast Boy's face slunk as Raphael's lit up in surprise. "The others? They're coming?"

She shrugged. "They've never been to New Azarath before. This is the best time to show them, wouldn't it? And besides, they would get suspicious if they see the person they think is Beast Boy go along, right? Having all five of us go would make things less suspicious."

"You're right. I'll explain to you the situation while we get there. There's a lot to fill you up on."

…

A shadow as black as a raven emerged in thin air like a crack of lightning. The shadow grew and grew, accompanied by a strong gust of wind that blew away the surrounding dust. The shadow—now a massive orb of darkness—dissipated and vanished, revealing in its wake six young men and women. The four who were not native to this land were immediately taken aback by the sheer magnificence of what lay before them.

Beast Boy nearly fell back in awe and wonder. Directly in front of him was an enormity of buildings and castles, all glowing and glistening in the light. As far as the eye could see, buildings like skyscrapers and castles made for gods made his eyes sparkle. A wall like that of a fortress's towered before them, hiding the rest of the magnificent city behind them. It looked like heaven.

"Guys," Raphael said with a grin. "Welcome to New Azarath."

"Wow," Cyborg and Robin cried in unison while Starfire let out a "Glorious!"

Raven tried her best to held back a smile as she stepped forward and turned around, standing in the light as she said to her friends, "Well what are you waiting for?" She turned towards Raphael. "It's… Raphael, right? Lead the way!"

"Sure thing, Beast Boy," he said with a playful smile as he beckoned the others to follow. They made their way across the outskirts of New Azarath—an empty badlands area just outside the city—until they reached the grand walls.

The Titans watched curiously as Raphael placed his right hand on the golden barrier and closed his eyes, chanting, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos." In an instant, the wall immediately before them emitted a bright radiance and disappeared in the light, revealing an enormous gate about the size of a small building on Earth, protected by a magical barrier and two golden griffins on both sides. "Kalazon Racashos Endarath." The griffins burst to life and snarled, looking directly at each person before them. "Vasirix Zendrien Azarath." The griffins raised their heads and let out a mighty roar as the magical barrier shattered, granting the Titans passage into the city.

"This way," Raphael said as he briskly walked into the city. "There's lots of people here so don't lose yourself." The Titans quickly followed him, with Beast Boy stopping for a split second to look behind him. The gate had already disappeared, instead replaced with a wall.

Raphael led the Titans seemingly in circles through the flocks and crowds of Azarathean civilians. Beast Boy saw that while some wore cloaks, many others donned simple silk clothes. He noticed that many of the people stopped what they were doing and stared at the Titans as they walked by. Perhaps it was because those who aren't from Azarath stand out like a sore thumb. Maybe it was because a few people recognized him as Raven.

"Ever since the Fall of Trigon," Raphael said as they walked through the busy streets. "The leaders of New Azarath became very paranoid. It wasn't long before we split into two political parties—the Returners and the Renewers. That was shortly before I became an officer.

"The Returners are the conservatives who wished to keep our pacifist society as it had always been. The Renewers are the liberals who wanted to use the Weapons. I'm a Returner, myself, as are many of those in the Council. However, the Renewers are growing in numbers, even to civilians as well, especially since they are led by Clergywoman Sorenda."

"Sorenda?" Raven said before quickly adding, "Who's that?"

"She's one of the most respected political leaders of Azarath. Respected—not liked. She's a cold woman to the core but no doubt is very persuasive. She was the one who first conceived the idea of the Interuniversal Cleansing Act—her flowery name for us using the Weapons to conquer other worlds."

"What are those things you keep mentioning?" Robin asked. "What weapons?"

"Weapons, Robin—your name is Robin, right?—Weapons with a capital 'W'. Basically so many years ago when Azarath was first created, a legendary man named Sorcerer Leon—who had led us against the demons in a great war—divided his power and life-force into seven artifacts called the Seven Weapons. The Ring of Azar to protect its wearer from those who wish them harm. The Crystal Sword to vanquish one's enemies with its legendary blade. The Solar Wand to enhance one's one magic one-thousand-fold. The Lunar Pandora to create a limitless army of soldiers made of crystal and shadows. The Stellar Crown to force one's will onto others. The Master Cloak to grant its user protection from death. The Book of Peace with the power to create either peace or chaos. These seven, should they fall into the wrong hands, could be the end of everything as we know it. That's why we have to do anything we can to keep the Renewers from persuading the rest of the Council."

Eventually they came to what seemed to be a pedestal with a light blue sphere the size of a basketball mounted on it, surrounded by gold plates. The Teen Titans watched as a small group of people placed their hands on it. Within seconds, they disappeared in a flash of light, consumed by the sphere.

"Whoa!" Cyborg jumped back in surprise. "What the freak is that?"

"It's a transport sphere," Raphael explained. "They don't have these on Earth?" The Earthlings shook their head. "Basically it teleports you to various locations across the world. The most efficient method of travel. I don't know how you people could live without it," he laughed. "Here, follow me. I'll show you how it works."

The teenage heroes were reluctant to follow him, but seeing as they had nowhere else to go, made their way to the pedestal. There, Raphael spun the plates and rings around the sphere until it glowed a majestic gold. "This'll take us to the Azarathean Palace," he muttered. "All hands on deck! Let's mosey!" The six placed their right hands on the golden sphere, with Beast Boy being the last to do so.

In a flash of light, he felt the sphere twist away from him and re-doubled his grip as if his palm was stuck to it with an industrial adhesive. The next thing he knew everything went black and he was pressed very hard from all directions. He could not breathe, there was an invisible force tightening around his chest. The darkness then exploded into an array of colors from green to blue to indigo to gold. His eyeballs were being forced back into his head and his ear-drums were being pushed deeper into his skull. His head felt like he was spinning in all sorts of directions.

Then it stopped and the next thing he knew, he was panting on the ground. "Whoa, dude," he choked. "That was something."

He looked up and saw Cyborg rubbing his head and moaning. Starfire was trying to regain her balance and Robin was massaging his neck. "I am never going on that thing again," Beast Boy whined.

Raven and Starfire's eyes widened. "What?" Robin said. "Wouldn't you be used to these things, Raven?" he asked.

The two girls, knowing the secret, looked at Beast Boy in shock. He opened his mouth with a blank expression until Raphael jumped in and answered, "It's because the transport spheres are different depending on what area of New Azarath it's in. You see, where were on the outer edge of New Azarath where they have the cheaper ones. I'm used to them, you see. I grew up in the farms and we would use those kinds to sell our crops. Raven's probably used to the ones they have around the Palace, the much better ones that aren't as uncomfortable."

"Yeah, that's it," Beast Boy answered with a meek smile. "What? Besides, it's been years since I've used one. Can't really blame me for it, can you?"

"Huh, I guess not," Robin shrugged. "Alright, so what do we do now?"

"There's not much you all can do. Raven has to attend the next Council meeting and somehow persuade the people there to vote against the Interuniversal Cleansing Act. As long as less than three-quarters of the Council vote for it, the Act will fail."

"Three-quarters?" Raven muttered under her breath. Making sure no one was looking at her, she whispered something into Beast Boy's ear. He nodded.

"What do you mean three-quarters vote?" he asked. "I never heard of that kind of rule."

"Right. About that. Clergywoman Sorenda claims there is a hidden clause. Something in the fine print about a three-quarters vote being able to take the place of Her Holiness Azar's opinion."

"Then how come I've never heard of it?" Beast Boy returned, trying his best to sound as much like Raven as possible.

"That's the thing. I'm looking into it now—Robin, Cyborg, and Starfire, you might need to help me with that by the way—but I suspect there is some kind of corruption in the Council. As far as I know, nothing like that 'Three-fourths' thing exists."

"Corruption?" Raven asked, knowing that her cover wouldn't be blown with a question like this. "What do you mean corruption? I mean this is Azarath we're talking about."

"This is New Azarath, Beast Boy," Raphael replied. "I'm afraid things aren't as good as it once was. Ever since Trigon's attack, the government officials have been pretty sketchy. People blaming other people for Trigon's rise. You and your mother's names have come up more than once. Clergywoman Sorenda then steadily rose in power. She supported very liberal ideas, especially in the past few weeks, and being the clever woman she is, she managed to persuaded a lot of others to join her cause. That's why Raven"—he turned to Beast Boy with a half-worried look—"has to speak to them. You have to say something that will break apart the Renewers. Merge them together with the Returners and have the two political parties become one again."

All eyes were on Beast Boy. He gulped. He was supposed to make a speech to a bunch of adults? About a life-threatening, world-changing subject? Him? "You've got to be kidding me," he thought to himself.

"Do they have any rooms for us?" Raven asked, trying to divert attention away from the boy in her body.

"Yeah. Just go to the secretary and she'll get you some rooms. I'm sure as soon as she sees Raven, she'll give you guys the best in the house."

"Sweet!" Cyborg cheered. "Azarathean lodging! I bet they got all those floating beds and stuff you see on TV."

"Make yourselves at home," Raphael smiled. "The meeting will be tomorrow so we have time. I'll go and talk to Captain Etzel about… something." He winked to Raven. She smiled, noticing he still kept the same boyish wink from years ago. "I'll see you guys later," he called back as he began walking away.

The Titans waved him goodbye and walked to the nearest secretary. Beast Boy caught up to Raven and whispered in her ear, "Rave! How am I supposed to make a speech? They'll figure out I'm not you as soon as I walk in the room."

"Relax," she hissed back. "We'll figure out something. Raphael says the meeting starts tomorrow. Maybe he and Etzel will figure out a potion that will switch us back in time."

"And what if they don't?" he shot back. "This isn't some graduation speech or meeting my girlfriend's parents kind of speech. This is a life-threatening speech! If I say anything the tiniest thing wrong, every world will be taken over by them!"

"Beast Boy, we'll figure out something—"

"But what if we don't?"

"We will!"

"Oh! Lady Raven!" the secretary announced as the Titans approached her desk. "Oh it is you!"

"Uh… Hello," Beast Boy said sheepishly.

"I—I suppose you've heard about Clergywoman Sorenda. It's simply horrible, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I know. Her 'Interuniversal Cleaning'-thing or whatever. It's horrible. Glad you agree!"

The woman's face stiffened up. "Oh… I guess you haven't heard," she said with a grim tone. Lowering her voice, she whispered to the team, "The clergywoman, she was assassinated."

Raven's eyes widened in horror. "She was what?"

"Assassinated. By an Earthly weapon I heard. The Council is completely infuriated. By now, the Interuniversal Cleansing Act will be passed almost inevitably!"

…

The beds were more like resting chambers than beds. That was the first thing Beast Boy remembered as he looked around his room, which he shared once again with Starfire. Resting chambers. Raven had told them of those kinds of things about Azarath in passing, that the beds projected a controlled force field that automatically levitated you as you laid down and simulated the feeling of solidity beneath you so that you felt you were, indeed, lying down on a bed. A holographic curtain will appear around the bed when it is used and disappears when it is not. The actual machine—the contraption that projected the force field—seemed to resemble a bed in itself, though it seemed far too metallic to be comfortable.

He glanced elsewhere. A large grandfather clock stood on the corner, and thankfully—though its design was much different—worked the same way as on Earth. Beast Boy didn't look inside the restroom, for fear of not knowing how to properly use a toilet. "Do they even have toilets here?" he wondered. "Of course they do. Even Azaratheans had to do their business sometimes."

He wandered towards the window where his Tamaranian friend was standing. "It is beautiful, is it not?" she observed.

"I know," he replied. "It's just like I remembered it. Home, sweet home."

"Please do not ever say that again, Beast Boy," Starfire said. "It is nauseating for me whenever I see you pretending to be Raven."

"You—what—whoa, wait Starfire. What are you talking about?"

"I know, Beast Boy," she answered with a smile. "Raven had just told me a little while ago."

"Oh good," he gave out a sigh of relief. "Phew! Now I can act like myself around you. Man, if only Cyborg and Robin knew, too."

"Yes, I dearly wish we could tell them the truth. But Raven is very much against it, so it is best we follow her will."

"Yeah, you're right." Beast Boy let out a sigh of exhaustion as he tried to figure out how to activate the bed. Upon successfully turning it on, he hopped onto it and was pleased to find himself automatically levitating several feet from the ground. It felt strangely comfortable, like sleeping on a cloud.

"But that means I'll have to be the one to give the speech to the Council."

"Oh, that's right!" she exclaimed, activating her own bed. "How are you going to do that?"

"I don't even know, Star. I mean I can barely write a high school essay. How'm I supposed to do this?"

"Perhaps you could tell them the truth and have Raven speak for herself?"

"No, that'll never work. Raven had an idea while we were going up to our rooms. She said that Raphael and his captain guy will try their best to come up with some kind of potion that'll switch us back before tomorrow. If we're not lucky and it doesn't work, then tomorrow at the meeting, I'll have to form a telepathic connection to Raven. That way, she can telepathically tell me exactly what to say. As long as I concentrate enough, then we should be able to pull it off."

Starfire rested her head on her hands. "I am fearful for our world, Beast Boy," she said. "Ours and mine as well. Even if Raven's plan works and even if you manage to fool the council, it is still possible that they will refuse to be dissuaded. All worlds might be in grave danger. And now it is even worse so for our cause because of that clergywoman's assassination."

"Right. Her," he grumbled. "How did that happen? They say it was a gun that killed her. That could only mean someone from Earth had done it."

"I was thinking that as well. Perhaps it was Rift?"

"Maybe. He's got his eye on us for some reason. Maybe it was Slade?"

"It is possible. But I do not think Slade would have the means to readily transport himself to here. It seems unreasonable."

"You're right. So it must be Rift, then. But why?"

"Who knows? Everything he's been doing lately… what could it mean?"

"Stealing Unobtainium from Wayne Industries makes him seem like a common criminal. Just another villain with some superpowers. Then he brainwashed Titans East and made them attack us. That already makes him different. Almost Slade-like, even. Now he's somehow come to Azarath and assassinated a random woman?"

"It is all very strange," Starfire nodded. "But why? Unobtanium… mind-controlling the Titans East… assassinating a woman from a completely different world… None of it makes any sense!"

"But why her? Why Sorenda?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows in deep thought.

"Raphael had said that Clergywoman Sorenda was the leader of the Renewers and the person who had come up with the Interuniversal Cleansing Act. Perhaps he was trying to stop her?"

Beast Boy shook his head. "I don't think it's that simple. Especially since Rift can control minds. Something tells me he was behind it from the start."

"You mean he was controlling her and used her to persuade the council to use the Weapons?"

"I think so. And it'd make sense. He no longer needs her so now he kills her. And by killing her with a gun, then that would only make the council want to pass the act even more, right?"

…

The next morning, Raven led Raphael and Etzel—who was carrying a small suitcase—to the room Beast Boy and Starfire had been sleeping in. She knocked three times on the door, which promptly opened to reveal a Tamaranian girl. "Greetings, friends," she smiled as she let them inside.

"Beast Boy!" Raven cried. She watched as her own body—levitating on the bed—jumped down and landed squarely on its feet.

"Yup!" Beast Boy cried. "Alright. What's the plan?"

"My, my you've grown, Raven," Etzel grinned. Placing his suitcase on a nearby table, he proceeded to open it and take out four flasks of multicolored liquids and two cups. "These were the ones I've managed to create way back when," he said. "These three are old, untested recipes and this one is a new one I just made last night. Try them one at a time."

"Fingers crossed," Raphael mumbled as his captain poured out a light orange liquid onto the two cups and passed them to Raven and Beast Boy. The two glanced at each other and smelled the liquid suspiciously.

"Ready when you are," Raven said.

"On three," Beast Boy replied. "One… two… three!" They gulped down the potion with amazing speed.

Everyone gazed at the two, half-expecting something to happen. Nothing came.

"Alright, let's try sample B," Etzel said as he poured them a dark green substance. Raven and Beast Boy looked at each other again and drank the liquid.

Nothing happened.

"Sample C." He poured them a violet colored drink.

Still again, nothing happened.

"Alright, last chance. The new one I just made." He poured them a dark red potion. Beast Boy and Raven looked at each other. The former raised his cup. "Cheers," he said.

"Cheers," Raven replied as their glasses clinked together. They drank it heartily.

In the end, nothing happened.

"Great," Beast Boy sighed. "What do we do now?"

"We'll just have to go with Plan B," the sorceress said. "You'll have to form a psychic connection to me."

"Can you do that?" Raphael wondered aloud. "Creating a sustained telepathic link to someone is extremely hard."

"He has my powers, so he is able to," Raven explained. "The problem is he doesn't have the training to. But we did practice a little before and he was getting it. Do you think you can do it, Beast Boy?"

"I—I'm not sure."

"Well, be sure," Etzel replied. "Because you have to. This has to work or else the council will release the Weapons. And because Sorenda was killed with an Earth weapon, what world do you think Azarath would come to first?"

Beast Boy gulped. "When's the meeting?" he stammered.

"Ten minutes."

"Oh great."

"Actually," Raven interrupted. "We should go now."

"What? Why?" Starfire asked. "Should we not spend the time we have left training Beast Boy to communicate with you?"

The sorceress shook her head. "Here in Azarath, showing up early is a sign of nobility. If we come early, that just might help our case, no matter how small help it may be. And besides, we can practice in there while we're waiting for the meeting to start."

"She's right," Raphael nodded. "Follow me. I'll lead you there."

The five then left the room and headed towards the main lobby where they were joined by Robin and Cyborg. "You got this, Rae?" the robotic man asked. Beast Boy reluctantly nodded. Raphael then led the team up many flights of stairs, barely giving them sufficient time to gaze and adore the beautiful Azarathean architecture.

They soon came to a small, round room on the tenth floor that was relatively empty except for a grandiose grandfather clock and a transport sphere, one much larger and more intricate than the one in the city. Raphael approached the device and activated, sliding the golden rings and panels here and there as the Titans gazed in wonder upon seeing the sphere change color with every movement. As the sphere glowed a glorious red and gold color, Raphael placed his right hand on the sphere and instructed the others to do the same.

"Wait!" Raven suddenly cried.

"What?" he jumped. Hurriedly, he added, "What, Beast Boy?"

Raven began signaling at the sphere with her eyes while saying through gritted teeth, "Are you absolutely sure that this is the best place to have a meeting? It looks like a pretty weird color and I've always been taught not to trust weird colors."

Raphael's eyes widened in understanding as he quietly cursed under his breath. "I'll have to talk to the councilmen," he said to the Titans. "We'll have to move our meeting to a different room."

"What? Why?" Robin asked.

"You see, this sphere is set to the Hall of Assemblage, where our meetings are normally held. However, the Hall is one of the few hidden rooms in the Azarathean Palace that is gated. It's basically a defense mechanism built into the palace to prevent intruders from reaching certain rooms. Officers and government officials like Raven, Captain Etzel, and I have a mark on our souls, a mark that acts basically as a key to "unlock" the gates. You guys don't so you won't be allowed in."

"If that's the only problem, I guess we could stay out of it," Cyborg shrugged. "It's no big deal. I'd rather not go to a boring meeting anyway."

"It's a defense mechanism to keep out intruders," Raphael repeated, making a quick glance towards Beast Boy. "For instance, if anyone were to disguise themselves as an official or switch bodies with them, they wouldn't be allowed in because their soul doesn't contain the mark." Beast Boy quietly nodded and said to the others, "I think I'd rather be there with you guys. I'd feel more comfortable if all five of us are there together." He glanced at Raven.

"Then it's settled," Raphael said. "I'll go in and inform the councilmen. I'm sure they'll willingly switch locations. You guys wait here." With a friendly salute, he activated the sphere and disappeared in a wave of light.

"J—just out of curiosity," Robin turned to Captain Etzel and asked. "What does happen if someone without a mark try to go into a gated room."

The man winced and rubbed his beard. "I—It's not pretty," he said. "If a regular person like you or Starfire or Cyborg were to accidentally use it, then it would magically—how do I say this?—torture you… mentally. Spiritually, rather."

"Torture?" Starfire gasped.

"Jeez," Cyborg grimaced.

"It's not much. Just enough to subdue you," he explained. "But if it senses a magical presence… perhaps if a magical spell being used during the transportation… its effects are much more—lethal."

"Lethal?" Beast Boy said.

"Very slow and painful," Etzel continued. "But effective. If one is exposed to that kind of mental and spiritual strain for long enough… it'll be an inevitable death."

Both Beast Boy and Raven shared a glance.

Beast Boy gazed at the sphere in horror.

He could almost imagine himself screaming in pain inside that thing.

…

The meeting began at 11:00 in the Round Room, another meeting room that was used less frequently and more casually. Not a single person was late or absent. A certain Clergywoman Lucretia replaced Sorenda as the new de facto leader of the Renewers and spoke her case expertly, explaining how they simply cannot wait a moment longer, for a moment longer meant a moment of more violence and chaos everywhere else.

Before he knew it, it became Beast Boy's turn to speak. He gulped and glanced at his friends, specifically Raven, as he stood up. "Alright, BB," he thought to himself. "Focus! Focus. Focus on Raven. Azarath Metrion Zinthos! Crap, it's not working! Okay, focus. Concentrate. Azarath Metrion Zinthos! Raven?—no!"

"Maybe you should call me Beast Man from now on!"

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"

"Evil beware, we have waffles…"

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"

"For luck," he winked as he slipped her a penny that shone within the darkness.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" He felt a subtle but powerful force enter his mind as he heard a faint voice.

"Beast Boy?" it called.

"Raven. Rae!" he thought back. "Can you hear me?"

"Yeah… barely. I think it's working. Okay, repeat after me: 'Friends, Azaratheans, and lovers. I humbly ask you to lend me your ears, that you may hear.'"

"Friends, Azaratheans, and lovers," he repeated after her. "I humbly ask you to lend me your ears, that you may hear."

"I come here not to speak to you, but to mourn—mourn not only the loss of our beloved clergywoman but also the loss of millions more." He repeated her words. "For should the Interplanetary Cleansing Act be passed, I fear not for myself but for my world, both worlds, all worlds." He repeated, but noticed her voice was getting fainter and fainter.

"No, don't lose it!" he thought to himself. "Concentrate, Gar."

"A giant chicken. I must be the luckiest girl in the world."

"…made from and for peace, not destruction." Beast Boy's eyes widened and glanced at Raven, who seemed to also sense the temporary disconnect.

"Uh—our wonderful world, Azarath was made from and for peace, not destruction," he tried. Raven nodded in approval.

"If we were to suddenly change all this, what would that make of us?" he heard in his mind. "Hypocrites? Criminals? Disloyal followers of Azar?"

"If we suddenly change all this, what would that make us?" Beast Boy repeated, noticing his voice was quivering in fear and trying his best to calm himself down. "Hypocrites? Criminals? Unloyal followers of Ezar—erm, Azar!"

He saw Raven wince ever so slightly before shaking it off. He saw her concentrate on him but he heard no voice. "No, don't lose it, Beast Boy!" he shouted mentally. "No! No!"

It was useless. He couldn't sustain the connection any longer. He saw Raven sigh in desperation. His eyes glanced around, jumping from person to person. Some were muttering to themselves, wondering why he had stopped speaking. "What do I do?" he asked himself. "What do I do now?"

"Peace, calm, and tranquility, Beast Boy."

That's right. Peace, calm, and tranquility. He cleared his mind and calmed himself down. Looks like he'll have to do this on his own. Taking one last glance at Raven, he spoke once again to the council members.

"On—On Earth we have a phrase: 'I'm only human.' It means that no one is perfect and we can't claim to be. We all make mistakes. There's always going to evil and bad people. But we're only human. I know that doesn't justify our actions. I know it doesn't mean we should be free to do whatever we want because we're inevitable to screw up anyway. But you can't enforce your rules like this. We can't go and punish everyone for the actions of a few. Look at yourselves. Every single person here is human. You might have magical powers, sure. But you're all human. We're all human.

"I came on Earth expecting to be an outcast because of who I was. But everything changed. I found myself being accepted by people who truly love me for who I was. That's what being human means. That's the power of humanity. It's called love. And I know now that love always triumphs over hate. You may hate evil and you may do whatever you can't to wipe it out, but everyone else will protect themselves. Even if faced against the Weapons, all the other worlds will do whatever it takes to protect themselves. And why? Because of love—love for their world, their family, their friends. Love for themselves. If you were to create a war like this, would that truly be peace?

"Trigon rose two years ago because of hate. He thrived on hatred—flourished because of it. And I?—I believe in the power of love. It was through love that I've grown up into the woman I am today. And it's through love that I speak to you now."

He looked around the room again and saw some members murmuring pleasingly. The Titans, he saw were beaming. He even saw a tiny smile emerge from Raven's lips. "That was good," Beast Boy thought to himself. "Now for the real kicker."

Slowly, he got down onto his knees, an act that did not go unnoticed by any of the people present. He bowed his head. "Please," he said. "I beg of you, not as your Lady, not as a Titan, but as your humble servant. You cannot do this to my world—our world. It is through love that I bow to you now. I beg of you, people of New Azarath." He looked up to see Raven's stunned face.

…

"You did it Rae!" Cyborg bellowed as he slapped Beast Boy's back. "I mean of course you did! I always knew you had it in ya."

"That was a great speech, Raven!" Robin congratulated. "I would be surprised if a single person voted for the act now!"

"Amazing. Simply amazing!" Etzel smiled as he winked at Beast Boy.

"Great job!" Raphael clapped. He placed his index and middle fingers on his forehead and gave Beast Boy a small salute. "You did great!"

"Glorious!" Starfire cheered. "Absolutely glorious, Beast Boy!"

The party stopped dead in their tracks. "Beast Boy?" Robin inquired. "What are you talking about, Starfire?"

"Uh guys…?" Cyborg said, noticing the strange looks on their friends' faces. "What's with the weird looks?"

Raphael glanced at Raven who gave a defeated look and nodded. "Uh, let's take this outside, guys," he said. "We might have some explaining to do." He motioned Starfire and Etzel to escort the two confused Titans out of the room, leaving behind the two switched teammates.

"So—uh, ahem. Raven," Beast Boy stammered, feelings his cheeks redden. "How'd I do?—I mean… Did I do good, or—" He glanced up at her cheekily.

She replied with a snarky glare. "Hey! You did alright, okay? Just alright!" she hissed. A friendly grin betrayed her feigned response as she suddenly burst into a smile as she slapped him on the back. "Good job, there Beast Boy!" she applauded.

"Whoa, Rae!" he protested, backing away. "You okay? You're acting all weird."

Raven seemed a bit surprised herself, but shrugged it off, "It's probably the Azarathean air. It makes me feel at home again." It's probably also an effect of being switched with Beast Boy, she noticed.

Beast Boy cocked his head to one side. Perhaps she was right—it was the Azarathean air. Glancing at his reflection on a nearby mirror, he noticed Raven's skin was now full of color and was a light, almost creamy color—much different than the grayness it was on Earth.

"So what," he said with a sly smile. "Do we hug now?"

"As if!" she stuck her tongue out. She nearly jumped back in disgust at having done so. "I swear, Beast Boy! The more I'm in your body, the more I start acting like you."

"Is that such a bad thing?" he returned, sticking his own tongue out. "After all, I am a pretty great guy. After all, who just made a fantastic speech all by himself and has two thumbs? This guy!"

"You just did alright, okay? Don't get any ideas in your head!"

Beast Boy smirked and raised a fist. He motioned his eyes towards it and with a sigh, Raven raised her own fist and bumped their hands together. She turned around to leave. "See you later, Grass Stain!" she murmured.

Beast Boy tried to hide a smile as he turned away from her and softly touched the part of his hand that touched her. Something deep inside him felt very warm.

Suddenly he felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around him. Looking down, he saw that they were his arms—his green arms. It was Raven, hugging him. Raven—hugging him.

"You did a good job today, Gar," she whispered into his ears.

"Th—thanks, Rae," he whispered back, unable to contain his smile. "Thank you."

The warm feeling inside him never left, even after Raven had said goodbye and left. He crashed onto the bed with the same warm feeling—the same smile that refused to leave.

…

A tiny gray island floated in space—a chunk of grassy land on a titanic rock that levitated in an empty dimension. Smoke riffled around the blackness of the void-like dimension. On the island stood several trees with animal carcasses hanging off them surrounding a small, rundown restaurant. Chickens and black cats roamed around the island; one chicken made its way to the very edge, taking a step off the island and disappearing in smoke and ash.

A tall, bulky man in an old chef's outfit stood before a table covered in bottles and glasses of assorted colored wines. The man gazed into a large bowl of pale yellow wine with his small eyes. The wine rippled and revealed the image of Beast Boy and Raven hugging. The man's eyes betrayed a look of sadness and sorrow.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. A cloud of smoke wrapped itself around the man as his clothes peeled off and his body shrunk. His large, rough hands became smooth and slender and his face became soft and small. His scar disappeared, instead replaced with a red and black gemstone on the ajna chakra on his forehead. His short black hair grew to his shoulders and became a dark indigo. Two golden hoop earrings appeared on his ears and a white cloak wrapped itself around his body.

The man stared at his reflection in the bowl of yellow wine.

"I'm sorry," Arella whispered again, much more painfully as a single tear emerged from her left eye. "But this was the only thing I could do to save my daughter."

~Difficult Words to Say~

Proceed with the shocked gasps.

Yes, you have read that correctly. The cook is none other than Arella.

But why?

Read over her conversation with Raven and Beast Boy way back in Chapter 3 and you'll find some hints placed in there.

And for those of you who believe the Interplanetary Cleansing Act was the "danger" that she wanted to save Raven from...

You would be very much wrong.

So REVIEW, FAVORITE, and FOLLOW? I'll promise to upload the next chapter as fast as I can!