Beast Boy looked around his cell for the umpteenth time, and once again came to the same conclusion.

Alternate realities suck.

It seemed 'local' Beast Boy had a hand in designing the cell that was now holding him. It was completely sealed off from the outside world, except for the ventilation system, a small door for passing meals, and a toilet.

"The ventilation system was equipped with an absurd number of sensors, and despite him being able to transform into countless animals, none of them could avoid detection. The door for passing meals was a small, multi-stage airlock, also filled with sensors, of course. he toilet, in addition to being packed with electronics, was separated from the normal plumbing..

There were no normal doors. There were no ordinary doors. It seemed that they had dumped him here and then welded the walls to ensure there was no weak point he could exploit. Paranoia worthy of Batman himself. Even the glass wall in front of him, which Terra used to talk to him before, was reinforced to an absurd degree. Of course, the cell could also be electrified and shock him if he tried to brute force it.

And, in addition, he was also wearing this collar and similarly-constructed bracelets. He was imprisoned in a perfect cell, with no way out. He couldn't even communicate with his friends; each of them was in a separate cell.. The walls between them were so thick, that none of his animal forms could even hear the rest, and any attempts to communicate ended in failure.

It felt like the Agamemno situation again. He hated it.

"Hi, Beast Boy." He heard, and looked at the glass wall just in time to see Terra walk to it. "Dinner time!"

He looked away, but Terra didn't mind. She sat in front of her cell, with a bowl of her own food. "Tofu curry with some veggies. Hope you like it!" She said with a smile.

"You know I will." Beast Boy answered bitterly as the food door opened and he grabbed it. "You Beast Boy probably likes it too."

"He totally does." Terra answered, visibly hoping for more conversation. When her prisoner started eating without even looking at her, she sighed. "I only want to make your stay here as comfortable as possible."

Beast Boy looked at her with disbelief. "Oh, I see. How about letting me out, then? And not keeping me collared like an animal?"

"Sorry, can't do that. I know you would try to free your friends and escape." Terra shook her head. "I can't allow you to do that. Not until you can see."

"See what?"

"See the better world that we want to create. A world where villains are afraid, not normal people. World without wars. World where evil does not rule, but cowers in fear." Terra answered passionately.

"Really? And how do you plan to achieve that?" Beast Boy asked skeptically. "I don't see how imprisoning us helps with that."

"You would try to stop us. We tried to stop ourselves once," Terra answered, putting away the now-empty bowl. "That's why we had to stop you, at least for now."

"You said you would once try to stop yourselves. What changed?"

"We saw the hypocrisy." Terra answered. "Once we were like you. Trying to stop the villains, but not putting them down. Ignoring the suffering they caused. We valued our beliefs more than the lives and well-being of others."

"We don't do that." Beast Boy protested.

Terra sighed. "Lex Luthor and his company are responsible for untold amount of deaths and suffering. Have you seen the people whose lives were shortened by corporate greed? Companies promoting unhealthy food, addictive medicine, dumping their toxic waste into rivers?"

"You sound like Poison Ivy."

"Come on, Beast Boy, you're better than this. Are you comparing someone to a terrorist just because they share similar beliefs?" The green Titan winced. She did have a point. "But besides, what if? Companies in Gotham were pumping toxic waste underground, into rivers, wells, the ocean. They were doing this for decades and we never did anything about it."

"Batman did. He collected evidence, reported it to authorities."

"And it changed nothing. The companies paid fines smaller than what they saved by illegally dumping their waste. In the worst case, the factory would be closed, only for another company to reopen it and continue polluting."

"What do you expect us to do? Just come in and force them to shut down without any proof?"

"Tell that to the people who got permanently deformed because they drank polluted water. Say that to all people whose children are born mutated and unable to even breathe by themselves." Terra's expression turned haunted. "I saw it. I spoke with them. If I had any doubts about what we do here, I would lose them then. And I don't even want to think about millions of people who got addicted or poisoned by some CEO's wanting to earn more money."

"We do our best! The League took down Luthor recently, and is using their resources to help anyone they can." Beast Boy argued.

"And yet, if I went to your Gotham, I am sure I would find more illegal toxic waste dumping. If I went to your America, or any other place in your world, I would still find poisonous food, lives ruined, politicians bought by the big companies. And of course, evil governments,, dictators, wars." Terra said.

"What's you answer? Ruling the world?"

"If we must." Terra answered. "Do you know how many people we've saved in recent years? When we compare our world to yours, which one is better? In our world, corporations are held accountable. Greedy CEOs who endanger the lives of others are dealt with, and they're well aware of it. They know that their wealth, their influence, their bribes do not protect them any longer. Dumping a big CEO in a vat of his company's toxic waste that he was going to dump into the river is a really great example."

"You are tyrants. You rule with fear and force." Beast Boy answered. "Now you really act like Poison Ivy did."

"She was right in some things, you know. Come on, don't give me that look. Even the greatest villains in the history of the world sometimes had right ideas." Terra said without any doubt. "You would just arrest her, and leave the corporation to pollute rivers while CEO gets richer and richer. We? Superman dumped him, and every board member who knew and supported this idea, in the vat."

"You killed them."

"And saved thousands of others. You know, research showed that if they dumped it, thousands of children and tens of thousands of people would suffer. They would live shorter, many would develop incurable illnesses. And all that just so a bunch of greedy people would benefit from it." Terra countered with passion. "Sometimes, you need to make the right decision. To take action. We have the power to make this world a better place. Why not use it?"

"Is it truly a better place? Are people truly happier?"

"They live longer and healthier than ever. Poverty is declining around the world. How is this not happiness?" Terra asked. "And that's not counting those who would have died, if not for us. How many LGBT people die on your planet every year?"

"That is a horrible argument."

"And that isn't an answer." Terra said. "Hundreds, thousands? How many are killed, or kill themselves after being subjected to horrible abuse? How many are tortured, raped? And that is just one group of people. How many people die because of their skin color, or the fact that they were simply born in a bad place? And how many evil people are rich and live in luxury, while those they killed and crippled with their actions are not able to fight back?"

Beast Boy sat in silence for a moment. "But in the end, people act like you want them to because of fear. They are afraid."

"Most aren't. Most are thankful. And if I went to your world, to any country that is currently at war, with thousands dying every day… what do you think they would say? Would they fight us if we stopped the war?" Beast Boy couldn't find an answer. "What about those who are persecuted? Wouldn't they give their all to live in a world where they can live in peace?"

There was a moment of silence.

"You take away their freedom, and give them safety." Beast Boy finally said. "I have seen people like you do this many, many times. It always starts good for some, but in the end it ends badly for everyone."

"There were never any people like us." Terra said. "We brought peace and prosperity to this world."

"There are always people like you. The difference is, you actually have the power to rule the world." Beast Boy said quietly. "And there is no one to stop you when you go too far."

"But there is no need to stop up. We only want what is good for everyone." Terra said.

On the not-alternate Earth, Killer Moth was putting all his plans on hold. Sure, he was willing to risk fighting Titans and the League, but these new psychos? No, thank you, he was not going to end up getting shot. He just needed to make sure Kitten won't do something stupid.

In other places on Earth, many villains went into hiding and abandoned their plans. Some did not. Those were sent to prison with a last warning, and multiple painfully broken bones. Some would be crippled for life, unless League used their resources to help.
And they weren't going to.

Joker in his cell laughed and laughed endlessly. In his twisted genius, he was the first one to see these impostors for who they were. And he enjoyed his victory greatly. Even as he knew his time is coming to an end, as he was definitely on top of their list of people to kill, he laughed, knowing that he won. The Bat broke, and was now as insane as the Joker himself.

In Gotham, multiple big companies found themselves suddenly visited by the Man of Steel. They were given one chance to fix their mistakes. To stop their polluting, and spend all their available funds on helping those they hurt.
Some didn't listen. Superman threw them into vats of toxic waste. The rest, seeing the agony and suffering in front of them, agreed quickly.

And in the orbit, the Justice Lords were continuing their preparations. Soon, the Watchtower would be armed and capable of destroying any targets. They knew that some would not listen. But a presentation showcasing the capabilities of their fully armed and operational battle station would make them listen.

They knew time was of the essence. With every passing minute, with every passing moment, another innocent died. Another person killed in a pointless war. Another innocent executed by the dictatorial regimes. Another victim tortured and crippled for life.

The Justice Lords knew what needed to be done. They did it once, and they would do it again. On this world, and on as many others as they could reach.

They would create a better world, for everyone.

Terra walked by Robin's cell without a word. The Boy Wonder was observing her, trying to discern anything he could, find any weakness. She knew that any argument with him would be pointless. Actions would speak louder than words. He would see the new world one day, and then he would understand.

Cyborg's cell was a masterpiece. Not allowing any signals in or out, it cut him off from any chance of hacking anything. Not that he could – 'local' Cyborg removed all hacking capabilities from the prisoner's body before putting him in a cell. But it was better to be safe than sorry. She considered talking with him, but she could see he was still fuming with anger. She needed to wait some more before talking to him again. Give him time to think about what she told him. What she showed him.

It hurt, showing her scars to others. At least she avoided being forced to look at them herself. She hated being forced to even remember then, but it was Robin's order. Their guests needed to see with their own eyes what their indecision caused.

'Local' Robin planned entire program of helping their counterparts. Visits from victims of Luthor and other supervillains. Talking with people whose lives were ruined by their inaction. Walks in virtual reality, using real-time images of peaceful, clean and safe cities.

It was all necessary. Their guests had to learn firsthand that they could make the world a better place. For now, they were all following a hypocritical moral code that allowed others to hurt innocents as long as this moral code was upheld. It took a great shock to break through and show them the error of their ways.

After all, they had the same problem before. And it took them, personally, suffering because of it before they saw through it. Sadly, even superheroes were much more empathetic and willing to change when they themselves were the victims of evil. Other people suffering was just easier to swallow.

Terra walked slowly to Starfire's cell, noting that the Tamaranian was once again meditating. "Never thought you would be one to do that." She said.

Starfire opened her eyes and looked at her captor. "I need something to do. You have deprived me of my friends and freedom."

"Only for a moment. You will be free soon." Terra promised. "We just need to make sure you will not interfere in our plans."

"What did you do to Raven?" Starfire asked, trying to keep her emotions in check. She knew fighting the force field that was holding her was pointless, but she would do that regardless if her friend was in danger.

"Sedated. Do not worry, she is fine, we just don't want her waking up and starting to wreck things." Terra omitted the fact that the mysterious girl's regeneration powers were fighting the sedatives. In the end, Robin broke few of her bones to force her regeneration to focus on something else while Cyborg was grabbing some stronger stuff. "I see she replaced me in your team?"

"She is my friend." Starfire simply said. "I will not let her, or any of my friends, get hurt."

"None of you will be hurt. It's just a temporary situation." Terra reiterated. "As soon as we are sure you can see our way of helping others, you will all be set free."

Starfire looked at Terra with a mix of sadness and anger. "When you did the showing of your scars, I thought I could understand you. You were also a prisoner, a slave, to others. But now you do the same to others."

"I am not!" Terra answered a little more emotionally then she planned to. "I am helping everyone in the long run! When you finally see the better world we create, you will see!"

"A better world where I am a prisoner?" Starfire said, looking at the force field surrounding her.

"No, a world without things like slavery! Wouldn't you like to free your people, Starfire?" Terra asked passionately. "What if someone told you that you cannot fight Gordanians, that you have to leave your people suffering slavery forever because you have no proof and no legal right to fight them?"

"I would fight!"

"Yes, you would! And you are. My Starfire is. Our Earth is so safe now, that she asked Superman for help. They went together and fought the Gordanians. They saved many of her, of your people! What did you do for Tamaran?" Starfire flinched. Terra winced, realizing she went too far, but she was too lost in her own anger to stop now. "She saved me! Saved countless others! She is the real hero!"

"I will fight! I fight the villains, and I will fight the Gordanians too!"

"When? After they already conquer your planet, break your people, sell them to slavery? Will you wait years and years, ignoring the suffering of others?" Terra asked angrily. "How about here, on Earth! Why are you allowing normal people to suffer, to live in fear because of a bunch of maniacs? You should just put down all villains, instead of having them escape prison time and again!"

"I would."

Terra stopped, her train of thoughts halted. She looked at Starfire with surprise. "You would?"

"It feels great. Doing the justice yourself. Fighting and killing the evildoers." Starfire said with understanding. "And it is a good thing. You make sure the evildoers cannot hurt anyone ever again."

"Yes, exactly!"

"So, when will you kill me?"

Terra took a step back in shock. "W-what? Star, what are you talking about? I would never!"

"You can't keep us imprisoned forever, just as you can't keep villains imprisoned forever. One day we will escape." Starfire said, looking in Terra's eyes. "So if we will not agree with you, you will do the killing. Will you kill me yourself, or do you have a royal executioner now?"

"Star, please, stop saying things like this. I would never kill you." Terra said, hesitating. "This is insane. No one is going to kill you."

"Then what happens if I refuse to submit to you? If I will not believe you? Will I be kept in here forever?" Starfire asked, still looking at increasingly uncomfortable Terra. "I was a prisoner once, and I refuse to be one for the rest of my life."

"Look, star, worst-case scenario is that Superman will just… make sure you aren't a threat to anyone." Terra said weakly.

"How would he do that?"

"He, well… he can use his heat vision to… make people more… agreeable… come on Starfire, you know that will never happen!" Terra answered defensively.

"You know, Terra, what this reminds me of?" Starfire asked. "Gordanians used a similar procedure on the most 'unruly' slaves. It was always a threat, a punishment reserved for the most stubborn. They even showed us one of those that they did this to, to serve as an example. And now you are doing the same thing."

Terra looked away, unable to look at Starfire. "It is not the same. Star, they were doing it to enslave people. We only do this when we have to, and when there is no other choice!"

"Just like Gordanians only did it to the most stubborn slaves, when they had no choice?" Terra didn't answer. "Then, I have one last thing I want to ask of you, friend Terra."

"What?" The geomancer asked hesitantly.

"Promise me. Swear on all that is the most important to you." Starfire slowly said. "That you will kill me before that happens."

Terra, lost for words, turned around and walked away, not even once looking at the alternate version of her wife.

Starfire, meanwhile, resumed her meditation. She took deep breaths and slowly tried to calm herself down. It was hard, knowing what awaits her. But she would not give up.

Raven, she thought to herself. My friend. Please be safe.

And deep within her, a darkness began to stir.

Terra walked out of the cell block, or at least she tried to. On her way out, she went by Beast Boy's cell, and he used this opportunity.

"I know where you are mistaken, in your logic." He said, causing Terra to stop and look at him. "There is no one else but you to hold you responsible for what you do."

"And?" Terra asked.

"What if you make a mistake? If you are wrong? What if you start abusing your power?" Beast Boy asked. "It is always nice and amazing to hear how you will do all that is right, deal with all problems, that you have this simple solutions. But what happens if you turn evil? Who will stop you, then?"

"We won't." Terra said, although the hesitation from her discussion with Starfire was still in her voice. "We would never become villains. "

"You were once like us. Now you are like this. What if, in the universe next door, they used to be like you… but one more shock, one more push, got them to become bloody dictators bent on conquering the universe?"

"You're saying stupid things, Beast Boy. Stop it."

"Once you made both this and my Earth into a 'better place', what next? There is so much suffering in the universe. Will you create an army and bring your peace to the Galaxy? Peace through strength, power, and fear?"

"I don't see you having a better plan!" Terra said back, angrily. "You would rather let everyone suffer! You would live worlds under the rule of uncaring tyrants and greedy rulers, let innocents die, then do WHAT IS RIGHT!"

"At least in my world, when we make a mistake, we will not become a galaxy-spanning threat." Beast Boy answered. "We will not become a nightmare that actual superheroes will fight against."

Terra was too angry to answer. Why were they all questioning them? They were doing this for them! To create a better world! She turned around without a world and walked out of the cell block.

"So, how is everyone else? Can you at least tell me that?" Beast Boy asked.

"Angry, but in good shape. Do not worry about them." Terra answered, walking out of the room.

"Well, you don't seem to worry too much. One of us has to."

erra swiftly turned around, her emotions resurfacing once more. "What did you say?! This whole situation, it's horrible to me as well! I worry about all of you!"

"Oh, I see. The abuser saying 'it hurts me more then it hurts you'. You know, you sound like Slade." The green Titan said coldly. He hoped it would work. And not work too much.

The wall shook a tiny bit. He looked at Terra, only to see her almost levitating in the air, her eyes yellow and bright with power. "How dare you compare me to, to him!" She answered angrily. "I am nothing like him!"

"Sure you aren't. What's next, you're going to crush me in here with your powers? Break my leg to teach me a lesson?" Beast Boy answered without any fear or hesitation. "You know, after our last talk, I thought you may just be wrong. Misguided." He looked away. "Guess I was wrong. You are just another villain, you just look like my friend."

Terra tried to calm herself, but found it to be much harder then expected. Seeing this, Beast Boy added: "The only thing you have in common is that you still have trouble controlling your powers, just like she did."

His cell shook and the metal whined as Terra looked at him with fury. "You… YOU!" She flew up, shaking with anger. "I was trying to help you! You are… ALL OF YOU!" She flew out of the room, shaking angrily and violently shutting down the reinforced doors behind her.

Beast Boy sighed with relief. Alright, Terra could be really scary when she's mad. And it really hurt him, saying all those things. In the end, this Terra was just a victim of what happened to her. And like many victims, she was now perpetuating the cycle of abuse by hurting others.

He was hoping he can convince her that what she does is wrong, but for now he achieved his goal. Terra lost control over her power enough to weaken the integrity of his cell a little. Although the collar restricted his movement within a limited range, he had enough freedom to move around in his cell.

Many animals had an incredible sense of touch. Others possessed keen vision, capable of detecting even the smallest cracks. And he long ago learned to use echolocation in ways that no animal ever could. He started switching between animal forms, finding the new weak points in the walls with every change.

He hoped he wouldn't have to use a plan he had for getting out of this collar. Unlike the other one he was wearing long time ago, this one was impossible to just open. Which left only one option.

He sincerely hoped that the Justice League would arrive to rescue them before he had to implement his plan.

Meanwhile, in the Justice Lords prison…

"You figured a way out of here?"

"No."

"Don't you mean, not yet?"

"No. I mean that I'm not going to."

"What?!"

You know, the worst part of writing this is how easy it is to agree with Terra here. At least for me. It's hard sometimes to remember why dictatorship is not a good thing.