Becoming Nightshade

Jason blinked, his breath hitching as the world around him twisted and morphed. The cold familiarity of the Batcave dissolved into something far more sinister. The air was heavy with the stench of mildew and despair, pressing against his chest like a weight. Faint, flickering lights cast long shadows against cracked walls, their surfaces stained with something that looked far too much like blood.

The unmistakable architecture of Arkham Asylum loomed before them—towering, oppressive, and alive with the faint echoes of screams and laughter that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once.

Constantine appeared beside Jason, his usual smirk absent as he took in the eerie surroundings. His focus was sharp, his face grim. "Welcome to her mind, mate," he said quietly, his voice echoing faintly in the empty corridor. "Quite the imagination she's got, eh?"

Jason turned in a slow circle, scanning the asylum's foreboding halls. "This… this is Maggie's mind?" he asked, his voice tight. "Why does it look like this?"

Constantine shrugged, lighting a cigarette that flickered weakly in the dim light. "A mind under attack takes the shape of its worst fears. For her, it looks like Arkham. The place where nightmares become reality. Guess it makes sense, all things considered."

Jason's fists tightened as the distant sound of maniacal laughter echoed through the halls, faint and chilling. "This… feels too real."

Constantine's eyes darkened, his gaze flicking to the shadows creeping along the edges of the walls. "That's because it is. Eclipso's feeding on her fear, twisting this place into his playground. And we've just walked right into it."

Jason took a step forward, the floor beneath him creaking ominously. "So where is she?" he asked, scanning the endless corridors that seemed to stretch out forever.

Constantine exhaled a plume of smoke, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the shifting shadows. "Somewhere in here, trapped in whatever twisted game Eclipso's set up for her. He'll keep her scared, weak, and isolated until she gives up."

Jason's jaw tightened, his voice hard. "Then we find her. "

As they moved deeper into the asylum, the atmosphere grew heavier, the walls seeming to close in around them. Each step echoed unnaturally, as though the building itself was alive and watching. Faint whispers floated through the air, disjointed and taunting.

"She's weak." "She'll never escape." "She's mine."

Jason clenched his fists, his voice cutting through the oppressive silence. "Maggie! Where are you?"

The whispers stopped abruptly, replaced by a deep, guttural laugh that reverberated through the halls. The sound sent chills down Jason's spine, but he refused to falter.

As Jason and Constantine turned a corner, the shadows ahead began to coalesce. At first, Jason thought it was Eclipso reforming, ready for another attack, but the figure that stepped forward wasn't monstrous. It was eerily human.

A woman emerged from the darkness, her form ethereal yet imposing. Her pale skin seemed to glow faintly against the gloom, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of shadow. Her eyes were sharp, glinting with an intensity that made Jason's stomach twist. She walked with the calm grace of someone who commanded the space around her.

Constantine froze, his breath catching as he recognized her. "No," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "It can't be."

Jason glanced at him, confused by his sudden hesitation. "Who is she?" he asked, his grip on his staff tightening.

The woman stopped a few feet away, her piercing gaze fixed on Constantine. Her voice was smooth and cold, laced with an edge of disdain. "Still chasing ghosts, John? You've never been good at letting things go."

Constantine's jaw tightened, his hands beginning to glow faintly as he took a cautious step forward. "Lillyanna," he said, his voice filled with a mix of anger and regret. "What are you doing here?"

Jason's eyes flicked between them, his confusion growing. "Wait—you know her?"

Lillyanna's lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, he knows me quite well. Don't you, John?"

Jason turned to Constantine, his voice sharp. "Who is she?"

Constantine didn't take his eyes off Lillyanna. "She was… someone I cared about. A long time ago." His tone darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. "And someone I failed."

Lillyanna tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Failed? Is that what you tell yourself? That my death was your fault?" She stepped closer, her voice dripping with mockery. "You're as self-centered as ever, John."

Jason stepped forward, positioning himself between Constantine and Lillyanna. "I don't care what history you two have. If she's working with Eclipso—"

"Don't insult me," Lillyanna interrupted sharply, her voice like a whip.

Constantine's gaze hardened. "Then what are you doing here?"

Lillyanna's expression softened slightly, though her tone remained aloof. "I'm here for Maggie. She's special, John. A true Nightshade, born with power beyond anything you've ever seen. But she's untrained and scared. Eclipso knows this, and he's exploiting it."

Jason's voice was sharp. "If you care about her so much, why didn't you stop him?"

Lillyanna's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Because this is her fight. She has to learn to face her own darkness, or it will consume her."

Constantine scoffed. "That's rich, coming from you. You sound just like the old Lillyanna—always spouting cryptic wisdom while people died around you."

Her gaze turned icy. "And you sound just like the man who watched me die because he couldn't make a choice."

Jason stepped in, his voice firm. "Enough! We don't have time for your history lesson. Maggie's in trouble, and we need to find her. Are you going to help us or not?"

Lillyanna stared at Jason for a long moment, her expression unreadable. "You're brave," she said softly, almost as if to herself. "Braver than most I've seen."

Jason's grip on his staff tightened. "That doesn't answer my question."

Lillyanna's lips twitched into a faint smile. "I'll show you where she is. But be warned—finding her is the easy part. Saving her from herself? That's where the real challenge begins."

Constantine stepped forward, his voice low and filled with bitterness. "Why are you doing this? What's your angle?"

Lillyanna turned to him, her eyes piercing. "You don't trust me. You never did." Her voice softened, just barely. "But this isn't about us, John. This is about her. If she fails, Eclipso takes her power—and the world pays the price."

Constantine hesitated, the weight of her words settling over him. Finally, he nodded. "Lead the way."

Lillyanna turned, her form blending slightly with the shadows as she began walking down the corridor. Jason glanced at Constantine, his voice low. "You sure we can trust her?"

Constantine's expression was grim. "No. But right now, she's our best shot."

With that, the two followed Lillyanna deeper into the nightmare, the shadows growing darker and heavier with every step. The echoes of Maggie's voice, faint and desperate, began to reach them.

"Stop… stop… please!" Maggie's cries echoed, each word trembling with desperation.

Jason quickened his pace. "She's close," he said, his voice sharp and urgent.

Lillyanna glanced over her shoulder, her expression as calm as it was cold. "Don't rush. Eclipso thrives on chaos."

Jason shot her a glare but didn't slow down. "Then let's not waste any more time."

He turned to Constantine, his voice low but fierce. "What's the plan when we get there?"

Constantine muttered an incantation under his breath, his hands glowing faintly as he prepared himself. "Simple. You focus on Maggie, get through to her. I'll handle Eclipso. We cut his link to her and get the hell out of here."

Jason nodded, his jaw set as determination replaced doubt. "Got it."

The group turned a final corner, and the sight before them froze them in their tracks

Maggie was strapped to a metal table in the center of a dim, decrepit room. Thick, shadowy chains bound her wrists and ankles, and her body convulsed violently as arcs of electricity surged through her. The crackling of the shocks echoed like thunder, accompanied by her muffled cries of pain.

A grotesque machine loomed above her, wires snaking down to her temples and chest. The room felt alive, pulsating with dark energy as shadows curled and twisted around the walls, feeding the machine's relentless hum.

Jason's stomach churned as he stepped forward. "Maggie!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.

Her head lolled to the side, her face pale and drenched in sweat. Her eyes fluttered open, but another violent shock wracked her body before she could respond, her cry of agony piercing through the air.

Eclipso materialized his monstrous form towering over the room. His wings, jagged and broken, spread wide, and his glowing eyes burned with malice. He looked down at Maggie, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "Welcome to the end of her resistance," he said, his voice cold and mocking.

Maggie's body trembled as she opened her tear-filled eyes. She expected to see the towering figure before her—Standing over her was not Eclipso but her father, Bruce Wayne, dressed in a pristine white doctor's coat. His usually sharp, calculating gaze was soft, almost clinical, as he looked down at her. A clipboard was in his hand, and a stethoscope hung around his neck. He wore the kind of calm smile a doctor might use to soothe a frightened patient.

"Maggie," Bruce said gently, his voice measured and calm, though it carried an edge of something colder. "You're not well. These shadows, this power you think you have—it's not real. It's all in your mind."

Maggie's heart pounded in her chest, her breathing shallow as confusion and fear gripped her. "Dad?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "What… what are you talking about?"

Bruce set the clipboard down on a metal tray, the sound echoing unnaturally in the room. He leaned over her, his face inches from hers, his smile unwavering. "Your mind is sick, Maggie. You're imagining things—these shadows, this so-called power. But don't worry. We're going to fix you."

The words hit her like a physical blow, her chest tightening as a wave of doubt and despair washed over her. She struggled weakly against the restraints, her voice breaking. "No… I'm not imagining it. It's real. You've seen it."

Bruce's calm smile didn't falter. "You're confused. That's the illness talking. The shadows aren't real, Maggie. They've never been real."

Behind him, Jason and Constantine froze at the sight. To them, Eclipso still stood in his true form, his monstrous visage flickering faintly as he projected the illusion into Maggie's mind.

Jason's voice broke the silence, sharp with anger. "What the hell is he doing?"

Constantine's face darkened, his hands glowing faintly as he began to weave a spell. "He's using her mind against her. Twisting her worst fears. To her, that's not Eclipso—it's someone she trusts. Someone who can make her doubt herself."

Jason stepped closer to the table. "Maggie! It's not real. Whatever you're seeing, it's not real!"

Maggie's head snapped toward Jason's voice, her eyes wide with desperation. "Jason?" she called out, her voice trembling. "Why are you here? You're supposed to be at school…"

Constantine grabbed Jason's arm, holding him back. "Careful, mate. If you push too hard, you'll break the illusion the wrong way, and she'll retreat deeper into herself."

Jason pulled his arm free, his voice firm. "I'm not letting her stay in this."

He stepped closer to the table, ignoring the tendrils of shadow that lashed out at him, and reached for Maggie's hand. "Mags, listen to me. That's not your dad. It's Eclipso. He's lying to you."

Bruce—Eclipso—straightened, turning his cold, clinical gaze toward Jason. His voice remained calm, but the edges of his words were sharper now. "Jason, you shouldn't be here. Maggie is sick. She needs help, not interference."

Jason glared at the figure, his voice unwavering. "You're not Bruce. And you're not helping her. You're trying to destroy her."

Maggie's eyes darted between Jason and her father's form, her breathing quick and shallow. "Jason, stop. He's just trying to help me…"

Eclipso's glowing eyes narrowed, his twisted smile deepening. "Yes, Jason. Why don't you stop? Let her receive the care she desperately needs."

Before Jason could respond, Eclipso raised his hand. Shadows surged into the grotesque machine above Maggie, and another jolt of electricity tore through her body. Maggie screamed, her back arching against the restraints as her body convulsed violently. The crackling sound of electricity filled the room, drowning out everything else.

"Maggie!" Jason yelled.

Constantine grabbed his arm, pulling him back before he could reach her. "Don't! If you rush in, he'll use it against you. Trust me, mate—you'll only make it worse."

Jason wrenched free, his eyes blazing with fury. "She's in pain! We don't have time for plans!"

Constantine's voice was sharp and commanding, a rare edge of authority cutting through his usual sarcasm. "You want to help her? Talk to her. Remind her of who she is. I'll handle Eclipso."

Jason hesitated for only a second before nodding. He turned back to Maggie, who was slumped against the table, her chest heaving with shallow breaths. Her eyes fluttered open, filled with tears and fear.

"Mags," Jason said, his voice trembling with urgency but steady with determination. "Listen to me. Look at me."

Her gaze flicked weakly to him, her lips trembling. "Jason… it hurts…"

"I know," Jason said, his grip on her hand tightening. "But you have to fight. You're stronger than this. Don't let him win."

Eclipso's form twisted, his shadowy wings spreading wide as he loomed over Jason and Maggie. "She doesn't need to fight," he hissed. "She needs to surrender. The pain will stop if she lets go. If she gives in to me."

Jason glared at him, his voice a sharp bark. "Shut up! You don't control her."

Eclipso's jagged smile returned. "Oh, but I already do." He gestured toward Maggie, and the shadows around her chains tightened, eliciting another cry of pain.

Constantine stepped forward, his glowing hands weaving intricate sigils into the air. "Not for long, you overblown parasite," he said, his voice dripping with defiance. "Jason, keep her talking. I'm about to sever his tether."

Jason turned back to Maggie, his heart pounding. "Mags, stay with me.I'm begging you don't leave me."

Tears spilled from her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I can't… It's too much."

Jason's voice cracked, but he didn't let go of her hand. "Yes, you can. You're Maggie Wayne. You're stubborn as hell—been that way since the day we met. You didn't let anyone tell you what to do and you're not letting this bastard tell you what to do now."

Maggie's lips trembled, her eyes fluttering open as she met his gaze. The fear in her expression faltered slightly, replaced by a flicker of recognition.

Jason leaned closer, his grip firm but gentle. "You were the one who said I needed to stop being such a pain in the ass and get my act together. You didn't give up on me, Mags. So don't give up on yourself."

Her fingers twitched faintly in his grasp, the smallest sign of strength returning. "Jason…" she whispered, her voice weak but steady.

Jason's voice softened further, his grip steady and unwavering. "That's it. I know you're tired. I know it hurts, but you're almost there."

As Maggie's breathing steadied and her strength flickered back, Lillyanna emerged from the shadows, her expression unreadable but determined. She moved to Maggie's side, her hands glowing faintly with dark violet energy. "Let me help you, Maggie," she said, her tone firm but not unkind. "You need to take control now."

Maggie hesitated, her gaze darting between Jason and Lillyanna. The faint remnants of fear lingered in her eyes, but Jason nodded encouragingly. "She's right, Mags. You've got this."

Lillyanna placed a hand on one of the shadowy restraints, her energy pulsing through it. "This isn't just about breaking free of Eclipso," she said, her voice low but insistent. "It's about reclaiming yourself. Your power doesn't belong to him—or anyone else."

With Lillyanna's guidance, Maggie focused, her eyes narrowing as a faint light began to emanate from her. The shadows binding her writhed violently, resisting, but the cracks in them grew wider, and with one final burst of energy, they shattered completely.

The table beneath Maggie stilled, and she collapsed forward slightly, but Jason was there to catch her. He lifted her into his arms carefully, holding her close. "I've got you," he whispered, his voice steady. "You're safe now."

Maggie rested her head against his chest, her breathing uneven but calmer. "Jason… thank you."

Jason looked down at her, his expression filled with a mixture of relief and determination. "Always."

Lillyanna stepped back, watching them for a moment before turning toward Constantine, who was still locked in his magical battle with Eclipso. She strode forward, her energy flaring as she joined him.

Constantine glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his face glistening with sweat. "Decided to lend a hand, have you?"

Lillyanna smirked faintly, her hands glowing brighter as she added her energy to his spell. "You've always been hopeless without me, John. Let's finish this."

Together, their combined magic surged through the room, forcing Eclipso back. The shadows around him writhed and screamed as the light from their spell grew brighter, burning away his form piece by piece.

Eclipso roared, his voice filled with fury and desperation. "This isn't over! She will never escape me!"

Lillyanna's voice was cold and resolute as she pressed forward. "She already has."

With one final surge of energy, their spell reached its peak, and Eclipso's form disintegrated, dissolving into nothingness. The oppressive weight in the room lifted, leaving only an eerie silence in its wake.

Constantine exhaled sharply, his hands dropping to his sides as he turned to Lillyanna. "Well, that was bloody exhausting. Don't suppose you're sticking around for a drink? Could use one after that."

Lillyanna gave him a wry smile, the faintest glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "You know I can't, John. My place is here—with Maggie."

Constantine frowned, his fatigue momentarily forgotten. "What do you mean, 'here with Maggie'? Thought this was about dealing with Eclipso."

Lillyanna's expression grew somber, her tone steady but heavy with implication. "Eclipso was just the beginning. The owls will come for her in five years, John. And when they do, she'll need every ounce of strength."

Jason, cradling Maggie's unconscious form, looked up sharply. "Owls? What the hell are you talking about?"

Lillyanna turned to him, her gaze piercing. "The Court of Owls. Ancient. Ruthless. They've been watching her, waiting for her to grow into her potential. They see her as a threat—or worse, an opportunity."

Jason's grip on Maggie tightened, his eyes narrowing. "If they come for her, they'll have to go through me."

Lillyanna gave a faint nod of approval. "And that's exactly why you need to be ready. Protecting her won't be enough. She needs to protect herself."

Constantine crossed his arms, his tone skeptical but curious. "The Court's been quiet for years."

Lillyanna's expression darkened, her piercing gaze shifting to Maggie's unconscious form. "The Court of Owls is patient, John. They don't strike without precision. They've been watching her, waiting for her power to mature. To them, she's more than just a Nightshade."

Jason, his grip on Maggie tightening, stepped forward, his voice sharp. "What are you talking about? What do they want with her?"

Lillyanna turned her intense gaze toward him, her tone heavy with foreboding. "The Court believes Maggie is the key to their ultimate goal—the beginning of the end. When the timing is right, they will sacrifice her."

Constantine frowned, his voice low and biting. "Sacrifice her? "

"To awaken something ancient," Lillyanna replied, her voice steady but grim. "Something they call The Angel of Darkness—a being of unimaginable power, a weapon of death and rebirth. They think her blood, her power, is the only thing strong enough to break the seal binding it."

Jason's face twisted with anger, his voice rising. "No. They're not touching her."

"They'll try," Lillyanna said, her tone unwavering. "And they'll stop at nothing to get her. Every shadow, every whisper, every connection she has will be tested. They won't just come for her—they'll come for all of you."

Constantine ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "So they're using her to summon some apocalyptic force. Fantastic. And let me guess—once this Angel of Darkness is free, the world goes straight to hell?"

Lillyanna nodded faintly. "They believe it will give them absolute control over life and death. But the truth is, once it's unleashed, even they won't be able to control it."

Jason looked down at Maggie, his jaw clenched as Lillyanna slowly take Maggie from his arms. "Then we don't let it get that far. We stop them before they even get close to her."

Lillyanna's expression softened slightly, though her tone remained serious. "Your devotion is admirable, Jason, but this isn't a fight you can win with brute force. The Court is everywhere, hidden in plain sight. Their reach is vast, their influence insidious."

Constantine narrowed his eyes, his voice tinged with suspicion. "And what about you? You're awfully knowledgeable about their plans for someone who's supposedly helping Maggie. What's your angle, Lillyanna?"

Lillyanna's gaze turned cold as she locked eyes with Constantine. "My angle is making sure she doesn't end up like me."

Constantine froze, her words cutting deeper than he cared to admit. His sharp retort died on his lips as he saw the flicker of pain behind her calm facade—a ghost of the person she had once been.

Jason shifted, his brow furrowing as he glanced between them. "What does that mean? End up like you?"

Lillyanna's expression softened, her voice tinged with bitterness and sorrow. "I was a Nightshade once, just like Maggie. I thought I could handle it on my own. I thought I didn't need anyone. And when the darkness came for me, I let it in."

Jason's grip tightened protectively around Maggie, his voice hard. "And what happened?"

Lillyanna's gaze dropped, her hands clenching at her sides. "I became a pawn. A weapon. The shadows consumed me, and when I was no longer useful, they discarded me. I lost everything—myself, my humanity, and… the people who mattered most."

Her eyes flicked back to Constantine, something unspoken hanging between them. Constantine averted his gaze, his jaw tightening.

I won't let that happen to her," Lillyanna continued, her voice firm and unyielding.

Before Jason or Constantine could react, Lillyanna raised her hands, and the shadows around them surged with raw power. The air crackled with energy, the oppressive weight of Maggie's mindscape growing heavier.

"Lillyanna!" Constantine shouted, his voice laced with alarm. "What the bloody hell are you doing?"

"Protecting her," Lillyanna replied, her voice echoing through the dark corridors. Her eyes glowed with determination, and the shadows twisted and writhed around her like a living shield. "You need to leave."

Jason stepped forward, "No! She needs us. We're not leaving her here with you."

Lillyanna's gaze softened, but her tone didn't waver. "She'll be safe, Jason. I'll make sure of it. But right now, your presence is only making it harder for her to regain control. "

Constantine muttered a curse under his breath, weaving his magic in an attempt to anchor himself and Jason within Maggie's mind. "You can't just kick us out! She's—"

A burst of shadowy energy erupted from Lillyanna, slamming into both Jason and Constantine like a tidal wave. The force knocked the wind out of them, and the world around them began to fragment and dissolve.

"Trust me," Lillyanna said, her voice softer now but resolute.

Jason's vision blurred as the shadows enveloped him, pulling him away. "Lillyanna! Don't you—"

Before he could finish, everything went dark.