Becoming Nightshade

Jason and Constantine gasped as they snapped back to consciousness, the sterile lights of the Batcave replacing the suffocating shadows of Maggie's mind. Jason stumbled, barely catching himself on a nearby table as Constantine leaned heavily against the console, swearing under his breath.

"Bloody hell," Constantine muttered, rubbing his temples. "She threw us out. Just like that."

Jason straightened, his breathing ragged, and turned toward Maggie, still unconscious on the medical table. "We need to go back in," he said, his voice trembling with urgency. "We can't just leave her in there!"

Constantine shook his head sharply, the weariness in his expression tempered by frustration. "No," he said flatly. "Not right now. I need a drink—or better yet, the whole bloody bottle —before we even think about trying again."

Jason's eyes widened in disbelief. "A drink? Are you serious right now?Constantine! She needs us!"

Constantine raised a hand, silencing him with a glare. "Listen, kid, Lillyanna's got control for now. We barged in, and she chucked us out like yesterday's trash. You think rushing back in without a plan is going to help her? She'll just slam the door harder."

Jason clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "So what, we just sit here and do nothing?"

"No," Constantine replied, his voice lowering as he paced across the Batcave. "We let her work through whatever Lillyanna's putting her through, and we get ready for when Maggie comes back. Because she will come back, Jason—but it'll be on Lillyanna's terms, not ours."

Batman, standing silently nearby, finally spoke, his tone calm but authoritative.

"Constantine's right. Rushing in again could make things worse. We'll monitor Maggie, ensure she's stable, and wait for the opportunity to help her when the time is right."

Jason turned to Bruce, frustration flashing in his eyes. "You're okay with this? Just waiting? She's your daughter!"

Bruce's jaw tightened, his voice steely. "And I know her. She's strong. She'll fight her way through this—but she needs time."

Jason shook his head, pacing furiously. "Time. Great. While we sit here doing nothing, she's stuck with that… whatever Lillyanna is!"

Constantine dropped heavily into a nearby chair, pulling a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it with a flick of his fingers. "Welcome to my world, kid. Sometimes, the hardest part is knowing when to stay out of the bloody way."

Jason glared at him, his frustration palpable, but he said nothing. He turned back to Maggie, his shoulders slumping as he moved closer to her side. Reaching out, he took her hand gently, his voice soft. "You better come back, Mags. I'm not giving up on you."

Constantine flicked the ash from his cigarette, his sharp eyes narrowing as he looked toward Bruce. "You and me need to talk," he said, his voice serious. Without waiting for a response, he motioned toward the soundproof briefing room nestled in the corner of the Batcave.

Bruce glanced at Jason, who was still seated beside Maggie, holding her hand protectively. With a brief nod to Alfred, Bruce followed Constantine into the room. The heavy door shut behind them with a soft click, sealing them away from prying ears.

Maggie stood in the middle of a shattered void, fragments of memories floating around her like pieces of broken glass. Each shard held a glimpse of her life—a moment with Jason, training with Bruce, late-night talks with Alfred. But the pieces wouldn't fit together, and the void around her pulsed with restless shadows.

"Why can't I fix this?" Maggie whispered, her voice trembling. "Why is this happening to me?"

Lillyanna stepped out of the darkness, her form composed but shadowy, like she was part of the void itself. "Because you're fighting against it," she said, her tone calm but firm. "You're trying to put yourself back together as you were before. That's not how this works."

Maggie turned to her, her eyes flashing with frustration. "Then tell me how it works! How do I stop this?"

Lillyanna approached her, placing a hand gently on Maggie's shoulder. "You don't stop it. You embrace it. The shadows are a part of you now. If you keep running from them, they'll consume you. But if you face them—accept them—you'll find strength you never imagined."

Maggie hesitated, her voice cracking. "What if I don't want this? What if I just want to be normal?"

Lillyanna's gaze softened, though her tone remained resolute. "Normal isn't an option for people like us. You were born for this, Maggie. The shadows chose you because they saw your potential. Stop fighting what you are and start becoming who you're meant to be."

Maggie looked down at the shards of her memories, her reflection distorted in the broken pieces. "I don't know if I can."

Lillyanna stepped closer, her voice a quiet but firm whisper. "You can. But you have to trust yourself. Piece it together, Maggie. One step at a time. I'll guide you."

Constantine leaned back against the wall, the bottle of whiskey dangling loosely in his hand as he took a long, deliberate swig. The amber liquid burned his throat, but it didn't ease the weight of the conversation. He exhaled sharply, his gaze locking with Bruce's.

"Makes sense now," Constantine said, his voice low, almost contemplative. "She's not of your blood. But… given what you've told me about her real parents, I can understand why you kept that information from her and everyone else."

Bruce's expression remained impassive, though his jaw tightened slightly. "What does that have to do with what's happening to her?"

Constantine smirked, though there was no humor in it. "Everything, mate. Being a Nightshade isn't just about power. It's about legacy. Bloodlines. And Maggie's bloodline? It's practically dripping with sin."

Bruce's fists clenched at his sides, his voice cold but measured. "Get to the point."

Constantine stepped forward, setting the whiskey bottle down on the nearby table. His sharp eyes bore into Bruce's, his voice steady but grim. "Her biological parents—they're not just two psychopaths who got together on a whim. They're tied to the darkest corners of humanity's collective sin. The one of madness, the one of obsession… that kind of darkness doesn't just go away. It leaves a mark—a curse, if you will."

Bruce's jaw tightened, his voice low and sharp. "She doesn't know any of this. And she doesn't need to."

Constantine raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with disbelief. "And what happens when she figures it out on her own? Because trust me, Bruce, she will. She's already connected to the shadows in ways you can't even begin to understand. You think this is some random power she stumbled into? It's not. It's in her blood."

Bruce's silence spoke volumes, but his expression didn't waver.

Constantine leaned forward, his tone growing more intense. "You've got five years, Bruce. That's the timeline Lillyanna gave us. Five years to make her strong enough to face what's coming. But if you don't help her embrace what she is, someone else will twist it for their own gain."

Bruce's piercing gaze locked onto Constantine, his voice even but edged with suspicion. "Who's Lillyanna?"

Constantine froze for a moment, his usual glib demeanor faltering. He leaned back against the wall, dragging a hand down his face before grabbing the whiskey bottle for another long swig. Setting it down with a sharp clink, he finally met Bruce's gaze.

"Lillyanna," Constantine began, his voice quieter now, almost reluctant. "She was an old girlfriend. Centuries ago."

Bruce raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed, his expression still unreadable. "Centuries ago? You're not exactly known for hyperbole, Constantine. Explain."

Constantine sighed deeply, the weight of his memories evident in his tone. "Lillyanna was a Nightshade too. One of the most powerful I'd ever encountered. She had this… brilliance about her. Not just her power—her mind, her soul. She believed she could control the darkness, bend it to her will, without it consuming her."

Bruce remained silent, his sharp eyes locked on Constantine.

Constantine took another swig of whiskey, setting the bottle down again with more force. "She couldn't. No one can. I thought I could help her, thought I could save her. But I was wrong. The shadows twisted her, corrupted her, turned her into something she wasn't. And in the end…" His voice faltered for a moment before he pressed on. "She died. On my watch."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Constantine's confession hanging in the air.

Bruce finally spoke, his voice low but cutting. "And now she's whispering in Maggie's head?"

Constantine nodded, his expression grim. "She's part of the shadows now, Bruce. Tied to them, just like Maggie is. But unlike Maggie, Lillyanna's been lost to them for centuries. Whatever's left of her humanity, it's a miracle it's still intact."

Bruce's voice hardened. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

Constantine bristled, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "Because I thought I could handle it! Thought I could keep her influence in check, stop her from pulling Maggie under. But Lillyanna isn't just whispering in your kid's head. She's guiding her, teaching her, trying to prepare her for what's coming."

Bruce stepped closer, his presence imposing. "What does she want with Maggie?"

Constantine's tone softened, though the edge of bitterness remained. "To make sure she doesn't end up like her. Lillyanna doesn't want Maggie to be consumed by the shadows, to fall like she did. She sees Maggie as her chance at redemption. But don't think for a second that means she's harmless."

Bruce's jaw tightened. "If she's so concerned, why hasn't she come to me?"

Constantine let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Because Lillyanna knows you, Bruce. Knows you'd try to control everything, and she's not interested in letting you interfere. She thinks she can do a better job than you."

Bruce's voice dropped dangerously. "And you believe her?"

Constantine met his gaze, his own expression hardening. "I believe she cares about Maggie. And I believe she thinks she's doing the right thing. But her methods? Her motives? They're hers, not yours. And that's a problem."

Bruce stepped back slightly, his expression unreadable. "If what you're saying is true, then Maggie is in more danger than we realized."

Constantine nodded grimly. "Exactly. If Lillyanna's warning us about a five-year timeline, it's because something big is coming. Maggie's power—her bloodline—makes her a target for forces that make Eclipso look like a bloody schoolyard bully."

Maggie stood amidst the surreal expanse of her mind, the once-broken shards of her memories now mostly pieced back together. The fragments floated around her, glimmering faintly as they settled into place. But even as the void felt less fractured, something was missing. The cold, dark gap of the recent events in Metropolis loomed like a black hole, its edges jagged and unyielding.

She turned to Lillyanna, who stood nearby, her form cloaked in a veil of shifting shadows. "There's a piece missing," Maggie said, her voice tentative but growing stronger. "What happened after I was in that abandoned apartment? Why can't I remember?"

Lillyanna's gaze softened, though her tone remained firm. "Best not to remember, little Nightshade. Some memories are better left buried."

Maggie frowned, frustration flickering in her eyes. "But I need to know. If I'm going to figure out what's happening to me, I can't have holes in my memory."

Lillyanna stepped closer, her presence calm yet commanding. "What happened in Metropolis doesn't define you, Maggie. It's pain and chaos, and letting it linger will only make it harder for you."

Maggie shook her head, a spark of defiance igniting within her. "But it's still part of me. Whatever happened, it's part of who I am now. How am I supposed to control the shadows if I don't even understand how they work—or what they've done to me?"

Lillyanna's expression darkened slightly, her voice lowering. "You don't need to understand everything all at once. The shadows are vast, ancient, and unknowable in their entirety. If you try to take on too much too soon, they'll overwhelm you. Trust me, Maggie. Some truths are better learned in time."

Maggie hesitated, her hands clenching at her sides. "What are you protecting me from? What's so terrible that I can't handle it?"

Lillyanna reached out, placing a shadowy hand gently on Maggie's shoulder. "It's not about what you can handle—it's about what you should handle. You've just started to rebuild yourself, little Nightshade. Rushing into the darkness will only tear you apart again."

Maggie's gaze dropped to the fragmented memories still swirling around her. She hated feeling like there were pieces of her life she couldn't access, like parts of herself were being hidden. But deep down, she could feel the truth in Lillyanna's words—the weight of the missing memory, the cold emptiness it left behind.

"Fine," Maggie said quietly, though her voice carried a tinge of reluctance. "But only for now. If it becomes important, I want to know."

Lillyanna nodded, a faint smile curling her lips. "In time, little Nightshade. For now, focus on what you have. Piece yourself together. There's strength in knowing who you are."

Maggie looked back at the floating shards, inhaling deeply as she reached out to pull another fragment into place. As it locked into her mind, a flicker of warmth spread through her chest, the first real semblance of stability she'd felt in what seemed like ages.

"Good," Lillyanna said softly, stepping back into the shadows. "You're stronger than you think. Don't forget that."

Maggie didn't reply, her focus turning inward as she continued rebuilding. The missing pieces still tugged at her consciousness, but she let them fade into the background for now.

Maggie's eyelids fluttered as the faint hum of the Batcave's equipment filled her ears. Her body felt heavy, her mind hazy, as if she were surfacing from a deep, endless ocean. Slowly, she became aware of a warmth against her hand—solid, steady, and comforting.

She blinked, her vision blurry at first but gradually clearing. The familiar sight of Jason's face came into focus. He was sitting beside her, his expression a mixture of relief and worry. His hand was wrapped firmly around hers, his thumb brushing lightly against her knuckles.

"Mags," Jason said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "You're awake."

Maggie's lips parted, her voice barely a whisper. "Jason…"

He leaned closer, his free hand brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Yeah, I'm here. You had us all scared out of our minds."

Maggie blinked a few more times, her thoughts sluggish but starting to come together. "What… happened?"

Jason hesitated, his grip tightening slightly. "You don't remember?"

She frowned, her brow furrowing as fragments of her ordeal flickered at the edges of her memory.

"I remember…" she began slowly, her voice uncertain, "overhearing my dad and Constantine talking about… using some kind of mind magic on me." Her voice trembled slightly. "It scared me, so I ran away. I used the shadows to teleport to Metropolis."

Her eyes darted to Jason, searching for his reaction, but he remained quiet, letting her continue.

"After that…" Maggie trailed off, pressing her free hand to her temple, her frustration evident. "It's all a blur." She winced suddenly, her ribs flaring with pain as she shifted slightly.

Jason immediately leaned closer, his grip on her hand tightening. "Hey, take it easy," he said softly, concern etched on his face. "You're still hurt. Don't push yourself."

Maggie nodded faintly, trying to breathe through the pain. "I just… I don't know what happened after Metropolis.

Jason hesitated, glancing at Maggie before speaking, his voice gentle. "You ran into something—or someone. Constantine said it was Eclipso."

At the mention of the name, Maggie's eyes widened, her pupils dilating as a fragmented memory flickered in her mind—a shadowy figure with glowing, malevolent eyes, his voice echoing in cruel laughter. The glimpse hit her like a physical blow.

Her breathing quickened, her chest tightening painfully. "Eclipso…" she whispered, her voice trembling as the weight of the memory pressed down on her. "I—"

Before Jason could react, Maggie's hand shot to her chest, her face contorting in pain. "Jason…" she gasped, her voice faint and strained. "I can't… breathe…"

Jason's eyes widened in panic as Maggie's body tensed, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow. "Mags? Mags, stay with me!" He grabbed her free hand, his voice rising. "Alfred! Bruce!"

The alarms on the medical monitors blared, signaling a rapid spike in her heart rate. Alfred rushed into the room, followed closely by Bruce, Dick, and Constantine.

"Move aside!" Alfred ordered, his calm but commanding tone cutting through the chaos. Jason reluctantly stepped back, his hands trembling as Maggie's face paled further.

"She's in cardiac distress," Alfred said grimly, grabbing the defibrillator. "Bruce, assist me."

"Eclipso," Constantine muttered darkly, his sharp eyes fixed on Maggie. "He's left a bloody mark on her soul. She's reliving it."

Dick placed a hand on Jason's shoulder, his voice steady but concerned. "Jay, let Alfred work—she'll pull through this."

Jason shook his head, his fists clenching. "She shouldn't have to pull through this at all! Why didn't we see this coming?"

"Focus," Bruce barked, standing beside Alfred. "We'll deal with what's next later. Right now, we stabilize her."

"Clear!" Alfred shouted, pressing the defibrillator paddles to Maggie's chest. Her body jolted as the shock rippled through her, but the monitor remained erratic.

"Again!" Bruce ordered, his voice sharp with urgency.

"Clear!" Alfred repeated, delivering another shock. The monitor began to stabilize this time, though Maggie remained unconscious, her breathing shallow but steady.

Jason immediately rushed back to her side, grabbing her hand and holding it tightly. "Mags… come on. Don't do this to me."

Constantine stepped closer, his expression grim as he lit a cigarette. "We're not out of the woods yet. Whatever she saw, whatever piece of Eclipso she remembered—it's not just in her head. It's left a mark on her soul."

Dick frowned, his concern etched deeply on his face. "What do we do? Try to help her piece it together, get rid of it?"

"No," Constantine said firmly, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Best thing we can do is not mention Eclipso again. Don't push her to remember. Don't talk about him. That memory is a wound, and if we keep picking at it, it'll bleed her dry."

Jason looked up sharply, his grip on Maggie's hand tightening. "So we're just supposed to ignore it? Pretend it didn't happen?"

Constantine exhaled a long plume of smoke, his tone heavy. "Yes. For now. If we push her to face something she's not ready for, it'll break her. Eclipso's influence is like a poison—it'll fester if we keep digging into it. Let her recover, let her grow stronger. Then, maybe, she can face it on her terms."

Bruce crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on Maggie. "And if it comes back? If he comes back?"

Constantine turned to Bruce, his expression grim but resolute. "Then we fight like hell to stop him. But right now, this kid doesn't need another battle. She needs time."

Dick nodded in agreement, placing a hand on Jason's shoulder again. "Constantine's right. She's been through enough. Let her rest."

Alfred glanced at the monitors, then at Bruce. "She's stable for now, but her body's been through an immense strain. The best thing we can do is let her recover—and be ready if she needs us."

Jason swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's going to be okay, right?"

Constantine looked at Jason, his usual flippant tone replaced with rare sincerity. "She's tougher than she looks, kid. Give her time."

Bruce gave a curt nod, his voice low and firm. "Then we wait. But we'll be ready for whatever comes next."

Jason sat beside Maggie again, holding her hand as her breathing evened out. "You better come back to us, Mags," he murmured softly. "We're not giving up on you."