Becoming Nightshade

Alfred walked through the quiet hospital corridor, a fresh bouquet of white lilies in his hand. His calm demeanor belied the worry that lingered in his mind. Maggie and Barbara's conditions weighed heavily on him, and he hoped the flowers might bring a touch of light to the otherwise grim circumstances. His path toward Maggie's room took him past Barbara's. As he neared the door, Alfred's sharp eyes caught sight of Commissioner Gordon stepping out, followed closely by a doctor. The doctor's appearance was standard—white coat, stethoscope, clipboard in hand—but something about his movements felt… off. Alfred slowed his pace, his gaze narrowing as he watched the interaction. The doctor's grip on Gordon's arm was a touch too firm, almost controlling. The way he glanced over his shoulder, as though ensuring no one was watching, sent a chill through Alfred. His instincts, flared. Something was wrong.

"Commissioner?" Alfred called softly, his voice calm but deliberate.

The doctor turned slightly; his face partially obscured by a surgical mask.

"Oh, nothing to worry about," the man said, his tone overly pleasant. "Just taking the Commissioner for a routine check-in."

Gordon didn't respond, his expression unusually dazed. Alfred's eyes narrowed further, his grip on the flowers tightening. 

"I see," Alfred replied smoothly, masking his suspicion.

"Though, if I may suggest, wouldn't it be prudent to notify his daughter before taking him anywhere?"

The doctor's eyes glinted briefly, his smile faltering for a split second before returning.

"No need to trouble her. She needs her rest."

Alfred stepped closer, his calm exterior unshaken.

"Of course. I'll just check in with her myself."

Before the doctor could respond, Alfred entered Barbara's room. As the door closed behind him, his composed facade dropped.

Barbara was awake, her face pale but alert. She immediately noticed Alfred's concerned expression.

"Alfred?" she asked weakly.

"Miss Barbara," Alfred said, stepping quickly to her side.

"I just saw your father being led out by a doctor. He didn't look himself, and I fear the doctor may not be who he claims to be."

Barbara's eyes widened, her voice trembling as she said,

"Joker. It's him. He's here. He… he said he was taking my dad to Maggie."

Alfred's heart sank, but his resolve hardened. He reached for his phone, dialing Bruce immediately. 

"Batman," he said as soon as the line connected.

"The Joker is in the hospital. He's taken Commissioner Gordon and is heading toward Miss Maggie's room."

Batman's jaw tightened as he processed the information.

"Stay with Barbara," he instructed, his voice calm but firm. "Make sure she's secure and safe."

"Yes, sir," Alfred replied before the line disconnected.

"Joker's at the hospital?" Dick asked, stepping forward, his expression darkening.

"What's his play?"

Before Batman could respond, the faint roar of an engine echoed through the Batcave. They turned to see Jason, already on a motorcycle, speeding toward the exit.

"Jason!" Dick called, his voice sharp.

"Wait!"

Batman stepped forward, his cape sweeping behind him as the motorcycle disappeared into the tunnel. He exhaled slowly, his voice calm but edged with resolve.

"We'll take the Batmobile. The Joker thrives on chaos. We'll need a plan to contain him."

Dick nodded, already moving toward the Batmobile.

"I get it. But Jason's not exactly in the right headspace."

"Which is why we have to catch up to him before the Joker turns this into something worse," Batman said, sliding into the driver's seat.

The Batmobile roared to life, and within moments, it was speeding through the tunnels, Batman and Nightwing racing to the hospital.

"Don't you dare," Gordon's voice replied, firm but strained.

"You stay the hell away from her."

Joker cackled.

"Oh, so protective! You've got one kid paralyzed, another bleeding out in a coma. Wouldn't it just be easier to let go? Cut the strings?"

"Come on, Jimmy!" Joker's high-pitched, manic tone cut through the stillness.

"Just one little tug on the plug, and all your problems go away. No more Wayne brat, no more guilt. You'll finally be free!"

Maggie's consciousness stirred, her frustration mounting as she tried to move, to open her eyes, to scream. Nothing. She was trapped in her own mind, a silent observer.

"Puddin', no!" Another voice—Harley's—interjected, sharp and uncharacteristically serious.

"Let her be."

Maggie strained to focus, the weight of Harley's words surprising her. Harley rarely defied the Joker, and yet here she was, her tone laced with genuine concern.

"Oh, Harley," Joker said mockingly, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Always playing the bleeding heart. You know as well as I do that kids grow up to be problems. Especially this one. She's got that Bat-stink all over her."

"No, she doesn't!" Harley snapped, stepping closer.

"She's not even one of his. She's… normal. Just let her be, Mistah J. It's not her fault she got caught up in this. Wrong place, wrong time."

Maggie's mind reeled as the argument continued. She felt a surge of anger, of desperation, as she listened to Joker's laughter and Harley's pleading. The thought of Gordon being coerced, of anyone being forced to make such a choice, sent waves of frustration coursing through her.

"Jimmy-boy," Joker's voice softened into a mockingly sweet tone.

"If you won't do it, maybe I will. One little tug and… poof. She's off to the big guy in the sky."

"No!" Harley's voice rose, panic creeping into her tone.

"You're not doin' this, Puddin'. Not this one!"

Maggie's heart—or the shadowy echo of it in her mind—raced. She tried again to move, to wake, her entire being pushing against the invisible weight holding her down but still, she couldn't break free. Then, a loud crash shattered the tense silence—the sound of glass breaking, followed by the thud of a body hitting the floor. She couldn't see it, but the unmistakable voice of Jason, as Robin, filled her mind like a beacon.

"Joker!" Jason's shout was sharp, fueled by rage.

"Step away from her. Now."

Maggie's heart—or the faint echo of it in her consciousness—lurched. She wanted to call out, to warn him of the danger, but she remained trapped, her body unyielding.

"Well, if it isn't the Bat-brat," Joker sneered, his voice dripping with amusement.

"I said step away!" Jason snarled.

The sound of a scuffle followed, punches landing and furniture crashing. Harley's voice chimed in, a mix of annoyance and excitement. 

"Puddin', he's feisty! Can we keep him?"

The fighting grew louder, more chaotic. Maggie's mind reeled as she heard Jason struggle, his grunts of effort punctuated by Joker's maddening laughter. But then, the tide seemed to shift. Jason's voice became quieter, his movements slower. 

"Well, well," Joker said, his tone dripping with glee.

"Looks like the little bird's wings are clipped. How tragic."

"Change of plans, Harl," Joker said, his tone suddenly sharp.

"We're taking this one. The Bat can deal with the fallout later."

The sound of Jason being dragged away—his boots scuffing against the floor—sent a surge of desperation through Maggie. She pushed harder against the weight holding her down, willing her body to move, to fight, but it was no use.

"Don't worry, sweetie," Harley's voice drifted back, softer now.

"Your safe. Get better soon."

The room fell silent except for the hum of the machines, Joker's sinister laughter echoing in Maggie's mind. Maggie's consciousness flickered faintly, her mind catching fragments of sounds that pulled her from the overwhelming silence. Footsteps echoed in her room, firm and deliberate, followed by the low murmur of voices.

"Commissioner, can you stand?" a calm, familiar voice asked—her father's, though laced with uncharacteristic urgency.

"I'm fine," Gordon replied, his voice strained but steady. There was the sound of movement, likely Batman and Nightwing helping him to his feet.

"But Joker… he's got the boy. He took Robin."

"What happened?" another voice—Dick's—asked, his tone tense.

Gordon took a shaky breath, his words coming quickly.

"Robin came in through the window. Joker knocked me out… When I came to, Robin was gone. "

Maggie's heart ached hearing Jason's fate. She struggled internally, willing herself to wake up, to speak, but the weight of her coma held her still.

"They didn't touch Maggie," Gordon continued, his voice dropping.

"But it wasn't for lack of trying. Harley… she stopped him."

Batman's voice cut through the tension, cold and focused.

"Nightwing, search the area for anything they left behind."

"On it," Nightwing replied, the sound of his boots moving across the room signaling his search.

Batman's voice softened slightly as he addressed Gordon again.

"We'll find him."

The scene unfolded in muffled sounds for Maggie—the rustling of papers, the faint scrape of furniture as Nightwing moved objects aside, and the methodical pace of Batman's search. Maggie floated in the heavy darkness of her coma, the sounds of the world beyond her faint and distorted. The weight of the Joker's actions and Jason's disappearance gnawed at her, an overwhelming sense of helplessness crushing her.

*Jason… please be okay,* she thought desperately, her mind racing. The fear of losing him fueled her frustration, and finally, in her despair, she called out.

"Lillyanna! I need you!"

The void shifted slightly, a ripple moving through the darkness. From the shadows, Lillyanna appeared, her calm demeanor unchanged.

"You called?" she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Jason's in danger," Maggie said quickly, her voice trembling.

"The Joker has him, and I… I can't do anything! Please, you have to help me."

Lillyanna tilted her head, studying Maggie with a mixture of sympathy and intrigue.

"Maggie. You don't need me to help you. But… I can guide you."

Maggie's brow furrowed.

"What do you mean? I can't even wake up."

"Not yet," Lillyanna said, stepping closer, her tone soft but firm.

"But you're connected to the shadows, remember? They're part of you. Through them, you can find him."

"Find him?" Maggie asked, hope flickering in her voice.

"How?"

Lillyanna extended a hand, and the shadows around them seemed to pulse and writhe in response.

"The shadows carry traces of everything they touch. If you focus, you can use them to track him. Follow the faint echoes of his presence."

Maggie hesitated, doubt creeping in.

"What if I can't do it? What if I mess it up?"

Lillyanna's gaze sharpened, her expression unwavering.

"You can, and you will. Because you love him. Let that guide you."

 She reached out, her hands trembling slightly as she touched the swirling darkness around her. The shadows seemed to respond, moving under her fingertips like living threads.

"Focus," Lillyanna said softly, her voice steady.

"Feel for him. Let the connection between you lead the way."

Maggie closed her eyes, concentrating as the void shifted around her. Faint images began to form, flickers of Jason's presence intertwined with the shadows. She felt the echoes of his struggle, the pull of his location somewhere far beyond the hospital walls.

"I… I think I see him," Maggie whispered, her voice filled with a mix of fear and determination.

"Good," Lillyanna said, her smile faint but encouraging.

"Now, hold on to that thread. It's your guide."

Through the swirling shadows, Maggie's connection sharpened, the void giving way to faint images. She could barely make out Jason—still in his Robin uniform—his body slumped against the floor; hands restrained in cuffs. His breathing labored, and his mask slightly askew. Pain radiated through the connection.

"Come on, bird boy!" Joker's voice rang out, maniacal and taunting.

He loomed over Jason, a crowbar in his gloved hand, swinging it with vicious force. Each impact made Jason's body jolt, and Maggie felt the echoes of his pain reverberate through the shadows.

"This is *too* much fun!" Joker cackled, twirling the crowbar like a baton. 

"You bats and your sidekicks—you're always so serious. Gotta teach you how to laugh a little!"

Jason groaned, trying to lift his head.

"Fuck you," he muttered weakly, his voice hoarse.

"Language!" Joker replied with a mock bow before striking Jason again.

Maggie's vision shifted slightly, drawn to another figure in the room. Harley Quinn moved with surprising focus, setting up something on a table nearby. The dim light caught the glint of metal and wires—whatever she was assembling wasn't good.

"Harley!" Joker called over his shoulder, his voice sing-song.

"How's our little surprise coming along?"

"Almost done, Mistah J," Harley replied, her voice uncharacteristically subdued.

"But maybe we don't gotta do this, huh? We already got the Bat's attention. No need to go all… kaboom."

Joker spun around, pointing the crowbar at her with a dramatic flourish.

"Oh, but Harley, my dear, this *is* the punchline! What's a joke without a bang?"

Maggie's fury and fear surged as she watched, powerless to intervene. The connection wavered slightly as she watched Harley place the last piece of the device with a soft click. Harley stepped back, brushing her hands off on her skirt and looking toward Joker. 

"All done, Puddin'."

Joker clapped his hands together with exaggerated glee.

"Magnificent work, my dear Harley! Now, let's give our little bird some time to stew."

Jason groaned weakly. The faint flicker of movement from his fingers gave Maggie a shred of hope.

"Come on." Maggie whispered desperately, her voice echoing in the void.

"Get up… Please."

"Let's go, Harl," Joker said, tossing the crowbar onto the floor with a loud clang.

"We've got a Bat to bait. Don't want to miss the fireworks."

Harley glanced at Jason, her expression conflicted for a brief moment, before following Joker toward the door.

"He'll figure somethin' out," she muttered under her breath as she stepped through.

The heavy door slammed shut, and the sound of a lock clicking echoed through the room. Maggie's panic surged as she focused harder on Jason's slumped figure.

"No, no, no!" she screamed into the void, her voice a mix of desperation and frustration.

"Jason, get up! You have to get out of there!"

Her voice felt like it should echo in the dark room where Jason was trapped, but he didn't move. She pushed harder, willing the connection to grow stronger, trying with all her might to reach him. Jason stirred slightly, his head tilting upward, but it wasn't enough. The device Harley had built ticked ominously in the corner, a constant reminder of the danger he was in. Maggie screamed again, tears streaming in her mind's eye.

"Jason! Please! You have to move!"

Maggie's connection through the shadows pulsed faintly as she watched Jason stir. His head lifted slightly, his groan of pain echoing in her mind. Slowly, he moved his arms, struggling against the restraints holding his hands back.

"Come on, Jason," Maggie whispered desperately.

"You can do it. Please."

Jason gritted his teeth, his movements sluggish but determined. With a sharp tug, he finally managed to free one arm, then the other. The moment he was free, he slumped forward, his body too weak to stand.

"Get up…" Maggie's voice cracked with desperation; her hands clenched in the void.

"You have to get up."

Jason crawled forward, dragging himself inch by inch toward the door. Each movement was agonizing, his body screaming in protest. He reached the door, his hand grasping at the handle, but it wouldn't budge. Locked. His head fell against the door with a dull thud, and he let out a frustrated, pained breath. Turning slightly, his eyes caught the flashing red digits on the bomb Harley had set up. The timer ticked down relentlessly, the seconds passing too quickly. Jason's shoulders sagged, defeat settling into his posture as he leaned back against the door. His chest rose and fell unevenly, his breathing labored. He glanced around the dark room, his gaze landing back on the bomb as the timer continued its countdown.

"No…" Maggie whispered, panic washing over her.

"No!"

The shadows around her flickered, her connection wavering under the weight of her fear. She could feel it in her core—Batman and Nightwing weren't going to make it in time.