Becoming Nightshade

Thursday morning arrived, and Maggie found herself pulling into the bustling school parking lot earlier than usual. Students swarmed the entrance, their excitement buzzing in the crisp autumn air as they prepared for the much-anticipated in-school costume contest. The hallways were decked out in cobwebs, paper bats, and streams of orange and black, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Inside the crowded bathroom, Stephanie and Emily were already huddled around the mirror, making last-minute adjustments to their costumes. Stephanie, rocking a sultry Catwoman ensemble, meticulously applied eyeliner with the precision of a seasoned pro. Meanwhile, Emily, draped in lush green vines as Poison Ivy, adjusted the faux leaves entwined around her arms.

Maggie dropped her bag onto the counter with a smirk. "Alright, let's do this."

Emily spun around, her eyes lighting up. "Mags! We thought you chickened out."

Maggie rolled her eyes as she pulled out her costume. "Please. I'm fully committed to this chaos."

Stephanie grinned. "You better be. Gotham Sirens wouldn't be the same without our Harley Quinn."

Maggie slipped into character, pulling on her red and white Daddy's Lil' Monster tee and tugging it into place before sliding into high-waisted shorts. Stephanie helped secure the black and red suspenders while Emily passed her the fishnet stockings. Maggie leaned into the mirror, swiping on bold red lipstick and smudging dark eyeliner in dramatic streaks.

Finally, Stephanie handed her the blonde wig, holding it up with a grin. Maggie studied it for a moment before slipping it on, adjusting the platinum strands cascading down her shoulders. Stephanie quickly styled it into two high pigtails, tying them with mismatched red and black ribbons.

When Maggie turned to face the mirror, Emily let out a low whistle. "Damn, Mags. That's... actually kinda freaky."

Stephanie took a step back, eyes wide with disbelief. "Seriously, though. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were the real deal."

Maggie leaned in closer, her playful smirk fading slightly. The heavy makeup, the bright red lips, the unmistakable pigtails—it was uncanny. Her fingers trailed down the red and black jacket, feeling the smooth fabric like a second skin. Her friends weren't exaggerating; the resemblance was startling.

She examined herself further, her green eyes staring back. They were the only thing giving her away—Harley's were icy blue. It was a small but significant distinction, and yet, a shiver crawled down her spine.

Stephanie nudged her with a grin. "Told you. If you can master that crazy laugh, you could probably stroll into Arkham without anyone batting an eye."

Maggie chuckled, but the unease lingered beneath the surface. "Yeah… it's kinda freaky, actually."

Emily studied her curiously. "You okay, Mags? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Maggie blinked, straightening up and forcing a grin. "I'm fine. Just... didn't expect it to be this convincing." She grabbed her red and black baseball bat prop, twirling it effortlessly as she slipped back into character. "Let's go knock 'em dead, puddin'."

As the trio strutted down the bustling school hallway, heads turned almost instantly. Conversations faltered, whispers followed in their wake, and more than a few students did double-takes. The Gotham Sirens had arrived in style.

Near the lockers, a group of students nudged each other. "Is that... No way. She looks just like Harley Quinn."

Another chimed in, eyes wide. "Seriously, it's kinda freaky."

Maggie smirked, swinging her bat over her shoulder, the weight of everyone's stares fueling her confidence. "What? Ain't ya ever seen a girl in costume before?" she said in a flawless Harley impression, earning laughs and impressed nods.

Stephanie leaned in, whispering, "Mags, we've already won this contest."

Emily nodded eagerly. "I don't even think the teachers are ready for this level perfection."

Maggie caught a few of the other kids lingering nearby, watching her with an almost uneasy curiosity. She locked eyes with one of them and arched an eyebrow. "Take a picture, it'll last longer," she teased with a wink.

Stephanie burst into laughter. "Oh my God, Mags. I swear if I didn't know you, I'd think you were the real deal."

Maggie laughed along but couldn't shake the growing unease. Something about the way people looked at her—how she looked at herself—felt off. She caught her reflection in a classroom window and frowned. The resemblance to Harley wasn't just impressive; it was unnerving.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she spotted Jason approaching from down the hall. His stride was cautious, his sharp eyes scanning her up and down like he was assessing a threat.

Maggie grinned, lifting her hands in surrender. "Relax, Jay. It's me."

Jason's eyes lingered, his jaw tight. "Yeah... I know it's you." He rubbed the back of his neck, his expression strained. "You really went all out, huh?"

Maggie twirled one of her pigtails. "Too much?"

Jason stepped closer, lowering his voice. "I mean, you look—" He exhaled. "You really look like her."

Maggie leaned in, whispering teasingly, "If Dad ever needs someone to go undercover in Arkham, I might just be his best option."

Jason's hand instinctively found her waist, pulling her closer. "Not funny, Mags."

Maggie softened, resting a hand lightly on his chest. "I know, Jay. I'm just messing with you." She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. His grip tightened protectively, grounding them both in the moment.

Jason rested his forehead against hers with a sigh. "Just... be careful, okay? You look really hot."

Maggie smiled softly, brushing her thumb along his jaw. "I promise. It's just for today." She tapped his chest playfully. "Besides, I've got my very own knight in shining leather watching my back."

Jason smirked. "Damn right." He glanced toward her waiting friends. "Now go knock 'em dead, Harley."

The rest of the day passed in a blur of compliments and curious whispers. Everywhere Maggie and her friends went, people took notice. But the fun took a sour turn at lunch when they crossed paths with Alexis, dressed as a runway-perfect Cleopatra, her clique trailing behind like a royal entourage.

Alexis gave Maggie a slow once-over, her lips curling. "Well, if it isn't Gotham's own little psycho," she said with a smug smile. "Going for a career in Arkham after graduation?"

Maggie leaned against the table with an easy smirk. "If it helps me avoid you, I might consider it."

Nearby students chuckled, and Alexis' smile faltered for a second before she flipped her hair. "Cute," she said, voice dripping with condescension. "But dressing up won't help you win homecoming queen."

Maggie shrugged, unbothered. "Maybe. But unlike you, Alexis, I don't need a crown to feel important."

Alexis' expression darkened, but the lunch bell cut their encounter short. With one final glare, she sauntered off, her entourage following closely.

Stephanie huffed. "Ugh, she's the worst."

Emily laughed, looping an arm through Maggie's. "You totally got under her skin."

Maggie smirked but couldn't shake the uneasy feeling Alexis was up to something to turn this fun into a nightmare.

Secluded in an empty hallway, Alexis smirked as she pulled out her phone, her manicured fingers tapping swiftly. With a malicious glint in her eyes, she dialed Gotham PD's emergency line and lowered her voice to a hushed, frantic whisper. "Yes, I need to report something suspicious... I think I just saw Harley Quinn at Gotham Prep."

The dispatcher on the other end hesitated. "Harley Quinn? Are you sure, ma'am?"

"Yes, absolutely," Alexis insisted, injecting just enough panic into her voice. "She's in full costume, walking around like she owns the place. I—I don't know what she's planning, but you guys need to get down here fast." She made sure to sound breathless, as if genuinely terrified.

The dispatcher thanked her and assured they would look into it. What Alexis didn't know, however, was that any mention of Harley Quinn in Gotham triggered an immediate alert—directly to Bruce Wayne's encrypted phone.