Chapter 14: A plan in formation
Authors note: Well I found after all I can have internet on holiday. You know what that means, updates! I may be a few days off updating considering I am after all on holiday and I will be doing stuff but I will still continue with the story anyways. Thank you all for your support. This goes for everyone who has reviewed, favourited and followed this story. Anyway enough of my babbling and onto the chapter. Enjoy!
On the east part of Gotham city were a few house estates, factories and other small businesses attempting to live it through the dark times in the big city. It was a dark clouded night and a slight tension was in the air on this particular night. On an old business complex lay the remains of an old car factory. It was now an abandoned shabby building that didn't particularly stand out compared to the other abandoned buildings. This would make the perfect hideout for a particular villain. Speaking of whom, his henchmen were inside that building at this very moment. Sheldrake Eagleton and Falcone were sitting inside the building awaiting their Boss to show up, and while Eagleton was sitting there smugly. His partners weren't particularly as eager as he was.
"I don't like this Eagleton; I mean what if the bat figures it out?" Sheldrake asked nervously pacing up and down the room while Eagleton sat there casually on the old, shabby, dust ridden sofa that had been left there. Falcone kept his eyes on the clock and occasionally gazed out of the window but like Sheldrake he was slightly concerned too.
"Chill Sheldrake, if the Boss said we meet him here, we meet him here. You really do need to relax and take it easy, you're worse than you were the last time we met up with him in an old abandoned warehouse. That time I remember you almost brought the place down by squealing like a girl at a dead rat in the freezer," Eagleton said amusingly putting his dirty feet up on the stool and placed his large hands behind his back casually.
"But he may be right Eagleton; Batman has come onto us before. They don't call him 'the world's greatest detective' for nothing," Falcone mentioned.
"Come on guys, am I the only one who is cool here? Penguin isn't driving attention to himself, for once, and has got Batman off of his case. Now I am sure Batman is too busy chasing after that crazy plant lady and the other nut jobs from Arkham Asylum to even think that we are working for ol' Pengy again."
"Yeah I heard that apparently Joker and Harley escaped again."
"Great, that provides the bait for old Batsy. Next thing you know the Mad Hatter, Scarecrow, Ventriloquist, Killer Croc, Riddler and all the rest will escape and cause a big riot in Gotham. That is something I would pay to see."
"Guy's I think he's here." Falcone noted gazing out of the window directly.
"Who Batman?" Sheldrake jumped obviously startled by Falcone's sudden observation.
"No stupid. The Boss."
…
In the Batcave underneath the Wayne manor Batman, AKA Bruce Wayne was running over a few reports on his computer. Robin and Batgirl were out tracking Poison Ivy for him and despite the fact he knew he should really be with them, he had more important things to attend to. Firstly he had to examine how Harley Quinn had managed to fool the security guards at Arkham and help Joker escape. Also he was still investigating where Two-face was lurking after he got away with their last encounter, plus Poison Ivy was finally making her plant related threats on Mayor Hill. There was no rest for the wicked. But that wasn't what was bothering him. Batman handled this kind of stuff everyday. Over the years the Rogue's of Gotham city had became more like pests than problems. They didn't hold a huge threat over Gotham city when he was there to take them down. But when criminals took advantage of ordinary harmless citizens and manipulated them to become criminals, that was when things became a problem. He knew the Penguin was clean, for now anyways. But he still couldn't shake that feeling that something bad was about to happen. He had no idea what, but he had a guess it included the woman who Oswald Cobblepot was now claiming to love. Of course Batman had heard of that incident at Gotham zoo the other week and he had also saw the video of the Penguin rescuing the woman from the fire. But something inside him knew that, that particular incident would start a chain reaction off that would have severe consequences. He had no idea where the two criminals who did that to her were, but he had no time to track them down when he had nutcases like Joker and Harley, Two-face, Poison Ivy and others to catch.
"Something isn't right here Alfred," Batman noted as he sat on the bat computer watching updates on the news reports "Abigail Nighting was attacked the other week by two muggers and apparently they were the same men who caused that commotion at Gotham zoo last week. Now Abigail Nighting is declared missing from Gotham central hospital since five o'clock yesterday evening after she ran out of the hospital in a fragile state."
"Obviously there is some sort of bizarre connection, but what do those two men have to do with this woman's disappearance?" Alfred asked as he placed down a cup of tea on Bruce's desk.
"I don't think she is herself," Batman replied "since the Penguin saved her and they have gotten close, he has caused her nothing but trouble. I can't help seeing the same in that incident with her than that dreadful day Harvey Dent fled from the hospital after seeing his scars."
"But you knew Harvey Dent and were like a brother to him, this Abigail Nighting wasn't known to you until she got involved with the Penguin of all people." Alfred explained "plus she hasn't got a multiple personality disorder does she?"
"No records show any mental problems, unless she has concealed issues concerning her past."
"What about her past sir?"
"According to her file, when she was a child her father abused her, but her parents divorced and she lived with her mother here in Gotham while he moved to Las Vegas and got into serious debt. But I just cannot shake this feeling I have, I feel that she and the Penguin will do no good and end up hurting people."
"You often think dark thoughts master Bruce," Alfred assured calmly "I am sure it'll pass."
"No, not this time Alfred," Batman said rather determinedly "I have had this feeling ever since I first approached the pair. I do not think her disappearance is any coincidence. I think she ran off to the Penguin and obviously in that mental state she left the hospital in, declared revenge for what happened to her. This is judging by past experience though. And if my hunch is right, she will be the stone that starts an avalanche and bring the Penguin back to his criminal activity."
"I can only hope your hunch is wrong sir."
"Yes, Alfred. So do I."
…
Oswald Cobblepot exited the car and headed to the abandoned warehouse his henchmen had set up for a hideout. He kept his wits about him just in case some particular masked vigilante decided to show up. Of course he had brought along his umbrella, obviously one of his weapons. He always carried something with him when he was a criminal, whether it is: deadly gases, bullets, knives, propellers or anything else he used to defeat Batman in the past. Oswald's attention was brought on a particular window where his three henchmen stood waving like imbeciles with silly grins plastered on their ridiculous faces. Oswald rolled his eyes and decided to enter the premises.
"Heya Boss how's life?" Eagleton asked as Oswald opened the door, once he turned around and faced his tall associate he just grumbled and muttered a few curses before finally deciding to reply.
"What do you think you moron?" Oswald then whacked his umbrella off of Eagleton's head much to Sheldrake and Falcone's amusement and Eagleton's embarrassment.
"Do you like the hideout Boss?" Falcone enquired as Oswald inspected his surroundings.
"Could use a bit of a spring clean, who knows what disgusting creatures lurk in those dreary walls," Oswald admitted then clasping his hands "well gentlemen, shall we get down to business?"
"Sure Boss," the three replied as the four men made their way into the other room which once resembled some sort of kitchen. It had a rectangular table and six chairs around each side. Oswald chose to sit at one end of the table while his henchmen sat nearby. Eagleton got out the file Oswald had given them yesterday and placed it on the table and passed it to Oswald. Oswald took out his cigarette holder and placed it in his mouth as he picked up the file and flicked through it quickly.
"So what did your underground chums say?" Oswald asked then placing the file back on the table and placed both of his hands on the table in a professional like manner "anything fruitful or of interest?"
"Well we did ask them if they knew Mathew Wright and Jack Coles but only one of them actually knew them. It was Sheldrake's pal, me and Eagleton didn't get to speak to him." Falcone explained and suddenly Oswald's full attentions laid on Sheldrake who gazed at him nervously.
"Do tell me what your 'good ol' buddy' told you Sheldrake," Oswald eyes then narrowed slightly "unless you have something to hide from me?"
"N-no Boss, not at all." Sheldrake stammered "my friend used to share a cell with the two back at Stonegate. They also met up every now and then as a sort of get together between old pals if you get me."
"And this is meant to help us because?" Oswald demanded his voice layered with impatience and a hint of anger. Sheldrake gulped and continued with what he was saying.
"Anyway the other day my ol' pal actually met up with these two and they had explained what they had done to your girlfr-" Sheldrake then cut himself off when he noticed Oswald's glare, he didn't like the term girlfriend. It made it sound common and Oswald Cobblepot was anything but common, plus Abigail was a respectable woman who deserved more than the tatty term 'girlfriend'. "Um, I mean your lady friend."
"And what did they tell him?"
"Well they told him about how they attacked her in the alleyway before for her bird to make a profit from selling it or something, and then they went on to tell him that you rescued her and scared them off before they could kill her. Then a few days later they wanted to get some sort of revenge. They wanted to publicly humiliate her and teach her a lesson, but secretly they wanted more."
"What was that?"
"They, well they, wanted to um…"
"WHAT?" Oswald roared hooking the handle of his umbrella round Sheldrake's neck and screaming in his face. Sheldrake looked as if he were about to wet himself, this was the Penguin that hadn't shown his face in a while. It seemed when he wasn't around Abigail he was just like he was in the old times. Impatient, crude, obnoxious and sophisticated. Those four words summand Oswald Cobblepot up quite nicely in the eyes of his henchmen.
"T-they wanted to show y-you that they meant business. They wanted t-to humiliate the Penguin and make him look like a fool in front of everyone, including criminals. T-they told my friend it was concerning that woman, they knew you had some sort of feelings for her and that you were a s-sap when you were around her; a-a-all of your criminal reputation was shattered thanks to that woman."
Oswald released his umbrellas grip on Sheldrake's neck and sat back in his chair silently. Sheldrake was feeling his neck with his trembling hands and panting heavily thanking the gods he was still alive. Eagleton and Falcone just sat there wide eyed and mouths agape at the situation before them. It wasn't everyday you saw the Penguin about to pummel his own henchman for a bunch of useless information.
"D-did they give the current location of these scumbags?" Oswald asked surprisingly calm.
"Yeah Boss," Sheldrake said handing him a piece of scrunched up paper. Oswald adjusted his monocle and read it; he then looked up and patted Sheldrake lightly on his shoulder.
"Thank you Sheldrake you have been a great assistance."
"Boss?" Sheldrake asked quietly. "There was something else they told my friend."
"Yes?"
"They told him that they didn't mean for her to be knocked unconscious and have a…" Sheldrake then waved his hands around his right eye to mimic what had happened to Abigail "burnt out eye. All they wanted to do was scare her."
"Well they have accomplished that," Oswald snarled "they accomplished that and more. Didn't mean for it to happen my arse. She got scarred more than anyone thanks to those idiots and all they say to your friend is that they didn't mean it? Are they begging for a death wish?"
"I don't know sir, why don't you ask them?"
"I intend to Sheldrake, once we find them and deal with them personally."
"So what now Boss?" Falcone finally spoke up. Oswald thought about it for a second but before he could even reply to his henchman's comment his attention's along with the other men were diverted to the doorway of the kitchen room as a small figure leant against the doorframe.
"Yes, what now? That is an excellent question," The figure spoke and as they stepped into the light the henchmen's eyes widened in surprise. It was a woman, a rather short one. She had a bird of prey perched on her shoulder and her right eye was obviously scarred and faded. She wore a creamy coloured outfit and her hair was tied up in a bow.
"Scram lady," Eagleton snapped rudely not even acknowledging her as she made her way to the table. "Women aren't welcome here." Oswald was about to protest at his henchman for addressing his Abigail that way, but before he could he was halted by Abigail herself who simply held her hand up as a mischievous smirk attached itself to her features. She stood behind Eagleton's chair and surprisingly enough he was startled by her presence, but it was unknown to him what she was about to do next. This man wouldn't see it coming.
"Oh really?" Abigail said rather calmly, she then signalled to Claw to do a particular move she had taught him and unfortunately for Eagleton, he never saw it coming until it was too late. Claw flapped rapidly right in front of Eagleton's face causing him to stand up and wave his hands about like a banshee in an attempt to get the bird to leave him alone. Abigail then suddenly grabbed his chair with both of her arms and moved it away so when Eagleton went to sit down again, he fell off it and landed straight on his butt. Abigail simply chuckled and placed the seat back on the ground before allowing herself the honour to sit in his place.
"Why you little!" Eagleton ran to throttle Abigail who just simply turned around and glared at him. Eagleton instantly backed off when he saw her scarred eye. He knew who she was, she was in fact the woman who he was risking his neck for the Penguin. She was the cause of this entire plan the Penguin had concocted. But he knew he couldn't argue with the Penguin's girl—uh lady friend, so he simply backed off.
"Tell me Eagleton, do you know what it feels like to have your eyeballs pulled from their sockets?" Abigail asked plainly glancing down at the table not even making eye contact with him. Eagleton gulped and fiddled with his bow tie as he knew he was in hot water now. He briefly glanced over in Penguin's direction and noticed he was enjoying the situation, this made it even worse.
"U-uh no," Eagleton replied weakly causing Abigail to put on a sort of twisted yet sweet smile on her face.
"Well, as the Penguin may have told you, I am a bird trainer. And Claw here would be more than happy to oblige to do anything for his mother bird. Try a little stunt like that again you sexist big headed brute and I will personally make sure you feel everything as my buzzard twists those eyes out of your big fat head and eats them right in front of you."
"Abigail!" Oswald finally cut her off noticing she was going a bit too far with her threats. This was so unlike her. Usually she was such a kind sweet woman, but now she was acting as if she were a crime boss. On the other hand, she needed to make a good first impression on his henchmen if she wished to gain their respect, but putting the fear of death into them was his job, not hers.
"Yes Oswald?" Abigail then turned her head as she now sat next to him. Her smile dropped slightly as his face was firm and not so impressed by her tone.
"Gentlemen this is Abigail Nighting, the woman who I told you about," Oswald motioned to them. Abigail then spoke up yet again with a more professional tone.
"But in this operation you may call me the Nightingale," Abigail began "now you have been called here because of what happened to me a week ago and Oswa-uh I mean the Penguin and I seek revenge. Now I don't want this operation to be broadcasted throughout the world considering we only want to humiliate and eventually do away with these so called bozos who have ruined my former life. But I don't mind a bit of fun in the process. Please take into consideration that I am not trying to take over this entire operation but I wish to be involved considering the incident which gained me one useless eye and a bloody scar tissue to go with it is the whole point in this scheme."
"So anyway," Oswald cleared his throat "the Nightingale isn't my new henchgirl, more like a second in command. If I am not around to give the orders, go to the Nightingale and she will give you instructions."
"Since when did this become like the army?" Sheldrake whispered into Falcone's ear only to be nudged in the stomach by his partner.
"Do we have the location of the scumbags?" Abigail put a little emphasis on the 'scumbags' part. She loved to refer to Matt and Jack as any cruel but sophisticated word as possible in the English language, not that anyone could hardly blame her.
"Yeah," Sheldrake replied "they're currently located in an old factory nearby Gotham bridge."
"Perfect," Abigail clasped her hands together.
"Uh, Boss?" Falcone spoke up raising his hand weakly. Soon everyone's eyes averted towards him, this made him feel a little awkward but he continued on anyways. "Now that Abig- uh I mean the Nightingale is a part of our operation, why don't we give her a test?"
"Yeah, so she can demonstrate her skills on how to become a swift criminal," Sheldrake added.
"Perhaps a bank heist or something?" Eagleton finally spoke up for the first time since Abigail put him in his place.
Oswald rubbed his chin as his henchmen placed all of these absurd notions forward. What was the point in trying to obtain a quiet operation if you attracted the attentions of the police or the Batman by committing a petty robbery? If they got him on their case they could kiss their free lives away from prison goodbye. But on the other hand, Abigail did need to prove how efficient she was in being a criminal, even if it was only going to be for one operation. She couldn't just walk into the building unprepared and not knowing what she was doing. Plus she needed to prove herself, not to him, but to Falcone, Sheldrake and Eagleton. She needed to gain their trust and prove there was more to her than a simple minded bird trainer. Although Oswald personally wasn't prepared to take the risks because he wanted a normal life after this operation he in some ways agreed to it. But at the same time he was fully against it. But somehow in his heart he knew there was no going back. Even if they did manage to not get any attentions of anyone to do with the law, he knew that he and maybe even Abigail may be drawn back to committing more crimes. The temptations were sometimes just too great. Of course he didn't want to say yes, but he would see what Abigail would think about it. And if she could pull this off without getting the polices or Batman's attentions, the more of a chance she could be a great partner in crime later on.
"I am up to that," Abigail said eagerly, much to Oswald's displeasure. "What do you want me to steal?"
"Gentlemen," Oswald interrupted rather unexpectedly "have you not taken into consideration that this is going to be a quiet operation? We cannot afford to draw attention to ourselves."
"Aw, c'mon Boss," Sheldrake wined "Nightingale is up for the challenge. Plus if we play safe and disable the security systems we can go in and go out again just like that!"
"Yeah Boss," Falcone continued winking towards Abigail as he said this "plus we'll be able to see how swift and stealthy a nightingale can really be."
"I don't know," Oswald frowned "this seems such a big risk to put our plan in jeopardy for some small heist so Abigail can show us her skills."
"I can do it," Abigail reassured him placing her hand on his while giving him an encouraging smile. "I'll be in and out of there in a flash. Batman won't have time to even think what's wrong let alone act upon it."
"It's a date then," Sheldrake clasped his hands eagerly "tomorrow we'll see what the Nightingale is truly capable of."
Oswald remained silent throughout the rest of the meeting and sat there thinking. He wasn't prepared to risk all of this just for some stupid and worthless heist. The only things he was looking forward to now were seeing those scoundrels pay, and living his life with Abigail, normally that is. Nothing else in the world mattered anymore. He could care less about his criminal reputation and would give up the criminal act entirely if it wasn't for avenging Abigail. The thrill of being a criminal didn't appeal to him anymore, not as long as he had someone to share his worthless life with. Abigail had after all taken him under her wing when no one else would. She trusted him, cared for him like no other and finally learned to love him. And even though this had happened very fast (in the space of two weeks to be exact) she still treated him with so much kindness and love that he did not wish to loose her now. That was what he feared the most. That he would loose the true Abigail Nighting to a heartless woman who only wished to avenge herself and didn't care if she hurt people in the process. Even though they had promised to each other that they wouldn't go back down that dark path, Oswald couldn't help but feel that something was about to change for the worse. After all, no promise can be kept for certain.
Later on after the meeting Abigail, Falcone, Eagleton and Sheldrake sat in the kitchen area watching the small TV that was attached to the wall rather unstably. But it was an added bonus that it was still upright let alone the fact that it still worked. Meanwhile Oswald was in a small office that was another room between the entrance and the kitchen. Oswald sat there continuously reading over the same files thoroughly until he came to the decision to leave it. He still had a lot on his mind and he had to discuss some things over with Abigail. He needed to know where they stood with the current events going on around them, plus he desperately needed some questions to be answered that only she could answer.
"Abigail, may I have a word with you in my office?" Oswald asked popping his head out of the office door. Abigail nodded and swiftly stood up as she headed towards the office. She noticed the cheeky Sheldrake whisper something into Eagleton's ear as she walked by, but he never counted on her hearing it.
"Looks like Penguin called Nightingale in for some smoochy time," Sheldrake nudged his friend and smirked mischievously. Abigail simply groaned and rolled her eyes at the immature man and carried on walking. She had wondered if these men acted their ages instead of their shoe sizes every now and then. It would be a nice change to see them act seriously for once.
Once Abigail entered Oswald's office she shut the door and slowly turned around to face him. Oswald stood up from his chair and made his way over to her. Both stood there awkwardly until Oswald decided to finally speak.
"I am rather impressed with how you handled yourself out there my dear," Oswald said plainly much to Abigail's surprise.
"You're serious?"
"Quite," Oswald continued "it was quite an act you put on out there to get my henchmen's attention."
"Who said it was an act?" Abigail said not really helping Oswald's current predicament.
"Oh come on Abigail, you cannot say that you were being serious out there."
"I was."
"But Abigail, we agreed that you would only become the Nightingale for this one time. Then we could continue our normal life's and act as if nothing had changed," Oswald hoped she would agree but was actually taken aback by what she would actually say.
"That's the thing isn't it? It's all an act. Oswald I am no longer who I was. I have changed, a lot! And it is all thanks to the effects this scar has given me. I cannot see the right side of my body anymore and I struggle to use my left side considering I am right handed and often depend on my vision from my right eye. But it's gone now and it will never come back. Now what makes you think society will accept me for this?" Abigail dramatically pointed to her right eye causing Oswald to stop and think before replying.
"We could get a plastic surgeon to help you-"
"What?" Abigail cut him off "to cover the scars? To make me look normal again? Oswald I cannot hide who I truly am. Not for you or for anyone else. If society find it hard to accept me then tough! I don't care anymore."
"Abigail what are you saying?" Oswald shook his head obviously gobsmacked by hearing this.
"You know the promise we made to each other last night Oswald? The one about us continuing our relationship back to normal after we do away with the scum who did this to me?"
"Yes?"
"Well I don't think I can," Abigail began "don't you see? There is no going back. My old life died in that fire. My career is ruined, my eyesight is a permanent burden I will carry the rest of my sorry life and my reputation is shattered like pieces of glass discarded on the floor. There is no normal life awaiting me anymore. I don't expect you to understand this but I feel that even though I will have my revenge I don't think that will be enough. It's kinda like what happened to you. Society and your own family pushed you to crime because they wouldn't accept you, and now you are one of the most feared criminals in Gotham city. What chance of a happy life could I possibly get now with all that has happened to me?"
"What chance of a happy life could you get behind bars? Did you ever think of that Abigail?" Oswald pressed forward obviously disagreeing with everything "all I want is for you to be happy my love, but how can I make you happy if we are wanted criminals?"
"We'll be together," Abigail replied "and to me that would be enough."
"Abigail," Oswald breathed as Abigail placed her arms around his neck and began to embrace him "all I want is for you to be happy and not be held back by others. If this heist means so much to you I will give you my permission to do it, under one condition."
"And what would that be my love?" Abigail smirked pulling away from him slightly.
"That you be careful."
"Oh Ozzy," Abigail teased gently touching his nose with one of her small manicured fingers "when am I ever not careful?"
Oswald reached up and pulled her arms down and placed them on his chest. Abigail stared into his eyes and a small gentle smile appeared on her face. He held her close as she finally leant in close and they shared a long passionate kiss. Several minutes later Oswald broke away and whispered softly in her ear.
"I love you my Nightingale." Abigail couldn't help but grin and leant in to his ear.
"I love you too my Penguin."
And with that the two birds continued to kiss and held each other close. Of course this was a change of plans, but a minor setback. Penguin's henchmen wanted to see what their second in command could do so they challenged her to steal some money from the bank. Obviously Abigail accepted that challenge gladly not expecting trouble. Just as long as they played safe and disabled the security systems and didn't bring in the attentions of the police of Batman, they stood a pretty fair chance of not getting caught. That was if they went according to plan of course. But if they knew then what would happen the next day, they would've definitely not gone to that particular bank. Things weren't going to go to plan, and it was all thanks to three other well known criminals who had set their sights on the same thing. Money.
Authors note: The next chapter will be full of action and drama and a few past or frequently mentioned criminals will be making an appearance. I know all of you want this story to end happily but it will have its twists and turns. Abigail is the Nightingale now and she and Oswald will bring the house down. Literally! Anyway please review and I shall update soon. Thanks!