Song of the Nightingale Chapter 21: Epilogue, a batman the animated series fanfic

Chapter 21: Epilogue

Authors note: Well last chapter. This story has definitely been fun! I have revealed a small part of the sequel down below at the other authors note, but if anyone wants to know more I would be glad to tell you, or you could wait for the story to be posted. Anyway as for this chapter I have used a song I like by Lana Del Ray called 'Born to die'. It isn't about dying (just to add) more to do about a relationship that goes wrong (a bit like Abigail and Oswald's relationship which is why I used it) I would suggest typing it in on YouTube and listening to it throughout this chapter, but if you don't that is fine. Enjoy!

Weeks after the capture of the Penguin and the Nightingale, finally came the trial. Both were dreading the days ahead as they were dragged into the courtroom to hear lectures on the crimes they had committed. Both of course had pleaded guilty to everything and knew that if they did this, at least once they were doing something right. Abigail and Oswald kept close to each other; it was the only thing worth holding onto now. Love was the only hope for the unfortunate pair.

Of course all of the criminals at Stonegate penitentiary were having a blast. They all had heard of the Nightingale's brave escapade resulting in the destroying Batman's car and she had gained a lot of credit for that one run in with the famous vigilante. But Abigail felt no pride in her at all. As she was escorted down the long prison corridor by two male guards she kept her face and her gaze directly onto the ground as those around her cheered and applauded her. A few weeks ago she would've been proud of what she had done, but now… now she was feeling a huge wave of regret and sadness wash over her. Not because of her defeat, but because she no longer knew what she wanted. The only thing she knew she wanted right now was love, and she had that! But what else could a Nightingale possibly want?

Of course the doctors at Arkham asylum came to Stonegate to assess Abigail just in case she proved to be criminally insane. But surprisingly she wasn't as crazy as the media made her out to be. Actually she was just fine, despite what she had been through. After all of the traumas she had been through, the doctors and psychiatrists expected her to be just about as insane as Two-face who, under the circumstances, had been through a similar trauma to the Nightingale. But actually her anger and hatred had suppressed into depression and denial after her final confrontation with Batman and the police. It was her talk with Batman that did it; he finally revealed to her that revenge wasn't the answer. But if that wasn't, what was? Abigail also insisted she stayed at Stonegate because Oswald was there, and she did not want to be parted from him. Of course she was still assessed from time to time by psychiatrists but now she was at a sound mind again, she seemed just as mentally stable as Oswald.

Sitting in her cell awaiting her trial, Abigail sat gazing out of her cell window. Oswald was kept in a different cell to her for obvious reasons but it didn't stop her thinking of him. She knew she would be found guilty of what she had done, and she also knew that even though she wasn't clinically insane, she felt like it. But during this time alone in solitude Abigail got down to thinking and reflecting over the past couple of weeks. She smiled at the thought of her first encounter with Oswald Cobblepot and scowled at the thought of her incident at the zoo and what happened after that horrific affair. She knew she had lost so much and gained so little back. But her relationship with Oswald was now enough to make her happy. And with all of this reminiscing Abigail actually sang a song which reflected her relationship with Oswald. Of course they had had their ups and downs, but so did any couple. Just as long as they had each other, that would be enough…

Feet don't fail me now
Take me to the finish line
All my heart, it breaks every step that I take
But I'm hoping that the gates,
They'll tell me that you're mine
Walking through the city streets
Is it by mistake or design?

I feel so alone on a Friday night
Can you make it feel like home, if I tell you you're mine
It's like I told you honey

She first considered the first time she and Oswald met. Back then she was so venerable, so helpless, so… different. Different to what she was now. But Oswald still loved her all the same. Was their meeting a coincidence? Or just by sheer fate? Either way it caused a change of events which made her fall in love with him and eventually make her become his criminal partner also. She couldn't believe all of this only happened only a month ago. So much had happened and changed within that time, it was uncanny. She had fell in love, lost her job, her sight in one eye, her credibility and reputation and lastly, became one of Gotham's leading female Rogue's. Of course she wasn't psychotic because she still had that sympathy she had when she was just Abigail Nighting. And even though she went a bit over the top with her new identity the Nightingale after vowing revenge on those who did her wrong, she still deep down had that kind warm nature she had before she became a criminal. Especially toward the man she loved.

Don't make me sad, don't make me cry
Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough
I don't know why
Keep making me laugh,
Let's go get high
The road is long, we carry on
Try to have fun in the meantime

She knew their relationship was impacted after the incident at the zoo. It didn't change their feelings but rather their actions. Both cared deeply for one another and both vowed swift revenge on the criminals and permanently blinded and scarred poor Abigail. While the Penguin and the Nightingale showed no mercy to anyone who stood in their way, they still showed their feelings for one another. Their devotion for one another was shown everywhere. Obviously they were prepared to risk everything for one thing… love.

Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
Choose your last words
This is the last time
Cause you and I, we were born to die

Abigail stroked Claw as she lay on her cell bed. She was permitted to have him in her cell as a comfort, plus the guards already tried and failed to separate the bird of prey from his mother, and it obviously didn't end well. Abigail was glad she had a ruthless and nasty buzzard for a companion, and the only ones who could tame him were Oswald and Abigail. But in all truth the only comfort Abigail really wanted was to be with Oswald. But of course the prisons had rules and a female and male couldn't share a cell, so that meant Abigail wouldn't see Oswald until the trial later on. She wondered how he was feeling about all of this. In a way she felt guilty, if it wasn't for her he would still probably be reformed. She was turning out to be another Veronica Vreeland, except this time she wasn't using him for some sick scheme. But he was put in prison because of that cold hearted woman once, and now it was happening again for Abigail. But she didn't ask for his help, he insisted to help her get her revenge. And he loved her, so obviously he was standing up for the one person he cared about. But it still made her feel guilty that he gave up his chance of freedom to do what she wanted.

Lost but now I am found
I can see but once I was blind
I was so confused as a little child
Tried to take what I could get
Scared that I couldn't find
All the answers, honey

Abigail Nighting was always an unusual girl. Even when she was a child she loved to watch birds, and now she was one of two bird felons in the city. She never dreamed of becoming a criminal, in her mind it was all morally wrong. But like she told Batman, after her breakdown she had no morals. The Nightingale used to be a simple zoo performer just trying to make a living, but now… now the Nightingale was actually a wanted criminal who was now respected or feared by the public and other criminals. She had obviously put a scare on people after what she had done to Batman's batmobile. Also after her Also after her and Oswald's capture, they were on the news for weeks.

Finally distracting her from her thoughts the guards came into her cell and glared down at Abigail. She swiftly stood up and placed her arms in front of her as one of the guards chained her wrists together with handcuffs. Abigail gazed was fixed directly ahead of her as she was escorted by both men out of her cell and through the hallway to the main courtroom on the other side of the penitentiary. Her dry lips occasionally parted as she took in a few deep breaths. The entire journey was silent, and in some ways she preferred it that way. She didn't need the guards' opinions or encouragement about her trial. She hadn't entered the room and she already knew what the verdict was… guilty.

The doors opened and a gush of light made Abigail's left eye twitch, her blinded right eye remained open as her good left eye took in the light. She stopped for a brief second before the guards continued to take her to the prisoner dock, where someone else was also standing inside. Abigail's dry lips formed a small yet loving smile as her eyes met with Oswald's. The guards rudely pushed her inside the dock and shut the small door before standing outside it. Abigail walked over to the front of the dock where Oswald was standing and didn't take her eyes off of him for a second. Both wore the same blue prison outfits with their names and prisoner numbers on the front, but both looked completely different to what they did when they were criminals. Oswald did not have a monocle or anything else that made him look posh and sophisticated. Actually his eyes looked rather drawn and he looked anything but gentlemanlike, but not in Abigail's eyes. In Abigail's eyes, he was still the same kind affectionate man she fell in love with.

As the court came into session and all of the jury and the lawyers stood when the judge came into the room. Abigail and Oswald turned their attentions away from each other and onto the court but still occasionally glanced in each others direction and made eye contact once or twice. Abigail then leant in and whispered something into Oswald's ear, no one really noticed this because they were busy watching the evidence being displayed. Abigail continued to whisper her song as the court continued on, and Oswald listened rather contentedly oblivious to what was going on in the courtroom.

Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
Choose your last words
This is the last time
Cause You and I
We were born to die
We were born to die

The judge allowed the evidence from both sides to be presented. Oswald and Abigail shared one lawyer, a young man who represented the pair. Both knew he wouldn't win, neither did they care. Of course in the witness stand stood Mr. Hail and Matt and Jack. Matt and Jack were also prisoners at Stonegate but were held in a different part of the penitentiary, probably because the guards feared that either Oswald or Abigail would lash out at the pair if they ever got the chance. Mr. Hail still wore his business like stubborn expression but in some ways looked different. Abigail had noticed this every time she glared over in his direction. He somehow wore a weakened gaze; his expressions looked rather dazed from time to time, especially when he was asked to give evidence. He hardly mentioned his own opinion of the whole ugly affair unless either the prosecuting or defending lawyer asked him to. He had obviously lost his nerve after he tried to thank Batman and got it right back in his own face.

Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane

Abigail shut her eyes and braced herself as the jury went outside the courtroom to make their verdict. She knew it wouldn't end well but still, she was never one for suspense. Oswald also felt the penny drop as it were, for the final decision would be made whether the two birds would fly free or be in a cage for the rest of their miserable lives. He frowned and shifted his gaze over toward Abigail who still clenched her eyes shut in shame. Oswald, through his handcuffs, somehow managed to grab her tiny hand and hold it in his own birdlike one. Abigail opened her eyes and turned her head in his direction briefly glancing down at their joined hands. She smiled and nodded as did he in return. They knew that this was the end, but it was barely the beginning of what was yet to come. Somehow even though they had lost everything, they still managed to gain something in return… love.

Come and take a walk on the wild side
Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain
You like your girls insane
Choose your last words
This is the last time
Cause You and I
We were born to die

When the jury came back inside both Abigail and Oswald took a deep breath, they clenched their hands together tightly and kept their gaze fixed on the main juror who stood up. He cleared his throat and then finally revealed their verdict. He mouthed one word which meant the end for the Penguin and the Nightingale… guilty. Abigail's eyes shut tightly and her head bowed low as the judge read them their sentence and what they would have to do to get good behaviour. Oswald knew all of this from his previous trials, but Abigail didn't. This was after all the first time she had ever entered a courtroom. Finally the guards came back into the dock and took both Abigail and Oswald away. But before they were separated and taken back to their separate cells Abigail whispered the final line of her song into Oswald's ear.

We were born to die…

Oh this was surely the end of this criminal façade, but over the next twenty years things would change for the better and for the worst. Let's just say, the Penguin and the Nightingale will be remembered for many years to come.

The end.

Authors note: Well that's it folks *grabs tissue box and sniffles* it's been fun. Also the last line of the story was hinted toward the sequel which I shall reveal to you now… basically it is set twenty years into the future and a lot has changed, but what if Oswald Cobblepot found he had a long lost daughter living in Gotham city? The same one he and Abigail were forced to give up at birth due to them being wanted criminals. And what past events could be brought back into the light to reveal things at the present? Anyway that is the story idea but I will not give anything else away until I post it. Please tell me what you think of this idea in the reviews and I promise to post the new story shortly. Thank you all!