A/N: Ah, the last chapter, something I both love and dread all at once. I guess some of you are weirded out by the last two chapters. I was trying to get into the Joker's mind and reveal is deteriorating mental state that resulted from Alyssa's death. So all of those arguments between himself and, well, himself come from that break down.

I hope I didn't screw up the Joker's character too badly. The reason it took me a bit longer to update this is because I didn't want to screw the Joker up. I tried to make him authentic, but real and tangible and paternal all at once. So I was extremely nervous about writing these last three chapters. I hope I didn't screw him up too badly!

So, here it ends. The conclusion to this story. It's been fun, tiresome and a lot of work, but fun and enjoyable nonetheless. I enjoyed writing each and every chapter, and I hope that those of you who have read this and continue reading it have enjoyed it as well. Thank you all so much! R&R. Enjoy.

PS: Please leave me feedback on how you think I did on the Joker, especially those last two chapters. I want to improve myself as a writer, so I'm open to any advice when it comes to writing the Joker's character. Thanks again!

The Killing Joke - Epilogue

It had been months since the Joker arrived at Arkham. While the staff had been prepared for him to cause a riot (and he did upon arrival) and escape, they weren't prepared for this. They weren't prepared for the Joker to have a complete mental breakdown so severe that it incapacitated him. And what was worse was that no one knew for sure if he was just faking it or not. Being a master of schemes and escape, who knows what the clown was up to?

Regardless, they treaded carefully. Kept him bound and locked in solitary confinement until he was deemed suitable to share a room (which, at this point, was highly improbable). They continued giving him doses of the medication he was assigned. And their doctors tried to coerce him out of his mutterings and stutters, to no avail, resulting in most giving up trying to talk to him.

Gordon sure as hell didn't know what the Crown Prince of Crime was plotting. But he knew he had to get the information to Batman quickly. Although he and his men couldn't figure it out, perhaps the caped crusader could shed some light on it. Which was why he was standing, alone, on the roof of the Asylum, shrouded in the cover of darkness, waiting patiently.

It didn't take long for the vigilante to arrive. Breathing a sigh of relief, Gordon approached him, but kept a distance so no one could see what they were up to. Even after all these months, Batman was still a hunted man.

"Thank God you came. The doctors and staff have tried everything. The Joker just won't snap out of it. No one knows if he really is catatonic or just plotting a breakout."

"What do you think?" Gordon sighed, not sure exactly what to say. He tried his best though.

"I have no damn idea when it comes to that man. I've seen him. Saw him today in fact. He keeps talking to the walls around him, like he's talking to a person. It's hard to understand what he's saying exactly."

"Something to do with an Alyssa?" Surprised at the question, Gordon looked up at Batman. What little of his face he could see (just the mouth and eyes really) remained passive and hard to read.

"Yeah. Most of the time. It's like he's holding conversations with her." They remained quiet for a moment, before Batman spoke up again.

"He's dangerous. A man of no rules or morals. He's mentally and emotionally injured right now. Probably created a state of mind in which 'Alyssa' is alive. Think of it as he's talking to a ghost. He'll probably escape. Keep the staff on guard."

"With these people, that would be asking for a miracle." He turned to look at the man once again, only to find him gone. Shaking his head, he headed back inside to alter the staff.

As soon as he got inside, however, he was rushed by a few doctors and nurses. Apparently, while two guards were transporting the Joker to a new cell, he had broken free and escaped. Not exactly fireworks and huge explosions, but it was the Joker's work nonetheless. Batman was right, as usual. The hunt for the madman was on once again.

And who knows what would happen this time around?