Here we go with chapter 17 and we are also getting close to more Joker action. I want to thank everyone again for the support of this story and for the reviews. I appreciate it guys and glad your all enjoying this. Now, last time we saw the debut of Catwoman in the story and how she'll be assisting Batman.

She didn't appear in Arkham Origins, but I decided to add her in for fun. So, will her assistance be enough or will things still end in chaos? Check out the chapter to find out and now time for the disclaimer.

I don't own anything from the DC or Star Wars universe just my OCs. Also: Bold- means thoughts & Italic- will mean what an alien is saying in their native language. And now let's continue with the story.

Chapter XVII

Coruscant

Batman and Catwoman continued heading towards the city as they tracked where the vehicles that left the factory are going to. Thankfully Oracle was able to track them down and followed where they are going. She also has been keeping an eye on the Senate building for anything suspicious. So far, it has been quiet.

"You guys should be getting close to where the vehicles are at," said Oracle as she communicates with Batman through the com-link in his cowl. "Also keep an eye on this Catwoman. I don't trust her."

"I know," Batman replied as he focused on flying and seeing how close they are getting. "Just keep me posted if you find anything about the assassins."

As they continued flying, Catwoman looked around the inside of the jet and could tell that this kind of machinery wasn't cheap. Meaning whoever this Batman is must have powerful friends or is loaded.

"So, tell me. Why do you dress as a bat?" she asked curious on why he is dressed the way he is.

"I could ask you the same thing on why you're dressed the way you are as well," he replied as they are a minute away from their target.

Catwoman smiled at him liking how he asked her a similar question. "I guess I have a fondness for cats. They are mysterious, beautiful, and are not easy to tame."

"So, that's why you choose to dress up as one?" he asked knowing she hasn't answered his question.

"No, but maybe after you tell me why you chose to dress up as a bat I can tell you the real reason," she replied wanting to find out his secret first…and maybe tell him hers.

Batman however didn't reply as he realizes where the vehicles are at. "This doesn't look good."

Catwoman looked on confused by what he meant, but when she looks out through the window she soon realizes what he's talking about.

The location of the vehicles is at one of the Republic's military bases on Coruscant. This is where the Clones come to rest, where their vehicles are at, and nearby where their ships are docked. But as they got closer they see the base looked like it was attacked. There is smoke, fire, and bodies everywhere. The Republic starships are intact, but the base looked destroyed.

Batman begins to land the ship as he begins contacting Oracle. "Are you seeing this?"

Oracle was indeed seeing what her brother is seeing and is in shocked. "The Joker did this?"

Batman and Catwoman exit the ship as they begin looking around the destroyed base. "It looks like that. His men and his assassins must have caught these men off-guard."

"But why? What does he hope to gain by taking out the Clone forces here?" Oracle asked knowing there are other bases around the Republic.

Batman looks around and spots a nearby Clone. Checking his body he finds out who he is. "Because this is where their Commando Clones are located at. Here they house some of their best and most dangerous weapons."

Oracle begins checking the computers and finds the base is home to the Republic's elite Commando Clones. The ones that have been receiving training to help bring down General Grievous and Count Dooku. It's also home to where they have been experimenting some of their new weapons. Ones that are much stronger than the ones the regular Clone army uses.

Catwoman picks one of these weapons up, despite it being heavy. "Looks like the Joker got his men some upgrades. Things are not looking good for the Republic, huh?"

Batman knew she was right and then sees something else that is missing. "They knew they wouldn't be able to get the vehicles close to the Senate building, so they took something that can get them close."

Catwoman looks over and sees what Batman is talking about. Nearby, there are several gunships missing. They also spot a bunker nearby and soon the two began putting two and two together. "The Joker attacked this base not just for the weapons, but for the disguises as well."

"Exactly," Batman replied knowing things have gotten bad now. "Oracle, contact the Jedi and Batgirl what's going on. I'm going to the Senate building to see if I can stop the Joker."

Oracle tried to contact the Jedi first, but for some reason she couldn't get through. "Something is wrong. Something is jamming their frequencies. I can't get to them."

Batman soon realized the Joker is making his move now. "Get Batgirl and tell her to warn the Jedi. I'll send Catwoman to assist her."

Catwoman after hearing her name turns towards Batman. "Whoa, hold on there. I said I would assist you against the Joker, but this has changes the whole thing. Besides, why would you want to risk your neck for the Republic and the Jedi? They aren't so innocent like the other people you protect."

Batman begins activating the Batjet as he replies back to her. "Not all of them are as guilty as you think they are. There are some good people there and if the Joker kills them then he wins."

Catwoman sighed knowing Batman is right. If the Joker does win then things will make it difficult for her to get any work or get any money around here.

"Is that why you dress up as a bat? To protect the people?"

Batman didn't say anything at first, until after he got in the jet. "That's one reason. You coming then?"

Catwoman shook her head in response. "I'll get to your partner at the temple. You go stop the clown."

Batman nods as he activates the jet and begins flying towards the Senate building. Catwoman turns towards one of the Republic Clone fighters ships.

"Hmm, not my color but it will have to do."

Meanwhile (five minutes earlier)

At the Jedi temple, many of the Jedi were in their rooms resting up after the long day they had. Some were still awake as some trained, studied, or meditating. Inside one of the meditation halls, one Jedi is seen sitting in the middle of the room to meditate. Her name is Aayla Secura, Jedi Knight.

She had just returned from a mission on Felucia and finished giving her report to the Council. She left to get some meditation to clear her thoughts before getting some sleep. With how things have been going during the war she needed this. It has been a rough few months for the Jedi, especially after what happened to one of their own.

When she heard Ahsoka Tano committed treason, she was shocked. She knew the young Padawan and never thought she would turn on the Order. However, when she found out it was actually Barriss Offee who committed the crimes and framed her former friend, it was a bigger shock. She never thought Barriss would actually turn on the Jedi, much less turn on her friend.

She heard the reason why she did it, but felt there was more to why she did it. They never got a chance to find out more because of what happened. Their mistake though was not believing Ahsoka and not trying to prove her innocence. Yes the evidence was strong, but she felt they could have done more.

More to prove she was not guilty, to show they believed her, and not throw her to the wolves. It was a decision she never approved from the Council and wished she was there.

Even after she was cleared of the charges, Ahsoka still left. She felt she couldn't trust the Jedi after what happened and in a way she can't blame her. She remembered her talk with the leader of the Lurmen people, Tee Watt Kaa and how he felt about the Jedi. With how things now, perhaps he is right.

"We have changed so much and I fear it will be our downfall," she said to herself as she hears something coming from behind,

Getting up from the floor she goes to the source of the sound. She wasn't sure what it is, but she doubt it's anyone she knows. Looking down the hallway she sees someone running by. On instinct she begins to follow the figure and find out who it is.

Her time in the Jedi temple has helped her recognize the hallways and where to go. Whoever she is chasing is running towards a dead end. However, when she turns the corner where she expected to find the figure, she sees no one there. "How in the…"

She looks around wondering where the figure went. A temple guard passes by and approaches her. "Ma'am, is everything all right?"

Aayla turns towards the guard and then to the wall before she lets out a small sigh. "Everything is fine…I thought I saw something."

She begins walking away as does the guard, unaware the figure she was chasing was there. But she was using a hidden passage that she learned from her friend. The figure was Tatsu Yamashiro who is wearing her Katana costume. She snuck into the Jedi temple thanks to her friend, Ahsoka.

Oracle told her where she could sneak in after making sure security wouldn't see her. Ahsoka however, told her about some of the hidden passages she could use to stay hidden. They were passages she learned about as a Youngling and only a few knew about them. One of them was Barriss Offee, which might explain why no one saw her leave the temple.

"The close is clear. Where do I go now?" she asked as she speaks to Oracle.

"All right, take a left and then you'll find a small vent," Oracle replied as she takes a look at the blueprints of the temple. "It should lead you to main ventilation system. If you find anything that seems tampered with then let me know."

Katana nods as she heads down the hallway and turns left. She finds the small vent that is too big for anyone to fit through. Thankfully she'll small enough to fit in as she opens it. She closes the vent behind her and heads to the main ventilation room.

Hopefully the Joker hasn't found a way to sneak his poison in without the Jedi knowing about it. That is unless he got one of his assassins to do it. Shiva is a possible choice, but they aren't sure she would actually follow his orders like the other assassins would. Still, if he did then they have to find a way to get rid of the poison.

As she makes her way to the room, she begins receiving a call from Ahsoka. "Katana, you there?"

Katana stops and replies back to her friend. "I'm here. I'm nearly to the ventilation room."

"Good, I'm already suited up and keeping an eye out near the hanger," Ahsoka replied as she watched from afar. "So far everything is quiet…too quiet."

"I thought it was always quiet around the Jedi Order," Katana replied recalling what Ahsoka told her before as she continues making her way to the ventilation room.

"Sometimes, but I can sense something is not right," Ahsoka replied as she sees some Republic gunships flying towards them. "Something is not right…hold on, Oracle is contacting me."

"What is she saying?" Katana asked as she enters the ventilation room to find everything looks intact. But she has a look around just in case.

"We got a problem. The Joker got his hands on the Republic gunships. They're heading right over," said Ahsoka as she sees the gunships opening fire at the temple.

They hit the pillars at the entrance causing the Jedi in the temple to wake up to the attack. Three of the gunships continued firing at the entrance, while the other three go to land in the courtyard. Out from one of the gunships is Deadshot as he motions for the criminals to make their way to the temple. He uses his jetpack to fly up to one of the roof tops nearby to get an advantage.

"Katana, there are some criminals dressed as Clones entering the temple. We need to help them," said Ahsoka as she begins gliding towards the temple.

"I understand," Katana opens the door to the ventilation room and closes it as she spots some of the soldiers nearby.

She charges at them as they opened fire on her. Using her sword she blocks their attacks and slashes at them taking them down. She sees two Temple Guards confront her, but before they can attack her, they are taken down by more of the criminals, dressed as Clones. They begin chasing Katana as she begins retreating back to get some cover.

But then the armed criminals get knocked to the ground by Aayla Secura who used the Force on them. Katana charges at the men and before they can open fire on her, she sliced their hands off.

Aayla approaches the masked woman and activates her lightsaber. "Who are you? And what is going on? Why did these Clones attack us?"

Katana turns towards Aayla Secura, refusing to speak with her. But then more men came in and opened fire on them. They deflected the attacks back at them knocking a few of them down, but more were still standing. That was until Batgirl came in throwing her Batarang at them.

The Batarangs hit the armor and send electrical shock through the body taking the men down. She approaches Katana and Aayla Secura, while trying to disguise her voice.

"You two all right?"

Katana nods in response, while Aayla looked on confused. This woman's outfit looked a lot like the Batman's outfit, at least the kind described to them by the criminals that were arrested.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Batgirl and I'm a friend," Ahsoka replied still trying to hide her voice. "Listen, these men are not Clones. They are criminals working for the Joker. They attacked the real Clones and took their armor. You have to let the other Jedi know so they can stop them."

"The Joker? Who is this Joker?" Aayla asked unaware of what is going on.

"Don't worry about it. Just please, trust us on this," Ahsoka pleaded as she turns towards Katana. "Stay by the ventilation room. Just in case the Clown has his men get to it."

Katana nods as she takes off, but Aayla stops Batgirl from leaving. "Wait, you still haven't given me a reason why I should trust you."

Ahsoka knew they didn't have time for this, but she had to earn her trust so this can work. "Because if I wasn't on your side I would be fighting you right now. Now please, warn everyone before more lives are lost."

Aayla didn't know why but she felt something familiar about this woman. She seemed familiar, but couldn't put her finger on it, and for some reason she felt like she could trust her. "All right, I'll let the others know."

"Thank you," said Ahsoka as she begins to take off, but was glad that she was able to gain the trust of Aayla Secura again, and hope that she will trust her more when this is all over.

Senate Building (A minute ago)

The senators begin getting to their seats as the meeting is about to begin. The Chancellor is already at his podium getting ready to speak, while the Clone soldiers kept guard. Obi Wan went to the security room where he is monitoring the cameras, Master Windu is outside keeping an eye on anything suspicious, and Anakin remained inside. He volunteered to remain where the senators are, while wanting to keep an eye on Padme.

So far everything seemed to be going well without any problems. However, he could sense something is going to happen soon and felt uneasy about it. He told his men to inform him of anything they might find suspicious. Even if it's something small, he wasn't going to chance it.

"Anakin, everything all right down there?" Obi Wan asked speaking to Anakin through their com-link.

"Yeah, everything is fine down here, but I can shake off what I'm sensing," Anakin replied as he continues looking around the Senate room.

"A disturbance?" Obi Wan asked as he continues looking through the monitors. "I can sense it too. I'll inform Master Windu about it."

"Would be easier if this meeting was postponed," Anakin replied, but knew that the senators and the Chancellor himself wanted this meeting to begin despite the threats.

"Perhaps, but we can't change that now. I'll let you know if we find anything," said Obi Wan as he turns off his com-link.

Anakin sighed before doing the same thing and turns towards Padme. "Whatever happens, I'll keep you safe, my lady."

Back in the security room, Obi Wan is approached by Commander Cody. "Find anything?"

"Nothing, sir. Perhaps the threat was a fake?" said Commander Cody.

Obi Wan though wasn't convinced. "I don't think so. Whoever made the threat is likely waiting for the right moment to strike."

"Do you think it's this Black Mask or the Joker that we've been hearing about?" Commander Cody asked recalling what some of the men have been talking about.

"Possibly," Obi Wan noticed five gunships landing nearby. He begins contacting Master Windu to see who they are. "Master Windu, did we call in for more reinforcements?"

Master Windu approached the men and they gave him the orders they received. "The Council send them to assist us after learning of another threat made a few minutes ago."

Obi Wan was surprised the Council didn't inform them of this. "Very well. We'll have them get into their new positions and keep an eye out for anything suspicious."

The Clones begin heading to where they are assigned to, while carrying some cases with them. The Jedi and the other soldiers didn't notice this since they figured they are carrying the turrets and ammunition inside. As the new recruits got into position the security footage glitches for a second, but then returned to normal. The Clones monitoring this figured it was nothing and continued their job.

Meanwhile the gunships opened up as Master Windu sees what appears to be Clone Commandos walking out of the ship. This confused the Jedi master since he knew they aren't brought in unless they are absolutely needed. What's more, he noticed some crates inside and could sense something is not right.

"What are you doing here? Who assigned you here?" he asked.

"Oh, sorry. We just received new orders," said one of the Clones as he pulls out a holopad and hands it to the Jedi.

Master Windu takes it and immediately he drops it when he feels something sharp go into his skin. He looks down to see small syringes coming from the holopad and soon he passes out. The other Clones behind him prepared to open fire, but are shot down by the Clone Commandos. More begin approaching them, but one of the fake Clones grabbed a canister and tosses it to the soldiers.

The canister lets out a green smoke that begins to cause the Clones to laugh. Soon they couldn't stop laughing as they fall to the ground and then stopped moving.

The fake Clone soldier who threw the canister begins laughing himself as he removes his helmet and is revealed to be the Joker. "All right, kitties. Get the toys inside and let's get this party started."

His men begin dragging the bodies with them as they head inside as the Joker closes the door behind him. He takes out a holopad and begins contacting his…assistant.

"Everything set up then, Mr. Nigma?"

A holographic image of a human wearing glasses, brown hair, and civilian outfit. "Everything is set up. I had hoped the Republic would provide much more of a challenge for me when I hacked into their systems, but this was child's play. I would have thought they had much better security to defend themselves after what happened before. But then again, I shouldn't have expected it from these fools with such low-minded intelligence."

"Just remember the plan and we'll get this party started," said the Joker as he turns off his holopad and begins heading down the hallway with his men.

Looks like the fight has begun for the Republic against the Joker. Not a good way to start it off though for them. Also hope you all like who I brought into the story. Sorry if he isn't like he should be, but writing what someone like him should say is not exactly easy.

Still, I hope you all liked the chapter and will like what happens next. I want to thank everyone for the reviews. I appreciate the support and the comments. I also want to thank my friend for his help and his support.

If you all liked how this chapter went then please leave some reviews. If you didn't like this, then don't leave a flame review please. Take care everyone, be safe, and see you all next time.