Here we are with chapter 27 and I hope you are all ready for this chapter. We are near the end now and I hope you all like how this will go. It took me a while to get to this chapter cause of work. Yeah, work is kicking my ass, but I am still here to do my stories.

Last time we saw Batman going up against Bane and ended that fight in the last chapter. I didn't continued it since I wanted to end it soon. Also, because there was not much I could go on since the game make the fight go long. But without the criminals getting involved it would have felt a little short.

Still, how is this chapter going to go with the end coming? Well, read on to find out and thanks guys for the support on the story. I appreciate it guys and 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 XXVII

Coruscant

Batman leaves Bane and begins looking for the Joker. He knew he had to find him soon before more innocent lives are lost. As he made his way back into the Panopticon he sees Robin and Batgirl in the room incapacitating Bane and the Joker's men. They see their friend and were glad to see he's okay.

"Glad to see you're in one piece," said Robin who was worried about his friend fighting against Bane, alone.

"Where's Bane?" Batgirl asked noticing the criminal is not with Batman.

"He's in the sewers, unconscious," Batman replied as he looks around to see all the criminals in the room are locked up. "You two looked like you were busy. Did you get them all?"

"Almost," Robin replied as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I've managed to help get the criminals that were let out, while Batgirl got the computer systems back online."

"That took me a while, but I got everything fixed," Batgirl replied as she shows a hologram of the entrances blocked with explosives. "However, the Clones and the Jedi can't get in until these bombs are deactivated."

"Do you want us to deal with them?" Robin asked.

Batman nods in response. "Kenobi and his men are already finding a way inside, but there are still some wounded in the building. I need you to go deactivate those bombs and then make sure the Jedi know where the wounded are. Without being caught or seen. Kenobi may trust us, but I'm not sure the rest of the Jedi will be the same."

Batgirl nods in response and turns to Robin. "You take the bombs that are in one section of the prison and I'll take the other at the main entrance."

Robin nods before he turns to Batman. "You sure you'll be okay against the Joker alone?"

Batman knew the Joker won't go down easily and he will try to do whatever it takes to win. Still, he knows he's the one who has to stop him. If he doesn't and he escapes then more lives will be lost. He started this fight and needs to end it.

"I'll be all right. Now go, both of you and stay safe."

Outside

Abigail is seen with Katana as the Jedi kept the Clones from breaking through the doors. She alerted them to the explosives that are behind the doors and needed to wait to deactivate them. Abigail knew that getting to the bombs is risky since they aren't going to remotely activate. They are triggered to explode if anyone tries opening or try unlocking the door.

She could keep the Clones and Jedi back to activate the doors to open them. That way the explosions can activate and they can get in without anyone getting hurt. However, since the cameras are only pointed to the door and nowhere else she isn't sure if the Joker placed any hostages nearby. It was likely they did and didn't want to risk any innocent lives.

They would have to wait till either Obi Wan's team finds them and deactivates the bomb or until the heat sensors Abigail ordered to be brought arrive. She turns towards Padme who began walking towards her.

"We've gotten word that Anakin and the others are all right. The Joker is still on the loose and last we heard the Batman was sighted inside the building fighting someone named Bane."

Abigail knew this and was glad her brother was able to beat Bane. She was also glad to hear that Bane lost his memory of who Batman and his team are. It made her a little worried when he knew the truth, but how he was able to figure it out. She'll need to make some changes about this so that way their identities won't be figured out by another villain like Bane or worse.

"The problem though is the Joker is still on the loose and Anakin went after him," said Padme, who was worried what is going to happen if he does find the Joker.

Abigail recalled what Padme told her about how close Anakin was to the Chancellor. Even after finding out the truth he was still upset with what happened. This made her worry since she has heard how dangerous he can be when he is upset. If he were to confront someone as unpredictable as the Joker there is no telling what is going to happen.

"I'm sure if your Jedi friend, Kenobi finds him he'll keep him from fighting the Joker alone," said Abigail as she used this chance to also ask her friend something important. "Padme, I know now is not the time to ask this, especially with you worried about Anakin, but I feel I should ask anyways. Will you hear me out?"

Padme turns to her friend and nods in response. "Of course. What is it?"

"Well, we know how the Batman has helped done a lot of good since he arrived in the galaxy. Heck, for the last three days he has been dealing with these assassins and helping lock them up. He also helped save the senate, the people in the downtown district, and is fighting the criminals inside the prison. All in a single night," said Abigail.

"It is amazing how he has been able to do all of this in one night, even with the help he has been getting," said Padme who was amazed by the resolve of the Batman and how despite everything that has happened he has never taken a life while doing this.

"Exactly, so my question to you is this. When we regain the prison, re you going to have him be hunted down or work with him to fight against crime?" Abigail asked getting to the point she was making.

Padme turns to her friend surprised by her question, but she knew it was one she would have to respond to. She should try working with the Batman, especially how the people see him as a hero, a symbol, and someone they can trust. With everything that has happened since this war began she knew they need someone to keep that hope going. Despite how many in the Republic feel about him, this is something they have to do.

"The only problem I see is how are we going to get in touch with him? Much less call upon him if we need his help?" Padme asked knowing it wasn't like they could call him for a meeting to talk.

Abigail thought about that and had an idea in mind as she turned toward a nearby broken spotlight. "I have some suggestions, if you are interested."

Prison

Inside the prison Batman continued to track the Joker. Thankfully Abigail was able to keep an eye on where he was going using the security cameras. She lost sight of him in a nearby area, but was told there was no exit out of there. So, he will be able to catch him before he does try to escape.

As he turns the corner he sees Skywalker being tossed towards the wall. He goes to check on him, when he sees Killer Croc appear and punch him. "I've been waiting for this rematch for some time, Batman."

"I don't have time for you, Croc," said Batman as he gets up and activates the electric gloves. However, a sniper shot his wrist gauntlet that damaged his gloves.

The sniper takes aim, but Obi Wan appeared and stops him. Killer Croc meanwhile charges at Batman, who ducks out of the way. Croc goes after him, but Anakin uses the Force to push him back. However, it seems it only made him mad as he lets out a loud roar.

Killer Croc charges at him, but Batman jumps in driving his knee to the side of his jaw and knocking him down. Anakin charges in and delivers a punch to the other side of Croc's jaw using his robotic hand. The attacks pushed the monster back, but it didn't keep him down. He was still standing and was getting more upset.

"He isn't going down," said Batman as he tries to fix his wrist gauntlet.

"I noticed. Got any ideas?" Anakin asked wishing he could use his lightsaber.

However, it got tossed away by Croc and wasn't where it was. Batman managed to fix the gloves, but for a short time. He turns to Anakin and knew they had one shot. One big hit to help take the monster down.

"Skywalker, give it all you've got," said Batman as his gloves began to spark.

Anakin noticed this and nods knowing what they had to do. Killer Croc charges at them as they charge at him. They duck his hands and deliver a strong uppercut right under his jaw. The attack knocked Croc off the ground and come crashing down hard.

They checked on him and see Killer Croc is knocked out. "Just for the record, I had that under control," said Anakin as he goes to look for his weapon.

"I know and I know you don't trust me. Right now though we need to put those feelings aside," said Batman as he finds Anakin's weapon and hands it to him. "We both have the same goal. Protect the innocent and make sure that someone like the Joker doesn't ruin anymore lives."

Anakin hated to admit it, but he knew Batman was right. Yes, he didn't trust the Batman and had mixed feelings about him, but right now he needed to focus on what is important.

"All right, but first, where's Bane?"

"In the sewers, unconscious and tied up," Batman replied. "Now, where's the Joker?"

Anakin sighed as he turns towards a locked door nearby as Obi Wan began to join them. "He went through that way. I was planning to stop him, but that monster stopped me."

"Glad to see though you two were able to work together," said Obi Wan as he noticed his friend holding his ribs. "Are you all right?"

"Just a bruised rib or two," Anakin replied as he turns to the Batman. "You're going after the clown. Aren't you?"

Batman nods in response. "I know you both think of me as a criminal for breaking the rules and taking the law into my own hand. I won't try changing your minds about it, but I need you both to understand that I am not doing this for myself, or to be in the spotlight. I am doing this so no one has to suffer or lose a loved one to people like the Joker. So, you can arrest me after this if you want, but I've got a job to do, and I will finish it."

Obi Wan didn't protest or try to stop the Batman. He knew he wasn't a bad man and is someone they can trust or at least learn to trust. "Once this is over we will need to talk."

"I know," said Batman as he begins walking away.

As they watch him take off, Obi Wan approaches Anakin. "I know you don't trust him, but right now is not the time to let your feelings get in the way of your judgement."

"My feelings have nothing to do with this," said Anakin who had no idea what his friend is talking about.

"Anakin, I know you feel the Batman is a criminal and he should be brought in. But even you can't deny how much good he is doing," said Obi Wan as he sat down next to his friend. "He has risked his life to keep the people safe, he risked his life to fight these criminals to make sure no one suffers, and I'm sure he helped save your life, right?"

Anakin knew Obi Wan was right. Batman did save his life and even Tarkin's. Even if it looked like he killed a man, but brought him back. If he was in his position he would have killed Bane, but he didn't.

If he was a bad man he would have just let him and the Joker died when he saw him falling. He also thought back what his wife said and maybe believed there is something to this Batman that he doesn't see. He gets up and motions for the Clones to back away. "Obi Wan. I'm going after them. I won't get involved, but I want to be there when he brings him in."

Obi Wan could sense his friend is being truthful and nods in agreement. "Be careful."

Anakin nods as he took off to catch up with the Batman.

Meanwhile

Batgirl made it to the entrance where she began deactivating the bombs that were attached to the door. It was a slow progress since she has to make sure to cut the right wires. She found some hostages near the door and was able to get them out. Once she was sure they found a safe place she got to work on the bombs.

So far, there are ten of them. She got to eight so far, but needs to deactivate the other two. Otherwise they can still activate the bombs. As she begins finishing the bombs she sensed something was off.

She called out to the Force to see what it is. She was soon alerted to what it was and ducks out of the way as a sharp nails just barely missed her head. She looks over to see it is Copperhead. The assassin that Batman encountered before.

"Copperhead, I thought we locked you up," said Batgirl as she kept her distance from her, remembering the poison that are in her weapons.

"I was, but when the clown took over he freed me," said Copperhead as she began using her nail weapon to scratch against the wall causing a loud screeching sound. "Now, I have a chance to not only have my revenge, but to kill the Batman's friends."

"Don't underestimate me," said Batgirl knowing her suit will protect part of her body. "I know what you can do and you won't be able to poison me so easily.

She uses the mask's new upgrade to shield her mouth and make sure she can't get to it. It will protect her from getting slashed and getting poison.

"I don't need my poison to kill you. I have other ways of killing my prey," said Copperhead as she charges at her.

Batgirl dodges her attacks and goes to throw some punches of her own. But Copperhead uses her body's flexibility to dodge it and tries to wrap herself around her prey. Batgirl however, was flexible herself and quick as she dodges her attacks and make sure the woman latches on to her. She backs away and throws some smoke pellets that let out a pepper smoke to her enemy.

To try blinding her and put her in a disadvantage. Copperhead however, jumps up into the ceiling and begins moving away from the smoke. Batgirl throws her Batarangs as they send electric shock on the metal ceiling. Copperhead jumps down as Batgirl jumps over and kicks her in the face.

Copperhead recovers and leaps at her this time wrapping her body around her. She wraps her arms around her neck and tries to snap her neck, but Batgirl tries to keep her from doing this. However, the woman's strength was strong and she was losing her grip. As Copperhead tries to finish her, but feels something hard hitting her across the head.

She falls to the ground, knocked out. Batgirl began coughing loudly as she tried to regain her breath, as she has the armor blocking her mouth get removed so she can get fresh air. She looks over to see Robin holding his staff. He helps her up and gives her a small hug.

"I'm glad you're okay. I'm sorry for not making it sooner here to help," said Robin.

Batgirl felt her body relaxing as she returned the hug. "It's okay. I'm just glad you came."

Robin nods as he breaks the hug. After deactivating the bombs they tie up Copperhead and begin taking her back to her cell before they are spotted by the Jedi or the Clones.

Prison Chapel

Batman arrived into the area where the prisoners would go to for confession. Some do this because they want to redeem for their crimes and make amends. Other times criminals try using this to appear like they have learned their lessons and try to reduce their sentences. None of the Separatist leaders tried this though since they knew it was pointless.

He finds more bodies nearby that were killed in ways he has never seen before. He arrives to the room where he sees the Joker at the end, laughing. The Joker noticed him and continued to laugh, but appeared to be out of breath. There was no one around, which was good since this means he can end this.

"Oh bats. What a night!" said Joker as he got on his feet just as Batman grabs him and lifts him up. "Fresh off a kill and back for more, eh?"

"Bane's still alive," said Batman revealing the truth to the Joker.

Joker's laugh began to die down to a confused look. He took out the small monitor to see Bane is indeed alive. His expression changed to a serious one. He thought Bane was actually dead and he got the Batman to kill someone.

"Now that's not FUNNY," he drops the monitor and breaks free of Batman's grip as he aims the blaster at his face. "All this – all this rage. All directed at me, and for what? You know if you'd actually let me finish a sentence, you might learn something. You might learn that we're not so different."

Batman knocks the weapon away and kicks him away knocking him into pew seats in the room. "Is all this for you or for me? You must know that I'm a lost cause. But there's still hope you. Yes. I've got a great hopes for you. So c'mon. Don't stop now!"

Batman approaches him, grabs him, and tosses him into a nearby window shattering the glass. "You just can't get through your thick skull!" The Joker grabs two of the glasses using them as weapons. "We both exist because of them!"

"Give up. You've lost!" Batman approaches Joker as the clown tries using the glass on him.

He dodges the attacks and punches Joker in the face and delivers an uppercut sending him flying to the middle of the room. Batman approaches him as the Joker began to laugh, despite taking several hits.

"That's why you do it, isn't it? You like the way it feels. It's what you need," said Joker who feels he understands why Batman fights criminals. Batman punches him and lifts him before slamming him hard to the ground, with the clown still laughing. "Come on, baby! Beat me 'till your knuckles bleed…And why quit there? You know there's only one way to stop me."

Batman grabs him by the neck and begins choking him. Through the Joker's eyes the bat demon he saw through his memories appeared before him again. The Joker began to laugh as he continues seeing the demon before him. Batman lifts his hand up, balls it into a fist, and punches him so hard in the face that the Joker got knocked out.

Anakin arrived in time to see the Batman defeating the Joker, while also glad he didn't go through with killing him. "If it was me or any of my men we would have killed him."

Batman approaches Anakin and hands him the Joker's weapon. "The galaxy deserves better than that."

Anakin take the weapon and nods in agreement as he walks over to cuff the Joker. "You know. I believed that you were a criminal that needed to be brought in. Maybe it was because I felt you were breaking the rules and tried to get the spotlight, but I was wrong. Maybe you're not like the Joker."

He sighed as he recalled how he believed the lies the Chancellor told him about the Batman and how he truly believed in it. "Many members of the senate, the Jedi, the people, and someone I know see you as a hero. Perhaps they are right. Perhaps right now you're what the people need to protect and serve the people. I may not agree with your methods, but I believe they are very affective to combat against criminals that we can't handle."

"Anakin, can you hear me?" Obi Wan called out through Anakin's com-link.

"I'm in the chapel. We've got the Joker," said Anakin as he turns around and sees the Batman is gone.

"Good work. Where's the Batman?" Obi Wan asked.

"He…took off," said Anakin as he couldn't help but smile a little. "Not sure if I'll ever get used to that."

Obi Wan placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "I know."

Serenno

Count Dooku sat in his room alone with his thoughts after the news he received. He was informed that Chancellor Palpatine was killed by someone called, the Joker. This news was unfortunate to hear, especially how somehow the Jedi found out the truth. That they knew who his master was, how Dooku was working with him, and about Order 66.

Their plan that they have been working on has now gone up in smokes. With his master dead they can't take over the Republic. Now that the Jedi know about the order they can remove the chips from the Clones to keep it from happening. This means ending the war will now become more difficult.

Yes, he has his droid army and could create more to try winning this war. However, this attack will most likely cause more support for the Republic and with Senator Amidala being rumored to be the one to take over she'll gain support from neutral planets. Planets that could end up joining the Republic. If they wanted to.

He stood up and began contacting General Grievous. "General, contact the Separatist leaders. It is time we take this war in a different direction."

"I could not disagree with that," Count Dooku looks over and sees the door opening as a group of masked dark clothed figures entered the room.

Behind them stood a bulked bald man, a dark hair woman wearing a mask that covered her face, a cloaked man as he walked in front of the other two. The masked men surrounded the room, while Count Dooku watched them wondering what is going on.

"And who are you?" Count Dooku asked.

"Who are we? We your end," said the cloaked hooded man. "We have come to end you and help end this conflict our way."

Count Dooku removed his cloak as the men did nothing but stand still. "You think you can defeat me? You have no idea who you are dealing with. You are in the presence of a Sith Lord."

"You are a Sith, but a Sith Lord you are not," said the cloaked man as the woman next to him hands him a sword as he pulls it out of its sheath. "I have lived for so long and have met true Sith Lords. Compared to them, you are merely a child pretending to be one."

This upset Count Dooku, but he could sense this man was not lying and seemed to be speaking the truth. "Who are you?"

The cloaked man removed his hood and revealed himself. "I am the Demon and the reign of the Sith has come to an end."

That's the end of the chapter and hope everyone liked how this went. Yep, we are one chapter away from the end and I hope you all have enjoyed how this story has come. I'm glad I decided to do this and it has been fun. I will talk about doing more of these in the next chapter, but when I got the time from my classes and my job.

Also, thanks for the reviews and support guys. I appreciate it and glad everyone has enjoyed how far this has come. Next time we will see how things are going to go with the Joker defeated, Palpatine is dead, with the Batman, and what happened at the end. Tune in next time to see how things till go and how the story will end.

If you like how this went then please leave some reviews. Just nothing negative please. If you don't like this then don't leave a review. Thanks also to everyone for the support and the reviews for the story. Also thanks to my friend for his help and assistance. Take care, see you all next time, and be safe.