**NO PAIN!!!**
Agony.
The Sith Lord appeared before me.
He didn't look like how Darth Nox had described him. This thing… this monster… looked more like a **skeletal corpse**, its bones blackened and ancient, its hollow sockets burning with sickly **green fire**.
Like a lich.
"The Jedi destroyed you thousands of years ago," I growled through the pain.
The creature smiled.
"Odd," the voice echoed, ancient and cold.
"The Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider… unnatural."
Pain exploded through my body again.
**Click.**
His form shifted.
For a moment the skeleton flickered—replaced by the cold metallic face of **Skynet**.
"What was that you said?" the voice mocked.
"I don't think so."
The pain intensified.
What was I supposed to do?
He was **immortal**.
Ancient Jedi and Sith alike had failed to destroy him.
So what chance did I have?
**Click.**
I stood in a field of blue flowers.
The petals were soaked in blood.
Then I saw her.
Ahsoka.
She stood in a **wedding dress**.
But it was drenched in blood.
Her eyes were empty.
Dead.
"No… impossible…"
**Click.**
Visenya stood beside her.
Also in a wedding dress.
Also covered in blood.
Dead.
"No…"
**Click.**
Riyo Chuchi.
The same.
White dress.
Blood.
Dead.
"No… no… no!"
The visions kept coming.
More faces.
More bodies.
More blood.
What did it mean?
Damn the pain.
Damn everything!
Then—
**Click.**
"Master!"
The scream echoed through the darkness.
Ahsoka.
She needed help.
Focus.
Concentrate.
Find the light.
**Click.**
The moment returned.
The first scout droid I destroyed.
Judgment Day.
**Click.**
Focus.
Force walking.
Spirit detached.
Clear sky.
Still mind.
Blue light.
Then—
A blinding flash of light erupted around Dagon's body.
---
I woke with a gasp.
My armor had burned away into ash.
Scorch marks covered my body—especially across my stomach and chest. One arm was completely exposed, though the gauntlet remained intact.
Good.
At least my eight-pack abs survived.
Ventress's body still lay nearby.
And her **two lightsabers**.
Mine now.
"How are you, General?"
I couldn't see the clones' faces behind their helmets, but through the Force I felt their emotions clearly.
Shock.
Yeah… I must look terrible.
"How are the senators?" I asked.
"They're safe, sir. Aboard the ship under Commander Tano's protection. The droids are clearing nearby levels. It's time to leave."
"Right."
Slowly—very painfully—I forced myself to stand.
I clipped my lightsaber to my belt.
Then added two more.
Ventress's.
Her corpse still lay on the floor.
Not taking chances.
I tossed a **thermal detonator** beside it.
No way I was letting some Sith ghost crawl back into that body.
---
Ahsoka waited anxiously beside the lowered ramp of the corvette.
A dozen clone troopers stood guard around her.
The B-1 droids had crushed the remaining resistance, and the fighting had moved far from the hangar.
"They're here!" one of the clones shouted.
Ahsoka turned.
Her heart froze.
The squad approached.
Her Master leaned heavily on a clone's shoulder.
Smoke rose faintly from his burned body.
"Master!" Ahsoka gasped, sprinting toward him.
"No time," he rasped. "Get on the ship."
Captain O'Connor rushed down the ramp, eyes wide at the sight of the wounded Jedi.
"Midshipman! We're leaving!" he barked.
"But the hangar doors are still—"
"Are the ship's cannons for decoration?!" O'Connor snapped.
"Blow them open and get us out of here to Hutt's mother—fast!"
"Yes, sir!"
The clones boarded quickly, covering the rear.
The ramp sealed shut.
The corvette's cannons thundered.
The massive hangar doors exploded outward in a storm of metal.
Moments later the ship roared into the sky.
No enemy ships managed to intercept.
Seconds later the stars stretched into lines.
The Akatsuki jumped into hyperspace.
---
Ahsoka stood outside the medical bay, staring through the glass.
Inside, medical droids worked frantically over her Master's wounds.
His armor had been completely removed.
Burns covered his torso.
"Stardust…" a hoarse voice whispered from beneath the breathing mask.
Ahsoka looked up instantly.
"Master?"
He raised a hand weakly.
"It's time for a Jedi trial."
In his hands were **two of Ventress's lightsabers**.
"Purification often leads to healing. Time to see if the story is true."
He looked directly at her.
"Think of happy thoughts. Focus your will."
A brilliant flash of **white light** erupted through the medical bay.
For a moment the entire ship glowed.
When the light faded—
The burns across Dagon's body had vanished.
No bleeding.
No scorched flesh.
Healed.
Visenya stood nearby, already recording everything with a camera, eyes wide with amazement.
"Enough chatter," Dagon muttered weakly. "Are we flying?"
"Yes, sir," the pilot answered.
"Everyone safe?"
"Yes, General. No losses. No serious injuries… except you."
"Ahsoka," he murmured, turning his head slightly. "You're in charge for now."
He yawned weakly.
"I'm… gonna take a nap."
"Maybe dream of starships… plowing through the Grand Theater…"
Ahsoka looked toward the med droid.
"He's delirious," the droid explained calmly. "The patient has been administered high doses of painkillers."
Ahsoka clenched her fists.
Tears filled her eyes.
*I can't lose him.*
On the pristine white medical bed, Dagon Marek smiled faintly in his sleep.
---
"Sir, I have something incredible for you!"
"Oh? You've piqued my curiosity, my boy. What is it?"
"See for yourself. Sending the file now."
A pause.
Then—
"…This is marvelous."
"The biggest story in years. This will skyrocket our channel's ratings."
"So… can I expect a bonus, Baron?"
The man chuckled.
"Without a doubt."