**Chapter 487**
**Aftermath and Awkward Arrivals**
**Scene 1**
**Lower Levels – Jedi Temple, Coruscant**
**Nhon Arto POV**
Thirty minutes.
Nhon Arto had been standing guard outside the sealed chamber for thirty long, awkward minutes. He wasn't entirely sure what was happening inside — or why his former student and a group of very devoted young women were naked — but he had learned long ago that some questions were better left unanswered.
*Best not to think about it,* he told himself, gripping his blue lightsaber a little tighter.
The sound of approaching footsteps made him straighten. Three Temple Guards in their distinctive robes rounded the corner, lightsabers ignited, followed by Obi-Wan Kenobi, his face etched with concern.
"Master Nhon," Obi-Wan said, relief flashing across his features. "Thank goodness you're here. We need to enter and verify the threat is eliminated."
"Oh, the threat?" Nhon replied casually, leaning against the ruined doorframe. "Dagon took care of it. Everything is fine."
Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. "Master Nhon, you don't seem to understand. The entire lower levels were drained of the Force. We lost contact with multiple teams. We must check—"
Nhon cut him off with a wave of his hand, trying to buy time. "No need to rush, Obi-Wan. You know how Dagon is. He probably handled it with his usual… dramatic flair. Give the man a moment to catch his breath. He just saved the Temple, after all."
One of the Temple Guards stepped forward. "Master, with respect, we have orders from Master Windu to secure the area immediately."
Nhon smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "And I'm telling you it's secure. Now, how about we wait for Dagon to give the all-clear? He's earned that much, don't you think?"
Obi-Wan studied him for a long moment, suspicion growing. "Nhon… what exactly is going on behind that door?"
**Scene 2**
Ten minutes of increasingly desperate stalling later, Nhon's luck ran out.
Master Mace Windu appeared at the end of the corridor, flanked by several senior Jedi and Temple Security. His expression was thunderous.
"Master Arto," Windu said, voice like grinding stone. "Step aside. Now."
Nhon sighed, deactivating his lightsaber. "Fine. But I warned you — it's a bit of a mess in there."
Windu pushed past him, the others following. Nhon quickly slipped inside behind them, scanning the room.
The chamber was mostly empty now. The massive peach blossom tree had receded somewhat, leaving only thick roots and petals scattered across the floor. In the center was a large pool of dried blood — Dagon's blood — still glistening. And lying innocently near the edge was a single purple bra, clearly belonging to Shin Wren.
Nhon moved with surprising speed for his age. He snatched the bra and tucked it into his robe before anyone else could notice, then cleared his throat loudly.
"See? All clear. The threat is gone. Dagon handled it."
Windu's eyes narrowed as he scanned the blood-stained floor. "Where is General Marek?"
Nhon shrugged. "Probably already on his way back to the surface. You know how he is — never one for paperwork."
Windu didn't look convinced, but the immediate crisis seemed over. For now.
**Scene 3**
**500 Republica – Riyo Chuchi's Apartment, Coruscant**
**Riyo Chuchi POV**
Riyo Chuchi stood by the large window of her apartment, gazing out at the glittering skyline of Coruscant. The city-planet never slept, but tonight it felt particularly restless. The protests outside the Jedi Temple and Senate had only grown louder in recent days.
"Why was the Temple glowing red earlier, and now there's suddenly a giant tree sticking out of it?" her husband, Cal, asked from the couch, sipping a glass of wine.
"I don't know," Riyo replied, concern creasing her brow. "You think something happened?"
Cal shrugged. "I heard your friend General Dagon was returning to the Temple today after the Atraken battle. Did you know they found bio-weapons the CIS was planning to use? That would be a great blow to the loyalists while your Chancellor's bloc grows stronger."
"Yes, that would be good," Riyo said, still staring at the distant Temple spire wrapped in glowing peach blossoms. "But Dagon used a Krayt Dragon to win… that sounds…"
"Cool as hell," Cal finished with a grin. "Oh come on, Riyo. Black armor, red sword, riding the back of a dragon — if that isn't the dream of every man in the galaxy, I don't know what is."
Riyo smiled despite herself. "You're impossible."
Suddenly, a brilliant flash of white light erupted in the middle of their bedroom. Riyo and Cal jumped back as nine figures materialized out of thin air — Dagon Marek and eight women, all completely naked and covered in dried blood.
Dagon stood at the center, breathing heavily, his black armored arm still attached, the red star in his eye dim but present. The girls — Ahsoka, Zule, Flare, Stella, Kayla, Visenya, Shin, and Erictia — looked equally disheveled, their bodies streaked with blood and sweat from the healing ritual.
Riyo's eyes widened in shock. "Dagon?!"
Dagon offered a weak, sheepish smile, trying to cover himself and the girls with his hands as best he could. "Riyo… it's actually a funny story."
Cal stared, mouth open, wine glass forgotten in his hand. "I… uh… wow."
Dagon winced. "Yeah… it was."
It really was.