After the spectacular showdown and the defeat of the droids, we escorted Duchess Satine and her entourage to the spaceport, where they would board a ferry to Mandalore and their respective home planets. As our ship landed on Coruscant, Duchess Satine turned to me with a grateful smile. "Thank you, once again, Nyx, for saving me and my people. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, just come to Mandalore. I'll make sure you're well taken care of," she said, her voice warm and sincere.

I inclined my head in a respectful bow, having shifted back into my human form upon our arrival. Her gratitude and offer of assistance touched me deeply, and I knew that our paths would cross again. With a final farewell, Duchess Satine and her companions departed, leaving me with a sense of satisfaction and the knowledge that I had forged a valuable alliance.

As Duchess Satine and her guards walked away, I turned on my heel and began striding back toward the Jedi Temple, my thoughts swirling. Anakin, sensing my turmoil, quickened his pace to match mine. "Are you alright, Nyx?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "You haven't said a word since the attack and the incident."

I remained silent for a moment, my gaze fixed ahead as I processed the events that had transpired. Finally, I nodded, my expression unreadable. "I'm fine, Anakin," I said, my voice steady. "Just processing everything that's happened."

Anakin's words stopped me in my tracks, and I turned to face him, my eyes narrowing. His hand on my shoulder conveyed his concern, but I could also sense a hint of guilt in his expression. "That night we shared... it wasn't good for you?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty. I stared at him, my thoughts screaming at the absurdity of his question. How can men be so stupid? I thought, a wry smile playing at the corners of my mouth.

"It wasn't that, Anakin," I assured him, my hand covering his on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "That night was incredible, and you and the boys did exceptionally well." I paused, my thumb brushing his hand gently. "I loved every second of it, but the fact that someone would dare to attack the leader of Mandalore, a peaceful world, strikes me as deeply wrong. I know the separatists are involved, and so does Obi-Wan."

Anakin's words resonated with determination, and he pulled me into an embrace, his arms wrapping around me protectively. "But you must know that this matter is closed," he said, his voice soft and reassuring as he rested his head atop mine. "And should Satine or Mandalore need our help in the future, we are here for them." He placed a gentle kiss on the crown of my head, and a wave of warmth washed over me. It felt comforting to have a friend like Anakin, someone I could rely on, even if our relationship was still evolving.

I sighed, my heart filled with gratitude, and gently disentangled myself from Anakin's embrace. With a warm smile, I met his gaze and said, "Thank you, Anakin. It means a lot." Then, with a graceful step back, I shifted into my Pterolycus form, my wings unfurling to their full span. In a burst of powerful flaps, I took to the sky, soaring above the landing platform and into the golden hues of the Coruscant sunset.

I flew with purpose, heading to the one place I knew I could release all my pent-up emotions and cry my heart out—the old facility. It was the same facility that Commander Fox and his Coruscant Guard had brought me to, and ever since that day, it had become my sanctuary. Not for the purpose of sexual release with clones, but rather a place where I could let loose my bursts of electric fire and transform into the two forms that brought me the most comfort. I knew there was a third form lurking within me, but I hadn't discovered it yet.

I landed gracefully before the imposing doors of the facility, my eyes scanning the surroundings. The place was deserted, devoid of even the usual workers. With a gentle nudge, I pushed open the doors and slunk inside, my black fur melting seamlessly into the darkness that enveloped the interior.

As I stepped into the facility, a light flicked on, causing me to yelp in surprise. I narrowly avoided crashing into the back of a clone, his red stripes immediately recognizable. The familiar scent hit me, and I froze, my fur bristling. "Fox," I hissed, recognizing the commander's distinctive voice. He took a step back, his hands raised in a non-threatening manner. Even without seeing his eyes, I knew he was staring at me from behind his helmet. "You," he said, his voice laced with surprise and a hint of fear.

The other clones in the room raised their blasters, their fingers tightening on the triggers as they took aim at me. I bared my teeth, my fear instantly transforming into burning anger.

But then, Fox did something I never expected from such a stoic and unyielding man. "No, boys, don't shoot," he said, his voice firm. "We are in her territory now, so back off." He lowered his hands, signaling for his brothers to stand down. The other clones exchanged confused glances but slowly backed away, their blasters lowering. I continued to stare at them, my gaze intense, until they reached the opposite gate. Fox was the last to leave, and he turned back, offering a brief apology. "Sorry about this," he said, and then he was gone, leaving me alone in the darkness once more.

With the clones gone, I released a heavy sigh and slumped to the ground, my powerful wings splaying out. The leathery sheen of my feathers caught the light of the lone lamp, creating a mesmerizing display of shadows and light.

I remained there, sprawled on the ground, for the rest of the afternoon, my eyes fixed on my paws as the sun slowly made its descent. My thoughts churned, but surprisingly, there were no nightmares to plague me. Usually, I came to this place to release the pent-up energy after enduring horrific dreams, but this time, there were none.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the heavy doors of the facility creaked open, and a flood of workers poured in. Some sluggish, others freshly awakened, they bustled about, their footsteps echoing in the vast warehouse. Yet, none of them seemed to notice the giant black Pterolycus, a majestic creature of shadow and mystery, lying silently in the middle of the warehouse. "Okay, let's get started," barked the foreman, his voice cutting through the morning haze. "We need to have these crates loaded and filled with whatever these creatures give us."

I lay motionless, my piercing red eyes watching the workers as they scurried past me. How in the seven hells have they not noticed me yet? I thought, my claw curling into the ground. My wings stiffened as some workers inadvertently brushed against them, their presence an unintentional intrusion. I can't just shoot out of here; that'll startle them, I mused, my eyes narrowing.

In the ensuing silence, a worker finally stumbled over my tail, the appendage coiled like a spring. A low growl rumbled in my throat, causing the hapless worker to yelp and retreat. Through my enhanced vision, I could make out his features clearly. Fuck, I thought, my eyes narrowing. That wasn't what I wanted. "Foreman! Foreman!" shouted the worker, his voice laced with panic. I rose from my lying position, my wings unfurling as I turned to face him, my teeth bared in a warning display.

The foreman, more concerned with the task at hand than the well-being of his workers, barked, "Well, you've got a blaster, haven't you? Shoot the damn thing already!" I turned my attention to the hangar doors, narrowing my eyes as I considered my options. Turning back to the workers, I could see the fear etched on their faces. With a deep, primal roar that shook the very foundations of the facility, I sent the workers into a panic-stricken frenzy. One of them screamed and took off running, and in the ensuing chaos, I seized the opportunity to make my escape. I shot out of the hangar, my powerful wings propelling me through the almost-closed doors and into the open air, deftly dodging speeding vehicles as I took to the skies.

My initial flight was erratic, my wings still adjusting to the sudden freedom, but soon I found my rhythm and soared high above the bustling speeders and towering buildings. Well, that could've gone worse, I thought, a hint of relief washing over me. Yeah, it could've, but you didn't kill anyone, my inner voice mused. That's always an improvement. I rolled my eyes at my own self-deprecating humor and banked toward the temple garden, where the sun still shone brightly despite the clouds that gathered on the horizon.

"It is great to have you back, young one, but I sense your troubles," Master Yoda said, his eyes fixed on me, seeing beyond my physical form. "I am," I admitted, my voice heavy with the weight of my concerns. "The situation on Mandalore troubles me deeply." Master Yoda's eyes narrowed, his gaze intense. "You care for the Duchess, do you not?" he asked, his voice gentle. "I do," I replied, my voice softening at the mention of Duchess Satine. "She is a good friend."

"Care and compassion are vital aspects of the Jedi path," Master Yoda said, hobbling over to sit before me, his wise eyes studying me. "But careful you must be, for attachment can lead to suffering." I rolled my eyes, a huff of frustration escaping my lips. "What good would that do, Master? I'm barely a Jedi," I said, my voice laced with a hint of self-doubt.

"A Jedi you are, young one," Master Yoda asserted, his wrinkled hand gently resting on my paw. "Your master trains you well, and the Jedi Order trusts you."

I sighed, my eyes drifting downward to the wizened, green-skinned master at my feet. With a gentle nudge of my paw, I conveyed my gratitude. "Thank you, Master," I said, my voice carrying a hint of warmth. I stepped away, turning my back on the majestic tree, its golden blossoms shimmering in the morning light. "And thank the Jedi Order for taking me in," I added, my voice carrying a hint of humility. With a graceful spread of my wings, I took to the flight, heading toward the spire of the temple. In a display of agility, I performed a barrel roll and released a bolt of electric fire, diving through it and vanishing into the sky.