The following morning saw Nathrrya in a very good mood as she browsed the HoloNet. The looks on the faces of the Jedi Council when she'd told them of her Sith heritage had been priceless. She grinned, thinking of what their reaction would be when they investigated the Jedi side of her family and realised that her Jedi linage was just as impressive as her Sith linage. No doubt it would lead to some very interesting and awkward questions.

Nathrrya suddenly sat back in her seat as she remembered an old Sith prophesy that in many ways was the Sith equivalent to the Jedi's Chosen One. She was aware of the prophesy, any Sith worth their Darth title knew it. However, until now it had never seemed all that relevant. She'd had more pressing concerns than to mull over some ancient prophesy.

The woman cursed rather colourfully in ancient high Sith as she realised that the prophesy could apply to her. "Kriffing force let's hope the Jedi don't come to the same conclusion I just did." Nathrrya muttered "They'll be unbearable if that happens."

The Sith looked towards the door of her rooms just as the buzzer sounded. She knew it was Anakin and she welcomed the distraction.


"Qui-Gon, I'm glad I've caught you." Master Cin Drallig greeted his fellow Jedi at one of the many intersecting hallways within the Jedi Temple. "I have a question for you. Is Nathrrya, Sith?"

Qui-Gon's eyebrows rose as he folded his arms over his chest. Of all the things Cin could have asked him, he hadn't been expecting that. "I take it this is a result of yesterday?"

"Yes, Nathrrya made a verbal misstep, one I picked up on. The fact that you and Obi-Wan were not in the least bit surprised spoke volumes." Cin explained.

"I see, then there is no point in denying it." Qui-Gon replied "Nathrrya is a Sith Lord and has spent the last three and a half millennia in carbonite. She also had a cousin who was a Jedi Knight and was a Battle Master of the Order."

Cin looked incredulously at his friend "Do you realise how farfetched that sounds?"

Qui-Gon smiled "Indeed I do. Come, I'll gladly tell you what I can about Nathrrya in the short time I've known her."

As the two masters walked down the hallway neither noticed that their conversation had been overheard by Padawan, Siri Tachi.


Mace Windu was a man on a mission as he entered the Jedi Archives in search of the Chief Librarian, Jocasta Nu. In his hand he held a data pad that had all the information he'd been able to find on Jedi Master Casavir Therin and his former padawan Kira Carsen but he needed to find out all he could about the Therin family. Perhaps he was hoping to disprove what the Sith …no, Nathrrya … had said last night. He had to find out as much as possible.

Jocasta sensed the approach of the Head of the Council and turned to greet him. "Master Windu, what can I help you with?"

"I have a research task for you." Mace said as he handed over the data pad "On here is all I can find on Jedi master Casavir Therin and his former padawan Kira Carsen. What I want you to do, if possible, is find just how far back the Therin family goes."

Jocasta looked baffled by the request. "Jedi aren't permitted to have families," she said.

Mace almost smiled. "That might be the case now but there have been times in the Orders past when it was commonplace. I don't know if you'll even find anything but when you do, let myself or Master Yoda know. We'll then convene a meeting of the Council and you can present what you've found."


Siri walked through the room of a Thousand Fountains in a slight daze trying to comprehend what she'd overheard when she heard her name being called.

"Siri are you alright? You look troubled?" Bant Eerin asked seeing her long-time friend in distress.

The blonde Jedi smiled gratefully at her Mon Calamari friend. She really did need someone to talk to. Bant was also good friends with Obi-Wan despite the fact he was two years older than them.

"I'm just trying to reconcile something I overheard Masters Drallig and Jinn talking about … or should I say … someone…"

The salmon hued Mon Calamari girl guided Siri to a stone bench where they both sat down. "I think you better start at the beginning." Bant said clearly confused.

"Do you remember me telling you about the red-haired woman I acted as a guide to?" Siri asked.

Bant nodded. "Yes, I saw her in the Archives along with Master Jinn and Obi-Wan, goes by the name of Nathrrya right? What's she got to do with this?" for she couldn't see the connection.

This took Siri by surprise and she frowned. "I can understand why they would be with her, if what I overheard was true." She looked Bant in the eyes. "Nathrrya is a Sith Lord."

The Mon Calamari's large silver eyes blinked rapidly as she tried to comprehend what she'd just been told. "You must have misheard, Siri."

"Did I Bant?" the blonde asked, "Have I been unknowingly the guide to a Sith in the Jedi Temple?" she found that thought appalling. But what of the two Jedi Force ghosts she'd seen? Why would they appear to a Sith?

Bant noticed the familiar form of Obi-Wan Kenobi walking along the path towards them and he seemed to be deep in thought. The Mon Calamari raised her arm and called to her friend to get his attention.


"You want to ask me about last night, don't you Anakin?" Nathrrya asked the boy. They were both seated on the couch, not unlike his first visit.

"Yeah, why were the Jedi so... hostile? You hadn't done anything wrong!" Anakin stated still annoyed at the Council's actions.

"Perhaps not but to the Council I am everything they fear. I am a trained Dark Side user and that scares them. To the Jedi, the Dark Side is something to fear, to contain." Nathrrya explained.

"Is that why they tried to arrest you?" the boy asked

"Yes, they wanted to contain me. They can't control what I choose to do; I have no allegiance to the Jedi Order. I can act where they cannot, that no doubt terrifies them." It was a bit more complicated than that but Nathrrya wanted to keep her explanations easily understandable.

"And if they hadn't backed down?" he was almost afraid of the answer.

"Then I would have defended myself, Anakin and it would not have been pretty." Nathrrya said her expression deadly serious.

Anakin frowned "You'd have killed them?"

The woman shook her head "Not unless I was forced to do so. I would have tried to escape, not easy considering we were at the top of the temple's central spire."

The boy nodded. "But what about me being the Chosen One and destroying the Sith?" he looked up at his friend as he considered her such "Would that mean that I'd have to... kill you or something?" Anakin didn't like that idea much.

Nathrrya looked thoughtful as she considered how to answer. "I doubt that Anakin. The prophecy of the Chosen One is very old and as such there are several versions, the one I know just states that the Chosen One will bring balance to the force." She snorted "Destroying the Sith is, I feel, Jedi wishful thinking. Even if Sidious and I were to kill each other it would only be a matter of time before someone else discovered the Dark Side."

"Then why ask if you feared me?" Anakin asked not really understanding.

"The Jedi wanted to see how I'd react." The Sith replied "They no doubt took my answer to mean that I'd simply kill you if I had felt threatened by you. While that would have been a viable option it would not have been the most adventurous."

Anakin wasn't at all shocked by the blunt honesty of Nathrrya's answer as he'd come to much the same conclusion himself "Then what would you have done?"

Nathrrya smiled as she ruffled the boy's hair. "I'd have offered to take you as my apprentice and train you. As I told Qui-Gon, I'd be an idiot to pass up someone with your strength in the Force. In doing so, I'd have deprived the Jedi of someone they could use against me and given myself a powerful ally."

Anakin mock glared "So if I were your apprentice what then?"

The Sith chuckled "Once I deemed you old enough I'd have taken you to Korriban to train you in the Dark Side. I would also have made it clear just what you were getting yourself into. The Dark Side is not to be taken lightly nor is it for everyone." Nathrrya frowned "Sidious, I fear, wouldn't be so kind. He'll do everything in his power to make you fall to the Dark, making you his unwilling apprentice. Being trained in the Dark Side and falling to the Dark are two very different things."

"How so?" the boy asked

Nathrrya leaned back and pondered the question. "I once faced a Jedi Master who fell to the Dark Side right before my eyes and to this day it is one of the most shocking and disconcerting things I've ever seen." She looked over at Anakin "However, young man, that is a story for another time."


As Obi-Wan walked through the Room of a Thousand Fountains he found himself thinking of the enigmatic Sith woman. Just when he thought he had Nathrrya figured out she would do or say something that would throw out all his presumptions about her. Her latest revelations had certainly done that. He spotted Bant and Siri sitting on one of the many stone benches a little farther up the path. The Mon Calamari was calling to him.

"Good morning Bant, Siri." Obi-Wan greeted his friends as he noticed that Siri looked troubled and Bant looked confused. "What's wrong?" he asked concerned.

Siri looked Obi-Wan in the eyes "Is Nathrrya, Sith?"

Kenobi blinked several times "I see the temple HoloNet is in overdrive." He said dryly. Obi-Wan didn't think he'd have to deal with this quite so soon.

"Not exactly Obi." The blonde confessed "I overheard Master Drallig ask your master if Nathrrya was Sith and shockingly Master Jinn confirmed that she was."

By this time Obi-Wan had sat down next to the two women "I see. In that case, what you overheard is correct. Nathrrya is Sith and was once a very important one going by what she told the Council last night." Just how high had Nathrrya reached in the Sith hierarchy? The young man decided he was better off not knowing the answer to that question.

"The Council knows?" Bant asked surprised.

"They do now." Obi-wan replied with dry humour.

"What!?" both women were shocked

"Until last night Qui-Gon and I were the only Jedi to know of her true origins and even then, we didn't find out until just before everything went to hell over Naboo." Obi-Wan said.

"Obi, when I was Nathrrya's guide, we came here and she spent some time mediating. The most peculiar thing happened, two Jedi Force ghosts appeared to her and they seemed to know her very well." Siri explained, clearly confused.

Obi-Wan stroked his chin in thought, a habit he'd picked up from Qui-Gon. "Most interesting. Were they a man and woman?" he asked for he suspected he knew who they were.

Siri nodded "Yes but how did you know?"

"I didn't but I can guess as to their identity." Obi-Wan replied "I believe the two force ghosts you saw belonged to Nathrrya's Jedi cousin, Casavir and his former padawan Kira."

"Master Drallig was right, it does sound farfetched." Siri said not wanting to believe it.

"Farfetched it may seem but we are dealing with someone who comes from a time when the known galaxy was split between a Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic. Things were very different then. Possibly in ways we can only guess at, as so few records remain from that time." Obi-Wan said

Siri nodded her understanding "I suppose that's true but do you trust her?"

Obi-Wan frowned as he considered his response; he suspected that Siri wasn't going to like what he was about to tell her. "I believe I would trust Nathrrya with my life if I ever found myself in such a situation."

Siri's eyes went wide with shock; even Bant looked surprised "Are you out of your mind Obi-Wan, she's a Sith!" the blonde hissed in a low, angry tone as to not to draw too much attention to themselves.

Obi-Wan nodded. "There is no denying that, Nathrrya herself readily calls herself such. I have talked to her at length and have been given some insight into how her mind works." He chuckled "She may like to bait Master Qui-Gon and the Council but I believe that is her way of dealing with the situation she finds herself in." He looked at his blonde companion "You need to keep an open mind Siri, if for whatever reason you find yourself on assignment with Nathrrya, you would do well to heed her advice, for your life may well depend upon it."

Siri didn't look at all happy about the prospect. "I suppose you're right Obi-Wan, so what was the Council meeting about? Learn anything new about your Sith … girlfriend?"

Bant did a mental facepalm; it was no real secret that Siri still had strong feelings for Obi-Wan. The Mon Calamari wondered if Master Gallia needed to have "the talk" with Siri again.

"I beg your pardon Siri!" Obi-Wan exclaimed shocked, "Where in the Force did that come from?"

Siri shrugged indifferently "You just seem ready to defend her easily enough, I assumed there was something going on between the two of you."

Obi-Wan wiped a hand down his face. "Oh Siri, how little you know me if you truly think that." he sighed "I admit I find Nathrrya an intriguing person to talk to. Imagine what we could learn about the Sith because we now can actually ask one."

But you find her more than just intriguing to talk to don't you Obi-Wan? A voice in the back of his mind asked. The padawan firmly silenced the voice, as now was not the time.


On the outside, Senator Palpatine was calm and collected, as he rode the turbo lift to Queen Amidala'a penthouse suite but on the inside, Darth Sidious was cursing up a storm and seething with rage. How had the young and naive queen he'd been so painstakingly grooming and advising, turn him down at the mere suggestion of calling for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum? Even his orchestrated and scripted display of how ineffectual the man was hadn't deterred the young monarch.

Sidious realised what must have happened, the other Sith had somehow advised the queen not to take his prompting. But why and to what end? The red head had certainly put his plans into disarray but those could be saved. If she even suspected he was Darth Sidious, he fully expected her to challenge him much more openly. This likely meant she was suspicious of Senator Palpatine but didn't know who Darth Sidious was. He was safe for now but he knew that would not last. It was only a matter of time before the two Sith crossed blades.

What confounded the Dark Lord even more, however, was what his spies and informants had told him. The other Sith was staying in the guest wing of the Jedi Temple and it did not seem to bother the woman in the slightest. In Sidious' mind this raised even more questions, for at the very least the Jedi Council had to know she was a Sith. So, the question was why were the Jedi allowing her to stay in their temple and why was she aiding the Jedi? Palpatine massaged his temples, for he was giving himself a headache trying to solve that mystery.


Padme, in her role as queen, stood staring out the window of her apartment, not unlike she had been the day before, when talking with Nathrrya. This time however, the Gungan, Jar Jar Binks was by her side.

"Mesa wonder why da guds invent pain?" The Gungan asked as he turned to face the Queen seeing the sadness on the young woman's face.

"To motivate us, I imagine..."

"Yousa tinken yousa people gunna die?" Jar Jar asked.

"I... don't know."

"Gungans gunna get pasted too, eh?"

"I hope not." Padme whispered.

"Gungans no die'n without a fight... wesa warriors. Wesa gotta grand army. Dat why you no liken us, metinks."

Padme looked at the Gungan mildly shocked. She didn't know they had an army as the Gungans kept to themselves, mostly. It did give her an idea; a very crazy, outlandish idea that she was certain would give her security captain nightmares.

Senator Palpatine and Captain Panaka entered the room and bowed before the queen as she turned to face them.

"Your Highness I still feel you should push for a vote of no confidence in Supreme Chancellor Valorum." Palpatine tried to urge her.

Padme scowled at the man, for she was getting very close to losing her temper, a rare thing for the Queen of Naboo. "No, Senator. My decision is final; there is nothing to be gained. Chancellor Valorum is due to stand down at the end of the year then there will be elections for a new Chancellor."

"This is true Your Highness, but what of our planet and people in the meantime?" Palpatine asked "You saw how ineffectual Valorum was. A strong and charismatic Chancellor is needed to break the back of the bureaucrats, something that sadly, Valorum has never been."

"Then why a need for a vote of no confidence?" Padme asked "All it would achieve is more bureaucratic red tape while a new Chancellor is found. Our people do not have that kind of time."

Palpatine looked uncertain as to how to answer without risking his real motives; Sidious however was cursing the other damned Sith yet again. She had clearly been advising the Queen.

Padme let out a heavy sigh. "There is nothing more I can do here...Senator, this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine. I have decided to go back to Naboo. My place is with my people."

"Go back!?" Palpatine looked genuinely horrified "But, Your Majesty, be realistic! You would be in danger. They will force you to sign the treaty."

"I will sign no treaty, Senator. My fate will be no different from that of our people. Captain!"

"Yes, Your Highness?" Panaka asked knowing full well what the next words out of Padme's mouth were going to be.

The young woman looked into the eyes of her chief protector. "Ready my ship!"

"Please, Your Majesty, stay here...where it's safe." The captain pleaded even if he knew his queen too well.

"No place will be safe, captain. If the Senate doesn't condemn the invasion, then it's clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions as a democracy."

Queen Amidala and her retinue left the apartment as Palpatine turned to look out the window with a self-satisfied smile on his face that quickly turned into a frown. His plans had been disrupted and he didn't like that.


"Queen Amidala is returning home, her plea in the senate was inclusive. Her return will put pressure on the Trade Federation, and could widen the confrontation." Mace informed Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Nathrrya gravely.

"And draw out the Queen's attacker." Yoda said

"Events are moving fast...too fast." Master Mundi noted.

"Go with the Queen to Naboo and discover the identity of the Sith Master from the apprentice should the Zabrak show himself again. That is the clue we need to unravel this mystery of the Sith." Mace said.

"Young Skywalker's fate will be decided later, once you return." Yoda said firmly.

"I take it Anakin will be staying here with his mother?" Nathrrya asked "I for one wouldn't let Anakin anywhere near a war zone. Naboo is no place for a child at present."

"Right you are. Stay here the boy shall." Yoda reassured the Sith.

"Protect the Queen, but do not intercede if it comes to war until we have the Senate's approval." Mace told the two Jedi.

"Thank the Force I'm no Jedi." Nathrrya remarked dryly.

"And why is that?" Qui-Gon asked.

"While you two are playing bodyguard, I'll be racking up quite a droid kill count." The woman said with a grin. "I was trained as a warrior and sometimes if you want peace you have to fight for it. The Trade Federation have all but declared war on Naboo, if they want a war, I'll gladly give them one." Her eyes flashed yellow briefly.

Yoda nodded slightly as he was starting to understand more of Nathrrya's mindset. He looked at the three force users leaving for the war-torn planet. "May the Force be with you."

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon bowed as did Nathrrya "May the Force serve you well." She replied as the trio turned to leave the Council chamber.


The three force users along with the astromech R2-D2 were waiting on the landing pad that held the Nabooian cruiser the Queen had arrived in. Nathrrya was watching the little droid in amusement as R2 whistled a happy tune as he leaned over the edge of the platform, watching the traffic. However, the droid, leaned over too far and suddenly fell over the edge letting out a very undignified series of beeps and whistles. After a few moments, R2 reappeared, using his on-board jets to propel himself back onto the landing pad. Nathrrya shook her head, a smile on her face for the little astromech reminded her of her cousin's droid T7-01. She turned her attention to the two Jedi.

"It is not disrespect, Master, it is the truth." Obi-Wan said.

"From your point of view..."

"The boy is dangerous...they all sense it. Why can't you?" the young man asked with a slight frown.

Qui-Gon massaged his temples. "His fate is uncertain, not dangerous. The Council will decide Anakin's future... that should be enough for you..."

"Kriffing force, shut up!" Nathrrya yelled. "You're acting like children, not Jedi!"

Both Jedi had the decency to look suitably chastised at the woman's outburst.

Nathrrya sighed as she put her hands on her hips. "You're both right. Anakin has the potential to be very dangerous, a disaster waiting to happen, however his future is still uncertain. The longer Sidious is ignorant of his existence the better it is for us. As long as Sidious keeps focused on me he may not realise Anakin's importance until it's too late."

Qui-Gon considered the woman's words nodding slowly. "Yes, Sidious would consider you a much greater threat. A rival Sith Lord, for reasons he cannot understand, is aiding the Jedi." The Jedi folded his arms "Sidious will either try and turn you to aid him or he will try to assassinate you."

"As I would never help him, that leaves him but one option. He will try to assassinate me." Nathrrya replied, unfazed at the prospect. After all she'd had far worse than a Sith Lord who would hide in the shadows and try to kill her. Baras had tried on at least three separate occasions to assassinate her and all had ended in failure. She hadn't been surprised, from the first moment she'd met him on Korriban she knew he'd turn on her. Baras was just that paranoid and controlling.

Before the three force users could continue their conversation, two air speeders arrived, carrying Captain Panaka, his men, Jar Jar Binks as well as Senator Palpatine, Queen Amidala, Padme and the other handmaidens.

Nathrrya smirked, seeing Palpatine's quizzical expression as she had forgone the Jedi robes, for the ruse was no longer needed and wore her usual green outfit complete with the blaster she'd acquired on Naboo. Speaking of, she really needed to fix the imbalance she had felt in the weapon. The blaster was clearly as cheap and mass produced as the battle droid that had once used it.

Senator Palpatine and Queen Amidala stopped before the Jedi as did the Queen's handmaidens, everyone else boarded the ship to ready it for take-off.

"Your Highness, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you." Qui-Gon said with a slight bow.

"I welcome your help. Senator Palpatine fears the Federation means to destroy me." Amidala replied.

"Indeed, Your Highness. I feel I must protest, once again, your returning to Naboo even if your mind is made up." Palpatine spoke.

"I promise you, I will not let that happen." Qui-Gon said before the Queen and her handmaidens boarded the ship followed by the three force users and R2-D2. A few moments later the ship lifted off the landing pad leaving behind an oddly smiling Senator Palpatine.


A/N: For those curious about Ashoka's very brief appearance at the end of the last chapter as near as I can tel from the wiki she would have been about four years old at the time of TPM.