Nathrrya and Obi-Wan found themselves in one of the palace guest suites. It consisted of a large living area, a fresher and a bedroom. Standing near a large, picturesque window, both force users were looking out over the city of Theed. They could already see cleanup crews starting to clear the inactive droids and their equipment from the streets.

"It'll take them weeks to clear the mess from the invasion." Obi-Wan remarked.

"Some things can never be cleared away Obi-Wan," Nathrrya said as she turned away from the window and walked to the nightstand. Undoing her utility belt, she dropped it on the double bed. "The people of Theed and all Naboo have been forever changed. Time will tell if it makes them stronger."

The padawan turned to face the woman, noticing she had removed her utility belt. He raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Sounds as if you speak from experience."

Nathrrya smiled sadly. "Yes, I've been on enough occupied and contested planets during the Great Galactic War to know that it left more than just physical scars." She said as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "All you had to do was look into the eyes of the people that survived through it. Some wounds run too deep to fully heal." It made her wonder what she'd find if she went back to Balmorra, Corellia or even Alderaan.

Obi-Wan looked thoughtful as it's not what he'd expected her to say. "Then you can perhaps understand why the Jedi act as we do."

The Sith chuckled as she started undoing the straps on her boots. "Being peacekeepers and protectors is all well and good but your master's inaction here served only the Trade Federation." Nathrrya looked up at the padawan. "The Viceroy and his lackeys were clearly the aggressors the moment they landed their droid army. I'm not bound by the orders rules, outdated as they are. I was able to act so I did and I enjoyed every moment." She paused. "Unlike the war where half the time I wondered why the Empire was even fighting at all. Here, I knew why and didn't hold back, my purpose was clear. To free a people who had been wrongfully attacked and enslaved."

Obi-Wan hummed thoughtfully. He had often wondered what a Sith would be like if he were to ever encounter one. Whatever he had expected Nathrrya certainly wasn't it. The more time he spent in her company the more complex the woman seemed to become.

"What was life in the Sith Empire like?" Obi-Wan asked as he made his way to a chair and sat down. He couldn't help but notice Nathrrya's boots placed neatly beside the bed and that the woman's feet were clad in a pair of violet hued shocks. He chuckled wondering what other garments she might be wearing that were violet in colour. He never saw the mischievous smirk that appeared briefly on the woman's face.

Nathrrya was lying on the bed her hands clasped behind her head. "Life in the Empire?" She turned her head so she could see Obi-Wan more clearly. "Anything specific you want to know or just generally?"

The padawan frowned as he thought about what he wanted to ask, "In general, I suppose, but I would like to know what it was like from your prospective as well."

Nathrrya nodded as she thought how best to answer. She couldn't help being reminded of her apprentice Jaesa Willsaam. The former Jedi Padawan had been full of similar questions as she tried to understand the world she had found herself in. The only difference was that Obi-Wan was asking from a historical prospective.

"For the most part, I suspect it was much like life in the Republic. People lived their day to day lives as best they could. As for myself, I was born into the Sith House of Palatine, one of many that made up the upper nobility of the Empire. My mother served as planetary governor of Axxila which is my home world and my father was the chief of the security forces stationed there." Nathrrya explained.

"The Sith governed planets directly?" Obi-Wan asked shocked at the thought.

Nathrrya couldn't help but laugh, "No! Not usually, though there was that whole mess with Balmorra..." she shook her head. "My parents were not overly force sensitive, they did have some ability that helped make them useful in their duties. I had a privileged life growing up; always went to be the best schools. I had the best education the Empire could provide."

"You went to school?" the padawan asked trying to comprehend the idea.

Nathrrya smirked "Of course I did, I might have been the governors' daughter and a noble but I was still just a citizen of the Empire. That changed of course when I was fifteen and my force abilities woke up, for lack of a better description. Up until then we knew I was force sensitive but my parents thought I'd be like them. That literally changed overnight."

"This is when you started your Sith training?" the padawan asked.

Nathrrya nodded "Yes but not in the way you might think. You have to understand something about how the Sith and the Empire worked, Obi-Wan. Bloodlines mattered, who your family and ancestors were mattered just as much if not more so than how strong you were in the Force," she said. "I was born into a very prestigious Noble House; however, my father was of Jedi linage and I'm sure you can imagine how I would have been viewed if that had ever come to light. My fathers' origins were effectively erased from all public records and a few private ones. I doubt even Imperial Intelligence or Republic SIS would have been able to find the truth, it was so deeply buried."

"I was never sent to Ziost and didn't go to Korriban until much later and that was more of a formality than anything. House Palatine had me trained in the Sith arts privately on Axxila at home. My first teacher was Tremel Gryton, an overseer at the Korriban Academy, later I was trained by a man and woman I simply knew as Luimax and Lillima. Years later I learned that they were Darths Karn and Rhothrel of House Palatine... my grandparents."

"You were trained by your grandparents?" Obi-Wan asked astonished "What was your training like?"

Nathrrya smiled "Yes I was, though at the time I didn't know. Why they got so involved in my training has always been a mystery to me." She said "As to my training, it was demanding and difficult at times but never intentionally cruel or unjust. The Sith code speaks that through our passions we'll gain strength and so we are encouraged to follow our passions. For me I developed a passionate hatred of slavery. Growing up I saw the best and worst of the Empire in equal measure. Once I became Sith, I wanted to change the Empire for the better from within. I like to think I made a difference but that's something I'll never know..."

Obi-Wan heard the sadness and longing in her voice. "You miss the Empire?" he asked concerned.

Nathrrya nodded "For all its faults, the Empire was home. All I wanted was to see the Empire safe and prosper. I always felt the war with the Republic and Jedi was pointless and a waste of lives and resources. That didn't stop me from defending the Empire to the best of my abilities. There is no glory in war, Obi-Wan, just death and destruction." She looked him in the eyes "There's an old saying I learned long ago, 'Only a warrior truly values peace for only a warrior knows its cost.'"

Obi-Wan slowly absorbed the meaning of the words and in doing so saw Nathrrya in a totally different light. He'd seen her fight as they'd stormed the palace. She had fought in a six-year war not for conquest or glory but because she wanted to protect her home and those she loved.

"Contrary to what many believe, Sith training does not require one to kill one's rivals, though it certainly happened, particularly during the final trials on Korriban. It was not actively encouraged but it was tolerated. As I was being trained privately, I never had to worry about such things until I got to Korriban." The Sith paused to see if Obi-Wan was still interested before continuing, "My main rival, a man named Vemrin, died by my hand deep in the tomb of Naga Sadow. He had the gull to lie in wait and ambush me. He failed. I kicked him in the gut and before he could recover I took my lightsabre and beheaded him. Ironically, the last trial was to claim an ancient lightsabre that may have once belonged to Naga Sadow himself."

"You were successful then." It wasn't a question.

Nathrrya grinned "Yes, with Vette's help I walked out of there with the ancient lightsabre in hand, became Darth Baras' apprentice and could officially call myself a full Sith."

Obi-Wan stood, "I should let you rest. Master Qui-Gon will be looking for me."

"Oh, and Obi-Wan." Nathrrya said as he turned to leave. At the sound of her voice he looked back over his shoulder. "My underwear is the same colour as my socks, they're also frilly and near see-through." She teased the young man with a wink.

Obi-Wan swallowed... hard. Not finding anything to say, he nodded and left the room wishing that Nathrrya would stop teasing him. Though he couldn't help but wonder if she were telling the truth. Best not go there.


When Nathrrya had killed Darth Maul it had sent a tremor through the force announcing the return of Darth Avarice, Empire's Wrath. The trio of force users on Naboo were unaware of this, but on Coruscant the Jedi Temple was in controlled chaos. Every member of the Order had to come to terms with the fact that the Sith had returned. What most could not understand, was why the Force had been so clear about it, as this was rarely the case.

All senior Jedi Masters were in a meeting with the High Council and consequently the Council chamber was rather crowded.

"Are you saying Master Yoda that this Darth Avarice has been inside the Jedi Temple?" Master Dooku asked unable to understand how such a thing could come to be.

"Walked the halls she has, stood in this chamber she has." Yoda confirmed.

"It's even possible that many of you have seen her in the company of Master Qui-Gon Jinn or Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi." Mace pointed out.

Dooku stroked his chine in thought. "I do seem to recall seeing a red-haired woman with Padawan Kenobi in the Archives..." he looked Yoda in the eyes. "She is this Darth Avarice?"

Yoda nodded in reply.

"Why would the Force announce her return?" another master asked.

Mace and Yoda shared a look for they had been considering this very question and they had only one answer that would make any sense.

"Slain Darth Sidious' apprentice she must have." Yoda stated gravely.

"What we are about to explain will sound incredible if not hard to believe but it's true." Mace said before any questions could be asked. "Several weeks ago, Nathrrya, for that is Avarice's name, approached Jinn and Kenobi outside the Jedi Temple asking to see the Council."

There was much murmuring at this "They didn't sense she was Sith?" Dooku asked.

"No, we are uncertain why but we believe it was partly due to the imbalance in the Force as well as Nathrrya shielding her origins from Master Jinn." Mace said.

Dooku blinked "He didn't find that odd?"

"He had no reason to suspect a woman who had engaged him in a conversation," Mace said. "Nathrrya never acted like a Sith during her stay within the temple, nor did she dress like one."

Dooku had to agree with the last part for he had seen her from a distance within the temple several times. Her outfit made her stand out and he was sure he'd even seen her carrying a blaster, of all things, at one point. Not very Sith like when you thought about it. That got the Jedi master thinking. What did it mean to be Sith?

"How did you learn that Nathrrya was a Sith Lord?" Dooku asked.

"Told us, she did." Yoda stated

Mace produced a holo-disk from his robes and inserted into the rooms holo-projector. Footage from the Council meeting in which Anakin had been refused training appeared. Everyone saw Nathrrya call Master Jinn out for abandoning his current padawan in favour of Anakin. She then informed the council that leaving the boy untrained was a bad idea.

Stunned, Dooku and the rest of the senior masters watched as Mace asked Nathrrya if she knew anything about Darth Avarice. The woman's reply was that she was the afore mentioned Sith. They saw Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi come to the woman's defence when Mace tried to arrest her.

Dooku paid close attention to the following question and answer session where Nathrrya revealed her intentions to track down and kill Darth Sidious. What intrigued him the most was when Nathrrya stated that she was of noble birth as that was something they had in common. Dooku rubbed his beard thoughtfully. He had been considering leaving the Order due to the corruption within the Republic, and the Jedi's lack of action against the rising darkness. Now, however, it may prove more beneficial to stay... for now. He would consider his options to stay or leave but first he would have to meet this Darth Avarice in person once she returned from Naboo.


Tatooine was a harsh, unforgiving planet. Keelu Laharti, the Twi'lek slave that looked eerily like Nathrrya's former companion Vette, knew all too well. She had been born into slavery and her mother had died the previous year of fever despite the efforts of their owner, the Mandalorian bounty hunter Kelborn Ordo. They had become his property after their former owner had tried to double cross the bounty hunter.

Kelborn really didn't have a need for slaves but he took the pair of Twi'leks as compensation. He had been forced to terminate his employer when he hadn't wanted to pay what was owed. He'd put the slaves to work, helping to look after his weapons, armour and his ancient D5-Mantis gunship. The thing was a family relic but it was still space worthy.

As a result, Keelu had learned much about mechanics and electronics. Kelborn had even taught her to handle and shoot a blaster correctly. That might explain why Watto, the old Toydarian junk dealer, was interested in buying her.

"What aren't you telling me Watto?" the bounty hunter asked. Kelborn Ordo was your stereotypical Mandalorian, tall well-muscled and wore the traditional armour of his people. He carried a pair of heavy blasters backed by a voice that sounded as if it was only used when necessary. "Someone has you spooked Toydarian. There's more to this than wanting some help around that junk pile you call a shop."

Watto's eyes flicked between Kelborn and Keelu several times "You here for the Boonta Eve Classic?"

The Mandalorian shook his head. "Off planet, had a job. Unlike some, I work for my living. Heard you lost your two slaves to a pair of off-worlders. Something about a lost bet..."

Watto grimaced. "Yeah yeah, don't rub it in." He looked at Keelu briefly "Seems one of them saw her out in the street and developed an ... interest in the girl."

Kelborn narrowed his eyes "What kind of interest?"

The Toydarian chuckled nervously "Not that kind, Mandalorian. Seems she wants to free the girl."

"Why?"

"That seemed personal. Wasn't going to tempt my luck by asking."

The bounty hunter folded his arms "Whoever this off-worlder is has you really spooked."

Watto nodded "Yes, if you saw and felt what she can do, you'd fear her too." The Toydarian paused considering something "Ever heard of the Sith?"


Nathrrya awoke when she heard the door to her guest suite slide open. Cracking one eye open, she spied Padme, dressed in ordinary but expensive cloths standing in the centre of the living area. She seemed to hesitate a moment before she softy cleared her throat.

"Your Highness?" Nathrrya asked as she sat up.

The girl jumped at the sound of the older woman's voice "I…I'm sorry if I disturbed you Nathrrya," she managed to say, "I've had something come to mind recently, something you said on the royal cruiser."

Nathrrya motioned for her to come closer.

"I have a credit chit reader and I thought we could check to see if your money is still good or not." Padme explained holding the small device aloft.

Nathrrya smiled at Padme's thoughtfulness "Why not?" she said. Using the Force, she brought her utility belt into her hands. Opening one of the pouches, she pulled out a small credit chit and offered it to Padme.

"As long as I live I will never get used to seeing things like that." Padme said as she took the offered credit chit and inserted into the reader. "Isn't that a misuse of the force or something?"

The Sith snorted in amusement. "For Jedi, quite possibly."

After a few moments the reader beeped. Smiling Padme turned it around so Nathrrya could see the readout.

The Sith grinned "Galactic credits are Galactic credits no matter where they're issued. At least I know my money is still worth what it was." Nathrrya had about six thousand credits to her name. Now if I only had my bank accounts and share holdings then I could make Sidious' life miserable. That was something for another time.

The door to her guest suite beeped and Nathrrya looked to Padme, who shook her head and turned to look over her shoulder. Using the Force, Nathrrya opened the door.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Nathrrya." Captain Panaka said as he entered the suite. Approaching Padme, he said, "Your Highness, your family is safe, if a little worse for wear. They would like to see you at the family home whenever you can make it."

Padme's relief was evident upon her face. "I can go right now."

"In that case Your Highness, take Nathrrya with you." Panaka said seriously "I would feel safer if she is with you."

Both women looked surprised by this. "Wouldn't you rather have one of the Jedi escort her?" Nathrrya asked as she put on her combat boots and secured her utility belt around her waist.

"The Jedi have done well to protect her highness, true." Panaka said "Nathrrya you have fought for Naboo's freedom, you killed the Sith assassin that was lying in wait. And frankly I know her highness is safe with you no matter where she goes."

Padme and Nathrrya looked at each other dumbfounded. It seemed Nathrrya's actions during the invasion had more of an effect on the Security Captain than either woman had thought possible.

"Feel like visiting my family Nathrrya?"

"Thought you'd never ask."


Sometime later, Padme and Nathrrya were walking up the steps to the Naberrie family home in Theed.

"You look worried, Padme." Nathrrya said stopping the younger woman from entering her home.

"I am, you saw the state of some of the people as we walked here." Padme replied trying to keep the emotion out of her voice "I knew the Trade Federation hadn't been kind but to actually see what they've done... I want to hurt the Viceroy very, very much." Her anger at what she'd seen clear in her voice.

Nathrrya was of the same mind as the Naboo Queen and she intended to hurt the Trade Viceroy but not in the way Padme may have expected. If Nathrrya thought she could get away with it she would inflict some serious physical harm on Nute Gunray but as it was, the Sith was busy thinking up a plan to do some psychological harm instead.


"Mum, dad I'm home!" Padme called as Nathrrya closed the front door.

Quickly the living area filled, as a man and three women arrived to give Padme a very warm welcome which consisted of many hugs and kisses. From where Nathrrya was leaning against the front door, she figured out that the man was obviously Padme's father while the youngest of the women was her older sister, followed by her mother and lastly her grandmother.

Padme's grandmother was the first to spot their unexpected guest. "Padme, who's your friend?"

Padme turned to beckon Nathrrya over. She noticed the way she'd been standing that her lightsabre was obscured while the blaster was clearly visible. As the Sith walked to stand next to Padme there was an intake of breath as everyone noticed the hilt of her lightsabre.

"Everyone, this is Nathrrya. Nathrrya this is my father Ruwee, my mother Jobel and my sister Sola." Padme introduced her family "And this is my grandmother Ryoo Thule."

Nathrrya's eyes widened at the name. "Thule? As in House Thul of Alderaan?"

Ryoo chuckled shaking her head "Sadly no. The Thule's of Naboo have no connection to House Thul of Alderaan. Though there might have been once."

That's a relief. Nathrrya thought as she still detested having to get involved with the Alderaan civil war, she'd been there for one reason only, to find Jaesa Willsaam's parents which she'd done. In hindsight she should have ripped the information she needed from Duke Kendoh's mind like she'd threatened to do. But no, the man had to try and get her to do his dirty work. Never trick a Sith, it usually doesn't end well; something Kendoh found out as she cut him in half, diagonally. Perhaps I should have torn his mind to shreds then killed him, missed opportunity. Nathrrya thought darkly. The only highlight of the whole fiasco had been out manoeuvring Darth Baras. Nathrrya had spirited away Jaesa's parents to the relative safety of Axxila.

"Nathrrya?" Padme asked touching the older woman's arm. She'd noticed her friend had a distant look in her eyes.

The Sith shook herself "Sorry Your Highness, just remembering the last time I was on Alderaan. A lifetime ago it seems."

Padme smiled sadly "It was though, wasn't it?"

"Yes, yes it was." Nathrrya admitted.

The Naberrie family had been exchanging concerned looks, though Padme seemed to know what was going on. It was Ryoo Thule who voiced the question they all had on their minds.

"Padme, Nathrrya is a Jedi, isn't she?"

Kriff, Nathrrya thought "Can we trust them, Padme?" she asked

Padme eyes widened in surprise hearing the Sith's voice in her head, she turned to the older woman and nodded. "Then tell them."

Padme had thought the speech she'd given before the Senate had been tough, suddenly this seemed far more so. "No grandma Ryoo, Nathrrya is not a Jedi."

Ruwee frowned "If she's not at Jedi then what?"

"We all know the history of the Republic and that there were once people called Sith. The Jedi declared them extinct almost a thousand years ago." Padme said, "It seems the Sith aren't as extinct as the Jedi thought."

"Padme are you trying to tell us that Nathrrya is a Sith?" Jobel asked trying to comprehend the idea.

"That is correct Missis Naberrie." Nathrrya said "I've spent the last three and a half millennia in carbonite and was awoken about a standard month ago." She smiled inwardly, enjoying the shocked expressions on the faces of the Naberrie family "I should be dead but the Force has seen fit to grant me a second chance at life."


Two days had passed since the Naboo and Gungans had won back their planet. In that time Nathrrya, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had been busy. Nathrrya had persuaded the Neimodians to surrender their inactive droid army and its equipment, weapons, vehicles including the heavy troop transports. Everything that had been on Naboo when the control ship had been destroyed was compensation for the invasion. The Sith had two reasons for doing so, one it would embarrass Nute Gunray in the eyes of his peers and hurt the Trade Federation financially. Second, she had a slightly darker ulterior motive, one that she knew Padme would not like, but the younger woman was intelligent and would understand or so Nathrrya hoped.

"What did you just say Nathrrya?" Padme asked in her role as Queen. Surly she'd misheard the older woman. As the young woman looked around the throne room, it looked like the two Jedi, Panaka and the surviving members of the advisory council, of which there were precious few, had also misheard.

"Isuggested that you take the Hover Tanks and modify them for human crews. This would give Naboo a small but effective armoured force in case you find yourself in this kind of situation again." Nathrrya replied unfazed.

"But surely you know we're a peaceful planet and dislike the idea of war." Padme said.

Nathrrya nodded. "I do and it takes great courage to commit to such a course. However, I believe it's one of the reasons Sidious chose Naboo as his plaything." The woman explained as she began to pace back and forth. "He knew you did not possess an army, just a very good police and security force. In short, Naboo was the perfect target for him. Since there is quite a bit of military equipment and material littering your planet, you should make use of it. You don't need to do it all at once."

Padme frowned and looked at Captain Panaka. "What do you think?"

"I admit your highness I was taken aback just as much as you were." The dark-skinned man admitted. "However, I do see where Nathrrya is coming from. The hover tanks are too cumbersome to be of use to us in their current from but if we were to strip them to their drive components we'd be able to build something more suited to our needs." Panaka looked thoughtful for a few moments. "Maybe arm them with the heavy blasters and shield generators from the destroyer droids. Yes... that could work."

Nathrrya smiled for the security captain understood her intent.

"Your Highness, is it wise to trust the words of this... woman?" Sio Bibble, the Queen's head councillor asked. It was clear he had wanted to say Sith but hadn't.

Nathrrya folded her arms and scowled at the man but refrained from saying anything, which wasn't easy for her. Behind her, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan exchanged a look that seemed to say here we go again. They had come to terms with Nathrrya being a Sith and all the quirks that came with it. The Jedi had judged her on how she acted, not how she was trained in the Force.

"What exactly are you trying to say councillor?" Padme asked, clearly unhappy. "I should not trust Nathrrya's words simply because she's been trained as a Sith?"

Bibble was taken aback as did the remaining councillors.

"Yes, I'm fully aware of Nathrrya's past, perhaps more so than you. I trust her with my life. On Tatooine she made me realise the error in judgment I had made." The young queen glared at her councillors. "Nathrrya risked her life by engaging another Sith who was sent to capture me. She didn't have to but did anyway. I will not sit by and have you speak so disrespectfully of my guest. Am I clear?"

Bibble nodded slowly. "I understand Your Highness. But what of her suggestion?"

The queen sighed. "I may not completely agree however I do understand Nathrrya's reasoning. After all she has many years of practical experience in war, more than anyone in this room I suspect. Because of that I will give her suggestion the consideration it deserves."

"That is all I can ask of you Your Highness." Nathrrya said inclining her head to the younger woman.

Captain Panaka stepped forward. "Your Highness, we've received word that the Supreme Chancellor's ship has entered the system and will land shortly. Accompanying the Chancellor is Senator Palpatine and Jedi masters Yoda and Windu."


The grand cruiser of the Supreme Chancellor landed in the main hanger. Captain Panaka and about twenty of his best men were guarding Nute Gunray and Rune Haako; they were taking no chances with the Neimoidians.

Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Nathrrya as well as Padme and her handmaidens stood in front and to either side of the Neimoidians and their guards.

"Now, Viceroy, you are going to have to go back to the Senate and explain all this." Padme said glaring at the man.

"I think you can kiss your Trade franchise goodbye." Captain Panaka failed to keep the glee out of his voice.

The main ramp of the cruiser lowered as Panaka and several of his men led the Viceroy and his assistant towards the ship. Supreme Chancellor Valorum, Senator Palpatine and several Senatorial and Judicial Guards descended the ramp followed by Masters Yoda and Windu.

Finis Valorum took in the sight of the people assembled in the main hanger, first there were the two disgraced Neimoidians who were even now being handed over to the Judicial Guards and marched aboard the ship. Next were Queen Amidala and her handmaidens. Lastly there were the three Jedi but to the experienced politician there was something odd about them. Not only was Nathrrya not wearing the traditional Jedi robes, she also carried a blaster. More surprisingly was that both Jinn and Kenobi stood behind the woman. To Valorum, it was clear who the leader of the group was and it wasn't who he'd expected.

"Puzzled you look." Yoda said looking up at the Chancellor.

"I thought Master Jinn oversaw the mission to Naboo." Valorum replied

"Technically he still is Chancellor." Mace explained. "However, it is not uncommon for other Jedi to take the lead if they are more suited."

"Revealed all will be in time." Yoda said with a smile for he and Mace saw something else. Nathrrya was telling the Jedi she trusted them. For a Sith would not show their back to those considered enemies.

Valorum nodded his understanding as he was greeted by Queen Amidala. The two Jedi went to talk with the three force users present.

Palpatine frowned in annoyance as he followed the Chancellor, he was taking a risk by coming here but he had to visit his estate, Convergence, in the Lake Country. It was where he kept the more important of his Sith artefacts. He hoped that one of these would have some information on Darth Avarice.

Surreptitiously, Sidious glanced across the hanger to where the rival Sith Lord stood, talking candidly with the two senior Jedi before all five force users left the hanger. No matter how many times he saw it, Sidious still had a hard time believing that any Sith could move so freely among Jedi. It was just wrong, to his way of thinking.


Nathrrya simply watched as Yoda and Mace Windu examined the corpse of the Zabrak apprentice she'd killed. Also present were Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Chancellor Valorum. The Sith found it strange that the politician was present.

"So, it's true, the Sith have returned." Valorum said, still uncertain as to what to think.

"A great disturbance in the Force when this Sith apprentice killed there was." Yoda said as he examined Nathrrya's creative use of her lightsabre. It was also clear how the Zabark had met his end.

"We felt no such disturbance, master." Qui-Gon stated.

Yoda turned to look at the three force users. "At the centre of the disturbance you were. Felt it you would not."

Nathrrya frowned as she didn't like where this was headed. "Just what was this disturbance Master Yoda?"

The small green Jedi held her gaze without speaking for several moments. "Know the answer already you do."

Chancellor Valorum was confused but it was clear to him the Jedi knew what they were talking about. "What did this disturbance you felt mean master Yoda?" he asked.

"What we felt was more of an announcement." Mace answered. "When this Sith apprentice was slain the Dark Side pulsed heralding the return of Darth Avarice, Empire's Wrath."

The silence that followed was deafening as no one spoke.

"Empire's Wrath...? As in the Sith Empire...?" Chancellor Valorum asked clearly confused and not a little scared. "But the Sith Empire hasn't existed in over..."

"Three and a half millennia... I don't need reminding of how displaced in time I am Supreme Chancellor." Nathrrya said, her voice flat.

To say that Finis Valorum was shocked would be a fair assessment for he was struggling to comprehend that the woman before him was a Sith. He looked first to Mace and Yoda then to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. All four Jedi held serious expressions.

Valorum massaged his forehead. "How is this possible?"

"That I'm Sith or that I'm here now?" Nathrrya replied with a playful smirk before she let out a sigh and started to look every bit of the three and a half millennia that had passed. "I tried to stop a madman from consuming the galaxy. It worked as the galaxy is still here. I should have perished long ago. Instead my carbonite tomb was found on what was the world of Zakuul in the unknown regions. That was about a standard month ago." It was a gross over-simplification of what had happened.

The Chancellor looked to Master Yoda. "And you've been aware of Nathrrya's origins all this time?"

The small Jedi smiled as he leaned on his gammer stick. "Yes. Came to us Nathrrya did, sought our help she did. Hunts another Sith Lord... Darth Sidious she does."

Valorum frowned slightly as he remembered what Qui-Gon had said to him on the landing pad on Coruscant. "The first time I saw Nathrrya, she was greeting Queen Amidala on Coruscant but she wore Jedi robes then." He looked at Master Jinn. "You said that with Nathrrya's help the Jedi may be able to contain the worst of it. Is finding this other Sith Lord what you meant?"

Qui-Gon nodded crossing his arms over his chest. "Indeed Chancellor. As for Nathrrya not wearing Jedi robes they were a covenant disguise that has outlived its usefulness. As you may have guessed Queen Amidala and those closest to her are aware of Nathrrya's origins."

"A final word of warning Chancellor." Nathrrya said folding her arms. "Do not trust senator Palpatine for I believe he is under the sway of Sidious. Trust nothing that the man says or does for his actions may not be fully his own and above all, do not reveal that you suspect him. Sidious will have you killed without a second thought as he tried to do here with Queen Amidala after she didn't do what he desired her to do." She indicated the body of Darth Maul.

Valorum stood grim faced. The aging politician turned to Master Yoda for guidance who gave a slight nod. "Heed Nathrrya's words you should."

The Chancellor sighed. "It's going to take a while for me to process all this. I shall take my leave of you as I'm sure you all have matters to discuss that I will find hard to believe much less fully understand." With that Valorum turned and left the makeshift morgue.


Sidious smiled. It had been easy to make an excuse to leave Theed and travel to his estate, now he sat in his sanctum. He leaned forward and activated the ancient Sith Holocron that sat on his desk.

It took a few moments for the device to activate but soon a small holo image of a pure-blood Sith appeared dressed in fine robes. "Oh, it's you. What do you want this time?" the image seemed quite dismayed. If Nathrrya had seen the translucent figure she would have easily recognised it as being Darth Vowrawn.

Sidious scowled but paid the comment no heed "What do you know about a Sith named Darth Avarice?"

Vowrawn rubbed his chin in thought. "There's a name I never expected to hear again. She vanished on a mission along with Darth Marr. Marr perished, of that I'm certain. Avarice's fate has remained a mystery as Avarice's apprentice always maintained that her master wasn't dead."

"I see." Sidious said with narrowed eyes. "Somehow, she is alive and well, working with the Jedi or so it appears."

Vowrawn smiled showing his perfectly white teeth. "Then the future just got a whole lot more interesting, hasn't it?" the Sith looked thoughtful "Working with the Jedi, hmm? It wouldn't be the first time. As to the why, that's something I cannot answer." That wasn't exactly true for the long dead Sith could take an educated guess as to way his old ally was working with the Jedi and Vowrawn strongly suspected that the reason was sitting in front of him.

"She's been interfering with the Sith Grand Plan to take over the galaxy and destroy the Jedi once and for all." Sidious explained.

"Your Grand Plan." Vowrawn corrected distastefully. "It lacks a certain flare. Be that as it may, if Avarice is getting involved then she will have a reason, as she does nothing without one. Divining what that reason is I'm afraid, is up to you. I wish you luck in that." with that Vowrawn vanished as the Holocron shut off.

Sidious snarled with rage as he had learned nothing about his adversary. He still had to find a suitable replacement for Maul. That would be easier said than done however, he had been feeling out Jedi Master Dooku but the appearance of this Darth Avarice complicated the matter... or did it? Sidious sank back into his chair to meditate.


"By the look on your face Chancellor, you know of Nathrrya's true identity." Padme said seeing the grave and troubled expression on the older man's face as he entered the throne room.

Valorum nodded. "Yes, and I still do not know how to react. It seems like a bad holodrama."

The young queen smiled. "I too was taken by surprise when we learned of Nathrrya's story or some of it." Her eyes landed on the form of R2-D2. "Artoo can you play the recording of what happened after we left Tatooine?"

The little droid beeped an affirmative and soon a holo recording began to play, showing the inside of the royal cruiser and Nathrrya coming into the room after delaying Darth Maul on Tatooine. Valorum watched almost transfixed as the recording played out what had happened on the ship ending with Nathrrya giving Anakin a hug.

"Nathrrya is not what you would expect a Sith to be is she Chancellor?" Padme asked after the recording had ended.

Valorum could only nod in agreement. "No, she isn't and you trust her even knowing what you do?"

Padme smiled. "I do. I'd trust Nathrrya with my life if it came to that. She's also become a good friend in the short time I've known her. I dare say, myself and my handmaidens will miss her when she returns to Coruscant with you and the Jedi."

Valorum looked genuinely surprised by this.


"You think I'm what!?" Nathrrya asked in total disbelief. Even Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were having trouble processing the information.

"Believe you to be Sith'ari I do." Yoda replied unfazed.

The woman wanted to laugh... almost. "I've heard about and done some pretty strange things in my time but that almost tops the lot."

Nathrrya shook her head.

"The Sith'ari will be free of limits. The Sith'ari will lead the Sith and destroy them. The Sith'ari will raise the Sith from death and make them stronger than before." She recited the words of the prophecy then snorted. "It's as bad as the Jedi's prophecy of the Chosen One, it could be interpreted in a dozen different ways!" What bothered Nathrrya the most was there had been many incarnations of the Sith and there was a belief that there could be more than one Sith'ari. She didn't want to think about that possibility at all.

"Are you saying you do not believe yourself to be Sith'ari?" Mace asked.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to say!" Nathrrya exclaimed, irritated. "There's nothing particularly special about me at all. Apart from my family perhaps." She found the idea of herself being Sith'ari preposterous. Though it did beg the question: if she did defeat Sidious and survive then what would it make her?

Yoda sighed "Come back to this later we shall."

What did you learn from Sidious' apprentice?" Mace asked.

"Nothing good." Nathrrya said with a grimace as she began to pace. "It seems about ten years ago Sidious and his master, Darth Plagueis, conducted some form of experiment to create life through manipulating the Dark Side of the force. However, there was never any proof it had worked."

Obi-Wan looked startled. "Anakin is nine years old..."

"Yes, it made me wonder but there is not a speck of darkness in the boy. If he were the result of Plagueis' experiment I'd have expected for Anakin to feel very different." Nathrrya replied. She turned to face the four Jedi. "The Dark Side has a weakness, it cannot create, only destroy. Plagueis' experiments were always doomed to fail. The Force on the other hand can do many things."

Qui-Gon frowned "Are you saying that the Force birthed Anakin... to balance what Plagueis tried to do?"

Nathrrya shrugged "A good explanation as any. Something had to happen to all that dark side energy that got dumped into the Force. However, Anakin is light but he could as easily be trained to be Sith."

Mace frowned "What do you mean?"

"What I said." The Sith replied "Anakin could be a Jedi or Sith or even something in between, neither one or the other."

"How could he be neither?" Obi-Wan asked intrigued by such a notion.

Nathrrya smiled "I've had one apprentice; her name was Jaesa Willsaam prior to becoming my student she was a Jedi padawan nearing her final trials. With my guidance Jaesa became a blend of Jedi and Sith teachings. She was a good friend and I miss her."

The four Jedi were shocked. "You turned a Jedi?" Qui-Gon asked slightly appalled.

Nathrrya frowned crossing her arms defensively. "I never saw it like that but if you want to get technical then I suppose I did."

Yoda looked thoughtful. "The Chosen One the boy may be." Two masters, one light, one dark, balance in the force.

"What of Sidious' master?" Mace asked getting used to the idea of Nathrrya having a Jedi padawan as an apprentice.

"Dead. Sidious killed him in his sleep sometime before I was awoken." Nathrrya said, the disgust at such a cheap tactic evident in her voice. She'd at least ended Baras' life personally.


Hours later Queen Amidala, Supreme Chancellor Valorum, Senator Palpatine, Yoda, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon and Nathrrya were all assembled for the grand parade through Theed of the victorious Gungan army. At its head were Boss Nass, General Ceel and Jar Jar Binks, who for once wasn't clumsy.

When the three Gungans got to where Queen Amidala and her retinue were waiting they ascended the steps to stand by her side Boss Nass then held up the Globe of Peace. The two peoples of Naboo had now become one.


A/N: This turned into quite the monster... Big thanks to my beta belmakori for all his hard work.