Chapter 3

Padme had some late afternoon meetings to attend to and Obi Wan had finished training the guards and so decided to spend the early evening with his daughter who was delighted to spend time with her father. There had been no contact from the Temple or Anakin so when one of the guards, Obi Wan carried his daughter into the communications room where he placed Kiara down and activated the message.

He saw his father and Masters Windu and Yoda appear before him. Their facial expressions were serious and he sensed they were worried. Kiara excitedly smiled up upon seeing her grandfather "Grandpa!" she cried as Qui Gon managed a small smile at his granddaughter as Obi Wan spoke up

"I sense you are worried. Has Anakin and Jacen arrived at the temple yet?" he asks as Master Yoda and Windu looked over at Qui Gon who looked back at his son. He shook his head.

"No and we were wondering if you had heard from them. Perhaps they stopped for a rest?" he asks as Obi Wan shook his head

"I have not heard from Anakin since they left the palace for the Temple. Padme's been distracting herself with business and Kiara's missing her brother so I've been distracting her in the gardens" he explains. "I need to go out to look for them" he insists as Master Yoda spoke up

"Unwise that is" he replies "King, you now are and putting yourself in danger you would be" he warns him as Obi Wan looks down at his daughter who was amusing herself beside him. Master Yoda was right. He was King and without Anakin to watch over Padme, he would be leaving his family alone. Perhaps Anakin took a de tour and they would be arriving at the Temple soon.

There was a nagging feeling in his gut that he didn't like "Masters, I want to believe that this is a minor bump but what if something has happened?" he asks them "This is my brother and my son we're talking about" he reminds them "Anakin has never done this before and he wouldn't put his nephew in danger" he reminds them as Qui Gon could sense his son's upset

"Your responsibilities are with your wife and daughter for now. We'll send a Jedi team to find Anakin and Jacen and inform you when we find them" he promises. Obi Wan was about to intervene when all three holograms disappeared. Obi Wan lowered his head as he was silent for a few moments. He was still thinking about his son and brother when he heard Kiara's voice

"Mommy!" she cries rushing towards the door where Obi Wan turned to see his beautiful wife standing there, Kiara hugging her.

"Was that Anakin?" she asks "Have they arrived at the Temple yet?" she went on "How is Jacen?" she adds. Obi Wan was silent. How could he tell his wife that they were possibly missing especially when she didn't want him to go in the first place. "Obi Wan?" she asks stepping into the room, holding Kiara's hand.

Obi Wan moves towards her, placing a hand in hers "They're still on their way to the temple" he answers her. Padme stares at him curiously and Obi Wan should have realised Padme was not one to try and lie to. She places one hand on his cheek

"Obi Wan, is everything alright with Jacen?" she asks once more as he looks down at her. He didn't want to alarm her at this time, perhaps Anakin and Jacen did take a break and would be a Temple by nightfall. He gave her a gentle kiss

"Everything's fine. They should be at the temple soon" he lies. Padme breathes a sigh of relief

"I hope so" she replies "I just can't wait till he's back" she confesses feeling a tug at her skirt

"I'm here mommy!" she smiles making both Obi Wan and Padme smile before lifting her up kissing her cheek

"Yes you are" she gushes "Now, let's get you cleaned up for dinner" she tells her as Obi Wan watches her leave the room once more leaving him in thought. He looks back at the blank communicator. He didn't like this nagging feeling he felt that something had gone wrong.

Shira looked down at the sleeping boy in front of her. So peaceful and young and yet this boy held a title that her daughter should have had. She loved Palpatine and believed he could succeed in getting rid of the royal family. She sat down on the edge of the small bed, softly stroking the young boy's cheek, she was reminded of her love and their plans.

Flashback

The warm sunlight shone through the window as Shira felt it warming her skin as she stood in her long white cloak over her dress. She was six months pregnant and in love. She placed a hand on her growing belly feeling her baby kick once more. It brought a smile to her face as she looked out into the courtyard and saw the King, his daughter, her husband and the King's royal guard following them.

She beared them no ill will but her love was for Palpatine who promised power and darkness with their deaths. Their child would become a princess or prince seeing the return of the Sith. She was lost in thought that she didn't see Palpatine enter the room till he spoke.

"The sooner the royal family is dead, the better" he scoffs "Since the Jedi came along, I've been pushed further aside because the foolish King seeks his daughter and new husband's counsel above everyone else" he explains.

Shira looks over at him before she moves over towards him "It won't be long, my sisters will help us take down the King" she reminds him referring to her witch clan as he nods, looking up at her

"You are right and soon , the Sith will rise again and Naboo will be ours once the royal family is killed" he promises her as she smirks, one hand still on her stomach

"And our child will see the Sith rise up and take control. This kingdom needs a new King and Queen" she insists as Palpatine smirks

"It is almost time" he promises taking her hand. Soon he wouldn't have to answer to the King, his daughter or the meddling Jedi.

End of flashback

Shira took a seat beside the sleeping prince. She stroked his cheek, he stirred slightly but didn't wake. He would be reunited with his uncle shortly as she wondered what her beloved daughter was up to.

His head was pounding and his arms ached as Anakin slowly opened his eyes and found his hands in chains held above his head and unable to remember where he was. The last thing he remembered was an explosion and being thrown from the ship and his eyes widen. Jacen! He strained against the chains finding them to be similar to the ones he had been restrained in after being falsely arrested by Palpatine sending him a small electric shock.

A voice then entered the room "It's about time you woke up" they spoke. It was a female voice as Anakin strained seeing her move towards him. She was wearing a long black dress and her hair was plaited down her back. Anakin could sense darkness in her.

"Who are you!?" he exclaims "Where's Jacen!" he snaps as she chuckles

"The little prince is fine for now. My mother is watching over him, but that gives us time to talk" she replies as Anakin struggles with his cuffs ignoring the painful shocks through his body

"You're wasting your time. I can sense the darkness in you, sith!" he scoffs "Now where is Jacen!" he angrily snaps once more as Thalia laughed. She reaches out and grabs hold of his chin, her dark eyes staring directly into his

"Continue to resist me and you'll be returning his lifeless body to his pathetic parents!" she warns him "The boy is how we will take back the throne from his parents finishing the work of my father" she explains going on "You are the closest relative to the young prince so you will help in bringing down his parents" she informs him.

Anakin glares coldly at her "I could never turn against my brother or his family" he replies. Thalia then moves away from him looking towards the entrance just as Anakin saw the entrance open revealing an older woman carrying the young prince.

"Jacen!" Anakin cried as Jacen sniffs. He had awoken a short time ago

"Uncle Anakin!" he cried as he tried to fight off the woman's grip but she was stronger. Anakin ignored the pain from his cuffs, trying to break free as he then felt himself struggling to breathe just as Shira started to choke him.

"You see Thalia, this is how you get through to your prisoners" she explains as Anakin continues to choke whilst still cuffed as Jacen began to cry once more. "These Jedi are weak. They act tough and brave but they're nothing but pathetic fools" she scoffs seeing him struggling even more before Shira releases her grip as he gasps for air.

Shira looks down at the young prince in her arms "Your uncle is a fool and will be dead like your parents" she informs him. Jacen lifted his tear stained face to look up at her

"You're a bad lady" he sniffs "Uncle Anakin's stronger then you" he informs her as Shira smirks before shoving the little boy into Thalia's arms. She smirks as she stretches out her fingers where she then aimed force lighting directly at Anakin causing him to scream and cry out in pain. Jacen tried to look away but Thalia forced the young boy to watch as she watched her mother hit him with more lighting. Soon he would break and soon unknowingly, both he and the prince will help them turn against their family.