Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Chapter 4

Kyle Katarn stroked his beard as he took the holonet transmission in the cockpit of the Raven's Claw. He was just departing Alzoc III after investigating reports of Imperial Remnant activity in the system. After defeating the Imperial general and blasting his fortress into oblivion, Kyle was content to send his report back to Coruscant. He never expected Mara Jade to contact him first.

"A new Sith Lord?" Kyle asked.

Mara sighed. "Lu...Master Skywalker sent his father and Leia to investigate a lead on Naboo," she replied. "Something is amiss, but I can't place it."

"They can handle themselves," Kyle reassured her. Anakin Skywalker was the last of the Old Jedi Order and easily outclassed every member of the New Jedi Order in terms of power and combat experience. By all rights, it should have been Anakin, not Luke leading the Jedi Order. But Kyle once heard that Anakin did not wish to possess that role.

"Will you be returning to Coruscant?" Mara asked.

"I can't miss the opening of the Temple," Kyle said. "It's been a while since we've been home." Kyle and Kyp were being sent on numerous missions due to the power vacuum created by the collapse of the Galactic Empire. Many worlds were joining the New Republic, but many others still swore fealty to Imperial warlords and tried to attract other worlds to the cause.

"How goes Kyp's progress?" inquired Mara.

"He is doing well," Kyle replied. "His potential seems to be limitless. He may rival Master Skywalker someday."

"Are you sure?"

Kyle nodded. "I think even Master Yoda would have had his hands full with this one. And what about you? I heard you've been helping Master Skywalker quite a bit at the Imperial Palace with new students rather than taking a Padawan of your own."

"We need more teachers," Mara said. "Kam, Tionne, Streen, Kirana and Teneniel are close to becoming Jedi Knights. Tionne will probably stay at the Temple when it's opened, but I don't know about the others."

"How many know about the Sith Lord?" Kyle asked.

"As far as I know, just the original class and Tionne," Mara replied. The original class referred to the Jedi trained during the time before the Battle of Endor. It was a designation that usually included Leia as well. "Master Skywalker does not want to make it more widely known until he knows what's out there."

"I understand," Kyle stated. "I need to put the coordinates in for a jump to hyperspace, so I'll speak to you again when we get back to Coruscant."

"May the Force be with you, Kyle," Mara said.

"And with you, Mara," Kyle replied before the holonet transmission closed.

Kyle leaned in his seat and took a deep breath. Kyp entered the cockpit after his conversation with Mara ended. At eleven standard years, Kyp dressed like a more traditional Jedi than his master did. Kyle only wore his Jedi robes during ceremonial events. Kyp was already an adept copilot and well on his way to becoming a cunning warrior.

"Is something wrong, Master?" Kyp asked Kyle as he took his seat in the co-pilot's chair.

"We're going to make a little side trip," Kyle said before he began inputting coordinates into the navicomputer.

"But what about the opening of the Temple?"

Kyle answered, "We'll be back in time for that. We're going to make a stop on Naboo first."

"What's on Naboo?" questioned Kyp.

"Trouble," said Kyle.

The last time Anakin stepped into the Royal Palace in Theed was just before the outbreak of the Clone Wars. As Darth Vader, he never made an effort to visit the planet, but did dispatch the 501st Legion to kill Queen Apailana and bring the planet back in line with the Empire. It seemed that he would never visit a world that was untouched by his past crimes. The woman sitting on the throne was there only because of Vader's actions.

Queen Kylantha was in office long after her two terms expired, but still remained popular with the people. Ever the opportunist, she was instrumental in the transition of Naboo from the Galactic Empire and the New Republic. She noticed Anakin Skywalker as he led his party into the throne room.

"For a hero of the Battle of Naboo, you are young," the queen said. "I've heard rumors of the Jedi ability to hold off aging, but I never imagined they would work so well."

"My last encounter with the Emperor seems to have restored my youth, but I am still confused as to why it happened," Anakin said. "I'm sure you know of my companions. This is my former Padawan, Leia Organa."

"Indeed," Kylantha said. "Her exploits are well known throughout the galaxy."

Anakin ignored the comment. "This is General Han Solo, Chewbacca and my wife Winter."

"When I was a girl, I used to be told Jedi could not marry," Kylantha said. "And for that matter, how did you survive?"

"I lost a battle to Darth Vader and went into exile," Anakin replied. "I returned when Luke Skywalker found me." It was the truth from a certain point of view.

"I have a feeling you did not request an audience to discuss history, Master Jedi," Kylantha said.

"You're right," Anakin answered her. "I've come to request entry into the Emperor's private residence. I also wish to pay respects at the grave of Queen Amidala."

"Such simple requests," Kylantha remarked.

"Your Majesty, this is for the security of the Republic," Leia interjected.

Kylantha nodded sagely. "Indeed," she said. "I grant you both requests, Master Jedi. Since you are a hero of Naboo, I have prepared quarters for you and your party in the palace."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Anakin said before bowing politely.

Palace guards escorted Anakin and the others to the royal cemetery outside the palace. They walked past rows of tombs before finally reaching the one belonging to Padmé. A larger than life statue was erected over a stone platform. A plaque commemorated her service as Queen of Naboo and as the world's Senator. A woman with long brown hair sat near the tomb, apparently deep in thought.

"Pooja?" Leia asked.

Pooja Naberrie turned to the Jedi and managed a smile. "Leia," she said. "The last time I saw you was when you restored the Senate after..."

Pooja glanced backed to her aunt's tomb, saddened by the memory. "But I knew you hadn't betrayed us like everyone said," she said. "I knew you too well for that."

"Who's this?" Han asked.

"Senator Pooja Naberrie," Leia told Han. "I met her when I was the Senator of Alderaan."

"And Winter," Pooja said. "It's been years."

"I was drawn in by duties to the Rebel Alliance," Winter told her.

"The last time I saw you, you were just a little girl," Anakin said. "When I heard you were a Senator, I knew Padmé would be proud of you."

Pooja looked to Anakin, studying the Jedi Master as if trying to recall a distant memory. "You look just like the man who came with Aunt Padmé when I was with mom at my grandparents' house."

"I am that man," Anakin revealed. "I'm Anakin Skywalker."

"I'd heard you'd come back, but I never expected you to still look so young," Pooja said.

"That's a long story," Anakin told her. "Pooja, I would like you to meet your cousin."

"What are you talking about?" Pooja asked.

"Leia is Padmé's child," replied Anakin. The Jedi Master proceeded to explain the situation, leaving out the crucial details of when he became Darth Vader. He did reveal his status as the father of Padmé's children. He was just not sure he could trust Pooja with the more sensitive information.

"I'm sure mom will love to hear about this," Pooja said after finally absorbing all the information. "To think I had cousins and an uncle I did not know."

"We have another reason for being here, so I don't know if we'll have time to see the family. But you can tell them they are invited to the grand opening of the Jedi Temple," Anakin said. "I'm sure Luke would love to meet you."

Pooja smiled. "I'll be sure to spread the news." After speaking those words, she departed the cemetery.

Anakin gazed at the tomb, trying to suppress the memories of the horrors he caused. "I'm sorry I didn't come here sooner," he said. Then, he looked to Leia and said, "We need to get to the Emperor's mansion. The rest of you should remain at the palace."

"Wait a minute!" Han exclaimed. "You expect me to let you two go alone."

"We're Jedi, Han," Anakin told him. "If there are Sith involved, this is a Jedi matter."

"Be safe," Winter urged as she walked towards her husband. The two shared an embrace before Anakin motioned Leia to follow him.

Chewbacca growled mournfully.

"You said it, Chewie," Han stated. "I've got a bad feeling about this too."

Darth Sadus was cross-legged in the Emperor's private meditation chamber, levitating above the floor. She meditated on the dark side, preparing for the moment when the Chosen One of the Jedi would arrive. She was confident in her training and her ability to defeat Skywalker in battle. Her master demanded no less than perfection and she would not fail him.

Sadus sensed the Jedi when they arrived on Naboo and it required all her patience not to storm the palace and take them there. Her master taught well. Sadus would fight on the ground of her own choosing without interference and be triumphant because her bloodline was pure and abilities unsurpassed by none but her master.

The Heart of the Warrior crystal in her lightsaber seemed to send out pulses through the Force, crying out for the blood of the Skywalker. Like the legendary Heart of the Guardian, the Heart of the Warrior was created by ancient masters during the Hundred Year Darkness. One promised to bring justice and the other ruin. Both were once possessed by the Sith until the Guardian was lost by Exar Kun.

Sadus opened her eyes. "They're here," she said.

The Emperor's mansion was a secluded residence in the hills west of Theed. Great marble statues flanked the tall double doors, befitting only a Chancellor of the Republic. Leia did not want to ask where Palpatine achieved such wealth as a Chancellor, but she knew it was derived from unscrupulous means. It was a home meant to awe the visitor and she could feel a subtle hint of darkness on the grounds.

Anakin walked past her and ascended a set of polished stone steps to reach the doors. He held out his right hand and Leia could sense him calling upon the Force, searching for a secret set of tumblers to release the lock on the door. A low whine sounded before the large doors opened. Leia joined her father outside the doors and asked, "Master?"

Leia felt the turmoil within her father. The mansion ignited a blaze within him that was at war with Anakin's light. Suddenly, the fires within the Chosen One ceased.

"Come on," he said before entering the mansion.

Leia trailed behind Anakin, instantly taken by the majesty of the home. Ancient paintings hung from the walls and expensive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating everything. Despite that, the darkness felt oppressive. Someone was there, waiting for them.

"Be on your guard," Anakin warned.

"I sense it too," Leia said.

Two grand staircases led to the second floor. Between them lay a door flanked by gargoyle statues. Gargoyles were meant to ward off evil in some cultures and the irony was not lost on Leia. Sith were supposed to be without fear and would not be deterred by such simple statues.

Anakin stepped towards the door and Leia followed. The door flew open, revealing a woman of Leia's age dressed in black robes and holding a lightsaber. She glared at the Jedi with an unmistakable evil in her eyes.

"You have done well to enter here," the woman said. "I am Darth Sadus and my master sends his regards."