Chapter 18

Lord Montrus felt her presence. It was shocking to feel her again, perhaps unsettling at first, but then he reveled in it because now he could finish her once and for all, just like his father wanted. Even if Montrus wasn't set on killing his sister – it was true: if he was working on his own, he would more than likely try to turn her instead – he would still do so anyway because, well, he was his father. Montrus found it within his best interests to try and incline to his father's requests, no matter the price.

His eyes shifted over the entry way, imagining the moment when Leia would walk through. Without Obi-Wan's complete training, she was sure to lose; it wouldn't even be fair.

At times, a little voice in the back of his head told him not to kill her, but he paid it no mind. He would do what he must. Being a trained Sith Lord had something to do with his single-minded determination.

Pushing his subconscious antics to the side, Montrus prepared himself for what was to come. He could not second guess himself – not even for a moment – because that one distraction could give Leia the upper hand she needed. Sitting in meditation was the only way he could accomplish this, and so he sat in his quarters, breathing deeply.

"Son," an unexpected voice uttered from the doorway.

Montrus showed no sign of his surprise. Staying in his position, he said, "Father, I didn't expect to see you… so soon,"

Vader eyed him warily. "You have been lapsing in your training, my son, if this is a surprise for you."

Keeping his eyes closed, Montrus breathed in through his nose and sought out Vader's distinct Force signature. "You're different."

The smugness spread to Vader's eyes. "How so?"

"Your signature… it doesn't exist." A pause. "You don't exist."

Vader chortled – a deep, alien rumble in his chest. "Anything else, Lord Montrus?"

At last, Montrus opened his eyes to gaze upon his father, and immediately gasped when he did so. Vader… he was… human.

Vader smirked, a new gesture on his part, having been impaired for any such features in his mechanical suit. His entire body was restored – limbs, face, everything – and he stood before his son now, as if he wasn't a day older than when he first became Darth Vader.

Cocking his head to the side, Vader approached Montrus and said, "Why so silent, my son? Did you not expect this day to come, when I would be powerful enough to restore my body?"

For all his egoism, Montrus was silent.

Vader threw his head back and laughed. "I guess it will take some getting used to. I even surprised myself sometimes when I look in the mirror. Still," he inhaled through his nose deeply, "it feels good to be back."

All Montrus could manage to say was," How? How did this happen?"

Vader paced the room. "Remember wen I told you that I had found a way from death?"

Montrus nodded.

Vader spread his arms wide and smiled. "Well, you're looking at it."

"You mean, you're immortal?" He failed to keep the small amount of terror from his voice.

"Not only that, my son, but more powerful, more dangerous, too. I am unstoppable."

Montrus truthfully did not know what to say. He, unlike his father, did not wish for immortality, but should he ask for it anyway? Should he be glad that his father would never die, would never move on? Should he be glad that he would always live in his shadow?

"You do not disapprove, I hope?" Vader asked nonchalantly. "This only means that we will be able to rule as father and son forever. No one can stand in our way."

Montrus kept his face composed. "Then I, too, am to partake in the elixir?"

In his slight pause of hesitation, Vader gave himself away. "It is not necessary, by any means. I am strong enough to stand on my own."

I am finished with you, was what Montrus knew his father was thinking. However, Montrus would not stand by while his father threw him out. "I shall take it."

Vader eyed him warily. "There is no rush…"

"No!" Montrus near shouted. "I will not stand by in your shadow; you will not leave me in the dust. You will not abandon me now!"

Vader thought this over for a moment before his face became a plane of pure ice. "You speak harshly against me, Lord Montrus. You, who know me better than anyone else, immediately presume the worst of me. Perhaps it is time for me to remind you just why I am the master."

Montrus braced himself – squaring his shoulders and looking Vader dead in the eye – and said, "Do your worst."

Of course, Vader should never be goaded so. The offer was tempting, too tempting, and Vader did just that: he gave him his worst.

And through the screams heard throughout the ship, it was apparent that Montrus would not be so foolish again.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Leia felt it, and she was nervous. It was unbecoming of a Jedi to be so, she knew, but really, who wouldn't be? Who would be able to completely dismiss their fears with the two most powerful Siths coming? Leia knew that she needed more training; otherwise, she would not have been so weak. If it was Master Obi-Wan Kenobi or Master Yoda facing off against them, she knew they would have acted accordingly.

Her father and brother's presence here, in the Naboo atmosphere, sent a thorough darkness throughout Leia. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face them yet; she was alone, no one was going to help her now. Still, she would follow through with her plan: she would not attack until after she had tried to turn both her father and her brother. Vader, she knew, would probably be past all reason. Montrus, however, she did not know. He was connected to her somehow – and she him – so didn't that mean anything? Shouldn't that hold some sway? Leia sighed. She didn't know, and she wouldn't bet on it.

At present, Leia was leaning against the railing on the balcony overlooking the ocean. It was beautiful and sent a calming peace throughout her. She had a feeling that tomorrow would be the day to either do or die.

She felt another presence come up behind her before he spoke.

"What are you going to do, princess?"

Leia almost smiled. Almost.

She turned around and faced Han. "You already know what I plan to do, Han. Turning them is my first action, and if that fails, only then will I attack."

Han scoffed, unable to hid his contempt for the plan. "So you're planning to battle the two strongest creatures in the galaxies all by yourself?"

"Only as a backup plan."

"Well, sorry to ruin your plan, sweetheart, but those two are never going to change. Your only option to fight those two black hearts, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let you do that alone."

Leia sighed. She figured Han would disapprove. "I have to go alone, Han, it's the only way. I know you think I'm being foolish by hoping that they still have a chance at being good, but I can feel it. I am doing this, and that's final. There's no other choice for me."

Han sighed. "I guess there's no way to stop you then. Are you leaving or are they coming here?"

"Of course I'm the one leaving. I will not risk Naboo and its people. I'll leave first thing it the morning."

Han gave a faulty salute as he turned to go back inside. "Right, see ya later then! Good luck."

As he left, Leia eyed him with a wary eye. That goodbye was to abrupt, even for Han. Maybe she should leave sooner than planned, just to prevent him from doing anything stupid.

A/N: I AM ALIVE!!!! Muahahahaa I don't know if I've kept any of my readers... after all, I am one of the worst updaters in the history of updaters. But, I am still here, aren't I? And I do have a plan/outline for the remaining chapters, so maybe I'll get back on track... maybe...

Thanks for reading!