Hello, long time, no chapter, I know. This chapter isn't very long, in fact it's only like 700 words, not even. But, I felt it left a good cliffhanger where it was so, here you go. It's Spring Break here but it's in the like the 60s, not cool. Esp. if you're in the South where it should be in the 80s this time of year... My latest obbsession is Peter Pan, so that may be why I haven't been writing a lot lately, but do not fear! I have no intention of shutting down this story.

So after my considerably (sp?) long rant I will leave you to your reading. As always, please read and review:-)

And now for...

CHAPTER 9: THE BREAKING POINT

"Relax, young Apprentice, become one with the Force." Emperor Palpatine rolled his eyes to the back of his head, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Uhhh! This is so pointless! I'm one with the Force when I'm in combat, not like this!" she stuck in finger out at Palpatine's calm pose, "And I am NOT your Apprentice!" she reached for the doorknob that lead to her freedom when she found that she could not move her feet, or any part of her body for that matter.

"You'll do wise not to upset me." Palpatine responded, his eyes still closed.

"Let me go!" Laila screeched her head swiveling around to toss dirty looks at his still form.

"Get yourself out. You see," he said standing up and pacing in a circle around her, "This is what meditation can teach you. You see how I can hold you without extending my hand, or whatever the Jedi do." He spat out the word Jedi like it was vermin in his mouth.

"Fine! I will!" She closed her eyes and felt rage build up within her. She focused it all on the wicked man in front of her. She imagined her anger tightening into a small ball and then exploding. As the ball exploded she rushed forward out the door and promptly ran into a storm trooper with a data pad in his hand.

"Excuse me Lady Laila. My mistake." He said humbly as he helped her off the ground. He handed the data pad to the smirking Emperor and walked stiffly away back to his duties.

"If you'll excuse me, Laila, I believe I have some work to get to…. so be gone." He smiled a sickly smile and shooed her away.

"Oh, and Laila?" Laila turned around flashing him her death stare, "Yes, Emperor?"

"Watch your step, wouldn't want to run into anything again!" he broke up in laughter as he stepped back into his office.

Laila face fumed with anger as she stalked off, she needed to get rid of some of this energy. She saw Vader walking down the hallway and she saw the perfect outlet.

"Vader! Gym, five minutes!" she ran off to her room to grab her saber.

She really needs to get it into her head that the MASTER decides when to spar and when not to. At least in the days of the Old Republic, Padawans had respect for the Masters. Master Obi-Wan…His thoughts reminded him that he still needed to find a way to contact that old man and receive the information he craved. But, now some sparring.

Vader ducked aside from one of Laila's killer blows. It seemed everyday she was getting stronger and stronger. She had the strength to be a Sith now, even the Emperor saw that, but he insisted that she complete her mission to even consider being a Sith.

It angered Vader when he saw how she seemed to be taking her sweet time in completing the mission. He pushed back harder causing her to stumble. The spar ended with both Laila and Vader heaving over breathing deeply.

"Good work, Laila. That will be all for today." Vader told her.

"No more." She said looking up at him, her face gleaming with sweat.

"No more what?" he cocked his head in confusion.

"No more meditation sessions with the Emperor. I can't take it anymore! He's psycho, thinking all that meditation stuff works!" she shouted, her voice rising in volume with every word.

"I'm sorry, but no. You can't do that. Meditation is extremely crucial point in being a Sith. You'll-" he stated, trying to be calm. He didn't like the tone she was using with him.

"Well what if I don't want to be a Sith!? Huh? What if I don't want any of it?!" she spat.

Vader stumbled backward. What had she just said? Laila's eyes went wide and her hand flew up to her mouth as she processed what she had just said. She fell onto the ground.

Faraway came the sounds of blaster shots and much screaming and yelling...