Chapter 74:
"Now arriving at Imperial Center." Admiral Solo called, as he brought the ship out of hyperspace. Upon landing at the palace spaceport, they immediately began unloading the ship. Darth Invisus was left to his own devices, and wandered into the palace interior.
One of the red-robed Royal Guards stopped him, and demanded, "Where do you think you're going?"
Invisus glared at the man, suddenly tired of being pushed around. He raised a hand and clenched it, putting to use Atrox's first lesson to him.
The guard clutched at his throat, then gasped as he was shoved backwards by an invisible force. "I am Lord Atrox's apprentice. I answer to him alone." Invisus snarled. Releasing the man, he turned and stormed away, pleased by his newfound power.
Darth Atrox sat in the middle of his quarters meditating, enveloped in shadows. At the other end of the room, Invisus entered, and after taking a quick look around, pinpointed Atrox's presence and went to kneel before him. "Master."
Atrox did not acknowledge his apprentice, he wanted him to remain kneeling there for however long he deemed fit, ensuring that he knew his place. Atrox continued to pay no attention to his apprentice for several hours as he continued to meditate, testing him, daring him to challenge him.
Invisus glared at his master, becoming angrier and angrier at being ignored. He struggled to control himself, resisting the urge to try to destroy Atrox where he sat. His hands clenched into fists, the nails tearing into the flesh of his hands. "Master."
The instant after his apprentice's outburst, Atrox slammed Invisus into the durasteel wall of his quarters, using the Force to choke him to the point where he could not speak and slowly started to lift him up by his throat until his head had hit the high ceiling. "It is unwise to interrupt my meditations, apprentice." Atrox hissed as the temperature of the room began dropping rapidly from his anger.
Invisus fought to control his fear and panic as the breath was squeezed out of him, watching with growing terror as Atrox rose and slowly turned towards him. P-please… master… forgive me…
"As you wish," Atrox said icily, using the Force to slam his apprentice into the floor, smiling at him darkly as he slowly raised both of his hands towards him.
Invisus screamed as lightning tore through him, causing more pain than he had ever experienced. Atrox ripped through his mind, forcing him to remain conscious as the lightning seared his skin. "P-please… ma-master…" the Sith apprentice bit out between waves of pain as his nerve endings began to burn away.
Atrox continued blasting his apprentice with lightning for several more minutes, slowly increasing the power if the attack as he did so. Once he stopped the lightning, he locked his cold hard eyes onto his apprentice. "Get up." He growled, not caring about the pain Invisus was in.
The young man weakly tried to push himself up off the floor, then collapsed, too weak to move.
Atrox slowly walked up to his crippled apprentice and as he advanced, used the Force to violently hurl him into the durasteel wall, denting it from the force of the impact. "You are unworthy of being my apprentice if are this weak. I'm sure your father," he spat the word with the disgust he had for the man, "would even be able to destroy you because of what you have become." Atrox paused, now right in front of his apprentice. With the sole of his boot, he began to apply extreme pressure on his gut as he continued in a cold, hard voice. "Just imagine what your mother would think if she knew her own son was this pathetic."
Invisus's face twisted with pain both from Atrox's actions, and rage from his words. "I never wanted to be your kriffing apprentice, you arrogant shik!" he snarled. "If I'm so unworthy, you should have chosen better!"
"Perhaps… some motivation is in order for you. Do you value your family's life?" Atrox said coldly, his tone conveying the seriousness of the question.
Hate filled Invisus's eyes as he glared at the Sith Lord. "You swore not to harm them."
"Just as you swore to become my apprentice and embrace the Dark Side of the Force," Atrox said coldly, reaching out to sense his apprentice's every thought and emotion, feeding off his hate. "Yet you still hold on to the light. Completely give in to the dark side, truly take your place as my apprentice and the title of Darth Invisus." Atrox commanded.
Invisus opened his mind to the Force as he had been taught, drawing on his hatred and allowing it to fill him. Yellow flecks began to surface in his eyes as he felt the dark side begin to flow through his veins. "Yes… my master." Darth Invisus ground out, resentful but submissive.
"Good, very good, my apprentice. Now, amplify your darker feelings, allow the dark side to course through your very soul." Atrox demanded, allowing him to rise to a kneeling position, pleased with his apprentice's compliance.
Invisus attempted to do as he was commanded, fueling the darkness implanted within him with his hatred of Atrox, binding it to his will. He closed his eyes in concentration, drawing on the dark side for strength as he did so.
Atrox watched his apprentice with a critical eye as he kept an extremely close watch on his emotions and intentions as well. He waited expectantly for his apprentice to finish destroying whatever of the light as well as what remained of Dan Kyo.
Invisus allowed the dark side to purge his being, knowing he had to do this if he was going to one day be strong enough to destroy Atrox. Pausing before his feelings toward his parents, he hesitated, then sealed that part of himself away so completely that it was forgotten. Lifting his yellowed eyes to his master, he said, "I am yours to command, my master."
A moment later, Mara entered, a stack of dark garments in her arms. Taking in the scene with a glance, she eyed Atrox. What would you have me do with these, my lord?
Place them on the ground before him. Atrox replied, locking his eyes with Mara, before turning back towards his apprentice. "These are your new robes, you have fifteen minutes to take a shower and get changed."
"Yes, master," Invisus said expressionlessly. Drawing on the dark side for strength, he picked up the clothes from where Mara had tossed them and left the room to carry out Atrox's commands. When he reached the fresher in his own quarters, he showered, wincing as the water stung his fresh wounds. Drawing on his new garments, he noted how well they suited him, matching the darkness that filled his being. Straightening the robes, he pulled the hood of his cloak over his face, shadowing his yellowed eyes. He hurried back to Atrox's apartments, sensing he was almost out of time.
He passed Mara in the doorway as she was leaving, and she stopped, turning to meet Atrox's eyes for a moment. Then she slammed Invisus through the wall with the Force, and said coldly, "You're late."
Invisus glared at her as she left the room. "By ten seconds," he muttered under his breath as he painfully pulled himself out of the debris.
She turned again, hearing his words, and a wicked gleam filled her eyes. "Enjoy your punishment," she smirked, and shot a powerful bolt of lightning at him, severely amplifying its effect in his mind. By the time the spasm of pain left him, she was gone.
Invisus carefully picked himself up off the floor, relying heavily on the Force to give him the strength to move. He limped over to his master, and sank to his knees before him, too battered and weary to care what Atrox had in store for him.
Atrox locked his cold, hard gaze onto his apprentice, commanding the dark energy bent to his will to invade Invisus' mind. "You are late, apprentice," he hissed.
Invisus grimaced as he felt Atrox's presence tainting his mind. "Y-yes, master."
Atrox's eyes narrowed, focusing his vast reserves of hatred and dark Force energy on his apprentice. With a cry, Invisus crumpled, as his master's gaze seared his mind as well as his flesh. "M-m-master, p-please! I… I beg you… wo- won't… happen…"
"Yes, you're right, apprentice. It won't happen again. I will see to that." Atrox growled coldly, as Invisus' screams grew louder he intensified his gaze, allowing more of his hate seep into the Force. "Each time you are late to my summons, or you fail me, you will be punished in a method which will make it painfully clear to you, apprentice." He paused, intensifying his gaze even further, "and know this, if you betray me or harm Mara Jade in any way, the suffering you will experience will be unimaginable compared to what you have already experienced by my hands. However," he paused, letting the word hang in the air. "If you do as expected, you will be greatly rewarded."
"Y-y-yes master…" Invisus gasped, in utter agony. "F-forgive me… please…"
Satisfied that his apprentice would not forget the warning, Atrox released the focus of his burning gaze, and drew on the dark side to heal the physical damage that Invisus had suffered.
The young man rose to his knees, confused but relieved the pain was gone. "T-thank you, master," he murmured, shocked by Atrox's power.
"You will never be as powerful as I am in the Force, apprentice. You are only just realizing this, remember it." Atrox growled out, the warning clear.
"Yes, master." Invisus muttered, subdued by the warning.
"Come with me." Atrox commanded, walking out of the room.
Invisus followed his master down to the maximum security detention facility where the Alliance leaders were being held. He couldn't help slight feelings of apprehension as they approached, knowing he would have to face them.
Atrox stopped outside the cell which held Airen Cracken. "We will continue your training here, my apprentice," he said smoothly, more than willing to demonstrate how to use the Force to rip the information from someone's mind.
"Yes, master." Invisus responded, expressionlessly. At Atrox's command, he entered the cell first, and Cracken's eyes immediately locked on him.
"Dan!" Cracken exclaimed. "Sithspit, what did they do to you?"
Invisus gazed at Cracken, dispassionately. "Ask my master."
Atrox slowly walked into the cell, his gaze locked on Cracken. "We meet again… Cracken. Only, it seems the tables have turned now. You will be instrumental in continuing my apprentice's training," he smirked towards him darkly.
Airen Cracken glared at the Sith Lord. "You'll never get anything out of me, traitor," he spat.
"Oh, I will. As will my apprentice once he has learned." Atrox said smoothly, anticipating his revenge on Cracken. Open your mind to me apprentice and observe. You will make an attempt once I am finished. Atrox whispered through the bond that was slowly forming between the two of them as he opened his mind enough for his apprentice to learn this technique.
Atrox drew the dark side into himself, focusing it on Cracken's mind with the intent to rip through it seeking information. He was met with an impenetrable wall of durasteel, sealing Cracken's mind from all others. Their wills were evenly matched, Atrox with his power, and Airen with his determination to protect his loved ones at all costs.
Invisus could not help but be impressed with his former leader, able to match wills with the Dark Lord of the Sith himself. Few, he guessed, could replicate the feat, even if given the incentive.
Atrox smirked, the challenge of getting into Cracken's mind refreshing him. However, with his will combined with the power of the dark side of the Force, he slowly gained control of all of Cracken's motor functions.
Cracken's expression was stony as Atrox manipulated his remaining fist into systematically beating itself against his temple. Already weak from the loss of his arm during his capture, soon his head was spinning from the blows, yet his will was resolute. He had not forgotten, and would never forget, the threats Atrox had levied against his family.
Slowly, insidiously, the darkness began to permeate his mind, seeping through his defenses. First his short-term memories were breached, and Atrox began sifting through them, searching for information.
The door burst open, breaking their concentration, and Anakin strode into the room. Before Atrox could react, Anakin had him in a stasis field, unable to move.
Freed of Atrox's influence, Cracken spat, "What in blazes is going on here?"
Shaking his head, Anakin released the force field containing Cracken. The Alliance leader stepped out of the holding area, and staggered, leaning against the wall for support. "If I hadn't just had the daylights beaten out of me by your son, Vader, I'd give you the same beating he gave me."
Anakin eyed him. "My name is Anakin. In my unfortunate position of Emperor, I'm issuing you and your compatriots a complete pardon. I'm certain my wife and daughter will be in touch with you at your convenience. Now I can assist you and your friends to the hangar, we'll see about getting you some transportation." He winced at the blood starting to drip from Cracken's nose. "And medical assistance, should you require it."
Cracken glared at him. "Why should I trust you, Vader? After all you've done?"
Anakin sighed. "The alternative is to stay here until my son regains control, and resumes his experiment, which I'm sure was simply fascinating."
The conflict was carefully blocked out of Cracken's eyes from years of practice, even in his battered state. Finally, he said, "It seems you leave us no choice, Vader. As usual. Alright, we'll play your game. It's not like we could be any worse off than we are now."
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Invisus growled, moving into the doorway.
Anakin gazed at him with pity and compassion in his eyes. "Dan, please, step aside. This is too much for you to involve yourself in now."
"You killed my father. And my name is Darth Invisus now." The young man snarled.
"You're just a boy, too young to have sold your soul to the darkness. Think of what your father would have wanted, and step aside." Anakin urged softly.
"My father is dead because of you," Invisus spat. "He would have wanted to live in peace with my mother and me, and he would have, but for you. My master's teachings will give me the power to end this constant death, and it's going to start with you."
Anakin's expression reflected his sorrow, and he said, "I didn't want it to come to this, Dan. Forgive me." With a touch of the Force, he left Invisus unconscious alongside his master, and turned back to Cracken. "We should go. Mara will not take kindly to what I have done, though I tried to neutralize him in the gentlest manner possible under the circumstances."
Cracken paused, hesitating. "One of our men is in no condition to be moved. Your precious son tortured him on board the ship, and if he doesn't receive medical care, it could have lasting consequences."
Anakin nodded his understanding. "I would be happy to provide medical care for him until he has recovered, as well as protecting him from my son during that time. And you, as well," he added. "You need to have that arm looked at." As Cracken started to protest, Anakin said calmly, "You'll be able to oversee… Captain Antilles, is it not? as well as speak to my wife and daughter about opening peaceful negotiations."
"Very well," Cracken said, reluctantly. "Let's see about getting the others out of here."
Upon giving the Alliance leaders clearance to leave, Anakin had Cracken and Antilles taken to the medical center. He left to inform Padmé and Leia of the changes, only to be slammed against the wall by a very angry Mara Jade.
"What have you done?" she demanded, furiously.
Anakin sighed. "Mara, please, calm yourself."
"What have you done?!" she hissed. "That mission was the result of weeks of painstaking planning, suffering, and sacrifice, and you threw it away! When Atrox wakes up—"
"Then I will deal with him. Politics is my department now, Mara, and I must act for the good of the galaxy. Have you already forgotten what we discussed?" he asked softly.
Mara looked away. "No," she admitted grudgingly. "But when he learns I let you get away with this, he will not be pleased." She stormed off, still wrestling with her emotions.
"You must do what you feel is right, Anakin." A voice said next to him.
Anakin turned, and looked his old friend in the eye. "If only it were that simple, master."
Obi-wan nodded, sympathetically. "You do not have to bear this burden alone, Anakin. As you said, you must be a politician now, but you are not the only one of your family to have chosen this path."
"Indeed. But would they know how to handle that… monster?" Anakin said, missing his master's presence.
Obi-wan shrugged. "They handled you."
"I was already conflicted." Anakin replied softly.
"Conflicted by what? Love for your son? Your family? Surely you're aware of his feelings for his family, for Mara Jade, for his children. Let that be the key to undermine the darkness within him, as it was with you."
"He is so guarded now, the darkness will not let him go. He has become the Dark Lord of the Sith, he has completely changed. I know Luke is fighting it, Obi-wan. But I honestly don't know who will win, Luke Skywalker or Darth Atrox." He paused. "I fear for Mara and their children and she is so… loyal to him that I fear she could turn again."
"She will protect her children, even from him if she must," Obi-wan commented. "If he turns against her, though, I cannot tell if she will fall."
"I won't let that happen!" Anakin yelled back determinedly. "What can I do Obi-wan?"
"You already know what you must do, my old friend, my brother," Obi-wan said gently. "You must reach him, as they reached you in your darkness."
"I miss you, brother. I miss your guidance." Anakin said softly, looking Obi-wan in the eyes as he began to sense his son awaken.
"I will always be with you, Anakin," Obi-wan reminded him. "Now go, watch over Mara and your son. I sense she is with him."
Mara cradled Atrox's head in her lap, her emotions still turbulent. She stiffened as she felt him begin to stir, and withdrew into herself, suddenly afraid he would sense her conflict.
Mara, save me, Atrox slipped the thought from Luke Skywalker out through their bond. "Mara." Atrox whispered as he slowly opened his eyes, locking them on her.
"My lord," she murmured, meeting his eyes with reluctance. "Are you alright?"
"How many escaped?" Atrox grumbled, raging at his father for stopping his interrogation.
Mara winced, averting her eyes. "All but two."
"Where. Is. He." Atrox rumbled, sending a surge of dark energy into his apprentice, waking him up instantly.
"Master." Invisus eyes flew open, at once remembering what had occurred. "Master, I tried to stop him, but—"
"You failed." Atrox cut him off coldly, using the Force to slam him into a nearby bulkhead as he did so.
Invisus found himself unable to move, pinned by the force of Atrox's wrath. "F-forgive me, master," he whispered, vividly recalling his master's threat.
"While I think of a suitable punishment for you, apprentice… Locate Skywalker and bring him before me." Atrox said slowly and coldly.
"Yes master." Once he was released, Invisus fled the room, only to run headlong into Anakin as he was walking slowly back toward the detention facility. Attempting to regain some measure of dignity, Invisus said shortly, "Lord Atrox wishes to see you at once."
Anakin looked at the young man, and simply nodded. With measured steps he returned to the cell where he had left his son, and met his eyes calmly.
"You have undone everything Lord Vader and I worked so long to plan. Why?!" Atrox demanded as he violently used the Force to hurl Anakin through a durasteel bulkhead.
Anakin raised an arm as if to shield himself from the blow, deflecting most of the energy away from him, though the assault still knocked him back several steps. "I did what I felt was best for the galaxy, son. And for our family," he added softly.
"You are the one responsible for making me who I am now, Father. Do you intend to undo the Empire you helped create? The one you wanted me to rule by your side?" Atrox demanded, his rage further deepening his connection to the dark side. Yet, there seemed to be something in him that did not want to attack Anakin, despite what he had done, something restraining Atrox from destroying both Mara Jade and Anakin Skywalker, a part of him that wanted to be with them again.
"I accept full responsibility for whom and what you are, my son." Anakin said gently. "And despite what you believe, I hold the same vision we did then, to erase Palpatine's corruption from the galaxy, whatever it takes."
"As well as my own?" Atrox demanded, locking eyes with his father.
Anakin met his son's eyes with compassion and sorrow. "I want you to be happy, son, and I don't sense that you're happy in the life you now lead."
"I left all of my friends, my sister for you. To get to know my father, and all he has done to me was encase me in darkness and destroy any thought my friends had of me." Atrox said softly, avoiding his father's gaze, turning towards Mara.
A single tear rolled down Mara's cheek as she looked into his eyes. Hesitantly, she reached out to him, offering the love she still felt for him in spite of everything that had happened.
Anakin bowed his head. "I do not expect, or deserve, forgiveness for what I have done to you. Nor can I erase the damage I have caused. But I will always love you, whether you choose to pursue the path you have chosen, or choose a different path."
Atrox used the Force to lift Anakin's head up and forced him to look at him. "You chose this path for me, Father. I never wanted it, only Sidious and yourself. I wanted to be a Jedi, like you." Atrox whispered, now turning towards his apprentice. "I didn't want it for you either, Dan." Luke finally was able to break through the layers of darkness keeping him subdued.
An overwhelming wave of guilt washed over Anakin at his son's words, their truth cutting into his heart. Unable to speak, he simply looked into Luke's eyes, allowing him to see into his soul.
A ripple of emotion passed through Invisus, who had watched the scene dispassionately until now. Almost as soon as it occurred, however, it was gone, and he stared sullenly at his feet, refusing to respond to Luke's words.
Daren's voice whispered in his ear, softly. Don't turn away this opportunity for freedom, Dan.
Invisus retorted bitterly, They killed you, they tortured me, and my friends, and kidnapped us. I will never rest until Atrox and Vader have been caused as much pain as they have given us.
Luke looked towards Invisus' direction and locked his eyes on him. I did not kill your father. Darth Vader, and Darth Vader alone is responsible for that. Do what you will to me, but remember, you must deal with Mara Jade in the end.
Invisus stared back at Luke, coldly. You've already ruined my life. I only have one thing to live for: revenge. I will have justice for the crimes you've committed, both of you.
Atrox instantly seized control of Luke Skywalker again. "If you bring harm to Mara, apprentice, you will perish." He said coldly before using the Force to pin him against the wall.
Invisus glared back at Atrox. "So you have mentioned, master."
Red lightning shot from Atrox's raised fingers instantly at the apprentice's defiance, slowly draining the life force from him and adding it to Atrox's own. "I also mentioned this, apprentice."
Invisus could only let out a low moan as he felt his strength being sapped. "F-forgive me… master…"
Atrox response was to narrow his eyes, continuing to drain Invisus' strength, wanting to leave a lasting punishment for what would happen if he even thought about touching Mara, or his children.
A note of panic entered the young man's heart, knowing he couldn't survive much longer if his master continued, but too weak to speak.
Mara felt an odd sense of satisfaction as she watched Atrox strip the life from his apprentice, amused that Atrox was having problems with Invisus's obedience.
What are your intentions? Atrox demanded through the Force.
To… learn… and to… serve… you… master… Invisus forced the thoughts to form.
"You will serve my will without question." Atrox bellowed, as he stopped the red lightning and threw his apprentice into the durasteel floor, denting it.
"Yes… master…" Invisus gasped, weakly.
"Jade, do with him as you will." Atrox said to Mara, winking to her as he walked past Anakin.
She eyed Invisus, then Atrox, and muttered, "As you wish, my lord." She nudged the young Sith Lord with the toe of her boot, and said coldly, "Get up."
Too drained to move, Invisus simply lay there, eyes closed. She dug her boot into his ribs, insistently. "I said, get up."
At that, Invisus' eyes opened slightly, locking with hers for a brief moment before closing again. "E-chu-ta," he whispered, desiring nothing but to sleep.
He was dragged to his feet by the throat with the Force as she slammed him against the wall, storming up to him with an icy glare. "No one says that to me. Am I clear?"
"Anything for you… shutta." Invisus replied, trying to kick her legs. "I'm sure your children will be just like him... tainted and twisted."
With one fluid movement, Mara's magenta blade ignited and severed Invisus's legs at the knees, keeping him pinned against the wall. "If you were not his apprentice you would no longer be living," she whispered in his ear, her voice soft and deadly. "Remember that when your master comes for you. He is not as forgiving as I." She released him, letting him crumple to the ground in a heap, and strode swiftly from the room, trying in vain to regain control.
Be careful, Mara. You have a right to be angry, but don't let it rule you. Anakin told her softly.
I know. She answered shortly. I just… I'll be in my quarters trying to clear my head, if anyone cares.
She broke off the conversation, and stormed off to her own room, trying to ignore the dark power humming on the edge of her mind.
Anakin followed her, unlocking the door with the Force. He knelt down beside her, and tilted her chin up to look at him, brushing the darkness away with his light. "I care," he said seriously. "Your children care. Atrox cares. Don't be afraid to ask for help."
She stared back at him, eyes shimmering with tears. "What if he's right? What if… what if they're… tainted, cursed by our darkness when they were conceived?" She took in a shallow, shuddering breath, trying to steady herself. She looked down at her growing belly, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. "What have I done?"
Anakin embraced Mara firmly. "You were protecting your children, Mara. Maybe a little extreme, but what is important is that you now realize that you did something wrong."
She shook her head, halfheartedly trying to pull away. "No. I would do it again, and more. He… he deserves to have his tongue cut out and the Force stripped from him!" she whispered viciously.
"That is a protective mother, as well as the dark side, Mara." Anakin said softly, sending the light side of the Force into her, calming her. "I'm sure your children will be fine."
Mara shook her head, tears trickling down her cheeks. "Please, Anakin, you've been very kind, but I… I want to be alone right now. I… I need time to think."
"No, Mara. I'm not leaving you like this, and I know you're as stubborn as I am. Only know this, I'm not leaving." Anakin said sternly, leaving no room for room for question.
She glared at him through her tears, knowing he meant every word. Her head jerked in the direction of the door as Atrox stormed in, and alarm spread through her.
"What happened?!" Atrox said slowly, as he knelt next to Mara, his eyes turning cerulean again. He looked from Anakin to Mara, waiting for one of them to answer.
Mara was the first to speak. "Perhaps you should ask your apprentice that question," she said bitterly.
Anakin gently reached out to touch his son's thoughts, offering him the memory of Invisus's exchange with Mara.
His eyes almost instantly turned back to a burning yellow. "I'll kill him, I swear." Atrox muttered to himself as he got up once again and stormed out of the room, sending extreme amounts of dark energy into his apprentice's mind, nearly tearing it apart.
The overwhelming pain and darkness was what pulled Invisus out of unconsciousness. In the small part of his mind still capable of rational thought, he realized that the retribution Mara had foretold was upon him.
Atrox increased the amount of dark energy he was channeling into his apprentice's mind exponentially, allowing it to expand into the pain centers of his brain, focusing it there for several moments as he continued to storm towards the cell he had been locked into.
The young Sith clutched his head, moaning in agony as Atrox continued to afflict his mind. He would have begged his master for forgiveness, but he was no longer capable of forming words, mentally or physically.
As Atrox tore through the cell door, he used the dark side to slam Invisus through a bulkhead, with such force that the wall shattered. "I am far from done with you." Atrox rumbled as he ignited his lightsaber, approaching his prey slowly, keeping his saber trained on Invisus' stomach. He continued to increase the throbbing in Invisus's head, allowing the pressure of it to build. The pain was excruciating, more so than he had ever experienced, and he hovered on the edge of consciousness, barely comprehending Atrox's words.
As Atrox enhanced the pain centers of his apprentice's brain, he began to draw lazy lines on Invisus' stomach with the blade of his saber, applying more pressure in some areas than others. "Once I am finished with you here, my young apprentice, I am going to go after each member of your family. You will be restrained completely helpless as I interrogate them, and depending on my mood, kill them… slowly." Atrox hissed.
NO! his mind wanted to scream out, but lacked the strength; his senses were dulled by pain to the point where he barely felt the torment Atrox was putting him through.
With a flick of the blade, Atrox severed one arm, then the other, as another shudder of agony rippled through the shaking youth at his feet. "I'll get Mara Jade's opinion on how best to… deal with your… sudden loss of ability, my apprentice. I will leave you to your agony. However, if you pass out or go to sleep in any manner, I'll be sure to kill your family."
Both Anakin and Mara sensed the scene unfolding inside the cell block, Anakin with horror, Mara with indifference. Anakin turned as Atrox entered the room, studying his son for a long moment before speaking. "Well… you were… thorough."
"He deserved it. I came to inquire to how she would like his… next step to be taken. Whether to treat him as Vader was treated when he got his injuries, or if I should… leave him as he is for the moment." Atrox said darkly, the dark side swirling around him, begging for further release.
Anakin winced, remembering all too clearly what Palpatine had put him through, and knowing it was something he wouldn't wish on his worst enemy. Withdrawn inside herself, Mara simply stared at the floor, not really seeing it. Finally, she said in a low tone, "I care not what becomes of him; just keep him away from our children."
"He deserves it, Anakin, despite what you think." Atrox growled, pausing for several moments, locking eyes with him. "Or do you have a more… suitable punishment for the… fool?"
"What are you calling the treatment he has already received?" Anakin asked, mildly. "His actions were in response to your treatment of him, and the training he has begun."
"Then you fix him, for if I see him again before I meditate, I'll kill him." Atrox growled in response. "Perhaps if I am in a good mood later, I'll consider healing him."
The older man bowed his head. "Very well." He took a final concerned look at Mara, then nodded to his son and went to the cell block.
He was met with Invisus's pain-crazed eyes, desperately holding on to consciousness, and life. Anakin gently put him into a healing trance, using the light side of the Force to calm him. Scooping the broken youth into his arms, he carried him to the medical facility and ordered the medical droids to begin stabilizing him, but to leave his limbs for now. Seating himself nearby, he watched as the young Sith was cared for, wondering if he could give this boy the chance he had been denied.