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All original characters are the property of Celgress.

Star Wars – Dichotomy: Twins of Light and Darkness – Chapter Two: A Strong Bond

By

Celgress

15 BBY

Coruscant , night

Darth Cyrin wheezed as she limped into the girl's room with the medicine. Her body ached from the force lighting that had overloaded her exosuit and spinal implants. The damage was of such an extensive nature she was only moving by way of Force manipulation. Her master Darth Sidious told her to let the child die if Haparion proved not strong enough to fight off the virus on her own. There was no way Cyrin could do that. The four-year-old was the only speck of goodness in her otherwise bleak life. When she defied Sidious' order he punished her accordingly.

Cyrin applied the medicated balm then laid down painfully on Haparion's bed. When the child who Cyrin cradled in her arms stirred Cyrin held her even closer. Cyrin sang a song she heard once when she was very young to comfort Haparion.

"Aunt Cyrin," Haparion whimpered.

"Hush baby, I'm here," Cyrin said stroking the child's hair. Haparion snuggled closer.

Cyrin spent the night with Haparion. She only left the next morning when the Haparion's fever broke. Wearily Cyrin stumbled into the hallway quietly in spite of the agony that bloomed with every step. However, one person who happened to be nearby noticed her painfully slow progress.

Grand Inquisitor Grievous stopped. He regarded Cyrin titling his head slightly to one side as he did so. "What you did for the child, is admirable." He said at last.

"I owe her," Cyrin said simply.

"Because you took her from her family?" General Grievous said.

Cyrin said nothing she only limped away.

11 BBY

Coruscant, afternoon

"There you are Hapari, I was so worried," Cyrin said. Cyrin had searched the entire grounds of the Imperial Palace already without success. She was about to give up when she located the child here in the a corner of the vast gardens. Cyrin noticed the child's eyes were puffy and red. "What happened?" Cyrin asked.

"Tolin laughed at me because I don't have parents." Haparion sniffed naming a male human child of one of the moffs that Cyrin did not care for much.

A pang of guilt passed over Cyrin's heart. "I'll have him punished," Cyrin said.

"I already hurt him. I pushed him with the Force and broke his leg I think." Haparion said. She looked up at Cyrin with watery eyes. "I didn't mean to. It just kind of happened."

"I know you didn't Hapari," Cyrin said. She sat down next to the girl.

"Please don't tell the Emperor. He'll punish me." Haparion said.

"It'll be our secret," Cyrin said putting her arm around Haparion. "I'll make sure Tolin remains silent." She smiled at the girl who smiled back at her warming Cyrin's heart.

"Thanks, Aunt Cyrin you're the best." Haparion beamed.

7 BBY

Coruscant, evening

Haparion came down the central spiral staircase of the Imperial Palace wearing an elegant dark purple evening gown tastefully appropriate for a twelve-year-old girl on the cusp of adolescence. "How do I look?" She asked.

"Stunning my dear, simply stunning." The Emperor said.

"A rare beauty." Grand Inquisitor Grievous said.

"Like a strong, confident, lovely young woman," Cyrin said. "I'm so proud of you Hapari."

Haparion gave Cyrin a quick hug. "Thanks, Aunt Cyrin." She said. She turned to the Emperor and Grievous. "Thanks, everyone."

"Remember young lady tonight is a learning experience. One day, if all goes as planned, these will be your subjects. Observe them, but never trust them. Always be wary of their machinations. " The Emperor instructed.

"And have a good time," Cyrin said. Grievous almost laughed before the Emperor silenced him with a venomous glare.

"Yes, do enjoy yourself." The Emperor said. "Grand Inquisitor Grievous please escort Lady Haparion to the ballroom. I want to have a chat with Lady Cyrin, in private."

"At once my liege," Grievous said with a bow. "May I have the honor?" He asked Haparion offering his robotic hand.

"Of course," Haparion said taking his hand in her own. They strolled away. Once out of sight Darth Sidious addressed Cyrin.

"You've grown too close to the girl. I fear you've lost objectivity, Lady Cyrin." Sidious accused. "Perhaps a period of enforced separation is in order, hmmm?"

"No," Cyrin blurted out. "I can't bear to be apart from her. She is the closest thing to a daughter I'll ever have."

"True," Sidious said without a hint of sympathy in his voice. Twisting the knife he added. "How unfortunate the Jedi's attack left you barren besides crippled. Perhaps if you had been more skilled."

Cyrin fought to restrain her building anger. After years of studies, she still feared the Darkside powers of her master. One day she hoped to overthrow him, but not soon not to today.

"Forgive me, master. I overstepped." Cyrin said mustering every ounce of control she had. She bowed her head.

"In the future, it would be best to remember who is the master and who is the apprentice Lady Cyrin. I the meantime here is a friendly reminder." Sidious unleashed twin blinding torrents of force lightning at Cyrin who stoically endured excruciating pain for twenty solid seconds without an attempt at defense or protest.

'I love you Haparion' Cyrin thought keeping her feelings for the girl buried deep inside as she always did.

4 BBY

An Imperial Star Destroyer emerging from hyperspace near Tatooine

Darth Cyrin shook herself from her reminiscence. News of Haparion's ship being destroyed had reached not long after the event. She had immediately commandeered the nearest Star Destroyer, much to the chagrin of the commanding offer, and rushed to the scene.

"Lady Cyrin we've entered the Tatoo System." A female bridge officer informed Cyrin.

"Scan the planet. We must find the princess." Cyrin said.

"If she survived." The captain a pale human male of around forty sneered. Soon he was gasping for breath and clutching at his throat as Cyrin force choked him.

"Suggest that again next time it will be lightning and I won't stop until I've thoroughly cooked you alive captain," Cyrin growled releasing him from her grip. Now to recover Haparion safely from this backwater.

To Be Continued

Author's Note -

A bit short, but I still hope you enjoyed it my readers. I hope to add a much longer chapter soon.