Cowritten with Hylla_Ramirez_

Bones, Blaster, Wrench, Shadow, Spectre are owned by me

Amarilla, Tasha and Ouno are owned by Hylla

Rex, Kix, Anakin, Jesse, Chopper, Fives, Hardcase, Echo and Jocasta are owned by Lucas Arts. We simply play them. Well I guess it's now Disney :P

No we do not own Star Wars
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Rex walked the halls with Anakin a unsettling silence between them. His blonde hair now dull and a grown out a little over his standards. The bags that enveloped his eyes where noticeable, his posture a slight slouch. A small stubble had started to grow in his face which he rubbed just to rub it. The Jedi night finally broke the lingering silence. "Drinks are on me tonight". The battered smile of the captain played out in his face "that's good. Because I have no credits". The two shared a chuckle before entering a large room. This room fanned out to a flourish of different species, all draped in the familiar brown robes of the Jedi masters. He mentally groaned at the lack of self preparation. His face still was smeared with dirt, the outline of his scars being filled in with it. Skywalker faired no better considering they where ordered to report there immediately. Although still newer to eachother, the two became fast friends. Familiar green, orange, yellow, and red armor blended together to create a rainbow type effect. His eyes scanned the crown curiously but wouldn't let it show. He stood quietly with Anakin wishing he had a shower...

-meanwhile-
A small girl in black was hiding outside the council chamber. She was curious as to what was happening inside, but terrified to get caught. With every sudden movement her breathing hitched and her eyes darted around fearfully. Her blue eyes were wide with excitement. The chatter of the Jedi and clone commander mixed together. They where talking about plans for an counter attack on Genosis. The seps had been at it again. They wanted control over the slave trade. No one noticed the curious eyes of the girl as conversations lingered on. Rex found himself growing bored. He knew it was unprofessional but yet he needed a shower. His mind scrolled through the imaginary check list of a CO's and checked off all but one important job. Make sure the 501st had all their supplies needed. By this point he was figuratively punching himself in the face. As opinions clashed Rex shifted his weight, irritation visible in his features. The clones where technically the children, yet the Jedi always seem to spark a argument amongst each other. Compared to a clone's argument it was civilized but still didn't make it less annoying. As his gloved hand swiped over his face it spread the dirt along with it giving his skin a itchy sensation. Anakin sensing frustration bubble off the clone, looked over at him meeting his gaze. Their eyes locked and had a mental conversation before Anakin waved his hand. Rex nodded and slowly began to back out of the council's meeting, not paying attention to what was behind him. At that moment, the child happened to be walking out in front of the door.

A small human girl and a Rodian beckoned frantically for her to get out of the way, but she didn't see them, intent on her target of getting a better hiding place. Rex bumped into the figure and tensed. His shoulders visibly moved up and his muscles tightened ready for anything or anyone. His armor was covered in dents and a thin layer of dirt. Dried crimson specked mainly on his legs and arms. Some littered his chest plate but it was more splotchy. His armor hadn't been cleaned in weeks and he had no time to do it when they had reported back. His once slouched back, straightened out as if a pole had taken his spine's place. He spun on his heel and expected a disapproving gaze being dawned on him but saw nothing. Realization sunk in and he looked down, his intense gaze burning into the girls eyes (Nice people skills Rex xD). She squeaked, scrambling back. "S-sorry! I'm sorry!" She knew she wasn't supposed to be there, and so she cringed, imagining the kind of trouble she was in. Tasha and Ouno (the human and Rodian) melted back into the shadows unable to help their friend. Rex would've smiled in amusement but restrained himself. She was just like the shinnies. His face was deadpan as he looked at her "what's your name and why are you here?" He asks. "I'm Amarilla" the girl responds "Amarilla Despues". She looked away from the clone's gaze clearly guilty, "no reason". Rex raised an eyebrow "well by means of protocol I'm supposed to report you" he says but his mind told him to do another thing.

His gaze snapped to a sudden seriousness at the thought of disobeying protocol, well when all your generals are in the room right next to you anyway. His mind won "I'll give you a warning kid. My name is Captain Rex. I lead the 501st." He introduced himself. Amarilla seemed to shrink. "I just want to know who my master will be..." Rex frowned slightly the lines on his face matching to meet his expression. "We're discussing the upcoming battle" he says sharply. "Oh" she says shrinking back even more. "I hate battles" He paused for a moment gathering his thoughts "We were made for them. You'll learn to accept the consequences of war". His eyes drifted to the door of the room in which the others where gathered. Memories unveiled themselves, his brown eyes having a far away look. He blinked coming back to his normal state, gaze returning to Amarilla. "Be patient and your answers will be revealed in time" he says back on the subject of her upcoming master. He turned around and stepped away, his full intent on walking away. "I've been patient. But it takes so long!" She insisted. "I'm sorry for what I said about battles. I just don't want to fight. It's not that I'm scared, I'm as brave as anyone. No matter what Akia says. I just would rather heal people then hurt them." She covered her mouth, realizing she'd probably gotten herself into more trouble. Rex raised an eyebrow and paused midstep. "Follow what you believe is right, look into being a medic them." Amarilla stared down before answering "I can't, I asked. Jedi are supposed to defend those who need to be defended. And fight alongside the troops" she says in a small voice. He looked at her "ever think of breaking the rules?" He asks interested in what she had to say. Amarilla smiled slightly. "I'm here, instead of in my room reading like I'm supposed to be. What do you think?" Rex smiled slightly at the comment yet was confused. Aren't lower ranking officers supposed to obey their CO's? He didn't when he was a rookie, at least not very well until Bric came along. He shrugged "fair point. Want to meet some of my brothers?" She looked at him eyes wide "you have brothers?""You've never met any other clones?" He asks eyes narrowing in confusion. "I'm not normally here, leaving the temple is pretty rare." She confessed. "Not technically supposed to be down here." He takes in the information and nodded. "Might as well make the most of it. By the way if your friends who thought they slipped off undetected want to come they can." Tasha and Ouno whispered to each other, something along the lines of "And we thought we where sneaky." He chuckled "follow me" he says walking with strides brisk and light. The young trio sped after the Captain. As they where passing by a marksman, Spectre. They greyish, brown eyes of the clone inspected the younglings curiously. Several small scars covered his forehead and nose area and a large scar cut through his eyebrow. The red curved like marking on his face (which is around his eye) shung under the lights. His eyes snapped away and back towards his sniper rifle cleaning it's barrel well. "Do your brothers look like you?" Tasha asked. "Do you have a lot of them?" Ouno chimed. "Yes and Yes" he answers simply "we get new ones everyday, we're cloned constantly. But clones customize their appearance with tattoos and piercings" he says. "Cool." "I wanted to dye my hair, but Madam Jocasta said no when I asked" Tasha chirped. Ouno nodded mutely. "You two do realize you are different people, right?" Amarilla checked. Both looked at her like she was crazy. "No we aren't" they argued. Rex listened, used to things being discussed quickly. He lived with brothers, you had to grow accustomed to it. He chuckled and stepped into the barracks of the 501st.

Everyone immediately snapped to attention the white and blue armor glinting in the lights. Some clone's attention turned to the younglings, curiosity sparking in their gaze. Others remained trained on Rex until the order was given. "At ease". As this was said the clones relaxed and went back to their normal routines. The kids eyes looked like they were about to bug out of their heads, as they took in every sight. A clone approached overall carrying himself in a goofy fun loving stature. He flashed the kids a welcoming grin before adding "hey kiddos! I'm CT-4171! But you can call me Blaster!" "Hi!" Amarilla said cheerfully. "I'm Amarilla, and this is Tasha Lem and Ouno. We can't pronounce his last name." "Hey Blaster" Tasha and Ouno say at the same time. He saluted respectfully to them "I look forwards to seeing you guys be our commanders and eventual generals on the battlefield! Nice to meet all of you." A group of clones now approached and a newly appointed ARC trooper was next to introduce himself. Unlike Blaster this clone had a more mature big brother aurora. "I'm Bones" he says taking a protectiveness to the trio already. Another raised his hand the shiny tattoo on the corner of his forehead making him easily recognizable. "I'm Fives!" The one next to him nudged him "rude you didn't introduce me. I'm Echo". "That's Hardcase, Chopper, Wrench and Kix". As each one was pointed out they made a slight gesture towards themselves. "Heya!" The trio said in unison before giggling uncontrollably. "Why does this always happen?" Again in perfect unison. More giggles erupted from the kids. "Hey your like us!" The clones replied in unison before looking at each other strangely. "Well that's never happened before" Blaster said "we'll never been that long anyway." "Do you do pranks too?" Tasha asks. "Yessssssss" they responded nodding together. Blaster had a huge grin plastered on his face. "I'm Prank King. Outrank everyone in the legion with the pranks I pull off!" "Exactly the same" the trio agreed. "You guys should hang out with us. You could get in so much trouble". Fives chuckled but stopped to glare at Bones and hold his head as he received a slap on the back of it. "Don't give them ideas" Bones says matching Fives glare. The trio smiled evilly.
"Bucket head" Echo muttered. Rex simply shook his head disapprovingly and glanced at Shadow as he walked over. Tasha and Ouno where whispering in earnest. "What's up?" Shadow asks looking at everyone. "Hello!" Tasha and Ouno said, Amarilla just a beat behind them. "How do you do that? Every time..." He chuckled "you guys must be linked by some bond. My name is Shadow." "They think they're twins" Amarilla agreed. "I'm Amarilla and the twins are Tasha and Ouno". They waved to him and smiled. "Nice to meet you" Shadow dipped his head to them. Rex cut in "hey boys can you take care of them for a bit. I got to clean armor, take a shower and get the 501st all settled". The group looked at each other having a mental conversation "alright we're in" They responded. Rex fixed them a look reading 'don't do anything stupid' before jogging off. "What do you guys do?" Ouno asks. A moment later Tasha piped up with "is it fun?" "Normally they wrestle" Kix says "me and Gauze sort medial supplies and Wrench builds". Blaster smirked "want to fire a blaster?" Like every kid would say the trio responded with a big fat "yes!!!" Bones eyes widened and after a millisecond snapped "no!" Replying to the sharpness of his tone the trio unleashed a variety of questions. "What?", "is it bad?" "Stop taking in sync!" Bones waited until they quieted down "not something we should be doing." Blaster chuckled "aw come on loosen up!" The kids smiled angelically at him. "We could use shinnies as targets, I mean it would only be stun bullets" Blaster says loving the idea. Bones narrowed his eyes "Blaster if you do that I'm using you as a target" he says adding extra emphasize on 'you'. This sparked a arguments different things being flung from Blaster them back to Bones.

The kids eyes moved from speaker to speaker as they leached intently. "Jeez you guys are five year olds I swear" Echo muttered watching his two brothers argue. The trio cracked up. Tasha curiously nudged a blaster. "What does this do?" All clones snap their attention and at the same time yell "don't touch that!" Tasha moved her hand away "what does it do then?" Wrench spoke up "it kills things depending what mode it's on." "Cool!" Tasha exclaimed. Ouno made a face, and Amarilla gave her a disapproving look. Kix made a blank face before adding "If it misfires it could kill one of us". Tasha's excitement fell "not so cool". "Yeah we've been hit before in a war zone, we don't need to be hit in barracks" Bones chuckled. "Yeah and I don't need to fix these gundarks up anymore then I have to" Kix laughed. "Hey!" Fives says "I take offense to that!" Kix shrugged and Echo sighed. Shadow looked down and Wrench looked at the ceiling. Hardcase glanced at each individual clone as memories flashed in all of their heads. "What's wrong?" Wrench snapped back to reality before replying "nothing" stoutly and walking away. "Okay.." Amarilla said uneasily. "It's almost time for our drills. Bye kids" they sigh and walk off. Bones stayed behind with them though. "Did we do something wrong?" Ouno asked, followed by a list of incessant questions. Bones not being able to process it at the moment kept quite. Rex came back looking clean, reenergized and put together "kids time to go back". "Aww. Can we come visit you again?" Amarilla asked smiling as adorably as she could. Rex resisted a smile "of course. But we might not al be here or as cheery. It's war kids. A good life lesson is that victory cannot be achieved without sacrifice. Also remember to never leave a man behind". The kids nodded solemnly. He noogied each one gently before walking off to attend to the drills. "Wow.." Tasha whispered, awed. "That was so cool" the others nodded. Ouno glanced at his watch "Poop!" Their heads snapped around. "What?!" "We were supposed to be asleep half an hour ago. And madam Jocasta checks on us in ten minutes!" The younglings raced off towards the temple, hoping that they could beat the clock.