Archive of Our Own ^beta

Fives woke surrounded by darkness. But…no, it wasn’t complete darkness. Pinpricks of light shone all around him. Stars. He was surrounded on all sides by stars, and yet it seemed there was solid something beneath his feet.

“Okay…” he muttered. “Weird.”

Then, he remembered what had happened. Tup. Kamino. The chips. And…

Dead. He was dead. A blaster bolt had gone through his heart. No way he’d survived that.

“Um…hello?” He took a tentative step forward and light rippled away from where his foot landed. “Is…is anyone here? Echo?”

“He’s not here Fives.”

Fives whipped around to find a vod standing before him.

“Hevy?” he breathed.

“Yep.” Hevy grinned. “It’s me.”

“But…what do you mean Echo’s not here? We’re all dead, right?”

Hevy just frowned, a sad gleam in his eyes.

“No.” Fives suddenly went weak in the knees. “Are you saying…Echo…”

“He’s not dead.” Hevy stepped closer. “But don’t give up hope. You and Echo are twins. You share a bond in the Force.”

Fives frowned. “But we’re not Force-sensitive.”

“As the Jedi would say, the Force is in all living things.” Hevy grinned. “And it has decided to give you a chance to return.”

“Return?” Fives blinked. “As in, come back to life?”

“Not…exactly. You wouldn’t have your old body. And you wouldn’t be able to speak…not with words, at least. Though you and Echo will still be able to understand each other.” Hevy rubbed the back of his neck. “Honestly Fives? I don’t really get the whole thing myself. I’m just giving the message. Now you have to make a choice.”

“I already have.” Fives smiled. “However it works, I want to see Echo again.”

Hevy nodded. “I figured as much. Good luck.”

Before Fives could reply, the stars faded and the floor dropped out from under his feet.

The next thing he knew was the feel of a cool breeze on the back of his neck and tall blades of grass tickling his nose. Everything, all the sounds and smells around him, seemed sharper and more defined. When he finally tried to stand, he quickly realized he was no longer human.

He couldn’t stand up on two legs anymore, only down on all fours. But it felt natural. And what he could see of his front legs showed them covered in a thick coat of fur. Something moved behind him and he glanced back to find a furry tail swaying back and forth.

It was all so strange, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was the burst of light that he couldn’t see, but knew was there all the same. It was a long way away, but not for much longer. All he had to do was be patient and one day, his brother would find him.

Don’t worry Echo. We’ll see each other again soon.

Even so, he had to wait a lot longer than he’d expected to…

Echo groaned and sat up in his seat, but the motion made his head pound.

Echo…

His eyes shot open. “Fives?”

He knew that voice. Despite the fact that it sounded like millions of others, he knew that voice better than any. But…that was impossible.

“Oh good, you’re conscious.”

Echo shook himself out of his daydreams and glanced over to find Tech working on something under the Marauder’s instrument panel.

“What happened?”

“We crashed.”

“Again?”

Tech ignored the jab. “Wrecker was rendered unconscious as well. Hunter took Omega outside to get some air. She was a little shaken, but otherwise uninjured.”

Echo leaned forward so he could see out the cockpit viewport. “Where are we?”

“An outer rim planet called Lothal. Fortunately, the Empire does not have a strong presence here. As soon as repairs are done, we should be able to…”

Echo…

Echo’s eyes widened and he tuned out Tech’s voice. It…it wasn’t possible.

Come…find me brother…

“Echo?”

He startled and found Tech now staring at him with concern in his gaze.

“Right…good plan.” Echo stood up. “I’m going to check on Hunter and Omega.”

He stepped outside to find they were surrounded by tall grass waving in the breeze. One moon was already high in the sky, and a second was just rising.

Come…

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Omega was trying to befriend several tooka cats as Hunter looked on. But Echo hardly noticed. His feet were carrying him out into the grass as if he was in a trance.

But when he was a little way from the ship, he froze. “What am I doing?” But when he turned to head back, the voice cut through his thoughts again.

No! Please Echo…have to find me…

“Fives?”

The grass waved softly all around him, bathed in the moons’ gentle glow. The breeze sent a chill up his spine and he shivered. There was nothing here, no one. Certainly not his long dead brother.

Then, a howl echoed through the night. It was a desperate, sad sound that seemed to reverberate in Echo’s chest. He stared toward the sound for a moment before he began walking toward it.

“This is crazy,” he mumbled even as he kept walking. He just had to. There was something…someone…out there. Fives was out there. As impossible as it was, he just knew it to be true. Somehow, Fives was on Lothal, and he was calling to Echo.

The howl sounded again and Echo sucked in a breath. It was close now.

Echo!

And before he could do anything else, he was bowled over by a giant pile of fur.

“Hey!” He twisted around and his eyes widened as he found a giant wolf had him pinned to the ground. And even though he should have been terrified, it was kind of hard with the voice echoing through his head.

It’s you! You actually found me! Oh Echo, I’ve waited so long. I’m so sorry I left you behind. I didn’t know…if I had…but we’re together again now! I missed you so much!

Echo just stared up at what he could only call the lopsided grin on the wolf’s face, tongue lolling and tail wagging. But then Echo noticed the mark on the wolf’s head, an Aurebesh 5 white against the otherwise black fur. Then he turned his attention back to those honey-brown eyes that he knew so well.

“Fives?”

The wolf nodded hard. Yes, it’s me!

“But…but…” Echo just shook his head as he backed away.

The wolf’s grin faded and its tail drooped. Oh…I didn’t think about it. I…I know I’m different, but I’m still me. I’m…I’m still your brother.

For a long moment, Echo could do nothing but stare at the wolf. This creature could destroy him with one well-placed bite. And yet its eyes were full of fear and sadness. Fear, Echo realized, that he’d be rejected. That Echo would run away.

“This isn’t possible,” Echo whispered.

The wolf’s ears perked up and its tail gave a little wag. I know, but it’s real. It’s really me, Echo. It’s Fives.

The wolf took a step forward and this time, Echo didn’t try to escape. Instead, he reached out and gently laid his good hand on the wolf’s forehead. He met the wolf’s eyes and stared hard. But there was no denying it. Those eyes were the same ones that belonged to every clone. But these eyes, these were Fives’.

Echo’s eyes widened. “It’s you.” Then he threw his arms around the wolf’s neck with a sob. “Fives, it really is you!”

Fives dipped his head to squeeze Echo’s body against his own in the closest approximation to a hug a wolf could give.

Oh Echo, I love you so much.

They stayed like that for several moments before Echo took a step back again, wiping a tear from his cheek. “I don’t understand. Fives, what happened to you?”

I…died.

“I know.” Echo nodded. “Rex told me what happened.”

Fives’ ears perked up again. Rex? But I thought…I assumed he died. Or was under the chip’s influence.

“No.” Echo shook his head. “Your warning saved him. He was able to fight off the chip long enough to save Commander Tano, and she removed it.” He tapped his head. “He got me and my squad to remove ours as well.”

Your squad? Fives blinked. It…really has been a while, hasn’t it?

“Oh.” Echo frowned. “I assumed you knew. I mean, you knew I was alive. I just assumed…”

Fives shook his head. When I died, I met with Hevy.

Echo’s eyes widened. “Hevy?”

In the afterlife, or the Force, or whatever you want to call it. Anyway, he told me that we were bonded in the Force, you and me, and it was giving me a choice. I could pass on, or I could come back in a different form, and I could find you again.

Fives leaned forward and pressed his giant head gently against Echo’s. It wasn’t a difficult choice.

“How’d you even recognize me?” Echo gestured to the mechanical components on his head. “I know I’m…different as well.”

How could I not know you? The lopsided grin had returned. But also, I think I’m a little Force-sensitive now.

“You’re kidding!”

Nope! The moment I woke up, I could sense you. Like a little light, far far away. It wasn’t long before you started moving around though.

“That must have been after Rex and the Bad Batch rescued me.”

The Bad Batch?

“Clone Force 99.” Echo smiled. “You’ll love them. They’re…different too. All of them had mutations that the Kaminoans enhanced. They’re a little chaotic, but if it wasn’t for them, I’d still be a prisoner of the Techno Union.”

I’d love to meet them. Fives’ voice, still only in Echo’s head, had taken on a melancholy tone. Echo, I’m really so, so sorry. I should never have left you behind.

“No.” Echo shook his head. “There was no way for you to know. And I don’t blame you Fives. I just…I wish I had been there to help you when you needed me.”

They were both quiet for a few moments before Echo sighed and glanced at moons. More time had passed than he had realized, and they about to sink behind the horizon.

“I…probably ought to get back. It’ll be dawn soon. The others will be worried about me, and it’ll take a while to get back.”

No it won’t. Fives lay down. Climb on.

Echo hesitated a moment. “Are you sure?”

Of course! I’ve been dreaming about this. I can show you at least a little of what it’s like to be a loth-wolf.

“Is that what you are?” Echo gingerly climbed up onto Fives’ back. “And you like it?”

It was…difficult to get used to. Fives got up. But it let me come back to you. And besides, I can now run faster than any clone ever has.

And with that, Fives leapt forward across the grass. Echo grabbed a handful of black fur and held on tight. But his momentary nervousness was quickly replaced with awe.

“This is amazing!” He laughed as they flew across the plains.

I told you you’d like it!

After a moment, Echo let his grip loosen and closed his eyes. The cool night air was rushing into his face, making him feel young and whole in a way he hadn’t in a long time. Or maybe that wasn’t the reason. Maybe it was the fact that he had his brother back.

With a sigh, Echo leaned forward and buried his face in thick black fur. The smell wasn’t anything like what he’d been expecting. It was wild and a little musky, but somehow it just reminded him of Fives.

The sun broke over the horizon just as they arrived back at the Marauder. The others were all outside looking worried, but their expressions quickly changed to shock when they saw Echo and Fives.

“Where have you been?” Hunter glanced between the two of them. “And what is that.”

“A loth-wolf,” Tech spoke up. “A species of predatory canines native to Lothal. However, none has been seen in many years, and they were believed to be extinct.”

“I don’t know about that.” Echo slid down, unable to hide his grin. “But this one is not just a wolf. This is my brother, Fives.”

They all just stared at him for a moment as if he’d lost his mind.

“So,” Wrecker said at last. “Your brother is a wolf?”

“I thought you said Fives died,” Omega said.

“He did.” Echo reached up and absentmindedly scratched behind Fives’ ear, which the wolf quickly leaned into with a pleased huff. “I know this sounds crazy, but I hear his voice in my mind. And the mark on his head is the same as Fives’ tattoo. He told me he was given the choice to come back after he died, so here he is.”

Hunter and Wrecker exchanged a dubious glance, while Tech just checked something on his data pad. Omega, however, grinned and ran over to them.

“Hi Fives! Echo didn’t tell me a lot about you because it made him sad, but I’m glad you get to see him.”

“Omega!” Hunter snapped. “Get away from that thing! It’s a wild animal.”

“Oh boy is he.” Echo smirked. “But she’s not in any danger Hunter, trust me.”

“Trust you?” Hunter shook his head. “Echo, do you even hear yourself?”

“Yes, and I know it sounds crazy.” Echo leaned into Fives’ side. “But this is Fives. I know it.”

“It’s a wolf!”

“Actually…” Tech readjusted his goggles. “Echo may be correct.”

Hunter turned his glare on Tech. “You’re supposed to be the smart one.”

“I am. Although loth-wolves were supposed to be extinct, locals believed they had some sort of supernatural power. A power that may very well be the Force.”

“That doesn’t explain how a dead clone could come back to life as one of these wolves!” Hunter snapped.

“No,” Tech said, “but considering how little I know of the Force and how it works, I wouldn’t say it was out of the realm of possibility.”

Hunter just shook his head.

I don’t think he likes me much.

“No, he just doesn’t believe me.”

“Who are you talking to?” Wrecker asked.

“I told you, I hear Fives’ voice in my head.”

“That’s…kinda’ weird.” Wrecker just kept looking more and more confused.

“It’s insane!” Hunter turned toward the ship. “Now come on already! Tech’s gotten the ship fixed, and we’ve been here too long.”

Before Echo could respond, Fives darted forward and picked Hunter up by the backpack.

“Hey!” Hunter reached for his blaster, but Fives gave a gentle shake and he dropped it.

You’re getting annoying, you know?

“Fives, put him down!” Echo snapped.

Fives unceremoniously dropped Hunter at Echo’s feet. He’s not very nice to you.

“He’s just trying to protect us all, and this whole thing does sound a bit crazy.” Echo reached a hand down to help Hunter up. “Sorry…he’s just a little protective of me.”

Hunter glared up at Fives for a moment before his eyes caught on the mark on the wolf’s head. “That…is a strange looking mark.” He glanced back at Echo. “Is it really the same as your brother’s tattoo?”

Echo nodded. “Hunter, believe me, I know how crazy this sounds. But this is Fives. I know it. Trust me.”

Hunter let out a long breath. “Well…I guess I’ve heard crazier things.”

That’s better. Fives sat down. Care to introduce me to your new squad?

“Right. Fives, this is Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, and our sister, Omega.”

Sister? Fives glanced down at her.  And they think I’m the odd one.

“Everyone.” Echo smiled. “Meet my twin, Fives.”

Hunter nodded, looking nervous. “Well, I guess it’s nice to meet you. But we really do have to go Echo.”

“I…I can’t just leave.” Echo placed his good hand on Fives’ neck. “Not now, not when we’re finally together again.”

“Hunter’s right,” Tech said. “We can’t stay. It’s only a matter of time before the Empire finds us.”

“But…”

Echo. Fives pressed his head against Echo’s. It’s alright. Now that you’ve found me, I think I’ll be able to find you even away from this world.

“How?”

I…don’t know how to explain it. But you have to go. Trust me, I’ll find you again.

Echo stared at him for a moment before he heard the sound of an approaching ship. They were right. It was time to go.

He quickly wrapped his arms around Fives’ neck. “You promise?”

I promise. Fives gave him another of his wolfy hugs. Now go.

Hunter had already pushed Omega onto the Marauder, and Tech was getting the ship ready to go.

“I’ll see you soon brother.”

Very soon. Fives pulled away to grin at him again. I’m sure of it.

Echo nodded and ran onto the ship. He quickly got into his seat in the cockpit and began helping Tech get the ship in the air. But when he glanced outside, there was nothing there. No wolf. No Fives. For a moment, he wondered if it had all been a dream that he’d conjured up.

But then, he heard that voice in his head once more.

Not a dream, Eyayah. I’ll see you soon.

Echo found himself smiling as they took off and left Lothal behind them.

“See you soon brother.”

Echo was desperate to find Rex and tell him what he’d found. But he’d tried to comm him several times with no response. He was starting to get worried about his former captain. He knew Rex was far more involved with fighting against the Empire than Echo’s squad was. Sometimes, Echo wondered if he’d do more good by joining him. But he knew Omega would be heartbroken, so he hadn’t seriously considered it yet.

But the more time passed, the more Echo began to wonder if he even wanted to tell Rex about the wolf. Because as sure as he’d been at the time that the wolf was actually Fives, now he found himself beginning to doubt. He hadn’t heard that voice any more, and he’d certainly never seen any sign of a wolf again.

Still, there were other things that kept him from giving up hope. A feeling of warmth and love seemed to follow him around now. And then there were the dreams. He and Fives would sit side by side, surrounded by stars. Both would look as they had before the Citadel mission. And they’d just talk for hours at a time. Those dreams started just after their crash on Lothal. Echo hoped that wasn’t just coincidence. That somehow, he was actually talking to Fives in the dreams.

The others, to Echo’s surprise, had become very supportive. He suspected Hunter was just trying to make him feel better, but Tech had several theories.

“I’ve done more research into the loth-wolves, and there is almost certainly a mystic, Jedi-like quality to them. In fact, there are ancient Jedi texts that depict such wolves appearing after the death of either a Jedi, or one who worked closely with them.”

Echo perked up at that. “Someone like fives.”

“And some believed them to actually be the deceased.” Tech nodded. “Let me know if you see or hear him again. I would very much like to learn more, including how you can communicate with him.”

“If it’s really a Jedi thing, I doubt you can learn much.”

“Maybe not.” Tech shrugged. “But I am still curious.”

It was several weeks after they escaped Lothal when they received a prerecorded transmission from Rex.

“I’m not sure when you’ll receive this message, but I could really use your help.” Rex glanced around. “I was trying to extract a clone deserter, but the Empire was waiting for me. I can only assume my contact is dead. I’ve escaped for now, but they disabled my ship, and I need an extraction.”

Rex glanced over his shoulder. “I know this is a lot to ask, but I sure would appreciate it. Sending you coordinates now.”

Echo could only stare at where Rex’s holo had stood, his mouth dry. “We have to help him.”

Hunter sighed. “Where are the coordinates.”

“Naboo.” Tech glanced up. “A world which is in the heart of the Empire.”

Hunter grimaced. “And the home world of the Emperor.”

Echo’s heart dropped. “If you don’t want to go, that’s fine. But I have to. If you could drop me off and forge me a chain code, maybe I could board a transport and—”

“Echo.” Hunter squeezed his shoulder. “I know how important this is for you. And besides, we owe Rex a lot. We’ll come.”

“Really?” Echo’s eyes darted momentarily to Omega. “Even if it’s going to be dangerous?”

“I want to help too.” Omega grabbed her bow. “Rex is our friend. He needs us.”

Hunter’s face went taught for a moment. “I don’t suppose it would do any good to tell you to stay on the ship, will it?”

“Nope.”

He nodded. “Fine. Then you stay close to one of us no matter what. Got it?”

“Yes sir!” Omega nodded. “Let’s go.”

Echo was relieved when Rex finally appeared through the mist. They’d been tracking through the swamp for a better part of a day.

“Thank you for coming.” He shook Hunter’s hand. “I wasn’t sure you would.”

“Don’t mention it. Though the coordinates you gave were off.”

“Sorry about that.” Rex sighed. “There have been several Imperial patrols, and I had to keep moving. The sooner we get out of here the better.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Echo nodded. “Let’s go.”

They had just caught sight of the Marrauder through the trees when a blaster shot rang out and they all dropped to the ground.

“Blast!” Rex muttered. “Always something.”

“There’s too much open ground,” Tech said. “There’s no way we get to the ship without a distraction.”

“I have some thermal detonators,” Wrecker said.

“Not close enough.” Echo shot at a couple white figures barely visible through the trees. TK troopers, not clones. He was both relieved to not be shooting at his brothers and disgusted at their replacements.

“Well, someone better come up with something fast!” Hunter snapped.

And then, Echo heard it. An eerie howl cutting through the night.

Don’t worry brother. I’ve got this.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Hunter muttered.

“What is it?” Rex asked.

“The wolf’s back,” Tech said.

A dark shadow burst through the trees and the stormtroopers were cast into complete disarray. The sun was just beginning to rise enough that Echo could plainly see the battle in front of him, if you could call it a battle. Fives was cutting through the stormtroopers with an unbridled glee, tossing them aside like ragdolls and dodging blaster fire with ease. Within minutes, the remaining stormtroopers were retreating.

Fives growled after them for a moment before turning with his lopsided grin.

See? I told you I’d see you soon.

Echo just laughed as he ran toward his brother. “How’d you even get here?”

Fives dipped his head at Echo’s approach so Echo could scratch behind his ears. It’s strange. After you left Lothal, my physical form just kind of disappeared. But I was still with you, in your dreams if nothing else. I know everything that’s happened to you since. And, when you were in trouble, I was able to become the wolf again.

“Well, I’m glad you did.”

Echo turned at approaching footsteps to find a very confused Rex staring at them. “What’s going on?”

Echo grinned. “I know this sounds crazy, but evidently Fives was reincarnated as a wolf after he died.”

Rex’s eyes widened and he glanced up, gaze immediately catching on the white 5 on the wolf’s head. He just stared for a couple moments before gingerly reaching out. Fives nosed his hand with a happy huff.

I wish he could hear me too. Echo, tell him it wasn’t his fault. I know he blames himself.

Echo relayed the message, and Rex’s eyes suddenly went misty.

“Vod’ika…” He laid his head against Fives’. “I…I’m still so sorry.”

Fives quickly dipped his head to trap Rex in his version of a hug. I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have done more.

Echo shook his head. “You two…”

“What?” Rex glanced at him. “What did he say?”

“You both try to take the blame for things that were clearly not your fault. All of this, Fives’ death, the chips, the Empire, all of that is on Palpatine, neither of you. He’s the only one to blame.”

Can’t argue with that.

“Yeah…I guess you’re right.” Rex turned back to Fives for a moment before wrapping his arms around his neck. “I missed you so much vod’ika.”

Same. But I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere.

Echo relayed the message with a smile. “We’re all together again.”

“And you’re happy.”

He glanced down at Omega in surprise. “What?”

She grinned. “I’ve just never seen you so happy before. And I’m glad.”

“We all are.” Hunter didn’t seem nearly as nervous as before when he approached the group. “You deserve to catch a break.”

“Oh, so you believe me now?” Echo smirked.

Hunter stared up at Fives for a moment. “Yes…I think I do.”

Fives cocked his head. Huh. Maybe you’re not so bad after all.

Echo grinned. “Thank you, Hunter.” He glanced back at Fives. “So…will we see you again?”

You can count on it. Fives nodded. I think when you found me, you broke me free of Lothal. I’ll now be following you wherever you go.

Echo smiled and hugged his brother. “Love you vod.”

Love you too. Fives returned the hug. And don’t worry. Whenever you ever need me, I’ll be with you. Always.