An impossibly happy reunion
Re-defining "alternative ending"
He wiped an invisible smear off his pristine white and blue armor. He'd been to the Jedi Temple a few times in the part two decades, but this was a special occasion. He'd been invited to a knighting ceremony, which was a rare gesture even for his rank and his position. He made sure his 'Savour of the Republic' badge was set right on the chestpiece, and wondered if anyone else would be wearing this medal during the ceremony. It wouldn't be like General Kenobi not to invite his best trooper to the knighting of his own padawan, but for a brief moment he wondered if Cody was too old for this type of parade, and maybe he turned down the invitation. In a biological sense, they were over seventy years old, and he heard that his brother kept collecting battle wounds long after the Clone Wars had ended.
He was drumming an old march on his helmet under his right arm, patiently waiting for the other guests to arrive. He couldn't hide a proud smile over the memory. They had ended it, saving the Republic and the Jedi Order with the same, last operation.
"Hi Rex! At first I didn't even recognize it's you! Black hair, eh?"
He turned around to see Cody step out of the speeder. Just like him, he was wearing immaculate armor and the 'Savour of the Republic' medal.
"Well, too many of us have white hair by now, I had to come up with something new."
"Admit it, you just want to impress a civilian guest with your doubtless charms." Cody teased him. "Hey, wanna bet if she will still call him Skyguy?"
"On her son's knighting? She'd better not." Rex frowned. Then he added "Which means, yes, she will."
They didn't have much contact with Ahsoka Tano since she parted ways with the Jedi, but the 501st did receive a holovid message when the former commander gave birth to a son. And of course, Rex got to meet the young Togruta quite often after his general took the youngling as his padawan.
And now he was to be knighted. Years flew so fast, Rex mused.
Then he remembered the other boy who was to become a Jedi Knight today: Kenobi's second apprentice, the one General Skywalker seemed to be attached to just as much as he was grown to his own apprentice. The reason behind their connection was an open secret, but a secret nevertheless.
"I heard you served with him for a few years before your retirement?"
Cody seemed puzzled for a moment.
"Served with whom?"
"Commander Luke Naberrie."
"And he's an excellent leader."
"I heard so."
