Ringing… that.. awful ringing..

Echo strained the shake away the high pitched whine echoing in his ears. The after effect of the fiery explosion maintained its steady tone, deafening the loud scream of his name. The ARC's movement hurt, and Echo feebly ceased his attempt. The crippled clone lay in silent agony.

On the ground I lay

Motionless in pain

I can see my life flashing before my eyes

The flames around him licked harmlessly at the plastoid of his armor, it's glow was fading..

"We have to go NOW!" The general's voice startled Echo, reminding him of the whine in his ears that was finally dulling. It took Echo a moment to register the meaning..

Did I fall asleep

Is this all a dream

Wake me up, I'm living a nightmare

NO! Echo thought in sudden panic I'm alive! Alive!

The ARC mustered all of his strength to open his eyes to drive away the creeping darkness. Nothing.. his eyes were open. But.. the light.. still faded.. Echo fought the darkness, fear for death consuming him.

I will not die

I will survive

Echo took a shuddered breath to relax himself. He had to relax, not panic. Think about better things..

Fives.. his brother, his best friend. Hevy, Cutup, Droidbate.. all of those in the Domino squad. Despite the pain, Echo smiled.

I will not die, I'll wait here for you

I feel alive

I will not die, I'll wait here for you

In my time of dying

Dimmer.. the world grew dimmer.. Echo feebly moved in protest. But. the dark was inviting.. he was tired.. so tired..

On this ground I lay

Losing everything

I can see my life passing me by

His armor had protected him for the most part, but it wasn't enough.. he felt his fingers and toes chilling, the cold tendrils creeping up his limbs. Staring into the sulfur misted sky, Echo heard a long howl of some creature. It was just a faint noise to the memories he replayed of his squad, Domino squad.

Was it all too much?

Or just not enough?

Wake me up, I'm living a nightmare.

Master Ti had said they were one of the best she had seen. Fools.. they had been fools to believe her. Echo felt suddenly angry at the Togrutan jedi. Yes she had saw promise in them, but they had only completed the course once. Once!

No.. we were great. We deserved it, all of us..

I will not die, I'll wait here for you

I will survive, I'll cry here for you

I will not die, I'll wait here for you

In my time of dying

Echo's heart ached. Fives was alone now.. what must he think? A wetness slid down his cheek, startling the ARC. He had never cried before, not even when Hevy died. Why now? Echo shut his eyes to quell the tears, wishing he could say good bye for the last time.

He gave into the darkness, only to the soft calls of his brothers. Hevy's coaxing.. 99's comforting words.. Cutup's reassuring pat.

Yes. It was his time.

I will not die, I'll wait here for you

I will survive, I'll cry here for you

I will not die, I'll wait here for you

In my time of dying