Okay, new chapter. Finally! Again, sorry for the late update ^^'
On a high note... This one is going to be a break from the 'not-so-fun' that's been happening in the past few chapters - also sorry for being so short! I didn't want to mash up too many things =(

Read, review and enjoy =D

Chapter 21

Rex woke up with a groan, eyes blinded by the bright light in the room. He saw everything was pretty much white and clean with many different objects around.

"REX!" there was so many faces, all the same, yet each one with a different expression. Joy, relief, disbelieve and surprise were all present as more and more shouts were exchanged around him.

"Guys?" he finally recognized those around, his team in the front, Cody right behind, the rest of the Ghost Squad at the edges and even the Camp Squad, giving the others space.

"You had us worried brother!" Turm was smiling like an idiot, hardly keeping himself from patting the hospitalized clone on the back.

"Don't scare us like that again okay?" Pion shook his head, angry with the blonde, but relief evident in his eyes and voice as he checked the signs.

"No need to push yourself like that again," Jezdec gently set a hand on his shoulder, looking him in the eyes to see if everything was really fine. He himself had a few bandages around but seemed fine otherwise.

"How you managed, we won't understand," Bishop chuckled, eyes scanning the 'king', looking for any detail or sign they might have missed.

"How are you?" Cody asked, hand on the other shoulder, giving a small squeeze.

Rex wasn't sure who to answer first, or how. So, he just settled for laughing, eyes closed as he almost felt like crying. The fact so many people cared for him, made him overjoyed. He never asked for much of anything, but he was beyond glad to have brothers like these.

"The way you're reacting, I'd think you missed me," he had to give some remark back, making the others shake their heads or let out chuckles.

"Well, seeing you giving wisecracks means you're good and ready," the clones moved aside, giving Mortimer some room to come closer.

"Get prepared everyone – the graduation ceremony is going to start soon. After all, everyone can finally be present," he added, giving a bow of his head to the blonde.

"Congratulations," Shak smiled at the many clones gathered before her. "You showed us you are prepared to face the war. All of you fought and worked for this, and you all earned it. From today onwards, you are no longer cadets, but troopers," she gave a small bow as the clones clicked their heels, straightened and shouted: "Thank you sir!"

Every first year squad made it. The Chess Squad's fear of retaking the test was quickly put out as things were explained. They were even in tow to be higher up, as they managed to fight off against the unpredictable and hard session. The five could hardly hide they joy as they heard that, but was broken for a bit, when they saw Luis. He was now sent to prison on Coruscant, facing a long time of jail for all he did. They were also set to go on their first real mission in the coming month. Things were finally starting to look good for them.

When they were allowed to themselves for a bit, the Chess and Ghost Squads met up in the training ground, as they agreed last year.

"Finally made it?" Cody was the first to speak, this team standing in a line as the other came closer.

"Didn't know this was timed," Rex smirked back, staring into the other clone, before they reached into a handshake, reaching all up to the forearms.

"Way to go!" Cody called, pulling the blonde into hug and releasing him a few seconds later.

"Well, you owe me ten credits," Jet smirked, looking at Bull, before walking closer.

"You were very impressive," he added, setting a hand on Bishop's shoulder.

"Not all of us are drama queens like Cody," Bull smirked, took a step closer and hit his forearm against Turm's, both of them smirking.

"Now it's just going to be more training," Lander laughed, lightly hitting Pion on the shoulder.

"Maybe we'll even work together," Jewels winked, slapping Jezdec on the back.

"Oh… am I too late?" at the new voice, all troopers turned, their faces wide with smiles.

"99!" they called, the oldest clone carrying… something, with a small smile on his face.

"You're just on time," they called as the 'defective' clone walked closer.

"I – I um," he muttered, looking up at the younger men, shifting his weight and moving the long box in his hands. "I got something, for – for all you guys," he finished, extending his arms with the box.

"T-Thank you!" Rex blinked, just as surprised as the rest as he gently took the box.

"I – I hope you like it…" 99 muttered, feeling a bit scared of what they might say.

"99… Where… where did you get these?" Cody asked as soon as the box was opened, looking from it to the janitor.

"I know some people… asked them if they could deliver it…" the oldest clone whispered, looking at the troopers, whose eyes were glued to the box.

"I've never seen this much chocolate before… Or any kind really," Jezdec swallowed, eyeing the many different shapes and colors in the box.

"It looks really good," Bull licked his lips, wanting to reach and take one.

"I thought it wasn't allowed to have these," Jewels cleared his throat, but kept looking at the sweets.

"What our superiors don't know won't kill 'em," Turm shrugged, chewing on his lip.

"They have the whole place rigged with cameras," Bishop silently hissed, looking over his shoulder.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Mortimer disabled them for a few hours," 99 smiled as the troopers' mouths almost dropped.

"He knows?" Jet asked, blinking at the smaller clone. The only answer was a nod.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Lander raised an eyebrow at the others.

"Who wants to go first?" Pion looked at his brothers, seeing they were all hesitant.

"Leaders lead," all eyes turned on Rex and Cody, who opened their eyes wide.

"That's not how it works!" they called back, before catching glimpse of 99. He looked rather sad and even guilt ridden.

"If you guys don't want it," he didn't even get to finish before the blonde grabbed a piece and threw it into his mouth.

All eyes fell on him, as in the next moment, he took a deep breath, feeling the sweet chocolate melt and he couldn't help the small whimper. It was so good! His brothers looked in fear and shock as he chewed, before getting tired of that and taking their own piece. It was safe to say, all the clones had the same reaction – Turm and Bull even becoming a bit hyper. Within a few minutes, the whole box was emptied and the clones found out they need to be careful how much sugar they actually eat because, they get very energized by it.

"So, when are you getting sorted into your Companies?" 99 asked after a while as the troopers let out some of the energy.

"Not sure yet. I guess when we're ready and needed," Cody explained, smiling at the other troopers who were still half-jumping around the training ground.

"I hope it's soon – the sooner we're out of this place, the sooner we can help end the war," Rex nodded, a smile on his face as he saw Bull and Turm trying to run up a wall.

"Maybe we should stop them? They're going to hurt each other otherwise," the second oldest suggested, but couldn't keep in the chuckle as Jet ran too fast and crashed into Pion.

"Agreed. I'd hate to explain this to Mortimer," the three laughed before bidding the janitor a good day and reached their team.

"Alright men, get to together! You are official soldiers now – act like it!" at Cody's voice, the clones seemed to drop whatever they were doing and stood at attention.

"Just because we got this far, doesn't mean it's over. Far from it. It's just beginning. And we can't mess around with this. In a few weeks, we'll get getting a visit from a few Jedi – they'll be taking squads and set them in companies. So unless you want to be stuck here on extra training, you better show them you're ready and rearing for a fight!"

"Sir yes sir!"

Cut! And there we go! I always wondered what happened when a clone had chocolate or sugar at all so... I made this. Hope you liked it xD
And yes, finally, we'll be getting these dorks into their companies. A fair warning - I will be focusing on the Chess Squad so the Ghost Squad will be a bit 'less around' but I'll try and work them in whenever I can.

That's that for now! Hope you enjoyed and if you did, feel free to review! =D
Till next time~