We Remember Them
Author's Note: I thought it would be interesting to see Luke and Rex interacting post-ROTJ. And fyi, I wrote this before I knew anything about Rebels, so it's not exactly canon-compliant... xD
~ Amina Gila
Rex finds that he can't take his eyes off the young man standing before him. Princess Leia Organa had introduced him as Commander Luke Skywalker, and Rex immediately knows who his father is. General Skywalker. Luke resembles his father entirely, save for his small stature. That must come from his mother, who is no doubt a certain Senator from Naboo. He doesn't know Leia too well personally, but he definitely has heard the whispers that she's Luke's twin sister. Twins. The General would have been proud.
He hadn't had the chance to talk to Luke much before they went on the mission to destroy the Second Death Star, but he has time now. And now, he also knows that General Skywalker is dead. He can't quite remember when he first learned that the former Jedi Knight had become Darth Vader, but he wasn't completely surprised either. Rex supposes that he'd always known on some inner level that Anakin struggled with his own darkness, and he hadn't expected him to Fall – however exactly that happens, he doesn't know – but he did expect that something would end up happening.
Luke's smile seems a little too forced as Rex studies him. His blue eyes look tired, and Rex suspects that he might understand. It's only been two weeks since their mission on Endor, and the Rebels still haven't finished celebrating the deaths of the Emperor and, of course, Vader. He didn't celebrate. He couldn't. Maybe he and the General fought on opposite sides for years, but in the end, Vader was still his General.
"I thought you might like to meet Rex since fought during the Clone Wars," Princess Leia adds, before giving her twin a friendly pat on the shoulder and walking away.
"The Clone Wars?" Luke echoes, gaze following her before his head swings towards Rex. He studies him anew, this time with markedly greater interest.
"Yes, I'm one of the only remaining clones," Rex confirms. He studies the younger man, gauging his reaction. There's a spark of curiosity in his eyes mixed with respect. "I fought under your father," he confides. "General Skywalker was a great man." He doesn't miss how the boy tenses slightly, expression dimming. He's still in mourning, no doubt about it.
"What – what was he like?" Luke asks. He seems to be hanging on Rex's every word.
Rex purses his lips, studying the young man in front of him. He sees much of General Skywalker in Luke. He doesn't know him well, but he's heard stories. "He was an amazing pilot," Rex begins. "The best I ever knew, and one of the greatest Jedi. He was brave and loyal, though often reckless in battle. He would willingly jump into danger and immerge mostly unscathed, or should I say still alive. Unlike many other Jedi, he didn't see my brothers and I as disposable. He cared about us as people. That's one thing he shared with General Kenobi and Commander Tano." He doesn't think he'll ever get used to calling her Ahsoka. It seems odd, even though they became fast friends after the Empire formed.
"I wish I could have known him," Luke whispers sadly, bowing his head and scuffing at the ground with his boot. "I've heard stories, and – and it hurts knowing that others got to know my father when I never did."
Rex rests a hand on Luke's shoulder. "I understand," he says simply. "You're still mourning his death. I know who he became," he adds cryptically when he feels Luke tense, "And I mourn him too. There was never a better general than your father. He inspired loyalty in every one of the 501st, and any of us would have willing given our lives for him. We did many times."
"I don't understand what happened to him," Luke confesses, shifting uncertainly. "I don't know how he went from being a loyal, caring Jedi to a cold, callous Sith."
"That's not something I can answer, Commander Skywalker." Rex shakes his head slowly. "I wasn't with your father when everything fell apart. He sent me with Commander Tano to capture the Sith Lord Darth Maul on Mandalore. I was with her when the Chancellor issued Order 66."
Luke blinks. "What?"
"How much do you know about how the Empire really formed?" he poses in return.
"Not much apparently," the boy answers slowly.
"I'm sure you know a lot," Rex soothes him, "But there is much which no one knows. Maybe that's why your sister introduced us."
"You know?"
The clone chuckles. "I think almost everyone knows now. Word travels fast, you know."
Luke smiles, and this time, it seems more genuine. "I would like to hear your stories about – about everything."
"Especially about General Skywalker," Rex deduces, smirking slightly.
"Of course," Luke grins.
"You're like him so much," he comments, unable to stop the words from escaping. "When I look at you, I see so much of him in you. He must have been proud."
"I think he was," Luke murmurs. "I know he loved me. He sacrificed himself to save me."
"That sounds like the General I knew," the warrior says softly, eyes sweeping to the trees nearby. He swallows back his emotions. It hurts so much, knowing that General Skywalker is gone forever. They'd fought together for years, and as painful as it was to lose brothers, the Clone Wars were still better than the Empire. It's ironic how Rex could look back on those battles, those moments he spent with his favorite Jedi and actually miss them. There's almost nothing he wouldn't give to be able to go back in time to those days.
Luke swallows. Hard. "I miss him." His eyes glisten slightly with tears that he's obviously unwilling to shed.
"So do I," whispers Rex. "You want to learn more about him." It's more of a statement than a question, but Luke nods anyways. "I'm willing to tell you anything you want to know."
"I wish he hadn't died." Luke tilts his head back to look up at the sky.
"As I do," Rex agrees, "But it was inevitable, I suppose. It was war, and people we love die in war. It's the price we have to pay for doing what's best."
"It's hard."
"I know, Commander. Believe me. I do." The clone lets his gaze drift away, focusing on an unseen spot in the distance. "Does the Princess know of her heritage?"
The boy nods wordlessly. "She refuses to accept it. She hates Vader."
"I'm sure she'll come around eventually, but you can't take responsibility for her choices," Rex reminds Luke. "Even if she doesn't, we'll remember. We remember them, and we can give them the honor and recognition they deserve if only in our memories. You did know General Kenobi, from the little I've heard."
"Yes, I did, but not well enough." He laughs mirthlessly. "I didn't even know he was a general until shortly before he was killed."
"There will be time enough for me to share stories of both of them." It feels like it was only yesterday that Rex was on a campaign with Generals Skywalker and Kenobi when, in reality, it was decades ago. He considered both men friends, and now they're dead. He mourns for both of them – probably always will – and is one of the last people who can properly carry on their legacies. Ahsoka could, that is, if she's still alive.
"You mentioned a Commander Tano," Luke remembers. "Who's that?"
"Ahsoka Tano. She was your father's Padawan until she left the Order," Rex explains.
"Where is she?"
"I don't know." He shrugs slightly. "I haven't heard from her for years, so I expect she may have been killed." Part of him suspects that she ran into Vader, an encounter she likely didn't emerge from alive. Some things like that do upset him, but the much bigger part of him aches at the loss of his general. He was a soldier, and in many ways, he still is one. Loyalty goes first and foremost to superiors and then one's fellows.
Luke exhales shakily, before offering Rex a genuine smile. "I'm glad I met you. Even if I'll never be able to get to know my father personally, I can at least learn more about him."
Before Rex can offer a reply, he hears an all too familiar voice, one he thought he'd never hear again. "Luke." He whirls around as fast as the boy next to him. Around fifty feet away, General Skywalker is leaning against a tree trunk, a half-smirk on his face. He looks exactly the way he did when Rex last saw him. The only difference is that his entire form is tinted blue.
"Father!" cries Luke, taking a step forward, surprise and unfiltered joy in his tone. "How –?"
"I only have a few minutes," Anakin interrupts gently, straightening. "I'm using the Force to solidify my form enough that non-Force sensitives like Rex can see me." Luke throws himself at his father, wrapping his arms around him tightly. Anakin returns the embrace, holding his son close, practically glowing from happiness. Rex can't even remember the last time the General looked so peaceful.
"It's good to see you again, General," Rex says when he finds his voice, trying to convey as much sincerity as he can.
"I can say the same," General Skywalker smirks, looking back at Luke, "And I'm always around, watching just on the other side. I'll never be far from you, my son."
Luke mumbles something which Rex can't hear, face pressed against his father's shoulder. "I know," Anakin whispers softly, stroking Luke's hair. He looks up, meeting Rex's eyes. "Rex, watch over my children, will you?"
"Of course, sir," Rex replies immediately, nodding.
"And if you tell Luke any tall tales, I'll know," the ghost adds, grinning.
Rex huffs a quiet laugh, as General Skywalker approaches, clasping his shoulder briefly, left arm still draped around Luke who doesn't seem willing to let his father go. "Obi-Wan sends you his greetings," Anakin tells them before stepping back. "Until next time." His meets Luke's eyes before he vanishes as though he was never there.
Closure. Maybe it won't be so hard to move on from General Skywalker's death after all. Luke is still watching the spot where his father was only moments earlier. Suddenly, he turns towards Rex, expression excited. "Ahsoka is still alive," he bursts out. "Father just told me so."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Rex queries, with a smile. "Let's go find her." He turns to walk away, and Luke fall in step next to him. One of his closest friends, his little sister, is still alive. He might be able to see his General again, even though he's dead. What else could Rex ask for?