Parting of the Ways

A.N: Timeline setting: Directly after The Clone Wars Season 7 Episode 12, 'Victory and Death'

AUTHOR'S WARNING: Firstly... expect there to be spoilers for where Ahsoka and Rex end up.
Secondly, consider this an apology to the people who took the past one shot badly, as well as my views that came through with it. I needed a way to vent, and perhaps it wasn't the best way to do it. I hope this makes up for it... somehow. I don't hate Rex and the Clones, I promise. They are just as tragic as Anakin, if not more so with their lack of choice.

Just know I'm sorry.

The smouldering wreckage of the Venator that had nearly been a death trap for them both was the last thing on Captain Rex's mind right now.

'No, not a Captain anymore. I'm not part of the Grand Army of the Republic anymore. I made that choice.'

At least… that was how he now viewed himself. Rex wasn't even sure if there was a Republic to turn back to anymore, not if this 'Darth Sidious' had taken control as he feared. If a Sith Lord was now running the galaxy, that could only mean bad things for everyone alive, and there was no way in hell he was ever going to serve a Sith Lord! His brief stint under the effects of Order 66 had haunted him enough as it was. The last thing he wanted was to turn against his friend… again.

Honestly… Rex still wasn't sure why Ahsoka had seemingly forgiven him for his temporary betrayal, or why she had forgiven the others for that matter. Yes, they had been under the effect of the chip, and yes, it hadn't been their fault… but in her shoes, with everyone on the ship trying to kill her, Rex knew that he would have acted very very differently.

Still, it had been Ahsoka's insistence to refrain from harming any of his brothers that had won out, not unless they really had to. Rex had been prepared to kill his brothers if it meant defending Ahsoka, but she hadn't. Maybe that made her a better person than him.

He admired Ahsoka for that. In a ship full of death, she had remained steadfast in her beliefs and tried her best to avoid harming anyone. If it hadn't been for Maul destroying the hyperdrive, well, they might have just succeeded.

Sighing softly to himself, Rex reached up, placing the shovel he had acquired back into the cockpit of the Y-wing that had saved them both. The graves had been dug, and the bodies buried. There was little left to do here but leave.

And yet, despite the urgency that was needed, once again Ahsoka had found the time to pay respects to those that had tried to kill her. If someone had told him back on Christophis that one day, the small Togruta girl would grow into a woman of confidence and respect, he'd of never have believed them. He enjoyed Ahsoka's company back then of course, but she had been young and frankly, arrogant.

And yet, despite that, she had grown, and matured, and she had become a pivotal part of his life that he couldn't imagine being without. She was the only thing he had left in the galaxy now, and he would never let anyone harm her. It was the least he could do. She had saved him from Order 66 and the tyranny it brought with it. Now he would do all he could to protect her in a time where the Jedi would be hunted, even if it killed him.

Turning his head away from the Y-wing, Rex glanced over at the mass grave site that had been dug, and the figure that stood before it, draped in a heavy grey cloak.

From the distance he was standing, he saw her move her hand slightly, something dropping out of it and landing on the ground before the graves. Even at this distance he knew what it was. Her lightsaber. The last remaining remnant she had of Anakin Skywalker, being left behind as evidence of her 'death' in the crash.

Rex didn't like the thought of Ahsoka not having her lightsabers with her. Without them she was defenceless, and considering the shots that she had taken during the battle, most of which had been minor damage, she would certainly need them in the days to come.

Still, he trusted Ahsoka. He always had, and he always would. If she thought that leaving them behind was a good idea, then he shared it.

He would however ensure she was properly trained in the use of blasters as a compromise. No way was he having her without some means of protection.

A hoot of an animal, a bird of some kind drew Rex's attention upwards, as a small avian flew overhead, it's cries echoing around the wreckage. In a way, Rex hoped that was symbolic of hope of some kind. Even with all the death that surrounded them, there was still innocence in the galaxy to protect. Not everything had been lost in the chaos of the Clone War.

"Rex?"

Ahsoka's voice drew his attention back to the earth, the Togruta now standing before him, her tired eyes staring up at his own, a small smile on her face, one that he could tell was horribly forced.

"Hey." Was all Rex could say. He honestly didn't know what else to say right now. What could be said?

Ahsoka clearly felt the same way. His closest friend didn't speak, instead she chose to approach him, her arms emerging from beneath her cloak, the burns on them reminding Rex of just how close he came to losing her, before she wrapped them around his body, pulling him into a gentle hug.

Rex was not usually one for physical affection, but just this once, just for her, he reciprocated, hoping it added comfort for whatever she was thinking.

The two remained silent for a few moments as they embraced, taking comfort in the fact that they still had each other in this now darkening galaxy. It would be difficult days ahead for all of them, he knew, but together, they would….

"I'm not coming with you Rex."

Every bone in Rex's body seized in an instant.

"What!"

Ahsoka pulled back out of the embrace, her eyes watering slightly, making his own do the same.

"I said I'm not coming with you. We can't go together Rex, not at the moment."

"But Commander…"

"No buts Rex… and it's Ahsoka."

"Ahsoka…. Please…"

"We can't. If we go together, we have a better chance of being tracked. We need to separate for now, just until everything dies down. Then I promise you, I'll come and find you."

Rex knew what she was saying was true, no matter how much he hated it. They were both fugitives now, and if one of them was found, it would put the other in great jeopardy if they remained together. Rex knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he put Ahsoka at risk like that, and he knew that Ahsoka felt the same way about him.

He supposed that… in a way, she was trying to protect him one last time. And if it meant possibly never seeing her again, then he would do the same thing for her in a heartbeat.

"Ok… I hate it, but… ok." Rex spoke sombrely, turning his head away from Ahsoka's, bringing one hand up to rub away the tears that were building in his eyes.

He couldn't look at her right now. He knew he'd break if he did.

"One day Rex… I promise."

Rex believed her. He would always believe her.

"So what now then?" He asked, unsure what their next moves were, even if they were separate. He knew they had to hide, but he really didn't like the idea of not having a mission.

Luckily for him, Ahsoka clearly knew that.

"Well, you are going to take this Y-wing and get as far away from this moon as you can."

"What about you?" Rex questioned immediately, not liking the idea of stranding Ahsoka on this moon, surrounded by death.

"Don't worry about me. I'll find my own way off. There must be something in that wreckage I can use." Ahsoka replied, gesturing to the wrecked Venator around them.

Despite liking the idea even less than the two of them splitting up, Rex conceded. He knew there was no changing Ahsoka Tano's mind on some things.

"Just know I hate this idea." Rex spoke, adding a small element of humour in, hoping it would make the dire situation lighter.

Judging by the small smile that came to her face, he had succeeded.

"I'd expect nothing less from you Rex, but you won't have time to worry about you. I have one final mission for you, if you'll let me that is?"

Rex would be lying if he said he wasn't pleased. Right now, he needed direction, and if his best friend was going to give him something to do because she trusted him with it, then he would.

He always would… for her.

"Of course. What do you need me to do Commander?" Rex replied, instinctively using the honorific when addressing her for orders.

"It's Ahsoka, remember? Losing your memory in your old age?"

"Heh. Sorry Ma'a…. Ahsoka. What do you want me to do?"

The smile on the Togruta's lips faded for a moment as she turned back to glance over the graveyard once more, contemplating something, before she turned back around to face Rex once more, determination on her face.

"I need you to go and try to find some of your brothers. Get their chips out if you can. I don't care who it is, I don't care if they went through with Order 66. I just want you to find them and save them, as you saved me."

For the first time since everything fell apart, Rex felt a sense of duty, a sense of purpose, and it was all thanks to Ahsoka Tano.

He would do as she asked, because she had saved him. Because she was his friend.

Because she was just as much his family as the brothers of the 501st had been.

"Ok, I will Comman… Ahsoka. I'll find them, and I'll save as many of them as I can."

"Glad to hear it. May the Force be with you Rex." Ahsoka responded, reaching a hand forward to grip his own, squeezing it lightly before she turned away from him, moving back towards the wreckage.

Despair filled him in an instant. The site of his only friend walking away hurt more than he ever realized it could. Was this how General Skywalker had felt when she had descended the Temple steps?

He couldn't let her go… not like this.

Not without knowing she would be safe.

"Ahsoka!" Rex called, resolute in what he was about to do. If he couldn't be there in person to protect her, then he'd make sure that some part of him was.

The Togruta froze for a moment, clearly struggling to turn back around and face him.

She did in the end, and that was all Rex needed.

Reaching down to his hip, Rex upholstered both of his blaster pistols, before vaulting them both through the air to Ahsoka, who caught them with a confused look on her face.

"Keep those to keep you safe. Least I can do."

"But Rex… these…"

"Are mine? I know, so I'll be wanting them back one day. That way you gotta find me to return them."

Ahsoka smiled again as she glanced down at the pistols in her hands, before moving them to her own waist, hanging them beneath her cloak in the same place her lightsabers had once been.

"I'll keep them safe for you Rex. I promise."

"I'll hold you to that!" Rex called out, a smile on his face, content that Ahsoka would be perfectly fine. If anyone could survive the galaxy falling apart, it was her.

Seeing her begin to turn around once again, Rex called out to her one last time.

"May the Force be with you."

Ahsoka's nod of confirmation was all the response Rex needed.

Turning his head to the Y-wing behind him, Rex began to move towards it before he stopped. The loud hoot of the avain from before sounded out again, and Rex decided to risk one last glance at Ahsoka.

Turning around however, he found she was no longer there. She had vanished, just as she had planned. He knew she couldn't have gone far, but at the same time he knew not to look for her.

As she had said, for now, they had to depart ways. And despite how he felt about it, Rex knew that one day, he would see her again.

And he was already looking forward to it.

But first things first, he had a mission to complete.

Turning back to the Y-wing, Rex vaulted up into the pilot seat, powered up the engines, and took to the sky.

As the Y-wing lifted off, Ahsoka Tano watched from the shadows of the wreckage, bearing keeping the tears in her eyes from falling.

Her last friend was leaving her, and it was all because she had ordered him to.

She didn't like being separate from him, but she had to protect him. Whatever was left of the now Sith controlled Republic would be hunting her, even if she faked her death.

If Rex was by her side, he would be in danger. She owed it to him to keep him safe, even if she was in dire danger.

She knew she'd see him again one day, when they were both ready. But for now, they both had their own mission. One was to hide, one was the save.

Her's might have been the more cowardly mission, but right now she had to do it, for the good of people like Rex. She knew that Rex needed a mission in life, some goal to work towards. So she had given him one, even if she was unsure what she should do next.

Continuing to watch the Y-wing, Ahsoka saw as it disappeared into the clouds above, vanishing from view, leaving her completely alone, surrounded by nothing but death and regrets.

With Rex finally gone, Ahsoka allowed herself to break, falling to her knees, tears falling freely. She hadn't wanted Rex to see her this way, not after what he had just been through. She had to be strong for him, no matter how broken she felt.

Now however, no she could let herself break, if just only for a moment. After all, it wasn't like anyone else was around too…

'Hoot?'

The call of an avian brought her head up, a small green and white bird sitting before her, beady eyes staring at her, as if waiting for her.

For a few moments, Ahsoka simply stared back at the bird, before allowing a small smile to come to her tear covered face.

Perhaps, just perhaps, she wasn't completely alone. Perhaps she still had a purpose yet.

It was just a case of finding it.

Author's thoughts

So, as I said above, this one shot is an apology to anyone I upset with the last one. I admit it was a harsh thing to do, but at the time, (and still somewhat now) I was having mixed feelings about Rex, mainly due to the writing team seemingly retconning the 'I didn't betray my Jedi' thing from Rebels.J I clearly perceived it in a very different way a lot of others did, and I've seen the discourse about it meaning something else, and I'm fine with it.

The last one shot was merely me clearing my mind of any hostile thoughts at that moment in time. It does not mean I hate Rex and the Clones, or that I don't understand that their story is one of great tragedy. Everything they knew, everything they fought for ended up being a lie. They were as much tools for Sidious grand scheme as Anakin was.

I feel sorry for them. i really do. I just don't quite know how to feel about Rex right now. My anger at him has waned, and I do still like him. I'm just trying to sort out my own head.

This one shot was birthed by a scene I wished had been in the finale, but understand why we didn;t get it. As good as it was (and it was a good finale), I wanted to explore the idea of Ahsoka and Rex parting ways after it, and how each would react to it, considering what they had just been through. Rex took centre stage because... lets face it, these events were much harder on him than they were Ahsoka. Rex is a man of purpose. He needs something to do. Without a Republic to serve, he ends up lost. Luckily for him, Ahsoka knows this, so she gives him one last mission, something she knows he will be invested in and complete.

As for Ahsoka, she is broken too, but in a very different way. Luckily it seems she has a guardian convor looking out for her.

So yeah, that's that I guess. I hope you enjoyed the one shot, no matter how much many of you probably hate me right now. I don't blame you if you do. I hate myself too.

So... sorry... I hope this somewhat makes up for it. Consider the ban on Rex's character lifted. I still want him around.

As usual, comment and speculate at will. Speaking of which,,, let me address your comments from last time:

Mysterious guest one: Perhaps I am being too harsh, you are right, but my mind was and still is not in the right place eight now, so I apologise if I upset you. Hate me if you wish. I don't mind.
The Clones do have a very tragic story, one that essentially boils down to them being worthless in the end of the day. They were tools to eradicate the Jedi, and then they were cast aside. If anything, I'd say they have the most tragic story in all of Star Wars. After all, they weren't even given the choice, unlike Anakin and his tragedy.

Mysterious guest two: No offensive taken. Honestly I deserve all the hate you can give me. I did react badly to it, and I'm sorry for doing so. I'm a bad person, I know. I hope this one shot does... something... to make it better. I doubt it does though, and frankly I don't deserve any forgiveness for it. So... sorry again.

Mysterious guest three: That was my belief yes. I had assumed he had removed his chip after what he said in Rebels, and thus reacted badly to it when the truth was revealed. All my fault. I deserve any hate that comes my way.

Jojobinks01: I'm sorry you feel that way. It was not my intention to upset you, or anyone with my stories. I'm not going to stop you from leaving. After all I deserve any and all hate I get.
Rex and the Clones don't need a redemption arc as they had no choice for the crimes they committed. They did nothing wrong. It wasn't their fault.
Anakin did have a choice, but even he wasn't beyond redemption. No one is. I simply chose a unique direction for his character arcs for my story. Simple as that.