Chapter 9 - Home

Author's Note: Reunions. :D

~ Amina Gila

Alema Syndulla

It must've taken at least an hour to get to the surface. I have no idea. All I know is that I'm thoroughly exhausted when I finally reach the top, my head popping up above the water.

The containers are already there. AZI is rapidly losing power, but we thankfully made it before he could go completely dead. I was starting to get worried – it would be extremely inconvenient for me to carry him and try swimming up when I'm already exhausted.

Echo and Fives help me into their container – yes, it's very crowded in here, but I'd rather squeeze in with them than the others if I have a choice. And from here, at least, getting to the Marauder is... easier. It's better than it could be, and we don't talk until we reach the landing platform, by which point the sun is already rising. We're all too worn out to talk. None of us have rested since before Daro.

Omega approaches the edge of the platform, staring at the smoking remains of the city on the horizon. "It's all gone," she breathes. She sounds so... lost. Briefly, I remember the gut-wrenching feeling of when I saw the Temple burning.

"That's what the Empire does," I reply quietly. The words do nothing, really, but nothing anyone says would be enough to soothe anyone. Across the sea is the smoking, still burning remains of the only real home the clones have ever known. "Destroy. It's everything we were fighting against. Then..." I trail off, sighing, "Then I found it was for nothing. That the Sith made it happen, that they made the war happen to seize power."

"Well, if it weren't for the war, we wouldn't exist," Fives points out.

"Yeah," I agree quietly, looking away, "It wasn't all bad." It was the only time I was happy.

"I never had time to say before, but thank you for coming to find me," Hunter says finally, breaking the silence, turning to face me.

"It's nothing," I mutter, struggling to hold his gaze. Force, I haven't had a problem with this since I was thirteen. "I just wish I could help... others." I could've stopped this. I don't dare voice that thought.

"Thanks for coming back for us, too," Wrecker adds.

To that, I just nod.

The silence settled over everyone else is... almost awkward. I know it isn't normal, but so much happened, I know why they have a hard time talking to one another now.

"This never had to happen," Crosshair says finally, turning to Hunter, who bristles instantly, even if I don't think it was meant antagonistically. It sure sounds like it, though, but he doesn't... feel angry in the Force. Hurt, betrayed, confused, scared, and broken, yes, but not really angry. But that's how clones cover their emotions – with anger, because soldiers aren't supposed to have emotions.

"I'm sorry," Hunter says finally, after a painfully long moment of silence, "For leaving you behind. It... all happened so fast."

His eyes drift past Hunter to where Wrecker is standing, and then, they both look away. It's just like Hunter and Tech, I realize, heart twisting painfully. They're close in a way they can never be with the others anymore because of what they went through together. "What about Wrecker?" he asks finally. "What happened to him?"

"His chip activated later," Echo answers quietly. "We knew it would happen, and we were trying to get it out, but..." Silently, I can only be grateful that Wrecker never gave away their location to the Empire. It's quite impressive he didn't. I guess it's... really proof of how hard he was trying.

I can't imagine what it would be like to be controlled. Ahsoka knew. She would know what to do and say. She always would, but she's not here. I should've taken her with me to Ryloth, but... "We were all tools for something bigger," I find myself saying finally. Aniya, I think, would've explained everything to them, start to finish. I can't bring her back, but at least I can honor her memory and what she was when we're away. Or at least... who I thought she was. "That doesn't make us weak. The Sith had the clones made to fight in the war they orchestrated. You were meant to be their army in the end, but that doesn't mean you can't choose to fight them, to restore peace to the galaxy."

"Fighting isn't a life for Omega," Hunter objects, "She deserves more."

I... honestly can't understand that. I wish I could. I've always been the youngest. Never really had to take care of anyone like that. War is in my blood, plain and simple. "No one will have more if we don't end this war. I can help you find what you need, but there are others who need us. We just have to find them. I... will. That doesn't mean you have to come." Suddenly, I realize this means I might well end up losing them, too. I don't want to, but it feels inevitable that I'll just keep moving, drifting, unable to find my place in the galaxy.

"We should leave before the Empire's scouts show up," Tech interrupts. Good idea, really. I don't want to stay on Kamino any longer than I have to. Being here feels like a call of times long past, an echo of an already ending era.

I follow the others to the ship. Omega hangs back a bit, finally entering last after Crosshair. Tech flies us out of the atmosphere. As we go, I can't help mulling over what Hunter said. Maybe he is right. Maybe this really isn't the life for them, or for Omega.

"If you want to disappear," I tell him finally, "You can. The Empire will think we died on Kamino. You have a chance." Except that would mean, to cover for them, I'd have to disappear, too.

"We have to talk about it," Hunter replies at last. Not that much talking is going on, anyway, after we make the jump to hyperspace. I'm exhausted enough to fall asleep straight out in the co-pilot's seat, not caring that my arm and shoulder will be incredibly sore when I awaken.

I think everyone crashed in the back of the Marauder, actually. I don't know how long it's been. All I know is that I awaken to the blue and white swirls of hyperspace, and quiet talking from the back.

"We know it wasn't your fault," I hear Hunter saying, "And it doesn't make you weak. Even if it did, you're still my brother."

There's quiet and faint shuffling. "Where have you been staying?" Crosshair, then. I'm not sure if the rest are awake or not yet.

"Ord Mantell. Everything about this life is... different."

"I miss battle droids," Wrecker complains. I barely withhold a snort. But really? I do, too.

It's hard, but they're mending it, putting themselves back together. Is it always that easy? Would it be for me? Would it even matter if it could be?

I can't help laughing at Crosshair's very disgruntled "put me down, Wrecker" followed by Omega giggling. I do not want to know.

... okay, maybe I do.

But moving is too exhausting right now, so I just sit here for a few moments, just letting myself feel. They're happy. It hurts them to know what they missed, but they're together again, and it's all any of them care about. Would it be the same if their brothers had willingly left them? But Aniya was never angry at me, though the twins... I doubt they willingly joined the Empire. I just can't imagine what would've made them do it.

I sit there for a few minutes, staring out at the swirl of hyperspace before turning around. Ah. No wonder Crosshair's annoyed – Wrecker's super-strength gives him such an unfair advantage. And I genuinely do not want to know how – or why, for that matter – Crosshair got dragged into Wrecker's lap, but Omega is small enough to squeeze in on the other side, and somehow, Hunter's gotten himself dragged into this not-hug, too. They're probably all being squished. Then again, it kinda looks like Hunter willingly squeezed himself in opposite Wrecker.

Tech has clearly, and unsurprisingly, managed to avoid the madness. He's next to Wrecker on Omega's side, and Echo and Fives are beside him.

It reminds me of way back when I used to sleep beside Aniya and...

I enter silently, lying down a short distance from Fives. Both him and Echo are looking at me, but neither of them speaks. Tech doesn't, either, when his eyes flick to me from the rest of his siblings.

I swear, it feels like this is the first time I've genuinely smiled since Order 66.

I curl up on my side like I have a thousand times, and close my eyes, letting myself drift off to sleep. I awaken to the beeping of the alarm indicating we're about to exit hyperspace. The others have somewhat rearranged themselves on the floor to sleep. Wrecker is lying on his back and Omega is sprawled on top of him – literally. It's adorable, really. Wrecker is between Tech and Crosshair. Hunter is on Crosshair's other side, one arm draped over him to hold Omega's hand. Her other arm is wrapped around Lula, who's half falling onto the floor now. Echo and Fives, of course, are curled up together next to Tech.

They're all stirring at the sound, and I push myself to my feet, suppressing the sudden stab of longing in my heart. At least knowing that there are some close families out there is hope for the galaxy though.

"I'll take care of it," I whisper, but Tech is already squeezing himself out from between Wrecker and Echo. Seriously. It's like the twins – always scrambling to reach the pilot's chair long before anyone else can think about flying. Or, maybe he just doesn't trust me, not as though I blame him.

Maybe I just need time. Time to process, to think, to... look. And a few moments to be alone to breathe, because even if they accept me, even if I care about them, this isn't where I belong. I have a place somewhere beyond, somewhere that I know I'm wanted.

It's when we exit hyperspace and start approaching the surface that I pick up a faint glimpse of... something. Someone. A presence I thought I'd not feel again for much longer, but I force it aside, trying to refocus. It's probably just wishful thinking. The others stay on the ship to stay with each other, while I leave for Cid's parlor. Not that I care to be there. I just need space right now, somewhere to think alone. Somewhere to... be.

Except, when I enter... I should have expected it. I freeze when I spot two very, very familiar figures. They're the same, even down to the same armor they wore when I last saw them, even if their presences feel darker. "Ahsoka?"

**w**

Ahsoka Tano

I don't know why I expected differently. Of course, Alema is taking it hard. She was alone, too, just like me. I just thought it would be easier for her, because she was with her family, and Alema has always been so light. She's never struggled with the Dark Side like I have. Then again, we've never been through something like this, either. Especially not without each other.

"Alema," I echo, standing and moving towards her. Rex shadows me, and for a moment, we just stare at each other. The shock on her face is strongest, but I can see her longing and pain just as clearly. She has always been more attached to others than I have.

And then, we move towards each other, pulling one another into a tight, almost bone-crushing embrace.

It hurts, but I can't even care – the fact that we're together again is all that matters. I've only wanted that, all the time we were apart. "So much for not getting in trouble," I mutter dryly.

"We knew it would happen," she replies, glancing up past me towards Rex. "What's happening? How'd you find each other? What did I miss?"

"How did you leave Ryloth?" I ask, "And where's Jinx?"

"The Empire caught up with us, and I had to leave. Jinx stayed with my family. I... found Echo and Fives, and the clones they've been hiding with."

At that, Rex moves forwards. "You found them?"

"Yeah," Alema murmurs, "On accident. Hera was weapon-smuggling. She got the weapons from them, actually, and the next thing we knew, the Empire was on our tail."

"They found me, too," I reply, "That's why I had to leave Onderon. Rex found me there, and we left. We ran into Howzer, and he told us to find you here."

"What about everyone else?" Alema queries. "Appo? And... the twins?"

I flinch slightly against her at the mention. Thinking about them hurts so much, but I do all the time. They're too important for me to forget even a moment. A lifetime ago, they were everything.

"They told me to come here," Rex speaks up. He'd told me the same thing, but he never did explain it in detail. I know he has a recording from them, but we were focusing on trying to find Alema, and we knew we couldn't go to Ryloth.

I pull back from Alema, though I don't let go of her yet. "I've been... so worried," I admit finally, "We had no way of contacting each other, and I knew you didn't have anyone. Then, when I heard about Ryloth..."

"It's okay," she assures me, "I was fine. We all made it out." That might be true, but I can still feel the unnatural darkness around her, the way the Force is flowing cold. I can feel how she nearly lost herself amidst this all. Alema's eyes drift past me, a lingering pain in them much a mirror of mine. "Rex. How are they? How long ago did you see them?"

"A few weeks," he answers, "It's been... very little, but they're upset about something. I... I think someone's hurting them."

My heart clenches sharply, protectiveness instantly welling inside me, even if I know full well that if the twins can't stop someone from hurting them, there's definitely nothing I can do about it. Doesn't mean I can't try anyway though. "Who? What happened?"

"They never said," Rex replies, "But they were... closed-off. I could see it. And they were afraid of something, but I don't know what."

I almost want to know again, if he knows where they were the night the Temple was attacked. If they were... there, but I don't think I want the answer to that.

"Where are they?" Alema asks, expression pinched.

"They serve the Empire now. I believe they support it, just not the way it is now. They told me to go, that we are working for the same thing and someday, our paths would cross again," Rex replies, grimly.

Did they join the Sith to stop this? I could totally see them doing something so self-sacrificingly stupid and... I don't know what to do about it. "Is there any way we could find them?" I query. That would be the first step, but obviously, we can't go back to Coruscant if that's where they are. It would be far too risky.

"They specifically warned me that you should stay away," Rex says.

Of course, they did, and that's exactly the reason we can't do nothing. They would do that if they needed help. That's always what they've done – tried to handle it on their own, even if it only hurt them more. Even if it hurt us more, too. That is the only thing they never seemed to see. Even if we can't go to help them yet, I can't just stay in hiding anymore, can I? I don't know if I'm ready to keep fighting, but now, I think it's the only path forwards. "We must do something," I reply, firmly.

"They gave me a recording to give you," Rex adds, "I don't know what it is."

"Not a request for our help, I'm sure," Alema says dryly.

"I've been thinking about joining Howzer's movement to get more clones on our side," Rex tells us, "But that's not something you can help with. Here." He withdraws a recording device, passing it to me.

I have no idea what this says in it, but I'm suddenly as nervous as I am excited. That last moment we were together with the twins, they were so happy, and now... How things have fallen since then. Alema and I wordlessly head back to the ship I came here on – Alema's is going to have other people in it, and knowing how emotional this will be, I'd much rather do it alone.

A hologram of the twins flickers to life in front of us, the soft blue glow lighting the room. Merely feeling their presences alone, so soft and warm and bright, even if they've been so tinged with the Dark Side is enough to bring tears to my eyes. How deeply do I crave to see them again? To hear their laugh and feel their warmth?

"I know you might never see this," Aniya starts finally, "But I had to tell you, Alema. I'm sorry we were so preoccupied when we came. We should've had a proper reunion. Appo was gone, so we never had time to welcome you back."

How is this the first thing she's worried about?

"I wanted you to know," she continues, inhaling shakily, "That if you thought this was home, this is where you would always be welcome. That we could never stop wanting you back. But that's not what I want to tell you now."

"In this," Anakin interjects finally, and there's something different about him. It's not the darkness, but something about him strikes me as wrong. It's... his hand. Why does it look human again? That's weird. It doesn't make sense. "In this, 'lema, and Ahsoka if you're hearing this, I need you to know that you have to stay away. It's dangerous out here."

"And it's not dangerous for you?" I ask dubiously, even if I know they'll never see.

"And before you ask," Anakin continues, "We have to stay. I'm not going to ask you to stay with us. The most I can tell you now is... don't. Stay away from us. Far away. You deserve better than us. You deserve more than what we are, and what we can give you. Especially now."

What happened? What changed? No, the twins never thought highly of themselves, but this is different. They're filled with a deep-rooted self-loathing now that I suspect is related to the reason they stayed with the Empire in the first place.

"I want to tell you, I – I love you, my little Icicle," Aniya continues shakily. Alema inhales sharply. "But on this, we need you to trust us. Don't come back. Whatever you feel, don't come looking. We need..."

"If you can help," Anakin interjects, "If you want to help, you can do what I already know you're doing. I heard about Ryloth. I suspect that was your involvement." He sounds proud. I swallow back the surge of pain I feel at that. How our family was so torn apart through war and sides, I'll never understand. I know how much they love us, and vice versa.

"What we need, is a way to..." Aniya trails off and sighs. "You know what we need to do. It's the same as it's always been. And we need your help. Just – stay away."

"I'm not angry at you," Anakin continues for her, the way they always used to, "I don't blame you for leaving. You are where you needed to be. I was selfish, for wanting you to stay. You were right for going. If you hadn't gone to Mandalore... it needed to happen. This has, too. I can't say why, but out there... I know it's safer than here. Just lay low." There's a very familiar softness in his voice, that I remember so clearly from the Clone Wars. From... always.

Anakin had always been so soft, so soothing. That's why none of this made any sense because he's always had a sense of compassion that no one else ever has. And I want to have that again, to see it. No one knows me like he does. Alema and I grew up together, constantly watching each other's backs, but Anakin was my master. He saw me as... me. We saw flashes, through one another's eyes, on Mortis. I saw his soul. He saw mine. I want to go home.

"There are others out there who will always keep fighting," Aniya continues, "I know there will be. And they're not wrong, either. I know you will find a way."

There's a moment of quiet. Alema sniffs quietly beside me. I blink a few times, wiping my eyes so I can see them clearer – I never know when we'll be able to again.

"There's never a moment I don't think of you," Aniya continues, "And yes, we miss you. Maybe someday, our paths will cross again. Maybe we'll find a way back to each other, but not now." I don't want to believe that. We'll be together again, someday, eventually. I have to cling to that hope.

"We need numbers," Anakin continues, "People we can trust. An army, really. I think you know where to start. I don't have to tell you that." The clones, obviously. No, I don't need to be told. And yes, I want to free them all if I can. That's what the twins would've wanted us to do. "You might not believe me, but I know you can do it. I know you'll try. I never stopped believing in you. Neither of us did."

"Don't look back," Aniya continues, "There's a chance for you, and that's what counts. It's all that counts. So, go. Don't let us hold you down. You were made for... more than this. I know you can. Don't look back."

And there, the hologram flickers out, leaving us alone. I slump forwards, scrubbing a hand over my face. Seeing them again feels like rubbing a wound raw. It is, really, and it's tearing me apart. I want nothing more than to go back there, but with such a request, how can I outright defy it? I have to trust them, even if I don't want to. Even if I want to go straight to Coruscant and find them, no matter what the cost is, I know what I need to do.

"What are we gonna do?" Alema asks shakily, and I wrap my arms around her again. She pulls me down next to her, and for a moment, we just hold each other.

"We have to do what they asked," I answer, even if I hate to say it, "I don't think it's safe for us to go back. Not right now."

"But it's not safe for them, either!"

"I know." I hate it, too, but under the circumstances, I think they're right. We don't know what it is so dangerous that they warned us to stay away, and I guess now, it's just like it was back at the Citadel on Lola Sayu. I wanted to go, more than anything, to make sure we could complete this mission successfully, but Anakin had insisted I stay behind. I hadn't liked it, but I trusted him. And right after Mortis, I couldn't trust myself. It was a subconscious thing, but I couldn't let it go.

"There's already a... movement," she says, finally, "We can fight too. Maybe."

I nod. "I don't know where to start, but we'll figure it out." At least I can hope we will.

**w**

Alema Syndulla

All I can think about is the message from the twins, as I go to talk to the Bad Batch again. I want to know what they're planning to do. "Have you made up your mind on what you'll do?" I query.

"For now, we'll lay low," Hunter answers me, "We've just found each other again, and I don't want to put Omega in danger. But if you need us, we'll come. You helped us find our family. We can help you find yours."

It's not that simple, not at all, but the fact that he's willing to is good enough. I shouldn't be surprised by his loyalty, though. Mandalorians are loyal, and that has always been true about the clones, even if they've been raised away from their true planet and people. It's in their blood. "I'll tell you if I need it," I promise him. Though I think it's more like a 'when'. I have no idea where this path is going to lead us now, but with so many Sith out there, we'll need all the help we can get.

He nods. "I hope you'll find them," he tells me, and I know he means it.

It sends another sharp pang stabbing through me. "I'm glad you were able to find yours. I know most people lately aren't that lucky."

"They aren't used to being with us anymore," he comments, "Crosshair, at least. It will take him time to recover."

"Of course," I reply quietly, "It's going to. I can't imagine what they went through. Do they remember it?"

Hunter sighs. "Yes. Tech theorizes the inhibitor chip only influenced their emotions. It didn't... take complete control of them."

Ahsoka only remembered bits and pieces of it, so I'm sure it will be much harder for them than for her. "If you ever need help, you can feel free to call me, too," I tell him, finally.

"What will you do now?"

I look away, scanning the surroundings. "I don't know." Okay. Maybe I do know. "But if we're going to fight the Empire, we need an army. I know where to start looking."

"Are you leaving?"

"Yeah. I don't have much choice." I miss this. At least I know I'm helping the twins now, even if I'm far away. "I'll come back once in a while, but for now, I think so." It hurts to go, but now that Ahsoka is back... I feel lighter. More like myself. And I know, for once, what I'm doing is important. Very important.

I don't think he's happy, but he's not going to object. "Alright," he agrees finally. "If you think you need to leave, there are many other places the galaxy could use a Jedi."

I could argue that's not what I am anymore. I don't. I'm not sure why. "This isn't goodbye," I promise, "Not if we're working for the same thing. But you're right. There are... people who need me."

If I look to the sky, I can sometime see which star is Coruscant's. Which one is where the twins are. That, really, is the endgame. We'll find a way back.

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