A returning Echo

Chapter Twenty Two

"Fives! Where's Echo? We need you both here," Anakin said, blocking a shot aimed at his Captain.

"Passed out, Kix has him," Fives responded gruffly.

"Passed out? What happened to him?" Rex asked, concern lacing his tone.

"A cannon blast landed right outside his tent. It blew him into the air. He tried to join the battle but he couldn't do it. Kix and I warned him not to try, but for some reason he didn't listen."

"Sounds like you," Rex pointed out.

"Yeah, I know. It's annoying."

"Now you know how we all feel," Rex chuckled.

"Oh shut it and blast the droids!" Fives said, moving forward again.

~~~

"Damnit, Echo!" Kix said, bending down to lift up his brother. "Kriff! What is the ARC armor made of?" Struggling to lift up the clone, Kix stumbled back until Echo was in a better position. With this new angle, he was able to lift him and throw him over his shoulder.

"Maker, you weigh a ton."

"Mmm'snot my fault," Echo mumbled, and Kix froze in his stumbling to the medic tent.

"Echo? Echo, can you say that again?"

Nothing. Kix let out a frustrated groan, beginning to walk again. Other troopers were laying fallen on the ground, but he couldn't get to them until Echo was safe.

"Woah, what's this?" Coric asked when Kix got inside the medic tent.

"An ARC who seems to have switched brains with his twin," Kix said, laying Echo down where he wouldn't be in the way.

"What's wrong with him? I mean, other than being passed out."

"I think he has a concussion, but I'm not sure. Just keep an eye on him, I'm going to go back out and help others."

"Alright, be safe," Coric said, and Kix nodded, heading back out to the wounded troopers.

After the battle was over, Fives went to check on Echo immediately. He was still unconscious, and Coric assured Fives he would be fine, he just needed more time. Fives shook his head, running a hand through his hair. He couldn't stand this, not knowing what would happen. He had no reason to believe Echo wouldn't survive, but what if he didn't? What if Fives was the last domino? What if he lost his closest brother?

What about you?

"Kriff," Fives mumbled to himself, knowing he needed to tell you soon before Echo woke up.

"I'll be right back," Fives said, Coric nodding as the clone slipped out of the tent. Finding a quiet area where he wasn't surrounded by debris, Fives sat down and commed you.

"Fives? What's wrong? Why hasn't Echo commed me? Why are you comming me?"

"Glad to know you like hearing from me," Fives chuckled, though it was a joyless sound.

"Fives, you know you wouldn't comm me before Echo unless something happened," you replied, and he could hear the fear in your voice.

"He's not dead," Fives said, needing to assure you that. "He's just...unconscious. He went into battle after the explosion-"

"And you let him?"

"Hey! Me and Kix both tried to stop him, he wouldn't listen."

"Is he going to be okay? This doesn't sound like him. It sounds like..."