We Are One (A Star Wars Oneshot)

We Are One!

Pabu had been its ever-peaceful self since Hemlock's demise and the fall of the Advance Science Division. Since all knowledge of Omega had been explosively wiped from the Empire's databanks. The members of Clone Force 99 had retired and worked to build a life outside of running, outside of being soldiers. Now, they worked to help Pabu thrive and focused on being the family they'd always been at heart.

The days had been quiet outside the odd bouts of mischief from Omega, Mox, Deke, and Stak. Sometimes, Lyana would be involved, too, although most of the time, the mayor's daughter sat back and watched the chaos unfold.

On the odd occasion, things would take a different turn. Omega would remain in the little family domicile and spend time with her brothers. Sometimes, it would be random games with Wrecker that would soon involve the others or asking Tech questions about the most unusual things; mimicking Hunter and Crosshair were her favorites, as were the experiments in the kitchen and getting to hug Echo when he finally decided to drop by for a visit.

Movie nights were also a weekly occurrence. Sometimes, they went by without much hassle, but most times, they ended in a popcorn fight. Phee would join in when she was there. Stories of the past were an everyday occurrence. Tech would matter-of-factly tell his own, always ready to answer any questions. Hunter always ensured he was child-friendly, even when telling them to Stak, Deke, and Mox. Echo told the stories of his own cadet days and the endless chaos he caused with Fives, Jesse, and Kix. Whereas Crosshair would spare no one's feelings and tell each story in all its glorious detail. While often throwing his brothers under the metaphorical bus.

Unknown to most, though, the constant questions about the past and begging for stories to be told had all been a distraction for the most part. Omega, Mox, Stak, and Deke had mischief in the works and had once again roped Lyana into helping. The mayor's daughter had also taken the time to distract Phee, asking for stories on her adventures across the galaxy, both in famous treasure hunts and for the priceless artifacts she so often brought back.

"So how are we going to get them to sing the intended song?" asked Stak, suspecting it would be no easy task to get Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, or Crosshair to sing anything, especially the snarky sniper. Echo wouldn't be easy to convince either if he happened to stop by in another unannounced visit again after all previous attempts had failed for the most part. Only Wrecker had played along, as had Phee on a few occasions.

"Leave that to me," announced Phee as she walked past. Her destination was clear: the atrium, likely to place another priceless artifact inside. "Either that or use your powers of being adorable kids to your advantage," she added with that knowing smile. After all she knew, Omega practically had Hunter and Crosshair wrapped around her little finger.

~* Weeks Later *~

The plan was in motion; with the help of Phee, everything had been set up. The small Life Day festival was already in full swing, with stalls in the large square at the top of the island, lights strung in the streets, hanging in trees, and carefully fixed to the large sea walls. Music was played live via instruments and random pieces over the holonet, and transceivers set up.

Omega and Lyana danced together and laughed amidst their fun; the boys were roped into joining them, too. Echo had stopped by for a visit, bringing Rex, Howzer, Gregor, Cody, and Wolffe with him. Each seemingly found a sense of peace during the visit, even if it was about to be disturbed by the attempt the five mischievous ones had in mind to commit.

At the request of Phee, a specific song was played by those playing instruments at the festival. A smile painted on her lips to see Tech had recognized the tune; after all, she'd spent time getting each member of the Bad Batch prepared for the event. All to surprise Omega, Mox, Stak, and Deke. For once, putting the four in the center of the mischief and potential embarrassment.

"As you go through life, you'll see there is so much that we don't understand," began Tech, unsure of his own talents when it came to singing but going with the flow nonetheless. Mox stood between Phee, and Tech went wide-eyed. "And the only thing we know is things don't always go the way we planned."

"But you'll see every day that we'll never turn away when your dreams come undone," continued Crosshair, creeping upon Deke, ensuring the former cadet knew he couldn't escape this. Like Mox, his eyes went bold, and his cheeks began to redden, even more so when the attention of those attending the festival turned to Crosshair and those singing. "We will stand by your side, filled with hope and filled with pride. We are more than we are. We are one."

"This is so embarrassing," commented Deke.

"Did we miss something?" asked Howzer as Gregor all but whistled and cheered from his side.

"Family, family, we are one," began Shev and Phee, either side of Lyana, who tried her hardest to hide behind the scarf she'd chosen to wear that day. "Family, family, we are one," they repeated; this time, Phee casually walked away, stopping at Echo's side as if indicating he, too, had some part in it.

"Something you want to tell us, Echo?" voiced Rex, recalling all the mischief the Arc Trooper had caused during the war.

"For once, I'm innocent in this," replied Echo, attempting to plead his case, although he quickly understood it was unlikely to work.

"You are anything but innocent, especially when Fives was around," called Cody. A grin appeared across his lips now, even more so to see Wolffe's utter confusion, although the battle-worn commander was starting to sway to the music.

"If there's so much I must be, can I still just be me the way I am?" sang Omega, throwing caution to the wind and joining in before Hunter had the chance to catch her as Tech and Crosshair had thrown Mox and Deke into the spotlight.

"Can I trust in my own heart, or am I just one part of some big plan?" added Lyana before dancing off with Omega, spotting Stak trying to hide now, likely having worked out he too wouldn't be able to escape the off-key singing or the spotlight destined to find him at Wrecker's hand.

"Even those who are gone are with us as we go on. Your journey has only begun," sang Hunter, appearing next to Echo, deciding to throw the Arc Trooper in the limelight instead. "Tears of pain, tears of joy. One thing nothing can destroy is our pride. Deep inside, we are one."

"I'm starting to like these boys more and more," commented Wolffe, his smirk slowly morphing into something that resembled a natural smile as he slurped his coconut drink. Gregor was at his side, offering a chuckle filled with mischief, almost like he was taking ideas from the display happening before him.

"Family, family, we are one," sang the entirety of Clone Force 99, Crosshair, with his arm thrown over Hunter's shoulder. "Family, family, we are one," they repeated—this time with Gregor joining in and Howzer humming along to the catchy tune.

"And I thought your boys had lost their marbles," said Cody, looking to Rex, who had since been cast into silence. However, it remained unknown what had caused it. The members of Clone Force 99 are off-key singing or just the unlikely scene in general.

"Just be glad this didn't take place during the war," commented Echo, suspecting the boys of the Bad Batch weren't above doing something like this during their frat boy days.

"That would have been legendary," replied Howzer, once again hearing Gregor chuckle, this time at Wolffe's expression, the former commander silently asking if the captain had gone crazy.

"We are one, you and I. We are like the earth and sky. One family under the sun," started Wrecker, a wide smile stretching over his lips as he threw an arm over Stak, preventing the former cadet from hiding longer or escaping. "All the wisdom to lead," he added as he pointed to Hunter, "All the courage that you need," sang Wrecker, pointing to Crosshair. "You will find when you see we are one."

"Family, family, we are one," sang Gregor, louder than anyone else but with the largest grin. "Come on, old Wolffy. Family, family, we are one," added Gregor.

"Eh, what the hell," spoke Echo before throwing his scompt arm over Rex's shoulder, "Family, family, we are one."

"That's the spirit," called Phee from her spot across the square, holding a brightly colored drink of her own.

"Family, family, we are one," sang Omega, Stak, Deke, and Mox around her and Lyana. Now that the embarrassment had faded, they seemed to find the funny side of everything, although they swore revenge for the cleverly planned-out display.

"Family, family, we are one."