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(IB: @momentsthatwestole and reposted from a reblog)
Rex hadn’t connected the dots when he had learned of the infamous Dark Lord of the Sith, Vader, serving the Emperor. He hadn’t connected the dots when Ezra returned from Malachor without his blaster-saber, guiding his then blind master, with Ahsoka nowhere in sight. He hadn’t connected the dots upon seeing the blond haired, blue eyed Jedi named Skywalker wielding his former general’s blue-bladed lightsaber.
It wasn’t until after the Battle of Endor, when the Darth Star II had been destroyed, fireworks lit the sky with resonating booms, the remaining Rebels cheered and celebrated with their Ewok allies, the Empire was as good as gone, and Skywalker had returned in an Imperial ship, carrying Darth Vader’s body with tears in his eyes, did Rex connect the dots.
Darth Vader was his beloved former Jedi General of the 501st Clone Battalion, Anakin Skywalker.
For 25 years, Rex had believed that Anakin had been killed by the blasters of his brothers upon the declaration of Order 66. Perhaps he had survived long enough to have been struck down by the Emperor or Inquisitors he had heard so much about from his newer Jedi leadership. He had never imagined that his general and friend was capable of such terrible things.
Despite his disbelief, nothing would change. His general was dead and Rex would never fight beside him again.
Remembering the countless battles and near-death experiences they had shared, Rex watched from afar as Anakin’s body burned on the pyre. Luke sensed his presence and caught the salute Rex threw his way, only to realize it wasn’t for him, but for his father.
After he had reunited with his friends and celebrated their victory, Luke still couldn’t shake the older clone trooper from his thoughts. Curiously, Luke had asked Obi-wan who the old clone trooper was and how he knew his father. His mentor’s brief explanation prompted him to greet the soldier and introduce himself.
They talked long into the night. Luke had asked Rex about what his father was like during the war. Rex had told him about the Battle of Christophsis and how Anakin became a master to Ahsoka Tano, the liberation of the Togruta from Zygerrian slavers, the countless planets spared from the cruelty of the Separatist’s droid army and influence, and how he would cover for Anakin’s comms to Padmé. He told Luke about his mother and his father, how much they had loved one another, and how far they went to protect one another.
Luke finally felt at peace upon hearing about his parents. He had been reassured that his father was a good person, beyond the expectations the Jedi order demanded from him. He had sensed the good in his father while he still held the name Vader, but hearing it from his father’s old friend was the proof he needed. Rex had told him the things Obi-wan wouldn’t, but it was exactly what he needed to hear, and for that he was grateful.