This story is an AU ending of Shy Snootles "The Hardest Test". Go read her Salvation trilogy first. Or this isn't going to make any sense. I'm writing this story with her permission, so thank you Shy! It is also inspired by "We all need something to fight for" by laureas.

This is probably the only time I'm ever gonna say this: I don't own Star Wars. It's called FAN-fiction for a reason.

Leia crouched behind a speeder with Han at her side, listening to the sound of blaster fire and lightsabers humming. There were so many droids and they were pinned down in the Hangar; she didn't know how much longer her Father and Luke could hold off.

Everything seemed to be falling apart.

Wedge swallowed thickly as he looked at the fifth Stardestroyer that had just appeared. They had already lost so many 'Fighters and the 'Destroyers just kept coming. "Stardestroyer six at point three nine!" The Rogue pilot turned his eyes to the stated sector; but what dropped out of Hyperspace was not an Imperial Stardestroyer. A large squadron of old Clone War era Starfighters and a transport appeared at the edge of the battlezone. Immediately, the transport and a six 'Fighter escort made for the planet surface.

"Koh-to-ya Friends," A female voice came over the radio, "Seems like you could use a little help."

A moment of silence later, the Commander of the Fleet answered. "Any help is appreciated, thank you. We cannot let the Stardestroyers reach the surface."

"You heard 'im boys. Let's make some fireworks." A cheer rang through the radio from the mystery squadron as they attacked the nearest 'Destroyer. Wedge watched in admiration for a few seconds - whoever these guys were, they were good, doing stunts that he thought only Luke could top - with a grin he joined the battle.

Things finally seemed to be going their way.

Anakin hadn't seen this many droids since the Clone Wars.

He could sense Luke tiring beside him, even as his own energy was rapidly depleting, and wondered how much longer they could last. The rest of his family - being his children and their friends - had taken shelter behind some speeders, occasionally getting a shot in here and there. And the droids kept coming.

Just as Anakin had begun to give up, the Hangar doors blasted inwards and blaster fire rained down on the droids. Dozens of figures clad in white armor poured into the Hangar, obliterating the army around them. Anakin suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe, he recognized the armor - similar to the Stormtroopers, but so different - but still couldn't comprehend what he was seeing. As the last of the droids fell to the newcomers' blasters, Leia, Han, Chewie, and Lando came out from their covers, each staring at the small force of armor-clad strangers.

And then one of the figures - with blue markings on the armor and a blue shoulder wing - turned to Anakin. "The five-oh-first reporting for duty, sir."

A strangled gasp/sob sound tore from the elder Skywalker's throat. "...Rex?"

The speaker removed his helmet, revealing a dark skinned man with short cropped bleached hair and brown eyes. "Good to see you again, General." Two other men walked up beside Rex and took off their own helmets; one looked almost identical to Rex save the black hair and a number five tattooed on his temple, and the other looked similar enough to be related while being closer to Luke and Leia's age.

"Fives!" Anakin cheered, addressing the dark haired twin, who smiled.

"Welcome back, General." He gestured to the youngest member of the trio. "This is my son, Echo."

The young man saluted. "It's an honor to meet you, General Skywalker."

"You as well, Echo." Anakin nodded, then turned back to Rex. "I don't understand. How are you all..."

"After 66..." Rex and Fives both flinched slightly at the mere mention of it. "...most of the real 501 went into hiding. We stayed in contact though." Rex shrugged. "The whole story would take a while to tell, and I'm not the person who should be the one telling it."

"...who should be telling it?" Anakin asked in confusion.

"They're up with the Squadron. Which reminds me..." Rex pulled out a comm unit. "Capital Building is secure, Commander, and we've met up with the General. What's your status?"

"Just finishing up here." a tinny voice responded, sounding frustratingly familiar. "We'll meet you down there soon."

"Copy that." Rex put away the comm and turned back to the group.

Are you going to introduce us, Father? Or do we have to keep staring each other down? Luke's mind-voice asked with the feeling of a grin.

Anakin flushed slightly and faced his family. "Everyone, this is Rex; he was Captain under me during the Clone Wars. And Fives, an ARC Trooper from the War too. In fact... all of these men are the remnants of my old Clone battalion." He turned back to the Clones. "These are my children, Luke and Leia, as well as Leia's fiancé Han, and their friends Chewbacca and Lando."

The groups said hello just as the rest of the Troopers finished piling up the droids. "The droids are taken care of, Captain, and those two men are in custody." One of the clones informed Rex, who nodded in acknowledgement.

"I'll inform the President that everything is clear." Leia murmured, reaching for her own comm just as Wedge's voice sounded from it.

"Its over. We've won."

Once everyone had met up in the Main Hall - the 501st standing quietly off to the side and only waiting for the 501 Squadron to arrive - Anakin again explained the soldiers to Mon Moths and the others. They were all a little shocked at the reappearance of one of the most famous Clone War legions, and extremely grateful for their timely arrival.

Rex smiled as the pilots began walking in and Echo, who knew exactly what was coming, was grinning like maniac. "Here comes the person to tell our story, General. The one to bring the 501 back together."

Anakin turned around and froze. In the entryway was a Togrutan woman with orange skin, white facial markings, blue and white striped lekku that reached her waist, curving montrals, and crystalline blue eyes. She wore a forest green top that left her stomach exposed, a brown leather jacket, red-black gauntlets, black pants with one knee pad the same color as the gloves, a red x- belt, a blaster on one hip.

Father? Luke tapped at his father's mind, trying to get his attention. Is everything all right? Who is that?

Tears blurred Anakin's vision as a wry smile graced the Togruta's face.

"Hey Skyguy."

Ahhh!

So this story is majorly AU, the biggest being that Anakin Skywalker is around post-ROTJ. But I also went AU with the Clones. According to producers, the Jango Clones age at twice the rate of a normal person, so by this time all of the Clones would have died out. I however love the Clones to pieces and so in this story they stop aging altogether once their rapid aging has gotten them to the desired age.

May the Force be with you

++ ImagineShine