wolveria:

We kind of assume Echo was the follower and Fives was the troublemaker, but look who is getting into fisticuffs with Hevy

Look who talks trash during Commander Colt’s speech

Look who takes charge when they try to leave Domino Squad

Look who silently checks on baby bro Fives to make sure he’s hanging in there

Look who freaks when Fives takes a shot to the shoulder (and Cody has to tell him to keep fighting)

Look who is gung-ho to get flash-frozen and team up with some battle droids

Look who recklessly runs from cover, drawing enemy fire when Ninety-nine is shot

Look who isn’t afraid to show intense emotions such as grief and mourning

Look who rushes for the shuttle and breaks all our hearts and who stays cautiously behind

Then there’s this line from “Rookies” which was deleted from some versions of the episode due to complaints (way to be a bad influence on the kids, Echo)

And one of my favorite moments, Echo telling bad puns to Fives in the middle of their most important test as cadets (he looks so excited about it too)

In fact, when Echo was around, Fives would almost fade into the background, always behind while his brother took point. I have little doubt Echo was the leader, the trailblazer, and he was a huge influence on Fives, who tried his best to follow in his footsteps after he was gone.