Alternating Palpatine’s Apprentice: The Fate of Anakin Skywalker

If Anakin Skywalker had not succumbed to the Dark Side, the outcome of the Galactic Republic would have drastically changed. This essay delves into the hypothetical scenarios where different individuals could have become Sith Apprentices, replacing Anakin after his pivotal battle with Mace Windu on Mustafar.

The Fall of Palpatine: Anakin's Potential Redemption

If Anakin had managed to overcome his fears and embrace the light side, Mace Windu and Anakin would have dealt a fatal blow to Count Dooku and subsequently to Darth Sidious, making Palpatine's plans crumble.

With Palpatine's plan to manipulate the Jedi Order and the Senate thwarted, the Sith grand scheme would have failed. The imminent revelation of his treachery would have led to his arrest, leading to an election of a new Chancellor and putting an end to the Clone Wars. The Jedi would have finally been exonerated and celebrated as heroes of the Republic.

Grand Inquisitor: The Immediate Contender

Palpatine had several contingency plans in place, and one of them was the Grand Inquisitor. The Grand Inquisitor was a master of lightsaber combat, making him a logical choice to take Anakin's place. Palpatine likely chose him because Anakin’s betrayal was highly unexpected, and he needed someone capable to maintain the illusion of the Sith Order's strength.

Luke Skywalker: The Future Jedi

Given Luke Skywalker's eventual prominence as a Jedi, it is plausible that he could have been the next hope to challenge the Dark Side's influence. If Anakin had chosen the light side, Luke would have inherited the mantle of Anakin and possibly battled another Sith for the fate of the galaxy. However, Luke's emotional maturity and eventual disillusionment with the Empire suggest that he might not have been the immediate solution Palpatine sought.

Backups and Fail-Safes: Dr. Cylo and His Enforcers

Palpatine had prepared for every eventuality, even after Anakin's presumed fall to the Dark Side. A 2015 Darth Vader comic series revealed that Dr. Cylo, the creator of Vader's suit, had built several cyborg enforcers in the event that Vader would be killed during the mission on Mustafar.

These enforcers included:

Twin cyborg warriors with lightsabers A Mon Calamari based on General Grievous, known for high pain tolerance A Trandoshan with enhanced physical capabilities An enforcer with a cybernetically linked mind to multiple droids A highly evolved rancor

With these backup forces, Palpatine could have ensured that the Sith Empire would survive and thrive, even if Anakin had not fallen. These enforcers represented a powerful network of individuals who could continue the Sith's plans and keep the galaxy in a state of fear and submission.

Key Takeaways

While the outcome of the Clone Wars and the fate of the Republic were heavily influenced by Anakin's decision to turn to the Dark Side, numerous individuals could have potentially filled the role of Anakin Skywalker's Sith Apprentice. The Grand Inquisitor, being a skilled lightsaber master, represented an immediate and formidable replacement, while Dr. Cylo's cyborg enforcers provided long-term fail-safes to ensure the Sith's dominance.

Understanding the various contingency plans Palpatine had in place highlights the meticulous nature of his strategy and the resilience of the Sith Empire. These insights open up a new dimension of speculation and analysis for Star Wars fans and historians alike.