After Order 66 sent shockwaves through the galaxy, the entire Star Wars universe was turned upside down. The once-mighty Jedi Order nearly vanished, and the Empire rose to seize control.
Amidst this upheaval and the stories of those who survived, a few Jedi managed to slip through the Empire’s grasp. Yet, only a handful were aware of the stark reality behind Order 66: the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader.
And even fewer understood the truth about Vader’s real identity.
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Baylan Skoll
In the “Ahsoka” series, we’re introduced to two intriguing characters, Baylan Skoll and his apprentice, Shin Hati, both of whom are described as fallen Jedi.
Baylan, a former member of the Jedi Order, left after the Clone Wars, a fact revealed by Huyang, a droid known for teaching Jedi younglings how to construct their lightsabers at the Temple.
Huyang also shares that Baylan vanished post-Clone Wars, adding an element of mystery to his character.
This intrigue deepens in episode 4 when Baylan encounters Ahsoka Tano.
His first words to her, “Anakin spoke highly of you,” let us know that Baylan had known Anakin before.
Baylan further hints at this with a serious comment, “Everyone in the Order knew Anakin Skywalker. Few would live to see what he became” meaning Baylan’s insight into Anakin’s dark journey.
Here’s something that keeps us all guessing: just how did Baylan get his inside scoop on Anakin’s shift to Darth Vader?
It’s a mystery that leaves us all eager to peel back the layers of his story.
Jocasta Nu
In the 2018 Darth Vader comic series, Issue #8 brings us the intriguing tale of Jocasta Nu, the resilient former Jedi librarian who survived Order 66.
Among the remnants of the Coruscant Jedi Temple, Jocasta holds onto a hopeful plan: bringing back the Jedi Order.
Her plan centers on vital data about Force-sensitive children, which she’s hidden in a secret vault in the library she once ran.
Her covert return to the temple and bold attempt to retrieve the data come to a sudden halt when she faces an Inquisitor, who was once a Jedi.
Just as the situation turns dire, Darth Vader steps in, not to save Jocasta, but because Emperor Palpatine has commanded her capture alive.
A tense duel unfolds between Darth Vader and the Inquisitor, leading Jocasta to seek refuge in the vault.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn when, upon Vader’s entry into the vault, a bioscan droid identifies Darth Vader as Anakin Skywalker.
This revelation shocks Jocasta, unveiling the tragic truth behind Vader’s mask.
However, this knowledge seals her fate, leading to her untimely demise at Vader’s hands.
After Jocasta is captured and brought aboard the ship, surrounded by Darth Vader and stormtroopers, she boldly exposes Vader’s true identity as Anakin Skywalker in front of everyone.
In response, Vader, without uttering a single word, employs the Force to eject all the stormtroopers from the ship.
Then, Vader also takes Jocasta’s life.
Obi-Wan and Yoda
In “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,” following Anakin Skywalker’s devastating attack on the Jedi Temple, Yoda and Obi-Wan return, unaware of the traitor’s identity.
Their discovery comes when they review security footage, horrified to see Anakin slaughtering Jedi, betraying everything they stand for.
The recording also uncovers the moment Palpatine bestows Anakin with his Sith title, signifying his full descent into the dark side.
This realization hits hard, especially for Obi-Wan, as they come to terms with Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader.
Following this, Yoda shares a somber observation with Obi-Wan: “Twisted by the dark side, young Skywalker has become. The boy you trained, gone, he is consumed by Darth Vader.”
However, it seems that later series introduce some contrasts.
Set 10 years after ‘Revenge of the Sith,’ the ‘Obi-Wan’ series features a scene in its second episode where Obi-Wan is escaping the third sister, an Inquisitor.
She informs him that Anakin survived and has become Darth Vader, to which Obi-Wan reacts with shock and fear.
This revelation appears odd, given that Obi-Wan was already aware of Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader during the events of ‘Revenge of the Sith.’
This moment raises questions about the consistency within the storyline.
Ferren Barr
In “Darth Vader 2017 Issue #13” Emperor Palpatine tells Darth Vader about the Empire’s expanding military might and decides it’s time to showcase their strength on Mon Cala.
Mon Cala is an oceanic world, led by a defiant king, and becomes a target for the Empire’s show of power.
Meanwhile, Vader is tasked with a different mission: to search and destroy any Jedi survivors on Mon Cala.
Vader, alongside three Inquisitors, learns that the Mon Calamari King is protecting Jedi Master Ferren Barr and other Jedi who escaped Order 66.
As the Empire invades Mon Cala, Ferren Barr shows the other surviving Jedi a hologram depicting Anakin Skywalker’s betrayal at the Jedi Temple, including the harrowing moment he kills many younglings.
Through this, he shares his knowledge that Anakin Skywalker has turned into Darth Vader.
The story escalates as Vader captures the king during the Empire’s first wave of attack.
In a dramatic turn, the Calamari respond by flooding their own city in an attempt to defeat the invaders, but Vader and his Inquisitors survive.
After the city is flooded, Darth Vader and the Inquisitor survive by taking refuge in a submarine ship, from which they pinpoint Ferren Barr’s location.
Ferren Barr and the other Jedi survivors attempt to flee, making their way out of the cave. However, as they emerge, they encounter Vader’s submarine.
In the ensuing clash, Vader manages to eliminate one of the remaining Jedi.
Ferren Barr and two other Jedi manage to flee into the Calamari city. Vader, regrouping with the Inquisitor and a host of clone troops, launches an assault on the city.
During the skirmish, the Inquisitors catch up to Ferren Barr and the two Jedi, eliminating one of them.
Cornered, Ferren Barr cleverly uses the phrase “Execute Order 66” turning the clone troopers against the Inquisitors.
This diversion allows Ferren Barr and the remaining Jedi to slip away. Meanwhile, Vader’s main objective is to capture the Calamari King. When Vader locates the king, Ferren intervenes, leading to a direct confrontation with Vader.
As their duel unfolds, the Empire’s spaceships continue their bombardment of Mon Cala from orbit. Despite the chaos, Vader overpowers Ferren Barr, captures the Calamari King, and ensures the Empire’s conquest of Mon Cala.
In a final confrontation, Vader battles Ferren Barr, while the Empire bombards Mon Cala from orbit.
Despite the resistance’s efforts, Vader defeats Barr, captures the king, and ensures the Empire’s hold over Mon Cala.
