00:00 - Intro
00:50 - Story Beginning
18:35 - Outro
Although we’ve memed Obi-Wan having the high ground to death, this fight is easily one of the most heart-wrenching scenes in the franchise. Here we see the two men most responsible for the Republic’s victory in the Clone Wars, two men who had known each other since adolescence and had been closer than brothers. The Force brought them together, and it ended up tearing them apart. But what if it didn’t? What if Obi Wan Saved Anakin Skywalker on Mustafar?
Welcome to Darth Theorist, where we explore the depths of the Force, analyze characters, and speculate on what could have been. Whether you're a Jedi Knight, a Sith Lord, or a curious traveler, prepare to ignite your imagination as we begin this journey.
Those were his last words before he was engulfed in fire, his shouts replaced with agonized screams. Obi-Wan turned away, not trusting himself to speak to his former apprentice.
He had taken Anakin’s lightsaber and prepared to head back to Padme’s ship to tend to her. But as he had taken his first steps, the screams grew louder and more pained. There were no calls for help, Obi-Wan knew Anakin was too proud for that.
Despite his better judgment, Obi-Wan turned around. The sight he saw chilled his blood. There was his former padawan, his brother, slowly burning alive. His limbs were burnt off and his body was a shriveled mess of burnt flesh. Through the Force, Obi-Wan could sense the pain in his friend.
It should have been justice, satisfaction, and payment for all the Jedi who died because of him. But though Anakin had sworn his hatred, Obi-Wan could not bring himself to feel the same. Raising his hand, he began to lift Anakin away from the lava river and carried him off.
As he lifted Anakin towards him, his eyes met. Obi-Wan saw those bright yellow eyes, filled with hatred. Despite his pain, Anakin managed to focus on his former master, shaking with fury. But there was more to it now, there was confusion and desperation, like a cornered animal.
Obi-Wan did his best to ignore it as he carried Anakin away. Above, Palpatine’s ship descended onto a landing platform. He could not linger here. Taking Anakin to Padme’s ship, he brought them to a medical station.
There Yoda was relieved to see Obi-Wan alive but also concerned to see Anakin with him.
Obi-Wan: I did it, I defeated Anakin, but…I could not bring myself to kill him. I’m sorry master.
Yoda: No, not in your nature it is to end the life of your friend. Go, allow the medical droids to tend to him.
Obi-Wan: Master, what shall we do now?
Yoda: Sighs Unsure I am. Much has changed. No more are the Jedi. First, tend to the wounded we must. Watch over Skywalker, I will. In need of your help, Senator Amidala is.
Allowing the medical droids to take Anakin, he is placed in a bacta tank. Obi-Wan hurries to Padme who has just entered labor. She immediately asks about Anakin.
Obi-Wan: If the Force is with us, he will survive. But that is not what you should be worrying about now, senator. Right now your fight is here and we can figure things out later.
Hearing that her husband is alive fills Padme with renewed strength. She knew that he had done many horrible things, but he was still alive here and not with Palpatine. That meant that there was still hope.
The birthing process was long and painful, but in the end, Padme manages to pull through and gives birth to a healthy set of twins. At the same time, a medical droid appears and reports that they’ve managed to stabilize Anakin and treat some of the worst burns, but it would take time for a full treatment.
After a moment to prepare themselves, Padme and Obi-Wan enter the room where Anakin is housed. The young Jedi turns his gaze hatefully towards Obi-Wan, his eyes burning with anger. But that dissipates in a moment when he sees Padme following, an infant in each arm.
The shock is plain on his face as his leathery and cracked lips part.
Anakin: H-How? The chancellor said you would die. I saw it in my visions.
Yoda: Deceived you, the chancellor has. Planted the seed of doubt in your mind he has.
As the words sink in, they are followed by horror at the realization. Everything he had done was to save Padme. To realize that it was all a lie was too much for Anakin to take. His body shakes as he breaks down into tears, sobbing and begging them for forgiveness.
He wails at the acts he’s committed. Slaughtering those younglings, betraying his master and friend, and worst in his eyes, nearly killing the woman he had vowed to protect.
Then to his surprise, a small hand is placed on his shoulder. Yoda shakes his head.
Yoda: The blame is not yours alone, young Skywalker. Foolish I was to believe that the will of the Jedi were the same as the will of the Force. Balance it was not, simply obedience. Your forgiveness, I ask.
Anakin stared at the little green alien for a long moment, his jaw falling open. Here was the greatest Jedi of them all