What if Anakin Learned VAAPAD During The Clone Wars? Let’s explore the depths of it in the video.
Mace Windu looks up in surprise as Anakin enters his chambers. His eyes trail downward to Anakin’s new robotic arm and offers a sympathetic nod.
Mace: What brings you here, Skywalker?
Anakin: A request, master. I understand that your fighting style is designed to counteract the Dark Side.
Mace: In a manner of speaking, yes. Why do you ask?
Anakin: I want to learn it.
Mace: No. Vaapad is not a toy, Skywalker. It is too risky to teach, especially to one who hasn’t even passed the Jedi Trials.
Anakin: Master, in my duel against Dooku, he nearly killed me. If Master Yoda had not arrived then I may have lost much more than my hand,
Mace: Dooku was one of our best, Skywalker. I understand your anger. But there is no shame in losing to him. You will have ample opportunity to avenge your defeat.
Anakin: Qui-Gon said I was the Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force. If a technique like this exists and can bring balance within me, shouldn’t I learn it? Shouldn't I learn everything possible to become a great Jedi?
Suddenly, Mace rises to his feet and stares down at the young Padawan. His eyes narrow as he seems to look into Anakin’s very soul.
Mace: Vaapad is a dangerous technique, even to the greatest Jedi Masters. You walk the thinnest of lines, it can lead to corruption and worse. What you experienced with Dooku will be nothing compared to what you will face here. Are you prepared to accept that risk? That if you turn, I will not hesitate to end you?
Anakin: I do,
Mace: Very well, I will train you. But only after you become a Jedi Knight.
That comes sooner than either expects as the Clone Wars begins, plunging the Jedi into the middle of the war. Anakin finds himself on the frontlines, leading his clone forces in the heat of battle. He proves to be a skilled general as he manages to score several victories alongside Obi-Wan.
With his success, Anakin is soon given the opportunity to undergo the trials of the Jedi which he passes, allowing him to become a Jedi Knight. But when he arrives in Coruscant, he is surprised to find Mace waiting for him. The Jedi Master simply says it is time to begin his training.
This training takes them across several worlds deemed Force nexuses, where the power of the Force flows strongly, but Mace is careful to select worlds that lean towards the Dark Side.
At first, the training is just like those of the Jedi. A combination of meditation and lightsaber practice. Anakin goes through this process, but as time goes on feels a nagging sensation in the back of his mind. Like a faint whisper calling to him, trying to pull his focus away from what he’s doing and prying into his deepest thoughts.
Mace explains that is the Dark Side trying to take control. Rather than dissipate it like Yoda or ignore it like Obi-Wan, Mace teaches Anakin to let it enter his body. The key to Vaapad is to never indulge in it. Being surrounded by dark energies means it is always there, but through focus, he can ensure it never gathers strength.
So as it enters his body, Mace then ignites his lightsaber and shows a series of lightsaber strokes, more aggressive and powerful than he’s seen from other attacks. He explains that he allows the dark energy to leave through these movements.
Anakin tries his best to mimic it, though the dark influence is strong here, far more powerful than he expected. It takes him many tries to try and manage it. Mace is there, guiding him through expelling the energy through lightsaber attacks, breathing exercises, or using the Force. However, he keeps his eyes close on Anakin and his hand is never far from his lightsaber should something go wrong.
The young Jedi does initially struggle due to him already having attachments and many negative emotions, something that doesn’t escape Mace’s attention.
Mace: Anakin. Concentration is key to this technique and attachments can be your biggest flaw. Your attention must be only on the Force 100% of the time or you will let the Dark Side seep into you. Now are you certain you can handle that?
Anakin remains resolute and continues to study. All around him, the Force swirls like a whirlpool. It speaks to him, sometimes in gentle voices that tempt him away, other times through fear with howling screams of those he loves, and others through commands that promise him power.
But over time, he learns to ignore it and begin making progress. Seeing the improvement, Mace takes Anakin to planets closer and closer to the Dark Side. From Dagobah to Dathomir.
In between those training sessions, Anakin has ample opportunity to put this technique into practice as he leads his forces into battle against the CIS. Although the droids do not have Force energy, their actions affect him. The destruction and callousness they display to the civilian population continue to anger anakin
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