What If Anakin Trusted Mace Windu and Stayed in the Jedi Temple?

In Revenge of the Sith, we saw Anakin Skywalker struggle with his loyalty to the Jedi Order. Torn between his duty as a Jedi and his desperate need to save Padmé, he eventually chooses to trust Chancellor Palpatine, turning to the Dark Side and becoming Darth Vader. The galaxy is thrown into chaos as the Sith rise to power, and the Jedi Order is all but destroyed. But what if Anakin had never trusted Palpatine? What if, instead of succumbing to the Sith, he stayed true to the Jedi and the Republic? In this version of the story, that’s exactly what happens. And everything changes. Let’s begin. Our story begins in the final days of the Clone Wars. Anakin, having already discovered the shocking truth about Chancellor Palpatine's true identity as Darth Sidious, is left at a crossroads. He’s torn between his loyalty to the Jedi Order and his desperation to save Padmé, the love of his life. It’s a struggle we see play out in Revenge of the Sith, but what if, in this alternate timeline, Anakin made the difficult choice to stay in the Jedi Council chambers as Mace Windu instructed? Instead of chasing Palpatine, Anakin listens to Windu’s command, staying behind in the council chambers as his emotions swirl. The weight of the galaxy is on his shoulders. He’s just learned the most damning truth of all: the very man he trusted, the man who had mentored him, was the Sith Lord responsible for the fall of the Republic. His whole life feels like a lie. Sitting there, Anakin feels a strange calm descend over him. He knows what he must do, but he’s torn. His thoughts turn to Padmé. The visions of her death still haunt him, but he remembers his Jedi training, the lessons Qui-Gon Jinn taught him. “Your focus determines your reality.” Maybe, just maybe, there’s another way to save her, one that doesn’t require turning his back on everything he’s ever stood for. Anakin’s mind races as he sits in the council chambers. The walls feel confining, and his thoughts drift to the promise of power Palpatine dangled in front of him, the power to save Padmé. The temptation is real. But Anakin fights it. He takes a deep breath, grounding himself in the Force. There is no turning back now. The Jedi have given him a purpose, and he will not betray them. At that moment, the door to the council chambers opens, and Mace Windu steps inside. His face is grim, but he doesn’t say anything immediately. Anakin stands up, his heart pounding in his chest. This is it. This is the moment that will define him. “Master Windu,” Anakin says, his voice steady but anxious. “What happened? Did you arrest him?” Windu looks at him, his eyes dark with the weight of what he’s just done. “Palpatine is dead,” he says simply. “He was more powerful than we imagined. But we couldn’t have done it without you. You were right, Anakin. You’ve earned your place here.” Anakin’s heart sinks. Palpatine is dead? The man who promised him everything, the man who manipulated him so thoroughly, is gone. And just like that, Anakin’s hope for saving Padmé feels like it’s slipping away. But then Windu’s words sink in. “You’ve earned your place here.” Anakin’s eyes widened. “What does that mean?” “It means,” Windu replies, “that you are now a Jedi Master. The Council has decided. You will serve the Republic, and you will serve the Force. We’ve granted you the rank you’ve always wanted. You will lead us.” For the first time in what feels like forever, Anakin allows himself to feel a surge of hope. He hasn’t lost everything. He’s been recognized for his actions, for his bravery. He’s earned the respect of the Jedi Order. He may not have been able to save Padmé with Palpatine’s power, but maybe there’s another way. Maybe his path lies with the Jedi. As Anakin settles into his new role as a Jedi Master, his life begins to change. No longer burdened by the fear of losing Padmé to the dark side, he channels his energy into the Jedi Order. His rank grants him access to the Holocron Vault, a treasure trove of Jedi knowledge, and he dives into his studies, hoping to find something that will help him with his visions of Padmé’s death. While he immerses himself in the archives, Anakin’s relationship with the Jedi Order grows stronger. The Council has fully embraced him, and his talents as a warrior and strategist make him a key player in the final stages of the Clone Wars. With Palpatine gone, the war begins to wind down. The Separatists surrender, and the Republic is on the brink of peace. Yet, even as Anakin earns the respect of his fellow Jedi, he cannot shake the fear that still lingers in his heart. His nightmares, once driven by Palpatine’s dark influence, are now gone. But the fear of losing Padmé lingers, fueled by his deep love for her. He cannot shake the memory of his mother’s death, and he refuses to let history repeat itself. #starwars #starwarswhatif #whatif #anakinskywalker #macewindu