One of the most haunting moments in Star Wars: The Clone Wars takes place on the mysterious world of Mortis—a realm beyond time, where the Force itself takes physical form. It is here that Anakin Skywalker is shown something no one should ever have to witness: the full, terrifying truth of his own future.
Separated from Obi-Wan and Ahsoka, Anakin encounters the powerful beings known as the Father, the Daughter, and the Son. Through the Son’s manipulation, Anakin is forced to witness visions of what lies ahead—his transformation into Darth Vader, the destruction of the Jedi Order, the rise of the Empire, and the death of Padmé Amidala.
This revelation raises a disturbing question that has puzzled fans for years:
Why would Anakin still turn toward the Dark Side after seeing the devastation it would cause?
The answer lies not in ambition or hunger for power—but in fear, desperation, and Anakin’s tragic need to control fate.
A Vision That Terrified Rather Than Warned
To Anakin, these visions were not abstract possibilities or distant warnings. They felt real, immediate, and unavoidable. He didn’t see a future that might happen—he saw one that would happen unless he intervened.
Overwhelmed by the loss he believed was inevitable, Anakin reacted not as a Jedi grounded in balance, but as a man terrified of losing the people he loved most. The future he saw convinced him that inaction would lead to catastrophe.
“Together, We Can Change the Future”
The Son did more than reveal the future—he offered Anakin hope. He promised that, together, they could prevent these tragedies from ever coming to pass.
In that moment, the Dark Side did not appear as evil to Anakin. It appeared as a solution. A chance to rewrite destiny, save Padmé, and bring lasting peace to the galaxy. Believing he could control the darkness rather than be consumed by it, Anakin made a fatal mistake—one born from desperation rather than malice.
Anakin’s Fatal Pattern: Trusting Visions Over Wisdom
This moment on Mortis mirrors Anakin’s behavior later in Revenge of the Sith. Time and again, he places absolute faith in visions of the future, allowing fear to outweigh trust in his mentors, friends, and the Jedi Code.
Instead of seeing the visions as warnings, Anakin treats them as certainties—believing that only extreme action can prevent them. Ironically, it is this very belief that pushes him closer to the destiny he hopes to avoid.
Fear Becomes the Path to the Dark Side
At its core, Anakin’s choice on Mortis represents the heart of his tragedy. His desire to prevent suffering leads him to embrace the very force that causes it. What begins as a desperate attempt to save others slowly transforms into the fear, anger, and control that define Darth Vader.
Final Thoughts
Anakin’s brief alliance with the Son is not a contradiction—it is a preview. It reveals that the Dark Side did not seduce Anakin with power, but with the promise of control over loss.
In trying to escape a future he feared, Anakin unknowingly took his first real step toward becoming it.