Though the specifics of the situation are still clouded by time and secrecy, the Dark Side of the Force eventually seduced Anakin Skywalker. Fueled by rage and discontent with the pace of Obi-Wan's training, Anakin challenged his master to a duel. Despite newfound power bestowed by the Dark Side, which added to his already formidable abilities, Anakin was grievously wounded in the fight. His burning anger kept him alive, and he was forever scarred not only by his wounds but also by betrayal. He abandoned his former identity. When metal coupled with flesh in the form of cyborg implants and enhancements required to sustain him, Skywalker's transformation was complete. He was no longer Anakin. He was Darth Vader.

At the time of his transformation, Vader never knew he was due to be the father of twins. Obi-Wan Kenobi hid the children from the Dark Lord and Vader's master, Emperor Palpatine. Vader would later somehow discover that he had a son, Luke Skywalker, but never suspected he had a daughter, Leia.

In the chaos that accompanied Palpatine's rise to power, Vader became one of the Emperor's most loyal servants. The Emperor entrusted him with the elimination of the Jedi Knights. During these dark times, Vader and his agents destroyed the Jedi Order.

Of the Jedi, only Obi-wan Kenobi and the Jedi Master Yoda survived. It was Obi-wan who placed Luke and Leia Skywalker into hiding. The Jedi Knight hid Leia secretly with Bail Organa, Viceroy and First Chairman of Alderaan to be raised as his daughter. Pade Amidala also fled to Alderaan with her daughter though she did not live for long. Luke, Obi-wan took with him to be raised by his step-uncle Owen Lars and his wife Beru on Anakin’s homeworld, Tatooine. Yoda fled to the swamps of Dagobah, waiting for the day when one or the other of the Skywalker children would find him.

-all non-original information has been compiled from Starwars.com

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