Primarily known as a cinematic saga, the universe Star Wars is however much richer and more extensive than the films of Lucasfilm and then Disney would suggest. For example, did you know Kharys, this apprentice of Darth Vader so powerful that she could have defeated Luke Skywalker?
The fall to the dark side of the Force
To train future generations in lightsaber combat and the power of the Force (both its good side and its dark side), Jedi masters and Siths spend much of their time sharing their experience with apprentices. If they manage to train them correctly, then they will eventually become masters and mistresses too.
And if Kharys’ character didn’t go that far, the young woman nevertheless remains one of the greatest threats to the Galactic Empire, despite the fact that she is not a Sith to speak of. During the early days of the Galactic Empire’s era of domination, she was indeed Darth Vader’s unofficial apprentice, whom she had met during the Clone Wars when he was still just Anakin Skywalker.
Indeed, alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi, this one had saved the planet of origin of Kharys, Skye, of destruction in war. When Anakin returns years later, he has just succumbed to the dark side and takes Kharys with him, who becomes the queen of a planet now serving as an Imperial base for the Empire. Nicknamed “Majesty” of Skye or “The Matriarchal”, the latter quickly becomes a ruthless tyrant, and it does not get better when Anakin/Darth Vader takes her under his wing and trains her in lightsaber combat.
The invention of a new form of combat
If Kharys is the first apprentice formed by Darth Vader, she is nonetheless one of the most dangerous sinceshe proves to be particularly gifted in the mastery of the lightsaber. She indeed masters the form of combat VII, ultimate combat discipline with this weapon. If this form created by Master Windu and notably used by Darth Maul requires a lot of energy and can only be mastered by the most powerful fighters, it gives them exceptional abilities and powers.
However, Kharys proves to be all the more dangerous as his species, the S’Kytri’, have wings. This allows him to develop a whole new style of aerial combat, giving him a definite advantage over his opponents. Luke Skywalker will also learn it at his expense in Star Wars Annual 1published in 1977. This comic marks one of the rare appearances of Vader’s young apprentice, who was unfortunately confined to the unofficial extended universe (Star Wars Legends) of the saga.
It is during a battle that takes place on Kharys’ home planet that she finds herself facing Luke Skywalker, who is forced to wear an antigravity belt in order to be able to fly and try to defeat her. A task which is particularly complicated for him, who still lacks experience at the time and who is not trained in aerial combat, unlike his opponent. Despite everything, after coming close to death, Luke manages to defeat his opponent. In this way, the Jedi finally accomplishes the prophecy that haunted Kharys’ thoughts for years: one day a warrior would come and end his rule.
A particularly interesting story and character, therefore, which we hope to find on our screens in the canon universe of Star Wars. Why not from the series Obi-Wan Kenobiin which she would come to the aid of her master?