Anakin Skywalker (clone)

In the decades leading up to the Clone Wars, the mutated Zeta Magnus broke free from his Arkanian creators and roamed throughout the galaxy. Shortly after learning that his creators had programmed a termination date into his genetic structure, the Sith Lord Darth Sidious contacted him with an offer of eternal life in exchange for his allegiance. Although Zeta consented to contribute his genetic expertise to Sidious and his underlings, he harbored deep distrust and plotted to eliminate the Dark Lord should he fail to honor his commitment. In 22 BBY, Zeta Magnus tormented the S'kytri people and proclaimed himself the Magister of their homeworld, Skye, intending to elicit a response from the Jedi as per Sidious' instructions. When Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi, Commander Anakin Skywalker, and Commander Halagad Ventor were sent to subdue him, Darth Sidious sanctioned the assassination of Kenobi and Ventor. He desired Magnus to spare Skywalker so he could develop under his tutelage upon his return from Skye. Zeta Magnus ultimately resolved to nullify his agreement with the Dark Lord and began formulating plans to oppose him. Prior to the Jedi's departure for their mission, Zeta Magnus employed his operatives to procure analysis-quality blood and tissue samples from Kenobi and Anakin from a secure medical facility.

Within the laboratory of his lavish stronghold situated atop Canaitith Mountain on Skye, Zeta Magnus initiated the cultivation of a clone of Anakin and Obi-Wan. Zeta utilized modified Arkanian GeNode cloning technology, combined with ancient Jedi cloning methods he obtained from the abandoned cloning facility beneath the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine, to produce two stable clones of the Jedi in a matter of days. By the time Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Jedi Knight Halagad Ventor reached the stronghold and were captured, the clones had matured to the equivalent of ten standard years in age. Given that the clones were merely empty vessels, Zeta Magnus affixed Mindscan droids to the Jedi's heads to scan their minds. Upon completion of the scans, the droids would flash-pump all of the Jedi's memories into the minds of their respective clones. To guarantee the clones' loyalty and obedience, cyber-mnemonic implantations would be implemented, granting Zeta Magnus complete command over their minds and transforming them into compliant automatons. As the midi-chlorian count of the clones mirrored that of their originals, Zeta Magnus would possess two fully trained Force-sensitive Jedi at his beck and call.

Upon beholding the clone of himself suspended in a vat, Anakin was overwhelmed with a mixture of bewilderment, primal dread, rage, disgust, and sorrow. Zeta Magnus disclosed that he had been instructed to eliminate Kenobi and Ventor so that young Skywalker could flourish under the guidance of his benefactor. Instead of killing the two Jedi and returning the Chosen One to Darth Sidious, Zeta intended to create three obedient Jedi slaves and send a clone of Anakin back to Sidious. While Anakin served as Sidious's confidant, the Sith Lord would remain unaware that his protégé was, in reality, a clone agent of Zeta Magnus. Once the mind scans were finalized, Zeta Magnus prepared to execute the three Jedi with his vibro-ax. The Force-sensitive S'kytri Kharys employed the Force from outside the laboratory window to draw the mutant's weapon towards her, causing it to strike the torture droid that was preventing the restrained Jedi from accessing the Force. Once the Jedi had freed themselves, they engaged Zeta Magnus and his four Thyrsian clones in combat. The identical midi-chlorian signature of Anakin's clone disrupted his connection to the Living Force and impaired his focus during the battle. Zeta Magnus's commandos attempted to hurl a Class-D detonator at the Jedi's location, but it was prematurely detonated by Ventor using the Force. The disruptor detonator obliterated the area of the lab where the commandos were situated, disintegrating the clones of Anakin and Obi-Wan.

The clone of Anakin Skywalker made its initial appearance in the novella SkyeWalkers: A Clone Wars Story authored by Abel G. Pena.