The Empire was building a second Death Star. It was to be larger and more powerful than its deceased predecessor, and by the time of Endor, it was nearly complete. The Rebel Alliance had discovered its location through a network of Bothan spies, although it later turned out that the Emperor himself had allowed them to get the plans. At the Rebel Alliance's secret rendezvous point, a plan was formed. It consisted of sending a strike force to Endor, where a shield generator was situated. This shield protected the Death Star from attack, but if destroyed, the battle station could be taken out. Meanwhile the Rebel Fleet would hyperspace to the Endor system, using every fighter and capital starship possible. When the shield was down, the fighters would fly into the core of the Death Star and destroy it.

The Emperor, however, was planning to completely destroy the Rebel Alliance at Endor. He had set a trap for them. The second Death Star was fully operational, contrary to what the Rebels thought. The Imperial Fleet was also on standby, ready to swoop in and take out any Rebel ships that escaped. Palpatine had apparently foreseen that his plan would work, mainly because he was very adept in the Dark Side of the Force, but also because there was no room for failure in his mind. There was another objective of Palpatine's. Vader had not been able to turn Luke to the Dark Side, and so the Emperor would take on this task. Luke would find Vader, and then Vader would bring Luke before the Emperor. Together they would either turn him, or destroy him.

Han was put in command of the strike force, which he led using a lambda shuttle, Shuttle Tydirium, that the Rebels had stolen from the Empire. They would use the shuttle as a front to gain access to Endor. The sabotage team consisted of Han, Chewie, Leia, Luke, Threepio, and Artoo, along with a squad of Rebel commandos. Once at the Endor system Han used a story about carrying electricals to the planet. They came across the command ship of the Imperial Fleet, the Executor. There were a few moments when they thought that clearance would not be granted, and in those few moments Luke sensed Vader's presence on the Executor. He realised that he was endangering the mission, but there was no turning back now. On the Super Star Destroyer, the same happened to Darth. The Rebels were using an old pass to enter Endor, but it passed through the Imperial system. There was slight apprehension on the command system, but Vader felt Luke on the shuttle, and allowed the team to proceed. He knew this was all part of Palpatine's plan, but still he felt disconcerted. Luke would come to him, and then he would take Luke to the Emperor. Vader knew it had to be like this. He could not disobey his master, but the fact that he was unsure showed the internal struggle that he was facing as Anakin Skywalker tried to come out.

The Rebel Fleet were readying for their jump to the planet. Lando, now a General, was piloting the Millennium Falcon, along with Nien Nunb. The Falcon would lead the starfighters into battle, and into the Death Star's core. The jump would take some time, and hopefully by the time they arrived, the shield would be down. Admiral Ackbar was seated aboard his Mon Calimari cruiser, and would command the entire battle from there. He was extremely experienced, and was a tactical genius. Ackbar knew that the Death Star was not indestructible, but he also knew that if they lost this battle, the Alliance was finished.

The Rebel team had landed on Endor, and were making their way through the deep jungle forests that made up much of the planet. They had to be wary of Imperial patrols, which they suddenly came across. A couple of biker scouts were milling around, and had not heard or seen the Rebels. Han decided that he and Chewie would go and get rid of them. As Han was not the most careful of people, this decision caused some doubt in the minds of Luke and Leia, which was justified when Han stepped on a twig as he was creeping up on one of the scouts. The biker caught him a blow, and flung him against a tree trunk. Meanwhile the other scout jumped on to his bike and flew off. But Chewie aimed his bowcaster, and the biker was history. Luke and Leia had run towards the fight when Leia saw that two more scouts were just about to take off. She rushed towards a spare bike and leapt on it. As Luke shouted for her to wait, the bike's engine revved up. Seeing that there was nothing he could do to stop her, Luke jumped on behind Leia as she sped off in pursuit.

The scouts were far ahead, but Leia managed to control the speeding bike and caught up with one of them. Getting alongside him, Luke jumped and wrestled the scout off the bike. With the scout having hit a tree trunk as he was pushed off, Luke took over the controls of the speeding bike and managed to keep it under control. Luke and Leia sped off after the second scout, but they did not see two other Imperial scouts waiting in the trees, who then gunned up their bikes and sped off after them. Their laser fire as it hit Luke's bike told the Rebels who was behind them. Telling Leia to continue after the one ahead, Luke slammed on the brakes and waited for the two scouts to pass by. Having done this, the engine was kicked into life and the son of Skywalker was once again in pursuit. His laser gun spit out, and one bike and rider become a blaze of fire as it hit a tree trunk. His partner shifted the bike into gear and sped away.

Leia and her man were way ahead, but Leia knew how to catch him up. She lifted her bike up into the air, and bore down on her target from above. They came level, and the scout revealed a handgun. After a couple of shots, he scored a good hit on Leia's bike, making her jump off it or die. The scout saw her bike explode against a tree, and thought she was dead. As he turned back round, he saw he himself was heading for a fallen tree. Screaming as he flew towards it, the tree was the last thing he ever saw. Leia looked up in relief as the bike became little bits of metal. Luke meanwhile was locked side by side with his scout. The vanes of the bikes had become stuck together, and they were heading towards a large tree. In the end, Luke jumped off, but the scout managed to turn his bike around and bore down on the young Jedi. Igniting his lightsaber, Luke reached out with the Force, and deflected the scout's laser blasts. As the bike sped past him, he sliced off its vanes, and the bike twisted round and round until it flew into a tree. Luke decided to make his way back to the Rebel team, assuming that Leia would do the same.

A furry creature poked the still form of Leia. When she moved, it stepped back in surprise. The princess raised her head and looked into the face of Wicket the Ewok. She had no idea where she was or what this little being was standing in front of her. She sat down on a tree trunk, trying not to make herself seem menacing to Wicket, and took off her helmet. She then offered some of her rations to the Ewok, who sniffed it then took a bite. Then he heard a noise. A blaster bolt came out of nowhere and hit the trunk near Leia. She fell back, blaster in hand. Wicket rolled under the trunk. He came in very useful when a biker scout appeared behind Leia and told her to put her hands up. The Ewok surprised the scout, who Leia then hit over the head with a piece if wood. The other scout who had fired was on his bike and heading off when Leia shot him down. Wicket then took her hand and led her off to his village.

On the Death Star, Vader appeared before the Emperor. He told Palpatine about the shuttle, and that his son was on board. The Emperor told Vader that he knew about it, that it was all according to his plan. That he had foreseen it.

Luke returned to the group only to find that Leia had not come back. Immediately a search party was launched. By and by they found the wreckage of the speeders and Leia's hat, which she had taken off when she met Wicket. This they took as evidence that she was in grave trouble. Suddenly Chewie smelled something and they found themselves caught in an Ewok trap. Artoo used his mechanical intelligence to cut them out, and they soon found themselves surrounded by lots of small furry creatures pointing spears at them. Han reacted first, and pulled out his blaster. The Ewoks shied away at the sight of a weapon, but then fell down on their knees in prayer when Threepio rose out of the bushes. They saw Threepio as a god, especially when they found he could speak their language. The Rebels were taken to the Ewok village, where they realised what was on the menu: them. Han, Luke and Chewie had been tied to logs, and the Ewoks were busily piling wood underneath them for a fire. Threepio was sitting in a wooden throne, feeling utterly helpless as his master and friends were being prepared as a banquet in his honour. Seeing that their furry hosts were primitive beings and so probably quite religious, Luke told the golden droid to say that if they were not released, Threepio would use his magical powers on them. It was also at this point that Leia emerged from one of the huts, much to the relief of Luke and Han. The Ewoks did not believe Threepio and carried on piling the logs, so Luke reached out with the Force and lifted Threepio and his throne off the ground. The Ewoks became fearful and released the Rebels immediately. Han and Leia shared a passionate embrace, the first of many.

The Rebel Fleet jumped, and any and all prayers were offered that the shield would be down. There was no turning back for them now. Once they arrived at the Endor system, the battle would have truly begun.

Threepio had been telling the Ewoks about the Rebels' adventures so far, and the story was liked so much that Luke and the rest were accepted into the tribe. This meant that the furry creatures would help the Rebels with their mission, something that the Empire had not expected at all. The Ewoks told Han where the shield generator was located, and said they would provide any supplies needed. That night the Rebels planned their attack, but Luke needed some time alone. He stepped out of the hut and thought about his destiny. Of course he would have to face Vader, his father, again. But could he kill him? How could anyone face something like that. Then Leia came out, and Luke knew that this was the time to tell her what Ben had told him on Dagobah. She was his sister. Leia could not believe it at first, and then realised that this meant that Vader was also her father. There are some truths that are far too hard, even impossible, to face and for Leia this was one of them. Brother and sister parted company, with Leia in the knowledge that she would lose either her brother or her father. Luke gave himself up to a passing Imperial patrol, and met Vader who had flown down from the Executor in his personal shuttle. They met on an AT-AT, where father and son spoke of how Anakin could be released to the good side, but it ended with Luke being taken away, and Vader once again thinking about how things would end.

The next day the Rebel team viewed the shield generator for the first time. It was heavily defended, but the Ewoks knew a back door into the control bunker. At this entrance, there were a few scoutroopers. One of the Ewoks decided that now was the time for a ride on one of the speeder bikes. Before Han could stop him, the furball was on board the bike and had whizzed off, while the scouts jumped to their own rides. In the end only one was left, and he was quickly captured by the Rebel commandos. The team stepped into the base, and found it lightly guarded. Just as they were about to plant the explosives, however, an Imperial squad turned up and captured them. Outside, Han and Leia saw a huge mass of Imperials. It had been a trap.

By now Luke was aboard the Death Star, and was face to face with the Emperor. Here Palpatine told Luke of his plan, and how it was unfolding. As Luke listened in horror, he realised that the Alliance would most probably be defeated and destroyed here, at Endor.

The Rebel Fleet came out from hyperspace, with Endor and the Death Star directly ahead of them. The starfighters, led by the Millennium Falcon, flew towards the station. They assumed that the shield was down, but soon found out the awful truth. None of the pilots could get a reading on the shield's strength. The Imperials were jamming their frequencies, which was impossible if this was a surprise attack. The Imperials should know nothing of the Rebels arrival, at least until it was too late. It then dawned on Lando what was happening. He ordered all wings to turn away. It was a trap. Suddenly a mass of TIEs and Interceptors were coming towards them, and there was nothing they could do. Luke was facing as battle of his own. Slowly his will was giving up, and he could feel the Dark Side beckoning to him. Palpatine recognised this, and stroked Luke's lightsaber, telling him that if he so desired, Luke could take the weapon. But that would lead to the Dark Side, Luke knew. Palpatine saw the internal fight that now consumed Luke, and knew that soon he would be his. Like Vader before him, Luke was giving in.

On Endor, the Rebels were looking at death in the face. Then there was a cry from the woods. The Rebels and Imperials looked and saw Threepio waving his arms, trying to attract the attention of the stormtroopers. A squad was sent up to take them. When they arrived, they were set upon by Ewoks. Then a trumpet sounded, and a hail of arrows rained down on the Rebel captives and the Imperial captors. Han and Leia had the presence of mind to react and take control of the situation. Speeder bikes and scout walkers took off into the forests, while the stormtroopers tried to keep the Rebels in check. But they were failing, and Han and Leia managed to get to the bunker. It was looking bad for them, as the Ewoks' primitive weapons did not seem to be making much of a dent on the Imperial war machines.

In space, the Rebel Fleet was not faring well either. There were far too many Imperial craft, and to top it all off there was a fleet of Star Destroyers hemming them in. Oddly the destroyers were not attacking, but just seemed to be waiting. On board the Death Star, Luke stared out as the Rebellion started to fall apart. Then came the real shock. Palpatine informed Luke to witness the firepower of the Death Star, which was in fact fully operational. He clicked his com link and told the commander to fire at will. The superlaser fired, and a Rebel Corvette was blown into space dust. This completely shocked the Rebels, and Ackbar gave the order to withdraw. But Lando cut in. If they withdrew now, they would never get a chance like this again. It was all or nothing.

Leia called for Artoo over the comlink, who came trundling along through the hail of blaster fire. Threepio was following close behind, wailing all the way. At the bunker, Artoo connected into the control panel, and was on his way to opening the doors when a stormtrooper hit him. He flew back, and all his appendages and doors burst open in smoke. Han stepped up to the control panel and fiddled with the wires, He suddenly thought he had it, but instead of the doors opening, a second set slid shut. Then Leia was shot in the arm. Han dived towards her, holding her stricken arm.

Lando ordered the ships to fly straight towards the Star Destroyers, at the same time as a Mon Calamari Cruiser was blown apart by the super laser. Ackbar disagreed, but Lando reasoned that they could not attack the Death Star itself, and with any luck they might take a few destroyers down with them.

The Emperor watched Luke, and told him the Alliance was dead, as were his friends. He could feel the anger in Luke, and told him to take his weapon, to strike him down with all of his anger and then his journey towards the Dark Side would be complete. Luke stared at his weapon, and suddenly called it to his hand. Igniting his saber, he striked down at Palpatine, but found his father's blade blocking his. Father and son's lightsabers clashed in front of the Emperor's face in a shower of sparks, while Palpatine cackled evilly.

In the forest, the Ewoks were finally winning against the Imperials. The AT-STs were being smashed to bits by logs, and the stormtroopers were having their head smacked by Ewoks dropping from trees. The forest battle took a decisive turn towards the Rebels however, when Chewie and two other Ewoks swung on to the roof of an AT-ST. They took control of it, and used it to destroy the remaining walkers and troopers. At the bunker, while Han was holding Leia, two troopers came up to them, telling the to put their hands up. Han looked at Leia, who produced a blaster. Smiling at her, Han stood up and watched as Leia blasted the stormtroopers. Suddenly there was the clanking sound of a walker. Han was apprehensive at first, then Chewie appeared. He told the wookie to help Leia, then a thought occurred to him.

Vader and Luke duelled as never before. Unlike on Bespin, Luke was no longer as afraid as he was, and could now fight Vader as a man. Indeed, Luke gained the advantage, and Vader was forced to flip backwards down the stairs, where he landed on his back. The Emperor watched this with glee, and tells Luke to use his aggressive feelings and let his hatred flow through him. But Luke switched off his lightsaber. Vader still has his turned on, and advances towards his son. "Obi-Wan has taught you well," he informs Luke. In reply Luke says he will not fight his father. Vader takes no notice of this, and strikes at Luke who was unwise to lower his defences, according to the Dark Lord. The green blade of the son of Skywalker sprung into life and blocked Vader's killing swing. They fought viciously, until Luke was forced to use the Force and back flip on to a high platform. He could feel Vader's thoughts at this point, and saw the conflict inside him.. He told him so, but Vader denied this. Luke also told him that Vader will not kill him now. He did not do so on Bespin, he will not do so here. But nevertheless Vader threw his saber and hit a support near Luke's face. The platform gave way, and Luke was flung off under the Emperor's platform. Calling the saber back to his hand, Vader moved in for the kill. Palpatine continued to laugh, savouring this duel between father and son.

The Rebel fighters, meanwhile, had flown in and were attacking the destroyers at point-blank range. This made it difficult for the mighty ships to knock off the small Rebel craft, while it was very easy for the X-Wings and Y-Wings to take out the shield generators of the destroyers. Lando was busy destroying any Interceptor or TIE that got in his path, while at the same time praying that Han would get the shield down soon.

In fact Han was doing just that. In the control bunker an image of a walker pilot appeared on the screen, informing the Imperial commander inside that the Rebels were running into the woods and more men would be needed to follow them. The commander ordered the bunker doors to be opened in order to let out the troops. As he ran out with the squads behind him, he found himself surrounded by Rebels and Ewoks. Han ran in with the explosives, and the commando team set them up to blow the bunker and shield generator apart.

Vader stalked along, seeking out Luke. "You cannot hide forever, Luke," he told his son. Still Luke replied that he would not fight. Vader was relentless, telling his son that the Dark Side was the only way to save his friends. He read Luke's feelings, and then found out about Leia. Now Luke had betrayed his sister, and Vader said that if Luke would not turn, then maybe she would. There was a sudden cry, and Luke jumped out, saber ignited. Vader stared as his son rushed towards him. Their weapons clashed and sparks flew as Luke forced Vader back with a vicious onslaught the like of which he had never done before. Vader battled well against this sudden attack, but was forced back towards the edge of the throne room, where a chasm opened on to the centre of the Death Star. Father and son battled as though they were mortal enemies, as though only the death of one would finally end things. One would die in the end, it was just a matter of finding out who. Vader stumbled under the swings of Luke's blade, barely able to block them anymore. Suddenly Luke sliced off his father's right hand at the wrist, just as Vader had done to him on Bespin. Sparks fly and mechanical sounds are heard as the Dark Lord's hand flies off. Luke’s blade pointed to Vader's throat, ready to administer the killing blow. Palpatine clapped his hands with delight, and told Luke to fulfil his destiny, to kill Vader and take his place at the Emperor's side. Luke stared at the remains of Vader's right wrist, and then looked at his own hand. He turned his saber off and threw it to one side. "Never," he said. "You've failed your Highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me." The glow in Palpatine's eyes turned from glee to anger. "So be it...Jedi."

The bunker blew in a brilliant explosion, and Han smiled a huge grin. Ackbar saw from his scanners that the shield was down, and ordered an all-out attack on the Death Star. Lando leads the starfighters towards the unfinished part of the Death Star, ready to fly into its bowels and destroy it.

Palpatine stepped towards Luke, hands upraised. "If you will not turn, then you will be destroyed," he says, and bolts of blue Force lightning spray from his fingers and hit Luke, sending him to the ground writhing in agony. Vader managed to stand up and walked towards his master. He could not take his eyes off his son as he was being electrocuted to death. Palpatine stopped for a moment, but only to tell Luke that now, at the end, does the young Jedi understand. With that more Force lightning spears into Luke's nearly prone body. Luke manages to call out to his father for help. He is in sheer agony, and knows that this will be his death. Once again the Emperor stops. "Now, young Skywalker...you will die," he informs Luke.

The lightning becomes intense and soon Luke will die. He calls out once again to his father, who is looking from his master to his son. He is fighting a huge internal battle, and suddenly makes his move. He stepped behind Palpatine, and lifted him bodily up over his head. The Force lightning was still flowing out of his fingers, and splayed over the ceiling and over Vader. The lightning was knocking out Vader's life-support, but he still had enough energy left to throw his master over and into the chasm. He lay by the edge, breathing heavily, until Luke dragged him away as the Emperor’s body, now destroyed, emitted a large blew Force wind that swept over them. Father and son lay by the chasm, the father in the son's arms, dying slowly as his respirators gave up.

The Falcon, followed by several X-Wings, one of which was piloted by Wedge, flew into the Death Star's superstructure. Several TIEs followed them, and soon an X-Wing was destroyed. But the Rebel craft flew on, while the tunnel they were in narrowed. The Rebel ships flew off down side tunnels, fooling some of the TIEs into following them. This left just the Falcon and Wedge in his X-Wing, who were still being chased by three TIEs. Suddenly they were in the core of the Death Star itself, and could see the main power generator. Outside, Ackbar ordered all firepower to be directed at the Executor. On the Executor's bridge, the forward shields were being drained, and the Piett ordered all power towards them. But then an Imperial officer pointed to the view port. "Too late!" he shouted. A damaged A-Wing, out of control, flew straight into the bridge. The Executor, having lost all power, plunged into the Death Star's surface, erupting in a massive explosion. Ackbar breathed a sigh of relief. Finally the battle was going their way.

In one of the docking bays in the Death Star, Luke dragged the enormous bulk of his father towards a shuttle. At the foot of the ramp, he had to set his father down. He was too weak to carry him anymore. There Luke faced his father, and Vader drew him close. "Luke, help me take this mask off," he whispered.
"But you'll die," replied Luke.
"Nothing can stop that now. Just for once... let me look on you with my own eyes."
Luke nods his head in understanding, and carefully takes the dreaded mask off. Underneath he sees some scares, and the face of an elderly man who looks so weak that you could not possibly have thought that he had been such an evil tyrant. He looks into Luke’s face, and smiles.
"Now...go, my son. Leave me," says Anakin very weakly.
"No. You're coming with me. I can't leave you here. I've got to save you."
"You already have, Luke. You were right about me. Tell your sister...you were right."
"Father... I won't leave you."
Then Darth Vader, as Anakin Skywalker, died. He died a reprieved man, as a man who was at last one with the Force.

The Falcon targeted the power generator, while Wedge took out the power regulator ion the north tower. Both ships flew off down another tunnel as the core collapsed in a brilliant explosion and fire raced after them, engulfing the reaming TIEs. Ackbar stared at his monitors, and ordered the fleet to move away from the Death Star.

Luke was aboard the shuttle by now, and managed to take off just as the docking bay blew up, spraying a tongue of fire out at the escaping shuttle. He had made it, and now there was just one task left to do, which involved the cargo he was carrying.

Wedge flew out of the Death Star and towards the waiting Rebel Fleet. Lando could see his exit, but could also see flames around the outside of the ship. It did not look as though they were going to make it, but suddenly he shot out of the battle station, flames licking at the Falcon. As he accelerated away, the Death Star exploded, a ring expanding out from it. On the forest moon of Endor, the Rebels and Ewoks cheered as they saw the supernova that was the second Death Star.

At night, while the celebrations were going on, a torch was carried towards a log pile. Luke placed the torch under the funeral pyre of his father, and watched as the body of his late father burned. Above him, Rebel starfighters flew, setting off fireworks behind them.

Han, Leia, Lando and all the others rejoiced with the Rebels and Ewoks as a huge party was started. Luke walked towards the merriment, and was greeted by Han and Leia. He turned back, and saw the familiar blue figure of Ben Kenobi. He was standing next to the smaller figure of Yoda. Who was in turn standing next to a man of about Ben's height. Both Yoda and Ben turned to look at him. Anakin Skywalker smiled at his son, knowing that the circle was now truly complete, and that Luke had fulfilled this part of his destiny.