Knowing that there is no hope for his own survival, Anakin asks Luke to take his mask off. Slowly, hesitantly, Luke removes the mask from his father's face.
There beneath the scars is an elderly man. His eyes do not focus. But the dying man smiles at the sight before him.
Anakin says that Luke was right about him, and asks Luke to tell his sister this. Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker . . . Luke's father, dies. A huge explosion rocks the docking bay. Slowly, Luke rises and, half carrying, half dragging the body of his father, stumbles toward a shuttle.
Back on Endor, the strike team finally destroys the shield generator. The Rebel fleet seizes the opportunity to launch a final assault on the Death Star in space.
Death Star: The Millennium Falcon leads a swerving bomb run through the immense superstructure of the half-built Death Star. The Rebel Star Cruisers outside continually bombard the huge station. And each direct hit is answered by resonating, chain-reaction explosions within the station itself.
Millennium Falcon, Cockpit and Gun Ports: Lando's crew fires away at the pursuing TIE fighters as the dashing Baron of Bespin and his alien copilot home in on the main reactor shaft. It is awesome. A lone X-wing is just in front of the Falcon.
The X-wing heads for the top of the huge reactor and fires several proton torpedoes at the power regulator, causing a series of small explosions. The Falcon heads for the main reactor, and when it is dangerously close, Lando fires the missiles, which shoot out of the Falcon with a powerful roar, and hit directly at the center of the main reactor. He maneuvers the Falcon out of the winding superstructure just ahead of the continuing chain of explosions.
Rebel Star Cruiser, Bridge: Ackbar and other Mon Calamari lean on the railing of the bridge, watching the large screen showing the Death Star in the main briefing room. Ackbar orders the fleet to be moved away from the Death Star.
An Imperial shuttle, with Luke alone in the cockpit, rockets out of the main docking bay as that entire section of the Death Star is blown away. Luke brought along the body and armor of Anakin.
Finally, just as it looks like the Falcon will not make it, Lando expertly pilots the craft out of the exploding superstructure and whizzes toward the Sanctuary Moon, only a moment before the Death Star supernovas into oblivion.
Millennium Falcon Cockpit: Lando and Nien Nunb laugh and cheer in relief.
Endor Forest: Han and Leia, Chewie, the droids, the Rebel troops, and the Ewoks all look to the sky as the Death Star reveals itself in a final flash of self-destruction. They all cheer.
Han looks down from the sky to Leia, a look of concern on his face. Leia continues to look at the sky as though listening for a silent voice. Leia reassures Han Solo of her love and reveals to him that Luke is actually her brother. Han is stunned by this news. She smiles, and they embrace.
Endor Forest: Luke sets a torch to the logs stacked under a funeral pyre where his father's body lies, again dressed in black mask and helmet. He stands, watching sadly, as the flames leap higher to consume Darth Vader -- Anakin Skywalker.
In the sky above, fireworks explode and Rebel fighters zoom above the forest.
The entire galaxy celebrates the fall of the Emperor and the Rebel victory over the Empire.
Ewok Village Square on Endor: A huge bonfire is the centerpiece of a wild celebration. Rebels and Ewoks rejoice in the warm glow of firelight, drums beating, singing, dancing, and laughing in the communal language of victory and liberation. Lando runs in and is enthusiastically hugged by Han and Chewie. Then, finally, Luke arrives and the friends rush to greet and embrace him.
During the celebration, only Luke seems distracted, alone in their midsts, his thoughts elsewhere. He looks off to the side and sees three shimmering, smiling figures at the edge of the shadows: Ben Kenobi, Yoda, and Anakin Skywalker.
They stand close, this hardy group, taking comfort in each other's touch, together to the end. Rebels and Ewoks join together in dancing and celebration. The original group of adventurers watch from the sidelines.
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