Clash of the Skywalkers

Darth Vader, in command of an Imperial fleet comprised of Star Destroyers and TIE fighters, advances toward an aquatic planet. Frustrated by the TIE fighter's inability to maintain formation, Vader angrily demands they resolve the issue before maneuvering his TIE Advanced fighter through them in a pinball-like fashion. Meanwhile, on the volcanic planet Mustafar, the Rebel Alliance has set up a temporary base. Luke Skywalker's X-wing starfighter, while patrolling Mustafar's skies, is shot down by Vader's TIE Advanced fighter. R2-D2 survives the crash and is rescued by Jek-14 in his starfighter. Subsequently, Luke, Leia Organa, and Admiral Ackbar reveal that the incident was a staged event designed to mislead the Empire into believing Luke's death. The rebels are then depicted standing in front of a green screen.

On Dagobah, Jedi Masters Yoda and the Force ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi express their relief at Luke's survival. Back on Mustafar, Admiral Ackbar informs the rebel pilots that "Operation Fool Vader Into Thinking He Has Destroyed Luke" has been successful. Leia suggests that this deception will provide them with sufficient time to evacuate the entire base to the icy planet Hoth. While the rebels celebrate, Luke feels dejected, believing he should be on the front lines fighting Vader. He is met with a resounding "No" from the other rebels. Leia advises Luke to remain hidden to facilitate the evacuation to the new base and encourages him to be less gloomy. Leia mentions to Ackbar about finding Luke a hobby. At the command center, Leia contacts the rebel advance team on Hoth, consisting of C-3PO, Han Solo, and Chewbacca, who are struggling to endure the freezing conditions. Leia instructs them to be tougher.

Aboard a Star Destroyer, Vader and several stormtroopers celebrate their victory over Luke, only to be informed by Admiral Ozzel and Captain Firmus Piett that Luke's body was not recovered from the starfighter. Much to Ozzel's relief, Vader simply orders him to continue the search for Luke. Vader then withdraws to his meditation chamber, which he destroys in a fit of anger. On Hoth, Han, C-3PO, and a frozen Chewie stumble upon the Echo Base "Jedi Educational Center." Upon entering, the three rebels are attacked by a wampa and are forced to flee back aboard the Millennium Falcon, with the wampa in pursuit.

Returning to Mustafar, Jek-14 repairs his starfighter while Biggs Darklighter encourages fellow rebel pilot Porkins, assuring him that the Empire will never defeat them. These words closely mirror Biggs's sentiments to Luke Skywalker during their hangar scene in the Special Edition of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. However, Admiral Ackbar overhears the conversation and cautions Biggs and Porkins against boasting before a battle, lest they bring misfortune upon themselves. Elsewhere, a despondent Luke and R2 sit together, watching a holocron recording of Luke's father, Anakin Skywalker, in training. Luke laments about being idle, unlike the active Jedi of old. Frustrated, Luke throws the holocron onto the floor, triggering a recording of Yoda, Kenobi, and Skywalker embarking on a Clone Wars mission to rescue a Governor named Bibble from Count Dooku and his battle droids. However, the holocron's transmission is intercepted by two Imperial probe droids.

Meanwhile, an enraged Emperor Palpatine berates Darth Vader for falling for the rebel's trick. Palpatine expresses regret for not attempting to turn R2 to the Dark Side. At that moment, Captain Piett reports that their probe droids have detected a holocron being activated on Mustafar. The Emperor places Captain Piett in command of the operation, prompting a protest from Vader. Deeming Vader unreliable, the Emperor travels to Mustafar in an Imperial shuttle accompanied by two of his Royal Guards. During the journey, he repeatedly asks his Red Guard pilot if they have arrived yet. Simultaneously, Vader's fleet makes its way to Mustafar. Yoda reflects on Luke's mistake, while Kenobi emphasizes the need for greater foresight.

Back on Mustafar, Skywalker watches the holocron recording. While Yoda advises restraint, Anakin engages the battle droids and Dooku in combat. This provides Kenobi and Yoda with the opportunity to rescue the governor. Shortly thereafter, Leia and Jek-14 confront Luke about the impending arrival of the Imperial fleet, deducing that Luke's holocron led them there. Luke proposes attacking the Imperial fleet to facilitate the rebel fleet's escape into space. While Jek-14 doubts the success of Luke's plan, the young Jedi points to a lesson he learned from his holocron. Meanwhile, on Hoth, C-3PO, Han, and Chewie find themselves hanging upside down in the wampa's cave. C-3PO provokes the wampa by telling offensive jokes about its mother. Enraged, the wampa grabs Han, who seizes the opportunity to retrieve his blaster. Han shoots the wampa and flees the cave with C-3PO and Chewie. He quickly returns to retrieve Chewie's bandolier only to awaken the wampa, who pursues them.

Above Mustafar, Jek-14 advises caution, but Luke is determined to proceed with his plan. After jumping into hyperspace, Luke crashes his X-wing into the Emperor's shuttle. Luke and Jek-14 then lead Vader's fleet on a chaotic chase. During the pursuit, Palpatine's shuttle crashes into the bridge of Vader's Star Destroyer. Meanwhile, Luke instructs Jek-14 to evacuate to the rendezvous point. Jek-14 contacts Leia to request additional starfighters. Thanks to Luke and Jek's efforts, the rebels successfully evacuate their first transport. Back aboard Vader's Star Destroyer, the Emperor assumes command and inadvertently orders the TIE fighters to depart without their TIE pilots. Leia, piloting a vintage LAAT gunship, and the entire rebel fleet depart Mustafar and jump into hyperspace.

Elsewhere on Hoth, 3PO, Han, and Chewie are being chased by the wampa, who has commandeered an airspeeder. The three rebels manage to escape on a tauntaun, with C-3PO riding the beast and Han riding a frozen Chewie as a sledge. The rebels outrun the wampa, who crashes into a rock. In space, Luke leads the Star Destroyers into an asteroid field, causing significant damage to most of the Star Destroyers. Vader recognizes this as the same tactic he employed on Naboo years ago when he was still Anakin. Meanwhile, Palpatine's damaged Star Destroyer is attacked by Ackbar and several X-wings. Simultaneously, the rebel fleet approaches Hoth, and Leia contacts Han to inquire about the location of the landing area. Han informs her that he is on his way, only to discover that the keys to Hoth Base were left behind in the wampa's cave. Chewbacca resolves the problem by igniting the ammunition in his bandolier and using them as flares to guide the rebel ships. Leia's LAAT gunship is the first rebel ship to land on Hoth. Biggs and Porkins disembark from the transport only to be pursued by the same wampa that had chased Han, potentially sealing their fate as Admiral Ackbar had warned earlier. After embracing Leia, Han jokingly kisses C-3PO, only to have his lips freeze to the protocol droid's metallic body.

In a direct reference to the opening scene of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Palpatine's damaged Star Destroyer is pursued by a rebel CR90 corvette. Meanwhile, Vader pursues Luke's X-wing through an asteroid field. Mirroring the younger man, Vader also flies an X-wing with an astromech droid aboard, albeit both in black instead of white. During a dangerous maneuver, the two crash their starfighters on an asteroid. The two Skywalkers engage in a lightsaber duel, joined by their astromech droids. R2 manages to scare off Vader's astromech, but the Sith Lord then hurls R2 away. As the two battle with lightsabers, Yoda and Kenobi on Dagobah cannot bear to watch. Vader manages to push Luke to the edge of a cliff. Luke then provokes Vader into throwing stones at him. These stones disturb a space slug. However, Vader reveals that he was aware of the space slug's presence all along. The space slug swallows Luke and R2-D2, but Luke manages to free himself and R2 from the space slug by striking its uvula with his lightsaber. The space slug spits Luke and R2 out upward, floating endlessly In space. The episode concludes with the Empire throwing a celebration over Luke Skywalker's death, with the Emperor leading a conga line.

Duel of the Skywalkers ending

The alternative ending is similar to the original, but with Vader getting swallowed by the slug instead. He still manages to free himself by striking the slug's uvula with his lightsaber, causing the beast to send him flying in space. The rebels celebrate their victory on Hoth, while Jek-14 works on unfreezing Han's lips from 3PO's face. Meanwhile, Vader is hanging in an asteroid rock, floating in space and calling out someone for help.