Star Wars Theory: What If The Emperor Won In ‘Return Of The Jedi’?
Return of the Jedi could be considered a turning point in the history of Star Wars both in-universe and out of universe. It was the crucial battle between the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire. It was the last great plan of Emperor Palpatine, as well as Darth Vader's final decision to finally turn to the light. So much was on the line. This was the shatterpoint in the Force. The course of history would be decided then and now. However, what if things went differently? What if the scale tipped in favor of the Dark Side? What if Palpatine had won the Battle of Endor and thus emerged victorious at the end of Return of the Jedi.
There were many avenues this could have gone. Palpatine had many goals in Return of the Jedi and only a few that he wanted to accomplish in his greater scheme. His main and ultimate goal was the final destruction of the Rebel Alliance. It would have been the end of the most organized opposition to his reign. Without anyone in his way, Palpatine would be free to pursue his main goal, which was to become one with the Dark Side of the Force. Meanwhile, the Empire could plunder planets resources and whatever would be necessary in order to fulfill his dark desires.
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Another example of how Palpatine could have won would be, of course, if Luke Skywalker were to turn to the Dark Side and replace Darth Vader as his apprentice. It was obvious that Palpatine had grown tired of Vader at this point. Vader had been a disappointment to him since Mustafar. The potential wielder of raw power had practically been reduced to a walking corpse barely held up with machinery and pure hatred. The Chosen One was but a shell of his former self. Obviously Palpatine would favor another younger and far stronger apprentice serving him by his side. Who would be a better choice than the son of the Chosen One, Luke Skywalker? Now it would take a lot to turn Luke to the Dark Side, but had Emperor Palpatine succeeded, he would have a new apprentice under his command. The loss of the Death Star would only be a minor setback, as Palpatine would now have a new powerful apprentice to continue his war against the Rebel Alliance and further his dark goals.
Of course if both scenarios went the way of Palpatine, then he would have gone with his ultimate plan, which canonically would be to move his seat of power to Exegol, the nexus of the Dark Side of the Force. He had been building monstrosities in the Dark Side, and fleets with the power to destroy entire planets. He would live forever and rule the galaxy not only as emperor, but as an immortal Sith god. This was the secret that he kept very close to himself, known only to those in his very inner circle. Hence, when the Empire fell in Return of the Jedi, he was able to return to Exegol, his last stronghold, and waited for the opportune time to return. If he had won the Battle of Endor, he would have the power of Second Death Star, and the fleet hidden on Exegol, along with thousands of Sith Eternal and cultists and other monstrosities under his command. The dark empire would be more than ready to spread fear and terror throughout the galaxy.
Palpatine's victory at Endor, be it military or personal, would have massive ramifications on the galaxy far, far away. Darkness would spread across the universe, and it would be the ultimate end of the Jedi Order. The balance would be tipped toward the Dark Side of the Force for the foreseeable future.
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