Description
The hero is rescued from a final plight from an unexpected source.
The rescuer may be someone who had previously abandoned the hero or even someone the hero does not know. In mythic stories, this intervention may come from a god.
Example
In Star Wars, Han Solo returns to help Luke fight the Tie Fighters. In Return of the Jedi, Luke needs the redeemed Vader to destroy the Emperor.
In Lord of the Rings, Frodo is unable to destroy the ring by himself, needing Gollum's unwitting help to complete the deed. Soon after, Frodo and Sam are rescued by the eagles.