The Falcon flew into Bespin, which is where they were met by two red cloud cars, each one of them flying side by side on the ship. One of the cars was firing upon the Falcon, causing the ship to rock violently.
"No, I don't have a landing permit, I'm trying to reach Lando Calrissian," Han spoke into the transmitter.
More of the Cloud car's lasers were firing upon the pirate ship, rattling the ships interior, worrying the witches and Leia.
"Whoa! Wait a minute! Let me explain," Han continued.
"You will not deviate from the present course," one of the cars said.
"Rather touchy, aren't they?" 3PO said.
"You told me you knew this man, Solo," Diana said holding on to the side of the Falcon as the ship rocked violently.
"I do, but I did not think that he will hold a grudge against me after what I have done," Han said in surprise.
"Which was?" Diana asked.
"Won his ship from a game of Sabacc," Han said.
"Of course, you did. Sometime I just wondered if you intend to play with fire or you are just stupid," Diana said.
"Ouch, that hurts," Han mocked.
"Permission granted to land on Platform 327," the car ordered.
Han snapped off the intercom in anger, cursing under his breath. Chewie grunted as he looked at his copilot. Han turned to the witches, Leia, and the droids.
"You see, there's nothing to worry about. We go way back, Lando and me," Han said, trying to brighten up the mood.
"Who's worried?" Leia asked.
"Hey, famous last words of anyone who is about to be betrayed," Barbara said.
"Look Han, we trust your instincts, we really do. But, with Vader and the Empire chasing us, even your truest friend can betray you," Akko said
"Again, I do understand your concerns, but Lando is an old buddy of mine, I don't think he will betray us," Han said.
"Hopefully not," Diana said, shaking her head.
As the Falcon made its descent onto the platform, the clouds cleared, revealing a beautiful and magnificent city filled with pristine white tiles. The city looked like a white immaculate futuristic utopia. While the Cloud Cars were still guarding the smuggler ship, the Falcon landed on the platform that it was ordered to.
The crew was getting off of the ship armed with their pistols and crossbow in their holsters and the witches' wands in their holsters too. Everyone was scanning the area, with Akko's, Han's, and Diana's hand on their pistols.
"Oh, no one to meet us," 3PO said in surprise.
"Han, I don't like this at all," Diana said.
"I agree with Cavendish on this one, Han. I feel like this is a huge trap," Leia said.
"Well, what would you girls like?" Han asked.
"Well, they did let us land," 3PO chirped happily.
"That does not help it at all. In fact, that makes it seem more suspicious that this is a trap," Hannah said.
"Look girls, don't worry, everything's going to be fine. Just trust me on this," Han said.
A door slide opened revealing a young, suave, dashing, black man leading a group of aides and some guards towards the landing platform with a great pace. The crew looked on with some fascination, as this Lando guy approached them.
"See, my friend," Han said, but he even felt the pit in his stomach, "Chewie, keep your eyes open, okay?"
His buddy growled in agreement as Han walked down to greet his old smuggling buddy. Lando and him were staring at each other, eye to eye. The staring contest was cut short as Lando was shaking his head.
"Why, you slimy, double-crossing, no good swindler! You've got a lot of guts coming here, after what you pulled," Lando shouted in anger.
Han was pointing to himself innocently, confused. Lando was moving very threateningly toward Han, causing Diana to have her hand on her DL-18. Her hands relaxed as soon as she heard Lando laughing and saw he was throwing his arm around Han. This startled Han as he returned the favor, embracing him.
"How are you doing, you old pirate? So good to see you! I never thought I'd catch up with you again. Where have you been?" Lando said, welcoming his old friend. One of Lando's aides was releasing the guards to go.
"Well, he seems very friendly," 3PO said.
"Yes, very friendly," Leia said.
"That's Lando?" Hannah asked.
"Yup, Lando Calrissian, used to own this ship before Han won it from a game of Sabacc," Akko said, confirming.
"Still have a bad feeling, D?" Barbara asked.
"Yup," Diana said, "Listen, I don't know why, but I am feeling a very dark energy coming from this place."
"I know the feeling, kind of reminds of the chapter of Night Fall where Belle and Edgar were in this town where the citizens were not what they seem," Barbara said.
Akko was reaching down into her pocket and reached for a bag full of nuts. Taking a handful of nuts, she offered it to her friends, Leia, and Chewie, with some of them taking a handful too. Eating it, Akko was just enjoying the nice weather of the planet.
"So what are you doing here?" Lando asked.
"Well, repairs. The Falcon has been damaged and thought you could help me out," Han answered.
"What have you done to my ship?" Lando asked in a mock panic.
"Your ship? Last time I remembered, you lost the Falcon to me fair and square," Han said smiling.
Chewie growled a reserved greeting which got the attention of the old captain of the Falcon. "Hey Chewie, still sticking around with this old pirate," Lando said.
Chewie responded with a roar. Lando then looked over to the witches and Leia. "Hello and what do we have here? Welcome to my lovely abode, I'm Lando Calrissian. I am the administrator of this facility and who might you lovely ladies be?" Lando asked.
"Hello, my name is Atsuko Kagari, but you may call me Akko. This lovely blonde here is my girlfriend, Diana. And these two girls here are our friends, Hannah and Barbara. And that right there is our great friend and ally, Leia," Akko said proudly.
"Well, welcome Akko, Diana, Hannah, Barbara, and Leia to this beautiful city of mine," Lando said, kissing Akko on the hand.
"All right, all right, your old swindler," Han said, pushing Akko away from him.
As 3PO was making his introductions, Lando stole a glance at Leia, fascinated with her. As the protocol droid was in the middle introducing himself, Lando was catching up to his long-time buddy and the girls, leaving 3PO in a disgusting shock.
Lando, followed by his aide, Lobot, led them across the bridge, into the buildings. "So what's wrong with the Falcon?" Lando asked.
"The hyperdrive is a bust," Han said.
"I see, well I will get my people to work on it," Lando said.
"That's good. Thanks," Han said.
"Don't mention it," Lando said. He then turned to the girls and said, "Did you know, that ship saved my life quite a few times. She's the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy," Lando said.
"That's pretty cool. I heard about the Kessel Run, and I do have a question about that. L3-37, is she still on the Falcon or no?" Akko asked.
"How do you know about L3?" Lando asked.
"Um, just a good guess," Akko said, not knowing she might have revealed a bit too much.
"Trust me Lando, these girls are something else. You should have seen them at the Battle of Sullest and the Battle of the Death Star," Han said.
"Well, you girls would have to tell me your stories, whenever we have the chance," Lando said.
The group was walking through the building, entering the city square. As they are walking, they pass through a lovely Art deco passageway. They were passing many different restaurants, shops, and cafes. The girls were looking on in amazement seeing how small-knit this planet is.
"So how is the gas mine business going for you? Is it paying off? Han asked.
"Well, it is not as well as I like it to be. We are a small outpost that is not very self-sufficient. And I've had supply problems of every kind with labor difficulties adding into it," Lando was explaining.
Han was laughing very loudly, gaining the curious look of his buddy. "What's so funny?" Lando asked.
"You, listen to yourself Lando, you sound like a businessman, a responsible leader. Who would have thought of that, huh?"
"You know, see you sure brings back a few things," Lando said.
"Yeah, I know how you feel," Han said, reminiscing in the memories he made with Lando.
"Yeah, well, you know, I have been very responsible these past few years. It's the price you pay for being very successful," Lando said. Both of the smugglers were laughing as the group was moving together.
While the group was walking through the pristine hallways of Cloud City, something caught the attention of Akko, as she strayed away from the group. Diana, Hannah, and Barbara followed behind. Akko did not know what she was following, but something seemed off as she took her blaster away from her holster. Grabbing a hold of the wall, Akko, Diana, Hannah, and Barbara were studying a corner that holds a door to somewhere. Looking at it, the girls notice a few men, who look suspicious, entering the door..
Sneaking towards the door, Diana held out her wand, casting a spell that allowed the girls to hear what is going on in the other room. The girls were able to hear what the people were saying in the room.
"So, have these rebels landed?" one man asked.
"Yes sir, Mr. Calrissian is guiding them through the buildings as we speak," another man said.
"Good, informed Lord Vader that we have the rebels where we want them. Sooner or later we will have Skywalker and end this pathetic rebellion once and for all," the first man said.
As the man, whom the girls recognized as an officer of the Imperial Army, walked out of the room, the girls clung to a wall. "Well, this is just bloody great, the Empire's here," Hannah said.
"Yeah, we should tell Han and Leia about this," Akko said about to head back to where the rest of the Falcon crew was. But she was stopped by Diana, who had her hand out.
"Wait a moment Akko, something is not right about this. Why would Vader allow us to land here, knowing what he deals with our type of people," Diana wondered.
"Yeah, I agree with you Diana, why is Vader doing this, unless…," Barbara was about to say but Akko beat her to the punch.
"Unless this is a trap and we are the bait," Akko said.
"But for who?" Hannah asked.
"Guess," Akko said.
"No," Barbara said, realizing who she meant.
"Yup, Luke Skywalker is whom he wants to capture," Akko said.
"But what does Vader want with Skywalker?" Diana asked.
"Vader is Luke's daddy," Akko said.
Hannah and Barbara were laughing quietly but stopped when Akko was not laughing.
"Oh you're not joking," Hannah said.
"No, no I'm not. Long story short, before Darth Vader is who he was, he was Anakin Skywalker. But because of his attempt of trying to protect his wife from death and witnessing his mother's murder from the Sandpeople, let's just say he did not have a happy ending," Akko explained.
"I actually can't believe I am saying this, but I feel bad for Vader," Barbara said.
"Don't be, he killed a bunch of kids before he became a machine," Akko said.
"Yeah, thanks for reminding us about that," Hannah said, uncomfortable.
"What are you people doing here?" a man in a blue uniform asked, "Don't you know that this area is prohibited for citizens?"
"Wait, wait, wait, this is not the way to the bathroom. Brenda, I thought you told me it's this way," Akko said, trying to play dumb.
"Well it isn't my fault that I don't know where we are going. These buildings all look the same," Diana said, catching on to what Akko is saying.
"Sorry about my friend here. We just came in from Canto Bight and we are extremely space lag. It is actually worse with my friend here," Akko said pointing to Hannah, "She says some of the most peculiar things."
"What came first for orange, the name or the fruit?" Hannah asked.
"You see, we are just too dumb and tired so we will be on our way," Akko said.
"Wait a minute, you two look a bit familiar," the man said, looking at Akko and Diana a bit closely.
"Well, we have like one of those faces, ha, ha," Diana said, trying to act like a dumb blonde.
"No, no, you two look like that Blue Dragon girl and Captain Cavendish," the officer said, trying to see the face.
"Nah, you are just imagining things, we are just four girls who were lost going to the bathroom," Akko said, waving her hand.
"You are right, you are just four girls who were lost going to the bathroom," the man repeated.
"We are free to go," Akko said, still waving her hand again.
"You are free to go," the man repeated.
Akko and her friends started walking away out of that corner, towards where Chewbacca was. Hannah and Barbara were a bit surprised to see that they were able to get out of their quickly. Chewie gave a howl of relief as he saw the girls walking towards him.
"Damn, that was very close," Hannah said.
"How did you know how to do that, Akko?" Babrara asked.
"It's a little trick I picked up when I saw Ben doing it back in Tatooine. I practiced on a lot of the Rebel captains to get what I wanted," Akko said, smiling.
Hannah and Barbara were a bit frighten to hear this. "Akko, sometimes you frighten us," Hannah said.
"Hey Chewie, we have an issue. The Empire is here," Diana said, talking to Chewbacca.
Chewie gave the girls a serious look and growled a bit. Akko understood what the Wookie ment as she replied, "We overheard some officers talking about trapping us, with that Lando guy aiding them."
"Yeah, no wonder why I felt something was off about this," Diana said.
Chewie, looking at the girls, growled an angry growl. Diana calmed him and said, "Look, we should not alert anyone as of yet, don't want to raise the alarms. However, we should at least warn Han and Leia about this and think of a backup plan."
"I agree," Akko said.
"Same," both Hannah and Barbara said.
Chewie roared a howl in agreement.
"So it's settled. Then should we catch up with them," Diana said.
Everyone nodded as they made their way back to Han and Leia. When the girls came back, they noticed that 3PO was gone. This gave the girls more evidence that the Empire was here.
"Look Diana, I'm telling you, there has to be a reason why my collection was on the Falcon. There is no way that my collector cards were just on the Falcon," Akko said.
The witches entered a suite that Lando lent Han while the ship was being worked on. Chewie was with them when they entered, with Akko and Diana discussing the binder that Akko had back in Luna Nova and how it appeared in the Falcon. While they entered, Chewie went back out to search for something. Both of the girls were discussing in depth when they stumbled upon Leia who was pacing back and forth, anxiously.
"Hey Leia, are you okay?" Akko asked, noticing the princess being very jumpy.
"No, not really. I still have a bad feeling about this Lando guy. I don't know, but I'm just getting a very bad feeling from him. Not only that but no one knows where 3PO is. And to add on to that, you girls just disappeared for no reason. That is why I sent Chewy to find you," Leia said.
"Honestly I don't blame you, princess," Akko said, sitting on a sofa, "The girls and I have something to tell you. The…."
"Ship is almost finished, there are just two or three more things they need to work on and we're in great shape," Han interrupted Akko as he walked into the room.
Akko groaned, as she pinched her nose and shook her head. Leia looked at her in pity. She then turned to Han and said, "The sooner the better, there is something definitely wrong here."
"I agree with Leia on this. Look Han, I'm sure your friend is a good man, but the girls and I overheard one of those imperial scums saying that Vader will be here. Now I do not want to think that your friend might betray us, but the girls and I have strong feelings to believe that might be the case," Akko explained.
"Plus, we don't even know where 3PO is. Who knows, he might've got captured by those bucketheads," Hannah added in.
"Will you girls relax, look I don't trust Lando either, but he is my friend. I will go ask him if he knows where 3PO is. And besides, once they get done with the ship, we will soon be gone and away from the Empire," Han said, trying to calm the girls.
"And then you will be as good as gone too, aren't you?" Leia asked.
Han considers Leia's words carefully as the witches examine the situation carefully. Hannah then piped up, saying, "If you guys love each other, then please say it. Cause oh my god does Chewie, the girls, and I see it? Like c'mon you two, just admit your love already."
"We are not in love with each other!" both Han and Leia shouted.
"Sure, you two are not. But both of you guys act like we are in some sort of soap opera where two people are falling in love with each other but they hate each other," Barbara continued.
Han and Leia looked at each other, with some light blush on their face. They hate to admit it, but Hannah and Barbara were right. They l were falling in love with each other. The witches laughed at the smuggler and princess, who were trying to hide their blush. The girls' laughter was cut short as they saw Chewie entering again with a box of scraps and junk.
"Is that who I think it is?" Akko asked as she got up from her seat and walked towards the box. She picked up the head of C3PO and examined it.
"What the hell happened to him?" Hannah asked.
Chewie roared a reply, which caught everyone by surprise.
"You found him where Chewie? In a junk pile about to be incinerated?" Han asked.
"This is just unbelievable. Why would they do this?" Akko asked as she wanted to scream loudly.
"Hey, Chewie, do you think it is possible to put him back together?" Diana asked.
Looking at the different robot parts that were strewn about, the Wookie shrugged sadly.
"Lando has people who can fix him," Han said, optimistically.
"Yeah, no. I still don't trust that friend of yours," Akko said.
There was a buzz at the door, as Akko went and opened it. The door slid open, revealing Lando, whom Akko groaned in disgust.
"Oh, it's you. Yeah, what is it?" Akko asked.
"I am just checking how you guys are holding up. Seeing if you guys want to join me for some dinner and drinks. But I see that you are busy, so should I leave?" Lando asked.
"We are not busy, we were just about to leave, explore this magnificent city of yours a bit more," Diana said, joining Akko.
"Well, if you two are going walking around, then I guess Leia and I can join you," Han said.
"Well, everyone's invited of course," Lando said.
"On second thought D, let's go join Lando. See how well this dinner goes, possibly meet a special guest," Akko said, putting her arm around Lando, squeezing the administrator in a tight hug.
Diana, catching on to what Akko was saying and realizing that there is no good outcome, decided to agree with her girlfriend. As Lando chuckled uncomfortably, he noticed the remains of 3PO in a box.
"Something wrong with your droid?" Lando asked.
The witches, Han, Leia, and Chewie quickly exchange glances before Akko said, "Nah, I was checking if I can input some Japanese translations into that droid. You know it is hard to operate a droid while taking them out bit by bit. Similar to an iPhone, right D?"
"What's an iPhone?" Lando asked.
"Don't worry about it, just something that was from the planet we are from," Akko said, "Now, you said there is food right?"
Diana shook her head in light laughter as she grabbed her girlfriend by the arm and crossed it. Everyone followed out as Han was walking next to his friend chatting. Leia was between them as Chewie and the witches were behind them.
"So how many do you figure is going to be there?" Hannah whispered.
"Well, probably two guards, the bounty hunter, and Vader inside. There will be at least a garrison in the city," Akko whispered back.
"So in short, we will be screwed," Barbara whispered.
"Yeah, pretty much. Unless we find a way to pilot the Falcon remotely, then yeah," Akko whispered.
"What do you think they are going to do with us when we get captured?" Hannah asked.
"Interrogate us, torture us, the usual bad guys' stuff. Though they are going to be using us as bait so they do want us alive," Akko answered.
As the girls were whispering, Lando asked Han a question. "So Han old buddy, where did you find those pretty girls?" he asked.
"Them, well, they just appeared out of nowhere. However, they never fail to surprise me, Chewie, or Leia. They have done things that you would not believe me if I told you," Han said.
"I see, you mentioned one of them turned into a dragon?" Lando asked.
"Yeah, Akko did. Helped the rebels destroy the Death Star," Han answered.
"That's impossible, you cannot breathe in space. And how can someone turn into a dragon? How is she able to do that?" Lando asked.
"Like I said, you would not believe me if I told you. Anyways, this little acquisition seems suitable. But aren't you afraid the Empire is going to find out about it and shut it down?" Han asked.
"Well, that's always been a danger to us. But things have developed overtime that will ensure security for my people. I made a deal that will keep the Empire out of here forever," Lando answered.
"Be careful making deals with the Devil. It tends to bite you back right in the butt!" Akko shouted to Lando.
Lando chuckled nervously a bit as the group reached the door. "Well, here we are," Lando said, pushing a button to open the door. The door slid open revealing the dark Sith lord Darth Vader sitting at the end of the table. The bounty hunter, Boba Fett, was next to him. In a quick draw, Han fired off his blaster pistol at the Sith lord. Vader was able to deflect the blaster bolts easily, as he used the force to grab the pistol out of the smuggler's hand. Hannah, Barbera, and Diana were about to use their wands when Akko put her hands on their shoulders, whispering, "Not yet."
Vader examined the girls carefully before saying, "We would be honored if you would join us."
"I had no choice, they arrived right before you did. I'm sorry," Lando said dejectedly as Han was giving him a dirty look.
"I'm sorry too, pal," Han said.
The group headed into the dining area, taking their seats. The witches sat really close to each other, with Diana and Akko holding each other's hands. The food that was being served smelled really good, although everyone's hunger had dissipated due to the bad air. As they were eating, wine was being poured into everyone's glass. Taking a sip from her glass, Akko felt the strong alcohol coursing through her body.
"Okay, I know that we are about to be captured and whatnot, but for the love of the nine old witches, can we at least still be in good spirits," Akko said.
Han, Leia, Chewy, and the rest of her friends looked at Akko in shock and confusion wondering what she was planning to do.
"Akko, what are you doing?" Barbara asked, forcing a smile.
"Look, captured or dead, if we are afraid of them then they will win. So, might as well just smile to the end," Akko said, "Now, with that being said, who here wants to hear a joke?"
"I don't think this is the right time, Akko," Han said.
"I think otherwise. Actually, this situation here reminds me of the joke. It goes like this, there were these two guys in an insane asylum. One day, they both had enough and decided that they don't like living in the asylum anymore. So they decided to escape. After much thought, they decided that tonight was the night that they were going to escape. Well, you see, when these two guys got up onto the roof of the asylum, they saw that in order to reach their freedom, they had to just cross this narrow gap. The only light source they have is moonlight and a flashlight. But this asylum is heavily protected, so they have to be careful. Now you see, the first guy was able to jump across the gap with no problem or issue whatsoever. But his friend dared not to cross the gap. You see, this friend of the first inmate was deathly afraid of falling. The first guy saw his friend and had an idea. In a loud whisper, he tells his friend, 'Hey! I have my flashlight on me! I will shine it across the gap and you can walk along the beam to join me!" But you see, the friend just shook his head and said, 'What do you think I am? Crazy? You will just turn it off when I am halfway across!" Akko explained as she was retelling the joke. When she was finished, she heard a few chuckles from the stormtroopers and the bounty hunter.
Getting serious, Akko took a drink out of her wine and a bite of her food. She then explained, "You see Lord Vader, the story where this joke originated had an interesting way to portray the relationship between our hero and our villain. The Killing Joke, one of my favorite comics that has one of my favorite superheroes, tells us the reader about how all it takes is one bad day to turn someone mad. Oh, that is what the Joker thought it would do to Commissioner Gordon. Now I know this world does not have Batman or Joker, but hey, might as well bring something from my planet with me."
"And what do you expect will happen after telling me something very trivial?" Vader asked, interested in seeing what Akko is bringing upon herself.
"Nothing really. Again, just something to brighten up the mood. Something that is relevant between a father and son," Akko said, shrugging and shoving another bite of food into her mouth.
"You seem to know awfully a lot about the young Skywalker's family history, Ms. Kagari. Why is that?" Vader asked.
"As a witch of Terra, I am able to see the past, present, and future," Akko lied, "And my advice, whatever you guys do, just don't name your child Ben, please. A lot of people will be happy."
"A witch of Terra, and do you expect me to believe that lie?" Vader asked.
"Technically, it's a half-truth," Akko said, "You see Lord Vader, I am a witch, though my home is everywhere and nowhere."
"What?" Lando asked, confused, without realizing it.
"Hey, Diana, I think your friend has gone a bit crazy," Han said.
"I am not going crazy, I am just saying that my friends and I are more of desperados," Akko explained.
Reaching into the force, Vader felt an extreme source of power between Akko, Diana, Hannah, and Barbara. "You and your friends seem quite powerful in the force. Interesting how you do not understand the true power of it," Vader said.
"We understand all we need to know about the force. Just my friends and I prefer a more practical weapon," Akko said.
"Which is why you turned yourself into a dragon when your friends were going to destroy the battle station?" Vader asked.
"How…how do you know that?" Akko asked.
"The dragon has the same vibration as you do in the force. Not only this, but the same thing occurred on Sullust. Some of the men retold me their accounts of seeing a monstrous creature attacking their base. Now, I did give them their suitable punishments for their failure, but it got mine and the Emperor's interest," Vader explained.
"So then what are you planning to do with us?" Diana asked, interested in the conversation.
"When we have trapped the young Skywalker when he arrives, then I will take him and you girls to the Emperor and have you girls join us," Vader explained.
"And if we refused?" Diana asked.
Vader just brought in a fist in the air, holding his two fingers apart. He then slowly connects them together, causing the girls to feel their throats closing up. The witches were trying to grasp for air, as they felt themselves choking for no apparent reason.
"If you girls refuse to accept the offer, then you will feel the true power of the dark side," Vader boomed as he released his hand.
The witches felt the grasp on their throats lighten up as they were coughing, trying to get their breathing back to normal. Diana, through a coughing fit, whispered, "I hope to the nine old witches that you have a plan, Akko."
"I do, I do, just…let me think," Akko whispered back, placing her hand on her neck, massaging it.
"So, who's going in?" Sucy asked.
After finding out that their potion had worked and reporting it back to Headmistress Holbrook and Professor Finnelan, Blue Team and what was left of Red Team was getting ready to go in and rescue their friends. Both teams and professors came up with a plan to rescue the lost Luna Nova students. After making final preparations, which included stocking up on potions and supplies, the teams were ready for their adventure.
"Well, I'm definitely going in to rescue Akko and Blue Team," Amanda said.
"I'm going too," Lotte said, feeling a bit of courage in her.
"Me too," Constanze wrote on her blackboard.
"Well, I guess Jazminka and I will be staying back, then," Sucy said.
Grabbing two vials of the potion, Sucy gave them to Amanda, who puts one of them into her bag. "Remember, one is to go there, and one is to go back," Sucy reminded.
"Ok, got it," Amanda said, memorizing the order.
"And…be careful, all three of you," Sucy said. The purple hair witch and the Russian girl walked back as Amanda slammed the potion to the floor. Smoke came out of the vial as it surrounded the three witches, swallowing them whole.
"May the nine old witches bless you," Chariot said, looking on with hope.
The room was dimly light as Akko was tied to a chair, looking like she was beaten up pretty badly. An Imperial officer, followed by Vader, and two stormtroopers were watching her, with malicious glee. The officer walked towards Akko, who just sat there smiling and grabbed her face. Akko spat at the officer, causing the officer to smack her hard.
"You don't frighten me, your Imperial scums," Akko said, laughing a bit. "Well, except you, Vader. But you know you can't control my friends and me."
"I think otherwise," Vader said.
"Everyone says that, like literally everyone. But there is something you and that wrinkled old man forgot. Us witches won't break easily, we have a very strong will that can never be broken," Akko bluffed.
"We will see about that. Lieutenant, if you can excuse me and the prisoner," Vader said with a wave of his hand.
"Yes, Lord Vader," the officer said, leaving Darth Vader with the young Japanese witch.
Once he left, Vader just stared at the witch, studying her. "You and your friends are quite powerful in the force. Yet, it seems that you are not a Jedi," Vader said, studying Akko.
"Like I told you at dinner, my friends and I are witches. Nothing more nothing less," Akko said.
"That you have, however, it still does not explain how four young witches are able to be this powerful in the force. Even if they are not of this world," Vader said.
"How did you…?" Akko was about to ask.
"The dark side can give the user any desirable power they want. My master senses you and your friends' arrival on Tatooine. He did not know what had caused this shift in the force, but since the Death Star, he has had a keen interest in you and your friends," Vader explained.
"So, you are planning to take us to this master of yours so you could learn our secrets?" Akko asked.
"You are very perceptive, young witch. But if you and your friends will join me, then we can overthrow the Emperor and end this bloody and fruitless war," Vader said.
"And if we refuse, will we die?" Akko asked.
"If it must be, then yes," Vader said, "Although, I am saving you and your friends for the young Skywalker."
"And how do you suppose you are going to trap him?" Akko asked, trying to figure out the Sith Lord's plan.
"That is something you do not need to worry about," Vader said, "However, you should worry about yourself."
"What do you mean?" Akko asked. However, she understood what Vader meant when she started feeling her bones cracking and her vision going blurry. Her body was burning in pain as Akko felt the darkness and misery consuming her.
However, that did not turn the young witch over to the dark side, as Akko just remembered her friends and the message that her idol once told her. "Believing in yourself is your magic." Although, what made this pain worse was that it felt like someone was prying her brain open.
"So, you and your friends are from a world where the force runs rampant. There is a school I see, where many of your kind learn this art. Not only that, but it seems that you have found an artifact. Yet, it seems that the artifact chose poorly considering you are as clumsy as you are a fool," Vader said, reading through Akko's memories, "However, through your pathetic hardships and dreams, you and your friends were able to open up a gateway for the force to flow through your planet."
"Get out of my head," Akko said, trying to push Vader out of her mind.
Vader ignored what Akko said, as he pushed forward through her mind. "Now, where is this world of yours?" Vader asked, "It's not in this galaxy, perhaps, one of your friends can reveal it's location."
"Enough!" Akko said, using all of her magic to block Vader's attempt to read her mind. This in turn caused Akko to weaken as she felt some of the magic leaving her.
Vader, having what he needs, ordered some of the stormtroopers to take the young Japanese witch to her cell. They did as they were told.