A Few Years Ago
Bonnie was walking through the day market with Peppermint Butler. "That kid is following me again," she said with an exhausted sigh.
Peppermint Butler glanced back to see Finn, doing a poor job of tailing her. "Pay him no mind, milady; he is just a young man infatuated with your beauty."
"As flattered as I am, it still doesn't mean it isn't annoying to deal with—"
A sudden wave of shouts cut her off. People were scattering in every direction. "What the heck is—"
A deafening roar ripped through the street. A massive monster charged straight toward them, knocking over stalls as it came. Bonnie froze, her body locked in terror. The creature's pounding steps grew louder—seconds from trampling her.
"RRRAAAHHH!!!"
Finn burst into view, his arm transformed into a massive construct of grass. In one decisive strike, he smashed the monster into unconsciousness. The market went silent.
He turned to Bonnie with a calm smile. "Are you okay?"
Bonnie was speechless; never in her life had she seen anything so impossible—a boy so young taking down a beast that even seasoned witches could only defeat in numbers. One word flashed in her mind: Power.
Her lips curled into a sly smile as a plan began to form. "Yes, I am okay. Thank you very much, hero."
Unknown to Finn, he had just stepped onto the board as an unwitting pawn in a game he didn't even know existed.
=======
The Present
In a meeting room, seated around a table, were all of Finn's ex-girlfriends. Bonnie called the meeting to order. "Alright, we're all here, so let's begin."
"Uh, before that," Phoebe said, raising her hand. "Why did you call us here? I thought we finished our parts."
"We are at the final stages of the plan, and I thought all of you should be here to witness it being completed." Bonnie activated a large crystal ball at the center of the table. It displayed an image of Finn walking in the forest. "All of you had a part to play in this. Finn is now ready."
A mix of sadness, shame, and guilt spread across their faces—everyone except Bonnie. Marceline gathered her courage to speak. "Bonnie, we can still stop this. I know you said this was the most optimal plan, but Finn is our friend." She nervously rubbed her arm. "He was once more than that to all of us here." She looked around the table to gauge their reactions.
Phoebe chuckled. "He really was something else, wasn't he? The way he listened to all of my problems."
Marceline continued, "How he could tell when I was upset, and tried to cheer me up."
Huntress finished, "And who can forget that dopey smile of his that made you feel like everything was going to be okay?"
"Yeah." All of them except Bonnie sighed at the memory.
After a few moments of silence, Huntress spoke again. "When you first approached me with this crazy plan, I doubted it would work. I mean—train a kid to assassinate the emperor? Pure madness if I'd heard it from anyone else. I admit, when all of this began, I couldn't have cared less for Finn." She gave a small smile. "But then, over time, he wormed his way into my heart." She placed her hand over her chest. "And I think I can safely say he did the same to all of you as well." Her expression darkened. "I felt terrible for what I was doing to him. He's so innocent and carefree." She frowned again. "So, I cut him loose, even if it meant him hating me."
The others wore somber looks. They had enjoyed their time with Finn, but none of them could handle the lies they told—or the real reason they were with him. All except Bonnie, who rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Enough!"
All eyes turned to her.
"What's done is done. We can't change the past, we can only finish what we started. I know each of you wants the emperor gone just as much as I do. With Finn, we can achieve that dream." She looked at them, watching sadness return to their faces. "The only thing we can do now is wait."
=======
Finn was walking through the forest, heading to the Owl House. He yawned with his eyes closed when suddenly he heard the most disturbing voice he'd ever heard.
"Hiya, Lilith, peek-a-hoot!"
He opened his eyes to see Lilith knocked into a tree by Hooty. A couple of coven scouts emerged from behind nearby trees, charging straight at the owl demon.
"Sorry, Eda doesn't like trespassers, but I'm always here to make new friends!" Hooty said before thrashing the scouts around, knocking them in every direction.
Finn walked past a dazed Lilith and casually waved. "Hey, mentor, surprised to see you here so early." He yawned again. "Well, I'll leave you and Hooty to continue your game."
He headed toward the Owl House, dodging, ducking, and jumping over scouts as they were flung his way. Lilith glared at her former pupil's back.
"Have fun, Hooty."
"Will do, hoot!"
Meanwhile, Eda was laughing to herself as she watched from a window through a pair of binoculars. "Hooty—ah, you're a thorn in my side…" She took a sip of tea. "But you always dig your way into my heart."
Nearby, a magic wooden spoon was stirring a cauldron.
Finn opened the front door. "Hey, Eda, I saw mentor out there with a bunch of coven scouts. They must be really desperate to catch you if they're out this early in the morning."
"Ooooh, magic s'getti." Luz leaned toward the cauldron, but her hand was smacked away by the wooden spoon.
"Hey, that s'getti is witches' wool." Eda grabbed a handful of glowing thread. "It repels powerful spells. Every witch worth their salt has a cloak made from this stuff."
Luz looked at the thread with stars in her eyes. "I'm worth salt—I want cloak!" She grabbed the cauldron.
Eda grabbed the other side and yanked it away. "Easy, kid! With the Emperor's goons at my doorstep, I need this for protection." She glanced out the window. "They've really stepped up their attacks lately."
Finn looked out the same window. "I don't know… Hooty seems like he can handle a few more scouts."
Right on cue, a scout slammed to the ground outside, only to be dragged back into the chaos, clawing desperately at the dirt to get away from the house demon.
"See? They're all having fun."
Luz looked at Eda. "I think I understand why the Emperor wants you so badly… He's got the hots for you, doesn't he?"
Eda replied with a wink and two finger guns.
This sent Finn into hysterics. "The Emperor… and Eda? Oh man." He hugged himself, holding his sides as he fell to the floor, rolling around while laughing uncontrollably. "I can't breathe—oh man, I can't breathe!"
Eda scowled at his laughter. "Okay, ignoring that for now. But no—Emperor Belos wants to control all wild magic through his coven system. He ordered my capture years ago because I refused to fall in line." Her tone grew serious.
"And he won't stop until he's got you," Luz said, looking down sadly.
Eda tried to cheer her up. "Ah, don't sound so worried. I'm a master escape artist. The only thing that can slow me down is my curse—and that hasn't bothered me in weeks." She flung her arms out wide for emphasis… only for feathers to sprout all over her body.
"Uh-oh."
She slowly began transforming into the owl beast.
"King!" Luz shouted.
King appeared in the living room doorway, shocked by Eda's sudden change.
Finn leapt onto Eda, locking his arms around her neck. "Get the elixir, NOW!"
Eda thrashed violently, jumping up and slamming Finn into the ceiling, but he refused to let go. "I'll try to hold her as long as I can!"
"Luz, catch!" King returned, tossing the elixir to her.
"Got it!" Luz caught the bottle, uncorked it, and jammed it into Eda's mouth.
The owl beast froze. The elixir seemed to work, and Finn loosened his grip. "Alright, let's—"
The beast suddenly thrashed again. "What the—?!"
Finn was flung into a wall, but he scrambled back to his feet, charging at the owl beast and delivering a powerful uppercut.
He turned to Luz. "GET MORE ELIXIR, NOW!"
=======
Eda transformed back into her former self, relieved that she hadn't harmed anyone—though still a little shocked that Finn had her in a chokehold.
"Well, thanks for this." Eda held up the empty elixir bottle. "And you can stop now, Finn. I'm back to normal."
"Define 'normal'?" Finn asked, raising one eyebrow.
"Oh, ha ha. Just get off of me!" Eda then noticed multiple empty elixir bottles scattered around her. "How many bottles did we go through?"
Luz was about to answer when she noticed something peculiar. "Hey… your gem. It's still dark."
Sure enough, Eda's gem was beginning to shift from gold to black.
Eda quickly freaked out and yanked a scarf around her neck. "Ah, no it's not! You're nuts!"
Luz pointed at her accusingly. "The curse has been getting worse, and you've been hiding it!"
Eda sighed and dropped the act. "Ugh, you're right. It's taking more elixir to turn me back and more magic to keep the curse form from rearing its ugly, feathery head."
"What happens if you use up all your magic? Do you… do you die?!"
"Eda, if you die, I promise I will do everything in my power to keep Hooty from eating your dead body," Finn said flatly.
Eda crossed her arms and looked at Luz. "No! Jeez, you're morbid. I just kinda, sorta turn into the owl beast… forever. Ah, it's a fate much worse than death, if you think about it." She then turned to Finn. "And as for you, make another joke like that and I'll be the one feeding you to Hooty… alive!"
"Geez, last time I do anything nice for you," Finn mumbled under his breath.
Eda narrowed her eyes. "What was that?"
"I said you're very young-looking and pret-ty to-day," Finn said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
Luz had had enough of how calm both Finn and Eda were being. "Can you two focus, please! Listen, Eda—your curse won't take over. I won't let that happen. I'll do something about it." She raised her fist with conviction. "I'll find a cure, and then—"
Eda placed a hand on Luz's shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. I just have to limit my magic use a little." She then forced Luz's face into a smile. "Ah, there's the Luz I know."
The forced smile didn't last long, and Luz's face sank into a deep frown.
"Ugh, go on—do the parallel arm thing," Eda muttered.
Luz smiled and gave her a warm hug. "Finn, get in on this."
Finn politely declined. "No thanks, I'm actually allergic to open displays of affection."
Luz ignored his excuse, grabbed his arm, and pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.
"Ugh!" Finn winced from the sudden pain. "How is it that I can break out of pretty much everything except one of your hugs?" he groaned.
"That is due to the power of friendship, Finn," Luz beamed, glancing at Eda.
"King demands huggies too!" King shouted, latching onto Eda's leg.
Eda decided she'd had enough hugs for the day. "Okay, it's time for school. Have a good day, you two!" She shoved Finn and Luz out the door.
Finn turned and looked her straight in the eye. "Eda, I just wanted to say that I… appreciate you being around." He grinned. "After all, you haven't taught me all your tricks yet."
Eda smiled back. "Well, don't worry, kid. I'm gonna be around for a very long time to teach you everything."
Luz was still worried about Eda's curse, so she began listing health tips. "Eda, get rest, drink lots of water, stay out of the sun, lift with your knees, not with—"
Eda slammed the door on her.
"Finn actually being genuinely nice to me… I don't hate it. And Luz—what a good kid, so considerate. They both deserve something nice, and I think I know what."
Eda grabbed the cauldron filled with witch's wool.
=======
Finn and Luz were walking through the forest on their way to school. Luz's mind was still on Eda.
"Poor Eda… enemies everywhere, even her own body. I wish I could help her."
"You should just stop worrying, Luzy." Finn then stopped mid-step, his eyes widening. "Oh man!"
Luz jumped. "What? Did you remember something that could help Eda's curse?"
"No." Finn slowly lifted off the ground. "I just remembered I can float now. Man, I've been walking around like an idiot all morning." He reached down and picked Luz up by her arms. "Hold on."
"Wait, Finn! I think it would be much safeeeeerrrr—!!!" Luz screamed as Finn flew them both toward the school.
As they neared the entrance, Finn spotted Willow, Gus, and Principal Bump waiting beside a flying ship. When they landed, Gus rushed over.
"Luz, Finn—you ready for the field trip of a lifetime? To the one, the only… Emperor's Castle!" Gus held up a book dramatically.
Luz wasn't impressed. "Right… I was actually going to stay behind. I don't like how they treat Eda."
Finn nodded. "Yeah, I think I might stay behind too—mostly because I might run into someone I really don't want to see."
Luz gasped. "Mysterious backstory! Tell me everything."
Finn exhaled sharply. "Look, Luz… let's just say there's someone in the Emperor's Castle who makes the old Amity look like the old Willow."
"Wow. Your friend sounds… uh, kind of horrible." Luz tilted her head.
"Not my friend—and yes, he's the worst." Finn pinched the bridge of his nose. "Back when I trained with my mentor, he would always interrupt me, going on and on about how great he was, and never shutting up about his 'fancy title' from the Emperor himself."
As Finn recalled the memories, frost began to spread under his boots. Luz, Willow, and Gus instinctively stepped back.
"Uh… Finn?" Luz said cautiously.
Gus, trying to defuse the situation, quickly changed the subject. "B-but you two are going to miss out on all the cool stuff!" He shoved the book into Luz's face.
It didn't work—Finn was still seething, the frost thickening. Gus glanced around, then spotted someone who might snap him out of it. "Hope she's not too mad about this later. Hey! Skara!"
"Huh?" Skara turned at the sound of her name.
"Sorry for this," Gus muttered—then shoved her toward Finn.
Skara collided with him, snapping him out of his ice-spreading rage. His expression shifted from annoyed to irritated. "Alright… which idiot thought it'd be a good idea to run into me?"
"This idiot," Skara said flatly.
"Oh—Skara!? Sorry, didn't see you there… y'know… right in front of me." Finn chuckled awkwardly.
"So… are you going to say anything else, or can I leave already?" Skara asked, deadpan.
Silence.
Ever since Grom, Finn had wanted to tell Skara everything—about the Lich, about being human, about wanting to start a relationship with her. But after the recent events—mainly sort-of becoming the new Vampire King—he wasn't sure how to even explain himself. Clearing his throat, he decided to just say it. No lies. No excuses.
"Skara, I—"
From afar, Luz, Willow, and Gus watched closely.
"What do you think he's telling her?" Willow whispered.
"Knowing Finn? Probably fifty-fifty lies and half-truths," Gus replied.
Luz frowned. "No, Finn wouldn't do that."
Willow and Gus stared at her with an are you serious look.
"…Okay, maybe he would. But he's grown since then. I guarantee you—by the end—they'll hug it out."
Seconds later, Skara slapped Finn so hard they all winced.
"Ooooh…" Willow cringed. "That had to hurt—even Finn."
"Yeah… maybe I'm not the best at reading the situation," Luz admitted.
Finn returned to the group, rubbing his cheek. "Well… that went better than expected." He pulled out a flask and took a drink.
"Finn! What are you doing?!" Luz cried.
"Relax, Luzy." He took another swig. "I borrowed this from Eda. Man, this is good stuff—Eda's gotta tell me where she buys her apple blood." He glanced at Willow. "Looking good today, Willow."
"Uh… thanks?" Willow took a big step back.
Luz facepalmed. "Okay… after what just happened with Skara, I'm letting this slide—just once. But what happened with her?"
Finn sighed. "Told her everything—basically my life's story. She didn't believe me."
"What?! How could she—"
"Luz, get real. I'm a human possessed by the Lich—who, by the way, is a fairy tale here. Add the fact that a few days ago I fought another me who was a Vampire King and stole his powers… what part of that sounds believable?"
The three of them blinked at him in silence.
"You know… he has a point," Willow said, Gus nodding beside her. "I mean, me and Gus had to see it happen to believe it."
"You know what—why don't you take a look at all the cool stuff we'll see at the Emperor's Castle?" Gus quickly flipped open his guidebook, trying to change the subject.
"Like what?" Luz asked, letting the diversion work.
Finn grinned. "You know what—after drinking Eda's apple blood, I feel happy… and a little warm. Also starting to notice a lot of hot girls I didn't notice before. Anyway—what cool stuff we seeing today, Goops?!"
Willow snatched the book from Gus. "Like ancient relics—look." She showed a page. "The Plant Coven's Green Thumb Gauntlet—it can grow whatever you imagine."
Gus pointed to the next. "The Oracle Sphere—it shows which path will help you become your best self."
Luz read the next entry. "The Healing Hat—made from the magic of the Savage Ages. It can cure the deadliest diseases… even curses?"
Finn's eyes widened as he read the last one. "The Prism of the Wish Maker. It says when combined with the missing tome—the Enchiridion—it grants its wielder a single wish."
"Yeah! You can't miss this," Willow said.
Principal Bump's voice rang out. "All aboard, students!"
As everyone started boarding, Luz stood still, thinking.
Finn eyed her. "Alright… I know that look. What scheme are you cooking up this time?"
Luz looked at the book in her hands. "Eda's done so much for us… now I'm going to do something for her."
"Breaking into the Emperor's Castle to steal something. Completely dangerous and stupid," Finn said—then grinned. "And thanks to Eda's special drink, I feel like I can take on all the coven heads! WOOOOO!!!"
His outburst drew stares. "What are you all looking at?! Huh?! You think you're better than me?!" He raised a flaming fist.
That was enough to make everyone look away—everyone except Gus and Willow, who exchanged suspicious glances.
=======
As the carriage soared toward the Emperor's Castle, the students buzzed with excitement over their field trip. Principal Bump, however, was not impressed.
"No roughhousing. Don't make me turn this carriage around," he warned.
It was the perfect distraction. Finn and Luz huddled over Luz's notebook, its front page labeled in big letters: HEALING HAT HEIST. They were so focused on the checklist that they didn't notice Willow watching them from across the carriage.
"Hey, Luz? Finn?" Willow called.
Luz jumped so hard she nearly dropped her notebook. "Wh-what was that, Willow?"
"I just wanted to tell you we're almost at the castle." Willow pointed ahead. The only thing visible was the spire of the highest tower.
"The symbol of fear and tyranny awaits us," Finn said in a sarcastically solemn tone. "Feels weird coming back here after so long."
"Oh, right! I keep forgetting you were Lilith's apprentice before Eda's," Luz said, leaning closer. "So… how powerful is Emperor Belos exactly?"
"I only met him once—when my mentor introduced me as her apprentice." Finn's expression hardened as he locked eyes with Luz. "Only one word echoed through my entire being: RUN."
"…Okay, that was… informative," Luz said with a weak smile. "Oh—wait. Where's Amity?"
Finn glanced around. "Huh. No wonder it's been so quiet—I didn't hear her fan-girling over this trip." He took another swig from Eda's flask. "But then again… uh… what was I gonna say again?"
"Okay, that's enough!" Luz snatched the flask away. "I'm confiscating this, mister!"
Finn rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, mom." He immediately pulled out another flask. "What? You think Eda only keeps one?"
When they landed, Principal Bump addressed the group.
"Now, the Emperor's assistant will be your tour guide."
A bridge extended from the castle's entrance to the landing zone. "Please don't make me regret taking you here."
A small purple-skinned demon with one eye visible through messy bangs stepped forward.
"Children of Hexside, Emperor Belos welcomes you to his castle. All visiting students will soon join a coven—some lucky few may even find a home here in the mighty Emperor's Coven."
A ripple of excitement passed through the students.
"You are the future of the Isles," the guide continued, "and my job is to teach you its past."
As the tour began, Finn stayed close to Luz. Despite the apple-blood buzz, he whispered, "Okay—we stick with the tour, wait for an opening, slip away to the relic room, grab the hat, rejoin the group as they leave. No one's the wiser."
"Right. Got it," Luz whispered back. "But, uh… can you run that by me again?"
Finn dragged a hand down his face.
Eventually, the group reached the relic room. The guide opened the doors with a flourish.
"The relic room."
Lights shone down on objects floating over pedestals.
"These items are reminders of our great Emperor's overwhelming power. From the curious and mighty—" She passed the Oracle Sphere, where Gus stared in awe. "—to the very handy." She passed the Green Thumb Gauntlet, earning an impressed swoon from Willow. "And even the most valuable."
Luz's eyes locked on the Healing Hat. It would be so easy to just grab it and run—
Finn put a hand on her head and gently turned her forward. "Stick to the plan, Luz."
"Come along, children," the guide said, leading them out. "Here at the Emperor's Coven, we value sophistication, elegance, and grace."
The front doors swung open, revealing a disheveled Lilith returning from yet another failed attempt to capture Eda.
Finn immediately pulled Luz into a side hug, activating his invisibility. "Stay quiet," he warned.
"Ah—make way for Ms. Lilith Clawthorne," the guide said cheerfully. "Yes, and I believe she's on her way to see the Emperor himself. Let's all wish her luck."
The students chorused their well-wishes.
Lilith flushed with irritation but took a deep breath. "Thank you, students. Good luck with puberty."
Smirking to herself, the guide led the group onward.
Finn leaned toward Luz. "Alright, now's our chance. Let's go before—"
He froze. Luz was following Lilith.
"Luz!" he hissed.
She ignored him.
Finn caught up and grabbed her arm. "We need to stop. Now." There was a hint of panic in his voice.
Luz hesitated, then said softly, "Sorry, Finn… but I need answers. To everything."
She ran to a door and peeked through its keyhole.
Inside, Lilith approached the Emperor's throne. Above him, suspended in the chamber, was the still-beating heart of the Titan.
"I am at your service, Emperor Belos."
Belos was breathing heavily until a scout approached with a silver tray holding a palisman.
"Just a moment, Lilith."
He took the palisman, severed its head, and green essence spilled out. He held it above his mask, pouring the essence through the eyeholes.
"Ah… that's better."
Luz gagged quietly. Finn, peering through a "finger window," grimaced.
"Let's go, Luz. We have something important to do."
They slipped away.
Back inside, Belos turned to Lilith. "How goes the hunt for the Owl Lady? I heard you attempted a raid this morning."
"Yes, but we were—"
"Unsuccessful. That much is obvious." Belos rose from his throne. "It's been over a month since you promised to bring me the Owl Lady. Where is she?"
"If I just had more time—"
Belos raised a finger, silencing her. "I'm growing bored of your excuses, Lilith."
Her jaw tightened.
"I'll give you the time you need," Belos continued. "Bring the Owl Lady to me by twilight. She will join the Emperor's Coven, and in return, I'll heal her little curse. But if you fail…" He gripped the armrest of his throne, cracking it. "You will be stripped of your rank and banished from my coven. You do know what happens to covenless witches, don't you?"
"I—I understand. I will not fail."
Lilith turned to leave, a new determination driving her steps.
=======
Finn and Luz were making their way back to the artifact room when Luz glanced out the window. She saw everyone leaving, heading back to Hexside, and grew anxious that Principal Bump would notice she and Finn were missing.
"Please don't notice we're gone, please don't see we're—" Her eyes widened as she saw herself and Finn leaving with the rest of the group. "—boarding the bus, huh?"
Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Surprised, she turned to see Willow and Gus. "Oh, guys, I, uh—"
While Gus stood with his eyes closed, maintaining four illusions at once, Willow pulled out Luz's notepad — the entire plan written down inside. "You were planning on taking the healing hat, weren't you?"
Before Luz could answer, Finn clamped a hand over her mouth. "You've got it all wrong, Willow. We were actually going to… take it away to be cleaned. Yeah, that's what we were doing." He flashed his most sincere smile. "Ew, gross, did you just lick my hand?"
"Yup. That trick works every time." Luz sputtered.
Luz looked at her friends, then sighed in defeat. "You got us. But you don't understand — Eda has this curse, and it's sapping away her magic and—"
Willow planted her hands on her hips. "Luz, Finn, no matter what, you can't steal this hat."
Gus chimed in. "But you can borrow it."
"Hey, I wanted to say that! We learned about Eda's curse from your notes. We're totally going to help," Willow said excitedly.
Luz was touched by their kindness. "Thanks, guys. I know exactly what we gotta do. It's time for a heist."
"Are you idiots done talking yet?" Finn asked from a portal he'd opened to the artifact room.
Luz pouted. "Aw man, I wanted to do a bunch of heist things — dodging guards, crawling through vents, using disguises—"
"Just get in here." Finn grabbed her collar and pulled her through the portal, with Willow and Gus following behind.
"Healing hat," Luz said nervously. "You're Eda's last hope." She snatched it from the pedestal. "I can feel it… I can feel the magic flowing."
"Alright, you got the hat. Now let's get out of here," Finn said, stuffing another artifact through a small portal to his storage space.
Luz's eyes darted around. Every other artifact was gone. "Uh, Finn? What's going on?"
Finn shrugged. "Nothing. Now let's get back to Eda, cure her curse, and then get rich selling off all this junk. It's a win-win situation."
"Finn! Put everything back now!" Luz snapped.
"What? No one's going to notice until we're long gone. Besides, sneaking back in here to return that hat is going to be next to impossible. Who's going to know?"
"I will know." A disembodied voice answered.
Everyone froze, looking around for the source.
"Okay, that was creepy," Finn said, ushering everyone toward the door. "We need to run. Right now."
Suddenly, steel plates slammed down over the doors. The room was sealed.
While the others panicked, Finn remained calm. "Relax, people. I can have us out of here, no problem." He tried to make another portal — nothing appeared. "Okay… plan B."
He summoned Lady in her staff form. "Alright, everybody hold hands. We're leaving right now." He grabbed Luz's hand and led them toward the door, preparing to phase through — only to slam headfirst into it. "What the—?"
Lady gave a weak cry before collapsing back into his arms. "Lady!"
The voice returned. "I have been planning your arrival for quite some time. Every scenario has been taken into account — including that little pet of yours."
"Still creepy. Don't worry, Lady, you'll be safe." Finn scooped her up. "Goops, I need you to take Lady for a while."
Gus took her gently. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her."
Finn nodded, cracking his knuckles. "Okay… plan C!" He cocked his right fist back and threw his strongest punch at the door, blasting through it.
As the smoke cleared, he froze. "Okay… that actually hurt." He looked down at his now-broken hand — fingers bent in wrong directions, forearm red — and noticed something strange. "What the? Why isn't it healing?" His powers weren't working.
"I told you — every scenario," the voice said again.
Willow gasped. "Finn! Here, let me help you." She slipped on the Green Thumb Gauntlet and summoned seaweed-like vines to wrap around his arm, forming a sturdy wooden cast. "Okay, this should help mend your bones and heal you."
"Thanks, Willow," Finn said sincerely.
As Willow tended to him, Luz tried to slip away — but a staff tip blocked her path.
"Well, if it isn't Eda's human pet… and my traitorous former pupil," Lilith said with a smirk. "How perfect. Aren't I lucky to find you both here?"
Luz backed away. "Stay away! If you touch us, Eda will come after you so fast—"
"That's the plan," Lilith interrupted, stepping closer.
"Willow, Goops, stay down and keep quiet," Finn ordered. "Mentor, it's great to see you again. Now, why don't we—"
Lilith slammed him into the wall with her staff. "You think I'll fall for the same trick every time? Every time you open your mouth, it's to distract me from your real plan."
She reached behind her and gripped the air — catching an invisible Finn by the throat. "You might want to practice your invisibility. I could hear you breathing across the room."
Finn could have broken free easily, but his strength was draining fast, as if his energy were being siphoned away.
"It seems you haven't really changed after all these years, have you, Finn?" the disembodied voice taunted.
Lilith conjured an ethereal hand to seize the healing hat. "That doesn't belong to you."
"No!" Luz clung to it, but the tug-of-war ended with the hat being ripped apart, disintegrating in blue fire. "No! I needed that to heal your sister!"
Lilith looked down at her. "These decrepit relics are useless." She grabbed Luz with her free hand. "If you want to see your friend again, deliver this to Edalyn."
Her staff floated toward the hiding Willow and Gus, then she soared away with Finn and Luz in tow, smirking in satisfaction.
=======
Lilith paced in front of the Emperor's Castle. "Come on, Edalyn… you would be late when I need you the most."
She glanced up at the ramparts where the Emperor himself stood, silently watching her.
In a flash of light, Eda appeared, her expression a mask of absolute fury. She hurled Lilith's staff straight at her head—barely missing—and it struck the wall behind her with a heavy crack.
"Sister," Lilith said with a smirk, "I see you've gotten my invitation to a witches' duel—"
She was cut off as Eda launched a torrent of fireballs at her.
Eda dove and weaved through the air, firing blast after blast. "Where are they?" she demanded, forcing Lilith onto the defensive.
Lilith held out a hand. "Easy now."
Eda suddenly froze midair, glaring at her.
"They are both safe." Lilith slammed the base of her staff into the ground, summoning a shimmering blue bubble that revealed a drained-looking Finn and a panicked Luz. "You can have them back… provided you do as I say. Renounce your wild ways and join the Emperor's Coven. He can help heal your curse."
Eda's voice was hard. "Don't believe everything that bonehead tells you. He doesn't want to heal me—he wants to control me."
"Then I'll take you in by force." Lilith spun her staff and slipped into a fighting stance.
Eda landed on the bridge. "You've always looked down on me because I'm wild, but that only made me work harder than you." She spun her staff and slammed it into the ground, her magic bursting into the shape of a massive owl that let out an echoing hoot.
She shot forward like a bolt of lightning, slamming into Lilith and launching her high into the air.
Lilith righted herself midair, the battle visible to the Emperor's Coven members watching from the castle windows. Eda came at her again, and their strikes clashed like twin bolts of lightning.
Lilith fired a spell toward the bubble holding Finn and Luz.
"Kids!" Eda cried, racing after them as the bubble rolled down the bridge. She stopped it—only for Lilith to appear between her and them again.
Eda summoned three wooden Hootys to pin Lilith down, then began charging a massive spell.
Lilith yanked the bubble in front of her, using Finn and Luz as shields.
Eda's eyes went wide. She canceled the spell mid-cast. "Stop hiding behind the kids, you coward!"
Lilith, breathing heavily now, smirked. "It's sad to see you slowing down, sister. Tell me—is it the curse?"
As if in answer, the jewel on Eda's chest darkened.
"Maybe it is," Eda growled, "but then how pathetic are you that you can't beat me at my worst?" She fired off another barrage, using the Hootys to push the bubble further from Lilith.
Luz spotted a jagged rock and an idea sparked in her mind.
Lilith surrounded herself with another protective bubble. "Maybe you're stronger than me, but that made me work smarter. I became sharp. Crafty."
"A lapdog for a tyrant!" Eda shot back.
Luz rolled the bubble into the rock until it popped, freeing her and Finn.
"You always thought you were better than me—that I could never beat you at anything," Lilith snapped, her shield starting to crack.
"I am better than you," Eda declared.
Lilith's temper finally broke. "Then why were you so easy to curse?!"
Her own words hit her like a blow, and she covered her mouth in shock. Eda froze, eyes wide.
"And I have the power to remove it," Lilith added quickly. "If you would just let me explain—"
But Eda, blinded by rage, charged. Her strike shattered Lilith's shield, hurling her into the castle wall.
Luz, supporting the exhausted Finn, ran in front of Eda. "Eda, stop! Your magic—"
"Finn, human," Lilith said, seizing the moment, "that orb was meant for your protection." She swept her staff, sending both of them tumbling over the side of the bridge.
"Finn! Luz!" Eda dove to catch them, straining to levitate them.
"Eda, stop, you'll run out of magic!" Luz called, seeing her struggle.
"Don't worry, Eda—we'll be fine," Finn said weakly. "I think I can fly us out."
He grabbed Luz and tried to lift them both—only for a massive magic hand to shove them downward.
Eda pushed herself harder, the jewel on her chest now almost completely black, her sclera darkening. "Alright, kids, listen to me. I'm going away, and I don't know if I'll bounce back this time. Watch over King. Remember to feed Hooty."
"Please, no!" Luz cried.
"Eda…" Finn's voice cracked.
"Finn, Luz… thank you for being in my life."
With her last bit of magic, Eda sent Owlbert swooping in to carry Finn—who clutched Luz—back to the bridge.
They rushed to her collapsed form.
"Eda…" Luz whispered, reaching out.
Eda let out a piercing screech and transformed into the Owl Beast.
Finn stepped in front of Luz, guiding her back as they retreated.
Before Eda could strike, magical restraints bound her—Lilith's doing. "Come along, sister. Now the healing can begin." She glanced at the Emperor, who silently turned and left.
"You monster!" Luz lunged at her, but Lilith easily overpowered her.
"Leave, human." She tossed Luz toward Finn. "And you, Finn—reform your wild ways, or else."
Catching Owlbert midair, Lilith sneered. "Edalyn is finally with her family. Her real family." She struck her staff to the ground, retracting the bridge. "Go back to your world, human. This one is ours."
With his powers weakened and no other options, Finn led Luz back toward the Owl House.
=======
Bonnie was absolutely furious with what she had just seen. "Ugh!" She slammed both fists onto the table, startling the other girls. "All that planning, all that time wasted!"
Marceline placed a hand on Bonnie's shoulder. "Hey, listen, maybe we can just—"
"NO!" Bonnie sharply cut Marceline off. After taking a breath and calming down, she continued, "It seems I've underestimated the emperor." Everyone around the table wanted to tell her she was stating the obvious, but none of them wanted to shift her anger toward themselves. "I don't know how, but he managed to counteract everything Finn had—his magic, his abilities, everything! So I guess we need to go with our last option."
This shocked the rest of the group. "Wait, you don't mean—" Marceline began.
Bonnie nodded. "Lucky for us, Finn just stole the most important item for this plan to work." Her scroll rang, and she smiled when she saw who was calling. "Perfect timing." She picked it up and spoke with faux surprise. "Oh, Finn, what a lovely surprise."
Finn then explained what had just happened to him.
"Oh dear, that sounds horrible. But don't worry—I think I have the perfect plan to help you."
Finn thanked her.
"Oh no, Finn, no thanks are necessary. I will send Pep with the necessary items you'll need to save your dear friend." She then called for Peppermint Butler. "The plan's already underway. Deliver the plans and items to Finn."
Peppermint Butler simply nodded with a frown.
"As for all of you," Bonnie continued, "I suggest you stay here for your safety."
Everyone frowned. They knew what they were doing was wrong, but they all had a reason to see this through to the end.