Years Ago
Peppermint Butler was currently adjusting a younger Finn's attire. "No, no, no—this will not do," he said while combing Finn's hair.
"Ouch! Pep, that hurt," Finn winced slightly from the pain.
"Hush now," Peppermint Butler chided. "If you truly wish to court Lady Bonnie, then you will have to make yourself look more presentable. After all, the first step in becoming a gentleman is cleanliness." After brushing Finn's hair, he used a lint roller on the new clothes he had been given. "There we are." He inspected his handiwork. "Don't you look dapper."
"Pep, not that I don't like the new clothes and hair, but I think you're wasting your time," Finn said with a slight frown.
Peppermint Butler raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?"
Finn closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "I'm not exactly what you would call a gentleman." He opened his eyes and stared into the distance, recalling a few memories. "Maybe if I was, I would still be friends with them," he mumbled under his breath.
Peppermint Butler was able to hear Finn's murmur. "I will not pry into your past affairs, young Master Finn. But anyone can become better with a little effort and time. I'm sure you will be fine." He smiled reassuringly at Finn.
"Thanks, Pep. I don't really have a lot of friends, and my dad is mostly busy with coven work lately. I just want to say I really appreciate you. You're kind of like a second dad."
Peppermint Butler smiled at Finn's sentiment, but he immediately turned away so Finn would not see his frown. Peppermint Butler knew the true reason behind these etiquette lessons—to slowly condition Finn's mind to not only trust Bonnie, but also to obey her commands when needed.
=======
The Present
"Are you all right, Pep?" Finn asked, bringing Peppermint Butler out of his daydream. He was patching Finn up, as his healing factor was working too slowly to repair the damage from his escape.
Peppermint Butler quickly shook himself out of his memories. "Oh, yes, young Master Finn. I was just recalling the first time I gave you your lesson in etiquette," he replied as he wrapped Finn in gauze.
Finn smiled, remembering that day as well. "Yeah, that was a loooonnnngggg day."
Peppermint Butler simply rolled his eyes at Finn's comment, then gave the gauze a quick, tight pull, causing Finn to wince in pain. "It would have been shorter if somebody had just followed my instructions."
Finn chuckled. "But seriously, who knew someone like me could actually learn how to be a proper gentleman?"
"I always had faith you would turn out just fine, young Master Finn. Now hold still while I finish up."
Finn then looked at the exhausted lady sleeping in a corner of the room. "Hey, Pep."
"Yes, what is it, Master Finn?"
"While we're gone, do you think you could watch over her? I know it's a big ask, but I don't like leaving her alone and—"
"Consider it done," Peppermint Butler responded immediately. "I'll make sure she is safe and comfortable during your absence."
"Luz, what are you doing!?" they both heard King yell down the hall.
"Well, hate to cut this short, Pep, but it looks like I need to keep Luz from doing something crazy… again." Finn started walking toward whatever reckless thing Luz was up to. "Thanks for patching me up."
Peppermint Butler surprised him with a hug. "Uh, Pep? What's with the hug?" Finn asked.
Peppermint Butler simply closed his eyes. "Just wishing you good luck, youn—Master Finn." His sadness was evident, his eyes holding back a flood of tears. "I just don't want to see you so hurt again so soon."
Finn smiled at him. "Hey, none of that, all right? I mean, it's not like I'm going to die."
Peppermint Butler responded by closing his eyes again and holding onto Finn even tighter. "I just worry so much for you, Master Finn."
"Listen, Pep, this is just a rescue mission, okay? Once we rescue Eda, we'll probably just lay low for a few weeks—a month, tops." He placed a hand on Peppermint Butler's shoulder. "And hey, after everything's settled, maybe we can all have a barbecue or something. You, me, Luz, Eda, King, and even Bonnie. Doesn't that sound nice?"
Peppermint Butler let go of Finn. "Y-yes, that sounds wonderful. I—I do look forward to your… return, Finn." He turned away; he couldn't look Finn in the eye anymore.
Finn walked away, already looking forward to celebrating when all of this emperor business was over.
Peppermint Butler pulled out his scroll and called Bonnie. "It's done, my lady. Yes, the bandages were applied, and the effects should take hold by the time they infiltrate the castle." He closed his scroll and, in a somber tone, whispered, "Please be safe, Finn."
=======
Finn arrived at Eda's makeshift armory to see Luz taking a large axe from the wall which she dropped on the floor due to its size and weight.'Why in the name of the titan did she think her weak nerd arms could even lift that thing, let alone use it?' He thought to himself as he observed her venting her frustrations.
"Eda used her powers to save me and Finn, and got caught by Lilith. Now she's the owl beast an has been taken before the emperor. I don't know what he's planning to do to Eda, but I'm going to rescue her." Luz then settled with a dagger.
Finn rolled his eyes before speaking."You mean 'I'm' going to rescue her, right nerd arms?"
"Finn! Thank titan you're here, now Luz doesn't have to get herself killed trying to rescue Eda. She's convinced that she should do this alone, she wants to fight against the emperor! He's the most powerful witch alive." King emphasized his point by holding up a book on the history of the Boiling Isles.
Luz looked at Finn, to try to convince him that she should help save Eda."Finn, please try to understand. Eda is in this situation because of me, because of my stupid choice. I have to make up for it."
"Luz, you weren't the only one there. I was too weak to even move, and now thanks to that Eda's been captured." Finn looked down in grief, and hit the wall causing it to crack."If I was stronger, none of this would have happened."
King hugged Finn's leg, trying to comfort him."Listen Finn, Luz, neither of you are to blame. Eda knew the risks but she decided to save you both from Lilith all the same. That's why, I'm going to."
"Terrible idea." Finn scoffed.
"King."
King just looked both of them in the eye with a look of determination."Me and Eda don't always see eye to eye, but I still consider her to be family. I want her back as much as the both of you do."
Finn and Luz smiled. Finn was impressed by King's resolve, while Luz was touched by King's love for Eda."Alright, then we've got no time to lose." Said Luz.
Finn watched as Luz and King bolted out of the room."I really hope this ends well for us." He then followed after them, hoping for the best.
=======
Finn, Luz, and King were covertly making their way back to the Emperor's palace when a news broadcast caught Luz's attention. "Edalyn Clawthorne, more commonly known as Eda the Owl Lady, has been captured and brought before the Emperor." All three of them moved closer to the crystal balls displaying the news.
The Emperor's assistant then began making a speech. "For the crime of attacking a coven leader and refusing to join a coven, Edalyn Clawthorne's body shall be petrified in stone today at sundown, at the Conformatorium."
Luz was horrified by what she heard. "Please tell me it's not as bad as it sounds."
King answered her. "Petrification is only done to the worst criminals, and once the spell is complete, it can't be reversed." As he was explaining, an image of Lilith appeared on the crystal ball display.
"Lilith," Luz growled. "She cursed Eda. She captured her own sister. She is the worst! If I ever see her again—" She grabbed one of the crystal balls and threw it to the ground, shattering it.
"Luz, calm down. We need to think about saving Eda first."
"Fuzzy's right, Luz. We need to keep a cool head." Luz and King both looked at Finn like he had grown a second head. "What?"
"You of all people are talking about keeping a cool head?" King asked sarcastically. "Now I know something bad is going to happen if Finn of all people is the calm one."
Finn started walking toward King in a threatening manner. "King, come here for one second."
Luz quickly stepped between them before they could start a fight. "O-kay, why don't we all calm down?" She forced both of them to focus on the task at hand. "But how are we going to get to the Conformatorium in time?"
Just then, they spotted a coven scout walking around the corner, whistling a tune. King narrowed his eyes. "We'll have to do something so diabolical, so criminally insane, that they'll have to send us to the Conformatorium."
"All right, follow my lead. Luz, you distract the scout while I—" While Finn was explaining his plan, Luz and King came up with their own.
"Hey!" Luz called out to the passing coven scout, getting their attention. "Waaaaahhhhtttt." Both she and King stood on the grass next to a sign that read: DO NOT STEP ON GRASS.
Finn's eyes widened as he marched up to them. "Are you serious? There is no way that would ever—"
The coven scout gasped. "You are all under arrest!"
Moments later, Finn, Luz, and King found themselves in the back of a prison carriage. Finn still couldn't believe what had just happened, shock written all over his face. "I just don't understand."
"You mean my perfect plan to infiltrate the Conformatorium?" Luz said smugly.
Finn pinched the bridge of his nose. "You know what? I'm just going to take the win and never speak of this again." He continued to grumble. "I still can't believe it. Eda and I break hundreds of laws a day, and stepping on the grass is what finally gets me arrested?" He let out a defeated sigh.
=======
As Finn, Luz, and King continued on their way to the Conformatorium, they could only gasp in horror as they passed dozens of petrified witches and demons. A pair of coven scouts were lowering a new pedestal—one bearing a plaque with the name Edalyn Clawthorne.
King shook his head. "There's not going to be a new statue going up today, right, Finn? Luz?"
Luz didn't hear King; she was too busy scowling at a poster of Lilith, growling in displeasure.
Finn placed a hand on Luz's shoulder. "Easy, Luz. We need to rescue Eda. Revenge can come afterward."
As they made their way inside, the carriage came to a stop.
"Sir, the Owl Lady's apprentices and pet have been apprehended."
"Very good. Ah, Finn and Luz the human—how I've waited to see you again. Now I'll have my revenge, and you'll have front-row seats to Eda's demise." Warden Wrath opened the carriage, only to be grabbed by the throat by Finn.
"Sorry about—ah, who am I kidding? I'm going to enjoy this!" Finn drained Wrath of his magic, his body glowing with power. The warden was left weakened but still conscious.
While Finn dealt with Wrath, Luz let out a battle cry and struck the other coven scout with an ice glyph, pinning them to the ceiling. She then got right in Wrath's face, demanding answers. "Where's Eda!?"
Finn raised his fist. "Talk. Now. Or I will."
"She's in the holding cell in the dungeon."
"I know where that is. Luz, King—stay close and keep quiet." Finn felt a surge of relief knowing that Lilith's endlessly boring architecture history lessons from when he'd been her apprentice had actually paid off for once.
=======
A crowd had gathered at the front gates, murmurs spreading as people debated whether or not Eda deserved to be petrified. Moving through the crowd were two familiar figures—Willow and Gus.
Willow pulled down her cowl. "If we know anything about Luz, she's going to be here trying to save Eda."
"And we'll be here to save her when she needs us," Gus replied.
"Let's split up and find her."
Neither of them knew that Lilith had been watching them the entire time. "Fools." She turned to see the Emperor's assistant berating a tired-looking Warden Wrath. "You let the Owl Lady's apprentices escape—and you told them where she is!"
Lilith approached the two. "Worry not, Kikimora. I shall capture both of them."
=======
While Lilith plotted how to capture Finn and Luz, the three of them were moving down a hallway littered with unconscious coven scouts—each drained of their magic by Finn.
"Finn?" Luz called out nervously.
Finn was busy draining another scout before answering. "Yeah? What is it, Luz?" He turned his head as he spoke, his eyes glowing a sickly bright green before returning to normal.
"Are you sure all of this is necessary?" Luz gestured toward the unconscious scouts. "Couldn't you have just turned us invisible and snuck past them?"
"They'll be fine. Besides, I need the extra power in case we run into something," Finn replied coldly. "Don't forget—they serve the Emperor. That makes them the enemy, which means we can hurt them as much as we want." He tossed an unconscious scout aside like trash.
Luz doubted him. She could tell Finn was acting strange—more aggressive and reckless than usual. Still, she forced herself to focus on why they were here.
They hurried down the hall and stopped in front of a double door sealed with a chain and padlock.
"King, you're on lookout while Luz and I search inside. Got it?" Finn said in an authoritative tone.
"Weh!" King responded.
Finn grabbed the padlock and melted it. He entered cautiously, scanning the room, then motioned for Luz to follow. He closed the door behind them.
Luz spotted their objective immediately. "Eda!?" She rushed toward the chained Owl Beast. "Eda!" One of Eda's wings knocked her to the ground.
As Eda turned, she tried to attack Luz—but Finn stepped in front of her just in time. Using Beast Keeping magic, he tried to calm her down. "Eda, stop! It's us!"
It worked. Eda froze mid-attack, her eyes slowly returning to normal.
Finn glanced back at Luz. "Honestly, I didn't think that would work."
"Well, from what I've learned so far," Luz said as she stood up, "sometimes crazy works better than normal."
Now fully aware of who stood before her, Eda panicked. "Luz? Finn? Oh no, no, no! What are you two doing here?"
"It's okay, Eda. I'm here to save you."
"You mean we came to save you."
"Yeah, sure, Luz helped—but mainly I came to save you."
Luz ignored Finn and placed a fire glyph on the chains binding Eda to the stone slab. When she activated it, the chains merely glowed. Nothing happened. "Your magic isn't strong enough for this."
"My turn." Finn stepped forward, his hand glowing with green fire. He blasted the chains, but they remained intact. "What the heck!?"
"Sorry, kid," Eda said. "Those chains don't break easily. Trust me—I've had experience using them on a few of my exes."
Finn's face twisted in disgust. "Okay, I'm definitely going to need therapy after this."
"You need to leave. Now," Eda said firmly.
"What?" Finn and Luz asked in unison.
"There's no way out of this. I'm already captured, and I don't have my magic. But you two still have a chance. Forget about me and live your lives." She smiled at them.
Luz shook her head and continued placing glyphs on the chains to no effect. "I can't. It's my fault you had to save us. It's my fault you got captured."
Finn placed a hand on Luz's shoulder. "Both of us were captured, Luz. I was in bad shape too. This is on both of us." He turned to Eda. "And as for you—we're not leaving you behind." He grabbed the chains. "If we can't melt these, maybe I can age them into dust with a time glyph. I've got plenty of magic thanks to all the Emperor's goons."
Eda stopped him. "No. Listen to me. I'm here because of my own choices. I broke Belos's laws, and I don't regret it. I lived freely—and I got to teach two of the best troublemakers I've ever met."
"Eda…" Luz whispered.
Finn turned away, unable to hide his distress. He shut his eyes tightly. "Eda," he said softly. "You can't give up. Not after everything we've been through." He turned back, tears welling in his eyes. "Please… let us save you."
Eda cupped both their faces. "I'm sorry, kids. As your teacher, your elder, and your friend—I'm asking you to leave. If you stay, I won't be able to protect you." Her voice hardened. "You need to go. Now."
"But we're a family," Luz said through tears. "Weirdos stick together, remember?"
Eda reached into her hair and pulled out her portal key, activating it. The portal opened to the woods near the abandoned cabin. "You're both human. Go back to the human realm."
"Eda, you can't be serious," Finn said.
"I am. Once I'm gone, Lilith won't hesitate to come after you next, Finn. You'll both be safer there." She placed the key around Luz's neck. "Destroy the portal door. Whatever Belos wants it for—it isn't good."
Luz hugged her tightly. "I love you, Eda."
Finn stared at the portal, then turned back. "I'm not good with words," he said. "You're selfish, rude, vain, and unpleasant to be around."
Eda scowled. "Wow. Tell me how you really feel."
"You're also lazy, unreliable, and—" Finn broke, pulling her into a hug. "—the closest thing I've ever had to a second mom."
Before Eda could respond, alarms blared. A red light flooded the room. The collar transformed into a cage as the platform began to rise.
"No! Not yet!" Luz cried, grabbing the edge before Eda pushed her away.
"I'm sorry," Eda said softly.
Finn caught Luz before she hit the ground. "Gotcha."
"Goodbye, kids," Eda said as she ascended. "I'll always treasure our time together."
"EDA!" Luz wailed desperately, then broke down, quietly crying to herself.
Finn placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "Luz—"
Suddenly, Lilith entered the room, holding King by the scruff of his neck. "Drat! I'm too late. At least I've found you two—Finn and the human."
King struggled in her grip. "Let me go!"
Finn raised both hands, igniting green flames in his palms. But before he could strike, Luz stopped crying and spoke, her voice shaking with fury. "You. You hurt Eda. You put her in chains." She pulled out a stack of glyph paper. "And now, I will take you down!" Luz charged straight at Lilith.
Finn wasn't about to let Luz risk her life in a blind rage. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground. "Hey! Luz, are you crazy? You can't fight her!"
Luz, lost in her anger, flailed her legs, trying to break free. "Let me go, Finn! She's the reason all of this is happening!" She slapped a fire glyph onto Finn's arm. It burned just enough to loosen his grip, allowing her to escape.
"Please, I just want to talk!" Lilith pleaded desperately.
"RAAAH!" Luz didn't listen and tackled Lilith, sending both of them tumbling through the portal door.
"Luz!" Finn and King shouted together. Finn scooped King up and ran after them.
Luz and Lilith crashed onto the ground on the other side, followed closely by Finn and King. Luz and Finn lifted their heads, realizing where they were.
"Home," Finn whispered.
As Luz hesitated, Lilith attacked. "Luz, watch out!" King warned.
Luz dodged by rolling forward. She spun around, holding up a fire glyph, ready to counterattack. "Fire!" But instead of activating, the glyph disintegrated, leaving her stunned.
Lilith seized the opening and tackled Luz to the ground. "Please, just listen to me!" she begged as Luz grabbed her hair.
Finn came up behind Lilith and seized her by the throat. "Mentor, I think it's time we end this." He emphasized his words by slowly tightening his grip.
"Finn, STOP!" Luz shouted. Finn froze. "After everything she's done, death is too good for her. She deserves to be petrified—not Eda."
"You're right," Lilith choked out.
The sudden confession shocked Finn, causing him to release her. Lilith gasped for air as Finn loomed over her. "Speak. NOW!" he demanded.
Regaining her composure, Lilith wrapped her arms around herself. "I deserve to be in Edalyn's place."
"Are those your final words?" Finn snarled, ready to strike again.
But Luz stopped him. "Finn, no. I want to hear what she has to say. Why did you do all of this?"
"When Edalyn and I were younger, we were the best of friends."
Finn scoffed. "Yeah, friends. Tell me—when do friends curse each other? Before or after imprisoning them?"
"Finn, cut it out!" Luz snapped, then turned back to Lilith. "Continue."
"NO!" Finn growled. "We're wasting time talking to Belos's puppet." He grabbed Lilith by the shoulders and locked eyes with her. "I'm going to drain you of your magic. At least then you'll be useful."
As Finn began draining her magic, Lilith forced out a few words. "I… know… how to rescue… Edalyn."
Finn stopped immediately. Lilith collapsed to her knees, gasping. "I can't do it alone. I need help—and unfortunately," she said, meeting Finn's eyes, "you're probably the only one who can stand up to Belos."
Before Finn could respond, Luz spoke. "How do we know we can trust you? After everything you've done—to me, to Finn, and especially to Eda?"
Lilith summoned a spell circle, producing Eda's staff and Owlbert. She handed them to Luz, who gasped in relief. "Owlbert—you're okay." Luz gently woke him and placed him on her shoulder.
"Giving Owlbert back is a good start," Finn said reluctantly. "We'll hear you out—for now."
"All right, Lilith." Luz pointed at her. "I don't like this deal, but we need your help to save Eda."
"Thank yo—" Before Lilith could finish, Finn grabbed her head from behind in a crushing grip, forcing her to look him in the eyes.
"Finn!" Luz protested.
Finn silenced her by covering her mouth with his free hand. "Let me make myself perfectly clear." His eyes glowed a sickly green as his voice dropped. "If you betray us—" The world around them plunged into an endless, pitch-black void. "Nothing in this world or any other will save you from my wrath."
The void vanished as suddenly as it appeared. Finn released both Luz and Lilith and turned toward the portal. "Now, let's go."
Lilith trembled in fear, while Luz stared at her friend's back, hoping that when all of this was over, he could return to the person he used to be.
=======
Lilith led Finn, Luz, and King through a hallway lined on both sides with winged statues holding swords wrapped in vines. They stopped in front of a platform. "This will take you up to the stage where they're holding Edalyn."
"Thank you, Lilith. What will you do now?" Luz asked, while Finn stood silently, glaring at her.
"I will stay in the Emperor's Coven," Lilith replied. "But I will make sure nothing like this ever happens again."
Luz smiled. "That's good to hear. Wait… why are there no guards around?"
Finn's eyes widened at Luz's words. Years of working with Eda had honed his sense of danger. "Because this is a trap!"
Before he could react, vines burst forth and captured both Lilith and King, suspending them from the ceiling. Twin flames ignited, illuminating a throne where Emperor Belos sat.
Belos held his staff in one hand, his head resting on the other, looking almost bored as he waited. He turned slightly to the left. "Ah, Lilith. You chose the wrong side."
"No!" Luz cried out, just before vines erupted from the floor and restrained her.
"Luz!" Finn rushed forward to free her.
Belos stopped him without moving. "Up, up, up. Take one more step, and I will crush her into a bloody paste." Finn froze at the threat. "That's more like it. Believe it or not, Finn, I do wish to have a word with you."
"The only thing I have to say to you is let my friends go!" Luz freed herself using Owlbert, flying upward before slamming an ice glyph into the ground, forming a jagged stalagmite aimed at Belos.
"Luz, if he was waiting for us, that means he already knows what we'll do."
"Your friend speaks the truth," Belos said as he teleported behind her. "I have been playing this game for years—long before you were born." With a flick of his wrist, he sent Luz crashing into one of the statues, binding her in vines. "That should keep you occupied for now."
Finn charged straight at Belos—only to trigger a trap. Vines wrapped around him, and stone encased his body up to his neck. "How are you predicting every move we make!?"
His body began to glow as the bandages around him revealed intricate Lich glyphs. With a surge of power, he shattered his restraints and launched into a wild assault, striking Belos with brutal force.
Belos chuckled. "I must admit, the child's gambit would have worked—if I weren't your opponent." He extended his hand, draining Finn's magic and snapping him out of his berserk state. "It isn't about predicting your opponent's actions. It's far simpler. I am guiding them." Belos approached and reached into Finn's jacket, pulling out the Enchiridion. "I knew you would keep this on you at all times." He slowly circled Finn. "Did you ever stop to question why a powerful grimoire like this was tucked away in the Bonesborough library of all places?"
"What do you mean?" Finn asked.
Had Belos not been wearing his mask, they would have seen his grin. "Your reunion with the human, the book, the crown, even your encounter with the vampires—every bit of it was planned." Finn and Luz stared in disbelief. "All of it, just so we could meet like this."
"Why?" Finn shouted. "Why put me through all this pain!?" He struggled, only to be restrained again by vines.
Belos looked down at him. "One day, you will understand why all of this was necessary—the lies, the betrayal, even your suffering." He whispered to the book, which began to float from his hands.
Finn and Luz watched in horror as the Enchiridion unfolded, reshaping itself into a familiar door—this one bearing a skull instead of an eye. It opened, revealing a dark void beyond.
"The destination is set," Belos said calmly. "Your journey begins now, Finn."
Finn glared at him. "And what makes you think I'd ever walk through that door?"
"AHH!" Luz screamed in pain.
"If you don't," Belos replied coldly, "I'll ensure the human suffers before she perishes."
Finn looked at Luz, then Belos, and finally the door. There was no winning this. With a heavy heart, he stepped forward. Before crossing through, he looked back one last time. "Luz… it looks like you'll have to rescue Eda without me." He turned his head so she wouldn't see the tear slipping down his face. "Tell Eda she was one of the best moms I've ever had."
He stepped through. The door slammed shut behind him, collapsing back into the form of a book.
"FINN!" Luz cried, struggling desperately. It felt like she was losing him all over again.
Belos picked up the Enchiridion. "Farewell, Finn. I know we'll meet again someday—and when we do, you'll have many stories to tell me." He turned to Luz, releasing her from the vines. "Now then… there's something I wished to discuss with you."
=======
The trip through the door was instantaneous. One moment, Finn saw nothing but darkness; the next, it was as bright as afternoon. He looked around, scanning the area, trying to determine where he was. The trees' leaves were green, which meant he was in the human realm. It was slightly cold, with patches of green grass poking through the snow. He was standing in the middle of a dirt road.
"Where in the name of the Titan am I?" Finn wondered aloud.
Before he could think further, a truck pulled up in front of him.
The driver honked twice, then leaned out the window. "Hey, dude, why are you, like, standing in the middle of the road? I mean, you can stand anywhere you want, but that seems super dangerous and stuff."
The driver wore a light-brown cap, had fair peach-colored skin, and buck teeth reminiscent of a beaver.
Finn was relieved to run into a local so soon. "Sorry. I'm just a little lost. I'm not from around here."
"Oh, dude, that stinks," the driver replied, scratching his head. Then he smiled. "Why don't you hop in? I can give you a ride. The place I work at has, like, the best boss in the world, who could probably help you out."
With no better options, Finn figured it was safer than wandering aimlessly through the woods. "Okay, thanks for the help, friend." He climbed into the truck and held out his hand. "My name is Finnian Whispers, but you can call me Finn. Pleasure to meet you."
The driver shook his hand enthusiastically. "Dude, the pleasure is, like, all mine and junk. My name's Soos. Welcome to the most mysterious town on Earth—Gravity Falls."