**POV: FINN THE HUMAN**
"Dude, what do you think you're doing? Don't touch it!" Jake yelled as Finn slowly and confidently reached for the book. Jake wondered how Finn could approach the book so casually.
What if it was cursed? Or maybe it had ghost germs! This felt like one of those late-night bedtime stories Dad used to tell them before they went to sleep.
A strange event happened right after an adventure, and bam! Suddenly you're cursed. Jake remembered always struggling to sleep after every one of those stories.
"Stop worrying; it's just a book," Finn dismissed Jake's concerns, already knowing what he was getting himself into. This was his inheritance.
This was the wish he had received from the goddess-given physical form. So, in essence, it wasn't just a book; it was his future, his path to power and heroism.
If he remembered correctly from the minor information he received when the goddess granted him the wish, the book was called the Ninja Nomicon. It was a mysterious book that contained the legacies of past ninjas and their powers from the Randy Cunningham ninja world.
He recalled that the book usually chose the next protector in that world, but what about now that he had the book?
Did that mean he was the ninja? Most likely, Finn felt excitement about that prospect.
His version of the book was even more important because, from what he understood about the book, the goddess had specifically modified it for him to use fully. He was very thankful for this, especially since he believed she had terrible luck.
Would abandoning it mean he wouldn't get his wishes? How could Finn let such a thing happen, especially at the beginning of what he hoped would be a long life?
Although Finn could be considered strong for a human due to several impressive feats, the current Finn wouldn't let go of a chance to get stronger. The wishes were his! He deserved them, even if he wasn't the one who had spun the wheel.
"NOOO!" Jake shouted dramatically, and Finn rolled his eyes at his friend's exaggeration. He could see that Jake was also curious about what would happen despite his over-the-top response.
'What a drama queen.'
He touched the book, and immediately a flood of information filled his mind. If someone looked closely at his eyes, they would have seen them flashing red and black before returning to their enchanting blue in an instant.
**POV: JAKE THE DOG**
"Finn… are you still you?" Jake asked, his voice shaking, already prepared for the worst. He was a little scared and worried. What if his best buddy had been replaced by a ghost? Or even worse, a soul-sucking ghost?!
The silence was becoming too silent for his taste, and he slowly started backing up one step at a time.
*Creak*
Jake watched as Finn slowly and creepily turned his head to look at him, sending a shiver down his spine. He did not like where this was headed.
*Creak, creak*
He continued to back up, instinctively hunching down as he did so. Why was Finn looking at him like that?
"…Finn, speak to me, buddy… WAAHHHH!"
"WRRRRRYYYYY!"
Jake was suddenly snatched up by this evil creature, and he screamed wildly as he closed his eyes. He refused to die today! He would avenge his brother no matter what! But first, he would run away. This was a battle he would fight another day… just not today.
"Hahahaha!"
And that was when he heard the loud laughter. After he waited for his soul and brain to be sucked out through his nose. He heard the laughter, and he knew he had been pranked!! He slowly opened his eyes and saw Finn laughing his lungs out while wiping away the tears that had gathered.
"Hahaha!" Jake couldn't help but find himself also laughing away. His earlier worries dissolve away about the book and about Finn behaving differently since he woke up. Yes, no matter how different Finn becomes, he will always be his brother.
Had he noticed how Finn seemed different since he woke up? Yes, he had, he was the older brother after all. But Jake was assured of the fact that Finn was still a growing kid and would experience all types of changes. Or maybe that hit to the head had done something to Finn.
" Hahaha . . .huhhh. Well played Finn well played but be prepared! I shall have my vengeance, soon. Very soon! "
He saw Finn stop laughing and once again rest back on the bed with a slight scowl on his head. The book was placed comfortably on his lap, and he rubbed his head in pain.
" My head hurts again. " Finn said and Jake immediately went into mom mode! He couldn't have his little brother suffer while he was still here. Or should they go to a hospital? Jake rubbed his chin in thought. Nah!
" Don't worry Finn. I'll make you some of my famous chicken soup and you'll feel as good as new. Be right back. And no more moving from you! " He stretched his arms and pushed Finn back onto the bed preventing him from following him.
Jake said and started stretching to the kitchen, hearing Finn laugh slightly as he went away.
POV: FINN THE HUMAN
Finn watched Jake stretch away and he felt a smile appear on him. He felt oddly normal with all the stretching stuff and that was comforting to himself.
He would rather have not started to feel awkward with it. At least the memory merge had worked out finely. Apart from giving him a headache, everything so far was going great.
He looked at the book resting on his lap and felt his smile become wider and why not? The book could be considered a cheat, and he would abuse it to the best of his abilities!
The book's primary function would be to teach him everything about the ninja arts and all the powers that came along with it. Did this mean that the book was conscious, he had no idea, but the idea was not completely impossible. If he was getting stronger, he did not have a lot of worries.
Because there was a lack of the ninja mask that would act as his sort of armor, the book would in a way take over that role. He did not know how he just knew it would happen. Magic and all that shenanigan
The book had also been further modified to help in his Haki practices. In short, Finn would not have to go blind on what to do but would have a guide to help him on his part, which he was very thankful for.
" No one can stop the grind, " He mumbled to himself already imagining future achievements.
'Should I build a shrine for the goddess to showcase my thanks ' It was a thought Finn had. He did not know if it would work but he could try.
Finally, a function of the book that truly made him want to shout out and jump around was its ability to allow its user to leave their physical bodies while their minds would enter the book.
A sort of conscious transfer that every sort of training he would do possible in the future without causing too much harm to himself.
He could speed up his learning to great levels with these functions while at the same time preventing severe bodily harm to himself.
The only true disadvantage he saw was the fact that his body would remain unprotected during this scenario but that was a problem that was easy to be solved by planning by putting his body in a safe area. Or by doing it at night when they were asleep.
He was not sure if he would be tired of doing so but it was something he would only know after testing it out.
Finn also understood that the book had other functions he was unaware of and that simply tickled a part of his brain that always liked a good old mystery to solve.
" Huhh "
He leaned back on the bed feeling slightly comforted by the prospect of growing stronger, but he also knew the world he was in was highly dangerous
Even now as he understood that this was a real-life version of the adventure time series which lacked the filters of the original show, he could not help the budding fear that grew in him.
And was It not a very normal reaction in such a situation, for him to feel this way? For this fear to exist within him.
Leo's original world was normal. No supernatural forces. No aliens attacking. Nothing. The only weird thing in that world was himself. And that was why the prospects of the cosmic monstrosities that existed in this world birthed fear with him.
Finn clenched his hands tightly and breathed slowly, trying to relax the tension within himself. He felt disgusted with this weakness that had birthed within him, this irrational worry for the future.
What he refused to do though to give in to his fears. A lesson he had learned from his father.
" The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear! " A wise saying from an even wiser man who Leo would forever remember, no matter how much he already liked this new life of his
" Huh "
He felt his heart settle and his assurance and confidence grow once again as he released a breath, he did not know he was holding. Or was he just suppressing his worry?
No, he could do this!
"Fine! I've brought you your chicken soup~ " Jake came back holding a steaming bowl ready for him, his teeth visible from his wide smile and his tone excited.
Finn smiled at the attention remembering one clear thing.
' He was not alone in his journey. ' Yes, he did not have to do everything by himself this time. There were others he could rely on. But was that something he wanted to do? Would he let others do something he could do a better job at . . .
Unaware to Leo as he was contemplating, the book in his lap had slightly glowed at his thoughts.
An event that had gone unknown to all present in the room.
. . . . . . . .
A/N
FINN/ LEO has finally remembered he has his best bud Jake for all their future adventures!! Or will he decide to go solo and do everything by himself? WHO knows? Surely not me
To those liking my work, drop support by reviewing commenting, and some power stones.
If you really want to make my day, drop by my Ko-fi and donate what you can, or join my patron!!
Thank you for reading.
PS: Sorry for not updating this book for a while. I have been traveling for the past few days and lacked any time to do so