Garfield finally reached the top of the attic, his paws dusty and his whiskers twitching with effort.
The space was empty, except for a scattering of owl feathers and a grim little pile of dead mice.
Owl Al wasn't here.
￣へ￣
Garfield sniffed the air.
"Tch, at least the message got delivered... but as for this rat graveyard, guess I just found what's left of Jerry No.1 through No.11. Poor souls."
With nothing else to do, he made his way out of the barn, slipping smoothly back into his favorite routine.
Sleep. Eat. Sleep. Eat. Eat again.
The sacred orange cat lifestyle.
A mountain of food disappeared into his fuzzy belly daily, yet Garfield remained the same rotund-but-strangely-stable size.
Old James Carter, a man who'd spent decades raising animals and had seen more than his fair share of magical oddities, knew something unnatural was going on.
He simply stared at the creature now ruling his home. An orange cat who could eat like a monster and not gain a gram.
There were stories, myths from the far East about a mysterious entity.
Some said ten oranges made you fat. Others said this one got fat from rage alone.
Old James tried to recall the rest of the legend but came up blank.
He watched Garfield waddle through Carter Manor…tail up, chin high, inspecting everything as if it were part of his personal empire.
James remembered the worry on his granddaughter Peggy's face.
She adored Garfield, but he couldn't shake the feeling, was this orange glutton a blessing… or a looming catastrophe?
Officially, he was paying close attention.
Unofficially... Garfield's behavior was baffling.
He ate.
He slept.
Sometimes he patrolled the grounds like a bored emperor.
And then he'd vanish.
Whenever Garfield had spare time (which was often), he'd casually open a portal and teleport to Kamar-Taj.
There, under the ever-serene gaze of the Ancient One, he studied magic or at least made a show of it.
He learned spells, absorbed arcane knowledge, and clung shamelessly to the Ancient One's robes.
Not that he'd ever admit it, but Pandora had teased him.
"You're not learning magic. You're addicted to snuggling into Baima's warm, soft hug, aren't you?"
Garfield neither confirmed nor denied. But his silence spoke…
Occasionally, he would pop into New York and continue his subtle campaign to brainwash Queenie into returning to England with him.
But Queenie, ever devoted to her sister, always refused.
Meanwhile, Jacob... good round, dependable Jacob… had opened a cake shop with Newt's help.
Thanks to Jacob's creative idea of baking magical-creature-shaped cakes, the shop was a huge hit.
Lines out the door. Children squealing. Adults grinning. The occasional fainting customer having a sugar-induced epiphany.
Queenie often visited to help Jacob.
During one such visit, Garfield found himself cradled in Queenie's arms, purring as she handed him a cake shaped like... himself.
The round orange cat blinked.
Then ate it without hesitation.
A true king.
From time to time, Garfield and Queenie would check in on little Steve Rogers.
Just like in the original story, Steve was always either bruised or sick, fighting against bullies, poverty, and the limits of his fragile body.
Despite Garfield's magical support, Steve's life hadn't changed much, only gotten slightly more bearable.
"He's so pitiful." Queenie whispered one day, tears welling in her eyes.
"Garfield, can't we help him more? He's such a good boy... he doesn't deserve this."
Garfield, lounging across her lap, gently wiped away a tear with his tail.
"Queenie, everyone has a path... and Steve's is a hard one. But that pain, that struggle, it's his greatest treasure. There's an old saying."
'When Heaven assigns a great task to someone, it first tests their spirit, exhausts their strength, starves their body, and humiliates their soul…'
"…"
The blonde girl with voluminous curls and bright blue eyes immediately rolled her eyes.
"What did you just say? What does that even mean?! I don't understand! What should I do!?"
Tears momentarily forgotten, Queenie stared at Garfield in confusion.
Garfield sighed and patiently explained the quote, watching her expression slowly shift from bewildered to intrigued.
"Ah… so that's what it means…"
Her eyes lit up with curiosity. "It sounds amazing. I'd love to learn more."
Garfield stretched lazily and replied with a smug flick of his tail.
"No problem. I'll take you there someday, and show you just how many beautiful, fascinating places it has to offer."
As the two chatted in their one-on-one meow-summit, a sudden commotion interrupted them.
Steve, still surrounded by the boys who'd been beating on him, looked worse for wear… bloody lip, black eye, his small body trembling from the assault.
But, like a lion charging into battle, Bucky tore through the crowd.
"HEY!" He roared, fists already flying.
In moments, the bullies were scattered. Bucky stood glaring at anyone who dared step closer.
"Anyone else touches Steve, and I'll make sure you eat my fist for dinner!"
He hurried to Steve's side, gently helping him up. "You alright, buddy?"
"I'm fine. Could go a whole day with these guys." Steve winced but nodded.
"You've had enough. Come on, let's get you to the infirmary."
The two of them limped off together, Bucky supporting Steve. The school nurse, already used to this scene, had disinfectant and bandages ready.
"Keep the wounds dry, alright? No infection."
"Thanks, Doc."
With Steve patched up and safe, Garfield and Queenie quietly Disapparated back home.
Queenie set Garfield gently on the kitchen table and waved her wand with elegant ease, conjuring a warm, comforting dinner.
Watching her in action, Garfield purred in admiration.
"Tsk tsk tsk… such a gentle and kind little chef. I've been completely conquered by Sister Queenie, meow."
From deep within Garfield's soul, Pandora suddenly emerged, floating beside him and nodding with regal approval.
"Sexy cat. I quite agree. Whether you evolve into the legendary 'Big Orange' depends on your performance tonight."
Garfield rolled his eyes. "Wow, Pandora, no snark today?"
"Hmph. I'm simply stating facts. My princess is out enjoying herself, I have better things to do than argue with you."
With that, Pandora vanished again.
Bored, Garfield tapped open his magical livestream.
The moment the black screen turned colorful and the feed came online, chaos erupted in the chat.
"Host is ALIVE!"
"Give us 24-hour updates or we riot!"
"WHERE'S THE DONATION WINDOW, I NEED TO THROW AWAY MONEY!"
"Upstairs, it's a cat-host, not Dog-host!"
"Cat Slave reporting in!"
"We Shovelers will never be slaves!"
"Queenie is so PRETTY!"
As Queenie finished preparing dinner, her sister Tina returned from a long day of work.
Garfield, now lounging atop the dining table like a fluffy king, greeted her with a wave of his paw.
"Hi Tina."
"Hi Garfield."
"Here to see my lovely Queenie again?"
"Of course. My Queenie must be visited daily, meow."
"You're like Newt… he barely notices you." Tina laughed.
Garfield blinked. "Does Tina miss Newt?"
"Want me to open a portal? Limited-time offer… only two Galleons!"
At the mention of Newt, Tina's cheeks turned a soft shade of pink.
The chat went wild again.
"Ohhh she's in love!"
"Tina simp confirmed!"
"Queenie best girl!"
"Tina is the prettiest!"
"Hermione supremacy challenged!"
"Grindelwald has the hottest looks, period."
"Dumbledore x Grindelwald 4EVER."
Garfield shuddered at the flurry of comments. He puffed out his chest and announced boldly:
"Attention, everyone… watch carefully as I begin my operation: 'Conquer the Goddess, Meow!"
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
Phantom your way through a treasure trove of chapters waiting on P@treon!
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