A Wrong Time to Return
The year was 1938. Chaos reigned.
The Japas had finally launched their long-planned war, but without sufficient funds, it was nowhere near as smooth as in the past.
Worse for them, the Stark Group and High claw had set traps. The Japas found themselves mired in deep conflicts… financial, logistical, and inter-service rivalries between their army and navy.
It was said that at one point, the navy actually raised their prices mid-voyage while transporting troops. A dispute over scarce funds.
The army, naturally unwilling to accept this, seized command of the ships. In the end, frigates opened fire on their own troop transports. Many soldiers died.
That calmed things down.
The Japas then claimed they had encountered a hurricane.
Europe grew even more unstable.
Hela, Grindelwald, and Mustache joined forces and began their conquest plan.
After Hela demonstrated her power, Mustache proclaimed himself Grand Marshal of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
He declared that his wars were Hela's business, he would only be responsible for stabilizing the domestic situation.
The cooperation went smoothly. Hela practically swept across the land, crushing any mystical forces she encountered.
Her fearsome reputation instantly echoed throughout Europe's magical world.
Dumbledore had once traveled to America seeking Garfield's help, but Garfield wasn't home.
He then sought out the Ancient One, who tactfully told him that unless Garfield returned, no one would dare provoke Hela.
"Master Ancient One, why?" Dumbledore asked helplessly.
The Ancient One pointed to the northern sky. "This is a matter for the Odinson family of the Norse pantheon."
"I am only responsible for protecting Earth's dimension from the dark forces of the multiverse. Other matters are not my concern. Furthermore, Odin is the guardian of the Nine Realms, including Earth."
The Ancient One did not elaborate further. Dumbledore's trip was instantly worthwhile.
Odin was Earth's guardian, which meant the entire planet was Odin's territory.
His daughter was playing in his own backyard. What was there to say?
Helpless, Dumbledore could only continue to unleash his own power and fight Grindelwald to the death.
But he remembered something, Garfield had told him to find her. As long as Garfield returned, everything would be alright.
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
Peggy was now in her teens, assisting her grandfather, Old James, with mysterious matters.
She had displayed remarkable intelligence from a young age and had been exposed to numerous mystical events.
Through Garfield, she had developed close relationships with Queenie, Lilith, and Vivienne.
That was also one of the reasons she had joined British intelligence, as Old James Carter's future successor.
The world was progressing relatively smoothly.
Upon Garfield's return, he reviewed the news from his absence. It seemed many meteors had fallen around the world.
Local governments had investigated and found nothing beyond craters.
His High claw Gold Exorcism Shop was still there. The X-wing fighter was still stored in the underground space.
Mari Amithest, from the Jedi world, had grown considerably.
She now had long black hair, large round eyes, and a cute, doll-like face.
"Mari."
Mari bowed obediently to Garfield. "Master Garfield."
"I went to Coruscant, but due to time turbulence, the timeline is wrong. I've taken some precautions, but I've missed some opportunities."
"The future might not be as bad as I imagine."
Mari didn't know what to say.
She simply bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master Garfield. I hope my companions can survive."
"Good girl. Are you getting used to living here?"
Mari Amister nodded. "My sisters are very kind to me. And Mari is also working hard to train her Force."
"One day I will definitely grow into a qualified Jedi Knight and protect you."
Uh.
Garfield felt something was off.
He told Mari to go to the underground space to find Lilith for training, then turned to the little succubus Vivienne, who was guarding the counter.
"Vivienne, did you transmit some strange thoughts to little Mari?"
Vivienne scratched her head, looking bewildered. "No. We didn't say anything to Mari. Just everyday conversation."
Garfield stared into Vivienne's eyes. "Are you sure?"
Vivienne nodded heavily. "Yes, I swear. We really didn't do anything special."
"Oh, by the way, Master came back a while ago and asked me to tell you she went out to play. She won't be back for a while."
(⊙o⊙)...
"What? Pandora came back? Do you know where she went?"
"Why would Master Pandora tell us servants so much?"
Garfield scratched his head, looking helpless. He had worried himself sick over this family.
"Vivienne, when are Lilith and Queenie returning? What has Howard been up to lately?"
"Lilith, Queenie, and Baima went to Europe. Queen Frigga moved to Europe because she wasn't used to living here."
"Howard is focused on the military industry. I've heard he's made quite a few strange devices, but they all have significant negative effects."
"You stay home and keep watch. I'm going out for a bit."
"Yes, Master."
✦••┈┈••✦••┈┈••✦
Garfield opened a portal. His first destination was naturally Kamar-Taj, to find his strongest backer, his master, the Ancient One.
In the Kamar-Taj plaza, a group of sorcerers were practicing. As Earth's most powerful melee mages, they possessed their own unique training techniques.
They were happily swinging wooden sticks.
Sensing the fluctuations of the portal, they remained calm. The teleportation spell was unique to Kamar-Taj; outsiders couldn't master it.
There were no traitors in Kamar-Taj.
And even if there were, they couldn't possibly survive against the Ancient One, the Sorcerer Supreme.
Besides, such a tiny portal, everyone in Kamar-Taj knew it could only be occupied by one person.
Or rather, one cat.
Garfield's orange body leaped out of the portal.
A sorcerer who was training his apprentices greeted him. "Master Garfield."
Since Garfield didn't know him, he simply nodded and asked, "Is my master here?"
The sorcerer shook his head. "I don't know."
*Oh well.*
That was like not asking at all. Garfield ran toward the Ancient One's drawing room.
As he passed the library, he glanced back subconsciously. No familiar aura. He kept running.
The Ancient One's drawing room was unchanged. The same layout. The Ancient One still sat in her seat, leisurely sipping tea.
But the blind man sitting across from her made Garfield a little uneasy.