"Howard," Garfield said calmly, "what do you think?"
Howard hesitated, then spoke with cautious conviction. "We make these organizations public. Release the evidence."
"Let the world know they exist. If people understand the truth, global justice will reject them. They'll be boycotted, isolated, destroyed by public opinion."
Garfield did not interrupt.
When Howard finished, silence settled over the room.
"Howard Stark," At last, Garfield spoke. "Your thinking is naïve."
Howard stiffened.
"If these so-called organizations are exposed." Garfield continued, "Do you honestly believe the world, in its current state, would unite to resist them?"
He stepped forward, golden eyes cold.
"Would people resist or would they join? Would ordinary civilians feel righteous outrage, or blind fear?"
"Would the ambitious see danger… or opportunity?" Garfield's tail flicked once.
"And when fear spreads." He said quietly, "Who do you think lights the first torch?"
Howard's lips parted, but no answer came.
"Do you think panic improves morality?" Garfield pressed.
"Do you think restless minds need encouragement to worship evil?" The room fell silent again.
After a long moment, Howard lowered his head.
"…I was wrong." He admitted. "My thinking was too simple."
Garfield nodded. "Realizing that is the first step."
"You only declare an enemy evil after you defeat them. If their power exceeds yours, and you brand them, criminals without the strength to enforce justice…"
Garfield glanced back. "Then you become the villain."
Howard swallowed.
"They know this," Garfield continued. "They rely on it."
After a lengthy explanation… part strategy, part political reality, Howard looked up, eyes filled with reluctant admiration.
"…Garfield," He said sincerely, "You're incredibly wise."
"…"
If Garfield did not already know that 'wisdom"\' was a dangerous compliment, he would have scratched a tortoise into Howard's face.
"Hmph."
"Howard." Garfield said flatly, "Thank you, but do not use that word again."
Howard blinked. "Why? Isn't it praise?"
Garfield sniffed.
"Wisdom is something people assign after history ends." He said. "Use it now, and you're cursing the future."
He raised a claw.
"You may call me smart. Brave. Handsome. Dominating. Cute."
"But not that word."
Howard stared, then silently slid out of Garfield's arms and wrote wisdom… DO NOT USE in his notebook.
"…Understood."
After a pause, Howard spoke again. "There's something else I'm unsure about."
"You need to learn to decide some things yourself." Garfield sighed.
He continued without waiting. "Do not trust corrupt politicians. You may give them materials, food, equipment, infrastructure, but never cash."
"Give them money, and in two days you won't know whether they saved lives or saved themselves."
Howard nodded slowly.
"If you want to help people," Garfield said, "Do it directly. Private accounts. Transparent foundations. High Claw Foundation, for example."
"At least then," Garfield finished, "You know where the money goes."
Howard absorbed every word. "…I understand, Garfield really is the smartest among us."
Garfield lifted his chin proudly.
"Of course," He declared. "I am the smartest orange cat in the world."
Howard had no rebuttal. Ordinary cats had an IQ measured in single digits. This one surpassed most humans on the planet.
"Garfield." Howard said, changing the subject, "The story's nearly over. Can you show me that… magical metal?"
Ah. Right. He had promised.
Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a small, dull-golden fragment and dropped it into Howard's hand.
"Vibranium." Garfield said.
"Even across the universe, it's rare. Extremely valuable. It absorbs and releases energy."
He added casually, "It's not the hardest metal in existence, but it's among the most dangerous."
Howard stared. The fragment was shockingly light, far lighter than steel of the same size.
Curiosity overtook restraint.
Howard selected a screwdriver he had personally modified, crafted from a new alloy synthesized using specialized techniques.
It was durable enough to withstand repeated stress testing, the same material he used for his precision model tools.
He aligned the tip carefully above the fragment of vibrating gold.
Then brought it down with force.
Ding.
The screwdriver rebounded violently, skittering across the table. The metal fragment remained untouched.
Howard leaned closer, then pulled out a magnifying glass, inspecting the point of impact in detail.
There was not so much as a scratch.
"Oh my God…" He breathed.
"This metal, it's absurdly strong. And elastic. That impact should have deformed it."
Garfield watched calmly.
"As I said." He replied. "It absorbs and rebounds energy. When you strike it, the kinetic force is taken in, stored, then released."
He added casually. "It's one of the three great metals of the universe."
"Three? Then what are the other two?" Howard looked up immediately.
Garfield counted on his claws.
"Uru Metal. Adamantium Alloy. Vibranium."
He paused. "And a Carbonadium, which almost counts."
Howard blinked. "That's four."
"Carbonadium is an imitation of Adamantium," Garfield explained. "Strictly speaking, it doesn't qualify. But it has certain traits Adamantium lacks, so opinions differ."
He shrugged. "Three or four, it doesn't matter."
"Do you have the others?" Howard scribbled furiously.
"At present." Garfield said, "Only Vibranium."
He added offhandedly. "I'll be going to Asgard in two days to acquire Uru."
Howard froze. "As… Asgard?"
Another unfamiliar name. He quietly took out his notebook again, pen poised.
Garfield noticed and immediately regretted it.
Tch.
I talked too much.
He sighed.
"I wasn't going to explain," Garfield muttered. "But fine."
"Uru is a divine metal. It stores magical energy and is used to forge artifacts of extreme power."
He continued flatly, "Odin's Eternal Spear. Thor's hammer. Both are made of it."
Howard's eyes widened.
"And the reason I'm going to Asgard," Garfield added, "Is because I reached an agreement with Odin."
"I'm going to be his son."
Pff!
Howard spat mid-breath, spraying the table and Garfield.
"Sorry!" Howard blurted, grabbing a handkerchief. "I, couldn't stop myself!"
Garfield stared at him.
"…Clean it."
As Howard scrambled to wipe everything down, Garfield sighed. "It's fine. I'll forgive you this once."
He narrowed his eyes.
"But if it happens again, I'll carve the word 'miserable' onto your future son's backside."
"B~but… I don't have a son." Howard froze.
Garfield tilted his head. "You will."
"…Assuming you manage to marry and reproduce before your fertility expires."
Howard stared. "…Why would you say that?"
Garfield looked at him with absolute certainty.
"From the first moment I met you, I knew you were a charming disaster." He said. "A man with a wandering heart, flirting everywhere."
He sniffed. "Be careful not to leave unnecessary seeds behind."
"Yes, sir…" Howard said weakly.
Garfield waved a paw.
"As for Asgard, remember this, I'll be Odin's son. That's all you need to know."
He fixed Howard with a warning look. "Don't ask why. Don't ask how. Asking too much only burdens you."
"Be yourself. Develop technology. Benefit humanity." He paused.
"Oh. Before I leave, I'll arrange for you to visit Wakanda for advanced study."
"…Wakanda?" Howard blinked again.
Another unfamiliar name. Notebook out. Pen ready.
Garfield noticed and pinched the bridge of his nose with his paw.
I really shouldn't let him encourage me.
"Listen carefully." Garfield said. "This is the last explanation I'm giving you today."
He met Howard's eyes.
"Wakanda is the only place on Earth where Vibranium is naturally produced. Their technology surpasses the rest of humanity by at least a century."
"They remain hidden."
"Keep that information in your head. Not on paper."
Howard slowly looked down at his notebook.
After a moment, he flipped through it… then quietly slid it away, pulling out a lighter.
…At least the man learns.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream