Izuna didn't know what a Pokémon was.
But based on everything he knew about the orange cat beside him, he was absolutely certain of one thing…
There was a pit ahead.
A very deep pit.
And it had his name written on it.
Unfortunately, refusing to jump was not an option. If he hesitated even a second longer, the group behind him would kindly, enthusiastically, kick him in one by one.
People…
Sigh.
Izuna himself wasn't even sure what he was sighing about.
He straightened his posture, gathered his resolve, and leapt off the rooftop.
Smack.
Izuna collided face-first with the protective barrier of the magic circle. His face flattened against the invisible surface like dough pressed against glass.
On the rooftop, Shōkyū covered her eyes in disgust. "Those who have lost our world's dignity…"
Rin sighed. "We really should've sent Kumatarō."
Kumatarō and Kumajirō nodded in perfect synchronization. Honestly, they were much better than Izuna.
Queenie tilted her head and asked Garfield curiously, "So… this is high-end combat power from their world?"
Garfield pointed calmly at the figure peeling himself off the barrier and said helplessly.
"He's just trying to liven up the atmosphere. Watch, he'll get serious."
In truth, this was entirely Garfield's fault. He had forgotten to open a passage in the magic circle for Izuna.
So much for visual effects.
Izuna tumbled out of the barrier and landed less than five meters from Loki.
Loki immediately recognized him. Garfield's subordinate.
"Where is your master?" He asked quietly,
Izuna, being an honest child, raised his arm and pointed upward. "He's watching from above."
On the rooftop, Garfield covered his forehead and sighed deeply.
"In the future." He said solemnly, "He is never going out alone. I can't afford to lose this much respect."
The entire group nodded in agreement.
Loki followed Izuna's finger and looked up.
Garfield squeezed out a polite smile and waved.
"Yo," He greeted casually. "Naughty Bambi."
Loki's eye twitched.
He didn't know what color forgiveness was, but he knew exactly what a deer represented.
A weak herbivore.
Not a warrior.
I am a prince of Asgard, Loki thought darkly. A nation of battle and you call me a deer?
Mockery.
If not for the need to recruit allies, Loki swore he would have already shown this orange cat what the number one mage of the Nine Realms could do.
Hmph.
Outwardly, however, Loki smiled gently.
"Hello, brother." He said warmly. "I came to visit."
Believe you?
Even ghosts wouldn't buy that.
Garfield, mildly disappointed that he hadn't witnessed a dramatic duel between Izuna and Prince Loki, opened a gap in the magic circle and beckoned.
"Come up."
Loki and Izuna returned to the rooftop.
Izuna wore an apologetic expression, but Garfield waved it off. Subordinates making occasional mistakes was normal.
Besides…
He had plenty of ways to make Izuna redeem himself later.
Garfield dismissed the others, leaving only Kumatarō, Kumajirō, Izuna, and Loki.
Loki glanced warily at the towering bear pair. Too many witnesses made secrets dangerous.
But now it was too late to retreat.
Garfield warmly welcomed Loki inside, gestured for him to sit, and looked at him with an expression that clearly said:
I already know what you're thinking.
Loki's heart skipped. Why did this orange cat feel like he could see through everything?
Had something been exposed? No.
I am Loki.
I don't get exposed.
…Right? After a brief internal struggle, Loki steadied himself.
It must be a test.
Yes.
That cunning orange cat was testing him.
Fine.
Then he would do what he did best. Smile.
Wait.
Invincible.
If I don't move, you can't catch me.
Loki remained silent. Garfield had no intention of speaking first either.
He lounged on the recliner, eating, drinking, and occasionally stretching as if the God of Mischief sitting across from him simply didn't exist.
Time passed.
Ten minutes.
Twenty.
Thirty.
The silence went on…
Finally, Kumatarō couldn't take it anymore.
He shot an irritated glance at Loki, who had not moved an inch, and said bluntly,
"Master, can we beat him up?"
Garfield didn't even look up. "Why would you hit him?"
"It's the middle of the night." Kumajirō chimed in seriously, "He's just sitting there, not saying a word, wearing a face that begs to be punched."
Kumatarō nodded vigorously. "He's disturbing our sleep."
Garfield paused. He had to admit, this logic was flawless by ninja-world standards.
In the Naruto world, aside from night-shift ninjas, most people went to bed early.
Not because of healthy habits, but because there was absolutely nothing to do at night.
Kumatarō and Kumajirō, as members of the chronically bored demographic, had clearly won the popular vote.
Which explained why they were already half-asleep again.
Across from them, Loki's eye twitched.
"Garfield," He said coolly, "Your subordinates talk far too much."
Garfield finally glanced up.
"As a responsible house cat." He replied lazily, "I reserve the right to bully my own dogs, but I don't scold them for telling the truth."
He added lightly, "You can't expect me to educate them just because reality offended you. That would be unreasonable."
Garfield was openly protective.
Loki noticed and felt a strange sense of familiarity.
In Asgard, cubs stood alone. Warriors who erred were punished by Asgard itself, no one else was allowed to intervene.
Odin ruled the same way.
In that sense, Loki almost… agreed. That said—
They had just suggested beating him up. That part was still unacceptable.
Loki put on his signature smile.
"To be honest." He said, "Punishment is unnecessary. I am your guest. And your brother. Treating me this way would be inappropriate."
Garfield swallowed a sip of juice and replied casually,
"There aren't many guests who stab my door with a dagger in the middle of the night."
He set the cup down. "If you don't want to explain why you avoided Odin and came to me instead, Loki, you can leave."
Loki stood. "Then I shall."
"I was merely passing through on official business. Since I'm not welcome, I won't impose."
"Oh? A business trip?" Garfield smiled. "Then I suppose I'll ask Asgard why they sent someone to Earth."
He tilted his head.
"And I won't notify Kamar-Taj. After all, we have an agreement, don't we?"
Loki froze mid-step. So the orange cat had seen through him.
Slowly, Loki turned back.
"…Perhaps." He said carefully, "We can talk."
Garfield clapped his paws together once.
"Now that." He said cheerfully, "Is what a smart person looks like."
He leaned back again. "So, what's your purpose here, Loki?"
"I want them to leave first." Loki glanced at Kumatarō, Kumajirō, and Izuna behind Garfield.
Garfield met his gaze and shook his head without hesitation.
"No."
He added innocently, "I'm a poor, weak, helpless orange cat."
"What if Loki, Second Prince of Asgard, decides to do something to me?"
Weak and helpless. Loki stared at him.
You are a flying cat. A direct disciple of the Sorcerer Supreme. The one who destroyed the ruins of Anubis, god of death.
You are stronger than ninety percent of Earth, most cosmic races, and a terrifying number of named beings in the universe.
Loki's face darkened.
"Garfield." He said coldly, "If you don't intend to talk, then I will leave."
"Then go." Garfield lifted a paw and pointed calmly toward the door.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream