Compared to the chaos Pandora usually caused, the fact that Lilith and Vivienne had formed a normal contract bond with her was almost reassuring.
Almost.
After giving Shōkyū a proper scolding, Garfield looked around at his assembled household. "Where are Midnight and Izuna?"
Shōkyū shrugged. "Midnight went to see Ancient One. Izuna went to the company with Queenie."
Garfield turned to Rin. "Rin, could you help Mari get settled? Mari, you'll stay here for a bit. I need to visit my master."
"Yes, Master Garfield." Mari nodded obediently.
Rin smiled warmly and took Mari's hand with the gentle air of an older sister. "Hello, Mari. I'm Rin, come with me."
Garfield then addressed Kumatarō and Kumajirō, pointing at the X-wing.
"You two are on guard duty. No one touches this fighter, not Howard, not Shōkyū. The only exception is if we're under attack and you need it for defense."
"I'm heading to Kamar-Taj, then to another world."
"No telling how long I'll be gone. You watch this thing carefully, and there'll be a reward when I get back."
At the mention of a reward, both bears straightened up instantly, chests puffed out with newfound importance.
"Don't worry, Master! We'll guard it with our lives. Not a scratch!"
Garfield opened a portal and stepped into Kamar-Taj.
He found Midnight calmly sipping tea with the Ancient One, as if the universe weren't currently missing one rampaging Pandora Godzilla.
"Master. Midnight." Garfield's tail twitched. "You're both having tea while Pandora has vanished into another universe?"
The Ancient One stirred her cup serenely. "Yes, I'm aware."
Garfield blinked. "You're not... worried?"
Before the Ancient One could answer, Midnight lifted his leopard head from his tea bowl. "I go to other universes all the time."
"It's really not a big deal."
Garfield suddenly recalled something and smiled slyly. "Speaking of other universes, I ran into Angie and Fran in Asgard. Saw Angie's little book."
Midnight froze… then erupted.
"ANGIE! She PROMISED she wouldn't show anyone!" Midnight was halfway to berserk mode when the Ancient One calmly reached out and grabbed him by the scruff.
"Your embarrassing moments aren't exactly a state secret," she teased. "Everyone finds out eventually."
"You can't hide forever."
Midnight went limp, mortified. After a long moment, he clutched his leopard head with both paws.
"This is all my fault for being young and trusting! I was naive! I didn't understand how dangerous the world is, especially those tricky elves!"
"What's that phrase again?"
"A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips?" Ancient One said.
Garfield snorted. "No, Master. It's 'a moment of weakness, a lifetime of regret.'"
Midnight squinted suspiciously. "Are you two ganging up on me?"
Garfield waved a paw. "Focus. Business. First, Fairy Queen Frigg wants to stay on Earth for a while."
"She'll be bringing Asgardian guards and attendants. I'm setting up Carter Manor as a secondary base."
Ancient One nodded approvingly. "Good."
"Second," Garfield continued, "I'm going after that reckless Pandora Godzilla."
The Ancient One nodded again, serene as ever. "Go and return safely. Mind the time-space eddies."
"Yes, Master."
Garfield briefed Midnight and Shōkyū on hosting the Asgardian guests, then returned to his basement.
Using the Time Stone, he reversed the local flow until he reached the exact moment Pandora had disappeared into the wormhole.
He watched the playback, Shōkyū firing the Tailed Beast Ball, the tunnel opening, Pandora diving in.
Garfield leaped after her.
What he didn't notice was the faint shadow that slipped out of the tunnel at the exact moment he entered.