Disclaimer: I do not own the characters to Calvin and Hobbes, nor Garfield and cast. They are owned by Bill Watterson and Jim Davis respectfully. The Baudelaire orphans, Count Olaf are owned by Lemony Snickets. I do, however, own everyone else, including Captain Miller and his Grays.
So the cats had finally drummed up enough nerve to rise up. Though it was brave of them, it was foolish. As they entered the fort via the main gate that was barricade with a strong abates and dry ditches, the walls of Fort Arrow were enough to block out the sun. Concrete walls, better than anything yet seen were towering over them. Seven feet thick in most places, they could withstand all most anything thrown at them. Arranged in a pentagon shape, the fort had buildings boarding around the main compound, in it's center where a large, thirty foot aluminum pole mounted a storm flag of the United States. As the trucks came to a stop, the orphans stepped down from the cabin. A soldier led them away to their own special quarters. Hot, tired, filthy, our trio walked across the complex, marveling at the size of this sprawling complex.
Prisoners were taken out and handled to a pen where they could be questioned and kept. Quarters were prepared for the orphans, next to a mobile battery of artillery. Sentries walked across the wooden roof while the concrete walls kept them safe from the heat. Air conditioners were not available at the time, but they were well to do for the moment. This fort was impressive in size and there were soldiers every where. None of them knew how long they were going to be there and they prayed it wouldn't be a duration, just as long as a strong lock separated them from their guardian. Olaf sat and simmered in his cell, segregated from the rest of his troupe. He was formulating a plan, everyone knew it, to escape, but it wasn't going to happen.
"How long do think this will go on?" Klaus asked as he watched soldiers march about in the compound.
"Not sure, but no war can go on forever," Violet replied as she held Sunny in her arms as she sat on her cot.
"You clearly do not know that 116 year war," Klaus grumbled as he continued to watch. He did not know how long it had been going on before, but they had been at that prison for too long, six weeks, and they were near skeletons by malnutrition. Thanks to a generous soldier, they received a generous amount of rations which included mashed potatoes, macaroni, cold drinks, and clean forks. It was the best meal of their lives as they savored the sweet smell and taste of food that did not have phlegm in it. Oh what joy to see their faces as they partook on this bountiful feast.
The night was cold. Huddled under wool blankets, the orphans felt warm as their parents looked down upon them. It was quiet. The night was clear, thousands of stars twinkled and the moon was absent giving a sweet, cool night to see the heavens.
Next day, men were up in chorus. Shouting and yelling, there was much excitement in their voices. What was it. Klaus went out to investigate leaving Violet tending to a still teething Sunny whom gnawed off one of the legs to the table they ate off of.
"Nice, you little beaver," Violet smiled at her sister.
"Tastes like cardboard," Sunny laughed.
When their brother returned, his face was pale and a smile hung on it. What news did he bring? Surrender. The cats, they were giving themselves up. White flags were appearing. On mass. Why though? Baltimore was just a backstage compared to action in Muncie. Something must have happened. To what they were not sure. But the news was affirm. The cats were giving themselves up. Hundreds of them came to the fort to give up their weapons and to thrown themselves at the mercy of their captors. Why though? Why the sudden change? Guess their fortune just ran out. Klaus did not care for combat. He was glad to not have partake in such events that Calvin had. This boy preferred to sink his face into a book than look down the sights of a rifle. Joyous as it was to see the fighting coming to an end, there was no official ending to it. No mass surrender ceremony. Those that came to the fort did so at their own risk. Similar actions were taking place all over the world. No punishment to the ring leader though. To the residents of Muncie, once the cats gave themselves up, the residents returned to their homes and began to rebuild immediately. Garfield was gone. For how long was not to be certain. He had disappeared into the abyss where demons and monsters lurked. Everyone else left in the light was forced to clean up the immense mess he had left behind. Homes were shattered, families ripped apart, communities shambles.
Cleaning up would take awhile. Bodies had to be removed and buried. Graveyards were chalked full. Felines were cast out into mass pits on the outskirts of town or burned. The heavy stink of their burning flesh was enough to make people sick as the black smoke hung in the air. They, like everything else, would go away. The forts and battlefields faded with time as the winds from the east and heavy rains from the heavens cast down their hand to cleanse the earth. They would disappear as well, to be forgotten in the minds of people whom were not there. Unlike other battles of old where markers and plaques showed bravery, this rebellion had none of that. Unlike this rebellion, there was a deep sense of disgust in the minds of humans. How could have let this happen? Their felines, ones that they cared for had risen up against them and the dogs were nearly pushed aside. The best they could do was to try and push this event out of their mind and act like it never happened. Not exactly an easy feat. Calvin for one was an active participate and seen the carnage of battle. It made war movies look timid.
Not to worry about the boy for right now for Calvin was rejoined with his mother and father, though their house was but a smoldering ruin. It could rebuilt. Holding Hobbes in his arms, Calvin walked through the black charred ruins of his room. His bed was in the kitchen having collapsed through the ceiling. "What a place to sleep," Calvin smiled, "Now I can take my snacks into bed as I please."
Hobbes groaned as he looked through the cabinets for any surviving tuna.
Their lives would have to start anew. They were lucky. Others had nothing left.
Susie was one of them. Though accounts about her actions during the conflict were vague, she managed to stay active and contributed her part to quelling Garfield. Her house was severely damaged and required mass amounts of restoration. Luckily her father, an officer in the Army, acquired a large amount of wealth with investments and other businesses thereby granting a well trained carpenter to rebuild their home, if only they could rebuild their lives. Other homes had new windows and doors. Food was available at last at supermarkets and pet catchers roamed through the alleyways. Everything seemed to be back to normal. Still, no one could shake the indelible feeling that was once was. Factories once again opened, governments went into session and laws were enacted and repelled. Everywhere across America, the rebellion was in retreat. Armies were destroyed in action or surrendered after hearing the news of Garfield's absence. It was too much for them to bear. No over all leader, without guidance or leadership, the armies began to splinter immediately as factions began to tend with each other rather than fight for the over all goal against dogs or humans. Taking advantage of this, dogs took back the cities and towns.
One week after his departure, the revolution ceased to exist. There was nothing left to show for what could have been. Somewhere in the rubble that was Jon's house, whom was added to a list of missing people, was a map showing a pristine palace that was to be Garfield's. Marble columns would stretch up to the heavens. A gold plated elevator would take guests up to the higher floors because he hated to walk and climbing the stairs would be considered exercise. Polished oak busts of his head would be placed at every convenience as a remembrance of the great leader. Arrogance showed everywhere. Not only were Nermal and Arlene gone due to his hand, but all others, his friends, those at the house pet society had black balled his name and it never to be mentioned again. Odie was now an orphan himself and now a veteran to a certain degree had to wonder the streets some time before he was at last picked up by a sympathetic old couple down the street from his old home. They did not have a child of their own but they cared for him as if he was one. He had a warm home at last.
Leaders of this rebellion, those that could be captured alive, were brought up on charged. Sitting in the cold court room side by side were Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. Arraigned on charges of conspiracy and harboring a fugitive from justice, Count Olaf put up a remarkable display of ignorance. He plead not guilty through it then by sobbing to the judge, pleading for mercy. Justice Strauss, his own neighbor, would have none of it. Though his blatant arrogance, Olaf wrote off on his right to council and to be judged by a jury of his peers. Instead, he wanted a bench trial. Not the best move. Fed up with his charades, threw the book at him, confining the would be actor to life in prison along with his entire entourage. But, to the orphan's horror, none of them would see a day in a jail cell, for they flew the coup and had not been seen since. For Violet, Sunny, and Klaus, the war was still going on while an aurora of peace now cloaked the world. As long as that old man remained at large, there would be no absolute peace. To where they would go was finally answered as Mr. Poe produced a sheet with a name. Dwayne Miller of Indiana. He would be their new guardian. Better start saying a prayer for these lovable three before they board a train bound for half way across the country.
Having no additional clothes save those on their backs, a gracious mother and father gave them clothes that belonged to their own children whom had outgrown them, then it was a ticket, some more hot food, and it was off they go to another guardian, this time, there were to be no foul ups. Yet.
Alrighty, now that you know how everyone in this story has settled, now it was time to take you away from it. Now go to a different place. It was far from Indiana, far from America, far from civilization. It was Garfield. He was still alive. He was intact, but his followers were not. There were only a few of them left. Diehards whom had no where else to turn to. Rejected, they waited as their honorable leader traced into a catacomb of ice. Where they were was a secret. Huddled together to share warmth, followers cast their weary eyes as the fat tabby waltzed into center stage.
"My leader. The revolution has died. Cats everywhere are being put back into chains." an officer cried as he followed Garfield through one of many tunnels. Each one was hastily made, low over head. So low that they had to hunch their bodies over to fit through. His fame massive, Garfield had to suck in his stomach in some spots. At the end of this tunnel was a dome shape room with one hole carved through the ceiling from which a beam of bright light came dome to shower the room with light.
"Nonsense," Garfield replied nonchalantly while his furry orange body was wrapped up in a thick parka and thick seal boots. "It has only went through an intermission."
As the two looked on, a field was solid ice began to move and transform into individual bodies. "My new army will over take the world," he laughed as goons rose up from the ice floor….
The End?