Grimalkin starts narrating about Tir na Nog. It is a world where various fairies live, where the nations of the giants, earth fairies, and cats are. Grimalkin is the current king of cats, the mighty and powerful ruler who is always protecting the country. He is the one all cats believe in and receives their wishes, the one who has obtained great magic. Every time a powerful enemy appears, he receives all the cats' wishes and gains even stronger magic to repel them. The reason this happens is because this is a world where Wishes Replace Genuine Things. Because of that, Grimalkin transforms as he takes on these wishes. He becomes faster, stronger, more dignified. His burden increases by the day, which then warps his body. He rules as a perfect, irreplaceable king, but he eventually grew old and reached his limits.
A young cat who could be the next king of cats appeared before
Grimalkin. He was supposed to be irreplaceable, but there he was. In Tir
na Nog, absolutely nothing is irreplaceable. That cat knew nothing of
misery or anything, and he simply admired him. Then the day came for the
changeling ceremony to begin, the one that would change that young cat
to take on the throne, power, and destiny of the king. Grimakin pitied
him for the fact that he would one day face the same fate as he did,
becoming old and pressing this destiny onto someone else before leaving
the world. But that cat ran before the ceremony. Grimalkin smiled for
some reason at that. More correctly, he tried to smile at that.
Unfortunately, his aged, majestic face had forgotten how to smile.
Back to the present, you guys manage to get back to the watchtower area as Ryouta notes, and it seems like the show is starting soon. But then he reacts in shock at how many people there are. Li Chou says this is the visual representation of a full house, and he mentions seeing faces he recognizes here and there. The gang happens to be around too, and Shirou notices that you guys are here. Kengo asks if you guys being over here means Cait Sith is going to run the magic show on his own. You take the moment to process their presence, say some stuff happened, then ask if the show has started yet.
Moritaka says the show only just started, which Touji nods along to. Cait Sith is on stage performing some tricks, and Kengo comments that it's kind of plain since he was expecting something different. You agree and note the other audience members don't seem that impressed either and/or stay quiet. Shirou agrees too, but he says it's not surprising people feel that way. A lot of people in the audience are Transients and App users, so they're more used to seeing flashier powers and strange things happening. Kengo gripes that that should be irrelevant, then says Cait Sith should do something more attention grabbing. Li Chou asks if that was something Cait Sith ever wanted to do. You turn to him in some surprise and try to ask him to explain.
Li Chou says that Cait Sith isn't wrong for holding onto his pride, and
on stage Cait Sith announces it's time for his biggest magic trick that
people have been waiting for. He counts off, but nothing happens on his
signal. He's confused by this as he says fireworks were supposed to
shoot when he did that. Ryouta notes that Cait Sith stopped moving and
wonders if he failed with his trick.
Agyou yelps and laughs as he says something fluffy just touched him, and he thinks Hanuman is responsible. Kijimuna also experiences the same thing and asks Hanuman to stop. Hanuman however says someone is touching his tail with something fluffy, and he asks who's doing that when some cat meows to his confusion. Suddenly a bunch of cats appear out of nowhere, and some girl in the audience reacts in surprise at this as she says they're at all the seats. These cats turn out to be able to talk as they ask where they are and if some festival is going on. A yasha is surprised and amazed that they can speak, and she interprets this to be some sort of magic trick.
Some other cat takes an interest in Benten's biwa and asks if she'll talk with him. Benten is pleased they like her instrument, and she compliments his instrument back. Cat C is surprised at all the people and noncats that are around, and Cat D says it looks like some sort of festival, but one that seems kind of different. Yasuyori says he doesn't get what's going on, but he says the cats are cute. Tanetomo looks like he's ready to stab someone for a second before telling Yasuyori he can't go saying anything besides him is cute and laughs. You react in surprise at all the cats and the fact that they can talk, then start guessing what's up with them.
Cait Sith is baffled by this turn of events and says these cats come from his home world. Tezcatlipoca laughs and says that the night air is getting noisy, then mentions knowing something since he's a king of the night. He warns you to be on your guard since something is coming on this full moon night. Shadow Cait Sith appears, saying nothing. You notice and initially think it's Cait Sith before you notice something is different. Ashigara is around and reacts in shock, thinking Cait Sith duplicated himself. Gunzou is amazed and thinks this is another magic trick, and Durga tells the two to hush since it seems like the Shadow is talking and she can't hear.
Cait Sith talks to his Shadow and notes the visual similarity but recognizes the pressure it's given off. The Shadow greets Cait Sith and refers to him as his successor, and Cait Sith recognizes the voice in shock. The Shadow asks if he forgot what he sounded like as he says he's Grimalkin, the current king of cats and the witch's cat that can use grand magic. Cait Sith reacts in shock, and in the audience Ziz seems mildly concerned that something is happening to the magic show. The cat next to her recognizes Grimalkin and asks if that's Cait Sith next to him. Ziz wonders if he knows him.
Cait Sith struggles to accept Grimalkin's presence, saying that it is his voice he's hearing but his appearance is different. You yell about Grimalkin looking like Cait Sith and ask about what's happening. Grimalkin tells Cait Sith that he's appeared as the ideal king Cait Sith is trying to be because he's Carrying His Strong Desire. His insides are different though because some kind passerby Modded him. You pick up on the talk about modding and realize who he's talking about, and Cait Sith is surprised too before he decides to focus more on his even being here. Grimalkin asks if he doesn't know, then explains that when a black cat that can be a witch's familiar, faith for fairies, a full moon night, and the scent of death are gathered in one place, the Walpurgis Night of witches and black cats will arrive.
Cait Sith reacts in shock about the bit about Walpurgis Night, so Grimalkin says it's when the bounds of the fairy world become loose and is the sabbath of magic that replaces the current world with a changeling. Cait Sith asks him what specifically gets changed in this case, so Grimalkin says it's the continuation of the coronation ceremony, meaning his throne will switch with Cait Sith. Cait Sith gasps in shock, prompting Grimalkin to ask what's so surprising if Cait Sith wanted to be him. Grimalkin has borne too many of the expectations of the cats of fairyland, gotten too old, too warped. The fantasies they all hold, like 'Grimalkin is a perfect king,' 'Grimalkin can use any magic,' 'Grimalkin is the best king ever,' have all pushed him past his limit, so now a replacement is necessary.
Cait Sith tries to argue that he's too inexperienced to take the throne. Grimalkin is quiet for a moment before relenting, saying he has something else he's better suited for. Grimalkin then yells for people to behold his magic as he calls down thunder. He asks if the noncats present can hear him as he declares this the land of cats that he rules now, and so long as he is here no one can threaten catkind. Kyuuma is surprised as he wonders what's up with Grimalkin, saying he can feel him exerting some powerful pressure. Hougen orders Tajikarao to be ready to move whenever, and if something happens he should prioritize evacuating the attendees. Tajikarao acknowledges the order, then asks about Grimalkin.
Random cat is concerned and says everyone should run. Shennong asks the cat why and briefly picks up adding meows to his sentences before he repeats himself without them. The cat says her whiskers are standing on end, which means it's an omen of an attack even if Grimalkin looks different. Grimalkin addresses all noncats, saying the area is becoming Tir na Nog, and so long as he is present, this is the land of cats. He demands that everyone leave and is getting to what he'll do if no one does so when Cait Sith yells for people to run. The party reacts in alarm when Grimalkin says he'll use his grand magic on everyone, and the first thing he calls is his Grimalkin Punch.
The audience members are baffled at Grimalkin swatting at them with a giant cat punch. Grimalkin's next action is to fire Grimalkin BEAMUs from his eyes, which seems to burn some people it hits. You are taken aback by this display and think his naming sense is awful, but there is legitimate power behind the attacks. Cait Sith is confused, then says it's different from the magic he saw him do before. He agrees that it is powerful, but it wasn't like this. He pleads with Grimalkin asking why he's doing this and what happened to him. Tvastar shows up laughing about how his modifications are a success, so you either react in shock, say you've figured out what happened, and/or call him a mad scientist.
Cait Sith asks Tvastar if he modified Grimalkin and specifically what he modded him with. Tvastar cops to modding Grimalkin but doesn't give any details on what just yet. He comments that it was a rush job, but it made for a nice sweat. Then he starts talking about how he threw in the mysteries of soma which brings eternal youth and extended life. As a creator of life, Tvastar also modded him with solar power, hands that can gigantify for a punch and eye beams. Grimalkin thanks Tvastar or whatshisname, saying he's now a perfect king for real. Tvastar is happy to hear that and turns to Vritra as he talks about how the mods have had a good effect.
Grimalkin says that's all well and good, but since Tvastar isn't a cat he needs to piss off too as he blasts him with a Grimalkin Typhoon. Cait Sith yells after Tvastar as he gets blown back a bit, and when he gets back up he complains to you guys that this is horrible treatment after modding someone. No one sympathizes, and Tvastar tries to excuse himself saying he can't say no if someone asks him to modify them. He then admits that this is his fault and apologizes.
Meanwhile Grimalkin is firing off missiles at random all over the place, telling everyone to tremble before him as the land of cats will be immortal so long as he is king. As king, he will never allow anyone to invade his country! His roar echoes out, and everyone starts becoming terrified. Cait Sith tries to ask Grimalkin why he's doing all this, and Grimalkin is surprised at the question as he says it's the duty of the king to protect the country. The area is the land of cats now as he said earlier, so it's natural for him to drive out the interlopers.
Cait Sith tries to suggest a more peaceable solution, but Grimalkin says that's only tenable in a situation where you won't be destroyed. A country/world is mutually exclusive with its neighboring countries/worlds, and borders are drawn so that they won't mingle together. On the other hand, if all the wishes in the country become the same, that becomes the decision of the majority. Grimalkin isn't doing this out of his personal judgments, and this isn't the wish of any one individual. But contradictions arise between seriousness and triviality, strength and kindness, which he carries as he stands atop the hierarchy as they all get sorted around. With all the wishes mixing together, the king can only become a warped monster in the end. That is the system of the world/land and the king that represents it. And now with his perfected body, he can finally carry that burden on his own. Grimalkin then demands that Cait Sith leave, now that a successor is no longer needed.
Cait Sith cringes, asking if this was what he wanted and saying that being a perfect king is awful. But then, he takes it back and says he had driven Grimalkin to this point. The wishes of many cats are visible, floating behind Grimalkin. They wished for a single strong king and admired him. That is what a multitude of cats ended up searching for. All the individual weak wishes came together, converging and becoming one with Grimalkin. Cait Sith starts talking to himself about what he wished for. He then notices happy power accumulating, saying it's beautiful and the power that brings people smiles. He wonders if he as the one to bring it about.
Cait Sith is quiet for a second, then counts out as he calls his magic magic. He pops up over where you guys are and asks you guys for help. You react in surprise to him or ask him what's going on. Cait Sith explains that that is his wish, the perfect king he wanted to be. Someone who didn't need to rely on others or need anyone else. The missiles and beams weren't part of his vision though. Tvastar quietly looks away. Furufumi asks about Grimalkin being his ideal king, aside from the missiles and all.
Cait Sith says he can't deny that, saying he is the king of cats who protected the country with great magic. He defended against foreign invasion and brought prosperity. Those was the parts of Grimalkin he wanted to be like. But now, Cait Sith says from his heart that that is not what he wants to be now. He didn't learn magic tricks to strike fear into other races and even cats. The magic he knows brings excitement, joy, and smiles to everyone. Ryouta is moved by this, and Furufumi observes that what Cait Sith wants is different from what's manifested over there. Cait Sith says he finally understands what it is he wanted now, which Furufumi thinks on. Ryouta cheers Cait Sith on and says you guys should go together as everyone wants to help.
Ryouta says he feels Cait Sith shouldn't give up on his dreams about what kind of king he wants to be and how he wants his country to be. He then says that they should all sort out this incident with the real magic Cait Sith was aiming for. Cait Sith thanks him, moved that he'd say so. Li Chou agrees to pitch in and says he'll see Cait Sith's fighting spirit up close. Furufumi talks about how it'd be wrong to do nothing but spout arguments he's read from a book, then says he'll go forward on his own path. If someone can understand things through reading, then he says he should be able to do something about this situation. Tvastar says nothing, so you ask what he'll do and if he'll help out.
Ryouta pesters Tvastar about whether he'll come too. Tvastar asks if you two are telling him to take responsibility, and Ryouta says that's part of it. He then asks if Tvastar is interested in seeing what it is Cait Sith is so set on doing that he kept refusing his offers for modification. Tvastar admits he is, so he agrees to help. Tezcatlipoca asks you and Ryouta if you guys believe that Cait Sith has a chance at winning. Cait Sith doesn't say anything, so Tezcatlipoca says Cait Sith seems to understand. However small it is, Grimalkin is the one who stands atop the order of things his country/world. Grimalkin is also someone who approaches omnipotence, so there is no way Cait Sith, who ranks lower than him, can hope to oppose him.
Cait Sith starts laughing, so Tezcatlipoca asks him why. Cait Sith says he should know since he's familiar with the subject. He had always wondered why it is Tezcatlipoca is always laughing so loudly, which interests Tezcatlipoca. Cait Sith says he laughs because he wants other people to laugh, Just Like a Mirror as he's finally understood. Tezcatlipoca is surprised by that, and Cait Sith talks about how his wish may be different from everyone else's. Everyone may believe that he can't win, but Cait Sith feels victory lies elsewhere, so he has a chance of winning. Tezcatlipoca eventually says he understands.
Ryouta invites Tezcatlipoca to join you guys, saying Cait Sith will make some happy power for sure. Tezcatlipoca laughs and asks what Ryouta is basing that on. Ryouta answers that it's about the numbers, and that having more people is better. Tezcatlipoca asks if he's talking about overpowering a minority with a majority, which is one of the basics of war, but Ryouta clarifies that everyone is their own person. You shouldn't lump all your friends under one group. Even if some things mix together, Ryouta says he'll feel all the emotions his friends have individually given him. You can't just think about things after coming together, you also should think about the individual things before then. Once you know all that, even if they mix together to become the same thing it'll come out with a different meaning.
Tezcatlipoca is quietly surprised at this, then starts laughing. He agrees to help you and Cait Sith, but he still wants to make point before you guys go. You guys know what your victory conditions are, which means you've stepped into a war for real. The battle you're jumping into is in the middle of an endless hell, and someone will probably come looking for help and lend you their assistance. Your war strength with continue to grow with each addition, and that great power may call forth the horrors of war with no regards to your intent. War becomes more intense with time, and the next one is likely to become even worse than the current one. People will learn more and more unseemly actions and gather ever stronger weapons. But that is where distortions will arise, which will be weak points. If you are against an opponent who only knows how to hoard and collect things, then someone who has known loss is sure to have a chance of winning.
Ryouta has no idea what Tezcatlipoca was talking about, but he nods along. Cait Sith talks to you and asks if Solomon is with you. You check and tell him he's around and will definitely come. Cait Sith agrees and assures himself it'd be a huge waste if Solomon didn't see his big magic. Cait Sith then changes into his happi, saying he should be dressed like that when dealing with incidents at the festival. He then declares it's time for the party to begin the operation. He says the first priority is to evacuate the audience and plans to use his magic to move them to safety, but Tvastar suggests that's not necessary as this is all a magic show.
Elsewhere to the side, Tajikarao reports that the evacuation prep is done now and suggests getting started, but Hougen notices something is happening and tells him to wait. Grimalkin also notices something happening as Tvastar steps forward, talking to Vritra about getting started since he feels responsible a bit. He then calls out a form change, which he says in other words would be the casting of his NP. Vritra flies into the sky, then stretches his body out long enough to encircle Grimalkin and the party. This makes him a living wall that keeps anyone else from getting closer.
Grimalkin is surprised at being sealed in like so, then says what Tvastar did was clever. Tvastar announces that the stage is set, so now the show can restart. Li Chou turns to Cait Sith, saying they have their chance now and that he'll use his artifact to stop the audience from freaking out. Cait Sith is surprised he can do that, and Li tells him that since he said you're all doing magic together he'll believe in it. Li then jumps up and casts his own NP, declaring that what's happening now is their magic show to the audience. A bunch of cats start meowing and apologizing for the confusion, then says it'll be okay as they ask the audience to enjoy Cait Sith's show. A mermaid asks if this is all part of the show, and a mage girl says it was a surprise as she sits down and accepts the explanation. The jocks all nod along. Li brags about how he pulled that off, and you can either cheer and say he did a good job, or you can say you'll pet him later. In C, Li gets embarrassed as he says you should save that for when you're in the tall grass under the moon before composing himself.
Anyways Li Chou explains that all he did was suppress the panic, so now it all comes down to the results as he tells Cait Sith to show his will. Cait Sith nods, and Tezcatlipoca says he'll proceed to the festival's finale too. Back on stage, Grimalkin laughs that nothing has changed as he fires off his eye beams. Tezcatlipoca calls to you and says he'll go in front and show you the full power of his new body. He says target practice is the same thing, then uses his NP to bounce the laser away after it weakens through his smoke.
Grimalkin laughs it off as an impudent move, then tries firing his missiles next. Furufumi asks his artifact for the best path forward as he casts his NP. He then relays its instructions to you all, saying to jump to your 3 to avoid the missiles, then squat two seconds after to dodge the next volley. His directions allow you guys to avoid all the missiles. Ryouta cheers for Furufumi, then says you've almost reached Grimalkin. He notices you looking around, then asks you what's wrong. You talk about how everyone is doing their best, so you call out to Solomon to summon him to you.
Mononobe is in the audience watching, and Solomon appears, announcing his presence to you and Cait Sith. The entire party faces Grimalkin, and Cait Sith steps forward. He doesn't say anything at first, so Grimalkin goes first and laughs about him coming to him. He then says he'll show him the weight a king has to carry, but Cait Sith says that what he wants to see is something else. He tells Grimalkin to see his last great magic, calling out his NP as the episode battle begins.
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