I wouldn't assume Gaston's out of the game just yet. Remember what happened the last time Malhart's kids underestimated him? Boy has anger issues, and prodigious spirit to match.

Somehow I now expect that catz magic expires (for *some* reason) at some point and Gazz is set free again.

Anyone else thinking pokeball right now? Murderous, not at all cooperative pokeball.

Noah is far more of a bomb than Gazz could ever be and they're carrying him right to Cheryl. Actually...we've been missing out on a particular character for a good, long time now..sus. The one who floats..?

@Neoriceisgood beats all reader expectations...again.

Noah doesn't really look like he's worrying, IMO.

The bridge slowly rebuilds itself now that Gaston is imprisoned, nice touch.

Is Catz aware that Noah is conscious, or is he guessing?

Catz was able to subdue even the royal guards with that thing. Gazz is probably out of the picture. And, again, remember: the Grey Child doesn't mention Gazz as someone who makes it to Hallowman.

It all really comes down to what Noah is planning to do.

@Aston Whiteman
I think no one, not even Noel, realizes that Noah is more dangerous than Gazz. Noah has done a VERY good job of appearing harmless and only useful for noncombat tasks.

I'm curious whether they'll even figure out that Noah did something *after* that "bomb" goes off.

@Brilliand
Because he's not. The Grey Child is dangerous, not him. Noah has literally done nothing since his capture by the dentist, as well as being immobile and unable to speak ever since. He didn't even agree to the Child's plan.

You're attributing way to much agency to what is for the moment little more than decoration on the catroid.

I'm glad Catz comforted Noah, he looked pretty worried there for a second!

@HexaDoken While the Royal Guard are extremely capable, I believe that they are without magic. They will, presumably, use completely different methods and resources to defeat something like the cat-toy containment. Then again, it has also worked on a wide range of magical things too, so by precedent, I would expect them to hold.

I don't really like Gazz, he's proven himself to be pretty cretinous, but Gazz is obviously the least dangerous/bomblike person here, hence his defeat.

The assaults upon him were shockingly dishonourable though, both with the 'keep him talking while someone else attacks' thing and... well Noel made a pact with him, to set aside their differences until they reached Chernyl. Gazz kept his word, Noel broke his. Shame on him!

Him and his weird might makes right, how dare you defend yourself cultism. I honestly thought this sort of nonsense would be over with the secret police neutralised. But here we are. Is Noel their biggest fan or something?

And oh how the Hollow Man must be laughing...

@Some guy: It is, ultimately, the dead kid's power that's the only hope here though. Make a wish and hope for the best...