The Cat King - Dead Boy Detectives: Season One

The cat king of Port Townsend, Thomas is a mysterious and powerful shapeshifting trickster who protects the cats of his town. He does not take kindly to those who hurt his subjects and punishes them accordingly. 

While he was not immortal, he is hundreds of years old, able to be resurrected nine times should he be mortally wounded. 

After Edwin Payne used a binding spell on a cat, interrogating them for intel on Esther Finch, he ordered for the young ghost and his allies to be brought to him. 

Deeply offended by Edwin’s audacity - to use magic on one of his feline subjects – he whisks him away to discuss the offence privately. Despite Edwin's attempts to explain himself, the Cat King is fascinated by him. Wanting to know more about him, he imposes his punishment, placing a caging spell bracelet on Edwin's arm. This spell would prevent Edwin from leaving Port Townsend until he can make the Cat King happy.

Initially proposing a physical relationship, which Edwin vehemently opposes, the Cat King later offers Edwin an alternative: to count every cat in Port Townsend. This task is the condition for the bracelet's removal. With the audience at an end, he sends Payne back to his friends. He tasked two of his most loyal followers to keep tabs on his muse. 

During their investigation into recent suicides at the Point No Point Lighthouse, Edwin is attacked by a cat, who scratches him on the leg. Recognising him as Thomas, he follows him to a secluded part of the beach, irritated by his painful and tiresome bids for attention. 

Giving him an update on his cat hunt, the Cat King scoffs that the ghost wasn't close to the real figure. However, he admires Edwin's eagerness to complete the task, telling him that no matter the outcome, he was getting what he wanted, more time with him. 

Changing the topic, Thomas proposes that they discuss his alternate suggestion, musing that he could take any form to make Edwin feel more comfortable, transforming into Monty and Charles. This only angers Edwin, who threatens to return to the investigation if he isn't going to remove the bracelet. 

Intrigued by his dedication to mysteries and helping strangers, he uses his magic to learn more about Edwin, forcing the young ghost to admit that the real reason he formed the Dead Boy Detectives; that he's doing as much good as he can so that eventually if he goes back to Hell, he can make his case for leniency. Moved by this vulnerability, he reassures Edwin that he never has to pretend with him, as he likes him for who he is. He goes on to reassure him that he needn't feel ashamed about his desire to help others since all people's actions are inherently selfish, even when being altruistic. Parting ways, he tells Edwin that he was way off on his count of cats and to be more vigilant.

Unbeknownst to Edwin, The Cat King observes him kissing Monty, recognising the latter to be Esther Finch's crow familiar in human form. Deciding what to do with this information, he would tell Edwin the next day, hoping that his help would be rewarded with affection. However, the furious ghost dismissed them both, angrily snapping that Thomas meant nothing to him other than a prison, he could not escape from. 

After escaping an alternate dimension, Esther angrily confronts the Cat King for ruining her plans and revealing the truth about Monty. However, he has little care for her quest for vengeance as he is too busy mourning Edwin, who has been dragged to Hell. Growing increasingly impatient with the witch, he ordered her to leave, not realising that his words had sparked a new plan of revenge against the Dead Boys. Still wishing to make him suffer, she beats him to death with her cane. While his death was temporary, coming back in a new form, it cost him his third life. Esther warned him from further interference, promising that she would see to it that he is permanently dead, no matter how long it takes. 

When Edwin and Charles are kidnapped by Finch, Niko and Crystal attempt to enlist him in their rescue party. However, he is unwilling to endanger himself, as he is not powerful enough to fight the witch. However, after some persuasion, he is willing to at least help provide enough background information on Esther that the two could use to fight her. He also suggested that they get some black salt, a known weapon against witches. 

The Cat King appeared before Edwin one final time in an alleyway, where he gave him a flower, telling the ghost that it was for Niko, to honour her bravery and sacrifice in the fight. While Edwin declines his offer of a hug, he does thank him for helping his friends. He goes on to explain that the two are a lot alike; using similar methods to distract them from their loneliness. However, unlike Thomas, he is content, knowing that he has Charles and Crystal in his life. Edwin kisses him on the cheek, before beginning to walk away. As a final parting squabble, they playfully argue about the number of cats in Port Townsend, with him stating there are 146. But Edwin remarks that he forgot to include himself, making him smile. Thomas calls after him, saying that the ghost would miss him, much to Edwin's amusement.