>>6202596[Clocktower Mechanism 4F, ????, Laurentel Region, Morning]
Ascending into the mechanism, you and Rafael cautiously make your way forward to each set of stairs on the end of each platform. Partially trying to keep an eye out for threats, and for you partially trying to focus on not falling over with your new form of quadruped movement.
[Tick, tick, tick, tick…]
The air is tense. There's of course, your strange predicament. But also the roaring of wind. There are thin vertical windows marking each floor on all sides of the square tower, but some of them appear to be in disrepair, letting in a draft, and a small amount of that fog that makes you uneasy. You gaze upward as the weight of your ascent finally starts to tire you out, still many floors to clear, but you can see the blue sky and clouds through that skylight getting closer and closer…
You bump into Rafael's outstretched wing and stop, looking past him.
"Now, why is that…?" He ponders.
Ahead of you, blocking the platform to the next stairwell is more of that strange fog seeping in through a pronounced hole in the center window. It's forming along the floor, but not spacing itself out how fog on a surface might. It's pooling in one area, creating a vortex.
There's a low hum of noise accompanying the ticking gears, as the vortex turns from white to red, and startlingly creates a small spherical shroud before evaporating altogether with a harsh whip of the wind.
In its place, is a pokemon, you recognize its form to be Meowth. From what you can remember about such a pokemon, it's likely that this is the thief that holed up inside the clocktower. However…
There's a red glow emanating from its feet, like a dark aura. Their eyes are similarly crimson in shade.
"Halt! F-for the peace of Laurentel, identify yourself!" Rafael shouts, his right Helping Hand twisting to grip the saber handle once more.
There's absolutely no reaction in Meowth's expression or body. And then, with a glint in their eye, they lurch forwards with their claws unfurled.
Rafael gasps, and in a damning move, shuts his eyes and looks away from the target. You hear it before you process it: The blade quickly slides out of its scabbard, clashing against the Meowth's slash, making your heart jump. It's enough for Meowth to be forced backwards as Rafael finally opens his eyes,
That counterstrike of his didn't seem trained.
You bend your knees instintictively as Meowth regains their footing to rush forth anew. This time, you know you have to do something about it...
(Continued...)
