[attr="class","monty"]Montgomery was from Driftveil City. Of course he knew a thing or two about the water. But surfing? He wouldn't say he had that much experience.

So, when he found himself on the back of a MANTINE, his long legs wobbled like a baby DEERLING before it took off into the sea. "Holy shit!"

"Okay, okay. Let's try..."

"Laturn 360!"

[attr="class","montytag"]attempting lanturn 360
8/10: rolled 25, success
total: 500 pts

[attr="class","monty"]"Hey, hey, hey! Slow down!" he called behind Althus Rex, jogging to keep up with the trainer as he charged head first into the battlefield.

If there was anything he'd learned from his years of experience, violence didn't have to be the first answer. Though, it certainly was an answer...

His gaze turned to the poachers, a few who seemed like they were either ready to run and the others ready to fight. "We don't need to battle now. Just let the Pokemon go, and we'll get y'all off the island."

[attr="class","montytag"]Althus Rex | 19. attempt to negotiate with poachers or wild pokemon

[attr="class","monty"]With SHARPEDO destroying debris with its powerful jaws and several CRUNCHES, as well as Eris Halla's WOOPER troop clearing away the damage, an opening revealed itself.

"Look. I see a door," he claimed, swimming to one of the buildings that had fallen below the waves.

However, as he came up to it, he'd realize that opening the door would prove difficult. "The water's going to make it hard to open. Think some ice can break it apart?"

SHARPEDO swam forward, attacking it with a brutal ICE FANG.

[attr="class","montytag"]Eris Halla | 43. force open a locked or barricaded door to access a critical area

[attr="class","monty"]"Volunteer. I'm actually one of Dewford's deputies."

Montgomery shielded his eyes, which were beginning to burn from the smoke filling the area. He released DHELMISE, who seemed equally as irritated by the later of humidity in the air.

"Take care of the fire to the east," he ordered it, which spurred it to created a WHIRLPOOL. The water poured, beginning to extinguish flames.

"And you?"

[attr="class","montytag"]Yujin Ha | 31. use a pokemon to suppress fires

[attr="class","monty"]Montgomery regarded him with a look of odium, his lip contorting into a scowl. He waved his hand at the GOLETT, a silent indicator to stay put, as he took a few slow strides closer to Howard.

"Listen, Slayte. You've got a good head on ya. Ya seem smart enough. Clearly, you've gotten us this far. But yer attitude could use a lotta work." The six foot five giant peered down his nose at the man whose head barely made it to his neck.

"If it comes to fightin' for life or death, yer gonna fight. You have no choice. You knew that this wasn't going to be a quick and easy job when ya took it. So, stop actin' like a fuckin' wuss and grow a pair. Comprende?" Once he finished his jabbing spiel, his scowl turned back into a cocky grin.

"Now, let's go find some shit we can sell! The work ain't gonna do itself!" he said with a loud clap of his hands.

As they descended the staircase, Montgomery ran his fingers across the sandstone walls. It reminded him of hidden RUNERIGUS, with snakes painted across the surface of their stone bodies. Surely they were near their jackpot.

"Remember, Howy, positive attitude."

Beside his GOLETT, he released a second Pokemon: his KROOKADILE. He snapped at the air angrily, ready to attack should any YAMASK that Howard was so worried about were ready to attack.

[attr="class","montytag"]howard slayte | past - unova

[attr="class","monty"]Montgomery chuckled, reaching for a flashlight strapped to his side. "I hope yer somewhat equipped for a fight, kid. If somethin' happens to me? Well... you'll be on ya own."

It wasn't a threat, exactly. But, he had suggested when he requested Howard's assistance that he'd bring a few Pokemon with him.

He slid down the hole, dirt clinging to his black outfit like it was velcro. He didn't bother to dust himself as he reached the bottom with the grad student. Clicking on his light, he released one of his Pokemon.

The GOLETT'S yellow eyes glowed in the dark, providing light ahead of them. "Keep an eye for any threats, 'kay?" he ordered it.

Turning his head back to Howard, he raised his eyebrow. "What, ya don't believe I'm capable of takin' care of us down here?" Montgomery asked, tilting his head slightly to the side to challenge his answer.

[attr="class","montytag"]howard slayte | past - unova

[attr="class","monty"]"Y'know, I don't think I've tried it..." he said, giving it a thought as he pulled his shirt back down. Better to go ahead and have his side covered than have some random girl he just met ogle over his scar.

It was just a weird vibe.

"Stellar? What happens when they do that? Turn into a star or some shit?" he asked, somewhat appalled that a phenomena could happen. If she could gather, Montgomery was not from around these parts.

"You seem to really care about Pokemon. Ya must be apart of the ranger corps, right?" Montgomery asked, tossing a Poke ball at a PALPITOAD that crossed their path.

[attr="class","montytag"]robin coello | capture attempt palpitoad

[attr="class","monty"]Montgomery eyed the WOOPERS, each seemingly excited (though maybe it was just their faces peering mindlessly up at him) about their operation. He gave them a small smile as he strapped the goggles and other gear to his face.

And down he went.

"If ya need anythin', just let me know. Just be careful of that debris over here," he said through their comms, releasing his SHARPEDO into the sea.

There was sunken wood and metal protrusions that had sunk beneath the surface, jagged and deadly if they weren't paying attention. He pointed forward, ordering his shark to clear up some of the wreckage.

[attr="class","montytag"]Eris Halla | 03. address environmental hazards

[attr="class","monty"]"Yer stayin', bud."

It was a short and simple reply to the poor grad student, as Montgomery approached the pit that waited in front of him. He kicked away a few stray rocks, holding the hat on his head as he took a quick glance down.

Too dark to really see without going in and searching. They had to keep going.

"Besides, isn't this yer field of expertise or somethin'? You'll know how to get us in and out, and you'll know what the high value things are. It's a win-win." Montgomery turned, looking at the younger man and giving him a sly grin.

"And, if ya come... I'll consider uppin' yer pay. How 'bout it?"

[attr="class","montytag"]howard slayte | past - unova

[attr="class","monty"]Montgomery tipped his chin back, downing the rest of the drink in one go and sliding the pint away. He hopped down from the chair and followed Navy outside, a fresh wave of heat hitting him in the face. He tilted his hat on his head, ensuring that the rays from the sun weren't striking his face.

He leaned against the wall of the building, right beside a "NO LOITERING" sign. He was the cops, so who cared?

"Well, if I can shoulder some burden, I'm glad to." His hand slipped into his pocket, reaching for a cigarette and his lighter. "You're the first person to put faith in me. I gotta repay my dues somehow, Navy."

But, Montgomery did have to admit, seeing these people happy, instead of terrified and cowering in his presence, was a nice change of pace. It was a drastic change from Driftveil and Unova as a whole.

Reaching for his side again, Montgomery grabbed his Poke ball holding his own SKARMORY, releasing it alongside the chicks. At first, the grown bird appeared confused, looking over the two ILLUMINA chicks with wary eyes.

"It's almost like ya have a shiny. But ya don't. I ain't never seen something like that before." His bird leaned down, tapping its metallic beak against the chick's. The chick tapped his feet on the ground excitedly.

"The war, hmm..." Tapping away some of the ash from his cigarette, Montgomery regarded the mountain as Navy did. "I wasn't sure what to do. On one hand, the League needs all the hands it can get. But these people... they need protectin' too." He glanced at Navy. "If we can ensure a defense around the city, I'll join the front."

[attr="class","montytag"]Navy | before the first wave

[attr="class","monty"]Montgomery watched as the sheriff removed his own hat, setting it on the bar top. He definitely looked different than the last time he'd seen him. It was as if he'd gone through one war already.

In a way, he supposed Navy had.

While he spoke, Montgomery was quiet. Whether it was out of respect for the suffering and "three months" trek he'd gone through or because of how truly insane the story sounded, it was up to Navy to decide. In the end, he'd find himself idly stroking at the metallic feathers of the unnamed SKARMORY chick, who let out a crooing noise of pleasure.

"So that's what the chaos was about. It was REGICE..." Montgomery muttered, noting that in his head. He didn't know or realize that this was connected to howard slayte. But Navy was setting up a path for his deputy to discover who the legend belonged to and why they did it.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be more help for you." Even though he had managed to keep most of the crime in Dewford and the surrounding area from exploding in Navy's absence, Montgomery couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt that he hadn't been there to help defend the town from REGICE. "I shoulda been there."

Torn from his pity party, his brows rose as he revealed it: ASCALON. The same blue the chicks donned glowed from the blade. If it wasn't in front of him, he'd be sure that it was something from a story book.

"How'd they survive? Or... appear?" The unnamed chick clicked its metallic feet against the bar top, hopping beside its nestmate.

Montgomery reached for one specific Pokemon, his own SKARMORY. He held his ball in his hand, before looking back at Navy. "Wanna take a breather outside?"

[attr="class","montytag"]Navy | before the first wave