[attr="class","monty"]The HYPNOSIS affected his SKARMORY, but not for long due to MUSHARNA'S fatigue. The Z-move must have zapped the pink Pokemon of its energy, leaving it as an open target. When his eyes opened again, the bird's gaze locked onto the psychic-type. Sleep would become a nuisance if not handled ahead of time.

He didn't have to fly high, the BRAVE BIRD swooping down and striking the MUSHARNA to knock it out. The impact made him screech in pain, but it was worth it to eliminate one problem.

That's why CLEFABLE was here, at least for the moment. Spreading her arms, she scattered LIFE DEW onto the field to aid in SKARMORY'S health while the MAGEARNA was charging.

"Swap out!" he called, pulling back his vulnerable fairy-type in order to put in his more destructive CLAYDOL to tank MAGNEARNA'S attack.

Ameena cursed him, asking him why, why, why? Why couldn't he switch? And Montgomery had to become a SKARMORY himself, putting up an IRON DEFENSE around his heart and soul to ignore her pleas and the dream of "what if" or "what could have been." He would put his own SPIKES on their metaphoric battlefield, distancing him from Ameena and injuring her at any attempt to get closer.

And, if she tried, maybe he'd take her down with his own BRAVE BIRD, tucking in his own metal wings and diving down to destroy them both.

"Quit yappin'! It's not gonna happen, Ameena. Not now, not ever. Just give up!" he shouted, his hat having blown off his head from the impact of his bird's attack earlier. His hair was wild, adding to an almost insane look.

"Stop hurtin' us both, now!"

[attr="class","montytag"]ameena abadi
- Skarmory knocks out Musharna with Brave Bird. Clefable heals Skarmory with Life Dew and swaps out for Claydol.
- Montgomery tells Ameena to give up and begs her to stop hurting them both.
TRACKER:
- 50 MP have your character's Pokemon symbolize or represent in some way, the condition of your character
- 10 MP per IC post in your prelude thread
- 25 MP for knocking out another Pokemon in your prelude thread
TOTAL: 695 MP

[attr="class","monty"]Ameena's offer was tempting. Stetson was inclined to agree with her. She made everything sound perfect, that it was sugar-coated and sweet as honey. And he was a little COMBEE, trying to find his way back to the VESPIQUEN.

He didn't stop her as she moved his physical body, his dream-self watching her move his joints gently so that his gun was no longer aiming where she'd been standing. However, there was one thing he wouldn't allow happen:

No one took his pistol.

"Ameena..." Stetson breathed.

The mist dissipated. Montgomery snapped back into reality, moving his hand quickly out of reach before she had a chance to take away his weapon. But, instead of pointing it at her again, he placed it back in its holster.

The dream was over. It was never to be. And it was a sacrifice he'd have to make for himself... and for Ameena.

"Let's do this the old fashion way."

Out came his SKARMORY, joined with his CLEFABLE. "Take 'em down."

The iron bird screeched a horrid METAL SOUND, while the pink creature countered it with a pleasant SING-song voice to drop their guards.

[attr="class","montytag"]ameena abadi
- Stetson, tempted by her offer, manages to break free of Musharna's Z-move. Montgomery challenges Ameena to a 2v2 battle
- Skarmory used Metal Sound, Clefable used Sing
MP TRACKER:
- 50 MP showcase your own character's strength(s) meaningfully (determination in ideals)
- 50 MP have your character make a sacrifice of some kind
- 10 MP per IC post in your prelude thread
TOTAL: 610 MP

[attr="class","monty"]For a moment, as Ameena approached his dream-state, Montgomery wondered if she'd attempt to shift the tide of their now bloody exchange. His physical person was helpless to her ability. He stood still, closing his eyes and breathing as he waited.

He only felt her shift, leaning against him. The breath he'd been holding released from his lungs, and he urged himself not to lean into her touch.

But this was just a dream. Here, he wasn't Deputy James, nor was he apart of the League. He wasn't even Montgomery. He was-

"They've taken everything from me. I can't slip into their hands again," Stetson admitted. "Not when I've tried so hard to clean my hands of the blood that's soiled 'em."

He turned his head, finally looking down at her.

"Not even for you. I'm sorry."

[attr="class","montytag"]ameena abadi
- Montgomery/Stetson reveals why he cannot rejoin Rocket: atonement for his past deeds
MP TRACKER:
- 50 MP have your character reflect on why they're fighting/reflect on their loyalties
- 10 MP per IC post in your prelude thread
TOTAL: 500 MP

[attr="class","monty"]"You either lock 'n load," Montgomery began, clicking his next shot into place.

After all, he never missed.

"Or ya dig yer own grave."

He steadied his hand, his breathing. It was like the world was in slow motion, if only for a moment. There was nothing to disrupt the two of them, as they stared each other down across their battlefield. It was a fight to see who'd pull quicker: Ameena's MUSHARNA or Montgomery's next shot.

Before his finger could press even a bit of weight onto the trigger, an energy he'd only felt in sleep consumed his body. While he remained standing, keeping his position maintained, a mist surrounded the area, consuming them both and dulling his senses. His mind's eye grew heavy.

Somewhere, he chuckled.

"Not bad, Ameena. You always thought several steps ahead."

---

When his mind's eye awoke, he was standing in the mist. There was a sense of calm around him. No Pokemon to be seen, no guards, no weapons. Even Montgomery was dressed down casually.

And in front of him, it was:

"Well... you look gorgeous."

[attr="class","montytag"]ameena abadi
- Montgomery enters a dreamscape from Ameena's Maladaptive Mania, entering a sense of calm and peace
MP TRACKER:
- 50 MP have your character directly or indirectly spotlight another writer's character's strengths (always thinking ahead, determination)
- 50 MP have your character experience great pride, joy, relief, or have confidence grow
- 10 MP per IC post in your prelude thread
TOTAL: 440 MP

[attr="class","monty"]Montgomery stared Ameena down, listening to her list how she could have taken him down before, left him to die, or done otherwise heinous crimes to prove her innocence. Yet, he didn't reply.

Because, in some twisted way, she was right.

He could've burned alive in the fire, and he was sure she was experienced enough to take him out the first time they'd met when he'd been called to check on the situation with the GALARIAN YAMASKS. His fellow officers were still alive, as were there Pokemon. Truly, it seemed her only crime was collaborating with Rocket.

His jaw was set firmly as he stared her down the barrel of his pistol, doubt wavering in his mind. He hoped it didn't reflect on his face. Montgomery knew she could take his weakness and flip it on him in an instant.

I fucking hate team Rocket.

Montgomery had never felt such scathing anger build inside him. Without hesitation, he fired.

Because he knew that if he waited any longer, he wouldn't be able to fight her.

[attr="class","montytag"]ameena abadi
- Montgomery feels growing self doubt and a growing anger to Rocket. He shoots Ameena's shoulder in a last attempt effort to stay on target: protect the League
MP TRACKER:
- 50 MP have your character self-doubt or cast doubt on another's confidence/allegiances/beliefs, etc
- 50 MP have your character experience great fear, hatred, envy, or have a grudge worsen
- 10 MP per IC post in your prelude thread
TOTAL: 330 MP

[attr="class","monty"]Her words are sharp, like the bullet in his side when Jethro Haig had come to his aid against the Rocket grunt he'd encountered alone in the woods. Even though he had bled from the metal piercing his side, this seemed to hurt him more.

Montgomery understood now. "Dr. Abadi" wasn't just some CEO who figured she could get away with everything with a whisper to a lawyer and a few Poke dollars under the table. "Dr. Abadi" was a member of Hoenn's team Rocket.

So, he wondered, did she know that he'd left Unova's team Rocket? Is that why she'd seemed so interested in him and pulling him back beneath the surface of the crime and bloodshed he'd desperately ran from?

"Cut the shit. This ain't some 'harmless crime' you can just walk away from," Montgomery spat, feeling the hairs on his neck rise like hackles. "But ya know that, don'tcha? Yet you still work with them. What does Rocket have that makes ya feel special?"

He was a ticking time bomb, about to explode just like his CLAYDOL had the last time he'd seen her. One move, and...

Boom.

He'd never regretted leaving Rocket more than this moment. Montgomery pulled his pistol from where it rested on his hip, pointing it at Ameena.

"Stand down. Or I will kill you."

[attr="class","montytag"]ameena abadi
- after Ameena's revelation of being a part of team Rocket, Montgomery orders her to stand down at gun point less she wish to die
MP TRACKER:
- 50 MP have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC
- 50 MP have your character make a regrettable decision
- 10 MP per IC post in your prelude thread
TOTAL: 220 MP

[attr="class","monty"]"Deputy James. We have reports of a potential Rocket threat in Mossdeep City. You've been requested to investigate the area and report to base when you've concluded your search. Copy."

"James. 10-4. On my way."

---

With a call to investigate, he didn't turn on lights or a siren. Hell, he didn't even use a patrol car, just to ensure that he wasn't going to alarm Rockets that the League had been alerted of their shenanigans in Mossdeep. He did make quick work of getting there, leaving his vehicle parked nearby the Poke center.

Montgomery had doubted his abilities to take up the mantle of deputy as the tides of war became more and more evident. He wondered day by day if Navy had made the right decision picking him to stand alongside him. Even if the League didn't know of his past with team Rocket, somehow, the sheriff did. And yet, he displayed full confidence in him and his abilities.

"I'll tell everyone ‘this guy’s got style, and he’s ready to fight any Rocket or jellyfish that decides to show up in our little town." That had been the first, and perhaps only, time Montgomery felt like he'd belonged on Hoenn's island nation. So, now, he felt like he had a point to prove, and what better way than to thank Navy for giving him a chance?

Turning his head and spitting, he trekked to the cliffside, scanning the area. It was his SKARMORY that noticed the guards and their Pokemon first, then screeched.

They weren't alone.

Something in Montgomery's gut twisted, some sick feeling as he turned his head and saw her. He didn't know why, but his heart sank to his feet.

"Why'd I know you'd be here?" he said, spotting Ameena right through her disguise.

[attr="class","montytag"]ameena abadi
- reporting to mossdeep to investigate rocket activity, however he spots ameena abadi there and feels regret and disappointment
MP Tracker:
- 50 MP have your character become inspired or consoled by another writer's character (Navy)
- 50 MP have your character recall a past thread or event that they have participated in or not (waymore's blues)
- 10 MP per IC post in your prelude thread
TOTAL: 110 MP

[attr="class","monty"]With a few twangy words of greeting to the master of the safari zone, and a wave of his ticket of course, Montgomery was given access to the landscape with a few fancy-looking balls strapped to his belt.

"Four chances, and then you're done. Got it?"

"Man, did I say somethin' to upset the guy?" he muttered to himself, wondering if the ticket man was always in some sort of mood.

[attr="class","montytag"]premium safari ticket | x4 safari balls remaining

[attr="class","monty"]There was a drift in and out of consciousness. His vision was blurred. It felt like he was seeing things from below the surface of the ocean. What he could see from his lidded eyes was a mouth moving, someone commanding something to move.

He felt himself dragged across a hard ground. His body ached.

Another bought of flames, out of the corner of his vision, caught his attention, but his head couldn't turn. Instead, Montgomery saw her walking away. "Ameena."

He wanted to say.

---

That was the last he recounted until he passed out, only waking again in a hospital bed.

[attr="class","montytag"]ameena abadi | stealing steel

[attr="class","monty"]The further Montgomery goes into the hidden depth of the Ultra Sea, the greater the craze of paranoia bit at his mind. In the corners of his eyes, he swore he saw flashes of members of team Rocket, those he'd left from home... a burning house and the smell of charred bodies... an explosion...

Navy's voice brought him back, bringing his mind a bit clearer. Still, his hand rested close to the handle of his gun resting at his side.

"..."

He stayed silent, staring up at the deceased NIHILEGO. And, much like the sea they breathed in, the gem pulsing as though it was alive would make him believe it was alive, had Navy not told him. His CLAYDOL had been placed back into its Poke ball, so he didn't get to see the deathly dynamax.

Yet.

"I'll keep that noted. And try to get a fuckin' dyna band. Shit."

[attr="class","montytag"]Navy | enlistment: act ii

[attr="class","monty"]His side screamed with each movement, but Montgomery knew he had to keep going. Or else, he risked not only his life, but also Jethro's. And he knew that in whatever damned afterlife he went to, he'd never hear the end of it.

He'd probably rot in hell and hear Jethro yelling at him from the high heavens about his stupidity.

"C'mon, we don't got much time- Jethro?"

It took him a moment to realize that the former ranger was not at his side anymore. Montgomery swung his head around, seeing the MEOWTH biting through the Rocket's wrist and Jethro running at the man.

If he doesn't die, I'm gonna kill him.

Taking his pistol at his side, with shaking hands, he aimed toward the assailant. This shot counted, since he was swinging around with not only a Pokemon but with Jethro. "C'mon, ya don't fuckin' miss..."

POW

[attr="class","montytag"]Jethro Haig | dauntless shield

[attr="class","monty"]Montgomery, being one of Dewford's law enforcement, immediately received notice of the trip in the psychic alarm system. Though he didn't see any changes to his surrounds, he could feel the energy shift, a sort of hum in the air to announce that they couldn't escape but by foot.

"Come in, Deputy James! We identified your location is within the borders where the anti-psychic barrier was set off. Are you okay?" his radio pinged on his chest.

Ameena's words were a threat. Montgomery scowled down at her stupidly pretty face, wanted to spit on the ground beside her and kick up some dirt. But before he could respond to her retort, his radio pinged again.

"Officer James, come in!"

"I've got it covered. No needta send in anyone else. Disengage the system," Montgomery answered sharply on the radio, followed by a moment of silence and a confirmation of his order.

The MYSTICAL FIRE made the CLAYDOL beep, charging another EXPLOSION. This time, though, Ameena and Montgomery were in range. Except, he noticed a moment too late.

"Claydol, shut it- fuck!"

He grabbed Ameena by her collar, dragging her away — more like throwing her away — from range before diving next to her. There was an explosion.

Silence.

[attr="class","montytag"]ameena abadi | stealing steel