Join Me, Lizard Boy (Patreon)

Montezuma enjoys their game as much as Smokescreen does, but he does sometimes get frustrated by the fact that Smoke is opposing him at all. Smoky is clever and competent and deserves so much more than being Equestria's errand boy. He's unique, just like Montezuma, misunderstood, mysterious, and alone. Montezuma gets it. Monty can think of so many better uses for his arch-rival.....why does Smoke insist on this silly battle of minds, when they could be so much better together?

Smoky does not quite understand Montezuma's motives....he just knows Monte is a thief and a nuisance. Monte has explained why he "steals" to Smoke many, many times (dude loves a good dramatic monologue), but Smoke disregards it as he's either 1.) not listening cuz he's busy escaping/thwarting Monte, or 2.) Smoke is naturally resistant to the idea that his superiors, the "good guys"- Celestia, Irie, BonBon, all of Equestria- could possibly be the baddies. Smoky assumes Montezuma is lying about wanting to rescue artifacts, because, well, Monte does lie a lot. So in between their fighting is many instances of Montezuma trying to lure Smoke to the so-called "dark side." Someday, Monte will succeed, and he and Smokescreen will recruit Celestia's aid in returning stolen artifacts to their respective civilizations, as well as condemning Daring Do and other such explorers. But for now, at the very least, Monte gets to watch his smooth secret agent lose his composure (a rare, delightful sight)