"That... you're joking, right?"
Wallace's eyes were moving quickly.
"Damian, you just said that you wouldn't hurt anyone! You are a Champion-level trainer. How can you lie like that?!"
Wallace felt that a person should tell the truth, especially a strong Champion-level trainer like Damian.
"I said 'under normal circumstances,' but that doesn't mean I won't. After all..."
The smile on Damian's face became more wild and proud.
"I am a member of the evil Team Rocket~"
Wallace's face changed. It was very hard for him to stay calm. He could hear it in Damian's voice—the boy actually sounded proud to be a villain.
"Champion Wallace, do you know? The greatest benefit of being in Team Rocket is having no morals or burdens. No one can trap me by trying to make me feel guilty. As a villain, I don't care about being good at all."
Damian looked at Wallace with a smile. Wallace looked very serious.
Damian thought that since he was already a villain, there was no reason to try to be a good person. If he wanted to be good, he would not have joined an evil group.
"However, as long as you cooperate with me, Champion Wallace, I give you my professional word: I will definitely let the Officer Jennys leave safely in the end."
"What exactly do you want?"
Wallace's expression changed. This was bad. He realized this guy had a plan for him from the start.
"Don't worry. I won't make you do anything too difficult."
Damian's smile became wider because Caitlin had just appeared behind him.
Caitlin had just arrived. She stopped for a moment when she saw Wallace and the Officer Jennys on the ground.
She had only been gone for a short time to buy some clothes. Was the battle already over?
Especially...
Caitlin looked to the side with a strange expression. Suicune did not show any emotion, but it was using its paws to slap Ludicolo's face over and over. What was happening?
Caitlin looked at Damian because she wanted an answer.
"Don't worry about it. Suicune is just settling the score," Damian replied in a funny way.
He did not expect Suicune to be so petty. He remembered that the first time he met this Pokémon, it was making angry sounds.
Ludicolo had slapped it once, so Suicune had to slap it back many times.
"Gladion, Courtney. Tell the subordinates to pack up and head to the outside of Mauville City. We can't use this base anymore."
Damian told Gladion and Courtney to give the orders. The Hoenn League knew about this base now. Also, the air inside was hot and uncomfortable. Damian did not like it.
"Yes." Gladion nodded and went to tell the others.
"Now then, it's time for our business, Champion Wallace."
Damian and Caitlin walked over to stand in front of Wallace. Damian was smiling very happily.
"Gulp... what do you want to do..."
Wallace suddenly felt afraid. At this moment, he did not look like the strong Champion from before. He looked like a weak person who was being bullied.
"It's like this. Actually, I have always been a fan of yours, Champion Wallace. Your handsome face and elegant way of speaking have earned my deep respect."
Damian's voice was very kind.
"Ha... is that so?"
A proud smile appeared on Wallace's handsome face. If he could move, he would have moved his hair in a stylish way.
He could not help it. He felt he was a very charming man.
"That's why I've always had a dream."
Damian waved his hand toward Armored Mewtwo. Mewtwo understood. With its finger, it made the six Poké Balls on Wallace's belt fly into Damian's hand.
"Damian!" Wallace's face changed. Those were his Poké Balls!
"Rest assured, Champion Wallace. I am only keeping them safe for a moment. I will return them to you afterward," Damian said with a smile.
"I specifically prepared these gifts for you. I hope you will wear them, and then I will personally act as your photographer."
Damian took a bag from Caitlin and gave it to Wallace. Wallace could move again. The plan was finally revealed.
Caitlin looked at Wallace with a strange expression.
"Clothes? You just want me to wear some clothes and take some photos?"
Wallace was very confused. He thought this request was not very bad at all.
"Correct. I've always had a dream of being a photographer. Can you satisfy me, Champion Wallace?" Damian's smile became deeper.
"If it's only that, there's no problem at all. Damian, my fashion designer always tells me that my perfect body is the best clothes hanger..."
Wallace spoke very proudly. He opened the bag. He was curious about what clothes Damian had for him.
But when he opened the bag, Wallace stopped talking suddenly.
Wallace's face turned from white to red, then to green. He started to breathe fast.
"Da—mian!!!"
Wallace's voice started low, but then it became very loud. He was extremely angry.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
Wallace pulled a long white dress and a green wig out of the bag. He looked at Damian with anger.
"A dress. What's wrong?" Damian asked innocently. "I think you will look very beautiful in it, Champion Wallace."
"How dare you humiliate me like this! I am a man!"
Wallace was shouting. He was a guy! A real guy!
Even if he was very pretty, he was still a man.
"Ah, you are quite wrong there. Your vision is too small, Champion Wallace. Art knows no gender."
Damian shook his head and sighed.
"As long as you stop being stubborn, believe me, Wallace, you will be able to take perfect photos."
"I have great confidence in my own skills!"
Damian promised confidently. He had wanted to be a photographer for a long time.
He felt that if he were not a trainer, he could have been a great photographer.
"Impossible!" Wallace's face was very dark. "You're dreaming! I am the great Hoenn Champion. You want me to wear women's clothes?"
Wallace said no immediately. He would never wear girls' clothes.
"And also, stop calling me 'Master'!"
Wallace was very angry. He did not want Damian to call him that.
He also wondered where Steven was. He had sent him many messages. He wondered if Steven was stuck in a bathroom.
He wanted Steven to save him because he was being forced to wear a dress.
Slateport City, Public Restroom
"Ugh..."
Steven Stone was holding toilet paper. His handsome face was pale and he felt weak. He felt like his stomach was exploding.
He had seen the many help messages from Wallace, but Steven could not leave the bathroom.
He could not fly on his Metagross while using the bathroom.
At noon, he felt curious and bought some jelly at the market. He liked the taste, but after eating it, he felt sick..
He had already gone to the bathroom four times. He was very tired.
He had heard that small food stalls used bad ingredients, but he did not think it would be this bad.
He wanted Wallace to wait for him. As soon as he felt better, he would ride Metagross to save him.
Mt. Chimney Trail
"Because you are Wallace, these photos are very important to take."
Damian shrugged. If the person were not Wallace, he would not care. He was not just a random photographer.
"In any case, I'm not doing it!" Wallace stood there and refused to move. He was giving up.
"Wallace, you should think carefully."
Damian raised an eyebrow. He showed the Poké Balls in his hand to Wallace.
"Is it really okay if something happens to your Pokémon and those Officer Jennys?"
"You!!"
Wallace stared at Damian with wide eyes.
"Is your pride more important, or is the safety of your Pokémon and the Officer Jennys more important?"
Damian smiled like a villain from a TV show. He was forcing a good person into a bad situation.
"Damian! You are truly despicable!!"
Wallace bit his teeth. He had never felt so weak in his life.
"I appreciate the compliment, Wallace. Now then, please change your clothes quickly. This is only the first set. Let's finish the photos fast so you can rest."
"What do you mean?!" Wallace's heart beat fast.
"I bought seven sets of clothes, Champion Wallace. You don't have to thank me."
Caitlin pointed to seven bags on the ground. She gave Wallace a small smile.
Wallace felt dizzy. His face went pale. Seven sets of women's clothes?
"Mewtwo, could you please make a changing room?"
Dark Mewtwo was silent. It moved its arm toward some empty land. It used Earth Power and Psychic power.
The ground moved like waves. Then, it rose up and turned into a small house. It was three meters high.
This took less than ten seconds.
Wallace stood there, shocked.
"Amazing~!" Caitlin said. She was impressed by the power.
"Tsk~ As expected of you. You really are an all-purpose Pokémon."
"It was not difficult," Dark Mewtwo replied quietly. However, its tail was moving fast, which meant it was happy to be praised.
"Wallace, please."
Damian told Wallace to go inside.
Wallace looked at the dress in his hands. He wondered if he was really going to wear girl's clothes.
But if he did not agree, what would happen to Milotic and the others? What about the Officer Jennys? Would Damian hurt them?
No, he could not take that risk.
It was a small sacrifice. As the Champion, he had to protect everyone.
It was just a dress. He decided to do it.
Wallace took the dress and walked into the house.
"Not bad, not bad. Wallace, yes, lift your leg a little. Raise your left hand to your ear. Ah~ yes, just like that. Perfect!"
"Don't let your face be so stiff, Wallace. Come on, give me a smile. Yes, the smile should be a bit sweeter. Act like a shy young girl. Exactly like that!"
When the photo was taken, Wallace's face became serious again immediately.
Then, Wallace looked into a large mirror that Mewtwo had moved.
He wore a blue top that fit tightly. His lower body was covered by a long white dress. He had a blue necklace around his neck. His green hair reached his waist. His face looked soft and delicate, and his cheeks were a little pink. His eyes looked like green jewels.
He was shocked.
Wallace turned around. He could not look anymore. He thought he might actually like the woman in the mirror.
Wallace wanted to cry. He wondered why he looked so beautiful in girl's clothes.
He felt his beauty was a problem.
"Very good! Now then, let's try the school uniform. Your skin is very good, Wallace; it will look great."
"Fantastic, Wallace! Yes, run like that. You look so pure and young! When people who stay inside all day see a smile and a body like yours, they will think you are their dream girl!"
"Now, let's change into a black-stocking combat outfit."
Two hours passed.
"A pity, a pity. The trees and ground here are boring. And you are not very good at making faces for the camera, Wallace."
Damian looked at the photos and felt a little disappointed.
"But that's enough for today. If we meet again, I'll take more photos for you. Thank you for your hard work, Wallace."
Damian was happy with the photos and put away the camera. He looked at the tired Wallace and smiled.
"I'm giving the Poké Balls and the Officer Jennys back to you, Wallace. I look forward to seeing you again."
"..."
Wallace did not want to talk. He just looked at the sky. His eyes looked empty.
"Waaaah~ Steven!!"
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