Wallace was the Champion of the Hoenn region. He believed in pride and respect. At this time, he was the only top Contest Trainer that people thought was elegant and noble.
However, a man like him had "sold out."
It was not exactly selling out in a bad way. It was a sacrifice for art.
The Hoenn League forum had not been this busy for a long time. A kind person had posted a message and a video. The content was moving everywhere.
Like a strong wind, it traveled across the whole Hoenn region very quickly.
Wallace's face was very pale. His heart shook and his hands shook as he opened the post.
The post had a specific title: "SHOCKING! He is a top Contest Trainer and the Hoenn League Champion, yet he actually did THIS!"
The title helped the post spread quickly. When the people of Hoenn saw that title, everyone wanted to click it and look.
"Relax, Wallace. It's just a defeat. It doesn't matter."
Steven said this. He did not understand why Wallace looked so shocked and scared. He thought Wallace was only worried because people knew a Team Rocket leader beat him.
"That's right, Champion Wallace. You don't need to be so worried. Even if this news spreads, it doesn't change the fact that Team Rocket is evil. We are fighting for justice!"
Drake's deep voice was very strong.
"..."
Wallace wanted to cry, but he had no tears. He wondered if that was really what they thought he was worried about.
If he only lost a battle to Team Rocket, he would feel bad for a while. He would feel he failed the League. But he would not feel this scared. He was not that weak.
But there was a bigger problem.
Wallace clicked on the post. When it opened, he saw the first picture. Wallace felt like he was going to faint.
In the picture, a "girl" looked at the camera. She looked shy and nervous. Ludicolo was next to her with a cute smile. Its face had been slapped until it was almost purple by Suicune.
The girl looked beautiful.
Silence!
The meeting room became quiet immediately.
Drake was the leader of the Hoenn Elite Four. He saw the picture. His brain had worked for many years, but now it stopped working.
Steven looked at the beautiful girl in the photo. He was shocked. Then he looked at Wallace. Then he looked at the photo again. He looked back and forth at Wallace and the picture.
He thought the woman with long green hair really looked like Wallace.
He did this five or six times. Steven's eyes looked strange. Finally, he spoke.
"Hiss~!!!"
The former Hoenn Champion, who loved rocks, breathed in quickly. He finally understood what Wallace meant when he said he was humiliated.
He thought Team Rocket was a terrifying and evil group. They actually forced his friend to do this.
He wondered if there was any justice or law left.
Wallace did not show any emotion. He kept scrolling down. Steven moved his head to look too. He did not really want to look, but he wanted to know what his brother had suffered.
There was a school uniform, a Lolita dress, a white dress, and black stockings with short pants.
Every photo looked like a professional took it. Each one was beautiful. The styles were different, but they were all art.
At the end, there was a video.
Wallace felt like his heart was dead. He clicked it.
"Wipe the glass~ wipe the glass..."
The music started. A woman wearing black stockings and short pants moved her hips. Steven stared at the video.
He thought it looked very attractive.
Wallace closed the video immediately. He hoped for something better and looked at the comments. There were more than ten thousand comments. Wallace's heart felt cold.
The room was very quiet.
Drake's old brain could not process this. Sidney looked away. He did not want to look at the Champion. Phoebe's face was red, and she looked confused.
She felt that Champion Wallace was much prettier than she was.
Thinking about this made Phoebe feel sad.
"Everyone..."
Wallace looked like he had lost all hope. His shoulders dropped. "I probably don't have the face to continue living in this world anymore."
"Uh, it's not that bad, Champion Wallace. They are just... art photos."
Officer Jenny tried to use kind words. She did not want to hurt the Champion's feelings.
"Ahem... that's right, Wallace! You have to be strong! Besides..."
Steven tried to stop looking at the photos on the phone. He put a hand on Wallace's shoulder and spoke seriously.
"There are all kinds of strange people in this world. Even men who like cross-dressing are not rare. I think the citizens will understand you. Just treat it as a strange experience!"
"Do I still have the right to live?" Wallace asked. His head felt dizzy.
"Yes! Of course you do! Besides, this look of yours..."
Steven thought this version of Wallace looked very good. He thought maybe it was not bad to try something new.
"But the priority right now is to handle this post, right? Are we really going to leave it alone? I feel like with Champion Wallace's popularity, it's going to spread to other regions soon," Phoebe said quietly.
Wallace heard this and felt a need to survive.
He was okay with being embarrassed in Hoenn, but he did not want the whole world to see it.
"Officer Jenny! Please delete and ban this post immediately!!"
"But..." The Chief Officer found it hard to be calm. She could delete the post because of Wallace's status.
But she felt it was too late.
"I am begging you! This is the most important request of my life!"
"Alright."
The Chief Officer picked up her phone to use her power as a leader.
"Aaaaah! That damn Damian!!! You jerk! Next time I catch him, I will definitely make him take one hundred sets of photos! One hundred sets!!"
Wallace finally got very angry. Damian put his pictures online. He thought Damian was very mean. Next time he caught Damian, he would make him take art photos too.
Lavaridge Town
"Is this Champion Wallace?! It really is Champion Wallace! Is this a gift for us fans?"
"Hiss~! Who is this photographer, Damian? Where did he come from??"
"Ah~ Champion Wallace, my dearest Champion Wallace… I'm completely in love with you; I could listen to you talk all day…"
"The person above is in full-on romance novel mode. But fine—deal's done: from now on, we're spouses. Sign here."
"Wait, is the Hoenn Champion's hobby this unique? Art photos in drag? It seems like it's not too bad..."
"Look at that waist swaying. Hiss~ it's hot! Too hot! Aaaaah, Champion Wallace! We love you!!!"
In the villa, Damian looked at the comments. It was what he expected. After he changed the title, many people saw the post.
He thought Wallace should not thank him. He felt an artist like Wallace should be famous everywhere.
But then, a message appeared on the screen: "This post violates regulations and has been banned."
"Power-tripping mods!! But it's a bit too late to think about banning it now."
Damian made a sound with his tongue. The post was gone, but he believed Wallace was now famous. If they banned one account, he would make more.
"Master Damian, the manpower has been assigned."
Gladion reported this.
"Good. Everyone rest for the night. We leave tomorrow." Damian nodded.
One night passed. The next day, Damian took Caitlin and the others to Sootopolis City. The city is known for its history.
Long ago, a giant rock from space fell into the sea. Sootopolis City was built inside that hole.
"Master Damian!"
Domino came to meet them in Sootopolis.
"Long time no see. You've worked hard, Domino."
Damian gave Domino a hug. He smiled. Domino looked happy. She leaned against Damian and smelled him.
Caitlin did not show any emotion. She ignored them.
"You've confirmed Team Aqua's location, right?"
Damian had sent Domino to Hoenn early. She was a great spy. She could change her look very well. She had replaced a member of Team Aqua and joined them.
"Yes. Currently, Archie and two admins are all inside that Seafloor Cavern!" Domino said seriously. "If we rush there now, we should be able to block them in."
"Seafloor Cavern?" Damian asked. He knew that name.
"Correct, Master Damian. Archie's dream has always been to expand the ocean. To do that, he has been searching for the legendary Pokémon," Domino said.
"The legendary Kyogre," Zinnia said. She knew what Domino meant.
She had joined Team Magma before to help wake up Kyogre and Groudon. They were very old legendary Pokémon.
"You mean...?" Damian asked.
"Yes. According to the various clues Team Aqua found, that Seafloor Cavern is very likely the resting place of the legendary Kyogre," Domino said. "And this time, Archie and his men want to confirm that point."
"They're certainly in a hurry. They haven't even found the Blue Orb yet, have they?" Damian laughed.
"But that's fine. Let's go see the drama then. Let's see if the legendary Kyogre is really sleeping in that cave."
Damian smiled. If they found Kyogre, it would be great. They could catch all the Team Aqua leaders and take Kyogre for themselves.
----------------