Chapter 119: Steven: My Couple Special Edition!

Steven was nearly numb; he had only just engaged in a tentative, minor skirmish on his side.

How could Wallace already be on the verge of collapse? How is this even a fight anymore!

A sense of foreboding rose in Steven's heart.

If Wallace were defeated, then Caitlin and Zinnia could come over to surround him, this...

He was already under pressure fighting Mamen, especially after taking a loss in the first exchange; if it became one against three, there was simply no way to win.

Yet, the more one fears something will happen, the more likely it is to occur.

In the ensuing battle, Steven pushed his offensive, but the sense of urgency only caused Metagross to fall into an even greater disadvantage.

Mamen's Tyranitar is incredibly strong!

And then...

Watching Wallace, who was being held hostage by Tapu Lele's psychic powers and looked utterly aggrieved, Steven expressionlessly recalled his heavily injured Metagross and raised his hand.

"I surrender..."

What else could he do but surrender? Continue a desperate fight to the death? Or abandon Wallace and flee alone?

"Mr. Steven is indeed a very rational person; this is a very wise choice."

Mamen applauded Steven, and it must be said, Steven's strength was indeed far greater than Wallace's.

Caitlin looked toward Tapu Lele, who released its control over Wallace. Wallace hurriedly ran behind Steven, shielding himself with Mr. Steven.

"Damn it! Steven, our strength just isn't enough!" Mr. Wallace was very frustrated.

No, it's just that your strength isn't enough.

Mr. Steven felt exhausted; he was still in the middle of the fight, yet Wallace had already been tied up. What could he do?

Wallace noticed Steven's expression and turned his head away, feeling somewhat awkward.

"You really can't blame me for this, Steven. The strength of these two girls is truly abnormal; it's a bit too strong."

Wallace felt aggrieved yet shocked. He didn't think there was anything wrong with his own strength, so it must be that these two evil female officers of Team Rocket were just too strong!

It couldn't possibly be that I'm too weak, right?

"It's useless to talk about this now, Wallace. We should be considering what comes next..."

Steven rubbed his temples in a headache. The process of Wallace's defeat was no longer important to them; they could review that slowly after escaping this predicament.

What is more important now is...

"Now then~ two teachers, I'll hold onto your Poké Balls for you for now. I'll return them to you when we're finished."

Armored Mewtwo skillfully 'retrieved' the Poké Balls from Wallace and Steven using psychic powers, then used Earth Power and Psychic to create a 'changing room.'

Wallace shrank behind Steven, and Steven's eyelid twitched violently.

"Mamen, I think we can talk this over. Is there really a need for this?"

Seeing Mamen walk over carrying two bags of clothing, Steven wore a strained smile on his handsome face, trying his best to reconcile.

"It was the two teachers who didn't want to talk to me at the start, and even if we did talk, I wouldn't let the two teachers go."

Mamen revealed an innocent smile.

"My photography dream has only just set sail. I am truly grateful that the two teachers are willing to come and help voluntarily."

No, I don't want to help at all!

Steven remained expressionless, trying hard to pull the Wallace behind him to the front. This guy, he's always overconfident when things are fine.

Now that trouble is imminent, he's actually hiding behind him like an ostrich playing dead??

"So now, there are two plans for the two teachers to choose from."

Mamen placed the clothing bags in front of them and held up two fingers.

"First, is the Sister Special. I've specially prepared sister outfits for the two of you. The clothes were picked out by Caitlin, and Caitlin's taste is impeccable."

Mamen watched with a smile as Steven and Wallace's expressions changed.

Seeing the two Hoenn Champions turn their gaze toward her, Caitlin offered a faint smile and nodded at them, indicating they were welcome.

Wallace had already clenched his fists, and Steven's expression was shifting constantly.

Sister Special???

What the hell is a Sister Special? Wallace is one thing, but I, the dignified Steven Stone, the richest and most handsome man in Hoenn, the former Hoenn Champion, have to cross-dress too?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

"And for the second option, it's the Couple Special. The two of you will play a couple, how about that?"

"Which one do you two teachers prefer?"

Mamen consulted them slowly, fully demonstrating the professional ethics of a photographer.

"..."

Steven and Wallace were both silent, clearly using their silence to protest Mamen's malicious psychology.

"If you can't make a decision, then why not shoot a few sets for both specials?" Mamen was not in a hurry at all.

"That's really not necessary, is it?" Sweat was already on Steven's forehead.

"Exactly, Mamen, there won't be enough time." Wallace was also sweating profusely.

"Then which theme special do the two teachers like?" Mamen smiled until his eyes squinted.

Steven and Wallace remained silent for a while longer, then their eyes met, but they looked away the next second.

Sorry, Wallace (Steven)!

"The first one!" This was Wallace.

"The second one!" This was Steven.

The two brothers expressed their thoughts simultaneously, and the next moment, they stared at each other in disbelief.

"Steven!"

"Wallace!"

Steven looked at Wallace in shock, and Wallace stared back at Steven with equal shock.

"Steven! We're best friends!"

Mr. Wallace never expected to be backstabbed by his best friend.

"Brothers are supposed to look out for each other, Wallace. You know me; I don't want to cross-dress."

Steven turned his head away, slightly embarrassed, but compared to cross-dressing, he felt it was better to let Wallace cross-dress alone.

If they shot the Couple Special, he would play Wallace's boyfriend. Although it was still a bit weird, it was better than wearing a dress, right?

Just thinking about having to wear a dress made Steven shudder.

"I'm already wearing one, how can you not, Steven? This isn't right!" Wallace argued, "Brothers should face danger together!"

Since they were going to suffer social death, brothers should share the burden; there was no reason for him to be the only one cross-dressing.

"You can shoulder this hardship alone, Wallace. Why must you drag your brother into it?" Steven had a massive headache.

Wallace thought about it and it seemed right. He would definitely have to cross-dress this time anyway, and as a best friend, he should indeed help Steven.

But this was too much of a loss. Mr. Wallace started a brainstorm.

"Then if you promise me one thing, I'll agree to shoot the second special." Wallace thought of something.

"You say?" Steven was stunned.

"As the Hoenn Champion, I feel my image has been damaged and I can no longer continue to serve as Champion."

Wallace found humor in his misery and revealed a mysterious smile.

"?" Steven felt a sense of foreboding.

"Steven, you take over as the Hoenn Champion."

"!!!"

Steven looked in shock at Wallace, who had made this request at such a time.

Wallace, you are truly despicable!

Regarding the position of Hoenn Champion, neither Steven nor Wallace was actually interested.

After all, they had their own beloved 'side jobs,' and becoming Champion was naturally quite busy, leaving little time.

"Fine..."

But compared to cross-dressing, Steven felt that being Champion was a better deal.

"Have the two of you reached a consensus? Shooting the Couple Special?" Mamen had been listening on the sidelines and found it quite interesting.

"Yes."

Steven was somewhat helpless.

"Not bad, not bad. Then please, two teachers, go change your clothes." Mamen was very satisfied.

And then...

"Yes, yes, yes! Mr. Wallace, drape your arm over Mr. Steven's shoulder, make your smile more natural. Yes, yes, Mr. Steven, that blush of yours is just right!"

"The two teachers are truly a perfect match!"

Mamen exclaimed with genuine sincerity.

At this moment, Wallace had changed back into that deep blue top and white skirt, hailed as a classic by many netizens, his pale green hair drifting lightly in the wind, sweet and moving.

Steven was wearing casual attire, and standing under the tree with Wallace, they were unexpectedly well-matched.

Well, it was just that the suspicious blush on Steven's face made it a bit hard to keep a straight face.

But a man's blush speaks louder than a thousand words, perfectly interpreting what it means to be heart-struck.

"Tsk tsk~ this guy, he hasn't been turned by Wallace, has he?"

Zinnia crossed her arms, leaning against Salamence, watching the man and 'woman' currently taking photos, and clicked her tongue in wonder.

Her feelings toward Steven were still very complicated; after all, Steven's father was one of the people who killed her sister.

However, Zinnia was still very rational; she knew Steven was innocent, so she didn't explode, but she was certainly unhappy.

It would be hilarious if Mr. Stone knew his son had actually been turned gay.

Zinnia thought this with no small amount of malice.

"Very good! Now change into another outfit, next let's try a bridal carry."

"..."

Wallace was expressionless, but he couldn't be bothered to argue; besides, Mamen wouldn't listen to them anyway.

If they said one more word, Mamen would just reply with, "Your Pokémon are in my hands, you know," forcing them to comply.

Steven also had a massive headache; he realized he had underestimated the charm of Wallace in drag. Being in close contact, even though he knew Wallace was his good brother.

But this brother was just too good-looking right now!!

To be honest, Steven had been pampered since childhood, was gifted and exceptionally talented, and had reached the pinnacle of Hoenn at a young age; what kind of situation hadn't he seen?

But this kind of situation, he had truly encountered for the first time!

Wallace in drag was too beautiful, and taking photos inevitably involved physical contact. Can you believe that after taking a few photos, Steven was actually sweating?

"Not bad, not bad! Just like that. Teacher Steven, keep a smile on your face. Teacher Wallace, put your right index finger in front of your mouth. Yes, yes, that's it, that shy feeling."

"Zinnia, have Salamence fan some wind, just a little bit. Yes, that's it, the feeling of hair fluttering! Perfect!"

"Very good, thank you both for your hard work today."

Three hours later, Mamen put away the camera with satisfaction, and Steven and Wallace finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"I hope there will be opportunities to collaborate again. Teacher Wallace, you are much more experienced this time than last time."

Mamen praised Teacher Wallace's professionalism; this time, Wallace had spontaneously posed with many excellent expressions.

For example, blushing, looking shy, sweet smiles, and so on.

Teacher Wallace remained expressionless.

"Next time there's a chance, we can also film some short plot videos. I think with the popularity of you two teachers, it will definitely be a global hit, crushing that Diantha or whoever!"

Mamen was unceremoniously painting a big picture; he was already conceiving the plot to film the next time he caught Steven and Wallace.

"Mamen, I will definitely lock you in prison with my own hands!!"

Wallace couldn't hold it in anymore. Taking photos was one thing, but next time he wanted to film videos? If there was a time after that, would he make them film adult movies?

Damn it! What do you take us for?

Damn it, this guy is really pushing his luck!!

(End of chapter)