Hello everyone! Welcome to RJ37.
Before anything, I want to thank you for choosing to read this.
Secondly, there are some things I need to get out of the way.
There is a theory of the universe that every time you are in the place of making a decision, a parallel universe is spawned where you do the opposite of what you had chosen to do. This is what this story was based off of. While I do not believe in it, this is a universe surrounded over the lovely Team Plasma Grunt, Rhett Justus, and his development.
While, no, Rhett does not actually exist in the game, many things are referenced which are non canon, so please be wary of that(ex. Austin, the trainer in Nimbasa at the Ferris wheel, is Rhett's half brother).
I'll admit, the story is a bit slow the first few chapters, but we need to learn about this grunt, now don't we?
Now, this story is rated T as it's not a normal, fluffy Pokemon fanfiction; it will get dark.
(And just if you didn't know, this is a DiverseIdealsShipping story that does have some ties to FerrisWheelShipping.)
Anyways, with those little disclaimers up, I hope you enjoy reading this series!
I remember it was a cold autumn day. In Snowbelle City, it always snowed, so this was nothing out of the usual. Because of our weather predicament, students had the choice to go outside or stay inside during lunch breaks. Not being a fan of the cold, I stayed in side. I was sitting in class during break, nonchalantly scratching my Espurr's ear. Just a normal break in the 'school for the gifted,' but really that was just a fancy title for 'a school filled with freaks.'
I stared out the window for a while, watching the snow fall outside. There were some kids outside playing with some Vanillites and Snovers, but the majority who decided to play outside were huddled around a Camerupt to keep warm. At least the Camerupt was enjoying the company.
A few people were in the classroom I was sitting in; they were all minding their own business like myself, some eating their lunch, some talking with friends. These were the people who embraced being different. I, on the other hand, hated who I was and what I could do.
"Hey, Markus, come check this out!" Rhett, my first friend at this school, called to me. He was pointing at a poster they had put up a couple days ago. I casually looked over from my desk, but when I realized I couldn't see the small print, I picked up my Espurr and walked over to Rhett.
"What is it?" I asked, just looking at the flashy pictures.
"It's a poster for Team Flare! They're holding tryouts for new recruits!" he exclaimed. I rolled my eyes, wondering what Rhett saw in Team Flare, and if he was so worked up about that team, how hadn't he noticed the poster earlier.
"And are you going to try out? You're just a kid." I said. We could technically pass as teenagers, but Pokemon teams included members who were specifically adults. Children weren't necessary.
"Well, the age requirement here says you need to be at least fourteen; we're tons older than that." Rhett said. We were both only fifteen, so we were definitely not 'tons older.' Again, I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, but only old guys get into teams like that." I tried reasoning with him.
"Didn't you hear about that that Rocket guy, ROS97? Kurtis Shawl? He's only twenty and he's already an admin; we're not that much younger, and who doesn't want a psychic in their team?" he said, lifting a nearby pencil on a desk with his mind. A bright purple light surrounded the pencil until he put it down.
"And what's so appealing about this Pokemon team, anyways?" I asked as I set my Espurr down. The Pokemon ran around a bit until he sat on my feet and waited.
"A friend of mine likes fashion. Team Flare wants to make the world more fashionable." he replied, scratching his nose. This hinted who he was talking about; Serena Xavier.
"Not only is she, like... Five years younger than you, but don't forget where we are." I said. I patted Rhett' shoulder, but he didn't seem too down about what I had said.
"We're in a school for gifted, right? It's not like we're incapable; we're here because we're special." he said. I could hear some doubt in his voice, as this was definitely not a school for the 'gifted,' but it was just like him to try and play things down. Unfortunately for him, you could say I wasn't in the best of moods.
"If you call being able to talk to Pokemon and being telekinetic gifted, then I guess you're right." I replied, looking down at my Espurr. He just proved my point.
"What are you talking about?" I heard him ask me. I shook my head at him, signalling that it was nothing important. Espurr just went back to playing with my shoelaces.
"Hey, I think it's cool that you can talk to Pokemon; it's not every day you can have a conversation with a Pokemon who isn't telepathic. Your mom told me your family had that ability since the Heian period!" Rhett caught my attention again.
"Something like that. Since that Nobunaga guy and his Rayquaza ruled or something, at least; it's a bloodline ability, I guess. Austin never got it, but he's my half brother, so it makes sense."
"So you can't teach me? I'd love to know what my Zorua is thinking!" he pointed behind him where his Zorua was sleeping at a random desk. His ears were twitching, meaning yes, he was sleeping, but he could spring to life if you called him.
"Not that I know of. Unless you want some of my blood."
An awkward silence passed between us. Rhett fidgeted his feet for a bit before saying anything again. "Is something wrong? You're a downer usually, but today, you're kind of an off downer." he cautiously said.
"Whatever an 'off downer' is... My father called last night," was all I said. Rhett faltered a bit; everyone knew my father and I didn't get along. Ever since he kicked Espurr and I out, sent us to this boarding school, we weren't on good terms.
"You don't need him; you've got me and Rhett." Espurr said. I knelt down and pat his head.
"Rhett and I, not that Pokemon need correct grammar." I corrected him. He paid no attention to my words and just made sure I was patting a decent spot, moving his head around.
"What about..." Rhett started but he trailed off. He was talking about my mother, but he wouldn't dare say it completely. Even though he was considerate to give me a few minutes, he was bound to start up the conversation again until he knew everything.
"Still missing. The old man didn't want a freak like her, either." I said in a low tone. It highlighted how much I detested the old guy for leaving all of us. He might have divorced her first, but it was me who he abandoned altogether first. He didn't realize my mother was different beforehand.
"You guys aren't freaks." Rhett said. I nodded in acknowledgment but I had no motive to thank him. "What did he want, though? Your dad."
"I dunno," I shrugged. "I guess he was checking up on me to pretend he was a good father in front of his newest wife."
Another awkward silence filled the room, other than random classmates having their own conversations. Rhett looked away from me and read over the poster again.
"Hey, why don't we try out for Team Flare together?" he finally said. I saw it coming, but I thought after that conversation, he'd refrain for a bit.
"You're crazy."
"No, I'm serious! We'll get out of this damn school and join Team Flare; get out of this dump. All you need to do is dye your hair red, get some amber contacts, and we're set!" he said as he fiddled with my hair. I swatted his hands away.
"My hair? What about your hair, ginger?" I kept swatting at him. Rhett laughed a bit, trying to get me to stop spazzing.
"I'm closer than you, at least. You have neon blue hair, for crying out loud; you might as well be a hipster ace trainer!" he teased. I puffed up my cheeks and finally landed a hit on his face from my flailing.
"Austin has blue hair, too." I referenced my lucky brother. I suddenly felt depressed again, wishing to be like Austin. Rhett shoved his hands in his pocket, letting me drown in self pity for another minute
The bell for class run shortly after. "Tryouts for Team Flare are later today..." he noted. I took another look at the poster. "This could change our lives; we could be famous and make the world a better place."
Fashion was not my forte. I didn't really want to join, but I could at least help out my friend.
"I guess I could help you figure out what to do." I said, picking up Espurr again.
"I guess that's something. Let's be the best of partners; do the best we can do together!" he said. Rhett's catchphrase ended up being this, and I would hear it several times through my life.
"Sure. So should we skip class to see what you're going to do?"
"Yeah, let's go." Rhett tore off the poster and whistled for Zorua to follow. The Pokemon sprung to life and eagerly started following him.
I hope you enjoyed and hope you'll read on~