The Jacks: Dan

"Adequate...Decent set of accomplishments. Nothing too remarkable, but definitely some noteworthy achievements..."

Dan Robbins sat patiently as he waited for the headmaster to finish. Four others had been interviewed before him, but there was only one slot available for Grovens Academy and he wanted to get it. Headmaster Hale stared at him, his dark blue eyes meeting Dan's green ones. The young trainer did not avert his gaze or back down in any way as the older man stood up.

"There were four others..." Hale began as he opened the windows to his office. "So, tell me, Daniel Robbins. Why do you think you deserve to attend Grovens?"

"I heard that Grovens was one of the toughest trainer academies in the world," Dan began to explain. "My dad thinks that it's a suitable last stop before I enlist in the military, but even he's not sure if I can cut it here, so part of me wants to prove him wrong. Now, I know the deal about the rules. Lose too many battles and you're out, right?"

The headmaster nodded his head. "In simplest terms, yes. This school is for victors only."

"Well," Dan continued. "I'm not going to make any promises that I'll go out there and own everyone that I see. After all, being at Grovens is more important than just proving that you're the baddest, but believe me when I say that you won't have to worry about me being thrown out."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, sir."

Headmaster Hale returned to his desk and opened the top drawer. Dan looked at him in confusion as the older man retrieved a small slip of paper and held it out for the trainer to take.

"I suppose you'll be wanting the key to your room..." the headmaster stated. "Take that to the housing department downstairs and they'll give you your room key."

"I don't under-"

"You were already selected before you even came in here," Hale said. "Of the five applicants, you were the most qualified. According to the rules of Grovens Academy, I have to choose the most eligible applicant. That being said, the interviews did have a purpose. I wanted to see if I made the right decision."

Dan arched an eyebrow. "Did you?"

"We'll just have to see won't we? Anyway, everything you need to know are in those pamphlets that you received in the mail. Win battles and you'll move up the hierarchy and possibly be allowed to enter one of the four specialized groups here at Grovens. If you have any belongings that you need to get from home, I suggest you use the weekend to do so. Now, on your way..."

"Right!" Dan replied excitedly as he stood up and shook Hale's hand. "Don't worry, sir, I won't let you down!"

The headmaster gave him a curt nod and Dan quickly headed out of the office. The building was mostly empty and Dan assumed that most of the students were in class. The quietness made it easier for him to take in his surroundings as he looked around the school and made his way down the stairs. The building itself was nothing too impressive, just a simple two story copper-colored structure with metal doors at the entrance. From what Dan had heard, the school's money went more towards maintaining the living spaces and other commodities of the different groups at Grovens.

"I wonder what group I'll be in..." he muttered to himself.

Dan's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. He glanced up as he noticed a person climbing the stairs that he was exiting. It was a boy who appeared to be about his age. He had a lean, wiry build with ivory skin and shifty light gray eyes that observed everything around him. However, his most distinguishing trait was his straight, white-blond hair that touched his shoulders. When he noticed Dan, he paused for a moment and cocked his head before the sound of the bell ringing urged the boy to continue up the steps.

Dan's mind promptly shifted to the housing department as the students began to fill the hallway. It only took a few minutes for him to get assigned a room since there was always one open due to frequent expulsions. From what he had read, all new students were automatically assigned to the unofficial fifth group until they were able to advance into one of the four main groups.

The bell rang suddenly and loudly and almost instantly, the halls filled with trainers rushing out the metal doors. Dan was pushed and bumped, but managed to get outside along with the others. Immediately, the courtyard was brimmed with activity, the biggest one taking place in the center. It was clear to Dan that a battle was about to begin.

"Taking all bets here!"

"Kidd Rex has got this!"

"Yeah, go Anarchists!"

Dan moved through the crowd to get a better look. The first person he noticed was the boy, obviously 'Kidd Rex' judging by the letters on his black cap. He was slightly above average height with olive skin and almond shaped eyes. The grin on his face told Dan that he was not one to lose often.

"Alright, Weavile!" Kidd Rex called out. "Let's end this chump quickly."

Weavile slashed his claws at the air and shot a sinister grin at his opponent. The fierce looking Weavile was up against a Loudred, the latter appearing to be no slouch himself in the intensity department.

"Loudred, stomp!" the other trainer said quickly.

Loudred rushed at Weavile, but the dark and ice Pokémon effortlessly dodged the attack with the high speed that its species was known for.

"Night slash!" Kidd Rex commanded. "Mess him up!"

Weavile's claws turned a dark purple color as he began slashing and tearing at Loudred with a savagery that Dan could not recall seeing in a battle in a long time. There was nothing that Loudred could do to defend against such a quick opponent and when Weavile finally ceased the assault, the Pokémon collapsed to the ground.

"Done and done," Kidd Rex remarked to Loudred's trainer. "Get this trash off the battlefield. It's time for another trainer to get dropped."

Dan was not a fan of Rex's attitude, but understood why he had it. In a place like Grovens, you had to believe that you were the best in order to win. The losing trainer quickly recalled Loudred and scurried off as Rex shifted his attention to the crowd.

"C'mon!" he taunted with an insufferable grin on his face. "Open call! Anyone who thinks they can take on the Anarchists, step up to battle. I know you aren't all wimps. Someone has to be brave enough."

Dan definitely felt the urge to step forward if only to shut Rex up. However, he did not really want to make himself stand out too much until he got settled in. The best thing for him to do would just head to his room and challenge Kidd Rex if he saw him around again. As he stepped to leave, Dan was shoved out of the crowd and into the center of the circle. It certainly felt as if it were deliberate shove, but Dan could not identify the culprit, so it had to be an accident. Unfortunately, it didn't go unnoticed by Rex.

"Who is this boy scout?" he remarked as he surveyed the shorter boy. "Really? This is the best you guys can give us?"

"Name's Dan," Dan said as he reluctantly extended his hand. "Listen, I wasn't trying to-"

"Dan, huh?" Rex interrupted without shaking the other boy's hand. "You're obviously new here, but that doesn't matter. You won't be here long. I went on a six month winning streak last year. That last guy was number one in my new streak and you're about to become number two. Get ready for your first taste of Grovens."

Dan knew that he could not back down now. Not only that, but he could not lose either, not to a person like Kidd Rex. His father always taught him to stand his ground and that is what he intended to do. Rex recalled Weavile and replaced him with an even nastier looking Zangoose. It was clear to Dan that Rex favored Pokémon with sharp claws.

"Anyone wanna bet on the new kid?!"

"No way! There's no chance this scrub can beat Rex!"

"Luxray, let's do this," Dan said, taking a deep breath as he tossed the ball into the air.

The lion Pokémon materialized and growled menacingly at Zangoose, determined to show no fear. If any of Dan's Pokémon could make an impression, it was his most trusted partner. Rex's strategy appeared to be just for him to overrun his opponent with quick and powerful moves and Dan figured it would be best to focus on countering it.

"Go ahead, boy scout," Rex taunted. "I'll let you get the first move."

"You're too kind," Dan shot back. "Luxray, charge!"

Yellow sparks surrounded Luxray's body as he gathered electricity. Once he was finished he let out a low, but intense growl ensuring that he was ready for Zangoose.

"Slash!" Rex commanded.

He was too fast for Luxray to dodge or even for Dan to shout out the command. Zangoose slashed the electric lion across his right side and Rex was sure to tell him to repeat the process until Luxray was down. Luck struck for Dan when Zangoose went for his face.

"Thunder fang onto his arm!" Dan called out.

Before Zangoose could make the finishing slash, Luxray struck, biting down on the mongoose's arm as electricity sparked from his teeth. Zangoose howled in pain, the intensity of the bite and the powered up electricity apparent to the crowd.

"C'mon, Zangoose, shake him off!" Rex shouted. "Crush claw!"

"Zaaaa!"

Zangoose's claws began glowing a bluish-white color, but he could only use one of them. However, that was all that was necessary to loosen Luxray's grip. He rolled back from the impact of the attack and quickly adjusted himself. Zangoose had taken quite a bit of damage from that attack and Dan could see that Rex was beginning to lose his cool.

"Time to finish this!" Rex yelled. "I'll show you what happens when you take on the Anarchists! Zangoose, let's go!"

Zangoose started at Luxray, but was stopped in his tracks as his body gave off yellow sparks. He had gotten paralyzed and Dan immediately saw his opening.

"Crunch!"

"Luuuux!"

Luxray crunched down on Zangoose's midsection with a force that even made Rex cringe a bit. Zangoose began flailing wildly as he tried to shake Luxray off, ignoring his trainer screaming and shouting.

"Damn it, Zangoose, get 'em off!" Rex yelled. "Close Com-"

"Thunder fang!" Dan cut him off. "Maximum power!"

Luxray sunk his teeth even further into Zangoose as the latter was electrocuted to the fullest extent. The only thing Dan had planned from the beginning was Luxray's rivalry ability and using charge from the start would give him an advantage. He had no idea that it would lead to this. After a few more moments, Dan ordered Luxray to release Zangoose as he did not want to cause any Pokémon any permanent damage. Zangoose immediately fell to the ground and it was obvious to everyone that he was not going to get up any time soon. A silence overtook the audience for a minute as they tried to comprehend what had just taken place before someone finally spoke.

"Holy crap! He did it!"

"He beat Kidd Rex!"

"Ha! Looks like the new guy just put the Anarchists on notice!"

Dan congratulated Luxray for a job well done before recalling him to his ball. Kidd Rex did the same to Zangoose before giving Dan one of the most vicious glares he had ever seen. Still, Dan's father had taught him to be a good sport in victory and defeat and this situation was no different.

"You're a really strong trainer," Dan stated as he walked over to Rex. "It was a good battle."

"You can save your congrats for later," Rex growled. "If I were you, I'd be focusing on getting out of here in one piece."

"What are you-"

Dan suddenly found himself surrounded by four other trainers. He did not understand what was happening and while he was more confused than frightened, he knew this was not a predicament that he wanted to be in. Before anyone could make a move, Dan was grabbed by a hand and roughly pulled through the crowd. He looked up to see the long-haired boy from earlier practically dragging him.

"What the-"

"Come on, genius!" the boy snapped. "Start running, they're gaining on us!"

Dan heeded the boy's advice and took off after him, Rex's companions hot on their heels. They ran through the courtyard until they reached a large fence. Dan followed the boy over the fence and they continued through the grass until they reached a dirt trail.

"Almost there..." the boy told him. "Just through here."

"W-wait," Dan said. "Who are you? What's going on?"

"Rob," the boy answered nonchalantly. "Rob Vincent. As far as what's going on, well you were about to get stomped into the dirt by the Anarchists, so I decided to save your ass. You're welcomed."

"The Anarchists?" Dan asked. "That Kidd Rex guy was talking about them while we were battling. Who are they?"

"One of the four...well technically five groups here at Grovens," Rob explained. "And the one you definitely don't want to cross."

"And Kidd Rex is in charge?"

"No," Rob scoffed. "He's not even second-in-command. Thanks to him losing to you, he's probably going to be in an even lower tier now if he's not outright kicked out."

That made Dan worry. Rex appeared to be quite a piece of work and to learn that he was not even the leader of a group who called themselves the 'Anarchists' was not a good sign. To make matters worse, Dan had already found himself a target of the group. The two of them were far enough away to where they could simply walk to their destination.

"Thanks for the help, Rob," Dan told him earnestly.

"Yeah, whatever," Rob replied. "Just know that you owe me. Now, come on. I want to introduce you to the other Jacks..."

Next Chapter: The Jacks: Tony

And the hiatus is over! I finally got Grovens out of its developmental hell. It's going to be a bumpy ride as we meet everyone in every group. Related to that, almost all chapters are going to feature whatever character is getting the spotlight and interacting with Dan.

As always, come to discuss on the forums and other fun things.

Later!