Man, it took me forever to decide on the shipping for this chapter. I ran through ideas for Poke, Ikari, and Ignition, before finally settling on Senirasushipping.

Still not very happy with the result though. And I actually struggled to make it 500 words long :/

Anyway, thanks to SuicidalToeSocks and Blake for reviewing last chapter!

Theme: Everything
Pairing: Senirasushipping (Volkner x Candice)
Warnings: Pointless fluff D: And something that can be misconstrued as an innuendo haha.

Everything

Nothing in Volkner's life was going right. As in everything was going wrong.

He had hit that battling slump once more, and nothing seemed to pull him out of it. Not even Flint putting on a red clown nose and parading around Sunyshore, scaring the children. While it was good for about…five minutes of amusement, Flint's dressing as a clown didn't have much to do with battling, and thus didn't help Volkner in the long run.

He also let himself become disappointed over the false rumors that the balance of power in the Elite Four was shifting, even if he told himself not to get his hopes up. Word on the street was that Cynthia was stepping down and Lucian was taking her place, or that Bertha was leaving for Kanto to live with her sister; all sorts of wild things. And Volkner allowed himself to be sucked in, true dream of being a member of the Elite Four coming to the surface, only to get shot down when the rumors were proven false. This only pushed the blond Gym Leader deeper into a rut, so much that he lacked the inspiration of battle.

But no, that wasn't all. Volkner's close friend, a lone girl who he has met on the beach of Sunyshore City, was heading back to her homeland of Johto. While the blond didn't harbor any romantic feelings for the auburn-haired Gym Leader, they had bonded during her time in Sinnoh. He was going to miss their talks on the beach; it was quite sad to see her go. That alone was enough to get just about anyone down.

Volkner sighed, dropping down on the warm sand and staring up at the sky. Clouds were lazy drifting by against a bright blue backdrop without a care in the world. He was envious. Closing his azure eyes, Volkner hoped that some magical force would whisk him into the sky were he could simply hang there, just like the clouds.

Actually, Volkner wished that Flint was there. He could use some cheering up through the form of the afro'd man's crazed antics. Or better yet…

"Volkner! Oh Volkner!"

Looks like his prayers were answered.

A black pig-tailed girl bounded down the beach, waving enthusiastically. A large smile graced her face, lighting up all her features.

Just seeing her – Candice – running toward him, as cheerful and bubbly as ever, warmed Volkner's soul. The Snowpoint City Gym Leader plopped down beside her boyfriend, snuggling close to his side.

"Please don't be thinking sad thoughts again," Candice told him, sternly but sweetly. "And don't tell me you weren't, because I know you."

Volkner chuckled slightly. "Fine, fine, you got me. But it's hard…"

"Don't, 'but it's hard' me!" Candice exclaimed, sitting up abruptly. "If you don't cheer up, I will tickle you." The blond simple glanced up at her, an amused smirk on his face. "I'm being serious," she warned. Volkner sighed forlornly and turned away, staring out to the northern sea.

That's when Candice attacked, deft fingers ghosting over the blond's ribcage through his shirt. Volkner squirmed, laughter escaping his lips and ringing through the air.

"Stop – stop!" he pleaded through breaths. He hated having Candice know his one weakness, the one thing that could make him break through his stoic demeanor.

"Not unless you cheer up!"

…But sometimes, Volkner thanked her for it.

"All right, I give!"

Candice gazed at him skeptically but stopped nonetheless. They settled once more, the black haired girl nestled comfortably into Volkner's side. And suddenly, with Candice there, everything didn't seem so bad.

See, I dig the ending (except for it's abruptness), even if it is pointless fluff. But it's better than the beginning, at least I think so. Meh, whatever.

Prepare for angst and omgshoujo-ai next chapter!

And please leave a review; it would be greatly appreciated!