kind of from the first part of "Superstar"

Lights up on the arena. One, two, three out and the victor was called! Flint was the best around. He worked his way up the battle chain like it was nothing. Oh, was he proud. Why wouldn't he be? This was his life's ambition.

He was a superstar in Sinnoh. Everybody was proud of how far he had come, and everybody knew his name. The little boy with a red afro and a king's ambition had grown up to be second from the top in the Elite Four. He was only in his early twenties.

Sure, he had worked his way up back when he was twenty and it had been a couple years but it was finally beginning to sink in and he was starting to take it the wrong way. Each victory made him a bit more cocky. He didn't see it this way; neither did Volkner.

Volkner thought he was doing something wrong for certain. Why was it that every time he tried to spend time with Flint, he was pushed aside quickly? Of course, he would never let his insecurities show. He was a gym leader and a respectable one at that.

Volkner woke up, the shock of the chilly window startling him. He had dozed off and fallen against it. He cringed from the light and chill on the train and cautiously opened his eyes. He didn't really remember why he was there or where he was going; all he remembered was that he was escaping to clear his head. He didn't bother to tell Flint; he didn't want him to worry. He checked his phone to see if he had missed any calls. None.

Ah, hell. He's probably too busy to even notice I'm gone.

The train began to slow and the conductor announced in a bored voice, "Oreburgh! Welcome to Oreburgh! Thank you for traveling with us."

Oreburgh?

Volkner hadn't been this far west in years. It was quite a distance away from Sunnyshore. He decided it might be just what he needed. He pulled his small backpack over one shoulder and squeezed through the aisle bustling with passengers all attempting to gather their luggage form the overhead compartments. He hadn't packed a suitcase. The only things he had though to bring were his Pokemon, a bit of money, and a fresh shirt.

He stepped from the train then onto the platform and surveyed the town. Why would so many people want to travel here? There's not a damn thing interesting about this town.

From what he knew, there was definitely a gym here. The leader was some geo-phile kid named Roark, the son of Canalave's gym leader. He quickly realized that, out of everyone who stood up to gather luggage form the compartments, only a small handful was actually staying in the town. The majority was transferring to another train.

Psht. What a dull place.

The blonde, unamused traveler sat down his backpack and looked inside. He sighed. He didn't like to go unclean for the night so he figured that he might as well run by the mart. A bit of cash was slipped from his wallet to his pocket and the wallet thrown back into the backpack. He shuffled into the mart and onto the hygiene isle. The only other person on the isle was a young woman in a black wife-beater and grey pants with burgundy hair that flaired from her neck. Her back was turned from him.

Volkner picked up a travel toothbrush and small tube of paste. He searched for deodorant but was dismayed to find none. He addressed the woman. "Excuse me, Miss." She turned around, an eyebrow cocked.

"I'm not a Miss."

Volkner blushed in embarassment. "Oh! Oh, I'm s-so sorry! I didn't mean… Your hair…" He was unable to speak without stuttering. Yeah, now he saw it. That was definitely not a female.

The "young lady" smirked and laughed at Volkner's embarassment. "It's fine. Don't worry about it. I know I'm not exactly manly."

Volkner merely laughed and looked at his feet, still too embarrassed to really for words.

The burgundy - haired boy smiled, a bit amused. "So, you needed something?"

Volkner glanced back up, forgetting a small bit of his embarassment. "Oh yeah, I was wondering where the deodorant was. I've been kind of out of it all day and forgot to pack it."

The boy pointed to his left. "Oh it's on the other side of this aisle. It's a small mart but kind of confusing." He furrowed his brows. "You look very familiar for some reason."

Volkner tilted his head slightly. "Strange, I don't think we've ever met before." he extended a hand. "The name's Volkner."

The boy's face lit up as he took Volkner's hand and enthusiastically shook it. "OH! That's where you're familiar from! You're the Sunnyshore leader. M'name is Roark. I'm the gym leader here."

Volkner stared at Roark. "So YOU'RE Roark. Wow. You're nothing like I expected."

Roark giggled nervously. "Um… okay." He noticed that he and Volkner were still gripping hands and pulled away.

Volkner pulled his hand away as well. Probably could have been more tactful with him. Hell, I've already called him a woman. "Er, sorry. Um. Thanks again about the deodorant. Are there any inns here? Might be best if I move on to the next town over. Eterna, right? I've already made a bad impression here…"

Roark was quick to respond ."Oh no! No bad impression has been made! I swear!"

Volkner scratched his head. "If you're sure… I dunno. I just don't need any more stress right now. That's why I left."

Roark cocked an eyebrow. "Are you alright?" He thought for a moment. "Hey, would it be alright if I at least took you out for a while? You know, get a couple drinks. You look pretty…erm…" He paused, not sure what to say. "Disheveled."

Volkner gave a half-assed smirk. "Sure. Why not." What could it hurt?