The climate in Cianwood was completely different from anything that Spade and Abby had experienced throughout their travels in Johto. Even though it was winter, the weather was warm. People still ran out onto the beach in their swimsuits. It was like a summer's day in Cianwood.

Spade did not waste anytime finding the Pokémon Gym. He entered as quickly as he could and found the gym leader.

"You here for a challenge?" the gym leader asked. He only wore ripped up grey pants. Other than that, he showed off his ripped abs and his bulky arms. His name was Clock, and he succeeded the former gym leader in Cianwood only a few months ago.

"I came here after I found out that the gym leader in Olivine is currently out. Are you open for challenges?" Spade asked. He wanted to sound as polite as he could, but he was really impatient for a gym battle.

Clock nodded, his grungy brown hair bobbing with the motion. "I say bring on the challengers! I haven't had a good challenger in awhile!"

Abby sat in the bleachers, her Eevee, Nika, joining her on her shoulder. Abby thought that maybe she and Spade would go to the Pokémon Center first. She was definitely wrong.

The two trainers found their ways to each trainer's box, and the referee came out of his resting area. He looked like he had just got done taking a nap. His hair was messy, and he wore blue sweat pants.

Behind Clock slept a big, green Pokémon. It looked as though it could have been an evolved form of a Chikorita. This only reminded Spade of his constant losses against Free.

"This battle will be between Gym Leader, Clock, and Gym Challenger… uh…" he said, looking lazily at Spade.

"Spade Deno…" Spade mumbled. He had stopped using pseudonym Jokix Terray because no Gym Leader had been suspicious.

"Craig Lamo!" the referee announced. Spade mentally slapped himself as the referee got his name wrong. "It will be a two-on-two singles battle! A special condition of the Cianwood Gym is that you must defeat Clock in under five minutes! Begin!"

I only have five minutes. This could be really difficult. I'm going to have to knock this guy out as fast as possible, Spade thought.

"I'll go first. C'mon out, Tyrogue!" Clock announced, tossing a Poké Ball into the air. A small, brown, humanoid-looking Pokémon appeared.

Spade scanned the new Pokémon, trying to gain any information that'll give him an advantage. "Tyrogue, the Scuffle Pokémon. Tyrogue is always bursting with energy. To make itself stronger, it keeps on fighting even if it loses."

"Let's go, Magmar!" Spade screamed, tossing his Poké Ball into the air.

Magmar came out of the ball and stretched. He was ready for a rumble.

"Let's go!" the ref said. He then pressed a button and his timer activated.

"Tyrogue, Fake Out!" Clock ordered.

Tyrogue disappeared then reappeared in front of Magmar. He smacked his hands against Magmar's face, making him fall back slightly. Magmar's eyes were wide with astonishment.

"Don't let that affect you! Magmar, Fire Punch!" Spade ordered. He was surprised that all Magmar did was stayed where he was, shaking.

"Fake Out sure did what I wanted it to! Now, Tyrogue, use Low Sweep!" Clock said, happy with a working attack.

Tyrogue slid with his leg out, trying to sweep Magmar off of his feet. Magmar grabbed ahold of Tyrogue's leg, stopping the attack. Tyrogue looked on in fear, while Magmar glared daggers into Tyrogue.

"Good! Now throw him!" Spade yelled happily.

Magmar gripped Tyrogue's arm tighter and flung him into the air. Tyrogue screamed loudly, before Magmar punched him as hard as he could in his stomach with his fiery fist. Tyrogue collapsed to the floor, holding onto his stomach.

Magmar looked over him and prepared to let loose flames on him, but a red stream covered Tyrogue and returned him into his Poké Ball.

"I'm withdrawing Tyrogue from the battle. I don't want Magmar hurting him anymore. It seems that I've underestimated you," Clock said while he tucked away his Poké Ball. He grabbed another and threw it into the air. A Pokémon with long, spiraling legs and arms appeared. It struck a pose, eagerly wanting to fight.

"I guess this means that Tyrogue is being pulled from the match…" the ref said quietly. He looked like he was already falling asleep.

"Hitmonlee, the Kicking Pokémon, and an evolved form of Tyrogue. This amazing Pokémon has an awesome sense of balance. It can kick in succession from any position," the golden Pokédex chimed.

"This one shouldn't be as easy…" Spade murmured.

"Double Kick!" Clock ordered.

Hitmonlee dashed forward. He kicked into Magmar's stomach, making Magmar wince from pain. Hitmonlee then brought up his knee and knocked Magmar into the air.

Before Spade could make his move, Clock was already on it.

"Hi Jump Kick!"

Hitmonlee squatted down and then shot into the air, extending his leg out to kick. He kicked into Magmar's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.

The lazy referee glanced over and began to raise his flag.

"No!" Clock yelled. The referee looked over and got a closer look at Magmar. Magmar, shaking and bruised, stood back up. Smoke was emerging from his mouth and nostrils. Spade knew that Magmar was one of the strongest fighters on his team. And this fighter could have just reached his anger point.

"Flamethrower!" Spade ordered.

Flames bellowed from Magmar's mouth, racing across the battlefield.

"Dodge and Blaze Kick!"

Hitmonlee easily maneuvered around the flames and jumped into the air, his foot blazing with fire.

"Fire Punch!" Spade screamed desperately.

Magmar jabbed, punching Hitmonlee's strong foot. The attacks exploded on contact, throwing both back. Magma laid down, unconscious in front of Spade.

"Um, Magmar is unable to battle… This round goes to Clock and Hitmonlee," the ref lazily announced.

Spade returned Magmar into his ball, happy for his victory of Tyrogue, but upset that Hitmonlee was a strong competitor. He grabbed his Lure Ball and grinned. It was time to test out his newest Pokémon in battle. He had not caught it at its weakest, so maybe it could still do great.

"Let's go, Shellder!"

"What?" Abby screeched from her seat. "You just caught Shellder!"

Spade glared at her then focused his attention back on the battle. "I know that Shellder can do this!"

"If that's what you think," Clock laughed. "Hitmonlee, use Low Kick!"

Hitmonlee did a baseball slide for Shellder, who looked prepared to take the hit.

"Withdraw!" Spade ordered, using the notes that he mentally took from his battle with Shellder.

Shellder clamped her shell together as hard as she could. Hitmonlee slid into her and bounced off. He immediately grabbed his foot, which throbbed in pain.

Spade looked at his Pokédex for Shellder's moves.

"I've never tried this one before… Shellder, use Razor Shell!"

Shellder began to spin, the outline of his body turning a light blue. He turned upright and took off for Hitmonlee. He connected, sending Hitmonlee into the air. Shellder then stopped and glared at the Pokémon.

Clock looked calm. He knew exactly how he could win it, if he could get around Spade's strategy.

"Meditate!" he yelled.

Hitmonlee put his hands together, like was praying, and landed on the ground. He closed his eyes and energy surged through his body.

"Prepare for this, Shellder!" Spade warned.

"We'll finish this with this last attack! Hitmonlee, Hi Jump Kick!" Clock ordered. For the first time during the battle, he seemed serious.

Hitmonlee, using all of his energy, flung himself into the air.

"Maneuver around it with Razor Shell!" Spade commanded. He knew that Shellder could not move well on land, but the way that Shellder had used Razor Shell was perfect for getting around.

Shellder started his attack, completely moving around Hitmonlee's attack. Hitmonlee smashed into the ground. He held onto his leg, wincing from the pain. Shellder spun around then darted forward, slamming the full force of his hard body into Hitmonlee. Hitmonlee fell back, unable to continue.

"Hitmonlee is unable to battle," the lazy ref announced, sighing just a little bit. "The win goes to the Shellder and the challenger!"

"I can't believe he actually did it," Abby whispered, relaxing in her seat.

Two red streams returned both Pokémon into their Poké Balls. The two trainers met in the middle of the battlefield where Clock had a badge prepared. The referee jogged to them slowly. He held out the timer which had a total of one minute and twenty-seven seconds left.

"You beat me pretty badly. I feel bad for Tyrogue," Clock said with a smile. He handed out the badge. It looked like a fist with the thumb sticking out a little bit. "You deserve this Storm Badge!"

Spade grabbed it and put it in his case with the rest of his badges.

Abby joined the group. She gave Spade a pat on the shoulder.

"So, where do you plan on going next?" Clock asked with a toothy grin.

Spade glared at him. Abby knew that look; Spade was about to say something that would not be very polite. "Clock, how did you become a gym leader? You started off with a clear weakling then you threw out a Pokémon against me that made about the same challenge as any other trainer would. I'm sorry to say this, but you are the weakest gym leader I've ever faced off against."

Clock looked taken back. He bit his bottom lip, and the Pokémon behind him rose his head.

"Hey! You watch it! If Clock would've used Meganium against you, you would've lost just like that!" the ref snapped, snapping his fingers and showing actual emotion for the first time.

"Spade!" Abby said, seemingly irritated.

"No," Clock said, interrupting Abby before she could say anything else. "It's true. I don't make for a good gym leader. I just like to test trainers and see how their bonds are with their Pokémon and to see if they can react quickly. I'm not that great."

"But, Clock," the ref said.

"It is my duty as a gym leader to be stronger… Spade. I like you. If you want a real challenge, then you may want to try my two best friends. Have you ever heard of Splash, from Newbark Town, or Fai, from Cherrygrove?"

Spade nodded.

"Then you give those two a try. Trust me, they will not disappoint you. If it is a tough battle you're looking for, then you'll love those battles." He stuck out his hand. "Good luck, Spade."

Spade grabbed his hand, and they shook.

"Wait, his name is Spade?" the ref asked. He chuckled. "He should really speak up…"

A/N And another gym badge! That makes six! I'm not sure what happens next chapter, but Spade may be facing off for yet another gym badge! Maybe!

Q1) What'd you think of the battle?

A/N 2

For anyone who reads this and not our other stories, you should check out Free and Heather's Adventure. It has part 2!

Q2) Any words of encouragement to get me out of my slump/depression/writer's block?