Last time we left our heroes, Lt.Kopi's grueling training had put Taylor's strength on a whole new level! But on this fateful day, we will have to see if all that grinding was worth it! Let's find out!

Those 10 days training with Mr. Kopi has been probably the hardest of my entire life. Not because of the training, but more so anticipation. For every trainer, the gym leaders are a test, to prove if your mettle, strength and experience are enough to not only take on the region itself but the Pokemon world itself. And if I think no I know for a fact that, if I beat them all with Mr.Kopi at my side, I'll finally be able to face the unknown head-on. I know that my goal is still miles away, but I still want to forge myself towards it all the same, making this upcoming all the more tantalizing!

For once, I woke up early and was ready not wasting another moment in the city of joy any longer as I head for Mr.Kopi's one last rite of passage: Oreburgh Gate. With its variety of rock type Pokemon, Mr.Kopi thought it would be the perfect testing ground for our new strategies. I originally thought it was a waste of time with the progress we had already made, but what was left of my bloated balloon of the head was popped by Phoebe's gossip. She explained that because of this new age of Pokemon, the bar had been collectively "raised." Between experienced trainers like Ash being brought to the spotlight, the ranking system for trainers, trainer tips becoming increasingly more popular, and the introduction of more advanced techniques and transformation and just basic technology advancement; Competitive battling has become an effective mess.

And in this mess, Gym Leaders have also to evolve, if only just to keep up. But it's just like Kopi said: Any trainer worth their salt knows how to see their opponent's weaknesses and not make sure that they can see theirs. All I have to do is see Roark's and not let up until I win! By mid-afternoon, we reached we exited one the dreaded cave into a setting that, in many ways was even danker though I wasn't surprised. My Mother went to Oreburgh City to pursue her credits in Archaeology and worked there for a couple of years before moving to Unova. The place was a goldmine of history and profit. It's seemingly endless mine has become one of the region's biggest sources of energy of the entire region, with its various fossils also proving to be a virtual library of past knowledge, and Roark owns it all. My Pokemon might all be level 13, but Roark will always be far more powerful.

Once we saw it in full view, we couldn't turn away. Jubilife City was almost an assault of the senses, filled with big billboards, flashing lights, and lighting fast updates. Oreburgh, however, was almost the opposite. Like Jublife, there was an almost unapologetically pride in their industry, but you didn't have to see it, more like you could feel it. Even with the monopoly of the mine, we saw more old buildings than new ones. It was almost like the past and present of this place were in harmony. The place was so magical that we decided to spend the day enjoying the sites simply. And when tomorrow decided to come knocking, I opened the door straight into my next battle.

Since Roark runs both the mine and the gym, he has a tight schedule for both. He only battles in the early morning from 6 to 12. Given the 30 minute intervals of most battles and reservations, the spots were almost filled. Luckily I managed to book a spot in the very last section. The only doubt I had in my mind was Mr.Kopi coming along. Because of his shapeshifting, clothes to him were nothing but fun toys, which was even more evident with his super embarrassing cheerleading uniform. He now wore tight khaki pants with a black sleeved white shirt with "Go Taylor Go" in big black letters. Combine that with the makeup, and he looked like some kind of modern-day Mr.Mime from Kalos. I originally wasn't going to let him go with me, over fear of embarrassment until he said this.

"It doesn't matter what outfit I wear, Taylor; I'll always be your cheerleader. Plus, what neighbor would I be if I didn't record your first gym battle?"

With me being even more embarrassed, I decided just to keep walking. I put my hand straight to the door, only to have it open instantly to reveal something that sent my confidence spiraling down. For right in front of me stood Trixie in all of her prideful glory. Her light blue eyes showed a cold dominance, as she said.

"Well, look what the Glameow dragged in. It's been a long time Taylor."

I quickly thought up of a good response, only to say something entirely lame.

"Trust me, Trixie, it wasn't long enough, though I'm surprised that took you so long given your three-week headstart."

Trixie's passive aggression grew greatly at the comment as she fired back.

"Right, I almost forgot how ignorant you are, because if you knew anything you would know that I spent that time winning the junior division of the recent Jubilife city contest. Made front-page news and everything, though I'm not surprised, perfection runs in the family."

It was then that I remembered that much like the Speleogy's Trixie also had her own legacy. Her mother Ava was an accomplished coordinator who was one Johanna's biggest rivals back in the day, which was all the stranger since Trixie before moving to Hoenn. She wanted to be an ace Pokemon trainer. Either way it looks like she is trying to follow in her mother's footsteps. However her look of dominance didn't look quite as imposing as I realized I was also slightly famous.

"Sorry I didn't catch your show, guess I was too busy making the headlines at Sandgem. If you want, I can show you the link while I take on the gym battle."

"No, I think I'll watch your gym battle instead. I'm pretty tired from mine, and seeing is believing after all," she said as she held the door for me.

Deciding to answer her challenge finally, I walked into the gym without a second thought. Once there, they walked through a small hallway, gave my name and my time. Trixie already hurried off to the spectator seats while Mr,kopi stayed with me a little bit longer.

"Remember Taylor, Roark is your fight, not Trixie, don't let her..."

"It's fine, Mr.Kopi. I'm not the same girl I was before," I said in earnest.

With that, Mr.Kopi walked off with Trixie, while I went onto the stage. What I said was true though, I wasn't the same trainer I was before and Trixie was going to see every bit of that fact as I beat Roark back into one of his fossils! I kept walking until I happened to see a rock-filled battlefield caked with dirt and dust, as if the echoes of previous battles were still fresh. That feeling gets even stronger as even with the distance every approaching footstep I heard felt all the more surmounting. This feeling finally ended when I saw him face to face. Seemingly fresh from work his mining outfit was partially ripped and dirty. His body also screamed sturdy as his muscles were well developed. Combined with his unkempt beard and hair and he somehow made it all work. With his hearty red eyes he measured my composure like a predator. He then applied a hearty smile as he gave his first statement.

"Hello, Taylor Speleology! The name is Roark the Rock, and I hope you unearth your A-game or else you might join the fossils in my mine!"

The quote left chills in my spine, but I still kept strong and got right down to business.

"Trust me, Roark, you're going to be one that's buried when I'm done, Ziggy show your stuff!"

At the same time, we threw our respective Pokeballs at full force, ending in a collision that shook the battlefield to its core!

With her pride and first Gym badge on the line Taylor is about to pull out all the stops. But will that even be enough of this battle of the ages? Find out next time as the journey continues ever forward!