The last time we left, our heroes Taylor had discovered that she had decided to make a secret. However, through that, she was able to gain another ally in her family of Pokemon. Now it seems that Oreburgh City is about to be left behind in favor of the famous Eterna Gym!

Kopi Pov

Honestly, compared to the meeting with the foresight-wielding blind man with magic powers, Taylor bringing home a Ducklett with a top hat wasn't a big surprise. What was surprising is that she didn't tell me how she got it. I tried talking with our new associate, but all he could say was this.

"That girl has a light inside of her, and I want to shine under it."

That didn't exactly give me many answers, but truer words have never been spoken. Either way, I could draw out the blanks. In this Pokemon world of ours, trading, trans region migrations, and releases were more common than ever now. Still, it was nice our little performer could make us leave Oreburgh with happy memories. At this point, I don't know how much longer this journey is going to last, but I think for right now, I'll enjoy it for all it's worth. If not for me, then as sure as distortion for Taylor's sake.

Speaking of her, it seems hanging out with Phoebe did her well, she still had a couple of bandages, but it seems like she wasn't bothered by them. Instead, training was all she had on her mind for the past four days was getting "Plucky," and the rest of the gang leveled up for the journey ahead. Because Oreburgh was Roark control, then Eterna City was where Gardenia reigned supreme. If Jubilife and Oreburgh radiated technology, then Enterna was the total opposite. The surrounding ring of rock mixed with the lush overgrowth of plant life and the wide river made the city feel like nature would never truly back down. It was industrialized for sure, but it felt like that for once, humans would have to work with nature.

Out of the rather plain surroundings, two sites caught my eye. First was the large bronze statue that had the legendary Pokemon Dialga and Palkia etched into its frame. The second was also the facility holding Team Galactic. I heard a decade ago they used to be one of many evil teams that wanted to send the world in disarray through the use of legendary Pokemon, with them, in particular, wanting to start things over. But thanks to Ash, they've split on to be a force to make the world got better. Maybe it was just the current situation but, I found the two striking images of past and future to be rather thought-provoking. But I guess for right now, I would like to focus on the present.

With my body now mostly healed up, I decided to get more elaborate, morphing my cells to get a full white military overcoat draped with Go Taylor in big black letters along with jeans and headband. The look was gaudy but at least made her less stressed than she already was, which meant that there was nothing left more to do than win this thing! To add to the hype, Plucky and I decided to convince Taylor to release all of her arsenal as we walked through the streets of Eterna city like we owned the place. Once our march put us at the door to the gym, we ventured further without a second thought. And once we did, it felt like we entered a whole new world.

It quickly got hot fast inside of the Gym as I soon realized the entire layout resembled that of a greenhouse room, making the glass ceiling rain down sunbeams like daggers. That said, the place gave me an almost park-like feel as I saw a variety of Grass-type Pokemon playfully frolicking about. The sight did make me smile, as I also realized that we had eventually met into an open field with rows of large trees on either side. On the other side of said field laid the epicenter of this swarm of lively Pokemon. With such a blissful on her face, I almost thought that it was someone else. But when I saw how she noticed Taylor's arsenal, I quickly realized that the woman before us was indeed Gardenia herself.

I don't know whether it was prior experience or Sage's doing, but I swear I could from my very core that her presence jolted across the room like a stone thrown in water. Yet that clashed with an appearance that was anything but fearsome as with a motherly smile on her face Gardenia made her approach to us wearing ripped cargo shorts, green military boots, and cape that got hooked by two black armbands. Finishing the look off was a light green crop top with a black x over it, all tied together in a tight short high ponytail. All this together made her feel like something spiritual in nature, like a fairy, making my core heat up all the more.

"I've met a lot of challengers here in this gym, but I can't say I've meant one quite as cute as you, little miss. If you may ask, what's your name?"

"Taylor Speleology, the trainer that's about to beat you," Taylor said in a spitfire-like tone.

"Well, aren't you a loud little seed? I like that confidence Taylor, but just letting you know now I won't make this easy. Battling me will be like pushing a tree, but I wish you the best regardless," the woman said in a friendly competitive tone.

With nothing to say between the two combatants, they both managed to reach their separate sides, raising their Pokeballs like rifles.

With the battle between Taylor and Gardenia about to begin, the first strike will decide everything! Will Taylor be able to win over her aggressive adversary? Find out next time as the journey continues!