Night had fully settled over Mt. Moon, and the flickering flames of our small campfire cast long, dancing shadows along the jagged walls of the cave. Houndour lay curled beside me, his warm body comforting against the cool rock floor, while I stayed awake, my eyes scanning the dark corners. The cave sounded alive — the steady drip of water echoed like a drum, cicadas buzzed outside, and somewhere deeper, a faint rustle hinted at unseen creatures.
Suddenly, a low, cautious growl echoed from deeper within the shadows. Houndour's ears twitched sharply. He lifted his head, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air. "Houndour… stay calm," I whispered. "Let's see who it is before you do anything."
A sleek, powerful figure stepped into the firelight. It was a female Houndour, her coat dark and shiny, but what struck me most was her left eye — a blinding, milky white, the result of a long scar that ran across it. The eye glowed eerily in the firelight, making her presence both intimidating and mysterious. Despite the injury, she moved with agility and strength, radiating the fierce energy of a Dark-type Pokémon. My pulse raced. A wild Houndour like this, battle-hardened and scarred, was rare indeed.
Houndour growled and stepped forward, protective yet cautious. The female Houndour bared her teeth and lunged, her white eye flashing in the dim light. "Houndour, Ember!" I commanded. Flames shot from my Houndour's mouth, but she dodged with astonishing speed, claws scraping the cave floor.
The battle was tense. Houndour moved carefully, dodging bites and tackles while retaliating with Ember. The female Houndour struck repeatedly, each move precise and aggressive. I focused my mind, sending calm reassurance to Houndour, feeling the bond between us strengthen. My Dark-type ability pulsed through me, and I realized she was reacting to it — her white eye flickered with recognition, sensing my aura.
Finally, Houndour found an opening. A well-aimed Ember struck her chest, staggering her back. I whispered, "Now, show her respect. She's not just an opponent — she could be your ally." Houndour advanced slowly, growling low, and the female froze. Her milky eye stared directly at me, and I focused all my Dark-type energy. Slowly, her body relaxed, her ears lowered, and she sat down, understanding we meant no harm.
I reached into my backpack and held out a Poké Ball. "I want you on my team. I promise to respect you." She studied me silently, then gave a faint nod of her head. I threw the ball. Red light enveloped her, and the sphere wobbled once… twice… three times… click! Success.
Houndour nudged his new teammate cautiously. She responded with a soft growl, then eased into a calm stance. "Welcome to the team, Houndour," I whispered. The cave no longer felt dark or threatening. Between the flickering firelight and the blinding white gaze of my new partner, it felt alive with potential — for battles, friendship, and adventures yet to come.