The morning sun bathed Mt. Moon in golden light. Luke adjusted his backpack and looked down the steep trails leading toward the dense forest below. His two Houndooms stood alert, flames flickering at the corners of their mouths. Over the past week, they had become a true team, each movement anticipating the other. Luke patted them both.
"Stay close," he said. "The forest is unpredictable. We don't know what Pokémon might be lurking."
The descent was slow and treacherous. Loose stones skittered underfoot, forcing Luke to guide his Pokémon carefully. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of moss, pine, and wildflowers. Occasionally, Zubat flitted overhead, and the distant calls of Geodude or wild Bellsprout reminded Luke that the forest below was teeming with life.
As they entered the dense canopy, sunlight filtered through in thin, shifting patterns. Luke took a deep breath. "This is it. Two weeks in this forest will test your limits. We'll train, observe, and grow stronger together."
The first few days were exploratory. Luke allowed his Houndooms to chase wild Rattata, battle Geodude, and practice Ember and Faint Attack in coordination. Each encounter sharpened their instincts, while Luke quietly extended his Dark-type abilities, sending calm, guiding energy to the Pokémon. He realized his powers were growing—not only could he sense his Pokémon's auras, but he could subtly enhance their focus, timing, and coordination. Each successful battle strengthened the connection among them.
By the third day, Luke could feel his aura resonating with the Houndooms' energy. During a skirmish with a group of wild Rattata, he instinctively projected calm, focused guidance: the male Houndoom darted forward aggressively, drawing attacks, while the female circled strategically, striking precisely with Ember and Faint Attack. Their movements were almost flawless, and Luke felt a thrill: his Dark-type abilities were finally becoming a real tool, a link between him and his Pokémon.