The fifteenth morning brought clear skies. The forest thinned into open paths, leading toward the distant walls of Pewter City. Luke and his Pokémon moved with confidence, muscles and instincts honed by weeks of training.
Upon entering the city, Luke went straight to the Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy welcomed them warmly. She checked the Houndooms and Murkrow carefully, observing their health, energy, and battle readiness.
"So," she asked gently, noticing the female Houndoom, "where did she get that scar?"
Luke knelt beside his Pokémon, stroking her dark fur. "It's from Mt. Moon. She was wild and battle-hardened when I found her. I've trained her carefully, and she trusts me completely now."
The rest of the team was healthy and vibrant. Luke smiled, proud of their growth. He picked up the phone to call his parents.
"Mom? Dad? It's me," he said, excitement in his voice. "We've had an amazing journey so far. We descended Mt. Moon, trained in the forest for two weeks, and I even caught a Murkrow on the eighth day—it's smart, almost like an assassin. Both Houndours evolved into Houndooms, and we've been practicing coordinated attacks every day. I can feel my connection to them getting stronger… my Dark-type abilities are growing too. They help me guide the Pokémon in battle and keep us in sync."
His parents listened eagerly, asking questions about the forest, the Pokémon battles, and how he was managing. Luke summarized everything succinctly: the training, the challenges, the growth of the Pokémon, and his own skills. He laughed and described Murkrow's cunning moves, the Houndooms' fiery teamwork, and the evolution that had strengthened their bond.
By the time he hung up, Luke felt an incredible sense of accomplishment. His Pokémon were healthy, confident, and ready for the next stage of their journey. As he watched them rest at the Pokémon Center, he realized how much they had all grown together—not just in strength, but in trust, strategy, and unity.
Whatever lay ahead, Luke knew they were prepared. The mountains, the forests, and every battle had forged them into a team ready for any challenge, a bond that could not be broken.