Xu Mu looked up at Moltres in the sky, then at Articuno and Zapdos as they appeared one after the other.
His thoughts drifted back to those days in the Snow Mountain Secret Realm, when Greninja had beaten Articuno senseless.
"Blaziken, Greninja, Dragonite."
"This fight is up to you!"
Xu Mu had chosen the three strongest Pokémon on his team. He was ready to fight.
Charizard should have been grateful. His trip to the hospital had spared him this ordeal.
"Cha-mo!"
[This is our first time fighting together, isn't it, Xu Mu?]
Fighting spirit blazed in Blaziken's eyes as he spoke.
"Of course. Let's fight side by side!"
Xu Mu answered with a smile.
Greninja immediately jumped to Xu Mu's side.
"Koo-gwa!"
[I, Greninja, shall...]
"All right, all right. You don't need to say it again."
Xu Mu looked at Dragonite instead, at a loss for words.
The meaning was clear: did he have anything to say?
"Yo!"
[We scholars have a motto: if you can fight, don't waste time arguing!]
Xu Mu nodded. Once his Pokémon had finished their rallying cries, he looked up at the Legendary Birds, who had already started fighting at the slightest provocation.
After a moment's thought, he said:
"Our objective is simple. Greninja, Dragonite—once the fight starts, use Battle Bond and Heaven and Earth Manifestation Dynamax right away!"
"Then focus on Zapdos. He's gained the Fighting type, so he's the weakest!"
"Keep an eye on Moltres too. His Dark type is at a disadvantage against Zapdos."
"Wait, no. Articuno's Psychic type is at a disadvantage against Moltres. These three still counter each other, just like before!"
"Whatever. Watch them closely. Whoever gets beaten down first, we move in and finish him off!"
Xu Mu had talked himself into confusion.
But the gist of his