Arrangements for Lucario

Xu Mu didn't panic when Lucario refused him. He leisurely opened the ice cream.

Then he scooped up a spoonful, reached over Lucario's head, and held it to Cynthia's lips.

"Try the pineapple flavor. I think you'll like it."

Cynthia paid no mind to how intimate the gesture looked. She took the spoon between her lips and curled her tongue around the pineapple ice cream.

"Mmm, delicious!"

Of course it is, Xu Mu thought. As far as you're concerned, all ice cream is delicious.

Xu Mu took back the spoon, scooped up some for himself, and ate it right in front of Lucario.

"It really is delicious!"

After swallowing, Xu Mu even sighed appreciatively on purpose.

Lucario's eyes went red with fury.

"Luca!"

[You bastard! You're feeding Cynthia like that right over my head—and using the same spoon!]

[I can't take it anymore! Xu Mu, you've gone too far! Stop bullying me!]

With a furious shout, Lucario decided he'd had enough.

He grabbed Cynthia's forearm and pointed at his own mouth with his other hand.

I want some too!

Cynthia was surprised that Lucario wanted ice cream.

"I thought you didn't like it. Why do you want some today?"

Though puzzled, Cynthia scooped up a spoonful to feed him.

Lucario looked at Xu Mu with smug, taunting eyes.

See? Cynthia still loves me. Take the hint and get lost. Leave my Cynthia alone!

The ice cream was almost at Lucario's mouth. He closed his eyes in anticipation.

Xu Mu smiled.

"Wait, Cynthia. This ice cream was made specially for Pokémon. Let me feed Lucario some."

"He's a Steel-type Pokémon. Regular ice cream might upset his stomach."

Xu Mu sounded so reasonable that Cynthia bought it completely.

"All right, then. Thank you!"

With that, Cynthia went back to her ice cream and the arduous task of taking two bites before throwing away the carton.

Lucario opened his eyes in disbelief and stared at Xu Mu.

"Luca, Luca!"

[Xu Mu, you've gone too far!]

Xu Mu gave a cold chuckle. You're just a Pokémon, and you think you can compete with me for her affection? You've got a lot to learn!

"Come on, try this ice cream. It's made specially for Pokémon!"

"Here, Lucario. Let me feed you!"

Xu Mu leaned closer with a show of enthusiasm, as though he really meant to feed him.

"Luca!"

[Bastard!]

With a short cry, Lucario fled straight back into his Poké Ball.

Xu Mu's a devil. A smiling demon who lives to torment Pokémon!

After winning his round-of-sixteen match, Xu Mu quickly won the quarterfinal and semifinal too.

Over the next few days, he tried every trick he could think of to needle Lucario, always with a smile on his face.

At last, Xu Mu and Cynthia met in the Little War God Cup final.

With Lucario at her side, Cynthia had swept through the competition undefeated.

Honestly, Xu Mu hadn't expected it. Lucario was far stronger than he'd thought!

"Xu Mu, you have to give it your all in the match. Don't go easy on me!"

Before they entered the arena, Cynthia issued her challenge with a solemn expression.

"I want to fight you fair and square!"

Xu Mu smiled helplessly. "All right, all right. Whatever you say. I'll take the fight seriously!"

Satisfied, Cynthia jogged toward the competitors' entrance.

"Good luck!"

Xu Mu watched her jog away, a faint smile touching his lips.

"Greninja, I've wanted to teach that Lucario a lesson for a long time!"

"Now's our chance!"

Xu Mu gripped Greninja's Poké Ball. The vindictive side he'd been hiding finally came out.

A Pokémon thinks he can be my love rival? He doesn't stand a chance!

Those little tricks were just the appetizer. This time, I'll teach him a proper lesson. He needs to stop acting like he's second only to heaven.

With that thought, Xu Mu walked onto the battlefield.

"Facing off in the final are the two incredible newcomers we've watched these past few days!"

"First, in the red corner, Cynthia! I'm sure you all know her by now! This blonde girl fights like a cold-blooded assassin!"

"She's beaten every opponent with Lucario alone, and we can't wait to see what she'll do in the final!"

"Can Cynthia keep her undefeated streak alive? Let's find out!"

The commentator enthusiastically introduced Cynthia at the top of his lungs.

Judging by how worked up he was, Xu Mu half worried the man would fall out of the commentary booth.

"And in the blue corner, Xu Mu!"

"After winning the national middle school league championship, Xu Mu came all the way from Fengcheng to compete in our Little War God Cup!"

"Here, he's used a Pokémon of a new species called Arceus, as well as his Starter Pokémon—Greninja!"

"He's fought his way to the final too. Can Xu Mu defend his honor as a champion, defeat Cynthia, and claim first place in the Little War God Cup?"

"Let's—find out!"

The flashy commentator finally finished.

The referee shot the chatterbox a weary look, then announced, "Cynthia in red, Xu Mu in blue. Each competitor may use two Pokémon!"

"Begin!"

Swish!

The two little flags swept down, and the match officially began!

Lucario flexed his hands, his joints cracking in a rapid series of pops.

He gave Xu Mu and Greninja a mocking look.

"Luca!"

[Xu Mu, today I'll show you just how far beneath Cynthia you are!]

[She's a woman you could never hope to be worthy of!]

Lucario roared out his threat.

Xu Mu couldn't understand him, but Greninja could!

Greninja couldn't stand Lucario's arrogance.

"Greninja!"

[An insult to my master is an insult to me!]

[Today I'll teach you an arrogant brat like you some humility!]

Greninja was ruthless too. After spending so long with Xu Mu, he might not have picked up much else, but he'd mastered the art of talking trash.

"Greninja, Greninja!"

[Come on, then. Show me what strength gives you the confidence to strut around with a face like that!]

[Give it everything you've got, youngster. Let's see if you're even worthy of licking my toes!]

After days of being needled by Xu Mu, Lucario had been bottling up his anger.

Already on edge, he was well and truly infuriated by Greninja!

Xu Mu was a scoundrel, and his Pokémon was just as shameless!