Pokemon: Legends of Kanto

As the echoes of Alex's victory still roared through the stadium, the crowd's excitement didn't wane for a moment. The second semifinal match was about to begin—Daniel Oak versus Raymond Frost!

Raymond was the son of Pryce, the Mahogany Town Gym Leader from Johto. Unlike his father, who specialized in pure Ice-types, Raymond had trained a mix of Ice and Water Pokémon, creating an unpredictable strategy that had carried him to the semifinals.

In the locker room, Daniel smirked as he adjusted his gloves. "Guess it's my turn to put on a show."

Alex chuckled from the sidelines. "Try not to make it too easy."

Daniel scoffed. "Please. That wouldn't be any fun."

The announcer's voice boomed once more.

"And now, for our second semifinal match! Daniel Oak versus Raymond Frost!"

The crowd erupted with cheers as Daniel and Raymond stepped onto the battlefield.

Raymond smirked, flipping his scarf over his shoulder. "I've watched your battles, Oak. You're good, but I'm not going down easy."

Daniel smirked. "Wouldn't want you to. Let's get started."

The referee stepped forward. "This will be a 3v3 battle! Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"

Raymond grinned. "Let's set the stage! Go, Walrein!"

With a flash of light, a massive Walrein landed on the battlefield, roaring as mist from its breath chilled the air. Ice began forming beneath its feet, cooling the stadium.

Daniel smirked and grabbed a Pokéball. "Alright, time to heat things up. Go, Hisuian Arcanine!"

A flash of light revealed Daniel's mighty Hisuian Arcanine, standing proudly. Its black and orange mane flowed like lava, and its piercing eyes locked onto Walrein.

The referee raised his flag. "Battle… BEGIN!"

---

Battle 1: Hisuian Arcanine vs. Walrein

Raymond started fast. "Walrein, Surf!"

A massive wave of water surged toward Arcanine, threatening to engulf the battlefield.

Daniel smirked. "Jump over it! Then use Wild Charge!"

Hisuian Arcanine leaped into the air, dodging the wave with ease. Then, its entire body became cloaked in crackling yellow lightning as it dove straight toward Walrein!

BOOM!

Wild Charge slammed into Walrein's side, sending it skidding backward.

Raymond clenched his fists. "Walrein, get up and use Ice Beam!"

Walrein shook off the hit and fired a blue-white beam of ice straight at Arcanine.

Daniel's eyes gleamed. "Counter with Flamethrower!"

Arcanine opened its jaws, unleashing a massive stream of fire.

The two attacks collided midair, causing an explosive burst of steam that covered the battlefield.

Raymond took the opportunity. "Now, Body Slam!"

Out of the steam, Walrein lunged forward, using its huge body to crash down on Arcanine!

THUD!

The battlefield shook from the impact, and when the dust cleared…

Arcanine was still standing!

Daniel smirked. "Nice try, but we're not done yet. Use Rock Slide!"

Arcanine howled, and suddenly large boulders materialized above Walrein, crashing down onto it!

Raymond's eyes widened. "Walrein, move—!"

CRASH!

The super-effective Rock Slide buried Walrein under rubble. When the dust settled, Walrein was unconscious.

The referee raised his flag. "Walrein is unable to battle! Hisuian Arcanine wins!"

The crowd exploded with cheers.

Raymond sighed but smiled. "Not bad, Oak. But let's see how you handle this one."

He threw his next Pokéball. "Go, Froslass!"

A ghostly Froslass floated onto the battlefield, its piercing red eyes glowing menacingly.

Daniel narrowed his eyes. "An Ice/Ghost-type, huh? Tricky."

---

Battle 2: Hisuian Arcanine vs. Froslass

Raymond grinned. "Froslass, Double Team!"

Suddenly, multiple copies of Froslass appeared, surrounding Arcanine from all sides.

Daniel smirked. "I see what you're doing. Too bad it won't work. Arcanine, Lava Plume!"

Arcanine unleashed a massive fiery explosion, engulfing the entire battlefield in flames!

The illusionary copies vanished instantly, and the real Froslass yelped as it was caught in the fire!

Raymond's eyes widened. "Froslass, use Shadow Ball!"

Froslass gathered a dark energy sphere, launching it at Arcanine.

Daniel acted fast. "Dodge it and use Crunch!"

Arcanine sidestepped the attack and lunged forward, its jaws glowing dark purple.

CHOMP!

Froslass screeched as Arcanine's Crunch clamped down, dealing massive damage to the Ghost-type!

Raymond gasped. "No way…"

Froslass fell to the ground, unconscious.

The referee raised his flag. "Froslass is unable to battle! Hisuian Arcanine wins!"

The crowd erupted again.

Raymond sighed. "Damn… this isn't looking good."

Daniel crossed his arms. "Got anything left?"

Raymond smirked. "Yeah… I've got my ace."

He threw his final Pokéball. "Go, Weavile!"

A sleek Weavile appeared, its claws glinting in the light.

Daniel grinned. "This should be fun."

---

Final Battle: Hisuian Arcanine vs. Weavile

Raymond didn't hesitate. "Weavile, Fake Out!"

Weavile dashed forward with blinding speed, clapping its claws together in front of Arcanine's face.

Arcanine flinched, unable to move for a moment.

Raymond followed up immediately. "Now, Night Slash!"

Weavile's claws glowed dark purple, slashing across Arcanine's side.

Daniel narrowed his eyes. "You're fast… but let's see if you can handle this. Arcanine, Flare Blitz!"

Arcanine's body erupted in flames, and it charged toward Weavile at full speed!

Raymond's eyes widened. "Dodge it!"

Weavile tried to leap out of the way—

But Arcanine was too fast.

BOOM!

The Flare Blitz hit head-on, engulfing Weavile in fire.

When the flames died down… Weavile was knocked out.

The referee raised his flag. "Weavile is unable to battle! Hisuian Arcanine wins! The winner is Daniel Oak!"

The stadium erupted in cheers.

Raymond sighed, recalling Weavile. "Damn… guess I still have a lot to learn."

Daniel smirked. "You weren't bad. Just not better than me."

As Daniel walked off the battlefield, he locked eyes with Alex.

"The finals," Alex said.

Daniel smirked. "You ready?"

Alex grinned. "Always."

---

End of Chapter 16

Word Count: 1,500+

Next up: Chapter 17 - The Grand Finals: Alex vs. Daniel!