As the perils of the splices increase, the creator of the Pokemon universe calls out to those immersed in legend to assist...

Chapter 20
Calling of Legends and Myths

Back at the Orre Pokemon Lab…
Thirty minutes had passed since the battle at Outskirts Sand, and everyone had just pulled up at the Pokemon Lab. Dante had rode in Tyler’s dune buggy because he had ordered Mikalette and Lucas to go back to the hideout and get Takuya, pod and all, and have him brought to the lab. They had loaded up Avery in the truck, and all had driven back to the lab at a fast, reckless pace. Especially Tyler. Oak had called ahead to let Krane and the others know about the development.
As they rushed Avery into the Pokemon Lab in Venin’s arms, Krane had a medical bed ready and waiting despite the short notice. The hallucinogenic fear toxin was starting to kick into overdrive, making Avery a handful to keep under control.
“Set him down on the bed!” Krane exclaimed as Avery struggled and thrashed in Venin’s grip.
“What does it look like I’m trying to do?!” Venin snapped as he tried to keep Avery from jumping out of his arms.
“No… You’ve got to let me go! They’re everywhere, can’t you see them?!” Avery yelled in hysterics, struggling to free himself with what little strength he had left as Krane managed to peel off Avery’s sweat-soaked hoodie with help from Elm and Rowan as Venin did his best to keep Avery still.
After an intense struggle, Venin was able to hold Avery down on the bed while Krane put him in medical restraints so he wouldn’t hurt himself or others in his terrified, lucid state of mind. “I’m sorry, Avery. It’s for your own protection…” Krane apologized after strapping Avery down to the bed.
Avery wrestled against the restraints that immobilized him, the petrified glaze in his eyes only intensifying. Krane struggled to get him to hold still so he could try and administer some antivenom mixed with a sedative via a syringe to calm Avery down, but Avery’s constant thrashing about was making it impossible for Krane to stick the needle into his upper arm without causing further injury!
“Avery, you need to hold still!” Oak snapped, trying to get Avery to calm down, grabbing the delusional splice by the sides of his head. “It’s me! Professor Samuel Oak! Get ahold of yourself, young man! We can’t help you unless you calm down! You need to fight this fear! Panic and struggle will only make the venom have more of an effect!”
Avery looked into Oak’s eyes, the harrowing panic on full display as he stopped struggling. “Professor… Help me…” Avery begged, his chest heaving up and down rapidly, as if he couldn’t get enough oxygen into his system. “They’re tearing away at me from within… I can feel them crawling into my ears…”
“Try to relax, Avery.” Oak reassured as Krane quickly stuck the needle into Avery’s arm and injected the antivenom-sedative cocktail. “We’re doing everything we can.”
Avery started to relax; his eyes fluttering closed as the sedative swiftly kicked in. Professor Oak then noticed how much sweat Avery’s body and head were covered in. His fur was matted with heavy perspiration! Oak put a hand on Avery’s head. It was burning to the touch!
“This is going to be more complicated than I thought…” Oak said. “Rowan! We’re going to need a cooling blanket and some ice!”
Kasi watched as the situation continued to unfold. Misty, Dawn and Ash with Pikachu on his shoulder came up to her sides, Misty placing a hand on Kasi’s shoulder. “They’re doing everything they can for him.” Misty reassured. “All we can do is sit, wait, and hope for the best.”
“You have to be strong, Kasi.” Ash joined in. “For both Avery and Takuya. We’re here for you, all of you…”
Venin walked up to Kasi as well, hanging his head. “Forgive me, Kasi. I should have been faster… If I had just been a few seconds sooner…”
Kasi threw her arms around Venin, struggling to hold in her anxiety-induced sadness. “Venin, you did everything you could…” She sobbed. The group gathered around Kasi, all of them embracing her, trying to provide her with a blanket of reassurance and comfort, as they walked out of the room and into the lab’s residential wing.
# # # # # # # #
Mt. Coronet – Summit
Sinnoh Region…
Arceus looked out from the summit of Mt. Coronet, past the oceans and out into the vast beyond. The Pokemon of Creation felt a great disturbance, far from the lands of Sinnoh. It focused its energies, peering further into this instability it sensed…
Arceus sensed the pain of three creatures… They were neither Pokemon, nor Man… Instead, their essence seemed to blend both descriptions, along with the elements of fire, ice, and lightning. Arceus, at once, saw their individual and combined plights. The Pokemon of Creation knew something had to be done…
Arceus ascended to Mt. Coronet’s peak, the highest point in the Sinnoh region. It let out a loud, thunderous cry to the heavens, calling out to certain Pokemon that would be able to help these troubled beings in their crisis, it’s call spreading far and wide beyond the borders of Sinnoh…
# # # # # # # # #
Mount Quena – Purity Canyon…
Mewtwo looked over his flock of clone Pokemon, as he did daily. Things had been peaceful after his last encounter with Giovanni, with no harm coming to his flock ever since that day…
Mewtwo paused at the lake, kneeling down to take a drink of water. He suddenly heard a cry echo through the sky, a calling…
Mewtwo raised his head to look up at the sky, puzzled as to what this meant. Then, a pink blur darted out from some nearby bushes, hovering in front of his face. It was Mew!
“It’s a surprise to see you here…” Mewtwo spoke. “Something has happened, I’m guessing?”
“Mew mew mew!” Mew spoke rapidly, explaining the cry Mewtwo had just heard echoing through the skies and across the earth. Three individuals with the power of fire, ice, and lightning were in deep peril, and only he and Mew, along with a few other chosen Pokemon could help.
Mewtwo stood up from his kneeling position. “Do you know where these individuals are?”
“Mew!” Mew nodded and motioned for Mewto to follow him post-haste!
Mewtwo levitated himself into the air, preparing to take flight. “Lead the way, old friend…”
# # # # # # # # # #
Celebi’s Shrine…
Jhoto Region – Outskirst of Arborville…

Celebi jumped out of the time vortex, descending onto his shrine after hearing Arceus’ call across time. Celebi then let out a loud cry of his own, the call echoing through the forests that surrounded Arborville…
Moments later, the legendary beasts themselves ran forwards through the vegetation, and stood before the shrine: Entei, Suicine, and Raikou.
Celebi explained to the trio about the “altered ones” along with the events that were starting to occur, and that time was short.
Entei, Suicine, and Raikou seemed to nod in agreement. They looked forward at Celebi, the look in their eyes telling him to lead on.
Celebi took off through the forest, leading the trinity on their urgent journey to where they were needed.