She was waiting.

When the world was first created, she was one of the first. Like her brothers and sisters, she was very powerful. Powerful enough to level a mountain and turn the most prosperous city into dry ash. But she had another power. She, and she alone among her brothers and sisters, had the power to restore life when none remained.

And like her siblings, she could not use this power. Not without her master.

At one point they all had masters -- or mistresses as the case may have been. But they were only human, and they all met the fate of all humans.

But hers had come back.

The void between humans and pokemon had grown great, and the void between them and their creator had grown even greater. And despite the world being full of many families and friends and nations, so many were alone. But the legends and their masters were not alone, for they had each other. And when one has something another deeply desires...

Bonds were broken. Blood was shed. And so passed the masters of legends.

But one returned, bearing scars from the wounds that had murdered him. And soon after, he left... with the promise he would return once again.

And so she was waiting.

She perched high up in the mountains where no humans dared to travel. Her brothers and sisters flew and roamed lower, sometimes making contact with the humans. Looking for the ones that may become masters like the one of old.

But she was waiting for her master.

Fate often has a sense of irony, if not humor. She rarely slept, but it was during her fitful sleep that a gentle hand brushed her neck.

Her eyes shot open, and the flames in her wings brightened.

"Hello, Ho-oh," he said softly. "It's been a long time."

Master! her mind cried with joy as she embraced him as well has her large wings would allow. He returned the gesture as well, burying his face in her feathers, feeling her soft down for the first time in several ages.

Are you back... to stay? she asked.

Her master smiled. "I am," he said, hoisting himself onto her back. "But there is much work to be done."

I have seen the darkness spread, she said as she took off. It has reached many hearts.

"Then you know what we have to do."

Ho-oh's flames dimmed. How much time to we have before...

"The legends must find masters within two years."

What? Ho-oh nearly yelled. Many will not even look at humans, much less subject themselves to one! Two years? It's almost--

"Impossible?" the master said with a chuckle. "No, this isn't impossible. But," he added with a sigh, "it won't be easy, either."

And you do know there is another among us since you left.

"The clone? Yes, I've heard of him... and he'll need one as well."

Are you sure we can use the likes of him?

"We need all the help we can get; you know that! Besides, he is already skirting the twilight... If he does not find a good master, he could end up with our enemies, and you know he can be a formidable opponent."

Ho-oh sighed. I think I know who he will choose.

The master smiled. "And he should do nicely."

They flew on in silence for a few more minutes before Ho-oh spoke again. Master?

"Yes?"

I'm glad you're back.

The master tightened his grip on her feathers. "I'm glad to be back with you too."