Kyurem.

Is it the monster came from a meteorite, eating people and pokemon alike in the chill of the night?

Could it be the empty shell left behind when the great dragon of Unova split into Zekrom and Reshiram? Resting, waiting, for one who can fill its body with truth or ideals?

While its exact origins may be lost, we know that it must be protected. For years we, the Village of Dragons, have been its guardians, hiding it as needed with our sacred vessel.

Not much is known about the fusion that occurs with a strong and close bond between humans and pokemon, but it seems to cause considerable strain on the vessel. Perhaps that's why pokemon are usually chosen for it. Whether it's Mega Evolution or harnessing the power of a Z-Crystal, pokemon are simply more durable and have the gift of enhanced recovery.

So why use a human? Well, there was once a time in which there were no pokeballs. Covertly transporting such a huge pokemon with a powerful aura was an impossible feat. Even after the tearful task of convincing Kyurem to relocate for its safety, we faced numerous casualties along the way. There are always people, entire organizations with a lust for power in their hearts after all. The craftier ones would lay low in the shadows, simply tracking Kyurem until the relocation was complete. Then another strike, more casualties, location compromised, need to move...Our numbers were dwindling far too quickly to keep up. Something needed to change.

We were huddled in a cave with Kyurem, licking our wounds. It was inconsolable. Lamenting its lesser power compared to its split spirits of truth and ideals. Grieving over its inability to fully protect us, its faithful companions. We cried together, tears falling into sparkling crystals. Sorrowfully, Kyurem proposed a most morbid idea.

"Humans. I cannot let you protect me any longer. I have brought nothing, but strife to your species. I should have never awakened! Never sought you out! I am but a husk, a remnant, a forgotten relic that will never be whole again!"

"I—" It took a quivering breath. "I will turn back into a Dragon Stone. Once I do, I want you to shatter me. Forget about me!"

Then it was Calyx who spoke,

"Oh compassionate Kyurem! Please never say such a thing! You're an important part of us, much like Zekrom and Reshiram are to you! Remember how you have helped us! We were a dying village, split apart by the Twin's War! Remember your blessings! Ice for us to melt into water during the drought! Your never-melting ice to help preserve our food!"

"If we never met you, we would have died! We are simply repaying you in the small way that we can! We can only hope that, maybe, we can be an important part of you too…"

He trailed off at the end, a blush coloring his cheeks. He wasn't the only one though. We all felt the same, wanting to fill Kyurem's heart as it has ours. The statement was a tad brazen though.

Kyurem froze.

"I, a part of you. And you, a part of me."

It slowly turned towards Calyx.

"May I try something?"

The words came out slowly, littered with uncertain pauses. Calyx beamed.

"I trust you Kyurem."

With that, Kyurem's body began to glow a glacier blue, dispersing into shimmering particles. Gently, they flowed toward him, wrapping him in a shimmering embrace. A sudden flash burned into our retinas. Then, standing there was…

Just Calyx, or so it seemed. Stepping closer, it was easy to see the differences. His green eyes were now tinged with a new yellow vibrancy. One could feel a chill seeping out of him, his skin noticeably cold.

To our amazement, Calyx spoke, his voice no different than normal. He said that Kyurem was indeed there, conscious and stable, and that it could speak to us too. His eyes closed. Suddenly he stumbled, arms flailing for balance. Wide eyes stared as his mouth flopped open and closed. Though it was with Calyx's voice, the articulation was one we all recognized.

If we hadn't seen it ourselves, we would have never believed a fusion between a pokemon and human to be possible. Is it because Kyurem is an 'incomplete' being? Can other pokemon do this as well, or is it limited to those of legend? There were many questions, but they did not matter. We had our solution!

It had to wait a few days though. After all, Kyurem and Calyx had to adjust to each other. Especially important was the need to control Kyurem's power over ice. Humans don't normally chill the air around them. Once that was settled, we returned to the village under the facade of defeat, pretending that Kyurem had forsaken us due to our incompetence. As time passed, the reports of people searching for Kyurem faded.

With that success, we entertained the idea of solely housing Kyurem in vessels. Calyx and Kyurem had grown to be close friends, and Kyurem seemed to enjoy the simple pleasures one has in the everyday life of humans. Not having to constantly hide and defend. Not having to feel empty. Who wouldn't? We had to consider the long term side effects though.

A fusion with Kyurem gifted some level of resistance, but not enough to nullify the physiological effects of the cold. In low temperatures, the body concentrates blood flow to its core in order to keep one's vital organs warm. This increases one's blood pressure, placing additional strain on the heart. Such blood flow also diminishes one's immune system. There was also the trouble of the increased need for food and hydration.

If allowed to exercise its powers using the vessel, even passively, the strain lessens; however, that draws attention that could put both Kyurem and its vessel in danger. Thus both Kyurem and the village agreed upon the need for informed consent of the vessel and came up with ways of using its power discreetly.

Now with the invention of pokeballs, some might say that a human vessel is unnecessary. Why not just capture Kyurem in one and let it out somewhere safe? In this case, one could take advantage of how a pokemon is caught in a pokeball is 'marked' so that it is only associated with that pokeball, preventing it from being captured by another. Then it becomes a hunt for the pokeball, which itself could be shattered or stolen. The problem of Kyurem being captured and controlled by alternate means and the same problem of hiding such a gigantic creature would still exist as well. A human is really quite an unexpected hiding place.

And so we continue, doing as we have. Being a vessel is a great honor, but it holds an even greater responsibility. Never forget that.