*based on leaks* I might have cracked the code on the Gen10 Legendaries and their story
>!The leaks and rumors currently indicate that a major theme of gen 10 is going to be the passage of time and the changing of generations, with the gimmick being connected to rebirth. We also know that there was a scrapped Legends Johto game, and that early concepts for games can be transferred over to other titles!<
>!My theory is that the primary "grandma and grandpa" legendaries are actually a "dying" ascended version of Lugia and Ho-oh, presented alongside 2 younger box legendaries which are intended to carry on their duties in lore.!<
>!I can support this with the recent leaks from Billy, which seem to imply 2 version exclusive mons (likely legendary) which are a young girl and a!<
>!young boy inspired by the moon/a rabbit and the sun/an exotic bird respectively.!<
>!While the existence of the sun-bird pokemon hasnt been confirmed by other leakers at this point, it would fit into the concept of a phoenix (in this case ho-oh) being reborn, with the newer bird becoming the main legendary in ho-ohs place!<
>!The moon rabbit connection is somewhat different. We know this mon is likely psychic type, much like lugia, but whats more interesting is that the chinese-indonesian myth of the Moon Rabbit tells a story of it producing an elixir of immortality. Its possible this moon rabbit is a younger pokemon attempting to save lugia/ho-oh in one way or another but ultimately that doesnt happen. A variation of this myth says that the rabbit is blessed by the moon goddess for an act of sacrifice it had made, and in this case the rabbit pokemon would take over the role of Lugia!<
>!Lugia has an association with femininity and the tides, and it would be easy to create contrast by leaning into a more masculine direction with the aged ho-oh, who would represent the winds.!<
>!To make the Johto birds interesting and signify their "weakened" state, maybe lugia loses the ability to fly, and Ho-oh could lose the fire type.!<
>!Its possible that the johto birds could hang on in their altered states, but eventually choose to make the sacrifice for the greater good, resigning their position and blessing the newer legendaries by bestowing their power unto them. This passing of the torch would complement the protagonists arc, wherein you question the future your younger sibling will grow up in.!<
>!In Scarlet and Violet, we saw legendaries which were amplified versions of the generations gimmick form, with Koraidon and miraidon being a paradox cyclizar. In Winds and Waves, we could see these newer sun/moon themed pokemon receive an amplified version of the blessing gimmick, transforming them from common/mythical status to legendary. A blessing from Ho-oh and by extension Lugia has basis in the lore of the legendary beasts!<
>!And what better way to celebrate a major anniversary by literally bridging the gap between the old and new generations, with the box art (or at least the plot) featuring both old and new legends. It works out pretty well considering the lack of recent love for Johto, especially as it is the oldest region to not have expanded lore for the legendaries. Lugia and ho-oh could have a prominent focus while sharing the spotlight with the newer legendaries, linking the memories of older Pokemon fans with the new memories being made for younger fans!<