*The designs consisted of segmented braces that were connected at the joints with what appeared to be elastic bands. The elastic held the affected limb in a proper, non-contracted position and provided gentle resistance to strengthen weakened muscles. They could further be connected to a harness, and would hold limbs in a "weightless" position. There were a copious amount of notes scrawled in any free space available, along with a drawing of a gearbox, which was most likely part of the prototype glove that Hypno was already working on.*
*Back in Littleroot, Birch had ran some tests on one of the Monochrome Pokemon, which revealed some surprising information. His initial findings showed an immune response in the Pokemon, which suggested that its body was attacking its own pigment cells. He had Mulberry and Hemlock test two other Pokemon, which were apparently caught in different areas, and their results were similar: an immune response to the Pokemon's own pigment cells.*
*With how Taylor said that other regions were reporting similar outbreaks, then Birch began to form his initial hypothesis. From his tests and anecdotal evidence, he concluded that the loss of pigment was due to an acquired autoimmune disorder that targeted pigment cells. He wondered if it could be related to the mutated strain of Pokerus that he had been studying...*
"We've been getting reports of a new strain of Pokerus that has been exhibiting with heightened aggression and an inflammatory response. These leucistic Pokemon are presenting with what looks to be an autoimmune disorder. However, in our research on that Zigzagoon pack, there's an infected Shiny, but I noticed something about its coloring--it's even lighter. I'm wondering if there's a possible link between that strain and these leucistic Pokemon..."
"So, the strain causes pigment cells to die, and affected Pokemon gradually lose their color? That Zigzagoon may be in later stages of the infection, then. It was displaying more prominent symptoms, and FLIR imaging showed a higher internal temperature than the other infected Pokemon."
"Exactly my thoughts, Mulberry. Shiny coloration is caused by a mutation that results in a different distribution of colors than normal. If a Pokemon were exhibiting an autoimmune response toward their own pigmentation, then they would gradually change colors as the cells die; generally becoming lighter. The problem is we haven't been able to yet determine a duration for this strain, nor a timetable of symptoms. We've just determined how it's spread. If that Shiny Zigzagoon is the result of that autoimmune response, then it might have been the first to be infected. It'd be Patient Zero."
"And we missed out on a chance to study it because you relied on that Hypno who probably doesn't even understand what we're doing."
*Birch ignored Hemlock's comment and looked to Taylor.* "Okay, we need to catch that Zigzagoon so we can study it. It may hold more clues to this mystery, so let's get out there and grab it! The robot's ready, and I've already mapped out their den. Finding them won't be hard, and we'll be able to catch the pack unawares."