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his hands hurt. his feet hurt. his head hurt. his spirit was as strong as ever. ever since his and balder's talk about his feelings of inadequacy kazimir had been busy trying to prove to himself that he was indeed someone who was worth a damn. working out a lot more than he usually does has managed to keep his head clear as he's focused on building up his body, in fact some would say that it wasn't really necessary as he had that already covered. still it was something that helped him work through his problems by literally punching them away.
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as for the mental side of things he had to remember about his time in hoenn. he survived ultra beasts, he survived team rocket, he survived fucking ultra space. be it by pure luck or his own quick thinking he managed to come out of those events still alive and kicking that counted for something. sure other people did the same, he could attest to that. still he was just some normal guy playing hero in the end.
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at least that's what he told himself to beat himself up when these feelings rose up. like now he could already imagine himself being ridiculed by news outlets as some dude playing dress up while the real heroes of hoenn, people blessed by legendary and powerful pokemon or even the league itself, were praised for their hard work he was just a nobody. those feelings much like this rock that wasn't giving him the grip he needed to climb up were torn off the side of the ravine and hurled down into the bottom of the ravine. they weren't needed.
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"fuck that...pokkenger's needed. always has been...always will. one way or another." he whispered to himself as he pulled himself up onto a cliff that gave him enough room to take a quick sit and breather. taking off his shirt to expose his sweating and sore body to the cool breeze that blew through the gorge and letting it cool down he wiped himself down before looking down at the wet piece of cloth. just another thing to weigh him down, so with a heavy arm he tossed it over the cliff where it fell to the bottom, as it did he thought about all the smiles his hero "act" got out of people who he helped with problems big and small and of all of the friends he's met because of it. just the thought about their smiles gave him the reminder that that's why he did it, to put a smile on people's faces. hell he could do that even without pokkenger, but he really did like dressing up.
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"gonna get yelled at by someone for that probably." he chuckled to himself as he pushed himself back up to his feet by pressing himself against the wall and continued his travel as he hugged the wall and sidled his way to the next opportunity up the ravine.
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as he climbed up to the top he was regretting tossing away his shirt as his body was now covered in nicks and scratches and a lot of dirt from climbing. oh well, he was sure that whoever lived up all the way here had a shower, or a hot spring, or even a puddle he could get water from to wash himself off. still he's made it, the dojo is in sight, and that was enough to stir up a second wind of both excitement and vitality within the man as he made his way up to the door and placed a hand on it. with a deep breath he motioned to push open the doors but quickly turned it into a knock before giving it a second for anyone to answer before he opened them himself.
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"sorry ta bother ya~"
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it was a surprise to see that it was empty for a dojo, then again only the most intense of people would live in seclusion like this, and he should know, pokkenger kept a whole damn secret base in meteor falls. still his eyes fell onto the man sitting down in front of him with his back turned showing off a back that kaz himself could at least tell meant that he's been through some serious work. it was kind of hot in some weird way but kazimir did like his dudes to be around his own age range give or take a few years.
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"sorry are classes over? i heard through the delibird that someone super strong decided to show up around town and i wanted to check it out." even if the man couldn't see kazimir still kept a smile on his face as he set down his bag and sat down on the floor cross legged as he let out a few breaths to make sure he had enough air in his system. "so you still taking student applications? after all they say to become stronger you gotta learn from strong people."[break][break][break]


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They said it would taking a fighting master.[break][break]

“Did they mean literal fighting, or did they mean the typing?” The newly dubbed champion mused aloud, hand cupped to her face as she stared at the ashen expanse that stretched before her. Her backpack was filled to the brim; a sign that she had learned from past expeditions, and now knew how to prepare herself.[break][break]

Improvement came two ways for Bailey Cooper. It came gradual, or it came so rapid that she struggled to sense if anything had changed at all.[break][break]

She had been appointed champion. She had been appointed avatar.[break][break]

They felt like gifts, rather than rewards.[break][break]

“Guess I'll find out...” and she hoped that something in this training could validate the League's trust in her.[break][break]

She stared at the long chain of pokeballs; hands reaching to allocate them to her person. Some went to her belt. Some went to her holster. The remaining were tucked inside her jacket. They were kept close for ease of access, and also because it felt more personal than lugging them around in a duffle bag.[break][break]

Some were newly gained pokemon, and this would be their chance to acclimate themselves with their new trainer.[break][break]

She released Machamp. “Huh... You look like a Brutus. How's that for a nickname?”[break][break]

And before the adventure could begin, she took the chance to familiarize herself with them.[break][break]

---

[break][break]

She left Fallarbor at dawn, just as the early rays of the sun started to stretch across the quaint little town.[break][break]

Primal energy served to speed her pace. It served to power her through the most arduous parts of the climb, where stamina was what was necessary for ascent; long, stretching trails that zigzagged up mountains, making the air grow thin and her breaths grow short.[break][break]

She had embarked on a hike like this.[break][break]

Last time, she had fought a legendary pokemon that she still could not name; the twirling, serpent-like greens of the Rayquaza still lingered. Its screams, its might, and its distortion as it underwent a premature primal evolution still strong in her memory; strong enough to kill, as that draco meteor had intended.[break][break]

But, not strong enough.[break][break]

She still breathed. She still walked. When she reached the top of the incline, her eyes could stare into the distance and see the faraway shape of a mountain that seemed to have been shaved; solar beam had clipped its tip and curved it like a hand pressing down on a sand castle.[break][break]

If she smiled, it was only because she thought of Clifford.[break][break]

“I'll get you next time, fucker,” and she kept moving.[break][break]

It was because of her pokemon that she was still alive.[break][break]

---

[break][break]

From this height, the ashes that coated the distant fields of Fallarbor curved like dunes.[break][break]

Taking a long swig from her water bottle, Bailey had to tell herself to not cough as her eyes followed the slow fold of its gray expanse; imagery harked back to the expanse of Ultra Space, where forest had bled to desert in an odd conflict of landscape.[break][break]

Hand grasped to Tink. Hand grasped to man. Speed. Light. Burning.[break][break]

Red rocks served familiar and kept her from drowning; her feet planted to the ground of Hoenn, not that alien landscape that had nearly killed her.[break][break]

“Kapow, if you see a hyper beam, just... I dunno. Let this one hit me, this time?”[break][break]

They looked at each other and laughed.[break][break]

Like they would ever let that happen.[break][break]

---

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The volatile enjoyed the warmth.[break][break]

Sun beat down upon her shoulders, making her shudder as she stared at her resting pokemon. They huddled by the side of a cliff, seeking shade as they took a short break. What was unbearable for them was tolerable for her.[break][break]

Still, shadows ran thin, and there was little refuge to be found as the mountains continued to grow higher before them.[break][break]

“Lemme try something,” and she pressed her hand flat to the sheer cliff, trying to imagine the jutting of ridges as she urged the earth to move; soft, like a request, as she envisioned a canopy. Her avatar powers ran forth, and without any knowledge of what was necessary, she let it all pour.[break][break]

She wanted more shade.[break][break]

She made a rock slide.[break][break]

“Fuck! I fucked up!”[break][break]

They ran.[break][break]

---

[break][break]

She never knew restraint.[break][break]

In this world, Bailey Cooper never had enough. She never had the luxury to slack—if she wanted something done right, it meant putting all of her effort and all of her strength into it.[break][break]

With avatar powers, that was no longer the truth.[break][break]

Earth could be hard, but it could also crumble.[break][break]

As the first day of the hike came to its end, she took time after dinner to find a flat expanse of land for her to practice on; somewhere she could let loose and see what these powers could do.[break][break]

And she was not alone in this show of fissures and eruptions.[break][break]

Large attacks could be executed without hesitation. It was the smaller strikes, the subtle ones, that baffled her and made it difficult to remain in control.[break][break]

An attempt to create a pillar of rock underneath herself had been more comparable to a springboard.[break][break]

“Gentle, gentle...” and as she took a stance, she felt Paddington nudge her leg just to make sure her legs were shoulder-length apart. “Okay... so... just... real smooth, right?”[break][break]

The Bewear nodded.[break][break]

Fellow fighting-types watched. Some snickered. [break][break]

“Guys, come on! I'm learning, okay?”[break][break]

They decided to impart their knowledge. Even if they were not ground-types, there was some degree of similarity. They showed stances. They showed the right way to breathe before a strike. They showed her how to collect herself before committing to her next action.[break][break]

Break it down like steps.[break][break]

Breathe, step, breathe.[break][break]

Stance.[break][break]

Her shoulders rolled back, and with one simple glide of the hand, executed a simple palm strike.[break][break]

From that punch, ground in the distance parted like a wake as a jutting spike emerged at her command.[break][break]

Then, clench fist, as its tip glowed orange before its ear-shattering eruption.[break][break]

“Fuck yeah!”[break][break]

---

[break][break]

Travel through the rocky landscape gave time for these lessons to refine themselves.[break][break]

She experimented while walking; taking pebbles and crunching them in her palm to reform them into different shapes. Like charms, she started simple with shapes like hearts and stars.[break][break]

Sometimes, when the path was not wide enough, she would expand it.[break][break]

Sometimes, she would sink her fingers into sheer cliffs, and let them glide into their surface like they were pitons being driven; it made climbs all the more simple to perform.[break][break]

Subtlety in combat was simple to understand, but hard to execute.[break][break]

In an odd twist, lessons that she had imparted onto her pokemon were imparted onto her.[break][break]

---

[break][break]

The dojo came into view.[break][break]

As it did, Bailey Cooper felt a resurgence of strength. After hours of climbing, hours of walking, it was as if the location had unveiled itself; had she not glanced back in its direction, she felt like she could have missed it entirely. It had only been at the right angle, as she had gazed down from a precipice, that the estate could be viewed from above.[break][break]

She walked across its grounds, noting the emptiness.[break][break]

The sliding doors parted to reveal the old man and another; her eyes glancing to Kazimir Wynter without a hint of recognition.[break][break]

“Shit, am I late?”

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To think that this whole adventure had begun with a desire to explore the world. As Balder was climbing the ravine, he couldn't help but rethink of everything that had happened since he had set out in the world. While young, only with his Alolan Graveler at the time, he had decided to undertake a bigger challenger then staying in Alola: see and learn more of the other regions.[break][break]

Johto had been the first region he had explored. The first hurdle, just like that angular ledge that he was reaching for. The young Balder, 18 at the time, visited New Bark Town first. Asked question to the local professors, wishing to learn a bit more about the region. That's also where he encountered Ash, a Cyndaquil at the time, and took it with him. After the professor's approval of course.[break]

---

[break]

It had been now 2 hours since the bulky man had started his climb. Arriving on a flat platform, the man looked upwards, towards where the Dojo should be located. A sight like this... It reminded him of his climb of Mt. Silver, when he had been looking for a strong trainer that was said to have selected the summit as his temporary home. While that rumor was bogus, the experience was nonetheless gratifying for the man, as it helped him and his team get stronger.[break][break]

A similar reason that drove him to hike the current mountain. To gain more strength. A strength that he definitely needed right now, so he can find his family, save his friends, rescue Solgaleo and destroy team rocket. Maybe he had that strength previously, but the recent events... Served to demonstrate that he didn't, or lost it somehow.[break]

---

[break]

Back on the hike, Balder was now reviewing his journey in Orre. He had been 20 at the time and had acquired a motor bike for the journey in the arid region. His Alolan Graveler had evolved to his Golem form and the team had acquired Tetsu the Aron as their new companion. This is where Balder's interest for legends started, as he visited Agate Village and was told legends about Celebi and other creatures from the many regions. Thus, with his curiosity piqued, the man began his travels once more.[break][break]

Flash forward to a couple of years, the news of the fall of Kanto. At that moment, Balder was in Unova, visiting Snowpoint town and about to explore the ruins. But when he heard of the situation of the region... Everything was dropped. He took the fastest transportation to Johto, as access to Kanto was now impossible. And from Johto...[break]

---

[break]

The rock under Balder's hand gave out, his right foot slipping as well. Luckily, he was still holding on. Without the steel body he had when he was Leo's Avatar, a fall from this height would be problematic, if not deadly. The man closed his eyes. "I gotta focus now. Gotta leave that war behind me." After a few deep breaths, the man resumed his climb.[break][break]

While he had indeed moved on from the atrocious Kanjoh War, the man was now remembering the chain of events that led to his downfall in Hoenn. From the meeting with Olivia, his rise to Gym leader before the fall caused by the new year and the loss of Solgaleo. The Alolan Man had fought a lot in his life, he had rose to a position of prestige due to the help of others, yet it was his own imbecility and lack of strength that lead to his demise.[break][break]

He had fought Ultra Beasts, he had met multiple legendaries, especially the guardians from his homeland, met multiple individuals yet... Nothing could've prepared him to his stupidity. Of getting overconfident and carried away with his powers. He himself was one of the few that fought one of those Ultra Beasts in hand to hand combat and came out unscathed. But what followed... Issuing the wrong commands to Leo, not utilizing the Lion's powers properly, led to a man's downfall. To punch a man he respected due to the debacle about a goddamn shoe. And in the end... Lead to someone's death while trying to save someone.[break][break]

Following that... Losing Solgaleo had also been a heavy blow. A reminder of Balder's Weakness. And the events that followed, being somewhat wanted by the league, shunned by many and having to isolate himself, even flee the region for a time.[break][break]

No more.[break]

---

[break]

Going back to Johto and Orre reminded him a few things, made him notice what he lacked. The weight on his shoulder was heavy, a weight that he needed to carry alone. He couldn't depend on others anymore. The man had to rework his foundations, to gain strength once more. And be ready for anything that would be thrown at him.[break][break]

Thus, the man arrived before the Dojo. As he approached the secluded building, he noticed two familiar faces: Bailey and Kazimir. "Guess I'm not the only one that heard of this place." His gaze rested on Bailey for a few seconds, then to Kazimir. "Kazimir, did you forget the usual?" A jest, of course. A reminder of the Pokkenger outfits. But if he had shown himself without the suit, that meant he had decided to gain strength for his purpose.[break][break]

Balder entered, closing the doors behind him and Bailey. He then removed his boots at the rocky entrance and advanced upon the wooden flooring. The young man bowed, almost forming a 90 degree angle, as it was customary for Dojos of this kind. Or so he had learned during his travels. He then drew closer, but stayed some feet away from the old man as he took place, in a Seiza position, hands resting on his thighs. Balder noted the man's back and his overall appearance, then lowered his head again. "A pleasure to meet you sir. I would like to inquire if it is possible to be trained by you?"

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“Oh ho ho ho? A student?” [break][break]

The sound of the dojo doors part after far too long. Although Kazimir is the first to enter, he alone does not steal away the Dojo Master’s attention. Not even the Champion, as surprising as she is, begets his acknowledgement. [break][break]

“Shi, shi, shi, another?” [break][break]

Much to his surprise, it’s not just the two of them. In fact, the dojo seems to teem with newfound life, building its foundation on the five who manages to stomach the journey to find their well-hidden destination. Among them, Bailey’s PRIMAL ENERGY and VICTORY STAR start to react. It’s not obvious to the others, no more than sudden flush, but she can feel the heat pool with an uncanny fervor. Balder too will feel different — familiar, having only lost his conditioning recently — sturdy as steel, if only to match his tempered humility.[break][break]

Kazimir, while different in his own right, will match Valerio and Iris. They lack any special blessing, which makes them all the more impressive. Having them reach the same plateau as the others is what causes the Dojo Master to finally answer them.[break][break][break]


“Fu, fu, fu, and who might you be?” His eyes present the question to the pair of Iris and Valerio, before he turns to the others, running his hands down his chin in a contemplative manner. “How about we start with an introduction and what strength you hope to find?”[break][break]

His smile is genuine enough to be disarming. It doesn’t match the hinted mass of muscle hidden under his gi. Nothing throws you off your radar just yet. For one reason or another, you feel complied to answer him. It’s almost enough to force you to obey.[break][break]

“This old man have been something back when you kids were scared of the dark but time has made me as old as the torches of your grandfathers. The answer I have may be too old for what you seek.” [break][break]



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Make sure you keep the Pokemon required for the prompt on your person until the end of the Research Thread. Please have them listed in your PC as well. At this time, you do not need to track their moves or abilities, but should be able prove that you've acquired them if requested.

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the doors remained opened as more people started to fill the dojo. it was a surprise that they never crossed paths with one another during the trip up here especially considering the familiar faces he had seen walk through those doors. first was Bailey Cooper who walked in and kazimir took a second to size up the champion. from all the stories he's heard of her front the net she didn't seem like the crazy person people said she was. she was actually kinda cute, pokkenger was a lucky man.
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next was Balder Schwartz who kaz wasn't surprised he could make it up here but that he decided to follow the rumors, but with the adventure they shared and its end result he could understand why the alolan would seek out more power to at least protect people. he gave a smile and raised a finger to his closed lips when asked if he brought the usual, couldn't spoil any surprises on this trip after all.
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next was Valerio Dachev, a face he was newly familiar with followed by @iris foster, he didn't know a lot about them other than val being one heck of a charmer and the fact that he could get himself up here on this dojo...well that just added a whole lot to his attractiveness. Iris was pretty cute herself.
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as the old man got up and addressed them kaz was quick to bow in reponse, he honestly didn't see the guy being real...welcoming. his question did give kazimir a bit of pause. what kind of strength did he want to find? well that was an easy one, so siting straight up he reached into his bag to pull something out and slip over his head as he stood up. on his hed was not the mask of the world famous hero pokkenger, but the mask resembling that of an incineroar. "the name's incinemask! i'm here to become the strongest there is in the region! hoenn's had its share of troubles and disasters so i'm gonna help everyone out and i need strength to do that! i'm sick of not doing much to help and sitting by the sidelines letting other people handle problems on their own. someone's gotta watch their backs y'know!" he stood up as he did his speech, smiling underneath the mask as he raised his fist up and gripped it tight to show his determination in his own beliefs.[break][break][break]


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More individuals had entered just before the man closed the doors. Both which the Alolan man had never seen. Not that surprising though, he didn't know everyone in Hoenn either. Thus he didn't give more attention to them. But while he was sitting in Seiza, the man felt something. A familiar feeling, akin to when he was an Avatar. When Solgaleo was with him. That was reminding him some bad memories again, thus he took a deep breath and pushed that thought away.[break][break]

The Master proceeded to suggest an introduction from everyone, as well as the reason why they sought strength. Kazimir was the first to step forward and begin the round. But.... He did it in a way that was very... him. And proceeded to make Balder facepalm loudly. What was the guy thinking? Especially after the alolan man said Kazimir's name when he entered?[break][break]

Bailey proceeded right after, seemingly unfazed by the show that Incinemask. While Kazimir had been strong and confident, directly to the point (Excluding the mask), Bailey almost seemed... Lacking in resolve. Uncertainty. For that strong attitude she had during the meeting at Evergrande, this seemed... Different.[break][break]

Balder emitted a sigh and looked at Kazimir first. "You do know I said your real name when entering right? Your identity is already exposed, the mask is kind of useless now... But glad to see you finally got the resolve that you lacked before." The Alolan man nodded before then looking at the Champion.[break][break]

"Bailey, I know you're the Champion now, but not everyone here might know of your name. Could've been a good idea to start with that. And... Why do you sound so uncertain? You're already an amazing woman in your own right. You did things many thought impossible, and now you're the Champion. You should believe in yourself more. Be proud even."[break][break]

Balder gently smiled at her before looking at the master, getting a more serious face. "As for me, I'm Balder Schwartz, from Alola. Like the two of them, I seek to gain the strength to protect those that I hold dear, as well as to defend the region and my home as best as possible. But... This isn't the reason why I came here."[break][break]

Balder took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. "In my life, I have lost many things. Some times due to my own imbecility, other times due to events around me. People died, people close to me have gone missing for now more then a few years and I lost many friends due to my lack of strength, resolve and my own actions. This needs to stop. Thus... I want to acquire the strength that will help me recover what is lost. And to protect them this time, to not fail in my duty towards them." Hopefully this would be a satisfying answer.

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“Oh ho ho ho! This generation of children are so wise in their answers. Perhaps you should be scholars instead of warriors.” A light hearted chuckle billows from his soul before his eyebrows knot in serious contemplation. “Alas, this old man is not nearly as smart as all of you. In all my life I have never had so many students walk the same path. For this to have happened must mean that you must truly be gifted.” [break][break]

He takes a deep breath, chest puffed up from the sudden inhale, before shouting from the top of his lungs. [break][break]



His words reach the heart and everyone present will feel it stir inside of them. Balder will feel his inhuman durability swell within his muscles, not granting him super strength per se, but reinforcing his ability to stomach the the harshest of blows like a Steel type Pokemon. Bailey will feel her energy boil into a restlessness where exhaustion is thought impossible. As long as the magma underneath the surface continues to churn so will she. [break][break]

Likewise, Iris, and Valerio will feel their energy flare up proportionately. Without any latent gifts, most of their power comes from their own mental state, regressing to their relative prime. For the Rockets, both softened by time, one in cohorts with the League, the other out of active warfare, they’ll feel the same bite in their movements as during the war. The dragon slayer becomes a living legend, before his failure in Johto, ready to lay siege to any in his way. Iris, undeterred, shows the same cruelty that comes from the competency of her past. [break][break]

Kazimir, a hero in his own right, will lack the same punch as those around him. While they feel stronger, professed to their prime, he alone will feel something unlike raw vigor. Instead, he feels the hearts and cheers of people he can’t place. Their voices and faces are blurs, indistinguishable, but they all call out his ‘name’. They root for him, not as Kazimir, but as the savior that’s touched their lives in their moment of need. It’s more endearing than powerful but that in itself it enough to push his body with a deeper, more wholesome encouragement. [break][break]

“Ha ha ha! Well deserved, students! You seek strength and you shall find it in the rawest form! Fear not, fu fu fu!” The dojo master balls both his hands into fists before crouching into a horse stance. He tucks his elbows in before punching straight forward, demonstrating standard technique. [break][break]

“For I know Kung Fu! Hyah!” [break][break]

He punches one more time, this time with the other hand. When his hand extends all the way, you can notice the visible veins that pulse along his forearm. The size may not match a competitive show Machamp’s but for a man of his age it’s by all means impressive. An experienced combatant can tell that his perfect muscle use is due to his stance. [break][break]

“When I was a young man, we fought alongside our Pokemon. The strongest of warriors could go toe-to-toe with any creature. I shall teach you my techniques and someday you too shall be able to defeat them. This, I have entrusted to you, my dear student! Bwa ha ha ha!” [break][break]

And with this, your SKETCHY training begins. [break][break]

By the end of your first 'lesson' each of you will have learned an 'official' martial arts stance. [break][break]

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• Pick a pose!
• First come first serve!
• You may not pick the same pose as someone else.
• Write a post about your individual and group pose!
• This is required to receive the research reward!

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Make sure you keep the Pokemon required for the prompt on your person until the end of the Research Thread. Please have them listed in your PC as well. At this time, you do not need to track their moves or abilities, but should be able prove that you've acquired them if requested.

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