>>30220236Where can you see the MOST Pokemon Moves in a short amount of time? The Battle Royal!
Thus my theory is that Kukui watches Battle Royal battles all the time!
And who is the most recognizable star of the Battle Royal? Masked Royal!
What Pokemon does the Masked Royal use? ROCKRUFF!!
What Pokemon does Kukui use? ROCKRUFF!!
The only plausible explanation for them using the EXACT SAME POKEMON would be if Kukui saw the Masked Royal performing in a Battle Royal, realized how cool Rockruff's moves looked, and sought to copy Royal's team so he too could use such cool moves to inspire new trainers.
But what about the mask?? Well now we know that Kukui is a fan of Royal. And if the events of the game are anything to go by, the Masked Royal will meet with his fans BEFORE entering the ring to compete. He has a full conversation with you, Hau, and Gladion before the Battle Royal introduction. He is also well aware of you and Hau going on the Island Challenge. Hau explains this by your island pendants giving it away.
BUT YOUR PENDANT IS ON YOUR BACKPACK, HIDDEN FROM ROYAL'S EYESIGHT SO HOW COULD HE HAVE KNOWN?!
Unless someone TOLD him...
Someone who KNEW who you were, had met you enough to be able to describe you, and had the means to tell Royal ABOUT you...
Someone like Kukui.
The pieces are starting to fall into place, ladies and gentlemen.
So back to the mask. It bares a not-insignificant resemblance to the REAL mask that Royal uses... so how come it's called "Professor's Mask"? It's obvious now that the other pieces are in place...
The Masked Royal gave Professor Kukui one of his own, spare masks. Signed by the man himself as a gift to his good friend.
That's right. "Good friend."
