Fragments (Legacy)

Fragments is the fifth chapter of Pokemon Legacy.
== Plot ==
[Mason Shade was sitting at a desk across from Professor Wicke. His recent academic scores were not too good and it caused concern among the professors, mainly Professor Wicke.]
Wicke: Mason, I assume you know where you are here?
Mason: Because of my test scores?
Wicke: Not just because of your test scores. I wanted to talk to you about potential ideas of a focus for your major.
Mason: Oh?
Wicke: While you don’t have to pick it just yet. There are a lot of options for Pokemon Studies. Do you want to become a professor?
Mason: I’ve thought about it before, but it’s still a maybe.
Wicke: What made you choose Pokemon Studies as your major, Mason?
Mason: I don’t really remember. I just sort of picked it.
[Mason held his head in thought trying to recall why he even picked this major. Wicke started typing on her computer.]
Wicke: We have focused on Evolution, Pokemon-Human Interaction, Breeding, Habitats, Origins, Mega Evolution, Moves, Dynamax, History, and much more. Do any of these interest you? As well as, there is the option to change your major altogether.
Mason: I remember I looked into Mega Evolution and Dyna/Gigantamaxing. Those sound good. I was also briefly part of the Hisui Project, uncovering bones.
[Wicke looked at him with a confused look.]
Wicke: Hisui?? There isn’t a project with that name?
Mason: Well, I don’t remember the actual title. But I helped discover fossils of ancient Sinnoh or Hisui Pokémon.
Wicke: Again, this Hisui thing, is that the name of a new Pokemon? I have never heard it prior to our meeting.
Mason: I just said it was Ancient Sinnoh.
[Wicke just looked more confused. She was not at all sure what to do or say.]
Wicke: There haven’t been any ancient discoveries for Sinnoh past the findings of Shieldon and Cranidos fossils, Mason…
Mason: Wha-...
[Mason was shocked and nearly fell out of his chair. He was confused as to what was going on. He had to be sure he was dreaming so he pinched himself.]
Wicke: Just think about where to take your major, okay?
[The meeting ended and Mason went back to his dorm. He walked into the room a little annoyed.]
Daniel: How did your meeting go?
Mason: How do you think it went? I hate this place.
Isaac: I feel that man, what happened?
Venus: Were you given an extra assignment?
Mason: No, just a lecture about what I wanted to do with my life. What I said I wanted to do, I was told Hisui wasn’t real, it was a made-up thing I made! I am seriously thinking about dropping out!
Venus: What’s Hisui?
[Mason groaned and gave up storming to his room. Upon slamming the door, a book fell from Mason’s bookshelf. He rubbed his head reading it. It was his journal with all his notes inside of it. He looked it over find the notes that he did on countless topics through self-research: mega evolution, dynamaxing, and sure enough he found his notes on Hisui. Within the book was a picture of the team he helped, the leader was someone in the Champion Cynthia’s family. He knew this wasn’t exactly proof of anything other than making him look crazier, but it did drive him to want to prove them wrong by finding proof Hisui existed. All he needed to do was find something and the first step was getting off this damn island to find some books. While he would have better chances of finding his proof in Sinnoh, that costed way more money than he had, so he settled for trying to scavenge the library and resources on Ula’Ula Island. The sun started to set and Mason made his move. His first obstacle would be leaving the dorm without suspicion. ]
Mason: I'm going to the Fountain to blow some steam off.
[He said to the others as he walked out, holding his notebook under his arm protectively.]
Venus: Hey guys? Do you think that Mason seemed a little… off? I mean, it might just be nothing, but still.
Daniel: I think he is. It seems the test score he got has made him pretty upset.
Isaac: I don't blame him, wondering if one of us should maybe follow him just to make sure he's ok.
Daniel: I might be able to follow him. Does anyone else want to come too?
Isaac: It's probably for the best that only one person follows him, he'll be less likely to find us.
Venus: It would also have to be someone that would make him the least mad if they got caught.
[All of them followed until they could decide who would follow should Mason go off the island. Off the island, Mason did go. He had sneaked aboard a ship heading to Ula’Ula with the help of Cybird. Eventually, the ship came to dock in Malie City, the perfect place to start Mason’s quest. Mason made his way to the library in Malie City. He started by looking for any books that would be useful. He put a hand to his head. He then snapped his fingers as he began looking for any books on old legends, specifically Manaphy. Mason tried looking but the books here were not that useful. There was another resource that could be of some use on this island. The observatory on Mount Hokulani. He endured the steep path that lead to the building. Mason went in and spotted Professor Kukui inside talking to Molyane. Kukui spotted Mason and smiled gesturing for him to come over.]
Kukui: Alola, Mason!
Mason: Alola, Professor.
Kukui: What are you doing here so late in the day?
Mason: Oh, uh. Research. I’m still debating a Major. So I’m trying things out to see what I like.
Kukui: Then I should introduce you to Sophocles.
Mason: Ah, yes. I’ve heard of him before. I hear he’s a genius. Maybe it’d be nice to talk to a peer outside of school.
[Kukui took Mason into a lab where Sophocles was cursing at one of the machines for not working. He inspected it and found the problem.]
Sophocles: God damn it. Those Team Skull bastards did it again.
Kukui: Busy Soph?
Sophocles: Kukui? A friend? Come in! Alola!
Mason: Looks like somebody sabotaged your cortex coupler.
Sophocles: It’s the power supply that’s shot. Team Skull has been reportedly damaging circuit boxes all over Alola. Something similar happened to Fossilopolis on Akala.
Mason: Team Skull’s up to no good again huh?
Sophocles: When are they not? Say could you do me a favor and go out back and turn the switches for the lab back on?
[Mason agreed to head outside and saw a Magnemite stuck to the panel, which was likely causing the issues inside.]
Mason: Awww, hey there little buddy? Stuck? Getting a meal perhaps?
[It tried to move to no avail. Mason then pried it off as gently as he could. It wouldn’t budge. Whatever Team Skull did made the Magnet Pokemon really stuck in there. Mason rushed back inside and asked for any item that could help the Magnemite, Sophocles gave him a magnet. Mason went back outside and used the magnet. The Pokemon got loose and floated to the magnet in Mason’s hands. Magnemite floated around Mason’s head with what appeared to be a happy expression.]
Mason: Oh? Did you want to join me, little guy?
Magnemite: Magne!
[Mason nodded using a Pokeball to gently capture the Pokemon. He smiled at the Pokeball and went back into the lab.]
Sophocles: Finally! It’s working! Put this on your head!
[Mason very confused but curious put it on as instructed.]
Mason: What is it?
Sophocles: A memory viewer! It will show a look into your head for any memories!
Mason: Uh is this safe?
Sophocles: Let’s find out!
[He pressed a button as the screen turned on but was cloudy. Sophocles tried messing with a few things as Mason tried to focus on his memories. The only thing to come through was a foggy and blurry conversation with what seemed to be Cynthia. The audio was not at all audible leading Sophocles a little disappointed by the results.]
Sophocles: This thing still needs work, god damn it.
[Mason started to mumble something about Basculin when the machine burst into flames. Kukui was quick with it and sent out Popplio to use Water Gun, taking the fire out. Mason panicked and removed the device, stepping back. As Sophocles tried to figure out how to fix the device, the lights flickered again.]
Sophocles: God damn, it. Team Skull is back.
Mason: I’ll deal with them.
[Mason went outside and found some Team Skull grunts messing with the control panel again, this time using a crowbar. Mason sent out his freshly caught Magnemite against the two Skull grunts. The two grunts sent out Gastly and Drowzee in response. Mason also sent out Rockarou since they tried to double-team him.]
Mason: Electro Ball on Gastly and Leer on Drowzee, then Tackle!
[Gastly used Hypnosis on Rockarou while Drowzee used disable on Magnemite. Mason grew frustrated.]
Mason: Bug off.
[He swapped Rockarou out for Cybird and had Magnemite use Thunder Wave on both. The Drowzee used Poison Gas on Cybird while Gastly used Payback on Magnemite. Mason attacks with a Supersonic and Tackle against Drowzee. Gastly uses Confuse Ray on Magnemite, and the Drowzee used confusion on Magnemite.]
Mason: Assholes, as usual.
[They don’t respond instead, Drowzee used Poison Gas as a sort of smokescreen to allow the two grunts to run away.]
Mason: Yeah! You better run!
[He recalled his Pokemon and inspected the damage from the sabotage. It was beyond repair and would have to be replaced. He returned inside to tell Sophocles the bad news.]
Mason: They damaged the powerbox beyond repair…
[Sophocles began to curse as Kukui guided Mason out of the room.]
Kukui: It’s best if we leave be for a bit. So any plans after this?
Mason: Well…I was going to ask Soph if I could use that machine again whenever it gets fixed….I think I have a lot of repressed memories. I don’t know why though. Seeing as things went to hell I guess I’ll go home and hope nobody asks where I went. “I will say though. I’m remembering a lot more than I did before we tested that Memory Extractor on me. If I had the money I’d be funding him.
Kukui: Don’t worry about him, he has plenty of funding from The League. He’s just a bit stubborn when things don’t work out first try. Now, how about we go get some food before I have to report you to Wicke? I know a good dumpling place in Malie.
[He gulped and followed Professor Kukui.]
Mason: I was rather hoping you didn’t catch onto that part.
Kukui: Wicke reported it and I happened to be in the Observatory by complete coincidence. Was not even planning on running into you.
[Kukui took Mason to a nice dumpling place inside Malie City. The two were handed menus as they sat.]
Kukui: Go ahead and order whatever you want, I’ll pay.
Mason: Are you sure?
Kukui: Of course!
[Kukui said with a smile. Mason sighed. Kukui had become like a father to him since he started at Aether University. Mason was a bit said that his memory was different.]
Mason: Honestly, maybe I should go Home instead of back to school.
Kukui: Why’s that? Because of one bad day? If I quit on the first bad day, I wouldn’t be a professor or met my beautiful wife. You never know what’s at the end of the path until you get there. Wicke told me about your conversation. If Hisui is real and exists, and you helped with it once. Wouldn’t it be fun to do it all over again? All it will take is a degree from Aether.
Mason: That’s not exactly it. My memories don’t line up with other people’s. Hau for example acted like he didn’t even know me. I am starting to think I should just bug off instead of going back to Aether.
Kukui: Do you now have new friends you could make? Your housemates? You could even look to rebuilding those previous ones you had. Maybe it was a dream of the future. A call to destiny if you would. My wife studies dreams and the dream world. Maybe she could be of some help if you went down that path as well.
[Mason took out his journal and handed it to Professor Kukui.]
Mason: How do you explain this then?
[Kukui grabbed the book and began looking through it. His focus was drawn toward the picture of Mason with a woman that looked closely related to Cynthia. He took the photo out and handed it back to Mason.]
Kukui: That woman in the photo is the Champion Cynthia’s ancestor from a few centuries back. Something definitely is not adding up here…
Mason: That…..can’t be right. I remember I was on the dig site! We got contracted to research old Sinnoh. Cynthia herself helped some days! 
[He slicked his hair back in disbelief. If Kukui kept looking in the book, he’d see various notes and drawings, as well as an old photo of Mason, Hau, and Lillie, tucked away in one corner on a page by the end cover. Mason held a Litten, looking eager. Hau was seen with Rowlet perched on his shoulder while Lillie had a Popplio by her feet which was balancing on a water bubble for comedic effect.]
Kukui: This photo is further suspicious. I never gave Lillie a Pokemon, and Hau took Popplio as his first Pokemon when he started six years ago, starting at Aether University.
Mason: What the hell is going on?
[He rubbed his temples, his mind was overloaded and on the verge of a breakdown.]
Mason: Well… at least I know I’m not going crazy.
[Kukui took back the photos and placed them back in the book. He then tucked the book away into his lab coat as their food arrived. As soon as the waiter was gone, Kukui went right back to the subject.]
Kukui: I’m going to look into this with my wife. Try not to tell anyone else about this mysterious misalignment between your memory and history. I will try to let you know if I find anything.
Mason: Ok…I have a vague suspicion but I don’t know how to prove it. Please be careful with my book. It means a lot to me.
Kukui: I will.
[The two ate in silence and after they were done, Kukui paid for the both of them and rode the boat back to Aether with Mason. His demeanor changed from serious back to his usual happy one when they boarded.]
Kukui: So, did today help you figure out anything regarding school?
Mason: I suppose. Maybe I’d like to focus more on history. Based on what I remember from my past life anyways. I mean, everything else can fall into place. Mega Evolution is part of history, and so are Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, origins fall under it too.
Kukui: So Pokemon Research on History? I may be able to help point you in the direction of someone who would be a great resource to you.
Mason: Who would that be?
Kukui: A relatively new Professor in Galar. Started about a year ago, taking over for her grandmother who studied specifically Dynamax energies.
[Mason nodded as he was eager to learn. The ship arrived back on Aether very late. Professor Wicke was there waiting for Mason.]
Wicke: Just go home for the night, Mason. We will talk about this later.
[He shrugged it off and went to his dorm. Inside, Venus was on the couch in the living room with an unopened box. Daniel and Isaac were already in their rooms asleep.]
Mason: Uh… hey…
Venus: Hello!
Mason: What are you up to?
Venus: Nothing really. Just looking through some stuff.
Mason: Like what?
Venus: Fossils, mainly.
Mason: May... I see some?
Venus: Sure.
[Venus handed Mason some fossils while she opened the most recent package from her dad. Mason scavenged around the various fossil fragments. Venus handed the new fragments to Mason who looked them over.]
Venus: They’ve from my dad. The note said that they were from this new dig site in Sinnoh, but they don’t look like any fossils I know.
[He stayed silent for a very long time, an uncomfortably long time in fact.]
Mason: Can you get me in touch with him? I think I found someone who will listen to me. We also need to get this fossil revived ASAP! Please, Venus! It’s important to me.
Venus: I suppose so, Mr.Williams did say I was welcome back any time.
[Mason smiled as his hopes were raised, Venus yawned and called it a night. Their adventure would have to be another day.]
== Major Events ==
* Mason starts to look into his memory problems.
== Characters ==
=== Main Characters ===
* Mason Shade
=== Supporting Characters ===
* Isaac Laudren
* Venus Aphrodite
* Daniel Flint
* Professor Kukui
=== Minor Characters ===
* Professor Wicke
* Molyane
* Sophocles
=== Antagonists ===
* Team Skull Grunts
=== Pokemon Used ===
* Magnmite (Wild, Caught by Mason)
* Popplio (Kukui's)
* Gastly (Team Skull's)
* Drowzee (Team Skull's)
* Rockarou (Rockruff, Mason's)
* Cybird (Porygon, Mason's)
== Trivia ==
* The memory device Sophocles built was based on Meet The Robinsons one
* Originally Venus was going to follow Mason to Ula'Ula 
** This would result in Professor Burnet joining Kukui and Mason in the restaurant with Venus.