Pokémon Legends Z-A is the most recent entry in the Pokémon Legends spin-off franchise, revisiting iconic regions from the mainline Pokémon games by traveling to the past. Players not only get to see magnificent sights in the region as they were in the past, but they will also meet the ancestors of various pre-established characters. One particularly mysterious character from the Pokémon X and Y games, simply known as AZ, could make another appearance in this spin-off.
AZ was revealed to be the former king of the Kalos region, and the creator of the ultimate weapon, which granted him eternal life. In X and Y, he is shown to be searching for his beloved partner, Pokémon Floette, who was also granted immortality by the ultimate weapon. Considering how little is known about AZ and what happened to him throughout the thousands of years he’s been alive, the possibility of him reappearing in Legends Z-A opens the door for many intriguing narrative opportunities.
AZ’s Role 3,000 Years Ago
A Ruler Who Sacrificed Many
Three thousand years ago, AZ’s brother started a massive war in an attempt to take over Kalos for himself, which took the lives of many and forced numerous Pokémon to fight as mere soldiers. One of those Pokémon ended up being AZ’s own beloved Floette, which had been a gift from his late mother. Unfortunately, Floette did not survive the battle, leaving AZ grief-stricken, and so he built the ultimate weapon in an attempt to bring his Floette back to life.
AZ’s efforts succeeded, but they came at a heavy cost. He ended up using the weapon to destroy both sides of the war, ending it for good, but his Floette became horrified upon learning that the ultimate weapon was powered by the life energy of Pokémon, and left. After the war ended, AZ’s brother sought to make amends for his previous actions by burying the ultimate weapon so it could never be used again.
AZ In The Present Day
AZ Reunites With His Beloved Partner Pokémon
In the present day in X and Y, AZ appears as an unsuspecting old man simply wandering the region looking for his Floette. Not wanting the ultimate weapon to ever be fired again, he keeps the key around his neck for safekeeping but is unfortunately captured by Team Flare, who can now use the weapon for themselves. Fortunately, the protagonist manages to stop the evil team, and AZ expresses his immense gratitude.
After the player defeats the champion Diantha for the first time, AZ appears during the celebration parade and challenges the player to a battle. After the player is victorious, he smiles, thanking them for freeing him from his mental torment. His beloved Floette finally returns to him, and the two then set off on a journey together, reunited after thousands of years.
What Legends Z-A Could Reveal
There Is Potential To Add More To AZ’s Story
Legends Z-A will likely take place somewhere between the Kalos War and the present day. Given that the teaser trailer described Lumiose City as undergoing urban redevelopment, it is clear that this version of Kalos is in a time of peace and prosperity, leading to an abundance of new artwork and architecture. It is possible that the player could run into AZ throughout the story, where they either witness him helping with the urban redevelopment itself or simply find him reminiscing about the past, revealing more about his life.
At the same time, there is the chance that other members of AZ’s family could play a role as well. AZ could face the consequences of his actions from three thousand years ago if one of his descendants uncovers the ultimate weapon with plans to utilize it, similar to Lysandre. Rather than being a destroyer, AZ could prove himself as a hero by fighting alongside the player to save the Kalos region.
Ultimately, we’ll only learn what kind of role AZ could have in this latest installment in the Pokémon franchise when the game releases. Being a game that is a culmination of a decade-long wait, many are highly anticipating just what kind of intriguing stories will tell in the past of this beloved region. With so much potential and intriguing lore, one cannot help but be excited as to what Pokémon Legends Z-A has in store for its narrative.