The Royal Line of AZ
By Remus Lupin
Of all the talk the many Ancient and Noble Houses of Avalon and the surrounding regions make of their proud ancestry, none can match the sheer influence of the Royal Line as AZ. This line, which stretches back over 2000 years, has more than any other bloodline influenced and altered the fate and destiny of this world.
AZ was the King of Kalos who ruled during the Scouring War. Once a just and peaceful king, AZ went mad when his first Pokémon, given to him by his mother, was killed by enemy soldiers. AZ sought a way to not only cheat death but also visit it upon his enemies, leading to one of the most devastating massacres in history. No one is quite sure if he succeeded in cheating death, but it is known that he most certainly rewarded the spectre with many fresh souls.
What little sanity AZ had left before he activated his Great Weapon saw him seeking to protect his children, four sons. Each was told to flee Kalos and never return and it was made to appear as if they had been banished and disowned by their father. There are still many in Kalos who do not realize that AZ's line continues to this day. Some psychologists believe that this is the reason why myths about AZ still wandering Kalos exist: they are a memory that there once were sons of the great king who dwelled in the lands.
From these four sons came the great rulers of our world. Sadly, many of them met the same fate as their father. The King of the Abyss and the King of Pokelantis, both of whose names have been lost to the ages, were drawn to the sea and set up their kingdoms there. The Abyss King built a great aquatic temple off the southern shores of Unova, which was considered one of the Ancient Wonders of the World. It height above the waves was equal to its height below and travelers would marvel at the ability to look below the waters. The Abyss King died fighting a great evil and his temple sunk below to the ocean floor, becoming the Abyssal Ruins. The King of Pokelantis proved to be his father's son and attempted to conquer the world. Madness overtook him and he was known to make bold claims and drown those that dared to correct him while he laughed upon his throne. He was defeated by Ho-Oh and his island kingdom was wiped from the face of the earth.
The third son, Sarthira, journeyed to Johto, where he discovered the Unown. By freeing them from the Ruins they had become trapped in, the Unown pledged themselves to his line, just as they had done for past rulers. Sarthira would not fall like his brothers and became a just and fair ruler… though never a king. His Pokémon was an Arbok which also became the sigil of his House and later, his grandson Stalor would change his last name to Slytherin in honor of the serpent. After several generations Sarthira and Stalor's descendant Salazar Slytherin the First, or Salazar the Great, became a student under Merlin, learning how to go beyond mere friendship with Pokémon and becoming a trainer. Salazar the Great honored the Hogwarts House that bore his name by allowing his own family's sigil to be theirs.
Sadly, the madness of AZ still mingled in his bloodline and Salazar's son, Salazar the Second, tried to take control of the Castle Hogwarts. Salazar, along with his friends, fought the boy and all four gave their lives to defeat the Second. The cost was even greater for Salazar the First, whose name was stained by those that confused the actions of his son as those of his. The Slytherin Line continued through the ages, become eventually the Gaunt Line. Eventually the male line died off but it was through the female lines that it survived… though is the best and worst ways. Tom Riddle, the onetime Avalon Pokémon League Champion and nearly the Minister of Avalon, was of the elder line. The insanity of AZ was strong in him and like his forefathers he sought dominance of the world. He was struck down by the Heir of the younger Gaunt line, Lily Potter nee Evans. Thus, the last Heir of this line, the Heir of Slytherin and the Heir of AZ, is Lily's son, Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived.
It is the final line, the youngest of AZ's sons, who offers the greatest amount of hope… or despair, depending on who you ask. Known as Rodrick, the youngest son made his way to Hoenn, where he discovered the great beast Aggron. Making this the sigil of his house, Rodrick, much like Stalor, changed his last name, becoming known as King Stalor Ironside and created the Ironside dynasty. The family ruled Hoenn for 500 years until, peacefully and with well wishes, the last crowned prince, Jonah the Bold or Jonah the Restless, surrendered the crowd and left to settle in the wilds of Johto to seek adventure. Jonah eventually settled in Olivine and his descendents became the Gym Leaders of Olivine.
The Line of Ironside would not be free of scandal and upheaval, however. Marie Ironside, eldest of the family and at that time Heir to the Ancient and Royal House of Ironside, fell in love with Kent Kenway, whose family will be discussed later in this collection. Marie's sons, Jack Kenway (the Father of Johto) and Jonas Kenway (the Fist of Johto) were the lead commanders during the Johto/Kanto War (or, as it is known in some circles, 'Kenway's Rebellion'). It remains to be seen if the combination of the Blood of AZ and the Blood of Kenway (known to not be the most stable and whose family tree is filled with warriors, assassins, and rebels) will see history repeat itself, though the fact that the brothers have already waged one war at such a young age (Jack being 23 and his brother 20 at the start of the war) does not bode well.
The final line of the AZ Bloodline is the remaining Ironside, Jasmine. Daughter of Oliver and Laurel Ironside, Jasmine's young life was forever altered when her parents were killed during the Pokémon League Massacre. Oliver and his wife were attempting to arrange peaceful talks with the Kanto Elite Four, to discuss how to end the unrest that had begun to rise up in Johto. Oroku Koga, in a rare moment of rashness, made a wild gesture his men took to mean 'attack' and the protestors, along with Oliver and Laurel, were killed where they stood. Jack Kenway, already a favorite cousin to Jasmine, adopted the girl, who renamed herself Jasmine Kenway. Jack became Regent of the House of Ironside, due to his own claim to the title, and swore to Jasmine he would destroy both the man and the place that had cost her parents their lives.
It is well known what happened next and many have reported young Jasmine smiled when she witnessed her adopted father Jack detonate the Pokémon League.
Though Jasmine did not fight in the Johto/Kanto War, all reports suggest that the strength and rage of the AZ Bloodline runs through her veins. Currently a 5th year at Olivine Point, Jasmine already is seen as a battle prodigy.
Harry Potter. Jack Kenway. Jonas Kenway. Jasmine Ironside-Kenway.
The four heirs of the House of AZ. Four sons… four descendants.
With hints of war brewing throughout the regions, one only has to look towards those four to know upon whose shoulders the fate of the world will rest upon.