>the only reference to past seasons in XY was Ash having traveled

>>32272568

XYZ was extremely lacking in continuity references.

SM has so far had more continuity references to previous seasons than XYZ in its entirety did, such as Ash mentioning his Tauros to Lillie, and recognizing a Stoutland without Rotom Dex needed to scan it.

>>32272568
More like this new movie and XY are their own continuity.

>>32272622
>and recognizing a Stoutland without Rotom Dex needed to scan it.
He does that all the time

>>32272568
>>the only reference to past seasons in XY was Ash having traveled with a Piplup

Ummm...what?

>>32272703
He referenced that a girl he traveled with before had a Piplup. Didn't mention Dawn by name.

>>32272703
He mentions it in the aquarium episode. Aside from a couple of passing references (having more Pokemon at Oak's), that's basically the only reference towards past seasons in XY. It was assumed that it meant Dawn's Piplup, but OP's theory seems to be that it was preemptively referencing this.