Zopilote

Evil-doer
Full Name	Zopilote
Alias	None
Origin	Elena of Avalor
Occupation	Malvago
Powers / Skills	Magic Shapeshifting
Hobby	None known
Goals	Steal whatever he wants from Ash's village. Teach Ash Delgado dark magic. Train Esteban to use his teleportation powers (all succeeded). Steal Princess Elena's scepter (failed).
Crimes	Murder Usage of dark magic Theft Conspiracy
Type of Villain	Homicidal Wizard

Zopilote is an antagonist in the third season of the Disney Junior TV series Elena of Avalor. He is the mentor of Ash Delgado and later Chancellor Esteban.

He was voiced by Tony Shalhoub.

Personality

Zopilote takes pride in being evil, stealing whatever he wants from Ash’s village and happily trying to kill Mateo during an attempt to steal Princess Elena's scepter. He also finds delight when those he mentors become evil, as when he learned that Ash stole his tamborita, he was not angry with her and was instead proud of his student's maliciousness.

History

When Ash was a young girl, Zopilote invaded her village and stole whatever he wanted, including her two pet mice. This act caused Ash to believe that only wicked people win, so she sought Zopilote as her mentor, and for 10 years he taught her dark magic.

In "Sister of Invention", Ash and Carla go to him in order to get new tamboritas. As he only has one spare, he gives it to Carla after taking a liking to her rude personality but offers Ash something more valuable: a puzzle map to Takaina. Not long after he leaves, Ash steals his tamborita.

In "Captain Mateo", Ash and Esteban go to him and Ash begs for forgiveness for stealing his tamborita, though Zopilote instead expresses pride at his prized student's malice act. He is unimpressed when Ash informs him that it got destroyed, but regardless decides to teach Esteban, who he learns got the magic of Takaina, how to use his new powers, on the condition that Ash remember that he is the master.

In "Dreamcatcher", Zopilote continues training Esteban on how to use his new powers but becomes frustrated at his reluctance. He realizes that Esteban does not like his new life and desires to return to the palace, but he informs him that the only thing waiting for him there is a princess who wants to banish him to a deserted island.

In "Spirit of a Wizard", after Esteban masters his teleportation powers, he informs him and Ash that the entrance to Takaina was sealed shut by enchanted crystals from Princess Elena's scepter. The three decide to steal her scepter and formulate a plan to ambush her and the others. When Esteban uses his powers to find them, Zopilote learns that Alacazar is with them and reveals that he has a history with him. During the ambush, Zopilote attempts to kill Mateo only for Alacazar to take the blast instead. Even though they succeeded briefly in getting the scepter, Elena eventually manages to get it back with Mateo's help and Zopilote winds up being turned into a tiny yellow bird by him.

Quotes

“	Ash! My pride and joy! [...] I knew someday you would return! I just didn't think it would be so soon.	„
	~ Zopilote's debut.

“	Aren't you a rude and impetuous little girl? She reminds me of you.	„
	~ Zopilote takes a liking to Carla's rudeness.

“	Move the pieces to rearrange the map. Solve the puzzle, and the magic of Takaina will be yours.	„
	~ Zopilote explains how the map to Takaina works.

“	It has been a very long time since I have seen such... little raw talent! But, I cannot let such great magic go to waste.	„
	~ Zopilote after examining Esteban's magic potential.

“	I will train him on one condition. From now on, you will remember who is the master.	„
	~ Zopilote agrees to train Esteban.

“	Ah, I see what is going on here. You do not like your new life with us. You wish you could return to the palace, surrounded by servants, and feasts, and manners. [...] There's only one thing waiting for you at the palace. A princess who wants to banish you to a deserted island.	„
	~ Zopilote to Esteban.

“	I see nothing has changed in all these years, Alacazar. You are still woofully outmatched.	„
	~ Zopilote confronting Alacazar.

Trivia

• "Zopilote" is Spanish for "buzzard", which is what Carla calls him when rudely snatching his tamborita from him.
• "Zopilote" is another name for a black vulture, which is befitting given that he can shape-shift into a vulture.