Anonymous Coward · 4mo
Thinking on it more, I wonder if it would've been better if Ash never meet Alain until the Kalos League. The time dedicated to their rivalry could've been used to develop Sawyer's growing dynamic with Ash more and I think the loss to Alain wouldn't sting nearly as much since we don't have that rivalry build-up between Ash and Alain that would naturally lead you to believe that Ash would take the W this time in their final battle
Eh, I get your point, but I think that in a way it'd make things worse. He'd just be another Tobias and I think Alain deserves better than that. Ash losing Kalos fucking sucks no matter what. But having no relationship with his final opponent wouldn't benefit things imo, even if it may lower the initial burn a little.
The only thing that'd satisfy me is if Ash won tbh. Or if he'd won Sinnoh beforehand so losing to Alain can remain its own story and not be burdened by the disappointment of 20 years prior.
