>>26871488I won't repeat what
>>26871515 and
>>26871522 said but they're missing one important clue: Diantha
There has been so much forshadowing that Ash will face the Elite Four and Diantha. It would be a waste and an absolute asspull to just throw these plotpoints and the forshadowing away.
Besides, XY/XY&Z is an appology letter for the people who were disgusted with Best Wishes.