>>58227751Issue is, they didn't give Ash a good final opponent in XY.
Sure the viewer knows Alain from his special episodes, but Ash barely knew him, there's no friendship, there's no rivalry. A victory in Kalos would've been hollow (they should've swapped Alain with Shota/Sawyer and it would've been better)
Ash and Gladion were friends and rivals who respected each other and had many adventures together. Ending the league with a battle against this good friend/rival and then following it with a father and son battle was the best way to handle a league victory
