As I mentioned in the post I made about the switch, it was mainly just since I really wanted to hammer in the parallels those two have with Red and Leaf! I do like both configurations, but I think having the male protags be in similar roles and the female protags in similar roles just worked a little bit better for me, in terms of meeting that goal. Plus, in terms of looks and design, Chase is really more similar to Red and Elaine to Leaf, from hair color to outfit color, and even hairstyle. So, it just felt more fitting, after I thought about it for a while, to have Chase end up with his rival/childhood friend and Elaine be involved with Team Rocket and end up with someone she connects with through that association (as Leaf and Yellow really bonded while investigating Mewtwo together, something that Leaf had discovered while working with TR’s science department.) Like I said, I do hc Chase and Elaine to be similar enough in personality that the ship dynamics and fankids won’t change too much, plus they weren’t super developed to begin with, so hopefully the switch will help! Changing around parent ships is something I might do when I have creative block after all!