Impressive! I know this congrats is so looooong overdue. I am so sorry for not writing before now. I haven't had the time to get online for long lately, on top of that I have also been experiencing heavy snows in my area, so the power was not always reliable.
Still I think its never too late to do a victory dance! I know-- I shall commission a present for you and Lily Anne. How about matching trainer and Pokemon rings in memory of your victory? Diancie just forged 2 square-cut shiny stone rings foiled by diamonds, one human size and the other made to fit Lilligant. Together you and Lily Anne can do anything! *presents Lily Anne with a tiny ring on a pillow*
Also thanks for telling me a bit about the sets you used.
Since Kalos really showers the player in goodies its a good idea not to use every tool handed to you as you pointed out. I mean 2 starter Pokemon (3 if you got the event torchic) + pseudo legendaries and dragon pokemon on early routes, then a free mega Lucario, is beginning to spoil us! I feel they did this to some extent also with BW2, instead of keeping to the Unova Dex. Oh, and above all else turn off the exp share and chop it up into little pieces, it can create such a huge level disparity whether its Kalos, Hoenn or Alola.
I do love a solo run and monotype, especially with grass, water and fire because you have early access to it with your starters. However, I am a bit too sentimental to complete a nuzlocke. I do love to cheer other trainers on, especially if they are performing a wedlocke-- Pokemon pairings are so cute. But I'm far too clingy to put away a mon I raised.
YES!! I did do the battle tree in white 2! I'm glad someone else remembers Benga. Shiny Dratini is lovely, he's another one that I don't see myself evolving like my shiny Gible. While we are talking of shiny dragons did you also get the shiny Haxorus from the nature preserve? I think he's one of the most dramatic shinies in Unova. My fav gen 5 shinies are Haxorus, Fraxure, Serperior, Scoliopede and Zorua. As you can see I am fond of black and/ or blue in a shiny.
I see lots of warm colors, pastels and light I'm your collection. I should have known you would have nabbed the radiant, rose-colored Virizion. And Reshiram is a very subtle and beautiful shiny with that hint of sunny gold around his tail. I definitely don't have it in me to shiny hunt for legendaries. I'm more of an oppprtunist rather than an experienced hunter like yourself. I think my finest non-event shiny gen 5 Pokemon is my Braviary.
You asked who my favorite pokemon is... Its actually Dragonite. Milotic is right there next to him, Dragonite and I go way back, he was there with me as a tot when I first picked up a gameboy color and tried to play Pokemon yellow.
I use Milotic as my mascot however because Hoenn is my favorite region, she is not just my favorite 3rd gen Pokemon but I see her as the symbol for everything that Hoenn represents to me-- uniquely beautiful, peaceful and at one with the sea. Milotic is also the poster girl for the elegant world of the contests I spent so much time enjoying. I love the creative aspect of Pokemon, dressing my mons up, taking photos, staging musicals and decorating my base. Who better to represent the imagination than a Pokemon whose name is literally derived from a work of art? I.e Venus de Milo = MILOtic.
Now for your favorite region?
Sorry for another overly long book-length pm, since I haven't been on in awhile I'm just very excited to catch up.
Cheers!
-Sam