I read the pasta. Very well done, but I never played the game itself.
I like to think of myself as a semi-competitive battler, even though I never seriously battled someone. I mostly lurk on Serebii and Smogon, learn the mindset/strategies, and do the Battle Subway. My highest streak is only around 40, but I haven't done it with my fancy new DW Pokes yet.
My favorite game is Emerald, so I can't wait for the eventual R/S remakes. I have an Adventure Time-themed team planned:
Blaziken (Finn)
Manectric (Jake)
Sharpedo (Marceline)
Gardevoir (Bubblegum [stupid 10charlimit])
Flygon (Rainicorn)
Skarmory (Key Hand [HM slave, mostly])
Which reminds me: I should probably read through this thread before asking, but does anyone have pony-themed nicknames? I tried to think of some:
Ninetales (Celestia) <Drought 'tales
Arcanine (Dash) <Extremespeed/Wild Charge/Close Combat
Alakazam (Twilight) <Magic Guard and a species named after "magic words", but maybe Rapidash fits better...
/longpost