Didn't you have to do some really obscure thing to get hardmode though?
Yeah
After you beat the game you got a key that you were able to send to other games and then those could use easy and hard mode.
The key feature was pretty cool actually at least when it came to version exclusive stuff like Pokemon (the Regis) . But it made no sense in connection with the difficulty modes.
I'm already planning in saving Butterfree in the PC even though it is a beast with Confusion (but the other pokemon I want is even better)
I think I may add Squirtle in case I don't find Cloyster.
I'd like to keep Pikachu until the end of the game but I don't think I will
AS. I tried to transfer mons onto Y as well but the bitch wouldn't let Rayquaza and Kyogre in cause of their origin forms. It's BS.
[edit] A quick Google search tells me it's because of their new moves in ORAS. I need to delete them and relearn it later if I want to transfer them into XY.