Pokemon Pearl - Eterna Gym

Before getting to the Pokemon Gym in Eterna City, I went east to Route 211 to catch some new Pokemon and to build my team up for the Gym Leader. On Route 211,  I caught a Ponyta (Fire, Male, Lv. 13) and named him Lucius. Lucius shall be my Fire type for this game. I also caught a Chingling (Psychic, Male, Lv. 13) and a Hoothoot (Normal/Flying, Male, Lv. 14).

I did a lot of training on Route 211 to build my Pokemon up for the Gym Leader, growing Lucius and Alexander to Level 18, and Annabelle and Marcus to Level 19. I taught Annabelle Cut (HM01) in place of Tackle, Lucius learned Ember, and Marcus learned Endeavor in place of Tackle.

My team consisted of:

Lucius (Ponyta, Fire, Lv. 18)
Annabelle (Grotle, Grass, Lv. 19)
Marcus (Staravia, Normal/Flying, Lv. 19)
Alexander (Machop, Fighting, Lv. 18)
Maximus (Luxio, Electric, Lv. 18)
Maria (Shellos, Water, Lv. 18)

Oddly enough, the Gym Leader, Gardenia, was waiting for me right inside the entrance, at the door going into the central area. She said I had to beat EVERY other trainer there before she'd allow me to fight her. If I've got no choice, then so be it, but I'd rather just get to her and be on my way...

I went into the central area, and it was an indoor forest with winding paths. I looked around a little bit and found the first Trainer, and Lucius beat her down easily and grew to Level 19, and also learned the move Stomp in place of Tackle. The first Trainer gave me a hint to find the second Trainer, and off I went to find them. I found the second Trainer, she had 3 Pokemon and I beat them with Lucius, Alexander, and Marcus. Alexander was hit with stun spore, but a Paralyze Heal fixed him right up.

I found the third Trainer, she had a Turtwig, and Marcus made short work of it. There was my third victory here, and my third tip on how to find another Trainer. I found the fourth Trainer by some flowers, she had one Roselia, and a single Wing Attack from Marcus won the match and he grew to Level 20. Finally I was down to the Gym Leader, Gardenia.

Gardenia started out with a Cherubi, and I sent out Lucius. One Ember attack did great damage, and I finished it off with Stomp. Next up was Turtwig, an Ember attack brought it down to half health and it countered with Razor Leaf, not effective at all. I used another Ember attack against her Turtwig, and it clung onto consciousness deep in the red. On the next turn, I had Lucius use a final Stomp to go for the knock out, but before he could she used a Super Potion to heal it to full. I hit it with another couple Ember attacks and won that fight.

Gardenia's last Pokemon was Roserade, and Lucius got hit with a Grass Knot that did some good damage, countering with Ember. I switched out Lucius for Marcus, and he was hit with a powerful attack, Magical Leaf. I had him use a Wing Attack on Roserade, and brought it down to yellow, but it ate a berry to regain health. Roserade used another Magical Leaf attack, and brought Marcus down to 1 HP, but one more Wing Attack was all it took to win the battle, and Lucius grew to Level 20.

I got about $2600 AND the Forest Badge for my victory, and also received from her TM86 (Grass Knot).  I can now use Cut, and after a trip to the Pokemon Center to heal my team I'm going to have to get some things done around the city, for instance getting rid of those Team Galactic assholes!

Current Team:

 Lucius (Ponyta, Fire, Lv. 20)
Annabelle (Grotle, Grass, Lv. 19)
Marcus (Staravia, Normal/Flying, Lv. 20)
Alexander (Machop, Fighting, Lv. 18)
Maximus (Luxio, Electric, Lv. 18)
Maria (Shellos, Water, Lv. 18)