Pokemon Pearl - Pastoria Gym

I left the Great Marsh to go beat the Pastoria Gym.

My team consisted of:

Alexander (Machoke, Fighting, Lv. 28)
Marcus (Staravia, Normal/Flying, Lv. 29)
Annabelle (Grotle, Grass, Lv. 29)
Maximus (Luxio, Electric, Lv. 29)
Lucius (Ponyta, Fire, Lv. 29)
Maria (Shellos, Water, Lv. 28)

I entered the Gym, and saw that the layout was different paths at different levels, surrounded by water, and what looked like floating bridges. It seems that as I go through, I'll need to raise and lower the water level to get over to the Gym Leader. I stepped on a switch to lower the water level, and then came across a young Trainer. He sent out Buizel, and I sent out Maximus, and one Spark knocked out Buizel and won the battle.

I went through the bottom level, then came across another Trainer. Barboach was sent out, and I sent out Maximus against it. I had Maximus use Spark against it, but it did nothing, then Barboach used Water Pulse for little damage against him. I switched out to Annabelle, and she used Razor Leaf to take it out and win the battle.

I raised the water level and went through the middle level, then came across another Trainer. The Sailor sent out Wingull, and I sent out Maximus. I knew one Spark attack would do massive damage against a Water/Flying Type, and it was knocked out immediately. Another Wingull was sent out, and again it was taken out with Spark, and I won the battle.

I raised the water level to maximum, and continued on to battle yet another Trainer. The young girl sent out Azurill, and I sent out Maximus to continue fighting these Water Types. Spark knocked it out easily enough, then I switched to Annabelle to fight her Marill. One Razor Leaf took it out, and I won this battle too.

I fought another Trainer, a tough fight that saw Maximus grow to Level 30 and then evolve into a Luxray! I healed my Pokemon up after the battle, then lowered the water level. I went further through the Gym, found myself in another battle with yet ANOTHER Trainer (just how many are in this fucking place?) and took him out easily enough. Annabelle grew to Level 30, and I raised the water level before moving further through the Gym.

I finally made it to the Gym Leader, Crasher Wake. I was glad to finally be able to challenge him, and I sent out Maximus against his Gyarados, and Intimidate cut Maximus' Attack. I was lucky that Gyarados had such a weakness to Electric attacks, because Spark managed to take it out in one shot. I then sent out Annabelle to fight his Quagsire, and Razor Leaf took it out in one shot before it could attack. Floatzel was sent out last, and I kept Annabelle in the fight after all the Trainers that Maximus fought against. Annabelle got hit by Swift for some damage, but Razor Leaf did great damage against it, at least until it ate a berry to regain health. Floatzel used Brine for some damage, then Annabelle countered with Mega Drain for good damage. Crasher Wake used a Super Potion to heal Floatzel, and then Razor Leaf did great damage to bring it to the red. Floatzel used Brine again against Annabelle, but she countered with Cut to knock it out and win the battle.

I received $3600 and the Fen Badge from Crasher Wake, as well as TM55 (Brine), a Water-Type attack that does more damage if the opponent is at half health. I can also use Defog outside of battle now, but I'm not sure I really want to use such a limited HM on Marcus unless I really have to.

Four Gym Badges down, four more to go. I just hope that my Pokemon will be strong enough to fight the rest of the Gym Leaders without much difficulty.

Current Team:

Maximus (Luxray, Electric, Lv. 30)
Annabelle (Grotle, Grass, Lv. 30)
Marcus (Staravia, Normal/Flying, Lv. 29)
Alexander (Machoke, Fighting, Lv. 28)
Lucius (Ponyta, Fire, Lv. 29)
Maria (Shellos, Water, Lv. 28)