It's been two days since the incident with Mt. Moon and as they were much closer to Cerulean City, Austin and his newfound friends found a stream to stop and rest at.

Or rather, to train.

"Dive and use Quick Attack." Austin ordered as he was having a mock battle with Brock.

It was Pidgeotto versus Zubat, the former Pewter Gym Leader wanted to train Zubat up to par to keep up with Geodude and Onix and Austin hasn't been training Pidgeotto like he should've, so it was a win-win situation.

"Supersonic." Brock ordered as the little bat was having a tough time trying to dodge all the Quick Attacks as she aimed the sound attack all around trying to catch the elusive Pidgeotto.

While that was going on, Yellow was sitting near the stream with a fishing rod as she gave a yawn while Pikachu, Rattata, Butterfree, Geodude, Kitty, Dody and Clefy were watching the battle and Spearow was on a nearby tree branch just giving it a look of boredom.

"Alright, finish this up with Gust!" Austin said as Pidgeotto gave a cry and blew the Zubat back as Brock caught her.

"Zu." The Zubat had a sad look as Brock smiled.

"Hey, you did alright." He said causing the little bat to perk right up and nuzzle her head against Brock's arm.

"Alright Pidgeotto." Austin held his arm out as the bird landed on it, being mindful of her talons as he scratched underneath her beak.

Austin also has been getting even closer with his team with Brock's help.

Rattata and Pidgeotto seemed to be warming up considerably to Austin while Pikachu and Butterfree were already pretty comfortable with him..

Spearow however, only cared about getting stronger and has rebuffed all attempts.

Yes he'll protect Austin if something were to happen, but outside of a battle, he stayed away from him as well as the team.

"Pidgeotto is getting stronger." Brock observed as Zubat was now on his shoulder. "You've really raised her well."

"Haha thanks Brock." Austin said using his free arm to rub the back of his head. "But the credit goes to Pidgeotto."

Pidgeotto gave a cry of confirmation as Spearow just gave her a look.

Turning from Brock, Austin looked towards Yellow. "So what did you think-?" He stopped when he saw that Yellow fell asleep while fishing and he chuckled. 'I was wondering when that would happen.'

"Should we wake her up?" Austin asked as Brock thought for a second.

"Nah, help me make some lunch." Brock said as he opened his bag. "She'll wake up when it's nearly done."

"Alright." Austin said with a shrug as Pidgeotto flew to join the other Pokemon while Zubat just stayed with Brock. "Zubat is pretty affectionate."

"Yeah, it's kind of weird to have a Pokemon that isn't a rock-type though." Brock admitted as he pulled some pans out, leaving Austin to wonder how the guy fit all of that stuff in his bag. "But it's also refreshing."

"Plus with enough training you have the perfect counter for grass types." Austin said with a laugh. "Both poison and flying."

Brock gave a chuckle. "Yeah that's true, so Ash you thinking about catching a ground type soon?"

"Not sure, why?"

"You have three Pokemon who are naturally weak to electric attacks." Brock reminded him. "And the Third Gym is an electric one."

"Well Rattata knows how to counter Electric Types with Dig and I plan to work on her training a bit more." Austin said seeing how Rattata was talking with Clefairy.

In truth the last two days he's been stepping up his team's training, both Pikachu and Butterfree took to it with eagerness after how easily they lost in Mt. Moon.

The only reason they all got out alright was because of Lance's timely arrival, but they had no idea that would happen.

"Anyways I'm good with just training the six that I have before I catch anymore Pokemon." Austin said sitting down. "I prefer quality over quantity."

"Well you said you were going to take a week to train before the Gym." Brock said remembering how Austin said he did that for the Pewter Gym.

"Yeah, I have some combo's I want to work with Pikachu for." Austin said as he remembered the Counter-Shield and the Thunder Armor.

Plus he was planning on getting Bulbasaur when he gets the guy to learn Energy Ball and have him eat it like Ash's Torterra did to power the guy up.

"That sounds pretty interesting." Brock said as he began to get the Tea prepped and pretty soon the food he was making began to set in the air.

"H-Huh?" Yellow yawned as she woke up. "What's going on?"

"Lunch." Austin said with a chuckle as she began to walk over.

As they began to eat, Austin saw Pikachu was with Rattata, Geodude and Clefy talking. Butterfree, Pidgeotto, Zubat, Onix, Dody and Kitty were near each other as well, the latter being very nervous of Pidgeotto and Onix, but she was staying next to Butterfree and Dody.

Spearow however was still by himself.

"Hey Spearow, you want to join the others?" Austin called out.

Spearow just gave him a look before turning away.

"Man what's with him?"

"Spearows are naturally proud, a lot of trainers have a tough time raising them." Brock told him. "And when they get stronger their pride can sometimes affect their behavior like that."

'And I made no good effort to get close to him.' Austin thought as he looked at the rest of the team. 'I need to change that.'

But they were going to head straight for the City after Lunch because they should be there by nightfall if they hurry.