Stage Two: Golbat

As the light cleared, Zuzu found himself a much bigger creature. He let out an ultrasound to survey his surroundings, and found that his voice was much louder, and that he himself looked different. Then, for the first time in his life, he opened his eyes and laid them on his father.

"You've evolved, Son. You're a Golbat just like your mo… I mean, just like me."

As his wings flapped in front of him, he could see, plain as day, that they were forest-green. His collapsed father's were purple. Golbez could almost hear the question forming in Zuzu's mind.

"It's not normal, Son. You have an extremely rare condition. You are a different color, and because of that, humans will always try to get you, to split us apart, to hurt you.

"Wait, Dad… Are you saying… Mom being trapped… that's my fault?"

"Don't you dare blame yourself! We would do anything to protect you, up to and including giving our lives! She did her duty to you, and as the one she saved, it is your responsibility to keep yourself safe dammit!"

"Damn…" said Zuzu. "Damn it… DAMN IT ALL!"

They found a hollow rock to hide under for the night, and father and son cried all night. In the morning, they flew under the father's guidance, and made their way to the Cerulean Cave.

"It's what your mother would have wanted." Said Golbez. Zuzu did not argue. He still blamed himself, despite his father's protests. It wasn't easy on either of them.

On the way to Cerulean Cave, whenever they could find a well-hidden grotto or quiet place at night, they would train in hopes of measuring up to the monsters in the cave that was their destination.

Golbez became merciless. He would not hold back, in hopes that Zuzu would rise to the occasion, but it all appeared to be for naught, at least to Zuzu.

"Why do we have to keep training?" he would often ask. "It's not like I'm getting any better..."

Golbez, on the other hand, could see the results. Zuzu's skin was thicker. His muscles, bigger. His fangs, sharper. It was getting harder and harder for Golbez to keep winning, until finally, it happened.

With a mixture of Confuse Ray and Leech Life, Zuzu managed to outlast his father, who couldn't have been prouder.

Two nights after that, they made it into the cave. As soon as they got in, they landed on a rock, tired from their long flight… only to discover it was a Geodude in disguise.

Zuzu used Confuse Ray while his father attacked. The Geodude kept trying to hit the flying creatures, but it kept missing and hurting itself. After a long battle, the rocky creature fainted, and both Father and Son felt stronger after that.

Over time, they came to establish themselves within the cave. They learned which areas were safe, and which to avoid. They even became friends with a Chansey, who would heal them when they would get hurt. It was a much harder life than they were used to, but slowly, ever so slowly, they were getting stronger, and their days were getting easier.

It took years, but they eventually became as powerful as any Pokemon in the cave. In all that time, not a single human had reached them, as the beasts in that cave were stronger than even the Elite Four's team. Only a Champion could venture in safely, and Lance was notorious for training his Pokemon over in Johto, in the Dragon's Den, so they had been safer than they ever had.

"Zania, if only you could see your child" Golbez would often say. "You were right to make us come here… If only I'd listened to you sooner…"

There was one area, though, where they didn't dare go. If they so much as approached the bottom floor of the cave, they would get intense headaches. It was the Monster of Cerulean Cave, they were sure. They avoided that place like the plague.

One day, a human came in. His hair was spiky and a Jolteon walked by his side. It was not Lance, or anyone else they had ever met.

"I still can't believe I'm the champion now," said the human. "I bet Gramps will be proud when he finds out. But we still have to defeat… Him… before he'll recognize us. So, let's train here."

He let out four other Pokemon out from their Pokeballs. A Sandslash, an Alakazam, a Ninetales, and a Cloyster.

"Let's go!" He said. He would walk up to a Pokemon, and send forth whichever one of his was the most appropriate for the matchup. Magnetons would fall to his Sandslash. Seakings and Seadras to his Jolteon. All the while, his party looked stronger still.

Zuzu and Golbez were cautious, but not scared. They were confident in their strength, and they kept their distance, trying hard not to be seen.

"Jolt-eoon!"

The Thunder came from behind them. It seems like the Jolteon had surrounded them and had attacked, but they had fortunately avoided the move.

"Wow, Jolteon, good find- Wait is that a shiny Crobat!? Oh, I'm so taking you with me!"

The gig was up, and the fight was on.

"Scatter!" Yelled Golbez, and both Golbats moved in separate directions.

At the same time, and before the Jolteon could attack again, Zuzu used Poison Fang as his father used Confuse Ray. Both moves hit, and the attacking Jolteon was both poisoned and confused.

"They're trying to pile on status conditions… Good thing I brought these! Full Heal!"

The rising purple bubbles of the poison disappeared as soon as the trainer was done spraying the contents of the golden bottle, and the canine Pokemon's eyes focused, his eyes trained on the Golbats.

"Jolteon, use Quick Attack!"

The attack was coming at Zuzu, but Golbez managed to use Quick Guard on time, stopping the Jolteon dead in his tracks. Zuzu used the chance to use Poison Fang again, once more poisoning the yellow Pokemon.

"Oh no, you don't!" Yelled the Trainer, but before he could reach for his bag, Golbez used Venoshock, a move that does double damage on a poisoned enemy, critically damaging the Jolteon, and making him fall on his side.

"Jolteon…" Said the trainer. "I won't let this stand… Get ready for the real deal! Go, Cloyster!"

From the nearby water, a shelled creature reared its head. "Use Aurora Beam!" yelled the Trainer.

The beam was aimed at Zuzu. It was more powerful than the electric attacks from the Jolteon, and there was no time left for Zuzu to dodge.

Golbez intercepted the rainbow beam, tanking the entire thing and saving Zuzu.

"Dad, no!"

"Sorry Son… I can't let him take you. I think I'm about to pass out. Please… Don't let him take you… I love you… my son…"

With that, Golbez fell to the ground with a deafening Thud! and with it, Zuzu was, for the last time in his life, enveloped in a white light.

"Dad, No!" Yelled Zuzu as he evolved.