Chapter 4--Silver Spring

Willow set out from Pewter city at once, wishing to get on the road before the crowds of other trainers did. To her dismay, however, she was held up by a police investigation! One of the retired Rocket Defenders, pulled back into service by the Guardian, presided.

"All trainers, please report to the Pokemon Center! No one may leave the town until they are IDed!" Hearing the loudspeaker announcement, Willow rushed to the Pokemon Center along with other trainers, some of whom were waiting to depart. As they filed into the main room, an officer told them to line up next to the counter. Willow was puzzled as each trainer was electronically scanned. When it was her turn, Willow snuck a peek at the computer screen on which the test results were being displayed. To her surprise, not only was an ID number and profile shown, a bioscan looked for heartbeat and breathing patterns, as well as an X-ray!

"Sir, why are we being tested? Has something happened?"

The officer checked her scans, then nodded grimly. "Yes, but don't you worry, young lady. There'll probably be no trouble here; the Guardian is just taking safety precautions. We only want to keep Kanto safe."

When the tests were complete, and everyone had apparently checked out, the squad informed them that all trainers were to stay on paths while traveling, and not wander too far afield. They were also told to report any suspicious activity or unusual occurrences to the nearest Pokemon Center, who would of course forward the information to the Rocket Defender headquarters. Willow was puzzled, but resolved to do as she had been told. She was a guest in Kanto, and would therefore abide by their laws without questioning their purpose. Many trainers, however, looked worried. What could be going on? Willow didn't know, and she didn't want to find out. She decided to get going.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Willow decided to travel to Mount Moon by a back road, in order to avoid the main traffic of trainers. Unfortunately, she found herself lost for the second time in less than a week! Taking a back road might not have been such a good idea...Willow was worried. She obviously had no head for directions or maps, and all trainers had just been told to stay on main roads! Well, there was no choice now but to look for a path.

"Okay, come on out, everybody. We have to find a path!"

Rafael sniffed the ground. He thought he smelled something, but he didn't know what it was. "Pik! Pikachu!"

Willow and the other Pokemon ran over. "What is it, Rafael? Did you find something?" Willow looked at the ground. It looked liked there was an overgrown path! "Great job, Rafael! Let's get going, everyone!"

Willow and her Pokemon headed down the path. Surely, they would get somewhere soon. High above them, in the treetops, a Noctowl hooted as it soared off toward the Jhoto region. Night was falling; this path had better lead somewhere, and soon!

-o-o-o-o-o-

Willow was beginning to be worried. The path grew more and more overgrown as she walked, and it showed no sign of leading somewhere. It merely went on and on...her Pokemon, who were still traveling with her to help guide her in the deepening twilight, were nervous too. There was something at the end of this path, and they weren't sure they wanted to know what it was. While her three Pokemon were contemplating this, Willow saw that, just ahead, the path ended entirely, and was replaced by a faint light.

"There must be a clearing up ahead; come on, everyone. We should get moving." Her Pokemon whined softly. They were very frightened, and so was she. "I know you don't want to keep going, but there's no choice! We're lost, and we won't be able to find that path we followed in the dark. We just have to go a little further, and then maybe we can figure out where we are. We have to."

Despite this reassurance, Willow's Pokemon felt a strong sense of foreboding. The four friends slowly moved forward into the clearing.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Willow had thought that nothing could be worse than the dark, spooky forest they had been traveling in. She was wrong. In front of them was an empty, marshy stretch of ground. It was bereft of life, and was pitted and pockmarked with spots of deep mire and mud. Apparently, it had once been a spring; a faint trickle of filthy water remained, bubbling up from the center of the area, but Willow wouldn't have drunk that sludge if she had been dying of thirst. They quickly realized that the faint light was coming from just beyond the marsh. There, Willow caught a glimpse of a small house. Who would live in a place like this? It was dark and filthy. Not even Pokemon like Grimer and Muk could live here! Willow knew, however, that they had to stay somewhere for the night, and that the house was clearly the only place for miles around. They would have to somehow cross the marsh.

"Smokey, can you carry Rafael and Sleet across if you take them one at a time?"

"Free!"

Smokey lifted Rafael's Pokeball carefully. He carried first it and then Sleet's Pokeball across. "Right! Now I just have to get across myself! I guess I have to swim..."

Willow swallowed hard. She had made Smokey carry her Pokeballs across because she hadn't wanted to lose them in the murky quagmire. Now, however, she was afraid of losing herself! "Well...here goes, I guess..."

Willow stepped forward carefully. The ground compressed slightly beneath her, but she kept moving. She had made it about halfway across when the surface of the marsh, no longer able to hold her up, collapsed. It gave way, and Willow plunged into the marsh, not even having time to scream. Luckily, she kept her head and closed her mouth at once. As the plant growth she had knocked loose forced her further down, Willow knew she didn't have a chance. Towards the bottom of the marsh, everything grew dim. Willow's last thought before she passed out was of her Pokemon. Who would take care of them now?

-o-o-o-o-o-

When Willow woke up, she found herself inside a small, neat house, lying on a cot. Her Pokemon were sitting next to her, and a small, scrawny-looking Horsea was watching her, its blue, finned head poking out of a tank of water next to them. Suddenly, a friendly voice spoke.

"So, you're finally awake! I was worried that you might have swallowed too much marsh water, and had fluid trapped in your lungs. It looks like you'll be all right soon, though. It's a good thing your Pokemon came and got me!"

Willow sat up, shaking her head to clear it. "But...where am I? And how did I get here?"

The owner of the aforementioned voice came into view at that point, brushing off her worn, khaki-colored clothing. A petite lady with short, practical black hair and clear, gray eyes stood before her. A small Dratini curled around her shoulders, its white nose and underbelly concealed in the lady's jacket collar. "I'm Natasha. Your Butterfree came to my house last night, and it showed me where you were. It was lucky for you that your Horsea pulled you out of the swamp; you could have drowned!"

Willow was confused. "But I don't own a Horsea. I thought this one was yours!"

Natasha looked surprised. "I didn't think that any Horsea lived in the swamp; the only Pokemon I ever found there was this Dratini, and it was almost dead from the poisonous water at the time. Horsea must have found its way in on the runoff of a stream or lake during a strong rain. It looks very sickly, but somehow it managed to survive. It's lucky for you that it did! I suppose I have to take care of it now; it might aid my research."

Willow looked up curiously. "Research?"

Natasha smiled. "Many people think it strange, but I've devoted my life to researching this swamp, and the cause of its pollution. A long time ago, this mire was a beautiful lake. It was called Silver Spring, because of the pure, clear water that was continually pumped into the lake from underground rivers. It was said that, on a clear day, you could see right to the bottom of the lake. For some reason, however, the lake became terribly polluted. Even sludge Pokemon like Grimer couldn't stand the waters. From that day forth, it was called Silent Spring, because no creature could live here. It was declared a nature preserve long ago, but now, nothing is here but filth. Pokemon are occasionally drawn in by runoff from streams during bad storms, but most are beyond help by the time I find them. This Dratini was lucky; it recovered well, and now I take care of it. In honor of the lake, I named it Silver. But where this Horsea came from, I can't imagine!"

Willow quietly mulled over the information. "But, Natasha, I thought that Kanto had a very healthy ecosystem. Why is this lake so different?"

Natasha shrugged. "That's exactly what I've been trying to find out. Recently, however, I made an interesting discovery. As I said, the source of the water is an underground stream. Before coming to this lake, however, the watercourse diverts. One stream leads to the sea. The other comes to Silent Spring. Between twenty and thirty years ago, someone diverted the stream leading to Silent Spring through an area of the Viridian Forest. When I tried to visit this area, I found that it was closed to the public. Apparently, some sort of electric generator once existed there. Although the generator has been shut off, the water is still impure. Because the watercourse was blocked off at that time, no pure water can reach here. I looked at the dam nearby, but I couldn't move the dirt built up in front of it. If I did that, maybe the spring would go back to normal."

Willow thought about this. Natasha and her Dratini couldn't break the dam, but maybe she and her Pokemon could! "Natasha, you've helped me and my Pokemon--in fact, you saved my life! We'd love to help you in return. Maybe we can do something about the dam."

Natasha sighed. "I only wish someone could. You see, I asked the residents of a nearby town to help me, but the manager of the power company protested. Apparently, his company profits from the extra source of energy. He didn't care much about a polluted lake, just as long as it didn't pollute his profits."

Willow looked thoughtful. "This town...does it have a gym?"

Natasha shook her head. "The town started life as a place where the dam technicians could monitor the dam. It grew when the spring existed, but this multiplied the need for power. Now, it's only a few houses for the workers. It used to have a gym, though. It was very small, and it wasn't League official, but its members where very loyal. They held the Spring Badge, in honor of the spring where they caught their Pokemon. It was even a contender for a League position. Since the spring fell into disrepair, however, membership dropped off, and most of the trainers left. The Guardian has since declared the gym disbanded. Now, the industries run the town. It isn't even on the map anymore."

Willow stood up. "I think I'll go see this town myself. If it had a gym once, maybe there's a chance it can again; and that chance might just be a chance for the spring, as well!"

-o-o-o-o-o-

Willow set off for the town alone. Natasha had decided to stay behind and try to heal Horsea, since it was in pretty bad shape. Willow wondered why a stream leading into a nature preserve was dammed up. Was that even legal? Willow didn't know it, but it was not. Authorities had never been informed of the manager's decision to keep the stream dammed, and they were not informed of his latest action--to drain the spring! Willow set out for the power company's office building, not knowing any of this. She decided to speak to the manager. Walking into the main building, Willow slipped by the snoozing security guard and headed to the manager's office. When she entered, the manager was understandably startled.

"What? How did you get in here? Children aren't allowed to wander around this building!"

Willow stubbornly held her ground. "Sir, I came to talk to you about Silver Spring. Your power company dammed it. But, if the dam were broken, it would be healthy again! Why won't you break the dam?"

The manager laughed heartily. "What? That old swamp? That place is worthless! In fact, it won't even exist pretty soon. We're gonna drain that place, and we're starting today! So, save your breathe, little girl. You're out of luck!"

Willow gasped. This couldn't be legal! No one was allowed to drain a nature preserve! Willow ran out of the building, followed by the manager's sneering laughter. She immediately called the Pokemon Center, but police officers wouldn't be able to arrive for at least twenty minutes, since the spring was so isolated. Willow knew that it was up to her and Natasha to save Silent Spring now. She ran back the way she had come.

A pair of glum-looking adolescents loitered in the shadows of a building, unnoticed by Willow and having been dismissed by the manager. Watching Willow leave, they looked thoughtful. Hmmm...could someone actually be trying to save Silent Spring? This could get interesting. The two boys raced off in the opposite direction-toward a building formally known as the Spring Gym.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Willow returned to Natasha's research station, explaining the situation to Natasha as she hurried her off to the dam. "We have to hurry, Natasha. If we can stop the company from draining Silent Spring for just a little longer, maybe we can bring down the dam as well!"

The two hurried to the dam. A group of large machines stood by, with workers ready to turn them on in moments. "Hey, little girl, what are you doin' here?" said one, a scowling, burly man. "We got a job t'do, and it you don't mind, we'd all appreciate it if you'd get out of the way!"

Willow shook her head fiercely. "No! You have no right to destroy Silent Spring! We won't let you! Rafael, Sleet, Smokey--go! Stop those machines, but don't hurt anyone!"

The men scowled. "Two can play at that game!"

Each of them sent out a Pokeball. Soon, Willow faced the pig-monkey Pokemon, Primape, the four-armed muscle Pokemon, Machamp, Fearow, the evolution of Spearow, the sludge Pokemon, Muk, the boulder Pokemon, Golem, and the punching Pokemon, Hitmonchan. Things looked grim, but Willow wasn't willing to give up yet.

"Guys, I know it looks hard, but we have to try! Sleet, you use Snow Storm. Rafael, you use Thundershock. Smokey, you use Sleep Powder! Let's do it!"

Willow's Pokemon fought hard, but the opponents were well-trained and battle experienced. Her Pokemon couldn't handle it anymore. Willow was forced to return them. "Oh, no! What will we do now?"

As the other Pokemon closed in, Willow knew that the situation looked hopeless. "Primape--Rocket Punch!"

Willow closed her eyes. Suddenly, a new voice spoke. "Go! Vaporeon! Use Hydro Pump!"

The Primape was knocked back, and a tall, slim man who looked to be around twenty years old stepped forward. A sleek, blue fox-like creature with a mermaid-like tail and finned mane and ears was beside him. "Okay, Vaporeon! Use Blizzard! Keep it up!"

Willow and Natasha were saved! It was the old gym leader, who had returned to defend the Silent Spring, the place he had gotten his Pokemon. He too battled hard, trying to buy time, but one against six looked bad.

"I could sure use some help, you two!" he said, shaking his light-brown bangs out of his clear, blue eyes.

Willow bit her lip. "My Pokemon already tried to fight them, and they're too tired to battle! What do we do now?"

Natasha stepped forward. "The only thing we can do--keep fighting. Silver, I know I never raised you to battle, but this is your home. Will you fight for me, and for Silent Spring?"

"Tini!"

"Thank you, Silver! Let's battle!" The tiny Dratini didn't look like a match for the powerful team of Pokemon sent out by the opponents, but it looked ready to go down fighting. "Dratini, use your Thunder Wave! Now, use Flamethrower! Finish it off with Body Slam!"

Dratini, with the help of Vaporeon, defeated most of the enemy Pokemon. Finally, only the oldest worker remained, having so far chosen to watch the battle thoughtfully through his muddy-brown eyes. "Well, you sure put up a good fight. But the battle ends here; we got a job ta do. Go! Alakazam!" A humanoid Pokemon of about waist height with a wedge shaped head, mustaches, and thick lower arms and legs appeared.

The experienced, spoon-bearing psychic Pokemon knocked Vaporeon out of the way easily. It turned toward Silver. "Alakazam--Body Slam!"

"Silver, hang in there!" Dratini slammed against the concrete dam. "Oh, no! Silver!"

"Ha. Too late fer that 'un, lady. It's finished."

Willow looked closely at Silver. "Wait--what's happening?"

Silver began to glow. Slowly, it grew larger, its color became slightly darker, and a ball-like appendage appeared at its throat. Silver was evolving! A full-grown Dragonair was more than a match for an Alakazam.

Natasha was amazed. "Silver evolved for me! It knew we had to save the spring, so it kept fighting...Dragonair has the ability to calm the weather and purify the ecosystem. Now that Silver has evolved, Silent Spring will run clean once more..."

At that moment, Nurse Joy finally arrived form the Pokemon Center. "Halt! This is a nature preserve; no one is allowed to dam it or drain it! You had better come with me. Your manager is already at the Center."

Nurse Joy led them into a van. Then, she turned to Willow, Natasha, and the gym leader. "What are you three doing here?"

"I'm Natasha. I live here at the spring, and I've been researching the causes of its pollution. Then reason is clear, Nurse; the dam is at fault! Willow here is a Pokemon trainer. She helped save the spring from being drained. Nurse, the dam should be knocked down!"

Nurse Joy replied, "Well, it certainly isn't lawful for it to be here. I'll report this to the proper authorities. Now that the manager has been arrested, I guess there really is no more town. I suppose you had better pack up and move someplace else."

The gym leader had been silent for some time. Finally, he spoke. "Wait! My name is Nathan. I used to be the gym leader in the town of Silver Spring before the gym disbanded. Nurse Joy, I request that we be reinstated as a town."

The nurse promised to speak to the Guardian when the trouble had been cleared up. After the prisoners were taken away, Natasha handed a Pokeball to Willow.

"This Horsea is fully recovered, and I think it should belong to you. If it saved your life, it must be friendly toward you. Here!"

"Thanks!" Willow put the Pokeball on her belt. "Oh, no! I was heading toward Mount Moon, but I'm probably nowhere near it now! How am I ever going to reach Cerulean City now?"

Nathan smiled. "Actually, this spring is at the foot of Mount Moon. I'll take you there myself." Willow happily agreed to this. Maybe they would get to Cerulean after all! 

Willow stood at the entrance to Mount Moon as Nathan and Natasha waved good-bye to her. "Well, Willow, thanks again for helping us save Silent Spring. Maybe someday, we can change its name back to Silver Spring. If you ever pass this way again, come visit us! I for one would love to battle you when our gym gets into the League--if it does! Good luck on your journey, Willow!"

"Goodbye, Nathan, goodbye, Natasha! I'm glad I helped you save the spring; I got a new Pokemon too! Thanks for everything. See you round!"

With that, Willow was off on her journey once more. Looking down at the Pokeball containing her new Horsea, she whispered to herself, "I think I'll call you...Fins." Willow and her Pokemon were ready for the long trek through Mount Moon. But what would they find inside?