After Arthur's 'totally not but really was, hissy fit' a thought occurs to him.

"Wait, did you say inside a tree? Last I remember I was by a spring when I was attacked." He asks, confused as to how he got from one place to another while unconscious.

"Yeah, Oooh, that's right! I didn't tell you! Artie-"

"Arthur!"

"-when we found you, you we're in this huge dead tree being guarded by a whole bunch of wild Pokémon, with this super pissed of Kirlia. We thought we'd have to fight our way through."

"We?" Arthur tilts his head questioningly.

"Oh, Yeah. Me and Katyusha."

"It's Katyusha and I. So you met her then? Did you give her Ivan's gift?"

"The gift? But that's fo- Wait! Do you mean Katyushais the gym leader?!" Al gapes, shocked. He had no idea. Arthur sighs, whether because he's still not feeling fully back up to speed, or because Alfred's lack of realisation, he's not sure.

"Yes. Katyusha is the gym leader of the National Park, has been for a few years now, I do believe. She's also Ivan's older sister." He explains, lying back against his bed.

"Oh." Suddenly, things make a lot of sense. He blinks, well, now he knows who the gym leader is. That'd explain why the gym was closed when he was looking for her.

"Anyway, we're getting of topic." Arthur says, drawing his attention back.

"Huh?"

"The tree, where you found me? Why were so many Pokémon guarding it?"

"Ooooohh! Yeah, right that. Well, we kinda of found an injured Mesprit in there with you." Arthur's mouth drops open as he sits up.

"Are you serious?" Alfred had said it so casually, as if it's an everyday occurrence to run into legendary Pokemon, injured or not.

"Yup! We rushed both of you back here in Katyusha's jeep and here we are!" Al finishes, spreading his arms wide.

"So where is it now? The Mesprit?" He asks excitedly.

"I gave it to one of the girl's working here to look after. It's probably still in their clinic. We could ask Katyusha if she'll let you see it." He reasons.

XoxoxoxoxoxoX

And so, the pair head out to find the gym leader.

"Are you sure your okay to be moving about? You were told to take it easy." Alfred reminds Arthur as the pair ride the elevator's down to the lobby. The man rolls his eyes at him.

"Yes, Al. We're just walking around, I'm not about to run a marathon or anything." He says sarcastically.

"Well, alright, But if you collapse don't expect me to carry you, not after last time." He huffs, still hating having been sick on.

"Ah, Yes, Sorry about that." Arthur grimaces, clearly not proud of the moment.

When the doors open to the lobby, they both blink as they see Katyusha standing waiting on the lift.

"Oh! Arthur, I see your doing better now." She observers as they step out.

"Yes, thank you."

"Hey, Katyusha you never told me your the gym leader!" Al cries, still surprise by the fact.

"Ah, no. I guess in all the excitement I forgot to mention it."

"Speaking of..." Arthur trails off, looking around. Al smiles, knowing what he want's to ask.

"Hey do you think we could go see, you know, our injured friend?" He asks carefully, remembering her words of caution about directly talking about Mesprit out in the open.

"Hmm? Oh! Well... Normally I would say no but..." She looks Arthur over, "The Pokemon seemed to trust you enough to bring you to it, so... I think it should be okay." She reasons. The pair beam, quickly following her across the lobby,and through the doors behind the front desk.

They weave their way along the corridors to a room Katyusha uses here key card to open. Unlike the other rooms were large window allow you to see in, this rooms window is tinted, making it difficult to make out the Pokemon inside.

"This is our high security room, it's where we take the most endangered Pokémon to be cared for." She explains as she holds the door open for them.

Inside, Mesprit is a sleep on the bed in the centre of the small room, a glass cylinder covering it. The pair can hear the quiet hiss of the mix of medicine filling the chamber, healing the Pokemon held within. Alfred can see the cylinders hooked up to the chamber, but he doesn't understand any of the chemical names. Beside him, Arthur stares in awe of the Pokemon, and, Alfred has to admit he too, is still pretty amazed by it. To think, he actually held a legendary Pokemon. Looking closely, he can see Mesprit looks much better, most of it's injuries are healed and it's sleeping much more peacefully.

As they step closer, it blinks awake and looks up at them.

"Mess?" It's sweet voice is somewhat muffled by the chamber.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to wake you. Feeling any better?" Katyusha gently asks.

"Mesprit." It nods, sitting up.

"Good." She smiles before frowning, "Now I only wish you could tell us who did this to you."

"...I, might be able to help with that..." Al turns to Arthur, confused.

"Really? How, did you see something?" Though, if he did, why didn't he mention it before?

"No, I never saw anything. But Mesprit here will have." He nods to the Pokemon as he takes a step closer.

"Wha- oooh! Yes, I knew you looked familiar." Katyusha claps her hands together in realisation.

"What? Artie? Am I missing something here?" Alfred will admit, he's very confused. Arthur smirks, though, it looks strained.

"Well I know your not really one for paying attention to things, honestly, I'm surprised you didn't know when I introduced myself to you."

"Yeah, no. Still lost here." Arthur sighs, dropping his smirk and looking away.

"It's okay Arthur." Katyusha says softly, looking between the two, "You don't need to tell him if you don't want too. And I won't push you to do this either."

Arthur looks up surprise at this and she smiles kindly at him, nodding.

"It's alright, really. I don't know your reasons, or what happened between you and your family, but I can respect your choices."

"I..." He drops his head, suddenly seeming younger than he is, "...thank you..." He whispers.

Alfred looks between the two, completely lost.

"Mesprit?" The Pokemon questions, causing Arthur to look back up at it. He blinks, before walking over and placing his hand on the chamber, Mesprit looking up at him.

"...but... I want to do this. I want to help. I'm done running."

"Alright." Katyusha agrees, "I'll let Mesprit out then, if that'll help?"

"...yeah, it would..."

Alfred watches as she moves forward to the computer by the wall, pressing a few keys. The machine bings and Al can hear the sound of a lock being released, then, the chamber slides back, allowing Mesprit out. It flies up, going around the room, looking at each of them closely. When it looks at him, Alfred get's the feeling that it's looking into his soul, into his very being. It only lasts a few seconds, but it's an intense experience, before the Pokemon settles for looking at Arthur, floating just in front of his head.

"..." Arthur doesn't say anything at first, then he bows his head, as if he can't look Mesprit in the eye.

"...Mesprit..." He says, voice barely above a whisper, his hair hiding his expression, "...I want to help...I...I know your not a Ghost type...so I...this won't be as effective as it would if you were...but..." He raises his arms, offering his hands to the Pokemon, "...I want to try...please... if you trust me...tell me what happened to you..."

"Mes? Mesprit."

Confused, Al watches as the Pokemon floats closer, gently placing it's hands in Arthur's, and closes it's eyes, and though he can't see, he's sure Arthur is doing the same.

'Wait... This kinda reminds me of the tournament...' He's not sure why, but this and then just seem to somehow be related.

He continues to watch as the red gems in it's tails and head begin to glow, quickly growing brighter, and the Pokemon frowns. He hears Arthur gasp and sees him flinch, but he doesn't pull away. He's really not sure what's going on, Al looks to Katyusha for help, but she seems completely engrossed in the goings on. He looks back, and sees Arthur's hands tightening around Mesprit's, before he suddenly let's go, stumbling back and catching himself on the wall. Al stares, worried, as Arthur slides down the wall, staring at Mesprit, tears running down his cheeks.

"Whoa, Artie? You okay?" He asks gently, coming over to the others side.

"Y-yeah..." He says shakily, blinking, he looks around.

"Messs..." The legendary Pokemon says sadly as it floats, looking down at Arthur, it's gems no longer glowing.

"Just take it easy Arthur. I know that must have been hard for you." Katyusha smiles softly as she returns Mesprit to the chamber.

Alfred really want's to ask what just happened, but he knows now's clearly not the time for that. Instead, he sits down against the wall next to Arthur, and, after a moments thought, wraps his arms around the others shoulders. Katyusha busies herself with the computer while Al sits, quietly waiting for Arthur to calm down.

It takes a few minutes but finally Arthur starts to talk.

"It was them."

"Them?"

"Those same guys we saw before. The one's with the Arceus symbol that caged that Cobalion."

"You've seen these poachers before?" Katyusha asks as she comes over, crouching down in front of them.

Arthur nods, "Yes. Outside of Kansa village."

She frowns, "Then poachers really are here."

"Mhmm. Mesprit... it..." Arthur frowns, as if trying to decipher a puzzle, "They were chasing it. Trying to catch it I think."

"Think?" Al asks still lost.

Katyusha nods, "Mesprit is the Pokemon of emotions, I imagine Arthur got a lot of that." She explains unclearly.

"Yeah, I did... though, there were a few images, it was mostly... feelings... very strong ones." He says as he reaches up and wipes away his tears, as if only now just noticing them.

"Fear mostly, and pain... a lot of pain. But Mesprit is worried."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure exactly but... I think... it was looking for it's friend, but they took it. It fought them, but... they used something. I don't know what, but it terrified Mesprit. It barely got away."

"Do you know where this happened?" Katyusha urges him on.

Frowning, he closes his eyes to think.

"A pond? Or small lake, with three trees twisted together to become one."

"I know the place." Katyusha nods, standing, "Thank you Arthur. Really. You didn't have to put yourself through that. But now we know for sure that poachers were here, and where." She then smiles to Alfred, "And Alfred? I know you want to challenge me, but it'll have to wait until I'm certain that the poachers are gone and the Pokemon here are all safe. You understand, don't you?"

"Sure." He nods.

"Good. Now, look after Arthur." She smiles sadly at the man, "He may not say it, but he could do with someone to be there for him."

He nods again, tightening his hold on Arthur.

"Right."

Authors notes: I've returned! And while I wasn't dying I was writing plenty of chapters for both my on going stories so woo!

You guessed it, Ukraine is the next gym leader! And we see a bit more of Arthur's... let's say, inherited gifts... And the villains are up to stuff in the background still.

Just what is going on? Stay tuned to find out!

R & R people.

Till next time, stay awesome!