We decided to take it in turns in carrying the egg and right now it was Ash's turn. We were sitting down in a quiet spot, eating a little lunch and I had Latias in my lap, feeding her noontime bottle to her whilst Ash munched on a sandwich and spoke at the same time. "I just can't wait to see what Pokémon it is!"

"I bet it's the egg of a legendary Pokémon." Brock said. "Why else would Professor Elm entrust us with such an important quest?"

"You really think so?" Misty asked in slight astonishment before looking to me. "What do you think Ruby?"

"Well, I can't sense any legendary power from the egg like I did with Latias. To tell you the truth, it still feels scared." I told them with a shrug. "But hey, I've been wrong before." I paused for thought. "Once."

"Come on! Hatch legendary Pokémon and show us who you are!" Ash commanded playfully but the egg started glowing, making Latias stop drinking to look at the egg with curiosity.

"I think it must have heard you Ash, because it is hatching!" Brock almost yelled. "Quick! Let's put it out on the towels!" Ash quickly took off the lid then pulled out the egg and the towels at the bottom, spreading them out and rested the egg there as we waited with anticipation.

The light died away and left us with a simple egg again, making us all sigh in disappointment. "Oh, it's a false alarm." Misty sighed. "Never mind."

"Cheer up guys." I said, bouncing Latias gently as she smiled. "Maybe it just wants a more dramatic entrance. Right little one?" I questioned Latias who nodded her head with a little chirp before snuggling into my arms, making me smile and hug her securely.

When the others all gasped I looked up and watched as the egg glowed again but after a few seconds, returned to being normal.

"Another false alarm." Brock sighed.

"I guess it just wasn't ready to hatch." Misty said but Ash wasn't so ready to give up as he reached out and picked it up.

"Yeah? Well maybe all it needs is to get a little more warmed up." He said stubbornly as he put the egg under his shirt then began to sing. "Come on out, come on out legendary Pokémon!" I shook my head with a sigh as Latias gave a confused look up at Ash then a soft whine to me so I covered her ears.

"It's okay Latias. We'll get through this." I told her blankly as Ash continued to sing badly. However the egg must have liked it, because it suddenly started to glow even brighter than before and we could see it even through Ash's black shirt.

"The egg! It's glowing again!" Ash gulped as he sat back down, holding the egg carefully until finally the light disappeared. "Guys." Ash said to us and we looked up at him. "I think it hatched." He said, his face filled with panic.

"Let's take a look." Brock suggested so Ash peeled back his shirt to reveal a baby Pokémon with green skin with black markings and a red patch on its belly.

"I did it!" Ash crowed at the sleeping Pokémon and Latias called out excitedly, shifting in my arms then flew up into the air, hovering a couple of feet to fly wobbly around in a circle before falling down but Misty caught her with a serious expression as she looked at Ash.

"Don't go overboard, you didn't hatch it." She said before turning to Togepi and Latias. "Isn't that right?" She cooed and Latias gave a sing song echo in reply as Togepi kicked up her little feet as she chanted.

"Let's see what your Pokédex says." Brock said as I picked Latias up again and settled her in my lap, finishing her feed. Ash pulled out Dexter and flipped it open, holding it towards the Pokémon in his lap.

"Larvitar, the rock skin Pokémon. Larvitar generally hatch deep within the earth and take a long time before coming to the surface."

"So it's a Larvitar." Brock smiled as he leaned forwards for a closer look.

"It wasn't a legendary Pokémon after all." Latias hung her head sadly so I lifted her up and hugged her.

"Don't worry Latias, Larvitar can still be your friend." I told her optimistically. "After all, it'll need someone like you to help it get used to everyone else." This instantly made Latias brighten so she nodded her head then flew a little clumsily over to Ash but Pikachu helped her land gently on the ground by running forwards and catching her as she came in for a rough landing. "Great catch Pikachu." I giggled as Pikachu crawled out from under Latias then pricked up his ears and smiled at me.

"Pika. Pikachu!" He then helped Latias sit up by carrying her on his back to look a little closer at the Larvitar which still hadn't woken up. Shouldn't it have moved by now?

"Hey guys…do you think Larvitar is okay? It isn't moving." I pointed out and fear struck everyone at once. Brock reached out and lay a hand on Larvitar, checking its temperature.

"You're right Ruby, this Larvitar's temperature is way too low even for a rock Pokémon! I think we should get it to a Pokémon centre right away!" He said and instantly Latias's eyes became misty with tears as she began to whine, worried for the Larvitar and Pikachu instantly tried to comfort her.

"Pika Pi, Pikachu Pika." He said, giving her a hug and patting her back but I was already by her side and picking her up, letting Pikachu jump onto my shoulder as I cradled and comforted her tenderly.

"There now it's okay, Larvitar will be just fine." I assured her and she stopped crying, giving a little sniff as she looked up at me. "We'll take good care of Larvitar and it'll be healthy again in no time."

"Where do we go Brock? New Bark Town is still ages away." Misty asked as Brock pulled out his guidebook.

"There is one closer. We have to go right away!" Nodding my head and with Latias in my arms, Pikachu on my shoulder and Ash carrying Larvitar, we all ran for the Pokémon Centre and didn't stop until Nurse Joy was taking care of our emergency case.

She ran all the basic health checks, wrapped Larvitar up in a blanket then stepped back with us all standing by, watching with worried expressions. "You were right, its temperature is much too low but I can't seem to find anything else wrong with it." Nurse Joy told us worriedly.

"But Nurse Joy, isn't there anything you can do?" Ash asked but Nurse Joy shook her head.

"I'll contact Professor Elm. He'll know." She said as she walked over to her computer.

"Hey, why don't we put this heater in front of Larvitar?" Misty suggested, standing beside the appliance which was tucked away in the corner. "That might help warm it up."

"Great idea Misty." Brock said then set it up in front of Larvitar where we all remained watching it with concern. Latias looked up at me then nuzzled my face.

"La…La Latias." She murmured and I sighed.

"I hope Larvitar will be okay too Latias. We've just got to be patient for now." I said as the storm clouds began to gather overhead and rain fell down to the ground. Ash closed the window to keep out the draft and Latias flew carefully from my arms, making the small distance over to Larvitar then curled up beside it, resting her head over its small body then closed her eyes to help try and keep it warm. "That's nice of you Latias, good thinking." I said, rubbing her head gently as Nurse Joy walked back to us.

"Professor Elm appears to be out but I sent him an email. I hope he gets back to me soon, it's not looking good." She said, looking down at the trembling Larvitar.

"Yeah, it's shaking is getting worse." Brock worried. Lightning flashed from outside and I felt a spark of fear from Larvitar and from Latias so I quickly shut the curtains.

"I think I'll take it's temperature one more time." Nurse Joy said, but when she saw the reading her gasp made me look up in alarm. "It's temperature just keeps on getting lower and lower! If this keeps up, it's life could be in danger!" Just then there was another flash of lightning and all the lights cut out, as well as the heater.

"The power's gone out!"

"Without the heater, Larvitar will really get cold!" Ash yelped in fear but Nurse Joy frowned in confusion.

"Wait a minute though, whenever the power goes out, the emergency generator is supposed to start up automatically. I'm going to go check it out." She said then quickly left the room. Latias shifted closer to Larvitar and Pikachu joined them, moving close to try and share some body heat.

We waited and waited but it took a long time for Nurse Joy to get back. "What's taking Nurse Joy so long?" Ash wondered aloud as the storm continued to rage outside.

"The power is still off." Misty said, glancing around the dark room as sirens began to wail. All of a sudden the door opened and Nurse Joy appeared with a doctor at her side.

"The ambulance is here to take the Larvitar." She announced and I blinked in surprise. Ambulance? That must have been fast thinking. I didn't know she called an ambulance.

"We need to transport the patient to our Pokémon Centre immediately." The doctor said and we all beamed happily.

"Nurse Joy!"

"We're so glad that you're here!"

"It's alright now." Nurse Joy said as she and the doctor walked up with a Pokémon stretcher on a trolley. "Put the Larvitar on here."

"Okay." Ash said, picking up Larvitar so I collected Latias into my arms, Pikachu jumping onto my shoulder for the time being as Ash started to hand over the Larvitar without a second thought.

"Wait! Hold on!" Brock suddenly called and jumped in front of Ash, spreading out his arms to stop Ash from handing over the Larvitar.

"What's going on?" Ash demanded as Brock stepped forwards and began to closely inspect the Nurse Joy standing before us, who moved backwards slightly in surprise.

"What is it?" She asked politely as Brock got a little closer, squinting at her in the dark. Has he finally lost it? Maybe Misty needs to pull her ear trick and get him out of here.

"I knew it." Brock suddenly declared, turning to face us with a studious expression. "This Nurse Joy is a cheap imitation."

"That's ridiculous!" I'll say. How can Brock even tell them apart? They all look the same to me. As far as I know, this is the same Nurse Joy we saw walk out only a few minutes ago. "What makes you think I'm not the genuine Nurse Joy?" She asked in her usual polite tone.

"The real Nurse Joy has the voice like an angel, clear and soft like a songbird in a tree! But you." He suddenly glared at the supposed imposter. "Your voice sounds like a dirt truck on a gravel road. Not only that, but the real Nurse Joy smells like fresh wild flowers growing in a field! But you, all I'm getting from you is the smell of holes dug deep in the earth." Wow, sorry we asked.

"Holes?" She questioned and I began to scratch my head in wonder too. I think he's definitely lost it.

"Plus the real Nurse Joy is beautiful and her mouth moves when she speaks!" Now that is a point. I know it's dark, but come to think of it I don't think Nurse Joy's mouth has been moving very much.

"Urgh. I've had enough of this!" Nurse Joy suddenly declared then whipped off her face-no mask-to reveal Jessie. "I'm a hundred times prettier than she is!" She hissed angrily, insulted by Brock's actually quite impressive detection.

"Team Rocket?" We all questioned in confusion as Meowth leaped up from under the stretcher trolley, holding a paper fan in his hands.

"Way to go, now you've gone and blown our cover!" He yelled then smacked her on the head, making her yelp as James took off his disguise.

"Alright then, we'll take it by force!" He decided then grabbed Larvitar and tried to take it from Ash but he held on.

"No way are you getting this Larvitar!" He argued, the two of them struggling over the Poké mon and "And we'll take that one too!" Jessie growled, grabbing Latias who instantly began to cry out for me, crying with fear as I was shoved backwards into the wall, hitting my head hard.

"Pika!" Pikachu called out as I slumped to the ground, groaning in a daze. What just happened? Did Nurse Joy just evolve into Jessie? Wait…they took Latias!

"Pikachu…give me a jump start." I moaned, rubbing my head as I tried to get up whilst everyone else blocked in Team Rocket, yelling in anger as they held the two baby Pokémon.

"Pikachu. Pika…CHUUU!" With a yelp I leaped up, getting a sharp jolt of electricity which knocked me back into my senses. "Pika?"

"Thanks Pikachu, I needed that." I said and he smiled before jumping up onto my shoulder and we both glared at Team Rocket. "Alright Team Rocket, hand over those Pokémon!" I ordered then lunged for Jessie as she tried to push her way past Misty.

I grabbed hold of Latias and pulled her back to me but Jessie maintained grip also, trying to tug her back but I refused to let go. "Give it up twerp, this Pokémon is mine now." Jessie hissed but I glared at her.

"I don't think so. Latias is my Pokémon, she's staying with me!" With that I looked at Pikachu. "Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Pikachu launched himself off of my shoulder and slammed into Jessie at high speed, making her yelp and jerk backwards, letting go of Latias so I quickly pulled back with her as Pikachu swiftly got out of Jessie's way as she tried to grab him.

Pikachu darted between her legs and she fell over trying to grab him, making me snort with laughter as he jumped back onto Ash's shoulder as he pulled away with Larvitar, leaving James with only the blanket. "Hey! What's the big idea?" He demanded as Ash drew back.

"Pikachu, give 'em a Thunderbolt!" He called as I hugged Latias tightly and smiled as she rubbed her head against my cheek.

"I'm so glad you're alright Latias." I said to her as Pikachu struck Team Rocket with a powerful shock, sending them running for the hills.

"I'm going to go find Nurse Joy, I bet she was locked away somewhere by those crooks." Brock said and Misty grabbed an umbrella.

"I'll go too. We should check the generator as well." She said to Brock as they hurried out the door.

"Don't worry Larvitar, Team Rocket have gone now." I looked over to Ash to see him cradling Larvitar carefully, wrapping him up in a new blanket. "We'll get you warm real soon." He promised before blinking. "I know! Come on out Cyndaquil." He said as he picked up Cyndaquil's Pokéball then let him out.

"Cynda? Cyndaquil." Cyndaquil squeaked.

"Hey Cyndaquil, you think you could warm up Larvitar for us?" Ash asked and I walked closer, sitting down on the bed with Latias shivering in my arms.

"Good idea Ash." I said as Cyndaquil fired up his flames to an intense heat, making Ash startle back.

"Whoa Cyndaquil! Not that much!" He said so Cyndaquil toned it down a little and sat on Cyndaquil's other side as we warmed up both the baby Pokémon. "Now how does that feel?" Ash asked Larvitar as he held him like a baby should be held, making me smile proudly as Latias yawned sleepily then settled down again. "Hang in there Larvitar, I'll get you healthy and warm again I promise." Ash said softly so I stood up and put Latias into his other arm. "Hey what are you doing?" He blinked.

"I'm going to make a warm bottle for both of them. Maybe that'll encourage Larvitar to wake up, or at least it'll help give him some strength." I said as I pulled out my bag then rummaged around in Brock's for the things I would need. "Cyndaquil, could you fire it up a little please?" I asked and Cyndaquil nodded his head.

"Cynda. Quil!" He squealed softly as I held a pan of Moo-Moo milk over his back and he began to heat it up for me. I mixed in some nourishments and vitamins, gave it a good stir then once it was warm but not too hot, I poured equal measures into two bottles, sealed the caps then gave them both a shake.

"Thanks Cyndaquil." I said with a smile. "Here Ash, you can feed Larvitar." I said and handed him a bottle after I'd shifted Latias into my arms. She sniffed the air, smelling the milk then instantly squealed happily, making me laugh. "I see all this excitement hasn't affected your appetite." I said then looked over to Ash who was trying to force the nib into Larvitar's mouth. "Steady Ash, you've got to be gentle." I told him. "Here, I'll show you. First you drip a little of the milk around the baby Pokémon's mouth near the nose so it can smell and taste it itself." I said, demonstrating.

"Huh?" Ash watched as I showed him what to do and the moment the sweet milk was settled on Latias's lips, she stuck out her tongue and licked it away and once her tongue was sticking out, I offered her the nib which she instantly began to suck on. "Oh right, I get it." Ash nodded then repeated what I had just done.

Larvitar gave a little twitch, his lips jumping ever so slightly at the warm milk before a tiny dark blue tongue poked out and brushed against it as he shivered. "That's it! You're doing great Ash." I said as Ash tried again and soon, he had Larvitar drinking from the bottle hungrily, Ash blinking in surprise before smiling brightly.

"Look Pikachu! Larvitar is drinking!"

"Pika!" Pikachu beamed, looking down from his shoulder as Ash gave a quiet laugh.

"You know, this feels really special." He said to me quietly, not wanting to disturb the Pokémon as they fed. "There's just something amazing about raising a Pokémon from an egg, I've really enjoyed playing with Phanphy and helping you with Latias."

"I know. They're just too cute not to love, no matter what kind of Pokémon they are." I agreed as Latias finished her bottle then gave a big yawn and went straight back to sleep. "You know, maybe I should get Pidgeot out. If we huddled under her wings, we'd be even warmer and Larvitar may get better faster." I suggested so Ash nodded his head.

"Alright, let's try it."

"Pidgeot, come on out." I whispered and Pidgeot appeared behind us, standing on the bed then looked down at us with a quiet chirp. "Hey there, do you mind if we snuggle with you for a bit? We've got a very cold baby Larvitar here and we need to get him warm." Pidgeot instantly nodded her head and settled down on the bed and spread her wings, placing them around us as Cyndaquil continued to keep up its flame, turning around so that he didn't singe Pidgeot's feathers.

We huddled together all night, trying to keep Larvitar warm and we stayed that way until the early hours of the morning, where I woke up when I felt Ash kicking out slightly, having a nightmare. I felt bad waves coming from Larvitar, fearful ones but somehow, they were locked onto Ash. I guess those two must share a special connection. I'm not surprised, Ash is becoming fiercely protective over Larvitar since it hatched.

"Larvitar…" I gasped quietly when I heard Larvitar whisper softly and Ash woke up, blinking and shaking his head.

"Larvitar?" He questioned quietly as to not wake the others. "You were having a nightmare and, somehow, I was there with you." He said then looked up at me. "Ruby, has that ever happened to you?" He asked but I shook my head.

"No, I've never experienced the dreams of my Pokémon." I told him, sitting up a little but then the door swung open to reveal Professor Elm.

"Oh Ash, I'm so sorry we're late!" He said but then someone else appeared.

"So how is our sick patient?" Professor Oak and instantly I was standing up.

"Professor Oak?" He nodded his head to me but followed after Professor Elm as Ash put Larvitar on the bed and we both returned our Pokémon as both professors took a closer look at our poor little guy.

"So you're saying this Larvitar had a low body temperature when it first hatched, and continues to drop?" Professor Elm asked as he studied the Larvitar closely.

"And you've been warming it with various methods all this time?" Professor Oak continued and Nurse Joy nodded her head.

"Yes, but nothing we've done so far has had any effect at all." She informed them as I hugged Latias closely, feeling her worry mixed in with my own.

"What do you think's the matter with it professors?" Ash asked.

"Do you two think you'll be able to help this Larvitar?" Misty questioned with tender concern as Professor Elm crouched down closer and turned his head to look at us.

"You kids leave it to us. We'll find out what's wrong with this Larvitar and help make it better." He promised us. "Why don't you all get some breakfast?" He suggested.

"Or get some proper rest. You all look very tired." And so there was nothing else we could do. Except sit there and wait.