Pokémon Cosmic Quest

The Movie 3:

Cosmogogue and the Celestial Cornerstones

In the streets of the grand metropolis of Kanaveral City, trainers and their Pokémon are positioned along a start line. Among those in line are Ash and Pikachu as well as Brenda and Lupine. A large audience has gathered on the sidewalk. Brock is among them. Ash and Pikachu are both making exaggerated stretching movements.

Having some time to spare for fun before the rigors of the Cosmic Conference begin, Ash has decided to enter Kanaveral's City's world-famous Skyscraper Scamper race!

A man riding atop a Yuifoe descends towards the participants and announces through a microphone, "Welcome one and all to the second annual Skyscraper Scamper!" He beckons a hand at the massive skyscraper behind him. "The goal of the race is to climb to the very top of the jewel of Kanaveral City! The Astral Tower! The tallest skyscraper in the world!" The sleek building towers above even the other immense skyscrapers of Kanaveral. It almost looks more like a metal and glass sculpture than a building given the way it features curves, angles, and bends. "At 200 stories, such a climb is no easy feat for a human! But when humans work alongside Pokémon, anything is possible! So long as the trainer doesn't lose contact with the building for more than five seconds, a trainer's Pokémon can help them climb in any way they can imagine! Racers, are you ready!?"

There's a collection of cheers from the racers.

"We start on green!" The announcer's Yuifoe tilts its body so that the lights on its bottom face the racers. First the red lights up. Then the yellow. And finally, the green.

And they're off. Ash and Pikachu work to get an early lead and sprint their way for the tower. Brenda and Lupine opt for a slow and steady approach so as to not wear themselves out before the climb begins. Brock cheers for both of them.

Ash and Pikachu are among the first to make it to the foot of the building. While the building looks smooth and sleek from far away, its artistic intricacies leave plenty of hand and footholds to be climbed on. Pikachu jumps up first and nimbly climbs. Ash rubs his hands together, then jumps up to follow. It's a little more awkward for him, but a combination of strength and sheer willpower allow him to climb. As he climbs, he gets an idea and pulls out a Pokéball. From it, he sends out Ninjitsu. The ninja Pokémon is able to scale the tower with graceful ease, so it scouts ahead for the best route and reports back to Ash with its findings.

Brenda Lupine have also started climbing. Lupine, rather than climbing, relies on its powerful legs to jump from ledge to ledge. Brenda seems to have a harder time at things than Ash, but she too works at it.

Using his Yuifoe to follow the contestants, the announcer keeps close to them and provides a live-time narration of the events.

By about the third floor, the first contestant, a trainer with a Radeon, slips and falls. But before he can hit the ground, a group of Elgyem catch him midair with Psychic and gently lower him the rest of the way. The announcer declares that the trainer has been disqualified, much to the trainer's disappointment.

With Ninjitsu's help, Ash and Pikachu have made significant progress in their climb. But they've made it to their first problematic section. The next ledge is much too high for Ash to jump and reach, and there's nothing but a flat window in between him and it for him to climb on. Ash gets another idea. He swaps Ninjitsu out for Arborrior. After quickly explaining his plan to Arborrior, the tree Pokémon nods in understanding. It plants itself firmly on the ledge next to Ash and Ash wedges himself between the tall Pokémon and the window. Using Arborrior's trunk as support, he walks up the side of the wall until he's high enough to grab the next ledge and continue his climb. Pikachu quickly climbs up Arborrior to join Ash. Ash thanks Arborrior as he recalls it.

Brenda, meanwhile, has had Frostcicle create handholds out of ice so that she can scale a different section of window.

Several more trainers have fallen and been caught by the Elgyem. The race is only getting harder.

Ash's next obstacle comes when a trainer above has their Pokémon use Stone Edge in an attempt to create new handholds, but only ends up creating a rockfall that heads right at Ash. Ash thinks fast and sends out Dashilisk, who uses some sharpshooting Scald attacks to blast the rocks out of the air before they can force Ash to let go of his hold.

After climbing for a little more, Ash notices a raindrop on his face. Rain has started to fall. He immediately notices that it's harder to keep hold of the wet building. But Ash isn't even going to let the weather get in his way. He calls upon Solurtle, who uses Sunny Day to banish the rain and dry the tower.

Brock grins when he notices this clever idea. Then he looks around and realizes he forgot something. He runs off.

Brenda has been steadily closing the gap between her and Ash. Currently, she's having Glitterfly use Silver Wind to push her against the wall for stability as she shimmies across a particularly thin ledge.

Ash looks up. He's made good progress, but about a third of the tower still remains above him. There's also a handful of trainers who are still ahead of him. He looks down to see that there are even more who are catching up. He quickly decides he needs to do something more drastic if he's going to win. After a moment of thought, inspiration hits him. He sends out Eagladiator. After explaining his plan to the Pokémon, Pikachu hops onto Eagladiator's back, and the bird Pokémon wraps its talons around Ash's arms.

Brenda is just catching up with Ash as she sees Eagladiator beat its wings and take off. As it pulls Ash upwards, Ash literally runs up the side of the building. Eagladiator may be flying him up, but he's keeping within the rules of the race by keeping his feet to the Astral Tower.

With his new technique, Ash quickly passes each trainer ahead of him one by one. They all look on with shock as they see him pass them.

A familiar Meowth balloon happens to be floating by the tower at this time. Jessie, James, and Meowth are lounging lazily inside the basket. But they all do a double take when they see Ash and Eagladiator pass them by. But before they can figure out what just happened, the wind from Eagladiator's wings pushes the balloon away and into a nearby pointed edge of a building. This pops the balloon and sends Team Rocket blasting off.

And, in almost no time at all, Ash climbs over the topmost ledge of the Astral Tower.

The announcer declares, "We have our winner! This year's Skyscraper Scamper Champion is Ash Ketchum!"

Ash cheers, "Yeah, we did it!"

"Pik pika pi!"

An audience that has gathered atop the tower applaud him. Standing by herself on a raised section of the roof is the white-haired girl. She looks vaguely annoyed and somewhat grumpy. She's standing in front of a massive kinetic sculpture, which features the Sun, orbited by the Earth, which is in turn orbited by the Moon, all made out of shining gold.

Brock rushes over to Ash and shouts, "Congratulations!"

The announcer asks, "Ash Ketchum, to what do you attribute your victory here today?"

Ash takes a moment to consider his answer, then says with much gusto, "My Pokémon. As long they're helping me, there's nothing I can't do."

Ash notices the girl seem to scoff at his words. He leans to Brock and asks, "Hey, who's she? Why's she up there all by herself? Is she someone important?"

Brock glances in the direction of the girl. "Oh, have you not heard of Celeste?"

"Who?"

"She's the architect who designed the Astral Tower."

Ash does a double take. "Are you sure we're talking about the same person? I'm looking at an eight-year-old girl."

Brock nods. "She was six when construction on the tower began."

"You're pulling my leg, aren't you?"

Brock shakes his head. "Absolutely not. That's why she and this tower are so famous. She's a prodigy. That sculpture behind her is also her work."

Ash looks impressed. "Huh. Go figure."

Around this time, other racers have begun making it over the final ledge. Brenda is among them. Once she catches her breath, she says, "Wow, Ash! That was incredible!"

Ash shrugs. "It wasn't anything too special. Actually—"

He's cut off when someone screams. Ash, Brock, and Brenda look in the direction of the scream to see a woman pointing towards Celeste. A Volcarona and Solurtle are approaching her menacingly, while a Heliophosaur, Gigastar, Solem, and Espeon have formed a perimeter to stop anyone else from getting near.

Celeste backs away nervously from the intimidating Pokémon approaching her, but she quickly backs into the base of the sculpture and is unable to retreat any further.

The announcer on his Yuifoe floats to the Pokémon and demands, "What is going on here!?"

But the Solem and Espeon both use Psychic to toss the man and Pokémon aside.

With that, Ash doesn't waste another second. "Come on, Pikachu, we need to help!"

"Pika!"

As they rush forward, the Heliophosaur notices first and attacks with a Thunderbolt, but Pikachu instantly counters with its own.

"Pikaaaa chuuuuu!"

With the attack blocked, Ash orders, "Volt Tackle, let's go!"

"Pika pika pika pika pika chu!" Pikachu crashes through the four Pokémon, knocking them all aside with one attack. It and Ash runs through the broken line to help Celeste.

Celeste has been grabbed by the Solurtle. It has her slung over its shoulder. She pounds her fists against its shell as she shouts defiantly, "Let me go! What do you want with me!?"

Before the Pokémon can retreat with Celeste, a Thunderbolt from Pikachu strikes Volcarona, which also gets Solurtle to stop. Then Pikachu dashes in and nails Solurtle in the front with an Iron Tail, which forces it to drop Celeste.

This confuses Celeste. "Huh?"

Ash gets between her and the Pokémon. He stares them down for a moment before he turns his head to look at her and says confidently, "Hey, no need to worry. I'll help you."

Celeste crosses her arms, as if annoyed. She asks critically, "What are you doing?"

Ash is unsure of how to react to her sudden derisive tone. "Helping you…?"

But before the conversation can progress any further, the Solurtle shouts, "Soool!" And attacks Ash and Pikachu with Solar Flare.

Ash orders, "Iron Tail!"

"Chu, Pika!" Pikachu's tail splits the fiery attack, sending the stream safely to either side of Ash and Celeste.

Apparently not having planned on meeting with opposition, Solurtle and Volcarona glance at each other before deciding to flee. Solem, Heliophosaur, Gigastar, and Espeon follow.

Ash laughs. "I don't think you guys realize there's nowhere to run."

But he is quickly proven wrong when a swirling dark purple vortex opens up and the Pokémon pass through it and disappear. The vortex quickly vanishes as well.

Ash gasps. "No…"

As the people on the roof recover from the shock of the situation, Brenda and Brock run up to Ash and Celeste. Brenda asks with worry, "Guys, was that what I think it was…?"

Ash slowly nods. "Nemex is back…"

Brock objects, "But you stopped it for good… Didn't you…?"

Ash turns to Celeste, who is getting up and brushing herself off. "Celeste, we need to talk."

Celeste stares at Ash silently for several moments before she groans and says, "Fine. You can come downstairs with me. I live on the top floor."

Celeste leads them into her home. It's a luxuriously furnished penthouse with oversized windows, through which the skyscape of Kanaveral can be seen from above. Blueprints are hung on what walls there are and much of the table space is taken up by what look like many smaller versions of the kinetic sculpture on the roof. Each one is slightly different, but all display a great show of balance and order.

Brenda looks at one and asks, "Did you make all of these? Are you an artist too?"

Celeste says with no pride of any kind, "Only if you consider architecture to be art. Those may look pretty, but that's not the point."

Brock points out, "To most, architecture means buildings and bridges and other such structures. Do models of the Solar System really count?"

Celeste seems somewhat annoyed. "Is the Solar System not a grand structure of its own? With planets as bricks and gravity as mortar?"

Brock slowly nods as he contemplates the question.

She sits down on a couch and urges, "What is it you need to know?"

Ash questions, "Are your parents here?"

Celeste shakes her head. "They're away on business."

Brock questions, "Then who's watching you?"

"Do you think I can't take care of myself?" She sounds less annoyed this time and more confused, as if her staying on her own was the most natural thing in the world.

Brock is unsure of how to respond.

Ash decides not to press the issue. "Why were those Pokémon after you?"

"Do you expect me to know? You seemed to know more about them than me."

"Are you sure there's no reason you know of?"

Celeste hesitates for a fraction of a second. "No. No reason that I can think of. A ransom, maybe."

Ash shakes his head. "Definitely not a ransom. I don't know who those Pokémon are, but that portal they escaped through was created by a Pokémon named Nemex. It's an evil Pokémon that wants nothing more than to destroy all life on Earth."

She looks at him with critical disbelief. "A Pokémon? Who wants to destroy the world? Really?"

Ash nods. "I'm serious. It's a big shadowy Pokémon with glowing red eyes. It looks like pure evil."

Celeste hesitates. "Red…eyes…?" She stands up and walks over to one of her models and stares into it. Trying to change the topic, she says, "Look, I'm not going to thank you for saving me."

The sudden topic change confuses Ash. "Huh? What's that mean?"

"You didn't need to save me from those Pokémon. I told you already, I can take care of myself."

Ash objects, "They were about to kidnap you."

"And if I couldn't escape, then they would have. But I didn't need your help. I don't need anyone's help."

At first, Ash is completely unsure of what to say, but after a moment, he says confidently, "Well, regardless, I'll always try to help out someone in need. That's just who I am."

"Then you waste your time. If you can't help yourself, then you don't deserve help from others." She turns towards a window and looks out at the now setting Sun. "You three can stay the night in the guestrooms, but you're out of here tomorrow morning." She offers it as if it's a burden to her that she resents.

Ash hesitates. "Um…thanks…"

Brock adds more sincerely, "We appreciate your hospitality. Especially since all the Pokémon Center rooms are booked for the Skyscraper Scamper."

That night, everyone is asleep in their own opulent bed. The bedrooms feature even more blueprints and models. Ash seems restless in his sheets, as if in an active dream. He's tossed the sheets aside and rolls about.

Celeste seems to be in a similar state. Like the night before, she dreams of herself floating in the void of space before a nebula shaped like a star. But something is different this time. A new nebula has formed and orbits the original. It is orange-yellow and looks to be shaped like a depiction of the Sun.

Celeste looks at the shape with confusion. "What's that… I've never seen that before…"

Then Ash says, "Woah, this is one crazy dream."

"What in the world!?" Celeste turns to see Ash floating beside her. "This isn't possible! You can't be here! No one's ever been here before!"

Ash is confused. "Um…that's an oddly specific thing for a dream person to say…"

Celeste groans. "This isn't a normal dream…"

Before Ash can request further elaboration, there's a great flash of light. The majestic voice that previously spoke to Celeste says, "My children… You have found each other…"

Celeste is shocked and seemingly mortified. "Children!? But I'm your child! Who is he to you!?"

"He is the Sol Champion…"

Ash, who is busy looking around for the source of the voice suddenly freezes. "The Sol Champion… Wait, does this have something to do with Nemex too? What's going on?"

There's another flash of light, and this time something appears. Heliosol, in its regular form, floats in front of the sun-like nebula, which is actually shaped like the Sol Gem. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the runt. Good to see you again, kid."

Ash grins. "Heliosol! Maybe you can help! I think Nemex is trying something new."

Heliosol nods. "It is. That is why it is very important that you both listen to everything we have to say."

Celeste shouts, "What is this!? This is my space! Everyone, get out! Get out!"

Heliosol snaps, "Silence, runt! The fate of the Solar System lies in what I have to tell you."

Celeste looks frightened by the towering Pokémon.

"That's better. You are correct that Nemex has begun a new plot, and only you two runts can stop it. If we are to stop it, you need to find the Celestial Cornerstones."

Ash questions, "The Celestial Cornerstones…?"

"Yes, just as cornerstones are the first bricks laid by an architect, the Celestial Cornerstones are the foundation of this Solar System. You already know of the Sol Gem, but there is also the Luna and Terra Gems, as well as the epitome of them all, the Celestial Gem."

Ash gasps. "Like what Aries used Myoken to try to find."

"Yes, the very same."

Ash nods. "Okay, well it should be easy to get the Sol Gem. I can just contact the people who gave it to me in the first place, since I left it with them."

Heliosol shakes its head. "No. I know not how, but soon after you parted with the Sol Gem, it disappeared from this planet. We now believe it to be in Nemex's possession. The same could be true of the Celestial Gem."

Ash connects the dots. "That's why it was missing from its hiding place when Aries tried to find it."

"Precisely. But the Luna and Terra Gems still exist on Earth. Find them first. Then we'll worry about the others. Runt, do I need to emphasize how important it is that Nemex does not get his hands on all four Celestial Cornerstones?"

Ash shakes his head. "I have no idea what they do, but I understand that it would be bad news if someone like Nemex got them."

"Good, runt. You do listen."

Celeste, sounding somewhat uncertain, asks, "And…what about…me…?"

Heliosol laughs heartily. "Why, you're going to help, of course. What else would you do?"

"Help…?"

"See you soon, runts."

Ash bolts up in his bed. He's panting heavily. He's woken up Pikachu as well, who looks to him with concern. "Pika pi?"

Ash takes a moment to think over what just happened and doesn't immediately respond.

And before he can, the door to the room slams open and Celeste demands, "How did you end up in my dreamspace!?"

So early in the morning that only a dim glow from the Sun is on the horizon, Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Celeste, all still in pajamas, have gathered in the living room. Ash explains to Brock and Brenda, "So that's why we need to find the Luna and Terra Gems."

Brenda, who's sleepy and confused, asks, "What makes you think this was more than a dream?"

Celeste speaks up, "It's not just a dream. It's a vision." She makes a deep sigh of reluctance. "A vision from my patron…"

Brock questions, "Your patron?"

Celeste sighs again. "I don't know who or what he is. He's appeared in my sleep to send me visions for as long as I can remember." A twinge of regret washes across her face for a split moment. "He's…he's where I get all my designs from…" She beckons to blueprints on the walls around her.

Brenda asks, "Wait, Heliosol gave you blueprints for buildings…?"

"Not Heliosol. That was new. The first voice. That was my patron." She looks away from Ash, Brock, and Brenda in shame.

Ash asks, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Celeste fervently shakes her head without looking Ash in the eyes. "Nothing."

"Are you sure—"

Celeste asserts, "Nothing is wrong! Okay?"

Ash backs off. "Okay. Whatever you say."

Brenda posits, "Well, to go back to the matter at hand, how are we supposed to find two magical gemstones that we know nothing about?"

Brock is deep in contemplation. "I have an idea…but I don't think you guys are going to like it…"

Ash responds, "It can't be that bad. What do you have?"

"Well, we may not know anything about the Celestial Cornerstones, but I can think of one person we've met who does. He might be the closest thing to an expert on them that exists."

Ash's eyes widen as he realizes Brock's meaning.

A woman, only seen from behind, leads Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Celeste into a lobby of some kind. The woman says, "I must admit, I was surprised to receive your call. After everything he put you through, I figured you'd never want to see him again."

Ash asserts sternly, "If it weren't for the circumstances, I wouldn't."

The woman responds, "I don't blame you. But I promise you that he's a different man now than the one you knew before. He's done a lot of healing. The doctors say they think he's ready to rejoin society. I know you can never forgive him, but please, just try to give him a chance to prove himself. He deeply regrets everything he did."

"Well, we're basically giving him that chance now."

"I suppose you are. There he is." The woman beckons ahead. Sitting on a couch is tall, gaunt man with wiry hair and glasses, wearing all white. It's Aries. The woman steps behind him and shows her face, revealing her as Pleiades.

Pleiades says, "Sir, here they are."

Aries looks up to Ash, Brock, and Brenda and stares at them for a long moment. The deranged look that always filled Aries' face before is now gone, replaced by a much more somber expression. Although he looks healthier than he was last time he was seen, in other ways he seems worse. His face has sunken in, making him appear even more gaunt than usual. There are dark bags under his eyes.

Finally, he asks, "Why…?" There is a lack of conviction in his voice. As if the question is meaningless.

Ash steps forward. "Aries, after what you did to Myoken, I never wanted to see you again. But we're dealing with something more important than that."

Aries looks away. "So, I take it you hold me accountable for my actions, even though I was not in a proper state of mind." He still fails to put any energy into his words.

Ash crosses his arms with frustration. "Forgive you? You tortured Myoken. You forced it to use its powers for your own selfish purposes and nearly ended the world, all so you could gloat to Team Planetary. I blame you for all of it and will never forgive you."

Aries looks to the ground. "As you should. I am a monster…" He ends up staring at his own hands. "I should never be forgiven…"

Pleiades urges, "Sir, don't speak like that."

"Pleiades, I know the truth of what I am." He looks back to Ash. "Why have you come? I will help you in any way I can."

Ash snaps, "So we'll forgive you?"

"No. I already said don't deserve forgiveness. But I still seek atonement for my crimes."

Ash stares at the man for several moments. He looks unable to decide whether he should hate the scientist or simply pity him. Finally, he explains, "The Celestial Gem you were after. Did you know that it was just one of four gems known as the Celestial Cornerstones?"

Aries' gaze shoots back up to Ash. "I did. What is this about?" A modicum of energy has returned to his speech.

"Well, we need to figure out how to find the Luna and Terra Gems before an evil Pokémon named Nemex does. How do we find them? And don't you dare suggest we torture an innocent Pokémon to do so."

Aries averts his gaze again. "No… I wouldn't…" He slowly looks back to Ash and the others. "The Luna and Terra Gems both came up in my research of the Celestial Gem. They were of no concern to me at the time."

Ash turns away suddenly. "Great. This was all just a big waste of time. I should have known."

"The Lunar Shrine."

Ash looks back to Aries. "What was that?"

"The Lunar Shrine is where we will find the Luna Gem. It's a temple that was constructed long ago in the Great Tennoan Desert to worship the Pokémon Seluna. I said the gem was of no concern to me at the time, that does not mean I didn't take note of where to find it."

Ash nods. "Good. Come on, guys. Let's go."

"You'll need to take me with you."

Ash looks back to Aries again. "Why would we do that?"

"There's a reason that gem is still in the ruins, rather than in some museum. It's buried so deep in the ruins that archeologists have an impossible time making it to it."

Ash crosses his arms and asks skeptically, "But you could?"

Aries nods. "Yes. I am confident my research in the area is the key to pass."

Ash is clearly on the verge of turning away without another word.

Brenda puts a hand on his shoulder and explains, "Ash, if finding this gem is as important as you say it is, then I don't think we have a choice."

Pleiades speaks up, "I'll be with you as well, and I promise that I will take full responsibility for Professor Aries. Please, give him this chance to help you."

Ash sighs. "Okay. Let's do it.