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"Look, this way," Dawn said, pointing past the stairwell, to the monolith of the ruler of Time. "This used to be in some ruins on Mt. Coronet," she explained to Barry as they walked closer. "It looks pretty much like I remember it. I guess compared to how old it is, one hundred and sixty years isn't that much."
Barry walked around the base and eyed the statue from every angle. "It sure is impressive," Barry said.
"You should have seen Dialga in-person," Dawn bragged, idly itching the scars on her arm. "Much taller! Although the first time I met it was under unfortunate circumstances. It's why Spear Pillar is called that, and not, you know, the Temple of Sinnoh." She shook her head at the memory. Her time in the past was definitely an experience she didn't feel like repeating.
"Oh, look at these carvings!" Barry said, pointing to the next exhibit.
"Yeah, I saw them in a few caves here and there. They represent the important pokémon of the region. These ones at the bottom are the ten noble pokémon that I befriended. This one is Lord Wyrdeer, he could run very fast. That one is Lord Kleavor, I told you about quelling some of the nobles, that was the first one. Next was Lord Ursaluna, who I also fought but he was only angry, not like, magically enraged." Dawn pointed to each one in turn. "Then there was Lady Lilligant, who sent out shockwaves I had to jump over, like a deadly jump rope game."
The sound of someone walking behind them drew Dawn's attention, and she glanced back. It was only someone taking the stairs. She sighed and turned back to finish the explanation.
She would have if she didn't see what was in the next exhibit.
A glass case on a pedestal housed the artifact. A plastic dummy in a recreation of an ancient ceremonial outfit. A celestica flute like the one she used to have lay in a wood cradle at its feet.
It made an evil grin at her, arms spread wide in challenge.
"Can't you feel it? The chill creeping through your veins—the eldritch presence icing your heart?"
"Dawn? Is something wrong?" Barry asked, but she didn't hear.
"I was told that the person who wore this outfit donated it to the collection personally," a man in a brown coat said to the person he was walking with.
The claws were closing in on her! They were gripping her legs, pulling her hair, restricting her throat!
Volo was still alive! He was here!
"Giratina! Strike her down!"
A tuck and roll saved her from an untimely death, and she snapped out a pokeball. "Veeoooeon!" her Sylveon screeched, and re-entered battle. After fighting Volo's team and Giratina the first time, her pokémon were tired. However many more pokémon Volo could call up, she had to best them. He was aiming for murder.
Dawn grabbed Barry's arm like a lifeline. "Augh, Dawn! What's the matter?" Barry yelped as she yanked him suddenly, almost pulling him onto the floor.
She had to get out of here. She couldn't move. Volo was alive. Volo was here.
