Route 111.
Baimu arrived a day later.
Route 111 was unusual even by Hoenn's standards. Amid a region of birdsong, flowers, and leafy trees, it alone held a vast desert.
Huge sandstorms sometimes swept through, blocking travelers' paths.
Unlike in the games, though, goggles weren't required to cross it. Going around meant at least another day's unnecessary travel.
In the anime, deep in the desert lay the Mirage Kingdom, an isolated realm devoted to Togepi. Anyone who wanted to become its king had to possess one. That was what led to Misty's Togepi evolving into Togetic and leaving her team.
The kingdom also held a curious "mirage." It looked like an illusion but was a real, hidden place, home to countless Togepi that grew through their spiritual connection with the people outside.
If people's hearts turned wicked, conditions in the Togepi's paradise would rapidly deteriorate, leaving them sick and weakened.
It was remarkable.
The desert had even more to offer in the games.
Besides the mysterious Mirage Tower, there was a Desert Ruins at its deepest point. Solving the puzzle in the Sealed Chamber on Route 134 would reveal the sleeping Legendary Giant Regirock within...
Assuming Brandon hadn't caught it.
As far as Baimu remembered, the anime never explained where Brandon had found his Legendary Giants. It only mentioned that Regice came from some ruins.
"How is anyone supposed to get through that?"
With his head wrapped up tight, Baimu lowered his binoculars and stared at the sandstorm blotting out the distant sky. The force of nature was daunting. According to the travel guide on his phone, crossing it would take him to the Mirage Kingdom in a canyon.
But despite its name, the kingdom was only the size of a town. Judging by the aerial map published online, it