Courtney

A ten-meter-tall spiral pyramid stood quietly above the red sea of sand, its silhouette hazy and ethereal against the crimson expanse.

Strangely, the enormous pyramid cast no shadow whatsoever in the sunlight, as though it did not exist in this world.

This was the famous Mirage Tower of the Hoenn Great Desert.

The red sea of sand beneath the tower was the Stardust Sea, formed from accumulated stardust.

"Professor, the Awakening Origin Stone is in there, right?"

A purple-haired woman in a Team Magma uniform walked at the head of the group, seemingly unconcerned by the desert heat or the windblown sand hitting her face.

The person addressed as Professor was wrapped entirely in a black cloak, flanked by two expressionless Team Magma members holding Poké Balls.

Behind them were another three stern-faced Team Magma members, each commanding a Mightyena with red eyes, a black back, and a white belly.

A closer look revealed that all five Team Magma members kept their lips tightly pressed together, silently surveying their surroundings with cold eyes. They had clearly undergone rigorous training and were not ordinary Trainers who relied solely on their Pokémon.

"..."

The Professor remained silent, but when the figure ahead took out a controller with a red button, she finally gave a helpless nod.

"Hehe, being so obedient really makes things easier."

The purple-haired woman turned around, revealing a face as innocent as a young girl's. Coupled with her petite build, she showed none of the imposing air one might expect from one of Team Magma's three administrators.

In fact, she was indeed Courtney, a mysterious figure who rarely appeared in public and one of Team Magma's few scientific talents.

She reached up and lifted her hood slightly, revealing sharp, straight brows and piercing purple eyes. "How wonderful it would