Pokémon like Ninjask may still be well-known, after all, its speed is very outstanding among Pokémon.
Except for the base stat of Attack reaching 90, most of the other base stats of this Pokémon are a bit underwhelming, but the Speed stat alone reaches an astonishing 160 points, which is considered a very outstanding statistic.
The Nincada, a Bug- and Ground-type Pokémon, evolves into Ninjask after reaching level 20.
Although this Pokémon is rare, it is not uncommon.
What Aoki focused on was another Pokémon beside it, the Shedinja.
It's unclear whether it should be classified as a standard Pokémon, but judging from the fact that it can be captured in a Poké Ball, it must be considered one.
However, this Pokémon may be unique in the Pokémon world.
It is actually the discarded shell left behind when a Ninjask evolves from a Nincada. After a strange reaction, it develops self-awareness and becomes a new Pokémon—Shedinja!
As for this peculiar phenomenon, no one has been able to fully explain it. A new consciousness is born, and though this consciousness is slow, it is still capable of communication.
Shedinja's base stats are not very high, totaling only 236 points. Its highest stat is Attack at 90, while its Speed is a mere 40. Even more astonishing is that its HP stat is only a pitiful 1 point.
Because of this, Shedinja has extremely low durability and may faint from a single attack.
But this Pokémon has one unique trait—its Ability.
Wonder Guard—only moves that are super effective against it can deal damage.
Shedinja is a Bug- and Ghost-type, meaning only Flying-, Rock-, Ghost-, Fire-, and Dark-type moves can harm it. Moves of other types are completely nullified under this Ability, passing through it harmlessly.
The two Pokémon that ambushed Aoki and Steven earlier must have been these two.
Relying on Ninjask's incredible Speed and Shedinja's nature as a "non-standard" Pokémon, they avoided the Psychic scans of Slowking and Metagross, allowing them to get close to Aoki and Steven undetected.
If not for Aoki's quick reflexes, the two might have been successfully struck.
When Steven saw the Ninjask, he understood somewhat, but the sight of the Shedinja left him momentarily stunned.
This Pokémon is truly uncommon.
Aoki activated his system and scanned the two Pokémon.
Pokémon: Shedinja (Dark Green)
Gender: Genderless
Level: 49
Type: Bug / Ghost
Ability: Wonder Guard
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Endure, Feint Attack, Silver Wind
Basic Moves: Scratch, Harden, Absorb, Sand Attack, False Swipe, Grudge, Shadow Sneak, Mind Reader, Confuse Ray, Shadow Ball, Spite, Rest, Phantom Force
Learnt Moves: Bug Bite, Giga Drain
TM Moves: Endure, Leech Life, Swallow, Shadow Claw, Dream Eater, Sleep Talk
Both Ninjask and Shedinja were at Level 49—peak Elite-tier strength. Though their potential was only Dark Green, their combat effectiveness was nothing to scoff at. With Ninjask's blistering Speed and Shedinja's bizarre Ability, they could easily overwhelm opponents unfamiliar with these Pokémon.
Imagine Ninjask darting around at high speed, dodging attacks effortlessly. When an unavoidable strike comes, Shedinja emerges to take the hit—unscathed due to Wonder Guard.
An opponent would grow wary of Shedinja, testing attacks only to find that most pass through harmlessly. Any move that can hurt it is either dodged by Ninjask or endured.
This strategy works brilliantly against those unaware of Shedinja's mechanics. But anyone familiar with it knows how to counter: exploit its sluggish Speed and low durability with a well-placed super effective move.
For a Trainer like Steven, who had never encountered Shedinja before, the knowledge gap could be disastrous. Even with his near-Champion-level Metagross and Elite-tier Aggron, if he couldn't identify Shedinja's weakness, the battle could easily turn against him.
Now, Aoki also understood why Gengar's Protect failed earlier—Shedinja had used Shadow Sneak, a priority Ghost-type move that bypasses Protect after charging.
Thankfully, Aoki's quick reflexes and psychic senses allowed him to evade. Had Steven been the target, the outcome might have been far worse.
The League traitors were clearly skilled.
No wonder they dared to collaborate with Team Magma—their expertise in Bug-types was formidable.
Knowledge is a core aspect of a Trainer's strength.
Why did Professor Oak develop the Pokédex? Precisely to ensure League Trainers wouldn't fall behind in Pokémon knowledge.
If Ash hadn't had the Pokédex, he never would have progressed so quickly.
Even a highborn Trainer like Steven had gaps in his knowledge. Facing these traitors alone, victory was far from guaranteed.
"You don't seem remorseful—if anything, you're proud of this?" Aoki remarked.
The woman's expression darkened.
"Remorse? Hah! What a joke! All I did was make a few deals, eliminate a rogue Team Magma member, and the League turns on me. Do you know how hard I fought to rise from nothing?" Though female, her voice carried a fierce defiance.
With greater endurance, she might have succeeded.
Aoki felt a flicker of pity—but no mercy. Even if she was attractive, her ambitions made her untrustworthy. With Steven present, revealing his own secrets wasn't an option.
"A nobody? The moment you joined the League, you ceased being one. That man's collusion with Team Magma made him irredeemable. The League couldn't tolerate it—not if it wants to maintain authority!" Aoki spoke firmly, playing the role of a righteous League enforcer.
Steven nodded in solemn agreement.