The Pokémon Ninjask is quite well-known, primarily due to its incredible speed, which is among the highest of all Pokémon.
Except for its physical attack, which has a value of 90, the rest of its stats are rather mediocre. However, its speed reaches an astonishing value of 160, a truly remarkable figure.
The Bug/Ground-type Pokémon Nincada can evolve into Ninjask upon reaching level 20. While this species of Pokémon is rare, it's not impossible to find.
Cain, however, was more interested in the other Pokémon next to Ninjask: Shedinja. Whether it should be considered a true Pokémon is unclear, but since it can be captured with a Poké Ball, it likely qualifies.
This peculiar Pokémon originates from the exoskeleton that Nincada leaves behind when evolving into Ninjask. Through a strange reaction, this shell gains consciousness, becoming a new Pokémon: Shedinja.
This special reaction remains unexplained, as it essentially involves the birth of a new consciousness. Though this consciousness is somewhat slow, Shedinja is still capable of communication.
Shedinja's stats are low, with a total of only 236. Its physical attack reaches 90 points, but its speed is just 40, and most strangely, its vitality is only 1 point.
This means Shedinja is extremely fragile; a single hit could knock it out.
However, Shedinja possesses a unique trait: its Wonder Guard ability, which protects it from any damage unless the move used is of a type that counters it.
As a Bug/Ghost-type Pokémon, Shedinja can only be harmed by Flying, Rock, Ghost, Fire, or Dark-type moves. Any other type of move has no effect on it.
The Pokémon that had ambushed Cain and Steven were precisely Ninjask, using its speed, and Shedinja, which, being "invisible," managed to evade the psychic tracking of Slowking and Metagross.
If Cain hadn't reacted quickly, they both would have fallen victim to a surprise attack.
When Steven saw Ninjask, he understood the situation, but seeing Shedinja left him baffled, as this Pokémon is exceedingly rare to encounter.
Cain used his system to scan both 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: Absorb, Scratch, Harden, Sand Attack, Fury Swipes, Spite, Shadow Sneak, Mind Reader, Confuse Ray, Shadow Ball, Grudge, Heal Block
Learned Moves: Bug Bite, Giga Drain
TM Moves: Protect, Leech Life, Aerial Ace, Shadow Claw, Dream Eater, Sleep Talk
Both Pokémon, Ninjask and Shedinja, were at level 49—the maximum level within the advanced tier.
Although their quality was only dark green, their power was not insignificant. Thanks to Ninjask's speed and Shedinja's peculiar ability, they held a considerable advantage over opponents unfamiliar with their abilities.
Imagine Ninjask using its speed to evade most of the opponent's moves, and if it couldn't avoid them, Shedinja stepping in to take the hit without taking any damage.
This would force the opponent to be cautious with Shedinja, only to discover that most of their moves would have no effect. Even if they managed to use an effective move, Ninjask could interfere or absorb the blow.
This type of strategy works best against adversaries who are unfamiliar with Shedinja. For those who do know it, the key lies in using the appropriate moves. Shedinja is slow and has little endurance; a single successful move can defeat it.
In Steven's case, being unfamiliar with Shedinja, the enemy had the advantage of knowledge. Although Steven's Metagross and Aggron were stronger, if he couldn't quickly identify the opponent's weaknesses, the outcome of the battle would be uncertain.
Cain also understood why Shedinja's move had bypassed Gengar's Protect. Shedinja had used Shadow Sneak, which evades the effects of moves like Protect.
Cain reacted swiftly enough, using his psychic power to counter the move. If Shedinja had attacked Steven instead, the result might have been very different.
The League's traitor clearly knew what they were doing. It's no surprise they dared to collaborate with Team Magma, as their knowledge of Bug-type Pokémon was formidable. Knowledge is one of the greatest weapons of a trainer.
Why do you think Professor Oak developed the Pokédex? It was to ensure that trainers affiliated with the League wouldn't be at a disadvantage due to a lack of information.
Without the Pokédex, Ash would never have progressed as quickly as he did. Even Steven, despite his inheritance from one of the most powerful families, lacked knowledge about certain Pokémon. If he had faced this traitor alone, the outcome might have been uncertain.
"So not only do you feel no remorse, but you're also proud of it?" Cain said in response to his opponent.
The woman's expression grew increasingly sinister.
"Remorse? Hahaha! What a joke! Everything I did was for a little gain: I eliminated an evil member of Team Magma, and the League hunts me down as if I committed some great crime! I rose from being a mere civilian to this position—why are they persecuting me this way?" Although she was a woman, Cain sensed intense madness within her.
If her mental fortitude had been slightly stronger, she might have succeeded in her plans.
Cain felt a slight regret for her, but no pity. Despite her attractiveness and good figure, someone with that mindset could never be trusted. Moreover, with Steven by his side, Cain wouldn't do anything to reveal his true identity.
"A mere civilian? From the moment you started working for the League, you were no longer one. And by choosing to collaborate with Team Magma, you sealed your fate. There's no place for you in the League," Cain said firmly.
His speech resonated with powerful conviction, as if he were the true avenger of the League, and Steven, by his side, nodded in agreement.
(End of chapter)