Steven

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Steven (大吾)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hoenn Pokémon League; allied with Lin Hao against Team Galactic 96 116 121
Occupation/Role	Pokémon Trainer; Hoenn Champion for six years; later Acting Champion under Lin Hao 96 115 116
Status	Alive; appears on vacation in the finale 130
First Appearance	Investigating Deoxys at Mt. Moon 3

Background / History

Early career

Steven challenged Dewford Gym eight years before Lin Hao’s visit. Gym Leader Yue Shan remembers him performing a three-layer-compressed Water Pulse comparable to the attack Lin Hao’s Greninja later uses against Breloom 101.

Steven says becoming Champion took him fifteen years. By the time he formally allies with Lin Hao, he has held Hoenn’s championship for six years. He also funded the construction of the Hoenn Mineral Museum 96 119.

Encounter at Mt. Moon

Steven investigates abnormal energy readings at Mt. Moon and attempts to capture Deoxys. Fascinated by its intelligence and ability to change forms, he directs his Shiny Metagross to use Meteor Mash. Lin Hao interrupts the attack, with Metagross’s fist stopping one centimeter from his nose 3.

Lin Hao claims Deoxys is his pet, “Big Red.” Its affectionate response convinces Steven that they are bonded, but not that Lin Hao is an ordinary Trainer. Ho-Oh’s subsequent arrival further undermines the explanation. Steven nevertheless lets them leave 3 4.

Observing Lin Hao

At the Indigo League, Steven watches alongside Cynthia as Pikachu defeats Machamp and Charizard overwhelms Reggie’s Rhydon. Both Champions recognize that Lin Hao’s Pokémon possess strength beyond normal expectations. After Lin Hao wins the tournament, Steven and Cynthia congratulate him 39 40 47.

Steven later expresses willingness to welcome Lin Hao to Hoenn. During the emergency meeting following Team Galactic’s Silver Conference attack, he defends Lin Hao against Pryce’s objections over unregistered Legendary Pokémon. Having reviewed the footage three times, Steven argues that League security would not have lasted thirty seconds without Lugia 66 89.

He informs Lin Hao that Hoenn is sending three Elite Squads to Sinnoh, then agrees to support an investigation into Team Galactic’s Hoenn operations 90 93.

Alliance in Hoenn

Steven greets Lin Hao and May at Lilycove’s airport and takes them to the Hoenn League Command Center. He reveals that four League-funded equipment shipments have been hijacked over three months. Their combined intelligence points to Red Chain production near Mt. Pyre and a possible insider leaking League information 95.

To expose the insider, Steven deliberately publicizes Lin Hao’s arrival and monitors outgoing communications. He also proposes Gym challenges as a cover for the investigation. At the mineral museum, he explains how stolen volcanic heartstones and deep-sea scale stone could help contain the Red Chain’s extreme energy, then offers Lin Hao access to Hoenn’s intelligence, personnel, and equipment 95 96.

The investigation takes them to an evacuated hideout near Rustboro. Steven interprets its rapid abandonment as evidence that the insider reacted to his leaked information. He subsequently arranges Drake’s assessment of Lin Hao, securing the backing of an influential Hoenn Elite Four member 97 98.

After discovering leaked travel plans, Steven supplies false departure information. When Team Galactic attacks Devon Corporation, he changes course immediately. Lin Hao and Pikachu stop the raid, and Steven credits them with recovering the stolen equipment rather than claiming the achievement himself 100.

Steven continues supporting the investigation as Lin Hao avoids Pluto’s prepared traps. To authorize action around Slateport Harbor, he issues an emergency investigation order as Champion, with Sidney and Drake as co-signatories 101 103.

Championship rival

Following the exposure of Lin Hao’s Legendary Pokémon, Steven helps manage the League response and continues accompanying him. He arranges Lin Hao’s Lavaridge challenge, drives him between Gyms, and publicly welcomes him as a future opponent after he qualifies for the Hoenn Championships 109 110 111.

Steven promises to use his full main team, saying that substitutes would insult Lin Hao. He also helps secure an abandoned mine for training and brings Metagross to test Lin Hao’s team against gravity-based battlefield control. With the Sinnoh crisis worsening, the two agree that the championship winner will go there 112 113.

In the final, Steven leads with Metagross rather than a reserve. The match ends with his previously unseen Dragonite facing an exhausted Pikachu. Lin Hao exploits the brief disorientation after Dragonite’s Outrage, allowing Pikachu to win with Volt Tackle. Steven accepts defeat graciously and publicly raises Lin Hao’s hand as Hoenn’s new Champion 115.

Acting Champion and final operations

When Lin Hao refuses permanent residence at Hoenn League headquarters, Steven invokes a rarely used Charter provision permitting a Champion on special duty to appoint an Acting Champion. He accepts that appointment, prepares a League jet and encrypted communicator for Lin Hao, and initially remains behind to safeguard Hoenn and monitor the remaining Mt. Pyre Energy Receivers 116.

Steven later answers Lin Hao’s call for reinforcements and reaches Mt. Coronet through an Arceus-created spatial passage. He sends Skarmory to assist Charizard against the Rayquaza Clone and joins the assault on Team Galactic’s headquarters 118 120.

Against God-Hunting Weapon No. Zero, Steven identifies a pause in its attack-processing cycle. His observation enables a coordinated assault designed to overload the machine, with Pikachu acting as bait and Steven, Cynthia, and Red breaking its barriers 121.

In the finale, Steven appears in casual clothes and sunglasses, carrying two insulated coolers. Asked why he is there, he says he is on vacation 130.

Appearance

• Hair: Silver-gray, also described as white under the championship stadium’s sunlight 95 115.
• Clothing: Wears a casual suit jacket when greeting Lin Hao in Lilycove and a Champion’s coat for the final 95 115.
• Accessories: Wears glasses during the emergency League meeting and sunglasses during informal outings 89 96 130.

Personality

Steven combines a warm, approachable manner with calculated planning. He welcomes Lin Hao with fresh fish cakes, provides breakfast during their travels, and jokes easily with him. At the same time, he uses Lin Hao’s public arrival to draw out an insider and arranges Drake’s evaluation to strengthen their political position 95 98 100.

He values demonstrated allegiance over unexplained origins or procedural objections. His alliance with Lin Hao rests on Lin Hao’s opposition to Cyrus, and his defense at the emergency League meeting emphasizes the lives saved by Lugia rather than registration rules 89 96.

Steven is competitive without being resentful. He treats Lin Hao seriously enough to train with him and field his strongest Pokémon, then accepts the championship loss without bitterness. His willingness to become Acting Champion shows that protecting Hoenn remains important to him after losing the title 112 113 115 116.

Abilities & Skills

Pokémon battling

• Directs Champion-level battles using defensive control, powerful attacks, and tactical switching 113 115.
• Uses Metagross’s Gravity Field and Gravity Waves to restrict aerial movement and slow approaching opponents 113.
• Combines Confusion and Gravity to restrain Pikachu, then uses Light Screen to reduce Charizard’s fire attacks 115.
• Has enough strength to be one of only two Trainers Drake identifies as capable of making his Salamence lose the will to fight in a single move 98.

Tactical analysis

• Reads transport evidence at Tunnel Three, identifying at least two heavy trucks and tracks no more than three days old 98.
• Counters leaked intelligence by changing the departure time supplied to the suspected insider 100.
• Identifies God-Hunting Weapon No. Zero’s processing delay and helps organize simultaneous attacks from different directions 121.

Mineral and geological knowledge

• Explains the origins and energy-containment properties of deep-sea scale stone and volcanic heartstone 96.
• Connects Rustboro’s third mine entrance to underground magma channels beneath Mt. Pyre 97.
• Uses missing minerals and stolen equipment to trace Team Galactic’s Red Chain preparations 95 96.

League leadership

• Provides intelligence, personnel, equipment, transport, and access to trusted Elite Four allies 96 116.
• Uses Champion authority to issue emergency investigation orders 103.
• Helps prepare three defensive lines around Ever Grande City before the tournament 112.
• Applies the League Charter’s Acting Champion provision to keep Hoenn protected while Lin Hao leaves on special duty 116.

Pokémon

Pokémon	Documented role and techniques
Shiny Metagross	Steven’s ace. Uses Meteor Mash against Deoxys; Gravity Field and Gravity Waves in training; and Confusion, Gravity, Zen Headbutt, and Light Screen in the championship final. Also shields allies from Team Galactic’s energy weapons 3 113 115 120 121.
Skarmory	Battles Charizard during the final and later assists it against the Rayquaza Clone 115 118.
Claydol	Defeats Charizard with Earthquake before losing to Lucario 115.
Aggron	Uses Iron Defense and counterattacks to wear down Lucario; subsequently loses to Suicune 115.
Sharpedo	Faces Suicune during the championship final and is defeated 115.
Goodra	Hits Suicune with Dragon Pulse; its confrontation with Garchomp ends with both falling 115.
Dragonite	Previously unused in public matches. Uses Dragon Dance, Extreme Speed, and Outrage in the decisive battle against Pikachu 115.

Equipment / Resources

• Dark-blue SUV — An understated off-road vehicle used to transport Lin Hao and May throughout their Hoenn investigation and Gym challenges 95 97 100 111.
• Hoenn Mineral Museum — Funded by Steven; used for a private briefing on the minerals sought by Team Galactic 96.
• League-standard training barriers — Protect the abandoned mine Steven helps secure for Champion-level practice battles 113.
• League jet and encrypted channel — Arranged for Lin Hao’s urgent departure to Sinnoh after the championship ceremony 116.

Relationships

• Lin Hao — Initially an inexplicable Trainer who interrupts his Deoxys capture attempt; later a trusted ally, training partner, championship rival, and the Champion under whom Steven serves as Acting Champion 3 96 113 115 116.
• May — Investigative companion during the Hoenn operation. She questions his use of Lin Hao as bait and teases both men about their layered schemes 95 98.
• Cynthia — Fellow Champion and collaborator; they observe Lin Hao’s Indigo League matches and coordinate against Team Galactic 39 40 89 121.
• Red — Cooperates with Steven during the final campaign, including the assault on Team Galactic’s headquarters and the fight against No. Zero 120 121.
• Drake — Trusted Elite Four ally whose approval Steven secures for Lin Hao 96 98.
• Sidney — Provides reconnaissance and co-signs Steven’s emergency investigation order 101 103.
• Roxanne — An old acquaintance who supplies information about suspicious activity near Rustboro’s abandoned mine 95 97.
• Yue Shan — Former Gym opponent who remembers Steven’s exceptional Water Pulse from eight years earlier 101.
• Cyrus and Team Galactic — Enemies whose equipment thefts, insider network, and Legendary Pokémon experiments Steven works to stop 95 100 103 121.

Notable Quotes

“I only care about one thing: whose side you're on.” 96

“Using substitutes against you would be an insult.” 112

“Champion for six years, and I lose today. No regrets.” 115

“So you go to Sinnoh, and I'll guard Hoenn.” 116

Trivia

• Steven’s career designation is inconsistent: he is called a former Hoenn Champion while watching the Indigo League, but later chapters explicitly present him as the reigning Champion until Lin Hao defeats him 39 96 115.
• The championship final is described as six-on-six, but its account names seven Steven-owned participants: Metagross, Skarmory, Claydol, Aggron, Sharpedo, Goodra, and Dragonite 115.