Steven

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Steven Stone (大吾) 218
Alias(es)	“Mining Champion,” his alternate online account 28
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hoenn Pokémon League; Devon Corporation 1028 1036
Occupation/Role	Steel-type specialist, mineral enthusiast, Devon Corporation heir and business participant; periodically serves as Hoenn Champion 999 1028
Status	Alive; continues competing and exploring, with further travel in Paldea planned after the Master League 1537
First Appearance	Mentioned in Chapter 9; contacts Li Wei online in Chapter 28 9 28

Power Progression

Steven’s documented power growth concerns his Pokémon, particularly his Shiny Metagross. Mega Evolution ratings describe temporary transformations rather than permanent realm advances.

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Metagross: intermediate Champion → advanced Champion through Mega Evolution	120	The transformation raises his already Champion-level partner by one sublevel.
Mega Metagross: measured boost rises from 5.4% to 8.9% above its predicted increase	219 220 221	Testing confirms renewed improvement after visits to Li Wei’s Breeding Center. Steven suspects the food and care, but the cause remains unproven.
Mega Metagross: Battle Legend	725 1219	Chapter 1219 retrospectively confirms that Mega Metagross had reached this level during its earlier battle against Red’s Charizard.
Metagross: Battle Legend without Mega Evolution	1206	Defeats Caitlin’s Mega Gallade in its ordinary form.
Mega Metagross: further improvement and thruster-assisted flight	1219	Following its loss to Red’s Charizard, Steven develops a flight technique that greatly improves its ability to pursue airborne opponents. No new rank is named.
Aggron: Battle Legend	1537	By this point, Aggron and Metagross are identified as Steven’s only Battle Legend-level Pokémon.

Background / History

Family and early career

Steven is the only son of Mu Jin Stone, who built Devon Corporation into a large conglomerate. He acknowledges that his father’s support helped him begin his journey with a silver Beldum. That partner eventually became his signature Shiny Metagross, which he had spent over ten years raising by the time he sparred with Li Wei 1028 1030 119.

Early in the story, Steven has relinquished Hoenn’s Champion title to pursue mining, while Wallace holds the position. The two subsequently take turns serving as Champion, passing the Champion’s cape between them 9 999.

Meeting Li Wei

Li Wei’s video featuring a newly evolved Shiny Metagross attracts Steven’s attention. Using the account “Mining Champion,” he comments on Metagross’s computational abilities, sends Li Wei a raising manual, and offers to answer questions when he is not mining 28.

Their first documented in-person visit follows Li Wei’s discovery of an iridescent meteorite. Steven examines it with mineral-study tools and identifies similarities to the legendary Rainbow Meteorite, while withholding a firm conclusion without specialized testing 101 102 103.

Oreburgh Mine and the Mirror World

Steven travels to Oreburgh for a Master League match and to investigate unexplained caverns in the mine. On the journey, he offers Li Wei a Metagrossite; they agree to exchange it for Pokéblocks and a year of Pokémon-care services. Steven hands over the stone before the investigation so Li Wei is better prepared for danger 103 104.

Inside the mine, Steven recognizes crystals resembling Kalos’s Mirror Stones. When one begins rippling, he recalls a legend that such stones connect to parallel worlds. He enters with Li Wei to search for missing people, leaving Roark behind to notify others 106 107.

The alternate world contains familiar places and people with different lives. Its Steven is described as having sacrificed mining for relentless Champion work. Later, Steven, Lance, and Cynthia continue investigating the phenomenon without Li Wei, and the League considers sealing and guarding the passage 108 120 125.

Mentorship and Kalos travel

Steven helps Li Wei synchronize with Metagross for Mega Evolution, then tests them in a spar. His own Mega Metagross wins with Heavy Slam, but he confirms that Li Wei can safely manage the transformation 119.

He also teaches at Li Wei’s Pokémon Summer Camp, giving an outdoor lesson on stones. He considers spending less time mining worthwhile if it helps children who lack parental care feel loved 176.

In Kalos, Steven accompanies Li Wei after meeting Diancie. Their journey includes Mega Evolution research with Professor Sycamore, a visit to the Legendary Birds’ habitat, and Shalour City’s Battle Festival. Steven catches a Corvisquire and accepts an exhibition match against Wikstrom 218 219 226 228.

Unova investigations

Steven assists in opposing Team Plasma at Opelucid City, a contribution N later thanks him for 979 1260.

At Eindoak Town, he surveys the Dragon Vein with Devon’s upgraded ley-line detector. His findings convince him that moving Sword of the Vale Castle could dangerously destabilize the energy beneath the town. When negotiations with Dread fail, Steven Mega Evolves Metagross to confront Zekrom; Li Wei joins the defense 999 1001 1002 1003.

Game development

Steven becomes Li Wei’s partner in developing virtual-reality versions of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. He offers Devon’s gaming platform, consults the people represented in the story, secures his father’s support, and works with Li Wei to flesh out the script 1031 1032 1033 1035.

The project becomes a joint undertaking between Devon Corporation and Rainbow Group. Later, their game has sold more than 42 million copies in two months, and they plan HeartGold and SoulSilver, centered on Akin and Silver 1043 1425 1426.

Hoenn’s meteorite and Legendary Pokémon crisis

While serving as Champion again, Steven investigates a predicted colossal meteorite strike. He searches the Draconid Ruins for Rayquaza and the legendary stone associated with Mega Evolution, seeking Li Wei’s help with ancient inscriptions rather than relying solely on Black Rayquaza as a fallback 1043.

After verifying Alain’s identity with Professor Sycamore, Steven brings Alain and Mairin into the ruins. He subsequently finds the Rainbow Meteorite, which Rayquaza takes away, and investigates energy readings suggesting Groudon and Kyogre are awakening 1047 1048 1050.

Steven helps organize the response at Devon Corporation. His and Li Wei’s Mega Metagross support a supercomputer in calculating interception points, and Steven joins Lance, Lorelei, and Ash against Primal Kyogre at Route 128 1053 1054 1059.

Once the immediate crisis ends, he coordinates rescue operations and infrastructure repairs, prioritizing water supplies and communications in affected cities. His Champion duties continue after the fighting, while the larger meteorite threat remains 1064.

Later exploration

Steven continues discovering unusual stones, including an unidentified Water-type Mega Stone unearthed near Lumiose City. Li Wei recognizes it as Greninja’s stone but lets Sycamore’s researchers investigate its identity 1081.

He later catches Tinkaton after it attacks his Corviknight and becomes interested in Kingambit. Before trying to catch the Bisharp group’s leader in Paldea, he intends to address the possible threat facing the group. A later chapter confirms that he has caught Kingambit and shared the story with his friends 1426 1463.

Appearance

• Hair: Short and blue 979 1002.
• Formal clothing: A sharp suit, with a Key Stone brooch used for Mega Evolution 876 879.
• Field clothing: Practical exploration gear, special goggles, and professional surveying equipment 999.
• Public image: Widely regarded as handsome; his popularity remains strong even after stepping down as Champion 176.

Personality

Steven is warm, courteous, and generous without treating Li Wei as a subordinate. When offering Metagrossite, he regards Li Wei as a peer capable of sharing responsibilities and accepts a reciprocal arrangement rather than insisting on a gift 104.

Minerals are his strongest personal passion. He prefers finding Mega Stones himself because digging is part of the enjoyment, and he wants to collect a complete set. Diancie’s diamonds fascinate him enough that he formally asks to accompany Li Wei through Kalos 120 218.

His enthusiasm is tempered by scientific caution. He distinguishes resemblance from confirmed identification, seeks specialized testing when needed, and proposes further research rather than treating his theory about Li Wei’s food as established fact 103 220 221.

Steven dislikes the workload attached to the Champion’s cape but accepts its obligations while wearing it. His concern extends to children, rescued Pokémon, frightened visitors, and disaster survivors. In competition, he values challenging friends and rivals more than tournament placement and can enjoy a battle even while badly behind 176 643 1036 1064 1216 1218.

Abilities & Skills

Steel-type training

• Raised his starter Metagross for over ten years and authored a detailed Metagross breeding manual 28 119.
• Answers Li Wei’s technical questions about raising Metagross 104.
• Understands Steel-type habitats and behavior, including Aggron populations and the conditions needed by rescued Metang and Magnezone 643.

Battle strategy

• Defensive counterattacks: Uses Aggron’s durability and Metal Burst to punish aggressive opponents 229.
• Field control: Combines Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Trick Room to pressure opponents and support heavy attackers 170 879 1216.
• Environmental defense: Commands Metagross to use Psychic to turn arena rocks into cover 725.
• Speed development: Trains Mega Metagross to use its thrusters and calculating intelligence for rapid aerial pursuit 1219.
• Deception: Uses Stone Edge as a feint before a close-range Earthquake against Blue’s Mega Charizard X 1244.

Battle transformations

• Mega Evolution: Uses both Metagross and Aggron in Mega form and teaches Li Wei breathing and Aura synchronization 119 229.
• Dynamax: Uses his Dynamax Band to enlarge Corviknight during his match against Caitlin 1206 1207.
• Z-Moves: Owns a Z-Ring obtained through his visits to Alola, though the supplied passages do not document an executed Z-Move 920.

Mineralogy and energy research

• Identifies minerals through examination and supplements observation with energy scanners and specialized instruments 103 105.
• Recognizes Mirror Stones and knows legends concerning their connection to parallel worlds 106 107.
• Surveys ley-line energy and analyzes geological patterns 999.
• Sends Fog Island specimens to Mossdeep Space Center because their composition cannot be established by sight alone 316.

Leadership and business

• Scouts promising Trainers while watching ordinary festival matches 227 228.
• Coordinates emergency planning, engineering teams, and post-disaster recovery 1054 1064.
• Participates in Devon Corporation’s management and helps develop its collaboration with Rainbow Group 1028 1031.
• Recognizes Blue’s mechanical-design talent and offers her employment at Devon, which she declines to preserve her independence 622.

Pokémon

Pokémon	Documented role and capabilities
Shiny Metagross	Starter partner, originally a silver Beldum; Steven’s strongest and most synchronized Pokémon. Has Clear Body normally and Tough Claws after Mega Evolution, and eventually reaches Battle Legend strength without transforming 1030 724 1035 1206 1244.
Aggron	Durable attacker capable of Mega Evolution. Initially documented at entry-level Champion strength and later identified as a Battle Legend 229 1537.
Bronzong	Uses Trick Room, Stealth Rock, and Heavy Slam in Steven’s battle against Flint 170.
Skarmory	Sets Spikes to punish switches; also participates in the aerial defense against Zekrom 876 1003 1216.
Armaldo	Uses Stealth Rock against Blue. During the Cynthia match, it is frozen and unable to continue 879 1216.
Cradily	Fights Blue’s Charizard before Steven is reduced to his final Metagross 1218.
Corviknight	Uses Dynamax against Caitlin and defeats several of her Pokémon before falling to Gothitelle 1207.
Corvisquire	Caught during Steven’s journey with Li Wei near Sea God’s Cave 226.
Tinkaton	Caught after attacking Steven’s Corviknight; later appears in his Master League points matches 1426 1537.
Kingambit	Caught during his Paldea travels and subsequently used in Master League points matches 1463 1537.

Equipment / Items

• Key Stone brooch — His usual Mega Evolution device; often removed and lightly kissed before activation 879 1218.
• Metagrossite — Attached to Metagross’s foreleg; Steven supplies another to Li Wei through their care-services agreement 104.
• Scizorite — Chosen from Professor Sycamore’s collection because he did not yet own one; the passage does not establish that Steven owns a Scizor 221.
• Z-Ring — Acquired during his visits to Alola 920.
• Dynamax Band — Used during the Caitlin match 1206.
• Mineral-study briefcase — Contains neatly fitted tools for examining and sampling minerals 103.
• Exploration instruments — Includes a searchlight, energy detector, Devon energy neutralizer, and later an upgraded ley-line detector 105 106 999.
• Unidentified blue Mega Stone — Unearthed in Kalos and left with Sycamore for research; Li Wei privately identifies it as Greninja’s 1081.

Relationships

• Li Wei — Friend, student, professional caretaker, business partner, and rival. Their connection develops from an online Metagross manual exchange into shared investigations and game development 28 104 1031.
• Mu Jin Stone — Father and Devon Corporation’s founder. Hopes Steven will become more involved in the company and supports the game project as an opportunity to do so 1028 1033.
• Wallace — Fellow Hoenn Champion; they alternate in the role. Steven resents receiving the cape again but fulfills its duties 999 1036.
• Professor Sycamore — Research collaborator. Steven contributes Pokémon data, proposes further experiments, and supplies newly discovered stones 219 221 1081.
• Lance — Friend and fellow regional protector; cooperates with Steven in the Mirror Stone investigation, Unova, and the Hoenn crisis 120 979 1059.
• Cynthia — Fellow Champion, investigator, and battle opponent. Steven also notices her developing closeness with Li Wei before others do 120 308 879.
• Red — Respected rival whose Charizard defeats Steven’s Metagross, motivating new aerial training 724 1219.
• Blue — Competitive friend and valued opponent. Their battles feature mutual anticipation and respectful congratulations 1216 1244.
• Diancie — Li Wei’s Pokémon and a particular favorite of Steven because of her diamonds; he accompanies her on outings and invites her to visit Jirachi 218 413 622.
• Wikstrom — Fellow Steel-type specialist whom Steven respects for his chivalry; they meet in an exhibition battle 228 229.
• Alain and Mairin — Companions during the Draconid Ruins investigation. Steven verifies Alain’s credentials and patiently answers Mairin’s questions 1047 1048.
• N — Thanks Steven for helping stop Team Plasma in Unova; Steven considers that assistance part of a Champion’s duty 1260.

Notable Battles

Opponent	Setting	Documented result or development
Li Wei	Breeding Center Mega Evolution spar	Steven’s Mega Metagross wins with Heavy Slam 119.
Flint	Jubilife Sports Center’s inaugural match	Steven wins despite the Fire-type matchup; Flint does not force him to use Metagross 170.
Wikstrom	Shalour Battle Festival exhibition	Mega Aggron counters Mega Scizor with Metal Burst and interrupts its setup with Earthquake; no final result is supplied 229 230.
Red	Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park	Mega Metagross faces Mega Charizard Y; later passages confirm Steven’s loss 725 1219.
Cynthia	Wyndon Stadium	Ends the supplied chapter with Mega Metagross’s Meteor Mash colliding with Mega Garchomp’s Dragon Rush; winner unresolved 879.
Dread’s Zekrom	Sword of the Vale Castle	Steven and Li Wei deploy two Mega Metagross in a cooperative defense 1002 1003.
Li Wei	Master League three-on-three points match	Steven loses after Arcanine and Victini wear down Metagross for Mega Lucario. He remains in the standings’ top three 1035 1036.
Alain	Meteor Falls	Mega Metagross defeats Mega Charizard X with two Meteor Mashes 1047.
Primal Kyogre	Route 128	Joins Lance, Lorelei, and Ash in halting its advance 1059.
Caitlin	Tournament opening match	Wins and advances to the 1–0 bracket; ordinary Metagross defeats both Mega Gallade and Caitlin’s Metagross 1206 1207.
Blue	Wyndon Stadium	Showcases Metagross’s improved aerial speed against Mega Charizard Y 1218 1219.
Blue	Later Wyndon knockout match	Mega Metagross and Mega Charizard X knock each other out in the final exchange 1244.

Notable Quotes

“The future is yours, but the present is mine. Heavy Slam!” 119

“No. You need to stay here. Leave the rest to me. I may need your help when I return.” 107

“No need to thank me. It’s what a Champion should do.” 1260

Trivia

• Steven’s Master League interest is partly geological: the travel schedule lets him explore ores around the world 64.
• Li Wei’s uncle Li Wen has designed clothing for both Steven and Wallace 9.
• His Shiny Metagross remains strongly associated with him even after Li Wei acquires one of his own 1218.
• A parallel-world Steven reportedly worked thirty-three consecutive days and nearly died from overwork; the account also recalls frightening memories for the Steven visiting that world 108.
• Mew once steals Steven’s phone to call Li Wei. Steven also plays video games with Mew and Lucario at Cameran Palace 469 606.