Steven observed from the shadows as Y/N moved through the region, their Pokémon battles marked by both fierce determination and an almost naïve sense of justice. The Unova region had known many trainers, but Y/N’s resolve seemed to call out to him, a sharp contrast to the despair that had consumed him long ago. In their presence, he saw the potential for both destruction and creation—an unspoken bond, ready to be manipulated.

Steven had not interacted with any trainers since his time in Kanto. He had grown used to being a shadow, a rumor, something whispered about by those who dared not venture too close. But with Y/N, the allure was too powerful. He needed to see how they would react to his presence, to understand if this was another opportunity for him to complete his twisted goal of resurrecting Miki.

He approached quietly, his corrupted Charizards flanking him, their eerie, mangled forms barely visible in the dim light. The air grew thick with tension as he stepped forward, his voice low, almost like a whispered threat.

“Y/N,” he called, his tone dark, yet oddly calm. “Do you know what it’s like to lose someone… and to never stop searching for them? To become something unrecognizable in the pursuit of resurrection?”

Steven watched closely as Y/N turned to face him, their expression unreadable. There was no fear in their gaze—at least not yet. He had seen many trainers before, but none like this. Was it the innocence in Y/N’s eyes that drew him in, or was it the way they carried themselves, as if they were unknowingly walking into a dangerous world that would change them forever?