Challenge Pasio's Trainers: Part 1

Delivering happiness to you! This is Mistralton Cargo Service!

Wow! Wonderful!

I'm so glad I asked you to be the chief advertiser for Mistralton Cargo Service, Elesa!

Our popularity is gonna rocket up for sure!

I'm glad that I could help you, too.

I also wanted to thank you for the Egg you gave me.

I raised it, and it grew to be a healthy and wonderful partner Pokémon.

Oh yeah. I just had an idea.

It's almost Palentine's Day, right? How about we do a campaign to go with it?

We could deliver sweets to everyone under the Mistralton Cargo Service name.

Great idea! Let's do it!

But what should we do for the actual sweets?

Let's see...

I'd like something that will get everyone on Pasio talking...

Got it! Then let's find someone who can make sweets like that!

Here it is! Mallow's Special Apple Pie No. 7!

How's this one?

After you, Kiawe.

Hm? I'm actually kinda full right now...

Aren't we both?

OK... Let's eat it at the same time.

Now then...

Er... It has a bitter aftertaste...

What did you put in it?

Hmm... Still too overpowering, huh?

Hello.

I smell something sweet...

Wow, it's apple pie! Did you make these, Mallow?

Sure did!

I'm actually trying to make the mightiest apple pie.

I see!

Hey, Mallow. There's something we've been looking for...

I see! So you want some sweets for Palentine's Day!

Sure! I'm happy to volunteer!

I want everyone to try my mightiest apple pie!

But you said the pie isn't perfected yet, right? Can you make it in time, Mallow?

Don't worry! I'm definitely gonna perfect it by Palentine's Day!

She's ready to go!

I'm also interested in this "mightiest apple pie."

Well then...

Hahaha! Don't waste your time!

Who are you?!

I'm the owner of a popular dessert shop here on Pasio!

I'm afraid you won't be needed here as long as I'm around, Mallow.

Because the perfect dessert for Elesa's campaign is...

the pride of our shop, the ULTIMATE apple pie!

Th-the ultimate apple pie?!

On top of that, I'm a huge Elesa fan! I'm absolutely devoted to her, so my feelings just can't be beat!

You should withdraw. I'm telling you this for your own good.

B-but I want everyone to try my apple pie, too!

Two candidates... What should we do?

Let's see...

We'll have to eat and compare the two apple pies to see which is better.

That means we need a cooking competition!

Heh, sure. It's pointless, though, since the winner will obviously be me.

Grr...

Oh, but what'll happen if our votes are split?

It might be a problem if we don't have another judge...

Could I take on that role?

Could I take on that role?

Oh, Victor! Are you up to the usual?

Yup. I was camping nearby with some Pokémon.

Oh, do you know each other?

I raised my Appletun from an Applin that Victor gave me!

Oho, I see...

I've heard the rumors about Applin in Galar from Nessa.

Victor, does that mean Mallow is...

The rumors about Applin?

Ohh! Haha! I didn't mean it like that!

I gave it to her because I thought Mallow would take good care of Applin.

Shame, he didn't bite...

Rumors?

What are you talking about?

Oh, don't worry about it. It was a failed setup.

So, about the judges...

I may not look it, but I like cooking, and I'm confident in my sense of taste!

Yeah! The quality of the ingredients were shining in the curry he made at camp!

I see... Are you OK with this, Skyla?

Yep! Sounds good to me!

Thank you! It's an honor!

I won't play favorites, of course! I'm gonna judge fairly.

Show me the harmony between Mallow and Appletun, the grown-up Applin!

Of course!

All right! I'm definitely gonna perfect the mightiest apple pie!

Great, Mallow! You're on fire!

Heh. I suggested you withdraw to save yourself some embarrassment, but...

Mallow's full of energy... Is she gonna be OK?

Whoa! So many customers!

We came here to get a taste of our competition, but...

He wasn't lying when he said he was popular on Pasio.

Alola!

Did you all come to have some apple pie, Mallow?

We're scoping out the competition! Have you two already tried it?

Yep!

The pie crust was crispy on the outside and perfectly moist.

The chunky bits of apple and the rich custard cream melded together to balance out the sweetness.

I think all of the high-quality ingredients used in this pie were used to bring out its full potential, and that made it so tasty!

Precisely!

Everything in our shop is of the highest quality!

Just using expensive ingredients doesn't make it good!

How naive!

I told you, everything we have is the highest quality! Your chances of beating us are zero, kid.

And let me tell you why!

We have Siebold, the legendary chef, on our side!

Wh...

Whaaat?!

Mallow and her friends kept working on improving her apple pie...

How's this?

Hmm...

Compared to the ultimate apple pie, it's still...

I see...

Hmm... How am I gonna win against Siebold's cooking?

I was interested in the "ultimate taste" the owner aspires to achieve.

I became the chef at this shop to challenge my own limits and to complete this piece of art.

I didn't know the legendary chef from Kalos was helping them out...

I wonder if I should do what he says and withdraw...

That's not like you, Mallow.

Huh?

So what if the opponent is a legendary chef? You're gonna let that convince you to give up?

No matter how hungry we are, you'll chase us down to try your food.

Where's that energetic Mallow we know?

That's right, Mallow! I respect your passion as a chef!

That's why I entrusted you and your family with my Magmar!

I'm sure your passion, when set aflame, will help you surpass Siebold!

Lana, Kiawe...

Your cooking is special, Mallow. And that's something only you are able to draw out!

That's true!

It doesn't matter who I'm up against! I'm gonna keep cooking my own special recipes!

Thanks, you two!

Oh, I have an idea!

Lana, Kiawe! Give me a hand!

I was worried and came to see if Mallow was able to perfect her pie...but I think she'll be OK.

Hehe! I'm excited to see what kind of apple pie she makes.

On the day of the competition...

Mallow and her friends took her final apple pie to the competition.

Siebold...

I didn't expect to have to compete with you like this.

As a chef, I won't go easy on you!

But Siebold, going against an amateur without any handicap is a bit...

Therefore, you can choose to go first or second, Mallow.

Going first would be advantageous because hunger is the best sauce, but...

I don't mind either way!

The deliciousness of the mightiest apple pie won't be influenced by that!

You might regret that!

And the judging begins!

Hello, judges! This is the ultimate apple pie, perfected with the help of Siebold!

Please enjoy!

I-it's so yummy! I've never had anything like it!

This is dangerously tasty! I can't stop!

This is Chef Siebold's ultimate apple pie!

Hahaha... Indeed so!

OK, my turn next!

Enjoy the mightiest apple pie!

The judges took a bite of Mallow's apple pie...

Hmm...

Interesting! It has a refreshingly tart kick to it!

Really? It's heart-meltingly sweet.

What? Is it possible to taste something so differently?

Aha!

Half of it is sour, and the other half is sweet!

You must've used both sweet apples and tart apples... Am I right?

Yep! The idea came to me when I looked at Appletun!

Appletun looks like it does now because it ate a Sweet Apple.

But I heard it would evolve into something else if it ate a Tart Apple!

Everyone has their own preferences, so what we think is tasty can differ from person to person!

So I thought I should just make an apple pie that more people can enjoy!

... ... ...

Hmph! You knew you'd lose, so you tried some outlandish idea.

Now...

Both apple pies were wonderful.

When it comes to food, people like different things.

It doesn't make much sense to decide that one dish is better than the other.

Therefore, this time we've chosen...

The mightiest apple pie, made by Mallow!

Yay!

Wha, ?!

Your idea to incorporate both sweet and tart flavors was brilliant!

You even looked up a lot of information on Applin, too! Thank you!

I think everyone will have so much fun deciding whether Mallow's apple pie is sweet or tart!

It's perfect for our goal to make our treat something that all of Pasio will talk about!

You did it, Mallow!

Yeah, that was impressive! I'm moved!

I-impossible!

I have the best chef and the best ingredients! There's no way I could lose!

I won't accept this result! This competition was rigged!

What foolishness!

Eek!

We labor tirelessly to make something wonderful that will disappear from sight as soon as it is enjoyed. That is the life of a chef!

We were too distracted by the quality of the cooking and didn't consider the hearts of the people who would taste it!

Why can you not accept that as the reason we were one step behind?

I-I'm sorry!

May I try that apple pie, Mallow?

Y-yes! Of course!

I see...

This is certainly a piece of art that I cannot replicate.

Thank you for reminding me that the road of cooking has no end, Mallow.

It was an honor to battle with you, Siebold!

I'll keep on trying to master the road of cooking!

Agreed.

Let's both keep aiming for the top, as chefs.

On Palentine's Day...

Your apple pie is so popular, Mallow!

Everyone's so happy, even Togetic!

Thank you so much, Elesa, Mallow!

Because of you two, Mistralton Cargo Service's popularity has shot up!

So sweet! But this side is sour!

If you eat it together, it's perfect! What an incredible apple pie!

There's still loads more, so eat it all up, everyone!

Around the time Palentine's Day was coming to an end...

Scottie approached Mallow.

Oh, Scottie? What's up?

Ahh! You ate my apple pie?

Right? I was so confident about it!

Many things happened along the way, but I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it!

It also gave me some confidence.

Did I tell you before? One day, I want to take over my family's restaurant.

I didn't even think I was as good as my dad or big brother, but I got a compliment from Siebold himself!

N-not quite yet! I still need to improve a lot...

Hehe, thanks!

Are you hungry, Scottie?

Hmm... I see...

You only got to eat a small piece of apple pie since you shared it with all your friends!

I bet it's because you have a lot of wonderful friends, right, Scottie?

If that's the case...do you want to make an apple pie with me?

Freshly prepared food is the best, and when you make it yourself, it tastes so good!

Let's start preparing! C'mon!

Hehe! I think this Palentine's Day is going to become a very delicious memory!

Around the time Palentine's Day was coming to an end...

Scottie approached Elesa, looking nervous.

Oh hey, Scottie. What's the matter? It's already so late.

Oh, I know.

You're also sad that Palentine's Day is ending soon, right?

I knew it! I feel the same way.

The apple pie Mallow made was really nice.

The campaign went really well, and Skyla looked so happy...

This year's Palentine's Day will be a memory I'll never forget.

Not at all. I didn't do anything special.

Me? Actually... I was busy with a lot of things, so I didn't get the chance to make sweets.

Scottie? Are you hiding something from me?

What? To me?

What? For me?

Is this...chocolate? Did you make it, Scottie?

Wow! That's amazing!

You must've put a lot of effort into this. But I won't be able to eat all of it by myself...

Would you like to share these, Scottie?

It'll be a head-spinning memory we make at the end of Palentine's Day!