Making Pasio's Signature Sweet

Sorry for calling you here like this. I'm sure you were busy.

No, no. I should apologize for my tardiness.

I had a lot of things to do.

Let's get right down to it, then.

Rachel, go get what we were discussing and bring it here.

Yessir!

Here ya go. Eat up!

Very well...

My, what an elegant-tasting sweet!

It has a pleasant mouthfeel, and even as its sweetness and aroma spread gently through my mouth, it's still refreshing.

Heh. Right?

I'm actually planning a mass marketing campaign to promote it as Pasio's signature sweet.

A sweet of such high quality certainly has the potential to become a famous local specialty.

However...there's one thing we're still working on.

I haven't decided on a mascot Pokémon to put on the packaging.

I'd like to consider Pokémon found in Paldea as candidates as well... Any suggestions?

Hmm... I understand the situation now.

As for the Pokémon most suitable to adorn the packaging...

Boss!

If that's what you're looking for, I've gotcha covered!

Who are...

Hey hey! Rika here, at your service!

This is Rika.

She's a member of the Elite Four in the Paldea Pokémon League.

She always supports us, both with her strength and her personality.

Short, sweet, to the point. Nice to meet you three!

You can call me Rika. No need for fancy titles or whatnot.

Niiice. It's, like, so nice to meetcha, Rika!

Well? How exactly do you have us covered?

Glad you asked. With...this!

It's my lovable partner, Clodsire!

Cute, huh? Don't you just wanna gobble him up?

...Hm. Not bad.

These sweets are made with milk chocolate, after all.

And Clodsire certainly looks a bit like a loaf of chocolate bread.

I think he could work if we're goin' for, like, a gentle, comforting angle.

Exactly! We're all on the same page here!

Sounds like it's settled, then!

Hey, waaait!

Who is it now?!

If you need a Pokémon for your packaging, look no further than Miltank!

'Cause I heard you make that sweet with lots 'n' lots of Moomoo Milk!

Heh heh! You know your girl Whitney's always got the latest info. No gossip gets by me!

Say...you wouldn't happen to be from Johto, would you?

I sure am! I'm the Gym Leader of Goldenrod City!

You're lookin' at Whitney, the incredibly pretty girl!

But you can just call me Whitney!

Nahahaha! I thought I sensed a Johto vibe coming from you!

I'm Rika, one of the Elite Four of Paldea. Let's you and me be friends, Whitney!

OK! Sounds good to me, Rika!

Wow. It took, like, no time at all for those two to hit it off.

Hmm...

Both Clodsire and Miltank appear to be the perfect Pokémon for the packaging of your signature sweet...

But I'm sure there must be many other prospects here on Pasio.

What do you all think?

Wouldn't it be worth holding a competition among several candidates, not just the two here, and decide based on the winner?

(*sigh* Up to your old habits again, eh, Boss?)

Well! When you put it like THAT...

Hmm. Good point.

Sure, why not? I'll hold off on making a decision for now.

We'll launch a Pasio-wide public campaign to find Pokémon to adorn the packaging...

and decide from among those that come forward!

...So, that's the deal!

Applicants should submit any photos and videos that highlight the natural charms of their Pokémon!

We three will personally review them to determine which Pokémon will appear on the packaging!

This is a chance for your partner Pokémon to become THE face of Pasio's local specialty! If you think yours has what it takes...

then hurry up and apply! Hahahahaha!

Ready for your close-up, Miltank?!

Cu-cu-cu, !

CUUUUTE! You're so cute I can hardly stand it!

Well, isn't this a picture-perfect setting.

Miltank in a grassy meadow... That's a fitting image to adorn those sweets.

Rika? Compliments'll get you nowhere, y'know!

Nahahaha! I'm just scoping out the competition, is all!

...Is that right?

You're stumped, aren'tcha? Can't find a good place to take your photos and videos, huh?

Oof! You saw right through me!

Got it in one. I can't figure out where to take my photos and videos of Clodsire...

At this rate, I'm just gonna be milling about Pasio right up to the deadline!

Twist my arm, why don'tcha... You better thank me for this, y'hear?

Oh?

I'll show you a great spot!

Really?! Even though we're rivals?

I wanna meetcha on equal ground, Rika!

It'll be much more satisfying to prove who's got the cutest partner by facing off fair and square!

Whitney... Thanks so much!

Clodsire's kinda like a relative of Quagsire, right?

Sure. That's the public perception, I guess.

Well, that's why I figured a crystal-clear stream in a forest would make the perfect background!

And here we are! This is, wait, what?

Looks like somebody's already here.

Aww! You beat us here?

Huh. Well, wouldn't you know it... We were just talking about that Pokémon!

I do see the resemblance to Clodsire, especially in the cuteness department.

Wow! You won over my Quagsire instantly!

I'm Rika! Nice to meet you!

It's a pleasure, Rika! I'm Misty, a Gym Leader from Kanto!

Hey, Misty! Are you and Quagsire also applying for the mascot Pokémon competition?

Yeah! I think Quagsire would be perfect for it!

She's got a comforting presence, but she's also kinda elegant, don't you think?

Are you two also applying?

Yeah, we are. We've been looking for a good spot to get some promo shots of Clodsire.

We figured here'd work nicely, but since you got here first, we'll go look somewhere else.

Wait a second!

Let's decide this like proper Pokémon Trainers... with a battle! Whoever loses, leaves!

Heh... Sounds fun.

OK then! I'll take you up on that challenge!

That's the spirit!

I'll show you what the Tomboyish Mermaid can do!

My policy for battle is...an all-out offensive with Water-type Pokémon!

That so? Go on, then, gimme all you got!

I'd say I'll go easy on you, but...I'd be lying! Think fast!

C'mon, Quagsire! Let's finish this in one go!

Brace yourself, Clodsire!

Use that trademark toughness of yours to shrug off their attacks!

I can't believe you're still standing after all that!

Now! Time to strike back, Clodsire!

Show that Kanto girl who's boss!

Wow! I see why the Paldea League made you one of their Elite Four!

Elite Four?! No wonder you're so strong...

Hey now, you weren't half bad yourself, Misty!

You think so? That makes me a little happy, even though I still lost!

(I'd say she's about on par with Kofu... No, maybe even stronger.)

Please, Rika, go right ahead and get the best possible photos and footage of Clodsire! Showcase all his best qualities!

You got it! I'll get the perfect shot to slap on that packaging!

Not so fast, Rika! Don't forget about Miltank, your biggest rival!

Oh, I haven't forgotten about her, or the rest of the competition, either! I'll take you all on!

All right! Pretty pleased with all the photos and footage we ended up takin'.

Thanks, Whitney, not just for finding that spot, but for helpin' out with the shoot, too!

Aw, don't even sweat it!

Hey, laaadies!

Please battle us!

Hm?

Um, 'cause, you see, we want our Pikachu and Eevee to get picked to be the sweets mascots!

Yeah! And we wanna get a cool video of 'em winning a battle!

No prob! We'd be happy to battle you!

Yaaay!

Go, Pikachu!

You can do it, Eevee!

Gwaaahhh!

You got me!

Yay, we won!

Did you get that on video?

Yup! Got the whole thing!

You li'l squirts are pretty strong!

Yeah! Keep it up, and you could even end up in the Elite Four someday!

Huh? The-leet...four?

Nuh-uh! No way!

Yes way! You could totally do it!

Friend of mine's a kid about your age, and she's in the Elite Four right now!

For real?

Yeah, kiddo! For real!

Don't say anything's impossible, just go for it! You both got a lot of potential, so don't let it go to waste!

OK!

Thank you for battling us!

Bye bye!

Bye! Get home safe, now!

Gotta say...

Clodsire and Miltank were pretty darn cute, even when they lost!

You got that right!

Pardon me.

You're Rika of the Paldea League's Elite Four, are you not?

You're Rika of the Paldea League's Elite Four, are you not?

Yeah... How can I help you?

My apologies. I seem to have gotten ahead of myself. I am Rose, president of the Macro Cosmos conglomerate.

I'll get right to the point.

Rika, would you do me the honor of joining Macro Cosmos?

Wh-whoa! Didja hear that, Rika?!

Macro Cosmos is a huge deal in Galar!

And gettin' scouted by a company like that...that's a huge deal, too!

I'm very impressed by your activity with the Paldea League.

Specifically, the way you dedicate yourself to work without personal matters getting in the way... That's exactly what my company needs!

I'm certain we can satisfy any requests you may have regarding your compensation and benefits... So, what do you say?

Rika! This is the career opportunity of a lifetime!

... ... ...

Sorry, Mr. Rose. That's a very generous offer, but...

Whaddya mean "but"?!

Tempting as your offer is, I'd like to stay in my current position for a little while longer.

'Cause I work with some folks who'd be utterly lost if I weren't around, lemme tell ya!

Hmm... I see you won't be so easily lured away from your current employer.

That's terribly disappointing news for our company, but I wish you the best in your current endeavors!

Right back atcha, man.

Rika, are you really sure that's what you want?

Yeah, I'm fine!

Working for the boss with my motley crew of quirky coworkers makes every day a hoot! I'll never get sick of it!

All right... Got it!

Thank youuu, Rika! I couldn't have finished this photo shoot without your help!

No problem. You did the same for me, after all.

Well...I'd say we've both got some pretty good photos and videos now.

All that's left to do is to submit 'em and wait for the judges' decision.

...Rika.

Just so ya know, I still think Miltank is the cutest.

Yeah, well, I still think Clodsire is the ultimate in cuteness.

Let's have us a fair, honest competition!

Deal! And no hard feelings either way, no matter who wins!

Of course!

And if I lose, I promise I won't cry for once!

A few days later...

Your partner Pokémon were all so thoroughly charming that it took quite some time to judge them...but we've finally made our decision!

The winning Pokémon and packaging mascot is...

... ... ...

... ... ...

Geeta's partner, Glimmora!

Huh?!

What?!

B-Boss! You entered the contest too?!

My apologies, Rika.

I was so moved by your inspiring rivalry that I simply could not help myself.

But when did you...

We decided our marketing campaign should evoke an image of affluence and maturity. For that reason, we chose Glimmora.

Geeta, do you mind coming here and saying a few words?

I am honored that my partner Glimmora was chosen to be the mascot Pokémon for this product.

I know Glimmora will shine brightly as the face of Pasio's local specialty.

... ... ...

The sweets featuring Glimmora will be available for sale soon on Pasio! Grab yours before they sell out!

Hahahahaha! This will be a huge success, no doubt about it!

Seriously?!

Yeeesh...