"…I was just asking why you used a Heavy Ball to catch Lucario, but I already figured it out," Sato muttered, unusually offering an explanation.
"Hehe, Boss, you finally noticed! Look, look~ Lucario's in a gray Heavy Ball, Lapras I switched to a sky-blue Dive Ball, Togekiss is in a white Premier Ball, and Reuniclus is in a green Friend Ball.
Arbok's the only one I haven't found a good match for yet, but I heard there's a kind of Poké Ball called a Master Ball that's purple. I'm planning to find a way to get one and give it to my Arbok!"
"…"
Sato's mouth twitched. The earlier part could still be chalked up to personal taste, he couldn't argue with that. But… 'Did this idiot even know what a Master Ball was? Did he think you could just get one whenever you wanted?'
"…I think you've gotten cocky." Sato had so many things to say, he didn't even know where to start.
"Cocky? But I'm not fat!" Mark blinked and patted the vague outline of his abs, confidently rebutting.
"Good luck, Mark. I believe in you. That Master Ball's as good as yours," Joseph said with a smiling face, clearly messing with him.
"Hahaha, it's just a special Poké Ball! I'll get it in no time. Joseph, bro, want one too? I'll grab you one while I'm at it."
"Much appreciated. I'll be waiting." Joseph still had that same smile. Mark, still floating in the joy of catching Lucario, didn't notice anything off at all.
Sato watched the whole thing and suddenly felt these two were seriously immature…
"Fine, I'll reluctantly be your witness. That way no one can back out later."
"BOOOSS! You think I'd go back on my word over a single Poké Ball?" With Lucario still right beside him, Mark immediately shouted back, making sure not to leave a bad impression. He firmly vowed to get that Master Ball… and two of them, no less!
"Mm. I'll be waiting to see it."
Due to Lucario's sudden arrival, their travel plans were delayed.
And also because of Lucario joining them, Joseph started prepping lunch early; just in time to make it a welcome feast.
With a while still left before lunch and his energy still high, Mark, having finished introducing his own partners to Lucario, wasted no time in reaching his claws toward Sato and Joseph's Pokémon.
The three of them had over a dozen Pokémon combined, and not one of them was ordinary. Each had a story worth telling.
So, under Mark's 30% bragging and 70% truth-filled introductions, Lucario -feeling like a country bumpkin entering the big city- began greeting them all with extreme solemnity.
"…This is Zoroark, Boss's Starter Pokémon. It's been with him through blood and fire, and it's recognized as the leader by all of my Pokémon…"
---
"…This is Gengar. It almost never stays in its Poké Ball. Boss's shadow is its favorite spot. Don't be fooled by its spooky look, Gengar believes its a Sage. Funny, right? …AHHH! Gengar, why'd you hit me?!"
Gengar sighed, gave Mark a "bow", then reached out and bopped him again. After flashing him a glittering golden look, it slowly melted into Sato's shadow.
"Luca?" Lucario kindly helped its Trainer up, only to see him storming furiously over to the Trainer called Sato.
"Boss, your Gengar whacked me!"
"Oh, then just smack him back."
"I-I-I can't reach…"
"Orb-Orb, drag your Trainer away. Stop making a scene," Sato turned to Reuniclus and said.
"Reu!"
Reuniclus obediently responded, then used Confusion and flung Mark directly into the farthest corner of the campsite.
"Orb-Orb, whose Pokémon are you anyway?!"
"Reu?"
Reuniclus looked at Mark, then at Sato, then wobbled its way over to Joseph's side.
It really did like Joseph -food- the most!
Lucario had witnessed the entire scene and now had a rough understanding in its heart.
In this group, Sato was the absolute leader whose word was law. Joseph controlled the food, so his status and authority were quite high.
As for its own Trainer, Mark… he felt more like the group's mascot.
'…Damn it, why did I pick Togekiss back then? How the hell did I end up as Mark's Pokémon?'
Lucario couldn't make sense of it no matter how hard it tried.
---
"CHEERS!"
Sato, Joseph, and Mark, along with a dozen or so Pokémon, shouted together, startling a whole flock of Starly out of the forest.
Lucario stared in awe at the countless unfamiliar dishes laid out before it, suddenly feeling that maybe becoming a Trainer's Pokémon wasn't so hard to accept after all.
'Just… why did the Trainer have to be Mark?'
"Lucario, come on, come on~ This dish is made especially for you by Joseph. See if it suits your taste?"
Mark eagerly held out a plate of steel-gray food and placed it in front of Lucario, eyes filled with hope.
Lucario looked at Mark, and for a split second, thought he might not be so bad.
'Whatever… I've already been caught. If I can't resist, I might as well enjoy it.'
"Luca! Luuuca…"
Just one bite… and the flavor that pierced its soul instantly made Lucario's ears shoot straight up.
"Delicious, right? Our Joseph is a top Pokémon Breeder. Stick with me and you'll be eating like this every day~"
"Heh, next time you cook Lucario's meals." Joseph sneered. 'Offering someone else's food like it was your own… have you no shame?'
"Joseph, bro…" Mark was stunned, frantically winking at Joseph, trying to send a signal… but before he could say anything, a sudden gust blew past him.
"Luuca! Lucario"
Lucario had already moved to Joseph's side, earnestly massaging his shoulders and patting his back with a solemn expression, as if to say: 'I'm not a bootlicker, I'm just worried about how hard Joseph works.'
"Didn't think you were that kind of Lucario…" Mark muttered under his breath, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Sato had been watching the whole time. He couldn't help but shake his head. 'Good thing I didn't catch Lucario… this bootlicker vibe really is the best match for Mark.'
"Not bad, not bad~. I'll take care of your meals from now on. Go eat before it gets cold," Joseph said with satisfaction, nodding at Lucario and waving him off.
"Luuca!"
Lucario kept the most serious expression on its face while doing the most servile tasks, completely unbothered, and even threw a subtle look of disdain at Mark.
'You can't even guarantee your partner's three daily meals, and I had to step in? The road ahead… I really can't see where it's going.'
"Alright, finish eating quickly. We need to get back on the road, we've been delayed long enough."
The boss had spoken. Mark and the Pokémon all instinctively sped up their eating.
Seeing this, Lucario became even more convinced of its judgment.
'Mark -mascot- status equal to or even lower than a Pokémon.'
"…"