Well, Slash was basically the wingman to the Ringleader. Gave him a chance to show off now that he can talk, and... that's pretty much his whole reason for joining in. To stroke his own ego.

[He heaves a soft sigh and shrugs.]

And my Swampert's decided his newest goal in life's to become some kind of kick-boxing juggler. Don't ask me how it works-- I'm still trying to figure that out.