No one needs to understand plant language when the body language of threatening people with a whip gets through just fine. Joker is already jerking out the throwing knife out from his belt when the vines shoot out, but his eyes are on Lauren. He can't do anything until it's too late, the enormous pink cat roaring in distress, and he twists on his heel with a swear. "Don't separate!" is what he yells over his shoulder before he leaps forward, Feathers flapping from the spot on Joker's shoulder.

Immediately, the Pokemon dives forward to catch up, finding purchase on Lion's fur. He wastes no time in trying to peck through the vines around his throat, wings flapping desperately.

Joker is also trying to grab onto Lion's fur with one hand- and he's thankful he recently got another, which means he can use the other to throw the knife towards the creature whose vines are around Lion's paw.

Hopefully knives make a difference when the enemy is a plant.