Looking at the map, Kain could see that he was on the opposite side of the Safari Zone from the Hidden Lair -- to get there, he'd have to cross the central mountains first.

But as Kain examined his map, something crashed down from an overhanging rock and landed not far from him, throwing up sand. Once the sand settled down, Kain could see an egg-shaped Pokemon covered in green barbs: a young Ferroseed had just lost its perch on the rock it had clung to and ended up vulnerable in the sand. The Pokemon stayed still, perhaps hoping that Kain wouldn't notice it.

---

A wild Ferroseed appears!



Ferroseed // Level 13 // female


Ability: Iron Barbs - Any Pokemon who hits Ferroseed with a physical attack receives damage equal to 1/8 their maximum HP.
Held item: none
Moves: Harden, Tackle, Metal Claw, Pin Missile

You have 5/5 Safari balls.

This is encounter 1/5.

---

The Ferroseed rolled away from Kain a little as he approached, rather alarmed -- first it had fallen down, now people could see it, and now ... Oh, was that food? The Ferroseed rolled back, slowly checking out the snacks as it listened to Kain talk. Yeah, it definitely didn't want to be down here -- this was a bad place. But this man could help? That would be good! Ferroseed really needed to get back up there, and it didn't look forward to laboriously rolling itself over to the rock and slowly, slowly climbing with its spikes. Things would be a great deal more convenient if it had any appendages whatsoever ... "See?"

---

The Ferroseed seems quite happy with your action! You have 2 remaining actions. (Also, you may already be aware, but you aren't required to take all 3 actions -- at any time you can throw a Pokeball or just leave.)

You have 5/5 Safari balls.

This is encounter 1/5.

Current area: Desert

---

The Ferroseed held still as Kain picked it up, keeping as many of its spikes in as it could; it didn't want to hurt Kain when he was helping it. Then, when he held it up against the rock, it extended the spikes on the rock side, crunching into the surface. It wiggled, making sure it had a good grip, then thanked Kain: "Fer!"

It watched the human move away, thoroughly satisfied with the encounter and with a new appreciation for how helpful humans could be, with their long limbs and dexterous appendages. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to have a human around ... but not this one, it seemed; he was already moving on. Oh well.

---

Ferroseed has been safely returned to its rock! Feel free to take the next post to move to an adjacent area if you wish, or continue to explore the desert -- I'll respond to your next post with another Pokemon.

You have 5/5 Safari balls.

This is encounter 1/5.

Current area: Desert

---

As Kain continued through the desert, he heard a screeching cry from overhead -- then something swooped down at him, claws out. Missing its target, the attacking Pokemon circled around and landed a few feet from Kain, still calling harshly. "Rrruf!"

The Rufflet had already fought basically every Pokemon around, and it had done well, winning most of its battles. Now it was very interested in this human and, more importantly, the new Pokemon he brought with him. That Torchic looked like it might pose a good challenge ...

Of course, it would be against the Safari Zone's rules for Torchic to battle Rufflet. But Rufflet didn't know that.

---

A wild Rufflet appears! You have 3 actions before you must either throw a Pokeball or move on.



Rufflet // Level 13 // male


Ability: Sheer Force - Any move with beneficial side effects has its power increased by 30% and its side effects removed when Rufflet uses it; see here for more information
Held item: none
Moves: Leer, Peck, Hone Claws, Wing Attack

You have 5/5 Safari balls.

This is encounter 2/5.

Current area: Desert

---

"Ruff?" At first, Rufflet wasn't sure what to make of the human getting between it and the Torchic it wanted to fight. From the looks of it, the Torchic might be up for the battle, so why was the human stopping them?

But then the treats came out -- plus the compliment and the mention of a wider world of battles. Rufflet's eyes widened, and it hopped closer to take a treat -- politely, as Kain had specified. It could hold off on a battle here if that meant getting treats and maybe finding even better battles.

"Let?" it asked, wishing to learn more.

---

The wild Rufflet seems quite impressed by your action! You have 2 more actions before you must leave or throw a Pokeball.

You have 5/5 Safari balls.

This is encounter 2/5.

Current area: Desert

---

The wild Rufflet listened to Kain's offer with interest. Leave this place, travel the world, fight whatever it wanted? That sounded pretty good. But when the Pokeball came out, Rufflet shook its head. As much as it would like to see -- and more importantly fight -- the world, it wasn't getting in one of those little ball things. So cramped! It didn't really entertain the possibility for a moment, whatever Kain said. Someday it would travel the world, seeing and battling everything it had to offer -- but not with Kain, and today was not that day.

"Flet," Rufflet said, with a note of finality, taking off into the sky.

---

Capture failed! The wild Rufflet flees.

You have 4/5 Safari balls.

This is encounter 2/5.

Current area: Desert

---