Riolu was still unwilling to accept Ayame as the others have, even with the others continued attempts to show she wasn't as bad as he continued to paint her out to be. Though eventually they arrived to Fuchsia City, the extravagantly busy city was reminiscent to that of Cerulean City in its splendor and size. Though it wasn't the city that Taiichi was interested in, rather what the city had to offer. His sights were set on the Safari Zone, though the zoo at the northern end of the city was a rather nice touch.

Inside the office they found it stationed by a girl with blue hair tied into a ponytail and an orange bandana wrapped around her head. She had a green T-shirt and jean shorts with a suspender strap over her shoulder. "La-La, is that you?"

She turned and looked surprised and excited at the same time, "Li'l T? My how you've grown."

"La-La?"

"Li'l T?"

Ayame and Mizuki were at a loss by the strange nicknames. Taiichi smiled to the two of them as the girl gave Taiichi a hug. "Sorry Miz. This was long before we ever meet. When my parents went off to go do expeditions and I was still rather young, I'd be dropped off at the Laramie Ranch. I could barely speak so I always called Lara 'La-La'."

"And I couldn't say yours so we stuck with Li'l T. When you first arrived, you were a shy li'l bugger, but soon 'nough you were a rambunctious ball o' energy. We use to play with all of the Pokémon my parents allowed us ta be with." Lara let Taiichi go, still with a smile on her face, "So I take it you're here for more than just ta visit li'l ol' me."

"Well I didn't realize you worked here at the Safari Zone."

Lara pinched Taiichi's check, "Well the ranch ain't that far from here and it does help give us extra cash for a few personal expenses and such."

Taiichi smiled, "It's good to hear that the Laramie Ranch is still doing well. So for why I'm here. I plan to capture a Kangaskhan. Specifically a Kangaskhan that isn't an Early Bird."

Lara looked a bit concerned now. "Li'l T, I can't help you with that. I'm supposed ta ask for an admission fee, than provide you with thirty Safari Balls and inform you that you have a thirty minute time limit or until all of your Safari Balls have been used."

"Come on La-La, I just want to capture a specific Kangaskhan, a Scrappy one. And for me to capture several Kangaskhan just so I can find one and release the others would be a waste of both my time and the Kangaskhan. I'm not asking you to do anything big, just point me toward the right troop and I capture one."

Taiichi was looking at her innocently, leaning against her arm beggingly. Lara flapped his hat down, smiling, "Alright. You know I can't resist that look." Lara walked over signaling the others to follow, "But if the warden finds out about this though, I'll be in serious trouble." They were now in a back room looking at a map of the entire Safari Zone with areas circled in different colors and several different colored flags poked into it. There was also a handbook Lara was using to help read the map. "Looks like we've records of a group of Kangaskhan who aren't very active in the mornin' so they'll probably be your best bet. Here in Area 1." Lara checked the ledge to make sure of something about the second circle rather close to it, "But, there's also a swarm of Scyther that holds territory right around the Kangaskhan's. The only way ta reach the Kangaskhan is through the swarm."

"Then all that is required is you sneaking past them."

"Rather unlikely." Taiichi looked back to the circle, "Scyther have very acute senses of sight and hearing and are very territorial. Should even one spot me, the entire swarm will not hesitate to join in."

Ayame looked to the map trying to find any sort of gap in the Scyther-Kangaskhan boundary. "Here, at the edge of the Scyther territory. What does this marginal white line represent?"

Lara flipped the pages of the handbook to find it. Lara looked gravely concerned now that she found out. "That's the swarm's outer sentry, Scar."

Mizuki took a closer look at the rather thin line, "I didn't think Scyther used sentries to patrol their territory."

"They don't," Taiichi looked to Lara, "At least none that I've ever heard of."

"Right. Well I recon y'all should hear this at least. This here swarm had them a challenger for leadership a while back. Even though the challenger lost, he's never left their side. We call him Scar cause all of the scars now covering his body. Every so often he'd challenge the leader again, and every time he'd lose. Yet despite all of that, Scar continues ta fight ta win leadership over the swarm. Regardless of all of that, I think the leader has accepted Scar as an unofficial member of the swarm."

"Then my only chance will be to go through the challenger's territory and hope I don't encounter him."

Lara looked over to a nearby clock and back to the handbook, "Well if you're gonna go through Scar's territory then now might be your best shot. If you hurry over there Scar should still be here," pointing down at the opposite side of the section Ayame had pointed out earlier. "We've found he follows a regular routine when it comes ta his patrol of the swarm's territory." Lara grabbed his shoulder before he could go off, "Wait. This is a reserve, not just a forest you can just tromp through. I'm gonna have ta ask you ta leave your Pokémon with me until you return."

Taiichi took off the belt pack and handed it off to Lara along with the fee for the expedition, smiling to her. "I should be back in no time."

She then looked over to Mizuki, "Now don't you worry none, we've recently added several devices ta keep an eye on things without intrudin' on the Pokémon much." Lara walked over to a television monitor that was close by and turned it on. She then pulled out an ear piece from a draw and handed it over to Taiichi, "Since I'm already stickin' my head out this far, I might as well have a way of watchin' your back."

Taiichi took the quickest and clearest route to reach Area 1. "Alright Li'l T, you're just about there. The territory should be northwest at about 200 meters. Now remember, you need ta be careful when crossin' the Scyther territory and make sure you only traverse the challenger's."

Taiichi looked around, nudging his hat just slightly to confirm that he heard Lara without looking like someone was talking to him. The Scyther territory had a thick forest with tall grass surrounding it, perfect for these stealthy ambush hunters. Remembering the map, the tall grass was primarily the challenger's territory so as long as he kept close to the tall grass Taiichi should eventually reach the plains that were home to the Kangaskhan troop he seeks. He couldn't brazenly cross the tall grass, so he remained at its side keeping his steps careful not to enter it until he absolutely had to.

"Hey Tai, don't forget about the bait to use as a way to holding off Pokémon."

Taiichi finally reached the point where he had to cross the tall grass in order to reach their intended. It had only been about two or three minutes since the buzzer rang to signal the start of the expedition, ample time to cross the grass cautiously and not draw unwanted attention.

It was a rather calm passing, nothing seemed to have noticed his presence yet, though he was still going to be cautious just the same. Just when it looked like he was in the clear though he heard an unusual amount of movement coming from the north. Soon enough the buzzing of insect wings could be heard approaching him until a Scyther appeared. The Scyther had cuts and scars covering its entire body matching injuries received from rival Scyther and Nidorino. Taiichi quickly dropped to the ground as Scyther tried to slash at him.

Mizuki turned to Lara, "I thought you said he'd be on the other side of the Scyther territory?"

"He's supposed ta be. I don't know what's happened?"

As Mizuki and Lara continued to discuss as to why Scar was in that part of his territory, Ayame opened Taiichi's pack and retrieved Servine's Luxury Ball, releasing her. Servine turned to search for Taiichi, instead, Ayame pointed toward the monitor as Taiichi retreated from Scyther's blades. Mizuki turned once she had heard the Poké Ball opening. "What are you doing?"

"The only thing we can do to help." Servine was already on her way into the Safari Zone before the others could even attempt to stop her.

Lara turned back to the monitor as she tried to get a better angle on what was happening. "This is all my fault. If anythin' bad should happen ta Li'l T… I wish I hadn't told him about this."

Mizuki looked back to Ayame for a moment, "Even if you weren't here he'd have found the Kangaskhan eventually and instead of Scar, he might be running from an entire Scyther swarm. At least he had a fair warning about it and he'll soon be able to hold his own now." Mizuki smiled to Lara now, "Tai's not gonna give up now, not after setting off on his journey. And with Servine racing after him, we definitely don't have to worry about a thing."

Scyther sliced another Safari Ball in two horizontally, as Taiichi got another pieces of bait ready to throw. Taiichi knew none of these would actually work, but at this point he was just trying to get toward the plains. From everything he's been able to determine, Scar seems to hold a misconception that the swarm was endanger due to his presences, trying to keep Taiichi from crossing into their territory.

Taiichi tossed another Safari Ball for Scyther to slash at, unfortunately Taiichi tripped over a stone hidden in the grasses while backing away and fell to the ground. Scyther was standing above him now ready to strike him down, or Scar was until vines grabbed his arm and stopped his attack.

It was Servine, she managed to reach him just in time as Scyther's attention turned to her, trying to slice her vines. "Servine, into the grass! Keep him busy, but only with your vines!" Scar was about to turn back to Taiichi, however Servine's Vine Whip lashing eventually got to Scar and he followed after her. Taiichi took this time to get back up as he prepared another Safari Ball. "I'm sorry, but you're leaving me little choice!" he threw it, however Scar quickly caught on and sliced at the Poké Ball before it could try and capture him.

Scar knew he was now fighting on two fronts, something he seemed versed in. Servine lashed out again, however Scar was ready, as he used one of his scythes to block her vines while keeping an eye on Taiichi now in anticipation for another Poké Ball. Instead of another Safari Ball Taiichi tossed a pebble, hitting him square on the head. Scar seemed somewhat insulted now, screeching at Taiichi before he had to deflect another attack from Servine.

Taiichi took this opening and threw a new Safari Ball. This one managed to hit the back of Scar's neck, forcing the angry Pokémon into it. Scar didn't want to be captured, he had things he wanted to do here. Scar was successful in breaking free, smashing the Safari Ball underfoot to prevent it from being recoverable.

"Tai, come on! Get out of there while you have the chance!"

"Yeah Li'l T. Just let Scar be and find that there Kangaskhan you wanted."

Despite Mizuki and Lara's concerns, he ignored them and was intent on seeing this one though. He checked the basket and counted off the remaining Safari Balls. Nearly half of them were used just to defend myself against him. Well, I just have to hope the Kangaskhan won't be as stubborn as Scar.

Servine grabbed both of Scar's arms, preventing him from moving to attack Taiichi or escape the next tossed Safari Ball. Scyther was forced back into a new Safari Ball and Servine's whips were pulled back in as she and Tai watched the Safari Ball to see if Scar still had the fight to break free once more.

The Safari Ball started to shake as it reached the point it did when Scar broke out. Scar wasn't able to break free this time and eventually the Safari Ball pinged, signaling his capture. Taiichi grabbed the Safari Ball and examined it, "Well I wasn't planning on catching a Scyther, but it looks like we have one." He then turned to Servine, "Well since you're already out here, want to stick around and help find our team's Kangaskhan?"

"Servine!" happy to just be with him and know he was safe.

"Now remember, Scar was a special case. Battles are strictly prohibited in the Safari Zone. So we can only be defensive, no attacks directed at any of the Pokémon otherwise." Servine nodded in understanding, helping guide Taiichi through Scar's former territory to get to the Kangaskhan.

After a few minutes of carefully traversing the grasses, they reached a very expansive plain and they spotted the Kangaskhan troop. "Alright Li'l T, from the reports the entire troop should be what you're lookin' for. So bag one and be done with it."

Taiichi was studying the troop to assess their hierarchy. The leader of the Kangaskhan was the only one currently not eating, keeping her eyes and ears out for predators or unwanted guests. Remembering all of the social behaviors he had studied before from other Pokémon, he wanted to find a member of the troop that wasn't going to be of significant loss after being captured. They watched the troop for a few minutes before Taiichi picked one out, pointing out the Kangaskhan for Servine. The Kangaskhan in question was separated from the rest of the troop, yet she wasn't too concerned with being so far away nor was the troop worried about her.

He and Servine then laid out a bait trail into the nearby forest to separate the Kangaskhan even further than what she already was. It seemed to work as the target Kangaskhan was now in the forest with them. Taiichi appeared behind Kangaskhan and pulling out a new Safari Ball, "I think you know what this means."

Kangaskhan and her child were in peak condition, and Kangaskhan understood that one day she might face this situation. She didn't seem too concerned by the possibility of being captured, instead welcoming Taiichi's challenge to see if he could indeed capture her. Taiichi tossed the Safari Ball as Kangaskhan allowed it to hit her square on her head. The Safari Ball wiggled as Kangaskhan struggled. The anticipation was a bit unnerving to see Kangaskhan allow him to toss it, now it was a matter of if Kangaskhan could break free. Amazingly enough, the Safari Ball pinged to signal Kangaskhan's capture.

Taiichi picked up Kangaskhan's Safari Ball, utterly unable to contain his excitement, "Yes! Yes, yes, we caught ourselves a Kangaskhan!" Unfortunately his yelling was heard by the rest of the troop as they were moving to investigate it. "Well Servine, I think that's our signal to leave." Before he or Servine could leave the forest the leader of the troop was waiting for them. The leader just stared at him, not saying a word before she started to smell him and the Safari Ball with their captured troop member. Kangaskhan's child seemed rather upset, however she pulled her back in. Kangaskhan instead walked back to the others as they all returned to their grazing.

Returning back to the main office, Mizuki and Lara were both relieved to see him again. "When the troop leader found you I thought you were in trouble again."

Taiichi started to scratch Servine's head, "I'm just lucky Servine got there when she did. I really don't want to think what might've happened otherwise."

"Otherwise Scar would have cut through you with little effort," Ayame bluntly denoted.

Lara put her hand on Ayame's shoulder, "If it wasn't for your friend's quick thinkin' here we mighta found out."

Taiichi took the earpiece out and handed it back to Lara, "Well thanks for everything La-La. Without you it would have taking me a couple of trips before I found them. And I definitely wouldn't have been prepared for Scar or the Scyther swarm."

Mizuki looked to the two Safari Balls, "So what are you going to do with Scar now? Keep him or release him back into the Safari Zone."

Taiichi picked up the Safari Ball with Scar, thinking about it for a moment. "Well, I think he could be a good teammate. We're gonna have to get him to trust us first, but once we do that, I'm sure Scar would help us."

"Those are going to be some tough training sessions, I'm not sure he'll even want to."

Taiichi looked down, "Well, we just have to cross that road when we get there. Won't we."

Lara smiled, "If you want, you three can came back to the Laramie Ranch and spend as much time as y'all need."

"Thanks La-La. That's really generous of you. It'd be nice to see the ranch again after all of this time. Then I can have Riolu and the others see it too and meet our newest friends."

Lara then handed off a flyer to Taiichi, "Don't forget about the Laramie Festival and Pokémon Race that happenin' in a few weeks or so. I hope ta see y'all there."

A/N: I'm really hoping our latest Fire starter isn't another Fire-Fighting, but given its ability to use Psychic, I have high hopes it'll become a Fire-Psychic. I am curious what they mean by new methods of evolution for the panda and upturned squid. We have leveling up, knowing a certain move, location, held item, stone, trade, friendship, time of day,(Feebas only) beauty, (Mantyke) certain Pokémon in party, and the Shelmet-Karrablast trade evolution. What else could there be, or are they planning on expanding one of the relatively newer ones?