Avoiding random monster encounters

[LunarWeaver]

At one point Cid will give you an item called the "Magical Lamp". When you go into your item screen and use it you will enter a boss fight with the GF Diablos. Defeat him and you can use him as a GF from that point on. Diablos can learn an ability called "Enc-Half", which of course halves enemy encounters, and then an ability called "Enc-none" after that which will eliminate them completely.

Edit: Wait, it's been a while since I've played the game and my memory is kind of coming back. I don't believe Cid simply gives you the Lamp you have to talk to him to get it.

If I'm not wrong: After the Dollet section of the beginning of Disc 1, Squall, Selphie, and Zell will officially become Seeds. They get sent out on their first mission and are told to meet Cid. You'll know the scene because Zell comes in on a hoverboard and gets scolded because hoverboards aren't allowed in the Garden. When you get control of your party you're supposed to run off and take a train to Timber. Cid will be standing right there, just talk to him and he gives you the lamp before you leave. If this is wrong, somebody feel free to correct me and hit me with a bloody kleet.