Chapter Seven- The Other Side's Counterpart

Nyreami and Mewtwo had left the Temple, walking out in the streets of Rildeep, Vaporeon following at their feet. Nyreami was unsure of what she would do, and Mewtwo was thinking. She wondered what it would be like to be psychic as she walked along. Mewtwo was always trying to think of something, an she wasn't sure what it was but it was pressing, required a lot of time, and he never found the answers.

Oh well. Maybe it didn't have an answer. She really didn't care about it too much.

"Mewtwo... Where are we going..", she whined, before realizing that she was the one who was really supposed to be leading them.

"I don't know. I haven't seen any Absol threats and there isn't really anything to do."

"You aren't suggesting we return to the Ice Palace, are you?"

"No."

"Hey--isn't there a big city around here?"

"You mean Metal City? Yes, it is nearby, even closer when I can have you there in a few seconds."

"Why don't we go? I hear there's all sorts of things to do there. I also know that everything's made of metal there. For someone like me, who's rarely been out of the Ice Lands, it would be nice to have some fun in a new place. Metal City sounds like a lot of fun!"

"Fun, fun, fun... It's all about fun for you, isn't it?"

"Yeah!"

"Well fine then. I'll teleport us. But you have to remember that you are the Empress, and you can't show weakness."

"I'm not showing weakness, I'm trying to show that I'm a regular person too."

"But you aren't, you know."

"Yes, I know. Quit with your sound reasoning and teleport already."

"Okay."

Nyreami scooped Vaporeon up in one arm, and took hold of Mewtwo's hand with the other. Mewtwo shut his eyes and concentrated.

With one act, they amazed two groups of people, the ones who witnessed them disappear in a purple flash of light, and the ones who witnessed them appear in the same way.

After the teleportation light faded, the three of them were greeted with an interesting sight.

The ground below their feet was solid digizoid, the likes of which Nyreami had never seen before. All the buildings were of this same material, shining, stunning digizoid, the metal of the future, said to have been discovered by some leader of old named Fangirl, who ruled a strange race of amazing girls like herself. She proclaimed that the world would never need another metal--and she was right.

A left legacy. This was Metal City.

"Mewtwo... It's amazing!"

"I see that."

The streets were filled with people and familiars. Most were riding on Metarolles, a special metal creature that rolled and was quite useful, but the richer ones were riding high up on their proud Steelixes, appreciating their metallic home. Some were even in the air, beating out the traffic on their Skarmories.

Those that walked along the ground were seen with Magnemites and Magnetons circling around them, and some of the luckiest kids were showing off their Mawiles. The more elite of the street walkers--people who owned Steelixes and Skarmories, but would rather walk around on the ground with the commoners to show off--strolled along with their Metagross, Metangs, and the youngest among them cuddled their baby Beldums. The very best of them had their stunning Durahans at their sides, but people that rich were so rare, Nyreami only saw one person.

This was indeed a Metal place. Where steel creatures reigned along with those lucky enough to live here.

But all Nyreami really thought was:

"This is going to be fun!!"

Mewtwo only sighed, then returned to normal, walking forward.

"This place is se awesome 'Two! There's all sorts of things to do like visit the Metal Market, and checking out the newest Steel Familiars, items, and fighters, and even going to Rachi Park!"

"You want to go to Rachi Park?"

"Yeah, why not? But it's not open now, you know. It only opens at night!"

"I know that."

"So let's head to the market! I know you'll want to buy stuff, right? I didn't bring any gold, but that won't be a problem--you know where it is in my palace, you could teleport for it!"

"Yes--but please remember why we are here. If there is an Absol threat, you must stop this and defeat it."

"I understand.", Nyreami said, grabbing hold of Mewtwo's hand and surging forward. Vaporeon following quickly behind, the three headed for the Metal Market.

When they arrived they were greeted with a great steel gate, wide open, inviting them in. Many people around the area were staring, either at the fact that the Empress was here or that Mewtwo existed, or both, but all Nyreami and Mewtwo cared about was just how large the market was. It stretched on for what seemed like an eternity, full of people, familiars, and all sorts of products to be bought.

The market vendors displayed their wares on the metal tables, and people flocked to certain areas to buy. Nyreami immediately caught sight of a vendor selling familiar and trainer battle items. She walked over, carrying Vaporeon.

"Excuse me, sir, but are these battle items?"

The vendor, a lesser Steel elemental, by his pale gray skin and dark gray hair--not to mention the silver eyes, rose from his seat. Yawning, he stretched, and looked at Nyreami. Immediately after, his eyes widened.

"You're the Empress! Y-y-you saved the survivors of the Absol attack!"

"Yeah, that's me, news must travel fast around here, huh?"

"I can't believe it! You--are visiting my lowly stand! Please--take anything you wish for free! I can't even begin to pay you back for the great thing you have done, vanquishing the demon, but I can aid you in your next fight. Steel stresses defense, and I have some of the most top-quality defensive items!"

"Well..", Nyreami said, blushing.. "That's very kind of you! Let's see what you've got--is that a Metal Coat?"

"You bet it is! The strongest Steel Armor for your familiar! This amazing Steel coat fits any creature perfectly, with the magic of metal! Why not have your Vaporeon try it on?"

Nyreami took the Metal Coat and placed it on Vaporeon. It didn't seem to fit at first, but it then started to glow. After the light faded, Vaporeon was wearing metal armor that was like it was bound to it, but it didn't seem uncomfortable.

"How's that, Vaporeon? Feel tougher?"

"Por!"

"Looks like it's perfect for it. Don't even worry about paying! And please, take any other things you like!"

Not one to turn down a shopping spree, Nyreami gathered all the most interesting battle items she could. She bought Mewtwo a Scope Lens, Vaporeon some Metal Powder, and she bought herself some Bright Powder in a tiny jar. She never knew when she might need to avoid an attack, and the Bright Powder, which looked like sand inside the jar, would shine like the sun when released. It would serve her well.

The shopping continued on like that, Nyreami, Mewtwo, and Vaporeon would visit different vendors and they would let them take stuff free. Nyreami had bought a Mawile-style outfit, it was said to be all the rage in Metal City, and Mewtwo had even picked up a Twistedspoon. Vaporeon was treated too, they got it the best familiar food they could find, and it was extremely happy, not to mention stylish in its armor.

After they finished shopping, they decided to grab something to eat. Vaporeon might have been fed, but not them, and even Mewtwo had to admit that he wouldn't mind some breakfast.

Exiting the market, they happened upon a nice little place called Rachi's Wish--a beautifully decorated restaurant right by Rachi Park's closed entrance. It had an outdoor cafe with a sign saying that you could sit without being seated, so they picked a table and sat down.

In no time, a waitress, who happened to be another Steel elemental, (there sure are a lot of them here, aren't there?) came by with menus.

"Hello there--by Jirachi! You're the Empress!"

Nyreami blushed, not used to all the attention she was getting. Mewtwo, who was hungry, impatiently took control of the orders.

"I know what I would like to have."

The waitress stopped looking at Nyreami to look at Mewtwo, only to freeze up with amazement. Before her was something she was told wasn't real...

"Uh..Uh--"

"I'd like some toast, with a bit of strawberry jelly and some Fresh Water."

"Y-yes.", the waitress managed, writing the order down on a slip of paper, attached to her digizoid clipboard.

"Ooh..", Nyreami said, glancing at the menu, and all it's choices...!

There was a silence while she flipped through the pages, finally seeing something she wanted.

"I'll have this!"

Nyreami pointed to a selection on the menu--Endless Plate of Waffles.

"That's a lot of food, are you sure you can eat it all?"

"You doubt my eating ability?"

"Not at all, Empress. I'll be right back with your food."

The waitress left, scribbling on her clipboard as she went.

"So Two, what do you want to do after we leave here? I saw this sign for the Sky Rides over the city, it looked pretty good!"

"If you want to fly over the city, I can easily arrange that-"

"No, no, I mean--taking the actual flight tour! You know, in one of those little box thingys."

"I see no point in doing that.."

"Aww, come on! Please! I'd like it..", Nyreami said, pouting.

"Um.."

Just then, the waitress returned with the food. Mewtwo calmly picked up his toast, and took a bite. After placing it back down, he took a sip of water. Nyreami, on the other hand, was scarfing down waffles at lighting speed, not even notcing how many she'd eaten.

"...HOW do you DO that?"

"mmmrrrf, do what?"

"Eat like that! Where is that food going?"

Nyreami leaned back in her chair, laughing. Smacking her belly, she gave a huge smile. "Right here, Two!"

"*sigh* Why do I even bother?"

Their breakfast, although short, was pleasant, even with Nyreami's complete lack of table manners. They paid for their meal, despite the insistance of the waitress, and walked off toward the center of the bustling city.

Nyreami had to carry Vaporeon to keep her from getting mashed underfoot by the crowds, and Two wasn't exactly happy with their situation either.

"It's too crowded here! Let's go somewhere else."

"Two, it's crowded everywhere in this city. Well--except for the skyride!"

"You're not giving up on that, are you?"

"You bet I'm not. Now let's go!"

"Fine then, have it your way. But seriously, the next thing we do will be of MY planning!"

"Ok by me!"

"Glad we understand eachother."

Levitating above the crowd, Mewtwo found the shortest path to the booth for skyride tickets. Teleporting Nyreami and Vaporeon took all of a few seconds, and in not time they were high above the city in a pretty, skybox, which had been painted with a Skarmory motif.

Nyreami gazed out the window, leaning outward to see everything. Metal City just seemed to sparkle beneath them, and she was mesmerized. Mewtwo looked out his window, awestruck, yes, but of course--not showing it.

"Isn't this perfect, Two?"

"I do have to admit, the view is remarkable."

"I knew you'd like it!"

"I guess I should let you plan our activities more often."

"Well, you already have! Don't forget, we ARE going to Rachi Park."

"Believe me, I couldn't forget that."

Rachi Park, long known as one of the world's most beautiful places. It was said that a long time ago, at a time in which the Legendary Steel Guardian Jirachi was awakened for a wish, the leader of the city had asked for a place more beautiful than any other. Jirachi granted the wish, and created a park more beautiful than anything that Nautre could conjure up on her own. Eternal berry trees grew, trees of every berry imaginable, and even a few undiscovered ones. The grass was insanely green, the water wonderfully clear.. Rachi Park, named in honor of Jirachi, truly was the most beautiful place. It became a major tourist attraction for the outsiders, as well as a popular spot for the city residents. The park only opens at night now, because it takes a lot of time to maintain the berry trees, not to mention feeding the resident creatures. It is quite a special occasion to be able to visit the park, and anyone who does usually considers it one of their life's best expirences.

"I can't wait to go.. It's going to be great!"

End Chapter Seven