There Is Light

Chapter Nine

__A few days have passed. Everyone working in the castle had gotten used to Mephiles' presence by now. Elise had gotten more things to do so they never went back to the garden during those three days, which made Mephiles restless. He still wanted to see that chao, but he never addressed it to someone else. He could talk to anyone now, but he tried to limit himself to only talking to Elise and Athena.
__Mephiles and Elise were walking around the city now. The citizens greeted both of them with a smile, which confused Mephiles. They were walking along one of the canals, and Mephiles caught a glimpse of human children playing with tiny boats in the water. He then realized he'd seen this canal before and stopped dead in his tracks, making Elise stop and stare at him.
__"Something wrong?" She asked innocently.
__Mephiles crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. "We're not going there," He sneered.
__The princess sighed and placed both her hands on her hips. "Not you too," She grumbled.
__Mephiles nodded his head. I can't believe I'm about to say this. "I technically belong to Athena, and unless she says otherwise I have to follow what she says," He sighed when Elise's expression changed. "That means I can't let you go to this shop keeper I keep hearing about from Athena and Agatha."
__Elise groaned and started walking back from where they came. "Fine, since I suppose you'd tell Athena anyway."
__"Not this time since you listened," Mephiles muttered and followed.
__While walking, Elise looked down at Mephiles and grinned. "What do you want to do with our free time then?"
__Without thinking clearly, he said, "Garden."
__The princess giggled as she looked forward. "All right then."
__Mephiles flattened his ears and looked at the ground as he walked. Can't catch a break, can I? He sighed and shook his head. I'm just as pathetic as she is now.

__They were in the garden again, walking to where that big pond was at the other side of the large hedges. Mephiles decided to play the game properly, so he moved the vines out of the way and motioned Elise to go first. She looked shocked to see him do this, but she smiled anyway and went on ahead. 
__The first thing Mephiles did when he went through the hedges was sit down at the entrance and watched Elise sit down by the pond where all the chao surrounded her. He waited until he saw one chao look at him and rushed over to hug him.
__Mephiles grabbed the chao and brought her to his eye level. "You seem rather excited."
__The chao was cheering and trying to get out of Mephiles' grip. When she succeeded she started circling Mephiles. But when she got a look at Mephiles' lock she started crying and went to hug his neck.
__Mephiles didn't know why, but this chao made him feel warm. Mephiles didn't like being in chains just like this chao. This chao was someone he could relate to in this world of mortals.
__Elise had stood up and went over to sit in front of Mephiles. "Pet her."
__"What?" Mephiles looked up in confusion.
__"Pet her and see what happens," She winked.
__Mephiles got the chao to let go of his neck and set her down in his lap. He started slightly rubbing her head. It seemed all right until Mephiles saw the chao turn gray and pulled his hand away quickly. The chao didn't seemed bothered at all, though.
__"What did I do?" Mephiles looked up at Elise.
__Elise tilted her head as she smirked. "You worried about her?"
__"I want to know what I did."
__Elise scooted closer before she spoke again. "When you pet a chao it changes colors depending on who you are. Keep on petting her until she has your full color."
__For some reason Mephiles obeyed and continued petting the chao. He watched her change from gray to a darker shade, and that darker shade to black. The tip of her head, hands and legs, and the ball floating over her head turned teel. When she opened her eyes they had turned green. Her wings had grown a bit longer and they were a transparent green. Mephiles just stared at the chao, trying to fight off his excitement. 
__"What are you going to call her?" Elise asked.
__Mephiles looked up at her slowly. "Call her?"
__"You know...like how I'm called Elise and you're called Mephiles. Give her a name."
__Mephiles looked down at the chao. "I don't..." He stared at the chao for a moment. She tilted her head and waited for her new name. He sighed and looked away from the chao and Elise. "Solar..." He muttered.
__Elise widened her eyes and looked away from him. "I suppose if that's what you're comfortable with."
__Mephiles looked back down at the chao. "You are Solar," He told her.
__"Chow! Chow!" Solar started jumping up and down on his lap, seeming to be happy with her new name.
__"Now she belongs to you," Elise concluded. "If you want you can bring her along with us."
__Mephiles only nodded, not looking away from Solar. He tilted his head and Solar did the same. Mine. He giggled. You're mine. He then sighed and looked away. What would I even do with you once I'm back with Iblis? I wouldn't even be able to bring you with me. 

__Mephiles was standing by Elise on her throne, Solar on the ground leaning on the back of his right shoe. Random citizens that came in were not discussing problems this time, but talking about things to add to the city that would benefit them. Mephiles stayed silent while they talked it out. He did not agree with them expanding an area by taking away another part of an area.
__One man was talking about a large powerplant that could help reduce power outages. Mephiles had expected Elise to agree with him, but she didn't.
__"I don't want any powerplants in my city," She said calmly. "They cause too much air pollution and that'll hurt not only the environment but us as well."
__Mephiles slowly turned his head to face Elise. He did not think any mortal would care about something they're destroying. That's just her, though. He thought.
__After the man left, Agatha came in to let the princess know that he was the last one she would be seeing. Then after Agatha left, Athena walked in and bowed her head.
__"Has something come up?" Elise scooted to the edge of her throne.
__Athena looked up and shook her head. "Nothing bad. There's a festival this weekend and I wanted to make sure you knew this."
__"I had almost forgotten," Elise said shyly.
__Athena's tail started swaying from side to side as she continued to speak. "And I think it'll please you to know that there will be a special guest."
__"Who?"
__Athena shook her head. "I won't talk. It's a surprise."
__"Oi!" Elise shook her head and giggled.
__"What's a festival?" Mephiles finally asked.
__"It's like a giant party the whole city celebrates," Elise replied. "They're always so much fun!"
__Mephiles felt Solar squirm and turned around to pick her up. "Fun, huh?" He turned to face the front again, holding Solar like a baby.
__Athena drew back when she saw Mephiles holding the chao. "Oh! You made a new friend!" She laughed.
__Mephiles snorted. "Not new," He mummbled.
__Elise stood up from her throne and cuffed her hands behind her. "It's the same chao, Athena. The one you found at that abandoned house."
__"Hm?" Mephiles looked at the princess.
__"Solar had another owner before, but they left her at the house, chained down to the front porch," Elise explained. "Athena found her before she died of hunger and dehydration."
__Mephiles blinked and looked down at Solar. She was about to burst into tears. There are still mortals who don't care what they do to this world. He thought bitterly.
__"Her name's Solar now?" Athena giggled and shook her head. "How ironic!" She then walked up to Elise and Mephiles, turning to face him. "When did you start petting her?"
__"About an hour ago," Mephiles replied.
__"Hm..." Athena looked down at Solar. "She'll be evolving soon."
__"Evolving?"
__Athena nodded. "She'll wrap herself in a cocoon and for however long the transformation she'll hatch and show her new form."
__"Choo!" Solar jumped out of Mephiles' arms and started circling all three of them. "Chow! Chow!"
__"Solar should evolve before the festival," Elise added.
__"And that means you'll have to go as well," Athena said, sounding quite annoyed. "I'm going to have to teach you how to act."
__"What!?" Mephiles stood back and stared at her.
__Elise started laughing as both Mephiles and Athena glared at each other while Solar sang around them. "This is just fantastic!"