There Is Light

Chapter Twenty-four

__Mephiles stayed standing in between Athena and Elise in front of the throne. The entire kingdom staff had come into the throne room after hearing about Ailene and Dominic. There were several people Mephiles was looking for in particular. He saw Lacy and Stacy, but he couldn't find Mary or Agatha. He looked up at Elise and lowered his voice. "Where are Mary and Agatha?"
__Elise immediately looked at Sonic. "Where's Mary?"
__Sonic placed both hands on his hips as he answered. "I told her she could stay in Mobotropolis until we went back."
__Elise nodded and continued to look at the crowd.
__Mephiles was waiting for her to say where Agatha was, but she didn't say a word. He was about to ask again when Athena spoke for him.
__"What about Agatha?" She asked worriedly. "Where is she?"
__Elise slowly looked down at Athena, but her eyes didn't set on the brown cat. "She was the one who called for the G.U.N.," She explained. "Her son works with them so she was able to contact them."
__"But where is she?"
__Elise sighed. "She went home. We won't see her again."
__"What!?" Athena's ears flattened. "Why did she go home?"
__"Back when my father ruled this kingdom, he knew Agatha's connections with the G.U.N., but he didn't trust them. So he told her not to call them no matter what," Elise rolled her shoulders back and cuffed her arms in front of her. "After my father passed, I promised her she could call the G.U.N. once if we really needed them."
__"But why did she have to leave?"
__"As much as everyone here likes the idea of the G.U.N. helping, it was my father's law for the kingdom not to call them, so I made her promise after she called them, she had to return to her old home so she wouldn't be punished."
__"She can still be punished," Mephiles pointed out.
__"Not where she lives," Elise informed him. "It's over the border where we cannot pass through to find fugitives."
__Athena kept her ears flat as she crossed her arms. She looked down at her feet as her long tail drooped down on the floor. "So, we're never going to see her again. Shame. I loved that old woman."
__"I did, too," Elise said in sympathy. "But this is for her own good."
__Mephiles didn't look at either of them. After knowing Agatha for a while, he too was upset. Missing a mortal. He thought in disgust. Shameful. But he looked down at Solar as she tilted her head. He crouched down to pick her up and stood up. He held her like a baby as he continued to think. Who am I kidding? I've grown attached to almost everyone here. He sighed as he locked eyes with Solar. And Iblis...what would it do? It would be angry if I abandoned it. It would find ways to contact me. He shut his eyelids tightly and he stifled a growl. I don't know what I want anymore!
__"Whatever happened to Rodger?" Athena asked loudly, making Mephiles snap out of it.
__"I don't...really know," Elise replied awkwardly. "After I left the safe room, I focused on Mephiles while he was out cold."
__Shadow then sighed and walked up to the princess. "You don't need to worry about him," He began. "The G.U.N. were more than happy to bring that man into custody."
__"Good!" Athena snorted. "That man deserves whatever's coming to him."
__Shadow nodded before he went back to Rouge and Omega.

__The next day, Sonic and his friends left while Mary came back. Mary was more than delighted to hear that they've won the battle. She was upset about Merek's death as well. It confused Mephiles when she admitted she had feelings for Merek. He didn't understand what that meant.
__Mephiles was standing by Elise at the dining table. Athena, Ailene, Dominic, Mary, and the twins were there as well. Elise had gathered them to celebrate how their efforts helped them win the battle.
__Lacy was twiddling with her long hair and she looked upset. "Stacy and I didn't even do anything," She pointed out.
__Stacy blew away hair strands from in front of her eyes. "We couldn't even stop Athena and that chao from leaving the temple."
__"But it was you two who gave us information so that we were prepared," Elise pointed out.
__"That was Stacy," Lacy said shyly. "It was me that didn't do anything then."
__"Nonsense!" Elise exclaimed. "You did just as much as your sister. Don't bring yourself down."
__Lacy nodded but didn't say anything.
__Mary smiled as she looked over at Ailene and Dominic. "Congratulations, you two! I heard what happened."
__Ailene grinned. "Thanks. I always knew I'd be a general someday!" She pounded her chest playfully, making all the girls giggle.
__"Hey, Dominic," Mary spoke and waited until the mobian guard looked at her. "Perhaps now Athena will give you a chance?" She smirked.
__Dominic's face turned red as he smiled. "Maybe..."
__"Keep dreaming, lil' pup," Athena said before taking a sip of the wine. "You're wasting your time."
__Dominic just coughed and continued eating.
__While everyone spoke with each other, Mephiles couldn't stop thinking about Iblis. After that dream he had the day before, he told himself he would never sleep again. But it didn't stop those images from haunting him. Iblis was counting on Mephiles to find him, yet Mephiles was now unsure about it. He was the mind of Solaris while Iblis was the body. Iblis needed him while Mephiles didn't need it. 
__"Chow?"Solar was sitting on the table right in front of Mephiles. She tilted her head and smiled, showing her tiny fangs "Choo!"
__"What?" Mephiles asked quietly.
__Solar struggled to stand on her little feet as her devil tail swayed back and forth. She raised her arms up and started making quick and short noises.
__Mephiles rolled his eyes and picked her up. He then brought her up to his eye level. "You're a child," He said.
__Solar giggled and started singing. Her singing caused everyone to stop talking at look at what was happening. All the girls smiled while Dominic looked confused. Mephiles didn't make eye contact with anyone while he held Solar to his chest where she faced everyone. She continued to sing as everyone started chatting again.
__Mephiles sighed as he flattened his ears. He realized now this chao was what made him keep his sanity, not wanting to be with Iblis once again. Solar needed him and Mephiles needed her. There was no way he could make Solaris with Iblis and expect his chao to make it. He loved her and didn't want anything to happen to her. He felt the same about Athena and Elise. Elise was the one looking after him, caring for him, and Athena was the one who saved him and brought him here to be with Elise. Solaris can't give Mephiles what he had now.