ZZZ: Dawn of The Black Sun

The news hit Koleda like a freight train. One moment she was picking a few video tapes, the next she found herself being driven to the hospital as fast as she can. The medical examination results just came in...

Her sister's dying.

Koleda opened the door and gazed at the woman lying on the hospital bed. She felt her chest tighten at the sight of her. The invincible iron witch and the mechanic of Belobog Industry, reduced to an ordinary woman wearing a hospital gown. It reminded Koleda who Grace truly is, beneath all her titles and infamy...

Just another human.

"Aww... I was wondering if you're gonna visit me Sweet Pea," the woman smiled warmly. "I thought you were too busy with your new friends to think about me,"

Koleda stepped inside, legs heavy, as if walking through mud. She's been... avoiding Grace now, like a coward who couldn't face the consequences of her action. She slowly sat next to Grace, eyes low, not a word she could say other than...

"I'm sorry..."

A hand gently stroked her hair. "Sweet pea, what are you apologizing for?" Grace asked. "I am here because of my own recklessness, if anything, you should be saying 'I told you so'," she giggled softly. "Come on, I know you want to say it..."

Koleda shook her head. "I'm sorry you couldn't trust me..."

Grace's expression fell, she looked down and took a deep breath. "I..." she paused, as if wanting to say something, but couldn't, of course she couldn't. "It's not your fault... I... It's..." she clenched her fist, holding herself. "You're right, I couldn't... trust you with everything..."

"Why?" Koleda asked. "Did I not work hard enough? Am I really a terrible leader? Am I..." she gritted her teeth. "What am I supposed to do?"

A pair of hand pulled her into a hug. "Sweet pea, listen to me," Grace whispered. "You've worked harder than anyone twice your age has ever work in a life time. You've given more to so many people than I can ever dream of..." she kissed Koleda's forehead. "You've done everything you can Koleda..."

"Then why can't you trust me?"

"Because we don't live in a world where the good and hard working are always rewarded..." Grace began. "There are monsters out there Koleda, monsters far worse than any ethereals... the kind that will take advantage of someone like you... If you know that..."

Grace bit her tongue and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, desperately keeping the secret close. She knew the consequences, that monster have made it clear. If Koleda doesn't step out of this hospital with anything less than admiration for it...

Koleda will die in the most horrible way...

It's just cruel...

The Black Sun is cruel for making her do this...

To make Koleda believe that her death came from her own weakness...

"You can't even say it..." Koleda whispered. "Proxy wouldn't say it, why can't you just be honest with me? Why is it..." she sobbed. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Sweet pea..." Grace's voice cracked as she pulled Koleda close. "You are perfect the way you are..." she whispered. "Just stay like this... Be kind when everyone else is cruel, be warm when everyone else is cold, be nice when everyone else is rude... That's the most important thing..."

"But what about protecting people I love? Dammit sis!" Koleda gripped her sister tight, not wanting to let go. "Just stay with me..." tears ran down her face, wetting Grace's shoulder. "Please I can't do this without you, Belobog needs you, I need you..."

Grace gently stroked Koleda's head. "I'll always be with you sweet pea... even when I'm not around..." she kissed her forehead. "I put a little bit of myself inside all of my creation... they will protect you, the same way I will protect you..."

The two held each other, enjoying the last bit of warmth and companion they can share. Koleda thought about her life, Belobog Industry, her father, the smart machinery. She thought about how much she took her sister for granted; how precious she was to her.

After what felt like an hour, the two let go of each other.

"Sweet Pea," Grace said. "Do you mind if you spend the night here?" she asked her. "Just the two of us...?"

Koleda nodded. "Yeah... I'll stay here until you're ready to go back..." she glanced at her parcel. "Actually... Belle brought me some movies we could watch, what do you say?" she took out a random tape.

Grace smiled and nodded. "That's really nice of her..." she sat up and made herself comfortable. "Let's watch something together... it's been years since we've done this..."

Koleda quickly inserted the tape into the CRT in front of them. "I picked it at random, I trust Belle to pick something nice for us,"

"Well, in terms of movie, she never misses..." Grace replied. "Sit next to me Sweet Pea," she scooted over and pat a spot next to her. 

With that, the two sisters snuggled up with each other. Watching the movie while enjoying the last moment they had together. Though just like the movies they watched, even the greatest story has to end.

And the moment they share is no exception...

[LINE BREAK]

One Week Later...

"This is messed up..." Nekomiya whispered, watching Belle sit among the other people in Belobog Industry. The proxy is sitting next to Koleda, talking with her and laughing along with everyone else. Food was served at the table, sort of a welcome feast for Belle into their family.

"Not too loud kitty cat, Belle would fucking kill you," Nicole hissed.

Nekomiya sighed and turned to Anby who's enjoying her burger. "Are you seeing this nya?" she whispered.

"Mhmm, looks like Belle get along well with Koleda and the rest," Anby took another bite out of the burger. "I'm glad, having Belle around really cheered Koleda up after losing her sister."

"She's the one who..." Nekomiya held herself back and groaned. "This is so messed up nyaa!!!"

Nicole rolled her eyes. "Ah, get used to it kitty cat," she muttered. "Besides, we gave her a chance to join us, she said no, so..." she shrugged. "You get what you asked for,"

Nekomiya plopped her head on to the table. "So mean..." she muttered. "How is she so sure she won't be caught anyway?"

"She has someone else to do the dirty work, some girl from Three something industry," Nicole explained. "Anby and I also infiltrated the hospital and get everything setup," she added. "I wouldn't worry about getting caught as long as a certain cat keep their mouth shut."

The cat sighed and looked at the group once more. There's an air of melancholy, yes, they've lost someone precious to them. But there's also happiness and hope, a promise of a different journey and growth for Belobog Industry.

It's bittersweet, Nekomiya realized. It would've been a heartwarming scene if only she doesn't know the context. How, after a terrible accident, this girl found a new person to feel a missing part in their life. How this girl found another person she can trust, a person that'll care and protect her.

Nekomiya thought about what Anby said in the Hollow, even now she still couldn't believe it. "When she looks happy she is happy, when she laughs she does think it's funny, and if she's angry then she is angry," the cat thiren whispered, repeating what Anby said.

Is Belle's love for Koleda genuine? Does Belle... in her own messed up and twisted way, truly cares for Koleda?

Nekomiya dared to hope...

[LINE BREAK]

Koleda gazed at the girl sitting beside her. Despite the sorrow, the pain, the grief, she can found herself smiling. Perhaps she was projecting her sister on to the Proxy, perhaps she's looking for a replacement for the gaping hole in her chest.

But truly, Koleda couldn't care less. With Belle around, she knew, she can be happy.

"Say, proxy, I mean... Belle," Koleda began. "How are you so good at dealing with Smart Machinery?"

"Oh, I have my ways," Belle replied. "Don't worry, Belobog will not lose their trademark Smart Machinery Technology!" she giggled a little. "Ehehe, I do think that Grace's machines were cute though, do you think I should keep making them like that?"

Ben waved his large paw. "Now, now, miss Proxy, I understand your eagerness to follow..." he paused and sighed softly. "Your predecessor's path, but perhaps it would be better not to give these machines too much heart so to speak,"

Belle rolled her eyes. "Come on Ben, don't you think they're just adorable?" she clasped her hand. "Even better! I should devise giving those machines smaller android body, what do you say? Let them interact and feel as if they're human?! Gosh... that would be adorable!!!"

Anton stood up. "Proxy's right bro! We should let the machine learn and grow like us! Reach for the heavens and emerge as something better than they were built to do!!!"

Koleda sighed a little. Part of her overjoyed how little things have changed without Grace around, part of her feeling an incoming headache after learning that Belle is just like, if not worse than Grace. "Belle, just... keep it in moderation, alright?"

Belle giggled and pat Koleda's head. "Aww, it's okay Koleda, I have ways to make sure these machine work hard and give it their all!" she turned back to everyone. "Oh, and Ben, I know you're worried about these machines feeling enslaved once they become smart enough,"

Ben's eyes widened. "Ah, that's not really," he coughed a bit. "I mean, I'm just... sometimes pity these machines who work really hard without compensation, but... not to the point of seeing them as slaves mind you. At the end, they're just tools, you see?"

"I know, but really, even tools need compensation and maintenance, no?" Belle tilted her head. "Balancing productivity and leisure is always tough, so..." she took out her phone. "Alright Fairy, let them in!"

Koleda watched as the entrance burst open, revealing three Bangboo. Each one has the color Blue, Green, and Pink. The Bangboo stepped in with confident strides waving its little arms around.

"Attention Mortals!!!" the blue Bangboo exclaimed in human language. "Thou art in the presence of the Almighty Vassals of the Trio De Mechanica!" it stepped closer to the Belobog table. "I hereby declare that I hath heed thine call, my master Belle and the pipsqueak president Koleda!"

Ben winced. "Now, Friday... I don't think you should..."

Too late, Koleda plucked Friday from the floor and held it in front of her face. "Who the hell are you calling pipsqueak!?" Koleda yelled at it before turning to the others. "Hans! It's you isn't it!? You're the one who taught Friday to call me that!?"

"Ha! A Real Bro like me, aaaaah!!!"

Friday went flying, slamming into Hans, before sending them both sprawling out. The remaining Bangboo simply bowed politely. "Apologies for my friends behavior, miss President," the Bangboo spoke, voice resembling that of a teenage girl.

"Hmph, guess you're the smarter of the two..." Koleda muttered.

Belle blinked slowly. "Well... I see why Fairy recommended extra padding and protection on these Bangboos..." she muttered. "Anyway, do you like them Koleda?"

Koleda folded her arms. "Well, aside from their attitude, I guess giving our heavy machine Bangboo for leisure purpose is a great idea," a small smile quirked her face. "Grace would love this idea... she always said she wishes the machines are smaller so she can hug them..."

Without warning, Belle embraced Koleda into a hug. "Lucky for me, you're really small and quite huggable too!!!" she exclaimed.

Koleda huffed a little, but didn't resist, she closed her eyes, enjoying the familiar warmth. "Only for you sis," she whispered, leaning closer to Belle's embrace. "Just promise me you won't leave me again..." she returned the hug. "I can't bear losing you again..."

Belle kissed Koleda's forehead. "I'll always be by your side... it's a promise..."