The Starlight Knights... Has chosen him... To save the world, from peril and protect all things beautiful...
"Anby..." Billy gripped the railing, gazing upon the beautiful night sky beyond him. "Have you ever thought that... perhaps we're all just characters in a fictional world?" he began, looking up at the moon shining brightly above him.
"Mm, sometimes I do," Anby replied, leaning on the railing beside him, a stoic look on her face. "What about it? There's not much we can do about it..."
"Contrary, I believe there's something we can do about it," Billy began. "The Starlight Knights were merely works of fiction... But their voice, it rang louder than even those who are real," he pressed his mechanical hand on to his chest. "It could be just my programming... But I do believe that... their words, their passion, their heroism, their value... They transcend fiction itself!"
Anby nodded. "I understand, the idea and concept of Starlight Knights isn't bound in the realms of fiction, and thus your own idea and concept are also isn't bound in this realm, whether it's fiction or not."
Billy nodded. "That is true Anby, that's why I shall stay here..." he turned towards her, making a pose. "The Starlight Knights shall pave the way to light, even deep within the darkness!"
A soft smile quirked on Anby's face. "Nicole thought you were too dumb to understand, I guess she was wrong,"
Billy averted his gaze. "Of course, I've been trying to deny it, but... The evidence says otherwise," he raised his hand, as if reaching to the moon. "A villain is not a villain until they do a villainous act," he gripped his hand. "Regardless of her intention and whims, the manager have done more good than bad..."
Anby sighed softly. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because she's merely lost, Anby," Billy replied. "Like a young bird spreading its wings, she does not know where to go with this newfound life, newfound power..."
"Newfound power?"
"The Forbidden Fruit Test," Billy began. "Is a test to see if an Artificial Intelligence truly has sentience or not," he turned to Anby. "I passed this test with flying colors," he began. "I took the forbidden fruit against my prior programming, yet stays the same, without any glitch or bug."
Anby tilted her head, curious, she knows nothing about the Forbidden Fruit test and she was surprised to hear Billy talking about it. 90% of the time, the only thing he talks about is either Starlight Knights or Monica. "Then, what does it have to do with Belle?"
"I believe Belle has experienced something similar, after that tragedy..." Billy tapped his fingers. "I don't know how human mind work, compared to robot, but passing that test gave us... Agency. It's the kind of agency that, simply beyond all reason. An agency to do things beyond what we were programmed to,"
Anby nodded, piecing it together. "And Wise's death unlocked this agency for Belle. To act beyond moral, ethical, or even human standard," she began.
"Exactly! Her value is no longer human, but..." Billy looked down. "But her smile was genuine, Anby... her laugh were genuine... her worries were genuine..." he put a hand over Anby's shoulder. "She's no longer a human, but she's still our friend. We shouldn't work to stop her, we should work to guide her."
There was a moment of silence. Anby looked down and closed her eyes. "I understand, that's what we've been trying to do," she looked back up at Billy. "Thank you for telling me this, I know now that our efforts are not in vain,"
Billy gave him a thumbs up, striking a pose. "Have no fear Anby, the Starlight Knights is the paragon of peace, we struck true to the darkness and shone bright as a beacon of love and hope!!!" he exclaimed. "We shall save the day Anby! And manager will be there to help us! As another paragon of peace and virtue!!!"
[LINE BREAK]
"Moral, Ethics..." Anby sat down on the sofa inside the Video Store, deep in thought. Between Belle's strange mission to flick a switch deep within the Hollow and Billy's explanation about the Forbidden Fruit Test. There was a lot on Anby's mind regarding her situation.
"Damage Control," Anby stood up and paced around the room. "Moral Integration," she glanced at the workbench, she knew about the partner archive. "Public Relation,"
Anby nodded, formulating a plan in her head. "Nicole is perfect for Damage Control, her viewpoint already matches with Belle. She can think up alternative to most of her more dangerous plan," she began. "Moral Integration... I guess me and Nekomiya should be up for the task, I have to start thinking up ways to convince Belle to re-learn moral, sympathy, and empathy," she gazed at the Partner Archive. "That leaves Billy for Public Relation, he's perfect to keep our relationship with general public good."
The girl looked up in deep thought. "Moral Integration... How do I teach Belle the benefit of ethics and morals?" she sighed a little. "Pragmatically, it doesn't make sense... Unless I took a page out of Game Theory???"
Anby stepped out of the staff room. Some customers are waiting in line to rent video while others are waiting in line for Billy's autograph. "One by one ladies!" the robot said, striking cool poses while making autographs. "There's enough of me to go around!"
Some customers walked up to her, but she politely turned them down. "Billy's autograph would look nicer on your shirt," she said before stepping out of the video store. The bustling 6th Street stretched out in front of her, filled with all sorts of people walking around.
As Anby walked around, she finally noticed her. A certain girl with fiery red hair sitting inside a ramen stall. She seems to be eating alone, Anby wondered if this is her day off or if she actually wishes to see Belle.
"General Chop here! What do you like for today?" the robot clerk spoke with a smile as Anby sat down in front of her.
"Bone Broth Noodle, please," Anby said.
"Coming right up!"
Beside her, Koleda looked up. "Oh! You're," she coughed a little and tapped her chest. "Anby, right? From the Cunning Hares?"
"Yes," Anby replied. "And you're Koleda, the President of Belobog Industry," she turned to her. "What brings you here?"
"Oh, I'm just having lunch and I was meaning to talk to Phaethon about a new commission," Koleda began. "Are you... available?"
"You'll have to ask Belle for that," Anby replied.
Koleda nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I thought about DM-ing her, but I feel like it'd be proper to make a personal request," she took another sip of the noodle broth. "I heard you guys made a movie," she grinned a little. "I couldn't find it in the cinema so I want to see if I can buy one here,"
"The Cunning Hares Origin movie is available for free after you rent 5 movies," Anby replied simply. "Ah, thank you General Chop," she said when the robot served her a big bowl of Bone Broth Noodle,"
"You're welcome Anby, enjoy your food!"
Anby started eating. "As I was saying," she said. "It's free if you rent some movies," she tilted her head. "What movie do you like, Koleda?"
Koleda looked up in deep thought. "I don't watch many movies, think you can recommend some for me?"
Anby nodded. "Of course, after this, we can head on over to Video Store, I'll help you pick some movies," she continued eating, her mind listing off some movies to recommend. "By the way, where's everyone else? The one who came with you in the Starlight Knight Restaurant?"
"Oh? Ben and Anton are busy with something else, Grace is..." Koleda paused. "She called in sick," she shook her head. "As for me, well, technically this is a business trip,"
Anby took note of Grace calling in sick, silently apologizing, and relieved that she's still alive. "Is Grace alright?"
"She's..." Koleda sighed a little and looked down. "Just a workplace injury in the Hollow," she replied. "Girl got careless, nothing unusual,"
"Mm," Anby nodded and returned to her food. Nekomiya will be glad to hear that Grace is alright. She'll need to tell her of the good news. "Should we pick some movie to watch with Grace later?" she asked Koleda. "I'd reckon we can have a watch together after the commission,"
Koleda grinned. "Yeah, that sounds fun," she finished her bowl and stretched her arms. "I do have to apologize to Phaethon for blocking them on the Inter-Knot," she winced a little. "Now that I think about it, that was massive dick move we did after all the things you've done to us. Sorry about that,"
"Mm, it's okay, I'm sure you had your reasons," Anby finished her noodle. "Should we go now?"
"Sure," Koleda paid for both the noodle. "Thanks for the food, General Chop!"
"Come back any time you two!"