*Rio and Atsuko materialize.*

Why have you brought us here? *she spots Dot's body and gasps* Oh no.

*Atsuko races to Dot's body and kneels down. She begins to remove the bloody chains when she notices Adam standing not far away.*

What happened here?!

Adam: Can't you tell?

She's not.. dead.. is she?

Adam: *dripping sarcasm* No, she decided to lose several pints of blood and the wings just weren't her style. Of course she's dead!

She can't be dead!

Adam: *mutters* Some people...

*Atsuko places her hands on Dot and begins to glow faintly. She closes her eyes and begin to mutter an incantation.*

*The light around her glows brighter and brighter until its brilliance is blinding. When it fades away, Atsuko stares wide-eyed at the body.*

Dot..? Wake up..

*Absolutely nothing happens.*

Dot! Stop playing! Dot! DOT!!!

*A tear slides down Atsuko's cheek and lands on Dot's face. And... nothing happens*

Adam: Are you stupid, I told you she's dead.

*glares angrily at Adam* Why weren't you here to protect her? How could you let this happen?

Adam: *folds arms* It's her own bloody fault for pushing me away. Not like I really cared but like I said, it's her own fault.

*Atsuko looks to Rio* Do something.

Rio: I cannot. She is dead.

DO SOMETHING!

Rio: It is beyond me. *she kneels beside Atsuko and comforts her, strangely* She is gone.

She can't be gone! She's died and come back before! Why won't she come back?

Rio: Shhh...

*After a while of sobbing and choking on tears, Atsuko finally wipes her face and looks back.*

At least the revive spell healed her wounds. Even if she is dead.

Adam: Fat good it did. It's just a shell.

*Suddenly, Atsuko begins clearing the snow away.*

Adam: What the hell are you doing?

*not looking up* Giving her a proper burial.

Adam: *rolling his eyes* For the love of...!

It's better than leaving her body to freeze over in this snow.

*After the snow is cleared, Atsuko creates a giant hole in the ground with her powers. She and Rio place Dot's body in it and Atsuko fills it up again. There are some rocks nearby which she stacks in a triangular pyramid and sticks the glowing sword as a marker.*

Adam: *who was leaning against a tree and simply watched* So you happy now?

*glares* You seem awfully opposed to all this. Why is that?

Adam: I just think it's a waste of time. *chuckles*

What's so funny?

Adam: *thumbs the grave* She's died so many times but I think this is the first time she's ever gotten a funeral.

Rio: Perhaps you should say some final words.

Adam: *eyes wide* Who me?

I'll say something. *stands before the grave* Dot was always concerned about EGC. Many times it felt like she had her own agenda but in the end I think it did coincide with EGC's welfare. I cannot imagine what EGC will be like now she's gone.

Adam: Hmm..

Rio: There is someone else who should be here.

Who?

Rio: I will get him.

*Rio closes her eyes and fades for a few seconds. When she reappears, a person is standing beside her. It is Dare.*

Dare: What the--?

*he stares round at the scene and looks back at Rio*

Dare: Why did you bring me here? *Rio nods towards the gravesite* Who is.. that?

It's Dot.

Dare: She's dead? Wait, this is a joke, right?

Adam: Yeah, it's Dot's last joke on the city, on everyone. Damn funny.

Dare: Oh man... *pause* Um.. should we be leaving that, the sword I mean?

Adam: *very serious* Don't touch it.

Dare: But it's just sitting there, someone might snatch it.

Adam: Leave. It. Be.

*The four of them stand around Dot's grave silently. After a while, Adam backs off. He looks around at the sky and the falling snow.*

Adam: So.. this will be EGC without Dot. Everything's the same. Nothing's changed.

*He sniffs audibly and walks away. A good mile or so away, Adam stops by a snow-covered park bench. He clears it off and sits down.*

Adam: It's done. It's finally done.

*Suddenly, he looks straight ahead at seemingly nothing. His face becomes angry.*

Adam: No! Dammit, it's finished! It's done! I'M DONE!

*He gets up quickly, stalks off and disappears.*

*Back at the gravesite...*

Do you think we should tell the others?

Rio: I think they already know.