Old Ones Return (III)

*Not even a blip from the EEG machine that she's hooked up to. DemiDevimon droops.*
==========================
<I wish you the best. Please excuse me.>

Taiyo: "Don't stop, keep trying."

MagnaAngemon: "This mi-"

Azuma: "Once more."

MagnaAngemon tries again.

*Cameron watches*

<What about Angewomon?>
===
Mr. Sorenson:<Thank you.>

*They turn back to watching Kylie*

<Oh, before I go, I should quickly let you know that visiting hours are about to end.>

*Mrs. Sorenson stands up, nodding. Mr. Sorenson does as well*

<We'll be off then.>

*Mrs. Sorenson takes her laptop from where it was left lying on the ground near the bed. Then both parents kiss Kylie on the cheek before heading down to their car*

MagnaAngemon shakes his head and reverts back to Patamon.

Patamon: "Sorry."

Taiyo: "At least you tried. Thank you."

*Next comes a knock on the door.*

<I'm very sorry, but visiting hours are almost over. You'll have to come back tomorrow.>

Taiyo: "Right...Can I have a moment?"

*Cameron goes off to collect Biyomon, then waits outside the door to Euryale's room*

*Everyone else files out to give Taiyo her "moment."*

*Cameron waits, taping his foot*

Taiyo just repeats her farewell from the previous day.

It's not the same if you can't say you love me back.

*When they next walk into Euryale's room, they find that a picture of her has been hung over her bed, smiling brightly. The doctor is in the room, talking to a man & woman who are embracing. The woman's mascara is running, & though she is shorter with thinner limbs, she is obviously Euryale's mom. The man is closer to her height, with black hair & stern features, though it looks like he's trying to hold in something foul-tasting. Both wear black, the man a suit & the woman a dress with a veil. Behind them, in walks a similarly dressed group of Yamaki, Riley, Tally, & Kurata. Yamaki isn't wearing sunglasses for a change, & has large bags under his eyes.*

Taiyo takes her place beside Euryale.

Hitomi and Azuma stand at the back of the room.

*Cameron enters, wearing a dark suit, and carrying Yokomon under one arm. He goes to stand near Azuma and Hitomi*

*There is a lot of muttering of "I'm very sorry for your loss" as the doctor moves to the power outlets.*

Doctor<Now you're sure about this? Is there anything you would like to say?>

*Euryale's mother gets out "I love" before she starts sobbing.*

Father<She can't hear us now. Besides, I think she already knows.>

*Still crying, the woman shakes her head. The doctor starts pulling plugs.*

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

*Euryale's parents turn to each other & embrace tightly, her mom crying hysterically & her dad now sobbing. Then they & the doctor step back in shock as Botamon's borders start breaking down into data, having believed that he was just a strange stuffed animal.*

*Cameron moves to pick up Botamon, tears dripping from his face*

Taiyo kisses Euryale's forehead for the last time, tears dripping on Euryale's face.

Taiyo: "I love you, Euryale Rakshashi...until the end of time."

She wipes her eyes trying to stop herself from crying even more.

Goodbye for the last time.

*Euryale coughs. Botamon stops dissolving, albeit there are chunks missing from him, including an ear. Kurata & Yamaki make unreadable expressions, while the womenfolk widen their eyes & Euryale's father grinds his teeth.*

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Father<...What's going on here? Is this some kind of sick joke?>

*He disengages from his wife & steps forward. The doctor steps back, raising her hands, which seems to hold him at bay.*

Doctor<I wouldn't get your hopes up. Being disconnected from life support doesn't necessarily mean instant death. It's easily possible for everything below the neck to resume functioning, even though the patient is brain dead.>

Father<So, what, I'm just supposed to let my daughter starve to death?!>

Doctor<Sir, I assure you, she can't feel any pain. Besides, the resumed pulse was probably only temporary.>

Taiyo's eyes widen in surprise.

Please please please come back.

*Cameron holds Botamon tightly*

Come on Euryale..

*After 2-3 hours, there's still no change in her condition, & Yamaki has taken to flicking his lighter, Riley & Tally sitting by his side. The doctor had brought in several chairs, while Riley & Tally went to get snacks, mostly fruits & candies, which have likely been mostly untouched, despite several of them urging that they all need to eat. Euryale's father is restlessly pacing, while her mother sits beside Taiyo & Thiera, wringing her hands. She looks towards Taiyo.*

Mother<So...was our daughter dating you? How long?>

*Cameron sits near Thiera and Taiyo, Botamon and Yokomon in his arms. He nibbles on a piece of fruit*

Taiyo: "A little more than a week. Today would've been our second date."

OOC: Let this serve as a warning to all of you.

*She looks back at her hands.*

Mrs. Rakshashi<I guess she never had time to tell us....>

*The beeping starts to get faster & there's a sudden burst of activity from the needles connected to the EEG machine. Everyone looks towards her as the doctor walks over to the readouts.*

Doctor<I don't understand...heart rate rising...brain wave activity increasing...at this rate, could she be...?!>

Mr. Rakshashi<What is it!? What's wrong with my daughter?!>

*Euryale shifts around, coughing some more. She reaches up, pulling the breathing mask off of herself with her left hand, & the electrodes from the EEG off with her right. She tosses them on the floor & allows her arms to dangle off of the side. Her eyes open in a weak squint as she looks to her side.*

"...Mum? ...Taiyo...?"

*She is pulled into a sitting position, as her parents dive forward to embrace her, despite her groaning & coughing. Unseen by them or the doctor, Botamon also opens his eyes.*