It was truly a miracle. As this thought was going through Ryder's head, he still had something else to deal with. Was he to let Eddie off the hook? Even though he played an involvement in Chase's death, he was never to blame because he never did give the orders or killed Chase. Or was Eddie to suffer the consequences by staying behind bars? The latter was the easier option.

Ryder pondered over the decisions, his mind still not made completely up. He decided he'd have a decision by tomorrow, when Marshall would get back. The decision would lie on the Dalmatian since it was him who seemed to suffer the most about Chase's death.

As Ryder walked out of the Lookout, he looked to his right and saw Chase's cruiser still in one of the occupied places. Ryder sighed. How could that have happened? A pup like Chase, why did he deserve to die? It seemed pointless. Not that Ryder wished it was one of the other pups but Chase was his personal favourite pup. Chase was the first pup recruited for PAW patrol and it pained Ryder to see him leave so suddenly. A tear left Ryder's eye and he drew it away with his hand. He sighed once again, closing his eyes this time and processing exactly what happened a few days ago in his mind.

Unfortunately enough, Ryder was interrupted in his thoughts by Rocky.

"Ryder..."

Ryder opened his eyes and looked down at his recycling pup. "Y-yes, Rocky?"

Rocky whimpered. "Have you been crying again?"

Ryder chuckled once. "I'm sorry Rocky for making you concerned about me-"

Rocky rushed in Ryder's embrace. He nuzzled Ryder's chest in loving comfort, never wanting to let go.

"I've hated these past days and weeks."

"Me too, Rocky." Ryder let go and smiled at his mix-breed pup. "It's all behind us now. We must tend to the future and see what it has in stock for us, okay?"

Rocky nodded. "E-Even without Chase?"

Ryder sighed, closing his eyes. As much as it pained him saying it, it would do no good being depressed. He needed to show the pups courage and strength, to set an example to them. "Even without Chase." Ryder stood up again. "So, did you want to ask me something?"

Rocky nodded. "I'm not sure I understand the last item on the list."

"Let me have a look," Ryder replied. Rocky used the arm from his pup pack to hand Ryder the paper with a list on it. Ryder analysed the items particularly the last one Rocky mentioned as unusual. "Oh. Come with me inside the garage, Rocky. Let's do this together!"

Rocky smiled and went with Ryder in the direction of the garage, keen on completing this cure once and for all.

Skye watched both Zuma and Rubble from her sight across her on the cushions. Ryder specifically told her to keep a watchful eye on them while he was finishing up the cure with Rocky and to inform him of anything unusual that might occur, such as different symptoms.

Rubble and Zuma grew worse. They were now pale and lacked any sense of direction. Zuma was no longer the energetic Chocolate Labrador who loved water as much as life itself. Rubble was no longer the constant-hungry Bulldog who joked about his tummy. They both looked like zombies, no sense of movement or facial expressions apart from the one they had on now. A grouchy, depressed look.

Skye herself felt weaker than usual, knowing that she would soon be affected just like Rubble and Zuma. Somehow, they caught the virus quicker than Skye.

Skye gulped, wanting Marshall to come back as soon as possible so she could have someone to talk to. Just looking at Zuma and Rubble in their state made her skin slightly crawl in fear. She tried talking to them but all she got back was a few grunts.

Skye's wish came true as a pup and Katie entered inside from the Lookout doors. Skye's visible saddened look converted to a joyful one when she peered at the arrivals.

It was Marshall. He had a couple of bandages on his body. The biggest of them all was wrapped around the top of his head. Fortunate enough, his face wasn't injured in any way.

Skye ran to Marshall and hugged him, causing Marshall to go 'oof' in response.

Skye apologised and Katie giggled. "He was only let out of the hospital, Skye, so be careful around him."

Skye nodded at Katie and returned her gaze to Marshall, who started to talk.

"Miss me much?" He asked, grinning.

"Of course, silly! We all did, especially Ryder!" Skye's eyes widened. "I have to tell Ryder-"

Before she could run to inform him, Katie let her know Ryder already knew as he was almost finished with the cure.

"Don't worry, Skye, Ryder and Rocky will come any minute now I believe." Katie assured her. When she looked at Marshall he was concentrated on something else. Katie followed his eyes and sighed when she saw the two pups on the cushions. Rubble and Zuma.

Marshall limped forward a few steps. "R-Rubble? Z-Zuma?"

After hearing no response from them, he turned back to Skye his voice turning to panic. "What's wrong with them?!"

Skye sighed. "It's the virus. It's taken control of them. They're like zombies now..."

Before Marshall could reply, he heard a zing behind him. He turned around and gasped.

"RYDER! ROCKY!" He limped towards them and embraced both of them. He started to cry tears of happiness upon seeing them. "I-I thought I'd never see you again. I was-"

"Shh, pup." Ryder silenced him, embracing him even tighter. "It's okay, Marshall, it's okay."

Ryder wiped away Marshall's tears.

Marshall's grin faded and he turned his back to view Rubble and Zuma again. "Ryder! You've got to help them! They're-"

"Marshall. I've got the cure, don't worry." Ryder reached behind to grab the cure from his back pocket. It was in a bottle, secured with a cap. The cure which was the liquid was awfully small in proportion.

Marshall gasped.

Everyone else chuckled at his response.

"I've only got to apply a few drops to Zuma and Rubble's mouth and they should return back to their healthy states in a day or less. And just in case, for all the pups' safety I'll make sure everyone gets a few drops."

After applying the dosage, Ryder returned back to Marshall, placing the cure back in his pocket.

"Marshall, mind if we talk for a moment...alone?" Marshall nodded. "After we're finished talking, you can visit Everest. There's someone else waiting for you too."

"YES! Wait, what?" Marshall wondered, tilting his head to the side. "Who?"

"You'll find out soon. Katie will drive you there soon after we're finished talking about an important matter, okay?"

"Okay." The Dalmatian replied.

Ryder knew Marshall was going to be making a difficult decision. It was all up to him now.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about, Ryder?"

"Marshall. You know Eddie?"

Marshall nodded. "Uh yeah, he's the one who gave me the ingredients for the cure-"

"It was a scam."

Marshall was silent. He suffered once again for nothing, once again without a good cause. Was this all really just a twisted, dark joke? Marshall clenched his paws in anger, his facial expression turning into an angered one. They killed Chase off! Now, himself? Marshall knew Eddie couldn't be trusted from the start, how stupid could he be-

"Marshall, it wasn't Eddie's fault...or so he told me."

Marshall breathed out. He needed to relax, getting angry would solve nothing and help no one.

"I-It wasn't his fault?"

"I don't think so. I was convinced he was telling the truth. He seemed really disturbed about what happened to Chase, Marshall, I could see it in his eyes. He was telling the truth without a doubt."

Marshall took this in. "Still...being sorry does not account for what he's still done. He was part of Chase's death."

"I agree. However, I recorded what he said secretly. It's your decision whether he's put behind bars or not. He knows this, his fate is ultimately in your hands, Marshall. Think carefully."

Marshall took a step forward. He exhaled and looked at the sky.

Was he to let Eddie go? Did he deserve the punishment coming his way if he was convicted? This was a matter of being intelligent, a matter of protecting his friends and even civilians if he thought Eddie could still be dangerous in a way. What was he to do?

"Marshall...?" Ryder called out, crossing his arms. "I understand if you need time to think this through."

Marshall turned around. "I want to visit Everest. I'll make the decision after."

"Sure. Let's go."

Marshall was now safe, still unknown to him of Everest giving birth. Ryder knew he had a right to know as he was the father but he wanted it to be a surprise.

They arrived at the Clinic.

Katie stepped out of her car, followed by Marshall. Ryder got off his ATV and started to walk towards the entrance.

Katie walked in but Marshall stopped at the entrance. Ryder noticed, turned around and kneeled down at Marshall's level. He knew this might be hard for Marshall, hard to see his mate again.

"Marshall? Are you good?"

"Y-Yeah. I'm just...excited but nervous."

"That's realistic, Marshall. Don't worry, I'm sure Everest can't wait to see you...along with someone else."

Marshall's ears perked up. "You're right. You're right, Ryder."

After hesitation, he took a deep breath and walked right in.

Everest leaped for joy when she saw Marshall. She dashed at him and embraced him, letting tears flow from her eyes.

"Marshall, I'm so happy to see you! I thought you-"

"I'm here. I'd never leave you, Ev, never. I said I wouldn't. I hope you never forget that."

Everest stood back. She sniffed. "I won't."

"Good." The Dalmatian said, kissing Everest on her lips once and pulling back after a second.

Everest smiled in response. However, her eyes grew large as she remembered something important. "I need to show you something now!"

"Oka-" Marshall was pulled by Everest in surprise. "Woooah." She brought him to her bed that was made and...there was a smaller one beside her. Who-

Realising what this meant, Marshall gasped.

"No..." Marshall was picked by Ryder and placed on a seat tall enough for him to see what was lying on the bed. A puppy. Marshall felt his eyes become teary as he gazed at the puppy in front of him. "Oh my...god."

"W-What do you want to name her?"

Marshall was taken aback. "I-It's a her?" The biggest smile grew on his face.

Ryder walked towards them. "This is your decision, guys!"

Everest and Marshall exchanged looks.

Marshall started with random names popping up in his head. "Uh, how about Ruby? Or maybe Zoe? Maya? Or probably even-"

"Woah, Marshall, slow down, dude!" Jake exclaimed, "I know you're excited but this is Everest's call too."

Marshall looked at Everest, nodding at her and letting her know he'll agree with whatever she wanted to name the puppy.

"How about...Amelia?"

Marshall smiled. "That's perfect." He looked at his pup with loving eyes, kissing her on the forehead. "Welcome to the world, Amelia."

The rest in the room looked in awe at the three, happier than ever.

Marshall realising what Ryder said earlier on, turned around and faced him. "I've made my decision, Ryder."

Ryder nodded.

They were to meet Eddie back at the Lookout just behind it. Rocky and Skye were inside with Rubble and Zuma so everything was fine as they wouldn't need to know about this.

Marshall and Ryder were both looking at Eddie, determined to get this over with. Ryder knew of Marshall's decision and he was happy with it.

Eddie was the first to talk. "I understand whatever decision you both make. Whether it's my punishment, I deserve it, or whether it's my freedom which I honestly don't deserve, it's your call. But know this, I never gave the order for Chase to be killed. I never agreed to what my boss said. He was an asshole."

Was an asshole? Was he not alive anymore? Ryder was confused.

Marshall stepped forward. "Chase was my brother. Not of blood but of heart. To see him...taken away so cruelly from me was more than a stab in my heart. I was thinking of taking my own life."

Ryder's mouth widened. He never knew this. This was the first time he ever heard Marshall state 'suicide'.

"But I remembered my mate, Everest. I couldn't possibly leave her alone. She was my lover and still is. I remembered Ryder." Marshall looked at Ryder, smiling. "Everything he's ever done for me. He took me in, nurtured me and loved me like his own family. I remembered the rest of my teammates and all the memories we shared." Marshall sighed, remembering what Chase once told him.

'You're the bravest pup I've ever met. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.' Chase smirked. 'Or I'll kick your butt.' That last statement got a chuckle out of Marshall.

"Chase always put me first before him, my safety before his. The pups' safety before his. He was a hero. My hero. And it pains me to know he won't be here with us anymore." Marshall closed his eyes. "I understand that Ryder told me you were sincerely sorry and that you wish you could undo everything if you had the power to. But you can't!"

Eddie shuddered slightly. His head was lowered in shame, clearly expressing his empathy.

"You've shown me pity and you're in shame. You regret what you've done which is why I let you go."

Eddie who was prepared to expect what he thought the Dalmatian would say, raised his head in confusion.

"I-I don't understand. Why let me go?"

Ryder looked at Marshall, then back at Eddie. "Because he's got a tender personality and forgives instead of forgets. He's got the biggest heart of us all."

Suddenly, they heard sirens and police cars were crossing the bridge. This was unexpected to both Ryder and Marshall.

"What's happening-"

"I've turned myself in."

Marshall gasped, his eyes angered. "Why would you do that? I just let you go!"

"Because I admitted to taking part in Chase's death and..." He looked in both Marshall and Ryder's eyes, more shameful than before. "I killed my boss."

They both gasped. "But why would you-"

"Because he's done some unforgivable things in the past. Ripped families apart from each other, eliminated targets he thought deserved death who were just mere sinners like the rest of us. He was a monster and he deserved what was coming to him."

Two police cars pulled over. Two officers got out of a vehicle and both walked in the direction of Eddie.

"Place your hands behind your back." The policeman handcuffed Eddie. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

Eddie ignoring the police officer looked at Ryder and Marshall and spoke to them for the last time. "I'm sorry. I'll always be sorry."

2 months later...

Zuma and Rubble were both once again energetic as before. The virus was cleansed from them and they could do once again what they loved doing. Having fun with the rest of the PAW patrol. Everything felt great once again.

Rocky was in the elevator, processing all the events that occurred in the last few months. He just hoped nothing like that would ever happen again. The elevator soon reached the last floor and Rocky got out. He walked outside and breathed in the fresh air of the morning, exhaling in relief.

He watched as the rest of the pups were chasing each other around.

Not realising Ryder was behind him, he sighed when Ryder called his name.

"How are you, Rocky?"

"I don't know. I thought everything will be back to the way it was before. But it's extremely difficult to move on when a member of PAW patrol is no longer with us..." Rocky explained, "I mean, how are they so cheerful?"

Ryder stepped in front of him and kneeled down. "You want to know how?" Expecting a nod, Ryder continued. "Because Chase is not gone. He's right here with us." Ryder placed his hand on his left side where the heart was. "All the lessons he taught us, all the experiences and memories we had with him will never be erased from our memory. His legacy will live on."

Rocky felt himself crying. "It's just so hard..."

"I know. Believe me, you couldn't begin to wonder what was going through my mind when I learned of his death." Rocky looked up at Ryder. "But know this. Our family will always be remembered. No matter if they die, or they are gone somewhere for some time, we'll remember them."

Rocky nodded. "You're right."

Ryder stood up. "Just remember. Chase is still alive."

Well, this is the end. Thanks again guys for being here. I know some questions were left unanswered but that's because I want you guys to make up your own answers and think what maybe could've happened. I lost taste in this for a few months which is why it took so long to update it again and again. But finally we've reached the end.

SPOILERS:Originally, Marshall was meant to die too to make it more emotional and Everest too from giving birth however I realised that that was a bit too much and Chase on his own was enough.

At the moment, it's gonna be difficult for me to release another fanfic. I've already started another one (wolves are the antagonists, that's all I'm saying) and have a few chapters concluded, however my life will soon be busier than ever so I'll only release the next fanfic when I've completely finished it or practically.

For now, read the rest of my fanfics to pass some time if you've forgotten what they were like or you've never read them!

Other than that, thanks again for reading this and I hope to see you guys again soon! :)