-Echo: All right-

The waves slowly slid across a beautiful rain-soaked beach. While that wouldn't sound like the best place to be to some, to Echo it was so peaceful.

The steady raindrops landed gently on the pebble covered shore as the sea lightly crashed across the smoothed rocks. The waves were only a few inches high by the time they reached the shore making it such a serene place to be.

Echo couldn't think of a better place to be right now. It was like heaven. She had always loved beaches like this. It reminded her of her home of Manta Bay. The seaside city was normally blanketed by a series of gray clouds that would send small raindrops all over the city.

Having grown up surrounded by such an environment Echo was able to appreciate the beauty of it all.

She normally enjoyed standing with her paws at the edge of the water, letting the gentle waves wash over her ankles.

She currently found herself laying on one of the smooth rocks near the water's edge. Echo couldn't remember exactly how she had gotten there but she didn't really care. When she tried to get up from the large rock though she felt an odd sensation. She couldn't move.

Why can't I get up?

She tried to move once more and when she was unable to she became annoyed.

The steady rhythmic sounds of the waves were still filling her circular ears as she tried to stand.

Splash

Splash

Splash

She was not the type to give up though.

Splash

Splash

Beep

If she gave it another try then maybe.

Splash

Beep

Beep

Her ears flicked as she realized the sounds of the waves were changing. It was a steady rhythm that seemed oddly familiar.

Beep

Beep

Beep

She wasn't at the beach.

"Hey there sweetie," Came her mother's voice. Echo felt her body becoming sore. Everything ached as the waves continued to crash.

Beep

Beep

Beep

"Echo sweetie it's ok," her mother cooed as the beach faded away.

"Here she comes," came an unfamiliar voice. "Remember she is going to be disoriented."

"If I had been out for almost two weeks I would be too," came her brother's voice.

She tried to say something to Delta but her mouth felt like it was full of cotton balls. All she could do was mumble.

"Easy does it, darling," came her father.

What's dad doing here? What is mom….oh my gosh are we still in the fire?!

Echo began to panic as she started to remember everything. The fire, the smoke, and now her family was stuck in it too somehow? She had to get them out. She had to get up so she could try to save them.

Beep beep beep beep beep

"Easy does it," Came the unfamiliar voice once more.

"Is she alright?" Her mother asked, her voice trembling.

"This happens sometimes," the voice said firmly. Echo detected movement nearby and felt a presence approach her.

"Echo can you hear me?"

Mom we have to get you out of here!

She began to remember something though. Her parents weren't in Zootopia. They still lived in Manta Bay. So they couldn't be in the fire which meant.. .neither could Echo.

"Who…?" Echo managed to mumble.

"Oh sweetie," Echo heard her mother gasp.

"She is ok," her father interjected in a comforting tone.

Yeah, I'm ok mom.

"Fire...not...safe," Echo mumbled, still not 100% sure if they were still in that burning inferno or not.

"It's ok Echo," The unfamiliar voice said. "I am Dr. Bitter, you are safe and sound."

"Most of her at least," her brother Bravo interjected.

Echo heard a muffled thump followed by a yelp.

"Dude really?" Delta growled.

"You're just jealous I beat you to it," Bravo grumbled.

"Both of you!" Echo's father barked.

"Wh….what?" Echo managed to get out as she began to open her eyes, her vision filling with a blinding light.

"Easy there," Dr. Bitter said calmly. "It's going to be disorienting at first."

"Wh..what happened?" Echo groaned as her vision began to fill with blurry figures.

As her vision cleared Echo finally realized she was no longer surrounded by the burning building she had run into. She wasn't in her bunker gear either.

It didn't take her long to figure out she was in a hospital room. Which meant she was alive.

I am alive?! But! No! How?!

A heart monitor nearby continued to beep and showed the painted dog's vitals to everyone.

"Easy now," Dr. Bitter said was again as she put a large paw on Echo's shoulder.

Echo blinked a few times and looked at the large lioness standing beside her. The predator was wearing a stereotypical lab coat over some scrubs. A blinding light filled Echo's vision and she blinked a few times.

"Just checking your response," The lioness said softly. The light bounced on either side of Echo's vision as the painted dog squinted. "Looking good. Slight delay but to be expected from the meds. You are going to be a little disoriented for a bit."

Echo took in a deep breath as her vision sharpened. She looked around and was pleased with the sight that was waiting for her.

Her mother and father were standing on the other side of her bed. Both of them looked tired like they hadn't slept for days. At the edge of her bed stood two more familiar faces.

Her brother Delta was smiling lovingly at his sister. Another painted dog stood beside Delta, this one had a bit of an odd orange tint to his lighter fur. Her brother Bravo gave his sister a toothy grin followed by a wink.

"Hey there sleeping beauty," Bravo began. "How you doing?"

Echo took in a deep breath as she smiled at her siblings. Her brilliantly teal eyes blinked once before slowly going down.

Echo heard her mother shudder as she took in a deep breath.

"Sweetie," her father began as he stepped forward. "It will be ok."

The reason for her parent's reactions was perfectly clear. At the edge of her bed, Echo saw her leg. Her singular leg. Her left leg was absent though and it didn't take Echo long to process it all.

She wanted to cry, to scream, to ask what happened. However just as quickly as those thoughts entered her mind the memory of the fire filled her thoughts.

She had been surrounded by flames. There had been no escape. She was supposed to be doomed to an early grave. All she had wanted to do was see her family one last time. It would appear someone up high had heard her, but nothing in life was free.

If the loss of her leg was the price… it was well worth it.

Echo looked up at her family, tears rolling down her cheeks. She then looked over at her brothers and slowly raised a paw. She curled her digits till she was pointing at her remaining leg.

"I am all right," she managed to croak a mix of sorrow but amusement in her voice.

Bravo was the first to get it. His amber eyes widening as he looked down at his sister's remaining leg. He tried to keep a straight face but let out a snort. Delta never stood a chance, he had always been the type to start laughing when others did.

Soon the three siblings were laughing as Echo opened her arms. The brothers hurrying over to their sister and wrapping her up in a hug as Dr. Bitter tried to remind them to be gentle.

I am alright. I am alive and I am all right!

Though she was alright Echo was not exactly out of the woods yet. After the initial shock of not only losing her leg but being alive wore off the painted dog was brought up to speed about her recovery process.

She had been told it was a miracle that she was alive at all. The loss of her leg would have eventually killed most mammals but thanks to some quick thinking on her rescuers part she didn't die from the loss of blood.

Her friends from the firehouse visited her as soon as word had gotten out she was awake. Needless to say, there were many tears. Most of joy, but a few of sorrow.

Even though firefighters knew the risks of their job, it was still a shock when one of their own was injured.

When her best friend from the firehouse arrived the panther stood in the doorway for almost a whole minute, a look of overwhelming joy on her face before she burst into tears and rushed over to her friend.

There was not only a great deal of happiness at Echo's survival but also a great deal of guilt.

Many of her fellow firefighters would say they wished they had been there to help Echo or even trade places with the young painted mammal

Echo, however, was quick to brush such comments aside. Reminding them all she knew the risks and that no one was to blame.

Some of them, however, would counter to the last comment. Stating that there was one mammal to blame, this was normally said as eyes fell on Echo's leg.

This eventually began to trouble Echo and it didn't take long for her to start and pry about who had rescued her. She had only been awake for a few days but it was really starting to get to her.

Most of her visitors had said they were under strict orders not to speak about it. Apparently both Dr. Bitter and some of Echo's superiors felt it was best to not reveal that detail just yet.

"They just aren't sure what to do about it all," Casi explained, the panther made it a point to visit Echo every day which Echo was grateful for. Sure there were a lot of visitors but she would get rather lonely in-between visits.

"What do you mean?" Echo asked as she adjusted herself in bed, looking over at her best friend in curiosity.

"Well I mean he did save you," Casi began before her eyes went down to Echo's leg. "But...the cost...ya know?"

Echo couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had little information to go on when it came to what happened but now that she had something she was shocked at what was being suggested.

"Casi!" Echo barked which brought the panther's attention back to the painted dog's face. "He saved my life."

"I know. That's what we have all been saying but there are others who-"

"Who what?"

Even in her current wounded state Echo gave off such a powerful essence that even her best friend became hesitant to continue.

"He cut off your-"

"He saved my life!" Echo said as she sat up in bed. "That's the only thing I want to hear about him."

Echo paused for a moment and realized that if she was hearing all this then the mammal that had saved her was hearing it too. To her, that wasn't right.

Sure she had been somewhat angry about all this at one point or another. Life for her was going to be hard, very hard actually. But at least it was a life she had.

No one else had been there when things went dark. No one else had sat there as the flames drew closer, wishing they could say goodbye to their loved ones. No one else had accepted that they were about to die. She reminded herself of that constantly whenever she felt herself falter and hold some kind of resentment towards the mammal that had saved her.

She had lost her leg because of the fire but had gotten a second chance because of this mystery mammal.

A mystery mammal who was most likely suffering because of what others felt he shouldn't have done.

When it came to size it was rather amusing the difference between Casi and Echo. What was even more entertaining however was whenever Echo wanted something, Casi would get it done out of fear to what the determined canine could do. The panther could easily push the canine around but that's not how it worked. No far from it actually. Echo had always been the driven one between the two.

"Casi," Echo said as she looked right into her friends' eyes. "I want to meet him, now."

It took a lot to get this task done. Casi had been quick to inform Dr. Bitter about the request, this just opened the floodgates.

Soon Echo was surrounded by her family and doctor who all tried to talk Echo out of it. Well everyone except her brother Delta. The painted dog remaining silent as all the others tossed in their opinions on the matter.

When the others fell silent Echo looked over at her brother, a somewhat annoyed look on her face. After all, she had been through she had hoped for a little more support in this request.

"What about you Delta?" Echo asked as she took in a deep breath.

Delta remained quiet for another second or two before standing up straight and walking over to his sister's bedside. He reached down and put a paw on her shoulder, giving her a squeeze.

"I think no matter what I say it's a waste of time," Delta began as his lips curled slightly. "You are far too stubborn to listen to anyone when it comes to this stuff. So how about I save us all the time in arguing and go get him?"

"Get him?" Echo asked as she tilted her head.

Delta nodded and looked around at the other's confused faces.

"He has been parked out in the corner of the parking lot ever since word got out Echo was awake."

"Think he is trying to finish the job?" Bravo teased before getting a swat on the back of his head by his mother.

"No," Delta said with a smirk. "Think he has been waiting for Echo."

Outside of the Savanna Regional Hospital was a series of parking lots. Being one of the larger hospitals in the district meant it had to cater to a lot of different mammal's vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

Today however the parking lots weren't as crowded. That didn't stop a certain car from sitting in the farthest corner of one of the lot. Away from everyone else. The driver felt he deserved as much.

Lt. Bernard Loines was a shell of his former self. The once strong lion was looking rather worse for the wear. He had not eaten right for days. He could barely sleep. He would occasionally return home to clean up and grab some food, not that he could keep it down. If he did manage to get some sleep it wasn't for long and it wasn't pleasant.

It was always the same nightmare playing over and over in his head.

A painted dog in bunker gear crawling away from him. Looking up at him with beautiful teal eyes, full of pain and horror. She would occasionally plead for mercy, but he ignored her as he brought the ax down, butchering her poor leg.

The screams would normally cause him to wake up in a cold sweat.

Even though he had to remind himself that isn't how it happened it did little to stop the nightmare from repeating over and over again.

The other unfortunate thing about all this was Bernard had little to do to distract himself. A few days after the Grandidier fire he had been brought to sit in front of a panel of various high ranking fire officials. It was at that point he had been told he would be on administrative leave until further notice. He didn't question why. He knew exactly what was going on.

While he tried to play off some kind of indifference he couldn't help but overhear the comments said behind his back.

While some of his fellow firefighters were understanding the rumor mill began to churn out all sorts of terrible stories and soon the nickname came.

Bernie the butcher.

He had been somewhat grateful when Thompson had stood up for him. The small mammal could actually be a real terror when he wanted to be.

The occasional fight would break out as the gazelle would come to the lion's defense. Telling anyone who would listen how if it wasn't for Bernard then that poor painted dog would be a black and white picture on a memorial somewhere.

He would tell them all how he and Echo had been surrounded by flames. His small frame being unable to get Echo free from all the rubble. How he had tugged and pulled till his arms gave out. How he had said a silent prayer as his fight or flight kicked in. He said he had felt like a coward as the flames moved in all around them. How he still hadn't decided if he was to run or sit and accept his fate with Echo.

Thompson would then tell them all how Lt. Liones burst through the thick black smoke and saved them both. If it hadn't been for his quick thinking then there may have been two pictures on a memorial somewhere.

Most of his fellow fire mammals were understanding to it all. They would try and cheer Bernard up but everyone could tell that this was eating away at him.

It had been like this for what felt like ages to the lion.

When Bernard had heard that Echo was awake and had recovered he had gotten into his car and driven straight to the hospital.

Which is where he had sat for several days now.

He wasn't sure what he was doing. He was at a total loss at this point.

There was so much he wanted to say to the poor painted dog he had maimed.

He wanted to beg for her forgiveness. To plead for some kind of relief. Maybe even offer up his own leg for her to mangle in exchange.

The distraught lion had been sitting with these thoughts for days. Unsure of what he could possibly do to make things right.

The hot savanna sun was beating down on the parking lot as Bernard stared up at the hospital before him. Some movement just ahead of his vehicle caught his eye though.

A painted dog in a ZPD uniform was marching right towards him.

I was wondering when they would finally kick me out…

Bernard began to try and think of an excuse as to why he was there. He had a feeling if he told the truth he would probably be cuffed and brought in on suspicions of stalking Echo.

The lion stepped out of his car and slowly raised his paws up, showing he was unarmed. He winced when he realized how he probably looked. He hadn't taken care of his fur in days, his clothing was disheveled, and he knew the painted dog could probably smell him from across the parking lot.

The painted officer stopped just a few feet away and eyed the larger predator.

Bernard was surprised to see that the canine didn't look angry if anything he looked concerned.

"Bernard Liones?" The painted mammal asked as he crossed his arms. "Put your arms down, I ain't here to arrest ya."

"Yessir," Bernard answered back as he lowered his paws.

"My name is Delta," The officer said firmly. "Echo's littermate."

Oh gods! Her brother is ZPD?!

Bernard looks down at the service weapon on the painted dog's hip and then back into the officer's eyes.

If this is how I go I deserve it...maybe one day she will forg-

"She is resting right now. Which gives you time to go home and clean up. I will not have a mammal who looks and smells like you visit my sister. She still has some burns on her and is at risk of infection."

The words confused Bernard at first and he tilted his head slightly as Delta continued.

"Clean your fur, put on something presentable, then come back here. She wants to see you and I know the only reason you are loitering in this parking lot is because you want to see her too."

Bernard couldn't believe what he was hearing and blinked a few times before nodding.

"Officer...I am so sorry for what I did-"

"Save it for her," Delta said as he raised a paw and eyed Bernard's outfit. "Like I said, something nice."

A short while later Bernard was walking through the air-conditioned halls of the Savanna Regional Hospital.

The lion hadn't looked this well-groomed or nervous in ages. He had taken Delta's advice and hurried home, doing his best to clean up and look presentable. He had even taken his time to put on his ZFD dress uniform. The navy blue button up top and dress slacks were still finely pressed.

When he had put on his uniform he realized he had gone down a few notches on his belt. The lack of eating right had started taking an effect on his physical form.

Delta led Bernard through the winding halls of the building, remaining silent for the most part.

Bernard wanted to say something but he understood why the painted mammal didn't speak. Why would he want to say anything to the lion? Afterall Bernard was responsible for all of Echo's pain.

Every step they took brought Bernard closer and closer to seeing Echo. Which was probably why each one carried more and more weight with it.

Bernard began to worry that he was going to be sick. The once brave lion he was seemed to have vanished at the thought of meeting Echo once more.

When they finally reached the door to Echo's room Delta stopped and turned causing Bernard to stop.

"Behind this door is my sister," Delta began as he looked up into Bernard's eyes. The painted dog didn't seem to show any hesitation or worry even though the lion was easily several feet taller than him. "She has been through a lot and is still recovering so she can't get too excited or it may hurt her recovery. That being said you will listen to what she says, you will agree with what she tells you, and if you in any way try to get a rise out of her I will tranq you and let you drool on the floor while she and I eat jello and watch TV."

Bernard wanted to chuckle at the last part but he was just too nervous. His lip did curl however and he gave the painted officer before him a firm nod before looking at the doorway in front of them.

Delta turned to the door as well and took a step forward. He raised a paw and gave it a firm knock.

A muffled voice told them they could enter.

Delta pushed the large wooden door open and led Bernard inside.

The lion took a moment to survey his surroundings. There were three mammals already in the room. Another painted dog with tinted fur in a ZFD t-shirt and cargo pants. A lovely looking panther in a similar outfit, only she had gone for a pair of shorts. The jet black feline was standing next to the bed, a paw on Echo's shoulder.

Finally, there was Echo who looked far better than Bernard had thought. He had only met the painted dog once before and after that meeting, he had worried she would look like some kind of poor and beaten creature.

Instead, she almost had a lovely grace about her. There were a few white bandages on her fur here and there, most likely from burns and scratches. For the most part, though Bernard had to admit she was rather lovely.

"Bernard," Echo said softly as she raised a paw out towards the lion that had just entered the room.

The large predator was in a bit of a daze as he looked at Echo. His bright yellow eyes taking her all in. He glanced at the other mammals as if asking for permission to approach the wounded canine.

Most mammals knew that painted dogs were some of the fiercest pack animals in the whole city. They were very protective of their own.

No one in the room, however, seemed to really show any signs of aggression or distaste towards the large predator.

Bravo simply smirked and nodded, Delta sat back in a chair in the corner, and the panther took a step aside so Bernard could approach.

The last few steps towards Echo were some of the worst Bernard had ever taken. He felt like he was about to step right up on the gallows for execution.

These feelings however vanished as soon as Echo could reach Bernard's paw. She gently grabbed the larger mammals paw and pulled him closer to her bedside.

"Lt. thank you so much for saving me," Echo said as her eyes began to water.

"I...I.." Bernard began as he looked around the room. His gaze went back to Echo and he felt his lips begin to quiver. He had come here for some kind of forgiveness and instead was being thanked. "I don't deserve your thanks…"

The distraught lion began to look down at the floor, unable to bring himself to look at the painted mammal in the bed before him.

Echo gave Bernard's arm a tug and tilted her head so she could look into the lion's cast down gaze.

"Why?" The painted dog asked simply.

"Because...I...I had to.."

"That's right," Echo said softly. "You had to save me."

Bernard looked up and glanced down at Echo's leg. The other one was mis-

"Hey!" Echo snapped which brought the lions gaze back to her beautiful teal eyes. "Never think for a second that you took anything from me ok?

"If I hadn't done what I did then you would have-" Bernard was about to protest.

"A closed casket funeral," The painted dog in the ZFD shirt said from beside Echo's bed.

Bernard looked up, a shocked expression on his face.

"Bravo is right," Echo said with a smirk.

"Echo because of me you lost your leg," Bernard said. "For which I am so very sorry-"

"He just ain't getting is he?" Delta asked from his seat.

Echo rolled her eyes and gave Bernard's paw one last tug, pulling him close. His eyes went wide as the painted female grabbed the lion by the wrist and forced his large paw to her chest. He wanted to pull away out of respect but Echo was stronger than she looked.

"Feel that?" Echo asked softly as she looked up at the surprised lion. "You didn't take my leg Lt. You saved my life. You gave me another chance to be with my family and friends."

Bernard closed his eyes as tears began to trickle down his cheeks. He felt Echo's heart beating under his paw. Every gentle thump a reminder as to what he had done.

For the first time since the fire though he wasn't reminded of Echo losing her leg. He was reminded of how he carried her through what felt like the pits of hell. How he and Thompson had stumbled down the smoke-choked staircases. How he had never let Echo fall from his grasp until she was safely on a stretcher and being rushed away by the paramedics.

"I have heard what lies others are saying. Bernard, I am so sorry you have been through that," Echo said sadly. "You deserve nothing but praise. You saved me. The fire is the reason my leg is now gone. You are the reason the rest of me is still here."

"Yeah because of you she is all right," Bravo said with a chuckle.

"Oh my gosh, Bravo!" The panther snapped as she gawked at the smug-looking painted mammal. "That is not right."

"I got it from her," Bravo snorted as he nodded at Echo.

"Still though doesn't mean you can say it," the panther said, trying not to laugh.

"He was never the smartest of our pack," Delta mumbled from his seat. "I mean look, he went ZFD, should tell you he isn't-"

"Excuse me?" The panther said as she crossed her arms.

"Sorry Casi but let's face it-" Delta began but was cut off.

"You keep talking and you will have to face something that's for sure," Casi snapped at the painted officer.

"Says the mammals who spends most of her days rescuing her own kind out of trees."

"Someone has to do something while the cops sit at the local donut shop."

"How does it feel to have a job a garden hose can do?"

As Delta and Casi playfully bickered and sent jabs at one another's profession Bernard simply smiled and looked down at Echo, placing his paw on her shoulder.

"Thank you Echo," The lion whispered.

"No," Echo said with a smile. "Thank you Lt. I owe you my life-"

"Hose dragger!" Delta shouted.

"Donut Muncher!" Casi snapped back.

"-My noisey crazy life," Echo finished with a chuckle.

"Delta! Casi!" Bravo shouted at the two, getting everyone's attention. "You two should just kiss already. I mean it's so obvious to everyone else what's going on here."

Both Delta and Casi's eyes went wide at the suggestion, they glanced at one another before looking away in opposite directions.

"There, that shut them up," Bravo said as he looked over at Bernard and Echo, giving them a smug wink. "Gonna do a jello run, anyone wants one?"


Hey all.

Hope you are enjoying this emotional rollercoaster. Echo has some healing still to do but don't worry, our girl is tough and doesn't give up easily like.

Thank you all for your patience in between chapters for my works. You know how life tends to get in the way sometimes. :P

Also, thank you so much for the support on this story. I know sometimes reading a Zootopia story without the cast is a bit odd but I have gotten so many messages from folks who seem excited to see where the 10-7 bar came from.

Till next time,

-Blue