Balto XII: By Togo Out of Aniu
By: EbonyPatriot

Balto, Jenna, Doc, Dixie, Star, Kaltag, Slyvie, Rosy, Rosy’s Parents, Sumac, Nuk, Yak, Steele, Aniu, Nava, Boris, Aleu, Muk, Luk, and Niju are copyrighted to Universal Studios.

Harry, Lucius, and Voldemort are copyrighted to J. K. Rowling.

Kemo, Chee, and the title ‘"Balto’s Boat” are copyrighted to Cyberwulfe.

Kapugen, and the inspirations for Tornait and Nanuq are copyrighted to Jean Craighead George.

The Black Stallion is copyrighted to Walter Farley.

Ace is copyrighted to She-Wolf.

The inspirations for Joker, MicroWing, and Harley, the Joker, Batman, and Harley, are copyrighted to DC Comics.

The inspiration for Bruce and Dr. Hading are copyrighted to Albert Payson Terhune.

Tundra and Taiga are copyrighted to R.D. Lawrence.

”My Heart is Lost in You” is copyrighted to Dan Cook, Michael Duff, Kix Brooks, and Ronnie Dunn. (recorded in 2001)

”When You Come Back To Me Again” is copyrighted to Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks. (recorded in 2000)

Joker, Harley, Togo, Togo’s Clone, Ice Breaker, Silver Cloud, Night Jaws, Black Eagle, Sir Richard, Spectator, Kipling, Inuit, Nanton, Kenoma, Neno, Owikeno, Chicko, MicroWing, Bruce, Nyctea, Tyonek, Kojak, Sheenjak, Talka, Giza, Artemis, Nick, Jenna’s pedigree name, and the song “Wolf, Wolf, Wolf” are copyrighted to EbonyPatriot {Me!} DO NOT USE ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS WITHOUT GIVING CREDIT AND/OR ASKING PERMISSION OR DEFILING THEM IN ANYWAY. IF YOU DO, I’LL SIC MY EVIL PYSCHO SPANISH TEACHER ON YOU! WOE SHALL BE YOU!

AUTHOR’S NOTE: THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT A MILLION DIFFERENT STORIES ABOUT BALTO’S PUPPYHOOD. AND NOW THERE ARE A MILLION AND ONE!

Voices:
Balto: Kevin Bacon
Aniu: Mone Walton
Nava: David Carradine
Kemo: James Earl Jones
Steele: Jim Cummings
Sir Richard: Sir Elton John
Togo: Colin Mochire
Niju: Mark Hamill
Togo’s Clone: Ryan Styles
Nanton: Mary Kat Bergman
Joker: Mark Hamill
Chicko:Clacey Brown
Lenore: Miranda Richardson
Jenna: Bridget Fonda
Star: Robbie Rist
Kaltag: Danny Mann
Nikki: Jack Angel
Boris: Bob Hoskins
Kojak: Tobey Macguire
Nyctea: Kirstn Dunce
Talka: Wendy Mekena
Sheenjak: Sir Tim Rice
Midback: Whopi Goldberg
Aleu: Lacy Chabert
Neno: Tony Danza
Harley: Arleene Sorkin
Kenoma: Elizabeth Perkins
Harry: Daniel Radcliffe
Ayden: Frank Welker
Delta: Eilijah Wood
Tuque: Elijah Wood
Tyonek: Willaim Dafoe
Dumblebore: Mike Gambon
Selkirk: Cary Elews
Saint Peter: Rodger Bumpass
Young Balto: Alexander Gould

******CHAPTER 1: THE GRAND DAUGHTER OF NAVA******

Who would deny that the graceful granddaughter of Nava was to be anything short of astounding? She was a beautiful bluish-white color, with the boots of her feet, her under jaw, eye patches, and underside of the purest of white, as though the moon was shining on moonlight snow. In fact that was her name, the Inuit word for ‘snow on the ground’, Aniu. Aniu had red-gold eyes, and her legs had odd color-ridges.

Her grandfather was the ever-patient gold-gray Nava, Alpha Male of the OceanPine wolf pack. They lived here, feasting on caribou and safe from man. Nava stood with his mate, the light gray Nanton. “She looks so much like Owikeno, except for the color. She has Chicko’s coloring,” whispered Nanton, her eyes filled with sorrow and yet happiness.

Nava was thinking. Thinking of the first days, when he and Nanton had had but one pup, Owikeno. Just one, for the caribou were down that year. She was little golden snappy thing, and then when she was in her third year of life, she ran off, and returned with a white wolf from the SeaStar Pack. That white wolf was sensible Chicko. For a full year the two spend six months running, getting to know each other, and then six months of marriage before March rolled around. And then..

******

“Nava,” said Chicko. “Nava, Nanton. You must come and see. We have had the baby.”

Nava had rushed down. Against Owikeno’s golden body curled a small bluish-white pup. She looked more like a rat than a wolf...

“Well, Nava, what do you think?” asked Chicko. (It was well known that Nava had the talent for reading young pups and their future.)

“She’s beautiful, Owikeno,” gasped Nanton.

“Can you believe we are grandparents?” she asked.

“No.” He looked at her slitted eyes, still closed. Her face was mysterious, and yet peace-loving. This would be, he knew, the mother of mothers. Nava stated this. “She looked like midnight snow. Hey! That’s what she should be called, snow on the ground. Aniu!”

For some time they lived happily. And then, sorrow hit. A huge black bear, with yellow eyes, had wandered in. This was Big Boy, king of the wilderness. With a single blow, he killed Chicko, and then Owikeno. Big Boy had then advanced on the yearling Aniu. “That was foolish,” said Aniu perfectly calm. “Nava and the pack will be back soon.”

“By that time, little lady, you shall be food for the ravens. Nothing more!”

‘Think again!” a voice had screamed. It was Lenore, the Raven. She attacked the bear relentlessly. He snapped and tried to stop the tormenting, but finally he just gave up. He ran away, snarling vengeance against Aniu.

And so Nava returned to find his daughter and son-in-law dead, and his shaken granddaughter with a love for ravens.

*******

“Nava, are you listening?” asked Aniu.

“Whoa! Sorry, Aniu, what is it?”

“Pappy, I just told you. I want to go out on my own. To get myself a mate. Can I?”

“Oho! Little White Wolf, you are truly growing up fast,” grinned Nanton.

“Hmm, when Owikeno decided she wanted mate, she just ran off. But Aniu asks her grandfather,” mused Nava. “Go on.”

Aniu pranced. “Thank you. I shall return, with a husband!” She turned and trotted away. Aniu suddenly stopped, and turned over her shoulder. “Goodbye, puppyhood,” she whispered. Then she ran. Nava sighed. He sat down and buried his head in his chest, unaware that one day his great-grandson would repeat this move of sorrow.

******CHAPTER 2: INUIT, THE MR.ANIU******

“Hi, you white wolf! Who sired you?” shouted the grey leader for the IceCliff pack.

“Nava, I am seeking to find a mate.” “Well, there’s no mate here, so go on, husband-seeker.”

“Who are you?” asked Aniu.

“Sheenjak. Who are you?”

“Wait a minute, she’s only the second white wolf I’ve seen in these parts for the last half decade. My, Sheenjak, doesn’t she look just like the perfect mate for Inuit?” asked the bronze Alpha Female.

“Why, yeah, now that you mention it, Takla, that female does. Seeker!”

“My name is Aniu.”

“Aniu, Seeker, whatever. Listen, I think I now the perfect mate for you. Go down the valley, and find my son, Inuit. He’ll be good for you.” And with that, Sheenjak and Takla walked away. Aniu shrugged and started down the cliff. Her snow colored paw stepped on the cliff, where, even in late autumn, there was ice. Aniu fell. Her head struck a rock. The World dimmed. Ahh, thought Aniu, so that’s why they are the IceCliffs.

******

When Aniu recovered, it was morning. The snow had completely covered her. Using her nose, she broke free and dragged her body out. She stood and tried to get up, but fell. Her red-gold eyes opened to see stormy gray claws. The paw was pure white. And the owner was a huge white wolf. The eyes were ice-blue, a rarity in wolves. A gray eye patch surrounded each of the odd-colored eyes. The small ears which, like hers, lacked any pigments beside the pink insides, were cocked up. At the moment when her eyes meet its, the wolf howled. The wolf stared again, ears tipped forward, waiting for something. But Aniu was too stunned to speak by its immense beauty. The wolf shrugged, turned, looked back once, and trotted off. It disappeared. Was Aniu hallucinating? She remembered Lenore speaking about humans seeing ghosts. Did wolves see ghosts as well?

Aniu got up. Ghost or no ghost, she wanted the wolf back. Its so beautiful, she thought. So perfect, it must be a she. Aniu struggled up and placed her paws in the huge prints. “Wait! Come back!” she called. No response. Aniu lifted her head and howled the beautiful wolf howl. “We be of one blood, ye and I” is what she said. She started the call again.

Suddenly, through the whirling snow, the wolf reappeared. Encouraged, Aniu howled: “We of one blood, ye and I. Come here, White Wolf of the Snow.” The wolf’s ears cocked. The wind blew to Aniu from the snow wolf, catching her fur and making it flow like white flame. It was then that Aniu captured the stranger’s scent, and was shocked to find it was a HE!!!

Aniu howled the “We be of one blood, ye and I” call again, this time adding a song off which she had never heard before. “Maybe it was the moonlight. The scent of you on the breeze. Maybe it was your shadow, fell over me. Such a beautiful stranger, paws darker than coal. Your first look crossed the tundra, into my soul. Mi corizon perdido en ti! My heart is lost to you! You have captured my soul completely. And my heart is lost to you!” is what she sang in her eerie howl. The large snow wolf cocked his ears.

He lifted his left forefoot, and then started over. The White Wolf stopped when he was right in front of the bluish-white wolf. They were face to face. The wolf from the Snow buried his head in his soft chest, and then howled. The White Wolf of the Snow howled a beautiful howl, which was the SAME SONG!!

“Maybe it was the music. The way it moved with your hair. Or the heat of the moment that hung in the air. But I saw you there dancing, mesmerized by your gaze, there was some kind of magic that led me away. Mi corizon perdido en ti ! My heart is lost to you! You have captured my love completely My heart is lost to you!” his song said.

They lifted their heads together, and howled the final reprise. “Mi corizon perdido en ti !!! My heart is lost to you! You have captured my soul completely. My heart is lost to you. Oh, my heart is loosssst...to...yooooooooouuuuuuuu!”

He stopped and looked at her, tongue lolling. “It’s just like the song says, my heart is lost to you. How do you know Brooks and Dunn?” he asked in a powerful voice.

“I-don’t know. But I just looked at you, and...”

“My name’s Inuit,” he said.

“I’m Aniu.”

“Aniu. That’s so beautiful.”

“Yours is handsome, too, Inuit. Hey, did you mean it? The, ‘I have captured your heart completely?” Inuit smiled.

“You want to know what I really feel?”

“Yes!”

He pointed his nose to sky and howled. “Mi Corizon Perdido en ti! And my heart is lost...to yoooooooouuuuu!” They laughed and began running, as though nothing was important in the World then to be running, together.

Sheenjak and Takla watched the young prince and princess run off, both knowing that they had found love.

******CHAPTER 3: KEMO AND ICE BREAKER******

“Nava! Nava!” cried Aniu as she and Inuit ran full out. Nava and Nanton smiled as she ran up, followed by the handsome white wolf. A year had past since she had left. Aniu and Inuit suddenly trealized that they would be four years old soon, and that it was time to start a family. So she and he had returned to find no new pups.

Inuit was accepted into the pack peacefully. The caribou herd was starting to make a comeback, and so it would be fine for Inuit and Aniu to mate, when the right time came around.March rolled around bitter and cold as it should. But the wolves didn’t mind. For the wolves knew that, come late May, pups would be born!Indeed, as May died, the call went out across the ground. And Nanton and Nava, as was their tradition, descended down the Mother’s Den. At Aniu’s side sprawled two white balls of fluff.

Nava sniffed the first-born. He would be big, very big. He looked almost exactly like his father. Save for the fact that his ears were black-tipped, his muzzle was outlined in faint ‘teardrops’ and his eyes, (when they opened two weeks later) were slated like his mothers, and with the purest of gold irises set on black ‘whites’. “Kemo,” said Nava quickly. “Name him Kemo.” Aniu bowed her head, loving the name.

Nava sniffed the last pup. He was snow colored, with round eyes of amber. He too had tear mark stretching to his nose, but his were pronounced, like a badger’s. He had black-tipping all eighteen of his toes. His black-tipped ears rose in a sharp point, and would later bring him the nickname “Unicorn.”

“Ice Breaker,” said Nava. He bowed his head. Nanton ran out to tell the waiting pack.

******

Kemo and Ice Breaker had the best puppyhood available. Ice Breaker lived up to his nickname, being pure, hones and an elfin sense of fun that made him liked by everyone. Kemo very early showed that he would be huge and dignified. And his voice turned into the sound of wild thunder over the mountains.

All went well until that fateful day. It June sixth, of Kemo and Ice Breaker’s second year.

******CHAPTER 4: EVIL REARS IT’S HEAD******

It was in the month of October that tragedy struck. This was a great year, for now the two young white wolves, Kemo and Ice Breaker, were now two years old. And to had the good news, a Beta had been established. The Beta was a six-month old GreyFalcon that Nava had named Neno. Neno was big for his age, fiery, rebellious, and yet patient. His coat was pure iron-gray, and his eyes were aquamarine (a bluish-green.) The pack had fallen a caribou, and all was looking good. Suddenly Big Boy returned.

“Hey, it’s BB,” whispered Ice Breaker.

“Yeah, let’s get him,” agreed Kemo, full of pride of his power.

“Kemo, no, we shouldn’t...”

“Come on!”

Snarling, the youthful Kemo and Ice Breaker attacked. The bear crafty retreated, and the young wolves ignored Nava’s cry to come back. The pack could not follow, for Big Boy’s twin brother attacked at that moment.They ran through a raging stream and down onto the frozen beach. The bear bayed when they were on a ledge of stair-like rocks. He struck out and hit Ice Breaker in the throat. The wolf’s neck was sliced into ribbons, and, crying his shock, Ice Breaker ran back. Kemo snapped in vengeance, and got his shoulder slashed. It was looking bad for the wolflings when Inuit appeared. He leapt just out of the bear’s reach and bit at his feet. The young white wolves howled in celebration. They were saved!

But they spoke too soon. Believing the pack to be near, Inuit turned his head. Big Boy saw the opportunity and struck the throat, sending him flying. He was dead before he hit the round.

Tongue lolling, the bear started on the two-year-olds when something had leapt unto his head. It was the brave young Neno. By sheer aggression, he managed to occupy the bear long enough for the pack to arrive. Big Boy, realizing he was outnumbered, ran away, snarling vengeance again, this time for Aniu’s offspring. Kemo and Ice Breaker sniffed their father’s carcass.

Ice Breaker, who couldn’t see Aniu, thought she was dead. “Ahh, Kemo, what is life worth?” he asked.

“Its..it’s...”

“Arrewhoo! I cannot stay here. Goodbye, my brother. May our paths cross again.”

The wolf bolted. “Ice Breaker!” Kemo took after him when he heard Aniu’s calm voice calling him back.

She caressed his forehead. Nava lifted his head and begun the slow-paced death-howl. Kemo waited until it was over before starting for his brother.

******CHAPTER 5: CHASE FOR ICE BREAKER******

“Why did he run?” cried Kemo to Aniu as they ran shoulder to shoulder.

“I don’t know. But, hey, Lenore!” The raven circled and landed. “Hi, you Aniu, and young master Kemo.” (She had been a British traveler’s pet before she escaped to the wild.)

“What’s wrong?” “My son. He ran away, for Inuit is dead. Do you know where he went?”

“Ahh, I think so. Follow me.”

******

Aniu knew the territory well. It was the IceCliff’s territory. Lenore suddenly froze. “We can’t go in. Humans.”

“But,” cried Kemo.

“That’s where Ice Breaker must have gone!” Aniu lifted her head and cried.

“We be of one blood, ye and I”, the call that had drawn Inuit to her. No response.

“Then he is dead,” replied Lenore simply. Kemo’s chest heaved.

Aniu wanted to cry, but, of course, animals cannot. “That is how it is. Come, Kemo.” She turned to go.

“No, mother,” said Kemo. “I can’t go back. I’m staying here.’

“It’s dangerous, Kemo. I would advise against it,” said Aniu.

“I know..but...I’m staying here. Ice Breaker’s here, I know it! He’s not dead!”

Aniu looked at her son, and was shocked to see teardrops oozing from his eyes. Only the mightiest of emotions can bring the tears out. “Very well, son. May God watch over and protect you.”

“He will. Goodbye, Mother.” Aniu nodded.

She turned and started slowly home, unaware that one day her future son (while on the Iditarod) would encounter Kemo at the very cliff were she had met Inuit.

******CHAPTER 6: THE DEATH OF NANTON******

Upon returning, Aniu was shocked to find that Neno would be in dire trouble. He had been the wolf to kill Big Boy’s brother, and so he was now hated by all bears. But Neno would simply laugh at this. And he had good reason to be happy, for he had attracted a female’s eyes, Kenoma. Although it would be three years before they mated. The pack was silent, honoring Inuit, and often howled at night. Somehow, though, Aniu was able to keep happy. She found comfort in her grandparents.

And when they could not help, silent Lenore stayed near the grieving mother.One day, as Aniu sat brooding about Kemo and Ice Breaker, she walked up to her grandparents. “Pappy, Nanny,” she said, calling them by their pet names which she had only rarely used during her puppyhood. “What’s a dog?”

“The best friend of man,” Nava answered. All three wolves shivered at the word ‘man.’

“The dog is the Son of the Wolves,” continued Nava simply.

“What? Can dogs and wolves...I mean, how close?” stuttered Aniu.

“They can interbreed. But such a thing rarely works. Most dogs are so scatter-brained that the males forget that they had fathered pups, or even found a female, so they get more. And the females do not like the males near their young. Man has made them this way.” Aniu was stunned. “It is a thing we do not understand, and it is a thing that cannot be taught to us.”

Aniu nodded and decided to go for a walk with Lenore.Neno ran up. “Nava, it’s time to kill.”

“Ah, all right. Tell them I'm coming.” Nava and Neno had become close friends. Nanton asked to come with Aniu.Lenore sat on Aniu’s shoulder, telling the two all about a new champion sled dog she had just seen. His was Togo, a young Malamute. His speed, courage, and peacefulness were unbelievable. They could not wait to breed him, but Togo wouldn’t take any of the females! So surprised at this, his owner, Gunnar Kassun, had called in a man who could talk to wolves, named Kapugen. Kapugen had found that Togo wanted a wife, a female who would love him and stay with him for life, like his forefathers, the wolves.

“And so,” summed up Lenore.

“It’s impossible. Poor Togo.”

“How old is he?”

“Six, your age.”

Lenore went stiff. “What?” Their eyes followed to the crouched figure. It was trapper, a hating wolf-hunter. The trapper had been firing at Big Boy. He was crouched now, examining the huge bear’s tracks. He lifted his head. Seeing the wolves, he suddenly pulled out a gun. Aniu, her eyes on the fleeing bear as the two started retreating, never saw the the rifle’s muzzle aimed for her head. But Nanton did. And she threw herself forwards, receiving the shot.

“NANTON!” cried Aniu. it all happened so fast, the gun, Nanton’s cry, the snarl as something steel-colored threw itself at the hunter. And then there was silence. Only the swaying bushes and heavy scent showed where the human had been. The steel-thing had been Neno, saving the life of his buddy. He walked back and looked at the two with concerned eyes. Nanton had gotten up. Aniu nuzzled her.

The back of Nanton’s head was sticky with blood. Her muzzle came across the unnatural lump in the neck, where the spine had once run smoothly. Her neck was broken. “Nanton...”

“Get Nava,’ gasped Nanton in a weak voice. Aniu howled. The whole pack rushed over, snow encrusting their paws.

“Nanton,” gasped Nava, rubbing his mate. “Nava...Aniu...I...love you. Aniu, you must move on with life...and...if..you...have...a...son...If...you...do......name him Balto, please...I love you both,” gasped Nanton. She sighed, her throat rattling, and then the last of her breath and spirit left with that sigh.

“Nanton,” whispered Nava. He lifted his head, as the whole pack followed suit.

Aniu felt something burning in her eyes, begging to be washed with tears. But they couldn’t. “Pappy, I can’t stand it! Everyone dies when I'm here! Goodbye, Pappy! Goodbye, Neno.” The wolves watched as Aniu took flight and galloped out of sight.

******

Aniu ran. She ran and ran. Finally, in early March, she reached where she wanted. The IceCliffs’ pack lands. She sniffed. They hadn’t been here in a while. The white wolf jumped and enjoyed the slide of ice. Landing she sniffed, seeking to find something. She howled. “We be of one blood, ye and I.”

Something howled. “Aye, we are of one blood, ye and I. Who is this?”

“Aniu, the White Wolf.” “Aniu, oh my goodness. Tell me, why you are you here, in the pack land of Kemo the Snow Wolf?” A large, snow-colored wolf advanced. His black-tipped ears were cocked. Those golden eyes were unforgettable...

“KEMO!”

“Mom!” The two nuzzled heads.

“Oh, Mom, why are you here?”

“Nanton is dead.”

“Oh.” Kemo closed his eyes.

“That is how it is. I am still trying to find Ice Breaker.”

“That’s sad. I am going to become a lone wolf,” she sighed.

Kemo looked away. “What? “Mom, you shouldn’t to that. You should get a new mate.”

“What? But, I can’t replace Inuit!”

“Of course you can’t. But, you must move on.” Aniu looked away for a few seconds. She turned back and grinned.

“And you want new baby brothers.”

“Well,” grinned Kemo. “That too.”

Aniu nuzzled her son.

“Oh, and, did I tell you I’m an Alpha? Yep. I got a mate, Chee, and I'm very happy. Hey, and isn’t that Lenore?”

“Aniu! Whew! There you are! I’ve been wanting to tell you, that Nava and I think you should get a new mate,” panted the raven.

Aniu nuzzled her. “All right. But where should I go?”

“Hmm..why not Nome? There’s the SeaStars. And the NomeWolves,’ suggested Lenore. Lenore flew onto the White Wolf’s shoulder as Aniu nuzzled her son one last time, climbed up, and started towards Nome.

******CHAPTER 8: TOGO******

Champion Iron-Gray Togo, the master of sled dogs, was the top dog of Nome. His coloring was dark gray, except for his lower jaw, underside, eyebrows, which were white, and the streak of spray-paint silver on his forehead. His eyes were were a dark, almost black, brown. He loved Nome, loved the people, loved everything.

“Yes, yes, Togo, has everything his heart desires,” said Doc, the young Saint Bernard rescue dog. “Everything, except a mate, that is,” he added wisely. Togo put his ears down. He ran over to his black-and-white-half-legged brother, Sir Richard. Their sire was Kipling, a huge brown-and-white Malamute.

“Rich!” Sir Richard smiled.

“What is it, Pogo?”

“What did you think of my running?”

“Legendary. Like ol’ Sir Richard. But, you do realize, Togo, you should get a mate,” said Sir Richard.

“You don’t have one. You just have your eye on Spectator,’ said Togo sullenly. Spectator was a white female malamute.

“She doesn’t like your arrogance.” Sir Richard snarled, but then his face curled into a sneer. “Hmm, well girls don’t like prairie wolves.” A ‘prairie wolf’ was a coyote, an immensely disliked animal by dogs and wolves. Sir Richard was mimicking his want to life wolf-like. Togo snarled and stomped out.He walked sullenly out of Nome, coming to the old trawler that had just been abandoned. His claws clicked as he climbed up the gangplank. He climbed went to the Cabin’s Quarters. Turning, Togo sighed and prepared to lay down. The trouble was, there was already someone there.

Aniu, her feet hurting, had climbed up the boat, where there was a minimal amount of people around. For five minutes she lay in peace, and then Togo had come on.

‘Hi, you White Wolf!” barked the steel-gray Malamute. Aniu snarled.

“Go ahead, kill me,” she panted, her red-gold eyes glowing with a fierce fire.

“Oh, no! I like wolves! I don’t mean that. I mean, what’s your name?”

“Oh,” said Aniu, feeling embarrassed. “Aniu. It means ‘snow on the ground’ in Inuit.”

“Aniu, that’s beautiful.” He sighed and curled up in the doorway.

“My name is Togo. I’m the fastest, strongest, calmest Malamute and so far the best sled-dog ever. At least that’s what everyone says. Everyone says I’m the luckiest dog ever. But, I’m not. I just want the simple things, like you wolves have. I want a couple of pups, to love and protect and cherish. I want a gentle female, who loves me for me. And who loves her pups and who, like me, will give her life for our pups. But, the other she-dogs wouldn’t let me near my pups.”

He sighed again. “What about you, Aniu? What’s your story?”

Aniu told him her tragic tale. When she had finished, Togo’s ears were back. “I’m sorry,” he sighed. He really sounded sorry.  Togo caught up. “You must be hungry. Would you like some food before you move on?”

“What? Oh, okay.” Lenore flew onto her shoulder blade.

“Nice raven.”

“Thanks. Her name is Lenore.”

“Oh! Like in Edgar Allen Poe’s poem.”

The two went into the city. Sir Richard had been in an argument with Old Nick. Old Nick was a dark-brown Malamute who also had his eye on Spectator. As it was, Sir Richard had just been preparing to fight in the classic male dog way when the wolf and Malamute went in. Spectator perked her ears in friendliness. The raven flew up from the wolf’s shoulder, startling the female Malamute into running. Nick saw that he had missed his chance to take Spectator as his mate, snarled at the wolf, and stomped back to his doghouse. Sir Richard reacted more violently. He sprang at Aniu, ready to bite her and chase her off.

Suddenly he was stopped by an iron-gray furry mass.

“Leave he alone,” ordered Togo quietly.

“No! She’s not one of us.”

“I said, LEAVE HER ALONE!!!” Sir Richard sprung. Togo, (who had never before fought,) hit him hard, shoulder-to-shoulder. This forced the larger Malamute to roll uncontrollably for a hundred feet. Snarling, Sir Richard started to get up.

But Togo grabbed his throat and pinned him down. “Sir Richard, my brother, this wolf is my mate. Leave her alone. Now go, and peace go with you. And good luck with your mate. Even if you hate me, I still love my older brother.”

Sir Richard realized how good Togo was to let him go. “I don’t hate you,” he said, as prepared to go and fight Nick.

Aniu shyly walked over to Togo. “Do you really love me?”

Togo grinned. “I cannot tell a lie, Aniu. I do. Listen, I know we just meet and all, but we can run together for a year. You know, see if we still like each other.”

“Sounds great. But where would I live?”

“That old Boat.”

“Well...all right. But one thing. Why don’t we call it Balto’s Boat?”

“I like it.” The two ran off, deeply in love.

******CHAPTER 9: TOGO’S CLONE AND BALTO******

It was just as the two had agreed on., For a year they ran together, before mating next March. It was May fifteenth, 1922. The snow clung to the ground, wet and soft. The golden sun beamed as it rose. Its warm fire-rays crawled lazily into the Captain’s Quarters and heated the White Wolf. She was curled around two little rat-like animals that had been born to her at 3:00 AM.

They were puppies, half wolf, half Malamute. The firstborn was a male, with a snow white right leg. Half of his left leg was half white, half chocolate, and the the tops of his back toes were white. Only bird-in-flight shape on his chest and the squarish marks on his underside were white. The rest was all chocolate in some lights, black in others, like some thoroughbreds. Remembering Nanton’s last wish, she named this pup, ‘Balto.’It was no hard task naming the second pup.  He was an exact replica of his father Togo, save for the silver chest and head blaze. So it was only natural to name this pup ‘Togo’s Clone,’ or ‘Clone’ for short. Aniu ran her soft pink tongue over their bodies. “Corronk!” called a raven. Balto immediately raised his deaf and blind head to the vibrations, shortly followed by Clone.

They squeaked their discomfort and returned to their mother’s warm side. Aniu felt pride at her sons’ alertness, and turned to the ebony bird. It was Lenore, her old friend. Lenore turned her beautiful dark eyes on her buddy’s offspring.

“Very handsome. And powerful.”

“Thank you. How’s the pack?”

“Thirteen pups in the past few year. Five others joined the pack. No pups for Nava, and no news on Kemo or Ice Breaker.”

Togo ran in, his leather harness still on. “Lenore...told...me,,,about pups...long journey...just...got..back...” he panted. (He had been on the last race of the season.)

“Sir Richard lost,” he grinned. “Oh, and did I tell you? Sir Richard won Spectator. Yep. In November. They had a son born last month. Only one. He’s a big charcoal-and-white fellow named Steele. So that makes him cousins to our pups. So...did you name them yet?”

"Yes. The first-born is Balto. The second is Togo’s Clone.”

“Hallo Clone, Balto,” said Lenore as she fluttered down.

“Kassun’s Mighty Steele,” she started, using Steele’s full name. “May be big and handsome. But, fame will go to his head. He’ll become arrogant, but he’ll be insecure about that. So he’ll be a bully on those weaker than him. To judge from his sire’s prejudice, wolves will be the main targets,” prophesied Lenore. Like Nava, she could read pups like a book.

“Balto will be a little insecure, shy, and quiet. But he’ll be forgiving, gentle soul with a huge heart.” She flew over to Clone. “He will be like his father, but he’ll be even friendlier. Well, my job here is done.” She fell up to hunt lemmings.

“I wish I was a raven,” sighed Aniu, as Togo dropped her a rat.

(It would have been much easier for Togo to steal meat from the butchers to feed his family rather than hunting down food and eating what Lenore caught, but it would have no more struck the honorable wolf-throwback Togo to steal than it would for a man to stick his head in a toilet.)

And so it was that Togo and Balto lived happily through their first eight weeks of life.

******CHAPTER 10: ANIU, THE RAVEN******

But fortune did not favor the happy family for long. One day at noon, just as the pups had been weaned, tragedy struck again. Sir Richard was truly worried about Togo. So was Gunnar Kassun. Jack London’s crazed tales of wolves devouring dogs filled his mind as he set out to find his champion with Sir Richard at his heels. He followed Togo’s paw prints leading to the Boat and climbed aboard. An ebony form, however, attacked him. It was Lenore, faithful to the last.In the several seconds Aniu listened. She howled, calling Togo back. But she knew for her it would be too late. So she lowered her head. She wanted to give her sons something to help them. “My sons,” she said in her warm mysterious voice. “You need to know the animals totems that will help guide you now. The red fox, the cunning trickster. The wolverine, your fears. The grizzly bear, inner knowing. The caribou, life. The raven, myself and your guide. And the wolf, your blood and your heritage. May God protect you, my Children of the Snow.”

Aniu lifted her head to the most horrible sound. It was Lenore’s dying cry of “I tried, Aniu!” as she fell. The White Wolf listened as the the death rattle accompanied by that soft, barely audible sigh as the soul exited the body, and she knew that Lenore was dead. Kassun came on. Aniu rose.

No thought of “survival of the fittest” crossed her mind. Never did the thought enter that she should save herself. Aniu snarled, anger burning in her red-gold eyes. She saw him aim at where the pups where, and lunged in their direction. “NO!” cried Sir Richard, too late, as the musher fired. The bullet hit Aniu dead-center in the heart. She groaned, closed her eyes, stretched out her paws, and fell, her foreleg covering Balto. She was dead.

Togo rushed onto the Boat. He was not quick enough. “Togo, I-” started Sir Richard, but Togo flung himself on his mate. He nuzzled her still form,. The smell of death were tell-telling, even with the wind blowing from him to her. He lifted his head, and howled as dogs howl when their masters lay dead.

“Togo,” called his master. He had seen that Aniu was Togo’s mate, and regretted killing her. But it was too late.

‘Togo, COME,” ordered Gunnar Kassun. Togo obeyed, but only after he had grabbed Clone by the scruff of the neck. “Oho! A son! A Clone...why, he’s clone of you.”

“He’s got wolf in him,” commented Jack London.

“I noticed. But, if it will make Togo fell better.” Kassun grabbed Togo’s harness. Togo yipped and pulled towards the carcass.

“Come on, Togo, she’s dead.’

“But, my son!” cried Togo, despite the knowledge that Gunnar did not speak dog.

“He’s dead! Can’t you smell?”

“No! My son! My son!” cried Togo. Gunnar pulled him away.

“Ah, Mr. London, I don’t want him to stay here. It will be too miserable.”

“He won’t work well. Why don’t you sell him and his pup to me? I know a guy in Minnesota who would like to buy some dogs off of me. You’ll have Steele. After all, what good is a wolf-dog to you?” asked Jack London. “Well, all right.”

The dogs were shipped on a boat to warmer weather. Togo sat, feeling lonely and brooding. He nuzzled his son. Perhaps nothing could make him feel more miserable, for just then his son had yawned. “Daddy, I had the most horrible dream. I... where’s Mommy? Where’s Balto?” The two lifted their heads and howled. Down South they would stay, until the year 1931, when a young Canadian called Farley Mowatt would buy him...

Kassun sighed, and walked back to the wolf. But her body was gone.

******

Aniu stood, confused in the ice-white foam of clouds. She remembered being shot, had heard Togo’s cry, and now...I’m in Heaven, she thought dimly.

“You!” A tall, bearded, robed man looked down on her as he leaned on his podium. This was Saint Peter, who held the Keys to Heaven. “Name?” he asked.

“Uh, Aniu, and-”

“Oh, you’re the one. Nope, you ain’t due here. Ya have to set things up for your son. You have unfinished business.” He glanced at her. “What’s your favorite flying animal?”

“Well, I like ravens...”

“Then I’m going with ravens. Aniu, you shall be turned into a raven. You shall guide your son, and any of his offspring, and then you can enter the Pearly Gates.”

Aniu’s ears perked to the sounds of Inuit and Nanton’s howls. “Go on, raven. Next!” He snapped his fingers. Aniu dropped onto the boat. Her front toes stretched, stretched until they were the long primary flight feathers, stretched until they were complete wings. Her tail spread into a fan of feathers. Her muzzled smoothed into the hooked beak. Her ears disappeared. Her hind legs turned into a bird’s scaley black legs. Her eyes turned blood-red, glaring out of the ebony color.

“Corronk! Caw! Corronk!” she cried, taking flight.

******

A mustached German was walking onto the Boat as the raven took off over the tundra. It was Dr. Halding, of New York. His was a practice much hated by others, the others such as the famed collie author Albert Payson Terhune. He practiced vivisection, the horrible practice of operating on living creatures just to operate. And now he had found the puppy Balto. Dr. Halding knew that this pup would be perfect to operate on, for he was strong. He grabbed the wolf-dog by the nape, forcing the pup into his natural response of staying still and clam. As he stooped, he noticed the craving on the wheel. Lenore had carve it on the snowy first Christmas of Togo and Aniu’s marriage.

(She had remembered how her old English master had taught his children to write. And being a raven, she remembered everything. So Lenore had craved in the legend: ‘Balto’s Boat’) “Balto?” repeated the man. Balto’s ears cocked to his German voice. “Oho! So Balto is your name! Balto it is.” He carried the pup to his lab next to the butchers.

******

Aniu, meanwhile, had flown out on the tundra. There she found two extremely young white polar bear cubs. They smelled like herring and Eskimo boot. And they were cowering before a huge white polar male. He had killed their emaciated mother, to eat them, the babies. “Corronk!” called Aniu, striking as she remembered Lenore had once struck for her.

Her ebon coloring smeared behind her like a bad graphite drawing. Her call echoed like that of a ghost (which, she reminded herself, she was.) The rogue bear snarled, his pupils dilated with shock, and ran off. The bigger cream-colored bear, with a orange nose, cowered down, whimpering. “Tis all right, Luk,” whispered the purer white and smaller cub with the black nose. “Old Muk here will protect you.”

“You have no need to fear me, my friends,” said Aniu, her voice echoing.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. I am Aniu, the White Wolf. I am a mother myself. My son is part wolf, part dog. He has a big boat. Would you like to join him?”

“Uh, sure,” agreed Muk.

“Come on Luk, everything’s gonna be fine.”

The bears followed the raven, up into the Boat. “My son!” she cried, scenting Balto’s scent. “Oh, that evil Halding. Listen, stay here. And my son is named Balto.”

She flew instantly to Halding and looked in the window. As she watched, Balto was already under anesthesia. Now what was not the time to free him, she thought. Later. But, in the meantime, I must find a protector for these three. A kind, older figure. She cocked her ears to the sound of the Russian snow geese as they flew back from the south. “Bingo.” She flew up:

“Corronk!”

There were perhaps a dozen birds. She liked geese, for she knew that they, like the wolves, mated for life. They paid no attention to her as tried to decide who would be a good foster parent. She wanted Nava, but it was too far.

And besides, he may have already died, for all she knew. All were mated! All! Aniu felt desperate, knowing she couldn’t deprive a married goose. Yes, all were mated...all but the leader. The leader was an old goose, off-white with black-tipped wings and black eyes. Aniu flew in front of him, forced to doing the back stroke. “Hey! What do you think you are doing, blackbird? Get out of old Boris’s way, PLEASE!” he said in a thick, gruff Russian accent.

Aniu looked deep into his eyes...into his soul. He had lost his mate this past summer when a paretically large Arctic fox dog had attacked and killed her and her young in order to feed his own young and mate. Old Boris was too late to save them. He showed his mourning by becoming gruff and acting like he did not care about others. Oh, but he did. He had a very kind, loving personality, and a huge tender heart. This was it! He was perfect!

“CORRONK!” called Aniu, dive bombing him. She would keep attacking him until she forced him down.An hour passed. Finally he stopped ignoring her. Using her best herding skills, she lead him until he was over the Boat. Then, she flew up the highest possible, and dove like a falcon. This threw him down. His head struck the Captain’s Quarters, knocking him out.

Panting, Aniu rose again. It was sunset. Now was the time to free Balto.

She flew the locked door, and turned back into wolf. “I have the keys to the city,” she said quietly, as she used her long yellow claws to pull up the door hinges. She snuck in, her paws making no sound. There was Balto, in a cage.

No other animals were here. The smell of death was strong. She slid the door the Balto’s kennel open. There she was shocked. He was a wolf of a different color!

No longer was he the handsome chocolate color! Halding had dyed the pup, for one of his experiments. And by vivisection, he seen to it that despite the sheddings, Balto’s coat would remain that same color. He had changed the pup’s DNA, for he was now dust-colored, with the same shadings as Aniu’s fur.

Still, his eyes were the same dark hazel-on-yellow. And they still had his soul and intelligence shining out of them. “Mom?” he whispered.

“Shh! Hush!”

She grabbed him by his nape and ran.

“Hey! CUR!” shouted Halding, running out. He grabbed a gun and fired. But the bullet didn’t affect the wolf at all. After all, she was ALREADY DEAD!!!!!!!

“A ghost,’ muttered the German, going pale.Aniu, meanwhile, ran so fast that she reached the outskirts and the Boat in no time. She lowered her son once she reached the Captain’s Quarters.

“Oh, Mom! I was so afraid-”

“Hush, My little Balto.” She washed her son one last time. The bears sniffed him.

“Balto, I must leave you now. I love you, Balto.”

“Mommy! No, please, Mommy!” cried Balto. “Don’t leave me!”

“I’m not. I’ll always be in Heaven protecting you. Someday we’ll be together again. And, if ever you are in danger, I’ll be there.” She rubbed him.

“One last lullaby.”

The bears curled up next to the pup as Aniu began singing. “There’s a ship out on the ocean, at the mercy of the sea. It’s been tossed about, lost and broken, wandering aimlessly. And God, somehow you know that ship is me. Because there’s lighthouse in a harbor, shining faithfully. Pouring its light out across the water for this sinking soul to see. That someone out there still believes, in me. On a prayer, in a song. I hear your voice, and it keeps me hanging on, on. Raining down against the wind. I’m reaching out until we reach the circle’s end. And you come back to me again,” she howled. Balto shivered.

“There’s a moment that we all come to. In our own time and our own space. Where all we’ve done, we can undo. If our heart’s in the right place. On a prayer, in a song. I hear your voice, and it keeps me hanging on, on. Raining down against the wind. I’m reaching out until we reach the circle’s end. And you come back to me again. Again and again I see. My yesterdays in front of me. Unfolding like a mystery. You’re changing all that is and used to be. And on a prayer in a song. I hear your voice, and it keeps my hanging on, on. Raining down against the wind. I'm reaching out. Until we reach the circle’s end and you come back to me again. When you come to back to me again,” she finished.

Balto’s breathing was very calm. “That’s you, my little boat. Your life will be hard. But be kind, patient and gentle, and always remember my song.”

Balto licked her cheek once last time. With that, she vanished into Heaven.

“Oy, what happened?” asked Boris, getting up. The puppy yipped.

“Who are you?” barked the goose.

“I'm Balto. My Mommy’s dead.”

“You-oh my, I’m so sorry.”

“And I don’t where my Daddy is, or my little brother. I don’t think anyone will stay with me!” cried the pup, voicing his fears.

“Oh, well, little pup. I’m Boris. And-I-I’ll take care of you you. I’ll stay until you can stay on your own four feet,” he said, his heart melting.

“Oh, thank you Mr. Boris.”

“Call me Boris.”

Muk and Luk came up. “Will you care for us, too, Uncle Boris?” asked Muk.

“Oy voy. What am I? An orphanage? Yes, you can stay. Now sleep!” Boris watched the obedient with a gruff expression, his heart filled with gladness.

******

Six months past. Balto quickly grew into a long-legged youth, kind and shy. Nothing could never get his temper up. The first rule Boris made was to stay away from humans, at least until he was six months. (For a six-month-old dog is the equivalent of a teenager.)And so, old Boris yawned as the first sunlight warmed his off-white feathers. He opened his eyes, only to see, instead of the familiar Boat, huge, dark-hazel-eyes-on-yellow!

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! BALTO!” Balto jumped.

“Please don’t yell, Boris.

I’m sorry I scared you!’

“It’s all right, pupnick.”

“But, I’m excited! Do you know what day it is?”

“September fifteenth?”

“No! Well, yes. But, I'm sixth months old now! You said I could go into the city now.”

Boris stared hard at the pup. “I thought wolf instinct would over take you by now. No, Balto, never go into the city!” Balto’s tail drooped.

“Never?”

“Never! You are part-wolf! They hate wolves! Never go there. Ever.”

Balto’s ears went back in sorrow. “Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

“Good, I am sorry, Balto. But these mogshugla humans aren’t worth it.” Noting the hurt look on Balto’s face, he quickly changed the subject. “Now, you must be hungry. Go and catch a rabbit.”

Balto nodded, and jumped over the Boat’s rim.

******CHAPTER 11: WOLF,WEREWOLF!******

The snowshoe hare sat perfectly still, his spoon-like black-tipped ears back, hoping the wolf-dog wouldn’t notice him. Oh, but Balto did. Balto’s heart thumped as he sneaked closer, ready to attack. The hare, sensing him, took off. Balto hesitated. He always hesitated. He hating killing. But, still, he had to eat. The wolf focused on the black tips. He pounded closer, his tongue lolling. He sensed he was going thirty-five miles an hour. Now! he thought. Now! A wolf howled echoed in his head as the face of a bluish-white female with red-gold eyes flashed in his mind’s eye.. NO, NOT YET!! her voice echoed in his lupin’s mind. The hare swerved sharply to the right. See? his wolf brain said. The hare was planning that trick. Now, attack now! The hare glance back, expecting to see the stupid dog fallen, just like every other dog had. But no!

This Balto, not some cur, chasing him.Strong jaws closed on his shoulders. The hare shrieked, and went limp. Balto gently lay down the carcass. “Sorry, old boy. I’m sorry I killed you. But, I got to eat.”

“Sorry? Why should you be sorry? That was great!” said a voice he had never heard. He whirled around. There stood a little grey seven-month-old puppy with a cream underside and three black bands on his back. Across his shoulders was a thin leather harness. Balto stepped forward. “Hi, I’m Star,” said the grey dog.

“I’m Balto.”

“I’m a pure bred Siberian husky. But I will never win anything in a show. I bet you could, though. Are you an Eskimo dog?”

“No. I’m wolf-dog. My Mom was a white wolf. My Dad was Togo, an Alaskan Malamute.”

“Wow...you’re a wolf-dog?”

Suddenly the little husky rolled on his back. “Don’t hurt me!!!” he cried.

“I wouldn't hurt you. I don’t want to hurt anything.”

“Oh, thanks. Would you like to meet my brother and buddy?”

“Why not?”

Star barked. A tan husky with a brown patch over his left eye ran up, follow by a brown chow-chow. Both dogs were around seven-months old.

“Who’s this, Star?”

“Kaltag, Nikki, meet Balto. His mother was wolf. His dad was a Malamute.”

“A Malamute? Like that Steele dere,” said the chow-chow in a New York accent.

The tan husky stepped forward, his black-tipped ears tilted forward. “Did you catch that hare?” he asked. “Why, that’s old Leadfoot!” exclaimed the tan husky.

“You should have seen it, Kaltag! He sprung just at the right moment. And Leadfoot swerved! It was-” sputtered Star eagerly to his brother.

“Leadfoot pulled his trick?!? And he didn’t fall for it? That’s stupendous, that’s incredible, that’s unbelievable, that’s...” stammered Kaltag.

“Amazing!” Kaltag hit the smaller husky on the head.

“Thanks. I’m hungry. But, would you like some meat?” said Balto.

“Oh, no, go on, eat. But, Balto, why did you have to kill that dere rabbit? Why didn’t you get something from the butchers?” asked Nikki.

“You mean, steal?!? I could never do that!” cried Balto. “Wow, you’re better than Steele! How would you like to meet Steele?” asked Star.

“Oh, O.K.” Balto swallowed the huge hare whole.

“Wow...” ooed the three dogs in unison.

******

They went in. Balto loved all of Nome’s buildings. All of them. The went down an alley, to where several fence boards had been taken away about two feet from the ground. “Steele!” barked Kaltag. A huge, charcoal-and-white blue-eyed Alaskan Malamute emerged. He sneered at the dust-colored puppy. Even though he had just started training, he was an excellent sled dog. And he knew it. This was the son of Sir Richard, Togo’s brother, and Spectator. He and Balto were cousins, they just didn’t know it. (And they would never know it, for Sir Richard had been sold to Minnesota, along with Togo.)

“Who's this?”

“Balto. He’s part wolf,” said Star softly. Balto noted how the trio were now tense, not at ease at all. They feared the Malamute.

“He caught Leadfoot,” said Kaltag eagerly.

“He’s the fastest dog ever dere.”

“Well, I'm not the fastest,” said Balto, looking embarrassed.

Steele noted the wolf-dog’s deep chest, the long limbs, and the gentle soul and intelligence shining in his eyes. These were the marks of the perfect sled dog. He snarled. He couldn’t let this dog become sled dog! Steele leapt Balto’s neck so that he could tossed him. Or at least he tried. Agile Balto jumped away. Steele fell flat on his face. He got up and started barking. “Wolf! You are a wolf! Get out! Run with your pack! Go!” The trio joined him, snarling, too fearful to disagree.

Kassun ran out. He fired at him. Balto cried and ran. A violet-and-white Lhaso Apso puppy and a white Afghan puppy, both females, snarled at him as well.

“Chase him, Dixie!”

“Why, Sylvie?” asked the Apso.

“Why? Because, can’t you hear?”

“Oh, yeah. The song!” They joined the young dogs.

Wolf, wolf, wolf, their hunting cry echoed. Wolf, wolf, go away! Keep the werewolf at bay! Chase the wolf out into the rain. And see to it that he never comes back again! Wolf, wolf, wolf, terrible werewolf. May you fall beneath a caribou’s hooves! Wolf, wolf, wolf!

Balto ran, confused. Why are they chasing me? I do not want to hurt them! he thought.

He ran out of the alley. “Jenna!” cried a little girl’s voice. A chubby five-year-old called. “Rosy, she’s here,” her mother answered. Balto went out into the street. He slipped and found himself, nose to nose, with the angelic Red Angel Genevieve, to one day be Champion Red Angel Genevieve, or ‘Jenna,’ as her kennel name was. Jenna was a simply beautiful rust-and-cream colored Siberian husky, by Ch. Red Sammy Giza out of Ch. White Wild Artemis. Her fiery orange eyes bellied her sweet, caring nature. A scarlet bandanna encloaked her throat. She was only six months old, like Balto.

“Oh. Hello. My name is Jenna. What’s yours?”

“B-Balto. You’re beautiful.”

“Thanks. You’re handsome.” Balto gasped. To think this beautiful creature was calling him handsome!

“Where’s your owners?” asked Jenna, looking around.

“I don't’ have any. My...Mom was a wolf. But my Dad was a Malamute,” said Balto, afraid he was going to lose another friend.

“You’re part wolf? That’s so cool!”

“Really?’

“Yeah. I’ve never meet a wolf hybrid before. Where’s your Mom?”

“She’s dead. And my Dad and brother are gone.”

“Oh, I'm sor...sorry. I shouldn't have...” she stammered.

“It’s all right. I wish I had a human.”

“Well, my family could always take another dog, I'm sure."

“Really?”

“Yes! Come on.” She barked.

Rosy came over and hugged her husky. “Who’s this? Hello, boy. Would you like to join our family?” She stroked the dog on the head. That caress reminded Balto of his mother. He instantly loved her loved this little girl. Balto licked her face. Jenna wagged her tail, happy to see her new friend and beloved master getting along.

Steele ran up. He instantly liked the sight of that pretty husky and decided he would eventually make her his mate. The Malamute walked up, preparing to impress she by showing off how strong he was. Jenna snarled as she saw Balto cower. “Have you been mean to him?”

“What? The half-blood. Hmm, maybe,” shrugged Steele.

‘That was cruel! You know, you’re nothing but a bully! Get lost!”

Steele growled. He barked several times.

“HEY!” cried Rosy’s father. He kicked at Balto. “Rosy, stay away from him! That’s Balto, the wolf-dog.” He grabbed Jenna’s bandanna as the husky leapt the hybrid.

“No girl!” He turned to the Malamute.

“Good Steele! You saved Rosy! Maybe someday, you and Jenna will be mates, eh?” Jenna snarled at the grinning Malamute.

She turned to the gentle friend she had made. But Balto was gone.

******

Balto ran back, the “Wolf, wolf, wolf” song still ringing in his ears. He was so confused! When he reached the Boat, he related everything to Boris. But, before he could sulk, the huge cubs attacked him. Barking, the day’s events were forgotten as he played with the bears.But, when he went to sleep, he had a vision that would haunt him for many things..

A Raven turned into a white wolf, the white wolf with the caressing tongue. His mother. She turned into Jenna. Balto gave a cry of joy, and ran after her. But she was struck by a huge black bear. The bear changed into Steele. Steele laughed, and chased him off a cliff. A huge snow-colored wolf howled in a blizzard, black-tipped ears back. Balto shivered.

******CHAPTER 12: NIJU, THE EVIL WOLF******

You know the rest of Balto’s tale: how he won Jenna, defeated Steele, and meet Kemo, so there is no reason for me to continue. Aniu’s part is done as well until Balto’s daughter came along. But, would you like to know about Niju’s puppyhood?

In the March of 1924, Neno and Kenoma mated. And right on schedule, on April twenty-fifth, Kenoma gave birth to three pups. And Nava, repeating history, walked down the cramped tunnel to name the pups.Neno was excited to see the Alpha down there, for he hero-worshiped the old wolf. And as for Kenoma? Well, the gentle-eyed and gentle-souled sable-black she-wolf knew how hard Nanton’s death and Aniu’s running away had been on Nava.Nava examined the first-born. He was that intermediate black coloring of thoroughbreds that is deep chocolate in some lights, black in others; with a silver underside. His top jaw were black. The silver mask went in almost top-heart at his eyes, and spread wide beyond that. His legs were solid black. And his eyes (outlined in black), when he opened them two weeks later and changed their baby-blue coloring, were aquamarine.He was a big pup, and would be a big wolf. Perhaps two and 3/4 feet at the shoulder and six feet from the tip of his nose to the tip of his long tail. The black whiskers on his nose twitched. Nava thought about how much this pup resembled his sire. And the golden-gray wolf knew his name should be something Japanese. But the only word he knew besides Neno was ‘Niju,’ or ‘twenty.’

“His name should be Niju.”

“Niju,” repeated Kenoma quietly (she was tired, it was hard to bring three big pups into the World.) “It fits him. Little Niju.”

Nava turned to the other pup. He was light chocolate, with a snow underside, and following the same coloring plan as Aniu. There was a three-inch, inch-wide silver blaze on his chest, and his eyes were gold. “He twists the coloring of chocolate and snow. Therefore, he should be named Twister.”

“Twister it is,” agreed Neno.

The last born was coal-black and silver. He had the same color plan as Balto, with golden eyes. Nava sniffed him. He smelled the Lake Erie Toronto city. “Hmm... he has Lake Erie-smelling fur, with the Canadian pine. Therefore we should name him Toronto.”

“Toronto, good.”

Nava bowed his head, and went up to tell the pack.

******

A year passed. The three wolflings turned from chubby, Teddy bear puppies into long-legged awkward yearlings. And it was now that their personalities emerged.

Toronto, the smaller black-and-silver wolf, was courageous, heroic, and even a little reckless. Although he seemed cold and cynical, he actually kind-hearted and generous.Twister, the chocolate-and-snow one, was friendly, joking, suave, just about all around good guy.And finally was the first-born, the huge Niju. Niju was the one Nava worried about, for he was aggressive, and greatly feared change. On the upper side, he was fearless, forgiving, and cunning. But worst of all, Nava sensed that was a slight insanity in him.

The pack had grown huge. But only about a quarter of the pack were the ‘old crowd,’ those who had remembered when a beautiful white wolf had been the granddaughter of the leader. And even those quarter were doomed, for a new and deadly stranger had come.

He was Selkirk, a beige-and-white Samoyed, (a breed well-known for its affectionate nature, intelligence, and activeness.) The dog had not understood why his master had tied him a shed in Nome almost a year ago, and aimed a gun at his head. The reason was good, for a rabid Finnish spitz had bitten him.

Gunnar had hated to kill this faithful friend of his which the hated name, the friend who had adverted to rabid dog from bitting him in the first place, but it had to be done. It was either that or let the dog die horribly of the nightmare named rabies. Selkirk had stood, tied, when the Rabid Spitz ran in. The rope was in his way. The sick animal’s ears laid back, and sprung on the rope. His foam-soaked jaws and burning muzzle easily snapped through the leather. He started to run, (the reason he did not go for Kassun this time is because he was not in the way. He only bit those unfortunate enough to get in his way, in case you were wondering. Kassun managed to shoot the Spitz before he could get out.)

And so Selkirk had escaped, and had wondered for a full year, until he came upon the pack in May, 1925. His loud footfalls alerted Neno first. Instantly, he ran to with his Alpha, to confront the danger. He stood shoulder, as both bristled and snarled.

“Wait! I mean no harm,” hurriedly assured the Samoyed. The Alpha and Beta froze. Since their hackles were still up, the beige dog quickly assured with a whining dog howl.

“We be of one blood, ye and I.”

Nava’s ears perked. “Why are you here, dog? And what is your name?”

“Selkirk. My master tried to shot me. Can I join your pack?” Nava cocked his head. He sniffed the dog. He was good-natured, hard-working, and calm. And yet....there was a sickly sweet scent about. Nava shook his head.

“Ahh, come on, Nava,” said Neno, wagging his tail.

“Well, all right. Yes. Selkirk, you can join.” And here Nava erred. He should have trusted his instincts. This would prove to be a fatal error.The pack gave cry and started running. Selkirk followed, but then stumbled. He rubbed a watery eye with a beige foreleg.

“What? What’s wrong” asked Niju.

“Nothing.”

******

For a week the Samoyed ran with the pack. Nava began to think everything was fine. That is until that fateful day.They had missed the caribou. The pack stood panting. Nava lead them single file to the herd. Suddenly, the Samoyed, last in line, stopped. his eyes closed, and began panting. “Selkirk?”

Selkirk opened his bloodshot eyes. Foam poured from his mouth. The virus had finally struck his brain.Snarling, the dog attacked. He ripped through the throat of the wolf in front of him. The wolves roared. And the old team sprung. “NO! NO, DON’T ATTACK! HE’S RABID! RUN!” cried Nava. Too late. The Old Team got in the dog’s way. He tore through them, trying to get away. The others cleared. All but Niju. He bristled and faced the sick dog. Selkirk snarled at the wolf in his way. Before the others could intervene, he sprung!Selkirk’s crazed jaws, however, did not close on the cowering pup. It was Kenoma, Niju’s mother, defending her pup. The Samoyed bit into her neck. He started to pull free, when Neno attacked. The Samoyed bit his leg, and then the throat. The Samoyed tried to continue his death run, but had his crazed throat torn out by Neno. The foam-checked dog fell with a grunt. Niju crawled towards his parents and saw the blood trickling down Neno’s steel-gray leg. He whimpered.

“Niju, little Niju, it’s okay,” said Kenoma, nuzzling his frightened muzzle. She persuaded him to go down the den with his brothers. She kissed them, one last time.

Nava was looking at her, misery written all over his face. “Neno, Kenoma, I shouldn’t have let Selkirk in. I'm so sorry...”

“It’s my fault, not your’s, Goldie,” grinned Neno.

“But, Nava, do us one thing. Please take care of our babies,” gasped Kenoma.

******

Twenty-four hours later, Neno and Kenoma’s mouths started to foam. The terrible rabies virus bite, being on the neck for both, quickly reached the brain. But even at that, Neno and Kenoma remained sane enough to escape from the pack, before they could bite. They died together, in that horrible painful death of rabies.

******

Niju crawled out. He had a horrible dream, filled with foaming beige huskies and with both of his parents trickling blood. “Mommy! Daddy!” he cried. Toronto and Twister ran out and started calling with him.

The Raven form of Aniu flew down. “Your mother and father cannot be with you any more. I am sorry.” She bowed her head and disappeared into mist.

“What?” asked Niju, as Nava trotted up.

“Niju, Toronto, twister, your parents..are dead. I am sorry. Now come on.”

“We’re orphans?” gasped Niju, his eyes burning hot.

“Yes.”

“Who will take care of us? Who, Nava?” asked Twister.

“I will.”

“Oh, thank you, Nava! Thank you!” said Toronto.

Niju snarled. “It’s all your fault, Nava! I WILL be Alpha. And I will revenge my parents on you, old fool!!!” he vowed to himself as he followed his brothers.

******

From that day on, it was just as Niju said. He hated the old wolf, and would never miss a chance to oppose him., Three weak runty wolves began following him. A brown one, Nuk. A yellow one, Sumac. And a blackish-grey one, Yak. They followed him constantly, annoying the heck out of Niju. Aniu the White Wolf was now a legend. And the caribou failed, in Niju’s second year. The pack would be dangerously close to starving. That is until a year later, when the Son of Aniu, the wolf-dog Balto, and his light tan 3/4 dog daughter, Aleu, fulfilled and heritage and led the pack into Canada. A year passed before the pack returned. Being in love with her, Niju ran across Canada to receive. Another year passed, and the loving couple of Niju and Aleu mated. Come May, they had their first litter. There was a black wolf, Tundra. The only female, the butterscotch Taiga. The black-and-silvers Black Eagle and Night Jaws. the ebon-and-coal-and-snow crazed Joker. And the pure white wolf, Silver Cloud.

The Circle of Life had continued!!!

******CHAPTER 13: ODD FRIENDS******

And here stood, in the local tavern, Balto, son of Aniu. It was 1931, and the place was Nome. He stood with his family, his five sons (Jenner, Ace, Dingo, MicroWing, and Bruce); his three daughters, (Aleu, Suma, and Kala); his beautiful mate Jenna, his grandsire, Nava; his son-in-law, Niju; his grandsons (Joker, Tundra, Silver Cloud, Night Jaws, Black Eagle, Tornait, Desert Storm, Chrome, Sand Piper, and Phoenix); and his granddaughters, (Taiga, Galaxy, and Thunder.) There stood his half-brother Kemo, his sister-in-law Midback, and his half-nephews (Snow Fox, Ice Fire and Dark Side); and his half-nieces (White Moon, Half-tail, and Nanuq.)And his pals, Star, Kaltag, Nikki, Steele, Sylvie, Dixie, Doc, Boris, Muk, Tyonek, and Luk. He sighed. He was so happy! And yet, trouble as up.

His oddest pals, Harry Potter and his world, had brought trouble. Fawkes, that scarlet-and-gold phoenix that now sat in front of him, had called upon Balto for help against the Nazi-like Death Eaters. And now Lucius and his Hitler-like master, Voldemort, knew that the wolves feared big cats with a deathly fear! Not good!

“And yet,” said Balto quietly to himself. “What comes comes. Worrying about it won’t stop it.”

“Here, here!” agreed Nyctea, the snowy owl daughter of Hedwig and Quartz.

Balto stretched. He looked at Harry. ‘So, do you guys really have to go back?”

Harry sighed and put down his drink. “You know I have to go back to England, Balto. And your destiny is here.”

“I know,” sighed Balto.

“But don’t you ever wish you had a wolf pack on premises?” asked Niju.

“Well, yes. We have Raven, but he’s a wolf-bird.” The pups look eagerly at each other.

Dumbledore stood up. “No! I’m sorry, I would love to have you pups on premises, but that would change the time line.”

“Aww!” cried the pups in unison.

Kojak, Nyctea’s brother, grinned. “Ahh, but of course! Those wolfies don’t want to stay in boring ol’ Nome! They want to be with Kojak!”

“What am I, chopped liver?” asked Nyctea.

“And you, I guess. But it’s so exciting.”

“To each his own,’” said the peregrine phoenix-like falcon, Ayden.

“Well said!” agreed Tyonek, the silver caribou. Dumbledore ran a hand over the stag’s lame leg.

“Yes. You’ll limp for a very long time, Tyonek. you have to come with us. But Akita and Prongs are there,” said Fawkes.

“I am sorry it has to be this way,” said Dumbledore softly.

Tyonek stretched. “It’s not that. I'll be happy at jolly ol’ England. I just wish that my herd would be all right.”

Harry looked Delta the peregrine falcon. “Has the Black Stallion left already?”

“Yeah. Alec remembered they have a race tomorrow morning and that had to be back. It was only Lucifer’s mind trick that brought them here in the first place,” replied the New York falcon. T

he barred falcon flew up. “Umm, Ty?

There’s a big herd coming this way and the villagers don’t look happy.”

“What now?” asked the stag as he got up and walked out.

Tuque, young leader of the herd, stepped forward, his gray head and white neck nervously jerking. The wolves understood and stepped back. “You know we aren’t going to eat you, so why be so worried?” asked Aleu.

“We can never be at ease around wolves, you eat us.”

“But...”

“Anywho, Ty, we don’t want you to leave.”

The silver stag sighed. “Guys, with my bad leg, I can’t be here...”

“We know,” interrupted Tuque. “And so we want to come with you. Well, as long as Dumbledore says it’s okay,” added Tuque, glancing at the nodding Dumbledore.

“Why?”

“Well, we want to be with you.-"

“That and a new herd’s here,” interrupted Ayden. Indeed, a huge herd of hundreds of caribou were now to be seen.

Dumbledore glanced at his watch, that strange watch with twelve hands and no numbers. “We had better get going.”

Harry nudged Balto’s furry head. “I’ll miss ya. We’ll be seeing you guys soon,” he said.

The herd stood with the raptors and humans. Fawkes flew above. “Grab my tail,” he ordered. “And Balto,” added Fawkes. “Be safe.”

“Uhm, okaaay...”

In a burst of flames, they disappeared.

******CHAPTER 14: HELLO, ICE BREAKER******

The flame reflected in the blood-colored eyes of the Raven. The ebony bird was sitting on the roof of the Captain’s Quarters of Balto’s Boat. “Corronk!” In an instant, the Raven disappeared, and Aniu sat in its place, thoughtfully thumping her tail. A second raven, with a halo of light surrounding her body and dark eyes, flew to her side. “Aniu?” asked the raven. Aniu looked up.

“Oh, hello, Lenore.”

“Why the long face?”

“My son. I’m so worried about him.”

“He’ll be fine. Besides, wait to you hear what I saw.”

“What?” asked Aniu, looking at her.

“A young white wolf is coming. A young white wolf by the name of Ice Breaker....”

******

Balto whined softly, sad at his friends leaving. “Oh, Balto, they’ll be back,” said Jenna soothingly.

Aleu stretched. “Well, in a few days, we have to head back,” she said. She grinned. “We’ll be back next year. This has been an eventful summer...”

Joker yawned. “Aye, but they’ll be pups. Next year, Harley and I will be having pups.”

“YOU'RE JOKING!” shouted Balto.

“Nope, next year I’ll be five years old. And old enough to start a family,” added Harley.

“Do ya think they’ll be another Harley?” she asked.

“Let’s hope not,” muttered Joker. He grinned. “Just joking!”

Kemo suddenly straightened up. His ears were cocked, and his nose was twitching. “Kemo?” asked Midback. That scent, thought Kemo. That one scent, I’ve been hoping for so long to smell....

Kemo lifted his head. “We be of one blood, ye and I!” he howled.

The call echoed eerily, before it was answered by another, another like Kemo’s. “Aye, we be of one blood, ye and I. Kemo, I'm coming home!!!” A large white wolf appeared. His ears and toes were black-tipped. His amber round eyes focused on the huge snow wolf. “I’M COMING HOME!!!” he called. He broke into a run. Kemo galloped towards him.

“ICE BREAKER!!!” The two brothers hugged necks, each one happy. He led Ice Breaker back. “Ice Breaker, this is Balto, your half-brother.”

Ice Breaker bowed. “I've heard of you, and I am honored to be in your presence.” Balto rubbed his head against Ice Breaker’s. So this was his long-lost half-brother. What words could describe the happiness enjoyed by the wolves as they met one of their own? For wolves and Far Northland dogs, family is the most important thing.

******

Lenore glanced at her friend’s, expecting to see happiness that her family were finally together. But Aniu’s eyes were closed. Suddenly she opened them, and her red-gold irises were panic-striken!

“Lenore! Balto and Ice Breaker! They will be dead before the July moon rises!”

Aniu looked back, he heart beating fast. She felt sick with sorrow. Balto and his friends were on a collision course with death from Nazis. And all because Balto’s heart was too great to deny the scarlet-and-gold phoenix who had begged for help!!

THE END!

AUTHOR’S NOTE: YEP, ANOTHER YOUNG BALTO FANFIC. IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING, ALEXANDER SELKIRK WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR "ROBINSON CRUSOE." ONE OF SELKIRK'S FRIENDS WAS SIR RICHARD STEELE, WHO RAN THE NEWSPAPER 'SPECTATOR. (AS YOU CAN TELL, I DID SOME REASEARCH FOR THIS FANFICTION. WHEN I WAS WRITING THIS, DCOUNTRY87 WAS PLAYING BROOKS AND DUNN SO LOUD AND OFTEN THAT IT JUST SNUCK INTO MY STORY. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY VERSION OF BALTO, KEMO AND NIJU’S YOUTH.-EBONYPATRIOT