What Was Lost in Pass

Note: This story takes place right after the events of Balto (1995)

Chapter 1: Return of a Hero

Balto slowly walked away from the still celebrating town of Nome, heading towards his boat. After he left, or rather, sneaked away from the porch of the hospital, which was where the crowd cheered for him, the crowd had turned their attention to the other sled dogs on the team like Nikki, Kaltag and Star. He can still hear the noises from so far away, still, he is sure that the cheered even louder for him, and he can't help but to let a smile escape his lips, despite his weariness.

Bringing the badly needed anti-toxin back to Nome was not an easy task, many obstacles had been laid before him, blizzards, falling icicles, breaking ice bridge and even an avalanche brought down by a sneeze from Star. However, none of these stopped Balto and his team from going home, and urged by their desperation to save the sick townspeople of Nome, they ran towards their home at the coast for days without stopping, any discomfort was ignored or simply didn't noticed.

But now, they had reached the finish line, his quest is completed and his adrenaline has faded, he felt his whole body sore and every steps he took made his muscles protest with discomfort. Only now that he realize how exhausted he was.

But it was all worth it. Balto smiled when he thought of what he had achieved and the prize that he was rewarded. All he hoped to get was to save Rosy, the only human in Nome that would not frown upon on his sight and even willing to touch him as if he was a domesticated dog. And, by saving Rosy, perhaps he could earn the favor of Jenna, a stunningly beautiful red and white husky Balto has fancied since he was young.

But it turned out he gets much, much more than he bargained for, instead of getting the favor of a human and a dog, the whole town, dogs and humans alike, cheered for him as a hero. He was not prepared for this kind of welcome, but he did enjoy the happiness of finally being accepted.

"Finally, the town's hero decided to come home!" spoke a voice with a thick Russian accent.

Balto pulled his head up and found out he had arrived home, an old, broken boat that was there long before Balto called it his home. His old bunkmate, a snow goose named Boris was looking down at him on the deck of the boat, beside him was two polar bear cubs, one smaller and the other bigger, Muk and Luk. They have been Balto's friend since he was young, and like him, they are outcasts and rarely, if ever wandered into Nome. However, they did went into the town when Balto returned with the medicine, but left quick enough before some humans decide to shoot them for their fur.

Once Balto boarded his boat, the only thing he felt was an overpowering weariness, he trailed towards the room on the boat and curled up under his blanket. Muk and Luk were eager to hear his story and how he returned, but luckily, Boris was able to notice just how tired Balto was and, with some effort, convinced the two polar bear cubs to leave him alone until tomorrow.

Far away from Nome, in the snowy mountains where blizzard raged, a lone wolf ran with all his might, pushing himself against the wind and the snow. He was running for his life, even in this kind of storm which none but the insane or lunatic would travel in. He knew his pursuers would not be stopped; every single second he delayed would only make him closer to his death. Death ahead, death behind. But otherwise, I will survive! My quest is yet undone! And with a groan, he forced himself into a run again, desperate to put some distance between him and his doom.