Foreword
At this time, I find myself looking back, impressed with how far things have come along. Since the start of this series, Balto has been put through numerous challenges, only to come out on top every time. As time went on, things expanded to feature other characters, both old and new, adding depth to the main narrative. It's not just the characters that have grown – I myself have grown as a writer, always learning something new with each story. Not bad for someone who, just two years ago, had no stories to show the world.
By now, you're probably asking yourself, 'Hey iWolf, why all the reflection?' Well, I'm finding myself at a point in my life where one chapter will end before another begins. You see, this story is not just another story in my series – it will be the last. All great adventures come to a close at some point, and for this series, that time is now. I have one last story to tell before riding off into the sunset.
So what challenge is in store for our favorite wolfdog this time? How about a race? Ah, but this isn't just any race – it's the Trans-Alaskan Deby, the biggest race of the year. This is the race that turns dogs into champions, with the golden collar as the final prize. After years of having to stay on the sidelines, Balto will finally get his chance to run in it… but he won't be the only one. Steele is entered in this race too, and as old rivalries flare, it quickly becomes obvious that the race won't be the only challenge they will face.
This story will be set roughly two years after the first movie, placing it between the second and third movies in terms of chronology. It is also the largest story I've ever written, roughly one and a half times the size of my usual Balto stories. Of course, that just means that you won't get short-changed on such a big adventure.
Before I start out, I want to thank my beta reader, Mav32. She may be relatively new to the Balto fandom, but she was already a seasoned writer, making her help with the final checks invaluable. I also want to thank everyone who has shown their support for my work over the past couple of years. Since this includes everyone who has ever favorited, commented or contributed to my stories, the list of names quickly becomes too big to put up in it's entirety. I'm sure these people already know who they are, and whether your contribution was big or small, I still appreciate all you've done for me, and for that you have my thanks.
Alright, I've rambled on long enough; it's time to get this race started! Sit back, get comfortable, and maybe get a snack to enjoy the finale in "The Last Miles".
Chapter One: A Warning and a Promise
"Goodbye to you too, mother."
"And to you, my son, but we will meet again soon. We will meet again once you have reclaimed the title you deserve; the title that was stolen from your father."
The white she-wolf vanished, becoming a very part of the wind that carried her across the land. Time and distance had little meaning for her; a being that no longer lived as others did, but had not passed on completely to join the dead. She was still bound to this world because of the bond to her one and only son. She'd seen him endure great hardship, only to persevere and come out triumphant. It warmed her heart to see him act solely out of compassion for those he cared about, and even for those whom he didn't know. These were qualities that reminded her so much of her mate, whom she loved, but lost long ago.
"You would be so proud of him, Amak. Balto has grown up so much, able to accept who he is despite the prejudice against him."
"I already am, Aniu. He made me proud enough just by being our son."
Aniu smiled when she heard the comforting voice. It was Amak, her one and only love who had been cruelly ripped away from her. Unlike her, he did not remain in this world as an echo, having already moved on to the next. Sometimes his voice would come through to her, making her want to be with him again, but her duty to her son came first. She wanted him to be able to live the dreams he had when he was young. She thought back to those days, when she was still among the living, telling her son tales of Amak's adventures. Balto never did get to meet his father, but just hearing about him inspired the young pup. It wasn't long before he wanted to become a racing dog too.
"I'm gonna be the fastest and the strongest of them all and I can be champion for you, momma, just like dad."
She was proud to see him so inspired, and for a time, she thought he actually had a chance. He may not have had a human owner to make him part of any sled team, but he was young and she didn't want to dampen his spirits. Those times were good for them, but they would be short-lived as they were being hunted. Even though her heart lay with Amak, there was a wolf who also had held an interest in Aniu before finding out the truth. Mayak was his name, and after he found out she had secretly been with a dog instead of him, he turned on her. Amak put up a brave fight, but he would fall to Mayak's fangs. Only an intervention from rest of her pack allowed her to escape to Nome, while Mayak gave chase, never giving up until he found her safe haven. She couldn't run forever, nor could she hide, so she would make a final stand - if not for her, then for her only son. She knew the risk, but she intended to fight tooth and nail to eliminate Mayak and keep them safe, even if it meant her own end. As the morning sun rose, she said what would become her final goodbyes to little Balto.
"Stay safe my son. Please stay safe."
"I will, mom. You're always watching out for me."
"Yes, and I always will. I will always be there to look after you. I love you so much. You make me so proud. You'll be always be my little baby."
Despite her determination, Mayak would gain the upper hand, fatally wounding her. As her life drained away, his taunting sent one last surge through her, giving her the strength to spring up and take them both over the side of a cliff. It would cost her own life, but Mayak was finally defeated. The danger had passed, but without her to protect him, Balto's life would take a very hard turn.
Her bond with her son allowed her to return as a spirit, but she was unable to reach him. Balto would endure cruel hostility at the paws of the dogs in Nome, all while his mother was forced to watch from the sidelines. It broke her heart to be unable to intervene, or even provide comfort to her son, who would cry his eyes out, wondering why his mother had left him. There was one husky in particular that took a sadistic joy in picking on her son: Steele – the champion of Nome and a hero to many. However, she knew his true secret. She knew that he was only a champion because he cheated, stealing the title from whom it truly belonged.
It was supposed to be Amak's moment of triumph, when he would prove himself as a champion. He was neck and neck with his rival, only feet away from the finish line when he became the victim of a dirty trick. The runner up snapped at the legs of another teammate, causing her to trip, costing Amak the seconds he needed to cross the finish first. This dog was Steele, and his name would be one that Aniu would curse under her breath for years. Steele stole the title that was rightfully Amak's, and then humiliated him when he found out his rival was in love with a wolf. The hand of fate would also make him her son's tormentor, and with every injustice her desire for justice grew.
However, there came a time when Steele's actions finally caught up with him, during a mission to find medicine for sick children. He'd lost his way, but when Balto tried to help, he pushed the half-wolf away. When Balto did take charge, Steele went on to sabotage the trail, almost succeeding in that too. Balto was on the verge of giving up, but at his darkest hour, his mother finally returned to him. She gave him the strength to accept his wolf side and find the way home. He was able to expose Steele's lie and the traitorous husky was cast out, while he was lauded for his courage.
The wind started to calm and she let herself slip back into the physical world. She was far from where she started, at the edge of a small town. By now the sun had set, leaving the town dark save for the orange glow from the homes along the streets. She knew that inside them were humans sitting down to dinner with their families, possibly with their canine companions as well. While most wolves saw the bonding between dogs and humans as shameful and oppressive, her time with Amak had shown her differently. Dogs stayed with humans because they loved them, and the two worked together for mutual benefit. As she passed along the outskirts of the town, she paused when she came across one house in particular. On the surface it seemed like any ordinary home; wood paneling made up the exterior, a couple of windows let light out from the home while a small shed was set a short distance away in the back yard. It was just another house on the street, but to Aniu it was so much more. It was once the home of her love, and as she silently crept behind it, she took a moment to pause at a small hill.
She and Amak had come to love watching the northern lights at night, enjoying the colourful dance in the sky. When the lights didn't appear, Amak put it upon himself to create them. Taking some fragments of glass and an old lantern, he was able to project a beautiful facsimile of them on a hillside. It was the most magical moment of her life, but like Amak himself, that moment would pass on, existing only in her memory. The small hill was nothing more than dark ground now, cold and empty.
After her moment of reflection, she continued past the home towards a small barn a few doors down. This was her true objective tonight. An orange glow came from inside as well, but it was much fainter than the lights from the homes. She crept along the side and peeked through a small opening between two boards. The light was coming from a fading lantern inside, left by one of the humans for the barn's occupants. It made the sleeping forms inside appear mostly as shadows, but she could still identify them as dogs, all fast asleep after a good day's work. Some were even letting out a soft snoring, and she smiled a little; Amak used to do the same. Luckily for him, she didn't mind his slumber noises.
She scanned the room before her eyes settled on a well-built black and white husky. He was her objective, and now it was just a matter of getting him to her without waking anyone else up. Taking note of where he was lying, she found the spot on the wall closest to his head. Winding up one of her hind legs, she gave the wood a soft kick. The 'thunk' of her paw on the wood was quiet enough to escape detection by everyone else, but close enough to get the husky out of his slumber.
"Hm? Wha-? Who's there?" a very sleepy voice muttered. She had his attention, so she started scratching at the wood, hoping to coax him outside to investigate.
"Ugh, this had better be good," the voice inside grumbled, before the soft clicks of claws on the floorboards started to make their way to the door. "I swear, if it's Sonya screwing with my sleep again, there'll be hell to pay." The hinges creaked, cutting the silence of the night as the husky stepped outside. He was still blinking the sleep out of his ice-blue eyes when Aniu decided to make her presence known.
"Hello Steele; long time, no see."
Steele's head snapped to the side to find the pure-white wolf sitting only feet away. He blinked a few times in surprise at having a wolf in his midst, not giving any reply. While Aniu seemed outwardly calm, inside, her fury was building towards everything this dog had done to her and her family.
It took a moment for things to register in his sleepy mind, but when they did, he was almost as surly as she was. "What do you want, fleabag?"
"Come now Steele, don't you remember me?" she asked, ignoring his insult.
"Probably not - all you wolves look the same anyways."
"Well then maybe you'll remember this name - Amak. Does that help at all?"
"Amak, Amak…" he trailed off, wiggling his toes as he worked through his brain to link a face with the name. "Hang on, I did know him. He used to live around here years ago with my owners and that half-mutt Sonya," he replied. "Yeah, but then he got kicked out once I found out his dirty little secret."
Aniu had to bite back a growl as she remembered that painful day. It was right after she realised she was carrying their pups, and she went to Amak for comfort, worried what Mayak would do if he found out. Steele ended up catching them together and gave chase, cornering them in an abandoned building before banishing them both from the town. Amak was cast out and humiliated, and things would only get worse when Mayak caught them soon after. The resulting brawl cost Amak his life, and led Mayak to pursue her until both of their ends. It was because of this that Steele was one of the two she personally blamed for Amak's death. Her rage would only be compounded as she watched him bully her only son, ostracizing him because of his half-wolf heritage.
That was over four years ago, and soon everything started to click in Steele's mind. "Hang on, I do know you. You were with him - you're Amak's wild squeeze!" he stated, chuckling at the memory. His mirth grew into all out laughter as he remembered the joy he took in shaming his rival like that, forcing Aniu to stifle a growl at him. "So, where's the lobo lover himself, eh?" he continued, creeping closer to stare right into her eyes. "Didn't he want to come and show his disgraced face again?"
Aniu wouldn't take any more insults like this, so in one swift motion she raised her paw and struck him across his smug muzzle. "How dare you talk about my mate like that! Amak died that night, and you are partly to blame!" Steele grunted as her claws left small scratches on his cheek, which quickly started to burn. It was as though someone had pushed him into poison ivy, something he never expected from a few scratches. Despite the pain, he didn't cry out, refusing to show any weakness to this wolf.
"That was… years ago," he said, wincing from the pain in his cheek. "You sure… took your time… getting back here."
"I had other concerns to attend to… but now I have only one thing left to do, and it involves you."
"Heh, if you're here to avenge your hubby, then you've got another thing coming tuts," he replied, puffing out his chest. "I won't go down easy, especially to a wolf like you."
"Is that all you think about? Revenge and fighting? My, my, no wonder you got yourself in the predicament you did," she replied, having regained her calm. "Tell me Steele; how long has it been since you've worn the trophy collar that you cherished so much?"
He froze as her question caught him off guard. "How would you know about that?"
"I have my ways," she replied, a sly smile on her muzzle.
"Fine, don't tell me; but if everything goes right, I just might get it back," he added, earning a raised brow from her. "We just got the word last week – my owner's going to enter in the derby this year. I'll make my triumphant return back to the top! Mark my words, that collar will be back on my neck soon enough."
"Really? It will be yours? I thought the trophy went to the lead dog, not the swing," she mused, causing him to scowl at her. "But now that you mention it, I know about the derby too. In fact, it's the reason I'm here. I have something to tell you."
"Oh really?" he sorted, rolling his eyes. "Did Sonya put you up to this?"
"No, and if you shut up for once in your life you might actually learn something," she spat back. Her eyes briefly flashed golden fire, and the scratches on his cheek burned sharply, forcing him to bite down to prevent from crying out. "Listen up, because I think you will be interested in this. There is a way for you to regain some of your glory, but it is not the way you think. You keep on trying to return to the past, but to do so would only lead to disaster for you and countless others. If you want to have any chance of regaining what you have lost, you must learn to move on. Only when you put the past behind you will you regain what you have lost."
"And if I refuse?"
"As I said, it might not be in your best interest. There will come a time when there will be more than just the race at stake. If you do not make the right choice, then everything I have worked for will come undone… and my vengeance will be swift and terrible," she declared as her eyes glowed bright yellow. The sight made him gasp and step back as he realised that this was no ordinary wolf. "You must move beyond the past if you are to have any hope of a future."
"But how?" he asked, but she only let out a howl as a sharp wind started to blow. It forced him to shut his eyes, but when it passed, she had vanished, not even leaving tracks on the ground. He stared wide-eyed at what had just transpired, and tried to collect himself. "What are you talking about? Move on from what?" he asked, but there was no reply from the empty night.
"I promised I would make sure our son knew who his father was, and now I will make good on that promise. Only then will I be at peace… and we will be reunited, my love."