The Wolf Returns

By Commentaholic - Alpha 05

A/N: Here I am again.

In clarification, this story occurs in an alternate timeline in which Balto left some time before the Diptheria outbreak (When is still up for debate in my head). As such, he was not there to finish the medicine delivery, and so the town suffered due to Steele's incompetence. Balto still fancied/fancies Jenna, so he does miss her on occasion.

FYI: Normal letters are... well... normal. Italics are either thoughts, imagination, dreams or flashbacks. In this chapter's case, it has thoughts and flashbacks.


Chapter One: Old Friends, Old Memories


After a while, the dens came into view. The tired scouting party breathed sighs of relief as their tired limbs carried them through the snowy forest. Balto halted, catching a familiar scent on the wind: Herring.

"You guys go ahead... I- I'll catch up," he mumbled.

"If you say so. Just don't stay out here too long," Loptir said, continuing on with the rest of the pack towards their cluster of cave dwellings set into the cliff to the north. Above the series of dens was Falcon's Peak, gleaming in the last few rays of sunshine that soared across the open air between the horizon and the stone monolith. Balto nodded before turning away, running off into the forest, sniffing all the way.

The scent grew stronger and stronger and then... disappeared? What? Balto was puzzled. He backtracked to where he'd last smelled the scent: a tree. He looked around, but the source was nowhere to be seen. Balto's ears twitched as he heard the creaking sound of strained wood and looked up just in time to hear an excited shout of "Balto!" then he found himself buried by two piles of white fur. Balto laughed as he crawled out from under the two polar bears.

"Muk and Luk. I should've known." Balto grunted. The larger polar bear Luk, grabbed Balto and pulled him into a tight embrace, which Balto fought to extricate himself from. "Alright fellas, I thought I warned you to stay away from the pack's territory. I can't protect you, especially not now that food is scarce. The pack might decide to turn you into dinner."

Luk whimpered and Muk comforted him, "Of course he doesn't mean it. Balto wouldn't let them eat us... would you?" The smaller polar bear's eyes met Balto's. Balto averted his gaze.

"I can't promise anything anymore. The pack is going hungry, and unless we move on to a more rich hunting ground, we'll all die of starvation." Balto noticed the worried faces, so he decided to change the subject, "What are you doing here, anyway?"

Muk's eyes lit up, "Oh, right. Uncle Boris wanted to see you."

Boris? Balto hadn't seen Boris in ages, not since...

"Hey Balto, I've got a message for your mother!" Steele chuckled before throwing his head back and letting loose a mocking howl, soon followed by his cronies, Nikki, Kaltag and Star.

Balto snarled and advanced as the insults kept coming. He was not a wolf.

"Hey Balto, translate this for me, will you?"

All his life, Balto had tried to become accepted by the town, but everyone seemed determined to make him an exile

"What's Wolf for 'Go chase your tail?'"

Balto snarled and advanced on the group of sled dogs. Steele turned, seeing Balto approaching. "Get him," he commanded to his followers. The dogs leapt in front of Steele, barking like mad at Balto. Behind them, Steele smirked.

"Get out of here, Wolf Dog. You'd better get back to your pack!" Steele spat, a glob of spittle landing on Balto's nose. Balto shook it off, growling. He would've attacked them then and there if not for Boris popping up right in front of him. No one made fun of him

"Maybe it's the unrelenting fear talking, but I'm seeing wisdom in this advice. Maybe we go now, eh? NOW!" the snow goose commanded, pushing Balto's head to the side to urge him to leave. Balto reluctantly turned and left with Boris. More jeers came from behind them as they went up the alley. They didn't make it far before piles of snow were hurled at them by Steele and his gang. Balto ignored it.

Suddenly something hard hit him in the back of the head, sending Balto reeling into a pile of wood. Stars spun before his eyes, but Balto only knew that he had to get out of there before more came. He and Boris sprinted down the alley, leaving Steele far behind them.

They were on the way back to the abandoned ship that was Balto's home when Balto stopped and sniffed the air. Something familiar... He turned and saw four wolves up on a distant hill: three adults and a pup. One howled to him an invitation, one that Balto was now seriously considering.

Boris looked on as Balto stood there, conflicted with his own thoughts.

"Balto, I don't blame you if you go with them."

Balto looked at the snow goose in surprise, "Boris?"

"Balto, how long have I been taking care of you?"

"As long as I can remember," Balto replied.

"Right. And all that time, I've been trying to help you figure out what you are... Balto... You've tried the dog," Boris sighed, "Now you should try the wolf."

Balto was dumbstruck. "Boris, you can't be serious!"

Boris patted Balto condescendingly on the cheek, "Of course I'm serious. But don't get me wrong. I expect you to visit and clean up every once and a while." Boris said, holding up a finger. Balto laughed for a moment before the smile faded.

"I'll come back, Boris. I promise."

Balto turned away from the past, embracing the future. The future of the pack. Before he reached the hill, the wolves waiting for him atop it, he turned back towards Nome, his eyes seeking out any trace of that one particular Husky. "Jenna..." Balto murmured, "I'll come back for you, too."


A/N: Well, there's another chapter. This one might take priority, considering how popular it seems to be and how fast I can seem to write these chapters.

This one was more of an explanation of the timeline we're working off of, and when Balto left the town.

That was where this story turned AU. From Balto's choice to join the wolves. Those of you who watched the first movie may remember them. When I was watching the movie, I almost wished that he DID join them... so I made him do it. But of course, in the movie, he probably only stayed in town for Jenna's sake. See you all next time!

-=Commentaholic - Alpha 05=-