-1 year later-
It was late summer, and upon another border between the Pridelands and the Forestlands within the Mountain Lands nearby and above, a handsome teenage wolf was preparing to carve a slide down with the help of his friends. Balto grinned as he grunted, pushing a half cut hollow log with the trio boys; Nikki, Kaltag, and Star. "Star, you're in the middle. Kaltag, you're behind me. Nikki, you're in the back.".
"Aww, man, why am I always in the back, Balto?". asked Nikki. Balto smirked, "Because you're the best at giving the force of the boom than we do.". Nikki grinned, "I do, huh?". Balto nodded.
"Oi, are we standing here or what?". asked Kaltag impatiently. Star wagged his tail as he hopped upon the log, "Shotgun!". Balto laughed, and hopped over Star, landing, with Kaltag jumping into the log, with Nikki grunting as he pushed the back of the log, then jumped into his spot as the log slided down. Balto grinned as he focused his element of earth, the tendrils of green shooting everywhere as it carved the slide long ahead of the log, into the ground, into the boulders, the dirt, and even some bushes.
"Jump incoming! Nikki, do the boom!". Balto called out, and Nikki chortled as he moved his rump up and around before slamming it into the back of the log, causing the log to jump over a incline. "Nice! Now we gotta do-". Balto shouted before he saw something blocking the path. "Moose!". The trio's eyes widened, and Balto shouted, "Sharp right, NOW!".
The teenagers turned right, right before it was intending to crash into the moose who bleated in fear, then fainted from the near-death experience. Balto whistled, "That was close!".
A paw touched Balto's shoulder and Balto turned around, "What?". as he faced Star. "R-R-Rock!". Star screamed. Balto gasped as he turned around. "Oh hell, we forgot to put on the brakes!".
The rock hit the log, sent the log, and the wolves flying into mid-air, before they crashed upon the ground. Groans came from the wolves, along with complaining and muttering. "That was my spleen, Kaltag.". "Okay, whose butt is squishing me?". "What did we hit back there?".
Balto muttered as he came out, rubbing his head gingerly. "Okay, folks, we gotta remember the brakes next time.". Then he saw the border, as it was a low ravine and his eyes widened as he recognized someone hunting alone. He remembered today was Vitani's first hunt. He came closer to the edge, and sure enough, it was Vitani. So grown up and beautiful, wearing a lovely dark purple bandanna. "Hey, fellas, guess who's hunting for her first catch?". Balto murmured to his friends as he laid down on his paws, watching Vitani as she was scoping out the ravine, hiding behind spots to evade any smelling from her prey, which is zebra.
"Wow, Vitani's back from her vacation.". Kaltag commented, and Nikki complied, "She sure learned something from Sarafina, for sure.". Only the youngsters know of the deal between Mufasa and Aniu, with the permission of Zazu and Sarafina, and Mufasa's mate, Sarabi who secretly allowed all the cubs and pups to become friends and perhaps something more. The other adults didn't know nothing of it all yet little did they know was that the residents of Elephant Pass has been spying upon the secret meetings of Balto and Vitani and their friends, cousins. The deal formed upon that fateful day when the caves collapsed upon the underground spring that supplied the river and which Balto, Vitani, and Mheetu has been saved.
Balto smiled, "Looks like the pride's going to eat good tonight, boys. If I know 'Tani, and I do, she will catch a wicked good zebra.". A nudge from Star again, "Hey, hey, who is that?". Star's paw pointed to something in the distance, and Balto raised his head, growled, "I don't believe it. It's those outcast wolves.". Sure enough, sneaking through the grass was Ralph, Dusty, and Kirby. They was up to something. Balto switched his head between the wolves and Vitani, and realizing that Vitani could be angry at him for losing her first hunt, but Balto didn't want her to get hurt, as she's outnumbered.
"Vitani, get out of there!". Balto, jumping up to his haunches as he shouted to Vitani, who turned her head in confusion and anger at Balto, then barks, growls sounded out as the outcast wolves scared off the zebra herd, and chaos began. The herd panicked furiously as they ran back, having the flight response from the chasing outcast wolves, and Vitani gasped, and ran back in the same direction.
Balto shrieked, "Hell, she is not gonna make it!". He ran furiously as he focused so hard, the hardest he ever could remember, concentrating upon the ravine ground, and shouted, "Vitani, leap up to that ledge and hold on! I will pull your ledge up!". Vitani heard him and panted as she saw the ledge that is just feet away, yet looking high, but she snorted with a growl, having jumped further than that. She ran, and leapt into the ledge, panting, as she collapsed into her paws, holding on with unsheathed claws as she recognized Balto's magic darting around the ledge, and pushing the base upward, like a elevator, and it made it to top, with Balto at the edge, looking relieved as she realized that Balto had just grew up again, reaching up by her neck in height, and looking more cuter than she remembered him.
"Thank the spirits you're safe! You all right?". Balto asked her worriedly. Vitani got up, panting slightly, but feeling better already as she smiled. "Better now that you're here, Balto.". She purred as she nuzzled Balto's shoulder, and flicked her tail upon Balto's nose. "Hey, Vitani!". Kaltag called out in happiness as he and his brothers made it over, catching up to Balto in pants and heaving breaths as they was shocked to see Balto somehow running so fast as a cheetah to reach Vitani.
"Hey, Kal, Nikki, Star. Great to see you guys.". Vitani smiled, and she turned to face Balto. "So what was that about?". Balto frowned, "It was the outcast wolves. I thought they was gonna hurt you or something, and turns out I was right. They got the zebra into a stampede, hoping to kill you, but thank goodness you made it.".
Vitani nodded with a sigh, "Figures. Isn't this the third or fourth time they did something like this? I couldn't make it out without your help.". Balto shrugged, "I lost count after that Elephant Pass fiasco. How about I make it up to you, 'Tani'?". Vitani smirked, "Oh, really? What do you have in mind?".
Balto glanced at the boys, "Guys, mind if I go off with Vitani? I have a much better meal for her to catch.". Star shrugged, "We don't mind, right, bros?". Kaltag and Nikki nodded to agree with Star. They went off, with Kaltag winking at Balto and Vitani, "We don't tell Aunt Aniu about this, if you don't tell Sarafina either.". Vitani chuckled, "Deal, boys.".
"So, where are we getting your meal?". Vitani asked with a grin. "Who says it's my meal? It's gonna be yours with a teeny bit of my help.". Balto crookedly smiled as he led Vitani from the ravine and the hills of the forest.