The Time of Wolves 2
Chapter 2: A Reunion Across Time
Cold. That's how Littlefoot felt right now. The cold and a sense of utter confusion of where he and his friends were. How they got there. At one moment, they were all in the sunny paradise of the Great Valley playing games like they always did, and suddenly they wake up here in this strange land covered in 'white ground sparkles.' Sure, it was a sight to behold, but the gang knew from experience that soil covered in ground sparkles, or snow as Littlefoot learned from Balto, meant that the area must be freezing cold. They had to find shelter from the morning artic air. They were lucky to find a large cave so to hunker down and huddle against each other for warmth, but that did not last.
As the sun began to rise, something was moving to the entrance of their secluded cave. Something tall and slender was approaching them, which gave the gang a terrible freight, but Littlefoot's attention was taken by a smaller four-legged right next to the taller one. The shine from the sun obscured appearances of the figures, only giving off a silhouette, but that didn't stop Littlefoot from recognizing what four-legged figured resembled.
"Balto?"
Like that, the four-legged silhouette shot up in alert before screaming in terror and running off with the taller one chasing after. While everyone was discussing what to do now that their hiding space was discovered, Littlefoot was thinking about what he just saw. The four-legged figure was a canine of some sort. Wolf or dog, Littlefoot didn't know, but it was a canine. The little longneck was sure of that. Which means that the taller figure must be a human. If Balto's stories he told of his home were to be believed, could that mean they were in his word? Could they be in the future?
Whether that was true or not had to wait, for there were more pressing matters. They had decided to leave the cave and find shelter elsewhere in case the figures came back, much to Cera's annoyance. The rest of the day was spent exploring this new world they've found themselves in. Aside from the cold, this snow-covered landscape was quite beautiful; especially how the sun would reflect off the icicles on the trees which created a series of sparkling rainbows that shined around the area. It was also satisfying to learn that some of the trees here had plants still on them, so at least they wouldn't go hungry. The leaves were a lot tougher and pricklier than what the gang was used to, but it was better than nothing. However, one unforeseeable issue was that the days didn't last as long as in the Great Valley. The sun was already set at a time, back home, it would only be touching the mountain walls. They soon found shelter under some fallen logs and huddled up with one another for warmth during the night.
Littlefoot, however, couldn't sleep that night; he was too transfixed on what happened earlier that day, and an idea began to form. If this was Balto's time, then that must mean that he might live here. It wasn't a sound logic, but Littlefoot and his friends were a desperate situation. So, as his friends slept, Littlefoot snuck out on his own to search in the night. Again, not a sound strategy, but he was going on by emotion than anything else.
The truth was, he really missed Balto. The time they spent together was almost like no other. What would you expect when meeting a creature from the future? But from the moment they started talking to one another, they instantly became fast friends. It was to the point that Littlefoot convinced his grandparents to allow Balto to stay with them in their nest. Through Balto, Littlefoot was opened to a whole other world he never thought possible. Their time spent was so fun and eventful that when it came time for Balto to leave, Littlefoot was devasted. He didn't know why, but when Balto left, he felt like a piece him went as well. If there were a chance to see him again, Littlefoot was willing to take it. However, he was so caught up in his own thoughts that the little longneck ran into something; something fluffy and big. That something was a large grizzly bear, which roared in anger, scaring Littlefoot.
Littlefoot scurried away with the bear following after him. The little longneck found refuge within a hollow dead tree. The bear continued to try and get at Littlefoot as it attacked the hollow tree. Littlefoot, by now, was profoundly regretting his actions. Why didn't he just wait until morning and look for Balto with everyone else? He prayed for a miracle would come and save him from this monster. His prayers were answered as the bear stopped, and upon looking, Littlefoot saw another four-leg animal fighting off the beast. The battle lasted for a few minutes before the bear was sent tumbling over a cliff. Littlefoot exit the dead tree to meet his rescuer, only to run into a very familiar face.
"Balto?"
It was barely morning in the town of Nome, and hardly anyone was stirring, say for one. Kodi was walking through the barren streets with much on his mind. Yesterday, his father was behaving rather odd that day, and Kodi was quite worried, to be honest. It was simply meant to be a father-son bonding hunting after something that spooked one of the dogs. But as their little journey went on, Kodi noticed a change in Balto. At one moment, the wolfdog was as calm as ever to having his nerves were shaken. It was as if he saw the Wendigo, a creature the dog Caeser claimed was there, but refused to say what the issue was. Kodi left it at that, but it bugged him ever since.
However, his father, although an understanding person, could be quite stubborn at times. Kodi knew that he was going to need some help his he was to talk sense into Balto, and there was only one person who could do just that. The rust-colored husky stepping in front of a particular house and let out a low howl. After a few seconds of wait, out from the dog door, walked out his mother, Jenna.
"Kodi, what's the matter?" she yawned, "I thought you would be resting before you had to go back to work in a few days."
"I know mom. It's just I... well," Kodi found it hard to admit what he had to say, "I-it's about dad. He was acting very strange today after we went out into the woods, and... I'm worried about him." he waited for his mother's response but nothing, "I know it sounds dumb..."
"No, I understand," Jenna cut him off as she explained how she felt of the situation, "Yesterday, your father seemed distant. Like something was on his mind, but whatever it was he wouldn't tell me." her words gave Kodi much-needed conviction, "But also, he was acting rather strange since this morning as well. I couldn't help but notice that he was exhausted as well."
"Do you think it might be like..." Kodi stopped when he had to think about it, "...like what happened with Aleu?"
"I don't know," Jenna was beginning to worry at this point, "But there might be one person who does."
From there, Jenna led her son towards the beached fishing boat to meet with Balto. They were going to get answers straight from the horse's mouth. If there was indeed another Aleu situation, it was best to know beforehand. As they boarded the vessel, both were surprised that the wolfdog wasn't there. Try as they might, Balto was nowhere to be found. This, of course, did nothing to ease their minds of the worry they felt. They were about to panic until a familiar goose came in.
"What's all the racket out here! Can't a goose get his beauty rest!?"
"Boris!" Jenna, now half relieved, approached the old goose, "Have you seen Balto?"
"Balto?" Boris was rubbing his eyes. It was too early for him to deal with this, "He's right..." he was gesturing to where Balto usually sleeps only to spot an empty blanket, "Oh, um...I guess I don't know where he is."
"Boris, this is serious," Jenna said almost in a panic as she explained her worries.
Boris was scratching the top of his head as he pondered what was told to him, "Now that you mention it, Balto did seem awfully tired when he got back. Did remind me about when Aleu was born, but he snapped at me when I tried to bring it up."
"You don't think this could be connected, do you?" asked Jenna.
"I don't know. But I think there is one clue that could help," Boris waddled off to the chest, and from inside pulled a single leaf, "I catch Balto with this from time to time. Not sure why, but there must be something special about it."
Jenna looked at it and, to her amazement, the leaf was in the perfect shape of a star, "I've never seen a plant like this before." she took a sniff of it. Balto's scent was on it along with that of another; an unrecognizable one. Not just unrecognizable as of who, but of what. She never smelled such a scent in her life. It was enough to make her think, "Balto, what have you gotten yourself into?"
"Balto?"
"Littlefoot?"
The wolfdog and longneck stood there in absolute silence for what felt like an eternity. Moments of just them staring at one another as if this was all just a dream that they were hoping never to wake up from. They were just so in shock in seeing one another once again that it almost didn't seem real It had been months since they last saw each other, since they had become the best of friends, since they parted ways thinking they would never see the other ever again. After a moment of realizing that this was indeed not a dream, these two acted accordingly.
They freaked out in a fit of joy.
No joke, the wolfdog and little longneck bolted at each other and began playing in the snowy field. All the while, they were frantically saying to the other on how was this even possible, how they were so happy to see them again, and how they thought they wouldn't see each other again. Because of their jolt excitement, they were talking over each other while saying this, but they didn't care. As far as Balto and Littlefoot were concerned, they were together again. After things have calmed down did the two friends finally begin talking with Littlefoot starting out. The young longneck told Balto what had all happened in the Great Valley after he left. The adventure he and the gang have been on which included: saving the valley from a series of back luck, that they saved Ducky from some angry flyers with the help of Petrie's uncle, and how they survived a horrible snowstorm that hit the valley. Balto though, did not have anything so dramatic happen to him since then, so he just decided to tell what happened after returning home.
"...so, because I didn't find treestar until the next morning, Jenna was convinced that the whole thing was a dream." Balto said with a chuckle, "I'll admit, even I was almost convinced myself until I found it."
"It's so great to see you again, Balto." said Littlefoot, "The others will be so happy to see you." It was at that moment did Littlefoot realize he left his friends behind. He offered to show Balto the way which he was more than happy to see the rest of the gang again.
"So, tell me, Littlefoot, what are you doing here all alone?" Balto asked, "These woods can be pretty dangerous."
Littlefoot apologized profusely, "I guess I was just so excited to see you again that I wasn't thinking clearly."
"I can understand," Balto assured him, "I was kind of the same way when I discovered you guys' scent in that cave."
"Sorry about scaring that other dog."
"Ah, Ceasar will get over it, eventually."
Their walk continued for some while. The bear attack really helped Littlefoot lose his bearings for a second. However, with Balto's help, they were able to locate the logs that the gang was still resting under. Both parties couldn't wait to see the looks on the others' faces.
"Guys!" Littlefoot ran up to the logs, "Guys, come look who I found."
A low annoyed grumble could be heard from inside, "Can it wait till morning? Some of us are still tired."
Balto chuckled as he recognized the voice in question, "Glad to see some things never change, right Cera?"
There was a moment of silence before the young yellowish threehorn crawled out from under the logs. Her mouth was a gasped as she looked upon the wolfdog in front of her. To put it simply, Cera just couldn't believe her eyes. It wasn't long before a few others came out to see what the commotion was about.
"Balto!" cried Ducky as she raced to embrace the wolfdog.
Balto lowered his head so that Ducky could hug his muzzle, "It's good to see you too, Ducky."
As this was going on, something had perched itself on top of Balto's head. It didn't take a genius to know that this was Petrie, "Me missed you whole bunch." the flyer said in his iconic broken speech.
"I missed you too Petrie." once Balto said that he then being licked by the mute spiketail, "And you too, Spike."
For then, all the way past sunrise, the Balto and the dinosaur children stayed there catching up with one other. Despite reuniting after being months apart, it was as if no time had ever passed. They could spend the whole day like this, but that just wasn't so. This reunion had to end at some point. Balto's primary concern right now was to send these children home as quickly as possible. At first, the wolfdog assumed the cave in which he found their scent would be the place, but the kids shot that idea down as they told him that they woke up in an empty field. It also seemed that, just like when Balto was sent to the past, the gang had also lost whatever memory they had of the events that led them into this time. However, that would have to wait; there were more pressing matters to handle.
"Guys, we should get you all someplace safe," he said.
Cera just huffed, "Come on Balto. You know we can take care of ourselves just fine."
"Maybe so. But you're not in the Great Valley anymore, and this is no longer the world you knew," Balto warned them all, "Here there are dangers the like that you've never seen before. Littlefoot, here, almost got mauled by a bear while out looking for me." Littlefoot winced in fear as he remembered the encounter, "And that's not all. We're slowly approaching the end of winter, or as you guys call it 'the cold times,' and out here, the weather can be just as dangerous as any predator. The temperature can get way below freezing, and blizzards that can rage enough to blind you from where you're going if not bury you under the snow." he realized he was laying it on a little thick, but he needed them to understand the dangers his world provides, "Listen. I know you all probably just want to go home right now. Believe me, I understand how that feels. All that I'm saying is that I trusted you guys when I was in your time, so please trust me while you're in mine. I promise I'll look after all of you until we can figure something out."
Littlefoot was first to step up, "I trust you, Balto." It did Balto's heart good to hear that.
"We'll gladly go with you. Yep, yep, yep." Ducky answered as she got on top of Spike signifying that she was ready to go.
As for Petrie, he was already perched on Balto's head, so that was enough of an answer. That only left the suborn threehorn girl in front of them.
"Fine." Cera sighed in defeat, "What did you have in mind?"
Balto smiled, knowing that he had the trust of his young friends, "I know a place where you can stay, but it'll be a bit of a walk from. Better get started while the sun is still up."
So, the wolfdog and his young dinosaur friends set off through the dense forest. As Balto had said, the walk was taking a good deal of time out of the day. It was to be expected as the young ones have been initially traveling aimlessly before Balto had found them. They only took one quick break so the kids could eat and drink; even if the plants were not up to their liking. While their journey continued, Balto couldn't help but wonder why they were here. When Balto went to the past, it was done because of the spirit of Littlefoot's mother, so that he could fend off the Horned Sharptooth. What possible reason would there need to be for a bunch of dinosaur children into the present? By the time they reached their destination, it was already past noon once stopping at the forest's edge. In the distance, the children could barely make out the small town of Nome.
"Well, here it is." Balto announced, "My home."
The kids looked off in awe. In the distance, they could catch a glimpse of those self-made caves that Balto called house. At last, they were seeing a hint of the future that Balto once told them about. It was almost too much to take in. To now be able to see all the inventions that made would make humans do almost anything fascinated them like no other.
"Well, let's get going already." said Cera beginning to set foot out of the treeline.
"Whoa, there!" Balto exclaimed as he moved in front of her, "We're not actually going into the town."
There was a collective moan of disappointment from the group.
"But why not?" Littlefoot asked.
"Guys, dinosaurs no longer exist in this time," Balto explains, "Remember what happened with Caesar? If any human sees you, they would probably freak out and, like many creatures, they might retaliate out of fear."
"But you can tell them we're good, right, Balto?" asked Ducky.
Balto sighed as it seemed he needed to give them a refresher course on humans, "That's not possible. Humans speak in a language completely different from us. Though I understand it, I can't speak it. If they try to attack you guys with their guns, I don't think there would be much I can do to protect you."
The group silently agreed. They remembered what guns were, the sticks that shoot fire, and how humans use them for hunting. The way Balto described them all those months ago still sends shivers up their spines. That all you hear is the sound of a bang as loud as thunder and anything unfortunate to be in front of the spitting fire would end up severely injured if not dead. It was enough for them to want to stay clear of such a thing.
"So then where are we going to go?" Cera asked.
"See the structure on the beach?" Balto gestured over to his boat, "That's where I live. My 'nest' if you prefer. That'll be where we're staying until we can figure things out."
Balto had the kid follow him to his boat in a route to keep them out of sight of Nome. As they were moving, Balto was willing to answer any question about their new living arrangements. Ducky was particularly excited once learning how boats were one of the inventions that humans use to swim. When it came to if they would be safe for them to still be living so close to Nome, Balto assured them that is well isolated from the town. Humans rarely come out here, especially this time of year. It would be like 'hiding in place sight' as Balto put it. This conversation continued as they were circling around the boat.
"Aside from me, only a few other ever come out here," he said as he was about to turn the corner behind the stern to the starboard side, "I'll have to introduce you guys to them first though. Don't want them to freak out when they..."
"Freak who out, Balto?"
The wolfdog stopped dead in his track by the voice of none other than his wife, Jenna. It was then that Balto notices the scene that was in front of him. On top of the plank leading up to the boat at Boris with his wings crossed, looking as deadpan serious as he always does. Kodi stood at the bottom of the plank looking concerned. However, the one stood out the most was Jenna. The rust-colored husky took front and center with a face filled with more anger than he's ever seen, and that says a lot since she used to deal with Steele's constant flirting. Balto could feel himself practically shrinking under his mate's stern gaze. It took a lot of willpower for him to see that the kids he was escorting had already hidden behind the boat's stern without anyone noticing them. All and all, this day was turning out to be a whirlwind of unexpected meetups.
"Balto?" Jenna stepped forward, "Where have you been!?"
"Jenna, I..."
"Do you know what time it is!?" she howled before Balto could finish, "Kodi and I have been waiting here for you since before morning! Do you have any idea how worried we were!?"
Balto was not surprised but still taken back by her outburst, "Uh Boris," he turned to his goose friend, "Can you help me out here?"
The old goose just threw his wings up with his head shaking, "Sorry boychik, but you're on your own on this one."
It was then that Kodi spoke up, "Dad, we're just concerned."
"He's right," said Jenna who has since calmed down from her outburst, and now spoke much softer, "You haven't been acting like yourself lately. You've been standoffish, irritable, secretive, and now disappearing into the night. We thought you may have been..." Jenna started to choke up at the mere thought of losing her mate, "We're just worried is all. Something's going on with you, and we just want to help. Please, Balto, just tell us what's going on."
Balto averted his gaze from his mate in a bit of shame. He knew full well that Jenna had every right to worry. Not but a few months ago, when Balto was in the past for over a week, Jenna had been told by Kodi how Balto fell into a river and was sent over a waterfall. For hours his mate spent in anxiety over her mate's fate. When he finally returned, it was a huge relief off of her; she wouldn't let him out of her sights for weeks. So, his little disappearing act must have really brought those anxieties back to the surface.
He did this to her, and it made him feel just awful. He loved Jenna with everything fiber of his being. The last thing he would ever want to do was harm her in any shape or form. Balto had to make things right with her, and he knew just how to do just that.
"It's a bit hard to explain," he said, "So, I'll show you." Balto moved back to see Littlefoot and the gang still hiding behind the ship, "Come on out, it's okay."
Hesitantly, the group walked out from behind the ship and revealed themselves to the group before them. To say that two other dogs and goose were surprised to see these strange – unknown creatures was an understatement. Aside from Jenna and Kodi, who was in shock at the sight of them, Boris almost fell off the plank out of being completely dumbfounded. Needless to say, an awkward silence fell over both parties; neither knowing how to proceed from this point.
Balto, seeing this, stood by his mate, "Come on. I'll introduce you," he helps walk the still stunned Jenna over to the dinosaurs, "Guys, this is my mate, Jenna. Jenna, this is Littlefoot..."
"Littlefoot? You're Littlefoot?" Jenna asked the young longneck dinosaur who answered with a nod, "Then that means..." she began listing off the names of each of the gang with precise accuracy. It made Balto grin to see that his mate had remembered those details in his 'dream,' "They're real. They're all real." after getting over the shock of being face-to-face with dinosaurs to face Balto, "You... you really did travel to the past." Balto gave her a nod.
"Um… Mrs. Jenna ma'am," Littlefoot spoke while trying to act as polite as possible to this new individual who just went through a massive outburst, "Balto went out into the forest to help us. It was our fault. I'm sorry."
Jenna, still trying to get over the initial shock of being face-to-face with dinosaurs, couldn't find herself getting angry at the child before her, "It's quite alright. I was just worried is all. I'm just glad he's safe and… oh my God, look at me, I'm talking to a dinosaur." Jenna still had a hard time racking her head around this fact, "Real living – breathing dinosaurs."
"What else would you've expected?" Cera retorted.
During this whole exchange, however, Boris and Kodi were still sitting back where they were. Both entirely dumbfounded by what was unfolding in front of them.
"Am I the only one who is lost at what's going on here?"
"You and me both Uncle Boris."
Balto was quick to motion Kodi over, "This is my son, Kodi." He presented once the younger husky was right next to him, "And the old grouch still on the boat is Boris."
"Hello!" Ducky happily said to Balto's son, "I really like yours and Jenna's fuzz color. Yep, yep, yep!"
"Uh… thanks," Kodi was still perplexed by the scene in front of him, "Dad, since when did you make friends with dinosaurs?"
"Remember that race we had a few months ago?"
From there, Balto proceeded to tell Boris and Kodi all that really happened that day of the accident. Of his journey through the past, to his life and the Great Valley, and so on. The children also chimed in as well to give a better perspective. Naturally, Kodi and Boris were still baffled by what they just heard.
"You would have me believe that you traveled through time, fought vicious beast, saved an entire valley, and was just back mere moments after you left?"
"Well, the proof is right in front of you, Boris," said Balto, "Don't know what else to tell you."
Kodi whispered to his mother, "Mom, you knew about all this?"
"I just assumed it was a dream he had. How was I supposed to know any of it was real?"
Despite all the confusion from his own family, Balto was just glad to the groups meeting one another, "Well, that should be everybody. Oh, except for…"
"BALTO!"
The next thing the wolfdog knew was being tackled by two white – puffy blobs. The young dinosaurs alarmed by the sudden on their friend until they saw that one of the bigger blobs was actually hugging Balto. These two creatures were actually Muk and Luk; two polar bears who also lived with Boris and Balto. The two were, for lack of a better term, abandoned by their fellow bear when they very young. Despite being twins, Muk's growth has stunted, making him shorter than Balto and was very talkative. Luk, on the other hand, grew to surpass Balto in height and spoke in whimpers that only his bother could understand. Really the only thing the two had in common was their playful demeanor. That, and their love for their Uncle Boris and their foster brother, Balto.
"We're are so worried Balto. When Uncle Boris said you were missing, Luk and I began searching high and low for you. We searched the boat, the beach, inside the boat, the old mill, the boat again, further out on the beach..." Muk continued talking a mile a minute until Balto escaped Luk's bear hug.
"Guys, I'm fine." Balto said before giving the bear's attention to the gang, "In fact, I was just introducing everyone to some old friends."
Thus, another round of introductions occurred for the two polar bears. Were they shocked to have now met dinosaurs? Not really. They were just excited at the prospect of making new friends to play with. Which, after this long stressful day, wasn't a bad idea. So, that's just what they did. A few much-needed games around the beach was just what the doctor ordered for the group. Even Kodi, who was hesitant to being around dinosaurs, decided to throw caution to the wind and join in on the fun. If his father trusted them, then that was good enough for him, and they were just kids, after all. Kids who were taken from their world and now forced to be in another, so it was best to make them feel welcome. As the day was slowly winding to a close, Balto sat out the rest of the games and sat with Jenna by his boat.
"A very energetic lot, aren't they?" Jenna asked her mate.
"You have no idea." Balto laughed as they continued to watch the other playing a game of tag along the water.
"I just still can't believe my eyes," Jenna was starting to become giddy like a schoolgirl, "I just met real dinosaurs."
"Yeah. I think you mentioned that three times now."
"Can you blame me?" she asked, "It just that... well... they're... they're dinosaurs!"
"Four." such a smart-aleck comment deserved a playful nudge from his mate.
"So, do you think this is what it all meant?" Jenna asked which brought the mood down, "That your dream was trying to tell you about them?"
"Possibly," Balto said. He was relieved that the kids too far to hear their conversation, "The voice in my dream said 'come find me,' and those kids were the only thing that was lost out in the wood." It was merely wishful thinking on his part. If he were honest, the voice in his dream unrecognizable to him, and sent shivers down his spine.
"So, what do we do about them?"
It was precisely what Balto was pondering as well, "I don't know. When I was sent back it was so I could protect the Great Valley from the Horned Sharptooth. No idea what would be going on that children are needed, but something's happening out there." he then looked back at the kids playing with his family, and his heart ached. They may be happy now, but Balto knew that it would only be a matter of time before they start feeling homesick like he did. It might even be worse considering they were only children, "Until then, it's only right that we offer them a home here."
"Glad you made that decision without consulting me first." said Boris, who was the only one who didn't join in on the fun. He was more concerned about cleaning the deck of the boat.
"Oh come on, Boris," Balto halfheartedly begged, "You can't tell me you're not happy about the prospect of having kids around here again."
"How can I when I already have three living here, 24/7?" Boris responded, "One who can't stop going on life-threatening adventures, two who refuse to grow up, and yet all three can't stop giving me heart attacks!"
As fun as things were, the day was finally coming to a close. The sun had set, the stars were coming out, and it was time for little ones to get some sleep. As the kids returned, Balto was quick to let them in on their new living arrangements from this point on. Thankfully, Boris checked the chest and found enough extra blankets to go around. Now that everything was set up, it was time for the two house dogs to return to town.
"Bye Kodi," Ducky said as she hugged the husky's leg, "Thanks for playing with us."
This little display was almost too much for Kodi to handle, "You are beyond adorable." which earned him a lick from her Spike.
Jenna was giggling at the scene in front of her, "I have to be going too. Rosy is probably worried about being gone all day." she faced the dinosaur, "It was nice getting to meet all of you." Sadly she spoke with an unintentional shyness before she left.
"Is it just me, or does she not like us?" Cera assumed.
"She's still trying to get used to all of this," Balto came in defense of his mate, "She'll come around."
Balto then ushered all remaining party into the boat. The wolfdog explained how it gets freezing cold some nights, and that the blankets provided would help protect them from the elements. Naturally, even with the sheets, it was still reasonably cold throughout the night. The gang remedied this by snuggling up against each other again, or to more accurate against their fluffy friends. A rough night sleep to be for sure, but at least they were all safe.
"Balto," Littlefoot whispered as to not disturb anyone else, "Thank you for letting us stay with you."
"Don't mention it Littlefoot," Balto said with a yawn, "I'm just happy that we get to see each other again."
The two friends curled up against one another for the night. Sure, some great danger may be on the horizon but, whatever it was, they will face it together. Balto knew that with these kids, there was nothing they couldn't accomplish. Now, though, it was time for some well needed peaceful sleep.
Balto found himself wandering through the dense forest. However, there was something different about the area from the last time he was in it. Taking a further look, it was clear that the forest was frozen, and not that the covered in snow. Everything, from the trees and rocks, was all completely frozen over. The whole area was a dead ice-filled wasteland. There was simply no sign of life anywhere.
Or at least that's what Balto thought at first. Further along, the wolfdog could make out a figure in the distance. It was hard to make out, but it looked familiar. Moving closer, Balto realized this figure was an old looking male wolf. No, not just any wolf. Balto recognized this old wolf from over a year ago. But before he could say anything, pillars of ice burst from the ground. These pillars quickly grabbed hold of the old wolf and pulled him under the icy floor. The last thing Balto heard was that same eerie voice from before.
"Come find me, or she dies!"
End of Chapter 2
A/N: Well, this took some time to come out. Let me start by saying I'm sorry for taking this long; work has been getting in the way as of late. If anything, I hope that it won't take too long to finish the next chapter. However, if you all need anything to pass the time, I've been writing another Balto crossover as well (Balto-and-Star-Wars-Rebels-Crossovers/2149/11795/). Plus, another Q&A forum(topic/69617/176943115/1/Time-of-Wolves-2-Q-A). Till then, see you next time.