The Arrival of Importance

The young border Collie lay with his head in his paws. They had been travelling by train for hours. He was very handsome he had traditional markings and glossy black fur. His belly shone with white fur and the mask over his blue eyes gave him a lot of character.

A large hand ruffled his ears and smoothed his head.

" tired boy? If you hate this you will hate the next part" the kind man said as the train began to slow. Tripper jumped to his feet and felt a slight tug on his beautiful collar. It was a dark blue with fake jewels studded all around his neck. Tripper ran off the train and was greeted with a blast of snow and cold wind.

" What the" he spluttered as he was pulled over to what looked like a group of dog lining up for dinner. He noticed that they were attatched to a large sled. Trip raised his eye brows but was bundled on to the sled with his master behind him. A large fur rug was thrown over them and the journey began. Trip managed to sit up and call to the dog just infront of him.

" Where are we?" The dog, which was a husky called back to him

"Just leaving Anvik sir" Tripper nodded.

It was afternoon when Nome was in sight.

" is that Nome Donna?" asked Tripper. Donna, the dog he asked earlier nodded.

" yep she panted "good old Nome"

Balto stood with Jenna and Mel. Jenna had convinced him not to go up to the mountains today, she had bugged him for hours and he had finally broken.

" How much longer? Theyr'e late, what if something happened, What if the sled got lost in a blizzard, what if…………….." Jenna put a paw over Mels mouth.

" Mel they are here" she said quietly. Mel raced forward to greet the sled. Balto and Jenna were surprised to find a handsome border collie step off the sled and glance around.

" welcome to Nome Mister Tripper" Mel said " I'm Mel and this Jenna and her mate…."

"Balto" interupted Tripper " I've heard a lot about you, your quite a hero in New York" Balto was surprised most dogs would be scared of the fact that he was half wolf.

" well it was nothing really"

"My friend I would not call, find then leading a sled team out of a blizard nothing" laughed Tripper. Mel coughed and their conversation was stopped.

" Well Mr Tripper I surpose you are tired from you journey, pleas efollow me I will show you where you can stay" Mel lead the collie off and Balto turned to Jenna.

" Well he must be important if Mel treated him like that" Balto said as he and Jenna walked back to the house.

" prehaps we should arrange for everyone to meet him in the boiler room tonight, when he awakes" Jenna surgested. Balto nodded.

" Well I better check on Boris" he said lamly. Jenna grabed his tail as he went to leave

" don't you meen go back up to the mountain, Balto?" Jenna asked cheekily. Balto sighed and stared at her lovingly.

" prehaps you should spend sometime with Kodi or Visit Dingo" Jenna said rubbing her head against his neck.

" yes your right Jenna, I should" he nosed her once more before running off and into the town.

Tripper awoke to find a young pup staring him in the face. He almost jumped in surprise.

"Hello I'm Reggi son of Star and Dixie the husky cross said wagging its small tail. Tripper let a grin play on his handsome face.

" hello Reggi I'm Tripper" Reggi nodded'

"Sir I'm here to take you to meet with the town dogs at the boiler room can you please follow me please"

Tripper stood and was surprised to find him self very cold. He shivered then followed the youngster out side and through various alley. They stopped at a room. It glowed with light and felt warm. As Tripper entered there was silence.

" May I present Tripper Representitive of New York" Tripper was used to this, he held his chest high and smiled, his hard to resist smile.

Jenna and Balto greeted him graciously. Kodi was silent for a bit. He was intimidated by Tripper. Although Tripper was not a big dog, he had a known presence that made you very concious of your self.

Balto rushed through the slushy snow his paws sending it flying everywhere. Boris ran behind him.

" Balto why the rush ay?" Boris asked

" it Jenna, I want to check on her" Balto said slowing down.

" Relax Boischik, Jenna has had pups before and this time there is no strange dreams"

Balto turned to face his friends

"What about you Stella, I heard she is soon to give birth?"

"oh ay, more Stella's" Boris said rubbing his neck

" it's the small Boris's I'm going to be afraid of" joked Balto

Balto was greeted by Kaltag, Kodi and Tripper who where talking about god know what.

" He Dad how's mum?" Kodi asked.

" I'm going to check on her now" Balto said

" mind if we come along" asked Kaltag. Tripper shook his impressive head.

" we should leave them be, Kaltag"

"no,no please come" Balto said

" no I need to get back to my musher" he nodded goodbye and left. Balto lead them to Jenna's house.

" please wait out side" Balto trotted in and stuck his head through the door. Jenna was sitting up her eyes tired. Next to her, scrmabling over each other were three beautiful puppies.

" Dad" they cried and ran to him. Balto pretended to fall over in pain.

"Please no your all to strong, no" he laughed. One of the pups a small female with a russet coat and white paws sat aside. She was small and Petite with small white tipped ears and a strange star like shape oh her forehead. This had earnt her the name Star although people called her Starling most of the time. Her older brother, Titan, bounded to her side and gave her a friendly shove. He was russet as well but he had a hint of brownish grey as like Balto. He was big for a puppy, not fat but huge in size. His feet were almost the same size as his head. The third was a deeper russet. With normal markings, he was muich like Jenna but even more like he father. He was named Echo and rightly so. Echo bounded to the door and stuck his nose out. Tripper who was waiting outside smiled and stepped forward. Echo jumped back in shock and ran to Jenna who smiled.

" Come in Tripper,Kodi " Tripper and Kodi crept in. Immediately Titan ran to Kodi and played with his brothers tail. Star hid behind Jenna and Echo was not interested.

Jenna picked up Star by the scruff of her neck and dropped her in front of Tripper who smiled. Star crept forward and gaze up at Tripper. To her he was a giant and to him she was a small, fragile, pup. Triper gazed into her soft eyes and his heart melted. He was brought back to earth by a pain on his tail. Balto sighed and nosed Jenna's side before he wrestled with Echo. After a enjoyful 15 minutes Tripper and Kodi stood.

" we must go now"

" yeah we have to practise for the races tomorrow" Kodi said raising his head proudly.

" there going to see who's going to be on the mail team and its reservse." Tripper informed a confused Balto. Balto nodded as the two dogs left. He nuzzled Jenna lovingly and they watched the young pups play.