Greetings yall! Part 9 is here! And be forewarned, there's a twist ending that some people may not like-
Balto
A New Threat (Part 9)
Balto didn't stop running until he felt his lungs would give out. Barely controlling himself, he looked frantically from left to right, but saw no one.
''I've gotta leave! I've gotta get out of here before I really hurt someone''
As he ran down the darkened streets of Nome, someone stepped out of the shadows and grabbed him.
''Balto? Hey, easy pal whats the matter with you?'' Kaltag asked. Balto was so horrifed by what he had seen he shook visibly, his eyes wide in terror.
''I...back there...dead. I...can't stay...'' he stammered, unable to focus properly.
''Hey buddy calm down. Your not making any sense'' Kaltag said, laying a firm grip on Balto's shoulder.
''Balto never acts like this. Something must have scared him good''
Balto gulped, seat trickling down his muzzle ''Back in the alley...I found him, dead''
''Who?''
''I don't know. I think his name was...Gareth''
Kaltag's grip on Balto's shoulder tightened ''Another attack?''
Balto nodded ''Yes...I found him a few minutes ago. God...he's dead! And I...'' he couldn't continue.
''Balto calm down, please! You saw another attack? Did you see the person responsible?'' Kaltag asked, visibly shaken at Balto's terrified expression.
''No. I didn't see...but I...they think I did it'' Balto shut his eyes, the shock and fear still gripping his heart.
Kaltag frowned ''Who thinks you did it? Balto, how could they possibly think that?''
Balto felt the tears coming, and he didn't think he could stop them ''God Kaltag. I'm...I...''
Before he could continue, loud barking in the distance caught their attention. With a strangled gasp, Balto released himself from Kaltags grip and bolted down the street and out of sight. Kaltag remained where he was, too shocked for words.
''What has gotten into him?'' he asked himself, but he couldn't think of an answer.
What he saw next however made his blood run cold. Out of the gathering mist, several figures emerged. Kaltag quickly hid in the shadows and held his breath.
When they had fully emerged from the mist, Kaltag could make out eight dogs. Each was wearing a different coloured bandanna, and their features were twisted into murderous smirks that sent a chill down Kaltags spine. He watched as they padded down the street, and prayed that they didn't spot him. When they disappeared round a corner, he let out a sigh of relief.
''Who were they?'' he whispered.
That was when his paw brushed against something attached to the wall he was leaning against. Glancing round, he let out a terrified gasp as his eyes rested on a poster, on which eleven faces leered down at him.
''Oh my God! It's them!''
Without hesitation, Kaltag bolted down the street in the opposite direction. His destination, the mill.
Dingo couldn't take in what Chester had told him.
'My Dad, he's not a killer. He can't be''
But the evidence was right in front of him. From his injuries, it was obvious that Gareth had been viciously attacked by a dog, and his own personnel testimony lay the blame squarely at Balto.
''I was...on patrol, and I heard something in one of the alelys. I went to investigate, and that was when...he attacked me'' Gareth said, as the rest of the team tended to his injuries.
''And your sure it was Balto? Did you get a good look at him?'' Doc asked, adament that Balto was innocent.
''Of course he's sure! My brother would not lie about his attackers identity!'' Chester snarled.
Doc frowned, resisting the urge to snarl right back ''I am just trying to get all the facts about this...incident. It is possible that your brother mis-identified Balto''
Chester snorted ''Do not try to cover up for him! My brother does not lie, and your...friend is responsible for his attempted murder! Why should he lie?''
''It was dark, and there is heavy snow falling. It is possible that these things contributed to your brother mistaking his attacker as being Balto'' Doc pressed, though he was beginning to doubt his own defense.
Chester padded over to Gareth ''Tell me Gareth, was it Balto that attacked you?'' he asked calmly.
Gareth hesistated, his eyes scanning between Jenna and Dingo who stood huddled next to Doc, before nodding ''Yes, I am positive''
Chester leered at Doc ''You see? My brother is not mistaken! It is obvious now that Balto has succumb to the rabid infection, and therefore he must be...terminated''
Dingo snarled ''He is my Dad, and I won't let you lay a paw on him!''
Chester glared at Dingo ''So you would risk more lives? Endanger countless others? I will not let you interfere!''
Dingo bared his teeth ''If you hurt him...I'll kill you''
Chester growled, tensing himself up to subdue Dingo. At that moment, the doors to the mill burst open, and an exhausted Kaltag all but collapsed onto the floor. Doc rushed over.
''Kaltag? Kaltag, whats happened?''
Kaltag raised his head, panting for breath ''They're...they're here. They're on the move''
Chester padded over ''The Pack? Where are they heading?''
Kaltag forced himself to stand up ''They were heading...for the vets''
Jenna let out a gasp ''Kodi!''
Dingo shunted past and glared at Chester ''Well come on then! Thats why your here! Get over there, before they hurt another member of my family!''
Chester was taken aback by Dingo's outburst, but compossed himself quickly ''Team, the enemy is on the move! I want full numbers at the vets in less than five minutes! Every delay could result in more lives lost! Move out!''
As the other dogs bolted out of the mill, Chester turned to Gareth ''Gareth, you don't have to take part''
Gareth shook his head ''No, I'm coming. This is for Trix''
Chester nodded solemnly ''Thank you...my brother''
Both dogs took off out into the storm, leaving Doc and Jenna alone. Jenna looked round frantically.
''Doc! Where's Dingo?''
Balto panted, gasping for breath. His chest felt ready to burst, and his head felt like lead. He was fighting the urge to run. To run as fast as he could and not look back. But he couldn't. Something was making him stay. An urge that he was struggling to control.
His head snapped up as he heard approaching voices. Glancing round, he spotted two figures emerging out of the gathering mist. He recognised them at once.
''Carver!'' he snarled.
Scanning round, Balto noticed for the first time where he was. Further down the street stood the vets, and that was where Carver and Grant were heading.
''Oh no you don't!'' he resisted the urge to strike out and take them by surprise. Instead, he waited until they were several metres ahead of him, before he started to follow.
Out of the mist, the vets loomed.
Nathan was alerted by the sound of breaking glass. He had just settled down for a quick nap in the waiting room, when he heard the noise coming from one of the offices. Instinctively, he padded over to the door where the sound had originated from, and carefully pushed open the door.
Inside, there was only darkness. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, Nathan could make out broken glass on the floor near the window. Padding further into the room, he realised that the entire window had been smashed out.
With a snap, the door closed behind him. Nathan span round, to be confronted by two snarling, drooling monsters.
''You know what they say Renard? Curiosity killed the cat''
''And in this case Krest, it killed the dog as well!''
Nathan screamed as the Brothers Grim leapt on him.
On the other side of the building, three figures emerged from the office they had just broken into. Each was wearing a bandanna over their muzzles, and their eyes were wild with malice.
''Theo, you patrol down here. Nick, you go upstairs and join Fitz and Grant. I'll set up things down here'' Jack ordered, scanning round the dim corridor.
As Theo disappeared down another corridor, and Nick stealthily ascended up the stairs, Jack padded back into the office. Removing the bandanna, he stared with lust at the instrument displayed on the wall. With a snigger, he knocked it off.
''Dangerous things in a vets are guns! Someone could get hurt!''
Froth dripping from his mouth, Jack set to work.
On the second floor, a small figure emerged from the shadows, his eyes glittering in the darkness. As he padded down a brighter lit corridor, another figure approached.
Fitz glared at the new arrival ''Your late! What kept ya?''
Grant smirked ''A little...business venture. Believe me, I wouldn't miss this for the world!'' he sniggered.
Fitz returned the smile and gestured at a door on the far side of the corridor ''Shall we?''
Grant nodded ''Lets''
Breaking into a run, both dogs burst through the double doors.
Inside, Kodi and Dusty were taken completely aback as the doors burst open, and two dogs charged inside. All around the room, the other dogs started to panic as Fitz and Grant leered at them.
''Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?'' Grant smirked, lowering his bandanna.He peered round at the terrified dogs, some of them with bandages and casts.
''Allow me to introduce myself. I am Grant, and this is my associate Fitz. But you'll know us better as 'The Pack'!''
There was a loud scream at this realisation, but the rest of the patients remained in deadly silence. Grant smirked.
''We are responsible for the deaths of several of your associates, but as long as you do as we tell you within the next few minutes, no one will be harmed''
Further away from the rabids, Dusty huddled behind Kodi, who glared at Grant. Dusty began to whimper.
''Did...did one of those dogs attack you Kodi?'' she whispered, terrified of being heard.
Kodi shook his head ''No, but I've gotta stop them''
Dusty grabbed is paw ''No Kodi! You can't! Please, they'll kill you!''
Kodi turned to her ''We can't just do nothing or they'll kill us anyway. I've got to do something Dusty''
She looked him straight in the eyes ''Kodi...promise you won't leave me?''
He bent down and kissed her ''I promise''
Suddenly, Dusty let out a scream. Spinning round, Kodi came face to face with a pair of firery amber eyes.
''So...we finally meet...Kodi'' Fitz snarled.
In the main office, Carver looked out of the window at the street below. Behind him, Karla stared fixated at him.
''Oh Carvy, isn't it wonderful? We're finally gonna get him!'' she squealed. Carver didn't turn round.
''Yes it is. Now shut up your fawning little fluff! Can't you see I'm waiting?''
As if on cue, he let out a triumphant bark ''HA! They're here! Karla, come see this!''
The malamute speedily padded upto Carvers side, and peered out of the window. Down below, Chesters team had arrived, a crowd of canine onlookers beginning to gather.
With a manic grin plastered on his face, Carver padded upto a nearby chair and positioned it up against the window. Turning round, he lifted his back leg and aimed it at the chair.
''Lets start this party with a bang!''
With a powerful shove, the chair was sent crashing through the window and down onto the street below. Terrified onlookers dove for cover, as the chair came within inches of striking the team.
Looking up, Chester glared at the shattered window. Turning to his team, he gestured at the entrance ''Leave no room unchecked. Take no prisoners. And above all, stay on your guard!''
At this order, the team bolted inside the vets.
''Well...well...well. Kodi my friend, we've been looking for you!'' Grant smirked, padding upto Kodi who remained unmoved.
Kodi remained calm as Grants face closed upto his ''Are you scared Kodi? If not, tehn you better well start!'' Grant snarled, eyeing Kodi's throat.
Behind him, Fitz approached Dusty who shrank back in terror ''Hey Grant, check this out''
Grant looked round, and suddenly felt lightheaded. In front of him was one of the most beautiful dogs he'd seen in a long time. His breath caught in his throat.
''My my! What a fine piece of fur we've got here!'' he drolled, taking a step forwards. Kodi shoved himself inbetween Dusty and the rabid.
''If you touch her, I'll murder you!'' Kodi snarled, though his legs were starting to shake. Grant glared at him.
''Pally, you just made your last mistake!''
Raising his paw, Grant shoved Kodi aside. Kodi fell hard on his injured leg and let out a yelp. As he struggled to get to his feet, Grant loomed over him.
''Hey Grant look out!'' Fitz shouted.
Kodi shut his eyes as Grants jaws went for his throat.
''Fan out! Leave no room unchecked!'' Chester ordered. The team were gathered inside the waiting room, broken glass scattered on the floor.
''Chester, you'd better take a look at this'' Max called out. Chester padded over to investigate.
''Oh...no''
Inside one of the offices, was what remained of a yellow husky. Chester felt sick.
''Lets not waste time! Fan out! Now!'' he shouted.
The other team members sprinted in different directions. Chester took one last look at the body, before shutting the door in disgust.
''Murderers! Filthy, cowardly mrderers!'' he snarled, fighting the urge to throw up. The mutilated body had shaken him so badly. He hadn't seen such carnage since...
''Trix'' he whispered, tears trickling down his muzzle. He glared down the dimly lit corridor.
''You will be avenged my daughter''
Without hesitation, Chester broke into a run down the corridor. Behind him, another dog stepped out for the shadows.
''I'll look after you Dad. Just hold on'' Dingo said out loud, before tailing after Chester.
Grant was taken completely by surprise, as a flash of grey slammed into him from the side and sent him sprawling across the floor. When he looked up, he could make out the blurry outline of his attacker.
''Dad!'' Kodi barked, as Balto charged at Grant again, pinning him to thefloor.
Grant struggled under Balto's grip ''Your dead pally! Finished!'' he snarled.
Balto was knocked off guard as Fitz launched himself at him, throwing him off Grant. Crossing his front legs to keep Fitz from snapping at him, Balto slashed at the pups muzzle, drawing blood.
''Nick! Get in here!'' Grant yelled, staggering to his feet.
Within seconds, the black and grey wolf bolted into the room, only to be completely overwhelmed by the other dogs in the room. As one, they piled on top of him, causing his legs to buckle underneath him. With a sickening crack, Nick crashed to the floor.
Balto struggled to get to his feet as Fitz lashed at him, blood dripping onto his fur from Fitz's lacerated muzzle. With a sudden burst of strength, Balto threw the pup off him. Fitz went flying through the air, coming down to earth in bleeding heap. Staggering to his feet, Fitz glared at Balto, a raging fire burning in his eyes.
''This isn't over wolf dog!'' he snarled, before bolting out of the door. Balto sighed deeply, before turning back to Kodi.
''Kodi, listen to me. You've got to get everyone in here out of this building. The rest of 'The Pack' is here and they won't stop until everyone is dead''
Kodi head snapped up, and he frantically looked round ''Dad! Dusty's gone!''
Balto looked round the room. Sure enough, Dusty was missing. And so was Grant.
Kodi turned to Balto, his eyes wide in panic ''I've gotta find her! He'll kill her!''
''Kodi, listen to me please! I'll find Dusty, but you've gotta get out of here! Your not in a condition to fight!''
Kodi shook his head ''No Dad. I've gotta find her. Don't try to stop me!''
Before Balto could react, Kodi dodged past him and out into the corridor.
''Kodi!'' Balto called out. But Kodi was gone.
On the second floor, two dogs peered out as Dingo raced past outside.
''He's in a hurry isn't he Renard?''
''He certainly is Krest. I wonder what for I wonder?''
''Lets find out''
Silently, both dogs started in pursuit of the unsuspecting Dingo.
''Let me go! Let me go!'' Dusty screamed as Grant dragged her down the corridor.
''Shut up or I'll break your neck!'' Grant snarled, glancing round warily.
''You creep! Your nothing but a mangy killer!'' Dusty snarled, struggling to get out of Grants grip.
''I'm an acceptional killer my dear! And now that I'm moving upto kidnapping, you should be more polite!'' he dragged her towards a flight of stairs.
''Get down! Now!'' he ordered.
Before Dusty could take a step, the sounds of barking caught Grants attention. Seconds later, there was a pained yelp that echoed up the stairs. Grant snarled.
''Damn it! Chester, I'll kill you for this!''
While he was distracted, Dusty made a break down the stairs. Grant made a grab for her, but missed.
''Get back here you bitch!'' he yelled, giving chase.
As Dingo turned down another blind corridor, he began to feel like he was being watched. Spinning round, his worst fears were confirmed.
''Two against one Renard! Hardly seems fair does it?'' Krest drolled.
''No, but I don't mind'' Renard sneered.
Reacting in a heartbeat, Dingo bolted down the corridor as the Brothers Grim gave chase.
Gasping for breath, Dingo dashed into an open room and slammed the door shut. Looking round frantically, he realised he was inside what appeared to be a bathroom. On the far side of the room was a steel bath, already filled to the brim with water.
A sharp thud snapped him back into the present, as the door shuddered on it's hinges. Dingo dove for cover as the wooden door splintered, and seconds later Renard charged inside, his eyes set on Dingo.
Dingo had no time to react as Renard charged at him, aiming at his throat. Dingo felt the wind knocked out of him as Renard impacted with him, shoving him against the bath. Dingo felt cold water against his fur as Renard forced his head back.
''Your dead my friend! Your dead!'' Renard smirked, baring his teeth.
Dingo held his breath as his head went under the water. Struggling to get out of the rabids grip, Dingo positioned his leg inbetween Renards backlegs. With a surge of power, Dingo's knee impacted Renard in a very 'sensitive' area.
Renards face twisted in a grimace of pain, and Dingo took the chance. Grabbing Renard, Dingo forced the rabid to the side, and with one final push sent Renard head first into the water. His head impacted with the bottom of the bath, drawing blood. Dingo collapsed to the floor gasping for breath, water dripping down his chest. Looking back, he grimaced at the site that met him. Renard, bleeding and drowning in the water.
Shakily getting to his feet, Dingo broke into a run out into the corridor.
On the bottom floor, Max stood on guard, his eyes glancing round. Suddenly, a flash of movement caught his eye. Spinning round, he spotted an open door. Hesitating for a split second, Max padded inside.
He never knew what hit him.
As he pushed the door open, he knocked loose the heavy object positioned above his head. Before he could react, the heavy barrel of the shotgun came crashing down and impacted with his head, crushing his skull.
Max collapsed in a heap, blood seeping out of the wound in his skull. Out of the shadows, his murderer sniggered.
''Maybe next time you'll look before you enter'' Jack smirked, kicking Max's lifeless corpse aside. Peering out into the corridor, Jack came face to face witha panic stricken Dusty.
Before she coul reat, Dusty felt Jacks heavy paw grip her throat.
''Make a move, and you die'' he smiled.
Grant had lost sight of Dusty, and he cursed himself for letting her get away.
''It won't happen again'' he snarled out loud. Glancing round, he spotted an open window out into the street. He smirked.
''Thats my cue to exit!'' he padded towards the window.
Before he had gotten halfway, he felt the weight of a canine on his back. He opened his muzzle to shout out, only for it to be clamped shut by his attacker.
''Oh no you don't Grant! This ends now!'' Balto snarled, tightening his grip on Grants throat, sinking his claws in. Balto felt blood start to trickle down Grants neck, and he increased the pressure.
Grant struggled as Balto's grip tightened, choking him ''Go ahead...kill me. Then...you'll be just...like...me''
Balto froze. He felt the sudden urge to bite down and finish Grant off, but he knew that that would speed up the process. He jumped off of Grants back, but not before delivering a kick to the side of Grants head, knocking him out.
''I will not be like you!' Balto snarled, wincing as a stab of pain coarsed through his head. He took off down the corridor, leaving Grant bleeding and unconscious on the floor.
As Koid rounded a corner, he almost impacted with another dog coming from the other direction. He tensed up instictively, until he realised who it was.
''Dingo?''
''Kodi! Thank God your alright! Where's Dad?'' Dingo asked, scanning round nervously.
''I don't know, I went looking for Dusty. They took her'' Kodi sighed.
''Hey! What the hell are you two doing here? Get out before you both get killed!'' Chester snarled as he came face to face with the two brothers.
''We're not leaving until we find our Dad and Dusty'' Dingo snarled, glaring at Chester.
''Look, I ain't time for this! Your Dad is rabid, and it's my job to find him before he kills someone!''
''Rabid?'' Kodi stammered, turning to Dingo in confusion.
Dingo sighed ''They...they got him Kodi''
Kodi sighed and bowed his head. Chester glared at both of them.
''Thats right. And if either of you get in my way, I won't be held responsible for my actions!'' he turned and took off down the corridor.
Kodi shook his head ''How...he was fine when I saw him. At least...I thought he was''
Dingo nodded ''I know. But we're gonna help him. Come on''
Reluctantly, both brothers took off after Chester.
In the main office, Carver looked out of the corridor in a blind panic. Further down the corridor, approaching footsteps could be heard.
Carver eyed Karla, and then the window ''Tell me Karla, are you pregnant by any chance?''
Kalra stared at him in bewilderment ''No Carvy baby I'm not''
He smirked at her ''Good''
Before she could react, Carver barrelled into her, and both were sent carrening out of the window and down into the deep snow below. Carver jerked his head up as he collided with the snow.
''Come on!'' he ordered, grabbing Karla by the paw and dragging her out of the snow.
Up on the first floor, Fitz and Theo glared at the dogs in front of them.
''If you make a move, we'll kill you'' Lance snarled, as he and Stacy approached the two rabids.
Theo eyed Fitz, a glimmer in his eyes.
Before Lance and Stacy could react, both rabids backed into the window behind them, and catapulted out into the snow below. Fitz came down sofly, Theo less so. As Lance and Stacy watched on helplessly, both rabids sprinted out into the street.
Lance sighed ''Chester isn't gonna like this''
Out in the street, Jenna and Doc looked on helplessly as the first body was dragged out of the vets. Jenna's heart sank.
''Oh Doc, what about Dingo? What about Kodi?''
Doc sighed ''We'll just have to hope and pray Jenna''
Suddenly, Jenna let out a cry of relief as Dingo and Kodi padded out of the door. Jenna ran upto them, nuzzling them and licking their muzzles.
''I'm so glad your both okay'' she cried, tears coming to her eyes.
Kodi sighed ''Mum, they...they took Dusty''
Jenna looked into Kodi's eyes, so full of pain and sorrow ''Oh Kodi...'' she nuzzled him.
Doc padded upto Dingo ''What about Balto?''
Dingo looked back at the vets, and shook his head ''I don't know Doc. I don't know''
In a nearby alleyway, a shadowy figure sniggered.
''Oh man...can't fight it...don't...want to...fight it!''
Sweat dripping down his nuzzle, Balto's eyes glazed over completely and a vicious smirk plastered itself on his face. Looking up at the moon, he howled with all his might, froth bubbling to his lips.
'Ha ha! This...is...it!'' he smirked, before padding into the mist.