Chapter 3: Sled Newcomers

Following the incident regarding Nero protecting Amanda from her ex Brick, months had passed. Not only that Nero made a successful recovery, but also he ended up having Amanda as his girlfriend, which just made things better. The best part was that everyone in her family, even Titanium and Timber, accepted him greatly.

"To think of Nero, he is one hundred times better than that mutt Brick!" Titanium wisely concluded, noticing how Rodney's brother-in-law was very welcome in the family. Not only that he was welcome, but Nero was very nice and friendly to them all. Timber could not deny that.

"So right. I hope Amanda is not going to ditch him." Timber said, hoping that if she was going to advance in her relationship with Nero, he was strongly for that. And not to mention that Nero felt like some kind of older brother to them all. What was not to love him? Then, Timber added: "And I think that Geed sees him as a older brother, like, literally."

Titanium knew that. Sure, they loved their younger brother Geed, yet he felt like being different than a brother, but what? Still, having Nero by his side, Titanium wisely said: "For the end, I am absolutely sure that Geed will have someone to hang out with when he isn't with us. I am sure about that."

Having that in their minds, what else was in their minds...? Other than hoping to become sled dogs, they still had Tenana and Allina in their minds, how they spoke to them first... no doubts, these two were just pretty and very nice. But was there anything else that could lead them to become friends with these two?

"Hang on, I just remembered something..." Timber spoke, connecting the dots about what he had thought just now. Then, he started again: "I have heard that Kodi and his friends, along with Dingo and his friends, are going to retire when this season ends... but guess what else? I have heard that Tenana is likely to inherit Kodi and Dusty!"

Hearing that Tenana was going to get into the team easily was indeed a relieving news for Timber, but for Titanium... it'd mean that Allina, who was not built for a sled dog, was not going to be the one... For goodness sake, how come Timber, who had less confidence, was able to score better with Tenana, while Titanium himself. full of confidence, didn't have a such luck?!

"You know, I really hope that if you end up being a sled dog... I do hope that Tenana is going to be okay with me seeing Allina... Allina is not going to be a sled dog." Titanium said this, trying to sound as supporting as possible. The sole disappointment that he wasn't going to get closer to Allina just surrounded him.

Timber did notice something around Titanium, and placing his paw on his back, Timber just said: "If she doesn't become one, just think of this: if you become one, Allina could be watching you and the team delivering mail? Guess what? She could like how you are dealing as a sled dog!"

With that being said, Titanium looked up at his younger brother, his look was as if he was going to say: "Why didn't I think of this before?!" But then again, Titanium just spoke: "Hey, that is one heck of an idea! Then I am sure that I shall be able to win Allina's heart! Of course, as same as you are going to do with Tenana."

Now that both brothers had this plan devised between each other, what they wanted to do next was acting subtle in front of anyone about it, as if the bonding with these two sisters was going to be a mere coincidence. If that was going to happen, both brothers were going to be the town's happiest dogs!

With the days going by, the sole decisive race for the recruits of Kodi's team was coming. And finally, few days after a such anticipation, after the victory of Kodi's team since 1929 (much to Titanium and even Timber's joy), the recruit dogs were needed at that time. The places for the recruits were immediately filled!

With around ten to twelve recruit dogs, as neither Timber nor Titanium could have been enrolled into this, all that they could was to watch from the sides and cheer on Tenana and the others. But then again, there weren't only two sled dog teams in this town. Thankfully, Timber and Titanium found decent spots to look from.

"Alright, Titanium, I can see Tenana from over here!" Timber happily told his brother, as both of them managed to get a decent view in the middle of the road, from where the beginning of the test course and the ending of the test course as well were seen just good. True to Timber's words, Tenana was standing out thanks to her slender gray fur.

When the man holding a gun in his head was seen walking in the middle of the road, Titanium whispered: "Alright, here they go!" In the matter of the seconds, true to Titanium's words, the man was seen raising the gun in the air and fired the shot. That same moment, when the shot was heard, the stampede of dozen of dogs was heard.

The humans who were standing by the sides of the road, very likely the owners of these dogs, were heard cheering on their dogs for being successful in this run. They weren't the only one heard cheering, but dogs as well. Titanium glanced at several dogs and noticed some familiar faces - Kodi, Dusty, Steele, Tayer, Sarah... and even Allina!

Sure, Allina's appearance on this event was anticipated, but as soon as Titanium saw her, it was like a surprise for him! What if when the dogs pass by, what if Allina was going to throw one small, but notable, glance at Titanium? As Titanium was thinking on that, he heard Timber cheering loudly: "Go, Tenana! You can do this!

Immediately looking at his brother, he was even more surprised to hear Timber cheering openly on her. Looking at the sled dogs, they bolted straight ahead in front of them. Back to Timber, who cheered some more on Tenana, he noticed something in her eye... as if she saw him by side... and as if she was pretty glad to hear him say that!

"There she goes, she's going to make it!" Timber peeked his head to the street just in case he was going to see her being among the first. Much to his joy, Tenana was the third out of the six necessary dogs for the sled team and she graciously passed the finish line, just behind her sister-in-law Taiga.

"Come on, let's go to them if we can!" Titanium patted his brother by his back as they were bale to move all the way across the street to beyond the finish line, where the six out of dozen dogs had managed to become the future sled dogs. Among the familiar faces, not only Tenana and Taiga were in that team, but there were also Tenana's brother Ryan and Taiga's brother Rodney, black Alusky with brown eyes.

Running to his step-sister, Titanium happily barked: "Taiga, that was amazing! Dad is going to be so happy at you for passing in the team." Turning around to him, Taiga smiled on that, knowing that her father, Steele, was also his father. The difference was though, that they did not have the same mother. Taiga was Shira's daughter and Titanium was Elizabeth's son.

"What can I say, Titanium? I have always known that I was going to become a sled dog, just like Rodney!" When Taiga said all that, she looked at Rodney and winked at him mischievously, with him smiling proudly, knowing that he was also being a sled dog from now on. "And what does Timber say?"

At that moment, both Taiga and Titanium noticed that Timber was not around them. They did manage to spot him though, him being quite near Tenana. Then, just then, Tenana felt Timber's presence and turned around to see him. Acting quite normal, as usual, she asked him: "How may I help you?"

While battling with his anxiety and shyness, Timber looked at her, trying to remain as calm as possible. Acting surprisingly well, Timber mustered enough courage to say: "I must say that you were quite amazing on that run. Makes me wish I can become a sled dog." Then he went silent, knowing that his courage was going to slip away.

That did not seem odd to Tenana at all, who just smiled warmly and commented: "I have heard that there are other sled teams who are looking for the recruits. If you and your brother are lucky enough, I'd like to see you be a sled dog." It was at this moment when Timber saw that there was a bright new road for him!

"And when exactly is that happening?" Timber asked. The time did not matter to him, not now, not later, not in days... just that he had that chance to be a sled dog, him and Timber... that would the the life opportunity. It was then when Tenana spoke: "The next team that is going to have a practice run is having a test race in an hour. Trust me, they need the dogs for that!"

Looking at her with the most amazed look he could ever come up with, Timber felt like he was being unexpectedly relieved so he just said: "Thank you, Tenana!" And trying to remain step-by-step, he smiled to her. Then again, Tenana smiled back at him before Timber finally headed to his brother.

"Titanium! Titanium, I have great news!" Timber rushed to tell that news to his brother, who after noticing his arrival, seemed like he was bringing the best of the news. He allowed his brother to speak first and indeed, Timber said: "In an hour, both of us, we can go into the next sled team for the practice race! If we go and succeed, we are going to be the sled dogs!"

While that was unexpected to look for, Titanium's face produced the widest smile this young dog could come up with so he just said: "Then what are we waiting for here?! Let's go get our places reserved there, NOW!" Timber nodded greatly on that one and both of them headed off towards the start line, awaiting for the musher of the next team to notice them.

Over the course of one hour, Timber and Titanium were happily awaiting for the next sled team recruits to arrive, along with their musher. The dogs, males and females, were arriving, one by one. Most of them were ominous to the brothers, but as long as these two were going to be in the team, they'd end up being friends with them hopefully.

"Is everyone gathered? We are about to hold the test race, folks!" The musher of the team announced, gathering the attention of all the owners of these dogs. Just casually, Timber and Titanium's owners were there, hoping that this was going to happen. But before the recruits were considered official...

"Excuse me! I have my dog as a recruit here!" The young man in his early 30's called for. The dogs were looking towards the owner who was beckoning to his dog to arrive. With the great ownership abilities, the dog listened to its' master. Once it was revealed, Titanium gasped in a pleasant surprise.

It was a female, but not just any female. With the maroon red fur, indigo blue eyes and a blue collar around her neck, that female was none other else than Allina! But the question was... how?! Didn't she mention that she had no intention whatsoever to become a sled dog!?

With Allina making her way among the other dogs across the start line, she did seem shy around them. Sure, there were some others who seemed like they were her age, but at the same time, was she as social as Tenana? All in all, she whispered to herself: "Easy go, Allina. You can do this."

Since she was standing next to Titanium, he had the urge to respond to her, giving her some kind of encouragement so he was going to be able to bond closer to her. In fact, he did that by saying: "Just believe in yourself and you can do this." And of course, she heard that. Eventually, she gave him a small, but significant smile.

Noticing that smile, Titanium was about to smile back to her, but he felt the nudging by his shoulder. It was Timber, who let him know: "Titanium, quick, we're about to run now!" He wasn't lying, because the man with the gun was coming in the middle of the road, ready to fire the shot to start the test race.

Now that the dozen of the dogs that were on the start line, they could easily get ready for the race. The man raised his gun and fired that shot. Immediately, with that shot being heard, all the dogs that were on the line ran as fast as they could, knowing that was the only right thing to do at the moment.

Surprisingly, Allina was doing just perfect while running. Then again, she was the daughter of Kodi and Dusty, the famed sled dogs of Nome known for their speed and agility. Timber and Titanium were also doing very well in this run, with Titanium being faster. Then again, Timber was running very well!

The finish line was closer with every step he made, Timber thought that, closer he was to the finish line, chances were getting better for him to be a sled dog... and get closer to Tenana. But, when he was least expecting it, the victory that he could have...

He felt the rock in front of his paw as he was about to land it in the snow and much to his dismay, Timber tripped on that rock. Losing the balance with that speed, he landed with his face into the snow and made a barrel roll, eventually landing on his back. Not believing what was just happening, Timber was struggling to get on his back as fast as he could!

And then, as he was running to the finish line, he noticed that everyone else passed the line! Titanium and Allina were among the first ones! To make things even worse, the musher was already gathering the six sled dogs for his future team. Titanium and Allina, along with the other four, were the ones so far.

Refusing to accept the defeat, Timber ran as fast as he could to the finish line and made it to the musher. He nudged his hand with his muzzle, hoping he was going to see him. He did see the white-eared dog, but what he said was not good: "I'm sorry, boy, you came the last. I don't accept the slowest ones in the team!"

Now that was something that Timber heard that as a really hurtful insult. Having the tears in his eyes being formed, Timber started to turn away, but Titanium called him: "Timber, Timber, wait! Don't go yet! TIMBER!" But it was too late, as Timber ran away with the tears in his eyes. Titanium looked at the place he last saw his brother, hopelessly.

Seeing how hurt his brother was, Titanium lowered his ears and looked down. Sure, he won the place in the team, but the words of the musher and Timber's cries actually made him bitterly disappointed. Therefore, there was nothing he could do right now. The thought of his brother not being in the team was painful.

"Hey, uh, I am sorry for your brother." The female was heard talking directly to Titanium. Raising his view to see who it was, it was none other else than Allina. While she wasn't as upset as Titanium was, she did have that look on her face to express her dissatisfaction for the words the musher gave to Timber. "I'm sure he wanted to be a sled dog like us?"

Trying not to reveal his possible affection towards Allina for now, Titanium timidly looked at her in the eyes and spoke quietly: "True... both of us wanted to be in the team... but I don't think it's going to be this good without him." He meant it. After all, Timber was his favorite sibling and now that the two would be apart from each other on occasions, he didn't like it.

Then, quite unexpectedly, Allina placed her paw on Titanium's shoulder and just said: "Don't worry. Just hope. With the hope, I am sure that your brother is going to be in the team sometime soon, right?" Her having a paw on his shoulder had him speechless, so all that he could do was to nod at her in agreement. Her touch was full of... sympathy.

Back at Timber...

The poor young dog was running as fast as he could. He was visually upset as the tears were streaming down his cheeks. Not wanting to be seen by anyone at that moment, Timber was looking at the alley where he could be hidden and where he could lash out his grief for his failure. Looking at the dark one next to him, it looked like a nice place to be alone.

Stepping into the alley and heading deeper into the heart of it, Timber wanted to make sure that no one was going to see him cry. Once that he was sure he was deep enough, he looked in both sides and after inspecting it, he sat down, broke harder into the tears and yelled: "WHY?! WHY ME?! WHY DIDN'T THAT MUSHER GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE!?"

Thinking how upsetting this was, how he and Titanium were going to spend less time with each other and how he wasn't going to be a sled dog like Tenana just made his further upset. The words that the musher had told him were so painful that he felt like his heart was going to burst. Being preoccupied with his grief, he didn't sense the arrival of the another dog into the alley.

"Timber? Timber, what's wrong?!" Someone called him and it was a female. But it wasn't any kind of female out there, as he looked with his teary eyes towards the female that called him. Noticing the newcomer, he was further surprised that Tenana was standing closer to him, quite concerned.

Realizing that she was a sled dog and he wasn't, Timber replied with the teary eyes: "N-nothing, Tenana... I-I almost had it... I almost h-had my place in t-the team, but the m-musher kicked me out f-for being too slow..." It wasn't easy for him to say this, feeling the painful words that musher had given him earlier.

As he looked down, with his ears lowered and the tears streaming down his cheeks, he couldn't take his mind off his defeat. Then, as he wasn't expecting, he felt Tenana's paws being wrapped around his shoulders. Opening his eyes widely, he didn't expect Tenana's gesture, especially not this affectionate.

"Tenana?" Timber muttered, wondering what was going to happen next. Instead of receiving his answer immediately, Tenana went on to embrace Timber slowly and allowed him to place his head by her chest. Then he got her answer: "Don't worry, I know how upset you are now... I am here for you..."

Now that his tears were rolling down his cheeks and down Tenana's chest, he dared himself to ask: "Tenana... am I ever going to be a sled dog? I have been longing to become one!" She could hear in his voice what kind of ambitions he was having in his mind. Then again, she couldn't discourage him from his plans.

Leaning her head closer to his ear, she whispered softly: "Don't worry, Timber, you're going to make it. I know you will one day." And as he was not expecting, she embraced him affectionately, allowing him to enjoy that embrace as he was being embraced by his crush female. Could it be...?

And after she was done, Tenana parted from him, saying: "Okay, Timber, I have to go see Allina. Would you come with me or not?" Knowing that he'd go to the place where the musher kicked him out, he shook his head, but then asked her: "Tenana... will we see each other again... like friends or something?"

Now Tenana was not seeing this one, thinking that Timber had something... for her? Then again, he had a terrible day and adding the salt on the wound would not help. She looked at him in the eyes before leaving and said: "Of course we will. You just come and we can hang out."

At last, Tenana headed off to see her sister, leaving Timber partly comforted. While Tenana didn't know it, Timber knew that with her comfort, he had greater chances to be with her! If Titanium was going to be with Allina, then he was going to be with Tenana! This day was getting way better than expected!