The cave was dark, but that was how he liked it. Dark, like despair. Like hopelessness. Like evil. Like the anger that he carried in his twisted heart.

The morning outside was cold and crisp. Light stretched across the endless expanses of snow and ice, reaching every corner of the Alaskan frontier...except here.

Steele sat brooding in the inky darkness. He knew that, back at the not-too-far-off village, the citizens of Nome were preparing for the Great Race. The one that, under different circumstances, would have been to honor his heroic deeds.

Steele growled deep in his throat. It was all because of that stupid half breed. If Balto had minded his own business, he would be the one basking in the glory. His mind flashed back to that fateful day when Balto returned with the Antitoxin.

(Flashback)

The crowd cheered wildly, their hope restored as the dog sled came to a halt in front of the infirmary. Dr. Denson carefully unloaded that precious medicine. It was taken inside and distributed among the ill children.

Outside, Balto was greeted by men and dogs alike. He flinched slightly as Rosy's father gave him a thankful pat. Others crowded around him, shouting his praise and expressing their gratitude.

Steele's sled team looked on in satisfaction and pride. They were on the half wolf's side now. He had earned their respect.

In the shadows, another figure watched the emotional scene. He grimaced as a statement reached his ears.

"They should build a statue of him!"

Steele knew he was defeated. There was no one left in Nome who would side with the black and white dog. He was alone. Dispised. Seen for what he truly was.

Slinking through the alleys and squeezing beneath an old, broken down fence, Steele retreated from the village. He was not willing to stay around to face the consequences of his selfish actions.

He paused on a hill not far from the town, looking back, hatred burning in his eyes. The village sat nestled in the great white waves of ever lasting snow. An island of life in a sea of frozen desolation, but to Steele it was an abomination. He hated it. He hated all who lived within it. And, most of all, he hated it's hero. And they were going to pay!

(End Flashback)

Steele shook his head to clear his revengeful thoughts. His eyes narrowed in the darkness. For five years he had waited. Five years he had been planning his revenge. An evil smile slowly spread across the shaggy muzzle. His time was coming, and nothing, no one, would ever be able to stop him!

Meanwhile, back in the village...

"Balto! Are you mad?!"

Balto eyed the council threateningly. All it's members had left, as had his team, leaving only him and the council leader.

"What's so wrong about me letting Star lead the team?" He asked.

"He's just..." Doc struggled for the right words. "He's just not...leader material."

"That's what you guys used to think about me.''

The saint bernard sighed wearily. What was the use of arguing over this? The council had already given their permission, and they couldn't take it back. He slid a paw across his tired features. Looking up again, his eyes met Balto's. "Just one question," he grumbled finally, "Why?"

Balto smiled. He searched the recesses of his mind, trying to find a suitable answer. But the thing was, he didn't exactly know why. "Well," he said slowly, "I guess it's because...I don't want to make the same mistake about him that others made about me. I want him to have the opportunity, just like any one else." Balto focused on the old dog in front of him. "Tell me, Doc, who else would give him the chance?"

Doc smiled slowly, defeated. "I see what you mean."

Balto nodded. "Then I will see you at the start of the race."

The saint bernard shook his head in amusement. "But of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

With that Balto and Doc walked to the wooden door to the boiler room. It creaked and crunched against the snow that had gathered against it since the last time it had been opened. As he and the old timer parted ways, Balto noticed his team sitting not far from the entrance to the shed. They had been waiting for him. Nodding a farewell to the saint bernard, Balto trotted up to the group of worried faces. Star, by far, was the most anxious.

Nikki started at once. "Balto...that was the most extraordinary...the most unusual...the most unexpected-"

"What were you thinking?" stated Star miserably. No one bothered to punch him; they agreed.

Balto gave his team a wry smile. "Oh, come on," he said playfully, "Where's your sense of adventure!"

The dogs chuckled halfheartedly. Balto became more serious. "Listen guys, I know this is unexpected...but I really think you should do this. It doesn't seem right the the team shouldn't race because of me."

"Well, we agree with that, and that's all well and good," Kaltag stated flatly, "but, what about him?" He crooked a claw in the direction of the smallest team member. Star's ears drooped ever so slightly.

Balto frowned. "Guys, you trust me to lead the team, right?"

There were murmurs of 'of course' and 'absolutely'.

"Then why would I choose someone I didn't think could take my place and do a good job?" The half-wolf waited for an answer, but his team just stared at him blankly, as if they had just been asked the trajectory of the moon. Balto sighed. "I wouldn't. I chose Star because I think he will do a good job. All I'm asking is that you trust me, and give him a chance."

The dogs glanced at one another nervously. Finally Nikki stepped forward. "Alright, we trust you, Balto." He looked back at the others. "And it is just a race for fun. It won't be dangerous, unlike the real Antitoxin Run."

It was true. The actual route of that night five years before had been forgotten long ago. The team had been lost, until Balto found them and showed the way home; but, even then, there had been a number of detours and distractions. No way would anyone remember. And besides, it would have been far to treacherous to race on that track, even if they could find it. This short, one day annual run was far safer. It went out into the mountains, where it took a turn through the woods, eventually ending up back at the village. Perfectly safe.

"That's right," Balto grinned, "Then we're agreed. I'll see you guys at the starting line." He began to turn, calling over his shoulder, "Star, come with me."

Star blinked, confused, but he slowly followed, the other five dogs watching curiously. Balto gave Star a friendly smile as he lead the way down an alley. Star stayed quiet for a while as the half-wolf lead him from street to deserted street. Finally his soft, nervous voice broke the silence.

"Uh..B-Balto, w-where are we going?"

"To my place," came the quick reply.

"Oh." Star glanced around uneasily. Everyone knew that Balto lived outside the village limits. Even after becoming a hero, the dog-wolf lived alone. Well, not quite alone. Balto's nearly constant companion was a Russian snow goose. Star didn't know how they had met, but it seemed that the bird was a sort of...father figure to Balto.

By this point, the two had vacated the buildings of the small town of Nome. Now out in the open, unshielded from the arctic weather, the wind blow snow and ice towards them unmercifully. The mere force of it nearly made Star fall over. The wind would blow against his furry body, causing him to stagger to the left, only for the gale to change direction as he faltered to the right.

The frozen boat yard was not a place that most dogs in Nome would ever visit. It had the same, sad air about it as an old abandoned house. The series of broken bows and decks edged in years of frigid ice, were shadows left over from long forgotten voyages.

As they neared one particular ship Balto gave a sharp, but friendly bark. There was a moment of silence, in which only the wind could be heard. Then a loud, nasally honk resounded through the cold air. A second later a white and orange head peered over the cracked rail of the vessel.

"Balto!"

"Boris, come down here and greet our guest!" Balto called, shouting above the howl of the open plains.

In a flurry of white and black tipped feathers, the snow goose landed heavily, disappearing momentarily as the snow gave way to his weight. Boris showed again, climbing grumpily out of the bird-shaped hole.

"Dreadful, cold, miserable wasteland," he grumbled, dusting a pile of white participation from the top of his head. "Nothing but bother and-" His eyes finally fell on Star. "What's he doing here?"

Balto winced. He had been afraid of that. Boris had always disliked Steele's gang, even after they had reformed. He was very protective of Balto, and had not quite forgiven the team for their unkind behavior toward him. Balto noticed Star flinch at Boris's harsh question.

"Boris," Balto started, warningly, "He's here as a guest."

"Humph!" Was the only reply he got as the goose started to waddle away. Giving Star an apologizing look, Balto quickly caught Boris by the bill with his mouth, carrying him behind the ship's broken bow.

"Alight," Boris echoed from within Balto's gentle jaw. "You can put me down, Mr. Golden Retriever..."

Balto opened his jaws, letting the goose step back, giving the grey dog a disgruntled look.

"Boris, I brought Star here for a very important reason."

"Like what?"

"Like for training."

Boris looked behind Balto at the scrawny dog standing nervously in the snow. He was a skinny little thing. "Ah," Boris said, as if it all made sense now. "He's weak, and he's slowing your team down. You want to get him to do better."

It bothered Balto the way his friend spoke, as if Star could be summed up in a single glance. Weak. Slow. Like he wasn't worth the dirt he walked on.

"That's not the reason," Balto said, trying to keep the edge out of his voice. He didn't quite succeed, and Boris seemed to notice. The goose sent another glance at Star, then back at Balto.

"Then why?"

Balto took a deep breath. He knew this wouldn't settle well with the snow goose.

"I'm going to train him to lead the team."

"WHAT?!"

Hey everyone! I hope this was at least a little interesting so far. I'm new at this and would really appreciate reviews. Let me know what you think, and please be kind (Friendly criticism welcome). I'll put up more chapters when I'm able to. THANKS!