Cole settled into his seat in the terminal as the clock dragged on. The now nineteen-year-old was hardly believing that this was even happening. Graduation was last year and now he was on his way to college in Anchorage. What happened the previous two week was like any other with him and Blake running the old track and field course they used to when they were still in school.

"Man, this never gets old.", Cole had commented.

Blake didn't look so sure and when they paused for a water break, Cole felt obliged to talk to him.

"Something on your mind Blake?", he asked, "You seem distracted."

Blake sighed.

"It's just… we have to write our college essays so that we might have a shot at getting into a good school."

Cole looked a bit anxious.

"Blake, did you do your essay?", he asked.

Blake looked his way and then shook his head.

"I can't seem to find the right topic and even though I know we could have a chance at an athletic scholarship, I don't know what else I'm good at."

Cole knew that feeling. In some of his classes, he had trouble focusing on what he was good at and what he should be trying to improve. It wasn't a good feeling, but how could he help Blake out? Then, he had an idea and brightened.

"Blake, how good are you at medicine? I hear you're good at it."

Blake looked a bit embarrassed.

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm great, but I do my best."

"Are you kidding?", Cole countered, "Remember our last summer camp together? I had my leg almost snapped and the doc was on leave. Somehow you were able to read the doctor's books and know exactly what to do. I think you have skill there."

Blake did cheer up a little and then his face brightened just as Cole's did.

"Actually, I do have something I want to study in.", he answered.

Cole looked impressed.

"What is it?"

Blake gave a sneaky smile.

"Race you home and if you beat me I'll tell you."

Cole looked determined.

"You're on."

As the boys ran from the track into the open field, Cole felt the wind rush in his face while the aroma of the blooming wildflowers met his nostrils and the burn in his legs only ignited his spirit. It didn't take long before the duo heard running feet not far behind them and they looked to see Keith in his old running gear catching up.

"Hey, you two are doing a run without me?!"

Cole rolled his eyes. Keith may not have bullied him as often as he usually did, but even though he seemed to be trying to behave, it seemed like that was still a work in progress.

"We were just trying to see what subjects we'll study in college.", Blake said as Keith caught up.

Keith looked a bit interested.

"Really? Well, I know what I'm getting a scholarship in."

Keith could see that neither Cole nor Blake was interested, but he chose to say it anyway.

"I'm going into tech support and become a very wealthy-"

Keith didn't have time to finish cause his sneaker slipped on some grass and he stumbled enough to trip and land seated on the open road rather hard.

"You okay?", Cole called back as he and Blake ran on.

Keith didn't answer, but as he got up, Cole could see that he was even though he wasn't too thrilled about tripping and being interrupted in the middle of his sentences.

/

"Attention, all passengers are to follow rule three-one-one when carrying liquids. Thank you."

Cole came out of his thoughts as he noticed the announcement rang out. He then remembered that he had to keep time if he was to make his flight to Anchorage. Reaching up, Cole touched the ivory wolf necklace around his neck recalling the first day he got even though it felt like an eternity ago.

"That necklace will change your life."

Maybe it wasn't exactly what he heard, but Cole recalled when he first went to Balto's world and the feeling of being another famous dog while being there for Balto even though Steele made it hard.

"Let me tell you something Balto. A dog can not make this journey alone, but maybe a wolf can."

Cole's eyes closed as the old memory washed over him. There he was again in that canyon with Balto and the medicine just as Balto had placed a paw on a pawprint in the snow before he lifted it and Cole placed one of his own.

"Together."

The sound of their unified howls rang in Cole's ears and his nerves were still again. Sure nobody believed him when he came back, but he got over it. Cole couldn't help but chuckle at himself for how ridiculous it sounded coming from his mouth. He was just thirteen and still a kid so people might not have taken him so seriously. That was when he recalled the next time he visited and when Aleu was still a puppy and with her littermates.

"Uncle Togo, could you sing that song again?"

Cole sighed as he started humming along as the memory of him singing Aleu to sleep came to mind.

"Deep in the night, the wind blows cold and in a heartbeat the fear takes hold. Deep in the storm, there's a place that's soft and still. And a road waits to be taken if you only will."

Cole chuckled as he recalled playing with the pups before they had to get adopted and while Aleu held a special place in his heart, Kodi also held one as well.

"Uncle Togo, were you always such a great sled dog?"

Cole rolled his eyes as he remembered his answer.

"Kodi, every great sled dog started as a beginner, but if you believe in your musher, your team, and in yourself, you can do anything you set your mind to."

Cole recalled telling the pups bedtime stories whenever they spent the night at Balto's boat though Balto seemed too distracted by his vision.

"So which tale should I tell for us tonight?"

Kodi looked eager.

"Something exciting and adventurous."

Cole had sighed as he settled into a cozy spot before looking interested.

"Did I ever tell you the story of the ring of magic and the magical realm it resided in?"

/

"Attention. Cole Marty, please report to gate A as in "Albert" four. Cole Marty to gate A four. Thank you."

Cole got up from his seat and luckily he was nearby so he didn't have to go far. Once he got up to the desk, the clerk there welcomed him.

"Hi there, you got your boarding pass?"

Cole dug his hand into his coat pocket and fished it out before handing it over.

"Thank you."

The clerk typed something in his computer and then turned to Cole again.

"Would you like to upgrade to First class?", she offered, "You've saved enough points to do so."

Cole shrugged.

"Sure, I'd love to."

The clerk went back to her keyboard and after a couple minutes, she printed out a new boarding pass and handed it over.

"We'll be boarding in half an hour.", she told him.

Cole nodded and rubbed the necklace around his neck and the clerk noticed.

"What's that?"

Cole looked her way a bit shy.

"Oh, it's just something I wear to remember an old friend."

The clerk seemed to understand as Cole went to sit down and his mind was back to being in Balto's world. The times he and Aleu were playing in the woods together though Aleu seemed to be a bit eager as she pounced after a grasshopper.

"What are you doing Aleu?", Cole asked her.

"Pouncing.", Aleu answered.

Cole leaned close to her and gave a sly smile.

"Let a pro show you how it's done."

Aleu looked more determined right away.

"Get low to the ground, stay quiet as a mouse, and when the prey thinks it's safe… go for it."

Aleu watched the grasshopper that had paused and after a bit of watching it, she pounced and this time, she caught it while Cole recalled laughing in amusement.

"Well done."

Cole couldn't help but be happy when it was time for Aleu to go even though the memory of him tearing up made it hard not to laugh.

"Balto, if she can take on a wolf and sea spirit, she can handle anything."

But then Cole recalled his last visit to Balto's world and how they managed to outrun a plane though to be fair, Duke had flown off course and crashed which invoked Balto and Cole to begin a rescue mission. Cole even remembered the last thing the strange shopkeeper had told him.

"You've forgotten why you went didn't you? You wished to get back what you lost and now you have it. But you'll always have your memories."

Cole touched the ivory wolf head on his necklace and couldn't help but sing a little to himself.

"If I could only go back again. To the places where I have been, Feeling love as we did then. If I could only go back. If I could only go back."

Cole sighed as Andy William's voice kept singing the rest of the song and kept playing. As he caught his reflection and the necklace between his fingers, a shimmer glinted across the surface. It was only for a moment, but even though Cole had spotted it.

"Wait, was that what I thought it was?"

/

Cole couldn't get the experience out of his mind as the clock ticked down the minutes.

"But he told me I couldn't go back.", Cole thought to himself, "Why is it happening now?"

Lost in his thoughts, Cole was brought out of it when an announcement came on.

"Flight three two four for service to Anchorage is now welcoming those who are travelling with children under the age of two and those who need assistance."

Cole thought about what his parents were like a few days earlier when he got his acceptance letter from the Anchorage University.

"Well, don't keep us in suspense Cole.", his father said eagerly.

Cole held the envelope pretty nervous. He had sent his entry essay a week earlier than this day and it felt like he was in the final round of "American Idol" and it was down to the wire between him and another finalist. His mom had even made some special cookies for when he got in and though his grades had been high enough to make the grade, to make it into a school like this would be tough.

"Cole, if you don't get in, we just want you to know that we'll still support you."

Cole took a breath and then slit the top open before taking the letter out and unfolding it. A quick glance and read later, Cole looked up at his parents.

"Well, did you make it?", his father asked.

Cole sighed and looked disappointed, but then brightened as he showed his letter.

"I got in!"

His parents were more than happy, but the moment of joy was short lived when Blake showed up later that night. Blake was happy that Cole got to go to Anchorage, but then he showed that he had gotten into the university in Juneau and that made Cole almost drop his own acceptance letter. It wasn't fair at all. Why should he go to Anchorage while Blake had to go to another school after they had been buddies for so long?

"We are now welcoming all First-Class passengers. You are welcome to board."

Cole came out of his thoughts as he joined the line to get on the plane and after he got checked through, he walked down the connection hall to the plane's door though the memory of him and Blake still reared its head.

"Why is life so cruel to us after what we had to go through?", Cole had asked.

Blake put a hand on Cole's shoulder.

"Hey, we still have our phones right?"

Cole looked a little better as he nodded and Blake dialed Cole's number causing his phone to ring.

"I just wanna feel this moment."

Cole chuckled as tears came to his eyes as "Feel This Moment" echoed in his ears and he took his seat as Blake and him shared a handshake and a promise.

"Promise you won't forget about me no matter how much college grinds us into the dust?", Blake asked playfully.

Cole nodded as he shook it.

/

It took a bit to have the plane lift off, but Cole was holding his phone still on Airplane mode remembering the promise he made. Before long the plane was in the air and heading towards Anchorage. By the time the plane reached cruising altitude, Cole felt like he had to use the bathroom and luckily he had the row to himself as he hurried to the bathroom. He had gotten there and as he did his business, he couldn't help but hold the ivory wolf head in his hands.

"Blake, please don't forget me."

He was then washing his hands and was about to leave when the pendent shimmered again.

"Huh, again?", Cole asked.

He looked into the mirror, but the pendent had gone dim again, but this time, he wasn't going anywhere.

"Come on, I know it was there.", he said insistently.

Then the light to tell Cole to get back to his seat came on grabbing his attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We'll be heading into some turbulence so please fasten your seat belts."

Cole had just gotten to the handle when the airplane lurched suddenly and then again.

"What the devil?", he asked.

Just as Cole had gotten the door open, the airplane lurched again and he was seated on the toilet as his pendent shimmered again and this time it stayed on.

"Is this happening?", Cole asked.

The air around him grew loud enough for Cole to cover his ears as he tried to get to the door again and just grabbed the handle when he almost fell to the ground again. That was when the mirror of the bathroom began lighting up like a sun making Cole blind for a moment before he felt himself levitating off the ground.

"What, again?!", he asked in alarm, "Could someone tell me what is going on?!"

The room lurched again, but because he was in the air, Cole wasn't too disturbed, but the glowing mirror and his pendant were growing brighter as Cole felt himself drawn closer to the mirror.

"Hey, where's the wolf howl?", he asked himself suddenly, "This isn't like last time."

As much as Cole wanted to resist, part of him knew that it was pointless as he reached out to touch the mirror's surface while trying not be blinded when an aroma met his nostrils.

"Wait, this wasn't here before either."

That was when the lurching stopped, but the mirror kept glowing as Cole's fingers touched the surface.

"Well, here we go again.", Cole thought as he felt the familiar feeling of wind swirl around him.

That was when a glow enveloped Cole and he dispersed into a shower of sparkles that flew into the mirror and went dull again the moment he had vanished through without leaving a trace of what had just happened.