Ever since Max and Steele had that short-lasting fight, Gunnar never came to Seppala to ask him for any of his dogs to serve as a replacement again. While the two mushers remained friendly to one another, Gunnar clearly couldn't ask him that favor, fearing that if their dogs clashed one more time, someone would be sent on a long-term recovery.
As for their dogs, both Steele and Max kept their distance from one another. They weren't engaging in any more fights with one another ever since. Max clearly saw that with that malamute there was no reasoning, yet Steele saw the husky as a rather formidable foe. He was impressed that someone like him could pull up a good fight and end up staying on paws after enduring those blows. He thought about how he was rather going to shift his focus on Balto instead.
It was a late summer evening in the outskirts of Nome. Just for the sake of the safety, Balto decided that he'd rather stay on his boat tonight, clearly not wanting to have Steele and his boys harass him. Boris was already sweeping the floor with the mop, improvising it as the broom now that he wanted that layer of dust on the boat gone.
"Balto, tell me, are you trying to think of what are you going to do with your life now that it's been a good while since those humans told you to leave?" Boris asked him when he was looking at the teenage wolf dog chewing on the bone he'd found in the dumpster at the edge of the town. This clearly wasn't the first time he'd been asked this question.
"Boris, you know exactly my answer. One day I'm sure that there will be another musher who'd not look at me for who I am, but for what I can offer as a sled dog, do you hear me?" Balto let him know, always hoping to cut these talks short whenever he'd been asking this. He was enjoying himself on the boat, laying in the moonlight and having countless stars spread across the sky.
Boris sighed, thinking how the young one had no ambitions in the future but one that always seemed out of the reach, letting him know: "But what if your destiny is telling you to go elsewhere? Aren't you suppressing your wolf side a little bit too much?" Clearly he made a point in here, yet the young wolf dog had no answer to give.
"Balto? Balto!" A familiar male voice called from the distance. It belonged to Max and even for someone whose hearing was inferior to canines, Boris looked towards where Max's voice came from and spoke: "Looks like that's your drug Max, I can recognize that voice from a mile ahead!" He wasn't wrong when the dark brown husky climbed the old boat.
"Hello, young Max. I'm surprised that those two devushki aren't with you this time!" Boris got to greet him first when he put the mop aside. Even if Max was sometimes confused by Boris' words from his motherland, he got the reference: "Well, me and my sister have been rather… hostile to one another lately. Molly didn't want to go outside the town at night so that's why I'm here."
"What's the matter, Max?" Balto asked his friend, whose face seemed rather calm, but there was something else hiding behind the peace on his face. Max brought it up: "Balto, you remember that time, months ago, when I had to be in Steele's team before, as his master says, I have been 'unceremoniously' fired from the team. Picture that, unceremoniously!"
"Oh yeah… you two had put up a fight? Even Jenna told me about it!" Balto recalled the events, even if he wasn't physically present to witness these. Then Max had to reveal: "Well, speaking of Jenna, I didn't do it just because. Him and I had been in a fight because he said something related to you and Jenna that day."
"W… what? What did he say?" Balto's brown eyes widened in curiosity when he'd heard this. Max exhaled, thinking how once he knew what he said, the burden would be passed from him to his friend. He had no choice: "He demanded me to tell you that you should stop seeing Jenna and that she's his girl! As if!"
"He… said that?! Why didn't any of you tell me?" Balto couldn't get his voice any louder out of shock and disbelief. Now Max was feeling the weight of burden leaving him behind and latching on Balto, answering: "Balto, you're already carrying too much misery on your shoulders. We want you to spare you from any other that comes at you. You may have noticed how Steele has been targeting you more frequently lately?"
"A lot, yes… I guess what you said does make sense, but I really wish you didn't hide any of that from me, Max!" Balto gave him the piece of his mind about how they were hiding what Steele wanted to let the wolf dog know. If anything, Max let him know: "And don't worry about Jenna being his girl. Even she's been smart enough to avoid him for a variety of reasons!"
Well, that was a relief, knowing that Steele couldn't have Jenna as long as she saw him for whom he was. Then, their discussion ended in a somewhat bittersweet note: "Balto, look, now that the another winter is coming soon, we sadly won't be that much with you to hang out."
"Why? What happened?" Balto hoped that something bad did not happen or even worse. Well, nothing bad happened to anyone but the answer wasn't any relieving: "The thing is, me and my team are now going to train hard for the final annual race of 1923. While we'll train here on the beach, I just want to let you know that as a lead dog, I have the full responsibility of training them!"
Thinking about what kind of duties were coming to Max in the future, Balto sighed, accepting the bitter news now that he was going to be lonely for some time, saying: "If that's what you say, then I wish you, Molly and everyone else luck for that race." The bitterness remained in his voice, showing how badly he wanted to be a sled dog.
"Hey, even if I have to train them, you're still welcome to be close enough and watch us! There are some things you should know if you ever become a sled dog." What he said made Balto's bitterness fade a little bit, hearing what he had just said and even asking: "You… you really think I'm going to be a sled dog one day?"
"I am certain about it! Well, I have to go now before my master finds out that I'm not at home. Take care, Balto, I'll see you these days! And you too, Boris!" Max greeted them each before he ran down the boat and rushed to the town on the sandy beach covered in moonlight before fading into the darkness once reaching the first house.
Balto smugly looked at Boris, who was ready to get some rest at last and even dared to tell him: "What did I tell you, Boris? Even my friend hopes that one day I'll be a sled dog! See, there's a future for me in this town!" Watching the wolf-dog take a rest, Boris rolled with his eyes from outside, but inside, he muttered: "I know there is, boychick. I do believe that one day you'll be what makes you happy." Soon he joined him in the sleep.
While it was usually around October for the first snow to fall in Alaskan parts where Nome was and more to the north, this year around it was surprisingly earlier, at the end of September. While at first people had dismissed it, thinking that there wasn't going to be any more snow until October, it was snowing more and more with each day. This meant one thing.
The mail delivery season was going to start as planned, but this meant more time for the sled dogs to get themselves ready for the oncoming season. For Balto this would have been a great opportunity if the humans had looked at his speed and potential rather than who he was. Instead, he had to face it when he was going to spend less time hanging around Max and Molly, but at least Jenna was present.
In early October, Balto watched from the old boat how Max's team was training on the beach. There were the days when Steele's team trained, but none of them would come close to the old boat. It was for the best, perhaps. He didn't want to have him or anyone from his team to taunt him and where he lived, further pushing him to the edge.
Now that Max's team was on the beach, Balto thought that he could at least ask him and Molly to see how things were going for them. He was going to stay away from Audrey, who grew even more resentful and more hostile towards him. He looked behind just in time to notice Boris coming in, who just finished maintaining the boat.
"Boris, how about we give a visit to my friends on the beach? I'm sure they won't mind seeing you around!" Balto suggested as he was already directed towards the training ground. Boris just looked around the place and gazed at Nome in the distance, he asked: "We're not going to the town this time around, uh boychick?"
"Nah, just here on the beach! Besides, I don't think there are humans right now!" Balto beckoned him to go and without any other convincing, he tapped with his legs to his wolf-dog, letting him know: "Alright, but at least keep in mind that I can't catch up with you when you start running again!"
"Oh come on, I'm just preparing myself to become a sled dog, Boris! What could possibly go wrong?" Balto asked him and before Boris could tell him, out of mischief, Balto already started running towards the beach! Boris was, at the same time, both surprised and annoyed when he saw what he was doing, muttering: "That mal'chik has to learn that Boris Goosinov is not a falcon when it comes to speed!"
However, Boris didn't have to run for too long because he saw Balto stopping by and he already noticed another observant on the beach… Jenna! She was sitting there, all by herself, and she was looking at her friends training out there. When Boris caught up with the wolf-dog, he had to inhale and exhale to speak: "Okay, enough of your tricks, Balto! I am not as young and as agile as you are…!"
"Boris, look! I didn't know Jenna was over there!" Balto whispered to him, wondering what he could possibly tell her if he was going to come closer. Boris also noticed the scarlett red female husky with orange bandanna sitting on the beach and observing the training. Boris scratched his neck from behind, trying to think for him.
"What's to think, Balto? Jenna is your female drug, isn't she? Just go there and talk to her!" Boris encouraged him with nudging from his back. While it was true that Jenna was Balto's friend, first and his best, it was lately some feeling in Balto's veins… was this friendship making its' steps ahead already? He had to see for himself.
He slowly trotted to his husky friend and even she noticed his presence when she greeted him: "Hello, Balto!" Balto was delighted to hear her sweet voice calling him and feeling a bit encouraged, he quickened his pace only a bit and being close enough, he firmly spoke to her, or at least tried to stay firm: "Hi… hi, Jenna. What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I came to see my friends training on the beach! I suppose you have come to see them too, right?" She sweetly asked him. In her eyes, Balto was a sweet and kind friend despite his looks and she stated openly that she didn't mind having him in her presence to the others. Balto answered: "Oh yeah, I also have come to see how they're doing today!"
Jenna sweetly giggled when it came to her that they had the same intention when he sat close to her. Well, that was Balto's initial intention, but now that she was here, he could only gaze at her in awe how she was sitting here in snow and looking away from him, where she saw their friends training for the upcoming race.
Boris' tapping with his paws in the snow revealed his presence to Jenna who turned her head and greeted: "Hello, Boris! I see you came to accompany Balto here." She giggled sweetly again on that comment and Balto just blushed how sweet her giggles were. Boris replied to her, trying to sound seriously, but quite hammy: "I don't let my wolf-dog go anywhere without my knowledge!"
"And what about those times I went by myself to the town?" Balto sarcastically asked him and this made both the husky and the wolf-dog laugh a bit while the Russian snow goose rolled with his eyes, commenting something on his native language. Now that he was facing Jenna again, the first thing that came to ask him was: "Jenna… uh, how is Rosy?"
"She's good! She wanted to come to the beach and see Max and Molly training, but right now she's getting a new coat in the town and she won't be here today." Jenna let him know why her sweet young girl wasn't here today. Balto thought about it, Rosy being the only human in this town to show some love to him, speaking: "Well, I hope that the next time I will see her. Hopefully her parents won't be around."
She looked at him, knowing what he meant. Among those encounters with Rosy Balto had in the town, by accident he had himself revealed to her parents. To sum it up, they certainly weren't pleased that a stray wolf-dog in the town was around and mainly around Jenna. Rosy's father was less pleased than her mother and even told the wolf-dog to get lost, much to Balto's grief.
"Don't worry, Balto, next time be careful where you're going and you may be fortunate!" Jenna told him, knowing that it was merely an accident that led to Balto being exposed to Rosy's parents, albeit she was a bit upset that he'd not return because of them. She was relieved to know it was the exact opposite outcome. He replied: "I didn't mean to make you upset back then, you know?"
"I know." Jenna told him and in the act of kindness, placed her paw on his. His eyes widened in surprise when she made that gesture, looking into her pretty amber brown eyes. Nothing could be any sweeter than a smile he'd received from her. Moreso, she told him: "Balto, I have seen how Steele has become… meaner to you. He even told me things like why am I still hanging around you when this town is no place for you!"
It occurred to Balto that Jenna had found out, possibly by Max, that Steele demanded him to stop seeing Jenna for what he was and that this town was not his place to live in. Jenna's words she spoke afterwards relieved him: "And I told him that if he's got a problem with me seeing you, then why not stick around with the girls that have an eye for him!"
"You… you really said that?!" Balto was amazed how Jenna could pull off a response like that on Steele, a malamute who clearly had an eye for Jenna, but it was all one-sided. Jenna went on to let him know: "Balto, you are one of my first friends in this town. Who does he think he is to tell me I can see and I can't see?" That smirk on her face showed how Jenna was not easy to woo for selfish reasons.
"Look, here they come!" Jenna let him know as soon as she noticed two of their friends coming to them. The rest of the team just remained there, including Audrey. Catching some air to breathe, Molly greeted first: "Jenna… Balto…! Great to see you two…!" Jenna greeted her friend, Balto after her and even Max spoke: "It's good to know that all four of us… caught some time together to talk…"
"Well, what's there to talk about?" Balto wondered, only having an intention to come and support his friends in training, clearly not expecting that Jenna was going to be here either. Molly revealed: "About the golden collar!" This really came out of blue for Balto. Sure, he knew what "gold" and "collar" meant, but what was the deal with the "golden collar".
"I'm sorry… what?" Balto was still puzzled, not really putting those words into context. Max generously answered him: "It is the first one if its' kind for this annual race! Whoever's team wins the race, the lead dog gets to wear it as a trophy!" The grande finale prize of the year, that seemed like a fantastic deal! Then again, Balto didn't see himself as a canine who'd wear it.
"So, let me get this straight, that's the prize of this year's race?" Jenna wondered, not being previously sure about Max desiring that kind of prize. True to her thoughts, he didn't want it either, but the only reason why he sounded like he wanted was: "Just so we can show that Steele that his ego is nothing but a big hot air balloon that goes in flames when he loses!"
Now that sounded somehow pleasing to Balto's ears, although he never wished anyone ill luck. As much as Molly wanted to see that for herself, she let him know: "I just hope that you won't descend to his level, Max. As much as he deserves his comeuppance, I don't think it's a smart idea to sink lower than him."
He also knew that and out of a joke, let her know: "Alright, have it your own way, Molly. I was planning to give it to Balto so Steele could lose his mind ever further!" That still didn't quite amuse her and Jenna even noticed Balto looking quite insecure in both ways. She asked him: "Balto? What's wrong?"
"Uh? Oh, I don't know, Jenna. That golden collar does sound like a great idea, but I don't think I want to wear it. Who knows what he's capable of when he strikes back!" Balto nervously spoke, clearly wanting to stay about the trouble here. Molly couldn't really take it anymore and even told him: "For goodness' sake, Balto! He's just joking!"
Balto's anxiety shifted into unamusing look when he glanced at Max, saying: "Oh, ha ha ha, Max! Don't you think I've already gone through enough troubles in my life?" Clearly Max had to realize that his crude joke backfired, speaking: "You're right, I didn't handle this well. The point is, we can achieve a victory this year not for the ornaments, but with cooperation!"
"Now that's what I like to hear from you, Max!" Molly let him know. While Max didn't notice it yet, maybe Balto and Jenna could at this point. Her admiration towards Max was growing. At first, it was unnoticeable, but now that Molly openly spoke in this tone, they could already notice something good happening in the future!
They shared some good laughs together before Balto parted his way with Boris back to the old boat and Jenna went with Max's team back to Nome, ending their training. If Molly was truly opening her feelings to Max, who only had to notice them, should Balto consider making his approach towards Jenna? No one else knew that better than him. No one else was going to do that for him.
Since the final annual race was to be held on the second Saturday of December, Max's team had to train harder and harder, which meant spending less time with Balto and even Jenna, who got to spend her time with Dixie and Sylvie. She even got to spend it with Steele, but it was usually one-sided, not abiding to his false honeyed words of being a kind dog.
Balto could rely on Muk and Luk mainly to spend time with. Sure, they were among his first friends when he was a little puppy and they did bring him joy, but the thing was, Balto needed to spend more time with other canines. He needed someone of the same species as a company, a grumpy goose and two playful polar bear cubs wasn't enough.
The final annual race was creeping behind the corner and both Steele and Max had a pawful of work to organize their teams for the final race. Both had different approaches. Max believed that the teamwork was essential for their performance in the race and that this was going to be their victory one way or another. They didn't count on Steele's approach. In fact, it was shrouded in a veil of mystery.
That fateful day, after weeks and even months of training and exercising, both teams were ready to have this race done. Max's team was already on their paws and Seppala had them all fed properly, making sure they didn't get too few or too much. They had left for the post office before 8 AM that morning.
From there they had to get their sled to the start line on the main street. There were wires on sidewalks to prevent any citizen from walking across the street now that the race was coming. Steele's team wasn't there yet, perhaps they were on their way. Whatever the case was, Seppala made sure the entire team was strapped in their harnesses.
"Max, do you wonder what will happen if we win today's race?" Molly asked him, wondering whether the outcome was going to be like when their parents won their first final annual race. "What do you mean? If we win, we get that collar and celebrate it!" Though she had to open it up now: "I meant to say, do you think that Steele will do the exact same thing like his father and his friends did back then?"
"You mean… they'll try to spread some rumor and declare someone insane in our team? Heh, if he is that shallow, I'd like to see him try!" Max chuckled that off, thinking how low Steele could stoop if he was going to do so. Only Audrey contradicted that from behind: "There's no way he'll do so! Gossiping is… too shallow for someone like him!"
"Says the one." Max whispered, noticing that hypocrisy in his younger sister's voice, to which she gave him that cold glare. He didn't care if she heard him or not, at least he'd spoken the truth about her. Then, someone's cold and gleeful voice spoke: "Well, well, well, Maxie Boy, Dolly and Audrey have arrived first!"
While Max and Molly both had their faces turned unamused when Steele taunted them, Audrey's cold gaze turned into infatuated one when she saw Steele coming with his team, led by their master Kaasan. He continued: "You may have arrived at the start line first, but I hardly think you'll be the one to reach the finish line first when we return!"
"We will see about that, Steele." Molly spitefully told him and his cronies from behind just howled in amusement when they heard them. Star even dared to speak: "Looks like Molly got really nasty lately! I will show her why she… GAAAAAHHHH!" As he wanted to show the others he was not weak, he wanted to teach Molly a lesson she should not mess with them. Shame for him that he underestimated his size compared to Molly's when she growled at him, making Star back off.
"Alright, get over here, team! A race is ahead of us!" Kaasan came to strap up his team into harnesses and he had a hard time doing so for Star. As he had backed up, he entangled himself into his own and tripped down, making Kaltag and Nikki wonder how someone like him could be that clumsy to make that kind of ruckus?
Meanwhile, on the roof of the nearby house, Balto had found his spot where to observe the beginning of the race. Boris was even there, although he had to adjust on the height of their place, telling him: "Boychick, you really couldn't choose any taller place than this house roof, uh?" Balto, on the other paw, didn't care. He wanted to see how this race was going to kick off.
"This is a very important race, Boris! If Max and his team win against Steele, this is going to change things up! Maybe Steele will know where his limits are so I don't feel endangered in Nome anymore." Balto told him what he felt this race and the aftermath could bring. The loud voice from the race announcer boomed on the street.
"Welcome to the final race of 1923! We have Leonhard Seppala's new team facing off against Gunnar Kaasen's also new team for the first trophy of the year! The one who brings the mail to the town of Elim and back here to Nome, will have his lead dog wear this brand new golden collar! May the best team win!"
"Okay, they're preparing themselves for the race!" Balto let him know and now both were waiting patiently. Just then, a familiar voice was heard: "Look, Jenna! Max and Steele go against one another! Let's wish them both good luck!" That was Rosy, noticed on a sidewalk with her parents and Jenna.
While seeing Rosy brought him joy, Balto felt like how Rosy cheering for Steele felt… piercing. Then again, as much as it pained to hear her giving support to someone who tormented him and his friends, there was nothing that could be done. Rosy saw Steele as a dog like any other and she liked him, not knowing malamute's true intentions. Only Jenna, down there, with Rosy, knew them well.
The gunfire from the revolver blasted across the street and in the next second, both teams sprinted with their sleds ahead, passing by the announcer. That loud and deafening noise made Boris scream for a second, but Balto held him on spot so he'd not slide down into a strange alley below them. They watched the team leaving for Elim, leaving Nome behind. Balto could only gaze in envy that he wasn't a sled dog and wasn't racing either.
The race to Elim was actually quite formidable. Both teams showed the equal amount of speed, agility, strength and how determined they were. Despite both teams having different strategies how to mush, they were still tied. Max could rely on the help of his entire team whereas the strength of the entire team was on Steele, with his cronies being a mere back-up.
Facing the wild, there were obstacles like trees, rocks, bridges, ice and snow to come across, as well as making their checkpoints in the towns on their way, White Mountain and Golovin. They were meant to go across the peninsula after Golovin in order to prevent either of teams taking the shortcut, which'd have been flagged as cheating.
In the end, both teams made it to the town of Elim. They only had ten minutes of break, being given some fresh water they had to lap fast before the cold would turn it into the ice. Both teams gazed one another from the distance. Both sled team leaders had their own intentions how to finish this race.
"Come on, everyone, we can do this! If we win Steele and his team, we will show him that losing the race is what runs down his family and I can't wait to see him face that defeat!" Max didn't hide his intentions to see his rival lose this final race and brush it back into his face after the malamute had been brushing many things in their faces.
"Who does that Maxie boy think he is, boys? If he thinks that he can clash with us to victory, he'll have another thing coming!" Steele told his team that their secret plan was coming to the light soon. Nikki commented: "You know, boss, I hope the master will see that as a mere accident or else we're all in trouble!"
"You're in no trouble, boys, trust me. Now get ready!" Steele told them, honeying their worries with his malice. Truth to be said, his cronies were curious if Steele's plan was going to work out. Both Seppala and Kaasan were returning with their mail bags to deliver back to Nome. They were ready to take off.
"Ready? SET!..." The announcer from Elim stood on the sidewalk so he'd not stand in either team's way and he fired his revolver in the air, thus both teams were ready to mush back to Nome. Truth to be said, Kaasan was taken by surprise how his team rapidly started running that he almost lost the grip.
Then the journey home was ahead of them, in the early afternoon of this cold, yet sunny, Saturday. No other obstacles were in their way, just making checkpoints in Golovin and White Mountain before the final stretch was ahead of them to Nome, Once again, both teams were pretty much tied, each oozing as much determination as possible!
One last obstacle, ahead of them, a canyon that'd lead to the valley where Nome was! Now it was everything or nothing for both Max and Steele's teams. Dark brown furred, ocean blue eyed husky against black furred, ice blue eyed malamute. They were leading their teams to victory and no one was that much determined as Max was when he thought that this was their chance to gain advantage, clearly not seeing the oncoming hazzard…
Back in Nome…
"Boychick, we've been freezing here for hours and hours! How long will this dog race last? I need to get something to eat!" Boris complained about the height he and Balto were, indicating how Balto insisted on remaining back here. Balto told him: "Just relax, Boris! It won't take a while! Honestly, Max told me that they should be back around early afternoon!"
"If you told me before how long this race was going to be, I could have at least maintained the old boat some more!" Boris told him, wishing he was somewhere else but here, being anxious in this human environment. Then, a loud bang was heard, flashing in the sky, making Boris yell: "AAAAAHHHH! Did they see us?! DID THEY SEE US!?"
"Boris, that's just a three-mile mark, look! It teams that they're almost back!" Balto calmed him down and now he could hear the clamor on the streets. That way he told him: "Come on, we can get a better view closer!" Boris was holding onto him and he was taken by a surprise when Balto pulled him ahead. Soon enough, they got themselves on the wooden balcony on one of the houses above the Main Street.
"Hang on, we're going to see Max's team crossing here first!" Balto let him know, hoping that Max's team was in an advantage of this race. The two-mile mark blasted in the sky, startling Boris one more time before Balto told him that there was going to be one more before either of the teams entered the street.
Indeed, the one-mile mark blasted in the sky and Boris was ready for that one. Now the clamor of people grew so loud that the one yelling on the other end spoke: "HERE THEY COME!" Balto leaned his head forward to see whose team was coming. Steele's? Max's? Or even both of them?!
His answer came… it was Steele's team in an advantage, with Max's team nowhere in the sight! Balto's joy shifted into confusion when he saw Steele's team rushing to the finish line, with the cheers of both humans and dogs alike. Max's team wasn't showing up yet. What was going on?!
Then, one last blast occurred when Steele's team crossed the finish line and then the scream from some humans: "VICTORY!" Kaasan's sled team was the one who won the final annual race of 1923 and all the dogs, led by Steele, slowed down and were catching some air, with the certain malamute proudly showing off his victory.
Balto and Boris both gazed in confusion when there was still no sound or sight of Max and his team. They could witness Kaasan taking the trophy of the final race, the golden collar. He strapped it around Steele's neck, who couldn't stop bragging and showing off with the gift he'd received. It was now on Kaasan and his entire sled team to pose for the photo.
With Steele's victory, this meant that the darker days were coming for Balto and also, more torment. He could only notice how some females, Sylvie and Dixie, rushed to admire Steele some more now that he had a fancy golden collar, even Dixie honeying him: "Now you've turned into a true golden boy, Steele! Just for our eyes!"
"Now, Dixie, let's savor the compliments, there are others who long to see this golden collar around my neck!" Steele spoke to them coldly and gleefully when they followed him. Sylvie even dared to ask: "Are we the ones you speak of, handsome?" Clearly Steele didn't have them in mind, but he told them: "After all, why aren't you? But let's see what Jenna thinks of it?"
"Oh, I think that she can only dream of someone like you with that collar now!" Dixie told him, showing how much she sought this handsome malamute to be with her, even if Sylvie spoke: "But our dreams have been fulfilled, Steele. You are now our handsome dog with an even more handsome collar around your neck!"
Balto could only gaze in utter shock and disappointment, still being bothered by the fact that Max's team was in no sight. Though, before Steele left, after seeing that Jenna and her owners weren't on the street anymore, he told them: "It is better that I've won this collar instead of that Maxie boy, girls. He'd disgracefully give that collar to a certain half-breed by the name Bingo!"
"Jenna calls him Balto." Sylvie let him know, even if she showed no sympathy for the wolf-dog. His only answer was: "Bingo, Balto? It's like pronouncing the word potato! Po-tay-toe, Po-tah-to." He spoke it spitefully, being unaware that the certain wolf-dog he'd been referring to had overheard his talk and was… crushed by it.
"Balto, let's leave this place. I don't know where your drug Max is now…" Boris beckoned him, seeing how this hopeful race turned into a vast disappointment in Balto's eyes. He looked at him to let know: "You're right. I hope something bad didn't…" But then, a group of barks was heard from the end of the street Steele's team had come first.
"Wait, that's Max's team! I can recognize that barking from a mile!" Balto halted, being thankful that he'd hoped Max'd show up. However, at this point, the street was becoming emptier as many people weren't interested in seeing the second team coming. Yet, they barged on the street and now Balto could notice that something wasn't right.
Watching Max's team run past the house, his front left leg seemed… injured. Molly had a scratch on her cheek as they were running down the street and then past the finish line. Once they'd made it, the back side of the sled looked damaged, one handle snapped in half and even Max's musher, Seppala, had trouble walking.
"Boris, come on! I bet Steele did this to them!" Balto led him down the stairs, the goose following him down to the wooden sidewalk. They made it just in time to see the team unleashed from their harnesses and Seppala sitting on the sled, trying to suppress the pain in his eyes. Max happened to notice Balto looking behind one crate.
"Balto, you kinda frightened me here now!" Max let him know, sounding quite serious at the moment. Balto didn't move so Seppala wouldn't see him or even repel him, even if the musher looked too pained to do so. Balto, startled by the sight, asked him: "Max, what happened to you?! Why are you looking so…?"
"Steele did this to us!" Molly spoke, enraged about the previous accident. She seemed in a better condition than he was, but she was still mad like him. "We were tied for the most of the race and then, that son of a... ! I'm sorry, he bit me in the full speed by the paw and next thing I knew was toppling over, Molly scratching her cheek on the rock and others falling over!"
"He… he… dared to play dirty on us!" Molly couldn't hide her anger, thinking how Steele won this race unfairly. Boris didn't crack up any jokes on their misery and even he felt some kind of anger in his blood, clearly showing no fondness for the malamute, speaking: "Chyort! Why didn't your musher talk to his musher!? This must be reported to the officials!"
"Only that won't happen, Boris! Our mushers didn't see a thing happening in front of their eyes." Max let him know, feeling how unfair this race was lost. He sensed Audrey moving on his side and darting her with his angry look, asked: "Are you now going to your precious malamute to admire him some more, uh?! Don't forget who caused our defeat and did this to us!"
"Max, for goodness sake! I'm going home to rest and when I recover, I'll give that malamute a piece of my mind for this!" Audrey spoke back to him, leaving others quite surprised by this. Was she genuinely mad at Steele for hurting her? Would that mean something? Like, was Audrey finally seeing the true colors of Steele?!
"Alright, I'm sorry about that. I just don't want to see him for a long time!" Max let her know about this. The team was in pain and had a lot to recover, but of course, he let Balto know: "I'm sorry that we've lost this, Balto. I know it'd have meant a lot to you for us to win it and have him to see how it felt like to lose something."
"It's alright, you two. I just hope that you'll get some rest. I'm sorry for the pain you're going through." Balto let them know. He felt the weight of disappointment chaining around him, but nothing more mattered to him but to have his only friends in this town to recover from the accident. One way or another, Jenna would also come help them up and even she'd get to hear what happened, unless someone was going to sell her a fabricated story of the accident from Steele's point of view.