replied before looking to his left. She saw two more wolves - Anya and another one she didn't know. The new wolf's fur was mussed up and there were some bites on his shoulders - he looked like someone who'd been in a nasty fight.

"It's true," the new wolf affirmed. "I was told to escort Balto home, but just as we left our borders we were beset by four wolves from the east. They knocked Balto out on their first hit and overpowered me soon after. They left me behind while they dragged him away towards their territory," he explained. "Their scent was unmistakably from Tikani's pack. I'm sorry, but I failed in my duty to you," he finished, bowing his head in shame.

"Hey, it's okay," Kaltag reassured him. "I'm sure you gave them a good fight anyways."

"No, it's not okay - he's going to kill Balto!" she cried out before collapsing in grief. She had never thought about losing Balto before, mostly because she thought it could never happen. They were young and had all their years to look forward to together. Tears started to form in her eyes while Maska came over to comfort her.

"I know it sounds bad, but the fact that they took him alive should be a cause for hope," he urged. "As far as we know he's alive and can still be saved!"

"But we can't waste any time here," Kaltag added. "We have to act fast if we're going to get him back from that psycho."

"If we're going to mount a rescue, we'll need greater numbers to help us," Maska continued. "In fact, that is part of why I'm here."

"Is your pack going to help us?" Jenna asked hopefully as she sat up.

Maska's face fell once more. "Unfortunately, I couldn't get the support I needed to launch a rescue from my end," he replied. "Things are already quite tense between our two packs. Many feared that any further action would push them over the edge, leading to open war. They are willing to do many things for friends, but a total fight like that is not our way. In a case as dangerous as this, I only risk bringing the wiling with me… but only Anya and I seemed to be willing. It was a hard thing to see, but at least I gave them the choice to fight of not. I may not agree with their decision, but I do respect that they made it honestly."

"Is that all you came to tell us? That we're on our own for this and that it might not be worth it at all?" a malamute snidely put in.

"Not at all, so don't put words in my mouth, dog," Maska growled, adding extra venom to the last word and causing the malamute to shrink back. "We are here of our own accord because we believe that Balto is alive. We are here because we want to save him, despite the odds. I'm sure all of you would know what that's like, considering what he did for you." Maska's words resonated with them and they knew he was speaking the truth. Turning to Kaltag, he added, "You're the lead dog that everyone looks up to right?" Kaltag gave him a nod, and Maska bowed his head slightly. "In that case, consider me at your service."

"Thanks Maska, but we're still going to need more bodies if we're going to pull this off," Kaltag replied. "Any volunteers?"

"Hey youse aren't going to leave without your best friends, right?" a stocky red chow put in while a smaller husky with him nodded.

"Of course not," Kaltag replied. "That'd be the dumbest, the stupidest, the most foolish-"

"We'd feel forgotten!" the smaller husky cut in. Kaltag chuckled as he bopped the husky gently on the head. The chow was named Nikki and the husky was Star – they were his two closest friends and would probably follow him to the ends of the earth.

"Alright, anyone else?" Kaltag's friends may have been willing to jump at the call, but the reception from the crowd was far less enthusiastic. Some whispered amongst themselves, while others tried to avert their gaze.

"Please, you have to help him… after all he did for us," Jenna pleaded, but her words were not enough to sway them. Scanning the crowd, she tried to find those she could make personal pleas to. Finally, she found two smoke-grey huskies she hoped would hear her out. "Spitz, Kari, you both know what Balto has done for you; don't you want to repay him?" she asked.

"I do, and it's not that I'm not grateful, but..." Spitz started, holding his head low. "I've tangled with these wolves one too many times with no victory over them. I'm sorry, but I can't… I don't want to lose anything to them again," he finished, looking over at Kari. She too shared his feelings about this, compounded by the anxiety that any mention of the wolves brought. Looking around, that seemed to be the prevailing thought among the dogs, with some holding their ears flat against their heads at the thought of facing them again. They all had been terrified by the sudden attacks from Tikani's pack a month ago and it was still fresh in their minds. Many of them had been unwilling to fight wolves then, preferring to stay in the safety of their owner's homes. The fact that Balto had failed to reach a deal with them didn't help their spirits either, nor was the fact that they were not the types to drop everything and march off to fight. Most of them had their own lives and families to be with, and they didn't want to lose them.

"Please, won't anyone else help," Jenna begged as her tears returned.

"I'll help," the female Samoyed sitting beside Spitz said. Jenna knew her as Carla, and was a little surprised to see her stepping forward. Previously, she had been quite antagonistic towards her and Balto because of their relationship, and yet here she was, stepping up to help him. "I know I haven't exactly been the nicest to you, but… he did try to help us before, and he did save my kid... I suppose I owe him for that."

After her, a few more dogs stepped forward: Dale and Trip, both from Kaltag's team, along with the burly malamute that snidely cut Maska off, hoping to make amends for what he said. Jenna knew she was going; there was no way she'd sit on the sidelines if Balto was in danger. The other wolf with Maska pleaded to be allowed to come too, but his alpha wouldn't have it.

"You've already done more than enough for us. You don't need to subject yourself to any more harm," Maska explained. "I don't often do this, but I must ask you to return home… or do I have to make it an order?" The subordinate knew the debate was over and obeyed, leaving a total of ten volunteers.

"Ten… that can't be enough," Jenna mused as she looked at their group.

"It's not for a full-out assault, but brute force attacks rarely work, especially on a pack as strong as Tikani's," Maska replied. "As for their unwillingness… I'm no expert on dogs, but I'm sure most of them have their own families to think of. You can't ask someone to march away if they put their family first. You live comfortable lives in your homes and don't know much about conflict," he explained, trying to help her come to grips with their reluctance to help. "Don't see it as cowardice if they have their own to protect and look after; just be glad that we got those we did."

"Besides, ten just might be enough for what I'm thinking of," Kaltag put in, a large grin forming on his muzzle. "It's quite clever actually, taken right out of Tikani's playbook. It's the most ingenious, the smartest, the sneakiest-"

"If it's so great then spit it out already," Anya cut him off. It didn't take Kaltag long to explain the whole thing, and once they knew what they were doing, they headed out, ready to bring Balto home.

'Don't worry Balto, we're coming for you.'

----------

Balto opened his eyes, but Tikani's presence earlier was not any nightmare or trick. He was still the wolf's captive, and had been so for most of the day. He passed out again shortly after seeing him, but now his body had recovered more, allowing him to remain conscious. Without getting up, he glanced around to take in his surroundings. He was definitely in a small cave with two wolves standing guard at the entrance. Daylight streamed in, and the fact that he'd survived to see another day gave him the most hope.

'I'm still alive. He's kept me alive for a whole day instead of quickly killing me,' he thought. 'I have to hang on because of that… Jenna and the others will notice I'm gone and find out what has happened. That just leaves the question of why - why did Tikani grab me like this?' He would get his answer soon when Tikani entered, wearing an arrogant smile on his muzzle.

"I trust you're comfortable?" he asked slyly.

"As comfortable as one who's been dog-napped can be," Balto replied flatly, glaring at his captor. "Why are you doing this Tikani? Why, after all this time?"

"Ah yes, I suppose I wasn't as punctual as before. Believe me, I wanted so badly to just march over there and kill you for what you did to me."

"If that's true, then why am I still alive? Why haven't you gotten it over and done with?"

"Because Balto, you caused me so much pain and grief that to simply kill you would not have been enough," Tikani replied. "No, the only way justice would