trembled at the exertion he'd just put himself through. To Jenna, he looked like a complete wreck, having pushed himself much harder than any other dog would have.

"Don't crowd him, give him some air," Kaltag cut in. "Balto, slow it down. Take deep breaths or you'll give yourself a heart attack."

"What happened? Is he okay?"

"Who won the race?" someone on Steele's team asked.

"I don't know… it was so close," the husky said, panting. The audience shared the sentiment, as it wasn't clear over who was the winner. Even the officials were debating with each other as they tried to work out whose nose crossed first. They asked anyone who was right at the finish to help them out as they tried to piece together the events at the moment the race ended. The other competitors from the day started to trickle in as well, all surprised when they head about the close finish. As they awaited the result, some fetched things to tend to the exhausted dogs. Balto himself guzzled down two whole dishes of water before lying down on the ground to rest. While most of the team was more excited about who had won, he was just happy to be back home. Jenna soon lay down beside him, nuzzling into his side and warming him with her touch.

"I think you'll want this back," he said, pushing her bandanna off and returning it to her.

"Did it help at all?"

"A bit. It helped remind me who I was returning to… but it certainly couldn't replace having the real you around."

She just smiled, before nuzzling into his chest, adding, "You're too sweet - I'm so glad you're back."

"Hey, I always come back to you, don't I?" he asked, and she smiled in reply.

Her attention was then drawn towards Steele, his presence bringing back the memories of everything he did. All the times he made unwanted advances towards her… all the times he picked on Balto. "Now that's a sight for sore eyes," she muttered.

"Don't worry, he isn't as bad as he was before," he added. "In fact, he-"

"Look, I think the judges have made their decision!" Kaltag exclaimed, cutting him off. Knowing this was it, he pulled himself to his feet and stood with his team, ready for the final verdict. Right beside him was Steele, wearing a neutral expression. He knew as well as anyone that this race was up for grabs. One of the officials finally stepped onto the street, and the crowd suddenly silenced in anticipation of the final call.

"First, I just want to say that all of the racers here have performed exceptionally in what has probably been the closest finish in the history of the Trans-Alaskan Derby. These racers have shown great endurance, true fidelity and boundless intelligence to reach-"

"Oh just get to the bloody point already," Steele grumbled, but Balto was more content to let the man talk.

"- and after running their best for days, it has come down to this," the man said, almost at the end. "After careful consideration, we have come to a conclusion. The winner of the Trans-Alaskan Derby for nineteen twenty-seven is," the man paused to catch his breath, keeping everyone in suspense for a moment longer before he made the final call, "It's, by only an inch… Mr. Kassen and his lead dog Balto!"

The team erupted in cheers, but for Balto all he felt was a soft calm. He'd done it, he'd lived one of his greatest dreams, and that brought not excitement or mirth, but more of a serene peace. It was the same peace he felt when he returned from the serum run, drawn from the feeling that he'd accomplished something wonderful.

"For his accomplishment, the victor is awarded the golden collar," the official continued. "While Mr. Vance and his lead Steele, for running such a tight race, will get the silver collar." The two prize collars were presented, with the gold studded collar placed on Balto's shoulders while Steele - with a slight pout - accepted the silver one. While Balto thought anyone would be glad to get second place in a race as big as this, he remembered how important this race was to the husky.

Above him, his musher was laughing heartily before rubbing Balto's head. "Oh, you're a damn fine dog, Balto. Good job, boy," he said. Despite the affection, Balto's mind was still on Steele as he wondered whether living his dream might have cheated someone else out of theirs as well. There were handshakes all around before the crowds started to disperse to celebrate the end of the race indoors. All were happy for the result except Steele, who decided to wander down an alley on his own.

"Hey, Balto, we're heading to the mill! Come on!" Kaltag called, but his lead had something else on mind.

"Hang on, I'll catch up with you," he thought, before an idea popped into his head. "Actually, could you do something for me?" he asked, and the Chinook nodded. "There's something I need you to pull out of storage…"

----------

He'd been so close, but it wasn't enough. After years of only getting the best times, the quickest runs, and always getting first, Steele had been bumped down to second after missing the target by just a hair. This was his one chance, but he blew it. He tried to find some excuse or reason behind it, but nothing came up. It was something he never thought he'd have to face, but all signs were pointing to the same thing - he'd been beaten. For the first time in his life, there was a dog out there who could outpace him. He'd been bested in a race, but he felt neither sad nor angry. He just felt empty - being the champion was all he had before, but now he didn't even have that anymore.

"Steele, wait." It was Balto calling for him, but the he didn't stop walking. It wasn't until he dashed ahead of him that he finally stopped. "C'mon, I just wanna talk."

"What's there to say? You won and I lost - end of story."

"You didn't lose - second place is not a loss. Look, I know you wanted to win, but think about it. Second place means you were still good enough to beat every other team."

"Easy for you to say - you're the one with the gold around his neck!" Steele barked. "Why do you care anyway? Second is nothing to you now."

"I guess… the life I've lived has taught me to appreciate what I have," he said. "There was a time where I would have done anything just to be in a sled race. It didn't matter if I came in first or last, just as long as I got to run as a sled dog. Getting anything would have made me happy… and I'm sure there are a bunch of dogs who would love to be in your position right now, because they aren't going home with a prize collar."

"But… it's not the same."

"I know, but if it means anything to you, I've got something else for you," Balto said. "Now where is Kaltag? I told him to come here and - ah there he is." Soon the Chinook entered the alley, with something resembling a belt in his mouth. He laid it on the ground, before Balto let him rejoin the others. The leather on the belt was slightly worn, but still in good shape. Balto blew some of the dust off, before beckoning Steele over. "I know it may not change what's happened now, but maybe this might help you with some of your old glory," he explained.

"How? It's just some old collar."

"Actually, this isn't just any old collar," Balto said, before flipping it over. "It's yours."

Steele gasped when he saw the solid gold studs. It was a picture perfect copy of the new collar Balto wore around his neck, just a few years older. It was the same collar he used to wear before being stripped from his neck after his treachery against his team was exposed. For so long, he'd gone without his favourite trophy, always feeling as though Balto had stolen it for himself.

"You kept it," he said.

"Sort of. None of us felt really right wearing it, so we had it put away," Balto explained. "But after everything you did for us, and for me over the course of this race, I think it should be returned to you."

Steele was speechless, and gingerly extended a paw to touch it, as if expecting it to fade away. The metal studs were cold to the touch, but still as tangible as the silver around his neck. Not needing any encouragement, he took one end of the belt in his mouth. With just a flick of his head, he swing the open belt across his neck, directly covering the new silver collar he wore. It just needed to be done up, but the old one still fit him perfectly.

"It still fits… I - I don't know what to say… why?"

"Because a true champion knows that humility is just as important as victory," an ethereal voice replied. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, catching them off guard. The voice was soothing to the ear, and from around the corner came a snow-white wolf that by now was familiar to both of them.

"You!" Steele barked. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to congratulate the victor… and to thank you as well," she replied. "You made the right choice last night, and in doing so you not only showed that you are capable of leaving the past behind, you kept Balto and his family safe."

"Thanks, but I didn't exactly do it for you," Steele said. "That wolf needed to be stopped, and it certainly made me the hero of the day."

"Whatever