Four: An Unexpected Reunion

The run to Fairbanks was fairly uneventful, the clear weather allowing for a milder pace. The team wanted to make sure that they were fresh for the race, so they didn't push themselves too hard. The first leg of the journey was through land familiar to Balto, as it was the part of Alaska that he had travelled through during the serum run. They may have been travelling in reverse, but there were still a few familiar landmarks. The first was the mountain pass where they had to dodge an avalanche by ducking into a nearby cave, prompting Star to take extra care to not sneeze. That was what triggered the avalanche, and no one was eager to repeat it.

Balto glanced to the side as they passed by a large frozen lake, remembering the terrifying attack from a grizzly bear that took place there. The weight of the bear caused the ice to crumble, sending both of them into the icy water. He'd almost lost his life as well, but was pulled out by Muk and Luk just in time. The bear was not so fortunate, and its remains were probably still lying on the lakebed underneath the ice. The moment would be fleeting as they were quick to pass it, but the memories still held their power over him. He was retracing the journey that made him into what he was now. On a few trees, he could even see the faded remnants of the marks he scratched into the bark to guide himself home. Two years later they still remained, serving as signposts back to Nome.

As they started to climb into a large mountain range, he remembered the day that he finally confronted Steele. Despite everything the husky had put him through, he held onto his focus and made the medicine his priority. His determination even made him willing to reason with him, but Steele would have none of it. His ego would eventually lead to his downfall and banishment from Nome. He'd never seen him since, but Kaltag would later report that he had been sold to a man in White Mountain, the next town over. He would still be a sled dog, but he was no longer the champion that he was. All things considered, Balto thought it a fitting end for someone who didn't deserve their title anyway.

'I wonder if he's still racing, or if they have him doing something really menial,' he wondered. 'There was no mention of him in last year's race, or any mention at all for the past two years. It's as though he's dropped off the face of the earth.'

"Balto, when we pass the Nulato Hills, we're going to be in unexplored territory for you," Kaltag put in, breaking his train of thought. "Do you think you'll be okay leading on?"

"I think so, but if I need directions, I'll be sure to ask," he replied. The Nulato Hills were the farthest he'd ever been from Nome. Beyond that was unknown to him, but he had the experience of his team to back him up. "Thanks again for the heads up."

"It's no problem, boss." While Kaltag had come to enjoy being lead dog after Steele was exiled, he had little qualm being second fiddle to Balto's first. That was because unlike Steele, Balto was much more respectful towards his team, unafraid to ask for help when needed, and always willing to share the glory with the entire team. They were able to play off of each other's strengths, something Steele refused to do himself. He wanted the glory to himself and saw all others as beneath him. Orders were top down, unlike how Balto drew on everyone's skills and knowledge. "Hey, on the way back I'll make sure to tell you about all the shortcuts I know from past races," he added.

"I'll take every bit I can get – after all, we're in this to win it."

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The trip to Fairbanks took over a week for them, but for those coming from farther away, it was even longer. There were teams from every corner of Alaska; from Nome to the west, Anchorage and Juneau to the south, some from villages in the high north, and even a couple of teams from the east, as far away as the Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada. It was the biggest sledding event of the year, and soon Fairbanks was bustling with activity.

However, most of the mood would be lost on Steele, as he was busy trying to find where everyone was supposed to meet. He'd heard that they were being put up in some warehouse, but he'd been forced to stay back with Sonya and Jonathan to make sure the sled was properly put away. That meant the two were now trying to catch up with the rest of their team, a task made difficult by the larger size of the town, plus the sheer number of people present for the race.

"Uh, this is useless. I can't get a fix on any of them – there are too many scents around here," Sonya groaned, giving up on sniffing the ground.

"Heh, I guess your nose isn't all that you make it out to be," he sneered. "Besides, I've been here before, so I can find my way."

"Alright Mr. Smartypants, then where are we supposed to go to?"

"It's… around here, just give me time to find it," he retorted, hiding the fact he had no idea where the warehouses were. He ended up taking random turns, hoping to come by them by chance. Through their wanderings, he couldn't help but notice that every now and then, dogs were noticing his presence. Normally, having attention drawn to him would be something he loved, but something was wrong. Instead of celebrating him, they seemed more surprised. Most whispered amongst each other, regarding him with curiosity instead of admiration. None even tried to approach him, and when he made eye contact, they quickly looked away. Definitely not the hero's welcome he was expecting.

Because of his focus on those around him, he was barely aware of where he was really headed. It wasn't long before Sonya was scowling at him as they turned down another street. "Steele, we're going in circles. See, this is the third time we've passed that store with the inn beside it," she said.

"No, it just takes time to get around here. After all this is a big place, unlike that small hick town we left behind," he replied, trying to ignore the two retrievers staring at him.

"Hey! White Mountain is not a hick town!" she barked. "I can't believe your guile – you just can't admit that you're lost."

"I am not lost! I never get lost!"

"Oh really? My memory begs to differ – on more than one occasion," she retorted.

"It's… just shut up," he snapped. "You don't have your buddies to back you up this time, so why don't you let a real sled dog take the lead."

"Fine – I'll do that when I find him," she growled, becoming more agitated by the second. "Until then, you're stuck with me and I'm the lead dog. Besides, is it too hard to ask for directions?"

"I don't need directions – I'm better than that," he replied, but Sonya just rolled her eyes.

'I hope we find the others soon. Then I can ditch Steele and actually have some fun. If he keeps this up, I just might leave him behind,' she thought, entertaining the idea of going home without him before spotting a lone dog walking in the street. "Here, let's ask him, maybe he'll know where to go," she suggested, before dashing away. Steele grumbled a bit, but followed, as he was growing tired of having only Sonya for company. "Excuse me! Could you help us out here? We're trying to find the warehouses!"

The dog had his back turned to them, and to Steele he looked like any other sled dog. The dark brown fur may have been a little scruffier, and he was wearing some sort of neckerchief, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary until he turned and showed his face, catching Steele completely off guard. That long muzzle, wolfish eyes and scruffy fur were unmistakable now. After two years, he was face to face with Balto.

Balto was more than eager to help someone in need, but when he turned, his eyes caught something else. He took a quick glance at the husky with her, but the sight made him lock up, and momentarily forget the female who'd called for his help. "Steele," he growled, as he locked eyes him for the first time in almost two years. Both rivals stared each other down, leaving Sonya a little confused.

"Balto," Steele growled, which caught her ear. She'd heard him mutter that name many times before, cursing it, but she had yet to pull the connection out of him. All words seemed to fail him as he regarded his foe. Meeting him after so long by itself wasn't the worst thing in the world, as he'd finally get to confront the dog that had ruined his life. He relished in the idea of exacting vengeance, but something made him hold back. It was the confirmation of his worst fear, and it came in the form of the bandanna around his neck. To strangers, it looked like just another piece of cloth, but it was something unmistakable to Steele. That was Jenna's bandanna.

Jenna had been the object of his affection for years, but despite his best efforts she always resisted him. There were hints that she felt something for Balto, but he refused to believe it. After all, she was the most beautiful husky in the town, so what interest could she have in a lower life form like Balto? This went on until after the serum run, and right before he was caught and exiled, he'd found them enjoying a nice evening with each other.

The very thought of them together sickened him because he saw Jenna as his and his alone, just one of the things Balto took from him. He hadn't completely given up though, as there was still a part of