I don’t own anything. Except the plot, and Jon, Henry, and any other OC’s. And kudo's to Jon Bon Jovi for the awesome song, "Blaze of Glory", that inspired this fic.
It was just after dawn in Rio Polvoriento, and the sun beat down over already weary dogs. The Lords day had come and gone, and it was time to return to their labors, but most did so reluctantly, except for one in particular...  
“Dad, I have to go mind the store, I’ll be back soon.” A red and cream husky said as she kissed her brick red father on the cheek. He smiled and looked up from his coffee.
“Be careful. The coach reported bandits in the area recently.” he said, and his daughter smiled.
“Of course, Dad.” she said, and wrapped her coat around herself before stepping out into the blinding sun.  Calling a greeting out to passerby, she cheerfully made her way through the small town, to the general store.
“Hello, Jack. How’s things?” she asked as she stepped inside.
“Wonderful, Jenna. The next coach better arrive soon, however. We’re running low on coffee.” an elderly husky replied from behind the counter.
“Already? The last coach came three days ago.” Jenna said as she hung up her coat.
“Apparently the whole town ran out day before yesterday.” Jack answered, as he sorted various items on a shelf.
“Well, Dad says that there are bandits in the area, so the next one might not be for a while.” Jenna said as she wiped off the counter.
“Bandits, hm? They usually stay near the rail lines, more towns, and that means more targets. However its not uncommon for them to come out in the desert, either.” Jack told her, and she frowned.
“But why would they come here? There’s nothing here for them.” Jenna asked, pausing.
“Maybe because they think that in a small town there’s less opposition.” Jack mused, before a voice startled them.
“Or maybe its because there’s nothing here.” a brown wolfdog said from the door, taking off his hat. The motion revealed a pair of Colt’s strapped to his thighs, gleaming in the sunlight. Jenna took a step back, and Jack stepped towards the counter, where he kept a double barrel shotgun.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that. A lot of the best places have nothing in them.” the stranger continued, as he walked towards the counter.
“Who are you?” Jack asked, and Jenna knew he was gripping the shotgun.
“Balto.” the stranger introduced himself. “I’m just here for some supplies, so you can let go of that gun.”
“How did you-” Jack started, mouth open, but Balto chuckled.
“Lucky guess.” he said, smiling. Jenna stepped up to the counter.
“Something we can help you with, sir?”she asked, smiling pleasantly.
“Actually, yes.” Balto said, and listed some supplies.
“We have everything but the coffee.” Jack said, and went into the back for a few things.
“So when did you get in?” Jenna asked, and Balto’s smile faded.
“Not that long ago, I’m just passing through. As you can imagine I don’t get accepted in many places.” he said, looking at the floor, then up at her. She smiled and nodded.
“I can kind of understand.” she replied, and he shook his head.
“You were scared when I walked in.” he argued, watching her shake her head.
“I was scared of your guns, not you. There are supposed to be bandits in the area.” Jenna told him, and his eyes grew.
“You say there are bandits in the area?” he asked, sounding terrified.
“Yes, but...hey, where are you going?” she asked, for he had grabbed his hat and run from the store. She followed, but as soon as she had stepped outside someone tackled her, and wood rained down onto her.
“Balto?” she asked, as he pulled her to her feet and ran.
“Run! Go, get behind that building!” he yelled at her, and they dived behind cover.
“Who’s shooting at us?” Jenna asked, breathless, as Balto drew his revolvers.
“My old gang.” he said, as he leaned out and fired at one dog, dropping him.
“What?” Jenna half yelled.
“No time, stay here.” Balto growled as he stepped out into the street, revolvers blazing. Jenna sat there, shaking slightly, as gunshots pounded against her ears, before a deadly silence. She leaned out and looked. Dead dogs and smoke filled the street, and bullet holes riddled the storefronts. Heads peeked out from windows and doors. Balto stood in the middle of the street, calmly loading a revolver, as he stood over a trembling dog.
“What is it, Jim? You think I’m going to shoot you?” Balto asked, and the dog nodded.
“Well, I’m not. Not if you do exactly as I say. I want you to go back to Steele. You tell him that sending dogs after me will only get them killed. Understand?” Balto asked, crouching next to the dog, who nodded and stood. Jumping on a horse, he rode from the town, not looking back. Balto stood and watched him go with fire in his eyes. Jenna stood and walked over to him.
“What was that all about?” She asked, and he turned and gave her a look, full of pain.
“The troubled past of a wolfdog who’s looking for a place to belong.” he said, and she brushed some blood of his cheek and smiled at him.
“You saved my life.” she whispered.
“Of course.” he said, and looked back up at the carnage.
“I suppose I owe you some answers.” he said, and a voice cut in.
“And you can give them from behind bars, son.” an old St. Bernard said, holding out a paw for Balto’s revolver.
“Hang on, Doc. He saved my life.” Jenna said, stepping between them.
“He also took the lives of at least five dogs.” Doc said, trying to push them aside.
“If you will, Sheriff, you can check all those dogs. Every one is wanted in two states, several in three.” Balto said, and a deputy ran off and grabbed a wanted poster. Crouching over one of the fallen dogs for a second, he compared them, then ran back.
“He’s right. There’s Brian Thrace, right there.” he reported, and Doc turned to Balto.
“How did you know that?” he asked, and Balto sighed. Looking from Jenna to Doc, he closed his eyes for a moment.
“That’s a story best told over a drink.” he said, and Doc nodded.
“I suppose that would be fine.” he conceded, and led them to the bar. When the reached the door, Doc turned to Jenna, and started to speak, but Balto stopped him.
“She has the right.” Was all he said, and Doc reluctantly nodded. Soon, the three of them were seated at a table, and after a healthy shot of whiskey, Balto began his tale.
“I never knew my father, but my mother and I were close. For a long time, we were happy. We were poor, but happy. We lived in the north, near the edge of unexplored territory. My mother was a full blooded wolf, so she was accepted by towns and such even less than I was. We had to hunt for our food, so I could shoot almost as soon as I could walk. One day, when I was about fourteen, out on a hunt, I heard a gunshot and ran back tot he house. I found it in flames, and saw a couple horses galloping off. I ran inside, and found my mother and pulled her outside. She had been shot, fatally. She smiled at me and told me I looked like my father, and that she wasn’t going to make it. Then she made me swear I wouldn’t go looking for vengeance, and then she died in my arms.” Here he paused for a moment, and Jenna laid a paw over his. He smiled at her and continued.
“I ran then. I grabbed my dad’s old gunbelt and ran, and ran, and ran. I don’t remember what happened, but I remember waking up surrounded by dogs. That’s how I found Steele Tanner’s gang. Or rather, they found me. Anyway, they told me that they were cattlehands, on their way to new employment. I stayed with them for a couple weeks, and they found out that I could shoot. I ended up making friends with a few, Keltag, Nikki, and Star. Several years passed, and we did work as cattlehands, doing honest work. Then they got word that there was going to be a gold shipment, by rail, nearby. I never knew what was going on until they started throwing gold bars down into a wagon. I got onto Steele about it, and he told me that if I said anything he would shoot me. I had to stay. I’m good, but there are thirty dogs in his gang. We did some ‘jobs’, me doing everything I could to minimize collateral damage. Then he got more bloodthirsty, and started shooting people just because he saw them. I left then, and he’s been after me ever since.” Balto finished, and downed another shot of whiskey.
“Why didn’t you tell the Marshal or do something?” Doc asked, and Balto chuckled.
“See the golden eyes? Noone trusts them.” He said, refilling his glass.
“Well, I believe you.” Jenna offered, and he smiled.
“Well, the most beautiful girl in town believes me, that has to count extra.” Balto laughed, and Jenna smiled, while Doc shook his head.
“There were reports of you in Steele’s gang, but it was always assumed you were forced into working for him. You’ve never been seen to fire a shot, and you on one occasion rescued a group of hostages. When you did that the Marshal said that you would receive a lighter sentence. Now I have a question for you: would you help me take down Steele’s gang, in return for a full pardon?” the old St.