By Aljan (Sam) Copyright 2006-Forever

The events that took place in this story are property of Sam Dochoda (Aljan)

This story was inspired by Balto, (copyright 1995), Balto II: Wolf Quest (copyright 2000) and Balto III: Wings of Change (2005) by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Note from the author: This tale is told from two different views: first-person and third-person.

Balto sat upon his ship, watching the night lights dance in the air.  Amber, blue, and white flew past as the light twirled and weaved across the sky.

Beautiful … he thought

Then an ache rose within his heart.

He knew the cause.

Years had passed since he had shown the Northern Lights to a closest friend who had passed on. 

No.

She had been more than a friend to him.  She had been his mate and raised with him many pups.  She had seen his true side and befriended him when others had not.

The hybrid feels a tear run from his eyes and down his muzzle.  It ran down the same path countless others had fallen…on the day…

…on the day Jenna died.

I still feel the tears I had shed many years ago when my love died before me.  Many years we shared our love, faced many challenges, and experienced things no one would ever believe.

I do not deny that I do wish I could relive some days, undo what was done for the good of all and myself; alas it is but a wish no one can grant.

I remember when I met her, Jenna.

She lived in Nome, with her girl Rosie.  Her fur was a beautiful red hue, her belly a snow white, and the gentlest eyes that never lacked kindness, and her voice soft and a song upon the wind.

I know not of how she thought of me—but even if she saw me no more than an exile, a forgotten shadow—it gave me comfort, no—a reason to rise each day, if only to see her from afar.

Then, in a single day, my life would be changed forever.

It came when a race was in motion and the champion sled team was drawing near the finish line.  Jenna’s girl waved her hat, her cheers joining the crowd of people rooting for their favorite team. 

Suddenly, a gust of wind stole her musher’s hat, tossing it like a rag doll, throwing it at the very finish line…in the path of the oncoming sled team.

Standing on the sidelines, already having mind to join the race—seeing the hat, I knew what I had to do.

I wait until the sled team passed by, before lunging myself onto the snow torn race lane.  Within a thrice, I passed all but the lead dog.  Not willing to lose to a self-proclaimed exile hybrid, he lunged biting.

I jumped from his attack, grabbed Rosie’s hat, and skidded to a halt on the sideline!

Victorious!

Though Rosie’s parents showed no gratitude, Jenna openly showed her thanks and acceptance.  Though no words were said, her eyes said all that needed to be said.  Since then, our relationship strengthened with each passing day, until I took the greatest step and declared my undying love.

We shared many adventures, some more dangerous than the last; our love never once faltered.

There was always a day that I feared the most, one day I knew came for all living things; but I would never accept.  Jenna shared the same fear as day after day passed.

Grey than white fur grew where once brown and red fur grew and soon we no longer had the strength to do as we did in our youth. Our sons and daughters helped us as they could, but it was Jenna who helped me the most—her words and songs calmed my spirits, and I did the same in return.

Then one evening, while watching the sun go to its rest, Jenna collapsed, her breathing coming out in rasps.  I remained at her side and comforted her until the seizure ended.  I held her limp form close.

When she finally opened her eyes, our eyes locked—within them I saw only pain, weariness, and anguish.  At that moment I knew there was no healer in the world could save her.

She laid her head against my neck, whispering her love for me, the same love she had felt since meeting me on that fated day. 

With a sigh of pain, she looked towards the magenta blood red sun, setting below the forest of pine.  A soft breeze blew our fur together, intertwining in a dance.

As the sun began to disappear, I began to feel Jenna’s life force fade away.  Her breath seemed to disappear, her heart beat becoming a murmur that I couldn’t feel.

As the light began to fade, she looked into her eyes one last time.

“Though…my body…is weak…and feeble…” she whispered, struggling to speak.  “I feel…like a pup inside…the same pup whom…you…loved…so…many yers…ago….”

“You are still beautiful, Jenna,” I say. “I…I love you…”

My words are soft and sad.

Jenna smiled kindly.  The same smile.

“And I…you, Balto.” She said, using the same words I had used so many years ago, when I had confessed my love to her.

I nuzzled her close, looking deep within her eyes. 

Memories flew…

Pups playing on the beach, two parents watching them; adventures flying by…

Then the sun disappeared behind the trees.

Her eyes closed forever…

Balto turned his muzzle to the moon and howled mournfully, his song echoing throughout the sky and to the town far away. 

His sons and daughters perked their ears to the song, memories of years past flashing before them.  They leave their homes and run to their father, knowing it was time.

Balto’s time had come.

He didn’t feel any pain nor did he feel any anguish.

He is laying upon river grass, water flowing through pebbles and willows not a foot before him.  He shakes himself.  He feels like had just awoken from a deep sleep.

“Balto…” called a familiar gentle voice.

He looks up. 

Jenna stands there.   She looks the same as she did when he had last saw her, her fur grey and faded, her bandana just as aged—a white light surrounded her slender form.

Jenna nudges Balto, her eyes sparkling.  “Come!” she cries.  She nips Balto and scampers away, inviting him—no, baiting him, to join her in fun.

Balto was game.

With a bark, he leaped after her, as she ran away.  Strength flows through Balto’s limbs and he felt age recede from his body.  His eyes widened in amazement as he watched Jenna’s faded fur return to its beautiful red hue, her belly its milky white.

They were young once more!

Jenna laughed and leapt into the air, Balto gave chase.

They passed through the clouds, atmosphere, and moon.  Balto glanced back, looking upon a wonderful piece of art.  A blue, white, and green orb floated before the thousands of stars. He paused but a moment to take in this view, before catching up to Jenna—who was waiting for him.

He reach her and she kissed him passionately, before running towards the thousands of stars.

Then Balto found himself running on rolling hills of grass, Jenna beside him.  Waterfalls threw mist into the air, birds sang and dove, and the sun and moon shared the same sky. 

Jenna runs to an over crop, overlooking the surrounding land.  Balto stops at her side.

Long grass danced with each gust of wind, wolves, dogs, and pups rolled and played below.

Balto turns to Jenna, who nuzzles him and runs down towards the awaiting land.  Balto smiles and gives chase

On a boat on the outskirts of a town known as Nome, a lone brown hybrid lay upon its wooden deck.  His fur moves with the winter air, his eyes closed in sleep.

Balto had passed into eternity.