The Next Epidemic

Balto has now become the sled racing champion and must go out with his team and save a town. While he is gone, Steele tries to win Jenna over and become her mate, but Jenna’s best friend Sage has her heart set on Steele as a mate. Sage becomes mad at Jenna because Steele likes her, and runs to the outskirts of town. Steele chases her and makes her feel better, then he begins to fall for her while Jenna is still somewhat worried about Balto being out in the harsh weather. You’ll have to read to find out what happens out there. When Balto comes back, He and Jenna have their first litter of puppies. Along with Kaltag and Duchess, and Steele and Sage.

By: FireSpirit (Jenna)

(Used to be spirited wolfdog)

On an early January morning, Balto howled as he neared the town. He was just a nose ahead of Steele, his worst enemy. Balto slightly picked up the pace, and luckily, the rest of the team was able to keep up.

Kaltag continued to run with his injured paw that was bitten by Steele in an attempt to stop Balto’s team.

Steele cringed as he tried to pass Balto, but he couldn’t find the strength in him. He snapped at Balto’s back leg.

Balto jumped, causing Steele to miss. He gracefully landed on the soft snow.

«Don’t let him stop you Balto!» Yelled Star.

Steele growled viciously at Star, but for once, Star showed no fear, he always felt safe around the heroic wolfdog.

«It didn’t work before Steele, and it won’t work now.» said Balto. Steele has tried to snap at Balto a few times before, but it never worked. The malamute still hated Balto more than anything, for taking away his fans, his girls, his Golden Collar, and his glory. Steele was willing to do anything to win that back.

«We’ll see about that!» Steele yelled.

He stared at the Golden Collar that was once his, and was now around Balto’s neck. Steele was desperate to win the collar back. He yearned to see Balto wearing the big tan belt collar, with a silver buckle, and silver ovals that was around Steele’s neck. Steele lunged forward, causing the second dog on his team to go flying. He was determined to beat Balto, to impress Jenna.

It was neck and neck with Balto and Steele as they raced to the small path between the cliffs.

Steele snapped again, but Balto managed to dodge it once more.

Balto was desperate to go as fast as he could, but it was too fast for the team. But he knew what he had to do. Balto bolted as fast as he could to pass Steele.

«Balto! Slow down!» Star yelled.

«Hey, your going too fast!» Yelled Nikki.

Balto turned his head back to the team. «Hold on!» yelled Balto. He turned ahead and ran until Steele was alined with the last dog on the team, then slowed back to the original pace.

Balto moved away from Steele’s team so he couldn’t snap at the last dog, as they entered the small path between the cliffs.

The two teams exited the path. Soon after, the 3 mile marker was shot into the air.

Jenna, her sister who was Kaltag’s mate named Duchess, Sylvie and Dixie were all lying down as they waited for the teams to come through.

Jenna’s orange bandana, and Duchess’ purple bandana blew in the breeze as they waited anxiously.

«Balto’s gonna win for sure! Don’t you think Jenna?» Rosie said as she petted her beautiful husky.

«Jenna barked as if you say «You bet!»

«I sure hope so, I’d hate for Steele to be the champion again.» Jenna said.

«I hope the team and Kaltag ok, you know how Steele likes to snap at members of the other team.» Duchess said with a worried voice.

«Yeah, he has a habit of doing that, but I’m sure they’ll be fine. Everyone knows that Balto is the fasted dog in Nome. I’m sure they’ll win.» Dixie said.

«We can’t promise anything about Kaltag though.» said Sylvie

«Thanks Sylvie, just what I needed to hear to make me feel better!» Duchess said with an angry voice.

«Yeah Sylvie, stop it.» Dixie said.

«I do hope that Balto wins, but I wouldn’t mind if Steele won either, is pretty hot.» Sylvie said as she smiled.

«Thanks a lot Sylvie!» Jenna said sarcastically.

«Come on Jenna, I know your not going to tell me that you don’t think Steele is just a little dreamy are you?» said Sylvie as she walked up to Jenna

«That’s EXACTLY what I’m saying!» Said Jenna.

Sylvie gawked.

Just then, the 2 mile marker was shot up into the air. Everyone cheered and the dogs barked with excitement.

«Steele is still the dreamiest dog I’ve ever seen.» Dixie said.

«I know, isn’t he?» Sylvie said as she licked her lips.

«Yeah!» said Dixie.

Sylvie and Dixie leaned on each other and collapsed to the ground with their tongues hanging out.

«Will you guys stop it? It’s really annoying!» Jenna yelled.

About 2 minutes later, the 1 Mile Marker was shot. Everyone cheered louder, and the dogs ran around in circles and barked.

«They’re almost here!» Duchess yelled.

«Come one, lets go to the finish line!» Yelled Jenna.

The four dogs ran past the finish line as fast as they could. Dixie showed up a little late due to her short legs.

A few minutes later, the town heard a howl that was close by. It was Balto!

«They’re comin’!» a man yelled.

Just then, Balto and the team rounded the corner. Everyone cheered when Balto howled.

Steele’s team was close behind, and gained on Balto.

«Go Balto!» Jenna yelled.

«Come on Balto!» Yelled Duchess.

Steele’s team began to move faster, but Balto didn’t notice because Steele was still behind him.

«Hurry Balto!» Yelled Balto’s musher, Gunnar Kassen.

Balto looked back and gasped as he saw Steele gaining on him.

Balto looked forward and Bolted. Gunnar almost fell off, but he managed to hang on tight enough.

Everyone cheered as Balto was about to cross the finish line.

Balto made the finish, and everyone cheered and screamed as the dogs barked as loud as they could.

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After the dogs were unharnessed, Balto’s team hung around the finish line to suck up all the glory from the crowd. Everyone clapped and cheered at Balto and his team.

Steele looked sadly at Jenna, knowing that he would never have a chance with her. He followed his team to his team house with his head hanging and tail tucked.

Balto and his team, Sylvie, Dixie, Duchess, and Jenna went to the old mill to hang out with the other dogs. There, they found some of the dogs of Nome waiting there.

«We saw you win the race, congratulations Balto!» said Doc the St. Bernard.

«Thanks, but you have to congratulate my team too.» Balto said as he looked at his team.

«Oh of course, congratulations to all of you.» Doc said.

«Good job Balto.» Jenna said as she nuzzled Balto’s thick soft coat as Balto sniffed and licked the top of her head.

Balto, Jenna, Duchess, and Kaltag lied down with the rest of the dogs.

Kaltag licked his injured paw.

«Oh no, did Steele bite you?» Duchess asked as she looked at the paw that was lightly covered with dried blood.

«Yeah, not to long before the race was over.» said Kaltag

Balto looked at Kaltag. «Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve slowed down for you.» Balto said.

«Because I didn’t want to take the chance of losing just because of my paw, besides, that’s exactly what Steele wanted you to do.» Kaltag explained. Then he continued to lick his paw.

Meanwhile, the towns telegrapher was sending messages everywhere so everyone will know that the town hero of Nome is still the racing champion since he was put on the team. «Balto wins first race of season. Stop. Town hero keeps Golden Collar. Stop. Nome. Stop.» Said the telegrapher as he sent the news in morse code. Morris’ legs and ears continued to move to the beeping sounds on the code. This dog was getting really annoyed by this.

«Balto must be the greatest dog in history, huh Morris?» Said the telegrapher as he patted the spotted bulldog’s head.

Morris got up and squeezed half way through his doggy door and barked the message to Doc at the Old mill.

«Yes, the message is being sent everywhere.» Doc said as he turned to Balto. «You’re the racing champion.» He added.

Balto and Jenna smiled.

The dogs started yelling and barking as they cheered for Balto. Balto put his ears back, tipped his head up and howled his famous howl as loud as he could. Everyone cheered and barked louder as Balto made this beautiful sound. The dogs continued to cheer, then suddenly they all started howling.

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Meanwhile, Steele and his team, Max, Buck, Duncan, Sarge, Apex, and Ranger were in their team house.