still speaking.

“…I ask you to give Saba the same respect and honor that you did me, in my time as Alpha.”

Aleu turned to Saba.

“…and it is now that I step down… and pledge my allegiance to her as do all of you.”

Aleu knelt down in front of Saba, and soon every wolf in the chamber had followed suit… all but Everest.

He continued walking forward, unaware of the state of things around him.

He stopped when he stood face to face with the white wolf.

“Saba?” He asked, a look of confusion on his face.

She smiled. “Everest!”

“You… you don’t look like yourself.” He said.

Saba smiled. “There is much I have to tell you.”

“What… what are our children’s names?” Everest asked.

“Why do you ask me that?” Saba said. “Sunny, Rife and Tram of course.”

Everest smiled. “It is you, isn’t it? It’s really you! You’re alive!”

He nuzzled her.

Saba nuzzled him back and smiled.

“You’re all dismissed.” She said.

Aleu stood, and the rest followed suit. Aleu smiled. “Well, if this little family reunion is over, I think the wolves would like to speak to their new Alpha.

Saba nodded. “…of course.”

She looked at Everest.

“Shall we?”

He smiled, and the two walked down the shelves into the midst of the other wolves.

…her clan…

…the Talbourne Clan.

The last day had gone by far too fast for Balto. He and Jenna were walking to the old mill.

He could see a large crowd near the old mill.

Jenna looked up at him.

“It’ll be over soon Jen.” Balto said.

She looked back to the front and the two walked around the side of the old mill, toward the crowd of dogs, which parted to allow them to pass through.

Balto walked, Jenna by his side to Drake, who stood near the edge of town, just beyond the old mill.

Balto stopped.

“Jenna.” Drake said.

Jenna looked up at Balto.

He sighed and the two of them walked forward, stopping next to Drake.

“Jenna, you were tried and by your own admission, have been found guilty of kidnapping and attempted murder. As punishment for these crimes I have sentenced you to be banished from the town of Nome, Alaska and all of its members and affiliations. Today we are here to carry out the sentence. I will remind you once more that if you ever return to Nome, you will be killed on sight. These are the terms of your sentence. Do you understand?”

Jenna nodded. “Yes.”

“Then go.” Drake said.

Jenna sighed and turned, walking back toward the group.

“Jenna…” Drake started, but fell silent. Jenna stopped in front of Gemeni. “I’m sorry.” She said. “I truly am.”

Jenna turned and walked out of town.

Balto watched her become smaller and smaller as she walked toward the horizon.

Balto suddenly bolted past Drake and ran to Jenna. “Jenna!”

Drake sighed.

Jenna stopped and Balto caught up to her.

“Jenna!” He lowered his voice so that the others would not hear. “We are still on, right? You’re coming back?”

Jenna smiled and nodded.

A tear slid out of her eye.

“I said I do anything for you Jenna.” Balto said. “...and I will. I promise.”

Jenna nodded. “I love you Balto… and I will return.”

Drake’s voice cut off Balto’s response before he had the chance to make it.

“Balto…”

Balto looked back.

“I… I have to go back.”

Jenna nodded.

“I love you Jen.” Balto said.

“I love you too Balto.” Jenna said.

Balto raised his paw to her face.

A tear slid out of his eye. Even though he knew that he’d son be with her again, it hurt him to see her waking away from him, knowing that she could not return.

Jenna turned, waking away from Balto, his paw slid off her muzzle and she walked away. Balto stood there and watched as he slowly disappeared from view.

The End

In the conclusion of “Balto: All Good Things…” Blaize still struggles to understand the new dog Astarre, whom he’s fallen in love with, Tycha struggles to deal with Tim’s recent infidelity, Balto and Jenna may be forever separated and Shade finally gets what he has wanted for so long as Aleu’s tenure as Alpha of the Talbourne Clan comes to an end. It is a story of struggle, of emotional limits, new friends, old enemies, new journeys, and the eternal battle against good and evil.

Balto: ...Must Come to an End