Brent took his five and placed it down, grabbing another card; the five of diamonds. Taking a risk, Brent grabbed two of his queens, his five and his two and threw ithemdown. He then drew his last card. He smiled.

‘’I stay as well.’’ He replied.

‘’Okay then, now we show each other our hands.’’ Nikki threw down his full house. Brent rearranged his hand and threw it down. Nikki’s jaw dropped.

‘’A royal flush. I win.’’ Brent said confidently. Nikki shook his head in disbelief, but answered, ‘’youse wins, fair and square. Okay then, you got yourself a team mate.’’

Nikki got out from his chair and followed Brent out into the bright streets of Nome.

 

Meanwhile…

 

The gold dredger, the west side of Nome,

 

Balto watched as a gold and cream husky spoke in front of the assembled dogs. His voice was loud and sounded like thunder. Balto shook his head as he listened.

‘’My friends,’’ the gold husky replied, ‘’as most of you are aware of, Team Nome cannot run in the Iditarod. Anyone have any ideas to deal with this?’’

‘’I have one!’’ a voice called from the back. All eyes turned to him. The gold husky then asked, ‘’yes? What is your suggestion Wild Joe?’’

The dog named Wild Joe stood up and cleared his throat.

‘’I think we should just quit. There’s no possibility that we can get another team put together by the registration date.’’

A murmur of agreement was heard all around. The gold husky nodded.

‘’I guess that we must quit. It’s unanimous.’’

Just as the gold dog was about to make the decision final, Balto leaped from his view point, (an old window in the roof of the dredger,) and landed in the crowd. The gold husky stepped back a bit.

‘’Balto,’’ he began, ‘’what-what are you doing here?’’

‘’Kaltag, I must ask you a favour.’’ Balto said solemnly. Kaltag was stunned.

‘’What kind of favour wolf-dog?’’ a voice in the crowd angrily asked. Kaltag cocked his head in the voice’s direction and locked a cold stare into the owner’s eyes.

‘’Yes, go ahead Balto. The floor is yours.’’ Kaltag replied. Balto smiled.

‘’I am putting together a team to run in the Iditarod. I want you to be on that team Kaltag.’’ He answered. Kaltag nodded.

‘’I think I need another run on a sled team, but I can’t. I replaced Doc when he died on the Nome Dog Committee, and I can’t leave my friends here without a leader.’’ Kaltag explained.

Balto sighed. He knew Kaltag was right. Just as Balto was about to leave however, a small voice peeped up.

‘’I’ll substitute for Kaltag, Mr. Balto sir.’’ It replied. The crowd of dog moved away to reveal a small puppy only about five or six years old (human years.) Kaltag walked up with Balto and they both smiled.

‘’Thanks for the gesture little guy, but we need someone who’s older to run.’’ Kaltag said softly and patted the kid on the head. He bowed his head and slowly sulked out of the dredger. Balto felt sorry for the little pup and whispered a small idea into Kaltag’s ear. Kaltag grinned and ran after the pup.

Outside, Kaltag had caught up to the pup and had slowed him down.

‘’Listen, I was wrong back there. If you want to run as my substitute, you are here by granted full permission. I temporarily give you all my leadership power to guide and protect your subjects.’’ Kaltag proclaimed between breaths. The little puppy jumped into the air and hugged Kaltag tightly. Releasing his grip, he ran back into the dredger, yelling, ‘’I’m gonna have the biggest party ever!’’

Balto had walked out of the dredger while this had happened and was standing near Kaltag. Kaltag turned to Balto and replied, ‘’I have a bad feeling that wasn’t the best decision of my career.’’

Balto shook his head.

‘’No, I think you made the right move on that one. That little guy will remember this day for the rest of his life. You gave his some self-recognition and self-confidence. Now, what’s the next move?’’ Balto asked. Kaltag thought for a second, then replied, ‘’come on, we have to find Star. He’s the last member of the trio that was in Steele’s team.’’

‘’But where’s Star right now? Everyone in town lost contact with him years ago.’’ Balto asked. Kaltag scratched his head.

‘’Well, I think his normal hang-out is under a house just a few minutes’ walk from here. I hope he’s still there, and still alive for that matter.’’

With Balto in the lead, the two dogs ran off, leaving two sets of fresh tracks in the snow behind them.

 

The Post Office, five minutes later,

 

Balto and Kaltag met up with Brent and Nikki at the post office just on Main Street. Kaltag informed everyone that Star had changed dramatically since 1925, and that they should expect anything before they see him. Then Kaltag knocked on the ground, which made a loud clunk. There was a five-second pause, and then a voice came from under the quartets’ feet.

‘’Okay, I’m coming.’’ It replied in an aggravated tone. The ground under Kaltag’s feet rose up, and a shower of snow rained down from the hidden trap door. A small head popped up from the entrance and looked around. The head had lavender and cream fur covering it, and its two light blue eyes moved in every direction.

‘’Star?’’ Balto asked. The eyes of the head stopped and looked right at Balto.

‘’Balto? Is it really you?’’ The head disappeared from sight for a second, and then a full dog re-appeared. He wore a red-trench coat, and a gold collar imbedded with stones of topaz, diamond, and ruby. The small dog walked over to Balto and shook his hand.

‘’It’s been a while Balto. As you can see, I have dressed myself up nicely.’’

Balto smiled.

‘’I can see that Star. I brought two of my friends with me,’’ Balto pointed to Brent, and then Nikki, ‘’that human is Prof. Brent MacWolf, a scientist and inventor, and the other is someone you might know.’’

Star stared wide-eyed at Nikki.

‘’Nikki? It can’t be!’’ Star exclaimed. Nikki nodded.

‘’Star old friend, youse look nice. Youse must be really hoity-toity dere.’’ Nikki replied in his Mafia accent. Star then turned to Kaltag.

‘’So, what brings you guys to my underground home?’’

‘’Well, we need to talk to you about…um…about…’’

Brent then cut in.

‘’About the possibility of joining our sled team.’’ Kaltag gave Brent a dirty look and slammed him on the head. Brent moved dizzily for a few seconds, and then fell backward. Kaltag smiled.

‘’Man, that felt good.’’

Star chuckled and replied, ‘’okay, follow me. And close that door behind you.’’

With Star in the lead, the five walked down a short staircase and ended up in a hallway. On the walls were rare and valuable works of art, and on stone pillars were sculptures of Star, in many different position and poses. Finally, they arrived at a large oak door. Star pushed on it and the door’s slowly moved open to reveal a palace under the ground. Everywhere were things only the rich could afford; rare art, statues, gold and platinum trimming, the whole works. On the marble floor sat expensive furniture, oak tables and many more things.

‘’Star? Do we have guests?’’ a female voice asked from behind the five friends. All five turned and saw the most beautiful dog they had ever seen. But Star just smiled and walked up to her. Putting his arm around her shoulder, he replied, ‘’Balto, Kaltag, Nikki, meet my wife. You guys might know her from town.’’

Kaltag shook his head and stared at the female.

‘’Dixie? Man, you have shaped up good.’’ He exclaimed. Dixie smiled, showing off her golden diamond-studded collar. Brent then cleared his throat.

‘’Uh Star, remember. We need to talk with you.’’ He reminded. Star nodded.

‘’Oh yeah. What is it that you guys need to talk to me about?’’ he asked. Balto then explained the happenings since yesterday. Star went wide-eyed.

‘’What? Team Nome can’t run in the Iditarod? This will embarrass our town for years to come. We have to do something!’’

Brent nodded.

‘’We have been doing something already. Balto and I are assembling a team. We were wondering if you’d like to join.’’

Star stepped back a few paces.

‘’Wh-wh-what?’’ he stuttered.

‘’Star, honey, what’s wrong?’’ Dixie asked. Star shook his head and answered, ‘’I can’t race. I won’t race.’’

Balto tried to speak, but Star started to run around, holding his head and babbling like a madman.

‘’I can’t race. I won’t race.’ He repeated madly, until Balto grabbed him and shook him wildly.

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