Balto: A New Threat

Balto123

Description: When new dog Carver arrives in Nome, he seems nice. But Jenna is somewhat put off by the new arrivals interest towards Balto. Balto is soon to leave on a trip, but things quickly go downhill for the residents of Nome. When a bloodthirsty pack of dogs attack the town in an unprovoked rampage, it's up to Balto to rush to the rescue. But an encounter with Carver will reveal the deadly secret of The Pack and its leader, and its repercussions for Balto himself.

WARNING: If you don't like Balto as the bad guy, I'd refrain from reading this fic. But I still think you'll enjoy this one, so do read on...

*************

The lead dog ran across the frozen plains. Behind it, several other dark figures flashed across the snow in hot pursuit. The leader looked behind him. He could just about make out his pursuers in the darkness. He counted ten figures as he continued to run through the gathering mist.

There was a storm moving in, he could smell it. The mist was increasing in denseness, but he didn't mind.

''More difficult to track'' he thought, a smile forming on his face.

He could still hear the gunshots in his mind, as did the images of those who had failed to make it out. Even though they had left their pursuers behind a long while ago, he didn't decrease his speed. It was this memory, coupled with his pain and anger, which spurred him on through the fog.

"Oh someone will pay all right, I guarantee it!’’ he snarled, before shaking his head.

‘’Quit talking to yourself! First sign of madness that! Ha!’’ he laughed out loud.

His harsh breathing was the only sound he could hear, his breath coming out as a vapour cloud in the biting cold. His head was racked with pain, but that was nothing unusual. All that mattered was that he got to his destination before the storm beat him to it. Then he could begin.

His mind wandering, he broke through a clump of evergreen trees and stopped. He sucked in his breath so hard he felt one of his jawbones crack at the sight that met him.

There before him was Nome. The small looked magnificent, yet humble against the dazzling skies of the Arctic.

He began to sense a presence behind him, as several harsh breathing figures drew up behind him. He grinned again, revealing his sharp yellow teeth that sparkled in the dim light. Without turning round, he addressed the figures.

‘’My friends…welcome to Nome’’

*************

Jenna was furious.

“Balto, you can’t do this! It’s our anniversary this week!”

“Jen, you know I can’t control this,” Balto replied, “I’m sorry, but I’ll be home as soon as I can. This is the last trip, I swear.”

‘’You’ve said that before,” Jenna sighed and turned away, “Go on then. Go find the others. Id hate to get in the way, considering how much you love it up there.” Balto walked up beside her.

“Not as much as I love you Jen.” Jenna looked at him, and smiled despite herself.

''Balto, you have a knack for talking your way out of difficult situations. But just be careful okay? For me?''

“Your wish is my command.” Balto kissed her on the cheek. “Bye Jenna. I’ll be back later tomorrow, two days tops. Then you and I can spend the whole day together, if you want to that is”

“That would be great.” Jenna smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “All right, I’ll see you when you get home”

Balto nodded and turned to leave.

“And Balto…” He turned around. “Be careful. I’ll be waiting.” He nuzzled her and then trotted down the street.

Jenna watched him go and smiled. Deep down she knew he would take care of himself. After all, he was the hero of Nome. She shouldn't have been as worried as she was.

But events in the last week had forced itself upon her. Balto had been disturbed recently over rumors of an incident in Anchorage, several hundred miles away from Nome. Not only him, but also everyone else in Nome were disturbed in some way by the rumors.

Apparently there was an unknown epidemic affecting the wolf population, decreasing the population at a rapid speed. What was more, people had become increasingly concerned with the way their dogs had been acting. Normally placid and fun loving dogs had become nervous and highly-strung, as if something was scaring them out of their wits. And things had come to a brutal head in Anchorage a few days ago.

An attack, unprovoked, by a pack of wolves had left one person and several dogs dead and many others injured. A few of the wolves themselves had been killed in the attack, and there were rumors spreading through Nome as to what could have caused them to go berserk. But, if a reason had been found, the people of Nome were unawares. Balto, being half wolf himself, had been especially concerned. After all, it had only been recently that he got on with the people of Nome. He didn't need something like this coming along and souring it.

She stood in a moment’s hesitation in front of the fireplace and then, heaving an exhausted sigh; she stretched out in front of the hearth. She had just lain down when she heard a scratching at the door.

‘‘Come in’’ she called.

She was surprised to see Kaltag poke his head inside. “Evening Jenna,” the husky said. “Mind if I come in?’’

“Oh, Kaltag! Sure, come over here by the fire.”

Kaltag squeezed through the door and shook the snow out of his fur. Jenna couldn’t help noticing that he was walking with a limp as he walked over to the fireplace.

‘’Sorry for the intrusion, but I’ve had rather an embarrassing accident. And since your place was the closest I….’’

‘‘Why, what happened?’’ Jenna asked, concern evident in her voice. Kaltag shivered, apparently not hearing her question.

‘‘This night is the coldest, the bleakest, the snowiest . . .”

‘‘Kaltag, I asked what happened to you’’ Jenna cut in. Kaltag smiled sheepishly.

‘‘Sorry. Anyway, I was on my way home, hoping to beat the storm that’s approaching. I tell you this storm will be the coldest, the harshest…’’

‘‘Kaltag!’’ Kaltag chuckled.

‘‘Sorry Jenna. As I was saying, I was on my way home when something slammed into me right out of the blue. Didn’t even see it coming!’’

‘’What hit you?’’ Jenna was concerned now. Kaltag frowned.

‘’He is without a doubt the clumsiest, stupidest, most reckless dog I’ve ever met in my life!’’

‘’Hey! I’ve said I’m sorry, give me a break!’’

Jenna span round in surprise, and was confronted with another dog squeezing through the door. The first thing Jenna noticed about the new arrival were his bright blue eyes, like those of a young puppy. He was black with a white chest and paws, and there was a brown collar with a gold nametag round his neck. He was smiling in embarrassment.

‘‘Look buddy, I’ve apologized haven’t I? Can’t you cut me some slack?’’ The new dog directed to Kaltag, who huffed and turned back to the fire.

‘’Please yourself. Boy, talk about a friendly welcome!’’ The new dog shook his head, and noticed Jenna’s presence for the first time. His eyes sparkled and he smiled at her.

‘’Well hi there! I’m Carver’’

*************

''Well hi there! I'm Carver'' he smiled and winked at Jenna. Kaltag snorted.

''First he cripples me, now he's flirting with you! He is the sleaziest...'' Jenna cut him off.

''Nice to meet you Carver. I'm Jenna'' Carver nodded his head in recognition.

''Thank you. It's nice to finally meet someone who's glad to see me. I'm new here, and I don't know my way around yet'' Carver smiled in embarrassment. Jenna laughed.

''Well from the sounds of it you certainly know how to make an entrance!''

Carver laughed and padded over to Kaltag.

''Hey buddy, how’s the leg?''

Kaltag raised an eyebrow ''It was fine when I left the house this evening, but thank you for asking!''

''So, what exactly happened here? I assume that it was an accident then, and not deliberate?''

Carver raised his eyebrows ''Why should it be deliberate? I've only just arrived here, hardly enough time to warrant a grudge is it?'' he chuckled.

''I had only just turned up here, and I was looking for shelter before the storm hit. I wasn't looking where I was going, and I...came into contact with Kaltag here. He went flying, and I have a severe headache!'' he sighed and laughed.

Jenna laughed ''Oh dear, so it wasn't the thing you expected to happen as soon as you turned up here was it?''

Carver smiled sheepishly ''Most certainly not! I usually hit it off with most people, but that was a bit too literal for my liking! Anyway, I helped escort him over here before the storm hit. It was the least I could do, with it being my fault and everything''

Kaltag huffed ''That’s putting it mildly!''

Jenna padded over to him ''Kaltag don't you think your being a bit rude? After all, he did help you over here before the storm broke out. You could at least show him that your grateful''

Kaltag sighed '''Okay okay. Thank you very much for your help Carver. Okay Jenna?''

Jenna sighed as Kaltag turned back to the fire. She turned to face Carver, who had a puzzled look on his face.

''Are you alright?'' she asked.

''Jenna...now where have I heard that name before? Jenna...Jen...oh of course! Your Balto's mate aren't you?''

Jenna smiled ''Yes I am. How did you know that?'' she asked, already knowing the answer.

''How could I not know it? Everyone in