Tibalt?'' the leaders eyes focused on him, or at least...one did. The red eye, Tibalt noticed, hadn't moved since he had walked into the chamber, but continued to glisten within the shadows.
Tibalt licked his lips, then nodded slightly ''War is hell, but necessary''
The leader smirked ''Indeed it is. And soon, there shall be only one clan in this region''
Tibalt smiled faintly ''So, can I join?''
The leader made no response, but merely tapped his claws on the throne. Finally, he stopped tapping.
''You say you have a strong stomach. But could you handle looking upon my face...out of the shadows?''
Tibalt stared at the leader in bewilderment ''I...I don't know what you mean sir''
The leader sighed ''Just a simple yes or no. Could you look upon my face, and handle it?''
Tibalt frowned ''Is this a trick question?''. The leader sniggered.
''No trick. But think long and hard before answering. I assure you, many dogs before you have run screaming out of this chamber when doing this test. Especially in the last month'' he smirked, his teeth glistening in the darkness.
Tibalt licked his lips uncertainly. He didn't know why, but he knew that he should walk out of the chamber and run for his life. But he couldn't do that. His father had said that he couldn't last in the wild, and that had been over a week ago He had come too far to back out now.
''Yes. I can do that. No problem, sir''
The leaders smirk grew wider, as he leaned back further into the shadows, engulfing him in darkness.
''Very well then. Step forward''
Tibalt did so, but with each step he took he began to feel sick with fear. There was something not right about all this. Not right at all.
He stopped a few feet from the throne and set his stare.
''Ready?'' the voice asked. Tibalt nodded.
''Ready''
From the shadows, two paws raked across both sides of the throne. Tibalt regarded each one in turn, how pale they were, how matted the fur was, and how viciously sharp the claws were. He gulped.
''And now, see me for what I am'' the leader sniggered. Tibalt tensed up as the wolf began to lean forwards out of the shadows.
What Tibalt saw froze his blood instantly.
''Oh...my...God!'' he stammered, and backed up so quickly he tripped over his back legs. The thing in front of him sniggered.
''Not so strong stomached now are you!?'' the leader rose from his throne. Tibalt began to shake.
''What...what the hell are you?'' he shook in pure terror as the leader advanced on him.
''Your worst nightmare'' it bared it's teeth.
Tibalt screamed.
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When Gillifer padded into the alcove, the first thing he noticed was the immense amount of blood. It was everywhere, on the floor, up the walls, even on the ceiling. And in the middle of the throne room was what was left of Tibalt. Gillifer smiled.
''He failed the test'' the leader sniggered, once more sat on his throne. Gillifer bowed.
''Do you wish me to dispose of the body sir?''
The leader shook his head ''No, leave it. We have much to do''
Gillifer nodded ''Of course sir''
''Have you informed the others of our plans Gillifer?''
''I have sir. We are ready to leave as soon as you request''
The leader smirked ''Good. We leave tomorrow at dusk. We should make it to Nome within the week. Then, we shall see what Aleu is made of. Literally'' he laughed, a noise devoid of all emotion.
Gillifer bowed again before padding out of the alcove. The leader raked his claws over the blood-spattered throne.
''I'm coming for you Balto. You and your little vermin family. Just like I said I would!''
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One week later:
The sun was slowly rising on the town of Nome, its orange rays lightly twinkling off the pure white snow.
Inside out of the cold, Balto's eyes flickered opened slightly, and then closed as he sighed softly. He hoped to get a couple more minutes of sleep, but a loud noise outside refused to allow him that luxury.
Balto let a long yawn escape from his mouth as stretched his limbs as he stood up. Being careful not to wake Jenna who lay asleep beside him, Balto quietly padded up to the door and pushed it open. An excited face looked up at him.
''Morning Balto!'' Lance grinned, his tail wagging excitedly. Balto returned the smile.
''Lance, do you have any idea what time it is?'' he held back another yawn as he padded down the stairs leading up to the house. The black and tan husky chuckled.
''Sorry buddy, but you would have killed me if I hadn't of told you'' Lance beamed. Balto raised an eyebrow.
''Told me what?'' he asked. Lance's smile grew wider.
''You'd better come quick. Chester has a surprise for you in the boiler room, and everyone's invited!''
Realization hit Balto ''Stacy?''
Lance nodded, and gestured down Main Street ''Coming?''
Balto nodded ''Let me just wake up Jenna, and we'll meet you there''
''Okay, but don't be long!'' Lance smiled, before taking off towards the boiler room.
Balto smiled, and padded back inside. He padded up to Jenna and nudged her softly with his nose.
''Jenna, wake up Jen'' he nudged her again. Jenna stirred, and looked up at him with tired eyes.
''Balto what is it? It's too early to wake up yet'' she let out a yawn and shut her eyes.
''Jen, it's time'' Balto tapped her with his paw. Jenna's eyes flew open.
''Is it that time already?'' she jumped to her feet, arching her back before standing up straight.
''Yep. Come on, everyone will be down at the boiler room waiting'' he padded over to the door.
''Alright I'm coming'' Jenna said as Balto padded outside. Together, they began walking down the street.
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Lance was waiting for them as they arrived outside the boiler room, grinning happily.
''Hi Balto, Jenna,'' he gestured to the door. ''They're waiting inside''
''How many are there Lance?'' Jenna asked. Lance smiled.
''I'll let you see for yourself'' He opened the door wide enough for each of them to walk through, and closed the door when they were inside.
Inside the boiler room Stacy lay curled up near the boiler, her white fur illuminated by the warm glow. Beside her was Chester, a proud grin on his face. He looked up as they padded inside.
''Hey Balto, glad you could come'' he smiled. Balto returned it.
''We wouldn't miss this for the world Chester, you know that''
Chester laughed ''Thanks buddy'' he turned back to Stacy, who stirred awake.
''Stacy, are you okay?'' he asked. Stacy sat up a little bit, and let out a soft yawn before she spoke in a low whisper.
"I'm fine, Chester." She then noticed the rest of the group near the doorway.
"Oh, you're all here! Don't be afraid, they're only a few hours old" She let out a giggle before lifting up her bushy tail, revealing three small bodies nursing on her teats.
"Oh Stacy!" Jenna said in maternal awe. "They're beautiful! All three of them!" she moved closer as Stacy licked her whimpering litter.
''Yes, indeed they are'' Chester sat down beside Stacy and nuzzled her lovingly.
Balto padded closer and examined the three pups. Two of them were the same color as Stacy, white with light gray paws. The third was a Chester look-alike, all black.
''They look so small'' Balto commented. Stacy giggled.
''They sure didn't feel small I'll tell you that Balto!''
Balto laughed and looked up at Chester ''Congratulations Chester''
''Thanks Balto'' Chester replied, before looking back down at his new family.
Balto sighed. He thought back to a few months ago, when Chester and Stacy had first gotten together. As Balto found out later on after he had recovered, Chester had saved Stacy from Grant in the vets, and in return he had realized how much he really cared for her.
''I always cared for her, but it wasn't until then that I realized that I cared for her more than a teammate. I realized that I loved her'' he had told Balto when he had seen how he was recovering.
Chester’s last mate had left him for another dog soon after the birth of his daughter, and left him to bring her up on his own. Chester had thought that he would never find love again, but after rescuing Stacy he knew that they were made for one another. And she felt exactly the same way.
''Any dog who would willingly put his life at danger to rescue you is the one for you” she had said. A few weeks later she had announced that she was expecting Chester's pups, and Balto had been blown away when Chester asked him to be an uncle. He had accepted straight away.
Balto was snapped back into the present by a playful shove from Lance ''Hey Balto, quit daydreaming!'' the husky smirked. Balto grinned in embarrassment.
''Sorry'' he chuckled.
Jenna looked up from the suckling pups ''Have you thought about names yet?''
Stacy nodded ''We've thought of a few'' she nudged one of the white pups. ''This one...is Max''.
Balto nodded. He knew the significance of the name, in memory of one of Stacy and Chester's fallen teammates.
Chester smiled ''And this one...'' he gestured to the black pup who Stacy nuzzled. ''...is Vance''
Balto smiled as the little black pup began chewing at the blanket Stacy was lay upon ''He'll be a handful'' he chuckled.
Chester nodded ''Perhaps. But I think we can keep him in check''
Balto smirked as Stacy nudged the other white pup ''And this little darling is...Trixxy''
Balto noticed a single tear trickle down
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