"Do I look okay?" he replied sarcastically. Balto chuckled.
"Stupid question, huh?"
Chester sighed "I could have taken that guy, but I got careless. I should have seen that last attack coming"
Balto laid a paw on his shoulder "its okay Chester. You're not out yet"
Chester nodded "True, but I can't afford to make anymore mistakes. The next guy I fight, I've gotta go full pelt"
The two canines watched, as the next fight got under way. This time, two females grappled. Chester knew one of them already. Her name was Swift.
As they watched, Swift's opponent charged her. Swift jumped aside, and the two grappled across the floor. Suddenly, a loud shriek cut through the chamber, and Swift went limp on the floor. A thin trail of blood seeped from a sizeable wound on her stomach.
Sirius padded over and examined her. He looked up grimly.
"You win Clara. Congratulations. Could you help me move her off the podium?"
Chester watched somberly as Sirius and Clara dragged Swift's limp body off the podium. He sighed.
"The worst thing about that is...I may have to do that next"
Balto nodded grimly.
Sirius padded into the middle of the podium, now stained bright crimson in some places.
"The next match is between Chester and... Balto"
Chester looked up sharply "What!?"
Balto mouthed silently, then stared at Chester. The husky shook his head grimly.
"I can't. I can't fight you Balto"
"Chester, you have to" Balto replied.
"Balto, I could have killed you last time. I couldn't bare it if I..." he trailed off. Balto sighed.
"Just do what you have to. And I'll do the same"
Chester felt numb as he and Balto stepped up onto the podium.
"How am I going to do this?" he thought. He turned his head to look at the crowd, and spotted Jenna. Her face was a mask of concern and fear. Chester turned away sharply.
The two canines took their position on either side of the podium. Sirius looked at each of them in turn.
"Remember...do what is necessary to win. Even if that means death"
Chester nodded, and Balto did the same. Sirius stepped off the podium.
Balto gave Chester a wink "Good luck Chester"
"Go!" Sirius called out. And the fight began.
Chester charged towards Balto, and Balto did the same. They met in the center of the podium. Chester felt the wind knocked out of him as Balto barreled into him, and bit into his shoulder. Chester reacted, and through Balto off him. Balto hit the floor and rolled back onto his paws. Chester smirked.
"Good attack" he winced as blood trickled from the wound in his shoulder.
"Thanks" Balto replied, before charging again at the husky. Chester was ready, and drug his claws along Balto's face as he impacted, trying not to hit his eyes. Balto threw him off and clamped his teeth round Chester's paw. Using the momentum of the attack, Balto threw Chester violently onto the floor.
Chester yelped as the air was knocked out of his lungs, once more tasting blood in his throat. He managed to roll aside as Balto slashed at his exposed belly and staggered to his feet.
"I can't do this. I can't" he thought. He gasped for air, his lungs burning with every breath.
Balto charged at Chester with frightening speed, and Chester couldn't get out of the way in time as he impacted with the husky, knocking both of them onto the floor. Chester looked up at Balto with fear in his eyes. Balto sighed.
"Sorry Chester" he said as he raised his paw up, exposing his belly. Chester took the chance.
Balto yelped as Chester bit down hard on his exposed underbelly, drawing blood that dripped onto the floor of the podium. He shook himself loose before his legs gave way underneath him, and he collapsed to the floor.
Chester looked down at Balto's panting form, a thin pool of blood trickling from under him. He carefully placed his paw onto the top of Balto's head, signaling the end of the match.
Sirius padded over and looked at Chester "You win Chester. Congratulations, you're on the team"
Chester just nodded; panting for breath "Thanks"
Sirius examined Balto. Chester bit his bottom lip "Is he...okay?"
Sirius nodded "He'll be fine. Help me get him off the podium"
With Sirius's help, Chester drug Balto off the podium. Balto smiled up at him when Sirius left.
"Well done. That was fantastic fighting Chester!" he winced. Chester smiled.
"Thank God, you’re all right!" he sighed with relief. Balto laughed.
"Never felt better" he staggered to his feet. Chester looked at him quizzically.
"One question. Why did you expose yourself like that? You should have known that was a vulnerable move"
Balto sniggered "I know"
Chester stared at him "You mean...you did it on purpose!?"
Balto just nodded, a smile on his face.
"But why? You were winning!" Chester exclaimed. Balto shrugged.
"I've seen you fight Chester, and I know that with you on the team Aleu is in safe hands. I would probably just screw it up"
Chester shook his head "Don't say that. Your a great fighter"
"But you're a better fighter Chester, that's why I did what I did. I know she's safe with you at the helm" Balto smiled.
Chester grinned "Balto, it would be my honor to protect your daughter"
"Thank you Chester" Balto replied.
Chester looked up as Jenna and Stacy ran up to them. Jenna buried her face in Balto's shoulder.
"Oh Balto! I was so worried! I thought..." she nuzzled him roughly. Balto smiled.
"Jen, I'm fine. Just a bit sore that's all" he licked her muzzle. Jenna smiled.
"So, I guess you don't get on the team then, huh?"
Balto shook his head "No. Won one fight, lost the other two. Still, I'm confident that Aleu is in good hands with Chester in charge" he winked at the husky.
Stacy licked Chester on the nose "Don't you ever scare me like that again! I nearly had a heart attack!"
Chester chuckled "I'll keep that in mind"
Balto smiled as Saba and Chris padded over.
"Oh Papa, are you all right?" Saba asked. Balto nodded.
"Just a bit tender that's all. Sorry if I scared you Saba" he nuzzled her affectionately.
Chris smiled at Chester "Congratulations on getting on the team...sir"
Chester laughed "Chris, call me Chester. 'Sir' makes me sound old"
Chris smirked "Sure thing Chester"
Balto looked up as Sirius padded onto the podium accompanied by the other successful team members.
"Chester, I think your services are required" he gestured to the podium.
Chester smirked "Aren't they always?"
Balto watched as Chester and Stacy padded over to the podium, then smiled at Jenna "So, what now?"
Jenna nuzzled his neck "Now, you let me take a proper look at that wound before it turns septic"
Balto chuckled "Yes Ma’am!"
Saba smiled as her parents padded away towards the shelves "I'm glad Chester made it on the team" she smiled at Chris.
"So am I Saba. He's a...really good fighter" Chris replied.
"And one that I'll have to keep an eye on" he thought.
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Lance opened his eyes slowly, his vision blurry and out of focus. His head was throbbing as he got to his feet, and he shook his head to clear it.
"Where am I?" he muttered.
Then he remembered.
"Saba!"
Without hesitation, Lance bolted towards the cave.
-------------------------------------------------------
Balto and Jenna were taken by surprise as Lance almost barged into them.
"Whoa, Lance! What's wrong?" Balto asked. He was amazed at how terrified Lance's expression was, and how his eyes darted from left to right rapidly.
"Where's Saba? I need to find her now!" Lance panted.
"She's...with Chris" Jenna replied. Lance looked up at the mention of Chris's name.
"She's with...?" Lance began, and then took off towards the chamber. Balto and Jenna exchanged looks.
"What was that about?" Jenna asked.
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Saba nuzzled Chris affectionately "I'll see you later Chris. We can go running again if you want?" she asked shyly.
Chris smiled "I'd like that Sabs" he licked her on the cheek, and then padded away. Saba sighed warmly.
"Saba!"
Saba looked up as Lance ran up to her, panting for breath "Lance? What's wrong?" she asked.
Lance gasped for air "Saba...I saw...Chris with...another wolf. He's going to...try to kill...Aleu"
Saba gasped "What?"
Lance nodded "I heard him gloating about...not having to try out to get on the team, and how...his job had gotten a lot easier"
Saba's expression hardened, and she scowled at Lance "Is that how gullible you think I am?"
Lance stared at her "Saba...I'm telling the truth"
Saba scoffed "Yeah right! How dumb do you think I am Lance? Is that how low your willing to sink to stop me and Chris seeing each other?"
Lance looked at her pleadingly "Saba..."
"I thought you were my friend! I thought you were different! But your just jealous
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