Aniu and the Eclipse

By: Wolf Cuz Luna

Ch: 1

High in the clouds, Aniu watched day after day her loving family. She sighed as she gazed down at them, her amber eyes loving and watchful. “You miss being with them don’t you?” said a voice behind her. She turned to see her best friend Snow Cloud, walking over to her upon the clouds. She nodded and looked again at her family. “I wish that I could help you, but there is no way that a spirit can take a day upon earth,” Snow Cloud said. “Actually there is, but I’ve been to afraid to do it.” “What way is that?” “Every year, there is a solar eclipse, during that time a spirit can come down in the form of their choice, and spend that time with their family. Upon when the eclipse finishes, the sun will reappear, and the spirit must get to his or her landing spot where they came from. If that doesn’t happen, then the spirit becomes a wanderer, never to come back again. But there is a way around that part. A spirit must do a noble deed, only then, they can return,” explained Aniu. “Well, I see no problem in that,” said Snow Cloud. “The problem is, that if I can’t perform a deed worthy enough, then I’ll be stuck there,” explained Aniu. Snow Cloud nodded and walked away.

Un aware to both of them, Iron, a black and white malamute spirit was listening. He had trying to get Aniu’s rank for a long time. This is a perfect opportunity, I’ll have to get Onyx, Coal, and Steele into this too, he thought. Iron turned to the Cloud opening cleared his mind. Steele he thought. Suddenly the opening swirled and there in front of him, in the forest was Steele, snoozing in the afternoon sun.

Iron cleared his mind again and he entered Steele’s dreams. He saw Steele, with a dream vision of Jenna. “Steele!” he barked. Steele turned and saw his father. He immediately stood up and walked over to him. “Father?” “Yes Steele its me, not a dream vision. Look an eclipse is coming in three days. If you want your dream to come true, you must do what I say. I also have something to gain, a place of power in the heavens.” “What do I have to do?” “Keep Aniu away from the spot that she lands, if she doesn’t make it back, she’ll be stuck on earth. And as your reward, you’ll have your dream girl,” said Iron. Steele thought about this. “Father, I’ve met Aniu before. What does her rank have to do with anything?” “Power. Our family has a right to it, and I intend on taking it,” growled Iron impatiently. “Fine. I agree,” said Steele after much consideration. Iron nodded and gently left Steele’s dream.

“Whom have you been visiting son?” asked a voice behind Iron. “Father, er… I was just talking to Steele, my son.” The voice belonged to Irons father, Onyx. “What were you speaking to him for?” “We have a chance in taking power away from Aniu,” replied Iron. Onyx raised one eyebrow and listened to what Iron had to say. When Iron finished, Coal joined them. Coal was Steele’s great grandfather. “Well, this sounds promising. Lets follow through with it,” Coal said at last.

Ch: 2

Balto had been asleep and was dreaming about his mother. He knew this was his dream, but she was able to talk to him. “This is great news mother!” he cried. Aniu nodded and looked at her son lovingly. “What is it?” he asked. “There is a catch. If I don’t return to the spot that I land at when the eclipse ends, I’ll be stuck there. But I have to perform a great deed in order to return if that happens,” she replied glumly. “But you came down without the eclipse when Aleu was in danger! Why can’t you come down that way now?” “That was a time of great need. I had to come and save you and our family!” she said. “Oh. I’m sorry mother. I really am.” “Its ok. When a family is in great need, the spirit is allowed to come down to earth to assist. How is Aleu? She still seems in shock.” “She is, she’s still getting over the fact that you are her grandmother, and that she saw you with her own eyes. She’s also having a hard time explaining to the pups why you disappeared as well.” Aniu laughed and said, “OK, I’ll try and come and visit. But remember, I have to be back at the spot where I land or else I’m stuck as a wandering spirit.” Balto nearly jumped for joy. “I have so many questions, but its better if I wait until you come,” he said. Aniu nodded and looked up at Balto’s dream world sky. She sighed and wondered what it would be like, back on earth. Balto felt her ease out of his mind and back to the heavens.

Balto awoke to the peaceful twittering of the birds. He didn’t forget what Aniu had told him what she would do at the next eclipse. But when was that? In order to find out, he would go and find Doc, the St. Bernard and ask him. Balto trotted into town and was met by… “Good morning Balto,” said Jenna with a kiss. “Good morning Jenna. I have great news. I’m sure that the entire family would want to hear this.” “Oh? What would that be?” “It’s a surprise.” “Oh. Ok, well then I’ll get Aleu, her pups and everyone.” Jenna winked at him and trotted away to retrieve the family.

Balto found Doc over in the boiler room, as usual. “Morning Doc,” said Balto. “Good morning Balto,” replied Doc with a yawn. “I’ve got a question for you. When’s the next eclipse?” “What kind?” “Solar.” Doc thought. Doc was usually over at Nome Library, so he would know about almost anything. “Three days. Why this question of all questions?” “Oh, just wondering.”

In about 10 minutes, the entire family was assembled on Balto’s shipwrecked boat. “So dad, what have is the big surprise?” asked Aleu. “Your grandmother, is coming to visit,” he said with a big grin on his muzzle. “Oh Balto! This is wonderful! When is she coming?” asked Jenna. “The next solar eclipse, that’s in three days,” he replied. Almost immediately, Aleu was hit with a bombardment of questions from her 8-month-old pups. “Mom! How did Nana Aniu disappear like that?” “Mom! Why did Nana Aniu have to leave us once she rescued us that day?” “ONE AT A TIME PLEASE!” barked Aleu frustratingly. The pups fell silent. “Thank you, now I’ll answer your questions once Nana Aniu gets here,” Aleu said in a final tone. “Who’s coming?” asked a voice from the entrance of the boat. Every one turned to see Merlin walking in. “I’ve been looking for you Aleu. Just wanted to see you, now who’s coming again?” he asked, “You remember the white wolf Aniu? Well she’s coming at the next solar eclipse,” said Aleu happily. “One big question though,” piped up Sunset, one of Aleu’s pups. Everyone fell silent. “Who is she going to stay with? I mean, how long does the eclipse stay for?” “The eclipse stays for almost the entire day,” replied Doc, who was just walking in. “Good Day Doc! How did you find us?” asked Jenna. “Simple I followed the smell of you, and I heard voices,” he replied with a chuckle. “One question Balto, who is this Aniu that you speak of?” “Aniu, is my mother,” said Balto hesitantly. Doc only nodded and turned to the rest of the family, “Sunset also has a good question, who is Aniu going to stay with?” “She could stay with us,” said Merlin. The pups looked pleadingly at their mother. Aleu looking at each of them, each of their eyes, just as pleading as the other pair. “Ok, she can stay with us.” The pups nearly jumped for joy. “I’m very grateful Aleu, I really am,” said Balto. Aleu nodded and looked at the sky. “Oh my! Its past your afternoon naps! Sorry papa, we must be leaving.” “Its ok, I agree, I could use some sleep after all this excitement,” said Balto. The rest of the family departed, all thinking of what would be in store for they’re soon to arrive guest.

Ch: 3

Aniu, being the watchful spirit that she was, was looking down through a clearing of clouds, watching her family. She cleared her mind and thought, Balto. The clouds swirled around and then cleared again for her to see an image of Balto, happily dreaming again. Having a gift for seeing parts of the future, Aniu suddenly gasped at what she saw.

She saw Balto, fighting with Steele, at the edge of Wolf Howl Falls, and she saw Steele make a sly move at Balto’s rear paws, she cried out “NO!” But it was like she wasn’t even heard; because she saw Balto, fall over the edge of the waterfall.

Aniu was suddenly slapped across the muzzle, lightly and she rolled over. She looked up to see Snow Cloud looking at her. “You had one of those again didn’t you?” she said. Aniu nodded, tears gathering in her eyes. This made Snow Cloud worried. “What did you see?” “I saw my only son, falling off Wolf Howl Waterfall,” she replied her voice cracking a little. Snow Cloud was shocked at this, never had Aniu ever foreseen anyone die. But this was a little too much. Her only son.

Iron entered Steele’s mind again. “Son,” he called. He heard Steele’s running paws coming to him. “Yes father?” “Why