reaching into his jacket with his muzzle, before pulling out a collar with his teeth. He dropped it onto the floor.

"It's a collar" Jewel replied, her smile evaporating into a look of confusion and wariness.

"Look closer" he replied, a smile tugging at the sides of his mouth.

Jewel bent her head down and examined the collar. As she looked closer, she saw that the strap had been bitten through, and there was dried blood round the band. The silver tag read 'Lorenzo'.

"Whos Lorenzo?" she asked, beginning to feel nervous. He smiled at her, but it was a cruel smile.

"The last person who was unfortunate enough to make the acquaintance of Frost" he replied, before suddenly lashing out and pinning her to the floor.

Jewel struggled under his weight, his grip tightening round her throat "What are you doing? Stop!" she pleaded.

He smirked at her "Poor girl" he whispered, his lips parting to reveal his teeth. Jewel stared wide eyed at them. They were razor sharp.

Before she could react, he lunged down and tore at her throat. Blood spurted from the wound, spraying over his face. He looked into her terrified eyes, and supressed a laugh.

"Here's a tip Jewel. Never go off with strange dogs" he started to laugh, unable to get anything else out.

After a few minutes, Jewel's head sagged, her breathing stopped, and her face permanently frozen in a mask of horror. Frost got to his feet, and looked round the alley. He spotted a water barrel, and using his teeth dragged Jewel's body towards it. Without a seconds pause, he lifted her up and shoved her head first into it.

"I like to keep things tidy" he sniggered, wiping the blood from his muzzle. He took a last look at the barrel, before padding out of the alley. His laughter continued as he disappeared into the swirling mist of snow.

--------------------------------------------

It was the next day, and Balto was padding through Nome, Toby at his side. The little pup was attempting to keep pace with Balto's larger stride, and Balto slowed down to allow him to catch up.

"Sorry. Short legs aren't much use for walking" Toby chuckled.

Balto smiled "It's okay. At least I can say that I'm not letting you out of my sight"

Jenna had asked him to keep an eye on Toby for a while she visited Dusty. They hadn't spoken much since getting back to town, and Balto was positive that the two females would make the most of each others company with gossip. Plus, it gave him the chance to talk to Toby.

"So, Balto?" Toby asked, as they past the hardware store.

"Yeah kid?" Balto replied.

"Tell me something. What's it like being a big shot around here, huh? Must be pretty good!"

Balto chuckled and rolled his eyes "It gets tiring, especially due to the fact that I don't really consider myself a hero"

"What!?" Toby exclaimed. "But you are a hero! Everyone's heard about you and what you did! How can you not consider yourself a hero?"

Balto looked at Toby and smiled "I just did what had to be done. Anyone else in my position would have done the same thing"

Toby scoffed "Yeah right! You are way to modest!"

Balto chuckled. He was really enjoying Toby's company. Even if it would only be for a few days.

"Thanks kid. Come on then"

They walked past the large barn where the sled teams congregated upon arrival into Nome. Balto smiled as he saw some familiar faces, and couldn't shake the feeling of others casting awe-inspired glances at him. Toby noticed.

"See! I told you your famous Balto! They're not all looking at my pretty face!" the pup laughed.

Balto smiled at the comment, as he walked up to a group of dogs that were hanging around the barn.

"Hi guys" he said.

"Balto" the three dogs replied. Kirby, Ralph, and another dog whose name was Louis, all smiled as Balto and Toby approached.

"Hows it going?" Balto asked. Ralph grimaced.

"Painful. I'm still recovering from yesterdays back breaking labour!"

Kirby rolled his eyes "Ralph, it was a few extra bags of mail. It wasn't as if we were dragging an entire bush plane!"

"Felt like it" Ralph muttered, to the amusement of the others.

"Hey Balto, who's the little guy?" Kirby gestured to Toby.

"Guys," Balto said. "This is Toby. He's staying with us for a few days"

The three dogs smiled at Toby "Nice to meet you kid"

Balto gestured to each dog in turn "Toby, this is Kirby, the team leader of the mail team"

"Former leader" the stocky brown husky replied. "Thats how I've felt lately, what with your son becoming more and more comfortable in front"

"You gotta admit though Kirby," Louis remarked. "That we are running a lot faster ever since Kodi started running front" he smirked.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Kirby replied, faking a hurtful expression.

"Nothing Kirby" Ralph replied, suppressing a laugh "Nothing at all"

Balto laughed as he introduced Ralph and Louis to Toby. The pup noticed a spare harness hung on the wall, and gestured to it.

"What do those things feel like when your pulling a sled?" he asked.

"Why don't you try it on and see for yourself" Kirby said, padding over and pulling the harness off the wall. He held it up with his teeth as Toby slipped into it. It hung off him comically, several sizes too big.

"Nice. Just needs taking in a bit" he chuckled, shaking himself out of the harness. The others laughed at his comment.

"Maybe when your a bit older we'll give you a proper tryout" Ralph said. Toby wagged his tail.

"Really? That would be so cool!" the pup replied.

The two of them walked away a few moments later, Toby still in an exciteable mood.

"Blimey! Me on a sled team! Can you imagine that?" the pup said happily, tail wagging.

Balto smiled at the young dog "Easy Toby. Your still young yet. There's plenty of time to think about sledding"

Toby ran in front of Balto "Hey, will you teach me how to run until then? Teach me all the techniques?"

Balto stopped walking "Will you still be around by then? I was under the impression you'd want to move on"

Toby shrugged "Maybe. I've not decided yet"

Balto nodded "Okay"

He started walking again, and then turned back to face the pup.

"By the way. I'd be happy to teach you" he smiled.

Toby wagged his tail happily as he and Balto resumed walking.

--------------------------------------------

"So, how have you been Dusty? Being away from the team for so long" Jenna asked.

Dusty sighed, a small smile on her face "It's be okay, I guess. But I really want to be back out there Jenna, running with the others. I'm not used to being cooped up for so long"

"Don't worry," Jenna said. "You'll be back on the team soon. You've made a really good recovery according to Kodi"

Dusty smiled, a faint blush on her cheeks "He's been talking about me then?"

"None stop" Jenna laughed.

Dusty sighed "Oh well, at least I know he cares about me" she chuckled.

"That's an understatement" Jenna thought. She knew for a fact Kodi was besotted with Dusty, judging by how much he had talked about her ever since they had gotten back from the cave. And, Jenna was certain, it wouldn't be long before pups were on the cards.

"So, who's been my replacement?" Dusty asked.

"A dog called Louis" Jenna replied. "You'll like him, he's a good laugh according to Kod"

"Great" Dusty rolled her eyes. "Another joker on the team! Just what I need!" she smiled.

The two females chuckled at the joke, before Dusty suddenly went serious.

"Jenna, can I ask you something?"

Jenna nodded "Of course Dusty. What is it?"

"Well...I...uh...It's just..." Dusty stuttered, furrowing her paws nervously.

"Dusty, just tell me what you want to say" Jenna said.

"Well..." Dusty began. "It's about Kodi and me"

"Yes, what about it? Is there something wrong?" Jenna asked, concern beginning to creep into her voice.

"No, far from it" Dusty smiled. "Kodi's the most wonderful dog I've ever met. And that's why I wanted to ask you about..." she faltered.

Jenna smiled. She knew what was coming next.

"Pups" Dusty finished. Jenna beamed.

"I say yes" she smiled. Dusty looked at her in surprise.

"You do?"

Jenna nodded "Absolutely. You two are made for each other, I knew that from the moment I first saw you together on that sled team. And if you both think your ready, you have my blessing"

Dusty smiled warmly "Thank you Jenna. Thank you so much"

"Should I ask Kodi to come over?" Jenna asked. Dusty nodded.

"Please. I can't wait to tell him!" she said, smiling warmly.

Jenna nodded, before padding out of the house and into the street. Inside, Dusty lay down, a single tear rolling down her cheek, her smile never wavering.

"I can't wait to tell you Kodi" she said quietly.

--------------------------------------------

Balto and Toby were sitting opposite the butchers, a few scraps of meat on the floor where they were sat. It hadn't taken much persuading on Balto's part before the butcher had laid out a few juicy slices of meat, which he and Toby had eaten hungrily.

"I guess being famous has its

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