Balto and Steele: You should known

Balto, Steele, Aniu (c) Universal studios

Steele grinned as Balto’s body hit the boulder again. ‘Twas piece of luck he caught Balto alone, roaming near Nome. He came near and laughed.

“You ruined my life, mutt, and now you are going to pay for this...”

Balto felt terribly weak. Steele beated him hard and he had no strenght left.

“Steele...” he whispered. But no... He won’t beg! No need for begging...

Steele kicked him in the tummy. Balto yelped...

“You will die now... do you get it?” Steele growled as he didn’t hear any words of begging from Balto.

“I am... I am not afraid of death, Steele...” Balto’s voice faded out. And Steele shouted:

“I will make you suffer, then!”

Steele was ready to deliver another blow in Balto’s body when white wolf ascended behind Balto. Steele stopped in amazement.

“Stop doing that, Steele...” Aniu whispered and Steele really stopped, maybe for her voice was silent but powerful.

She looked at her son and nuzzled him. “You will be allright, Balto...”

But Steele’s shock was soon replaced by the anger. “Who the hell are you? Friend of this mutt? Stand aside or I will kill you too!”

Aniu shook her white head. “No, Steele... You won’t.”

“AND WHY DO YOU THINK SO??!!!” Steele shouted.

“Because there is something you should know...” Aniu said firmly.

“I AM NOT INTERESTED IN-“

“But you are.” Aniu interrupted him. And it wasn’t convincing but direct order.

Steele’s body acted in completely different way than his head wanted. He sat down but shivering with anger. Aniu gave all her attention to Balto, who stood up slowly.

His wounds weren’t as deep as he thought. Steele didn’t want to kill him quickly.

“Behold... you wanted to shed blood, but the only blood you shed was yours, Steele...”

“WHAT?” Steele shouted, “I JUST-“

“As I said, there is something you two should know...” Aniu sighed.

“His blood... my blood...” Balto whispered, “But... that cannot be!” he yelped then.

Aniu looked at them: “It can... Steele, Balto... you have one parent in common...”

“WHAT!?” Steele and Balto shouted at the same moment.

Aniu nodded. “I know your father. He was purebred husky, sledge dog, one of the best but one day he got lost in snowstorm and I found him lying half dead near my den. I took him in and... We instantly fell for eachother.” She glanced at Steele. “You look like him a little bit, Steele. He had the same markings as you have, but he was thinner and not so muscular.”

Steele scowled. He didn’t believe that story, but Balto seemed he did.

“He stayed with me till born of you, Balto... but then he left and I have never seen him again...” Aniu sighed. “But before he left, he told me a lot about his life.

He was the lead dog and you could say he was ideal leader. His teammembers trusted him and loved him, because he never let them down or in troubles. And because he was so good, his master mated him with one husky your father knew well. And... They had only one pup...”

Aniu looked at Steele.

“Me?” asked he, but he didn’t believe it at all. Aniu nodded and continued.

“And one day, he and his team got lost in snowstorm... They thought he was dead; they were searching for him, but gave up quickly. And the rest you know.”

Balto’s look slipped down to the ground and after a while he asked: “What was he like?”

Aniu expected something like this. “He was loyal, unselfish and willing to help everybody. His heart was opened to everybody who needed it and he claimed everybody should get even the third chance. Like you, Balto. But sometimes he was little big headed and determined to achieve his goals at all costs. Sounds familiar, Steele, no?”

Steele smirked. “So, do you want me to believe I inherited all these bad ‘qualities’? Don’t waste your breath, ‘cause I don’t believe you a word...”

“No... You inherited his strenght and speed, while Balto got his loyalty, love for the others and modesty... and that doesn’t mean you can’t be the same as he was, Steele.”

Balto looked at Steele: “She is right, Steele...”

“Well... I am not so sure!” Black and white husky smirked. Aniu didn’t say a word, came near him and whispered. “Your first word was dad... he called you my Steely and you loved chewing his front left paw. And your favourite toy was his collar. Or do you want me to say more?”

Steele wanted to oppose, but something inside his head told him it wouldn’t be the best thing. Not arguing with this white wolf.

“So... I guess... I am Balto’s step-brother.”

“You’ve said it, Steele.”

“And now... try to be like your father.” Aniu smiled. Steele sighed. Like his father.

“I am sorry, Balto... I acted like fool. I was just full of myself and I didn’t take care about the others. Can you forgive me?”

Aniu smiled and nodded at Balto, who knew what she wanted to hear. “I forgive you, brother, you deserve second chance.”

His wolfish eyes met Steele’s blue ones. “Brother...” Steele whispered.

Jenna was waiting for Balto. To be exact, she was really nervous. He left long time ago and he didn’t say why. She waited outside the house she lived in. And suddenly she saw two familiar shapes in distance. One was Balto, she was sure. And second... Steele.

But this time it appeared they weren’t fighting each other, but they acted completely different.

When they came nearer, Jenna noticed something big happened.

“Jenna... I want introduce you to my step-brother.” Balto smiled.

“What?” Jenna yelped. Now she thought Balto lost his mind, but... no. That wasn’t joke. That wasn’t Balto’s style.

“Jenna... he is right.” Steele said as he saw her doubts. “We were surprised, too. And... I want to apologize for being like I used to be.” Jenna glanced at Balto, who nodded slightly and replied: “You made mistakes, Steele, but who didn’t? I hope we can be friends, despite all what happened.”
 

Evening came. Balto and Steele, once enemies, now were sitting in front of the boiler room.

“Heh, silly... I tried to kill you in the morning and then she told me you were my brother, Balto... this day was really weird. If I knew you were my brother before, then-”

Balto nodded. “It was. It’s all right. But still I can’t realize I have older sibling.”

“You are my little brother and I won’t let anyone hurt you, okay?” Steele winked.

“And you are the big one.” Balto grinned.

Once enemies... now brothers. Aniu smiled. It was something they should have known. And they knew it now...

The end...