Scar of the Moon

A female wolfdog arrives in Nome with her owner. Some of the dogs are scared of her because of the moon-shaped scar she has on her eye. Kodi, however, doesn’t find her frightening. He tries to be friends with her. Soon, they might be more than just friends.

Author’s Note: I don’t own any of the characters of the three Balto movies. But the characters: Jake Silver, Ellie and others belong to me. Rated G.

Prologue:

The whistle blew; the train heading to Nome was ready to leave. Many people were anxiously grabbing their luggage and putting it into the baggage car. Young Jake Silver, however, didn’t really have any luggage. All he had was a big bag full of clothes, a pocket filled with only a little bit of money, and a beautiful wolfdog named Ellie. Jake made his way through the crowd of people to the baggage car, with Ellie by his side. Dogs were being put into crates, all barking of disliking it. Jake bent down to Ellie.

“I’m sorry, girl,” He said. “But you’re gonna have to be put into a crate.”

Ellie made a whining noise. Jake chuckled.

“I know,” He said. “I wouldn’t want to be stuck in a crate for three days either. But you’re gonna have to if we want to get out of here.”

Ellie nodded. Nothing would please her more than to leave Anchorage. She and Jake had nothing but bad memories there. All Jake wanted was to forget everything about it. But no matter how hard he tried. Jake would remember at least one bad thing. It was the scar Ellie has on her. It was a permanent reminder why they were leaving Anchorage. The scar was shaped like a cresent moon around her right eye. Jake would get a little angry every time he sees it.  It was caused by someone loaths the most...

“All right, Ellie,” He began. “Once we get to Nome, I’ll get a job. Save enough money. We’ll both be training on my free days. Then, before you know it, we’ll both have our dreams come true: I’ll finally be a musher and you’ll be my lead dog.”

Ellie put her two front paws on Jake and started licking him.

“Okay, Okay, Ellie.” Jake said, getting her off.

“ALL ABORD!” shouted the conductor.

“We better go now.” Jake said.

He hoisted Ellie into a crate. Ellie started barking. After a wave good-bye to Ellie, Jake made his way to the passenger car. Ellie made a little howl when he left. Once everybody was finally settled in, the train started to move. Jake looked out the window. He could see the town slowly disappearing - and now, only trees were passing by.

“I can’t believe it,” Jake said to himself. “We’re actually going.”

The memories he had of Anchorage were all behind him now. The train was going to take Jake to a place where him and Ellie are gonna have good and wonderful memories. Ellie was happy too. She kept howling happily, they are finally leaving Anchorage.

Nome

Balto was happily flying with Duke around town. The bush pilot was making some moves with his plane.

“How do you that, boy?” Duke asked Balto.

Balto barked, saying he likes it.

“Say, how about one more spin before we land?” Duke asked.

Balto barked again, meaning a yes.

“I thought so.” Duke said.

He circled the bush plane around the mountains. Then to a clear field. Then around the ocean. And to the town of Nome before landing the plane. Duke unbuckled his seatbelt and Balto’s. Balto got off the bush plan and barked happily to Duke.

“Same time tomorrow, boy?” Duke asked.

Balto barked again, meaning yes.

Duke gave him a thumb-up and went into town. Balto made his way to the old fishing boat which he calls it home. The sun was setting and thought he could take a nap before going to see Jenna. When he got to the old fishing boat, Balto wonder where Boris is. Then he realized that he must be out with his girlfriend, Stella. Balto walked into the steering room. There, he heard a voice.

“Hello Balto.”

Balto jumped. He heard the voice giggled. The voice then came from out of the shadows. It turns out to be Jenna.

“Jenna?” Balto said, half chuckling. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought for once I’ll come to see you.” Jenna said.

“Well, I was going to you, Jenna.” Balto said. “But I thought I’d get some rest first.”

Jenna giggled.

“Well, since I’m here.” She said. “Why won’t we go out now?”

Balto smirked.

“Anything you say.” He said.

They both walked out form the boat. It was now nightfall. Thousands of stars could be seen out in the clear spring sky, along with the full-moon. Balto and Jenna were walking along the beach.

“Isn’t it beautiful tonight, Balto?” Jenna asked.

“Yeah.” Balto said. “But not as beautiful as you.”

Jenna blushed and nuzzled against Balto’s head.

“You always have the right thing to say.” She said.

They continued walking along the beach. Then, they went into town. Balto saw that the new train station was finished.

“Looks like the first train to Nome will be here soon.” He said.

“In about three days.” Jenna said. “The first train will be from Anchorage.”

“Wow, I wonder how many people will come.” Balto said.

“Who knows?” Jenna said. “There might be lots of dogs coming too.”

“I sort of doubt a lot of people and dogs would come.” Balto said. “Nome is peaceful town. Nothing really special happens here.”

Jenna giggled.

“Well, that’s what I like about it.” She said.

“Yeah, me too.” Balto said.

Then they continued on.

Three days later, Balto woke up early that morning. He wanted to see the train full of people and dogs from Anchorage. Balto walked out from the old boat, on his way to the train station. A lot of people were waiting for the train to arrive. Balto saw that he wasn’t the only one. A couple of dogs were waiting as well. He even saw…

“Kodi, Dusty, Ralph, Kirby.” Balto said.

All four dogs looked at him.

“Oh, hey dad.” Kodi said.

“What are guys doing here?” Balto asked.

“We wanted to see the dogs from Anchorage.” Ralph said.

“Yeah, see if any of them are cute or not.” Dusty said.

“Besides, since its spring, we’re out of a job for a while.” Kirby said.

Kodi heard something.

“Did you guys hear that?” He asked. “I think it’s the train.”

Indeed it was. The train whistle was blowing as it was getting closer. All of the dogs tried to close their ears. It was loudest thing they ever heard. Once the train went to a complete stop, steam was coming out of it. It was also the dirtiest thing they ever smelled. Passengers were coming out. The Nome people were greeting the people from Anchorage. Soon, the baggage car door opened. People from Anchorage went to get their luggage. Balto could see some dogs inside.

“Hey, there they are.” He said.

Kodi and the others tried to look through the crowd.

“Where?” Kodi asked.

“There, I could see one coming.” Dusty said.

A male malamute with black and gray fur could be seen walking with his owner. Kodi and others went up close.

“Hello, welcome to Nome.” Ralph said.

The malamute just stared at him and left. Ralph gave a look.

“Well, he’s off my making-friends list.” He said.

“Forget about him.” Dusty said. “Looks there’s another one coming.”

A male husky with dark red and white fur was coming their way. He sort of looked like Kodi. The only difference was that the only thing that wasn’t red on face was his muzzle. Dusty tried this time.

“Hi, welcome to Nome.” She said.

The husky smiled at her.

“Why, thank you.” He said. “It’s good to see that the dogs in Nome are friendly.”

Dusty smiled.

“Well, let me introduce myself.” She said. “I’m Dusty. And these are my friends, Kodi, Ralph, and Kirby.”

“Please to meet you.” the husky said. “I’m Gabe.”

“Well, nice to meet you, Gabe.” Dusty said. “Say, would you like to hang out with us later on? We’ll show you around town, and get to know the dogs here.”

“Sure.” Gabe said. “My owner needs to settle in though. But I think I can see you guys.”

Gabe’s owner made a whistle, telling him to come on.

“I better go.” Gabe said. “Later, guys.”

As he left, Dusty grinned at Ralph.

“See, I had no trouble.” She said.

Ralph snorted.

“Well, that’s because you’re a girl.” He said. “I bet ya he wouldn’t be that nice if you were a guy.”

Dusty was about to say something. But Balto cut them off.

“That’s enough you two.” He said. “Look, there’s another dog coming.”

A young man who looked no older than 17 was getting a female dog out of a crate. Balto got a better look of the dog. He couldn’t believe it. It was actually a wolfdog. The wolfdog had beautiful silver and gray fur. The guys wanted to get close to the wolfdog, but stopped. The wolfdog had a scar on its right eye that was shaped like a half-moon. Ralph, Kirby, and Dusty got a little scared.

“What a creepy scar she has.” Ralph said.

“No kidding.” Kirby said.

“It makes her look a little…evil.” Dusty said.

Kodi didn’t say anything. He just stared at the wolfdog. As the wolfdog and her owner were leaving, Kodi went to greet her.

“Hi.” He said.

The wolfdog just stared at Kodi.

“Hello.” She said in a low voice.

“Wel… Welco… Welcome to…” Kodi shook head.

“Why cant’ I say it?” He thought. “It’s not that hard.”

The female wolfdog looked curiously at Kodi. Her owner whistled her to come on. With one more glance, the wolfdog followed her owner. Kodi tried to say something. But no words came out of his mouth. Balto, Ralph, Kirby, and Dusty went to him.

“What was that all about?” Dusty asked.

“I…I don’t know.” Kodi said. “For some reason, I couldn’t say anything.”

Balto looked at the female wolfdog and her owner.

“Well, looks like we have something new in town.” He thought.

The General Store

Edward Thomas, the owner and store clerk, was carrying a heavy bag full of beef jerky into his shop. The bag was far too heavy for the old man. He places the bag next to the counter.

“Good, now that just leaves three more bags.” He said.

Edward walks back outside to retrieve another bag. His back was starting to hurt.

“Damn…Jerky is just like whisky.” Edward said to himself. “Men gotta have it. If only I had some help