back. "I'm going to be in last place."

"So what?"

"What do you mean so what?"

"Dad, even if you don't win, everyone will still like you. I promise. Your in no state to race!" Kodi yelled. "I don't want you to get hurt."

Balto looked at his son. Then at himself. His sides were dripping blood, and his ear was very sore. Then he collapsed.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes. I am. Kodi..." Balto said.

"Yeah?"

"Please get me some help son."

"Yes. I'm glad you see it my way." Kodi counldn't help but let out a small laugh at his own, small joke. "Okay! Here I do dad, hang in there, ok? I'll be right back!"

Kodi ran off. Moments later, he came back with Jenna, Dusty, Kirby, and two mushers. Balto was carried off the scene.

Balto injuries weren't bad. He was healed in no time. But, the race was postponed in the end. Steele was punished very throughly. He was shut outside for three days, and was excluded from the next race.

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One week later, Balto layed glumly next to Jenna in an old shed in town.

"What's wrong, Balto? You seem upset dear." Jenna said.

"Jenna...it's just...I don't know."

"It's about that race...isn't it?" Asked Jenna.

"Yeah...I could've done better."

"What do you mean? Steele cheated. It wasn't your fault, Balto."  

Balto didn't answer. He just thought about all this. He thought about how he had lost. How he had let Steele win. How Steele had gotten the better of him. He sighed.

But then, he thought about how his family still loved him. His friends still liked him. The crowd wasn't cheering for Steele, they were mad. He smiled at Jenna, and walked over. He nuzzled her affectionatly, and said:

"Yeah. You're right. I guess I really DID win in the end."

Jenna just smiled.