Two Side’s to Every Story

By Highland Wolf

Balto and all the characters

 are © Universal Studios

 Kari, Shadow, Sasha and Jess are characters belonging to Highland Wolf, ONLY!

Do not use without permission!

 Chapter 1  The Dog Show

Kodi and Kari gazed up at Balto as he told them the story of how he saved Nome. They were listening closely to his every word. They had longed to hear it, and Balto had finally agreed to tell them the whole story.

“So when I arrived back, I was just in time…” Balto said, beginning to end his story. Jenna was sitting next to him. They were in Jenna’s living room and the fire was burning bright, crackling and snapping. “And all the children of Nome, including my girl, were saved because of your dad,” Jenna said after him, and then smiled at Balto, who was looking a little embarrassed. “Wow, dad! What a cool story!” Kodi said.

“Yea!” Kari said, “One thing though, what happened to Steele after you brought the medicine back?” Jenna couldn’t help but laugh a little. She hated Steele more than anyone and was glad what had happened to him.

“Steele? Well, he left town. The musher’s found him no good anymore. He had ‘lost his edge’ as they said. Steele left Nome to go live in Anchorage. Not sure what happened to him after that. Probably became somebody’s pet,” Balto told them, and couldn’t help laugh a little himself. Kodi and Kari laughed too.

“That showed him, eh?” Kodi laughed.

Balto looked out the window, and saw the sun rising up. It was early morning; Kodi and Kari had woken them up extremely early, just to hear the story before they had to start work.

“You better go, you two. Kodi your gonna be late for the mail run,” Balto said to them. Kodi nodded then stood up, along with Kari after him.

“Have a good day you two! And good luck, Kari!” Jenna called as she walked over to the door.

“Thanks mom!” Kari shouted back.

“Don’t worry, we won’t be a second late to come and see you win the grand prize!” Balto called over too her. Kari blushed, then walked out the door with Kodi. Jenna laughed then snuggled up to Balto. Balto smiled down at her.

“Good luck, Kari! It’s too bad I won’t be able to see you today,” Kodi said as they walked through the snow in the centre of Nome.

“That’s ok, Kodi. I understand,” Kari smiled at him.

“Anyway, I better go over to the team. It’s nearly time to set off. See you later Kari!” Kodi said, then ran over to the post office. The team greeted him, as he got strapped up. “Your late today, Kodi!” Kirby said a little annoyed,

“We’ve been waiting for you!”

“Hey, cut him some slack will ya guys! He’s the best one on the team!” Dusty said to Kirby and Ralph. Kodi smiled at her, and Dusty looked at him and smiled back. The musher called and the team were off at full speed with the mail.

Kari walked along the streets. She saw Jess, one of her best friends, trotted over to her, and Sasha from the other side. Jess was the daughter of Dixie, one of her mom’s friends, and Sasha just moved to Nome a couple of years ago. Neither were huskies, but they were both show dogs and have been friends with Kari ever since she joined the Show Dog Club of Nome.

“Hey, Kari! Excited about the big day, are we?” Sasha said.

“Well, yea! I guess I am! Nervous too…” Kari answered back.

Jess laughed, “That’s normal, sweetie! All starter show dogs get that on their first competition! Soon you will be fearless, like me!” Sasha laughed at her,

“You?! You can’t go up on stage without your knee’s knocking, please! Don’t tell me your fearless because that is so not true!” Jess gave Sasha and angry look and was about to burst out in rage, but Kari began to speak before she could say anything.

“But, girls, I’m really nervous! There are dogs all the way from Anchorage in this competition, how can I compete against such champions?”

“Don’t worry so much Kari! It will show up on stage and you do not want that, let me tell you. A nervous dog, is not a beautiful dog,”

"Yea, just do your best, sweetie! They are gonna love you!” Jess added in.

“Really? Do you think they will?” Kari said, feeling a little better.

“Oh, yea! Of course! Believe me, Kari. Have I been around champions, or have been around champions? And I know! That you can make it,”

Kari smiled and felt a little better. They walked into the dog salon and the bell above the door rang out. Kari trotted in, holding her head high, trying to make a good impression on the people. She was taken over to a bath and placed in. Kari was drenched with icy cold water, but was able to keep a straight face. Shampoo was rubbed into her fur and washed out with water. The same happed to Jess and Sasha. They were put in tubs right next to her.

“I wish they didn’t have to have the water soooo cold!” Kari shivered. She has had baths for months now, but never really said what she thought of them. It was her nerves that were acting up on her.

“You’ll get used to it, sweetie,” Jess said. She was managing to still look smart when she was getting water plunged over her head. Unlike Kari, who couldn’t look more unhappy. She usually didn’t mind the cold water. She was just so anxious.

 “Hey, looks like we got here early today, eh Kodi?” Dusty panted once they had reached White Mountain. “Yea! We’re getting better…” Kodi said, “And faster!”

“Yea well, I’ve been working really hard lately,” Kirby said.

“No you haven’t!” Ralph laughed mockingly, “You’re the one slowing us down!”

“You can talk can’t you, Ralph!” Kirby barked angrily. Dusty and Kodi rolled their eyes. “I can see another argument coming on,” Kodi sighed and Dusty laughed. But they didn’t have long to argue. The musher got back with a new bag of mail, placed it onto the sled then shouted to the team. Kodi barked, then set off along with the rest of the team, at full speed out of White Mountain.

“We will have to get home even quicker, now!” Kodi laughed. Dusty laughed too. They ran through deep snow howling. Kodi suddenly felt a tug from behind him and he tripped over backwards unexpectedly. Kirby was yanked back as well and the whole team fell in a muddle.

“Ralph!” Dusty shouted angrily.

“Sorry, Dusty,” Ralph said. Ralph had accidentally knocked into Dusty and with his weight and strength, forced her to fall to the ground.

“Dusty! Are you alright?” Kodi asked as he helped her get back onto her feet.

“Yea,” She said then looked at Ralph crossly and said in a sarcastic-angry way, “I’m fine!” Kirby looked at Ralph and began to shout at him, starting another argument. “You guys! Come’on! This is no time to argue!” Kodi shouted over their voices.

“Yea, what is it with you too lately?” Dusty asked, “You’ve been arguing so much!”

Kodi looked back at Dusty, “You sure, your alright?”

“No, really. I’m fine, Kodi,” Dusty smiled at him, “Let’s get moving shall we!”

Kodi barked with excitement and the team straightened out and set off again, back on their way to Nome.

 Jenna and Balto walked towards the dog salon. They decided to wish Kari good luck before she went out on stage. The bell on the top of the door case rang as they pushed in open. Kari looked over at them, and her face lit up. Kari’s fur was being brushed carefully and delicately, and bows were put in her fur. Jenna smiled and looked astonished at how beautiful her daughter was looking. Her fur was silky and smooth, and glistened in the light.

“Uh, Jenna?” Balto said as he saw Jenna in a daydream.

“Huh…” Jenna said, “Oh! Right. Good Luck Kari! We will see you soon!” Kari smiled at them, and Jenna and Balto left the salon.

"She looks so beautiful, Balto,” Jenna said.

“I know,” Balto said back, “Just like you,” Jenna blushed then nuzzled into Balto.

“Come on then, Jenna,” Balto said, “It’s nearly time for the show,”

 “Are you ready, Kari?” Jess yapped excitedly as she waited for Kari too appear from the curtain that hid her. Kari paced out and Jess and Sasha gasped.

“Oh my goodness gracious me, you look stunning Kari!” Sasha said to her.

“Oh, sweetie! You so have it in you! Beauty is in your blood, just like me…” Jess said. Sasha gave a laugh and Jess gave her another look telling her, don’t start! Sasha and Jess immediately forgot the subject and gazed back at Kari.

“You look lovely, Kari! Your gonna steal the show!” Sasha said and Jess nodded. Kari was glad to hear their compliments, but she was still rather shy.

“Remember, Kari! A nervous dog, is not a beautiful dog!” Jess said. Kari nodded, and lit up her face and smiled.

“Much better,” Sasha said. Kari heard her name called and knew it was time for the show. “Good luck, Kari!” Sasha and Jess shouted as she walked out of the back door. A tent sort-of thing was set up behind the stage for the dogs to sit and wait till it was