gradually, downwards.  As he did, he reached across and grabbed hold of Belle by the scruff of the neck.  Just as he grabbed her, the prominence gave way.  They began to free fall together.  Realizing he only had seconds, Togo tossed Belle, with what strength remained in him, in the direction of Balto and Dingo. 

Belle sailed down towards Balto, who leapt up and caught her gently in his jaws, and tumbled down into the snow around them.  Dingo turned to follow, and sniffed around at the hole in a large snow drift Balto and Belle had created when they tumbled into it.  He began digging at the snow, and found Balto laying on his back, with Belle overturned on his belly.

They each got back onto their feet, and cleared the snow.  As they did, Balto shook the snow off of his fur, and took a look around.  “Togo?” he called.  There was no response.

Balto and Dingo began searching around the immediate area while Belle lay recovering from the emotional ordeal.  It took a few minutes, but Dingo was the first to find him.

“Dad?  Over here…”

Balto turned.  He heard Dingo’s voice…the graveness in it.  Swallowing hard, and feeling his heart sink, he rushed to join him.

He found Dingo standing over Togo, who was down on his side.  His breathing was shallow, but he was not moving otherwise.  “Togo…?”

Togo opened his eyes but, without moving his head, looked up at Balto.  “Belle?”

“She’s alright, uncle Togo, thanks to you…” Dingo replied softly.

“That’s good.”  Togo grunted as his body quaked with painful spasms, and momentarily shut his eyes.

Balto leaned down to him, and spoke softly.  “Thank you, Togo.  You saved her life.”

Togo managed a weak smile.  He looked up again at Balto.  “You’ve been a good friend, Balto.  As good as anyone could have.”  Togo then turned his eyes to Dingo.  “Dingo, you’re a good father, and you’ve got a good girl there.  She reminds me a lot…”  He winced in response to a sharp pain, and then continued.  “…a lot of myself when I was her age.”

Dingo looked at Balto…there were tears in his eyes.  “Can’t we do something for him?”

Balto shook his head grimly.  “I don’t think so.”

Belle came walking up to her father, and suddenly realized what was happening.  She began to sob.  

“Hey, you three…no tears”, Togo replied.  “I’ll see you again…someday.  Look to the Northern Lights…I’ll be there, looking back!”

Togo felt another spasm of pain, and he winced in response.  Balto looked over sadly at Dingo and, without exchanging any words, conveyed his message. 

“Come on, Belle” Dingo said.  Let’s go.”

Belle looked up at her father sadly, and then rushed over to Togo, and gently nuzzled him for a long moment.  “Goodbye, uncle” she sobbed.  Getting up slowly, she joined her father, and they began their walk back to town.

Balto watched them go, and then lay down in front of Togo.  “I’m gonna miss you, old friend…”  His voice broke on the words, and tears continued to fall from his eyes.

For a few minutes, they lay in silence.  And then Togo’s breathing became labored.  “Balto…” he said weakly.

“Yes?” Balto replied.

“It’s…it’s been…a good…run.”

With that, the great hero exhaled his last breath. 

For the first time in as long as he could remember, Balto sobbed openly.  After a short time, he sat up, turned his head to the sky, and let loose a long, mournful howl, which was heard even in Nome.

For a long time, Balto lay beside the body of his friend.  At long last, the sun began to dip down onto the western horizon, casting the sky into a canvas of bright colors…orange and pink, deep purple and dark blue.

Rising slowly, Balto nuzzled Togo’s body, and then began the walk back towards town.  He turned for one last look, and then continued on down the mountain. 

And from the heights, on Anvil Rock, Aniu, the white wolf, stood proudly.  She turned her head to look back behind her just as Togo came up alongside and smiled.  Together, they watched Balto go.  And then, in unison, they turned, and began to walk off.  A breeze swirled around them, and then they were gone.

The End.