My first ever Balto fanfic. Critiques appreciated. Enjoy^^ Check out Raider in My gallery ^_^
Balto IV: Return of Father
Robert Claiborne threw a huge bundle of clothes into a leather suitcase. He snapped it shut and set it aside. Raider, a big dark brown husky with a golden undercoat watched his master intently. Boxes that held the family’s belongings were stacked against the wall. Robert’s wife, Lucinda, entered the tiny New York apartment; her long red hair tied back with a bow. A young man, about 11, followed closely behind her.
"Jimmy, grab those boxes and put them in the car. If we miss our train, I’ll have you walk all the way to Alaska." The lady demanded.
"Yes, Aunt Lucy." The boy agreed respectfully, grabbing the boxes and heading out the door.
Lucinda turned abruptly, nearly stepping on Raider’s paw. She glared at the dog for a moment before walking around him.
"Let’s go, Robert!" Lucinda called. "The train won’t wait on your account."
Robert left the back room with a few suitcases. He dropped them to the floor and lovingly grabbed his wife.
"Isn’t it exciting, Lucy? We’re on our way to the Yukon to live a new, wild life!"
Lucinda pulled away from her husband.
"This isn’t an adventure, Robert! This is so we can finally make money on that sled dog of yours. Once we make enough, I want to move to California."
"Where’s your sense of adventure?"
"Back at my father’s thoroughbred ranch." Her eyes wandered to the open door where she noticed Jimmy fumbling with one of the suitcases. "Jimmy! Watch what you’re doing!" She turned back to her husband. "Honestly, Robert, I don’t know why we must bring that moron nephew of yours with us."
"Now, Lucinda. My sister was nice enough to give us loan to make this move. The least we can do is take in her son while she’s in Europe."
Lucinda gave a grunt, then walked outside. Robert squatted to the floor where his faithful dog sat watching him. The man gently stroked Raider’s head.
"Well, boy. This is it. You’ve been such a good boy here in New York; winning all those shows and becoming a champion. Now, you’re going to learn how to pull a sled in Alaska and you’ll be a real big stud there. Would you like that, boy? Making pups with all the pretty lady huskies? Who knows? You may even see a wolf!"
Raider barked excitedly, wagging his tail.
"That’s my boy! C’mon!" Robert got to his feet. "Let’s go have an adventure!"
That said, the man and his dog left their New York apartment for a new, richer life in the wilds of Alaska.
5 Years Later
The warm sun shone brightly over the abandoned, wrecked ship. Balto opened his sleepy eyes only to squint them from the blinding sun. He turned his head towards the shadows and yawned. The sound of webbed feet slapping against the floorboards brought his head up.
"Boris?" He murmured sleepily.
"Good morning, boy-chick!"
"Oh, I’m not up yet." Balto said with another yawn. "I just heard you walking around, that’s all."
"Vell, I’ll leave you to sleep then." Boris said as he left the boat.
"Where are you going?" Balto asked, sitting upright.
"Uh…to visit…vith Jenna." The old goose stammered out.
"Oh." Balto groaned, lying back down. "Send her my love, then."
"Vill do." Boris called as he disappeared from the ship.
With another lazy yawn, Balto lay his head between his paws and fell asleep.
The town was busy that morning. People lined the train tracks, waiting. Sled dogs paced wildly, excited from the hustle and bustle their owners were making. Boris picked his way between dogs and stomping feet. He stopped and scanned his surroundings. He spotted Jenna among the large crowd. He called to her, waving his wings frantically. Jenna spotted him and barked playfully. He waddled over to join her.
"Vhat’s vith the mob? Royalty coming into town or vhat?" Boris asked, confused.
"Everyone’s excited about the return of a champion sled dog. Apparently, it was stolen 5 years ago."
"You don’t say?" Boris asked nervously. "I didn’t know his return vas a public affair."
"His"? Jenna asked. "You know him then?"
Boris laughed uneasily. "Know him? Vhy vould I know him?"
Jenna looked at Boris suspiciously.
"Uh, I gotta go!" Boris suddenly shouted. "Balto sends his love!" He called, then turned and ran off.
"But, Boris!" Jenna called in vain.
A huge train pulled up in front of the crowd slowly. The husky brought her attention to the massive locomotive, which hissed as it came to a complete stop. The doors opened. Everyone was silent as a massive, handsome husky stepped onto the snow. He had a serious look on his face; almost angry. He looked over the huge crowd as if he were looking for something. His owners stepped off the train, tightly holding an extendable leash. The large dog made his way towards the edge of the crowd. He eyed the dogs in the group. He walked down the sides of the mob, staring down every dog he came across. He stopped in front of Jenna. He slowly brought his face down to hers and sniffed. Jenna stood perfectly still. The dog backed away, keeping his eyes dead set on hers. He furrowed his brow, causing his stare to become intense and icy. Jenna was now frozen with fear. His eyes went through her like daggers. She brought her ears back and lowered her head in submission.
"Dog." The beastly animal growled under his breath before walking away.
It took the red husky several moments before she could move again. She watched as he and his owners mounted a large sled. The man holding the leash threw his hands into the air.
"CT’s Raider of the Lost Arc has returned!" He shouted gleefully before the sled took off down a road.
The crown went wild. The dogs yipped in excitement. Jenna just watched as the sled got further away. Once it was out of sight, the crowd broke up and everyone went about their daily lives. Everyone except Jenna. Her mind raced. Who was that dog? Why did he immediately go to her? Why did he take an instant dislike of her; what did her being a dog have to do with his rage? Jenna had a feeling these questions could only be answered by one person; Boris.
The dog dismounted the sled and followed his owners to their home. The man’s wife stopped him at the door.
"No dogs in the house, Robert." She snapped.
"Oh, come on Lucy. He’s been gone for 5 years! Let him in, just for tonight? Please?"
"I don’t care if he’s been gone for 10 years. Dogs sleep outside. Keep fussing about it and you’ll be joining him."
That said, the woman entered the house. Robert sighed heavily and kneeled down. He stroked the dog’s ears and face.
"It’s okay, Raider. I missed you, boy."
The dog unenthusiastically wagged his tail. After a few more strokes, the man went inside the house. Raider lay down on the porch, his head between his paws. He let out a great sigh. The breeze was brisk and nippy as it blew over the powdery snowdrifts. A wolf howl echoed in the distance, causing Raider to shudder inside.
"Aniu…" He whispered softly, closing his emerald green eyes.
After the train stopped in Anchorage, a man and his dog team met the family.
"You the Claiborne’s?" He asked in a gruff voice.
"We sure are!" Robert answered in a friendly tone. "You must be our ride to Nome."
"That’s what you’re paying me for." The man answered, eyeing Lucinda.
While the family packed their belongings on the sled, Raider walked over to the other dogs. A female husky wagged her tail at him.
"Hello, handsome!" She said, her voice old and cracked. "New in town?"
"Yes, I am." Raider said with a smile. "Name’s Raider. Just got here from the big city."
"Ooh, a city boy. Hope you can make it out here. I’m Zsa Zsa, by the way."
"Why wouldn’t I be able to make it out here? I’m a husky just like you."
"Ya hear that, fellas?" The lead dog snapped. "He thinks he could make it
Out here because he’s a husky!"
The other dogs laughed hysterically at Raider’s ignorance.
"Listen, Sport," The lead dog continued. "Breed ain’t got nothin’ to do with survival out here. You gotta be smart and quick to react to danger. Otherwise, the wolves will getcha."
"Wolves?" Raider perked up his ears. "You mean I’ll get to see a wolf?"
Again, the dogs laughed.
"Keep acting the way you do, Tiger, and you’ll see a lot more wolves then you hoped for." One of the wheeler dogs teased.
Robert walked over to the dogs and hugged Raider.
"See what they’re doing, boy? You’ll be pulling a sled like them very soon!"
Raider smiled and rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, that’s what he thinks." He thought to himself as his owner lead him up onto the sled.
"MUSH!" The old man shouted, cracking a whip.
The team took lunged forward, knocking poor Jimmy off the back of the sled.
Raider’s eyes shot open suddenly when a familiar scent filled his nostrils. He lifted his head and scanned the horizon. The scent got closer. Raider stood up to get a better view. A large white thing was waddling towards him. The old dog wagged his tail.
"Boris!" He called excitedly.
As the thing got closer, it got larger. Raider squinted his eyes.
"Boris?" He called again.
The large white thing turned into two white things. Now cautious, Raider growled, his back fur standing up. He couldn’t understand why these things smelled like his old friend. Finally, it was clear what these creatures were; polar bears. One was quite large and the other was very small. Raider ceased his growling. The smaller bear approached him.
"Hello!" it said in a British accent. "My name’s Muk, and this is me best chum, Luk."
The larger bear didn’t speak, but rather hummed a greeting.
"Umm…Hello." Raider answered uneasily.
"Our Uncle Boris sent us down here to welcome you back to Nome!"
"Uncle Boris?" Raider questioned, more confused then ever.
"Yes. He also wanted us to let you know that Balto is alive and well."
Raider’s eyes shot open.
"Balto. My son…"
"Aye." Muk answered.
"Well, where is he? Take me to him!"
"Umm…that’s the other thing. You see, Uncle Boris told us not to tell you
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