snares came upon his neck. It was no use, they got him. They pulled him down some steps and towards the back of the truck. A familiar voice piped up in that Russian accent.

“Balto what is this!?”

“I don't know! Do something get me out!”

Boris saw the side of the truck and what it read. Boris shook his head at Balto.

“No can do Fido. I want you to live your life. These men are giving you an opportunity to do so.”

“What are you talking about?!”

“My English reading is a bit fuzzy but that truck says American Competitive Dog Sledding Team. You're going to relive the good old days again Balto.”

“But I don't want it start like this!”

“Goodbye Balto! I'll tell Jenna exactly where you went.”

Suddenly a thought just popped into Balto's head! Jenna of course! He was wondering if she was expecting again. He can't go now. What if Jenna was expecting? Those pups need raising! But it didn't matter. Balto was stuck into the back of the truck with 3 other dogs. He saw Nome shrinking in the distance getting smaller and smaller.

Chapter 3: Zak, Crimson, Tacoma

Balto turned away from the wire mesh window and saw the three other dogs in the back, all three were Siberian Huskies. One was all white, another a combination of black and white, and another with an auburn coat like Jenna's. All of them were built and large but young, no later than 3 years. Despite looking so macho they looked at Balto with admiration.

“So you're him. The dog that saved Nome.” awed the white husky. His bicolored eyes were wide in amazement.

“You're going to get lead dog so easy!” declared the auburn.

“You'll make the tryouts no sweat!” praised the black and white. Balto quickly snapped,

“Waitwaitwait... what's going on and who are you guys?” The white one spoke up,

“Oh sorry. My name is Zak, the red guy over here is Crimson for obvious reasons, and this guy in the black and white is Tacoma. All of us in this van have been hand selected to try out for the American sledding team. We will race against other dogs from all over the world! All three of us have been on the famous Golden Team at some point.” Balto gave a puzzled stare,

“The Golden Team?”

“It was the team with the most famous sledding dog in all of Alaska.” proudly said Zack

“You don't mean...”

“That's right! Steele!” exclaimed Crimson

“I'm sorry I shouldn't talk to you fellas.” said Balto, turning his back on them.

“Why not?” asked Tacoma

“Well... I'm the reason Steele... disappeared for awhile.” All the dogs gasped in surprise. They couldn't imagine that Balto was the reason for Steele's disappearance. Balto continued,

“Steele wasn't on good terms with me. He hated me for being half-wolf. When he got lost in the blizzard with the medicine, I went out looking him and the serum. Steele didn't want a wolfdog to be the hero. He abandoned his team and sabotaged the trail. By luck, I managed to find my way back home. Steele already made it home before us and told everyone there that the team that I was dead. Everyone found out Steele was lying when I showed up with the medicine and he was exiled. His master found him and took him away. That's the last I ever saw of him.” The other dogs were in shock. They looked up to Steele since they were pups. They had dreams that Steele would teach them everything he knew and train them to be the fastest and strongest dogs in the world. But now, Steele sounded like a glory hound who put the who town's children in jeopardy just for his reputation. It was silent for the rest of the trip.

Chapter 4: The Dream Team

The engine came to a quiet idle, and the vehicle ceased to move. The dogs woke up and waited for that door to open. The door opened up and the men yanked on the chains on the dogs' necks. They followed them into a building what looked to be a kennel. Inside there were many sled dogs of all breeds and sizes. Balto looked left and right and saw the eyes of awe come down on him. Balto knew he was a hero in Nome but he never knew he was a hero across the country. Balto was led into a cell of chain link fencing. There he heard a familiar voice that chilled him,

“It's a good thing that there's a fence between the two of us. I want to tear you apart.” Balto looked slowly to his right where that voice came from. There he saw that intimidating Alaskan Malamute stature. He also saw those two burning blue eyes shining right at him like beacons. Balto could sense hate from this dog and he knew exactly what dog it was and Balto couldn't believe it.

“But how? I thought you were long gone.”

“Wrong!” Steele growled, “I was locked up for two whole years. I was about to be put to sleep but I was put into this. I'm glad you're here Balto. Sometime at this camp when nobody is looking, my teeth will be around your neck. I will squeeze and will delightfully listen to your last gasps before I rip your neck out. I suggest you make some friends fast Balto.” Balto did not sleep that night.

In the morning the dogs were led out to the courtyard. It was late spring and there was little snow. The courtyard was filled with obstacles and other training equipment, with the purpose of finding the best of the best.

The humans grouped up the dogs and put them at the stations. Some were pulling heavy loads and others were doing simple sprints. Each time Balto did something, Steele tried to match it. The humans did every sort of test of speed, strength, and intelligence; they had to down to a science. Everyday the dogs were exhausted. The dogs that refused to work were washouts and sent home. Balto thought of quitting several times. He was brought to this forsaken place against his will, why should he stay? He can just lye down and he'll be back at his old boat. No! He must stay for his honor. He didn't want Steele to have dirt on him for being a quitter and he was doing this to be on the American team, to live an adventure one last time. Balto heard each human critique each dog,

“Crimson... well proportioned, decent all around... not to bright though. But I never see him fatigue. He stays”

“Chrysler... he might be bright but he gets tired way too easily. Have to let him go.” Then they came to Steele,

“Steele... He's not too fast but has a good resume as far as long distance racing. He's the strongest Malamute I've ever seen. Excellent work ethic with a go-get-em attitude; I like that. Has some intelligence. He stays.” Now it was Balto's turn,

“Balto... A wolf hybrid. Mushers in Alaska are finding that's a treat. He's a good example why. Balto is lightning quick and really smart. He lead a serum run with an unconscious musher in a storm, this shows he's exceptionally smart. He's not that strong but isn't weak either. He stays.” Every week was like this. The Humans handpicked the dogs to form a team. Within 6 weeks, the humans found a 12 dog team. There was anxiety to see what the line up will be. The humans had all 12 dogs in a line. A crowd of people were watching the ceremony. The President of the American Competitive Dog Sledding Team was there to announce the team, first the lead dog. Steele and Balto were next to each other, bickering,

“Balto, lead dog is mine! I've got more credentials than you!

“Please, your reputation is scarred from failing that serum run and I had to fix!”

“You're just a one hit wonder.”

“You lost your shine.”

“I'm still stronger.”

“I'm still faster.”

“I'm bigger.”

“I got the girl.”

“Dang!” The President is about to announce the lead dog. Snare drums started to rolled. Balto and Steele puffed up their chest in anticipation to be congratulated. The President opened the envolope.

“And the lead dog, of the American Competitive Dog Sledding Team, showed great athleticism, talent, determination, and intelligence. The assistants can tell that this dog will lead the team in any condition and will pull them through triumphantly. Now ladies and gentleman. The lead dog of the1928 American Competitive Dog Sledding Team, is... MAGNUM!” Balto and Steele's eyes popped wide open and jaws dangling. Who the heck is Magnum? There they saw, a towering Mackenzie River Husky, with flowing hair and huge victorious grin. This dog looked strong and and was even slightly bigger than Steele. Steele started to glare with rage,

“Magnum... I should've known.” Muttered Steele. Balto glanced over to Steele,

“You know him?”

“Balto, I must confess, I was born and raised in New England. I'm no Alaskan native. But there are trainers down in New England who train the best sledding dogs. Magnum and I were in the same class. We knew each other since we were pups. Magnum was always one step ahead of me, and I always came in second. Last I saw of him was when I was bought by my master and sent to Nome.” The Mackenzie just soaked in the the publicity, with the photographers and poses with the President. Balto personally loved this moment, as he watched Steele gaze with envy.

“Just a taste of your own medicine.” Balto thought.

The new team went into town. The dogs just realized they were in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska! A bigger city meant lots of things, like more food, more people to meet, more dogs to meet, and most importantly, more girls.

The musher found a motel and locked the team up in a shed where the dogs could sleep. This didn't bother them at all because, little did the musher know, that there was an entrance in and out. This is where the crew escaped to checkout the city. But they still made it back, before the musher woke up to check on them.

Out the dogs, all twelve, into the street. There was Magnum, Balto, Steele, Zak, Crimson, Tacoma, CJ, Paladin, Bandit, Magellan, Drake, and Ricky. CJ was a fully black Siberian with white legs. He was a quiet dog, but full of energy. Other dogs keep a distance because he has a flea problem. Paladin is another