“Are you alright,” Shadow said, “can you walk?” “I think.. so,” she said. Then she started limping out of the cage. Jenna and Flash came back then, with a white wolf in tow. “Looks like you were right kid,” Kima said. Aleu just looked at Shadow and tried to smile, but it came out as kind of a half wince. “Let’s get out of here,” Flash said. “What about Balto and Timbre?” Jenna asked. “They’ll make it,” Flash said. “The important thing now is to get Aleu to safety,” Timbre said. “Yes let’s go,” Flash said. Shadow, Aleu and the rest of their little band had no problems getting outside. They led an extremely weak Aleu up to the hill, where most of the pack waited. Shadow helped Aleu lie down, then he turned to the pack. Suddenly they heard gunshots. The door to the shed exploded as Balto soared right through it, knocking it off of the wall! Balto, Dash and Thunder raced towards the hill. “Attack!” Shadow yelled. He led the charge against the barn. Balto turned around and he and Dash joined Shadow. Thunder kept running as hard as his legs could take him up the hill to where Aleu lay. The charging wolves poured into the Barn, at first the human’s held their ground, firing into the wolves. They hit a few, but the wolves soon overpowered them. The pack started to let the wolves in the cages go, and soon there were wolves everywhere. The humans began to run away as the mad wolves suddenly realized they were free, and the humans… the wolves took off after them. Most of the fighting was over when Shadow noticed Aleu walking through the wreckage that was the interior of the barn. She nearly tripped over a fallen pole and Shadow ran over to her. “What are you doing in here? You should be out there resting.” Shadow said. “I’ve… I’ve got to do something,” She said. She hobbled toward the treatment room. Amid all of the chaos, the sparking power lines and jagged pieces of wire from the cages. She stumbled through. Shadow followed her. She stopped when she reached the room. The net was there, as were the poles, though harmless now, she shivered. The Baseball bat and two by four were here as well. There was also a dead black wolf in the corner. “I’m sorry,” she said. Then she saw a lamp on the desk. She jumped up on the desk. She nearly fell off, but regained her footing. “Aleu, be careful,” Shadow said. She knocked over the lamp. It fell over and broke on the floor. The floor was awash in flames now. Aleu jumped down and limped over to Shadow. She turned back and saw the poles begin to melt. “Let’s get out of here,” Shadow said. The two of them left the barn, side by side. Behind them, the barn and cabin were engulfed in a massive fireball.

Aleu was limping up to the entrance to the cave, when she saw Aniak and… She tried to run, but fell down. She got up and watched her children run to her. “Mommy!” Lima yelled. “Mom you’re alright!” Sheik said. “Yes kids,” Aleu said as tears came to her eyes, “I’m fine.” “Are you hurt mommy,” Lima asked. Aleu smiled, “I’ll be fine,” she said. “Shadow walked up to her then. She got up and stood beside him. Then she whispered something in his ear. Shadow noded and Aleu turned her head to look behind her. “Thunder, Thunder come here,” she yelled. Thunder came running up through the pack. “These are my children Lima and Sheik,” she said. “Hello,” he said. “Kids,” Aleu said, “I want you to meet your new brother, Thunder.” “Brother?” Thunder asked. “Well,” Aleu said, “you’re too young to function in the pack just yet, so you can live with us.” “Really!” Thunder said, “Wow, that’d be so cool.” “Hey another brother,” Lima said. “You want us to show you the cave?” “Sure,” Thunder said. “If that’s alright with you Aleu,” he said. “It’s fine, but come here for a second. He walked over to her. “Kids go ahead, he’ll meet you at the entrance,” Aleu said. “Okay mom,” they said running to the cave. “Look Thunder,” Aleu said, “I’m not going to try to replace your real mother, alright?” Thunder hung his head and nodded, “I just want you to have a family. If you want to call me Aleu you go ahead, alright?” Okay… mom,” he said. “He smiled and took off for the cave. Shadow walked up and nuzzled Aleu’s neck. “It’s great to be home,” she said, as she looked at Shadow.

Johanson kept running. The wolves had taken over the cabin, they’d killed about half of his men and the rest had fled. Somehow Johanson knew that the grey wolf who had escaped so many times was behind it. He’d just find some more men and start again. He swore to himself that he’d find her and kill her. He knew where she lived. He cradled the rifle in his hands and thought about the satisfaction he would get from seeing her lifeless body. Then he heard a snarl behind him. He turned and saw one of the wolves behind him, it had tracked him. He pulled up his rifle and jacked a shell into the chamber. The wolf started walking toward him “You wolves aren’t very smart are you?” he said as he pointed his rifle right at the wolf. He pulled the trigger and heard a loud ClicK! As the hammer fell on an empty chamber. He’d forgotton to reload, after shooting that black wolf who’d bit him. Johanson knew it was impossible, but the wolf seemed to grin as it leapt at him….

THE END

Well what did you think? I told you it was dark. For a darker (and I might add a horrible) ending read the story entitled Balto: Hunters Alternate Ending. I just couldn’t help but write it, (though it very neary made me cry) I hope you don’t enjoy it, that was the purpose of writing it.

Well the next FAN FIC is entitled Balto: When Love Goes Sour. I‘ll leave you to decipher that one, all I’ll tell you right now is that it features Jenna.