BALTO: TRAITOR

Authored by: Anthony E. Rotramel

Pvt. USMC 11-16-04

Finished 1203 1-5-05

60 pages 10,524 words

Note: This story was inspired by Balto, (copyright 1995) and Balto 2: Wolf Quest (copyright 2000) by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. The character’s Shadow, Dash, Melody, Shasta, Max, Flash, Timbre, Sheik, Lima, Iimos, Eiko, Shana, James and the events of this story are copyright 2004 by Anthony Rotramel. The other characters are copyright by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

PROLOGUE

James had never run so hard in his life. He glanced behind him and saw the wolves that were chasing him, closing in. He’d been hunting when he saw some wolves from Eiko’s pack sneaking around. Eiko’s pack had been causing some trouble with his pack, so James decided to tell them to get out of his pack’s territory. Unfortunately he had stepped on a stick that snapped rather loudly, and now he was running extremely fast back to the pack. At first he’d decided to lead them away and ditch them, then go home, but as he ran he saw at least fifty, maybe eighty wolves moving through the woods, and at their head was… Eiko! He decided it could only be an attack force, he had to warn the pack. So he switched directions and started running back home. He was getting very tired by the time that he got close to the cave. He started yelling, “Attacker’s inbound!” Again and again he shouted his warning. One of Eiko’s wolves pulled up alongside him. He tried to run faster hoping someone… anyone would hear him.

Shana was standing guard for about the twentieth time that week. She’d fallen asleep on duty once last week and her punishment was guard three to four times a day. She didn’t mind, she knew that she’d screwed up and she just took her punishment. Too bad nothing ever happens here, she thought. Then she heard a call; “Attacker’s inbound.” The warning was repeated several times, then a gray wolf shot over the hill in front of her. He was followed closely by four wolves. She watched, helpless as one of them took the gray wolf down. Instantly all four of them were on top of him. He screamed “Eiko!” Then fell silent. Shana turned around and ran inside to warn the pack.

Shana ran up to Dash, who was standing guard over near the council meeting. “I need to speak to Aleu, now.” She said. “I can’t let you through during the meeting.” He said. Shana just ducked under him and ran to the center of the room. “Shana get back here!” Dash yelled, as he turned to chase her down. “Aleu, Aleu, Aleu!” Shasta yelled. Aleu stopped talking to Shadow, and, looking a little annoyed, said, “What’s wrong?” Shana, breathless from her run through the cave, told them what had happened. “Eiko again, huh,” she said. About that time one of Shadow’s friends ran up and whispered something to him, then the wolf ran from the room. “Eiko is attacking the front entrance,” Shadow said. “I need to get there,” Aleu said. “No,” Shadow said, ”you get the kids, I’ll go.” “Be careful,” Aleu said. “I always am,” Shadow said with a smile. Then he too ran from the room. “Meeting’s dismissed,” Aleu said to the council, “get to the front as quick as you can to help defend.” She turned to Shana. “You’re with me,” she said, “let’s go.” Aleu started to run out of the room. “Aleu,” Dash said. She stopped and turned. “Shasta?” He said. “Go, Aleu replied, “hurry.” Then she exited as well. Dash set off to find Shasta.

“I don’t want to stay here safe, while you go and fight.” Shasta said for the tenth time. “Shasta,” Dash said, “In your condition, you can’t fight, you might hurt the pups.” “I know,” Shasta said, “I know but that doesn’t mean I have to like it, who’s going to watch your back?” “I’ll be fine,” Dash said. “You just watch out for the pups, I can take care of myself. Now I want you to stay here. If the fighting gets close, you get out of here, don’t wait for me, I’ll find you.” “Alright,” Shasta said, “I guess I don’t have much of a choice.” “I’ve got to get going,” Dash said, “they need me.” “Be careful,” Shasta said. “You know me,” Dash said, “I’m indestructible.” “Dash,” Shasta said, “I love you so much.” “I love you too Shasta,” Dash said, “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” Then he was gone…

CHAPTER I

Balto trotted up to the house that he and Jenna lived in. He was returning from a trip to see his daughter, Aleu, and his son, Dash. They were doing fine, and Dash had told Balto some exciting news. Shasta was going to have pups! His son had been so proud, it made Balto remember His and Jenna’s first and how good he’d felt. There was a little bit of trouble brewing between Aleu’s pack and another from farther north, some deaths had been involved but Aleu seemed sure that it had been handled, for now anyway. Balto walked around to the back of the house, to what had been a pantry, but Roger had fixed it up as a room for all of the dogs he had now. There was he and Jenna, his daughter Melody, and Jenna’s mother and father, Max and Flash. It was a little cramped with all of them in there, but Balto was just glad to be with Jenna, he didn’t care where. About a year ago Jenna had gotten word that Rosie was real sick. Jenna wanted to be with her so she packed up and set off for Shishmaref. About half way there it had begun to snow, hard. Jenna fell and messed up her leg. He’d set out to find her, afraid that she wouldn’t make it through the night. She did and the two of them resumed their journey to Shishmaref. What followed were a series of adventures that always seemed to end on the edge of death. Balto was glad to come home and not have to worry about his or Jenna’s life being in jeopardy. He slipped through the dog door in the green door to their home. “Jenna,” he said, “I’m back.” Jenna stood up slowly, from where she’d been lying in the corner. “Balto,” she said slowly, ”I’m glad you’re safe.” “What?” Balto asked confused. Jenna had a worried look on her face. “Jenna, what’s wrong,” he looked around, “where’s Flash and Max?” “Balto…” Jenna started. “What happened Jenna?” Balto said, beginning to worry himself. “We got a message from Aleu while you were gone….the pack was attacked.” Oh no,” Balto said. “There were a lot of casualties on both sides,” Jenna stopped,” ….Dash is missing.” Balto almost fell over. He’d talked to his son not two days ago, he was so happy then. “They haven’t found him yet, so he could still be…be alive.” Jenna added. “Max, Flash and Melody went to help look for him, and just to help out, I guess it got pretty bad up there. I wanted to wait on you.” “Let’s go,” Balto said, as he turned to walk back through the door.

CHAPTER II

Melody had never seen such a mangled bunch of wolves before. The aftermath of the fight was horrific to behold. She couldn’t believe it. She was walking around talking to them, telling them they’d be okay, when the cold, hard fact was, most of them probably wouldn’t make it through the night. She came up to one that had lost half of his left ear. He was lying there looking around the room at all of the wounded that were there. “How are you?” She asked. He looked at her. He was a brown and tan wolf, with maybe a little malamute in there as well. He also had the brightest blue eyes she’d ever seen. She thought he looked about her age. “Fine,” he said, “lucky considering.” She thought he looked guilty as he looked around the room. “How are you?” He asked her. “I’m doing good,” she said. “You’re not from this pack, are you?” He asked. “No,” she said, “I’m not from any pack really. I live in Nome with my mom and dad.” She suddenly felt a little childish considering that she was almost three and still lived with her parents. She was afraid he’d think she was a still a pup. Then she found herself wondering why she cared what he thought. “Are you still with me?” He asked. Melody realized she’d been staring at him. “Yeah,” she said quickly, “sorry.” “That’s alright,” he said, smiling. “My name’s Timbre, what’s yours?” “Melody,” she answered. “Hmm,” he said, “pretty name.” Melody smiled at him. “Melody, Max yelled. “Melody, I could use some help over here.” “I’m coming Max,” yelled Melody.