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This fic is being co-written by myself and Dark Wolf, and features characters from the fics 'A Race in Time', and 'A New Threat'. I hope you enjoy this latest work. This one follows up with the timeline of both our fics.

As always tell me what you think. I enjoy your comments, each and every one of them. As does Dark Wolf. And remember, that there is a competition going on in the Fan Art section for those who wish to post art from this fic, and the winner will have their character put in the story.

Hope you all enjoy!

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Balto: Evil Reformed


Summary: Steven wants revenge on Balto's son Zack, and he'll stop at nothing to achieve it, and win the heart of Stella. But how will this plan change when he comes across an old enemy of Balto thought long dead? As events are set in motion, can Balto and his family once more survive the evil that is...'The Pack'?

Note: Follows on from the events of 'A Race in Time' and 'Balto: Frost'.

Rating: PG-13 for violent content and occasional swearing.

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Prologue


To say Steven was angry would have been a gross understatement. He was blinded with rage.

"That mutt is gonna pay!" he growled. "I'll make sure of that!"

Steven would get what he wanted, no matter how many people had to suffer in order for him to achieve it. No matter who he had to hurt, or how far he would have to go, he would get it. And that was Zack's body at his feet. No one made a fool of him, and lived.

He hissed as a sudden pain went up his leg, and he held it against his side until the burning pain receeeded. That fall had hurt more than he had first thought, and it only fueled his hatred.

"Look at me! I'm going insane because of that wolfdog! If things had gone my way, he and his father would be dead, and I would have won Stella! She likes me more, I can tell. I can see it in her eyes"

The gray malamute forced a smirk at this thought. Stella would be his, he'd see to that. This thought continued to run through his head as he continued to limp through the forest, the snow crunching underfoot.

He needed time to think. To come up with a plan. And he needed support. Zack had friends, and he couldn't fight a war on his own.

He came to a halt suddenly and perked his ears up. He had heard something, a large bang not too far from where he was. He cocked his head, hoping to make out what the sound had been.

He shook his head when he heard nothing, a growled to himself.

"I really am going insane! Now I'm hearing things!"

Steven jumped, literally, as something shot past him at an impossible speed, and crashed into a nearby snow heap. The snow collapsed and covered whatever it was in a thick blanket of snow.

Steven remained standing where he was for a few moments, panting in disbelief of what he had just seen.

"What the hell was that!?" he muttered his eyes trained on the now collapsed snow heap. Hesitantly, he took a few steps closer.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the heap, its fur covered in snow. Steven watched as it shook the snow from its body, allowing him to see what it was he was looking at.

It was a black and white male dog, about Stevens age, with piercing blue eyes like those of a young pup. As Steven looked closer, he saw the dog was wearing a watch round his neck attached by a blue band.

The dog shook off the remaining snow from his fur, and stood up straight. He paid no attention to Steven and glared up at the sky.

"Thanks for the soft landing!" he growled, and spat snow from his mouth. Steven watched as the dog looked down with disdain at the watch round his neck, and snorted.

"Still, at least this piece of junk worked" he grasped the watch in his paw and gazed at his reflection. He listened to its steady tick for a few moments, and then straightened up and looked round at his surroundings.

"Nome, Alaska. I'm so happy to be here" he smirked, as his eyes focussed on Steven for the first time.

"Who the hell are you?" the dog scowled at him. Steven returned the glare.

"I propose the same question to you" the gray malamute leered at the dog.

The dog looked at him with a rude smirk "Seems we appear to have a mouth on us, don't we?"

Steven growled "Don't push me mutt! Dogs who push me tend not to live much longer afterwards!"

The dogs smirk widened "Dogs like who, may I ask?"

"Balto" Steven spat the word out.

The dog stared at him for a few seconds, and then burst out laughing. A cold, cruel laugh that sent a shiver down his spine.

"As if you could get Balto! Not even I could do that!" the dog composed himself, and looked at Steven with an arrogant grin.

"Oh yeah?" Steven huffed. "And who might you be anyway?"

The dog stepped closer up to Steven, who backed away warily.

"I'm known as many things, but my friends call me...Carver"

Steven's eyes widened in shock, and he backed up so quickly he tripped over his back legs.

"No way! That...that's impossible!" he stammered.

He got back to his feet, and stared at Carver in awe.

"You...you died. You died years ago!" he shook his head.

Carver sniggered "What can I say? It wasn't my time!"

"I...I've heard such things about you" Steven said. "Your a legend!"

"You just now noticed?" Carver said in mock surprise.

Steven smiled "I used to dream of meeting you sometimes. Your name is still only spoken in whisper. The things you did..." he trailed off, still shaking his head in amazement.

Carver smirked "People still remember me do they?"

"How could they not!?" Steven grinned. "Your amazing, man! Absoultely amazing! Your my idol!"

Carver cocked his head "You said I've been dead for years? What's happened since I've been gone?"

Steven whistled "Hell of a lot! Like I said, I tried to get Balto alone in one place to kill him, but I failed thanks to his son Zack!" he snarle dout the last word.

Carver frowned "Zack? I don't think I know him. I do know Dingo though" his smirk vanished from his face, and he gritted his teeth.

Steven nodded "Everyone knows about what he did to you. He killed you in the old saw mill, is that right?"

Carver nodded "If it hadn't been for that little whelp my whole plan would have succeeded! Instead I lost. And I hate losing" he growled.

Steven grinned suddenly "We have a lot in common you and me"

Carver looked up "How do you mean?"

"Well, we both have a grudge against one of Balto's sons. I hate Zack, you hate Dingo" Steven moved closer to Carver.

"What are you getting at?" Carver furrowed his brow.

"We should team up! Together, we can get back against Balto and those two mutts!" Steven grinned.

Carver snorted "Really? And why should we do that?"

"Well, I have the cunning to get dogs on our side, and you have the brains to lead the whole thing! Think about it! A new 'Pack'!" Steven said with excitement evident in his vocie.

Carver sat down on the ground, and looked at Steven "What's your name?"he asked with no expression in his voice.

"Steven" the malamute replied.

Carver nodded slowly "You know what Steven?" he got to his feet with a smirk beginning to form on his face. "Your quite useful after all"

Steven smiled evilly "So, what do you say Carver? Me and you work together to destroy Balto once and for all?"

"Not yet" Carver answered. "There's one thing you need to do for me first"

Steven looked at Carver quizzically "And what's that?" he asked.

"I need to know that you are totally committed to this plan that you have suggested, and that you won't back out if things start getting tough" Carver started pacing round Steven.

"I won't Carver. You have my word" Steven replied, following Carver with his eyes.

"That's not enough Steven" Carver stopped pacing. "You need to prove yourself"

Steven frowned "How?"

Carver smirked cruelly "Let me show you"

Before Steven could react, Carver knocked him to the ground and lunged at him. Steven yelped as Carver bit him on the muzzle and threw him to the side. The malamute lay in the snow, breathing heavily. Carver moved up to him.

"When you make a deal with me Steven, you commit yourself fully to my aims. That's how I formed 'The Pack'. A deal with me...is binding"

Steven struggled to his feet, blood trickling from the wound on his muzzle.

"What...what did you do?" he panted, wiping away the blood with his paw.

"Think of it as a little initiation ceremony Steven my boy" Carver chuckled.

Steven shook his head, a dull ache now forming within it. He looked up at Carver, and his face broke in a savage grin.

"Looks like me and you are working together, aye Carver?" Steven sniggered, his eyes blazing.

Carver walked up to him and put a paw on his shoulder "Get me members. I don't care how, and I don't care who. Together, we will reform 'The Pack', and then we shall show Balto a new meaning to the word...fear"

Steven laughed darkly "I'd like that Carver"

Carver smiled "I know my boy. And let me tell you something else..."

The black and white dog looked up at the darkening sky, and inhaled deeply.

"It's great to be back!"

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Tell me what you all think! Stay tuned for Part 1, which my friend Dark Wolf will be writing!

Balto123

Sweet!

Dear Aniu, how many times is he going to come back?!
Will we never see the end of the madness that is Carver?!
I doom him to eternal judgement in *the really bad place*. May he burn for all eternity with Steele in the fiery pits of *the really bad place*!
Keep it up! I need to see more of this!

-LWf

Balto: Evil Reformed Part 2

"Doc, we're ready to make the announcement" Kaltag said to Doc.

Doc nodded somberly "Okay. Thank you Kaltag"

Balto and the others watched as Doc stepped onto the podium in front of the congregation.

"Everyone? May I have your attention please"

The congregation ceased their whispered conversations and looked anxiously at Doc. Balto scanned round at the faces of everyone present.

"Somethings wrong. I can sense it" he whispered.

Zack nodded "But what? I mean, why do they all look, well....terrified?"

"Well, whatever it is, we'll find out in a moment" Balto turned back to the podium.

"As I'm sure, everyone will have heard the news of what has happened," Doc began. "We have found the body of a young female near the outskirts. She was...murdered, that we can be sure of"

"How can you tell it wasn't a wolf?" someone called out from the crowd.

"We're keeping all forms of investigation open, but since the victim was found within the town borders, we can therefore assume that the perpotrator was not a wolf. If that was true, why leave the body so close to town when it would be so easily located?"

The whispering increased throughout the barn. Doc held up his paw for silence.

"It's possible that the body was...dragged to the outskirts. We found a blood trail that appears to show that the victim was killed further away from town. As yet, we have no idea who did it, or why"

Doc paused for a moment.

"But what we do know is this. For those of you who have voiced the opinion that this was an act perpotrated by 'The Pack'..."

The barn erupted in full scale talk. Doc cleared his throat loudly for attention.

"Quiet. As I said, those of you have put this insane theory into your heads, let me make it clear to you. It has been nearly two years since that attack, and it is common knowledge that all perpotrators were killed in the act. It is therefore prepostrous to make a link between the two"

Balto furrowed his brow "Why leave the body so close to town?....So that it could be found?" he whispered.

"Now," Doc started. "As yet we have no evidence that could lead us to a perpotrator of this crime, but let me make it clear to you all...that whoever committed this atrocity, we will find them. This meeting is adjourned"

Doc stepped down from the podium as the barn began to empty. Heather turned to Dingo in puzzlement.

"Why is everyone so afraid Dingo?" she asked.

Dingo sighed "This kind of thing...has happened before. We're all just on edge, thats all"

Kaltag walked up to the group "Well if you ask me, this notion of involvement by 'The Pack' has got to be the most unbelievable, the most overblown, the most..."

Zack cut him off "Who are this 'Pack' that everyone's talking about? Care to fill me in?"

There were unsure glances between the group, and Balto cleared his throat.

"It's a long story Zack. We'll talk about it later, yeah?"

Zack looked puzzled, but nodded "Okay, whatever. I'll see you all later"

"Why, where are you going?" Kodi asked.

Zack smiled "Me and Stella have a...date"

Dingo tapped his brother on the shoulder "Hey, you'd better watch yourself Zack. Sounds to me like you and Steela are getting pretty serious, huh?" he smiled slyly.

Zack brushed him off playfully "Hey, knock it off Dingo. We're just friends, 'as all"

Kodi nodded "Oh sure, that's how it all gets started"

Dusty rubbed against him "It certainly did for us, aye Kodi?" she nuzzled him.

Dingo rolled his eyes "Get a room will ya?"

Heather nudged him "What's the matter Dingo? Embarrassed to show how much you care?"

Dingo licked her on the cheek "No, but I like to keep it private instead of announcing it to everyone in the vicinity"

Heather smiled "Fine by me" she licked him on the nose.

Zack sighed "How come you guys got it so easy? I've never had any luck with girls"

Kodi ruffled the fur on Zack's head "Ah come on Zacky! Like you said, you've got a 'date'!"

Zack perked up "Your right! I'd better be off!" he ran off to find Stella in the crowd.

Dingo scoffed "I'll give it a week"

Kodi smirked "I'll give it three days, tops"

Doc padded up to Balto and Kaltag "Sad news" he sighed.

Balto nodded "Yeah. But you have to admit Doc, its pretty similar"

Doc looked at Balto "To what?"

"How 'they' worked, when they deliberately laid the bodies so that they would be found" Balto replied.

Doc shook his head "Balto, you cannot be serious"

"They've been dead for years!" Kaltag added.

"What about a copy cat killer? Remember Frost?" Balto frowned.

"You actually believe this...unbelievable rumour?" Doc stared at Balto.

Balto nodded "There are a lot of sicko's out there who still worship Carver, see him as some kind of great leader. It isn't out of the realms of possibility Doc"

"Maybe," Doc said. "But until I find more...concrete evidence to agree with what you are saying Balto, I have to keep all my options open. I made that mistake once, and I won't do it again if I can help it"

Unbeknownst to them, their conversation was being listened to.

"Well, we got publicity at least" Rusty forced back a smirk as two dogs walked past him.

"That's not enough" Poncho muttered. "Mr Carver wants this town in absolute panic"

"I know, but at least my idea of dragging that bitch to the outskirts got us mentioned" Rusty replied.

"But we can still top our achievements" Poncho sniggered.

The two rabids silently slunk out of the meeting hall and blended in with the crowd.

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Zack and Stella were walking towards the beach where Balto's boat was perched. No one was around, so they wouldn't be disturbed.

"So," Zack said. "How've you been since we last talked?"

Stella smiled at him "Zack it's only yesterday since we last spoke"

"I know," Zack replied. "But...I like to know how you're doing"

"Why?" Stella smiled and moved closer to him.

Zack felt his cheeks flare up "Uhm...cos I'm a caring sort of guy?" he smiled a goofy grin.

Stella laughed "You are that" she winked at him.

They carried on walking until they reached the shoreline.

"Hey uh...Stella?" Zack started, but froze up when she turned to him.

"Yeah Zack?" she asked.

Zack gulped "I uh...I, well...what I want to say is...I..."

Zack didn't get the chance to finish what he was saying before a figure jumped in front of him. Zack jumped back, and was confronted by a snarling black adn white malamute.

"Get the hell away from my daughter, wolfdog!" Steele growled.

"Father...!" Stella started, but Steele ignored her and stepped threateningly up to Zack who recoiled in fear.

"If I ever see you near my daughter again lobo...I'll tear you apart. Do I make yourself clear?"

Zack gulped and nodded "Y-y-yes, yes Steele...sir"

Steele smirked "Scared of me wolfdog? What's the matter, can't stand up for yourself?"

Steele nudged Zack hard enough to knock him off his feet, and stumble.

"Come on! Show me some guts!" Steele mocked.

Stella moved up to Steele "Father, leave him alone! Please!"

Steele looked at her and then back to Zack who was still on the floor and snarled. Zack began to shake.

"Steele!" a voice growled, and Steele span round. Balto glared at him.

"Leave my son alone!" he growled at the malamute as he approached.

Steele snarled and leered at him "Your son has been fawning around my daughter, and I won't have it Balto!"

Balto stood protectively near Zack as he got to his feet. Steele snarled, and took a threatening step towards Zack.

Balto stepped in front of his son "That's enough Steele!"

Steele narrowed his eyes and smirked "Oh, is the big strong wolfdog gonna protect his halfbreed freak of a son? I'm shaking like a leaf!"

Balto growled "Stella has a right to make her own decisions Steele, and that includes who she loves!"

"Not if its a wolfdog!" Steele glared at Balto and Zack. "I'll be ***** if my daughter ever so much as touches that hybrid of yours!"

"I love her Steele!" Zack pushed his way in front of Balto and up to Steele. "I love her more than you could possibly imagine. And she loves me!"

Steele snarled at Zack "If you so much as go near my daughter again wolfdog...your life won't be worth living!"

Zack remained where he was as Steele turned away.

"You hear me Balto!? Keep your son away from my daughter!" the malamute yelled, before padding away.

Steela looked as if she was about to cry, and before Zack could say anything she ran off after Steele.

Zack was shaking, though whether from fear or anger he couldn't tell. Balto rubbed against him confortingly.

"You okay kiddo?" he asked calmly.

Zack nodded "Yeah Dad, I'm fine. But I won't let him stop me from seeing Stella. No matter what"

Balto smiled "Come on, lets go home"

Father and son made their way back towards town.

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In the cave, Carver smirked as Steven entered.

"Steven my boy, things are going well! But I think its time I got involved!"

"In what way sir?" Steven asked.

Carver got to his feet and placed his paws on Stevens shoulder.

"I haven't seen Balto in years. I think its time me and him had a little chat" he smirked devilishly.

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"A further recruit" Scott smirked, as he watched the large gray dog pad down the street.

"Lets go" Kyle whispered, and the two rabids jumped down from their observation area and followed the dog at a steady pace. After a few moments, Kyle disappeared into an alleyway, and Scott cleared his throat. The gray dog turned round.

"Can I help you kid?" he asked.

Scott put on his most innocent face, but in his mind he was giggling with excitement.

"Yeah, can you please help me? My friend and I have just had a row, and I don't know where I am" he allowed his voice to come out in a craoky sob.

The gray dog padded up to him and smiled sympathetically "Hey, don't worry. I'll help ya"

Scott smiled "Thanks. What's your name?" he asked as they started padding down the other side of the street.

"I'm Razor. You?"

Scott cracked a grin "Scott"

Razor stopped and stared at Scott in puzzlement "What's with the grin?"

Scott sniggered darkly "You'll find out now"

Razor suddenly felt a weight jump onto his back, forcing him down onto the snow. Kyle held him down as Scott leant down to face him.

"What the hell is this!?" Razor struggled under Kyle's weight, but the Shepherd kept him pinned.

"Initiation" Scott sniggered, and lunged at Razor.

After a few moments, three dogs padded out into the snow covered street, each of their faces plastered with a grin.

"Welcome to 'The Pack' Razor" Kyle flashed a blood lined smile.

Razor smirked "Glad to be involved"

The three rabids disappeared into the gathering darkness.

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It was later in the night, and Balto was asleep on the floor of his boat. He perked his ears up and lifted his head groggily at the sounds of heated agument.

"Vat is going on!? I demand to know who you are being!" he heard Boris yell as the noises grew louder.

"Can it goose, or I'll ring ya neck!" a second voice snarled.

Balto got to his feet as the door to the cabin burst open and Boris was flung inside in a hail of feathers.

"Mongrels! Ol' Boris vill how you vat for!" Boris yelled, and Balto had to hold him back as two figures padded into the cabin.

"Balto I presume?" Steven smirked.

Balto glared at him "Steven! So, your still alive?"

Steven chuckled "Clearly. And as you can see, I'm a whole lot happier!"

Balto stepped back warily as the second dog, a Golden Retriever, padded into the cabin and stood to attention.

Steven flashed a grin "Balto, there's someone here who wants to see you"

Balto narrowed his eyes "Who?"

Steven said nothing and stood to attention. Balto could hear the sounds of footsteps approaching, and a few seconds later a thrid figure padded into the room.

Balto's eyes widened in horror "No! It can't be!"

Carver smiled warmly "Balto my boy! It's been a long time!"

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In Jenna's house, Zack ruffled his paws restlessly. He was still wide awake, and there was only one thing praying on his mind.

Stella.

"I have to do something! I can't stop seeing her!" he muttered to himself.

He knew that Steele would kill him if he saw Zack anywhere near her, but Zack didn't care. Steele was a bully, and Zack knew that no matter what, he wouldn't be stopped in seeing Stella.

"But how?" he thought to himself.

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Balto backed up so far that he smacked his head against the wall of the cabin, as Carver walked up to him.

"Balto, you haven't changed a bit! Perhaps a little less agile, but still the same old Balto!" Carver moved up until his nose was only inches from Balto's face.

"How?" Balto stammered, unable to tear his gaze away.

Carver smiled "You know what they say Balto- All dogs go to heaven"

Before Balto could react, Carver grabbed him and span him round.

"Let me tell you Balto, that place isn't a patch on living. Nothing but eternal, mind numbing boredom awaits us on the other side. Unless your me of course" he laughed.

Balto shut his eyes as Carver span him.

"I've become rather a good dancer lately Balto. Actually, its come in very handy" Carver chuckled as Balto opened his eyes a crack.

"Let him go you...!" Boris snarled, but was held back by Rusty.

Carver ignored him "So tell me Balto, hows life been treating you, hmm? Still with that insufferable Jenna?"

Balto growled at the black and white dog "Don't you even talk about her!"

Carver shrugged "Fine. Lets get down to business"

Balto felt dizzy as Carver released him "You and me Balto, we would make a great team. I've told you before. Beauty and the Beast! Although if anyone else calls you beast...I'll rip their lungs out!"

Balto backed up as Carver leant down to him "What do you want Carver?" he stammered.

"Ah, the same Balto, the same. Nome in panic, dogs running in terror. Why break a winning formula?" Carver laughed.

Balto shook his head, feeling sweat start to form on his forehead.

"But most importantly Balto," Carver started. "I want you on my team. Not just as a member, but by my side! We're so similar you and I! Abandoned by our mothers, both of us with wolf blood pumping through our veins! It's fate!"

"NO!" Balto snarled, and jumped to his feet. "It is not fate! And we are not the same Carver! I don't know how you came back, but I will NEVER join you! Kill me now, because nothing you say will ever make me change my mind!"

Carver sighed, and then snarled through gritted teeth "Wrong decision Balto, but then you were always stubborn weren't you!?"

Balto tasted blood as Carver smacked him in the mouth.

"How dare you play with me Balto, how dare you! You already screwed me over once Balto, and one way or another you WILL see it my way!"

Steven and Rusty moved up to Carver's sides.

"I've already made a deal with young Steven here," Carver gestured to the malamute. "And if you want the attacks to stop, you'll reconsider my offer"

Balto growled and bared his teeth as the three dog turned to the door and walke dout of the cabin. Carver remained in the doorway.

"Reconsider Balto...while you still have a choice!"

Balto watched as the footsteps of the rabids faded away, and then collapsed to the floor feeling tears burning in his eyes. Boris moved up to him and patted him on the head.

"It's okay Balto. They are gone"

Balto nodded "Yeah, but for how long?"

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Tell me what you all think! The next part from Dark Wolf will be hopefully up soon!

Balto123

'The same old Balto' eh?
Well I say "the same old Carver!"
That miserable rabid coward mongrel just never dies, does he?
I don't care if all dogs go to Heaven! I declare that Carver will rot forever in the deepest pit of *censored*.

Keep up the awesome work, my friends! This gets better and better every time!

-LWf

Nice! keep it up!

Balto: Evil Reformed

Part 4


Balto walked over to the new arrival, a white dog with piercing blue eyes.

"Who are you?" he asked.

The dog looked at him and gave him a once over with his eyes.

"My name is Stellios, and I'm in charge of this investigation as of this moment"

Balto furrowed his brow "Doc is the judge of Nome, it's his call to lead the investigation"

Stellios smirked "That is a matter for debate. Doc has proven himself to be unreliable in stopping these attacks before the human girl was hurt, now is the time for 'capable' leadership"

Balto narrowed his eyes at Stellios, his brow furrowed. There was something about the way the white dog was looking at him with those cold blue eyes, and his scent was impossible to pick out.

"So," Stellios started. "You are the famous Balto everyone is talking about, n'est-ce pas?"

Balto nodded "Most of the time"

Stellios smirked "I'll be seeing you around. I may have some...questions for you"

Balto watched as the white dog padded away into the crowd, and took a long intake of breath, hoping to place Stellios' scent. But he couldn't.

Balto shook his head and sighed.

"I've got a bad feeling about that guy" he muttered.

--------------------------------------------

Steven surveyed the dogs stood to attention in front of him.

"Gentlemen, you are looking at a new dawn for Nome Alaska, as we embark to the final stages. You have all been playing your parts, Razor especially"

Razor smirked at the comment.

"But we still have much to do," Steven continued. "Our duty to Mr Carver depends on loyalty to this cause. Whatever it takes"

There were barks and howls of approval.

"Your dismissed. We meet back here at midnight" Steven announced.

He watched as the other dogs, six in total, dispersed into the shadows. An evil smirk plastered itself on his face.

"I'm coming for you Zack, it's just you and me halfbreed" he thought. "And this time, I shall not fail"

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Zack was walking down the street, heading for Stella's house. Despite the current situation he was facing, he couldn't help but smile.

He was in love, and Stella was the one. He knew Stella felt the same way about him, and as long as he stayed out of Steele's way there was no reason why he couldn't stop seeing her.

But, and it was a big but, he didn't know what he'd do if Steele found out he still intended seeing Stella every chance he got. But he would face that challenge when he reached it, and no matter what he wouldn't let Steele beat him.

He stopped as he came near to the door and sat down, his tail wagging. He looked round from side to side, before letting out a soft bark.

A second later, Stella emerged outside.

"Zack?" she looked at him. "What are you doing here?"

Zack smiled "I came to see you"

Stella sighed "Zack, my father..."

"I don't care!" he cut her off. "Stella, I love you, and nothing in the world will ever change that! Not even your Dad"

Stella padded down the steps to the porch and up to him "But if he finds out...I don't want you to get hurt"

Zack licked her cheek "I won't, and if we're careful he won't find out. By then, we'll be out of town! Far away, where no one can stop us from loving each other"

Stella stared at him, and then smiled "You really care about me enough to leave everything behind? Your family, your friends, your job?"

Zack nodded "I do. Your the most important thing in my life Stella, and I'll do anything if it means me and you can be together"

Stella nuzzled him "Your really sweet Zack"

Zack sighed softly, inhaling her sweet scent. He pulled away from her after a few seconds.

"I'd better go, but I want you to know. I love you, Stella"

Stella kissed him softly on the lips "And I love you too Zack"

Zack looked at her for a moment, her smile making him feel weak at the knee's.

"I'll be back tomorrow, promise" he kissed her quickly on the cheek, before running off down the street.

Stella sighed contentedly, waiting until Zack had disappeared from her sight, and then walked back inside.

Opposite Stella's house, a figure watched as she walked back inside the house.

"What a touching scene. It'd be funny if it wasn't so pathetic" Steven growled.

He waited a few more seconds from his hide-away, before silently slinking towards the house.

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Jenna stood in the cool night air, the soft wind blowing through her fur. She was waiting for Balto to show up, but the temperature was getting a little too cold for her liking.

Her ears perked up at the sound of a voice.

"Honey?"

Jenna frowned. The voice wasn't Balto's, but it sounded strangely familiar.

Walking back inside the house, Jenna padded towards the living room where the voice had come from. Nudging open the door, she stepped inside.

Sat on the sofa, a lone figure grinned at her as she walked in.

"You'll never believe what happened to me today" Carver sniggered.

Jenna stared at him for a few seconds, before collapsing to the floor in a dead faint.

"Huh, was it something I said?" Carver laughed, slinking off the sofa and approaching Jenna's form.

"Poor Jenna. Poor...insufferable Jenna" he said quietly, looking down at her with a grimace.

Rusty snuck his head through the doorway and padded up to Carver's side.

"Woah! She's a piece!" the Golden Retriever whistled.

Carver rolled his eyes "Maybe to you" he muttered.

He thought to how Balto would react when he found her. Maybe he'd think she was dead. He thought to the pain Balto would experience in those brief moments before he realised she was merely unconscious, and couldn't hold back a smirk.

"Are you gonna kill her boss?" Rusty grinned savagely.

Carver paused, and looked down once again at Jenna's body. It would be so easy, the power he had over her at that very moment made him feel light headed. But if he did that, Balto would never agree to his terms. She was his bargaining chip, for now at least.

"Another time Jenna" he whispered into her ear. Then he padded out the door, Rusty right behind him, leaving Jenna lying on the floor.

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It was very late, and Zack had only now arrived back home. He nudged open the door, and within a few seconds he was dead to the world, asleep on the floor.

He didn't hear the sounds of the window being forced open, as a dark shadow crept inside the house and moved up to Zack.

Zack's ears twitched, and he groggily opened his eyes.

"Ah, looks like your awake then" a voice sniggered.

Zack's eyes flew open and he jumped to his feet. He span round, and froze at what he saw.

It was the red dog with the scar on his forehead from earlier. He grinned at Zack.

"Something tells me your a light sleeper!"

"What do you want?" Zack growled, his fur up in an aggressive pose.

"You wanna know what I want?" the dog hissed. "Nothing"

"Then why are you here?" Zack demanded.

"I've got a message for you. Don't fall asleep again tonight, or you'll miss something gravely important" the dog paused.

"What's that then?" Zack snarled.

The dog smirked "You'll find out later tonight. Something big is gonna go down"

The dog stopped, before leaping at Zack and taking him completely off guard. Zack found himself pinned to the floor.

"As I said, don't go back to sleep" the dog hissed, then leapt off Zack and bolted into the kitchen. Zack gave chase, but the kitchen was empty by the time he ran inside.

"Don't go to sleep again tonight" the words echoed through his head, causing him to shiver.

"What did he mean?" he thought, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.

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Stella was woken by the sound of frantic scratching at the door. She got up and walked over to the door, and pushed it open.

There was no one on the other side.

Stella frowned as she realised it was still night, the chill wind whistling through her fur.

"Did I just dream it?" she thought.

Her thoughts were cut short as she saw a shadow dart across the other side of the street.

"Hey!" she yelled, and without thinking ran after the shape behind a row of houses. She came to a halt when she lost sight of the shape.

"What am I doing?" she scolded herself. "I should still be asleep!"

Stella heard someone behind her, and she scowled.

"Whoever you are, this isn't remotely funny!"

Her thoughts froze as she turned round.

"Hello Stella" Steven smirked. "How've you been?"

Stella started shaking "No! You...you died! You fell off that cliff!" she backed up.

"I couldn't let that stop me seeing you Stella" Steven said, his smirk unwavering. "Have you been thinking about me?"

Stella kept backing up as he slowly approached her "What do you want?"

"I want you" Steven cocked his head "I've wanted you more than you could ever know Stella"

Stella froze as her tail brushed against a wooden fence, blocking her from attempting to back away further. Steven smiled at the pure terror on her face as she realised she had nowhere else to go.

"But what do I find when I get back? You, shacked up with that wolfdog!" he growled.

He stepped in front of her and knocked her legs out from underneath her. Stella fell face first into the snow.

"I love you Stella! Hell, I would do anything for you! What could he possibly give you that I can't!?"

Stella shut her eyes as he leant his face down to level at her.

"I'll give you one last chance. Be my mate and mine alone...or die"

Stella opened her eyes and looked up at him. Lifting her face up, she spat at him.

Steven glared at her "Wrong answer you little...!"

Stella didn't hear the rest of his words as he hit her, hard. The blow hit her right on the muzzle, knocking her back against the fence. Her head impacted it with a dull smack. She tried to stand as Steven slowly aproached her.

The next hit impacted her nose, blood gushing down her muzzle as she collapsed to the floor. Her vision was spinning as he dug his claws into her shoulders.

Steven hit her three times in the face, each hit his claws digging into her skin. She couldn't get back up, no way of defending herself as he raised his paw up again. Her vision exploded into comforting darkness as he hit her a final time.

Steven reared himself up for a final hit that would finish her off.

"Enough" a cold voice ordered. Steven looked up as a white dog padded up to him.

"I'm gonna kill her! I'm gonna rip her apart for all the pain she's caused me!" he snarled at the newcomer.

The dog eyed him calmly "And what would that achieve at this stage of the plan, hmm?"

Steven glared at the dog "I'll kill her, and when that wolfdog finds her...it'll rip him apart!"

"True, but wouldn't it be better for you to keep her alive? Then, we can use her as a bargaining chip"

Steven looked down at Stella's limp form "No, let me kill her!"

"No" the white dog stood in front of Steven. "We keep her alive"

"Why!?" Steven growled.

"Because revenge is best when it's slow. Think about it. Zack finds poor little Stella in this condition, and when he shows up at the scene of the crime everyone will assume it was him who attacked her. Perhaps they'll think she turned him down, after all he is a hybrid. When her father finds out, he'll be after Zacks blood, and the whole town will turn against him"

Steven began to smile viciously "Go on"

"Zack will be banished for attacking her, and when she wakes up she'll realise this. Imagine the pain she'll go through when she realises that she'll never see him again!" the white dog sniggered. "Zack will be completely torn apart inside, and all the more easier for me to manipulate when the time comes. As I told him, its either his father or him"

"But," Steven started. "What happens if she tells someone it was me who attacked her?"

The white dog shrugged "It'll be too late. Besides, everyone assumes your dead. Who'd believe her?"

Steven smirked and nodded "I really like this idea of yours"

"Of course dear boy. Besides, there'll be plenty more opportunities to kill after the trial"

"Trial?"

"Oh yes. For dear little Zack. It's shaping up to be quite a show!"

Steven laughed "Your a genius Carver!"

"Please Steven! Call me...Stellios" Carver chuckled.

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END OF PART 4

Tell me what you all think! Part 5 from my friend Dark Wolf coming up!

Balto123

awsome! cant wait for part 5!

That's fantastic! Good thing you called me a wolf! Cause I'm not a dog! Nice stroy so far!