Balto felt his muscles tighten. I began to wonder if he was even alive. Using his back legs he pushed as hard as he could of the ground. He felt relief as his nose stuck out and breathed fresh air. This encouraged him to continue kicking. Using the last of his stregth he pulled himself out if the snow and heaved at the surface. He was frozen numb....he felt him self shiver and his nose pinch in pain. But not even that could compare to the emotional pain that bit at him.

"Rosie..." he whispered to the icy wind that blew over his ears,

He had failed. That was all there is to it. He had really hoped that he could repay the little girl that was so ever kind to him. While everyone else threw him face down, she treated him very nicely. He was very concerend to discover her ill. Even more when he found out that she wouldn't survive to see daylight. He had really hoped that he could help her. But he failed. What the heck was he thinking? Could a loser like him ever accomplish something so big. If his malumute rival couldn't do it, then how could he? And Jenna would...

Jenna?! What would she ever think of him now?! He fought so hard to earn her affection. Every attempt was a waste. He had alos hoped that by bringing back the medicine, she would fall for him. Who was he kidding? He pulled his paw over his face. And without even thinking, he cried. He cried for all of his mistakes. It was a mistake to be born. Born a looser and nobody. A mistake of even stepping into the town of Nome. A mistake for going out to retrieve the medicine. he should've just left it with Steele. He went on with feeling sorry for himself. Boris was right. A dog couldn't do it alone....

He pulled is paw off his face and stared ahead of him. Then he noticed something particluar. It looked like a paw. It was hard to tell since the wind blew at his face, he focused harder. This time he could see grey claws and the paw was clearer. He slowly rose his head and let his eyes travel up towards the visitor.

Before stood him a white pelted wolf. He stood magnificently againt the winter's currents. His fur blowed back and forth, his muscles stood out. He looked like Winter himself. But two main things stood out in his mind. At first he thought it was his mother, Aniu. His markings made it seem so. But his scent carried male. But the thing that struck him the most was his gaze. The way he stared at him with those golden eyes made him feel uneasy, yet mystifed.

 He had a feeling that the white wolf was trying to tell him something. Right on cue, the great canine unexpectly tossed his head back and let out a shattering howl. Balto could only stare, the howl somehow pierced him. it was like a silent message that only he could understand. Was he telling him to join him? Or was he reminding him of something....something past his experiences and failures....

 The White Wolf gracefully lowered his head and gave him that piercing stare. He was unable to respond. He could only turn his head away, and look over his shoulder. No words could describe the pain of a failure. For such a long time, he tried to convince himself that he was more dog than wolf. Although he looked nothing like a wolf, or had no real proof, he truly hoped that he could act like one. But it no longer mattered. He lost the-

Something in the distance caught his attention. Even with the snow whipping at his face, he could make out the dim light of the lattern, and the shape of the medicne crate. It looked unharmed, maybe a but croooked, but fine. How far had it fallen, to recieve such a limited amout of damage. His eyes traveled up, and he saw how far the cillf was. It was rather high, but it still seemd climable. But he coudn't do it. What could he do. He was just a simple dog. The words of Boris came in his mind

"Let me tell you something, Balto . A dog cannot make this journey alone. But maybe....... a wolf can."

An idea struck him. If he was a wolf, like everyone said he was, then....did he have a chance to save Rosie? Along with the rest of the unfortunate victims? He turned back to the White Wolf. He turned to only see him gone. Even his scent seemd to vanish along with him. his attention was drawn by paw steps marked in the snow. He had an urge to follow it, but curiousity overwhelmed it. He wondered.....

With all of his effrot, he shakily rose to his paws. His bones cracked with numbness, and his muscles protested in pain. But he heaved forward and placed his paw in the outline made by the White Wolf. There was pause before lifting it to see that it was a perfect fit. It was all the evidence he needed. He felt hope like never before.  Just the thought of being able to save Rosie gave him all the strength. He was wolf. And with this portion of him, he threw back his head a howled with all of his spirit. He no longer felt ashamned. He was prouder than ever! He had a power, or an ability that no one else in Nome had. Nothing could spoil this feeling. Not even the authoritive Steele.

He heard another howl beside him. He could tell that it was the White Wolf. together they holwed......they were wolves.....powerful.... and strong. 

For the first time, maybe in his life, he felt victorious. He was going to save Rosie! And the whole town! Nothing could get in his way. He was going back........to Jenna....

Authors Note

I did this for fun and practice. I planned on doing the whole movie, but that would take decades. I might do more....I dunno. Some parts came out rather lame, darn it. It was a lot nicer when I planned out in my mind, but its hard to keep it organized in writting. COPYRIGHTS TO THE MOVIE AND RESPECTFUL OWNERS!!!!