(This section is for the characters and is just for help of their apperances and importance to the team YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ THIS!)

The humans:

Kasey: The musher he has short black hair that is spiked in the front. He is handsome and smart and not afraid to die for a dog.

Spencer: Kasey's best friend he helped buy the dogs and offten comes along on the trips with the team. Brown hair that falls over his eyes Annoying and Stubborn but Kind-Hearted

The team:

Bracken: (Lead dog) A handsome young malmute. Kasey's life long friend well liked among his team.

Shadow: ( Behind Bracken) The "Bad Boy" of the team. Thinks he's a chick magnet tries to act tough but ends up embarrassing himself.

Splint: (Next to Shadow) The "Sweet Heart" of the team. He is kind and under standing always willing to listen has a broken leg but that dosen't stop him.

Marco: (Behind Splint) He and his brother are the youngest of the team. He is the "Quiet type" Due to an accident he can't talk so he barks and yipps and stuff.

Polo: (Next to Marco) Marco's  brother. The "Class Clown" always makeing people laugh not as serious as his brother a roll with the flow kinda guy. 

Sam: (Behind Polo) The "Show off" very good racer often gets on Shadows nerves talking about how great he is.

Callee: The only girl in the team sassy and brave when needed.She has a huge crush on Bracken but he has no clue.

Other dogs: (Outside the team)

Copper: Spencer's pet Bloodhound. Bold and dareing one of Bracken's best friends. Golden with white stomach feet and muzzle brown ears and spot on back.Tags along on some trips with the team (Spencer can't stand to leave him alone)

Charlie: Kasey's pet Corgi. Short, and stubborn but smart. Dosen't really care that much about the team but tags along sometimes.

Antonio: Bracken's brother they reunite the same time Bracken meets Callee. 

Chapter I: Small Starts

The pups barked and wrigglied about crawling all over there mother and themselves. The smallest of the pups had his brother's ear locked in his jaws. "Mom" the bigger pup whimpered. While his little brother clung tightly to his ear. "Bracken stop pestering Toni" there mother growled nudgging Bracken gently. Bracken let go and fell onto his back "Mom they're bigger than me they can take care of themselves" he barked lunging for Toni again. His father's huge paw stopped him and shoved him with great force back onto his back. Bracken looked up with round eyes at his father. "Your pure breds...You will not act like this!" he snarled reveling his huge white fangs. Bracken and his other sibling presed closer to there mother cowering in fear at there father's anger.  "Calm down" there Mother barked. "Control them then...They'll never be good sled dogs if you don't." he growled looking at Toni and Bracken. Out of the whole breeding center their father was the most insane. He turned and staggered off. Bracken stood up "Mom when I become a sled dog I want Toni on my team." he yipped happily pushing his brother. "Well..." she began. They turned and looked at her. "He can't be a sled dog" she sighed "What!" the brothers barked at the same time. "But he has to be on my team!" Bracken pleaded. "Yeah!" Toni yelped beside him. "It was your father's choice." she whimpered seeing their disapontment. Toni slumped down sadness filled his face. Bracken padded over to him "It's ok sleddogs are dumb anyway" he barked. Toni smiled. "Time for bed" Their mother yawned. All the pups settled down Toni and Bracken side by side. His mothers word still bothered him. 

Bracken opened his eyes it was dark in the room. He could feel Toni pressed againsit his side. He turned and nudged his brother. Toni opened his eyes "Wa..who..um" he whispered sleepily. "Toni..." Bracken began "I'm gonna run away." he whispered. "What-" he shouted as Bracken put his paw over his mouth "Shut up fuzz face" Bracken snarled. He moved his paw "You can't leave me" Toni whimpered.  "Well if your not on my team then...I won't be a sled dog." he stated. Toni looked at him "I'll miss you though" he said licking Bracken.  "I'll miss you to" he answered "But I gotta go." Toni tilted his head "How you gonna get past dad then" he snapped turning to the open door were there fathers massive shap sat. "I'll manage" Bracken stated licking his brother. "Bye Toni" he whispered. "Bye Bracken" he stiffled. With that Bracken lept out of the dog bed and landed on the wooden floor. He looked over his shoulder and could barley see Toni's face but he could feel him watching him. He padded to the door were his father lay asleep outside. Bracken sighed with releif and snuck on out. Soon as he was far enough away he gave a final look at his home then turned to leave never to see it again.  

Chapter II: Street Smarts

Five months had passed since Bracken had left his home and family. He was now liveing as a cocky young stray in White Mountain. One day he had managed to get some sausage well steal some sausage. As he raced through town he was caught by the dog catcher. This man threw him into a truck and drove off. Bracken sat quietly and alone till he saw another dog he was tan and had long ears. "How'd he catch you" Bracken asked. The dog looked up "My family didn't want me no more" he whimpered. "oh" Bracken said  trying not to sound uninterestead. "Well....whats your name" Bracken asked. "The humans call me Copper." he answered. "I'm Bracken" he stated. "Copper and Bracken" Copper barked. Bracken laughed. "You got big ears" he said grabbing his ear and tugging on it. "I gots to have em...I'm a huntin dog...gotta be able to hear and smell real good to track em down." He explained pulling his ear from Bracken's mouth. Bracken tilted his head "What do ya hunt" he asked. "Anything my human wants me to" Copper answered. "Oh...Like wolves" Bracken asked. "Actually I ain't never tracked a wolf" Copper drawed. "What breed of dog are you Copper" Bracken couldn't help but ask. "Bloodhound" he yawned "Gosh I'm tired." he said. Bracken yawned to "Yeah me to he said laying down oh and I'm a malmute" he said drifting off. Copper yawned in answer. Soon both were fast asleep.  

When they awoke they were in an animal shelter in Nome. Bracken lifted his head tiredly. "Copper wake up" he mumbled pushing his friend. Copper grunted lifting his head. "Were are we" he mumbled to Bracken. Bracken shrugged. A man in a uniform came and put food and water in there bowls. Bracken got up and looked around before eating. The food were dry pelts that tasted afwull but he was to hungry to argue. "Puppy Kibble" Copper said eating his food. Bracken ran his tounge around his muzzle then looked around. Seeing a sign that said adoption day. He tilted his head "What does adoption mean Copper" he asked the hound. He shrugged "Beats me" he mummbled. They hung out all day until a girl around fifteen stopped at their cage. "He's perfect" she said pointing to Copper. The two dogs sat up. The man in uniform entered the cage and walked towards Copper. The two dogs pulled back till there backs were aginst the wall "We're trapped" Bracken whimpered. Them man put a leash around Copper's neck and began to pull him out of the cage. "Bracken...Help!" Copper cried. Bracken lunged for his friend but the cage door slamed into his face. "Copper!" Bracken shouted.  Copper struggled but could not get free. "Bracken..." he looked sadly at him "Bye..." Copper whispered. As he was pulled out of the door and was no longer in sight. His best friend was gone and Bracken was alone.

Chapter III: My World

Bracken was now a year old he lay on his stomach in his cage at the shelter. The man in the uniform named Jack came to feed him. "A year old and no home. Don't worry little buddy your a good dog you'll get adopted." he smiled. Bracken slumped over tired and sad. As jack left a handsome young man entered the shelter and said something to Jack. Jack smiled and pointed toward Bracken. The young man stopped and looked into the cage. "You must be the malmute I heard about." He smiled "My names Kasey" he said. Bracken stared at him starting to wag his tail. Jack came and opened the cage putting the same leash around his neck as he did with Copper. They walked into and office were Kasey began to sign papers. Bracken began to think off Copper again and sadness filled him. He would never see his friend again why were good byes so hard.

Kasey took Bracken to his house in Nome were he was greeted by a rather odd little dog. He was small and stout with black and brown fur. "Your the new mutt" he spat in a british accent. "Mutt" Bracken growled "I'm a Pure Sable Malmute" he snapped to the small dog. "Ha well I'm a Permboke Welsh Corgi my name's Charlie." he stated. "I'm Bracken" he said. "You must be for the sled team" Charlie growled. "Just over grown dogs working to hard if you ask me." he stated. "Well no one asked you." he growled to the small dog. Kasey whisteled from outside and Bracken raced out to him. "This is the team" he sighnaled to the dogs that lay around in the barn. Bracken stapped inside and all the dogs surronded him greeting him like old friends except one big black dog who stayed put.  

Chapter IIII: Sweet Victory 

Bracken sat waiting at the door. Kasey's friend Spencer was comeing over and he always brought treats. He had been here for about a week and he knew all his teammates names. That was good cause he was lead dog. Spencer pushed open the door and Bracken jumped up to lick his face. "Hey..Boy." he sputtered through licks. "Sit" Spencer commanded and Bracken sat awating the treat. Spencer tossed the treat down and moved toward the liveing room as he ate the treat a big dog followed. He looked up this dog was a Bloodhound and had a familiar look to him. Brackens eyes got round "Copper!" He yelled jumping and pinning the dog. "Who the heck are you" the dog growled from beneath him "What do I look Like a-" he stared at Bracken. "No way....B-Bracken" he said with a smile. Bracken nodded. "Oh my god" he barked as they rolled in the floor play fighting. Bracken landed on top of him with his ear in his mouth "I can't belive it's you Copper." He barked happily. "It's great to see you to" he laughed. As the dogs rolled apart. They stood up and stared at each other "Boy did you grow big" Copper said amazed. "Yeah you to" Bracken said looking at his friend. "Oh guess what.." Copper barked in excitment. Bracken tilted his head. "I traked a wolf" he barked happily. "Wow that's great" Bracken yelped so overwhelmed to see his old friend again. They spent the rest of the day playing and talking just two friends reunited once again.

Bracken padded along the sidewalk with Copper at his side. They were going to watch the mail be delivered. Two of the dogs from the team tagged along too. Marco and Polo the brothers. The four dogs padded along when Bracken just stopped. "What's up" Copper said looking at him. "Yeah we gotta go the team will be here any minute" Polo barked.  Bracken sniffed the air a scent almost to familiar he followed. "Copper you smell that" he said. Copper lifted his nose and sniffed. "Yeah" he answered. "Can you track it" he barked. Copper puffed out his chest "My specialty" he said putting his nose to the ground and sniffing. They followed the hound until he stopped. "What happened" Bracken asked. Copper sniffed "It stopped" he barked. Bracken padded up next to him with Marco and Polo behind him.  Bracken saw a dog sitting outside the post office  and began walking toward him with out thinking. "Were you going" Polo shouted after him and Marco Barked. He stopped about three feet from the dog. The dog turned and they stared eye to eye but saying nothing. The dog's eyes got round "Bracken" he said standing up "Is that realy you" he stared at Bracken. Bracken smiled "Toni" He wagged his tail jumping and pinning him. The brothers laughed fighting.They jumped up and stared at each other. Bracken smiled "Mom can't save you now" He growled lunging and grabbing his brother's ear. "Oh hey lay off" Toni growled.  "It's great to see you again Toni" he barked licking his brother. "Actually It's Antonio" he corrected Bracken. "Eww Special" He said grabbing his ear again. "Come on Bracken ya over grown pup" he said pulling his ear free. "Aww come on Toni" he said holding his brother's head down. "Antonio" he corrected. "If your name were Spot I would still call you Toni" Bracken mocked. "So your his brother" Copper barked trotting up toward them. "Yep this is him..Toni" he said looking at his brother. Antonio shoved him off and looked at Copper. "Bloodhound" Antonio said. "Yep" Copper said. "Bet your a good traker" Toni said. "Bet your a good sled dog" Copper said. Toni looked at his paws "I'm not a sled dog" he whimpered. "Oh" Copper said. "Wait your not a sled dog but your related to a great leaddog like Bracken" Polo ventured. Toni folded his ears down "I can't be a sled dog... happy" he growled as he stormed away. "See ya later" Bracken called after him. They all looked at Polo "You had to go there" Bracken snapped. As they turned to leave a female dog rushed past them. She cowered Behind them "Hide me" she whimpered. They turned to see a huge doberman Creeping toward them "You mutts seen a little Girly any were" he snarled. "no sir" Copper said. He nodded "if you do find me" he growled walking away. Bracken turned and looked at her "Nice to meet you to" He said looking at her. "Sorry but he was a little mad....Anyway my name's Callee" she said. "Copper,Bracken,Polo,and Marco" Copper barked. "Marco and Polo" she laughed. Marco snarled. "Calm down" she yelped. "oh he can't talk" Bracken said. She looked at Marco. Just then Kasey came through town. He stopped and looked at Callee. "Looks like we got a knew teammate" he said patting her. And she became an offical sled dog.

Chapter V: A Road Less Taken

Bracken opened his eyes dim light filtered into the barn. He lifted his head relizeing he was the only one in the barn. Charlie's short,stout form entered the barn. "Well good morning...Prince Bracken" he sneered padding over to him. "What do you want Charlie" Bracken muttered. "Your needed in the courtyard my lord" he barked in his british accent. Bracken rolled his eyes and got up and trotted out into the yard seeing the sled packed down and everyone had there harnesses on. "There you are" Spencer said slipping on the leather harness and his collar then walking off. Shadow padded over to him. "Well our first big trip...If you give up now I'll take over lead dog and save you the humility" he said sure of himself. Bracken smilled "I'll think over your offer." Shadow glared at him before trotting away. "This is great" Callee barked running over to Bracken excitment covered her face. "Our first trip...and guess were to" she barked happily. Before Bracken could speak she barked "Nanana" her eyes shone brightly. "Really" he smiled. She nodded before Kasey called them to get in line. Bracken wagged his tail remembering his training when ever Kasey called he took his place at the head of the team. He raced along and stood infront of Shadow and Splint. "This is great my first trip" Splint barked. "Your last to I assume" Shadow snarled. "What's that mean" Splint stated. "You can barley run" Shadow mocked as Spencer hooked them up. "That's enough Shadow!" Bracken growled. Shadow flinched but remained calm. Copper bounded through the snow towards him."Guess who gets to come with you" Copper barked proudly. "No way...Someone better than you" Shadow barked behind them. Copper rolled his eyes "I get to ride on the sled with Spencer" Copper said. "Awsome" Bracken barked as Copper raced over to his master to settle down. 

"Mush" Kasey's voice rang out. They had finished the delivery and now were on their way home. It was night the stars shone brightly over head. The team was moving slowly. Splint limped along whimpering he held his broken leg up in the air. Kasey let them stop and unhooked everyone. They all were asleep within minutes. Bracken awoke to a snuffling sound he saw Copper sniffing around on the ground. Bracken lifted his head "Copper what are you doing" He muttered. Copper looked at him "I smell" he sniffed "Wolf" he answered. Bracken stood up and slipped his head out of his collar. Then trotted next to Copper's side. "Really" he said his eyes round. Copper nodded. There was a slight movement in the bushes. Both dogs turned and looked seeing a pale brown wolf standing there his eyes wide with fear and worry "Can you help us" he whimpered crawling closer toward them. "With..." Bracken said. "My mate.. she's hurt and having pups" he stated shacking in fear "Hurt?!" "Pups!?" Copper and Bracken barked in union. The wolf nodded "She got caught in a bear trap..and now she's having our pups but something is wrong" he worried. The dogs glanced at each other "Wait here" Bracken said turning and running toward the sleeping team. "Callee" Bracken whispered. Callee lifted her head "What do you want bee brain it's not even dawn" she muttered tiredly. "Uh...we...um...need help" he stammered. She sat up and Bracken pulled off her collar. "Follow me" he whispered as they returned to Copper and the wolf who was crouching in the bushes. "Ok lead the way" Copper said quietly as the wolf turned. "Uh...Bracken" Callee began stareing at him. "Trust me" he anwered following behind them. He looked at her his sympathetic eyes meeting her worried gaze "Long story" he assured.

They arrived at a shadey grove. The moon swept over the valley makeing the snow glisten. They stopped seeing a few wolves huddled together. A large white male rose to his feet snarleing. "Calm down Tobon...they can help us" The brown male seized. Tobon quickly seated himslef again. "She's over there" Tobon pointed with his snout were a beautiful white wolf lay. She groaned in pain her stomach throbed and on he back foot was a bear trap covered in blood. Callee followed the wolf closer as the others gathered around makeing it impossible for Bracken and Copper to see what was happening. There was a sharp yelp thet made the duo flinch. "What's happening!" The male's voice filled the air. "I'm not sure!" Callee called as noise filled the clearing around them. After a last yelp all went silent. Callee stummbled out of the group tears streaming down her face. She burried her face in Bracken's fur. "I couldn't save her" she sobbed. Tobon came out and faced them his eyes cold and sad he dipped his head as if to say thanks. Bracken did the same and the three headed back to camp.   

Chapter: VI Too late to apologize

Bracken woke the next morning. Callee pressed against his side fast asleep. He yawned laying his head on her's wanting to back to sleep himself. But Bracken noticed Kasey and Spencer loading the sled. Kasey whistled as all the dogs came to Callee even groaned before sitting up. Bracken hauled himself to his paws. Last night had made him truely exhausted and from the looks of it Copper too. Copper staggered about as if he could fall at any moment. After a quick breakfast the dogs were on the road again. The raced along the snow felt good under Bracken's paws as it crunched. He inhaled letting the cold air chill him. "Whoa" Kasey called. Bracken stopped slightly suprised. There infront of them was a frozen lake.

"We'll go across one at a time" Kasey said.Kasey,Spencer and Copper went first, then Bracken, then Shadow, Splint, Marco, Polo, Sam...Callee was half way there when "SNAP!" the ice broke out from under her. She plunged into the Icey water. "Callee!" Bracken barked raceing out onto the Ice.  "Bracken no!" Copper called. Bracken ignored and slid to a stop seeing Callee pawing at the water hopelessly. He streatched out his neck and grabbed her by the collar. Pulling he closer to him she grabbed the edge of the Ice bank. "I told you you can trust me" he said smileing. She smiled back. Bracken's face turned to horror as he saw a huge Ice chunk hurtling toward them. "C'mon!" he barked pulling on her collar as she pushed in an attempt to get her footing. Just as three of her paws were on the ice about to get all four...her collar broke and she sank back into the water. Right as the Ice chunk slamed into her body. There was a snap as she was crushed. She stared at Bracken before sinking into the water as the block closed again. "Callee!" Bracken howled rearing up and slaming his front paws on the ice. Red splattered the ice around him as his paws got stabbed by splinters of ice.  Tears streamed down his face 'She's gone' he thought collapsing to the ground his paws bleeding heavliy.

Chapter: VII Second Chance

Bracken lay out in the yard. His paws wrapped in bandages. Infront of him lay Callee's broken collar. He closed his eyes..he had been like that for two days since they returned home. Copper padded out and stood next to him. "Hey" he said almost to himself not expecting an answer. Bracken twitched his ear toward him but said nothing. "Bracken..it wasn't your fault. You tried to save her. Fate takes people we care about away from us....and theres nothing anyone can do!" Copper stated. Bracken opened his eyes a new determind spark shone in them. He stood up grabbing Callee's collar. And trotted off toward the river. Copper watched him smileing.

 Bracken stood at the bank as the water rolled softly by. 'This was her favorite place' he thought. He scopped one pawful of dirt out and gently lay the collar in the hole. He smiled covering it up just as gently. He sighed getting up and padding back to the house. On his way he stopped and looked over his shoulder his eyes widened. There stood Callee smileing like always. He blinked in disbeleif makeing her laugh. There at her paws lay her collar. She bent over putting it on then stareing at it proudly. "Thank you for bringing back my collar Bracken...you always were a good friend" she smiled. A huge white wolf prowled out from behind her. He looked at it then nodded padding toward Bracken. He drew back a bit seeing a strange mist lingering around her. "I'll miss you" she said quietly nudgeing his shoulder. The wolf howled and she looked at it. "Goodbye Bracken" Callee said licking his cheek. With that the wind picked up and both Callee and the Wolf were gone. He looked at his paws then smiled looking up at the sky "Goodbye Callee" he said to himself continueing home.