SPLIT

By Andrew Heighway

Norton Sound Coast,

30 Miles from Nome.

The midnight sun was at it’s height over a small stretch of beach along the Norton Sound. The only sound was the crashing of the waves washing against the smooth pebbles that covered the beach like a cobbled road, there was no animals sounds to be heard not even the sound of the nocturnal on a midnight hunt. At the very corner of the beach was a cave that most animals and even people know never to enter, no one was sure why exactly, it seemed to have an almost ghostly air to it.

Of course there is always one that gives into his or hers curiosity about what’s in the cave that the native Indians and Eskimos believe to be tainted with dark magic. In this case we have a wolf, a typical arctic wolf looking for something to eat. He approached the beach hoping to find any wash-up fish on the shoreline, and then he noticed the cave and began to stare into its dark mouth. As he was looking into the cave he began to feel strange or at least stranger than any wild animal would usually feel something or perhaps someone was calling to him from the darkness and was trying to lure the wild thing into its heart... but for what purpose?

The wolf began to walk forward towards the cave whilst hearing the sound of his own heart beating faster and faster like an adrenalin rush, yet he seemed to be perfectly calm and showed no fear as most with any amount of sense would. He entered the cave still with the sound of his heart throbbing in his head, there was no turning back for him now... then all went silent... not even the sound of the ocean waves could be heard... the silence was then broken with a painful howl that came from the very centre of the cave. The wolf had gone...

Balto was on his way home from his latest adventure, sadly the adventure meant the departure of his daughter Aleu, although he knew in his heart that letting her go was the right thing to do he still missed her terribly and wished that she could be coming home with him.

The journey home was long and he began to feel tired, after all a lot had happened to him in the last few days and so he began to look for some kind of shelter so he could get some sleep. So he decided to head down to the shore line... not his best idea of the day.

‘It’s getting cold’ he thought to himself, ‘there must be somewhere to rest’.

He then found the pebble beach like the lone wolf before him. The quietness of the place unnerved him slightly, he couldn’t explain why exactly but part of him seemed to be drawn to this place while the other half was telling him to go. He then saw the cave and it began to speak to him telling him to come closer...

“I think I better go” he said to himself. “But... I can’t... what’s happing?”

The whispers in his head began to get louder and louder and so was his heart beat, he began to walk towards the cave like the poor wolf before, only this time it was different with Balto as a large part of him was telling him to back away, but it was no match for whatever was beginning to affect him. He entered the cave... then silence like before... then the same howling followed, but this time he was thrown out of the cave in an instant and was tossed into the sea.

Balto then started to paddle back to shore slowly; he was winded by whatever had happened to him... Balto then made it to the shore.

“Oh man, what the hell happened?”

Balto felt different like something had changed, he felt different but not in a bad way. He then looked down at himself...

“What the?” he said with shock, then immediately looking at his own paws and jolted backwards. He then ran towards a small pool of sea water to look at his reflection... he couldn’t believe what he saw. Instead of seeing a grey coloured wolf dog, he saw a husky dog with brown/white fur. Somehow... his wolf side had gone...

Nome, Alaska

The next day...

Jenna was sleeping outside her home after spending most of the night waiting for both Balto and Aleu. Boris was approaching quietly so he could wake her up gently; there was still no word on Balto. Muk and Luk where out looking for him on the outskirts of town.

“Jenna... wake up” said Boris softly.

Jenna opened her eyes and looked at Boris. “Boris is he?”

“No not yet. Have you been here all night?”

“What else am I supposed to do? I want them back, both of them... I’m not sure what I’d do if anything happened...”

“They’ll be fine Balto will be home soon, and everything will be back to normal... after I kill him of course for scaring the life out of me” chuckled Boris.

Jenna smiled for a second and then got up from the floor and stretched, she then looked out towards the horizon...

“I remember waiting for him on the serum run, it only seems like yesterday. Most of all I remember the day I first met him, he’d only recently arrived in town from goodness knows where. He looked a complete wreck, so tired, so filthy but he was cute. He just stared at me for a few minutes as he was walking by... and then he walked into a garbage can. Somehow, I don’t why but I knew we’d end up together... strange huh” said Jenna.

“When I met him he tried to eat me” said Boris.

“No way” Jenna replied.

“It’s true... he was still a slip of a puppy. He’d had gotten separated from his mother shortly after he was born and his father didn’t want anything to do with him. I was sleeping and I felt something chewing on my tail feathers, I thought he was a wolf at first so I tried to fly away... only to crash into tree. When I woke up he was just sitting there almost in tears feeling guilty, he just sort of stuck with me after that. I became the only family he had, at least before he met you.”

A few moments passed then suddenly a dog figure appeared on the Horizon. Jenna’s eyes suddenly lit up with excitement.

“Oh my god, he’s here!” she said. She immediately ran towards this figure leaving Boris behind. Who had fallen over since she dashed off so quickly. The figure had come to a complete stand still as Jenna was running towards him. As she got closer and closer the figure was coming into focus, she realised that this figure looked different to Balto so she began to slow down and then noticed that it was a Brown coloured Husky dog so she came to a complete stop. She was about 10 metres away from this stranger and just looked at him for a few moments.

“Oh, I’m sorry I thought you were... you know forget it, sorry to bother you” she said before she was about to walk away.

“Jenna”

“You know my name? Who are you?”

The stranger approached her slowly with a smile on his face, Jenna just stood still not knowing what to do.

“Jenna, do you remember that night in the hospital? You where so sad about Rosie that it seemed like nothing was going to make you feel better. You needed cheering up so much, so I showed something that used to cheer me up when I was down...”

Jenna then moved closer to the ‘stranger’, she didn’t know what to say to him at all. But he continued to talk...

“You didn’t understand what I was trying to show you exactly, at first the only thing you saw was a dirty cellar with broken glass all over the place. But back then, you where just looking at the glass half empty...”

Jenna looked slightly worried, but yet didn’t seem to move away from him.

“Northern lights...” she said. “I don’t understand, how... how you could possibly know about...” she then looked into the stranger’s eyes, those reddish coloured eyes that she had known for years... “Balto?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” He replied softly.

Balto then approached her and rubbed against her affectionately. She then did the same, but was still in amazement about what had happened to him.

“Balto, what happened to you? You look... well... amazing... not that you didn’t before.”

Balto gave a soft laugh.

“I can’t believe it myself” he said whilst walking towards a puddle of water. He looked at his reflection with a soft posing smile. “I just walked into that cave, bright light and some pain... then the next thing I knew this... and speaking of pain...” Balto then sat down with his paw holding his side.

“Oh god, are you alright?” asked Jenna.

“Like I said, it hurt a lot whatever happened. But it’s weird I’ve felt worse before and it’s never bothered me like this. Perhaps the wolf part made me a bit tougher... owww... god how do you cope exactly?”

“Balto where’s Aleu?” asked Jenna.

Balto then looked sad, he’d almost forgotten about her and felt ashamed.

“She’s... she’s gone Jenna”

“Gone?”

“She went away... she’s alright, she’s happy and with a pack of wolves...”

“Wolves? My daughter is with a pack of wolves!”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds, they where friendly, they saved our lives.”

“I couldn’t care if they covered the path you were walking on with roses, you let her go with a pack of wolves she barley knows, that ‘you’ barely know!”

Jenna stepped a few paces back from Balto and looked at him angrily in the face.

“It was her choice Jenna, I couldn’t stand in the way of that no matter how much I wanted too. In fact it was more than that, it was destiny almost like she was meant to go away” said Balto.

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this” Jenna said with tears in her eyes. “You let her go without me saying goodbye... I’m never gonna see her again am I?”

Balto looked down at the ground, he couldn’t bare to look her in the eye when he said this...

“No... We’re never gonna see her again”

Jenna began to cry and turned away from Balto who was still facing the ground. He raised his head and began to walk to her side. Jenna then looked at Balto and simply leaned next to him.

“What happened to you Balto?” she asked. “I want to know what happened to you... and Aleu.”

Balto then looked up into the morning sky and simply replied...

“So do I...”

“It’s amazing! Wonderful! This is everything you’ve ever hoped for Balto!” said Boris with excitement; dashing all over the deck of the boat while both Balto and Jenna where sitting down in a very mellow manner.

“It’s wonderful I know” said Balto.

“Oh come on Balto, you’ve been granted a wish, how many can say that?” said Boris.

“I didn’t wish for this to happen, don’t get me wrong it’s not as if I want to go back to the way I was. But I want to find out what has happened to me before I celebrate anything.”

“And how are you going to do that?” asked Jenna

“I don’t know... but the past several days have opened my eyes to new possibilities, that maybe what’s happened cannot be explained by an exact science, also I’m starting to think that this was no accident since it happened right after I encountered one Wolf shaman and made another wolf very annoyed at me” explained Balto.

“I thought you said they were friendly” said Jenna.

“Well for the most part...” Jenna simply stared at Balto “Look can we stick to the matter at hand” said Balto.

“Well what about your mother?” asked Jenna “You said you saw, if only briefly. Couldn’t she explain all this?”

“But how would I find her, the last time she found me and well... I don’t exactly have any wolf senses anymore so I can’t track her”

Balto paced up and down the deck for a few moments and then continued to talk...

“What does this mean for me now? Am I like this forever? Do I just carry on like nothing happened...? I just want answers”.

Balto simply stood still and took in the view of Nome from his boat, although he meant the questions he’d asked part of him wanted to ignore the questions and get out there and be the 100% Husky Dog he had always dreamed of being. It seemed for the first time in his life, he was happy... or so he thought.

The midnight sun was now in the sky burning with its orange glow whilst the town of Nome was asleep. Balto had decided to get some rest, whatever had happened he felt weak because of it, but his sleep was restless again like it had been since Aleu and the other puppies were born...

Balto found himself walking across the same icy plain like before, but it was different this time as it was all quiet with nothing in sight. Balto felt un-easy, despite it being quiet he could feel that someone was there watching him. He crept forward in a defensive posture hoping to get the upper hand on who ever it was watching him... but WHACK! He was hit across the face by something and was knocked to the floor... Balto was dazed but determined to get his own back on whoever it was, so he turned to face his attacker... to see a large wolf looking down on him. The wolf was coloured a light grey and was nearly twice the size of Balto, the wolf looked disgusted at Balto like he was he was a great disappointment to his eyes. But Balto felt like he knew who this wolf was somehow, although they had never met before.

“Look at you!” said the Wolf. “Just look at you now... it’s pathetic”.

“Who are you?”Asked Balto who had now stood up to stand up to his attacker.

“Don’t you recognise me? Then again I shouldn’t get my hopes up since you’ve virtually ignored me for most of your pitiful existence”

“I don’t understand... ignored you? I’ve never met you before” stated Balto.

The Wolf quickly struck Balto again giving him no chance to defend himself, the wolf then pinned Balto to the icy ground.

“Do you remember when we where both just a tiny pup, we where so alone, so scared that we couldn’t find mommy... we ran and ran until by chance meeting we met daddy... and well... we knew exactly how he felt...” said the wolf.

“I don’t want you in my life anymore! You understand that kid? You’re on your own, beat it! Get lost! I wish I hadn’t met your mother!” said a male voice from the surrounding darkness.

“He didn’t want us... so you gave up on me all together and tried to be the best little Husky Dog you could...” continued the Wolf. “But the ‘struggle’ was far from over”

“Out of my way lobo! ... Hey Balto I got a message for your mother... You honestly think any musher would put you on his team? You’re even more mixed up than I thought” said a very familiar voice from the darkness.

“Are... are you me?” asked Balto.

The wolf then let go of Balto and began to circle around him.

I was you, a very big part of you. But I’m gone now... I was your strength, your courage the only thing you had going for you. With out me... you’re nothing... you need me!” shouted the wolf.

“No! I don’t need you! I don’t want you! Leave me alone!”...

Balto then woke up with a fright, his heart was pounding and he was almost in tears. He was shaking so badly that he needed some fresh air to calm down so he went outside. All  he was doing was marching up and down the same spot mumbling to him self, but then what he was saying to himself became clear...

“This is what I want... relax Balto your fine, you don’t need him... You’ll show him...!”

Balto wanted to look at his reflection once more to further convince himself that what he was saying was true... he found a tub of water and went to look at his reflection... to see at first his old face, he shook his head and then saw his new face, the dog he ‘always wanted to be’.

Balto was sitting along the shoreline just outside Nome watching the fishing boats coming into the port. As he was watching he was joined by a familiar face.

“Hey dad” said Dingo.

“Hi son, how’s things?” Balto replied.

“How’s things? Your the one who has had a life changing experience, and your asking me what’s going on in my life... that’s just you in a nutshell isn’t it”

“Well you know, my kids always come first. So answer the question, how’s things?” said Balto.

“I just got back from San Francisco, the family I’m living with went down there for a reunion... We went by boat... and I discovered not only am I sea sick but eating Lobster doesn’t agree with me. I may never look at sea food again.”

“And Kodiak?”

“He’s fine, still dreaming about... well everything. You heard the latest career choice after the ‘guard dog’ fiasco fell through, he’s wants to work the mail run... yeah right that will happen...”

Balto was silent still watching the boats coming in, Dingo was really concerned about his father’s well being.

“Your turn dad, what’s the matter? You should be happy?”

“ I am... at least I think so...”

“ Dad, whatever is that’s on your mind... get over it” said Dingo

Balto turned to look at his son, Balto was caught off guard by what his son had suggested.

“What?” replied Balto

“I said get over it, whatever it is that’s stopping you from enjoying the thing you’ve always wanted. Screw it up into a little ball and throw it away dad, all what matters right now is what you want. Maybe it doesn’t matter why this has happened, you should just enjoy the fact that it has. Just this once, think about what’s best for you... that’s my advice” said Dingo.

Balto smiled at the advice he was given, he realised that his son had grown up a lot since the last time they had spoken all those months ago.

“My, you’ve grown up from the pup that used to chase his own tail in hopes of catching it” said Balto.

“ Well I learned from the best” replied Dingo. “Go into town, do something fun today”.

Balto thought he was right, and hugged his son for the advice. Then Balto started to walk away towards the town. Dingo watched his father, his hero go. Dingo then turned towards the horizon and started to think about things, and then said to himself...

“Huh... I nearly caught the darn thing once... I wonder??”

Meanwhile in town things where going as they usually do, especially for the now jobless and terminally bored trio of Nikki, Kaltag and Star. Although their unemployment was a temporary thing due to the summer, all they where doing was just sitting and staring at the passers by in the street. Until...

“How long is it until winter?” asked Star.

Kaltag glared at Star and simply replied...

“For the 15^th and final time... another three and a half months to go”

“This is so boring! I hate summer! No snow, there fore no sled team, and not to mention the fact that...”

“SHUT UP!” interrupted Kaltag “Oh for the love of God shut up! You have done nothing but complain all summer and it’s starting to irritate me now!”

“Well if you find me so irritating then why are you still here!” snapped Star.

“I have no where else to go! And neither do you! So I guess we’re stuck with each other!” shouted Kaltag.

Both of them went silent for a few moments...

“You know what?” said Star.

“What” replied Kaltag

“Maybe we should... well... perhaps... well since we have nothing to do maybe we should go and talk to... erm... Maybe we should go see Steele” suggested Star.

Both Kaltag and Nikki looked at him with shock.

“That is the most stupid, the most ridiculous... “

“IDEA WE’VE HEARD!” interrupted Nikki

Kaltag turned and hit him on the head with his paw, Nikki fell to the ground.

“Alright! Maybe you’re right... thinking about I’m not sure I can cope with another one of his crazy ramblings” said Star.

“Oh god I know... remember last time, he tried to convince us that not only Balto had ruined his life, but he was also responsible for war, plague and tooth cavities... he really has lost it.” Said Kaltag.

Then suddenly Balto’s voice is heard behind them...

“Hey guys” he said.

“Speak of the devil” said Star.

All three of them turned around to face Balto... then froze with shock when they saw his new appearance.

“Oh my...” said Nikki

“Hey guys, how you doing? Asked Balto.

There was no response from any of them, they just stared with their jaws dropped.

“Errr... okay I guess you’re wondering about this... well there was this cave and a flash of light and I suddenly looked like this... so... do you guys wanna have some fun... Guys?”

There was still no response... then Nikki snapped out of it and hit himself over the head with his paw and dropped to the ground.

Jenna was walking along the beach at dusk to get some fresh air before going to sleep. She was about to turn back and head home, when she suddenly spotted Dingo lying down on his back completely still. She then ran towards her son, she looked very concerned.

“Dingo, are you okay honey?” she asked.

“Oh... Hi mom... would you be so kind and drag me home.” Said Dingo.

“What on earth did you do?”

“I threw my back out... I can’t get up” he replied in agony.

“Oh my goodness, How?” she asked.

“I was trying to catch my... you know what? I don’t wanna talk about it; it’s a rather dull story anyhow.”

“Well I’m not dragging you back to the house... I’m gonna roll you over and hit on your back hard... it might hurt a little sweet heart” she said whilst rolling him onto his side.

“Umm mom, I’m not sure that’s a... Arrgghhhhh!” howled Dingo. His back cracked and he was able to move again... “Owww... thanks mom.

“Your welcome sweetie... Have you seen your Father?”

“Actually, yeah. This morning, why?”

“He was supposed to meet me for lunch, he never showed up” she explained.

Dingo began to giggle; Jenna looked puzzled at her son’s reaction.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“He must have really taken my advice on board, good for him and yay me for the sound advice” he smiled.

“What advice?” she now said extremely worried, she knew this wasn’t Dingo’s strong point.

“I told him to go enjoy himself, to forget about the whys and the hows and the...”

Jenna looked very annoyed and Dingo suddenly became very uneasy.

“Did I do wrong?” he asked lightly.

“You told him to go off and enjoy himself after he’d suffered a traumatic event, something that needs to be answered first”

“Don’t you think you’re overreacting...?”

“Don’t you overreact me young man, it’s not just his physical appearance that’s undergone a dramatic change... you must have realised his personality is... well different too. What if this change starts to affect his mind even more?”

“Oh come on mom, he’s still Balto... that’s all what matters. You love him and I love him, it shouldn’t make a difference. And you’re right, he has changed I’ve never seen happier in his life. I mean what’s the worse that could happen...”

On the other side of town there was the sound of laughter as Balto, Star, Kaltag and Nikki had just had an extremely fun day causing mischief around Nome... and getting away with since the old Balto wasn’t there as a scapegoat. The four of them where about to head off to Balto’s boat home, to do that they had to go through a dark alley.

“I’ve had such fun today guys, it’s been a blast!” said Balto excitedly.

“It sure has been fun today” said Kaltag, “I mean that trick you played on the butcher that was just fantastic, wonderful it was...”

“REALLY REALLY INSPIRED!” interrupted Nikki.

Kaltag than hit him over the head, Nikki fell unconscious.

“It was nothing, it was something Boris and I tried a while back. Works even better looking like this” he said Balto with no shame.

“I take it you like being this way then?” asked Star.

“Like it? It’s wonderful! No it’s better than wonderful, it’s... you know I can’t even describe it in words” said Balto.

“Well keep it up big guy; we’re all in favour of this change. Haven’t had this much fin in like... ever” said Kaltag.

Suddenly a deep growl was heard coming from the dark end of the ally. The happy mood changed in an instant to fear and dread. A large figure was walking towards them from the shadows and this ‘shadow’ began to speak.

“Well well well if it isn’t the half-bree... oh that’s right I forgot you got rid of you’re wolf side didn’t you. Just as well, it’s gonna make it that little bit easier to kill you...”

The figure started to come into the light; it was a large black wolf... Niju. Kaltag and Star began to back away with fear, Nikki was still lying unconscious, while Balto stood his ground.

“Niju...”

“What’s the matter, no hug?” said Niju sarcastically.

“What do you want?” asked Balto.

Niju circled around Balto. Although he had stood his ground Balto felt the fear in extremes, he wasn’t accustomed to it, a few days back Niju looked smaller but now, he seemed a whole lot bigger.

“Just one thing, satisfaction... the satisfaction of watching you die slowly at my hand... is that fear I see in your eyes? You look even more worthless than before” said Niju.

Balto turned to Kaltag and Star.

“Guys run for it!” shouted Balto.

“What about you?!” replied Star.

“JUST GO! I’ll take care of it!”

Star and Kaltag started to drag Nikki away as fast as they could, pretty soon it was just Niju and Balto alone in the alley.

“Oh how heroic of you... look at you, you’re starting to shake. I’ll tell you what, I’ll give you a ten second head start... run... I SAID RUN!”

Balto then charged at Niju knocking him to the ground. But Niju had the upper hand, he flipped Balto over with just one kick. Balto went to hit back but was then bitten by Niju on the back of the neck and then thrown at a solid brick wall. Balto staggered up and realised his mouth was bleeding, he then saw Niju simply laughing at him. Balto’s fear had now taken over and began to limp away as fast as he could out of the town and into the wild. Niju just watched and began to count to ten in a joking manner....

“One, two, three, four... ah forget it! Coming ready or not!”

Niju then ran after Balto...

The sky was as dark as it was going to get over the woods, the air stank of fear. Niju was following Balto’s sent; he was taking his time in a very leisurely manner. As he entered the woods he found some blood spots on a rock, he simply smiled at the thrill of the chase. Niju sniffed the air...

“I have you’re sent locked in Husky dog, I could track you for miles if I had to... you used to be able to do that, not anymore though”

There was just silence for a few moments... not a sound... then...

“Why did you really come back? Simple vengeance doesn’t strike me as you’re style... it’s more than that.” Said Balto, who was nowhere to be seen.

“Just come out Balto, I’ll make it quick it won’t hurt a bit... well not too much anyway”

“You’re afraid... you’re afraid just like me aren’t you. You where scared of change and now you’re just scared in general.”

“It’s not gonna work...”

“You’re right...maybe losing my wolf half has made me weak, less than what I was... but it’s a whole lot better than being what you are... a coward who can’t cope with change even if it’s for the better” said Balto.

Niju was starting to shake with anger...

“You call me the coward! You’re the one who’s hiding!” shouted Niju, who was about to lose control over everything.

Then suddenly, Balto landed on him from a branch of a tree and Niju fell to the floor, before he could compose himself Balto hit him across the face. Niju was dazed on the floor, Balto then began to limp off again as fast as he could deeper into the woods. After a few moments Niju composed himself and went in pursuit.

Balto was hurt badly and was frightened for his life, he’d been frightened before but never like this, he was afraid that he would die... something that never crossed his mind even when he was risking his life to get the serum to Nome.

Balto Limped around the back of a large boulder and leaned against it in order to hide again, knowing that he was too injured to win in a straight fight.

“That hurt. Maybe you haven’t completely lost the wild in you...” said Niju.

Balto found his choice of word odd, even in this situation.

“The wild? You mean my wolf half?” asked Balto.

“You shouldn’t have gone near that cave... you would have at least stood a chance.”

“You’ve been following me... do you know what happened to me?”

“Of course I do...” said Niju. Then it went quiet, too quiet.

Balto crept slowly to see around the boulder, but Niju wasn’t to be seen. He then crept back and turned only to see a set of teeth and a paw hitting him on the face...

“... I’m just not gonna tell you” he finished off as Balto was punched down.

Balto was now in real trouble; he tried to crawl away but was then pinned to the floor.

“Now who is this? Who is this? I came here to fight Balto, the hero of sicken Nome, the famous wolf dog who always saves the day, who never used to be afraid of standing up to a whole pack of wolves, let alone just one. I must say I’m very disappointed, in you... maybe I should have stopped you entering that cave, and after all I wouldn’t want her to keep me imprisoned forever.”

Niju was about to strike a final blow at Balto to finish him off, in a last ditch effort Balto spat bloody saliva in his eye and Niju jolted back with disgust. Balto made one final dash into the woods, or at least as fast as he could. He limped and limped and then stopped abruptly as he ran into a cliff that was shrouded by trees... there was nowhere left to run... Balto had to think fast, his final chance would have to happen here...

Moments later Niju came to the cliff where Balto’s sent trail had ended, he looked over the edge. Niju began to laugh a little...

“You jumped? Well that’s not fair...” said Niju.

Niju was about to walk away thinking that he had won...

“Guess again!” shouted a voice.

Balto was holding onto a thick tree branch, which he then let go. The branch whacked Niju across the body that knocked back over the cliff... Balto then approached to the cliff edge to find Niju trying to hold onto the edge, but he was slipping. Part of Balto wanted him to drop to his death, while the other part... well who knows it had gone. But Balto needed answers...

“I can help you up! But I need answers and I want them now! What happened to me?! What did you mean by ‘the wild’? And who is ‘she’, is this ‘she’ responsible for this...? ANSWER ME!!” he demanded.

But Niju would not answer... he simply smiled... and let go of the cliff side. Niju was dead as soon as he hit the bottom.

Balto then lay down on the floor with despair, his face and body covered in cuts and bruises. He just lay there, on the grass... completely motion-less.

Balto was now back at the boat lying under his blanket and staring into space. He could hear the voices of Jenna, Boris and Dingo talking outside. He was just listening to what they had to say.

“Boris is he alright?” asked Dingo.

“He just needs some rest... he has been beat up pretty badly, but he’ll recover in time. Well his physical injuries... his pride may take a lot longer.” Said Boris.

“I’m gonna talk to him” said Dingo.

“No” interrupted Jenna “He doesn’t want to see anyone, at least not yet.”

“It’s best we leave him for tonight, see how he feels tomorrow” said Boris.

“Oh come on! We can’t just leave him like this, he needs to know that we’re there for him... it’s dad for crying out loud, how can I just stand by and do nothing?” said Dingo.

“I love him too Dingo and I’ve known him a lot longer, if he wants to be left alone then that’s what we should do” replied Jenna.

Balto then turned onto his side and closed his eyes for a moment, but opened them slightly more when he still heard Dingo talking.

“I always used to think that nothing could beat dad, like he was indestructible you know, maybe you where right mom. Maybe whatever happened did change him in more ways than one.”

A tear then dropped from Balto’s eye, he had now sunk to an all time low. What he had always dreamed of had now become something horrible, for the first time in his life he hated who he was.

Balto woke up back on the icy plain, his wounds where still showing here. He then staggered forward to take a look around, again like before it was all silent. He walked on and on for what seemed like hours, still there was nothing.

He was about to give up when he noticed a shadow walking towards him, in the shape of a wolf.

“Just get it over with alright! Kill me!” shouted Balto.

“Why would want to do that?” said a friendly and familiar voice.

The shadow came into focus, much to Balto’s surprise it was Nava.

“Nava?”

Nava stood in front of Balto and waved his paw, suddenly Balto’s wounds began to heal quickly, until they disappeared completely.

“Now now Balto haven’t we been careless, losing your wolf side and getting cut up like this in the space of two days. Certainly a change from your previous track record”

“Yeah...” said Balto looking at himself, “That’s a neat trick”

“It’s just for the dream, you’ll still be in pain when you wake up”

“What are you doing here?”Asked Balto.

“When one of my own fellow wolves is in trouble, I like to help out and yes I can see what you look like... you’re still one of us and always will be.” Explained Nava.

“So... I take it you know what happened too, seems like everyone I’ve met knows the details... I’m expecting Steele to show up any minute now threatening to kill me and claiming he knows all... or did he already do that before?”

Balto sat down, looking at his reflection on the ice floor.

“You don’t like what you see?” Asked Nava.

“I assumed I would... I’d always hated being, half wolf... no offence. I’m gonna tell you something, something I’ve never even told Jenna in detail. When I was a pup I briefly lived with my Father in the village of Unalakleet, a pure bred Husky Sled dog, a champion by all rights. I don’t know how but he just knew I was his son, same eyes I suppose... heck now I’m a spitting image. He didn’t want to take me in but he kinda felt obligated, I was over the moon that I finally had some family in my life. I wasn’t the easiest kid to care for, always getting into trouble, into fights with other kids... the name calling soon started after that. My dad just couldn’t cope, he was getting his own fair share of cruel names for being with my mother... so one day he took me out of the village and told me I had to go... he said some real nasty things to me, told me to get lost. I hated him for a while, but mostly I hated myself for being what I was and I knew no one would accept me as a wolf, so I tried to be the best Husky dog there was. I remember wishing so hard that the wolf in me would go away forever... and now that it has... I’ve become less, Niju never frightened me when I first met him, and I’ve never been so frightened and weak in my life.” Said Balto.

Nava then sat down next to Balto.

“I want to be like I was before, I want the wolf in me to come back... I need him. Otherwise I’m incomplete.” Continued Balto. “What happened to me Nava?”.

Nava then began to circle Balto.

“Her name is Shadow. A wolf shaman like me who lives in the cave you found. She is known as the keeper of the wild, usually only wild animals, those that have not been tamed by man can enter her presence and those she usually keeps forever. She’s twisted and evil. Her ‘will’ reaches out from that cave and she lures her victims in, she traps the poor souls for her own amusement. But you being only half, she had to extract that half from you... and throw what was left away.” Nava explained.

“How do I get it back?” asked Balto.

“You’ll have to walk into the cave, you being a full husky she won’t like that. In order to get back someone you know who she has trapped or in your case ‘you’, you’ll have to take the trials... challenges set by her and under her conditions.” Continued Nava.

“Well... what am I waiting for?” said Balto

Balto began to walk away from Nava.

“Balto. Don’t accept this likely, very few have survived her challenges. She won’t hesitate to kill you.” Said Nava.

“And I won’t hesitate to do what is necessary... I’m ready” said Balto.

Things suddenly went black... the dream was over.

Dingo decided to sneak into the boat as he was too worried about his father’s well being. He made sure that neither his mother nor Boris where around before he entered. He walked in quietly in case his father was asleep, however when he entered all he found was his father’s blanket on the floor. Dingo looked worried and began to pace up and down the deck, he then stood still for a moment and began to think what to do. He looked back towards the blanket and then walked towards it; Dingo then began to sniff the blanket... shortly after that he closed his eyes and began to concentrate for a few moments. Dingo then exited the boat and started to walk on towards the forest.

Balto was walking back to the cave as quick as he could; he was still in a lot of physical pain but was ignoring it because he knew what had to be done. But as he was walking he felt like he was being watched... he then stood still for a moment and turned around to see Dingo standing there behind him. Balto was surprised to see his son standing there but could only say one thing to him.

“Go home son.” Said Balto, but Dingo just stood there. “Go home right now I mean it!”

“I’m coming with you Dad...”replied Dingo.

“Son this is no time for...”

“I’m coming with you Dad!” interrupted Dingo “Your hurt and extremely tired I’m not letting you do whatever it is you’re about to do alone” he continued.

“Dingo...”

“No buts Dad! I mean it this time!”

Balto knew his son would not abandon him, there was nothing he could do but smile.

“I don’t understand, how did you find me?” asked Balto.

“Well... let’s just say Aleu wasn’t the only one to inherit some wolf traits. It’s just that mine don’t show on the outside.” Explained Dingo.

Dingo and Balto began to walk together to the cave. Balto then asked...

“How long have you been able to track?”

“Ever since I was puppy... Aleu and I used to make a game of it, Kodiak would go and hide somewhere in town and we’d track him until we found him, its how we practised. Didn’t think I would ever use it again.”

“Why haven’t you mentioned this before?” asked Balto.

“I dunno... I figured you wouldn’t want to know, you’ve never been very pro-wolf in the past, didn’t think you would approve... to be honest as I got a bit older, I’m not sure I approved.”

Balto then stopped in front of Dingo.

“Of course I would have approved, it’s a good survival technique for one thing. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, ever since this happened, is that you should never be ashamed about who you are... or in my case who you where.”

“Dad what is this all about? Why are you out here?”

Balto turned away and looked up to the sky...

“A friend... well at least I think he is anyway... told me how to get my wild back...”

Dingo looked slightly frightened...?

“Say what...? Did you hit your head or something?”

“Come on, I’ll explain on the way.” Said Balto walking away.

Dingo stood there for a moment and replied...

“Oh no... I’m gonna pull my back again aren’t I?”

The mid-night sun was once more in the sky as it was when Balto first came to the cave. Balto and Dingo came to the beach and saw the hole of blackness that was dug into the rock. Balto felt nothing from it, like it just wasn’t there.

“It’s different... I don’t feel anything anymore” said Balto.

There was no reply from Dingo; he turned to look at his son to see him staring in an almost hypnotic way at the cave.

“Dingo...?”

There was still no response; Dingo could hear whispers in his head, like Balto did. Dingo began to move closer. Balto then realised, Dingo was one quarter wolf and could be drawn into the cave by the shaman named Shadow. Balto then stood in front of Dingo and grabbed hold of him, he was still in a trance.

“Dingo!” shouted Balto, he then slapped his son on the face “Snap out of it”

Dingo reacted, in pain of course, and had snapped out of the trance.

“Owww! What... Wh... What happened? I thought I heard... where you whispering to me just now?”

“Your part wolf, she was trying to draw you in. Stay here...”

Balto walked off to the cave, determined to get back what was rightfully his. Dingo just stood there.

“Yeah sure I’ll...” the whispering then reappeared in Dingo’s head “... stay...”

Balto walked into the cave and into that darkness, he couldn’t see where he was going, the passage started to get narrower and narrower. He was about to turn back but then saw a small light ahead and the passage began to widen again. He then came to what appeared to be a large chamber with a purple light illuminating the room slightly.

Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder, but turned to find no one was there, and again another tap on his shoulder and no one there when he turned.

‘Okay that was creepy’ he thought to himself.

A figure appeared in the light, Balto reacted...

“You! Come out! You have something that belongs to me!” shouted Balto.

The figure then got closer and closer and went into the light for Balto to see. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, it was impossible...

“...Dad...?” said Balto.

“Hello son, long time no see. My haven’t you grown.”

“This is impossible.”

“I’ve heard all about you, being the local hero. Not to mention the lead dog on a sled team. That’s quite a feather in your cap son.”

“I don’t understand... What are you doing here?”

“I wanna make up for lost time, get back the years I should have spent with you... I love you son”

Balto shed a tear as he was staring at what appeared to be his father, Ranger. Who looked like an older version of how Balto looked in his pure Husky form. They even had the same eyes.

“Come on, why don’t we go for a walk. You can tell me all about Jenna and my grandchildren, I’d really like to meet them.”

It then occurred to Balto, that something really wasn’t right.

“Sure Dad... in fact my son... ‘Steele’ is waiting outside the cave, let’s go talk to him dad.”

“Ahhh Steele, I’ve heard so much about him.”

“And Kaltag, don’t forget little Kaltag”

“Of course little Kaltag”

“Who are you!”

“What do you mean son?”

“Stop it! This is some lame trick to get me to leave! The hero stories, of course you may know about them... but how would you know about Jenna or my kids for that matter?”

“Son... I”

“I’ll give you one chance, what’s my daughters name...? Huh! WHAT IS HER NAME!”

Balto’s father then vanished from the chamber.

“Go home lower being. You don’t belong here” whispered a female voice.

“I want what belongs to me” said Balto.

“I know who you are... he belongs to me now, so go home lower being before I do something un-kind”

“No! I’m not leaving without him, he’s a part of me. I’ll challenge you for him if that’s what you want!”

“Oh I like challenges... particularly from males, their hearts and souls break so easily. Very well lower being, you wish for your true self back. But the stakes have to be high...”

“You mean my life if I loose”

“If you loose you’ll die anyway, but the stakes have to be much higher... so high that you’ll have to fight a thousand times harder... Ahhh perfect. Come in child...”

Balto looks towards the passage he entered through, to see Dingo in a trance just standing there.

“NO! YOU CAN’T NOT HIM!” shouted Balto.

“THOSE ARE MY CONDITIONS LOWER BEING! The challenge has been made! If you should win, you become what you where once again and you and the child can go... but if you should loose... not only will you die, but your son will be mine forever... eternal torment... worse than death for him.”

“I SAID NO!” shouted Balto again.

Suddenly Dingo began to choke, he couldn’t breathe. Balto ran towards him but couldn’t do anything to help him. Balto was now panicking...

“STOP! STOP THIS NOW!”

There was no answer, Dingo then fell to the floor and was starting to loose consciousness.

“ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT! I accept the terms!”

Dingo was now able to breathe again, but was still unconscious.

“Very well lower being, shall we begin...?” said Shadow, who had now materialised right in front of Balto...

Dingo woke up in a chamber with stone walls all around, there was no way out but he was not alone. He could make out some figures approaching him. He then leaned back against the wall, the figures turned out to be a number of wolves all of which where bigger and looked a lot more vicious than him.

“Well well what do we have here?” said the lead wolf.

“Looks like Shadow has taken to trapping Husky trash” said the Second.

“No... He’s different. Can’t you smell it?” said a third.

“You’re right. He has a bit of wolf in him, not much but it’s there.” said the lead wolf.

Dingo then tried to stand up to them.

“You come any closer and I’ll show you how much wolf I can be!” threatened Dingo.

The wolves began to laugh, but Dingo still stood his ground.

“Well how about that, the mix breed has some spine” said the Second.

“Perhaps we should snap it in two” replied the third.

Dingo backed against the wall as all three wolves approached him. Dingo couldn’t stand a chance against them. Suddenly a large grey wolf then jumped in between Dingo and the wolves.

“You lay a single paw on him and I swear to god you’ll die slowly and horribly!” said the grey wolf.

The wolves then began to back off.

“We’re just having a little fun” said the lead wolf. “Why the hell do you care so much about the little mongrel?”

The grey wolf turned to face Dingo; he looked at him with a kind face.

“He’s my son...” said the grey wolf.

Dingo looked at the wolf closer... he couldn’t believe it.

“Dad...?”

Husky Balto was facing Shadow from across the purple lit chamber. They seemed to be just staring at each other with no reaction coming from either of them.

Balto was back in Nome, but the town was completely deserted. He was walking around trying to find anyone to help him. He was about to give up when he bumped into another dog, he looked in complete surprise... it was Steele.

“Well it’s about time you showed up!” said Steele, “Come the others are waiting” he continued.

Before Balto could even react he was dragged along by Steele who led him inside a house in town. Inside the house where Jenna, Kodiak, Boris and Aleu who where just sitting on the living room floor.

“Right, he’s finally here. We can begin now” said Steele to the others.

“What? What’s going on? And what the hell are you doing here Steele...? And Aleu apparently” said Balto.

“That’s not how you should talk to your vanity and arrogance now isn’t it” said Kodiak.

Balto’s jaw dropped slightly and he then stared at Steele for a moment who seemed to look very pleased with himself.

“He’s my what?” said Balto.

“He’s your vanity and arrogance... just like mom is your kindness and love, Aleu is your Intelligence and logic and I’m your Happiness and joy... so isn’t that just really really super.” said Kodiak.

Balto was still staring at Steele...

“BUT HIM!” Balto shouted.

“It’s your subconscious dad” said Aleu. “Your the one who chose us to represent different parts of your psyche and with Steele it makes perfect sense... no offence” she continued.

“None taken, I’m too handsome to care anyway” replied Steele.

“He’s been really active ever since you became a pure bred Husky, he’s never been happier” said Jenna.

“Which in turn makes me happy... or at least it did for a short while” said Kodiak.

“Which then made me start to think logically about this, and I did. I came to one conclusion...” said Aleu.

“And what conclusion was that?” asked Balto.

“You’ll have to ask him that question” said Steele.

“Who?” asked Balto.

“Well your self loathing of course” said Aleu.

“You must go find him my love, show him kindness and he’ll be fine” said Jenna.

“He’s not the happiest of souls, which I think is just fabulous.” Replied Kodiak.

“Now go help him before she comes, we’ll be okay here just as long as your quick about it” said Aleu.

Balto walked towards the door, but then turned back to ask one more question.

“But where would I begin?”

“He’s you remember, where would you go?” said Jenna.

Balto then thought for a moment and proceeded out of the door. All the others could do was sit and wait...

“I don’t understand” said Dingo, “You where a Husky dog a few moments ago, what has she done to you now?”

“Son what are you talking about? I’ve been here for days, I came into the cave... and then I looked like this.” Explained Wolf Balto. “Why did you come for me? It’s too dangerous for you here” he continued.

Dingo just stared at him with confusion, what his ‘father’ was saying just didn’t make any sense.

“Dad... you got turned into a Husky dog, you came home... you fought against Niju, and you got beat up pretty bad... Don’t you remember?” asked Dingo.

Wolf Balto had no clue what he was talking about, but it then occurred to Dingo.

“Of course... of course you wouldn’t remember... it wasn’t you” he continued.

“What are you talking about son?” asked Wolf Balto.

“Listen carefully dad, what I’m gonna tell you will seem very strange. But what I tell you is the truth and nothing but.” Said Dingo.

Husky Balto was walking towards the back of the hospital in deserted Nome, he remembered the cellar underneath the Hospital, that one place in the world that used to cheer him up when he needed it the most, he figured that his self loathing would come there to seek the comfort of the Northern lights. As he was walking into the hatchway to get inside the cellar he remembered the night he brought Jenna that one special night she needed when she was down.

He entered the cellar; it was almost completely dark except for the light coming from the interior of the hospital. The broken bottles everywhere where stained with blood, this made Balto very un-easy.

“Ahhh... here I am.” Said a voice very softly. “I was wondering when you would find me, can’t imagine why you would want to though... the only thing I see in my reflection is a disgusting monster, neither wolf or dog. To walk in the world that belongs to both yet never apart of it, it’s sickening... though it could be worse... I could have been born Human.”

Balto then suddenly bumped into a body on the floor, he jolted back with panic... he then saw two more... it was Kaltag, Star and Nikki all of which where dead. Then another Balto, his original form appeared right next to Husky Balto.

“They’re gone now, your Humour, your Stupidity and your Guilt. She got here before I did... not that I could have helped them anyway.”

Husky Balto just stared at what he once looked like, but he couldn’t believe that his mind had given his self loathing that appearance.

“You got to come with me now!” shouted Husky Balto.

“Why? So we can live? Become the ‘hero’ again, I’m the part of you who knows we’ll never be accepted no matter how much serum you deliver to help poor sick children, we may get sympathy... but never acceptance.”

“Shut-up! I’ve been listening to you for too long and you know what? I’m tired of it, you are right some will never accept me for what I am, but there are those who do, more importantly they believe in me whether I look like a Wolf or a dog. So move your ass before I drag you kicking and screaming!”

Balto’s self loathing just stared blankly, but then began to walk towards the exit. Husky Balto then looked at the bodies one last time, although he knew that the real Kaltag, star and Nikki where alive and well he still felt sorrow for what he saw. It hit him... he was losing his fight with Shadow...

Balto arrived back at the house with his self loathing in tow. However he was too late, as he saw Kodiak, Steele and Aleu dead on the floor. Balto simply froze with horror, the image  seeing two of his own dead made him sick. His self loathing simply stood there like nothing was wrong, neither happy or sad just blank. In fact the only thing he could say was...

“The place needs a clean”

But Balto didn’t respond, he just went to the floor and gave up. He then saw Shadow walking towards him.

“It’s over lower being. I’ve destroyed who you are, well... at least the parts that matter.” She said. She then pointed to his self loathing. “He can stick around, I want you to feel what he feels for a while longer.”

Balto then tried to attack Shadow but he went straight through her like she wasn’t even there.

“You can’t hurt me, I’m in control. Everything here bends to my desire, that’s how I ‘Split’ you in the first place, so I just did it again, how can you hope to save that little boy of yours if you can’t even save yourself. You will die Balto... and your son will be mine forever and believe me he’ll get far worse. You’ve failed him, and by doing so you have failed your daughter, your mate and... Well maybe not the cocky one. Any last requests?”

Balto then slumped on the floor, all he could hear was his heart beat getting slower and slower. Suddenly he heard another voice, a truly sweet sound to him.

“It’s not over my love” said Jenna who had no appeared behind Shadow, but Shadow didn’t seem to be able to see her. Jenna walked over to Balto.

“I’m still here.” Said Jenna.

“But how, she killed...”

“She cannot destroy anybody’s love, no one can. Balto... I know that it’s hard, but you can win. You always do.”

“I can’t do it, she’s taken everything away from me. I’m not strong enough... I’ve let him down”

“Balto, he’ll never feel that you’ve let him down. He loves you, and you love him.” Jenna then gestured to a corner of the room, where Balto saw an image of dingo sitting down he was smiling at him with pride and admiration. The image then disappeared. “He believes in you, and the part of me that is Jenna believes in you too... I love you”

Jenna then kissed Balto, the moment seemed to last forever even though it was only a few seconds. The image of Jenna then disappeared into Balto.

Shadow was about to strike Balto, but was then Blocked by him and he looked up at her with anger. He then hit her and she jolted back... she couldn’t believe it.

“How?!” she shouted.

“A dog can always learn new tricks.” He replied. Suddenly his wounds that he got when he was fighting with Niju then began to heal up fast, until there wasn’t a single scratch on him. Shadow looked very afraid, and Balto was approaching her. “Something you said before, ‘Things bend to my desire’. It’s now time for some pay back!” he shouted.

Shadow then charged at Balto but was tossed into the wall by him, she tried to come at him again but he simply anticipated her every move before she could make it.

“You’re not so tough are you? Now that your parlour tricks are useless.” Said Balto.

She then got Balto by his neck, and had him against the wall.

“I’m tough enough lower being! I’ve taken down pure bred wolves who where more impressive than you, I mean why bother getting your wild back, you’ll never be anything but a half-breed, an outsider to both worlds.”

“She’s right you know” said his Self Loathing.

Balto then managed to break free and whacked her with his paw, she went to the ground.

“I am who I am, I don’t need you or anybody to tell it to me. I’m Balto, I’m a hero... and I beat the bad guys.”

Shadow tried to crawl away but was then pinned by Balto.

“You’re not gonna kill me” she said.

“That’s right I’m not. I’ll spare your life if you give back my wild and more importantly my son. And all the wolves you have trapped here they get to go too.” Demanded Balto. “Those are the terms if I spare your life, do you agree.”

Shadow was breathing heavily and was completely afraid. She nodded.

Then suddenly the house disappeared and they where back in the cave again. Then Dingo, Wolf Balto and the other wolves (Dozens of them appeared).

“Dad!” said Dingo.

“It’s alright son, we’re going home.” Balto noticed his wolf half and walked towards him. “Hello Balto” he said.

“And you” he replied. Wolf Balto then glanced at his Husky half. “It’s uncanny, you look like Dad.”

“Yeah... I noticed. You’re a lot taller than I thought you would be” said Husky Balto.

Shadow then pinned down Dingo and held her claws against his neck.

“Change of plan! You should have killed me when you had the chance!” she shouted. “Now where gonna play it my way!”

“We don’t think so” said Wolf Balto.

“You’re not gonna kill me, you haven’t got it in you!” said Shadow.

“That’s right, ‘we’ won’t... but it’s not me...” Said Wolf Balto.

“Or me...” said Husky Balto.

“That you should be worried about” finished Wolf Balto.

“What?” said Shadow.

Both Balto’s pointed to the over wolves who where now ganging up on Shadow. She let go of Dingo and began to back up against the wall.

“Come on son, we’ll go home now” said Husky Balto.

Both Balto’s and Dingo began to walk out of the cave. The wolves then started to jump on and attack Shadow. All that could be heard was a loud scream.

It was now Dawn on a cliff side along the coast. Both Balto’s where sitting facing each other with Dingo looking amazed at both.

“So how does this work exactly?” asked Dingo. “Do you cast a spell? Run into each other? What?”

“I don’t know son, but whatever it is... I think we need to be alone for a moment.” Said husky Balto.

Dingo understood, and then walked away.

“He does have a point, how does this work exactly?” asked Husky Balto.

“You have to want me back... not for the heightened senses and speed. You have to want me back.” Replied Wolf Balto.

“I think I’ve never appreciated you enough in the past, I owe you a lot. If it wasn’t for you I would have failed the Serum run, Jenna and even Aleu. You’re a part of me... hell you are me. I can’t go on alone... I do want you back... more than anything.”

Wolf Balto smiled.

“It’s good enough for me. Oh and by the way... next time you have an urge to enter a cave... don’t.”

Husky Balto laughed. Both then Hugged each other. As they hugged each other they began to merge into each other and a yellow glow appeared around them... until the two dog figures became one... Balto was now whole again.

He looked at his paws and fur, and then looked into a near by pool at his reflection to see the same old face. Dingo then approached from behind and saw his father had now come back, Balto turned and smiled at his son. They both hugged each other.

“I love you Dad. You saved my life.” said Dingo.

“Hey, what are fathers for huh?” replied Balto.

They both started to walk off into the dawn back home. But continued to talk.

“So how does it feel to be back dad?”

“I never left son, I remember things from both sides.”

“You know what I mean.”

“It’s great... I’m happy... over the moon even. Just one thing though...”

“Oh what’s that?”

“What’s this I hear about you throwing your back trying to catch your tail?” laughed Balto.

“Don’t be ridiculous, would I do such a thing...?”

THE END