I'M NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON TO INTRUPT ONE OF MY SERIES, BUT THIS COULDN'T WAIT!!!!  BTW, I WANT TO SEND A PERSONAL THANK YOU TO AIYU FOR GIVING ME THIS AWESOME IDEA!  IT WAS  ALOT OF FUN TO WRITE! 

"Grandma!  GRANDMA!!!!"  a young girl called out.  Soon, an old woman was at the bedroom door, looking into the bedroom of her grandaughter.

"Jessica, you called."  The woman smiled.  The young girl, Jessica sat up in her bed.

"Grandma, i wanna hear a bedtime story."  She said.

"Your supposed to be in bed Jessica."

"I am in bed Grandma!"

"Your supposed to be sleeping."

"Please grandma!  Please please please!"  Jessica stared at her grandmother, who smiled.  The old woman went in and sat on her grandaughters bed.

"Ok, let me think.  Um, have i told you the story of Balto?"  The woman asked.

"You told me that when you took me to visit Balto's statue in the park Grandma Rosie!"  The girl said.

"Well, have i told you the story of how Balto was born?  Who his family was?"  Grandma Rosie asked.  Jessica shook her head, eyes wide with excitment.

"Ok then.  I'll begin."  Grandma Rosie started her story.

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The story of Balto is legendary, but it brings up many questions.  One was never really answered: why?  If wolves and dogs disliked each other so much, why would a wolf mate with a dog?  The answer is finally here.

When she was born, Balto's mother, Aniu was given a destiny at birth.  It was said, she was to become what is known as a spirit guide, helping and watching.  But there was something even the Great Spirits of the Northern Lights couldn't see.  That Aniu would one day fall in love.  And even more shocking, she was to fall in love with a dog.  

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"Out you go Red, there's a good dog."  The old man said as he let his dog out.  Even in Nome, Alaska, there were dogs who did not pull sleds all day.  Red was one of these dogs.  His owner had gotten him as a puppy and now Red, though a little older, still had the good looks of a young dog.  His owner did not worry to much about Red running free in the Alaskan wilderness.  He had a collar and seldom got lost.

Red barked and shot out the door, heading toward the beach where an old abondened boat lay, shipwrecked before Red's owner was born.  Today was different though.  Red could feel that something was different.  Before he could put his tail on it, a howl broke the silence on the beach and to Red's horror, it was coming from his boat!  

Red growled and leapt onto the boat, teeth showing and ready for a fight.  What he saw stunned him.  A beautiful white she-wolf was sitting on it's deck, staring at him.  Immediatly, the she-wolf snarled and lept at Red, but soon her eyes met his and she stopped in midair, crashing to the wood of the boat.  There they stood, Red and Aniu; Dog and Wolf staring at each other.

"Who are you?"  Red finally got out.

"I'm Aniu.  My pack lives in the forest just outside the city."  Her voice swirled around Red, filling his heart.  Unknown to him, Aniu's heart was also fluttering as she stared at this dog.  She had never felt the feeling before and was scared by it.  In her fear, she ran and lept over the edge of the boat and dissappeared into the forest as Red watched her vanish.

The two met the next day at the boat and many days after.  Months passed as Red grew older.  Aniu grew also both in beauty and wisdom.  It was perfectly clear, they were falling in love.  One night, Red and Aniu were spread out on a blanket when Red gave his mate some news.

"Aniu, my owner is dying."  He said.

"Oh Red, i'm so sorry!  I know how much he means to you."  Aniu said, licking his ear.  "Is there anything i can do to help?"

"Well, he has been good to me these past years, but he is old and it is his time.  He will be in peace.  But there's something else bothering me.  WIthout my owner, i have nowhere to go.  I've been wondering if this boat would sustain me.  But i will be lonely here.  Aniu, please tell me you'll live here with me!"

Aniu stood up and shook her head.  "Red, i have news also.  Red, i'm carrying."

"What?"  Red got up.

"It means, i'm pregnant.  I'm carrying puppies."  Aniu said.  Red yelped with joy. 

"Aniu, we can have a family!"  Red said.  "Please?  Your answer?"

"Yes.  Yes, i shall leave my pack and come with you."  Aniu said and the two spent the rest of the night together.  However, danger lurked in the shadows.  A wolf by the name of Shadow had overheard the conversation and anger filled him.  He had noticed Aniu slipping off more and more and he had planned to show his love for her that night.  Instead, he waited.

Many months later, Aniu had her litter on the boat.  Three puppies, two of them with the white fur of their mother and one with the brown fur of his father.  Before long, the two white ones began to look more like dogs while the brown one took on the looks of a wolf.  More time passed and Shadow continued to live in the pack, though his anger and broken heart finally over came him.  That night, Aniu, Red and their family (Balto, and his sisters May and Snow) were alseep when Shadow sneeked in.  Quickly, he killed May, but in the struggle, Balto woke up in time to see his sister's last breath.  He yelped, waking the rest of him family.

"Aniu, take the pups and run!"  Red yelled, but too late.  Shadow lunged for Snow and caught her throat.  The poor puppy didn't stand a chance as Shadow lifted her by her neck in his teeth.  She was dead before she hit the ground.  Aniu grabbed Balto and jumped over the side of the boat.  Unknown to her, Red had faught Shadow and managed to throw the old wolf overboard and into the ocean, where he eventually got out and ran into the forest, but many months later, Red died from his wounds while looking for his mate and last living pup.

Aniu ran farther and farther away form the dreadful scene with Balto.  Finally, they came to a den where Balto grew up, him memory quickly cleared of that horrible night.

"Balto, you must learn the ways of the world."  she said and so began his teachings.

"Learn of the animals totems on a pole, for one day they will guide you, though it is not clear when.  Learn of the fox, the cunning trickster.  The wolverine, who is your fears.  The bear is your inner knowing.  The caribu, life.  And the wolf."

"Mother, what is the wolf?"  Balto asked.  Aniu did not answer.  Though he did not know his father, Balto knew he was not a full wolf.  He began to get a wolf like appearance, though it was clear he was part dog.  His features were mixed together and that made him a target for animals to make fun of him as he hunted.  But Aniu's worst fears came true.  Shadow had survived and tracked Aniu to the forest where she was living.  One night, he and a band of loyal wolves attacked.  Aniu grabbed Balto and ran as fast as she could through the woods.  Finally, she stopped.

"Mother, run!"  Balto said.  "Come on!  Their after us!"  Aniu shook her head.

"We shall meet again my son.  Don't forget the animal totums.  One day, i shall be there to guide you as you shall guide your family."

"Mother?"  Balto looked utterly confused.  The hows of Shadow and his pack were coming closer.

"Balto, listen to me.  On the edge of the forest, there is a small town.  The humans call it Nome.  Go there, you will be safe.  But never forget your heritage.  You have the spirit of a great wolf, but also the heart of a wonderful dog.  Be wise my son.  Now go!  Run!"  Aniu said.  

"But mother..."  Balto gasped.

"Run!"  Aniu said and she jumped up and fled into the trees, into the path of Shadow and his wolves.  She died that night and, as her destiny called, she became a spirit guide.  Balto took his mother's advice and fled.  It took him two months, but he finally stumbled into the town of Nome one night, tired and hungry.  A passing human soon spotted him in an ally.

Balto looked up hopefully and wagged his tail.  The human smiled and beckened with it's hand until Balto stepped into the light.  The human shrieked, thinking Balto was a wolf and ran into the first building it could see.  Soon, many more humans were running around, looking for the wolf.

"Nice going mutt!"  A voice sneered behind him.  Balto whipped around to see a large black and white dog strutting toward him.  "You sent the town into a frenzy.  What a wolfdog."

"What did you call me earlier?"  Balto asked. 

"A mutt.  It's what you are.  Not a dog and not a wolf."  The black and white dog said.  "Not anybody if you ask me.  Mutts are worthless."

"And who are you?"  Balto asked, begining to back up.

"Steele."  The dog said.  

"Balto."  Balto spoke his name, but Steele only growled.

"Beat it wolfdog.  Your pack is waiting.  This is a dogs down.  If you can't pull a sled, you don't belong here.  And i'm telling you right now.  Wolves don't pull sleds."  Steele growled and Balto turned away and ran.  The people in the streets earlier regonized him, but didn't attack.  They saw him as Steele had, a mutt.  He was nothing more than a stray dog who just happened to look like a wolf.  No bother to them.

One little boy was intrested in Balto though.  Interested in hurting him anyway.  The boy picked up a rock and threw it at Balto, which hit him in the side.  Balto yelped and fell to the ground as the boy laughed and bent to pick up another rock.  Balto closed his eyes, but before anything else happened, he heard the boy yell in fear.  Opening his eyes, he saw a large goose chasing the boy back into the town.  Finally, it went back to Balto.

"Are you alright?"  The goose asked.  Balto was shaking, but nodded his head.  "Well, you must be new here.  Any good volf knows to keep away from this town.  The dogs here are all proud sled dogs.  They don't like volves."

"I'm not a wolf.  I'm a mutt."  Balto said, shaking the snow out of his fur.  "My mother was a wolf.  My dad was a dog."

"Aw, i see."  The goose said.  "Vell, you have a place to stay no?  Vell then, you shall stay vith me on the beach!  I live in a boat there!  It used to be empty, but time took care of things.  Ven i got there, a blanket vas there and i guessed something had lived before.  But it's empty now!" the goose honked as Balto followed him.

"So, who are you?"  Balto asked. 

"I'm Boris."  The goose said.  "And you follow me now!  The boat is just this way and oh no!"  Boris stopped.  From the distance, Balto could hear someone shouting.

"Uncle Boris!"  A voice shouted. 

"Quick!  Hide me now!" Boris jumped on Balto's back, but to late.  Two polar bears could be seen, running out of the woods and smashed into Balto.  His head immediatly felt like it was on a pillow.  

"No!  Ack!  Stop!  Bears!"  Boris gagged as the fur of the two polar bears got in his mouth.  

"Uncle Boris, we love you!  And you made a friend!"  The smaller of the two bears said, staring at Balto.  "Go on Luk.  Put it down."  The larger bear, Luk, made a strange sound, but let go of Balto.  The smaller bear yelled.

"Uncle Boris, it's a wolf!  Save us Uncle Boris!"  And the two bears dove behind Boris.  Balto couldn't help laughing.  The two polar bears, afraid and hiding behind a goose.  It was to funny. 

"Bears, this is uh...name please?"  Boris gestured with his wing.

"Balto."  Balto laughed.  

"Balto!"  Boris repeated.  "He is a volf dog.  Very smart." 

"Ok then!  I'm Muk and this is my little brother Luk!"  The smaller bear said.  "We live with Uncle Boris!"

"Looks like i'm part of the group then!"  Balto laughed and the four of them made their way to the boat.  Though none of them knew it, it was the very boat that Balto had been born in, though it was to long ago for Balto to remember. 

Many weeks passed and Balto learned to love his new home, though something was bothering him.  The more he spent in the boat, the less he could remember his childhood.  Soon, Balto went back into town with Boris while Muk and Luk played in the woods.  Once again, Balto was seen as nothing but a stray, though it didn't bother him as much with Boris near him.  Then he saw her.  A beautiful young female dog was walking out of a store with her owner, a little girl.  The red husky looked up and saw Balto staring at her.  Immediatly, Balto lowered his head and slunk down the street.

"Vat vas that?"  Boris nudged Balto in the ribs.  "She vas pretty."

"Yea, but she was beautiful.  A beautiful dog!  She wouldn't go for a mutt like me."  Balto said.  

"You'd be surprised."  Boris said.  

"No he won't!"  A cruel voice said behind them.  Balto whipped around to find himself face to face with Steele.

"Didn't i tell you to beat it wolfdog?  What was it?  Bongo?  Bingo?"  Steele laughed as two other dogs came into view, laughing.

"Balto."  Balto growled.

"Go avay you dogs."  Boris shooed them with his wing.  Steele snapped at him and Boris honked, falling over his feet as he ran back to Balto.  Steele and the dogs laughed.

"Leave us alone Steele.  We don't want trouble."  Balto said.

"I saw you staring at Jenna."  Steele ignored Balto.  "She's never going to fall for you, you know.  She likes sled dogs and i happen to be a lead dog.  Like i said before Bingo.  This town is based on weather you can pull a sled or not and wolves just aren't fit to."

"Says you!"  Balto growled.  "I'm part dog Steele!  And i bet i'm faster than any lead dog here!"  The two dogs behind Steele widened their eyes.  

"Is that a challenge wolfdog?"  Steele got closer to Balto, who didn't back away.

"When and where?"  Balto growled.

"Tonight.  See that curve in the town over there?"

"Yes."

"We'll race from the start of where a normal race is, around the curve, to this ally and back.  Winner is pronounced the best."  Steele said.  "May the best DOG win."

"I intend to!"  Balto snapped.  Steele laughed and walked away.  The two dogs behind him followed to spread news of the race.

"Balto, you should think!  Steele is lead dog of sled team!  You are..."  Boris began.

"What am I Boris?"  Balto rounded on him.  "I'll tell you!  I'm a dog!  And tonight, i'm going to show everybody that i'm more dog than wolf!  This town wants a dog, i'll give it to them!"  And with that, he stalked away.

THAT NIGHT

Balto and Steele lined up at the starting point.  Many dogs crowed the sidelines, barking and yelping for Steele.

"Give you one more change mutt."  Steele said.  "Back down now."

"No.  You wanted a dog, you got one Steele."  Balto growled.  Steele laughed as a large dog walked out of the crowd.

"You both know the course.  You shall run in your own lanes."  The dog said.  "By the curve is a blind spot.  I expect both of you to act like respectful of your opponent."  Balto nodded and Steele grunted.

"3...2...1...RACE!" The dog yelled and gave a mighty bark.  Balto shot forward with Steele at his side as the dogs in the crowd began barking like crazy.  Balto could see Boris on a fence by a building shouting for is friend.  Balto looked back to the course and continued running.

A red husky, the same one Balto had seen earlier, Jenna, stood away from the other dogs and watched the race.  Though she had never met him, the wolfdog, Balto, seemed to be determined to prove his worth.  She liked that about a dog.  

"Go Balto!"  She cheered loudly as both entered the blind spot and she lost sight of them.

By that time, Balto had gotten ahead of Steele.  His heart fluttered as he reliazed he might win.  Steele on the other hand, had other plans.  Giving one more burst of speed, Steele shot forward and snapped his teeth near Balto's right frong leg.  Balto yelped and jumped into the air, landing on a patch of ice.  Slipping and sliding, he tried to dig his claws into the ice, but it was to late. He fell to the ground and slid to the side of the course as Steele shot ahead, out of the blind spot, to the ally and back to the finish line.  The dogs cheered as he ran past, barking and lauging.

Balto jumped up and ran to the finish line.  Even if he had lost, he still might gain respect by finishing the race.  To his horror, the dogs in front of him formed a barrier to prevent him from finishing. 

"Get back to your pack wolfdog!"  Steele shouted.  "You don't belong here!"  Balto's heart felt crushed as he turned and ran back to the beach.

"Balto!" a voice called.  Turning, he saw the red husky running toward him.  "Balto wait!"  But suddenly, Jenna's owner, the father of the little girl, ran out and grabbed her.

"Jenna come back inside!  There's a wolf out there!"  The man said.  Balto lowered his head and ran all the way back to the boat where Boris, Muk and Luk were waiting for him.

AND THE STORY STOPS THERE.  THE STORY OF BALTO'S LIFE UP UNTIL THE FIRST MOVIE.  USE YOUR IMAGINATION ON HOW BALTO AND JENNA MEET, AND OTHER STUFF LIKE THAT.  HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE STORY AND THANKS AGAIN TO AIYU FOR THE IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!  THE NEXT STORY WILL BE IN MY "MINA" SERIES.  

=)