"Caw! Caw! Caw!" The crow cried. Balto looked up into the sky. "Oh no. It's not morning already is it?" He said as he streached.
"I'm afraid it is." Said Jenna with a smile. She rolled over and cuddled Balto. "Your not scared are you?"
" Nah, of course not." Balto said.
" Balto."
"Oh, alright. Maybe I'm a little nervous." Balto sighed. " What if I don't win this race? What if Steele-"
"Oooh Balto. Don't worry. There's a big race every year. You've won them so far. No one's going to hurt you if you don't win. And besides, Steele won't outrun you." She playfully nudged him. "Your part wolf."
Balto smiled. "I know, I know." Nuzzling Jenna, he stood up. " But Kodi's going to be watching. And I want him to watch his father win."
"Balto, Kodi is going to love you no matter what you do. Now go on out there and warm up. I'll be rooting for you!" Jenna said.
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Moments later, in town, people start gathering near the sidelines.
" Mom I bet ten million trillion dollars Balto will win." Said Kodi's owner. Kodi looked up at him and smilied.
"I know my dad can do it." Kodi thought to himself. " I wonder if he's nervous?"
"Kodi! Hi Kodi!" Kodi turned around. There was Dusty and Kirby.
"Hey guys!" Kodi said.
"Oh my Gosh, Kodi, I'm not a guy!" Dusty said.
"Ok, hi guy and girl. Better?" Kodi said with a laugh.
"Yeah." Dusty said. She smiled. "You here to catch the big race?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. After all, dad's in it."
"Yep. We'll be cheering for him!" said Kirby.
"Thanks guys. I mean thanks guy and girl." Kodi said as Dusty gave him a look.
"Is your mom here Kodi?" Asked Kirby.
"I think so...I haven't seen her yet though." Kodi looked around.
"Hey, there's Jenna! Hi Jenna! Over here!" Dusty yelled as Jenna walked into view. Jenna looked over, then started runnning over to them.
"Hi Kodi!" She licked his forehead.
"Hey mom." He nuzzled her affectionatly.
"Hello Kirby. Dusty. How are you two?"
"Just fine Mrs. Balto." Said Kirby. He kissed her paw politely. " I can't wait to see how Balto does."
"Uh-oh. Bad news guys. Steele's in this race." Dusty said.
"What?! Why are they letting him-?" Kodi said. Jenna stopped him short.
"It's ok Kodi. Your father is faster than Steele. Besides, no one will be cheering for Steele."
"Yeah, I know. But...oh never mind. I just-"
Suddenly the annoucer's voice blared into the speaker.
"Thank you all for coming to the Yearly Race Of Nome! This year's race will be a bit different. All of the contestents will be running by themselves. No sled to tie them down!"
He continued.
"Now let's take a look at our contestents! Number one contestent, Starr!"
Starr, the small silly husky dog that used to run on Steele's team, marched out onto the track. A few people clapped. Starr, looking proud and holding his head high, smiled. Then he tripped on a rock in the path.
"Heh heh." Starr got up and ran to the starting line.
"It's starting!" Kodi sat down.
"Ladies and gentlemen, that was Starr! Now for contestant number two, Kaltag!"
Kaltag, the scruffy husky who also used to run on Steele's team, marched out. He didn't trip at all, and, being so proud, he stopped near the sidelines near a few female huskies.
"Hello ladies." He said, puffing out his chest.
"Hi." The huskies said, with a bit or a disgusted tone.
"Huh? Um, heh heh. Ok watch me win this thing girls, ok?"
"Go Balto." The ladies said.
"Hmph." Kaltag glumly walked to the starting line. His glory was destroyed.
"Ladies and gentleman, that was Kaltag! Now contestant number three, Nikki!"
Nikki, a heavy husky and yet another dog that worked on Steele's team walked out. He didn't have much time, as he was always in a hurry, so he just walked right to the starting line. A few more people clapped, as Nikki was a very fast dog. (Now I wonder how that is possible, since Nikki was a bit overweight?)
"Ladies and gentleman, Nikki! Now for contestant number four, Steele!"
Now, Steele, the Siberian husky who was Balto's enemy strutted onto the track. He smiled at all the ladies. No one smiled back. No one clapped.
Except Jenna. She cheered, barking eagerly.
"Uh, mom, what are you doing?" Kodi asked through clenched teeth.
" Be polite Kodi."
" But..." Jenna gave him a look. "Oh fine." Kodi let out a small, hesitant bark.
Steele noticed Jenna.
"Jenna. Heheh." He grinned and walked to the starting line.
"That was Steele! And now everyone, last but not least, Balto! Contestant number 5!"
Balto walked onto the track. The crowd went wild. Shouts of "Balto!" "Go Balto!" Could be heard. " Oh yeah dad!" Kodi said as Balto walked past.
Balto nuzzled Jenna. "You'll do just fine." She said.
"Good luck dad!" Kodi said.
"Thanks son." Balto walked to the starting line with a smile.
"Hey!" Said Steele. "Who let the wolf dog in? I'm running this race."
"Steele, yous'a won't beat Balto." Said Nikki.
"Yeah, Balto's the most fastest, the most speediest, the most quick, the most swift, the most brillant, the most agile, the most-" Kaltag was cut off by Starr.
"He's the fastest dog in Nome!" Starr said. "OW!" He said as Kaltag punched him, like always.
"Ladies and gentleman, those were all the contestants for the Big Race! Now that everyone is present, we will begin in just a few moments. Get ready for some action!"
"You won't win wolf dog." Steele said as he shoved Balto. Balto didn't fall over.
"Ok, get ready! Here we go!" the announcer said. " In three..."
"Ready to eat my dust Balto?" Steele said.
"Two..."
"No Steele."
"One..."
"I'm not hungry!"
"Go!!!!"
All the dogs sped off, with Balto in the lead, Steele close behind him.
"And Balto's in the lead! What an amazing start!" The annoucncer said.
"Yeah go dad!" Kodi said.
The announcer told the crowd what was going on throughout the race. It was long, about 2 miles. But so far, Balto was ahead of Nikki, Starr, and Kaltag. Steele was dangerolsy close behind him.
Panting heavily, Steele ran and ran. But Balto stayed ahead of him.
"Out of my way!" Steele grabbed Balto's back leg in his teeth and threw him over his back.
"Whoa!" Balto flew through the air and landed in the snow. Steele sped ahead.
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Back at the sidelines, everyone was shocked as the anncouncer told them the news of Steele's little feat.
"What!?" Dusty said.
"That can't be legal!" Kirby yelled.
"Steele's cheating!" Cried Kodi.
"Balto!" yelled Jenna..
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Balto got up, unharmed, but far behind Steele. "Arhgn." He groaned as he got up. "Steele." He ran again as fast as he could.
Steele, running ahead was quite proud of himself. "I'm gong to win!" he thought. Laughing, he casually jogged.
Balto caught up and ran beside Steele.
"Steele, you can't do that. It's against the rules."
Steele came out of his proud mode.
"What?! What do I care about rules?" He growled. " Now get out of here!" Steele shoved his side against Balto with all his strengh. Balto strained to stay up, but Steele was too strong. Balto fell down again.
"Hahahahahaha!" Steele said. "Goodbye wolfie!"
"Steele!" Jenna yelled back at the sidelines as she heard the news. "Get up Balto, get up." She said to herself.
Balto got up. "I have got to win this! I just won't put up with Steele anymore!" Balto got up and ran again. He caught up with Steele at the entrance to a gorge. The gorge was very narrow, and two dogs couldn't fit in it side to side. So one had to get in front of the other to fit in there. And Steele wanted it to be himself. Badly.
"Out of my way lobo!" Steele yelled to Balto. Balto quickly ran ahead before Steele could shove him again.
"Yes! Go dad!" Yelled Kodi at the sidelines.
Balto ran as fast as he could. Steele was close behind him. And now...they were entering the gorge.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Steele growled and leapt upon Balto's back. Then he bit his ear and scratched his sides, making gashs in both.
"Aroooooooooooo!" Balto whimpered, then he fell over and layed in the snow, watching Steele's feet run into the gorge.
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"BALTO!" yelled Jenna. Tears streamed from her eyes. " No..."
"It's ok Mrs. Balto. He'll be ok." Kirby and Dusty went over to comfort her.
But Kodi just stared at the trail, gaping. Then, he growled.
"HOW COULD STEELE DO THAT?" He yelled.
"Now, Kodi calm down, I'm sure-" But Dusty was cut off.
"No, I won't calm down! My dad's hurt! I have to help him!" Kodi leapt from the sidelines and started running down the track.
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A couple of minutes later, Balto layed in the snow. He felt frozen. The wind blew violently at his face. His face was covered with snow. But he was to hurt to move. Starr, Kaltag, and Nikki had already ran past him without noticing him. Balto wanted to win the race. He knew Kodi was watching. What were they thinking right now...
As he layed there, about to faint, he heard a voice.
"Dad...?"
Balto looked up into the eyes of his son, Kodi. Kodi tilted his head.
"Dad? Are you okay?"
Balto closed his eyes.
"Dad?"
"Kodi. I'm ok."
"No, you're not."
Balto strained to get up. "Yes...I am. See? I am."
"Dad. What're you doing...?" Kodi asked as Balto started limping towards the gorge. "Your not going to try and race are you?"
"Yes, Kodi. I am." Said Balto.
"Dad, you can't. Don't try it!" Balto kept running a little further, but he started to limp as the pain struck him very badly.
"Dad! Stop! Don't force yourself!"
"Kodi. Do you know how important this race is?" Asked Balto as he looked back. "I'm going to be in last place."
"So what?"
"What do you mean so what?"
"Dad, even if you don't win, everyone will still like you. I promise. Your in no state to race!" Kodi yelled. "I don't want you to get hurt."
Balto looked at his son. Then at himself. His sides were dripping blood, and his ear was very sore. Then he collapsed.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yes. I am. Kodi..." Balto said.
"Yeah?"
"Please get me some help son."
"Yes. I'm glad you see it my way." Kodi counldn't help but let out a small laugh at his own, small joke. "Okay! Here I do dad, hang in there, ok? I'll be right back!"
Kodi ran off. Moments later, he came back with Jenna, Dusty, Kirby, and two mushers. Balto was carried off the scene.
Balto injuries weren't bad. He was healed in no time. But, the race was postponed in the end. Steele was punished very throughly. He was shut outside for three days, and was excluded from the next race.
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One week later, Balto layed glumly next to Jenna in an old shed in town.
"What's wrong, Balto? You seem upset dear." Jenna said.
"Jenna...it's just...I don't know."
"It's about that race...isn't it?" Asked Jenna.
"Yeah...I could've done better."
"What do you mean? Steele cheated. It wasn't your fault, Balto."
Balto didn't answer. He just thought about all this. He thought about how he had lost. How he had let Steele win. How Steele had gotten the better of him. He sighed.
But then, he thought about how his family still loved him. His friends still liked him. The crowd wasn't cheering for Steele, they were mad. He smiled at Jenna, and walked over. He nuzzled her affectionatly, and said:
"Yeah. You're right. I guess I really DID win in the end."
Jenna just smiled.