Introduction: Hello, this is my first Balto fanfic. Any reviews are greatly appreciated!

Story Note: I enjoyed Balto as a child, but only recently re-watched it after a long time and felt a sudden desire to write a fic about Steele. He may not hold the same complexity as other animated villains such as Disney's Scar or Frollo, but I think Steele is still an interesting character and deserves an origin story. So, here it goes!

Heart of Steele

Prologue

1925

Nome, Alaska

Steele knew that once the cheering and celebration was over, the others would come for him.

While a few like Doc or Jenna may try to offer him clemency, perhaps forced exile in favor of untried torment, the other dogs would be cruel and unrelenting. He would be at the mercy of their angry claws and fangs, just as many had suffered beneath his own in years past. Even if the humans did not know the truth, it did not matter.

In his selfish ploy to deceivingly thwart the heroic Balto, Steele had intentionally betrayed his own sled team, the other town dogs, and most damning of all – the sick, innocent children of Nome, Alaska.

He could not be forgiven, not by a single soul.

Pacing about the small interior of the old mill, the black-and-white husky's muscular body shook with sheer paranoia and anxiety. He was panting hard, his body temperature rising unbearably hot under his dense fur. Any small "pang" or "tap" noise from the surrounding equipment sent alarming shivers up Steele's spine.

The dramatic events of the past few days kept constantly replaying in his head, over and over again, like a jammed photo reel that not could be shut off. Steele hated what had transpired, but he hated what he had become, even more so.

He could hardly fathom his fall from grace - once a revered and admired hero, now just a scorned traitor. In a matter of days, everything he had worked so hard for over the years easily slipped from the grasp of his claws.

And now he only had one option, there was no doubt about it: he must run away from Nome.

Then suddenly, the husky stopped right in the middle of the mill room, his chiseled face looking towards the wooden-door at the front. He stared at it intently, sizing up the one mere obstacle in his way of escape.

The former sled leader estimated he only had minutes left before a mob of his former followers returned, thirsty with vengeance. If he waited too long to make an exit, the dogs could likely track him down before he even reached the outskirts of town.

While the others had been upset with him and deserted Steele upon Balto's arrival, the true severity of his misdeeds had not completely set in with anyone yet. But once it did, he would have hell to pay.

The sooner Steele departed, the better his chance at survival, if he still had any left.

"This is all your damn fault, Balto!", he angrily cursed aloud. The hybrid's noble and willful spirit had prevailed, much to his dismay.

The husky hung his head in defeat, completely distraught and hopeless. He had been at odds with the wolf-dog ever since the pair first met years ago, tormenting and bullying the other canine whenever he felt like it, long before the antitoxin run ever occurred.

Though despite having a deep-rooted conviction against Balto, far in the back of Steele's mind he knew there were other, greater factors finally contributing to the cause of his downfall. But whether he could ever openly confront this notion, was the real question.

After a moment of silence, a grave-faced Steele looked back up to the door.

The sled-dog had lost everything once important to him – a renowned champion status, a life under his decent musher, and a last chance with Jenna.

Now, he had no reason to stay and try to make amends, no matter if his intentions were dishonest or genuine. It was time to leave, whether he liked it or not.

Taking a deep breath, the large husky steadied his gait and approached the mill room entrance.

Carefully, he pushed open the unlatched door, slowly peaking his head through the long, vertical slit. The area in front appeared clear, no dog or human had returned back to this part of town just yet. Feeling somewhat relieved, Steele finally let himself out.

Quickly slipping into the shadows, the husky made his way along the cover of the neighboring buildings, heading towards the outskirts of town.

Some distance away, he could still hear townsfolk talking loud and excitedly, along with some barks and howls as well. It seemed the celebration of Balto and the sled team's return was still going on, but once the medication was distributed to the children by the doctor, the crowd would likely disperse - and soon.

It took all of the former hero's strength not to go back, to secretly see everyone and everything he was leaving behind just one more time.

Steele quickened his pace, keeping his head low and wary of his surroundings.

Soon enough, he had reached the southern edge of town. The further he got away from the buildings of Nome, the darker the atmosphere became around him. As civilization morphed into wilderness, the comforting light of lanterns and candles started to disappear.

Now, the sled dog did what he knew how to do best – run

Though not fully recovered from his latest adventure, Steel pushed himself to keep going on, running as fast as he could. He did not have a plan or inclination as of where to go, he only wanted to escape. After all, his life depended on it.

Quite some time and distance passed, leading the blue-eyed dog up mountain terrain, but he was careful not to find himself too deep into the forest. And then finally, Steele decided to come to a stop.

Weary and out of breath, he precariously turned around and managed to sit himself up, leaning upon a rock formation jutting from the hillside. His vision was blurry and weak from fatigue, but now he was at least getting a chance to rest.

As his eyesight slowly adjusted back to normal, Steele took in the magnificent sight before him.

A few miles below, nestled into the vast land of western Alaska, was an aerial-like view of the town of Nome. And above, what appeared to be the northern lights shined iridescently across the night sky, colorfully enchanting all those whom were watching below.

It looked to be a beautiful scene from a snow globe, the fragile gift human parents often presented to their children during the holidays.

And yet, it was a place Steele no longer belonged to.

The blue-eyed husky sighed, now settling lower into the ground. He was too worn out to keep going for the night, instead choosing his new resting spot as a temporary home. No longer did he belong to the town, but nor did he belong in the wild either.

Now as he sat there on his makeshift bed in the mountainous terrain, the sled-dog could not help but brood over the triumphs and tribulations he had conquered in his life. Not just over his most recent indiscretion, but all of what occurred even long before that, in time leading up to his current state.

'Where did it all start to go wrong?', Steel thought to himself.