WHATS UP GUYS. Now this is going to be my first ever Balto FF! Whether you are a reader returning from my A&O story, or a new one I just want to say thank you for clicking on this story! HOPE YOU LIKE IT! -Colby (Jack)

Chapter 1: The Return of a New Hero

Balto could feel the stomping of his feet through his whole body, but he couldn't actually feel his feet for they were numb due to the extreme cold and non-stop journey he has been running in order to get the medicine to his hometown of Nome Alaska. The 3 year old half wolf half dog hybrid had so many thoughts running through his head, but the one thought that stood out was, "I hope this is the way". He shook his head to get rid of the thought and then looked behind him to make sure the rest of the team was still alright. It was pitch black and all that the team could see were the tails of the dogs in front of them. Balto, however, saw much more. He was the lead dog after all, but the reason he could see so well was because of his wolf heritage. His ability to see in the dark was one of the reasons him, Star, Nikki, Kaltag, and the rest of the team had made it this far.

"Balto, I can't feel my legs!" Star, a smaller dog, yelled

"Just keep pushing boys! We're almost home!" Balto yelled back

"Yeah, that's what he said four hours ago" Nikki, a heavier dog, said to Kaltag

The whole team felt as though they were breaking down and could almost hear their muscles screaming for help and stretching. But all the team could think about was getting this medicine to the people of Nome who were dying of the diphtheria outbreak, most of those people were kids.

Balto felt that they were getting close and started recognizing some of the trees and rocks that they were running past. A smile came upon his muzzle and he started to… howl? Wait.. what? Balto didn't even think about it he just howled, and didn't care. He wanted everyone to know that they made it. The team jumped over a snowy hill and there it was… the town of Nome. Balto looked up higher at the town and saw the aurora borealis shining on a hill and right there he knew it was…

"Jenna" he stated with a smile and then howled again this time jumping in the air while he did. He saw a red light turn on in the town and knew it was the 'lantern of hope' that the humans set up to let the town know there was still hope for the medicines return. He also saw the lights of all the houses turn on and people crowding out to the streets. As the team ran into the town there were people on both sides of them, cheering them on.

They finally came to a stop outside the medical building and the doctor ran out and chuckled happily as people started opening the box

"Steady there stead- easy now. Thats had a long journey" the doctor said.

The doctor got some nurses to help take the medicine in immediately and start giving it to the patients. Some citizens helped the injured musher off the sled and into the building as well. Through a window Balto could see Rosy, the only human who actually trusted him, get given the medicine and he smiled. But just then hands started coming towards him and he didn't know what to do. He then realized people were petting him and thanking him.

"Good dog Balto" one woman said as more hands came to pet him and more people said that he was a… 'good dog'. Then out of n-

"YAAAAAAAOOOOWWWWWWWW!" A shout came from the sky and before Balto could react there was Boris the goose, his only parent figure, flying and wrapping himself around Balto.

"Not dog! Not wolf! You are a heroooooo!" Boris stated as he gave Balto a noogie and then kissed him on his head. Balto was distracted though. He was looking around the town trying to find the other person that he was thinking about during his whole journey… Jenna.

"BALTOOOOOO!" Another voice said and Balto looked and saw a little polar bear running to him. One out of two of the annoying bears that were in his life.. Muk. Muk ran into Balto hugging him and then the bigger polar bear, Luk, came up behind him sandwiching him between Boris and Muk. Balto loved the two bears despite how annoying they are but he had to get out, of there so he quickly jumped out of the hug and continued searching for J-

"Come on boy" a warm voice said while he pet Balto

"There's someone who wants to see you." The man was none other than Rosys father, William Roberts, who was also one of the people who didn't like Balto before he saved Nome. Balto decided to follow William up the stairs to the medical building. He was unsure if he should go in or not but then he looked at Boris and he gave Balto a 'go on' motion with his wings. Balto smiled and then ran into the building where he looked around seeing all the sick kids and adults getting their medicine. He followed William over to Rosys bed where her mother was sitting on the bed holding her hand. Balto saw Rosy's eyes flutter open and all she said was

"Mommy?" with a smile

"Rosy darling" her mother said as she hugged her daughter

"I fell asleep" Rosy weakly said hugging her mom

"-chuckle- Rosy" her father said joining the embrace of his family.

Balto took another look at all the children waking up and reuniting with their parents and he smiled. Then he moved his glance over to Rosys musher hat which was sitting on a chair. He walked over to it, but as he walked he could feel the pain in his muscles from the trip he had just made, but he didn't care. He grabbed it in his mouth and walked over to Rosy to give it to her.

"Balto!" She said as she grabbed the hat and hugged the wolf-dog

"I'd be lost without you" she added.

While they were hugging Balto heard what sounded like a female clearing her throat or going 'ahem'. When he heard this he looked over to see the most beautiful dog that he had ever seen.

"Jenna" he said with his nose clearly stuffed from the cold (it literally sounds like he says 'Jetta' in the movie XD don't believe me? search up the ending haha)

Balto started running over to the gorgeous red husky and the two of them started barking and jumping around playfully. Soon they ended up touching noses and Balto didn't know what to do! He put his ears down and before he said anything Jenna was nuzzling him. She then stopped and looked at him smiling. Balto couldn't resist her beautiful brown eyes and he smiled wider than ever.

He was distracted when he heard more clapping and cheering. Him and Jenna moved closer to the crowd but Jenna didn't take her eyes off Balto as they walked. Kaltag started praising him,

"He has the most endurance, the most fidelity, the most intelligen-"

"THEY SHOULD BUILD A STATUE OF HIM!" Star said cutting him off

"You said it!" Kaltag said

"I did?"

The applause continued and people started walking into the medical building, petting Balto as they past, but some went home to go back to sleep.

"C'mon Balto lets go to the boiler room and celebrate!" One of the team members said as he walked by.

"Come on hero, lets go" Jenna said with a smile and started walking

"Jenna wait" Balto said

"What is it Ba-" Jenna was cut of by Balto kissing her and she just closed her eyes and started stroking his hair with her paw

"I love you" Balto stated looking down

"I love you too" she said moving his head up with her paw so he looked her in the eyes.

"Come on Balto!" Star said as he, Nikki and Kaltag were walking into the boiler room.

Jenna gave a motion with her head as if to say 'let's go' and Balto nodded and followed her. The dogs partied that night and the team, including Balto told the story of their journey home.

But little did they know there was someone watching them from a far… Steele..

"That team thinks their soooo good and heroic.. NO! They are not!" he said, talking to himself

"I am going to kill that entire team! And then.. I'm gonna take care of that LOBO once and for all!"

Welp! That was chapter one of Balto: The Story After! Really hope you enjoyed it and don't worry… there's more to come! Have a good rest of your day/night! 3