A Hero’s Son

Based on the Balto film series created by Universal Studios

     This story takes place several months after the events of Balto III. Balto’s family has gotten used to Nome’s relaxed atmosphere in the absence of snow. However, exciting news is about to ring through the streets of Nome, Alaska, and new challenges are on the horizon.

Chapter 1: Watching The Sky

     The sun shined on the small town of Nome, Alaska. The town was largely quiet, despite the recent events surrounding the arrival of Duke and his airplane. The tensions between Duke and the local sled dog owners had largely disappeared. For Balto and his family, the relaxed mood of the town was a welcome change of pace.

     Dingo and Kodi stared at the open sky as they rested in the middle of a field. ““Have you ever wondered what’s beyond the sky?” Dingo asked Kodi “The sky is beautiful and all, but I know there has to be something beyond it…something greater…” Kodi began wondering the same thing. “I don’t know, Dingo, what do you think?” Dingo continued to stare at the sky, trying to think of a good answer. “You got me there Kodi” he answered “can’t say I have a good answer to that.” Kodi laughed “You know, you always have questions, but never any answers.” Dingo looked at Kodi. “To be fair, you can’t think of a good answer, either,” Dingo said to Kodi “besides, I always find pondering the question more interesting than just being told the answer.” Kodi nodded in agreement. “That is a good point,” Kodi said “though I don’t think Laura would accept that; you know how she is about not knowing something.” “Who said I was going to tell her that?” Dingo replied cheerfully.

     The brothers’ thought session was abruptly interrupted by a high pitched barking. The two huskies couldn’t tell where the noise was coming from at first. They then noticed the familiar shape of a Scottish terrier running towards them. “Hey, lads!” Scotty barked. Dingo and Kodi were told about the last time Scotty behaved this way: the day of their birth. “Scotty must have some very interesting news if he’s barking and running like that” said Kodi. Scotty skidded to a halt right in front of the two brothers. “Hey, Scotty” Dingo replied “got some news for us?” Scotty had a very happy look on his face. “Boy, do I, lads!” he said excitedly. “What’s going on?” Kodi asked. “It’s about your mother, me boys,” Scotty answered “you boys are going to be older brothers!”

Chapter 2: New Additions

     Kodi and Dingo followed Scotty as the latter ran through the streets of Nome. As they ran they passed by Joseph. Joseph took notice of his two brothers and Scotty. “Hey, guys, what’s going on?” he asked his brothers. Dingo stopped as Kodi and Scotty continued to run. “Mom’s pregnant” Dingo said to Joseph. Joseph’s eyes widened upon hearing this news. “Well what are we waiting for, let’s go!” Joseph barked. Dingo and Joseph managed to catch up with Kodi and Scotty right as the latter two were talking to Jenna. Jenna’s face was filled with joy. Joseph looked at his mother with excitement. “Is it true, ma, you’re pregnant?” Jenna nodded happily to her son.  Joseph smiled as he went to hug his mother. “that’s great, Mom!” Joseph said to his mother. “I can’t believe it,” Kodi said happily “I…we’re going to be older brothers.” Kodi smiled at Joseph and Dingo, and they smiled back. “Wait, does dad know yet?” Dingo asked. “Your father knows,” Jenna replied “he’s excited, too.” Kodi looked around, and said “I need to go get Laura and Saba!” Kodi then darted off to find his two sisters. “Well, he’s still fit, that’s for sure” Dingo laughed.

     “I wonder how fish breathe in here?” Laura thought to herself as she swam along Nome’s docks. Laura went back up to the surface to catch her breath. “C’mon, Red, the water’s great!” Laura’s close friend, Red, stared at the water with both fascination and doubt. “I don’t know,” Red said nervously “I don’t want to sink.” Laura smiled as she rolled her eyes at Red’s answer. “You’re not gonna sink, you big baby!” She said playfully. While Laura didn’t know it, Red did have a crush on her. The German Shepard was tempted to join his secret crush in the water, but was afraid of sinking. Laura continued to encourage Red to jump in. “C’mon, wasn’t your owner in the navy or something?” Red looked at Laura as she continued to swim around on the surface. “Michael was in the army, not the navy” said Red. “C’mon, pleeeaaase!” Laura begged as she used her puppy face on Red. “Oh, no, she’s using the face again…” Red thought to himself. He began to rethink his concerns. Laura could stay afloat in there, and Red could swim; he just never did so in the ocean. “Aw, what the heck” Red said to Laura as he dived in next to her. Laura watched as Red resurfaced with an excited look on his face. “wow, that is nice!” he said to Laura. Laura smiled. “I told you, you scaredy-cat!” she shouted playfully as she splashed water into Red’s face. “Aw, c’mon, quit that!” red shouted as he retaliated with another splash. Just as the two were starting their water war, Kodi appeared at the edge of the dock.

     Laura turned around, noticing the excited look on Kodi’s face. “Hey, Kodi, what’s up?” Laura said as she went to get back on the dock. “Mom’s pregnant!” Kodi said ecstatically. “Were gonna have younger siblings?!” Laura replied. Kodi nodded rapidly in response. A smile slowly appeared on Laura’s face as she began to dance around and hum joyfully. Red looked at the two huskies as he continued to tread water. “What’s going on?” he asked in curiosity. “I’m gonna be an older sister!” Laura said happily. Red smiled as he righted himself onto the dock. “That’s awesome!” he replied. “Dingo and Joseph know, too,” said Kodi “and I already told Saba about it.” “What did Saba say?” Laura asked. “Oh, she was happy, that’s for certain!” said Kodi. “I can’t wait to say hi to our little brothers and sisters!” Laura said as she continued to dance around and sing.

Chapter 3: First Snow

     Kodi was sound asleep in his room when Ralph suddenly ran into the room. “Kodi, Kodi, you awake?” Ralph whispered. Kodi slowly woke up, but clearly wanted to go back to bed. “What is it?” he asked with a somewhat annoyed tone. Ralph looked at the window as Kodi got up. “Look out the window!” he said to Kodi. Kodi looked and noticed that snow had formed outside. Kodi’s annoyance gave way to excitement as he realized that his team would be called on to get the mail moving. “Nice!” Kodi said, suddenly wide awake. “When’s our first run?” Ralph continued to look out the window. “I don’t know, but it’s gonna be soon, that’s for sure!” Kodi realized something else as excitement ran through his mind: Laura was joining his team this season. “Hey, isn’t your sister joining us, too?” Ralph asked in coincidence. “Yeah, she is!” Kodi said as he jumped out of his bed. “Boy is this gonna be a good season” Kodi thought to himself.

     Kodi walked outside and noticed that Laura, Kirby, and Dusty were sitting outside as well. “Hey guys” Kodi said to his teammates “does anyone know when our first orders are coming in?” Kirby looked at Kodi and noticed the latter’s excitement. “Next week, kiddo,” Kirby said to Kodi “but we’re not delivering mail, not for our first run, anyway.” Kodi was slightly confused by what Kirby said. “What do you mean?” Kodi asked. “Apparently some hotshot team from Anchorage is coming, and they want to race against us” said Kirby. Kodi suddenly became concerned. “Wait, this team isn’t trying to steal our jobs, are they?” Kodi asked in a concerned voice. “No, kid,” Kirby laughed “just a friendly competition.” Dusty stared at Kodi for a moment. “You’re not still upset at Duke, are you?” Dusty asked “he only works during the summer months; the rest of the year is ours.” Kodi looked back at Dusty. “What? No, no, of course not!” Kodi said in response “Duke’s cool.” Dusty smiled. “sorry, Kodi; wasn’t trying to accuse you of anything.” Kodi gave Dusty a reassuring look. “Don’t worry about it,” Kodi said to Dusty. Kodi looked at Laura, whose face was beaming with joy. “I don’t care if we’re just running in big circles,” Laura exclaimed happily “I just wanna put that harness on and run like the wind!” Ralph looked at Laura, and then back at Kodi. “Your sister has a lot of energy”