I totally know what you mean. Jenna and Steele just seem like a very unlikely couple. It's like Nala and Scar in the Lion King. You just don't do it!
But I can assure you, there will be some good Jenna and Balto scenes in this as well.

Yeah, I've noticed that you're into mostly anthro Balto fanfics, and I just wanted to clear up that yes, they, and everyone else in the story, is a feral animal, not an anthro one (I said that even though they're anthropomorphic, I was mostly referring to the definition, not necessarily stating that they were anthro characters.)

I don't know, I just felt it was sort of appropriate. Somebody actually commented on that as some point, and was wondering as to why I did that. I mostly wanted to keep them in their original forms since everyone is mostly familiar with it, and it's also reminiscent with movies such as All Dogs Go To Heaven, where some scenes have characters doing what they do in my story (wearing clothing, holding objects, etc.) Yes, I know, dogs don't wear clothes, but I think it's a fun little addition, just for the sake of this fan fic.

Also, that's kind of the whole point of this part. Jenna and Steele haven't met in like 13 years or so (well, just for this story anyway) so it would make sense for her not to recognize him.

- Dante

Just chiming in here, since you and JC kind of lead into it; the first project on our collab list will not be anthro - just in case anyone was concerned about that.

Also, on to Page 12. Not bad, especially for a Jenna/Steele scene (which I usually detest, so getting a "not bad" out of me for one is pretty big). The description of them moving on all fours kind of threw me because when you describe them in clothes and so on my mind naturally drifts to a more "anthro" version of them. Also, I was kind of surprised at how long it took Jenna to connect the dots. Other than that, it's good.

I'm glad that you've enjoyed it. To tell you the truth, I'm also a purist for the original forms of the characters. And even though I stated that in the introduction, they are anthropomorphic, I was referring to that they have the same characteristics of the Balto film, they just have more human like qualities to them, such as wearing clothes and such. Of course anyone can interpret it in their own way, I hint in some of the chapters that they are still in their original feral forms.

Also, don't feel bad if you're not analyzing every aspect of the story. I'll take anything that I can get when it comes to comments or critiques. As long as someone enjoys it, it's good enough for me!

Yeah, it's a long one, since I wrote it in chapters, but I decided to just put the whole thing here. Might as well, but I didn't think it'd be as long as I originally thought.

Oh, I don't consider myself to be that advanced. I've just had years of experience, what with English always being my favorite subject in school. Always has. I may not write like the greats, but I know exactly what to put down, in order to give the reader something cool and interesting to read. And I'm glad you've enjoyed thus far!

Okay, so, I have been pouring gradually through this, and I must admit, I am enjoying it! You have a keen writing style, which is pretty advanced (considering the relative writing skills of the average fan writer). A few thoughts:

1. I will continue to read the whole thing but, given that I have completed at least a few chapters, I feel that I have gotten the entire gist of this, enough to comment on it...

2. As I mentioned to DT with his recent submission, I am a purist when it comes to the characters. While I love seeing them in good and effective crossovers, I really am not a fan of anthro concepts. Now, that being said, you HAVE crafted an entertaining and engaging story line here, and it would be untrue to suggest that I am not enjoying it!

3. I guess the only anthro setting I ever have enjoyed (and continue to) is that created by Disney for the Robin Hood movie. For me, that worked. And I guess I have seen it that was because I viewed it years ago as a kid. It's another great crossover. And I SUSPECT that the "Zootopia" film will be likewise for me...I even have already made up my mind that it could work as a modern-day future of the Disney Robin Hood setting. Now that I can get behind! Not taking anything away from what you've crafted here of course.

4. While I am not a fan of the Phantom of the Opera epic (though I know the basics of the story, and went to read a full outline of it to get myself prepped for this read), I know it is a great work of literature, and I totally see why you chose it. Especially given the fact that you are a fan of that story.

5. I'm not much of a "Monday-morning quarterback", and I personally don't like to minutely analyze chapter and verse in comments. So you won't see that much from me (and I hope I'm not letting you down in that regard). The size of this work makes it very intimidating to try and flip back through and locate something to analyze in comments. I hope you don't mind!

All that aside, you really have crafted a very good story here so far, and I am impressed! It is a LOOOONG one (), perhaps the longest I've seen on Animation Source (as far as I can recall anyway), but I understand why it is as long as it is.

Best of luck with Part 2!

UPDATE: The 2nd part of this story is still being worked on, however, for those of you who don't wish to wait for the entire thing to be posted here, this story is also uploaded and updated on my DeviantArt account: HydeCorner, and on my Fanfiction account: Dante Frost.
Once I'm finished with the 2nd part, I will upload the entire thing here. Until then, feel free to follow along either my DeviantArt account, or on my Fanfiction account.

Also, for future stories, I am currently working with Dragon Tamer (Author of the Toby series and Balto's Treasure Island) or Omnitrix 12 on Fanfiction.net for a collab story. Be on the look out for that in the near future.

Peace!

- Dante Frost

Finally got back for Page 11. Not bad, except for one sentence issue. "He permits me to not reveal who he is" doesn't sound quite right; it makes it sound like she wanted to not tell anyone, and he gave her permission.

Oh, and by accident, I misused Kaltag's use of 'adjectives'. He speaks in synonyms, not adjectives.

God, I'm an idiot. I just wrote like a few things about your last comment, and for some reason, it got deleted by accident. Oh well, might as well start over.

It was a bit of a challenge to try and see what was most important for my story. The characters (the Balto ones mostly)? Or the Phantom story itself? Those were questions I asked myself while writing it, and for the most part I wasn't sure which one was going to be favored over the other. I didn't just want to make a Phantom story with just Balto characters it in just cuz, that wouldn't be interesting. I wanted to give my readers a reason for them (Balto, Jenna, Steele, etc.) to be in this story, not just for them to play a part I give them.

Meaning the character personalities are what count for them. Whilst the Phantom story is there, and is still a major part of it, when it comes down to the Balto characters it's mostly about their characteristics, what they would do in these kind of situations, how they would clash in certain different scenarios, and how they could work in a world of the Phantom. It sort of makes it more intriguing as a whole, and with the addition of other characters, it makes for a rather interesting read in my opinion.

The other characters present may be created just for the story, but I wanted them to somehow connect with the others (since the universe they're in is created solely for animals) and focus on their personalities as well, and how they all change and develop over the course of the story. If any changes are needed, then they will be done only to advance the story, and not just willy nilly.

I haven't worked on any artwork or illustrations for my story, just the cover page and the unmasking scene, (which is of course here, but I'm not saying when) and I'm planning on making more, so expect the Box-Keeper to be there as well.

And yes, I'm always open to feedback, so if you have anymore questions feel free to ask. I'll be happy to oblige. No spoilers though.

Pages 7 and 8 definitely favor the Phantom of the Opera; to be honest they seem to all but bury any semblance of the Balto characters (with the possible exception of Steele, who was originally envisioned to be somewhat of a good dog gone bad). I realize that this is a combination of two very different stories, so I suppose that's to be expected and that the "Balto-ishness" is bound to come and go to some degree.

Starting to see a somewhat clearer blend with Steele at the start of page 9. The Box Keeper's description is a little puzzling (I don't suppose you have any artwork of her?), but from that part onward I get a decent transition into a very promising "ghost" story. I like the description of Box 5 toward the bottom of the page.

Page 10 definitely reads like more of a ghost story than a Balto fanfic. also, I think you made a slight mistake when Kaltag called the ghost a "corporeal" being; I think the word would be "non-corporeal" or perhaps "insubstantial."

This brings to mind one or two other possible stories I was thinking of, though, which I should remember to discuss with you at the next opportunity.

On one last note, it might help you get more readers if you replied to the comments here rather than via PM (assuming your replies are reasonably brief and simple). If you reply only via PM, then only those who receive the reply know that you responded. If you reply openly, then people just coming onto the scene know that you actively respond to feedback, and are thus more likely to leave it.

Hm. I think I posted my comments concerning page 4 as if they were about page 3 by mistake, but no matter.

Page 5: I'll admit I was a little worried about the way you did the casting; the versions of "Phantom of the Opera" I've read or seen before generally depicted the Phantom as borderline psychotic (albeit in a way one could forgive in light of his background). I had some concern that Balto's own personality might get buried therein, but from what I see of how you handle Steele - a bit more charming than in his original role but still with foreshadowing of that quintessential malice - I'm beginning to find myself a little more at ease.

Page 6: Here, I think, is where the subtle hints of "Balto" begin to appear more in the dialogue; remarks like "flirt later" inject just a touch of twentieth-century writing into the suave classic French air. I have to ask, though: were Nikki, Kaltag, and Star's careers - and their jump from them to managing an opera house - part of the original "Phantom of the Opera?" To be honest, they seem kind of forced, particularly as you have made it clear that the retiring manager had better options.

I also must amend the comment I made earlier, likening this story to my own "Balto's Treasure Island." The style - particularly in terms of descriptions - I see here are of a notably higher caliber than my own fanfic.