Tricksy's Lessons

Tricksy's Lessons
by Cyberwulfe

The morning sun rose above the horizon and lit up the small town of Nome, Alaska. Near the outskirts of town, an old fishing trawler lay on a snowdrift; never to sail again. It did, however, make the happy home of a wolf/dog named Tricksy. She had been living in Nome for several weeks now and she had already made several friends; mainly two: Balto, whom she had first met out in the woods when he saved her life, and Kaltag, her best friend and lover.

Tricksy yawned as the sun's rays slowly moved across the deck. She stood up and shook off the warm rug she slept under. She stretched the laziness out of her muscles and took a quick drink of water. Tricksy thought that she was the happiest dog in the world. She had a home, food, friends... who could ask for more. She often thought of her old home in an Inuit village. During a blizzard she had become lost and wandered too far. She was discovered by Balto who nursed her back to health and then brought her to Nome, where she has lived ever since.

Originally shy and withdrawn, Tricksy has become very open and friendly with the other dogs of Nome. The only dog she doesn't like is an Alaskan Malamute named Steele. He was always moping about, grumbling about something or other and pushing people around. She always made an extra effort to play dirty tricks on Steele, even though she was trying to behave. She had promised Balto and Kaltag that she would be a good girl from now on... but the urge was always strong!

She had played an awful trick on Balto's mate, Jenna. She told Jenna that after Balto had rescued her he tried to take advantage of her. Jenna was so mad she wouldn't let Balto sleep with her. He was stuck in the doghouse for a whole week. Tricksy tried to apologize, but it was too late. Jenna eventually came around and realized that Balto only had eyes for her, and forgave him. But she still kept her eye on the young attractive looking wolf/dog.

Tricksy remembered that today was the day that Balto was going to meet his wolf friend, Kemo. Balto had known Kemo when he was a puppy, and they had been friends for a long time. But they were separated soon afterwards. A few months ago, Balto had found Kemo in a blizzard. He was frozen and barely alive. Balto helped his old friend to a cave and Kemo managed to get his strength back. Now the two friends met every week to talk and catch up on things.

Tricksy felt very strongly about her wolf side, as did Balto, which is why the two of them got along so well. Tricksy asked Balto to introduce her to Kemo the next time he visited him; and that day was today. Tricksy was very excited. She would finally get to meet another of her own kind. She tried to think of what kind of questions to ask Kemo, but there was so much she wanted to learn. Finally she left the boat and ran into town.

Tricksy waited outside the back door of the small house. She anxiously awaited the time when Balto's head would pop through the doggy door and they would be on their way. She wasn't bored, because Jenna's friends Sylvie and Dixie had stopped by and they had chatted for several minutes. But now they had gone, and Tricksy was busy counting the hairs around her nose.

After about three-hundred it started to get very boring.

"Maybe Balto isn't coming?" she sighed.

Then the door opened and Balto was let outside," Hi Trix! Ready to go?"

Tricksy's ears pricked up and she ran around in circles," You bet! You bet! You bet!" she shouted excitedly.

Balto felt like he was escorting a puppy. Tricksy was jumping around and bumping into him and kept barking and howling. Balto just smiled. He was doing his friend a favour that he knew she would appreciate for a long time. Kemo was a good friend, but he was also a very dark person. Life had dealt him a bad hand right from the beginning, and he had had his share of bad experiences. But he was strong, and continued on with his life... alone.

As they neared the woods, Balto picked up the faint scent of his friend.

"He's close. I can smell him now," said Balto.

Tricksy smelled the air. She too picked up a scent. So that's what a wolf smells like, the thought. They continued on until Balto could see Kemo. He was sitting next to a large tree and was looking around. He seemed very majestic, standing straight, head up, looking across the forest as if he ruled the world. And he did. For this was his world.

"Wanna play a trick on Kemo?" asked Balto.

"But... I promised that..."

"Aw... it's not your trick. It's mine. Come on!"

Balto got out of the wind and tried to sneak up on Kemo, with Tricksy close behind. They slowly closed the gap between them and the white wolf, who was still sitting by the tree. Balto was a mere six feet from Kemo when," Hello Balto," said Kemo.

Balto stood up from his crouched position and made a loud grunting sound," You caught me!"

"You made too many mistakes. The first one was talking to your friend before your "trick". I could hear you when you were chatting about Jenna on your way here. I also heard someone very young trying to howl."

Kemo turned and looked right at Tricksy. Tricksy gasped and smiled. He was beautiful! His deep eyes were each surrounded by a patch of dark gray. The rest of his coat was pure white, with no dirt on it. His ears were pointed and erect with black tips, and he held his tail high. Tricksy bowed her head slightly, not quite sure what to do.

"Who is this who've you've brought, Balto?" asked Kemo.

"This is Tricksy. She's a wolf/dog too and she wanted to met you," replied Balto.

Kemo took a step towards Tricksy and sniffed her nose. Tricksy felt the warm, wet tip of Kemo's nose against hers and her first reaction was to lick it. Kemo snuffed as she did and shook his head.

"Sorry," said Tricksy, and she cringed slightly.

"It's okay. I guess it was a reflex," replied Kemo. He turned to Balto," Does this mean we'll have to alter our plans for today?"

"Not at all. You like sitting around in the snow and chatting right?" Balto asked Tricksy.

"Of course I don't mind... um, as long as that's what you wolves do, right?" agreed Tricksy.

Kemo and Balto looked at each other, then back at Tricksy. It was going to be a long day.

Kaltag and Tricksy were sitting on a snow bank, just a few feet from the old trawler. Tricksy had been talking in run-on sentences for the past fifteen minutes, and Kaltag, in his understanding way, just sat, smiled, and listened.

He'd known Tricksy since the day she first arrived in Nome. Ever since then he'd been in love with her. After stopping her from killing herself he and Tricksy had started seeing each other. Kaltag was happy. After watching as Star fell in love with Dixie and Balto and Jenna got together Kaltag was starting to get lonely. He thought that no dog would ever like him. But then Tricksy came along.

Kaltag laughed as Tricksy mentioned her falling over a tree stump, then hushed up as she gave him a nasty look.

"You think that's funny?" she growled and held up her forepaw," I think I bruised my leg!"

"I'm so sorry!" said Kaltag. He licked her leg. Tricksy smiled. Kaltag always knew how to treat her right.

"So, what else happened?" asked Kaltag.

Tricksy looked up at the sky thoughtfully," Well. Kemo took Balto and I to a wonderful part of the woods which was totally free of trees, which was good because there was a lot of snow blowing out of the trees and you know how much I hate that... anyway, so there was were playing and scuffling and just having a good time. Maybe I'll take you to meet him sometime?"

"I dunno. Balto's been going out for a long time now and I don't want to ruin their good time. I'm not exactly a wolf y'know," replied Kaltag.

"Me neither, but I'm closer than most dogs."

Kaltag just smiled. He was happy that she was proud of her hybrid status. He remembered the times when he was part of Steele's gang. They would often pick on Balto whenever he was in town, making fun of his half-wolf heritage. But now that they were friends he had a lot of respect for Balto. He owed him a lot now, because he had found Tricksy and brought her to Nome... to him.

Balto flopped down on his cushion. He was dead tired. Jenna snuggled against him and laid her head over his back. She wasn't as tired as Balto was, but she and Balto had a close bond and she liked to feel him close against her. They often slept together but sometimes Balto would sleep at his old home: the beached trawler. Balto had stopped doing that when Tricksy came around, especially with Jenna acting so suspicious.

"So, did you have fun today?" asked Jenna.

Balto let out a long breath," Hoo boy, did we ever! That kid has a lot of energy!"

"She's what... two or three years old?"

"I'm not sure. I never asked her."

"Kaltag seems a bit old for her. He's about the same age as us, wouldn't you say?"

"I dunno. But they're happy, so I won't say anything," said Balto," Just one thing."

"What?" asked Jenna.

Balto rolled onto his side," Remind me that when we have pups to not have too many. I don't think I could handle it!"

Jenna just smiled. Soon they would have puppies of their own. Soon.

Kemo slept under a soft blanket of snow. Although he was asleep, his ears were still pricked and alert. At the slightest sound he would be roused from his nap. He dreamed of the good times when he and Balto would run through the woods, wild and fearless, chasing squirrels and eating them. But those times were over now. Balto lived in Nome now, and Kemo's small family had been killed several years ago by humans. He wouldn't dare approach or even enter the town for fear of being killed himself.

Then a sound startled him, and the friendly images melted away. He stood up and sniffed the air as he scanned the woods with his keen eyes. He saw her before he could smell her. Tricksy had come out during the night to see him.

"What do you want?" asked Kemo. He slumped back into his snowy pit.

"I want to sleep out here... like a wolf." she beamed. She would show Kemo that she could be a wolf too.

"You certainly do have an obsession with your wolf side, don't you?" asked Kemo.

"You bet! Once I get an idea or thought then nothing can stop me or slow me down. But I've been held up on my latest one!"

"Why's that?" asked Kemo. He yawned and closed his eyes.

"Well, I can't really be a wolf without some sort of formal training, right? So, I was hoping that you might, you know, show me the ways of our kind?"

Kemo sputtered and stood up again," You've got to be joking!"

"Nope. I'm totally serious. Show me the things that wolves do!"

"I couldn't do that. I will not!"

"Teach me to be a wolf!"

Kemo growled. He was missing sleep and he hated it when he couldn't sleep," You're getting on my nerves."

"It's a talent. My friends have dealt with it, now it's your turn!"

Kemo lashed out and knocked Tricksy to the ground. She yelped and rubbed her sore cheek," Hey! What is this? A first lesson on beatings? I've been there pal!"

"No. It's my answer to your question. Now go home!"

Tricksy hung her head and walked back to her boat. There she lay down on her rug, but could not sleep. Sobbing uncontrollably, Tricksy thought of a way to get Kemo to help her. Balto was also a wolf, but Kemo was more wolf and lived in the woods. He would know the most!

Not yet discouraged, just slightly bruised, Tricksy let her mind do the work, putting together a plan. She fell asleep a few minutes later.

Balto couldn't believe what he was hearing. Tricksy was asking him to get together with several other dogs, go out into the woods, beat up Kemo, and make him teach her to be a wolf.

"That's ridiculous! Why not just ask him yourself?" asked Balto.

Tricksy turned her head and gave Balto a good long look at the red spot on her cheek," I did. Last night. He slapped me and told me to get lost!"

"At night? Hoo boy! Big mistake bothering him at night!"

"Why? What's the big deal?" asked Tricksy.

"Well, Kemo likes his sleep. Being the biggest wolf in the woods means that he can do basically anything he wants. If he wants to sleep all night and he doesn't get it then he gets grumpy."

"Grumpy?"

"Very grumpy. That would explain the beatings."

Tricksy's ears drooped and she sighed," So, no wolf lessons for me then, huh?"

"Well, let's go and see him this afternoon. I'll have a chat with him and see if I can't change his mind, hmm?"

"Okay! I know he'll listen to you!"

Balto just shook his head. What had he gotten himself into?

Kemo stopped walking as the scent of his friend wafted past his nostrils on the wind. He turned and smiled, but his smile disappeared when he saw Tricksy. It was that annoying wolf wannabe again! Kemo sighed and approached the two.

"Good morning Kemo," Balto began," I brought Tricksy here with me and she wanted me to ask you something."

"Did she tell you what I told her last night?" asked Kemo, already knowing what the question would be.

"Yes. And she also told me that you slapped her too. Why?"

Tricksy glared at Kemo. He wasn't very nice last night at all, and she wanted to know why.

"She disturbed my sleep. You know how I am. If I can't get a decent night's sleep then..." Kemo stopped.

"That's no excuse!" shouted Tricksy," You hurt me, and I think you owe me an apology!"

"Alright... I'm sorry."

"That's better," said Tricksy. She pointed her nose to the sky," But it's not good enough!"

Kemo sighed again," What more do you want?"

"I think you know exactly what she wants. She wants you to help her with a simple problem that she has. I think you should!" said Balto.

"Fine! But only if you help, Balto! I've taught you before, now you get to be the teacher for once!" said Kemo, with his eyes closed. He was frustrated and just wanted to get the whole thing over with.

"That's okay with me. Shall we begin?"

Tricksy limped home that night and dropped dead on her rug, not even bothering to wrap herself in its warm layers. She was very tired. It was a day full of what Kemo called "endurance running". He'd said,` If you can't chase down your prey then you won't be eating!' Tricksy didn't care if her prey outran her. At least her home couldn't; or her rug either. She sucked in deep, rasping breaths and exhaled deeply. Her leg muscles ached from constant running at top speed. She couldn't take much more of it. But if that was what it took to become a wolf then she would press herself to do it.

She yawned and fell asleep. It was the easiest thing that she'd done all day.

Something was tapping Tricksy's shoulder. She rolled over and meet nose to nose with Kemo.

"Ack!" she screamed.

She jumped up and ran behind the trawler's cabin. After peeking around the corner she sighed and emerged from her hiding place," Don't do that!"

"Sorry, but it's time to get up," replied Kemo.

Tricksy looked around. It was still pretty dark outside," What time is it?"

"Not long before the sun rises. When the wolves wake up and look for food."

Tricksy yawned," Okay. Let's go find Balto."

"Nope. It's just you and me today."

Tricksy blinked and realized that this was her first two-wolf mission with Kemo. She wasn't really glad to be alone with the wolf, but she thought of him as a long-lost pack brother. She would put up with his hard training for a while longer.

The two of them trotted to the edge of the woods. Kemo pointed towards their left, indicating Tricksy to move in that direction. Tricksy just nodded and let her old hunting instincts take over.

When Tricksy had lived in the Inuit village she was an excellent hunter; on account of her wolf heritage. She was the best hunting dog in the entire village. Now she would use her old skills for hunting again, only this time she didn't have her master following her with a spear. She would have to make the actual kill herself.

She sniffed the air as well as the ground, trying to pick up a scent, as she slowly walked through the woods. She heard quiet whimpering and snuffing sounds from Kemo. He told her that there was some prey a few yards ahead. Tricksy replied with her own noises and began to sneak towards the prey. She couldn't detect it yet, but she was sure that Kemo would find it before she would.

She continued on, sniffing and searching, but couldn't even hear any wind rustling through the trees. Then she was pounced on from behind. She turned quickly, biting and slashing with her claws, but she was smacked and slammed against a tree. She shook her head and looked right at Kemo.

"What did you do that for!?" Tricksy shouted.

"No, the question is, `Why didn't you know I was coming?'" replied Kemo.

"Oh for Pete's sake, I thought we were hunting game?"

"You need to know about your surroundings. If you are hunting and a rival wolf or pack of wolves comes nearby then you will be fighting for food. What if I was one of those wolves? I could have killed you."

"Not without a fight you wouldn't have," growled Tricksy.

Kemo reached up and touched the small bloody spot on his face," So I see."

"Just call it a payment for slapping me yesterday," smiled Tricksy.

Kaltag was sitting in the old mill with the rest of the dogs when Balto came in. Kaltag had been looking for Tricksy all day and he was sure that Balto would know where to find her. They were good friends and often did things together. Kaltag trusted Balto's discretion and he knew that nothing would happen between him and Tricksy.

"Hi Balto," began Kaltag.

"Hey Kaltag. Where's Tricksy?" replied Balto.

"I thought you might know?" said Kaltag, puzzled.

Balto looked around thoughtfully," She may be out with Kemo?"

"Why with him?" asked Kaltag.

"Kemo's teaching her to be a wolf, at her request of course. They may be out in the woods."

"Do you want to go and look for her?"

"I'll go alone. Don't worry, I'll find her," said Balto. He turned to leave.

"Thanks Balto," Kaltag lay down again and started chewing on a bone.

Tricksy was sent against the tree again. Kemo wasn't being fair. He was trying to teach her to be fierce when stealing food, so he placed a piece of meat on the ground and told her to steal it. Every time she missed the piece of meat he would hit her. This time she would go for him instead of the meat. She pretended like she was going for the meat, but then quickly changed direction and bit Kemo's front leg. He yelped and jumped away. Tricksy laughed and picked up the meat and trotted away victoriously.

Kemo ran up and Tricksy bared her teeth, preparing to fight again, but Kemo just stopped and sat down," Very good. You're very... tricky."

"I'm glad you finally figured it out, Kem'ster!" replied Tricksy.

Kemo just looked at the meat," That kill's big enough for both of us you know."

"No. It's mine!"

Kemo tried to grab it but Tricksy bopped him on the nose. He sat back down and put a large white paw over his nose and rubbed it. She had won, and Kemo smiled as his pupil dragged her prize away.

"She's quite good you know?" said Kemo.

He and Balto were enjoying each other's company at the end of the day. They lay by the edge of a cliff watching the sun go down over the bay. Balto was leaning against Kemo's large white form. For some it may seem odd, but for them it was the best way to keep warm on a cold evening..

"I'm glad she's having such a good time, except for your beatings," replied Balto.

"Come on now! How many times did I slap you around before you were able to get me back?" asked Kemo, reflecting on when he had taught Balto.

Balto just nodded. Kemo was a rough teacher, and he knew that Kemo would probably never teach another wolf in his life, but Balto was sure that Kemo would make a good wolf out of Tricksy.

Balto sighed. He loved watching the sun set. His mind just focused on nothing but the glowing ball of orange and red. Then, after no more than a few minutes, it was gone. Kemo sat up straight and sniffed at the air. He stood and took a few steps away from Balto.

"What is it?" asked Balto.

"Can't you smell it?" asked Kemo.

Balto sniffed," Smells like...."

"Smoke! There's a fire in the woods somewhere!"

"We'd better get help from Nome!" said Balto. He began to run towards the town.

Kemo ran after him, trying to catch up, but Balto was awfully quick when there was danger. They ran right past the trawler, awaking Tricksy with their loud panting and crunching footfalls. She peered over the edge of the boat just in time to see them scurry away. She smiled and ran after them.

Kemo, still not wanting to venture inside the town, waited for Balto outside. Tricksy came up behind him and bopped his nose again.

"Guess who?!" she said.

"Oh no," grumbled Kemo.

"Yep! It's me! You're number one student!" Tricksy grinned from ear to ear and sat next to Kemo.

"For goodness sakes, Tricksy, you're my only student!" Kemo stood up and walked away from Tricksy.

"Good point, prof. Hey, why were you guys running so fast. What's up?" Tricksy followed Kemo.

"There's a fire in the woods. We came to get help."

"Oh no! I hope everything will be okay. I'd hate it if the whole forest burned down... and possibly take Nome along with it!" Tricksy began to run about frantically.

"I wouldn't worry about it. It should burn itself out."

Balto returned a few moments later, huffing and puffing," I barked and barked but all they did was throw a shoe at me. They could be in a lot of trouble if that fire spreads."

"Trust me, I know the feeling," said Tricksy, remembering her own experience with flying shoes.

"It's up to us then!" said Kemo.

He led the others away from the town and they all ran towards the rising smoke. The fire was still rather small, but it had spread to several trees. It was moving slowly through the snow-covered trees and would keep moving unless something stopped it. A tree crackled and fell, its trunk had been burned through. It sank as the deep snow melted around it.

"I have an idea," said Kemo," It's worked before."

He put his back to the fire abd began to kick snow up as far as he could. It landed around the trees and snuffed out some of the smaller flames, but the flames higher up the tree contunied to burn. Tricksy and Balto tried to help him, but there was little change.

"I thought you said this worked before?" asked Balto.

"Well, that was for a small brush fire. Nothing this big!" replied Kemo.

Then Tricksy's ears pricked up. She thought she could hear a faint sound. She sniffed and looked about but could not see anything. She heard the sound again.

"I think I hear something?" she called to Balto and Kemo.

Kemo walked up to her and stood with his ears erect," I don't hear anything."

"Me either!" replied Balto.

"Just wait a second," said Tricksy. The three of them stood with their ears straight up and listened. Then it came again. Kemo's eyes widened.

"Wolf puppies! And they're in trouble!" he shouted and ran towards the source of the sound.

Balto and Tricksy were right behind him. They soon reached the spot where the puppies were. They were trapped under a log, surrounded by burning trees. Kemo slowly approached the pups, their whining growing louder. Another tree fell and sank into the snow.

There was a loud rumbling sound as the tree was sucked down into an underground gorge. The snow broke around the hole and a huge gap appeared between Kemo and the puppies.

"I can't reach them!" he called back to Tricksy and Balto.

"I can!" shouted Tricksy.

She ran at full speed and leaped over the gap. She barely made it to the other side. The snow under her broke away and her hind legs fell over the edge, but she pulled herself up and moved on. Fiery branches fell around her as she carefully approached the pups. The three of them huddled under their log shelter.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you," she said gently.

The puppies emerged and hid under her body, trying to escape from the terror around them. Tricksy smiled down at them and they licked her neck and face. Tricksy grabbed one of the pups and jumped over the void. She set the pup down on the ground next to Balto and Kemo and leaped across for another puppy.

The second one was safe now, and Tricksy went back for the third. Tricksy grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and prepared to jump over when the valley opened up even wider. Snow fell from the edges and flaming trees fell into the hole. Tricksy began to panic. There was no way across now. She doubted that she would be able to jump over the wider hole. She yelped over to Kemo and Balto.

"She can't get across!" shouted Balto as he watched her pace frantically back and forth, looking for a way out.

"Look at that tree over there!" said Kemo.

Balto looked in the direction of Kemo's paw and saw a tree that was burning at the base of its trunk," I think I know what you're thinking!" he replied.

The two wolves ran over to the tree and pushed against it. It cracked and snapped and finally fell. It landed across the hole, making a perfect bridge. Balto and Kemo slapped each other's paws.

"Come on, Trix!" shouted Balto.

Tricksy grabbed the last puppy and carefully walked across the bridge. The snow near the flaming end was melting fast, and the trunk was slowly sinking into the hole. It shifted and sank a foot deep into the snow.

"Erf!" gasped Tricksy.

"Jump for it!" shouted Kemo.

Tricksy was more than half way across so making the leap was no trouble at all. Tricksy dropped the last pup, who happily snuggled with its siblings under Tricksy's body. She was their hero now. Tricksy smiled and licked each one, receiving a sooty, ash-covered tongue.

"Good job Tricksy!" complimented Kemo," I must admit you did an excellent job!"

"Thanks, Kem'ster!" replied Tricksy," Now what should we do with the little guys here?"

"I recognize them. They're the puppies of a friend of mine," Kemo said, nodding towards the woods," I should take them back as soon as possible."

"I think the fire's taking care of itself," said Balto.

Indeed. The fire was slowly being put out by the snow falling out of the trees, as well as the giant sink hole that had opened up. Balto walked to the edge and looked down. It was like a big cave with icy walls and a clear floor.

"It looks really neat down here," he said to the others.

Tricksy joined him at the edge," Hey, cool! We should explore it!"

"But how will we get back up?" asked Balto.

Tricksy shoved one of the dead trees towards the opening. It fell and joined its brothers in the hole, only it remained upright; the top just reaching the opening. Tricksy put her front paws on the top of the tree and slid down into the cave.

"Tricksy!" gasped Balto.

"Now watch," said Tricksy. She wrapped her legs around the trunk of the tree and slowly climbed up and emerged from the hole, a little out of breath but safe.

Balto grinned. Tricksy had some good ideas once and a while, but this one was crazy! He was sure that Kemo wouldn't go into the earth. It was just a really dumb idea.

Tricksy smiled and barked, a signal for Balto and Kemo to hurry up. Along the walls of the cave was a weird glowing moss that gave enough light that the six wolves could easily see where they were going. Kemo had objected bringing the puppies but they had no other place to put them while they explored the cave.

The pups were very excited, and ran and jumped along with Tricksy. Balto and Kemo just watched and kept a slow pace a few yards behind the "four puppies". Balto admired the beauty of the ice formations and the glowing moss. Kemo just wished that he could leave and get the puppies back home to their parents. The cave was indeed a wonder of nature, but Kemo was more concerned with the safety of the pups.

They entered a large open area that had a roof several meters above their heads. Balto grimaced and remembered the cave that he had almost died in a few months earlier. A loud noise had caused the icicles hanging from the roof to fall. They nearly crushed him and the dogsled team, as well as the sled that was carrying important medicine. He sighed and hoped that the puppies would keep quiet. The icicles in this cave looked large and menacing.

Tricksy gasped and ran back towards Balto," Look! It's gross!"

"What is it?" asked Balto.

Balto looked at what Tricksy had seen. It was the skeleton of a wolf. Its jaws were opened wide as if it had suffered some horrible death. The legs were spread apart and its tail was curled over its back.

"Dis-gusting!" gagged Tricksy.

The puppies began to play with the bones and batted the skull around with their paws. Kemo glared at them sternly. They were desecrating the grave of a dead wolf, and Kemo wouldn't allow it.

"Stop it!" he shouted. A menacing growl sent the pups scurrying under Tricksy's protective frame.

"Why did you do that? They were just having fun," said Tricksy. She glared right back at Kemo.

"Look at what they are doing to this dead wolf. He deserves better. It's bad enough to have to starve to death down here, but to have your skull played with by a bunch of puppies is shameful!"

"Geez, Kem'ster. Take it easy!"

Kemo continued glaring.

"Alright, alright. C'mon kids, let's go! I'll race you down the tunnel!"

Tricksy slipped on some ice and slid down a slope. The puppies wanted to have fun too and followed. They soon found themselves hanging over the edge of a cliff; one that led to a bottomless nothing. Tricksy was hanging over the edge and barely had time to stop the pups from dropping to their deaths.

"Balto! Kemo! Help!" she shouted.

"We're coming!" shouted Kemo.

The two carefully ran down the slope, trying not to slip. They reached the edge and pulled the pups away. Then Balto grabbed Tricksy and pulled her up. She was all a-fright; shaking all over and panting rapidly.

"Are you okay?" asked Balto.

Tricksy just nodded," I... t-t-think that the t-t-tour's over!' she grinned weakly.

"I agree," said Kemo sternly.

They had no trouble getting out of the hole. Once again Tricksy had outdone herself with a great idea. The adventure was one that they would never forget, not for a while at least. Kemo shook Balto's paw, for it was time for him to leave with the pups. He approached Tricksy and smiled, something that Tricksy had never seen him do warmly.

"I think you'll do just fine. You make an excellent wolf!" he said.

"Thanks Kem'ster!" she nuzzled his neck.

Kemo smiled and walked off with the three pups in tow.

Kemo howled to signal his approach. Three wolves ran towards him and greeted him when they recognized who he was. Kemo led the puppies to their parents and there was a happy reunion.

"Thank you for returning our puppies, Kemo," said the alpha leader.

"Don't thank me, thank my... uh, friend, Tricksy," replied Kemo.

"Who is this Tricksy?"

"A wolf I just met a few days ago."

Tricksy sighed. Once again she was bored out of her mind. It had been several days since Kemo had left but to Tricksy it seemed like an eternity without her new friend. She knew that Balto would meet with Kemo every week, but Tricksy wished that she could live in the woods with him; to live like a wolf would be great!

Kaltag knocked on the side of the boat with his paw," Anyone home?" he joked. He knew that Tricksy was either in town with him or on the boat.

"Hi Kaltag," said Tricksy.

"You sound kind of down. What's wrong? asked Kaltag.

Tricksy licked his nose as he lay down next to her," I still feel like I should have stayed out in the woods a while longer. I could have learned so much more!"

"But Kemo will be back. He could show you a few more things, as long as he keeps away from smacking you around," growled Kaltag.

"Awww, I can take it. He's nothing but a big puffy wuffy! A softy!"

Tricksy smiled and put her head down. She imagined herself beating on Kemo and watching as Kemo ran away with his tail tucked between his legs. Now that would be a terrific wolf feat! Driving off the great Kemo!

Kaltag smiled. Tricksy was happy, so he had nothing to worry about. He put his head down as well and the two of them fell asleep.

THE END

The movie Balto and its characters are copyrighted to
Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment
© 1995 Universal Studios/Amblin Entertainment

Not to be used without their permission.

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