The golden light of late afternoon filtered through the weathered gaps of the shipwreck. Balto lay on his old blanket, eyes half-lidded, breath steady. His thoughts wandered—The serum run, Steele’s fall, his pups growing up. It had been a long journey. A hard one. But he was here. And he was proud.

Then—

CRASH!

Boris flailed wildly as he tumbled forward, knocking over a rusty bucket and tripping over his own mop before landing in a feathery heap. A single loose feather drifted lazily down, landing right on Balto’s nose.

Balto blinked, sighing through his nose as the feather fluttered away. "You alright, Boris?"

"Da, da, fine! Just testing gravity! It still works!" Boris grumbled, shaking himself off. He barely had time to straighten his feathers before- "Oh no—"

Muk and Luk burst into the room, their enthusiasm crashing against Boris like an oncoming storm. Muk stopped just short of him, but Luk tumbled forward, sending the poor goose squawking into another pile of feathers.

"Uncle Boris! Play with us!" Muk chirped, bouncing excitedly. "You always run, but we always catch you!" Luk gave an silent but eager nod, his grin making it clear Boris had no escape.

"No, no, no! I am not toy! Go wrestle Balto! He is much sturdier!" Boris flailed his wings dramatically as he scooted backward.

"But Balto doesn’t run!" Muk pouted while Luk nodded again, their eyes twinkling with mischief.

Boris groaned, rubbing his temples. "Wonderful. I am game now? What’s next, I get leash?"

Balto smirked, stretching lazily. "At least they keep you active."

---

Night had settled over the shipwreck. Muk and Luk snored in a tangled pile nearby. Boris perched on the edge of the ship, silent. Balto lay back on his blanket, the peaceful quiet of the night wrapping around him like an old friend.

"What’s on your mind?" Boris asked softly.

Balto watched the stars for a moment, his thoughts drifting to Jenna, Aleu, Kodi—his pups, their journeys. He smiled.

"Just... how far we’ve come."