Heritage of The Wolf is a series of Balto fanfics by The Cool Kat.
The series consists of Salvation, Part 1
, Salvation, Part 2, Salvation, Part 3, and Framed.
Heritage of the Wolf is a fan-remake of fanfics by the retired 1990s Balto fic writer Cyberwulfe. Part 1 is a remake of the story Puppy Love. Heritage of the Wolf is a Darker and Edgier rewrite of what happens after the first Balto film, and acts as a bridge between it and its sequels. It also expands upon, and retools, the series' story and lore.
These fanfics provide examples of:
- Alternate Animal Affection: Dogs nuzzle one another. They also kiss like humans.
- Corrupt Politician: Played with regarding the mayor of Nome. He doesn't actually do anything illegal, but he tries whatever he can to get Balto exiled from Nome.
- Dark Fic: Heritage of the Wolf covers darker themes than the films. It also features cursing, blood, and some sexual references.
- Did They or Didn't They?: Discussed in Framed, as Balto and Jenna's friends ask them separately if the two of them have "done the deed" after they got married, which annoys both of them. Dialogue between the two of them alone confirms that they have in fact consummated their marriage.
- Enemy Mine: In Salvation, Part 1, Balto agrees to join with Steele and his friends to save Jenna when she's held hostage by Devil and his lackeys. After they win, Steele turns on Balto and tries to kill him, but Balto successfully fends him off.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones:
- Steele genuinely loves the two children of his owner, Sam and Evan, and they love him right back.
- Devil's lackeys, Cookie and Winston, are actually friends with him and accept him for what he is.
- Fantastic Slur: One slur dogs use against wolf-dogs is "lobo" (which is Spanish for "wolf").
- Freudian Excuse:
- Steele's hatred for wolves and Balto especially is rooted not just in commonly held prejudices, but also in the fact that his father was killed by wolves.
- Devil is a malamute who's genetics make him have more in common with actual wolves, making him feel like an outcast.
- Heel–Face Turn: In "Salvation, Part 3'', Steele and Balto team up to save Sam and Evan from their abusive father, and Steele leaves Nome on peaceful terms with Balto.
- High-School Sweethearts: Mates Balto and Jenna have been friends since they were teens, but due to the town's hatred of Balto, they couldn't be an Official Couple until after Balto becomes a hero through the serum run.
- Married Animals: Animals get married to one another. Balto proposes to Jenna in the Salvation, Part 1, and they eventually get married in Salvation, Part 3.
- Mature Animal Story: The story is darker than the film. It has scenes involving things like Attempted Rape and implied cannibalism. But, the main characters are all animals.
- Named by the Adaptation:
- Jenna's surname is "Jones".
- Rosie's parents are named "Thomas" and "Evelyn".
- Reformed, but Rejected: Downplayed In Salvation, Part 3. Steele is banished and forced to leave Nome for his crimes during and after the serum run, even after he and Balto save Sam and Evan. But Steele willingly accepts his punishment, making peace with both Balto and Jenna and giving his last goodbyes to his human children before he goes.
- Rescue Romance: Jenna and Balto first met when Balto saved Jenna from Attempted Rape by Devil and his lackeys in Salvation, Part 1. He saves her from them again towards the end of the same story.
- Thou Shalt Not Kill: Balto feels this way, as he refuses to kill opponents when he wins fights, which Jenna and most of his friends are in support of. However, his stance on this is often rooted less in the actual morality of such acts, and more in the fear of what he would do if he gave into his anger and violent instincts.
- Vegetarian Carnivore: Balto rarely eats meat because he doesn't like eating beings who died of unnatural causes. He only reluctantly eats meat.
