Australian Dalmatian
an Oliver and Company fanfic, starring Dodger, Oliver, Francis, Tito, Einstein, Rita, Georgette, Jenny and many others.
Note: This takes place during the Aus Steam '88, aka a month after R&C.

Chapter 1: Rita X Ryan

Happiness.

That's what both a certain Saluki and a certain Dalmatian feel as they were snuggling in a big bedroom at the Foxworths'.

Just a few weeks ago, Ryan the Dalmatian dog had graduated from the Locomotive Preservation Society and was now a certified railroad dog, traveling across the United States on preserved locomotives like his father, Shaun, did when he was a railroad dog. His friends down in his old neighborhood are doing very well, along with his friends down at the LPS museum in Brooklyn, New York. Some new engines kept on coming to the museum, meaning there were new friends Ryan makes, both old and new.

But there was more goodies for the autistic dog.

He and Rita were now officially mates and were probably the happiest couple anybody could imagine. For the past 2 months, the 2 dogs went out on dates to the Junkyard where the Old #90 is still rusting away, the Brooklyn Bridge where Rita told Ryan all about Sykes and the Dobermans, Central Park, the LPS's museum in Brooklyn and Time Square where they shared a romantic kiss infront of everyone. Things were starting to look nice and lovely for them.

"...mmmmm" Ryan purred happily as he snuggled against Rita's back.

Rita looked a little worried as she stood her head up and looked at her boyfriend. "Ryan do you forgive me about yelling at you?" she asked. During the first few days of Ryan staying at Fagin's boat, she and the autistic dog had a rough patch if many of you recall. So rough in fact, the Saluki yelled at the Dalmatian, causing him to have a serious meltdown. Rita still felt guilty of yelling at a sensitive dog like Ryan even after he said he forgives her for about 20 times now.

"of course Rita" Ryan chuckled, "this is like the 21st time you asked me that. don't tell me I got you my Autism." He laughed when Rita had a surprised look on her face, "nah I'm kidding. I don't think it's possible to spread Autism."

Rita rolled her eyes smiling. "you wish it was you sneak, then we could be an autistic couple" she said, before breaking into a flirtatious voice, "I also have a present for you!"

The Dalmatian's eyes and ears lit up with excitement. Ryan loved presents, especially ones from Rita. The presents he got from her included being adopted by Jenny, flowers, a bright blue blanket with Mickey Mouse on it that he calls "blankey", a box of chocolate and a night sleeping with her at the boat.

"close your eyes, count to 5, and don't open them until I say 'alright'!" said the Saluki in a cute sing-song voice.

Ryan closed his eyes tightly and began to count to 5 slowly. As he did so, Rita cautiously pulled out a book from a nearby bookshelf. Carefully, she placed the book on her boyfriend's paws just as he was finished counting to "4.5 1/2".

"alright" the Saluki giggled.

The Dalmatian opened his eyes and looked at the book with a big smile on his face. The cover of the book showed a picture of the Flying Scotsman, a 4-6-2 A3 from Great Britain, with a red cowcatcher, headlight, bell and whistle on the side, rolling down the mainline with a train of brown and cream coaches, and cars chasing after it. The title of the book, "Flying Scotsman's USA Tour" was written in gold letters with "USA" written in red, white and blue letters.

Ryan suddenly looked confused. "Rita darling" he said, "I already have this book remember?"

"I know" Rita nodded as she snuggled her head against Ryan's side, "I was hoping you could teach me a history lesson or something."

Sometimes, depending on if he's in the mood or if Rita is in the mood, Ryan would tell Rita facts about trains and certain locos from his books he got from friends, his new owners and some individuals who knew Ryan's father Sean. This was something to do for him not only to get away from boredom, but to also share his love of trains to his Saluki girlfriend and to teach some history about how the railroads, or railways depending on which one you prefer to call it, helped make America and the world it is today.

With a smile as big as his own face, Ryan kindly nodded and opened up the book with his nose. "ok then my lovely sweetheart" he began, "have you ever knew that engines can be famous too?"

"no I haven't" Rita shook her head with interest.

"well you see my dear sweetheart, this engine called 'Flying Scotsman' is 'The Most Famous Steam Locomotive in the World'!"

"no!" said Rita surprisingly.

You see folks who are new with trains or haven't heard of Flying Scotsman before, this steam locomotive is not just an ordinary one. No in fact, it is a famous one! Built at Doncaster Works in 1923 for the London and North Eastern in the United Kingdom for mainline passenger trains, the Flying Scotsman was named after the non-stop passenger train that ran from London to Edinburgh. Designed by the famous Sir Nigel Gresley, the 4-6-2 Pacific had quite a history. In November of 1934, #4472, Flying Scotsman's number, broke the land speed record of 100 MPH and earned a place in the land speed record for railed vehicles, which was later broken by the Mallard, another LNER engine, but that's another story.

During World War ll, Flying Scotsman was painted black and was given 2 new numbers, 502 and 103. The Flying Scotsman remained in that livery until 1948, when British Railways was formed and the A3 was painted dark green with a new number "60103". The Flying Scotsman was announced to be scrapped by British Railways in 1962 and made a final run on January 14th, 1963. However, as if there is a God, a man by the name of Alan Pegler stepped in and bought the locomotive for 70,000 British pounds, which is 101,542 in US Dollars. He restored the engine to its LNER look and used #4472 on rail tours across BR rails.

In the late 1960s and early 70s, Flying Scotsman paid a visit to America to support British exports. To comply with American railroad regulations, #4472 was fitted with a cowcatcher, headlight, bell, whistle, air brakes and so forth, and began touring the USA starting in Boston, Massachusetts. Flying Scotsman even made a visit to the Southern Railway, making a couple of trips on the SRR with several steamers in their steam program including 2-8-2 #4501. Unfortunately, Alan ran out of money to run the Flying Scotsman and was broke. If it hadn't been for William McAlphine, the engine would've been sold for scrap. In 1973, the engine went home to the UK, via the Panama Canal, and William paid for the locomotive's restoration at Derby Works. By then, the engine was ready for work and began hauling holiday excursions. Since then the locomotive had attracted a lot of attention and was even stared in "The Railway Series".

After an hour of reading, Ryan finished his book. He looked over at his girlfriend and gave her a loving kiss on the cheek. Out of all the friends he knew, Rita was probably the only dog who would ever enjoy his love of trains, besides his ex girlfriend Tiffany who had been dead for about a week and a half. Even though the Saluki wouldn't understand how trains work unless Ryan tells her how, at least she listens to him 100% unlike some of his friends.

As the 2 of them snuggled against each other, Winston walked in smiling brightly. He had just helped finish packing Jenny's bags and had helped Fagin wash the dogs up. "come along you 2" he said to Rita and Ryan, "we're going for a little ride!"

Ryan barked and followed Winston out the front door, followed by Rita. There had been a lot more stuff going on than usual recently, besides Ryan getting adopted. Georgette has been accepted to go to a dog show in Melbourne, Victoria in Australia and everyone is invited to go. Ryan didn't want to go though, cause there wasn't any trains there from what he knows. But he had no choice.

When he got down to the limo where the rest of the Foxworths were waiting, he could see Dodger, Tito, Francis, Einstein, Oliver and Georgette all shiny and clean as they waited in the back of the limo. They were smiling happily as Fagin's dogs were chatting with their friend Oliver. He wasn't sure why the gang was invited to come with them to the land down under, but as long as Rita was with him he didn't mind at all.

"Hey man how's life at Jenny's place?" Tito asked Ryan as soon as he sat down.

"not bad" Ryan replied, "it reminds me of my old home when Little Jack was alive and well. I got my own room which is still kinda a mess, some of my old master's stuff and a very beautiful sweetheart. what else could make me happy?"

Rita blushed and shrugged cutely. "I don't know. a 2 week vacation in Australia?"

"well..." Ryan thought, "I'm probably going to be homesick until we get back."

"eh, if you can survive living out on the streets, then I'm sure you'll be fine in Australia" Dodger grinned.

"you sure?" Ryan asked his friend.

"absotively posilutely!" nodded Dodger in reply.

The Dalmatian wasn't sure, but he doubt he was gonna have fun in Australia. As much as he loves traveling, he doesn't like going places that doesn't have things he enjoys. Whenever his old master was going to a place that he probably wouldn't enjoy, Ryan would normally stay at Tiffany's place. But as said before he didn't have a choice and Rita was going to Australia too.

As soon as everyone and everything was packed inside the limo, Winston drove the limo all the way to John F Kennedy airport where their flight to Australia was waiting. During the ride to the airport, Ryan decided to take a nice long nap with Rita by his side. As the two of them slept together, Ryan began to wonder what sort of adventures would await for him and his friends in the land down under, unaware of a big surprise waiting for him in Melbourne.

Oliver and Company belong to (C) Disney.
Ryan, Tiffany and the Locomotive Preservation Society belongs to me.