The Outcast And The Stray

Hey, it's me again. I am here to present you a rewritten version of "Balto" with a little twist involving a bit of Disney's "101 Dalmatians" characters brought into the mix. This story is also inspired by two of my favorite novels by Jack London, "White Fang" and "Call of the Wild", mainly in the elements of characters' backgrounds, as well as some elements of "Iron Will" (1994) (whereas the soundtrack from the film itself was used a year later in the trailer for "Balto") and "Kayla: A Cry In The Wilderness" (1999) for the majority of the story. I also altered the timeline and setting of the story to have started somewhere in the 1990s and I set the whole story in Great Britain, just transporting the characters and events in this Alternate Universe. So yeah, I like altering history since there are some movies and books that do that too, so why can't I? I even added another hero who was involved in the real life 1925 serum run who I felt deserves to have credit too. You might notice some tidbits of "Balto 2: Wolf Quest" in this too, but I decided to use these elements to use them in this story, just altering them a bit to fit the storyline. Also, be on the lookout for references from other films that you might recognize for your enjoyment and the sake of nostalgia, and I etched them in there because I felt they were fitting or the need to get some laughs. I even etched in some songs that you might recognize from the 80s and some of everyone's favorite movies and TV shows in moments that seemed to fit the scene, and once again, for the sake of nostalgia. Note: I DO NOT own "Balto", "101 Dalmatians", or any of the characters and/or elements, except for my OCs. All of them belong to their rightful owners.

Also, all the animals in this universe age just like humans to give you readers a background on the characters' ages. One more thing, expect a bit OR a lot of cartoon logic in this story since there are animal characters that can hold and play with objects like humans can.

(V)

Prologue: A Long Story

London, England, the year of 2008, four young Pups were sitting at the window sill inside of an apartment, facing forward to view the outside world through the glass.

Although the tetrad were all aged 7, they do know who was the eldest and youngest between the four of them.

The first Pup, male, had brown-grey fur and ears with a light brown underbelly going all the way up to the mask on the bottom-half of his mouth, as well as light brown markings directly over and upon his eyes, and light brown irises, and had a fluffy, curled tail. Since he was the first born, he was established as the eldest of the four.

The second Pup, female, had all black ears, a sandy-grey coat with a lined-out fur pattern that bridged in-between her eyes, across her muzzle, up to her nose, and a lighter grey underbelly and fur-patterned stockings on her front paws, while she also has light brown eyes like her Brother, but she has yellow scleras unlike her older Brother who had natural pale scleras, and her tail was straight.

The third, younger than the first two, also female, had light red fur with a white underbelly pattern. She had dark brown irises, which differentiated from her eldest brother's light brown. Her tail was straight, but was uniquely puffy, and way softer than most tails out of the four Pups. Oddly enough, she also had black ears, just like her older Sister, which contrasted against her red coat.

The fourth, the second male, and the youngest of them all, had a dark red coat and also sported a white underbelly pattern like his second oldest Sister. He also has dark brown eyes like his second oldest Sister's own irises, and a fur strip which almost looked like a football player's nasal strip on the top of his muzzle reaching across his own snout, and had a tail that was straightened in a similar style to his first older Sister.

The tetrad all just looked out the window, watching all the Citizens and Dogs pass by on the streets, doing their usual daily routines, while at the same time, were thinking about something.

"Why weren't we adopted, but our Brothers and Sisters were?" The sandy-grey Pup asked out loud. "I can understand Kodi and Nunavut's case, but why didn't any kids adopt me and Sharp?"

The dark red Pup, identified as Kodi, turned to his older sister with the same question in mind.

"That is what I've been wondering about too." He said truthfully.

Kodi knew the reason why he and his Sister, Nunavut, were kept was because their owners' own Son had become quite attached to them, so they ultimately decided and felt that Nunavut and Kodi would be the two Pups to stay with the family.

"Well, I think there has to be a reason, right, Sharp?" The light red Pup, Nunavut, said simply to their elder Brother with a warm smile.

The eldest Pup, Sharp, looked to his little Sisters and Brother, giving them a gentle smile.

"I'm sure Mom, Dad, Auntie or Uncle will give us an answer, Aleu." He told his younger Sister, now known as Aleu, warmly.

"I guess…" She admitted softly. Though she didn't want to admit it out loud, Aleu felt there was something wrong with her and Sharp, and wants to know the reason why they weren't adopted in particular.

Just then, a Young-Adult Dalmatian, aged 23, walked into the room the four Pups were occupying. He had all black ears, brown eyes, and was wearing a red collar.

"Hello, Pups." He greeted them as he entered the living room.

"Hi, Uncle Pongo." All four responded happily.

The Dalmatian, now known as Pongo, smiled back at his nephews and nieces. Although they weren't related to each other by blood, both company do see and acknowledge themselves as family nevertheless.

"How are you all doing?" Pongo asked.

"Oh, pretty fine, to be honest." Sharp answered. "Good. Good." Pongo nodded in response.

"Just curious, that's all." Nunavut said truthfully. Pongo tilted his head in curiosity.

"Oh?" He inquired "And what would that be?"

"Why weren't Aleu and Sharp adopted?" Kodi immediately came straight to the point of the matter that had been plaguing their minds.

Pongo's smile instantly faded from his face at the question Kodi asked him. He feared the Pups would come around to asking that particular question. He was now contemplating on whether to tell the Pups or not.

He felt Sharp and Nunavut would be very understanding, given their calm and gentle demeanors, and Kodi's reaction would be one of astonishment, yet acceptance, but he was mostly worried about how Aleu would react, knowing her wild and rowdy nature.

Pongo then thought she would possibly react negatively if this secret was kept from her for a long time until she catches wind of it herself when she's older.

He then contemplated on a solution to tell the tetrad. He thought about it for a brief minute until he came to a resolution which could have a positive outcome for the Pups, especially Aleu, to understand.

Pongo then directed his attention to the four Pups, who were waiting for an answer.

"Come with me to the living room, Pups." Pongo instructed. The tetrad did as they were told, getting up and following their Uncle to the living room.

(V)

When they reached the living room, Pongo patted the rug he was on, which the four Siblings insinuated that he wanted them to sit down.

The tetrad sat themselves in front of their Uncle, waiting patiently for what he was about to tell them. Pongo took a deep breath, and sighed before he began.

"Well, before we begin, I'll have to tell you the answer regarding both you and Sharp, am I right, Aleu?" Pongo asked.

Aleu nodded.

"Promise me you all won't take this harshly when I tell you." He continued.

"We promise." All four Pups answered.

"Right…" Pongo said, taking one more look over his nieces and nephews, and then he began slowly.

"The truth is… The reason both you and Sharp were not adopted…" Pongo hesitated for a moment before he resumed.

"…is because you both look more… Wolf than Dog."

Kodi and Aleu were both equally surprised by the truth, while Sharp and Nunavut still had neutral expressions over the response their Uncle gave them, only nodding as if they were satisfied with the answer.

Aleu was the first one to respond to this revelation.

"I knew something was wrong with us!" She said unhappily. "It's because we look different! We're Outcasts! We might end up becoming Strays in the future!"

Pongo dreaded this reaction, but before he could act, her younger Sister immediately started to comfort her.

"Aleu, there's nothing to be ashamed of being part Wolf." Nunavut reasoned.

"Yeah there is!" She countered. "It's because we look more like Wolves than Dogs! I mean, our other Brothers and Sisters were adopted because they looked ordinary! But us? We look different!"

"Hey, being different isn't all that bad." Sharp rationalized.

"Well, it is!" Aleu expressed dolefully. "Our looks are the reason we weren't adopted! Why aren't you upset that this secret was kept from us-?!"

"Because I already knew." Sharp interrupted firmly, without raising his voice.

"What?" Aleu responded dumbfoundedly.

Pongo, who had been watching the whole conversation in silence, was also astonished by Sharp's reply.

Sharp turned to his Uncle with an understanding smile. "I knew it all from the very start when I first looked at Dad and studied his features."

This astounded Pongo even further now knowing how Sharp came to the conclusion of not only both his and Aleu's breedline, but also his own Father's too.

"You certainly do live up to your name, Sharp." Pongo said with a smile. Sharp could only smile back at his own Uncle.

He then directed his attention to Nunavut, wondering how she came to accept this revelation.

She simply smiled. "Mom always told me to be accepting of those around you, despite their differences, even within yourself."

Pongo grinned. "You certainly are like your Mother, Nunavut." He told her warmly, which made her wag her tail in appreciation.

"So, that means I'm also part Wolf?" Kodi couldn't help but ask his Uncle. Pongo gave him an affirmed nod.

"Cool!" The young Husky Pup said excitedly.

"You see?" Sharp assured Aleu. "There's nothing wrong with being different."

"Sharp's right, Sis'." Nunavut added. "Being different is what makes you special."

"That's easy for Kodi and you two to say…" Aleu answered bitterly. "That still doesn't make me feel any better about myself. I mean, Uncle Pongo wasn't seen as an Outcast or a Stray-"

"Actually I was, my Dear Aleu…" This time, Pongo interrupted her, which once again, stunned Aleu into silence, not believing what her own Uncle just said.

The Dalmatian then proceeded. "And I'm going to tell you a story that involves me and your Dad on how we met your Mother and Aunt, and how we saved the children of London."

"But, we already know the story of how you and Dad met Mom and Auntie, and how you both saved the children of the whole town." Aleu inquired, still doubtful. "We've seen the film-"

"That, my children, is a condensed and abridged version of the story." Pongo acknowledged. "They didn't know the full story during that time."

"The full story?" Kodi and Aleu were both confused and astonished, while Sharp remained attentive along with Nunavut, who tilted her head in curiosity, as both their eyes lit up with fascination.

"That's correct. There's more to it than what that film let on." Pongo replied.

To make things clear, there was a film dramatization filmed back in 1999 of both their Uncle's and their Father's exploit which made them famous and how both of them met their Mother and Auntie, but it seemed that film had omitted some other details that were important too.

Though he didn't express this outloud, Pongo disliked how their story was condensed, and the actors who were picked to portray their fellow dogs were far off the mark from the actual breeds they were.

"Also, I like to give a background before we get started." Pongo informed, getting the Pups complete attention. "Truth be told, I was not seen as an equal to others, but as a weak Stray by both Dogs and Humans, along with your Father as an mangy Outcast I'm afraid."

Kodi and Aleu were flabbergasted by their Uncle's reply, while Sharp and Nunavut were patiently waiting for their Uncle to continue.

"No way!" The youngest Pup exclaimed in awe. "Both you and Dad were streetwise dogs?"

Pongo could only chuckle at Kodi's wonderment and exuberance. "You could say that."

He then cleared his throat to get himself and the Pups back on track.

"Anyways, the story I'm about to tell you is based on witness accounts, from both humans and animals, your Auntie's, Mother's, Father's, and my point-of-view…" Pongo paused before he continued. "…and a good Friend-of-ours who helped us become who we are."

The Pups took their spots and paid close attention to the tale that their Uncle was going to tell them, and were now wondering who this 'Friend-of-theirs' was.

"Now, here's the true story of Me and your Father."

And this was the story he told to the Pups.

(V)

That wraps up the first part of this crossover. The next chapter will be read in third person. Sorry to disappoint you, but it will focus on other characters and events. Expect more coming your way. They'll be a song you'll recognize, but in case some of you don't, I'll put the title and the singer at the end of each chapter just to satisfy the Fanfiction guidelines. P.S. You all might recognize one of the fan names, Nunavut, from the Balto fandom for one of the unnamed pups. It's a name that has been used all over the fandom by countless fans, along with Kiona, Yukon, and Dakota, to the point I don't know who the true owner(s) of these fan names belong to. The only fan Sibling I created is Sharp, while the other fan names of the whole fam' belong to their rightful owners, and I hope they don't mind if I used their names, but add my own characteristics to the characters in later stories.

Note: Please, remember. All animals, including dogs, can age just like humans in this story's universe. Hope this note explains much in order to make things less complex while reading this.

Update: As you can see, I've revised this chapter, as I would do with the next few. I was originally going to make Alaska into one big country for this Alternate Universe, whereas the whole country being Canada and USA conjoined together, with a little bit of Great Britain added to the mix, whereas England still exists alongside Scotland, but London is relocated in this universe, while London itself in Britain is renamed Bohemia (after a country that no longer exists), locating it between Ontario and Quebec. But now that I read it, I felt it was ridiculous, so I decided to re-punch it up to make things as simplistic as possible for the setting of this AU. I later learned Ontario already has a London within the province, which genuinely surprised me when I first found out.