Chapter Ten: Ice Cram Is A Miracle War Is Not.
The next day, Steve, Diana, Tom and Jerry made their way through the busy train station. Diana and Tom couldn't get over the large metal beast, that would take them to the front. It was long and black with smoke rising out from the front, where a loud whistle rang out. They were walking along when a stand caught their attention. A vendor handed out a ice cream cone and waited for his next customer.
"Steve, what's that?" questioned Diana pointing to the ice cream stand. Steve glanced about trying to figure out what caught the woman's attention this time, knowing it could be anything. When he saw the ice cream stand he only grinned.
"What haven't you ever had ice cream?" wondered Steve looking from Diana to Tom, who both shook their heads no. "Oh, well here..Sir could I please get two cones?"
Steve dug around in his pocket and pulled out some money, waving to the man. The vendor at the stand fixed up two vanilla ice cream cones and handed them to Diana. Diana passed one to Tom, who eyed up the foreign food, not sure what to make of it. Diana was the first to try it, while Tom waited to see what she thought before he tasted it for himself. Diana licked off a mouth full and the sweet cool treat melted in her mouth. She ate at some more finding it to be amazing.
"Mmm, this is wonderful, spectacular. Sir you should be very proud of what you do." said Diana while Steve payed for the cones. The vendor smiled from ear to ear, glad to hear someone appreciated what he did. Steve smiled and kept Diana moving, pushing through the hustle and bustle of the walk way. Tom and Jerry followed behind the two, Jerry looking up to see what Tom would think. Well Diana liked it, so it must be good. Thought Tom seeing Diana make a big deal about the ice cream. He brought the cone to his mouth and tasted it for himself. The sweet treat was soft and liquefied in the cat's mother, leaving a wonderful feeling. Tom stopped in his tracks and swore he was a changed cat.
'By the beard of Zeus! This is the most fantastic thing I've ever eaten!' declared Tom making the mouse beside him stop. Jerry laughed a little, seeing Tom react in such a way, holding the cone out and staring at it with wide eyes. Tom started to walk again and continued to eat the delicious treat, running his tongue over the cold food, purring with glee.
'Gess I know what to get you for Christmas..' teased Jerry bumping his hip into the feline's leg. Tom rolled his eye as his mouth was full. He swallowed and glanced down to the mouse, who had a half grin.
'Har, har, aren't you funny.' retorted Tom licking his lips clean. Jerry smiled and said nothing more as they had to catch up with the humans.
Time seemed to fly by as they took a steam boat across the water. Diana stood on deck, holding her hand to her forehead, gazing out onto the horizon. The wind blew through her long locks and she beamed with anticipation.
Beside her stood Tom, who didn't look so good. Jerry watched as the cat seemed a bit green in the face. Tom held a paw to his mouth and leaned his back to the ship, feeling sea sick from the rocking rough seas. Unable to do anything else Tom rushed to the edge, leaned over the metal rail, barfing his guts up.
"Tom, are you okay?" asked Diana hearing her friend up chuck some more. The feline, who hung over the rail, gave her a nod before throwing back up again. Both Diana and Jerry cringed hearing the awful sound of Tom heaving.
Steve casually came out of the ship and walked over to the three, wondering what was going he saw Tom leaning over the deck, he had a good idea what was going on.
"I hope it wasn't the ice cream, otherwise I'll never eat it again." said Diana holding Tom's ears back, looking over to Jerry, who really didn't know what to do.
"No, he's fine, just sea sick. It happens sometimes. Don't worry he'll be all right once we reach land." said Stave assuring Diana her feline friend would be okay. Diana nodded and hope they'd reach it soon, not wanting to see Tom in any more pain.
Having nothing else left, Tom leaned back and shut his eyes, hoping to sleep off the aching in his stomach.
Out of no where Charlie opened the door, making the smell of food flow out. The smell of meat and other food floated up and over to Tom. This in tune didn't do any thing for the cat, except make him run to the railing again.
"Aye, sorry Tom..Don't worry, ye'll be better in a little bit, till then don't leave the deck, unless ye want to carry a buck around with ye." said Charlie watching the cat retch once more. "Anyway, Ah came out here to ask if the two of ye wanted some grub, Sammy whipped up a nice stew."
"Oh, no thanks, I'm not really that hungry." said Steve hearing Tom off t the side of them. Diana shook her head no, not having the stomach to eat. With a nod Charlie faded back into the ship, leaving the four alone again.
At long last they came close to the shore, and Tom couldn't have been more happy. The feline collected himself and stood with Diana. They watched eagerly and leaned against the railing as the dock came into view. Their hearts pumped with excitement and they seemed unable to keep still, jittering about where they stood. Steve and the guys were going to the side of the ship, waiting for the plank drop. Once everything was in order, the four walked off and stepped onto the dock. They crossed a bridge, making Tom and Diana's eager smiles fade.
Soldiers from the front came to load back onto the steamship, coming in a long line. Men in wheelchairs were pushed by fellow army men, while some were cared on stretchers, showing war wasn't pretty. Some unlucky guys were missing limbs and had to use crutches to walk, limping slowly. Some were wrapped in bandaged that were stained with blood and dirt, for they had to be covered to protected the cut from infection. The weary and thunderstruck men walked by, shuffling slowly as if in a daze.
"What's wrong with these men, where do they come from?" wondered Diana glancing from one injured man to another, shocked by what she was seeing. The men's eyes were hopeless and seemed lost, like they were unable to believe all of this was real.
Tom walked and heard a man on a stretcher, moaning and groaning in agony from chest wound. The individual called out to family members, yelling for help from his mother, even from God. The cat was taken back by this and felt his heart pounding in his chest. The man's yells were loud, but faded as he was carried away. Tom's legs shook and he felt almost claustrophobic, finding it hard to take it all in. And this is only the beginning...Though Tom looking up ahead to the horizon.
"They're from the front.." said Steve wondering if Diana was okay, knowing this wasn't what the woman was expecting. They were going up a muddy path and passed several people, who were frightened from the battle going on behind them. Families were fleeing from the front, hoping to get away from the gun fire. Loud thunderous bangs from a distance away sounded off, along with the sound of crying children and terrified infants. Diana felt a lump form in her throat as she heard the sound of whipping and whickering coming from a carriage that was stuck in the mud. Diana stopped and watched with glassy eyes, not understanding why the men were beating the innocent animals.
"Why are they hurting the animals?" questioned Diana watching as dirt covered people rush by, trying to get away. She wanted to help, but Steve kept her moving.
"I don't know, let's just keep moving..." said Steve walking on ahead. Diana with mixed emotions followed him up the bank, leaving the cat and mouse a ways behind.
Tom, who was not too far behind was sent from left to right, watching the frightened people brush by in an attempt to get away. He knew they were scared, and felt even more determined to help. Jerry was by him and tried his best to not get stepped on, by the many feet that ran by. Coming up over the hill, Tom's ears flickered as he heard horses whickering. He hurried up the muddy hill and saw two horses being beaten by men with whips. The cat felt his blood go cold at the sight of the men beating the poor animals.
Jerry caught up with the cat and saw him just standing in one place. Jerry wondered what caught Tom's attention, but realized it was the sight of animals being abused that kept him back.
Tom stood there a while longer, feeling something snap within him. His paws clenched into fist and he breathed through his nose, feeling his rage take over. Jerry tugged on the cat's tail, not wanting to get left behind.
'Tom, forget about it, let's go...Diana and Steve are way ahead of us. We don't want to loose them.' said Jerry doing his best to pull the feline his way, though being smaller he wasn't getting anywhere. He hated to see the cruelty, but knew there was nothing he could do. 'I hate it as much as you, but we came here to do something else, not saving everyone.'
'How can you say that when one of own needs us.' said Tom stepping away from the mouse with anger, pulling the mouse in his direction. The feline had helped a few animals back at the island and it was his duty to help the horses too.
'Tom, I'm small, and even if I were taller, sometimes you can't do anything..And that's just how it is..' said Jerry shaking his head and casting his eyes down, feeling so small. He hated to say it, but it was true, not everyone could be helped. There were many times people looked the other way, not wanting to get involved and often leaving someone to fend for themselves.
''That's just how it is'..Well here's how I am..I came here to help, to do good and fight against injustice like this, to help both mankind and animals alike...And I will not stand by and do nothing!' said Tom throwing off his coat and walked over, placing his helmet on his head. Jerry reached his paw out to stop Tom, but drew back, knowing he couldn't stop the taller male even if he tried. It wasn't just because of his size, he knew the feline was hot headed and wouldn't listen to reason.
The men continued to beat the horses and as one man raised his arm, he was unable to move it. Turning around he saw Tom holding the leather whip down with his foot, staring up to him with dark green yellow eyes. Tom snatched the whip away and hit the man, making him jump. Tom hit him, not hard enough to do damage, but enough to make a point.
'Hurts doesn't it?' said Tom pointing the whip to his chest, backing him up out of the way. The human couldn't hear him, but understood the cat by the look in his eyes and his body language. The feline went to the other, who dropped the whip immediately and stepped a few feet back from the angry cat, sensing he was a force to be reckoned with. With a snort Tom wadded into the murky mud puddle, going over to the whickering horses, who were still upset.
Jerry followed and stood on the shore line, watching with wide eyes as Tom gently stroked and calmed the horses down. Tom spoke to them in a different tongue then what Jerry was use too, reminding him Tom was bilingual. Once the horses settled down, Tom walked around and stood between them, lifting one with a single paw, raising them high over his head.
The men commented on this and pointed to the cat, talking in another language, amazed by what they were seeing. Tom with a smirk brought the horses, as well as the cart up out of the mud and onto dry sturdy land.
Jerry sniffed and stood by, feeling moved by what he saw. He always thought the cat was a jokister, smart mouth, but now he realized there was so much more to him then meets the eye.
Tom set the horses down, and they both brushed at the cat, making Tom blush. He was thanked by the animals and the men, who apologized for what they did, letting the cat know they were wrong. They shook the feline's paws and slapped him on the back, teasing and talking like old friends.
Jerry hated to break up the tro, but walked over and tugged on the feline, letting him know it was time to go. Tom waved goodbye to the group, who went off down the hill, leaving the two.
'Tom, that was very a brave thing you did for them..' said Jerry looking up to the taller peered out of the corner of his eye and saw Jerry's eyes were watery. He swallowed and rubbed at his neck, not sure how to take the complement from the tiny mouse. The pair had only ever joked and disagreed on thing, though there were times they saw eye to eye. Tom looked away and his ears flickered when Jerry spoke once more. 'You really are a nice guy under all that attitude.'
'I guess, you're kinda cool under all that boring too.' said Tom with a smug smile. Jerry frowned, annoyed that the feline made a joke out of it.
'Great, now you went and ruined the moment, like you do with everything else.' said Jerry throwing his paws up at a loss.
'That's not what you said a moment ago..You said I was brave, amazing and perfect in every possible way.' said Tom placing a paw to his chest, letting it go to his head again.
'I regreat saying a nice thing about you.' said Jerry folding his arms over his chest. 'I'll go back to keeping you in line.'
'Sure, what ever mouse. Now let's go catch up with Diana and Steve.' said Tom picking Jerry up and racing after the couple. They made it up the hillside and saw the group had met up with a Native American man, who seemed to be a bit different then the others.
Tom had met several people, but this man gave off a different vibe. The man's presence brought a sense of understanding to the feline, something he only ever felt around the Amazons. He assumed the man had to be more understanding of animals and nature by the way his aura felt.
"Diana, this is Chief..Chief this is Diana and her cat Tom." said Steve gesturing from the man, to the woman. Chief was a tall man, with red skin and long black hair that was pulled in two pony tails along his shoulders. He wore a hat and long trench coat, making his build look more towering.
"Hello Diana, my name is Napi." said Chief in his native Blackfoot language, taking and shaking her hand.
"It is an honer to meet you, Napi..I'd like you to met my friend Tom.." said Diana nodding and gesturing to Tom, who stood behind her. Tom didn't move, but stared with wide eyes at the tan man. He gave the pair a friendly smile, nodding to them.
'I don't know why, mouse. But he gives off a better air then the other men I've met. Do you know why that is?' wondered Tom looking to Jerry, who nodded to this.
'I know and he can-' started Jerry until he was cut off by another voice.
'Yes, unlike other men I can understand you..' said Chief in the animals language, smiling and nodding to the two. Both Diana and Steve couldn't hear this but grinned at the way the animals lit up, when seeing Chief. 'By the way, I have something to clean yourself up with..'
'Gee, thanks Napi, or would you rather we call you Chief?..' asked Tom not knowing how to address the man. The last thing he wanted to insult him.
'Napi is fine..' said Chief pulling out something from his cart of supplies. The male donkey saw the animals and smiled.
'I'm Jack by the way, nice to met you two..' said Jack watching his human friend dig around the cart, looking for a towel or cloth. Tom and Jerry nodded to the donkey, showing they understood him.
Tom glanced down to his mud covered body, opening his arms out to examine his lower half. Diana with wide eye turned and only now noticed his muddy form, wondering why and how the feline got to be so dirty.
"Tom, what have you been doing?" questioned Diana seeing his bluish gray fur caked with mud, matting it down. Tom smiled his most winning smile and shrugged, not knowing where to start.
"Jerry, did you push Tom in a puddle. That was very childish of you to do such a thing.." said Steve thinking the mouse had shoved the cat down. Jerry was shocked and with gaped mouth stared at the pilot, not liking to get blamed for Tom's appearance. Seeing Jerry fussed up made Tom chuckle, finding it funny to see the mouse gesture about, trying to explain himself. Steve getting the mouse was not at fault spoke. "All right, all right, let's set up camp for the night before anyone else falls in the mud."
"Gee, Tom what were you doing, walking up the hill or playing in the mud." said Sameer, seeing the cat for himself. Charlie came over and laughed, slapping Sameer on the back, finding it to look silly.
""Ye look like ye got a good licken, ye do." said Charlie through his laughter. Tom with a sly smile dashed to the men with opened arms. Seeing the feline heading their way the men stepped back, trying not to get touched byt the mud covered cat. "Ay, Ah was only jokin', get away from me!"
"Diana, save us! Tell him to stand down or something!" shouted Sameer running as fast as he could to get away from the muddy pawed cat. Tom chased the two around the cart and into the woods, hearing the men yell and plead for help.
"Sorry boys, but I can't help you this time." said Diana with a snicker, watching Sameer and Charlie trip over a log, where they lay sprawled out in the grass. Tom saw this and jumped through the air, hugging the two. Once Tom stood the two men snuck up and jumped him. Like most guys, Charlie, Sameer and Tom, fought like a bunch of teenage boys, shoving and pushing, tossing one another's hats away, doing silly stupid stuff to each other.
"For grown men, they act like boys." said Chief with a shake of his head, holding a towel in hand. Steve, Diana, Chief and Jerry were clearly the more level headed out of the group, showing they were like a family. After the men and cat settled they set up an area to camp at.
That night they sat around the fires glow, talking and getting to know each other better. There were two tents and the fire crackled as Chief chucked in a few more sticks. Tom was cleaned and sat in his regular clothes, relaxing by the fires glow. He was on his back, head resting on Diana's lap, where she stroked him tenderly. They had eaten and set their plates aside, enjoying each others company.
"So, Chief, why do you smuggle, isn't that kind of stealing?" wondered Diana, curious as to why the man stole and traded for a living. She wasn't one to judge someone's life style, but he seemed to be a smart and well rounded guy to be doing such a line of work.
"It's hard for me and my people to make a living." answered Chief sitting back and meeting the woman's gaze. Tom glanced about and saw Steve and Charlie were sound asleep, snoring a bit here and there. Sameer sat to Diana's left, while Chief was to her right.
"Why?" asked Diana pulling her cloak closer around her body, feeling the night air reach her arms. Tom grabbed a piece and nuzzled closer to her, sharing his heat with her.
"Because of his people." said Chief looking to Steve, who slumbered peacefully. Diana's eyes were wide for a moment as she thought over what he said. She knew they had different skin colors, but she didn't think that would matter. Back on the island the Amazons were many colors too, but they all lived in harmony. She couldn't understand why mankind couldn't. "Oh.." Was all she could say to this, not knowing what else to say.
"Well look at me..I always wanted to be a famous actor, but they told me my skin wasn't the right color." said Sameer with a shrug, acting like it was nothing. When deep down Diana and Tom knew it hurt the French man deeply, having his dreams dashed because of something he had no power over. Sameer took a sip from his tin cup and stared at the flames that danced and flickered. The light illuminated the group and all was still, but the sound of gun fire off in the distance. Suddenly Charlie cried out in his sleep, making Steve wake. Seeing this Chief shook his head, knowing the man was troubled.
"He sees ghost.." said Chief watching the man struggle in his sleep. What Charlie had, but they didn't know at the time, was called P.T.S.D, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a disease some army men suffered from.
Diana stood and wanted to help, but the Scottish man batted her away.
"Get away from me! Don't touch me!" yelled the frightened Charlie, panting and sweating like crazy. Diana obliged and with saddened eyes watched as he stood to leave. He went into the dark, wanting to clear his head and find a bit of peace. Steve saw Diana's sorrow filled face, and spoke out to comfort her.
"Don't worry about him, he doesn't mean anything by that." said Steve assuring Diana she did nothing wrong. Diana nodded and went to sit back down with the group, trying to not let it get to her.
Tom stared into the dark and remembered the time Jerry did the same thing, making the cat wondered about the mouse's past ghosts. He was also curious as to what troubled the marksman too, wondering if there was a way to help heal him mentally. With that Tom found himself drifting off to sleep.