Chapter One: The Themyscira
A fog hung around a section of ocean, making it impossible for sailors to see, forcing any to avoid the section at all cost. While dreary, the haze protected an island and it's inhabitance. Beyond the thick clouds a beautiful, and lush island sat, surround by clear blue water. It was called Themyscira, where a race of warrior women lived. These powerful women were called the Amazons, who lived in peace, and harmony on their secluded island, ruled over by Queen Hippolyta. Cut off from the rest of the world, they lived the life of a Romano-like civilization, utilizing the natural resources around them to grow as a people. Everyone worked together, tending to the animals, gardens, and homes on the island. All was calm, and seemed undisturbed, that was till Diana came into the world.
Diana was the first and only daughter of Hippolyta, making her a princess and heir to the throne. But she wasn't alone, by Diana's side was a small bluish/gray tom cat who was coincidently named, Tom. Tom had green-yellow eyes and followed Diana wherever she went, often getting in trouble with her. Today, the pair snuck into the local bakery to snitch some goodies. They hid under a table, the cloth giving them cover, allowing them to slip up when the cook's back turned to take one of the baked goods. Once they got enough, Diana wrapped it up, and they took off, the baker spotting them too little too late.
"Hey, Diana, Tom, get back here!" cried the chief, stopping, and unable to leave to store, for the oven was still blazing.
Diana booked it across the stone road with the large bag held up over her head, Tom behind her, his tongue hanging out while he smiled. They thought they'd get away, till they bumped into someone, sent back to the earth with a thud. Lucky for Diana, Tom broke her fall, laying flat on his stomach, while she was over his chest. Being a tough cat, the extra weight didn't hurt him, only stunning him.
"Eh-hem?" Came a stern voice.
Looking up, they saw Diana's aunt, General Antiope, a no nonsense woman who ran the Amazon army. Diana gave a small smile. "Oh, hello Auntie." She said sweetly, hoping to ease her aunt's stern expression.
"Were you two pestering the baker again?"
Tom shook his head, though when a cookie rolled out of the cloth bag, he only swallowed hard. "Tom and I don't how that got there." Diana lied.
"Enough, you two will be punished, and then you'll explain to your mother what happened."
"Crap." Tom signed.
The pair found themselves washing the windows of the chef's home, along with doing other household work to make up for their thievery. After the chores were done, they found themselves across from the Queen's throne. Sitting, Diana gave a deep sigh. "We're in for it now."
"Could be worse, least we didn't have to white wash like we did the last time. I mean, who di I look like, Tom-frigging-Sawyer?"
"Tots. Juts cause your names are similar and you sometimes where a straw hat..." Diana trailed off when they heard footsteps approaching.
Hippolyta entered, and sat, looking to pair over. "I heard you two got into trouble again. What for?"
"Well, it's umm, it's involved is what is...And I mean, who can really say whose fault it is."
"Cut the crap, why'd you two do it?"
"Because baked good are better fresh." Tom signed.
"No one got hurt."
"That's besides the point. You are a Princess and my daughter. Your behavior is a reflection upon me. And when you look bad, it makes me look bad. I'd preferer if you did other things with your spare time, such as music, writing, educate lessons, perhaps."
"But mother-"
"No more fuss, you, and Tom are to practice music till I come up with a proper schedule, understand?"
"Very well."
Diana and Tom rose, leaving for the music room. Instruments of all kinds were there, harps, flutes, and a water organ. Diana went to the keys while Tom worked the pump, sitting and bopping to the tune. Then he let out a soft.
Tom:
"La, la, la, la-ah."
Diana gasped, and Tom was surprised too, the pair gazing at each other. "T-Tom, y-you can sing?" She hit a few keys, hearing him hum again. "That's amazing!" Hitting a few cords, she hummed along and started to sing.
(Take A Look At Us Now from Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile)
Diana:
"You can pack your bags and start skipping town,
Hang up that hat when the show shuts down,
But when the world says you ain't quite world-renowned,
Don't count yourself out yet,"
Tom:
"La, la, la, la, la-ah,"
Diana:
"When you hit that lonely and lowest low,
Well ups the only way left to go,
You're meant to reinvent the show,
So, ain't you glad we met,
Turn that dull and dusty solo to a dazzling duet,
Tom:
"La, la, la, la, la,"
Both:
"La, la-ah"
Diana:
"Maybe we started pretty small, but take a look at now,"
Tom:
"Take a look at us now,"
Diana:
"Suddenly standing ten feet tall, take a look at us now,"
Tom:
"Take a look at us now,"
Both:
"Though we had no way to stay afloat,
We were scared they'd say it was all she wrote,
We ending on a sky-high note somehow,
Diana;
"Buddy you were all it took,"
Both:
"So take a look at us now,"
Tom:"
La, la, la, la-ah,
La, la, la, la-ah,
La, la, la, la-ah!"
Both:
"When that perfect plans going off the rails,
A heap of trouble in on our tails,
It's time to polish up those scales and give it all you've got,"
Diana:
"If you're out of step,"
Tom:
"If you're out of sync,"
Both:
"If you care to much what those critics think,
Well, when you find your missing link,
They don't get a second thought,
'Cause in the center of the spot light,
We just might've found our spot,
Planning our luck with every leap,
Take a look at us now, take a look at us now,
The road could be steady, could be steep,
Take a look at us now, take a look at us now,
Thought we might be sunk, at first glance,
Well, who'd have thunk that we had a chance,
Life could be a song and dance somehow,"
Diana:
"Buddy you were all it took,"
Both:
"Take a look at us now,"
Diana:
"So even when you're terrified,
Just smile a smile a mile wide,
'Cause bud when you and I coliid,
Standing side by side,
We're gonna take a great big bow,
Won't you take a look at us now,
Give us a spot light and a crowd, take a look at us now,
Ready to sing our song out loud, take a look at us now,
Won't you take a look at us, take a look at us,
Take a look at us now!"
The pair did their best to please Hippolyta, doing their lessons during the day, and then fooling off in their spare time. The pair came across some history books, and became enthralled with the Amazon warriors, wanting to learn sword play instead of educate lessons. They used whatever they could find, a wooden spoon, and spatula, the pair bouncing up and down on the bed, swinging their weapons madly. Tom ducked, and Diana lost her grip, the spatula sent across the room and breaking the mirror. When Hippolyta entered, the two froze and Tom pointed to Diana, who frowned at him.
"What are you two doing?"
"We were just practicing how to twirl?"
"Enough of this rough housing, it's time for bed young lady."
"Mommy, can I become a warrior?"
"No, you are a Princess, and should have nothing to do with fighting. That is why we have an army."
"Seems kinda cowardly."
"No more questions, time for sleep." Hippolyta placed a kiss on each of their foreheads, pulling the blanket up.
Blowing the candle out, Hippolyta rose and left the pair. Laying there, Diana spoke. "Tom, if we become warriors, will you fight by side?"
"Of course, I'll always fight by your side." Tom signed.
"How about we blow off dance, and sneak off to see Auntie train the warriors tomorrow?"
"Sounds good."
The following day, Diana, and Tom were on their way to ballet, the teacher waiting for them. When they saw her, they ducked between a set of buildings and managed to put a good deal of space between them and the dance teacher. They came to a stone wall, and looked out over it, spotting Antiope training the Amazonian warriors. As the pair stood, a woman in a blue tunic stood, looking around. Spotting the pair she called. "Diana! Tom!"
The pair turned with surprise, seeing the teacher caught up with them. "Crap, hurry Tom, run!"
"Right behind you!" signed Tom, gesturing quickly with his paws.
With determination, they ran passed other women in the street. Jumping, and dodging obstacles in their way, they headed to a grassy field.
"Diana! Come back here!" called the woman, who was left in the dust.
Tom continued to run along side Diana, to where the obstacles courses was set up. At the coarse, a woman leaped, up and flipped in the air a couple of times, throwing her sword at its mark. Another rode horse back, and hung backwards, shooting an arrow from her bow. Watching over them was Antiope, who admired the strong warrior women. Some fought hand to hand combat, showing off their strength, and high pain endurance. A woman was struck across the cheek, and only turned to punch the other off the stand.
From atop the hill stood Diana, who punched at the air, imagining herself as one of the warriors. Tom's own eyes lit up, watching them fight with spears, swords, and other weapons. He couldn't help but get pumped up by the epic scene before him, finding himself pretending to fight as well. It was a comical and cute sight, seeing Diana and Tom play fight like the adults down below did.
"You're not stronger than me, Tom."
"Wanna bet-" Receiving a hit to the head, Tom was sent to the earth.
"Oh my god, Tom, I didn't mean to, are you all right?" Diana rushed and knelt down, seeing if he was hurt, only to be hit back. Finding herself on the ground, she rubbed her chin, and sat up. "Nice hit Tom, I almost felt it." To which he stuck up his middle fingers to her. "Real mature, Tom, real mature."
Tom got up, and helped her up, the pair brushing the dust from their bodies. On the grass field stood Antiope, glancing over her shoulder to spot the pair. A smile crossed her face as she saw how into it they both were, knowing they had a great fighting spirits.
"Diana!" came the voice of the dance teacher, who finally caught up with them.
Diana gasped and took off, with Tom not too far behind. Both went with all their might, hoping to lose her once more. Diana went to the stone wall and climbed up, thinking she could jump to the far side. Tom peered down and then looked at Diana. "Ya sure 'bout this?"
"Warriors back down from nothing." Offering her hand, Tom took it, and they put on their brave faces as they jumped.
Unfortunately, they didn't even make it half way before they fell farther down, their expressions changing to fear as they made their descent. They almost ended up as puddles on the pavement if not for someone reaching out to grab them. They were grateful, yet were curious as to whom caught them. Looking up, they saw Hippolyta, who arched a brow to the pair. "My, my, what sort of trouble are you two in now?" Hippolyta gave them a stern look, the two smiling sheepishly back at her.
"Hello mother. Lovely day isn't it?"
Diana and Tom dangled in Hippolyta's hold, Tom gulping a few times. Hippolyta pulled them up and took them on horse back with her, Diana sat in front of her mother, while Tom sat in front of Diana. "I swear, I can't take my eyes of either of you."
"Well, maybe if we trained with the other warriors we wouldn't get into so much trouble."
"Can't argue with that," added Tom.
"Because neither you, nor Tom are going to be warriors. Believe me, fighting is no way for a Princess to spend her time."
Hippolyta hugged them close, gaining a giggle from Diana, and a purr from Tom. They rode off, and soon day became night as everyone went home to sleep. That evening, Hippolyta made her way over to the bed. She took the sheets, pulling the blankets back for the pair to get in. Diana came in with Tom by her side, wearing her nightgown. She walked over and crawled into bed, adjusting her body under the blankets. Hippolyta saw Tom pawing at the blanket that hung down, seeing he was too small to leap up. She leaned over and gently picked him up, setting him by Diana. Diana smiled as Tom rubbed against her, purring with happiness. Hippolyta continued to tuck them in, but Diana couldn't help but push to be trained.
"So, tomorrow maybe I can start the beginner's course?"
"Tomorrow you'll attend dance, the one you missed today."
"Mother I promise I'll be careful. What if I didn't use a sword? I could use my spatula." Diana looked up at her mother with large brown eyes.
Tom heard this, and sat up, hoping to help persuade Hippolyta as well. "Yeah, we'll wear pillows all over our bodes for good measure. Plus, it you train me, I could help protect Diana. Be like a bodyguard and stuff."
"Yeah right, Tom, I'd be the one protecting you." Diana scoffed, pushing him.
"Regardless, we should be trained. Please say yes. I would love to learn how to do all those cool flips, and fight like a woman."
"Diana, Tom, fighting does not make you heroes."
"Just a shield then?"
"I'd prefer to fight with my paws."
"Diana, you, and Tom are the most precious things in the world to me. So much so, I sculpted you both from clay, and begged Zeus to give you life. I wanted you to have a normal childhood. Man kind do not deserve you, Diana. Either of you."
"You told me this story already."
"Oh, no. It's the Zeus sculpted us from clay story," signed Tom with a yawn. "Well, wake me when something interesting happens."
"Can't we hear another story, preferably one that we haven't heard?" Diana lean back in to her pillow, sighing aloud.
"Very well, a new story." Hippolyta rose gracefully and went over to a wooden table, picking up a book and returning to sit along the edge of the bed. She held the book out, so Diana, and Tom could see the pictures. Curious, Tom peered over, propping himself on Diana's shoulder, seeing it was a very old book. "I will tell you a new one. A story of our people, and my days of battle. To show you war is nothing to hope for."
Hippolyta opened the book to reveal a beautiful painting, so detailed, and brightly colored, all Tom could do was gasp. The pair sat up, and studied the picture, amazed by the great detail, from the slightest shadow, to the wrinkling of cloth, or the flow of hair. The ancient Rome-like paintings seemed to move as Hippolyta spoke. "Long ago, when time was new, and all of history was still a dream. The gods ruled the earth. Zeus, king among them. Zeus created beings over which the gods would rule. Being born in his image, fair, good, strong, and passionate. He called his creations man, and mankind was good."
"See they aren't that bad as you make them out to be. Humans are cool."
"Tom, don't interrupted." Scolded Diana.
Tom pushed her, to which Diana hit back. "All right you two, if you don't settle, I'll stop reading." The pair quickly lay back, behaving before she went on. "But Zeus' son grew envious of man, and seized to corrupt his father's creation. This was Ares, the god of war. Ares poisoned mankind's hearts and filled them with jealousy and suspicion. He turned them against one another, and war ravaged the earth. So, the gods created us, the Amazons, to influence men's hearts with love, and restore peace to the earth. And for a brief time there was peace. But it did not last." Hippolyta paused for a moment, Tom seeing her brows press together, her breathy was shaky. Rubbing her eyes, she took a deep calming breath, struggling to tell of what happened next. "Then I, the Amazon Queen lead a revolt, freed my sisters from enslavement. When Zeus lead the gods to our defense, Ares killed them one by one, until only Zeus himself remained."
Page after page, the two couldn't take their eyes off the final images. A mighty Zeus wielded his bolt of lighting, trying to strike down, a powerful Ares. Feeling his own heart race with anticipation, Tom wondered what would happen, who would win?
"Zeus, used the last of his power to stop Ares, striking such a blow, that the God of War was forced to retreat. But Zeus knew one day, Ares might return to finish his mission. An endless war, where mankind would finally destroy themselves and us with them. Zeus left us a weapon, powerful enough to kill a god. With his dying breath, Zeus created this island, to hide us from the outside world, where Ares could not find us. And all has been quiet eve since. We give thanks to the gods for giving us this paradise." Hippolyta closed the book and set it aside. "Now you understand why I don't wish for you to fight. No good can come from hate."
"Depends on what you're fighting for, right?" Tom signed.
"Oh, Tom," said Hippolyta with a laugh.
"Where is the God-killer?"
"Oh, yeah, I would like to see it." Tom clapped his paws, eager to know as well.
"Now you must sleep. I'll take you to it tomorrow." Brushing Diana, and Tom's head, she hummed, hoping to sooth them. Hippolyta kissed Diana, and Tom on the head, watching them lay back down. She got up and saw as Diana held Tom close like a stuffed animal, and smiled before drifting off to sleep. She blew the candle out, the room becoming dark.
