Chapter Two The God-killer And Training.
The next morning the sun rose as did Diana, throwing off the blanket. Tom was still half-asleep, trembling before reaching for the blanket, and bundling up again. "Tom, wake up! Mother is going to take us to the god killer today." She went behind a accordion door, peering out to find him still in bed. "Tom." Seeing a shoes, she threw it and it struck him, causing him to sit up. "Get ready!"
Rubbing his head, he signed. "Yeah, yea, yeah." He stretched and yawned, sitting up, and smacking his lips a few times. With half-lidded eyes, he gestured with his paws. "Yeah, god killer, cool. I'm gonna just shut my eyes for a few more seconds." Tom slumped back down into the sheets, shutting his eyes and going back to sleep.
Diana came out in her day wear and went to the slumbering cat, shaking her head at him. "Tom, you're such a lazy cat. Let's go."
Diana picked him up, carrying him out of the bedroom. Tom knew it was useless fighting and woke himself up fully, leaping out of her hold to walk on his own. They went to the dinning hall and took in the warm scent. Freshly baked bread, eggs, hot cakes and fruit. Hippolyta sat, sipping some coffee and reading over a scroll while she ate. When she saw the pair, she smiled. "Good morning, Tom, Diana."
"Morning, mother."
"Morning, ma'am." Tom sat and rubbed his paws together, looking over the food with a sparkle in his eyes. Taking a slice of toast, he dipped it into the yolk of his sunny side up eggs, watching the yellow goo absorb into the bread. Licking his lips he ate, pouring syrup of his hot cakes and chowing down.
"When can we see the god killer?"
"Finish your breakfast, then I'll take you there." Hippolyta said, watching Diana eat quickly. "Slow down dear, don't choke."
"Yeah, Diana, savor this wonder banquet." Tom added.
"Be glad there's a table between us, otherwise I'd have shoved you off your chair."
"Why do you gotta be down, Diana. Don't hate me 'cause you ain't me."
"Yeah right, you wish you could be me-"
"All right, you two, enough." Hippolyta shook her head at them. "Now apologize to each other."
Tom sighed. "Fine, I'm sorry, Diana."
"Me too, Tom, I'm sorry I'm the favorite out of us."
While Tom was a cat, and Diana a human, there was no doubt the pair were basically brother and sister. From how they bickered, to how they cared for each other, their bound went deeper than just friends. When they finished, Hippolyta was true to her word and took them to the place where the god killer was kept. They went up the stone pavement to a large, tall circular building. They passed through the large wooden doors, standing for a moment and taking in the grandness of it. Tom was surprised to see the collection of armor and weapons on display.
Hippolyta spoke and led the pair along. "The gods gave us many gifts. This is where we keep them. Someday, you two will know them all." They came to the center of the building and saw a gold shaped spiral, that shielded a magnificent sword.
"Wow, what a amazing piece of steel." Tom blinked a few times to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "Is that, the God-killer?"
"Yes."
"Well, what else would it be Tom, a backscratcher?"
Tom stuck his tongue out at her. "Brat."
"Mule."
"As I was saying, this is the God-Killer, the greatest gift from Zeus."
"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Apart from myself of course." Diana eyed up the blade that sat only just out of her reach.
Tom had to admit the sword was something, feeling drawn, as though it was meant to be with them. "If only I could touch it, perhaps some its greatness would rub upon me."
"I wouldn't hold my breath on that." Diana quipped.
"Only the fiercest among us even could." Hippolyta patted Diana's shoulder. "That is not you, Diana. Or you Tom, I see you eyeing it up as well." She patted his head gently.
"Can't blame a cat for trying." Tom gave her his most winning smile.
"Well, it's time you go to your lessons, come."
The pair went to their studies, doing their work, and surprisingly staying out of trouble. For between classes, Antiope pulled the pair aside and sat them down. At first, they were worried she'd lecture them to behave. Antiope made sure none were in hearing rage and they were away from the ears of any.
"I saw you two, the other day."
"Did you see the punch I made to Tom's face?"
"Why is that something to gloat over?"
"I did see, and I also saw your strength too, Tom. We'll say your at one of your lessons, when in fact, you'll be training with me. So, the question is, what is your least favorite class?"
Tom and Diana shared a wide grin, both excited to get what they desired. The days went by and the pair skipped their least favorite lesson, meeting up with Antiope, who stared them with the basics of fighting. They also didn't give Hippolyta a hard time about not training, making her wonder if the pair were up to something. "I'm surprised you've both stopped badgering me about training." Hippolyta said while they ate dinner, seeing Tom freeze while Diana remained calm.
"Oh, that, well, we came to realize you were right, mother. Training, and fighting is no way for a princess to behave."
"I see?" Hippolyta said with a bit of suspicion. "Well, I'm glad you understand."
Time went on and they continued to train in secret, so they would be able to defend themselves when the time came. In their free time, Diana and Tom played among the mountain landscape, having a picnic and reading over a book they barrowed from the library. The more they learned about humans, the more interested they were in mankind.
"Mother says all humans are bad, yet these tales tell differently."
"Yeah, confuses the heck out of me."
"Tom, do you ever think about life beyond Themyscira?"
Tom nodded and looked at the book, becoming more interested in learning of mankind. Even in his own time, he'd find himself reading over scrolls, paper, and books, curious of the world beyond. There was sphere earth he'd look at, trying to place the book the continent he was reading about. With a deep sigh, Tom sat up and could see the clear blue water, the great ocean that separated him from the world beyond.
Tom:
"Safe within the fog, and secure on our Island fortress,
Gazing at the sea that surrounds me,
All my life I've read about them within the pages of these books,
Hungry for the history they've shown me,
All my life I've memorized their faces,
Knowing them as they will never know me,
All my life I wonder how it feels to pass a day,
Not above them, but part of them,
And out there, living in the sun,
Give me one day out there, all I ask is one, to hold forever,
Out there, where they all live unaware,
What I'd give,
What I'd dare,
Just to live one day out there,
Out there among the millers and weavers and their wives,
Through these small glimpses, I can see them,
Everyday they shout and scold and go about their lives,
Heedless of the gift it is to be them,
If I was in their skin I'd treasure, every instant,
Out there, strolling by the sand,
Taste the morning out there, like ordinary men,
Who freely walk about there,
Just one day and then,
I swear I'll be content, with my share,
Won't resist,
Won't disperse,
Old and bent I won't care,
I'll have spent one day out there!"
When they finished their picnic, the practiced their drills for the week. They pushed each other harder, and harder, holding sticks they pretended to fight, snapping the twigs from time to time. The pair were an amazing team, on and off the fields. They could be on their best behavior, but also got into to trouble, playing pranks on unsuspecting victims. It wasn't anything harmful, just little things, like placing a bucket of water over a door, buttering the floor, childish pranks. They grew out of that as they got older, and got interested in more mature pass times.
"I think we're getting better at this." said twelve year old Diana, who was now much taller then the cat. Tom grew, but hadn't reached his growth spurt yet, not ageing like a normal cat either.
"We sure are, and just wait till we become true Amazonian." Tom blocked her stick with his own, holding her back and never seeing her leg coming toward his own legs. With a hit, Tom went tail up, landing hard on the grass. "Dang, I always lose to you." Tom rubbed his paw to his sore head.
"Sorry, Tom. Don't worry, someday you'll be as good as me." Diana spun her sword, setting it aside to offer him a hand.
"Or maybe I am now." Tom pulled Diana to the ground beside him, trying to pin her down, only to be flipped and pushed down.
"Pinned you again."
"I let you."
"Sure you did. Remember Tom, a lady never starts a fight, but she can certainly finish one."
They laughed and got up to get new sticks, heading back out to work. They spent hours fighting and working on their techniques, and skills. Tom was lighter and more flexible, able to do the acrobatic parts easier then his human friend. However, Diana was stronger, showing she could do far more then what either of them could imagine. On a typical afternoon, Diana and Antiope were going at it, hitting their sword together. Antiope hit Diana and easily won, Diana feeling she wasn't good enough for a real fight. It was one thing when she and Tom fought, but Antiope had years of experience compared to Diana.
"I'm never going to get this." Diana said, rubbing her head in frustration.
"Diana, you are stronger then you realize. You will get this, I know it. Again." Antiope said, encouraging her to get up and try again.
Tom sat off to the side, munching on an apple. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hippolyta making her way over to them. He gulped down his mouthful and quickly got to his feet, wondering if the woman saw Hippolyta too. Walking over to the women, Tom tried to break them up.
"Tom, you silly cat, what are you doing?" Antiope said, unaware Hippolyta was close upon them.
"Behind you!" Tom signed.
"Oh, crap, it's mother." Diana spotted her mother and in a flash held the sword behind her back, trying to hide it from her mother's view. Antiope didn't seem to upset to be caught and simply put her blade in its sheath.
"Sister, what are you doing?" questioned Hippolyta, being followed by two other soldiers. "Diana could have been hurt, what were you thinking?"
"She needs to be able to defend herself in case Ares returns. I love her as much as you, and I want her to be able to hold her own in battle." said Antiope standing tall.
Tom glanced from the Queen to the General, feeling tension in the air. He swallowed the lump in his throat, standing by Diana, who seemed worried as well. Hippolyta looked to her sister, at her daughter, then at Tom and thought it over. With a deep sigh, she spoke. "Ares, you say?"
"Sister, I sense trouble brews and he will return to complete his mission to end mankind, along with us."
"Very well, you may train her," said Hippolyta with a nod of approving in Antiope's direction.
Diana and Tom were both taken back by this news, but were happy none the less, jumping up and down with joy. "Did you hear that, Tom. We're going to be an Amazonian!" exclaimed Diana, picking up and spinning Tom.
"Zeus above! This is the best thing that's ever to happen to me!"
They joined hands and jumped up and down. "Yay, yay, yay!" Letting go, Diana offered him a wooden sword. "Come on, Tom, let's go train!" Diana pointed her sword ahead and took off into the green woodland, the pair leaving the adults behind.
Seeing them out of sight and hearing range Hippolyta spoke to her sister. "Antiope, you will train them harder then any Amazon before them. Five times harder, ten times harder if you must. Until they are better then even you. But they must never know the truth about what they are."
"It will be down as you request, my sister." Antiope nodded and looked over to where Diana and Tom were practicing, both showing great skill and potential. "I sense they will achieve great things."
Years went by and Antiope kept to her word, pushing them beyond their limits, making the now grown pair work for their place among them. Tom was given special armor, for he was only two and half feet tall, so no armor fit him right. (Then again all the armor was made specifically for women's use only.) He wore a leather type armor around his hips and had shoulder protectors along with a helmet. Tom was up first up to the obstacle course and plowed ahead, drawing his sword to fend of a set of soldiers. Diving between their blades he blew them a raspberry, only to be upended, spinning through the air for a brief moment. He failed the test and landed harshly to the earth, knocking the wind from his lungs. Antiope was there, gazing down at him before she sighed. "Tom, do you know what you did wrong?"
"No, but I assume you're going to tell me."
"You rush in too quickly without thinking. You must stop thinking with the little head, and rely on your brains, the head up here." Antiope tapped his head. "You must let go of this ego of yours to think more like a woman."
"It's really hard, you're brains are far more complex than mine."
"You can do this, I know under it all, you have a good heart." Antiope helped him up and gestured for Diana to go.
Tom sat and was offered a hand up, walking off to rest his aching body. He got comfortable on the grass, watching Diana pass him to the training course. Patting him, she smiled and went on, facing the solders effortlessly. Diana fought hand to hand combat, when her opponent punched her across the face with the handle of her blade, Diana stumbling slightly. Recovering quickly, she threw the woman back with a powerful blow. Off to either side of the tiny valley were archers, who shot at her, raining down a sea of arrows. Diana blocked and jumped up, sending her swords to take them out. She landed gracefully and saw her mother watching her from a distance, Hippolyta always made time to watch Diana and Tom. With a grin, Diana strolled over to face Antiope, who held her shield and blade in hand, cracking her neck before preparing for the fight. The two fought and Tom watched in awe as their blades hit, creating sparks. Antiope pushed Diana back, and like old times Diana sighed in disappointment.
Antiope rolled her eyes. "You're stronger then this, Diana. You mustn't hold back. Not with me, not with anyone."
"But Auntie-"
"Again!"
Diana with a nod faced Antiope once more, whipping her blade and charging in. Antiope quickly knocked the sword and shield from Diana, forcing the young woman to think fast. Rolling along the earth, Diana managed to kicking Antiope's shield from her hand, going for the shield next. Holding the shield close, Diana grabbed either side of it and ripped if from Antiope's grasp, tossing it aside. Slipping back, Antiope stood in a boxer pose, fist up while she moved lightly on her feet. A fist flew forward, Diana dropping and spinner her leg out to knock Antiope to the earth.
"All right! You go Diana!" Cheered Tom from the side line, thinking Diana won. With a huff, Antiope rolled her body and was on her feet again. Back turned, Diana was shoved harshly to the earth, Antiope leaning down to pick up her sword that lay in the grass. Tom stopped and stared with wide eyes as Antiope went toward Diana, blade ready in hand. "Diana, behind you!" Tom gestured quickly, hoping she saw.
"You expect a battle to be far!" Diana turned in time to Antiope coming at her. "A battle will never be fair!" shouted Antiope, sweeping the sword from side to side, coming dangerously close to cutting Diana. "Your opponent will show no mercy!" Unable to defend herself, Diana crawled backward to keep from being hit. There is no fair on the battle field."
Tom got to his feet and grabbed his own blade, going to help her. When Antiope saw this she spoke on. "Sometimes your friends won't be there to save you." Antiope slashed his way, Tom blocking the blow, only to be hit directly in the gut, thrown backward to the ground, where he couldn't recover quickly enough. "Might get hurt before yourself. Then what will you do?" Sitting up with grunt, Tom did his best to get to them, Antiope threw him a warning glare. "Get back, Tom, it you know what's good for you. You'll have to learn this lesson as well, to show restraint and think before throwing yourself into danger."
Tom obliged and stood down, feeling helpless as he grabbed his stomach. He watched with large eyes, hoping Diana would get up and fight. Antiope was about to deliver another blow, when Diana threw her arms up to create her own shield. The blade hit Diana's cuffs and a light flew out, sending Antiope airborne. The other woman threw up their arms as a powerful wave knocked them down. Tom felt his fur blow as the wave passed over him, but unlike the others he was unmoved. Once everyone got to their feet, Diana looked up with regret filled eyes, worried for Antiope's well being.
"Is she okay?" asked one of the woman, rushing to Antiope's aid, making sure she was okay.
Antiope sat up, a couple assisting her to stand. While in pain, she gave Diana a thumbs up before becoming dizzy once more. Wanting to help, yet worried about what she dis, Diana stepped back, examining her arms, unsure how she did that. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," was all Diana could say trembling as she turned to leave.
Tom was on his feet and made his way over after Diana, leaving the area. He whistled to get her attention, finding she headed to the edge of the island. Reaching her for her arm, he held her hand, wanting her to face him. "Hey, you okay?"
"No, Tom, I could've killed our aunt. I don't know what happened. You should stay away form me, I might be dangerous." Diana drew her arm away and held herself, clearing concerned for him.
"Hey, you can't get rid of me that easy, I'm your brother, remember?" Her eyes were glassy and she sniffed. "As siblings, we stick together. Besides, I wasn't even effected by your little light show." She smiled and hugged him, Tom glad she was so upset. "Maybe we can go steal some cookies from the baker."
"Maybe we could stay here a while longer?"
"We sure can."
They stood there in silence, looking out at the water and saw the horizon. Diana let out a deep sigh. "I don't understand how I did that."
"Well, if you hadn't you'd have a sword up your nose." He gave her a nudge to which she smiled, taking and holding his paw. They were about to leave, when an odd noise caught there attention. It came from outside the invisible shield and they watched with wide eyes, wondering what it could be. The sound was unknown, making them stay to see if they could spot the strange noise and what produced it. A cross shaped object broke through the force field, puttering and roaring out. Smoke rose from the tail end, a person could be seen, trying to control the out of control fly-carriage.
"Wow, that puddle jumper better pull up. It's gonna crash into the water." Tom signed, eyeing it up as it leveled out briefly before sputtering, and dropping completely out of the sky.
"How can it fly?" Diana inquired, holding a hand up to shade her eyes to get a better look.
"Don't know, but it can sure fall."
The flying-carriage hit the water, causing a great splash and floating on the surface briefly before it slowly sank. Tom looked from the plan to up to Diana, who was befuddled as himself. They shared a quick look and Diana backed up a few steps before running forward and diving, falling gracefully through the air before diving into the water, making her way over to sinking cross. Tom was slower to jump in, not liking water too much, being a cat and all. Still, Diana went, so he took a deep breath and went back a few steps before running forward. Unlike Diana, Tom flailed his arms before belly-flopping on the surface before sinking. Getting his sea legs, Tom swam, unaware what he'd find would change his and Diana's life forever.
