Meet the Amazons

Synopsis:   Zach Taylor is looking forward to his birthday.   To surprise him, the Rangers arrange for him to travel to Themyscira to meet Wonder Woman, her sisters and mother.   At first, some of the Amazons are against any men setting foot into their ‘hallowed ground’ but Diana reassures them, they are not mere men, but warriors that have saved the galaxy and the world countless times.   Some of the more hard-nosed Amazons are still not convinced that any man is worthy enough, until Zach’s party is crashed…

Chapter 1--Unsuspecting

Zach had no idea that his friends were setting him up for the most unbelievable birthday party in the history of mankind.   Pee Wee, of course, was the party planner.  He had a whole set of games scheduled, replete with ice cream cake, pizza, healthy snacks such as ants on a log, veggie finger sandwiches and so forth.    

Everything had been set up in Themyscira and the Amazons were ebullient to meet Zach, but there were some that weren’t so keen that men would be setting foot on their sacred ground but Hippolita kept the party poopers occupied with acting as sentries in case they were attacked or an unforeseen guest happening to weasel their way in.   

Zach wanted to tug down his blindfold to see where they were going.   He had to fully trust his friends as they loaded him into the helicopter.  

‘I can tell we’re under a helicopter...Where are we going ?’, Zach inquired.  

‘Hold your horses, you’ll know in a second !’, Skull said, probably just as excited he and Bulk had been invited on this venture, if not only for the food but for the prospect of meeting and greeting Princess Diana herself in the flesh !  

Chapter 2--SURPRISE !   

'Welcome to Themyscira, Power Rangers. I trust your journey in your flight machine has been a success?', the queen asked. 'Not exactly my invisible plane, Mother, but it had to do.', Diana said nervously. 'And we see you have other men with you.', Clymena said, softening her hardened tone a bit. Hippolyta stiffened. She was hoping this subject would never be breached. ‘Excuse us for a moment.’, she said, taking Clymena aside, almost by the ear. ‘It’s Zach’s birthday anniversary. Unlike us, humans have short lives. We should make this one memorable.’, the Queen of the Amazons mentioned. Clymena furrowed her brow. She didn’t much care for this idea, especially since all these filthy men were on their sacred island. She supposed she would let them celebrate since their lives were so ephemeral.

Chapter 3--Celebrate !

Zach was having the time of his life. All the presents had been ones that Zach had been wanting for a while. Even the Zords had gotten upgrades. Mastodon looked more fierce than ever. ‘Man if I eat one more slice of Chicago deep deep pizza I’m gonna pop.’, Skull groaned in ecstasy, holding his stomach in utter bliss. Bulk felt the same way but about the ice cream cake. Everyone had enjoyed so many festivities, games and food that they were about ready to plotz from overstimulation. Even the Amazons, who had heard of such food but never prepared it or tasted it before, were groaning. That was until Sinestro came in out of the blue and began ruining the jovial attitude. ‘So many of you in one place ! To think the Red Lantern never thought their contact with you would’ve been so useful…’, he boasted, starting to zap them left and right. The Amazonians were stalwart and stout people. It would take more than Sinestro’s powers to fell or subdue them. ‘We’re not going to have this on my birthday ! It's morphin' time!!’, Zach said. He morphed into the Black Ranger, and the others literally followed suit. Pee Wee, not knowing what to do, armed himself with a sword and shield he borrowed from one of the Warriors. ‘Thanks ! I’ll give it back, pinky swear !’, he vowed. The Amazon had no idea what a ‘pinky swear’ was, but seeing this strangely clad man-child in action was more than enough for her to believe that he would keep his word.

Chapter 4--Green Lanterns’ Come Calling

It didn’t take long for the Green Lanterns to get wind of Sinestro getting in to Themyscira. He was dangerous enough on his own without the Yellow Lanterns at his beck and call. They had simply given him the location and an unguarded entry. He was still spotted and currently putting up quite a fight. The Amazons were aware they had a tough foe and even the bots were having difficulties keeping Sinestro down. They were, however, fighting a mighty valiant battle. It was dreadfully obvious that after hours of fighting, the Amazons and everyone else was running out of speed. The Rangers didn’t need their Zord upgrades and the bots were beginning to feel the burn and aches of overworked muscles. Green Lantern had began to become gripped with fear, but his true feelings overcame that. There was no way he was going to let Sinestro have his day in the sun. If he had anything to say about it, he would use his ring as a method to help him forget he had ever been in Themyscira. It would be non-violent and much like the flash pen used in Men in Black. It was simply a method of hypnosis and suggestion that intellectuals fell for easier than those who weren’t quite as bright as a deranged lunatic such as Sinestro was.

'Hey ! Sinestro ! Come get some !', Hal called.

Hal called for help from the League as well as the Pink Lanterns to assist in putting Sinestro in his place.   One by one, fists and feet flew.  It seemed that Sinestro had the upper hand until the power of love had him at a disadvantage.   With the power of his ring, Hal literally manacled the former Green Lantern gone rogue.  

‘That’ll be enough.  You’ve made yourself too much of a party pooper and it’s time you got evicted.’, Hal glowered.   With the help of Superman, Sinestro was sent far far away from civilization.   It would be exactly what he needed to scare him straight and make him reconsider any foolish notion of world domination, or so the League hoped.  

Chapter 5--Now The Coup De Gras

Even though everyone, especially the Lantern Core and the Amazons were tired from their nearly ceaseless battle, they showered Zach with gifts.   Zach had already received so many gifts from his friends he didn’t know if he would ever have room for the stunning artwork, antiques, books and of course, a warrior’s armor, shield and spear for whatever warcraft would come.   

There was still food leftover, plenty of games to be had and photo albums to be looked through but Zach was more interested in playing a DVD that the gang had created for them.

‘We thought this would be a nice touch.  A sort of cherry on top of a red letter day.’, Nao stated, cheerily.   Jibo began playing a movie of Zach’s life thus far; his achievements, his adorable moments and quotable quotes.   There were snippets of Zach’s life done to a hip hop montage and hip rapping to Parents Just Don’t Understand as well as My Prerogative.  He could sing pretty darned well too.   His ambition early on in life was to be a part of a boy band or kick it with one of the barbershop quartets like Boyz II Men.   

As the evening came to an end, the guests began filing home and the beach had been swept of confetti and leftover candy from the oversized pinata Zach had demolished only moments earlier.   

‘Many happy returns !’, the bots said in unison, merrily.   Overwhelmed with emotion, he brought his family together and hugged them tight for a moment.  

‘Aw, come ‘ere guys.   I love ya all !   Thanks for making this the best birthday ever.  An hey, we also saved Themyscira from being mutilated and quite possibly the world afterward.’, he said.     Indeed it had been a good day for a celebration.   

Chapter 6--A Bedtime Story of Friendship

Before the Rangers could set foot back on the helicopter, Diana and Hippolyta pulled them aside to tell Zach something important.    They gave him a special blessing that he would be privy to and gave him an enchanted sword.

‘Typically only our warrior women can wield such weaponry but you and your warriors are pure.   This is our gift to you.’, Hippolyta said, hugging him and giving him a hearty pat on the back that nearly knocked him over.  

‘Thank you, Majesty.’, he said bowing.  She brought him to his feet.

‘No.  We are equal.   No bowing is necessary.’, she said, with a hint of a smile even though her demeanor was highly civilized, stoic and serious.   After having said their goodbyes, everyone boarded the Osprey and left for Angel Grove, waving farewell to their Warrior friends.  

Back At HQ…

The evening had finally come to a close and it was time for Somnibot to tell one of her famous yarns.  This time, since it was Zach’s birthday, it was going to feature him and his impact upon the Rangers over the years.   Seeing that bedtime was approaching fast, she would have to condense it into the Reader’s Digest version but it would still be a spectacular tale, nonetheless.   

'Is everyone ready for the story?', Somnibot asked.

'Yeah !', the Rangers said, eyes beaming with excitement.  Beginning from the moment the Rangers were first formed and how anxious and self conscious they were.   They felt they had nothing in common.  It wasn’t Jason or Tommy that had brought them out of their shells.  Zach had been the extrovert to get everyone to start talking.   He began with a typical day at school, speaking his mind on how frightening it had been moving in to California leaving all his friends behind.    He seemed to fit in wherever he was, but it was his humor, warmth and kindness that had gotten him to get the others to open up.  

Kim yawned, hugging her teddy bear close.  

‘It’s true.  Had it not been for your outgoing personality, we’d never be the team we are today.  You helped us all grow.’, she complimented.   

‘I concur !’, Aisha smiled.  They all hugged their friend and quickly went to bed, lulled by a sweet song about friendship that Somnibot had written just for Zach.

I’m so glad to be your friend

I’ll have your back until the end

Wherever the roads wind or wend

I’ll forever be your friend

We’ve been through thick and thin

Off world and on world again and again

We never tire

For we inspire

Each other at every bend

I’m so glad to be your friend

Whatever fortune portends

I’m lucky to hold your hand

‘Cuz by your side I’ll always stand

I’ll reiterate, repeat and say it again

I’m just plum lucky to be your friend.   

Epilogue

After the long party, a full night of sleep and a hearty breakfast, the friends dispersed and resumed their usual activities.    Since E3 was right around the corner, they had all begun saving money to attend it once it rolled into town.    For the time being they’d have to be patient but work kept them occupied for the time being.    The dreams of the upcoming convention kept them striving toward the brighter future and the journeys that waited for them in the days to come.   

The End