Act 1
Scene 1
Thousands of years ago, the Greek pantheon held a meeting, convened by the goddesses. They desired to create a race of humans that would champion their ideals. Zeus, in his arrogance, decreed that mankind would never forget the gods, and that it did not matter if there were champions or not. Ares, being the god of war, did not desire anyone promoting peace. The other male gods did not seem interested, and Hera did not wish to go against her husband. Therefore, it fell to the other five primary Greek goddesses. The Paradise Island Amazons were created by the Greek goddesses of love, beauty, law, and justice. They took the souls of all the women slain by the hands of men throughout time and sent them to the bottom of the sea. The souls began to form bodies with the clay of the sea bed. Once they reach the surface the clay body became flesh and bone “Amazons”.
Scene 2
The first one to break the surface was Hippolyte and thus was titled the “Queen of the Amazons”. As a symbol of her leadership title, Aphrodite and Athena gave her the “Golden Girdle of Gaia” and the “Lasso of Truth” which enhanced her strength and abilities. Hippolyte led the Amazons for years, creating a great city called Paradise Island and was to be the guardians of a great evil that lay beneath the Island.
Scene 3
They were to forever safeguard “Doom’s Doorway” (A doorway to the underworld). To prevent anyone from entering, but also vanquish any evil that tried to come out. The Amazons continued to live on the island guarding the door, and paying homage to the gods, for several thousand years. As long as they remained on the island, they would be immortal--though they could be killed, and some were over the many long years and the many battles they had to fight against the evil that would try to escape. For over 3,000 years, here they remained, with Hippolyte their queen all that time.
Scene 4
After so time Hippolyte grew weary of life for reasons known only to the goddesses. Seeking council, she talked to Menalippe learning of her past live as pregnant cavewoman. Her man has been mauled by a saber-toothed who has eaten his hand, and thus he's been cast out of the tribe since he can't do a man's work anymore. In a rage thinking he's lost his masculinity, he kills her. Telling her there still remained one soul in the sea, that of Hippolyte’s unborn child, as she was pregnant with it when she died.
Scene 5
Hippolyte was instructed to fashion a body for her unborn child and pray to the goddesses while holding the image of her desire. With the dawn’s rising sun, The Goddesses watched as the last soul left the sea and blessed it with these words:
“We, Goddesses of Olympus, Grant her power and strength like that of the Earth
itself, Give her great beauty and loving heart, grant her wisdom, give her the eyes of the
hunter and unity with beasts, grant her sisterhood with great fire that may open men’s
hearts to her, and give her speed and power of flight.”
Scene 6
The soul enters the clay body Hippolyte had fashioned and came to life, and she became Diana, more beautiful than Aphrodite, wiser than Athena, swifter than Hermes, and stronger than Hercules. As she grew, she learned everything about her Amazonian heritage. She learned how to hunt with the best Amazon hunters. She learned to fight with the best Amazon fighters. She even learned to read and write from the best Amazon philosophers.
Scene 7
Now an adult, her mother receives word that an unknown evil has befallen mankind. For this reason the Gods need a champion to go to the world of man to prevent an unspeakable horror. The pre-effects of a War World III are felt all over Paradise Island. Menalippe tells Hippolyte that a champion must be chosen to face this threat. Hippolyte decides to hold a tournament in order to select the perfect warrior.
Scene 8
Hippolyte’s declares “Whoever succeeds in the “Trail of Flashing Thunder” will be decorated with a hero’s raiment and go forth to be the champion of the Gods”. Diana volunteers to participate in the tournament, but Hippolyte forbids it. But that night as Diana prays to the gods for purpose to her life, Athena answers her and instructs her to enter the contest. She secretly enters the tournament, her identity concealed by a battle helmet. Two hundred contestants enter, masked so there will be no hesitation to best a sister. Contests involve archery, stick-fighting, racing over hurdles, and pushing giant metal balls. The contest lasts at least two days. Amazon performs as only an Amazon with thousands of years experience can. But one thrills more than the others. She is keenest of eye, most fleet of foot... and her might is beyond compare. Diana overcomes every obstacle and wins the tournament. Hippolyte is horrified to see Diana remove her helmet revealing herself to the assembly. Menalippe silences Hippoplyte's protests by telling her that this is the will of the gods. Hippolyte has little choice but to obey the will of the Gods and Diana participates in the final challenge the “Trail of Flashing Thunder”.
Scene 9
She is outfitted with twin silver bracelets (A reminder of her people’s years in bondage). First, she stand fifteen pace away from one archer, then two, then three, and final four. The entire coliseum cheer as Diana stands strong, while Queen Hippolyte is proud of her skills. The Amazon warrior uses a weapon of Man’s world (a handgun) and fires it at Diana. Diana succeeds in deflecting the bullets with her impervious silver bracelets. By the end of the trial there is no longer any doubt. Diana is destined to become Paradise Island’s champion.
Scene 10
A terrible storm racks the island as Diana prepares to depart on her mission. She was given her Hero’s raiment from the statue in the honor hall. The statue was of Diana Trevor, a woman from Man’s world who fought and died at the side of the amazons many years ago. Hippolyte told Diana this is who I am honoring by naming you Diana. Diana hugs her mother then continues to prepare for her mission. She dons the raiment of Diana Trevor and waits for more instruction from Gods herself.