Clark flew at me with speed; the lasso still around his arms and torso. I was ready for him though. He went to super speed and his super punch smashed into my bracelet an instant later. It caused a thunderous boom to sound all around; the ground shook. The mighty blow and its deflection canceled each other out. My own super punch came around an instant after that and smashed into his jaw; this knocked him away. As he was knocked away I did a super strong/speed driven spin kick that struck his head on the opposite side. This put him to the ground. I released the lasso while in my hand to let it completely encircle his body. It had him immobilized. He struggled but the lasso held. My katana was out from its back sheath and its tip was at his throat an instant later. "Stop it now Clark. It doesn't have to end this way." He shot out heat vision but I blocked it with a bracelet and sent it back into him; he screamed from his own power hurting him. He then summoned his greater bank of solar reserves to punch through the lasso, but I cut the sword across his chest, but not too deep. Clark screamed out in yet greater pain as the magical weapon did its thing. From beyond both American and Mexican spectators watched on in horror; as the greater world watched on beyond that. I hated doing it, but he'd literally forced my hand.
The lasso kept him adequately restrained despite his solar reserves surging to higher levels. My sword tip was at his throat again. "Stop it Clark." He yelled out but then breathed deeply in anger that quickly gave way to rising resignation. I pressed the sword tip into his throat...it broke his skin. "Don't make me do something I don't want to do." He closed his eyes breathed deep/hard some more. He then relented.
I'd just beaten the man of steel. Another victory for the beaten enemy column; but I didn't consider Clark a villain; just a misguided god who'd had his heartstrings pulled on/manipulated effectively; and by brother no doubt. I sheathed my blade and retracted the lasso from him. I offered him a hand. He looked at it a second before then taking it. I helped him up. Everyone remained stunned.
"They've got to remain on their side of the border Clark; no exceptions." He gave a reluctant nod. His wounds healed with super speed as we buried the hatchet - and gladly not in the other way it could have gone. Brother would be disappointed but that was how it would be for now. I'd cancelled him out yet again; but then there was still Gotham. "Do you need help back in Gotham?" "No. I got this Clark Joe." We shared a small smile at the moment of levity. "And Clark - let's make sure this never happens again. Agreed?" "Agreed." We shook hands. Bruce wouldn't have wanted this. We didn't even have to say that.
He flew off for Metropolis and I back for Gotham; leaving the mortals below to their own devices.
XXX
Renee was waiting for me by our plain cop car as I landed. During my return flight I'd returned my armor via magical transporter back to the WP. "Glad this all went the way it did," she said. "Me too."
If a superhero movie franchise wanted to be completely successful they should only make experimental standalone films about yours truly, WW. As I'd just proven with the man of steel my amazonian way of ending violence before things got too ridiculous was the ideal of every superhero. That's what made me different from the rest of them in all fact; it's what made me different from my brother and his agents.
And honestly...I was a better savior than Christ. Why? A true savior needed to be a warrior and savior all in one. A savior alone was like a hippie; a warrior didn't know how to be a savior. The best champion was the one that could do both equally well. Both/and, not either/or. Versatility and balance were the keys to victory.
"Any signs of our favorite criminals doing anything since I was gone?" "No. They broke off when you went to go fight the last son of Krypton. I must say Diana...you truly kicked ass." "Millennia of fighting Ares will make anyone an expert." Renee scoffed; she reached for my hand. "Well, I have nothing against Supes but I'm glad you won." "Me too." "Cat lady will likely be worried sick." I closed an eye and pretended to think on that. "Really?" She thought over that statement again. "No; not really." We shared a laugh.
Strangely enough I'd managed to stop both Clark and this crazy raid that had gone bad. We then got serious and went off to help the injured responders from Firefly/Cheetah's brother-launched insanity. With my ever impulsive brother this could happen all over again tomorrow; same wonder time same wonder channel. Even more so because the Superman/WW duel had sucked from his standpoint. Time alone would tell.