"So has it really been two years since your storybook wedding?" asks talk show hostess Catherine "Cat" Grant. "It truly seems like only yesterday that the whole world watched the two of you exchange vows. I'm sure you know this question is coming and forgive my asking, but the public is intensely curious ... Are there any little toddlers in your future?" Avoiding the inquiry as though it were Kryptonite, hometown hero Superman respectfully defers to his beautiful bride. Wonder Woman smiles sheepishly. She's fielded this query a thousand times, yet never does she feel comfortable answering it.
A brief 'click' accompanies the blackening of the color TV screen. "Aw c'mon Lois!" Jimmy Olsen exclaims as he is steered towards the door. "I wanted to hear Wonder Woman's answer!" he pleads. Lois Lane is unsympathetic. "Jimmy, you were supposed to be here ten minutes ago." the Pulitzer Prize winning reporter retorts. "We've got a hot lead from a ... ahem ... reliable source and now we only have fifteen minutes left to get to the south side of Metropolis."
The taxi departs from Lois' apartment complex. Jimmy is confused by Ms. Lane's impatience, because he knows of nothing particularly newsworthy occurring in the section of town they are headed. Lois merely asks that he trust in her reporter's instinct. Olsen tries to probe further, but her thoughts momentarily drift elsewhere. Ms. Lane is frustrated, yet her role as a reporter and her unique obligations as a super hero's wife require her to suppress her emotions. Lois knows enough not to keep a diary detailing her remarkable life with *him*, but on this occasion she can't help but construct a journal entry in her mind.
*****
I wouldn't trade my life with Clark for anything, but there are times when the surreal demands are just unbearable. It comes with the territory that I have to share my husband with the rest of the world. Sharing him with *her* is another matter entirely and the worst irony of all is that I have myself to blame.
'Love at first sight' is such an old cliché, yet it is applicable for me. I fell head over heels for Superman from the moment I laid eyes on him. He carried me in his arms that day and I knew then this was the man I wanted to spend my life with. Perhaps it was merely wishful thinking from a silly city girl, but I somehow sensed that he felt the same way. Sure enough our frequent encounters sparked a passionate flame between us which burns eternally bright.
Unfortunately, we were both naive and allowed our feelings to cloud our judgment. Superman, world's greatest hero, and Lois Lane, ace reporter, became a hot item. It was the thrill of a lifetime until the consequences of being Superman's consort manifested themselves. I became a visible and vulnerable target for villains seeking vengeance. Threats were frequent and Superman was frantic that even he could not protect me all of the time.
I was floored when Superman revealed to me his true identity of Clark Kent. We had worked together for a few years and had become friendly rivals competing for the front page. He was the only reporter in Metropolis who could beat me out for Superman scoops. Now I knew why, the scoundrel!
Naturally, we both desired to continue our relationship, with Clark Kent replacing Superman as my romantic interest. It wasn't so simple however. I couldn't just suddenly dump Superman and shift to Clark. That would be too obvious and the connection would have been uncovered by our fellow media. We agreed that the best approach was for Superman to publicly break off the relationship, thus allowing me to pursue other options. Over time, I would gradually 'stumble' into a romance with Clark.
Despite our plan to develop the Lois and Clark relationship slowly, Superman was still very concerned about his secret identity being breached. It so happened that his Justice League colleague and longtime friend Wonder Woman faced a similar quandary. She was involved in a highly publicized fling with Colonel Steve Trevor. Even with his military standing and training, Trevor was no match for super criminals targeting him to gain revenge against the Amazon.
Superman and Wonder Woman decided that they could solve their respective dilemmas by becoming an item themselves. Word of their pairing spread incredibly fast. Only those very close to Clark and Diana knew they were playacting. To the rest of the world, it was the romance of the century. As time passed, the romance blossomed until it culminated with the most celebrated wedding in the history of mankind.
With Superman 'married' to Wonder Woman, Clark Kent was completely free to court Lois Lane. We were wed 18 months after his celebrated false bonding. Our friends and rivals in the media suspected nothing. Superman's enemies had long since backed off of me, because I was no longer perceived as holding a position of special significance in the hero's heart. We were perfectly set to live our lives together.
I have never doubted Clark's love for me. I trust in him. His affection is constant and unconditional. I can not help but feel jealousy of his 'relationship' with her. Perhaps I am being selfish. They're both doing this to safeguard me. Clark is my husband. Wonder Woman, as I understand it, is engaged to Colonel Trevor in her secret identity and may soon be getting hitched for real.
I suppose my deep-rooted fear is that Clark and Diana's 'relationship' really does make a whole lot of sense. They're ideal for each other. She has everything. Super powers. Prestige. Intellect. Her physique is impossible. On a scale of ten, the woman is a 12. If she and Clark ever do fall for one another, there's no way I can compete with her. No chance.
We have a strange relationship, Wonder Woman and I. When she is playing 'Mrs. Superman', I want so desperately to throttle her. To see her in his arms, with her devastating smile and that garish outfit, is just too much to take. Geez, how I loathe that outlandish costume of hers! Amazingly, despite myself I like the princess. She's pleasant, easy to talk with and unassuming. She's confident, but not arrogant. We can talk for hours and I can actually forget sometimes that she's Wonder Woman, my private tormentor.
*****
Diana smiles as she repeats Cat Grant's latest question aloud. "After two years, what quality about Superman has surprised me the most?" She contemplates for a moment. "He's a much better chef than I had imagined!" the Amazon jests. After the laughter subsides, she adds "Seriously, I would say that his discipline is uncanny. He's forever handling his extremely busy schedule, yet he never neglects his marriage. Never."
Kal is asked the same question about Diana. "I suppose what surprises me most about this lady is that she actually is all that I imagined her to be. I envisioned Diana to be near perfection. That's an unfair and impossible standard to live up to, yet she does it day after day. She's just amazing!"
The live studio audience roars its approval of Superman's lauding comments. Cat Grant prepares to branch off towards another topic when the man of steel suddenly springs to his feet. Concern is evident. He stares intently at the back wall. His eyebrows narrow, indicating the hero is employing his x-ray vision. Wonder Woman rises beside him and confirms that she too hears the same disturbance. The super heroic couple quickly informs Ms. Grant and her viewers that they must cut their guest appearance short because an emergency situation has arisen.
Within seconds Superman and Wonder Woman soar across the Metropolis skies. "I hope Cat isn't too disappointed." Diana comments. "She shouldn't be, Di. We were on the air for almost half an hour." Kal responds. "Frankly, I was getting antsy in there. I was beginning to wonder whether Hal would ever get started!"
A block of condemned apartment buildings comes into view after the Justice Leaguers fly past the downtown skyscrapers. Totaled cars are strewn about the mostly deserted streets. The few people meandering about the decrepit area duck for cover as a super villain wreaks havoc. By all appearances, the protagonist is the Shark, a sea creature mutated by radiation into a quasi-human form. Superman and Wonder Woman know otherwise; the opponent they face is in actuality their colleague Green Lantern posing as the Shark with the aid of his wondrous power ring.
Seeking a showdown, the Shark boldly bellows for the appearance of Superman. "Wow, Hal sure is selling the scene to the max, isn't he Kal?" Diana observes. "I never expected him to use quite so many clunker cars from the junkyard as props for our act." "Neither did I, Diana." the Kryptonian answers, "but he was every bit as optimistic about this ruse as you were."
The plan, as formulated by Diana and Hal Jordan, is to stage a super-powered fight which gains swift media attention. Wonder Woman and Superman are to confront a new and improved Shark, whose telekinetic abilities are more formidable than ever. Diana will prove to be the one combatant left standing after a seemingly fierce battle. The noble heroine will look wearied in the immediate aftermath and thus appear to be a vulnerable target for Phranyx to engage.
As Superman and Wonder Woman touch down twenty paces in front of their foe, the Amazon notices a pair of familiar faces watching the action from a semi-risky position. "It looks like Lois and Jimmy Olsen are the first news reporters on the scene." she subtly whispers to Clark. The hero glances briefly in Lois' direction. "I may have mentioned something over breakfast." Superman notes with a smirk.
Falling right into character, Green Lantern projects the image of sheer arrogance which so typifies the Shark. He mocks the mighty man of steel by suggesting he's brought Mrs. Superman along in a feeble attempt to even up the odds. Hearkening back to documented past confrontations, the villain proclaims that he has learned from his earlier defeats. He vows to vanquish the Kryptonian, after which he will lay claim to the Amazon princess.
Although these histrionics are part of their script, Diana truly gnashes her teeth over the mention of her prior encounter with the Shark. The haughty super foe had once sought to breed a superior new species and he viewed the powerful Amazon as the ideal mate to achieve such. Demonstrating her great spirit and determination, Diana fended off her vile assailant that day. Having nearly fallen, she remains forever wary of the danger the Shark poses. "I'll never fall to the likes of you!" Wonder Woman asserts in a bold tone which transcends their playacting.
The Justice League pair fans out so that they can attack their foe from dual fronts. The Shark counters by launching a sharp, telekinetic attack against them. As he has brazenly asserted, his powers are greater than ever. Superman screams and immediately drops to his knees. He buries his head in his hands and writhes in pain on the pavement. To the ever increasing crowd of local media, the cause of the hometown hero's distress is a mystery. Lois Lane grasps Superman's predicament, however. Using his fantastic mental abilities, the Shark is fighting Superman's mind for control of over his eyes. The hero desperately shields his face to avoid unwittingly incinerating countless innocents with his heat vision beams.
If she didn't know better, Diana would fear that Kal's troubles were genuine. She must now match his performance with a self-induced hardship of her own. With her super speed, the heroine creates the illusion that she is struggling to overcome the effects of the Shark's mutant powers. Her long black hair, which extends halfway down her back, suddenly comes to life. The staunch, hearty mane wraps itself tightly around the Amazon's throat. Seeking to retaliate, Wonder Woman reaches down to her right hip for her magic lasso. To her apparent shock, it is no longer there. Rather, the mystical lariat hovers above. The lasso coils itself firmly about her torso from her lower ribcage down to her knees. Her right arm is pinned rigidly to her side, although she manages to keep her opposite one free.
The Shark revels in the success he enjoys at the JLA's expense. He easily sidesteps fruitless charges by his brave, but disadvantaged adversaries. Superman is reduced to fighting without the benefit of his sight and his left hand, which he must constantly hold over his eyes. Wonder Woman's movements are restricted by her golden lasso and the chokehold of her own hair.
Superman and Wonder Woman manage to regroup. The Shark is amused and he appears willing to afford his enemies the opportunity for a brief strategy session. It will make his impending victory all the more sweet, he figures. "You draw his fire and I'll knock him out!" Diana whispers so softly that only a Superman could hear.
The swaggering villain marches slowly, but steadily towards them. He eyes his prey with contempt as he closes to within arm's length. Suddenly, a massive jolt of energy cackles about the trio. The Shark is propelled three hundred yards across the lot until his momentum is stopped by a solid concrete wall. The dazed form of Green Lantern slumps to the ground, his power ring disguise disappearing with the break in his concentration.
Princess Diana is stunned when she realizes the source of the attack. Superman smiles devilishly. "I could only play the role of the good guy just so long." Phranyx admits. "Surprised Amazon? Don't be. Lois Lane couldn't tell the difference this morning either!" Phranyx reassures Diana that he has simply detained Superman long enough to impersonate the hero. He notes that his interest is solely with Earth's heroic females.
Wonder Woman remains remarkably calm as she stares directly into the face of her enemy. "This isn't exactly how I expected we'd meet, but it'll do." she remarks. "Mister, you've abducted and hurt a dear friend." Diana continues. "Your cruel game ends now!"
The super heroine flexes her powerful muscles with the full expectation of shedding her golden binding. To her dismay, it doesn't budge. Before Wonder Woman can initiate any further action, the villain bombards her with a rapid fire series of commands. The mystical properties of the magic lasso instantly neutralize the princess. She must remain docile. The heroine is not permitted to move from her present position. The Amazon may not fight back against her captor, nor may she telepathically command her plane to come to her assistance.
"That was quite a scheme you came up with." Phranyx observes. "It was particularly clever to tie yourself up with a facsimile of your magic lasso to make it appear that you were helpless. What you didn't know, of course, is that I have prepared diligently for our clash. I have logged some frequent flyer miles aboard your transparent aircraft in recent weeks. As you have by now surmised, I retrieved the real magic lasso from your plane prior to this charade and covertly replaced the fake during the melee. By binding yourself, you did my work for me!"
By now, Phranyx has revealed his true appearance for all to see. Local police attempt to intervene, but the villain relies once more upon his yellow energy weapon to keep them at bay. Despite her predicament, Wonder Woman implores everyone to stay back.
As he had tried previously with Batgirl and Black Canary, Phranyx relishes the prospect of incorporating humiliation into his victim's defeat. Seizing upon the Amazon's testy memories of the Shark, the sinister villain lustfully strokes her cheeks. He passionately caresses her shoulders, back and rear end. An emotionally distraught Diana wants so desperately to fight off his advances, yet even she can't resist the compelling power of her own magic lasso. She is completely at his mercy fearing the worst when he utters the fateful words "Kiss me, Wonder Woman!"
"Praise Aphrodite!" Diana thinks to herself as she surprises Phranyx with the fervor of her response. She tightly embraces the villain with her free left arm while locking lips in an incredible kiss. Phranyx realizes too late what a crucial mistake he has made. Her meta-human lungs siphon the air from his respiratory system far faster than he can breathe in through his nose. Furthermore, with his mouth indisposed, Phranyx can not order her to stop. Wonder Woman intends to continue this kiss until her attacker is rendered unconscious.
Phranyx violently fights to free himself from Diana's embrace. He twists his body and jerks his head, all to no avail. The villain feels his strength ebbing and he recognizes he is close to passing out. Desperately, he resorts to his own limited telepathic abilities and commands the invisible jet to come to his rescue. The Amazon hears her plane approaching. She still must heed Phranyx' existing commands until he actually loses consciousness, therefore she finds herself in a most bizarre race. She must knock out Phranyx within two seconds to avoid being struck down by her very own aircraft.
The tension is evident on both of their faces in this dramatic moment. The invisible plane bears mercilessly down upon Diana. Its precision is such that it will only strike her. The heroine rises up on her toes, looking to save even the slightest fraction of a second in her getaway. Phranyx finally succumbs, but there isn't time for even the Amazon champion to avoid the inevitable. Her feet rise a mere two inches off the ground when she is struck bluntly by the left wing of the transparent jet. Wonder Woman is rendered unconscious on impact and her body is driven into the ground. The limp form of Phranyx drops directly to the asphalt, having barely avoided the collision.
A very groggy Green Lantern staggers towards the two fallen combatants. His mind struggles to get his power ring to work properly. Hal's worst fears begin to manifest themselves as bright light envelops both Phranyx and Diana. Jordan forces his ring to form an energy shield around Wonder Woman's prone form, but his efforts are for naught. The teleportation device overpowers Hal's ring and both the heroine and the villain vanish to destination unknown.
A brief 'click' accompanies the blackening of the color TV screen. "Aw c'mon Lois!" Jimmy Olsen exclaims as he is steered towards the door. "I wanted to hear Wonder Woman's answer!" he pleads. Lois Lane is unsympathetic. "Jimmy, you were supposed to be here ten minutes ago." the Pulitzer Prize winning reporter retorts. "We've got a hot lead from a ... ahem ... reliable source and now we only have fifteen minutes left to get to the south side of Metropolis."
The taxi departs from Lois' apartment complex. Jimmy is confused by Ms. Lane's impatience, because he knows of nothing particularly newsworthy occurring in the section of town they are headed. Lois merely asks that he trust in her reporter's instinct. Olsen tries to probe further, but her thoughts momentarily drift elsewhere. Ms. Lane is frustrated, yet her role as a reporter and her unique obligations as a super hero's wife require her to suppress her emotions. Lois knows enough not to keep a diary detailing her remarkable life with *him*, but on this occasion she can't help but construct a journal entry in her mind.
*****
I wouldn't trade my life with Clark for anything, but there are times when the surreal demands are just unbearable. It comes with the territory that I have to share my husband with the rest of the world. Sharing him with *her* is another matter entirely and the worst irony of all is that I have myself to blame.
'Love at first sight' is such an old cliché, yet it is applicable for me. I fell head over heels for Superman from the moment I laid eyes on him. He carried me in his arms that day and I knew then this was the man I wanted to spend my life with. Perhaps it was merely wishful thinking from a silly city girl, but I somehow sensed that he felt the same way. Sure enough our frequent encounters sparked a passionate flame between us which burns eternally bright.
Unfortunately, we were both naive and allowed our feelings to cloud our judgment. Superman, world's greatest hero, and Lois Lane, ace reporter, became a hot item. It was the thrill of a lifetime until the consequences of being Superman's consort manifested themselves. I became a visible and vulnerable target for villains seeking vengeance. Threats were frequent and Superman was frantic that even he could not protect me all of the time.
I was floored when Superman revealed to me his true identity of Clark Kent. We had worked together for a few years and had become friendly rivals competing for the front page. He was the only reporter in Metropolis who could beat me out for Superman scoops. Now I knew why, the scoundrel!
Naturally, we both desired to continue our relationship, with Clark Kent replacing Superman as my romantic interest. It wasn't so simple however. I couldn't just suddenly dump Superman and shift to Clark. That would be too obvious and the connection would have been uncovered by our fellow media. We agreed that the best approach was for Superman to publicly break off the relationship, thus allowing me to pursue other options. Over time, I would gradually 'stumble' into a romance with Clark.
Despite our plan to develop the Lois and Clark relationship slowly, Superman was still very concerned about his secret identity being breached. It so happened that his Justice League colleague and longtime friend Wonder Woman faced a similar quandary. She was involved in a highly publicized fling with Colonel Steve Trevor. Even with his military standing and training, Trevor was no match for super criminals targeting him to gain revenge against the Amazon.
Superman and Wonder Woman decided that they could solve their respective dilemmas by becoming an item themselves. Word of their pairing spread incredibly fast. Only those very close to Clark and Diana knew they were playacting. To the rest of the world, it was the romance of the century. As time passed, the romance blossomed until it culminated with the most celebrated wedding in the history of mankind.
With Superman 'married' to Wonder Woman, Clark Kent was completely free to court Lois Lane. We were wed 18 months after his celebrated false bonding. Our friends and rivals in the media suspected nothing. Superman's enemies had long since backed off of me, because I was no longer perceived as holding a position of special significance in the hero's heart. We were perfectly set to live our lives together.
I have never doubted Clark's love for me. I trust in him. His affection is constant and unconditional. I can not help but feel jealousy of his 'relationship' with her. Perhaps I am being selfish. They're both doing this to safeguard me. Clark is my husband. Wonder Woman, as I understand it, is engaged to Colonel Trevor in her secret identity and may soon be getting hitched for real.
I suppose my deep-rooted fear is that Clark and Diana's 'relationship' really does make a whole lot of sense. They're ideal for each other. She has everything. Super powers. Prestige. Intellect. Her physique is impossible. On a scale of ten, the woman is a 12. If she and Clark ever do fall for one another, there's no way I can compete with her. No chance.
We have a strange relationship, Wonder Woman and I. When she is playing 'Mrs. Superman', I want so desperately to throttle her. To see her in his arms, with her devastating smile and that garish outfit, is just too much to take. Geez, how I loathe that outlandish costume of hers! Amazingly, despite myself I like the princess. She's pleasant, easy to talk with and unassuming. She's confident, but not arrogant. We can talk for hours and I can actually forget sometimes that she's Wonder Woman, my private tormentor.
*****
Diana smiles as she repeats Cat Grant's latest question aloud. "After two years, what quality about Superman has surprised me the most?" She contemplates for a moment. "He's a much better chef than I had imagined!" the Amazon jests. After the laughter subsides, she adds "Seriously, I would say that his discipline is uncanny. He's forever handling his extremely busy schedule, yet he never neglects his marriage. Never."
Kal is asked the same question about Diana. "I suppose what surprises me most about this lady is that she actually is all that I imagined her to be. I envisioned Diana to be near perfection. That's an unfair and impossible standard to live up to, yet she does it day after day. She's just amazing!"
The live studio audience roars its approval of Superman's lauding comments. Cat Grant prepares to branch off towards another topic when the man of steel suddenly springs to his feet. Concern is evident. He stares intently at the back wall. His eyebrows narrow, indicating the hero is employing his x-ray vision. Wonder Woman rises beside him and confirms that she too hears the same disturbance. The super heroic couple quickly informs Ms. Grant and her viewers that they must cut their guest appearance short because an emergency situation has arisen.
Within seconds Superman and Wonder Woman soar across the Metropolis skies. "I hope Cat isn't too disappointed." Diana comments. "She shouldn't be, Di. We were on the air for almost half an hour." Kal responds. "Frankly, I was getting antsy in there. I was beginning to wonder whether Hal would ever get started!"
A block of condemned apartment buildings comes into view after the Justice Leaguers fly past the downtown skyscrapers. Totaled cars are strewn about the mostly deserted streets. The few people meandering about the decrepit area duck for cover as a super villain wreaks havoc. By all appearances, the protagonist is the Shark, a sea creature mutated by radiation into a quasi-human form. Superman and Wonder Woman know otherwise; the opponent they face is in actuality their colleague Green Lantern posing as the Shark with the aid of his wondrous power ring.
Seeking a showdown, the Shark boldly bellows for the appearance of Superman. "Wow, Hal sure is selling the scene to the max, isn't he Kal?" Diana observes. "I never expected him to use quite so many clunker cars from the junkyard as props for our act." "Neither did I, Diana." the Kryptonian answers, "but he was every bit as optimistic about this ruse as you were."
The plan, as formulated by Diana and Hal Jordan, is to stage a super-powered fight which gains swift media attention. Wonder Woman and Superman are to confront a new and improved Shark, whose telekinetic abilities are more formidable than ever. Diana will prove to be the one combatant left standing after a seemingly fierce battle. The noble heroine will look wearied in the immediate aftermath and thus appear to be a vulnerable target for Phranyx to engage.
As Superman and Wonder Woman touch down twenty paces in front of their foe, the Amazon notices a pair of familiar faces watching the action from a semi-risky position. "It looks like Lois and Jimmy Olsen are the first news reporters on the scene." she subtly whispers to Clark. The hero glances briefly in Lois' direction. "I may have mentioned something over breakfast." Superman notes with a smirk.
Falling right into character, Green Lantern projects the image of sheer arrogance which so typifies the Shark. He mocks the mighty man of steel by suggesting he's brought Mrs. Superman along in a feeble attempt to even up the odds. Hearkening back to documented past confrontations, the villain proclaims that he has learned from his earlier defeats. He vows to vanquish the Kryptonian, after which he will lay claim to the Amazon princess.
Although these histrionics are part of their script, Diana truly gnashes her teeth over the mention of her prior encounter with the Shark. The haughty super foe had once sought to breed a superior new species and he viewed the powerful Amazon as the ideal mate to achieve such. Demonstrating her great spirit and determination, Diana fended off her vile assailant that day. Having nearly fallen, she remains forever wary of the danger the Shark poses. "I'll never fall to the likes of you!" Wonder Woman asserts in a bold tone which transcends their playacting.
The Justice League pair fans out so that they can attack their foe from dual fronts. The Shark counters by launching a sharp, telekinetic attack against them. As he has brazenly asserted, his powers are greater than ever. Superman screams and immediately drops to his knees. He buries his head in his hands and writhes in pain on the pavement. To the ever increasing crowd of local media, the cause of the hometown hero's distress is a mystery. Lois Lane grasps Superman's predicament, however. Using his fantastic mental abilities, the Shark is fighting Superman's mind for control of over his eyes. The hero desperately shields his face to avoid unwittingly incinerating countless innocents with his heat vision beams.
If she didn't know better, Diana would fear that Kal's troubles were genuine. She must now match his performance with a self-induced hardship of her own. With her super speed, the heroine creates the illusion that she is struggling to overcome the effects of the Shark's mutant powers. Her long black hair, which extends halfway down her back, suddenly comes to life. The staunch, hearty mane wraps itself tightly around the Amazon's throat. Seeking to retaliate, Wonder Woman reaches down to her right hip for her magic lasso. To her apparent shock, it is no longer there. Rather, the mystical lariat hovers above. The lasso coils itself firmly about her torso from her lower ribcage down to her knees. Her right arm is pinned rigidly to her side, although she manages to keep her opposite one free.
The Shark revels in the success he enjoys at the JLA's expense. He easily sidesteps fruitless charges by his brave, but disadvantaged adversaries. Superman is reduced to fighting without the benefit of his sight and his left hand, which he must constantly hold over his eyes. Wonder Woman's movements are restricted by her golden lasso and the chokehold of her own hair.
Superman and Wonder Woman manage to regroup. The Shark is amused and he appears willing to afford his enemies the opportunity for a brief strategy session. It will make his impending victory all the more sweet, he figures. "You draw his fire and I'll knock him out!" Diana whispers so softly that only a Superman could hear.
The swaggering villain marches slowly, but steadily towards them. He eyes his prey with contempt as he closes to within arm's length. Suddenly, a massive jolt of energy cackles about the trio. The Shark is propelled three hundred yards across the lot until his momentum is stopped by a solid concrete wall. The dazed form of Green Lantern slumps to the ground, his power ring disguise disappearing with the break in his concentration.
Princess Diana is stunned when she realizes the source of the attack. Superman smiles devilishly. "I could only play the role of the good guy just so long." Phranyx admits. "Surprised Amazon? Don't be. Lois Lane couldn't tell the difference this morning either!" Phranyx reassures Diana that he has simply detained Superman long enough to impersonate the hero. He notes that his interest is solely with Earth's heroic females.
Wonder Woman remains remarkably calm as she stares directly into the face of her enemy. "This isn't exactly how I expected we'd meet, but it'll do." she remarks. "Mister, you've abducted and hurt a dear friend." Diana continues. "Your cruel game ends now!"
The super heroine flexes her powerful muscles with the full expectation of shedding her golden binding. To her dismay, it doesn't budge. Before Wonder Woman can initiate any further action, the villain bombards her with a rapid fire series of commands. The mystical properties of the magic lasso instantly neutralize the princess. She must remain docile. The heroine is not permitted to move from her present position. The Amazon may not fight back against her captor, nor may she telepathically command her plane to come to her assistance.
"That was quite a scheme you came up with." Phranyx observes. "It was particularly clever to tie yourself up with a facsimile of your magic lasso to make it appear that you were helpless. What you didn't know, of course, is that I have prepared diligently for our clash. I have logged some frequent flyer miles aboard your transparent aircraft in recent weeks. As you have by now surmised, I retrieved the real magic lasso from your plane prior to this charade and covertly replaced the fake during the melee. By binding yourself, you did my work for me!"
By now, Phranyx has revealed his true appearance for all to see. Local police attempt to intervene, but the villain relies once more upon his yellow energy weapon to keep them at bay. Despite her predicament, Wonder Woman implores everyone to stay back.
As he had tried previously with Batgirl and Black Canary, Phranyx relishes the prospect of incorporating humiliation into his victim's defeat. Seizing upon the Amazon's testy memories of the Shark, the sinister villain lustfully strokes her cheeks. He passionately caresses her shoulders, back and rear end. An emotionally distraught Diana wants so desperately to fight off his advances, yet even she can't resist the compelling power of her own magic lasso. She is completely at his mercy fearing the worst when he utters the fateful words "Kiss me, Wonder Woman!"
"Praise Aphrodite!" Diana thinks to herself as she surprises Phranyx with the fervor of her response. She tightly embraces the villain with her free left arm while locking lips in an incredible kiss. Phranyx realizes too late what a crucial mistake he has made. Her meta-human lungs siphon the air from his respiratory system far faster than he can breathe in through his nose. Furthermore, with his mouth indisposed, Phranyx can not order her to stop. Wonder Woman intends to continue this kiss until her attacker is rendered unconscious.
Phranyx violently fights to free himself from Diana's embrace. He twists his body and jerks his head, all to no avail. The villain feels his strength ebbing and he recognizes he is close to passing out. Desperately, he resorts to his own limited telepathic abilities and commands the invisible jet to come to his rescue. The Amazon hears her plane approaching. She still must heed Phranyx' existing commands until he actually loses consciousness, therefore she finds herself in a most bizarre race. She must knock out Phranyx within two seconds to avoid being struck down by her very own aircraft.
The tension is evident on both of their faces in this dramatic moment. The invisible plane bears mercilessly down upon Diana. Its precision is such that it will only strike her. The heroine rises up on her toes, looking to save even the slightest fraction of a second in her getaway. Phranyx finally succumbs, but there isn't time for even the Amazon champion to avoid the inevitable. Her feet rise a mere two inches off the ground when she is struck bluntly by the left wing of the transparent jet. Wonder Woman is rendered unconscious on impact and her body is driven into the ground. The limp form of Phranyx drops directly to the asphalt, having barely avoided the collision.
A very groggy Green Lantern staggers towards the two fallen combatants. His mind struggles to get his power ring to work properly. Hal's worst fears begin to manifest themselves as bright light envelops both Phranyx and Diana. Jordan forces his ring to form an energy shield around Wonder Woman's prone form, but his efforts are for naught. The teleportation device overpowers Hal's ring and both the heroine and the villain vanish to destination unknown.
