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romanoffsbish · 1 year

Text

Full of Surprises

WandaNat x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Poor attempt at understanding cricket, I just couldn’t grasp a thing, but I still tried okay… (I go to Superbowl parties for the snacks—Sports aren’t my thing y’all)

Smut: Mommy (W), Daddy (N), Oral (R/W giving), Strap (R/N giving). Praising, Pussy Slapping.

18+ | Minors DNI | 3,820 Words

Happy Birthday @smalls-words 🥰, broke my hiatus for the special occasion. 🥹

Natasha was stood in the doorway of the compound, her expression was one of confusion as she watched you smacking a ball with a wooden beavers tail of sorts. Wanda sent her here to get you, but as she approached she found herself too intrigued not to ask you about whatever it was you were partaking in.

"Hm?," you looked up at her voice, then as you realized she'd been watching you you felt your body warming at the unexpected attention., "Oh um, this is cricket.," you replied with a shy smile, then you placed the bat down against a tree before making your way towards Natasha.

———

"What's up Natty?," she wordlessly pulled you in for a tight hug., "Happy Birthday sweetie.," she placed a gentle kiss to your temple, and her heart flipped when you melted into her hold. She felt your wide smile against her shoulder., "You remembered?," her arms tightened, and her face frowned., "Of course I did honey. No way I'd forget the day I have to thank for you."

"You're so sweet, thank you.," she wordlessly replied with a tightening of her arms, and a gorgeous smile to rival that of the Mona Lisa.

"Now, I was sent to collect you.," she playfully looked around to ensure Wanda wasn't here, then she smirked at you., "But I feel it's more important that you show me how to play this little game of yours so that you can have a person to play against, and eventually lose to."

You scoffed., "In your dreams.," then you reached for her hand and pulled her over to your set up., "I'm a master at my sport Nat."

Natasha stood cluelessly in front of the ball on the ground, you approached her and tried to hand her the bat but she only pouted at it., "Aren't you going to show me how to play?," you shook your head, but did so nonetheless.

Natasha watched you playing, but truthfully she was staring at your glorious butt as you bent to level your body with the ball and your gaze with the wicket. She listened to your every word too, as you explained the rules and told her all the best tricks and tips, but when it was time for her to go up she feigned cluelessness.

"Y/N/N, am I doing this right?," she asked in a whine, her stance purposefully wrong, and the bat was favoring the bulkier side even though you'd told her specifically to use the other end., "I'd probably get it if you maybe guided me."

It perplexed you how Natasha was struggling, she was a master at picking things up. Like that one time you were at a Stark party, and you watched in awe as she learned the game of pool through the laziest of observations. Then you watched her steal Rhodey and Tony's thunder in a matter of seconds as she pocketed damn near all her balls in one go with no partner.

Cricket wasn't that difficult, or so you thought, but you guessed it was just a bit too different to the Russian who didn't partake in sports often.

Natasha beamed when your body pressed into hers, and your arms wrapped around, and over hers to loosely guide her. Their plans to court you were falling into place ever so slowly, and for a second she forgot this was for the game., "Normally you'd have someone rolling the ball your way.," you reminded her., "But this is just practice.," you helped her hit the ball, she was a bit overzealous with the strength used though, and she squealed when it hit the wickets down.

Her excitement was adorable, so it honestly hurt you to remind her that wasn't the goal., "Natty, that's not a good hit, you're out now."

"I don't like this game.," she whined, and to your shock she simply turned in your hold over pulling from it. You mindlessly gulped as you took in her every feature, she'd never been this close to you before. Every sweet freckle on her face was noticeable, you wanted to reach out to softly trace them, but you fought back the urge. Her viridescent eyes shone beautifully beneath the bright sunny sky, and it almost seemed like she was admiring you just the same with the smile she wore as she silently gazed at you.

The clearing of a throat behind you broke the reverie, and now you were rather anxious, the scene you were in looked rather incriminating., "Am I interrupting?," Wanda added onto the tease, and you were quick to stumble out of the redheads tender embrace and towards her. Failing entirely to see the way that Natasha glared towards her now smug faced girlfriend.

"No, Wands, we-.," she cut you off with the wave of her hand., "Hush now dorogoy, I know you were only falling prey to Natasha's ploys to ruin my plans.," she yanked you into her, and stuck her tongue out at her approaching lover., "Happy Birthday sweet girl, are you hungry?"

You meekly nodded, and so she released you., "Then how about you go catch a quick shower, then you can meet us in the garden for lunch.," it presented as a question, but you knew it was really more of a expectation. Wanda cooked for you, and it would've been rude to say no, and fortunately you wouldn't ever have done so.

The couple walked hand in hand beside you as you all made your way into the compound, their conversation was playfully taunting, and it never ceased to make you giggle as they threw jabs at one another. It was their favorite thing to do—make you giggle, and had you not been daydreaming about what could be, you'd have seen the way they were ready to give it.

Wanda and Natasha were hopelessly in love with you, and you were as oblivious as they come. Today though, they were going to make sure you knew that every touch or word you overthought was exactly what you suspected.

"See you soon dorogoy.," you waved them goodbye from your partially closed door, then as soon as you were alone you shivered at the reminder of Natasha's hold, and Wanda's stare. You swiftly rushed into the shower to cool off.

—

When you finally made it to the garden your stomach roared at the smell, and your mouth was instantly salivating at the sight before you. Sat at the table was the couple, you noticed they had changed into the prettiest of dresses, Natasha's a low cut, strapless red number, and she paired it with her signature leather jacket. Wanda's was a more modest cut, in a gorgeous emerald green, and with a velvety texture.

Natasha and Wanda looked at you just the same, you weren't privy to the nice dress code, but it didn't matter, because even in your thin grey sweater, and short jean shorts you were something worth marveling at., "Come eat."

Your heart warmed at the notion when you realized Wanda had made your favorite food, then your body soon followed at what seemed to be hungry stares, but you couldn't place the inspiration, was it you, or the grilled steak.

Wanda immediately began to plate up the food while Natasha chivalrously pulled your chair out, then scooted you forward. The plate was full of your favorite fruits, the perfectly cooked steak, and all the proper sides for such a meat. Wanda watched you expectantly, you felt nervous under her gaze, but you took a bite of the meat, and gave her the top tier compliment of a deep moan of appreciation. No words were needed, and for the couple trying to calm their racing hearts they appreciated that wholly.

"We have quite the day planned for you.," Natasha eventually broke the silence, her eyes shone with mischief, making you question their intentions here, but her accompanying smile full of sweetness melted your suspicions fast., "Really? This is already so perfect.," the couple shared a hopeful gaze, then smiled at you.

"Yes really, we have to give you your gifts, and then there's cake and ice cream with the team."

"The team?," you squeaked., "Why of course, they were all so excited to celebrate with you.," Wanda continued., "They were even jealous that we stole you away for the afternoon here.," you giggled in disbelief, and their hearts fluttered right along with the adorable sound.

After the food was all finished you were stood off to the side in wait for what is to come. It was nerve wracking too as they refused to divulge their plans, and they looked to be whispering deviously about what they were. Wanda pecked her lover’s lips then scurried off, leaving you all alone with the lopsided smirking redhead making her way over to you.

"Y/N.,” Natasha purred against the shell of your ear, sending a wave of arousal straight through you., “Come with me.,” she gently grabbed your hand, and gave you no time to question her before she brought you to their shared bedroom., “Close your eyes baby.”

Unbeknownst to you Wanda was sat on the bed in nothing but a white, lacy lingerie set with a nervous smile on her face., “Open up honey.,” Natasha had stopped you right in front of the witch, your eyes nervously fluttered open just before widening, you went to cover them up, but Wanda was quick to stop you, her hand slid into yours, and she pulled you into her lap.

As gentle as ever she trailed her fingertip over your face, she gripped your chin lightly then leaned in to whisper in your ear., “I hear your thoughts honey.,” she held back a chuckle as your body shivered atop her., “Natasha catches the looks, and let me tell you.,” her lips traveled down your jaw in a hasty manner before she was faced with your nervous expression again., “We want you just the same baby girl.”

“So, what do you say detka?,” Natasha’s body was pressed to yours, causing you to whimper as you felt her nipples through the thin fabric of your sweater., “Can we make you feel so very good on your special day?,” she bit down on your earlobe and drew an affected moan from your quivering lips., “Finally make you ours?”

You nodded your head, and breathily pleaded for them., “Please… Need you so bad.,” Wanda grinned., “Yeah? Need your mommy and daddy to take care of you, hm?,” she laid you down on the bed in a fluid motion, then she straddled your lap and cut your answer off with her lips.

Cold hands slid beneath your sweater, coming into contact with your heated skin, and making you gasp, giving Wanda the chance to slip her tongue over yours, and explore your mouth. Wanda was working you up, her hands groping at your breasts, while she ground her pelvis into you, and when you became too breathless to keep up with her kiss she began to mark you.

“Can I?,” she murmured her request against your collarbones, her fingers were twisting the hem of your shirt, and you were desperate for her to do so., “Yes, please take it off mommy.,” she smiled down at you as she pulled away., “Such a polite little thing.,” your shirt flew over your head, and after you nodded she unclasped your bra and sent it flying across the room too.

Distant clanking in the room didn’t register much in your mind when you had Wanda all over you earlier, but now, when you finally caught a glimpse of Natasha you mewled at the sight of the strap dangling between her legs., “Like what you see?,” she was cockily stroking the faux appendage as if it were her own cock, and you were struggling to come up with a response., “Want daddy to fuck you detka?”

Your body began to squirm beneath Wanda’s, and the women chuckled in unison at your obvious neediness., “Honey.,” the witch cupped your cheek., “You’ll have to answer her, or daddy will just have to fuck mommy instead as you are forced to watch and wait your turn.”

“No, please, daddy I need you.,” you shrieked, and the brunette kissed you softly., “Good girl.”

Wanda stood up, and as she did her fingers were swift in removing your shorts and panties after you gave her the express consent in the form of pitiful pleading., “Mommy wants to taste you first, is that okay?,” you nodded, then quickly corrected your error with a meek yes after the brunette slapped your dripping cunt.

It wasn’t exactly what you expected, but Wanda brought you to your feet, allowing Natasha the opportunity to step up from behind you, and you bowed your head at the feeling of the both of them sandwiching you in., “Look at her Nat, such a nervous little thing.,” Wanda leaned over your shoulder, you watched in awe as they made out nastily, your knees buckled, but to your fortune Natasha had a firm hold on you.

“Pretty too.,” Natasha panted as they broke apart, she smirked lazily when noticing you flustering even further., “So fucking pretty.”

Wanda fell to her knees and tossed one of your legs over her shoulder., “Oh shit.,” she groaned as she caught a whiff of you., “You smell divine honey.,” she placed a few tender kisses to your thigh teasingly and just as you began to whine she sucked your clit between her lips., “Fuck!”

“We’re working on it.,” Natasha chuckled, then with a tenderness she turns your face to hers and finally gets her chance to kiss your lips. Her kiss was soft, yet fierce as she did her best not to devour you whole just yet, she wanted to—truly, but she chose to offer you comfort.

Wanda continued to eat you out expertly all while she slid her hand in between your legs, blindly reaching for Natasha’s strap. She then guided the thick tip to your entrance, and you gasped at the tantalizing feeling. Natasha smirked against your lips., “Daddy’s going to take such good care of you detka.,” she moved your head to rest against her shoulder, her lips settled over you pulse point., “Beg for it first.”

Natasha nipped at the thin layer of skin, her hips remained unmoving, but you were still in a great deal of bliss as Wanda’s tongue was still bringing you close to the edge you craved for., “I said beg!,” her hands groped your breasts roughly just as her teeth sunk into your neck.

“Oh my god.,” you screamed., “Please, daddy, I need you so bad, fuck me hard, and—.,” your pleas were cut off as she slammed her hips forward, bottoming out with ease, you cried out as their combined efforts had your mind foggy, and the pit in your stomach was tightening to a point of pain, you were ready to snap, and the couple were aware of this as your legs were of no use in keeping you up, and the redhead met resistance as she fucked her strap into you.

Natasha held tightly to your breasts as she pumped her strap in and out of you at a fast pace to match the flick of Wanda’s tongue over your engorged clit. The brunette’s jaw was growing tired, but the filthy noises coming from your mouth and slippery cunt distracted her well enough from the persistent ache. Not to mention the taste of you, she honestly wondered how she’d ever gone without it, and as you came she vowed she’d never do it again.

Natasha pulled Wanda into a bruising kiss as soon as she returned to her feet., “Oh.,” she moaned at the taste of you, her tongue was rough as it selfishly sought to garner it all., “Such a sweet thing, inside and out it seems.”

Natasha laughed boisterously when you buried your face against Wanda’s shoulder in a show of clear embarrassment., “Oh honey, don’t shy away from us now, you really are that sweet.,” Wanda teased, then she softly pecked your cheek in a silent apology before wrapping her arms around your hips, and hugging you tight. Partly for your comfort, but mostly to keep you upright as Natasha slowly pulled out of you, and away from your conjoined bodies.

“Thank you.,” you whispered., “Best birthday gift I’ve ever received.,” you smiled dopily against her shoulder, and the couple giggled., “It was a gift that we found benefited us all.,” Natasha mused from the bed, you turned to her with a playful smile, and a roll of your eyes.

In a matter of seconds you were laid down by the brunette, and the redhead was quick to pull you close to her. Wanda cleaned you up as the Russian snuggled you close, then her lips moved against yours in a slow kiss to distract you from the warm rag between your thighs.

“What’s next?,” you yawned, and the couple looked to you endearingly, Wanda tapped your shoulder, and you knowingly lifted your arms up and allowed her to dress you in their warm clothes., “Movies, snacks, and cuddles.,” Nat answered as you fell back into her arms, and melted into the mattress with a content sigh.

“Um…,” you nervously fidgeted with your hands as Wanda scooted into your body, and reached for her girlfriends hands., “What was this? Did it mean something to you? Or was it just fun? Because I can handle it, but I just—.”

Wanda kissed you, then as she pulled away Natasha turned your face to her to do the same. Then the witch sighed as she cupped your cheeks., “It meant the world to us Y/N/N, and though it was fun, we want this to be more.,” her eyes were glossy as she met yours, and you too began to cry as you processed the words.

“We want you wholly Y/N, the sex was great, but we want your heart just as bad.,” Natasha added hopefully., “Then I’m all yours loves.”

“Good, because we’re all yours too detka.”

—

After a few hours of movies and cuddling, where you found their warmth enough to lull you to sleep the couple had to rouse you., “Honey, the team is expecting your presence.,” Wanda coo’d while gently stroking your cheek., “There will be takeout, and presents.,” she began to list off what you were to expect, but all you did was shift further into her warmth., “…cupcakes, and mint chocolate ice cream.”

At the mention of your favorite creamy dessert you opened one eye, surveying her face, and once you found the honesty in her eyes you were sitting up., “Let’s go!,” you boomed., “There’s no time to waste!,” but as you got to your feet you stumbled into the redhead who was exiting the bathroom., “Detka, no need to actually fall for me, it’s just a silly phrase.”

Natasha allowed you to climb onto her back as you glared at her for teasing, she didn’t really mind, having you close brought her comfort. Wanda followed the both of you out, and with your back to her she managed to sneak the crate from their bathroom into the living room.

Everyone was waiting patiently for the three of you, they all looked to you with wide eyes, but they knew better than to comment on the marks littering your neck at Natasha’s glare. Instead, they allowed her to settle you into the huge chair designated for you, and after you all shared the delicious dinner over conversation it was time to open your many gifts.

Tony got you some very expensive spa retreat vouchers, and you smiled at your girlfriend’s when you counted three in total. Steve and Bucky got you a few old timey books, offering you excited smiles in the hopes that you’d love them, and you returned the gesture. Bruce gave you a pass to the lab, but reminded you that the privilege is revokable if you don’t follow the rules of safety to which you pouted in offense.

The Bartons sent you a new uniform, and a black, engraved bat for your cricket game. Clint had been the only person who understood the game, and the one you played against in the states when you felt compelled to play a bit. Thor sent you pop tarts, he recently discovered them after a grocery shopping trip with Jane, and has been actively trying to ensure all of his friends knew of the “delicacy of Midgard.”

Natasha settled a bag in your lap., “From Kate and Yelena.,” you smiled at the mention of the couple, and you tore into the bag eagerly, but as you pulled out a collar and sweater for a tiny animal your brows furrowed., “I don’t get it.”

“This might help you to understand.,” Wanda reached over you from behind, softly settling a pigmy calico kitten into your lap, and Natasha snapped a photo of your genuine reaction., “You guys.,” you whimpered, then pulled the tiny little thing into your chest as tears of joy fell from your cheeks and seeped into her fur.

“What’s his name?”

“You get to pick.,” you thought for less than a second., “Cricket.,” Natasha snorted., “Really?”

“Cricket is lovely honey.,” Wanda glared at the redhead, then returned to you with a smile., “Shall we go introduce him to Liho?,” you were on your feet in no time, thanking everyone for your gifts with rushed hugs before tearing off to the living space of the floor you all shared.

Wanda and Natasha collected your things, then they gathered your dessert before wishing the team a goodnight, and following in your dust.

When they reached the floor they saw you sat on the floor with Cricket in your lap, and they watched as Liho held her head high, as if she was too good for the little baby in your lap. Then the black cat seemed to get over herself as she trotted right on up to you, and nuzzled into your lap, falling asleep with the soft kitten, and the both of them purred as you gently pet them.

“Happy Birthday to you.,” you smiled over your shoulder when you saw the couple approaching with a lit cupcake, and a bowl of ice cream., “Happy Birthday dear Y/N.,” as the song came to an end you blew the candles out right away.

“What about your wish?,” Wanda asked in disbelief, but you shrugged., “Don’t need it. I’ve got all that I could ever want right here.,” you dipped your spoon into the bowl as the women stared at you in delighted shock, you didn’t even waver as you spoke, and it made their hearts melt to think they were it for you, because you were their found missing piece.

———

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maxwell-grant · 3 years

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The crossover fic + learning he's a favorite of yours has me curious: do you think it would be possible to tell a satisfactory Shadow vs. Mr. Mxyzptlk story? I think he'd fit surprisingly well in that milieu as a credible threat: he's something of an older, mistier, shadowy world, kin to fairies and elves and imps, pixies and sprites and genies, bound by old laws and dressed like a parody of 20s/30s class, beyond The Shadow's usual powers and yet...THAT. There a thematic in to this throwdown?

I had never actually thought of Mxy in that light, even though it's very much in line with what he is, because Mxy is one of those characters I don't tend to think about much. He's one of those ready-made perfect villains who pretty much guarantees a fun and creative time whenever he pops up uninvented. Like The Ventriloquist for Batman, he is so uniquely a product of how Superman works and what his stories allow for, that I can't say I ever thought of taking him for a spin outside of them. But there's definitely stuff to work with in putting him and The Shadow together.

Come to think of it, if there's a Superman villain I think Walter Gibson would have liked to play around with, it would be Mxyzptlk. Mxy stories are fundamentally about Superman being thrust into a position where his only way out is to solve puzzles and turn the tables using nothing but his wits, and Gibson spent the majority of his career before and after The Shadow as a writer of books on magic and puzzles, both of which show up a lot in The Shadow stories. You see it even in several covers which contained clues for the stories within.

To an extent, you could argue that The Shadow might figure out quicker a way to trick Mxy, because The Shadow's already has to utilize a constant amount of trickery and deceit and puzzle-solving in his daily adventures, it comprises almost the majority of what his stories are about under Gibson. The usual Mxyzptlk narrative is one that's well within The Shadow's domain.

But on the other hand, it's definitely some extremely unusual territory for The Shadow, villain-wise. A villain who eclipses his powers and scope to such an extent is completely unheard of. The one time I can think of where he fought a villain this weird and who he was completely powerless against was when he met Suven The Clown King of Venus (who's definitely a character that could show up in this meeting), and even then Suven was just a weird alien who looked gigantic next to the shrunken Shadow. Even on the few occasions where The Shadow encountered other aliens or eldritch monsters, he was able to find a way to stop the threat for the moment or even kill it, which is definitely not happening here, because Mxy is a whole other level.

Superman has the strength and endurance and superpowers to roll with whatever mayhem Mxy throws his way. If Mxy decides that The Shadow’s looking too pale so he's gonna give him a tan by throwing him in the sun, what the hell is he gonna do to stop him? I imagine that Mxy would likely take a different approach to messing with The Shadow, since he can't tank nukes like Supes and he's not really a good sport about the game.

Fine, whatever, Mxy's a creative sort, he's got a couple of ideas for messing around with Mr Grim-n-Serious over there, show him what an Eldritch Monster looks like past the squid monsters and dragons he may have met.

The idea I'm getting here is, on one hand, Mxy attacking The Shadow with the usual goofiness he brings with him. And on the other, him realizing that messing with The Shadow's dignity isn't as fun as he thought he'd be, so he instead goes full SCP Foundation/Awful Hospital/Ice Cream Man on The Shadow until he's stopped, trapping him in amusing and horrifying eldritch nightmares and situations that he has absolutely no way to escape until he solves the puzzle.

I mean, he's not fighting Superman here, he can kill this guy with a blink, even just stopping his heart with a thought. No fun in that. He's gotta beat the "Master of Darkness" at his own game. He's got a point to prove.

I imagine that much of the story would play out of The Shadow having to piece together what exactly has gone topsy-turvy in his reality, whether it's Commissioner Weston eating spiders for breakfest or the entirety of Manhattan sans him going blind and all lights going out across the country. And when Mxy comes out with that shrill SURPROISE!!!, assuming The Shadow already knows what he needs to do, then he falls for whatever gambit The Shadow's had to cook up to trick him.

At the end, Mxy is an arrogant bully who lords power over those that can't fight back, and The Shadow's a master of beating those by turning their arrogance against them. It's Duck Amuck, except Bugs is a mind-breaking sadist and Daffy has to fight back.

I imagine something akin to a particularly funny scene from a story called Face of Doom, where a gangster traps The Shadow in a room surrounded by armed henchman so he can enlist him into taking down the city's leading criminal, The Face. The Shadow unmasks himself as Cranston to gain his trust, and the two proceed to talk plans. I'll post the sequence below

Calmly, The Shadow was removing his slouch hat. His arms spread, the black cloak began to drop from his shoulders. Clipper's nervousness changed to elation. If ever a criminal fooled himself, Clipper did so at that moment.

Though The Shadow voiced no agreement to Clipper's offer, the crook was confident that it was sealed. The Shadow was taking a step that no other criminal had ever witnessed.

When Clipper's squinty eyes saw the hawkish features of Lamont Cranston, the crook displayed another of his downward grins. There wasn't any question about the prisoner really being The Shadow.

"A ritzy mug, ain't you?" voiced Clipper. "Well, that makes you the real McCoy. One thing we'd all figured, Shadow — we guessed you was a high-hat guy.

"'You don't get out of here until The Face is croaked! Say, though — maybe one of your ritzy friends could put up a good front with The Face."

"There are others, who might serve. I have agents, you know."

A shrewd gleam brought new ugliness to Clipper's eyes. He had heard of The Shadow's agents. It would be smart stuff—using them to get The Face, then disposing of them afterward. Clipper couldn't hide the eagerness that betrayed his new scheme.

"Good stuff," agreed Clipper. "But how am I going to reach those guys and get them to work with me? They only take orders from you, don't they?"

In reply, Clipper saw Cranston pick up the black cloak and hat. He handed the garments to the crook. For the moment, Clipper was puzzled; then he saw Cranston's hand extend the discarded gloves.

"I get it," chuckled Clipper. "You want me to rig up like I was you. Then the guys that work for you will listen to me. How do you handle them—with some password?"

"Usually," replied The Shadow. "Try on the cloak and hat first, Clipper. I must study the appearance that you make."

It seemed like a give-away of The Shadow's game. Any one could stage this Shadow stuff. All he had to do was masquerade in black, spring a shivery laugh, and shoot quick with his guns. If Cranston could pull it, Clipper could.

The Shadow spends a couple of paragraphs calmly walking Clipper through the steps necessary to pull off a convincing Shadow performance, almost like he's directing him. And then this happens:

The back of Clipper's neck was exposed. Though The Shadow's voice was still the leisurely tone of Cranston, his left hand had lost its laziness. Behind Clipper's back, that fist whipped an automatic from a shoulder holster. Clipper didn't scent the move until the muzzle of the .45 iced his neck.

"It won't work, Shadow," rasped Clipper. "You know it as well as I do! One pop from that gat of yours, the mob will pile in and croak you! There's a wicket in that door; they'll use it!"

The Shadow had shifted low behind Clipper's back. The crook could no longer observe the reflection of Cranston's face. He could still feel the pressure of the gun muzzle on his flesh. "Climb off my neck, Shadow," warned Clipper. "It ain't getting you nowhere!"

It was getting The Shadow further than Clipper guessed. The gun muzzle was actually gone from Clipper's neck. His impression that it rested there was merely an after effect, from former pressure.

Crouched low, The Shadow had now reached the door. Before Clipper guessed what was up, The Shadow twisted the door knob. Wrenching the door inward, he pulled himself behind it.

At the same moment, The Shadow snapped a quick command, in a rasp that resembled Clipper's own harsh tone:

"The Shadow's yours, gang! Croak him!"

It ends for Clipper about as well as you'd expect.

One of the things I like most about Mxy is that you can't take shortcuts with him. It's not like how it is with Riddler stories, where you can half-ass the riddles because you know Batman's gonna win once he touches Riddler and the story's gonna end in a punch-up, Mxyzptlk is completely invincible unless you solve the puzzle he presents, and you'd think of course that, surely, he can't fall for it this time.

He's a wise guy, see, he's seen all of Superman's tricks by now, and what's that dumb old Shadow gonna do that he can't see a mile away? This is almost too easy.

It's so easy, in fact, that The Shadow even agrees, he's lost it completely, and the way he could possibly beat Mxyzptlk is by calling one of his agents to save him, and he's prepared a list of some of his smartest, cleverest agents for this moment. But, no, he wouldn't dare put them in such danger against this invincible, immortal genius, someone has to take this list from him and run, but ZOINKS, Mxy's taken the list. So he's gonna start seeing who is it that the Shadda thinks is smart enough to take him.

Clyde BurKe? Like some dimestore journalist's gonna have a shot, just cause he solves crossword puzzles. Lamont Cranston, yeah, more like, LAMEONT CRANSTON. Harry VincenT, who, the dumb kid who tried jumping off a bridge once? Come on, you gotta give me a hand here, Shadda! Let's see, Pietro, what, some cook? Ya kidding? Moe ShrevnitZ...actually, Shrevy's allright, scratch that one. ShrevY, hey, come on, that's cheating, ya just put Shrevnitz's name again, ya dum-dum. Mr Xanadu, hmm, catchy name but probably not a real guy. And Margo Lane. Yeah, smart dame that one, she could probably figger something out. And ya keep writing everyone's name's weird - WAIT

I KNOW WHAT YER TRYING TO DO HERE.

I KNOW YOU GOT SOME CLEVER SCHEME HERE, I'D SEEN THIS BEFORE, IT'S AN OLD TRICK.

YOU EMPHASIZED THE LETTERS SO THE REAL SMARTEST GUY YOU KNOW WOULD BE HIDDEN WITHIN THEM, SO THAT SOMEONE ELSE COULD FIND HIM.

HAH, THAT'S RICH. THAT'S KID'S PLAY. WHAT, YOU THINK I CAN'T FIND THIS

KLTPZYXM

BY MYSELF?

aw crickets...

#replies tag #superman #the shadow #mr mxyzptlk #dc comics #comic books #pulp heroes #bogleech

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