Increased Powerstones Requirements for Bonus Chapter 100 Ps —> 200 Ps
I can't keep up with you guys so a little adjustment! Sorry~
"Welcome aboard, Dr. Pym."
Nolan's voice was calm and confident. There was no grand ceremony, just a nod because he didn't need Hank's company or his fame.
"I'm in," Hank said, "but Pym Technologies stays with my daughter. She'll be running it, not me."
"Perfect. I want the man, not the brand."
To Nolan, intellectual capital was king. Hank's quantum research alone was enough to unlock doors, especially doors into time. Because in the realm of physics, quantum theory was the only legitimate way to touch time itself.
After all, it was the Quantum Realm that spared Ant-Man from Thanos' purge. And it was through quantum tunneling that the Avengers bent time in Endgame.
Sure, it didn't alter the past but it led to alternate presents. And for Nolan, that was good enough.
He had a very specific moment in mind. The rise of mutants... and Sebastian Shaw.
With a flick of his finger, the bindings on Hank and Hope disintegrated. Scott Lang, however, remained tied to his chair, eyebrows raised in betrayal.
"Uh... hello? Still here!" Scott called out hopefully.
Nolan didn't even look at him. "Captain can pay your bail."
Scott paled. "No, no. No need for that. I'm sure he's busy."
He remembered too well how Nick Fury had to pull strings to spring him last time. And with no suit now, he wasn't even Ant-Man just some guy with bad luck and worse timing.
He looked to Hope for support. She looked away.
"You should've thought about consequences before you lied," Nolan said coolly, resting his hands in his lab coat pockets. "You dragged two brilliant minds into your mess. Twice."
Hank crossed his arms, eyes narrowing.
"Dr. Nolan," he said, hesitating, "would you consider letting him go? I promise he won't be touching the Pym Particles again. Ever. Let him go back to being... ordinary."
Nolan raised an eyebrow. "That's unlike you. You sure you don't want him dead?"
Hank sighed. "I'm not doing it for him. I'm doing it to close the book. He once helped me... so this will be the last time I return the favor."
He turned to Scott. His voice was cold.
"I once thought of passing the Ant-Man mantle to you. But after everything you've done... you lack what it takes to be a hero."
Scott's smile froze. His eyes dimmed.
It hit harder than any punch.
He staggered out, shoulders slumped, face hollow like the world had finally reminded him who he really was.
Nolan watched him leave, then turned back to Hank. "You were testing him."
Hank didn't deny it. "I've tried dozens of times to reach Janet using my shrinking tech. But Scott is the only person who's ever returned from the Quantum Realm."
He paused. "One day, he might still be useful. If he ever grows up."
Nolan shrugged. "As long as he stays out of my way, I don't care."
In truth, he figured Nick Fury had dangled the Space Stone fragment last time to lure him into Civil War. But he wasn't sure Fury would offer such a generous bargain again. And Steve Rogers? He was just another soldier in someone else's war.
At the Osborn Industries front desk, three figures arrived early in the morning.
One of them, confident, cocky, stepped forward. "Hi. I'm Johnny. I've got an appointment with Dr. Nolan. Can you confirm?"
The receptionist offered a warm smile... until she got a good look at his face.
It vanished instantly.
She stiffened, her voice colder now. "One moment, please."
Johnny blinked. "Did I forget to wash my face this morning or something? Am I hideous?"
Susan Storm chuckled. "No... but people are definitely staring. You'd think we were wearing our suits or something."
She wasn't wrong. The atmosphere in the lobby was frosty.
Maybe it was paranoia toward supers.
Maybe it was just him.
The receptionist made a call. "Boss, Captain America's here to see Dr. Nolan."
Johnny nearly choked. "What?! I'm not Cap! Tell him it's the Human Torch. From the Fantastic Four!"
There was a pause on the line. Then:
"...Sorry, Boss. My mistake. It's not Rogers. It's the Fantastic Four."
She checked her screen, eyes flicking between the real Johnny Storm and the old archived photos online.
"...Though I have to admit, you do look like him."
Johnny groaned. "Seriously? This again?"
Behind him, Reed and Susan exchanged glances. The Fantastic Four hadn't exactly been in the spotlight lately but they were about to step into a world that was much bigger than Baxter Tower.
And somewhere inside this skyscraper...
Nolan was already waiting.
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