Kapitel 41: 381-385
At this moment, watching Dormammu flee in panic, Mordo really wanted to shout to the entire dark dimension, "Who else is there!?"
Even Wong was looking at Dormammu's hasty escape with a somewhat incredulous expression, "Is this it?"
They even wanted to stay and watch, to see the sorry state of Dormammu and the astonishing destruction and power that would erupt from the Two-Way Foil later.
Successfully casting the Two-Way Foil had almost depleted all of Mark's mental energy. At this point, both his body and mind were extremely tired. Even though his body had undergone multiple enhancements, he still felt a bit overwhelmed. The magic array of the Two-Way Foil was just too complex and intricate.
But fortunately, Mark remained very calm and was not swept away by victory.
He could see the relaxation in the hearts of Wong and Mordo. He quickly said to them sternly, "Once the Two-Way Foil starts to take effect, don't worry about anything else. Quickly open the portal and leave the dark dimension.
This is our only chance to survive. If we're a step too slow, we'll personally experience the most terrifying magic ever wielded by humans throughout history."
Mark wasn't just fearmongering; he knew very well the power that the Two-Way Foil could unleash. That's why Dormammu had turned and fled without hesitation upon sensing the danger it posed.
Although the Two-Way Foil hadn't yet been fully tested, judging from Dormammu's reaction, Mark had no doubt that his ace in the hole had indeed been successful.
The moment the Two-Way Foil began to take effect, Dormammu's control over the dark dimension would greatly diminish. It would be the opportune moment for Mark and his companions to open the portal back to Earth.
If they didn't seize this opportunity, the immense gravitational force from the collapse of three-dimensional space to two-dimensional space would render them unable to escape. They will helplessly watch as they would be torn apart by the enormous gravitational force before their bodies would flattened into two-dimensional forms.
With Mark's warning in mind, both Mordo and Wong nodded solemnly. Remembering Mark's description of the Two-Way Foil's power, cold sweat instantly soaked their backs.
They had almost paid with their lives due to their own carelessness and underestimation, turning what should have been an easily attainable success into a near-failure.
Tightening the string in their hearts once again, Mordo directly assumed the posture to open the portal. As long as Mark gave the order, he would immediately complete the spell, bringing the three of them back to the New York Sanctuary.
Now, with both Wong and Mark having exhausted themselves through spellcasting, he was the only one capable of completing this task. At this critical moment before success, Mordo finally experienced what real pressure felt like.
If Kilimanjaro was the weight pressing on him before, now it had turned into Mount Everest. Mordo felt that there would be nothing in this world that could suffocate him both mentally and physically more than what he was experiencing now.
"Mordo, it's now!"
Mordo had been waiting for Mark's command. The moment Mark spoke, Mordo, who had been entirely focused, reacted involuntarily and opened the portal.
While Mordo was casting the spell, Dormammu, who had fled countless light-years, was struck by Mark's Two-Way Foil.
Although it didn't directly hit his body, it struck the magic conduits extending from him, connecting like planets in a chain of magical energy.
But even so, it was enough. Dormammu finally felt firsthand the source of his inexplicable sense of crisis.
The moment the Two-Way Foil came into contact with Dormammu's magical conduits, the force field binding the two-dimensional space ruptured instantly. The magical conduits that extended for an unknown distance lost all their three-dimensional features in the blink of an eye, becoming a thin sheet.
Moreover, this process of two-dimensionalization continued to expand its range of influence, accelerating its reaction speed, and voraciously devouring Dormammu's body.
Now, Dormammu was thoroughly terrified. He hadn't expected this to be a continuous assault, rather than a one-time strike.
At this rate, if it continued, the authority over the dark dimension he mastered by spending countless ages would soon be utterly obliterated.
With this realization, Dormammu made a decisive move and directly severed the portion of his magical conduits that was about to undergo two-dimensionalization.
Not only that, but when it came to the entire space that had begun to two-dimensionalize, Dormammu was extremely decisive. He completely separated this section of space from the rest of the dark dimension.
It's important to note that as the ruler of the dark dimension, all of Dormammu's power stemmed from it.
If he had merely severed those magical conduits that had accumulated power over hundreds or even thousands of years, though it would damage his strength, for Dormammu who had infinite time, it would be something he could eventually recover from.
However, if he were to separate a portion of the dark dimension's space, it would be tantamount to losing a part of his power at its source, something that could never be restored.
Therefore, for Dormammu, making this decision was akin to bleeding profusely. Suppressing his inner anguish, he separated this portion of space and sent it into a black hole. Afterward, Dormammu's hatred for Mark reached its zenith.
However, despite his immense hatred, Dormammu had decided that he wouldn't have any intentions towards Earth again, whether it was before Mark's death or his departure from Earth.
After all, for someone like Dormammu, who could forsake everything for eternal life, there was nothing more important than his own life.
"Hmph! Just a mere human. Watch how I outlast you! No matter how heroic you were in life, in death, you're just a pile of dirt."
At a time like this, Dormammu was well aware that revenge was hopeless, he cleverly employed a psychological victory tactic. He then immediately turned around to continue fleeing, fearing that Mark might hit him with another Two-Way Foil.
...
On the other side, while Dormammu mourned the separation of a portion of the dark space, Mark and his group successfully opened the portal back to the New York Sanctuary.
Before the portal closed completely, the three of them saw the first ray of light to shine between heaven and earth since the dark dimension.
Mark knew that it was the pure energy released from the loss of many physical features that couldn't directly transition to the two-dimensional universe, after three-dimensional objects were forced to melt into two-dimensional ones.
"It seems Dormammu really suffered a huge loss!" Mark said with a satisfied smile.
As for what happened afterward, what the outcome was, and whether Dormammu managed to escape the Two-Way Foil's attack, Mark and his group didn't know.
The relevant information only reached Earth through the reconstructed magical defense network much later, coming from other dimensions via Baymax.
It was only by that time that Mark learned that Dormammu, in order to preserve himself and the entire dark dimension, had separated the already partially two-dimensionalized space and sent it into a black hole.
Because at the center of a black hole lies a singularity, an infinitely small point where mass becomes infinitely large, causing space to be extremely warped. Here, time and space cease to exist, and only zero-dimensional entities exist.
So even the Two-Way Foil, after entering a black hole, would cease to be effective. It would be consumed by the black hole, assimilating into a zero-dimensional existence.
From Dormammu's decision, it was evident not only that he was decisive in his actions, but he also possessed profound knowledge of space. The first time he encountered the Two-Way Foil, he found a way to counter it.
However, these were matters for later. The moment Mark and his group returned to the New York Sanctuary, Doctor Strange approached them with an excited and expectant expression, asking, "Did you succeed?"
However, for some reason, after seeing Doctor Strange's expression, the three of them inexplicably shared a moment of understanding. They simultaneously put on a look of disappointment and lowered their heads in front of Doctor Strange.
— They had spontaneously decided to play a prank on Doctor Strange.
Sure enough, upon witnessing their reaction, Doctor Strange also appeared disappointed and dejected.
However, he quickly rallied and lifted his head to console Mark and the others, saying, "It's okay. I'll go restore the core of the magical network immediately. As long as the defense network is restored, we won't consider it a failure!"
Snicker —!
Doctor Strange so easily believed them. The combined delight of their successful prank and the resolution of the crisis finally overwhelmed the three of them, and they couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at? ... Wait, you're fooling me! Did the plan succeed? Did you really drive Dormammu away?"
"Strange, you're too easy to trick. Go take a look by the window. Is there even a trace of darkness lingering in the sky? Of course, we succeeded!"
Wang was the first to step forward, excitedly delivering the news to Doctor Strange. Even though Doctor Strange had once commented that Wang's smile was unattractive, he couldn't hold back now! Let it be unattractive, after all, it's not his own eyes that feel uncomfortable.
Upon hearing this news, Doctor Strange couldn't even bother with holding a grudge over being pranked by Mark and his team earlier. He embraced Wang in front of him and began to cheer loudly with joy.
Mark and Mordo on the side were infected by this atmosphere as well. They joined in the group hug, the four of them huddled together, collectively savoring this moment of happiness.
...
"Your Majesty Odin, Sorcerers Kamar-Taj of Midgard successfully repelled the invading ruler of the dark dimension, Dormammu. Among the three sorcerers, one of them was indeed Mark. I witnessed him using a magic I had never seen before. This magic continuously two-dimensionalized Dormammu's body at the speed of light, which led to Dormammu's defeat."
In the distant realm of Asgard, Heimdall, the guardian of the Bifrost and the watcher of the Nine Realms, was half-kneeling within the great hall, reporting the outcome of the confrontation between Earth and the dark dimension to the throne where Odin sat.
At the same time, his admiration for Odin's accurate foresight grew even stronger. This was because, upon discovering and immediately reporting this information, Odin hadn't commanded troops to be sent to support Midgard or to repel Dormammu, who had invaded the Nine Realms.
In Heimdall's view, this proved that Odin had long anticipated that, with Mark's abilities, he was capable of upholding Earth's peace with his own power, without requiring Asgard's intervention.
However, if he could lift his head at this moment and see the expression on Odin's face in front of him, he would surely find his own speculation laughable. This was because Odin's face was currently displaying a vivid expression of shock.
What Heimdall didn't know was that at this very moment, seated on the throne before him wasn't the revered and admired Odin he respected and vowed loyalty to. The true identity before him was actually Loki, who had mysteriously vanished during the Dark Elf incident.
Using some unknown means, Loki had assumed Odin's identity and had effectively wielded the authority over Asgard he had long desired.
The reason he managed to take Odin's place so effortlessly without anyone noticing was twofold: First, the true Odin and Queen Frigga had both inexplicably disappeared from Asgard for reasons unknown; and second, his dim-witted older brother, Thor, had no ability to discern the illusion he employed.
Under these favorable circumstances, Loki achieved his long-cherished ideal and became the ruler of Asgard.
It was precisely because of this that when he learned of Earth facing the threat of Dormammu, he, who had clashed with the Avengers in the past, didn't send reinforcements.
In fact, not only did he turn a blind eye to the danger Earth was facing, but he also ignored the distress signals sent by one of the Nine Realms, Nidavellir. Dwarf king Eitri, after failing to receive the promised protection from Asgard, had to watch his people and subjects being used by invaders who posed a threat to him, and he was forced to accept the condition of crafting weapons for the enemies.
And the invader who had attacked Nidavellir and forced Loki to refrain from offering assistance was his "former boss" — Thanos!
So, upon learning that Dormammu, the planet destroyer whose name was on par with Thanos, and who was even more formidable in strength than Thanos himself, had been defeated by the mortal beings on Earth, Loki felt so astounded.
Thinking about it, he seemed to recall that year when he was repeatedly tossed around and beaten on the ground by a certain green, brainless creature. Cold sweat formed on his forehead uncontrollably. "It seems I shouldn't visit Earth again in the future, just to save face for Thor."
As Loki contemplated guiltily in his heart, whether others believed it or not, he certainly did. He didn't possess Dormammu's robust vitality. If he encountered a weapon capable of two-dimensionalizing everything, he would truly be doomed.
Soon, not just Asgard, but the entire Nine Realms, even other multiverses and special dimensions, captured this astonishing news.
Dormammu, as a dominant entity in the multiverse, had plenty of attention on his actions. Combined with the significant disturbance caused by Mark this time, the news spread widely. Under these circumstances, Mark's initial intention of creating intimidation was more than accomplished.
...
Having successfully repelled Dormammu, Mark and Doctor Strange began the task of repairing the three major temples on Earth. Even though the reputation of the Two-Way Foil was impressive, it was more of a last-resort tactic. Regular protective measures had to be maintained and ready at all times.
The architectural restoration of the temples caused minimal damage and was almost negligible in terms of time. Mark and Doctor Strange's main focus was on the reconstruction of the core.
In non-emergency situations, reversing time wouldn't be the first choice. Fortunately, with Mark's advanced artifact crafting technology, and their innate talents and magical accomplishments, they were confident in recreating the core of the magical network that had been created in ancient times.
As for Wong and Mordo, after the crisis ended, they returned to Kamar-Taj for the funeral of the Ancient One.
With the reconstruction of the Earth's magical defense network completed, the entirety of Kamar-Taj's magical practitioners watched as the Ancient One was laid to rest in peace on Mount Everest. The crisis that had endangered the safety of the entire Earth concluded silently, without the awareness of the ordinary humans on the planet.
Wong resumed his familiar role as the librarian, and Mordo did not leave as per the original plot. He continued to devote himself tirelessly to training the new recruits of Kamar-Taj.
As for Doctor Strange, he still had much to learn before becoming a true Sorcerer Supreme. The most important aspect was understanding the true purpose of Kamar-Taj and the Sorcerer Supreme. Only then could he shoulder his responsibilities better.
In the library's forbidden chamber, Doctor Strange had come today to return the Eye of Agamotto to its original place. As he took on greater responsibilities, he increasingly understood the lessons given by Wong and Mordo.
Any achievement gained at the cost of disrupting the natural laws would ultimately demand a corresponding price. Unless under urgent circumstances, the power to manipulate time using the Eye of Agamotto should be avoided if possible.
"A wise choice. Once you truly master its energy, you can wear it. However, before that, it's best not to flaunt the Infinity Stone on the streets."
Seeing Doctor Strange placing the Eye of Agamotto back on the central shelf in the forbidden chamber, Mark, who had appeared out of nowhere.
"What stone?"
Doctor Strange, with his current psychological composure, wouldn't be astonished by Mark's sudden appearance anymore. What intrigued him more was the mention of an Infinity Stone by Mark.
"While the Ancient One may have passed away, news of us using the Two-Dimensional Foil to repel Dormammu will soon spread throughout the multiverse. I believe that for a long time to come, Earth should experience a period of peace. Though you have great potential to become a mystic, you still need to dedicate yourself to learning.
What you need to do next is to continually enhance yourself, making yourself worthy of the title of Sorcerer Supreme. What you currently lack most, aside from combat experience and proficiency in spellcasting, are the unknown secrets of our universe.
Today, let me impart the final lesson you need to learn, and from now on, everything will rely on your own efforts."
In the last lesson, what Mark had to teach Doctor Strange wasn't complicated. Besides information about the Infinity Stones and some other hidden treasures in the universe, there was also information about the nine great realms within the Nine Realms and some of the deities in this universe. Most importantly, Mark left Doctor Strange a list.
This list documented all the information from Mark's memory about humans and other beings that could pose a threat to Earth and modern human civilization. Beings like the god of mischief Loki and the Green Goblin Norman Osborn, who had caused a significant crisis on Earth in the past, as well as the recently repealed Dormammu, were all listed.
Among them, at the top of the list, marked with the highest level of danger, was not someone else but the cosmic emperor who could potentially wipe out half of Earth and the entire universe's population in the future – Thanos.
The reason it's a possibility is that Mark isn't sure if the predetermined fate has shifted after he flapped his wings like a desperate butterfly, and if it has, to what extent.
Since his involvement in the events of the Battle of New York, Mark had been observing and analyzing how his appearance had affected the global situation and the destinies of others.
So far, his conclusions boiled down to "small trajectories can change, big ones are irreversible," meaning that the predetermined path of an individual's destiny might alter due to his efforts.
Just like Quicksilver, who was supposed to die in battle but had now joined the Avengers; the Sorcerer Mordo, who was expected to leave after Dormammu's retreat but hadn't shown any such inclination so far; or characters like the Green Goblin and Lizard, who shouldn't have appeared in this universe but did, causing significant trouble for everyone involved.
However, in comparison to the unstoppable tide of the world propelled forward by time-shapers, even if personal destinies undergo earth-shattering changes, it is still carried forward, unable to alter or hinder this trend.
For instance, Ultron being replaced by Max and the location of events moving from Sokovia to Seoul didn't prevent the conflict between humanity and artificial intelligence from occurring as scheduled.
From various indications, it's apparent that Mark's impact on this parallel universe isn't enough to change its pre-existing course of destiny.
But what isn't certain is whether after these minor variations in individual destinies accumulate, they could lead to a qualitative shift, creating an entirely new future trajectory; that remains unknown.
In any case, all Mark can do is stay prepared for crises at all times, ensuring he's not helpless when facing danger. This is why he's been heavily invested in various research projects and willing to help the Ancient One train Doctor Strange as her successor. All these preparations are for the potential crises of the future.
...
Having completed the final task in Kamar-Taj, after bidding farewell to Doctor Strange and the other two, Mark opened the portal and returned to the New York Sanctum.
In these almost three months, he gained quite a lot. First, he completed the task entrusted to him by the Ancient One, which could be considered as adding a powerful ally for the future Infinity War against Thanos.
Secondly, Mark's biggest achievement this time was completing the Two-Way Foil, from theoretical validation to practical testing, the whole process. And eventually achieving the desired effect, which gave Mark more confidence when facing future crises.
However, what Mark didn't know was that his positive mood would soon come to a complete end because of someone.
Leaving the New York Sanctum , Mark didn't use magic. Instead, he chose a brand-new Ferrari from the garage and drove it to the Avengers facility in the northern outskirts of New York.
"Hey, Jarvis, good morning!"
"Good morning, Master Mark. It's been a while. Welcome back!"
"Have others returned to the base?"
"Sir has already brought back the intended invitee to the base. Currently, Mr. Peter Parker is undergoing training within the base. And Mr. Pietro Maximoff has recently transmitted a message. He has just made contact with the target individual, Scott Lang. Progress seems somewhat challenging as Mr. Lang has the ability to disappear from his presence."
"It's not disappearing, Jarvis. He's merely utilizing the Pym particles' ability to shrink himself. Pete's perception isn't sensitive enough to detect him, creating the illusion of a grown man vanishing into thin air. By the way, since my old man is back, where is he now? I need to discuss something with him."
What Mark wanted to discuss with Tony wasn't something else but the technical issues regarding the Two-Way Foil. Mark hoped to create a special force field that would confine the foil's dimensional abilities within a regular technological environment.
This way, even after detaching from his own magical supply, the Two-Way Foil would remain in a relatively stable state, making it more feasible to mount onto weapons that have precise aiming and launching.
If Mark couldn't appear instantly due to unforeseen circumstances, Earth would still possess means to deter malicious enemies.
However, Jarvis didn't provide Mark with the answer he hoped for: "Sir hurriedly attended a commercial charity fundraising event a few days ago. He's not in New York right now."
"A commercial charity event? I remember he despises these ostentatious charity performances. Why is he so enthusiastic this time?" Mark asked in confusion.
"I think it's because Miss Potts is also attending the event. Sir seems to be hoping to mend his relationship with her through this encounter. Besides, Mr. Parker is just too noisy. Even I, as an artificial intelligence, find it a bit overwhelming. I believe Sir might want to escape for a while to have some peace and quiet."
"Uh..." Mark was momentarily speechless upon hearing Jarvis's speculation. He could fully imagine the scene where Tony, notorious for his sharp tongue, was driven to madness by the chatterbox known as Spider-Man.
He wasn't sure if there was an issue with the superhero costume design, because Peter Parker in his daily life was a quiet and reserved young man. He was so shy that he wouldn't even say hello to a girl he liked.
However, when he put on the Spider-Man suit and donned the mask, he seemed like an entirely different person! He wouldn't just crack jokes non-stop; he'd also be incessantly talkative.
It's worth noting that in the Marvel Universe, another superhero known for his excessive talking and comparable to Spider-Man is Deadpool, who also happens to wear a red skintight suit. Seems like this attire is truly contagious!
However, Mark's amusement didn't last long as he soon regretted why he chose this moment to return to the base. Because he had already spotted Spider-Man, Peter Parker, excitedly somersaulting and heading his way.
"Wow, Mr. Mark Stark, is that really you? Is it really you? I never thought I'd get to see you here today. You know who I am, right?
I'm Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man. I heard from Mr. Stark, your father, that you recommended and invited me to join the Avengers.
It's such an honor, and I'm so thrilled because I never imagined I'd get to work with you guys, you know?
But the truth about this isn't known to May. May is my aunt, and she's also my guardian now. I didn't want her to worry, so I told her I'm studying at Stark Industries. She was over the moon with joy about it.
If I go home today and tell her I met you, she'll definitely be overjoyed. Both of us really admire you!
You and your father have been my idols since I was little, even though I couldn't afford any of the products you launched.
But I have dreamt of becoming someone like you guys since forever, using my own intellect to change the whole world. That's simply the coolest thing in the world.
Oh, and did you notice this suit I'm wearing? Mr. Stark himself had it tailored for me. Though, I think he might have taken some inspiration from me for the web shooter's design."
"I had made a suit for myself before, but Mr. Stark called it pajamas. Well, compared to the current one, it was indeed a bit crude. But the first web shooter I made independently, I think it's pretty good. Maybe one day I can show it to you..."
"Wait!" Mark saw that the young Spider-Man in front of him had been sharing his thoughts non-stop and showed no sign of stopping. Finally unable to bear it, Mark quickly reached out and covered Spider-Man's mouth.
"Mr. Peter Parker, first of all, I warmly welcome you to join our Avengers team as a member. As a congratulation, since you mentioned you haven't bought any of my inventions before, I'll compile a grand gift package for you, containing all the products from Mark Research Center, from the beginning until now, as a present. I hope you can become an official member of the Avengers after passing the final assessment.
"One more thing! If you want to become someone like me and Tony, the first thing you should learn is to keep silent. This is very important, especially for you."
"Well, I'm very pleased to meet you today. I suddenly remembered there are some matters in the company that require my attention, so I won't stay to chat. Until next time."
After saying this, Mark immediately released his hand covering Spider-Man's mouth and ran away at the fastest speed he had ever reached in his life. He left the Avengers facility without even saying goodbye to Jarvis.
Behind him, Spider-Man, Peter Parker, waved excitedly as if he hadn't understood a word Mark had said. He shouted, "I got it, Mr. Mark. I will remember the guidance you gave me today and learn from you. I won't let down your expectations!"
Seeing Mark's figure disappear, Spider-Man switched his attention to the artificial intelligence Jarvis. "Today was seriously the coolest experience I've ever had! You know, Jarvis, I once saw Mr. Stark wearing the Iron Man suit at a Stark Expo. That was super cool! But that's incomparable to today. Mr. Mark actually had such an intimate conversation with me. He must have high hopes for me, even recommending me for the Avengers. I'm so thrilled, so moved!"
"I believe if Master Mark knew the kind of verbal assault and noise torture he'll have to endure in the future, he definitely wouldn't have made this mistake..."
Facing the chatter from Spider-Man, Jarvis muttered silently. Unfortunately, the overly excited Spider-Man didn't hear a word of it.
If Jarvis had a physical expression now, it would probably be one of complete resignation. Due to its programming, it had to constantly receive Spider-Man's massive amount of babbling, even causing this resilient super artificial intelligence to verge on a breakdown.
...
"Terrifying! It's truly terrifying. Even when facing Dormammu, I never felt this awful. Spider-Man's mouth is truly the source of all evil.
No wonder Dad would rather attend a charity show than stay to guide Spider-Man. Thank goodness Strange isn't like this. Though he occasionally cracks some embarrassingly bad jokes, it's still better than dealing with this chatterbox kid."
Sitting in the car, Mark wiped the nonexistent sweat from his forehead, still feeling a lingering fear from that sudden experience.
Although Spider-Man's appearance disrupted Mark's wonderful mood on his first day back in New York, it also served as a wake-up call.
He had designed a suit for Spider-Man before as well. Unlike Tony's gift, which aimed to nurture and protect Spider-Man's growth into a competent superhero, Mark's suit was designed purely for practicality and combat purposes. It even incorporated Pym particles, allowing Spider-Man to truly become a tiny crawler, capable of executing various tasks in different scenarios and terrains.
"Never mind, I'll let Dad handle the suit and pass it on. I don't want to subject my ears to torture again."
Mark shook his head vigorously; he'd put the matter of the suit aside for now. Currently, he was considering that Quicksilver might really need some assistance from him...
Unlike the original story, the fates of Ant-Man Scott Lang and Dr. Hank Pym and his daughter have undergone minor changes.
The sudden appearance of the Green Goblin led to Captain America and Tony Stark's conflict not escalating into a prolonged clash. In order to address the lizard crisis across the European continent, the two temporarily set aside their differences and worked together to solve the problem.
For this reason, Captain America didn't have the time or reason to invite Ant-Man to join his team for assistance. Therefore, Scott Lang, Hank Pym, and his daughter weren't targeted by the United Nations' Task Force and weren't subjected to house arrest or pursuit for violating the Seoul Accords.
However, since the Seoul Accords came into effect and were officially enacted, the actions of Ant-Man and Wasp started to become more discreet. Additionally, their ability to enter the microverse and evade the scrutiny of regular people meant that they had avoided investigation by the United Nations Task Force.
However, perhaps due to their excessive caution, Quicksilver spent a considerable amount of time and effort locating them. After a lot of effort, he finally found their whereabouts, but was mistaken by them for a member of the Task Force. They managed to evade him, leaving Quicksilver with no way to reason with them.
According to Mark's speculation, Quicksilver's recent frequent discoveries of Scott's whereabouts are likely related to a plan Dr. Pym is currently preparing.
Many years ago, when Dr. Pym and his wife Janet Van Dyne both worked at S.H.I.E.L.D., they participated in a mission to stop a missile crisis together.
However, due to the narrow gaps in the missile's metal casing, even when they shrunk to ant size, they couldn't enter its interior to disable the detonation circuit.
Furthermore, Dr. Pym's Ant-Man suit was damaged during the mission, losing the ability to continue shrinking. In the end, to save more lives, Janet Van Dyne sacrificed herself by entering the quantum realm and successfully preventing the missile crisis. However, she was lost in the quantum realm, and the outside world believed she had heroically sacrificed herself.
In reality, though Janet Van Dyne was indeed lost in the quantum realm and unable to escape, she didn't die as a result. Instead, being in the quantum realm enabled her to absorb quantum healing energy, not only eliminating her need for sustenance but also causing some surprising physical evolution.
If Mark's guess was correct, Scott's initial entry into the quantum realm resulted in a quantum entanglement with Hank Pym's wife, Janet Van Dyne. Recent signs likely indicated the manifestation of this connection.
Coupled with Scott's previous successful return from the quantum realm to the real world, it gave Dr. Pym immense confidence, leading him to overturn the assumption that Janet Van Dyne was deceased and to create a quantum tunnel to rescue her.
During this time, when Ant-Man should have maintained a low profile, he began acting contrary to the norm, suggesting he is likely assisting Dr. Pym in gathering the key materials for constructing the quantum tunnel.
And this is precisely what Mark believed would be the key to successfully inviting Ant-Man to join the Avengers and helping Quicksilver. If we're talking about various rare experimental materials, who on Earth could surpass the resources of Stark Industries and the Mark Research Center in providing assistance?
However, Mark wouldn't act like Quicksilver, aimlessly wandering the streets and relying on luck to find his target. It was already the 21st century, and he was in the Marvel universe during a technological boom. If one couldn't employ some technological means to save themselves trouble, what was the difference between them and prehistoric humans?
Don't misunderstand, Quicksilver. Mark definitely doesn't mean you're a prehistoric human. What Mark meant was that everyone present is garbage—!
Ahem... off-topic. Based on his memories of watching movies in his previous life, Mark knew that Dr. Pym managed to maintain a low profile and evade the United Nations Task Force's detection because he had constructed a mobile laboratory using Pym Particles that could change in size, making it easy to relocate.
So, if Mark wanted to meet Scott, all he needed to do was locate Dr. Pym's mobile laboratory.
Although the mobile lab was indeed a tool for avoiding detection, it would inevitably leave traces, as nothing was an exception to this rule. Using the simplest method, Mark had Baymax analyze and compare satellite maps from different time periods, easily pinpointing the location of this intermittently visible building.
Stepping out of the car and approaching the entrance of the building, Mark's sensitive soul perception could clearly sense the residual traces of spatial folding.
Confirming he hadn't made a mistake, Mark pressed the doorbell on the front gate, giving a greeting to the owner of the building.
Ding dong! Ding dong! Ding dong!
Seeing no response, Mark pressed the doorbell three times in succession. While he could easily enter using either technical means or force, since he was here to invite Scott to join the Avengers, he still wanted to uphold proper etiquette to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and prevent turning a good situation into a bad one.
"Who are you looking for? This is a private building, not open to the public, and we don't entertain outsiders. No matter who you're looking for, it's evident you've come to the wrong place."
Finally, after a few consecutive rings, a voice with a mix of age and vigor came through the intercom on the doorbell, indicating that there was indeed someone inside.
"Apologies for the disturbance, but I believe I haven't come to the wrong place. You must be Dr. Hank Pym, and my guess is correct, isn't it?
Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Mark Stark. I assume you've heard of my name to some extent, given that my grandfather and you are old acquaintances."
"Today, I'm here in hopes of proposing a deal. I wonder if I have the honor to come in and have a face-to-face conversation?"
As Mark's words fell, on the other end, Dr. Pym either didn't hear clearly or was pondering Mark's intentions, falling into a prolonged silence.
Just as Mark stood at the door, thinking that he might not meet Dr. Pym today and was about to turn around and leave, a response came from the intercom: "Come in, I'm on the fifth floor."
Dr. Pym's response was succinct, and the door opened accordingly. Mark pushed the door open and entered, taking the elevator to the fifth floor.
As soon as the elevator door opened, Mark saw an ant that was even larger than a giant dog waiting just outside the door.
After Mark appeared, the massive ant used its antennae to touch him and gestured for Mark to follow it. Under its guidance, Mark finally met one of the intended targets of this visit: Dr. Hank Pym.
"Kid, speak up. What business do you have with me? I find it hard to believe you've come to this old geezer for business. I was kicked out of my own company and have nothing to do with the world's affairs. And with the financial power of you Stark father and son, I don't believe my small company could attract your attention!"
Dr. Pym's tone was extremely cold as he spoke to Mark, and his gaze and posture were filled with caution and suspicion. Just as he was straightforward in his opening statement, his arrival was met with distrust.
However, Mark didn't take it personally. He believed that a line from a movie he had seen in his previous life summed it up well: "Prejudices are a big mountain in people's hearts, and no matter how hard you try, you can't move it."
Right now, Dr. Pym was obstructed by the "big mountain" in his heart, limiting his open-mindedness and perspective. This was why a genius like Dr. Pym, who had discovered Pym Particles, had not made any great discoveries or inventions since, because his thinking and horizons had become self-imposed limitations.
"Dr. Pym, you're being too modest. Aside from your contributions to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the world, just based on the knowledge you possess, even if you were penniless, it would still be worth a personal visit from me. Those pieces of knowledge are priceless."
"You're eyeing the Pym Particles, aren't you!?" Upon hearing Mark's words, Dr. Pym immediately became excited, rising from his seat. His gaze towards Mark was no longer just cautious; it had turned hostile.
"Let me tell you, I'll take the secret of the Pym Particles to my grave. The Stark family should keep their hands off it too! You and your grandfather Howard Stark are just as greedy and ambitious, forever unaware of respecting the double-edged sword that is science!"
Seeing Dr. Pym's agitated demeanor, Mark had no intention of continuing to persuade him with words. Instead, he took out a capsule and threw it in front of him.
"What is this?" Dr. Pym picked up the capsule that Mark had thrown to him, asking with curiosity.
"Dr. Pym, I understand that you've had preconceived notions about the Stark family for a long time, so it's unlikely that you'll believe what I say. In that case, I'll present the facts before you, leaving you with nothing to say.
This thing is called a Hoi-Poi capsule, a little gadget I invented. Currently, it's only used within the Avengers, not yet widely promoted. You can try pressing the button on the top of the capsule; I believe it will pleasantly surprise you."
Hearing Mark's words, Dr. Pym looked at the capsule in his hand with a skeptical gaze. He seemed to be pondering whether or not to trust Mark's words, and at the same time, observing what could be remarkable about the capsule.
Mark didn't rush him; he just stood there with a smile, patiently waiting. Finally, Dr. Pym couldn't overcome his curiosity as a scientist. Following Mark's instructions, he pressed the button on the top of the capsule.
Boom!
As he did so, the entire capsule erupted in a burst of white mist. This mist was the vapor that had been compressed into the capsule as part of the space-folding technology, suddenly released from its high-pressure state and instantly turning into a white mist.
However, Dr. Pym had no way of knowing this. He thought that he had been deceived by Mark and had triggered some kind of explosion.
But after a few seconds passed and there was no explosion or any sense of harm or pain, Dr. Pym finally relaxed. He redirected his attention to the white mist that was gradually dissipating in front of him.
When the mist had completely dissipated, what appeared before him was a peculiar machine about a cubic meter in size. This machine seemed to have just started running; indicator lights were flashing continuously as it calibrated its parameters.
Once everything was ready, the machine began its formal operation, continuously producing a pale blue liquid that flowed into a storage compartment.
"This... This is a stable solvent containing Pym Particles! How... How could you have something like this? And you've even achieved mass production with a machine..."
Dr. Pym looked incredulously at Mark, his breath becoming increasingly rapid, and his body trembling.
He had initially thought that Mark had come to him because he coveted the Pym Particles he possessed. However, Mark had now proven to him with facts that he not only didn't covet his belongings, but he also had even more than he did!
This was like a poor person worrying that a wealthy person might have designs on their property, and desperately hoarding and hiding things. It was both sarcastic and humbling!
Seeing Dr. Pym's overly excited state, Mark quickly approached and helped him sit down on a chair. "Don't get too worked up. We can discuss all of this slowly. I came here today with sincerity. However, please take care of yourself."
Mark was genuinely worried that the facts presented might push Dr. Pym to the point of overstimulation. After all, he wasn't young anymore.
Moreover, perhaps due to his prejudice against the Stark family, Mark hadn't seen any of Stark Industries' medical and health products in this lab.
It was worth noting that the private health and medical pods produced by his company had become the basic equipment for virtually all wealthy individuals. As long as one had the means, who wouldn't want to extend their lifespan a few more years?
However, in Dr. Pym's lab, there was no trace of these basic facilities. Given Dr. Pym's reputation and intelligence, money certainly wasn't the reason. Whether the true reason aligned with Mark's speculation remained uncertain.
"Dr. Pym, as you've seen just now, in terms of technology, I've not only successfully deduced the mass production and manufacturing storage technology of Pym Particles but also made substantial breakthroughs in challenging space technology.
With that said, you should be able to believe in my intentions. I don't want to exploit your technology. I genuinely want to engage in a mutually beneficial transaction with you.
Now, can we start getting to the heart of today's meeting, Hank Pym, and also the young lady Hope Van Dyne who's been shrunken and hiding under the chair?"
Whoosh!
After being exposed by Mark, Hope no longer hid and immediately returned to her normal size, appearing in front of the two of them.
"Hope!? When did you come back? Why didn't you say anything to me?"
Seeing his daughter suddenly appear in front of him, Dr. Pym also appeared very surprised, clearly, this was not a premeditated plan.
"I just got back and saw someone standing at the door and, out of caution, I shrank and followed him."
Today was apparently the day when Hope was going to meet the black-market technology dealer, Sonny Burch. On her way back, she happened to run into Mark, who was waiting at the laboratory door for Dr. Pym's invitation. Out of caution, she shrank and followed Mark into the laboratory.
"However, I'm curious, how did you discover me, Mr. Mark Stark? In all my previous actions while shrunken, no one or machine has ever spotted me." Hope removed the mask from her Wasp suit and looked at Mark with curiosity.
"Just call me Mark. There's never an 'impossible' in technology, Miss Hope. Those people you encountered before couldn't find you because their technology was too outdated. But in my case, it's impossible for such a thing to happen.
Speaking of which, Miss Hope, your father, and your boyfriend seem to be troubled by some technology and materials recently. Maybe I can offer you some help."
"Are you monitoring us!?" When Hope heard Mark mention their troubles, her expression immediately turned hostile, and even Dr. Pym, who had originally let his guard down, became wary.
"No, you misunderstand, Miss Hope. It shouldn't be called monitoring; it's more like my diligent investigative work. In fact, you should have noticed that someone has been tracking your movements lately, or to be more precise, the movements of the new Ant-Man, Scott Lang. That person is actually Pete Maximoff from our Avengers.
Because of the 'Seoul Accords,' there have been some internal problems within our Avengers, and with the United Nations unilaterally breaking the promises made to us, the members of the Avengers are currently in a state of void.
Do you remember when you had Scott steal something from the new Avengers' headquarters? Because of that operation, we noticed his existence, so we sent Pete to invite him to join our ranks.
But unexpectedly, due to the formal promulgation of the 'Seoul Accords,' Scott and Doctor, you both started to keep a low profile, and Pete is a bit stubborn and doesn't use his brain, so he was always left trailing behind by you, playing around in circles. That's why I decided to step in and help him complete this mission quickly.
Dr. Pym, you've been an old acquaintance of S.H.I.E.L.D., and I found quite a bit of information about you in some old files. Plus, the recent anonymous transactions in the black market involving various materials, after some analysis and deduction, I believe the answer I've arrived at should be the goal you and Miss Hope are trying to achieve.
Dr. Pym and Miss Hope, you're building a quantum tunnel, attempting to enter the quantum realm through it and find Janet Van Dyne, who went missing over twenty years ago. I guess I'm not wrong, am I?"
After saying that, Mark tapped his smartwatch and projected the data he had collected in front of Dr. Pym and Hope.
The data clearly listed the details of transactions between Hope, Scott, and various factions in the black market under various aliases. It also included a list of companies and institutions they had targeted as Ant-Man and Wasp to steal special materials, making it very detailed.
Of course, Mark didn't deduce these conclusions from the materials, but in order to provide Dr. Pym and his daughter with a believable explanation, he had prepared this apparent groundwork very thoroughly.
Seeing Mark present the "evidence" and given Mark's reputation for high intelligence, both Dr. Pym and Hope quickly accepted the explanation he provided.
"So, you came here today to discuss what you call a 'transaction,' but it's actually related to Scott joining the Avengers, right?" After hearing Mark's explanation and considering their previous conversation, Dr. Pym, with his intelligence, quickly understood Mark's purpose in coming today.
"That's right!" Mark didn't hide it and directly admitted.
"I conducted a detailed investigation of Scott. He has a Master's degree in electrical engineering from MIT. After graduating, he went directly into a big corporation. However, due to his dislike of the company's deceptive practices and the failure of whistleblowing, he hacked into the company's system alone and returned the ill-gotten money to the deceived customers. But this led to his blacklisting in the industry and a prison sentence.
After his release from prison, Scott, with technical skills but no opportunities, returned to his thieving activities. However, by a twist of fate, he became your successor, Dr. Pym.
Honestly, while Scott's record isn't spotless, I can see that he's a good-hearted and just guy. Most importantly, from his actions, I see the potential for him to become a superhero.
But I'm well aware that inviting Scott to join the Avengers is not up to him alone. Because the Ant-Man suit technology he possesses belongs to you, Dr. Pym. So, I believe that to achieve this goal, starting with you, Dr. Pym, is the right choice."
Dr. Pym nodded, agreeing with Mark's analysis and judgment of Scott. This was also one of the reasons why he was willing to train Scott as the second Ant-Man in the first place.
"But why should I discuss this transaction with you? Scott has his own will, and even if he has my authorization, it doesn't necessarily mean he will join you.
And I don't see how I can gain any favorable leverage from this deal with you."
"Dr. Pym, don't underestimate your daughter's charm. As long as this future Mrs. Lang speaks up, I believe he won't refuse to join the Avengers.
As for what you can gain from this transaction, since it's meant to be a win-win, it won't be a one-sided benefit for me.
First and foremost, the most obvious point is the materials and technology you are struggling to obtain from the black market. I can provide you with a stable supply through the Mark Research Center.
Although you can obtain what you need from the black market, it's expensive, inefficient, and the source is very unstable.
When I was conducting my due diligence, I noticed that you recently changed your supplier because the previous provider suddenly became unreachable, right?
This is because the group that used to supply you with materials, led by Adrian Toomes, also known as the Vulture, got into trouble during the relocation of Stark Tower and is now in prison.
So, you have to search for a new supplier in the black market, which not only consumes your time but also poses some dangers.
I think you may not be aware that the new supplier you've found, Sonny Burch, is not a simple underworld figure. He has connections in the government and the FBI, and through these connections, he has already uncovered Miss Hope's true identity.
Now he is contacting various sellers and promoting the product, which is your quantum technology.
If we can make this deal, Dr. Pym, your experiment's progress will undoubtedly receive a significant boost, and I can naturally help you resolve the troubles on Sonny Burch's side.
Dr. Pym, you should know that for your wife who is trapped in the quantum realm, time and efficiency are crucial. If you miss this opportunity, after the quantum shift, you will have to wait at least a hundred years to have another chance to bring her back to the real world."
Mark's first reason directly struck Dr. Pym's core. Why take such a huge risk and have Ant-Man and the Wasp covertly collect materials even after the "Seoul Accords" were enacted? The reason was exactly as Mark stated: to gain time and complete the construction of the quantum tunnel as quickly as possible.
However, he was equally concerned about the safety of his daughter and Scott. If they could increase efficiency while also ensuring safety, it would undoubtedly be a win-win solution.
So, even though Mark had only provided the first reason, in Dr. Pym's mind, the scales had already tipped in Mark's favor.
On Mark's side, he could clearly sense from Dr. Pym's expression that he had been moved by his words. However, Mark didn't stop speaking because he hadn't yet presented the chips that could truly ignite Dr. Pym's impulse and make him unable to resist.
"As for the second point, Dr. Pym, I imagine it's not easy for you to handle data calculations, theoretical model construction, and the construction of the quantum tunnel all on your own.
But if you agree to the deal I've proposed, I can provide significant assistance to your experiments.
I have the only true intelligent artificial life form on Earth, Baymax, and the fastest data center in the world. Any data you need to compute and process can be handed over to Baymax.
Moreover, I will also participate in this experimental project. I believe with my limited expertise, I can still offer some help to you, Dr. Pym."
Sure enough, after Mark expressed his willingness to join the construction of the quantum tunnel, Dr. Pym's expression went beyond mere interest; his eyes widened as he was overwhelmed by this unexpected stroke of good fortune.
Although Dr. Pym had a strong aversion to the Stark family, he was well aware of the talents and intelligence that each of the three Stark geniuses possessed.
Howard Stark, the famous World War II hero-scientist, was his former boss and colleague at S.H.I.E.L.D. Tony Stark, before becoming Iron Man, had news about him flying everywhere, and after he declared his Iron Man identity, the news about him only increased.
Among these three individuals, if you were to ask Dr. Pym who he paid the most attention to, it would undoubtedly be Mark. Although Mark was the youngest among the three and didn't have as much media coverage and praise as the other two, in terms of contributions to the overall technological advancement and advancement of human society, Mark's contributions over his two decades exceeded the combined efforts of Howard and Tony.
Especially with Mark's various applications derived from the Nervegear, a brain-computer interface technology, and his invention of nutrient hibernation pods in the medical field, Dr. Pym felt that if he could be considered a genius himself, then Mark's intelligence was beyond words to describe.
If Mark could join the quantum tunnel project, not only would it greatly advance the progress of the entire experiment, but those challenging problems he was currently facing, the ones that had reached a dead end, could also be solved with ease.
"I agree. I accept the deal you proposed. I will grant authorization for the Ant-Man suit to Scott and help you persuade him to join the Avengers.
However, Scott has his own will, and I cannot make the final decision for him, so I cannot guarantee that the final outcome will necessarily align with your wishes."
In the end, Dr. Pym accepted the terms of the deal proposed by Mark, and he didn't harbor any displeasure about collaborating with a member of the Stark family. The only explanation for this outcome was clear: "Mark offered too much!"
"Of course, the chips I'm offering are limited to our trade. As for Scott, I believe I can also offer a price that he cannot refuse. Your agreement to grant him the authorization to use the Ant-Man suit is already sufficient."
For some reason, after hearing Mark's words, Dr. Pym and Hope could only think of one word to describe him, "capitalist!"
Although both of them were well-off individuals, they clearly hadn't reached the level of wealth where they could confidently offer a price that others couldn't refuse, like Mark.
"Dr. Pym, since the deal has been reached, let's not waste any time before Scott returns. I believe we can start discussing the construction of the quantum tunnel and the rescue plan for Janet Van Dyne.
Additionally, if you agree, I will have Baymax take over the data servers in your lab and begin data verification and computation.
Miss Hope, it would be helpful if you could compile a list of the experimental materials you need and provide it to Baymax. The rest of the procurement and transportation work will be handled according to the plan by the Mark Research Center."
"We're currently facing a difficulty in the construction of the quantum tunnel. During yesterday's debugging and testing process, an overload of power caused a complete circuit meltdown, and this is the problem we urgently need to solve."
Mark wasted no time and made a proposal, which Dr. Pym didn't refuse. They immediately began discussing the issue at hand.
While Dr. Pym presented his quantum tunnel blueprints and calculation data to Mark, he explained the specific problems he had encountered in the practical process, hoping to jointly find a solution to accelerate the project's progress.
"Well, I have a rough idea of where the problem lies."
After carefully reviewing the documents provided by Dr. Pym and listening to his explanations, Mark quickly identified the key issue.
"Where's the problem!?" Dr. Pym looked at Mark with pleasant surprise. He hadn't expected that Mark would find the problem that had been troubling him for so long in such a short time.
"The issue isn't with the quantum tunnel blueprints you designed, but rather with the data and the materials used for construction equipment.
Your laboratory is limited by hardware computational capabilities and software assistance capabilities, and some of these calculations have deviated, with some lacking precision.
If they are only used as a basis for theoretical verification, there is no problem, but if they are meant to actually produce a quantum tunnel, they will fall short by a wide margin.
Moreover, the materials you purchased from the black market have issues. In order to provide sufficient operational energy for the quantum tunnel, you used a chitauri energy core purchased from Adrian Toomes.
However, this energy core was originally designed as a pulse energy source for weapons, and using it for a quantum tunnel that requires stable power, it definitely won't achieve the desired results. The power overload issue you encountered earlier was likely due to this reason.
My suggestion is to add a graphene capacitor to the electrical circuit and replace the core energy source with Stark Industries' latest Arc Reactor. This will solve the power overload problem.
Furthermore, there are issues with the algorithm model you've constructed; there are errors in the variable parameters used to locate your wife."
"No, no, no! I can accept the other points you made; those are all deviations and mistakes caused by objective circumstances. But those parameters cannot possibly be wrong. I've gone through countless calculations to verify them." Dr. Pym stubbornly insisted.
"Is that so? I don't believe it!
If you're confident that your calculation abilities are superior to my intelligent life form, Baymax, then I can accept your viewpoint. But if not, I think it would be better for you to listen to me."
"In the field of quantum physics, calculations involving probability fields require precise data processing. The subatomic frequency range you've chosen is too broad, and it won't achieve the desired positioning effect. This parameter needs to be narrowed down to between 0.4 and 0.6."
When it came to research and experimentation, Mark only believed in scientific research methodology and cautious verification. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. He wouldn't compromise his principles for Dr. Pym's sake.
However, in the face of Mark's insistence, which didn't spare any face, Dr. Pym didn't get angry. Instead, he burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You truly live up to being Howard's grandson. Although you and he never had a chance to meet each other, you are just like him in every way.
Back in the days at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s research team, other scientists were afraid of my reputation and status and never dared to contradict my opinions. Only your grandfather would point out my mistakes without hesitation, regardless of the time or place. Maybe that's why I disliked him so much. But now that I'm old, and my skin has grown thicker, hearing such a rebuttal unexpectedly makes me feel a bit nostalgic.
Mark, go ahead and have Baymax recheck the data. If what you're saying is correct, then we'll follow your approach.
For someone of my age, be it identity, status, wealth, or power, they are no longer important. I just want to find my beloved Janet and spend the rest of my life with her."
"Father..." Hope, who was standing nearby, saw her usually strong-willed father yielding to someone else for the first time and gently embraced his shoulders.
"Don't worry, Dr. Pym. Since our deal has been reached, and I've promised to help you find your loved one, I will not go back on my word.
By the way, I noticed that you used Pym Particles to enlarge worker ants and controlled them by stimulating their central nervous system with electromagnetic waves. It's a very clever method.
Although it won't affect the progress of the quantum tunnel experiment, you know that researchers like us always want to have more advanced and refined products. So, I have a small suggestion in this regard.
If you've been following the products released by my Mark Research Center, you should have noticed that I successfully developed a technology application called 'Brain wave device' in the field of brain-computer interface. Through this application, I can simultaneously control billions of micro-robots to work together.
I believe the same technology, when applied to ants, can yield excellent results."
Upon hearing Mark's words, Dr. Pym, who had previously appeared kind and gentle, once again stiffened his expression.
He had thought that after so many years of life's trials and tribulations, his mind had already become as calm as a still pond, not easily provoked by others unless pushed to the limit.
But seeing Mark in front of him pushing his luck again, and once again being intellectually outperformed, Dr. Pym couldn't hold back anymore. His face turned red, and he yelled at the door, "Get out! I'll discuss the deal with Scott when he returns, but as for you—you can leave my lab right now."
Mark touched his nose and gave an embarrassed smile. He hadn't expected Dr. Pym to be so intolerant of other people's opinions and suggestions. With a helpless expression, he bid farewell to the two and walked towards the exit of the lab.
As for Scott's matter, he believed that Dr. Pym, just like himself, would keep his word and not go back on their agreement.
"Wait!" Just as Mark was about to board the elevator, Dr. Pym hurriedly called out to him and shouted loudly from behind, "Don't forget to prepare the quantum tunnel materials we need. It can be delivered in batches, but we must have some of it arrive by tomorrow. The lab's inventory is already depleted!"
Despite his anger, Dr. Pym didn't forget about the important matters and earnestly instructed Mark on the tasks that needed to be completed.
Mark couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile. He felt like Dr. Pym, who had always been portrayed as a wise and aloof character in his mind, had completely shattered that image. However, before the elevator doors closed, he replied, "Don't worry, I've got it!"
...
However, when Mark arrived the next day with the prepared materials and equipment, all he found was an empty plot of land. The original lab had disappeared without a trace.
However, Mark quickly spotted Dr. Pym, Hope, and his intended guest, Scott. The three of them were tightly bound in an abandoned van, with pieces of fabric stuffed into their mouths, and they were securely restrained.
"Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!" Unable to speak, the three of them displayed excited expressions upon seeing Mark approaching their location. They made as much noise as possible, hoping to get Mark's attention.
Mark didn't disappoint them. He went straight to the van and opened the car door. "I'm sorry, all three of you. I have no idea what you've been through, but it's clear that I've missed some exciting moments since I left."
"Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!"
"Well, I'll release you now. Even though I consider myself smart, I can't understand what you're trying to express from the sounds you're making through your nostrils."
Mark released the nanobots within his body, and in less than a second, the ropes and duct tape binding the three of them disappeared without a trace.
Finally liberated, the three of them relaxed at this moment, no longer in the desperate state they were in when they were calling for help earlier. They appeared quite exhausted. "It seems like you've been trapped here for quite some time. Here, take this. I need to know what happened to make you all look so disheveled."
Mark took three nutrient supplements from his pocket and handed them to the three captives. They didn't hesitate, as being bound and unable to move or eat or drink had pushed their bodies to the limit. After receiving the nutrient supplements, they quickly sipped them in small sips.
"Now, which one of you wants to tell me about your ordeal yesterday?" The nutrient supplement Mark had personally invented was quite effective. Within a few minutes, the three of them had gone from a pallid complexion to a healthier and more vibrant look.
"I'll go first," Hope said, taking the initiative to recount the events of the previous day to Mark.
"At the time, Scott had just returned to the lab not long ago, and his mission wasn't going smoothly. He couldn't find suitable materials, and he even encountered your companion, which forced him to abandon the mission and retreat.
Meanwhile, my father and I were in the process of replacing the control devices for the ant colony we were managing. Although my father appeared firm on the surface, he eventually accepted your proposal to use a more advanced brain-wave device to control a larger number of ants.
While we were all focused on our respective tasks, a stranger dressed in a white hooded suit with a white mask on her face, like a ghost, phased through the walls of our lab and immediately knocked out my father and Scott from behind.
As for me, I put up some resistance initially, but the abilities of the intruder made it impossible for my attacks to touch her true form, and I soon followed suit and was knocked out.
When we woke up again, we found ourselves bound in this abandoned van, while our mobile lab had been shrunken and taken away by the intruder."
Hope's account was very clear, and combined with Mark's previous knowledge of the original storyline, he had already pieced together the entire sequence of events.
Mark looked directly at Dr. Pym next to Hope and asked, "Doctor, do you remember Elihas Starr?"
Dr. Pym's eyes widened as he looked at Mark, his face filled with shock. However, he seemed to recall something and quickly regained his composure.
"I remember him. He was my colleague at S.H.I.E.L.D., and we worked together on quantum technology at the time. But later, because Elihas had overly radical ideas, I expelled him from my research team. What's the matter? Is this related to Elihas Starr?"
"Indeed, it is," Mark nodded at Dr. Pym and replied.
"More precisely, it's related to his daughter, Ava. From Hope's description of yesterday's attacker, it matches a file I once saw at S.H.I.E.L.D., and the person is Ava Starr.
After you expelled Elihas from your research team, he didn't give up on his research direction but tried to go all-in and complete his research independently.
But Dr. Pym, you are undoubtedly aware of how dangerous research experiments in the quantum field can be. Any risky idea can lead to a massive disaster, and Elihas Starr's reckless attempt ultimately ended in failure.
This failure not only cost him and his wife their lives but also turned his daughter Ava into a creature dominated by suffering.
Elihas's failed experiment resulted in a quantum collapse that leaked some of the energy from the quantum space and subjected Ava to high-intensity, close-range radiation.
Under this energy radiation, Ava gained the ability to change her own molecular structure, making her intangible, which is why you saw her passing through solid walls and evading attacks.
This ability is so powerful that HYDRA, who was hidden in S.H.I.E.L.D at the time, immediately thought of how to harness this miraculous power, giving birth to an elite assassin known as Ghost.
The white suit you saw on Ava is specially designed to help her better control her phase-changing abilities while providing high-level protection.
However, over time, the constant changes in her energy and molecular structure have made her body extremely unstable and can cause her to completely disappear from reality.
So, after the fall of Hydra, Ava, who is now liberated, sought out your other old colleague, Bill Foster, and diligently sought various possibilities for healing herself."
Speaking of which, Mark had not considered Ava's situation before, mainly because she was portrayed as the villain in "Ant-Man and the Wasp," with very little presence, and she even ended up being redeemed, losing her status as a big bad.
However, thinking about it carefully now, Ava's ability to change her molecular structure through energy from the quantum field was quite intriguing to him. It was like the Marvel version of the Sharingan Eye with Kamui – a divine power!
If Ava were to say, "You destroyed the only world I had, so I will destroy your only world," Mark might have thought she had crossed over from the Naruto universe as a gender-swapped version of Madara Uchiha.
Moreover, if this phase-changing ability could be realized, combined with Mark's post-Extremis transformation superheating ability, it would be like a low-budget version of the Logia-type Magu Magu no Mi Devil Fruit!
Although Mark couldn't transform into lava, the ability to generate high-temperature heat and the natural immunity to physical attacks were both being replicated. Mark's mind was starting to get a bit out of control with his inner chuunibyou tendencies.
However, at this moment, a question from Dr. Pym brought Mark back to reality. "But what does Ava want with us, and why did she come to steal my mobile lab?"
"As for that, I suspect it might be a coincidence."
"A coincidence?" All three of them were filled with doubt at Mark's answer.
"Yes, as I mentioned before, Ava's ability to become a ghost is activated by the energy from the quantum field. This makes her highly sensitive to fluctuations in the quantum realm, allowing her to perceive information that ordinary people cannot.
Coincidentally, Scott carries a quantum message from his previous journey into the quantum realm. Janet Van Dyne left a quantum message within Scott's body during his last quantum realm visit, and Ava sensed and decoded it.
Ava was brought to your lab by the signal sent by this quantum message within Scott. As for why she wanted to take the mobile lab, I believe it's related to the information she decoded.
If Ava wants to deactivate her own abilities, she would need a similar source of energy for a secondary stimulus and to extract the energy within her.
The information she decoded appears to have provided her with the answer she has been seeking all along: Dr. Pym's wife, Janet Van Dyne, your mother, Hope.
She wants to extract the quantum energy absorbed by Janet Van Dyne's body over the past thirty years to repair her own molecular structure.
So, in a way, her goal in taking the virtual lab should align with yours, which is to rescue Janet Van Dyne. However, her methods may be more aggressive."
"No, this is not just a matter of being more aggressive; what she's doing will tear Janet apart!" Dr. Pym's emotions became heated after hearing Mark's analysis.
"That may not be Ava's primary concern, given her own condition. However, I believe I might be able to treat the issues in her body. In that case, we might achieve a win-win scenario, or rather, a three-birds-with-one-stone outcome..."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein