CHAPTER 249: HANK’S OBSESSION

"Technology?"

Tony frowned slightly but quickly figured it out. It was nothing more than trying to show off in front of Hank.

Everyone knew the name of Stark Industries, and Darren was well aware of what kind of tech his mentor was interested in. He just happened to learn that Tony Stark wanted to meet Hank, so he came up with this suggestion.

Even if Tony only presented technology for an equal collaboration with Pym Tech, as long as it was something Hank cared about, Darren would still manage to make a good impression.

"Okay." Tony agreed without much hesitation.

Darren had his own motives. That was normal. If it didn’t interfere with his plans and could even be helpful, he was fine working with the man.

"So what kind of tech is the old man into?"

Darren smiled faintly. He knew just how obsessed his mentor was with that particular field. If he could make this work, maybe Hank would even teach him the secrets of the Pym Particles.

"Well, the exact reason, he never told me, but he’s especially focused on quantum-related technology. He’s been researching it for years using the Pym Particles. The problem is, the particles still can’t safely shrink people into the quantum realm. That’s why the research has stalled. If you can show a little progress in quantum studies, even if he’s still bitter, I think he’ll be willing to meet."

"Quantum realm, huh?"

Tony paused and thought about it. He hadn’t really explored that field before, but he was confident. If he put in the effort, he could come up with something worth showing and make the meeting happen.

He gave a nod. "Fine, Mr. Cross. We’ll set up a lab nearby. When the time comes, I hope you’ll also take part in the research."

To ensure everything went smoothly, Tony didn’t mind involving Darren. Having Hank’s protégé on the team might help that stubborn old man be a little more reasonable.

"It would be my honor!"

Joy was written all over Darren’s face. Though he was studying under Hank, he clearly understood what kind of genius Tony Stark was. Working alongside him would definitely benefit his own growth tremendously.

Just like that, after Darren gave them the lead, Tony and Steve left Pym Technologies. At the same time, Wanda and Pietro also said their goodbyes.

"The upcoming research isn’t something we can contribute to. Since that’s the case, we’ll take our leave for now. If you need us, just give the word and we’ll be back right away."

Scientific research wasn’t something Pietro and Wanda could be involved in. Tony nodded. Before facing Hydra head-on, there was little the twins could do to help.

As Pietro took his sister and sped off at supersonic speed, Tony and Steve walked toward their car on the street. Right then, they ran into Doom and Reed, who had just arrived from Los Angeles.

"Oh? Victor. Reed. I never thought I’d see the two of you working together."

While Stark Industries hadn’t been directly involved in the previous cosmic storm experiment, Tony was a close friend of Luthor and had heard a few things about the two men.

He also knew that LexCorp had made arrangements for Reed and that Doom was now the leader of Latveria’s revolutionary army.

"You still haven’t changed. Talking nonsense as usual."

Reed stayed quiet, but Doom had no problem snapping back.

"Judging by the look on your faces, I’m guessing you’ve figured out a way to communicate with Hank Pym?"

Seeing that Tony didn’t mind their presence, Steve spoke up, "If we show some research progress in the quantum field, despite the unresolved misunderstanding, Hank will still be willing to talk."

Doom nodded slightly. Compared to Tony, his ties with LexCorp were much deeper, so naturally, he knew a few things as well. If they could produce real results in quantum research, Hank would have to come to the table, even if he was still holding a grudge.

"In that case, count us in. None of us here has done any serious research into the quantum field, so the more people we have, the faster we’ll make progress."

"Alright then. Let’s do it together."

* * *

Although Stark Industries had publicly severed ties with LexCorp and left New York, setting up a fully equipped laboratory was still an easy task.

Tony, Doom, Reed, and later Darren jumped right into researching the quantum field.

These were some of the sharpest minds in the Marvel universe. When they joined forces, even the mysterious quantum realm couldn’t resist their efforts. In just two days, they had already made significant progress.

Steve, the only one not involved in the research, didn’t sit idle either. Using Stark Industries’ and Victor’s intel networks, along with the trust S.H.I.E.L.D. still had in him, he began digging into Hank Pym’s past. Before long, he made a new discovery.

"I think I know why Hank Pym is so focused on quantum research. Someone important to him is still lost in the quantum realm."

Steve entered the lab holding a file. Everyone, including Darren, finally figured out why Hank had become such a reclusive, bitter man.

More than a decade ago, Hank Pym had been working closely with Howard Stark and S.H.I.E.L.D.

Back then, he and his wife Janet were active as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Relying on Pym Particles and their specialized suits, they gained the ability to shrink and grow at will, which allowed them to travel across the globe, stopping terrorist attacks.

Then, one day, disaster struck.

A newly developed missile had enhanced engineering, which dramatically improved its structural integrity and sealing. It surpassed the threshold that even Pym Particles could safely shrink.

To protect the millions of innocent lives in the missile’s target zone, Janet forcibly shrank her body beyond what her suit could withstand. Then she slipped inside the missile and destroyed it from within. But because the level of shrinking exceeded the limits of her suit, the process spun out of control.

Janet kept shrinking uncontrollably until she finally entered what would later be called the Quantum Realm.

Without the proper suit to protect her, shrinking to such a level caused her to lose all sense of reality. Her perception of the outside world vanished and she became forever trapped there.

And for all these years, the reason Hank Pym kept researching the Quantum Realm and refining the Pym Particles... was for one thing only.

To one day enter the Quantum Realm and bring his wife back.

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