"So, Hope, why the sudden invitation—good news?"
Artoria stepped into an abandoned building they'd claimed as a hideout. When thugs had tried to scare the 'little girls' away, they'd met steel—Artoria's reinforced body and Hope's lifelong Wasp training under the original Ant-Man.
Howard Stark, secretly watching, had wanted to build his daughter a castle but Maria reined him in.
"I had a fight with Dad," Hope said, eyes swollen. She hugged Artoria tightly.
Artoria sighed. She knew the obstinate Dr. Pym, still grieving his wife lost in the Quantum Realm. Hope's pride clashed with her father's silence; he refused to let her become Ant-Man, guarding suit and particles to keep her safe.
Artoria wouldn't take sides; she simply held her friend.
"It's okay, Hope. I'm here."
Artoria patted Hope's back gently and started comforting her. She was actually a few years younger than Hope—why was she the one consoling this 'big sister'? Women are such a pain.
"Artoria, I'm going to research Pym Particles myself."
"Nani! …Ahem, what?"
Artoria's face changed the instant the words left Hope's lips. What are you up to now, sis? Can we not be so stubborn? Sure, Pym Particles are tantalizing, but we don't have a single piece of equipment or shred of theory here. Mess this up and people die.
"I stole Dad's theory manual. I'm going to prove I'm better than he is."
This plot is way off script! Weren't you supposed to return to Pym Technologies as chairwoman and cooperate with the villain for a bit? Why are you here instead? Artoria eyed the thick manual in Hope's hands, then looked back at her. The thing made her mouth water, but it was also a headache—and now the whole storyline had derailed. What on earth was happening? What would Ant-Man even look like without the Wasp?
"Hope, I think you and your dad really need to talk."
"Don't start, Artoria. There's nothing left to say between him and me. If we're really sisters, just tell me: yes or no?"
Before Artoria could give a polite non-answer, Hope brushed her aside, too heartsick to leave any wiggle room. She gripped Artoria's shoulders as though a single refusal would end their friendship—she was going to 'sleep-convince' her if necessary.
"Fine. I'll supply resources; everything else is on you."
Meeting Hope's eyes, Artoria caved in utter defeat. At the same instant she sensed a dark figure eavesdropping. When Artoria gave in, the silhouette sighed and slipped away. She triggered her Clairvoyance skill—drawn in a lottery—to see more clearly. One glance and she knew exactly who it was.
It was Dr. Pym. His daughter and the manual had vanished—of course he was frantic. Worried the 'bad guys' might snatch her, he'd probably been aware the moment Artoria walked in. Why hadn't he stopped Hope? Seemed he finally recognized his mistake: the child had grown up; she was no longer his little down jacket.
Thank heavens it was Artoria. Anyone else would have broken his heart completely. Her status spoke for itself; Dr. Pym wasn't afraid of the tech falling into the wrong hands. Howard and he were old SHIELD heavyweights with plenty of history, and Artoria was a decent girl, not some reckless punk. Had Tony been here, Pym would've found a way to teach the playboy a lesson—his reputation stank for good reason.
Knowing it was Artoria—and that she was 'sensible' enough to patch things up between father and daughter—Pym relaxed a little. It hurt that his daughter's elbow turned outward, but he had no choice; he simply let it happen.
"Let's go."
Artoria watched Dr. Pym leave and felt a weight lift. Since the owner of the tech had basically given permission, why not study it? With that thought she led Hope out of the hideout; plenty of work waited below.
"Mm."