No matter what reason Hank Pym had for coming to DC Corporation to find Anton, one fact remained:
He was already at the door.
And Anton had no reason to refuse a meeting.
While Hank Pym was indeed a former Ant-Man with impressive abilities, that wasn't enough to make Anton wary.
If anything, he was simply curious—and puzzled.
"Invite him in."
At Anton's command, Betty quickly led Hank Pym into his office.
The two men sat across from each other on the couch, sizing each other up.
Hank Pym's expression was calm, but there was a sharpness in his gaze—a silent scrutiny.
"Hello. This is our first time meeting."
Hank Pym's voice was polite, but there was an undercurrent of urgency.
"I know this visit may seem abrupt, but I had no other choice. I have a question—one that I hope you'll answer honestly."
Anton leaned back slightly, watching him.
"Go ahead."
Though Hank Pym's tone wasn't openly hostile, it was clear that his seemingly friendly demeanor wasn't entirely sincere.
"The Pym Particle. The Hornet Suit…"
Hank Pym spoke slowly, deliberately.
"The Justice League acquired that information through… certain channels, didn't they?"
When he said "certain channels," his tone hardened slightly.
It was obvious that the former S.H.I.E.L.D. ace scientist had carefully analyzed the situation and pieced together the truth—
That Anton had somehow gotten his hands on the research behind the Hornet Suit.
Anton raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
He hadn't expected Hank Pym to figure it out so quickly.
Or rather—
To realize that the Hornet Suit's schematics had already leaked.
Anton didn't bother denying it.
After all, Hank Pym was already suspicious—and no matter what Anton said, the man would believe whatever he wanted to believe.
So, what was the point of pretending?
Besides, even if Anton admitted it, what could Hank Pym do about it?
Yes, Pym had returned to his company, renaming Klaus Technology back to Pym Industries.
But the truth was—Pym Industries wasn't a threat to Wayne Enterprises.
And with Hank Pym's limited influence, there was no scenario where he could pose a danger to Anton or his interests.
From that perspective—
There was simply no need to hide anything.
Anton's voice was calm as he responded:
"We did obtain all the data on the Hornet Suit."
His gaze met Hank Pym's without hesitation.
"However, to be precise, neither Wayne Enterprises nor the Justice League were directly responsible for acquiring it."
"Why?"
Hank Pym frowned.
"Why would the Justice League be interested in the Hornet Suit?"
From his perspective, Wayne Enterprises having an interest in the suit would make sense.
After all, Wayne was a rising giant in the arms industry.
The Hornet Suit would give them an even stronger foothold in the market.
This much, Hank Pym understood.
After all, the Hornet Suit was originally based on his own research.
And while he had no desire to see the technology fully developed, that didn't mean he was blind to its value.
In fact—
He probably understood its worth better than anyone.
However, if it was the Justice League that sought to obtain the Hornet Suit's materials, Hank Pym found it rather puzzling.
Yes, the Hornet Suit was impressive.
But the Justice League was already standing at the pinnacle of the superhero world—widely considered the strongest team on the planet.
Would such an incomprehensibly powerful and mysterious organization really be tempted by this technology?
Even though the suit allowed its wearer to shrink and grow, the Justice League was filled with superheroes who each had extraordinary and far more powerful abilities.
Would it really be worth their time to go after something like the Hornet Suit?
"It's not the Hornet Suit that interests the Justice League," Anton stated plainly.
"It's the Pym Particles."
Hank Pym's expression darkened slightly.
Anton leaned forward.
"Dr. Pym, the Pym Particles you created are more than just a scientific breakthrough."
His tone was calm—but carried weight.
"They are the key to unlocking the very fabric of reality."
Hank Pym blinked.
He stared at Anton, a strange look crossing his face.
Was this guy… messing with him?
His voice was skeptical.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Anton didn't hesitate.
"The Pym Particle is a remarkable discovery. But even though you created it, you still don't fully comprehend its true potential."
Hank Pym frowned.
Anton continued.
"Fortunately, the Justice League does."
"And they have the means to take it even further."
"…What are you implying?"
Hank Pym's frown deepened.
For some reason, he felt like Anton was talking in riddles—or worse, trying to manipulate him.
Anton met his gaze.
Then, he said two words.
"Time travel."
Hank Pym's breath hitched.
Anton's voice remained steady.
"When an object shrinks down to the molecular level, it enters the Quantum Realm."
He gestured slightly with his hand.
"And the Quantum Realm contains the secret to time travel."
Anton's eyes sharpened.
"You know this better than anyone."
Hank Pym froze.
His fingers curled slightly.
For a moment, the room was completely silent.
Because Anton's words had struck a nerve.
More than twenty, nearly thirty years ago—
Hank Pym became Ant-Man.
During a mission, his wife, Janet van Dyne, the original Wasp, had gone with him.
But something went terribly wrong.
She had shrunk too far, beyond control—
And was sucked into the Quantum Realm.
Since then—
No one had seen or heard from her again.
Hank Pym spent years trying to rescue her.
He poured himself into experiment after experiment, chasing a hope that never bore fruit.
Eventually, he gave up.
But even after all these years—
He never truly believed Janet was dead.
And now—
Hearing Anton talk about the Quantum Realm and time travel—
It stirred something deep inside him.
Slowly, Hank Pym exhaled.
His voice was cautious.
"So, you believe the Pym Particles are the key to time travel."
He studied Anton's face carefully.
"That if we can enter the Quantum Realm, we can manipulate time?"
Anton nodded.
"Exactly."
Hank Pym shook his head slightly.
"There's no theoretical proof that time travel is possible through the Quantum Realm."
His voice was firm.
"Your claim has no solid foundation."
Anton only smiled.
"What a coincidence."
Hank Pym narrowed his eyes.
Anton continued.
"I happen to have a theory."
"And you, Dr. Pym—are the perfect person to help me prove it."
Hank Pym's frown deepened.
"What are you getting at?"
Anton's eyes glinted.
"First, answer me this."
Hank Pym folded his arms.
"Go ahead."
Anton's voice was casual—but his words were anything but.
"You and Howard Stark had a falling out. Everyone knows that."
"You also don't trust S.H.I.E.L.D."
"But tell me, Dr. Pym—do you really believe Howard Stark was trying to steal your research?"
Hank Pym stiffened.
His face darkened.
"…What do you mean?"
His voice was sharp now.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Hank Pym didn't want to talk about the past.
Howard Stark had been dead for nearly twenty years.
At this point, rehashing old grievances served no purpose.
"What I'm saying is very simple."
Anton leaned forward slightly.
"With Howard Stark's pride, he would never steal your research."
His tone was calm but firm.
"That's something all Starks have in common."
Hank Pym's expression remained impassive, but inside, irritation brewed.
"And? What exactly are you getting at?"
His patience was wearing thin.
"Are you trying to tell me that I was wrong all along? That I misread everything?"
Anton shook his head.
"No. On the contrary."
His voice didn't waver.
"Your instincts were right—because your experience was real. It's an undeniable fact."
Anton's gaze sharpened.
"Your Pym Particles were stolen."
"But the thief wasn't Howard Stark."
"It was a group of people who became trapped in a timeline that didn't belong to them—unable to return to their original reality."
Hank Pym's eyes widened.
A sharp breath escaped him.
In an instant, everything clicked.
Anton's words… his implications… the missing pieces of the puzzle…
It all made sense now.
"You're saying…"
Hank Pym inhaled deeply.
His voice was steady—but laced with tension.
"…Time travelers?"
Anton nodded.
"That's right."
Hank Pym's mind raced.
"If time travel requires Pym Particles… and if a time traveler is stranded in the wrong timeline because they ran out of them…"
He murmured the thoughts out loud.
"Then stealing Pym Particles would be their only way back home."
Suddenly, everything he had struggled to comprehend for years made perfect sense.
Why would a man like Howard Stark—with all his brilliance, wealth, and pride—need to steal anything?
Why had Howard, despite his vast resources, never made any breakthroughs with Pym Particles?
Hank Pym had once believed that their mutual animosity had made Howard bury the research out of spite.
But now?
Now, he realized—
Howard Stark had never stolen the Pym Particles at all.
It had been someone else.
A group of unknown time travelers.
Hank Pym's breathing was slightly unsteady.
His fists clenched and then relaxed.
This wasn't like his desperate hope that Janet was still alive.
This was cold, logical deduction—piecing together a real pattern from real events.
Anton had presented a theory.
And Hank Pym…
He was almost 100% certain that Anton was right.
Hank Pym exhaled slowly.
His voice was calmer now.
"So… the Justice League is researching time travel?"
His gaze locked onto Anton.
"That's the real reason you wanted access to the Pym Particles?"
Anton didn't hesitate.
"That's correct."
"Time travel is our next major research initiative."
Anton leaned back slightly.
"If you still have doubts, I can arrange for you to meet someone."
Hank Pym arched an eyebrow.
Anton smirked slightly.
"Mr. Fantastic—Reed Richards. You know him, don't you?"
Hank Pym's expression didn't change—but recognition flashed in his eyes.
Of course, he knew Reed Richards.
They weren't close, but any scientist worth his salt knew about the Fantastic Four's leader.
After the Battle of New York, the Fantastic Four had stepped into the public eye.
Reports in the Daily Bugle had brought them even more attention.
And now?
Reed Richards was working with the Justice League.
Wayne Enterprises had been collaborating with the Justice League's research division on various projects—
Limb regeneration technology.
Advanced medical breakthroughs.
And most recently—
The Super-Skrull incident.
Wayne's labs had led research that helped identify and counter Skrull infiltration worldwide.
Reed Richards had been a key player in that.
Hank Pym sat in deep thought for a moment.
Then, he looked up—his expression now resolute.
"Anton."
His voice was firm.
"I want in."
This was his best chance.
For decades, he had searched for a way to save Janet.
Now, he refused to let that chance slip away.
He had to see this through.
No matter what it took.
"Of course, before that, I'd like to speak with your team."
Hank Pym's voice was steady, but his nervousness was clear as he looked at Anton, waiting for a response.
"Of course."
Anton smiled, agreeing without hesitation.
Truthfully, Anton had expected this request the moment he mentioned the concepts of the Quantum Realm and time travel.
There was no way Hank Pym—a man who had spent decades mourning Janet van Dyne—would simply walk away after being given a sliver of hope.
In fact, Anton had orchestrated this outcome from the start.
From the moment Hank Pym spoke about the Hornet suit, Anton had seen an opportunity.
Why not bring Hank Pym—the original Ant-Man—into the Justice League's research on time travel?
After all, Hank was the creator of the Pym Particle.
His insights alone could push their Quantum Realm research toward a major breakthrough.
You couldn't expect everyone to be Tony Stark.
Even Tony himself had struggled with the concept of time travel.
In the original timeline, after Thanos' first victory, Tony Stark had spent years wrestling with the idea of time travel.
The idea alone wasn't enough. The obstacles were too great.
Eventually, he gave up—choosing to move on and accept reality for the sake of his daughter, Morgan.
It wasn't until Scott Lang—Ant-Man's successor—unexpectedly returned from the Quantum Realm that a turning point was reached.
Without that information, time travel might never have been possible.
Anton trusted the Justice League's research team, but if he could recruit a scientific mind as brilliant as Hank Pym—
Why wouldn't he?
This wasn't just about turning enemies into allies.
It was about accelerating the path to time travel, unlocking the secrets of the universe, and reshaping history itself.
Not wasting any time, Anton led Hank Pym to the underground research lab—giving him the opportunity to collaborate with some of the greatest scientific minds of their era.
As they walked, a question lingered in Anton's mind.
With a curious glance at Pym, he finally asked:
"Our operation against Cross Technologies was flawless. We left no trace. So how were you so certain that Wayne—or rather, we—had obtained the Hornet suit's research data?"
Hank Pym didn't hesitate.
"Because of the materials."
Anton raised an eyebrow.
Hank continued, his tone matter-of-fact:
"Pym Particles require an extremely specific set of materials for extraction."
"These materials are rare—hard to find."
"And only a handful of research fields even require them."
His eyes gleamed with sharp intellect.
"Over the past few days, Wayne Enterprises has been aggressively purchasing these specialized materials."
"The sudden spike in demand even caused market prices to rise."
"Considering Wayne's ongoing conflict with Cross Technologies, the conclusion was obvious."
Anton let out a small sigh, nodding in acknowledgment.
"I see."
He smirked slightly.
"Thanks for the answer."
Hank Pym was sharper than he looked.
…
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