Chapter Two, Consequences

Because of her love for him and he was a teammate, Jan attended Hank's funeral. Despite everything they had been through, despite her yelling at him not to quit the team, she had truly loved him. She just wished it hadn't had to end like this. If anything, she regretted not having told him.

When Tony started the eulogy Jan kept her eyes closed. With fresh, wet tears coming down her face she dabbed at them with a handkerchief. Pretty much everyone in the superhero community had come to mourn his loss. She felt a few eyes settle on her but she didn't acknowledge them. Instead she kept her eyes downward so as not to draw too much attention to herself.

Once Tony was done Jan headed straight for the golden statue of Hank. People came over to her, offering condolences. And while par to her heard them, another part of her just wanted to be left alone. As she stood in front of the statute, a mixture of emotions swirled through her. How had things gone so terribly wrong?

And it's all in your mind

(Yeah but this is happenin')

On the other side of Manhattan, Hank Pym had just finished his latest creation. Holding it up in front of his eyes, he almost couldn't believe it. It had taken him months to perfect. This would help him not only take down the Serpent Society, but also gain some legitimacy amongst the Avengers.

Shedding his street clothes and lab coat he donned the new costume. On his limbs and most of his chest and abdomen it was dark mustard. There was a black stripe down his chest, matching portions around his loins in addition to a mask, gloves, and boots. In the center of his chest was a golden bee. With this costume he would be able to do so much more than her and so much more than he had previously been able to.

Hank grabbed the small handgun and placed it into his holster. Glancing around the lab, he made sure things were tidy. Or at least as tidy as they could be. As of late he hadn't really put much emphasis on orderly living space. Mostly he had worried about whether or not he would finish his latest project on time.

Looking at his reflection, Hank stared at what he had become. He was definitely more muscular since he had left the Avengers. The face he knew was his but sometimes he didn't recognize it. His coffee brown eyes hardened with the harsh reality of his situation.

Most of the world, probably Jan included, thought him dead. They thought he had died in that lab fight after Tony and Jan had left. Luckily he hadn't thanks to his Yellow Jacket suit. Unfortunately, the suit had been damaged during the fight and so he had needed to upgrade it.

Taking a once around of his living space, Hank nodded. Pulling up his hood he decided to get his revenge on the Serpent Society. He headed out into the rough streets of New York, vowing to himself that he would be successful in capturing them all.

You've been havin' real bad dreams, oh, oh

Used to lie so close to me, oh, oh

"I wish he'd been able to finish what he'd started," Wasp said with her hands folded. She turned toward the statue with Captain America and Psyche standing behind her, "I wish I could've told him." Wasp placed her hand over her chest and then puts both hands over her eyes.

Steve moved closer to her, placing his hands on her arms, "Hank knew how you felt about him. He felt the same. He just got lost." Was all he had time to say before she ran into the trees crying.

Jan heard two sets of footsteps. One set came from behind and with that she felt a calming presence. The other came toward her from the right.

There's nothing more than empty sheets

Between our love, our love

"Miss Van Dyne, my condolences." Jan and Lucy looked up as the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. appeared in their midst. His hands were tucked inside the pockets of his dark trench coat. The latter helped to conceal him among the trees.

A look of shock crossed Jan's face, "Fury?" Tear trails still on her face she felt Lucy's arm around her shoulder. It was a comforting and much appreciated gesture.

"Yeah, keeping a low profile nowadays. I was hoping to have a word in private with Stark." He kept his voice down and made his way closer to the women.

Tony sighed as he joined the assembled group, "Great timing as always Fury. What do you want?"

"Sorry to be blunt but there's no easy way to say this," Fury's eye was closed and he looked down at the ground, "The explosion in Pym's lab, it wasn't an accident, "Fury took a rectangular device out of his trench coat pocket and tossed it to Tony. He caught it in one hand and saw that it had rusted. Not only that but there were wires and circuitry sticking out of it, "It was murder."

Oh, our love, our love

In another part of New York the streets were anything but orderly. Flying toward his target, Pym ignored the whispers of citizens. He had a job to do and had to stay focused. The large orange and brown snake's tail rattled as he thundered past screaming citizens. He raced through them like a butter knife as Pym followed him toward an abandoned warehouse.

Pym dodged a lightning bolt sent in his direction. With a glowing fist, he zapped Rattler through the dilapidated doors of the warehouse. Grunting, Pym followed where he had heard the Rattler land. Pulling the trigger, he watched the Rattler become bathed in yellow light. Two villain scum down, three to go.

As he flew away from the scene he heard the rumbling of vehicles. In his peripheral vision, he saw people gathering around the warehouse. Reporters and cameramen were part of the crowd.

"Hey stranger, what's your name?" It was a woman with shoulder-length brunette hair and a blue pantsuit. All conversations seemed to stop as they looked up at the costumed individual floating above them.

"The name's Yellow Jacket." Pym replied with a half grin appearing on his face. This could turn out well for him.

"So Yellow Jacket what exactly is your mission here? What do you hope to accomplish?" Came the voice of another reporter, shoving his microphone on Pym's face. Cameras flashed and all other reports thrust their microphones in Pym's face.

What could a couple questions hurt? It wasn't like the Avengers could track him down or anything. And besides, they already thought Pym was dead. What did it matter?

Just give me a reason

Just a little bit's enough

After the funeral Tony called an emergency meeting in the Assembly Room. Cap, Panther, Tony, Thor, Ms. Marvel, Wasp, and Lucy were all in attendance. The team sat around the large table with a blue hologram in the center showing the device Fury had given Tony.

"S.H.I.E.L.D agents found it in the wreckage. A detonator," Wasp stood while everyone else sat, "Hank was killed." Her eyes squinted and her lips frowned.

"Fury happen to see who did it with his good eye?" Hawkeye said with his fist underneath his chin. Wasp turned to look at him, "Otherwise, we're hunting blind."

"Jarvis scan the device and access Hank's remote back-up drives." Tony said standing up from his seat. The others in the room waited as the hologram expanded to reveal the Serpent Society.

Yes sir. Most recent file activity, concentrated on the Serpent Society.

"It had to be them. What are we waiting around for?" Wasp said still scowling and standing.

"According to S.H.I.E.L.D the micro prison prototype wasn't in the wreckage. You think the serpents stole it?" Cap said turning to look at Tony.

"And if they did steal it, what would the Serpents want with it anyway?" Lucy raised her palm up to the ceiling.

"We'll find that out when we ask them," Tony stood up again", But it's the first thing that makes sense about all of this. It's time to show these snakes why we're called the Avengers. Jarvis?"

The hologram changed from an image of the Serpent Society to the area around Yancy Street. Yellow lines and green squares and rectangles dotted the map.

Dr. Pym's records show the whereabouts of the Constrictor somewhere in the vicinity of Yancy Street.

An image of the Constrictor appeared overtop of the map. "They're slippery. We don't want them to bolt before they're cornered. Panther," Cap said turning to Black Panther," are you up for a quiet hunt?"

"What about me? Said Jan standing up with her hands firmly on the table. She looked around at her fellow teammates hoping to get in on the action. If Hank's killers really were the society, she wanted to be the person in charge of taking them down.

Gently Tony responded, "Jan maybe it's too soon. You'll get your chance I promise but-"

Jan grunted in frustrated and sat back down in her seat. She leaned back in the seat with her arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her face. Fine, she thought to herself, if you won't let me avenge Hank's killers then I will.

Just a second we're not broken

Just bent

The victim's legs were moving. Quite slowly, for someone who was trying to avoid the law. So far he wasn't doing a very good job of it. His legs were practically not touching the ground and yet Pym didn't have trouble keeping up with him.

Even thought it was pitch black, there was a full moon which didn't help Constrictor hide at all. The air was cooling down, turning from summer to autumn. Orange street lights glowed throughout the city. The lights helped him see his victim, wearing an orange and blue suit. Occasionally the runner would look behind him to see if Pym was still chasing him. Sometimes, just to mess with him he would shrink down and listen to the sighs of relief.

Suddenly he came to a parking garage. The Constrictor's breathing slowed. That was, until Pym grew. Holding his gun he watched the Constrictor's face change from relieved to frightened.

And we can learn to love again

I never stopped

Pym fired at the Constrictor and missed him by a hair. The snake fell on the ground and began crawling away from Pym. Pym knew he wouldn't admit it, but the Constrictor was scared. He screamed, "I'll give you whatever you want, just let me go."

"What I want is to see scum like you punished once and for all." Pym raised his gun and pointed it at the Constrictor. As the Constrictor's ropes came toward him, Pym fired at both of them. He hit them both and the villain edge away from him.

"But who are you?" Said the Constrictor his voice and body shaking.

"The name's Yellow Jacket." Pym replied feeling his trigger finger itching to fulfill its purpose. Unfortunately, a red, white, and blue shield knocking the gun out of his hand prevented him from doing so.

"We'll take over from here, friend." Came a familiar voice from behind. Pym knew instantly who it was. He figured they had followed him here, since T'Challa had heightened senses.

Then Panther did something Pym had expected. He held up his Avengers I.D. card, using it to scan him. Probably in a stupid way to identify him. Thankfully, it didn't work.

Scanning. Energy Signature Analyzed. Identity Unknown.

"The mighty Avengers. You going to scan him into submission?" Pym said moving to the left and gesturing at Constrictor.

"We're certainly not disintegrating him." Cap answered and Pym knew the atmosphere was slowly increasing in tension. He had to do something, and quick.

"Which is exactly why the world needs someone like me. Willing to do whatever it takes." Pym replied said in answer, feeling the situation spiral out of control.

He then lunged for Captain America. His arm went for the Captain's head while his leg went for the Captain's gut. His knee struck Captain America in the gut and he tossed the other man aside. Constrictor watched in horror. Captain America slid across the ground while Black Panther's fist went for Pym's face. Pym blocked Panther's fist with his own. He then followed up with a fist of his own. His hit Panther again under the chin.

"Who are you?" Black Panther questioned in a crouch and Pym grinned on the inside. He knew he had the Avengers stumped when Panther didn't even know who he was. At that point, Constrictor ran away from the fight. Probably hoping to save himself. Not if Pym could help it.

Panther than jumped toward Pym, who was literally pinned against a wall. He went to punch Pym, who jumped up. Captain America by this point had gotten back up. His shield close by on the ground.

"Not so fast!" Captain America said and Pym jumped on the Captain's shield. It hit him in the face as Pym flew up in the air.

"Stings doesn't it? Maybe it'll help you to remember to stay out of my way. I've got work to do." Pym said, releasing yellow jackets from his hands. Directing them toward Captain America and Black Panther, he hoped it would keep them busy long enough to take care of Constrictor. They swatted at his companions as he grabbed his fallen gun.

Crouching, Pym aimed his gun at the Constrictor. He pulled the trigger and yellow energy bathed the Constrictor. Soon, the serpent was gone leaving behind as he disappeared.

"No!" Cap reached his hand toward where the Constrictor had been. The yellow jackets still buzzed around the Captain and Black Panther.

Suddenly, a small woman wearing black and yellow flew toward him. Growing in size, she then proceeded to punch him in the face. "You're going to be sorry you did that." She said pointing at him as Lucy grew in size beside her. Pym landed on the ground with a thud. He was truly shocked she had come and it showed on his countenance.

He then stood up and flew away. He needed to leave, and soon. Before she discovered he wasn't actually dead. Because if she did, well he wouldn't think about that until the time came. He just concentrated on increasing the distance between himself and Jan.

You're still written in the scars on my heart

Once the yellow jackets died down, Captain America and Black Panther walked toward Wasp and Psyche.

"Hope that wasn't too soon for you guys." She said with some venom in her voice. And with that, she shrunk down and went to follow Yellow Jacket.

"Jan wait!" The Captain called but it was too late. Her mind was already made up. Whizzing through the air, she went to follow where Yellow Jacket had gone. The star spangled Avenger turned to Lucy. "Psyche, go after her." And with that the blue clad telepath did as he bid.

Farther ahead of Psyche the Winsome Wasp continued to follow Yellow Jacket. Her determination and love for Hank kept her going. If this man was responsible for his death, she would make him pay. One way or the other. She followed him to a building near a water tower. She was close enough that if she zapped him, she could hit him. She could Psyche behind her and kept her focus on Yellow Jacket.

"You think you can get away from me?" Wasp vented her voice rising as she spoke. Her fists glowed and she zapped him from behind. With a grunt, he landed face first on the rooftop. Increasing in size, she landed on the roof with her hands balled into fists. "Do you realize what you've done? Constrictor was our only lead to finding out who killed Hank."

Yellow Jacket wiped his glove on his chin, "So? Pym was the weak link in your little club. You're better off without him." He said the last part with a smile which made Jan's blood boil. She saw Psyche land beside her, her hands balled into fists and let her rage fly.

Her fist glowed and she zapped him again. He landed on the roof with a thud, "You don't know anything about him." She screamed her voice rising in volume. Yellow Jacket stood up and once again wiped his chin.

"I knew enough to get rid of the guy." He stood facing her. Jan felt comforted when Psyche went to stand next to her.

"What?" Wasp asked incredulously. Gritting her teeth she let him face. Using all of her energy and force, she zapped him for as long and hard as she could. In her peripheral vision she saw Psyche's stance loosen slightly. She saw the other woman's confusion and ignored it. Right now, she needed this. Not only for Hank but herself as well.

Yellow Jacket slid to the edge of the roof. Jan grunted and Yellow Jacket's hand went to his body. Pulling small yellow jackets from his costume, he then raised his hand to throw them in Jan and Psyche's direction. However, Jan beat him to the punch and zapped his hand. The Yellow Jackets buzzed around where he had been as a large cloud of dust appeared.

"Be careful little wasp, I have a nasty sting too." He said floating above the dust cloud. Raising his glowing, he aimed his stingers toward the water tower. Both hit the water tower and the contents poured out of its container toward Jan and Psyche.

The water hit Jan and Psyche, washing them onto the roof. Jan and Psyche both coughed up any excess water. Yellow Jacket still floated over them, probably to gloat.

"You can't stop me." Yellow Jacket said with a sly smirk. Without another word, he flew into the night sky.

Jan looked up with a shocked expression on her face. She then glanced down at her wrist, where one of the yellow jackets lay on her glove. Picking it up with her fore finger and thumb, she examined it and comprehension dawned on her face.

"Jan, what is it?" Psyche looked at the bee, then at her friend for guidance.

"Hank?" Jan said looking up into the sky in understanding. Psyche glanced up at the sky, then once again at her friend. Confusion crossed her face and she began to squeeze the water out of her hair.

We're not broken just bent

And we can learn to love again