DATE: APRIL 16, 2015, HYDRA'S SECRET BASE, ANTARCTICA, 03H24M

A Hydra helicopter flies over the frozen landscape, approaching a runway camouflaged in the snow. The engines stop, and soon the occupants leave the vehicle.

Three people wearing the Arctic uniform of the Hydra escort a man wearing totally black cold clothes, with a sword at the waist. They walk up to a rock, where the man in black hits four times. After a moment of silence, the light from a scanner lies on the man, and then a secret door opens.

Inside the secret base, the ventilation ducts spread intense heat all over the place. As soon as he entered, the man removed his coat, revealing a tuxedo. He waited for the Hydra henchmen to remove their coats and had one of them carry his sword as if he was a squire.

He walked a little with his entourage, until they reached a large laboratory, where several Hydra technicians helped Dr. Octopus analyze what appeared to be a frozen Tyrannosaurus.

"I hope you have a good reason to call me here, Otto." He approached the scientist, his face unhappy. "Until the teleportation is online again, I want to avoid making long journeys."

"Do not worry about it, Nathan. That will surely..." The scientist looked at his colleague, clearly startled. "What happened to your eye?"

The knight was confused until he remembered what had happened. He actually had a large black bruise around his right eye, but he did not seem to mind the wound.

"Oh, that? It was only a small consequence of my meeting with Lori Loud." He smiled uneasily, scratching his head. "I think it's a common mistake to forget that telepaths can also use their fists."

"(Sigh) Did you at least get what you wanted?"

"Certainly! After that, we certainly will not have to worry about the moodiness of our White Queen for a while."

"What about the Louds? You do not think they will get suspicious?"

"I totally trust her, Otto. After all, the powers she received from the Siege Perilous are more than capable of subduing the entire Loud family in a short time." He looked at the frozen animal, and remembered the reason for his visit. "So, what happened to our secret project?"

"Following your advice, I decided to test our device in an isolated location of the world." The scientist pointed to the dinosaur, extremely confident. "Although it is difficult to visit the so-called "Savage Land" without attention, your A.I. helped us capture this fascinating specimen without S.H.I.E.L.D.'s outpost realizing it."

"It's like I told you so many times, Otto. Although a bit moody, 12 is the most advanced A.I. that this world has ever seen. In fact, it will be crucial to the master plan."

"Oh, of course, the "master plan" you talk about so much." The scientist mocked at his colleague, clearly annoyed at the subject. "I told you it's crazy, but you do not seem to realize how dangerous it is. A single mistake and we will end all life on earth."

The knight only looked at the scientist with a disappointed expression. Although Octopus was a brilliant man, he could not even be compared to 12.

By the rules of the tournament, the organization could not use 12 as a "member" of the group, but as a tool. Therefore, any plan should be drawn up by one of the Masters of Evil, with only a small help from the synthetic one.

"(Sigh) We can discuss this later." He assumed a defeated tone, and turned his attention to the dinosaur. "Can we go straight to what made you call me here?"

"In fact, it's a peculiar question." The scientist held out one of his tentacles until he reached an IPad at a table. "While we were catching the animal, I checked the radiation levels in that area, and found something familiar."

The knight looked at the screen, surprised by what he saw. Although not an intellectual, he knew how to recognize the energy emissions on the screen. He smiled grimly, focusing on his next step.

"Then the moment has finally come. What you need?"

"The sensors on your space station. As soon as I detect all the points of energy emanation, I can triangulate the location of the largest source of the ore. We're probably going to need a big team to do the mining, but I think Zemo and the White Queen can do it easily." The scientist stared at the knight, somewhat embarrassed at the subject. "Still, I believe a little help from the boy would be welcome."

"I agree, but for now he must remain where he is." The knight spoke rather sadly and was thoughtful. "I can not deny the fact that he acted on impulse, but I believe I would have acted that way at his age." He sighed and shook his head in a serious tone. "Anyway, we have other things to deal with now, so he'll have to wait for now."


HELICARRIER 35, SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, 09H14M


After almost three years inside a warehouse, this Helicarrier returned to the duty for an important mission. Adapted to carry the safest cell in the world, this powerful vehicle constantly flies over the ocean at a low altitude.

Supplies are delivered weekly by helicopters from a S.H.I.E.L.D. secret base, and all guards remain there all the time. In the center of the Helicarrier, a large cell that occupies three of the five floors of the facility is being used to hold the most dangerous twelve-year-old in the world.

Even though he's in jail, Chandler has plenty of room to get around, though the cell is certainly not much fun for him. Most of the walls looked like a library with several books that he certainly did not want to read, but still having a large space where was an armchair, a bed, the table where ate meals, and in the back a bathroom, which was the only place he was not watched. A robot with the appearance of a vacuum cleaner with short arms was cleaning the cell, pouring any dirt through a pipe near the door.

There was only one entrance and exit, and it was a special entrance with a hallway and three armored doors of vacuum closing. To serve the meals, one of the guards pass through the first door, and when he arrives at the second door the first one close. As soon as he pass the second door, it closes too, and the guard places the tray on a shelf in the third door. Then the others doors open again, and whem the guard emerged from the corridor the first two doors closed, triggering a mechanism that makes the shelf part slide and left the tray in front of the prisoner.

Chandler was lying on his bed, wearing an orange jumpsuit and barefoot, a look of boredom on his face. He was kept sedated until he was placed in the cell, where he woke up realizing that he could not use his powers. It had been some time since the morning guard had served the tray with breakfast, but he just been lying there, staring at the ceiling.

He then began to feel his stomach growling, and decided to grab the tray and put it on the table. The boy sat down in one of the two chairs and poured himself the bowl of cereal, chewing slowly as he thought about his current situation.

Since he was arrested, several agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. tried to interrogate him, without getting any useful response. Even though he was a boy, he knew full well what was going on, and he knew that if he stayed quiet, the Black Knight would have reason to take him away. Still, he wondered if the Masters would even try to rescue him after the fiasco in the school.

Suddenly, he began to hear the sound of some sort of alarm, and began to smile. If a prison with only one prisoner sounds the alarm, it can only mean that someone is invading. The lights of the cameras stopped flashing and the three doors of his cell opened. Chandler rose briskly, ready for his prison break.

"I would not do it if I were you."

The boy stood motionless, immediately recognizing the voice. A chill ran down his spine, and it turned into dread as all the doors closed at once, with the food tray part half open.

"I know the others stayed outside, but I think the best way to understand each other is face-to-face."

Chandler looked around, but saw no sign of the size changing man. He then began to hear a buzzing, and saw an ant flying just inches from his nose. Looking closely, he noticed that there was a tiny man in the insect, wearing a red and black outfit.

"What are you doing here?" The boy folded his arms, looking at the ant with disdain. "You came to make fun of me?"

The hero jumped from the ant, returning to normal size. Growing, he revealed he was carrying a white paper box and a metal briefcase, which he immediately placed on the table. He sat down in the chair across the table, and removed his mask, allowing the boy to see his face.

For the first time since being captured, Chandler was surprised. He had been informed by the Black Knight about a man who could change his size, but he never said that he was the scientist who seemed to be his twin.

"Allow me to introduce myself again. I'm Dr. Hank Pym, but you can also call me Ant-Man, Goliath or Giant-Man."

Pym just stared at the boy, enjoying the dumb face he was doing. The kid was dealing with a professional, and he had already lost the first round.

"Do not look so resentful, Chandler." The man opened the box smiling amiably, revealing that it was full of donuts. "I even brought a peace offering."

The boy stared at the contents of the box, immediately drooling as he looked at the sugary treats in the box. In the box were about thirty donuts with different shapes, fillings and toppings, each one more appetizing than the other. The food they served to him was as simple as dietetic food, almost without seasoning and with little salt. Besides, the closest he got to eating a dessert was the breakfast cereal, which was not too sweet either.

Although it was tempting to taste the treats, the boy was not a fool. If the man who defeated him was being so helpful, then he wanted something in return.

Assuming a serious expression, the boy picked up a donut covered with green frosting and began to eat, without looking away. Even though he was trying to look intimidating, the glint in his eyes told how much he liked to taste the donut. The hero just smiled, sure he had won the second round. He let the boy eat at ease, just waiting for the next stage of his interrogation.

Chandler just kept eating the donuts, each time more insecure with the apparent disinterest of the visitor. After eating the sixth donut, the boy was already satisfied, though irritated.

" Are not you going to ask me anything? The others went straight to the point."

"I think there's a misunderstanding." The hero looked indignant and assumed a friendly tone. "I'm just here to make sure you're healing well after our fight. After all, unlike the agentes of S.H.I.E.L.D., I know very well what is happening to you."

"Do you know what's happening to me? I very much doubt it." The boy made a mocking laugh, smiling smugly as he crossed his arms.

"Well, let me tell you what I think. You're a rich, spoiled brat who always had everything you wanted, until you was confronted by someone who was not intimidated by your attitude. At first, you thought it was only a matter of time before he accepted your superiority, but then came the day you tried the same thing with his sister, and she reacted the way she knew: making you feel diminished. You could not stand it, and you ended up accepting the offer of a mysterious man who promised you power to take revenge in exchange for joining his team. Still, you were not patient and decided to act as quickly as possible, which brings us to this prison that I had to arrange in a hurry."

The boy was shocked by the hero's words. It really seemed that he knew what had happened, and also that he knew more than that. Even so, he was suspicious if the hero was really making this visit without any ulterior motive. It was then that Chandler realized that he had said something important.

"Did you make this prison?" Anger began to grow inside him, who stared at the hero with hatred.

"No, but I had to make a lot of effort to get you here. This entire ship was remodeled about ten years ago to absorb every level of radiation, in order to contain the deadliest man alive." Pym remembered his other purpose, and opened the briefcase. "That's why the cell was decorated with this adult and intellectual theme, and that's why I brought this."

Once again, the boy was surprised to see what the hero had brought. Inside the briefcase was his portable video game and his favorite games, as well as his favorite comics. Even his headphone and his sunglasses were in the briefcase, as well as...

Chandler's blood froze.

In the corner of the briefcase, beneath the comics, was a small beige plush rabbit, wearing a green shirt. This was Chandler's most precious object, something he had not seen since he'd gone to the Castle with the Black Knight.

"How dare you!?" The boy clenched his fists against the table, leaving two shallow marks on the metal. "What makes you think you can walk into my room and get my things!"

The hero feigned surprise at the boy's reaction, knowing that he was already winning another round of his interrogation.

"Hey, let's calm down, kid." He held his hands out in defense, grinning uncomfortably. "I just brought some things that I thought would be useful for you to pass the time." He put his hand on the briefcase, ready to close it. "But if you think this is so bad, I can take this back to your house and-"

"Wait!"

Chandler put his hand inside the briefcase before it was closed, and removed the rabbit. He hugged the small animal as if he wanted to protect it from any threat, sitting with his back to the hero with a slight reddish tint in the scales of his cheeks.

"Just as I predicted." The hero smiled victoriously, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "It's no shame to have a stuffed animal at your age. In fact, Marvel Boy and your "friend" Lincoln also has plush toys."

The boy turned his face slightly, meeting the adult's gaze.

"Really?"

"Of course. Actually, that's why I brought him. And from what I can see, you really care about this little guy."

"Not for the rabbit, but for what he represents." Chandler looked at the toy, getting a bit sad in the process. "He was a gift from my mother when I was little. It's one of the few things I have that reminds me of her."

Chandler was silent, feeling terrible. He did not give in to the methods of any of the agents who tried to interrogate him, but now he was falling apart before the man who defeated him. Remembering his mother was something that made him vulnerable, and that was something he certainly did not want to demonstrate.

"Hey, you do not have to be all sentimental. I know your mother died in a car accident so you do not have to tell me anything about it."

"How d-"

"I've started researching on you after you teleported with Nathan. At first I thought you was abducted to blackmail your father, but then I realized he recruited you to the Masters of Evil."

"You know all this?" Chandler turned, facing the hero.

"That and a little more." Pym smiled at the boy, sitting back in his chair. "Like I said, I'm just here to make sure you're okay. Do not get me wrong, you are a despicable and unpleasant boy, but still a kid, and I feel bad for having stomping you."

Chandler recovered from his vulnerable moment, returning to his normal state, although still a little uncomfortable.

"So... can I have my things?"

"Well, it's your stuff, is not it?" He pushed the briefcase across the table, leaving it within Chandler's reach. "Ok, you will not be able to use an internet connection, but you'll still have some fun around here. This, of course, until your colleagues try to rescue you."

The boy looked at him in disbelief, sure to have heard wrong.

"Do you really think they'll come and rescue me?"

"Being honest? I have no doubts." The scientist folded his arms, looking into the boy's eyes. "Let's look at the facts. When they met you, did they seem to like you?"

Chandler paused a bit to think, pondering the matter.

"Well, I think that only Mr. Garrett and Hugh. I did not get a chance to meet this White Queen, but Baron Zemo did not seem to like me very much, and Dr. Octopus seemed very annoyed by my presence."

"That does not surprise me. As far as I can remember, he cares more about his tentacles than with other people." "So he recruited Octavius for his champions." "But tell me one thing, did he get you through the portal the same day you disappeared or was it before the game?"

"He also knows about that?" The boy was puzzled, almost letting the rabbit fall. "Well, I do not know the exact time, but it was not long after we went to the castle. I did not think it was possible to feel so much pain, but soon the pain just disappeared."

"Well, I believe that the reactions vary depending on how much the Siege Perilous changes the person."

The scientist was silent, pleased with himself. Using the little information he had, and taking advantage of the boy's momentary emotional weakness, he was able to discover some important information and confirm his hypotheses.

"Now, I want you to tell me something." Chandler took an authoritative tone, and looked straight into his eyes. "You seem to know a lot about us, but I know nothing about you, besides the fact that you defeated me. After all, which side are you on?"

"That's a bit complicated." Pym rubbed his chin, staring up at the ceiling. "But considering I got them to turn off the cameras during my visit, I think I can tell you." He grinned wickedly, looking almost like his twin. "What kind of relationship do you think I have with Nathan Garrett?"

"From what I could see, I'd risk you guys are twins or something like that."

"And you could not be more right. I'll tell you a secret, and I want you to keep that just between us, just like no one will know about your bunny. We have a deal?"

The man held out his hand to the boy, who soon accepted the handshake.

"That's what I thought. In short, Nathan and I are really brothers, but above all we are rivals. I'm with the government and he's with his own organization, but we still help each other from time to time. I do not know if you was on that special operation of your team during Spring Break, but Nathan and I met during his mission and cooperated in our missions."

The boy became pensive, trying to understand what the man before him was saying.

"Honestly, that's pretty confusing."

"I know, but it's part of having siblings. Do not get me wrong, I know you can not understand that kind of bond, but it's something really simple for both of us."

The boy shrugged, still not understanding what was happening. Even so, he was beginning to sympathize with the hero, even though technically they were still enemies.

"So, what are you going to do now? Are you going to stand here and watch me until your twin comes to rescue me? Or are you going to babysit me?"

"Actually, that conversation was enough to make me feel better." Pym got up, and put his mask back on. "Still, tell the guards if you want to talk to me. After all, I kinda liked you." He held out his fist to the boy, who returned the gesture doing a fist bump. He went to the door, and then turned. "And before I forget, as soon as I get out the cameras will be reactivated, so I recommend you to put your bunny on the bed. After a conversation with the prison supervisor, I was able to disable the camera that has a clear view of your bed, and from the angle that they can see you lying down, they will not be able to see your new cellmate."

The man in red waved to the boy and then shrank to ride his ant, which flew away through the passage of food, which soon closed.

Chandler once again embraced his stuffed friend, then hid him under the blanket. He picked up the briefcase and went to the armchair, then grabbed his videogame and headphone. He was not sure how much time he would stay in this cell, but at least now he had a way to avoid boredom.

"Who knows, if I can win his trust, he convince them to install a TV?"


Later, in New York


A jet landed on the Helicarrier in New York, where some men were waiting impatiently.

Roberto Santiago and some of his agents waited for the return of the leader of the Avengers, anxious to know what had happened.

As soon as the door opened, the enigmatic Avenger came down the steps with a winning smile.

"And then, Pym?" Did you get anything?" Roberto stepped closer, gazing cautiously at the scientist.

"Think fast!" He tossed a small silver device, which the director took in reflex.

"And that would be?"

"My conversation with the prisoner." "Although it is actually one of the fakes records I prepared." Pym smiled presumptuously, looking up at the director. "My methods may be unorthodox, but you can not argue with the results."

The men looked at him in disbelief, trying to understand how he had succeeded in a task that the best S.H.I.E.L.D. interrogators could not accomplish.

"In this recording you will have confirmation that the Black Knight somehow managed to cure Baron Zemo, in addition to mentioning some other people and the identity of the Black Knight."

"How did you get this?" The director narrowed his eyes, suspicious of his apparent success. "That kid can not have just softened because you brought some toys for him."

"No offense, Roberto, but it seems that even though you have kids, you do not understand them." He walked down the runway toward the stern of the ship, not looking at the man. "Chandler was accustomed to having everything he wanted, then he was put in a special prison that was made specifically for an adult man. All I had to do was give him things he could not even have and give incomplete information so he thought I already knew what was happening. As far as he knows, he not only did not tell me anything, but also took advantage of me."

He stopped at the end of the lane, in front of a huge free fall. He turned to look at the director, who now looked at him with some disdain, and put on his helmet.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have secret things to do on my secret Helicarrier."

He jumped off the ship and then fell. To the sight of anyone he would have vanished in midair, but someone with trained eyes could see an ant flying away from there.

Roberto just looked at the device in his hand, still processing what happened.

"Call Lynn Loud and tell him to meet me as soon as possible." Roberto looked at his agents, a little angry. "I want him to check the authenticity of the recording.

The agents went inside the Helicarrier, leaving the pensive director watching the sky. He could not explain what, but something told him that something big was about to happen. But whatever it was, he knew that the only one he could trust was his friend Lynn Sr., who just as he suspected of Ant-Man.

"I do not know what game you're playing Pym, but I'll find out."


TO BE CONTINUED...


Just to make it clear, Chandler didn't befriended with the Ant-Man, they only had a brief truce because of the confused relationship between the twins.

Next week, the Louds will finally meet Luna's secret admirer, which is going to be a fun time before the first official mission of Lincoln and the other Avengers.