CHAPTER 37

Hard Driving Questions

You look up at the knowing look of Norman before passing the paper to Gwen, who has a similar reaction, before she hands it to Norman. "Now- as to how he has the calculations- Stark doesn't often overindulge, but he's more than once drunkenly bragged about the AI he's made- that could do the calculations just fine, I presume."

He pats his pocket with the picture. "But how did he miniaturize it? Do you have any ideas?"

You look at the people surrounding you and give a guilty grin. "Well, I hate to interrupt, but it is Thanksgiving, this might not be the best time to talk about this, Norman."

Norman Osborn pauses for a moment, then awkwardly clears his throat, seemingly embarrassed. "Ah. Right you are. My apologies. If you ever would like to talk further, you may always stop by Oscorp- I'm sure I'll be able to spare time to talk with someone as bright as you."

However, you've spent a decent amount talking and dinner's just about wound up. Eddie, Harry and Norman are the first to leave- Norman and Harry for time concerns, and Eddie's feeling a bit unwell. However, it seems like the Stacy family and the Watson family are likely to stay over for a little while longer- the Watsons only live next door, after all, and Captain Stacy wants to catch up with your uncle.

You sit on the couch next to Felicia and Stella and talk- Uncle Ben and Captain Stacy are sitting around, talking about old hijacks they used to get up to all the time, their faces both a bit flushed. Meanwhile, your aunt and Anna Watson are dealing with the leftovers, dividing them up between the two households. There's going to be thanksgiving leftovers to feast upon.

Nearby, Gwen's trying to strike up, and failing, conversations with Mary Jane. To your side, Stella looks like she's about to enter a food coma, with a satisfied smile on her face. On your other side, Felicia's looking around and at you with a smile that seems somehow melancholic.

You look over at Felicia, looking slightly concerned as you lower your voice. "Something on your mind?"

Felicia looks over at you as you see any signs of sadness on her face vanish as she shakes her head. "Hmm? No, nothing. Just thinking. Thanks for asking though. I'll see if your aunt needs any help."

She stands up and heads towards the kitchen as you watch her go. You feel Stella's head slump against your shoulder as you look over at Captain Stacy.

"Excuse me, Mister Stacy, but-"

He raises an eyebrow. "Please, Peter. You call Norman Osborn by name and he's someone you're less acquainted with than I am. Call me George. Now, what's up?"

Slightly, embarrassed, you chuckle nervously. "Well, I was curious what's the current news on that Sandman crime wave, if you don't mind?"

Some of his cheer drops as he lets out a sigh. "Alright, but this doesn't leave this room. The guy's not hurt anyone and he's only taken money, without being caught. We'd have thought it was the Black Cat, but the lack of calling cards and theatrics, and the presence of sand seems to indicate someone else, perhaps someone inspired?"

He shakes his head. "Regardless, we don't know who he is, which is only making things worse. If we hadn't gotten that Goblin, I'd hate to see how badly those suits-"

He clears his throat. "Never mind that. Why don't you all go and hang out, let you teenagers have fun without humoring us old people? We'll keep an eye on the kiddo."

You glance at the others in the room, who shrug. "The porch?"

It's as good of an idea as any other, so you find yourself with Mary Jane and Gwen on the porch, in the chilly night air. You all put on your coats, but there's an awkward silence as you sit there with the two of them. Mary Jane looks like she wants to hide inside her coat like a turtle, while Gwen seems more than slightly uncomfortable.

Felicia had gone to help out your Aunt and Anna Watson, so you told you uncle and George Stacy to tell her where you were when she was done.

"Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-"

You try to think of something to say to avoid that horrible awkward silence. "How did you two enjoy having a Parker Thanksgiving?"

Mary Jane glances at you, then her arm, when away, shrugging. "….slright."

Gwen notices but doesn't say anything. "It wasn't bad. Talking with Norman Osborn was a bit awkward, but the worst part was how Harry seems to be occasionally growing more and more irate as the night passed. I thought he was a nice enough guy, but I guess you can't go by impressions."

You grimace slightly as Gwen lets out a groan. "Sorry, Peter."

You shake your head. "No, there's nothing anyone here needs to apologize for. Harry's turned into a total jerk. So, I'd probably advise against that offer you got, Gwen. All things considered."

She nods, her face rather serious as she rubs the back of her hand, which you recall as the one she was bitten by the spider on.

"Yeah."

There's a part of you that wants to defend your friend, but you stomp it down, considering what he said about the people that you're with right now.

You look over at Mary Jane. "I don't think I ever asked, but what kinds of things do you do with Stella when she's over at your house? What sort of things does she like?"

Mary Jane blinks at you, staring curiously as you see her eyes become less guarded and a small smile crosses her lips. "We play a lot of things that are co-operative, such as party games or fighting games, or the old team sidescrollers. We also watch some anime here and there, too."

Hey voice is still the scratchy voice, but she doesn't seem to have the hesitancy to talk about her spending time with Stella. You nod and smile. "I appreciate you spending time with Stella, she seems to really enjoy it."

Mary Jane embarrassedly nods and smiles, a pleased look on her face. Your brotherly concerns out of the way, you spend some time discussing science-y stuff with Gwen. Gwen seems rather impressed with how you've branched out your learning as she corrects you on a few mistakes you make concerning biology.

Time passes as Mary Jane, occasionally buts in to ask about something that sounds familiar to her as the two of you explain it to her as best as you can, but eventually the cold seems to start to bother you three as it gets later into the night.

The three of you head inside as you go looking for Felicia- heading into the Kitchen, you see Aunt May and Anna Watson sitting at the small table talking. "Hey, Aunt May? Where's Felicia?"

Your Aunt pauses, her eyebrows furrowed. "She received a call from her father before heading out a while ago. I thought you knew."

You grimace and shrug. "She might not have wanted to bother Stella, who was falling asleep."

Aunt May nods her head slightly as you head out of the kitchen. Captain Stacy and Gwen seem to be getting ready to go- they walked here, so it shouldn't be too hard for her to get him home.

You wait for everyone head out before heading down to the basement. The first thing you do is call Felicia's phone, but it automatically goes to voicemail, it's probably turned off.

You sit down at the computer and look at the hiding spot.

You muse to yourself that you're glad you left a message to Felicia thanking her for coming tonight.

You'll wait until everyone's asleep before pulling out the hard drive. Right now you'll work on the idea of grappling gauntlets for Felicia. You spend the time working on how to make such a device work, and by the end, you think you've got the math behind it right theoretically. You'd have to build and prototype to be sure.

However, as the clock strikes one, you pull out the hard drive.

There's numerous files, and a great many of them are video files left by your father.

You root through the videos looking for the one that was the first recorded message. As you do so, your growing aptitude at computers makes you notice something. Partially, this seems to be a safety function, but there's… something off about this hard drive as you root through its files.

It's almost like somebody messed with it.

However, you take your time as you find the first file on the hard drive. Opening it, you get an error filled video- it skips and cuts and refuses to play after the first half.

"My name is Ri- -er. I'm leaving this video di-look back upon as well as for you- -ter. I'd also like it to serve as evidence, if ever necessary for my work with-"

The rest of it is too badly damaged to play.

There, however, seems to be a very similar file to this one uploaded later.

"My name is Richard Parker, I'm leaving this video diary to one day look back upon, and in case something happens to me, it will work as well as for you to learn what happened to me, Peter. I'd like it to serve as evidence, if ever necessary, for my work with .Norman Osborn."

You manage to find one partially deleted file and open it, but all you get is half a second of your father holding some sort of weapon over his head and swinging it down at something that might be gray before cutting of in static.

The next closest video would be that of your father Richard parker sitting on a stool staring at a camera. It's doctored, too, most likely, considering that the time and date are gone, but he seems to have seen better days- he's unshaved and his white button-up shirt is undone, revealing a stained undershirt.

He also looks like he hasn't been sleeping well.

"The first recorded mention of cancer came around 1600B.C. Egypt. A lot of people don't know that. They think cancer came along with cigarettes and food preservatives. They think we brought cancer on ourselves as a plague… a plague of modern society."

He shakes his head, rubbing at his eyes. "But it's always been there since men first figured out to poke and prod itself- it's been there. Then you skip ahead to Greece and Rome; sure the great doctors Hippocrates and Galen lifted their ideas of medicine from magic and superstitious gobbity goo.

"But Hippocrates named it.

"'Cancer' as 'karkinoma' because to him a tumor looked like a 'crab,' karkinoma being the greek word for crab or so the textbooks tell me.

"Karkinoma."

Your father shrug, almost amused.

"And slowly but surely we got a better understanding of human anatomy. Then better technology- better microscopes, then comes a better understanding of cell culture, chemical carcinogens, diagnostic techniques, chemotherapy… and boom! Oncology is science. And when I was a kid, you go cancer, you… you died. Now? Now you have a fighting chance."

You father snorts, looking angry and defeated and miserable.

"But for me, it's not good enough. It is not a battle won. I want cancer /gone/. When I was a kid, I watched my bull of a father wither away in front of my eyes and I had no idea why. Now all I want to do before I die- is to make sure no other kid has to see what I saw. I never want to watch another boy watch his father die and not understand why."

There's moments as your father ours himself a drink as you reflect at situation- you're not sure if you want to laugh or cry. So- you do both. Eventually, he composes himself enough to continue.

"With our invention- the suit- we were treading ground no one had come /near/ before. Not the Starks. Not Reed Richard. Not Erskine. Not -

"And it blew up in our face. Even before all of these… problems that drowned us. It failed.

"/I/ failed.

Your father shrugs as he downs the glass as he looks at the camera.

"'The suit' was our shot, kiddo. We thought we cured it. On paper- it was there. We were thinking so outside the box, Carl and I. And it felt good. It didn't feel like we were failing, it felt right. And I think by the time you watch this video, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about when I say it felt right. Sometimes, even when you're in the act of trying something, you know deep down you're going to fail.

"But you go ahead anyway.

He shrugs again. "But this wasn't that. This felt right. I don't know- talk to me in ten years- - maybe something good has come out of it and I'll have a different perspective. I'll be sitting here watching this tape with you and I'll be laughing it up like no one's business. But right now, today, it stings.

"Today, I am sure that somewhere up in Greco/Roman heaven, the great doctors Hippocrates and Gaien are looking down at me and laughing their superstitious faces off."

You father laughs, bitterly and sarcastically before he goes and throws away the alcohol. He sit there and sobs for a while. It's painful to see this man, your father, break down like this. Eventually he wipes his eyes and takes a deep breath, staring at the camera.

"Oh, Peter… I have all these things in my head, things I want to say... Things I think as your father you'll need to hear. You're going to find that there are a lot of people in this world, people who you are going to look at and say; 'why is this person like this? Why did this person do that to themselves?'"

He shakes his head. "And I swear to you, if you stare at them for fifty years, you'll never understand why they are the way they are. I have people like that in my life, people who are their own worst enemy. And instead of dealing with it, coming to terms with it, all they do is lash out at /you. /

"/blame/ you for their own problems, for their own... Whatever. Don't let them, Peter.

Don't let other people blame you for what they do to themselves. I feel as your father that I have to warn you of the chaotic mess you are growing into. And it is, it's a mess. People everywhere reacting without thinking. Lashing out. They don't even know why.

"Everyone trying to be more than they are, which would be fine if they actually /earned/ it, but more and more it isn't the case. And that's why drives me nuts. I find myself /surrounded/ by people who will /do/ or /say/ anything for the appearance that they are better than they are. More than they are. Never for a second do they actually /try/ to be better. They just want to /appear/ better. They want to be special without going through the trouble of actually earning it."

Richard Parker leans in, hands folded. "And if you have millions of people running around like this, well, then what do you have? What kind of world is that? I just see the future. I see greed swallowing medical advancements. I see the grandstanding and I just... Augh! Oh, listen to me go on about how the world works."

He leans back, a defeated smile on his face. "If I knew how the world worked I'd be in my lab with a cure for cancer instead of sitting here whining in front of a video camera. I would have my project. I would have-. I can't help it. It's been a rough year, Peter. Tomorrow, I'm going to talk things out with Norman one last time and sort things out once and for all."

Your father smiles at the camera. "But I tell you, no matter how crappy things got with this whole mess, I found myself not really /caring/ all that much. Because, at the end of the day, bottom line, no matter how bad my day is? I get to come home and see you. I get to watch you grow up. So, how bad can my day be?

"Just knowing I get to watch you become the man I know you will grow up to be. All this other stuff, it doesn't matter. All that matters to me is you, Peter. And I can't wait to see how you turned out."

The video ends.

You clean up the computer room and hide everything away again, feeling drained and tired.

You head upstairs and head to bed, trying your best not to cry.

It doesn't help.

You don't dream.

Is that a blessing, or a curse?

End
To be Continued

Please Review

Christmas Special #2 (scroll the bottom of the last chapter to read the 1st)

A Very Pym Christmas: Conclusion

In the studio, a very disheveled Deadpool and Squirrel girl stand. The camera's flickering and the set is in ruins, with snow and claw marks everywhere.

Now Sorry about that, everybody. We had a few issues due to a polar vortex and these ghost coming to haunt us.
"You. They came to haunt YOU."
REGARDLESS, I'm bored with Pym. I'm going to Hero Quest. They'll appreciate me more.
"Oh, hell no- you're not, they don't need that misfortune! Hey, folks, here's the finale of a Very Pym Christmas. Be sure to watch!"

A squirrel pops up and chatters. Monkey Joe Says: "I know where you live, folks. You're off panel, too."

CHRISTMAS

The first thing you focus on is that there's FLAMETHOWERS to be made! Writing up rudimentary blueprints, you hand them off to elves, who hesitantly begin working- singing uncertainly with whispers as they go. Hmm, strange.

REGARDLESS, you need to work on other things, such as getting Captain America back into action. And there's only one person to do that!

"No."

You stare at Janet, who looks more than a bit irritated. "C'mon, please?!"

"No."

You glance at the Awake Captain America, who seems off in his own world before turning back. "Look, Janet. I know that you're the best person for the job. You can do anything if you put your mind to it! Look- you stopped me from building a peace ray and taking out Tony Stark. Not many people could do that."

Stopping, your rub the back of your neck. "And I'm not really a good people person. I need your help, Janet."

She stares at you before raising a finger. "Fine. But you'll have to make this up to me. You owe me a favor that will be cashed in at my say-so, whenever I say."

"Deal."

She's off to get America's greatest hero back into shape and you're off to finish one last thing- cold weather gear's been perfected by Elven science, so that just leaves your ace in the hole.

If you can get it to work.

Regardless, soon you're standing, flamethrower in hand with SUPER-UV light cannons on your shoulders, as are an army of elves. Janet stays back while Captain America stands around awkwardly, though he seems to be willing to cooperate.

And then the snow appears like a tsunami as you feel the wind buffet you like a typhoon.

Pointing forward, you and the elves wait until get into rage until turning on your flamethrowers and UV-lamps to melt the snow. As it hits, you hear the countless screams of a thousand voices as the snow melts.

However- things aren't that easy. They never are. The tide abates as it sinks down before a veritable army of snowmen march upon your position. However, the elves are numerous as they form a line, waiting for the approach of the snowmen.

However, the snowmen pause, just out of flamethrower range as they grab stick arms and eyes and start throwing them, along with countless dangerously sharp hats at the elves. The elves, to their credit, act with the utmost precision and avoid any real losses from the snowmen's attacks. Behind, with some binoculars, you can see that there's a woman and a monster standing at the back of the lines- the monster's beginning to advance forward- Jack Frost, it would seem.

You order the elves to maintain to position as you retreat to stand next to Captain America. "Sir, do you have any suggestions?"

Captain America crosses his arms and surveys the battlefield. "We can only last so long like this. If there's a commander, they'll figure out a maneuver to circumvent this coon enough. You need to take out command if you want a victory against this… snow horde. Wait- what's happening?!"

You turn as you see that the elves are pausing as they survey the snowmen- who seem to be grabbing others of their rank- before they start throwing them at the elves as projectiles. The elves aim upwards and try to keep the projectiles from hitting, but they're getting soaked from the melted snowmen and the grounded snowmen are able to advance, Jack Frost amongst their ranks.

The Snow Queen maintains her position at the rear of the enemy army.

You watch the elves grow more and more distraught. You glance over at the living legend next to you. "Hey- I'm.. I'm not good with dealing with people. I- I need your help- these elves won't stand and fight if it's just me-"

You feel a strong hand on your shoulder as you see America's legendary hero smile at you. "Son, if you don't believe in yourself, how can your soldiers?"

Letting go, he steps forward to the front of the line and clears his throat. "The future of Christmas rests on your shoulders, tonight. But, if that different than any other year? Christmas is a special, magical time that inspires the best in us- that's because it holds the ideal of being a better, more giving person, together with your loved ones."

Hefting his shield he looks from side to side.

"And it is thanks to each and every one of you that this remains a fact today. So, I plan to make one last charge, alongside each and every one of you unnamed heroes. So long as I draw breath, I won't let them succeed. Are you with me?!"

The elves leet out a roar of cheer as they charge alongside Captain America- there's a bit of surprise on the opponent's ends as you watch carefully as a outline appears along the ground starting from where the Snow Queen stands.

"Look out, TheSnow Queen's up to something!"

You call out and the elves acknowledge, setting their flamethrowers to the ground- countering the icy-trap of the Snow Queen as they continue to advance as snowmen and elves begin to reach short range fighting.

Glancing down, you scowl. You're not just going to stay at the sidelines. You have a holiday to save. Not Tony Stark. Not Reed Richards.

You.

HENRY PYM.

Charging, you jump into the fray, throwing napalm bombs shaped like ants at snowmen while decking them- you lose the UV-lamps but you manage to keep your flamethrower. An army of snowmen stood in your way.

Now there's an opening.

Charging, you spray down each and every snowman that tries to get in your way, before finally you reach the snow Queen, only to be stopped by a wall of ice rising to block your path.

From behind the clear wall, you see the woman- beautiful and unearthly- scowl at you. "YOU. It is your fault!"

You jump out of the way as spikes of ice rise from where you're standing as you try to circle around her, only for the wall and spikes to follow you. Seems like she's put her whole focus on eliminating you.

Your flamethrower and napalm ants are doing the job of driving her back quite admirably, though- you see her growing more and more distressed as her defenses crumble until she collapses and stares at you in incoherent fury.

"YOU. Stop ruining everything! I don't care about Christmas Anymore- you took what was mine! I'll crush you to death! FROSTY!"

Snow forms around her walls as the snowman collapse as a giant titan of snow forms with her on it's 'hat.' Frosty the Snow Titan roars as its footsteps cause the ground beneath you shakes.

The foot of the titan comes down to crush you as a flash fo red come from the side- two elves grab you and drag you to safety- with their opponents gone, they're quick on the mark to get you to safety. Captain America's still fighting with Jack Frost, but it seems to be a deadlock- Captain America's shield is able to block any blow sent his way.

The elves look a bit panicked. "…What do we do? We can't match that!"

You pat one of them on the head as you step forward. The Snow Titan is ahead. "Leave this one to me."

You glance back at the elves. "You might want to get a bit of distance though."

They quickly clear off as you take off your coat and hat to reveal your red suit underneath. Everything has led to this moment!

Turning the dial, you see red particles start to surround you. Feeling a bit of pressure you breath and step forward until you grow larger and larger- until you reach your body's limit. You're not as big as the snow titan as you come up to its chest, but this is the most your body can do without succumbing. And even then, you don't have long.

You're a giant of a man fighting a giant Frosty the Snowman.

And his weakness was his hat.

You've been in a number of brawls. This is the first time with a snowman, but this is still a brawl. And you have the time of your life in a brawl.

Charging forward, you slam you shoulder into its chest and knock it back before kicking its leg out. As it goes- you slam both fists into the hat- as it… shatters?

As does the Snow Queen on the exterior- as the mass of snow begins to reform in a swirl of snow and magic.

The Frosty beast roars as it reforms- smaller than before- with a transparent hat this time. Inside, you see that there's the Snow Queen, holding a small black hat in her arms.

Seems like that's the main control hat. You'll need to take it out to stop Frosty. Or you could potentially wear it out. The titan's as big as you are now- a few more takedowns could make it much more manageable.

But you don't know how long you'll be able to keep up this size either.

You should be pragmatic about this- even if fighting Frosty sounds fun- you should disable the enemy. As you punch into the icy-hat- it crumbles easily. Suspiciously so as you grasp at where she's at only to find empty air. As you try to remove your hand, the ice from the hat begins to spread along your arm as you feel the chill set in.

With a burst of strength, you pull your arm free, but its cold and hard to move- for all intent and purposes, your arm might be outta the fight. Frosty roars as you see the hat stay broken as you realize what had happened- she used the ice as a mirror!

Ingenious, you have to admit. Still you aren't giving in this easily.

You grimace- this titan is going to be a pain. If only you had a flamethrower.

Wait.

You do totally have a flamethrower!

"PYM SCIENCE IS THE GREATEST SCIENCE IN THE WORLD!"

The fire is let out of your flamethrower as it unleashes an enlarged flame of fire, melting the titan twice as it tries to reform before breaking down. Literally. Molecularly.

You drop it as it self-destructs molecularly.

The titan rises again, but this time it is up to YOUR chest. It seems less thick and more thin and agile. You're also breathing harder, though luckily the heat's thawed your arm some.

You jump and turn the dial- changing from a giant man into a tiny projective- slamming through the ice and into the hat- seeing the Snow Queen, you charge at her, only to hit a glass mirror.

Looking around to try to see her, but she's quickly making the interior into a veritable hall of mirrors.

"I can barely feel where you are. Where are you- No it doesn't matter! I'll kill you myself!"

Her voice is changes from calm, collected, and cautious to crazed and bloodthirsty in a moment's time. There's something wrong with this woman.

You move around, looking for her, but the moment you pause-

"Got you!"

Ice begins to spring up around you into a dome! You can barely move!

The Snow Queen approaches and picks up the ice containing you like you're a snow globe. Up cose, you see her outfit is made out of light whites and blue colors, except for a few lines of dark, almost black, blue that run out from her heart- one of the lines leading up her face, giving the beautiful face the appearance a cracked appearance.

She stares at you before the darker blue seems to 'pulsate' as the crazed look overtakes her- her hand wrapping around the ice as spikes begin to appear on the interior.

"Wait- I want to know one thing first."

She pauses as she looks down at you in curiosity. "Very well. What?"

You think about it. "Why are you doing this?"

Her face turns into that of an ugly scowl as she clutches the ice so tight it begins to crack. "You dare ask that after taking what was MINE?!"

"No. I mean- why I are trying to kill Santa. It doesn't make sense."

She pauses and clutches at her head. "The reason? That is- I-"

She almost drops you as you see the black stripe of ice on her face pulsate and grow as she grabs at her head, stumbling, dropping you. She gets up as you see large portions of her being covered by the black ice, her face more crazed than before.

"..That is irrelevant!"

The spikes begin reform on the glass.

You aren't having any of it, though. You take the moment now that her focus isn't on you and crank your size back to normal. The glass around you shatters as her eyes widen as you stand up.

You don't give her time to recover momentum as you rush her. She might not be in her right mind, but if you don't do something about this, Christmas might be ruined. Good of the many and all that.

Punching her lightly in the stomach, she folds over as you let out a sigh and hit her in a way to try to knock her out without causing her too much pain. She collapses like a puppet as you pick up the hat from the floor nearby as the giant snowman you're on seems to… melt.

There's a hat and the girl- outside, Captain America seems to have defeated Jack Frost just now, standing over its body.

You pick her up, hat in one hand as you hold in a bridal carry. Walking over to Captain America, you let out a thin smile. You notice another figure walking up- he's a bit bruised, but Santa drops a horrid green monster wearing a mockery of his outfit down.

"And there's Krampus."

Santa gives everyone a relived smile. "Hohoho- thank you all ery much for your help. Without you- Christmas might have been ruined. Once we've made sure they aren't a problem, I'll get you all home."

The Hat and three figures lay still until you feel the Snow Queen's form tense in your earns as she starts convulsing as see seems to vomit up something black onto the snow- similar things seem to be happening to the others and from the hat.

The black oozes form into a shape-

You pull Santa back as Captain America jumps back. The Snow Queen is surprising light to hold, so your movement isn't hindered any. The black ooze tries to grab for anything it can reach before curling back into itself as you feel yourself being watch by countless eyes and hated with a thousand mad minds as the black ooze reverts back into an open book that begins burning as a thousand voices scream in madness.

DEATH IS BUT A DOOR

The book burns as a black smoke forms into writhing shapes above it, many of which that hurt to look at.

TIME IS BUT A WINDOW

You feel like you're being intensely scrutinized- like whatever is there is trying to make sure it remembers you- like you did when you bore that grudge against Tony Stark-

I'LL BE BACK

And then the book and presence are gone- like they'd never been there.

"What… exactly was that?"

You glance over but Captain America looks just as dumbfounded. Santa, however, looks much less Jolly. "A thing that was sealed away long ago. I shall not speak its name, but it is a foul book that holds dark powers that twists its owners into something foul."

He brushes himself off. "But now I have to deliver presents. I shall be back soon, hohohowever."

He quickly makes his way off as Janet runs over- elves have already headed your way, giving you new anti-cold gear. Putting them on, you smile at Janet. "Sorry about ruining your Christmas eve."

She looks around and raises an eyebrow. "Please, Hank, I would have had a much more boring one otherwise. Still, it's a shame about Frosty, I would have liked to have met him."

You glance down at the Ice Queen before looking at the hat. "Well, so long as that stuff gone from it, he should be fine now. "

Janet blinks before a smile crosses her face. "Doctor Pym- are you saying what I think you're saying?"

You smile at her before pausing. "One Second- Captain America- would you mind holding her for a moment- Captain America looks a bit awkward before nodding his head. Handing her over, you turn back to Janet and extend the hat to her.

"Ms. Van Dyne, would you like to build a snowman?"

She gives you a brilliant smile as the two of your cheerfully make a snowman together- with twigs for arms, a carrot nose, and two pieces of coal for eyes- before placing the hat down as you see a bit of wing kick up as Frosty's 'eyes' blink as he looks around curiously.

"Merry Christmas! …but how did I get here?"

You let Janet, who pushes you away to talk to Frosty the Snowman, roughly explain things as you head over to Captain America who is still awkwardly holding the sleeping Snow Queen.

You smile at him. "…Thanks for the Help, Captain America. Don't think we could have done it without you."

He nods before handing you back the Snow Queen. "Sorry, but there's a girl I should really meet. I crashed and I'm really thankful, but I'll have to catch a really late date."

You pause. "…There's probably something you should know, Captain. You've been asleep for a while."

He nods. "I figured. How long as it been? A month? Two? Speaking of that- where are you from Doctor Pym? I know someone that's be interested in meeting you."

You grimace. "..I'm bad at this so I'll be straight with you. It's the twenty first century Captain, the year is two thousand thirteen, about to go on fourteen. You've been frozen in ice for about over half a century."

America's greatest hero stares at you confused. "What?"

"I'm sorry, sir. But it's the truth. You've even been written off by the government as a publicity event for war bonds. Nobody even knows you're real anymore."

His smile fades as he collapses to the ground, looking tired and incredulous. "…This is a dream. I'm dying and this is a bad final dream."

You lean down and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, but… that's sadly not the case, Captain."

Whatever is about to be said next by either of you is interrupted by the woman in your arms waking up. With a groan, her eyes crack open and she looks upon you and Captain America with confusion, then realization, then horror. Scrambling out of your arms she gets a bit of distance.

"…I'm terribly sorry."

She tucks her white hair behind and ear as she glances at the two of you.

"It's okay. Crazy happens to the best of us... Trust me... You're the Snow Queen, right? The one from the old fairytales? Are you feeling alright?"

She pauses as her pale, almost blue skin flushes. "Ah. Yes. That's what they call me. I should be fine now. Thank you for stopping me."

She glances over at Captain America. "I'm glad to see you were finally Rescued- I did my best to try to keep you safe, over the many years."

His hands clench. "…Why did you save me?"

Her smile dims. "It's because you have the heart of a hero. And the world has too few of those even in my days. I've lived a longer time than you, but I could not bear to see someone who preformed such a noble action to suffer such a sad death."

Captain America clenches his jaw before turning around and walking off toward's Santa's village. She watches him go- she says something- you can barely make it out, with how quiet she's been. "I don't think he'll ever forgive me. But I will bear that burden, amongst my many others."

"And I would say you underestimate his heart, Lady. Right now, he just needs some time alone but don't be a stranger to him."

The Snow Queen gives you a sad smile. "No, it would be best that he doesn't see me again."

You glance over at her. "What did you mean by that earlier anyway?"

The Snow Queen glances over at you as her smile seems to be even more sorrow-filled than before. "I was once a normal girl, sir. You might not believe it, but my hair was the color of straw and my cheeks were as rosy as an apple. But I was given a task and I have fulfilled that task for ages without end, turning into a figure from stories- half remembered and easily forgotten."

She holds her hands out a small box appears in her hands, made out of ice, before it cracks and breaks apart. "Until the end of days, my duty will to stay alone in these frozen lands, living a lonely life to make sure that a certain object does not fall into the wrong hands. So, while I do appreciate the thoughts, It would be for the best."

She looks over as Frosty joins her by her side. "But, I suppose I might have said too much. It matters not. For tonight will be a half-remembered dream, and by morn you shall forget me."

Your eyelids feel heavy as you try to process what she's saying as you feel yourself lose consciousness.

You wake up at your desk- papers stuck to your face- a cup of coffee, cold, sits undrunk by your side. You glance around- trying to remember what you were doing.

There was Santa, and Janet and you saved Christmas. Captain America was also there.

Right?

You glance around- your lab in its usual state of messiness as you spot a box sitting on the table behind you, poorly wrapped up.

Looking outside, you see that New York is its normal self- same as every last Christmas. Maybe Janet?

Calling her phone, she answers. "…Hank? It's… six in the morning."

"Janet. Did we save Christmas last night?"

"…what? No. I'll be over later, Hank. Merry Christmas."

You glance around as you try to, confusedly piece together last night- your notes say you figured out Pym particles- holy shit you figured out pym particles! That is- no.

No. focus.

Last night you- right you were looking for a gift for Janet because you hadn't bought her one and then you met a homeless Santa…

"Is he remembering? Pass the popcorn"

You focus and focus as you try to recall last night. There was a homeless guy and then… you called Janet-

Everything comes back together as you quickly piece together most parts of what happened last night. It's there's something you can't recall you were talking with the snow queen and she was all sad and then she knocked you out and took your memories. Straining further, you recall the sound of bells ringing and laughter- somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness.

Well her and Santa, anyway.

You need something to keep track of your memories, just in case things like this ever happen again You still have to get ready for tonight. And you need to document your notes on pym particles more, and you need to look into finding Spider-man to make a team, too, maybe. Maybe superpowers for Janet?- wait.

What happened to Captain America?

?

It's December Twenty-Sixth. A man stands in the rain looking at a grave as a woman walks up. "Are you visiting someone, sir? Even so, It's cold and wet out here. You should be more bundled up. You'll catch your death of a cold."

The man shrugs as he looks at the grave, his breath fogging in front of him. "I promised to make it back, she had a dance saved for me on her dance card, you know. But, I guess I couldn't make it back in time. I was too late."

The old woman pauses before resting her arm on the man's arm. "I'm sure she doesn't blame you. Here's a scarf, you can keep it- I think you need it more than I do. My Ben's waiting for me in the car, anyway."

The woman hand him the scarf and begins to walk off. "But, ma'am, I can't-"

The woman looks back and smiles. "Think of it as a Christmas gift, young man. Oh, and be careful, I hear we're bound to have some bad weather soon.

The woman walks off leaving the man to ruffle his hair exasperatedly, before he takes one last look at the grave

"Merry Christmas, Peggy."

"Well, it's over folks. That's the Christmas Special for this year. Go home. Ow!"

Deadpool groans as Doreen elbows him in the side. He rubs at his side.

"That's where my ribs are still healing, woman!"

"I know."

Squirrel Girl clears her throat as she smiles at the last remaining camera. "Well, I hope you all enjoyed Hank's Christmas Special. I hope our appearances in this universe will be just as enjoyable for you."

"Writers aren't letting us in, I hear. Well ,not you, at least. I've been considered".

Squirrel Girl looks over. "Really now? I bet I'd make an appearance before you do."

"Like I'd be foolish enough to say You're on. It is completely on! If I kill you now, more screen time for me!"

"Monkey Joe blocks the camera and starts chattering away. Monkey Joe says: Happy Holidays folks, hope you enjoyed the show! Next time will be more of Peter Parker!"

"Hey, the squirrel's blocking me off of the panel. You can't kill me off that easily! I'll Spoiler the twist for the next quest which is-"

End of [A Very Pym Christmas]

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