Ant-Man, The Wasp, and The Charmed Ones

Chapter 2: A Night Shattered

Samantha Lee's Manor, Pacific Heights

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm and gentle glow over the streets of Pacific Heights, Samantha Lee's grand manor stood as a timeless monument of opulence. Nestled amidst a neighborhood of stately homes, the mansion radiated an aura of elegance and prestige that was hard to miss.

The Lee estate was perched on a gentle rise, commanding breathtaking views of San Francisco's skyline, with the Golden Gate Bridge stretching majestically in the distance. The mansion's exterior was a stunning blend of neoclassical and modern architecture, framed by meticulously manicured gardens and a majestic wrought-iron gate. Tall, age-old oak trees flanked the property, offering respite from the city's bustle.

This evening, the mansion had come to life with the presence of reporters, journalists, photographers, and guests. The normally tranquil Pacific Heights neighborhood was suddenly a hub of activity, with vehicles lined up along the street and camera flashes illuminating the evening.

A grand red carpet stretched from the entrance of the mansion, welcoming the distinguished guests who were about to arrive. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, the air thick with a sense of momentous occasion.

Guests in elegant attire and gowns made their way up the carpet, their arrival marked by the flashing bulbs of eager photographers. The mansion's imposing front doors opened to reveal a lavish interior, with chandeliers glittering overhead and a sweeping marble staircase leading to the upper levels.

As the lively scene at Samantha Lee's manor continued to unfold, a sleek limousine pulled up to the entrance, adding to the buzz of anticipation. The doors swung open, and one by one, the distinguished guests emerged.

Scott Lang, dressed to the nines in a tuxedo, stepped out of the limo, adjusting his bow tie with a bemused expression. He muttered to himself, "Why is this thing so complicated?"

Hank Pym, equally well-dressed, couldn't hide his annoyance as he said, "Knock it off, Scott. We have a charity event to attend."

Hope and Janet van Dyne, both radiant in their elegant gowns, stepped out gracefully, and Scott couldn't help but admire their beauty.

A well-dressed usher approached, offering to move the limo to a parking spot. Scott, still fumbling with his bow tie, looked at Hank with a mischievous grin.

"You know what, it's not necessary."

Hank gave Scott a quizzical look, wondering what his plan was. Scott sauntered over to the limo, tapped on the driver's side window, and it rolled down to reveal Luis, who was dressed in a chauffeur's uniform.

Scott greeted him with a nod and said, "Great job, pal. Remember to pick us up later, okay?"

Luis leaned out the window, grinning. "Of course, Scotty. There's still 50 bucks in it for me."

Scott playfully haggled, "Make it a hundred if you bring back McDonald's."

Luis laughed heartily and agreed, "Sure thing, Scotty."

With that, Luis drove off to park the limo, leaving the trio of heroes and Hank amused by the exchange. Hank couldn't resist a sarcastic comment.

"Luis as a limo driver. What could possibly go wrong?"

"He owed me, so I thought some extra cash for him wouldn't hurt." Scott remarked, finally fiddling with his bowtie.

Hope and Janet intervened, with Hope suggesting, "Done with the bickering, I think it's time to head inside."

Janet nodded in agreement. "Yes, we're here for an important cause, and we should focus on that."

As they made their way up the grand red carpet leading to Samantha Lee's mansion, the shouts and cheers of the assembled reporters and photographers were deafening. The attention was squarely fixed on Scott Lang, who found himself at the center of a celebrity storm.

"Scott! Over here, Scott!"

"Scott, what was it like teaming up with the Avengers?"

"Scott, how's the book going?"

Cameras flashed, capturing every step, every gesture, every smile. Scott basked in the attention, and his eyes sparkled with the thrill of stardom.

Janet couldn't help but tease, "Someone's star-struck."

Hope chimed in, "Don't let it go to your head, Scott."

Scott playfully defended himself, "Hey, I'm representing the Avengers, after all."

Hank, standing on the outskirts of the red carpet spectacle, couldn't resist a sarcastic remark. "Oh, an Avenger, huh? How many times have you mentioned that little detail tonight?"

Scott chuckled, realizing he might have overplayed his Avenger card. "Come on, guys. Let's not keep the charity event waiting. Time to head inside."

With their laughter echoing on the red carpet, the group of heroes finally stepped through the grand entrance of Samantha Lee's mansion, where they would join the celebration, leaving the paparazzi behind, if only for a little while.

Inside the opulent mansion, the heroes were warmly greeted by Samantha Lee and her husband, Stan. Samantha immediately embraced Hope, her eyes lighting up with admiration.

"Hope, you look amazing in that dress! Thank you for coming, and we're so grateful for Pym Technologies' sponsorship. This event wouldn't be possible without Pym Technologies."

Hope smiled graciously. "It's our pleasure, Samantha. We're here to support a great cause."

Turning her attention to Hank, Samantha hugged him tightly, a gesture that took him by surprise, as Samantha had never been one for hugs.

"Hank, long time no see. It's been too long."

Hank returned the hug, his voice filled with genuine warmth. "Good to see you again, Samantha."

Hank then introduced Samantha to Janet, and Samantha's face lit up.

"Hank talked about you every day when we worked together, Janet. He must be so glad you're back now."

Janet grinned and replied, "It's good to be back, blipped, back again... you know, starting fresh once more."

Meanwhile, Scott, still fussing with his bow tie, caught the attention of Stan. Stan approached Scott with a friendly smile.

"You must be Scott Lang, right? I'm a huge fan of yours."

Scott looked somewhat taken aback but kept his cool. "No biggie at all."

Stan turned to Samantha and said, "We have an Avenger at this ball tonight. How awesome is that?"

Scott exchanged amused glances with Hope, Hank, and Janet, a hint of playful smugness in his expression. The other three had the thought of, "Oh Brother."

"Why don't you guys head to the bar area and get a drink? I shall be starting the event shortly." Samantha explained, gesturing her hand towards the makeshift but snazzy bar area.

"I could go for a drink after our limo ride here." Hank nodded and eager to have a stiff drink having to deal with Luis as their driver for the evening.

Scott, always ready with a quip, couldn't resist. "Yeah, and Hank can tell everyone about how much he enjoyed the traffic."

The group laughed and began to disperse, mingling with the other guests at the charity ball. The night was young and it seemed the perfect evening before Scott and Hope jetted off on their vacation tomorrow.

As the quartet of heroes made their way through the lively crowd towards the bar, all eyes suddenly shifted to the entrance, where three captivating figures stepped into the spotlight. The Halliwell sisters, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige, made a striking entrance, their presence commanding attention and admiration.

Piper, the eldest of the sisters, radiated elegance and confidence. She was dressed in a stunning gown that highlighted her timeless beauty. Her auburn hair framed her face, and her gaze held a sense of authority and wisdom that only came with experience.

Phoebe, the middle sister, exuded a unique charm and grace. Her outfit was a reflection of her fashion-forward sensibilities, and her dark locks cascaded down her back. Her aura was a blend of mystique and allure, drawing people in with an undeniable magnetism.

Paige, the youngest of the trio, was a vision of youthful exuberance. Her attire was both stylish and playful, a perfect representation of her lively spirit. Her blonde hair danced with each step, and her bright eyes sparkled with curiosity and energy.

Samantha, who had her back to the entrance, turned to see the Halliwell sisters and was taken aback with delight. "Piper! Long time no see. It's been years."

Piper smiled warmly. "It has. It's good to see you again, Samantha."

Samantha reminisced about their past, a nostalgic glint in her eye.

"Remember the time we were at P3, and you told me to invest in that newspaper company in New York? I totally did, and now I'm a shareholder of the Daily Bugle. Classic Piper moment."

Piper chuckled and nodded. "I'm glad it worked out for you. Let me introduce you to my sisters."

Samantha turned to meet Paige and Phoebe, her gaze filled with curiosity and admiration. Stan, her husband, couldn't contain his excitement and spoke up. "Another celebrity in the house! I'm a huge fan of Phoebe's articles; they're so good."

The Halliwell sisters exchanged pleasantries with Samantha and Stan, creating a dynamic mix of magic, charm, and charisma at the charity ball. The event had just become even more extraordinary with their presence, as the worlds of science, magic, and celebrity collided in a spectacular blend of personalities and power.

***BAR AREA***

At the bustling bar area of the charity event, the energy was electric, and the crowd was buzzing with excitement. The heroes, led by Scott Lang, ventured to the bar, where a throng of well-dressed patrons vied for a spot to order their drinks.

The moment Scott and his companions approached the bar, however, a wave of recognition swept through the crowd. People began to realize that they were in the presence of an Avenger, and a path cleared for them. Scott turned to his group and with a grin.

"First round on me. What are we having, folks?" Declared Scott, ready to splash the cash.

"Something stiff. Luis' driving was abysmal." Hank responded, still trying to get over the limo ride here.

Janet and Hope, always elegant, requested martinis. Scott nodded in acknowledgment and made his way to the busy bar, determined to get the drinks for his friends.

As he approached the bar, people in the vicinity couldn't help but express their gratitude.

"You're a hero! Thanks for saving us."

Scott smiled appreciatively, responding politely.

"No problem."

But internally, he wondered if he'd be fielding these accolades all night.

At the bar, a young bartender promptly served Scott, a bright smile on his face.

"It's on the house, Sir. You saved my family from a potentially disastrous experiment. We're forever grateful."

Scott hesitated, not entirely comfortable with the offer.

"I appreciate it, but it doesn't feel right. I'll pay for the drinks."

The bartender chuckled and shook his head. "Orders from the host, unfortunately."

Scott turned to see Stan, who was giving him an enthusiastic thumbs-up. With a sigh, Scott relented.

"Alright, but you're getting the money as a tip, kid."

"Thanks Mr Lang!" Said the young bartender excitedly.

As Scott placed the order, and as he waited for the bartender to prepare the drinks, a familiar voice spoke up behind him.

"Hey, it's you again."

Scott turned to find the young woman he'd encountered earlier. He smiled in recognition.

"Hey, coffee, magic girl right? What are you doing here?"

Paige explained with a playful grin, "I'm here with my sisters. They're drawing quite the crowd."

Scott was intrigued. "That's cool. Where are they?"

"They'll be over soon. Phoebe's getting some attention for her writing." Paige said leaning in, as the noise around the bar was loud.

Scott's interest was piqued, and he couldn't resist a playful quip.

"A writer, huh? Wonder if she can help me out with my book."

Paige laughed and extended her hand. "I'm Paige, by the way. You know me as the star-struck coffee shop fan."

Scott chuckled as he shook her hand. "I'm Scott, Ant-Man. But you knew that from earlier."

Just as they were getting acquainted, the bartender returned with the tray of drinks and presented them to Scott.

"Thank you for the tip, Mr. Lang."

Scott grabbed the tray and gave a nod to Paige. "Enjoy your evening. I'll see you around."

"Thanks Scott." Paige replied, seeing the Avenger walk off to drop off the drinks to his party.

Returning to his group with a tray of carefully balanced drinks, Scott presented the martinis for Janet and Hope, the stiff concoction for Hank, and a playful comment to accompany it.

"Hank, I figured this drink was needed for sure." Scott stated to Hank, passing him his drink.

"Damn right, Scott. That limo drive here was awful. I'm tempted to get an Uber home." Hank remarked, taking a swift sip of his stiff drink.

"Scott, who's the girl you were speaking with at the bar?" Hope asked, being handed her martini.

Scott grinned, taking a moment to reflect. "She was a fan from the coffee shop earlier. I signed her coffee cup."

Janet chimed in with a playful smirk. "You really are gathering all the fans tonight, Scott."

Scott shrugged, a hint of modesty in his response. "Comes with the territory, right?"

The group observed the grandeur of the charity event, taking in the famous faces and influential personalities that filled the room.

Hank couldn't help but wonder, "I wonder if anyone actually knows what Pym Technologies is?"

"You'd hope so, considering we're funding the event." Hope added.

As they delved into their own conversation, Scott felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Paige once more, this time with two other women in tow. She apologized with a smile.

"Sorry to bother you again, Scott, but my sisters wanted to come and say hello and maybe take a picture too."

Scott, ever the amiable hero, didn't hesitate. "Sure thing."

Paige introduced her sisters, and as they stepped forward.

"This is Piper and Phoebe."

Scott did the same. "This is Hope, Hank, and Janet."

Paige's eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at Hope. "Oh, my God, you're The Wasp, right? I'm a huge fan."

Hope smiled graciously, accustomed to the occasional fan encounter. "Yes, that's me. It's great to meet you all."

As introductions continued, Paige introduced her sisters, beginning with Piper, the confident and elegant elder sister. Piper greeted them warmly, her voice resonating with authority and charm.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Scott here seems to have made quite an impression on my little sister."

"Well, you know. Avenger life right?" Scott said amused, taking a sip of his drink.

Phoebe, the middle sister, with her magnetic presence, was the next to speak. "I've heard a lot about you, Scott. Paige can't stop talking about her encounter with an Avenger."

Scott chuckled, not unaccustomed to the attention. "Well, it's great to meet you all. Feel free to take a picture if you'd like."

Paige couldn't contain her excitement and snapped a quick photo of the group, capturing the moment. "Thank you so much, Scott. You've made our night."

As Paige proudly showed her sisters the photo they had taken with the group, Phoebe and Hope engaged in a conversation. Hope looked at Phoebe with a smile and asked, "You're Phoebe Halliwell, right?"

Phoebe confirmed her identity, saying, "Yes, that's me."

Hope complimented her, saying, "I love your 'Ask Phoebe' articles. They're a great read."

Phoebe graciously accepted the praise. "Thank you. I'm currently writing about the 5-year blip, a topic suggested by one of our readers. It would be awesome if I could interview you or Scott about it."

Hope laughed and playfully patted Scott on the back, nearly causing him to spill his drink. "Better talk with Scott here. He survived it, not me."

Scott chimed in, recalling his experiences. "Well, I was trapped in the Quantum Realm for five years, which was more like five hours to me, but I missed a lot too."

Phoebe was intrigued. "Either way, it would be great for our readers."

Piper, on the other hand, recognized Hank and Janet and approached them with a warm greeting. "You're Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, right?"

Hank affirmed, "Yes, that's us. Fan, I presume?"

"I remember stories about the original Ant-Man and The Wasp. It's great to meet you." Said Piper, remembering the tales she heard of the first shrinking superheroes.

"Thank you. Those days are long gone now, and we have Scott and Hope thankfully taking on the mantles."

Piper's curiosity got the best of her as she asked, "How did Scott become The Ant-Man?"

Hank couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. "He stole my suit."

Piper's eyes widened in surprise. "Stole?"

Hank nodded, amusement evident in his voice. "Yes, he broke into my house and took an old Ant-Man suit, which he thought was just an old biker get-up."

Piper couldn't hide her laughter at the audacity of the tale. "That's quite the way to become a superhero."

Hank and Janet shared a knowing look, and Janet added, "Sometimes heroes come from unexpected places."

"Indeed they do, dear." Hank replied, taking another sip of his drink.

"So how do you know the hosts?" Janet asked Piper with interest.

"Old friends, we go way back. I own P3 downtown and she was a regular with her friends, we got to know each other and we just clicked." Piper replied, remembering back to meeting Samantha all those years ago. "What about you two, what's your connection?"

"Samantha and I go way back." Hank began. "We were old friends even before Pym Technologies took off. She became a shareholder early on, and she's remained a leading one ever since."

Piper nodded, clearly impressed by their history. "That's quite a connection you have there, Hank."

Hank smiled, appreciating the bond he had with Samantha, both as friends and as collaborators in the world of science and technology.

"Yes, we've been through a lot together, and I'm glad to support her charity work along with my Janet and Hope."

Just as the conversation continued, the sound of a microphone being tapped caught their attention. They turned their focus to the stage, where Samantha and Stan stood, ready to begin.

Samantha greeted the assembled guests with a smile and enthusiasm. "Welcome, everyone."

Scott, taking another swig of his drink, muttered, "Let the show begin."

As Samantha Lee prepared to begin her speech on the grand stage, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. The assembled guests eagerly awaited her words. Just as she was about to take the microphone, the lights throughout the room suddenly went dark. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, and startled voices whispered, "Reminds me of being dusted for five years," causing a nervous chuckle to ripple through the room.

In the dimly lit room, people clung to each other, anxious but trying to make light of the situation. The abrupt darkness seemed like a cruel twist of fate, conjuring memories of the blip, a period of loss and uncertainty that still haunted many.

But as suddenly as the lights had gone out, they flickered back to life, revealing a horrifying scene on the stage. There, in the spotlight, lay the lifeless body of Samantha Lee, her once-vibrant eyes now vacant and her life snuffed out in an instant. Panic erupted among the guests, chaos ensued, and the joyous atmosphere of the charity ball was instantly shattered.

Hope, ever the heroine, rushed to the stage, fear etched across her face as she knelt beside Samantha's body. She checked for a pulse, her fingers searching for any sign of life, but it was clear that the host of the event was gone. A visible mark on Samantha's neck with a trickle of blood told a grim tale.

Hank, his voice full of urgency and resolve, shouted to Scott and Hope, "Get suited up and find out who did this. We need to secure the area."

Phoebe, known for her premonitions, was suddenly overcome with a vision. Her eyes glazed over, and she could see a mysterious figure appearing on the stage out of nowhere, striking Samantha with a swift, deadly blow. The vision, however, was frustratingly fuzzy, like trying to see through a thick fog.

Piper, ever vigilant, noticed Phoebe's sudden change in expression. She leaned in and asked, "What did you see?"

Phoebe tried to explain, her words laced with frustration. "I saw the killer, but it was like looking through a haze. I couldn't make out their face."

Piper, determined to assist, utilized her Molecular Deceleration power to slow down time around her, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious figure. Time seemed to grind to a crawl, and she scanned the surroundings with keen eyes.

However, the perpetrator had vanished into thin air, and despite Piper's best efforts, she couldn't locate any clues. She sighed in frustration and sped time back to its normal pace.

"Damn it, they have fled." Piper spoke with frustration in her voice.

As the room returned to its usual rhythm, Scott and Hope, who were dashing off to change into their suits, had felt the effects of Piper's power, and felt a strange sensation. It was as if they had been slowed down, much like their experiences in the Quantum Realm.

"Wait, did we just freeze or something?" Scott asked, looking at Hope, feeling rather weird in himself.

"I felt it too, one minute we are running to get in our suits, the next I feel as time has stopped us." Hope exclaimed her feelings.

"So bizarre right?" Scott muttered, looking around for answers.

Hank and Janet, too, experienced a similar phenomenon, and it left them disoriented.

Hank, his mind racing, considered the implications. "It's as if our molecular levels were slowed down, like in the Quantum Realm."

Paige, who had overheard the conversation, couldn't help but connect the dots. She knew her sisters' powers and their connection to the Quantum Realm.

"Maybe it's the drink you had, Hank. Could be affecting you." Suggested Paige, trying to keep her sister's power hidden.

"No, it's not the alcohol. It's something else, rather supernatural." Hank replied, trying to make sense of it all.

"Not scientific, Henry?" Janet asked with confusion.

Hank paused a moment and looked at the sisters, something seemed off but even his genius, scientific brain couldn't wrap around it.

"It's as if our molecular levels were slowed down, like in the Quantum Realm." Hank noted. "It's as if the Quantum Realm was here."

Hope and Scott, still trying to shake off the strange sensation, nodded in agreement.

"That did feel really strange," Hope said.

Scott added, "Yeah, like we were down in the Quantum Realm."

Janet, looking at the deceased host and the chaos around her, couldn't dwell on the peculiar experience.

"There's no time for questions right now. You two go get suited up and look around for clues."

As Scott and Hope hurried off to suit up for their investigation, Piper leaned in and whispered her unease to Phoebe, who was still processing the surreal events of the evening.

"I think Hank might know more about us than he's letting on."

Phoebe, curious and concerned, asked, "What do you mean?"

Piper's voice remained low as she explained, "Hank's connection to his work with Pym Particles and the Quantum Realm... It's as if my powers slowed down their molecules, like they've experienced something similar when adventuring into the Quantum Realm."

"So you're saying that your powers to manipulate molecules is not foreign to Hank, Scott and Hope?" Phoebe replied with concern.

"Yes. They know something feels uneasy and wrong, not like others who have been paused or sped up before." Piper added, knowing that the heroes they met tonight have experience with their molecules being played with when they adventure into the Quantum Realm or when they shrink and grow in size.

Phoebe understood the gravity of the situation, and her expression reflected the weight of their dilemma. "Do we need to tell them the truth?"

Piper weighed the options carefully before responding. "Not yet, but soon. We need to figure out what's happening here first."

The unfolding mystery held many layers, and the Charmed Ones were at a crossroads, torn between the secrets they held and the need for transparency in the face of a dangerous unknown. As they delved deeper into the investigation, they would have to tread carefully to uncover the truth and protect their own secrets, all while facing a threat that blended science, magic, and heroism in unexpected ways.