Guardianship

(Sorry, reader, for the late release. I completed the chapter last night, but before I could upload, I heavily slept, and later, rising up, I realised that I forgot to upload the chapter.)

I knew I needed to find a guardian for my actual civilian status and also someone who could sponsor or teach me many important things. Tony Stark seemed like an obvious choice at first, but I quickly dismissed that idea. 

As one of the future leading Avengers, he was way too entangled with SHIELD's oversight and bureaucracy. I needed to fly further under the radar for now. No, what I required was someone more independent, brilliant, yet reclusive. Someone who could truly appreciate the cosmic profundity of my abilities. 

After racking my brain, one name stood out above all others: Hank Pym. The former Ant-Man was not just a scientific pioneer but arguably the world's foremost authority on the quantum realm through his work with the Pym Particles. If anyone could help me understand and gain control over my own reality-warping mutant powers derived from quantum manipulation, it was him.

Of course, actually making contact with the famously solitary and circumspect Pym wouldn't be easy. My best bet was to be upfront about my mutant status and stress how, by mentoring me, he could prevent other nefarious forces from achieving a similar breakthrough with quantum physics—the kind of threat to the natural order he'd dedicate himself to thwarting after past... unpleasantness.

That's how I found myself anxiously smoothing my hands over my jeans as I stood on Pym's doorstep the next afternoon, my heart thundering in my ears. This was it. I exhaled slowly and gave the door a firm series of knocks.

Moments later, it swung open, revealing Pym himself—an elderly man with a deeply lined but immensely intelligent face—studying me with obvious caution.

"Who might you be?" he asked in a gruff tone.

I swallowed hard. "Mr. Retired Ant-Man, I need to ask for your help. It would mean everything to me." Maybe a bit too dramatic, but I needed to get his attention right away.

Pym stiffened almost imperceptibly at my invoking his former heroic identity, but he jerked his head in a curt nod. "Come inside." 

We made our way to the living room, where I perched nervously on the edge of a sofa across from the armchair he settled into with a measuring look. Okay, Alice, this is it. No turning back now. I straightened my shoulders and met his penetrating stare head-on.

"Well, I know you're the only person I can turn to for this," I began carefully. "As the world's preeminent expert on the quantum realm, no one else truly understands that field like you do. And it may surprise you, but..." Here goes nothing. "I'm a mutant. And my abilities have everything to do with manipulating quantum fields on a subatomic level."

Interest flickered across Pym's expression, and I pressed on quickly, the words tumbling out in an anxious rush. "I need your guidance and your mentorship to help me fully grasp the extent of these powers before they spiral completely out of my control."

I revealed the truth about my background as an unwitting experimental subject in some of Oscorp's most controversial mutant research programs. Having no memories before being an experimental subject. And somewhat lying about how I teleported from that place unconsciously using my mutant abilities and saved myself.

Terrifying, reality-bending abilities are equal parts wondrous and threatening. Pym listened intently, stroking his whiskered chin as I described the fundamental forces of nature itself as seeming to bend to my subconscious desires if I didn't impose strict psychic disciplines. The thought of inadvertently unravelling the very fabric of existence...it made me shudder.

"You must understand, Mr. Pym," I pleaded earnestly, leaning forward. "I'm not asking for your help lightly. These powers place an immense, cosmic burden on my shoulders—a burden I never chose but have to bear responsibly regardless." I searched his eyes imploringly. "If I don't learn to control them fully, to truly understand them on a transcendental level..." I trailed off, my throat tightening. "Well, the consequences could be...cataclysmic." Damn, I should become a novel writer at this stage with my fabrication skills.

I didn't realise I was holding my breath until the silence stretched onward. Pym's bushy eyebrows knitted together as the intellectual gears turned rapidly behind his eyes, weighing the implications of what I'd revealed.

Finally, he spoke in a low, gravelly tone. "You make a fair point about the need to safeguard the quantum realm from untrained manipulation." His lips pressed into a thin, grim line. "Perhaps more to the immediate point, an omega-level mutant of your purported calibre left to their own devices risks triggering an extinction-level event for the planet itself."

My breath hitched despite the blunt severity of his assessment. But Pym raised a calloused hand before I could respond. "However, I will not turn away someone truly seeking to do the right thing and take responsibility, no matter how daunting the task may be." A spark of resolve flickered in his eyes as he straightened. "If you are willing to commit yourself fully to studious discipline and principles of scientific restraint, I will take you on as my personal pupil in all matters quantum-related."

The knot of anxiety in my chest unravelled as visceral relief washed over me like a breaking wave. I couldn't stop the relieved smile from spreading across my face as I sat up straighter and gave a firm nod. "You have my solemn vow, Mr. Pym. I'll apply myself completely to your teachings and principles. Mastering restraint is my top priority."

Pym held my gaze for a long moment before giving a grunt of affirmation. "Very well. We'll begin at once exploring ways to establish psychic shielding and impose systematic quantum-metaphysical safeguards." His expression grew more severe. "Control must precede any further exploration into the depths of your abilities; is that clear?"

"Perfectly clear, sir," I assured him quickly, a small part of me still in disbelief that this was actually happening.

"By the way, Mr. Pym, about my guardianship..."

"Well, don't worry about that, even if I am too old to be your guardian. Hope is there to handle your guardianship."

"Hope?"

"She is my daughter. Currently the chairperson of Pym Industries."

"Ohh." I am speechless at why he didn't take my guardianship.

*Cluck* sound of door opening came. And as I moved my head in the direction of the door, I spotted a woman entering the recidense.

"Good timing; I didn't think she would come here."

"Hank! Who is this young girl?"

I stood up and introduced myself. "I am Alice Lewis, 13 years old. I will be in your care."

"Alice, can you give me some time with Hope?"

"Uhh, I will be waiting outside." I went outside the room and found a chair in the corner. I spent some time thinking about some complex things.

After some time, Hank and Hope finally came out of the living room. Hope gave me a serious look as I stood up from my chair.

"Alice," Hank said. "We've talked it over, and Hope has agreed to become your legal guardian while you undergo quantum studies."

I felt so relieved. Having the brilliant Hank Pym as my mentor was amazing enough, but with his daughter Hope officially taking me under her wing too, I was set on a solid path forward.

"Thank you, Ms. Van Dyne," I said sincerely. "I promise I'll work really hard on whatever Mr. Pym teaches me."

Hope raised an eyebrow. "You'd better. This is a very unique situation that we're allowing. I expect you to follow all the rules and protocols we set out, understood?"

"Absolutely," I replied with a nod. "Gaining full control of my abilities is the top priority."

She held my gaze for a moment before giving a short nod. "Good. I'll get the legal guardianship paperwork started right away."

A small smile played across Hank's lips as he looked between us. "Excellent. Now that the personal matters are taken care of, we can focus entirely on Alice's quantum studies." His eyes regained their intense, scientific glimmer. "I propose we begin with a full overview covering the basics of quantum theory and mechanics."

I nodded firmly. "I'm ready to devote myself completely, sir." 

"We'll take it step-by-step over the next two years you'll be staying there in New York," Hank explained. "During that time, you'll develop a deep, unified understanding of quantum physics through intense study and hands-on experimentation over the material I will send over email. Even if you are special, you shouldn't waste your teenage time, or you will be more detached from society. I am not just guiding you for your ability but also for your good future."

"You'll have full access to all my libraries and equipment on request," Hank went on. "We'll explore every aspect of theoretical and practical quantum mastery."

"And I'll arrange a private apartment for you in New York," Hope chimed in while tapping away on her tablet. "With an in-home workspace for your...side projects." 

She gave me a wry look. "I'll also use my resources to legitimise your income from those online games you create using a legal identity. We have to maintain appearances."

I felt a smile tugging at my lips as the details fell into place. "Thank you both so much. This means everything to me."

"Don't mention it," Hope replied crisply, though I detected a hint of warmth beneath her business-like demeanour. "Think of me as the practical counterbalance to my father's academic enthusiasm."

She arched an eyebrow, mocking Hank, who simply rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. I could already tell their dynamic would be reassuring.

"Very well, then!" Hank said, clapping his hands together. "If the trivial particulars are settled, we can finally dive into the far more fascinating mysteries of quantum gravitational theory and its relation to your reality-warping capabilities!"

As he instantly launched into an animated scientific monologue, Hope pulled me aside briefly.

"I'll be staying nearby to check on you every month," she murmured. "But don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything at all, okay?"

Then she turned to Hank and said, "I will go with Alice to New York and complete all the legal files for Alice and return in a week. I am leaving the Pym technology in Darren's hands."

"Do whatever you want." He then left the room. Well, I think in the future I will also have to be involved in the Ant-Man plotline.

"*Sigh* What a misfortune."