IT TAKES TWO ▹ SCOTT LANG ⁶

five

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𝑰𝑻 𝑻𝑨𝑲𝑬𝑺  𝑻𝑾𝑶
-𝒔𝒆𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏
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"IN THE right hands, the relationship between man and suit is symbiotic." Hank explained, standing between Hope and Christina. Scott nodded at Hank's words, stretching out his legs and arms as well. "The suit has power. The man harnesses that power. You need to be skillful, agile, and above all, you need to be fast." Hank raised his hand, snapping sharply. "You should be able to shrink and grow on a dime. So your suit always suits your needs."

With a blank look, Hope closed the door.

"Now dive through the keyhole, Scott." Hank called from the other side of the door.

Scott stared at the tiny opening, flipping down his mask.

"You charge big, you dive small, then you emerge big."

Scott moved his feet, braking into a run towards the door. When he neared, he jumped, pressing the side of his hand with his thumb; but missing the button accidentally.

While Hope rolled her eyes, Christina cringed at the heavy thump against the wooden door.

"Ow!"

THE TRAINING went on for a few more days, Scott still missing every time. With each passing day, Hope pushed the idea more and more of her becoming the next Ant-Woman.

For the umpteenth time, Scott crashed into the door. Hope shared a look with her father. "Useless..."

Christina shook her head, opening the door to find Scott laying on the floor, gripping his arm that hit the door. "We're moving on with training."

Nodding at Hank, she and Hope ushered Scott into the basement.

After they changed into workout clothes, Christina and Hope both stood in front of Scott.

"When you're small, energy's compressed." Hope explained, ambling around the other two. "So you have the force of a two-hundred pound man behind a fist a hundredth of an inch wide—"

"You're like a bullet." Christina added, which to Hope nodded in agreement.

"You punch to hard, you kill someone." Hope said.

"Too soft, and it's a love tap. In other words, you need to learn how to punch properly." Christina finished, tying back her sleek black hair.

Scott narrowed his eyes. "Did you two practice that?" He shook his head. "Anyways, I was in prison for three years. I know how to punch."

"Really? Show me." Chris offered, raising her hands. Scott did a small step back, raising his fists before striking one into Chris' palm.

Christina and Hope shook their heads. "Terrible."

Scott smirked cockily. "You wanna show me how to punch?"

Christina smiled sweetly, nodding. Scott raised his hand. "Show me how to—"

Before he could even finish his sentence, Christina's fist swung forward, punching his nose, carful not to break it. Scott stumbled backwards before falling to the ground.

Hope smirked at Christina, coming up to give her a small high-five.

Hank chuckled, stepping forward in a lab coat. "Christina and Hope have been looking forward to this; Hope especially."

Scott rose to his feet with a sway, bending over and holding his knees. "No kidding."

"Hope trained in martial arts at a difficult time. Christina joined shortly after, offering emotional support, which I am thankful for." Hank continued.