A Mutant Collector Quest

"It is certainly ... impactful," I reply with a wry smile. "By the way, what's the deal with the Queen? Is this planet we are on Mirwood? And who were the aliens we just fought?"

"You seriously know nothing, do you?" Janet asks, looking at me with pity.

"Not much. I was teleported to an alien jungle nearby by my teacher... a few hours ago?" I respond, unsure how much time has passed.

"Teleported? By magic?" Janet asks, astonished. "Well, to answer your question, yes, Mirwood is the name of this rock we are on. But if you have just arrived, then you have no idea how vast Sub-Atomica is. It's not just one planet; there are multiple worlds, star systems—it's a whole other universe, a Microverse!" She looks excited as she explains. "When I first arrived here, everything was so foreign, so dangerous. It was hard to adjust." Her expression softens. "I even had to learn different languages, but you are already pretty powerful, and with your magic-speaking thingy, you will fit right in. Although ... you will have to endure the food here. Ah! I have been craving a cheeseburger and a milkshake for so long," she laments.

"A cheeseburger and a milkshake? Your order is coming right up, ma'am," I say, mimicking a delivery person. Using my Data Warping powers, I recreate a Burger King cheeseburger and a milkshake. I had to do this before when Toni was craving fast food, and the delivery guy was taking too long. But instead of portaling there, I had Daisy make a detailed schematic of the meal, allowing me to replicate it with my powers. That earned me good points with Toni in bed—though it also left Happy alone finishing the four meals which were previously ordered, which he happily did.

"No way ... is this an illusion?" Janet asks in shock, taking the burger. In a trance, she unwraps it and takes a practiced bite. "This is ... real! Fuck its a real cheeseburger!" She jumps and throws her arms around my neck, kissing my cheeks. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she exclaims, kissing me two more times as her breasts squeeze against my chest. I have half a mind to grab her slim, exposed waist, but I control myself.

She then leaves me, taking the milkshake too, which was inside a large plastic cup with a straw. "Ah, sooo yummy! Milkshake and it's chocolate!!" She exclaims, devouring the burger and drink happily.

"Eat slowly… I can make even more if you want," I say with a wry smile, mentally thinking that I should be repaid with a hug and a kiss for each of them.

"Are… you an ahmgel?" she mumbles, looking at me wide-eyed with her mouth full of food.

Well, technically, I do have quite a few powers similar to an angel, but I just give a small smile in return.

After finishing the burger and drink in mere minutes, she licks her fingers clean and even removes the plastic cap to down the last droplets of the milkshake. "Burp, yeah, that's the stuff," she says with a satisfied smile, patting her flat stomach.

I chuckle. It's fascinating to see that Janet is so vibrant and full of life—so different from Hope, who is always serious and driven. Controlling my smile, I take a deep breath and step closer to her.

"Janet," I say in a serious tone.

"Ah! yes, Mr. Delivery Man? That is a yes ... I would like another, with some fries. Oh no, can I get fat eating magical food?" she asks, distressed.

"Janet ... Janet van Dyne, you asked how I knew your name, right?" I say, my voice soft and low. Seeing my demeanour, even Janet's smile fades, and she focuses all her attention on me.

"H-how do you know my name?" she asks, her voice trembling, her wide eyes locked onto mine.

"It's because a very good friend of mine—a female friend—once showed me pictures of her mother. And you look exactly like her," I say gently. Janet's entire body begins to shake as she covers her mouth with trembling hands. "Her name is… Hope van Dyne," I whisper.

"H-Hope… my baby," she stammers, tears spilling down her cheeks. "H-how is she? How is my jellybean?" Her voice cracks as she clutches my arms tightly, her fingers digging into my sleeves as though anchoring herself. "She must be so scared… so young… without her mother… My poor jellybean. My poor Hope!" she cries, her sobs wracking her slender frame.

Watching her reaction and hearing her words, something about it strikes me as odd. I had initially chalked up her youthful appearance to some strange abilities she might have gained in this dimension—her shrinking without visible Pym particles or an Ant-Man-style suit being one such clue. But now, her words raises an unsettling possibility in my mind.

"Janet," I ask, my tone serious but soft, "How long have you been down here? How long has it been since you last saw Hope?" I tread carefully, unsure of how to approach the delicate subject.

"H-how long?" she asks, her voice trembling, choked with sobs. "I... I don't know. Time here is so strange, but if I had to guess… maybe two years?" She wipes at her tears, but they flow endlessly, leaving trails down her cheeks. "Please, can you tell me how Hope is doing?" she pleads, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes, her voice heavy with desperation.

I let out a long sigh. "Ha…" The weight of her question presses down on me, and I hesitate, knowing the impact my words will carry. Activating my Data Warping ability, I produce a paper napkin in my hand. Gently, I cup her face, my touch cautious but comforting, and begin to wipe away her tears.

She flinches slightly at the unexpected contact but doesn't pull away, her gaze fixed on mine as though clinging to the hope my answer might bring. From the corner of my eye, I notice Queen Pearla and Marionette standing a respectful distance away. They exchange glances but make no move to interrupt, even halting other alien beings from approaching the two of us.

"Janet…" I start, my voice soft but steady, as I try to find the right words, "there is no easy way to say this. I met Hope two years ago at a press conference hosted by my company. At that time, I was captivated by this beautiful, confident woman… She was 19 years old then." I whisper the last part softly, my heart aching for the woman before me.

"Huh? What are you talking about? How can Hope be 19? S-she must be just 9 years old, right?" Janet stammers, her voice cracking as tears flood down her face faster than before. "I-it's been a long, long time... but I am sure it should have just been two years. You must be joking with me, right Luke? Hahaha, that was funny. Right? I laughed at your joke. Can you please tell me how Hope, my 9-year-old daughter, is doing now?" She asks, her laughter mixed with tears, gripping my arms as tightly as she can.

"Janet, pull yourself together and listen to me carefully," I say, gently but firmly holding her trembling shoulders as her sobs wrack her body. "This is a different world, right? You yourself told me about the vast Microverse. It has its own laws, its own rules... and apparently, its own time," I explain seriously, trying to help her understand the impossible situation.

"No… t-that can't be" Janet says shaking her head, in denial.

"It is," I say. "It has been 14 years since you have been gone from Earth, Janet—not two," I explain softly, trying to ease her into the reality of the situation.

I am not entirely sure whether it is the time distortion caused by the size or gravity difference, or if it is the nature of the magical dimension itself. But from the approximate calculations Janet made, it seems that time here flows at a 1:7 ratio — one hour here equals seven hours on Earth. That means even though it has only been two years here, it has actually been 14 years back home.

"But that must mean that H-hope... s-she has been all alone for f-fourteen long years," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. Her face crumples in despair as her tears continue to pour. "I am such a terrible... terrible mother," she sobs, the pain clear in her voice. The anguish in her eyes is unbearable, and seeing the cheerful woman break down before me is breaking even my heart.