Sonic/Marvel - Empire: Rising

Way Fast Clash

Sonic the Hedgehog and the Ant-Man stared each other down. Neither moved, neither gave the other any leverage. Any small movement could set off something larger - and if there was anyone alive an expert on small movements, it was Hank Pym. His mind was racing, a chaotic cacophony of loose thoughts, all screaming at him relentlessly. A spanner had certainly been thrown in the plan of grabbing the Emerald unseen - no, at this point it was far fairer to say the entire toolbox had been thrown in - and worst of all, now he had to explain to the rest of the Illuminati why he'd engaged directly with a newly discovered species, instead of reporting it back first. Tony was going to laude this over him, for sure. Medusa was definitely going to be on his case about it as well - though, Hank thought to himself, Medusa would be far better than those looks of disappointment that Black Bolt gives out, usually to Tony. Always to Tony.

Hank shook his thoughts away. It was better to focus himself on the here and now - besides, he was the Illuminati's head on biochemistry and zoology anyway. Well, technically the head on etymology - but that still meant he knew more about animals than the rest of the Illuminati, possibly barring Reed. Hedgehogs and ants aren't that different, right? Talking, three foot hedgehogs... Focus, Hank Focus!

Hank focused himself again on the here and now. Here, in the surprisingly nice lab of newly discovered life, and now, caught in conflict with it. Great. Hank's eyes towards the door, and then back towards the blue hedgehog stood firmly in front of him. From what he had seen, Sonic was certainly fast enough to catch Hank if he did a runner - but can he catch what he can't see?

"Wha- Hey! That's not fair!" Sonic exclaimed as the mysterious intruder disappeared in front of him. Only the Emerald was left visible now, falling straight to the ground and... moving across the floor. Huh. Moving straight towards...

"Oh no you don't!" Sonic yelled, racing towards the open door and slamming it shut before the Emerald could make it through. The Emerald instead hopped onto a shelf, racing towards a nearby open window - which Sonic shut just as quickly. What followed was an intense rush of the Emerald moving towards any opening it could find, with Sonic rushing around even faster to close off any possible exits. Amy watched unamused as these antics unfolded, whilst Tails fiddled with a small, yellow device held in his hand.

"So, it's safe to say our new friend hasn't turned invisible!" Tails said, pushing a few buttons on his Miles Electric. On its display were heat signatures, capturing first the bird resting on the windowsill, then Amy, and then Sonic as Tails moved his device across the room. Eventually Tails focused on the Emerald - on which was a small heat signature, clearly not belonging to the gemstone itself. It was far closer to that of the would-be thief - though it was far, far smaller than the man that had been standing before them a few moments ago.

"I... I think he might be using shrinking tech!"

"Got it!" Sonic yelled, holding the Emerald that he managed to nab in the air victoriously. "Once again Sonic the Hedgehog has proven that there is nothing in this world quick enough to escape the Fastest Thing Ali- What is that?"

Sonic almost dropped the Emerald in shock, juggling it with little finesse between his hands before finally getting a firm grip upon it again. The source of his surprise was now sitting atop the Emerald. As Sonic looked in shock the Ant-Man looked back up at him, clearly annoyed.

"Hey, he's not invisible! It's a tiny guy!"

"Yeah, that's what I just... Sonic, were you even listening?" Tails sighed, before coming in closer to get a look at the now-miniature home invader.

"So... it's a bug guy?" Amy asked as she pulled a large, red hammer out of her bag and held it defensively. "Ugh, I don't like bugs! They give me the heebie-jeebies!"