The Beginning
Sokovia, 1994
When the bomb dropped on your house, you were one, Pietro was holding you while Mama and Papa tried to find your pacifier. When the roof was suddenly blown off, you, Wanda, and Pietro were all flung into the wall, Pietro holding on to you with all the strength he had at seven years old. When we awoke, we made our way under the bed and there we stayed for two days watching as the Stark bomb mocked us with its beeps from mere feet away. That was until your siblings realized babies couldn’t go as long as you had without food. Carefully walking out of your destroyed apartment, Wanda and Pietro took turns holding you as we made our way to the city. But it wasn’t just your family that was under attack, all of Sokovia was suffering from the war. Food was scarce, and as much as your siblings begged and cried for help no one came. That was until a strange man approached Pietro who was running around attempting to steal as much as he could for his sisters.
“You look like you could use some help.” the man prompted. Holding out a loaf of bread to Pietro as a sign of trust. Looking the man up and down,
Pietro knew he couldn’t be trusted, but his hunger broke through his fear as he reached for the bread and took off running. In the alley you and Wanda were hidden in, Pietro came sprinting back showing the small haul of food he managed to find, but Wanda didn’t look at him with pleasure, instead, her eyes filled with fear. That's when Pietro realized the man had followed him. Standing guard in front of Wanda and Wanda guarding you securely on her hip they slowly backed away from the man. Instead of advancing toward you he paused and crouched down, holding his hands up in surrender.
“I don’t mean any harm” the stranger began, “I just noticed you were alone and I thought I could offer some assistance.”
Your siblings hesitated before Wanda spoke out, “We’re fine, thank you.”
“Oh, but you don’t look fine. Where are your parents?” The tears welling in your sibling's eyes gave him the answer. Looking down to hide his smirk from the children he stated, “I’m so sorry for your loss, but you’re too young to be out here alone. You know I’m a part of an organization that helps kids like you.”
Your siblings stared at him, trying not to look too eager.
The man continued, “It’s a safe place, we can give you food and shelter, even help take care of your little sister you have.”
You began to fuss in Wanda’s hold as if you knew he was speaking about you. Still hesitant but desperate for any glimmer of help Pietro responded in the deepest voice he could muster for a child, trying to appear as intimidating as possible, “What’s the catch?”
“Well aren’t you a smart kid,” he said as he laughed harshly, “all we ask is that you help us test some projects we’re working on, nothing hard, simply giving you thoughts.”
The offer sounded too good to be true, Pietro almost agreed then and there, until Wanda spoke up, “How can we trust you? Our Mama said never to trust strangers. We don’t even know your name.”
“Well, that’s an easy fix,” he said, “You can call me Strucker and I believe we won’t be strangers for long.”
The twins look at each other before hesitantly introducing themselves.
“And the little one.”
This is Y/N.”
“What a beautiful name.” Peering back at the children, he extended his hand more.
“Well, what do you say?” Taking one last look at each other, the three of you moved closer to him, your siblings taking his hands while you still clung to Wanda’s hip.
“Very good,” Strucker said, “I trust we will make an excellent team.”