80Please respect copyright.PENANAhsT6tlYgTc
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Prologue Part Twocopyright protection76PENANAgxuUM1vUVb
December 4, 1996copyright protection76PENANARPlRFddElM
There was nothing special about James Alec Ivanoff. Nothing. Zero, zilch, nada, zip.copyright protection76PENANAXiwWDpjjvN
James lived in Novi Grad, the capital of Sokovia. He was a scientist for the Novi Grad Police Department, or the NGPD. He lived in an apartment next to his long-time crush Petra Maximoff. He was the god-father to Petra’s three-year-old twins, Pietro and Wanda. He hadn’t seen his twin sister Rorie in years. He had never met his four-year-old niece Ashline Ivanoff.copyright protection76PENANAuK9aITgRd4
James was going about his regular day, waking up, heating up leftovers from dinner last night, dropping Pietro and Wanda at the bus stop, walking to work, and reviewing the case file from the previous day.copyright protection76PENANA5P58AybO6H
“Hi James.” One of his co workers, Willow, said as soon as he set his stuff down. “Hi Will.” He responded as he unpacked his bag, pulling out the folder from the previous day.copyright protection76PENANA2ElCUiKmiu
“Boss has something new for you to look at.” Willow said and handed him a file. “Another riot?” He asked as he skimmed the page. “Two dead, four injured, six missing.” Willow replied.copyright protection76PENANAQIPAz7rQx1
“Ivanoff.”copyright protection76PENANAVpwVuzpP6R
James looked up and saw his boss standing in the doorway. “May I have a word?”copyright protection76PENANAxQX3xhlYMl
James exchanged a look with Willow and she gave him a thumbs up. He shrugged and stood up, following Calden out of the room. “You wouldn’t happen to know a little girl, would you?” Calden asked.copyright protection76PENANAn97aRCAp1G
“I-I don’t think so.” He said, confused. “Well, there’s one who wants to see you.” Calden opened the door and James froze.copyright protection76PENANAhRszgMBssi
A small brunette girl sat on the bench with a small satchel. Her crystal eyes, like her mother’s, flicked across the room. When she saw James, her eyes lit up. She immediately stood up and walked towards him.copyright protection76PENANAckTBlXdTld
“Daddy?” She asked. “Daddy?” He echoed, confused. “Yea.” The girl smiled. “My name’s Ash.” She said.copyright protection76PENANAANZfvYFa1k
“My mum, Rorie, said you’re my Dad. She dropped me off here and said I’d be visiting you for a long time.”copyright protection76PENANA1YvwGOROX6
“Wait, Rorie Ivanoff daughter?” He asked. So this is Ash? He thought, his chest swelling with happiness and pride. Ror must be so proud.copyright protection76PENANA6Lt8UqjiyC
“Mum gave me a note to give you.” Ash held up a folded piece of paper, a glittery heart sticker on the corner. “I put the sticker on.” She added.copyright protection76PENANAODIGZ5QIwO
James opened the paper and felt himself tense. Oh, Rorie. He thought. Tell me you’re alright.copyright protection76PENANABuiu6LB5wf
Dearest James,copyright protection76PENANAHCilrrZHuz
I know this must be sudden, you probably must be wondering why Ash is calling you Dad. And I’ve kept the truth from you long enough. Now I need to tell you.copyright protection76PENANADM9FSWnQXW
After Ash was born, her blood samples were sent to S.H.I.E.L.D. They classified her as an 0-8-4 with alien DNA, too unstable to be left in the outside world.copyright protection76PENANA2PHhuwy68e
She is no longer safe with me, so that’s why I’m sending her to you. You and I will be the only people who know this Ashline Ivanoff is my Ashline Ivanoff. She will not be safe anywhere else but with you in Novi Grad.copyright protection76PENANARIGiFTD6Id
I know this must seem unfair, but this must be done. And I know how lonely you’ve been after Alexandra died. If S.H.I.E.L.D. gets their hands on her, they will kill her.copyright protection76PENANASbqPe0ycp7
I love you brother. Ash thinks you are her father, and by all means, don’t tell her you aren’t. You probably want to know who her father is. His name is…copyright protection76PENANAOmwFUOvxIT
James eyes widened, looking down at Ash. Her bright blue eyes were shining. How could a girl as young and sweet and innocent be his daughter? He thought. Oh Rorie, what have you done? He looked back down at the paper.copyright protection76PENANAIiH7mfsqpm
You’ve only known one side of him. You don’t know him the way I do. I love him. Do not judge her for his mistakes.copyright protection76PENANAO5s9sApHBs
With love,copyright protection76PENANA3zjwGWbCpc
Roriecopyright protection76PENANA3m58P5APGN
James crumpled up the paper up and shoved it in his pocket. Ash stared at him with those blue eyes of hers. “Come on, Ash. I’ll take you home and we’ll get lunch later.”copyright protection76PENANAzxnJ645U9Z
Ash smiled and he took her hand.copyright protection76PENANAlzNWuYbYw7
She was like an echo of her father. James knew that she wasn’t the same person as him, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.copyright protection76PENANAKuemW7rKUS
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