A/N: I know Nativity is still incomplete and it will be finished in a couple days but I wanted to post my next story, just to see if there is an interest.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ THIS FIRST.

This is the next story in my Hidden Dragon verse. But before you keep reading, let me provide you with the following warnings since this story will be a little different than my other works.

Warning 1: This story will involve crossovers from several other shows. I don't think a strong knowledge of these shows is necessary to enjoy this story. I'm not going to tell you which shows yet, but I left clues in my other stories. For example see Chapter 11 of Hidden Dragon and Chapter 12 of The Nativity.

Warning 2: This story will also involve a little bit of fantasy. Nothing pertaining to cannon characters, and no Harry Potter wand-waving type magic in this story. It just helps explain some things in the storyline, and I allude to a favourite old legend.

Warning 3: For a non-cannon character I have been surprised how many people like Ender. If you don't think you can see him as anything other than a cute little boy, you might not like this one. This story will introduce Ender's history as well and some of it is a bit intense. It also intertwines with Neal's past. I based a lot of Ender's character on the book Ender's Game so that might give you a little clue on whether you want to continue (He is not the same character as the one in the book, I just like how he is written and borrowed some of Mr. Card's character ideas). He'll still be a cute, sarcastic kid, but with more of a past that I think explains him better.

So if you made it through all that and still want to read, please scroll down. This is simply the prologue. The actual story should be full a lot more action (and probably some whump) than my other stories, and will provide my own take on how Neal gained his skills as a conman. The next chapter will be posted as soon as Nativity is finished, which hopefully will be in the next four to five days.


Photo in the Mail

The nondescript manila envelope arrived by post on a Tuesday. It sat on the table by the front door after the maid received it around 3 pm. June delivered it to Neal's apartment that evening, setting the envelope on the kitchen table with what looked appeared to be a package from Mozzie and some junk mail.

Neal arrived home from another busy day of work around seven pm, picking up the mail and sorting through it. He opened the package from Mozzie first, expecting something pertaining to a case. Instead it was a new DVD about the link between the assassinations of John Lennon, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Bob Marley. A yellow post-it note was stuck on the cover with 'Don't share with the Suit,' written in Mozzie's scrawl.

Neal ripped up the junk mail including several credit card applications. He was rather tempted to send one in just to see what sort of credit limit he was eligible for, but Peter monitored his credit history regularly, and the applications were in his real name.

Turning his attention to the last envelope, Neal slid a finger underneath the flap, tearing it open. There was no return address, which wasn't too unusual. A lot of advertisements didn't put the company information on the front cover, so a person was more likely to open the envelope and at least check out the contents before throwing everything away.

From the feel of the paper, it was a photograph, but the picture was facing down. Neal casually flipped it over and the envelope slipped from his fingers, skidding across the floor and under a nearby hutch. His heart rate sped up and Neal felt his breath hitch as he stared at the image before him.

The photograph was of Neal, and appeared to be taken as he was exiting the FBI office. He was with Peter who was walking to his left as they descended the front stairs. Over Neal's face, in red, was a sniper's crosshairs, and at the bottom were the words, "The Angel of Death Is Watching You Nealcen."


So what did you think? Reviews are loved.