Description: When an obscure text is discovered which can throw the entire balance of the universe into peril, the FF is called for help. However, they need the aid of a cryptographer, an old friend. First attempt at a FF fanfic. PleaseR&R. Thanks!
A/N: Many thanks to PirateGyrl for all of her help and suggestions for this story during my LONG writer's block period.
Also, forgive me, I know this chapter doesn't make much sense. It's a prologue. You'll get to see our favorite characters in the next chapter, don't worry. Also, just went and saw The Nanny Diaries today. It was such a great movie. Chris Evans' character was such a sweetie. God, to find a guy like that!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the Marvel characters. Stan Lee rocks!
CHAPTER 1: Prologue
1701 - Rome, Italy
The night was arid and calm. He'd been working night and day, frantic. He knew someone was coming. Someone was coming for him. The candlelight flickered over the walls of his small room. When the flame flickered and died, Giovanni gasped, startled, because he'd been so involved in his work. He re-lit the candle and continued his work. Nothing was more important. It must've been a gust of wind from the open window.
The original manuscript was in an obscure language, and it had taken him quite a while to translate. Finally, he was almost finished.
Several hours later, sweat dripping from his forehead due to the ambient heat from the fire he'd lit in the hearth, he rolled the parchment scroll, sealing it. Taking the original sheets, he stood and tossed them into the fire. The secret was gone. No one would ever have it.
He didn't see the door open slowly and a knife glint in the darkness, the orange light reflected. One strangled cry and he fell, a knife in his back. The murderer collected all papers, parchments, and notebooks, and hurried out of the home, closing the door just as it was before he'd arrived and disappeared into the night.