You, the reader, are now beginning the long and epic adventure into the prequel of "Pinpoint Lifeline." Which, yes, I admit I based the prequel name on the same prequel of Fate/Stay Night "Fate Zero". However, the name is the only thing it remotely shares. Unlike "Lifeline", "Zero" is going to be rated "M" instead of the "T". I'm doing this mainly because even with "Lifeline" sometimes I was really pushing it. This is an EL fiction, and EL isn't exactly kid friendly. This way I can write to my heart's content and not have to worry about ratings. If I feel like going gore fest, full on sex with every possible curse here, I can do so.

Not to keep you all, please enjoy the tale.

A huge thanks to HayashiOkami for beta reading the chapters.

Pinpoint Zero

Chapter 1: All That Once Stood

The leaves upon the ground rustled gently in the autumn wind, their array of colors bringing a rather splendid beauty into the graying landscape. Strolling by without care, the people chatted, holding their large coats tightly around their body. It was a small town, only holding a population of two hundred. Peaceful and tranquil, it was the kind of place that was not without first world attributes but rather a place that just felt the need to go without it. That is to say that while they certainly understood and accepted such things as technology, it was just easier to live the lifestyle of simplicity. No, to say it was easier was wrong; it would be better to say that it was more accepted to live a simpler life.

One young boy found himself running happily through the streets, his slightly aging father huffing wildly to keep up with him. "Wait…I can't…keep up," he panted and yet his voice broke slightly as he spoke. For those around him, his words were unique and not that of the language spoken in the country. Still racing along the concrete sidewalks, the young boy accidently ran into an elderly lady, throwing her grocery bags into disarray. Mouthing off a stream of apologies, the elderly lady at first wasn't going to be angry with the 5 year old boy. He was young and vivacious just like any other child would've been. However she was caught off guard by words that she didn't know.

"I'm sorry I just…" she began, leaving the boy also confused by the differences in words until his father finally came up, holding his chest."I am so sorry madam, whatever he knocked down I will help pay for."

"No. No. It is alright, he's just a young one that's all," she spoke, leaving the child to look between his father and the old lady with a look of surprise. For him, they were speaking gibberish, some unknown words that didn't make an inkling of sense to him except for a few choice words. However he also knew that this language was also common here and that his father and mother both spoke it fluently. They though thought that it would be better for him to actually learn his mother's language, as he would spend large amounts of time in his mother's homeland with her family. After speaking with the woman, the boy's father bent low on his knees, grasping the child's shoulders.

"What have I told you about running off like that, Yin?"

The young boy, Yin Sandersas looked away crestfallenly. "I just wanted to play around father, I'm sorry." His father sighed, picking himself back up, and looking at his son with a less severe glare.

"Just stay by my side when we're outside, alright. It's dangerous… to be out here alone."

Yin nodded once, hugging his father in the way a young child
would to get out of a situation in which he felt he might get in trouble for. "I'm sorry father; I won't disobey you ever again." With those words Yin and his father strolled through the town before coming up to a small restaurant on the outskirts. While Since Yin couldn't understand the language, he let his father order for him. He may not understand that the Hungarian language but he certainly liked the Hungarian food. Scarfing it down, his father was almost afraid that he was going to choke.

"Y-Yin! Please don't eat…that much at one time, chew." With his cheeks full at the time, Yin's only answer was to give a small yelp and slow down a slight bit. It was a normal day for a father and son, but soon Sandersas Senior's attention was caught by the small television located in the corner of the booth right above Yin's head. Although Yin wouldn't have understood what was being said, his father could and what was being said on the news sent shivers down his spine.

"Over 10 people have been put to death in the middle of Baja City. Military opposition has been set there and the people are now living in oppressive fear. All security measures and armed forces have failed to stop the oppression. Reports state that Baja will be completely taken over within the next 3 days, making it the 37th city to be overtaken by the oppression. We do have video recordings directly from Baja. I should warn that this video is in real time and thus we warn viewers of the possibility of mature scenes."

The screen went white, shook, and then changed to single image of one man sitting comfortably as if he was a king on the stone steps leading up to what might have been a large library. Something was sprawled around him, the blurry yet unmistakable image of red blood. Yin's father swallowed deeply, noticing also the deep gazes of concern that others in the restaurant were also giving the television. A sound was made, like a shivering singular noise that took a moment to be registered as clapping. The man on the television was clapping, shortly and monotonously while smiling a short, near fatherly like grin.

"Good day to you, my fellow kin of Hungary. I would first like to say that I hope you are all doing wonderful this fine day. I would like to welcome you all to Baja, a fine city it is. In a few short days the entire place's population will be here forth cut by a third, but no worries my friends, I have no intentions of outright wiping out the place. I merely like to state that as I continue my reign of sending this word into perfect suffering, that I allow not only the people of Hungary but all the people of the world that I do not plan on stopping until I cease to breathe. So in that regard, I would like you all to relax, enjoy your meals, play with your kids, make love to your wives, and do whatever makes you happy. Do all the things that brings a smile to your face and when I come, to take over your little cities and towns, when your men are ripped, mothers are torn, sons are slashed and daughters are raped, I ask of you just one little question.

"…Have you yet to awaken from your silly little dreams?"

Long strands of blonde hair were pulled into the back so that it streamed down his neck and shoulder, and a large onyx coat covered the broad shoulders of the 29 year old man. But the most frightening aspect of his appearance was the thin black rods that poked out of the back of his neck and from the sides of his shoulders.

*Click*

The television turned off and truth be told nobody was going to complain.

"I don't think we need to keep watching that, not with children here," the owner said solemnly, nobody talking but all agreeing. For Yin Sandersas, he was only dimly aware that something was going on in the world. A child that was oblivious to the dangers as his father looked at him with a worried expression. Four years ago, a man of unknown origins had started to ransack small countries around Europe under the notion that he was going to create as he put it "a world of ordered suffering". The way he put it, he would usurp the powers that governed these countries and place himself as king. Then, and for most people this was confusing, he was going to set the world into ordered chaos. At first people thought it was some sort of overthrow of the governments to form anarchy but from the man's words alone, this was not what he wanted. He wanted order, he wanted a government, and he wanted a place that was not anarchy or chaos. But he wanted suffering, as if to expect a world where people would scream, die, and suffer under normal circumstances.

A child born into a world would learn to kill not for reason, not for gain, but just because it was expected from him or her. (These children were) raised to believe that a man running at you with a knife was perfectly acceptable and that you too should grab your knife and strike before they struck you. It was the kind of words that only came from a true madman and for the most part, people just ignored him. He was insane, wacked out in his stupid illusions, and well in need of a room in an asylum. Yet the first country fell, overtaken by 200 armed men who were sympathetic to his cause.

Sympathetic?

No, even to those who have been set under the wicked one's demands, who have had their children, friends, families and acquaintances murdered in front of them, those that served him are not sympathetic to his cause. Yet at the same time they are not forced under his will either. Something else was driving them to serve and commit mass murder under his regime.

Such madness would not go far, right? How wrong everyone was, because it soon became apparent that those following him did not consist of just a few dozens, or hundreds or even thousands of people. All across Europe were followers of the usurping king, following his directions and sending hell to places across the countryside. It wasn't just mere raids; these people were well armed, well trained, easily taking down any small time security measures that foolishly tried to overcome them. 1/5 A fifth of Europe in four years was set into terror, all of it caused by a single man.

The Twisted Relic

The Mad King

Demon

The Wicked One

A man whose name and nicknames signaled impending doom.

The Incorrigible…Vladimir Cents.

The small hospital room in Diyarbakir, Turkey was at once surrounded by the high pitched wails of newborn life. A mother and her oldest daughter huddled together upon the clinical bed, partly worried and partly exhilarated. A few minutes seemed like hours until finally, the young doctor finally emerged holding the papers and smiling happily at them. He spoke in thick Turkish to them.

"We've gone through the tests, everything actually seems alright. Her breathing is normal, her heart rate is normal; everything is fine from what we can see. The protrusions from her head I can only say are just a bone defect. I'm afraid that there really isn't anything we can do about them, but I can safely say that they should not impair her health one bit."

The mother sighed in relief, fearing that the mutations might have had some negative effects on her baby. Knowing that the child would be perfectly fine, she nuzzled it closer to her breast as the older daughter poked her head over to look at her newborn sister. She was about 7 years old, her black hair tied in a single ponytail at the back. Her outfit consisted of a simple but pretty green dress and around her neck were two unique objects. One was a simple looking thing that might have looked like a watch, the other was an emblem emblazoned with a silver sword. An object given to her when she part of a children's fencing club. While the emblem represented her love for swords, not just because of their sharpness but many other things such as how they were created or the history behind them, the watch was different. She didn't hold great admiration for such thing as time, but the watch represented her favorite thing of all.

Magic, more importantly, magical illusions.

Around the age of 5 her mother and father had brought her to a magician's show that was passing by through their town. Instantly she fell in love with all the tricks and absolutely adored it when the magician pulled the old "coin behind the ear trick", something that nearly sent her into a fit of surprised giggles. Even now she would put her hand up to her head just to see if there was any loose change back there. The watch that hung around her neck actually belonged to the magician who said that it contained "magical powers". For the young child, such words only increased her love for magic and illusions. Often times at home she would practice with cards, simple tricks for the most part until her parents finally brought her an actual magic play set. She certainly wasn't a pro but for some of the simpler tricks she was actually quite good and now that she had a new member of the family, she couldn't wait to teach her baby sister how to play.

Reaching up, she gently touched the pink hair fuzz around the young child's head, making sure to be careful. She knew that she had to be delicate around the little baby. As her finger touched the very tip of the child's nose, the little thing squealed silently and finally opened her eyes.

"Ah…" Her older sister's smile was playful and curious. "Look how red her eyes are mama…" she squealed happily. "They look like little rubies…" Gazing at her newborn child, the mother had to admit to herself that was she was quite surprised by her baby. Along with the horned protrusions her baby had vivid pink hair and bright crimson colored eyes. Like any mother she was at first a bit concerned, especially with the first aspect. But as the doctor had declared her baby perfect healthy, she was easily able to ignore these things.

Those crimson eyes, blinking to awaken her from her sleep finally opened up wide, tiny fingers gripping together as she took in her surroundings. A soft coo escaped her lips as her sister gently held her little hand. "Hey there, I'm your big sister Orlana," her sister whispered happily.

"Oh…" Such a cute sound, her small hands reaching up and tugging on the little watch that hung around young Orlana's neck. "Do you like that, Carentorzulan?" she asked, gently holding it up for her but not letting go. Even Orlana knew how babies liked to taste things. Carentorzulan, her baby sister, merely looked curiously at it before reaching up to something new. In this case, the black strands of Orlana's hair. Tugging it, her curiosity only growing grew more until she finally found her mother's gaze.

A happily family.

"Good afternoon Uncle Ishori!" The shrill voice came from a young woman of about 20 years old. She was of average height, her hair an amazing color of violet with two white horns sticking from the sides of her head. She had a beautiful but very confident face, one that stemmed from her father's loving but somewhat strict upraising upbringing. Unlike most women her age, she wore very masculine outfits including khakis and a single thick jacket that even had it been zipped up would've done little to hide her well-endowed chest.

Ishori was a young man in his early 40s as well as her favorite uncle, although he wasn't related to her by blood. He was actually her father's half-brother but that didn't make much of a difference to her. He had always remained as her favorite uncle, the kind of person that she could always go to for help. Especially considering the job her father held. Yes, her father loved her just as she loved him, but both of them knew that he held an important job and in some cases, he wouldn't return home for weeks or even months, having to transverse with his unit around South America and sometimes into the States as well. This week he was located nearby but had to remain where he was for the next few days.

Perking her head up, a new person entered the room. A man in his mid-20s, his blonde hair pulled cut short. He wore black jeans and a green shirt with a military slogan emblazoned in Spanish. He had on a small coat as well, though he didn't exactly wear it. Instead it was tightly wrapped around his neck until he finally took it off and hung it up. "Afternoon Mister Alya, how have you been doing today?" he asked, his voice polite and rather timid for someone who was quite muscular.

"Can't complain Nicholas…" Ishori mumbled, leaning back into his chair.

"You know Ishori, you could stop being so lazy and help out around here." A new voice, a young woman in her early 20s had entered into the room from another one, her long hair plastered over sweet face. Why While her words may have been patronizing, it was clear that it was only meant as a joke because she as well as Ishori both laughed aloud. He got up, brushing his thick hair out of his eyes.

"I'm sorry dear, you're doing all the work (and or but) I'm just being a bum." Getting up, he gave a quick thumbs up to Nicholas who returned the gesture, grinning widely while nodding politely to the young woman.

"I'm glad you managed to get some time off of work Nicholas."

"It was no problem at all Jessica, the unit boss decided to let us all leave early," Nicholas said calmly, placing his hand on the purple haired woman's shoulder as he spoke. "I was a bit surprised I have to say, hahaha, you know how the boss likes to keep us." Nicholas, like the young woman's father who also worked in the same environment, he was a trained soldier who had been over seas a few times when he was 18 and 19. Upon hearing loud commotions and groans from her husband, Jessica sighed and went out to help Ishori. Though Through small, close inspection would show that Jessica Alya was also pregnant with child. In a few short months she would soon give birth.

Alone with the horned woman, Nicholas moved over and lightly pressed his lips against her own. Surprised at his sudden intrusion into her person space, her eyes closed shortly thereafter while her hands wrapped around his waist. Letting the warmth sink in, she opened her lips just slightly enough to bite his lower lips, giggling before letting go. It wasn't passionate in the sense that it was a kiss of love and acceptance, one that a wife would give a husband. Close enough really, as Nicholas Vega just happened to be her fiancé. They had met two years ago; one thing lead to another and the foundations of romance were soon brought into light. They shared many interests and he was quite surprised at how quickly he was accepted by her father, perhaps being the fact that both of them shared the same job aspect.

Of course he still remembered the day he told him that he proposed to his daughter. The conversation had been a bit interesting.

"I love her sir, she's like this…gem that holds even more beauty inside. We share the same interest, the same ideas, everything. She's more than beautiful, almost exotic and the things we share are amazing. But…even though I've asked, even though she said yes, I don't think I can go on without your approval and…"

"I approve…"

"And…huh?"

"Are you deaf, boy? I said I approve of you marrying my daughter. I've known you long enough to see that you will love her for the rest of your life. All I ask is that you never stop loving her, because if you hurt her…I'll be forced to break your neck."

"…Eh?"

Surprisingly to say these words actually didn't come as too much of a shock to Nicholas. The first time he had met the woman's father he actually thought he was going to shoot him in the face for existing. He wore this serious expression, no doubt caused by his duties as a military officer and more than once thought he was going to order him to give a good 100 push-ups. Nicholas realized however that he was much kinder than he let on. Nicholas actually saw him as a father figure, well, grandfather now as he was in his 50s now.

"You know…" he whispered, brushing his hands through the purple strands of her exotic hair, "you look absolutely stunning Veronica." His words brought a blush to her face, loving the compliment. But there was something else becoming etched on her features, a smile that had Nicholas been able to see just a few seconds before might have saved him. No warning given, his feet left the ground and he slammed hard on his back, groaning and looking up at the smirking woman.

"You should be more careful Nicholas…"

"Guh…Ah…no fair Ver…"

Veronica had an ability, something only that her family and loved ones knew. For her, they were hands, ghostly arms that she discovered she could use around the age of 5 though she only got real control over them 5 years later. Such a phenomenon was not able to be explained, her father couldn't, her now deceased mother couldn't, and it went beyond normality. She had a gift, something that her family knew, but she vividly remembered the words her father had told her.

"I don't care if you use this…power around here. I don't know what it is but I just want you to be careful when you do use it Veronica." None of them knew what it was, especially because of the fact that it was invisible to everyone but her. The only thing she could tell them was that they were hands and that was as far as her knowledge for it went as well. As a child she didn't understand why it had to be kept such a secret, as she grew older, she realized that her powers could cause issues for her family. Therefore, she only used her powers for important stuff or in the case of right now, messing with her fiancé.

Veronica helped Nicholas back up, kissing him again and apologizing. How did one keep such an amazing thing a secret? Well it was kind of hard to prove that a girl was a psychic when said powers couldn't be seen, and if Veronica didn't feel like showing it, there was no proof of her ability. It was good because as a child there was more than one case in which she would accidently use her powers, cause strife and when proof was given, she would innocently tilt her head and deny everything. Sometimes people just held their heads and decided to stop drinking the alcohol, some however actually got violent. One man actually grabbed her arm when she was 13, demanding that she stop lying and show the others what she could do.

Her father quickly grabbed him, bashing him into the floor and stating that if he ever touched his daughter like that again, it would be the last thing he would ever do in his miserable young life. This noted the love her father felt for her was as well as the future she wished to see. She wanted to be a part of her father's life, a person who also fought in the military, though she had to admit she didn't want to be as strict (Not sure what you're trying to say here…does she want to be strict or not?). Or at the very least she didn't want to frighten people into thinking she would suddenly murder them out of the blue. He wasn't frightening; he was just strict and confident. But when he smiled, it was friendly and kind, where all things like military were erased while friends and family took its place. He may have been old, he may have been strict, but he was still her father and she loved him deeply.

"I'm going to help your aunt and uncle, take care," Nicholas said shortly, going into the other room. Alone again, Veronica gazed longingly at the ring on her finger. In a year they would be officially married, a time she couldn't wait for.

Dressed in a green uniform with four stars emblazed on his chest, one man watched the men race around the track, jumping through hoops, walking, or in some cases crawling through mud. "Who said you could quit? Keep going!" His roars were thick, but they were also motivational words that kept them going. He was a man whose appearance screamed strength. Standing at over two meters in height, his most unique attribute happened to be his hairstyle. One side was complete shaved, bald to the very skin while the other half was covered in thick hair. Muscular and strong, he was the captain of the unit and second in command next to their general.

"Captain Girukuson! There's a phone call for you!" one young solder called out, racing towards him. Vorono paused, gazing over his shoulders. "Who is it?" he demanded, having no time to speak to unnecessary people. Upon hearing that it was Veronica, his demeanor changed and he took the phone. This time he spoke in a more polite manner. "Hello Veronica, it's good to hear from you."

"Hi Vorono, long time no see!"

Vorono Girikuson was the military captain and longtime friend to her father. When she had first met him, she was astounded at his amazing height and strength and soon she discovered something else about him. He was nice, not just in the kind Good Samaritan kind of way. He was too nice, like stop in the middle of the street, take your shirt off for a woman to cross over the puddle and then adopt some puppies kind of nice. Growing older she actually wandered how he became a military officer until she realized that, much like her father, Vorono was able to be both nice and strict when he needed to be.

"Vorono, I was wondering if my father was around. If he's not busy I'd like to talk to him."

"Of course, I'll see if he's open and if he is, I'll send you over to him," Vorono stated.

A minute later.

"Hello…" a stern voice answered from the other end.

"Good afternoon father," Veronica said, speaking politely. "I hope I'm not bothering you. Vorono said he was only going to send me over to you if you weren't busy."

"I am not Veronica, though I can't speak for too long. How are you doing?"

"Can't complain…can't complain. Nicholas just got back as well."

"That's good…tell him that I said hello. How are my brother and your aunt doing as well? It's been a month since I've seen either of them."

"They're both doing great, Ishori's still a bit lazy though and Aunt Alya is irked. Can't blame her though, she's pregnant, but he has good intentions. Well father I just wanted to call to say hi, I know that you're very busy so I won't keep you. I love you."

"I love you too…"

And the call ended almost as soon as it begun, normal for both of them.

(Sounds a bit awkward. Maybe something like: Each step of the generals boots could be heard as the men's eyes darted about, fixing on the general when he came out.)Each step of the boots could be heard as eyes finally darted when the general came out. He stomped forth, black slit eyes starring sternly at the men who came together in an orderly line. Single As one, they gave a choreographed salute to their general before awaiting orders.

"Split into teams of five, groups of eight. I want five laps now! After that, head over to Area B in said groups!"

"Sir! Yes sir!"

Watching them leave, the general leaned against the wall of one of the buildings, letting his gaze set upon the blue skies above him. "Hello Vorono…" his voice spoke to the captain who strolled up to chat with the general.

"Hey there, still being as strict as ever I see…" Vorono said jokingly, earning a short laugh from the man.

"I have to be, I'm the general after all."

"I just mean that you could laugh every once in a while when around the boys and not just me. Either way it seems things are getting more hectic in Europe. Recent reports have come that Baja has fallen."

"I see, so Cents is still attempting his raid across the country, spilling his ideals of suffering. What do you think we'll have to do, Vorono?"

"We're probably going to have to get involved. Cent's military power has been quite strong, much stronger than what Europe and to be truthful, even what we were expecting. Sir, if I had to give my personal opinion, I think in two months most, we'll be heading over there."

"…I see…continue with your work Captain Girikuson."

"Sir…yes sir."

Starring up into the bright South American sun, the light gleamed upon the 55 year old military General... Garder F. Morotisan.

Character Bios

Veronica Q. Morotisan: Veronica is a 20 year old Diclonius woman and daughter of Garder F. Morotisan. Having been raised by her military father, she is very confident and quite capable of taking care of herself with her without her vectors. She has expert military skills that are also shared by her fiancé Nicholas. Extremely brave, she isn't one to let people push her down.

Garder F. Morotisan: Garder is a 55 year old military general and biological father of Veronica. Though he puts himself as a strict and overbearing individual, he is in fact very kind and gentle and those who really know him often get the rare treatments of a laugh out of him. Despite his general attitude he deeply loves his daughter, friends and other family members.

Ishori Alya: Ishori is Veronica's uncle by family as well as Garder's half-brother. Though sometimes lazy, he is more than willing to help others including his wife Jessica. He is the biological father of Elrya Alya.

Jessica Alya: Ishori's wife, she is a kind woman and aunt to Veronica. She is the biological mother of Elrya Alya.

Nicholas Vega: Nicholas is a young man who also served in the military and is the fiancé of Veronica. He is a kind young man, though not without his strengths. He'll do whatever he must to protect his wife whom he deeply loves.

Vorono Girikuson: The military Captain and second in command after Garder. He is Garder's closest friend. Possessing both incredible strength and military intelligence, he is also vastly kind to the point of being almost a pacifist which often confuses other who find out that he is a military officer.

Vladimir Cents: The twisted man who seeks to send the world into total suffering. He has amassed his own army, taking over large parts of Europe. At first ignored as a threat in the beginning, his campaign has ultimately shown that he is very much deadly.

Author's Note: You, the reader, have just finished the first chapter. Much like Lifeline I expect to make "Pinpoint Zero" a very long and interesting story, both to give an amazing plot and also to fill in plot points left out in "Lifeline." I am currently working on corrections of Lifeline as I post this.

So what will happen next time...on "Pinpoint Zero?"

Please R&R (Don't want to have to demand Reviews like I did last time)