Notes: Could be better. Here goes.

Disclaimer: Still nope. Game creator Daisuke owns Guilty Gear. The awesome manhwa-ga duo artist Park Sung-Woo and writer Ihm Dal-Young own "Zero The Beginning of the Coffin".

The

"Talking! XD"

'thoughts...'

-SFX, sound, or kick butt action-

Location change or sumthing else

Beginning

Zero Memoirs of the Circle

Circle 2: Who Are They?

April 14th, 2182
Somewhere in Europe...

A shrill whistle pierced the bright day. Rough voices with an air of authority called out to the crowd. Police and volunteers handed out posters, warning the public to stay alert for any susicpious activity. Officers questioned the normal civilians, asking for a lead. For many, they didn't care. They just wanted to get provisions and quickly go home to support their war-ravaged families.

For Ky Kiske of the Internationale Police Force, he needed a lead as soon as possible. Just an hour before, he had been notified of a possible threat to, not just France, but the entire world. He had a few bad imaged photos and dug up a two year old report, but that was all. As intuitive as the man was, he could not see the connection between the photo of the woman and the report. But was worse for him was the fact that the threat had originated in one overlooked country, caught between China and the remnants of the island once known as Japan.

Korea.

The country had proved itself nearly invincible in their ancient past, having survived everything thrown against it. Her people were brilliant and extremely proud of their heritage, bolstered by the fact that everytime something had completely laid waste to the point others would collapse and capitulate, the little country would stagger back to it's feet everytime and move on. They never attacked anybody without reason and sought only to keep to itself and defendborders, earning it the nickname, "Hermit Kingdom". With all these admirable traits also came a dark one: because of the constant attacks in their past, they could be itching for vengeance... They were the only country with a 7 million man army, more than enough to take on the flying colony of Zepp. Still armed with the relics of the past, simply known as "Blacktech", there were rumours that a legendary commander had defeated the enemy. And worst of all...

There was still a "North" and "South" Korea.

Both "countries" had nearly killed each other in the 1950s Korean War, all for stupid ideology. Both had employed dictators in the past, oppressed the public severely, distort half-truths and lies, claimed themselves to be "free" while condemning the other. One had stopped under watchful eyes, the other continued it's crimes under the iron fist of an absolute ruler. And the world never cared. Ky personally thought the Korean situation anddivision was a tragic love story. Orphaned siblings who claimed to hate each other with all their hearts, but resorting to meet each in other in secret because they deeply loved each other. He frowned at the comparison. Since when did he start liking incest? 'God, our Savior. Forgive me...' Ah, it was good to be French. After all, they did say, "Korean is like birds singing..."

Still, Ky pushed the thoughts aside and continued on his task. Serving the people of the world for a greater good.

She briskly walked amongst the crowd, trying to finda lost one. It annoyed her that she could lose things in a heartbeat. What the girl was trying to find however was something she held dear to her heart, something she would never gain back if lost. It tugged at her emotions considerably and broke her heart everytime. At the same time, she tried her hardest to avoid the hushed whispers andfeared rumours that plagued the entire public like a virus. Heck, it was even all over the UN networks. Surely, they knew. It wouldn't matter anyways...she needed to find-

"Nunah! Odiyoh? Nunah!" a male voice called out.

The girl spun around to face more people milling about. "Suu! Suu! I'm right here!" Her heart raced faster as she feared losing him. "Nunah?! Odi?! I can't see you!" She couldn't lose him. "I'm in the crowd Suu!" Never. "Nu...nunah!" They loved each other too much. "Suu!"

Somehow, the crowd had magically parted a bit enough so the girl partly saw a man in a brown uniform. She immediately diverted energy to sprinting and sure enough, he saw and braced for painful impact. The young girl threw herself at the man and tightly embraced, crushing her body against his. She gazed up from his shoulder and sniffed once. "Don't ever scare me like that again, Suu..." she chided gently, more relieved than berating. Hands tightened their link again, pleading for him to never to get lost. The man named Suu smiled kindly to the girl and he hugged back and breathed a sigh of relief, revelling in her warmth. "I know...nunah."

A voice scoffed humourously, somewhat disgusted at the two. "Heh! Get a room ya two!"

At this, the two whirled their newfound anger at the crowd, glaring daggers. They tightened their fists in anger and faced whoever the fuck dared say. The female threw her gaze left and right for the perpetrator as she prepared to unleash hell. Gnashed teeth set in. "Just..."

The girl rawr'd in a foreign language at the crowd, which made everybody stop dead in their tracks, staring at her as if she was crazy. It was evident she was smoldering mad at someone or something. The young man at the girl's side held his hands out, pleading her to calm down. The girl merely overlooked him as her shuddering hands roughly pulled out a wicked long knife, brandishing it in front of her professionally. Fingers twirled the blade once, twice, three times before coming to stop, aimed threateningly toward the crowd. They instantly shrunk back in fear, the crazed look in her eyes telling one thing.

"I'll fucking kill you!"

An unsmoked cigarette fell to the ground and a black boot erased it from existence. Sure enough, a well built man wearing an all black trenchcoat, fedora, and sunglasses, stepped out amid the congregation. The woman tensed on edge, taking a combative stance and glaring him down. The crowd quickly parted to avoid confrontation between the raging woman andthis man, leaving the pair enough space for a potential crime scene. The black clad man slowly approached the girl, hands up to show non-aggression. Too bad she was feeling a bit moody today. With the latter's weapon grip shaking in anger, she pointed her blade at the offender, immediately demanding an explanation.

"Well..." the man remarked, "I do believe we have a problem here..."

She grit her teeth in anger and stamped her feet to emphasize her point, cursing him in a foreign language. The man laughed naturedly, whether to himself or the woman's anger, nobody knew. He smiled, the sunglasses preventing the woman from reading him like a book. "Hey babe, I'm not the angry one now? Am I?" The female scoffed at his words, obviously not accepting his explanation. Her fingers merely tapped the blade she held as she continued to glare him down.

"Point taken..."

The female smirked, satisfied at her victory. It was short-lived as the trenchcoated man finished his lazy gait, directly facing the woman. The female lowered her weapon slightly, uncertian about going against her current threat now. He stood a good 10 centimeters above her and had a lot of muscle mass. Which were two things she nor her male companion really possessed. Continuing on, she noted under his sunglasses, his gaze was steady and calm. Even breathing andposture suggested his intention was to defend. But against what?

She then finally realized her own aggressive stance. Her feet were spread apart shoulder width for balance and a running start. The knife in her right hand was blade down, conforming evenly to her arm. For all she could have done, the knife would be hidden in her sleeve as she ran at him, feinting a punch. At that moment, it would flip into her hand and easily stabbed any part of his body. Thus gaining some unwanted attention and a rather bloody mess. Even so, she studied the congregation of the marketplace. Husbands and wives, friends and foes, locals and police...

Brothers and sisters.

Her gaze turned toward the young man she loved... and smiled. Hands calmly sheathed the knife back to it's former place. With a soft click, her aggression dissipated. There would be no blood spilt forth today.

Without so much as words from both, the woman and the coated man merely passed by each other as if nothing ever happened.

"May..." a female voice inquired, "Do you know who those people were?"

Two girls ambled about the crowded market, buying what little provisions they could afford and saving the most for later. Their intent gazes also suggested they were looking for somebody, scanning the crowd for any sign. When that failed, they reverted to talking again.

"How should I know Dizzy?" the other girl replied, having absolutely no clue. "Those people were just local police." At this, the girl named Dizzy fidgeted a bit. "But...those people. Their faces were similar to yours, May." May rolled her eyes at this. She sighed in frustration and crossed her arms. "Dizzy, do you really think those police are relatives of mine simply because they look Asian? That's like comparing Jam and me." She furrowed her eyebrows in ennui and snorted once. Turned slightly to see her friend gazing away, a hurt guilty expression upon her. "Oh...ah, yes. I forgot, May. Sor-"

May interrupted Dizzy with a cheery hug, which caught her off guard and lightly surprised. "You don't have to apologize Diz! People make mistakes, that's what being human is!" the younger girl assured with a laugh. The young Gear child was confused at her friend's words, but that's what was being a human was about...right?

"Well, half anyway..." a voice in the back her mind whispered.

"Wasn't that fun, Suu?" a woman appearing to be in her twenties asked.

A man just equally as young nodded to the woman walking slightly ahead. He had to admit, the day was fun...but it wasn't without much hilarious angst and annoying complaining...usually from himself, as much as he hated to admit. Ironically enough...

"Ya! Can you two please quit staring at each other and help us here?!"

The two others behind them had the worst of it, seeing as they were forced to carry everything. "Help?" the woman inquired, her voice as clear as another day. She turned her gaze slightly to the two men lagging behind them. She blinked once, as if to assess their predicament. They currently had their arms full of the stuff they had brought. Products ranging from keychains, books, cases, bags, weapons, the cute little teacups of priceless value, and the PSP. Oh, add the smileys as well. Their steps were...erratic, to say the least. She smiled.

"Okay, I'll help you two out!" the female calmly offered. She turned her direction around to face the two men and changed step. Extended her arms out and without so much complaint, she gently plucked the paraphernalia from the arms of both. As soon as the materials were passed on to the girl, both men groaned loudly in much needed relief. The two laughed in sarcasm but thankful that she had taken the handicaps off them. "Hey! You could'veacted a bit sooner, Lee!" one chided. The other nodded in agreement. "I swear, you've never changed one bit! Always the same helpful girl you've been the last time I saw you!" The man let out a tired breath and glanced ahead to the man in front. "And your brother..." A smile appeared on his lips. "You two've grown so much..."

She gave a mirthful giggle, smiling happily. "You're welcome, ya two..."

The group continued to walk along the marketplace, taking in the sights and sounds of Europe.

"Bonjour! Would you like some tea?"

More specifically, France.

A Frenchman had waltzed up to the group, offering free samples of tea. Why? Because...everybody likes tea. He presented a small cup to the leader of the group. "Ah no...ask my sister over there. She prefers tea." And subsequently moved to the only female in the motley crew. "Tea mademoiselle?" The young woman's eyes brightened up, her hands moving up to cover her mouth in delight. She let out a cry of surprise and joy, thanking the French man as she daintily plucked the teacup from the impossibly balanced silver platter he held. The girl took a sip from the cup, letting the flavor set in her palate. "Strawberry? Very nice." The slow deliberate tone of her words only meant one thing. "Tw-"

Her body shivered as she felt something watching her...them. It was enough to freeze her actions as it loomed closer. Time stopped for her as an unknown overwhelming force brushed past her. Like her, it was just as wary of it's surroundings as it seemed to search for something. The girl beat back her fear and scanned the marketplace for any threat to her andher men. A wisp of blond hair was her only answer. She prepared to unleash hell if necessary, tapping the-

"Whunsu?" one of the men asked, "You okay?"

The girl blinked to reality. Maybe it had been just a cold spell or her own paranoia of strangers. No matter, it was still extremely strong. Hiding her discontent as fast as possible, she turned her attention back to the Frenchman selling tea. Two fingers flashed, her smiling face only reinforcing her happiness. "Oh! Two please."

All the men facefaulted again and prepared to pull out the wallets.

"Sir, that's the only voice recording we have..." a young male voice reported.

Fists slammed upon the table, startling the occupants of the restaurant. "What do you mean that's the only recording?! A freaking General of the only Army in the world shouldn't that elusive!!" the older voice shouted at the young man before him. Everybody set eyes upon a table near the entrance, wondering who was making the racket. A cigarette butt was crushed onto the ashtray, grey vapours swirling about the smoker's fingers. The skin was tensed and applying hard pressure. No doubt this particular character was more than angered.

"She just came out of isolation weeks ago! Weeks!" the almost hoarse voice hissed. "UN satis could've have pointed her damn location by now!" He slammed his fists upon the table once more, rattling the utensils and obvious scaring the other customers. The mysterious man shoved himself up from his seat andslowly walked around. "We have all technology in the world! She doesn't! We are more advanced! She is not! We have more money, better training, more food, more comforts, import, export, and even enjoy protection! She does not have ANY of that!" He ambled over to his subordinate and glared straight in his eyes. The other man, fearing reprisal, instantly stood straight, looking ahead. The angered one merely tapped his fingers and reaching into his coat pocket, took out dark sunglasses. He calmly fit them over his eyes andglared at his subordinate, wrath at it's limits.

"So tell me, Park." The man named Park sucked in a silent breath, knowing he was doomed. "If the General is truly alive, then why hasn't anybody-"

The crackling of a radio permeated the air anda light female voice barely made out beyond the static. It was faint, but there. Another young man set down the makeshift headset and looked up to the angered man. "I have it sir! Coming from...23 latitude and...98 longitude." Perfect. The angered man snorted once and said, "Thank you Kim. That's good." He frowned again. "As for you..." Park felt a hard force crush his bowels, causing him to double over on his knees, coughing andstruggling for breath. The pain was almost unbearable, his chest hurt, his heart pulsed faster to compensate, and his abdomen felt like it was ripped open. He felt a hand force his chin upwards to look into his own reflection off the dark glasses. "You'd better do as I say, Staff Sergeant Park Kang-Ho." He felt another force, this time a slap to the face. It wasn't the pain which hurt him, rather, the humiliation in front of other people. "Or you're never gonna live to see another day. Do I make myself clear?!" Park's voice trifled a meagerly hidden disgust of, "Yes sir." "What, can't hear you?" "Yes sir!"

The mysterious man smirked, satisfied he could put others in their place. A steeled glare completely silenced the normal customers staring at them, forcing them to ignore what had happened. The man moved to the table once again and picked up what looked like a black tube witha box sticking out of it. A spare slab of metal with gold cylinders only confirmed just what he was armed with. Blacktech. He slung the weapon over his shoulder and without even bothering to notify his two other subordinates, walked out the door.

Park, gritting his teeth through the pain, mentally sighed. He forced himself up with his two hands, shrugging off help from the other. "I don't need it, Yideungbyung Kim. Leave me alone." Kim's voice didn't give. "Park, if we're gonna survive him and his anger issues, then we have to stick together. You know that!" No, Kim was merely a teen fresh from training. Just why was he assigned this mission anyways? Park Kang-Ho let out a defeated exhale. "No, Kim. He's just too damn obsessed with finding that General." Kim furrowed his eyebrows in worry. "Well..." he offered, "What if the General turns out to be a kind and caring person? I mean, there is a possibility she just might act like Sumire from Jeiro. She is a girl after all..." Kim brightened up, mischief gleaming in his eyes. "Hey, she just might be the perfect girl you're looking for! Eh, what do you think?" The older man sighed once again, a look into the innocent teen's eyes and he just had to hope. He smiled. "Yeah, maybe." The pain didn't seem so bad anymore.

Yideungbyung Kim pat Park's back in appreciation. "There there! I bet you hundred thousand won, that she'll be perfect for you!" He helped his friend up and dusted him off, grabbing the grey coloured longarm resting on the table edge. "Let's go, Park!" Park nodded and followed after into the sunlight, heading to a city in France...

'No. You're wrong. She's not the one for me. Our government won't allow that...they'll never allow it.

...

'You hear me? Never...'

AN: Okay, 2nd chapter done. Took a while, I know. And HOMG, this story has a plot to it?! Yep, whenever you have two mysterious teams from Korea, the IPF, France, and the Mayship'screw, it's bound to be dark.

And thank you Dizzy-Kiske for the short but wonderful review! It would be greatly appreicated if you could tell me what I'm doing wrong, whether it be out of character-ness, or something completely different altogether.

Extra: By this time you've figured out the main characters are Korean, right? lawls Stick around, as the perspectives from them are gonna range from the lowest deepest darkest pits of misery, to Cloud Nine. And then some in between.

Third chapter GET!