AN: So I do realize this one took a long time before I posted it. This is also going to be a much slower chapter with more exposition and a set up to a battle heavy chapter. This did go through several revisions over the time I got to working on it, and this is also going to have a little bit of repressed anger toward people I deal with daily.

Chapter 8
Pandoran Therapy

Zer0 woke and stretched gazing out at the dark navy blue sky. Even though he had been asleep for a few hours, he still could not get over the fact that he should have slept more. Probably because the Pandora day-night-cycle took over 90 hours to complete, so the days seemed to stretch on for ages. Glancing around the room, he saw Salvador snoring and Krieg muttering and twitching in the corner, evidently asleep. Prying open the window, Zer0 leapt from the sill onto a nearby rooftop and began traversing to the eastern wall of Sanctuary. Once Zer0 felt he had put enough distance between him and the rest of Sanctuary's populace, he sat cross-legged on the top of the wall and undid the latches on his helmet and gloves.

As he pulled off his gloves and visor, Zer0 took a deep breathe, filling his lungs with fresh, albeit pungent, air from the city behind him. Zer0 ran his hands through his hair and savored the feel of the brisk arctic wind against his skin. Holding his hand before him, he inspected his skin and scales. Though his species did not have melanin common in many other human races, his race did posses color to their skin. The color of his scales is very similar to genetic traits such as hair color or eye color in humans. His family had long had their black scales, earning them great respect on his homeworld, which believed that the black scales represented power in the night and the original inhabitants of their world. Over time, as with all in his family, he had developed another color to compliment their black skin. For this particular person, silver had manifested itself into designs along his back, chest, legs, and upper arms.

Reaching back up to his face, he ran another hand through his silver hair that had developed when his scales began changing. He squeezed his fingers together and pulled sharply upward, taking a few strands of platinum silver hair with it. His hair was not unlike that of a human's, except that it served no purpose other than cosmetic appearance and to discern him from the rest. His hair was reasonably long, falling just below his chin, which he kept behind his pointed ears when he donned his helmet. letting the hair fall beside him, he closed his eyes and began to lay back. Just before he did so, he heard the soft scuffling of feet trying to hide and he jumped up, alert. Grabbing his helm first, he secured it before turning around to find Ruby crouched half behind a nearby AC machine on the roof of Moxxi's bar.

"You should not have come/I did not want to be seen/Why did you follow?" Zer0 robotic voice broke the uneasy silence and Ruby nervously crept out from behind cover. Picking up his gloves, he slid his hand back into them and began flexing his fingers to make sure they fit properly.

"I was curious. Someone like you so heartless, surely there is more than that. You aren't human, but you are alive." Ruby tapped her hands together nervously and bounced on the balls of her feet.

"Correct, I am alive/I am not a human either/But I am cryptic." Zer0 smiled under his visor trying to work out the young 17 year old standing before him. He had met several people in his time as an assassin, but never one quite as young or naive as Ruby. Granted, when he met Ren, the young kid had been 17 but he was full of a seeming serene wisdom that kept the man without a mask from divulging any real emotion.

"You are a little full of yourself. Calling yourself cryptic is like calling yourself the greatest mystery in the world. Or where you just trying to fit it into your poetry?" Ruby smiled.

"I will admit this/I chose the word for a lack/Of something fitting." Zer0 was impressed. When he met Ruby and Gaige on the cargo ship out of the Eden system, the two seemed way out of their element and belonged in a school being taught to be good little girls. The girl's robotic protectors had shown him originally that he could be mistaken, and that the two could provide useful in his quest for the Vault.

"Why do you kill? Why do you not feel any emotion or remorse for the people you kill?" Ruby sat on the AC unit and looked at him with eyes filled with nervous curiosity. She had always wondered why people in her stories were evil and killed without a second thought, and now she had met someone who did just that but on her side.

"I would prefer not/Talk about my past with you/Trust is needed first." Zer0 straightened up and crossed his arms determined to stand his ground. However, he did decide to let her know something. "However you are/Very similar to my/Younger sister."

"Really? How so?" Ruby perked up and looked expectantly at the tall, thin shadow now looming over her.

"Red and black colors/She has black and red features/Scales, skin and her hair." Zer0 began walking back across the roof of the bar, music thumping below his feet. He reached the edge and prepared to jump to the street when Ruby spoke up from behind.

"Scales?!" Ruby ran up behind the assassin as he turned quickly toward her. "Scales like a lizard or a snake? Are you a Faunus?!" Her eyes were wide with disbelief.

"What is a Faunus/I'm merely reptilian/Like my entire race." Zer0 turned to the young girl and shrugged. "You now know more than/Almost anyone else in/The whole galaxy." He knelt down and placed one hand on Ruby's shoulder, his robotic voice becoming eerily dark and sinister. "Tell no one."

"Absolutely. I promise your secret is safe with me. I honestly hope to learn more about you. I hope I get to meet your sister one day too." Ruby smiled and placed her right hand over her heart. The two dropped to street level and began walking down the steps toward where they stayed. As they neared, Ren walked out and over to the pair.

"I have a feeling Roland hasn't returned. Anxiety is coursing through the guards. Let us talk to Jessup." Zer0 nodded and the three walked to the gate to find the young private back on sentry duty. "Any updates?"

"No. Commander Roland hasn't returned. However he did leave orders in case this ever happened. Go talk to Scooter, the town mechanic, and he can help you." Jessup shifted on his feet and looked back out toward the outer gate. The three retreated, heading toward the large garage nearby when Weiss walked up.

"Anything?" She asked rather impatiently to the group. Everyone shook their heads and she got agitated. "Well. All I know is that we need Roland because he has been foiling everyone of Jack's plans since I landed here. The engineers whisper the truth while Hunter spouts lies."

"Then let us get to work." Ren stated simply and reached down to pull open the garage door. Inside sat a man with his feet propped up on a pair of large tires, chin on his chest napping. Hearing the door open he awoke and began talking nonsense before jumping onto the tires and striking a pose. Weiss turned around abruptly and walked out of the building to yell.

"Oh. My. God. I cannot believe they have some insufferable redneck moron working on their cars! This planet is full of utter degenerates and imbeciles!" Weiss stamped her boot on the ground and swore. "I will not take orders from some simple-minded, dirty, grease monkey like him." Ruby followed her out while Zer0 and Ren stepped inside.

"Is it really a big deal Weiss?" Ruby asked placing a hand gingerly upon Weiss's shoulder. "He just seems a little crazy."

"Ruby did you ever grow up around farms? We had a surprising number of them in Atlas and every time my sister and I went to town for some shopping, we would stumble across some loud mouth, drunken dumbasses fighting over something or revving their trucks obnoxiously." Weiss fumed for a few more minutes and Ruby stood by letting her unwind.

"Well they were probably just brought up differently." Ruby tried to ease the awkward tension rising between them, but Weiss wouldn't let it drop.

"Raised differently is no excuse for not raising your children at all! Fuck, it is the conceited people like that which is why our society could never move on from Faunus rights. So fucking paranoid about the stupidest shit, expecting every immigrant from another kingdom to either immediately adapt or move back, and just being the stupidest sons of bitches this side of hell." Weiss finally sat on the hood of a nearby car frame and sighed. "Actually, my father didn't raise my sister and I in the middle of Atlas's industry or what-have-you. Before I was accepted to Bastion, I was in a public school because my mother thought it best to learn without the pressure of my family name swaying opinion. The number of those insufferable degenerates I had to tolerate almost drove me mad. After I moved onto Bastion, I refused to bring up where I had gone to preparatory school because it embarrassed me so much." Weiss finally let her shoulders drop and the edge of anger drop from her tone. Ruby sat down next to her and wrapped an arm about her shoulders.

"It's okay. I saw people like that where I was growing up, but I never let that get to me. We didn't have a whole lot of them where I lived and many of the ones I ever met on the street were very old but had those overalls or blue jeans." Ruby squeezed Weiss's shoulder and continued. "We will get home soon enough and if you don't want to mess with him then just avoid him."

"Dust damn it. I'm turning into that insufferable punk." Weiss groaned as she slid from the hood of the car.

"Gaige isn't that bad!" Ruby's indignant voice rose next to the heiress. "And I think you two are getting along better than you want to admit." Ruby nudged the white haired girl next to her and smirked.

Back inside

Ren walked to a nearby shelving unit and picked up a large circular object that looked like it belonged inside an engine and began toward the stairs. Zer0 had already climbed them to grab the second fuel cell Scooter had stashed in his garage. Finding it on a shelf against the wall of the building, the two exited through the nearby door onto the street. Approaching on their right were the two girls, Weiss looking deflated and uncharacteristically quiet with Ruby walking quietly on one side. The group moved to the center of town as Scooter began explaining what they needed to do. Finding the first ignition primer, Zer0 prayed open the cover and fit the fuel cell into the appropriate slot. Ren found the next primer and copied his partner, before Scooter announced they would have to head to the black market for the next. The gang approached the black market residing in a building with a massive neon sign designating it as an old hostel, presumably before the city was abandoned to the the local bandits.

"Whatchu want?!" A hatch slid back on the door Weiss knocked upon revealing two eyes of various size and a fresh wave of disgusting smells. The three without masks doubled over coughing and Zer0 approached the door. "Buy something and I'll throw in this crap fuel cell. It rotted off two of my fingers. I only accept Eridium though boy!" Zer0 placed the Eridium pieces inside a lower hatch on the door after choosing the SDU to increase the backpack sizes for the present hunters. The hatch retreated into the door before opening again to present a handful of upgrades and the third fuel cell for the city-ship. "Don't tell no one where you got that!" Crazy Earl shouted through the door as Zer0 turned back toward the city square.

"This town is utterly disgusting. I cannot believe I just got assaulted by that foul odor. Does no one seem to take showers around here?" Weiss complained again as they stumbled up the stairs. A nearby Crimson Raider overheard her and spoke up.

"Most of us do. Although Crazy Early is infamous for not giving a rat's ass about hygiene and Scooter always smells like dirt, sweat, and grease. Other than that, we are generally well washed." The Raider continued on his way as Zer0 approached the final primer. As he reached it, more of the hunters reached the square and approached them. Yang and Gaige seemed rather anxious to find Ruby after her recent trauma and rushed over to her.

"Ruby! Are you alright?" Yang grabbed her sister's shoulders and searched her eyes. Gaige stood awkwardly to the side as Ruby nodded her head.

"Yeah, Yang I'm alright." Both girls relaxed and Yang removed her hands from Ruby's shoulders. "I chatted a bit with Zer0 this morning and asked him about his job." Ruby noticed Zer0 tense and turn his head so the edge of his reflective visor was facing them, a large red '…' hologram present. "He just wanted to make sure I know what is expected of me if we hope to get off this planet." Ruby saw the hologram change to a smiley face and Zer0 turned away from her again, eliciting a smirk from the young Reaper. The ground began to shake and Scooter began speaking over the ECHO to the gathered hunters.

"And now, to see the fruits of your loins, this city is going to FLY!" The structure in the middle of the square began lighting letters along it's face and steam erupted from below the metal plating at the base. A few seconds of steam and shaking passed before the sound of machinery shutting down reached their ears. "Or not. Damn. Now we really need to find Roland. Check the Raider HQ, Roland mighta left you guys something up there." The group looked around until they noticed a building recessed from others with large banners bearing the Raider emblem, a downward pointed sword and Vault sign, on its face. Making there way over, another Raider standing guard hailed them.

"Vault Hunters! Get in. Roland left something for you." The guard held out a small key to the group, which Blake received and opened the door. Sitting on the table before them, were several SDUs for the Hunters and an ECHO from Roland.

"Hey soldier. If you're hearing this, I'm in trouble. Right now you are the only thing standing between this city, hell this entire planet and Handsome Jack's army. I left information on my whereabouts in my safe upstairs. You can use it to store anything you need. This is your home now." Roland's message ended and the group began making their way up the stairs and into another room filled with various bunks, couches, and a wall with a large round vault door. Yang spun the dial and seized one of the handles, pulling the heavy door outward to reveal lockboxes and terminals for each of the hunters and a set of shelves with an ECHO recorder resting on it. Picking it up, Yang pressed the play button.

"This is the Firehawk. Come to Frostburn Canyon or people will die." A heavily distorted and slightly demonic voice filled everyone's ears. An avatar of a figure shrouded in a hooded cloak with burning eyes and wisps of fire appeared on the display for each hunter.

"The Firehawk?! Aw snap! If the Firehawk has Roland, he is in deep! you need to get down there and save his ass." Scooter sounded genuinely scared and the group decided to act immediately.

"Alright, let's split up and head out. If we want to find the Vault, and by extension get out of here, we need to find Roland." Yang spoke up and addressed her companions. "I'll go after the Firehawk, and I will take Maya, Axton, and Jauney boy. Ruby…you wanna come too?"

"I was taking her out/There is a bounty on some/Nearby assassins." Zer0 spoke up and addressed Yang.

"She is not going with you. She had a rough time not too long ago, and you weren't helping. She is either staying here or she is coming with me so I can protect her." Yang straightened herself up to her full height and stood toe to toe with the assassin.

"I am on your side/I am not the enemy to you/Nor am I to her." Zer0 stared down at her with a large red ':(' shining in her face.

"I don't give a shit. She isn't going with you!" Yang's eyes changed to blood red and flames began curling out of her hair. She clenched her fists and tensed, preparing to fight. Zer0 tensed as well, hand closing around his katana.

"Stop!" Ruby shouted at the pair. "I'm not going with you Yang." Ruby bounced nervously as Yang's face changed from anger to shock. Zer0 seemed surprised as well, with a '!' now displayed on his faceplate. "I'm going to go with Zer0. I want to learn how to defend myself with a sniper rifle if I am going to have to learn to kill people to survive." Ruby's eyes dropped to the floor and she continued. "He isn't as bad as you think. He is more human than he lets on."

Zer0 felt his hand clench instinctively but he forced himself to calm as he remembered that she did not spill his secret. "Fair enough." His robotic voice seemed to cut across Yang's train of thought because she jumped slightly before turning back to him.

"You make sure she is safe. She dies, I am coming after you. That is a promise motherfucker." Yang turned from and strode briskly from the safe and back out of the room. She walked down the stairs and back out of the HQ, heading for the building where the rest of her team remained. She kicked open the door and crossed the threshold to find Axton on the couch in the living room, his head back, and Maya and Jaune slowly descending the stairs. "Alright!" Her voice caused Axton to wake with a start and Maya and Jaune to look sleepily at her. "Roland isn't back so we are heading out to try and rescue him from some psychotic killer. Maya, it'll be good to have your powers back us up. Boys, you have your robots and such so you will kick plenty of ass."

"Yang, don't bring Jaune. Pick someone else, I don't think he is up to any more killing for a while." Maya leaned against the wall in front of Yang and crossed her arms.

"You know the only way to get him used to it is to keep him going. Ruby is heading out today as well. The sooner the two accept that killing is the only way to survive this place, the sooner they can move on." Yang crossed the room to Axton and grabbed his hair, roughly pulling him over the back of the couch and to the door.

"The fuck Yang?!" Axton hollered at the dangerous blonde holding him. "I will come on out, for fuck's sake."

"Maya grab Jaune. If nothing else, we can use his drones and he will get used to it." Yang dropped Axton in a heap on the floor and turned back to the Siren. Maya nodded her head solemnly and turned to find Jaune sitting on the floor, back to the wall.

"Get up blondie. Yang's right. You need to get used to this, the sooner the better." Jaune nodded though his eyes were out of focus. Maya pulled on his arm and he stood, following her pulls out the door and toward the gate.

With the others

Weiss looked back at the others who stood the street in front of the Raider HQ. They had agreed to search the city for various supplies and work they could undertake. She led the group toward a building labeled 'Pierce Station' and she noticed a familiar machine outside.

"Hey Zer0." Weiss called to the tall person behind her. "I'm going to stick around here for right now. I'm familiar with that Customization Station machine and I am going to work up some designs for the group, try to lighten the mood and resolve some of the negative emotions people seem to be feeling." Zer0 nodded and answered her.

"Do not worry Weiss/Ren, Ruby, Gaige and I will/Complete the bounty." Zer0 walked to the bounty board and selected the notice of several Hyperion assassins that have been attempting to infiltrate Sanctuary. Ruby, Gaige, and Ren leaned in to learn the details told of four assassins, trained in different styles that were hiding at Southpaw Steam and Power. After learning the names of the targets, the group set off.

Weiss walked to the station and pulled a nearby crate over for her to sit on. She began touching various buttons and a large touchscreen panel opened with her to input details of the various people she was working with. She knew how to input basic stats, such as height and body structure, from the linked ECHO devices they shared, which allowed for the sharing of comms and quest information. Hearing footsteps behind her, Weiss turned to see Pyrrha and Blake approaching from the HQ.

"What are you doing over here? I thought you were heading out to hunt some assassins." Blake perched on the edge of the crate and peered over he shoulder. Weiss was evidently working on something rather technical as all she seemed to see were information boxes and digital models of heads and bodies.

"No. They had plenty to go on with for right now. I am going to do some work with this and see if I can't create some different outfit choices for us. Staying in the same stuff is rather off-putting and can diminish self-esteem, causing anger and sadness to be much more prevalent." Weiss turned back to the screen before her and slid her ECHO into a slot on the machine, importing model details for her compatriots.

"Sounds interesting." Pyrrha smiled slightly and stepped to the side, trying to get a view of the screen herself. "Blake and I are headed over to Moxxi's bar. The old gal was my boss for the first few years I was here and in her bloodsports. Blake wants to meet her and we might be able to pick up some jobs in the bar. Don't be afraid to stop by later if you want a drink, she also makes some good pizza, though I don't know if there is anything else worth eating there." Pyrrha clapped Weiss on the shoulder and began walking away with Blake next to her.

"Thank you for the offer Pyrrha. I shall be around later." Weiss waved the two away and returned to her work. First person she managed to pull up was the punk, Gaige. Sighing quietly, she quietly began working on some items for her to wear and hairstyles to compliment.

AN: So yes, this is going to be a story with my take on Zer0's true identity based one what I would imagine the assassin beneath the suit. His features won't be told until after a reasonable amount of time, i.e. when I feel Zer0 and Ruby would be able to trust one another. This is also, as I said, a way to get anger out about people where I grow up, the rednecks. Whether or not you, the reader, are redneck does not concern me however, the people I have met and known my entire life in the midwest states. Also want to announce that most of the Vault Hunters will be getting additional outfits and hairstyles, if you have any ideas for looks or smart ass names, send me a PM with them and I might use them.

I also want to let you that I have three teaser chapters for new RWBY fics. The first is "Unto Dust You Shall Return" and is basically a world war between all four Kingdoms. Most of the characters have been split into the different Kingdoms and each Kingdom have different cultures, traditions, and also army breakdowns. The second is "Cinders on the Meadow" which is a reimagining of Ocean's Eleven style heisting with the RWBY characters. New locations and interactions are being tested with this fiction so it should be fun. The final one is "Color of Life" which follows a team through their first year at Beacon Academy. The name will most likely be changed by the time I continue the story because the name sounds excessively corny although it does play on the theme of the team, characters of life and death from religions and myths.

If you guys would check out the stories and let me know what you think. The one that receives the most interest will be top dog in which gets updated first and more often. Don't forget to review, follow, and favorite. The next chapter of this story will most likely be up pretty soon as it will go much quicker than the exposition in this chapter. Tally Ho!