A/N: Glad to see that everyone is happy about the return of Vault of Vytal. I promise that this version will be better, easier to read and a little more… consistent.

Chapter 2: A Whole New World

The groups met up at the rally point, but talking wasn't on everyone's mind at the moment. Everyone was more determined on getting the civilians out of harm's way. Axton and Salvador were the stars of the airship defense, the dual turrets and gun toting dwarf were able to fend the massive horde off. Almost all of the civilians made it onto the airship, but there were always casualties when it came to fighting monsters like this. The large plane thing, or airship as it was called by everyone else, took off and they were headed for a city called Vale.

Axton stood on the observation deck, away from the massed huddled in the main area. There was only so much crying and moaning he could take. Granted, he didn't blame the people on crying and moaning, they had just dealt with a tragedy and they needed time to grieve. He watched the ground roll by, thinking that the view was amazing when he heard a female voice call him.

"Hey, soldier boy!" the voice called. He looked to his left to see the blonde girl the Krieg had found. She was a little shorter than he was, and really pushed his limits on women to hit on. She continued "So, ever had a view like this?"

"A few times, lots of high places on Pandora." Axton replied. There were a few places with this kind of look. The Bunker, the town of Overlook and Sanctuary when it was floating over the Highlands. "Never caught your name."

"Yang Xiao Long. And you?"

"Axton, Dahl Commando."

"What's Dahl?"

"Dahl was a military corporation that used to have claims on Pandora. I used to be a part of them… until I was ordered to a firing squad by my commanding officer." Axton sighed as he answered. He never liked dealing with his past, especially since it was a shitty past. Yang nodded and watched the ground roll by with him before he finally spoke again. "So… what kind of Academy lets kids go out and fight monsters?"

"Beacon Academy. You see what we deal with. Someone has to fight the monsters. You have anything to deal with the monsters of your world?" Yang responded and then questioned.

"Yeah, they're called mercenaries and soldiers. You're looking at one."

"Was business good?"

"Very good. Shoot monsters, bandits, corporate soldiers and everything in between." Axton chuckled. He looked around the room, spotting Zer0 at the front of the observation deck. He had no idea that he came in, but he was used to Zer0 always sneaking around without a sound. He went on "Mainly work, well, really part of, the Crimson Raiders. A group of people wanting to live peacefully on Pandora, including criminals, bandits and Atlas defectors. Good group, good people."

"Sounds… really fucked up." Yang responded. Krieg was already enough to deal with, but standing next to a mercenary that has no real limits? That was pushing hers. She leaned back and looked around, hoping for another person to be there just in case something were to happen. That's when she noticed Zer0. Yang questioned "When did he get here?"

"Who knows. He does that quite a bit. You stop getting surprised after a few times." Axton chuckled.

"That's creepy."

The doors to the observation deck opened and Blake strolled in with Ruby and Gaige in tow. The two red heads were talking shop about weapons, Ruby with Crescent Rose in her arms and Gaige holding out her metal appendage. Blake simply went to Zer0's side and stood there quietly while the two went to the other side and continued talking about weapons.

"Well, those two have hit it off." Yang pointed out as she pointed a thumb at Ruby and Gaige.

"Yeah, Gaige is a metal head, and apparently Red Riding Hood is on the same page with her." Axton chuckled as he looked over his shoulder.

"Ruby, my sister."

"I see no family resemblance, but alright."

"Half-sisters, different moms but same dad. So, what's the story with your friends?"

"Well, Zer0 is an assassin that is looking for a challenge, that's all we really know." Axton answered, which was completely true. Zer0 never revealed anything about himself, even to them after working together for so long. "Gaige over there is wanted on her home planet of Eden-5 for murder. She can summon a large robot that can tear a person apart in seconds, originally an anti-bullying device turned deadly."

"Wow… maybe Ruby shouldn't hang out with her." Yang suggested as she looked back at the two as they chatted happily. Wanted for murder? Not the type of people Ruby should be hanging out with.

"She's fine. Gaige is a good kid, just a victim of poor circumstance and even poorer people." Axton assured. Gaige was exactly what he said; a good kid. She was kind, caring and protective; always stood up for the little guy in the world.

That's when Maya and her little friend in white strode in, both talking and chatting.

"Nice of you to join us!" Axton called out in a bit of a mocking tone.

Maya continued her conversation as she flipped Axton the bird, walking over to an unoccupied section of the observation deck. Krieg and Salvador followed suit, Salvador rubbing his left cheek a bit.

"Let me take a guess. Flirting with the survivors? Not a wise idea." Zer0 stated in his usual haiku fashion without turning around and seeing Salvador. In reality, he saw them enter through the reflection in the glass, but he never revealed his secrets.

"I tried to help some grieving individuals. They didn't care for my offer." Salvador answered. He was simply trying to help, but apparently this world was completely different from Pandora.

Weiss made a disgusted noise while Yang simply whistled and rolled her eyes.

"Well, now that everyone is here, why don't we have a sharing circle?" Ruby questioned as she turned towards everyone. Most shrugged and decided to join, Blake and Zer0 remaining in their original spots. Ruby went on "I'll start. I'm Ruby Rose, I'm sixteen, from Patch in Vale and attend Beacon Academy. I like fighting Grimm and cookies."

"Damn, couldn't sound more innocent, Red. Anyway, I'm Axton the Commando. I'm 30 and from Heironymous. I like shooting things and drinking." Axton introduced.

"Aren't you simple, Old Man." Yang chuckled before introducing herself. "Yang Xiao Long, Ruby's older sister. 18, and I like to fight and party."

"Maya, and I'm a Siren." Maya introduced. She was then cut off by Ruby.

"What's a Siren?" Ruby questioned, a bit confused by her title.

"A Siren is a mystical woman that has the ability to control the ebb and flow of the universe in one of six ways, and there are only six sirens in the entire universe." Maya answered.

"So, what kind of ways?"

"I can trap a foe in an orb of energy generated form the universe, as well as control the elements of fire and acid. It is known as Phase Lock. A friend of ours, Lilith, is able to enter and exit through different planes of reality, Phase Walk."

"Wow… that's cool."

"It is. Anyway, I'm also 30, and I like to read and fight."

"I AM KRIEG! DESTROYER OF THE DESERVING AND DEVOURER OF EVIL!" Krieg bellowed into the air as he pulled his Meat Bicycle from his back, roaring at the ceiling with open arms.

"He seems… stable. Should he be restrained?" Weiss questioned as she stared at the large man that seemed to always scream. She could easily see the blood stains on his pants and his weapon as well as all the scars and burns on his body.

"He's fine, amiga. He may be a bit loco, but he is good people." Salvador defended as he patted Krieg on the lower back. "I, am Salvador, a Gunzerker. I am 36, and I love to fight and drink!"

"It seems you all have a common interest. I am Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. I am 18, and enjoy reading and studying." Weiss introduced in a very regal fashion.

"Nerd." Axton chuckled.

"Princess." Gaige grumbled.

Weiss proceeded to shoot the two ice cold glares, but it didn't seem to faze either of them. The two had received all kinds of looks throughout their time, so no look could really affect them. The two stragglers finally decided to join, slipping to the group silently.

"Blake Belladonna. 18, and I enjoy reading." Blake introduced simply. She was a woman of few words, since that was all that she really needed.

"Zer0, Assassin." Zer0 answered simply. It was all that they needed to know; nothing more, and nothing less.

"Is… is that it?" Yang questioned, hoping to know a little bit more.

"Yes."

"Alright then."

"Hey Maya, want to take a look out the window? Great view." Axton chuckled. He knew there were only a few things Maya did not like, and one of them was heights.

"No! No… I'm fine. No need." Maya stammered as she panicked a bit.

"Is someone afraid of heights?" Yang questioned with a smirk. "Wow, you guys talk tough, but you're just like normal people. Well, most of you."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Salvador exclaimed, even though he barely came up to her chest.

"I'm saying there's a bit of a height requirement." Yang chuckled. The two began to argue, Salvador seriously while Yang did it jokingly. Zer0 and Blake slipped off again to the side of the observation deck, enjoying the degree of quiet they could have.

"So, you're an assassin?" Blake questioned, seeing if she could get any more out of him.

"Yes." Zer0 stated plainly.

"How many kills?"

"Many."

"Always with a sniper rifle?"

"Katana, sometimes."

Zer0 pulled his digistruct katana from his side, the blade materializing as he pulled it from its sheath. Blake nodded at the blade, impressed with the weapon, so she pulled her own weapon out to show him. Zer0 nodded at the weapon, impressed with the craftsmanship of it.

"Gambol Shroud. Katana and sheath can be used as a weapon, the katana has a built in pistol." Blake explained as she shifted her blade into the pistol form. Zer0 nodded, impressed further with the weapon than he was before. That's when the group joined them at the front of the observation deck as they started entering city limits.

"Well, our new alien friends, welcome to Vale, and soon… Beacon Academy." Ruby declared as the buildings started to roll beneath them.

A/N: Apologies for the wait, life has been pretty busy. So here you are, chapter 2! PM or review with any thoughts comments or concerns. Until next time!

-Chief