Hello everyone, it is I, Zer0themega108 again, back with another story in my series of releases. This one is a long time coming that I consider my second favorite stand alone story. A Borderlands story that has been in the making for a long time, it was posted but not by me, but my friend SaiyatonianSage, or SaiyaSage as he is called now. No, I did not steal the story, basically he made the story as a giftfic for me but never FUCKEN went anywhere! It's fine, because I have everything planned out, did for a long time and now we can get this story going. Saiya wrote out the first chapter (Well I wrote it, then he made the final draft).

If you are new to my stories, hi I'm Zer0, I make a lot of DMC?JL stories but this one of the few stories out of DMC I plan to make.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this shit. I don't even OWN this badass character that talks in MOONSPEAK!

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

"Zer0's Holo Emojis"

Chapter One: Zer0 Ambition

(Zer0's Ambition)

Pretty sure you're familiar with these introductions huh? Usually some vague accented guy starts babbling or some shit about a hidden treasure on Pandora…

If Hell existed… you might wanna go there for some R&R…

But here, on Pandora, legends… usually die gruesome, horrifying, sometimes hilarious deaths. Ain't no heroes in this story, not the kind you wanna look up to anyway… Ain't no villains here either. Just psychospsychopaths…

Just who is the biggest monster here?

That's all that matters… Not even the treasure in those vaults are worth diddly-shit…Then again, I ain't ever got that far to even see the Vault…

Anyway, that's enough about this edgy lord nonsense, how about we begin this story, with another story?

Pandora… Quite the name… Quite the lie.

All the gifts.

Gifts you could return…

Pandora only took and stole. What little humanity you may have had, Pandora would unveil the mask you wore; showed the demon that laid waiting. But much like a gift, Pandora held an allure no sane or insane person could ignore. It's Siren calls dragged all types of filth to her world.

Shoot to Survive.

Kill or be Killed.

On her surface, much like a woman, Pandora was quite the jewel. However, once you were in her claws, your death was destiny. The calm surface of the planet betrayed the violent, chaotic storms that brewed far, far below.

Her Siren call? The alluring song that dragged those bastards from every edge of the universe?

The Vault.

An ancient alien trove that was once said to home a "legendary treasure", and the ones who would find it would be "legends" themselves.

And the poor bastards who were narcissistic enough to tempt the devil's fate?

Vault Hunters.

Nonetheless, they weren't the only ones after this forbidden treasure. Higher powers that dared to play god, the Corporations, would go after the Vaults. The one that crowned the sadistic circus that became of Pandora: Hyperion.

The massive, rusted jewel of Helios could be seen at any part of the planet if any poor soul ever bothered to lift up their head. But that would've been an admission of defeat; you were weak to look up, that your spirit and will break sooner than later.

Circling around the moon Elpis, several thousands of rooms and offices across the station were stained by rotting flesh and discolored steel. In the main office, crowned once by Pandora's very own 'Hero', Handsome Jack; current, and temporary, CEO Jeffry Blake reclined in the surprisingly debonair chair at his desk. Sighing as he downed his third, possible fourth, glass of Wam Bam Wine Jeffrey Blake spun in his seat, staring at the Borderworld of Pandora.

Three, long years after the defeat of Handsome Jack and his Eridian Warrior at the mercy of the Vault Hunters. Hell of a time… hell of a time… Since then, that was how Blake achieved his current position, at the behest of the Board, at least until someone would replace him. Ordering all Hyperion military forces to retreat from the planet, the CEO would've also ordered to retreat Helios…

If the FRICKIN' THING COULD FLY!

The only place Hyperion had control over, that was worth spit, was Opportunity. Even then, it had very few soldiers and was ran mostly by the Loader Bots.

Awaiting his next orders, the CEO sipped his fine wine, swishing the liquid in his mouth. He wondered what he could do to pass the time: Order Moonshots to the hellscape down on Pandora, obliterating a Bandit camp or three… Then again he was feeling peckish…

Pizza? That would certainly hit the spot.

Oh! Dinner AND Show!

He chuckled beside himself, such a clever devil he was.

A soft beep on his desk propped Blake to exit his thoughts, looking over his shoulder realizing his secretary was on the line. Placing the glass on the desk, tapping the desk to answer the call, the holographic picture of his secretary popped up.

"I'm guessing this is important, Lindsay," Blake began, drawling out his words in boredom.

"Sir, the Board wishes to speak with you." It had been a while since the Board wanted to speak with their CEO. Hopefully… good news was to follow.

"Put them through."

A few seconds passed then five holoscreens appeared with amplitude lines decorating them.

"Mr. Blake." A coarse, gruff voice started. Blake attempted to swallow his nervousness, sitting upright to be able to be seen by the Board.

Blake cleared his throat before speaking. "It's a pleasure to see each one of you again. Naturally I'm assuming this is an important call?"

"Yes," this time a feminine voice answered. "You have been overlooking Helios for a few years now, yes?"

"Loving every second of doing so," Blake responded, trying to add a bit of devilish charm.

The poor bastard.

"Though you have failed to take over the planet Pandora with most of our forces retreating back to Helios, correct?" Shifting in his seat, Blake could sense that this was an important call, but it wasn't to his perceived favor.

"Yes." Came the simple reply of the CEO.

"And because of that we have lost control of our Eridium Mines over to Bandits?" The female voice pressed. Blake's body began to heat up, his forehead beginning to sweat, pulling on his collar. If it was something the Board did not like was losing supplies, but what the hell was he supposed to do?!

Were they expecting miracles?!

Even that psycho madman Jack couldn't do JACK-shit in comparison! He was dead!

"Y-Yes…"

"Because of this, we will be sending your replacement as the new CEO of Hyperion." A second male voice called, surprising the current CEO. They… actually found a replacement for him? Interesting…

"I see… when will he or she be arriving?" Blake inquired.

"Shortly," a third voice, just as gruff, if not more hoarse than the first male voice, grumbled out.

"No doubt it took a great deal of convincing," Blake stated.

"He took the offer a few months ago, but said he would have to deal with personal matters before taking his new station," the female stated. "He will be meeting you very soon."

"As in… today?" asked Blake. He didn't receive an answer. "Then… what will become of me?" His tone gave way to the anxiety that had built since part way into the call. After the failures they had listed off to him, Blake could only imagine the hell that might be awaiting him.

Will they fire him?

Launch him into space?

Kill him?

Or… worse yet… move him to a less spacious and less cozy office? With no Wam Bam Wine to accompany him on his lonely nights?

"That will no longer be our concern," the second male answered ominously.

"Have a good day, Mr. Blake," the final words of the Board flashed with the ending of the holographic transmission, baptizing Blake in the darkness of space. He didn't realize how dark it was in the room before the call. He exhaled deeply, leaning back in his chair, rubbing his eyebrow in frustration. That didn't exactly tell him a lot. Essentially he was getting replaced by someone new, something he half expected to happen anyway, but still…

His Wam Bam Wine…

Reaching for his glass, he reached for the bottle in his other hand and poured more of the fine liquid to his glass. He might as well savor the last of it… The dark looming shadow nearly blended in with the darkness of outside space, except this shadow a shade darker than normal…

"Ah, Pandora, quite the appeal no?," Blake spat his drink out, dribbles of wine spewed all over his desk, as the rest dripped pathetically down his chin and onto his clothes. The dark shadowed voice had its back towards Blake, but he could tell the figure was tall with a powerful build. Which was saying something to the likes of the Berseker Vault Hunter, as this person stood a head taller than that.

As the sun of Pandora shine into the CEO's room, Blake got a better look at this person. His body was covered in gray body armor, hugging his slim but powerful figure, red outlines and a gray skin tight suit adorned his physique. Hi left shoulder was decorated by metallic shards, floating like a cape of some kind. His right arm was mechanical, reaching down to his thigh, a large crimson blade running across his arm and over his shoulder. Obsidian metallic plates ran across his shoulder, ending near his armpit. His hair ended near his scalp, which was completely shaven and clean, and his ears curved and pointed.

The man paid no heed to this simple creature that sat his desk.

"Such a sickly beauty, calling to such sinners from the farthest reaches of the galaxy. A Siren's call beckoning you to death, yet you're all too eager to embrace it. Hellish flames embellishes you in its embrace, amidst the screams of agony as you are burnt to ash… you cannot help but thank her for this gift." The man paused, settling his large mechanical hand on the glass. "Many died for that gift. And I know I am worthy to bear Pandora's gift."

Turning to face the former CEO, the mystery man's face was very narrow, almost too narrow for a human, a strong powerful chin would make the greatest of gods weep, but his eyes…

Hellish scarlet eyes radiated even in defiance of Pandora's sun.

Blake did not consider himself a religious man, hell, what kind of god would create Pandora? Or even this… creature that stood before him?!

Even Blake realized that this had to be the Devil himself…

Those scarlet orbs stared into what little of Blake's soul he had left. It unnerved, scared him really. As if this man could see the sins he had committed, and sins he would commit…

"An old lesson from classic literature that I learned from a young age," The man continued, a shadow of smirk teetering his lips. "Never judge a book by its cover. But in our line of work, sometimes, things are exactly as they seem. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Blake?"

Blake began to stutter, only to look back at the entrance of his office, wondering how the hell he could've gotten in without setting off the alarms.

That will no longer be our concern.

The mysterious man chuckled, striding towards Blake, then offering his cybernetic hand. "Lothar Rendain. Don't fret over how I got in, it pays to have the keys to the kingdom in your back pocket."

However Blake notice the blade from the cybernetic limb inches from his chin.

(Lothar Rendain: CEO of Hyperion. Totally not evil!)

"Oh! Apologies." He shifted hands and offered his human arm. Blake hesitantly shook the hand while giving Lothar a nervous smile.

"Charmed to meet you." Blake said. Lothar gave a smile, revealing his fangs to Blake which made the business man pale in fear.

"As you should be. The honor is mine nonetheless, this is my first time being on Helios physically and I enjoy when someone warms my chair." Lothar said as he walked past Blake, and ran his hand across the arm of his chair. "Nonetheless I should inspect my new office." Rendain mused as he walked past Blake and towards a shelf.

Jack's trophy shelf- all of Jack's belongings that he gained over the years during his takeover of Pandora and Elpis.

Blake let out a nervous cough as he fixed his tie. For some reason this man's indifferent, calm demeanor unnerved him. When you normally deal with psychos, someone who is calm is… well, usually even crazier.

"Yes but we have had some...setbacks." Blake said.

"Quite the understatement from what I've heard. Not the first time a Corporation has been destroyed by some Vault Hunters." Lothar corrected, surprising Blake.

"News travels quickly from where I was." Lothar continued as he stared at a particular object. Blake on the other hand rubbed his chin in concentration as he thought he felt like he had heard of Lothar's name.

"Lothar…..why do I feel like I have heard of you?" Blake asked as Lothar took a trophy: Atlas Certification. Jack got the certificate from Atlas after taking most of their resources and control over the Destroyer Eye.

Lothar looked over his shoulder, his one hellish eye scanning the smaller man. "Do you think this is my first time being a CEO of a Corporation?" Lothar asked. The pieces of the puzzle finally forged in Blake's mind, nearly smacking himself.

"Ah yes! You were Atlas' CEO for twenty years, but you then disappeared eight years ago." Blake said as he remembered the Rendain name. He was known as Atlas' Fourth President, and while being the most influential he was also the most secretive, barely anyone have heard of Lothar Rendain other then name. No wonder he nearly forgotten the name, hell pretty sure almost everyone had.

He created the Crimson Lance, and was said to have discovered alien tech like the Eridians, though this was merely speculations. But that's gossip for anyone, really. He was President for a long time until he disappeared mysteriously on the planet Pandora once the Crimson Lance invaded eight years ago.

"Eight and a half….. I was on Pandora for quite some time." Lothar said as he put the certification back.

"If I may ask, where did you go?" Blake asked as Lothar picked up the legendary shotgun Conference Call. He tested the gun in his arms, cocking the gun and looking through the scope. "I heard from a man in our cloning district that he poisoned the Atlas CEO."

"Merely my VP, I let him have the job while I was on Pandora. Of course when he was in charge he made a five year old Admiral. Goddamn nepotism." Lothar growled, before regaining his composure and smiling, continuing his story. "I have been places Blake. Places you could never imagine." Lothar said putting the gun back and looking at more trophies, his hand running across a strange object. He let out a small amused hum as he stared at the object before putting it back and grabbing the sword. "Now how many employees are currently on this Space station? Any soldiers? I'd like to know I have an advantage when I am in charge." Blake nodded as he pulled up a data pad and started reading the list.

"Worker count: Ten thousand, one hundred and seventy eight. Loader Bots: Two Hundred and still going up, though in slow process since the new Loader Bots take more money. Psychos: Forty seven."

"Psychos?" Lothar asked holding a strand of the feathers Jack had from the remains of a Sniper's bird.

"They are mostly used for games, the workers find ways to….entertain themselves." Blake said, finding a word that would fit it. Lothar hummed to himself as he tapped on the goatee of Tassiter, the CEO before Jack when the tyrant…..took over management.

"If I may ask again Mr. Rendain…..what is your plan for Hyperion?" Blake asked as Lothar stared at the portrait from one of the Hyperion founders.

Lothar stood in silence, mulling over how he wanted to phrase this. "What would any CEO want for their Corporation?" Lothar asked, though the way he sounded made it seem like he already knew.

"Make it the greatest Corporation in the universe, control a ancient alien myth-!"

"Myth….yes." Lothar muttered letting out a small chuckle, but Blake continued.

"-and try to turn worlds beyond their control into paradise." Blake finished as Lothar turned and started walking back to the desk.

"Yes, paradise is what we all want. I, like the notorious Handsome Jack, saw eye to eye one ideal in this universe: It's disgusting." Lothar said as he walked past Blake. "Worlds like Pandora are nothing but hellholes, yet it has riches beyond our imagination. I should know."

"And….you plan to continue his dream?" Blake asked, Lothar chuckled in his response.

"Those dreams were never Jack's in the first place. In some way my ideals are like Jack's, but I wish to plan everything out. I plan to make friends with my enemies; transform knowledge into power, power into knowledge. In short term: The universe will be reborn not in the image of Hyperion, or Jack's….but mine." Lothar let out a sigh of content.

"And how do you plan to do this?" Blake asked as Lothar looked over his shoulder.

"...In my eight year...voyage, I have come across the impossible." Lothar started as he reached out with his cybernetic arm. Blake notice the glass of wine and instantly took the bottle and poured more into it. He handed Lothar the glass, then wiping his own face with his sleeve, while the CEO stared down at Pandora, running his finger across the rim of the glass. "I have seen what humans are, I have seen what we were, what the Sirens true purpose is, what the Eridians were…..and what they feared." Lothar said sipping on the wine.

"Yes, the Warrior was used by Jack but was destroyed. They has never been another Vault after that." Blake said.

"Not true." Lothar corrected, wagging his finger. "There was another one, used as a trophy by the Torgue Corporation for their….Campaign of Carnage as a tournament for who was the greatest 'badass' on Pandora." Lothar stated as he finished his wine and turned to look at Blake.

"Come now Jeffrey, do you honestly believe there are just three Vaults on Pandora?" Blake gave him a confused look as Lothar continued.

"There are more than just three, or four, or five. There are numerous Vaults on this wasteland of a planet, and true while some may not be as big as ones such as the Warrior Vault, there are ones bigger than them. Hell, not even this planet alone that carries Vaults." Lothar said as Blake poured more wine for Lothar.

"I plan to open each and every one of them, take their treasures and use them in accelerating my plan." Lothar said. "And you, Mr. Blake, will help me. We are businessmen after all." Blake agreed with this and was relieved Lothar wasn't going to fire him or kill him, but there was still one problem.

"I think you would see yourself more as a visionary," Blake commented. Lothar took the statement in stride, knowing truth when he heard it. "There is still the problem on Pandora." Lothar nodding his head knowing was coming next.

"Yes…..the Vault Hunters." Lothar said as he snapped his fingers. Several screens appeared showing the mugshots of each Vault Hunter that opened the Vault.

"They reside in Sanctuary and have proven to be a thorn in Hyperion's side." Blake said as Lothar skimmed through each one. He was uninterested in some of them such as the Commando, or the Gunzerker, and the Mechromancer. However his eyes narrowed at seeing the strange Psycho named Krieg.

"This was one of Hyperion's failed and escaped experiments, yes?" Lothar asked.

"Indeed, Jack let him escape seeing no way how that monster could do any damage….that kicked him in the ass at the end." Blake said.

"Hmm. I wish to speak with the head of the Slag Experiment Division eventually." Lothar ordered, skimming past the Psycho and landed on the veteran Siren Lilith. He stared at her for a few seconds before skimming past her and onto the next Siren.

"Both have been a nuisance. Jack used the redhead to awaken the Warrior. In the end she got her revenge on him for killing the Soldier Vault Hunter." Blake explained as Lothar skimmed past the Berserker and Sniper before his eyes landed on the last one.

"The Assassin." Blake said as Lothar stared at it, he noticed the new CEO eyes narrow to tiny red slits. If looks could kill, well it didn't seem impossible for Lothar to pull such a power, this entire Station would fall dead. "No one knows of his origins…...if it is a he."

"It's a he." Lothar grumbled, his left arm balled into a fist and shook in rage.

"Each of these Vault Hunters have been problems for the past seven years. They are a threat." Blake said as the mugshots minimized and Lothar turned to Blake.

"Only threats to you, Mr. Blake. Only a few pose any real threat…...but I do have some unfinished business." Lothar muttered the last part as he downed the last of the wine. "But do not worry I have made sure that they know of my presence. Now Mr. Blake….how far of a signal can you get on Pandora?" Rendain asked as he set the glass down.

"We can get across the entire planet if we wished, why?" Blake asked as Lothar walked past him and tapped on the desk.

"Ms….Lindsay? Was it?"

"Who is this?" The Secretary asked, shocked to hear such a menacing voice.

"Your new CEO, Lothar Rendain. Prepare my office for a live feed." Lothar ordered.

"...R-Right away Mr. Rendain." Lindsay said, not sure what was going on but if this was a new CEO she was not getting on his bad side. Lothar ended the call as he turned to Blake, smiling and showing his fangs.

"It is time that Helios, Pandora, and soon this Galaxy knows that there is a new boss in town…..and he is far worse than Handsome Jack." Lothar said chuckling as Blake took a step back, the new CEO turning back to the world.

"I'm coming for you….my friends."

(Zer0 Ambition)

It was a cloudless, sunny afternoon in the Highlands, the Stalkers were roaring in the distant and Bandits screeching in return. Rakks flew high across the sky and looking for their home, while Threshers dug through the earth looking for food.

Life was… good? Normal?

… It was… eh…

High on one of the mountainous cliffs, meditating beyond the small thunderous bursts of chaos down far below, was the Vault Hunter Assassin. His life was tied to the blade, an extension of himself; the chaotic cluster-fuck of Pandora against the cold, calculating slices of his Digi blade.

The same blade that laid before him at his feet. Slow, calming breaths cleared his mind; one with nature, one with himself, one with Pandora… one with nature, one with himself, one with Pandora…

The irony of Pandora was not lost to Zer0; if you removed the filth and psychoticness, Pandora was actually somewhat… enjoyable?

Nah, TOLERABLE.

Much better… more appropriate.

High on these cliffs proved that there was a side of Pandora that no one got to see. Mostly because they were dead, rotting or being eaten alive… If you were lucky, all three at once.

Hell of a deal, ain't it?

Still, it was a one of the rare days Zer0 would cleanse himself of the dirty juju that had built up in his system. Away from his teammates (very loose sense of the word, mind you), while they mingled about far below doing… something… or just fucking around.

Though if he were being somewhat… "honest"… with himself, they were beginning to, he guessed, grow on him. And not like fungus, or a parasite feasting on his insides.

They had their… traits. Quirks?

But after three years together with them, beyond all the hell that Handsome Jack, Hyperion and Pandora herself threw at them, they survived. Surviving all that time must account for something, right? Like this was the universe's way of saying:

FUCK YOU WEEB! AND YOUR MOONSPEAK GIBBERISH!

Opening his eyes, he began to realize that maybe mediating on a high cliff with thin air… probably wasn't the best idea to have a existential crisis. Or to be doing anything really, granted oxygen was of no issue for him...unless Pandora just had that effect.

Of course he didn't mind them being around, as long as they kept their distance, and their more destructive, chaotic tendencies away from him. He started to get use to it….or at least he tried.

Then again the mediation wasn't working again once he actually thought on them. Though he did wonder how the hell life would've turned out for him if they hadn't shoved a spiky-

Besides the point…

Especially after the entire debacle with Handsome Jack… could he have made it on his own? Probably… more than likely… hell, he could've soloed Jack himself-

Ok… bit of a stretch.

Nonetheless, Zer0's idled mind began to reflect on the members that occupied his team:

'Pretty Boy' Axton… granted no one actually called him that but, you know… someone had to make that up (Zer0 was more fond of 'The Chin', since Axton seemed to be more chin than brains, especially when it mattered). Still, the Commando was nothing… true statement beside… if not vain, boisterous, loud, in-your-face, annoying…

But, far deep in Zer0's empty guts, he felt a twinge of empathy with the Commando: desiring fame and glory. Zer0 himself just had the graceful fortune of being classy about it. Despite that, Zer0 knew that when hell was frothing at their feet, the Commando would come a swinging, for some reason he tended to favor throwing Bomb Psycho's at them…

Axton wasn't the brightest knife in the crayon box… maybe he was dropped…

Like the Commando, the small born Pandoran Truxican named Salvador was equally as loud, surprising Zer0 himself due to the former's small disposition. But, in comparison to the Commando, Salvador was a hell of step up… take that what you will. He made a will in case he were to die (impossible since he was way too BADASS to die on this hell-rock) that forbade Sal from eating his corpse… Which wouldn't feed even the Scythids.

Next… was Krieg.

Naturally being a Psycho, there wasn't really anything the two could talk about. Besides the constant banshee screeching and trying to break his skull on any rock or metallic surface the Psycho could find (… which was a LOT), including his own Buzz axe.

Onto to the better half of the list, there was also the veterans Mordecai and Brick. The Assassin saw some playful competition in Mordecai, being one of the few group that could match him pound for pound in most of their little games. However Zer0 did wish that the man could take their sniping duels more seriously, though the excuse he always heard was 'I'm a better shoooooot when I'm-' followed by the man downing a bottle of some alcohol.

Definitely the cheap kind, by the smell of it.

Finally there was Brick, between the Veterans Zer0 believed Brick really didn't care much for the Assassin. While Brick wasn't going to say it, Zer0 could tell the Berserker didn't hate him, but had a feeling between everyone he enjoyed the more louder and…...explosive personalities of Krieg and Salvador.

Zer0 was indifferent. Trading one Psycho for another, wasn't too surprising, he guessed.

Finally there came the Lady Vault Hunters, and every time he thought of each one he felt a strange, hot feeling in his stomach that he couldn't explain. Out of everyone in the ragtag group of Vault Hunters, the one who goes out of her way to make small talk with Zer0 was Gaige.

Like the half better half on his list, Gaige was more pleasant in her company. Most of the time he just sat there, mediating or cleaning his Digi-blade, while she gossiped on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on.

And on and on and on and on and on and on...

It usually was about her Echo Channel… or what she killed out in the Dust… what she loot she pillaged and would trade with the Assassin if and when he wanted to trade with her.

":)" Sometimes he teased her about her gossiping and yammering, couldn't exactly blame her as there wasn't really much on Pandora to talk about or do besides the occasional odd job.

So he couldn't be too upset with her, as he didn't have a normal childhood so he ventured to let her have some semblance of 'normal'. His rare good deeds on Pandora…

Though that was years ago, and Gaige wasn't exactly a teen anymore, he couldn't really say no.

Then again, 'bribing' him with the Morningstar Sniper Rifle wasn't the worse way to get his good graces. So, you know, he could allow some foolishness to slide on her behalf. Unless she had another 'bribe' to hand over, Zer0 would let her be.

And out of everyone she was one of the greatest Mechanics around, since if any of Zer0's Deception devices were broken, if Axton turret needed a check up Gaige was the go-to girl. She was also very good at cupcakes which Zer0 tried to express in smiling holograms...when they weren't filled with radiated Eridium.

Finally, the two most powerful beings on the planet: the Sirens.

Zer0 couldn't explain but every time he looked at them he felt his world was on fire, maybe because of Krieg's Hellfire. Even though sometimes Krieg wasn't even around…

Lilith, the Veteran Vault Hunter, was quite possibly the most powerful being on the planet and she also had the looks to kill it. Zer0 however noticed subtle, growing changes in her demeanor. While she was good at hiding it, it almost seemed like she was always agitated….it reminded him of a certain someone in his training days. That was such a long time ago...

And the newest Siren of the Crimson Raiders, who Zer0 knew since they met on that train: Maya. Out of everyone, Maya was probably the most likable in Sanctuary. She also, like Gaige, went out of her way to make small talk with Zer0. Zer0 assumed it was because she doesn't like being treated different like she was on her old world, which he discovered from the echoes in Wildlife Center, and she wanted to be treated like all the others. Zer0 of course didn't mind, there were good times when they raided Bandit Camps or when he had to patch her up after she took a blast from the Bunker. She was…...something beyond his understanding.

Still human. After all she went through. Still human.

However as soon as he thought about them, he let out a sigh of defeat as he realized how close he was to them. At this point they weren't just partners….but friends, maybe even more, he didn't know. For someone it was probably normal but for Zer0 it was bad: especially for who he was.

It was only a matter of time could Zer0 outrun his past. The only enemy he couldn't slice and dice. The one foe that could outpace him, outsmart him, overpower him.

Only time could outlive him.

Hell, it's not like he could really express any of his feelings. Zer0 hated that about himself and it was his greatest sin: He can't express his emotions, such as rage, happiness…...love. Sure the holograms are there but because they are hooked into his brain to show how he feels.

He was more machine than man. Twisted, broken, jagged, rusting away with the sands of Pandora.

He was born this way…..or at least made this way. For years, from his teacher of torture, he had learned to suppress those emotions, seeing as they were a weakness. He was taught since he was old enough to breathe how to be the Ultimate killing machine, and wasn't just taught but experimented on. For most of his life he was pushed to the edge of human evolution and even beyond it, to the point where all the things that make a human… was gone. He no longer can express such emotions but he wishes for it….and if he could show it, he desired it. But he couldn't, he could not express them...he could not experience them.

Perhaps… that was why Maya-

Reaching for his helmet, his fingers graced the outer shell before stopping. Maybe… he might've still had ties to his emotions…

Maybe they hadn't taken everything from him yet.

His shoulders bopped with every growing breath, his eyes focused on the dirt ground. He had to admit, the more he stayed the more he became attached.

Maybe they were right: emotions were a weakness. He lived his entire life without them. Survived every hell that Pandora threw at him. He managed on his own. He would still-

Flashes of his time on Pandora came to him: The defeat of Handsome Jack, Treasure Hunting with Captain Scarlett, fighting in the Badass Tournament of Mr. Torgue, Hunting with Hammerlock… That strange-ass, weird-ass transition where the six thought they were drugged out of their minds and they were in some fantasy land narrated by Tina and the veteran Hunters. He should not have ate Salvador's Eridium Mushroom soup, it did not help any of them the next day.

Why, after all this time? Why would they now show up?!

"I should leave the planet./The more I stay on this planet./The more threats I bring." Zer0 said out loud. He looked up to hear his echo beeping and grasping it, seeing that the caller was Gaige.

"Hello?"

"ZER0!" Gaige screamed in the echo, nearly breaking Zer0's eardrum.

"...What is it, Gaige?"

"So um we have a problem! Two Badass Stalkers are attacking us, Maya Phase powers aren't working, Salvador's arm is broken, Krieg is knocked out and Axton's turret is BUSTED! Deathtrap is on cool-down and our guns are empty! PLEASE SAVE US!" Gaige screamed as a Stalker's screech was heard from the other end.

With an annoyed sigh he took his blade, leaping off his rock and headed to his Bandit Technical. As he continued to walk, he was unaware of the figure that stared from above the trees, blending seamlessly yet remained undetected from the creatures around it. It stared at Zer0, studied him.

"He must survive."

(Zer0 Ambition)

The six flinched as the two ULTIMATE BADASS Stalkers rammed into Axton's shield turret, the only thing protecting them from mauled alive. They thought killing a bunch of Stalkers at their Hive would be a fun way to pass the time until they head back to Sanctuary. Which it was… until two large ULTIMATE BADASS Stalkers came out and started attacking.

Krieg, being the lovable, homicidal, psychopathic dork he was, unsurprisingly was the first to be knocked out after one of them flung him into Deathtrap and took them both out of commission. Most of their skills were still on Cool-Down, save for Axton's shielded turret that was now their only defenses.

"Guys, I got bad news." Axton said.

"Don't you ever have good news?!" Maya screamed. "What could be worse than this?!"

"My turret shield is almost out."

"... I'm killing you first!"

"OH man this better not be the end!" Gaige screamed dramatically. "I never got to go to Prom, I never kissed a boy! I...never confessed on who I liked!" Gaige cried as the Stalkers rammed into the turret.

"I always thought I die from a firing squad." Axton said as his turret started to lose its powers. He eyed Maya briefly, recalling her threat to him earlier. "Though being killed by a blue-haired beauty ain't the worse way to go either…"

"COME ON YOU BASTARDS!" Salvador roared as he was half tempted to charge out of the portal and wrestle the Badass Stalkers.

"Don't aggravate them more, Sal!" Maya yelled as the shield started flickering. The others notice they only had a few seconds to possibly live or get away.

"Guys, if this is the end, I have a confession." Gaige said taking deep breaths. "I….I love…..I love Z-!" No sooner did those words escaped did the thunderous roar of an engine echoed in the hive. One ULTIMATE BADASS Stalker looked up only to see a tire wheel cracked its head, the blood and brains raining everywhere. The Bandit Technical Driver revved on the engine, splattering blood everywhere and drove towards the last ULTIMATE BADASS Stalker who roared in anger at the death of its mate. The Technical swerved to the side crashing into the Stalker and sent it flying haplessly. The creature clawed the ground but felt its feet leave the ground. Looking back, it saw a cliff under it as it descended to the ground, roaring on the way down before it was silenced.

The turret shield finally died as the Technical drove towards them, the driver's window sliding down. Seconds passed before the six heard faint grumbling, Zer0 poking his head out of the Technical, leaning one arm out as the others thanked whatever gods for saving them.

":)"

"...So Gaige," Axton started turning to the Mechromancer.

"What was that confession?" Gaige cheeks flushed blood red as the smirking Commando chuckled at her. She growled before roughly punching him in the arm with her robot hand, earning a groan but still chuckling Axton.

"None of your business!" Gaige yelled as she walked past him and towards the window of the driver's seat.

"Can't blame me kiddo! You're screaming your heart out a few seconds ago going on about-"

"Thanks, Zer0!" Gaige cheered as she wrapped her arms around Zer0's neck and pulled him close, purposefully shouting to drown out Axton. Stupid Commando, NEVER talk about a girl's FEELINGS! ESPECIALLYY IN FRONT OF HER MAN! Though… this did provide the opportunity to actually touch her lover boy… She would half forgive Axton... She was sure as hell gonna collect the half from him somehow.

"^-^" Zer0's screen flashed as the Mechromancer let him go and hopped in the back of the technical.

"Thanks for the save, we owe you one…..again." Maya said, playfully punching Zer0's arm.

"Next legendary we find is mine." Zer0 stated. ";)"

"Fine, jerk." Maya smiled, rolling her eyes as she hopped in the back.

"Thanks, Amigo." Salvador patted Zer0's arm as Axton leaned on the door smirking at the Assassin.

"You took your sweet time."

"I wished for some peace and quiet." Zer0 said as Axton chuckled and hopped in the back. "Kinda hard to find it when you guys busy tearing Pandora a new one every chance you get." Axton couldn't help but notice the particularly flat tone of Zer0, which wasn't saying much, but it looked something was bothering him. Same with Lilith for that matter too…

"Where is Krieg?" The Assassin asked looking around for the Psycho Bandit. However he felt something shake the Technical, looking up he saw Krieg on the gunner seat shaking his Buzz Axe.

"I HAVE SALTED THE WOUNDS!" The Psycho Bandit screamed before sitting in the gunner seat.

":-/"

Axton simply shrugged his shoulders, honestly he preferred if they just left the Psycho King behind. No real sweat off his back… however they feared he would actually track them back down, with an army of fellow psychos rallying behind their king.

Zer0 shook his head before revving up the engine and driving towards the closest Fast Travel. As they drove, Zer0 would glance to the back to see Maya berating Axton while Salvador and Gaige laughing at the scene. His face twitched, contorting the muscles to actually form an expression; smile, smirk, sneer, something!

Nothing came though.

Nothing.

Just like everything else: nothing. No one, no thought, nothing that he could claim as his own.

Just the thin line that will always appear on his emotionless face. He kept driving until they made it to Overlook, passing through the dome. Despite being cured of Skull Shivers, the residents prefer to stay inside. The few times the residents were actually smart about something… As the six made it to the fast travel station, their Echoes turned on, the caller ID revealed to be their crazy Scientist Patricia Tannis.

"Zer0. I have a mission for you that requires your ridiculous skills of stealth. Interested?" Zer0's helmet remained blank, processing the offering. However a ? hologram formed as the others looked at him, wondering what his choice was. However feeling that he had enough of doing nothing, he spoke his answer.

"What is it?" Zer0 simply asked.

"I wish for you to head to the Eridian Blight, I will explain the rest when you get there." With that, Tannis hung up the call.

"You sure you don't want us to come?" Maya asked crossing her arms. She already guessed the answer but that didn't mean she couldn't provide backup for her friend.

"I'll be alright, Maya/You need to rest and heal up/I will be alone." Zer0 answered, the group already knew after three years that this was all moot, despite not showing much the Assassin was a stubborn one.

"Promise you bring back something awesome?!" Gaige asked smiling at Zer0. Zer0 simply nodded his head which made the red-headed twenty one year old cheer, hugging him before joining the others and traveled to Sanctuary. Zer0 scrolled through the Fast Travel and found Eridian Blight, a simple click and he was sent across the Continent in a second.

(Zer0 Ambition)

The scent of death, Eridium, and other sort of toxics filled Zer0's helmet as he reappeared in the Blight. He made his way to the Catch-A-Ride Machine, and summoned a Runner. As he hopped on, he saw his Echo activating again, seeing Tannis on the line.

"Now listen carefully Vault Hunter Zer0. Moxxi has informed me that one of her informants has detail that Hyperion have secretly excavated some ancient Alien site before they left, one that I should have been informed before they were found it but my Echo is trying to distance itself to me." Zer0 only shake his head as he started the engine and looked on his Echo map, seeing the waypoint was a few miles away from him. "Although I do not know what is in this Alien Structure it is not doubt priceless and I must see it myself."

As he continued driving Zer0 also wondered what was at the Sight. Perhaps something that could put a challenge, maybe some BADASSES. While he desired something human, he also desired a challenge, or was it more? To him it might just be the same thing. He passed some Bandit camps and some hills before he finally made it to the waypoint, or at least near it.

He slowed down the vehicle and came to a stop. Exiting the vehicle he quickly made it across the rocky landscape without a single sound. He hid behind a rock and peered over, it seemed Tannis was correct and that they were excavating some Alien structure. He saw several large vehicles, drills, and carts with a lot of Eridium ore.

"It seems I am alone. Strange." Zer0 mused to himself, heightening his senses and made sure he wasn't alone. However, by the looks on his map, and not a single person was in sight. This amount of construction and NO one was here?

No Loader or Engineer… Doubt it was for a lunch break. Zer0 surveyed the area again, making sure his eyes weren't deceiving him. Couldn't be a trap… even if the Rakks were flying above him. Damn Rakks, nothing but flying hellish rats. Silently sprinting like the BADASS ninja he was, he dove behind one of the nearby vehicles. Hiding behind it, Zer0 poked his head slightly out, looking around just in case anyone was here and they were hiding.

Again, he was alone. Taking slow, quiet steps Zer0 walked out of the shows, scanning the camp. It looked deserted, quite for some time too. Most likely when they called their forces off the planet a while back. However blaster marks on the supple crates caught his eye. Human shaped.

Peering over his shoulder, the Assassin felt a disturbance in the wind. Apparently there was someone else here… they were good. It was nice to have a bit of sporting competition again. Zer0 kept his hand close to his blade's handle, continuing his way across the abandoned camp.

"Either Hyperion got what they wanted, and they barely made it out with their prize," Zer0 observed. He paused, his feet light in case that disturbance ruffled again. Or, Zer0 continued with his thoughts, maybe it's still here.

"Or maybe something decided to storm in and take it themselves."

Noticing a tent, Zer0 opened the flap, peeking his head inside for any little treasures. Echoes, or something. Hell, some Legendary or Pearlescent guns… hopefully Gaige might have something to trade for… Better be one hell of a trade though.

One could dream.

Venturing further into the tent Zer0 scanned the room. No signs of bodies or a fight. His frown darkened, it looked… relatively untouched. Peering a bit further, he noticed a table with a single Echo recorder, however it was stained with dry blood.

Beggars and choosers… he wasn't.

Grasping the Echo, Zer0 flicked it open, powering it on and playing the first recording.

"Day 43, this is Head Engineer Brian, Mr. Blake. Once we started drilling we discovered these strange drawings on the wall, depicting those Eridia-whatever they are called. Kind of hard to explain since it wasn't in English but it showed them in a circle, like a Halo. Crew getting a little freaked out, Kev kept talking that he saw some strange creature staring at him. However our scans picked nothing up. If we don't find anything in the next few weeks I suggest we pick up our gear and head out." It was foreboding… it was an odd way to describe what was happening here. They were excavating for over a month, something seemingly got them on edge. His eyes traveled past the tent, making his way through the site and into what appeared to be the quarters. Blankets were burned or torn...more like cut through. His eyes traveled to another echo recording on the opposite end of the room. He took the small recorder and placed it in his echo.

"Day 67, Head Engineer Brian again sir. Listen, we found nothing, just more of those symbols and weird alien drawings. Not a sign of guns, though Ricky noticed the drawings depicted. Like those aliens surrounded a sphere of some kind, weird tentacles shooting out of it, with a weird pillar in the center. Ricky and Kev also said they saw another weird thing. Our Loader Bots ain't pick up shit, and we haven't found anything good. BUT seeing as how you haven't sent a damn cargo ship let me reiterate: There's nothing here, it's a waste of time, and I'd like to go back to Helios." Zer0 frowned at the Echo as he slowly walked outside with it, wondering why this guy spoke like that to the CEO.

However, it was just as likely since the demise of Jack, that this is new CEO was just a pansy, so everybody in Hyperion suddenly grew a spine.

Zer0 glanced at the dried blood on the Echo. His thoughts reeling in possibilities. Something was going on. He wasn't the type to get cold feet, but something was amiss. Zer0 looked through the room and found nothing, putting away the recordings and making his way outside. He walked around one of the drilling vehicles when he saw it on the ground: the one remaining recording, this one was only a few weeks old...and covered in dried blood. Zer0 picked up the recording and placed it in his, finally getting the answers.

"I can't believe it! We found an Alien Artifact! Uh, Head Engineer Brian Boss, Day...who fucking cares we got one! Just a few hours ago my team was drilling through the Eridium when the crystals exploded and from the cracks this strange pink glow formed. At first we thought it was new Eridium but no, it was an Artifact. It's not like the others we have found but this one takes the shape of a small Vault Key." This peeked Zer0's interest as it continued. "I never seen such a small Vault Key, then again the only Key I have seen was from a statue of Jack's, but could this one lead to another Vault? The team is currently trying to drill around the Artifact so not to damage it. This is a major discovery, I request a Transport ship s-!"

"AAAHHH!"

"What the hell?! Kev? Ricky? Guys whats going…..What the fuck?! What are you? Stay back! Stay back! ARRGGHHHH!"

CLICK!

Zer0 stared at the Echo, the screams of death filling his ears. He noticed in the background whatever attacked the man made a strange electric sound, like it was firing a laser. Placing the Echo within his own, knowing Tannis will enjoy whatever leftovers this Echo had, Zer0 looked over at the cave that the team no doubt found the Artifact.

Seeing no particular reason not to explore, the Assassin strolled towards the cave, his hand ready to unsheathe his blade if that presence drew closer. He had a bad feeling… Killing was basically the currency on Pandora, and she was for naught lacking in past dues.

Entering the mouth of the cave, the lights caught Zer0's attention, nothing too out of hand if the bloodied Echo was a sign. He felt his arm twinge in anticipation, caves were the easiest of traps to fall into; not a lot of space, and God-forsaken Heaven forbid that the cave itself didn't collapse because someone sneezed or stubbed their toe.

Or had too much of Sal's soup.

Brushing away another dire memory, the sight of strange drawings caught the Assassin's gaze. It was a grizzly yet primaly satisfying display, he would expect nothing less from Pandora, even for an advanced alien civilization. The drawings composed of several Eridians circling an object, no doubt the Artifact. Zer0 tilted his head in thought, wondering if these drawings could be a key to unveil what was inside the Vaults, or if this one was just special.

Other than that… the drawings didn't hold much value to Zer0, just a story of some kind. Pushing forward, he followed the trail of lights, thankfully bright as to not trip on something… huzzah. Continuing down this path for what felt like hours, a glowing pink light illuminated up ahead. Zer0 looked over his shoulder, his ears listening to the stale silence of the cave before continuing.

The light seemed to be getting brighter before he suddenly turned the corner, the light dying with it. Again Zer0 stood in place, letting himself adjust to the sight in front of him. At the end of the cave were several statues of the Eridians, while in the center was a big ass chunk of Eridium, and the Artifact itself.

"Very interesting." Zer0 thought as he made his way to the front of the Artifact. It was quite small indeed, it would fit in the palm of his hand if he was eyeing it correctly. Reaching for his handle, he pulled out a kunai and stabbed into the side of the Artifact, between the cracks of the crystal so not to ruin it. The Artifact was no doubt close to being out so with a few twists of his kunai the Artifact popped right into Zer0's hand. Zer0 was quite mesmerized by the Artifact, a physical contradiction in his hand: lighter than a feather but supposedly brimming with so much power as to lead a massacre at the campsite.

It felt more potent than the other treasures the team would find.

Sheathing his blade Zer0 studied the Artifact, bringing it closer to his mask as the light reflected off the black reflective surface. His Echo could not make a name for the thing, all he got was '?' however he did get red text at the bottom.

'What is your desire?'

"Why is it desire?/Do I have to rub the lamp/Is it a genie?" Zer0 mused, despite no smile appearing on his face, as he stared at the thing. Seeing no harm in it Zer0 rubbed his wrist over the Artifact, holding it away briefly in case something did pop out…

And… nothing did pop out.

… Rather, NOTHING did happen.

It was worth a shot though.

As Zer0 was about to equip the Artifact to see what it can do he felt he was not alone, in fact he could feel, not hear but feel movement behind him. Whatever it was in for a surprise as something sliced through him, or at least his Deception Hologram. Zer0 dashed away from whatever attacked him as he uncloaked and took a good look at what it was. Zer0 had never seen one face to face, but from Mordecai stories during his drunken rants it was a Guardian, a Eridian look a like but more machine then flesh. Feeling something behind him Zer0 jumped again as a much bigger Guardian slammed the ground where he last stood. Zer0 took a battle stance with his sword in hand as he took a look at the massive creature. From his Echo the massive Eridian was identified as 'Guardian Pondor' with the other smaller Guardians appearing around it.

"Protectors of this Artifact, truly it must be important." Zer0 said as he put the Artifact away and took a battle stance with his blade. If there was one thing Zer0 did feel was the rush of battle, he enjoyed the challenge and what greater challenge was to fight the protectors of the Vault then with just his sword.

"Come, give me a challenge."

With that several of the Guardians dashed forward towards the intruder, with the Assassin waiting for the right moment. A split second Zer0 ducked under a swing from his right, swinging his blade to his left to reflect another one of the Guardians staffs with sparks flying. Zer0 somersaulted over the Guardian, once he landed he impaled his blade within the machines chest, killing it instantly. Zer0 pulled his blade out to block another swing from a Guardian, however it seemed this one was cloaked like he can with his Deception. When it reappeared classified as a Reaper, it had some mask over the human face like the Pondor. However his one second scan the alien was all the other ones needed to swing a staff into the Assassin ribs, sending him flying across the room. Zer0 skidded to a halt with his sword etched into the ground, and while the pain was quite severe if he was human, but he wasn't…..not anymore. Zer0 felt the pain numb as he took another stance but saw more of the Guardians appear from thin air, to the Assassin it just meant more challenges.

Dashing forward Zer0 slipped into deception and pulled out several of his kunais, throwing them into two Guardians. It wasn't just that but once his Deception ended it released the shock explosion that destroyed their shields, leaving them vulnerable. The Pondor Guardian shield however was only a fifty percent and was still just standing in the back preparing for something. Zer0 sliced through a Reaper with such ease, before ducking under a swing, and heaved his blade through the Guardians neck. Zer0 was between a rock and a hard place which let the Pondor pull its fist back and punched Zer0 with enough force to destroy a bandit technical, sending Zer0 flying into the wall. The dust settled as the Guardians sensed that the intruder was alive, which proved true as Zer0 leaped out of the crater. His chest was heaving back in force from the blow, not wasting a breath. However it seemed his body had other ideas as he groaned in pain, his spine glowing with purple energy.

"N-No." Zer0 growled as he tried to focus to close it off. It took a few seconds but his spine soon returned to normal as did Zer0. Fearing that he would lose the thrill of challenge he suppressed it, as he has done for a long time. Swinging his blade Zer0 took another battle stance as he dashed forward, seeing that the Guardians shields haven't regenerated but he didn't have enough time to kill them all since it would be any second if they returned. He had a half of one to kill two, dashing forward he ducked under the blade and danced past the smaller Guardians and towards the Pondor. See that its shield was gone he had a chance as he jumped forward and latched onto the Pondor chest. Zer0 twisted the blade in his hands so it was aimed for the Guardians head, before he jammed it between its mask. The Pondor did not go down without a fight as it wrapped Zer0 in a Thresher hold and started cracking his bones, his shield and armor taking most of the damage but Zer0 could still feel it as he groaned in pain until finally the Pondor hold softened and the machine fell to the ground dead.

The Assassin pushed himself back up with the blade as a Guardian appeared behind him, stabbing the blade in his chest. If it could display emotions it would be shock as the staff went right through it. It then felt a blade stab right through its neck as Zer0 reappeared from thin air in front of it, before he disconnected the head from its body. Zer0 saw there were only three left as he swung his blade cleaning it of blade. Scratch that, four as he sidestepped a slam from a Reaper, pulling out a Kunai he jabbed the small blade into the Reapers skill, making its head explode now back to three Guardians. Zer0 felt it again, the only thing he could feel was the thrill of a fight and it was what he was made to be, and he has become. The Guardians dashed forward as Zer0 met with equal speed. The entire cave was filled with sparks, grunts, and clangs as blades clashed against each other. The Assassin keeping his hold on the creatures and since they were machines they did not tire, just like him. He moved his head aside at the last second of a blade behind him, but then moved his arm as the second one followed, and finally a leg as one tried to sneak attack from below.

Zer0 was now surrounded by the last three Guardians with the blades keeping his mobility as little as possible. One one fell swoop they could most likely kill him, but he wasn't going to let them. He hooked his arm around the blade in his armpits as he pulls the Guardian and spun it around colliding with the second Guardian, and finally into the third one. He spun them around until the one holding the staff in Zer0's arm lost its hold and all three colliding into one of the statues. Zer0 hefted the staff over his shoulder like a javelin and thrust it into the air, skewering all three Guardians and killing them. Zer0 took a second to relax as the last three died, he was now alone again. All the thrill was gone in an instant, much to his stoic disappointment, his challenge gone….his Desire. Once more he was alone in his own darkness (Lit up cave), in an emptiness that he has no way of filling. However it seems some source answered him as he heard something behind him. Turning around he saw a much bigger Guardian stepped forward, a 'Ophra Superior' as it was called.

"By all means, bring me more." Zer0 said taking a stance and prepared for another fight.

SHING

As the flash of light faded, the split remains of the Guardian fell with dull thuds. But, it was not-

A newcomer had finished his work.

A Guardian. Or something close to it. This was a different type altogether; it was crimson red, as if it bathed in blood, the death mask of a Reaper and imposed its stature amongst the typical Guardians.

And the staff it wielded was far more alien than the ones the Guardians had which was sleek and curved. The Guardian-like newcomer spun its blade as it faced the Assassin, both remained quiet, taking this moment to plan not only their own attacks, but their enemy's too. Zer0 felt an odd kinship with this one, as if it had the same mindset as him… meaning he had to take the first word.

"What are you?" The Guardian remained resolute in its silence, as it slowly made its way to the crystal where Zer0 collected the artifact. Finally after the tense eternity of silence, which was only a minute, the alien spoke.

"You should not be here, Vault Hunter." Zer0 said nothing, in his mind he was shocked (A ! hologram appearing on his visor) that this being could speak perfect English. It sounded feminine, almost, but echoed like it was a cosmic void. "Give me the artifact."

"What is it?" Zer0 asked as he instinctively reached for the artifact and keep it out of the alien's grasp.

"It is none of your concern. That should not be in human hands." Zer0 said nothing, whatever this artifact was it must have been priceless. Powerful to boot, given the carnage he witnessed earlier. Yet as he contemplated he felt as if…..he didn't want to. Rather, he wouldn't. After all how can he trust this thing?

Plus he found it first. Finders keepers, and that childish shite!

For all he knew this artifact was a doomsday device and the alien wanted it to destroy the worlds.

Then again, if he kept it… Krieg might get his psychotic grubby hands on it.

"Apologies, but in the words of a fellow Vault Hunter and Mechromancer: Finders Keepers." Zer0 said, taking the proud swordsman stance.

"This is not what you want, Vault Hunter." It said as it took a stance spinning its blade in one hand. "That artifact is beyond human comprehension."

"Do I look human anymore?" Zer0 retorted as curt silence filled the cave once more. Zer0 simply waited for the alien to make the move, but it simply just stood there as if…..thinking. No, studying. Analyzing. After a minute or so the alien broke its stance, the staff disappearing. He could not read it's face, if it even had one, but its features were on the artifact he held onto. As it contemplating it's thoughts, the alien finally looked back at the Assassin.

"No. No you are not. I do know what flows within your veins. Perhaps that is why you will be the perfect specimen for it. Maybe...maybe I should put faith into one of many that defeated the Tyrant Jack." The Alien finished as it slowly walked towards Zer0. The Haiku Assassin did not break his stance until it simply walked past him. Halting just a foot past him, It continued.

"There is a storm coming Vault Hunter, you and your friends are in its Eye. You will need all the weapons and power you can get…..along with that desire. So I will simply ask one question Vault Hunter. What is your greatest desire?" Zer0 was about to ask what it meant but as soon as he turned around the alien was gone, leaving him alone.

"Zer0?!" Zer0 ears perked hearing Gaige on the other end of the echo. "Zer0?! Can you hear me?!"

"Yes, Gaige. I can hear you." Zer0 answered as he observed his surroundings in case he was being watched again.

"Oh thank skag, Tannis couldn't get a hold of you for a while. Then my echo started beeping, surprised you called me, not that I mind of course." Zer0 was surprised too, because he didn't call anyone. He wondered if the Alien had anything to do with it, no doubt of course, but how?

"So did you find anything down there?" Gaige asked. Zer0 pulled the artifact from his pocket, studying it and reflecting on his supposed desire. On one hand he could show this to others and Tannis could study it, while he uses it of course. However the Alien warned him not to tell anyone, and that it 'trusted' him with it. Although he didn't like being treated as an experiment, he has bad history with it, but this Artifact must have been very important.

"Just some Echoes. I will be back in Sanctuary soon." Zer0 said hanging up the Echo and looking at the Artifact on his Echo. It didn't have a rarity which was very surprising and all it had was the whole desire text. The question the Alien asked Zer0 echoed in his mind: What was his desire?

"A challenge, someone or something to push me and…" Zer0 trailed off, as he thought of what it truly was. Was it a fighter? Was it someone who could destroy cities? Or the most powerful being on the planet? Or was it….more?

All of the above?

Even more?

As his inner turmoil stormed in his minds eye, the Haiku Linguist rested his hand upon his chest. Where his heart was supposed to be.

Thump.

Thump.

Thumpity-Thumpity… Thump.

Thump.

The beat was consistent, the real sign that he was alive in the primal sense.

That organ might've been the last remnant of his humanity.

He then thought of the fellow Vault Hunters, to them he was a friend and if he could in turn express it they were….friends. No…..family. However despite all there adventures, despite the smiling emojis he never smiled under the mask. He absolutely hated it, even in anger he couldn't show it. He could never show his care or even his… love. Perhaps this is what he desired, to be human, something like love and hate. Zer0 looked at himself and saw that he didn't change nor did he feel the change, realizing how stupid he was being.

"Desire, what a sham." Zer0 said as he ventured out of the cave. As he made his way out of the Blight, the Artifact in Zer0's echo glowed and while he couldn't see it, the Artifact started beeping. Unaware of its actions, Zer0 made his way to the Fast Travel, and by the time he teleported the Artifact had done its job, throwing in events that will show the Assassin a future not possible.

(Zer0 Ambition)

Sanctuary

The floating city and HQ of the Crimson Raiders, home to the heroes of Pandora: the Vault Hunters.

Once Zer0 landed he made his way towards the Crimson Raiders HQ, he could immediately hear the chaotic sounds of yelling, courtesy of Lilith and Mordecai. Zer0 looked inside and saw that Maya, Krieg, and Tannis were the only ones on the first floor. Zer0 figured Axton and the others were at the Gun Course because it wasn't drinking time for them, though drinking time was all day every day, including the night, so it didn't matter. Except it was always drinking time, so it did matter…

Zer0 didn't really waste time as he sneaked in, watching as Maya was too focus in her book to notice him, and Krieg was smashing his face against the wall to care. Surprised, he should've been, that no blood stained the wall.

Tannis was rummaging through a crate to notice Zer0 setting the Echo down with a quick note saying, 'Mission Complete -Z' and with that the Assassin left for his apartment.

He bought the small, somewhat cramped apartment for a couple thousand dollars and being a Vault Hunter, you get paid a lot of money. Naturally he settled for the shithole.

He was an Assassin, not desk yuppie. The apartment was near the edge of Sanctuary where Moxxi's bar was at, a two-story building and yes, all his. Reaching for his keys he unlocked the door and walked in, locking it behind him. His apartment was a simple one, the main room was a combination of a living room and a kitchen.

He of course didn't have too many things since he didn't like showing off most his wears. Having said that, or rather reflected, he had a couch on one end of the wall staring at a small TV that he was forced to buy because Gaige wanted him to watch those weird Echo dramas whenever she came over. His kitchen had a small counter table with a four-seat dinner table across from it. It was mostly used for three things of course: Eating, cleaning weapons, and being forced to play Bunker and Badasses by Tina when she was also invited by Gaige.

She might've gotten away with too much…

Zer0 walked up his stairs and down the barren hall, passing his bathroom with the shower inside, and into his bedroom. It wasn't too fancy, but he had a big enough bed for two people, a closet with his weapons, and on his window was a small Bonsai tree that grew thanks to the radiation, making it practically immortal and it barely needs water. His 'Bada$$ Bon$ai' has he personally named it.

He sat on his knees and rested his hands on his thighs, staring at the wall. It was a nice way for him to pass time when there was nothing else to do in Sanctuary, for at least him. He could probably go to Marcus Gun course with Gaige and test his Sniper rifles, but he doubted she want-!

"Hey y'all!" The sound of the mechanic Scooter echoed in his Echo. "Don't mean to trouble you my dudes, but there is a strange box in my garage that's whispering dark secrets in my ear."

"That's nice, Scooter." Maya said from the other end, wavering it off as it just being Scooter. Zer0 forever questioned how the Echoes were always connected, it bugged him a lot. However, he couldn't help but shake his head at the banter, it was a reminder what he had gained for being here. He realizes that could be his weakness. After being here for a long time he felt like there wasn't much to do here on Pandora: Blade's treasure, the Badass Tournament, the Nakayama hunt, the Zombie harvest, the Wattle Gobbler fight, Mercenary Day, the Wedding Massacre between the Hodunks and Zaford, and the killing of the Son of Crawmerax.

There was nothing else on Pandora for him to hunt, side quests seem to be boring nowadays and most of the Bandit lords they have fought have died. The Vaults were open and basically in a sense…. lost his edge. Not only this but that Artifact in his equipped pack that he now carried, was no doubt just some Artifact that made him stronger. At a price, perhaps. 'Everything costed something,' Zer0 reflected. Reaching into his Echo, he pulled out the Artifact and studied it again, the glow reflecting off his helm. Even he couldn't deny it had a beautiful light to it, unlike most relics they would find, and it didn't even look to be Legendary. As Zer0 learned- 'Looks can be deceiving' as he was always doubted by his looks so maybe there was more to it.

Other times, most times… Looks didn't have any meaning either…

He sighed reflectively as he put the relic away and reached into his pouch again, deeper this time, to pull out all of his Kunai, laying three of every different type in front of him. Each Kunai had a colored tag at the end: Red was Pyro, Green was Corrosive, Purple was Slag, and light blue was Shock.

He however had another one, this one was a darker shade of blue, sapphire-like, and it was a secret project one he had been working on for a while. He had wanted to test out in the field but felt like it should be used on something…. memorable. Most of the enemies they have face are already dead and he refused to kill some random badass. Perhaps it was his pride that was making him hold onto this…. or maybe something else. Maybe it was because this was made here, with his friends, and it is a gift to himself for doing all of this with them.

A Human sentiment.

However, he felt like he had truly made something here, and that he should stay and keep it. He also knew though if he did that the past would come and hunt him down. For all he knew, the past was hunting him irregardless. All of this inner turmoil was not helping him, he needed to clear his mind…. maybe a drink, and he knew just the place. Besides, confusion and alcohol made wonderful fuck buddies.

With that in mind he walked out of his apartment and towards Moxxi's bar. He ignored the drunk citizens, giving a slight nod to one or two Raiders before he finally made it inside. He wondered what other pros could make him stay, other than keep this Artifact in his hands. He so far only had one.

"Hey there, Sugar."

…. Okay, now two.

";)" Zer0 sat down on the bar stool as he stared at the bar owner- Mad Moxxi. The excessive make up wearing innuendo making Underdome speaker and secretly a sexy mechanic bar owner offered the Assassin a coy smirk as she leaned on the bar.

"What would you like big boy?" Moxxi asked tapping Zer0's arm as to toy with him.

"Just Rakk Ale, Moxxi." Zer0 said as he handed her some money. Moxxi took it and placed it between her bra, giving the Assassin a wink and going to get some Rakk Ale.

Zer0 could only shake his head as he watched the very beautiful woman walk to get his drink, though it pained him again that no smile appeared on his lips. How others couldn't see it he had no idea, though the mask might've been a 'GREAT' help there, but Zer0 also preferred it to be a secret which Moxxi didn't mind.

He and Moxxi had…...a relationship you could say, it was both playful but very real. It was something he couldn't really complain about, being with Moxxi had some great…. perks. Some could say it were two very big perks, but it wasn't. Not that the perks were small-

He couldn't deny that Moxxi was quite smart for someone of her status. Which might've been insulting if it wasn't-

She also gave him several missions that always brought a little excitement in him, gave him weapons that were quite useful….and she was quite the mechanic. Despite being emotionless Zer0 always did feel his stomach burn whenever Moxxi was around, though that can be said for Maya as well. The main reason he wanted no one to know is because how none of them can actually keep secrets. Axton would constantly be egging him about it during his drunken rants, Scooter will most likely threaten him, and Mordecai will probably give him killer eyes while trying to make Talon hunt Zer0 down. Surprisingly the only one who notice was Ellie, Zer0 of course wasn't going to threaten Ellie because she hasn't told anyone...and because she's Moxxi's daughter.

"Here ya go, Sweetie. One Rakk Ale, straw and everything." Moxxi said standing in front of Zer0 with the drink. However, the bartender felt to tease Zer0 a bit and put the drink right between her breasts.

"0_0" As the bottle balanced between her very large jugs, Zer0 said nothing, or felt nothing sadly. However, he honestly just decided to go with it, besides he liked it when Mox toyed with him. If others would notice they just took it as Moxxi paying the Vault Hunter; the respect he got for being the heroes who took down Jack. A faint hissing came when Zer0's mask slipped open, it was small, but it was big enough for the straw to slip in and into his mouth. He rested his chin on his hand while his other hand laid on the bar. The two just stared at each other ignoring the world around them until an annoying Claptrap Unit rolled up.

"Oh my god! Minion, are you and Moxxi d-!" It took two guns pointing at his optic to silence him. "Threat acknowledged… and worth taking another time." With that Claptrap left to bother someone else leaving the two. Moxxi could only smirk as she stared at her reflection as the Assassin sipped on his drink.

She had to admit being in this relationship did sound strange, and as cliché as it sound it's because she found Zer0...interesting. With the others it was like an open book: Axton was an obvious famed glory hound, not that is a bad thing, but it made him predictable. Gaige was very loud and very obnoxious for someone her age, but Moxxi thought of her like a niece. Maya was the most patient one, perhaps normal or boring maybe, of the group, but her status as a Siren was very exotic to Moxxi, sadly the Siren did not reciprocate. Salvador was really loud, but funny.

Krieg, well, was Krieg.

Zer0 however is what he was, an enigma. There were a lot of things Moxxi knew on Pandora, but Zer0's identity and very being are the very few things she didn't. He was very secretive, and some say even stingy when it came to what he wanted. However, she knew Zer0 one flaw: it was that he couldn't express emotions.

While she didn't know the story about it, Zer0 did tell her one night when the bar was nearly empty and it was just the two of them. He told her in secrecy that he was unable to show these feelings people like Moxxi can. He greatly apologized for it but Moxxi laughed it off, seeing this as a journey for her, and it proved that Zer0 was very humble and made her feel a little special in knowing that Zer0 was willing to share with her this kind of thing… Though most of the city feel that he is a robot.

Moxxi also did enjoy these kinds of things, sharing secrets she and Zer0 would never tell anyone. She shared with him that the way she talks isn't her accent, and Zer0 being the strange gentlemen he was said there was nothing wrong with that, not understanding the embarrassing thought of it. After those nights Moxxi did make it a priority to release Zer0's emotions and show him the best side of being alive. Her smile widened thinking back to how this all started- Zer0 caught on to her teasing when she first put the Rakk Ale between her breasts after the Torgue tournament when the team was celebrating. He noticed how she was extremely playful with him, and despite he wasn't very good at being playful, he tried his best.

"Thank you for the mission today Moxxi." Zer0 said as he stopped drinking for a second.

"No problem, Sugar. After all I had a feeling today was one of those slow days, and while I can enjoy taking it slow, even I know you like taking it…. Fast and Hard." Moxxi whispered as she leaned closer into Zer0's mask, and the Assassin felt her finger trail down his chest and circle his red zero.

While this use to not affect the Assassin, he suddenly felt something different, something he wasn't used to. His eyes flashed purple and Zer0 felt his body heat up, he suddenly felt like he was on fire. Unused to these feelings Zer0 let out a small groan, something that didn't go by Moxxi which she raised an eyebrow.

"You okay Zer0?" The Assassin said nothing as he kept his breathing regulated.

"… Fine. I believe the ale might be getting to me." Zer0 suggested.

"It might be old, but the oldest might even be the best." Moxxi said.

Zer0 nodded his head. "But if you don't mind me asking, who sent you this information about the Excavation sight?" Moxxi smirked as she brushed some of her hair aside, and Zer0 was shocked that the action sent him teased towards the edge. If he could he would place his hands on his cheeks, was he…. blushing?!

"Oh, I got a very good informant who knows his way around…. despite being in one spot." Moxxi mused as she looks outside to the Black Market shop, hearing the man yell out his catch phrase.

"Whatcha you want?!"

Zer0 glanced towards the outside shop. "... Interesting."

"Indeed, so Sugar what did you find at the sight? Anything of value?" Moxxi asked. Zer0 contemplated at first because as his body heat turned up again and it was because of one thing: Moxxi's massive milky valleys. He didn't know why but when he stared at them, he felt as if he was staring at the valley of the Goddesses. A fire ignited in his body and it was asking for one thing: Devour. Literally, hopefully… However, Zer0 would not do it, despite how much the feeling was so alien to him he could barely control it, his zen training forced his will and spirit to answer the Bartender's question.

"N-Nothing of the s-sorts." Moxxi raised an eyebrow hearing Zer0 stutter. She knew the Assassin for years and he never stuttered, this actually made her feel nervous.

That same raised brow lowered to a concerned frown. "You okay, Zer0?" The way she called his name caused a groan to escape his throat, and the burning fire reached his face as sweat beaded down his face. He stared at Moxxi and her beautiful features, and her perfect, beautiful, lustrous, baby-making body. Zer0 didn't know what was happening to him, but all the heat was reaching his lower region.

All the awkward while Moxxi watched as Zer0's body twitch every few seconds, and she heard his ragged breathing. She was quite worried now and was half tempted to call in the others to get here and help her. However, all the worry disappeared once she looked down his body and her eyes widen seeing a tent bulge from his pants. Moxxi looked around to make sure no one was watching, but since Zer0 was in the corner all eyes were crossed-eyed, bloodied or both. No one would be looking here. She went back to staring at his bulge and had a sudden realization: Zer0 was aroused.

She had never seen Zer0 sexually aroused, and it wasn't because he couldn't get erect like most people. Zer0 did tell her he has had sexual intercourse… In his words, not hers… and a bland description in hers… and that was it, no one else but one special lady.

She knew one thing for sure: For such a tall skinny man he was sure packing a BFG. And whoever she was… was a lucky BITCH. However, all the curiosity left her body as something within her body ignited, her eyes too flashed purple then returning to normal. Moxxi felt her body squirm, reaching her hand down her unfortunately clothed body, teasing her slit through her panties. Moxxi's cheeks flushed pink not use to this type of heat, sure she had been aroused before but never to this degree, it was so virile yet so…...amazing. She let out a small moan as Zer0 and Moxxi stared at each other, and while she couldn't see it, Zer0 however did see Moxxi eyes glossed over, her tongue slowly breaking through her lips as she moaned quietly from her own intense heat.

"Moxx-?"

"Zer0!" The voice of Gaige made him turn to the side entrance of Moxxi's bar, seeing the Mechromancer leaning on the door. From that moment the fire within Zer0 and Moxxi was diminished, too quickly, leaving them in a cold sweat and panting for air. Zer0 couldn't speak, so he just let the question mark emoji appear.

"Something is going on in Town Square! Come check it out!" Gaige yelled before bolting out of the bar. Zer0 looked at Moxxi, who was just a panting mess as he was, perhaps more-so, sweat beading down her face. Zer0 simply offered her a napkin, which she took and before she knew it Zer0 was gone. Moxxi had two questions- One: What was that? And two: How could she relive it again? She didn't know the answer to the first one, but she had a feeling Zer0 might know the answer to the second.

And she was determined to be the other lucky BITCH… tonight, or every night in their foreseeable future.

Meanwhile Zer0 followed Gaige to find a large group of people in Town Square, mostly Raiders. Near the other side by the HQ were most of the other Hunters, staring ominously at the sky. What got everyone so worried were the small Surveyor drones that floated above the town, three in total. The Raiders were half tempted to shoot the drones however saw that they were not attacking but projecting a screen.

"It's not just them, our Echoes are acting funny." Gaige explained as she lifted her Echo to the Assassin, showing a blurry screen.

"Same with the radios." Zer0 quietly stared at the screens, before finally they heard something.

"BZZ-Is it on?" Everyone was surprised to see a man tapping on the screen, however Zer0 was shocked. His very heart stopped for a second as he stared at the man before him, the crimson eyes, the narrow chin, the fangs. It couldn't be.

"It is? Okay, good." The man cleared his throat as he was heard and seen across all of Pandora. Every radio, echo log, robot, or tv screen he could be seen, and not just on Pandora but Helios as well. All the workers stopped what they were doing as they listened and watched this man clear his throat. From one point a small group were preparing to con someone, when they saw their TV turn on. The girl with the fedora hat looked at her sister who shrugged in the same position as she was. On the other side of Pandora, a Queenpin notice her Echo turn on and watched with curiosity as a man appeared…...a very intimidating, domineering one.

In a small cave city called Hollow Point, a veteran Assassin and Vault Hunter was currently sharpening her blade before she heard the man speak on her radio. Her eyes widen in fear as she heard the voice of a nightmare, she thought long dead.

"Greetings workers of Helios, Pandorans. Bandits, Murderers, Vault Hunters, Thieves, and overall: Psychopaths." The man began as he gestured to himself. "I am Hyperion's new CEO, you may call me-!"

"Lothar Rendain." Zer0 whispered, loud enough for Gaige to hear him as she looked up at her Assassin BFF. She notices his shoulders tense, then began to shake and his fist toiling in rage as he stared at the screen. Zer0 on the other hand felt the fire once again ignite, but instead of feeling the intense burning he felt for Moxxi.

No, not a fire… an INFERNO! Hot hellish fire that could atomize the living earth and cleanse tainted souls. He felt as if he was about to unleash a primal scream and destroy the bots, so he never sees that face.

"Lothar Rendain. I have been chosen by the Board to take over in Handsome Jack's seat of power, my friend." Lothar said chuckling to himself. "Mr. Blake will return as the Vice President of the Hyperion Corporation. Now the question you may be asking…. what now?" Lothar asked rhetorically as everyone listened. A young employee on Helios stared in awe at the man, his cybernetic eye enhancing on the screen before it nearly shorted out.

"Jack had the idea that Pandora and other planets like it could be turned into a world of peace and golden paradise." Lothar started placing his solemn hand to his chest. "However, in the end he died for it, and Hyperion ran off with your tails between your legs." Lothar turned his back on the screen and walked towards a window revealing Pandora. "I however…. will not accept this loss. Which is why I plan to continue Hyperion's true purpose on this wretched mudball." Lothar folded his arms behind his back. "I will regain control of Pandora and turn into something…. better." Lothar turned his back to the screen once more. "Glorious, rather. I will make Hyperion one of the-No! The greatest Corporation in the entire Universe!" Lothar proclaimed, earning the entire Helios base to cheer at his speech.

However, on Pandora he gained dry coughs and confused glances, the Vault Hunters' however did not like what was going on.

"Now the question I'm sure everyone is asking, is how?" Lothar asked as he turned around to face the screen. "You all thought that there were only three Vault's on Pandora." Zer0 didn't like where this is going.

"What if I told you…. there were more?"

This bewildered everyone's tiny minds, more Vaults on Pandora?

"Dozens of them, some smaller than a house. However, some could be said bigger than the Warrior." Lothar said shocking the Vault Hunters. "I will open each and every Vault, use the weapons inside and turn this entire planet in ashes and reset the clock." Lothar showed his fangs and smiled.

"Now the only problem we have my fellow Hyperion's…. are the Vault Hunters. I know of the ones that opened the Vaults and took down Jack, I have been studying you Vault Hunters. Some of you have caught my interest, more so the Sirens… and of course you, my favorite Assassin." Zer0's eyes widen, however his shock skyrocketed as his emoji hologram took form before him, in the shape of the Hyperion CEO.

"...Zer0." Everyone looked at the Assassin in surprise, how could Zer0 possibly know Lothar? Back in Hollow Point the Assassin's eyes widen at the mention of the Vault Hunter, slowly reaching to her chest.

"Rendain." Zer0 growled as he slowly reached for his sword.

"You thought after all these years you could get rid of me?" Lothar asked. "You will never escape ME. Never be RID of me!" Lothar chuckled as the red hologram tapped Zer0's mask. "I must say too my boy, you surely disappoint me. After all this great speech you haven't even caught on."

"What?"

"After all I left a present for you and the only one to have notice is the Mechanic." Everyone was very confused by the statement, only to hear screaming from Scooter's garage. They all turned to see the mechanic bolt out of his garage like he had seen a Bat out of Hell.

KA-BOOM!

The entire front part of the garage exploded as something huge stomped out. The dust settled and everyone screamed at the sight of the massive red loader. It stood the same size as the loader Saturn however it had the same body as a normal Loader. Its arms were replaced with three cannons on each size. The Loader turned towards the citizens of Sanctuary, its radar detecting the targets.

"Vault Hunter's sighted: Terminate on sight."

(Mars: Locked and Loaded)

"If you are to survive, which I am sure you will, you will no doubt try and stop me." Lothar stated as Mars started firing its missiles. The citizens were already on the run as Raiders started firing at the Loader, the bullets bouncing off the metal. Mordecai pulled out his sniper rifle, Axton threw out his Turret as the others joined, all but Zer0.

"Behold Helios, Pandorans: The Solis Unit Mars." Lothar said. All of Pandora was showed the Loader live from the Surveyor bots' cams. Meanwhile the first to attack head on with no guns was Brick who let out a battle cry and charged at the Loader, before long Krieg was right behind him in his more Badass Psycho-like stage. The Loader slammed its foot into the ground, sending a mini seismic wave that sent Brick and Krieg flying.

"Already you are doing much more poorly than I was expecting." Lothar said turning back to Zer0, the Assassin body was currently shaking in rage which did not go unnoticed by Rendain.

"Perhaps if you were to show them what you truly were, Zer0, perhaps thing would be simpler." Zer0 was unresponsive as he grabbed his sword. He brushed the hologram aside as he dashed to help his comrades, knowing all of this...was his fault.

"Show them…. the Omega."

(Zer0 Ambition)

And done. Borderlands is one of my favorite game series, top ten (Mega Man number one) and ever since I joined FanFiction I really wanted to make a story of the series centered around Zer0. And I did, I think it was called Rise of the Omega or something...it was cringe. Not bad cringe, but okay cringe. I tried make several others but they just never worked out, until another game made by Gearbox came out: Battleborn. It was nice first person shooter...with MANY problems like: Short ass story. Short DLC. Fucken Money. I'm sure there was a lot of problems but I don't know them. It is (as far as I know) no longer playable. Which is sad cause my friend Bio and I loved playing as some of the characters (My favorite was Caldarius...fucker was badass). But one of the things I did love was Lothar Rendain, I thought he was a pretty cool villain, not Handsome Jack level, but fun regardless. I came up with this story as my sort of...final chance in making a Borderlands story. I written out every chapter for the first volume and even others, the villains and how many volumes there are. Compared to ADJ, it's not much. So let's get into the story itself.

Zer0 Ambition takes place roughly around two years after the end of BL2, in my version at least: The timeskip between BL1 and 2 is five years which I believe is canon either that or seven. It's five in mine. It took a year for the Bl2 Vault Hunters to kill Jack, I don't know what he actually timeline is but deal with it. Then it has been two years, they went through the first four dlc, the five head hunters, and at this point it is between Tales from the Borderlands and the Fight for Sanctuary. Handsome Jack is one of my favorite game villains of all time, do I think my version of Rendain can rival him? Not even close, but I'm just gonna have simple fun with him. What's the Omega? It's just a concept I had for the original Zer0 Fanfic I had carried over here. Not every chapter is gonna be this long, I don't have a set number so we'll see what I can make consistent.

Zer0 is my favorite Vault Hunter of the entire cast of rambunctious and chaotic group, I remember not even seeing the trailer for BL2, my cousin had it (I think...like a year later or a bit early when the game came out, it was before Gaige and Krieg were released) and instantly Zer0 hooked me in. Fuck does he look so cool, my build is OP, but it's even more OP when you break it with the Rising Shot Glitch. So fucking good, made Raid Bosses a little easier and less tedious. Unironically I didn't play Borderlands 1 at the time, 2 is what got me in the franchise, and since then I have loved the whole series. My favorite Vh from BL1 was Mordecai, but when I got the remastered I love playing Lilith. For the Pre-Sequel...honestly between Athena, Nisha, and Wilhelm. Anyways, Zer0 is the main focus of the story, on well...becoming human so to speak. I actually had some fun with his origin story that I won't reveal in this volume, but drop bits here and there. It is a harem, because I want to, and here is the list so far:

Maya (Sry Krieg fans, no hate for the guy, just wanna), Lilith, Moxxi, Gaige, Tannis, Fiona, Sasha, and Athena to name a few. I have more but won't reveal them until later on. This is pretty much the harem for the first volume, which is around...twenty-five chapters. Axton has his own girl, same with Salvador, and Krieg too, who knows.

I'm not gonna focus on much scaling in this series since...I mean fuck it's not like the games are that consistent. Sure you can say Borderlands 3 Vault Hunters are stronger than the other ones, but when it comes to 'How much can X hit Y with' is irrelevant when they mainly use guns that can kill fucken Planet-eating Monsters. Fuck Lilith stopped Elpis, it's scaling is sort of irrelevant in this story. I mean I'll have Rendain be OP as fuck, but overall I'm not gonna make a Power Scaling doc like I did for ADJ. Mars is just a made up name for the Loader, actually I've seen other Borderland Fanfic writers use the name so I figured that was it's name. It's the same Loader from the Come and Get me BL2 trailer in the back ground with Saturn. The Artifact is, well it's pretty interesting how it works, but I won't reveal it for now. The alien is in fact the Red Alien from the Pre-Sequel and it is much more involved...not yet but later on. I won't have many crossovers with other games except for these ones:

Battleborn

Overwatch

Apex Legends.

That's pretty much it. The first volume is the main battle with Rendain, the second volume will kick off the Fight for Sanctuary, afterwards we will be entering the 'War for the Borderlands' or into the Borderlands 3 saga. With complete new worlds for my story and new enemies.

I think that's pretty much it. I don't think I'll include Wonderlands since that's all fantasy, and as much as I love it, it's not exactly much to add.

Anyways let's get into some fun stuff.

My top five Borderlands characters to play as are:

1. Zer0

2. Zane

3. Athena

4. Lilith

5. Wilhelm.

My top five DLC not in particular order are:

1. Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon's Keep.

2. Bounty of Blood: A Fistful of Redemption

3. Secret Armory of General Knoxx

4. Mr. Torgue's Campaign of Carnage

5. Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary

I love Wonderlands, the Dragon Lord is my top three Borderlands villains...but man, that endgame content could really use some work. The 'PLC' are...many, not the worst Border/Wonderlands content but it's definitely my least favorite stuff.

That's pretty much it for now. I hope everyone enjoyed and I got some more news. No promise, but hopefully either tomorrow, Saturday, or next week will be the release of...dun...dun: Star Wars Episode 8.

Zer0the0mega108 out!