Author's Foreword:

This is an AU story about Zero and Iris from the MegaMan X series. I've always been a fan of the love story between this pair, and was extremely disappointed when Zero was forced to kill the one he loved. So, in that respect, I've decided to walk away from ALL canon sources regarding Zero's future. I know that I'll have the hecklers and naysayers, but this is the nature of the writing beast. With that said, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Capcom related. Only the OC's that will appear later.

Chapter 0- Origin

The tale of the Maverick Hunter Zero is well known to all those who's lives were influenced by his actions. Along with his partner, MegaMan X, Zero thwarted the efforts of the Maverick Sigma over the course of many years in the name of peace. Eventually, Zero found a reason to step away from the fight. That reason was Iris.

During the 'Repliforce Incursion', as history had dubbed it, the Maverick Hunters joined forces with another group of Reploids fighting for peace for Human and Reploid kind known as The Repliforce. A militant-like faction lead by General, the Repliforce's main objective was to prevent the spread of War much the same as the Hunters. It was during these joint operations that Zero became close friends with Colonel, second-in-command of the Reploid Army and an amazing swordsman. He also met his sister, Iris. And their fated meeting would change his existence forever.

Due to Sigma's manipulations, General and the Repliforce started a coup in the name of 'Reploid Freedom' and a war ensued that promised to wipe out the human race. During several battles, Zero and Colonel were forced to lock swords in combat. This caused Iris great pain because of her love for both Zero and her brother, and as hard as she tried to stop them, in the end it was of little use. Before the end of this terrible course of events, Zero was forced to defeat and, ultimately, kill Colonel.

It was discovered that General had reactivated an old satellite capable of laying waste to huge swaths of the planet from orbit. X and Zero made their way to the 'Final Weapon' in order to bring an end to the fighting, and dying, only to be confronted by General. With a combined effort the legendary hunters were able to subdue the massive Reploid leader and learned that he had been influenced by Sigma. Vowing to rid the world of his menace once and for all, X and Zero made their way deeper into the weapon and split up in search of their oldest foe.

While X battled copies of enemies he had already felled, Zero was faced with a much more grueling battle. Empowered by her brother's combat chip, Iris had made her way to the Final Weapon in order to kill Zero for what she had called his betrayal. Zero pleaded with her to stop and understand that he didn't WANT to fight the Colonel, but the proud warrior had left him little choice. However Iris was blinded by pain and summoned her brother's fighting 'spirit' in the form of a massive battle armor. Although the armor was powerful, it was no match for Zero and after a hard fought battle Iris was defeated.

Before the armor could explode and claim yet another loved one, Zero freed Iris from it's corrupt confines. Tears were shed as Zero held her tightly and Iris tried to explain what had come over her. It didn't matter to him, Zero explained with as many tears as Iris. All that mattered was she was safe and he would NEVER let harm come to her again as long as he drew breath.

Sending Iris to the shuttle that he and X used to board the Weapon, Zero made his way toward the final encounter. Linking up with his partner they made their way to the generator room of the giant beam cannon and encountered Sigma, both hoping it would be the last time the rouge Reploid would trouble the world. Sigma was prepared for them and fought with a fury that he'd never displayed before.

However the combined might of MegaMan X and Zero once again send the madman into the abyss, but not before he activated the Weapon's self destruct. With a final laugh of insanity, Sigma and the Weapon began to explode.

X and Zero made it to the shuttle with moments to spare, Iris already having prepped it for take off, and blasted away from the crippled satellite just in time to watch it blow into millions of glittering pieces scattering throughout the vast emptiness of space. The war was over and peace was restored, and as Zero looked at X and Iris, he finally felt a peace of mind that had eluded him for some many years.

Upon their return, Zero resigned his commission with the Hunters and he and Iris went on the live normal and peaceful lives together as the shadow of Chaos and Death receded from the world. After many years, the world began to change with Reploids and Humans finally coexisting, and Zero along with Iris decided to fade into anonymity and were soon nothing more than a history lesson. Deciding, together, that they had seen enough of the world's progress the pair sealed themselves away with the thoughts of Peace, and their Love, firmly implanted into them and the world.

Time passed and Peace faltered. Wars raged because of Greed and Envy. Power is a great motivator, and those who seek it relentlessly will ALWAYS destroy to gain it. And this is where our tale begins, almost 1000 years after that final battle with Sigma, in a strange, new world ravaged by the Wills of Greed and War...