Hello, everyone. I'm back! I know I haven't updated my Symbionic Titan story or Connected in a while and I'm sorry for those of you who've been waiting for new chapters, but I have been working on both stories. Anyway, this is my first Mega Man X story and it's an X/Zero story with a little bit of Zero/Iris mixed in. I hope you like it. One of my friends inspired me to write it. If you have any questions about the story, tell me in the reviews.

Update: I've changed all instances of "Return X" to "iX" to make the fight easier to follow (hopefully)

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Mega Man franchise.

The Hunter Base had been quiet in the months after Sigma's final defeat. There was the occasional report of a leftover Maverick causing problems, but nothing serious. In fact, the base's two best hunters X and Zero never got called out anymore because the threat wasn't deemed big enough. Instead, Axl was sent to take care of any Mavericks. As a result, the two friends were able to spend quality time together and had grown even closer than before, something the other hunters didn't think was possible.

Suddenly, the alarm went off and Signas' voice came over the intercom.

"All hunters to the briefing room immediately!"

X and Zero, who were relaxing in their respective rooms, ran toward the briefing room and met up with Axl on the way.

"What do you think it is this time?" Axl asked.

"I don't know, but it must be serious for them to call all of us," X said.

"Yeah, usually they just let you take care of things," Zero said to Axl.

Axl glared at the red warrior. "Are you saying I'm not as important as you two?"

"He didn't mean that. It's just that Zero and I are only called in the case of emergencies now," X said.

Axl snorted but said nothing more. Once they reached their destination, Alia directed them to come around the table.

"What's going on?" Axl asked.

"We've been getting reports of an unknown entity causing havoc in Abel City and from what the scanners indicate, it's moving toward the Hunter Base," Alia said.

"Moving towards us?" Zero asked in disbelief.

"Can you get a visual on who it is?" X asked.

"We've been trying, but something is preventing our systems from obtaining video of whatever it is that's advancing," Signas said.

"See if you can get a lock on its energy signature. That should tell us more," Zero said.

"Locking on now," Alia said.

They waited for a few seconds and then Alia's expression changed to one of shock. "Who or whatever this is, its energy signature is identical to X's."

"Identical to X?" Axl asked.

"But that's impossible. There's only one Mega Man X," Signas said.

X and Zero looked at each other gravely.

"I'm afraid that's not the case," Zero said to Signas.

"What do you mean, Zero?"

"Do you remember Dr. Doppler?"

"Of course. He's the one responsible for reconstructing Vile and building Sigma a new body."

"Well, there was one more creation of his that we failed to mention. He created an evil copy of X called iX and I suspect that's who's coming toward Hunter Base."

"An evil X? That sounds like big trouble," Axl said.

"It is. He's incredibly strong and his armor is just as powerful as my own," X said.

"If that's the case, you and Zero had better go together to stop him," Signas said.

"Why is he coming here though?" Alia asked.

"He hates X and has vowed to defeat him," Zero said.

"Can I go too?" Axl asked.

"No. You're still a B class hunter Axl. This mission is too dangerous for you. Besides, X and Zero seem to know this enemy better than any of us so it's best if they go."

Axl pouted.

"You two better hurry. We can't let him reach Hunter Base," Alia said.

X and Zero nodded and ran out the door.

"I don't get why me being a B class hunter means I can't go on dangerous missions. X was allowed to do it when he was a B class hunter," Axl said.

"That's because X has powers you don't so even as a B class, we knew he was capable of handling the missions he was sent on," Signas said.

"Besides, X was never alone. He always had Zero to back him up," Alia said.

"Yeah, those two are joined at the hip. I swear, these last few months, it's like you literally can't see one without the other. They are always together."

"They've always been like that Axl. They've been best friends since X first became a Maverick Hunter."

"Well if you ask me, they act more like boyfriends."

Alia laughed. "Truth be told, there's a joke around here that if someday, they were to get together, no one would be surprised."

Axl chuckled. "I certainly wouldn't be."

"X, according to my scanners, your copy is about a mile away from your current location."

"Thanks Alia."

"Let's take him out for good this time. I don't like the idea of another X, especially an evil one," Zero said.

"Zero, to be perfectly honest, I'm actually a little scared. iX is very powerful and he's not gonna stop until he kills me."

"I won't let that happen. Don't worry, I'll be by your side the whole way. We defeated him once and we can do it again."

X smiled. "You're right. Let's do it!"

Eventually, they reached iX's location and saw the evil copy waiting for them.

"X…now that there are no obstacles in my way, I can finally exact my revenge and destroy you!"

"Excuse me, but you seem to be forgetting that there are two of us here," Zero said.

iX looked over at the red reploid and after a couple seconds, narrowed his eyes. "Zero. Why are you here?"

"To dismantle you. You said there weren't any obstacles to get in your way. Well, consider me an obstacle. The only way you're going to destroy X is through my dead body."

"As you wish!" iX charged at Zero with his right hand ready to strike. Zero easily dodged and drew his Z Saber.

iX turned and fired a blast from his buster which Zero promptly deflected with his saber. Taking advantage of the opening, Zero charged and sliced off his RX buster. iX laughed and in a matter of seconds, the weapon was regenerated. Zero glared at his foe.

"You'll have to do better than that."

"I intend to."

iX smirked and raised his right hand to Zero. Suddenly, it shot out toward him with the nails pointed straight at his chest as if to impale him. Zero dodged to the right but the hand snaked around and began to wrap around Zero's torso. Before he could react, the wire had gone around his body twice and after two more rounds, it closed in, trapping Zero.

"Now, how about a shock to your system?"

Electricity shot through the wire and Zero felt thousands of volts jolting through his body. He shouted in pain and X looked on in horror.

"Zero!"

Acting on instinct, X fired a charged shot at his double. iX saw the attack coming and jumped into the air, taking Zero with him. X activated his boosters and leaped into the air after the copy. He glared at his doppelganger.

"Let him go!"

X fired another charged shot from his buster and this time, iX took a direct hit to the face, causing him to release Zero. Both hunters landed on their feet.

"Thanks X," Zero said.

"No problem. But instead of trying to handle him yourself, let's take him on together. After all, we're at our best when we work together, right?"

Zero smiled. "Right."

They turned to their foe who was now staring them down.

"It doesn't matter if you fight me alone or together. Nothing will stop me from destroying you X. Now die!"

iX charged right at his rival. Zero in turn charged at him. Buster met Z Saber.

"Your interference will not be abided! I WILL kill Mega Man X!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!"

He pressed his Z Buster against iX's chest and fired, sending the doppelganger sliding backwards. He recovered quickly and leaped into the air over Zero before firing a charged shot from his buster at X. X jumped to avoid it but he didn't have any time to breathe before he looked up and saw his double lunging at him. iX slammed into him and they both went hurtling into the ground.

"X!" Zero called out.

"Now I have you. Time to die," the evil copy said.

"Sorry, but I'm not ready to die yet."

X whacked his copy on the side of the head with his buster with enough force to send iX rolling over. He got up quickly and tried to get to Zero, but before he could, iX shot him in the back with an energy blast. X fell and his doppelganger quickly pinned him down.

"You won't escape."

"Release him now!" Zero said, pointing his Z Saber at iX.

"This doesn't involve you Zero."

"Like hell it doesn't. You're trying to kill my best friend and I won't let you!"

"Zero, stay back! I can handle this," X said.

"But-"

"Trust me Zero." X gave his friend a reassuring smile.

Zero lowered his sword and nodded.

"What can you hope to do? I have you trapped," iX said.

"That's right. But if you're going to kill me, wouldn't you rather have me looking at you so you can have the satisfaction of seeing me die right before your eyes?"

"You read my mind, X. I'm glad you've accepted your fate."

What is he doing? Zero thought.

iX turned his victim around so X was looking at him. A smirk formed on X's face.

"It's good to know you're gullible."

"What are you talking about?"

X said nothing and his armor suddenly changed color from blue to red. Before his clone had time to react, X raised his buster and shot a stream of fire into his face. iX howled in pain.

"Zero, now!" X called out.

Zero didn't waste any time and fired an energy beam from his Z Saber straight at the clone's chest. It was knocked off X, but Zero didn't stop there. He increased the beam's power until it went straight through iX. He fell to the ground and didn't make a sound.

X got up and went over to Zero, who had a smirk on his face.

"Very clever X."

"Thanks."

"You think we killed him?"

"No way. He's not going to go down that easily."

"You're correct X," a voice said from behind.

X turned and saw iX completely healed.

"I won't rest until I've defeated you."

"Then I guess I'll just have to kill you first," X said.

"You'll never destroy me."

"We'll see about that!"

iX smirked and raised his RX buster. A long spiky chain shot out and in his surprise, X was hooked on his torso. He was pushed back far away from Zero. iX thrust his buster up taking X into the air and then he jerked his left hand to the side, slamming X into a nearby building.

"You're not the only one who can use other Reploid's weapons," iX said.

"X, are you okay?" Zero called out.

Before X could answer, his clone pulled on the Strike Chain, pulling X down and then turned around, pulling the chain and X along. He made a 180 degree turn and slammed X into another building. Zero moved fast and used Crescent Moon Slash, cutting through the chain. X was released and he jumped out of the hole his body had made.

iX glared at Zero and dashed toward him but was halted by an electric shock before he could reach the red reploid. iX was paralyzed, electricity surrounding him. Zero looked toward X and saw that his armor had turned yellow. X turned to him and smirked. Nodding in understanding, Zero dashed toward iX and slashed him with his Z Saber, sending the clone flying.

X went over to Zero, changing his armor back to blue in the process.

"Be ready. He'll be back up any second," X said.

No sooner did the words leave his mouth than they saw a large wave of fire coming at them.

"Look out!"

They jumped away from each other, avoiding the flames. iX then went for the original X. The blue reploid saw him coming and his armor changed to dark green and he fired a shot from his X Buster. A large blue stone appeared in front of him. iX charged up his buster and fired a large blast that shattered the stone. He immediately dashed forward and grabbed X. Electricity pulsed through his arm and he began to shock X.

Upon hearing X's screams, Zero quickly dashed forward and performed his F-Splasher ability, getting through the flames. He saw iX throw his friend to the ground and activated his boosters to dash forward faster.

iX advanced menacingly on his original self. He bent down and grabbed X again and aimed his RX Buster right in X's face.

"Now I will kill you and prove that I'm the strongest warrior!"

X could see the RX Buster charging up an energy blast and glared up at his evil double. "Even if you kill me, you still won't be the strongest. Zero is even stronger than me."

"You're lying. I know how strong you are from absorbing your data and you are more powerful than he is. Once I eliminate you, I'll kill Zero as well so there will be no one to challenge me. Now, prepare to die."

The RX Buster was filled with energy and just before iX fired it, he felt something sharp plunge into his back. Zero had used Rakukojin attack, saving X seconds before his clone could finish X off. Seeing that his doppelganger was stunned, X charged his buster and fired a Plasma Shot. In such close proximity, the blast took off iX's head.

X was breathing heavily (despite the fact that as a robot he didn't need to breathe). When he looked up and saw Zero looking at him concerned, he smiled.

"Thanks Zero."

"Need a hand?" he asked, offering X one.

X gratefully took it and got up. They backed away from iX's body, knowing he would be functioning again soon. Within thirty seconds, the evil clone was back up and turned to face X and Zero. He didn't say anything, just fired a Boomerang Cutter blade. They easily dodged, but iX was already charging his buster. X switched his armor to an orange color and began charging his own buster. iX fired four much larger Boomerang Cutter blades and X activated Rolling Shield. Zero used the Hadangeki attack to deflect the blades.

The clone dashed at X once his shield was down, but Zero intercepted, slamming into him and sending them both to the ground. Zero readied his Z Buster, but iX grabbed his arm before he could use it and with tremendous strength, threw him off.

"Zero!"

X didn't have time to worry about his companion as he had to dodge a charged shot from his double, who was dashing toward him. X changed his armor to light purple and fired a Storm Tornado, hoping to slow his clone down. It didn't work. iX punched his original self in the face, sending him flying. Not wasting any time, the clone fired off a charged shot further weakening his target. Within a matter of seconds, iX had the original X in a vicegrip.

This time, he didn't say anything. He just charged up his RX Buster and held it to X's chest. Zero saw what was going to happen and was already racing toward them to stop the doppelganger. iX unleashed his charged shot just before Zero got to them. The blast was enormous and gave off so much light that Zero had to shield his eyes.

When the light dissipated, Zero's eyes widened in horror at what he saw. X's entire torso was gone. Only his legs, arms and head were intact.

No…

Images flashed through his mind. Memories of a sweet girl with long brown hair who dreamed of a utopia for Reploids. He remembered how he held her in his arms as she was dying, remembered the way she whispered his name right before she passed. He remembered the primal scream of agony he uttered upon realizing that she was gone.

No…not again…

iX smiled wickedly as he looked down at his victim. "I finally did it. I defeated the greatest warrior on Earth!"

He turned to Zero who was still in shock. "Didn't you say the only way I would destroy X would be through your dead body? It seems the only one dead is him. And now that he's gone, the only thing left is to take care of you."

Zero turned to him and his face showed unbridled rage. He flew at the clone screaming with anger clutching his Z Saber. In his fury, he moved so fast that iX had no time to react. Zero thrust his saber straight through the evil X's chest and then used the saber beam to blast away his entire upper body including the head.

Zero put away his saber and ran over to what was left of X. He pressed a button on his communicator to contact the base. Alia's face came on a tiny screen.

"Zero, what's going on?" she asked.

"X needs medical attention now. You have to teleport us back to the base as quickly as possible."

"What happened?"

"There's no time to explain! If he doesn't get treated now, he could die!"

"Understood. Locking on to your coordinates now."

Zero picked up X's parts and looked down at his friend's face with a forlorn expression. Hang in there buddy. You're gonna be okay. You have to be…