Zero:  A New Legacy Is Born

Summary:  Zero is put in stasis so that he can ensure that he is virus free.  But, what will the world do without this Crimson Hunter?  Easy, they'll just have to settle for his replacement…

Disclaimer:  Do I have to tell you people?  {Zero points Z-buster} All right, all right!  Don't get all pushy.  {Much better.  I have him trained well, don't I folks?}  All right, here's the deal.  I don't own Capcom, and, as it would follow, I don't own any of there characters (X, Zero, Alia, Signas, Douglas… you get the picture, right?).  Don't sue me for having used said characters, as all you'll get is a couple of High School books.  There!  Ya happy?!  {Very.  And now, the story…}

Author's Note:  Please forgive me if I take time on updates, as I have VERY limited access to the Internet.  I'll get the updates to you as religiously as I can.  Please, be patient.  Enjoy.  Thoughts are marked like so blah.  Memories are done in italics.

Prologue:  It begins…

            I know that X may never really forgive me for this.  I have to do it, though.  He'll understand, but that won't make it any easier for him.  I'm sorry X, there's no other way.  I have to do this, thought Zero.  He was preparing to enter into his stasis pod for the long sleep that would cure him and make him safe for the world again.

            Zero, one of the greatest reploids that this age had ever known, was to go to sleep, and let this pod run all kinds of diagnostic programs on him, in hopes that he might cure himself of the dreaded Maverick Virus.

            In time, perhaps, he would be able to rejoin his comrade, X, and once again have the camaraderie that he was so privileged to have with his brother in arms.  "One day, one day, sooner than later, hopefully."  This was one of the final thoughts of Zero, the Crimson Hunter, as he lay in his pod.  As the pod began to take effect, Zero saw X run into the room, followed closely by Alia and Signas.  "Zero!  No, don't do this!  Stay here, with us!  We can find a way to cure you here!  Please!"  X pleaded his case, over and over, but Zero just closed his eyes, and a single tear dropped as he began his hibernation sequence.

            Zero said one final thing before his main power went offline, and he went to sleep this last time.  "X, I wish that this could have been done differently.  But, I've calculated the rate of program changes, and, I've determined that I wouldn't last long enough for you to cure me.  This is very literally, the only way.  I will miss you, my brother.  Take care.  I'll see you when I wake up.  At least you'll have Wy…." And, with that, the great Zero, was asleep.  To awaken when he is cured of the Virus.

            "What did he mean, 'At least you'll have Y…'?"  Asked X.  "What do you mean Zero?  Please!  Zero… no… why did you do this?  You promised.  You made a promise to me Zero!  You have to keep it.  Please…"  X couldn't bring forth any more speech, nor could he muster the effort to leave the room, for, with his last word, he fell to his knees, wracked with sorrow.  Alia and Signas exchanged knowing looks, and with a nod, Signas gave his orders.  He left the two, because he had one final thing to do, before Zero's sacrifice could be finished.

            As for Alia, she was left to take care of X.  The problem with that, however, was that, X was a sobbing heap on the floor right now, and Alia didn't know the first thing about healing a broken heart.  Lacking a better idea, she kneeled in front of X and took his hand in hers.  With her other hand, she brought his face up, so she could look into his eyes.  What she saw made her heart go out to this reploid, this warrior, this man.  His face was twisted in raw pain.  His eyes were so teary that he could not see.  So, he didn't see Alia lean forward to pull him towards her.

            X was startled at this, but, is just too tired to care, and so, he lets her hug him and comfort him, he needs it.  She begins to whisper something in his ear.  "X, it's all right.  I know how you feel.  Zero was like my big brother.  A real jerk sometimes, but like a brother."  This last, seemed to get something from X.  Alia continued, "The only thing we can do, is to honor him.  The only way we can truly honor him, is to continue the good fight.  He'd want it that way.  Please, X."

            Maybe it was the please, maybe it was what she said about the good fight.  Suddenly, X was able to move on his own again.  He looked up, and actually looked into Alia's eyes.  Now it was his turn to have his heart go to her.  He saw something completely different from what she had seen in his eyes.  In her eyes, he saw something that he had never known, never been given, never truly even understood, until now.  He saw love.  For one moment, they shared a lifetime.  The only contact the two had was their hands and their eyes.

            Clearing his throat, Signas startled the two "lovebirds" out of their reverie.  "If you two are quite finished, there is someone you should meet."  Exchanging embarrassed looks, the two get up off of the floor, and walk to the door.  Signas is already down the hallway, waiting for them at a secured door.  Alia exits the room, but hangs back when she realizes that X is still at the doorway of Zero's room.

            "X, we should go now."  X turns to look at Alia, and says, "I'll be there in a moment, I just have something I have to do, first."  Alia nods, and begins the walk towards Signas.  X turns back to the pod, and takes the few steps to bring him to its surface.  He reaches out, and touches the pod's lid with his fingertips.  He closes his eyes, and remembers the promise…

            "Zero, promise me!  If I become a Maverick, you'll take care of me!"  Pleads X.  Surprised by this, Zero says, "Don't be silly X, just come home.  I'll see you when you get back to base."  "No, Zero, please!  Promise me!  Promise me that you'll take care of me if I become a Maverick!"  X desperately pleas to his friend.  "...... I promise, X.  Now come home."

            That promise was made, before all this happened, but X is still afraid that Zero might need to come through with his word.  After all that has happened, I am afraid now more than ever that one day, I'll go Maverick, and no one will be able to stop me. thinks X.  "Zero, just be in time to stop me…"

            With that, X walks to the door.  He reaches over to the light panel and deactivates the light.  Turning around after leaving his friend, he touches the keypad that activates the door control, and shuts the door, leaving his friend in the dark.  X turns to walk to Signas and meet this mysterious new person.  He also goes now, to meet the future…

Final Note:  Hope you liked the first installment of hopefully many many more.  Please, Read and Review!  The more you like it, the faster I'll try to get the story out.  I know, the story begins kinda slow here, but, it IS the prologue…  Like I said at the beginning, be patient.  All will be revealed, in time.