Disclaimer: I don't own any characters as of yet. Those belong to Capcom.
Author's Note: Thank God for four day weekends. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't get any writing done. Once again, this is another history lesson.
Chapter 3: Foresight
Zero was calm and collected on the outside, but inside he was tingling with anticipation. This could be the one way to bring back Iris and Colonel. All past attempts had failed. The two crystals containing Iris's love and Colonel's will disappeared, as if they had never been. This was his last hope.
Like X, Zero's mind was absorbed into the computer. He thought of the first innocent reploid he retired, Web Spider. He used to be in Zero's #0 Class Unit. When he went to Repliforce, he was loyal to the death.
Blast Hornet was second in command of the unit. His nickname among the members was Sage, derived from his collected appearance and great judgment. Aside from Zero, he alone was allowed to see the whole group's information, including complete mission briefing and his partners' blueprints.
Next was Grizzly Slash. Slash and Zeros' first meeting didn't go so well. Zero's first mission concerning him was to confront him about illegal arms. After some talking, Zero questioned Slash about the weapons. They got in a fight, ending when Zero created the scar on Slash's eye, along with a lasting rivalry. Zero was forced to destroy him on a mission to find a crystal ball.
Then, there was Skiver of the Repli-Air Force. Skiver and Colonel were good friends. Before his death, Skiver just wanted to know if the fight with Colonel was necessary.
Zero now reached into the depths of his mind for Iris and Colonel. Suddenly, a voice called out. "Zero..." He lost concentration. An old man in a white lab coat now appeared. "Zero…" The old man would say nothing but his name.
Zero felt a sharp pain. Brought into focus was a room he knew all too well. Below, Zero was cradling a dying Iris. "Iris! No! This isn't happening! There's no reason for me to go on! What... What am I fighting for?!"
The room now turned into a damaged laboratory. A different Zero was kneeling, unconscious. He had numerous scars, his once shiny white armor stained black, his flowing hair now ragged and unkempt. A human wearing pink dashed in. She seemed to be directing a shimmering object at Zero.
Zero suddenly felt another shock. He saw the old man. Then Iris... the pink human... Iris... passing by in a blur... "Ugh... can't take it... gh-... AAAAAAAAHHH!!!!"