Like X, Zero now sports a change: the ability to dual-wield or separate his Z-Saber. So to put it this way, he tags along with X to find a way to restore Axl's in the condition he is in.
![sigma mega man x1 sigma mega man x1](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/characterprofile/images/d/d5/SigmaMMX.png)
He sended this data immediately over to Alia, Layer, and Pallette, whom are in the process of discovering Axl's condition. Now set in the year 25XX, Signas has recently discovered a more powerful Maverick, one that claims to have a higher ranking above all: Incubus. by a dark entity that knows what the situation became of him! During this time, Axl started going through symptons of rage and insanity, to a point where Zero told X that the latter was becoming "one of them" (a Maverick). Regardless, Sigma is now dead and Lumine has been revived from defeat. In the year 22XX a long time ago, X (along with Zero and Axl) had been constantly protecting humanity and the Reploids, themselves.
![sigma mega man x1 sigma mega man x1](https://cdn.donmai.us/original/54/f3/__zero_mega_man_x_iris_vile_sigma_and_15_more_mega_man_and_6_more_drawn_by_mizuno_keisuke__54f36ddaccbf79620bfc0d872cbb88f4.jpg)
Mega Man X9 takes place between Mega Man X: Command Mission and Mega Man Zero, yet more likely follows the Mega Man X8 plot on its own, of which it does.