"It's nothing to be afraid of."

The Elder said, smiling as Four held his hand. Tears were in his eyes, as he gently squeezed it. He raised his arm, wiping his tears into it.

"I'm not afraid." Four sobbed, as his hands shook. "I know, Four..." The Elder said, closing his eyes. "Elder Zero!" Four cried out, causing the Elder to open his eyes again.

He rolled them. "I'm not dead yet." He grunted, as Four sheepishly looked away. "Sorry..." Elder Zero smiled, gently tapping Four's hand.

"Don't let my students slack off just because I'm gone, now." Four sniffled, blinking back his tears. Elder Zero let go of his hands, slowly reaching around his neck.

Taking off his necklace, Four was stunned when the Elder placed it around his neck. "E-Elder Zero-" He was interrupted. "I've seen you looking in the windows before."

He chuckled. "I saw how you especially liked that one timeline..." He started humming a familiar tune, gently waving his hands around. Four blushed, covering his face in embarrassment.

"You saw?!" Elder Zero let out a friendly laugh. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." He winked. "That is why I'm entrusting the gateway key to you."

Four looked down at it, emotions overwhelming him. "You've studied the other worlds far longer than anyone else here." Elder Zero said.

"I trust you wouldn't change their course of events...like some would when given this responsibility." Four clenched the pendant in his hand. "I won't let you down, Elder Zero."

He smiled, glancing over to the door. "Now there's only X left..." Four turned around, frowning slightly. "Yeah...I'll go get him..." Walking out of the room, Four sighed.

              More tears slipped out, as he looked around. X was sitting in a chair across the hall, trying not to cry. Four walked over to him, and X practically leapt onto him.

                He shook, crying softly. Four hugged him, no longer holding back tears. After a few minutes, X was ready. Casting his gaze downward, X walked into the room.

A feeling of numbness buzzed within, as all sounds were reduced to quiet whispers. The only clear sound, was Elder Zero's voice. "Do you remember that day?"

X glanced up. Elder Zero was smiling. "Out in the Equation Playground. When I showed you what it was like to have my powers?" X nodded.

"You let me see a vague vision of what I was gonna have for lunch." He slightly laughed. Elder Zero grabbed his hand. "And you were so curious." He said.

"You asked me: "Does this mean it will happen?" With the most adorable look on your face." He recalled, eyes twinkling. "Do you remember what I told you?"

X smiled, sniffling slightly. "You said... "X, my visions are what could be, not what will be."..." Elder Zero nodded, squeezing his hand gently.

"And then you got a look in your eye... and declared you were going to have fries instead!" He laughed hoarsely. A moment of silence passed.

"...Do you know why I called you in here?" X shook his head. "My ability to see the future is now yours, X." Gasping, X let go of his hand.

"Me?! Why?!" He asked in a panic, as Elder Zero sat up. "You've got a good heart." He said, as X stared at him in confusion. "A "good heart"?" He repeated.

Elder Zero chuckled again. "X...there was something else I told you that day." He clasped his hands together, pointing at the variable. "What was it?"

X furrowed his eyebrows. Closing his eyes, X started to remember. "...Sometimes... you see something you don't want to..." He started.

"Sometimes...you need to take the clues...and use them to change the outcome..." Elder Zero put a hand on his shoulder. "And who better to give this responsibility to than you?"

X opened his eyes. "But what if I'm not-" Elder Zero waved his finger side to side. "Your heart is good. That, I'm positive of, X." Lowering his hand to his side, he nodded.

"This might be a bit painful." He told X, as his eyes started to glow. Hesitantly, X stood there, as he felt a sharp pain shoot through his head.

X gasped, clenching his teeth, as his eyes started to glow too. Images flashed in front of him, as he started to notice a common theme.

"W-Wait...who...?" He mumbled, as he noticed different variations of a leaf. One image showed her sitting alone next to a tree. Another showed her burning alive.

X gasped, as he noticed more of the rapid visions showed the leaf in less than ideal situations. Then, his face paled. One of them stood out more than the rest.

A familiar number was holding four strings...

All connected to the leaf.

X gasped, as he regained his sight, hunching over, he covered his mouth. His stomach churned. Hesitantly, he stood up again.

           Elder Zero had a shocked look on his face. "...Did you see that?" He asked. X was unresponsive. Sighing, Elder Zero nervously glanced to the side.

          "I'm unsure of who the little leaf was...but she looks like she's going to be in dire need of help soon..." X blinked, uncovering his mouth. His face was pale.

           Everything was quiet. Then, Elder Zero shifted. "So..." He started.

"What will you do now?"

             X closed his eyes, trying to get the visions to show back up. "You're still new to these powers, X." Elder Zero interrupted. "It won't work like that."

            Opening his eyes again, X had a determined look on face. "I'm going to stop the vision from happening." He answered. "I'll fix this...I'll help both of them."

              Elder Zero gave him a look of concern. "Are you sure you can save him?" X nodded. "I'm positive. All he wants is a friend." Smiling, Elder Zero clenched a fist.

"Then do what you think is right." X smiled, giving Elder Zero one last hug. Sprinting out of the room, X felt the world around him slow down.

Four was in his line of sight.

Quickly, he tackled him into a hug, giving Four a shock. "X?" He questioned, concerned. X stared at him, making direct eye contact.

"Let's leave the Equation Playground."