
Noah cannot believe that he is, or that in the future he will become, the creature that stands before him. The Shadowmaster tells Noah that it is time he learnt the truth. They both white-out of North Col and arrive in Haven. The Shadowmaster challenges Noah — was it right to bring the animals to Haven? They outnumber the humans and will continue to breed. Good, says Noah defending their rights and place in the laws of nature. The Shadowmaster lauds the wonders of Thunderstone. Its power will bring the human race back to his former greatness! It cannot be wasted on animals. "If I am to become what you are", says Noah, "why can't I change the future and so change myself? What is happening to me? To the Nomads?" But the Shadowmaster sends him back to North Col, back to rats scurrying everywhere, panicking citizens who don't see, as does Noah and his family, that the rats are in fact an illusion — they are holograms. Into this pandemonium the Shadowmaster appears and laughing mirthlessly, removes his mask revealing himself… it is Dr. Pretorius, he is the Shadowmaster!
2020 is the year in which Noah Daniels lives with his family. Back in 2002 a comet Nemesis destroyed the Earth's surface along with humans and animals. The few that survived live underground in a place called North Col. Noah is gifted in ways, but it is his fascination with the holodeck with proves to be costly. The holodeck with was once used is now left to gather dust, until Noah starts it up and lands in Haven.
After being captured by a group of Nomads, Noah is still trying to figure out how far back into the past he is. The Nomads are a small band of children who are pursued by another older group of youths called the Protectors who runs a mine. In this time, the most powerful substance is Thunderstone and this is what Tao of the Protectors is currently mining. A sensing device, provided by a mysterious man in a cloak is a new weapon for tracking down the Nomads. Back in North Col, Noah has been noticed as being missing.