The sun was starting to set in Springdale. Nate was wandering down a street looking around in curiousity at his new surroundings. Though all the shops and restaurants were starting to close, he was still amazed by it all. Springdale felt so big and free compared to his house.

People said "hello" as they passed, and Nate understood what was meant when Whisper said Springdale has a "positive community spirit". Nate soon found himself in a housing estate. He had never seen a smaller house than his own this close up. He watched a family eating through the window. Then he heard a shout.

???: Look out!

He turned only to be knocked over by a strange two-wheeled object.

Nate: Whoa!

He fell on his ass and moaned, rubbing it.

Nate: That hurt.

???: I'm so sorry, are you okay?

Nate looked up to see a girl his age getting off the object to make sure he was okay.

Nate: Y-yeah. I'm fine.

The girl helped him to his feet. She had brown hair tied in a ponytail with a pink ribbon, and wore a white jumper with blue shorts.

Girl: My name's Katie. What's yours?

Nate: I'm Nate, it's nice to meet you.

Katie: I haven't seen you around here before. I knew to Springdale?

Nate: I guess you could say that.

Nate rubbed the back of his head, unsure of what to say to the girl. He looked at the thing that hit him.

Nate: What is that?

Katie: This?

Katie was confused by his question. She looked at the object, then back at Nate.

Katie: It's a bike. You don't know what a bike is?

Nate: Sorry, I'm afraid I don't.

Katie then read the writing on the strap of his backpack.

Katie: Adams? You're the boy who lives in that big mansion just outside of Springdale! What are you doing here?

Nate: Well, basically I-

Katie noticed the sky was darkening. She realised Nate lived a long way away.

Katie: We should go.

Nate: What?

Katie: Just get on!

Katie got on her bike. Nate was confused as she gestured to the empty space she let for him. He got on behind her, unsure of what she was planning. Then they cycled down the street. Nate was having the time of his life. This was a new experience for him, having never ridden a bike before.

Nate: This is amazing!

Katie kept looking at the sky nervously. She looked over her shoulder for a brief moment and noticed Nate's excited face. Then when she looked forward she saw the area was turning really dark. Everything was now grey, and Nate wasn't as excited anymore. If anything he was nervous

Nate: Um...Katie. What's happening?

Katie: We're too late.

Nate: Too late for what.

Katie began to slowly cycle across the path. She lowered her voice to a whisper.

Katie: Just stay quiet and don't give away our spot.

Nate didn't understand why she told him to do this, but he did it anyway. He began to get creeped out by the eerie silence as they turned down another street. Then Nate heard a snarling sound. He turned and saw a lizard-like creature with an orange pompadour step out of the shadows.

Nate: Katie, what's that?

Then Nate noticed more creatures coming out the shadows, all of varying shapes and appearances. One looked like a shivering dog made of ice, another a floating green hat with purple lips, and another a poodle with the head of a middle-aged man.

Katie: Yokai.

Nate: What?

Katie: They're yokai, evil spirits that haunt this town.

Nate: But I thought they were a myth.

Katie: You thought wrong. Stay back.

Katie got off the bike and began to walk towards most of the creatures. Nate didn't no wether to turn and run or stay and watch. He decided to just stick with his gut and stay. Katie approached the yokai bravely, as if she did this all the time.

Katie: Alright, let's get this over with, I have to get this guy home.

A yokai approached Katie. It was a blue kappa, a duck-like creature with a plate on its head. Katie waited for it coming then thrust her hands out, summoning a gust of wind from her palm that knocked the kappa back.

Nate: How did she-?

Then the human faced dog ran at her, then jumped and attempted to bite her arm. She stepped back to avoid him then summoned more wind to blow it away. Then more yokai approached, small oni, more kappas and even a tengu all attacked at once. Katie didn't seem phased by the fact she was facing a tonne of creepy monsters and just clicked her fingers, a tornado of sorts swirling around her. The yokai were all caught in it and thrown back by the vortex. Realising this was a fight they could not win, the yokai retreated into their hiding places. But one Yokai, the green lizard with the pompadour, approached Nate from behind. Nate didn't hear or seem him coming, too amazed by what he had just witnessed, until the very last moment. He turned to see the lizard jump at him.

Nate: Agh!

He thrust his hands out and a flame shot out of his palms, hitting the yokai in the chest and knocking it to the ground. Nate and Katie were both shocked.

Nate: Did I-what?

The lizard scampered away as Nate looked down at his hands in confusion.

Katie: He's just like me...

Katie approached Nate slowly.

Katie: How long have you been able to do that?

Nate: To be honest I never really knew until now.

Katie: So you've never done it before? You're even stronger than I thought.

Nate: Wait, so how did you do that? And...what the heck is going on?

Katie got back on the bike.

Katie: It's a long story. I'll tell you when we get to my place.