"You saw what last night?"

ProtoMan had finished explaining his story to the group over breakfast, and Sam seemed curious.

"Chaud, didn't you say the same thing happened to you right before you found Proto?"

The white-haired youth nodded. "True, but the atmosphere never moved, I just saw an image. This is defiantly interesting. ProtoMan, if you will, could you inspect the power plant?"

Standing, ProtoMan pulled on a jacket. "Leave it to me. I was planning on it anyways."

Nodding his approval, Chaud brooded over his coffee. "This requires research. Nothing like this has ever happened before. I will go down to the officials center and see what I can find."

Sam was cleaning out a couple dishes. "I'll go too. We can drop Star and Bass off downtown, since they wanted to see if there were any clues there."

With a quick nod, ProtoMan was gone, shutting the window behind him.

Star watched him go, her blonde hair let down so that it swept back and forth. She wore a black sweatshirt with a white volleyball printed on it with a khaki pair of cargo pants. A black hair ribbon completed the look.

Bass stood, wearing the same thing he had worn the day before. "Shall we go?"

As the four climbed down the fire escape and into Chaud's limo, the young Netbattler went over the plan. "Sam and I will be at the official net battler's headquarters. You two should look in the park for clues; they're most likely to have been undisturbed there. We'll meet back at the park around one. And Bass, do try to keep cover. We don't need anyone blowing this now."

"Hey, why do I get the third degree! Star's just as capable of blowing cover as I am."

"Good point. Same for you Starfire."

"Thanks a lot Oniichan."

Opening the door, Bass and Star stepped out into the park and strolled along the path. Although their stroll looked casual, the sibling's eyes were darting around, seeking anything out of the ordinary.

Since Star was not at all an unattractive girl, several boys whistled and when one approached Star, Bass moved between them. "Back off buddy, she's taken." He growled and the boy backed away.

"Sorry! I didn't know she was your girlfriend…"

Starfire moved Bass aside. "Of course not, he's my brother. My boyfriend is home sick. Now, excuse us…"

As soon as they were out of earshot of the boy, Bass chortled. "Home sick? Proto? I've never known that man to take a break without prompting, much less take a sick day!"

Giggling, Starfire replied. "Well, it was the best I could come up with at the time!"

Continuing on, Star waited while Bass rummaged in a bush, pretending to have lost something. "I don't like this Star, there are too many guys here who could hurt you."

"Oniichaaaan…."

"I'm serious Starry! It just takes one guy…"

"And I'm telling you, I'm fine! Besides, have you known a guy to best me yet?"

Looking at his sister darkly, Bass frowned. "ShadowMan kidnapped you pretty easy that one time."

Rolling her eyes, Star put her hands on her hips. "That was once Bass! And you forget I beat the living crap out of him later."

Giving up on the search for clues, the duo took a break for lunch and sat at an outdoor table, despite the slightly brisk weather. Looking along the street, Star sighed. "I wonder how Proto's doing with his mission."

Shrugging, Bass finished his sandwich. "Ah, he'll be fine Starry. Don't worry!"

But even the best of us can be wrong. For not thirty seconds later, there were some shrieks and ProtoMan went crashing into the pavement shoulder first past where Star and Bass were sitting.

"PROTO!" Star cried, leaping over the railing to help her companion up. "What happened?"

Growling, ProtoMan sat up. "ShadowMan, that's what."

Looking down the street, the trio saw what was truly an impressive sight. ShadowMan was striding down the street, electricity seemed to attract to him, casting eerie shadows and made him radiate. He stopped not feet away from the trio and Bass crouched, ready to lunge should he attack Star or Proto.

The dark ninja snorted. "I warned you to stay out of my business. Now you must pay." He pointed a finger and a concentrated beam of the deepest purple shot towards them.

Whipping off his sweatshirt, Bass whirled it towards ShadowMan, while putting up his aura for just enough time to deflect the blast. "Run!" He roared, pulling the other two to their feet.

Star and Proto dashed to the café and the blonde warrior grabbed a chair. "TAKE THIS!" She yelled, hurling the wrought iron object at the attacker.

"Feh." A deep purple aura sprang to life, sending the projectile clattering to the ground uselessly. "Pathetic." A shockwave sent the chairs and tables flying, forcing Starfire into the duck and cover position.

The silver haired warrior grabbed a chair leg and rushed at ShadowMan. "HAAA!" Again, he was stopped by the aura and tumbled back over the pavement.

Then ShadowMan turned to Bass. "Your turn…Forte."

Stunned only for an instant, Bass assessed the situation. He had already used his distraction for his aura, and the Earthbreaker would draw too much attention. Unfortunately, ShadowMan used this pause to hit Bass with a concussive blast, sending him to the ground.

He surveyed the destruction for a moment, and then rose into the air before vanishing.

Star wiggled out from underneath the chairs and tables, helping Bass to his feet. As ProtoMan joined them, Chaud's limo pulled up and the window rolled down. "Get in!" Ordered the white haired youth. Nobody needed telling twice, since they all clambered in and the car sped away.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Oh, it's on! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Kwanzaa if any of you celebrate that. More to come from me later, and while I'm at it, I must apologize for the horrible first chapter of The Story. I promise, I'll edit it and make sure you all enjoy.