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!
