Ethan, a normal 8th grader and his friends, Lem, Frank "The Tank" Johnson, and Nick are very fond of the hit MMO, Freefall Tournament. With Ethan as the Assassin, Nick as the Gunner, Lem as the Shocker, and Frank as the Tank, they are the most formidable team on the game. Until one night, a wicked thunderstorm breaks out, and the gang picked the wrong moment to play Freefall. Lightning strikes the main power grid for the team's computers. When they regain consciousness, they all find a strange tattoo-like marking on their hands..........