Order of the Grey Hand Press Confrence

Vamplord stands infront of a small group of Paragon City News Reporters, standing without a pedastool out infront of the Altas Park City Hall.

"Ladies and Gentlemen your attention please. I have called forth this press confrence as leader of the new order called the Grey Hand. We have important information to disclose to all of the inhabitants of the city."

Turning to face the camera Vamplord stares directly into it, looking deadly serious, with hardly blinking.

"Some of you may have noticed lately that many heroes are being infected with a brand new disease, targeted at weakening the powers of heroes within Paragon City. From our research this virus was created by the Remaining Eight to keep the superhero community unable to stand up to them. This is unacceptable. It has been released in secret, and without opposition from the city. So my brothers and I have decided to make a stand."

"Currently in our possession are three hundred and fifty Archanos Scientists as well as four hundred Paragon City Hero Specialist Scientists. Many of these are believed to have worked on the disease that affects so many of my brothers and I. We will stop this threat and defend this city....no matter the cost."

"Our demands are quite simple. We order the immediate release of a cure to the disease, as well as the unconditional surrender of the remaining eight to my brothers. The remaining eight are to be publicly exiled to the Storm Palace, sealed forever. If our demands are not met within the next sixty days, the scientists in our possession will be tortured and pieces of them will be sent to their family until they are all dead."

Looking somberly and unflinchingly at the camera.

"We have made certain precautions to stop the remaining eight or archanos from interfering in our plans. If I or the leaders of the Grey Hand are captured, or killed the remotes we have implanted within our chests will stop functioning."

Vamplord tears open his shirt showing the large bandage across his chest and anger in his eyes.

"If these remotes stop functioning, certain scientists in the group will die. If we are all captured or killed, then all of the scientists will die. The remotes release a special chemical into our blood stream. This chemical mixed with our genetic sequences provide a delay for a incurable painful brain cancer each of the scientists has been infected with. If the scientists do not recieve this treatment every day, they will die in a matter of hours. Do not under-estimate us. The research for the disease was constructed using Nemesis, Rularuu, Circle of Thorns, and Malta technology."

Vamplord looks down low at the ground.

"I wish I was not forced to take such drastic actions. I wish there could have been a better way. The remaining eight have forced our hands however. With Arachnos threatening a full scale invasion, something must be done to protect this city. So I have decided to do it, even if I and my brothers become hunted and hated by the city. We will make our stand here today. The fates of those lives and others are in the hands of the remaining eight and archanos. I trust they will make the correct descisions to ensure the safety of their mortal associates."

Looking right at the camera, anger once again showing in his eyes.

"I blame you for this Statesman, and the others. Prove your a hero and care for human life. Do not make me become a villian. Do not force me to take the lives of hundreds merely to protect your ego. You will face the concequences of your decisions, one way...or another."

Smirkingly Vamplord floats up above the reporters while shouting out.

"I look forward to your answer Statesman. If you agree to the terms I expect you to be delivered to the Storm Palace with the others in chains, and unarmed. The cure along with yourselves to wait at the Gate. If the eight do not come alone and with the cure to the disease, the deaths of many will be on your hands."

Vamplord flies off at rapid speed towards Peregrine Island to await an answer.

Part two of this continuing story;

Sitting in the world of Ralvanis staring at the campfire, Vamplord sits pondering the state of things. The night was cool and omnious. The moon of this world refused to show her face. The mists were heavy, turning this place into a world of phantoms and ghosts.

"The strongest demons are not the spiders, but our own self-doubts." Said the demonic village chief sitting down next to Vamplord.
"Yeah, I know. The spiders however make us doubt. How do you know if what you're doing is the right thing to do?"
"You have done what you have done to protect others correct? You do what you do regardless of what happens to you right?"
"I don't know anymore. Part of me just wants to burn the whole thing in a horrible pyre of black flame." Vamplord spoke sighing.
"Alexio...you know your brother cared for mankind. You have told me much of your history. People may have been cruel to you and your family, but never forget the love your brother had for them."
"And what good does it do?" Vamplord said throwing another log on the fire. "Vampires and Men, all cowards in their ways. They will not fight real injustice, they will not give their lives for purity."
"Most men do not have the strength to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Is that not why you have asked the remaining eight to surrender themselves? I know you are prepared in your mind, but can you deny others hope by taking away their heroes?"
"Those...those people do not deserve heroes. They do not care if we are all thrown in the abyss.....and especially heroes such as the remaining eight."
"We are all wanderers, you want to be loved as much as them, why struggle so hard?"
"I struggle because what they have done is not right. They cannot face Archanos alone, and still they try. I must show them that there are better ways..."
"Even by killing innocents?"
"...you know our plans...things are the way they are."
"Yes, but are you willing to stick to those plans? Even if they fail? Will you not lash out at those who cannot defend themselves?"
"I'm not sure. If Statesman pushes my hand with the hostages, I don't know what I'll do...my hands are already stained with the blood of hundreds. So what's a few more?"
"If you feel that, you are already lost to the abyss." Said the elder standing up starting to fade into the mist.
"Then I am lost, and all that happens is out of my hands. Just make sure you do as you promised." Vamplord stated as he clutched his hand, extinguishing the fire through magic.

"Magic has brought us into a world with others who do not understand it...soon they will learn how different we really are." Said Vamplord, passing into the mists himself.