Legend of the Cyber Vampire

     There is a legend that has been told all around Neopia, the legend of the Cyber Vampire.

     Not many know of this being, but it's been said that he lurks deep in the cyber universe, watching over the Virtupets Space Station, awaiting the moment he can take control of its technology.

     He's thought to be nothing but a fantasy, a cruel story told to Neopets who stay on their devices all day long...But are they true?

     There had been sightings of a mysterious being appearing before those on their devices, then the devices no longer working once it's gone. Strange power outages had occurred around Neopia, and some had been more severe in the Space Station, even to the point where oxygen was drained for a moment. Neopians state that every moment afterwards haven't been the same, that they had nightmares about this strange creature stalking them and their families.

          News reporters have been spotted asking about these incidents, and hardly anyone has been able to repeat what happened. However, from what they were told, these events may had been related to the Cyber Vampire.

     A pink Uni was asked about her sudden encounter, and she had this to say:

     "I have no idea what this creature was. It looked like a Jetsam, but it had long, sharp claws and a glowing, red eye."

     During this interview, a blue Gelert piped in.

     "No, it wasn't a Jetsam! It was a Korbat! I saw it on my NeoVision, and it had giant wings!"

     To this, a third Neopian, a yellow Kyrii, spoke up.

     "It was clearly a Skeith! It was large and had really sharp fangs...I shudder to think about it!"

          Interviewers decided to question all three of these Neopians about how the events unfolded, and they agreed to tell all they could.

     First was the Uni, of whom was named Sally, and this is what she said:

     "It was horrible...I saw its eye staring at me and I heard a low voice. I couldn't figure out the words, but it sounded like it was plotting something. It seemed to chuckle at times."

          She shuddered and stood still for a moment, then finally finished,

     "That's when everything shut off. Just like that, my screen went pitch black...And I couldn't turn anything back on."

           Interviewers then switched to James, the blue Gelert, and he explained what happened to his NeoVision.

     "I nearly choked on my steak when I saw it...A shady figure emerging in the middle of my favorite show, Defenders of Neopia! I was just watching Judge Hog taking down a bad guy when the figure showed up, with what seemed like a giant claw through the Judge's head! It was horrifying! But that's not the worst of it...The show then turned into static and the figure seemed to be heading toward ME! I thought I was going to die!"

          At this, James began to sweat nervously and was handed a handkerchief before he continued.

     "As it grew closer, I heard...A most terrifying sound. It...Was like scraping claws. It was a horrible screech, and it filled the entire room! I tried to turn down the volume, but nothing worked. It just grew louder, and the figure grew closer...Until I saw its face. It was grinning at me. I tried to convince myself it was just a horrifying show, that maybe the channel changed itself, but when I heard its voice, I knew...It was real."

          His face was consumed by terror and he gritted his teeth as he concluded,

     "It then grew close enough and I saw its hands against my screen...I pleaded for it to leave me alone, but all it could do was laugh and scrape its claws against the glass. I hid my face and tried to look away, but I couldn't keep my gaze off of it...And then, it just vanished. All that remained was the static...And long claw marks in the glass."

          The Kyrii watched as James wiped away more sweat from his forehead, then finally introduced himself as Jack and told his story.

     "I was shopping in the Weapons Store for a new gadget to try out, and the lights flickered before the store suddenly grew pitch black. I couldn't see what was happening around the store, but I heard screams and the sounds of scraping metal. I heard a deep voice laughing and what sounded like weapons falling from shelves as everyone scattered. I thought maybe someone was robbing the store, and wanted to help, but it was too dark. But then I saw it...A red glow. And it was heading toward me."

          Jack was silent for a moment, and upon being asked if he needed anything, shook his head.

     "Anyway, the glow grew closer, and I could see sparks shooting from the floor. I knew that this being was the one causing all the chaos and grabbed the nearest weapon to defend myself. Unfortunately the weapon was a Jelly Muffin and after it was thrown, it simply bounced off the creature and all over the store. I knew at the moment that this was no ordinary being, it wasn't your every day Neopet...And after someone finally caught that muffin, the creature said something and left."

          Interviewers were shocked about the last statement and questioned him further.

     "What did it say?"

          Jack shuddered, clearly remembering what he was told, but answered.

     "It said, 'Neopia will be under the control of a new ruler...The reign of Ba.Ron will soon come'."

          Before interviewers could reply, Jack added,

     "After I left the store, there were buildings around without power. I know that there was power before I went inside, so to have this happen RIGHT AFTER the encounter couldn't be a coincidence."

          The three Neopets were then thanked for their time and after being offered a bottle of water, dismissed. Interviewers then sought out analytics for more information.

          ***

          Time has passed by and Neopians are still reporting incidents with a mysterious encounter or power outages.

     Pets and owners are stocking up on lanterns from Moltara in case they are struck next, and are starting to stack up on books in case NeoVision goes down.

     Everyone has been encouraged to stock up on food in case a major disaster happens and food shops can no longer contain their food.

          The Times has gotten more information on this being and who he may be, as well as his motives and methods of attack. This is what they have so far:

     1. Due to various sightings, this being can shapeshift. Sights so far have been Korbat, Jetsam, and Skeith. No matter the form, he always has a red eye, a large ear, sharp claws, and long fangs.

     2. This being only appears near electronic equipment, and rarely seems to emerge in Neopia itself. He's said to travel through Cyberspace.

     3. He's been heard mentioning an entity known as "Ba.Ron" or "the Glitch Lord". This being may be his master. Species or whearabouts of this being are unknown.

     4. Power outages may or may not occur after this being shows himself. They happen at random, but 9 out of 10 encounters are followed by an outage.

     5. This being, after being in an electronic device, will drain the life source out of all electronics nearby. Stock up and keep these hidden if you can!

     6. This being has followers. It's rumored that one is a Korbat. Name of said Korbat is unknown.

          ***

          Analysis has proven that the Cyber Vampire may be real after all. A sudden sighting in the Beauty Contest of a Jetsam going by the alias "Lucifer" was seen in the Jetsam category, along with a Scorchio by the name of "Salazar". This Jetsam has been going by the title of "Cyber Vampire", and has Neopians suspicious.

     However, no one has ever heard of Salazar and have many questions: Who is he and is he affiliated with Lucifer? Does he have anything to do with these incidents? And the most important of all: How does he stay so fit?

     Many question this new piece to the Cyber Vampire puzzle, but believe that he is indeed related in one way or another. Some are driven insane by this new topic and even started to offer up sacrifices in the form of artwork and BC votes to meet him. Have they been successful? Some say yes. It seems that flattery is the only way to meet Salazar.

          But what about Lucifer?

     Tests are being done now to find out.

          ***

          Tests have been proven positive and Lucifer has been summoned more ways than before.

     He now emerges to those who give him what he desires, whether it be art, votes, or device sacrifices. He seems to be kinder to those who worship him, and has informed of himself to many.

          Salazar has been informed of being Lucifer's brother, and they enjoy their time together. While rumor has it that Salazar and Lucifer may be seen as other species, they are in reality Skeiths who managed to stay in shape with all their hard work.

          Because of these tests, the legend of the Cyber Vampire is indeed true.

     He exists. And you must be cautious.

     If you see him, worship him at all costs, and he will do no harm.

     Failure to do so...Could end in tragedy.