Greetings Minions. The Archivist interface recently forwarded this video to me. It is good publicity but it brings up an unresolved issue. After issuing a challenge we were in fact beaten and because we had no net profit we could not make good on our end of the bargain. Lord Vile pays his debts. Defuser - I hereby make you this one time offer. Next year I will put my considerable resources, creativity and manpower at your disposal for the creation of an area within your Scare For A Cure haunt. We will work together under truce and deliver to you the kind of terror only a true villain understands. What do you say Hero?

For years I have drifted in and out of the Black Sleep as the wounds that nearly killed me were healed by Doctor Boltgibber's sadistic but effective treatments. While I slept I dreamt, often of my return to the surface. Despite the hallucinations brought on by my drug induced coma I could not have imagined the phantasmagoria that faced us at "Ikkicon". This is the brave new world that awaits me? How very odd. The gathering resembled a massive fancy dress party but there was precious little music and no food to speak of save the ubiquitous chocolate covered cracker sticks called "Pocky". The Sirens secured fistfuls of the snacks to distribute to the crowd, who descended upon them with gluttonous savagery. Skuro tells me that the most popular attraction was the presence of "voice actors". I have no clue what a "voice actor" could be, but the costumed youths seemed quite taken by them. Perhaps I should become a "voice actor" before returning next year. Our contingent secured a small space in the central court to hold our rally, which went well despite the cramped quarters and the fact that my recuperation left me unexpectedly frail. Armor is heavy and my cape has always been uncomfortably warm. We signed up several new Henchmen and were able to get in and out without being confronted by any authority more significant than "con security". Caine was frustrated by my decision not to allow deadly force but I have faith that the lad will adapt to our new strategies. All in all, not a bad start. Onward and upward.

For decades I have dwelled in darkness, watching and waiting for the right time to emerge from my self imposed isolation. From the depths of the Oblivion Pit I have sent my consciousness into the waking world where my Lieutenants have begun to recruit a new generation of Minions to serve me upon my return. Through their eyes I have seen your city and its wonders and I am pleased. This is city with many shadows whose people indulge themselves in ways their parents and grandparents could never have imagined. I look forward to the time when I will walk among you. This is our time, my Minions. The Shadow Legion is on the move.