Chapters Chapter 1: The Sky-Blue book
Welcome to The Skyfyre Dragon and before you sit down to read know that no characters belong to me unless stated otherwise. So do take the time to ask if certain characters are mine if you haven't seen them because they may just be one of the recolored backgrounders (The background ponies) With a name I gave them to fit into the story. And with that let's begin.
It was a beautiful summer day in Ponyville though not for much longer as the sun was about to set for the Gorgeous night that followed. On her balcony waiting patiently for her chance to stargaze was Twilight Sparkle the lavender unicorn with the black and pink mane, she had been waiting for the sun to set. This was because she had received a letter from the Moon Princess, Princess Luna that after the moon had rose she would be visiting and had asked for Twilight to Stargaze with her. Twilight had high hopes for the evening and had made sure everything was perfect, and it was till spike called out to her about finding a strange Sky-Blue book on the floor that was not there till the sunset began. Twilight hung her head knowing that this meant trouble... she didn't know the half of it.
Twilight Sparkle: "Spike! What do you mean a book wasn't there till the sunset started?! Books don't just appear randomly! It doesn't make sense!" She yelled with a great deal of frustration in her voice as whenever something that 'Didn't make sense' happened it ended up with her and her best friends risking their lives to save the world. Spike was more than eager to point that out at which point Twilight hung her head. "Oh great... well let's just hope that nothing happens 'this' time."
Spike opened the book and stared his eyes becoming as large as saucers. "Twilight you need to see this!" He handed the book to Twilight who looked at the book than at him with a confused then worried look on her face. "Um Twilight... what's the matter?" Then she said something he never thought she would say. "I can't read it." with those words his mouth hit the floor.
A knocking came to the door moments later and Spike ran to open it. "Welcome to the Books and Branches library how can I help.... you." As he looked to see who was at the door it was the dark blue alicorn princess of the moon Princess Luna, who picked him up and gave him a big hug. "Spike it has been ever so long since we last saw thou, how hast thou been?" She said speaking in the old Canterlot tongue but, she made sure to keep the volume down as to not wake Twilight's neighbors.
"Ah, Luna great timing as always." Twilight said as she welcomed the Princess inside taking care to remember that Luna hated the formal greeting and being called princess, because of the fact it seemed to form a wall between her and her subjects. "A pleasure as always Twilight Sparkle, we had hoped that you would allow us to borrow a book after we had watched the stars." She said while following Twilight her face becoming slightly red at how she put her sentence. "Oh that reminds me, Spike found this strange book a few minutes ago and I can't read it due to it being in a different language. Do you know what language it is?" She said as she handed the Sky-Blue book to Luna who looked at it and within seconds her eyes grew with worry.
"Indeed Twilight Sparkle we know this language but, it has been many years since it was last seen in Equestria. It is the Language of the Dragons." She said after taking a deep breath to calm her thoughts as to what omen the books appearance mean. "It's written in the language of dragons?! That makes sense why spike could read it then!" She said with a very enthusiastic tone to her voice much like a child who had just gotten a new toy.
"Twilight Sparkle, we must insist that you do not read the contents of this book. While Dragon magic may look simple it is extremely Dangerous and that is the reason no equestrian libraries or magic shops carry any traces of them." Luna said in a worried and generally caring tone in an effort to persuade Twilight to not make a hasty decision.
Her pleas fell on deaf ears, as Twilight immediately grabbed spike and used a spell to cause his knowledge of what each word meant to appear besides the original words much like subtitles to a movie in another language. "Let's see here
The sky darkened under strange red clouds as a Sky-Blue Rune formed upon them causing two creatures to fall to the ground below. One stopped itself mid-fall and took off, it appeared to be a very old sky-blue dragon. The other was unable to react fast enough and fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Twilight, Luna, and Spike ran to the creature's aid to see what looked like a pony with dragon wings that was about the size of an Alicorn, it's coat was the same color as Twilight's and it's mane and tail were Sky-blue, the same as the scales on it's wings.
"Oh no... please tell me it isn't dead." Twilight said with tears in her eyes knowing that if the creature had been killed from the fall it was her fault for not listening when she was told not to use the book's spells. But, as she began to actually start crying the creature stirred it had only been knocked out it seamed. "What... happened to me? Where is father?" The creature said and then looked to who it's company was the voice made it clear it was male, but when it looked to Twilight the creature's face turned pale like it had scene a ghost.
"You can't be real! you died long ago! Begone from me spirit!" The creature said as he attempted to flee before falling from his injured legs. Twilight's face froze as she realized who he was talking about her, eyes looked as if she was a million miles away. "D-died?" Was all she could say before passing out herself.
Luna and Spike looked at the two then decided to carry them both to the library and as soon as they did Luna departed to Canterlot to inform her Elder sister of what had Transpired promising spike that she would return with help.
Well I believe that wraps up chapter one quite nicely, to see what happens next keep a watch for chapter two. Cya next time!
Chapter 2: The Visitor's purpose revealed
As I've said before beyond the characters that I've designed for this story. I do not own the rights to the characters within this story, as My little Pony is property of it's respective copyright holders. Also I have seen some of the comments on the first chapter had yet to understand things and that was my plan. If you think something doesn't fit where it's placed in the story it will be explained later on. So have faith and enjoy.
Twilight's mind raced with strange images as she was asleep from the sight she had witness, it appeared that when she tried to figure out what he said she seemed to have been placed in some kind of trance. The dreams it induced showed ponies being slaughtered by dragons, the red portal she summoned the cause of this disaster. "It's all my fault!" She screamed within her mind and once the image of the strange creature she found appeared in the defense of the ponies. she noticed what looked like the two beings that gave it birth defending it from rear attacks. A large Sky-blue male dragon and a mare held by a chain at her neck. Before she could make out the mare she was forced awake by what felt like a magic barrier formed in her mind.
She awoke in a cold sweat, spike had fallen asleep at her bedside. She worried about the dream she had but, hoped it was just that a dream and that Spike had carried her to bed due to her passing out from studying to long again. All of that hope was shattered when she saw the strange creature she had inadvertently summoned appear in her door-way carrying a tray of food for her and spike. The creature's face was of general concern for her safety. "Are you all right mo-" His voice trailed off like he realized he was about to say something he wasn't supposed say. Twilight had already gotten the hint though as she realized why the creature had fought so hard to defend the ponies as the other dragons except his father slaughtered everything that wasn't a dragon. The creature was only half-dragon it was half-pony as well.
When the creature realized she had realized that fact he closed the door behind him in the same manner twilight did but, what made the feat shocking was that the glow of the magic was exactly the same as hers it came from the strange horn-like formations on the tips of his wings. "I see you figured out the prophecy trance faster than I had predicted. Father always said you were brilliant, though he never made it clear just how brilliant." When he said that his father spoke about her the vision flashed before her again the magical barrier formed in her mind was released, to show a much older Twilight next to the sky-blue dragon the Creature called father. From her guess at least 7 years older.
"W-who are you? I mean who are you really and no lies?!" She shouted these questions through tearful eyes like she already knew the answer, yet didn't want to believe it. The creature placed to food for spike and Twilight upon the bedside table and sat floating in the air using a combination of the lavender glow and his own magic. The underside of his right wing was all she needed to see it had an exact copy of her cutie-mark printed in the flesh like some sort of slavery brand. "Wait... Slavery?" it then hit her like a ton of bricks as she said it out loud, the chain on her neck was broken as the creature and his father had just rescued her from some sort of slavery and since the creature was a half-breed he was subjected to the same treatment. At this revelation she began crying, the dragons she saw would only kill what they could not force into slavery.
"I'm sorry that we had to meet like this, but as you may have already guessed the events you've seen have yet to occur." The creature said trying to comfort her. "I was sent to this time via your portal with the help of your future self instead of the actual dragon that was supposed to appear. While I may have replaced him temporarily by telling him to search another location, he will eventually return to search for you as he was instructed." As he said this she remembered the other dragon that had appeared and had taken off in the other direction.
"Please, no more secrets. I've got a very good idea but, I need to know. Who are you exactly?" Her voice quaking as if she was not even sure of what she said. The creature sighed as he stood. "My name is Midnight Sparkle as per the traditions of the Skyfyre Dragons I was given the." As he was about to finish his statement Twilight stood up having read about the Sky-Blue Dragons with pure magic released from their breath which threw him off. "The Skyfyre Dragons give their offspring the last name of the mother and first name of the father right?" Her heart sank as she said this. She realized she had sent her future child back in time to prevent his own birth.
All he could do was nod with tears in his eyes. He had accepted the fate he was given in order for his mother to be happy, even if he would never exist if he succeeded. "Yes, it is as you said. It was yours and father's plan to send someone to prevent the catastrophe that would be your future. I was asked if I wanted to go and that it was my choice to do it even knowing that my success would erase me from existence." He cried fiercely as Twilight pulled him into a hug realizing how he had accepted such a cruel fate for her. "What I don't get, is why I saw what I did when we met." Her question seemed to cause him to think, as he had yet to ask about what she saw. "I had originally meant to ask what it was you saw." his voice sounded both curious and concerned.
"If I didn't know better, I'm guessing you tried to freak me out to get your trance spell to work am I right?" She said and at that he simply nodded. "I figured that something was off about me passing out from that kind of news. I would more than likely have dismissed you as crazy if the trance spell hadn't knocked me out. Isn't that right?" He nodded again with a smile taking over his face. "I'm sorry to ask this but, I believe I'll need a form more fitting to my time here." As he said this she stared wide-eyed, he took notice of this and smiled causing some of his magic to flow into her mind giving her his knowledge of the spell she needed to cast.
Spike had begun to stir as she preformed the spell causing him to take a shape that would represent his age as a pony. He looked like he was only just out of foal-hood barely older than Applebloom. His coat looked like twilight's but, his mane was sky-blue with the pink streak much like twilight's. "Huh? Who's this guy?" Spike said as he had finally focused his vision not sure who he was looking at. The young colt hovered a letter to spike which he had summoned on the spot much to Twilight's relief. Dear Twilight, your father and I have decided to send your younger brother to Ponyville to stay for some time as we rebuild our house from his magic outburst. His name is Midnight and he was born sometime after your acceptance into the school for gifted unicorns which is why he was never brought to light, as we have been out of touch for quite some time. We hope you get along with him and teach him everything you can while he's there. with love, Mr. & Mrs. Sparkle
Spike's eyes widened as he looked from the letter to the new friend and the Mare who was almost his mother. "That's so... awesome!" He said as he ran up and hugged the both of them. "Twilight... what's up have you been crying?" He said realizing the fact she seemed to be crying heavily some time ago. "Oh I get it! Your so excited to know you had a little brother that you couldn't help it!" With that statement she realized why Midnight had asked for the form he did. It would easily throw off anyone who had asked why she was crying. At least she hoped it would as there was a knock at the library's front door, causing her heart to sink as she remembered that Luna said she would return with Celestia when she left the night before.
Would her strange visitor's identity be revealed even after the precautions she had taken to protect him? Would the Princess believe that the visitor was Twilight's son from a catastrophe filled future? Would she give him the chance to prevent the future he came from even at his own sacrifice? To find out stay tuned for the next chapter of 'The Twilight Dragon.'
Sorry to leave a cliffhanger here but, I believe I've made this chapter long enough. Special notes Thanks to Shao for giving me the comment about how Twilight wouldn't have passed out from him saying she died, shaking it off like he was crazy. This reminded me about natural spell resistance. Being that her element is quite literally magic he would need something to disrupt her focus long enough to cast the prophecy trance spell on her. The resulting spell caused her to faint. So thanks to the comment by Shao I was able to figure out a way to close a plot-hole. So don't forget that I do read the comments and each one may help shape the story so keep them coming. Till next time.
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Chapter 3: Midnight's secert power The Eternal Eclipse Cannon
Sorry about the delay, had to fight past writer's block. It's not easy mind you. This chapter also has my first attempt at an elaborate fight scene, so forgive me if it's not all that. With that said, Enjoy!
Twilight walked towards the door of her Library with a knot in her stomach. She didn't really want to believe Midnight when he said he was her son from the future, but she could see that he was speaking the truth. The simple fact that she had a child in the future was strange enough yet, she would never have dreamed it would be with a dragon. "I'm going to have to ask him about it later." She thought as she reached the door. When she opened it her heart both sank and jumped for joy. At the door was her mentor the Princess of the Sun, Princess Celestia and her sister Luna.
"Twilight, I'm so glad your alright!" Celestia ran up to Twilight and embraced her with her wings, completely tossing royal tradition to the wind. It wasn't hard to notice that Celestia had begun to think of Twilight as both a student and a daughter in the time she had spent teaching her and, at this display Luna simply smiled. "Twilight? Big sister, are you okay?" A young unicorn colt called from the second floor causing the Three in the lobby to look towards the voice. "It's okay Midnight. You can come on down." Twilight called in her best rendition of a caring older sister's voice. Celestia and Luna watched the small unicorn foal wobble down the stairs as he had attempted to take them far to quickly before losing his balance.
"Midnight!" Twilight shouted and attempted to catch him but, before she could even try Luna had already grabbed him using her wings like a spring to dive and catch him. "Art thou, I mean are you okay?" Luna asked compassionately while she placed the colt on the ground. "I think so, thank you miss..." The colt trailed off noticing who saved him causing Luna to giggle. She was so excited that a colt didn't run in terror of her, she couldn't help it. "Twilight? I believe you have yet to introduce us to this child in your care." Celestia said with her seemingly all-knowing tone causing Twilight to get the feeling she already knew.
"Hi! I'm Midnight Sparkle. I'm staying with my big sis while our parents get the house in Canterlot fixed up..." He said that last part like Twilight would when she knew it was her fault something happened, even hanging his head an everything. Celestia looked him over and could tell he wasn't who he claimed to be and so could Luna but, they both knew for a creature to lie to the Princesses' faces meant they really had no other option. Before they could ask why what he was and why he lied the colt stood bolt upright as if something was coming. "Look out!" He shouted as a wall of flames flew towards the Library.
"Midnight!!!" Twilight screamed after watching him push her out of the way and jumping headfirst into the flames. What she didn't expect was what followed, the flames turned a sky-blue and vanished like they were being consumed by the young unicorn. "I guess hiding isn't an option anymore..." The colt said as he dispelled the transformation magic revealing his half-breed self. "Princesses of the Sun and Moon, I will explain the purpose of my deception later. First I must attend to the ruffian outside." Midnight said as he took off from the Library in the manner only a Dragon could.
So I said there would be a fight scene, I didn't notice until I ran through it twice that I can't write them for spit so... play this and enjoy a very one sided fight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH9u3wpmxwA&feature=related
"Ah, so the mutt finally shows itself! I figured that attempting to harm your bitch mother would draw you from hiding." The large silver-blue dragon spoke these words loud enough that all of Ponyville could hear him. "Silverfang! I refuse to allow any harm to come to these beings! Your actions have tainted the once proud name of the Skyfyre!" Midnight shouted his anger boiling. "Oh I'm so scared of you mutt! If you have even half the power your father claimed you did, than why haven't you released it!" Silverfang said mockingly.
"Be careful what you wish for scum..." Midnight's voice becoming cold and distant as he spoke those words, and even more bloodthirsty when he speaks the following "You won't like when you get it." The halfbreed began to writhe in pain as his body glowed fiercely causing Sliverfang to float backwards a bit. When he realized what was going on it was too late, the dragon king's seal had appeared above Midnight. "No! You can't have that kind of power! You can't have his power!" Silverfang's voice was filled with fear as he shouted his statements in utter denial of what was unfolding before him. "The powers of my Father and Mother flows through my veins! In the name of my father Midnight Eclipse! I will make you suffer for what you've done!" As he shouted this the massive ring floating above him began to glow and spin violently glowing with a midnight colored energy that gave off the same subtle glow of unicorn magic.
"You can't use that! It's not possible! A mutt can't-" He was interrupted by the glowing ball of energy forming in front of Midnight's mouth the sheer power of the sphere caused most of the residents of the town below to faint from it's magical output. "It all ends here for you Silverfang! ETERNAL!!!" He vanished and appeared parallel between Silverfang and the town below so the blast wouldn't harm it's residents. "ECLIPSE CANNON!!!" As he shouted the final part he released the sphere and with it the energy he had gathered in the ring causing anyone who saw the attack, to swear they saw a Black colored sun to shoot up into the sky with it's victim in tow.
music should end here.
"Those who assault the weak shall all face the wrath of the eternal eclipse." Midnight said in a slightly demonic voice as the massive energy sphere exploded upon reaching the atmosphere with enough force to actually shake the entire planet. His victory certain the Eclipse energy began to fade from him and as it did so did his strength, causing him to plummet towards the ground. He landed with a resounding thud but, luckily the eclipse energy managed to not fade completely until he landed keeping him alive. Though only just.
Damn. Sorry about leaving it in a cliff-hanger like this but, writers block is an evil thing. I was trying my flank off to push through it and get as much as I can. Don't worry I'm giving her all she's got capn' and I'll have a new chapter up as soon as possible. In the meantime, read, comment, submit ideas. Do whatever your little brony hearts desire except, grammar Nazi me seeing as I have dyslexia and I know I screw up! Till next time, stay 20% cooler my friends.
Chapter 4: The Child of Fate
Right, first off thought I would say hello and drop this disclaimer. I do not claim ownership of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic or any other reference contained within this story. The story itself has been highly influenced by others on this great site and beyond so if you see a reference to your character or story, take heart in knowing that your story was so awesome that I felt it had an affect on mine. I only lay claim to the Characters: Midnight Sparkle, Midnight Eclipse, Silverfang, and Starlight Bahamut. Though Bahamut is trademarked to Square-Enix and the incredibly awesome Final Fantasy Series, the Starlight variant is a fan created one I made up. With the Red tape out of the way, enjoy.
"Midnight Sparkle, can you hear my voice calling to you from the abyss?" A gentle voice spoke as Midnight wandered his new surroundings, a blank wasteland devoid of light and life. "Does this mean I no longer exist? Did I save them?" Midnight said into the darkness as he remembered the spell he used dispelled the red clouds as it destroyed Silverfang, The Eternal Eclipse Cannon. A spell of immense and terrible power. "Your task has been completed young Halfling but, we sense that your life's eclipse shall not come just yet." As the voice spoke a light had appeared before Midnight causing to cover his eyes in pain.
Midnight had regained his vision to see a strange glowing sphere suspended in the pillar of light. "If you accept this power, you shall return to the world of the living if you desire. Be mindful that as you have prevented your timeline's occurrence you must speak to the one who means enough to you to erase yourself in her dreams and ask her to aid you." Midnight approached the orb and realized what the voice meant but, wanted to be clear. "I wish to clarify your meaning, as I should no longer exist the one way to return is to ask my former mother to bring me back of her own accord?!" Midnight's voice trembled as he hoped that the voice did not mean she would half to endure the pain she had the first time. When he thought this he felt Twilight's and his mind connect as he wished to explain why he was determined to spare her the suffering at the cost of his own life.
The following is the story of Midnight Sparkle from his conception to the events already witnessed. It may be slightly unfit for the faint of heart so if you wish to avert your eyes do so now.
As she was considered the greatest threat to the Dragon invasion, the greatest of the Dragon generals Midnight Eclipse was sent along with Silverfang to find and spiritually break The greatest source of hope the ponies had... Twilight Sparkle, her raw magic potential putting even the royal alicorn sister's combined might to shame. As an example of their power Midnight Eclipse tore Twilight's Magic from her and in an final act that would lead to Midnight Sparkle's birth he claimed her as his prize and took her as a conquering male did their female captives. He deflowered her publicly in an attempt to completely destroy all hope within the equestrian army... and he succeeded.
Soon after the invasion had began and ended with no bloodshed as the Royal sisters surrendered on the grounds that no ponies be slain at the hands of dragons. The current Dragon King, Starlight Bahamut agreed to these terms and demanded in return that a dragon may kill a pony if that pony threatened it's life. The sisters were forced to agree in attempts to prevent all out war. Which for a time they succeeded. Several months later a coup was staged upon Starlight Bahamut by the dragon Silverfang, who then nullified the former King's treaty with the ponies forcing them into slavery or death. The Royal sisters attempted to reason with the Dragon but were quickly defeated and if not for Celestia's sacrifice Luna would have perished that day and Equestria would have died completely.
Luna took on her duties in the memory of her sister and from the moon did as she was instructed, keep the moon and sun moving so that one day the ponies on the world below would have peace again. With a heavy heart Luna did as she was told using the powers of the ancient beings known as the Eidolins to give her the strength for her task. These beings gave Luna a prophecy, that one day the son of Twilight Sparkle and the Rebel Dragon would change the destiny of Equestria preventing this harsh future, and on that day the Eidolins would no longer answer her call as they would aid the child in his quest.
As the Eidolins foretold the Red Clouds known now as Dragon's Gate appeared above Ponyville seven years after their prophecy was given. The strange thing was that the Dragon that should have entered along with Silverfang, Midnight Eclipse did not enter. Instead the Half-Breed known as Midnight Sparkle went in his stead. With a bow and an angelic voice a massive glowing bird appeared before Luna. "Princess of the Moon, we the Eidolins grant you our final gift. With your connection to the event's beginning we shall take flight to the past and defend your world from it's invaders. We will give you this gift in the past. You will see it as a dream but, you must speak to yourself from this time with my power. The boy Midnight Sparkle will succeed in his quest but, he will need a new reason to live as his will be destroyed by the altering of time. This is our request... Give him the will to live."
The flashback ends here, if your wondering why I gave this particular view on the events, it was due to the fact this was the Eidolins showing their memories to Midnight and Twilight. As they were with Luna the whole time they did not see the events of Twilight's life firsthand.
"I want to protect them... All of them." Midnight said as he felt life returning to his body. A tearful Twilight sitting at his bedside, she had cried herself to sleep knowing the reason he had not woken in three days was not due to a coma but, his body being claimed by the altering of time. She raised her head after hearing him stir to have both a look of sheer joy and disbelief combine on her face. She went to hug him but, was interrupted by the glowing golden bird Eidolin from the vision. "Child of fate, as this new life given at the cost of the old is now separate from it's original form you must decide... will you accept the gift we offer you?" The bird held out a shining sphere much like the elements of harmony when they were discovered by Twilight and her friends so long ago.
Midnight could only nod knowing that this would give him the chance to stay close to the one he had risked his own death to protect. "Then in the name of the Eidolin I bestow on you the Title, Midnight Sparkle the Element of Courage and wielder of our endless might." As the golden bird said this it flew into Midnight's chest along with the element of courage causing a bright light to envelop him. When it subsided Twilight stood in awe of Midnight's new form. He was a midnight blue colt with his traditional dragon wings his wings had taken the lavender coloring of Twilight in reminder of his purpose and were tipped with three horns similar to Twilight's on the middle of each wing. They would however shine in different colors upon his use of magic.
The cutie mark he received was the most curious as it appeared to be an image of the Golden bird flying upwards from a magical sphere, the same as his pendant which held the element of courage. "Listen well child of fate, I have imbued you with my might. The power to call forth the Eidolins from their ancient slumber will aid you in times of need. With the power of the Guardian Force(Nod to FFVIII), you will be able to achieve the goal you have given yourself. To defend life. Now go forth and live your life has you had always wanted... Happily." The angelic voice spoke in a caring and loving tone. Though it spoke using Midnight as a link so that only Midnight and Twilight could hear.
Following the voice's advice Midnight hopped from the bed and held the door open so that Twilight could walk through it first. After he walked through and closed the door the voice spoke again though it was now conversing with another. "I will do my best to prepare him for what is to come. You have my word." The Golden bird's voice rang out though it was unable to be heard by the ponies of Ponyville. "Our greatest challenge is nearing Quezacotl, he must be ready." What sounded like a commanding male voice said. "Do not worry Odin, he will be ready. Remember the rules of these lands are different, the bonds he will form will only serve to increase his strength not hinder it." The golden bird's voice said in an intellectual and reassuring manner. "We will see." Odin said in an unsure tone before the two rejoined their comrades inside of Midnight's spirit giving their powers to him.
I believe this book is done, so without further delay let me thank you all for reading. I would especially like to thank those individuals who's comments have helped me fix up the story and make it even better. I'm thinking about making a sequel to this one but, that will have to wait till after I finish The librarian and her knight in crimson armor. So if you want the sequel to this more let me know. I can't read minds but, I can read comments!
Honorable mentions: Thanks to Shao for helping me close the plot-hole in chapter one and to everyone who read this book and commented. Thanks to Lauren Faust and Hasbro for creating My little pony friendship is magic, and Square-Enix for creating the Final Fantasy series. Thanks to fimfiction.net for allowing me to display my creativity here so that all could enjoy it. Finally thanks to you the one reading this, thank you for giving me and my dyslexic/A.D.D. riddled brain a chance to entertain you if only for a few moments. With best regards, Camlio Skyfyre.(If you can't tell that's my pen-name)
