Ever since I say that little ditty by Thought (How the Enix Stole Christmas), it inspired me to write my own. Actually, like Thought, it’s more like I heavily borrowed it from another famous poem. Still, I found it fun to write, and I hope you find it fun to read. Enjoy.
P.S. I am submitting this formally for the Winter Fragments contest, if it’s not too early.
“Crimson Echoes on the ‘Net”* * * * * *The outlook wasn’t brilliant for Kajar Labs that day
The programming was almost done with but one beta test left to play
But when Square Enix reared its head as Chrono fans gave acclaim
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast.
They thought, if only CE could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with CE at the bat.
But Cross preceded CE, as did also Radical Dreamers,
And the former was official while the latter was from schemers,
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy lay,
For there seemed but little chance of CE ever being played.
But Cross turned out to be awesome, to the expectations of fans,
And Dreamers, though mostly text-based, was equally as grand,
And when the dust had lifted, and the fans saw what had gone on,
There was Dreamers safe online and Cross a-holding strong.
Then from a million throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the game stores, it rattled in the Dell (computers),
It flew across the oceans and recoiled upon the ‘net,
For CE, mighty CE, was about to earn its rep.
There was fun in CE’s manner as it equaled Trigger’s style,
There was substance in CE's storyline that made many a fan smile
And when, responding to the cheers, it introduced with ease,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas CE here to please.
A million eyes were on it as it showed its custom sprites
A million tongues applauded as they watched it through the night.
Then while Square Enix hired some lawyers within its hips,
Defiance gleamed in Kajar Labs, sneers curled their collective lips.
And now a C&D letter came hurtling through the air,
And Kajar Labs stood watching it in haughty grandeur there.
For it had attached a readme file and the contents within read:
"Rom hacking is indeed illegal". "Strike one," Square Enix said.
From the internet, swarming with fans, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm waves on a stern and distant shore.
"Kill them! Kill Square Enix!" went a flame war on the web
And it's likely they’d have killed them had not Kajar Labs raised its head.
With a smile of Christian charity, great CE's visage shone;
They stilled the rising tumult; they bade the game go on;
They confronted with Square Enix, and again the legalities flew,
But CE still ignored it, and Square Enix said, "Strike two."
"Fraud!" cried the maddened millions, and echo answered fraud;
But one scornful look from Kajar Labs, and the audience was awed.
They saw their faces grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that CE wouldn't let Square Enix try again.
The sneer is gone from Kajar Labs, their teeth are clenched up tight.
CE pounds out with violence its innovation left and right!
And now Square Enix holds its letter, and now its lets it go!
And now the web is shattered by the force of CE's blow!!
Oh, somewhere in the outside world, there is justice to be had,
The band is playing somber tunes, and somewhere hearts are sad,
And somewhere fans are sobbing, and somewhere fans do frown,
For there is no joy in the Chrono franchise — mighty CE was struck down.
