A New Dawn's Rising
By Tony Caline

    Lights. They could be seen for miles, stretching as far as the eye could possibly see. Across the land, banners were raised, fireworks were set off, and a multitude of celebrations emerged with plans to last for -hours-. Throughout the streets of a downtown metropolis, bands marched, performers played to the best of their ability, and robotic soldiers plodded on with perfect synchronization, the portrayers of perfect discipline. In the center of all of this joy, a lone vehicle, driven by a common taxicab driver, slowly moved forward with the proceedings. Sitting atop of it was a man who was reknowned for his prestige, his leadership, and his gentleman-like qualities. Dressed in a type of presidential garb, the 'notorious' Dr. Eggman stood tall, and waved to the masses of adoring fans who lined the streets of his most prestigious city in the world.

    Why were the people adoring such a mad scientist? Why did they even think about throwing such an event for a man whom ran amok for years, using destructive means to gain the reigns of the world? It was very simple, actually; The man had just won the recent election. After 4 years of having been in control of the world, the people wanted more! The victory was nothing short of a landslide. Dr. Eggman, the greatest scientist in the world, was set to be the greatest ruler OF the world for 4 more years.

    The man's fellow competitors were beginning to wonder if it was all even worth it. Why try to campaign against a leader who the public could -not- get enough of? During his entire stay in the world governed office, there had been no more strife. No more wars were needed to be fought, for all countries had found peace upon being united as one. No more did the hungry suffer, for the man's keen intellect sought out solutions to bring food to their tables. No more was the world deprived of finances, for the Doctor's leadership provided money for all underneath his dazzling emblem. There were no more problems. The world was happy, and so was he, that man who had tried so hard time and time again to place his name in the history books. With his success four years ago, it was clear to all that the next four would certainly provide the best leadership once again.

    Standing amidst the people who had adored him, it became pretty clear to Dr. Eggman that the goal he had worked so hard to accomplish had really paid off. The moment he had seized control, and got things moving according to plan, his troubles with the law simply vanished from the face of the earth. He didn't just get them off of his back; He -became- the law. He -was- the ultimate authority. How funny that when granted with this newfound power he didn't even -consider- abusing it as many had so thought that he would. He used it as only a great leader would, and he was happy, as were the people who supported his every move.

    Watching the proceedings from afar were the heroes whom always attempted to stop him from achieving such a goal. Atop of the nearest building to the event, Sonic the Hedgehog looked onward. The foe he had tried so many times to stop had succeeded in attaining the highest power, and since that time, things haven't been the same. But it was in a good way. After some time had passed, the hedgehog had come to accept this new authority. He certainly had respect for the Doctor, and as the years passed on, his friends soon came to feel the same way for the scientist. A small smile on his face, as well as the face of his long time rival, suggested nostalgia for the days of old, when they both fought against eachother to the best of their abilities. Truth be told, once the Doctor had entered office, he and the hedgehog had not seen eachother personally since. Only from afar would the hedgehog gaze upon his former foe, and only from the comfort of his office would the doctor view the occaisional TV report about the speedy blue blur.

    The hedgehog sighed as a little red light shone upon the Emblem of Eggman, which lay wrapped around his wrist. He turned to his friends, and motioned for them to follow. As the sole crime fighters for Dr. Eggman's government, they had a job to do, and could not continue to watch the proceedings, as much as they would have liked to. A few building hops later, they had vanished into the night.

    As confetti and streamers continued to pour upon the streets of the excited metropolis, Dr. Eggman simply -beamed-. His dream had most certainly come to fruition, and he had expected it to stay that way for years to come. The people adored him, and the morale of his dream utopia was never better. The happiness that swelled up inside of him was quite possibly the best thing he had ever felt, and he didn't want it to end. The celebration, and the happiness, would continue throughout the night, and well into the next day, for banners everywhere across the globe would sport one simple sentence: "EGGMAN EMPIRE LIVES ON!"

    ---

    The Doctor suddenly jerked into conciousness, and glanced about his control room. He had dozed off during the nightly watch of his security cameras around his base. All was quiet, only the hum of all the machinery around him keeping him company as they continued their endless tasks. Dr. Eggman groaned slightly as he sat up fully in his chair, and began typing swiftly atop of his keyboard. Resuming programming work as usual, the doctor reflected upon the dream he had experienced during the night. Was he mournful that it was not yet to be?

    No. All Eggman could really do was smile brightly from ear to ear. Just because he had yet to achieve his goal did not mean he had to sit and mope about it. Oh no, the scientific genius, with the IQ of 300, would not stop for anything until he had accomplished the dream he so strived for all these years. He -would- reach the achievement he desired, no matter -what- got in the way.

    "It will definitely happen," the Doctor said to himself as he worked deligently on a piece of code. "I -will- achieve my greatest ambition. This world will see their true leader, and when they do, I'll take it to the -top-. Dr. Eggman... will rule! The Eggman Empire... -will- live on."

    Dr. Eggman took one sip from a coffee mug that was off to his side, and resumed the hard work on the dream he so wished to fulfill.