Princess Sally,

            In the village of Knothole, peaceful animals lie slumbering, their dreams filled with the hopes of a bright future. A blue sky, their kingdom rebuilt.

            My death.

            You have no idea what was about to befall your people. After years, I have finally found your cursed village. The radio transmitter lied in my hand, waiting for the one word that would have destroyed this village, this blemish on my kingdom. Attack.

            But, now for the first time I hesitate. Never before have I been reluctant to start an attack.

            But that was before I saw Christina.

            A few minutes ago, a wide-eyed little fox came wondering up to me just outside of their village. Even after I pulled my gun on her, she remained calm. I was curious, so I asked her the obvious question.

            "Why aren't you afraid? Don't you know who I am?"

            She stared at me calmly, and a smile spread across her face. Then she spoke. And it's the most honest answer I've ever heard in my life. I still wish I hadn't heard it. It has shaken everything, every belief I have built my life on.

            "Yeah, but why should that matter?"

            She lies dead somewhere in the forest now. I had aimed for her head, but I'm afraid my aim is not what it once was. She lied gasping for air as her lungs failed for several minutes. Her last words were not lost on me then, or now.

            "It's ok. You did what you had to do. I'll be with my mommy now."

            In the past, I would have been...proud of this accomplishment. But now I question my motives for the first time. For what reason did I take over Mobotropolis? Power? I was the leader of an army that could have easily crushed anyone. Money? Before the coup, I had almost as much money as Sir Charles Hedgehog, the richest person on Mobius before I took control. Am I really nothing more then just a killer? Am I not a great scientist, not a ruler of a robotic people, but a ruthless killer giving the controls to an entire civilization, save for a small few, by pure accident?

            ...I'm starting to think this is exactly what I am. For the first time I am being forced to confront my actions. And all I can say is my god, what have I done?

            For half a score of years I have made the rivers and waters in Mobotropolis run black with toxins, oils, and garbage. No longer will this be so. I'm leaving princess. You have your city again. Rule well. And remember, Knowledge is Power. Power Corrupts.

Dr. Julian Kintobor

Robotnik