Sir Charles Hedgehog hummed to himself as he walked down a hallway inside Mobius Institute, a research facility that was built as an add-on to Acorn Castle in the years following the war with Robotnik. As a result of the facility being built, many advances in technology had been achieved as a result of not only Charles's contributions, but others who were employed there.

As he walked, Charles saw other scientists and greeted them before reaching his destination - the main lab. Entering, he saw more of his colleagues hard at work on various tasks and a smile appeared on his face at the enthusiasm he saw from them. Glancing around the lab, his eyes fell on a familiar face - a male, violet walrus adorned in a lab coat and sitting at a desk, humming as he looked through a book. 'Rotor,' he thought to himself as he began to walk to the walrus, his smile remaining on his face.

Rotor's world-class engineering skills as well as his expert knowledge of mechanics and technology were invaluable assets both during and after the war. After Robotnik was defeated, Rotor lent his skills to the building of the institute and also became one of its top scientists upon completion.

Charles approached Rotor and saw the walrus was so into the book he was reading that he didn't notice him standing beside him. "Lost in thought Rotor?"

Hearing the voice and his name, Rotor looked up from his book and saw Charles. "Oh, Uncle Chuck!"

"Hello, my boy," Charles said, grinning. "How're things going?"

"Things are going fine, sir," the walrus replied.

"Very good," said Charles before he looked around, seeing everyone working hard. "Everyone appears to be in high spirits."

Rotor nodded. "That they are."

A chuckle came from Charles as he placed his hands in the pockets of his lab coat. "I'm sure the announcement of Sally's pregnancy has played a part in it."

"Oh boy yeah!" Rotor said, a huge smile coming to his face. "I'm so happy for them both!"

"Likewise," said Charles. "Words can't begin to say how happy I am for them." He laughed softly under his breath. "Heh, I'm gonna have a great niece or great nephew."

Rotor laughed as well at the thought. "It's so cool, isn't it?"

Charles nodded. "Indeed. There's going to be a new edition to our family."

"A little prince or princess," said Rotor.

Charles's smile grew as he thought of his nephew. "Sonny, a father. Didn't think I would live to see this day."

"Well, you have sir!" Rotor said, winking at him.

"I look forward to seeing if it's a boy or girl, like everyone else is I'm sure," said Charles.

"Me too," said Rotor. "It's so exciting. A prince or princess to arrive in less than nine months!"

"Yes," said Charles. "Such exciting news."

A thought then came to Rotor. "Hey, what if they end up having twins? Now that'd be awesome!"

Charles chuckled again. "That'd definitely be something to see. And I can see the look on Sonny's face now - expecting to have just one baby but having two instead."

"He either faint in shock or be like..." Rotor cleared his throat and did his best impression of Sonic. "'Way past cool! I'm a father twice!'"

Charles couldn't help but laugh. "That's Sonny Boy for you."

Rotor laughed as well before turning his attention back to the book he was reading from, putting it to the side and beginning to work on the small machine he had sitting in front of him. "Sonic did mention to me when I spoke with him earlier that he and Sally will be attending an ultrasound with Dr. Quack tomorrow to see how the baby's doing. He sounded like a kid at Christmas!"

"He's happy and excited, as we all are," said Charles.

"Oh, for sure!" said Rotor. "In my opinion, Sonic's gonna be a great dad. Well, he and Sally were practically parental figures to the younger ones when we were hiding in Knothole, especially to Tails and Cream."

"Yes," said Charles as he had a seat at the table beside Rotor. "I remember those days well."

Rotor couldn't help but look at Charles, taking in the fact that he's no longer the robot he was during the war. "I have to admit Chuck, even those it's been years since the fact, seeing you in flesh again, it's a blessing. Especially after all the years you spent in that robotic shell."

"Yes," said Charles as he looked down at one of his hands. "This is something that to this day I didn't think would come to pass."

"Do you ever have nightmares of the days of war against Robotnik?"

A couple of gasps are heard from some of the scientists in the room as they overheard Rotor's question.

"I can't deny it Rotor," Charles began with a sigh. "Yes, from time to time. Even after all these years...those days still haunt me."

"I don't blame you," said Rotor, the tone in his voice changing to a somber one. "Half of the slaves freed suffered from terrible PTSD...and some still think because the bodies of those evil creatures were never recovered..." The walrus shivered a bit. "Perish the thought..."

"Despite the fact that they were never found, even if they were the chances of them surviving this long is impossible," said Charles. "Take my word for it, my boy, they're gone."

Rotor nodded. "Yeah...well, we along with GUN searched the place after it got blown sky high and found nothing...so they both must have been obliterated...its more than they deserve, if you ask me!"

"After all they put Mobius through, I'm inclined to agree," said Charles.

"Some of the Freedom Fighters wish they had been captured, tortured and executed..." Rotor said, gulping after his last statement.

Charles sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Sadly, it's to be expected, especially after what they did."

"Uh huh," said Rotor as he began to connect two wires. As soon as the wires made contact with each other, they made a slight bang that made both him and Charles jump. "Yikes!"

Charles nearly lost his balance in his chair before regaining his composure and looking at the machine in front of Rotor, seeing a small mushroom cloud rise from it as a result of the mini explosion. "What was that Rotor?"

"Trying to put together the wires for this little dohicky!" the walrus replied as he started to rapidly wave his hands at the cloud. A couple other scientists walked over to assist him.

Charles stood and assisted in waving off the smoke. "If I may ask, what is it you're working on Rotor?"

"It's something I've been working on for a while," said Rotor as he pulled out a remote control from his lab coat pocket. "Something that should help keep order in Mobotropolis."

A look of interest appeared on the hedgehog's face. "Oh really? And what would that be?"

"Basically, this remote controls several drones," said Rotor. "They may look basic, but these drones have x-ray and heat sensors so there's nowhere to hide. It means we can be more successful in finding Mobians, either hiding, trapped or lost."

"Ah, I see," said Charles, a look of approval appearing on his face as he thought of Rotor's concept. "That's quite an invention Rotor."

"Thanks Chuck!" said Rotor. "I've been working a long time on this! And if it's approved, not only will the royal family but GUN could find it very useful!"

A smile came to Charles's face. "This is monumental Rotor. I could see this going very far and possibly changing the world for the better."

"You really think so?" Rotor asked, a gleam in his eye. "Man, I really do hope so. It's a work in progress and I need to run a few more tests, but this device can help search for Mobians trapped or even find criminals that are hiding. I guess...I was inspired by those who still think..." His voice dropped to a whisper. "...Robotnik is out there as he was never found. But this can help! It'll make sure there's nowhere to hide or to be lost."

Charles gave Rotor a proud smile and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's an excellent idea Rotor. I truly do have high hopes about this. It has a lot of potential."

"Thanks Chuck," said Rotor, returning the hedgehog's smile. "I'll do all I can to see this through, complete this project and show what it's capable of and all the good it can do."

"I'm sure you will, my boy," said Charles, extending his free hand to him. "And I'll do what I can to help you achieve your dream of making this a reality."

Rotor smiled as he took Charles's hand in his. "Thanks Chuck. That means a lot to me."

Later that evening, Rotor had made plans to meet with his family for dinner. His mother Georgette had relocated herself as well as his younger brother to Mobotropolis from Iceborough to be closer to him and to start life over in the home she once knew before Robotnik's invasion all those years ago.

Rotor hummed to himself as he arrived at the house his mother and brother share. "Here we are." He straightened out his shirt before ringing the doorbell. A few seconds later, the door opened and a smile appeared on Rotor's face as he saw a young, male purple walrus on the other side. "Skeeter! Hey little brother!"

"Rotor!" Skeeter said, beaming with happiness. "Hey big bro!"

"Heya! I hope I'm not too early," said Rotor. "I was able to clock off a little sooner. How's Ma?"

"She's great!" Skeeter answered. "We actually just finished putting dinner together so you're just in time!"

"Awesome!" said Rotor before he got a whiff of the aroma emitting from inside the house. "Oh boy, something sure does smell good!"

Skeeter stepped to the side, giving way for his brother. "Come on in!"

"Thanks!" said Rotor as he entered the house. As he did, he looked around and took note of how the house was decorated as he always did, his eyes falling on the many pictures that were hung up on the walls that prominently showed not only him, his mother and brother but also his father Sherman.

"Mom!" said Skeeter as he closed the front door and followed behind his brother. "Rotor's here!"

"What? He's here already? Wonderful!"

Rotor's smile grew as he heard the voice of his mother and he walked with Skeeter into the kitchen where he saw a middle-aged female purple walrus with flowing blonde hair doing some last-minute touchups to the dinner table. "Hey Ma!"

"Oh Rotor! My dear son!" said Georgette happily as she walked over and embraced him. Rotor returned the hug while Skeeter grinned from the side.

"My darling boy, how're you today?" Georgette asked as she pulled away from the hug. "How was work today? Have you heard any more news from Prince Sonic and Princess Sally about their child? Such joyful news!"

"I'm doing fine Ma, all's been going good," said Rotor. "And yes, it has been happy news for us all. But no, I haven't heard anything else from them as far as the baby goes, just that Sally has an appointment with Dr. Quack for an ultrasound."

"I see," said Georgette. "I'm sure everything will go well and I'm excited to hear what gender the baby will be!" She then motioned to the kitchen table. "Have a seat! Dinner's all ready!"

"Yeah!" Skeeter piped in. "Me and Mom cooked up a lot together!"

Rotor chuckled. "I could tell before I even knocked on the front door. And thanks, don't mind if I do!"

After Rotor took a seat, Georgette began to prepare plates with the food she and Skeeter cooked together and started to serve them on the table. "Here we are! Hope you're hungry!"

"Oh, I sure am!" said Rotor. "Your food's always the best Ma!"

"Sure is!" Skeeter added as he saw down next to Rotor.

Georgette smiled softly. "You both are too kind!" She finished serving before preparing her own plate and having a seat herself. "Dig in, both of you!"

"Thanks mom!" said the brothers before they began to eat.

Georgette grinned before she began to eat as well, feeling satisfied and proud as she sees her sons enjoying her cooking.

"Mmm, this is delicious Ma!" said Rotor.

"Yeah! It came out really good!" Skeeter said after swallowing the food he had in his mouth.

"Thanks so much boys!" said Georgette. "So Rotor, how're things going at the institute?"

"Things are going great Ma," said Rotor after taking another bite. "Actually, had many ideas come to me for many ideas for the future."

That got Georgette's attention. "Really? Like what?"

"It's just a thought and a work in progress right now..." said Rotor. "...but I had an idea that could benefit all of Mobius."

"You did?" Skeeter asked, his curiosity growing. "What did you think up this time big bro?"

"It's a device that could help us find more Mobians, be they lost, hiding or trapped," Rotor answered.

"Oh wow, really?" Georgette asked excitedly. "That's amazing!"

"Yeah! That's really cool bro!" said Skeeter.

"Once it's perfected, will you present it to the King?" Georgette asked. "Or President Chandler and GUN perhaps?"

"Baby steps, Ma. Baby steps," Rotor said, chuckling. "It's a work in progress at the moment but yeah, if and when the time comes I'd love to present it to them and see what they think."

"They'd probably think it's an awesome idea!" said Skeeter.

"Agreed," said Georgette before the smile on her face was replaced with a frown. "If you had it those five years ago, there might have been a chance that we'd know for sure Robotnik and Snively were gone for good..."

Rotor nodded. "That's true. But Uncle Chuck reassured me that there's no way they could have survived. And even if they did, they wouldn't have lasted long."

"I do hope that's the case son," Georgette said with a sigh. "After everything that monster of an Overlander did to us...and our home...I still get nightmares sometimes."

"Uncle Chuck said the same thing to me earlier," said Rotor.

"Did he?" Georgette asked. "I can understand. Though I wasn't turned into a robot like he was, we both were under Robotnik's iron fist..."

Rotor couldn't help but sigh as he remembered those dark days. "I can only imagine how it was for you both, being mind-controlled slaves..."

Georgette nodded. "We had therapy for a while after we were returned to normal, but there were others who didn't get over the trauma...Even though things are better now, there are scars and wounds that'll never heal..."

"That's so true..." Rotor said, a sad tone in his voice. "When you and Skeeter were mind-controlled..."

"I'll never forget it," said Georgette. "But I've learned to come to terms with it..."

Looking at his older brother and mother looking so down, Skeeter made an attempt to try and lighten the mood.

"I've learned to come to terms with it too but look at the bright side guys!" said the younger walrus. "Everything turned out well in the end and we're all back together again!"

Georgette looked to her youngest son and couldn't help but smile. "That is true, my dearest. And I can't tell you how happy that makes me." She then looked back to Rotor. "And it's all thanks to Sonic, Sally, and to you too, along with the rest of the Freedom Fighters."

"We only did what was right Ma," said Rotor, smiling back at her. "And getting you two back was the best thing that could've ever happened, at least for me."

"And we couldn't be happier to be back," said Georgette as she raised her glass. "To you, my son. And to Sonic, Sally and the other Freedom Fighters."

"Yeah!" said Skeeter as he raised his glass, followed by Rotor.

"To us, freedom..." Georgette paused for a moment before looking over to a picture of Sherman that she had placed on the table. "...and to those who are no longer here."

The family all clinked their glasses together before taking a drink. Lowering his glass, Rotor looked over to the picture of his father. "Do you...do you think I made him proud?"

"For sure bro!" said Skeeter. "Pa's looking down on you right now and I bet he couldn't be even more proud of you if he tried!"

"I agree son," said Georgette, reaching over and placing a hand on Rotor's shoulder. "I'm sure he's just as proud of you as I am."

Hearing those words from his family meant the entire world to Rotor. Looking at his brother and mother, the two most important things in his life, he silently thanked them with a grateful smile. Afterwards, the family returned to enjoying their dinner, cherishing the time they had with one another.