...OK, maybe everything's not over yet. The previous chapter is technically the ending of the story. This is more of a bonus chapter, kind of like the final chapter of "Chopper of Clara". You can also say that this is a little preview of what to expect in the future! That, and ending on sixty-seven chapters feels a little off to me for some reason.

Chapter 68: A Thousand Years Later

"Professor Frankly!"

"Whuzzat? What?" an old, brown Goomba with thick, spiral glasses pale brown hair, and dark brown feet looked around in a bewildered as several people had entered his house. The house itself wasn't that big, being covered by a wooden, brown floor and walls. There was a desk in front of him with a few books, and several shelves were on the walls too.

As for the people who had stepped in... The first one was a pink, female Goomba wearing a light green helmet with a light installed, along with the same colored shirt and a red scarf. Another thing that made her stand out was the blonde ponytail.

The second figure was smaller than her, being a pale green rounded figure. He had oval-shaped eyes, a pair of black thin antennae that curved back, two stubby arms with white gloves with sock-like cuffs, and forest green feet.

The third figure was around the same size as the second, along with having the same eyes, gloves and cuffs. But unlike him, he was yellow, and his head had a pair of white angelic wings. Unlike the second figure, he had gray legs, although they were short.

The fourth figure was a pink color, and she wore a red sleeveless shirt with a gray, triangular center that went below her waist. Tied up around her waist was a pale pink sash, and she also had a pale pink scarf to boot. She also sported golden rings on her wrists with four rubies embedded in them, along with white gloves. This girl also had long, deep pink hair that went down to the top of her red boots. She was also equipped with gray tights ending an inch or two above her knees.

The fifth figure was mostly round, except for the pointy portion on the top of his head. He was covered in brown fur, and on his hands were large, white cuffs with gloves sporting two spikes. His feet, meanwhile, had blue shoes with a red stripe, while above his shoes were green cuffs.

The sixth figure was as round as the second, but unlike him, his hands didn't sport fingers, and he had blue and black eyes, rosy cheeks, and a pink body. His feet were much like the second's only his was a red color.

The seventh figure was taller than most of the group, being blue with quills, white gloves with sock-like cuffs, and red shoes with the same cuffs, a white stripe and yellow buckle on them. He also had green eyes, a black nose, and a cocky-looking grin to boot.

The eighth figure was obviously the most out-of-place, being the tallest and wearing a red orange suit that resembled armor. It was detailed, having broad shoulders, a green visor, and a cannon attached to the right arm.

Finally, the ninth figure was a round, pale green ghost wearing two bows on the side of her head. Also in her possession was a pink and purple fan.

"Who are you people? And did someone just call me?" Frankly asked.

"Professor Frankly! It's me! Goom-"

"No, wait! Hold on! ...Ah, yes. You. Now, you, uhh... I do believe I've seen your face before. No, don't tell me! I've got this!" the old Goomba looked away, as if he were pondering. "No... I don't think it's Goombriel... Ummm... It's not Elizagoom... Hrrrmmm... Errmmm..."

"Is he usually like this?" the second figure asked.

"Well... Uhhh..."

"Oh, wait! I got it!" Frankly declared, turning to the female Goomba. "You're Goombella, right? You were in my archaeology class last year!"

"Yeah! That's me! I'm Goombella, a junior at U Goom! Goooo GOOMBAS!"

"Of course it was you. Not to toot my horn... But I'm good at remembering."

"But you were just taking the time to remember-"

"Ah! I think I recognize who those people are!" Frankly grinned, cutting the third figure off. "...Who are they?"

The others nearly fell over on their faces in response to this.

"These are people who come from different universes! ...Well, most of them, I think."

"Different universes? How interesting? And why have they come here?"

"To find some Crystal Stars!" the second figure declared, raising an arm in the air.

"Yeah, I've got a map on them," the fourth figure informed, showing the professor the map.

"This map... I don't believe it! It really is the map to the real deal! But how could you have such as thing?!"

"Well... It's kind of hard to explain..."

As the fourth figure began to explain what was going off, the second kind of dozed off for a bit and took a look at the book shelves. Though not really much of a reader, it didn't hurt to take a look at what this Professor Frankly had!

He ended up taking out one book at random and opened it. There weren't many pages, but there were words on it, to be sure.

Except... Well, he wasn't much of a reader.

"Ummmm... Flyer? Can you read this?" the second figure asked.

"Chopper, you should be paying attention to what's being explained," Flyer scolded.

"But... I kinda wanna see what this says." Chopper frowned.

"Well all right..."

Taking the book from his friend, he started to read through it.

I can't believe it's been so long since I've come back to this world... The last time I was here, there were some pretty disastrous things that occurred. However... There were some pretty good memories that came out of it all! Not only did I get to meet some new friends... But I also met her.

To think our relationship would've began all because she had been captured. Kind of funny, honestly... Once we got a chance to journey around the world, we eventually headed back home. Things really did change when we got there. But in the end, things worked out for us. I'm surprised how well our relationship was for how long we've been together.

Eventually that time came, and we got married and had a son and daughter. Their names are Cloude and Rose. ...Yeah, Lilia came up with the names. We ended up passing down our weapons to them, and boy did they like using them! They might turn out better fighters than us!

But I eventually came back here... And you have no idea what I just found. I might have to go back and check the next day. I'll probably write it down then. But until then... I'll just look at the photo I have below.

"What else does it say?" Chopper asked.

"...There's nothing else on the page," Flyer stated, but his attention was drawn to the photo below the writing. "But this picture... Take a look at this, Chopper."

Chopper took the journal from him and got a look at the picture. There, he saw an old photo of seven figure smiling.

"I don't know why... But that one wearing the green hat kind of looks like you..." Flyer remarked.

"Really? I don't see it... But that one round guy looks kind of like Kirby! ...Oh, and that spiky guy looks kind of like Sonic! ...And that one person in that heavy stuff looks like Samus! ...But I have no idea who the heck those other two are. Same with that girl... Was that who the writing was talking about?"

"I'm not so sure... But do you think you guys might be related to these people in the photo?"

"I...don't know," Chopper frowned, putting the journal back onto the shelf, and just in time for the fourth figure to finish her explanation.

"That's an interesting story..." Frankly remarked. "I think I just might be able to help you... Everyone come over here and listen carefully."

Everyone else complied with him and approached the old Goomba. Taking a deep breath, his long explanation began to come out from his old mouth.