The ferry was to soon return, after all of that trouble, but it was not a shame as it was a time when all needed to go back on their own, back home where they belonged as Frankly inquired. "So... You're leaving, then." Bowser and Kammy had headed off with Peach's promise of doing what Bowser asked from her for the moment fulfilled as Christian nodded with Ember in his hold, her family down to Marilyn as she actually called to tell Ember that she should be free to pursue her own home now and Doopliss would work out his debt with Twilight Town's people, Anya, Peach, Toadsworth there as well to wait for the ferry to come as Frankly nodded. "Well, that's too bad... Having you all around really did wonders for my research..." Goombella added in as she spoke up.

"Aw, Professor, we'd never let you monopolize the band for your research, anyway! Besides, you said I could be your research assistant for next term!"

'Hrmm... Yes, that's right. And I thank you, Goombella." He turned back to the five there as he continued. "Christian... Even after you leave here, please don't forget about us, all right? And we, in return, will wish that you find all the best in the future."

"Never ever give up, you guys! That's the most important thing I learned from you... Thanks, guys. Just promise me you'll think of me now and again, OK?" They nodded as Koops was next, he clearing his throat to speak, but he still stammered.

"Ummm... guys... Thanks to you, I've found courage and inner strength, better than I expected to find. I don't know how to say this, but... I think I like myself more since I've known you all... And I feel like I've grown closer to my dad. It's all so hard to put into words... Ummmmm..." He rubbed his head as Flurrie joined in.

"My dear, dear Anya... I am ready to make my comeback in the theater now. I've found so many things on this journey that I can only express on stage... And with these new themes...I am so ready for that wonderful spotlight again! Please do come see me once we've finished rehearsing! And bring Peach too, dear!" Anya laughed as Mark was next as he exclaimed.

"Crusader... Oh, yeah, wait. I've gotta stop doing that. It's CHRISTIAN, right? Well... You'll always be Crusader to me, man! Because I was born in the Glitz Pit, and Crusader is, and always will be, the champ! So let's meet again, Crusader! I mean it, man!" He wasn't so strong in the first place as he wiped as his face, even when Anya gave him a hug to clam him down as Bobbery was next.

"Well, old boy... It was most agreeable that I had the chance to meet you... If not for you, then my dear Scarlette would still gaze down on a broken Bob-omb... But now, I'm off to sea again! I know Scarlette would have wanted it that way... Let's see each other again, great adventurer! And this time, let it be on the high seas, old boy!" Christian raised a thumb in agreeing as Ms. Mows spoke.

"Well, it is time for us to part, my little cheese-hunk. But I will not say farewell. Because... You're welcome here anytime. And since you're welcome, you should come anytime you please, sweeties! Now, be careful... and until we meet again... adieu." Toadsworth called out as he spotted the boat in the distance.

"Well, the boat's almost here..."

"GUYS!" The small band looked to see Punio and Petuni rushing over with Mushrooms above their heads before they came to a skidding stop as Punio huffed in relief.

"Ah, we made it just in time!"

"Take these with you!"

"We brought them so you'd have something to eat on the boat! Yummy!"

"These are VERY fresh Mushrooms!" Ember was released to pick up the two Mushrooms as Peach thanked them.

"Oh, how lovely! Thank you!" She took a moment to speak once more as she faced those who were there and wished that those that weren't could hear her words. "Everyone... If not for all of you, the world would have fallen into a horrible darkness. But your brave hearts strove for peace... ...and saved this world! I don't know how to thank you...but know that the entire world is in your debt!"

"What? Nonsense! We're the ones who should be thanking you, Princess!" Frankly answered as he pointed out the one thing that made all the difference. "If you hadn't come to our little town... We'd all be puppets for the Shadow Queen and Grodus! The thought gives me hives!"

"Ah! Look! Your Highness! I see the boat!" The three nodded as Peach bid them a final farewell for now.

"Take care, everyone! Farewell!" The boat arrived as the captain spoke up with lowering the gangplank for the boarding members.

"Oh, forgive my lateness, sir! I must have dozed off a bit! But please, come on board! I'll get you folks back at full steam!" He didn't make a head count as it was clear that Alex, nor AMethyst were part of the disembarking band, but nothing was said as the five members boarded the ship before the captain called out. "Set a course for the Mushroom Kingdom!" The boat raised the gangplank and headed off, leaving Rogueport behind as Peach mused to what members have been found to aid and who came along to find a new path for herself.

"They are all such lovely people, don't you think?"

"But of course, but I like the one beside me right now." Ember chuckled to Christian's statement as Anya turned to her princess in asking, Toadsworth dropping to doze inside the ship.

"Are you okay, Princess Peach...?"

"I don't have too many good memories of Rogueport, what with the kidnapping and all..." They nodded as Peach beamed at how alive the town was. "But it really is a vibrant town full of love for life, isn't it?" They nodded, though they were cutthroats and liars, there was a certain air of life to them that made all the difference as Peach continued. "Christian and Anya... I was very frightened when they took me. But... Well... TEC was really there for me and helped me get through it all. And I knew that you all would come to help me, as well... I always believe in that..." She beamed as she continued. "Thank you, all of you. I... Maybe I should listen to Toadsworth and behave more like a princess from now on..." They shrugged as the dawn's rays shined down on all of them and Peach beamed in glee at the sight before them. "MY friends! Look out there! Rogueport's positively shining! It's so beautiful!" It was quite the sight as the sun shined over Rogueport, making it glow in the morning sun, it was peaceful that no one would have remembered that there was once a vile force bent on conquer in the town and the ancient evil had risen to only face the justice of her liberators, the band led by the Koopa with the glass eye-patch and the mechanical arm...


The sound of wrenches went on as Amethyst watched as the new arm of Alexander's was made and fixed into place, its fingers flexing and moving before Reginald nodded and backed up. "That should do it!" Alex looked at his arm before grinning as he got up and moved it about before flexing it and smiling.

"Thanks, Dad, I love it!"

"I knew you would, I tried to stay close to the old model's appearance and features, but I had to remove some of the more impressive abilities to make it really work, so you can't just grapple away like your old arm did."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Alex and Reginald had gotten more closure because Amethyst wanted Alex to get a new arm to replace the Starry-chalcum one, it was a swift action of taking out the old model and fixing Alex back up on the Yawning Shell, Reginald's own airship for mobile deliveries, before they left for the Mushroom Kingdom ahead of the rest of the party as the Major hummed with putting his tools away from a job that lasted several weeks, the loss of the arm also had its issues as Alex couldn't seem to forget that he was back to one arm and often needed help, even got comfort from it with Amethyst becoming a permanent resident of the Major Shell's Workshop and Home, staying by his side and seeing him at his worse before making him better, a favor he often repaid in kind with training, guidance, advice, even friendly company. "Still, to think my little man got himself a good gal and even saved the world, one might even think that you are outpace your old man."

"Come on, Dad, it's not like that!" Another improvement was the banter, Alex was a silent and quiet person in the Workshop and only spoke when he was asked a question, he was able to open up fully with returning and getting some help and feedback from his adoptive father. The once-quiet halls of the Workshop were filled with laughter, jokes, and even challenges as Reginald laughed before he continued.

"But now that Princess Peach is safe, I guess everything's OK. Really, though, how amazing is it that you saved the world, just like that Mario guy? That is truly wild, my son." As for Samantha's tome, Ember had returned it to Alex and he stored it in display, under the picture of his childhood friend, another addition to the building as to remember her and give himself a face, a memory, and a gift to remember her by as his Booholder eye was back under the patch which could now be able to slide open at a whim, instead of taking it off every time, but he still did as it was a part of his routine to shower, sleep, and even work on small devices.

"It has been a while since then... Are you ready for a new adventure?"

"Nah, Amethyst, I'll leave the adventures to Mario right now, I had my fill from Rogueport for now." Both of the Koopas laughed as Alex mused. "Still, I wonder what everyone who traveled with me are up to?" The Mailbox SP went off as TEC's voice spoke.

"Master, you have a new message, it is from Goombella." Alex answered with flipping the Mailbox open with his new right arm.

"Really, well, let's hear it." The file was opened and TEC started to speak in Goombella's voice, having developed an audio to play back with different voices, makes him GREAT at finding those telemarketers and shutting them down within seconds.

"Dear Alex, What's up? Goombella here! I'm still here working with Professor Frankly. We beat the Shadow Queen, but there's tons of Rogueport lore we still don't get... So, my research with the professor goes on and on." They could only guess how much that was going to be as TEC continued.

"With the info I gathered with you, we have lots of great leads now, though! Alex... Like I always said, every myth contains a kernel of truth. Speaking of which, know what was in the chest that the professor recovered? You're totally not gonna believe me when I tell you. It's... A secret! Ha ha ha ha ha! But I'll tell you next time I see you." It continued as Goombella even had a log of where she had gone to in Rogueport. "As part of my research, I did go back to many of the places we visited... And I saw everyone we traveled with, too!" The first was Petalburg where Koops was doing something amazing right now.

"Koops is living peacefully in Petalburg with his dad and Koopie Koo. And, Alex... Guess what Koops wants to do now! He wants to become mayor of Petalburg and live there in peace! Can you imagine? Still, it might just be perfect for him, come to think of it. He's so much more of an adult now than when you left Rogueport! ...Still, I think Koopie Koo pretty much has him wrapped around her little finger!" There was a brief little message that she... may have ran into them by accident and could really tell the effect of Frostbite Dust in the room, it now banned from Petalburg until, as Kroop had added with Koops' father, 'those younglings better wise up before getting into that sort of commitment right now'. Still, it soon took Goombella to even Twilight Town as she continued.

"Flurrie's back on stage in a big way, and the crowds are totally ecstatic. And, the play she's doing right now is the story of our adventure! Yeah! It's called 'Paper Alexander'! I saw it twice! It was totally the best play ever! And somehow, Doopliss has joined the troupe as an actor! Who saw that coming? His transformation skills are serving him well, but it still kind of creeps me out..." Next place, she talked about was the Glitzville as she wrote about Mark.

"Oh, and little Mark? Yeah, he's fighting solo in the Glitz Pit! He says he's getting pretty close to a title match, even! Isn't that just ADORABLE? Oh, yeah, he's calling himself 'The Great Crusader Jr' in the ring, by the way. It's sorta silly, but kinda cute, too, don'tcha think? Oh, and... Wait, I have to get this exactly right or he'll get like, SO mad at me... He, uh, said that he could 'totally take you in the ring now, so bring it!' I guess he doesn't change... Isn't that too cute?" She even added entities about Marilyn, the lone Shadow Siren left after that whole mess.

"Marilyn, who had spent most of her life under the dark control of the Shadow Queen who was extended through Beldam as a puppet, actually opened a book store in the silence of Twilight Town. It turns out that, while she misses Ember a great deal and loves when she is sent letters from the Craw, she couldn't fault her for not visiting often as much of their time together was bound around a puppet servant that went to burn with her Queen, nothing left of that bitter witch. Still, I hope that Ember's next letter will have some good news of her dropping by to visit sometime soon." The next entry bound itself to the sea as she visited Keelhaul Key.

"Bobbery goes out to sea every day now with Cortez... I think his soul has healed. I ran into him on Keelhaul Key by accident the other day, which was nice. He was so happy, I thought he was going to blow up on me for a second there. You know... I bet Scarlette is looking down on him and smiling right now. Oh, and I almost forgot... Everyone on Keelhaul Key is well, and they say hello." Then, she talked about their foe or lack thereof of foe problems.

"Oh, yeah... In my travels, I heard a rumor that Lord Crump and Grodus were both still alive. I guess that makes them pretty tenacious baddies, doesn't it, Alex?" The trio rolled their eyes as she continued. "But they've mellowed a lot, just like Beldam could have been, and I don't expect more trouble. Plus, I hear Grodus is just a head, which really cuts down on mischief-making." Yeah, that would be a problem as she soon wrote about a familiar friend.

"Speaking of miracle survivals... Guess whose favorite computer is still computing? He says he really wants to see you and Peach again!" It went right back to Rogueport as she finished the entry.

"Well, I'm totally rambling at this point, so I guess I'd better wrap it up... I just wanna say, even though things got tough, I'm grateful for our time together. And... There is one thing that kind of weighed on me and I never got to express to you. See, I... Well... Maybe that's best kept a secret." The trio nodded as the message ended. "So, please say hi to Peach for me, OK? 'Til we meet again!' Your friend, Goombella."

"Sure sounds like those partners you got in Rogueport are doing pretty fine, even making peace with some former enemies."

"I know." Alex answered as he looked at the screen that blinked back at him with its now green lens. "It even looks like that she had initially included Ms. Mowz in this message, but she accidental made a second copy of the message and sent it."

"She must be catching the Frankly then." Alex shrugged as he got up and put on his gear of work with also fitting Amethyst into hers as Reginald nodded and gave his input about the whole thing.

"Still, this is quite swell that..." Anymore was lost when someone entered the workshop as Reginald called out. "Coming!" He got up and headed to the front as Amethyst spoke.

"You are looking better already. I'm glad..." Alex nodded as he pulled her in and she hugged him back as she didn't like the single arm hugs, she enjoyed the comfort and confidence that Alex carried when he always had two.

"I'm glad to be back in business, it really was putting a dampening on my own skills, but it also kept me from keeping a hold on MY girl." She beamed as they parted for Alex to brush some of her hair out of the way.

"Your girl... I like that..." They closed the gap with a kiss before Reginald called out.

"Hey, son, we got some guests!" They released and were surprised to find the band, but also the plumbers and Princess Peach in the shop with Toadsworth as Alex exclaimed.

"Guys, what are you all doing here?"

"The Princess found a treasure map in the castle storeroom so she asked if we could come along to find it."

"So, despite my own adventures in Rogueport, we came here to get a bit better gear, for safeguarding the princess and all." The trio of Koopas nodded as Luigi gestured to the band behind them. "And they wanted to see if you wanted to come along, it's been a while since you five went anywhere fun from the sound of it."

"Hey! Working the shop is a fun time!" Alex defended as Anya inquired.

"Not everyone can be a lackluster guy in a shop." Alex rolled his eyes as Christian continued. "So are you two in?" Alex turned to his dad as he asked.

"Well, what's your plan?"

"Get going, son." Reginald answered with a smile. "I'll let you know how the shop went and I'll call if I do need help, you and your wi... your girlfriend always sped on back to help me out anyway." Reginald banded with Berg to find out more about this crazy dragon tradition and it was real, but the largest source of that was Amethyst as any records to it were penned a long time ago as both sighed with taking off the gear and heading out, both pausing at the entrance as Alex raised a hand and waved with Amethyst beaming, Reginald surprised by the gesture before he smiled back and waved back, the two disappearing behind the party of adventuring as Reginald lifted a pic of them together with the light hiding a third face as he sighed.

"Oh, Laura..." He chuckled as he continued. "If only you could see him now, you would be just as proud in him as I am..." He put it down and went to work, the forge wasn't going to heat itself, nor work the metals for repairs and retrofits...