Eighty-three years. It had been 83 years since the Calamity Girls had returned to their homeworld and the friends they had made in Amphibia. Life for both worlds went on per usual. If there was ever a chance for either world to connect again, rest assured that either side would jump the gun without a second thought.

Sprig dwelled in his deathbed having reached the ripe old age of 94. To his side was his signature hat that was also aging its lens stained yellow. Sprig pulled his blankets over his frail, thin frame when a gust of cold air tickled his skin.

He looked to the walls of his room with a flair of contentment. Framed photographs told a story. True to the words of his dear, dear friend, he embarked on many adventures each more grandiose than the last. All detailing the escapades he and his beloved Ivy went on in the continent untouched by any amphibian.

Sprig sighed in deep satisfaction at having lived a full life. He thought back to his happiest moments. His marriage to Ivy was dream-like with nearly all of Wartwood attending. They had four tadpoles together who all grew to enjoy adventuring. That was a long, long time ago.

Wartwood had changed during that time along with its capital. Just like how the town had a statue dedicated to Anne, the remaining two Calamity girls had statues as well. Due to how many years had passed, some of the amphibians almost assume that the girls were beings of pure myth.

Sprig knew that the sun was about to set for him. Dying itself was a natural consequence of life, any amphibian knew, but he was unafraid of it. If anything, he was overall content with his life. Even then, there was that one nagging feeling at the back of his head that, even with no regrets left unturned, he had this sense that something was missing.

His ancient gears shifted in his mind. His memories were fading starting when he turned 70 and just grew worse over time. While he may have forgotten new faces, there was one person that he was confident he would never forget.

Yes. Her. The savior of his world Anne Boonchuy. He never once stopped thinking about his first friend in his long, long life. Fate always seems to put people together for a reason, something that Sprig himself acknowledged when he reminisced on the time her first met Anne. To think that some stranger from another world would change his life is crazy.

Yet, he yearned to see his friend again just one last time. Alas, the Calamity Box was destroyed taking the shards of the gems with it. Anne promised him that they would never be apart, but it was 83 years ago. She would have long since gotten herself a life and lived it out until her time was up. From the corner of his eye, white light shined in the corner of his room at first bathing the room in a spectacular display. Then blue, red, and green balls manifested and danced around the white light coming together to form a solid figure.

The light blinded Sprig who was already losing some of his vision to begin with. As the lights dimmed down, Sprig lifted his bushy eyebrows hiding his sunken-in eyes.

"Anne?"

Anne wore a flowing gown adorned with shining crystals. Her body glowed like a blazing supernova. Her eyes were fireballs making it indiscernible what was on her mind. Leaves fluttered around her head with no wind keeping them airborne.

"Hello, Sprig."

Sprig rubbed his eyes with his long, skinny fingers. Wrinkles patterned his body each one seeming to tell a story. Sprig arched his back, but doing so made the blanket fall off. "You came back."

Anne nodded. "Of course, buddy, I always promised that we would never be apart." Anne allowed her eyes to wonder at the many photographs of the Plantar family in its later years. Polly became a mechanic and has overseen the production of Frobots. Hop-Pop remarried with Sylvia and lived out his golden years with her. She last set her eyes on Anne and his family. His kids had all grown up and had several children of their own. She also noticed the journal that Sprig used to document his adventures.

"When did HP die?" she asked. She had a noticeable air of sadness in her tone. She would be a fool to think that Hop-Pop would be around long enough to be reunited with his honorary granddaughter, but life was never fair.

Sprig looked down. "When I was reaching 30. But he had no regrets."

Anne nodded. "Who runs Amphibia now?"

"Gary surprisingly," the elder frog remarked, "apparently he's really diplomatic."

They shared a laugh before Sprig sighed. He laid his back against his mattress fulfilled. "How were things on Earth?"

"Oh, I did keep in touch with Sasha and Marcy and we hang out a few times, the usual." Anne sighed. "Outlived both of them. I couldn't attend their funerals."

Sprig nodded. "So, what's with your new look?"

You may not believe me when I say this."

Sprig looked at Anne with his failing eyesight. "After all the adventures we had been on and this is the one time you expect me to not believe you?"

"Touche. After I defeated the Core I met the creator of the Calamity Gems. Apparently, they were made because he wanted to see what mortals would do with such power." "Well, that sounds completely irresponsible."

"He retired and when I turned 91, he reappeared to me and asked me if I could succeed him. And I am pretty sure you know where this went."

"I am glad that you did visit me again even though the whole god thing is kind of hard to follow."

His fingers tapped the blanket. "Please go. Nobody should watch their best friend die."

Anne reached out her hand and held Sprig's wrinkly one. "There is a reason why I came here, Sprig."

Sprig glared at her. "What is it?"

Anne smiled her grin sending a wave of comfort to the dying frog. "I want you to come with me."

Sprig's eyebrows lighted. "You want me to come with you on your journey? But why?"

"Sprig, I never forgot how much fun our adventures in Amphibia were even if it was just a short time. When I first met the creator of the Calamity Gems, I had no idea how grand the multiverse was. There are many secrets and discoveries to be had, and it would be cool if my best friend experienced it all with me."

Sprig smiled. "You know what, Anne, I'll take you up on that offer."

He wrestled his aching joints in place and curved his body to get off the bed. Anne gently held his fragile shoulders and helped him up. Hand-in-hand, Anne led him towards the corner of the room bending down to hug the decrepit amphibian. Leaves swirled around their bodies in a counterclockwise display of glowing colors.

Sprig felt lighter and revigorated. Looking at his fingers, he could see the wrinkles disappearing with his natural skin tone becoming more radiant. The thin veil over his eyes evaporated. The clock was turning back reverting the effects of aging.

"Spranne against the world?"

Anne smiled warmly. It had been too long since she last her their nickname. "Spranne against all worlds."