The Koopalings finally realized why Randy's wand was acting so weird. It turns out that the impossible is about to become possible, and a few incidents are about to become the first to happen in recorded history. Also, anything in quotations is what's being displayed on the Universal Monitor. I didn't want to type "The monitor displayed" a hundred times. I don't own any Nintendo stuff.

Chapter 24: A Final Goodbye

None of the Koopalings could bring themselves to move or say anything. Were they going crazy or was something, or rather someone, trying to talk to them?

"What's wrong, guys?"

Junior: Randy? Is that you?

"Maybe."

Larry: It... It really IS him! It's our brother!

Iggy: This is insane! This has never happened before! How are you doing this, Randy?

"I used some excess spiritual energy to power my wand."

Ludwig: So I was right.

"Of course you were. You're a genius!"

Ludwig: Why yes. I suppose I am.

"And modest too."

Lemmy: What made you want to do this?

"Morton wanted to talk to me one more time. Funny that he hasn't said anything."

Morton: You did this because of what I said?

"Yup. I hate it when you're upset."

Roy: So Morton's mouth was actually useful for once? I guess miracles DO happen!

"This isn't a miracle to you, Roy? Ouch."

Roy: I-I didn't mean it like that! I just-

"Just kidding! Gotcha!"

The other seven Koopalings laughed while Roy had to try very hard not to turn red from embarrassment. Eventually, he smirked and shook his head.

Roy: You know I'm gonna get you back for that, right?

"Good luck with that. Where's King Dad?"

BJ: Oh yeah! He doesn't know about this! I'll go get him!

"Get my friends too! I wanna see them!

BJ: You got it, bro! Be right back!

He ran out of the room as fast as his legs would carry him. After navigating through a few halls, he reached the door to his father's room. He banged on the door with his fists, trying to make as much noise as possible.

BJ: Papa! Papa! Open up!

The door did indeed open to reveal a slightly surprised Bowser.

Bowser: Son, what's the matter? Is someone hurt?

BJ: No! There's something you gotta see! But call the Mario Gang first!

Bowser: Why? What's going on? Did Ludwig and Iggy find something in the book?

BJ: Way better than that! Hurry up!

With that, BJ turned around and ran back to the hallway that housed the kids' rooms, leaving his confused father to ponder the sudden change in his mood. Despite his confusion, Bowser picked up a large phone on his nightstand and dialed the number for Mushroom Castle. After a few seconds of hearing the dial tone, he heard someone pick up.

Toad: Hello?

Bowser: Hey Toad. It's me. Get your friends and come to my castle immediately.

Toad: Huh? How come? I thought we were meeting here.

Bowser: BJ says there's something we need to see. And it sounds really important so get here as quickly as you can. I'll wait for you near the entrance.

Toad: Okay. See you in a bit.

Bowser heard a click sound and hung up the phone. He headed out of his room and to his castle's front door, where he walked out and leaned against it, waiting. A few minutes went by with no sign of the Mario Gang. He impatiently tapped his foot, growing more and more irritated by the second. Just as he was about to storm to Mushroom Castle to give them a piece of his mind, he heard Italian-accented voices and turned his head to see the six people he was waiting for nearing the entrance.

Peach: Hello Bowser. What did you want to show us?

Bowser: Not me. My kids. Apparently, they discovered something but I wasn't told what. All I know is that you guys were requested to show up.

Luigi: Well let's not waste any time. Lead the way, big guy.

Bowser nodded and walked back inside the castle. He led the group up the stairs and towards Ludwig's room. Nearing it, they could hear the Koopalings having what sounded like a one-sided conversation with no one, as they were making statements that didn't seem to go together at all. Now very curious, they all entered the room and saw them looking at and talking to the Universal Monitor.

Bowser: Boys? What are you doing? What's going on here?

Larry: Just talking with somebody. But I think he wants to talk to YOU now.

Bowser was about to ask what his son meant but seeing Randy's wand hooked up to the Universal Monitor instantly put a halt to that thought. Almost out of instinct, he approached the machine and gasped when a new message appeared.

"Hi Dad."

Bowser: "Hi Dad"? Why is it... Wait a second. Randy?

"The one and only!"

Yoshi: This is impossible! Are you guys just messing with us or is Randy really talking through that thing?

Ludwig: It really is him! Somehow, he was able to transfer a small amount of excess spiritual energy from our bodies into his wand, and I successfully transferred it into my machine which has given him the ability to communicate with us.

"It's me, guys! Really! Here, I'll prove it! Thanks for giving me that Shroom Fry for lunch the other day. It was really good."

Luigi: Peach, what did you have the chefs cook for Randy when we met him?

Peach: ...Shroom Fry. Oh my goodness! It IS Randy!

"Told you so!"

Bowser: Son... I... I'm sorry...

"I know. But please don't blame yourself. I forgive you. All of you."

Bowser: You do?

"Of course. I can't stay mad at people I care about. Especially my old man."

Bowser: Hey, I'm not old!

"That's what they all say!"

Another round of laughter filled the room. Though he wasn't even physically there, Randy was still brining joy and happiness to his friends and family.

Junior: You know, we really miss you, bro.

Mario: We've been trying to find a way to bring you back to life.

"I miss you too. And I know you have, and I appreciate it. I don't think many people would try to do that."

Bowser: We're not just trying, son. We ARE going to bring you back. I don't care what we have to do or how long it takes, but we're not gonna stop until we find something.

"Well don't I feel special?"

Daisy: You are special, Randy. We're going to make sure that you get the life you deserve.

Morton: Once you're back with us and after the castle's fixed, we'll make sure to give you the time of your life.

"Will Yoshi give me another ride?"

Yoshi: You bet I will!

"Awesome! But maybe you should get back to translating that book."

Peach: Book? What book?

Bowser: Oh yeah! I almost forgot. I finally found a book that could help us, but it's in a language that hasn't been used in quite some time. Ludwig was translating it so Iggy could use his knowledge of magic to find a solution.

Ludwig: Randy is right. We should return to our work, Iggy.

Iggy: Okay. I guess we could talk to Randy again another time.

"Um, actually..."

Bowser: What's wrong, son?

"It's just...this is the only time we'll be able to talk like this."

Toad: What do you mean? Why?

"There was only a small amount of energy in my wand. Once that energy is used up, I won't be able to do this anymore."

Immediately after that message displayed itself, the screen flickered a few times and the words began to get a little fuzzy.

"Huh. Speak of the devil."

Roy: Bro, what's happening to you?!

"I'm running out of energy."

BJ: Well we can just give you more! All we have to do is grab your wand again, right?

"Yes, but I'm not taking any more from you."

Larry: What? Why not?

"I already took as much as I could without putting you eight at risk. If I take any more, you'll all start feeling weak, or worse."

Luigi: So this is the last time we'll get to talk to you?

"No. I have confidence you'll be able to give my body a new spirit. And when you do, I'll be forever in your debt."

The screen began to fill with static again. The words were still readable, but it was becoming obvious that Randy was fading away.

"Urgh... I think I'm almost out of energy."

Morton: Bro, please don't leave again! We need you!

"I'll always be with you. Remember what Ludwig said? I'll never go away completely."

Bowser: Randy, stay with us, please! I can't lose you AGAIN!

"I'm sorry, Dad. I can't stay. But please don't feel upset. As long as my brothers are around, I will be too."

Mario: You're a really great kid. You know that, don't you?

"Yes I do, Mario. You're not half bad yourself."

Iggy: Randy, don't go! We love you!

"I love you too. All of you. Oh, and Lemmy?"

Lemmy: Yeah?

"Thanks for learning to walk for me."

Lemmy: Anything for you, little brother.

"Goodbye, everybody."

With that, the Universal Monitor's screen flickered a few more times and then became full of static. Bowser grabbed the machine and violently shook it, his eyes already beginning to well up.

Bowser: No! Randy! Son, come back! Please, come back...

Nothing happened. Bowser started to sob yet again and rested his head against the top of the Universal Monitor. He wasn't the only one. Nearly everyone else in the room was either on the verge of tears or already had them trickling down their faces. For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, Randy was gone. And this time, everyone knew that if they didn't find an answer soon, they'd never see or talk to him again.

Now that's a final goodbye if I ever did hear one. ...Read one. Whatever, you get the point. Oh, and a quick heads up. This is gonna be the last really emotional chapter for awhile. I feel like I've been doing too much of that stuff so I'm going to switch it up a bit.