So that last chapter didn't make you leave the story, eh? Well, thanks! I appreciate that! Anyway, it's time to find out what's so perfect about this dream. I don't own any Nintendo stuff.

Chapter 35: The Perfect Dream

BJ's eyes very slowly opened, him feeling too weak to open them any faster. As his strength gradually began to return to him, he forced himself into a sitting position, rubbing his eyes as he did so.

BJ: Urgh… Man, that was weird. What happened?

?: I was about to ask you that.

BJ turned his head to the side and saw his older brother, Lemmy standing next to him. Lemmy offered his hand to his brother, who took it and was helped to his feet. It was then that he noticed that not only were they seemingly in the endless void of space, but whatever floor they were standing on was apparently invisible.

Lemmy: Are you okay, bro?

BJ: Yeah, I think so. Where are we?

Lemmy: I have no idea. I don't remember anything after getting that strange feeling on Shooting Star Summit.

BJ: Me either. I hope the others are okay.

Lemmy: I'd say they are. Look behind you.

BJ did just that and saw the other six Koopalings still passed out on the unseen floor. He and Lemmy silently agreed that it would be best to wake them up and went from one to the other, carefully shaking them awake. Soon enough, all eight Koopalings were up, their sleepiness gone. None of them appeared to be harmed in any way, which was definitely a good sign.

Iggy: Okay, does anyone have any clue as to what happened or where we are?

Ludwig: I have a theory.

Roy: Of course you do…

Ludwig: Unnecessary, Roy. As I was saying, I believe I know what is going on. We were all asleep a few moments ago, right? And we woke up seemingly in space with an invisible floor to stand on, both of which are impossible. So it stands to reason that something caused all of us to faint on Shooting Star Summit and we are all dreaming. Though I do not see how we can all be here at the same time.

?: It's called mutual dreaming, Ludwig. I'd expect you, of all people, to know that.

That voice instantly made the Koopalings freeze. None of them even had the chance to say anything before a figure coated in white light manifested itself in front of them. As the light began to fade away, several distinct features were presented, including brown hair, a pair of sneakers and black clothes with flames on them. In the end, what they saw was a young boy smiling at them. The scene was so stunning, none of them were able to form words.

Randy: Hasn't anyone ever you guys that it's rude to stare?

Larry: Randy…it's you…

Randy: Sure is! I just thought I'd pop in and say hi. Hi.

Morton: Hey.

Randy: Wow, Morton. Only one word? That's not like you at all.

Morton: I'm a little too freaked out to talk like I usually do.

Randy: Oh, is this freaking you guys out? My bad. I'll just be on my way then.

Randy turned around and started walking away. His brothers instantly gave chase, not wanting to lose what might possibly be their last chance to talk to him.

Roy: Bro, wait! Don't listen to Big Mouth! He's too stupid to realize what he says!

Morton: Yeah, I- Hey!

Randy stopped and faced his brothers again, laughing as he did so.

Randy: Ha, I can't believe you guys fell for that! I don't blame you for being shocked about this. It's not every day that your dead brother's spirit makes you fall asleep and experience a mutual dream.

Junior: Wait, you made us pass out on Shooting Star Summit? How? And why?

Randy: It wasn't that hard. I just made my spiritual energy trick your bodies into feeling really tired. I'd go into more detail, but I'm pretty sure Ludwig is the only one who'd understand what I was saying. But to answer your other question, I wanted to thank you all for going to such great lengths to revive me. That means a lot.

Iggy: Why wouldn't we try to do that after all you did for us? Even as a bunch of spiritual energy, you've still been helping us!

Randy: Of course I have. Just because I died, that doesn't mean I'm not gonna protect you from falling off cliffs or being stabbed by a giant icicle.

Lemmy: Well, that's not a sentence you hear all that often.

Roy: No kidding. Still, it's pretty crazy how you've been helping us. Not that I really needed it, though.

Randy: Oh, is that so? Okay, Roy. I won't help you next time you're about to punch something that'll break every bone in your hand.

Roy: What? How do you know I would've broken my hand?

Randy: Well, that Rubee was over a foot thick so that definitely would've played a part in it. Plus, Rubees are among the hardest gems on the planet, only really being rivaled by emeralds and diamonds. And their average density is about three-point-six times greater than your everyday steel girder so the amount of force-

Roy: Alright, I get it! You could've just said that it was too hard to punch through or something!

Randy: I know, but where's the fun in that?

Ludwig: There is none. Going into detail is always more interesting than being quick and vague!

Larry: Maybe for you two. You actually understand all that science mumbo jumbo.

Randy: It's a gift. Look, guys, as much as I'd love to discuss how smart I am, there are way more important things going on. I told this to King Dad and now I need to tell it to you.

BJ: It's about the Star Rod, isn't it?

Randy: Yes. I know you guys kinda know about what King Dad did when he stole it, but trust me, it was way worse than you could ever imagine. The Star Spirits themselves were harmed during that whole fiasco. So it honestly wouldn't be much of surprise if they didn't give King Dad the Star Rod given that and all the other stuff him and you did.

Morton: What do you mean? What did we do?

Randy: Trying to take over Dinosaur Land, kidnapping Peach on her birthday, stealing wands from seven kings, consuming Mushroom Castle in a pillar of purple smoke, defacing Isle Delfino-

Larry: Hey, that one was all BJ! The rest of us had nothing to do with that!

Junior: Yeah, and why would they have anything against me? I wasn't part of the family when all that stuff happened!

Randy: No, but you would've helped Kind Dad in his next attack if I hadn't found my way back, right?

Junior: Well…yeah, but-

Lemmy: Wait a second. How do you even know about all that? We never told you.

Randy: Guys, you're dreaming. Dreams and logic don't mix very well. Listen, the point I'm making is that you should prepare yourselves for what might be a "no" from the Star Spirits.

Roy: Bro, why would we even want to think about that? That means we'd never see or talk to you again!

Randy: I know, but I think it's obvious that it's possible. I just don't you want you all to be miserable for the rest of your lives because of what happened to me. Especially since you still feel like you were partially responsible even though you promised me you wouldn't.

Iggy: Probably because it's really hard to not think that. We never even got the chance to say sorry.

Randy: You don't have to. If anything, I owe you guys a huge apology. You all died because of me and I'm really sorry about that. If I had told King Dad-

Ludwig: WILL YOU STOP BLAMING YOURSELF FOR EVERYTHING?!

Everyone jumped at Ludwig's sudden outburst. It was very unlike him to scream like that. Adding to the already large amount of shock, there were tears pouring from his eyes even though he was clearly more angry than sad.

Morton: Whoa, Ludwig, chill out.

Ludwig: No, I will not "chill out!" I am sick of hearing this! Nothing that happened is your fault, Randy! It is ours and the others'! I cannot deny this any longer! None of this should have happened! We never even told you about how the kingdoms were at war! You were not given any combat training either yet nobody was even slightly concerned when King Dad wanted you to fight Mario! You literally had less than a day to adjust to us being your family before you were expected to join us in taking over the Mushroom Kingdom! And then you willingly gave up your own life to save us and we failed in merely making a potion quick enough to save YOU! How can you possibly say that you are the only one to blame for your death?!

Randy didn't immediately respond. He just continued looking at his oldest brother, watching him pant and attempt to stop crying. Junior placed a hand on Ludwig's shoulder and that seemed to calm him down enough for him to wipe his face and compose himself.

Ludwig: Randy, I am sorry. I did not mean to snap like that. I just-

Randy: Is that really how you feel, Ludwig? Do you really think that it wasn't my fault?

Ludwig: Yes. It might just be my habit of trying to be logical, but I simply cannot think of single reason to blame you for anything.

Randy: …Okay then. If that's how you want to feel about the situation, then I won't try to stop you. And if the rest of you feel that way too, then I guess I understand. Just know that I will never fault any of you or the others for my death.

Larry: You won't?

Randy: Nope. You all mean too much to me for me to think that. But getting back to where I was going before, there is a way we can still see each other even if you don't get the Star Rod.

BJ: There is? How?

Randy: I thought King Dad would've told you this, but when I was in his dream, I told him that I would visit him every single night if things didn't go well. I can do that for you too if you want.

Iggy: You can? For all of us?

Randy: Yup. And they can be whatever kind of dreams you want. We can even do more of these mutual dreams if you're up for it. I just want all of you to be happy. That's the only thing that matters to me.

There were a few seconds of silence as Randy's brothers tried to take in how kind and touching he was being. Larry then took a few steps forward until he and Randy were face to face with each other. He stared into his smiling face for a moment before hugging him tightly. He was half expecting his arms to go through Randy's body, but was thankful that didn't happen. One by one, the others joined in until there was a cluster of hugging Koopalings.

Morton: We miss you, bro. We miss you so much.

Randy: I miss you too. I love you, guys. Don't ever doubt that.

It was then that everyone noticed that someone was missing from the group hug. As they all separated, they saw Roy still standing where he was before.

Junior: Roy, don't you want in on this?

Roy: You guys know I'm not much of a hugger.

Larry: I think you can make an exception this time, Roy.

Roy: I've made enough of those over the past few days.

Randy: That's fine, bro. I get it. Guess I'll have to take Ludwig's advice after all.

Ludwig: My advice?

Randy: Yeah. You know, when you said that I might be able to make all my spiritual energy leave Roy's body.

Roy: What?! Y-You can actually do that?!

Randy: Maaaybe… Wanna find out?

Roy: NO! I mean, I just wanted to hug you by myself because you're so special! So come on, Little Guy! My arms are waiting!

Randy let out another laugh before walking over to Roy and the two of them embraced in a tight hug.

Randy: Oh, Roy, you're such a softie.

Roy: I am not!

Randy: If you say so.

The two brothers eventually let go of each other, Roy giving Randy a playful punch on his shoulder.

Roy: You're something else, bro. You know that, right?

Randy: Considering everything I've been doing, yes. Well, I think my work here is done.

Lemmy: Huh? What are you talking about?

Randy: Now that I've told you everything you need to know, it's time for me to go and for you all to wake up.

BJ: What? No! We don't wanna leave! We haven't even been here that long!

Morton: Yeah! Can't we just stay here with you?

Randy: Guys, you can't stay asleep forever. My life may be over, but yours have only begun. You have to grow up, start families of your own and most importantly, don't waste the second chance I gave you.

Iggy: Randy, please don't leave us again!

Randy: I'm not. And I never will. Remember, guys, no matter what happens or where you go, I will always be with you. And I promise that I'll never let anything happen to you. I'm sorry, brothers, but I'm off. See you soon.

He turned around and started walking away again. Naturally, his brothers began to run after him again. But this time, no matter how fast they ran, Randy kept getting farther away.

Larry: No! Randy, don't go!

Junior: Let us stay with you! Please!

Despite their pleas, Randy's body became surrounded in white light as it had before. And seconds later, he completely vanished, leaving nothing but the Koopalings and the space around them. But even that began to become warped and distorted before everything just faded away.

Now THAT is one super awesome way to show that you love your brothers. Maybe Randy could give you guys a few pointers. I'll set up the appointments.