Alright, guys. Here it is. Bowser's one and only chance to get the Star Rod and revive Randy. I wonder how it's gonna go... Let's find out, shall we? I don't own any Nintendo stuff.

Chapter 36: Hardest Conversation Ever

Bowser paced back and forth outside the Toad House in Star Haven, alternating between crossing his arms and running his hands over his face. Inside the house were his kids, who had unconscious for the last few hours. The Mario Gang were sitting down nearby, still trying to come up with an explanation for what happened to the Koopalings.

Peach: Bowser, I'm sure they'll be alright.

Bowser: I know, but I can't stop being worried about them. I mean, you all saw what happened to them. I'm no medical expert, but I don't think eight people can faint at the same time without something being seriously wrong.

Toad: Maybe they were just exhausted from the trials.

Bowser: No, that can't be it. They were fine for the few minutes we were waiting for the Star Spirits to-

He was cut off by the door to the Toad House opening. The Star Kid who was in charge of it floated out. Bowser instantly ran up to him.

Bowser: How are my kids?

Star Kid: They're awake, but they seem really upset. I think they all had nightmares or something. They said they'll come out in a minute.

Bowser: Okay, good. Did anything seem wrong with them? Are they still weak or sick or something?

Star Kid: Not that I can tell. They all just seemed to experience a complete loss of energy at the exact same time. I've never heard of that happening before but I suppose there's a first time for everything.

Morton's Voice: We're ready to come out now.

The Star Kid moved slightly to the side in order to let the Koopalings come out of the building. Once they were all out, Bowser knelt down to their level just to make sure none of them were hurt or had any signs of fainting again.

Bowser: Boys, are you okay? You were out for almost three hours. I heard you were feeling upset about a dream you all had.

Ludwig: We were, but we decided that it would be best to just be happy about what happened instead.

Mario: Why? What was the dream about?

Junior: Let's just say we got a visit from a special someone.

Bowser: …Oh. Are you sure you're all alright? Do you wanna talk about any of it?

Roy: It's fine, King Dad. Besides, don't we have a Star Rod to get? Where are we anyway?

Daisy: This is Star Haven. The Star Spirits agreed to let you stay in that house until you all recovered. If you're all sure you can continue on, then the Star Spirits are waiting for us in their temple.

Iggy: Really, everyone, we're okay. Let's go talk to them.

The Mario Gang stood up from the ground and led the way across the surprisingly small Star Haven. On the most eastern part of the floating land stood the Star Spirits' place of residence, the same building that housed the Star Rod. Walking up the stairs to the door, Bowser could feel his heart beating way faster than normal due to how nervous he was. He mentally gulped as Mario pushed the door open. Taking what had to be the deepest breath of his life, Bowser entered the building along with his kids and the Mario Gang. Upon hearing the door open and close, the Star Spirits turned their attention to it and patiently waited for their visitors to walk up to the pedestal that the legendary Star Rod was resting upon.

Mamar: Welcome, everyone. Koopalings, are you all feeling better?

Lemmy: Yeah, we're fine. This place is amazing.

Muskular: Thank you. We designed it ourselves. So we assume you are here because Bowser is ready to tell us why the Star Rod should be given to him.

Ludwig: Did we not already have that discussion? We are trying to revive Randy after his untimely death.

Skolar: We understand that, but in order for the Star Rod to be loaned to someone, we need to be convinced that you using it will be greatly beneficial to not just you, but a significant amount of other people or the land.

Bowser: I… I think I can do that. But I'd have to talk about everything that I didn't want to before…

Kalmar: We see. Well, if it really is too painful to discuss Bowser, we can try to-

Bowser: No, I don't want you to make any exceptions of anything for me. We all know I don't deserve them. I'll tell you everything.

Yoshi: You sure, Bowser? We can back up what you say or add our own parts.

Bowser: Thanks, Yoshi, but I need to do this myself.

Misstar: That is very noble of you, Bowser. Now, please tell us what happened to your son throughout this whole ordeal. And remember, if you are uncomfortable saying something, you do not have to.

Bowser: Okay. As I said before, Randy recently found his way back to us after being gone for eight years. You probably put two and two together, but he was just a baby when he vanished. He was only five months old and even then, he was always trying to be as kind and caring as he could. I can't imagine how terrified he was when he noticed that his family was nowhere around. Even crazier, he somehow got turned into a human while he was missing and his memory was erased. After five years of searching, I was forced to give up looking for him and not long after, Randy's older brothers lost their memory too. But then five days ago, he arrived at Koopa Castle and at first, we didn't even know it was him, but when we figured that out, you have no idea how happy that made me.

Klevar: As would be expected. Finding someone that important to you after so long can be very emotional.

Bowser: Believe me, that's an understatement. So as you already know, I attacked Toad Town the other day and I brought Randy with me since I'd been told about how good he was at magic. Mario and I got into a fight and…that's when things got really bad.

Eldstar: How so?

Bowser: Because when I deflected an attack that Mario launched at me, I wasn't paying attention and it hit my castle. And when part of it collapsed… all of my kids except Randy died…

Kalmar: What? They…died? But they are all here. How can that possibly be?

Bowser: Remember that crazy idea I said Randy came up with? Well, what he did was use his wand to send his spirit to them and that somehow revived them. Shortly after, though, he fainted and after he woke up, we found out that his life force was draining away and that HE would die if it all went away. The only way we could've saved him was to make a potion to regenerate his life force. And as you may have guessed, we were too late and…he died… But that's not even the worst of it.

Skolar: It is not?

Bowser: No. The worst part is that…I was with him when he died… There's no way to describe how devastating that was. To watch your son's eyes close forever, to feel his grip on your hand slip away, to hear his last words…

Eldstar: What did he say?

Misstar: Eldstar, that is not-

Bowser: No, it's alright. I can tell you. The last thing he said was…that he loved me…

Mamar: What? Oh, Bowser… That must have been very shocking to hear.

Bowser: And it gets even worse. I never got the chance to say that I loved him too. I mean, I was gonna, but before I could, I lost him… I want to blame myself for what happened so badly, but I promised him I wouldn't even though it's really hard not to. And I guess you know the rest. So please, Star Spirits. Don't let my son stay like that. Even after everything he went through, he did nothing but try to help everyone he could and he saved his brothers' lives even though he knew he was risking his own. He made his first friends and finally got to be part of a family again, only to have it all taken away in a matter of days. Please, I'm begging you. Let my son have the life he deserves.

The Star Spirts remained silent, as did everyone else. They were genuinely surprised at how much Bowser could care about someone. His story was one of the most tragic they'd ever heard. And even though he hadn't been very nice in the past, Randy had been and they simply couldn't ignore that.

Klevar: You really do love your son, Bowser. And we can agree that a father and son should not be separated by death due to the circumstanced you described. But there is one last thing we must do before we can give you the Star Rod. We need to see what happened for ourselves to make sure everything happened as you stated.

Luigi: How are you going to do that?

Muskular: We will ask the Star Rod to show us.

Bowser: No, please, I can't go through that again!

Misstar: Do not worry. We know that none of you wish to see what happened so we will set up a barrier that will prevent you from seeing and hearing what we do. Please wait just a moment.

The Star Spirits turned themselves around and, using their own powers, set up a wall made entirely of small stars, making it impossible for anyone to hear or see what was going on on the other side. They gathered in front of the Star Rod.

Klevar: Star Rod, please show us events that occurred over the past few weeks that involved Randy Koopa.

The Star Rod began to glow its signature glow. Suddenly, a large orb formed in front of it and hovered in front of the Star Spirits. As requested, images of Randy's action began to play out inside of it for them. They saw many scenes that showed Randy just generally being a happy and carefree child, but then they saw Randy catching BJ, reuniting with his father, making Morton feel loved, standing up to his father and Mario, sending his spirit to his brothers, passing out and then his slow death in front of his father. And of course, they heard everything he said. Even after the orb dissipated, some of them had to take a few moments to keep themselves from breaking down. Once they were positive they could all continue the conversation, they lowered the barrier and floated back to the group of waiting people.

Muskular: Well, we can confirm that everything you said was one-hundred percent true, Bowser. We are so sorry you had to witness such a horrific event. However, we could not help but notice that Randy wished that it did not have to be like that.

Bowser: Hey, that's right! I forgot that he said that! So there's another reason to revive him! If you don't want to grant MY wish to bring him back, then grant his! He deserves it!

Skolar: Taking that into consideration, I think we are ready to vote on whether you should have the Star Rod. I say…yes.

Mamar: Yes.

Kalmar: Yes.

Misstar: Yes.

Muskular: Yes.

Klevar: Yes.

Eldstar: …No.

The entire universe seemed to freeze in time. Everyone's faces, which he been lighting up after each consistent "yes," turned into what had to be the most stunned faces in history. Bowser could practically feel his heart sinking.

Bowser: Wh-What?

Eldstar: No. I do not think you should be loaned the Star Rod.

Mario: Eldstar, if this is your idea of a joke, it's not funny.

Eldstar: I am not joking. My answer is no.

Kalmar: Eldstar, how could possibly say such a thing? After everything that has been shown and said, how can you deny Bowser's request?

Eldstar: At first, I did want to believe that Bowser's son deserved to live again. But then I started thinking about what would happen afterwards. How do we know that he will return the Star Rod after he revives his son? He will probably try to use it to take over the Mushroom Kingdom again!

Bowser: What?! No, I would never-

Eldstar: Be quiet, you overgrown turtle!

Mamar: Eldstar, that is-

Eldstar: And what about the natural order of the universe? I should not have to remind you that everything happens because it was fated to! You all know that altering an event that happened naturally could potentially destroy the future that was created by it happening!

Ludwig: Eldstar, surely you can make an exception in this case. Randy's death was anything but natural.

Junior: That's right! And what about all the times 1-Up Mushrooms and stuff were used to revive other people? You didn't do anything to stop them!

Eldstar: Because none of those situations directly involved us so we did not feel it was right to intervene. But seeing as how you require our consent to revive someone, we must consider the potential consequences of our actions. And in this case, the risks are far too great.

BJ: That's not-

Eldstar: I am not finished! Even if Bowser does return the Star Rod, he will likely still do nothing but terrorize every person he can! And have you forgotten everything he has already done to thousands of people, including us? I see absolutely no reason for him to get what he wants! If you ask me, maybe him losing his son should be his punishment for all he has done throughout the years!

Peach: Eldstar, how could you say such a thing?! Maybe Bowser has made some mistakes, but his son's death certainly isn't a reasonable punishment!

Larry: Yeah, and besides, you're supposed to grant people's wishes! If Randy wished it didn't have to be like that, then you have to-

Eldstar: Do not tell me what I have to do, child! My answer is no and that is final! If you desire to have Randy back, you will have no luck here!

Iggy: But we did research and using the Star Rod is the only way to-

Eldstar: Enough! This conversation is over! Star Rod, send these people back to where they came from!

Misstar: Eldstar! No!

But it was too late. The Star Rod was already glowing again and before anyone could react, a large beam shot out of it and hit the Mario Gang and Koopas. They all put their hands up and closed their eyes on reflex. And, to their dismay, when their eyes opened and their hands lowered, they saw that they were in Mushroom Castle's courtyard. As they all stood in astonishment of what just happened, their attention was drawn to a loud thud, which turned out to be Bowser dropping onto his knees. He looked sad, guilty and stunned all at the same time.

Toad: Um, Bowser?

Bowser: I… I couldn't do it… He's gone…forever…

Everyone tried to think of something to convince Bowser that that wasn't true, but it ultimately ended with fifteen heads lowering. They had taken risks and tried their hardest, but it hadn't been enough. They had failed.

AND PLOT TWIST! I... I think that's what it was. Liek f u cri evrytiem. (Always wanted to say that.)