Ooh, I think I messed that title up. They didn't get the Star Rod, did they? I'll fix it later. I don't own any Nintendo stuff.

Chapter 37: Wish Upon A Star Rod

Mushroom Castle's medical wing once again had the sound of crying echoing through it. Bowser's crying to be more specific. He was on his knees again, leaning over the side of the cot Randy was on with his head buried in his arms. Around him, most of his kids and allies were also in tears, but nowhere near as much as he was.

Bowser: My boy… My brave little boy…

Mario: I can't believe it's really come to this. Of all the quests I could've failed…

Ludwig felt a light tug on his arm. Looking to his right, he saw BJ looking up at him, his black eyes watering.

BJ: Ludwig, does this mean that Randy's never coming back?

Ludwig: …Yes. It does, BJ. The Star Rod was the only way to revive him. Without it, there is nothing else we can do.

Now BJ's eyes opened their metaphorical flood gates, letting a river of tears flow from each one. Ludwig wasted no time in hugging him, though that did virtually nothing to calm down his crying brother. It didn't help that he could feel a few tears trickling down his own face.

Daisy: I never thought that a Star Spirit could be so mean. Saying all those horrible things about Bowser.

Bowser: No, Eldstar was right about everything he said about me. I DO deserve this.

Luigi: Bowser, no, you don't.

Bowser: Yes, I do! I seriously can't believe I was stupid enough to think the Star Spirits would let me use the Star Rod after all I've done! How could I let this happen?! All my life, I've done nothing but hurt people and try to achieve goals that obviously weren't gonna happen, but I still kept trying anyway! And as soon as my kids were in the picture, I tried to use them to make things easier for me! I constantly put them in dangerous situations that could've ended with them being severely hurt and never even bothered to check up on them! And now…I've lost one… It's all my fault!

Junior: King Dad, you promised him you wouldn't-

Bowser: I know what I promised! I also promised him that he'd be back with us soon and I couldn't keep that one so why should I keep this one?! Especially since I know it's not true! I can't pretend that I had nothing to do with his death when I played a bigger part in it than anyone!

Peach: Bowser…

Bowser: Look, Peach. You can keep the Mushroom Kingdom. I know what we agreed to, but just forget it. You and your friends risked your lives to help my family and I'm thankful for that. Now I get how dangerous invading and attacking a kingdom can be. I just can't believe one of my sons had to die for me to figure it out. You have my word that no one from the Koopa Kingdom will so much as breath the Mushroom Kingdom's air.

Larry: King Dad, are you sure about that? You're giving up your life goal.

Bowser: Look what trying to accomplish that goal's done! Nothing good came of it before and now this happened! I'm the most pathetic excuse for a father and king ever! Right now, I don't want wealth or royalty or anything like that. The only thing I want is my son back…

Bowser's words had sincerely touched the hearts of everyone around. Never had he been so willing to admit that what he did was wrong. Knowing there was nothing they could do to make him feel better, they joined him in crying over their failure. Little did they know that back in Star Haven, a certain magical item had been listening in on what was going on and voices began to echo around it.

Bowser: The only thing I want is my son back…

Iggy: He was the best brother anyone could ever ask for.

Daisy: He was such a kind child.

Morton: I wish I could talk to him just one more time.

Toad: He's more important than anyone else in the world.

BJ: You're the best brother ever.

Roy: The truth is I just really miss him…

Yoshi: He's a nice kid.

Ludwig: I wish we were able to save him before.

Larry: I really thought we were all gonna grow up together.

Mario: He's easily the nicest person I've ever met.

Lemmy: I miss him so much!

Luigi: All he wants to do is protect people he cares about.

Junior: But I still loved him like he was my real brother.

Peach: And I'm sure he will never let anything happen to you.

Randy: I just wish…it didn't have to be like this.

The temple in Star Haven was illuminated by the brightest light in its history. All of a sudden, an incredibly large and long beam shot from its roof, descended down from the heavens and headed straight for Mushroom Castle. As it reached it, it went straight through the roof and into the room full of sobbing people. Having only a fraction of a second to notice, they could only cover their eyes as the beam collided with the cot and made it impossible to see anything. What happened next could only be described as a miracle. The sound of a young male voice making a gasping sound filled everyone's ears, instantly making them uncover their eyes and look at the cot. Floating above it was the Star Rod, but most eyes were on what was laying on it, which happened to be a panting boy seemingly trying to catch his breath. Everyone stared at the sight for a few seconds before bursting into roaring cheers. Bowser was the only one who hadn't made a sound, being frozen in pure happiness. He looked at the Star Rod, which floated towards him and into his hand as he reached it out.

Bowser: Thank you.

While Bowser's sons and new friends continued to celebrate, his glance returned to the child on the bed, whose breathing had returned to normal. There were hundreds of words and exclamations he could've said to express how he felt, but none of that mattered to him. What did matter was what was happening right in front of him. Eight-year-old Randy Koopa, his long lost son, was alive.

...What? Oh, come on! You really thought I was gonna let the character named after me stay dead? Ha, that's rich! ...Actually, I was considering it. But I'm not a fan of funeral endings so I decided not to go that route.