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  “There you are Mario, you never returned from Tadpole Pond the other day-Princess Toadstool!”

            “I’m finally home!” Toadstool said as she stepped forward. “Mario and his friends saved me from a terrible fate!”

            “Let’s go see the chancellor right away, he’s been worried sick!” Toad led everyone to the throne room. “Chancellor, Princess Toadstool’s back!” Toad yelled as he burst through the doors of the throne room. The chancellor rushed across the throne room to Toadstool as she entered; even the mushroom retainers abandoned their posts to gather around the princess.

            “Thank the stars!” the chancellor said. “We’ve been so worried about you! Come, let’s get out of this drafty doorway so we can talk properly,” he said as he led the princess over to her throne. The mushroom retainers assembled back into their proper positions, but Toadstool chose to stand next to the chancellor.

            “Mario,” Toadstool said. “I’m ever so thankful for the assistance of you and your friends. But…how in the world can you trust Bowser?”

            “Bowser?” the chancellor asked. “What do you-egad!” he exclaimed as he and the other mushroom retainers finally noticed Bowser standing in the room. “What is going on here?!”

            “It’s okay, everything is under control,” Mario reassured the toads. “We traveled all the way back here without any problems, after all!”

            “Er, I-I see,” the chancellor said.

            “Bowser, perhaps you should tell us your story,” Toadstool said to Bowser. “What did you mean when you said you had ‘bigger fish to fry’?”

            Bowser crossed his arms and looked away from everybody and mumbled to himself. Mario stepped forward.

            “How about Bowser and I act out the events from the other day? Mallow can narrate for us. Geno, we’ll let you explain about the Star Road.”

            “Works for me,” Geno said.

            “Well…okay then,” Mallow cleared his throat. “A few days ago Bowser had kidnapped the princess as usual and Mario went to his castle to save her. But just as he rescued her, a huge sword crashed down into Bowser’s Keep and flung all three of them out in different directions!” As Mallow talked Bowser laid down in the role of his castle while Mario jumped on top of him as the sword. “Now Bowser’s Keep is under the control of some jerk named ‘Smithy’.”

            “They threw me out of my own…I mean, I went to go take vacation when they moved in like a bunch of squatters!” Bowser said. “And my kids didn’t even do anything about it, can you believe it? They are so grounded when I get back!

    “Anyways, I was just sitting around trying to think of a plan to get my castle back when Mario and these two came up to me and begged to join the Koopa Troop! Normally they wouldn’t make the cut but they wanted to join so much I had no choice but to allow it. You should’ve seen it, it was pathetic!”

    “What? That’s nothing at all like how it happened!” Mario said.

    “It’s okay Mario,” Toadstool whispered. “We know Bowser must be stretching the truth a lot,” Toadstool turned towards Mallow. “So Mallow, why are you traveling with Mario? You do have powerful magic, but you seem awfully young to be out on a journey.”

    “Well, I found out I was adopted so Mario agreed to help me find my family while I help him fight the Smithy Gang,” Mallow explained.

    “Oh dear, you poor thing! I hope you find your parents soon!”

    “Me too!”

    “And Geno, what about you? Why are you traveling with them to stop Smithy?” Toadstool asked as she turned to Geno.

    “I’m actually a star from Star Haven inhabiting this form temporarily. The sword in Bowser’s Keep smashed through the Star Road on the way down and shattered it. I’ve come down to find the seven Star Pieces and repair the Star Road.”

    “But…what is Star Road?” Toadstool asked.

    “The Star Road grants everyone’s wishes,” Geno explained. “Unless all seven Star Pieces are gathered I can’t rebuild the Star Road. And if Star Road can’t be rebuilt wishes will cease for all time!”

    “Oh no! This is terrible news! …Isn’t it?” At the princess’ words the entire group facefaulted.

    “Indeed it is,” Geno confirmed as he stood up again. “For example, let’s say Bowser kidnapped you again. Without wish-granting powers of Star Road you’d probably never be rescued!”

    “I dunno, that sounds pretty good to me!” Bowser said and laughed. Quickly Mallow, Geno, and Mario stood between Bowser and Toadstool. “Let’s just forget about these Star thingys and get going, eh Toadstool?”

    “Great. And you can forget about getting your castle back, then!” Toadstool crossed her arms and told Bowser.

    “W-what? Er, let’s see…if Mario can’t find those stars Toadstool is mine! But then I won’t get my castle back and have to hold her hostage in the middle of nowhere! But if we find the stars then I get my castle but no Toadstool so…. Run that by me again, will ya?”

    “Ugh! Just ignore that idiot! I don’t think I could take a world with no wishes. We need to find the rest of the Star Pieces right away!”

    “Princess, you mean you wish to travel with them? But you’re a princess!” the chancellor exclaimed. “What will people say? This is madness!”

    “I don’t care! Everything seems hopeless right now,” Toadstool sighed. “…I’m tired. I’m going to go upstairs and lie down now. Good luck Mario, Mallow, Geno, and yes even you Bowser,” Toadstool told everybody before exiting the throne room.

    “Well then, now that things are a little more reasonable here, in honor of the princess’ return I declare tomorrow to be a national holi-wait,” the chancellor paused. “Those awful things that invaded the castle the other day, do you suppose that ‘boss’ they kept mentioned was Smithy?”

    “It was,” Mario nodded. “And in Rose Town they were attacked by members of the Smithy Gang as well.”

    “Then what am I saying about national holidays? We can’t celebrate with Smithy on the loose! Mario, you must defeat him on our behalf!”

    “Believe me, we’re already on it! And on that note, it’s time to head out on the road again. Take care of the princess, chancellor!”

    “Good luck Mario and…everyone! May the stars be with you!” the chancellor called out to them as they left the throne room. Back outside the castle they had barely stepped out the door when Toadstool called out to them from above.

    “Mario!” she said as she floated down from her room on her parasol. “Please, take me with you! I promise I can help you find the Star Pieces.”

    “But how are you going to get away with this?” Mario asked. “They think you went upstairs to lie down!”

    “I could see I wasn’t going to get anywhere with the chancellor, but don’t worry. Grandma’s helping me with this so no one will ever know that I’m gone!”

    “Then it’s great to have you with us, Toadstool,” Mario said. Toadstool smiled.

    “Thank you. So! Where is the next Star Piece at, do you know?”

    “Actually we haven’t heard anything about it yet,” Geno admitted.

    “I have an idea,” Mallow spoke up. “Since we’re in the area, let’s ask my Grandpa! I bet he knows for sure where the next Star Piece is at!”

    “Great idea, Mallow!” Mario said. “Let’s head to Tadpole Pond right away! …But we’ll skip Kero Sewers, okay?”

    “Man, I hate early mornings,” Bowser grumbled and yawned as they walked down the path in the predawn light. Mallow and Geno carried new gear with them while Bowser wore a new shell, purchased the night before.

    Mallow stifled a yawn himself. I agree with Bowser on this one. Getting up this early sucks!

    “You promised yesterday that if we’d stop for the night in Marrymore that we could set out early for the Star Piece in the morning,” Mario reminded him.

    “Yeah well I was lying then, okay?”

    “And I’m not lying now so just suck it up since we’re already out here.”

    The group stopped at the base of a large hill. On the hill grew strange, star-shaped flowers that glowed brightly in the dark. Smaller points of glowing light dotted the hill all over the place.

    “So, this is Star Hill?” Mario asked. “What a strange place.”

    “That’s because it’s one of the few places in the world that has a direct connection to Star Haven and the Star Road,” Geno explained as they started up the hill.

    “Really?” Toadstool asked. “What sort of a connection?”

    “When a wish is chosen to be granted it’s stored inside the Star Road. When it’s time for it to come true the Star Road transforms it into a shooting star, and it falls to earth and changes into a burst of light when it lands; that’s the moment the wish comes true. The light fades, and the star is gone, but the wish remains, of course.

    “Anyways, there are several of these locations where wishes fall, and the location of the wish maker determines where the wish will land. Star Hill is one such location, and serves the needs of western Mushroom Kingdom. Shooting Star Summit near Toadstool’s castle is another one of these places. Stardust Fields on the Beanbean Kingdom’s northern border is another as well.”

    “So, these little stars glowing all over the place are actually wishes?” Mario asked.

    “That’s right. Listen:” Geno said and gently touched one of the stars.

    “Wish I had some Cricket Jam,” Frogfucius’ voice came out of the star.

    “That’s amazing!” Toadstool said.

    “But if wishes don’t fall until they’re being granted, then what are all these stars, and why didn’t they vanish?” Mario asked.

    “When the Star Road was destroyed, I believe it accidentally released all the wishes it was waiting to grant. After all, we don’t usually grant wishes the instant they’re approved.”

    “Why the heck not? Are you guys just lazy about it or something?” Bowser asked. Geno shook his head.

    “Actually we try to grant wishes as naturally as possible.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “Say, for instance, you wished for some shroom cake, or maybe shaved ice. Now imagine how you’d react if suddenly it appeared right before you. You’d be confused, and probably scared as well. Maybe now you wouldn’t even want to have the shroom cake. Instead, we take a natural approach. Perhaps your friend decides to bake a shroom cake for you as a gift, or you have to travel somewhere and there’s a stall selling the shaved ice you wanted to try. That’s how we grant the majority of wishes made,” Geno explained.

    “Pretty fitting that the Star Piece landed here, then,” Mario said as he listened to another wish.

    “I vant to be a vald class baker,” Chef Torte’s voice came out of the star. Everybody laughed and started trying other stars that they found.

    “I can’t wait to start a family with Raini,” Raz wished.

    “I hope my future children are cute!” Raini wished.

    “I wish I could run faster,” was what Yoshi wished.

    “I wish I wasn’t such a crybaby,” Mallow’s voice came out of the star Geno touched. Immediately Bowser cracked up laughing. Mario laughed a little, and even Toadstool started giggling.

    “You…! Who do you think you are, spying on other people’s wishes?!” Mallow yelled at them. Thunder started cracking very close by. “Wishes are supposed to be private!” Mallow turned and ran off. The nerve of them! They wouldn’t like it if I laughed at their wishes! After he ran a short distance away he sat down in front of a star, accidentally bumping it as he did.

    “Please let Mallow find his way home,” said the voice of two people from that wish. Mallow gasped, then slowly clenched his hands into fists; dark storm clouds rapidly gathered overhead.

    “Mallow?” Geno asked as he walked up to Mallow by himself.

    “Go away,” Mallow snapped.

    “What-”

    “You stars are so concerned about granting dumb wishes like cake that you ignore all the important ones!” Mallow yelled and hit the ground angrily. “This is the wish of my parents and you never granted it! You kept me from my real family almost my whole life and now the Star Road’s busted and this wish can’t even come true anymore! You didn’t care that they wanted me back!” Mallow buried his face in his hands and willed himself not to cry.

    “Mallow,” Geno said gently as he sat next to Mallow. “You weren’t paying much attention to what I said earlier, were you?” No answer. “Mallow, we grant wishes as naturally as possible. I don’t doubt that when your parents made this wish we agreed at once to grant it. But that doesn’t mean the Star Spirits could’ve just picked up the Star Rod and teleported you back into your parent’s arms. Imagine how frightened they would’ve been if that had happened. They might not have even believed you to be you, but the result of an evil spell to trick them.”

    “So? You never put it in their head to go look at Tadpole Pond, either!”

    “…No, I suppose not. Perhaps it’s taken a long time because you were needed elsewhere.”

    “Where else could be more important than home, my real home?!”

    “With us, traveling to search for the Star Pieces. Fate is something poorly understood even by us stars,” Geno said. “Perhaps you needed to stay at Tadpole Pond so that you would meet Mario as soon as possible after the sword fell, to help defeat Bowyer, and the Mack monster you told me about. And help rescue Dyna, and Princess Toadstool, and whatever else lies ahead.”

    “I’m not that important,” Mallow mumbled. “Why does Mario need me around now that he has all of you?”

    “Because only you can use lightning, or read the minds of anyone. Mallow, you’ve gained so much confidence in yourself these past few days. I’m sure Mario has noticed that as well. Please don’t let your newfound confidence leave you now.”

    “What’s the point in having any confidence when everyone laughs at my private wish? I’ve been trying really hard not to cry all the time and you still laughed anyways.”

    “I didn’t laugh,” Geno said. “And believe me; they wouldn’t laugh either if I revealed their wishes. As a star I do understand that wishes are very personal, private things. Something I think they understand now too, and are certainly sorry for laughing at your wish. Perhaps I shouldn’t have revealed how to listen to these ungranted wishes. I am sorry at what it caused.”

    “…I wish…I want…I want my parent’s wish to come true so badly,” Mallow looked down. “All my life I’ve lived with Grandpa missing them and wanting them to come back for me and now, what if it can’t come true?”

    “It wouldn’t be here on Star Hill if that was the case,” Geno reminded him. “It may take a lot more searching once the Star Road is repaired, but it will come true.”

    “Promise?” Mallow asked, looking up at Geno.

    “Promise,” Geno said and smiled. Mallow managed to smile back, and the dark clouds overhead parted to reveal a rapidly brightening sky. Mallow and Geno stood up and Mario, Toadstool, and Bowser walked over to them.

    “Listen Mallow,” Mario said “I’m really sorry I laughed at your wish.”

    “It was so wrong of me. I’m so sorry; please forgive us,” Toadstool said.

    “Yeah, I’m supposed to say I’m sorry or something,” Bowser mumbled.

    “I’m sorry I got so angry,” Mallow said. “I’m just really embarrassed about my wish.”

    “You had every right to be angry at us,” Toadstool told him. “So, are you ready to start looking for the Star Piece again?”

    “Yes, let’s keep searching-ah…look there!” Geno pointed to the top of Star Hill, where a purple Star Piece sat upon the crest.

    The group raced to the top of the hill. As soon as they got near the Star Piece started circling around them just as the others had done. The Star Piece landed in Mario’s hands just as the sun rose over the horizon, bathing them and the top of the hill in gold. Past the other side of Star Hill Mallow could see a town next to the sea.

    “Seaside Town!” Toadstool exclaimed. “Let’s go to Seaside Town, they have so many shops there, and we can even have a picnic by the sea! Please, Mario?”

    “I’ve always wanted to go to Seaside Town,” Mallow said.

    “Well, I suppose it can’t hurt. Maybe somebody there knows where the next Star Piece is,” Mario said as they started down the hill and towards Seaside Town.

Description

  “There you are Mario, you never returned from Tadpole Pond the other day-Princess Toadstool!”

            “I’m finally home!” Toadstool said as she stepped forward. “Mario and his friends saved me from a terrible fate!”

            “Let’s go see the chancellor right away, he’s been worried sick!” Toad led everyone to the throne room. “Chancellor, Princess Toadstool’s back!” Toad yelled as he burst through the doors of the throne room. The chancellor rushed across the throne room to Toadstool as she entered; even the mushroom retainers abandoned their posts to gather around the princess.

            “Thank the stars!” the chancellor said. “We’ve been so worried about you! Come, let’s get out of this drafty doorway so we can talk properly,” he said as he led the princess over to her throne. The mushroom retainers assembled back into their proper positions, but Toadstool chose to stand next to the chancellor.

            “Mario,” Toadstool said. “I’m ever so thankful for the assistance of you and your friends. But…how in the world can you trust Bowser?”

            “Bowser?” the chancellor asked. “What do you-egad!” he exclaimed as he and the other mushroom retainers finally noticed Bowser standing in the room. “What is going on here?!”

            “It’s okay, everything is under control,” Mario reassured the toads. “We traveled all the way back here without any problems, after all!”

            “Er, I-I see,” the chancellor said.

            “Bowser, perhaps you should tell us your story,” Toadstool said to Bowser. “What did you mean when you said you had ‘bigger fish to fry’?”

            Bowser crossed his arms and looked away from everybody and mumbled to himself. Mario stepped forward.

            “How about Bowser and I act out the events from the other day? Mallow can narrate for us. Geno, we’ll let you explain about the Star Road.”

            “Works for me,” Geno said.

            “Well…okay then,” Mallow cleared his throat. “A few days ago Bowser had kidnapped the princess as usual and Mario went to his castle to save her. But just as he rescued her, a huge sword crashed down into Bowser’s Keep and flung all three of them out in different directions!” As Mallow talked Bowser laid down in the role of his castle while Mario jumped on top of him as the sword. “Now Bowser’s Keep is under the control of some jerk named ‘Smithy’.”

            “They threw me out of my own…I mean, I went to go take vacation when they moved in like a bunch of squatters!” Bowser said. “And my kids didn’t even do anything about it, can you believe it? They are so grounded when I get back!

    “Anyways, I was just sitting around trying to think of a plan to get my castle back when Mario and these two came up to me and begged to join the Koopa Troop! Normally they wouldn’t make the cut but they wanted to join so much I had no choice but to allow it. You should’ve seen it, it was pathetic!”

    “What? That’s nothing at all like how it happened!” Mario said.

    “It’s okay Mario,” Toadstool whispered. “We know Bowser must be stretching the truth a lot,” Toadstool turned towards Mallow. “So Mallow, why are you traveling with Mario? You do have powerful magic, but you seem awfully young to be out on a journey.”

    “Well, I found out I was adopted so Mario agreed to help me find my family while I help him fight the Smithy Gang,” Mallow explained.

    “Oh dear, you poor thing! I hope you find your parents soon!”

    “Me too!”

    “And Geno, what about you? Why are you traveling with them to stop Smithy?” Toadstool asked as she turned to Geno.

    “I’m actually a star from Star Haven inhabiting this form temporarily. The sword in Bowser’s Keep smashed through the Star Road on the way down and shattered it. I’ve come down to find the seven Star Pieces and repair the Star Road.”

    “But…what is Star Road?” Toadstool asked.

    “The Star Road grants everyone’s wishes,” Geno explained. “Unless all seven Star Pieces are gathered I can’t rebuild the Star Road. And if Star Road can’t be rebuilt wishes will cease for all time!”

    “Oh no! This is terrible news! …Isn’t it?” At the princess’ words the entire group facefaulted.

    “Indeed it is,” Geno confirmed as he stood up again. “For example, let’s say Bowser kidnapped you again. Without wish-granting powers of Star Road you’d probably never be rescued!”

    “I dunno, that sounds pretty good to me!” Bowser said and laughed. Quickly Mallow, Geno, and Mario stood between Bowser and Toadstool. “Let’s just forget about these Star thingys and get going, eh Toadstool?”

    “Great. And you can forget about getting your castle back, then!” Toadstool crossed her arms and told Bowser.

    “W-what? Er, let’s see…if Mario can’t find those stars Toadstool is mine! But then I won’t get my castle back and have to hold her hostage in the middle of nowhere! But if we find the stars then I get my castle but no Toadstool so…. Run that by me again, will ya?”

    “Ugh! Just ignore that idiot! I don’t think I could take a world with no wishes. We need to find the rest of the Star Pieces right away!”

    “Princess, you mean you wish to travel with them? But you’re a princess!” the chancellor exclaimed. “What will people say? This is madness!”

    “I don’t care! Everything seems hopeless right now,” Toadstool sighed. “…I’m tired. I’m going to go upstairs and lie down now. Good luck Mario, Mallow, Geno, and yes even you Bowser,” Toadstool told everybody before exiting the throne room.

    “Well then, now that things are a little more reasonable here, in honor of the princess’ return I declare tomorrow to be a national holi-wait,” the chancellor paused. “Those awful things that invaded the castle the other day, do you suppose that ‘boss’ they kept mentioned was Smithy?”

    “It was,” Mario nodded. “And in Rose Town they were attacked by members of the Smithy Gang as well.”

    “Then what am I saying about national holidays? We can’t celebrate with Smithy on the loose! Mario, you must defeat him on our behalf!”

    “Believe me, we’re already on it! And on that note, it’s time to head out on the road again. Take care of the princess, chancellor!”

    “Good luck Mario and…everyone! May the stars be with you!” the chancellor called out to them as they left the throne room. Back outside the castle they had barely stepped out the door when Toadstool called out to them from above.

    “Mario!” she said as she floated down from her room on her parasol. “Please, take me with you! I promise I can help you find the Star Pieces.”

    “But how are you going to get away with this?” Mario asked. “They think you went upstairs to lie down!”

    “I could see I wasn’t going to get anywhere with the chancellor, but don’t worry. Grandma’s helping me with this so no one will ever know that I’m gone!”

    “Then it’s great to have you with us, Toadstool,” Mario said. Toadstool smiled.

    “Thank you. So! Where is the next Star Piece at, do you know?”

    “Actually we haven’t heard anything about it yet,” Geno admitted.

    “I have an idea,” Mallow spoke up. “Since we’re in the area, let’s ask my Grandpa! I bet he knows for sure where the next Star Piece is at!”

    “Great idea, Mallow!” Mario said. “Let’s head to Tadpole Pond right away! …But we’ll skip Kero Sewers, okay?”

    “Man, I hate early mornings,” Bowser grumbled and yawned as they walked down the path in the predawn light. Mallow and Geno carried new gear with them while Bowser wore a new shell, purchased the night before.

    Mallow stifled a yawn himself. I agree with Bowser on this one. Getting up this early sucks!

    “You promised yesterday that if we’d stop for the night in Marrymore that we could set out early for the Star Piece in the morning,” Mario reminded him.

    “Yeah well I was lying then, okay?”

    “And I’m not lying now so just suck it up since we’re already out here.”

    The group stopped at the base of a large hill. On the hill grew strange, star-shaped flowers that glowed brightly in the dark. Smaller points of glowing light dotted the hill all over the place.

    “So, this is Star Hill?” Mario asked. “What a strange place.”

    “That’s because it’s one of the few places in the world that has a direct connection to Star Haven and the Star Road,” Geno explained as they started up the hill.

    “Really?” Toadstool asked. “What sort of a connection?”

    “When a wish is chosen to be granted it’s stored inside the Star Road. When it’s time for it to come true the Star Road transforms it into a shooting star, and it falls to earth and changes into a burst of light when it lands; that’s the moment the wish comes true. The light fades, and the star is gone, but the wish remains, of course.

    “Anyways, there are several of these locations where wishes fall, and the location of the wish maker determines where the wish will land. Star Hill is one such location, and serves the needs of western Mushroom Kingdom. Shooting Star Summit near Toadstool’s castle is another one of these places. Stardust Fields on the Beanbean Kingdom’s northern border is another as well.”

    “So, these little stars glowing all over the place are actually wishes?” Mario asked.

    “That’s right. Listen:” Geno said and gently touched one of the stars.

    “Wish I had some Cricket Jam,” Frogfucius’ voice came out of the star.

    “That’s amazing!” Toadstool said.

    “But if wishes don’t fall until they’re being granted, then what are all these stars, and why didn’t they vanish?” Mario asked.

    “When the Star Road was destroyed, I believe it accidentally released all the wishes it was waiting to grant. After all, we don’t usually grant wishes the instant they’re approved.”

    “Why the heck not? Are you guys just lazy about it or something?” Bowser asked. Geno shook his head.

    “Actually we try to grant wishes as naturally as possible.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “Say, for instance, you wished for some shroom cake, or maybe shaved ice. Now imagine how you’d react if suddenly it appeared right before you. You’d be confused, and probably scared as well. Maybe now you wouldn’t even want to have the shroom cake. Instead, we take a natural approach. Perhaps your friend decides to bake a shroom cake for you as a gift, or you have to travel somewhere and there’s a stall selling the shaved ice you wanted to try. That’s how we grant the majority of wishes made,” Geno explained.

    “Pretty fitting that the Star Piece landed here, then,” Mario said as he listened to another wish.

    “I vant to be a vald class baker,” Chef Torte’s voice came out of the star. Everybody laughed and started trying other stars that they found.

    “I can’t wait to start a family with Raini,” Raz wished.

    “I hope my future children are cute!” Raini wished.

    “I wish I could run faster,” was what Yoshi wished.

    “I wish I wasn’t such a crybaby,” Mallow’s voice came out of the star Geno touched. Immediately Bowser cracked up laughing. Mario laughed a little, and even Toadstool started giggling.

    “You…! Who do you think you are, spying on other people’s wishes?!” Mallow yelled at them. Thunder started cracking very close by. “Wishes are supposed to be private!” Mallow turned and ran off. The nerve of them! They wouldn’t like it if I laughed at their wishes! After he ran a short distance away he sat down in front of a star, accidentally bumping it as he did.

    “Please let Mallow find his way home,” said the voice of two people from that wish. Mallow gasped, then slowly clenched his hands into fists; dark storm clouds rapidly gathered overhead.

    “Mallow?” Geno asked as he walked up to Mallow by himself.

    “Go away,” Mallow snapped.

    “What-”

    “You stars are so concerned about granting dumb wishes like cake that you ignore all the important ones!” Mallow yelled and hit the ground angrily. “This is the wish of my parents and you never granted it! You kept me from my real family almost my whole life and now the Star Road’s busted and this wish can’t even come true anymore! You didn’t care that they wanted me back!” Mallow buried his face in his hands and willed himself not to cry.

    “Mallow,” Geno said gently as he sat next to Mallow. “You weren’t paying much attention to what I said earlier, were you?” No answer. “Mallow, we grant wishes as naturally as possible. I don’t doubt that when your parents made this wish we agreed at once to grant it. But that doesn’t mean the Star Spirits could’ve just picked up the Star Rod and teleported you back into your parent’s arms. Imagine how frightened they would’ve been if that had happened. They might not have even believed you to be you, but the result of an evil spell to trick them.”

    “So? You never put it in their head to go look at Tadpole Pond, either!”

    “…No, I suppose not. Perhaps it’s taken a long time because you were needed elsewhere.”

    “Where else could be more important than home, my real home?!”

    “With us, traveling to search for the Star Pieces. Fate is something poorly understood even by us stars,” Geno said. “Perhaps you needed to stay at Tadpole Pond so that you would meet Mario as soon as possible after the sword fell, to help defeat Bowyer, and the Mack monster you told me about. And help rescue Dyna, and Princess Toadstool, and whatever else lies ahead.”

    “I’m not that important,” Mallow mumbled. “Why does Mario need me around now that he has all of you?”

    “Because only you can use lightning, or read the minds of anyone. Mallow, you’ve gained so much confidence in yourself these past few days. I’m sure Mario has noticed that as well. Please don’t let your newfound confidence leave you now.”

    “What’s the point in having any confidence when everyone laughs at my private wish? I’ve been trying really hard not to cry all the time and you still laughed anyways.”

    “I didn’t laugh,” Geno said. “And believe me; they wouldn’t laugh either if I revealed their wishes. As a star I do understand that wishes are very personal, private things. Something I think they understand now too, and are certainly sorry for laughing at your wish. Perhaps I shouldn’t have revealed how to listen to these ungranted wishes. I am sorry at what it caused.”

    “…I wish…I want…I want my parent’s wish to come true so badly,” Mallow looked down. “All my life I’ve lived with Grandpa missing them and wanting them to come back for me and now, what if it can’t come true?”

    “It wouldn’t be here on Star Hill if that was the case,” Geno reminded him. “It may take a lot more searching once the Star Road is repaired, but it will come true.”

    “Promise?” Mallow asked, looking up at Geno.

    “Promise,” Geno said and smiled. Mallow managed to smile back, and the dark clouds overhead parted to reveal a rapidly brightening sky. Mallow and Geno stood up and Mario, Toadstool, and Bowser walked over to them.

    “Listen Mallow,” Mario said “I’m really sorry I laughed at your wish.”

    “It was so wrong of me. I’m so sorry; please forgive us,” Toadstool said.

    “Yeah, I’m supposed to say I’m sorry or something,” Bowser mumbled.

    “I’m sorry I got so angry,” Mallow said. “I’m just really embarrassed about my wish.”

    “You had every right to be angry at us,” Toadstool told him. “So, are you ready to start looking for the Star Piece again?”

    “Yes, let’s keep searching-ah…look there!” Geno pointed to the top of Star Hill, where a purple Star Piece sat upon the crest.

    The group raced to the top of the hill. As soon as they got near the Star Piece started circling around them just as the others had done. The Star Piece landed in Mario’s hands just as the sun rose over the horizon, bathing them and the top of the hill in gold. Past the other side of Star Hill Mallow could see a town next to the sea.

    “Seaside Town!” Toadstool exclaimed. “Let’s go to Seaside Town, they have so many shops there, and we can even have a picnic by the sea! Please, Mario?”

    “I’ve always wanted to go to Seaside Town,” Mallow said.

    “Well, I suppose it can’t hurt. Maybe somebody there knows where the next Star Piece is,” Mario said as they started down the hill and towards Seaside Town.