Lethal Lava Land:

Landing with a huff on a slab of long grey stone, Luigi immediately felt the burning sting of the radiating lava against his skin. The entire area was aglow with an orange and red hue from the flowing lava on the surface and the magma far below. Stones that jutted out from the lava were the only safe terrain which could be used to traverse the super heated world. Aside from the stone path a few stone islands sat idle in the lava, a bridge, a massive rolling log, an odd shifting puzzle with King Boo's likeness and and in the center of the molten locale was an actively erupting volcano with its own stone path encircling it.

"Phew..." Luigi pulled at the collar of his shirt in an attempt to cool his neck. He rolled up the long sleeves of his shirt and wiped sweat from his brow. "The flame on the painting doesn't do this world justice! I've never been so hot..."

Walking along the stone path Luigi scanned the perilous world for any sign of Daisy or the guarding Boo that surely hid somewhere nearby. There was no sign of the fair Princess amongst the bubbling lava and aggressive Bullies who patrolled the area. As he came to the end of the path Luigi saw a half-key behind a thick barred fence.

"Hey!" Luigi tried to reach through the bars for the half-key but it was just out of his reach. "How do I get it?"

Stepping back Luigi saw through the fence a metal track used to guide the giant rolling log back and forth. A dangerous trail of stones led to the log from the pathway. The only trail that could be used...

"Oh, no..." Luigi ran his face down his hot face. "Not that!"

Another eruption of magma and heated boulders from the volcano caught him off guard. Instinctively Luigi put his hands on his cap and pulled it down over his eyes as he ducked down, trying to avoid being struck by the explosion.

"Guess I can't just sit here!" Luigi realized as he slowly got back to his feet, grateful to be unmarked by the dangerous heat. "And I have to find Daisy! If I don't get that half-key I won't be able to open another door in the Castle and I can't save Mario!"

Slowly Luigi walked to the edge of the path and gauged the distance from the path to the nearest exposed stone. If he missed he'd be burned by the lava and slowed down due to his injury.

Gulping nervously Luigi took a few steps back and ran to the edge of the path and leapt onto the stone. He landed dead center and sighed in relief. Stone by stone he jumped until he reached the large rolling log. It was much larger than it had looked from afar. Careful to jump up and onto the rounded object Luigi found his balance and steadily began walking in the opposite direction of the half-key.

The log slowly began rolling in the direction of the half-key, Luigi's foot steps creating the proper momentum to move.

Looking over his shoulder Luigi watched eagerly for the log to roll close enough to the stone platform where the half-key rested.

"Easy... That's it..." Luigi repeated to himself in a desperate attempt to claim any form of confidence that he so desperately needed. "Almost got it... NOW!"

Jumping from the log and onto the stable stone pathway, Luigi kneeled on the ground and caught his breath. Rolling the heavy log took alot of effort and the intense heat that bombarded his body made the effort all the more tedious.

"Got you..." Drenched in sweat Luigi grabbed the half-key from the ground and put it in his pocket. "Now, to find Daisy."

A Boos' cackle filled the air and sent a chill down Luigi''s spine. Looking toward the source of the wicked laugh Luigi's heart skipped a beat. It was coming from inside the volcano!

"Uh..." Luigi really didn't want to venture into an active volcano, let alone deal with another Boo in the dreaded heat!

Reluctantly Luigi climbed back onto the log and rolled it back in the direction from whence it came. All the time he walked and ran to move the log over the surface of the scorching lava his eyes were locked on the volcano which continued to erupt with both magma and the laughter of the Boo hiding within.

The log came to a sudden stop as it reached the end of the metal track. Luigi lost his balance and slipped off the log but landed safely on the stone path connected to the track. The fall shot adrenaline through Luigi's veins as he realized how close he came to getting burned.

"Gotta' be more careful!" He wiped more sweat from his brow with his arm. "I can't afford any mistakes! Daisy's counting on me..."

After composing himself Luigi stood up and walked along the path, jumped the stones and landed on the spinning stone path around the volcano. The path spun around slowly but it was still enough to disorient the timid hero. Luigi felt the path come to a stop and felt the ground beneath the path begin to quake.

"Oh no!" Luigi ducked down again as the volcano once again erupted with magma and super heated boulders.

The eruption ended and the path began spinning around.

"Not again!" Luigi timed his jump from the path into the opening of the volcano. There was no way he was going to endure another eruption when he was so close to the source. "One, two... three!"

On 'three' Luigi leapt from the stone path and into the top of the volcano. As he fell he carefully the avoided boulders and embers that floated upward from the heart of the volcano. Much to his surprise Luigi saw another pathway inside the volcano, which itself was much larger inside than it appeared out.

"Whoa!" Luigi landed on the new pathway and stared at the winding trail that ascended back toward the top in awe. "How is this possible?!"

"Luigi!" A voice called out weakly from above.

"Daisy?!" Luigi honed in on Daisy at the top of the winding path where the Boo hovered. "Oh no you don't!"

Luigi fearlessly began running along the stone, winding path that ascended steadily. The Bullies weren't enough to deter him as he easily evaded their tackles and continued to climb. If he lost his footing or a platform gave way under his weight Luigi would fall to his doom with no chance to save himself during the drop into the perpetually hot lava.

Jumping from platforms and climbing poles Luigi reached the top of the path and came to face with the Boo. Sitting on the ground behind the Boo was Daisy. She was pale and obviously suffering from the extreme heat. She needed to be removed from the volcano, FAST!

"Move aside!" Luigi demanded, his voice showing no sign of fear or hesitation.

The Boo turned to Luigi and laughed maniacally. "One false step..." It taunted as it sized up Luigi for attack.

Grabbing the nozzle of the Poltergust from his belt, Luigi managed to sidestep the Boo's swift tackle and catch it in the powerful suction of the Poltergust. The Boo cried out in shock as the paranormal device effectively sucked it up and into the canister on Luigi's back. A Dark Power Star fell from the Boo's grip and onto the ground near Luigi's feet.

"Daisy?" Luigi didn't care about the Boo or the Dark Power Star at the moment. Kneeling he gently put his hands on her face. "Are you alright?"

"It's so hot..." She replied in a near whisper.

"I'll get you out of here!" Luigi responded with the hint of a promise in his voice. "Just hold on."

"Luigi..." Daisy closed her eyes from exhaustion.

Grabbing the dropped Dark Power Star and putting the object in his pocket along with the half-key, Luigi scooped Daisy up in his arms and held her tight against his chest. "Hang on for me, please!"

...to be continued...