The Fire Sea:
Luigi dropped through the darkness of the of the paranormally created dungeon without flinching or fear. The usually timid hero seemed unable to feel fear, let alone hesitation as he bullheadedly jumped into a blatant trap, alone! His mind was clouded with anger, a cloud that was beginning to blind him to his own rage and impulsive decisions.
Landing on the stone platform floating atop a massive ocean of bubbling lava, Luigi scanned the terrain that laid before him. Stone pillars and pathways stretched across the molten pit below, as platforms rhythmically raised and lowered with the ethereal magic used in their creation. As the pathway ascended into the sky the platforms became more narrow and shifted quicker. Poles and lifts were the only possible means of avoiding the lava if Luigi was unable to move as swiftly as he needed. Bullies from 'Lethal Lava Land' and Goombas patrolled several platforms while spinning orbs of electricity littered the already perilous platforms with dangerously strong currents.
At the end of the dangerous pathway, floating high above the lava, was a single green tube that acted like an entry to a portal to a new locale. Through the portal the enemy awaited. Luigi wiped a single bead of sweat from his brow with the back of his arm as he began the trek.
Stepping onto a small steel grate platform floating on the eternal pit of lava, the platform began moving on its own. It was guided by a metal track that connected to the next section of stone pathway, with a single small blockade as it's primary hindrance. Being a skilled athlete Luigi easily leapt over the block and landed safely on the moving platform. Floating nearby were three smaller platforms which kept Luigi clear of the lava until it was safe to jump back on the platform. He jumped back as the platform made contact with the end of the track.
Just beyond the stone pathway was a smaller, wavy pathway that was partially submerged in the lava. Using careful leaps and bounds Luigi traversed the trail and made contact with the next section of stone path.
Dashing past two Goombas Luigi leapt onto another steel platform with a pole at it's center. Climbing to the top of the pole the platform raised itself upward allowing Luigi easy passage onto the ascending platform that lead even further into the bleak, burning world. Unlike the previous platforms these were less table and tilted from left to right with Luigi's added weight. Difficult but not impossible Luigi traversed the tilting platforms and reached the pole at the end. Climbing up the pole Luigi leapt onto a lift and proceeded to ascend even higher into the dangerous path.
"I'm not going to lose," Luigi muttered to himself, feeling the heat of the lava burning at his exposed flesh. His hands clutched into tight fists at his sides as his bright blue eyes shifted into a darker shade of blue against the bright, fiery glow of the sky. "no one is going to be hurt. Not ever again..."
The lift reach its peak allowing Luigi access to the next location. Another stone pathway with Bullies and platforms, with a smaller pool of dark red lava beneath his feet. Leaping across a large gap over the lava Luigi found himself at the mercy of shifting platforms floating in the lava pool, with two Bullies waiting for him on a small on island beyond the platforms.
Unwilling to waste a second on these less foes Luigi crossed the platforms, ran between the two Bullies and continued to climb even higher up the winding stone and steel pathway. Rounding a corner the pathway changed into pure stone with slightly raised walls and roaming electric orbs. He never lost pace as he ran up the path to a third pool of lava. Like the first section of the pathway a stretch of stone, partially submerged in the lava, connected one end of the path to the other. But unlike the first three flame cannons lined the treacherous path and threatened to burn Luigi at any moment.
Crossing the path lead Luigi to yet another raising and lowering platform with a pole at it's center. Recognizing the pattern Luigi climbed to the top of the pole as the platform raised up higher, connecting to another platform. This new platform connected to small tunnel like interior with two more raising and lowering platforms, both with poles at their centers. Relying on his nimble dexterity Luigi exited the tunnel, standing on an elevated platform of stone.
His eyes locked onto the green circular portal that was only a few yards from where he stood. A single break way wooden bridge was all the separated him from the enemy within.
Luigi could feel the tension that riddled his body and he tried to force himself to relax and to clear his mind; but then through the portal the wicked cackle that taunted him before sound off yet again.
"There you are!" Luigi declared as he took the nozzle of the Poltergust with one hand and sprinted down the bridge. One by one the wooden planks fell away under Luigi's passing feet.
Diving into the portal Luigi found himself standing on another stone platform, another arena. This arena was a massive maroon hued island hovering high above a pool of lava, with a dozen spike balled bombs lining the outer perimeter in a macabre decor.
Luigi stood alone on the lone island but felt someone watching him. "Show yourself!" Luigi demanded at the unseen enemy. "Let's finish this!"
A cackle responded to the demand as a nearly transparent form floated down from the sky and to the center of the arena. Slowly the shape filled in with color and features as a massive purple colored Boo. A Dark Boo of immense size easily towered over the lone hero. The Boos shadow stretched from the center of the arena to the very edge, bathing Luigi inn darkness where he stood.
"Who are you?" Luigi asked without batting an eye. "Where did you come from?"
The Boo, a little disappointed that Luigi wasn't intimidated by his presence, happily introduced itself. "I am the Atomic Dark Boo!" It cackled again, its long green tongue hanging from its grinning mouth. "Ever heard of me?"
Luigi had in fact heard of this particular Boo. When he was on his solo mission to save Princess Eclair of the Waffle Kingdom, he'd often spend time resting in Rogueport. While taking a break in Podley's Place, the local bar and heart of the port town, Luigi had overheard two salty sailors exchanging stories about battling inside the 'Pit of 100 Trials'. Rumor had it that the Dark Atomic Boo roamed the 50th floor and devoured all of those who reach the fated floor.
Since Mario and his party had managed to complete the trial Luigi knew that the Dark Atomic Boo had left the pit long ago.
Luigi gave a sly grin. "I heard you fled the Pit of 100 Trials after my Brother defeated you."
The Dark Atomic Boo's grin disappeared as it suddenly dropped from midair and onto the arena. The massive weight drop caused the entire arena to shift and tilt. "No red plumber could ever defeat me!" It retorted bitterly through gritted teeth.
"Then why'd you run? Did you hear him coming?" Luigi uncharacteristically snapped back.
The Dark Atomic Boo bounced up and down in anger, causing the entire arena to shift again. Luigi's footing began to slip as the violent tremor rippled over the surface. "No being, mortal or immortal, is a match for my power!" It boasted as it hovered up again and bounced down after hovering backward by a few feet. "I grew impatient with waiting and went looking for a worthy opponent!"
Luigi slid toward the large Boo as the arena shifted again. He saw how close the Boo had positioned itself to one of the large spike bombs and knew his opportunity for a clean strike was near. He backed toward the edge of the arena, opposite of the Boo and prepared to move.
"Too bad you sided with a false King!" Luigi wasn't afraid to insult his greatest nemesis or his flunkies. "What kind of King gets taken down by one man with fancy backpack?"
The Dark Atomic Boo snarled loudly as it hovered up even higher and bounced back down with tremendous force. The entire arena tilted at an extreme angle, lifting Luigi up high into the air. It was the opportune moment.
Luigi jumped up high and focused on the Dark Atomic Boo's face. Both heels of his boots landed dead center of the Boo's face as he kicked the fiend back and into the spike bomb only inches behind it. As Luigi prepared to land back on the floor of the arena from his mighty ricochet jump courtesy of said Boo's face, the massive explosion sent the Boo high into the air leaving it wounded and vulnerable.
As the Dark Atomic Boo fell back to the arena is a stunned daze Luigi turned on the Poltergust and focused on its weakened body. It was a struggle for the Poltergust to envelope the powerful Boo with it's suction, but after a few seconds the bulk of the Dark Atomic Boo was sucked down the nozzle and into the canister of the PolterGust on Luigi's back.
A green Warp Pipe emerged from the ground in the center of the area, giving Luigi the chance to exit the arena at any time.
The remaining second portion of the half-key that Luigi had collected earlier in 'Lethal Lava Land' fell from the defeated Boo's grasp and landed at Luigi's feet.
Picking up the half-key Luigi took the first half from his pocket and reunited the two halves into a single Key. The two halves fused together easily in a burst of light and energy and Luigi proudly brandished the treasure in his hand.
"Got it!" He attempted to adjust his cap but as his hands met his messy brown hair he suddenly remembered he had left his cap behind with Daisy back in the basement of the Castle. "Daisy, I have get back to her!"
Leaping into the Warp Pipe Luigi could only think about Daisy as the dark tunnel transported him out of the Fire Sea and back into Peach's Castle. "Please be alright! I promised to protect you..."
An angry tightness suddenly filled his chest and made his heart ache. An unbearable ache he had never felt before. "Daisy... Mario..."
...to be continued...