Starlow floated through the portal, along with the Bros.
"Well, it sure is hot here, wonder why?" Starlow said out loud, looking around at the new location. Luigi gave a sigh and facepalmed. The ground shook as lava swirled around them.
"Oh, yeah, yeah, whatever, you noticed we were in some lava-land before I did, so what? Can't you ever just do anything without complaining?" Starlow rolled her eyes; she had been arguing with Luigi for at least a week, and both just wanted to nitpick each other. Luigi fumed, stomping the floor madly.
"Luigi…" Mario started.
"Oh, look at you, stop acting like such a baby, not even this volcano is burning up like you are! Just quiet down, do what your brother does for once!" Mario walked up to Starlow, explaining something, but she wasn't paying attention. Luigi jumped twice, and hammered the ground, a look of challenge on his face. It took her a few moments to understand.
"Oh, you want to fight, do you? Bring it on, I'll show you what a Star Sprite can do!" Starlow tackled Luigi's face, who stumbled back in surprise. Mario tried to reason with Starlow again, but she still didn't listen. Instead, she flew at Luigi again. Luigi pulled out his hammer and swung at Starlow, who braced for the attack. To her surprise, despite the Hammer being made of gold and embedded with the energy of Chakron, it didn't hurt her at all. She assumed Luigi was trying not to hurt her. Deciding to be a drama queen, she let the hammer knock her back, and she fell to the floor, making a weak groan.
She narrowly opened an eye, seeing Mario gazing down at the lava, while Luigi rushed forward. Luigi stood in front of her, trying to get her attention. She sighed, hoping she would have fooled Mario and let him yell at Luigi, but who was she kidding? Mario was smarter than that.
Starlow quickly got up and knocked Luigi back, with a playful grin. Luigi fumed once again, jumping at Starlow again and again. Starlow easily got out of the way each time. Avoiding another jump, she decided she was close enough and tackled Luigi again, who stumbled back in surprise again. She flew away quickly, waiting for the sound of a jump. When none came, she turned.
"Had enough?" She turned just in time to see Luigi fall off the platform into the lava.
…
…
Starlow mouth and eyes went wide, floating over to where Luigi had fallen. She thought she might have heard Mario shouting, but she was too focused on what had happened.
Did I- Did I kill him? No… No, I couldn't have, I'm not… I'm not… It just happened, he was clumsy… that's it… You're a good Star Sprite, Starlow, come on…
She noticed Mario staring at her, and she slowly turned to him. She was half hoping that Luigi would swim back up, telling them that it was ketchup and neon food colouring, and that he was just fine.
"Mario…" She trailed off, not knowing what to say. Mario berated her, and she hung her head in shame.
He blames you, and he has every right to… You pushed him… Great, one of your best friends hates you now, and what are people going to say if Mario reveals what happened to Luigi?
Starlow blinked. She had just killed someone, and all she could think about was her reputation? Looking up, she saw that Mario motioned for her to follow. She nodded, gingerly floating after him, not daring to enter his hammerspace.
She was still surprised as to how Mario had continued on as if nothing happened, but continued to solemnly watch him fight without his brother. She thought of Luigi, the two adventures they had before, and how she always used to pick on him. A tear slid down her face.
"Luigi…" She whispered. Mario stopped, turning to Starlow. He gently patted her back. More tears slid down her face, until she was sobbing.
"It's… It's my fault he's dead! I- I didn't mean to! It just got out of hand and I…" Starlow sobbed into Mario's shoulder, who continued to comfort her.
"Mario… I… I killed your brother, and you're still here, comforting me! Why?" Mario shook his head, continuing to pat her on the back. Suddenly, he turned, walking over to the edge of the platform, examining the lava, he walked over to the other side, examining the lava again. Finally, he motioned Starlow to follow him, continuing down the road. He continued to examine the lava, until he finally stopped at a certain corner. He picked up a rock and threw it in. Starlow watched with a look of confusion, when suddenly, Luigi flew out, holding his backside and yowling in pain. He landed with a thud on the platform, and the two brothers dramatically hugged.
"L-Luigi… You're… alive?!" Starlow stared in shock at the taller brother, who nodded his head.
…
…
"I missed you…"
...
Mario jumped into the lava. Starlow stared at the spot where he jumped, sighing.
"Let me guess, that ice golem who supposedly lives here is in there, isn't it?