The next morning, Mario and Yoshi woke up and immediately noticed the moon looked to be closer than it was yesterday. Time is ticking, but before going out for more stars, the two heroes entered Peach's Castle so see if the princess was okay.
Peach: Good morning, Mario and Yoshi!
Mario: Good morning princess! We were just checking to make sure nothing bad has happened.
Yoshi: Are you and the others doing okay?
Peach: We're doing fine. But Toadsworth keeps making me stay indoors. He's still asleep, by the way.
Mario: Is the rest of the Mushroom Kingdom doing okay?
Peach: They're doing okay. But I'm having everybody stay inside their homes until this disastrous event is over. I'll have my castle servants be of service in case they need anything.
Mario: That's good to know. We should get going. Time's-a ticking!
Peach: Before you go, why don't you have a quick breakfast? You can't go out looking for stars on an empty stomach.
Yoshi: I'm down for it!
They both sat down at a table and had some french toast for breakfast served by the castle servants. Then Mario went upstairs and put on a hawaiian style shirt with Shine Sprites depicted all over it. He didn't put on the sunshades that came with it, though. Because he felt like he wouldn't need them where he's going. He stepped outside the castle where both Yoshi and Peach were waiting.
Yoshi: Nice shirt, Mario! Where'd you get it?
Mario: Isle Delfino. I got it from this guy who gave it to me along with a pair of sunshades after gathering so many Shine Sprites. But I'm not bringing the sunshades because I feel like I'm not gonna need them where we're going.
Yoshi: Good call, because I think the next place we're going to would be inside that cave over there.
He pointed over at a large cave in the distance where the Goomba Bros ran to when Mario and Yoshi defeated them last night.
Mario: You think that could be the Goomba Bros. hideout?
Yoshi: Probably.
Peach: Good luck, you two. And please, stay safe!
Mario: We will, Princess. You can guarantee that. Now, let's-a go!
Both Mario and Yoshi entered the cave.
Inside, the two heroes were in a dark tunnel. In front of them stood a gate leading to another part of the Mushroom Kingdom, but it was locked off and they had no key, so they just went right. There, they saw a bridge hanging over a chasm of boiling hot lava. On the other side was a castle that looked like one of Bowser's.
Yoshi: Did Bowser build a secret lair down here?
Mario: Looks like it. I guess he decided to relocate his castle underground because seeing the moon heading towards us would not be a pleasant sight to watch. I really don't blame him. But let's not bother him unless he kidnaps the princess, or has something we need.
The two spotted an opening to the left of the bridge and jumped down to it, entering the hole.
Underground Corridor
The duo were in a dark and dank cave with lava at the bottom. Mario and Yoshi leaped over some platforms before making their descent towards a platform at the bottom where a bully with red horns and three devil tails awaited. It was the Devil Bully.
Yoshi: Well, that's a new type of bully.
Mario: Let's-a take it down!
The Devil Bully charged at them like a normal Bully would. Mario tried to kick it back, but it summoned a fire shield around it, setting Mario's leg on fire.
Mario: AHHHAHAHAHAHA!
Yoshi: Mario! Are you okay?!
Mario: Ouch! That really hurt! This is no ordinary bully.
Yoshi: We'll just have to kick it when it doesn't have that shield on.
Mario and Yoshi attacked the Devil Bully by hitting it when it didn't have the shield up, once it was knocked into the lava, a blue orb with a Mushroom logo appeared in front of the bros. It spun around rapidly before Toad appeared in its place. He looked dizzy for a moment before shaking his head and coming to his senses. Toad smiled big at the sight of his two friends.
Toad: Mario! Yoshi!
He ran over and hugged them.
Mario: Hi Toad!
Yoshi: Long time no see, buddy!
Toad: I knew you'd come and save me! I knew it!
Mario: Glad to have you back, Toad! Now, let's get out of here. We'll explain more on the way.
Toad: Okay!