Mario ran through the gates to Peach's Castle to tell the message. "Alright, I'll open the gates for you. We've got to tell the Chancellor!" Toad ran inside as Mario followed quickly after him. Inside the throne room, the Chancellor was standing in front of the empty throne and was surprised to see Mario.

"Oh, there you are, Mario! Where's Princess Toadstool? She left for your house hours ago? And can you explain that earthquake? It knocked the spores out of me!"

"Well, you see, I left Peach in the meadow and…"

"Wait, you left our Princess Toadstool alone? And in the open? What were you thinking?" Mario had a sheepish look on his face. "And let me guess, Bowser came and swooped off with her…"

"Well, yeah, but…"

"Oh, how completely unsurprising! As usual, your duty is to go to Bowser's Keep and rescue her!"

"Well, I already did, but… well, you see, this giant sword came from out of the sky and knocked me out of the castle! I tried going back, but then the sword broke the bridge! I barely got away in time!"

"Egads, so now the keep is unassailable? What evil power is at work here? Whatever shall we do now?" He turned back to Mario. "Mario, the life of our Princess is in your hands. Please, save our dear Princess!"

"But, no pressure." A Toad said as Mario walked out the door. As Mario started going, the chancellor called for him. "Mario!" Mario tripped and fell. "I almost forgot! This may not help you, but take this map."

"Thanks, now I'm off." Mario started down the stairs, when the Chancellor called again. "Mario!" Mario tripped again, but then he tumbled down the steps and hit his head against the door.

"Sorry, I just can't stop worrying about the Princess… go to the cellar. I'll tell the guard to let you through."

Mario adjusted his hat and said, "Thank you." He exited the throne room and walked to the cellar.

"Oh, hello Mario! Don't worry; I've already got the message." He unlocked the door to the cell and directed him to certain items. First, you're going to need some money in case you're in a bind. Here's some coins. And take these with you." The guard tossed Mario a bottle of drinkable honey syrup. "Oh, and take this too, it's a guide to mushrooms! I know you're a master of mushrooms, but even the best forget sometimes!"

"Thank you, I should be ready to go now."

"Take care, Mario!" the guard wove good-bye. When Mario exited the castle, he was caught up in a sudden rainstorm.

"What's this?" a guard outside said. "The Mushroom Guard's Almanac didn't call for rain!"

"I guess I should've asked for one of Peach's umbrellas..."

"No matter, rain or shine, I will keep watch here."

Mario started down the path when he thought he heard crying. "That big reptile stole my grandpa's coin! I know I shouldn't cry about it, but, but…" The source was a child who wasn't a Toad, but he looked like a cloud, or a giant cauliflower…

Mario tried calming him down. "Huh? Oh, gee… you're soaking wet, aren't you?" As soon as he said that, the rain stopped. "I'm alright now. Sorry… But why was I crying? There was some reason…"

Mario did a face palm while a Toad girl came behind them and said, "Mario! Is it true that the Princess was kidnapped again? Let's see how you'll take on Bowser!"

"Well, I don't like showing off, but…" Mario did a backflip and leapt high in the air. When he landed he rose his hands in the air to signify applause.

"Wow, great job! Bowser doesn't stand a chance!" The Toad girl went on her way. The strange child started going crazy. "Ooh, ooh, ooh!"

"What?" Mario asked him.

"You're Mario!"

"Yeah, that's my name. Don't wear it out…"

"No, you're THE Mario! I know all about you! You've got more jump in you than a barrel of frogs! I'm Mallow from Tadpole Pond. I'm a frog, but I can't jump. Embarrassing, huh?"

"Really? You're a frog? Well… you don't… look like a frog…"

"Anyways, my grandpa came and asked me to pick up some things here. When I walked in town, that croc stopped me! Oh yeah! He took it from me! He stole my coin! I tried chasing after him, but he was too fast for me! What do ya say, Mario? Will you help me catch that filthy thief?"

"Sure, I don't see why not."

"Great, let's go!" Mario started going out of the town, when a Toad came running to Mario.

"Mario! Mario! I saw him, I saw him!"

"Who? The thief?"

"Yeah, he zoomed by here a moment ago! He took my wallet! He's around here somewhere!"

"Was he a purple crocodile, wearing an orange top hat and carrying a massive sack?"

"Yeah, that's him!"

"He took my coin! Why didn't you stop him?"

The Toad stopped. "Because I left my bazooka at home! Sheesh, give me a break here!"

"Hey, come back here!"

A purple dinosaur with a sack and a top hat came running from a mob of Toads. "Har, har, har! Youse mugs'll never catch me! A snail could outrun you morons! Smell ya later!" The dino ran past Mario in a flash.

"That's him! He went down Bandit's Way! After him!" Mallow went running down the path while Mario ran ahead of him.