[You take the role of Mario.]

In the skies above Peach's Castle, Mario and Bowser are in the middle of fighting each other on Bowser's Airship, with Princess Peach on board as well, witnessing the battle. Bowser punches the ground as Mario jumps backward. Bowser then jumps at Mario and shoots fire at him, missing. Bowser then throws his hat at Mario, which misses while knocking Mario's cap off his head, then turns around, hitting Mario and sending him flying. Bowser then takes his airship toward the skies, as he prepares a forced marriage to Peach. He leaves Mario's cap adrift into the ship's back propellers, shredding it in the process.

You wake up in a strange, gray and white kingdom, with a peculiar, ghostly, hat-like creature staring down at you. It's holding a piece of your hat.