They had made it underground. Finally, now they were getting somewhere. And Betty, ever the non-negotiable one, had something to say about the drab conditions of the underground.

"Ugh, it's so….dank down here. Why do we even need this? Don't we already have a ridiculously huge budget from the money we take?"

And the Paratroopa who was flying on ahead of her gave a delayed response. "Because-we're trying to monopolize the production of these mine's resources. If we do that, then no one could potentially combat us with how much money we put into and get out of it." He looked around. There was nothing but darkness ahead of them with large chasms every so often.

"Hm…." The Boo floated along, starting to get more used to the lifeless atmosphere as they went. "Meh...could use some haunting here and there."

The deeper they traveled, the more empty it felt. As if the walls were closing in on them. Inch by inch, step by step-or float in their case. Regardless, they pressed onwards, until they reached a giant dead end in the form of a wall. With no other route.

Nathan flew up to the stone, and gave it a knock. "...It's thick as heck. We need to find another way."

Betty rolled her eyes. "Does that little brain of yours not work today?" She floated forward, grabbing him by his wing, turning them both transparent, and floating through the wall. "See? Nothing I can't handle~"

"...Why do I feel unsure about this?"

"Eh?"

Nathan paused for a moment before continuing. "Something about this feels so strange. Like we're headed right for a trap or something."

"Pff, you worry too much you know that?" Betty giggled in a taunting manner as they kept going. Eventually, they passed through the other end of the wall, and the Boo allowed themselves to become transparent. "Now wasn't that easy? Go on, say it~"

"..." The Paratroopa's attention was stolen. Something just ahead of them had sent chills up his spine. "...Look."

"Ugh-what n-?" Betty turned around-her jaw dropped upon looking in the same direction.

This section of the underground was different than the one before it. Instead of it being cold, quiet darkness, it was filled with nothing but pouring waves of sand and other rock. They were in the Underground portion of the Rock World that Nathan had described earlier. But what was more concerning was the sheer amount of sand being tossed around. There was a mine cart track in front of them-indicating they were in the correct place-a mine shaft-unfortunately, there was so much sand that locating the riches they were after.

"...Oh dear," she said.

Nathan removed his shades. "Oh dear is right. We're gonna be stuck down here for a while until we find the part of the mine we need, and rightfully claim it. You know how the King can get if his troops fail and all."

Betty's normal first reaction would be to hightail it out. But there was no way out. She had to complete her job and hopefully get some of the money. Though, it wasn't mainly about the money to her, it was more for the attention in sheer praise she would receive as a result. "Hm...well, don't just stand there, get searching," she said while floating up to the underground dunes.

This actually made Nathan turn his head. Betty actually wanting to do a job? This was both a relief and a terror. "Who knows what that little ghost ball could be planning." And he flew forward, beginning his search also.

After a long period of time, both Paratroopa and Boo were tired, looking for some sort of resting spot away from the sand.

"Hm…" Betty lied down on a rock, "how long have we been at this?"

Nathan scratched his head. "If I had to guess….at least two or three hours."

"Ugh!"

"I know...menial work is beyond sickening for me."

"Right? Gimme some kids to scare any day of the week. Please."

Then a pause filled the air. Before long, they realized that they were actually in agreement on something for the first time for as long as they could remember. Both thinking on it to themselves quietly, as to not expose their thoughts to each other.

Said thoughts were interrupted, however, when they heard a small squeak!

"Huh?" They both looked up in order to locate the source of the noise.

The squeaking started off slow and individual. Then it became more and more rapid...as if something was close!

"What's that noise?" Nathan asked.

Betty replied, "No clue, but I'm not gonna let myself be seen for what it is-"

Loud rumbling started to accompany the squeaking noises, faster, louder, heavier...Then it was a revealed.

At the other end of the shaft, a swarm of Scardey Rats were running together. As if they were running from-or towards-something of importance.

Nathan blinked. "Oh dang…"

"Get over here and hide, quick!"

Without hesitation, he flew over, grabbing onto Betty's arm, and becoming invisible like before. However, the Rats started to come towards them. Hundreds, maybe thousands of squeaking rodents sniffing, staring….

They stopped just a few feet away from the two-a few made their way over, starting to sniff for what they could have sworn smelled like a beautiful ghost…

"...Don't….make….a sound…." Betty telepathically said to Nathan.

"...I'm...allergic...to rats…."

"..."