Beth held her breath as the voices came closer, then released it on a sigh as they faded away. She turned to the duck, who was struggling to get free of the energy rope.

"It won't, so you might as well quit trying," she told him shortly.

The duck muttered something under his breath that she was glad she couldn't understand.

"Well, come on," Beth ordered. "We don't want to spend all night here. It can get pretty cold." She stood up and lifted the duck over the pillar, then jumped over it herself.

"And what are you planning to do with me?" the duck asked indignantly. "Darkwing Duck does not sleep while in bondage." Beth frowned. "What kind of name...?" she began. "Never mind. The rope will destabilize in a few seconds." She turned and began walking back to her shelter, not looking to see if Darkwing followed her or not.

"Wait up!" The duck cried, running up beside her, looking around quickly.

"Scared?" she taunted.

"I am not scared. This, uh...." He stopped, then smiled, "I was just worried about you. This doesn't seem like the sort of place for a young girl to be."

Beth snorted. "I've been here for a while, and I can take care of myself."

Once they had reached the shelter, Beth turned on her light to get a better look at Darkwing Duck. She nearly dropped it again, this time from surprised amusement rather than amazement. The duck was wearing a black fedora with purple band. He had on a purple jacket and a pink sash. It took all her self control not to giggle.

Then the duck cried out in horror, "Look at this! A wrinkle! Do you know how hard it is to get wrinkles out of this material?"

This proved too much for her and she broke out into laughter.

Darkwing put his hands on his hips and glared at her. "Well! I am so glad you find this amusing!"

Beth tried to answer, but only succeeded in laughing harder. Several minutes had passed before she could regain her composure.

"Sorry, but...." She stopped as a giggle threatened. "You have got to have the biggest ego I have ever seen."

Darkwing sniffed. "Ha! I'll have you know, where I come from criminals fear my name; they cower before my master intelligence and supreme will-power; they..."

Beth snorted. "And just what does that have to do with a wrinkle in your costume?"

Before the duck could answer, a flash of lightning lit the other side of the tunnel. Beth frowned. How could it be lightning underground? As she wondered this, insane laughter trickled to her ears.