Art by Yours Truly
Shading by  snozzy
Story by  mickeybamboo

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Thunder clapped as the ten strangers arrived at the darkened, gothic manor. The rain had just begun to pour down the high slanted parapets of the large mansion before them, water seeping from the mouths of gargoyles situated around the edges of roof. As soon as the next clichéd flash of lighting hit, the group entered the mansion through large, ancient double door to get out of the increasing gloom.

The night chill, though, seemed to follow them inside to the grand entry way. The overall coloration or the manor was, in a word, drab. Dark colors were used almost exclusively, dominating and the scheme and only adding to the gloomy environment. A large chandelier sat high above the guests, small flames slowly melting the candle wax as they sent shadows dancing around the huge room. Multiple grotesque statues lined the sides of large, circular foyer while a lone table sat in the center of a swirling black and white pattern on the ornate marble floor. On the opposite side of the room from the entry, a grand staircase covered in an old, frayed ruby rug lead to a second floor, with more statues guarding the railings as well. Two huge stone pillars supported an archway above the staircase, and multiple doorways stood on the opposite sides of the room and behind the large stairs, leading to parts unknown. The room was also covered in multiple portraits of various faded characters, the previous owners, or their rumored hosts, perhaps.

The ten people spread out as they entered the foyer, the doors slamming noisily behind them. The place fell eerily silent except for the sounds of rain splattering the stained glassed windows while each of the strangers eyed each other up and down with various levels of mistrust and apprehension.

“I say, I mean I say, now ain’t you the weirdest lookin’ bear I ever did see.”

“Hey, any of you bozo’s wokin’ with those pesky plumbers?! If this is a trick I’ll pound you all into pasta!”

“I wish Sonic was here…”

“Takatomon…are you there? Hallooo…”

“Woah, woah, woah dudes, check it! There’s a tape recorder on the table!” The red dragon walked across the room as everyone slowly quieted, using a claw to hit the play button.

“Hey, how am I supposed to know how these work!” a voice rang out with its harsh Brooklyn accent. “It’s been years since anyone used an actual cassette. Does it even work there? Seriously, why couldn’t you try and find something a bit more…Wait, it’s recording...oh…umm..”

“Welcome valued victu-err, guests! You’ve each received invitations to be an honored part of our Halloween extravaganza… Seriously, extravaganza? Who wrote this er-hem!” The speaker cleared his throat as the ten guests kept their gazes on the recorder.

“But every party has a game. Hidden in one of the rooms of this mansion lies a secret. Find the secret, and you’ll be awarded a special prize. An item of value, or perhaps a wish? Or…” The announcer grew quiet as the listeners waited with baited breath, just before a loud music cue played.

“ONE MILLION DOLLARS! …WHAT, OUCH! Hey, I like that movie. Fine, fine, moving on. But of course, there is a catch! Each room may, or may not, have a specialized trap that‘ll help… expand your horizons…Wait, what! Seriously? Puns? Goddamn it… couldn’t you go one day without...oh right, right, finish the speech.” The strangers looked around, confused by the constant interruptions, but several eyes glinted at the idea of some vast treasure.

“But yes, the whole mansion is opened to you! So go ahead, mingle, get to know your fellow guests! Explore our little fudge house, I mean, fun house of…no, I know what I said, shut up!” The voice argued once more with someone else in the background.

“Oh fine. So yes, go play our little game. Food and drink will be freely provided in the lounge, if you can find it, and we’ll personally greet the winner ourselves! Good luck and… may the odds be ever be in your… Wait, isn’t copy-written? Oh well, whatever. MUAhahahahah!” The recording ended with the dark, devilish laugh bouncing off the walls.

The ten guests all stared at each other, sizing up the competition, judging, as if trying to look deep into the other’s minds and souls.

“Well, he sounded like the kinda guy I‘d recruit. But you bozos better not try and get in my way, because whatever this treasure is, you can bet King Koopa’s gonna be the first to get it. I’m watching all ya pipsqueeks. Yo, kid, yer with me. Us dragons gotta stick together.”

“Dragon? That whatcha are, pops? Could have fooled me…” Jake gave the green-shelled villain a look up and down before he followed the koopa up the grand stairway.

“Okay, something about this is wrong on so many levels. I mean, where are my guns? Sheppard would probably know what to do…” Garrus rubbed his forehead as if trying to remember something important, his keen sniper’s eye judging each of the other guests before he saw a ringed tail slip through the door behind the stairwell.

“Heh, pegged that guy for a thief… Wonder what he’s up to…” The turian went to follow Sly through the door.

“Shouldn’t we, umm, stay together? Isn’t splitting up the reason all groups in this kind of situation, like, fail?” Tails tried to inject some sort of logic into the remaining group, and they all looked at him like he was insane.

“MMM, I wonder if they have Guilmon bread…” The red digital monster was practically salivating as he exited to another side room, following his nose. The large penguin in a cloak shrugged as he bounced along, following the mon to a possible feast.

“Well now, I say well now boy, I think that means you and me should be workin’ together, too! But I don’t reckon I’ve ever seen a bear so blue…” Foghorn slapped the back of the massive monster, who rolled his eyes.

“I am not a bear! Ugh, you’re worse then Mike.” Hoping to get away from the annoying rooster as fast as possible, Sulley took another door. Maybe one would lead back to the factory? The two-tailed fox, meanwhile, continued to try and plead his case, but eventually just hovered in the air, defeated. The large blue rabbit took notice, and offered a smile.

“Hey, come on and buck up, kid. Have some hope! If anything happens, I’ll protect ya or my name isn’t E. Aster Bunnymund.” The pooka stood proudly, puffing out his fluffy chest, but Tails just raised an eyebrow at this.

“That can’t seriously be your name.” The fox shook his head at the insanity of this, but they did walk through the last doorway. As they left the lobby vacant, a gust of wind blew open the front doors once more and snuffed out the chandelier’s lights. Two figures entered, one with a large straw hat and a wide gait, the other radiating a ghostly glow as they hovered off the ground.

“Let the games…begin.”

THIS PICTURE IS FOR REFERENCE ON REMAINING PARTY GUESTS ONLY, DO NOT VOTE HERE!