The group glances around the room with trepidation. They have no idea where the ghost is going to come from as the sense of miasma trickles into the room. The walls start to curve and twist as reality bends around them. Belle grabs onto the nearest person, taking their hand as everything shifts with a pop. When he opens his eyes, he's in the dark hallway of a mansion.
"What happened?" A voice questions. Belle glances down to find Lou tightly squeezing his hand.
"The ghost must've dragged us into its realm; it could've been its ability," Belle explains.
"Do you think the others are alright?" Lou asks worriedly.
"I'm sure they're fine, and you don't need to worry either, I'll make sure to beat this ghost black and blue," Belle states confidently.
"Didn't the plaque suggest the ghost was a child? A little girl?" Lou points out.
"Uhmmm, maybe, but who cares, a ghost is a ghost." Belle shrugs.
"...Remind me never to attack you, even for a prank," Lou says after a beat of silence.
"Wha-! I would never attack you!" He splutters.
"Mhm." Lou hums sarcastically.
"Whatever, let's find a way out of here." Belle huffs, reaching into the system and grabbing out his axe. He had decided not to stream this one, instead, he wanted to relax with his friends. He keeps hold of Lou's hand as they walk down the hallway, and Belle pays attention to the decorations.
A painting here, a potted plant there, a door, another door. After walking for a few minutes, he notices something strange: the same painting is on the wall from a few paces ago, and the same potted plant. The end is nowhere in sight, so Belle decides the best option is to choose a door and throw it open.
He grabs the handle, opens the door, and is met with a group of people in black hoods surrounding a fire and chanting. They stop once they notice the door is open, and Belle hurriedly closes it and backs away. The door opens quickly after that, and Belle takes Lou, running away.
"What was that?!" Lou exclaims, looking backward.
"Don't know, don't care!" Belle shouts. The black-robed people are gaining on them, so Belle throws open another door and drags Lou into it. They find themselves in a forest.
"Where…?" Before Lou can finish his question, a bloodcurdling scream rings out, and a woman dashes past them. Following her is a man with a mask on his face and chains on his arms, holding a shovel and chasing after her.
"What the actual hell is happening?" Belle breathes out, watching the duo fade into the distance of the dark trees.
"Look, there's another door!" Lou points out a spot between two trees. Belle grabs his hand and they dash toward it, throwing it open and popping out in a…basement? At least he thinks it's a basement. There are strange people holding hands around a table, and they glance up with fright when Belle and Lou appear.
"Uhm, sorry, just passing through," Belle says, bringing Lou past them and toward another door.
"Please be somewhere normal," Belle begs as he throws the door open. This time, he feels himself tipping forward and into something cold, water, he realizes. He grabs onto Lou tightly and opens his eyes against the sting, locating a door.
He ignores the dark shapes that exist in the water with him as he swims toward the door, pulling roughly against it to open it. The water rushes in, and they tumble out into a graveyard. There are graves covered in vines and cobwebs as the sound of screams fills the air.
Belle catches sight of a few people running around and away from whatever ghostly haunts fill the area. He isn't keen on sticking around, so he quickly locates the door, this time it's in the ground. He heaves it open and jumps through, keeping Lou in his arms as he falls down and hits the floor.
"What the fuck was that!" He hears a familiar shout and turns to find Avery and Liz.
"Oh, you guys are alright." He states, smiling at them.
"Ugh, what just happened?" Another voice questions, and Belle turns to see Leslie. Lou sneaks out of his arms and runs to his brother.
"Welcome one and all to Regina's Haunted Mansion, I hope you've enjoyed your stay thus far!" A childish voice calls out. A young girl in frilly clothes holding onto a doll is at the top of a set of large stairs. They're standing in a huge ballroom, devoid of any furniture.
"I wouldn't say enjoy is the right word," Liz mumbles under her breath.
"That was just a taste of some of the rooms I have in my mansion, I will keep you here forever, just like the others." Regina smirks.
"Uhm, why do you want to keep us here forever? If I may ask?" Belle asks, putting his hand up.
"You may, it is because you are my trophies, I keep you on display in my mansion for the other ghosts to look at, much like you humans keep me on display in your silly museum," Regina explains.
"Right, and is there anything we can do to make you let us out?" Leslie questions.
"Hm, I suppose there is one way…" Regina muses.
"Great! What is it?" Liz exclaims.
"It is the Great Trial! Three of you must choose one of my scariest rooms and acquire an item for me. If you bring me those items, I will let all of you leave. Any volunteers?" She glances around at us with an evil grin.
"I'll do it." Belle confidently raises his hand.
"Me as well, I find being trapped in here by a brat to be…unappealing." Luna scoffs.
"I guess I'll do it." Avery sighs.
"Great! The others can stay here, you three, follow me." Regina floats off, and we follow her up the stairs and through the twisting hallways until she leads us to three doors.
"Make your choice." She says menacingly.