*Chapter 1: Thunder Mesa City*


People wandered around the streets of the city. Some are taking photos of buildings of an old town that was built from the 1800s. But the place is decorated with Halloween. It's the day before Halloween night, and everyone was excited for it. Even the heroes who arrive at Thunder Mesa.
Sonic sat by the brick wall, looking around the city with his best friends. Tails is hovering above the blue hedgehog with his twin tails to see a better view, but spotted a manor on the hill ahead of town. His eyes widened. He lowered himself to Sonic.

"Sonic! There's manor on top of that hill over there! I know about that place!" He said. Sonic looked at him.

"Manor?"

"Yeah. It's a Ravenswood Manor! Built by Henry Ravenswood." Tails replied. Before Sonic could ask more about the manor, Amy came up to them with Knuckles, Rouge, and Sally.

"Okay guys! Our rooms are ready to put our things inside!" Amy said. So, the mobian heroes grabbed their suitcases and walk towards the motel they will be staying for two nights. Sonic looked around and realized that two people are missing.

"Where's Shadow and Silver?" Sonic asked.

"Inside." Rouge replied. "They want to hang around at the bar after the long flight to get here. They will be so relaxed when they get to their rooms."

"Too bad that Blaze couldn't come with us. Silver was disappointed that she couldn't come." Sonic said.

"Well, you know that cat. She must remain in her world to protect the Soul Emeralds." Knuckles said. "Least I have someone to watch the Master Emerald for me."

"Who'd you get?" Tails asked.

"I paid Shade to watch it." Knuckles replied. Rouge turned to him with a surprised look on her face.

"Shade? That echidna girl from that group of Marauders?" She asked. "It's been a long time since we saw her."

"Yeah. I trust her with that emerald." Knuckles replied in a quiet tone. "Just wish that she could stay in our world where it's safer. Don't know why she wants to remain in her ruin world."

They walked inside the lobby of the motel. They got their keys and head to the elevator. Shadow and Silver followed them after Rouge called them over. They are all on the 12th floor. Once they walked out of the elevator, Tails looked out the window to see the view of the town and there is a manor on top of the hill. But, he spotted something. There's somebody watching from the window of the manor. Tails squinted his eyes, trying to figure out who's at the window, but the figure disappeared.

"Tails?" Sally's voice called. Tails turned to see the chipmunk there. "C'mon. Our rooms." She told him. Tails turned back to the window, but he walked away from it to follow Sally. Who was inside that old manor?
Sonic slides the key on the door and it unlocks for him. He walked inside and smiled at the sight. The room is perfect for him and the guys. Five beds for five male mobians, a flat screen tv, a clean bathroom, and a balcony. Sonic crashes on one of the beds, sighing.

"Ahh! I could take a nice long nap!" He said, placing his hands behind his head, closing his eyes.

"Least we don't have to share a bed or two." Knuckles said, picking his bed. Silver places his suitcase on the bed he picked. And Shadow stood by the window to see the view of the town.

"Well, you boys relax. We are going next door." Amy said, leaving the room with the girls.

"So, since tomorrow's Halloween, where's this party take place?" Silver asked.

"I think at the plaza somewhere." Knuckles replied, shrugging. Sonic sat up to see Tails grabbing his laptop, setting up the Wi-Fi. He looks like he is in the zone of something. Sonic came over to him.

"You okay, pal?" He asked.

"I'm fine." Tails replied. "I want to look up at the manor."

"Oh yeah."

"What manor?" Knuckles asked, sitting up on his bed.

"I didn't know there's a manor in this town." Silver said, turning to the fox. "Is it haunted?" Tails typed on the keyboard, and turned his laptop around to show his friends the old photo of the manor.

"Wow. Looks fancy back then." Knuckles said.

"It's a very old manor." Tails said. "Built by Henry Ravenswood."

"What do you know about that manor?" Shadow asked, crossing his arms. "I'm sure it has a story."

"Oh, it does." Tails said. "But, I don't know if you guys want to hear about it." Sonic chuckled at him.

"Aw, c'mon buddy! It's Halloween time! We'd like to hear the story about that haunted manor!" He said.

"Yeah. I'm interested in it now. Come on, tell us." Silver said. Shadow and Knuckles didn't say anything, but they do want to know the history of the manor. Tails smiled at them.

"Okay. I'll tell you the story." He said. "Be comfortable, it's going to be a long one and...a scary one."