Twisted Wonderland - Beanfest: Survival of the Beanest

Chapter 1: Beanfest!

One day at the coliseum of the school, Briar, Grim, Sereia, Cater and Jade are running towards it.

Cater turns to Sereia, "I believe in you, Sereia. You're the only one who can bag that monster."

"Our very lives are riding on you," Jade says.

"I'm so nervous," Sereia says, shaking like a leaf.

"Don't worry Sereia, we'll guard you all the way," Briar says.

"Consider that monster bagged," Grim says

The previous day...

In the classroom, Crewel has an announcement for the class, "Be good pups and sit now. It's time to assign groups... for Night Raven College's traditional Beanfest. Groups will be assigned by drawing lots. Students will come up to my desk and draw by the number of their assigned seats."

"'Beanfest?' Got any idea what that is?" Grim asks.

"Is it a celebration of all things beans?" Sereia asks.

"Must be a Night Raven College thing," Briar says.

"Briar, you don't know what Beanfest is?" Ace questions.

"Uh Ace, in case you've forgotten, I've lived in another world for years," Briar says.

"And Sereia and I never heard of it before," Grim says.

Trinket shakes her head in reply.

"I've actually heard of this game before," Tanzanite says.

"Yeah. Tanzanite found it in a book. It looks so cool," Jasper says.

"I see we have a group of ignorant whelps in our class. Very well; I will elucidate. After all, it's my job to whip your canine crania into shape," Crewel says.

Then Crewel explains, "Ahem. Beanfest is a traditional Twisted Wonderland event that is held every February. Long ago, there was a place in this land called Happy Valley. It was called. 'Happy' for a reason— it stood as a lush, fertile land of plenty. In this place was a magic harp that could sing with an enchantingly beautiful voice."

And then presents the picture of the harm to everyone.

Crewel continues, "The magic harp's singing brought happiness and prosperity to all the people and animals in the valley. Even the plants drunk deep of its sound. But a giant grew jealous of their welfare, and one day, it came into the valley and stole the harp. After that, the plants withered, and the people went hungry. But lo, a certain farmer happened upon some beans."

And then presents the beans to everyone.

Crewel continues, "And not just any beans—magic beans! They sprouted into a massive beanstalk overnight, rising all the way up to the giant's home in the clouds. The farmer climbed the beanstalk to the top and took back the harp. After making his safe descent, he chopped down the beanstalk—and in so doing, slew the giant pursuing him. Thus was Happy Valley once again graced with the magical harp's crooning and abundant greenery. The end. It's a parable with two morals: when someone takes something from you, take it back. And when someone wrongs you, get them back twice as hard."

"Ooh, I getcha. I'm feelin' more educated already," Grim says.

"What a wonderful story," Sereia says.

"Yeah. It's actually one of Twisted Wonderland's very well known stories," Tanzanite says.

Then Decue says, "And that's why on Beanfest, people dressed as farmers 'slay' people in monster costumes by throwing beans at them, right?"

"Precisely. Good boy," Crewel says.

"Wow. It sounds kind of similar to a story I've heard from home," Briar says.

"Really?" Jasper asks, curious.

"Yes. It's about a poor boy who traded his pet cow for some beans. Overnight it grew into a giant beanstalk that goes over the clouds. The boy climbs it which leads to a giant's castle," Briar says.

"Huh. It actually does sound similar, but it's very different from our story," Ace says.

"That's true. The story I've read has a golden goose that lays golden eggs," Briar says.

Deuce snickers, "A goose that lays eggs, huh."

Sereia giggles, "It sounds funny."

Then Crewel says, "But the Beanfest celebration is held a bit differently here. At Night Raven College... We split the entire student body, regardless of dorm or class year, into two teams. The farmer team and the monster team compete for the harp in a massive cross-class athletic battle!"

"Wait, what? Why?" Ace asks, shocked.

"Traditionally, the monsters are SUPPOSED to stick to running around and getting pelted with beans..." Crewel says, "But the students assigned to be monsters grew weary of it and hit the farmers back, turning it into a massive, chaotic brawl."

"Sounds like Night Raven College, all right," Jasper says, rolling his eyes.

Then Crewel says, "If a brawl is inevitable regardless, then it only makes sense to turn it into an organized, competitive PE activity. That's how Night Raven College's Beanfest tradition was born. That marks the end of my generously-offered remedial lesson!"

"Isn't it kind of dangerous to pelt each other with beans?" Sereia asks.

"I'm sure it's safe, it sounds similar to paintball," Briar says.

"Paintball?" Ace questions.

"It's a game. Its people use guns that have balls of paint in it. And you try to fire paintballs at the other team. I never played it, but I hear it's pretty painful," Briar says.

"Well, I'd rather get pelted with beans than paint," Ace says.

"Yeah. At least you can eat beans," Grim says.

"We're supposed to throw them not eat them," Tanzanite says.

Just then, Crewel says, "Now, then—Trappola. Spade. Briar, Jasper, Tanzanite. Come up and draw your lots."

"Yessir..." Ace says.

Soon, everyone begins taking out their drawing. They all open to see their results.

Ace says, "Oh, hey, I'm on the monster team."

"I'm on the monster team too," Jasper says.

"Me too," Tanzanite says.

Deuce says, "Hm. I'm on the farmer team."

Grim looks at the slip Briar pulls out, "Ooh, we're on the farmer team too."

"It seems so," Briar says.

"I guess you're right," Sereia says.

Ace says with a smirk, Oh yeah? Then it sounds like you guys and I are gonna be enemies tomorrow."

"If we're gonna brawl, there's no way I'm losing," Deuce says, determined to win.

"Yeah! I sure ain't gettin' beat!" Grim says.

Then Sereia says, "It's too bad we're not on the same team as Tanzanite and Jasper."

"That's okay, we're still going to do our best," Briar says.

"Yeah, we're going to win this," Jasper says.

Tanzanite giggles, "I can't wait."

Trinket then flies over and begins thinking.

"Hmm..." Briar thinks and says, "Trinket, you should go with Tanzanite and Jasper, to even us out."

Trinket nods her head and flies to the boys.

"Coach Vargas will be going over the full rules of the game tomorrow," Crewel announces, "You pups are hereby dismissed! Out!"