Twisted Wonderland - Beanfest: Bean or Be Beaned

Chapter 28: Pick Them Off Separately

Still in the Botanical Garden, Lilia and the others discuss what happened during the game.

"Mm, I see," Lilia says, "To summarize what we've just gone over... Cater and Briar's band of farmers has escaped the botanical garden and is bound for the coliseum. Jade was with them previously, but has since gone to ground. Vil, Riddle, and Epel are headed for the botanical garden to join with Cater."

"And it's possible that Floyd's joined Vil's group. Unconfirmed, but possible," Trey says.

"As for the monster team's status—Lilia, myself, Trey, and Jamil are gathered here in the botanical garden. Azul, Jack. Tanzanite, Jasper, and Trinket, headed for the school store to apprehend more farmers," Rook says.

"What's to be the smartest play for us, then?" Lilia questions.

"Setting up an ambush for Vil's group might be a good start. We'd have the advantage, given all the natural cover in the garden," Trey says.

But Jamil says, "I disagree. Lingering here is a bad idea. We should prioritize finding Cater and Jade."

"I'm of a like mind with Jamil," Rook says, "Suppose that on Vil's way here, his group happened to meet up with Cater's as they were making their escape. In fact, let us take a further step back and consider the matter of Jade being unaccounted-for. It's theoretically possible that Jade simply got separated from Cater's group through happenstance... But my assumption is that he was deliberately splitting off for a time to achieve some purpose."

"Oho. Whence rises this deduction, pray tell?" Lilia replies.

"He's an expert underwater huntsman," Rook says, "He of all people would know the advantages of working in a group. He wouldn't be foolish enough to get separated from his group early on, when the soft rays of the morning sun still linger at midday. After all, I certainly wouldn't be. It only makes sense to return to one's group when one's objective is achieved, rather than remaining alone and defenseless. The other loose end to consider is Floyd. If Floyd has had a positive mood swing and is working together with Vil's group, that makes matters considerably more serious for us. Vil. Epel. Riddle. Cater. Jade. FLoyd. And last but certainly not least, Briar, Sereia, and Grim. Imagine all nine of them teaming up to make a run for the harp. Does it not strike fear in your heart?"

"Oof... When you put it that way, that group would have both the numbers AND the raw strength to spell trouble for us," Trey replies.

And Lilia says, "In that case, why don't we pick them off separately before they can team up? I say we split into two groups." Then turns to Jamil, "Jamil, you come with me. We'll catch Jade by the tail."

"Understood," Jamil says.

And Rook says, "Then Trey and I will go after Cater's group. That will be my best shot at having a showdown with Vil. Heh heh heh..."

Meanwhile...

Vil and his group arrive at the garden.

Floyd happily says, "Aaand here we are at the botanical garden! It's right in plain sight, but that back door's hard to get to. I didn't need that kinda stress. Y'think there's a bunch of monsters swarmin' around inside? Sea Snake might at least put up a decent fight before I squeeze him, unlike most of the other guys in this game. Could actually be fun."

But Vil says, "Hold on, Floyd. Must I remind you that our goal is to rescue Kalim and meet up with Cater's group?"

"Huh? I ain't here to bail Sea Otter out," Floyd says.

"What?!" Epel reacts in shock.

And Floyd says, "My battle with Sea Urchin got spoiled, so I've got more fight to get outta my system. C'mon, let's rock!" and head off.

Riddle calls out, "Floyd, wait! Even if this IS the back door, what kind of fool just waltzes right through without bothering to conceal his presence?!"

Suddenly, someone shouts, "Halt, I say!"