Massive...

If there was only one word, you could use to describe the turnout to your competition…

It would be massive, as chefs from all walks of life had journeyed to the massive fairgrounds for your cooking tournament…

(The taste of marzipan fairgrounds)

The fairgrounds was a massive place that existed in the center of marzipan city. When not in use for the taste of marzipan Festival, it was converted into a massive marketplace that many in the city used to buy and sell goods. The entire fairgrounds was littered with a variety of different stands of all shapes sizes and colors as the many chefs who have journeyed to marzipan prepared themselves for the competition.

However, since your conquest of this world, the fairgrounds have gone under severe renovations. As before your conquest, the fairgrounds themselves were on an open field that had no real roads or pads outside ones made by people’s feet. Since your conquest, you have laid massive stone works throughout the area and created predesignated walkways and stand locations for those in the city to reserve for the competition.

Before the fairgrounds had no form of illumination and had to be shut down at night, now since your conquest there are now many lanterns spread throughout the entire area to provide light for the competition attendees.

Before in the center of the festival grounds, there was once a giant pot that the large sky giant used for his meals. However, now since your conquest, the bowl has long since been reconstructed into a giant arena, wherein which the finals of your competition will be held, along your announcement of the rules.

It is here that you will lay out the competition brackets, the competitions rewards, and finally and most importantly the rules of the competition…

It is here that we see the great chef Mung dal and his catering company make their way to their predesignated spot, as they walked along the cobblestone pathways that you had commissioned.

(With Mung dal and Company)

“Alright, let’s see here. Our spot should be right about…. Here!” The big nosed cooking master said as he pointed at the empty lot that was wedged between two stands. Immediately after spotting it the cooking master turned to his young apprentice and had him set up their stand.

“All right chowder. do it!” Immediately at the command the young purple dressed student immediately hocked up a fully prepared stand from the rabbit hole that was his stomach.

Much like the other stands around them Mung dal stand reflected much of his personality and way of things. As the stand, itself seem to be made of a variety of different boards that looked rather strange, yet somehow looked fitting. The same could be said for the pointed roof of the stand as it was also mixed and matched with many different colored tiles that somehow worked well with each other.

Now with the stand set up a blue cooking master signaled for his catering company to get settled into their company stand. As they did this, they began to notice several familiar faces.

“Hey, Mung its Ceviche and Pate!” Chowder shouted to his cooking master as he waved over his fellow apprentice and his own dancing master. As chowder did so, Ceviche and Pate soon made their way over to their stand to say hello. to which mung and chowder met the duo halfway in the middle of the street.

Ceviche was a fellow apprentice like chowder and was about the same age as him being about 19 years old and stood about the height of 5 ft 9.

Thing is though while chowder grew into a far more adult and mannish appearance. Ceviche, on the other hand, went in the complete opposite direction, much to the poor goat-boys dismay. For despite being a boy Ceviche looked very much like a girl.

what made this worse was the fact that his long pink wavy hair, black tights, black dance shoes, and tight pink mesh T-shirt only seemed to enhance his more girlish traits. Rather than subtract from them, as he had a very effeminate body that was thin and waifish, with wide hips, an ample bubble-like rear, and a tight hourglass frame. All this combined made many ask the question of whether or not Ceviche was a boy or simply a very flat-chested girl.

His master, on the other hand, was the complete opposite though as he stood taller than Mung, being roundabout 6 ft 3 in height and had a lean muscular frame that was fit for a dancer. To which pate was, and as such dressed in a similar outfit to his young apprentice with the exception being that he wore a black bowler hat. He had short green hair, a rather large oval nose, and thick lips that add to his rather odd appearance.

“Mung! Chowder! How have you been?!” Pate asked in his usual eccentric voice.

“Oh, we have been great pate. How have you and ceviche been doing?” Mung asked his fellow master as the two walked over to them. At this pate gave a hearty laugh as he and his apprentice stood before the catering company.

“Ha… We have been doing quite well for ourselves! Although ceviche has had problems as of late… All of which having to do with some… Rather unfortunate cases of mistaken identity.” The dancing master explained with a slight grimace, which is rather opposite to his usually jolly attitude. At this Mung nodded his head sagely.

“You mean-“ “Yes-“ “And that some still think that he’s a-“ “very much so, unfortunately-“ “Ewww…” Mung grimaced at the unfortunate circumstances that the rather effeminate apprentice faced daily. At this ceviche gave a little monotone sigh as he felt a great sadness that no one respected him as a man. Chowder walked over and gave his friend a couple of pats on the back with a pitying look. As he truly felt for the poor Goat-boy…

“Well! With that little disturbing thing out of the way. I gotta ask what brings you here to the cookoff?” Mung quickly asked diverting the topic away from ceviche’s ‘unfortunate circumstances.’ At this pate seem to cheer up and return to his usual jolly personality.

“Why to watch the grand tournament of course! Ever since our new king conquered the world, I have gained a great curiosity to see what he’s actually like! This competition is perhaps the only time we may even get close to our new esteemed liege!” Pate explained with a jolly grin.

“Oh? You like him then Pate?” Mung asked out of curiosity. To which pate gave another happy laugh before replying.

“Of course, Mung! How can I not?! The overlord has made many needed renovations and safety improvements to the entire city at large! What's better is that he does all this with little to no tax from us and he has prevented several other cities from going to war with each other!” Pate explained, which caused mung to raise a brow in questioning.

“Wait who almost went to war with each other?” Mung asked out of curiosity. News never could really spread fast between city-states, mainly because transportation between the cities was extremely difficult due to the fact there were no real roads connecting the large cities. There were several highways that extended out of marzipan to some of the city-states, but none that connected the entire world. Transportation usually between the city-states was handled through Airship, which naturally is a very slow form of travel.

“Why Moffat and Bonfire, Of course! They’ve hated each other ever since Bonfire tried to conquer Moffat!” Pate explained cheerfully, which mung made an ahh… of understanding. The hatred between these two city-states was well known throughout their world.

Bonfire was an ancient city-state that was once ruled by a king. This king one day got too greedy and decided to take over the neighboring city of Moffat. At first, the King was successful in subjugating the people, but this came at an **** cost as many Moffat citizens felt the harsh boot of the Bonfires. Eventually, the Moffatians got sick of it and rose up by gathering all the Moffatian clans in rebellion, which was led by one ValorSol.

Who would be eight of the combined clans succeeded in taking out the Bonfire empire. However, this did not come without great cost to both the Moffatians and the bonfires as both the bonfire king and Valorsol died. The reasons for their debts are not known, however ever since then, the two city-states had been arguing with each other about who killed who for generations.

Funny enough Mung is a descendent from a family line of immigrants from Moffat, as demonstrated by his kilt. Moffat citizens usually wear their clan's colors as a tradition to show a sign of solidarity and unity.

“Ahh… So the two finally decided to try and kill each other?” Mung said in understanding to which pate nodded vigorously with a serious look on his face.

“More than simply that mung! The cities tried to destroy each other entirely! When the overlord got involved, it wasn’t pleasant! At first, the bonfires laughed at him and tried to attack him and well… Let’s just say that there aren’t any survivors… From that poor line of thought.” Pate said with a grimace and a slight shiver as he continued.

“However, that paled in comparison to what his queen did to them… Urgggh! *Shivers* There Wasn’t even enough left of the poor men who attacked her to identify.” Pate explained as he told the catering company of your rumored queen's cruelty and sadism. At this mung’s eyebrows rose to his hairline in concern as he stared at the pale, terrified face of his fellow master.

“What did she do to them?” Mung questioned pate out of concern. To which Pate looked away, his face pale and put on a more dramatic pose as he answered.

“Urrrghhh! *Shivers* Do not ask Mung, I still have nightmares from seeing the pictures. It is perhaps best that you don’t know what she did to them. Just know that of our two leaders that our king is by far the more reasonable one of the pair.” Pate dramatically shivered out. Before turning toward his young apprentice to take their leave.

“Urgh! Just the thought of her actions have disturbed me greatly Mung. I wish you and chowder the best in the upcoming competition! Now come Ceviche! I think its best we go and grab something to ease my shaken nerves!” The dancing master instructed his young student who was talking with chowder while the two masters were discussing the worlds new politics.

“Okay. That day I think I saw some Thrice cream nearby, maybe that will make you feel better.” The young goat boy said in his usual monotone as he began to lead his master to the frozen confections.

“Oh! That would indeed my young apprentice!” Pate said dramatically as he followed his young student around the corner. As the two left chowder turned to his master with a happy questioning look on his face.

“Hey mung what did you and Pate talk about?” Chowder asked his mustachioed cooking master.

“Oh, nothing serious chowder just politics, my boy.” Mung said nonchalantly as he and chowder began to walk back to their stall however before they could do so mung ran across a familiar pain.

“Mung dal…” A very snobbish voice drawled out from behind the two. Immediately the two stopped in their place and turned around to face the voice. As they did so mung had a very tired and annoyed look on his face. Chowder, on the other hand, had a frightful and concerned look as he looked at what was next to the person who spoke.

“Endive…” Mung growled out as his eyes narrowed and his teeth gritted as beheld his rival and enemy in the cooking business. Now that mung was fully facing his orange enemy he could see to the right of her was her young apprentice Panini who looked at chowder with a flirty look in her eyes.

“Chowder~” Panini sang out playfully as she held the object of her affections since childhood. Immediately chowder began to sweat profusely and looked at the young pink rabbit/cat/bear girl with terror.

“I’m not your boyfriend!” Chowder screamed his signature line at the girl, who he has been trying to shake off for years. Unfortunately, Panini is a rather stubborn and hardheaded girl, that doesn’t know how to give up. However, we should turn our attention back to Mung and Endive as the two were now close to each other and Glaring with the utmost hate of each. If this were an anime, there would be lightning shooting between their eyes.

“Endive what are you doing here!?” Mung yelled at the gigantic orange woman. At this Endive, pompously laughed at the blue cooking master.

“Hahaha... Why I’m here to compete mung, just like everybody else here, however, it’s not really a competition if such a subpar chef such as you are involved.” Endive said snidely to the mustachioed man. At this Mung began to grind his teeth in frustration, as the man had a rather large pride for his craft and despised it when someone insulted his work.

“Oh, I’m subpar? Then I guess that makes you third rate your overgrown orange whale!” Mung shot back at his rival. At this endive’s eyes seemed to narrow slightly; she did not like having her weight brought up.

“Oh-ho? If I’m a whale then you’re nothing but a measly stick mung, I mean how can you even lift a knife with those twigs you call arms?!” Endive bit out rather harshly. Mung never one to back away from a challenge from endive Opened his mouth to shoot back another sort at the orange woman. However, before he could do so the speaker system for the fairgrounds made an announcement.

“The main gathering for the royal competition is about to begin in 10 minutes! I repeat the main gathering for the royal competition is about to begin in 10 minutes! All chefs report to the mega Bowl for the orientation! I repeat all chefs report to the mega bowl for the orientation!” The speaker system buzzed out to all of the tournament goers.

At this announcement mung and endive were silent as they glared at each other with endless hate.

“Well mung it seems that the main festivities are about to begin… Just know in advance that I will win as usual. Tata~” Endive said mockingly as she turned to leave, but not before grabbing Panini was once again staring lovingly at chowder who during this entire discussion between the two masters was hiding behind Mung.

“Come along now Panini we have a competition to win!” Endive said as she took her apprentice's hand and led her away.

“Yes, ma’am. By chowder!~” Panini playfully said as she waved at the cowering apprentice.

“I’m not your boyfriend!” Chowder shouted from behind mung. Who decidedly did not want endive to have the last word and began to yell at her as she left.

“Over my rotting corpse, you will! You’re not to win this competition endive I am! For I am the greatest chef in all of Marzipan!” Mung yelled at endive with a shaking fist held high. As her form began to fade in with the crowd who began heading to the Mega bowl. Immediately mung turned to his cowering apprentice and took his hand as he ran over to his stand grab the rest of us catering company.

“Come on chowder let’s go get the others we don’t want to be late!” Mung quickly said as he dragged his apprentice back over to stand to retrieve the rest of us catering company.

(In the mega bowl)

As we turn our attention away from Mung dal in his catering company we see the new massive insides of the Coliseum that was created from the Pot of a giant. Many of taking to calling it the mega bowl from the sheer size of the Coliseum offered to its patrons.

There were two main areas that the Coliseum was separated into. The first area is the ground-level and the main arena floor; this is where the final competition will take place for the royal tournament. This area was rather bare right now as it was only the hard stone floor of the arena and nothing else, for right now anyway…

The second area was, of course, the stands themselves that went up to the very edges of the rim of the pot. The stands themselves rather spacious and comfortable for most of the guests. There were, of course, the top boxes the set at the very rim of the pot that was right above the center of the Coliseum. These top boxes overlooked the entire area and gave the best view of the entire event.

However, unbeknownst to most of the patrons, there was a third area. This third area existed below the pot and dug deep into the earth underneath the pot. This sub-level contained many complex mechanical structures that could shift and change the arena floor to a variety of different landscapes and environments. Much like the old Roman Colosseum of old, the mega bowl had many landscapes and even the ability to flood the sunken arena floor to make an impromptu ocean for the competitors to compete in.

Though none of those are our main focus now, as we begin to zoom in on you and your hench as the two of you, stand next to each other as the gears churn and twist as the two of you begin to rise to the arena floor slowly.

“So everything is set Vexus?” You question your Hench. To which the former queen rolls her eyes with her arms crossed as she answers.

“Of course, everything is in place for the little competition of yours. To which I had to ask is all of this really necessary? I mean honestly couldn’t have been easier to select our chef by hand?” At Vexus is snide question. You shake your head and put your arms akimbo as you replied to the former queen.

“Ahh… Where’s the fun in that Vexus. Besides through this way we ensure that whoever becomes our chef is indeed the best of the best. However, we must first sort through the trash…” You tell the former queen as you look up words at the ceiling above you. As it Cracks open revealing you to the masses as the platform raises you to the ground level.

As you and your Hench are revealed to the public, you could hear the roar of the crowd as you could hear the mutter and talk amongst themselves and curiosity. However, you quickly silenced this with a raise of your hand, before enhancing your voice magically so that your voice could boom and reach throughout the entirety the Coliseum.

“Welcome to you all and those beyond the view! Let me be the first to welcome you all to this great competition! in which the greatest chefs from the around the world will compete to determine who amongst them is the greatest chef in the world!” You announced loudly to the crowd and was well received as you could hear them for back in approval. After their cheers had died down you continued speech.

“Know this anyone is allowed to compete in the grand competition! For the simple fact that a great chef can come from any walk of life no matter how simple or extravagant! However, for this reason, the competition has been separated into leagues that will shrink with each round of the competition! Vexus if you will!” You signaled to your Hench as you conjured up a massive projection that all in the Coliseum could see clearly. Vexus taking her cue steps forward and uses her circlet of the mind project images into the massive project.

“In our first round of the competition, we will separate the trash from the actual chefs! This is the bronze league, and anyone can compete in it, but know this only 1000 of you hopefuls will succeed and be allowed to continue into the next stage of the competition!” Vexus announced as she pulled up an image of a plain and scratched bronze coin for everyone to see. From here you continued and explained the prize for winning in the bronze league.

“Know this. Even if you do not succeed in the next round passed the bronze league you will be compensated with a cash prize of 10,000 silver coins!” At your announcement, the entirety the Coliseum roared loudly at the possibility of such a massive cash prize. Once the voice of the crowd had died down again, you continued.

“Now know this for the first stage of the competition all of the competitors must go out and retrieve the ingredients for their dish on their own! For this, you can operate in teams of five, but as the competition goes on you will be limited to teams of two! Now then…” You trailed off as you thought to yourself what should be the first type of food that the chefs should prepare?