A life stolen for a war unclaimed

The Guards looked at the plot of land before them as the materials they had been granted were behind them. Virulent groaned as he looked over at his team.

"So Veil what are we building? Or better yet do you know what we should build?" His voice was somewhat bitter over the idea of it.

"Honestly guys.... I got nothing. I don't have an architecture related cutie mark and I'm not the best with tools." She said with a sigh, her ears flicking as they heard a conversation in the distance.

"Mother, honestly I'm fine I will be learning everything just fine, and if the written language is anything like the verbal I should be able to learn it quickly, besides I would be using my wings to write."

"Nay, I told you and the nice teacher
already that I will be supervising you and acting as an actual mother to you, would you make me to be a liar. Besides you are the first heir to the House of Meteora. As such I need to make sure you are properly acquainted with our house rulings. Not only that but you must technically indoctrinate your unit in front of 2 princesses and at least one of noble blood. Which is good news because your cousin Blue Blood will be arriving in the week." Luna said with confidence as she approached with Damocles, Twilight, and spike.

"Oh cool I can carry out an Initiation ceremony." Damocles's voice sounded both intrigued and coy as the Guard came to attention awaiting the arrival of their princess and CO.

"Wait a second Blue Blood will be coming? Oh dear... I'll have to keep Rarity Away from him. Please let spike know when," She asked of Luna before turning to Spike. "Spike Take advantage of the situation and use everything you can to distract Rarity from his presence, and I mean Everything." Twilight gave the dragon a worried look.

"You can count on me Twilight. I'll make sure to keep Rarity nice and Happy" Spike was filled with confidence and pride. Damocles couldn't help to snicker at the statement. This resulted in a quick knock upside the head from Luna who scowled.

"As they say from your old home. ' Get your head out of the gutter.' Ponies, and in this case Drakes, Are not like those you used to live with." Luna stated making Damocles frown and gaining looks of confusion from the others. Before they stood in front of the plot of land.

"Princess on Site!" Veil Exclaimed bringing the Guard to salute. "Good morning Your Majesties! Good Morning Sir, This is the largest Plot of land Available that we have secured. The size of the plot is roughly 5 acres but we have been approved to build deep into the base and the High up with a limit of 10.5 meters deep and 15 meters high." Veil stated. Damocles and Luna nodded looking to each other.

"Centurions. As you were." Damocles stated. He started to grow a wicked smile. Luna's eyes Slowly widened Before narrowing as she realized what he was considering. "So mother, can we build That One?" his voice was filled with a type of joy that can only be described as predator's hungry growl with a feast laid before it.

"No... I will not allow it." Her voice sounded challenging as she held her gaze on his eyes.

"Oh but think about it. A castle that represents a contradiction as such as what I will lead. A glimmering beacon of darkness in an area so bright." He teased.

"I will not allow it and it is known as The Castle that Never Was and will continue to be The Castle That Never Was. Design a new one Damocles." Her voice was stern and unwavering.

"Oh but think of the fun anyone trying to sneak in would be lost as magic is reversed. To go up is to go down and to go down is to go up. It would be simple to do. And I know Virulent would love the Rapid Launchers I am designing for him." Virulent's Ears Perked as the rest of the Guard looked over at their bosses. "And You know as well as I do Discord would love being able to dedicate a room or two to straight Chaos." At the mention of his name discord appeared offering popcorn to the rest of the guard as the spectacle continued. Only Virulent took a hoof full.

"As much as it would be good for him The answer is still no. Not only is it a no, but it is a BUCK NO! Honestly Damocles, I understand your being reasonable with that one and not opting the one that messes with memories. My answer remains unchanged."

"I'll make you a bet for it." He said suddenly. "If i win I'm allowed to build it." A gasp was made from discord.

"And Should I win you will drop it and then adjust your schedule to match mine. As i teach you the ways of the Night Court for when we return to Canterlot."

"And in the event you both tie?" Discord saying as he stepped into the family conversation dressed as a lawyer while drafting the contract.

"I will meet him half way and we will build a Tenno Dojo." Luna said as she straightened her self and looked at Discord. Discord nodded before looking at Damocles.

"Are these Terms acceptable, Young Master of the Starless Night?" Discord stated looking over at the Stallion in question. He merely nodded in response at this point. Discord began to organize the contract. "Now all we need is a nice and Fair game between the two of you. Princess Luna, as you are the challenged it is only fair that you get to decide."

"A test of strength would not be fair, nor of flight and combat skills. I refuse to play cards against a shark like my son, so how about a cook off?" Luna offered.

"A splendid Idea mother, we shall prepare a Lunch with a special ingredient for a set of judges. I believe 5 Judges would be the best." Damocles offered.

"Yes now as for the judges. It will have to be 5 unbiased Ponies." Luna countered.

"I think I have just the Ponies in mind. Please excuse me princess as I shall get everything set up." Discord bowed before snapping his thumbs disappearing in a flash of light.

"Ooh this is getting good. Do you think they will let the audience try some as well?" Discord leaned over whispering to Virulent. who in turned jumped and fell on top of Eclipse. The latter giving the former a knock on the head as they untangled themselves.

As the two waited the elements of Harmony converged on the site with Zecora. Soon after Discord returned with 5 Ponies and several other discords with construction outfits and helmets began making what would be the future kitchen and dining hall of the facilities.

"Ladies and Gentlecolts. I give you your 5 judges," The lawyer dressed Discord stated. "Coming from Canterlot Nobility, We have the Fashion Icon Fleur De Lis."

"Pleasure to be here." She said

"Next coming from Manehattan, Iron Chef Ramsey." Discord introduced a rather annoyed and angry looking Earth pony with tan fur and a blonde mane that is in a short and messy display. Laughing at the display the

"Right, lets hurry this up because I have to prepare for The dinner rush." He spoke with what sounded like a European accent. Damocles could only Gasp as he realized who this was.

"Continuing we have Granny Smith, of Sweet Apple Acres." Discord stated as he presented a rocking chair for the older mare.

"Why thank you sonny." She said as she sat down on chair while discord presented the the dining table and eating utensils.

"Our next special Judge Hails from the Far Icy North of the Crystal Empire. The uncrowned King of Krystal Berry Wine, Chilled Keg." The pony he gestured to had a Wooden Keg Barrel with an Ice blue appearance. One could argue he was On the rocks?

Pinkie pie walks up to the screen and grabs it from the other side. "Really? Really? Just no, Sir Just no." She then proceeds to go and sit next to the discord watching grabbing some popcorn and offers some Blood orange cupcakes to the guard.

"Pleasure to be here with you all and Might I say it is an honor to be meeting so many of you." he said as no one dared to mention what Pinkie had just done.

"Lastly we have our Special Guest coming from deep within the realms of the forgotten and dearly departed. Who only recently made a Public Debut the day the world saw our young White Light of Darkness, The Queen with no King, The cruelest and kindest with her soft Embrace, boy i wouldn't want to pick a bone with her, Lovely Miss Sheila!!!!" A roar of applause erupted from one bleacher set of discords with whoops and excitement a few with signs saying 'I ☠' while another set of discords where booing her. Laughing giggling like a school girl filly the Mare had her light blue mane in twin pony tails, a jacket with a lock on the zipper.

"Thank you, Thank you! All I have to say is You can be a King, You can be a Sweeper, But in the end? You'll all Come to me!" She said "Provided my Envoy in training doesn't get to you first." she added before smirking at me.

Everyone looked at the dark furred Unicorn with the strange jacket confused.

"Discord?" Luna began, "Who is this pony? And what is this... familiar feeling?"

"Oh right you wouldn't recognize her... This fine being is one whom is rather close to your new son. This is our worlds Grim Reaper and due to Damocles's presence she can occasionally and temporarily be around. She kinda just appeared in front of me while I was looking for somepony in trottingham. Gave me more of an earful than Celestia did when she saw me." He said glaring at her.

" 'Ey! Don't you give me any of that! With how much paper work you gave me? Your lucky i only did that Much!" Her irritation was as plain as Luna's Confusion. "Anyways Knowing about the competition going on I just couldn't resist. See that's one thing I love about this worlds inhabitants more often than not they always offer some kind of snack for the departed trip to their specified locations along with the payment for the ferrybeing. They often give me a snack some are wonderful others are ok. But never is anything bad. So to hear that my Envoy would be cooking food? And i have a chance to eat it? And the eternal night that has claimed him as a child? HOW COULD I POSSIBLY PASS UP THAT CHANCE!!" Her voice and eyes lit and grew with excitement the more she talked about it. "BUT BEFORE ANY OF THAT!" she screamed with a look of seriousness she turned and marched Up to Pinkie Pie. Who greeted her with a smile. "You..." she whispered

"Me?" Pinkie Replied

"Yes You."

"Oh, Me!"

"YES!"

"OK!" Pinkie suddenly Reached into her mane rummaging around in her mane before pulling out a special black icing dark chocolate cupcake that had little white sugar flakes on it with a Tombstone candy topper on it. Sheila Squealed in delight as she began to devour the cupcake with a look of heavenly bliss on her face. The kind that only comes once every lifetime.

"Thank you." She said before hugging pinkie

"Its ok... I know you've missed it... I'll try to make some more for you later, ok? Its your birthday coming up soon so I'll leave it at the usual place. I'm sorry I haven't visited in a while." Pinkie said while stroking the back of Sheila with her hoof.

"No its ok, you don't need to do that Pinkie." she quickly shook her head as she pushed slightly away from pinkie to look into her eyes.

"How can I not do that? You'd do the same for me! Hay I know your still planning for me when I come back." Pinkie looked into the tearful eyes of Sheila wiping away a stray tear.

"You still have a while to come so just enjoy yourself ok? There's no need and we will have more than enough time to make up for it when you come back. You won't believe how many people talk about you. Oh and the old old old lady says hi and for you to not forget THAT Thing."

"Okie Dokie Loki, As long as you and her don't forget about me. Cross My heart, Hope to Die, stick a cupcake in my eye Pinkie Pie Promise." she said as she said a strange version of it by the looks of her friends.

"Okie Dokie loki, Cross My Bones, Hope to lie, Stick a Cupcake in my eye. Sheila Cry Promise " the two mimicked each other before they shared another hug before Sheila went and joined the Judges at the table. Sheila shedding some tears in the process. Everyone just looked at the two in disbelief before chalking it up to being a 'Pinkie Pie thing'.

"Now," Discord began "both contestants are to have 2 hours to cook and prepare their dishes there will be a theme and specific ingredient both contestants will have to use for the purpose of the competition. They shall be graded on usage of the ingredient, Presentation, Appearance, Aroma, and Innovation." Everyone Nodded to the explanation. "Now without further adieu," A second Discord this one dressed a female assistant in an elegant Red Silk dress. pushing a card with a lidded over a dish approached the center. "The special ingredient to be used is..." They flipped the lid off to reveal a batch of mangos. "Mango's and the theme shall be what my judges?"

All of them muttered to each other before looking at the clock. It was Fleur who spoke, "The theme shall be a Sea Side morning Breakfast."

"Alright chefs 2 hours on the clock and...GO!!!" A giant floating clock began its countdown as they both made a mad dash to get their ingredients.