Twilight has read lots of books throughout her life, but she has never written one by herself. She decides that it won't stay that way and sends her first book to a contest. Things go down the hill from there.
It was a lovely afternoon for Twilight Sparkle, she had already finished all of her royal duties in the morning and no sound was emited from the outside nor the inside of the castle except for the quiet singing of birds and the casual wind blowing through the library's window, perfect for her daily reading.
She walked inside the library, took a random book, sat on her reading couch and started her favourite activity of all time, reading.
She had prepared that afternoon with extreme dedication, even triple checked everything she had to do in a list.
The young alicorn had already done her royal duties, she had told each of her friends her plans for the afternoon so they wouldn't interrupt her unless it was extremely important, she posted a sign on the castle's front door telling everypony that it was her day off, so none would seek advice from her that Sunday, she had made Spike cook her dinner and prepare some snacks and most important of all, she had her reading couch ready.
It was cyan coloured, nothing extravagant about it, just more comfortable to her than the rest, it helped to stay focused and not constantly switching positions which distracted and made it difficult to enjoy the activity properly.
She spent the whole afternoon reading several books of adventure, science and even some mystery. Her ability to comprehend the books perfectly while reading them at very high speeds had no match in Equestria.
At the end of the day she had read a total of seven books and as the bookworm she was, she remembered them all from beginning to end. The afternoon had gone right how she expected, no disturbance from anypony, all the previously planned books plus more had been read, it was hard to believe nothing interrupted her during that time but she wasn't going to complain.
"Been a while since I had a good reading session, I needed that." Said the purple mare as she stood up and reorganized the books in their respective shelves.
She was about to leave the library to get some sleep when an idea came to her head. She had read innumerable amounts of books but she never actually wrote one, but it would change that very night.
And so she took a seat in a table, followed by the retrieval of quills, ink, papers and some books related to the writing topic and started her very own and first book.
There was a literature contest taking place some days afterwards where she was supposed to be part of the jury, no longer, she would now participate as well to find out how good was she at writing, there wasn't any prize after all.
And so she read everything she could about writing through the night and when she was done, the real deal begun, to write.
Taking into account everything she had learned so far, an adventure book was forged, out of ink as the metal and her mind as the blacksmith, with great speed. When she was done there was already sunlight, warning every creature the arrival of the morning once again.
Twilight could barely keep her eyes open anymore, she had used all of her will to read her book and correct her mistakes once it was done, but it was all worth it, as it was a masterpiece that would surely win the contest.
She remembered that she had to warn the judges about her change of mind but there was enough time since the contest would take place in two days.
Two days later:
Twilight was really excited, in the past two days she had read her book more than ten times in order to not have a single mistake, she had to win, no matter the cost.
And so she waited alongside the other writers in a waiting hall inside twilight's castle since it was where the contest would be located. There were mares and stallions alike, some with glasses, some with ties, there was even a stallion with a ruff in his neck, he was by far the weirdest of all.
Another mare trotted out of the castle's library and spoke.
"Good morning fillies and gentlecolts. My name is Safe Grammar and I am the replacement for princess Twilight Sparkle in the jury."
She continued.
"The process is easy. Now we will take your books and evaluate them in the period of a week, when we are done you will receive a letter with everypony's place in the contest and your book alongside it."
She opened the door from where she had entered and gestured for everypony to go inside.
"Please..."
They did as gestured. When they entered there were five tables, four had a judge and one was empty.
Safe Grammar entered last and spoke again.
"Leave your book with any of them and leave the rest to us."
Twilight flew with great speed and left hers with a stallion with black hair billowing down to his ears and with a carefully trimmed mustache. She was the first to deliver her's, too excited to keep her feelings inside any longer.
After the contestants delivered their's they left the castle except for Twilight as it was her home.
In the week the judges entered every day to analyze the books from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon, having a lunch break from twelve to a half past one and then resuming work.
The day they finished they left, but before that Safe Grammar approached Twilight.
"Im sorry but I was not able to convince them of giving you the results earlier, tomorrow you will recieve your letter as everyone else"
"Oh, well. Don't worry about it, I'll wait" Said Twilight with a smile. She wished to recieve it earlier but well, it was just another day, it would go by fast.
"Alright then, I will take my leave, if you have any question with the results you can visit me in Canterlot. Here, have my card."
"I don't think I'll need it, but I'll take it anyway."
"Who knows? You might need it. Goodbye."
"Bye."
A day later, 7:00 am:
The alicorn already had recieved the much expected letter and with her magic was levitating it to the kitchen table to eat breakfast while reading it.
She sat on a chair and said to Spike who was just about to finish the cooking.
"How much you bet I won Spike?"
"Nothing! I know you won, you are the greatest bookworm I have ever met, betting against you would be dumb!"
"Ah, come on Spike. Just a tiny little bet."
"Alright" Said Spike unamused. "What about a gem?"
"A gem then!"
And with great excitement she opened the letter and as soon as the results were visible, her smile disappeared, replaced by shock.
"What!?"
Spike took notice of her reaction and answered with excitement.
Twilight couldn't believe her eyes, there must had been a mistake, she wasn't first place but second instead.
The winner was a mare called Bright Ink. Unfortunately, there weren't copies of the books the contestants had written for her to review, but she had luckily recieved the card from Safe Grammar. After a closer inspection of the winner she could tell that the winning mare was rich. She remembered her expensive clothing and arrogant walking stlyle clearly.
Could it be...? No. It must have been a mistake. I will just speak to Safe Grammar and this shall be sorted out.
"Lucky me I got her card, I must go to her and discuss this situation." Said Twilight, ignoring completely Spike's words.
"Twilight, remember our bet?"
"This surely can't be right, this injustice won't stay like that."
"Twilight, my gem." The baby dragon was getting upset for being ignored.
"And..."
The dragon didn't even let her finish that last sentence, already too annoyed with her adopting sister for ignoring him.
"Twilight!"
"Ah!"
The princess was startled, but it worked to make her stop the monologue.
"Yes Spike?"
"Remember our bet? Where is the gem?"
"Oh, right. Err..."
She didn't have any gems as "someone" had eaten them all some days ago.
She looked everywhere with desperation to see if a miracle would make a gem appear. It didn't, well, the castle itself was a giant gem but she couldn't give it to Spike.
"I will go and talk to Rarity to see if she has any to spare. Ok?"
Spike's demeanor turned to excitement. Rarity's jewelry was the best for him after all.
"Alright! But don't forget it. It has been too long since I ate one."
"It was just two days ago!"
"Yea, whatever. Just get them ok?"
Twilight didn't answer, instead, she rolled her eyes and walked outside, with her saddlebags. Her book and letter on the right bag and the card of Safe Grammar in a magic grip.
Safe had moved to Ponyville just a few weeks ago, and she would stay for some more time before returning to Canterlot. The issue had to be solved right then and there or else move to the mountain city for some time in order to fix everything.
It took the troubled mare little time to reach at Safe's home. It was a two stories house painted in white, an awning made of bricks defined both floors and had a gable roof.
She knocked twice and waited. After some seconds Safe opened the door.
"Oh, its you. Is there a problem?"
"Yes, there is. It says here that Im second pla..."
"Speak no further." Interrupted Safe. "Come inside, please."
Safe stepped aside for Twilight to enter. When she did, Twilight noticed a green stallion with a yellow mane and tail that was sitting in the couch of the living room, across from the fireplace.
"Im not interrupting anything, am I?"
"No no, don't worry. This will be over soon anyway."
"If you say so..."
Twilight followed Safe to the kitchen, there was a table in the middle of it with two chairs. Safe sat in one and gestured for Twilight to sit in the other.
"Please..."
Twilight did as gestured and took a seat. It was followed by the retrieval of the book and the letter from her right saddlebag.
"Look. It says here that I am the second place but that doesn't make any sense."
"And why is that?"
"I checked my book more than ten times! There weren't grammatical mistakes, the storyline was great..."
Twilight paused for a second before saying the next part.
"I believe there has been corruption here."
Safe's face turned to shock.
"What!? How can you say that!? This contest didn't even have a prize for Celestia's sake!"
"But it just doesn't make sense, my story is perfect, I should have won!"
"Have you thought that maybe her book was better than yours in plot and storytelling?"
"Perhaps I would have if I could read it."
"Fine, come by again tomorrow and I'll give it to you, maybe that way your ego will be put down."
"Fine by me."
The alicorn was escorted out of the house and walked back to her castle. She would surely return to Safe's house the next day, get the book, compare it to her's and prove that it wasn't as good. The contest's results were an injustice she wouldn't tolerate.
But before she arrived at her house she remembered that she had to pay Rarity a visit in order to get some gems. The purple mare switched her direction and headed to the Carousel Boutique, perhaps her friend Rarity could help her with Spike's problem.
She spent half an hour of walking to reach the place. When she arrived she knocked twice, and just like before, some seconds passed before Rarity opened the door.
"Hello Twilight." Greeted Rarity with joy for seeing one of her best friends.
"Hi Rarity. I was wondering if you could help me out with something."
"But of course dear, come in and have a seat."
Twilight entered the boutique and sat in the couch of the living room.
"Want some tea?"
"No, thanks. I won't be here for long anyway."
"Oh well, you don't know what you are missing."
Rarity then served herself some tea in a white cup and sat alongside Twilight.
"What do you need help with darling?"
"I was wondering if you had any extra gems I could borrow."
"Oh, Im sorry Twilight but I have been short of them these past few days. The ones I have left must be used on a very important dress."
Rarity took a sip of her tea before resuming.
"I will have a new shipment arriving this Thursday. You wouldn't mind waiting, would you?"
"Of course not. Its nothing too important anyway." Said Twilight with a smile.
Rarity took another sip.
"I am deeply sorry for this inconvenience. I will send you some as soon as I get them."
"No worries. It isn't that important."
Rarity then finished her tea and led Twilight to the front door.
"Before you leave. Are you sure you don't want some tea? Its marvelous!"
"No, thanks, Im fine."
"Oh, well. Goodbye dear."
"Bye Rarity."
Twilight wasn't totally disappointed with the outcome of the day. True, she didn't solve any problem, but she managed to have them solved in the days to come. The only thing left for that Monday was to explain Spike of the gems situation and it would be over.
When she reached her castle Spike inmediatly got in her way and, with great excitement, asked.
"Did you get them?!"
"Sorry Spike. Rarity didn't have spare gems. She will have some this Thursday though."
"What?! But there are still three days to get there!"
Well, she didn't have any right now, you will have to be patient Spike.
"Yikes. Guess It is true."
The next day:
The princess of friendship entered her castle with a determined face. She had just received the winning book and was about to prove that it wasn't as good as hers.
She walked inside the library, took a seat in a table, retrieved both books from her saddlebags, opened them and started to compare them.
Twilight spent the whole morning and afternoon comparing both books. The first time she saw that the other book seemed indeed more interesting, but she didn't accept defeat yet. She read it again and again, always with the same outcome.
Later in the evening she finally stopped. It was true, that book was better than hers, indeed she never got bored every time she read it even though she did it dozens of times. This Bright Ink mare was truly an amazing writer.
Twilight almost surrendered when and idea suddenly bumped into her head.
I could ask Celestia to check the books. She has read lots of them throughout her life. Perhaps she knows of other kinds of mistakes unknown to me.
With a new plan on mind she took a quill and some ink and started writing once again. This time wasn't a book though, but a letter to her teacher.
It took her little more than two minutes to finish it.
"And done. Spike!"
The dragon came walking wearing a pajamas, half asleep.
"Yea Twilight?" Said Spike followed by a yawn.
"Please deliver this letter to Celestia."
"Send a letter to her this late?" And he pointed to an open window, showing the moon, high up in the sky.
"Oh, I never realized it was night time already. I was too distracted with my..."
She looked at the winning book and frowned.
"...Reading"
"Well, if you don't mind, Im headed to bed."
"Sure. Im going to sleep too."
Before she laid on her bed, she took the letter and placed it on the bedside table.
Twilight couldn't sleep well that night, she constantly rolled in her bed from one side to the other. When she woke up the next morning she felt really tired, as she did not managed to get some needed rest the previous night.
She slowly rose from her bed, picked the letter and walked to the kitchen where she found Spike making breakfast.
"Spike?"
"Mhm?"
"Remember the letter?"
"Oh, yes. Want me to send it?"
"Please."
Twilight approached Spike with the letter and the dragon did his part. He set it ablaze, sending it to Celestia.
"Done."
"How long until breakfast?"
"Its almost ready."
"Great."
Some hours later the purple alicorn was in her bed, trying to get some rest. She was about to fall asleep when Spike bolted inside, making a lot of noise.
"Ah!"
"Twilight! Celestia answered."
She took some time to calm herself before speaking.
"Thanks, but did you really needed to make so much noise to get inside?"
"Sorry, I just came as fast as I could."
"Ok, don't worry. Just hand me over the letter, please."
Spike did as asked and handed it over. Twilight read it quickly and then said with joy.
"Yes! She can compare the books herself!"
She then turned to Spike.
"Spike, I now you haven't done this yet but, could you try sending this books with your breath?" Said Twilight with a smile while levitating both books at each side of her head.
"I guess I could..."
Spike took both of them, inhaled for some seconds and then exhaled the fire. It enveloped the books completely, even reached Twilight's bed, but it wasn't too damaged. The books, however, disappeared completely.
"Yes! It worked!" Yelled Twilight while jumping out of joy.
"Now we will just have to wait for her answer. Im sure she will find mistakes I could have never guessed they existed!"
Meanwhile, in Canterlot castle:
Celestia was calmly sitting in her throne room, with an almost expressionless face. A smile soon formed on it when she remembered what time was it though, a quarter to twelve in the morning.
She always loved to have lunch and that love was even greater ever since Luna was there to enjoy it with her. But her plans would be disturbed by a certain green fire.
As usual, it approached her until it was just in front of her, but instead of transforming into a scroll, two books replaced it. The white alicorn soon recognized them
"This must be Twilight's book. Guess I will read it soon, after lunch of course."
A day later:
The purple mare was standing right beside her front door. Princess Celestia had contacted her earlier and told her that she would be there herself to return the books, since there was some business she had to attend to in Ponyville.
Half an hour passed, and Twilight was still standing in front of the entrance, her smile never faded, and then, somepony knocked the door.
Twilight swiftly opened the door with excitement, but instead of Celestia, there was another white pony standing.
"Oh, Rarity. Its you."
She had her saddlebags on and seemed like she was in a rush.
"Well, of course its me darling." She then chuckled before continuing.
"Or were you expecting somepony else?"
"Well, yes actually. I was expecting princess Celestia."
"Princess Celestia is coming?! What for?"
"She says that she has some buisness to attend to in Ponyville but she is stopping by my castle to return me some books."
"Thank goodness. I thought there was a festivity I had missed or something."
Rarity then took a big pouch from her left saddlebag and offered it to Twilight.
"Here are the gems you wanted this Monday."
Twilight took the pouch with her magic and called Spike.
"Spike! Your gems are here! Thanks a lot Rarity."
"Please, you know you don't have to thank me. We are friends after all."
The dragon then arrived, attracted by the mention of his favourite food.
"Gems?! Where?!"
"Right here." Said Twilight, showing him the bag.
"Can I have them now?"
"Of course, you won the bet after all."
"Awesome!" Was all that Spike answered. He then took the bag and started to mounch some of them while returning to the kitchen."
"Well Twilight, I have some chores to do back at home. Goodbye."
"Bye."
Twilight closed the door and kept waiting.
Another half an hour passed until somepony else knocked the door again. Just like the last time, Twilight opend it quickly. Celestia was waiting outside this time, two royal guards were at her sides and the royal carriage was right behind her, with the usual two pegasi guards, ready to take off at any given moment.
Celestia then levitated Twilight's book over to her.
"Here is your book, Twilight."
"Thanks princess Celestia. But what about the other one? And is my book better?"
"I will hand over the other book for you, if you don't mind. As for the reviewing you asked me to do..."
Celestia couldn't find the proper words to say to her, she finally just decided to tell the truth.
"What is it? Isn't my book the winner?"
"Im sorry Twilight. But this other is... Better, to say the least."
The princess of friendship was disappointed, if Celestia said so then it was true. She had gotten second place without tricks nor corruption after all.
She had to look at the bright side though, she had gotten second place in a writing contest after all.
"Oh well, don't worry about it, I still got second place." Said Twilight with a smile across her face.
"That's true." Said Celestia while smiling herself.
The white alicorn then remembered her other reason for visiting Ponyville.
"If you excuse me Twilight, I have to go."
"Of course! Goodbye princess!"
"Goodbye."
After that Celestia walked away and Twilight closed the door of her castle.
The tall pony walked with her guards by her side until she reached a very particular white house.
She knocked the door twice and Safe opened the door.
"Oh, its you princess. Please, come in."
"Thank you Safe Grammar."
Celestia then turned to her guards.
"You will make sure nopony comes in alright?"
"Yes, princess Celestia!" They shouted in unison.
Already inside the house, the sun monarch took seat in the couch.
"It was a good idea to exchange the books. Your student surely is smart."
"I know Twilight better than anypony else. She wouldn't rest until she discovered the truth. Which she already has."
"So, how much bits for me?"
"You will take ten thousands. The rest is for the Equestrian treasury."
"Fine by me."
Safe walked to the kitchen, moved the table aside and opened a secret door that was on the floor, from where she started to retrieve bags of bits.
"I still don't understand why that mare would want to pay so much to win this kind of contest though."
"Because she will be the next greatest writer."
Safe was puzzled, but let it slide. Not that she cared that much.
"Also, wouldn't have Twilight recognised the book? She read everything that Starswirl has ever written right?"
"Except for that and a few other books, which he never released to the public. They are all hidden in the Canterlot library inside the forbidden section, for situations like this one. Equestria could use some money."