The afternoon of the follow day had come around quicker then anypony would have realized. Spike and Grubber were seated on the opposite ends of a crystal bench on the far side of Twilight's castle library. Before them, five members of the Elements of Harmony, as well as Fizzlepop Berrytwist, were seated on their haunches and were giving the two oddly pleasant smiles. They seemed excited about something.

It didn't take long before Twilight Sparkle entered room, drawing the attention of her friends who had been waiting. She held in her magic a thick stack of papers attached to a clipboard, with a freshly sharpened pencil floating just next to it. "Hello everypony." She greeted happily. "Sorry to keep you all waiting for so long."

She turned towards Grubber and Spike after addressing her friends, her expression quickly turning from jovial to stern. Spike and Grubber both stared at the mare with looks of apprehension. Considering the tongue-lashing they had received yesterday, and the fact that the alicorn mare hadn't spoken more then a few words to them since that time, made the two feel more then a little worried. There was no doubt in their minds that Twilight was ready to deliver on to them her punishment. Spike assumed it would be a long list of chores the two would have to complete, considering the thick bulleted list Twilight had brought into the library with her. Grubber meanwhile didn't know what to expect, he not knowing the mare as well as the purple dragon sitting beside him, but assumed it would be something bad.

"Spike. Grubber. Do you know why we called you here today?" The mares behind the Princess of Friendship, suddenly began to adapt similar expressions to one she held. Spike and Grubber didn't know how to respond. They looked at each other for a brief moment, as if asking the other what they thought they should say. Normally they'd start blaming each other in situations like this, but like ponies about to be sent to the dungeon or about to be banished, that all seemed pretty pointless now.

Spike swallowed some of the dread building in his throat, and quietly gave an answer. "I-I think we have a pretty good idea." Not finding anything he wanted to add, Grubber only nodded in agreement.

"It seems like almost every time Fizzlepop brings Grubber over to the castle, you two find something petty you can argue about." Twilight shot her gaze towards Spike. "Spike, I know for a fact that you know that isn't how we treat guests in the castle. Normally, I'd ground you and send to your room for something like this. But after a talk with the others, we've decided that another solution may benefit you both better."

Grubber snickered slightly at the thought of his rival, who often tried to carry himself like an adult even though he was a baby dragon, being sent to his room without supper.

"I wouldn't be laughing Grubber." The sudden appearance of Fizzlepop's voice drew everyone's attention towards her. "Because even though we're not family, I am not afraid to dish out my own brand of punishment should this solution not pan out."

The coldness in her voice made Grubber sweat anxiously. He gulped down a large lump of immediate fear that had suddenly appeared after Fizzle had made her statement.

"We have decided to pull this problem out by the roots as it were, and finally give you two what you want." Spike and Grubber gave Twilight some confused looks as she levitated the clipboard in front of her face. "We have decided to hold a competition to finally prove which one of you is the better assistant."

By Spike and Grubber's eyes widened in surprise at the alicorn's statement. "Your theriouth?" Grubber asked bewilderedly.

Twilight moved the clipboard out from in front of her face and motioned it over to the hedgehog and dragon. "It is the main reason you two have been fighting, isn't it? We thought finally having a way to prove who's better would finally give you both a reason to put a stop to it. Maybe even afterwards, you'll see each other as equals."

Spike and Grubber both released a sarcastic "Heh", neither fully believing what the alicorn was suggesting would ever come true. Both combatants grabbed either side of the clipboard as it floated in front of them and, resisting the urge to pull it out of the other's hand, began to flip through the pages. Each page had a different pony's name written in the top right hoof corner of each page, with a few choice bullet notes written neatly underneath. None of the pages had a clear description of what challenges they would be facing, but at the moment neither of them really cared. Just as long as by the end this, one of them would finally beat the other.

"Okay Twi, we'll play your game." Spike said handing the clipboard back so Twilight could take it in her magic. "But don't be to surprised if this ends quickly. I doubt there'll be much of a contest."

"Excuthe me!!" Grubber shouted incredulously. "I have been trained ath a solider thince the day I could walk on my own two feet. You don't thtand a chanthe!!"

"The wonder pudge below your non-existent neck would say otherwise, tubby."

Grubber was taken back, he growled in anger. "NOBODY CALLTH ME TUBBY!!!" Spike actually flinched in surprise as Grubber brought up his fist to cleanly deck the dragon in the snozz. It was only thanks to Twilight's quick thinking that the painful collision was avoided, as she enveloped Grubber's body in the thick blanket of her magical aura.

"Perhaps we should get started." Twilight stated in frustration. She shot an annoyed glance towards Spike. "Before anypony else says something they may regret." She released Grubber from her hold, allowing the hedgehog's arms to fall lazily to his sides again. He groaned angrily at the young dragon before stomping over towards Twilight. Spike followed, more then a little surprised that he felt guilty for getting the hedgehog so riled up.

Twilight lead Spike and Grubber across the library until they were finally stopped at the opposite wall. The wall was covered from floor to ceiling with books and shelves, with every book seemingly being the same size and thickness. A divide down the middle of the wall separated the near endless-looking expanse of books, creating two equally large and complete bookshelves that made up only part of the full amount of the castle's extensive library.

Spike and Grubber stared in awe at the colossal shelves, feeling their own meager heights being dwarfed by the sheer size of the two equally packed walls of knowledge.

"Your first challenge will be issued by me." Twilight said with delight. "I call it: The Great Library Race." Using her front hoof to wave over the width of the shelves, she began to explain. "To be a good assistant to a princess, you need to be familiar with her library."

Rainbow Dash couldn't help but release a scoff. "This coming from the princess of eggheads." Twilight furrowed her brows in contempt. "Your the only pony I know who would think keeping this many books would be necessary. Seriously, I don't think even Princess Celestia reads as much as you do."

Ignoring the jeers coming from the peanut gallery, Twilight continued her explanation. "At any moment, something dangerous or evil could appear to threaten all life in Equestria. If that were to happen, your princess would need information on how to stop it." She gestured back to the bookshelves. "Behind one of these books on both bookshelves, I have hidden an inkwell and quill. Your job is to find them before your opponent does, and take them, along with the book they were behind, to that table over there." Twilight turned Spike and Grubber's attention over towards a small crystalline table on the other side of the library, upon it were to unrolled blank scrolls. "You will then write a letter, starting with the words: Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle..." The mare seemed to almost experience euphoria saying those words. "...and write down the high lighted section of your books, and make sure to site your sources so I know what your writing down is genuine." Spike and Grubber shot each other some confused glances.

"NEEEERRRRDDDD!!!!" Rainbow Dash shouted much to Twilight's annoyance. The rainbow-maned pegasus received a prominent whap to the back of her head for her actions.

"Thank you Applejack." Twilight stated flatly.

"It's what Ah do, sugarcube."

Twilight turned back towards Grubber and Spike. "So do you two both understand what your suppose to be doing?" Both competitors nodded at the young alicorn mare. "Alright then." She stated with a smile. "When I tell you to begin, start searching." Twilight trotted over towards the rest of her friends. "Begin!

Before Grubber could even realize what was going on, Spike began rushing towards the bookshelves. The young dragon darted towards the left most shelf, noticing a wheeled ladder prop up against it. He knew without a doubt that it would make his search for the inkwell and quill much easier, but before he could even begin to climb up its rungs, Spike felt a familiar wall of flab bashing him from the side. Spike was sent hurtling towards the floor as Grubber began to clamber up the ladder. "Thorry, lizard-lipth!" He shouted from half way up the shelves. "But I think I'm going to need thith more then you do. You know, becauthe of my wonder pudge!" Grubber continued to climb up the ladder.

Picking himself up off the floor, Spike began to snarl in rage. He rushed over towards the ladder Grubber was now on top of, and was fully intent on shaking it until the rotund hedgehog came tumbling downwards onto the crystal floor below. One quick statement from Twilight however stopped him from proceeding with this plan any further. "Their will be no contact between competitors during these challenges. This is both your only warning." With a growl, Spike let go of the ladder and hastened his pace over towards the right bookshelf to make up for the time he wasted.

Back with the Elements of Harmony and Fizzlepop Berrytwist, the girls were beginning to converse on what they had seen from the challenge so far. "It wasn't very sporting of Grubber to knock poor Spikey to the floor like that." Rarity said in complaint.

"Yeah, but it didn't keep the little guy down for long, so Ah say we let it slide this time. Ah'm sure they both know the rules now." Applejack stated. "Besides, Spike's practically lived his entire life in a library, it's his element. Grubber's gonna need all the help he can get if he want's any hope of winnin' this challenge."

"Don't be so sure." Fizzlepop said drawing both Applejack's and Rarity's attention. "What he doesn't have in speed, Grubber definitely makes up for in determination and creativity. It is one of the reason's why I made him my second-in-command during the invasion. He is quite the accomplished problem solver, and if given enough time, can find ways to get around the advantages an opponent may have over him. Spike may have the home field advantage here, but I wouldn't count out Grubber just yet."

"Well he defiantly seems to be in the lead right now." Rainbow Dash added. "I'm not sure how Spike's going to catch up with him without a ladder."

Twilight smirked slightly. "Oh, you'll see in a minute." As if on cue, Spike began griping his front and back claws on the evenly spaced shelves of the gigantic bookshelf, and almost like a gecko climbing a tree, started to clamber up the shelf towards its very top.

Rainbow Dash whistled in amazement. "Dang, kid's got more skill then I thought."

Twilight smiled as if she were the one being complimented. "He should be, like Applejack said, he has been doing this almost all his life."

Spike began darting up and down the bookshelf, randomly searching behind every book he could find and mentally cataloging which ones that didn't have the inkwell or quill behind them. Thanks to his years of reorganizing and retrieving books for Twilight, Spike's mind had become a figurative steel trap, with a memory better then most ponies twice his age. Grubber stared on in shock from the top of the ladder he had perched at the end of only his first shelf of already checked books. There was no way he would be able to search the bookshelves as fast as his draconic adversary, and the feeling of defeat slowly began to engross the pudgy hedgehog even though the contest was still far from over. He leaned against one side of the ladder as the prospect of forfeiting slowly entered his mind. It was then he notice that the ladder was actually beginning to roll in the direction he leaned in. Grubber blinked, and after making this startling realization, began form a wicked smile across his face. He had just come up with a plan.

Spike had just lifted and placed back another book on his bookshelf when he heard a scream coupled with what sounded like an avalanche of hardcovers.

"MY BOOKS!!!" Twilight shouted from the floor.

Spike turned his head towards Grubber, registering that that was where the other sound was coming from. His eyes widened in shock upon seeing the scene that was playing out before him.

"HA-HAHAHAHAHA-HA!" Grubber laughed triumphantly as he road the ladder from side of his bookshelf to the other, he sweeping through each row of books as he did so, knocking them all to the floor in a misshapen heap. Spike blinked in surprise, before quickly regaining his senses. He realized that the way he was searching his bookshelf was nowhere near as fast as the way Grubber was searching, and if he were to have any chance of winning this challenge, he would need to follow suit.

Spike began ripping books off the shelves by random increments as he searched frantically for the inkwell and quill on his own shelf. Twilight clawed at her mane in distress as he did so. "NO SPIKE! STOP!!" She tried to break into a sprint and stop the two competitors before they both completely destroyed her entire collection, only to find herself being restrained by a pair of dark purple hooves. Fizzlepop held her in a submission hold by her barrel.

"FIZZLE, LET ME GO!" Twilight shouted.

"You didn't make it a rule that they couldn't take the books off the shelves." She commented.

"WELL, IT'S DEFINITELY A RULE NOW!!!" Twilight continued to shout. "LET ME GO!!!"

"Let them play the game as they see fit, Twilight." Fizzlepop stated. "We can clean up your books later."

"BUT THEY'RE KILLING MY BOOKS NOW!!!"

Grubber continued his slide down the rows as more and more books quickly fell and were added to the conglomerate at the base of his bookshelf. It had not taken long before Grubber noticed something shining near the right side of his sixth emptied. It was just peeking out, but the hedgehog could clearly see the tip of a small glass container hiding behind an Equestrian almanac. With a smile now spreading across his face, Grubber quickly began to clamber up his ladder to the sixth shelf, plucking both the almanac and the ink and quill off the shelf. He leaped from shelf landing on top of the pile of discarded books, producing another quick shriek from Twilight, before rushing towards the table on the other side of the room.

Spike growled in frustration. He needed to work quicker if he didn't want to be beaten by that overstuffed pincushion. Spike began ripping off books at a much faster pace, starting from the top and moving towards the bottom. Eventually he found what he was looking for, an inkwell and quill hidden behind a Whinness Book of World Records. Spike placed the quill and book with his mouth and the inkwell within his hand, before leaping from the shelf to land on all four like a cat. The mares watching all began to clap after witnessing Spike's incredible feat, but the young dragon had no time for applause, he quickly shot back up to his feet and began sprinting towards the table.

Grubber had reached the table by the time Spike had reached the center of the room. He slammed his book down on the table and began to flip through the pages, frantically searching for the one highlighted page that would allow him to win this challenge. Spike was on him within only a few seconds. The dragon slammed his book down on its spine, allowing the cover to fall to one side as he thumbed through the pages like he was cutting a deck of cards. Grubber's eyes widened in shock as started to search even faster. But it was to late, Spike had found the page he was looking for and wrote down the highlighted contents before Grubber could even release a gasp...

...Spike was the winner.

The mares all galloped over towards the two, each taking a glance at what each assistant had to offer. Spike had a fully written letter describing the stallion with the world record for longest uncut mane, and Grubber was standing dejectedly next to untouched page.

Rainbow blinked in surprise. "Looks like we have clear winner here."

"Yes, but we really should wait for Twilight to judge. It is her challenge after all." Rarity added.

"Uh, where is Twilight?" Applejack asked. The mares looked at each other in confusion before turning their gaze back towards the pile of books Spike and Grubber had knocked to the floor. Twilight was caressing each fallen book as if it were some sickly wounded bird, and slowly flew them back to their correct places on the bookshelves.

The mares, hedgehog and dragon couldn't quite hear what she was saying from so far away, but if they could, they would have heard: "Don't cry, its okay now. Mama's here." A few strands of her hair seemed to fall out of place as she continued her seemly endless monotonous task. Every pony, dragon and hedgehog blinked, and stared at the once wise princess of friendship with deep looks of concern.

"Boys, I think you just broke the princess."

Author's Notes:

So this may not be three chapters like I had planned, but I think it's still going to be my shortest story to date. Hope you guys and girls enjoyed the chapter.