On a cloudy day, the weather is starting to get colder, and the ponies are starting to get things ready for winter. In Twilight's house, She is sitting on her rocking chair relaxing and trying to get baby Tsubasa to take a nap. They are simply, having a relaxing afternoon. That is until Twilight can see the time and can see that Yuki should be home from school soon, since Sakura is at the library for magic practice, and Ame is at soccer practice. She then hears the door opening and closing, and see Yuki coming in the living room.
Yuki smiles and says, "Mom, I'm home!"
"Hi Yuki, how was school today?" Twilight asks.
"It was great," Yuki answers with a smile on her face.
Twilight giggles and says, "I assume Ame's at soccer practice."
"Yes," Yuki answers.
She then takes a paper and says, "Take a look what Ms. Cheerilee told us in class. Look mommy."
Twilight levitates the paper towards her and start to read it. The poster shows young ponies wearing fashionable clothes.
She reads the paper and says, "The Canterlot Young Fashion Designer's Contest."
"It's when young ponies design their own unique clothes, and they get to wear what they deign to," Yuki says.
"Sounds interesting," Twilight replies.
"Can I enter it, please?" Yuki begs.
Twilight nods her head and answers, "Of course you can."
"Yay!" Yuki cheers.
Twilight giggles hearing her daughter cheers.
She then says, "And you should ask Rarity, I'm sure she can get all the things you need for the contest."
Sometime later, Yuki has present the poster to Rarity, and she is very interested in it. Yuki has been coming to Rarity for advice tips, and practically her apprentice for some time now. She needs excited to hear that Yuki wants to enter the contest, and believes she is ready to bring her work into Equestria.
Rarity says with amazement, "Wow, you want to enter the contest."
"Yes," Yuki answers.
"Well, I'll be happy to give you all the stuff you need for your clothes," Rarity says showing Yuki the supplies.
Then Rarity asks, "Do you know what you're going to make?"
"I don't know yet, but I like your help in going over the rules," Yuki answers looking unsure.
"Good idea, darling," Rarity agrees.
Rarity holds the paper in front of her and starts to read the rules to Yuki,"According to the rules, you're supposed to come up with your own unique winter wear, and it could be anything you desire. The contest will take place in three weeks from today, and must be here three days before the contest starts, but it says the most important thing for this contest it do a clothes that represent who you are, and you are able to use your magic if necessary."
"Something that represent who I am?" Yuki says looking confused.
Rarity gives the paper back to Yuki and says, "Sounds to me you have a lot to think about."
"You're right," Yuki replies.
Yuki starts to think about what are thing that will make her winter wear matches her personality. She tries to come up with multiple ideas for the design, but doesn't feel they either match her personality or might not be good enough to enter in the contest. One night, Twilight walks over to the twins room, and can see the lights are still on. She can only guess who is up at this hour.
Twilight knocks on the door, and say, "Yuki."
"Come in," Yuki calmly calls out.
Twilight opens the door to see Yuki still up with a trash can full of paper and her desk is a mess. Twilight can tell she's been doing this for a while now, and is having trouble
Twilight comes over to Yuki and says, "Sweetie, you've been working on this for three days."
"I know, but I can't really think of a good winter wear that represent who I am," Yuki sadly answers.
"Well, that depends what are the things that make you, you in winter," Twilight replies.
Yuki starts to think about it and says, "Winter is my favorite holiday, we get to play in the snow, have hot chocolate along with cookies and vegetable dumplings, and I get to wear my favorite kimono that me and Aunt Hana made during the new years party. I especially love to put snowflakes, snow drops, and anything with winter snow on it."
Twilight giggles a bit and says, "Sounds to me that's a lot that makes you, you, and no one else."
Yuki starts to think about the ideas she had, and also some of the times she wear very nice and fashionable clothes while living in Japan. Her favorite is to wear some of their traditional kimonos and clothes in winter.
Yuki has an idea dn exclaims, "That's it!"
With that, Yuki has come up with the perfect winter wear that will be unique and represent her personality. For the past two weeks, Yuki has been sewing up her costume very carefully, and making sure the costume has every last detail to her sketch. She has a little help from Rarity and Ruby, but Yuki is the one to take charge with her outfit. Two weeks has passed, and Twilight, Sakura, Ame, and little Tsubasa are with Yuki so they can help her enter the contest. Rarity, Ruby, Silver, and Prism have come along as well. Yuki is excited yet nervous about being in the show including having to wait in line with the other ponies.
"Wow, I never know young ponies like to become designers," Yuki says.
"Don't worry darling, you've been working on these clothes for weeks, I'm sure you'll do a great job," Twilight calmly replies.
Yuki becomes sadly and asks, "But… what if I don't win?"
"Win or lose, you'll do a great job," Twilight answers.
"Thanks mom," Yuki says hugging her mom.
The pony in front of them has just finish registering for the contest, and now it's Yuki's turn to sing up.
Sakura says, "We're next."
Twilight helps Yuki register for the competition, and give the people her sketch for the competition. After finishing registering,Yuki is ready to compete.
However a young girl's voice says sounding rude, "You must be kidding."
"What?" Yuki says looking at who is talking to her.
Yuki and her family look to see who is talking to her. The young pony has light gold fur, maple orange and red striped mane and tail, and brown eyes. Her cutie mark is autumn leaves with a gold chain on it. Twilight and the others are not liking how she is acting towards them, especially Yuki.
"Don't tell me you're entering the contest," The young filly says being completely rude and over confident.
"Why shouldn't she?" Ame asks looking a bit upset at the pony.
"Because, this is for ponies only, and no two legged weirdos with pony ears are allowed to compete," The young filly.
"What, what makes you think that?" Silver says looking angry.
"Yeah. There's nothing in the rules saying she can't," Prism replies.
"There shouldn't have to make a rule saying that the two legged freak can't compete," The young filly remarks.
This makes the others more upset with her, and are not liking it.
"Now Autumn, there is nothing in the rules saying that this young girl can't enter, the contest is for everypony, even a griffon entered the contest," One of the ponies on the table says.
The young pony name Autumn sighs with annoyance and say, "Fine."
With that, the young filly leaves the scene. Yuki is starting to feel more nervous and scared about facing her in the contest.
"Thank you sir," Twilight replies.
The stallion on the table says, "Sorry about that, my daughter is just very determine to be in the contest. She had made a great outfit, and well, she's a bit over confident."
"That's okay," Twilight replies.
Two days later, the young ponies who are going to be at the show the next day are at a dinner party in the grand ballroom at Princess Celestia's castle. Yuki feels excited about being in the competition tomorrow, but is nervous about being on stage. As they walk, they encounter Princess Celestia.
Twilight bows and says, "Good even, Princess Celestia."
"Good evening Twilight and I see the children with you," Princess Celestia replies.
"Yes, Yuki is going to enter a young fashion contest tomorrow," Twilight answers.
Princess Celestia smiles and says, "That sounds very exciting, I wish you luck, Yuki."
"Thank you princess," Yuki shyly replies.
Later on at the party, Ame and Yuki are talking about the contest as they are going to get some drinks. Ame help them get himself and his sister something to drink, but haven't been able to have a moment of peace because someone bumps into him.
"Hey!" Yuki exclaims.
Ame turns around and angrily says, "You did that on purpose!"
"What's wrong, crying over spilt punch," The young filly says.
Ame and Yuki are shocked to see that it's the same pony who said Yuki can't compete in the show, Autumn. This time she is with two other ponies, and from the looks of it, they are not friendly.
Yuki becomes up set and says, "What is your problem?"
Autumn comes close to Yuki with a angrily look and says, "Listen freak show, you shouldn't be in this contest, and even if you did, there is no way you can sew as good as I can. This isn't a place for you."
"Leave my sister alone!" Ame angrily exclaims.
Hearing Ame getting made kind of scared the three ponies, but are not going to take this lightly.
Autumn turns to her friends and says, "Come on girls, we're done here."
With that the three young fillies walk away. Yuki feeling a bit lost in her confident, and is hurt by what Autumn is saying to her.
Ame turns to Yuki and says, "Don't listen to her Yuki, she's only trying to make you lose your confidence."
But Yuki is feeling a bit upset about being a part of the contest if ponies, including Autumn not liking her clothes style. Later in the event everyone is already asleep, everyone except Yuki. In fact, Yuki is crying in her bed, and is trying hard not to wake anyone up, but her mom hears Yuki crying.
Twilight comes over to Yuki and asks, "Sweetie, what's the matter?"
"I… I don't know if I want to enter anymore," Yuki answers feeling upset.
"How come?" Twilight asks looking a bit worried for Yuki.
Yuki hugs her mom as her mom hugs her back, and Yuki continues to cry.
Then Yuki says, "Remember the pony we saw yesterday, Autumn."
Twilight nods her head in reply, and is getting a bad feeling about it.
"She said that I can't sew or do anything and that I shouldn't be in the contest because I'm a freak show," Yuki says in tears.
Twilight hugs her daughter as she says, "Yuki, you're not a freak, and of course you can sew. Your Aunt Hana and Rarity taught you everything you know about sewing and fashion design, and don't listen on what that filly said. Ponies like that probably want to make sure they win by bringing others down."
"But what if I lose," Yuki sadly asks.
Twilight smiles back and says, "Sweetie, I don't care if you win, I just wanted you to be happy with what you do in your life, and if being a designer is what you want then I'm going to support it. Remember what Rarity says"
"That the outfit represent the one who design it, and to make clothes that represent the pony you make it for," Yuki replies.
"Exactly," Twilight remarks.
Yuki smiles and says, "Thanks mom."
With a hug and kiss Yuki feels much better and decide to continue to be in the contest. Yuki just has to remember that this is something she wants and is not going to let anything stand in her way. The next day, today is the day of the young fashion contest, and everypony are taking their seats while the contestants are in the dressing room behind the stage. Twilight and the others are taking their seats so they can see Yuki's outfit.
"I can't wait to see sis," Ame says with excitement.
"I know," The twin ponies reply.
Twilight sighs sadly and says, "I hope Yuki feels better."
"Don't worry mom, you talked to her and I think she's going to be fine," Sakura replies.
"She's right, Yuki's outfit is exquisite and I'm sure shel'll get an award from the judges," Rarity says.
Twilight smiles and is hoping Yuki will do great even if she doesn't win.
Just then a familiar mare's voice calls out, "Twilight."
"Ame, Sakura, over here," A familiar stallion's voice calls out.
Twilight and the others turn to see her parents sitting at some of the seats. They decide to sit with them, and ask why they are here to day.
"Hi grandma," Sakura replies.
Then Ame says, "Hey grandpa!"
Twilight hugs her parents with a smile and asks, "Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?"
"Well, Princess Celestia told us Yuki is going to be in the contest, so we should we should see her, and cheer her on," Twilight Velvet explains.
"That's nice," Twilight says with a smile
"I can't wait to see what kind of outfit she comes up with," Nightlight says with statement.
"Me too," Twilight Velvet replies.
"I promise you all are going to love it," Rarity says with pride.
"Yes, Yuki had worked hard on her outfit and I'm sure the judges will love them," Ruby adds.
With that the lights has turned off, meaning that the show is about to start. With that, the light has turn on at the stage, revealing a pony a unicorn stallion. He has light tan skin, gray short mane, tail, and a mustache. He is wearing a blue suit shirt with a white button shirt unterit and a tie, and wearing a match tio hat with a red ribbon on it
The stallion holding the microphone announces, "Hello everypony and welcome to the Canterlot Young Fashion Designer Contest. I am your host, Loud Voice, and today we will see young designers wear their unique outfits. Our three judges, Prime, Photo Finish, and Hoity Toity will be our judges. They will judge present prizes to a winner, an award for uniqueness, and an award for accessories. Are you all ready to see a fashion show?"
Everypony starts to cheer and wanting the show to start.
Loud Voice loudly announces, "Then let's start with our first designers."
The show has started and each of the young ponies are showing the audience and judges their work .Some of them are interesting, some cutie, some unusual, but the judges are keeping track on what they think the ponies outfits, and griffon's outfit are to them. Sometime later, they are the last few of the designers, and Yuki hasn't appear yet.
"Next up number 24, Autumn!" Loud Voice announces.
The curtains up to see autumn wearing a lovely dress. The dress is white with accessories that looks like icicles and white trims on the bottom.. She then uses her magic to make the dress glamorous, and the icicles makes music, and making the trims dance around. The judges are impressed by the outfit. After she finishes everypony clap and cheer for them. Twilight and the others can tell this is one pony Yuki might have trouble beating. Autumn leave the stage and see Yuki waiting for her turn.
With over confidence, Autumn boastful remarks, "Try and beat that."
Yuki does hear it, but not want to listen to her.
In her thoughts she calmly says to herself, "Just stay calm and don't listen what she says."
She then hears the host, Loud Voice, saying, "And finally number 25, Yuki Hinata."
Hearing that it's hurt turn, Yuki says in her thought with glee, "I don't need to worry, as long as I stay to what I know, I'll be fine."
The curtains open to reveal Yuki is about to take the stage. Yuki is wearing a white kimono that has snowflakes and snow hills on the bottom. She has a light blue ribbon and wrap around her, and her only accessory is a snowflake hair pin with a light blue hair band braided her extended hair. The judges and host can see her clothes are simple, and is light design.
Loud Voice says, "Coming after Autumn, Yuki, seems rather a bit plain."
"True, but simplicity can be very strong and effective," Prime says.
"I have to admit the outfit is different than any of the others I've seen," Photo Finished replies.
"Very unique," Hoity Toity adds.
With that Yuki takes the stage and uses her magic to create snow falling from the sky. She thens tar to face some of the japanese dance with a fan that is light blue and with white snowflakes on it. Everypony are liking her dance as the snow falls upon her.
With a smile, Yuki says in her thoughts, "The clothes and accessories are not what's important what is important that I use them to express myself, I'm Yuki Hinata, I am the snow."
The three judges take a close look at Yuki and her clothes. The way she is doing it, it's like she is in the actually snow herself, and is dancing in the cool breeze. The judges and the audience are loving it.
"That is fantastic," Hoity Toity says while clapping his hooves.
"It almost like she's in… no a part of the snow," Photo Finish complements.
"It's beautiful," Prime replies.
After Yuki finishes with her dance, she makes the snow fall to the ground and make sure the snow is cleaned off from the stage. Everyone start cheering and clapping for her.
"Everypony, Yuki Hinata!" Loud Voice announces.
"Yuki was smashing, and yet her clothes are so simple, but sometimes simplicity is best," Rarity says, feeling proud of Yuki.
"Yuki like to be simple, that's just how she is, and the kimono is also a part of her," Twilight adds with a smile.
After a few minutes for the judges to make their decision, they decide which of the three designers that should be moving on.
Loud voice hold the microphone and announces, "After the results, we have choose the three finals, the first one is number 15, Dream Vision."
The pony Dream Vision has come forward. The young filly is wearing a lovely blue coat with white hat and gloves. She also adds some unique accessories.
Then Loud Voice announces,"Next finals is number 24, Autumn!"
Autumn walks on the stage with a confident look on her face.
Lastly Loud Voice announces, "And lastly number 25, Yuki Hinata!"
Yuki blushes and walk on the stage with the three finalist on the show. Everypony are clapping and cheering for the three young ponies who will be moving on to the finals. Twilight and her group and happy for Yuki that she is in the finals of the show.
"We'll take a five minute break, and then we will do the award announcement," Loud Voice announces.
Back in the dressing room, Yuki so glad to be in the finals but feeling a bit nervous.
Yuki says in her thoughts, "Great now I'm more nervous."
Of course when ever she wins or lose, she'll end up receiving something from all of her hard work.
However a familiar voice says, "You might as well drop out now. There's no way you're going to win with that simple and weird outfit."
Yuki turns to see Autumn in her elegant dress. Yuki has just about had it with Autumn, and is not going to let this down anymore.
Yuki faces Autumn and firmly says, "Listen Autumn, what your saying is not going to bother me anymore."
Autumn is shocked to see Yuki is not being intimidated like the list time.
"I don't care about winning this contest, I only care about following my dream to be a designer. If I don't win in this one, then I'm going to work harder to fulfil my dream, and nothing you say is going to change that way," Yuki firmly explains about her dream.
Autumn can see the courage and desire in her eyes, but still think Yuki doesn't have what it takes to beat her.
With a smirk on her face, Autumn says, "We'll see about that."
Sometime later, Yuki, Autumn, and Dream Vision are on stage since they are the finalist and are about to receive their award. Yuki feels a bit nervous about it, but know that she can try harder to be a great designer.
"For the award for the unique outfit is Dream Vision," Loud Voice announces.
Dream Vision to receive her reward. Yuki clap for Dream Vision's reward.
With over confidence, Autumn says with pride, "Of course we all know who the winner is,"
"And now, Hoity Toity will present our big winner," Loud Voice says.
Hoity Toity comes up and says, "Thank you, and the winner of The Canterlot Young Fashion Designer's Contest is…"
Autumn and Yuki are waiting for the winner announcement. Of course Autumn is feeling confident what she'll win, but Yuki is nervous about the results, but it doesn't matter if she wins or lose, but as long as she does her best.
"The beautiful and unique work of Yuki Hinata," Hoity toity announces.
Yuki eyes widen hearing the results and shyly says with surprised look, "I… I won!"
Autumn hear this and shockley exclaims, "Not me!"
Everypony, especially Yuki's family and fiends are clapping and cheering for Yuk since she is the winner of the contest.
However sounding upset, Autumn exclaims, "But I'm supposed to win, this doesn't make one bit of since at all!"
"Aw, but the accessories award is perfect for you. After all it was only your clothes and accessories that stood out. You see, Autumn, you've completely forgot to show off your personality and unique qualities," Photo Finished explains.
Prime walks over to Yuki and says, "I really love the way you represent your winter wear, and these clothes are very unique, and it shows things that represent your personality in the winter snow."
"Thank you, I guess in a way that how my name is," Yuki says looking very shy.
"And why's that?" Hoity Toity asks.
Yuki feels more embarrassed and answers, "You see my name Yuki actually means snow, and I love to be in the wintery snow everytime it comes."
As Yuki's answers her question, a glow appears on her cheek.
Loud Voice skiles and says, "Wow, you name means snow and love to be in it too."
"Yes, and now, you have more to celebrate," Prime adds.
Yuki looks a bit confused and asks, "What do you mean?"
Photo Finish show Yuki a mirror so she can see. Yuki is shocked to see that a three white snowflakes in different size along with a spool with light blue thread, attached to a silver needle.
Yuki smiles and says, "My… my cutie mark!"
Loud Voice hold the microphone and says, "Everypony let's give another round of applause for Yuki Hinata."
Everypony in the audience cheer for Yuki for not only winning the contest, but she also receives her cutie mark at the same day. The judges give Yuki a small silver tiara, a gold trophy, and a bouquet of poinsettias for the prize. Yuki feels this is the best day of her life. After the contest, Everypony comes over to congratulate Yuki for her win and earning her cutie mark. Rarity is very proud of her apprentice win and gaining her makr.
"Oh Yuki, I'm so proud of you. You not only won the contest but you've earned your cutie mark as well," Rarity says with a smile.
"That's my twin sister!" Ame says happily,
"You were amazing," Prism adds.
"You rule, Yuki!" Silver replies.
Twilight hugs "Yuki and says, "We're all so proud of you."
"Thank you," Yuki replies.
The Ame says, "I'm just glad you didn't let what Autumn said get to you,"
"Yeah. I even stood up to her saying that I'm only interested in doing my best," Yuki replies while blushing.
"That's good," Ame remakes with glee.
Night Light has an idea and says, "How about we go back to our house and celebrate?"
Agreeing to the idea, everyone goes to the house to celebrate Yuki's win, and head back to Ponyville in the morning. When they reach the house, they throw a little party for Yuki. Yuki feels glad about winning the prize and earning her cutie mark .She feels that her dream of being a designer is beginning, and winning the contest and earning her cutie mark is a start.