Equestria Winter Games

by ThomasZoey3000

Chapter 1

"Wow, this is more snow than I've ever seen before in my entire lifetime," commented Apple Bloom as she, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Lilymoon made their way towards the Ponyville schoolhouse. All around the fillies were giant mountains of snow that went almost to the top of their heads, "I like a little snow, but this is too much for Ponyville, not to mention it'll be a hassle to clean up during Winter Wrap Up."

"What's Winter Wrap Up?" Lilymoon asked curiously.

Sweetie Belle looked back to her friend, "you mean you don't have Winter Wrap Up in Trotslvania?"

Lilymoon shook her head, "no. Unicorns just melt the snow and it goes away, anyways, what is Winter Wrap Up?"

"It's a day when ponies of all tribes come together to clean winter up from Ponyville," answered another voice. The four fillies stopped and saw two other fillies walking over towards them. It was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, decked out in heavy duty winter clothes, "and unicorns are not allowed to use magic," Diamond Tiara continued.

"Though judging from this year's amount," said Silver Spoon, "the unicorns may have to use magic."

"Perhaps," said Scootaloo. "But you never really know. I mean, Ponyville's been through worse in the past. Remember, the para-sprites, Spike going all wantie, and Tirek attacking. I think snow isn't going to be a problem."

"Hope you're...whoa!" cried Diamond Tiara and fell over. Her right hoof got stuck in the snow and she fell face first into the snow.

A couple of fillies walked past the CMCs and snickered at Diamond Tiara. She sighed, it wasn't the first time she had been teased, it was after all, some ponies' way of getting back at her, while others insulted her.

Sweetie Belle was quick to defend her friend, "stop that snickering, it wouldn't be funny if it was you!"

"Perhaps, but it's not us now is it?" asked one of the fillies, and carried on laughing.

"It's okay Sweetie Belle," Diamond Tiara said as Apple Bloom helped her to her hooves, "I'm getting used to it."

"Well you shouldn't, they have no right to be mean like that. I have a good mind to bring it up with their parents."

But at that moment, she couldn't as the school bell was starting to ring and they had to hurry. Using magic, Lilymoon and Sweetie Belle melted the snow and got them to the school house, just in time. As they walked up the steps, some unicorn ponies came by clearing snow from the pathway.

"Oh sure, now they come out," grumbled Scootaloo.

The fillies wiped their hooves, removed their winter gear and took their respective seats. As she sat down, Diamond Tiara could feel all the eyes of the classroom watching her, it made her feel nervous.

"Good morning My Little Ponies," called Miss Cheerilee as she came into the classroom. "We have a lot to learn today, but before we begin, I'd like to welcome a special guest who wants to speak to you all." The ponies were surprised to hear this, they haven't received guests in a long time, other than the one time Rainbow Dash and her parents cheered on Scootaloo for getting a B minus for her report. "You've met this pony before as she came here to announce a contest to carry the Ponyville flag, so please welcome back; Ms Harshwhinny."

The students looked to the doorway and saw Ms Harshwhinny standing there, looking as serious as ever.

"I wonder what she's doing here," whispered Coconut Cream. "The Equestria Games weren't that long ago, and we've still got some time before the next games."

"Shh," whispered Toola Roola. "She's going to tell us now."

Coconut Cream went quiet as Ms Harshwhinny took center stage, sort to speak, in front of the classroom, "Thank you Miss Cheerilee, and hello students, it's good to see you all again, and to see new faces. Now as you are well aware, I am the head of the Equestria games, and while the games were not that long ago, it's come to our attention that we've never had games in the winter. So, as per requested of Princess Celestia, sort of a little surprise to Princess Luna, this winter will mark the very first winter games."

The young eyes of all the ponies popped wide open in surprise.

"And since this is a first for all of us, we've decided to include you younger ponies into the games. There will be ski jumps, only for the fearless ponies, figure skating and of course, hockey games. If any of you wish to join in on the games, you can sign up on a form I'll be leaving with Miss Cheerilee. I will come back in two days to accept it. If you do not wish to join, then that's alright, it is your decision. For those of you that do join in, remember to train at your best and do your best out there. That is all."

Ms Harshwhinny placed the forms down on Miss Cheerilee's desk, turned and walked out of the classroom.

Snips and Snails jumped down from their seats, but were stopped by their teacher, "not so fast boys," she said firmly. "Lessons first, sign up for the games later."

The boys sulked, but went back to their seats.

"Well one thing is for sure," whispered a filly, "Diamond Tiara won't join in on the games."

"Oh for sure," whispered another. "After all, these games are below her family's standard. I'm surprised she even tried out for the flag carrying competition."

Apple Bloom could hear them, and after staring at them firmly, she whispered to Diamond Tiara, "Don't listen to them, you can do whatever you want to do. Heck, you could probably show them all during the Equestria Winter Games." Then she and the rest of the class went silent.

"Yeah, I could," Diamond Tiara thought to herself. And as Miss Cheerilee began her lesson, Diamond Tiara thought about what she could do.

It seemed like forever, but finally the end of the day arrived and the young ponies were more than excited to go up to the front of the classroom and sign up for the games.

"If only they would get this excited about lessons," sighed Miss Cheerilee.

Apple Bloom was first to write down her name, then it was Sweetie Belle's turn, Silver Spoon followed and then Scootaloo.

"What did you sign up for?" Sweetie Belle asked Silver Spoon.

"Figure skating."

Sweetie Belle gasped, "no kidding?! I signed up for that too, oh now I know this is going to be fun. What about you Scootaloo, what did you sign up for?"

"I'm going for the ski jump." Her friends looked to her with worried looks. "I'm sure with some training with Rainbow Dash, I'll be fine."

"Right, like how she helped you with your Applewood Derby cart that sent you to Ponyville General?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Rainbow Dash promised, no Pinkie Promised not to do that again, so I have faith she'll help me to be ready for the ski jump." Lilymoon walked up beside them, "what are you going for?"

"Ski jump," she answered.

"Whoa now that's daring of you," said Apple Bloom. "Then again, you've faced a bogle and a candy eating timber wolf with us, so I guess we shouldn't be too surprised."

"Speaking of not being surprised, I'm guessing you're going for the hockey team?" Sweetie Belle asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You betcha."

Suddenly, there came a lot of gasps from the other students. The crusaders looked to see Diamond Tiara walking up to the forms. She picked up the pencil with her mouth and wrote down her name, and what she wanted to play.

"What did she write down?" Coconut Cream asked.

Toola Roola walked up to the front of the classroom and gasped, "it says here she wants to join the hockey team."

"What?!" exclaimed many of the young fillies and colts. "Diamond Tiara, on our hockey team? Now those are words I never thought would ever come together." Other students started talking in hushed tones, but still kept a firm glare on Diamond Tiara.

She looked nervous as they did. Apple Bloom walked up to her and nudged her on the right shoulder, "excellent choice Diamond."

A short while later, Diamond Tiara returned home to see if her father could supply her with hockey equipment. Her mother; Spoiled Rich, would never go along with the idea, but maybe her father would. Luckily for Diamond Tiara today, her mother was away in Canterlot and her father was in his study. She reached the door and knocked on it.

"Come in!" called a voice.

Diamond Tiara pushed the door open and walked in to find her father at his desk with a book sitting to his right.

"Hello Diamond Tiara, what can I do for you?"

"Well Daddy, I was wondering if you could supply me with hockey equipment." Filthy Rich raised his eyebrow at this. "Well you see, this year's going to mark the first Equestria Winter Games, and since this is a first for everypony, they're allowing young ponies to play too."

"And you signed up for the hockey team."

"That's correct, yes."

Instead of looking angry like his wife would be, Filthy Rich was smiling, "you don't know how long I've been wanting to hear you say those words Diamond Tiara."

"Really?"

"Oh yes, for you see, we have hockey in our blood. While your grandfather; Stinking Rich never played hockey, he did have a brother and he was one of the best in all the land. Slap Rich was his name, but he soon earned the nickname of 'Slap Shot'." Filthy Rich walked over to one of the book shelves and pulled out a photo, "this was during his last season. He loved playing the game, as you can see."

Diamond Tiara looked and sure enough, she could see a big wide smile on her uncle's face.

"For some reason though, he never returned to the ice after an accident he had during a game, and the idea of a member from the Rich family playing went out with him. I wanted to join," he sighed unhappily, "But your mother removed any equipment I got, plus I wasn't really that good. So to hear you say you want to play hockey, well it brings a smile to my face."

"Well I'll do my best Daddy."

"I know you will," he smiled. "My book can wait, let's go get you that equipment right now."

Diamond Tiara nodded and they went off to get the equipment she needed.

Two days later, the training periods began. Lilymoon and Scootaloo went off to practice with Rainbow Dash on a home-made track made by herself, and a few of the Wonderbolts. Rarity was placed in charge of coaching Sweetie Belle, Silver Spoon and any other ponies on figure skating. As for the hockey team, the coach was none other than Applejack.

"Don't tell me," said Coconut Cream, "the apple family has a great history when it comes to playing hockey?"

"Actually no," answered Applejack. "But I do know enough to help you young ponies to be ready for the games coming up. There's just one thing I will say before we begin."

"What's that?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Remember to have fun of course. Without any fun, then the game would be dull, as Pinkie Pie will tell you." There came a loud agreement from over the hill, and judging from the shout, it was coming from Pinkie Pie.

"Alright now ponies, let's see who's up for goalie."

Two young fillies tried out for the role first, but failed to keep the puck from getting in. They were, as Applejack would put it, sloppy and all over the place, but not where they needed to be. Then came Snails. Like Buckball, he was able to block many of the pucks.

"Not thinking about it again?" Applejack asked.

"Do you need to ask? I don't think of anything. Ever!"

"Okay Snails, you're the goalie for this team, now let's see everypony else and see who has what it takes to be Captain."

To see who had the best position as Captain, Applejack split up the groups into two teams. Apple Bloom was on one, and Diamond Tiara was another. Many of the fillies and colts on Diamond Tiara's team were not happy.

"It's clear who's going to be captain, and it's not Diamond Tiara," whispered a colt.

"Unless her dad pays off Applejack," whispered a young filly.

Applejack blew on the whistle and the game began. As they played, it became clear that many of the players needed a lot of work while others were doing quite well. Apple Bloom was superb on the ice and worked well with the ponies on her small team. But the biggest surprise came from Diamond Tiara.

It happened when the puck went her way after being passed by Toola Roola and ended up on her end of the stick. She lifted it up, thinking she could pass it to another member, but instead it went past them and right into Snail's net.

"Whoa," he gasped.

"What in Equestria?" gasped Applejack.

The other filly was not impressed, "nice shot Diamond, hogging the puck like you do with everything else!"

Diamond Tiara sighed unhappily and skated back to the bench to allow another member to play. Needless to say, the remaining ponies on the bench moved away from her.

"Alright Ponies, it's clear who should be Captain, it's Apple Bloom, and not just because she's my little sister. She has the skills to be your captain." All the fillies and colts nodded in agreement. "And for assistant, I've chosen Diamond Tiara for her incredible skills."

"Why her?" asked Coconut Cream. "She'll just ruin everything like she's done so in the past."

"You should kick her off the team and let us pick the perfect assistant," added Toola Roola.

"Oh shut up," snapped Apple Bloom. "If my sister says Diamond Tiara is to be assistant, then that will be her position. And I will hear no complaining about it, got it?"

The fillies and colts nodded, but grumbled once out of Apple Bloom's ear shot.

Unknown to the group, a lone elder pony watched on from a high hill. He seemed to shake his head, "stupid little kids, it's a waste of time." He turned and walked away.

The next few days of training were pretty much the same. Applejack kept watch over the young ponies and giving them pointers on how they could improve their skills. Diamond Tiara though seemed to surprise her and Apple Bloom every time. Sadly, like before, there was still grumbling behind her back and the others avoided her if they could.

Close to the end of practice on Day 4's run, Diamond Tiara had the puck and shot it a little too hard. It went through Snail's net again and into the distance, only to be followed by the sound of a loud crash of glass.

"Nice going Tiara!" snapped another filly. "Are you going to get your..." but she was cut off by Apple Bloom.

"Diamond Tiara, why don't you go get the puck? And maybe apologize to the pony who's window we broke."

Diamond Tiara didn't need telling twice. She skated to the edge of the ice, removed her skates and went off in the direction the puck went. As she climbed the hill, she noticed an old worn down cottage, "where did that come from?" she asked out loud. "I've never noticed it before."

As she got closer to it, it became clear why she and the other ponies have never seen it before. It was covered in fake plants and old leaves, making it blend in with the rest of the scenery. The only noticeable things on this cottage was the snow on the roof, and the broken window. Diamond Tiara walked up to the door and knocked, "Hello? I've come for my puck, and to apologize for breaking the window! Hello?" But there was no reply.

Diamond Tiara knocked again, but this time, the door opened up, "hello?" she called out again.

She walked inside, cautiously in case the owner was nearby and not friendly. Then again, creepy houses don't always have scary ponies as Lilymoon's house on Horseshoe Hill proved.

"Ahh, there it is," Diamond Tiara smiled as she found the puck. As she was about to pick it up, she noticed something shiny. She moved closer to see it and realized it was a big tall cup, the types given out during the final hockey games of a big season. However, there seemed to be more than one there, there was four of them, "what would four hockey cups be doing out here?"

She was so busy looking at the hockey cups that she didn't notice an elder pony coming in through the front doorway.

"What are you doing in here?" he shouted angrily.

Diamond Tiara jumped and looked behind her to see the elder pony, "uh, I'm sorry mister, I didn't mean to come in, it's just I accidently chucked my hockey puck too hard, and broke your window. I was just getting it back and to apologize."

"Apology accepted, now get out!"

"Uh yes Sir, sorry sir. Uh, were you a hockey player at one time?"

"Was, now get out!"

Before Diamond Tiara could ask another question, she was shoved out of the cottage, dropping her puck in the process. Noticing this, she lifted up her right foreleg, which forced her to go sideways, and much to her surprise, as well as the elder pony, she did a few spins before stopping next to the puck with all four hooves on the floor-boards.

"Whoa," gasped Diamond Tiara. "I never knew I could do that before."

"Float like a Pegasus, sting like a unicorn," said the elder pony. He looked firmly to Diamond Tiara, "who are you?"

"Diamond Tiara, of the Rich Family."

The shocked look disappeared and the elder pony stormed angrily over to a desk, "no, not one of them, not one of them."

"Sir, who..." but faintly, she could see photos on the wall. They were of old newspaper clippings, and they all showed a familiar looking pony in hockey attire. It was her uncle; Slap Shot. It suddenly hit Diamond Tiara, "you're Slap Shot, the greatest hockey player in all of Equestria."

He sighed as he looked down to the floor-boards, "I was one of the greatest, so they said at first, but not anymore."

"Well what happened, why did you quit?"

The elder pony, known as Slap Shot turned to face Diamond Tiara firmly, "you think I actually wanted to quit the team? I did not, they forced me out." He hit a switch and on popped a light, which lit up a newspaper clipping.

Diamond Tiara walked over towards the newspaper and read the message, Slap Shot injured, the end of an era. Local hockey legend Slap Shot was injured in a match against Manehatten, and following a conversation with his coach; Tail Wind, it was determined that his hockey days are over and that a new team player will take over his spot. When asked if they spoke with Mr Slap Shot about this, they failed to comment.

"They pushed me aside for the next rookie in line. Despite my injuries in that game, I was willing to get back on the ice, but they said I was of no further use. As time went on, I saw players playing more for bits than for the fun of the game. That's why I walked away, and since I was a disgrace to the hockey world, as well as my family, I've hidden myself out here for all these years. Never meant to be seen or heard from again, but I never thought that one of those worlds would come looking for me."

"Well I'm sorry that you were pushed aside, but that's..."

"Don't even say it's not like that today. I still come out of my house, and I still see that happening, even with your so called team." He looked Diamond Tiara firmly in the eyes, "do yourself a favor and get off the team, hockey is a waste of time. Plus it's no game for a Rich Pony. Stinking said so himself a long time ago."

"But I..."

"Oh and don't tell anypony of where I am. Do you understand me?"

"Uh, yes Sir."

"Good, now get the puck, and get out of my cottage!"

This time Diamond Tiara didn't resist. She picked up the puck and walked out. No sooner was she out of the cottage than the door slammed behind her. Diamond Tiara didn't look back, she just continued walking.

All the while, Slap Shot watched her go. He sighed as he leaned up against the wall and slid to the floor, "she may have the skills, but doesn't have the heart. Don't fool yourself into thinking times have changed," he said to himself.

Diamond Tiara made her way back towards the ice. As she got close to Applejack, she overheard words that hit her hard.

"Who does she think she's trying to kid? Diamond Tiara is the nastiest pony we could ever know, other than her own mother of course."

"I agree with you there," said a second filly, "honestly, I don't care what Apple Bloom says, she doesn't deserve the position she's got, and she doesn't deserve to be on this team."

"Nope, she does not. I bet you more than anything she's only doing this to make her family look more important than ever."

"Yeah, it's all about her than anypony else. I wish she'd just stay away from the ice."

"Or better yet," said the first pony, "why don't she just leave us alone forever. Her family's got the money, why not hire a teacher for her, then she can be alone and we can be happy."

"Yeah, who needs her?"

Those words seemed to hit Diamond Tiara more so than actual punches and kicks. To hear them say that made her question everything.

"Ahh Diamond Tiara, did you get the puck?" Applejack's words snapped her back to her senses. "Are you alright Sugarcube?"

Diamond Tiara sighed, "yes I'm fine, and I got the puck, here." She gave it back to Applejack.

"Is something wrong Diamond Tiara?"

By now, all the ponies were looking over towards her, and the hurtful words came back into her head. A small tear appeared in her right eye.

"Actually Ms Applejack, I...I...I don't want to be on this team anymore. I quit."

"What?" Applejack was stunned to hear this.

Diamond Tiara turned and walked away with tears rolling down her cheeks and onto the snow underneath her. Apple Bloom walked over to the two fillies closest to her, "alright, what did you two knuckle heads say to her this time?"

"Nothing, other than we don't need her on the ice."

"Or at school," added the first filly's friend.

"Well it's no wonder she's walking off crying."

"Those tears are fakes," said the second filly. "She's probably glad to be away from us, and you should be glad too considering everything that pony has said and done to the Cutie Mark Crusaders."

"The past is in the past, and she's my friend now. I just wish you two knuckle heads would think before you say or do anything."

"I quite agree on that one. Apple Bloom, why don't you go after Diamond Tiara, I'll have a little chat with all these ponies here."

She didn't need to be told twice. She skated off the ice, removed the skates and ran off towards Diamond Tiara's house, leaving Applejack and the rest of the team to have that chat.