Equestria Hockey League

by XFizzle


EHL Part II - Training Camp

Equestria Hockey League Part II – Training Camp
by XFizzle

The sun rose on a new winter day. A rooster crowing in the distance awoke Twilight Sparkle from her slumber. This day marked the beginning of the Ponyville Golden Leafs’ training camp. Twilight slowly got out of bed and prepared herself for the long day ahead. Spike also gradually came to life and helped Twilight gather up all the items and equipment they needed for camp. With jerseys, sticks, pads, skates, and nets in tow, Twilight and Spike set out for Ponyville Pond.

Upon arriving at the pond, Twilight saw her friends arriving one by one. Rainbow Dash was half asleep, using a cloud to help move her towards the pond while Applejack followed behind slowly. Fluttershy daintily fluttered down the path while Rarity, with sleeping mask still on, used her magic to move herself along. To no one’s surprise, Pinkie Pie hopped past all of them, skipping along as if she had been awake for several hours. Once all the ponies reached the pond, Twilight came up with an idea to get everyone to wake up.

“Thanks for getting here so early, girls. *Yawn* Before we start we need to wake up and get our legs moving. I say we get our skates on and do some laps around the pond. What do you say?”

“Hmm…nah. I don’t need to skate. Just give me a few more minutes,” said Rainbow as she plopped back down onto her cloud.

“Couldn’t you just use your magic to wake us up, dear?” asked Rarity. “It’s bad enough I won’t be getting all my beauty sleep in this morning!”

“No, Rarity, we have to do this the correct way. Plus my magic isn’t quite so good this early in the morning either. Now let’s on our skates and get going!”

“Right…*yawn*…behind ya’, Twi,” snorted Applejack as she unenergetically struggled to get her skates on.

“Yay! This is going to be fun! Who wants to race? Last pony in is a rotten dragon egg!” exclaimed Pinkie excitedly.

“Hey! I take offense to that!” piped up Spike.

“Hehe, sorry Spike. Now come on everypony!” as Pinkie immediately began to skate around the pond.

Never backing down from a challenge, Rainbow Dash sprung up off her cloud, quickly put her skates on, and tried to catch up to Pinkie. Within a minute, all six ponies and Spike were on the ice, moving about and waking up. After the wake up skate was finished, Twilight used her magic to construct boards around the pond to set up the rink. In the meantime, everyone put on their pads and jerseys.

Next, Twilight led everyone in a handful of stretching and conditioning drills that she had picked up on from her studies. Now that the ponies were stretched, loose, and ready to play, Twilight began to teach her teammates some basic plays and strategies.

“Alright, listen up, girls. The first play I am going to teach you is called the “dump and chase” method. It’s when a forward shoots the puck into the corner boards of the offensive zone and chases after it and tries to get it before the defense can get to it. Meanwhile, the other forwards set up their positions in the zone and wait for a pass. Any questions?”

Rainbow raised her hoof. “So we have the puck then we get rid of it? That sounds lame.”

“Well, yes, but if you get the puck before the defense, that gives you a good opportunity to be ready for the next play.”

“Lame!”

Twilight started to get a little annoyed with Rainbow but continued on.

“Anyways, to practice this, Applejack, you’re going to move the puck up the right side and shoot it into the zone. Rainbow, you’re going to chase after it and try to get it before Fluttershy does. Rarity, while those two are doing that, you’re going to stand behind the net and try to get open for the pass along the boards from Rainbow. Fluttershy and I will be the defense and try to stop you guys. Everypony got it?”

“Umm…Twilight…can you be the one who tries to get the puck before Rainbow? I’m afraid she’ll hurt me,” squeaked Fluttershy.

But Twilight didn’t hear her while blowing the whistle to start.

Applejack did as she was told and dumped the puck in. Rainbow swiftly zoomed into the zone after the puck while Rarity and Applejack followed in behind, going to their positions in the zone. Fluttershy hesitantly skated over toward the puck on the board as Rainbow was closing in. Right before Fluttershy reached the puck, Rainbow swooped in nabbed it, causing Fluttershy to spin like a top and fall to the ice in a daze. Rainbow cut across the slot, passing by a wide open Applejack, to shoot on Pinkie. Pinkie tried to stop the shot but the puck went in. Rainbow started celebrating and cheering as her teammates stared at her slightly peeved.

“What? I did what we planned! Applejack shot the puck in, then I went and got it and scored!” said Rainbow defiantly.

“You cain’t do everythin’ by yourself, Rainbow. You gotta pass it too!” said Applejack. “I was wide open n’ everything!”

“Not to mention you basically spun Fluttershy right out of her skates,” chimed in Twilight. As Twilight said this, Fluttershy finally stood up from being on the ice. She took one step and once again found herself spinning out and hitting the ice. Rarity skated over to help her out. Rainbow winced while watching Fluttershy struggle and rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’m sorry.”

They ran through the play again, this time with Rainbow’s cooperation. Twilight took her turn to try to win the puck from Rainbow. Twilight was able to poke at the puck a little but Rainbow passed it out to Rarity along the boards. Rarity circled to the side of the net and was ready to wind up for a shot. She took a long look at Pinkie, frantically searching for a good hole to aim the puck at. As she was about to shoot, Fluttershy floated by and took the puck away. Rarity stomped her hooves in frustration.

“Fluttershy! Did you not see I was about to shoot? I had my aim perfectly placed then you came in and ruined it!”

“Oh, I’m very sorry Rarity. I didn’t know you were going to shoot,” said Fluttershy.

Twilight came over to them. “No, Fluttershy you did the right thing. Rarity, you have to shoot the puck sooner. There’s no time to line up your shot that long. In the game, everything has got to be done quicker.”

“Buuuttt Twiiiiliiiight!!”

“No buts. Do your best to aim quicker next time.”

Rarity gave Twilight a pouty face as everyone went back to start the play over. The puck was shot in and once again, Rainbow went after it. Twilight met Rainbow at the boards and did a better job at poking and prying at the puck. Applejack, sensing that Rainbow was having trouble, skated in to help. Applejack barreled into the corner and knocked Rainbow over to get the puck from Twilight. Rainbow got up quickly, and angrily skated over to Applejack.

“Hey! What’s the big idea?”

“I saw you were havin’ some trouble in the corner. So I came in ta’ help.”

“Well you didn’t have to knock me over!”

“Well, maybe if you were doin’ your job I wouldn’t a have to come in to save your flank!”

Rainbow and Applejack went nose to nose until Twilight skated in between them to break it up.

“Girls! Cool it! We’re supposed to be teammates and having fun learning about hockey. Not getting in each other’s faces. Now let’s try it again from the top.” Applejack and Rainbow gave each other a sneer before going back to their starting positions.

They ran the play again. Rainbow got the puck on the boards in the corner as Twilight rushed over. This time, Twilight got the best of Rainbow and stole the puck. Twilight broke towards the other end of the ice with the puck on her stick. She was able to glide past Applejack and was off to a breakaway. Twilight saw the empty net in sight and began to feel giddy about her opportunity. Suddenly, Twilight saw a pink blur beside her.

“Hey Twlight! Whatcha doin’?”

“Pinkie?!”

“It looks like you’re on a breakaway! Isn’t it exciting? Don’t forget to shoot and score!”

“Huh?”

Twilight looked up and saw that she had already flew past the net and was now on a collision course with the boards. She used her magic to quickly turn the boards into cushions and plowed into them. Pinkie giggled and hopped all the way back down the ice back into her net. Twilight got up and skated to the other end.

“Pinkie!! You’re supposed to be the goalie! You’re not allowed to get out of your net! I almost got crushed!”

“Hehe, sorry Twilight. It’s just I was getting bored and wanted to join in on the fun!”

Twilight groaned and skated to center ice. The rest of the team followed suit. Twilight told her teammates that for the next half hour that they will just play a simple open ice scrimmage.

The puck dropped and each pony did their best to remember what they’ve learned while also trying out their own play styles. Applejack decided that she wanted to work on her checking. Rainbow collected the puck behind her own net and started sprinting down the center of the ice. Off on the right wing, Applejack anticipated Rainbow’s strides and began to charge to the center. As Rainbow drew closer, Applejack lined up her check. Rainbow took one stride past the center line when WHAM! Applejack laid out Rainbow with a devastating hip check that knocked off most of Rainbow’s padding. Rainbow took a while to get up while Applejack and the others gathered around her. Everyone showed concern for Rainbow except Applejack for she knew Rainbow would end up okay. Rainbow got to her feet, and with flames in her eyes, made a beeline straight for Applejack. The two ponies began to scuffle, and rolling around on the ice, wrestling and pulling on each other’s manes with their skates. Twilight and Rarity tried to break up the fight but ended up getting knocked around themselves. Fluttershy started to become upset and frightened. She tried raising her voice to get them all to stop.

“Girls…please stop fighting….this isn’t what teamwork is about.”

But Applejack and Rainbow ignored her and kept on with their tussle.

“Please…put an end to this.”

Ignored again, Fluttershy reached deep into her tiny well of rage and took in a deep breath.

“GIRLS!! STOP THIS FIGHTING RIGHT NOW!”

Applejack and Rainbow stopped immediately with eyes wide open and mouths agape. They quickly got up, looking at Fluttershy as if they just saw a ghost.

“Oh, I’m sorry I had to raise my voice like that, but I had no choice,” said Fluttershy in her normal, soft tone. “You were fighting and not being good teammates, and most importantly not being good friends.”

Applejack and Rainbow looked down at their hooves in shame.

“Ah’m sorry, Rainbow. I didn’t mean to hit ya’ so hard.”

“I forgive you. And I’m sorry I haven’t been a team player and passing the puck.”

“Apology accepted, sugarcube.”

As the ponies settled down and took a break on the ice, Spike came running up to them.

“Guys! I just received a letter! Check it out!”

Twilight opened the scroll and began to read it aloud:

“Dear Ponyville Golden Leafs,

I hope that your training camp is going well. I also hope that you are enjoying your time playing together and learning the great game of hockey while also learning about teamwork and being team players. May the rest of your training be fruitful and I anticipate your first game.

Your Royal Highness,
Princess Celestia”

Twilight tossed the letter aside and began speaking to her team.

“Why are we fighting each other like this? The Princess is expecting us to be learning about the power of teamwork and here we are acting like a bunch of stubborn mules. This isn’t what being on a team is all about. We’re supposed to help each other, whether its passing the puck more, or covering for a teammate when they are caught out of position. We may be hockey players, but first and foremost, we’re friends. This is not how friends behave. Let’s take a lunch break and then get back on the ice to have some fun. I know we have the ability to become a really great team. I have confidence in each and every one of you ponies. The Princess would not have requested a team be made just for us if she didn’t believe in us. Now let’s practice like a real team.”

Determined and more confident, each pony nodded in agreement. Twilight and company skated off the ice to enjoy a brief lunch break.

---

Twenty minutes later, the Ponyville Golden Leafs took the ice to resume their training camp. They started a new series of offense versus defense scrimmaging. The puck dropped and off they went again. The puck bounced back and forth between both sides for while, staying even. There came an instance where Fluttershy was caught too far up on the play and it allowed Applejack and Rainbow Dash a 2-on-1 opportunity with only Twilight between them. Rainbow passed the puck as AJ crossed the blue line. As Twilight drifted toward her, Applejack slapped the puck back to Rainbow who trailed a little bit behind. Twilight quickly twisted over to go after Rainbow. Sensing Twilight was closing in and the angle to the net was sharpening, Rainbow snapped the puck back to AJ who was now off to Pinkie’s side, wide open. AJ received the pass and redirected it into the wide open net before Pinkie dove across to try to stop it. Applejack and Rainbow ran into each other behind the net and hugged to celebrate the goal.

“That was awesome!” shouted Rainbow.

“Darn tootin’ it was! Great pass, Rainbow!” Applejack replied.

“Nice finish at the end!”

“Aww, shucks. Ain’t nothin’.”

Fluttershy and Twilight were glad to see Applejack and Rainbow’s teamwork on that play, but did not want to allow another goal on defense. They took the offensive and skated down the ice with the puck. Rainbow caught up to them and swiped the puck away from Fluttershy with little effort. Twilight sprinted back to prevent a breakaway for Rainbow. Rarity skated hard to be up with Rainbow on the play. Twilight nudged Rainbow a bit but Rainbow held steady. Rainbow quickly looked over to see an open Rarity waiting near the faceoff circle. Rainbow shuffled the pass toward Rarity. As she saw the puck coming towards her, Rarity took a glance at the net and picked the top right corner. The puck landed on her stick and in one fluid motion, Rarity flicked the puck straight into the corner she picked, beating Pinkie and scoring a goal. Rarity leaped up with great joy and laughed as Applejack and Rainbow skated over to her to celebrate. A loud cheer also erupted from the bench where Spike was jumping and hollering for Rarity’s goal. Rarity gave Spike a wink which made him melt.

The play was back on and once again, the offense was clicking on all cylinders. Applejack and Rainbow had another 2-on-1 opportunity. It was just Twilight back on defense again as Fluttershy was knocked around and dazed near center ice. Rainbow and AJ went to execute the play that scored them their first goal. Twilight, learning from the first time, stayed in the middle between the two forwards. Rainbow passed off to Applejack and sprinted toward the net. Applejack went to pass it back to the blazing Rainbow when Twilight stepped up into the passing lane and intercepted the puck. Twilight shoved the puck up to Fluttershy who was now back on her hooves and Fluttershy took it down to the empty net to score for the defense. Twilight and Fluttershy met at center ice to cheer for their goal.

Play resumed and Rarity had the puck. Fluttershy and Twilight stayed close to Applejack and Rainbow Dash respectively, leaving Rarity to take the puck in herself. Rarity came in closer to Pinkie and let off a sailing shot. Pinkie stared at the puck quickly coming at her. Out of pure reaction, Pinkie raised her glove hoof to snatch the puck out of the air. Pinkie began hopping around and dancing that she made the brilliant save. Twilight and Fluttershy danced with her a bit before Rarity and Applejack joined in.

Pinkie gave the puck up to Twilight who skated it down towards the other end. Applejack caught Twilight and muscled her off the puck and took it back to her side of the ice. Applejack gave the puck up to Rainbow who came in towards the net. Fluttershy was starting to get nervous, but remembered Twlight’s speech before lunch about having the ability within her. Rainbow wound up for a shot and let it go. Fluttershy closed her eyes and threw herself in front of Rainbow’s shot. The puck struck Fluttershy in the wing and bounced off into the corner. Everyone let out a cheer for Fluttershy and rushed to help her up. Fluttershy slowly got to her hooves and gave them a big smile. Rainbow gave her a high five while everypony shared a few laughs.

---

The sun began to go down and the Ponyville Golden Leafs’ training camp came to a close. Everypony ended up at Twilight’s house, resting and icing their hooves and wings. They were talking and having fun, excited for the many games of hockey that were in front of them.

“Today was so much fun! I can’t wait to play some more! And I can’t wait for the after parties after each game too!” Pinkie said excitedly.

“Yeah, we were really good at the end there. Passin’ and shootin’ like a real team,” said Applejack.
“We were great! Applejack and I are going to be the terrible twosome, the dangerous duo! Back and forth! We shoot, we score!” Rainbow said as she flew around the room, acting out a two-on-one play.

Rarity glanced at Rainbow and spoke up. “Ahem!”

“Oh yeah, and you too Rarity. Heh heh,” said Rainbow sheepishly.

“Well I was very pleased with my accuracy today. I’ll able to score from anywhere and I’ll look ravishing while doing so,” Rarity smugly replied.

“I stopped the puck! Once. It hurt, but I did it!” Fluttershy said.

“Yeah, that was great! See? You can do it when you put your mind to it, Fluttershy,” Twilight said smiling.

Rainbow Dash interrupted, “And that was an awesome save you made, Pinkie Pie! I’ve never seen you move so quick.”

“I know! The puck was coming in so fast, it was like ‘rawwwrr!’ then I stared back at it like ‘grrrrr!’ and I snatched it!”

Spike suddenly bustled into the room with his stomach rumbling. “I think I’ve got another letter coming.”

He let out a fiery burp and a scroll popped out. Twilight took the scroll.

“From the Offices of the Equestria Hockey League:

Dear Ponyville Golden Leafs,

Enclosed in this scroll is your season schedule. Please be prepared to participate and good luck in the upcoming season.

Best regards,
Gary Bettpony
EHL Commissioner”

Twilight then saw another scroll and opened it and enlarged it for her friends to see.

“Week One: Ponyville Golden Leafs @ Manehattan Rangers
Ponyville Golden Leafs vs. Cloudsdale Red Wings
Week Two: Ponyville Golden Leafs @ Appleloosa Black Apples
Ponyville Golden Leafs vs. Fillydelphia Flyers
Week Three: Ponyville Golden Leafs vs. Canterlot Equestrians
Ponyville Golden Leafs @ Fillydelphia Flyers
Week Four: Ponyville Golden Leafs @ Cloudsdale Red Wings
Ponyville Golden Leafs vs. Appleloosa Black Apples
Week Five: Ponyville Golden Leafs vs. Manehattan Rangers
Ponyville Golden Leafs @ Canterlot Equestrians”

All seven in the room looked at the last line. Their final game of the season would be in Canterlot against the Equestrians. Twilight grinned as she figured the Princess had something to do with that scheduling.

The Ponyville Golden Leafs enjoyed their training camp and felt confident they had learned enough to have a fighting chance to win. They knew that as long as they used the power of teamwork and had fun, no team could get in their way. They were about to begin their journey toward the Celestia Cup and becoming Equestria Hockey League Champions.

To Be Continued