Faux

**Faux

Chapter two – Conflict**

“TWILIGHT!?” Trixie’s eyes were fixed onto the mare that outclassed her in magic during the Ursa-Minor incident.  “What are you doing here? And where did the magic rock… Awww…” Trixie had looked right in to the eyes of the small unicorn filly in her hooves.  With its dark red coat and dark orange mane, but standing out most of all was her pink eyes which held a sadness unfathomable.  Trixie could not resist.

“Trixie? How did you get here?” Twilight asked pointing her hoof.

“Trixie does not need to explain herself” she tried to calm the filly down hugging it softly, ignoring Twilight. “Who are you little filly?”

The small filly in her hooves looked up and finally spoke after drying her eyes.  “I… am Ewica”

Every pony gathered around Trixie and the small unicorn.

Carter stayed back watching from the entrance. He was waiting.

Pinkie Pie got close before addressing Ewica.  “Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie it’s so nice to finally meet you! Do you like parties? Because I have to make a welcome to Ponyville party just for you! Oh I hope you like cupcakes and ice-cream and balloons and cake and streamers, LOTS of streamers and—”

“Ewica would love to have a party… what is a party?” Ewica asked as she hoped out of Trixie’s hooves.

“Why are you talking like Trixie?” Trixie asked slightly annoyed.

Carter took this moment to pick up the filly with his talons and respond, interrupting Pinkie Pie before she could rant about the wonderful things that make a party.  “That is because the spell is supposed to turn the stone into the likeness of the creature that touches it.  Since Trixie is the one who touched it, it turned in to a little unicorn with terrible speaking patterns”

Trixie exploded.  “WHAT? The Great and Powerful Trixie does NOT have a Speaking problem!”

“I’ve always wondered why you talk in the third pony…” Twilight said.

Trixie calmed down and with dignity started to explain “eh hem. I don’t have a speaking problem, I speak in the third pony for personal reasons that I don’t wish to share with these ponies.”  She pointed to Rarity, Apple Jack, and Rainbow Dash.

Noticeably the three ponys in question became furious, remembering the things Trixie had done to them.

“Well, well, it doesn’t matter to me why Trixie speaks like a bumbling idiot.” Rarity said. She tilted her head up slightly in disgust.

Twilight remembered why they were there in the first place and looked to Carter, forgetting about Trixie and the other conversation.  “Carter, what are you doing with Ewica?”

Carter had put the filly on his back and harnessed her to it with straps, so she would not be able to leap off when they began their walk back to Canterlot. “We have to take this—I mean her back to princess Celestia.” I need some time. Carter thought.

The argument had started to blow out of proportions meanwhile and ponies were hollering at each other.

Carter couldn’t stand the yelling, he couldn’t think strait with all the obnoxious bantering.  He put one razor sharp claw to the glass of a nearby stained glass window and slowly ran it down its length producing a mind-shivering screeching.

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

He stopped when every pony had shut up to put their hooves to their heads.

“Look ponies. We need to get out of the Ruins, by nightfall the Everfree forest will become a different kind of difficult… if you know what I mean.”

Reluctantly no-pony argued with him.

SC<

It was becoming dark, it had taken all afternoon to find the Royal temple the second time, the forest seemed to have changed, paths led differently somehow.  Eight ponies, including Trixie and Ewica, and one Griffon were trekking through the forest.  It was much too dangerous to fly over the Everfree Forest at night, the wild winds and the even wilder lighting would spell certain doom for a cart full of ponies.  With Twilight and Carter at the head of the pact, Twilight was lighting the way, and Carter was navigating.  Trixie kept close to the head, strangely wanting to keep a close eye on Ewica, who was strapped to Carter’s back.

“Ewica, are you alright?” asked Trixie.

“Ewica… hates being… Tied down! Ewica has… an important… Job to do.”  She said struggling. Then Ewica remembered she was a unicorn, as if she had forgotten.  Ewica used her magic to unbind herself and then hopped off Carters back.

“Hey!” Carter said turning around, every pony looked at Ewica as her horn glowed a soft Pink, like her eyes.

Her eyes began to softly light up pinker, and she closed them.  Moving her little head from left to right, a odd sensation befell every pony.  On the horizon a second red moon, smaller then the blue one, rose above the mountainside.  Its red glow melded with the blue one turning the normally black sky canvas for the stars a purple hue. It continued to rise until it took its place close to the regular moon and then kept pace with it, seemingly a sister moon.

This is good… As long as she can control the faux moon I can still make my move. I’ll need some sort of excuse to watch over Ewica for the Princess… Carter thought.

Every pony was astounded, save for Carter, by Ewica’s display of magic.  This is when they noticed her cutie mark. Adorning her left flank was a strange symbol.  It was a Yellow moon, with 16 short rays and 16 slightly longer rays coming from it in all directions. The mares on the moon, or impact craters, spelled out XVIII.  Eighteen in Roman pony numerals.

“That was beautiful!” Rarity said, still staring at the new night sky.

“That’s some pretty awesome magic you got there.” said Rainbow Dash hovering a foot of the ground.

“oooo, does that make you a Princess like Luna and Celestia?” Pinkie pie beamed before once again going on about a party for Ewica. “—I’ll make a cake in the shape of a moon, and we’ll have punch and pin the tail on the pony and popsicles and party hats and ME, Pinkie Pie!” she giggled.

“Ewica how do use such powerful magic, and control a moon at such an early age?” Twilight asked thoroughly interested in the little filly’s magical talent.

“What? Her name is Sapphire and Ewica has always known her because she has been Ewica’s friend forever. Ewica does not magic her in to the sky, she simply asks her too. It’s Sapphires important job too.”

The odd answer to Twilights question made every pony start to think. However the looming darkness of night reminded them that this was not the time, as they continued to brave the forest, steps in the darkness began to be heard around them.  Suddenly there were sounds of something pressing on the dead leaves and dry plants in the forest, this made Carter stop.  He motioned for every pony to be quiet.

A sharp and short growl was heard and more steps in the forest before a large beast at least two ponies high and almost three ponies long came in to view under the soft moonlight. Its black-to-grey fur covered every inch of it, pointy ears and wild blue eyes were on both sides of its long head. It stood on four paws with sharp claws, and its tail had wild and tattered hair. It was a fully grown Dire wolf.

And it looked hungry.

Carter was a tactician and an experienced soldier.  He immediately grabbed Ewica and gave her to Rainbow Dash. “Take Ewica keep her safe, Fluttershy I need you to fly up and tell me how close we are to Canterlot mountain range. Twilight, Trixie, and Rarity, were going to need magic if we want to make it alive.”

“Right, I’m on it!” Twilight said.

“o-okay” Fluttershy said.

“Just leave it to Trixie!” Trixie said.

Rarity stared menacingly at Trixie, Twilight nodded to Carter.

Two more Dire wolves came in to view behind the first one.  The three began to circle the pony pack.  Carter moved in front and flaunted his long griffon wings outwards to cover the ponies behind him.  Rainbow dash and Fluttershy both took to the air, staying just above the tree line.  Rarity began to use her magic to make illusionary copies of the ponies left on the ground in their places.  Trixie used her magic to set rope traps were the illusions where, as they started to walk away from them. Twilight began to panic. The three Dire wolves continued stalking in a circle, they held back knowing the Griffon could probably take one or two of them down if they initiated.

Why are they holding back?  I know I can take on at least one of them… it’s like they’re waiting for—

Carter’s thoughts were interrupted.

Twilight and co. were stopped dead in their tracks.

Three more dire wolves came in to view opposite the side of Carter and the first three.

Twilight was now in full blown panic. When I read that book on dangerous creatures for the Ursa Major why oh why did I skim it? I haven’t read anything on dire wolves worth using now! Oh Celestia help us. What am I going to do? Should I teleport? No I can’t leave my friends behind—ONE OF THEM IS LOOKING RIGHT AT ME.

The illusion spell would only work on the first three. Illusions only worked in one direction at a time unless you knew advanced spells.  One of the three new wolves made a growl in the direction of the first three, and the leader of the first three growled back, communication between them made it seem like they knew about the traps and illusion.

Fluttershy came down to carter and was almost too quiet to hear.  “We are… um… really far… eep!”

The wolves began to move faster now all 6 circling the pack of ponies.

Carter’s thoughts went to the past.  So this is how I’m finally going to go huh? What I wouldn’t give to have my old wing-mates with me, we could take em’ on just like in—

The six wolves pounced and Rarity, Trixie, and Pinkie pie screamed.  Fluttershy’s wings snapped closed and she fell next to Twilight, Trixie, and Rarity. Carter Lunged forward at one of the wolves grabbing it in the neck with his griffon talons, Rainbow dash struggled between wanting to help, panicking, and keeping Ewica safe. Apple Jack bucked one wolf square in the face while the others were still mid dive for the rest of the group.

It seemed like the end for every pony.

However, Twilight opened her eyes with white glowing light coming from them, magic glowing on her horn.

A white bubble of magic came forth from Twilight growing in size; nothing could be seen from the mass of white light.

As the magic bubble grew, it encompassed Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Trixie, Pinkie pie, Rainbowdash, Carter, Ewica, and all six Dire wolves.

*pop*

Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Trixie, Pinkie pie, Rainbow Dash, Carter, Ewica, and six dire wolves disappeared.

Along with a sizeable chunk of the Everfree forest.

SC<

Beautiful marble floors, elegant silk curtains, spotless windows, six brand new pillars, and two grand gold sculptures of Celestia and Luna atop a short platform were all things held within the newly refurbished Grand Hall in Royal Canterlot Castle.  Celestia herself was within talking with High Council member Jiko.

“I’m worried your Highness, they have yet to return.” Jiko said.

“I know Jiko—but my faithful student will not let me down. I’m sure of it. But… maybe we should send a search party just in case.”

“At once your highness, I will talk to the Captain of the guard immediately about arranging the—“

Six confused ponies, one exhausted unicorn, one little filly, one old Griffon, six fully grown dire wolves, a large mound of dirt and shrubbery, a couple rope traps, and 4 uprooted everfree forest tree’s appeared in thin air before falling to the brilliant marble floor knocking down the new pillers, the new statues, and breaking the new windows.

“Twilight! My faithful student, and are those dire wolves!?”  Celestia instantly used her magic to imprison the dangerous creatures in light prisms, the wolves were unable to move.

Carter slowly got up “if… you could do that before… why did we have to walk to the Temple in the first place?”

Twilight was breathing deeply and difficultly “I can’t… Actually… Control it…”

Fluttershy stayed stone still in the position she was in pre-teleport.

Rarity, Apple Jack, Ewica, and Rainbow Dash, tried to get up, all four of them with swirly eyes.

Pinkie pie sprang to her hooves.  “WOOHOO! Do it again! Do it again!”

Twilights tired and exhausted thoughts made the mistake of listening to Pinkie pie, she contemplated doing it again.

Twilight passed out.

SC<

When Twilight awoke it was in a very comfortable bed.  She could overhear an argument, her mind and ears were slowly starting to work again.

“Just because Princess Celestia sent us all to this guest room doesn’t mean you get to sleep in the same room with us Trixie, how can I trust you not to make my hair green again?” Rarity was on one side of the room with Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash.

Trixie sighed “Trixie did not do that too you in spite. Trixie is the innocent one here.”

This would be the third time Rarity exploded.  “YOU? INNOCENT?”

Trixie interrupted Rarity and the other two before they could get another word in.  “Look… Rarity, Apple Jack, and Rainbow Dash, Trixie is going to—no I’m going to level with you, when I came in to town, what was I doing?”

“Entertaining a crowd?” Fluttershy said helpfully.

“Yes, I was entertaining a crowed of ponies because I’m an entertainer, this is how I make bits. You know, to put food on the table. Now how do I do this?”

“With magic tricks?” Pinkie Pie joined the conversation too.

“Yes, but why would any pony want to come see magic from Trixie?”

This seemed to stump every pony. Making Trixie sigh again before answering her own question.

“Because Trixie boasts of her magic, she makes the crowed want to see Trixie’s magic. And sure, most crowds question my magic’s greatness. That is when you three continued to call me out in the front row, I could hear you and so could every pony else, it was after all, a small crowed. Trixie had to convince the crowd that Trixie was indeed the pony she claimed to be. I upstaged you because it was the only way my show can be saved when ponies like you three make her look bad in front of the audience.”

“But you told the audience that you defeated an Ursa Major!” said Rainbow Dash.

“Yes I lied, which is bad.  I boasted of something to wow the crowed. In my defense, how could I know that two little foals would go looking for one? And on top of that, how could Trixie know that Lady Twilight here” she points to Twilight.  “Was the personal protégé of Princess Celestia? Of course Trixie does not blame Twilight, she only did what she had to, to save Ponyville. Trixie had to save as much face was left however… so she ran out of town before Ponyville could run me out of town themselves.”

Somehow Rarity Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash didn’t feel so right about how they acted.  They were still angry but now they understood Trixie’s side.

“So… that’s why you left in such a hurry?” Twilight decided to finally speak up after Trixie finished.

Trixie moved over to Twilights bed and put a hoof to the side of it  “Trix—I mean I would like to apologize to you Twilight.  I don’t blame your friends or you for anything really, in fact I’m grateful for you showing me up in town that night, had you not, I might not be alive today. You saved my life when you mollified that Ursa-Minor.”

Twilight blushed, complements were always nice. “o-oh its nothing, I couldn’t let that Ursa-Minor smash you like it did the cart… oh… sorry it smashed your cart.”

Luna entered the room hoping to ask Twilight for a moment of her time.

“It’s fine really Twilight! I retrieved my tattered hat and cape latter to get it fixed, and that’s all that really mattered to me… well actually, Twilight I’d like to say something about that night, when you lulled the Ursa-Minor to sleep… you showed such power and control of magic. No pony could keep their eyes off you. Including me… you’re a powerful mare Twilight… and I think I like you.” she said before blushing slightly and walking back to her own bed in the guest room.

Twilight was blushing profusely. She hid under her covers trying to deal with the new emotion flying around in her head.

Luna was frozen in place.  While Twilight was on her quest at the temple, Luna had thought about Twilight a lot, she came to realize that she likes her maybe more than a friend... She waited until this moment to ask her for a privet moment to confess her feelings and this… this Trixie Just beat her to the punch. She was sad, and still kind-of confused about how she felt. She didn’t know what to do.

Luna walked away to return to her room.

Rarity had seen Luna come in, and then leave.  “I wonder what that was all about?”

Apple Jack nudged Rarity for her to look at Twilight “Aww… Would ya’ look at that, Twilights got herself an admirer.” Apple Jack teased.

Pinkie pie and Rainbow Dash giggled slightly.

Rarity spoke softer and quieter then Fluttershy so no pony would hear her. “She’s not the only one with admirers.” Rarity whispered to herself as she looked at Apple Jack. I wonder if I can get her to speak elegantly again…  Rarity thought.

It’s safe to say that every pony was exhausted and ready for sleep after the mission to and from the Royal Temple.  With sleep overcoming Twilights confused and happy mind, she drifted off to stranger dreams.

SC<

Luna sighed.  “Maybe it is a mistake after all…”  The way back to her room in the castle felt longer tonight.  She stopped on her way to the meeting room they had used when they arrived, and picked up the Eye of Anubis.  “I should probably put this back, before we lose it again.” She looked around the room slowly.  “Show me… Twilight Sparkle.”  The mirror obeyed, the purple unicorn slowly came in to focus sleeping peacefully.  “She looks so peaceful, I wonder what she’s dreaming about? Why are we so attracted to you Twilight?”

“Er hem, Why am I.” corrected Celestia who had been just around the corner.

“S-sister! Wha—how long have you been there?”

“I’ve been here long enough Luna. And I’m surprised… you know the difficulties with falling in love with other ponies, and even more surprised that of all ponies, my personal student…” Celestia was giving her a knowing look of disapproval.

“B-But sister! I know that I being immortal would mean—” Luna was cut off.

“I forbid you from—” Celestia began.

“No! Sister you can’t please!” Luna pleaded.

“—From telling Twilight anything but the honest truth.” Celestia smiled.

“W-what?” Luna was confused.

“Tell her the truth about how you feel Luna.  You know I only wish the best for you.” Celestia often made her sister the target of her pranks.

“You mean you’re not mad? That I like Twilight?” Luna asked.

“Of course not sister, I love you, and I care deeply for my student, and I could think nothing better than to put you two together.” She held Luna in a warm hug before continuing.  “Just make sure to be gentle with her, she a shy one.” Celestia winked.

Blushing Luna turned her head.  “w-we should, I should get to bed.”

“You get a good rest. I’m going to work on a new project…” Celestia giggled.

Celestia and Luna left the room, Luna heading to the Royal chambers.

Sleep is not required for either Celestia or Luna, it only brings peace of mind.  Luna slept soundly that night.

Celestia went down to the private garden to work on other things.

The Eye of Anubis was forgotten in the meeting room.

SC<

Luna had woken in time to drop the moon, and after Celestia brought the sun up she then lifted a large pruned branch from one of the trees in the garden with her magic.  The royal gardener was scared for her life.  Six full grown dire wolves sat with bearings like soldiers in a row next to Celestia. The huge chunk of wood was thrown with magic far in to the distance.

“Fetch!” Celestia said with glee.

All six of the dire wolves were off in an instant. One retrieved it mid-air, before being pounced some-what playfully by the other five dire wolves.

“No fighting.” Celestia said sternly, instantly brining the six beasts to a halt. Then with a motion of her hoof she got them to sit in a row again.

“This time I’ll throw it a bit farther!”  Celestia said before magically lifting the branch again.

SC<

Meanwhile in the castle, special guest room, Applejack was the first to wake up. She had a work schedule on her farm and she naturally got up at the crack of dawn.  Surprisingly though Trixie was already walking back in from freshening up in the washroom.

“Couldn’t sleep well there Trixie?” Apple Jack said almost jokingly.

“Hmm? No, Trixie always keeps a tight schedule, the early entertainer gets the worm… err… you know what Trixie means."

“Heh, yeah ah think ah get ya.  About yesterday… after ah thought about it, I’ve been thinking maybe ah wasn’t very kind when you came in to town.”

“Think nothing of it Ah… Apple Jack right? Well it’s all water under the bridge.  It actually wasn’t that bad of an incident.  Word of the Ursa-Minor that almost killed Trixie didn’t spread as fast or as wide as word that Twilight Sparkle subdued an Ursa-Minor.”

“Ah reckon that’s good an all but let’s get one thing strait between us. Don’t you dare hurt Twilight ya hear?” Apple Jack was squinting and motioning with her hoof certain death.

“Trixie… wouldn’t purposely hurt Twilight, but Trixie is afrai—er, Trixie is wondering if maybe she confessed too soon.  What if Twilight doesn’t like Trixie?”

Apple Jack was looking at the clock on the desk to see what time it is, and noticed that Fluttershy’s bed was empty and not in the room.  “umm… ah think your over thinking things, ahm sure as sunshine that ah am not the best pony to talk about love and all that stuff, but If you just be who you are, there’s nothing else you can do really… right?” does Fluttershy get up before I do?

Trixie moved the curtains letting the light filter in waking every pony else up.  “Hmm, thanks Apple Jack, hopefully the others will warm up to Trixie too.”

Every pony began to stir, rubbing the sand of sleep from their eyes, yawning and taking turns to freshen up in the one washroom.  Before long every pony was awake and accounted for accept Fluttershy who entered from the balcony door.

“Oh! good morning.” She said cheerfully

Apple Jack was quick to ask “Fluttershy, where did you go so early in the morning?”

“Oh, um, I got curious about the garden, since last time was… um… well you know, so this morning I flew down to the garden to see the pretty plants.”  Fluttershy nodded her head as if to approve of what she was saying.

“No problems with the animals this time?” Twilight asked remembering the scene almost vividly.

“Well no… not this time.” Fluttershy meekly said.

*knock knock*

“Lady Sparkle? The princesses are preparing breakfast again, and will be ready to debrief you afterword.”  Silver Watcher was again guarding the guest room.

“Just a moment! And thank you Sir Silver Watcher.” Twilight turned around to face Trixie.

“Oh! Yes Twilight?” Trixie didn’t know what to expect next.

“Umm about last night, what you said… was confusing, but also really nice” Twilight blushed slightly.  “I was wondering if maybe you could come to Ponyville and we could… hang… out? Because we didn’t really get a chance to talk last time we met, and the time after that and—”

A couple jaws dropped.

“Twilight dear, are you asking Trixie on a DATE?” Rarity said a little too loudly.

“WHAT? No! its not a date! Its…its… a thing… at a place? I just want to hang out!” Twilight countered.

Trixie stopped Twilight before she could stumble more.  “Trixie would—I would love to spend some time to get to know you and hang out. Hopefully Ponyville doesn’t run me out of town.” She said the last part with legitimate worry.

“That would be great! A-any way lets all get to the dining hall.” Twilight changed subjects noticing all the eyes of her friends were on her and Trixie.

Every pony was beginning to remember the questions that circled in their heads last night.

SC<

Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and her friends were once again gathered in the meeting room after a breakfast fit for a king.  This time however Trixie was also attending, Twilight had told Trixie about everything prior to Ewica being found. Twilight had asked many questions and Celestia had answered… most of them.  Celestia told her that yes, the stone is supposed to turn in to the same creature that touches it when activated.  She also told her that Ewica is a very special pony.  The next question was bigger than the rest of them, and yet the most vague.

Trixie raised her hoof, and asked some-what simply “so… what now?”

Celestia and Luna looked to each other before addressing every pony present.

Luna began “My sister and I have done some thinking…”

“It may be best to let Twilight and her friends take care of Ewica for a while.” Celestia finished.

With the exception of Pinkie Pie, who loved to throw parties for new ponies, Twilight and most every pony else was thrown back by that.

“What? Me take care of a little filly?” Twilight was not sure about the reasoning behind the princesses’ decision.  “Why?”

“It will be… a good chance to learn something.” Celestia said before looking down in deep thought.  “Also, some pony has told me of plots being schemed in Canterlot, we don’t know who it is, but we don’t want Ewica to be at risk, if the wrong pony gets to Ewica than we could have a really big problem.”

Luna brought Ewica in to the room on her back.  Ewica looked pleased to see Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie! Ewica is really happy to see you again!” said Ewica hopping off of Luna and rushing right over to random pink pony.

“ooo! Hi Ewica! Guess what? The princesses are going to let you stay with us for a while! You know what that means?”

Ewica did not know what that means, but never got to guess either.

“A PARTY!” shouted Pinkie Pie.

Sir Silver Watcher entered the room and quickly made his way to Celestia.

“Your Highness, the Eye of Anubis has gone missing. The Council fears that it will be used for evil.”

Celestia’s face became serious.  “Silver Watcher, please go inform the guard to double the security staff.  Also have the rest of the special relics put back in the treasury, locked tight.”

SC<

In a dark alley at the edge of Canterlot City limits, Carter pulled out the Eye of Anubis from under his wing.  He had smuggled it out.  He knew very well that stealing it was grounds for treason and punishments worse than banishment.

But Carter didn’t care.

He pulled the mirror up to his face leveling it with his one good eye.

“Show me… the perfect opportunity… to achieve my goal.”

The Mirror obeyed.

To be continued…