Faux - Chapter one - Awakening

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This is a work of Fan-Fiction, and is not in ANY way used to make profit of any sort!

This tale takes place sometime After “Luna Eclipsed”

With the sun shining brightly on a hot summer day, three fairly young little colts were getting ready to practice base ball for their upcoming “brother-hooves Outing”, the colt counterpart to the recent “sisterhooves social”. They had chosen the nice flat field close to Fluttershy’s cottage, with her permission of course. She said it was ok as long as they didn’t go in to the Everfree Forest, and they watched out for any animals.  Normally they would take turns pitching and see who could hit the ball the furthest, but today, they invited a new friend.  Their new friend had just moved in to Ponyville from Manehattan, he was not doing well in school do to his shy nature, and was picked on for being a fairly buff pushover.  His family opted to move to a friendlier smaller town.

The brown colt stepped up to the pentagon made of sticks they used for a plate, bat in mouth.  Arf youf fur abouf thif? He asked with the bat still in his mouth. He had never gotten to play these games back in Manehattan because of the bullies.

“Yeah, yeah, just try it! We need every hoof we can get if we want to win this year!” replied his friend.

The other whispered “hey are we sure we can use this guy?”

the first one replied; “yeah if we’re lucky he can hit a home run, look how strong he looks”.  

The shy brown colt nodded his head and took aim and narrowed his eyes forward at the pitcher; an amazingly uncharacteristic focus could be seen on the shy blank flanked colt.  The pitcher threw the ball as hard as he could, and to his credit it was faster than any other pitch he had ever done, which still wasn’t that fast. The ball came straight for the brown colt and with the quick turn of his neck, in one powerful swing, there was a loud and ear snapping crack. He had hit it dead on. The two other colts gawked, mouths agape in sheer surprise. The ball traveled for miles… literally. It soared over the Everfree Forest until it could not be seen any more.  

“whoa…” said the pitcher.

“In the name of Celestia…” said the other colt.  

Then the pitcher looked to his friend “oh my gosh dude look! You got your cutie mark!”

The brown colt looked back to see a bat and ball adorning his flanks.  “Yes! I… I did it!  I’ve always wanted to hit one like the professionals!” said the brown colt.  “Hey… where did our ball go?”

>SC<

Meanwhile in the Everfree forest, specifically the Temple of the two Sisters…

A small white ball with stitches around it came zipping down from above falling through a large missing roof in the Temple of the two Sisters. It bounced off a wall and down some stairs that lead to a nice room with fancy torn and withered decorations where it finally smashed through what looked to be a very nice looking stained glass window and on to a ceremonial looking alter with a round and slightly jagged red rock in the middle.  The ball rolled on the altar, getting slower and slower.  Before it could stop completely however… it pushed the red stone off its center piece, making it glow an even redder hue.  The three friends didn’t know it, and probably would never find out what their ball had set in motion.  They had activated an ancient spell that would not be noticed until the coming night.  

>SC<

The late afternoon hours were at their end, and the ponies of Canterlot were hanging up the “closed” signs for the night. Going about their last minute chores and shooing the last customers out. Except for the late night bars of course.

The other exception was Princess Celestia, who noticed Luna was not yet awake.  She walked down the Royal Chambers hall and then in to Luna’s room quietly and nudged her awake. “Luna, it’s time to raise the moon” she said with a loving smile.

Luna who was obviously not ready to wake up grasped the abacus she slept with tightly and replied still half dreaming “Noo Twilight… not there… hehe.” She was blushing even in her sleep.

Celestia blankly stared at her sleeping sister and began to think about what Luna had just said in her sleep—and then quickly squashed the thought.  She nudged her sister again “Lu-Lu, Abbys gone missing!”

  Luna got up quicker then lightning. Wha—huh? WHERE IS ABBY!?” she demanded, and then realized she was holding the abacus. “Oh, Sister, what time is it?”

“It is time to raise the moon Lu-Lu.” Celestia smiled again, knowing what was coming next: panic.

“AH! WE WILL NOT BE LA— oh, ‘I’ mean ‘I’ will not be late again!” Luna corrected herself, having remembered the speaking classes she was taking.  

Luna got up from her soft velvet bed and groggily walked over to the patio that over looked the west garden.  She began to focus her power from her soul to her horn and it began to glow a dark sky blue. She could feel the night and all that it encompassed.  Princess Luna felt the sky as she made it darken and she lit the stars, and like a wave through the night they blinked on.  Celestia watched silently as Luna regally moved her head from left to right slowly lifting the moon on the horizon almost effortlessly.

Luna’s face became disgruntled. “Wait… hmm… but… uhh… well that’s— “

>SC<

“—Strange… It’s not supposed’ to be a harvest moon tonight” said Applejack, all around her were her friends Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.  They had decided recently to have a “Girls night out” Plus spike although he didn’t make it out of the library before he lost consciousness lying on top of Twilight back. It was a cool, but not too cold night out back behind Applejacks farm.  The plan was to do some star-gazing, and then have a nice round of fresh apple pie.

“Harvest… moon?” asked Rainbow Dash.  

Twilight took note that the moon was indeed a bright red, and almost in the middle of the sky… strange she didn’t think it was that late yet.

“Ya know, every once in a while the moon’s light appears red because of the atmosphere and—”

She didn’t even get to finish before Rainbow Dash Interrupted while smirking “whoa, Applejack, that’s some pretty smart words coming from somepony like you”

Applejack stared Daggers at RD “And just what  Is that supposed to mean?”

Rarity and Fluttershy who were busy talking to each other took notice of the sour way the other conversation was headed.

Fluttershy quickly dissolved the situation “I don’t think she meant anything by it, I thought it was very informative… and um… smart!”

“Y-yeah!” said Rainbow Dash, Rarity rolled her eyes.

“That’s because I ahm Smart.” Said Applejack, puffing out her chest slightly, she was about to add ‘and don’t you forget it’ when she and the girls noticed the regular looking blue moon on the horizon.

Twilight, always the quick thinker, was first to ask “Wasn’t it just red? Wasn’t it also in the middle of the sky?”  Everypony took a double-take looking between the two moons. Twilight continued “I have a feeling that this is not natural. Maybe I should write to Princess Celestia and ask her-”

And as if on cue, ‘uuurp’ came from the recently and uncomfortably awoken baby dragon. “uhhhg… why now?” said Spike as he rolled over in distaste. The scroll landed in front of him.

Twilight used her magic to take hold of the scroll and unroll it in front of her.

My most faithful Student Twilight

I am sorry to send this short letter and in even shorter notice at such a late time. Please come to Canterlot Castle as soon as possible, along with your friends. It may not be serious yet but I think It is best to be safe than sorry. We may need the Elements of Harmony.  Luna and I will explain the situation properly once you arrive. On that note I have sent an escort for you and your friends.

Princess Celestia

“Come on girls, The Princess’s needs us!”  

Rarity flinched “Oh dear… Discord hasn’t returned has he?”

Twilight shook her head “No, I don’t think it’s Discord, but”

Pinkie pie Hopped in front of Twilight “OOH ooh! Maybe she needs us for a PARTY!?” asked pinkie pie.

“What? No.” said twilight. “Why would-”

Pinkie pie interrupts again “Oh come on! I didn’t even get any lines until now and you’re going Change the scene!?”

“Change the scene? ... What are you talking about?” Twilight stopped and remembered to just ignore it.  Pinkie pie was just being Pinkie pie.

>SC<

Twilight was shivering, the wind this high up was a biting cold.  Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, were not doing much better, they were riding in the cart that was being flown by two top ranking royal guards.  Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were flying leisurely beside the cart. They didn’t seem too effected by the cold air and neither did the two guards who had bearings like statues, showing no emotion whatsoever.  The moon was still crawling up the sky from the horizon, and everypony was starting to feel the time of night, even through the chilling air.

Rarity yawned “uuahh. Ahh. I need my beauty sleep. And this thin air is going to ruin my mane.”

Applejack looked to Rarity “I’m gonna have to agree with ya for once. I’m getting a might sleepy… What about you Pinkie?”

Pinkie didn’t respond to anypony in particular as she continued sleeping.  The two of them stared at the sleeping pony, it was indeed a rare and weird sight to see the pink pony of energy and laughter in such a calm state, and even weirder to hear what she was muttering in her sleep.  “zzzz… can’t wait… to meet the new pony… zzzz.”

Fluttershy had started to dip down every now and then, but Rainbow Dash kept watch and nudged her awake each time.

Twilights thoughts and focus were on the red moon above her however, too focused on it to listen to anypony else’s conversation.  

Why would there be two moons? There is only one Princess Luna… right? I’ve never read about anything like this. Dose Luna control both moons?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the stern voice of the right guard who aside from personality and voice could not be told apart from his double. The armor they wore magically altered their appearance to be the same white Pegasus.  “Ladies, we have arrived.”

Courteously Twilight thanked them for their late night work.  

They had landed on a private balcony that led to a room with a long table with a map of Equestria bolted on it.  Seats adorned each side and Princess Luna and Princess Celestia both entered soon after they did from the opposite side.

“Princess Celestia! I have so many questions!”

Celestia looks to her and her friends “I’m well aware of them my faithful student” she smiles. “but perhaps it would be best to save them for when everypony is properly rested, and don’t worry.  I will explain as much as I can after you get a good night’s rest.”

Twilight wanted to protest but she could hear the relief in her friends sigh’s behind her.

Un-noticed by anypony… Luna had not taken her eyes off of Twilight Sparkle since she entered the room.  

Twilight… she has done so much for me…  When I was Nightmare moon she stood up to me on bravery alone. Even when the elements were crushed she did not falter.  I owe her a great deal of gratitude, and not only for saving my life.   She even went out of her way to help me on Nightmare Night, when I had felt rejected from Ponyvilles residents and all the screaming children, she helped me to understand and approach them properly.  If it weren’t for her I would have cancelled Nightmare Night forever.  I… I want to thank her, she’s such a nice pretty mare—

Twilight noticed Luna’s staring and began to stare back.

Luna blushed and stumbled on her words “WE WOULD… I WOULD… eh hem. I would love to—LIKE to thank you Twilight for the nice things you have done to—FOR me… So…  t-thank you.

Celestia was a taken by surprise by Luna’s stuttering, she started to wonder why Luna seemed so embarrassed.

Is Luna being shy because she… likes Twilight? Hmm no that would be silly, Luna knows better than to become so attached to my personal student. She is probably just stuttering because of the speech classes she is taking.  

Twilight was to say the least confused and oblivious. “Your… welcome Princess Luna.” she said and smiled.

Luna was badgering herself inside. Stupid stupid stupid! Why couldn’t I just—

and then she noticed Twilights smile and everything was right with the universe for all she cared.  

Twilights smile is so peaceful… its even making me smile!

Everypony was escorted through the halls to a private room for guests where there were plenty of beds for Twilight and her friends.

“If you need anything let Silver Watcher know, he will be guarding the door to your room.” Celestia said before saying farewell to Twilight.

“Thank you Princess and goodnight” she with tired eyes and a half smile.

Luna had already gone to her room and was strangely not holding Abby this night. She wouldn’t need it tonight.

Everypony slept deeply save for one Unicorn mare currently searching through the Everfree forest…

>SC<

Trixie had been searching in the Everfree Forest since mid-day for the “Ursa Minor” that had been previously a terror to ponyville.  She had done some magical training and studying so that she might prove to herself that she is indeed the great and powerful Trixie, she would never admit that of course, she chopped it up to teaching that Ursa a lesson for destroying her wagon.

“uuugh! Trixie has been searching for HOURS and her recently fixed cape and hat are starting to get torn up again by this TERRIBLE FOREST! Why can’t this infernal Ursa just come out so The Great and Powerful Trrrrrixie can defeat him already!” her stomach rumbled.  “Least Trixie dies of starvation or hypothermia. If it weren’t so dark Trixie could easily navigate out of—”

A low and powerful bear’s groan sounded behind her.

“the-great-and-powerful-Trixie-will-now-go-serch-over-there!”  She whispered quickly and quietly before bolting away from the sound. She ran as fast as she could almost tripping on every shrub and loose root in her way. She didn’t know it was just a regular bear but she did know she wasn’t about to fight anything in this dark and cold night.  

She started to calm down in time to stop before running right in to the river in front of her. “Water!” she dipped her muzzle to the water and began to drink the much appreciated water after her sprint. After she finished she looked straight up, noticing the bright red and full moon in the center of the night sky.  “What is wrong with the moon tonight? Its giving Trixie a creepy feeling…”

A splashing sound came from the river and a voice with a silly accent responded to her. “Oh I know~ that moon has been giving me the chills ALL night.”

She jumped.  “What!? Whos there!?” she used her magic to illuminate a small portion of river she was at, throwing a floating glowing light above her like a flair.  

The river serpent came in to view and smiled warmly before introducing himself.  “Why hello! My name is Steven Magnet the river-serpent! And this is the river I live in! Fabulous is it not?”

She stepped back.  “No, this river and this entire forest is annoying Trixie to no end!”

Steven put his hand to his chest.  “no no my dear, I was talking about my hair. What did you say your name was?”

She proudly puffed her chest out and closed her eyes before responding.  “I am the Great and Powerful Trrrrixie! (A fanfare can be heard) And Trixie is not surprised a serpent who lives in a backwater forest does not know about her.”

Steven nodded and then pointed at her.  “Well my fine pony friend, your hat and cape are simply dashing!”

Trixie stepped back forward trying not to seem rude to the courteous serpent.  “Trixie is very glad to know that there are others even in places like these that appreciate a truly fine outfit such as hers.  But she would rather be somewhere else then this gloomy forest…”

Steven stroked his glorious mustache in thought.  “Well, maybe I can help; the only place I know that isn’t ‘here’ is ‘there’.” He pointed in the direction across the river. He rolled his back to make steps for Trixie and motioned for her to cross the river on his back.

Unsure of what she would find, she hesitated, but decided to trust the nice serpent.  He had no reason to harm her did he?

“goodluck Great and Powerful Trixie!” Steven said before departing under the water.

She began her trek once more through the Everfree… hoping to find refuge and other ponys.

>SC<

*knock knock* A muffled voice behind the door spoke.  “Lady Sparkle? The Princess’s have breakfast waiting for you in the Dining room.  Princess Celestia invites you and co. to have some with her.”

Twilight hadn’t been called by her title “lady” since she lived in Canterlot.  Being the personal Protégé of Princess Celestia was practically instant nobility for you and your immediate family.  

“Thank you Sir Silver Watcher.  I’ll be out soon.”  

Her friends stared at her. “My my, Twilight aren’t you quite the noble!” Rarity beamed.

“Yeah miss fancy pants!” pinkie pie giggled.  

“Oh girls stop it. Seriously, that title just makes things so awkward, it’s one of the reasons I didn’t like hanging out with anypony. They would always treat me like high class.”

Applejack put a hoof to Twilight’s shoulder and then in a fancy voice she teased Twilight.  “Oh but darling, one must uphold their title if you wish to be a Proper lady.”  

Everypony except Rarity was giggling at the joke.

When the laughter stopped Rarity practically exploded.  “A-APPLEJACK! W-where did you? When did you?”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t ah tell you that story? When I went to Manehatton I had to learn how to—”

Rarity exploded twice. “MANEHATTON!? YOU?”

Twilight tried to get everyones attention that was currently one Rarity and applejack. “girls… Girls!... GIRLS!!!” she got their attention.  “We need to head to the dining hall… please” she said while smiling bashfully at her own outburst.

>SC<

After an amazing breakfast spread everypony was quite pleased and awake.  Luna returned from leaving the room earlier with a small black Mirror, it had the insignia single red eye that seemed to see through everything. It seemed to pierce twilights mind almost as she stared at it.  

“Eh hem, excuse me everypony, but now I think it’s a good time to start explaining what you all saw last night.”  Luna turns the Mirror around to show everypony the reflection side, which oddly did not reflect anything.  “This is a Magical Item created a very long time ago called “The Eye of Anubis” and it can show you anything you ask it too. It has been previously locked away with good reason, but I have taken it out of storage to help explain what happened last night.”  

Everypony nodded and continued to give Luna their undivided attention.

“Show me the Temple of Two sisters, the Alter of the red moon”  The mirror’s black reflection side colored to life showing the chamber in the Temple with the red stone glowing a red hue on the altar.   “Everypony, this is the cause of the second moon you saw last night, it is a magically imbued stone with and ancient spell attached to it. My sister will explain what it is.”

Celestia took a moment to remember all the details.  She glanced at everypony before looking up in memory.  

“Long ago when I had first… first banished Nightmare Moon… the duty of Sun and Moon fell to me.  The High Council came to me one night and asked that a failsafe be made. In the case that I fall ill, or become incapacitated or mortally wounded—yes Twilight?”

Noticing her hoof raised in question. “Princess, can you be hurt like that…?”

Celestia smiled “don’t worry Twilight few can harm me or Luna, only those like Discord have such power, but even he wouldn’t come to give me harm, it’s “not his style” as he put it. Anyway, moving on, the High Council proposed that a magic object be made to manage the sun and moon in such a case. I agreed with them entirely and using the power of the strongest unicorns and the rarest of materials, we created two Magical twin Items for a ‘fake’ sun and moon called Faux one and Faux two respectively—yes Pinkie?”

Pinkie pie was now the one holding a hoof in question.  “How do you pronounce that?”  

Celestia was confused.  “Well… I just said it, Faux”

Pinkie pie shook her head “how do you pronounce it? Like say if I was somepony trying to read about it can you explain it for the readers?”

Celestia’s confusion doubled. “Well… um… it’s pronounced faux or spelled out in a way readers can read… f, o, e, like foe.”

Pinkie pie seemed pleased.

“Moving on...” said Celestia “after a long while I told the council that they were no longer needed, so I decreed that they be un-made. However as things sometimes go, we lost Faux two because of bad organization. Not unlike the Eye of Anubis until just recently.  After dismantling Faux one we searched high and low for Faux two but we never found it.  Now as to the situation at hand, Faux two was activated somehow, maybe by somepony. When Faux two activated it brought about the Red moon in the sky, which under normal circumstances would have moved like Luna’s moon across the sky only it was completely activated, since it did not move across the sky.”

Twilight raised her hoof and asked another question.  “so is it dangerous?”

Celestia sighed. “On its own, no. but if it got in to the wrong hands we could have a situation worse than discords chaos, and eternal night put together.  The High Council has urged me to send somepony to retrieve it to be dismantled, which is why I gathered you six, the elements to help deal with it. The council asked that one of their own be taken as well to make sure it is handled properly. I’ll introduce you to him soon.”

Luna finally spoke again “It is of the upmost importance that you do not touch the stone with hoof or magic.”

Twilight once again politely raised her hoof asking “what would happen if somepony did touch it with hoof or magic? And how will we retrieve it?”

Celestia sadly looked down before answering Twilights question.  “It… Is awful magic Twilight, it can only bring about great sadness. Please trust me and do not touch the stone in any way, the Council member who is going will handle it himself. Speaking of which, let me introduce him to you now.”

A very strong and sleek grey feathered and old griffon entered from the side of the room.  He had yellow talons that looked like steel.  A scar that started on the left of his forehead and passed under an eye patch and down to his lower left cheek made him look like a tough customer, and his facial expression made it that much tougher. His beak was cracked on one side and his good and visible eye was small and yellow. He looked permanently unhappy.  Despite all this he introduced himself without sounding angry, he only sounded rugged and worn like he had seen war first-hoof or talon if you will.  

“Hello Ladies. My name is Carter.”

It didn’t take a social expert to know he was in at one time or another in a military function, his accent gave him away for it immediately.

Even more surprising than his nice attitude was Fluttershy’s reaction. She came up to him and held her hoof out. He took it gently and shook it nicely.  

Guess I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Thought twilight.

“High Council Carter is a recent addition since the Griffon-Pony peace project. Under that act we allow all that qualify a chance for position on the council.” Celestia informed.

“Miss—I mean Lady Twilight, if you don’t mind I’d like to get this Mission done and over with, so when you ready to go to the temple let me know.” Carter said.  

“I don’t see why we can’t go now, everypony ready?”  Asked twilight.

With a small nod from each of her friends they were ready to set out to the ruins once again.

>SC<

Trixie awoke on the hard stone floor of the temple of the royal pony sisters, having found it as refuge to sleep for the night after the scary crossing of the rope bridge.

She got up uncomfortably and started to wander around looking for something useful or edible… this accursed little adventure of mine just gets better and better.

She found some stairs and took them down to find a large round room with a very small rectangle alter with a slit in it in the center, and the stained glass windows all around. She didn’t take notice of them except for the broken one in the middle.  Trixie walked over to it and in after looking inside to see a red glow from a shiny rock on a Ceremonial looking altar, became curious as to what it was.

She attempted to climb in and tripped on broken glass in the window lightly cutting her leg and stumbling inside, where she collided head first with the alter knocking her unconscious…

>SC<

Trixie awoke again feeling the pain on her foreleg and the pain in her head, thankfully not a deadly wound, but none the less painful.  

She got up slowly and fuming with anger she screamed.  “TRIXIE is so tired of dealing with this STUPID jungle and this STUPID temple and this STUPID—”

she noticed the rock glowing magically on the altar.

Hmm… with this magic looking rock Trixie could once again have a show like no other! Wow the crowd with ancient magic rocks! I could use it in my disappearing trick… or even better as a stage decoration!  

Trixie began to lift her hooves to grab the stone, as 6 ponies and a griffon enter the ceremonial room via another entrence in the back.

“Trixie will once again be The Great and Powerful TRRRRIXIE!”

Twilight and her friends gasped, realizing that the blue unicorn was about to do exactly what they had been told not to.

The griffon leapt over them screaming “NOOOO DON’T TOUCH IT”

but it was too late. Trixie grabbed it in her hooves and the stone began to brighten its glow.  

Brighter and brighter it glowed, filling the whole room until nothing could be seen in the light basking everything.

Everyone opened their eyes slowly as the light diminished. In Trixie’s hooves there was no longer a rock.

In its place was a small frightened unicorn filly no older looking then applebloom. She was crying softly.

Carter swore quietly “hay seed… but no matter… I can still fix this…”

To be Continued…

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