My Little Pony: Children of the Night
By Princess Firefly Highmist
Book One

My Little Pony is trademark of Hasbro. Friendship is Magic was created by Lauren Faust. This is a non-profit fanfiction.


Chapter Two: The Phony


It was a bright, sunny day in Canterlot. Refined, well groomed ponies, mostly unicorns filled the busy streets and corridors of the city. Celestia’s palace shined in the sun over the city like a beacon.
In one particular outdoors café a couple of unicorns sat holding menus. The stallion was smoky grey and has a well quaffed mane and matching tail of dark grey, almost black. Upon the bridge of his muzzle sat a pair of round spectacles. He was wearing a green polo with a white collar. Tied around his neck and draped down his back was a white sweater which obscured his mark.
The mare was sunny yellow with a purple and white striped mane and tail styled into wavy curls. She wore a white blouse with blue pearls strung around her neck. Her ears were pierced with blue pearl earrings hanging from each ear. There was a pink sweater tied around her neck which hung down her back covering her cutie mark as well.
The couple looked intently over their menus as a patch of cobalt blue approached and stood near them. A smug, feminine voice came from the blue figure asking, “Trixie will be your waitress today. Are you ready to place your order?”
The couple looked up from their menus to find Trixie standing over them wearing an apron, a bow tie and her mane braided into a ponytail down her back. Her horn glowed as she levitated a pen and an order tablet before her. The couple gave each other uneasy looks. Trixie looked annoyed and stated, “Well, do not waste Trixie’s time! Are you ready to order or not!”
The stallion stammered, “Um… a few more moments, please.
The mare added, “Um, yes please. Do be a dear and give us five more minutes.”
Trixie rolled her eyes and blew a strand of her mane from her face which had escaped from her ponytail and replied, “Fine. Trixie will return in five minutes”, and trotted away.
The stallion stood and said, “Come Upper Crust, my darling!”
The mare replied, “Oh yes, my dear Jetsetter. Lets be off!” Together the couple darted from their table off down the street leaving only a cloud of dust where they once sat.
Trixie returned a few minutes later and gasped to find the table where the couple had sat now empty. She groaned and stamped her hoof as she said to herself, “What does one have to do to get some customers around here!”
Trixie walked wearily back into the cafe where her manager stood waiting for her. The café manager was a lavender unicorn mare dressed in a mare’s business suit with ruffled wrists and collar. The coat was violet and the shirt underneath was a very light, pastel pink. Her mane and tail closely matched her coat fashioned tastefully pinned back into a bun both atop her head and flank.
The manager eyed Trixie intensely causing her to grow nervous. Trixie attempted a smile. The Manager sighed and said, “Fallow me Trixie.”

Within the office in the back the manager spoke to Trixie saying, “I’m sorry Trixie. I see that you’re trying very hard, really. Its just that you have some... shall we say, rough edges to your personality that is scaring off my customers. I just can’t have that.”
Trixie pleaded as she dropped to the floor hugging around the manager mare’s foreleg, “Please, give Trixie one more chance, Please! Trixie is begging you!”
The manager mare closed her eyes and shook her head softly and replied, “I’m sorry Trixie, but I just can’t do that. Here’s is your final pay and your pink slip dear, and I wish you luck.”
Trixie sighed softly and picked herself up off of the floor and levitated the check and pink slip from her now former manager. Trixie looked over her check and looked confused for a moment and asked, “Thirty bits? This must be a mistake! I’ve worked here for nearly a week now!”
The Manager Mare sighed softly and replied, “You have a seventy percent deduction from your check that went to the Canterlot Court.”
Trixie lowered her head and added, “Right…”
A moment later Trixie stepped out from the café onto the street and looked down upon her meager check and sighed softly before levitating it into her saddle bag. She looked up and stated, “Well, at least Trixie still has her other two part-time jobs” and trotted away.

Queue Entro Theme: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9922007/



It was getting late as Princess Luna stepped out onto the balcony outside of her chambers. Across the way she could see her sister, Princess Celestia standing upon her balcony. Luna gave her sister a warm smile, which Celestia returned lovingly.
Princess Celestia turned her attention to the sky and with a soft glow of her horn the Sun began to dip down below the horizon. The colors and hews of the sky were magical as the Sun dipped down and slowly disappeared. Luna then turned facing the opposite direction and concentrated. With the luminescent glow of Luna’s horn the sky began to darken and the Moon began to rise past the horizon and into the sky. Another day had passed into night in Equestria.
Princess Celestia turned to face her sister and called out to her, “Goodnight sister dear. I love you.”
Princess Luna smiled as her horn still glowed guiding the Moon’s coarse into the sky. She called back, “We lovest thou too our dear sister.”
Celestia entered back into her chambers leaving Luna to work painting the night sky with dots of light. Twinkling stars shone brightly against the canvas of night. Slowly the balcony doors to Luna’s chambers opened again and Trixie’s head peeped through. Luna spoke softly to Trixie saying, “Comest out my student and watch as we create the night.”
Trixie looked up with awe and wonder as she stepped out further onto the balcony. The stars reflected in Trixie’s eyes causing them to sparkle in the moonlight. Trixie was lost for words, simply saying, “Wow….”
Princess Luna smiled and took in Trixie’s awe and wonder before asking, “So, thou likest our creation?”
Trixie smiled and replied genuinely, “Oh, yes! Trixie has always admired the night, its mystery and its magic. It is the reason that Trixie has always wanted to study magic, to learn its secrets.”
Luna chuckled as she placed the final star in the sky before turning to Trixie to say, “Yes, the night has a great many secrets. We could not possibly hope to show them all to you within thy lifetime, but let us show you what we can.”
Within the chambers of the palace library Trixie read from a book named, Tobin's Spirit Guide. Luna watched as Trixie read. Luna looked away for a moment to find that when she looked back again Trixie had fallen asleep with her face planted in her book upon the desk.
Later Luna had Trixie levitating and manipulating the shape and flow of water through the air. Trixie’s eyes began to blink and sink closed as the water flowed overhead. Suddenly the water stopped and jiggled as its form slowly began to deteriorate. As Trixie’s eyes sank closed fully the water fell from its position above and dumped over the top of Luna’s head. Luna gave Trixie an annoyed look as her mist-like mane hung wet and dripping around her head and neck. Trixie squeaked and grinned nervously at her soaked mentor.
Moments later Luna is at a blackboard levitating a piece of chalk to write a lesson upon it about how to animate plant life. When she turns around Trixie is fast asleep once more upon her desk. Luna looks perturbed for a moment, then breathes a soft sigh and gently levitates the sleeping pony off to bed using her magic to tuck Trixie in.
When Trixie wakes in the morning  with a stretch and a yawn she finds Luna standing and looking out her chamber windows at the rizing sun. Trixie springs up from the bed and blushes and begins to stammer her apology, “Your majesty, um… Trixie is so, so sorry! Trixie did not mean to fall asleep during her studies!”
Luna turns slowly to face Trixie and comments, “It is alright. Thou were obviously exhausted. Did thou not get any sleep before coming to train last night?”
Trixie hangs her head and shook it slowly, “No Princess. Trixie had spent the entire day working her part time jobs.”
Luna gives Trixie a look of concern and says, “This is not good. Thou needs thy rest, my pupil. You certainly are not going to learn the secrets of the night with no rest.”
Trixie nods softly and replies, “Yes your majesty. It’s just that Trixie has her debts to society to repay, which does not leave her with much to pay for rent, food or cloths. Trixie was working three part-time jobs to make ends meet, that was until Trixie lost one of her jobs yesterday. Now Trixie must go out and find a replacement job.”
Luna shakes her head softly and wraps her wing around Trixie as she approaches. “There has got to be a better way to repay thy debts. Perhaps if thou approached the ponies thy hath wronged then an agreement may be reached on how thou may better repay them”, Luna suggested.
Trixie’s eyes spring open at the idea and stammers, “Me, approach the ponies I had wronged? Your majesty, I’m sorry but I can’t do that! Most aren’t as generous as Twilight and her friends.”
Luna smiles and wing-hugs Trixie tighter and replies, “Thou would be surprised at the kindness of others, little one. If it worries thou then we shall give you this.” Luna cranes her head down to point her horn at Trixie’s chest. With a flash the blue gem latch that held on Trixie’s cape was replaced with a round metal baring Luna’s cutie mark. 
Luna continues, “This is our own royal mark. Nopony would be foolish to bring thee harm so long as thou wearest this. Even if they were to try we would know it and immediately come to thy aid.”
Trixie marveled at the metal admiring it with a tender gaze before raising her head to nuzzle affectionately at Luna’s foreleg. Trixie said, “Thank you, your majesty! Trixie shall cherish it!”
Luna smiled warmly upon Trixie and nuzzled against her cheek then commented, “We think that the best place for thou to begin would be Hoofington.”
Trixie looked nervous as she asked, “Hoofington?”
Luna nodded softly and explained, “Yes, Hoofington for it is there that thou began to go awry by claiming that thou hath saved them from the Ursa Major. True that they added to their woes by compounding thou lie with their own the original offense is still thine.”
Trixie nodded softly in agreement and replied, “Then to Hoofington Trixie shall go.”


Fade in

Fade out


The train pulled up at the Hoofington Train station and Trixie stepped out onto the platform and looked around. She was the only one exiting the train at this stop verifying the stories she had heard of nopony wishing to visit The Town of Phonies. The train station itself looked to be in poor repair. The Hoofington sign swung from the ceiling with one of its chains broken. The entire building itself was in need of painting and cobwebs were everywhere.
Trixie gulped nervously and exited the train station and headed for town. As she walked ponies that she passed would grumble. Mothers snatched up their children and ran away and shops would close their doors. Trixie looked around and noticed the poor repair of several buildings and many of the shops had closed up and gone out of business.
Guilt sank deeper and deeper into Trixie’s heart as she seen the condition of the town and the suffering of its residents. As she pondered deeper upon her actions she failed to notice a mob of ponies gathering behind her. Suddenly she was snapped from her thoughts as she found her path blocked by more of the town’s residents.
“Your that trouble-making pony, Trixie”, one of the town ponies asked standing at the head of the mob.
“Y... Yes I am”, Trixie stammered and began to back away. She turned to go back the way she came only to find her path blocked once more by angry villages. Trixie’s ears pinned back to the back of her head as she began to crouch in place.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face around here” one voice called out from the mob. Another shouted, “You should have never set hoof in Hoofington!”
Trixie’s breathing raced as she tried to catch her voice. Finally she was able to shout out, “Trixie is here by order and protection of Princess Luna! Trixie is here to see if she can right the wrong that she has done here!”
As the grumbles and complaints of the citizens of Hoofington grew louder and more agitated Mayor Silvermane pushed his way out from the crowd to face Trixie himself. Her gaze was uncertain and panic-stricken as she gazed into the squinted eyes of the round, elderly, yellow earthpony. Mayor Silvermane then stated, “Princess Luna sent word that you were coming.”
Trixie struggled to regain her composure as she stammered, “R... right! I’m here t... to help.”
Mayor Silvermane snorted and turned to the crowd to announce, “Trixie is here by order of Princess Luna! Unless anypony wishes to face the wrath of Princess Luna then I would suggest that you leave this trouble-maker alone!”
The mob grew silent as its members looked nervously back and forth at one another. They then slowly disburse. Trixie slowly righted herself and breathed a deep sigh of relief before addressing the Mayor, “You have Trixie’s gratitude, Mayor. Thank you!”
The mayor snorted again, “You can keep your gratitude and leave Hoofington. You are not welcome here!”
Trixie’s expression sank softly at Mayor Silvermane’s words. She pleaded softly, “Please mayor, Trix... I need to make this right.”

The mayor rolled his eyes and his angered expression melted away. He replied softly, “I doubt there is anything that you can do here. I’m afraid that the damage is done. You’re not the only one to blame in this, however. Don’t beat yourself up too much about it.” With that Mayor Silvermane walked away leaving Trixie standing alone in the middle of the street.

Hours passed as Trixie attempted to talk to many of Hoofington’s town members only to find herself shunned, ignored or berated for her attempts. It was clear than none of them wanted to dare Luna’s wrath by doing anything to harm Trixie. However all in the town made it very clear that she was not welcome. 
Trixie’s tummy began to rumble from hunger as it crossed into the late afternoon. She had not eaten since boarding the train in Canterlot. The diners and eateries all seemed to be out of business. Her only hope was to find something at the general Store. As she approached the threshold the door of the business slammed shut in her face.
Trixie growled and shouted, “Come on! I’m not even allowed to buy food here?”
A voice came from the other side of the door saying, “No! Go away! You are not welcome here!”
Trixie huffed and flopped onto the ground angrily, then sighed softly. There was little wonder why everypony here hated her. The town was in terrible straits because of her. Trixie hung her head shamefully as a tear ran down her cheek.
Trixie was interrupted from her thoughts by a small voice saying, “Hey!”
Trixie looked up to see a mint green earthpony mare with peppermint-colored mane and tail. Her mane looked tussled about her head and neck laying about them in messy locks. It did not look dirty or un-kept, but more-so like it was unruly and unmanageable. A bright smile shown upon the mare’s face and her eyes sparkled with curiosity. Upon her flank were three mint hard candies, two green and white and one red and white.
“Um, hello” Trixie replied in shock that somepony was actually talking to her and being friendly.
The mint green pony gave Trixie a concerned look and asked, “Why the long face?”
Trixie looked back and forth with confusion then back at the mare before her. She then asked, “You… have any idea who I am?”
The mint green pony let out a silly giggle and asked, “Do you always answer a question with another question?”
Trixie was a bit irritated by the pony’s behavior for a moment but then relief set in that somepony was talking to her. Trixie nervously introduced herself, “I’m Trixie.”
Trixie waited for the pony to leave or shun her after hearing her name but instead the pony giggled again and replied, “I’m Minty. It’s nice to meet ya!”
Trixie was more confused than before. She then asked, “you do know that I’m THE Trixie, the one responsible for the condition of the town, right?”
Minty shrugged and answered, “Yeah, so?”
Trixie squinted her eyes and gave Minty a gaze of suspicion and asked, “You… don’t hate me like the others?’
Minty shook her head and replied, “Nah. I don’t hate anypony ever. Besides, I kinda liked the whole Ursa Major story. I’m kinda sad that it ended. There was so many neat things based off of it; hats, shirts, posters saying I survived the Ursa Major!”
Trixie looked perplexed as she asked, “It didn’t bother you that the whole thing was based off of a lie, a lie that I started?”
Minty looked thoughtful for a moment and replied, “Well… I personally never lie, but I do love puzzles, games and secrets! We all had so much fun with it though once everypony got past the initial insult of your story. It was almost like a game! I do so enjoy games! Games are great!”
Trixie smiled warmly and replied, “well, it is nice to find somepony around here that doesn’t despise Trixie.”
Minty giggled, “Nope! I never hate anypony ever.”
Trixie’s held her fore-hooves over her belly as it rumbled again. She looked up pleadingly at Minty and asked, “Say, could you do Trixie a teeny favor and go into this general store and get Trixie something to eat?”
Minty perked and answered, “No prob, Bob” and bounced up to the door. She knocked and the shop keeper allowed her to enter without fuss or worry. Minty bounced out moments later carrying a bag of carrots in her teeth which she dropped into Trixie’s lap. “There ya go” Minty said cheerfully.
Trixie did not hesitate reaching into the bag and stuffing mouth-fulls of carrot into her mouth hastily. As she moaned and chewed minty giggled again and commented, “My, you were hungry!”
Trixie moaned and nodded before speaking with her mouth full, “Oh, wes! Twixie habn’t eaten swince earwy wis morwing!”
Minty giggled and replied, “You certainly act like it!”
Trixie shot Minty an annoyed look. The mare did obtain her food however and was kind enough to speak to her when no other resident of Hoofington would so the insult passed quickly. Trixie swallows the chewed carrot and began to eat at a more leisurely, civilized pace. She offered some to Minty who politely refused.
Once eating her fill Trixie sighed contently and regarded Minty thoughtfully before asking, “So, what do you do for a living around here?”
Minty’s bright smile turned into a grimace for a moment, “Well, I use to work at the community sweets shop before trade in and out of town dried up and the needed ingredients couldn’t be filled and the shop closed. Now I work on the Carrot Family’s farm. That’s what most ponies around here do now.”
Trixie looked a bit downhearted at the news and said, “I’m Sorry.”
Minty shrugged and replied, “Eh, ponies make mistakes. Granted yours was an ultra, mega, huge, colossal mistake, but at least you’re here to try to fix it, right?”
Trixie’s mood wasn’t helped overly much by Minty’s statement but offered, “Yeah, or at least I hope to. It’s such a huge problem I’m not sure if I know how.”
Minty replied, “I’m sure that you’ll think of something.”
Trixie nodded softly and said, “Yeah…” Trixie looked up at Minty again and commented, “The Carrot Family must have a huge farm to employ so many ponies.”
Minty nodded and added, “Yeah. They use to export a lot of their carrots to the rest of Equestria. Now they pretty much grow them to feed the town. It’s pretty much all we have to eat here now.”
Trixie stared into the distance in bewilderment as she whispered, “Wow. So hard to believe that an entire town’s reputation could be so tarnished that the rest of Equestria would halt all trade with them! I mean, what I did was bad and all, and the town collaborating my lie was bad, but…  this is rather extreme treatment for having a tarnished reputation!”
Minty tilted her head and looked curiously at Trixie as she asked, “Was it any different for you when you were exposed?”
Trixie met Minty’s gaze thoughtfully and replied, “No, not really.”
Minty sighed and commented, “Ponies can be so judgmental sometimes.”
Trixie responded, “I know, right?”
Minty interjected, “Let’s never be like that!”
Trixie nodded and replied, “Agreed!” With that Trixie and Minty hoof bumped. Trixie smiled at Minty and said, “Trixie is really glad that she met you!”
Minty giggles, “Do you always do that?”
Trixie looked perplexed as she asked, “Do what?”
Minty stated, “I’ve noticed that you like to talk in third pony a lot, but not always. If you’re being personable or nervous even you seem to drop it. You seem to wear it like a mask for when you want to sound confident.’
Trixie blushed and blurted out, “Trixie has no idea what you’re talking about!”
Minty giggled and smiled warmly at Trixie and said, “I’m really glad that I met you too!”
Trixie smiled back warmly and commented, “Speaking of masks, Trixie has noticed something too…”
Minty tilted her head curiously and asked, “Huh? What’s that?”
Trixie smirked as her eyes grew intense in an expression of cattiness, “You like to act silly and irreverent, but you’re actually very observant, aren’t you? Trixie would even wager that you wear the mask of a child to hide your own cunning.”
Minty smiled broadly and giggled as she replied, “Oh, I’m not so sure of all of that. Even if what you say were true you know that I’d never admit it.”
Trixie smiled brighter and said, “Touché! That will remain out little secret then.”
Minty added, “I do love secrets. Secrets are great!” Minty giggled.
Trixie smiled a bit brighter as she said, “And Puzzles. You said that you enjoy puzzles, right?”
Minty’s eyes sparkled with keen interest. One could almost see the gears behind Minty’s eyes starting to turn as she replied, “Oh, I do! I do, so very, very much!”
Trixie raised her head in a challenging manor and asked, “The main problem that Hoofington faces is a problem with its reputation, right?”
Minty replied, “Right-toe!”
Trixie then added, “So if there were some way to mend Hoofington’s reputation then outsiders wouldn’t mind visiting and doing business with Hoofington, right?”
Minty chirped, “Righti-O!”
Trixie then posed the question, “How then might we mend Hoofington’s reputation?”
Minty’s expression turned thoughtful as the gears turned in the pony’s head. Her eyes darted back and forth almost like a machine processing. Trixie sat watching Minty closely now admiring the mind beneath the waves of unruly mane.
Suddenly Minty’s eyes lit up and widened as the answer came to her. Minty replied, “With a game!”
Trixie looked lost. She thought for a moment that she had over-estimated Minty’s brilliance as she questioned her solution aloud, “A… game?”
Minty bobbed her head up and down in enthusiastic, ridiculous nodding and she stated, “Yes, a Game! Or maybe I should call it a trend? Oooh! What do I call it!” Trixie slipped further into confusion at Minty’s ranting which only continued, “Something imitable, like the Greek ponies would call… Oh,… What is it? I got it! Mimos! Like an imitable cultural phenomenon! I think I shall call it a Meme!”
Trixie’s head moved in a circular pattern as her eyes rolled around and around in a dizzying pattern at Minty’s thought process. She then shook her head and gave Minty a look of uncertainty as she announced, “Minty… Trixie is very, very confused right now...”
Minty giggled and grabbed Trixie’s shoulders and began to shake her as she stated, “Don’t worry! You’ll get it! Everyone will! This will be so great! Come on! We need to talk to Mayor Silvermane!” Minty took off like a dart dragging a very confused and dizzy Trixie with her.


Fade out

Fade in


The sun rose bright the next morning in Hoofington. Ponies were just rousing from their beds as they heard the shouts of the town crier trotting through the streets announcing, “Emergency town meeting at the Town Hall! All residents please attend!” Confused but compliant all the members of the town sprang from their beds, got dressed and hurried to the Town Hall.
As the citizens of Hoofington filed into the Town Hall they noticed upon the stage to be a blackboard and podium. Mayor Silvermane was on stage wafting at the podium for everypony to arrive before he would begin, “Welcome mares and colts of Hoofington. I guess that you are wondering why I have called you all here.”
A murmur spread through the crowd as a general consensus the statement was muttered back and forth. Mayor Silvermane continued, “I have called you all here today because an interesting solution to our reputation, trade and economic problems has been laid before me. This solution is such sheer genius in its simplicity and elegance that it could have only been crafted by a social mastermind, a master manipulator, somepony who is so devious and cunning that it borders on criminal!”
The crowd rumbled with discontent as shouts came from the audice such as, “We’ve had enough of schemes and lies” and, “That kind of thinking is what got us into this mess to begin with!”
Mayor Silvermane waved his forelegs in the air to calm the crowd as he continued to speak, “Calm down everypony! As devious as this plan is it's also as equally honest! We tell the truth!” The crowd quieted and began listening with pensive expressions as the members of the audience waited to hear where this was going. Mayor Silvermane continued, “Yes, it is rather complex, so to explain this solution to you I will give you over to the very pony who created it, Miss Trixie Lulamoon!”
Back stage Trixie stood with Minty. Trixie looked uneasy about taking the stage. She looked back at Minty with an uncertain gaze and asked, “Are you sure that it’s a good idea that I take credit for this plan? I mean, you’re the one who came up with it.”
Minty smiled and shook her head, “No, it’s better that you do it. It will help clear your name with the citizens of Hoofington. Besides…”
Trixie gave Minty a cooked grin as she completed the thought, “You don’t want others to know what a devious little mastermind you really are!”
Minty giggled and replied, “I’m not saying anything of the sort! Besides, you do wear devious mastermind better than I do anyway! Now, Get out there!” Minty shoved Trixie out onto the stage causing her to stumble a bit. 
Trixie grinned nervously as she faced the uncertain and uneasy citizens of Hoofington. A cough echoed out through the room fallowed by a “boo” from another part of the room. Trixie swallowed hard and trotted slowly over to the podium. She cleared her throat as she levitated a pair of small, rectangle spectacles from inside her cloak and landed them upon her muzzle.
“He... hello fair citizens of Hoofington” Trixie stammered a little bit. She drew in a deep breath to steady her nerves before continuing, “As you may well know I am Trixie, the same Trixie who began the rumors of the Ursa Major attack upon Hoofington. I’m... I’m sorry. However, I am here to make it right. How am I going to do that you might ask?”
An uncomfortable silence still loomed over the room as angry glares fallowed Trixie back and forth across the stage as she paced back and forth. A heckler shouted out finally, “I’m sure you’re about to tell us!”
Trixie was no stranger to hecklers. This one however happened to be very conveniently timed allowing Trixie to reply confidently, “And show you I shall!” 
Trixie trotted calmly over to the chalkboard, levitated the chalk and began to write upon it as she spoke, “The Greek Ponies had a word, mimeme which today means something imitated, from mimeisthai which means to imitate. Mimos which means mime. It is a concept for discussion of the evolutionary principles in explaining the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena.”
Trixie turned to face the audience who all of which seemed confused judging from their vacant and lost expressions. Trixie levitated the glasses from her face back into her cloak and attempted to explain it another way, “Ideas spread through culture passed from one pony to another, our morals, our feelings an various subject and even our humor. Exploiting this phenomenon we should endeavor to create a new form of humor. Based off of the Greek pony terminology we shall call this type of humor a Meme.” Trixie writes the word, “Meme” on the chalk board in large letters.
Trixie continues, “How one would perform this new form of humor would be the same way one tells a joke or story regularly from one pony to another. However a meme would typically be a condensed form and fallowing set guidelines of the particular meme. A meme can be as wide or varied as those creating a meme.”
“Say for instance one wanted to make a meme out of a particular picture. The picture would convey a humorous idea or message. Others then would imitate the practice by using the same image to convey a completely different message, or use a completely different picture to convey the same message or idea depending upon the original guidelines of the joke.”
“Variations in the humor or guidelines of the joke would spawn a new and completely different meme. Imitators would then perpetuate that new concept with contributions of their own. Viral in nature a meme would spread from one pony to another as the joke is shared again and again.”
The crowd begins to nod in understanding as they grasp the concept. Questions begin to emerge as voices call out from the audience, “How is any of this suppose help save us”.
“Trixie smiled and replied, “Trixie is glad that you asked. Now that we have established what a meme is we create our own. Well shall call it A Phony.”
A heckler cries out from the audience, “You are a phony!”
Trixie sighs softly and admits, “Alas Trixie is afraid that was true. Now Trixie is being completely honest and legit. Now, would you like to hear about how to save your town or not?” The crowd goes quiet. Trixie grins smugly and continues, “That’s what Trixie thought.”
Trixie trots back up to the podium and begins to speak, “Now, back to how one creates a Phony meme. The rules for this meme are quite simple. You make up a fraudulent statement and you say it.” 
The citizens of Hoofington look back and forth at one another before turning their disapproving gazes back upon Trixie. Trixie laughs and says, “Worry not. Though whatever statement you make up is fraudulent it is not a lie. How is this you may ask? You make the statement as outlandish and unbelievable as possible, one that nopony would ever possibly ever believe!”
The audience gazes back and forth with confused expressions as one shouts out, “First you’re asking us to lie, then you ask us to make it unbelievable?”
Trixie replies, “Yes, My Little Ponies! That is the point and the humor to it! If you make an outlandish statement that is completely preposterous and unbelievable then you yourselves are laughing at how absurd the statement is! Take for instance if I, Trixie states that I have slain an Ursa Major you all know that Trixie is being silly! You all know for a fact that Trixie has never slain an Ursa Major, therefore Trixie must be joking! Trixie is performing the meme known as a Phony!”
A pony in the audience addresses Trixie by asking, “So if we claim that we are the town that you slain the Ursa Major then we are joking?”
Trixie replied, “Exactly!”
Another member of the audience cries out, “That will never work! The rest of Equestria already knows that we were purposely lying before!”
Trixie, “True, but by showing grace enough to laugh at yourself and admit your past mistakes goes a long way to gaining the forgiveness of others.”
A murmur of debate spreads through the room of the plausibility of such a scheme working or not. Finally a pony from the audience asks, “And we won’t be actually be trying to lie or defraud anypony else?”
Trixie smiles and shakes her head and replies, “No. you will be sharing a laugh with the rest of Equestria.”
The ponies of the audience begin to smile. Another pony within the crowd asks, “What do we have to do?”
Trixie replies, “We need volunteers to travel to other towns and cities in Equestria explaining the joke and telling it to others. Soon The Phony will spread. Soon other ponies will be doing it and before long trade and tourism should return to Hoofington.”
Another pony in the audience asks, “What should the rest of us do?”
Trixie answers, “The rest of you need to break out your printing equipment, unpack any leftover I survived the Ursa Major Attack memorabilia and get it back on the shelves immediately!”

Barely a week passed since that morning in the Town Hall. Already the train station was a bustle with activity once more. Derelict buildings were beginning to be painted and repaired. Several tourist shops had reopened. Orders were beginning to come into the Carrot Family farm once more for Hoofington Carrots. Supplies were beginning to be shipped to Hoofington once more and a new banner hung over the top of the railway station saying, “Welcome to Hoofington, home of the Meme, the Phony and I survived the Ursa Major!”
Mayor Silvermane stood proudly with Trixie and Minty as they watched the hustle and bustle of the busy Hoofington streets. The Mayor proclaimed, “I never thought I would ever see life return to our town. Thank you Trixie.”
Trixie smiles and replies, “It was the least that Trixie could do after all the damage that she had caused.”
Mayor Silvermane nodded gleefully and stated, “I have already contacted the Canterlot Court and told them that your debt to us was paid in full”
“Trixie thanks you, Mayor. Trixie is happy for the opportunity to clear her name… and to be entitled to give a smaller percentage of her paychecks to the court” Trixie says with a chuckle.
Mayor Silvermane chuckles at Trixie’s comment as well and replies, “Yes, well I understand that you have several other debts to repay, but this one has to have been the largest part of it!’
Trixie rolls her eyes and comments, “Oh… Trixie would not count on that if she were you, Mayor.”
Mayor Silvermane gives Trixie a curious look to which Trixie smirks and quirks her head. Mayor Silvermane clears his throat and says, “Well, may you have as much success repaying your other debts as you have here.”
Trixie lowers her head and replies softly, “So do I…”
With that Mayor Silvermane trots away leaving Trixie alone with Minty. Trixie looks over at Minty with a look of shame upon her face and said, “You know, I really don’t deserve any credit what-so-ever for any of this. The entire meme idea was all yours.”
Minty giggled cheerfully and replied, “I know.”
Trixie added, “I am in your debt. I can’t thank you enough for helping me out here.”
Minty rebutted, “But you already have.”
Trixie gives the other mare a curious look with her head tilted to one side and her eyebrow quirked and asks, “Oh, How so?”
Minty answered, “Buy being my friend. I’ve never really had a close friend before, certainly not one close enough to share in such a secret with.”
Trixie smiled warmly and said, “Thank you Minty. You are truly a dear friend.”
Minty added, “Thanks! Also, you don’t just owe me. You owe me big time!” Trixie looked a bit shocked at Minty’s statement before Minty gave Trixie a playful wink and bounced merrily away. 
Trixie shuddered a little bit. She then gave a soft grin and shook her head slowly as she whispered to herself, “A pony after my own heart.”
Just then a crowd of ponies passed by. One brown colt of the group had a black mane and tail that was long and straight with a cap atop his head. He had a globe displayed upon his flank. The cold shouted out, “Hey look, it’s the Great and Powerful Trixie! Shya!
His companion was a tan colt with balls of frizzy, blond hair for a mane and tail and wore a pair of thick, black plastic framed glasses which were taped together in the middle. His upper lip was curled up a bit exposing his upper row of teeth and had a couple of sticks of rope lickerish for a cutie mark. The companion stammered in a soft, unconfident tone, “Ye… yeah. There she is, The Great a… and Powerful Trixie…”
The two strange colts looked at each other a moment before dropping down into bowing positions and began chanting, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!”
Trixie grinned looking amused at the antics of the two fanatics as she raised her head high and declared proudly, “That is right, my devoted little fancolts, it is I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, vanquisher of the Ursa Major!”
Both of the strange colts laughed, the brown one more of a chuckle, the tan one more of a snorting snicker. The Brown colt stated, “Shya! Good Phony!”
The tan pony added, “Ya-ah, good one!” Trixie smiled with amusement.

Later that evening Trixie toped a hill just outside of Hoofington. She looked up into the west to see the sun set slowly painting the sky once more in a plethora of hues. As the sun dipped down passed the horizon Trixie turned to look the opposite direction to see the moon rising into the darkening sky.
As each star twinkled into existence their light reflected in Trixie’s eyes. She thought of her mentor, Princess Luna standing upon her balcony making the night and Trixie’s heart ached to see her. Just then the metal holding the cape around Trixie’s neck began to glow.
Trixie looked down curiously at the charm that Luna had given her, holding it from her chest with her hoof. Just then a familiar voice came from behind Trixie saying, “Greetings our prized pupil.”
Trixie’s eyes widened as she heard Luna’s voice. She turned and galloped quickly to Luna’s side. Luna craned her head down to nuzzle Trixie’s side fondly. “Oh Princess Luna, I am so glad to see you”, Trixie proclaimed.
“So joyous are thou that thou hast forgotten to speak in third pony”, Luna observed with a giggle. Trixie giggled and nuzzles Luna’s upper foreleg affectionately. Luna’s smile slowly faded to a look of concern. She used her wing to gently lift Trixie’s gaze to her own and stated, “A new weight is added to thy heart. Pray tell us the outcome of thy mission.”
Trixie’s gaze turned shameful as her eyes darted away from Luna’s then back again. Trixie replied,” Well, the problems of Hoofington has been resolved, but…”
Luna gave an encouraging smile, “The truth, our student. We will not judge thee harshly.”
Trixie took in a deep breath and continued, “It wasn’t by me. The solution was actually found by another pony. She had me take credit for the idea.”
Luna looked concerned for a moment before speaking again, “The seed of good hath taken root in thee, but the soil is still polluted. Be careful, our cherished. The battle for thy soul is still being waged in thy heart. This deception is not healthy, but at least thou hast the courage to admit the truth to us.”
Trixie nodded solemnly and asked, “What do I do, your highness?”
Princess Luna thought deeply for a moment and replied, “We do not know the intent of this pony in which thou speakest. If her intentions are pure then thou now owe her a greater debt than thou had to the citizens of Hoofington. If her intent is ill then thou will have to choose to either free thy self from her bonds or remain shackled to her in order to save face.”
Trixie pondered for a moment and asked, “Then I should go ahead and tell everypony that the whole thing was her idea?”
Luna wrapped her wing gently around Trixie and answered, “Thou would risk losing her friendship if thou did. However, a true friend would understand the pressure that she has placed on thee.”  Trixie nodded softly closed her eyes and rested against Princess Luna. Luna smiled softly and likewise closed her eyes to cuddle with Trixie in the moonlight.


Trixie slept most of the morning away leaving her the only option of catching the afternoon train back to Canterlot. She stood on the platform of the railway station with a single bag packed beside her. Inside was some of the, I survived the Ursa Major Attack memorabilia from Hoofington.
As she waited she heard a familiar, cheerful voice behind her. Trixie turned to see Minty, the mare who had concocted the scheme which saved Hoofington. Minty said, “Leaving us so soon?”
Trixy replied, “Yes, Trixie has important duties and training back in Canterlot.”
Minty smiled so that her eyes squinted closed as she said, “Neat!”
Trixie nodded softly as her gaze turned troubled. Her eyes darted down to her hooves for a moment before meeting Minty’s gaze again. Trixie asked, “What are you doing here?”
Minty replied cheerfully, “Oh! I’m coming with you!”
Trixie looked shocked as she asked, “Coming… with me? Wh… whatever for?”
Minty’s bubbly personality caused her to bounce a bit as she replied, “Because, imagine how much fun it will be, us having adventures together, hanging out, experiencing all the sights and sounds of Canterlot! Besides…” Minty winked at Trixie before continuing, “I need to protect my investment.” Trixie’s expression sank causing Minty to gaze upon her curiously. Minty asked, “Are… you okay?”
Trixie slowly lifted her eyes to gaze upon Minty once more. Slowly she began, “Look Minty, I… I can’t do this. Trixie is reformed. She doesn’t need to be entangled in any more deception, let alone one that would leave her so indebted that she may be called upon again to do anything… dubious.”
Minty’s expression sank into one of disappointment as she replied, “Oh, I see…”
Trixie nodded softly and stated, “Trixie will return to Canterlot and let it be known that it was you who came up with idea that saved Hoofington. If she is called upon to still owe a debt to Hoofington then she will repay it honestly, not through deception.”
Minty threw herself upon the ground wrapping her forelegs around Trixie’s as tears formed in the corners of Minty’s eyes. Minty pleaded, “Please, no, don’t do that!
Trixie asked, “Why not? Afraid that everypony will see through your guise and know you for the cunning mastermind that you are?”
Minty sighed softly and admitted, “Yeah, there’s that, but…”
Trixie interjected, “Afraid that you will no longer hold Trixie trapped and indebted to you?” Trixie emphasized her point with a stomp of her fore-hoof on the wooden floor.
There was a pause of silence as Trixie glared at the mint green pony. Minty’s eyes were wide, her expression unreadable. Finally minty stood and hung her head slowly and said softly, “Gee, I… I didn’t know that you felt trapped.” She looked up at Trixie again with a wounded gaze as she continued, “I thought it was just another game, one that we shared. I never meant to hurt you.”
Trixie was shocked and stammered, “Well, I…”
Minty turned her back to Trixie and looked at her from over her shoulder as she said sorrowfully, “You don’t owe me anything Trixie. I don’t care if you take credit for my idea or not. It was just a lot of fun coming up with it and playing with you. I wouldn’t have thought of it anyway if you hadn’t challenged me to do so. So in a way it was you who saved Hoofington just by being my friend.”
Trixie stood wide eyed and dumbfounded. Though her heart ached for the mint green filly she still questioned her motives. Trixie asked slowly, “So, you really do not wish any kind of repayment from Trixie?”
Minty ‘s head sank a slowly as she carried a wounded expression upon her face as she replied, “Only that you forgive me” and slowly started to trot away.
The train pulled into the Hoofington station behind Trixie as she watched minty leaving. Trixie’s heart sank further as she called out to Minty, “Wait!”
Minty stopped in her tracks and looked over her shoulder again at Trixie and answered, “What?”
Trixie smiled warmly, “You know, Trixie could use a roommate back in Canterlot to help her with rent and living expenses.”
Minty’s eyes widened brightly as she leaped into the air into Trixie’s forearms hugging her tight around the neck. Trixie stumbled with Minty in her forelegs as ponies exiting the train made their way around the two. Minty asked, “Do you really, really, really, really, REALLY mean it?”
Trixie giggled and set the hyperactive mare back down on the ground, “Well of course Trixie means it!”
“All aboard” was announced in the background.
Minty giggled cheerfully as she grabbed up her own bag and flung it onto her back as Trixie did the same. Together they approached the train as Minty rambled, “Oh, it is going to be so exciting living in Canterlot! So much to do, ponies to meet, mysteries to solve, secrets to uncover…”
Trixie grinned and asked, “You just totally manipulated me into taking you with me just now, didn’t you?”
Minty giggled and answered, “Maybe.”
Trixie asked as they started boarding the train, “And I’m in no way indebted to you?”
Minty replied cheerfully, “Not in the slightest!”
Just before Minty and Trixie vanished fully onto the train Trixie said, “Good.”

Queue End Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ZaCY0sToo

