The fasces is used a lot of places, not least in the US were the connection between the Roman republic and the US republic have been an important symbolic link. The examples of the fasces as decoration in the US is often before the fascist even adopted the symbol, so I would say that is kind of heavy evidence that they do not have anything to do with fascism.
Yes. They were copying the style. At some point you'll have to accept that not all facts fit your ridiculous beliefs.
The fasces is used a lot of places, not least in the US were the connection between the Roman republic and the US republic have been an important symbolic link. The examples of the fasces as decoration in the US is often before the fascist even adopted the symbol, so I would say that is kind of heavy evidence that they do not have anything to do with fascism.