Sumponeigh Knot Yew visits Pony Ville

Arriving at the library Applejack saw 3 cloaked ponies waiting a short distance discretely outside. One was clearly Uncle Knot by his size, beside him stood a mare about AJ’s size and another taller pony. Uncle nodded a greeting to AJ as she approached the library door.

Applejack knocked, and Spike opened the door. Inside were Pinky, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Twilight discussing the strangeness of recent events.

“Them timber wolves are acting real skittish” said Applejack

“I bet it is all Fluttershy’s uncle’s fault” said Rainbow Dash

“He is not my uncle” said Fluttershy

“He is not my uncle too” said Pinky

“Twilight” asked Applejack “ do you know what’s going on?”

“I think I do” answered Twilight “Some pony not you is gathering magic to cast a spell. A spell I can’t tell you about. A spell I haven’t agreed to yet.”

“Tell him to spot gathering” said Rainbow Dash “the clouds and winds are being most contrary”

“I can’t” said Twilight “I couldn’t find him earlier”

“Well shucks, he is right outside, seems to be waiting for something”

Rainbow Dash and Twilight went to the door, looked out, and saw Uncle Knot standing next to another pony (also in a dark cloak).

“Hey uncle not or uncle two” yelled Rainbow Dash “get in here we want to talk to you”

“How can I refuse such a gracious invitation?” said Uncle Knot impassively

“I’m sorry” said Twilight “would you please come inside and bring your ‘friend’ as well”

“On behalf of my friend” said Uncle Knot “we gladly accept your hospitality”

Once inside Pinky tried to get a good look at Uncle Knot’s companion, but she only seemed to sink deeper into her cloak.

“I can sense you are getting ready to cast some type of magic” said Twilight

“Yes, I am” said Uncle Knot “I am getting ready to send my apprentice on a little trip”

“A teleportation spell?” asked Twilight “you are gathering a lot of power for it and how did you learn to gather magic like this?

“It’s swirl magic, with it I gather all the little bits of leftover magic that are scattered all about and concentrate them for my spell”

“Why do you need so much?” asked Pinky

“It is a matter of how far away I have to send my apprentice” said Uncle Knot “allow me to introduce her, but wait, that would be silly. You already know her.”

The mysterious pony pulled her cloak off with a flourish, revealing her white mane and blue fur.

“Trixie!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Twilight

“Hello Twilight” said Trixie “Thank you for inviting me into your library”

“You’re his apprentice?” asked Twilight “how or why would you ever be willing to be any pony’s student?”

“His magic is greater and he is willing to teach me” responded Trixie

“How do you know his magic is greater?” asked Twilight

“Haven’t you noticed?” asked Trixie “He is an earth pony that can do magic”

“But I thought it was because Zecora taught him” said Twilight

“ha ha” laughed Uncle Knot “it is I who was Zecora’s teacher, many years ago”

“You were Zecora’s teacher?” asked Twilight “how old are you?”

“Old enough to have learned swirl magic” replied Uncle Knot

“As in Star Swirl the bearded?” asked Twilight

“So you know of Star Swirl” said Uncle Knot

“Oh yes” said Twilight

“She recently completed a spell of his” said Pinky

“She’s a big fan of his” said Spike “she even made a costume for nightmare night”

“A costume, really?” asked Uncle Knot “I would so like to see that”

“But you are not here for a fashion show” commented Twilight

“Indulge me, will you, we have time”

“Alright, but I won’t wear it for you” said Twilight then turning to Spike “Spike go get it”

“Already there” said Spike

“Oh, very nice, hoof stitching, not from a machine” said Uncle Knot “look Trixie, she even did the bells”

“Very nice” said Trixie taking the garment “I think I will need this”

“Correct” said Uncle Knot “now before you go, repeat your instructions before I send you off”

“As my first test as your apprentice, I must take a student that you are sending me too. I can not tell him my name, although I can call myself Great and Powerful. I will teach him all my magic, the swirl magic, and the elements of harmony…

“Wait, what?” exclaimed Twilight

“… the elements of harmony; loyalty, honesty, kindness, humor …”

“Laughter” corrected Pinky

“… laughter, and generosity. And also teach him that the sixth element must remain a mystery and that in exchange for my teaching he must never shave his beard again” finished Trixie

As Twilight was about to interrupt again, Uncle Knot closed his eyes and summoned the last of the swirl magic. A black transparent horn appeared on his head and pulsed five times with five auras while Trixie vanished in a ball of bright white.

“What have you done?” exclaimed Twilight “Where did you send her? Or should I say When?”

“Quite right, Twilight” said Uncle Knot “’When’ is the correct term”

“What has he done?” asked Fluttershy

“Bring Trixie back” demanded Rainbow Dash

“That was remarkably easy” commented Uncle Knot

“Will she be okay?” asked Applejack

“Yes, she will be okay” said Uncle Knot “at least the history book suggests so”

“History book?!” exclaimed Twilight

“Star Swirl’s history book” said Uncle Knot “more of a personal diary, which states that in his early days, he was instructed by a great and powerful unicorn in swirl magic and the elements of harmony”

“So you sent TRIXIE back in time, to BE HIS TEACHER” screamed Twilight with her mane and tail bursting into flame momentarily.

“Oh, yes” laughed Uncle Knot “it was worth it, just to see your reaction”

“So how long before she returns?” asked Applejack

“Return?” answered Uncle Knot “do you actually want her back?”

“Of course we do” said Rainbow Dash “you don’t trap some pony in time”

“Bring her back” demanded Pinky Pie

“Moo ha ha” laughed Uncle Knot “your concern is so touching, but the matter is out of our control. Either Trixie teaches Star Swirl how to use the elements of harmony to send her back to us or she isn’t done teaching him.”

“I can try” said Twilight

“But you can’t” said Uncle Knot “you already use Star Swirl’s magic to go back in time once - you cannot repeat that again”

"How do you know that? So I’ll send some pony to help Trixie” answered Twilight

“But who would go?” asked Uncle Knot

“We could send Rarity to help” said Fluttershy “she’s a unicorn”

“I would” proclaimed Rainbow Dash

“I would too” said Pinky

“Me too” said Applejack

“Wow, such commitment on behalf of Trixie” said Uncle Knot “and I thought you had problems with her”

“We don’t abandon our friends” said Twilight

“Friends” said Uncle Knot “you would claim her as a friend?”

“Yes” said Applejack

“We do” said Pinky

“Trixie is our friend” said all

“I don’t believe you” said Uncle Knot “say it louder”

“TRIXIE IS OUR FRIEND” shouted the group of ponies

With that, a bright white ball of light appeared and grew to contain the blue unicorn. Trixie had no moment to regain her bearings before she was mob hugged by the other ponies.

“Tell us everything that happened” asked Twilight

“How long have I been gone?” asked Trixie

“Just a few necessary and long moments” said Uncle Knot

“I was someplace, no sometime long ago. Every pony talked strange. There was no Pony Ville, only the tree house. There wasn’t even a Canterlot” said Trixie, then turning toward Uncle Knot “You put me in the middle of a dragon war!”

“Yes, I did” said Uncle Knot “so sorry, it was the only way to be sure you would meet Star”

“You mean Star Swirl the bearded?” commented Twilight

“Well yes” answered Trixie “but they didn’t start calling him that until after I had taught him swirl magic. And thanks for that costume. It really made the others take him seriously.”

“And the elements of harmony?” asked Uncle Knot

“We had to make them from stones” said Trixie “it was very primitive, but I’m here so it worked”

“Star Swirl sent you forward in time?” asked Twilight

“He tried” said Trixie “but I think I got lost. Then I heard voices yelling that I was a friend and those voices guided me back”

“So it comes to this Uncle Knot” said Twilight “I won’t let you cast that other spell unless I can tell my friends what you are doing”

“Agreed” said Uncle Knot “but only those who are with you at this moment”

“What is he going to do?” asked Applejack

“He has a spell that will turn Spike into a pony for a few days and then help him grow wings” answered Twilight

“Radical” said Rainbow Dash

“Rarity will so love that” said Pinky

“Where is Rarity?” asked Fluttershy

“Uncle Knot, where is she?” demanded Trixie

“She is in her shop” said Uncle Knot

“Why wasn’t she here?” asked Twilight

“First, she was busy with some project” said Uncle Knot “and second, I asked her not to come here tonight”

“Why?” asked Spike

“Do you want to gain your wings” countered Uncle Knot

“Yes” said Spike

“Why are his wings so important?” asked Twilight

“As unicorns keep their magic in their horns” said Uncle Knot “so do dragons keep their smarts in their wings. Do you really want Spike to grow again into that greedy beast?”

“How do you know this?” asked Applejack

“I don’t” said Uncle Knot “I am only guessing, but you have evidence that suggests this. You have meet dragons with wings and again your Spike when he became a big dragon without wings. Did you not notice the relative difference in intelligence?”

“Point granted” said Twilight “we can do this tomorrow”

“Tomorrow may be too late” said Uncle Knot “I now have all that I need to know. Casting this spell is nearly irreverent to me, but probably important to Spike’s long term development”

“What do you mean?” asked Spike

“Elephants have big ears to cool their blood, likewise, dragons have big wings to cool their blood.” expounded Uncle Knot “Otherwise, large dragons without wings tend to cook their brains, eventually making them as stupid as a turnip”

“Nooo!” exclaimed Spike “Twilight we have to do this now!”

“Yes Spike” said Twilight “so it would seem”

“Excellent” said Uncle Knot “Spike take a letter”

“What’s an elephant?” asked Fluttershy

“To whom?” asked Spike

“To yourself” answered Uncle Knot “describe how you feel about Twilight, how she has been both mother and older sister to you, how you would never forget her”

“Trixie” asked Uncle Knot “did you retrieve that sand I asked for from the ancient days?”

“Yes” said Trixie hoofing it to him “I almost forgot”

Spike finishes the letter and claws it to Uncle Knot, who makes a funnel of it and pours the sand into it. As the sand falls through the small opening at the bottom of the funnel, it takes on a purple and black glow, coalescing into a glass statue that becomes a beautiful transparent miniature of Twilight Sparkle. The purple and black glow now envelopes Spike, obscuring him from view. Then revealing a green pony with a pink mane and for a cutie mark; a vertical dagger overlapped by an eye. This new pony was about the same size as the other ponies with a dragon’s distinctive eyes and vertical pupils.

“Allow me to introduce Knife Eyes” said Uncle Knot “Special Police Investigator Knife Eyes”

“Special Police Investigator?” asked Rainbow Dash

“Oh Spike” said Fluttershy “you look so, oh never mind”

“You look dreamy” said Pinky

“Thanks” said Spike

“So Spike, how does it feel to be a pony?” asked Twilight

“It’s different Princess” responded Spike nervously

“No need to be so formal” said Applejack

“Well okay” said Spike “except I know all of you ; Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinky Pie, and even Trixie, but who is this princess?”

“Spike! It’s me, Twilight” said Twilight

“Have we meet?” asked Spike

“What!?” exclaimed Twilight

“It’s a side effect of the transformation spell” commented Uncle Knot “all his memories and affection for you is trapped inside this pretty little statue of you Twilight”

“Well undue that spell right now” demanded Twilight “I want my Spike back, right now!”

“Excuse me princess” asked Spike “just what type of relationship goes on between us?”

“What!? This is insane!” exclaimed Twilight

“Remember the long term goal, Twilight” said Uncle Knot “It will only last for a few days” then directing his next comment to Spike “you can stay with me at the train station for the next few days. After all, as a special police investigator, you will be working with me”

“But this is my home” said Spike “this is my library”

“Trixie, please stay here with Twilight” said Uncle Knot “Tell her all about your adventures with Star Swirl” then turning to leave said “come along Special Police Investigator Knife Eyes”

As Knife Eyes and Uncle Knot left, the tension in the room threatened to explode. Twilight’s eyes turned bright red, but she composed herself with a deep breath, waved her hoof, and said “It will be alright”

“We better follow them” said Applejack

“I’m with you” said Rainbow Dash

“Okay” said Twilight “but just you two”

“Okay, do key, Loki” said Pinky

“Trixie” said Twilight “tell me about Star Swirl”

“Well when I found myself still at the library without all of you and Pony Ville gone. I was a little confuse” said Trixie “but the Great & Powerful Trixie recovered, then I meet a young pony who called himself Star. He needed protection from the sky pirates who were trying to enslave him, so we hid in the library. Amazingly the sky pirates couldn’t see the tree house. They didn’t like the Trixie's Great & Powerful fireworks either and that drove them off. Then Star pledge to be my faithful student if only I would teach him a little of my magic.”

“Did you teach him” asked Twilight

“Of course” said Trixie “that’s what Uncle Knot told me to do”

“What else did you teach him?” asked Twilight

“I taught him the swirl magic and then about the elements of harmony” said Trixie “kindness, honesty, loyalty, generosity, and humor …”

“Laughter” interrupted Pinky

“Anything else?” asked Twilight

“I told him that there was a sixth element” said Trixie “and that it must remain a secret”

“Why must it remain a secret?” asked Fluttershy

“Because it was me who discovered it” answered Twilight

“No, Twilight” said Trixie “you misunderstood the meaning about this. There must always be an element that remains a secret and that if it is ever given a meaning, another element must be added”

“What!?” exclaimed Twilight

“Uncle Knot told me that your cutie mark changed” explained Trixie “when we first meet, you had one star surrounded by five stars. Now look at you, you have one surrounded by six. That’s the proof that you now need a 7th element.”

“But I thought I got an additional star on my cutie mark when I became a princess” said Twilight

“You did” said Pinky “I remember that I had been planning a party for you using your cutie mark as a decoration, but then it changed and I made a mess of the icing, and well, I ate the cake”

“So now we have to find a pony with an another element of harmony” said Twilight

“Not so fast” said Trixie “Uncle Knot told me you already have the 7th element nearby”

“Who?” said Owliwisious

“Who?” echoed the others

“The Great & Powerful Trixie” said Trixie

“You got the 7th element?” stated Fluttershy

“That’s great” said Pinky

“What is it?” asked Twilight

The Great & Powerful Trixie’s element MUST remain a mystery” said Trixie “Trixie cannot tell you even if Trixie knew what it is, and I don’t”