What You Are in the Dark: Deleted Scene (chapter 4) · 5:44am Feb 25th, 2014
"Ah... hm." Carpeaux's thick voice sounded confused, drawing a look from everypony else. He had his back turned to the group, staring intently at something at the mouth of the alley. "This is... not who we expected."
Blossomforth took a few steps forward, until she could see around the kirin. There, trotting serenely into the alley, was a small, ashen stallion with a rich green mane and beard, about half the height of a normal adult pony. He wore a sparkling red robe, and he was humming something to himself as he picked up petal after petal in a pink magical aura, despite having no visible horn, ate some of them and tucked the rest into his conical red hat. His beady, colorless eyes seemed to slide right over the ponies.
"What are you?" Flora asked, edging out of the stallion's path.
"It's a gnome!" Twilight gasped. "I didn't know they lived around here. They're extremely clever, but they—"
"Oh, don't mind me," the gnome stated in a deep, rich voice. "I'm just here for the hors d'ouevres. Oh, such a feast, it makes me want to repay the favor."
"Well, that's certainly—" Octavia began.
Gather 'round, everybody, let's not be shy
Let me show you what spirit I can provide
From now on my magic will be on your side
You'll be friends with the Gnome until the day that you all...
"Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves here," he added with a dark chuckle. Octavia shot him a weary look, while Blossomforth rolled her eyes and stepped toward him.
Well, you've got good timing, that much I can say
We've got something to do that really can't wait
There's a missing child we need to find right away
So can these powers of yours really make everything okay?
Everypony gaped as the exchange occurred. Twilight was trying to indicate something with her hooves; she was pointing at the gnome, then her own throat, then Blossomforth, and making a chopping gesture. Blossomforth stared for a few moments, uncomprehending.
With just an invocation or two, you'll see
I could find any foal in this whole city
Just give me a name, and soon, I guarantee
I'll reunite you with him if you just pay the fee...
Twilight's hoof was now massaging her temple in frustration. Blossomforth wasn't sure why she didn't just say whatever was so important.
No price is too great, I'm sure you're aware
To find little Cubi, and a family repair
Just name it, we'll pay it, I solemnly swear
Then we can all finally go and—
The pegasus stopped mid-sentence as Twilight's magic suddenly surrounded the gnome, lifting him off the ground. Without delay, he was brought face-to-face with a very unamused unicorn.
"Er... that's a very nice shade of purple?" he offered weakly.
"As I was saying," Twilight continued through gritted teeth, "they're extremely clever, but they have no sense of ethics, so making deals or taking advice from them tends to hurt other ponies, and if you sing along with one, it's a lot harder to resist its suggestions. There's only one safe way to deal with a gnome."
A moment later, a screaming gnome whizzed by Honey Do's ear, streaking toward Central Park.
Twilight cleared her throat, seeming a little reinvigorated after having dealt with the gnome. "Now that that's taken care of, we should figure out what's next..."
Ahhhh Gnome Punting, a great traditional sport.