Groom Hornwell's 2022

Pony in Absentia

“Where is that damn unicorn with my photo?! It was for yesterday!” roared Kalby, the Stablo’s Press director, flying instead of walking in a corridor of the building. The ponies sitting in their respective cushions just stared at him while he ranted. “This office’s next to the train station! Hay, that damn farm in Pon…!” The ponies in front of Kalby looked behind him.

“Ehem!” a female voice called for attention.

Kalby, still in the air, turned his head at the voice, and opened his eyes wide. Quickly, he landed and turned his body around.

In front of him was the chief of the whole Stablo. Luster Dawn.

“Well, director, I almost thought you had the Feather Fever, with all that irresponsible talking. My my” She said.

Kalby and the ponies around bowed before her.

“Excuse me, commissar. It won’t happen again” he said, with his head down.

“Alright, director” She smiled and looked at the other ponies “You can get back to work. I’ll have a talk with your boss”

Luster Dawn followed Kalby to his office on the second floor. She closed the door behind her.

Kalby pointed at his throne. “Please, sit there if you need, commissar”

Luster shook her head “No, thanks, director. I just need to ask you some things” With her magic, she took out a newspaper and a red notebook out of her saddlebags. She brought the notebook close to Kalby with her telekinesis. “This journal, let’s call it, I believe it belong-ed to one of your employees”

“Uh, no, it can’t be, it’s forbidden to…” Kalby grabbed the notebook with his wings, and opened it. On the first page, he read aloud: “My name is Red”

“Sounds familiar? The name I mean.” She said.

Kalby closed the notebook with a thud. “Uh, I-I’ll get this investigated, I promise, commissar”. He put the book on his desk.

“Just like the smoke cloud, the one that came from Ponyville?” Luster asked. With his magic, again, she brought the newspaper close for Kalby to grab it. It was Ponyville Today newspaper.

“Actually commissar, the smoke was coming from the Ever…” He read the front page and his eyes opened wide “…Sweet Apple Acres?!”

“Indeed, director” Luster sighed “Sincerely, I expected answers coming here, not questions.”

“What do you mean, commissar?” Kalby asked. He left the newspaper next to the red notebook.

Luster dawn turned around and opened the door. “There’s one more thing before I leave, director. Did you feel the earthquake last night?”

“Uh, yes, commissar, but it was made sure it wasn’t an enemy attack. I was told all the Canterlot’s entrances were watched all night.”

Luster turned to him. “What about the main entrance?”

Kalby gasped. “Commissar, I just told you th…”

“I mean the aerial one, director” She started to walk away. “Anypony can fly into us”

Kalby followed her until they reached the stairs. Then Luster went downstairs. Kalby stood there, at the top of the stairs, watching Luster as she left.

He turned around and went to his office. He closed the door, and got close to his desk. With a wing he grabbed the red notebook.

He then went to his throne and sat. And he opened the notebook right where it started. Red’s journal.