As Ethan Gray approached the gates of the Little Red Pony Academy, the familiar, droning cadence of the evening news drifted from the security booth. Inside the cramped, glass-walled hut, Old Ashford was hunched over a steaming bowl of noodles, his eyes glued to the flickering television screen.
"Working through dinner, are we?" Ethan called out, leaning against the doorframe.
Old Ashford looked up, slurping a stray noodle into his mouth with a loud smack. "Oh! Young Master Gray, you're back. Where'd you leave the car?"
"Parked it in the lot down the street," Ethan replied.
Old Ashford clicked his tongue in disapproval. "You should just pull it right into the courtyard. Save yourself the parking fees. It’s your academy, after all."
Ethan shook his head. "It’s not safe. The kids are al
