The Festival of the Dead

Chapter 16: The Duties of the Red Room

Celestia awoke with a start. She looked around quickly, taking in her surroundings. She saw the elements seated in various chairs around the room, forming a circle which included her own seat. The walls of the room were a dark red, dark enough for there to almost seem to be no walls at all, the small hint of color being the only thing betraying the spectacle. The ceiling extended far, far upward, continuing into yet more darkness.

On one of the walls sat a small balcony, inside there were two beings... or maybe one. The creature looked similar to a giant snake but it's upper-half was split, ending in two separate entities. They each banged their gavels on the edge of the balcony, waking the remaining ponies who had yet to wake up. The left head spoke in a voice much louder than needed in the small room. "This case of immortal-to-mortal banishment shall now begin!" The left head continued, it's voice still just as loud. "Denizens of world Equestria, are you ready to proceed?"

"What?" Was all Twilight could muster before the demon continued.

"Bring in the first piece of un-living evidence!"

The space in the middle of the circle opened into a portal, humming slightly before having Andras step out, stoic as always.

The ponies stared, having lost track of the god after his first appearance. "Name and status! Only the most base honorifics, if you please!"

"Andras, god of quarrels."

"Mr. Quirrel, you were the one who made a deal with citizens of world 'Equestria', correct?"

"Yes." Growled the man.

"And the deal was?"

"Taking the one known as Discord in return for allowing the festival."

"The festival that was going to occur, regardless?"

"Yes."

"Good work!" Chirped the right head.

"And during the trade, the citizens agreed to all demands made on your part?"

"Yes."

"Very well, that is all, you may leave and bring the next piece of evidence."

"Avnas is not here."

The judge seemed furious, at least the left head was. "What do you mean, not here?!"

"He is lost in a forest at the moment."

"Ughh fine, Baliff!"

The room morphed again and Avnas came flying from the ceiling, landing on his back with a nasty crack. "Ughhhh." He got up and looked at where he was. "Who is getting in trouble?"

"The court will proceed as planned!" Announced the left head as Andras stepped through the portal again, leaving Avnas in the center. "Name and status!"

"Avnas, set-B lord of pain."

"Mr. Amass, were you present while Mr.Quills made his deal with the citizens of Equestria?"

"I was hiding behind one of the elements seats."

"You were behind my seat." Corrected Celestia.

"Another double, dear Cele. I couldn't let Andras out-smart me that easily."

"Order!" The princess and demon hadn't even gone over soft speaking. "Lord of plain, you will remember that time is of the essence!"

"I apologize." Stated Avnas with a bow.

"What did you observe?"

"Andras entered, exchanged his name, offered his deal, prodded the princess, completed his deal, and left." He said quickly, apparently used to the court etiquette.

"I like that last guys style!" Yelled the right head.

"Was there any action performed during the transaction that would be considered rule-breaking in any way?"

"No, Andras keeps a clean record with his deals."

"Thank you, if there is nothing else, you may go."

"No wait! I'm stuck in a forest! I've been in there for almost a full day! Just put be back-"

Avnas disappeared with a small *pop*.

"Jury!" The serpent pointed a gavel at the ponies. "Are you ready to hear the pleas of the guilty?"

"The guilty?" Questioned Twilight. "Why are we in a court if they've already been found guilty?"

"Court?!" The demon didn't approve of that word in his court. "This is the red-room! This cou- room! This room is reserved for instances where mortals are to decide the fate of any immortal that wronged them in their lives! Now, jury, are you ready to hear the pleas of the guilty?"

"I suppose so." Celestia had a hard time believing that any beings would use a court such as this.

"Bring the damned chicken-dragon in already!" Shouted the right head, bored by the court.

A portal opened once more and out stepped Discord, drawing gasps, not because of his presence, but his condition. His beard was spindly, the remaining strands sticking out erratically. His skin was sunken, sticking to his cheeks and stomach. His entire being was darkened, giving him a look similar to a ghost made of ash. Even his demeanor was changed, his head hung low, not looking the judge in the face. When he cast his eyes over the ponies around him, he winced, as if expecting violent retribution from his stare. This was not the god of Discord, this wasn't even a god, this was just a broken being.

"Discord, self-proclaimed god of chaos." The judge drolled. "You are on record for spending both your mortal and immortal lives tormenting the inhabitants of Equestria. You attempted, on multiple occasions, to bring the world into complete chaos. Is this representation accurate?"

Discord kept his voice at a whisper, quiet-enough to be an accurate impersonation of Fluttershy. Although he was moving his lips, and breath could be heard, he couldn't produce words.

"IS. IT. ACCURATE?" The judge seemed to find no pity for the shell of Discord before him.

"Y-yes." He breathed.

"Have you ever endangered the citizens of Equestria?"

"Yes." His voice had found a way to become even quieter since his last comment.

"On any occassion, have you killed a citizen of Equestia?"

"NO!" Discord was frantic, trying to sputter-out words that his raspy throat wouldn't allow. "I-I never..."

"You are on record for answering 'no', Discord, calm yourself."

"But didn't you kill Star Swirl?" Asked Celestia.

"No! I-I didn't do anything to Star Swirl! I don't even know what he's known for!"

"He is telling the truth." Stated the judge.

"But Andras said-"

"Did you specifically ask for proof-of-ingenuity towards all claims made by that man?"

"Well, no but-"

"Eternal-law considers such an action to be under the juristicion of the dealer's target, that would be you. The dealer may provide as much false information as they desire, so long as they are not specifically asked to show proof. Such an action is intended to test the wisdom of the target, as the law states."

Celestia felt betrayed, she had been played, and played easily at that. "Then why is Discord here?"

"He is here to face judgement for his crimes! Now then, the reason you were all brought to the red-room is to decide the fate of the one known as Discord." He pointed a gavel at Discord to prove his point. "The options are either eternal banishment to the plains of hell, or direct-punishment from a demon that we will determine appropriate at a later date. Please decide amongst yourselves."

"Has the jury decided on a verdict?" Yelled the judge from his balcony.

Discord turned towards the ponies around him, eyes wet, filled with a tortured pleading. He hadn't talked since his earlier statements, he appeared to know the punishments for prisoners talking. He mouthed something unintelligible toward Celestia, coming-out as gibberish from his quivering.

The elements looked away from Discord, not meeting his gaze. Celestia looked over him, towards the judge. "Yes, we have."

"Please, your decision."

Celestia looked down, pondering something. "I was told... that punishment was something reserved for murderers... or similar."

Discord had broken-down by this point, wishing that she would just hurry-up so that he wouldn't have to be seen like this ever again.

"Discord... has done many things during his time in Equestria. He has caused more trouble than anyone else in our history..."

The judge continued to stare at the princess, also ignoring Discord who was basically laying on the floor now. His gaze was both serious and neutral, the only time seen as such throughout the entire proceedings.

"But... he is not a murderer, and never will be."

Discord lifted his gaze towards Celestia, still not meeting her eyes but staring at her, silent.

"He is bad... but he would never try to kill someone, it isn't his way. We have decided on banishment."

"Very well, if there is nothing else to add, the guilty may leave and never stray near either purgatory or paradise, the guilty will roam the many lands of hell 'till the end of days and beyond!" The judge slithered from his balcony, out of view.

Shadowy figures descended from the ceiling and landed in front of Discord. The closest one gripped his hand in it's own, and a shadowy vapor spread from it's palm onto his, slowly covering him.

Discord turned to Celestia, his gaze serious. "I'll..." Discord found his voice trail-off before he could finish. Once the smoke enveloped him, the figures were gone, along with the god.

A portal apperared in the middle of the room, a clear image of Ponyville shining through it.

The girls sat quietly for a few minutes, wondering what Discord was trying to say before he was taken, was it a threat? A secret?

Before they could leave, seven small, deep scarlet ribbons fell from the void above, and tied themselves around each of the ponies hooves, forming a bracelet. Small, gold letters were written on the inside of each, meant to only be read by the owners.

I'll be thanking you 'till the end of days and beyond