Not much could be said about Bantu’s trial. Faced with what was incontrovertibly overwhelming evidence against him, he did the only thing he could and pleaded guilty in order to get a reduced sentence. Though reduced sentence was a relative term as he still had 20 cases of indirect assault and a fortune's worth of theft and property damages to answer for. Still, when the alternative was being charged with acts of terror and deemed an enemy of the state, this certainly was the lesser of two evils.
And so he arrived at Foalsome prison.
Considering the Equestrian legal system was built more on reconciliation and reform rather than punishment, it wasn’t the worst place in world. Inmates were fed, given adequate warmth and shelter as well as opportunities to better themselves.
Still it was prison. A plain, grey, stone cage.
The first couple of days were rough. Not only was there learning the rules of the place, but being the ‘new guy’ meant that all the inmates were watching him closely.
When it became clear he was no threat to the natural order of things, the novelty soon wore off and he was left to his own devices. Soon the days started to blur as the monotony started to set in. Day in and day out, it followed an almost exact routine each day.
Get up.
Wash.
Breakfast.
Yard time.
Lunch.
Afternoon for social interaction and ‘self improvement’.
Dinner.
Put back to your cell.
Bed.
Every single day.
Soon without even realising it, two weeks had passed and he was told by a guard that he had a visitor. As he was led to the visiting area, he saw Galeb sitting at one of the tables, obviously waiting for him.
“What happened?” Galeb asked when Bantu was seated at the table.
“What happened is that two-faced snake Trixie betrayed me and my own brother abandoned me.” Bantu grumped. “We could have pulled this off. We could have lived like kings. But when I needed you most, you weren’t there for me. You’re as much to blame as she is!”
“I can make this right,” Galeb shot a wary glance at a nearby guard before switching to Prench. “<I can bust you out of here.>”
Bantu looked at his brother skeptically before replying in kind, “<and then what? Spend the rest of my life on the run? Never able to return Neigh Orleans? No thank you, I’ll do my time and be done with this. And as a bonus, it means I won’t have to see you again for a long time.>” Bantu switched back to Equestrian to speak to the guard. “We’re done here.”
The guard approached and released Bantu from the table.
“I’ll come see you again soon,” Galeb said.
“Don’t do me any favors brother,” Bantu spat the word. “Go back to your little market stall. Or better yet go suck up to Trixie. You <perdants> are made for each other. I hope the door hits you on the way out.”
After a few years, Bantu had gotten a feel for the place and saw some interesting characters. Some mobsters that tried to make it rich kidnapping the Elements of Harmony, a couple of fast talking unicorns who got thrown in solitary almost as soon as they got here, a psychologist that had been unlawfully experimenting on patients with an unethical personality adjustment treatment. Oh, and one truly disturbingly normal murderer.
All the worst scum that Equestria had to offer. But unless the only card game you liked to play was solitaire you had to make do.
For the most part he kept a low profile. Attacking a relief aid train hadn’t been the worst thing anypony had done to get thrown into Foalsome but it certainly hadn’t made him any friends, so it was best not to draw attention to himself. Not an easy feat for someone like Bantu but he got the hang of it, mostly. Still he wasn’t surprised one day when he was led to the Warden’s office.
“Hi Warden,” Bantu said cheerfully as he was led in. “How’s the wife and kids?”
“Still non-existent as always,” the warden replied dryly. “A letter came for you.”
“Oh? And why did you bring me to your office to tell me that?”
“Because it is from Trixie Lulamoon. She wanted me to make sure that you read the letter.” The warden slid the letter over to Bantu. “And seeing as a protege to the Princess and one of Equestria's saviours has made this request you are not leaving that seat until you have read the entire thing.”
Not happy but not having any other choice, he read the letter quickly, and then read it again.
The letter was a detailed account of his brother Galeb’s criminal actions in Ponyville. An accounting of his premeditated hostility against not only Trixie but an entire town. All in an attempt to avenge his older brother. Bantu was struck dumb by the thoughts of what his quiet little brother had done. In the end he just kept re-reading the letter’s last paragraph.
I don't blame you for Galeb's actions. He made his own choices and he must face the consequences for them. However, this does not change the fact that everything he did in Ponyville he did in your name. I have recommended to the judge that you and Galeb be incarcerated together. My hope is that between the two of you there is at least one shred of decency left. We were friends once, that is why I'm giving you this chance. Though make no mistake, this is the last chance you’ll get from me.
“I’ll have the guards escort you back to your cell,” The warden stated. “You look like you have some thinking to do.”
Bantu had plenty of time to dwell on what the letter had said, as well as figure out what he was going to do about it.
A week later, Galeb arrived at Foalsome prison.
He was led to his cell by a guard on each side.
"It's bad enough I'm stuck in this place," the Zebrony grumbled. "Do I really need to be naked as well? This is just demeaning."
The guards remained as stoic as ever but it was clear that they were glad to soon be rid of him. Once they had him in his cell they almost smiled as they shut the door on him.
Almost.
Galeb turned to face his cellmate.
"Look, I don't know what sort of newcomer hazing you had in mind but I'll tell you now..." The blue Zebrony trailed off when he saw who his cellmate was.
“Hello, little brother.”
“Bantu?! What are you doing here?”
Bantu raised an eyebrow.
“Considering that this is a prison cell, I think the more pressing question is what you’re doing here.”
Galeb looked at the ground in shame.
“I’m sorry Bantu, I tried to make things right. I tried to make Lulamoon pay for what she did to you. I just wasn’t able to...”
He was cut off by Bantu pulling him into a hug.
“No brother, I’m the one that’s sorry. You tried to tell me that it was a bad idea but I wouldn’t listen. I was a fool, and what’s worse I tried to take down friends and family with me.”
“But Lulamoon…”
“Did what any sane pony would have done in her situation, after I tried to take shameless advantage of her. I was angry and unwilling to accept responsibility. So I convinced myself that she was the one to blame. What’s worse is that I convinced you as well. I deserve to be in here.” Bantu pulled back slightly. “But from what I hear, so do you.”
Galeb stepped back out of the hug, developing a scowl.
“I’m not in the mood for a lecture.”
“Well you’re going to get one. Challenging Trixie to a duel for a title you didn't even want, making a town suffer when she refused, trying to set her on fire?! What makes you think I would have wanted any of that?”
Galeb let out out a frustrated snort.
“Alright, things got out of hoof. I was trying to make her pay for what she did to you.”
“Come on brother, you’re better than this,” Bantu said.
“What do you want me to do? Just forget about her and move on with my life?!” Galeb demanded. “I’m in prison because of her!”
“That’s what I thought as well but being angry hasn’t gotten either of us anywhere,” Bantu said. “I was wrong to blame you, you knew better and I didn’t listen. And we were both wrong to blame Trixie. It’s time for us to move on. Someday we’re getting out of here, so how about we try to leave better than how we arrived.”
Galeb tried to look defiant, but even after all these years Bantu still knew his brother well enough to see when his resolve was starting to weaken.
“I don’t think I can just let go like that,” He finally admitted.
“We’ve got time,” Bantu said as he pulled Galeb back into a hug. “What matters now is getting my brother back.”
Not sure how to respond, Galeb just decided to enjoy being able to hug his brother for the first time in years. Soon tears started to fall.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he finally said.
“I missed you too,” Bantu said, his own eyes starting to get misty. “Sorry it took so long to admit it.”
Galeb let out a tearful chuckle as he pulled back.
“Mieux vaut tard que jamais, mon frère,” he paused to really look at his surroundings for the first time. “So what’s the plan?”
“Do our time and maybe get early release for good behaviour,” Bantu replied.
Galeb pursed his lips. That really wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but it was obvious Bantu wasn’t interested in an escape attempt. Even if he could pull off a solo escape he wasn’t going to leave without his brother.
“Right, so what exactly counts as good behaviour?”
“I have no idea but apparently trying to score a date with a member of the medical staff is not considered good behaviour.”
“Duly noted.”
FIN