I grabbed my black robe with a white collar and a red K on the back and put it on. People chattered in the courtroom as they waited for my arrival. As I entered the courtroom, everyone went silent. The Pandavas stood up and bowed down to me. Duryodhana and Karna stood in front of me with their arms crossed in defiance. I continued walking to my desk but didn't miss mischievous looks on their faces or the smirks they exchanged with one another. Those poor fools didn't even know what was coming. As I continued walking, I also saw Krishna and gave him a smile. He must be here to support the Pandavas. They are close friends after all. I made sure of it.

JUDGE KARMA: Well, if it isn't Duryodhana and Karna. To what do I owe this pleasure?

DURYODHANA: Karma, you have to help me. The Pandavas are after me.They're trying to kill me! They should be arrested!

KARNA: It's true, Karma, they tried to kill me too, Arjuna broke the rules during battle. When I was wounded, he kept attacking me.

JUDGE KARMA: First of all, do not call me Karma. It's Your Honor. Secondly, why should I help you of all people, Karna? I watched the battle between you two. I also saw you break the rules too. You also let your sister-in-law be ridiculed in public, not to mention you ambushed and murdered your own nephew. You're the last person that needs to be talking about rules, so why don't you just sit down and shut up?

Karna was speechless. His mouth was agape but he sat down.

JUDGE KARMA(looking at Duryodhana):As for you, Duryodhana, I believe there's more to this story than what you're telling me. Are you sure you don't want to tell me anything else?

DURYODHANA: Positive!

JUDGE KARMA: Very well then. If that's the story you're going to stick to, I'm going to ask the Pandavas their side.

JUDGE KARMA(looking at the Pandava brothers): Pandavas, why don't you tell me your side of the story?

ARJUNA: Your Honor, Karna disrespected our wife, Draupadi. He also killed my son! During the battle, my weapon broke, but he kept attacking me instead of pausing like the rules said. I was just returning the favor. I also wanted to avenge my son's death. What kinda father would I be if I let him get away? I already failed my son once when I left him and his mother. I couldn't fail him again. Duryodhana continuously harassed me and my brothers after we had told him to stop. He also took our kingdom.

JUDGE KARMA: First of all, I would like to apologize for your loss. No parent should have to bury their child. I'm curious, though. How did he trick you?

DRAUPADI(interrupts while looking at Yudhishthira with disdain before speaking to Arjuna): Arjuna, I think Yudhishthira should explain this since he got us into the mess.

JUDGE KARMA: I agree with Draupadi. Yudhishthira, please explain how you and your brothers lost the kingdom.

YUDHISHTHIRA(avoiding eye contact with Judge Karma): Well, what happened was um...

JUDGE KARMA: Spit it out already! I don't have all day.

YUDHISHTHIRA: King Shakuni challenged me to a gambling match and I got carried away. I lost and thought I'd be able to win everything back. I later discovered that he was scheming with Duryodhana to get rid of us and that the match was part of the plan. Unfortunately, I fell into his trap, and we became his slaves. We escaped with the help of Duryodhana's father.

JUDGE KARMA(nods head as the information is processed): I see. Duryodhana, this was your chance to take responsibility and yet you still lied to me. You also neglected your dharma as a king in your fit of rage and jealousy. Unfortunately for you, nobody is going to jail. Instead, I'm going to allow you and Karna to be free and let the Pandavas set you straight.

DURYODHANA(eyes popping out of his head with mouth agape): What! You can't do this! You're supposed to protect us! It's your dharma!

JUDGE KARMA: Actually no, Duryodhana, my dharma is to ensure everyone gets what they deserve based on their actions just like yours was to take care of your family and people. You failed both and caused havoc throughout the whole kingdom. I think it's time you paid your dues. Good luck. You're going to need it.

JUDGE KARMA(now looking directly at Karna): As for you, Karna, you abused your powers so I'm taking them away from you. What your mother did to you was unfair, but that doesn't excuse your actions.

JUDGE KARMA(banging her gavel): Court is adjourned.

DURYODHANA(running out of the courtroom): They'll have to catch me first!

KARNA(following Duryodhana): Me too!

JUDGE KARMA(guards are trying to stop Duryodhana and Karna, Pandavas are standing in shock): I'm ordering the Pandava children be put in protective custody immediately! Until Duryodhana's caught, the children will stay in custody.

JUDGE KARMA(looking at Pandavas): Pandavas, what are you waiting for? Go after him!

The Pandava brothers ran out of the courtroom. I sighed. I knew that was going to happen. I took this case because the children needed protection. I knew the brothers would slay Duryodhana and his army but the children were in danger. Accepting this case was the only way to protect them.

I'm wasn't worried about Karna since he no longer had his powers. I couldn't help but feel a little bad for him though. If his mother, Kunti, hadn't abandoned him and if the caste system hadn't limited his opportunities, he would've turned out to be a fine young man.

Despite his actions, I made sure to give everyone their karma. Kunti lost her husband and suffered with her sons as a consequence of abandoning him. It was the least I could do for the poor guy. Why should she get live to her life in comfort knowing she abandoned her son? She could have at least tried to find a decent family for him but she chose her reputation instead.

All of a sudden, my phone beeped, and I smirked at the image (see image below). I knew they wouldn't get very far.

Author's Note:

I rewrote the story based on Arjuna and Karna and Duryodhana in the Lake. Karna is loyal to Duryodhana throughout the story. His loyalty is shown in the story when Karna supports Duryodhana's statement about the Pandavas trying to kill him. Krishna is also loyal to the Pandavas which is why I included him in the beginning of the story. While I was reading the Bhagwat, Krishna mentioned the Pandavas and how they were being tormented by Duryodhana. He sends his uncle to go check on them to make sure they are okay. I realized they have a close friendship and figured Krishna would be at Karma's Court to show his support.

Arjuna represent the Pandavas because he battled both Karna and Duryodhana. In the original story of Arjuna and Karna, Balarama confronts Karna about everything he's done and then he is killed before he can reply and explain himself. Judge Karma tells him to sit down and shut up because she already knew his reasoning. The Pandavas children are adults in the original story. They were fighting Duryodhana and were killed at a camp during a night raid by Duryodhana and his army. I made them be children in this story because the battle was never theirs to begin with. That is why they are put in protective custody.

Duryodhana never directly takes responsibility for his actions which is why he lies to Karma. Judge Karma tries to give him one last chance to fix things with the Pandavas. Duryodhana's defiance is shown in the story when he talks back to Karma. He also addresses Judge Karma by her first name. Karna follows Duryodhana's lead. I thought having Duryodhana run and have Karna follow him would be comical. Karna supports Duryodhana like he did in the original story.

Bibliography

Arjuna and Karna by Donald A. Mackenzie.

Duryodhana in the Lake by Donald A. Mackenzie.

PDE Mahabharata

Cover Image: The Pandavas and Kauravas

Cover Image Source: pixaby

Image Information: The image below is what was sent to Karma's phone.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons