Banishment, Petrifaction And Tartarus

[Denim&Venöm 20,471]

Why are there so many different punishments in Equestria, and what crime warrants which punishment? Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Tirek all tried to usurp the crown and terrorize the populace, but were given different sentences. Why weren't all 3 sent to Tartarus? Why not all sent to the moon? Why not all turned to stone? Celestia's methods for dealing with grandiose threats to her subjects appears to be rather inconsistent. 

[Rainboom Dash 1,056]

I imagine they depend on how terrible their deeds were.

[Pastel 7,630]

In Discord's case, I guess he can escape from Tartarus very easily.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,879]

In Discord's case, I guess he can escape from Tartarus very easily.

And the moon as well.

 

I don't really understand them past that Discord was most likely petrified because he could get out of Tartarus and escape from the moon pretty easily - I'd think the Moon was a personal punishment for Luna rather than something done regularly, and Tartarus is likely a super-prison for the worst villains in all of Equestria

[Frosty Nerd 833]

Tartarus is literally Hell in the mlp universe. Seeing that's what it is in Greek mythology.

 

Here is my headcannon

 

I believe that Tirek was sent to Tartarus before the Elements of Harmony were discovered. Discord was much too skilled with his magic to be contained in Tartarus. He could easily escape. Celestia and Luna realized this, so they sought out a way to imprison him. They found the Tree of Harmony for this reason.

 

Now here are two different theories

 

1) Luna was sent to the moon because the Elements/Tree of Harmony can read hearts. They (the Elements) knew what would be best for Luna, Celestia, and Equestria at that time. Luna was not ready to have a change of heart yet, and Celestia would be devestated if she was turned to stone or sent to Tartarus, so the Elements sent Luna to the moon where Celestia would be able to see her every night.

 

2)The Elements don't control what punishment is set forth. Celestia sent Luna to the moon herself so that Luna wouldn't have to suffer being stone or living in Tartarus.

 

I believe the first theory is more probable, but, in both instances, Celestia wanted to see her sister again and knew that the Elements of Harmony would someday influence Luna's dear heart.

[Adorkable 2,737]

Agreed with all above Discord comments, it would seem the only real way you can catch him is to immobilize him. ^^"

[Yuna Crescent 142]

i agree with frosty nerd i like the way she thought this one except for one thing...if Celestia and Luna were made rulers of Equestria after Discord why would Tirek's brother go to them?

[TwilightDreamer 69]

Depending on what their sins are and how great they are in the name of justice, villains and villainesses like Nightmare Moon and Tirek would be given the type of punishment that fits them and the Elements of Harmony just can't simply control what punishment is given and some punishments are given before they and their birthplace were discovered as Frosty pointed out.

 

As Frosty said, for Luna and her alter ego, because she felt betrayed by her sister and all of the ponies that shunned her and she took measures into her own hands to achieve recognition, the Elements and the Tree of Harmony sensed the darkness within her tainted by her jealousy and need for attention and the fact that turning her to stone would devastate Celestia to no end in her failed attempt to save Luna from her dark side, she had to be sent to the moon to serve as Celestia's punishment for not being there for her sister when she needed her most and for Luna to reflect on her mistake and think if what she did was right or not.

 

He/she also pointed that Tirek was imprisoned before the Tree and the Elements were even discovered and Discord, with his immense knowledge of Magic, can easily escape Tatarus no matter how he is held down, thus leading to Celestia and Luna finding a means to stop him. And he/she does have a point about Tatarus being the MLP equivalent to Hell in gothic mythology and history.