What if Spell wasn't banished, but trapped in stone like Discord?
Instead of being banished in anyway, shape or form, Spell is trapped in stone like his Father. The story will Focus on the wife and child he left behind. Apple Blossom was born a few months after the incident, so Spell was oblivious to his fatherhood. Years later, on a trip to the Canterlot gardens, painful memories are brought up for the main six, and Apple Blossom finally learns the truth of her father
The statue of Redemption stood in the Canterlot gardens. Very few visited this statue as the events of the Day of Red Sky where fresh in their mind. As the years passed flowers started to grow around the pedestal the statue stood upon and vines tangled themselves around the statue.
To an observer it would seem as every statue in the garden was lifeless, as they should be, but in two statues two minds thought to themselves.
Discord, the mischievous spirit of Chaos was bored. He was trapped in a statue again, and everypony was so careful not to have arguments near his statue anymore. He thought back to the three fillies that released him a few years back. They must be grown up by now, with their cutie marks. He wondered what they would be. He liked to imagine them discovering a love for Chaos and got cutie marks involving that. What did they call themselves? Ah yes the cutie mark crusaders. Discord smiled in his mind thinking that they’d be better off as the Chaos making Crusaders.
In the other statue a mind was torn in half fighting with itself. One was half was the Draconequus Retribution, on the other the Unicorn Spell Bound. One mind torn in two over what to do. Redemption want to continue spreading Chaos and get out of the statue, so he could make those who had trapped him pay for their transgressions, for their betrayal. He would not forgive nor would he forget. In his mind his closest friend had betrayed him, and the pony who was unto a mother to him lied to him his whole life. Now he was stuck as a statue for the last five years.
Spell Bound also wanted out, but not for vengeance. He wanted to beg for forgiveness. He was foolish to succumb to the Chaos inside him, to let it corrupt him. He knew what he had done as Retribution, and it horrified him. Ponies had died from his fire, he tormented the minds of those closest to him.
The conflict between to two personalities was driving them crazy. They had just got over the pain of being turned into a statue. Imagine being stabbed in the heart by an icicle, but you still lived. Then you could feel the ice spreading through your veins freezing all your body systems, but you were still alive and aware. After then you started becoming stone, and that brought on more pain, as if a red hot knife was being stabbed into your mind.
Growing frustrated with the argument the split mind of Spell Bound cried out in frustration, though nopony could hear it in the garden, save one. Discord.
He briefly turned his attention to his ‘Son’. He thought back to five years ago when he came up to his statue and talked to him. He was so defiant then, swearing he would not become like Discord, a creature of evil and Chaos. In retrospect this was kind of true. He didn’t become like Discord, he became worse.
Another three years passed before anything of interest happened to the statue garden, and it all started like Discord’s brief reign of freedom, a school trip from Ponyville. Cheerilee was no longer the teacher of the Ponyville School, but the head-teacher. The school had grown in the last eight years, and Twilight decided that she wanted to pass on her knowledge, so she became a teacher. She was the one who had organized the trip to the Canterlot Statue Gardens.
Of course if she was thinking properly when organizing a trip, she might have thought twice before choosing the gardens as the destination. She had forgotten that her old friend was currently a statue there, and that old friend was also the father of one of her students that was going.
Apple Blossom was a young filly now. She was born shortly after Spell Bound was sealed away in stone. She had no idea who her father was. All she was told was that he was a Unicorn and she got the black streak in her golden hair from him. When she asked what happened to him all she was told was that he had to go away for a while.
But this didn’t satisfy her. Not only did she inherit a black streak in her hair, but she had also inherited her father’s curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Secretly she pledged that once she was old enough she would find her father, and bring him home. She could tell that her mother missed him as she would often sit under one specific tree and look longingly out across the orchards. Apparently that was the tree where her father had proposed to Applejack.
But Apple Blossom and Twilight weren’t the only one’s going to Canterlot. So where the other bearers of harmony that placed Spell into stone. Rarity was going to deliver a order of clothes and check how her Canterlot based shop was running. Her Carousel Boutique had grown during the past eight years and she had shops in a few major cities now, Canterlot being one of them.
Fluttershy was going on a date with a certain party pony. Fluttershy had finally admitted what side she was playing for, fearful of what her friends would do. Twilight thought about it for a while then said that she didn’t have a problem with Flutters being a filly-fooler. Rainbow ruffled her mane saying it was about time she came out and gave her a hug saying she’d always support her. Rarity took it well, but needed some time. She told Flutters that they’d always be friends but she needed to get her head around it first. That took about two weeks before she could carry on as if nothing had happened and actually helped Flutters setup dates. AJ took it in stride saying love is love and that nothing is gonna change her opinion of Flutters.
As for Pinkie, she remained quiet. Once everypony else had left she walked up to Fluttershy and whispered in her ear “Thank Celestia” Before kissing her on the cheek and walking home to check on gummy.
Rainbow and AJ were there to take a break from their hard work, though secretly AJ was there to keep an eye on her little girl.
By the end of the night, they would have all visited the statue garden, and secrets would be revealed.
Twilight rubbed her temples with her hooves. They had only just got onto the train to Canterlot and the school children were already causing trouble and giving their teacher a massive headache. Twilight had optimistically said she could look after two classes without any assistance. She was now regretting this decision.
Thankfully the class she normally taught were behaving appropriately. They sat around one of the tables on the train chatting with one another. Twilight turned her gaze over to Apple Blossom. She was sitting alone reading a book. Twilight smiled at first then frowned. She didn’t recognise the book at first, so she got up and went over to Apple Blossom.
“What’s this you’re reading Blossom?”
Apple Blossom looked up at her teacher smiling. “It’s a notebook I found at home. I think it’s my father’s. Did you know he was one of the first ponies to cross over into the Changeling Nation’s realm?”
Twilight nodded and went back to her seat, heart pounding in her chest. “Where had she gotten that book?” Twilight thought to herself. She was sure she had taken all of Spell Bound’s notebooks after the incident. She closed her eyes and tried to think, but now all she could think about was when Spell returned from that adventure.
“You should have seen it Twily! It was amazing! It was so beautiful! Everything was so shiny and made of chitin.” Spell was jumping up and down on the spot, excited as a school filly, his pupil-less eyes shining with excitement.
“I’m sure it was Spell. Now please calm down. I’m not sure if you’re talking about the cities and buildings, or your new friend Lorien.” This brought Spell out in a blush and Twilight laughed at him.
“That’s not funny Twily. Don’t do that. Or...” Spell brought his voice to a whisper. “Do I need to tell about your crush?”
Twilight waved her hooves frantically telling Spell No over and over till he started laughing. “Calm down Twily I won’t tell. I promised, and I always keep my promises.”
“Thank you Spelly. That wasn’t funny though.”
“Yes it was, and perfect vengeance. Now come on Twily. I’ll tell ya all about where I went, and I promise not all of it will be about Lorien.”
“Good. You can chat my ear off on how amazing she was latter. For now I want to hear about the nation. It could be useful in my upcoming exam.”
The two walked through the Canterlot Castle on the way to Twilight’s room talking and laughing happily.
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Twilight sighed sadly. How she wished that things would go back to simpler times, back to when Spell would give his mischievous smile before pulling a prank on somepony.
“MISS SPARKLE! MISS SPARKLE! IS THAT CANTERLOT?” shouted one of her more excitable students drawing her out of her musings. Looking out the window she saw Canterlot drawing up close.
“Yes Ruby Sky, that’s Canterlot. We should be there fairly soon.” Twilight smiled as a chorus of Yays erupted from her students. She might miss the old days, back when she was still a student at Celestia’s School For Gifted Unicorns, but she loved teaching these kids. They were full of life.
Twilight stole a glance at Apple Blossom and saw she was still reading her father’s journal. “She can keep that one” She thought to herself. “It doesn’t reveal what became of him, and he was still so foolish back then.” She smiled to herself then took a look at the list of Statues she was to take her class to see.
“Right, so I’m bringing them to see the statue of Victory, Knowledge, Discord. Ha, that will be interesting to see again. Hmmm, the Guard Brethren and.....oh no...how could I be so foolish.” Twilight stared at the last statue name in the list. She continued staring at the sheet until the train reached a stop in Canterlot. “It’ll be fine. She won’t know who the statue is, none of the others will.” She took one last look at the sheet and saw a little note written in red ink under the last name.
“It’s time she knows Twilight. It’s convenient all the bearers of harmony are in Canterlot as well. You need to face your shame and fears, and Apple Blossom deserve to know the truth. It’s only a matter of time before she starts going on journeys to find out the truth, just like her father did.
Love, Cheerilee”
“Alright then.....I guess we’ll all be seeing him again tonight.” Twilight said to herself with a defeated sigh. Earlier she was wishing she could see him again, and now her wish was being granted but not in the way she desired. In the statue garden, the statue they were going to go see was in the middle of another of its internal conflicts. And it seemed Retribution had the upper hand for the time being.
Twilight was once more rubbing her temples as the school children were hopping around her shouting. They hadn’t even been in Canterlot for a minute before they started causing the chaos little children cause so expertly. “OK little Colts and Fillies, please calm down. We haven’t even left the station yet.”
He words went unheard as the children shouted and talked hopping about. Twilight hung her head sighing. Just then she heard a familiar voice. “Hush now quiet now it’s time to rest your sleepy hooves, hush now quiet now listen to us please.” The children quieted and sat down as Fluttershy and Pinkie walked up to them. “Heya Twily!” Pinkie shouted bouncing over to her friend and giving her a hug.
“Uh, hey Pinkie. Fluttershy. What are you doing in Canterlot?”
“Oh, we’re here on a date Twilight. But I saw you needed help so I came over. Um...i hope that was ok...you didn’t mind did you?”
“Oh Celestia no. Thank you for that. Um...can I talk to you two real quickly?”
“Sure thing Twily!”
“Ok children, wait here.” The three adult mares moved a little bit away from the school group. Far enough so they could whisper without any of them over hearing, but close enough they could keep a keen eye on them. “I found a note from Cheerilee earlier.”
“Well that’s no surprise. She is the head teacher.”
“No I mean...this note was different. It had nothing to do with teaching.”
“Oh that’s most unusual.” Fluttershy said in her usual quiet voice.
“Indeed. But it also involved you two. And the other girls. It’s about....R.”
“R?” Pinkie and Fluttershy asked confused. Twilight looked back at the school group then whispered in both of their ears. “Oh....that R.” They said simultaneously. Twilight nodded.
“Cheerilee believes it’s time we faced our past and visited his statue. Maybe she’s right. If you see the other girls can you let them know?”
“Sure thing Twily. See ya around.” Pinkie said with a smile and bounced off. Fluttershy gave Twilight a quick hug then followed her mare friend.
Twilight said before going back to her charges and calmly spoke to them, “Alright kids. We’re going to the gardens now. Get into pairs and stick close together. Follow my instructions and we should arrive there before noon.”
The children cheered and got into pairs. Another few short minutes later they were on their way down the streets of Canterlot.
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Twilight led her students around the garden stopping at each statue to tell her students a little about it.
“This statue represents Victory. It was erected after one of the last great pony wars. The Earth Pony Mare depicted in this statue brought Victory to her side. She alone survived the battle upon Star top hill, hence the stars of the statue. The flag is the flag of her side of the war. Alas her name has been lost as well as the name of whatever side she fought for.”
She stood still for a minute as the young ponies talked amongst themselves and awed at the statue. She let them talk for a few minutes before deciding it was time to move on.
“Come on my little ponies. This next statue is of Knowledge.” Twi said as she moved on. “As you can see there are two of these statues. If you look at them closely you can see that there are slight differences between the two. They are the sisters of knowledge. Together they discovered much of the knowledge known now in Equestria.”
Twilight led the children over to the next statue. “And this is Discord. He is the spirit of Chaos and Disharmony. Unlike the other statues this one has Discord Sealed inside. Yes Crimson?”
Twilight looked at the colt raising his hoof. “Ms Sparkle, Why is he made up of many animals? And why is he sealed in stone?”
“Good question Crimson. As I said Discord is the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony. He wrought Chaos upon old Equestria, so our princesses Celestia and Luna sealed him away. But about a thousand years later he broke free, and the bearers of harmony had to seal him away again. As for his many body parts that is because he is what is called a Draconequus. Little to nothing is known about these creatures, and only two have been documented.”
“Ms Sparkle! Who was the second.”
“We are about to see him.” She led the children to the final statue of the garden. She looked up slowly as a she got butterflies in her stomach. “This...........this is Retribution. He is the Spirit of Chaos and Fury. He was not always a Draconequus. He used to be a pony just like you or me. He was a very talented unicorn and one of my dearest friends.”
“What happened to him Miss?”
Twilight sighed sadly. “He discovered something about himself. And we rejected him because of it. And he fell to chaos and became this creature of Fury. The incident that followed became known as the Day of Red Sky. And that is your homework for tonight. You must research up on The Day of Red Sky.”
There was a series of groans from her students. “Come on children. We’ll get some Ice-cream before we head back to Ponyville.”
“YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY”
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Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie happily wandered around Canterlot before stopping in at a cafe for lunch. One they had ordered they sat outside and ate in silence. “Hey Pinkie......”
“Yeah Flutters?”
“What do you think about going to the statue gardens this evening?”
Pinkie was unusually silent for a while chewing her food. “I think we should go.....We need to apologize for what we did. I only hope he’ll be able to hear us.”
Fluttershy nodded with a sigh and they went back to eating their food in silence before an familiar voice entered the cafe area.
“Well you see my darling Applejack it all matters on how you look at it.”
“Ah don’t care Rarity. Ah don’t like it.”
“Guys keep it down. Oh hey it’s the love birds.”
Rainbow, AJ and Rarity turned their heads to take a look at Pinkie and Fluttershy before coming to sit with them. They too ordered their own lunch and began having a pleasant conversation.
“Oh AJ, Flutter and I ran into Twily and little Blossom.”
“Really. Ah didn’t know they were in Canterlot.” Applejack's eyes darted side to side signaling she was lying.
“Oh don’t lie AJ. We know you’re here to keep an eye on little Blossom. Anyway, she said Cheerilee believes we should all pay a visit to R while we’re here.”
AJ, Rarity and Rainbow all gave Pinkie a blank expression of confusion. “R?”
Pinkie stole a glance at Fluttershy before answering. “Our favorite angry non-pony.” A chorus of oh’s sounded at her answer. “I think we should. We all need to apologize for what we did. And AJ......Blossom deserves to know. She’s old enough now, and if we don’t she might just do what her father did and go traveling.”
AJ sighed defeated and nodded. “Ah know. Ah was just waitin for tha right time, but ah suppose no time like tha present.” AJ, Pinkie and Flutters looked at the other two waiting for their response.
“I agree. I behaved terribly to him before the incident. I need to face up to my crimes against him. And what do you say Dashie?” Rarity said.
Rainbow was silent for a while before replying. “We need to see him. I wasn’t very loyal to him. I jumped to conclusions. Let’s do it tonight. Agreed?”
