Shining smiled as we headed back inside, “Well, I think that went rather w–”
“Don’t jinx it!” I cut him off.
“You are being too superstitious, Phasma,” Luna said. “Your speech was fine, and our ponies seemed to take the news rather well.”
There had been applause and a lot of picture taking. For the most part, it seemed to me that the emotion of the crowd was tipped toward elation and relief. The war was developing in Equestria’s favor, now with Celestia back and the changelings befriended.
“I suppose they don’t need to fully understand what’s going on to be happy,” I guessed. “Celestia is back, who cares why she was gone. Changelings are allying with ponies, who cares why. I wonder how long it will take for the conspiracy theories to set in.”
“I’m certain that we’ll be answering a whole lot of those tomorrow,” Celestia sighed. “Let’s just be thankful that the knowledge that you are capable of mind control is a state secret. There will only be a few accusations of mind control, rather than considerable amounts.”
“He can do what?!” Twilight Sparkle yelled, putting on the brakes and screeching to a halt.
Rarity played devil's advocate, “Now Twilight, there’s a difference between capability and desire–”
“I do it once and suddenly it’s all I’m known for,” I complained.
Rarity froze mid-sentence.
“Well you have this well in hoof, Phasma,” Celestia smiled. “I’ve got some work to attend to. If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather put off resuming negotiations until tomorrow. I have… more to think about than I’d wish.”
I nodded, “That’s fine. I’ll just follow Luna around like a bad smell.”
“I have some paperwork that will need taking care of. There is a lot that needs a Princess’s touch and approval, as Daybreaker set her roots and corruption deep.”
“I guess I’ll get Coxa to bring me some paperwork to do, then.”
“Are we not going to talk about the mind control thing?!” Twilight yelled.
Celestia softly giggled, “You all can have a nice long conversation with Phasma together. If you’d kindly stay in town for the night, I would love to see you tomorrow, Twilight. Otherwise, I can communicate through letters, like Daybreaker did.”
“Oh! Of course I can do that, Princess!”
“Wonderful. Can you come by after breakfast, say… around seven?”
“Absolutely, Princess.”
“Then I shall see you again. Farewell to you all. If any of you ever need anything, my door is always open. Unless it isn’t. In which case, Luna can help, right Luna?”
“Of course,” Luna replied. “However, I should get to my work, too. I shall be in my study, Phasma.”
“Goodbye, Princesses!” Twilight said with unrestrained enthusiasm.
The rest of us said– or half muttered, in a certain yellow pegasus’s case– our goodbyes as the sisters departed.
“It was nice seeing you again, Twily,” Shining said. “I’ve got work that desperately needs my attention, though. It’s a shame that last night was the first time we saw each other in months. We need to hang out again soon.”
“How about tomorrow afternoon– that is, if the Princess doesn’t need me all day?” She suggested.
“I can find the time for you, I’m sure. I’ll find you in the palace tomorrow, then. Take care, Twily!” Shining waved as he turned to leave. “And I’ll see you around, Cady.”
“Hate to see you go, love to watch you leave,” Cadence muttered, watching Shining Armor walk away.
‘Damn horny ponies. You’re like an all-hours buffet, Cadence.’
Cadence turned back to the Elements of Harmony, “Hello Twilight. We did the dance last night, but I understand if you want to do it again…?”
Twilight Sparkle looked like she was about to yell the word ‘yes,’ but she froze and her head slowly turned towards me.
“Nnnnno…. I’m good for now. I think there’s more important things that need to be addressed first.”
“If you’re hoping to hit me with a rainbow laser beam, I’m afraid you missed your window of opportunity,” I said. “Luna already has dibs on reforming me. Besides, I don’t want to be turned to stone, sent to the moon, or whatever other horrible fates your magical rocks have in store for me.”
“We’ll only blast ya if you deserve it!” Rainbow Dash said, punching the air. “And last we met, you definitely deserved it! But uh… if the Princesses all say you’re good, then we’re good.”
“But what’s this about mind control?” Applejack pressed. “Don’t try to change the subject, Mister. You ain’t sneaking that one by.”
I huffed, “A Division-P Inquisitor discovered my survival. It was either silence her or tip off Daybreaker that I was alive. I went with the whole mind control thing because there was no way to capture her, and I sure as hell wasn’t about to let her go.”
“Division-P? Ain’t them those unicorns in fancy clothing and hats?” Applejack asked.
“Yes, those guys.”
“And it was in self-defense?” Twilight asked.
“Yes,” I said again.
She continued, “Was there no other way to disable this Inquisitor? Mind control is a very powerful spell. You could have easily hurt her, or worse.”
“Maybe there was, but I was pressed for time,” I said. “Need I remind you that I had few allies, and was surrounded by enemies. Slipping up would mean a fate worse than death. So considering the fact that the Inquisitor apparently suffered no long term consequences, I see little issue.”
“I think we all take issue with the fact that you feel little guilt with using such a potentially dangerous spell,” Cadence explained.
“Oh, come on. No one’s giving me flak for murder, and I’ve done that plenty of times.”
Fluttershy gasped, “M–m–m–!”
“You did what?!” Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow, and Applejack all yelled.
“I only killed a pony once, and that was also in self-defense. Look, I’ve got things to do, so if–”
“Now just wait an apple-buckin’ minute, King Phasma!” Applejack ordered. “Just how is it you can go around, talkin’ about friendship and cooperation when you admit to killing, and feel no guilt about it?!”
“Do the other Princesses know about this?” Twilight asked Cadence.
Cadence sighed, “Yes. It’s a topic that will be covered in our negotiations later. Auntie Celestia plans on– ah, perhaps I shouldn’t say.”
“Perhaps you should,” I suggested.
‘Celestia is planning something, eh? That can’t be good.’
“She just talked about things with Auntie Luna and I. Look, we’re not planning anything to surprise you,” Cadence said, reading my thoughts. “We’re just planning Equestria’s side on this all, and discussing how we want to handle the more complicated subjects of this treaty.”
“So Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are going to confront King Phasma about killing ponies?” Rainbow asked.
“Yes,” Cadence repeated.
“So they’re going to arrest him, right?” Rainbow continued.
Cadence paused, “.... This is far more complicated than any of you realize.”
“Just what’s so complicated about murder?” Applejack spat.
Cadence grimaced, “There’s a bigger picture here.”
“So you’re just going to ignore–” Rainbow began, but quickly switched tracks. “We’re all taking issue with this, right girls?” She looked around her for support.
Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack all nodded. Fluttershy shrunk when the attention was on her, but held her ground and nodded, too. Pinkie Pie was…. Vibrating intensely. Rather than call attention to that, the ponies all faced me again.
“Right!” Rainbow said. “It’s all agreed by us, uh, Elements of Harmony, that you… ugh, Twilight take over.”
“Huh?”
“I was gonna use our hero status, because that’s what we are, to declare that he isn’t allowed to hurt ponies. Or something. Look, you figure it out. We all agree that this isn’t cool, right?”
Twilight blinked, “.... Yes? I think I see what you’re getting at, but if all three Princesses say they will handle it, then I think we can safely leave it to them.”
Rainbow grunted out of frustration, “No! I… we… ugh!”
Rarity spoke up, “I believe what Rainbow is trying to say is that we should use our status to officially condemn his actions. Which I agree with.”
‘They can do that?’
“Yeah!” Applejack stomped.
“I’m not– I’m not going against the Princesses,” Twilight said. “We can talk to them about all this–”
“Oh you can bet yer keister we’ll be talkin’ to the Princess about this. But that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it now. You!” Applejack pointed at me. “The Princesses might abide you hurtin’ ponies, but we certainly don’t!”
“Then it’s a good thing I don’t give a shit about your opinion.”
“Phasma, you pig-headed brute!” Cadence groaned. “Just explain your side to them!”
I sighed, “It was also in self-defense. Notice the theme, yet? The pony that I murdered tried to have me killed, right in the middle of Manehattan. It went poorly for him.”
“Yeah but you’re like, almost as strong as the alicorns, right?” Rainbow asked. “You could easily have just zapped him or whatever!”
Applejack nodded, “Rainbow’s right, with great power comes great–”
I cut her off, “I do have great responsibility, and that responsibility is to my people. They all need me to keep them safe, and to make morally dubious decisions about avoiding paying taxes. If I die because I didn’t use everything I had at my disposal, suddenly the changelings have no leader, nor any way to fight back against literally anyone else on this planet. If you haven’t noticed, the only reason why we got so far with the invasion was thanks to surprise. There are less than thirty thousand changelings alive.”
“Fear is the killer of the mind,” Cadence quoted. “But it also isn’t an excuse for harsh actions. This is all going to be covered later, so if you six really want to be present during that part of the negotiations, you’re going to have to stay here in Canterlot. Rooms can be provided for you all, if that’s what you wish.”
“That’s very generous of you, and quite tempting, but I told Sweetie I’d only be gone for a day,” Rarity said.
“Same,” Applejack said.
“You told Sweetie Belle that you’re going to be gone for a day?” Rainbow asked.
“Yes, Dash, I told Sweetie Belle that I was going to be gone for a day,” Applejack said in an utterly dry and sarcastic tone.
When everyone turned to Pinkie Pie for her answer, her vibrations intensified.
“Spike and I can stay in Canterlot,” Twilight offered.
“On second thought, the farm can survive without me for a few days.”
“Sounds like you girls have this all covered. I’ve got…. Important naps to return to,” Rainbow said.
“That’s lovely,” I said. “If we’re done here?”
“We ain’t finished, but we’re done for now,” Applejack glared at me.
“I, uh, have to go take care of my animals,” Fluttershy muttered.
Rainbow shook her head, “That line of conversation ended, like, ten minutes ago, Flutters.”
‘What a fantastic waste of my time.’
“Oh, and one last thing,” I said. “Not a word of any of this leaves the castle. If any of you say anything about what was discussed, I will know, and you do not want to make an enemy of me.”
“Are ya threatening us?” The farmer asked.
“Yes, Applejack, I am threatening you. Your idea of condemning me for actions you know little about can get innocent changelings murdered. If you spread any information, you jeopardize my changelings’ standing within Equestria. That puts in danger everything I have ever fought for. Think about what each of you would do to protect your family, and you get the idea of what you’re going up against. Go home, and leave the politics to the alicorns and royals.”
The silence in Luna’s study was broken only by the sound of quills scribbling.
Luna suddenly grunted, “What does…. Ugh, does this make sense to you, Phasma? ‘To promote ur-ban-ization, a tax relief should be provided to the….’ fuck me, what is this word? Here, just look at it.”
‘Yes, come to the dark side, Luna! We have better swears!’
I took the paper out of the air when Luna levitated it over from her desk. I was set up on a smaller, significantly less fancy desk in Luna’s office. If I ended up staying in the castle permanently, I would demand– ‘I mean, ask politely,’ – an office for myself. Likely, a whole wing, if I ended up moving the Fifth Hive’s command structure to Canterlot Castle.
I cleared my throat and read the pointed out section, “To promote urbanization, a tax relief should be provided to the bourgeoisie to facilitate the movement of funds from the…. Wait, Equestria has factories? I was certain you guys were still on a hovel-based economy.”
“The request makes sense to you?” She asked.
“Yeah, it’s rich factory owners asking for a tax break. Their suggested reason, the idea that the money flows downwards, is completely false, though. The real interesting thing is that Equestria has factories. Where is this….?”
“Ah, the nobles’ favorite pastime: wasting my time. Another request to deny, then.”
I clicked my tongue, “Hey wait a second, I know these ponies.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, they’re Double Diamond’s parents. That’s Thorax’s coltfriend. You should grant their request.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve started negotiating a deal to become their key investor.”
Luna rolled up the paper and swatted me on the nose.
I wilted, “Aw come on, I– hold on, someone’s coming, Luna.”
The door swung upon, and a certain angry bright pink alicorn burst into the room. I had left Cadence with the Elements half an hour ago, so she must have been busy seeing them off and hanging out with Twilight Sparkle, who apparently knew her already.
I sensed her anger before she had arrived.
She looked around, “Where is he? You! Phasma!”
“Me, Phasma.”
“Are you intentionally shoving your head up your plot?”
“Only when it’s funny. What are we talking about?”
Luna leaned back into her chair, “This should be good…”
Cadence stomped, “The Elements of Harmony, that’s what we’re talking about. All you had to do was explain things calmly, tell them you are genuinely remorseful and want to be better, and they’d be happy! In fact, I’m certain they would offer to be friends or something similar! Instead, you all but declared war on them due to your own stubbornness!”
“I figured you’d appreciate honesty over lying.”
“You’re telling me that you’re not sorry at all that you killed somepony, or used mind control on another?”
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat if I had to.”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t feel guilty over it.”
I sighed, “I don’t feel guilty, either. Both were pricks who deserved what they got. In fact, I tried to avoid conflict as much as possible with Count Double Dealings.”
“Then why didn’t you say that to the mares earlier?! You have these explanations, and you just don’t use them!” Cadence facehooved, “You should try to work on avoiding conflict with others, rather than galloping straight into it.”
I shrugged, “It slipped my mind at the time. Besides, Cadence, I’m not really remorseful for those actions, which I suspect they will take issue with anyways. I’d rather not waste my time arguing with a bunch of ponies when I have much better things to do, like acting as Luna’s thesaurus.”
“Phasma has been exceptionally helpful with the modern linguistics that fly over my head,” Luna explained.
“That sounds lovely, but what about the Element bearers?! You really dropped the ball with this, Phasma. You can’t go around making enemies and expect ponies to be okay with that.”
“I’ll live,” I said.
“Cadence is right,” Luna sighed. “Whatever it was you were arguing over, I recommend not making enemies of the Element bearers. Need I remind you that none of this would be possible without them? I owe everything to them, and the last thing I want is animosity between you all.”
I shook my head, “They’re angry that I killed the Count, and used mind control against the Inquisitor. I’m not sorry for either of those actions. Even if I never do either of those actions again, I’m sure they’ll still hold it against me.”
Luna frowned, “Right, like they hold it against me for trying to end the world. We are quite capable of forgiveness, Phasma. Give peace a chance.”
“What do you want me to do?” I asked. “I’m not sorry for what I did! Absolutely not. In fact, killing that bastard was cathartic! I will not apologize!”
Cadence stared me down, and I met her stare. She flinched first.
“Whatever. Celestia will deal with all this later, there’s no point getting into an argument right now. You try to get through his thick skull, Luna.”
Cadence slammed the door shut behind her.
“From what I know, I do not know if I would be remorseful about the Count’s death if I were in your position,” Luna began, “but I do know that I would want to mend the bridges with the ponies around me. You will be seeing the Elements more, given our positions. Talk with them and try to find some sort of common understanding. If you do not… Well, I am not sure what to do then. I am far from an expert on these matters.”
I rubbed my eyes, “It’s not up to me whether or not we move past this. I’m perfectly fine with just moving on with our lives. They’re the ones who take issue.”
Luna glared at me.
“What? I know you ponies detest death, but I don’t. That’s not going to change. Not even back on Earth was there this much resistance against self-defense.”
“Then expect no small amount of discourse between Equestria and the Fifth Hive.”
I sighed as I turned back to my work, “Maybe that was inevitable. We just have radically different morals, so no matter our level of trust, there is always going to be some friction.”
Luna yawned and rubbed her eyes, “Alright. I believe that is enough work for today. The accursed paperwork has been reduced in strength, the moon has been risen, and dinner has been consumed. I believe we are done for the day, Phasma.”
She looked over her desk, past the half-burned candles and their trailing smoke, over to Phasma’s adorably tiny desk. The changeling was slumped over, burying his head in his hooves.
Rising from her chair, Luna quietly walked over to him, and peered over his shoulder at his work. His head was resting on some papers of assorted forms and note sheets.
“Phasma? Are you awake?” She whispered.
She prodded him once, but he did not even stir.
“I suppose not, then.”
Luna leaned over him, wrapped a foreleg around him, and teleported them to her room. They appeared three hooves length above the bed, and fell the rest of the way onto the bed. The motion, while significantly more smooth than the horrendous, crime-against-magic that Phasma called changeling teleportation, should have been more than enough commotion and jostling to wake the changeling.
Yet the only reaction was him jerking awake, before mumbling to himself and then he fell back asleep.
Luna rolled off of the bed and looked back at Phasma, “I swear, you could sleep through a war.”
Shaking her head, she went to her attached bathroom to prepare for the night’s slumber.
Very nice.
Nice
“Then it’s a good thing I don’t give a shit about your opinion.” that's a line I wanna see in more stories on this website
Phasma, handles diplomacy like a brick through a window with a note taped to it saying "I don't care what you think."
Fun chapter, Pinkie was going to explode.
Exceptionally very nice.
Sweet chapter.
Looks like we’ve got ourselves some tension with the Main 6, which probably isn’t good for Phasma.
They want him to be remorseful over something that he isn’t, and that doesn’t get good results when it comes to our stubborn protagonist. We’ve also got to remember that he was actually killed in the human world by someone doing almost the exact same thing as Count Double Dealings.
Phasma saw in the Count the same man that killed him on his world, and dealt with it in a swift fashion. However I must concede and say that while they are wrong about the Inquisitor, the Main 6 do have an excellent point about the Count. He did not have to die. Phas could have easily knocked him out with a spell. However due to his trauma, he didn’t. No use crying over spilled milk though, what happened happened and fortunately the milk was spoiled.
You’re just, like, not helping yourself
I live for this shit
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia
Would you like to know more?
Ekwensu is a trickster of the Igbo people who serves as the Alusi (god) of bargains and the tortoise. Crafty at trade and negotiations, he is often invoked for guidance in difficult mercantile situations. He is perceived as a spirit of violence that incites people to perform violent acts.[1] His companion was Ogbunabali. Despite contemporary interpretations, Ekwensu was not originally regarded as the devil.[1] With the rise of Christianity, the more beneficent aspects of the deity were supplanted by missionaries who came to represent Ekwensu as Satan.[2]
He was the testing force of Chukwu, and along with Ani the earth goddess, and Igwe, the sky god, make up the three highest Arusi of the ancient Igbo people.
I liked the change in perspective alot.
11031521
100%
But only in well written stories, don't want it to become annoying overused catch phase now :3
Yeah Phasma really needs to explain that Double reminded him severely of the person who gave him PTSD. As for the Inquisitor, while I'm not usually a fan of mind control, in this case it was literally "These are not the droids you are looking for." in order to avoid a fight.
I'd be sad for Double's parents but I wouldn't regret the mind control bit. The only reason I'd regret the Count's death is because his parents were forced to outlive him. I probably would have tried a different approach first before killing him in self-defense however.
Also I see AJ and RD are once again being retards.
11031532
To be fair, with a reaction similar to PTSD or action born from a very traumatic event you can't exactly blame them for it.
Its like asking a veteran to stop screaming when hes having an attack, you just can't and if you do, what the Fuck?
Now i know phas doesn't exactly have PTSD and the example isn't the best, but you see the point right?
The mane six doesn't know that tho, they know he killed a pony, and that's what they care about, not why but he did and all phasma said in defense is "Self-defense."
Thank you for reading my horrible block of text, have a good day
/nightSure, there Tisiphone.
Six civilians, living the good life far away from the war DO NOT get to judge others about shit like what happend to Phasma.
And cookies too.
Really? Freakin' really? The entire time the Mane Six were there, I was thinking that someone needed to force-feed those girls a tall glass of context. And then things got worse. And then everyone else with sense in their heads seemed to agree with my sentiment, but also refused to provide said context. And there's implications that can be read from that, but I wanna see where this goes.
Phasma you didn't explain why you did those actions besides "self defense" and you didn't contextualize any of it, of course their mad.
Phasma's both right and wrong, he's right to not feel guilty, not when there was no alternative.
But at the same time he needs to make it clear that it will absolutely not happen again if he can prevent it.
The way he's going about explaining himself makes him sound like he would do it again if he had the opportunity, instead of only if he had no other choice.
Reminder KK slider has a CE discord.
Here is a link if you wish to join or pop in to say hi.
https://discord.gg/qG6j5FrW6p
11031571
Yeh I agree with ya there he probably has ptsd
It makes sense and should be used
I wonder how those six will react on the knowledge on what was going on in the dungeons, what ponies did to changeling prisoners
Why doesn't Phasma just tell the Mane 6 that even though he doesn't dislike the instance of killing or mind control, he does dislike the reasons he had to resort to those measures. Isn't that ultimately why he is doing all this? To change the circumstances so that those reasons never appear again?
11031598
At this point, the ponies basically hold all the cards, and you're suggesting that Phasma yield even more ground by justifying his actions to ponies who know nothing of Phasma's struggle?
11031523
Conspiracy theorist pony: "You cannot trust the Changeling King! He is clearly a master manipulator who got in the good graces of the Princesses with careful lies and a honeyed tongue."
Phasma: "....and then I totally murdered the asshole. Problem with that?"
Yeeeeeah, Phasma's got a point, but I agree with Cadance, he kinda dropped the idiot ball HARD in this chapter. I get it, he has this whole "I don't have to explain shit to anyone" mindset, but in this case, they're the Element Bearers. Six of the most important ponies in society. He most certainly DOES have to explain to them, and he certainly has to think of a better excuse than "self defense". Self defense can mean a lot of things.
Also, spotted this:
Should be Rarity, I think.
11031636
I that regard, if they want to bring everything in one trial, let's bring the goods then, he protected a city and their guards from the attackers, made friends with some of them and even the local captain, and also solved a problem with the Alpha of the Skav- I MEAN RATS, neutralizing a potencial threat to the nearby cities.
As for the count...well i say he eventually would find someone stronger than him, acting like that, and the fact that there is many witnesses, both lings and ponies that he truly forced his 'hoof' to do that can help our fellow King here, aside from the fact about we know that Phasma have a strong sense of PTSD from his past, i can say about his mind not being in a good way at the time.
Don't tempt fate, Still gotta fight the Fourth Hive, The Nightmares, and whatever may be in the First/Second Hives should those be found as well... Lets not forget the political battlefield that is peace negotiations, though if he sleeps through that, that wouldn't end well for him.
Smart. Twilight wouldn't be able to use the sunshine dance to authenticate Cadence anymore if she let Phasma see it.
Is she picking up a 'doozy'? Like in that Pinkie sense episode? Getting Phasma to change his views about the killing and brainwashing would be no small feat...
No kidding. The ponies don't seem to grasp that you can't just put a foreign dignitary, let alone head of state, in jail. Let's see how this could go...
1. The ponies, with the threat of using the elements of harmony against him, arrest King Phasma for his various crimes.
2. His changelings see this as a betrayal most foul and a declaration of war. Ponies can't be trusted after all!
3. The Fifth Hive realize they do not have the means to break Phasma out of jail on their own. They make contact with and rejoin the Fourth Hive.
4. Now that the Fourth Hive knows that 'Saint' Phasma is alive and held captive by the ponies, they all fall in line behind Queen Chrysalis with zealous determination to rescue their beloved prince.
5. With a reunified hive, years worth of love in podded ponies, no Daybreaker, knowledge about the elements of harmony, knowledge about Discord, and a functioning smuggling/spy network in Equestria, Queen Chrysalis has all the time and tools she needs to plot a jailbreak, a decapitation strike, or even a second invasion. Good job Rainbow Dash, hope that count guy was worth it. Sleep with an eye open.
11031644
He's getting frustrated that so many people are walking up to him and dictating their morals, and that frustration is breaking down his desire to make sure everyone understands his actions. So yeah, acting like an idiot, but that's because he's getting more and more fed up.
Nah, Applejack says that.
Rarity: "I told Sweetie that I'm going to be gone...."
Applejack: "Same." (As in, she told her sister/brother that she was going to be gone for a day)
Rainbow: "You told Sweetie that you're going to be gone?"
Applejack: ".... Yep." (Sarcastic, as she clearly meant that she told her family, not Rarity's)
Phasmatodea is coming forth with honesty... AJ should give her approval ,at least in that point...
Could gome smoother but rougher as well...
Manesix are quick to judge...
i so do love Phasma and how he just tells the 6 can do no wrong mares were the bare shit in the woods.
suck it up butter cup this is real life and war is hell and we are just getting started.
11031644
Yep, all he had to do was say something along the lines of:
"In one year your kind tortured every changeling you got your hooves on, fates worse than death, forgive my brief lethal and non-lethal methods. Perhaps I should've just returned the favor instead."
Yes slider, I get it, plodding is technically torture.
But we aren't trying to be correct here we trying to win an arguement and shock tactics are quite effective at shaking an emotionally invested opponent.
11031662
Ah, misread it then, my bad.
Phasma you stubbornly proudful idiot, is lying really that hard? All you had to do was apologize to the elements, while not meaning a single word. They would have then gone home none the wiser the negotiations or anything like that.
-Edit-
Actually, after giving it some thought I'm not so sure Phasma made a mistake anymore.
While antagonizing the elements will surely bring him headaches in the immediate future, explaining himself or apologizing may have been worse.
Presently the equestrians feel as if they are the sole owners of truth and morality, and that whenever Phasma does something they disagree with he should both explain himself and repent. If Phasma wants to establish himself as a truly independent King he simply must dissuade the ponies of that notion, otherwise he'll be forced to always dance to their tune, begging forgiveness every time he misses a step.
And the first pace towards doing that is to neither explain himself nor apologize to ponies whom he doesn't own an explanation or apology, like, say, the elements (who are just civilians at the end of the day).
Phasma is being a massive asshat and any selfrespecting royal would've kicked him out of the castle and told the fifth hive to shove it. If there was good will he's doing marvelous job of tossing it aside for "family". Wonder how well his family would be doing starving in the badlands.
If he said outright that he killed a few ponies in self defense, even in his regular sparky manner, that's one thing.
But saying he murdered has an entirely different meaning, so I fully understand why the Elements exploded at that tidbit of info.
Pain.
There is no other way to describe Phasma’s social and diplomacy skills.
Pure, undiluted cringe inducing agony.
11031537
The US and literally Everyone
Give that guy some slack, his brain has do work overtime since breakfast. I would have called bullshit if he would still be the perfect guy, when the girls fall back in there judge, jury and executioner roles again. They could have asked from for context on their own. But they never did that in the show, so we don't expect that from them. Especially after not showing any respect in front a foreign dignity that your nation just proposed a peace and joint war deal.
I think he handled that in the best way he could in the situation. He could have just denied any talks and ignored them, too. Let them brood, it will be a good test of their character of them for him.
11031561
official petition to add 2000% more perspective shifts. i want to know what goes through their adorable little pony brains when stick-bug does what a stick-bug does
11031695
You are absolutely correct, but let's not drag real world politcs into this any further.
I'm frankly with Phasma's view. They get all upset for him not upholding their morals, but until they face the exact same kind of challenges he and all changelings have, they have no right to talk at all.
Perhaps Luna should visit the bearers of Harmony tonight in their Dreams, and show them Chrysalis's ascension chamber, and point out that's what she planned to do to her own child.
11031698
If by best way possible you mean flaming trainwreck, then yes, he's taking care of things the best way possible.
You'd think a leader of a race who's very existence hinges on building a good relationship with ponies would take a big slice of humble pie and have a bit more respect for said ponies. Phasma is being an emo jackass and it's cringeworthy to see how much the plot twists and contorts itself to excuse his actions, making characters act daft and naieve so Phasma can be a cynical jerk without consequences.
11031690
I think he'd be a lot more diplomatic if he could just get a damn break. poor guy has been working 24/7 under extremely high pressure for ages. He really needs some time to unwind
11031719
>MC gets pissy, and yells at other characters
>Gets yelled at for this, and is told he is making a mistake
Ah, of course, this is the plot twisting in his favor. Having characters act accordingly to their morals is obviously going against how their characters are written.
This is the land of ponies and rainbows and magic, of course they would take issue with murder. How is any of this him getting away without any consequences when Cadence literally barged in and yelled at him, telling him he's making enemies when he shouldn't be?
im with phasma on this. the bearers are naive children who refuse to accept reality. and are beign very 'non understanding'
Phasma could've dealt with the M6's concerns a lot more tactfully. But the fact that he didn't, frustrating as it is, is a very good indication of a real, non-heroic and flawed main character. Others have already pointed out (as has KKSlider, for that matter) that Phasma is someone who:
A) Isn't a diplomat
B) Is probably mentally exhausted from everything that's happened as of recently
C) He's just tired of having his actions judged by others who have no clue of half the hardships that he and his kind have gone through or of the atrocities enacted upon them
Phasma is right to tell the M6 that he doesn't care what they think of him, but he's also in the wrong for being too impatient for not explaining himself. The fact that he acted this way makes him appear three-dimensional and not a goody two shoes who is always prim and proper and who has the right answer for everything.
Nice! Tensions rising with the mane 6 like this is a good sign. I fully get where phasma is coming from on that argument, he doesn't have the time, motivation, or mental energy to care to explain to them every detail that justifies what he did, especially when that problem set is being delt with in higher courts already. And considering it was a single instance of murder, and a single instance of mind control, where both were in defense of not only himself, but his hive and species' future, these things all weigh heavily on the scale of judgement.
And considering the element bearers aren't the holders of the scale at the moment, demanding an explanation like they are is definitely an easy way to get anyone who actually went through what phasma did, pissed.