“Celestia, did you think you alone could defeat me?” I question.
“No, but I will do everything in my power to make sure you die. I hate that is has come to this, but it has and I must see that this ends.” She replies to me, gripping her halberd tightly, charging it with her solar magic.
“Indeed, the story is coming to a close and my death will be the end. So what say you and me give it the ending it deserves aye? Lets make this one for the history books.” I tell her calling forth all my psychic powers for this final battle, with a happy smile hidden behind the face of my gas mask.
“It is time for the end, have at thee.” She says as she unleashes the magic in her halberd, launching it at me in the form of a solar bolt, and just barely missing my head.
“Is that all you got, well how about a favourite of mine. A little bit of mind warping, and now we are in a different place.” I say to her as I warp us to a place I know very well, the office where the original Psycho Mantis died.
“What have you done? Where are we?” Celestia asked me, looking around a gripping her halberd tighter.
“Why, we are in Shadow Moses’ main executive office. We are where my original died.”
“It doesn’t matter, you will still die. And the world will be free from the pain you have caused.”
“Indeed, now allow me to show you the power of a true psychic.” I tell her, beginning to float up and read her mind.
“Hmm, you hold deep regret over banishing your sister, you are tired of fighting, and you... don’t think of me as... an enemy.” I say to her, feeling a sudden flow of sadness coming from her.
“Why? Why after everything I have done. Does the mere thought of me not set you aflame with hatred?! I have massacred thousands of you're ponies and torn apart the very minds of thousands more, leaving them to be nothing more than husks.... So why are you sad? You are destined to win and kill me.” I ask, the feelings of sadness intensifying.
“Because I know that under that mask you wear around yourself, you have a kind heart. I have seen it when you help me combat my sister, if only for a moment. I have seen it in the countless more beings that you have saved and cared for. I know that under that mask is a good person. One that I wish I did not have to fight.” She told me, and I could feel nothing but sadness. And before long it became to much and I couldn’t sustain my ability to float or the mind illusion and the area around us began to disappear, and become the Canterlot throne room again. In the end all I could do is watch as she walks up to me and removes my mask, and for the first time since I came to this land 3 years ago, I didn’t feel alone.
“I am so very sorry it had to end this way. I wish it could have ended differently than this, but you must die.” She says as she begins to cry and raise her halberd.
“Do not cry for me, you have given me the one thing I have searched for since I came here.” I say to her after giving her a hug and letting go.
“And what is that?” She asks me about to finally end my life.
“Company, for once I do not feel alone. For that I will always be in your debt. Now do what you must kill me and restore the faith that your subjects have in you! Do it, Do it now!” I yell at her and I can’t stop the smile the comes to my face as she pierces my body.
“May you be forgiven for what you have done in the afterlife, for I already have. Goodbye my friend. May we meet again one day.” She says to me crying, as she gently lowers my body to the ground.
“Th-thank y-yo-you my friend. I to would like to see you again one day.” I say to her, as my vision begins to darken and my consciousness fades.
--P.O.V Celestia--
I couldn’t help myself as I lowered him to the floor, I couldn’t hold back the tears of guilt. Maybe their was another way? One where he didn’t have to die, he didn’t deserve to die, when all he wanted was some company. For Faust sake, he was only a child, no child deserves what happened to him.
“I-I wish there had been another way, my friend. I really do.” I said to myself quietly looking down. And when I looked back up I couldn’t believe my eyes, but he was their floating above his body. Almost... like... a ghost.
“Mantis? Is that you?” I ask not believing that he could be here. And I felt fresh tears run down my face as he nodded.
“But you can’t be here, you're dead I-I killed you. Unless, have you come to haunt me? Is this repayment for the sins I have committed?” I asked him, and I sighed in relief when he shook his head, but that turned for confusion when he then made the cross my heart gesture.
“You're here because of a promise?” I asked slightly terrified of what it could be, even more so when he nodded, then pointed at me and then his body.
“You're here because of a promise you made... upon death?” I asked very confused, but beginning to understand after he nodded.
“Does the promise have anything to do with you saying you would be there for me?” I asked beginning to understand, and finally putting the pieces together when he nodded again.
“If I may ask, can you talk?” I ask, and I am surprised when Instead of nodding or shaking his head he speaks to me.
“I-indeed my friend.B-but I-it is s-so hard t-to do. But I must go for now, I can hear them calling and I have many to apologize to. So many spirits so much time. I will probably talk to you again in say, about 795 years? Yeah, that sounds about right. I have to find the souls, let them wear out their anger, and then apologize. And don’t worry I will pop in from time to time to check up on you. But for now this is goodbye my friend, and remember. I will always be there for you just call for me.” He said to me before slowly fading out of view.