A brilliant flash of lightning descended from the heavens, and the colossal form of the Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS - Sky Thunder materialized behind Mo Wang, leaving everyone speechless.
"Seriously, how much cool stuff is this guy hiding? Where does he get it all?" March 7th couldn't help but complain. A special weapon was one thing, but a giant robot? Was this some kind of local specialty?
"Been waiting long, Welt?" Mo Wang's voice echoed from the cockpit of Sky Thunder. "This time, I'll show you that your ancient clanker is no match for me."
"Hmph! It's not the machine that matters, but the pilot's spirit! I will bridge the gap with my burning soul of steel!"
"Is that so? Then let's see what you've got!"
The mountain-sized Arahito moved first, its massive arm swinging toward the much smaller Sky Thunder. But Mo Wang was unfazed, expertly dodging the blow with a burst of speed.
"Your rust bucket is too slow, Welt!"
"Don't get cocky!" Welt countered, launching a two-fisted attack. Sky Thunder easily evaded again, zipping behind the Arahito and firing a blast of energy into its back. The Arahito staggered but remained standing.
"You think that's enough to take me down?" Welt's power had formed a protective barrier around the entire machine.
"Seriously, Welt? Are you trying to end up in the hospital for a few months?" Mo Wang marveled at the sheer amount of energy his former mentor was expending. Ever since he had become a Pathstrider, Welt's power had been growing at an absurd rate.
"This level of attack won't even scratch the Arahito Mk. II."
"Is that so?" Mo Wang grinned. "Then how about this?"
Sky Thunder's hands glowed with a fiery red energy. It charged forward, slamming its fists into the Arahito's chest. The resulting explosion ripped a gaping hole in its armor.
"What?! Impossible!"
"Time to take out the trash, Welt!"
"Impossible! I'll overcome this with sheer willpower!" Welt began to repair the damage with his own power. Mo Wang could only shake his head. Was he really willing to go this far for a single fight?
"Alright, Welt. I can feel your burning soul of steel. Then I shall respond in kind! Sky Thunder, full power!" A menacing light flared in Sky Thunder's eyes, and the very space around it began to tremble.
...
"Wh-What's happening?!" On the Astral Express, Himeko and Pom-Pom felt the terrifying surge of power from the planet below.
"So scary, pom! Q_Q" Pom-Pom's ears drooped.
"What are they doing down there?" Himeko sighed. "I thought they were almost done."
...
"Take this! My ultimate attack! Sky Thunder, Divine Lightning!" A terrifying bolt of energy shot forth.
In response, a massive black hole formed in the Arahito's hands. The two attacks collided, the sheer force of the impact dispersing the blizzard around Belobog.
"No! Our robot is losing!" the people below cried out as the Arahito was pushed back. "Don't lose, old-timer in the old robot!" March 7th yelled, her voice echoing through the wind.
"Go, giant robot!"
"We believe in you!"
"For Belobog!"
The cheers of the people flowed into Welt's cockpit, a wave of energy that reignited his spirit. "Did you hear that, Mo Wang? This is my answer!" he roared. "The people of Belobog have not given up! How can I fall here?!"
"Welt... are you crazy? Your body can't handle that kind of power!"
"Hahahaha! What's a little fatal wound to me?!" The Arahito began to glow, its core spinning wildly as it absorbed the surrounding Honkai energy. "Take this, Mo Wang! My final... Soul of Steel, Limit Break!"
"Fine! Then I will answer with my full power! Sky Thunder, Divine Lightning, full release!"
The two energies met in a cataclysmic explosion that bleached the sky white. When the light faded, the wreckage of both robots began to fall to the earth.
"Welt! Mo Wang!" March cried out, rushing toward the crash site.
"Did they... take each other out?"
"Heh, heh heh, hahahaha!" Mo Wang's laughter echoed from the rubble. He staggered out, heavily injured but alive.
"No way! He's still alive?!"
"Despair! Suffer! Wail! You're a long way from being able to kill the great Demon King Mo Wang!"
"Is he still acting? Is he okay?" March wondered. He had taken the role a little too seriously.
(Mo Wang: You can question my sanity, but not my professionalism!)
He hadn't expected Welt to go for a suicide attack. But the show must go on. He gave March a look, and she instantly understood.
"Oh no! If even that couldn't kill him, who can stop him now?" she cried out, playing the part of the helpless bystander. "We need a hero! More heroes!"
But no one dared to move. It was the classic trope of the fallen villain, with no one brave enough to deliver the final blow.
"You damned demon! Today, we betray you! For Belobog, we will destroy you!"
To everyone's surprise, it was the Honkai Girls Unit who stepped forward, launching a surprise attack from behind Mo Wang.
"N-Nani?!" Mo Wang went down in a ridiculously over-the-top display of acting, rolling on the ground a dozen times before coming to a stop. "You... you betrayed me!"
"Hmph! Scum like you must be punished!" Seele declared, feeling like she hadn't gotten enough of a fight.
"C-Curse you... you despicable Belobogians!" With his final words, Mo Wang's body vanished.
"...We won?" The crowd was confused. The ending felt... abrupt. Like a movie that had run out of time and just had an NPC kill the final boss.
"Yay! The Demon King is dead! The Honkai Girls are the MVPs! Welt is a useless dog!" someone yelled, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Who cared how the demon died? At least their butts were safe.
"All hail Lady Bronya!"
"That was amazing! We love you, Honkai Girls!"
"Yes, yes, the team I put together is the best. Of course they won."
"Who are you? Holy crap, it's Mo Wang!"
The crowd turned to see a completely unharmed Mo Wang standing among them, applauding. The entire scene fell silent once more.