Chapter 16: Ascendant Fury

Broly's ki raged around him, a barely-contained storm of raw energy that radiated a power threatening to spill into uncontrollable rage. His hands trembled as he felt himself being pulled to the edge, just steps away from losing himself to a blind, berserk fury.

But before he could cross that line, a strained voice called out, cutting through the chaos, "Broly!"

Gohan's voice pierced the turmoil, and Broly paused, his wild gaze shifting to find Gohan's limp form, but resolute form laying at a distance looking at the sky with dried tears on his eyes.

Gohan, not being able to push himself up from the ground with evident strain, called to the Saiyan, the fire of his will unwavering. "Broly," Gohan called again, his tone hoarse, "you don't need to lose control. You- you can do this without going over the e-edge."

Broly's breath steadied for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he tried to focus on Gohan's words, even as his own energy threatened to spiral out of control.

Gohan continued, his voice broken but intense, "Push your ki to the absolute limit! right to the edge of where you might snap. Then.. keep it there, just below that threshold!" He declared feeling Broly's gaze. "It's a balance. You're still in control, even while going all out."

A glimmer of understanding passed over Broly's face, his fists clenching as he focused inward. He knew the strength that came from losing himself in his rage, but what Gohan suggested was something more refined, something he'd never tried before. A controlled fury, he thought, focusing on the sensation of his ki and dialing it up as close as he could to the threshold without falling into madness.

Whis, watching with an approving smile, tapped his staff lightly against Gohan's shoulder, a soft glow enveloping the young Saiyan as his wounds began to heal. "A sound approach," Whis mused, "one that even the most volatile energy can find balance within."

Gohan felt his energy returning, a warmth flooding through him as he nodded his thanks to Whis. Meanwhile, Broly's eyes shut tightly, his entire form focusing inward as his energy spiraled upward, coiling, tense yet contained. When he finally opened his eyes, they were filled with an intense resolve.

"GHAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH"

In one powerful shout, he unleashed his energy, and a pillar of blazing yellow ki shot into the sky. His hair erupted into a bright golden hue, his muscles expanding, yet his eyes stayed sharp, his mind clear. He had ascended to Super Saiyan....

But this time, he was fully in control.

Goku and Vegeta, watching from nearby, nodded at each other. They both knew it was time to push further themselves. Without a word, they closed their eyes, drawing on their respective powers, and an intense shift in their energies filled the battlefield.

Vegeta's aura darkened, a fiery violet hue surrounding him as he let his ki surge through his entire being, embracing his resolve. His hair turned into it signature purple, his body crackled with the fearsome power of Ultra Ego, his eyebrows losing all hair with his eyes gleaming with a fierce determination as he opened himself fully to the thrill of battle. His expression hardened, his mind sharpened, and he felt the intoxicating strength of Ultra Ego flood his veins.

At the same time, Goku's aura turned silver, an ethereal emotion surrounding him as he entered Mastered Ultra Instinct. His hair turned silver, yet his energy radiated a quiet, yet intense power, the silver glow of his aura shimmering as he let his instincts guide him. He could feel every movement around him, every shift in energy, every intention, without thought clouding his awareness.

They looked to each other, giving a small nod of respect before turning their focus to Cell. Broly let out a fierce roar, a newfound confidence radiating from him.

Cell Max's gaze scanned the three Saiyans before him, his eyes flickering with mild amusement. "So you've decided to push further," he murmured, his tone detached. "But it's far too late for you."

Without waiting for a response, Cell lunged forward, his movement a blur as he closed the distance to Goku and Vegeta in an instant. Goku moved first, his body reacting without thought as he dodged Cell's fist by a hair's breadth, his instincts guiding him as he sidestepped into a perfect counter. His elbow shot forward, aimed for Cell's midsection, but Cell twisted, blocking the strike with ease.

Vegeta was already in motion, taking advantage of the opening as he brought his knee up toward Cell's chest. Cell barely managed to raise his arm, blocking the blow, but Vegeta's power rippled through him, forcing him back a step.

Their movements were impeccable, each one flowing into the next as Goku and Vegeta synchronized their attacks. Goku spun low, sweeping at Cell's legs, while Vegeta aimed a fierce blow toward Cell's head. Cell leaned back, dodging Goku's sweep, but Vegeta's punch grazed his cheek, leaving a faint mark. Cell's eyes narrowed, his amusement fading into interest as he realized the two were adapting quickly, their attacks coming with precision and lethal intent.

Broly, unrestrained in his movements, charged at Cell from the side, his fists blazing with golden energy as he threw a wild punch. Cell turned, blocking Broly's fist, but the sheer power behind the strike forced Cell back, a scowl crossing his face. Broly roared, following up with another powerful swing, then another, his attacks a relentless onslaught of pure, brute strength.

'These three… working together so seamlessly,' Cell thought, his eyes narrowing as he took in their combined assault.

Goku and Vegeta continued their dance of precision around Broly's attacks, their movements like water, flowing in perfect coordination. Goku lunged forward, his palm glowing with energy as he unleashed a quick Instant Transmission, disappearing and reappearing behind Cell in an instant, landing a solid strike to his back. Vegeta, anticipating Cell's reaction, appeared in front of him with a smirk and a flurry of energy-infused punches, his attacks focused and relentless.

But even as their attacks connected, Cell's power surged, his aura flaring as he began to adapt to their rhythm. With a powerful burst of energy, he threw Goku back, the force enough to send him skidding, while his other arm lashed out, grabbing Vegeta's wrist and hurling him aside with bone-crushing force.

Broly, undeterred, roared and charged again, his Super Saiyan energy blazing as he lunged at Cell with a powerful punch aimed straight for his chest. Cell blocked the punch, but Broly's power was undeniable, and Cell felt the pressure mount as Broly followed with a knee strike, then a massive overhead punch that shook the ground beneath them.

Despite the overwhelming force, Cell retaliated, his own fists meeting Broly's in a brutal clash that sent shockwaves through the battlefield. The two traded blows, each strike resounding like thunder, each impact carving craters into the earth as they clashed, neither backing down.

Goku and Vegeta quickly regrouped, each of them focusing on Cell's movements, watching for openings, their breathing steady as they prepared for another round. Vegeta clenched his fists, his Ultra Ego aura flaring brighter as he smirked. 'I won't let this creature humiliate me.'

Goku's silver aura shimmered as he centered himself, feeling every shift in Cell's energy. He exhaled slowly, his gaze sharp as he launched forward, his movements a blur as he delivered a series of precise strikes, each one aimed at Cell's weak points. Cell deflected each attack, his own frustration building as he found himself hard-pressed to counter the Saiyans' relentless assault.

Finally, Cell unleashed a powerful energy wave, sending all three Saiyans staggering back, but they held their ground, their eyes blazing with resolve.

Whis observed the battle with a critical eye, noting each subtle shift in Cell's stance, each moment where his reactions lagged ever so slightly. He knew exactly where Cell's weaknesses lay, but he stayed silent, his expression neutral as he observed the Saiyans test their limits.

Behind him, Beerus scoffed, his arms crossed as he watched the battle unfold. "Pathetic," he muttered, unimpressed. "They're barely even scratching him."

Gohan, now fully recovered and standing nearby, looked up at Whis. "There has to be a way… a weakness we can exploit."

Whis merely gave a small, knowing smile, offering no response.

The three Saiyans pushed forward again, Goku and Vegeta coordinating seamlessly as Broly's relentless power hammered down on Cell. Vegeta and Goku worked with impeccable precision, their movements a deadly dance as they struck at Cell's every vulnerable point. Meanwhile, Broly's unrestrained power tore through Cell's defenses, each punch carrying the weight of his unyielding spirit.

As the battle raged on, Goku, Vegeta, and Broly fought as one, their combined might surging against Cell with a fury that echoed across the battlefield. Cell, though strong, felt the strain begin to mount, his own power flickering as he fought to maintain his ground.

And as the dust settled, the Saiyans stood tall, their eyes locked onto Cell with unwavering determination. They were battered, bruised, but unbroken, each of them prepared to push beyond their limits once more, ready to fight until the very end.

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