Chapter 14: A Godly Intervention

On Beerus's Planet

The lush fields and towering cliffs of Beerus's planet basked in the soft glow of its twin stars, the quiet atmosphere only occasionally disrupted by the sounds of sparring. Vegeta and Broly were locked in a fierce, grounded battle, their fists blurring as they struck and countered each other's attacks with surprising speed despite staying in base form. A few yards away, Beerus lounged, sipping from a cool drink, his tail flicking contentedly in the warm air.

Whis, standing a bit farther off, observed with a pleased smile as Goku meditated, focusing on the intricacies of Ultra Instinct. "Goku," Whis intoned, "remember that peace is your ally. Your mind must be still, undistracted by desires."

Goku's face was a mask of concentration. He nodded slightly, trying to absorb Whis's advice even as Vegeta and Broly's punches echoed nearby. The scene was tranquil in its own way, a balance of power and relaxation.

But then… the tranquility shattered.

A surge of energy, fierce and raw, tore through the fabric of their senses. It was a mortal ki unlike any they'd ever felt, wild, untamed, and massive in scale. Beerus's ears perked up, his golden eyes narrowing with curiosity, his fingers tightening around his cup.

Vegeta stopped mid-swing, his gaze snapping to the sky as the energy washed over him. Broly too, normally silent, stood still, his usually calm expression darkening. Goku's eyes flew open, the meditative calm giving way to alarm. He recognized this ki, a powerful aura he hadn't sensed since he last faced Gohan, yet this felt… darker, as if something in Gohan had unraveled.

"What is this?" Vegeta muttered, his voice filled with suspicion. He glanced at Goku, who looked equally troubled. "It's like Gohan's, but…"

"More feral," Goku finished, his brows furrowing. "It feels… wrong."

Whis raised his staff, his expression somber as he took in the missed calls from Bulma on his communicator. "I had a feeling something unusual was occurring on Earth," he murmured, his tone light but his eyes betraying concern. "Let's see what our friend Bulma was calling about, shall we?"

At his gesture, the others gathered around, peering into the orb atop Whis's staff. A haze of images cleared, revealing the scene of the battle with startling clarity.

The sight struck them silent. There, standing in a desolate battlefield with debris and fractured earth all around, was Gohan, his body ragged, his clothes torn to shreds, looking utterly primal.

His eyes blazed with a wild red, his stance crouched like a beast ready to strike, the markings of a new transformation carved across his face and body. His hair was longer, darker, his features sharpened and stripped of his usual restraint. A cold, animalistic intensity radiated from him as if he were consumed by some instinct far beyond reason.

Vegeta's jaw clenched, the familiar sight of destruction igniting his instincts. "That's Gohan, all right, but he's different." His voice lowered as he observed the tension in the air. "Whatever this is… he's beyond reason."

"That form…" Goku whispered, his eyes wide. "He's reached something new."

But before they could analyze further, another figure stepped into view, Cell Max, his calm smile a stark contrast to Gohan's chaotic rage. He moved with precision, his strikes methodical as he closed the distance, watching Gohan's every move with calculating eyes.

Gohan, driven by raw, uncontrolled fury, lunged forward, but Cell intercepted his attack, twisting him midair and slamming him into the ground. Gohan struggled, his energy flaring, yet Cell remained undeterred, pinning him with ease, even as Gohan unleashed another primal attack 2that split the planets around them.

Vegeta's fist clenched at the sight, and he didn't hesitate. "We're going," he announced sharply, his tone leaving no room for discussion. "That thing is not just any threat."

Beerus, having watched silently up until now, narrowed his eyes. "This creature… it's unlike anything I've seen in eons. I'll join you, if only to see it for myself." He turned to Whis with a nod, his golden eyes now glinting with anticipation.

Whis inclined his head, his serene expression unbroken as he gestured toward the three Saiyans. "Very well, then. I'll transport you all directly to the source of that energy." He paused, glancing toward Cheelai and Lemo, who stood nearby with wide eyes.

"Stay here," Whis instructed. "This will not be a place for non-combatants."

With that, Whis tapped his staff, a shimmer of energy enveloping the group. They vanished from Beerus's world, the void of space bending around them as they traversed the stars, following the chaotic surge of Gohan's energy as it ripped through galaxies, the epicenter of destruction moving faster than the blink of an eye.

....

The battle between Gohan and Cell Max had torn through planets, sending shockwaves across solar systems, their brutal exchange echoing in the vast expanse of the cosmos. Gohan's attacks, though relentless, were now dwindling.

His energy flickered, his beastly growls turning weaker as his strength began to drain. But his rage, fueled by the memory of Piccolo's sacrifice, kept him pushing forward, even as his movements grew sluggish.

Cell, noticing the change, seized the opportunity. With a swift movement, he slipped behind Gohan, one arm looping around his neck while his other hand pressed into his back, exerting pressure that threatened to break Gohan's spine.

Gohan roared, his body convulsing as he fought against the hold, but Cell's grip only tightened, his calm, almost disappointed voice cutting through the chaos.

"You were so close to being entertaining," Cell murmured, almost regretfully. "But you lack control… strength without purpose is nothing more than wild potential."

Then, with a single, brutal twist, he drove Gohan into the ground, the impact resounding like thunder. Gohan's form slumped, his body going limp, his primal gaze fading as unconsciousness claimed him.

Cell loomed over him, his tail unfurling like a snake ready to strike. The tip of his tail morphed, forming a maw-like structure that opened wide, moving toward Gohan as if savoring the impending absorption.

But before he could make contact, a shimmering light split the air around them, and Cell paused, his gaze shifting toward the newcomers. Goku, Vegeta, and Broly materialized, their auras blazing as they stepped forward, their eyes fixed on the battered figure of Gohan lying motionless at Cell's feet. Behind them, Whis and Beerus appeared, the serene expressions on their faces contrasting sharply with the intensity of the Saiyans.

Whis gestured, and Gohan's limp form lifted from the ground, gently moving through the air until he lay safely behind them. Goku's gaze hardened, his face set in an expression of anger as he took in the sight of his son's broken, unconscious body.

"Gohan…" Goku murmured, his fists clenching as he looked at the injuries covering his son.

Cell's eyes swept over the new arrivals, lingering on Goku with a hint of curiosity. "Ah, Goku," he said, his voice carrying a note of polite surprise. "It seems I've gathered quite the audience."

Vegeta's energy crackled around him as he stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he assessed Cell with a mixture of recognition and distaste. "This… creation," Vegeta said, his voice laced with disgust, "it's beyond what we faced before. We're dealing with something crafted purely for our destruction."

Cell merely inclined his head, acknowledging Vegeta's assessment without a hint of offense. "You could say that," he replied smoothly. "Though I've come to find that I don't enjoy following anyone's orders."

Broly, who had remained silent until now, let out a low growl, his usually calm demeanor replaced by a steely determination as he took a step forward, his gaze fixed on Cell.

Goku's focus, however, remained on his fallen son. His voice was quiet but edged with a steely resolve as he spoke to Cell. "You hurt my son," he said, his ki flaring with an intensity that made the ground tremble. "You're going to pay for that."

Cell's smile widened slightly, his eyes glinting with amusement as he took in the expressions of the warriors before him. "Excellent," he murmured, his voice laced with anticipation. "This will be… enjoyable."

The air between them grew tense, each fighter's energy building, clashing, ready to erupt. And as the universe held its breath.

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