The golden light radiated across the island, shaking the sky itself.
Cooler stood in his newly revealed form, polished gold armor glinting with divine arrogance. His aura burned like molten fire, pressuring the ground beneath him.
Goku: gritting his teeth, fists clenched "Damn it… he's faster, stronger… I can feel it."
He roared, charging forward, golden hair whipping violently as he struck first. His fist aimed for Cooler's jaw—
But Cooler tilted his head slightly, the punch missing by inches.
Cooler: mocking chuckle "Tch. Predictable."
He flicked his finger against Goku's chest. The impact was casual, yet the shockwave launched Goku backward, smashing him through a rocky cliff.
Dust erupted. Goku burst out again, face bleeding but eyes burning with fire.
He powered up further, unleashing a flurry of punches.
Cooler danced around them with lazy grace, twisting and weaving, smiling as though swatting away insects.
Cooler: "Is this really the same warrior who bragged about defeating my fifth form?"
Goku: growling "Don't… underestimate me!"
Goku's kick connected this time—straight to Cooler's ribs.
The golden tyrant didn't move. He only looked down at the leg pressed against him, then grabbed it mid-air.
With a smirk, he swung Goku around like a ragdoll, slamming him against the earth again and again until the ground cracked apart.
A sharp gust of wind cut through the tension.
Rudra stepped forward from the shadows of the cliffside.
His eyes locked on Cooler, calm yet unyielding. His arms crossed over his chest, black short hair falling lightly across his forehead.
Rudra: "That's enough."
Cooler turned, raising a brow.
Cooler: "Oh? And who is this child standing so boldly before me?"
Rudra: walking forward slowly "I won't let you keep toying with him."
Goku staggered back to his feet, chest heaving. His eyes widened when he saw Rudra.
Goku: "Rudra… stay out of this. He's—"
Rudra: interrupting, voice steady "If I stay out, you'll fall. I'm not here to watch."
For the first time, Cooler's smirk faltered, replaced with mild curiosity.
Cooler: "Hah. Two insects, side by side, thinking they can sting a god."
His golden aura flared violently, pushing both back a few feet.
Cooler: "Fine then. Amuse me."
---
Goku dashed first, Rudra following close behind.
The two warriors moved in perfect sync, fists and legs striking in waves.
Goku threw a left punch—Cooler blocked. Rudra spun from the side with a kick—Cooler raised his elbow.
Energy blasts flew in quick succession, painting the battlefield with light.
Cooler parried them all with effortless flicks, deflecting ki shots like pebbles.
He slipped through their combined offense, countering with small jabs, each one heavier than a meteor.
Cooler: laughing "Fascinating! You coordinate like dancers, but you still stumble like children."
Rudra ducked under one strike, launching a sharp uppercut toward Cooler's chin. Goku, in that same moment, blasted a point-blank Kamehameha wave.
For the first time, Cooler lifted both arms to guard. The blast roared, shaking the ocean beyond the island.
The smoke cleared.
Cooler stood untouched, arms crossed, only a faint burn mark on his wrist.
Cooler: mock gasp "Oh, did I almost feel that?"
Goku's face twisted in frustration.
Goku: "Damn you!"
Rudra: calmly "Stay focused. He wants us to lose control."
They rushed again.
This time Rudra led, fists glowing faintly with chakra energy, his movements sharper, precise.
He exchanged rapid blows with Cooler, each strike aiming not only for damage but for rhythm—disrupting the tyrant's flow.
Goku took the cue, darting in when Rudra opened space, smashing heavy punches into Cooler's side.
Cooler blocked them lazily, but his grin widened.
Cooler: "Not bad. Not bad at all. Still useless."
He vanished—appearing instantly behind Goku.
A golden knee slammed into Goku's spine.
Goku spat blood, flying forward.
Rudra pivoted, blocking Cooler's follow-up strike with his forearm. The shock rattled his bones, yet he held his ground.
Cooler tilted his head, studying Rudra.
Cooler: "Stronger than you look. But tell me—how many hits until your bones snap?"
Rudra's eyes narrowed, silent.
He pushed forward, fists exploding in speed.
Each blow landed heavier than the last, shaking Cooler's guard.
Goku reappeared, charging his ki into a massive sphere and hurling it at point-blank.
Cooler raised his palm. The sphere dissolved into nothing with a hiss.
Cooler: "Cute."
He grabbed both warriors by their throats in an instant.
With a wicked laugh, he slammed them together, skull to skull, before tossing them aside like broken dolls.
---
The ground quaked as the two slowly stood again.
Goku wiped blood from his mouth, panting.
Goku: "He's… playing with us."
Rudra: coldly "I know."
Cooler floated above them, arms folded, golden aura shimmering like the sun itself.
Cooler: "You really thought teamwork would tip the scales? No. You're entertainment. Nothing more."
He descended slowly, each step radiating unbearable pressure.
Cooler: "Still, I must admit… this game is refreshing."
He smirked darkly.
Cooler: "But perhaps I should play a little rougher with my toys."
The air itself grew heavy. His ki spiked violently, shaking the island apart, sending cracks splitting through the earth.
Goku's eyes widened.
Rudra clenched his fists tighter.
The fight was about to become far worse than either had imagined.
—To be continued.