The Withered Rose

Wuling Cell stopped in his tracks, watching Krillin and Violet comfort the baby girl. Even knowing what was to come, they still wanted to protect the baby girl named Marron.

"Hmph... Violet, you're a traitor to the Red Ribbon Army, aren't you? You're so different from what was described!"

Wuling Cell recognized Violet; she was completely different from the Violet in the records. Gone was the heroic and capable appearance from the records; her smile was even gentler, and crystal tears silently streamed down her face.

"Marron, don't cry, Mommy's here!"

After handing Marron over to Krillin, Violet held her guns in both hands and fired at Wuling Cell! Her eyes showed no fear, and the terror she once felt at the mention of Android was gone!

The bullet hit Wuling Cell and sent him flying. Just as Cell was about to use his tail to eat Violet and Krillin like Master Roshi had done,...

But upon hearing Marron's cries, Wuling Cell's lively tail finally fell limply to the ground, his eyes fixed on Krillin and Violet. For some reason, he didn't make a move.

"Father and Mother?"

"How boring..."

Wuling Cell's youthful face was now terrifyingly gloomy. He conjured a beam of light with his fingers, which pierced through Violet and Krillin's chest!

Krillin was pierced through the heart, and with his last breath, he held Marron tightly, who was crying in pain, to prevent Marron from collapsing to the ground.

Because Violet was taller than Krillin, although her chest was pierced, she didn't die immediately like Krillin! She fell to the ground, her blood staining the beach red, a final farewell to her beloved.

Energy Control to control the bag of Wuling Cell Senzu Beans in Krillin's arms, Cell took them away. There were three Senzu Beans in total, which Son Wuling had given to Krillin and Tien Shinhan after Raditz.

"Hmph, I didn't expect that killing god Son Wuling to be so nice to you friends, even preparing Senzu Beans for you!"

Wuling Cell tied the bag up, Python Belly Swallowing. It had Piccolo's cells and also possessed the same innate abilities as Piccolo: Egg Spitting and swallowing whole.

In the original Dragon Balls, Piccolo used the Reverse Evil Containment Wave to seal Kami in a bottle, and then swallowed the bottle whole.

"After absorbing Master Roshi's life force, I've finally recovered what I lost!"

Wuling Cell looked at his hands. He had been badly injured by Vegeta and the others. After using the Evil Containment Wave, he had been desperately running away. Even after eating a whale, he was barely able to catch his breath.

"Son Goku and the others should be arriving soon. Go to West City 'Bulma house to find the Dragon Radar. That old man Master Roshi was able to dodge my punches and kicks. I must use the Dragon Balls to make a wish and get Son Wuling Spirit Immortal School."

The Wuling Cell moved at high speed, and the moment the Protective Barrier was removed, it dived into the seabed, disappearing from sight like a fish entering water in a few breaths.

The Violet was left on the verge of death, while the Turtle, which had survived by hiding in its shell, remained.

Violet crawled toward the lifeless Krillin, leaving a long trail of blood on the beach as she moved.

Wow...

Marron's piercing cries propelled her forward, even as her body temperature slowly dropped; with her last shred of hope, she drew ever closer.

Blood mingled with yellow sand on her palms, and Violet's chin rested gently against Krillin's body, her skin as cold as ice.

"Marron, don't cry. Daddy and Mommy are just resting for a while. We'll revive you with the Dragon Balls..."

Blood trickled from the corner of Violet's mouth. Looking at Marron, who was crying incessantly in Krillin's arms, she smiled gently and stroked Marron's round little face, leaving a bloody mark.

"Your Uncle Goku and Uncle Wuling will definitely defeat that big bad guy, Marron. Sorry, but please let Mom and Dad be willful for a while..."

Tears blurred her vision, her hand slipped limply, and Violet's final smile, like a withered rose, faded as she collapsed into Krillin's arms.

Marron's piercing cries echoed through the silent Kame House, broken only by the roaring, surging waves.

The Turtle crawled toward the weeping Marron. Although it was just a Turtle, it possessed intelligence. Hearing Marron's cries, it felt very sad, but what could a Turtle do?

"Goku, Wuling, come quick!"

Suddenly, the Turtle heard a loud whooshing sound. On the sea surface, there was Son Goku, who had transformed into Super Saiyan. Son Gohan and then last, followed by Vegeta, Trunks, Piccolo, and others!

At Mount Paozu, in the Spirit Immortal School Martial Arts Hall, Number 18, having just finished bathing in the bathhouse, changed into the new clothes that Videl and Lan-Fan had prepared for her.

She wore a white short-sleeved shirt with a black vest, blue jeans with a belt, black flat shoes, white arm warmers, and black fingerless gloves. She had shoulder-length blonde hair.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Number 18 nodded in satisfaction, tossed her long blonde hair aside, and stepped out.

Seeing only Lan-Fan and the Mai, Number 18 asked curiously, "Where's Videl? Where did she go?"

Lan-Fan explained, "I just received a call from Mr. Satan. Videl and Android 16 have left together, Cell has escaped. We urgently need manpower, and martial law has been declared worldwide."

They escaped!

Number 18, with his arms wrapped around his chest, maintained his usual cool demeanor, showing no concern whatsoever despite hearing that Cell had escaped.

"How is Son Wuling?"

Mai replied, "Mr. Wuling is out of danger, but he's too tired, so he should wake up in about ten days."

Ten days?

Number 18's expression remained unchanged, still cold and indifferent as always. "It's good that he's not dead yet, otherwise who would I ask for the remaining 199 pieces of clothing?"

As he stepped out of the gate, he took flight using his Flight, preparing to leave Mount Paozu, when Lan-Fan called out to him.

"Wait a minute, Number 18!"

Number 18 hovered in the air, watching Lan-Fan, who had also used her Flight to fly to her side, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Lan-Fan explained, "Well, now you're the only strong person left on Mount Paozu. Could you please stay and protect us? Master Wuling is still asleep. If Cell comes over while we're not paying attention, my strength won't be enough to protect Wuling."

"Ha..."

At this moment, Number 18's pretty face was filled with disdain. She crossed her arms over her chest, and her cold gaze made Lan-Fan break out in a cold sweat.

"Why should I protect Son Wuling? Do I owe him anything? That bastard almost killed me before! If my clothes hadn't been dirty, I wouldn't have come!"

"I..."

Lan-Fan swallowed all her words after seeing the cold look in Number 18's eyes.

"Don't push your luck! That guy Son Wuling promised me 200 pieces of clothing, and he still owes me 199! Humph!"

Number 18 snorted coldly and sped away from Mount Paozu, leaving Lan-Fan stunned in mid-air, unable to recover for a long time.