#protectivecell

(Kinda tired to do a cover for this)

Part 1

Deep in the woods, far from prying eyes and the cities that once trembled at his name, you had carved out a life. It wasn’t quite peace, not really, but it was yours.

Your wings glowed faintly in the dappled sunlight as you bent to gather sticks for the evening fire. Beside you, Cell crouched with a predatory grace that still unsettled you sometimes, though his claws moved gently as he collected the smaller branches. His tail curled lazily, an unconscious mirror of contentment.

And toddling between you both was him.

Your son.

He was so tiny, a perfect, living contradiction of the being who had once sought to destroy the world. Resembling a Cell Junior, but small enough to fit in your arms, he had inherited your iridescent, butterfly-like wings and bright, curious eyes. They shimmered as he toddled toward a fallen log, his soft claws gripping the bark.

Cell watched him with a strange look, a mixture of pride and something else, something protective and possessive. “He shouldn’t wander so far,” he muttered, though his voice lacked its usual edge.

You smiled faintly. “He’s curious. Like his father.”

For a while, everything was quiet, just the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, the rustle of wings, the soft chirps your son made when he was excited.

Then he froze, head tilted toward the treeline.

You straightened, sensing it too, faint ki signatures in the distance. Humans. Travelers or perhaps hunters, passing through the edges of the forest.

Before you could call out, your son’s wings fluttered, carrying him in a clumsy glide toward the strangers. His tiny voice chirped happily, and before you could blink, he’d disappeared between the trees.

“Wait-!”

You and Cell moved at the same time.

By the time you broke through the brush, it was already too late. A group of humans stood there, eyes wide but smiling, cooing at the tiny creature in their hands.

“He’s adorable!” one laughed, pinching his soft cheek. “What is he?”

Your son’s wings fluttered frantically. His chirps turned to frightened squeaks. Tears welled in his large eyes.

Cell’s ki spiked.

The temperature of the clearing seemed to drop.

Every head turned as a shadow fell over the group. Cell stood at the edge of the trees, his wings flared wide, his tail slowly curling and uncurling behind him like a serpent ready to strike. His eyes glowed like molten emerald.

“Put. Him. Down.”

His voice was soft, deadly soft.

You stepped in behind him, your own wings flaring, your hand on his arm. “Cell, he’s scared. Please.”

The humans blinked, startled. The little creature in their hands began to cry, reaching out toward you.

Cell took a slow, deliberate step forward. “He’s mine.” His claws flexed once, twice, the ground cracking under his heel. “Return him. Now.”

Your son’s cries pierced through the tense air.

This was the life you had chosen, or perhaps the life Cell had built around you. A life where the smallest slip could awaken the monster beneath his perfect skin.

And yet… you could see the fear in his eyes too. Not fear for himself, fear of losing what he now claimed as his.

Your family.