The Android conflict is the name given to the conflict waged by the Dragon Team and the Red Ribbon Androids during the main timeline.

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Plot

Battle for the Earth begins

Having been warned of the Android threat by Future Trunks, the Z Fighters head to Sasebo to get the jump on the villains. After several minutes passed from the time Trunks had told them, the suspicious Z Fighters headed into the city to search for the Androids. Yamcha was the first to encounter the two, failing to recognize them since they resembled normal people. As he recognized the Red Ribbon Army logo on the two's heads, Android 20 grabbed him and began sucking his ki from his body.

Goku and the others, who sensed Yamcha's life force drastically disappearing, arrived shortly after, finding the two Androids and Yamcha, who lay dying. Goku asked Krillin to evacuate Yamcha and get him a Senzu Bean before it was too late. They are eager to fight; however, Goku tells them that there are too many innocent people around. The Androids rationalize the problem by using eye lasers to destroy every living thing within a set radius. This infuriates Goku, who then throws a punch at the gray-haired Android 20. Android 20 seemed unaffected by the impact. Goku and the others convince the Androids to come and lead the Androids away from the city, to fight without harming anymore innocent bystanders. Yamcha, who was saved in time, leads Krillin and Bulma to follow the others to the new battlefield.

They come to a deserted, rocky area and Goku goes first, but he starts at a loss. Goku is already experiencing some mild effects from his heart disease, but he fights Android 19 regardless. His strength faltering, Goku is forced to turn into a Super Saiyan, which is one of his transformations that Android 20 was unaware of, since he did not observe the battles in Namek. Android 20 claims it was just a "Minor Setback" but that seems to be proven wrong when Goku engages in battle with Android 19, making Android 19 unable to defend himself. Punch after punch, and kick after kick, Goku seems to have the upper hand, but his condition continued to deteriorate and soon his attacks were having little to no effect.

The fight goes on for a while until the Z Fighters notice that Goku was tiring out faster than he should. It was then that they realized that it was his heart condition. Android 19 saw the advantage and took it, nearly draining Goku dead. Goku was almost down for the count due to his illness until Vegeta interfered by blindsiding Android 19. Vegeta introduces himself and scolds Goku for fighting with a handicap, and kicks him towards Piccolo. The Z Warriors decide that Yamcha should take Goku home, while Vegeta takes over the fight.

Vegeta surprises everyone when he reveals his newfound ability. Like Goku, Vegeta's eyes turns green and his hair becomes golden yellow, revealing that he, too, has become a Super Saiyan. However, confident after defeating Super Saiyan Goku, Android 19 thinks fighting Vegeta will be just as easy. He is sadly mistaken as Vegeta toys with him, allowing Android 19 to drain a substantial amount of energy until ripping off his arms and then blasting him with a Big Bang Attack that easily destroys him. Piccolo then assumes that Vegeta is even stronger than Goku. After the destruction of Android 19, Vegeta is naturally quite drained, but bluffed Android 20 into thinking he was still capable of taking him out. Android 20, seeing the death of Android 19 as proof, easily takes the bait and is scared.

Android 20 distracts Vegeta, and promptly flees the battle. Hiding out in various canyons and behind rock faces, Android 20 is stalked by the relentlessly pursuing Z Warriors at a range of canyons. He hides, while Vegeta, becoming more and more frustrated, cannot manage to find the evasive Android. Android 20 only reveals himself after Vegeta throws a Photon Bomber blast into the canyon, hoping to clear it away. Android 20 absorbs this and runs off into the distance again. Then Android 20 plans to absorb the energy of all the weaker fighters to power himself up and beat Vegeta. He reveals himself to Piccolo, holding him at his grasp and sucking out his energy until Gohan saves him. Piccolo then proposes to fight Android 20, and it is not long until Android 20 realizes, even with his newly absorbed energy, that he is not even strong enough to defeat Piccolo, someone who should be nothing to him. Piccolo tells him that they have been training for their arrival, which shocks Android 20. The boy from the future then arrives, and is shocked, because the Androids that everyone has been fighting currently, are not the same ones he warned them about. Naturally, this surprises everyone. Vegeta realizes the future boy is his son because Piccolo had called his name before which is the same name as his own son. He also realizes how Future Trunks was able to become a Super Saiyan last time. Bulma promptly comes in an aircraft, but notices Android 20. While everyone's attention is diverted to Bulma, Android 20 takes the opportunity to escape but not before blowing the landscape with a powerful Photon Wave, which further distracts everyone.

Bulma's aircraft is blown up but she and the baby are saved by Future Trunks. Future Trunks is angry and shaken up that Vegeta - the one closest to them - did not even try to go and save his own family. Bulma reveals that Android 20 is actually Dr. Gero, who must have rebuilt himself as a robot since his human body had become weak and frail. Future Trunks confronts Vegeta about not rescuing his infant self and Bulma, but Vegeta tells him that his family means nothing to him. Future Trunks persists, but Vegeta yells him to get out of the way, and promptly flies off. The Z Fighters pursue him to his lab, but arrive too late and watch as Android 20 activates his most recent yet unstable creations, the siblings Android 17 and Android 18. Future Trunks wants to destroy them before they are activated, as Android 17 and Android 18 are the ones ravaging his own timeline. However, much to his dismay, Vegeta wants to fight them, as they might be a good challenge to him. Dr. Gero knows of their inability to follow orders directly and built an emergency stop control to shut them down whenever they become out of control. However, since the Androids were so powerful, they were capable of easily relinquishing the remote from him. They make their way to another one of Dr. Gero's creations, and decide to unleash this incomplete monster going by the name, Android 16. Android 20 is furious, and yells at them with increasing intensity to not activate Android 16, as its awakening might kill them all. Android 17 and Android 18 do not listen to him and Android 17 betrays and effortlessly kills Android 20. Future Trunks at this point snaps and launches a powerful Buster Cannon in his Super Saiyan form at the Androids, destroying the whole lab and the surrounding mountainside. This does not faze them a bit and Android 17 and Android 18 awaken Android 16, who states that his main purpose is to kill Goku.

The Android threat revealed

The Z Warriors are aware of these new enemies, and begin to confront them, especially Vegeta. Android 16 takes no part in the fight and opts to enjoy the sight of his surroundings and wildlife creatures. Vegeta, eager to fully try out his new Super Saiyan abilities, challenges Android 18 to a fight. At first, it seems that Android 18 was no match, which shocks Future Trunks and the Z Fighters, but it soon becomes apparent that Android 18 is only toying with him. However, Vegeta does not know when to give up, and continues to fight and get beaten, thinking that he could tire them out. It becomes evident, that these two Androids, in fact, do not tire out or run out of energy, as they were built with almost unlimited internal power sources. Eventually Android 18 ends the battle by breaking Vegeta's arm with a kick. Android 17 comes and tells the Z Fighters that no one should interfere in the match, or he will fight them as well. Regardless, Future Trunks jumps in to help his beaten father, but is taken out with one hit from Android 17. The others, having no choice, rush them as well only to be taken out without effort. Vegeta's determination does not pull through when Android 18 breaks his other arm finally rendering him unconscious. This leaves only Krillin, who did not fight due to fear, unscathed.

Krillin tries to reason with the Androids that Goku had done nothing to them and that going after him would be morally wrong. Android 17 then explains to Krillin that finding Goku is a game. Android 16 also said that he was programmed to kill Goku. Then Android 16 and Android 17 go off to find Goku but not before telling Krillin that if anyone else wants to face them again, they would gladly accept a rematch. Android 18 then kisses Krillin and they fly off. Krillin wonders if the Androids are as evil as Future Trunks warned but puts that aside and quickly heals the others, with the remaining Senzu Beans. Vegeta gets back to his feet and dusts himself off. His pride keeping him from admitting his inferior power, he flies off angrily. Future Trunks realizes that the Androids in the time period are far stronger than their counterparts in his own time, as he was able to fight them evenly for a time there. Piccolo comes to a realization that they do not have enough time to train, the only way for him to get strong enough is to become one being with Kami. He does not admit any of this to the others though, and tries to fool them into thinking he is still the evil King Piccolo by making idle threats and then flying off. Krillin is not fooled though, and instantly makes the realization that Piccolo is going to The Lookout to fuse with him. He would then become one with Kami as they used to be long ago.

Cell's arrival

Piccolo arrives and Kami already knows what he came for. Kami is unsure of the fusion for a while, but then agrees, but not because of the Androids but because there was another, even more vile threat to Earth in existence that had been there for four years already. Piccolo also insists they are not uniting the way that they split in two, that Kami is only to serve as a power boost for him. Nevertheless, they rejoin, and regain the identity that they had lost long ago as well as Kami's vast wisdom and knowledge, becoming a Super Namekian. Piccolo heads for the area where the evil disturbance he sensed came from. When Kami disappeared, the Dragon Balls and Shenron ceased to exist. This is a problem that is later solved. With the knowledge of the new creature, Piccolo goes to investigate the threat.

Krillin calls Capsule Corporation to inform Bulma that they are moving Goku to Kame House and Bulma tells them of a shocking discovery, another Time Machine that looks like the same one Future Trunks came in. Future Trunks is shocked because there is only one Time Machine in existence which is the one he has in his pocket as a capsule. She faxes over a picture of the other Time Machine and Future Trunks and Gohan go meet her to examine it. When they get to the place where the picture was taken, Future Trunks confirms that it was his machine. However, it looked aged with moss and had damage to the dome, damage showing that someone or something blasted its way out. Soon Gohan discovers an exoskeleton of some disgusting looking creature, and Bulma find eggshells. Soon, all the Z Fighters sense strange and familiar power levels from far away. There is also a news report depicting that a local suburban district Gingertown's population of 15,000 had completely vanished. All that was revealed was scattered clothing strewn about and signs of a struggle. The source of the power levels, Future Trunks' aged Time Machine, and the disappearances finally reveals himself as a hideous humanoid creature with insect qualities. The creature explains how the people of Gingertown all disappeared by sucking the bio matter of a human with his unique tail, reducing him to nothing in front of Piccolo's eyes. Piccolo instantly confronts him, and they fight. Meanwhile, Android 16 detects two enormous powers fighting with his power radar, and tells the other two that one of the powers is equal to Android 17 himself. Android 17 bluffs this and believes that Android 16's power radar is broken and they drive off, foreshadowing things to come.

Piccolo's strength is clear in this fight, he completely dominates the creature but is stunned with surprise when it shoots a Kamehameha at him. Distracted, Piccolo's arm is absorbed into a sagging mound of flesh, and he admits defeat while asking it who it is and how it made it here. The monster then goes on to reveal that its name was Cell, and how it was created by Dr. Gero as the perfect fighting android made up of the cells of the universe's strongest warriors. However, Dr. Gero saw the plan to create the ultimate bio soldier was taking too long so he abandoned the project. Instead, the supercomputer in charge of the project continued the project secretly. A special robot was created to capture the gene samples of Goku, Vegeta and Piccolo when they were fighting on Earth; Frieza and King Cold's genes were captured when they came to Earth and were killed by Future Trunks. Many others fell into that category too and that he had learned many of their strongest techniques and abilities. Future Trunks' genes were not collected though, as enough Saiyan samples were collected. However, Imperfect Cell reveals his most disturbing fact, that his true purpose was to absorb the unique infinite power cores of Android 17 and Android 18, reaching his Perfect Form. With the Earth's population low in his future, and Android 17 and Android 18 destroyed, Imperfect Cell decided to steal Future Trunks' Time Machine by killing Future Trunks himself and coming back to this time, a fresher planet with more victims. Piccolo at this point thinks he has enough information and reveals that he was bluffing the whole time by regenerating his arm back. Despite Imperfect Cell absorbing a lot of energy from Piccolo's arm, it realizes that it is no match for Piccolo at all and it is only made worse when Future Trunks, Krillin and Tien Shinhan arrive as well. Imperfect Cell recognizes Future Trunks as the boy he killed in his own time line, and realizes that Future Trunks must be from another alternate time line. He then uses his Solar Flare to blind everyone and runs away, masking his power to be undetectable by the others. Just then Vegeta, sensing a great ki, came over and is shocked when it comes from Piccolo. Piccolo explains the situation to Vegeta and the others, and Vegeta is angry that everything is surpassing him, the Legendary Super Saiyan. He then vows to surpass the limits of Super Saiyan and flies off. Future Trunks and Krillin also leave to destroy the Imperfect Cell that is probably growing in this timeline to prevent another Imperfect Cell later. Meanwhile, Piccolo and Tien search desperately for Imperfect Cell, knowing that he has hidden his ki and is getting stronger by absorbing more victims.

Piccolo vs. Android 17

Back in the mountain region, Goku has to be moved because the Androids are joyriding their way up there. Goku is moved to Master Roshi's house. The Androids reach Goku's home and find that it is completely empty, so they proceed the next likely place for him to be, Kame House.

Back near Dr. Gero's Lab, Future Trunks and Krillin discover a secret laboratory hidden underground, where Cell is presumed to be growing still, infantile and weak. However, in the laboratory, they discover blueprints, which are the design specs of Android 17. Future Trunks eager to take the opportunity to find the weakness of the androids, takes it and he and Krillin both incinerate the baby Cell and the master computer with Ki Blasts. Krillin then destroys the laboratory they were in. However, on the way to Capsule Corporation, Future Trunks asks for Krillin to go alone, saying that he will try and train with his father to surpass Super Saiyan as well. Krillin wishes him luck, and both part ways.

Meanwhile, Chi-Chi goes to check up on Goku when she finds him awake, looking out the window. Goku and the others (Chi-Chi and Master Roshi) exchange heartfelt greetings and are glad that he is fully awake again, and Goku explains that he overheard everyone talking about the situation while he was asleep. He then says his goodbyes and uses Instant Transmission to teleport to the aircraft where the Z Fighters are. After everyone is happy that Goku's well again, Goku himself states that in his current state, he is no match for either the Androids or Imperfect Cell. This is why he plans to enter the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with Gohan, to train a whole year in one day and surpass Super Saiyan. He leaves with Gohan, and also approaches Vegeta and Future Trunks to tell them about it. Future Trunks tells Goku that Vegeta has been standing on a rock cliff for three days straight without moving whatsoever. Goku is impressed that Vegeta already knows a little about how to surpass the Super Saiyan, and tells him about the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Vegeta is surprised and wants to go first, and Goku tells him to go with Trunks, since the Hyperbolic Time Chamber only supports up to 2 people at once. At the Lookout, Vegeta and Future Trunks both enter the Room and Goku and Gohan begin to wait a day.

Almost a full day has passed. Piccolo is at the Kame House, watching the news and cursing Imperfect Cell and his evil while the others are taking a nap. However, suddenly Android 16, Android 17 and Android 18 arrive in front of Kame House. The shocked Piccolo is left wondering whether this is bad timing or a blessing from heaven. He then wakes up the others to confront the androids. Eventually both android and Piccolo alone decide to fight on one of the abandoned islands nearby. Android 17, thinking that Piccolo was the same power as last time, clearly underestimates him and is knocked down easily. Then both get serious and go all out, becoming evenly matched in power with Piccolo gaining a slight advantage with his new techniques. Meanwhile, Imperfect Cell notices Piccolo's huge ki and deduces that he must be fighting the Androids to be exerting so much power. He then rushes full speed to them, finally seeing a chance to become his perfect form. After intense fighting, Android 17 states that Piccolo will not be able to keep this up forever, as he does not have infinite stamina. Piccolo states that before that happens, Android 17 will make a mistake. They are about to continue fighting when suddenly Piccolo notices and looks in horror at a nearby rock with Imperfect Cell on top of it. The other Androids look in confusion to what is happening and Piccolo and Android 16 notices Imperfect Cell's new incredible power from absorbing many thousands of people.

Imperfect Cell's siege

Immediately after Imperfect Cell interrupted the battle between Android 17 and Piccolo, he began to inspect the other Androids. He recognizes Android 17 and Android 18, but stops short when he sees Android 16. However he just shrugs it off and thinks it is an old model. Android 17, however, does not recognize Imperfect Cell, and asks it to stop interrupting the battle. Piccolo is shocked that the Androids do not even know who Imperfect Cell is, and yells at Android 17 and Android 18 about how Imperfect Cell's purpose is to absorb them. Imperfect Cell takes this patiently and asks them to be merged with him to be the most powerful being that Dr. Gero dreamed of. Android 17 does not take the offer though, and Imperfect Cell begins to power up to an unparalleled power, showing how many lives he absorbed. He then beat Android 17 to a pulp to weaken him and then absorb him by force. Piccolo eventually interferes, and launches his Light Grenade attack at Imperfect Cell, but he is not fazed by it. Imperfect Cell then breaks Piccolo's neck with a strong punch and launches a ki wave through Piccolo's stomach. He then throws him into the sea. Gohan, sensing that Piccolo's ki had disappeared, goes on a rage and has to be held down by Goku. Also, Tien comes to the island, watching the events but is powerless to stop it.

Android 17 actually shows his strength and power. As the episode begins the devilish Cell gets powered up and charges after Android 17 who is shocked to see Piccolo’s demise. Android 17 gets furious and charges toward Imperfect Cell at the same time. As Imperfect Cell charges toward Android 17, Android 17 leaps into the air and flies downward at Imperfect Cell. Imperfect Cell and Android 17 collide and there is a small explosion. As the dust clears Android 17 stands still knowing that he did not directly hit Imperfect Cell, and as he looks above he sees the merciless creature flying above him. Android 17 charges in the air and fights with Imperfect Cell.

It looks as if Android 17 is doing well, but then the tables turn and Imperfect Cell’s tail is charging toward Android 17’s chest. Android 17 keeps dodging his tail with great difficulty, and then they show to Tien who is watching from afar. Tien says that Android 17 might not be able to defeat Imperfect Cell. Then while Android 17 keeps trying to dodge Imperfect Cell’s deadly stinger, Imperfect Cell hits him and Android 17 hits the ground. Imperfect Cell lands on the ground and walks toward Android 17, who is lying motionless on the ground.

While all this is happening, back on Kami’s Lookout, Gohan bursts with anger and says to Goku that he is going to go and fight Imperfect Cell. As Gohan flies in the air, he is stopped by Goku who punches him to the ground. Mr. Popo runs to Gohan to help him. Mr. Popo explains to Gohan that even though he is hurting inside they are too and that Goku is even more angry than Gohan about Piccolo’s death. Gohan tells his father that he is great fully sorry and Goku replies saying that he won’t let Piccolo’s sacrifice go in vain.

At this point, Android 16 finally decides to fight. Android 18 asks what he can possibly do but Android 16 reveals that his power is equal with Imperfect Cell's, which shocks her furthermore. Android 16 then reveals that he enjoyed traveling with them because they never killed or hurt humans or animals for pleasure. He then interrupts Imperfect Cell and begins to fight with him. At first Imperfect Cell seems to land many blows at Android 16, and even tries to absorb him, but he fails because Android 16 is a completely mechanical model. Android 16 then reveals his secret techniques, which almost overcomes Imperfect Cell. Android 16 throws him to the ground and launches a Hell's Flash attack directly at Imperfect Cell, which hurts Imperfect Cell badly but fails to kill him. Android 17, seeing Android 16's power, gets incredibly cocky and plans to finish off Imperfect Cell despite Android 16's repeated warnings to both Androids 17 and 18 to run away.

Android 17 keeps repeating how no one could have survived that while standing with his back to a hole! Suddenly Imperfect Cell slowly rises out of the hole behind him while the arrogant Android 17 laughs maliciously. Android 17 all of a sudden turns around immediately to see Imperfect Cell's tail funnel open right over his head. The Android is warned in time by Tien Shinhan, but is still caught in Imperfect Cell's grasp and soon to be absorbed. Then the most horrifying scene is shown of Android 17 getting sucked into Imperfect Cell's tail and is forcibly pushed through it and into his back. Just then in an tremendous dimension shattering light, but watch as the monstrous Cell begins his hideous transformation.

Cell is now in his Semi-Perfect Form. His first act is to test out his power. He does this by attacking Android 16 with a blast that severely damages the android. By doing this, he gets a taste of what his power can do and he has taken out the only thing preventing him from absorbing Android 18. After Android 18 refuses to join him, he tries to persuade her by using Android 17's voice, saying that he enjoys being a part of Semi-Perfect Cell. She does not fall for his trick and finally threatens to detonate her self destructing bomb, but Semi-Perfect Cell quickly informs her that while she is charging the blast, Semi-Perfect Cell will have enough time to stop and absorb her.

As Tien Shinhan keeps firing the Neo Tri-Beam at Cell, his strength is decreasing until he finally collapses. Meanwhile, at Kami's Lookout, Goku and Gohan sense what's going on below on Earth. Just as Semi-Perfect Cell is about to deliver the final blow to Tien, Goku appears using Instant Transmission. He manages to astonish Semi-Perfect Cell while he grabs Tien and Piccolo, who is barely alive, and teleports back to Kami's Lookout before Cell can attack him. He then gives them a Senzu Bean while Semi-Perfect Cell searches for Android 18 to complete his perfection.

The Saiyans emerge

Just as Tien and Piccolo recover, they, along with Goku and Gohan, learn that Vegeta and Future Trunks have completed their training and are ready to emerge from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Meanwhile, Bulma and Trunks are flying and meet up Krillin. She gives him a device that is capable of shutting down Android 18 within a 10-meter range. She then flies up to Kami's Lookout.

At the Lookout, Future Trunks and Vegeta emerge from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with new power that will be more than enough to stand up to Semi-Perfect Cell. Bulma is shocked to see that Future Trunks has gained long hair (due to the 1 year=1 day rule). Vegeta quickly informs her that a pure blooded Saiyan's hair does not grow or change once it's fully grown. Just before Vegeta and Future Trunks leaves, Bulma provides to everyone, Saiyan armor that is identical to Vegeta's. All except Piccolo, who is proud of his Namekian heritage, and Tien, who refuses to dress like Vegeta, accepts the offer. Vegeta then rushes off to test his new power against Semi-Perfect Cell. Just before Future Trunks follows him, Goku gives him two Senzu Beans in case something goes wrong. As Future Trunks goes off to follow Vegeta, Goku prepares to start his mission in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber: to make Gohan a Super Saiyan and to push themselves to their very limit.

Super Vegeta and Cell's perfection

While Vegeta and Future Trunks go off to find Semi-Perfect Cell, Semi-Perfect Cell is getting tired of searching for Android 18 and decides to blow her and Android 16 out of hiding by blowing up the chain of islands nearby. He is stopped by Vegeta and Future Trunks. He is not impressed, as he does not know of their training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Vegeta then shows his new strength by transforming into an Super Saiyan Second Grade. Semi-Perfect Cell is still not impressed as he believes he is superior to Vegeta no matter what transformation he goes through. He soon learns that he is no match for the Saiyan Prince.

The battle starts with Vegeta completely dominating. Every attack that Semi-Perfect Cell would throw at him, he would counter and take advantage. Super Vegeta finishing off a punch on Cell. After a few punches, Vegeta swings Semi-Perfect Cell into an island. Future Trunks is thinking how powerful Vegeta is and thinks about the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and how it could change.

Semi-Perfect Cell punches Vegeta then throws him down. Then he looks at Future Trunks and wonders what he is looking at. Then Vegeta comes up and punches Semi-Perfect Cell until you see little dents in him. Semi-Perfect Cell powers up and Android 16 says Semi-Perfect Cell’s power level is increasing. He then punches Vegeta hard in the face and starts laughing. Then Vegeta looks up with a little blood coming from his lip and says that while in the time chamber, he became Super Vegeta and Semi-Perfect Cell is no match for him.

Krillin arrives on the battlefield with the remote controller that Bulma gave him. He soon finds the Androids but is conflicted from completing his mission with his feelings towards her. Back at the Lookout, Piccolo and Tien watch the fight. Piccolo mentions that Vegeta is toying with Semi-Perfect Cell and he had the strength to defeat him a long time ago. He believes that decision may come back to haunt him. In the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Gohan's chances of becoming Super Saiyan looks bleak. Goku then informs him that the transformation to Super Saiyan comes in response to a need, not a desire.

In the mist of the battle, Vegeta tells Semi-Perfect Cell he is tired of his whining and complaining. He then tells him that he had no chance of winning and that even by some miracle that he defeated Vegeta, Future Trunks would've finished him off. Semi-Perfect Cell then breaks down for he thinks his chance of becoming Perfect is shattered.

However he came up with a plan to become perfect by manipulating Vegeta's pride into letting him become perfect. Vegeta falls for the trap and decides to let him become Perfect. However Future Trunks will not fall for it and decides to step in. Future Trunks said that if Cell absorbed Android 18 his power would surpass Vegeta's, but Vegeta said that is exciting, so Vegeta knew that Cells power could surpass his but he did not believe it. Meanwhile, Krillin lets his personal feelings get in the way of his job, and he crushes the remote that could've destroyed Android 18.

At the battlefield, Semi-Perfect Cell towers over Android 18, she attacks twice with an energy blast but it only pushes him back several feet. He laughs as he opens up his tail to absorb her. As she is about to be absorbed, Future Trunks comes in and punches Semi-Perfect Cell away as he tell her to run.

Vegeta is floating in the water and talks about how dumb Future Trunks is, like usual. Then flies back to the fight. Future Trunks is punching Semi-Perfect Cell. As Vegeta arrives, Semi-Perfect Cell launches a solar flare, blinding everyone for a bit. Krillin tries protecting the Androids blindly, but Semi-Perfect Cell flicks him away, Android 18 punches him but his tail funnel opens around her and begins absorbing her.

As the guys get their vision back, Krillin tries to save Android 18, but she was completely absorbed. Vegeta is talking about having a worthy adversary. Future Trunks tries to stop Semi-Perfect Cell from transforming, but his little light balls don’t do anything to him. Semi-Perfect Cell makes the earth shake during his transformation and it shows everyone being scared.

Cell in the process of transforming to his Perfect Form and Future Trunks tries to stop him because he did not want this world to end up like his. Then it goes to Goku and Gohan training but Gohan wants Goku to train him harder. Once again it skips to the battle with Semi-Perfect Cell and thoughts of Android 18 are passing through Krillin’s head. Semi-Perfect Cell had just finished transforming when Krillin attacks he tries his best but does not even scratch Semi-Perfect Cell. The whole time Perfect Cell is transforming (before he finished) Master Roshi's house it getting flooded and it ends when Perfect Cell is done transforming.

Meanwhile, as Cell is transforming, in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Gohan has realized that the only way for him to become a Super Saiyan is for his father to fight him at full power. The reluctant Goku then flies up, turns Super Saiyan, and prepares to fire a Kamehameha wave at Gohan. He does so and Gohan is able to hold it off. While blocking it, Gohan is sick of not being able to achieve his goals. He then remembers every time he was in danger and his friends helped him, but he was not able to help them when it's the other way around. This rage proves to be what Gohan needed, for he fed off of the rage and finally transformed into a Super Saiyan and fires the blast back at Goku.

Back at the battle field, an enraged Krillin attacks Perfect Cell along with Future Trunks but the attack has no absolute effect. Perfect Cell then with a mere kick, knocks Krillin unconscious. Future Trunks then gives him a Senzu Bean. Perfect Cell then resumes his fight with an unimpressed Vegeta.

Battle for the Future

In the battle Perfect Cell only toys with Vegeta, only allowing Vegeta to believe he had a chance to win, just as Vegeta did with him. Perfect Cell hides his true power and makes it appears that he only gained speed by dodging his attacks. This frustrates Vegeta and he is finally able to land a kick to Perfect Cell's neck, but it does not even faze Perfect Cell. Vegeta is in utter shock as he mentions that he put all of his energy into that kick. Cell then, with only one kick, sends Vegeta flying across the island and into the water. Outraged, Vegeta flies into the sky and makes a challenge to Cell to take his next attack head-on. He then begins to charge a blast that he puts nearly every ounce of his energy in. Perfect Cell senses the energy Vegeta puts in his Final Flash attack and attempts to dodge it at the last minute but it destroys his right arm. However he regenerates and then, with a short series of attacks, knocks Vegeta unconscious.

Future Trunks finally comes in to save his father since he is unconscious (he did not want to show his power in front of him because he feared Vegeta would hate him). He then transforms into an Super Saiyan Third Grade. He amazingly fights on equal terms as Perfect Cell but then pretends to start to lose so Krillin can take Vegeta away from the battlefield but Perfect Cell knew of this plot. He then resumes his fight. Perfect Cell eventually finds the flaw in Future Trunks' transformation, explaining that although the form grants him superior strength, it heavily incapacitates him in terms of his speed. Cell knows he is faster and taunts Trunks to charge up his strength even more, knowing that it would not make a difference.

Back in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber Goku has discovered the 2nd and 3rd Grades Super Saiyan forms and immediately discovers its weakness. He then comes up with a plan to stay in Super Saiyan form for so long that it feels natural so they will not have to waste the energy of transforming in a battle.

Future Trunks resumes his fight with Perfect Cell. Perfect Cell decides to exploit Future Trunks' weakness. He uses his speed advantage to defeat Future Trunks who is still wondering why he can not touch Perfect Cell. Cell tells him why and that he could've done the same if he wanted to. Realizing his foolish mistake, he quits the battle, he then tells Perfect Cell that he can kill him. However, Perfect Cell lets him live and is curious of how Future Trunks and Vegeta gained so much power in so little time. This leads him to come up with an idea of having a tournament called, the Cell Games, which will occur in ten days.

The Cell Games

Days later, Perfect Cell's announcement of the Cell Games, which will be held 10 days after his television appearance. Goku and Gohan return from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, mastering Super Saiyan Full Power. For the next days, most of the Z Fighters use their time to train, though Goku and Gohan train only three days and spend six more resting. Thanks to Goku, Dende becomes the new Guardian of the Earth and creates a new 2-wish giving Shenron.

When the tournament commences, Goku decides he would be the first one to fight Perfect Cell. However, the "World Champion" Mr. Satan, along with his students in combat, Caroni and Piroshki, attempt to fight Perfect Cell first, though each of them are easily flicked away and disqualified. First, Caroni attempts to attack Cell from high up, and Cell sent him even higher with his enormous energy. After falling, Caroni was convinced that Cell was tremendously powerful. Piroshki attempts to rush at Cell head-first, only to be flicked backward by Cell's simple energy, which seemed too much for Piroshki to handle. Mr. Satan then attempts to attack Cell with a slew of punches and kicks only to be knocked into the mountains. After this, throughout the entire tournament, Mr. Satan decides to claim he is suffering from intense stomach pains in order to avoid fighting Cell. He also calls the techniques in the ring "tricks" or "illusions". Goku and Perfect Cell begin to battle and in a heated display of power, technique and ability, Goku seems to be able to keep up against the mechanically engineered monster.

Perfect Cell pulled out all kinds of tricks, performing various moves such as the Death Beam and the Kamehameha wave. Goku and Perfect Cell battled for a while until Perfect Cell grew tired of being confined to the small ring. So Perfect Cell destroyed the ring and made the battle an all-out fight, just to make things more interesting for him, with no rules applied. Goku threw everything he could at Perfect Cell and even tricked Perfect Cell into believing he would destroy the Earth with a Kamehameha wave. This is where the Warp Kamehameha wave was introduced. Perfect Cell was noticeably afraid as Goku powered up the energy blast, but Goku tricked him by performing Instant Transmission to teleport directly in front of Perfect Cell, and unleashed the blast on him.

The entire top half of Perfect Cell was disintegrated. The Z Warriors seemed content until the remains of Perfect Cell jumped to its feet and regenerated. Goku knew that if he continued the Earth would be destroyed, or Perfect Cell and himself would die fighting each other. Goku suddenly forfeited the match to Perfect Cell and surrendered. He reasoned that only one person could defeat Perfect Cell. When Goku revealed his son Gohan as his pick to fight, the Z Fighters were furious (noticeably Vegeta and Piccolo) and Perfect Cell was amused.

Gohan vs. Perfect Cell

It took awhile for the battle to commence between Gohan and Perfect Cell, and even longer for Gohan to get serious. As a Full Power Super Saiyan, he did no better than his father, and the Z Fighters were noticeably worried (except Goku). As the battle continued Gohan told Perfect Cell to stop fighting, and he told him that the power he could harness when he became enraged would destroy everything. However, this only fueled Perfect Cell's desire to push Gohan to the limit much to Gohan's horror. Finally, Android 16 decided to destroy Perfect Cell himself with the self-destruct device in his body. He wrapped his arms around Perfect Cell's torso (similar to how Chiaotzu tried to kill Nappa by self destructing), with the purpose of killing them both. To Android 16's surprise, Krillin informs that the bomb had been removed by Bulma when she re-programmed him earlier during repairs. Perfect Cell then gained the upper hand and destroyed all of Android 16 but his head, which rolled over the battlefield. Perfect Cell even claimed that even if the bomb did blow up, he would most likely not be affected too much, despite his fearful look when he found out what Android 16 was intending to do.

Perfect Cell then created 7 smaller blue versions of himself from his tail, christened the Cell Jr.'s. After they were born he ordered them to attack the Z Fighters, but not kill them. Each Cell Jr. were close to the power of Perfect Cell himself. Only Piccolo, Vegeta and Future Trunks in their Super Saiya 2nd Grade forms managed to hold them off for a while, but eventually all of them were brutally beaten up (even Goku, who was weakened from his fight with Perfect Cell). As Gohan watched these maniacal minions heartlessly beat his friends and family, he became angry, but it was still not enough. Perfect Cell, noticing Gohan's anger, ordered the Cell Jr.s to kill everyone. At this point, Hercule discovered the head of Android 16 which, surprisingly, could still talk. Android 16 pleaded with Hercule to take him near Gohan (throw him if he had to), for the sake of the world. Hercule complied despite his fear and the Android's head landed between Gohan and Cell.

Android 16 gave some advice and words of encouragement to Gohan, saying it was okay to fight sometimes to defend loved ones, and to protect the nature he loved. Perfect Cell, overhearing this, claimed that this was good advice and promptly crushed Android 16's head beneath his foot. This was the breaking point, and Gohan snapped. This enraged Gohan to the very limits and pushed him to a new level, Super Saiyan 2, the Super Saiyan level ascended beyond a Super Saiyan. (Although it was not named at this point in the series) Perfect Cell was pleased when Gohan reached this form but Gohan's first action was mercilessly killing off the smaller Cell Jr.s, which he defeated in a single hit each. The already astounded Z Warriors, with the exception of Goku, were amazed as Gohan and Perfect Cell began to battle, with Gohan dominating the powerful Android.

Even after Cell powered up to maximum (which surprised everyone, who all thought Cell was at full power when he fought Goku) and punched Gohan hard in the face, Gohan was barely fazed at all. With just 2 punches, Gohan almost incapacitated Cell completely. Perfect Cell truly learned fear when Gohan began dodging his all his attacks, taunting him, and overpowering even his strongest Kamehameha at point blank range. This almost destroyed Cell, but Gohan decided to let Cell suffer for a while, which made Goku order Gohan to kill Cell. But it was too late. Cell regenerated using Piccolo's Cells. Making the same mistake Future Trunks made earlier, he began a USS-like transformation that reduced his speed drastically, making him unable to hit Gohan. After Gohan had had enough of dodging Cell's punches, he kicked Cell in the face and then in the stomach. The kick to the stomach was hard enough to make Cell regurgitate Android 18, which made him go back to his Semi-Perfect form.

Enraged, Semi-Perfect Cell threatened to destroy the whole planet and began to self-destruct. Goku decided to step in because if he did not, Semi-Perfect Cell would have killed himself, destroying the planet with him. Goku used the Instant Transmission to reach Semi-Perfect Cell and then transmitted them both to King Kai's Planet, which was subsequently destroyed along with Goku, Semi-Perfect Cell, King Kai, Bubbles, and Gregory.

Back on Earth, Gohan and the other Z fighters mourn Goku's sudden sacrifice. Realizing his own cockiness, Gohan blames himself for his father's death. Meanwhile, Goku, King Kai, Bubbles, and Gregory are on Snake Way. But Goku realizes that Cell is not with them in the afterlife. After a startling revelation, King Kai realizes that if Cell is not with them, then Goku's sacrifice was in vain. Amongst the rubble of the destroyed planet, Cell regenerates. By destroying himself, Cell received a Zenkai and regenerated into his perfect form once again.

Cell also somehow absorbed the knowledge of how to perform the Instant Transmission, and returns to Earth, only to reappear and randomly kill Trunks. But to their surprise, a strong wind began to blow and a tremendously powerful force came upon them. Cell was back! A single Death Beam by Cell impaled Future Trunks and killed him. He came back in his "Perfect" Form due to the fact that his cells stored the memory of his perfect form away, and he was exponentially stronger than before because his core remained unharmed, and from it he had regenerated. He had become a lot stronger thanks to the Saiyan cells inside him, which after a near-death experience, increased his power dramatically. This power increase brought Cell up to a form he calls "Ultimate Perfection" (known by many as Super Perfect Cell).

The once distraught Gohan was in fact pleased to see Super Perfect Cell had returned, and hoped to avenge his father. Vegeta, seeing his own son get killed by Super Perfect Cell, became stunned, but this soon turned into anger as he went into a berserk rage against Super Perfect Cell. Despite everyone telling him that Future Trunks could be revived by the Dragon Balls, Vegeta, who was now a Super Saiyan, attacked Super Perfect Cell mercilessly with an array of energy blasts. It was absolutely hopeless, however. As Super Perfect Cell gave one hit to Vegeta that knocked him out and was about to kill Vegeta off with a Ki Blast, Gohan intercepted the blast with his own arm. It became badly damaged, and hung limply at his side. Vegeta, in a rare moment, actually apologized to Gohan. Super Perfect Cell jumped back and prepared for an attack.

Super Perfect Cell fired a Kamehameha wave at Gohan that he claimed was powerful enough to destroy the entire solar system. After losing use of one of his arms and seeing how much stronger Cell was now, Gohan seemingly lost all hope of destroying Super Perfect Cell and gave up, until he heard Goku communicating to him from the Other World via King Kai. Goku encouraged Gohan to believe in his power, and with new-found hope, Gohan prepared a one-handed Kamehameha. Since Gohan had used up a lot of energy and only used one arm, which had been injured by Super Perfect Cell's blast, for a Kamehameha, he was at a disadvantage. This coupled with the fact that Super Perfect Cell was equal to or greater than Gohan (when he first turned into a Super Saiyan 2) in power seemed to bring Gohan down all the more.

The final battle

The battle between the Kamehameha waves proved intense. As Tien, Piccolo, Vegeta, Krillin, and Yamcha watched, they begun to doubt Gohan's power. In a heated battle between Gohan and Super Perfect Cell, the Kamehameha wave grew and grew. Even though Cell nearly overtook Gohan several times, Gohan was aided by his father during the battle, who encouraged him and supported him against Super Perfect Cell. With this encouragement, Gohan was finally in the right state of mind to put forth his full power, which seemingly brought the Kamehameha duel to a standstill. Everyone but Vegeta also assisted him, in a four-sided attack. The distraction helped Gohan push his power even further. But it still was not enough. Vegeta, caught in his pride, ponders over whether to go help Gohan or stay on the sidelines. Finally, Vegeta's better side brought him to power up to maximum and go help Gohan.

Even though Gohan was giving it all of his power, Super Perfect Cell begins to take a huge upper hand in the struggle once again, which leaves everyone, even Goku and Gohan, very worried. Cell was about to fully overtake Gohan and the Earth and everything on it was about to be destroyed, when suddenly a surprise Big Bang Attack from Vegeta leaves Super Perfect Cell a bit stunned and very distracted. Gohan seizes the opportunity, encouraged by Goku in Heaven, and unleashes all the rest of his strength into the Kamehameha wave, which overwhelms Super Perfect Cell's Kamehameha and envelops him in the enormous energy. As Super Perfect Cell's body disintegrates it is obvious Super Perfect Cell cannot understand that he has been defeated. His core is the last thing to burn up in the Kamehameha, and its destruction marks the moment of Super Perfect Cell's death. Everyone was exhausted, especially Gohan, who had used up nearly all his energy to defeat Super Perfect Cell. Of course, despite his extreme fatigue and injuries, Gohan could only smile as the Z fighters looked upon him with pride and as Goku told him how proud he was of him.

Aftermath

After the battle ends, the heroes made their way to Kami's Lookout, renamed Dende's Lookout because Dende became the Earth's Guardian after Piccolo had fused with the Earth's previous Guardian, Kami. Super Perfect Cell was gone but so was Goku, and after the Z Warriors attempted to wish him back after wishing all of Cell's victims back (this included Future Trunks), but failed because Goku had already been wished back to life once before and Shenron cannot revive a person more than once, and of Goku's decision to stay in Other World.

Goku explained that he seems to attract evil people, so it would be better for the Earth to live in peace without him. He also said that Gohan surpassed him greatly now, so there would be no worries if another threat came. With the second wish, Krillin wanted the Androids to be wished into people due to his crush on Android 18. But Shenron could not grant the wish, as both Androids were stronger than him and he could not change anything about their persons. So Krillin instead wished that the bombs inside both of them were removed. This Shenron could do with ease. Android 18, who had been hiding revealed herself and got angry at Krillin for thinking that would soften her feeling for any of them. She then flew off, but not before saying "See you later." She would later form a relationship with and later marries him several years later, before the future Majin Buu conflict.

Piccolo planned to stay at Kami's Lookout to train Dende to become a good Guardian of Earth, and Gohan promised to visit him every once in a while. Future Trunks planned to stay for the night and leave for the future the next day after a good sleep. Tien told them he would probably never see them again, and after saying goodbye, left to see Chiaotzu. As everyone said their goodbyes and parted ways, Yamcha told Future Trunks what Vegeta did for him. After hearing this Future Trunks became for the first time, proud of his father. Gohan returns home and tells Chi-Chi the news. Chi-Chi becomes stunned and devastated about Goku not coming back this time and breaks down crying. Meanwhile, Hercule lies to the whole world by claiming credit for Super Perfect Cell's defeat. As Super Perfect Cell has been destroyed and Shenron has revived Cell's victims, the people of Earth believe that this is proof that Hercule defeated Super Perfect Cell and can magically revive the dead, despite seeing him lose foolishly to Perfect Cell on TV.

In the end, Future Trunks returns to his own time via his Time Machine after heartfelt goodbyes from the present (Gohan, Krillin, Yamcha, Bulma, her parents, and even Vegeta), and, thanks to his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, destroys both Future Android 17 and Future Android 18 with ease. Three years later, when Future Trunks was planning a trip to the present to tell them about the destruction of the Androids, Cell in his Imperfect Form would plan to kill him and take his Time Machine. However, he was quickly killed, due to Future Trunks' greatly increased power. His future is then restored to peaceful times as long as Future Trunks, the last Z Fighter, is alive.

Films

Main article: Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! In the film Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!, early in the early stages of this conflict Dr. Gero's Supercomputer activates Androids 13, 14 and 15 in an attempt to defeat the Dragon Team, however they are destroyed by Goku, Future Trunks and Vegeta respectivley following a battle.

See also

References

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