CELL: IMPERFECT WARRIOR
UNWELCOME DISCOVERY January 31, 2001
As the androids continue to search for Goku (and some new clothes for 18) the Z fighters are secretly airlifting him to safety. While en route, they call Bulma to fill her in, and she faxes them a disturbing picture: Trunk's time capsule, and it appears to have been destroyed for several years! The gang's a little confused, especially when Trunks proves it's not his: he still has his in it's capsule!
Man, I keep missing episodes and it's making me mad! Anyway, Android 18 gets some new clothes, and Kame finally decides to join with Piccolo, but only after learning of yet another all powerful presence! The presence is Cell, an android from the future who was created by Dr Gero and he has cells from Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the gang, giving him their abilities. It would seem he's come back from 24 years in the future so that he can fuse with the androids, making him a "perfect" being! Piccolo tries to do battle with him but is injured. Kame suggest's that Piccolo ask Cell to tell him his origin, giving him time to regenerate. And now we pick up again with…
As Piccolo gets ready to do battle with Cell, Trunks and Krillin arrive. Cell recognizes Trunks (it would seem he killed Trunks in the future) and decides he's played around enough. He flies up and uses Tien's Solar Flare technique to make a quick exit, so he can find the Android's, who are still searching for Goku. Back at the Kame House, Goku appears to be making progress. Oh, and Vegeta finally reappears to help Piccolo, Krillin, Trunks, and Tien find and destroy Cell before he can join with the Androids.
As Piccolo and Tien set out to find and destroy Cell before he can join with the Androids, Krillin and Trunks fly to the remains of Dr. Gero's hidden lab. After searching a hidden area of the room, they don't find Cell, but something much better: plans for building Android 17! The two take the plans, then destroy the rest of the lab to ensure no more androids show up.
Cell continues his rampage on the small town of Nikkitown. He kills and consumes everyone except a young girl and her brother. It looks like they're about to be killed when Krillin (taking a short cut back to Kame House) shows up. He saves the girl and her brother and helps them to an airplane, then uses the Solar Flare to escape by hanging onto the airplane. Unfortunately, this doesn't work too well and Cell gets on top of the airplane. Krillin attempts to stop Cell, but his head is trapped in the airplane! Cell about to consume him when Tien and Piccolo show up. As the trio tries to figure out what to do, Cell hides and waits for them to leave.
Meanwhile, Trunks is flying back to Kame House with the plans for 17, and really worrying about the changes in the time stream. He decides it's time to listen to his father and ascend to a level higher than Super Saiyan.
Back at Kame House, Chi Chi and Master Roshi hear what sounds like bombs dropping. They run upstairs to check on Goku…but he's nowhere to be seen! They then look out the window to see the best thing for Earth right now: Goku awake, fully healed, and trying out his Kamehameha wave! After ensuring Chi Chi and Roshi that he's fine, he tells them it's time for him to begin his training. He and Vegeta both sense that there is a level higher than Super Saiyan, and he's determined to reach it!
After a full recovery from his heart disease, Goku is finally ready to begin his training again. After convincing Chi Chi to let Gohan come with him, he sets off for the airship. Upon arriving, he takes Gohan with him to get Trunks and Vegeta. The four then head for Kame's Lookout and talk to Mr. Popo, who lets them use the Hyperbolic Time Chamber(we'll just call it Time Chamber for short). Trunks and Vegeta go in first, only to discover…an empty void! But Trunks sucks it ups and is determined to prove himself to his father. Meanwhile, back at Master Roshi's, Piccolo, Krilin, Tien, and Yamcha are resting and waiting for Cell to show himself when Androids 16, 17, and 18 show up! After telling them that Goku is gone, Piccolo and the androids leave for a nearby island so that Piccolo and 17 can fight! Piccolo may be stronger than ever, but can he beat the Android that took him out with one punch?
Alone on an island, Piccolo ensures that 18 and 16 won't interrupt his battle with 17. As the battle begins, it's becoming painfully obvious to 17 just how much stronger Piccolo is now. After being nearly destroyed by Piccolo's scattershot, 17 continues to taunt the Namek. Meanwhile back at Kame's Lookout, Vegeta and Trunk's year in the Time Chamber is almost up. As Goku and Gohan wait, no one knows what's happening inside. Hopefully, the two are already ascended Saiyans, but anything could happen.
Piccolo is still duking it out with Android 18…and it looks like he's winning! Goku and Gohan are waiting for Vegeta and Trunks to finish in the time chamber. Meanwhile, everyone but Piccolo senses that Cell is following Piccolo's energy signature. Over at her house, Bulma may have just gave Earth a chance by finishing a remote that can shut down the Androids! She's on her way over, but Piccolo's high power level has finally led Cell to the Androids, so you may want to kiss your planet good-bye!
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, Cell arrives! Krillin flies off to meet Bulma for the Android crippling remote she built as Piccolo goes one on one with Cell! Unfortunately, the battle doesn't last. Cell defeats Piccolo and blasts a hole through his stomach, quite effectively killing him. Goku and Gohan are still waiting for Vegeta and Trunks to finish up in the time chamber, but things aren't looking too good for Earth right now!
Well, seeing as how Piccolo is dead, Vegeta and Trunks are in the Time Chamber, and Goku and Gohan won't leave until they can finish training in the Time Chamber, it looks like Earth is in it deep. Android 17 takes a stab at Cell and it looks like he's about to be absorbed, when Android 16 interferes! It would seem that 16 is waaay stronger than anyone could have guessed.