A Farewell to Arms

Cell's Kamehameha

The creature fires its Kamehameha, and Piccolo leaps skyward to dodge. Before he can recover, the monster ambushes him from above, locking his limbs in a crushing hold. It drives the stinger at the end of its tail into Piccolo's left arm and begins draining energy. Piccolo headbutts the creature and tears free, but his left arm is now shriveled and useless. The two land, and the creature taunts him, saying he cannot win with a single arm.

Cell's Origin

Piccolo concedes he cannot compete in this state. The creature praises his honesty and says absorbing Piccolo will nearly complete its initial evolution. Piccolo asks how it wields Goku's and Frieza's ki and knows the Kamehameha. Granting what it considers a dying wish, the creature introduces itself as Cell, an artificial life form created by Dr. Gero's supercomputer. Gero experimented with combining cells from powerful fighters, and although he abandoned the project, the computer pressed on. It collected samples from Goku, Piccolo, and Vegeta three years prior, along with samples from Frieza and King Cold taken upon their arrival on Earth. Future Trunks' cells were deemed unnecessary since the computer already had sufficient Saiyan material.

Piccolo's Trap

Piccolo asks how the cells were harvested, and Cell points out one of Gero's tiny spy robots hovering nearby. Piccolo destroys it, but Cell notes the research is complete. Piccolo mentions that Gero's lab was destroyed. Cell replies the computer operated from a hidden basement. He explains he needs to absorb Androids 17 and 18 to reach perfection, but they were already defeated in his timeline. He stole Future Trunks' Time Machine to travel back and find them. Piccolo asks why Cell craves such power, and Cell answers simply: he was built to be the ultimate being. Piccolo thanks him for talking, then rips off his withered arm. A new one sprouts instantly. Cell is stunned, and Piccolo reminds him he should have known about Namekian regeneration, since he carries Piccolo's own cells.