Cell Laughs Last

Piccolo's Advantage

Piccolo declares that even with the energy Cell drained from his arm, the Namekian still outclasses him. He prepares to end the battle quickly. Cell acknowledges Piccolo's cleverness but realizes the warrior's enormous power means Kami and Piccolo have fused. Cell draws a chilling conclusion: with Kami gone, the Dragon Balls are now inert, meaning no one killed from this point forward can be wished back. Krillin and Future Trunks arrive moments later, dropping to the ground in shock at the sight of Cell. Trunks connects the creature to the egg they found earlier. Krillin senses Goku's ki radiating from Cell and asks Piccolo what is going on. Piccolo promises to explain after they destroy the creature.

Cell's Escape

Realizing a direct fight would be suicidal, Cell announces he will retreat. Piccolo scoffs, reminding Cell that the weak Kamehameha he fired earlier revealed his limits. Cell counters by boasting he could use the Spirit Bomb if he wished, then addresses Krillin by name, shocking him. Learning that Goku is alive, Cell deduces this timeline differs drastically from his own. He warns Piccolo to grow stronger if he hopes to prevent the absorption of Androids 17 and 18, then fires a Solar Flare. The blinding light gives Cell the opening he needs. He suppresses his ki and vanishes into the surrounding woodland. Piccolo chases after him but cannot detect any energy signature. Cell sets out to devour hundreds more humans until his power exceeds both Piccolo's and the androids'.

Gathering the Fighters

Vegeta arrives, having sensed the battle from afar, and demands an explanation. Piccolo tells him to wait until Tien Shinhan lands. Once assembled, Piccolo recounts Cell's origins, his goal of absorbing the androids, and the danger he represents. Vegeta is furious that a creature carries his cells. Piccolo concludes that the androids must be destroyed before Cell reaches them. Vegeta, still struggling to accept that machines surpass a Super Saiyan, hopes the bedridden Goku shares his resolve to break through their current limits.