With the exception of Goku missing, all is well on Earth. The serenity is short-lived, as Furiza is on his way to the planet with his father, King Cold. The Z warriors sense his overwhelming presence, and prepare for his arrival. Knowing they have little chance against the dark lord themselves, they are frightened to learn that another force just as powerful Furiza is accompanying him.
King Cold and his son finally land on Earth. Furiza has learned from his defeat to be more cautious, and not to underestimate a Super Saiya-jin. Goku is still hours away, so Furiza orders his men to exterminate all life on the Earth. However, a mysterious teenager with purple hair swoops down and slaughters all his minions before they have a chance to kill anyone. The youth tells Furiza that he will destroy him, and wastes no time. After a few attacks are exchanged, Furiza is sliced into tiny bits and then vaporized by the shadowy character. King Cold would not admit to himself that his son could be killed by a mere "monkey," and assumes that the kid's power lies in his sword. Convincing the teen to give him the sword, King Cold attacks. The teen merely catches the blade and proceeds to kill King Cold, despite his pleas.
The mysterious youth flies down to the others and tells them to follow him to Son Goku. Vegita is stunned and blazing with rage after realizing there is yet another Saiya-jin who has surpassed him. Goku arrives in a small pod, finally reunited with his friends. The stranger asks Goku to talk to him, and Son agrees. Introducing himself as Trunks, the son of Vegita, he tells Goku that in three years he will die of a heart disease, and two androids will destroy the world. Goku is upset, not because he is going to die (been there, done that), but because he won't get to fight the androids. Trunks explains that Goku need not worry, as he brought an antidote for the heart disease from the future.
While he and Goku are talking, Trunks suddenly goes Super Saiya-jin. Out of nowhere, he lunges at Goku holding his sword in front of him, much resembling the strike he hit Furiza with. Goku doesn't budge. Trunks stops, inches before Goku's forehead makes contact with the sword. Goku tells Trunks he didn't move because he knew Trunks would not strike him. Trunks smirks, and tells Goku that next time he won't stop. Trunks strikes again and again and again. Each time Goku stops the sword using one finger. Trunks decides that Goku is possibly strong enough to defeat the androids.
Trunks gives Goku a specific date and time for them all to meet, and at that time they will face the androids. Then he leaves, but not before telling Goku who his father and mother are (Bulma and Vegita) and not to say anything that might endanger his existance (if they found out, Bulma and Vegita might never fall in love!). Goku agrees saying "Don't worry, I don't talk much." Goku goes to the group who have been watching the whole thing, and tells everyone what happened (leaving out anything about Trunks' parents) but forgets the date to meet. Fortunately, Piccolo, with his Super-Namek-Auditory-System overheard the whole thing and tells everyone the date, but mentions nothing about Trunks himself. They all go their seperate ways, in order to train as hard as they can for the next three years. Goku, Gohan and Piccolo go to train, Tenshinhan and Chaozu go off with each other, and Kuririn and Yamcha each go their seperate ways.
There are a few things of notice, such as the time when Goku and Piccolo are forced to get driver's licenses by Chi-Chi. After the three years have passed, everybody goes to meet at the specific point given to them by Future Trunks. As it turns out, the island they were supposed to meet on contains a huge city.
The Z-fighters are surprised to find Bulma there holding a baby (Trunks) in her hands. Goku mistakenly calls him Trunks before Bulma gives him the name, but since Trunks has already been born, there is no danger in revealing who he is. Since the Z-fighters cannot sense the KI of an android, they must look for the androids with their eyes and ears, and that may take a while. Eventually, Yamcha finds the androids, and is surprised to see what they look like, since no one ever got a description from Future Trunks. The androids quickly absorb Yamcha's energy through red orbs in their hands then promptly punch a gaping hole through Yamcha's stomach. The other Z-fighters eventually find Yamcha and fight a little with the androids, but soon give up, realizing that the fight is causing too many casualties. Yamcha is taking back to the original meeting place on the island (on a hill) and given senzu, which revives him.
The androids and the Z-fighters all go to an island. Surprising, Goku is winded just from flying. Something is noticably wrong with him. He begins to fight with android #19 and is kicking his ass, but seems to keeping getting in worse and worse shape. Eventually the android overpowers him, and begins to absorb his energy. Piccolo is about to rescue him, when Vegita rams into android #19 with a flying kick. The Z-fighters realize that the reason Goku is in such bad shape is because his heart condition hurting him. As it turns out, he has never taken his medicine, because the symptoms never came. Yamcha takes him back to his house, where he is given the medicine. However, it seems to have little effect.
Meanwhile, back at the island, Vegita has a few surprises of his own. Unbeknownst to the Z-fighters, Vegita has aquired the ability to go Super Saiya-jin. He explains how ironic it was that his very anger at not being able to go Super Saiya-jin was the thing that caused him to go SSJ. Vegita and Android 19 fight around a bit, and it becomes clear that Vegita has the upperhand. Eventually, Vegita lets the android grab onto his arms, the Andriod begins to drain his energy saying "I'll never let go!" Vegita asks "Never?" He places his feet on the android's chest and pulls its arms from their sockets. Vegita then proceeds to destroy android #19.
#20 is astonished that there can possibly be anybody this strong. He flees into a giant mountain, using the cracks to conceal himself, since the Z-fighters cannot sense his Ki. Vegita is given Senzu and follows the android. The rest of the Z-fighters follow Vegita. Android 20 is contemplating what to do. He decides to pick off the Z-fighters and steal their energy, then move on to Vegita.He tries to steal Piccolo's energy, but since Piccolo has a supreme auditory system, he knows the attack was coming. Unbeknowst the android, Piccolo was actually destroying his energy while he thought he was abosorbing it. Piccolo then takes a senzu and challenges #20 to a bout. #20 agrees, assuming he should be at least as strong as Piccolo after absorbing his energy. He gets the crap kicked out of him. He flees into the cracks of the mountain again and is going back to the lab.
Once Gero returns to the lab and attempts to persuade #17 and #18 to fight the Z teamers. The androids disagree, and don't like being commanded, and say so. The two androids decide to activate #16 despite many warnings from Dr. Gero. #17 and #18 kill their creator without a thought. Vegita states that that's not unusual, and that it is perfectly normal to kill anyone you don't like. Trunks shoots a blast into the cave which the lab is in, but it has no effect. #16 is activated. They ask him if he was made to kill Son Goku, and he replies to the affirmative. #18 says it makes her sick to think of Dr. Gero's goals for them.
The androids fly away, and the Z teamers realize they are heading towards Goku's house. Vegita is mad the androids paid him no notice, and insists on following them despite numerous warnings from Trunks. Meanwhile the androids decide to touch down for a while. In a debate about taking a car, #17 asks #16 if he was made from a man like they were. #16 calmly states that he was made from nothing. The androids puzzle over this for a little while, then Vegita confronts them. #18 tells #16 to fight Vegita, but he refuses.
#18 and Vegita begin to duel, and #17 is surprised that the Saiya-jin is much stronger than Dr. Gero told them he was. All of the Z teamers return, and Vegita comments on how stupid they are. #16 refuses to fight again. Trunks tells Vegita to run, and the androids say they won't fight people who run away because they have no interest in them. Vegita asks Trunks if he could use another slap. #17 complements Vegita's fighting skills, but Vegita just insults him in return. Piccolo notices that the android has infinite stamina, and Vegita is getting weaker by the minute.
#18 begins to land some critical hits on the now weakened Vegita. Trunks cannot stand to see his father in such pain, and intervenes with his sword. However, #18 is so strong that Trunks' sword chips on impact. Piccolo and Tenshinhan engage #17, but are beat back easily. Kuririn considers helping, but realizes he's no match for the androids. #17 and #18 make quick work of the Z warriors, but do not kill them off. They tell Kuririn to give his fallen comrades Senzu, because their only true purpose is to kill Goku. #18 kisses Kuririn on the cheek, and departs.
When Piccolo was revived along with the rest, he became extremely frustrated at himself. Without a reason, he flies off. Kuririn notes the direction that Piccolo left in, and speculates that he has gone to recombine with God (Kami). Since both have an unimaginable hatred for the other, Kuririn realizes that the situation must be grave. Back at Goku's house, our hero is still in incredible pain from the heart virus (Even after taking the medicine brought by Trunks). When Piccolo reaches the Kami tower, he explains to Kami that the world did not need a God, but a super warrior. However, Kami wants to have a longer look at the situation before he does anything rash, and tells Piccolo to wait.
Androids #16, #17, and #18 decided to take their time on their way to find Goku, and have some fun on their way. Both a motorcycle gang and the police chase after them, but are easily dispatched. Kuririn and Trunks inform Chi-Chi of the situation, and that they have to move Goku to a safer locale. Son is loaded into a plane, and they all fly off to Kame-sennin's house.
While the Z senshi waited, Gohan, Kuririn, and Trunks discuss how they could possibly use the time machine to defeat the cyborgs. Trunks told them that going into the past again to destroy the androids before they were activated would create another timeline, and would not destroy the androids looking for Goku in their future. When asked why he came back if he knew that anything he did would have no affect on the androids in his future, Trunks explained that he wanted to see if the androids had any weaknesses when Son Goku fought them, and if worst came to worst, he could take Goku back to his time and have him help destroy the menace.
In mid-flight the plane receives a call from Buruma saying that another time machine had been found. She faxes over a picture, and Trunks recognizes it as his time machine. He decides that he has to get a closer look, so Gohan, Trunks, and Buruma all head to the reported location. When they reach the machine, they find it covered in moss, and inside there are broken bits of a shell. Trunks has a look at the computer within the machine, and finds that it had departed three years after Trunks' future, and arrived four years in the current timeline. Close to the machine they find an egg capsule that something hatched from very recently. Trunks becomes very worried about the situation, but with nothing else to find, they leave the scene.
Meanwhile, Kami-sama began to fear what was happening down on Earth. Whatever had come out of the egg was now absorbing people left and right. An entire city's population had been decimated by this monster. Kami could not take it anymore, and agreed to merge with Piccolo. He explains to Mr. Popo that it was better to have a warrior in this situation than a Kami, and gives his life to Piccolo. Now possessing a superior intellect and a strong body, Piccolo flies down to find the monster.
Finding the monster sucking the life out of the last inhabitant of the city, Piccolo tells the monster to stop. The monster refuses, and begins to do battle with Piccolo. However, Piccolo's new strength is nothing to be trifled with, and he is unscatched by the monster's attacks. The rest of the Z warriors are confused by this development, as they can sense Vegita's, Tenshinhan's, Piccolo's, and Furiza's ki from the same location. The monster rears back and fires a Kame Hame Ha at Piccolo, catching him off-guard (Although he still evades the blast). The monster then blurs behind Piccolo and stabs his arm, sucking the life force from it. Admitting defeat, Piccolo requests that the monster explain to him who he was and what he was up to.
The monster explains that he is an android created by Dr. Gero from the cells of the greatest warriors on Earth. Gero had collected samples from Goku, Tenshinhan, Piccolo, Furiza, Vegita, and King Cold, but considered the project a failure and moved on to something else. However, the computer continued working on the creation, and finally finished three years after Trunks had defeated the androids in his own time (The computer was stationed much deeper in the Earth, so it was not destroyed by Trunks when the lab was blasted). Cell killed Trunks and took his time machine, but had to turn himself into an egg in order to fit. He had been told by Dr. Gero's computer that in order to become "perfect," he would have to absorb androids #17 and #18, who had already been killed in his timeline. Piccolo thanked Cell for the information, and regenerated his shriveled arm. Surprised by Piccolo's ability, Cell was forced to do battle again.
With Kuririn and Trunks arriving on the scene, Piccolo reveals that he had merged with Kami-sama, and that he would destroy Cell even if he tried to run. Cell uses a Taiyoken and makes his escape to the city. Once there, he begins to sap the life-force of the residents in hopes of becoming stronger than Piccolo and the others. Piccolo becomes extremely frustrated with himself for losing Cell. Meanwhile, Trunks and Kuririn decide to destroy the undeveloped Cell in Dr. Gero's lab so another monster would not be created. Upon arriving in the lab, Kuririn and Trunks find the young Cell organism and blueprints for Android #17. Taking the plans, they blow up the lab and start heading home.
Glancing over the plans for Android #17, Dr. Briefs and Buruma find quite a bit of stuff they do not understand. However, they vow to do their best to find a weak spot. Cell is still on the rampage, sucking energy left and right. He pursues a little girl and her brother, but Kuririn arrives just in time to save them. Cell chases after our bald hero, and smacks him around a bit. However, Piccolo and Tenshinhan arrive and drive Cell off. Back at the Kame House, Goku had finally woken up from his virus-induced coma, and was training on the beach of the small island. With Vegita's failure, he knew his current level would be no match for the androids. Goku tells the others about a special room where a year of training can take place in only a day. He transports himself and Gohan to Vegita and Trunks, who are busy practicing, and tells them about the room. During this time, the androids finally reach Goku's home, only to find it vacant.
Mr. Popo leads the four Saiya-jin to the room of spirit and time in God's palace, and asks who would be entering first. Vegita and Trunks volunteer to be the first trainees. Flying to Kame's islands, the androids meet with the Z warriors once again. Piccolo refuses to tell them Goku's location, and challenges them to a battle on a neighboring island. #17 decides that he will go solo while #16 and #18 observe the fight. Piccolo has a slight edge over the android, and does a fair amount of damage to him. Hoping to finish him of, Piccolo performs an attack that surrounds #17 with ki energy. The android emerges unscathed.
The battle continues, and Cell senses the fight. Thinking he is powerful enough to take on Piccolo, and that Piccolo is probably fighting #17, he rushes to the island. Meanwhile, Buruma finally completes a device that will deactivate the androids.With little time to spare, Kuririn speeds towards Buruma's to pick up the device. Piccolo and #17 are not gaining much ground on each other, and Cell takes them by surprise. Having never seen Cell before, #17 does not know what he has in store. The monster tries to take #17's energy, but Piccolo interferes. The Namek-jin launches a massive attack at Cell, but does no damage to him. To prevent further interuptions, Cell breaks Piccolo's neck and tosses him into the ocean.
While Goku restrains Gohan from leaving God's palace, Cell and Android #17 begin to duke it out. Even without the stamina drain, #17 was getting pounded. Finally, #16 interferes and challenges Cell. He proves to be a much fairer opponent, and an even match for Dr. Gero's DNA experiment. Cell tries to absorb #16's energy, but finds that there is nothing to steal. It is then that #16 reveals he is 100% robotic, and contains absolutely no organic material (#17 and #18 are based on human beings). He continued to rip Cell to pieces. However, with Piccolo's ability to regenerate, he takes little physical damage.
#16 and Cell continued to duel, with the big android getting the upper-hand. The recepient of a Rocket Punch and a Hell's Flash, Cell was looking down and out. Thinking he was dead, #17 and #18 refuse to leave, despite #16's pleas. After realizing Cell is still alive, #17 challenges him to fight. This was the break Cell was looking for. He sneaks up behind #17 and quickly absorbs him with his tail. The first transformation begins. #16 grabs #18 and flies away as fast as he can, but apparently it's not fast enough. Cell steps in front of the two fleeing androids and blasts #16 in the head, tearing a part of it off. As number #18 frantically threatens to destroy herself, Tenshinhan steps into the battle.
The first blast hits Cell and drives him into the Earth. Tenshinhan tells the androids to get away, and continues to use his Kikoho attack on the monster. Since the area of affect is quite large, Cell is unable to escape the hole in the ground Tenshinhan has confined him to. However, this was taking a massive toll on his body, and he couldn't keep it up for long. With the last of his energy gone, Ten's unconscious body drifts to the ground. Cell gets ready to evaporate his body for letting the androids get away, but Goku teleports in. He tells Cell that in one day he will be ready to mop the floor with him. Goku senses Piccolo's ki, and realizes that he's alive (but barely). He teleports to his body, then transports both fallen warriors to Kami's palace just before Cell can get a hit on Goku.
Kuririn and Buruma finally reach each other, and she gives him the device to destroy the androids. However, it must be used no more than 10 meters away. Cell begins his search for #18, who is hiding with #16 on an island. To everyone's surprise, the door to the room of spirit and time finally opens. Vegita and Trunks emerge, and inform the others that they have both surpassed Super Saiya-jin. Buruma arrives in her jet, bringing special light-weight battle uniforms for the Z warriors. After putting on these new clothes, Trunks and Vegita rush to Cell's ki. Cell is becoming increasing frustrated with being unable to locate #18, and flies high into the air. He screams so loudly that everyone on the islands below can hear he cries. He threatens to destroy each and every island until #18 comes out, and begins to do so. With the room of spirit and time now vacant, Goku and Gohan begin their "year" of training.
Cell continues to obliterate island after island until only one is left. He charges a large energy attack, but Vegita interupts him. To his surprise, Vegita has suddenly become a lot stronger. He shows Cell what is beyond Super Saiya-jin, and Cell does not like it one bit. Blow after blow land, and Cell is powerless to stop the onslaught (though he does retaliate with a few weak attacks in edgewise). Vegita toys with his opponent, who is nowhere near his level, and holds back in killing him. Cell begins to whine about not being complete.
Meanwhile, Kuririn had arrived on the island, and was searching for #18 to deactivate her. He finds her, and manages to sneak very close. However, our emotional hero begins to have second thoughts about destroying the woman who gave him a playful peck on the cheek earlier. Cell desperately tries to convince Vegita that he will be a challenge if he becomes perfect. Luckily for him, it works. Vegita lets Cell search for #18, but Trunks stands in the way. He refuses to let Vegita's pride endanger the lives of the people of Earth. Kuririn finally makes a decision: He walks into #18's field of view, and smashes the controller. The androids are very surprised by Kuririn's action. While father and son are bickering, Cell spots #18.
As Cell swoops down towards his meal, Trunks once again blocks his path. Cell is pounded into some mountains, where he quickly masks his Ki and burrows underground. He sneaks up on #18, and Trunks tries to prevent Cell from devouring her with his tail. However, Vegita wants to see Cell reach perfection, and bats his own son away. #16 and Kuririn try to interfere, but are easily dispatched. In his desperation, Trunks launches an energy ball at Vegita, and blasts him far from the battle scene. Cell makes more advances on #18, but AGAIN Trunks kicks him away. Frustrated by all the interference, Cell uses a Taiyoken on the Z warriors. With everyone blinded, he zips down and absorbs #18. Cell begins his transformation to perfection.
Waves of energy spread across the Earth, and Cell completes his transformation. In the room of spirit and time, Goku and Gohan are still busily training. When Goku finally goes all out on Gohan, his son finally reaches Super Saiya-jin. Back on the ground, Cell is admiring his new body...so much that he just ignores Kuririn and Trunks who are busy trying to kill him with a flurry of attacks. Kuririn forms a Kienzan, and chucks it at Cell. To his surprise, the attack bounces right off him. Cell smashes his body in response, but Trunks aids him with a Senzu almost immediately. Vegita flies down to challenge this new Cell, and seems fairly even with him in power at the beginning.
His confidence slowly fades as he realizes he's not putting a dent in Cell. Vegita is kicked around a bit, and becomes severly pissed off. He flies into the air and challenges Cell to take his energy attack head on. Cell stubbornly obliges. Vegita's Final Flash packs a huge punch, and disintegrates Cell's right arm and shoulder. But thanks to Cell's regenerative capabilites, he just grows a new one in its place. He quickly knocks Vegita unconscious, and is about to kill him...until he notices Trunks is charging up a massive amount of Ki.
Trunks and Cell begin to do battle, and it looks like Cell has the upper hand. As Trunks lies on the ground from one of Cell's hits, he looks at Kuririn and points at Vegita's body. Kuririn realizes that Trunks was letting himself get attacked on purpose so that Vegita would not be harmed. As he flies away with Vegita, Cell tells Trunks to fight all-out. The warriors exchange more attacks, this time not holding back. Trunks powers up an insane amount, and grow tremendously buff. Cell admits that Trunks has much more power than he does, but the Saiya-jin had no chance of defeating him.
Goku and Gohan are still training in the room of spirit and time, honing their skills. Goku demonstrates USSJ for Gohan, but tells him that it is a foolish form. Since the muscles grow to such a large size, the form is very slow and easy to dodge. Attacks pack a lot of power, but it's doubtful they'll hit their target. Cell is telling Trunks the exact same thing. Thinking himself as a fool, Trunks orders Cell to kill him. The green monster has a better idea: A martial arts tournament. He tells the Z warriors that it will be held in 10 days, and that if anyone can kill him, the Earth will not be destroyed. When asked what his goal is, Cell informs them that he has none. He just fights for the fun of it, and is not interested in world conquest or killing Son Goku...
