Editing Android 16 (section)

==== Cell Saga ====
As the androids fly over a snowy northern area, they spot a Lucky Foods van parked by a rest stop. Curious, they investigate, and the employees attempt to stop them, only to back off in fear when Android 16 lifts the van and dumps out its contents. The trio then drives off, with Android 17 planning to head to Goku's house. However, Android 18 reminds him that she wants new clothes, and he agrees to handle that first. When asked if he knows where Goku's house is, 17 admits he's guessing, prompting Android 16 to provide the exact coordinates. 18 suggests they fly there, but 17 insists on driving to enjoy the small pleasures of life.

Along the way, they are stopped and arrested by police for stealing the van. The androids easily break free of their handcuffs and destroy the police car before resuming their journey. In town, Android 18 shoplifts clothes, causing the store owner to call the police. When police cars pursue them, 18 flies out and destroys them, enabling their escape.

While driving, 17 and 18 sense a disturbance. Android 16 detects two powerful ki signatures fighting on the outskirts of West City, which are actually Piccolo (who recently fused with Kami) and Cell. 17, unaware of Cell's existence, dismisses 16's sensors, believing no one can match their power. Meanwhile, 16 notes one of the ki signatures is losing energy, the result of Cell absorbing Piccolo's power. Still, 17 arrogantly believes no one poses a threat to them.

Arriving at Goku's house, they find it deserted. 16 suggests that Goku could be at Capsule Corporation or Kame House. The androids decide to check Kame House, the closer of the two. The next day, at Kame House, Piccolo is shocked to see the androids arrive. 16 states that Goku is not present, and 17 threatens to use force if they do not reveal Goku's location. Piccolo challenges them to a fight on a nearby uninhabited island. After arriving at the island, Piccolo powers up, and 16 notices something different about him, suspecting he is no longer the same Namekian.

During the ensuing battle between Android 17 and Piccolo, they are interrupted by Cell, who reveals his intent to absorb Androids 17 and 18 to achieve his perfect form. Piccolo and Cell explain that Cell's absorption will fulfill Dr. Gero's dream of creating the ultimate super-being. However, 17 refuses to comply, stating he is Gero's ultimate creation. 16 warns 17 to flee, as Cell's power far exceeds theirs and could threaten the entire universe. 17 dismisses 16's warning as cowardice and attacks Cell, but he is easily overpowered. Piccolo tries to intervene but is swiftly defeated.

As 17 and Piccolo struggle against Cell, 18, unable to sense power levels, believes they are holding back. Android 16 corrects her, stating that Cell is far stronger. He urges 18 to escape alone while she still can, as 17 refuses to heed his warning. Piccolo unleashes his strongest attack, hoping to defeat Cell, but 16 quickly points out that Cell is unharmed. Cell emerges from the ocean without a scratch, and before 17's eyes, Cell brutally incapacitates Piccolo, tossing him into the ocean.

Intimidated by Cell's growing power, Android 18 realizes fleeing might be their best option. Android 16 urges her to run again, revealing that he will fight and destroy Cell, shocking 18. Despite being programmed to use his full power only against Goku, 16 decides to act now. He moves toward Cell, stunning Tien Shinhan and 18. As 17 is at Cell's mercy, 16 intervenes by striking Cell and freeing 17. Calculating that he and Cell are nearly equal in strength, 16 launches an assault with punches and kicks, but Cell dodges. On the ground, they collide with their rush attacks, but Cell surprises 16 by stabbing his stinger into 16's neck. However, 16, being inorganic, is unaffected and removes the stinger, throwing Cell to the ground and ripping off his tail to prevent him from absorbing the androids. Cell regenerates his tail, thanks to Piccolo's cells, showing the struggle's gravity.

Realizing Cell must be destroyed completely, 16 attempts a kick, but Cell counters with two punches. In response, 16 uses his Hell's Flash technique, removing his forearms to reveal cannons that charge up and create a massive explosion, causing significant damage to the surrounding area. After reattaching his hands, 16 sees 17 and 18 still there and urges them to run, knowing Cell won't be defeated so easily. However, 17, confident in finishing a wounded Cell, refuses to leave.

As 17 taunts Cell, the latter emerges from the ground behind him. Tien warns 17, but Cell quickly absorbs him with his tail, beginning his transformation into Semi-Perfect Cell. 16, realizing 17 has been fully absorbed, urges 18 to flee with him. Grabbing her, they take off, but Cell, now faster and more powerful, quickly catches up. Taunting them about his new speed, Cell blocks 16's attack and blasts his head, critically damaging him.

Cell then turns to 18, asserting it’s her turn to be absorbed. 18, terrified, threatens to self-destruct if Cell approaches. Cell, using 17’s voice, tries to manipulate her, claiming it’s the only way to become stronger. As 18 hesitates, 16, despite his damage, warns her it's a trick. Cell dismisses 16's warning, asserting that a machine can't understand their emotions. However, when Cell mistakenly mentions fulfilling Dr. Gero's wishes, 18 realizes it isn't 17 speaking; she and 17 hated Gero and would never praise him.

Cell, annoyed by his mistake, tries to subdue 18 before she can self-destruct. At that moment, Tien appears above them, charging his Neo Tri-Beam. Tien unleashes the powerful attack, repeatedly striking Cell and pinning him down, allowing 18 and 16 to escape.

After resuming his search, Cell struggles to locate Android 18 and 16. Assuming they are hiding among the chain of islands, he yells for 18 to reveal herself, threatening to destroy the islands one by one until he finds her. 18 realizes that Cell is willing to go to any lengths to achieve his perfect form. 16 assures her that Cell is too obsessed with completion to harm her directly. When 18 doesn't show herself, Cell destroys a populated island to flush her out, threatening that her time is running out. As 18 panics, 16 tries to reassure her that Cell will not risk his dream by killing her.

Impatient, Cell uses his Super Big Bang Crash to destroy islands in quick succession, closing in on the androids' hiding place. When Cell prepares to destroy their island, Vegeta and Future Trunks arrive, fresh from their training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Android 18 is shocked at Vegeta's confidence, doubting he can defeat Cell after she easily defeated him before. However, Vegeta boldly asserts that he alone can kill Cell.

Watching Vegeta power up to his Super Saiyan Second Grade form, the island begins to shake. 18, initially skeptical, realizes Vegeta has grown much stronger. 16, noting the change in Vegeta's power, urges 18 to wait and see how the battle unfolds. As the fight begins, 18 and 16 continue to watch, hoping for an opportunity to escape.

During the battle, Krillin arrives and spots the androids. Holding the remote Bulma created to deactivate 18, he approaches, intending to use it. However, upon seeing 18, Krillin hesitates, conflicted by his feelings for her. Ultimately, he decides against shutting her down and crushes the remote, much to 18's shock. She questions his actions, but Krillin cannot provide a clear answer. He urges her to flee before Cell finds her.

Meanwhile, Cell taunts Vegeta, suggesting he would be a more formidable opponent if allowed to achieve his Perfect Form. Vegeta, eager for a greater challenge, agrees. Trunks tries to intervene, but Vegeta stops him, wanting to see Cell at his peak strength. Spotting 18 and 16, Cell realizes his chance to become perfect is near. Trunks warns the androids that Cell has found them, prompting panic.

As Cell flies toward 18, Trunks transforms into his Super Saiyan Second Grade form and tries to intercept him. However, Vegeta blocks Trunks' path, knocking him into a nearby mountain. Cell lands near the androids, and they prepare to fight. In the ensuing struggle, 18, 16, and Krillin attempt to resist Cell, but their efforts are futile. Cell overpowers them with ease.

Determined to stop Cell's completion, Trunks attacks his father to get past him. Firing a Super Buster Cannon at Vegeta, Trunks rushes toward Cell. Cell, realizing he cannot defeat Trunks at his current strength, uses a Solar Flare to blind everyone temporarily. Taking advantage of the distraction, he quickly absorbs Android 18. As he begins his transformation, Cell creates a forcefield to prevent interference.

Amid the intense light and energy of his transformation, Cell emerges in his new Perfect Form. Krillin, enraged by Cell's actions, attacks him but is easily overpowered. Cell casually tests his new strength, and with a powerful kick, sends Krillin flying, nearly killing him. Android 16, watching in horror, realizes the gravity of the situation as Cell's newfound power threatens them all.

As the Cell Games begin, Android 16 watches from the sidelines, analyzing the power levels of the participants. He is determined to help the Z Fighters defeat Cell, despite his primary objective of killing Goku. Vegeta, who arrived first, dismisses 16's involvement, believing it will make no difference in the outcome. Cell, intrigued by 16's presence, comments that he had forgotten about him entirely, brushing off his potential as insignificant.

The rest of the Dragon Team soon arrives, with Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, Tien, and Yamcha joining the group. Upon his arrival, Goku approaches Android 16 and wishes him luck in the tournament. 16, however, remains cold and focused, reminding Goku of his original purpose: "I was created to kill you. Do not forget that, Son Goku." This somber statement surprises Goku, who remarks to Krillin that 16 is quite serious and "depressing."

Despite the tension, the Z Fighters recognize that they need all the strength they can muster to challenge Cell. Android 16, now free from Dr. Gero's programming to a degree but still aware of his directive, has shifted his focus to the greater threat: Cell. Goku and the others know they have to cooperate to stop Cell from achieving total victory.

The tournament begins with Goku stepping forward as the first challenger. Cell, excited by the prospect of a worthy opponent, squares off against him. The two fighters exchange blows at lightning speed, their movements almost invisible to the average human eye. Android 16, watching the battle intently, notes Goku's calm and controlled fighting style. However, he quickly realizes that Goku is testing Cell rather than going all out.

As the fight continues, Goku and Cell push each other to their limits, with both showing extraordinary power. Goku eventually reveals his true intention: he wants Gohan to fight Cell, believing his son has the potential to surpass him and achieve victory. This decision shocks the rest of the Dragon Team, who doubt Gohan's readiness. However, Goku steps aside, confident in his son's hidden strength.

As Gohan steps up to fight, Android 16 continues to observe closely. He understands Goku's reasoning but remains skeptical about Gohan's ability to defeat Cell, given the Bio-Android's overwhelming power. Nonetheless, 16 sees the importance of the moment and decides to remain ready to intervene if needed, aware that Cell's victory would mean devastation for the world.

The stage is set for the next intense battle in the Cell Games, with all eyes on Gohan as he prepares to face Cell. Android 16, with his repaired body and newfound resolve, stands by, ready to support the Z Fighters in their struggle against the monstrous Bio-Android.

Android 16's fate remains ambiguous after the battle with Cell. Since he was a fully mechanical android, unlike 17 and 18 who were modified humans, there is uncertainty about whether the Dragon Balls revived him when they resurrected those who died during Cell's rampage. While characters like Android 8 and Arale Norimaki, who are purely mechanical, were also revived after Earth’s restoration following the battle with Kid Buu, it is never explicitly stated if the same rule applies to 16.

Android 16 played a crucial role in inspiring Gohan to unleash his hidden power by sacrificing himself to provoke the young Saiyan's rage. His message to Gohan, emphasizing the need to protect the Earth and its inhabitants, proved to be the emotional trigger that allowed Gohan to ascend to the Super Saiyan 2 form. Despite his peaceful nature and desire to protect life, 16's death at the hands of Cell marked a turning point in the battle, helping Gohan find the strength to defeat Cell once and for all.

However, since 16 did not have a soul in the traditional sense due to his mechanical nature, the standard rules of the Dragon Balls' revival may not apply to him. His death remains an impactful and poignant moment, highlighting his shift from a programmed weapon of destruction to a defender of life.