Android 16's History
Background
Android 16 is an incomplete android designed by Dr. Gero to be created exclusively from synthetic technology. He was modeled on Gero's dead son, a high-ranking Red Ribbon soldier long ago felled by an enemy bullet. In his affection, Gero made him powerful but did not want him to be destroyed in battle, so he made him gentle. Android 16's programming has yet to be completed and, as such, Dr. Gero opts not to activate him in fear that he might destroy Android 17 and Android 18. Dr. Gero even goes as far as to dub Android 16 a "prototype". Android 16's most significant malfunction from Gero's perspective is likely his inherently peaceful behavior, often interacting with nature rather than complying with Gero's orders, making him similar to Android 8, although he is still committed to fulfilling his mission on destroying Goku. In due course, there is some truth to Dr. Gero's prediction, as Android 16's serene outlook drives him to attempt to destroy Cell, in an effort to eliminate the serious threat Cell posed to peace on Earth. Android 16 is very quiet, normally talking only when needed. He is also the only character that addresses that Android 17 and Android 18 are not evil.
Due to these defaults, Android 16 was not meant to be activated before eventually being fixed by Dr. Gero; this is evidenced in Future Trunks' timeline where Android 16 is not seen and was possibly not activated, possibly due to his peaceful nature or because Future Goku was already dead due to the Heart virus and, thus, was no longer needed (Future Trunks fails to recognize Android 16 upon his second visit from the future). In Xenoverse 2, it is shown that Future Android 16 does actually exist in Future Trunks' timeline as he is found and reprogramed by Towa (in parallel timelines created as a result of the 2nd Future Warrior fixing Towa's alterations Future Android 16 is activated and joins forces with Future Android 17 and Future Android 18) to kill Future Gohan in Age 780 and later Future Trunks in Age 785 but was defeated both times thanks to the intervention of the 2nd Future Warrior and eventually destroyed.
Androids Saga
In the mainstream timeline, Android 18's curiosity in Android 16 leads her to activate the giant and the discrepancies with Gero who severely forbids her from doing so lead Android 17 to kill him. Future Trunks attempts to destroy the androids with a Buster Cannon before the activation of Android 16, but his attack has no effect on the trio and thus Android 16 is activated. Once he is activated, Android 17 asks Android 16 what it feels like to be free for the first time in years and tells him that Dr. Gero warned them not to activate him, saying he would destroy them all. Android 18 asks what Gero meant, but Android 16 does not respond. Android 17 then asks Android 16 whether he does not want to tell them or whether he is just the strong, silent type, but Android 16 still says nothing. Android 17 then asks if Android 16 was created to kill Goku, and Android 16 simply says yes. Android 17 says that he hates the idea of following Gero's programming but feels that they need a sense of purpose. The trio then proceeds to travel in search of Goku, whom Android 16 is programmed to kill, ignoring the nearby Z Fighters.
As the androids pass over a mountain road, Android 17 decides to land, and Android 18 and Android 16 follow suit. Android 18 asks why they have landed, and Android 17 says that there is no rush, and they might as well enjoy the trip. Android 18 asks if they are going to walk, but 17 says that when a car passes by, they will take it. 18 says that Android 17 is still part human, as he has the male love of pointless amusement. Android 17 asks Android 16 if he understands, since he was created from a human male too. Android 16 then reveals that he was never a human, making him fundamentally different from Android 17 and Android 18. Android 17 is surprised that Gero had the capability to make a true android and wonders why he returned to cybernetics afterwards. When Vegeta in his Super Saiyan form intercepts the trio, 17 and 18 implore 16 to step in and fight, interested to see him in action, as that was their main purpose for activating him in the first place. However, Android 16 refuses to fight him, thus prompting Android 18 to volunteer.
When Android 18 overpowers Vegeta in the fight, Future Trunks, Krillin, Piccolo and Tien Shinhan arrive as Vegeta's reinforcement. Android 17 takes the opportunity to ask 16 if he will join the fight, though, as he initially assumed, Android 16 would once again opt out. Vegeta refuses to give up and stubbornly says that he would rather die alone than accept assistance in battle, especially from Goku and his friends. Impressed by his resolve, Android 17 tells the other Z Fighters to respect the code of the warrior and not interfere with Android 18 and Vegeta's battle and promises to deal with anyone who does. However, when 18 breaks Vegeta's arm during the battle, Trunks breaks 17's non-interference truce because he could not bear to see Vegeta injured and attacks 18. Android 17 intervenes and easily defeats Future Trunks, Tien, and Piccolo. At the conclusion of the encounter, which has rendered everyone incapacitated besides Krillin (who is spared so that he may see the others healed by Senzu Beans), it is revealed that 16 has been more intent on observing nearby birds, saddened that they flew away because of the noise made by the battle scene, than to take part in the fight. The pair then meet up with Android 16, who is still nearby, looking off into the distance. Android 17 asks what he is looking at, and Android 16 simply says that the birds flew away because they were too noisy. 17 seems confused by this, and 18 suggests they fly to someplace where more cars will pass by.
The androids decide to go to the nearest town to get 18 some more clothes (as her outfit was damaged by Vegeta) and find a car. As they are about to leave, Krillin rushes over to them, telling them to wait. Android 17 asks what he wants, and Krillin asks if they just want to kill Goku or take over the world. 17 says that for now they are just going to kill Goku and will decide what to do next afterwards. Krillin asks why they want to kill Goku, since it was Dr. Gero who hated him, and he is now dead. 17 replies that Dr. Gero has nothing to do with it and that it is just a game, which is why he did not ask Krillin where Goku is. Krillin asks if they would leave Goku alone if he begged them, but Android 16 replies that they would not, they were created to kill Goku. 17 agrees and tells Krillin to hurry and go give his friends some Senzu Beans. Android 18 then kisses Krillin on the cheek, and the androids fly off.
Cell Saga
As they fly over a snowy area in the north, the androids spot a Lucky Foods van parked along the road next to a rest stop, while two Lucky Foods workers are drinking coffee. The trio land to check it out. The workers notice and attempt to stop the Androids but are frightened when Android 16 lifts the van and dumps out its cargo. The androids then drive off, and Android 17 plans to head to Goku's House. Android 18 reminds him that she wants new clothes first, and 17 agrees to take care of that first. As they drive, Android 18 asks Android 17 if he even knows where Goku's House is, and 17 says that he doesn't and has been driving on pure instinct. Android 16 then chimes in with the house's coordinates and says they can be there in a few minutes if they fly. 18 agrees with flying there, but 17 says that small things in life are what make it fun.
17 informs 18 that they are about to enter a town and he will stop to get her some clothes. Suddenly, two police officers follow them and order them to stop. The androids exit the vehicle and are promptly arrested for stealing the van. The androids are handcuffed by the officers, but 16 easily breaks them off of his wrist and 18 throws the police car into a nearby mountain. 17 and 18 remove their cuffs and the trio continues on their way, leaving the terrified officers behind. Once they reach the town, Android 18 goes into a store to get more some clothes.
As the trio drives to Goku's home, Android 17 suddenly comes to a stop. He and Android 18 get out, and Android 17 asks if she felt a change in the atmospheric pressure. 18 says that she did, and Android 16 says that it came from the outskirts of West City. He then says that two organics with powerful ki are fighting. Android 17 says that he never told them he was equipped with a Power Radar, but Android 16 replies that he never asked. Android 17 asks who is fighting, but Android 16 says neither are in his databanks, although one of them rivals Android 17 in power. Android 17 says that his Power Radar is malfunctioning, as no one rivals him in power. The androids then decide to continue onwards, unaware that the combatants are Piccolo, who recently fused with Kami, and Cell, the ultimate creation of Dr. Gero created from the genes of the most powerful warriors to walk the Earth.
As they ride, Android 16 tells 17 and 18 that one of the powers he felt earlier was losing energy (This is the result of Cell absorbing energy from Piccolo) and the fight seems to have reached a conclusion. Android 17 gets cocky and again says that 16's sensors need to be re-calibrated because no one can match their power. Later, 18 tells 17 that she doesn't like her new outfit and when they reach another town she wants to stop to find more clothes, which 17 reluctantly agrees to, while 16 curiously observes a nearby river.
Eventually, the Androids arrive at Mount Paozu, where they are forced to drive through the dense, forest area to reach Goku's house. Android 18 makes it clear that she is uncomfortable driving through the forest's bumpy terrain, while Android 17 seems to enjoy the ride. 18 asks Android 16 how close is Goku's house, which he says is directly ahead. 18, tired of driving through the bumpy terrain, opens her window and unleashes an energy blast that obliterates the entire forest in front of them and makes the ground more even. 17 is disappointed by 18's actions and says that he just wanted to have some fun and enjoy the ride. 18 says that fun is for humans and they aren't human anymore, which causes 16 and 17 to sadly stay silent. When the androids finally arrive at Goku's House, they find it completely deserted (Due to the Dragon Team anticipating this and evacuating a sick Goku days prior). In the anime, 18 goes through Chi-Chi's clothes to find a new outfit, while in the manga, her clothes are already changed prior to their arrival at Goku's home. 17 asks 16 if he knows where Goku might be, and 16 replies that he could either be at Capsule Corporation or at Kame House. The trio decide to fly to Kame House, the closer of the two locations.
The next day, at Kame House, Piccolo watches the news of Cell's attacks on TV while Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien sleep. Suddenly, Piccolo senses that something is amiss, and sees the trio of androids standing outside Kame House, much to his horror. Android 16 states that Goku is not here, which disappoints 17. Piccolo wakes up the others, and Android 17 asks where Goku is, saying that he will use force to make them talk if necessary (Unbeknownst to the androids, Goku, who recovered from his illness, took Gohan, Vegeta, and Future Trunks to The Lookout on the previous day to train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber in order to gain the power to kill the androids). Piccolo replies that he wants to see Android 17 try and says they should go to an uninhabited island nearby where they can fight. After telling the others to stay at Kame House, Piccolo and the androids fly over. Once they land, 17 gives Piccolo one last chance to them where Goku is, but the brave Namekian is not intimidated and tells the cocky android that he will not go down so easy this time. As Piccolo powers up, 16 notices that there is something strange about Piccolo and doesn't believe he is the same Namekian anymore.
While Android 17 fights Piccolo on the Tropical Islands, the battle is interrupted by the arrival of Cell. Piccolo explains that Cell is one of Dr. Gero's creations and that he needs to absorb Android 17 and 18 in order to complete his design. Cell carries on Piccolo's explanation and tells 17 that the power unlocked from the absorption will be beyond comparison, and that Dr. Gero's dreams of creating the ultimate super-being will be fulfilled. 17 denies this, stating that he is Gero's ultimate creation and he won't join with him. Cell replies that the absorption will be carried out, with or without 17's permission. Android 17 prepares to fight, however, finally speaking, Android 16 orders 17 to retreat because Cell is far beyond both him and Piccolo. 16 explains that if Cell obtains his perfect form, killing Goku won't satisfy him and he'll destroy the entire universe. Now surprised Android 16 is actually speaking, Android 17 is disappointed that the first thing he speaks about is cowardice. Ignoring Android 16's plea, Android 17 rushes towards Cell with great fury, but Cell effortlessly elbows the confident android into the ground. Piccolo tries to aid in the battle, but he is easily tossed aside. Android 18 and Android 16 watch the battle unfold, with Android 18 commenting that 17 and Piccolo must be holding back against Cell, due to her inability to sense power levels and still believing 17 is the strongest being on the planet. 16 corrects her by saying that Cell is simply too strong for them. 16 orders 18 to run away on her own, as 17 refuses to heed his warning, otherwise Cell will absorb them both and nobody will stand a chance against him then. 18 asks 16 what will he do, but the android stays silent.
Piccolo stands from his beating and prepares one last attack: Light Grenade. As Piccolo charges up the Energy Sphere in his palms, Cell slowly approaches the Namekian and doesn't even attempt to dodge, while Android 17 runs away from Piccolo to avoid possibly getting caught in the explosion. Piccolo tells Cell to die and fires the enormous attack, decimating a massive chunk of the island as the Androids watch in awe, except 16. 18 praises Piccolo's power, thinking that Cell was destroyed. However, Android 16 immediately states that Cell wasn't even damaged by the attack. Seconds later, Cell slowly rises from the ocean without even a slight visible scar. Piccolo suddenly pleads to 17 to run away but Cell brutally incapacitates the Namekian and tosses him into the ocean as 17 watches in horror.
Intimidated, 18 believes fleeing is the best option. 16 orders 18 to run once again, and informs her that he will destroy Cell, shocking 18. 16 decides he must use his power now, even though his original plan was to only use this power against Goku. Android 16 approaches Cell, much to the astonishment of Tien Shinhan and 18. Android 16 tells 18 that he's glad he got to meet her and 17, and enjoyed their time together, before focusing on Cell again. Eventually, when Android 17 is at Cell's mercy and nearly absorbed, Android 16 interferes by sucker-punching Cell and releasing 17 from his grip. After calculating that he and Cell are almost equal in strength, 16 charges toward Cell with a barrage of punches and kicks, which the latter manages to dodge. When they both land on the ground, Cell and Android 16 collide with each other with the Bio Impact and Machine Impact rush attacks respectively, however, Cell catches Android 16 off guard and sticks his stinger right into his neck. Cell laughs and says that he cannot win, before attempting to absorb his bio-energy, however, 16's inorganic nature prevents him from absorbing any energy. 16 smiles and takes the stinger out of his neck, before tossing Cell into the ground by the tail. 16 steps on Cell's tail and literally tears it off of his body. Android 16 says that this will prevent him from absorbing 17 and 18. It is not until Cell manages to grow his tail back, thanks to the regeneration abilities he got from Piccolo's cells, that Android 16 realizes the desperation of the struggle.
Android 16 realizes that he must destroy Cell completely so he will not achieve his perfect form, and attempts to kick him, only to be knocked back when Cell counters with two punches. 16 then launches his fist at Cell in retaliation and resorts to using arguably his most powerful technique, Hell's Flash. Doing so he immobilizes Cell and removes his forearms, tucking them beneath his armpits and revealing cannons within the upper ends of his arms. These cannons take a brief moment to charge before igniting a giant explosion that literally created holes and marks around the island. Meanwhile, Android 16 looks into the hole to see the damage he has done. He reattaches his hands as Tien Shinhan and the other androids continue to stare in shock. 16 notices that Android 18 is still there and says that he told her to run. 18 says that will not be necessary now that Cell has been defeated, but 16 says she is wrong. He says that Cell, while injured, will not die so easily. He again implores 17 and 18 to escape, but 17 refuses, saying that he wants payback and can now finish a wounded Cell.
As 17 taunts Cell to come back out, Cell begins to emerge from the ground behind him. Tien notices Cell's plan and yells out to 17, but Cell quickly emerges and begins to absorb the android with his tail and signifying his transformation to Semi-Perfect Cell, granting him extended power and speed. 16 dashes towards Cell, but stops short, noticing that 17 has already been absorbed whole. Cell then begins to glow and starts to transform, and 16 runs toward 18 and tells her that they are leaving and tells Tien to do the same. Android 16 and Android 18 gaze at Cell in horror, as the new Semi-Perfect Cell turns toward the two androids. Android 16 suddenly grabs Android 18, saying that they must escape.
Android 16 takes flight still clutching Android 18, but Cell flies after the pair of androids and quickly overtakes them. Android 16 freezes in the air, amazed at Cell's speed. Cell taunts Android 18 and Android 16, saying that they cannot escape from him, and that thanks to absorbing Android 17, he surprised even himself with his new speed. He wonders aloud how strong he has become, and a furious Android 16 throws a punch at Cell, who remains completely unfazed. Cell smiles at a shocked Android 16 and then blasts him in the head, disfiguring his head and leaving him in a critical condition.
Cell remarks that he has become stronger as well, as a terrified Android 18 looks on. Cell turns towards 18 and says that she is smart not to try to escape. He then says that it is her turn to be absorbed and that he will soon attain his Perfect Form. However, Android 18 holds her hand to her chest and warns Cell not to come any closer, threatening to destroy herself if he does. After glaring at 18, Cell starts speaking in Android 17's voice. Posing as Android 17, Cell tells Android 18 that it is great to be a part of Cell and that it is the only way to be strong, while urging her to let herself be absorbed. 18's resolve seems to waver, but the damaged Android 16 warns her that it is merely a trick. Cell retorts to Android 16 that a robot cannot understand how he and Android 18 feel, and that he should not interfere and continues to attempt to persuade Android 18. He says that she should join him in order to achieve the ultimate power but makes the mistake of saying that if she joins him, they will be able to fulfill the "great" Dr. Gero's wishes. 18 then realizes that it was not Android 17 speaking, as she and 17 hated Dr. Gero for experimenting on them and would never praise him. Cell scowls at Android 18 and says that if she will not willingly join him, he will absorb her by force. Cell tells 18 that he is fast enough to subdue her before she can self-destruct and tells her to surrender, but suddenly sees the floating figure of Tien above him, preparing to attack. Tien uses his Neo Tri-Beam to force Cell to stay in place, while 18 escapes with 16.
After resuming his hunt, Cell struggles to find 18 and 16. Cell assumes that since he cannot see or sense them, they must be hiding in one of the islands below. Cell sucks in air to his lungs, and yells extremely loud for 18 to show herself or he will destroy the islands one by one. He continues yelling saying that he is not bluffing, and that though he wants to be complete, he is already the strongest on the planet. The residents of a city on one of the islands panic, wondering what the terrible voice from the sky could be. Meanwhile, Android 16 and Android 18 are hiding on a nearby island, and 18 remarks that Cell would indeed destroy all the islands along with her. 16 assures 18 that she will be fine because Cell is too obsessed with completion. When nothing happens, Cell realizes that 18 will not show herself and then turns his gaze to the city on the island below and destroys it in order to flush 18 out. Cell looks at the destruction with no emotion, deciding that 18 was not on that particular island. He yells again, saying that one island has been destroyed and time is running out until her island is destroyed. 18 watches from a distance and notices the explosion's impact on the previous island, as smoke rises from the water. She exclaims to Android 16 that Cell is destroying the islands. Android 16 tells 18 not to worry, and that Cell is holding back his blasts to avoid killing her, as he would never risk his dream of perfection. 18 points out that even if she does survive the impact of the blasts, 16 would be destroyed in his condition. 16 begins to wonder why Cell is even bothering to achieve his perfect state, as it seems to be invincible already. Impatient, Cell uses his Super Big Bang Crash to destroy the islands in quick succession. 16 and 18, brace themselves against the force of an explosion, as a neighboring island is destroyed. 18 exclaims that Cell is already on the island beside them, but 16 urges her to stay put and ride out the attack, as Cell is merely watching to see if anyone will fly up. Now reaching the androids' island, Cell holds out his hand yet again, preparing to destroy it. However, he is stopped by the arrival of Vegeta and Future Trunks, who just finished their training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Android 18 says that Vegeta is insane to challenge Cell, as not even a few days ago, she easily defeated the Saiyan herself. Cell asks Vegeta in disbelief if he really said that he alone would suffice to kill him. Vegeta assents, and taunts Cell, asking him if he is hard of hearing. Cell laughs and says that he is merely stunned by the absurdity of the statement. Watching the scene, Android 18 says that Cell is right and that not even a miracle could give Vegeta victory. She then tells Android 16 that this is their chance to escape. 16, however, tells 18 to wait until the battle begins. He also says that Vegeta's power has increased significantly. 18 is surprised and says that Vegeta could not have changed in such a short time, and that he was not holding back in their earlier fight. As Vegeta powers up into his Super Saiyan Second Grade form, the island begins to shake as Cell, 18, and 16 watch in shock. Suddenly, Vegeta punches Cell in the stomach with tremendous force before he can react, much to 18 and 16's surprise.
Instead of fleeing, 18 and 16 watch the battle between Cell and Vegeta and soon, Krillin finds their location on the island. Noticing that Vegeta, Trunks, and Cell haven't noticed the androids, he realizes this is his chance to shut 18 down with the remote Bulma made from Android 17's blueprints. He then remembers Bulma's warning that he has to be within ten meters of the android's location for it to work, and he descends, hoping to shut 18 down without them noticing. In denial, Android 18 believes that Vegeta might have only pretended to be weak when they fought previously, but Android 16 states he'd have no reason to do that, and that something changed in the last few days. Krillin, meanwhile is getting closer, and finally gets within the 10-meter range. However, after seeing Android 18, Krillin struggles to make himself push the button. Ultimately, Krillin gives into his feelings of infatuation for 18 and drops the Shut Down Remote, which causes 18 and 16 to notice his presence. Android 18 reacts with shock, seeing the dropped remote, and wonders how Krillin could have gotten his hands on it, considering Android 17 crushed the one Dr. Gero had. Krillin apologizes to Bulma for all the effort she put into the remote, but crushes it under his boot, despite the imminent danger of Cell absorbing 18, achieving completion, and spreading terror across the universe. Krillin orders 18 to leave the island before Cell finds her. Shocked and confused, 18 asks Krillin why he spared her, but he struggles to reply.
Meanwhile, Cell appeals to Vegeta's ego, stating that if he were in his Perfect Form, he would be a much better challenge. Vegeta, wanting a stronger opponent, agrees to Cell's proposition. As Cell goes to leave, however, Trunks transforms into a Super Saiyan and cuts him off. Vegeta tells Trunks to stop interfering, but he refuses. Cell yells at Vegeta to do something about Trunks, but then spots Android 18 and Android 16 and realizes his perfect form is now within his reach. Trunks looks over at what Cell is looking at, then he spots Android 18 as well, and Krillin is with them. He realizes they do not know Cell has noticed them and screams out "Hey! Cell has found you!". Android 18, Android 16 and Krillin all panic, and Cell flies toward them. Trunks says he will not let him reach his perfect form, then transforms into the Super Saiyan Second Grade form like Vegeta and follows Cell. Vegeta thinks it is lucky the androids were here, and then tells Trunks he will not let him interfere. Trunks almost reaches Cell, but Vegeta kicks Trunks away, into a nearby mountain. Cell lands in front of them, and Android 18 and Android 16 prepare to fight him. Cell tells Android 16 not to do anything unreasonable while he is on the verge of shutting down and says that Vegeta wants him to reach his perfect form, too, so Krillin curses Vegeta.
In the anime, Android 18, Android 16, and Krillin attempt to fight Cell in vain, but the Bio-Android effortlessly beats them all. Meanwhile, Trunks declares that he will stop Cell's completion, even if he has to go through his own father and proceeds to fire a Super Buster Cannon at Vegeta and then flies after Cell. Realizing he cannot defeat him, Cell uses a Solar Flare, blinding Trunks, Krillin, and the androids. With everyone blinded, Cell quickly opens his tail up and absorbs Android 18. During his transformation, Cell creates an forcefield to evolve without interference. Suddenly, Cell's barrier flashes blindingly bright and explodes. Smoke flies around the cringing fighters and Cell emerges from the dust in his new form. Krillin glares at Cell and calls him a monster for absorbing Android 18. In his rage, and ignoring Trunks' warning, Krillin attacks Cell, who isn't harmed in the slightest. Cell punches the air a few times to test his strength, and with a smile, he turns around effortlessly kicks Krillin in the face, sending him flying and nearly killing him, much to 16's shock.
As he watches the battle between Super Vegeta and Perfect Cell, 16 assumes that while Cell may have gotten stronger, Vegeta still has the upperhand. 16 is quickly proven wrong when Cell easily toys with Vegeta and states that he is still warming up. 16 briefly tries to step in and attack Cell from behind, but the Bio-Android hears him and warns him of what will happen if he carries out his attack. Desperate to kill Cell, Vegeta resorts to using his ultimate attack: Final Flash. While charging it, Vegeta challenges Cell to take on the attack head-on. Amused, Cell continues to stand calm and collected, smiling while Android 16 looks in disbelief. Trunks immediately tries to convince his father otherwise, as the super-charged blast could destroy the Earth, but Vegeta still proceeds.
As Vegeta fires the blast, Cell realizes at the last moment that it might be too powerful for even him to withstand before taking the full brunt of the attack. At the last second, Vegeta weakened his attack to avoid destroying the Earth, much to Krillin and Trunks' relief. Cell managed to survive the blast, however, it vaporized everything to the right side above his torso. Initially, Vegeta believes that he has won and laughs at Cell, until he reminds the Saiyan prince that Piccolo's Namekian DNA is apart of him, which gives him the ability to regenerate. After regrowing his arm, Cell easily overpowers Vegeta and knocks him unconscious. Before Cell can finish off Vegeta, Trunks reveals the power he kept hidden and challenges the Bio-Android to finish what his father couldn't.
As Trunks and Cell fight, 16 is astonished by their power, however Trunks gives up after Cell explains that his transformation is useless because its slowing him down. Instead of finishing him off, Cell is impressed that Vegeta and Trunks had improved so significantly in a short amount of time and asks what Goku is doing. Trunks answers that he's training to defeat him and by tomorrow, Goku will be the one to finally kill the Bio-Android. Cell is pleased by this answer, and proposes to hold a martial arts tournament in ten days. He challenges Trunks to gather his allies and get stronger so they can compete against him in one-on-one fights. Cell says that once he has decided the location for the tournament, he will broadcast it on television, before leaving. Once Krillin and a healed Vegeta arrive, Trunks tells them about Cell's plan, which annoys Vegeta, thinking Cell is toying with them. Trunks says that after Goku and Gohan leave the Hyperbolic Time Chamber he will go back in and train. Stubborn and arrogant as ever, Vegeta says he won't need Trunks or Goku and after he goes back in the Time Chamber, he will defeat Perfect Cell on his own.
At that moment, the damaged Android 16 arrives, wanting to compete in the tournament as well, but first asks to be taken to Capsule Corporation so he can get repaired. Trunks adamantly refuses to help or trust 16 because he is an android who wanted kill Goku and he doesn't want to endanger his mother's life, but Krillin agrees to take the android, knowing they'll need all the help they can get against Cell, and that these androids aren't as bad as the ones from Trunks' future. After Krillin takes Android 16 to Capsule Corporation, Bulma and her father, Dr. Brief agree to repair him. During these repairs, Bulma discovers a bomb implanted within Android 16, possibly intended by Dr. Gero to be used against Goku. Not wanting to take any chances, Bulma removes this bomb from 16's body.
On the day of the Cell Games, the fully repaired Android 16 is the second warrior to arrive, after Vegeta, with a Capsule Corporation patch over his Red Ribbon Army logo. Cell is surprised to see 16, claiming that he forgot he existed. Vegeta says only Bulma and her father could have repaired the android, but they wasted their time trying to get involved. When the rest of the Dragon Team arrives, 16 walks over to Krillin, and thanks him for getting him fixed. Goku approaches 16 and wishes him good luck, but 16 refuses to accept his kindness and simply says, "I was created to kill you. Do not forget that, Son Goku." This prompts Goku to tell Krillin that 16 is very depressing. Goku volunteers to fight Cell first, but Krillin suggests they let the clueless, arrogant Mr. Satan go first, not caring if he gets killed and there's no point in explaining the superhuman abilities most Earthlings don't know about. As expected, Mr. Satan is easily bested by Cell, and Goku takes his turn to fight the Bio-Android.
After he and Cell finish warming up, Goku decides to power up to his full power, and the resulting power increase shocks most of the Dragon Team, except Gohan. Cell then powers up in a similar fashion ending with similar results. As their battle becomes more intense, Cell says he did not think it would be this fun, and he would hate for it to end from a ring out. He says he will remove ring outs being a loss from the rules, since they have no need for it. Goku screams down at everyone to get away from the ring, as Cell points his hands down at the ring, preparing to destroy it. Cell's attack completely destroys the ring and leaves a massive hole where it used to be. Everyone manages to escape the explosion safely, with Android 16 having taken care of Mr. Satan, Jimmy Firecracker and the cameraman. 16 tells them all to leave, because it's not safe, but they will not listen. Cell and Goku both land on the ground, and Cell says the entire planet will be their ring now, and victory will be decided by either giving up or death.
After an intense battle that leaves both combatants exhausted, Goku realizes that Cell still has strength to spare and he cannot defeat him, so in a surprising turn of events, Goku says that he gives up, which leaves everyone shocked. After a moment of suspense, Goku turns to the Dragon Team and calls Gohan to fight, stunning everyone else present. As the battle occurs, Gohan does not have the same fighting spirit as his father nor does he have the desire to kill, thus allowing Cell to gain the upper hand. Gohan tries to convince Cell to stop the senseless violence and says that Goku wanted him to fight because his hidden power is unleashed once he becomes enraged. Cell thinks Gohan said all that to try to scare him, but instead, he is going to try to make Gohan angry. Cell kicks him into some nearby rubble and yells at him to get mad for real.
Just then, Android 16 unexpectedly flies in and restrains Cell with a Bear Hug. Piccolo notes that his lack of ki let him get in undetected. Krillin and Trunks are shocked that 16 would fight Cell, since he isn't powerful enough. 16 asks them to forgive him for sacrificing them, and that he will destroy himself along with Cell. 16 says that none of them will survive the blast at close range and attempts to detonate himself. However, the attempt fails, which leaves 16 confused. Krillin informs him that his Self-Destruct Device was removed by Bulma and her father because it was too dangerous. Cell sarcastically says that this is too bad, but that no bomb blast would have killed him anyways. Cell escapes his hold and blasts the android into pieces, though his head remains intact. Cell says that 16 was one of Dr. Gero's failures and kicks his severed head away. Looking at the Dragon Team, Cell says that it is now their turn, and counts that there are seven of them. Cell gives birth to seven miniature copies of himself from his tail. Calling them Cell Juniors, he orders them to attack the Dragon Team in attempt to anger Gohan.
Jimmy Firecracker and Mr. Satan are watching this while hiding behind a rock, and Jimmy suggests they leave while they still can. However, the disembodied head of Android 16 speaks up, pleading with them to take him to Gohan before they leave. At first, Mr. Satan is reluctant, but 16 asks if he's really the World Champion. Jimmy yells that he's a human champion, and this is a battle of freaks. However, Mr. Satan manages to find a bit of courage and agrees to do it, saying that if he ran away while a bunch of no-names were out there fighting, he'd be a laughingstock. Mr. Satan grabs Android 16's head and runs with it, still scared, but 16 assures him that he only has to get close enough to throw him. Once he gets close enough, Mr. Satan throws 16's head and he lands close to Gohan where he encourages the young warrior to release his anger and defend the Earth. Afterward, Cell steps on 16's head without hesitation, ending the existence of the peaceful android, and enrages Gohan to the extent that he ascends to the Super Saiyan 2 transformation and eventually defeats Cell.
It is not clear whether he was revived or not when the rest of Cell's victims were resurrected with the Dragon Balls. Even though Android 16 was purely made of technology (unlike Androids 17 and 18, who were part human), characters like Arale Norimaki and Android 8 (who are also purely mechanical) were also revived when the Earth was restored following the battle with Kid Buu.
