Gohan, with help from Vegeta, ultimately destroyed Cell by overwhelming him with a powerful Kamehameha, which destroyed his cell nucleus. This victory was credited to Mr. Satan, who capitalized on the opportunity to become a hero.
While Gohan delivered the final blow, other events contributed to Cell's demise:
- Krillin and Future Trunks' attack: During Cell's initial larval stage, Krillin and Future Trunks attacked him with energy waves. Though he survived this attack, it may have set the stage for his eventual defeat.
- Cell's self-destruction: In a desperate attempt to win, Cell threatened to self-destruct, which would have decimated Earth. Gohan's quick thinking, along with Vegeta's sacrifice, allowed them to redirect Cell's energy and ultimately destroy him.
Cell's history and his goal of absorbing Androids 17 and 18:
Cell, a bio-engineered android created by Dr. Gero, aimed to become the ultimate life form. He traveled to the present timeline from the future to absorb Androids 17 and 18.
