Alex's body swelled as he powered up, muscles bulging, veins pumping with blood. His frame grew heavier, denser—power surging through every fiber.
'What the… his power level… it's 630?!' Raditz thought, pausing mid-step. "Impressive," he said with a smirk, "but it's still nothing compared to me."
"We'll see about that," Alex replied, lunging forward with a punch.
Raditz blocked it—but skidded back slightly.
Alex didn't let up. He charged in with a flurry of punches and kicks. But no matter how hard he tried, Raditz dodged every strike.
"Hahaha! With that speed, you'll never touch me," Raditz laughed.
Then, with a blur, Raditz slipped past another of Alex's kicks and countered with a crushing punch. Blow after blow rained down on Alex, who struggled to defend himself. The damage from Gohan's earlier attack was slowing Raditz down—but he still held the edge.
Alex staggered back, boots dragging furrows in the dirt.
His body felt like lead—heavy and sluggish. Max State gave him the strength to survive, but not the speed to win.
"Dammit… I need more speed!" Alex growled.
Raditz charged.
At the last second, Alex threw his hand backward—and fired a concentrated ki blast behind him.
FWOOOOOSH!
The propulsion rocketed him forward like a missile. Raditz's eyes widened.
"What?!"
Alex zipped past, barely missing him.
He landed, spun, and launched another ki burst from his palm—circling Raditz in a high-speed arc. Each blast let him shift direction with incredible agility.
Now, Raditz's smirk faded.
Alex wasn't just bulky anymore. He was fast.
"Gotta finish this… can't take the stamina drain much longer… maybe I should've practiced this more…"
With that, Alex launched himself again, blasting through the air and slamming into Raditz with a shoulder tackle, sending the Saiyan tumbling across the battlefield.
Alex collapsed soon after, body returning to normal, chest heaving with every breath.
"You… I've had enough of these games!" Raditz shouted, rising to his feet.
"Now, Goku! Get him!" Alex yelled.
Goku lunged from behind and locked Raditz in a full nelson.
"PICCOLO, QUICK—DO IT! DO IT NOW!" Goku shouted.
Piccolo had already finished charging his energy. Raditz was struggling.
"If that's what you want, I won't hold back. I've been wanting to get rid of you for a long time. I won't pass up this chance," Piccolo said with a smirk.
"Wait! Please, let me go! I… I'm sorry! Release me, I'll leave this planet!" Raditz begged.
Goku narrowed his eyes. "Right. Forget it. I'm not falling for that again."
"I mean it this time! Don't you trust a word from your own brother?!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Are you ready, Goku?" Piccolo asked, energy crackling at his fingertips.
"DO IT!"
"Right… SPECIAL BEAM CANNON!" Piccolo shouted.
The beam drilled through both Goku and Raditz. The two collapsed to the ground.
"Kakarot… I didn't think… he'd do it… that he'd really sacrifice himself…" Raditz muttered as Piccolo walked toward him.
"Don't worry. I doubt Goku will stay gone for long," Piccolo said, looking down at him.
"What…?" Raditz asked, confused.
"You heard me. On this planet, we have things called Dragon Balls. Gather all seven, and they can grant any wish. I'm sure Goku's friends will use them to bring him back."
Piccolo smirked.
"You're gloating… still, I thank you for the information. Everything that happened here today… has been transmitted to my two Saiyan comrades in space. When they learn I've been beaten…" cough "…they'll come to avenge me. They'll wipe you out. You and every living thing on this planet. Yours is as good as gone already!"
"The other Saiyans… when will they be here?" Goku asked, barely breathing.
"One year. One short year. How sweet does your victory taste now? You'll be writhing in agony like worms," Raditz said.
Piccolo raised his hand to kill him—but Alex stepped in, grabbing his arm.
"You're not killing him today, Piccolo."
"You… how did you… what are you doing?! Let go!" Piccolo protested, pulling back.
"Iike I said you're not killing him today not on my watch ," Alex said, stepping forward.
"Hmph. Suit yourself." Piccolo yanked his arm free and stepped back.
Alex knelt in front of Raditz.
"Let's get this out of the way." He pulled the scouter from Raditz's face and crushed it with ease.
"You… what do you want… cough cough cough…"
"You're dying. Here, eat this." Alex pulled out half of a Senzu Bean and shoved it in Raditz's mouth. the other half he had used on himself.
"NO! What are you doing?!" Piccolo shouted—but it was too late. Raditz's strength surged as the bean worked.
"How… how's this possible?!" Raditz gasped. His injuries vanished. His power spiked even higher. "Hahaha! Foolish human—now prepare to die!"
"Yeah, no." Before Raditz could move, Alex was already grabbing his tail—dropping him to the ground again.
"Alex, don't you dare let him go. I need a bit more time… then I can charge my attack again," Piccolo said.
A plane landed nearby, and the crew disembarked.
"Goku!" Krillin and Master Roshi ran to him. Bulma rushed to Gohan.
Everyone turned to Alex holding Raditz's tail.
"So, everyone's here now, huh?" Alex said, looking down at Raditz.
"Let me go, you worms! You can't hold me down forever!" Raditz snarled.
"I know. In fact, I will let you go—but understand this: this is your only chance. If you attack again, we will kill you."
Alex let go of Raditz's tail and stepped back.
"What makes you think I won't kill you all right now?" Raditz growled.
"For one, look around. Except for Bulma and Gohan, everyone here is one of the strongest on Earth."
Raditz looked around—Krillin and Roshi were battle-ready.
"Hahaha! Was that supposed to scare me?"
"You might've forgotten, but we all know your weakness. And without your scouter, do you really think you can stop us?"
Raditz froze, glancing at them all. He took a deep breath.
"Hmph. You'll regret this." With that, he flew off.
"You… why did you let him go? Do you even realize what you've done?!" Piccolo grabbed Alex by the collar.
"I do. I did the same thing Goku did for you."
Piccolo scowled, then let go.
"Just remember—if this comes back to bite us, it's on you."
Everyone gathered around Goku as Piccolo explained what happened.
"Goku! Come on, buddy, stay with me!" Krillin knelt at his side.
"I think Gohan's gonna be okay… looks like he just got knocked out," Bulma said, holding him.
"Good… he's safe… Chi-Chi would've killed me if he got hurt… Krillin… please take care of Gohan for me…" Goku whispered.
"Yeah, sure, buddy. But it's not gonna come to that, okay? You're gonna make it."
"No… not this time… I'm too far gone…"
"Don't worry… we'll find the Dragon Balls and wish you back."
"Heh… sounds…" Goku died before he could finish.
"GOKU!!" Krillin cried out.
Power levels
Piccolo : 408
Goku : 416
Alex : 420
Alex (Max state) : 630
Alex (zenkai boost) : 504
Raditz : 1,500
Raditz (zenkai boost) : 1,800