Alex and Raditz returned to the cave where Blue Launch was waiting for them.
"Hey, Raditz, you're back with your friend," Launch said as she approached, her eyes widening. "What happened? Why are you both covered in bruises and dirt?"
Raditz looked away with a low grumble, clearly annoyed. Before he could say something harsh, Alex stepped in.
"It's nothing," Alex said casually. "We were just… catching up."
Launch didn't look convinced, but she let it go. She had already learned that Raditz was a little different.
"Anyway," Alex continued, "I was just leaving. Here, take this."
He tossed a capsule toward Raditz, who caught it effortlessly.
"What is this?" Raditz asked, turning the capsule in his hand.
"A Capsule House. I'm sure you need it more than me. Definitely better than this place." Alex nodded toward the cave. "Press the button on top and throw it."
Launch leaned closer over Raditz's shoulder. "Oh! Those things are super handy."
Raditz did as instructed.
BOOM!
A cloud of smoke burst outward, and when it cleared, a sleek, compact capsule house stood proudly in front of them not too big, not too small, just enough space for two people.
"Wow…" Launch whispered. "That's a beautiful house."
Raditz stared at the house for a moment, the wind brushing through his wild hair. He folded his arms and looked away.
"…Hmph. This will do."
"Good. Anyway, we can start training tomorrow." Alex floated into the air. "See you then."
He flew off, heading toward Korin Tower.
---
At Korin Tower
After a short flight, Alex landed at the base of the tower and climbed up to Korin's platform. Korin was standing on the edge with his cane.
"Well, if it isn't Alex," Korin said, rubbing his mustache. "Shouldn't you be training with the others?"
"Yeah… about that." Alex landed softly. "I was hoping you had some Senzu Beans. I'm planning to train with Raditz. They'd be pretty handy if something goes wrong."
"Oh? Training with the Saiyan, huh?" Korin chuckled and reached into thin air, pulling out a small pouch. "Lucky you. Yajirobe's training with Kami right now, so I have exactly two left. Hope it helps."
He tossed the pouch, and Alex caught it instantly.
"Thanks, Korin. Next time, I'll be sure to bring something for you."
Alex waved and took off.
---
The Next Day — Training Begins
The training began early. Alex and Raditz clashed in mid-air, their fists meeting with explosive force.
Raditz swung a heavy punch, but Alex dodged, shooting upward. Raditz followed, and the two exchanged blows high above the trees.
As Alex expected, training with Raditz was one of the best decisions he'd made. There weren't many people on Earth who could push him this far.
He drifted for a moment in thought, and Raditz appeared in front of him, slamming a hook toward his face.
"Don't doze off! Focus!" Raditz barked.
"Right, sorry! Won't happen again!"
They resumed their furious exchange. Every clash sent shockwaves rolling across the clearing.
"HEY, BOYS! YOUR LUNCH IS READY! GET DOWN HERE!" Blonde Launch's voice cut through the air.
Their sparring stopped instantly.
Raditz descended like a missile and began devouring his food as if he hadn't eaten in years.
Launch looked at Alex. "So, you're the new disciple of that old coot? How's everyone doing? Especially those two runts."
"If you mean Krillin and Goku… Krillin's training with the others at Kami's. And Goku… well, he's dead."
Launch froze, then pulled out two machine guns from nowhere. "So it is true. If only I knew who killed him, I'd blast them full of holes with these!"
COUGH! COUGH!
Raditz choked so hard he grabbed a jug and chugged the whole thing.
"You alright?" Launch asked.
Raditz immediately stood. "We are going back to train."
He grabbed Alex by the shoulder and dragged him outside.
"Wonder what's gotten into him…" Launch muttered.
---
Outside
Alex and Raditz resumed sparring.
"So," Alex said while blocking a punch and weaving around a kick, "you still haven't told her, huh?"
"I haven't had the opportunity," Raditz growled, sending a swift kick toward Alex's ribs. "But I've decided to tell her before the big fight."
"If that's what you want," Alex replied, landing lightly before rushing back in.
---
Meanwhile
On a rocky cliff, Piccolo and Gohan exchanged blows. Gohan blocked a few punches, then leaped up and landed a solid jab across Piccolo's face.
"Heh. Not bad," Piccolo smirked, wiping his jaw. "But who said we're done!?"
Piccolo slammed his fist into Gohan's face, sending him flying off the cliff and into the river below.
"HELP! I am drowning! I don't know how to swim!" Gohan said while holding onto a stone, reaching out to Piccolo, who was standing on a nearby rock.
"Believe me, drowning is the least of your worries." Piccolo pulled him up and attacked again, sending him back into the river as Gohan coughed, holding onto the side of a cliff.
"So far, his true power only shows itself under a full moon, which means I have to push him even harder."
---
Meanwhile, at King Kai's Planet
Goku had already reached King Kai's planet and was currently training to catch Bubbles.
"You can run, but you can't hide, furball! I've got you now!" Goku shouted, running behind Bubbles.
"Get back here, you stupid monkey!"
Every time Goku thought Bubbles would be easy to catch, the monkey escaped—running over King Kai's house, his car, even jumping over King Kai himself, with Goku right behind.
"Ow! Watch it!" King Kai shouted.
Bubbles climbed up a tree. Goku tried to climb up too but fell down on his butt.
"I gotta admit, he's a slippery one, this guy."
"But no monkey brain is gonna get the best of me! You hear that, Bubbles?"
With that, he got up and continued his chase.
---
Few Months Later — In a Wasteland
After a few months of training together, Alex and Raditz had grown far beyond any Z Fighters on Earth.
Day by day, their training intensity continued to rise.
Alex benefited immensely from having a partner strong enough to push him to his limits.
As they continued their training in the air, the two rushed toward each other, blocking each other's attacks. Alex dodged a wide swing, kneed Raditz in the gut, and with a pump handle, sent him straight into the ground, dust flying into the air.
Without waiting for the dust to settle, Alex rushed toward a silhouette he saw. Just as he thought he connected, the silhouette vanished into the cloud.
Raditz attacked from behind. Alex turned around and blocked a heavy blow as they continued to exchange attacks. Even though their eyes couldn't see anything, their senses had been honed enough that it had become second nature to them.
By the time the dust cleared, they were already gone, high up in the air. Alex tried to kick him.
Raditz easily ducked underneath, grabbing Alex's ankle with his tail, holding him upside down, and throwing a straight punch to his midsection.
Alex blocked with crossed arms, then brought his hands up to his head and shouted, "SOLAR FLARE!!"
"AHHH! MY EYES!" Raditz shouted.
Alex immediately slipped from his grasp, grabbed his tail, spun him around, and threw him away.
Raditz easily composed himself, showing no signs of weakness even though his tail had been grabbed.
"Hey, that's cheating," Raditz said as he stabilized himself in the air.
"Yeah, well, it's not like I have an extra limb like you," Alex replied, and they continued their sparring session.
After the sparring, while they were resting, the clouds started to darken as the whole sky turned pitch black.
"H-huh? What's happening? Why's the sky suddenly turning dark in the middle of the day?" Raditz said as he looked up while sitting on the ground.
"It's about time," Alex said as he stood up with a solemn face, looking back at Raditz. "Get ready. Your friends are about to arrive."
"Y-you mean—" Raditz's face stiffened. "But it can't be. I was sure they wouldn't be here for another month."
"What, don't tell me after all this time you're scared?" Alex said as he looked down at Raditz.
"Me? Scared? Hmph. Maybe in your dreams," Raditz said, though he looked at his trembling hand.' I hate to admit it, but at the same time, I just can't get over this excitement that I'm feeling.'
Clenching his fist, he smirked. "I can't wait to fight them."