Scorpion and Atticus did more intense training than usual since Atticus had to fight for both his and Drell's souls, not to mention his Sword of Harmony which he had someday hoped to pass down onto his own future son, and where the training would help in his match.

"Man, Scorpion, this is intense training." Atticus said to his trainer.

"You better hope you win against Tsung." Scorpion replied firmly.

"I know that I'll win," Atticus said. "I just know it."

"You had better hope so," Scorpion replied. "This is serious this time, Raiden won't help you back."

"I understand, Scorpion." Atticus nodded.

"Alright then." Scorpion said.

Atticus bowed to Scorpion.

The other men of Mortal Kombat helped out Atticus while Cherry seemed to be stressed about his well-being.

"Word about his match must have spread out." Luna said.

"That boy's a fool, but I really hope he wins." Sonya agreed.

"Same here." Kitana said.

"I've known Atticus since we were kids," Cherry sighed. "I don't know what happened to him during those years, but I know that it had to be something big."

"Has he always been so brave?" Luna asked.

"Well... A little..." Cherry replied. "We stood up for each other against our old bullies."

"That sounds like it was a start." Kitana said.

"I don't know where he gets it from," Cherry shrugged. "Both his parents had quite the adventures in their day, especially his mother."

'I just hope it's enough to go against Shang..." Jade shuddered. "Not even I was as harsh as him when I worked with Shao Kahn."

"I hope so too." Cherry added.

Atticus felt a little wore out for one of the few times in his life, so Scorpion actually allowed him to get some rest until Shang would appear to fight against him.

"Whoa, I've never seen Atticus this exhausted in a long time." Goku said.

"He's gonna need all the rest he can get," Cherry added. "Who knows when Shang will show up?"

"The way he's exhausted reminds me of his first day of training." Goku said.

"Man, you guys really work him hard," Cherry replied. "I guess I'm glad I'm a girl."

"Some girls work out hard too." Goku said.

"Yeah!" The Mortal Kombat women told Cherry which made her smile nervously.

"Uh, so, how exhausted was Atticus on his first day of training?" The perky goth asked Goku.

"He was pretty wiped out," Goku replied in memory. "I was worried that I maybe killed him, but no worries, training is all apart of learning, like when I was younger."

"Is it true you used to have a tail?" Cherry asked.

Goku nodded to that.

"Why?" Cherry asked with confusion. "Where did you even come from before Earth?"

Goku began to tell her his origin story. Cherry listened since she didn't know Goku as well as Atticus did. Atticus slept peacefully and began to dream about a tropical paradise with Mo holding a bowl of food for him and feeding him like he was her king.

"So, when he showed you his fighting skills, how did it go?" Luna asked Goku.

"Well..." Goku said.

Flashback

Atticus yawned and stretched as he came out to meet Goku for some training.

"You ready to go, kiddo?" Goku asked Atticus like he was another one of his sons.

"You know it." Atticus said.

"Okay, no easy stuff." Goku warned.

"Oh, boy..." Atticus sighed, but smiled as he was sure that he could handle this just fine.

"Ready?" Goku asked.

"I suppose I am," Atticus replied. "Do your worst if you must."

"Alright, but you better hope you have fast reflexes." Goku said.

"Make my day." Atticus challenged.

Goku nodded as he was going to go against Atticus for their first lesson without any hesitation or holding back. He soon ran towards him with a strong punch. Atticus narrowed his eyes as he got ready to fight back only to get punched in the face.

Flashback Interrupted

Cherry snickered in present day.

"What?" Goku asked her.

"You punched Atticus in the face?!" Cherry asked. "Come on, man!"

"No, really, my speed was a little too fast for him to block." Goku said.

Cherry just laughed at the idea of Atticus getting beat. Atticus groaned and turned over since she laughed kind of loud.

"Oops." Cherry cupped her mouth.

"Anyway..." Goku said before continuing.

Back to Flashback

Atticus and Goku soon began their training.

"Sorry if I hurt ya, kid." Goku said.

"It's okay, I just didn't expect you to be that fast." Atticus said who now had a black eye.

"Ooh, that's quite a shiner you got." Goku winced.

"Don't worry about it." Atticus reassured.

"You sure?" Goku asked.

"Trust me," Atticus replied bravely. "That was a butterfly kiss anyway."

"Hm, maybe next time I won't go so easy." Goku smirked.

"I wouldn't expect you to." Atticus smirked back.

Goku playfully scoffed.

"Show me what you got!" Atticus challenged.

"Okay, but, remember, you asked for it." Goku smirked.

Atticus smirked back.

"Ah, those were the days..." Goku narrated. "I remember it like it was yesterday."

End of Flashback

Goku chuckled before sighing about the good times he had with Atticus.

"Yes, Atticus felt like the next Hercules," Cherry agreed. "I still think about the times we spent with the demigod himself before the final battle with Hades."