ML C10, P19- "Together Forever"

"Together Forever" is the nineteenth and penultimate Part of "Miracula Luxia" 's last Chapter. It was released on 18.06.2020.
== Plot ==
Thanks to his mother's advice, Jared manages to muster the strength to break his soul free from Xehanort's grasp and return it to his body.
Before returning to the real world, however, he reunites with someone he has not seen for a very long time.
Having finally come in terms with the deaths of his mother and uncle and with newfound hope in mind, he fights Xehanort in the last battle for Paris- the one that will also determine the fate of the world.
The Last Battle of Good and Evil.
== Story ==
Jared hugs his mother.
"I have missed you so much, mom."- He says- "I cannot believe that we are finally reunited."
Seiko smiles and nods.
"Me too, sweetie."- She says- "Me too."
Jason sighs.
Jared smiles.
"And I'm very glad to see you, uncle Jason."
Jason smiles.
"It's been way too long, nephew."- He says- "How has the world been without us?"
Jared looks down.
"Lonely."- He responds- "Very lonely."
Jason and Seiko shake their heads.
"We're sorry to hear that."- Jason says- "I wish that we could do something to make all of you feel better."
"But the best thing we can do right now is give you the emotional support to win the battle against that fool whose name is known as Xehanort."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"Wait. You know him, uncle?"- He says.
Jason nods.
"Not long before you and your father arrived in Avernum, he and his army invaded the Castle. He demanded us to tell him where the Chosen One is located or they will burn the whole place down."
"Of course, we did not anything about this "Chosen One" at that time. All we could do is defend against him."
"And when he attacked... God. The hostiles were so many. But we succeeded to weaken and defeat them. The King told us to spare Xehanort and use him as an example that even the biggest evil must always be given a second chance. So we did. And, it was the biggest mistake that we had ever made."
"Once he was away from us, Xehanort managed to form an army of humanoids and find an ally within the cruel leader of Bargha- Farrar. Then he attacked and, with the help of his new army, almost destroy the whole city of Spire."
Jason stops for a moment.
"By the way, I heard that you fought Farrar not too long ago. So? Did you manage to end his life? Or did you spare him?"
Jared begins to speak, but Jason silences him.
"Shhh. I understand now."- He says- "From the way that you speak, I have already learned that you spared him."
Jared's eyes widen. He is surprised that his uncle already knows that.
"How do you know that?!"- He says.
Jason says.
"Your soul is way too pure to kill a lone warrior in cold blood. You would never do that, am I right?"
Jared remembers when he had to kill one of Farrar's high-ranked warriors. And this was all because he killed Commander Jones's brother.
The man was wounded, alone and almost unable to fight back. It was unfair for him to take his life.
But this is not the world that we used to live in anymore. This is a new world, a new land where only the strongest and most determined to protect their allies will survive. Where evil does not go unanswered and justice will always prevail.
However, the boy decides not to tell this to his uncle and his mother. Instead, he simply smiles and nods.
"Yes, uncle. You are absolutely right."- He says- "My soul would never allow me to kill a lone warrior. Instead, I will spare them."
Jason nods.
"This is the way of our family. We always try to spare our enemies instead of slaying them."
Seiko nods angrily.
"Except for Xehanort."- She says- "You can do whatever you want with him. Just... just drive him out of Paris. He must not be left there!"
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"Why, mom? Did Xehanort do anything to you?"
Seiko nods.
"When you were just a baby, Xehanort and his army attacked our hometown- the city of Paris. When he saw me, he stopped me from running away. He stared at you and said that you are the Chosen One."
"He said that you shouldn't be allowed to live and tried to kill you. I begged him to stop, but it was to no avail. The madman was intending to kill you and had no intention to spare you."
"However, it was at that moment that your father bravely pushed him away and fought him, giving us a chance to escape and hide in our residence."
"Later, he and his army retreated. He said that he would return and that the Chosen One will not live for much longer. And that's why I hate him so much. He tried to kill you- my son! A helpless infant that is not able to fight back! What kind of a heartless monster is he, anyway?!"
Jason shakes his head.
"If I was there at that moment, I would have sealed his coffin with my own two hands."
Seiko shakes her head.
"This doesn't matter anymore. What matters more than this... is the fact that my son is still alive and well. And we have to keep it that way."
Jason nods.
"You're right. I refuse to lose my nephew to that old fool."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"So. What should we do, then?"- He says- "Xehanort is way too powerful. And I am not strong enough to defeat him."
Jason nods.
"You're right. You're not strong enough to handle such a strong force alone. You would be slain right away."
Jared looks down and sighs.
"I guess you are right, uncle."- He says- "I may be powerful, but I am not powerful enough to handle an ancient force like him."
Jason smiles.
"But!"- He continues- "You may not be strong enough, but we may be!"
Jared raises his eyebrow.
" "We"? What do you mean by that?"
Jason smiles.
"By we I mean all of us. Not just you, me or your mom. All of our allies who have fought so hard for us, who have done everything to protect us. Who are ready to risk their own lives to keep us alive."
"If we fight together valiantly against the dark forces, we have a chance to win. Yes, it might be miniscule, but it's a chance. And I am not planning to waste it."
Jared nods.
"Let's do this!"- He says- "I will take any chance to save the world from this evil!"
Jason nods and smiles.
"Very well. Then it is time for you to go outside and show Xehanort that you're not scared of him. Are you ready?"
Jared nods.
"I am ready!"- He says.
"Then step forward."- Jason says- "Step further into the light and you will see the way home. Once you're there, fight him like it's your last battle. Fight like the whole world, the whole universe and all of mankind depend on you. Don't give up, for the sake of all those poor, innocent souls, you hear me?"
Jared nods.
"Very well."- He says- "Then step forward. May the light bring you victory. Good luck, my dear nephew!"
Suddenly, the darkness vanishes and is replaced by a bright light.
Jared stares at it in awe.
"Amazing."- He says to himself- "This is just amazing!"
As he starts to step forward, his mother stops him.
"Wait, sweetie!"- She says- "I... I wanted to tell you something!"
Jared turns around.
"Yes, mom?"
Seiko stares into his eyes.
"One day, all of those people will forget about you and will return to their ordinary life, not respecting their heroes anymore. Maybe it won't happen, but if it does, know that I will still love you. Wherever you go, whatever you do, whoever you meet and ally yourself with, I will still be there for you. We will always be together. Forever."
Jared smiles.
"I have to be honest, mom."- He says- "In this world, there are very few people that I completely trust. And you are one of them. Thank you... for always being there for me. I will fight and defeat my enemies in your name!"
Seiko's eyes light up. She smiles and hugs her son.
"Go get 'em, sweetie! Mama's gonna root for you!"- She says.
"And don't fear the darkness. Approach it and know that we've always got your back."
She lets go of him.
"Now go. Go ahead and make us proud!"
Jared smiles.
"Before I go, can you... umm... "
Seiko smiles back.
"Of course I can, my sweet child!"
She approaches him and kisses him on the forehead.
Jared closes his eyes. For a moment, he feels like he is still a child and his mother is comforting him when he is upset about something. The only thing that helped him to calm down.
Ah yes. A mother's love. Nothing can ever replace the feeling of being loved by the one who brought you to this world.
However, he soon opens his eyes again. He remembers about his friends and that still need him, that they are still in danger. That still need his guidance and comfort.
Seiko smiles again.
"You can do it, sweetheart!"- She says- "We believe in you!"
"Right, Jason?"- She says and turns to look at him.
Jason nods.
"Indeed we do!"- He says- "And we always will!"
Jared smiles and proceeds to move forward without any fear.
Before he does, however, he looks back and waves at his mother and his uncle.
They wave back.
Then, our hero walks forward.
Halfway towards the light, Jared falls to his knees and suddenly gets the feeling that he is falling down.
"What is happening?"- He says- "Am I... dying?!"
He slowly descends into the darkness, desperately trying to grab something to hold onto.
"Please... "- He whispers- "Somebody. Help me... "
As he continues to slowly descend, someone from above grabs his hand.
"Don't you dare die on me, little brother!"- A voice pierces the darkness.
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"... Sister?"- He says.
Soon, he is dragged away from the dark pit. When his eyesight clears, he sees a person standing in front of him.
A very familiar one.
"Sister!"- He says.
The person standing in front of him... is his sister, Marinette that he has not seen for a long time.
She hugs her brother and check his heartbeat.
"Are you okay?"- She says- "You almost fell into that dark pit! You worried me so much!"
Jared smiles and giggles.
"What's so funny?"- Marinette says- "You got me dead worried and you have the heart to laugh? What am I to you, a clown?"
Jared stares at her, still smiling.
"I'm so sorry, sister."- He responds- "It's just... so good to see you again. It has been so long since we were separated that your presence makes me very happy."
Marinette smiles.
"Aww. You poor little thing!"- She says- "You really missed me?"
Jared nods.
"My adventures have never been the same without you."- He says.
Marinette giggles.
"You're so cute. I just wanna pinch your cute little cheeks!"
She pinches her brother's cheek.
"Oww! That hurts you know?"
Marinette smiles and shakes her head.
"Sorry. Sorry. I just... miss the old times when we were kids. Gosh, how I want them back."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"Don't we all?"- He says- "I mean, there's nothing better than being a child and not doing anything."
Marinette nods.
"Yes. We've had so many problems recently that it makes me reminisce the fun times that we had."
She stares at the light ahead.
"But now is not the time to talk about that. Those people still need you. And I'm going to make sure that you're there to protect them from Xehanort."
Jared's eyes widen.
"You're going to come... with me?"- He says.
Marinette smiles.
"Even though you're a hero now, you still need help. You still need guidance. And if mom and dad are not with us, then I will be your guiding light!"
Jared is surprised that she knows all that happened. Did their mother talk to her as well?
"How does she know what happened to mom and dad?"- He says to himself- "Oh well. It does not matter right now. I will ask her later."
He nods.
"Let us not waste anymore time. Those people need our help and we are going to provide it."
He turns to his sister.
"Are you ready, sister?"
Marinette nods.
"Always ready, little brother!"- She responds- "No matter where you go, I will always come with you!"
"Let's show those crooks the power of our family- the Kaos family!"
Jared nods and smiles.
"That's the spirit, sister!"- He says.
Marinette calls forth the power of the Ladybug and transforms.
Both her and Jared enter the light and are transported to the other side- back in the city of Paris. Their home.
Meanwhile, Jared's soul is ripped away from Xehanort's hand and returns back to its rightful owner.
Jared wakes up, with his sister by his side.
He hears something ringing in his pocket!"
"Brother!"- Marinette says- "I think that you got a message!"
"A message?"- Jared says to himself- "But I don't have a phone."
"... Or do I?"
He pulls something out of his left pocket. It's a cellphone!
"Wait a minute."- Jared says to himself- "This is my cellphone from two years ago! The one that Akari gave me as a gift for my fifteenth birthday!"
He stares at it and sees that he has a message.
When he clicks the button, he stares at its contents:
By: Mom
Subject: Don't give up!
"Hiya, sweetcheeks! How ya doing? You didn't forget that your mama will always have your back, right? That's what I promised you when we were back there! Now, I know that you're probably very busy right now, but I want you to know that I will always love all of you! Especially you! Yes, yes, I still miss you, but that doesn't matter when I know that you're still alright, does it? Anyway, I know that after all this ends, you're going to be with the rest of our family again. Your father, your grandfather, your sister. And you will probably get over the fact that I'm not with you physically. You will make new memories, meet new people, become the hero that everyone wants to see. But, whatever happens next... don't forget about the special bond that we have. that has helped you become stronger during all those hard times that you had to endure. And if anyone tries to break it... make them regret that they even try to do so. Whatever anyone tells you... please, don't give up. Don't let that smile on your face disappear. Prove it to them, the fact that it will last forever, no matter what they do. Oh, but I've gotten so ahead of myself! Don't let me slow you down! Go! Help those people and defeat that old freak! Me and your uncle are rooting for you from above! Good luck, sweetcheeks! ~ Mama"
"P. S: Say hi to your daddy from me! And spend more time with little Akari. She's so sweet and cute! xoxo oolala"
Jared looks down. Tears roll down from his eyes.
"Mom... "- He says.
Marinette stares at him sadly.
"You miss her, don't you?"
Jared looks up and nods, tears still falling down from his eyes.
"Yeah. Me too."- She continues- "But we must move on. It's what she wants us to do. She wants us to be happy... and safe. It's what she has always wanted.
She steps forward.
"So. Are you ready to end this once and for all, little brother? To be the hero that everyone is expecting?"
Jared nods. All the fear has disappeared from his eyes. Now, they burn with passion and desire. Desire to keep everyone safe from the evil that is known as Xehanort.
"I'm not afraid."- He says- "Let's do this!"
Marinette smiles.
"The purity that is radiating from him... I can feel it again!"- She says to herself- "His attitude reminds me of the time when we were still kids and when he told me that we'll always be together. That siblings will never let each other down."
She stares at Xehanort.
"I know that this is his fight. And I know that he has to win it alone, to show the world that he is capable of winning his own battles. Of saving his own loved ones."- She continues- "But... we made a promise to each other. And I won't let him go there alone."
"As a big sister, I know that I am responsible for my little brother's actions and I should always be there for him. And I always remember this. We are siblings and we fight together. If we die, we will die together. If we win, we will cheer together. We promised that we will make this world a better place."
She looks at her brother.
"And I'm planning to make that promise come true. Bring it on, Xehanort!"
Jared and Marinette attack Xehanort. Our hero manages to take him by surprise and lands a few solid blows, disorienting him.
Xehanort stares at him in disbelief.
"This... this is impossible!"- He says.
Jared smiles.
"Believe it!"- He says- "No matter how hard you try to drag me down, I will always pull myself back up!"
Marinette stands by her brother's side and smiles as well.
"And he's not alone. His big sister has always got his back!"- She says.
Xehanort laughs.
"Oh, how cute! Brother and sister, fighting side by side against the evil!"- He says- "If I had any emotions, I would cry tears of joy!"
He smiles.
"I almost feel like I should spare you the pain that I am about to inflict to your young hearts. Almost."
Xehanort whistles. A man in black armor appears from the shadows.
"Vanitas, crush him!"
Vanitas smiles and grins.
"It's been way too long, Jared."- He says and lunges at him.
However, before he is able to deliver the first blow, Marinette stands between the two of them and parries the blow.
"Oh, looks like the hero's sister wants to join the fight."- Vanitas says- "Very well. I shall take down both of you, then!"
Marinette looks at her brother as she fights against Vanitas.
"Brother! Run!"- She yells.
Jared is shocked by her words.
"And leave you to fight this dangerous enemy alone?"- He responds- "No way!"
Marinette smiles.
"Go! I can handle this! Xehanort is right there. You need to take him down!"
"But-- "
"I said go! You can do it!"
"I believe in you, little brother."
Jared smiles.
"Sister."- He says- "Whatever happens to both of us, I want you to know that I will always love you."
Marinette smiles back.
"I love you too. Stay safe, little brother."
Jared nods and approaches Xehanort.
The old man smiles.
"Oh? You're approaching me?"- He says- "Instead of running away when you were given a chance, you still try to fight me? How foolish of you."
Jared smiles.
"Listen here, you old fool."- He says- "Just because you are very powerful does not mean that you are undefeatable. And I will prove that right here and right now!"
"Plus, I cannot get a good look at you if I don't get closer."
Xehanort grins.
"Very well. There stare at me as much as you'd like! That still doesn't change the fact that you will be defeated."
Jared smiles and draws his blade.
"You clearly do not know who you are messing with. It's not just me and you. My buddies are also here and they always have my back!"
Xehanort raises his eyebrow.
"We? You and what army?"- He says.
Jared smiles as two people sneak behind his enemy.
"This army!"
Suddenly, John and Annie attack Xehanort from behind. John manages to stab the old man in the shoulder, pushing him back with almost no effort.
"Prepare to suffer a humiliating defeat!"- Annie yells.
"We will never let you destroy Paris, you monster!"- John says.
Xehanort stares at them angrily.
"Argh! You insolent little brats!"- He yells and strikes back, sending both of them flying back to the battlefield behind them.
Xehanort turns back to Jared.
"Now, let us finish what we started-- "
But before he can finish his sentence, Jared shoots him in the leg with an arrow, having prepared his bow while John and Annie were distracting him.
Xehanort stumbles back, clearly surprised by the fact that the three of them worked together to fight him.
"Teamwork?"- He says- "You used the power of teamwork to... to attack me? You actually worked as a team, despite the fact that I tried to separate you?!"
He shrugs it off.
"It doesn't matter."- He says- "The wounds that you inflicted are just scratches that will heal very soon."
"Get ready, because the real battle begins now!"
He lunges forward and attacks Jared, managing to force him to step back a little bit.
Jared stares at his fresh wound and sighs. Then he stares at Xehanort.
"You have not won yet!"- He yells and draws his sword.
The two of them engage in a brutal fight. Despite the huge difference in their power levels, Jared fights valiantly against his enemy and manages to inflict a lot of damage to him.
Xehanort steps back, surprised that Jared has so much power resting within him.
"Unbelievable!"- He says- "That power of yours... it's so huge! How? How is this possible?!"
Jared smiles.
"This is not just my power."- He says- "This is the power of all of the good people in this world combined within one human being. Today, we all fight as one. And we will defeat you, with the power of friendship and hope!"
Xehanort laughs.
"Your friendship and hope mean nothing to me!"- He says- "All of your feelings mean nothing to me! And I'm going to crush them, one by one, until there is nothing left of you!"
Jared smiles and swings his sword.
"Bring it on!"- He yells.
Xehanort charges and attempts to bring Jared to his knees.
However, this plan proves to be futile and he is immediately pushed back with tremendous force. 
Meanwhile, Jared aims his bow at him and manages to land a few shots, pushing him back even further.
Xehanort stares at Jared, not believing what he is seeing.
"Why? Why are you not giving up?!"- He yells- "Why are you still fighting?!"
Jared smiles.
"Because a lot of people believe in me. And I will not let any of them down!"
Xehanort's eyes widen.
"Grrr! That's it!"- He screams- "Until now, I did not show you my true power. But you made me so angry that I am going to use it against you."
"I hoped that I wouldn't have to use it against a pathetic kid like you, but you proved yourself to be way stronger than I expected you to me. And your journey ends here. And now!"
He begins to charge up a powerful spell and, before Jared is able to move even a single step away, he launches it at him.
After the spell's effect finishes, he sees all the destruction that he has caused and Jared's corpse. He laughs maniacally.
"Yes!"- He says- "It seems like the great hero has finally fallen victim to the forces of Darkness. At long last!"
"I win!"
Jared stands up, brushes the dust off of his clothes and smiles.
"I am... still... breathing!"- He says.
Xehanort gasps.
"How can this be?!"- He says- "You were supposed to die from that!"
Jared smiles.
"You know what they say- "What doesn't kill you... makes you stronger". And your so-called "ultimate attack" just made me more eager to defeat you!"
He falls to his knees.
Xehanort laughs.
"You may be alive, but you're weak. You can't handle another attack like this one!"
Jared smiles.
"You cannot use it again."
"What do you mean?"- Xehanort says.
"I already know that your powerful attack takes a very long time to recharge. And you are completely unable to fight during the time of recovery."
Xehanort grins.
"I may not be able to use my magic, but I still have this!"
He draws his Keyblade- the one known as "Oblivion" and points it at Jared.
"Now, where was I?"- He says mockingly- "Ah yes. I was about to put an end to your miserable existence."
He prepares to deliver one last blow.
Jared sees that he will not be able to defeat Xehanort. He closes his eyes.
"So, this is the end?"- He says to himself- "Even after all the adventures that I had, all the enemies that I have defeated, all of the innocents that I saved, I am still going to die? Even when I gave it my all, it was still not enough?"
He sighs.
"Very well. If my time to leave this world has come, I will not hesitate. I will accept my fate and join my mother and my uncle in the Afterlife."
As Jared finally accepts his fate, he hears a voice behind Xehanort.
"That's enough, Xehanort!"- Someone behind the old man says and kicks him down.
Jared opens his eyes and sees that his father has returned and joined the battle.
He smiles.
"We have won, Xehanort."- He says.
Xehanort stands up and raises his eyebrow.
"How come?"- He responds- "I have you right where I want you, you are on your knees, waiting for your impending demise. How do you still think that you are going to win?"
Jared smiles.
"Because I am not alone, unlike you. Me and my father are going to defeat you!"
Xehanort gasps.
"You and... your father?! That... t-that's im-impossible! The man's dead! I saw it with my own eyes!"
Aleks smiles.
"Look behind you, my friend."
Xehanort does so and sees Aleks.
"This cannot be!"- He says- "You... you survived?!"
Aleks nods and turns to his son.
"Now, son, how should we take care of this old fool? The brutal way? Or the morally acceptable way?"
Jared says.
"I think you already know what I have chosen, dad."- He says- "Now, shall we finish him off?"
Aleks nods.
"Let's do this!"- He says- "Let's make Xehanort regret all the mistakes that he has made in the past!"
Jared and Aleks stare at Xehanort. The old man falls to his knees.
"Fine. You have defeated me. Bravo."- He says- "Now, what are you going to do to me?"
Jared and his father stare at each other. They nod and proceed to make their plan happen, knowing that it must be done if they want to get rid of the old man's evil influence forever.
== Trivia ==
* In this Part, there is a reference to Jotaro and Dio's final battle in "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure". Have fun trying to find it!
* There is also a reference to one of the victory speeches of Joey Wheeler in "Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links" when he says that his friends always have his back.