MLIII C1, P7- "Invader"

"Invader" is the seventh and penultimate Part of "Miracula Luxia III" 's first Chapter.

It was released on 26.10.2021.

## Plot

The end of the Sucia Island saga is close. Very close.

Now that our heroes have gained entry into the most secret complex on the island, they come face to face with Trajkov- the leader of theinvading Sholai and the one who wants to use the Geneforge to become undefeatable.

Even when cornered, Trajkov refuses to lose. He takes Adam's sister hostage and uses her as a bargaining chip to get what he wants as soon as possible.

However, it soon becomes clear that the situation is more complicated that they thought it would be. It is revealed that Trajkov has been hunting for so long... is the one who set this well-thought plan into motion. Hidden in his temple, he forced Trajkov to destroy Adam's boat and trap him on the island, believing that he is the key to unlocking the secrets of the ancient Geneforge.

Secrets are revealed. Truths come to light. The future becomes more and more uncertain.

But one thing is for sure...

*The chaos is not over yet.*

## Story

Adam falls to his knees.

"Why are you doing this?"- He asks Trajkov- "What has *she* done to you?!"

Trajkov shakes his head.

"Don't misunderstand me, Adam. I didn't want any of these unfortunate events to happen. Not at all."- He says- "However, you refused to help us out. You denied your destiny and plunged yourself deep into the darkness. *You did this to yourself, Adam.*"

He points his claymore at him.

"You leave me no choice."- He continues- "Do what I tell you to... or she's going to suffer a fate worse than death."

Akira shakes her head.

"Don't listen to him, little brother!"- She yells- "Trajkov is a madman! He will do anything to achieve his goals! He will even threaten the life of countless innocents! He has no qualms about it and will gladly kill us all!"

She grabs Trajkov's weapon and points it at her chest.

"If it means that I'll set you free, then I am ready to give my own life away!"- She exclaims- "Go! Save yourself! Don't worry about your condemned sister! I know that you, mom and dad are worried about me, but I am just a burden for this family! My life doesn't matter!"

Adam shakes his head.

"This is madness! I am not going to let you die over here!"- He yells- "Aki, I want to save you. I want to bring you back safe and sound. Seeing you like this brings tears to my eyes. I do not want to see you like this!"

He turns to Trajkov and sighs.

"Very well, Trajkov. As much as I regret it, I will admit that you win."- He mutters- "I will help you find the device that will allow you to use the Geneforge. Just please, let go of my sister. Set her free and I will help you."

Trajkov smiles.

"As you wish, hero."

He lets go of Akira and allows her to join her mother and father.

Jared and Meggy are understandably overjoyed to see their daughter. They hug her and watch as Adam steps forward.

"So."- Adam mutters- "What do you want me to do?"

Trajkov smiles and claps his hands. A portal appears next to him.

"This portal will lead you to the Great Temple- a ancient building which is the home of the vile Goettsch, a Shaper who stole a pair of... special gloves from me."- He says- "I want you to fight your way past his guards and enter his treasure room, in the west side of the temple. There, you will find a small, blue chest. You will find the gloves right there. Take them as soon as you get there and run for your life. The portal will be waiting for you near the south exit of the temple."

He looks at Adam and nods.

"Are you ready?"

Adam sighs and nods.

"I... "- He mutters- "I am."

Trajkov smiles and motions for him to enter.

"Then go ahead."- He says- "Once you're done, an age of prosperity awa-- "

Before he can finish his words, a flash of light blinds both of them for a few seconds as a new person enters the room.

Adam looks at the new arrival and cannot help, but notice that he is wearing blue robes, similar to those of nearly every traditional Shaper.

"Don't torture the poor boy, Trajkov."- The man says to the leader of the Sholai- "I've come to give you what you want."

Trajkov takes a step back. Alarmed, he draws his weapon.

"Goettsch! You traitor!"- He yells- "What do you want?"

Goettsch sighs.

"I only want to give you the gloves."- He says- "I've been feeling very guilty lately and I fell like you are indeed their rightful owner."

He checks the pockets of his robe and presents a pair of ordinary-looking gauntlets.

On closer inspection, however, Adam notices that they are glowing. A faint, white light emanates from them and makes our hero feel more confident. More determined.

"*Amazing.*"- He says to himself- "*So those are the Shaping Gloves that my teachers have always been talking about. A simple, yet important tool that allows you to harness the infinite power of the Geneforge and stay safe from the dangerous chemicals that are inside of it. I want to take a closer look, but I can see that things are about to get very dangerous, so I shall stand my ground and fight the monster that Trajkov will surely become.*"

He stands still and watches as Goettsch gives the gloves to Trajkov.

"See? I'm genuine,"- He says to him- "Now go. Do what you want and leave those people alone. They've suffered a lot and you're only making it worse."

Trajkov laughs as he looks at the gloves that are now in his possession.

"At last! The gloves are mine! All mine!"- He yells and turns toward the locked door behind him- "Now, I can finally use the power of the Geneforge and become a god!"

He grins.

"Just you wait, foolish mortal Shapers."- He says- "Your time shall come very soon. Very, very soon."

He turns around, looks at Adam and Goettsch and smiles.

"I suppose I should thank you both."- He says to them- "With your help, I will soon become the most feared warrior in the world. The most powerful leader. Nobody will be able to stop me and it's all thanks to you!"

Adam shakes his head.

"Go ahead and use the Geneforge, you fool."- He responds- "Powers or not, we will still defeat you! Mark my words!"

Trajkov laughs.

"A worthy challenger?"- He says- "I'd love to see your face after I kill everyone that you love. When your time finally comes, you will beg me for mercy and regret the fact that you didn't ally yourself with me when you had the chance."

He smiles and casts a spell. Suddenly, everyone is paralyzed.

"Here's a little trick up my sleeve, in case you try to stop me."- He says- "Farewell, weaklings."

He turns around and enters the room to the north.

Jared manages to free himself and attempts to stop Trajkov, but Meggy prevents him from doing so.

"It's too late, honey. Let it happen."- She tells him- "We can defeat him later. I have faith in our cause!"

Jared looks down and sighs.

"I guess that you are right dear. No matter what I try, he will still emerge victorious."- He responds- "Perhaps it is indeed impossible to prevent some events from happening."

Goettsch, on the other hand, has no problem freeing himself and following Trajkov. He walks right behind him, ready to make his move as soon as he gets close to the Geneforge.

"What is that man doing?"- Akira wonders aloud- "Should we... stop him?'

Jared and Meggy shake their heads.

"I guess that he wants to stop Trajkov from using the Geneforge."- Jared says- "Let him do whatever he wants. If it leads to his demise, it is his problem. Not ours."

Adam sighs.

"He got himself into this mess, so I hope that he has a plan to get us out of it."- He says- "There is only one way to find it out."

Adam and his family watch as Goettsch enters the room.

Now alone with his sworn enemy, Trajkov pats him on the shoulder and smiles.

"They don't know a thing, do they?"- He asks him.

Goettsch shakes his head.

"Not at all."- He says- "Our secret is safe."

Trajkov nods.

"Perfect."- He responds- "I was wondering where you are, but it seems like you got everything under control."

Goettsch sighs.

"I did my best."- He says- "However, those fools are still out there. Once they find out that I'm allied with you, they're going to kill me as well."

He looks at Trajkov.

"I want to return to the mainland as much as you do."- He continues- "Can you promise that you'll help me out?"

Trajkov grins.

"Of course, my dear friend."- He responds- "I promised you that I will help you return to the mainland once we are done here and I'm a man of my word. I will let you go."

For a moment, the remnants of the former, honorable leader return and the madness in his eyes fades away temporarily.

He looks at Goettsch, now as his former self, and shakes his head.

"I feel bad for trapping all of you in here and treating you as if you're my prisoners."- He says- "Maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh with you. I hope that I can change once this madness is over."

Goettsch nods and places his hand on Trajkov's shoulder.

"People can indeed change, my friend. And you're not an exception."- He responds- "Even though you stranded me here and forced me to live isolated from society for many years, I'm not angry at you. I know that you were deranged. Angry. You wanted power and were ready to do anything to make your dream a reality. You did horrible things that you wouldn't have done otherwise, but that's just because you're a true survivor."

He sighs.

"Believe me. None of those so-called "heroes" would ever dare to help you out when you've gone mad."- He continues- "Instead, they would see you as a monster. As a faulty element in the system that must be eradicated in order to achieve perfection. They would draw their weapons and kill you to keep their world safe from "evil". They've probably done so with many others before and this is no exception."

Trajkov shakes his head.

"Still, I want to be a better person. I want to ally myself with them."- He says- "I can see that they're not bad and I want to help them defeat the *true* evil in this world."

Goettsch sighs and points at the Geneforge.

"Right. It's going to happen."- He says- "But I think you forgot why you came here. The Geneforge, remember?"

Trajkov looks at the Geneforge.

Once again, his eyes show signs of uncontrolled madness. His current self has returned once again.

"Ah. Yes. The pool of *infinite power*. I almost forgot."- He says and turns around- "Did you make sure that all circuits are on?"

Goettsch nods.

"Even before they came, I already made sure of it."

Trajkov grins.

"Good."- He mutters- "Very good."

He puts on the gloves and greedily stares at the Geneforge- a swirling mass of wild, uncontrolled essence, mixed together with powerful chemicals to provide incredible power to the ones who are worthy of using it.

"You can feel it, don't you?"- Trajkov asks Goettsch- "The power of the Geneforge. It's so... mesmerizing. I can't hold back."

He grins.

"I must use it."- He mutters- "I *will* use it!"

He looks up and laughs.

"I will become a god! *A god!*"

Without wasting any time, he kneels and prepares to use the Geneforge.

"Yes! Yes!"- He exclaims- "Soon, all of them shall see the *true* Trajkov! The one who shall be the harbringer of their inevitable demise!"

However, his happiness does not last for long. As soon as he gets close enough to the Geneforge, he realizes that someone is standing behind him.

When he turns around, he sees Goettsch.

"Go away, Goettsch."- Trajkov says to him- "I'll give you the freedom that you want. Leave me to experience this pivotal moment."

Goettsch shakes his head and swiftly takes the gloves off of Trajkov's hands.

He looks at them and smiles.

"I'm afraid that I can't let you do that."- He says- "You said that I could also use the power of the Geneforge, so I think that I shall go first."

Trajkov stands up and glares at him.

"Never! I will never share the power of the Geneforge with anyone else."- He yells- "Especially with mere servants like *you*!"

Goettsch sighs and shrugs.

"So, you still don't trust me? Even after I helped you strand Adam and his friends on Sucia? Even after I was kind enough to become the true leader of your Sholai? How unfortunate. I thought that we were a team."- He says and draws his weapon- "Oh well. I suppose that I don't have another choice in this matter."

He takes a step forward and places the palm of his hand on Trajkov's chest.

"Farewell, my "friend" ."- He says and unceremoniously tries to push him.

Realizing that Goettsch is trying to kill him, Trajkov pushes him back and draws his weapon.

"You made a big mistake, shaper lackey!"- Trajkov yells- "And now, you're going to *pay* for it!"

The two of them engage in a short, but vicious battle.

While Trajkov tries to knock Goettsch down and take the gloves back, Goettsch prevents him from doing so and attempts to stab him.

"I knew that I shouldn't have trusted you, Goettsch."- Trajkov says- "From the moment when I stranded you here, I knew that you also wanted to use the Geneforge. I saw the wild expression in your eyes, the naked lust for power that you always tried to hold back. It was all clear to me, but I still wanted to trust you. I thought that you could change into a better person and become my ally. My friend. But you simply waited for the perfect moment to stab me in the back and have all the power for yourself! Well, let me tell you this. Whatever you try to do next, I will not allow you to use the Geneforge!"

Goettsch smiles and shakes his head.

"You think that you can defeat me? Well, I hate to crush your dreams, but I'm afraid that you're already shaking on the rope. There's no coming back from this, I tell you."- He says- "Soon, you shall die. And when I use the Geneforge, I will kill Adam and all of his allies. Then, all of the serviles on this island shall feel my wrath. Finally, once I am done with this miserable place, I will take a boat to the mainland and destroy everything that they hold dear."

Suddenly, Trajkov's attitude changes. His eyes become calmer. The madman he used to be until now completely vanishes from existence.

Due to those unfortunate events, Trajkov has finally changed. He is no longer the madman that everyone believed he is. Instead, he is now a noble warrior. A sworn protector of the innocent, he is ready to protect them from evil people like Goettsch.

"Those people have been separated from each other for so long and you... you want to separate them forever?!"- He yells and draws his weapon- "I don't care about the gloves anymore. Nevermind the power and glory. I came here to fight evil scum like you and I'm not going to pretend like I don't care anymore!"

Ha points his weapon at him.

"I will kill you, Goettsch!"- He proclaims- "For my people. And for the rest of the innocents in this world!"

Goettsch avoids his attacks and smirks.

"You fool. Up until now, you were saying that power and glory are all that matters in our society and now, you deny it?"- He asks him- "It doesn't matter, though. If you don't want to be the one to use this glorious device, then I shall finish what you started."

He stabs him in the abdomen and pushes him outside.

"Begone, weakling."- He says- "I won't miss you."

Adam and the others notice Trajkov as he falls on the floor.

At this moment, the spell that is holding them paralyzed has been considerably weakened due to the absence of its caster. This allows Adam to rush forward and confront the Sholai leader.

"Adam, don't do it!"- Akira yells- "It's too dangerous!"

Adam shakes his head.

"I will take my chances."- He says to her- "Stand back. Things might get dangerous."

He turns around and glares at Trajkov.

"So, Trajkov. You said that you wanted to use the Geneforge."- He says to him- "What happened up there? Why don't you have the gloves anymore?"

Trajkov weakly looks up at him and shakes his head.

"I made a big mistake and I'm very sorry."- He says- "I assure you that I'm not your enemy. Not anymore."

He glares at the open door behind him.

"However, there is one person who is more evil than I am. Who has a lust for power and wants to use the Geneforge himself. He doesn't want to share the power with anyone and is ready to kill anyone who tries to stop him- He says- "That person is in there and we might be too late."

He sighs.

"I'm so sorry, Adam. I tried to warn you about the dangers of the Geneforge, but my other self wanted power. I got too greedy and I threatened to you to do the thing that I was too afraid to do myself."- He apologizes to him- "I thought that there would be more time for us to understand each other, but it seems this endless fight will soon be over for me."

He shakes his head.

"Forgive me, kid."- He says- "Forgive me for being such a heartless villain. I didn't want any of these events to happen and I'm sorry that I was a part of them."

Adam is very surprised by Trajkov's sudden change of heart.

"What is happening?"- He says to himself- "First, he trapped us on Sucia Island. Then, he tried to kill us. And now, he feels sorry for everything? Maybe bad people can indeed change."

Before he can give a response, however, he hears something coming from the inner labs.

It is a scream.

He tries to enter, but is stopped by an invisible barrier.

As he struggles to dispel the barrier, he hears footsteps coming from the other side.

Soon, a man with robes approaches him. His eyes and skin are glowing bright red.

Seeing that Adam is trying to enter, he pushes him back violently with a powerful spell.

Adam tries to get up and fight back.

That is when he sees who the man really is.

"Goettsch!"- He says and gasps- "What... what happened to you?"

It seems like Goettsch has managed to use the Geneforge. The power that he gained in the process seems to have changed him, both physically and mentally.

He has grown much more confident, more powerful. His eyes glow red- a sign of the incredible strength that he possesses.

And it seems like he has also lost his mind in the process. How unfortunate.

"Ah. The young hero known as Adam Kaos. Just the sacrificial lamb that I needed."- He says and smiles- "I've been looking for someone who can... help me test the new powers that I have just obtained. And I think that you'll be perfect."

He prepares to cast a very powerful spell. It is certain that it will kill him on the spot.

"Now stand still, little one."- He says- "This will only hurt a bit."

He grins.

"Oh. Who am I lying to?"- He adds- "This is going to hurt *a lot*!"

Adam tries to jump back, but finds himself unable to move. It seems like Goettsch's paralyzing spell has returned... and it is more powerful than ever.

"I cannot feel my legs."- He mutters- "Is this the end for me?"

Goettsch smiles.

"There's no salvation for you. No sanctuary."- He says- "Accept your fate and die like the hero that you are!"

Moments before he can actually cast the spell, however, someone rushes forward and stands in his way.

It is Trajkov.

Goettsch realizes what is happening, but it is too late for him to stop the spell.

A ray of darkness pierces Trajkov in the chest and forces him to fall on the ground.

Judging the amount of blood that he loses immediately after being hit, it seems like the beam managed to strike him in the heart.

"Mister Trajkov! No!"- Adam exclaims- "Why did you do this?!"

Trajkov looks up at him and smiles serenely.

"Sometimes, there are some things that are more important than your own life."- He says- "And this is one of them."

He looks at the labs around him and nods.

"I saved you, but not because I felt like it."- He says- "Ever since we met for the first time, I saw the spirit of a great warrior within you. I heard the heartbeat of a great hero, the heartbeat that beats for the safety of every good person in this world. Incuding those who were not so... nice to you."

He looks up at him and smiles.

"I trust you with the lives of both my people... and every innocent creature that lives on this island."- He finishes- "Don't let them down, okay?"

Adam shakes his head.

"Of course not!"- He responds- "I will protect them all, sir. In your honor, I will fight the evil in this place... and I will win. The victory that we will achieve will be thanks to you. We will not forget the courage and valor that you showed here!"

Trajkov smiles again and starts to close his eyes.

"You're a good kid, Adam."- He whispers- "Good luck. There's a long road ahead of you, but I'm sure that you will reach the end.

Having said that, he closes his eyes, allowing his soul to finally rest in the Afterlife.

Adam shakes his head.

"No. This... this was not supposed to happen."- He says- "Mr. Trajkov was... was... "

He glares at Goettsch and draws his weapon.

"I will make you pay!"

Goettsch smiles and motions for him to make the first move.

"Go ahead."- He says- "I am waiting for you."

Adam charges and tries to stab Goettsch, but the shaper has already predicted his move.

He takes a step back and throws him away with a powerful wind spell.

Adam feels a bit dizzy after the impact. Still, he stands back up and charges again, attempting to find a flaw in Goettsch's defense.

Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any flaws whatsoever. Whatever they may have been, the magic of the Geneforge seems to have wiped them out for good.

Now, he is seemingly perfect. Powerful. Undefeatable.

"Don't waste your time."- Goettsch says to him- "You're only prolonging the inevitable."

Adam glares at him.

"We will see about that."

As he prepares to strike again, he hears his father calling out to him.

"Adam, stop."- Jared says to him- "Let us handle this!"

Adam looks back and realizes that everyone is free from the paralysis spell.

They approach Goettsch, ready to protect Adam from him.

"We can defeat this evil man!"- Meggy says- "Together!"

Having said that, she helps the others attack the mad shaper.

Goettsch is, understandably, surprised by their teamwork. This easily catches him off guard and he accidentally drops the gloves which he used to obtain the power of the Geneforge.

"Adam!"- Jared yells- "Now!"

Adam nods and rushes forward.

Avoiding Goettsch, he manages to pick up the gloves and immediately jumps back.

"I got them!"- He says- "But what do I do now?"

Jared sighs and shakes his head.

"I was afraid of this and I really regret the fact that I made this decision."- He says- "However, I know that this is the only way to win this arduous battle. We do not have another choice, I am afraid."

He turns to his son and places his hand on his shoulder.

"Son. I want you to go in there and use the Geneforge."- He says to him- "I know that it is very dangerous, but I feel like you are destined to use it. Do not be afraid. Remember that we will always be with you. Please. Survive this ordeal and make us proud."

Adam looks at his father.

"But dad! I want to help you!"- He says- "I cannot let you fight this madman without my help! I am not going anywhere!"

Akira shakes her head and pushes her brother.

"This is not the time to feel insecure. Time is running out and this may be our only chance to make a difference."- She says to him- "Go, Adam! The world believes in you!"

Seeing that he does not have another choice, Adam rushes towards the inner labs and prepares to use the Geneforge.

"*What a fool. He thinksthat he can harness the power of the Geneforge, but only a Chosen One could do that. Like me.*"- Goettsch says to himself- "*Well, it doesn't matter. Let him. In the end, he will only meet his doom. He will not survive the ordeal.*"

Having said that, he continues to fight Adam's allies.

Meanwhile Jared and Meggy look at each other for a few seconds.

"Meg. I know that it is dangerous, but I want you to go with Adam."- He says to her- "He needs emotional support more than he ever did before. He needs someone very close to him. He needs you, my love."

Meggy shakes her head.

"What about you, dear?'- She asks him- "This battle isn't going well for you!"

Jared sighs.

"Me, Akira and Emela will hold him off."- He assures her- "Everything will be fine. I promise."

Meggy realizes that her son needs her more than they do and decides to help him out.

"*This must be the boy's mother.*"- Goettsch says to himself- "*But why is she going in there, too?*"

He sighs.

"*Oh well. One less weaking to crush.*"- He continues- "*This will make the battle easier. For me, that is.*"

Meanwhile, Meggy joins her son and watches him put on the gloves.

As Adam looks around, he sees her and gasps.

"Mom!"- He says- "What are you doing here?"

Meggy smiles.

"What do you think?"- She responds- "Providing emotional support for my little boy, of course!"

Adam looks back at the Geneforge and sighs.

"I do not want to do this. Not at all."- He says- "However, destiny has decided that I shall pass this ordeal.

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a moment.

"Dad is right. There is only one way to win the battle against Goettsch."- He continues- "And that is by performing a miracle. By doing what few have ever done before."

Meggy smiles and nods.

"Go ahead, my dearest."- She says- "I'm not going anywhere!"

Adam smiles back.

"Thank you, mom."

Having said that, he reaches for the Geneforge and tries to plunge his hands into it.

A few moments later, he stops. It is as if some instructions are written within his mind, as if an invisible force wishes to help him out.

Soon, he realizes that he is doing everything wrong.

"I see."- He mutters- "Let us do this."

Having said that, he lightly touches the surface of the Geneforge, making sure that the gloves are firmly on his hands.

The change happens almost immediately. As soon as his fingertips touch the surface of the pool, some of its power flows into him and makes him stronger.

"I can feel the magic running through my veins."- He says- "So this is what it feels like to use the Geneforge."

However, the process proves to be much more painful than he had anticipated.

As soon as the first flow of essence has done its job, another one replaces it. Soon, a huge amount of magical energy is infused within his body.

But the flow does not stop. It grows even stronger than it was before, sending more and more power into Adam.

Even after he pulls his hands away from the Geneforge, he can still feel the massive amount of magical energy that has entered him. His limbs feel numb and it seems like he will fall unconscious very soon.

"*I think that the power that the Geneforge provides is too much for Adam.*"- Meggy says to herself- "*His heart is too pure to receive so much raw power at once!*"

Suddenly, Adam falls on his knees and grabs his head with the palms of his hands. He starts to scream wildly, barely able to control his newfound power.

It seems like the change is not just within Adam's physical self. His spiritual self must be affected, too.

The Geneforge has managed to rewrite our hero's entire being. Every single atom within his body is being rewritten, like a bunch of tiny scrolls on a massive shelf. Long lost memories return, reminding him of what he did in the past. His pure mind is being corrupted by the incredible power... and nobody can do anything to stop this irreversible process.

Meggy tries to calm her son down, but her efforts are in vain. His screams only get louder with each passing second.

"It's okay, dear. It's okay."- She says to him- "Fight the darkness! Don't let it make you a bad person!"

She places her hand on his shoulder.

"Do not give up!"- She continues- "I believe in you!"

Adam fails to hear what his mother is saying to him. He is only able to scream in agony.

"Ahh! This... this is too much! Too much!"- He yells- "Please! Someone! Make it stop! ***I BEG YOU!***"

He shakes his head as more painful memories re-enter his mind to haunt him.

"No! Stop it!"- He yells- "This is enough!"

Wanting to stop whatever is happening within his mind, he starts to slam his head into the floor.

"Stop it!"- He yells- "*Stop it!*"

Meggy grows concerned for her son's safety.

"Adam!"- She yells- "Don't do this! You're only hurting yourself!"

Adam shakes his head.

"Mom! I cannot do this!"- He yells- "Help me! Please! I do not want to die!"

Meggy shakes her head.

"*I really wish I could do that, but... how?*"- She says to herself- "*Right now, the only thing that he's able to think about is the excruciating pain. Nothing more!*"

However, she soon has an idea.

As her son continues to scream, she gets as close as possible.

"Mari! If you can hear me, help him out!"- She screams at the top of her lungs- "Remind him of who he really is! You're the only one who can help him!"

Suddenly, Adam stops screams. He stares ahead, seemingly unaware of his surroundings.

In his mind, he sees his aunt- Marinette. She approaches him and hugs him.

"It's been far too long, dear."- She says to him- "I missed you."

Adam raises his eyebrow.

"What are you doing here, aunt?"- He asks her- "I thought that the Geneforge wiped out all of my memories!"

Marinette shakes her head.

"Not all of them."- She says- "Remember what we promised each other a few years ago? How you will always stay strong and remember why you are here?"

She smiles.

"Well. That's why I'm here."- She continues- "To remind you about your purpose in life."

She looks at him.

"Look at you. A young man who is ready to face any challenge with no fear in his heart."- She says- "You are destined for greatness. Are you really going to let it go like this? To become a victim of your own emotions and succumb to the power of something that is meant to be rightfully yours?"

Adam shakes his head.

"It is... complicated."- He says- "I am not sure anymore."

Marinette stares at him.

"I can see that you have changed a lot. This explains the madness that swirls within your mind."- She says- "However, you have no reason to fear it. What you're seeing is only a fragment of your imagination. Something that you're afraid of. A painful apparition that makes you doubt yourself and wonder whether you're truly the one or not."

She shakes her head.

"I know that you're scared, but don't forget."- She finishes- "No matter how hard this pool tries to destroy your past, I will always stand by your side. Your memories of me will always shine bright and illuminate the veil of darkness that envelops your mind. We will always be together."

She smiles.

"I love you, dear nephew."- She says and vanishes.

Adam tries to find her, but she is gone.

"Auntie!"- He yells- "Wait! Come back, please!"

A few moments later, he opens his eyes. He looks back and sees his mother.

"Mom?"- He asks her- "What... what happened? Did I use the Geneforge?"

Meggy stares into her son's eyes and gasps.

She notices how confident he has become. His determination has also changed a lot. His eyes have become calmer than usual, but there is a strange feeling of barely controlled rage that he constantly fights to subside. Sometimes, she also sees that his eyes glow pearl white- a sign of his newfound power.

Adam stands up, looks at the door and prepares to charge.

"Stand here, mom."- He says calmly- "Goettsch will pay for this insolence. I will make sure of it."

Having said that, he charges with incredible speed and busts the large door open with relative ease.

"Goettsch!"- He yells- "I am coming for you!"

Goettsch turns around and smiles.

"Oh. Look who it is."- He says- "I can see that you're still alive. Are you too scared to use the Geneforge?"

He smiles.

"Just lay your head on the ground."- He says and prepares to cast another powerful spell- "It'll all be over soon."

As he launches a massive fireball at him, he receives an unexpected surprise.

Instead of trying to avoid the attack, Adam creates a powerful, magical shield around himself and reflects the fireball right back at its caster.

Taken my surprise, he is hurt by his own spell and stumbles back.

When he looks up, he gasps.

Adam's eyes are now glowing pearl white and so is his pale skin.

"How is this possible?"- Goettsch asks him- "How did you survive?!"

Adam looks at his arm and smiles.

"Now that I have also gained the power of the Geneforge, I think that I can finally come face to face with you."- He says confidently and takes a step forward- "Bring it on, vile shaper!"

Goettsch smirks.

"You will pay for challenging me!"- He yells and charges.

A battle between titans begins as Adam and Goettsch start firing spells at each other.

While Goettsch attacks in a more aggressive way, Adam does not want to make the same mistake. He blocks his attacks with his magical shield, avoiding them whenever it is not possible. He dances around the room like a ballerina, slowly analyzing his opponent and trying to find a flaw in his ways.

Fortunately, it is much easier to find a flaw when your eyes are specifically enhanced to help you find it. Soon, his efforts prove to be successful as he notices that Goettsch is getting tired after every powerful spell.

Taking the mad shaper by surprise, Adam charges and rams him into a nearby wall, breaking it in the process.

Then, he proceeds to grab him by the neck and slam his head into another nearby wall with unbelievable speed.

"Incredible!"- Jared says- "In my years as a hero, I have never seen someone so determined! So powerful and unshakeable!"

Soon, Adam proves his father's words. He grabs Goettsch and jumps very high in the air.

Seeing a good spot below, he descends with incredible speed and breaks the roof of the inner labs, landing near the Geneforge.

"Thanks for making this easier for me."- Goettsch says and grabs him by the neck- "It's time to die!"

He starts to strangle him, using all of the power that the Geneforge gave him to cut his oxygen supply.

"I will kill you!"- He yells- "I will kill you and become the king of this world! Nobody will be able to stop me!"

However, Adam has no intentions of dying. Instead of standing back and watching his enemy strangle him to death, he casts a fire spell and severely burns Goettsch's right half of the face.

As the vile shaper touches his fresh scar, he glares at Adam, barely able to believe what is happening to him.

"I was supposed to be undefeatable!"- He says- "Is it really true that I'm not?"

Adam shakes his head and watches as he slowly stumbles towards the edge of the Geneforge, close to falling in.

"You believed that you were the only one worthy of holding this power. You lied. You cheated your allies. You let them down, just to satisfy your own selfish desires. You kept dreaming your futile dreams, thinking that you can still make them a reality."- He says- "I have seen few villains in my life as a hero, but it is clear that you are the worst. I know that many are able to change, even after performing heinous crimes that ruin our society. They changed their ways and became better people. But you? You, my friend, are a monster. You only live to destroy and you are more than eager to slay those who stand in your way. You never saw how they felt, how much they pitied you for being such a megalomaniac and how much they despised you for being so evil."

He takes a step forward and stares at him.

"I do not want to do this, but you leave me no choice."- He says- "It is time to get this world rid of your evil influence."

Goettsch shakes his head. Instead of pleading for his life, however, he continues to exalt himself.

Even at the brink of death, he is still a madman.

"It's not possible. I was the chosen one. I cannot die!"- He yells- "You can't kill me, you fool! I'm invincible! I can't be killed like this! I will never die! Never!"

Adam raises his eyebrow.

"Invincible, you say?"- He asks him and shakes his head- "Nobody is invincible. Not even people who have used the Geneforge. Not even great heroes like my father. And, most importantly, not even God himself. You may think that you are above everyone else. That you are indeed invincible. However, what you are doing is simply deluding yourself. Nothing else."

He sighs and takes another step forward.

"Enough of this nonsense. I am not very good at speeches."- He says- "Begone, vile fiend!"

Goettsch screams as he is kicked into the Geneforge.

"No... "- He says- "Nooooooo!"

He tries to reach the edge of the basin, but to no avail. And, truth be told, he would still die... even if he could.

Adam watches stoically as Goettsch's hand slowly descends into the viscous liquid that is the wild, uncontrolled essence below him..

Soon, there is nothing left of the mad shaper. Only a memory that will remind our hero that *nothing* is impossible.

Adam takes a few steps back and leans against a nearby wall. He is clearly exhausted by this long and arduous battle.

"It is over."- He says- "We have won, Goettsch."