#myste can do the memory thing because he himself is a memory... which again. kinda fucked up. I cannot see this ending well at all.

[omegaverse-anesthesiologist]

started the stormblood drk quests and. hmm. why does this kid look like ysayle and haurchefant had a baby?

[endless-vall]

The Map - Part Sixteen - Last Chapter, The End.

<< First  < Previous .

Summary: The final battle takes place, but the future has never been brighter. 

Author’s note: This is it. This is the final chapter of my multi-chapter Endless Summer story, “The Map”. 

I hope you’ll like it. 

I know it took me a long time to finish it, and even more to post it. I want to take this chance and thank everyone who supported me, and read this story. Although I started writing it after the book ended, the response and the support  was amazing. I never thought there’ll be so much love and appreciation for my post-final story, so I want you to know you all are amazing and dear to me! <3

Endless Summer is finished, but it’ll always be in our hearts. Our precious gang deserve it’s happy ending, and here they finally have it. 

Tagging: @writtenbycandy​ @meeraaverywalker @asprankle​ @liam-rhys-x-mc-x-constantine​ @dandeservestheworld​ @endlessly-searching-for-you​ @quacksonlover​ @kamybelen-blog​ @endlessflame​ @truekender​ @princesstopgun​ @nekkidmolerat @mysteli . I hope I got everyone who asked to be tagged! Comment on this post to let me know if you wanna be tagged as well.

La-Huerta was indeed a normal island now. It didn’t have the Celestial anymore and some parts of it’s abnormal zones but it was La-Huerta nonetheless.

It was secluded from the outside world, mainly so the watchers would be safe. Not appearing on any map beside the one embedded in Varynn’s memory.

“This place is still one of the most beautiful things I got to witness.” Diego told Taylor, who was sitting next to him on the plane.

Just like their journey began, this is how it was going to end.

But an ending isn’t the sad part, because it just means they’ll get to start a new chapter.

“Yeah,” She nodded, her heart fluttering in her chest.

This was it. This is where everything started.

And this is where it ends, and they start a new chapter in their lives.

“But isn’t… The island’s heart kinda useless… Right now?” Craig furrowed his eyebrows., still trying to make sense out of everything.

“Yeah, it is.” Varynn confirmed, shrugging.  

“But Rourke’s a wacko.” Aliester explained. “So he still wants it.”

“We could just… Give it to him.” Mike popped his head into the passengers area, noting.

Everyone exchanged baffled looks between each other.

“What do you mean-” Before Raj could complete his question Taylor jumped in.

“That could actually work.” She said.

A moment of silence passed through the group.

“You want to… Trick him?” Zahra asked, not waiting for a response. “Sick! I’m in.” She flashed a grin, fist-bumping Craig.

“Yeah… That could… Actually work.” Aliester and Estela nodded too. 

They seemed to be the most skeptical beside Taylor, so if they agreed on it - this plan was worth trying.

Everyone else exchanged looks once again. It seems they were in agreement.

“Let’s do this.”

Taylor rose up, exchanging a brief look with Mike. He nodded and she flashed him a smile before climbing into the cockpit of the plane.

Jake was flying the plane now. Remarkably so.

“Hey princess.” He smiled as she sat beside him.

“Brings you memories, hotness?” She couldn’t believe she could ever forget the man sitting in front of her.

But to be fair - she had a part of her literally taken away. And she still found him, still remembered him in the end.

“Actually, yes.” He shot her a wink before looking back at the sky ahead.

They fell into light conversation, until Jake announced they were getting close and Mike came back, switching his seat with Taylor’s.

Getting to La-Huerta turned out to be easier than expected, and soon the gang was setting foot on the long-lost island.

But, unfortunately, getting there was the easy part.

“What now?” Michelle asked, voicing everyone’s thoughts.

“Here,” Varyyn pointed into the distance. A group of Vaanti soldiers were drawing near them.

“Even though I remember everything, it’s still kinda fricky to see all of it in person.” Craig commented.

“I’m right there with you.” Zahra calmly stated, her hand nervously finding it’s way to Craig’s. He blinked at their linked hands, but didn’t complain. A pinkish color decorated his cheeks instead, but he shook his head and himself out of it, giving Zahra’s hand a tight, reassuring squeeze.

“Yeah, dudes.” Raj added, and Taylor turned towards everyone.

“Okay, guys. We need to focus.” She reminded them.

“Right.” Jake gulped, standing next to her staring into the skyline. The Vaanti finally reached the gang, and reported back to Varyyn. 

They’ve narrowed down Rourke’s possible location and had the main area surrounded.

“We were waiting for you.” Seraxa finished explaining. “What are you’re orders?” She asked.

“Ask them,” Varynn smiled, gesturing towards the group. 

“We have a plan.” Taylor stepped to the front. 

Seraxa shot her a knowing smile, happy to see her again. Taylor smiled back at her, for a moment before continuing.

“Take us to Rourke.”

“will he ever give up?” Michelle complained while on their way, clearly annoyed but eager to stop him.

“No, apparently, he’ll never. Which is why I think we should think this through. How do we wanna act? Do we really want to just capture him?” Aliester stepped up.

Taylor arched her eyebrows. “What’s the other option?” She asked, even though she had an idea.

A silence fell through the group, everyone hanging their gazes at each other.

“… We could kill him. End this once and for all.” Estela said what everyone were thinking, but too afraid to say.

“Let’s hope it won’t come to that.” Taylor answered, shaking her head.

“Are you serious?” Zahra countered, siding with Estela. “After everything he’s done, the baster deserves it!” She continued.

“But are we really the judge for it?” Quinn narrowed her eyes at them, defending Taylor.

“Of course we are! Who else could?!” Zahra raised her voice, having enough of that.

“Guys, guys! Let’s calm down!” Taylor placed herself between the two sides of the group, worked up.

“Catalysts, are you ready?” A warrior of Seraxa’s asked them, calming the atmosphere.

Taylor hanged her eyes on him, her expression falling unsettled. “Not really.” She shrugged.

“Too bad for you.” Suddenly, the ground beneath them shaking. A huge robotic shape burst through the ground, carrying countless weapons on its hands and back.

“Ahhhh!” The gang was caught off-guard, everyone falling and being thrown away into different directions.

“Taylor!” Without giving it much thought, Jake threw himself over Taylor, defending her with his body.

“Taylor??” Most of the gang got to safety, hiding behind blocks of wood and shields the Vaanti had supplied.

“I’m alright!” She let them know, pulling Jake with her to hind behind a broken branch. It wasn’t much comfort but it was better than nothing.

The robotic mechanism hovered in the air, firing its weapons without an aim. Peering inside there, was seated - without a doubt, Everett Rourke.

He had an unshaved messy beard, and an even messier hair, and a chaotic, crazy look in his eyes.

“He lost it completely, haven’t he?” Taylor asked rhetorically, speaking mainly to herself.

“He needs to pay for what he’s done to Ben.” Jake clenched his jaw, balling his fists until his knuckles flashed white.

Taylor looked at him worriedly. “And he will.” She placed a comforting hand over his shoulder.

They haven’t had a chance to decide on their course of action or plan, but there wasn’t much time left at the moment.

But even Jake had to agree, that doing the dirty work himself wasn’t Rourke’s style. Maybe he had lost every ounce of his sanity.

“But we need to think this straight. Charging in without a plan will only result in someone getting hurt.” She ran her hand down his back, and could feel his body relaxing - just the slightest - under her touch.

“We need to regroup with the others.” He didn’t let his emotions to get the best of him, as he initially did.

Taylor smiled at him, weakly. “Exactly.” She said.

“Follow my lead.” Jake had a determined look in his eyes, and Taylor gave him a nod.

He charged out, leading them through the open space, using the smoke screen Rouke’s shooting created as a diversion. Somehow, they managed to get to the group unscratched.

Reuniting with the group, a few Vaanti warriors surrounded them with shields. “We need a distraction,” Seraxa barked out. 

“Any volunteers?”

“Rourke! Stop shooting! We have what you want.” Taylor was the bait, as per usual.

Jake grabbed her shoulders and kissed her forehead before sending her on her way, only after she’d promised she’d make it back safe.

She was waving her arms, holding a glowing purple orb in her hand.

Was that the Island’s heart? Not really. It was just some cool rock Varyyn had given her. But it should’ve been enough to trick Rourke,

long enough for them to seize him.

They still haven’t worked out what they wanted to do with him once they have him under lock, but that was something to worry about later.

They’ll cross that bridge when they get to him. And as long as everyone’s on board. and safe.

“Rourke!” She shouted once again, and the rain of bullets finally ceased. 

From inside the huge, mechanic creature, Rourke was squinting his eyes, trying to make out if she was telling the truth.

“It’s the island’s heart. Really. You can have it.” She spoke with her tone up. extending her arm for him to ‘see’ better.

“But only if you stop this madness and come down here to get it.” She made it clear.

They needed him out of his armor, if they wanted a chance.

“Get down there? Never!” He swung one of his robotic arms at her, but the attack was stopped before it reached her, held down by a number of Vannti warriors, that managed to grab it with some forest vines.

He was fuming, furious, but didn’t have too many choices.

“Will you really hand it over, no fighting?” He asked. His voice suddenly sounded rugged, helpless, desperate. Taylor almost felt bad for him.

Rourke has lost his sanity in an attempt to bring back his wife, but he also committed murder and various other crimes, trying to become the emperor of the Earth. So Taylor’s compassion could only go that long.

“Really.“ She placed one hand over her heart.

Yes! He bought it.

She wasn’t entirely lying. She’d give him whatever she was holding in her hands. It’s just that it wasn’t really what he was looking for.

He got out of his suit. The ground under them finally stopped shaking, and the insane amount of shooting ceased.

It was obviously a trap, but Rourke wasn’t exactly… Sane anymore.

The bags under his eyes indicated he hadn’t slept in days at a time. The scratches on his hands and chest hinted he was injured, maybe even sick. His hopeless attempt at retrieving the Island’s heart gave them a sense of what was left of the man’s brain and… It was not good.

But lying to Rourke, never went as planned. The moment he realized their trick, he pressed a button on top of his glove, blowing everything in the radius of ten meters around them up.

The man was anything, but unprepared. Even when he’d lost his mind, he had a backup plan up his sleeve.

Taylor was standing right next to him. He might’ve taken the blow too, but she sustained the outburst. Most of all, she was thrown away in the air and down a cliff.

While rolling down the hill, Taylor’s instincts kicked in and her hands fought to grab anything in her way.

Finally, she managed to lunch herself onto a brunch that was sticking out of the pillar, rocks and sticks brushing past her and into the long, deep void.

She forced herself not to look down, focusing all her might on hanging onto the branch.

“Taylor!! Jake’s voice hurried to come, and he abandoned his post in favor of helping her.

Quickly, but carefully and calculatedly, he slid down until he was almost able to reach her.

"Jake, no!” Someone yelled at him, scolding him for leaving himself out in the open, leaving himself vulnerable to Rourke’s doings.

But the cry for help went by with no use, Jake would risk his life without giving a second thought for the people he held dear.

“Jake” Taylor mouthed helplessly.

“Hold on! I’m almost there!” He grind his teeth, stretching as far as he could until his fingers brushed against Taylor’s hand.

Her breathe came out ragged, uneven, as she fought not to fall for her death. Her eyes remained fixed on Jacob. That man gave her power she didn’t know she had. He gave her hope, he was she sole reason she kept holding on.

He brushed against her hand a couple of times, but was unable to catch her in his grip.

It was so hopeless, that even Rourke didn’t bother shooting at them.

“Taylor,” He begged, furrowing his brows in concern. “You have to reach up, and take my hand. I can’t reach down any further, but if you hoist yourself, even just slightly–” He explained, and Taylor nodded, cutting him off.

“I got it. I’ll… try.” She answered, the fatigue already audible in her voice. Panting, she tried to reach up. She felt as her other hand slid down, as she tried to grab on to Jake.

“Almost there…” He encouraged her.

Her hand gently patted Jake’s, a huge, relived smile spreading across his lips. “Yes, I got you–”

Just when her hand slipped off the tree branch. “No!” Jake shouted.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

It took her a couple of moments, before she grabbed onto the next available spot. This time she held onto the cliff-side, and she hoisted herself far enough to roll over and lay on top of the rock, her hands finally getting a break from trying to hold on.

“Taylor!” Jake’s voice sounded now a lot further than before.

“I’m… fine.” She breathed out. “Maybe.” A pounding pain in the side of her body suddenly pierced through her, now that she wasn’t trying to hold on to dear life and the adrenaline started to tone down.

“Taylor, I’ll-” The inside of his eyes glossy, as he tried climb further down without falling.

“Jake.” She cut him off. The look in her eyes suddenly determined and decisive. “Just leave me here, Jake. You can’t get down here without slipping and falling. The cliff is too steep and we’ll only end up with two casualties instead of one. Just concentrate on taking down Rourke, according to our plan and come back for me later!” She urged, her eyes scowling at him.

“I’m not leaving you!” He countered, still trying to climb down. A few rocks rolled down his path as his steps became more and more dangerous, dangling and threatening to join Taylor’s fate.

“You’re being unreasonable! It’s crazy! Just come back for me later!” She begged.

“Of course I’m being crazy! I already lost you once! I just got you back. I’m not losing you a second time.” He was as decisive as her, and the nickle finally dropped in her brain.

“Jake…” her voice soft, she felt her heart beats growing stronger in her chest. She finally stood up on her feet.

The distance between them didn’t seem as much as it did a few minutes ago.

Maybe it was Jake’s unbelievable stubbornness, or the fact that whenever they combined their power, anything seemed possible, but suddenly hope was set in the horizon.

Jake was closer than ever, and Taylor clutched to her side with one hand, and tried hoisting herself up with the other.

“Almost… there-” their hands linked, and Jake was pulling her up. Only god knows how he managed to do it, but quickly and surely enough they were all the way up the cliff.

They rolled over each other, getting further from the edge, both panting if relief. “I… can’t believe we just did that.” Taylor confessed, immediately bursting in giggling.

“I can.” Jake noted, 

burying his face in the crook of her neck and joining her contagious laugh. 

The mere fact of having her in his arms once again was enough to send Jake to the stars, and he’d enjoy it a few seconds further before joining their mission back.

The rest of the gang left them be, both driving Rourke away and trying to seize him.

“We should join them.” Taylor sat up, looking into the direction they most likely went to.

“We should. But you’re injured-” Jake stared at her worriedly.

“I’ll manage, Michelle could take a look at it, all the more reasons to catch up with the rest of the group.” She bit down on her lower lip.

Jake was right. She was injured, and weakened. She was used to be the first in the line of fire, the leader of the group. It’s not that she didn’t trust them to succeed without her, but she was worried someone else might get hurt, and that was the last thing she wanted to see happen.

“Okay, let’s go.” Jake finally agreed, at her convincing. He stood up first, then gave Taylor a hand. After helping her up, he threw her hand around his shoulder and supported her waist.

It might slow them down, but it’s the only way he can be sure Taylor will be 100% fine.

Rejoining the group, Michelle and Grace ran up to them. They took Taylor out of Jake’s arms, sighing in relief while starting to tend to her wound.

The cut wasn’t too deep, but it needed to be looked into.

“Where is Rourke?” Jake questioned, seeing the Vaanti and their friends fighting Rourke’s robot pawns in the distance.

Rourke, on the other hand, was nowhere in sight.

“He’s inside that cave over there. The robots are guarding it, it’s impossible to get past them.” Grace explains, while helping Michelle however she can to treat Taylor.

“Impossible…” Jake frowns, looking at the fight ahead.

It was true, in a sense. There were more robots fighting than people on their side, and unlike robots, the group and the Vannti actually got tired, throughout the fight. It was only a question of time.

“Unless…” Taylor suddenly spoke up, gaining Jake, Michelle, and Grace’s attention.

“Unless?” Jake repeated after her.

“He left his mecha-suit, all the way over there.” Taylor said, pointing in the right direction. “If one of us wears it, he can definitely take all of those robots out and turn the scales in our favor!” She explains, her plan, as always, so crazy it might actually work.

“I’ll do it.” Jake jumped, determined, and decided with a nod.

“It was my plan, it only makes sense that I go-”

“You, young lady, are not going anywhere.” Michelle frowned at her.

“Young?? We’re literally the same age.” Taylor’s eyebrows rose up, as she blinked at Michelle in disbelief.

“A-a-a-a-ah!” Michelle pointed a finger at her scoldingly. “Nope. You don’t have a say in this.” She added.

Taylor’s gaze drifted pleadingly between Garce and Jake, but both stood tall alongside Michelle.

“I’m doing it and that’s it.” And with that, Jake disappeared from Taylor’s sight.

She raised a hand to her chest, clutching over her heart.

Oh lord… please bring her Jake back safe and in one piece.

And, as planned, Jake arrived, flying in, a couple of minutes later, just when it looked like the gang was about to lose hope. He wiped out Rourke’s army of robots.

He landed near everyone, while Grace and Michelle helped Taylor to walk over as well.

“Woah!!! Dope!” Despite his exhumation, Craig still managed to get excited over Jake wearing Rourke’s mecha-suit.

Jake opened his helmet, lifting the glass window for his eyes and nodding. “So where’s the bastard? We have some unfinished business…”

"Bring me Taylor Astra. Bring her to me now." Rourke demanded. "You're in no place to be setting ultimatums." Jake threatened, holding his mecha-arm equipped with a gun pointed at Rourke. They had cornered him, inside the cave. Once all his robotic pawns were taken care off, Rourke was left with no line of defense, and capturing him seemed to be fairly easy. They'd chasen him off until they hit a dead end, the only thing that was behind Rourke was a giant hole in the ground, and he had nowhere left to go.

"No, it's okay." Taylor stepped in front of the group. Michelle was still supporting her side in her first few steps, before Taylor assured her it was fine and walked alone.

"Taylor, n-" Everyone started protesting, but she shook her head.

"This is it," She ignored them. "This is the end, Rourke." She told him, her voice calmer than ever. The hint of a smile appeared in the corners of her mouth. A comforting one, almost promising a good ending. For all.

He blinked at her, his oh-so-determined look of his eyes finally wavering.

"Bu- But I was so close... I could have had her... Could've saved everyone..." He fell to his knees.

Taylor nodded, as if understandingly, sympathetically.

"Don't go too near him-" Diego begged, she could hear the caution in his voice.

She took a couple more steps, standing right in front of Rourke.

"I know... But this is not the way. It never was. She wouldn't have wanted it that way." She comforted while putting a mirror in front of him.

"You... Know that. Don't you?" She questioned.

Rourke gulped, slowly but surely - nodding at her.

"You knew that all along?"

"I guess..." Something in his eyes changed. As if his conscious, his sanity, was getting back to him. "I did." He confesses.

A look of great grief passed through his face, when he realized all the harm that he's done. Every single person he hurt in the process. All his crimes and evil doings.

Throwing a look behind his shoulder, and into the huge pit-hole, he sighed. In some sort of closure and acceptance, he shot a quick smile at Taylor, and everyone behind her. He paused on Aliester and gave a firm nod to Estela, before turning back to Taylor.

His last words, echoing in her ears. "I guess there's only one thing left to do now." 

He spread his hands to both of his sides, and stopped fighting. He let his body fall back.

"No!" Taylor tried grabbing onto him. Her instincts acting faster than her mind could wrap around, but she was still too slow.

She watched closely as Rourke fell to his death. 

For the first time in years... He looked in peace.

"This is over. This is really over."

Bonus :

“So, should we get going back to the states?” Sean asked, his hand wrapped around Michelle, who nodded as if she was joining the question.

“I guess so?” Jake shrugged, looking around. A few long minutes had passed, everyone were catching their breath. Everyone were still calming down, trying to let their mind wrap around the fact it was truly over. Around the fact they succeeded, and could finally turn a new leaf in their lives’ journey.

His eyes fell on Taylor - On his wife, who he couldn’t stop calling that way. He was so in love with her. 

She was patched up and taken care of. She was still a bit shaken from everything, but she was there. And his. 

From now on - till forever.

He couldn’t believe he ever forgot her - but it was the way thing had to go, in order for them to reunite eventually.

In his heart, he always had strong feelings for her. Even if in the beginning they weren’t exactly positive.

“We could use the same plane we took on the way here. Heh, it’s the first time you didn’t destroy an aircraft we used!” Zahra was standing hand in hand with Craig, but she sent a wink in Jake’s way.

Everyone shared a laugh, before Jake grinned, turning to Mike. “It’s because I had my co-pilot this time.” He assured them.

“Well, from now on - You’ll never lose him.” Aliester spoke up. Grace was curled up under his arm. 

Everything seemed to be in place. Right.

Home.

Everyone exchanged the same looks on their faces. Happiness, pure bliss. 

“Are we ready to go?” Mike asked.

Suddenly, the sound of heels echoed in the cave's hallways. 

Shadows of two figures appeared behind them.

The gang members turned around, not even having enough time to get their guard on, only to be shocked to find two woman, standing side by side, smiling at them.

Two woman who supposedly should’ve hated each other - but right now seemed to be getting along pretty well, holding each other's hand.

Olivia Montoya and Imogen Rourke stood there, in front of the gang, smiles smeared over their faces.

“Do you have some extra space in that plane of yours?” Olivia asked, sending a warm smile to Estela.

“Mom!” Estela didn’t question it, neither did she answer her. She just ran up to her, wrapping her in a crushing hug, teary-eyed.

“Mom?” Aliester took a cautious step forward. Grace gave him a nudge, pushing him in support towards her.

“Come here, my boy.” Imogen opened her arms, throwing them to the sides. Aliester proceeded towards her. He was still wary but his pace quickened until he was in her arms.

After Olivia, Estela, Imogen and Aliester shared that touching reunion, they turned around to face the gang.

“Now we’re ready.”