Disclaimer: I don't own POTC.
Summary: Contains character death, after DMC. With Jack gone and Barbossa taking the lead, Will must help save not only Jack but also Jack's children from the clutches of Davy Jones!
A/N: This isn't linked to my other POTC stories.
Chapter 1
Six of seven
A roar filled every nook and cranny on the Flying Dutchman. It was impossible to escape it. Like it was impossible to escape Davy Jones's fury. Today he was pissed for pretty much the same reason he was everyday…Jack Sparrow. Even though the pirate was dead, he was still causing grief for Davy. Davy had thought that once Jack had been killed by the Kraken, his soul would be in his possession and it would all be done and dusted. But no. Jack was smarter than that. Jack, the clever little blighter he was had cast a spell, one he had 'borrowed' from Tia Dalma. His soul was in limbo. No longer living, but his soul couldn't move on; move on into the hands of Davy Jones. As a matter of fact, Jack could come back to life anytime he wanted with that spell, and start the whole wild goose chase again! But no, Jack wouldn't do that. Bill knew he wouldn't. Bootstrap Bill, Jack's most loyal friend was stood staring up at the moon, thinking of his son, Will. He hadn't failed to notice the look in Will's eyes. The boy was clearly in love, but Bill didn't have time to ponder. Davy was pissed, better go see what he was going to do. It was usually quite interesting.
The entire crew had gathered in the hold where Davy was howling away. "I'll get him," roared Davy, "I'll get that Sparrow back to life if it's the last thing I do!" Bill smirked, Jack wasn't that stupid. He'd probably bring himself back to life, on land, get himself a new identity and disappear into the big world. "What are you grinning for, Turner?" barked Davy.
"You know as well as I do that Jack isn't dumb enough to come back until it's perfectly safe," said Bill.
"Ah! But I know his one weakness," said Davy. Bill looked intrigued.
"Treasure?" suggested one of the crewmen, "Tempt him back with silver and gold?"
"Not all treasures are silver and gold," said Davy, "Seven. Jack Sparrow's seven most precious possessions. One for each sea he has sailed, poetic don't you think Bill?" Bill's heart sank. No, surely Davy wouldn't sink that low.
"If Jack doesn't come back to pay his debt, I'll destroy them!" said Davy.
"You wouldn't!" said Bill, "You can't!"
"Oh really?" said Davy, his one normal hand closing onto a dirty sheet covering a box or cage, "It's a good thing that Jack prizes these above all his other treasures." He pulled the sheet off and the crew began to snigger. Inside the cage were six dirty, crying, sobbing children. "His children!" said Davy, "Jack Sparrow's seven most precious possessions are his bastard children!"
"Err, boss, cap'n?" said one of the crewmen.
"What?" said Davy.
"There's only six in there," said the crewman. Davy swung his head around and muttered under his breath, "Sarah, Mary, David, William, Susan, Matthew…." He ran through the children's names. "Amanda!" he roared eventually, "Where is the second one? Where is Amanda!" Bill chuckled to himself. Amanda was like Jack in everyway, personality, attitude, luck, even her appearance and mannerisms, especially that lopsided grin. She'd be halfway to Tortuga by now. Amanda was a precocious seventeen year old. Bill knew for a fact that Jack had his eye out for a good husband for her; someone who enjoyed a challenge. She was Jack's favourite; she was determined to become a pirate like her father. Unlike her older sister, Sarah, who like her mother Giselle, had decided being a 'bride for the night' was a better career. Jack had started spawning bastards at a young age and hadn't stopped for long since. Sarah, his eldest was approaching her 18th birthday, Matthew was barely even a year old. Each child was different from Jack. Sarah had long blond hair and green eyes like her mother. David, who was twelve and William who was eight and also by Giselle had their mother's hair but Jack's eyes. Mary who was fifteen, Susan who was six and little Matthew were red-headed like their mother Scarlett, with the same brown eyes. Amanda was different. No one really knew who her mother was. Mandy definitely had a hot temper, but she could be very calm and laid back. She had the same thick, wiry black hair as Jack and her eyes were the deepest brown most people had ever seen. She was a cunning child. People blamed this on Jonathon Sparrow, Jack's father, he having been the one who raised her since her mother had apparently abandoned her. A baby Amanda had been left with a barkeeper in Tortuga to be given to Jack when he next stopped by. Her mother never returned for her. It was the 'Sparrow influence' as people called it that had made Mandy what she was. The other six had been raised by their mothers, away from Jack's influence. But it was true, Jack loved all his children, they were his legacy, his blood. Davy was right; if Jack found out about what Jones was planning, he would return, most likely to bargain his children's freedom rather than give himself up to Jones. Jack loved his kids, but he loved his freedom too.
As Bill was thinking this, Mandy was rowing her little heart out. She wanted to put as much distance between her and the wretched Flying Dutchman as possible. Her arms were tired, heavy and aching but she had to keep going. 'Not much further now,' she thought. And then she saw it, that beloved sight, Tortuga. Her home. To most people it was hell on earth, where sin and debauchery were rife. But to Amanda Sparrow, it was a beautiful place. "Ahoy there," said a voice. Mandy looked upwards, fearing it was Davy. But it was just an ordinary ship and an ordinary sailor. "Ahoy," she said, "Going to Tortuga? It's the last free port in these waters. Bastard East Indian Trading Company controls everywhere else." Amanda certainly had the gift of the gab. She could sell anything to anyone, whether they needed it or not. The sailor nodded. "Mind if I catch a ride? My arms are killing me," said Mandy. The sailor threw down a rope. Mandy grabbed hold of it and pulled herself up onto the deck. "You have a name, miss?" asked the sailor.
"Amanda," said Mandy, "Amanda…." She paused. She couldn't risk saying her name was Sparrow. "Amanda what?" asked the sailor.
"Amanda Dalma," said Mandy using the first name that came to her head.
"Welcome aboard Miss Dalma," said the sailor.
Meanwhile, at Tia Dalma's, Will wouldn't take his eyes off Elizabeth. He couldn't believe what he had seen. Her…and Jack…kissing. It made his blood boil and he didn't know who he was madder at, Jack or Elizabeth. A crashing sound brought him back to his senses. Tia's eyes had widened and she gripped the table before her. "What is it?" barked the recently resurrected Barbossa.
"Six of seven," said Tia, "Jones has six of the seven."
"What is she talking about?" asked Elizabeth. Only Barbossa seemed to know what was going on. "Seven?" he whispered hoarsely, "Jack's seven?" Tia nodded.
"What is it?" asked Will.
"Davy Jones has got six of seven," said Barbossa, "Six of Jack's most prized treasures."
"Treasure?" said Ragetti, looking up and feeling hopeful.
"The living kind," said Barbossa.
"Living treasures?" said Will.
"His children," said Barbossa, "Jones has six of Jack's children. Tia, where is the seventh? Where are they?"
"Tortuga," said Tia, looking at Barbossa, "She's in Tortuga, with John."
"Amanda?" said Barbossa. Tia smiled and nodded.
"Dearest Amanda," said Tia, "I would like to see her again. It's been too long. Clever Amanda."
"Aye, it has," said Barbossa.
"Who is Amanda?" asked Elizabeth.
"Jack's second daughter," said Barbossa, "She's exactly like Jack, only smarter."
"Davy needs her if he's to get his hands on Jack's soul," said Tia, "You must protect her. She's special to me."
"Aye," said Barbossa, "Now how are ye planning to get to Tortuga before Jones? I hear me ship were sunk!"
"Jack's ship!" said Will and Elizabeth in unison.
"I can provide transportation, so long as you bring Amanda back here first," said Tia.
"Deal," said Barbossa.
