The Bängala – The Poisonwood. The terror of the high seas. She sailed with a ruthless crew under a pirates flag, ravaging the oblivious towns of the Caribbean. Her captain was as mysterious as the mist she sailed through, always sensing approaching danger, always finding the calm in the storm. Captain Diablo was the only name given, the Devil Captain. He was said to have survived the British firing squad which is why he wore a piece of cloth fastened to his wide brimmed hat that covered his nose to his collarbone.
The Brits shot out his jaw- at least that's the story the hands told. The cabin boys passed along the murmured rumours of bullets still being under his skin- still visible, and his black leather gloved hands were disfigured from the torturous thumbscrews, and from being broken and never set. But the rumours would remain unproven, since the Captain never showed any skin, save for his eyes. His piercing eyes, bluer than any tropical ocean, and at least twice as deep. Nothing escaped them, nary a lie nor a mistake once they were unleashed from under the brim of that hat. Even his walk demanded respect.

He was a fair captain, more skilled with a throwing knife than a sword, and more skilled with a sword than most alive. Any dissent or mutinous word amongst his crew was settled fairly- by swords. The rebellious crew member never spoke a mutinous word, or any word for that matter, after he crossed blades with Diablo. No one questioned his authority, no one questioned his identity…. save one. Jack Sparrow.

"Captain - requesting permission to come aboard sir."
"Jack Sparrow? An interesting surprise to be sure! Haul him in boys."

The crew of the Bängala dropped lines to Jack to be secured onto his longboat, then hauled him up on the pulleys. He lightly lept out of the boat and sunk into a sweeping bow. He rose, replacing his hat cockily on his head.

"Captain, mate. Captain Jack Sparrow."

Diablo raised his dark eyebrows and cast a glance about the empty horizon. "To be sure." He replied in his slight Russian accent. "And where is your ship, captain?"

"In the harbor, actually, repairs after Barbosa thought to pierce her for me."

"I'm sorry to hear that Jack." Diablo rearranged his gold and black Arabian cloak over his shoulder, casting a glance at his amused crew who clearly did not believe the scoundral's tale. "Now, what would you doing here Sparrow?"

"Captain." Jack corrected, shaking his finger. "I thought we'd catch up on old times, see how you're doing, swap adventures, challenge you to a duel…. " The pirate casually examined his rather dirty fingernails, and glanced up to view the reaction.
The crew stared at Jack as though he were insane and began roaring with laughter! Diablo threw his head back, hands on his hips and joined in. Jack grinned laughed as though he knew what was funnyl.

"Jack, you are the only one to escape from a duel with me. Why do you tempt your fate!"

"Oh I don't Diablo. I just thought we'd have a little spar with a little wager… if you're game."

Diablo chuckled. "Depends on the stakes Jack. You know that."

"Well it's simple, I thought duel to checkmate- remember those?"

"Of course Jack, until one can easily and undeniably kill the other unopposed."

"Good lad." Jack replied with little grin.

"The stakes, Jack?"

"The stakes?" The pirate pretended to think about it, leaning back, stroking his beaded beard. Then his eyes lit up like he suddenly had an idea and he snapped his fingers. "I know. If you win, I give you this." Jack dangled a stunning diamond necklace from his fingers. "British, I believe." Jack continued. "Savvy?"

"Tudor Dynasty, if I'm not mistaken." Diablo agreed. "And if, Jack, by some miracle, you win?"

A casual, self-pleased grin tugged at the corners of Jack's mouth.

"If I win, Diablo," He said with lavish gesture, "I unmask you."