A/N: Heh, I never thought it would take me this long but here it is: ROTM, new and improved. I didn't want to take the whole thing down so your reviews are still up for whoever has already read this. If you wish to leave comments you may do so at my fanboard. Quite a few on my A/Ns have not been changed due to laziness and exhaustion. I spent four months working on this story, looking through each chapter one by one and carefully selected what to edit and what to not. As of today, I spent three hours proofreading and tweaking each chapter so I hope you enjoy yet again, lol!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from POTC. Although I do have a nice picture of Jack Sparrow I bought at universal studios and of Orlando Bloom
Pirates of the Caribbean: Revenge of the Mystic
"Revenge is barren of itself: it is the dreadful food it feeds on; its delight is murder, and its end is despair."
-Friedrich Schiller
Prologue
The barmaid slowly made her way to the table where the two men sat, deep in conversation. They stop as soon as they see her approach with their drinks. She sets them down as they wait for her to leave. As soon as she is out of earshot they continue with their business. "So have we come to an agreement Mr. Richards?" the man sitting on the left said, setting a small pouch in front of Mr. Richards. The coins inside clank as it hit the wooden table. Mr. Richards longingly ran his fingers over the pouch as he thought of his answer. "All righty then Captain Mateo." He granted as he pocketed the pouch, "Ye got yerself a deal." A smile spread across Mateo's face "I'll be needing your best men, Richards. I can't afford to screw this up." Richards's face gleamed with interest, "Now tell me," he asked, "What be his name? This pirate ye be going after?" Mateo eyes darkened with hatred and his voice dripped with distain as he gave the name, "Captain Jack Sparrow."
Chapter 1: The Young SparrowLia's POV:
"Ok, now if I step here…"
Jack stepped forward, swinging his sword in various practice attacks. I blocked each attack naturally with great awareness of his moves.
"Very good." Jack praised, his gold-capped teeth glistening as he smiled, "Ye've become quite the swordsman."
I smiled, "Jack, don't you mean 'woman'?" I said jokingly.
"Why o' course I meant woman. Sorry if I have offended ye, milady" Jack said as he bowed apologetically with a hint of sarcasm.
I laughed as Jack messed up my hair. It was a beautiful morning out on the deck of the Black Pearl. The sun shined brightly in the top of the sky. Slight breezes blew making the glare of the hot sun bearable, a perfect day for a little fencing practice.
"Jack!" someone shouted.
Immediately after Mr. Gibbs came down the steps of the helm, seemingly in a hurry.
"Jack, I need Anamaria's help putting some things away down in storage so yer gonna 'ave to take over."
Jack looked disappointed for ending practice with me a bit early but duty called. He signaled Mr. Gibbs off with Anamaria and looked over at me.
"Sorry luv, but I've got a ship 'ere to steer." As he stepped up the stairs to take his place as Captain, he stopped about halfway up and looked to me, "But I promise more practice time later."
I nodded to him and he walked away. I carried on with my practicing. I swung the cutlass up, down and around as I pretended to slay imaginary pirates.
'I could do with a better one.' I thought referring to my hand me down cutlass as I spun around and stabbed the air.
My sword belonged to Mr. Gibbs until he bought a new one and I ended up with it. It wasn't exactly in the best shape for battle but enough for me to learn with. The blade was rusted to the point of having lost its shine and sharpness, the cutlass altogether was pretty old 'Older then Mr. Gibbs if ye ask me.' I remembered Jack telling me after receiving the cutlass about a year ago as a present. It was my first sword so it didn't really matter.
After a few minutes I stuck my cutlass into my scabbard. I looked over to the main mast. Sitting at the base was Trevor Boyd. I watched as he sat there twiddling a scrub brush between his hands, running his calloused palms across the bristles.
"You know, the captain doesn't appreciate his men sleeping on the job." I said teasingly as I approached.
I laughed in amusement as Trevor jumped and whirled around in fright. His face relaxed as he realized it was me, "Aye Miss. Sparrow but I shouldn't be the one to talk."
I gasped with fake appall as I sat down next to him, "Actually I rather find it quite interesting what one can do with so much spare time."
Trevor quirked an eyebrow as I rolled my eyes, sighing gallingly. It seemed he didn't understand what I was meaning. I stood on my knees as I reached into my pocket and pulled out a slip of parchment. Written in my writing was a list of the most necessary supplies that needed stock. This essential task was given to me in Jack's priority to keep me out of trouble.
I unfolded the parchment and handed it to Trevor who read through it, "Did it all this morning. I wanted to get an early rise on the task."
Trevor smiled and shook his head softly as if it was typical of me. I snatched the list away, "And how many times must I ask you to call me Lia?"
A grin began to stretch across his face, "Far to many for me to remember."
I smiled as I broke my gaze from him, narrowing them to the floor as I began to slip into my thoughts, which were in full motion today. We sat in silence. Not an awkward one at that but just enjoying each other's company. As my eyes wandered the deck, I noticed the crow's nest.
"I need to think."
Taking in what I was saying, Trevor followed my gaze, which was locked, on the nest. My mind craved the secluded quietness of its atmosphere.
"You know Jack would kill you if he caught you up there, Lia." Trevor stated. I turned to him with a quizzical look. I wasn't quite used to his brotherly protectiveness. Normally it was he and I causing the trouble together. Jack thought of us as a team considering we weren't that far apart in age.
I stood up and leaned in towards Trevor, "Cover for me, okay?"
Before parting, I leaned in and planted a small kiss on his cheek. I then made my way to the rope ladder that dangled below. I glanced over at Trevor who was in a bit of awestruck. As he turned to look at me, I smiled and winked at him. Smiling back, he turned around to look at Jack who was steering the ship, keeping an eye out for me as I began to climb.
I made my way up the ladder and pulled myself up into the nest. I breathed in deeply letting the smells of the ocean overtake my thoughts.
Enjoying the feeling of comforting isolation.
I sat down and leaned against the wall. I started fingering the few beads I used to tie up the only thin braid in my hair. I began to think about my mother. I always thought of her the same night every year. Tonight was the eve of my eighteenth birthday. But this year was different then the last couple of years. Turning eighteen had always been something I've looked forward to but not having my mother here made it seem less interesting.
A few tears fell as I quietly sat there. I wished my mother were there to hold me and tell me of all the wonderful plans she had for me to make my special day perfect. In a way I was also glad she couldn't see the way I was now. A pirate's life was unsuitable in my mother's eyes. I've actually have grown quite fond of it even though I didn't really ask for it. I angrily wiped away the tears as I stood up.
"I'm not going to cry anymore," I said stubbornly to myself, "You are a pirate. Pirates don't cry."
I took a few deep breaths and looked up at the sky. A flock of seagulls flew overhead. But strangely they seemed to be flying a wee bit too close. I ducked out of the way as the flock made a dive for me. I flailed my arms about as I tried to fend them off.
In all the confusion, I felt myself collide into the wall of the crow's nest. I let out a scream as I felt my feet lift off the floor as I tumbled back and over the wall. My heart leaped to my throat as I flipped up and out of the crow's nest. Almost instantly I reached out in panic and grabbed the edge of the nest. I felt my body slam against the outer wall but I dared not let go.
"LIA!"
"Bloody hell!"
"What in the 'ell are ye doin'?"
Commotion had blown up among the crew down below. I could hear a group of voices clamoring below. I knew right away that Jack had left his post at the rudder for his voice was the loudest among the group, wondering out loud in frustration as to why I was hanging off a crow's nest in the first place.
It was absolutely ridiculous! I growled out in aggravation as I heard him continue to criticize my actions first thing before thinking of the situation at hand.
Typical…
I pulled myself up a bit so the floor of the crow's nest was visible. I swung my foot up, putting it on the ledge. I attempted to pull myself more but I lost my footing and fell once again. A small shriek escaped my throat.
"Hold on there Lia, I'm comin!" I heard a voice not to far below me. Mr. Gibbs was already halfway up the ladder. Using all the strength I had left, I pulled myself up again. I swing my leg over the ledge and let go, falling back into the crow's nest.
As I struggled to catch my breath I heard Jack down below "Liana Sparrow! Get down here this instant!"
I sat up on all fours and crawled to the ladder, it was never a good thing when Jack called me by my full name.
"Great now I'm gonna get it." I muttered
"Ye know Jack doesn't like ye up 'ere, young Lia." Mr. Gibbs said matter-of-factly.
"No shit." I retorted as I started to climb down the ladder in a huff.
On the way down I thought I heard Mr. Gibbs mutter, "Just like her father." I ignored his comment and continued climbing down. There was no point in arguing.
As I got near the bottom, I felt a pair of arms grab me around my waist. It was Jack. He lifted me off the ladder and plopped me down on the ground. He turned me around making me face him with his hands firmly on my shoulders.
"Just what the hell were ya doin?" Jack said firmly, "Ye know the nest is dangerous!"
I pushed out of his grasp, "Jack, its just a crow's nest. Quit worrying so much." My voice slightly rose as I spoke.
Jack rolled his eyes; "I'm just looking out for you like I'm supposed to."
I started to lose my temper, "I'm almost eighteen, Jack! I don't need you looking out for me on a bloody crow's nest!"
Jack continued to yell, "Yer not supposed to up there, Lia! You know that! What if I wasn't there to catch ye if you fell!"
A silence fell between us both. I was very used to this. Jack and I always got into heated arguments over the silliest things.
I took a deep breath, "All right fine. I'm sorry." I answered quietly.
I looked down at my feet, not sure of what to say anymore.
"Well see that it doesn't happen again, savvy?" Jack crossed his arms as he spoke, a stern look upon his face, "In fact I think…"
I looked up to see why he had stopped speaking. With a frown, he reached out toward me and moved a piece of hair out of my face examining the gash on my temple. "Hmm, doesn't look too bad. Head to my room, I'll be in shortly."
I exhaled as Jack gave me a soft shove toward the cabin. I strutted to the door and pushed it open. It lightly bounced against the wooden wall as I walked in
"Back to work, ye lazy seadogs!" As I shut the door, I could hear Jack barking orders followed by the sounds of tramping feet and hollering.
I went over to my bed and flopped down on my back. I pushed back up at the feeling of a warm liquid running down the side of my face. I felt by my eye and looked down at my hand to see blood.
I swung my legs over as I sat up and rummaged through my nightstand. Pulling out a small mirror, I put it up to my face to see.
The gash was worse then I thought. It started at the top of my eye and ran down to where my temple and cheekbone met. Blood slowly streamed out of it. I put down the mirror and looked to the door as I heard footsteps. Jack came in carrying a bottle of rum and a rag.
"No Jack. Don't you even dare!" I bounced up quickly onto the bed. Rum may have been a significant necessity to all on board but for this specific use it was anything but that.
"Then I presume you want to get an infection and die?" he asked, putting his hands on his hips in a comical way.
I pondered mockingly for a second, "Well, if that's what it takes…"
To my surprise Jack shrugged, "Suit yerself, sweet."
With that, he turned around and began to walk away. I stared in disbelief as I softly swayed back and forth from the instability of the mattress. This was definitely not Jack.
Before I could ponder that though any longer, Jack whipped around and lunged at me but I was too fast. I hopped to the side and off the bed but tripped on my own feet as I landed and fell on the floor. As I pushed up, I felt myself get dragged backwards. Jack had a firm grasp on my ankle and was pulling me towards himself. He climbed on top of me as I try to push him off. He then grabbed my wrists and tucked my arms under his legs, pinning me to the floor.
"Why do ye always have to be so difficult?"
I continued to struggle, "You should know. You made me."
He pressed the rag to my cut. I flinched from the stinging of the rum. I gritted my teeth as Jack continued to wipe the soaked cloth against my skin, the unpleasant stinging fading away with each dab.
"See now that wasn't so bad now, was it?" Jack grinned smugly as he pushed off me, throwing the rag to the floor.
He walked out of the room leaving me there on the floor. I just laid there trying to catch my breath. I exhaled harshly through my nose and stomped my foot on the floor, the heel of my boot scraped against the wood.
If there was one thing I couldn't stand, it was losing to Jack in one way or another.
I sat up and I saw that Jack had left the rum. So I grabbed the bottle and took a big swig before heading back up on deck.
I spent the rest of the morning attending to the masts and riggings. Thank god the wind was with us today.
After a couple of hours, I sat down on a crate. My brow was thick with sweat and my heart pounded like mad. I huffed and wheezed, trying to catch my breath when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and found myself staring at Anamaria,
"Ye should go rest now, Lia." She said, "Ye 'ave worked enough."
Anamaria took over for me as I headed back into the cabin, relieved to get some rest.
I fell facedown on my bed, not even bothering to get under the covers. So worn out from a hard days work…
"Lia, wake up." I felt someone's hand on my back, gently rousing me.
I slowly opened my eyes. The room gradually came into focus and I saw Anamaria leaning over me. I groaned as I rolled over on my back.
"What's going on?" I asked wearily wiping the sleep from my eyes.
"Sorry squirt, Jack's orders." She said.
I smiled at the name. Anamaria has called me squirt since I first arrived. It started as an insult but stuck as a nickname after warming up to me. I sat up and looked out my window. It was now nighttime. The stars shined brightly in the sky. I looked to Anamaria.
"Was I really asleep that long?" She let out a laugh.
"Land Ho!" came a cry from above.
Anamaria and I shared a look of excitement and reprieve before racing out of the cabin, to the deck. I had no clue where we would be docking and nor did I give a damn. Three months out at sea almost made land feel like a myth.
Immediately I spotted Mr. Gibbs tending to the masts. Maybe he knew something.
"What's going on?" I asked him.
"We have arrived." He said pointing north of the ship.
I looked to where he was pointing and gasped in awe at the sight of our destination.
It was a huge island with a grand looking city. A tower stood high above the city surrounded with a fortress. Huge rows of docks laid on the edge of the island. A few ships were docked in the harbor.
"Port Royal up ahead!" I heard Jack address the crew, "Prepare to dock!"
A/N: Well not much of a change but this new character Trevor will have a bigger part to play in my prequel. It's just that his appearance later on was so incredibly random, I felt that there had to be more of a point for him.