Disclaimer: I don't own anything familiar, for future references

Authors Note

This is my second Fanfic and, taking as my first didn't do as well as I'd hoped, but well nonetheless, I thought, a little less magic, a little more Pirate! Still, if you're wondering, there will be plenty of magic! I love magic…

This Prologue is in two parts:

15 year old, Tara Bell gazed sadly out over the water from the deck of the merchant vessel, the Wisdom Cross. This ship was carrying her and her 27 fellow passengers a world away, to Kingston, Jamaica. As they left Portsmouth and the English Channel, and the tow boats retreated to their Ports, a booming voice rang out across the deck, 'Sail Ho!' and the brilliant, white sails, billowed out as they unfurled.

The weather couldn't be more befitting in Tara's opinion. It was cloudy, overcast and dark. It was raining but there was no wind, and lighting flashed in the distance.

She leaned on the railing before her. Her mother had claimed she seemed a lot like her father, but Tara could never understand why, they were never close and Tara barely ever spoke to him. Gregory Bell was a cold-hearted tyrant, who only married Holly Swann because of the inheritance money left to her by her parents. This was not uncommon. But it came as a surprise to Holly and Tara, when they learned that Gregory Bell had been in an accident with some wild horses on his private plantation. His funeral was a sorrow-less affair; people came out of curiosity or to gossip about his, "disloyalties". By this time, Tara was a 12 year old, young lady, and knew that the man she had been forced to call "father" all her life, was not, in fact, biologically related to her at allTara did not dwell on this; rather she considered it a blessing.

Holly and Tara lived happily for two years, then Holly became sick. The suffering lasted only two months, the doctors said there was nothing they could do. On her deathbed Holly told Tara that everything, the wealth, the homes, the various plantations all over the world, would be left to her. Tara also received another gift. A pendant, a large black pearl, which formed the end of a teardrop of diamonds.

'It's magical,' Holly said as Tara put it on, 'it channel's power, and there's only one person who can unlock it once you put it on.

Tara looked up in alarm, as she had just hung the silver chain around her neck, but Holly just smiled.

'Who can unlock it mother?' Tara asked.

Holly closed her eyes. 'The original owner, your father.'

Tara looked up from the pendant, her eyes narrowed. 'My father? Who is he?'

'Jack Sparrow…'

Tara stared, unwilling to believe this was the end. 'Where is he? Mother?'

But she was gone, and all Tara had of her father was a black pearl and diamond…

And here she was, only two months later.

'Miss! Miss Bell? Are you alright?' Tara blinked, the first officer was trying to get her attention. 'You'll need to go below Miss Bell,' he said, 'we're approaching the storm.'

Tara nodded simply and turned to the stairs that lead to the passengers staying rooms. Having one to herself due to the lack of passengers, she was able to spread out. There were three bunks, Tara collapsed on one and stared at the mattress of the one above.

The journey through the storm was a rough one. Tara, who was not accustomed to sailing, was violently ill, even through the following week. The ship's doctor visited several times and the steward brought her daily meals, but Tara had no desire for company.

When she felt better, she would stand at the railing looking down at the water as the children of the other passengers played on the deck behind her. As they neared their destination, the Captain warned everyone to be vigilant as pirates were common there. It is on third day that the events began to unfold.

'Hello, what's your name?'

Tara looked down at the little boy from her position above the figurehead. 'Tara Bell,' she muttered and looked back out at the horizon.

'Why do you dress like a boy?' asked the little boys even littler brother.

Tara snorted. 'Why do you?'

The boys looked at each other. 'Because we are boys!' said the younger one.

'Boys be careful!' called a woman from the main deck.

Tara gazed at the woman.

'That's our mother,' the older one informed.

Tara shifted uncomfortably, then jumped from her seat and headed back to her room. She collapsed on the bunk again, trying not to let the memories overwhelm her. It took almost an hour to regain composure, but she still stayed on the bed. Suddenly she heard a shout from above.

'All hands on deck, pirates off the port-bow!' Tara knew this meant all sailors above, all passengers below, but didn't care. She leapt from the bed and hurried out the door to the main deck. Sailors were running everywhere but there order had come too late. A magnificent black ship was moored alongside the Cross. Tara saw black sails and the figurehead; a woman holding a bird in one hand; briefly, before the pirates started boarding.

Grapples flew everywhere. Gangplanks fell onto the deck. Tara stood still, in a trance, in shock, then she felt someone grab her hands and pull them behind her, tying her up. She didn't struggle, nor did anyone else. She was shoved into a line with the other sailors and a minute later, the other passengers were brought up from below deck, bound and fearful

The pirates stood casually in front of them, seemingly awaiting something. It soon became apparent that this was a someone rather than something.

The Captain. Tara felt her blood run cold, even though the man did not look dangerous. His clothes were rather dirty, as was his hat, an old-looking tricorn. His eyes were lined with kohl. He was armed with a pistol and cutlass. His hair, which was controlled by a red bandana, was messy and braided in some parts, as was his beard. He sauntered leisurely down the gangplank, arms held up at his sides

He stopped before the line of captives and started taking the gold and jewellery, placing it into a leather bag.

'Capt'n?' said a plump, round-faced man, 'Will you be takin' it all, sir?'

The Captain shook his head. 'Just be good,' he said to the captives. He hesitated at the first officer.

'Just my wedding ring,' he said to the pirate, who raised an eyebrow and continued on without taking it. Tara's breath caught in her throat, the pendant wouldn't come off. Before he reached her, the pirate turned to his crew.

'Check below,' he instructed, he sounded slightly drunk but didn't seem it, 'take what you can find…and hurry up about it!' He stepped towards her, 'Let's see the valuables luv.'

Tara stared at the deck boards, avoiding the man's eye.

'Look up at me girlie,' he snapped, 'didn't your parents ever teach you anything?'

Tara didn't answer, but she looked up, meeting his eyes, which seemed strangely familiar. She was silent for a moment, then, 'I have nothing sir.'

The man frowned and eyed her suspiciously for a few seconds. He seemed to decide she was being honest then turned and strolled back to the front of the line to speak with a dark-skinned woman in whispers.

Tara's heart was pounding with fear. She turned her head to stare at the horizon, trying to calm herself, the silver chain around her neck glistened in the sun.

'That isn't nothing luv,' said the pirates voice behind her.

Tara turned back and froze. The man had drawn a dagger and was using it to lift the chain so he could see the pendant.

The dark-skinned woman came forward curiously. 'Such a pretty pendant…sure looks like nuthin',' she said sarcastically, 'Wouldn't you agree Captain?'

Jack didn't answer, he was staring at the pendant in surprise. It was so familiar. 'Where did you get that?' Déjà vu.

Tara gazed at the dagger near her neck fearfully. 'My mother.'

'Who?'

'Holly Swann.'

'Swann? You're a Swann?'

'Yes.'

Jack lowered the dagger, still staring at the girl in surprise. 'Call off the raid,' he instructed.

The dark-skinned woman frowned. 'Why?'

'Don't argue, call it off, leave everything.'

It took only a minute for the pirates to untie everyone. Tara stood still then moved a strand of hair from her face, noticing the pirate Captain was staring at her.

'Why are you letting us go?' she asked him softly.

He looked at her thoughtfully. 'Board the Pearl!' he yelled to his crew. He turned and walked back up the gangplank, back to his ship.

Tara waited until the last of the pirates had left the Cross, then hurried to the railing to watch the ship sail away. In the fading daylight, she saw its name, the Black Pearl…