Pirates of the Caribbean: Calypso's Fury Chapter 1: Prologue: Nine Years Ago, a pirates of the caribbean fanfic

A/N: This is the fifth in my "Pirates" saga. If you haven't read:

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"

"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Bermudan Treasure"

"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Amulet Of Atlantis"

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Cortez's Uncharted Islands"

then you might want to do so. And so that there will be an element of surprise, I'm not giving a plot summary of any kind this time. You'll work out the plot as you go along. Now, enjoy the prologue.

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Prologue

Somewhere off Tripoli - Nine years ago

Commodore James Norrington peered intently through the telescope currently clutched in his hands, staring ahead at the massive figure of the Black Pearl, the pirate ship that he had been hunting for almost a year. Now, after a pursuit that had almost driven him to the point of obsession, Norrington finally had Jack Sparrow right where he wanted him. This time, Norrington would make sure the rogue buccaneer would not escape.

Norrington, adorned in his commodore attire, depressed the telescope so that it returned to its normal size and handed it over to his first mate, Gilette, who was standing beside him. In turn, Gilette stretched the telescope out to its entire length again while Norrington busied himself with examining the weather conditions of the night which was alight with the glow of the full moon.

"Perfect conditions," Norrington observed. "Perfect for capturing a man who has evaded justice for far too long."

"Do you think Sparrow will become aware of our presence, sir?" asked Gilette.

"Probably," said Norrington rather quickly. "But by the time he does, it will be too late for him." Norington turned around with an air of confidence, his stoic expression still intact. "I'll make the men ready for an assault." He then strode across the deck of his ship to do just that.

Gilette stayed where he was, and raised the telescope to look through it himself. The circular magnifying window of glass at the opposite end of the tool allowed Gilette an exceptional view of the main deck of the Black Pearl. Gilette scanned the ship at a deliberate pace, making sure to absorb every possible aspect of the pirate vessel. But once he reached the stern, Gilette discovered something that no doubt robbed them of the element of surprise.

Standing at the stern that very moment were two figures. One was a rather plump old man with an unshaven pace and weathered eyes, and the other was bedecked in a curious attire, but clothing that still clearly told the average observer that this man was a captain...a pirate captain to be more specific. And this man also happened to be staring through a telescope of his own, a telescope that was aimed directly in the path of where Gilette now stood.

Suddenly, the figure in question lowered the telescope in his grasp, revealing his face to Gilette: Captain Jack Sparrow. Through his own telescope, Gilette was able to make out the smug smirk on Sparrow's face. Immediately, Gilette lowered his own telescope and dashed over to Norrington.

"Commodore!" he said. ""We've been spotted! Sparrow knows we're here!"

Norrington stared at Gilette with scrutinizing eyes, eyes that emanated a sense of cold indifference. Finally, after a few silent minutes, Norrington spoke again.

"It doesn't matter. Sparrow can do nothing to hinder our victory at this stage. We still have the upper hand in this battle...run out the guns."

Gilette simply stared at his commander over the course of mere seconds before repeating the order to the rest of the crew.

"All hands! Run out the guns!"

The sound of rushing feet quickly followed those words as many crew members of the ship went about preparing the weapons located below deck for an attack. During this time, Gilette felt obliged to further probe his captain's thoughts.

"Are you absolutely certain this will work, sir?"

Norrington, who was currently staring at the Black Pearl with a stoic expression, regarded his second-in-command with the slightest of turned heads before giving his answer.

"There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that tonight will be the night when my continuous pursuit of a notorious pirate will reach its end."

Aboard the Black Pearl, Captain Jack Sparrow walked away from the point where he had been observing Norrington's vessel, Gibbs hot on his heels. Jack did not like what he had just seen through his telescope, and he knew that it was not a good sign for him and his crew. Because of a recent problem with the Black Pearl's cannons, the crew's weaponry was not up to normal standards. And if Jack's assumptions were correct, which he was positive they were, then they were seriously outnumbered.

'Cap'n...orders?" asked Gibbs expectantly, an air of anticipation in his voice.

Jack took the wheel of his ship, sighing as he did so. "Mr. Gibbs, I'm afraid that in this instance, there is not much we can do."

"Cap'n?" Gibbs' tone was now utterly confused.

"If you are wondering exactly why I am uttering such codswallop, I owe that to our obvious lack of firepower. It appears as if our recent run-in with that gold transportation vessel of the King's required a bit more of our weaponry's power than was initially intended. To put it bluntly, we are short-stocked on defense."

Gibbs could not believe what he was hearing. "Then you propose we simply give up...Cap'n?" The final word was clearly strained.

"Unless you see any other alternative," Jack replied.

Gibbs stared out at the fast-approaching vessel, his face a mask of concentration. Finally, he heaved a deep sigh. "You're right, Jack. It'll take an act of God to deliver us from this predicament."

After those words were said, an eerie silence fell over the night, blanketing everything within a couple of miles; it was as if someone had plugged the ears of everyone inside the area. Then, slowly and steadily, the sound of blowing wind became audible, as if it was filtering in through a hole in the sky that seemed to be expanding by the second. The sky itself began to be invaded by thick and menacing clouds that completely blocked the clear and moonlit vision that had been visible only moments before. Next came the progressively increasing rumble of thunder, accompanied by brief and bright flashes of lightning. Almost instantly, raindrops started to fall down from the clouds; softly at first, but they soon came in violent torrents, made violent by the strength of the powerful wind.

The wind also blew hardly against the sails of the Pearl, whipping them about to and fro and causing the ship itself to sway dangerously in the furious ocean. Jack stayed rooted to his spot at the helm, twisting the wheel from side to side in an attempt to keep the ship balanced on the waves, which frequently slammed against the sides of the pirate ship and splashed onto the deck.

This storm had virtually appeared out of nowhere, but it was clearly gaining power with each passing minute. Then, just as suddenly, the rain literally halted in midair, each drop suspended in the air and glistening with some unseen light.

Jack cautiously approached the frozen raindrops, abandoning his position at the helm. Gibbs stepped forward as well, pure awe evident in his wide eyes. Jack reached out with one of his ring-embossed fingers and gently poked at the closest raindrop and as a result, the liquid shape broke apart, smaller specks now sluggishly floating through the air.

"Would an act of a Goddess be sufficient enough?" came a calm and relaxed feminine voice from behind Jack and Gibbs. Both men jumped at the abrupt announcement of a new presence and spun around to be met with the sight of an arrestingly beautiful blonde woman dressed in godlike clothing and emanating a great sense of majesty and power.

Jack's eyes darted to the right and left, obviously searching for the answer to the question of how exactly this mysterious woman came to be here. When he found no such thing, Jack settled his eyes back on the woman and cleared his throat nervously.

"Who the bloody hell are you and how is it that you arrived upon my ship?"

The woman smiled, which seemed to make her face even more gorgeous. "Of course," she said. "To answer your inquiry, Captain Jack Sparrow, I am none other than the sea goddess Calypso herself."

The statement was met with absolute silence. Jack no doubt knew of Calypso, every pirate did, but he was also aware that the goddess in question had been imprisoned in human form some time ago and that there was no way that her standing before Jack and Gibbs after the curious and abrupt storm was even possible.

Jack smirked. "Is this a dream?"

"Dreams and reality can sometimes be intertwined as a form of disillusionment, but I assure you that what is transpiring right now is certainly not a dream."

"Ah."

Jack and Gibbs exchanged curious expressions as Calypso walked over to the rail of the Black Pearl and stared ahead at the British Royal Navy vessel, which was also frozen in time like the rain.

"It seems you have a nasty situation on your hands, Captain...and nothing with which you can combat this threat."

Jack took this as a summons to join Calypso at the railing and did so obediently. "Er...yes."

"Quite apparent that you are in need of some assistance, am I correct?"

Jack regarded the sea goddess with genuine curiosity combined with slight apprehensiveness. "It would all depend on how you define the term 'assistance'. Now, if you – ..."

"What if I were to make you an offer that would ultimately spare you from being captured by the Royal Navy? What would you say?"

Jack's face took on a look of thoughtfulness and he inclined his head toward Gibbs, meeting his friend's eyes instantly. From his vantage point to the situation, Gibbs merely shrugged. Jack then turned back to face Calypso.

"I would want to be made privy to the conditions of said offer."

This time, Calypso turned to face her partner in conversation. She surveyed Jack with an unreadable expression before continuing on. "Quite simple, really...nothing too complicated. Basically, what would happen is I would transform this decidedly nasty storm into a full hurricane, which would act as a diversionary tactic that would present you with the opportunity to escape your...problem." Calypso indicated Norrington's ship.

Jack took his time processing this proposal, giving it much thought. "And what would you gain from all this? After all, accords such as these always involve some sort of benefit for both parties striking the deal."

"Indeed, Captain, indeed. I don't ask for anything quite so elaborate in return for my services...merely something simple that is easy to receive."

"Name your price," said Jack, spreading his arms.

The slightest of smug smiles graced Calypso's lips. "Your ship. The Black Pearl."

For a moment, Jack just stared at the sea goddess blankly. He then cleared his throat and stuck his finger inside his ear and twisted it around. "Terribly sorry...I must have not heard properly. Did you say my ship?"

"Yes."

"Well...might I inquire as to why, exactly, you want my ship?"

Calypso calmly reached out with one hand and gracefully stroked Jack's unshaven face. "I thought you would have known by now," she said with a hint of amusement.

"Known what?" Jack asked suspiciously.

"The fact that I am the one who created the Black Pearl in the first place." Off of Jack's bewildered expression, Calypso continued with her explanation. "Didn't your father ever tell you? Back when he himself was sailing the seven seas as a full-fledged pirate, he called upon my services when he was in desperate need of a proper ship. So, I decided to grant his wish and thus the Black Pearl was born." Calypso paused to let these words sink into Jack's mind.

"So...," Jack finally said, "that's why my ship is desired by so many people? Because it was created by you?"

"Of course. Well...that's only part of the reason."

"What's the other part then? And while we're asking questions, how is it that you are able to stand here before me when I know full well that the Brethren Court imprisoned you in human form for eternity? How is it that you're able to create a storm, or a hurricane for that matter, when your powers have been stripped?"

Calypso smirked in a superior manner, as if the answer to this inquiry was too advanced for a mere mortal to know. "That is of no importance. But suffice it to say that the Gods operate in mysterious ways, the likes of which cannot be comprehended by any human. However, Jack Sparrow, I assure you that I can summon forth a hurricane with the power to tear your adversary's ship in two, allowing you to evade the law yet again."

"And if you're successful...I must hand over the Pearl immediately?"

"Not immediately," replied Calypso, shaking her head, "but eventually I will return to collect on my part of the bargain. Just be aware of that. Think, Jack...would you rather be captured and hanged by the British Royal Navy or continue with your exciting life of piracy unopposed? In my opinion, it's a simple decision."

"Why are you doing this?" was all Jack could reply with.

Calypso shrugged. "We all have different motivations for various actions, and sometimes those motivations must be kept secret. Now, do we have an accord?" Calypso held out her hand, anticipating Jack's.

Jack eyed the outstretched hand with slight apprehension, clearly hesitant to make any type of agreement involving ownership of his beloved ship. After a few moments of searching for any alternatives and finding none, Jack had no choice but to take Calypso's hand in his and shake it.

"Excellent," said Calypso as she smiled victoriously. "Now, the key to escaping my forthcoming hurricane is quite simple: sail around it instead of through it. To do that, go to your starboard side."

Jack nodded. "Makes enough sense."

Without another word, Calypso vanished into thin air, her figure shimmering into nothingness. Once she did, the frozen rain resumed its heavy downfall, prompting Jack to return to the helm.

"HARD TO STARBOARD!" he called out for effect over the rain.

"ALL HANDS ON DECK!" Gibbs shouted to summon the crew members, followed by further orders meant to make the crew participate in the change of course.

Meanwhile, the rain persisted and became even stronger from where Norrington stood on the deck of his ship. Shielding his eyes from the downpour of liquid from the sky, he did his best to observe the rather abrupt change of weather conditions.

"IT'S A HURRICANE, COMMODORE!" Gilette called out from Norrington's right. "ORDERS?"

Norrington looked ahead to observe the position of the Black Pearl, and when he saw that it was heading over to the edges of the growing storm, an idea popped into his head. He turned to face Gilette. "KEEP US ON A STRAIGHT COURSE! WE'LL CUT THEM OFF BY SAILING THROUGH THIS!"

"SAIL THROUGH IT? ARE YOU MAD?" Gilette asked in clear confusion just as a flash of lightning briefly illuminated the night, accompanied by a loud rumble of thunder.

"JUST DO IT!" shouted Norrington.

Gilette shrugged uselessly and echoed Norrington's orders to the crew. "ALL HANDS, KEEP HER STEADY AND STAY ON THIS COURSE!"

As the crew carried out this command, Norrington continued to stare ahead at both the violent weather conditions and his goal.

Jack remained steadfast as he kept spinning the wheel of his ship in the direction of the area where the hurricane was not exerting its wrath. They were almost safe; it only required a bit more navigating to be safely out of the furious storm. The wind seemed to be buffeting the sails instead of hindering them

"CAP'N! ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?" came Gibbs' amplified voice over the hurricane.

"NO!" Jack shouted back. "BUT I'D RATHER PUT MY FATE IN THE HANDS OF A GODDESS THAN CHANCE! NOW, TELL THE CREW TO COAX MORE SPEED FROM THESE BLASTED SAILS!

"AYE, CAP'N!"

Meanwhile, Norrington's vessel had sailed fully into the monstrous hurricane and was steadily approaching the eye of the storm. Norrington himself was standing at the helm, his face contorted in steely concentration. Just then, Gilette ascended the stairs leading to the very place and shouted out to his commander.

"WE'RE COMING UP ON THE EYE, COMMODORE! WE SHOULD DROP CANVAS!"

"NO!" Norrington yelled back in protest. "WE END OUR CHASE WITH SPARROW TONIGHT! KEEP THIS COURSE!"

Gilette looked at Norrington with absolute incredulity and shook his head. "I CAN'T DO THAT, SIR! THIS IS SUICIDE!" Suddenly, Gilette grabbed hold of the wheel and attempted to wrench it from Norrington's grasp.

"STAND DOWN, SAILOR!" shouted Norrington as he struggled with Gilette over command of the ship.

"I WON'T ALLOW YOUR ARROGANCE TO KILL THESE MEN!"

"YOU ARE NOT IN CHARGE HERE! I AM! I SAY WE KEEP MOVING!"

"WELL, I SAY DIFFERENTLY!"

Just then, a bolt of lightning came down from the sky and made contact with the sails of Norrington's ship. The action caused the sails to be set ablaze, despite the relentless rain shower. Part of the wooden poles and rigging holding the sails up immediately came tumbling down onto the main deck, causing Norrington and Gilette to abandon their positions at the helm and dive for cover. But at the very same moment the flaming debris touched down on the ship, massive waves from the ocean rocked the vessel, which made Gilette stumble over the railing of the ship and plunge down into the violent ocean below; his screams were audible all the way down.

"GILETTE!"

Norrington was not allowed a moment of grief, however, for more pieces of the sails and rigging began to rain down upon the deck, robbing the ship of its ability to sail properly. As a result, the Navy vessel started to sway dangerously from side to side, rocked by the now non-stop waves that were crashing against it. Soon, the entire deck of the ship was on fire and despite the sheets of rain, the flames were not dying down at all.

The crew, in their entirety, suddenly came bounding up from below deck to discover the source of all the commotion. When all of them saw the tall flames, the crew reacted instantly and scrambled for the railings so that they could abandon ship. But in the process, some of the men ran in the path of the flames and caught fire themselves, and either sank to the deck because of their flesh being eaten by the flames or fell over the side of the ship and into the icy depths below.

Norrington scrambled to his feet and quickly assessed the damage done to his vessel. He immediately surmised that his ship was doomed and that any hope of saving it had now vanished. Cursing Jack Sparrow, Norrington forced himself to jump ship, making contact with the aggressive ocean almost instantly.

Only seconds after Norrington had submerged with the ocean, he surfaced and gulped in deep breaths. He broke the ocean's surface just in time to observe his vessel slowly sink down into the ocean, the now enormous flames gradually being engulfed by the seawater. Norrington did feel a sense of loss over his ship, but he nonetheless sucked it up and looked around at what remained of his crew.

Only four men were still alive, and barely at that. They were each supporting each other in order to stay afloat, and they looked the worse for wear.

Norrington closed his eyes in anger, suddenly furious at everything that was connected with his pursuit for Captain Jack Sparrow. He was angry at Sparrow himself first and foremost, but also enraged at the British Royal Navy for wanting him to be arrested so badly, the East India Trading Company for commissioning Norrington to chase Sparrow down, and furious at Governor Weatherby Swann for pressuring him to do so.

"Damn all of them for putting me into this situation. I never wanted it to end this way." Norrington uttered these words under his breath in a bitter tone.

Norrington already knew that he would find some way of returning to Port Royal and thus resign his position as Commodore.

As he swam over to attend to his living companions, Norrington did not notice the hurricane begin to recede.

The Black Pearl was now safely out of the hurricane, and the weather had clearly calmed down. Jack and Gibbs stood at the helm and stared back at where Norrington's ship had floated only minutes before.

"Shame. I actually feel sorry for ol' Norrington," said Jack.

"Aye. Terrible way ta' lose a ship. Hopefully, he was able to escape."

"At least he's off my back for now."

Gibbs turned to face Jack. "Tell me, Cap'n, do ya really intend ta' hand over the Pearl ta' Calypso one day?"

"Course not; I would have said anything if it meant deliverance from justice."

"But what will you do when Calypso comes to collect on her part of the bargain one day?"

Jack shrugged. "Dunno. I'll make something up."

And that was the truth; Jack did not know how he would be able to uphold his part of the deal when the time came.