Disclaimer: PLEASE READ!

I had a reviewer complain that I didn't put enough effort into this. Things that took place in the previous story are quickly explained in very little depth. I did it this way because I know that many people would not appreciate me rewriting the entire thing; it would become tedious for me and the readers of the previous story. I give a brief explanation, enough for you to understand what happened in the first one. If you want a more in depth explanation, go read "Pirates of the Caribbean: In Death's Grip." I realize that it is not as well written (I wrote it over a year ago and have improved since then). But please, if you do not like the story because of the lack of explanation of past events of the story, go read the other one before this, because it bothers me when people complain me not putting effort into this when I spend hours writing and editing it.

If you begin reading and it doesn't bother you, that's ok. If you are fine with the way I did this, that's ok. If you like this and do not want read the first one, that's ok. And if you decide you want to know the full story behind this so you go read the first, that's ok too. But if you don't like this and get upset because I didn't rewrite the entire first story, that's NOT ok. Please don't be put off because of that...

Thanks


Summary of this story:

Drake and Arden were trying to start a new life in the New World when their ship was attacked by pirates and they were separated. Drake thought it was a dream come true when he was found by pirates Jack and Angelica who were willing to help him search for his missing wife, until they discover that there is something bigger going on than his missing wife. Death has returned with the dreaded news that she has been betrayed, and that not only the lives and relationship of Jack and Angelica are in danger, but also the lives of their dear friends, friends whom they must now try their best to keep alive.


If you're reading this because you enjoyed my first fanfic, thank you. And I hope you will enjoy this one as well.

If you're reading this and haven't read my first one, I recommend reading the first one, but it'll be okay. I will try to explain things as I go.


CHAPTER 1

The ship tossed and turned in the angry waves of the Atlantic. The light cast down from the full moon would have been enough for the crew to move along the deck easily if not for the thick rain pouring down. Lightning flashed, followed quickly by the boom of thunder.

In the bottom of the ship, Arden, a petite woman with blond hair and pale skin, was snuggled under her husband's protective arm. Together, they sat below the deck of their salvation, the Inquisition, a Spanish ship making its way to the Caribbean. She and Drake had lived in small village in Spain before Drake lost his job as a carpenter and, with it, their hopes and dreams. When their house was taken from them, they used everything they had to pay their way to the New World.

Upon hearing their news, her cousins had readily offered their services. That was where they were headed, a town called Port Royal. Arden gripped Drake's shirt as the ship tossed and turned. Tears streaked down her face. Never before had she been so frightened in her life. Being hundreds of miles from any land in a storm was not a good feeling.

"It's okay, darling," Drake attempted to calm her, his slight Spanish accent coating his words. "Everything's going to be okay." He kissed the top of her head. "Nothing's going to harm you."

A barrel rolled in front of them. The cargo hold wasn't the best place in which to travel the ocean. The captain had said it would be safer for Arden if she were away from the men. And of course, Drake would have rather taken a bullet to his head then allow his wife to travel alone. Arden instinctively covered her stomach.

"You can't keep me safe from the winds and waves of God, Drake," she whispered. "I'm scared."

Drake rubbed her arm lovingly. "We'll be fine."


Jack Sparrow tapped his foot on the floor of his cabin impatiently. His eyes darted to the door, to Angelica who sat on his bunk, to his bottle of rum, and back to the door. He held the cork from the rum in his hand, spinning it around. Frustrated, the captain chucked the cork across the room; it slammed into the wall. "Where is he?!" Jack shouted. "He should be here!" He glared at Angelica as if she was to blame.

"What do you want me to do?" she asked him, walking over and grabbing the cork. Coming back to the table, she took his rum and plugged to top of it, effectively telling him that his drinking was over for the night.

Jack sighed. "I have no idea…"

Angelica set the bottle down and walked over to Jack. She sat down on his lap. She took his hand in hers and kissed the back of it. "I'm sure he'll be here. She would've told you if she called him back."

"You're right, love." She leaned down and kissed him. When she tried to pull back, he put his free hand on her back and pulled her back down.

"Am I…interrupting something?" a man asked.

Angelica hopped up and moved away from Jack. "No," she said. "No, you weren't."

Jack looked into the eyes of Dmitri, the Angel of Death. He wore his typical outfit: white pants, white coat, black boots, black belt, black hat, black shirt. Everything about him screamed depression, from the dark circles under his eyes to the miniature silver skull he wore around his neck. He had jet black hair pulled into a loose ponytail. His gray eyes stared at Jack, like he was seeing Jack's very soul.

When Death had visited Jack in human form, she had needed his help. It was then that he discovered how he got away with all of his random acts of danger: she had her Angel watching out for him. Now Dmitri came and went as pleased. Sometimes he would be in human form and roaming the earth, and other times he would be with his master…wherever she was. The Angel would come aboard when he felt like it, but his coming was hardly random. He reappeared almost every Monday and would stay till Tuesday. During this time, he helped Jack in ways only he could.

"I have news, Jack," Dmitri announced. "So if you can get your mind off of your beautiful companion," he winked at Angelica, "I would like to tell you what that news is."

The wink wasn't lost on Jack, and it bothered him. But, it being the Angel of Death who was attempting to flirt with his love, Jack had to put it behind him and pretend it didn't happen if he ever wanted to know what Dmitri knew. "Okay. I'll give it a try. What've you got for me?"

"I hear you are searching for the chest that can allow you to control the winds and tides," Dmitri began. "And I believe you heard about if from Ms. Teach. Correct?"

Jack smiled at Angelica. "That I did," he answered.

"But I doubt you know from whom she heard it," Dmitri said.

Jack didn't reply.

"That was what I thought. She heard it from an old beau. His name was Anthony. Right, Angelica?" the Angel of Death smiled at her, flashing is perfect white teeth.

"Who is this Anthony? You've never spoken of him to me," Jack said to Angelica.

"Jack, worry about that later," Dmitri answered. "I am sure she never loved him as much as she did you." He looked at Angelica. Something about how comfortable Dmitri was with Angelica bothered Jack. "Anyway, I did not come here to discuss either of your past relationships. I came here bearing bad news."

"When do you ever not have bad news, Dmitri?" Jack asked.

"Remember that time when I showed up, and Death informed you that I have been your protector for years. I personally believe that would be wonderful news. And, the last time I heard, wonderful was far better than good news, therefore better than bad news." Dmitri smirked.

"Shut it." He was finally exasperated. Dmitri had a way of getting under Jack's skin. "Just give us the news."

The Angel of Death looked at Angelica. "Anthony found the chest that you and Jack are looking for," he cut a quick glance to Jack but looked back to Angelica just as quickly. "He is the only mortal who was ever able to find the chest in over four hundred years." He took a deep breath. "That was three hundred fifty years ago."

Jack suppressed a laugh. Looks like Angelica's lover hadn't been exactly what she had thought.

"How is that possible?" Angelica asked. "He was not that old when I met him."

"Death and the goddess Calypso could not allow a free-willing man to possess that much power." He looked back to Jack. "They bartered with him. And he lost everything. His family. His friends. His home. Everything changed. They changed his looks, his life, everything. He became their personal slave." His mouth turned up in a half-grin as he turned back to Angelica. "But, he got to keep his dream. His dream to control the wind and tides." He shook his head. "You mortals will do anything for power. What he had no idea though, was that he would be forced to be immortal and serve Death for all eternity with no escape."

"So," Jack began, "your bad news is that Angelica slept with an ancient man?"

Angelica glowered at him. He knew that look. That look meant that he would pay for his snide comment. He smiled sheepishly at her. "That's not the news, Jack, is it, Dmitri?" Angelica answered.

"I am afraid not," Dmitri answered.

"Then what is?" Jack laughed. "Because I know what you just told us is not the bad news." Jack heard Angelica growl under her breath.

Angelica looked at Dmitri. "It means we can't get the chest, doesn't it?"

The Angel of Death made a face. "Well, you can get it…if you kill Anthony. I am afraid that is the only way."

Jack laughed. "We have to kill one of her exes! This is great!"

"Eh," Dmitri answered. "It might not be that easy. The only way to kill him is if his heart is pierced by the woman who holds it."

"Meaning?" Jack asked.

"The only person who holds the power to kill him is the woman with whom he is in love. She must have his heart, and he must have hers." Dmitri looked at Angelica. "They must be in love."

Jack swallowed. Angelica said, "So we have force a woman to murder the man she loves?"

"You may not force her. She has to consent to it." Dmitri sat down on Jack's table.

Angelica laughed. "You have got to be kidding me! No woman in her right mind would ever do such a thing!"

"If it's the only way," Jack said, "maybe she could." As the words came out of his mouth, Jack knew they weren't true. Or, at least, he hoped they weren't true, because he would never want Angelica to betray him in such a way.

"I doubt she could," Angelica whispered.

"Well, anyway, I thought I would let you know what has to happen," Dmitri said. He walked over to Angelica, took her hand in his, then kissed her cheek. "It was wonderful to see you again, Angelica. Maybe next time it won't be so long between my visits."

Angelica smiled at him. "Maybe you're right."


Splintered wood shot across the cargo hold. Arden shrieked and clung tighter to Drake. The storm had ceased, but it seemed as if they were under attack. A cannonball crashed through the wood. So she was right, unfortunately. "Drake," she cried.

"We're fine. We're fine," he whispered in her ear. "We'll be okay."

Just then, there was a shout from the stairs. A bloodied man fell down. Arden gasped.

Drake quieted her. "Come here." He led his wife to a stack of crates in the corner. Shifting them around, he made a nook for her to hide in. After she was safe and sound, she looked at him expectantly, but there was no way they could both fit. Drake pushed the crates back to their original places, successfully sealing Arden behind them. Then he ran to the body, took the man's sword, and ran up the stairs.

Chaos had erupted on the deck. Men swung their swords and thrust them into those attacking them. Drake had no idea how to use one of these weapons. He'd never had to before this moment. A man lunged at him. Drake's instincts kicked in. The blade jerked into a blocking position. It was as if another man had taken over Drake. Quickly, he slashed at the attacker, ripping open his arm. Drake's heart sped up, ramming against his chest. Adrenaline opened all of his senses. He could see the gush of blood rushing from the man's arm, the single drops of blood as it splattered on the wooden deck. Mesmerized by the blood that he caused, Drake didn't see the next attack coming until it was too late. The blade went straight into his gut. Coughing blood, he stepped back, attempting to regain his footing. That's when the other man once again lunged, forcing Drake off the side of the boat. He landed in the water with a splash.

Sinking below the water, the only thing he could think about was Arden. She needed him, and he'd failed her. Now she was left alone on a ship with violent men who would do their best to…no he couldn't – wouldn't – think about what could happen to his beautiful wife.


Arden held her breath. Someone was coming. Maybe it was Drake, but she wasn't going to take any chances. Things slammed to the floor. Terror encompassed her every thought.

"Where is she?!" a gruff voice shouted.

"I-I don't know, sir," the next voice sounded horrified.

"You don't know! You don't know!" the gruff voice was obviously infuriated. A gun went off. The other voice never responded.

Arden covered her mouth. Tears sprung up in her eyes. Her whole body was convulsing. How could this be happening?

"I hear you," the man whispered. "I hear you crying. Come out, and I won't hurt you like I had to do to my friend just a moment ago." Arden held her breath. The crates were jerked back. Arden screamed, but Drake was not there to help her. She was all alone. The man looking down at her had neatly trimmed blond beard and blond hair covering his ears. "There you are. Did you hear me a moment ago?" His voice was much smoother when he spoke to her now than he had when before. "I'm not going to hurt you." He was obviously an Englishman.

"Where's my husband?" she asked. He didn't answer. "His name is Drake! Where is he?!"

The man, who was obviously the captain of the attacking ship, hung his head. "I'm sorry, miss, but there was not a survivor named Drake aboard this ship." He offered her his hand. "But I swear to you that I will find who took him from you, and I will personally kill him myself." Tears flowed down her face. It had been her idea to go to her cousins in Port Royal. So, in a way, his death was her fault, and there was nothing that could be done to undo what had happened. He looked at her sorrowfully. "Come on," he whispered in a soothing voice. "I promise no one will hurt you."

Reluctantly, Arden put her tiny hand in his calloused one. The captain helped her up. Together, they made their way out of the cargo hold and across the plank onto his ship. A lump formed in Arden's throat, closing off her airway. She forced it down with a hard swallow. Slightly turning her head, she caught a glimpse of the ship she had just been on and saw the man's crew pouring black powder on the deck. She knew what that mean. And sure enough, when the crew evacuated the deck and the captain sailed a short ways away, the Inquisition went up in flames, exploding into the sky. Her heart sank. After all she and Drake had been through, she was hoping their escape to Port Royal would turn everything around.

The men on the other boat eyed her. Suddenly she felt self-conscious. Arden pulled the coat more tightly around herself. She instinctively moved closer to the captain. He was the only one who had promised her no harm would come to her. "Gents," the man announced, "no one lays a hand on the lady." Some of the crewmen groaned in protest. The captain viciously grabbed Arden's arm. "Not until I'm through with her." Then he forced her to his cabin.


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