Heart's Note: Well. This wasn't easy. (huffs) Gah. I'll never understand why so many people think that Orlando Bloom (Will Turner/Legolas) is "hot". He's okay looking, but not hot.
Disclaimer: Check Chapter 1
We left Disney Castle the next morning, once Sora had recovered enough. Goodbyes for Donald and Goofy really tugged at my heart, but I said nothing as we reboarded Infinity and headed off. The flight to Port Royal was a short one, and we were on the Docks in no time. It was almost midnight here, if the clocktower was anything to see. The full moon and streetlamps gave off enough light to see by, and Donald looked around with an awestruck look. As Donald and Goofy peered around, Sora slunk over to me.
"So, enjoy your time in the Gardens last night?" I stiffened, blushing crimson red. He'd seen that?! I shook my head, mentally smacking myself.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Sora smiled, patting my shoulder.
"Sure you don't. So, he's ok?" Seeing no point in hiding it any longer, I nodded. Sora sagged in relief, before we all jumped a foot in the air as screams rang throughout the Town. Summoning the Keyblade, Sora raced headlong onto the Ramparts in time to catch sight of Pete and Barbossa, along with Barbossa's pirates.
"Hey!" Pete scowled.
"See there? I knew it! Those are the punks I was tellin' ya about!" Sora snarled.
"Who are you calling punks?! It's Sora, Christie, Donald and Goofy to you! And don't you forget it!" Barbossa raised a brow.
"That we won't. And we'll engrave it on your tombstones as well, laddie. Of course, the little lass might be spared, if she drops those blades." I snarled, glaring at him. Barbossa laughed at the look I was giving him, and Pete smirked.
"Whoa! I like your style!" Barbossa half-bowed towards Pete, then spun on his men.
"Men! Half of you stay here and engage these cullies. The rest of you, bring me that Medallion!" They resounded the command in unison, half the men and Barbossa heading off towards Town. Sora smirked.
"Aw, we only get to stomp on a few of you?" Barbossa laughed over his shoulder, and we sprung at the Pirates. But becuase they were underneath the cloud cover, they were immune to our attacks. Sora hopped back as one pirate nearly chopped off his head.
"It's no use! We can't beat them!" The leader of the ones who remained behind smiled cruelly.
"Aye, whaddya be expecting lad?" I looked up towards the sky as the clouds began to clear, then looked back at our foes as the moonlight transformed them into the cursed forms they were. Not having taken notice of the change, they continued to taunt us.
"You'd best be saying your prayers!" Pete reached out a hand, trying to catch their attention.
"Hey, watch out! They can see ya! Stay away from thier magic!" We all turned to Donald, and I bowed to the little Wizard. He smiled evily, casting a tremendous Fira spell just as the Pirates turned back to us. The clothing they were wearing caught on fire, and they all leapt into the water. Sora dismissed the Keyblade, and turned to Pete.
"Hey, Pete, thanks for the tip!" Smacking himself upside the head, Pete ran off. We watched him leave with smiles on our faces, then turned to face one another.
"If Pete's here, there's work to be done." Goofy nodded.
"Yep, and that Pirate captain guy looked pretty mean too." Sora shuddered, rubbing his arms fiercely.
"Man, I'd hate to see him turn into a Heartless. He's probably a better fighter than Riku was last time." I crossed my arms with a nod.
"Probably is. Knowing Riku, he's gotten a bit rusty lately." Sora looked at me strangely for a moment, then turned back to Donald as the duck spoke up again.
"Well, we ARE here..." Sora smirked.
"Hey, maybe we can take a pirate ship out for a spin!" We all stared at him for a moment, and he laughed.
"Just kidding! Although, weren't those guys headed into town?" Goofy nodded.
"Yeah, I think they were looking for treasure." We all jumped again as another scream rang through the wet night air, and we raced into town just in time to see Elizabeth being carried off by a pirate. She was screaming as she beat his back with her fists, causing an aquaintance to chase after them. He skidded to a stop as Shadows came up from the ground to stop his path. He stepped back, but drew his sword and cut down an attacking Shadow as we ran to his side.
"What are these creatures!" Donald cast a Gravity spell that left my ears ringing, and he turned to Will.
"It's the Heartless! Watch out!" Sora cut down another Shadow that would have taken his nose off, and shoved Will on the shoulder.
"Well deal with them, go and take cover!" Will nodded, running towards the Docks in pursuit of Elizabeth. Before he could get there however, a NeoShadow leapt from the wall, creating a gash on his forehead and knocking him to the ground. Goofy threw his shield at the creature, knocking it away long enough for Sora to finish it off. I batted Will's hand away from his injury, Cure magic dancing at my fingertips. As the wound healed over, he looked at Sora.
"Thank you. My own fencing skills are nothing to be ashamed of, but I've never faced foes like this before." Sora blushed a tiny bit as we helped Will to his feet.
"You really think we're that good?" Will nodded, then his face became serious.
"Please, I need your help. My friend, she's been kidnapped by pirates. I can reward you if need be..but I beg of you, help me rescue Elizabeth." Sora and I shared a smile, and nodded to Will. My friend laced his fingers behind his back.
"There's no need for a reward, of course we'll help you. I'm Sora, and these are my friends. Christie, Donald and Goofy." Will, having sagged in relief, stood up straight.
"And I'm William Turner. But please, call me Will." Sora nodded, and we ran towards the Docks just in time to catch sight of the Black Pearl heading out to sea. Will reached out a hand, then looked away.
"We're too late." At Sora's look of confusion, he continued.
"Those pirates kidnapped Miss Swann, and took her aboard their ship...Now that they've sailed, I'll never be able to find her.."
"Then she's likely gone forever. The Black Pearl is nigh uncatchable. Best to find yourself another girl mate." We turned, and I rolled my eyes as Jack Sparrow came down the Interceptors boarding rail. Will raised a brow.
"You...What are you doing aboard the Interceptor? She's off limit's to civilians." Jack smirked.
"Ah, fortunate that I'm going to commandeer then. She'll make a fine pirate ship." Sora started to bounce around, and I sighed as Jack hit our level.
"Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please." Will, ignoring Jacks request of a title, turned to the pirate.
"Take me with you. Help me hunt down the Black Pearl and save Miss Swann. I broke you out of that jail Sparrow, do this and your debt to me is finished." Jack contemplated this for a moment, then shook his head.
"You'll have to win the fair lady's heart alone Mate. I see no profit in this for me." I rolled my eyes, turning to Jack.
"I'm no sailor, Captain, but this is a fairly large ship. Are you sure that you can sail her alone?" Jack frowned, rubbing his neck.
"You've a point there Lass. Alright, all aboard." Will headed up first, sidestepping Jack on his way.
"Thanks, Sparrow." Jack put his hands on his hips as he turned to us.
"CAPTAIN Sparrow, got it..." Sora stepped forward, one hand extended as he introduced us.
"I'm Sora, this is Christie. They're Donald and Goofy." Will nodded, leaning against the starboard side of the Interceptor.
"I'm Will Turner." Jack raised a brow.
"That would be short for William, I imagine. No doubt named for your father, eh?" Will nodded, and Jack smirked.
"Well then Mr. Turner. You get us ready to make way. I've some effects left to liberate." Will nodded, and disappeared from view. Jack sighed, and turned to us.
"What do you four make of this Will?" I shook my head, heading up the ramp.
"We just met him ourselves. He's a nice enough guy, don't worry about him." Jack raised a brow, and headed off into town. Under Will's instruction, we had the Interceptor ready for launch by the time Jack returned, fifteen minutes later. He untied the Interceptors mooring lines and raised the anchor with a little help from Goofy, and we were off. About half an hour out of Port, Jack brought out a compass and stared at it, changing our course accordingly. Will turned to him.
"Why are you so fixated on that compass?"
"It'll be she whom leads us to Isla de Muerta, where Barbossa's headed. Savvy?" Sora tilted his head.
"How do you know?" Jack closed the compass, placing it in his vest pocket.
"Ah, lad...He and I once had our eyes on a treasure. Aztec gold. 'Twas hidden on the Isla de Muerta, the Island of Death. But he turned traitor and stole me ship." I let my hair down, leaning against the mast.
"So, he's after the treasure?" Jack shook his head, beaded dreadlocks clinking on eachother.
"No Lass, the treasure's already his. So's the curse upon it, which I've no desire for. But I will have back what's mine. The Black Pearl." With our course set, Jack retreated to the Captains quarters, leaving Will at the helm. I sighed, leaning against the gaurd rail on the starboard side, wind blowing my hair from my face. I closed my eyes with a smile.
Rinoa ran forward to the edge of the balcony, looking out towards the mountains with a bright smile. Squall followed slower, his sleeping four year old sister in his arms. Rinoa turned back to face him, holding her long black hair away from her eyes.
"Squall, do you think we'll be like this forever?" Squall shook his head, adjusting his hold on Christie.
"Not forever. We won't be here forever. But we'll stay as long as possible. As long as I'm still alive, we'll be together." Rinoa smiled gently, kissing him on the cheek as she stepped away from the railing.
"Thank you, Squall."
"Christie, you still awake in there?" I nodded to Sora, opening my eyes. He was standing next to me, but stepped back as I stood up straight and redid my ponytail.
"You ok?" I nodded again, looking back out to sea.
"Yeah. Just remembering someone who isn't here anymore. She died in the invasion, really tore Nii-san apart." Sora nodded with a frown, then jumped as Jack slammed the door from the Captain's Quarters as we docked at Isla de Muerta. Lowering the boarding ramp, we all headed aground until Jack whirled on his heel.
"Ah, you lads and lass wait here. Young Turner and I will rescue the lady." Sora pouted.
"Hey! What about us!" Jack smirked, making me roll my eyes.
"Why, you're to gaurd the ship of course. Tis a task given only to the bravest of pirates." Sora frowned as Will and Jack ran off, and I shook my head.
"Well. That was quite the fast talk." Donald nodded, turning on Sora.
"And you fell for it!" Sora huffed, plunking himself down on the boarding ramp. Fifteen minutes later, when Jack and Will still hadn't returned, he stood.
"What's keeping those two?" Goofy frowned.
"They sure are taking thier time..." I looked towards the cave, lacing my fingers under my chin.
"If Pete's here, then there must be Heartless here too. And Jack and Will aren't used to fighting them, and certainly not used to having them pop outta the ground. We'd better go see whats keeping them." Sora nodded, and we all ran towards the Cave Mouth in time to see Will and Elizabeth running out from the Powder Store, with Pirates on thier heels. Sora summoned the Keyblade, waving Will and Elizabeth on.
"We'll hold them off! Give us a sign when the ships ready to sail!" Will nodded, taking Elizabeths hand.
"Right! We'll light the signal flare!" They ran off towards the Interceptor, and we turned to face the pirates. Most of them had swords drawn. but one of them had a loaded pistol in hand, and he seemed ready to fire it at a moments notice. I shok my head, knocking one sword wielding pirate over the head with my daggers hilt before sending a Fira spell flying at a pirate determined to chop off Goofy's arm. A loud bang made us all look up to the sky, and Sora smiled at the sight of the signal flare coming off the Interceptor. We turned our backs on the pirates and ran off, before Sora fell to the ground in a heap after an earsplitting crack. He went down clutching at his ankle, and Donald whirled on the pirate, casting a Blizzara spell as Goofy and I grabbed Sora and ran. Donald was quick on our heels, casting an Aeroga spell to get the Interceptor moving away from the Island as Will and Elizabeth hoisted the sails and raised the anchor. We boarded just in time, Goofy and I setting Sora down before turning and cutting a pirates arm as he tried to cling to the ship. Once we had dispatched him, I turned to Sora to see him yanking his shoe off with a wince. The bullet had mostly missed him, it was just a graze. But that graze had really spooked us all up and Sora was panting harshly as I cast Cure on his leg. He looked up to Will.
"Where's Jack?" Will rubbed the back of his neck, frowning.
"Well...you see Sora, I had to knock him unconcious to save Elizabeth. I'd take a guess that the pirates have him now." I scowled at Will, helping Sora stand as my friend glared at Will. Will bit his lip.
"I had to, Sora. Jack's no fairy-taile pirate. The real ones aren't to be trusted." Sora huffed, crossing his arms as Will led Elizabeth into the Ship's hold. I stared after them for a moment, eyes narrowing. Something was wrong here. Something was very wrong. Will and Elizabeth returned after a few moments, with Will taking the helm of the ship.
"We must return to the Port while the winds are still in our favor. Sora, Christie, please keep a lookout for any Pirates. We can't have them capturing this ship." Sora glared, miming Will's speech before I clasped his shoulder.
"Let it go. We'll go back for Jack on Infinity later." Sora's eyes widened, but he nodded and headed towards the port railing to keep an eye on the sea. We were almost to the Port when Elizabeth cried out.
"Will! Look!" We raced to what she was pointing at, and I cursed under my breath. It was the Black Pearl, and it was quickly gaining on us. Sora bit his lip.
"I wonder what Jack would do..." Will looked at the Pearl, then at our measly stock of cannon balls and slim gaurding rails. We stood no chance of outrunning them either, and Will knew that.
"I'm not sure. I suppose, that he'd make a run for it." We all ducked as a cannonball shot over our heads and across the ship. Sora chuckled nervously.
"Sounds good to me!" But before we could get moving, another cannonball struck the Interceptor. While it didn't damage us much, it rattled the ship enough to tip Will overboard and into the sea. Elizabeth cried out.
"Will!" Another cannon shot rang out, and I yanked Elizabeth down onto the deck just as it hit the ship once more. Sora picked himself off the ground, grabbing the Medallion from the deck as the Pearl came up alongside us.
"We're just gonna have to fight!" I summoned my daggers as several pirates from the Pearl jumped aboard. We raced to knock them off into the water, but too may kept coming. After having far to many close calls with both the Medallion and his neck, Sora screamed. He raced to a loaded cannon and lit the fuse. The resulting explosion not only blew a hole right through the middle of a jumping pirate, but also right through the Pearl's main mast. At the sight of thier ship falling apart, all the remaining pirates raced back to the Pearl. Sora whooped.
"We beat the pirates!"
"Well now laddie, did you really?" We spun on a dime, stepping back to back as we caught sight of Barbossa holding Elizabeth and Jack hostage.
"Jack!" The captain laughed nervously as Barbossa smirked at us, yellow teeth curved upward.
"Now then, I'll be having that Medallion. Unless it's more important than thier lives?" I snarled at him, but said nothing as I heard the ropes next to Barbossa creak as Will climbed back up.
"Barbossa!" Will, soaking wet, aimed a pistol at Barbossa.
"She goes free!" Barbossa laughed.
"Go ahead and shoot boy, we can't die!" Will smirked.
"You can't. But I can!" Will released the safety latch on his pistol, holding it to his temple. Elizabeth cried out in terror and even Jack seemed scared for his "friend"
"My name is William Turner! My father was Bootstrap Bill Turner! His blood runs through my viens!" Barbossa's eyes widened in surprise, and Will continued. Even as he spoke, he met my eyes for a moment, then nodded slightly. I tilted my head, but said nothing.
"On my world, do as I say, or I'll pull this trigger and be lost to Davy Jones' Locker forever." Barbossa scowled.
"Very well. Name your terms, Mr. Turner." Will frowned. This was too easy. Regardless, he wasn't losing this chance.
"Release Elizabeth and Jack! And Sora, Christie, Donald and Goofy too." Barbossa nodded.
"Will there be anythin' else?" Will nodded.
"Yes. Leave now!" Barbossa nodded and bowed.
"Agreed. Leave we shall, but the Heartless stay!" Before any of us could react, we heard Pete laugh as he knocked Will out with an oar. Air Pirate Heartless began appearing as Pete ran off with Will under his arm. Before any of us could chase after him, the pirates had grabbed us from behind and tied our hands behind our backs. It took two pirates to cart Sora off as they knocked us into the Brig. Pete laughed.
"Good work Barbossa! Who knew it'd be this easy?" Elizabeth snarled up at Barbossa.
"Barbossa, you coward!" Sora struggled against his bindings, but only succeeding in rubbing his wrists red.
"That's the last time I trust a pirate!"
"Captain! The powder kegs are ready!" Barbossa laughed, then turned back to us.
"Then I bid ye farewell!" Both Barbossa and Pete left our sights, and I heard the Pearl sail away before Donald cried out.
"What are we gonna do?!" Jack sighed, letting his head drop to his chest.
"Why struggle mate? We'd be better off just surrendering anyway." I snarled, summoning one of my daggers and slicing through the ropes holding us together.
"Well, I'm not giving up yet. I've got someone very important to find. Dying now, I'd just let him down." I heaved Sora to his feet, before sending one of my daggers up onto the deck. It attracted the attention of the Heartless gaurd, and as soon as I'd caught sight of it, it was cast away into the void. Jack hoisted Sora onto his shoulders, and the boy quickly undid the lock holding us in the brig. I grabbed my dagger from the ground, before running to a lit keg of gunpowder and pushing it into the ocean before the fuse hit the powder. The boys handled the rest, and Jack's keg hit the water just in time. The massive explosion showered us all with seawater, and Jack just shook his dreadlocks as he ran up to the helm and set our course for the Isla De Muerta. Sora and I quickly heaved the sails into position as Donald cast a massive Aeroga spell that sped us along at a considerable speed. We docked quickly, and I grabbed Elizabeth by the arm as she tried to run after us, Jack turned, bouncing from one foot to another.
"Christie's right! You'd best stay with the ship, Lass!" Elizabeth wrenched her arm free from my grasp, huffing.
"I'll do no such thing!" I ran past her, shaking my head as she once more tried to follow.
"Then trust me when I say that we'll bring him back alive!" Elizabeth frowned, but nodded after a moment's hesitation.
"Very well. Christie, Sora, Goofy, Donald, bring Will back safely!" We ran for the caves, dodging Heartless and Pirates along the way to the Treasure Heap. We arrived just in time to catch the pirates cheering, and Sora laughed.
"Treasure, mateys!" Barbossa's eyes widened in surprise, and he stepped back.
"Not possible!" Donald smirked.
"Not probable! We're alive, and we're pirates!" Jack smiled, drawing his sword.
"Captain Jack Sparrow!" Sora summoned the Keyblade.
"Sora!" I summoned my daggers
"Christie!" Donald grabbed his staff.
"Donald Duck!" Goofy grabbed his shield off his back.
"And Goofy too!" Something to note. All the introductions had only taken less then half a minute, and Barbossa was not amused.
"So, you want to play Pirates? Best save the playacting for the nursery. After them!" At his order, all the pirates in the room raced after us. We split up, knocking them out with magic or clocks over the head as Will stayed close to the chest. When they were all gone, he stood up and walked over to us as Sora insulted the running pirates.
"Thank you, Sora, Christie." Goofy looked around.
"Uh, where's Jack?" We all jumped as the clang of metal on metal rang out, and we turned to see Jack and Barbossa locked in a sword fight. Before I could stop him, Sora cried out.
"Jack! Get him!" Jack's distraction cost him, and Sora gasped as Barbossa plunged his sword into Jack's chest. The Captain stumbled back into the moonlight, and I sighed in relief as he turned into a skeleton like form. He stared at his right hand for a moment, then at his left. A Medallion was bieng rolled between his knuckles, and Barbossa stepped back in fear.
"Show yourself Pete! The tide has changed!" We jumped again as Pete appeared behind us.
"See? I told ya you'd be needing old Pete!" He whistled, causing two Illuminator Heartless to come down the walls, beady yellow eyes glaring at us as they hopped to Barbossa's side. Absorbing all the light, they plunged the area into Darkness just as Jack wrenched Barbossa's sword out of his body. I clenched my daggers, closing my eyes.
Remember what Riku taught you. See with your other senses, not with your eyes.
Even as Sora and the other's were stumbling around, trying to find the Illuminators, I knew exactly where one of them was. Before Barbossa could even react accordingly, I'd thrown my dagger, embedding it into the head of one of the Illuminators. Sora stared for a moment, then whirled on his heel to catch Barbossa's sword with the Keyblade.
"Guys! Hurry and find that Heartless!" We nodded, and I took a deep breath. Throwing my other dagger would be a mistake, so I relied on my Void attack to get rid of the Heartless just as Barbossa freed his sword from Sora's blade lock. Sora fell to the ground, and Barbossa laughed.
"Be meeting your maker tonight boy!" The captain made to plunge his second blade into my friends body, but the clang of metal on metal suprised us all. Jack had come through, blocking Barbossa from hurting Sora. The look on Jack's face sent shivers up my spine, I'd never seen a glare like that on a human face.
"No one, hurts my crew!" He lunged at Barbossa, forcing him into the back of the cave as Sora picked himself up off the ground. We ignored Pete as he ran off, and Jack kept the glare on his face.
"Care to surrender now Barbossa?" Barbossa flaunted his sword. Jack rolled his eyes.
"Well then, enough of this." He dropped his sword, drawing his pistol from it's holster on his thight.
"What say you, we call this a draw?" Barbossa smirked.
"Jack, how many times do I have to tell ya---" Jack tossed the medallion still in his hand to Will, then shot Barbossa with the last of his bullets. Barbossa, not even feeling the tiny metal piece pierce him, laughed. But he stopped laughing when Will cried out.
"Laugh while you can, Barbossa!" We turned to Will, just in time to see him drop two bloodstained medallions into the chest. We turned back to Barbossa as he clutched at the wound in his stomach.
"I feel...cold." In a brief moment, it was over. Barbossa fell to the ground, lifeless. Jack shook his head, picking his sword off the ground and sheathing it. He lead us from the cave and back towards the makeshift docks. Will tilted his head.
"What now Jack?" Jack smiled.
"Whatever I want, now that the Pearl is mine again." Will nodded.
"That she is. Thank you, Jack." He extended a hand in friendship, but Jack flinched, placing his hands above his head.
"I didn't want ye hitting me again, mate." I stepped on Will's toe, putting on an innocent look as he frowned at me. That was more then enough payback for one night. Sora chuckled, then turned to Jack.
"Hey, Jack. Good luck." Donald raised one wing.
"And remember to be good!" Goofy and I shook our head. Not likely. Still, Jack nodded and waved goodbye.
"Well, I'm off." He turned to head back towards the Pearl, then turned around and looked at Elizabeth with longing in his eyes as she tightly embraced Will, sending them both to the ground. Jack sighed, and Sora smiled.
"Good for them." Goofy nodded, then turned to Sora and I.
"Sora, Christie, how come your faces are all red?" I ducked my head, blushing further as Sora tried to deny it. Donald laughed.
"Oh, I know who you two are thinking about!" Donald and Goofy laughed as I turned to Jack. The Captain was heading back towards the Pearl, compass in hand, when his suddenly started to glow. He cursed in surprise, dropping it as Sora raised the Keyblade. The wind that came smelled of hot desert sands, and felt much the same way.
Agrabah...
We waved goodbye to Will, Elizabeth and Jack before heading back to Infinity. Once on board, Sora crossed his arms and stopped midstep.
"You know...for a minute there, I was afraid we were gonna lose Donald to the curse of the treasure." I had to laugh at the look on Donald's face as the duck snarled up at Sora and Goofy, the Duck chasing after his old companion as Sora settled into the co-pilots seat next to me. After setting our course for Agrabah, I settled back into my seat to try and sleep a little. After a moment, I drifted off to the sound of Donald and Goofy's laughter.
15 year old Squall and 5 year old Christie, standing in the field of flowers as a funeral takes place. The girl clings to her brother's arm, head bowed as the tears run down her cheeks. Why did Headmaster Cid have to die? This wasn't fair. She stayed with Rinoa as her brother said his piece of the memorial, then let Squall carry her home. Dinner was a quiet affair, and Squall looked at his sister with worry in his eyes.
"You all right?" Christie shook her head.
"No. I don't want you to die Nii-san." Leon sighed. He understood now. Still silent, he stood and padded over to his little sister, kneeling down to be level with her.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I promise." Christie stared at him for a moment, then launched herself at his neck. Squall caught her quickly, burying his face into her hair. They needed time to grieve over the loss of the only man who had cared for them. But they still had eachother.
And for now, that was enough.
(huffs) For pete's sake, I hate Port Royal! I didn't like the world, I didn't like the movies, and I never will! So any Will/Jack fangirls, get outta here before I'm forced to attack you!