Chapter 69
"We'll need to use the Black Pearl as a flagship to lead the attack.", said Elizabeth as she and the others arrived back on the Pearl.
"Oh, will we now?", question Hector.
Meanwhile, Tia, who's entire body is tied up, was guided by Pintel on the main deck.
"All right, Mrs. Fish.", said Pintel. "Come on."
Will look shock. "Barbossa, you can't release her."
Everyone then pointed their guns at Elizabeth and Will.
"Hey, stop it!", said Juvia.
"They weren't gonna do anything!", said Gray.
"We need to give Jack a chance.", said Elizabeth.
Hector the spoke. "Apologies, Your Majesty. Too long my fate has not been in me own hands." He then grabbed the necklace around her neck. "No longer." He then pulled the necklace off of her.
"Sorry.", said Erza. "But she may help us right now."
Raggeti then put a bowl in front of Tia, which had the nine pieces of eight in it. Hector came up and put the last two pieces in the bowl.
"Be there some manner of rite or incantation?", asked Gibbs.
"Aye.", answered Hector. "The items brought together, done. Items to be burned..." Raggeti then gave Hector a burnt staff with smoke still blowing while Hector poured some oil into the bowl. "And someone must speak the words: 'Calypso, I release you from your human bonds.'"
"Is that it?", asked Pintel.
"'Tis said it must be spoken as if to a lover."
Everyone on the ship smiled.
"Perves.", said an annoyed Gray.
Hector raised the staff and shouted, "Calypso, I release you from your human bonds!"
Everyone started to back away and brace themselves while Hector made the staff touched the bowl. But when it hit the bowl, nothing happen. It was quiet and there was no change to Tia. Everyone looked confused.
"Is that it?", asked Pintel.
Raggeti spoke. "No, no, no. He didn't say it right." Hector gave Raggeti a serious look, making Raggeti a little nervous. "He didn't… You have to say it right." He then went up to Tia and said very softly into her ear, "Calypso… I release you from your human bonds."
Tia sneezed into the bowl, causing it to burst into flames and surprising everyone. As the pieces continued to burn, Tia started to tremble in pain. She then moved close to the bowl and sniffed the smoke coming from the bowl.
"Tia Dalma.", said Will as he came up to her, but was held back by some pirates. She continued to sniff. "Calypso…" She immediately stop sniffing and gave Will a serious look. Someone dropped the bowl. "When the Brethren Court imprisoned you, who was it that told them how?" She continued to shiver. "Who was it that betrayed you?"
"Name him.", she said furiously.
"Davy Jones."
Tia looked shocked and was about to cry. But then her expression turned to pain and monstrous noises came from her. Everyone backed up in fear, but some who had ropes that connected to Tia held a firm grip to it. She then quickly started to grow taller and the ropes around her began to move tightly around her as she continued to grow.
"This is it!", shouted Pintel. "This is it!"
"Be careful!", said Lily.
The men were freaking out as they started to loose grip to the ropes as Tia continued to grow. Some ropes snapped off of her while some snapped off of the railings, causing damage to the ship. Due to her growth, the wood Tia was standing on started to snap and break, but she did not fall through the ship. Once she reached the same height as the sail, she stopped growing.
Hector slowly came up to her and shouted, "Calypso!" He then bowed to her and the others bowed to her as well. "I come before you as but a servant, humble and contrite. I have fulfilled me vow and now ask your favor." Tia, now Calypso, looked curious. "Spare meself, me ship, me crew...but unleash your fury upon those who dare pretend themselves your masters...or mine."
She then smiled at them. But then her expression turned to anger and she furiously yelled at them with words that are hard to understand. Everyone backed away but held onto the ropes firmly. But that was useless, as Calypso immediately turned into white crabs and they all fell onto the ship, covering everyone with the crabs. They all screamed as the crabs fell on them. But it didn't last long as the crabs on the ship fell into the ocean, clearing the main deck.
"Is that it?", asked Will.
Everyone then looked down at the water.
"Why, she's no help at all.", said a disappointed Pintel.
They then saw a ship approach them.
They also heard someone said, "Finally, we made it!"
"That sounded like Natsu.", said Erza.
The crew went over to the approaching ship and saw Sora, Donald, Goofy, Natsu, Happy, Lucy, Wendy, Charle and Laxus on it.
"Guys! Are you okay?", shouted Sora.
"Sora…", said Will with relief. "You're a welcoming sight!"
The group then aboard the Black Pearl, reuniting with their friends.
"We've all been quite worried about you.", said Elizabeth.
"Eh, we did alright.", said Natsu.
Sora looked down and noticed the white crabs moving on the ship.
"Isn't that…?", he question.
"Sora?"
"Where's Jack? And Tia Dalma? And Gajeel?"
Will, Elizabeth, and the mages that were with them had a guilty look on their faces.
"I'm afraid you've missed a few things while you've been gone."
"Jack…", said Will. "He's...he's been taken by Cutler Beckett. And Gajeel went with him."
"What?!", they all said with shock.
"Those bastards have are friends?!", said a furious Natsu.
"Yes, and Beckett commands Davy Jones and the Flying Dutchman."
"How did Gajeel get captured?", question Happy.
"He didn't.", said Lily. "He went with Jack to find the chest, since he believes the Organization is after it."
"Well he was right.", said Laxus. "A man named Luxord, who's a member of the Organization, is after it. We encountered him when we were searching for you guys."
"Then it was a good thing he went with him.", said Erza.
"But what were you doing here?", asked Wendy.
Will spoke. "Barbossa thought we could defeat them if we released Calypso, the goddess of the sea, who was really Tia Dalma, bound in human form." He then sighed. "But it didn't work."
"Aye, a fickle goddess Calypso be.", said Hector as he stared at the ocean.
"So what now?", asked Goofy.
"Nothin'. Our final hope has failed us."
Sora remember what Tia said again. Use that key to free me, Sora, and you have my most certain promise-all the power on the sea you ever wish for be yours. He then realized something. So… Tia Dalma was Calypso. She's the one who was helping us. And you know what? I think...that she might just be able to help us again.
"You can't give up now.", said Sora. "We can all fight, together. The sea belongs to everyone!"
"Yeah. I'm giving up!", said Natsu.
"I said that. Don't copy my expressions!", said Donald.
"Huh? You did?"
"Sometimes it just goes in one ear and right out the other.", said Goofy.
"Wait… Really?"
"Yes!", said Donald.
"Who cares, just look up!", said a nervous Lucy as she pointed at the sky.
Everyone looked up and saw two large dark clouds colliding with each other, causing the area to be foggy and the winds became strong.
Elizabeth then said, "It's not over. There's still hope for us."
"There's still a fight to be had.", said Will.
"We've an armada against us, and with the Dutchman, there's no chance.", said Gibbs.
"Who cares! We're strong!", said Natsu.
"There's only a fool's chance.", said Elizabeth.
Hector came up to her and said, "Revenge won't bring your father back, Miss Swann, and it's not something I'm intending to die for."
She then turned around and faced Hector. "You're right. Then what shall we die for?"
She then walked up towards the crew. "You will listen to me." She then got on the railing on the deck and shouted, "Listen!"
"The Brethren will still be looking here to us, to the Black Pearl, to lead. And what will they see? Frightened bilge rats aboard a derelict ship? No. No, they will see free men and freedom! And what the enemy will see is the flash of our cannons. They will hear the ring of our swords, and they will know what we can do. By the sweat of our brows, and the strength of our backs...and the courage of our hearts. Gentlemen...hoist the colors."
"Hoist the colors.", said Will.
"Aye.", said Gibbs. "The wind's on our side, boys. That's all we need!"
"Hoist the colors!", shouted Sora.
Everyone then gave a battle cry and also shouted, "Hoist the colors!" Even pirates on the other ships shouted as well. All of the ships then raised their flags on their ships, showing they are ready to fight. All of the captains watched as this was happening, with a serious look.
All of the ships began to move for the battle while rain suddenly fell hard from the sky. It also thundered as well.
Gibbs was shouting orders. "Man the capstan. Raise the main topyard. Keep that powder dry."
Lightning then hit the ocean and it created a large whirlpool in the ocean, a maelstrom. There were three ships that were approaching it: Sora's, the Black Pearl, and the Flying Dutchman.
"Maelstrom!", shouted Gibbs.
Elizabeth looked shocked and said, "Captain Barbossa! We need you at the helm."
Hector faced her very calmly and said, "Aye, that be true." He then went up to the wheel and grabbed it, taking control of the ship. "Brace up yards, you crack-handed deck apes." Elizabeth smiled. "Dying is the day worth living for."
On Sora's ship, Lucy, Wendy, Happy, and Charle were terrified.
"Are we seriously doing this!", she shouted with fear.
"I'm too cute to die!", said Happy.
"They're doing it, we gotta help them!", said Sora.
"We will help.", said a scared Wendy.
"Who new riding on a ship would be this fun!", said Natsu.
"Prepare for battle when the enemy comes close!", said Erza.
Back on the Pearl, Will saw the Dutchman approaching the Maelstrom and shouted, "She's on our stern and gaining."
"More speed! Haul your wind and hold your water."
The Pearl and Sora's ship entered the mailstrom, riding on it during the attack. The cannons on the Dutchman ship came out from inside the ship and started firing at the Pearl. The attack almost hit Hector and Elizabeth while the waves started to hit the crew.
Will came up to Hector and shouted, "Take us out or they'll overbear us."
"Nay.", Hector responded. "Further in. We'll cut across to faster waters."
"Prepare to broadside.", shouted Elizabeth.
Hector spin the wheel and the Pearl started to move closer to the vortex.
"Captain the guns. Bear a hand.", shouted Gibbs.
"Muster your courage, men.", said Will. "At the ready."
The men on the ship then started loading the cannons.
Back on the Dutchman, Jack was still talking to himself while Gajeel was getting annoyed by this. Hearing enough of Jack, Gajeel transform his right arm into a sword and slash then bars, freeing him and Jack.
Jack looked surprised. "Or we can do that."
"Let's get the chest. I'm itching for a fight.", said Gajeel as he left the cell.
"Wish us luck, boys.", said Jack as he was leaving the cell. "We'll need it."
Back outside, both the Dutchman and the Pearl were firing at each other.
"Fire!", shouted Will.
The men continued to fire at the Dutchman, causing damage to it. But the Dutchman kept on firing back at them, which knocked off and destroyed some wood to the ship.
"Come on, men.", shouted Gibbs.
Despite being fired at, the crew continued to attack the Dutchman and reloaded the cannons.
"It be too late to alter course now, mateys.", said Hector as he laughed.
Back on the Dutchman, Jack and Gajeel entered a room where the chest is on a small table. But they were not alone, two of Backett's men were guarding the chest, each one holding a small cannon. When the guards saw them, they pointed the cannons at them.
"Halt there or we'll shoot.", said one of the guards.
Gajeel responded by transforming his skin into iron. The guards were terrified when they saw it, but they stood firm with the cannons. Then, there was a small explosion behind the guards, but they were still okay.
Jack smiled. "Good one." He then went over to a nearby table and grabbed his sword. "I just come to get me effects. You should stop what you're doing, mate."
Gajeel then transformed back. "Admirable though it may be, why are you here when you could be elsewhere?"
"Someone has to stay and guard the chest.", said one of the guards.
The other guard faced him and said, "There's no question, there's a breakdown in military discipline on this vessel."
Jack and Gajeel came up to the chest without the two guards noticing. Both were looking at them with confusion.
"I blame the fish people."
Jack was about to speak, but was interrupted by the guard.
"Oh, so fish people by dint of being fish people automatically aren't as disciplined as non-fish people?"
Without them noticing, because they are arguing, Jack just took the box in front of them and left with Gajeel, who gave a sweat drop.
"Idiots.", said Gajeel as the two of them left the room.
Meanwhile on Sora's ship, the group was watching them fight and were amazed at what is happening.
Suddenly, a dark corridor appeared behind Sora and Luxord appeared.
Everyone turned to face him and Sora said, "I knew it was you!"
Luxord didn't pay attention to them as he was looking at the Dutchman fighting the Pearl.
"So that's the Flying Dutchman.", he said with awe.
"You…", said a surprised Juvia. "You sound like that Necromancer from Tartaros!"
"I'm not a necromancer.", said an annoyed Luxord. "Right now, I'm getting that chest."
"The chest Jack told you about has the heart of Davy Jones in it.", said Sora. "There's no way it's the chest that you're looking for!"
Luxord chuckled. "No one knows what's in the chest we're looking for. If it's a black box, then we are to collect it, simple as that."
"You don't know what's in it?"
"You mean you're going on a wild goose chase?!", question Lucy.
"Why do you need it? How will you know you've found it?"
"Got me. Regrettably, the higher-ups haven't deigned to tell us. But they did say the box contains 'hope.'"
They all looked confused.
"That's all you'll get from me." He looked at the Pearl, who was still firing at the Dutchman. "Hmm, it's far too chaotic to find the box like this. Perhaps I'll remove that ship from the picture." He then snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, the Pearl was lifted into the air by large tentacles. The crew on the Pearl were surprised to see them as the tentacles came down and started slamming them on the main deck, causing the crew to run away from them. The group watched in horror as the ship was being attacked.
"Now, this should afford me time to look.", said Luxord as he disappeared into a dark corridor.
"They're looking for hope?", question Sora.
"Now is not the time to be worried about it!", said Erza as she requiped into her Black-Wing armor.
"Will and the others need us!", said Goofy.
"Yeah, I know!", said Sora as he took control of the wheel. "Natsu, Wendy, Erza and Laxus. Fly over to the Pearl and help them. We'll fire the cannons at it from there.
"Got it!"
Happy, Charle, and Lily took Natsu, Wendy, and Laxus respectfully to the Pearl while Erza flew over there because of her armor.
"Load the cannons and fire!"
The group listen to Sora and started firing the cannons at the Kraken, causing several tentacles to go down. Natsu and the others arrived near the Pearl and started attacking it with their magic.
"I'm supposed to eat you!", said Happy. "You can't attack me!"
"Lightning Dragon's Roar!"
"Sky Dragon's Roar!"
Laxus and Wendy combined their attacks and destroyed several tentacles.
"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"
Natsu burned a tone of tentacles with his wing attack.
"Natsu, wanna eat them raw!", said Happy.
"I saved you one!", said Natsu as he held two large tentacles, one raw and one burnt.
"All right!"
On the Pearl, everyone was fighting off the tentacles that were on the ship and watching the mages fight. Will and Elizabeth were fighting near each other.
"Elizabeth.", shouted Will as he cut a tentacle. "Will you marry me?"
"What?!", shouted the mages.
Elizabeth looked surprised upon hearing that. But then a tentacle was about to hit them, so they dodged it.
"I don't think now's the best time.", she said.
"Now may be the only time." He then attacked another tentacle. "I love you. I've made my choice. What's yours?"
"Barbossa.", she shouted. "Marry us."
Hector was busy fighting two tentacles near him. "I'm a little busy at the moment.", he said. He was then pinned against the railing by the tentacle. But Erza sliced it and landed in front of him.
"Do it!", she demanded. "I wanna see!"
"Barbossa, now.", shouted Will.
"Fine, then.", he said as he continued to fight the tentacles. "Dearly beloved, we be gathered here today…" He was interrupted by an incoming tentacle, but Wendy destroyed it with her sky magic. "To nail your gizzards to the mast, you poxy cur."
Will and Elizabeth dodged another tentacle and Natsu destroyed it.
Will spoke. "Elizabeth Swann, do you take me to be your husband?"
"I do.", she said with great joy.
"Great."
"Will Turner, do you take me...to be your wife...in sickness and in health...with health being the less likely?"
"I do."
"This is wonderful.", said a tearful Erza as she sliced another tentacle without even looking at it.
Hector spoke. "As captain, I now pronounce you…" He then lost balance. But got back up. "You may kiss…" He got slammed onto the floor. "You may kiss…" Will and Elizabeth kept dodging the attacks. "Just kiss.", he said as he struggled to get back up.
Elizabeth grabbed Wills arm, pulled him towards her, and they both kissed on the lips.
On Sora's ship, they fired cannons at the Kraken and hit it.
"Natsu, now!", shouted Laxus.
"Got it!"
"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
Natsu sent that attack directly at the Kraken. It's flames burned the Kraken completely and it disappeared into the ocean, causing the Pearl to fall. Everyone on the Pearl lost balance and they all grabbed onto something.
"Everyone grabbed the bottom of the ship!", shouted Erza.
The mages flew to the bottom of the ship and stopped it from falling with their hands.
"Got it!", said Natsu as he tried to hold onto it.
"Lower it gently.", said Charle.
They all flew down slowly. Once they were close to the sea, they let go of the ship and flew away, causing it to drop hard. Everyone on the ship seemed alright.
"Okay. Next is the Dutchman!", said Natsu.
"And I get to eat the tentacle after!", said Happy.