A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this up. I was... err.. distracted. Yeah, that's it. Anyway, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to the Wild Mage of Tortall who wouldn't leave me alone until I updated ^^; and Rachel because she's AWESOME. Anyway. Onwards. Leave a review on your way out, but what I would really appreciate most is constructive criticism. Thanks.

A/N 2: Thanks to Kayden Eidyak (was Wild Mage of Tortall) for letting me know I missed two lines ;; I swear I had them written down, someone just kept rushing me XD (ironic how it's the same person, isn't it?)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

By: Savvy Jack Sparrow

-

Captain Jack Sparrow stood on the mast of his boat, his pirate clothes fluttering in the wind.  A small, torn flag billowed beside him as he looked straight ahead.  His hair was dark brown and matted, tousled and unkempt.  Beads, dirt and bones hung from his hair, among other things.  A red bandana was wrapped around his head.  There was an air of dignity around him as he stood there, his left hand gripping the mast pole.  He had the skin of a man who had been in the sun for hours daily, toiling upon a ship, a deep, rich tan of dark brown.

He glanced down at his boat and noticed that it was once again filling up with water.  Jumping down, he grabbed a bucket and began to bail it out when something caught his attention.  Lifting his gaze, he saw the skeletons of three pirates hanging from the rocks.  A sign hanging next to the bodies read, "Pirates, Ye be warned."  Jack took off his triangular hat and placed it to his chest, and then lifted his hand to his head in a salute before continuing to ensure that his small boat would not sink.

Jack was headed for the city of Port Royal.  The docks were busy, filled with other sailors, and ships coming in from long voyages.  Some men were struggling to life several goats out of their boat; it seemed that the docks were also used as a place to barter.  People began noticing various objects float by and they momentarily stopped what they were doing and looked up.

The pirate stood proudly upon the mast of his boat - the only part that remained above water, not paying heed to the stares being sent his way.  A most excellent entrance, Jack thought to himself as he easily stepped off the mast onto the dock.  His boat now lay completely submerged, save for the top two feet or so where he had been standing.

Jack sauntered down the length of the wooden dock, passing the harbormaster and ignoring his gape.  He was about to turn the corner when a voice stopped him.


"What? Hold up there, you!"

The oddly dressed man stopped, spun around, and half-drunkenly swayed as he walked back. 

"It's a shilling to tie up your boat at the docks."  They both turned to look at the sunken boat.  "And I shall need to know your name," the harbormaster added.


Jack held up a finger and dug around in his pocket.  He pulled out three shillings which he placed on the book the man was holding out.  "What d'ye say to three shillings, and we forget the name?"

The harbormaster looked down at the silver coins, considered, and then smiled.  "Welcome to Port Royal, Mr. Smith."  Jack placed his hands together, bowed slightly in thanks, and then resumed walking down the dock, stopping at the corner to pick up the small bag of coins that the harbormaster had left.  He jingled it near his ear and with a satisfied smile, continued on his way.

******

Meanwhile, at Norrington's promotion ceremony, two lines of red-coated soldiers stood stock still, awaiting orders.

"Two paces front! Right about turn! Present arms!"

Norrington walked forward and nodded to the sword being held out to him.  He carefully grasped it and pointed it forwards, and then waited to receive his promotion.

******

Jack stood hidden among the trees and examined the ships around him.  His eyes landed on one in particular.  Aye, that will do nicely.

He swaggered down the wooden platform, making his way towards the ship in mind, only to be stopped by two indignant British soldiers.

"This dock is off limits to civilians."

Jack smiled.  "I'm terribly sorry, I didn't know. If I see one, I shall inform you immediately."  He moved to his right in attempt to continue on his way, but the soldiers rushed in front of him, once again making him halt.  "Apparently there's some sort of high toned and fancy to do up at the fort, eh?" he commented, not sounding concerned.  "How could it be that two upstanding gentlemen such as yourselves did not merit an invitation?"

The skinnier guard narrowed his eyes and answered shortly, "Someone needs to make sure this dock stays off limits to civilians."

"It's a fine goal to be sure, but it seems to me that a," Jack shifted to his left and pointed at the large ship anchored nearby, "ship like that makes this one a bit superfluous, really."

"Ah, the Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough, but there's no ship that can match the Interceptor for speed,"

"I've heard of one," Jack said thoughtfully, "supposed to be very fast, nigh uncatchable... the Black Pearl."


"Well, there's no real ship that can match the Interceptor," the stouter soldier broke in with a smirk.

"The Black Pearl is a real ship," Murtogg corrected, staring at his partner Mullroy.

"No, no it's not."

"Yes it is, I've see it."

"You've seen it?"

"Yes."

"You haven't seen it."

"Yes, I have."

Jack shifted his gaze from one to the other and rolled his eyes in bored amusement.

"You've seen a ship with black sails, that's crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that Hell itself spat him back out?"

Murtogg paused and thought.  "No."

Satisfied with the answer, Murtogg turned back to Jack, who offered a quick smile.  "No."

"But I have seen a ship with black sails," Murtogg added.

Mullroy switched his attention back to the soldier.  "Oh, so no ship that's not crewed by the damned and..." Jack arched his eyebrows and slipped away to the Interceptor as the two of them continued to banter.  "...captained by a man so evil that Hell itself spat him back out could possibly have black sails therefore couldn't possibly be any other ship that the Black Pearl. Is that what you're saying?"

Murtogg nodded confidently.  "No."

"Like I said, there's no real ship that can match the Intercept –" Mullroy turned to look at Jack to find the pirate had left.  They looked over at the Interceptor to find Jack at the wheel of the ship.

"Hey! You! Get away from there!" Murtogg shouted, grabbing his bayonet and jumping onto the ship, followed by Mullroy.

"You don't have permission to be aboard there, mate."

"I'm sorry, it's just such a pretty boat –" Jack began to apologize, and then quickly corrected himself, "—ship."

"What's your name?" Murtogg asked suspiciously.


"Smith, or... Smithy, if you like."

"What's your purpose in Port Royal, Mr. Smith?" he inquired, full of contempt.


"Yeah, and no lies!" Murtogg piped up.

"Well then, I confess," Jack said, stepping forward and throwing his hands up.  "It is my intention to commandeer one of these ships, pick up a crew in Tortuga, raid, pillage, plunder, and otherwise pilfer my weasley black guts out!"

"I said no lies!"

"I think he's telling the truth."

"If he were telling the truth, he wouldn't have told us."

"Unless, of course, he knew you wouldn't believe the truth even if he told it to you," Jack replied.

Murtogg opened his mouth, closed it, and then gave Mullroy a confused look of bewilderment.

******

Back at the Fort, an after party was taking place.  Food and wine were served; there was dancing, and violins and cellos played together in a tune of celebration.

Norrington, now Commodore Norrington, approached Elizabeth.  "May I have a moment?"

The young woman nodded and followed the older man to the battlements, feeling slightly dizzy from the lack of air that was being given to her due to the confinements of her corset.

"You look lovely, Elizabeth. I apologize if I seem forward, but I... must speak my mind. This promotion throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved... a marriage to a fine woman."  He stopped pacing and faced her.  "You have become a fine woman, Elizabeth."

She fanned herself rapidly and murmured faintly, "I can't breathe."  Her other hand was clutching at her corset.

"Yes, I'm a bit nervous myself," Norrington admitted, resuming his pacing and turning away.


Elizabeth fainted and stumbled.  She fell over the battlement into the ocean below.

******

"And then they made me their chief," Jack said to the guards, still aboard the Interceptor.  The splash caused by the woman falling in the water distracted them from his story.  They simultaneously turned to see what had caused the interruption.

******

"Elizabeth?" Norrington asked tentatively when there came no answer.  He turned to find the woman gone and looked over the edge of the battlement to see the ripples in the ocean.  Clutching the stone wall, the commodore cried frantically, "Elizabeth!"  He tore off his blue coat and was about to jump in after her when a hand grabbed his shoulder. 


"The rocks! Sir, it's a miracle she missed them!"  Gillette said with a hint of warning.


Norrington stared at the lieutenant before nodding and moving to take the stairs.

******

The three men were still staring at the area where Elizabeth had fallen in.  Jack turned to Mullroy and asked pleasantly, "Will you be savin' her, then?"

The plump man shook his head.  "I can't swim!"

Jack glanced at Murtogg to get the same response.  "Pearl of the King's Navy you are," he growled.  He handed the guards his effects (which comprised of his hat, compass, sword and pistol).  "Do not lose these," he warned before diving in after Elizabeth.

Elizabeth sunk unconsciously to the bottom of the ocean, her body hitting the ground.  The medallion floated out of her bodice and then froze momentarily.  It was calling out to the Black Pearl.

On the surface, the water shifted.  "What was that...?" Murtogg trailed off and looked up at the British flag, which was billowing strongly as a gust of wind swept Port Royal.  That was odd.  The weather had been fine before...

Jack swam down and collected the woman in his arms and surfaced, gasping for air.  He tried to swim to the Interceptor but found the body to be too heavy.  Gritting his teeth, he once again went under and struggled to rip off the soaking dress from the unmoving Elizabeth.  Several minutes later, he pulled both of them onto the dock.

"I got her," Murtogg said, grabbing Elizabeth and dragging her onto the dry land.  "Not breathing!"

"Move!" Jack shoved him aside and pulled out a knife in which he cut the corset and ripped it off.  Elizabeth coughed out the seawater and then began to take in deep, gasping gulps of air.  He handed the corset to Murtogg. 

"Never would have though of that."

"Clearly, you've never been to Singapore," he muttered, giving Mullroy a look.  The shine of gold grasped Jack's attention and he fingered the medallion, a strange glint in his eyes.  "Where did you get that?"

The cold metal of a sword met his neck.  Jack warily turned his head to find Norrington staring down at him with distaste.   "On your feet."

Governor Swann rushed over to Elizabeth and helped her up.  "Elizabeth.  Are you alright?" He asked frantically and wrapping her in a coat.

"Yes, I'm fine."

The worried father looked at the red-coated soldier who was still holding the cut corset.  Murtogg dropped them hastily and pointed to Jack.  "Shoot him!"

"Father! Commodore, do you really intend to kill my rescuer?" Elizabeth demanded indignantly.

Norrington offered his hand.  "I believe thanks are in order."  Jack glanced down at the man's hand, and hesitantly reached out to shake it.  The commodore firmly grasped his hand and yanked up Jack's sleeve, revealing a 'P' burned into his skin.  "Had a brush with the East India Trading Company, did we, pirate?"

Jack winced.

"Hang him!" Governor Swann called out, holding onto his daughter protectively.

"Keep your guns on him, men.  Gillette, fetch some irons." Norrington spotted the tattoo of a sparrow in flight.  "Well, well... Jack Sparrow, isn't it?"

"Captain Jack Sparrow, please, sir."

"I don't see your ship... Captain."

Jack smiled and leaned forward.  "I'm in the market, as it were."

"He said he'd come to commandeer one."

"Told ya he was tellin' the truth," Mullroy boasted.  "These are his, sir."  He handed Norrington Jack's effects.

Norrington picked up the pistol and inspected it.  "No additional shots, nor powder," he said in a bored tone of voice, flicking open the compass.  "A compass that doesn't point north."  He unsheathed the sword and gaze Jack a wry smile.  "And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are, without doubt, the worst pirate I've ever heard of."

"Ah, but you have heard of me," Jack replied, a drunk grin playing on his lips.

He was pulled harshly down the wooden dock to be put into chains.

"Commodore," Elizabeth exclaimed, wrenching herself free from her father's tight grasp and chasing after them.  "I really must protest!"

"Careful, Lieutenant," Norrington warned as the irons were clamped over Jack's wrists.

"Pirate or not, this man saved my life!"

"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness."

Jack's head appeared from behind Gillette.  "Though it seems to be enough to condemn him."

"Indeed," Norrington said with a tone of finality.

Gillette finished clasping the irons and moved away from the pirate.

"Finally."  Jack threw his irons around Elizabeth's neck, who gasped and tried to pull free.

"I knew you'd warm up to me. Commodore Norrington, my effects please, and me hat."  The man made no move.  "Commodore! Elizabeth, isn't it?" Jack asked, putting his mouth close to her ear.

"It's Miss Swann," she snapped, attempting to move away.

"Miss Swann, if you'd be so kind," Jack said as his belongings were brought forward.  "Come, come dear, we don't have all day. Now if you'd be very kind."

She strapped on his sword and slammed his hat onto his head.  He smirked and brought his arm around Elizabeth to make it easier for her.  Norrington and Governor Swann looked away in disgust.  Elizabeth tugged on his waist, attaching the compass and pistol to his belt.

"Easy on the goods, darlin'."

"You're despicable," she spat.

"Sticks and stones, love. I saved your life, you saved mine, we're square. Gentlemen," Jack nodded to the group of soldiers, "m'lady. You will always remember this as the day you almost caught," He took a step backwards. "Captain," another step backwards, "Jack Sparrow."

He threw his hands over her neck, pushed her forward into Norrington and grabbed the rope next to him.  His foot kicked into the chain and steel at the base of the wooden structure and, still holding the rope, was pulled upwards.  His head connected with the protruding wood at the top and he let out a cry as he began to be swung in the air as the structure rotated.

"Now will you shoot him?!" Governor Swann demanded, clutching Elizabeth.

"Open fire!" Norrington yelled.  The soldiers began to shoot at the pirate swinging above them.

Jack finally found footing on another thin strip of wood, similar to the one he was swinging from.  He put his bound hands over the rope attached and slid down.  Once his feet connected with the solid ground, he bolted for cover, dodging the bullets aimed his way as he crossed the stone bridge.

"Oh his heels! Gillette," Norrington addressed the lieutenant standing beside him.  "Mr. Sparrow has a dawn appointment with the gallows. I would hate for him to miss it."

******

A/N: Thanks to Kayden (again) for revising this chapter.  Besides being my beta reader, she's going to be collaborating with me on this story =) If you're interested in Tamora Pierce, go check out her fics! Thanks again, and leave a review on your way out.