"The Return"

AUTHOR: Melissa (otherwise know as, JohnnyDee)

RATING: PG-13 for later chapters.

EMAIL: melismelli_101_@hotmail.com

DISCLAIMER: I do not own POTC, blah, blah, blah.

TIMELINE: 13 years after POTC.

DISTRIBUTION: johnnydeppzone.com, fanfiction.net, and other sites.

CHAPTER: 18.The Curse of the Monkey

The six held their heads high while they were taunted by the crew as they

assembled into the boats. Elizabeth quickly sat down next to Will when a rough hand

gripped her shoulder. "You'll be joining me on my boat.Miss Turner!" said Barbossa as

he jerked her up and threw her into the empty boat. Turning back to Will, Elizabeth said

nothing as the boats soon left the ship, rowing towards the island that loomed

mysteriously ahead beneath the moonlight and thick fog.

They rowed into the caves, entering them as darkness soon enveloped the

boats. All that could be heard was the soft slashing of the oars against the mysteriously

smooth waters of the caves. Looking at the soft glitter of the gold in the water, Will

remembered what Jack had said to him. 'Not all treasure is silver and gold.' Will

thought about this, not realizing Jack was doing the same.

Jack's mind was reeling as he could distinctly hear a small jingle of coins.

Looking next to him, he saw a small chest upon a small island, surrounded by the murky

water. Peering into the darkness Jack saw just what he needed. "Not all treasure is silver

and gold!" he said aloud, under his breath.

* ~ ~ * ~~ ~ *

Coming to an embankment, the all climbed out of the boats, each of the

six being held by one pirate of another. They were led into caves and all felt a feeling of

remembrance, seeing the large stone chest that sat upon the pile of treasure. Here they

waited, as Barbossa climbed the pile. "Well, well gentlemen. Here we be again!" he said

while the crew broke out in laughter. "Only this time....it be I who's getting the

freedom!" Elizabeth looked over desperately at Catherine whose eyes were closed and

chin was raised in ignorance. How could she be so defiant right now? When she was in

such grave danger!

"Bring me the girl!" Barbossa yelled. The stodgy men lead Catherine over

to the chest, while Barbossa took her and held her over the chest. Chuckling to himself,

he pulled out a long, bony knife from his belt. Slowly rubbing his finger over the blade,

he looked over at Elizabeth then back at Catherine. "I be remembering when I did this to

you sister in-law! The way it cuts into the flesh, only leaving a trail of burning skin and

blood!" Catherine stared into the man's eyes and she spat in his face.

Barbossa wiped his face as he stared back at Catherine. Quickly, he

slapped hard across the face. "Her head bent back then fell forward to the same position

she previously was in. "You wench!" Barbossa grimaced as he stared at the red welt that

now formed on her face. "Don't lay a hand on her again Barbossa!" Bill yelled as he

struggled against his captor.

Turning to Bill, Barbossa yelled back, "I won't be listening to the likes of

you Bootstrap or anyone of you!" he said pointing at them with the knife. "Or it's the gun

you'll knife you'll speak to!" Turning back to Catherine, he smiled. "Let's not prolong

this any longer!" Pulling her head down above the chest, he placed the knife directly

against her throat. As he prepared to pull his arm back, a voice spoke up. "I don't think

that's a good idea, Barbossa!" Jack said amongst the throng of pirates.

Jerking his head up, Bootstrap searched the crowd for his interrupter. Jack

came forward, with a pirate still clenching his shoulder. Barbossa sighed loudly as he

replied, "What makes ye think I'll listen to you!" "Because..." Jack said as he swatted the

hand off his shoulder. "Because it's not going to work!" Barbossa rolled his eyes. "And

why would that be!" Barbossa said, becoming impatient.

Jack walked forward as he continued. "The reason the girl's blood won't

work mate, is because...there is one among us who is still cursed!" A ripple of gasps

went through the men as Barbossa stared in confusion. "What in the blazes do you mean?

We were rid of the curse a long 13 years ago! Not a soul has disturbed the island of Isla

De Muerta since!" Barbossa yelled. Jack smiled as he fingered his pistol. "Maybe

Barbossa. But what if there be one of your men that still holds the curse!"

"How could that be?" Barbossa questioned still disturbed that his freedom

was being pushed further and further. "I'll show ye'!" Jack said when a sudden screech

echoed in the cave. Everyone looked around, questioning from where the sound could

have come. There was a clatter of gold and a small monkey soon climbed up onto

Barbossa's shoulder. Barbossa turned and smiled. "Why it be Jack? My faithful first

mate!"

"What's he have to do with the curse?" Barbossa quickly questioned Jack

after giving the monkey a quick pet. "Jack flashed his gold teeth. "Why don't you see for

yourself?" Jack said, nodding towards the streak of pale moonlight coming from the hole

in the cave. Barbossa looked behind at the small pillar of moonlight. Slowly backing

towards it, Barbossa stopped when he was fully beneath it. Catherine gasped as the

scraggy monkey soon turned into a thin skeletal creature.

Barbossa looked at the monkey for a while, then turned back to Jack, (Jack

Sparrow that is.) "I don't believe you. Jack here being cursed has nothing to do with my

own curse. Besides," Barbossa said as he pulled out his pistol. "I've had enough from

you!" Cocking the pistol, Barbossa aimed it at Jack and pulled the trigger as he said,

"Goodbye mate!" The shot echoed in the cave and Charlotte screamed as Jack slowly fell

to the ground, his hat slowly slipping to the water floating next to him.