Pirates of the Caribbean: Extinction of A Legacy

Author's Note: As I said in the previous chapter, that was the actual beginning of the story. If I were doing this in series, this would be the beginning of the second series. But I just didn't have the titles for the series… not to mention the fact that I kind of don't finish what I started… unless its all in one big hunk of… whatever… ^^ my longest story was 36 chapters long! I'm strange, I know.

Enjoy the "Extinction of A Legacy"

Midnight-skies: I was trying to stay true to the movie, but I didn't want single sentences… so I rather merged it all together. Sorry about that. ^^;;

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Chapter XII: The Legend of the Serpent of Fire

For nearly a decade, Captain Jack Sparrow had searched for his ship- The Black Pearl. After enduring the torments of his own subconscious, drowning himself in Rum and women, all that his journey had earned him was a date with the gallows. Jack stood, unconcerned about his environment, he refused to look into the people's eyes, knowing there would be two emotions that would make him sneer with disgust- hatred and amusement- nobles would want nothing more than to see him hang to his death. But then, Jack no longer cared; he had given up. He reminisced about his adventures searching for the Pearl, smiling every so often as the list of things he'd done had been read.

The Pearl was the only thing he loved more than life itself. Regrets flowed through him; every decision he had ever made flashed through his mind. Then, he saw a memory he did not remember living. One of him with many children onboard the Pearl, with a loving wife, and a homely life. Jack never had children, nor did he have a wife, so how could he have a memory with them?

It wasn't a memory, he realized. It was a dream of his when he was very young, when he had first stepped onboard the Pearl. He had just lost his mother, and found his father- but he found his father was a lonely man, who wished of nothing more than to reunite the family. But his mother was an easily bought woman, and the thought of losing all her paying customers had convinced her to stay in Tortuga.

As the executor placed the noose around Jack's neck, he wondered what life could have been like if he had settled down. He imagined Ana-Maria and himself, happily married. Of course, he knew that it would never happen. Ana was more like a sister to him than anything was, but she was the only woman he actually knew- with the exception of the young Governor's daughter.

The drum roll started, and Jack breathed deeply. He looked around, wondering if his fate would not change. A feathered hat began to close in on his position.

"MOVE!"

As soon as Jack fell, there was a frail sword keeping him from breaking his neck. He thanked Will as the executor's axe cut his rope. He freed his bound hands with the sword that Will had thrust into the trap door. With a stunning display of teamwork and quick thinking, Jack and Will managed to run near the north wall, where Elizabeth had fallen.

" We had expected an escape," Joseph started, looking at Jack with pure contempt, then veered his gaze towards William. " But not from you."

Governor Swann shook his head in disapproval, " When we returned to Port Royal, I granted you clemency," he started. "This is how you repay me? He's a pirate!"

Will put down his sword, " And a good man!" he said defensively, gaining a smile from Jack. " If the hangman will earn two pairs of boots instead one, I will gladly do it. At least my conscience is clear"

Joseph looked at his sister's ward, not wishing to harm the only thing that his late sister had tried to 'save'. "You forget your place, Turner," Joseph spat, wishing to keep the boy safe, for the sake of his sister. He hoped the boy would stand down, but he didn't.

" It's right here- between you and Jack," Will replied rebelliously. Joseph became even more surprised as Elizabeth, his fiancée, moved towards Will and clasped his hand in hers.

"As is mine, " she added, looking into Will's eyes with as much love as Joseph had seen his father give Rebecca.

Joseph was speechless, the Governor had ordered the men to place their weapons down, but Joseph could only see Will and Elizabeth. But, instead of Will and Elizabeth, he saw Marion's mother- Rebecca and his father. He was so blind, hating a woman who freed his father and gave him love. And now, that same hatred had lost him his only sister.

Jack looked at the couple and was at awe at the look of commitment he saw in each other's face. He had never experienced it- sure, he had already tasted what only married couples should, more than a hundred times over… but he had never experienced 'love'. His expression was stoic for but a moment, until he saw a parrot fly away.

The Pearl

Jack clapped his hands. "Well then, I'm feeling rather good about this," he said, waiting for the opportune moment. As he gave his last words to both Norrington and the Governor, he stepped towards the wall, pinpointing the exact spot Elizabeth had fallen. He did not want to take the chance of hitting the rocks, so he made sure he was in the right position- or at least hoped he was in the right position.

'Here goes' he thought. "Friends, today is the day that you will always remember as the day-"

Tripping himself, he fell back into the ocean, welcoming the cold waters. As he surfaced, he saw the ship of his dreams- The Black Pearl. Swimming towards it, he caught a rope, which pulled him towards the Pearl's helm.

"The Black Pearl is yours," Ana-Maria said softly, placing his coat on.

Jack stood onboard his Pearl. Her sails were patched up, and were as black as the night. Her deck was polished, and the helm was just as he remembered. He swayed toward the tiller, and caressed it lovingly, feeling the freedom of the sea calling to him. He faintly remembered the crew was still watching him, waiting for orders.

"On deck, you scabrous dogs!" He barked, and looked out at the ocean. " Bring me that horizon…"

Humming a song he learned from Elizabeth, he looked at his compass, and set off for Tortuga- where he was certain a blond man was waiting for his arrival.

~*~*~

"Bring me back my staff, and you can have the 'Ring of Desire', Coralés. Think of the woman you have wanted for so long. As soon as she places on the ring, she is bound to you, heart, soul, and mind- for all eternity."

"How do I get it?"

"Find the Serpent of Fire, and you shall be led to the most wondrous treasures of the ancient worlds. Amongst them, is my staff. It is of the most rare metals of the world, making it unbreakable."

"I thought the Serpent of Fire was your staff."

"Fool. Those are the legends that have been passed down to confuse thieves such as yourself. The Serpent is a mere pendant of pure gold and rubies made from blood. It can find the keys that unlock the location of the hidden Isle. Hurry! My connection with the mortal realm does not last for a long time."

The crowd in the Blushing Bride was considerably less than yesterday, and the blond man in the corner of the bar eyed every person entering and leaving. His sharp emerald eyes scanned the men inside the bar, searching for an odd-looking pirate. The volume inside the bar was almost too much for him to endure, his ears not used to such torture.

Women shrieked and laughed as men had their way with them. Laughter and catcalls seemed to repeat every few seconds. Barmaids rushed in and out of the kitchen, bringing the drunken men their alcohol, and dragging other females outside.

A curvaceous woman blocked the man's view of the bar. She had bronze-colored skin, and her black hair was done in a stylish bun. For a moment, the man confused her for a girl he once knew, until he saw the color of her eyes. They weren't brown, instead, they were emerald- much like his.

" You need anythin' love?" she asked.

He growled and pushed her aside. " Don't bother."

The woman scoffed, and walked away, muttering about ignorant pirates. The man sat down, and was about to search the bar again, until a hand fell on his shoulder. He took out his dagger with incredible speed and had the owner of the arm pinned on the wall. His eyes widened as he realized that he had almost killed the person he was waiting for.

" Captain Sparrow," he breathed, sheathing the dagger back in his belt. " I was beginning to doubt your arrival."

Jack grinned and sat down in front of the blond man. " I got caught up with a previous engagement. Took longer than I had anticipated."

The man nodded and watched as Jack called the barmaid he had rudely shoved away. " 'ello love, rum for me and me friend here." The woman glared at Jack's 'friend' and went off to get his order.

"So, Mr…"

"Coralés," the man replied. " Michael Coralés."

"Right," Jack said, and continued, " Mr. Coralés, what exactly is the 'serpent of fire'?"

Coralés looked around him warily, then faced Jack once again. " The serpent is a pendant, amulet if you want, that leads to five keys," he started. He closed his mouth as the barmaid returned with two mugs of rum. She continued to glare at the blond man and muttered in what seemed like Spanish to him.

Jack looked at him with anticipation. " And-?"

Coralés shook his head and continued, " These five keys lead to a hidden Isle that contains to treasures of the ancient worlds. I need to find a priceless ring, it will," he stopped.

Looking at the man curiously, he asked, " It will what?"

" Make the perfect engagement ring," Coralés finished lamely, hoping the strange captain would not push the subject further.

" What's in it for me?" Jack asked, wondering what the man needed him for. " I don't see why you need me, or me crew."

" My crew is unable to sail as of the moment," Coralés replied truthfully. " We are in the market for a ship, and seeing as you do not fancy newcomers to your ship, I figured you could help me with this heist."

Jack kept listening, " How do you know I won't just take your map and leave?"

Coralés smiled, " I am the only one who can read the inscriptions on the pendant, as well as the map. You need me… just like I need you," he replied. " Since you don't trust newcomers to your ship, I shall sail my own with my own crew once we find a suitable ship."

Smiling, Jack raised his mug and Coralés did the same. They gave a little toast and drank to the journey. Two ships for one plunder. Jack knew something was off, but he could figure that out later on.

~*~*~

Ana-Maria looked out to shore, wondering when Briggs was to arrive. It had been days since she saw a new ship arrive on the port. She hoped Briggs was already in Tortuga, if not, Ana-Maria would have to leave the pearl early just to wait for him.

The more she thought about it, the more she wondered if Briggs wanted her to leave the Pearl. 'No… he needs me to watch out for Jack, but where are they?'

She looked around, and found Jack swaying towards the Pearl. Praying she could convince him to stay for another day, she plastered on a grin and helping him aboard. She noticed that he was not even remotely drunk, and was carrying a golden casket in his arms.

'Capt. Briggs, you better know what the hell you're doing' she thought.

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Author's Note: And the dialogue is not really… it's not the same as in the movie… I couldn't quite remember the 'long' words. ^^ I haven't used them in a sentence before, I don't think…