A/N: I'm rather obsessed with the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (both the comic and the movie), and naturally I read through the appendices at the backs of the comics, which often tell of earlier or future incarnations of the League. One of these was a League of Extraordinary Pirates. I decided to write my own incarnation of them, so, with the help of my little brother, I thought of some members (plucked from movies, books, and history) and I was set. I'm sorry if anyone is offended by the term I have the utmost respect for the Muslim culture, and I only inserted the term to create a historical feel. Oh, and if you're looking for some doe-eyed Bloom-y goodness, I'm sorry ; Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann won't be making an appearance. Hope you enjoy it!
For the first time in his life, a thought entered Jack Sparrow's head: There are too many pirates. Indeed, many would feel the same way, confronted with the scene before the pirate: No less than four other buccaneers were seated at the dusty table in front of him. On the far right was a man with flowing dark hair and his hat pulled low over his eyes. Next to him was a stubbly man with a black tricorner hat not unlike Jack's own sitting on his head. There was a parrot perched on his left shoulder. Jack didn't normally hold with pets, but he owed quite a lot to a certain parrot, so he didn't mind the species as a whole. The man leaned on a crutch; Jack looked below the table discreetly and noticed that this was because his leg was severed at the knee. Next to the stubbly man sat a man who was strangely dressed, for the Caribbean. He was wearing a long turquoise cloak over a vest that looked to be of some kind of Eastern silk. Upon his head was a turban (also turquoise) that made Jack think he was one of the Mahometan corsairs he had read about. The man's features, however, were definitely Anglo-Saxon. There was a curved scimitar at his side. Next to the corsair sat a man who was dressed so finely that Jack disliked him immediately. He was wearing a red coat with gold fringe, white lace at his throat, and a broad-brimmed scarlet hat bedecked with white feathers. Jack made a mental note to steal the hat for a friend; he then remembered the person he had in mind was now his mortal enemy, and dead to boot. The man looked up; Jack was strongly reminded of King Charles I. His hair was dressed in long curls, which looked a bit like candles from where Jack was standing. His eyes were of a deep forget-me-not blue. He raised his hand to call for another drink... and Jack noticed he had a curved iron hook in place of one hand. The man got his drink, and Jack surveyed them all. They were a motley crew, to be sure; they appeared, by all accounts, to be scoundrels and rogues; most of them looked like they would kill their mothers for a sovereign. They were perfect.
Jack picked up a grimy spoon from the table and delicately tapped one of the filth-encrusted goblets. The four pirates looked up at him. He cleared his throat. Thank you for coming, rogues, ruffians, and general disregarders of the laws of God and man, he began. As some of you may know, I have summoned you here because I've got a proposition for you all to hear. There was a pause as the stubbly man asked the bartender for another brandy. Jack felt he was going to like him. As I was saying before I was understandably interrupted, continued Jack, My proposition is this: together, we are five of the most fearsome, the most deadly, the most lethal bandits the fair seas have ever had the misfortune to encounter. Who's with me? The stubbly man stood up, with some difficulty, and cleared his throat. Cap'n Sparrah, he said, in an accent that reminded Jack of his aforementioned dead nemesis. Yers is an intriguin' idear. Me pickins have been slim the last few years. Me name's John Silver, and I be with ye. Thank you, said Jack politely. Anyone else, please? The turbaned man rose. Oliver Tresillian at your humble service. he began, in regally accented English that surprised everyone. said Jack. THE Oliver Tresillian? The plague of the Ivory Coast? The Sea Hawk? Tresillian looked rather offended at being interrupted, but he was obviously quite pleased his reputation preceded him. The very same. he said. Never heard of you. Go on. said Jack. As I was saying, said Tresillian. I believe it would be quite intriguing to join you. I'm in. Jack nodded, satisfied. The man with his hat over his eyes rose next. He threw his head back, revealing that he was in fact a woman... a surprisingly attractive woman, with long dark hair and liquid brown eyes. This did not surprise Jack, who had seen another woman do the same thing only months ago. It was becoming something of a cliché, really. And who are you? he said, determined not to let her believe she had done anything special. She stared around, waiting for a response. She got none. Evidently the other pirates were used to transgender disguises as well. She looked hurt, but continued. Me name's Anne Bonny. This elicited several gasps. Jack squinted. Same Anne Bonny that sailed with Jack Rackham and fought the Royal Navy while he and all his men hid in the brig? he asked cautiously. She nodded. I'm taking you on. Won't take no for an answer. Jack said quickly. She looked him in the eye. Jack Sparrow? she said. He nodded proudly. She slapped him around the face. Jack sighed. He was getting sick of that, too. The well-dressed man was the last to rise. He laughed. It was a short, unpleasant, harsh sound. He looked from Bonny to Silver to Tresillian, and then at Jack. Quite the menagerie you have here, he said. Truth be told, I'm wondering why I should sail with strangers and split my plunder five ways when I've got a very profitable venture going at present. Jack spoke up. Well, you see, unlike you, I have basic mathematical skills, which tell me that the plunder will be five times as great if there are five of us. Oh, and you didn't mention your name in your arrogant little rant, now did you? The man grinned, revealing white, almost fanglike teeth. James Hook, he said, politely enough. I suppose I'll come along. Jack clapped his hands. Now that we're all assembled, he said. We can get to our first order of business. What's that? asked Anne Bonny. Jack's hand went up automatically to protect his face. We're heading to Vera Cruz, he said, his voice muffled. There's a Spaniard sailing those parts I'm anxious to meet.