DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything POTC related
NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!! Click, Type, Click
Isla de Muerta
"I'm curious. How are we supposed get inside the cave without the Black Pearl crew seeing us? I know Barbossa would not be dumb enough to leave the ship unattended," Hope asked as they climbed into a boat and headed into the caves.
"There is more than one passage, love. The Pearl is anchored on the other side of that rock. Now that great rock is what will keep us out of sight from whatever dogs he left on board." As they entered the caves it was just as much a graveyard as it was outside, only in here there were skeletons. Will leaned towards Hope.
"What did you think he meant by, keep to the code?"
"The pirate's code," Hope said.
"Pirate's code?"
"It's a set of rules that the pirate captains Bartholomew and Morgan set down for all pirates to follow."
"You're interesting, Hope. For someone who hates pirates as much as believe you do. You are well versed on the ways of pirates."
"I studied every book in my father's library about pirates after my sister was killed."
"You will have to tell me about that sometime. Your sister plagues your every thought."
"I'd rather not." Rowing further inward Will and Hope's eyes widened when the lantern illuminated a pirate skeleton.
"What code is Gibbs supposed to keep too if the worst should happen?" Will asked.
"Miss Danforth, just told you."
"What part of the code?" Will asked again.
"Any man who falls behind is left behind."
"That's a very dismal thing to put down as a rule, if you ask me," Hope said.
"And why's that?" Jack asked.
"Well I always felt that if you spent nearly all your time around a certain group of people you start to think of them as a family. If you had a brother, would you honestly leave him behind?"
"That doesn't matter. It's against the Code."
"The code. You know, I find it hard to believe that you pirates care so much about 'the Code' which are basically a set of rules. But yet, you break rules everyday, and those rules you break are usually read at your hangings and are quite numerous. So why would breaking the code matter?" Hope asked. Jack was caught off guard by this. For once, he didn't have anything to say.
"No heroes amongst thieves," Will added.
"You know for having such a bleak outlook on pirates. You're well on your way to becoming one. Sprung a man from jail, commandeered a ship of the fleet, sailed with a buccaneer crew out of Tortuga, and you're completely obsessed with treasure," Jack said while they continued in, passing over thousands of gold coins, jewelry, and anything else pilfered by other pirates. There were so many under the water a yellowish glow cast its light onto the faces of the three occupants. When they came ashore, Will, as usual protested Jack's statement.
"That's not true. I am not obsessed with treasure."
"Is that so? Well, Hope here is just as guilty of committing acts of piracy as you. She is even obsessed with treasure, although her treasure is somewhere out in the Caribbean."
"What are you talking about? What treasure?" Hope asked. Jack led them up a slope to an open area.
"Not all treasure is silver and gold." Jack said to the two as they climbed up and before them stood the crew of the Black Pearl. Barbossa and Elizabeth stood up by a chest on a mound of gold coins.
"Punished we were the lot of us. Disproportionate to our crime!" Captain Barbossa preached to the crew before opening the chest. "The cursed treasure of Cortez, himself!" Will attempted to spring from his spot but was pulled back by Jack.
"Not yet. Wait for the opportune moment," he said going back the way he came.
"When's that. When it's of greatest profit to you?" Jack turned to the two.
"May I ask you something? Have I ever given you reason not to trust me? Do us a favor. I know it's difficult for you but please stay here. Both of you. And don't do anything stupid!" Jack said as he ran off.
"He's plotting something again. He didn't come here out of the goodness of his heart. All he cares about is getting his ship back and probably taking part of this cave with him."
"I know. And I am not about to be his leverage."
"What?"
"When he was talking with Gibbs back at that tavern, Gibbs was saying something about Barbossa and giving up a ship. Then Jack replied that it was a matter of leverage."
"Well. Then let's make sure he doesn't get his leverage. Come on," Hope said as they followed after Jack. Will picking up one of the boat oars in the process.
"Begun by blood. The blood undone," Barbossa's voice echoed throughout the cave just as Will came up behind Jack and knocked him unconscious with the oar.
"Sorry Jack. I'm not gonna be your leverage. I'll get Elizabeth and you do something to slow the pirates' escape." Hope nodded as she headed towards the boats.
"Slow them down? Slow them down," she repeated before she looked at the oars.
"The oars!" She quickly began collecting the oars and headed back to the boat she had come in on. Reaching the boats she heard distant yelling.
"The curse is still upon us!" one voice yelled.
"It was you who brought us here in the first place," another voice yelled.
"Hurry up," she said quietly to herself just as Will and Elizabeth ran over.
"Elizabeth!" Elizabeth couldn't believe it.
"Hope!" she yelled running to her friend and hugging her.
"Are you all right?" Hope asked.
"Yes I'm fine."
"It didn't sound to happy back there," Hope said to Will.
"They found out that Elizabeth wasn't the one they needed to break a curse," Will informed her as Elizabeth stuck out her hand. She had a cut the entire width of her hand.
"We have to get out of here," Hope said as they climbed in the boat and rowed out.
"How did you two find me?" Will and Hope shared a glance.
"A guide," Will said as they exited the cave. Elizabeth saw the boat.
"Is that?" she asked.
"The Interceptor," Hope said. Elizabeth looked at the two of them.
"You stole the fastest ship of the Royal Navy."
"We didn't steal it. We commandeered it with the intention of borrowing it." Will looked at Hope recognizing who she sounded like. Hope realized it as well. "The Commodore wasn't too happy."
"How?"
"It's a long story."
"Where's your guide?"
"We'll explain once we are onboard and sailing," Will said as they continued rowing to the ship and boarded. Elizabeth was the first one on board. She stopped seeing the people in front of her.
"Not more pirates."
"Welcome aboard, Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Gibbs greeted. Elizabeth was shocked, for she too recognized him as Hope did back in Tortuga. Hope was the next the climb up followed by Will. "Where be Jack?" Elizabeth looked at the two in angered disbelief.
"Jack Sparrow?"
"He fell behind," Will said as he lead Elizabeth away, followed by Hope as they made their way below deck.
"One of you explain to me what is going on," Elizabeth demanded. Will was about to speak when Hope placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll tell her. Why don't you help dress her wound," Hope said giving him a look.
"After the pirates had left, both Will and I went to inform Norrington. One of the guards said that earlier in the day Jack had mentioned the Black Pearl. Norrington didn't care to trust him so we broke Jack of prison. He came up with a way to take the Interceptor with little force. We sailed to Tortuga and picked up a crew, then came here. Apparently, Barbossa and Jack have a heavy history. Jack was once captain of the Black Pearl and Barbossa was Jack's first mate. There was a mutiny and Jack was stranded on an island. You know the rest from there. But, unfortunately we realized too late, that Jack had planned to bargain Will to Barbossa for the ship. That's not the most interesting part. Jack knew Will's father and only agreed to help us after Jack learned Will's name."
"What sort of man trades a man's life for a ship?" Elizabeth said still angry as she furiously started to wrap her hand.
"A pirate." He saw her struggling with the bandage a little.
"Here, let me." As Will started to wrap her hand, he asked her a question.
"You said you gave Barbossa my name as yours? Why?" Hope gave a small smiled as she slowly exited. When she came up onto the main deck she walked to the helm and sat on the railing and looked out in front of her. Anamaria was at the wheel.
"So why did you come with the captain. You seem to be part of the snotty upper class." Hope looked at her.
"Because. Elizabeth is my best friend, we grew up together, in a way. Our first chance of helping her wasn't so helpful so we broke Jack out of prison, took this ship and sailed to Tortuga."
"What did he do this time?"
"Nothing. He came into our port with a mind to commandeer one of the Royal Navy ships. He ended up saving Elizabeth from drowning when she fell from the fort wall. The Commodore of the fleet found out he was pirate and the governor ordered him hung. He devised an escape plan but it backfired and as such gave us an advantage after Barbossa attacked Port Royal and kidnapped Elizabeth. We thought Jack's reason for helping us was somewhat genuine but all he wanted was that ship."
"That's not the only thing he wants."
"What?"
"Surely you have noticed it."
"Noticed what?"
"Jack Sparrow is not one to fall for someone very easily. He's determined and stubborn to boot. Surely you can see he seems to have a weak spot for you, lass," Gibbs said coming up.
"Why does everyone keep telling me that?"
"It be the truth." Hope sighed.
"Typical. Pirates always want what they can't have."
"Aye. That midshipman of yours."
"He's a lieutenant now."
"Suits him. That lad always was uptight."
"He's not up…Well, I guess he is in a way. Although his behavior has changed since he became a 1st lieutenant."
"Doubt in your heart, lass?"
"No! Of course not. He is still a good man."
"Being a good man isn't always what wins in the end, lass." Hope was silent as she looked away and saw a ship covered in fog approaching fast.
"Oh my good lord. Gibbs, I think we have a problem."
NOTE: Well? What do you think? Was it a little better than the last chapter? I know I wasn't to fond of my last chapter. I thought it to be my weakest so far, but I don't know. PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!
Next Chapter: The Chase and Stranded