A/N: I'm really sorry this chapter took me longer than planned but my schedule this week was PACKED! I have a starring role in a play I'm doing in less than a month and plus my stupid manager at work is giving me way more hours then my usual 20 a week, GRR! But I did pull through and I hope you enjoy this one.

Disclaimer: Same as always

Chapter 16: Encounter of Unmet Enemies

Lia's POV:

"Move it!"

Mr. Richards shoved me forward causing me to slam into the wall ahead and fall onto the floor. Before I could pick myself up, he grabbed the back of my shirt and dragged me.

I attempted to stand up but lost my footing as Mr. Richards dragged me to the room.

He opened the door and shoved me on the bed. I landed face first on the pillow.

I turned on my side, facing the door where Mr. Richards stood.

"I hoped ye enjoyed your stay here on The Mystic, Lia." He walked towards me as he spoke and put his hand on my face, brushing a piece of hair out of my eyes, "I know most of us did."

I scowled at him as he laughed.

"ARGH!" I growled. I tried to say something insolent to piss him off but the gag made it impossible. Richards laughed at my squirming. I pushed myself up since my feet weren't tied but Mr. Richards shoved me back down. My hands began to grow numb and I felt the rope digging into my wrists as my weight pressed them down.

"Ye wouldn't want to be doin' somethin' foolish, now would ye?"

He headed to the door pulling out his sword.

"Oh and by the way lass, don't be worryin' about yer padre. He'll be gettin what he deserves." (father)

My eyes widened in shock as Mr. Richards brought the sword about an inch away from his throat. He made gagging sounds as he slid the blade across his throat in imitation. But I kept my calm. Jack was smarter then they could think. He would get us all out of here.

Mr. Richards laughed once more before leaving, shutting and locking the door behind him. I closed my eyes as my breathing picked up. I clenched my teeth, biting down on the gag as I tried to catch my breath.

I tried to sit up but my body was giving out. I was too weak.

Before I could try again, the ship dipped forward and up really quickly. I rolled and fell off the bed. Pain shot up my spine as I landed causing me to groan. I had landed with my back against a nightstand in an upright position.

I laid there. Not moving.

My fingers pulled on the rope that was around my wrists. I was hoping to find a knot I could undo but only being able to move my fingers made it quite difficult.

I growled in frustration and leaned my head against the nightstand. I softly banged my head against it, hoping an idea would come to mind.

I felt the ship moving up and down over the ocean waves more frequently. We were speeding up.

Stupid wankers. Didn't they know that The Black Pearl is one of the fastest ships around?

I closed my eyes, pushing my mind to think, but they quickly snapped open at the sounds above.

A battle had erupted up on deck!

Swords clanking, yelling and shouting along with gunshots were all jumbled together. I pushed myself up so suddenly that I became dizzy. I fell to my knees, breathing hard. My face and neck became damp with sweat.

I didn't know how much more of my energy I could sacrifice.

I had gone days with nothing but one tankard of water. I knew my body was giving out but I didn't know how much longer I could hold up before collapsing.

I had to get up. I had to help Jack.

I took a few deep breaths, regaining my strength.

I pushed up and ran to the door. I knew there was no way in hell I could open it with my hands tied but the room I was in was right underneath the main deck and the ladder wasn't too far away.

Maybe someone would hear me.

I repeatedly began to kick at the door.

"HEY!" The gag prevented me from saying the actual words but it didn't stop me from raising my voice to be heard.

"I'M HERE! SOMEONE HELP ME!" I screamed louder.

I continued to kick at the door. Someone had to have heard me.

"HELLO! SOMEBODY!"

Nothing.

I pressed my forehead against the door. The noises of the battle persisted.

I turned with my back against the door. Out the window I could see The Black Pearl. I walked over to get a closer look.

Up above on the deck was a gangplank connected to The Mystic.

A few ropes dangled off The Mystic's railing. Boarding hooks.

I smiled inside. They would win. I know they would.

I gasped and whirled around at the sound of the door opening. It was Mateo!

He was sweating and he had a few cuts on his face and clothes.

Before I could react, he came over to me quickly and grabbed me by my hair.

I bit down on the gag, hard. I let out a little moan of pain as he dragged me towards the door.

"Su padre thinks he can beat me!" he said fiercely, "He has no idea what I can do." (Your father)

Jack's POV:

"Hard to port side!" I ordered urgently, "Prepare for battle!"

Anamaria pulled the wheel to the left causing the ship to shift. We were coming up quickly.

I glanced over at The Mystic. They pulled out the oars causing the ship to gain some speed.

'Cowards.'

Mr. Gibbs came running toward the foremast. He grabbed hold of the riggings that were tied to the railing. He pulled himself up and put one foot on the railing, pistol in hand.

"Shall we load the guns, Jack?" He suggested keeping his eyes on the approaching ship.

Will looked to me. He shook his head slightly, disagreeing with Mr. Gibbs.

For a split second I was confused as to why no cannon fire but the worried look in Will's eyes spelled it out for me.

"Lia is somewhere in that ship, Gibbs," I said, "We can't risk one of those cannonballs hittin' her."

As we approached closer, I noticed that there was no one on the main deck. Not even on the quarterdeck.

"Odd." Will said.

I shook my head, "I smell a rat."

"Yeah, a big fat one." Gibbs commented.

"Utilize the boarding hooks!" I cried out.

"Aye aye Cap'n!" said the crew as they rushed about.

Shouts went up as the boarding hooks were thrown. Some missed, some attached to the railing and the rest got caught in the riggings.

Gibbs grabbed rigging from the other ship that swung over and swung to The Mystic.

"Here, Jack!"

He tossed the rope back to me and I grabbed it.

Getting a good grip on it, I pulled up and stood on the railing. I swung over, letting go as I was over the Mystic's main deck.

I threw the rope back to Will who swung over.

The second everyone got on board; we pulled out our weapons and walked around cautiously.

Wills' eyes were warily scanning the deck; his sword was out in front of him ready for battle.

Gibbs, Anamaria and everyone else were doing the same, gun or pistol in hand.

"NOW!"

In seconds about forty or so men had jumped out from random places.

A battle erupted!

"Oh come on!" I shouted irritatingly.

A blonde pirate with gold teeth jumped out from behind some barrels and charged at me, sword in hand.

Simply I pulled out my gun and fired, his head reeled a bit from the bullet and down he went.

Quickly I pulled out my sword as another pirate charged at me. Our swords clanged together.

"Don't. You. Think. We. Knew. About. Your. Plan?" I said with each swing. At my last word, I jammed my sword into his chest. His eyes grew wide as blood gushed out of his wound. I pulled out my sword and he went down.

"Well, well. Captain Jack Sparrow." Said a rugged voice behind me.

I turned around and became face to face with the one pirate I had been searching for.

My eyes widened as I saw how much he looked like Adriano. The resemblance was uncanny.

He stood firmly, holding a bloodied sword in his hand.

"Mateo Viramontes, I presume."

He took a few steps forward. We began to circle each other, not breaking eye contact. Our swords were held at our sides.

The battle raged around us but I didn't hear it. All I could see and feel was Mateo. I could feel his hatred and rage, enveloping me.

"I see we are finally acquainted." He said.

"I believe so." I replied.

He looked around at the battle, "I take it ye had no trouble with my men."

"You call these fools pirates!" I waved my arm around, "You could have at least given me a challenge."

Mateo laughed. I furrowed my eyebrows. Why was he laughing?

"Revenge is not easy, huh Jack?" he said, "Sacrifices are to be made. I sacrificed my men to get ye on board. I'm sure ye know why yer here?"

"You know why I'm here!" I said angrily. I was getting fed up of the small talk.

"Cuz of that wretched girl? No! That's not why yer here, Jack!" He snarled, "Yer here to help me finish my revenge. Revenge for Adriano's death. I will show you how it is to feel pain just like ye did when ye killed him!"

"Well, unfortunately for you, revenge can also be quite the mishap when you don't really know who has done the killing." I remarked.

"You lie!" Mateo growled.

"I'm here to get the girl back, now where is she?" I demanded

"Why do you wish to obtain her so soon?" he asked, "It was such a pleasure to have her on board."

I cringed at the word pleasure. He had hit a nerve.

"You bastard!"

A slow smile spread to Mateo's face as he drew his sword. He took a few slow swings at me. Testing me, which I easily avoided.

He then stroked high, bringing his sword down in an arch and I raised my sword to block the blow. He stabbed low with a dagger that he had swiftly drawn and I grabbed his wrist.

He swept his foot under me, knocking me backwards. My sword dropped from my hand right beside me but before I could reach for it Mateo stepped down on my arm, preventing me from moving it.

I gritted my teeth, letting out a growl of pain.

"Hmm, now I'm confused." Mateo sneered, "Not what I would expect from the infamous Captain Jack Sparr…"

Before he could finish his sentence, I pulled out a dagger I had hidden in my sleeve and sliced his leg. He pulled his leg off me and yelled in pain. I quickly grabbed my sword and stood up.

I advanced on him as he knelt down clutching his leg. I raised my sword ready to take him out.

"JACK! LOOK OUT!"

I turned around just in time to block a pirate who swung his sword in an attempt to take off my head. I pulled out of the hold and swung my sword across.

Blood splattered on the deck at my feet. Dark streaks of blood ran down the shined silver of my sword. I looked up at the pirate. He was clutching his throat as he dropped to his knees.

His throat was completely slashed open. He continued to gag and he fell face first to the floor. He writhed in pain, still gagging for a few seconds before going limp.

"Jack! Help!"

I turned around to see Anamaria in front of the forecastle. She was swinging her sword around while a pirate held onto her from behind.

Without even thinking, I aimed and threw my dagger. Anamaria ducked as it zipped past her. The blade sank into the pirate's eye and he let her go.

Anamaria nodded a thank you to me before running off to help Gibbs who was caught in between three pirates.

I turned back around to face Mateo and saw that he was gone.

"Bloody hell!" I cursed under my breath.

The battled raged on. Mateo's crew may have been a bunch of slimy, mangy cads but they knew damn well what they were doing.

Will was busy fending off one pirate while another was sneaking up to surprise him from behind, sword in hand. I pulled out my pistol and fired. The pirate swayed and fell over the side into the water.

Suddenly a gunshot went off, a really loud one. All swords went limp and all eyes were searching around for the source of such a loud shot.

"Silencio!" (Silence)

Immediately all eyes glanced to the quarterdeck.

Mateo stood with a pistol in his hand that pointed up. A thin line of smoke billowed out of the barrel. He had a hold of a girl in his other hand. He had her firmly by the hair.

My jaw dropped as I recognized her. It was Lia!

And what a shock it was to see her, how different she looked. Her wrists were bound behind her back and she was gagged with a dirty cloth. Her hair was cut so short and her face was blotchy and bruised. Mateo had such a firm grip on her hair that she was tilting her head up to bear with the pain.

Nobody moved and nobody spoke. Most of us were in shock.

"Let her go, Mateo!" I said suddenly. I walked briskly to the quarterdeck. Obviously not thinking.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. Will was shaking his head looking really serious. I took a deep breath and stepped back a few feet.

I knew for Lia's sake, not to tempt Mateo.

"Surrender, Jack!" Mateo growled. An evil smile was spread across his face.

My fists tightened. For the first time, I didn't have a backup plan. I didn't know what to do.

"Got any bright ideas?" Will whispered to me, not taking his eyes off Mateo.

"I'm thinkin'. I'm thinkin'" I whispered frantically. My mind was frenzied

What was I going to do…?

Lia's POV:

I watched as Will whispered to Jack.

I didn't know what they were saying but I was hoping Jack was scheming up an escape plan for all of us.

I felt Mateo's grip tighten around my hair causing me to wince as I bit down on the gag. He was growing impatient.

"Ye want yer little wench back?" he said, "Quite the predicament for ye."

Jack didn't say anything. His posture stiffened and I could see the rage boiling in his eyes.

"No?" Mateo guessed mockingly, "All right then."

Mateo pushed me to the side, leading me to the gunwall. A section of the railing was gone that was used for a cannon or gangplank.

I let out a shriek as Mateo hung me over the ledge. My feet were barely hanging onto the edge.

All of the crew of The Black Pearl rushed forward a few steps. All eyes were on me.

"It would be such a shame to lose somethin' so fine." As Mateo said this, his hand caressed my face. I closed my eyes as his fingers passed by my eye. I let out a small groan of disgust.

"Don't touch her you slimy goddamn son of a bitch!" I heard Jack scream.

Mateo gritted his teeth, "Such a fool to be risking his daughter's life!"

"NO!" I screamed as Mateo let go of me. But in the blink of an eye, he grabbed me again before I could be sent overboard. Jack attempted to run up the quarterdeck stairs but Will held him back.

"Surrender Jack, or I'm sure the sharks will enjoy a nice meal!"

I began to hyperventilate. I looked at Jack. His eyes stared into mine, full of sadness and despair. He was trapped.

I shook my head at him as he stared. I didn't want him to surrender. There was a way out! There had to be a way out!

'No, Jack! Don't do it!'

My mind was screaming. I looked down at the water, the big blue mass that spelled out death for me. I didn't want to die. Not like this.

"I…" he began.

Mateo's eyebrows rose, "Yes?"

"I…"

'No! Jack, don't!'

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Jack took a few steps forward, his sword in his hand.

I watched in horror and despair as the hilt of his sword left his hand, crashing to the floor. Jack looked at Mateo. Defeated.

"I surrender."

A/N: Bwa ha ha ha ha ha! Don't ya just LOVE these cliffhangers?

:dodges flying objects being thrown:

Well, I don't exactly know yet when the 17th chapter will be out but I don't think it should take long. Sorry if I'm not good at writing battle scenes but I hope you like this one still, enjoy!