Hey! It didn't take me a month! This story is almost over (for real this time). I predict maybe three more chapters at the most. Lol.
Chapter 29 The Final Battle Part 2
Christian cried out in pain and blinked blood from his eyes, struggling with the man tangled up with him from their fall. The knife, it was just out of his reach…if only he could reach it.
The pirate seemed to have regained himself somewhat and his hands latched around Christian's throat, squeezing tight. Abandoning his struggle for the dagger, the young doctor turned back to his life or death struggle and began hitting the man on the face, not enough to hurt him, just to make him let go…he didn't want to hurt him, it was against all he had learned in medical school. It was against all he believed.
The pirate smiled and spit blood onto his captive's face along with a rotted black tooth. The offending tooth bounced off Christian's cheek and he dimly heard it rattling away. Blood was pounding in his ears, his head felt like it was about to burst.
He used to thing that hanging was the only way to deal with people like the man now killing him but he wasn't so sure. This was an awful way to die and, even though the people who did go like this were pirates, kin of this man now, he still felt it somewhere deep down that it was wrong.
Christian's eyes were going black and he ceased struggling. He'd given up, he'd let this man have him. Dazedly, he started wondering what death would be like, what all the pain of the world disappearing in the blink of an eye would feel like. He'd get to see his brother and…
A loud bang and a cheer rose up on deck, the many voices magnifying it. Something good had happened above. There was again a loud smashing of wood and a loud, long, ear splitting male scream.
The pirate let Christian's neck go and the young doctor sucked in life, glorious life, coughing and sputtering on the ground. His drive to live strengthened him as he curled into a little broken ball on the floor, the pirate walking up the stairs to peer out the door at the noise.
Coughing madly, vision blurred, Christian weakly looked up along the floor and saw the dagger. It was there, so close, if only he could reach it. He started inching his way, still in a protective ball, towards the shinning metal and his last salvation.
The pirate was coming back down the stairs; he could hear him getting closer…smell him getting closer. Someone suddenly grabbed his ankle and Christian reached out desperately, clawing the air for the dagger. His fingertips brushed the metal before he was yanked backwards. Without thinking, he rolled over and kicked as hard as he could with his free hand. His boot cracked across solid bone and there was a loud crack as the pirate's nose broke.
The man staggered away, clutching his face as blood spurted between his fingers and down his hands as beads onto his arms. He hit the stairs blindly and fell over, thumping down them to come to a rest at the bottom, moaning.
Christian rolled back to his stomach and shimmied along the corridor, trying to get to the dagger before the pirate was up and at it again. He didn't have long before a growling voice came to his ear and a blood hand grabbed the back of his hair.
"Where do you think you're going, mate? Done with our little game." Christian felt his hand close on cold steel as the pirate pulled him to his feet and threw him against the far wall. His head hit the wood and bounced back with such a force, Christian lost all his senses and, when he regained them, he found himself lying on his back, the bigger man bringing his head forward and back into the floor with startling force.
He was about to lose consciousness when his hand found strength and he brought it down into the pirate's shoulder. The man cried out in surprise and dropped Christian as the doctor's hand came around again and sliced into the man's cheek.
The pirate only had time to stare at the blood spilling to the ground before Christian launched a new attack. "Not tired yet." He kicked the man in the chest sending him sprawling to the ground and then jumped onto him, bringing the knife down again and again. When he finally fell to exhaustion, Christian was surprised to see the man beneath him dead.
Angry tears had spilled down his cheeks but had long since abaited and now were dried streaks through blood and dirt. He sat there, staring down at the lifeless body, a life he had just taken. He'd dealt with death, many deaths. He'd dealt with family loss, patient loss but somehow this was all much, much worse.
He pulled the dagger from the man's chest and was sickened. He'd killed him…he'd killed him. More tears spilled down his face, not angry but fearful. He was sick of himself and sick of the whole world. He looked up at the stairs above where there was only the sound of sword fighting.
Without knowing what to do, Christian rolled off the man and went to the wall, huddling against it and pulling his legs up close to him, chin resting on his knees as he stared blankly at the opposite wall. Slowly, darkness encompassed him and his last conscious thought was he'd killed, not a pirate but a person and he'd have to pay for that. Someday, he would pay.
Elizabeth watched Jack's body fall over this side of the railing and screamed, letting go with one hand and reaching out to him as a cry rose on the deck. The enemy was cheering at something. Instead of grabbing her hand, he clawed viciously at the ship as he slipped and managed to hook his fingers over an extra cable at the side. Holding on tightly, his eyes fell to the black water below and then rose to her.
"Hold on Jack!" Elizabeth yelled. "Hold on, I'm coming." She continued her climb and vaulted the railing, running to the spot where he held on below. Leaning over the railing, she reached out her hands for him. Jack stared up at her. "Grab my hands!"
Slowly, one hand hanging onto the cable, he reached up and tried to grab her hand. They were to far away from each other. "I can't reach!" Jack yelled giving up and holding onto the cable.
Elizabeth looked around her to the melee on the deck. No one had noticed her yet. Looking back down, she leaned on the railing and allowed her body to fall further over the swirling water and the helpless pirate trapped on the rigging. Reaching out, she held her hand for him but he didn't take it. "Give me you're hand!" Jack didn't look up at her but was watching the water below as though calculating how far down it was. "Jack, I need your help up here. Don't let go! Maybe you can climb up?"
Jack's eyes moved over the side of the ship and he shook his head. "No way, luv. No handholds." Elizabeth bit her lip and shook her offered hand.
"Just try and reach." She screamed. Suddenly, Will appeared at her shoulder, his hand reaching down to. Jack stared up at them both as if they had completely lost their senses.
"Norrington's waiting up here Jack." Will called, smiling. "He's going to be disappointed if you don't make it. He really wants to hang you."
"Wouldn't want to disappoint him." Jack answered blandly, his voice just audible over the raging battle. Will smiled and reach out further, his hand extending past where Elizabeth could reach. Slowly, Jack's hand rose and gripped Will's wrist. Will began to haul the pirate up but, a flash of steel hit the deck between Will and Elizabeth.
Will turned as Elizabeth screamed and jumped away. A man with greasy black hair and a wandering eye smiled at them and tipped his hat. "Good evening." He said. He pulled his sword from the wood and whipped it at Will. Will let go of Jack and lunged to the side. Elizabeth jumped forward just as Jack's hand slipped on the railing and she grabbed him, halting his fall.
Helping him up over the railing, she grabbed him tightly, forgetting all her senses and hugged him, holding him as if he were an anchor. Jack tensed under her unexpected show of affection and, after a few seconds, praised her off.
"Where did Will…" He started but the young blacksmith stopped him.
"Here. That guy was easy." Will stated, straightening his shirt. He smiled at Jack and then grabbed his wife, holding her shaking body close to him.
"Better be careful Will." Jack said, watching them. "I met yet take her away from you." Will laughed. Will looked around at the battle and his eyes found the stairway at the far end. Had Christian even come up?
"I have to go, Elizabeth come on." He started off but stopped and grabbed Jack's arm. "Be careful." Jack cocked an eyebrow.
"Careful? Careful's my middle name." He said simply. Will let out a weird noise and took off, across the deck with Elizabeth.
Bill ducked under another pirate's blow and came up underneath the man's guard, sinking his sword into the man's gut. Not even watching to see if the man fell, he met his neck opponent and his partner. He allowed their lust to kill him outweigh their good sense and soon he was behind the casket.
There lay Ethan Barbossa, panting and clutching his leg which stuck out at an odd angle. Bill stared at the crumpled form below him. He looked so weak and helpless.
"You…are going…to die." Ethan growled through hissing breaths. Bill nodded.
"After you." He said, raising his sword. Ethan's call stilled his hand. He was calling for his brother. Bill's confusion turned to the casket, his eyes widening. It was empty. There was no body there…
Anamaria circled back around the table, leaving the door clear and forcing a laugh from Marko. "I knew you were to smart for that." He said, lowering his sword and watching her. "So, like vultures we circle again and again until one of us is outweighed by hunger and foolishly attacks." Anamaria raised a slim black eyebrow.
"Poetry. I didn't figure you for the sort." Marko laughed but it sounded more like a dry cackle and sent chills up and down Anamaria's spine.
"You still harbor animosity towards me, after all I've done for you?" Marko asked. Now it was Anamaria's turn to laugh.
"What have you done for me? You took away my husband and my life."
"I took away a life you were never intended to lead." Marko spat, his sword still lowered. "I took away the rubbish and helped you to start anew. You attack me for that?"
"Start anew?" Anamaria asked, her eyes squeezing together in a full on glare. "You took away the man I loved."
"But you love again." Marko pointed out and Anamaria's heart clenched. She loved Jack but it was a confusing love. "I steered you on the right course."
"I was going to have a family, I was married, I was…"
"Jack was married." Marko said and Anamaria stopped, staring at him as her knees almost gave way. "Her name was Emily and they loved each other very much."
"You're lying." Anamaria hissed as Marko circled the table and began walking towards her. She couldn't make her legs move. She didn't know why this came as such a shock to her but it did. "You're lying."
"Am I? Am I really? They have a child together. Her name is Morgan." Anamaria shook her head and stepped back. "He was the stranger, who watched your husband die. He stood there and watched. I know you figured this out but…" Marko was now close enough to kill her but his hand stayed down. "I know you don't want to hear this."
"A child?" Anamaria whispered, staring up at Marko through tear filled eyes. "Morgan?"
"She'll be nearing maturity ay time now." Marko answered. "She's beautiful. Looks like her father with long dark hair and high cheekbones. He abandoned her, like he'll abandon you."
Anamaria shook her head, her body quaking. This wasn't true. He was trying to get a rise out of her. "How is this right course?" She whispered, more to herself then him. Marko smiled.
"You'll see Annie. You'll see." She looked up through tear filled eyes and then launched herself at him, knocking his sword away and trying to find an opening. He dogged hers and soon they were back in the other room, her sword whipping through the air with such force she often overbalanced.
Marko wouldn't let her have an inch and soon exhaustion set in, all her moves automatic and predictable. "I love your rage Anamaria. You will be right for the purposes I have sought out for you." Anamaria gave one finally swing and overbalanced totally, colliding with the bed. Before she knew it, Marko slammed on the back of her head and darkness encompassed her.
Norrington sidestepped Barbossa and came in behind him but the dead corpse…or whatever the hell he was, was too quick and soon Norrington was again fighting air. The moment he'd watched Jack whiz through the air he'd engaged the creature in battle but it seemed to be a losing cause.
His whole body ached. Not to long ago he'd tripped over something and three men had been on him. Now, this creature was being stubborn. The enemy had cried out in triumph when he had risen again but Norrington cringed.
A call from the far side of the ship met his ears and Norrington looked to the casket where the call had floated from. Bill Turner stood there, looking exactly like his son and watched the casket intently. Norrington hissed under his breath. Barbossa wasn't in there, he was right here.
Hearing the call, the creature turned and Norrington raised his sword, sinking it through the chest bone. Pieces of white bone flew in all directions and fell like rain onto the deck at the creature's feet. Not knowing what was about to happen, Norrington stood there and watched, astonished as Barbossa pulled the blade out and turned to Norrington.
With lightning quickness, the blade came down and sank through Norrington's torso. He gagged, stepping back and Barbossa pulled the sword from his stomach, watching him. He grabbed the front of Norrington's jacket as the Commodore staggered and held him close.
"Now, leave me alone." Barbossa threw him to the ground and Norrington lay there, looking up at the night sky as small grey clouds moved here and there. He was about to die. As he lay there in shock, the face of an angel descended over him.
Elizabeth moved across the deck with Will, towards the stairs. She was watching the deck around them, heart in her throat as it raised a mile a minute. The battle was dying down; the warrior women were taking care of almost all the pirates.
Her eyes fell across Jack who was rolling across the deck, away from a large ferity man with a bloody sword. Gillette was fighting four men at once and doing remarkably well. Anamaria and Christian were missing but she could see Gibbe fighting three men, back to back with Alinasa and Bill was behind the crate. She was about to turn back to Jack when her eyes hit James. He was standing there with a sword threw his stomach.
Elizabeth screamed making Will turn, sword in hand and look around for the cause of his wife's distress. "What is it?" Elizabeth felt blind panic gripping her. Norrington had now fallen and a corpse was walking away. Elizabeth stared, the corpse was Barbossa, she was sure of it. He was moving off towards the casket and Bill.
Elizabeth took off across the deck, away from her husband who was now rushing for his father. She slid on James's blood and fell to her knees, pulling him into her arms. He was pale and his eyes closing even as she watched but he stared at her for a moment and then smiled.
"Elizabeth." He whispered. Elizabeth ran her fingers through his sweat soaked brown hair and smiled. Dimly, in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but stare in awe at him without his wig. "I'm sorry…"
"Sshhh. For what? There's nothing for me to forgive you for James. You did everything you could." James shook his head and coughed up blood. Elizabeth felt tears sting her eyes and she let them come, there was no way she'd be able to hide them.
"I'm sorry for…for years ago when, I almost…made you marry me." Elizabeth's brow furrowed.
"You didn't make me." She whispered. James rolled his eyes.
"Yes I did. I just…loved you. I still do." Elizabeth shook her head and stroked his cheek.
"I love you. Just not in that way." James nodded and his eyes rolled towards the direction she had come. He was looking for Will. "It'll be okay, I promise." He shook his head and coughed again, shivering.
Elizabeth looked around the deck and spotted Alinasa near by. She twirled on the spot, descending over a man who screamed out and then was quickly silenced as her body encompassed him. When she pushed him away, he fell to the ground as a crumpled heap of ash and dust. Frightened, Elizabeth watched her until Alinasa turned and met her eye. Slowly and gracefully she came forward.
"Help him." Elizabeth said, watching the women through pleading eyes. Alinasa glared at her and then shook her head. "Why?"
"I don't do that." She said simply, her calm voice showing clearly a hint of dislike. Elizabeth swallowed and stood, letting James rest on the deck. She stepped around him and came to meet the warrior face to face.
"You help him or I'll make sure you spend the rest of eternity, haunting that little island." Elizabeth growled. She didn't know how she'd do this, wasn't even sure what Alinasa would do. She'd seen this woman encompass Will's soul, seen her just now take down a full grown man and turn him to ash with a single embrace. Alinasa breathed out slowly and then dropped to the deck beside James. Elizabeth didn't even turn to watch as a glow lit up behind her.
Gillette and Gibbs had intercepted Barbossa after Norrington's fall. Bill watched them dimly for a moment and then looked down at Ethan who was still lying crushed at his feet. Bill smiled.
"I'll let those women have you." He said, smiling evilly. "They do love to eat up your soul. You know that only to well, don't you Ethan." Barbossa smiled and looked up at him, though his ugly features were lit by pain.
"You'd know about lost souls Bill Turner." Ethan answered. Bill lifted his foot and slammed it down onto Ethan's leg. Ethan cried out which only made Barbossa's moves more frenzied.
"Your brother has a heart left," Bill muttered, watching the men battling the corpse. "Nice to see."
Just then Will joined him and grabbed his father's arm. Bill spun around and smiled, still keeping his foot firmly on Ethan's leg.
"I thought you could use my help." He said. Bill shook his head.
"No, I have everything under control. So does your wife." He nodded to Elizabeth who was now pulling Norrington to his feet, Alinasa sweeping away behind her, looking sour. Will stared; Elizabeth never ceased to surprise him. "Go look for Jack's female companion and that doctor. They're missing. All the men are gone now, practically and I've got everything under control here." He ground his foot down making Ethan cry out again. "Go." Will stepped away slowly and then began to run along the deck towards his wife. Bill watched him go, dimly aware that at any time now, Barbossa would be here. One way or the other.
Jack staggered and tripped over his own feet, cursing. Slowly, he crawled to his feet and began walking again. There was really no one left to fight, except Barbossa and Jack's back and shoulders screamed from the thought.
He was just about to stumble off towards Bill when he heard a moan behind him. Mulan lay at the base of the main mast, his body bent around the round wood. He had clearly broken his back and, as Jack watched, he took in a gasping breath.
Jack couldn't just kill him like this, it wouldn't be fair. Taking a deep breath, he looked around the deck for one of the warriors. Morliana was nearby and Jack called to her. She turned and watched him through black eyes.
"I need your help." He called. Morliana walked forward. Jack pointed to Mulan. "I need you to heal him." Morliana looked at him funny and, with a motionless mouth, answered.
"Help him? I thought you were to fight him." Jack cringed as he voice echoed in his head.
"No, I didn't get to fight him. Help him so I can!" Morliana frowned at his outburst.
"If you're sure." She answered. Jack nodded.
"I'm very, very sure." Jack answered.
TO MY REVEIWERS:
Forceflow 46: Ouch, bad day huh? That sux but, on the bright side, it blizzarded all winter (blizzarded isn't a word). I hope you're having a better day now.
Padme 17: Keep up the ickiness? Ok then, I will. I hope you liked this chapter, it was kind of gross in some parts, I have a sick mind today. Yeah, Barbossa is back and he's not very happy. He didn't get enough sleep.
Toxic-Beetle: Ana and Jack are my favorite. I hope they have Ana in the second movie. That would suck if they took her out, hey? LOL, yeah old Barbossa is back and mad.
And to anyone i may have left out, thank you and i'm sorry.
