Hello! I'm BACK! OMG! Five reviews! People have read and enjoyed. Oh, I feel loved!
Another special thanks to sanquinedarkness666 for typing this for me. Squawk! #grin# (inside joke, if you want to know, read Camping Chaos, a lovely Power Ranger fic) Love you bunches, Abby.
Smithy – Thanks for the review. Your question should be answered in this chapter. And don't worry. He will have plenty of scars by the time this is over. One question though, what's GMA?
Obliviongates – I love you right now. For the review, of course! No, it's perfectly normal to like someone more when they're being hurt. Don't worry; the angst will only get more intense. This is nothing. We won't have actual angst and torture for at least one more chapter. Then things may get just a bit bloody. Hehehe. #evil grin#
Williz – No, thank you for the review. You made my day. Hopefully you'll like the rest, 'cause it should just keep getting better.
Staci – Thanks. Glad you like it. Here's the next chapter.
Anyway, keep reading. Leave more reviews and I'll give you an invisible cookie!
P.S. – No, I don't own them, except Paul and Miguel. And BlackSword. And a couple of others… Hey! I have characters of my own!
If I did own it, the second and third movies would be packed with torture and death. Then, I'd buy Power Rangers and make them stop making it a kids show and have them redo Ninja Storm and DinoThunder for adults… or at least for teenagers. There's NO way teenagers would have gotten through all that crap and not even cussed once. Plus, they needed more Blake/Tori and Trent/Kira. Possibly even some Hunter/Cam. And of course, death, pain, and torture galore! Mwahahahahaha!
… Okay… I'm done now. On to the story.
BlackSword
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Chapter 2
Jack sighed; his crew wasn't accepting the news of Will and Elizabeth staying very well. They seemed unwilling to accept the presence of two "civilians".
"They aren't pirates," Miguel said. Miguel was the only aboard from Spain. "Granted, the man has a pirate's brand, but I'm almost positive he did it to himself. I don't know why, but he's not a pirate. Neither is she. Besides only an idiot would brand themselves."
Jack stared; letting what Miguel had just said sink in. 'Will's branded? Since when? Why would he brand himself? He should have known that brand wouldn't be accepted by pirates and yet if he got caught with it by anyone else he'd be hung.' He shook his head. He would have to fix the brand so pirates would accept it. If it was good enough to get him hung, it should at least be good enough to grant him parlay.
"He's more of a pirate than you know. He's Will Turner, the only son of Bootstrap Bill Turner," Jack insisted. "He's also one of my few friends. He's the only reason I wasn't hung for piracy nine years ago. I owe him my life at least once and I owed his father more than I was able to repay. You will treat him as you treat me."
"What?" Paul asked in shock. "That's Bootstrap's kid?" He closed his eyes and shook his head, unconsciously fingering the curling scar on his face. "Oh boy, and I half-gutted him?"
"Yes, and I don't want that happening again. They are our guests, so be nice." He looked pointedly at a few members of his crew, "And when I saw be nice, that doesn't mean cut off their fingers instead of their whole arms. It means leave them alone."
Jack sighed and flopped in a chair rather unceremoniously and gestured for Will to take a seat. Elizabeth was in the room the two of them would be staying in, doing who knew what. Jack, though, wanted to find out what had happened over the past nine years and Will wanted to know the same.
"I assume the two of you are now Mr. And Mrs. Turner," Jack said, picking up a bottle of rum and uncorking it.
"Yes, sorry we didn't invite you to the wedding, but when you escaped to the Black Pearl that day, you didn't exactly tell us where you'd be. Besides, the commodore and Elizabeth's father were there; they would have killed you on sight had you been there."
Jack nodded his understanding and took a large swallow of the rum, "I understand. Never liked those two anyway." A grin spread across his face, "I bet you had fun on the honeymoon."
"Jack!" Will shouted, throwing a gold coin that had been lying around at his friend. "That's not funny!"
"Sure it is," Jack insisted, rubbing his cheek where the coin had hit him.
Will rolled his eyes before asking, "So what about you? What happened to the 'able-bodied crew' you had nine years ago? And what happened to the black sails?"
"Had to get new sails. Barbossa did quite a number on them when he had the Pearl. As for my crew, I dropped them off in port a few towns ago. Figured I be getting in trouble soon and I didn't want to drag them into it.
"Trouble?" Will repeated uncertainly. Last time 'trouble' had been a shipload of immortal skeleton pirates. "What kind of trouble?"
"Don't worry. I'm planning on dropping you and Elizabeth off before anything happens," Jack quickly assured him. "I'm just chasing down a pirate who supposedly has powers capable of killing a human in seconds. Black Andrew Ripheart is his name; though most just call him Black Andrew or Blacksword. Supposedly he's cursed. I don't know about that, but he's a bloodthirsty maniac who's already killed a few of my crew; now it's time for him to pay."
"Sounds like fun," Will commented sarcastically. "Why is it always a curse?" He reached out and took the rum from Jack and took a sip before handing it back. "Why are you dropping us off first? Don't want any non-pirates getting in the way?"
Jack's eyes widened in surprise at the soft accusation. "No, it's just that you're my friends and I don't want you to get hurt." He flashed a smile before continuing, "Speaking of non-pirates though, let me see your arm."
Will understood what he meant and pushed up his right sleeve, revealing the mark tattooed there. Jack grabbed his wrist and pulled it closer to get a better look. He carefully studied the blocky "P" tattooed there.
"Well, it's tattooed right- the color and everything- but it needs to be burned in. That's why it's called the pirates brand. I can fix it so you'll be considered a real pirate, but it will hurt like hell."
Will nodded, "That's okay. I think I can handle it."
Jack smiled but continued to watch his friend curiously, "Why'd you brand yourself anyway? You'll be hung if anyone sees it, or at least thrown in jail. Why did you decide to go from just being a blacksmith to being a pirate as well?"
"I branded myself because I am a pirate. I've committed several acts of piracy. It's like you told me: I'm a pirate. It's in my blood, and I accept that."
"I didn't mean for you to brand yourself. Now, you can't let anyone find out, or Will Turner will not be able to go to town unhunted."
"I'm not worried. Now, you said you could fix it, make it a true brand…?"
Jack sighed, "Okay, but I warned you." He stood up, setting down the bottle, and walked to the shelf and removed a small metal object. He held one end into the fire and waited. When he removed it, the "P" shaped end was glowing bright orange. He walked back over to Will, who held out his wrist, waiting. "This is going to hurt," Jack said again. With that, he placed the scalding hot metal to the soft skin on Will's wrist and held it there.
A few days had passed since Jack had given Will a true brand of a pirate, and the burn had all but healed leaving behind the definite mark of a pirate. Will gently rubbed his wrist and watched as the Black Pearl docked at the port. It was pitch black and the night was silent.
"Look, I want you and Elizabeth to get out before we start plundering; I don't want you two to get in trouble."
Will though, was worried, about what, Jack could not say. "Jack, are you really going to plunder the town? Can you… look, you can't destroy one of the houses."
Jack sighed, "Friends of yours live here?"
"You could say that, but see that house?" Will asked, pointing. "Please, you and your men must spare the people inside."
Jack reluctantly nodded, "Very well, I'll tell my crew not to harm the occupants of the house."
Thank you Jack," Will said softly.
"You can thank me if my men actually listen to me."
Will sighed; personally he'd rather stay on the Black Pearl, but he knew Jack wanted them to go. Jack was afraid they'd get hurt. "So do you have a plan on how Elizabeth and I should avoid getting caught in your acts of piracy?"
Jack shrugged, "That's a good question. Look, if you get caught by my crew, show them the mark, they'll accept it now."
He shrugged, "And if we get caught by someone else as we get off?"
Jack stared; he hadn't thought of that. His mind raced as he considered the danger this presented. People would instantly be suspicious of anyone who came off his ship- or any pirate ship for that matter- and if they checked Will they would find the brand and he would be in trouble.
"Okay, new plan, wait till we're done plundering, then, as we're sailing away, you and Elizabeth jump ship- off the plank would be best- swim to shore and the people will think we're evil, you're lucky, and no one will be the wiser."
Will raised his eyebrows, "And you actually think that will work? Have you been stranded on any islands lately? You know the sun tends to mess with your mind…"
Jack gave him a look, "No I haven't been stranded, …well lately. And yes it could work… depending on how stupid or drunk the onlookers are. So you and Elizabeth wait here. We'll be back soon." With that he turned and started down the gangplank, humming softly to himself.
"Fun, fun, fun," Will muttered sarcastically to himself.
Jack was quite pleased with himself. The haul of gold he had collected, the liquor he'd… borrowed, and the fact he now knew that Black Andrew had only been here a week earlier put him in high spirits. He took another swig of whatever he had and grimaced; it was a little dry for his liking, but it still had a pretty good kick.
As he rounded a corner, he spotted a large group of his men standing in a circle, laughing and taunting whoever or whatever was in the middle. Slowly he drew nearer, and saw that it was a small boy, who couldn't have been more than ten years old. The boy's shoulder length, dirty blonde hair was pushed behind his ears but it was his eyes that caught Jack's attention.
The boy's dark brown eyes were huge and filled with fear, and though Jack had never before seen the boy, the eyes seemed strangely familiar. His bravery was also admirable; despite being surrounded by eight pirates, the child's small fists were clenched tight and he looked ready to deck the first person to attack him. Something about the kid pulled at Jack's heart and he sighed.
"Hey guys, leave the kid alone. Go… raid a bar or something," Jack said, pushing his way through the circle to the kid. His men sighed; they had looked forward to gutting the boy.
His crew started to disperse but one stopped and said, "Hey Captain? I overheard some people talking. They're looking for that friend of yours. They plan on killing him on sight for piracy when they find him. Don't ask me how they knew, but you might want to keep him away from here." With that he followed the others into the night.
Jack watched him go. 'Okay, another change of plans. Will and Elizabeth are not getting off here.' He then turned his attention to the child he'd saved.
"You… you're a pirate aren't you?" the boy stammered. When Jack nodded, the boy broke into a grin, "Neat, a real live pirate! What's your name?"
Jack almost laughed at the boy's curiosity. "Aren't you afraid of pirates?"
The child shook his head. "My parents told me pirates can be good people. They knew a few. I'm named for one they knew. My name's Jack but some people call me Jackie. What's your name?" The boy finally asked again.
Jack stared, surprised by the amount of words the boy had managed to fit into one breath, "Well… my name is Jack. Captain Jack Sparrow."
The child's eyes widened further. "You're Captain Jack Sparrow?" he asked in awe. "Wow, you're the man my mom and dad named me after."
An idea slowly seeped into Jack's mind. "How old are you, Jack," he asked. It felt strange calling someone else by his name.
"Eight," the boy replied.
'Eight,' Jack thought. 'That would be about right.' "Uh, what's your full name, kid?"
Little Jack- or Jackie as he was sometimes called, much to his dismay- drew himself up, obviously proud of whom he was. "My name is Jack Turner."
Even though Jack had been expecting it, the surprise of hearing it confirmed shocked him momentarily speechless. Finally he managed, "You mean, you're the son of Will and Elizabeth Turner?"
The boy nodded eagerly.
Jack was shocked. Why had Will and Elizabeth named their son after him; he wasn't the most respectable person to name a kid after. And why hadn't they told him? 'Now I know why the eyes look so familiar; they look exactly like Will's.'
"Um, Captain Sparrow? Have you been to Port Royal lately? I'm sure my parents would love to see you," Jackie said, blinking up at the pirate, only starting to notice hoe late it was.
Jack nodded, "As a matter of fact, I was there recently. Your parents are here with me; do you want to see them? They're on my ship, follow me." He started off towards the docks, careful not to leave the boy behind.
"This is awesome," the child said as he hurried after. "The first pirate I meet is the one I'm named for."
Jack glanced behind him to the boy, "What do you mean, first pirate? I ain't the first you've met."
"Your men don't count, they just wanted to kill me."
A smile slid across the pirate's face, "No, you've known one for far longer. He is a far better pirate and person than I am."
"A better pirate? Impossible! Dad's told me all about you, no one is better than you. Besides, I know not any other pirate," Jackie insisted.
"Then he forgot to tell you about himself. Your father is the best pirate I know, and the best person," Jack informed the child with a smile.
It didn't surprise him that Will had overlooked the important role he'd played in defeating Barbossa.
"Dad? A… pirate?" the boy stammered. He then shook his head, "No way, he's a blacksmith."
"Say what you will, but your father's a pirate, born and bred. That means, so are you."
Jackie paused, even stopped walking. "Dad's a pirate? And so am I?" His brown eyes suddenly hardened, carrying a surprisingly deadly glint for an eight-year-old. "I'll have to teach those kids at school a lesson then," he murmured to himself.
Jack Sparrow sighed and motioned for the boy to continue to follow him. "Ah, look boy, I don't want you to be get'n in trouble for what I told ya, so let's avoid picking a fight with the kids at your school, savvy?"
The boy shook his head, "No! They called pirates fat, lazy, drunk, lustful morons who have no wits and violent tendencies." He then lowered his eyes and voice and whispered, "They also pick on me because I like pirates and they insult my parents 'cause they're friends with you."
Jack looked surprised; that Will and Elizabeth had suffered hard feelings from their fellow citizens because of him… that thought didn't sit well with him. He looked at the child that shared his name before he asked, "Do your parents know the problems these other children have been giving you?"
"No," Jackie replied, "I never told them. If I had, they would have done something about it, and if that had happened, their parents would have taken steps against my mom and dad. I didn't want them to get into trouble."
The Captain of the Black Pearl nodded, "Well, I understand that you don't want to get them in trouble, but I think they should know. You're their son; they deserve to know what's goin' on." He glanced ahead, "There's my ship; your parents are there."
"Wow!" Jackie breathed. He turned his huge brown eyes towards Jack, "Is that the Black Pearl?" His tone was one of awed reverence as he spoke the name of Jack's ship.
"Yeah, the one and only. Come on, let's go see to your parents," Jack said, leading the boy to the ship. "You know, I've been wondering something. Why were your parents at Port Royal and you here?"
The boy sighed, "My school's here; it's one of the best schools around. Mom and dad were only at Port Royal so they could sell the house, close up my dad's shop, and get ready to move." He sighed, "I don't like the other kids in my class though, so I'd rather have stayed there."
Jack nodded in understanding, "Well, here we are. The Black Pearl." He swept his hand forward and grinned, showing his gold-capped teeth. He started up the gangplank then stopped and turned back to the boy, who was no longer following. "Come on, kid. Let's get on board."
Jackie nodded, "Okay." He followed behind the Captain and gently ran his hand through his dirty blonde hair. "You sure mom and dad are here?"
As the boy asked this, a voice from behind asked, "Hey Jack, who's the kid?"
Jack grinned from ear to ear, "come on Will, don't you recognize your own kid?"
Will stepped forward, out of the shadow, to get a better look at the boy standing behind the pirate. "Jack?" he asked the child in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
The boy grinned, and then fiercely hugged his father. "Captain Sparrow said you were here. He let me come."
Will looked over at Jack and said, "Oh, did he now?" Jack gave his friend a sheepish grin. Will snorted softly and shook his head with a slight roll of his eyes. "Well, Jackie, unfortunately we're getting ready to leave, so take a quick look around before-."
"Actually, Will, you're not getting off here," Jack interrupted. "The people here know you are a pirate. A few of them are even planning to kill you on sight." He glanced down, and then continued, "Sorry, but I can't let you and Elizabeth get off here. It's too dangerous."
"They know?" Will repeated in surprise. "How?"
As Jack shrugged, Jackie - still holding his father - looked up and asked, "So it's true? You really are a pirate?"
Will sighed and gently took his son by the shoulders and pushed him back as he knelt before the eight-year-old. "Yes, I am a pirate. Jackie, you can't tell anyone. When people find out they will try to arrest me, or worse. If they do, you and your mother will be subject to the scorn of our neighbors because of me."
Jackie nodded, "I understand." Will nodded and gently released his son. Jack, now behind the child, nudged him slightly. The boy glanced behind him and Captain Sparrow nodded, urging the boy to speak. "Uh, dad? In some ways it's already too late for that."
"What do you mean, Jack?" It was obvious he was concerned by the tone in his son's voice because he didn't use his son's nickname.
Jack Turner shrugged slightly. "The other kids at school… they make fun of me, because we aren't afraid of pirates and because I think they're cool." His face turned slightly red, "Sorry for lying to you, but that's why I get in fights at school and come home beat up. It's not because the older kids don't like me, but because of pirates."
"Wait," Will said concern mixing with anger, "are you telling me the reason you came home with a broken arm last year is because you are not afraid of pirates?"
The boy nodded, eyes down, and then he looked up. "Dad, I want to come with you and mom. I have no desire to go to that school again."
Will shook his head, "I'm sorry, Jackie. It's too dangerous. Besides, you can't miss school."
The child looked disappointed. "Dad," he whined, "Captain Sparrow said I could come." He looked at the pirate behind him, his gaze begging the man to help him.
Jack's eyes widened as Will turned and glared at him. When he had made the offer to the boy, he hadn't been expecting it to be used in an argument between father and son, but it was too late now. He sighed and said, "Don't worry Will, the kid would be fine here with us. He won't be in the way. Besides, he'll learn things here that he'd never learn at school."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Will muttered under his breath. He then looked back at his son before saying, "You can't just not go to school tomorrow. Someone needs to inform your teacher. I can't go; the people here know I'm a pirate and they'd murder me on sight. Your mother won't want to take you out of school; besides, she can't go either, once again because I am a pirate.
Jack glanced between his best friend and the eight-year-old. Finally he could stand the disappointed look on the boy's face no longer. "I could take him and talk to his teacher," he offered. "The people around here don't realize I'm a pirate, it could work."
Will watched the Black Pearl's captain, doubt showing in his eyes. "I don't know, Jack. I think we should ask Elizabeth about this."
"Ask me what?" Elizabeth asked, coming up from below deck. Her eyes then lit upon her son standing in front of Captain Sparrow. "Jackie!" she exclaimed, rushing forward and engulfing her son in a huge hug.
The boy returned the embrace, and then said softly, "Mom, I told you, I want you to call me Jack, not Jackie." He stared up at his mother, his huge, dark brown eyes unblinking.
"Fine then, Jack," she said, emphasizing her son's proper name. "What are you doing here?"
"He's here because I brought him onboard," Jack Sparrow said, before either Turner could answer. "We were just, eh, discussing the idea of your son joining us on the Black Pearl for a while." He grinned and winked at the boy before turning serious again.
"What about school?" Elizabeth asked immediately. "You can't just skip school."
Once again, Jack answered, "Well love, I was planning on accompanying the kid 'ere to school tomorrow and have a talk with his teacher." He realized the awkwardness of him calling Elizabeth love a few seconds too late, although fortunately neither Will or Elizabeth looked offended.
Elizabeth regarded Jack with the same dubious look Will had, "Talk with his teacher?"
Jack nodded and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Sure, I'll just let her- or him- know Jack here will be unable to attend school for awhile."
She looked at her and could clearly read the pleading in his eyes. It was obvious the boy's sole desire was to accompany them on the Black Pearl, even if only for a little while. "Fine," she finally agreed, "but I expect you to study on board, okay?"
Jackie nodded and looked up at the Captain. "Thank you." Captain Sparrow nodded and turned towards the helm.
"Jack," Will called, causing his friend to stop and turn back, "be civil. Please?"
Jack scoffed slightly, "Will, have you ever known me not to be?"
TBC
Well so long for now! I'll update soon. I hope you're all enjoying this story. It's probably why I got a B in Algebra 2. It's not easy to learn trigonometry when your busy torturing fictional characters.
Hope to hear from everyone again. See ya later!