[A/N] - Hey Guys! It's me your #1 author! So, I know I haven't updated in a while but hey, the university is tough. However, I do have one week break and now due to the virus, my classes will be online which means that I might be freer in writing at least a chapter once in a while. We will see. A big shoutout to all my new followers and commenters, so glad you guys like my story and stayed loyal despite the delays! You are the best!

As for the virus, please everyone stay safe and take precautions. Do not panic and think clearly. It will pass and we all going to be okay. If anyone ever wants to talk about it or worries or anything, my private messages are open for you guys.


After the small group betrayal that failed dramatically, everyone gathered around Will and were all looking at a chart. They had to find out where exactly they were and a place to replenish their essential before making a new heading.

"There's a freshwater spring on this island. We can resupply there and get back to shooting each other later" Will suggested and as much as Artemis agreed, she knew it would be impossible.

As if her thoughts had been heard, Jack decided to be the first one to make it true.

"You can lead the shore party, and I'll stay with my ship" he said rather proudly, forcing the redhead to facepalm and fight the urge to send him back to the locker.

"I'll not be leaving my ship in your command" Barbossa argued, as it was expected.

Artemis looked between the two as once again they started that glaring contest of who was the Captain of the Pearl. She then looked at Will who happened to look at her as well, realising that this would take them nowhere.

"Why don't you both go ashore and leave the ship in my command... temporarily"

The two men looked at him, but he was unfazed by their stare. You could see that they were weighing their options but agreed in the end because they would prefer Will than anyone else. However, Artemis and Tia Dalma exchanged looks, feeling something dark and unusual approach.

She stayed quiet though, trying to think positively and actually wanting everything to be over. She felt the need for a big break, being away from this crazy adventure that has no logic behind it.

It took a few minutes to prepare the boat, in it being Raggeti, Pintel, Cotton, Martin, Jack, Artemis, Barbossa and Tai Huang and some of his men. The very first thing they noticed once they came close to the shore, was the corpse of the Kraken.

The Giant creature which inspired fear and legends, the monster that dragged ships to the bottom of the sea…was dead. Dead and lying on the beach, the seagulls slowly eating from its flesh and having a feast.

Artemis' single eye stared at it, not believing that something like that was even possible. It was known that Jones was controlled by Beckett but having his pet to be killed…what had the world ended up to?

If this was not a sign that no one was safe from the rage of the East Indian Trading Company, then what was? She sensed the two Captain by her side, staring at it as well. Jack, was equally shocked considering he had spent days trying to outrun it.

"Still thinking of running, Jack? Think you can outrun the world? You know, the problem with being the last of anything, is by and by, there be none left at all" Barbossa told him.

Jack took a deep breath. "Sometimes, things come back, mate. We're living proof, you and me"

"Aye, but that's a gamble of long odds, ain't it? There's never a guarantee of coming back, but passing on, that's dead certain"

"Summoning the Brethren Court, then, is it?" Artemis decided to ask, earning the attention of the two men.

She had been wondering what would follow after since Jack had refused to meet with the other pirate lords.

"It's our only hope, lass" Barbossa replied to her and she gave a nod.

She didn't like the idea that they were out of options, that they were literally faced with extinction but that was life for them. Looking back, she wondered how fast things changed in a matter of fewer than 2 years.

"That's a sad commentary in and of itself" Jack said, noticing her dropped face as his hand brushed hers slightly.

"The world used to be a bigger place"

"The world's still the same. There's just less in it"


After the small talk between the trio, they marched deeper into the land in hopes for the spring they had seen on the map. They had to get fresh water, which was vital and as for food, they would improvise if had to.

However, once they arrived there; another surprise awaited them. A dead body was floating in the middle, turning the clear water into a murky grey. Barbossa was the first to approach, dipping a finger and then tasting it; only to spit it out.

"Poisoned. Fouled by the body" he informed.

Artemis narrowed her eyes at the body. "Help me turn him"

Pintel quickly joined and the duo turned the body over, seeing the face of the deceased person. Her eyes widened at the familiarity.

"Hey, I know him! He was in Singapore!" the short man exclaimed.

"Singapore!" Cotton's parrot repeated, a bad feeling settling on the bottom of her stomach.

"Captain!" Martin called from further away, causing the trio to rush towards the opening between the trees.

"Oy, we've got company!" Raggetti shouted from the shore and pointed towards the Pearl.

Sao Feng's ship had appeared out of nowhere and was now side by side with their ship. To make this worst, Tai Huang and his men turned their guns on them; most being pointed at Jack.

"He's the captain" the man pointed at Barbossa as both he and Artemis rolled their eyes.


They were brought back on the pearl and the first thing they saw was Sao Feng and his men. Their crew was at gunpoint as well, leaving them with no choice but to play along. Barbossa approached the pirate lord

"Sao Feng, you showing up here, 'tis truly a remarkable coincidence'" he said but the man had his eyes on someone else.

"Jack Sparrow, you paid me great insult once"

"That doesn't sound like me" Jack said in his usual tone but this time, he wouldn't escape, and the Pirate Lord of Singapore punched him in the nose. Sparrow held his nose and slowly fixed it, his brown eyes never leaving him. "Shall we just call it square, then?"

Out of the blue, Will pushed some men to the side and came forward. His eyes were on Elizabeth and Artemis with the former having her hands tied by ropes. "Release her. She is not part of the bargain"

"And what bargain be that?" Barbossa and Artemis asked the same time, narrowing their eyes at Will.

They wouldn't be surprised if Will had turned out to have made a deal behind their backs. Artemis would feel slightly proud since that was the pirate way but the fact that he had kept her to the dark once again…that wasn't settling right within her.

Sao Feng smirked. "You heard Captain Turner. Release them"

"Captain Turner?" Jack repeated, tasting the word with a sourness in his voice.

"Aye, the perfidious rotter led a mutiny against us"

"Why am I not surprised?" Artemis added right after Gibbs, her hands folded in front of her chest.

"I need the Pearl to free my father. That's the only reason I came on this voyage" Will explained, causing the redhead to leave a sigh.

She should have seen it coming, his father being the only thing in his mind since he found out the truth. She didn't blame him since she would be equally obsessed if it was her father to share such fate.

"Why didn't you tell me you were planning this?" Elizabeth asked, betrayal visible on her face.

"It was my burden to bear" he replied, using her own words.

"He needs the Pearl!" Jack started. "Captain Turner needs the Pearl! *turns to Elizabeth* And you felt guilty. *to Barbossa* And you and your Brethren Court! *to everyone else* Did no one come to save me just because they missed me?" Artemis and Gibbs rolled their eyes before lifting their hands, followed by Marty, Pintel, Ragetti, Cotton, and Jack the monkey. "I'm standing over there with them"

However, before Jack could walk away; Sao Feng grabbed his forearm. "I'm sorry, Jack, but there's an old friend who wants to see you first"

"I'm not certain I can survive any more visits from old friends"

"Here's your chance to find out"

Everyone turned and look as from the Pearl's empty side, an EITC ship was heading their way. Artemis saw the flag and her heart started to beat faster once the realisation hit her. She knew very well who was on that ship and it took all her mental power not to show any signs.

She was lucky since only Jack was led on board the English ship, leaving her along with the other pirates. However, she made sure to conceal herself by staying as far as possible and hoping that the others would cover her form.

She was thankful for her decision since right after, Mercer and some of his men came aboard the ship.

"My men are crew enough" Sao Feng said as he and Will stood in front of the shorter man who was dressed in all black.

"Company ship, company crew" he replied, and his eyes travelled around, trying to find a certain someone.

"You agreed, the Black Pearl was to be mine" Will argued, now turning to the Pirate Captain.

"And so it was" he replied and gave the signal, making some men punch Will in the stomach before dragging him off.

Artemis watched in silence, making sure to stay concealed as people moved slightly but the majority stayed put. She spotted Mercer looking around, recognising him from the bath in Singapore.

She failed to notice Gibbs who had moved behind her until he placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly in fright.

"You okay Artemis?" the old man asked, noticing her unusual behaviour.

"I will be once we are far away from them" she replied, her eyes always moving and keeping her attention on Mercer.

"Past with the EITC?"

"You could say that"

The man gave a nod of understanding and moved along, whispering to some of their own crewmembers and helping in keeping Artemis away from the eyes of the shorter man. They didn't question, all of them having passed similar situations with officials, the Navy or the EITC in that case.


Back on the English Ship, Jack and Beckett were in the latter's office and were 'discussing'. Both knew each other personally, showing familiarity at the pattern of speech and both trying to strike the most fitting bargain for themselves.

"Perhaps you would consider an alternate arrangement, one that requires absolutely nothing from you but information" Beckett started, leaning against his desk while his eyes were on Jack.

The Pirate was making air with a black fan he had snatched from his desk, scanning the office for anything he could pickpocket while listening to what the man in the wig had to say.

"Regarding the Brethren Court, no doubt? In exchange for fair compensation, square my debt with Jones, guarantee my freedom?" Jack asked, once again playing the Bargain game.

"Of course. It's just good business"

"Were I in a divulgatory mood, what then might I divulge?"

"Everything. Where are they meeting? Who are the pirate lords? What is the purpose of the nine pieces of eight?"


Back on the Pearl, the tensions had started to rise with the presence of the soldiers while whispers between pirates could be heard. It was a tricky situation where the deal was not clear and now from the loopholes, Mercer was trying to win.

"Beckett agreed the Black Pearl was to be mine" Sao Feng argued once again, trying to win over the case but the shorter man barely cared as he kept searching.

"Lord Beckett's not going to give up the only ship that can outrun the Dutchman, now is he?" he walked further away, leaving him alone.

Barbossa decided to approach, seeing how the relationship was not as strong as he expected. Perhaps he could still change the tide before ending up with a noose around their necks. "It's a shame they're not bound to honour the Code of the Brethren, ain't it? Because honour's a hard thing to come by nowadays"

"There's no honour in remaining with the losing side. Leaving it for the winning side, that's just good business"

"The losing side, you say?"

"They have the Dutchman, now the Pearl. And what do the Brethren have?"

"We have Calypso" he whispered to his ear, his eyes travelling to Tia Dalma who seemed to have picked up where this was going and what he was implying.

Sao Feng scoffed. "Hmph, Calypso! An old legend"

"No, the goddess herself, bound in human form" his fellow pirate followed his gaze but instead, it landed on the woman next to Tia, Elizabeth. Barbossa grabbed his necklace and continued "I intend to release her, but for that, I need the Court, all the Court"


Back to Beckett's office, the two men were still deciding on the deal and what each man would get. Unlike Sao Feng, Jack knew how to make sure to be fully good once the deal is sealed and how not to let any loophole be turned against him.

"You can keep Barbossa, the belligerent homunculus and his friend with the wooden eye both, and Turner... especially Turner. The rest go with me aboard the Pearl, and I will lead you to Shipwreck Cove, where I will hand you the pirates and you will NOT hand me to Jones. Bloody fair deal, don't you think?" he asked, turning to be face to face with the man but keeping a certain distance between them.

"And what becomes of Miss Swann?" Beckett asked with a smirk.

"What interest is she to you?"

Beckett kept the smirk and pushed himself from the desk, starting to walk slowly around the room. Jack did the same, making sure to keep a distance and his brown eyes on the man. "What if I tell you, Jack, that Miss Swann is not who I want"

"And who you might want?" Jack asked, even though his mind had already started to put the pieces together.

"I presume you are familiar with a woman named Artemis…she had been seen hanging with your crew for the past year"

Jack kept his face neutral and both men stopped walking in a circle, now their places had changed. They eyed each other. "Of course I am. Loud, stubborn…a pirate born. Do not tell me your eyes are on her mate"

"They have been for a long time Jack" Beckett admitted, keeping the smirk which only grew once he noticed the millisecond change of emotions across the pirate's face. "She has indeed those characteristics which is why she needs to be returned to me" they start walking in a circle. "That pirate spirit needs to be broken and be reminded of the values and rule a lady of her class should follow"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Miss Swann is a much better option"

"Oh, and why is that?"

They came to a halt, once again places changed with Becket standing in front of his desk. "Because Artemis has no title for you to associate with. You will take a pirate when you are so sworn in eliminating them? While Ms Swann… daughter of a Governor, born and raised to be a lady worthy of your side…and if you are looking for some wild side, I assure you that she has plenty covered under her dresses"